Hey all. Wanted to import a little discussion from DailyKos that has helped me considerably.

The Spoon Theory is a metaphor used to explain the limited amount of energy or resources that someone has at their disposal. Your energy or resources are “spoons,” with each spoon representing a specific amount of energy or effort required to complete a task.
The more spoons you have, the more things you can accomplish during a day. However, you have a finite number of spoons, and when you run out, you’re done for the day.

One blogger on DailyKos provided a list of these "spoons" that people can choose to save for the cause of environmentalism. Obviously this just can't be the number one concern for everyone, so the goal of this list is to provide genuine small bits of good that anybody can do and will make an impact, no matter how small.

A) 10 super easy things to do for the earth every day. PICK ONE! (Something new)
Stop buying things you don’t really need.
Buy recycled or used items instead of buying new.
Donate or recycle your own used items rather than throwing them away.
Pick up a piece of trash (in public) and throw it away. Every day.
Use less water. Shorter showers. Less often. Turn off the spigot when brushing teeth.
Use the minimum of paper towels, buy or make dishrags.
Become a part-time vegetarian.
Replace your old incandescent or CFL light bulbs with efficient LEDS.
Walk more. Drive less.
Educate yourself.
B) 10 easy household changes that make a difference. PICK ONE or TWO!
Stop junk mail from being delivered to your home
Only use the clothes washer for FULL loads
Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks
Start a compost pile as an alternative to using a garbage disposal. ^{There is a lot of conflicting information regarding the negative impacts of garbage disposals vs throwing food waste into landfills (BOTH are destructive} but a COMPOST PILE is the ideal solution. Win, win.)
Grow a forest in your yard instead of a lawn.
Reusable bags! Never use a plastic bag again! ^{Buy them once and use them as gift bags, grocery bags, pool bags, totes, storage. Wash, rinse, repeat!}
Never buy bottled water again! If water quality is poor in your area, filters have a much longer shelf life.
Use power strips to eliminate phantom power
Clean the condenser coils of your fridge (by simply unplugging it, pulling it away from the wall, and vacuuming the coils on the back or underneath it, you can keep it running on less energy.)
Sign up for Community Solar. Even if you can’t have solar on your own home!

C) 10 ways to enlist others in this critical rescue effort. PICK ONE!

Write your commitment down and ask someone else to sign on to it.
Offer someone one of your spoons. Explain why.
Share practical examples and uplifting inspirational stories of positive change.
Organize a CLOTHING SWAP in your neighborhood or community.
Organize a COMMUNITY CLEAN UP in your neighborhood or a community in need. ^{(It’s easier than you think!})
Write a diary and talk about your own experiences, your fears for the future, your ideas...suggest solutions
Make a poster or give a speech — explain the problem and ask for solutions! Save a spoon for the earth!
Being agreeable to making an effort (using a spoon) to do something for the good of the planet in whatever opportunity next presents itself to you.

Hope this helps somebody out there. Even if it's just a slight feeling of control.
Source: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/5/20/2217773/-Save-a-Spoon-for-the-Earth-let-s-help-Pakalolo-and-Meteor-Blades-and-the-children?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web

The amount of hydrogen peroxide you add for the oxidation process is critical and should be done cautiously to avoid over-oxidation. Starting with 10 mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 100 mL of extract is a good initial step. You can monitor the reaction and add more hydrogen peroxide gradually if necessary. Here is a more detailed guide:

Step-by-Step Guide with Hydrogen Peroxide

1. Preparation
   
   • Grind dried kratom leaves into a fine powder.
   • Measure the kratom powder (e.g., 100 grams).
2. Initial Extraction
   
   • Place the kratom powder in a glass jar.
   • Add Everclear to the jar in a 1:4 ratio (1 part kratom to 4 parts Everclear by volume).
   • Stir thoroughly to ensure the powder is fully saturated.
   • Seal the jar and let the mixture sit for 24 hours, shaking occasionally.
3. Filtering
   
   • Filter the mixture through filter paper or coffee filters into a clean glass jar.
   • Repeat the extraction with fresh Everclear to maximize yield. Combine the filtrates.
4. Acid-Base Treatment
   
   • Adjust the pH of the filtered extract to around 4-5 using citric acid. This helps convert the alkaloids to their salt form.
   • Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes.
   • Filter the mixture again to remove any precipitates.
   • Adjust the pH back to neutral (around 7) using sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydroxide. This converts the alkaloids back to their free base form.
   • Filter the mixture once more to remove any remaining precipitates.
5. Oxidation to 7-Hydroxymitragynine
   
   • Add 10 mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 100 mL of extract initially.
   • Stir the mixture thoroughly.
   • Place the mixture under a UV light source for a few hours, periodically checking the progress. The UV light acts as a catalyst for the oxidation process.
   • If the reaction appears to slow down or stop, you can add more hydrogen peroxide in small increments (e.g., an additional 5 mL at a time), but do not exceed a total of 20 mL of hydrogen peroxide per 100 mL of extract without thorough monitoring.
   • Continuously monitor the reaction to avoid over-oxidation. You can use pH strips or a pH meter to check for changes and ensure the mixture does not become too acidic.
6. Neutralization
   
   • Once the desired level of oxidation is achieved, neutralize any remaining hydrogen peroxide by adding a small amount of sodium bisulfite or sodium metabisulfite solution.
   • Stir thoroughly to ensure complete neutralization.
7. Concentration
   
   • Pour the oxidized extract into an evaporating dish or shallow glass container.
   • Evaporate the alcohol gently using a hot plate at a low temperature in a well-ventilated area. Avoid boiling the mixture. This may take several hours.
8. Final Evaporation
   
   • Continue heating gently until all the solvent has evaporated, leaving behind the concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine extract.
   • Scrape the residue from the evaporating dish.
9. Storage
   
   • Store the extract in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to preserve its potency.

Safety Precautions

• Work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood.
• Wear gloves, safety glasses, and a lab coat to protect against chemical exposure.
• Handle hydrogen peroxide and other reagents with care, as they can be corrosive and hazardous.
• Ensure proper handling and safety measures when using UV light to avoid exposure to skin and eyes.

Notes

• Monitoring: Carefully monitor the reaction, especially when adding more hydrogen peroxide. Use UV light to enhance the process, but do not overexpose.
• Neutralization: Ensure complete neutralization of hydrogen peroxide to prevent any residual reactive chemicals.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations: Be aware of and comply with local regulations regarding the use and extraction of kratom and its alkaloids.

By following this method, you can effectively oxidize mirtragynine to 7-hydroxymitragynine while minimizing the risk of over-oxidation.

While I was working on the multiagent system workflow posted a couple of weeks ago, I came up with the following PRD for this idea on Jarvis, the executive assistant agent. Having product management experience, I created a PM agent to produce the document. It may be appropriate to start a new thread, but I came up with the following PRD for Jarvis, the executive assistant agent.
This idea came to me because I have been having to create, update, and delete agents on a regular basis to accommodate changes in my needs. Since some of the conversations are important pieces of knowledge, I backup and save the agents' conversations into a text file before deleting them.
The ability to manage the relationship and hierarchy between parent and child agents—for instance, by configuring a master PM agent and slave agents specifically for each project—would improve the user experience in a centralized, methodical framework for agent management and governance. In this framework, the user only needs to update the prompt for the master PM agent; the slave agents do not require updating. At the level of the slave agent, only commands require updating.
Although it may be a challenging engineering project, I believe it has the potential to transform the application into a sophisticated enterprise tool.
Let me know what you think!

Product Requirement Document (PRD)

Product Title: Enhanced Custom Agent Management and Executive Assistant Agent

Author: [Your Name]

Date: [Date]

1. **Executive Summary**

This document outlines the requirements for enhancing the navigation and usability of custom agents within Taskade. The key features include improved tracking of agent conversations, an advanced executive assistant agent named **Jarvis** to delegate tasks to the appropriate custom agents based on user prompts, and dynamic creation and selection of agents. Additionally, this document addresses the need for conversation backups and value assessment when users delete agents.

2. **Goals and Objectives**

• **Improved User Navigation**: Simplify the process for users to track and continue conversations with custom agents.
  
• **Executive Assistant Agent - Jarvis**: Develop an intelligent agent capable of analyzing user prompts and delegating tasks to the most suitable custom agent.
  
• **Agent Governance Model**: Enable dynamic creation and selection of agents, forming a multi-agent system to meet complex user requirements.
  
• **Conversation Backup and Value Assessment**: Provide users with options to backup conversations and present value assessment when deleting agents.
  

3. **Key Features and Requirements**

3.1 Improved Navigation and Tracking

**Description**: Implement a feature that enables users to easily track their last interaction with custom agents and navigate back to it.
**Requirements**:

1. **Recent Conversations List**: Display a list of recent conversations with custom agents on the user's dashboard or a dedicated section.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want to see a list of my recent conversations with custom agents so that I can easily continue where I left off.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: The recent conversations list should display the agent's name, a snippet of the last conversation, and the date/time of the interaction. Clicking on an entry should take the user directly to that conversation.
  

1. **Search and Filter Functionality**: Allow users to search and filter custom agents by name, role, or last interaction date.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want to quickly find a specific custom agent using search and filters.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: The search bar should support keyword input, and filters should allow sorting by name, role, and interaction date.
  

1. **Favorite Agents**: Enable users to mark specific agents as favorites for quicker access.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want to mark some agents as favorites so that I can access them quickly.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: Users should be able to mark/unmark agents as favorites. A dedicated favorites section should display these agents prominently.
  

3.2 Executive Assistant Agent - Jarvis

**Description**: Develop an advanced agent named **Jarvis** that acts as an executive assistant, analyzing user prompts and redirecting them to the appropriate custom agent.
**Requirements**:

1. **Prompt Analysis**: Implement natural language processing (NLP) capabilities to understand and analyze user prompts.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want Jarvis to understand my prompt and decide which custom agent is best suited for the task.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: Jarvis should accurately interpret the user’s prompt and provide a summary of its analysis before redirecting the task.
  

1. **Agent Delegation**: Based on the analysis, delegate the task to the appropriate custom agent.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want Jarvis to delegate tasks to the best-suited custom agent automatically.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: Jarvis should seamlessly redirect the task to the selected custom agent and notify the user of the delegation.
  

1. **Feedback Loop**: Allow users to provide feedback on the accuracy of task delegation to improve Jarvis’s performance over time.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want to provide feedback on Jarvis’s performance to refine its accuracy.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: After delegation, users should be prompted to rate the accuracy and relevance of the agent selection. This data should be used to improve Jarvis’s algorithms.
  

3.3 Agent Governance Model

**Description**: Establish Jarvis as a central governance model that enables dynamic creation and selection of agents based on user requirements, forming a multi-agent system.
**Requirements**:

1. **Dynamic Agent Creation**: Jarvis should be able to create new custom agents dynamically based on specific user requirements and contexts.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want Jarvis to create new custom agents dynamically when my prompt requires specialized tasks that existing agents cannot handle.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: Jarvis should create a new custom agent if needed and brief the user about this creation, including its role and capabilities.
  

1. **Multi-Agent Coordination**: Enable Jarvis to coordinate between multiple custom agents to accomplish complex tasks.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want Jarvis to manage multiple custom agents working together to complete complex tasks.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: Jarvis should delegate subtasks to different agents and coordinate their outputs to achieve the overall task objective.
  

1. **Performance Monitoring and Optimization**: Continuously monitor agent performance and optimize agent selection and task delegation processes.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want Jarvis to learn from past interactions and improve its performance over time.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: Jarvis should use historical data to refine its agent selection and delegation processes, providing more efficient and accurate task completion over time.
  

3.4 Conversation Backup and Value Assessment

**Description**: Provide users with options to backup conversations and present a value assessment when deleting agents.
**Requirements**:

1. **Backup Option**: When a user decides to delete an agent, prompt them to back up their conversations.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want an option to backup my conversations when deleting an agent so that I don’t lose valuable information.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: The system should prompt the user with an option to back up conversations before confirming agent deletion.
  

1. **Conversation Summary and Recommended Action**: Show a summary of the conversations and recommend actions based on the value of the knowledge created.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want to see a summary of my conversations and receive recommendations based on the knowledge value before deleting an agent.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: The system should display a summary and recommended actions, assessing the value based on user preferences and inferred metacognitive analysis.
  

1. **Value Assessment**: Assess the value of conversations based on user’s explicit preferences and inferred metacognitive analysis of tool usage.

• **User Story**: As a user, I want the system to assess the value of my conversations and consider my usage patterns before making recommendations.
  
• **Acceptance Criteria**: The assessment should incorporate both explicit user preferences and inferred data from past usage to provide accurate recommendations.
  

4. **User Stories**

1. **As a user, I want to see my recent conversations with custom agents on my dashboard so that I can continue them easily.**
   
2. **As a user, I want to search and filter my custom agents so that I can quickly find the one I need.**
   
3. **As a user, I want an executive assistant agent named Jarvis to analyze my prompt and delegate the task to the appropriate custom agent so that I don't have to remember which agent does what.**
   
4. **As a user, I want Jarvis to create new custom agents dynamically if my prompt requires specialized tasks that existing agents cannot handle.**
   
5. **As a user, I want Jarvis to manage multiple custom agents working together to complete complex tasks.**
   
6. **As a user, I want to provide feedback on the task delegation accuracy to help improve Jarvis over time.**
   
7. **As a user, I want an option to back up my conversations when deleting an agent so that I don’t lose valuable information.**
   
8. **As a user, I want to see a summary of my conversations and receive recommendations based on the knowledge value before deleting an agent.**
   
9. **As a user, I want the system to assess the value of my conversations and consider my usage patterns before making recommendations.**
   

5. **Dependencies**

• **NLP Engine**: Integration with a robust NLP engine to analyze user prompts.
  
• **Backend Development**: Enhancements to the backend to support tracking, searching, and filtering custom agent interactions.
  
• **Front-End Development**: UI/UX design and implementation to support new features.
  
• **Performance Monitoring Tools**: Tools to monitor and optimize agent performance and task delegation processes.
  
• **Backup and Storage Solutions**: Solutions to allow users to back up and store conversations securely.
  

6. **Timeline**

Milestone Target Date
--------------------------------------------------
Requirements Finalization [Date]
Design Phase [Date]
Development Phase [Date]
Testing Phase [Date]
User Feedback and Iteration [Date]
Final Release [Date]

7. **Stakeholders**

• **Product Management**
  
• **Engineering Team**
  
• **UX/UI Design Team**
  
• **Marketing and Sales Team**
  
• **End Users**
  

8. **Success Metrics**

• **User Engagement**: Increase in the number of interactions with custom agents.
  
• **User Satisfaction**: Positive user feedback and ratings for Jarvis.
  
• **Task Accuracy**: Improved task delegation accuracy as measured by user feedback.
  
• **System Efficiency**: Reduced task completion time and increased efficiency of the multi-agent system.
  
• **Data Retention**: User satisfaction with backup options and conversation summaries when deleting agents.
  

This PRD serves as a comprehensive guide to develop and implement the enhanced navigation and executive assistant features in Taskade. Feedback from all stakeholders will be crucial in refining these requirements and ensuring successful execution.

Hey,
I have to build a buck converter for my university that regulates down from a standard 12V DC car battery to a 3.4 volt DC voltage with max 100 amps for an old electric engine in a old train.
A few questions:

1. how do I connect something like this with such high currents to a PCB? I am not sure if normal pcb copper routes can withstand 100 amps. Or much rather: How do I design PCBs for high current applications?
2. when searching for components (MOSFET, Gatedriver) what do I have to look out for? There are so many options and datasheets are so confusing. My professor said to me I should use a usual sic power mosfet and a frequency around 16khz, but there are still tons of options. My professor is not really deep into power electronics but rather into electrical drives so he can't help me that much.
3. Do I need input filtering? I was thinking just a dc link capacitor would be enough but some internet websites say I should use a inductor to filter high frequency noise. But I am just using DC source so is that necessary?

Thanks in advance.

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https://preview.redd.it/fsnmri5sam5d1.png?width=607&format=png&auto=webp&s=a4e257c093aa4b4093d6993bb30cef3c0c028e76

Howdy! I purchased a 2002 DRZ on marketplace a few months ago, and I’ve been struggling to get it tuned properly since then. I got the factory specs from Smartcarb and used their tuning guide, but I keep running into several problems and can’t seem to eliminate all of them: high idle, vacuum catch in the throttle below 10% throttle, and bogging under load from too rich a mixture. A buddy and I have chased it all around and are just stumped. We’ve decided it’s best to just go through literally everything else we can think to verify exactly what the issue is. We’ve thrown a new spark plug and air filter in it, I’ve given the carb a thorough a cleaning, and I’m working on a valve check/adjustment right now. The only performance modifications on the bike (that I’m aware of) are the carb and the 3x3 mod (which Smartcarb said shouldn’t affect things like we’re seeing).
Is there anything else y’all can think of that I should look at before I just break down and buy a stock carb to throw on it? Even though I didn’t spend the $800-$1100 for the carb itself, I’d like to do what I can to keep it if at all possible (5-10% gains in both power and fuel economy plus no need to adjust/rejet the carb for altitude/temp changes are some powerful motivators 😁).
P.S. This is my first DRZ, so I’m not super familiar with the platform. Any tips, even obvious ones, wouldn’t hurt!

My wife working as nurse ( NHS) and will complete 5 years soon . Planning to apply for ILR after completion of 5 years. But the dependents ( husband and kids) not yet completed 5 years They came to UK after a gap of 9 months. So dependents completed only 4.3 years. So what will happen to dependent visa if primary applicant took ILR?(Dependent need to apply for new visa ? What's the name of the visa?)
Will it be possible to apply for ILR for whole family?
If not possible, will it be possible for dependents to apply after 9 months ( or as soon as they finish 5 years) ?
If anyone recently completed these processes please guide me

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In the digital era, writing needs to be both discoverable and understandable.
NeuronWriter combines SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and NLP (Natural Language Processing) to enhance content creation.
SEO: It helps your content rank higher on search engines by using the right keywords, optimizing content structure, and providing real-time SEO scores.
NLP: It ensures the content is engaging and relevant by understanding user intent and improving language quality.
Useful Links:

• Try NeuronWriter
• Click to view NeuronWriter in action
• Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Introduction to NeuronWriter

NeuronWriter is designed to enhance the digital writing experience by merging SEO and NLP technologies.
This tool optimizes content for search engines while ensuring it remains engaging and relevant to human readers.
Think of it as a sophisticated assistant that guides you on which keywords to use and how to structure your content to make it more engaging and search-friendly.

Understanding SEO

SEO involves various strategies aimed at increasing a website's visibility on search engine results pages. Imagine your content is a book in a library.
SEO ensures that this book is categorized correctly so that it can be easily found by readers. Implementing effective SEO strategies can help your content gain more visibility, increase traffic, and build credibility.

Exploring NLP (Natural Language Processing)

NLP helps computers understand and interpret human language. This technology is used in various applications, from translating languages to recognizing speech and analyzing sentiment. For content creators, NLP tools can make writing more coherent and contextually relevant.

NeuronWriter’s SEO Features

Keyword Optimization and Research:

• NeuronWriter suggests and integrates high-ranking keywords seamlessly into your text, boosting visibility on search engines.
• Comprehensive keyword research tools to identify high-performing keywords.
• Analysis of keyword competition and search volume to target the best opportunities.

SEO Scores:

• The tool offers real-time SEO scores, guiding writers to make necessary adjustments to improve their rankings.

Content Optimization:

• Real-time content scoring based on SEO best practices.
• Suggestions for keyword usage, density, and placement.
• Recommendations for meta titles, descriptions, and headers to improve SERP visibility.

Competitor Analysis:

• Insight into top-ranking competitors for specific keywords.
• Analysis of competitors' content structure, length, and keyword usage.
• Suggestions to outperform competitors by identifying content gaps.

Backlink Analysis:

• Tools to track and analyze backlinks.
• Recommendations for building a strong backlink profile to boost authority.

Technical SEO:

• Site audit features to identify and fix technical issues like broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
• Optimization recommendations for page speed, mobile-friendliness, and structured data.

NeuronWriter’s NLP Capabilities

User Intent Understanding:

• NeuronWriter analyzes user intent, ensuring the content addresses the specific needs and interests of the target audience.

Language Quality:

• It enhances the readability and engagement of the content by improving grammar, vocabulary, and overall language quality.

Contextual Relevance:

• The tool ensures that content remains contextually relevant, making it more likely to resonate with readers and keep them engaged.

Semantic Analysis:

• Use of NLP to understand the context and intent behind keywords.
• Suggestions for semantically related terms to enrich content.

Content Structuring:

• Recommendations for optimal content structure based on NLP analysis.
• Enhancements for readability and engagement using NLP insights.

Entity Recognition:

• Identification and inclusion of key entities (people, places, organizations) relevant to the topic.
• Enrichment of content with factual information to improve authority and trustworthiness.

Sentiment Analysis:

• Analysis of the emotional tone of the content.
• Adjustments to align the sentiment with the intended audience response.

Topic Modeling:

• Identification of core topics and subtopics within the content.
• Suggestions for comprehensive coverage of topics to improve relevance and depth.

How NeuronWriter Combines SEO and NLP

NeuronWriter integrates both SEO and NLP to create content that is not only easily found by search engines but also appreciated by readers. It ensures that your content meets technical SEO standards while remaining engaging and understandable.
By leveraging these advanced features, users can create content that ranks higher, attracts more traffic, and provides value to their audience.
Incorporating NeuronWriter's SEO and NLP features into your YouTube content strategy can significantly enhance your channel's visibility, engagement, and overall performance.
Here are some suggestions:

1. Keyword Research:
   • Use NeuronWriter's keyword research tools to identify trending topics and high-performing keywords in your niche.
   • Analyze the search volume and competition for potential video topics to select the best ones.
2. Competitor Analysis:
   • Identify your top competitors and analyze their successful videos.
   • Note their keywords, video structure, and engagement strategies to find content gaps and opportunities.

How to how to incorporate NeuronWriter NLP into your SEO Content Strategy

Content Creation:

1. Content Optimization:
   • Optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags using NeuronWriter’s SEO recommendations.
   • Include primary and related keywords naturally within your script and description.
   • Ensure your meta titles and descriptions are compelling and keyword-rich to attract clicks.
2. Content Structuring and NLP:
   • Structure your video content logically, covering core topics and subtopics identified through topic modeling.
   • Use NLP insights to ensure your content is engaging and easy to understand.
   • Enhance your scripts with semantically related terms to improve relevance and richness.
3. Entity Recognition and Sentiment Analysis:
   • Include key entities and factual information relevant to your topic to enhance authority.
   • Use sentiment analysis to ensure your video's tone aligns with the intended audience reaction, whether it’s informative, entertaining, or persuasive.

Post-Publishing:

1. Technical SEO:
   • Ensure your video thumbnails, titles, and descriptions are optimized for mobile devices and various screen sizes.
   • Regularly audit your channel for broken links or outdated information in your descriptions.
2. Backlink and Engagement Strategies:
   • Promote your videos on social media, forums, and blogs to build a strong backlink profile.
   • Engage with your audience through comments, encouraging likes, shares, and subscriptions to boost video visibility.

Monitoring and Optimization:

1. Performance Tracking:
   • Continuously monitor the performance of your videos using NeuronWriter’s analytics tools.
   • Track metrics such as views, watch time, engagement, and keyword rankings.
2. Content Refinement:
   • Use insights from performance data to refine and optimize your future content.
   • Update older videos with new keywords, improved descriptions, and better thumbnails based on SEO and NLP recommendations.

Example Workflow:

1. Research Phase:
   • Identify a trending topic: "How to Improve Your SEO with NLP Techniques"
   • Perform keyword research and find relevant keywords like "SEO tips," "NLP for SEO," and "content optimization."
2. Script and Content Creation:
   • Structure the video into sections: Introduction, Importance of SEO, Basics of NLP, Integrating NLP with SEO, Practical Tips, Conclusion.
   • Use NeuronWriter to enrich the script with semantically related terms and key entities.
3. Optimization:
   • Title: "Boost Your SEO with NLP Techniques: Ultimate Guide for 2024"
   • Description: "Learn how to enhance your SEO strategy using NLP techniques. This video covers the basics of NLP, its importance in SEO, and practical tips to integrate NLP for better rankings. Keywords: SEO tips, NLP for SEO, content optimization."
   • Tags: "SEO," "NLP," "content optimization," "SEO tips 2024," "digital marketing."
4. Promotion and Engagement:
   • Share the video across social media platforms.
   • Engage with viewers in the comments section to build a community and encourage further interaction.

Conclusion

Creating successful content in the digital world requires more than just good writing; it requires optimization and understanding of how search engines and readers interact with your content.
By integrating SEO and NLP, NeuronWriter enables the creation of high-quality content that is both discoverable by search engines and enjoyable for readers. This dual approach ensures that the content not only reaches a wider audience but also maintains high engagement and relevance.

Welcome to AskTheStoics
This community is designed to provide advice and guidance for anyone seeking to understand and apply Stoic principles in their lives. Whether you're new to Stoicism or have been practicing for years, this is a space for learning, growth, and mutual support. Here are our community guidelines:

1. Purpose of the Community The goal is to help people navigate life using Stoic philosophy. This includes offering advice, sharing insights, and providing support to those trying to understand and apply Stoic principles.
   
2. Open to All Everyone is welcome here, regardless of their level of knowledge or experience with Stoicism. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, your contributions are valuable.
   
3. Respect and Kindness Always treat others with respect. Berating, belittling, or telling posters to educate themselves more in Stoic philosophy will not be tolerated. We are here to support each other in our journeys.
   
4. Patience and Understanding Be patient and understanding with all members. Remember that everyone is at a different point in their learning process. There are no dumb questions.
   
5. Helpful and Constructive Replies Provide advice that is constructive and helpful. Aim to offer insights that can guide others in practical ways. Avoid vague or dismissive comments.
   
6. Focus on Practical Application Stoicism is a practical philosophy. When offering advice, try to focus on how Stoic principles can be applied in real-life situations to help others navigate their challenges.
   
7. Learning and Growing Together Use this community as an opportunity to learn, grow, and practice Stoic virtues. Helping others with their questions is a way for all of us to deepen our understanding and application of Stoic philosophy.
   
8. Inclusivity and Support This community is for everyone. Whether you’ve read the core texts or are just starting to explore Stoicism, your questions and insights are welcome. Let's build an inclusive environment where everyone feels supported.
   

By following these guidelines, we can create a supportive and enriching space where all members can learn and grow together in their practice of Stoicism.

Exploring Email Testing with Cypress and Mailtrap

Email testing plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of communication strategies in web applications. With the advent of virtual SMTP servers like Mailtrap, developers can simulate email sending in a safe and controlled environment, avoiding the pitfalls of sending test emails to real addresses. This process is vital for verifying both the functionality and appearance of emails before they reach the end user. The integration of such tools into testing frameworks has become increasingly popular, reflecting the growing emphasis on comprehensive automated testing in development cycles.
However, integrating these tools with modern testing frameworks like Cypress poses its unique challenges, especially when documentation is scarce or outdated. The search for a reliable solution to incorporate Mailtrap's capabilities with Cypress led to the discovery of the "cypress-mailtrap" package. Unfortunately, this package appears to be abandoned, lacking both updates and usage instructions. This scenario underscores the necessity for innovative approaches and community collaboration to create seamless workflows for email testing within development projects.

Command	Description
require('cypress')	Imports the Cypress testing framework into the script.
require('nodemailer')	Imports the Nodemailer library for sending emails in Node.js.
require('./config')	Imports configuration settings, such as Mailtrap credentials, from a local file.
nodemailer.createTransport()	Creates a transport instance using Mailtrap's SMTP settings, which can be used to send emails.
transporter.sendMail()	Sends an email using the configured transporter instance and Mailtrap SMTP settings.
describe()	Defines a suite of tests in Cypress for organizing multiple related tests.
it()	Defines an individual test case in Cypress, describing a single behavior or feature to test.
console.log()	Prints a message to the console, useful for debugging or logging information during tests.
module.exports	Exports a set of configurations or settings from a module, making them available for use in other parts of the application.
npm install cypress nodemailer --save-dev	Command to install Cypress and Nodemailer as development dependencies in a Node.js project.

Advancements in Automated Email Testing

Email testing within the scope of application development serves a pivotal role, ensuring that all aspects of email communication, from delivery to content accuracy, function as intended. This need is particularly acute in environments where email interactions form a critical part of the user experience, such as in account verification, notifications, and promotional campaigns. Traditional email testing methods often involve manual checks and limited automation, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error. The integration of automated testing frameworks like Cypress with virtual SMTP services like Mailtrap represents a significant leap forward. These tools offer a controlled environment for developers to simulate the sending and receiving of emails without spamming real users, enabling thorough testing of email workflows and content.
This automated approach allows for the simulation of various scenarios that could affect email delivery and presentation, including spam filter behavior, email client formatting differences, and response time under load. Advanced testing strategies might include automated content validation to ensure that dynamic content, such as personalized greetings or account details, is correctly inserted into emails. Furthermore, integrating these tests into continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines automates the validation process, catching issues early in the development cycle. This not only improves the quality and reliability of email communications but also significantly speeds up the development process by allowing developers to focus on feature development rather than manual testing.

Setting Up Cypress with Mailtrap for Enhanced Email Testing

JavaScript with Cypress and Node.js

const cypress = require('cypress'); const nodemailer = require('nodemailer'); const config = require('./config'); // Assuming this file contains your Mailtrap credentials // Set up Nodemailer with Mailtrap configuration const transporter = nodemailer.createTransport({ host: 'smtp.mailtrap.io', port: 2525, auth: { user: config.mailtrapUser, pass: config.mailtrapPassword } }); // Example email sending function function sendTestEmail() { const mailOptions = { from: '"Test" ', to: 'recipient@example.com', // Replace with a Mailtrap inbox address or your testing address subject: 'Testing Email with Mailtrap', text: 'Hello world?', html: 'Hello world?' }; transporter.sendMail(mailOptions, function(error, info) { if (error) { console.log(error); } else { console.log('Email sent: ' + info.response); } }); } // Cypress test to check email content describe('Email Testing with Mailtrap', function() { it('sends an email and checks its content', function() { sendTestEmail(); // Add your logic here to connect to Mailtrap's API, fetch the email, and assert its contents // Since Mailtrap's API might be used, refer to their documentation for the correct API endpoints and usage }); }); 

Automating Email Verification in Testing Workflows

Environment Setup and Configuration

// Environment setup for using Mailtrap with Cypress // This script assumes you have a Cypress testing environment already set up. // Install dependencies: Cypress, Nodemailer // npm install cypress nodemailer --save-dev // Configure your Mailtrap credentials securely // Create a config.js file or set environment variables module.exports = { mailtrapUser: 'your_mailtrap_username', mailtrapPassword: 'your_mailtrap_password' }; // Ensure you handle environment variables securely and do not hard-code credentials // Use process.env for accessing environment variables // Use the sendTestEmail function and Cypress tests from the previous script to integrate testing // Remember to adjust the to field in the mailOptions to match your Mailtrap inbox 

Enhancing Development Workflows with Email Testing Automation

The adoption of automated email testing through platforms like Cypress and virtual SMTP servers such as Mailtrap brings numerous advantages to the software development lifecycle. By automating the process of testing emails, developers can ensure that their applications send emails correctly under various circumstances, including testing for content accuracy, format consistency across email clients, and timely delivery. This form of testing becomes crucial for applications where email is a key component of the user interaction, such as in e-commerce platforms, online services, and social networks, where transactional emails, notifications, and marketing communications are frequent.
Moreover, automated email testing contributes to a more robust quality assurance (QA) process by allowing for repetitive testing without manual intervention. This is particularly beneficial in agile development environments, where changes are made frequently and need to be tested quickly. Automation also supports the implementation of continuous integration and deployment pipelines, enabling teams to identify and rectify email-related issues promptly, thus reducing the risk of production bugs. The ultimate goal is to streamline the development process, ensuring that all email functionality works seamlessly before deployment, enhancing user satisfaction and engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions on Email Testing with Cypress and Mailtrap

1. Question: What is Cypress?
2. Answer: Cypress is a front-end automated testing application designed for web applications to make testing easier.
3. Question: Why use Mailtrap for email testing?
4. Answer: Mailtrap provides a fake SMTP server to catch test emails, allowing developers to view and debug emails before they are sent to actual users.
5. Question: Can Cypress test emails directly from the inbox?
6. Answer: Cypress itself cannot directly interact with email inboxes, but it can be integrated with services like Mailtrap to test emails.
7. Question: How does Mailtrap work with Cypress?
8. Answer: Developers can use Mailtrap's API to fetch emails sent to the virtual SMTP server and use Cypress to automate tests on these emails, such as verifying content and testing links.
9. Question: Is automated email testing necessary?
10. Answer: Yes, it ensures that all automated email functionalities work as expected, improving the reliability and quality of web applications.
11. Question: How can I set up Mailtrap with my testing environment?
12. Answer: You need to configure your application to use Mailtrap's SMTP settings and then use its API for fetching and testing emails within your test scripts.
13. Question: Does Mailtrap support all types of email testing?
14. Answer: Mailtrap is versatile and supports various email testing scenarios, including HTML content, attachments, and spam testing.
15. Question: Can I use Mailtrap in a CI/CD pipeline?
16. Answer: Yes, Mailtrap can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines for automated testing of emails as part of the deployment process.
17. Question: Is there a cost to using Mailtrap?
18. Answer: Mailtrap offers both free and paid plans, depending on the volume of emails and features required.

Streamlining Development with Advanced Email Testing Strategies

The exploration of automated email testing through Cypress and Mailtrap underscores a pivotal advancement in the realm of software development and quality assurance. This integration not only facilitates a more efficient and error-free development process but also significantly enhances the end-user experience by ensuring that all email communications function correctly. By leveraging these tools, developers can simulate real-world email scenarios in a safe, controlled environment, enabling them to identify and rectify potential issues before they impact users. Furthermore, the incorporation of these automated testing practices into CI/CD pipelines exemplifies a commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence. Ultimately, the adoption of Cypress and Mailtrap for email testing represents a forward-thinking approach to software development, emphasizing the importance of reliability, user satisfaction, and quality assurance in the digital age.
https://www.tempmail.us.com/en/cypress/integrating-mailtrap-with-cypress-for-email-testing

Mazda CX9, FWD, 3.7L, ~168,000 miles
Would it be cost-effective to replace everything at once even if some does not need replacement for now? The vehicle does still need to HVAC and door locks repaired (wireless lock/unlock and door controls does not work on some doors) but I want to prioritize the engine first.

• Intake Manifold Gaskets
• Spark Plugs
• Fuel Injectors
• Ignition Coils
• Timing chain and Guide
• Water Pump and Thermostat
• Valve Lifters and Variable Valve Timing Solenoid
• Serpentine Belt, Accessory Belt, and Belt Tensioner

Or is it better to just replace what is NEEDED to be replaced and worry about the others later?
A pro mechanic will probably need to do some of those since I know how to do basic maintenance like oil and filter change. And I have no garage to let the vehicle sit while doing repairs/replacements.

Eyelash Makeup Tool ,The Mascara Shield Applicator is a versatile makeup tool designed to enhance your eyelash and eyeliner application process. Crafted from soft silicone, it acts as a barrier between your lashes and skin, preventing smudges and clumps while applying mascara. Its unique design also serves as a guide for precise eyeliner application, ensuring clean lines every time. With this convenient tool, achieving perfectly curled lashes and flawless eyeliner has never been easier.

Counting scales are specialized weighing instruments widely used across industries to streamline inventory counts, enhance efficiency, and ensure accuracy, particularly during stocktake periods. These digital scales have become indispensable tools for businesses aiming to optimize productivity and inventory management.
How Do Counting Scales Work?
Counting scales operate similarly to standard weighing scales but are equipped with additional functions for division and multiplication operations, making them ideal for verifying large volumes of identical parts. Calibration is crucial before use, either through calibration weights or predefined procedures.
After calibration, a sample unit is measured to calculate its weight, which serves as the average weight for individual items. Using this average weight, the scale accurately determines the quantity of pieces based on the total weight placed on it. Features like tare functionality ensure consistent accuracy by subtracting the weight of containers or packaging materials.
Who Uses Counting Scales?
Counting scales are prevalent across various industries in North America, including:

• Production: Tracking components, parts, or materials in manufacturing processes to maintain accurate inventory levels and streamline workflow management.
• Receiving and Shipping: Verifying the quantity of incoming and outgoing items during shipping and receiving processes to ensure inventory accuracy and prevent order fulfillment errors.
• Warehouse Management: Conducting inventory counts, especially for smaller items that are challenging to count manually, to facilitate efficient stocktaking and inventory management.
• Quality Control: Ensuring accurate counting of components or products during inspection and testing processes to maintain product quality standards and identify production discrepancies.

How to Correctly Use a Counting Scale?
While specific instructions may vary based on the scale's model and manufacturer, the following general steps can maximize the effectiveness of counting scales:

1. Set the Scale to Zero: Ensure proper calibration and zeroing of the scale to guarantee accurate measurements.
2. Place Container and Set Tare: Use tare functionality to subtract the weight of containers or packaging materials, focusing solely on the items being counted.
3. Weigh a Sample Size: Measure a sample of items to establish the average weight for individual pieces.
4. Place Total Items & Calculate: Weigh the full batch of items to be counted, allowing the scale to calculate the quantity based on the total weight and average weight of a single item.

Choosing the Right Counting Scale
Consider the following factors when selecting counting scales:

• Scale Capacity: Choose a scale with a capacity suitable for your weighing needs without excessive capacity.
• Readability: Opt for scales with high readability to ensure accurate and precise measurements.
• User-Friendly Interface: Look for scales with intuitive controls and easy-to-navigate menus for simplified operation.
• Readable Display: Select scales with clear and easy-to-read digital displays for accurate information visibility.
• Remote Scale Option: Consider scales offering remote display options for added flexibility and convenience.

A&D’s Counting Scales for North American Businesses
Explore A&D’s range of counting scales tailored to meet the diverse needs of North American businesses:

• FC-i/FC-Si Series Time Saving Counting Scales with High Resolution: Featuring premium performance, these counting scales offer high resolution and advanced functions for efficient counting operations.
• HC-i Series Counting Scale: Versatile and durable, these counting scales enhance counting efficiency with a wide range of functions and connectivity options.

Join our community to discover more about counting scales, engage with fellow North American professionals, and stay updated on the latest innovations and best practices in weighing technology!

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
We pulled off I-51 a little after midnight, stopping at a truck stop which was couched between the highway and a large forest.
We waited in the van for ten minutes or so. Trent had increased the sonar radius to its maximum of 30 miles a little over an hour ago. Somehow the red pings had kept up with us, holding a steady distance of around 20 miles. Considering we were averaging around 80 mph, and a coyote's top speed is only around 40 mph, we figured they had been enhanced in some way. Either that, or they shape-shifted into something faster. Regardless, now that we had stopped, we waited to see if the demon spawn would try and close the distance. Luckily, or unluckily, they didn't. They kept their 20 mile buffer, but we noticed they were beginning to spread out along the circumference of that boundary.
"We're close. They know that, so they're trying to trap us in." Trent said.
"Trying to?—more like they have."
We considered whether we should stay in the van and keep watch, but we figured that would do us little good. At their speed, they could be on us in ten minutes, which means we would need to stay up all night and keep tabs on their positions. Trent offered to stay up, of course, but I shut him down.
"The demon doesn't want to kill us now. You said it yourself. Plus, we need our rest. If they come, they come."
Trent didn't like it, but he acquiesced.
The truck stop had all the essentials: a gas station and mini mart with showers and an attached McDonald's, a large parking lot for truckers to idle and sleep, and even a section with lodging for those who wanted a more comfortable night's rest. I told Trent that he should take advantage of the showers, and after a little convincing, he agreed. While he was cleaning himself up, I patrolled the dingy, half-stocked aisles of "Daisy's Quick Mart". I probably would have been appalled at the quality of the store had I actually been paying any attention to it whatsoever. But I wasn't. I was thinking hard about what awaited me tomorrow.
During the drive, I had asked Trent why the demon would want us to return to the crash site. What did he mean that I would be 'confronting a dark entity in a place he couldn't help me'? He seemed hesitant to answer, but my little stunt outside the storage facility seemed to have sufficiently motivated him.
"When I said I've never done this before, I meant it." Trent started. "I've never done this exact thing before—meaning I've never projected someone into the past."
"So, I'm time traveling?" I asked.
"No—don't think of it like that." Trent paused, trying to come up with a good explanation. "It's more like I'm opening a window for you to look through: not a door. You're going to see the past, but you can't interact with the physicalities there. But that doesn't mean you can't interact with anything."
There was a space of silence as Trent tried to let me work out his meaning for myself. "I don't get it. Are you saying there's something I can interact with? Like what?" And then it hit me. "The demon. The demon can interact with me? Meaning what? It can kill me?"
"Meaning… I'm not exactly sure. You're going to be in a kind of psychic space. If it does damage, it won't be to your body. It'll be to your mind—or spirit. But I don't know what the limits of that damage could be. I just don't have those answers."
"If you've never done this, how do you know any of it will work?"
"That's an easy one." Trent answered. "Because it's been done to me."
There was silence.
"Look, if I know anything, I know my tech. Don't doubt that this will work. It's my job to make sure it does. I just need you to be in the right mental for this. Just because it knows your coming doesn't mean it automatically has the upper hand. It won't be able to see you unless you make contact with it first. In other words, you have to initiate contact. As long as you remain a spectator, you should be okay. Trust me. Just don't make contact."
I started pacing faster—fast enough to catch the attention of the overnight shift worker, a young man whose name I can't quite remember. I know it started with a "J". Jake, maybe? Anyway, he asked if I was alright, to which I responded in the affirmative. He left me alone for another couple passes, but when I almost ran into one of the shelves, he stood up and said, "Uh—I'm going to have to ask you to stop running around. I don't want you to hurt yourself."
I must have stared daggers at him, because he recoiled from my gaze. What's gotten into me? I thought. Then, steadying myself, I apologized. I looked around and grabbed the nearest edible looking piece of merchandise: a bag of Swedish Fish, and placed it down on the counter. "Just this, please."
The cashier rang me up. It was surprisingly cheap.
"Are you sure you're alright?" the young man asked. He was tall with brown hair. He seemed tired—maybe even more tired than me. But he also seemed kind.
I smiled as best I could and said, "No, I'm not. But there's not really anything you can do. Hell, there might not be anything I can do." I furrowed my eyebrows at my own response, realizing that imminent death may have broken my verbal filter.
On the other hand, the cashier did not seem surprised at all. "Ah, I see. It's one of those problems." He responded. "Well, hey, for what it's worth, you seem like one of the resilient ones. I think you'll be alright."
I only smiled and nodded at his mildly cryptic comment. Looking back, the whole interaction was a bit strange, but I had way too much mental clutter to recognize that in the moment. I took my Swedish Fish and walked through the anteroom which led to McDonald's. I found an open yellow booth that wasn't littered with crumpled straw sleeves and sat down, chomping mindlessly on my little red fish until Trent returned. When he arrived, he took my place, and I went to shower. After we were both clean and fed, we returned to the van. The pings were still pushed safely out of harm's way. But that didn't mean we were out of harm's way. Trent asked me if I wanted to sleep in the van, saying that "it'd be the safest place."
I thought it over. He was right, obviously. The van was not only outfitted with weapons I couldn't even begin to understand, but it was also our escape, and it would be just as difficult, if not more difficult to break into than the studio-style motel rooms with their wood doors and big windows. Still, if this was going to be my last night on earth, I wanted to sleep in a bed. A real bed. Trent understood and said he'd stay parked right outside my room for the night.
After purchasing a key from the night attendant, I moseyed over to the cement walkways which connected the twenty or so rooms. Mine was room #56, which I thought was odd since, like I said, there were only 20 rooms. I lugged in my tomato plushie and dad's old book and placed them on the queen mattress.
"I'll be right outside." Trent said after I collapsed onto the bed.
"Trent," I called out, stopping him half-way through the door.
"Yeah?"
All the blood in my body rushed up to my face as I realized my unfiltered mouth almost reflexively said the word "stay". I stared at Trent, my heart beating, my face hot. I considered asking him to sleep on the floor like my dad, but that would be childish and impolite. The alternative was to share my bed… Or I could take the floor.
"I'll just be right outside." Trent said before my mind processed a solution. "Come by if you need anything. I'll be up most of the night anyway."
"Okay," I replied in a faint voice.
Trent shut the door.
I sat atop the bedsheets and acquainted myself with my new living space. A feeling of regret closed over me as I considered that even sleeping on a carseat would have been better if it meant I didn't have to be alone. With a sigh, I turned on the bedside lamp and grabbed the book and stuffed tomato, using the tomato as a backrest as I slipped my legs under the covers and situated the book upright on my thighs. I cracked it open and was immediately blasted with a puff of dusty, old book scent. It was ripe at first, and I turned my head away to sneeze, but as I perused through the pages, the scent grew on me. It reminded me of the days growing up when I'd step into dad's study and read through one of the many volumes on cryptic topics which were at least two college degrees above my Lexile range.
I was only a couple minutes into browsing the collection of different scientific and philosophical works when I came across a page which contained highlighted text. This was unusual, as my dad would never mark up his books. He was a purist on that point. I rubbed my thumb over the yellow lines, and sure enough, it was highlighter.
The highlighted text was part of a small book by Carl Jung called "Synchronicity". There were a total of three pages that were marked, and they advanced like this:
Page 5:
The philosophical principle that underlies our conception of natural law is causality*. But if the connection between cause and effect turns out to be only statistically valid and relatively true, then the causal principle is only of relative use for explaining natural processes… That is as much to say that the connection of events may in certain circumstances be other than causal, and require another principle of explanation.*
Page 19:
…there are events which are related to one another experimentally, and in this case meaningfully*, without there being any possibility of proving that this relation is a causal one, since the "transmission" exhibits none of the known properties of energy…a situation which does not yet exist and will only occur in the future could transmit itself as a phenomenon of energy to a receiver in the present…Therefore, it cannot be a question of cause and effect, but of a falling together in time, a kind of simultaneity... "synchronicity"*
Page 22:
A young woman I was treating had, at a critical moment, a dream in which she was given a golden scarab. While she was telling me this dream I sat with my back to the closed window. Suddenly I heard a noise behind me, like a gentle tapping. I turned round and saw a flying insect knocking against the window pane from outside. I opened the window and caught the creature in the air as it flew in. It was the nearest analogy to a golden scarab that one finds in our latitudes, a scarabaeid beetle, the common rose-chafer… which contrary to its usual habits had evidently felt an urge to get into a dark room at this particular moment.
I flipped through the rest of the pages of the book. There was no more highlighted text, but there was a message on the last page which read:
Matthew 7:7-8
I'll meet you in the darkest place.
He also included his typical smiley face which had an ovular shape and three sprouts of hair which I now realized kind of resembled my tomato plushie. It was my dad's writing, of course. But why? And how? What did this mean?
The motel had a Bible stashed away in the nighstand drawer. I got it out and looked up the verses which read the following:
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
I spent maybe an hour ruminating on all of this. The whole discourse on energy and causality and a "falling together in time" just seemed so right. It was clear that my dad definitely did know what I was going through, but for whatever reason, he made it seem like he was oblivious. Why had he hidden that from me? I felt like I was being pulled in two directions. On the one hand, my dad loved me enough to leave this note, maybe even knowing the exact moment I'd need it. But on the other hand, he had neglected my struggles throughout my entire childhood. He even lied at times. Was this really enough to make up for all of that?
And then there was the section about the future transmitting energy to the past. I read back through the whole paragraph and the original writer had meant it to say this as something that wasn't possible, but my dad's highlighting made it seem like he wanted to flip the meaning. The future does affect the past. I thought about where I was headed and wondered if I would soon discover that for myself.
Lastly, dad's message. The Bible verse reminded me of the first time I prayed; how I reached out to God and received peace as an answer to my prayer. Now I feel like I'm actively seeking… something, but I don't know yet what I'll find. And then there's knocking. At first that reminded me of the story with the beetle tapping on the window, but then I went back even deeper in my memory and dug out the monster tapping at my window, and the words my dad spoke to me in order to set my mind at ease: "you're a superhero. And you know what your greatest superpower is? Your greatest power is you get to tell the monsters what to do. Because the monsters are only as strong as the stories you tell about them…so if you're ever scared, honey, just dream up a better story."
I was crying into my stuffed tomato now. I felt like all the blinking pieces of my life had finally been pulled together into a completed puzzle. This was all by design. My entire life, filled with so much chaos and confusion, was actually preparing me for this moment. And my dad thought I had the tools and strength enough to get through it. I flipped through the book one more time, thinking maybe he had left some other hidden comment—some formula to defeat this demon and return home. But there was nothing. Only that one comment: "I'll meet you in the darkest place."
What's the darkest place, dad? Is that where I'm going? Are you saying you'll be there, too?
With those thoughts in mind, my eyes became heavy shutters which, with a slight pressure on the pulley, winded shut. My swimming thoughts and firework-like fears dissipated, and I returned to a precious childhood memory. It was after an evening soccer practice. Summer. Dad was driving me to Dairy Queen. I got a cherry-dipped twist cone. I was happy.
So, so happy.
***
I woke up to sunlight blaring through my windows. Shit, I overslept, was my immediate thought. I threw off my covers and opened the front door. A glance at the clock showed 1:13 PM. I shouldn't have even been allowed to stay checked in this long. Damn, am I gonna get double-billed for this?
I heard a rummaging sound around the corner of my motel room. It sounded like a squirrel was trying to find an afternoon snack in one of the garbage bins. I stepped outside. The sun was extremely bright, to the point where I had to squint and put my hand over my eyes to even see the ground in front of me. I was trying to walk toward the van, but somehow I ended up in front of the trash bins where the animal's tail was sticking out from a turned-over, silver garbage can. Its tail was wagging excitedly, and I remember thinking that it was much too large to be a squirrel.
The animal bent down as if biting onto something, and I heard the sound of its growl as it struggled to tug whatever it was free from the barrel. Inch by inch, the creature backed out of the canister, and more of its sharp, sticky hair was revealed. I heard something snap, then the creature leapt back and I saw what it was chomping on. My eyes widened in horror as the pink tube of a human intestine was pulled taut like the end of a tangled hose. Blood and entrails were spilling out of the human's opened gut. And then, behind the canine, I saw the person's face. His face was pale white, his eyes closed, and his hair was slicked back… It was Trent.
Before I could react, I heard footsteps approaching from behind. I whirled around and saw my dad. But—no, it wasn't him. It was someone wearing a paper-mache face mask that was painted to look like my dad. The forehead of the mask was already beginning to crack, white specks breaking off like sawdust. Through the cracks, I could see the figure's true form. I didn't know darkness had its own type of light, but that's the only way to describe it. It was as if malevolence itself was reified into a skin which was actually an amalgamation of millions of little, oozing parasites that leached into the nearby light. When it finally spoke, the demon's voice was a full octave lower than the old man's at the deli. And it had an earth-stilling gravitas.
"Today's the day!" He sang and reached into his pocket. His lips curled upward into a foxy smirk. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this day." He said and held up a razor blade. Half his facade had already fallen apart, and now I could see the bugs up close, writhing in what was either horror or ecstasy. And his scent… it was somehow more rank than the rabid coyote rummaging through the trash can with Trent's cut open body inside. The demon closed in on my position, and in one, decisive motion, he brought the blade close to his chin, then sliced it across my throat. "Wake up!" He screamed.
I jumped out of my bed and grabbed my throat, feeling the cold sting of its quick slice. Hyperventilating, I patted the area down, trying to hold the blood in, but when I removed my hands, I saw they were dry. It was only a dream, I thought. Gray light was only beginning to filter in through the drapes. I'm in my hotel room. I'm safe. I tried consoling, but the pragmatic mental massages weren't enough to hold the force of my knees buckling. I dropped onto the carpet and cried for a long while.
Outside, rain was beginning to fall.
***
By the time I met up with Trent, I had already composed myself and decided to keep my dad's message and the nightmare to myself. None of it seemed particularly productive from a logistical standpoint, anyway. And I wanted to focus on the mission.
We stopped by McDonald's and bought a couple cups of coffee. Trent asked if I wanted any food, and I declined. Black coffee seemed like the only thing my stomach could take at the present moment. I could tell Trent was hungry, but he tried playing it off (I guess to be respectful of me?) I told him to knock it off and get something to eat. I didn't need my Charon getting lightheaded and dropping the paddle before he finished rowing me to Hell. He didn't care much for my joke, but he ordered a couple Chicken McGriddles at the kiosk anyway.
There were maybe ten patrons spread throughout the restaurant. We sat down at the same booth from the prior night, this time across from one another. Trent spent the first ten minutes or so babbling about our fuel supply and the logistics of the trip from here on in. Practical stuff. I've come to realize that's how he deals with his stress. He talks it out in short, durable sentences. I mostly nodded and watched as what looked like a storm front closed in on the truck stop. The sky was overcast, and there were darker clouds in the distance. The rain was still only a patter, but a middle-aged man wearing a yellow bow tie on the wall-mounted TV confirmed that there would be heavier rain and thunderstorms very soon.
After the worker delivered Trent's food and he ate it in record time, I posed the one question that was still on my mind.
"How do I fight him?" I asked.
Trent finished a large gulp of his coffee, then looked at me. It was the first substantial thing I'd said all morning; Trent could tell something was off with me, but he figured there was no point in asking what it was. "By 'him', I assume you mean the demon?"
I nodded.
Trent licked his teeth clean. "You could try praying again."
"I'm serious," I responded.
"I'm serious, too. It worked before, didn't it?"
"You mean at my house?"
Trent nodded.
"I thought you weren't a religious man?"
"I'm not. Just a practical one. If praying worked before, maybe it'll work again."
"That's the best you've got? A maybe?"
"No, I've got a lot of shit better than a maybe." He answered. "It's just not accessible where you're going. Which is why I recommend not making contact on the first run."
"First run? So we're going to do this more than once?"
"At least," Trent answered. Then, seeing my expression, he continued. "What? You thought this was going to be a one-and-done? We have to conduct some research first. I did tell you this was new for me, right?"
Somehow Trent's response had set my mind at ease a little. I was going to have more than one chance. Of course, why wouldn't I be able to go back more than once?
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier? It would have gone a long way in easing my mind."
Trent lifted his hands in defense. "Sorry, I just thought that was a given. I mean, what we're doing is dangerous, just like I said, but it doesn't mean we aren't going to approach this as safely and scientifically as possible. However, there is a different problem with running multiple trials."
"The Organization?"
"That's right," Trent said like a proud parent. "Our little experiment will be like a giant spotlight, and the longer we wait around after it's on us, the greater the chance we'll have unwelcome company."
"So, safe but speedy."
"Safe but speedy. Exactly."
***
We fueled up and were back on the road a little after 8:00. From that point on, Trent and I were absolutely silent. I had the distinct feeling of being in the eye of a storm. The pings moved closer commensurate with our progress toward the crash site. The cloudfront continued its advance. And I noticed a haze beginning to descend onto the road ahead of us. It was fog.
We meandered further inland, the forest thickening around us until the rain almost stopped entirely—the leaves drinking it up before it fell onto our windshield. I kept my eyes on the radar. We were approaching the large yellow circle which indicated we had arrived. As we pulled closer, I began to feel things. Fear. Eeriness. Doubt. Then happiness. Hope. Love. Normally feelings like these had a clear source to picture, but these sensations came on in waves without any discernible reason. It was almost as if they were blinking into existence inside me.
"Here we go," Trent said like an airline pilot readying his crew for turbulence.
I still recall the exact moment we crossed the boundary into the area of higher energy. It was like something just "clicked" in my brain, and all of a sudden everything felt so much closer. The sound of the rain against the trees was almost right next to my ear. The trees in the distance would oscillate between their position a half-mile out, then suddenly seem five meters away. If I focused on something long enough, it began to radiate those same ethereal particles as when Trent released Ava's "phase lock". I checked to make sure the shifter wasn't set to "TD". Sure enough, it was still in drive.
"Can you see them?" Trent asked. "The shifts?"
"Yeah," I said in a dreamy voice. I felt like I was driving through a wonderland.
"It's the energy. I barely notice a difference. A bit of movement in the trees, but not much else. But I'm sure for you, it's a whole experience."
"What is this?" I raised my hand and caught some of the pixel dust dripping off the sun visor. It disappeared when it made contact with my hand.
"It's a kind of radiation. Everything emits it, just in different quantities. I'm still not exactly sure how it relates to the other realms, but I'm guessing it's a kind of primordial matter that helps connect our worlds."
"It's beautiful," I exclaimed. "I wish I could see the world like this all the time."
"Maybe you will," Trent whispered.
As we arrived at the crash site, I began to get glimpses of the past. My childhood dreams and memories were pushing their way out from my subconscious. I noticed an increased number of blinks, which were validated by Ava who reported the following: "Currently detecting 14,350 novel emergences and 2,777 controlled agents. Net anomalies: 2,777."
"That's a lot of blinks." I remarked. "Why doesn't Ava include them in the net anomalies?"
Trent turned his head so I could see his smirk. "Because blinks aren't anomalies."
I thought about it for a second. Blinks aren't anomalies. "I never thought about it that way."
"It's hard to think about it that way when 'normal' for most people means not picking up on a fundamental aspect of reality. But that doesn't make it any less real."
We continued past the epicenter of the yellow circle. "Are we not stopping?" I asked. "I think we already passed the crash site."
"It doesn't have to be exactly at the site," Trent said. "Plus, we don't want to stop on the side of the road and risk getting some civilian involved. There's a field about half a mile up ahead. I'm going to pull off the road and set up camp there.
The "field" that Trent was referring to was actually a large clearing that dipped down into several trench-like troughs which were filled to the brim with fog like witches cauldrons. Further on in the distance, I saw open fields, probably used for farming, and then a large hill where the trees once again reasserted themselves. We had pulled off the road and up a small incline where the trees had already been broken down, leaving a trail for us to drive through. When we surfaced at the edge of the clearing, Trent pulled us onto a flat bed of dried mud which was maybe thirty yards long.
"Here," he said with a sigh.
We both sat for a minute, looking around at the field. We had finally arrived. The rain was beginning to pick up, and the dark sky made it almost impossible to discern the time of day.
"You ready?" Trent asked.
I looked at him. Really looked at him. In his blue eyes. Was I ready? Did it even matter?
"Let's do this," I said.
***
This was the first time I was really able to inspect the back of Trent's van. He had talked up his gear a lot, and honestly, I was impressed. Not in the way that a scientist is impressed by another scientist's lab—I wasn't any kind of expert—but it still seemed remarkably well managed. Now that I was in a state where my vision had been enhanced, I could actually see the enigmatic particles circulating through the pneumatic tubes which were coiled like the pipes and valves of an elaborate wind instrument. The walls of the van, itself, were glistening white, making it easier to make out everything else inside. Along the floor were five overturned columns. Each column was dark and had a vibrating quality, as if they were charged with energy. Then atop the center three columns was a small altar which supported an apparatus with two skinny, metal arms holding a silver halo. At present, the arms were folded and the halo was suspended a few inches above the altar, faced-down. I thought maybe I'd see particles exuding from it, but instead it was emitting visible waves which bent and warped everything they touched.
"That thing is emitting a lot of energy." I remarked, gesturing toward the halo.
Trent stepped in between the columns and started pulling out the packages he had stuffed in there yesterday. "Just wait till' it's on."
Most of the packages contained only a single piece of equipment, and were otherwise packed with foam peanuts. We carefully removed each box and set them on the ground outside. I asked if the rain would damage any of the stuff inside, to which Trent only laughed and continued lugging out the boxes. When they were all out, Trent removed a box cutter from his pocket and went one-by-one opening them. There were eight pieces in total.
"What is it?" I asked as we fished the first item out.
"It's another apparatus, like the one inside. Except it'll mount on the ground out here."
I pulled out what looked like a metal tripod.
"Good, that'll go on the bottom."
"Where are we setting it up?"
"Over here," Trent said and stepped five paces away from the van. He coordinated himself up so he was centrally aligned with the inner ring, then stomped a few times. "This is the spot."
As we continued to work, I asked Trent about how the whole contraption works.
"Do you remember the first time we were in the van? When we had to escape from the semi-truck?" Trent asked and connected a secondary mounting apparatus on top of the tripod. It had four spider-like legs that made right angles and stuck into the ground.
"Of course," I said. "The 'phase lock'."
"Yeah," Trent said and gestured toward the metal stick that was in my hand. I handed it to him. "The phase lock is a seal on the level of energy that the van is allowed to release. It also controls its dispersion pattern so that it releases its energy in a steady wave. This allows Ava to scan for anomalies without causing us to become an anomaly." Trent stuck the plank into the neck of the tripod.
"So when you released the phase lock, we started emitting more energy."
"That's right." Trent confirmed. "Enough to create an alternate route through a different realm."
"So we blinked into a different realm, then back, just to avoid that truck?"
"That's right."
"But why couldn't we just move out of the way?"
"Because it had locked onto us. It was tracking our motion and adjusting its course based on the amount of energy we were emitting. So in order to escape, we had to radically skew our potential energy and then use it to shift."
"Couldn't he have just followed us?"
Trent connected four more pieces to the device which now looked like an elaborate teepee. He was fishing in the last box when he spoke again. "Yeah, he could have. But it was highly improbable that he would have found us." Trent returned from the bottom of the box with another silver ring in hand. "Think of it like this. Let's say you're trying to escape from some bad guy who's coming after you, and you enter a new room you've never seen before. Would you prefer this room to have three doors to go through, or ten?"
I thought about his riddle for a second, then responded, "It depends where they go."
Trent fastened the ring atop the teepee. "Let's say they all lead to random places, or let's say they're all closets that lead nowhere. The key is that more is better, because the more doors he has to check, the less likely he is to pick the correct one. Make sense?"
"So we opened up a bunch of doors and escaped through one at random?"
"Hence the gear 'TD', for 'Trap Door'."
I marveled at the insights, but not for long. Trent hopped back in the van and pulled a lever that I hadn't seen until now. The two metal arms raised the inner ring until it was perpendicular with the altar. Then Trent clicked one of three red buttons along the back wall, and I saw what looked like a large, glass eye suspended in a magnifying glass protruding from the wall, aligned with the center of both rings. A couple seconds later, the glass eye began to focus the energy which was being fed to it from the pneumatic tubes, and a blue pyramid of light projected from it into the first ring, then from the first ring into the second ring. All three pieces were aligned at slightly diminishing heights, so the cylinder of light beamed through the second ring, into the ground.
"Alright, time for the first trial."
I felt the nerves starting up in my stomach. Trent sensed this and hopped out of the truck. It was raining quite hard now, though it was still warm. Both Trent and I were soaked, but that hardly concerned us. He reached out and put his hand on my shoulder. "I know you're feeling scared." He said. "But trust me on this. You're going to do fine. Just keep in mind what we talked about. Stay a spectator. Okay?"
I looked into his blue eyes, which seemed especially gray in the dark. Still, Trent's voice was reassuring. All I had to do was trust him. Trust myself. Trust my dad. And it was all going to turn out right.
"I'm ready," I said.
Trent was still for a second, holding my eyes in his. Then he guided me behind the outer ring and into the cylinder of light.
"I should step into it now?" I asked, afraid I'd be called away immediately.
"It's not on yet, so don't worry. I still have to press another button."
I followed Trent's instructions and stood in the blue light which was centered on my chest. Then I watched as Trent ran into the back of the van and posted up next to the glass eye. "Ready?" He yelled out. It was hard to hear him over the rain, but I yelled back. "Ready!"
The next thing I saw was a blinding blue light beam from the van. I heard what sounded like a laser, then saw the cylinder oscillate, expanding and compressing. When the energy reached the second ring, I saw everything around me light up—it looked brighter than noon on a cloudless day. Then the oscillations made their way to me, and I was swallowed up whole.
***
When I came to, I was in the backseat of a car. I felt my butt rumbling. Everything was dim and quiet. And then I heard a woman's voice from in front of me.
"Mark, please, not with Lauren in the back."
The man, who I now identified as my father, pulled the cigarette away from his lips and blew the smoke at my mom. He eyed the back seat where I was sitting, using one of five markers that hadn't rolled off my lap to color a rabbit in my animal color book.
"The kid's fine." he said and took another drag.
"Mark," my mom repeated.
I saw my dad raise his hand in a rapid motion. "I said she's fine, Cheryl. Now check the map and make sure we're going the right away. I can't see shit with all this fog."
I took a moment to make sure I was really in the back seat. I patted myself. I clearly had weight. Then I tried touching the car. At first, my fingertips met a solid surface, but when I tried to press through, my hand slipped into the car. I quickly pulled my hand away as if I had reached into a fire.
That's when I heard the little three year old next to me start crying. I turned and saw that little-me had dropped another couple markers onto the ground and was struggling to reach them.
"Hey!" my dad shouted. "What did I say about crying?"
"Quit it, Mark. She just dropped her markers." said my mom; she turned to help me pick them up.
"What did you say to me?" Mark spat with a voice full of guile. He reached out and pushed her back into her seat. "Don't," he commanded. "She has to learn how to deal with life."
"Deal…" My mom started in disbelief. "Deal with life? Do you hear yourself? What's gotten into you?"
"Sometimes shit happens. It doesn't give her the right to cry. You helping her is just going to reinforce her behavior."
"Her behavior? What about your behavior? You're acting like a total dick."
I didn't even have a moment to react before my dad's hand was across my mom's face. I felt the slap more than I heard it, my own face seeming to swell with the force of the blow. I saw my mom cover her mouth and lean away. Then little-me began to cry even louder, which only challenged my dad to step up his own volume.
"Everyone needs to get a fucking grip before I crash this car." My dad shouted and took another drag. The scariest part was I couldn't tell if he was warning us or threatening us. I felt the sudden urge to do something. There was no way this was real. I was definitely in some fantasy concocted by the demon. He wanted to turn me against my dad. That was the only explanation for something like this. My dad was a good man, not… this.
As I contemplated what to do, I saw a small, golden light appear behind little-me's window. Apparently she saw it, too, because her cries hushed as she traced the wisp with her eyes. After a second, the wisp transformed into a bunny rabbit, reminiscent of the one she was coloring. The rabbit hopped alongside the window, then did a couple circles in place. I watched little me let out a playful laugh and reach toward the window.
"What's going on back there?" my dad asked with a scowl. Apparently the only sound more disturbing than cries were laughs.
I looked back to the front and saw my mom wiping blood from her lip. Her expression was miserable. "Leave her alone, Mark."
"I'll do whatever I damn well want to do, Cheryl. It's my kid back there."
My mom was quiet.
When I looked back toward the rabbit, it was no longer a rabbit but a person. Or at least it looked like a person. The figure radiated pure gold, and atop his head was what appeared to be a King's crown. I recalled Allison's experience of seeing the sun-like figure in her moment of distress. Was that what was happening here? Was this really all true?
"Hey!" My dad shouted, eyeing little-me from the rear-view mirror. "What are you reaching at?"
I looked and saw the golden figure extending his hand toward the window, and little me's hand was reaching back. "Mom, dad, it bright." little-me said.
"What's bright, honey?" my mom asked.
"Don't encourage her, Cheryl."
"Someone there!" little me shouted happily and dropped the rest of the markers and the coloring book onto the ground.
"Who's there?" asked my mom.
"Cheryl, I swear to God. Sit the fuck down."
Everything from that moment on happened so quickly I barely had any time to process it. My mom lifted out of her seat to either get little me's attention or help me pick up my coloring book. My dad responded by grabbing onto her throat, letting go of the steering wheel entirely. He threw her back against the car door, and her head hit the window so hard, the glass cracked. My dad had dropped his cigarette, and I could smell smoke coming from under his seat, but that didn't seem to bother him at all. He turned toward little-me at the same moment my three-year-old hand reached out and grabbed onto the golden figure, whose hand diffused through the window. When my dad turned, I got a whiff of the most awful smell that I wouldn't have been able to place had I not had that nightmare last night. He grabbed onto little-me's shoulder and tugged her away from the golden figure that was trying to pull her the other way. My dad's facade began to crack, and I could see those dark bugs crawling out from the pores in his arms, marching down toward little-me.
I reacted.
I grabbed onto my dad's arm and pulled him off little-me. I heard the sound of my shirt ripping as she was torn from his grip and pulled out of the car, diffusing through it like a ghost. My brief victory was immediately overturned as I saw what was now clearly the demon smiling at me, his wretched fingers curled around my forearm.
"Caught you," He sneered.
Then the whole world once again diffused into countless numbers of particles, only this time, instead of riding through it, I felt like I was falling through an elevator shaft with each floor darker than the last. The further I fell, the less I became aware of my surroundings, and the more I felt a deep sense of loneliness. It was as if I was the only person in the whole world: and the whole world was a prison designed entirely for me. This went on for so long, I began to forget who I was. Where I was. What was.
And then I landed.
***
Source Used:
Jung, Carl. Synchronicity. Translated by Sonu Shamdasani, Princeton University Press, 2010.