Hi all, I am based in Sussex, UK. I am trying to organise a meet up for people to share their stories and be met with a pure unbaised and supportive response. We don't even have to talk about our experience and talk about anything else, just to know your not alone is enough sometimes.
There is a Cat Café in Eastbourne that is a nice quiet place full of cute floofs, that would provide a good place for us to meet up and have a coffee and cake.
If you are interested please feel free to DM me if you don't want to respond to this post.

Welcome to our fifth discussion of Leviathan Wakes. Hold onto your cool detective hats or your environment suits, because we finally get some answers to our mystery! This week, we will discuss Chapters 34-40. The Marginalia post is here. You can find the Schedule here.
The discussion questions are below. One note - this is a very popular book series and TV show, but please keep in mind that not everyone has read or watched already, so be mindful not to include anything that could be a hint or a spoiler! Please mark spoilers not related to this section of the book using the format > ! Spoiler text here !< (without any spaces between the characters themselves or between the characters and the first and last words).
Now brace yourselves: here comes the juice!
Chapter Summaries:
Chapter 34 - Miller: Detective Miller and the crew of the Roci board the hidden ship (the one that captured the crew of the Scopuli before destroying it), wearing environment suits because the ship has no atmosphere - someone left the doors open. They stick together at first as they move through the ship, discovering signs of a struggle, zombie vomit, and twelve torpedo tubes big enough to destroy capital ships like the Donnager or the Canterbury. Miller uses his detective skills to determine that everyone but Julie retreated to engineering. Once there, they discover a truly grisly sight: layers of human flesh and bones are sort of fused around the reactor, which has been shut down. Naomi and Holden gasp in shock and disgust, Miller turns on his cop brain to suppress emotion and view it as a crime scene, and Amos seems… calm and able to ignore the gore. The team splits up to look for more clues.
Amos stays in engineering to start up the computers and get the reactor back online. Naomi works on the ops deck to run diagnostics. Miller and Holden head to the bridge, which wasn’t affected by the fighting onboard. Miller reviews the internal feeds and finds footage showing the captured Scopuli crew being led onto the ship, stripped, and put in restraints. Julie fights back viciously but is knocked unconscious and stuffed in a locker with a jumpsuit (which is where we met her in the prologue). The crew is left in the galley for 132 hours before they decide to make a stand, but it is quickly suppressed. One of the crew is thrown out an airlock and the others are heavily restrained as they scream and cry. Just as Miller gets to the first appearance of a vomit zombie (at hour 160 of footage), Amos yells that he’s been exposed to some radiation because the human flesh blob had damaged the reactor shielding. He decides to keep working while Alex monitors his health status from the Roci.
Then Holden calls Miller over to view one of the last feeds Julie accessed. It’s a corporate presentation video created for a man named Dresden and the board of Protogen. It features a man Miller dubs “the sociopath” because of his cold, practiced smile…and because of the content. The sociopath tells the board (and us) the history of scientific discovery on Phoebe, which was thought to just be a moon and a source of water, but became a research station when a survey found complex silicon structures in the ice. Protogen was tasked with investigating and discovered that Phoebe is not a moon but evidence of a galactic biosphere: it is an alien weapon sent towards Earth 2 ⅓ billion years ago, which never made it because of orbital mechanics. Protogen has discovered that this weapon is not alive per se; rather, it is something they’ve termed the “protomolecule” which has the ability to maintain structure while replicating other systems and manipulating them at scalable rates. Of course, they alerted the proper authorities and made sure… just kidding, they’ve secretly been doing tests. The sociopath believes that whoever controls the protomolecule will gain control of all political and economic power going forward. Chillingly, the sociopath urges them to pursue large-scale testing to understand the protomolecule and its human applications. That large-scale testing is Eros.
TL;DR - Julie found evidence that Protogen (her dad’s company) has discovered an alien weapon, branded it the “protomolecule”, and secretly tested it on the people of Eros (and probably other smaller tests). The entire war has just been a distraction.
Chapter 35 - Holden: Naomi explains that most of the messages on the comm logs have been coded, but the last one is in plain text: the captain informed Thoth Station that the ship was contaminated, everyone was about to die, and the “materials” had been secured. He also planned to send vector data so they could find the ship. The Roci crew put two and alien-symbol-for-two together: they figure out that the captain has locked protomolecule samples in his safe. They also decide that the tightbeam messages were being sent to a secret research station Protogen was using to monitor the Eros experiment. Even though the fact “Naomi is the best” is a proven concept on par with “space is cold”, she is NOT able to open the captain’s safe, so they decide to cut it out of the wall and bring it with them on the Roci. They also scuttle the ship so no one can a) recover the stealth technology and alien weapons, or b) get exposed to the protomolecule-human soup inside. (Amos would have preferred to hack the frozen dead body goo off the reactor with a chainsaw and salvage such an impressive and expensive ship, which is… another way to go.)
It’s clear that someone else with stealth tech is searching actively for this ship, but the Roci won’t see them coming so they decide to get the hell out of Dodge. Naomi jokes that their options include turning the safe over to the OPA (they’d be heroes), selling out to Mars (they’d be rich), or starting their own biotech firm (just kidding, that’s evil). When Miller checks in with Holden about a decision on where to go next, he drops a figurative bomb on him regarding actual bombs in the news. Since Holden did his best Edward Snowden impersonation and leaked the data that the mystery ships are from Earth, Mars asked a few too many questions and in response, Earth has blown up a whole bunch of Martian ships and destroyed the Deimos deep radar station. Miller ruefully gives Holden credit for sticking to his guns about his belief in “free information”. He also points out that Holden’s principles make him responsible for all those deaths and the destruction of the Earth-Mars Coalition… and possibly the universe as they know it.
Chapter 36 - Miller: The war between Mars and the Belt seems like no big deal now that Earth and Mars are fighting. Miller watches the news feeds as the conflict turns into a blockade, and he realizes he is steeling himself for an announcement of a planetary attack on Earth or Mars, but it never comes. He and Amos deal with the stress by having beer for breakfast.
Miller meets up with Holden in the med bay for their routine blood flushes and cancer treatments, and they reopen their debate about what to do with the data files and who is to blame for the war(s).

• Holden’s position: Broadcast everything to everyone! (I know, I know, so out of character, right?) People will understand that they’ve been set up and will turn their wrath on Protogen instead of each other. Also, these are ancient conflicts. The Belt has always hated Mars and the inner planets in general. Mars and Earth have always had animosities secretly brewing and they do military training for the inevitable showdown. Or as Miller puts it, “Not my powder keg; I just brought the match.”
• Miller’s position: Stop and consider what people will do if they hear an Earth company did this. Every other data leak has been used as an excuse to shoot at someone the other side doesn’t like. Also, people suck. They aren’t going to hold hands and sing Kumbaya just because Protogen is the bad guy. They’ll move on to shooting each other so they can be the ones to control the protomolecule. Or as Holden puts it, “Maybe Protogen is a little right. People are too dumb to be trusted with big information so we should keep hard, scary stuff a big secret. That’ll totally work out.”

Holden’s idealism starts to fade as he takes in Miller’s hard truths about humanity. To be fair, Miller loses a little idealism over his perceptions of the inner planets’ relationship which, to the Belt, seemed stable and friendly enough (and united against them). Miller encourages Holden to use Naomi’s judgment as a measuring stick for whether something is right (similar to how he uses illusion-Julie as his conscience and sounding board) and then he goes back to the news feeds to watch Ceres slowly collapse into chaos. Holden decides the only person and place he trusts - or at least doesn’t completely distrust - is Fred Johnson on Tycho Station, so they head there. Holden also wonders why they don’t just destroy the safe and make sure everyone stays away from Eros and Phoebe; Miller admits it’s because the protomolecule might just be the holy grail.
Chapter 37 - Holden: The crew of the Roci is taking a break from doom scrolling to cook fake space lasagna for dinner and bond over the food and conversation. As Holden watches the crew laugh at Amos’s belches and Miller’s wild story about cheese smuggling, he reflects that they represent all three prongs of the conflict: Naomi and Miller are Belters, Amos and he are from Earth, and Alex is from Mars. Yet they’re friends, and Holden knows this is what they have to fight for. The cheese smuggling makes no sense to Amos (why cheese and not drugs?), and Naomi points out that this illustrates how little people from the inner planets understand Belters. Earthers have free air and easy access to resources, while Belters know everything that sustains life is rare and their access to it is fragile. And this is why Protogen didn’t blink an eye before killing 1.5 million Belters on Eros: they’re “other”. Then Alex points out that this doesn’t make sense; it's a risky and unnecessarily complicated way to kill people just to satisfy prejudices. It becomes clear that Eros isn’t a hate crime, it’s a vacuum-sealed test tube to let the protomolecule learn how to do its job better by giving it access to a huge amount of biomass. The early transformations looked incomplete, as if it didn’t know how to work with human flesh yet, so Protogen was giving it a chance to train. Holden wants to know where they would even find enough people who would support an evil operation like this, and Miller promises to ask Dresden (the Protogen board member mentioned in the video) when they meet him. Something tells me that conversation won’t go well.
As the Roci approaches Tycho station, Holden and Miller take in the view of the Nauvoo, the partially constructed Mormon generation ship. When Miller says the Mormans may be in for a long and lonely death if they don’t find a habitable planet, Holden notes that this is the good kind of galactic exploration humans can accomplish (the protomolecule being the bad kind). Miller then asks Holden why he trusts Fred, and Holden explains that in addition to being the only person who hasn’t tried to jail them or blow them up since all this began, Fred is “real OPA”: he’s a politician and not part of the war-mongering factions who think they can survive indefinitely without the inner planets. When Miller points out that there isn’t a political solution to Protogen, Holden insists Fred has other skills, too. Later, Fred reads through all the information on the protomolecule and is incredulous that anyone could think to do this. Miller assures him that genocide is an old-school crime and it’s important that they stop it. Holden offers up the location of the observation station in exchange for enough OPA fighters to take down Protogen, and the right to retain custody of the safe and its contents. Fred agrees only after Holden points out that no one else can be trusted to do the right thing with a secret this big. Plus, he says Fred already knows what Holden will do with it.
Chapter 38 - Miller: It feels strange to Miller to explore the wide open spaces of Tycho Station, the fanciest place he has ever set foot on. He notices Naomi working on her hand terminal and letting her food get cold; she is too preoccupied with trying to figure out the location of the station to enjoy the amenities. As they talk, Miller is reminded of Havelock’s advice to just let go when he got pulled off a case, which jogs his memory that Havelock actually works for Protogen! (I’m surprised he didn’t get there faster; maybe everyone had a point that he was sort of a washed up detective.) He rushes off to make contact with his old buddy - probably his last real partner ever - in an encrypted drop site of a Ganymede server cluster. As he waits for a response, Miller is amused to realize he has started thinking like Holden: he feels like someone should warn the Mormans that they could potentially run into the alien creators of the protomolecule who may want to kill them. Havelock comes through, passing along the coordinates to a “very scary deep research and development lab” and asking Miller to be discreet never contact him again so he doesn’t get killed for betraying his employer. Miller sends him an encrypted warning to quit his job ASAP and not take postings at any black ops sites, before saying goodbye for the last time to the only person that still respected him as a cop. (I may or may not be sniffling a bit at this.)
Miller rounds up Naomi and Holden so they can bring Fred the coordinates. In Fred’s office, Miller starts lecturing him about the serious nature of the mission and the need to have a solid plan with adequate firepower, not the usual OPA shenanigans. Everyone’s a little confused until they realize that Miller doesn’t know that Fred is “the butcher of Anderson Station” and a former Colonel in the Earth Navy. Fred assures Miller he’s no amateur and will plan ahead. Miller then insists that he get to come along for the assault on Thoth Station. Eight days later, the plan is set in motion and Miller begins packing his meager belongings into a very small bag, figuring he’ll never see the Roci again. Even if he makes it off Thoth alive, he’ll have to figure out a way to make money and improvise a life plan of some sort. He tries to thank Holden and say goodbye, but the Roci’s captain interrupts Miller to ask where they’ll all meet up after the mission is complete. Miller is confused at first, then overcome with emotion when he realizes Holden considers Miller part of the crew! I’m not crying, you’re crying. Actually, it’s Miller who is weeping. But he pulls himself together so he can head to the assault ship.
Chapter 39 - Holden: The Rocinante needs to sneak up on Thoth Station, so they are pretending to be a loose cargo container that broke off the Guy Molinari (the Belter ship carrying the assault team, which is pretending to be a cargo ship). They fly with everything shut down so that it’s more convincing, hoping they can get close enough to the station to do some damage before Thoth starts firing back. As they approach and are able to reboot everything needed for battle, a stealth ship is spied hanging out near Thoth Station. Then, suddenly it becomes clear that there are two small stealth ships, which will be much harder to fight off. Everyone does their jobs efficiently on the Roci, but in the ensuing battle with the stealth ships, they start to take some damage. First, the Roci is hit by a gauss cannon that goes straight through the machine shop and galley. Holden mourns his coffee maker. Amos notices a leak in the maneuvering thrusters and heads to fix it between the inner and outer hulls, which isn’t an ideal place to be floating around during a battle. This stresses Naomi out, but Holden orders everyone to stay focused. They are able to take out one of the stealth ships, but the other gets close enough to do some impressive damage to the Roci. There is major hull damage as well as loss of four maneuvering thrusters, a PDC, their O2 storage, and the crew airlock. Alex is about to destroy the second stealth ship when the Roci’s point defense cannons (PDCs) detonate an enemy warhead up close. It knocks everyone out, punches holes throughout the Roci (narrowly missing Naomi), dislodges equipment, and fills the ship with debris. Holden marvels that they are alive at all, and Alex points out that is only because the ship’s anti-spalling webbing eliminates shrapnel. They make contact with Fred, who says he’ll find them a place to land, and the Guy Molinari prepares for the assault on Thoth Station. It’s Miller’s turn to shine!
Chapter 40 - Miller: On the Guy Molinari, Miller is talking to a Belter kid named Diogo as they wait for the assault to start. Miller realizes that while he has fancy Martian armor from the Roci and experience with gunfights in station corridors, he is surrounded by inexperienced young Belters with borrowed gear, and he will likely have to watch dozens of them die during the battle. But Diogo isn’t worried; he is confident and eager to get started. Fred announces that they are ready to start boarding since the Roci gave them the “all clear”, and Miller is happy to hear his friends have survived. The assault on the station starts off rough, with Protogen soldiers fighting them in the corridors and automatic defense lasers taking out some of the Belters in the first wave. But Fred knows how to command his OPA “troops” and keep them in line, and things start to go more smoothly as they slow down and maneuver carefully. Miller and Diogo are part of a group taking shelter at Fred’s direction and fending off Protogen counterattacks, and they start to talk during a lull. When two Protogen soldiers sneak up on them from behind, Diogo is hit and Miller chastises himself for chatting during a battle and not staying alert. He thinks Diogo is dead, but he pops up laughing and streaked with white goo from crowd suppression rounds, which Miller finds an odd choice of weapon. It’s the first sign that Thoth Station may not totally understand what’s happening. The OPA soldiers cut their way through the blast doors to get to the operations center, where they find Dresden (the dude mentioned in the sociopath’s Protogen video). Fred arrives to take command of the station, and Dresden offers to negotiate, clearly misunderstanding the reason for the assault. He offers to give the OPA whatever resources they need to go back to fighting their war (money, medical supplies, weapons, ordnance) if they’ll just leave and let the station get back to their very important work. Fred points out that they know about Eros, but Dresden insists no one knows what they did there, and there won’t be a better bargaining position for Fred when Earth sends its battleships. Fred basically calls Dresden Satan, but Dresden doesn’t understand the reference.

Hey y’all.
I’m a 21 yr old guy in college, working as an intern for all of June and July 5 miles outside of Yuma.
I’ll be the only young person working at this place. I’ll join a gym in Yuma but was also hoping for recs, from food to general advice to where I could meet ppl of a similar age, cool stuff to do, etc. I like volunteering so a group like that could be good too. Open to bars but usually not my scene lol (open to a gay bar tho).
I’m gay if that’s important, happy to hang with all kinds of chill interesting ppl. Enjoy food, outdoors, books/writing/libraries/museums, working out, volunteering, adventures, local events and groups to join, etc…
Also feel free to message me. Thanks guys.

Hi hi! Long time stalker of this sub, figured I’d post for advice. Current sophomore at a small LAC in the northeast. Originally wanted to transfer before of isolated location + being a visual minority in vv white state + bad friendship situations freshman year. A year ago I would have KILLED to have the results I have now, and I might sound insane but now I’m considerably more conflicted.
After submitting my apps this year I convinced myself I wouldn’t get in and just directed all my focus to my current institution. I formed really great relationships with some professors who are really willing to go to bat for me, got research fellowships/scholarships that I would have to give up if I transferred, and overall just am in really good space for when I apply to grad school and eventually academia (dream)
I worry that by transferring as a junior, even if it would be to these insane schools, would mean giving up all the research opportunities I have now and forming new relationships with profs and just having to grind to get to where I am now before I apply to grad school. I talked with some profs who know about my transfer situation and academic goal and they all more or less agreed that transferring wouldn’t necessarily put be in a better place than staying (i.e might even be worse off trying to fight for ivy profs attentions who are focused on grad students and the hundreds of other students they’d be tending to)
On the other hand, a lot of the same issues still persist, college is still isolating though I’ve begun to meet new people and form new friendships. And I won’t lie the prestige aspect is super tantalizing. I was a A2C grindset senior that didn’t get the results I wanted to back then (still at a good institution, just was hoping for the results I have now). I am conflicted to the point where it’s hard to be happy about the decisions I’ve gotten. I have no idea what to do.
Stats: highschool gpa 3.95 UW 4.4 W, college gpa: 3.91, SAT: 1550, extracurriculars: research, conferences, clubs, internships on local campaigns (highschool), political organizing
Applied as polisci/history major
Accepted (4/6): Barnard, Tufts, Penn, Columbia Still waiting (2/6): Georgetown and NYU
tldr; got into schools I had no idea I would get into. Freshman year me would have immediately transferred but after some good things happening at my current institution I’m a lot more conflicted.

My boyfriend is Western , I'm Asian. He moved to my country and lived with me for 3-4 months. I paid for a gym membership that allowed me to bring 2 more people to there with me. But the rule is that I am always the one who has to check in the code before entering the gym, which means that 2 people cannot use my membership card to go to the gym by themselves. And I used it to go to the gym with my boyfriend every day. But this week I had to visit my hometown for about a week, so I had to contact the person who sold me my membership card to ask him to allow my boyfriend to check in at the gym by himself.
And for every day, we wake up, we text each other good morning, ask basic things like what “how was your sleep”, “what u are doing, “ have you eaten anything” , and he always updates me like “ i will book a car to go gym now” “ im on the way gym now”... so same that time, I can text the staff to wait there for him and support my boyfriend.
Until today, after waking up, I texted him good morning. My mind is quite sensitive today because a really bad thing happened to me yesterday and he also knows that. And Of course, my mood, my body, my weakness feelings felt I really needed his attention and his love his care today even more than other days.
After texting him good morning, I continued texting him to say that I couldn't meet him today as planned, What are you doing, when will u go to the gym, do u need any help, … At that time, it was about 2-3 hours before he got to gym every day, but after I texted for about an hour, I still didn't hear any updates from him about his gym. ( I had discussed with the gym in advance and he could check in without staff help today and I told him last night already. Because I already talked with staff, so I have to make sure to know will he go to gym instead of staying home or dont go anymore)
Then I checked his messages again, I saw he was online not too long ago and left my text on seen. I felt quite disappointed at that time but I still didn't want to send more messages to start a conversation first especially after seeing my messages being seen by him. But after about another hour, I was really worried about when he would go to the gym, and would he be able to check in with the staff ok? So I opened the app again and saw he was online a few minutes ago, but this time I sent him another message say that "I miss you". After that about 10 minutes he replied saying "use this photo for checking at gym?" and thats all… don't care about all the other messages I sent. At that moment I felt really really bad, maybe because I was in a bad mood before, but feel and even worse to think he knew I wasn't okay but thats the way he act.
About another 30 minutes, I had to do something else and couldn't wait for his gym update anymore so I sent a few more messages to ask if he had gone to the gym yet... and straight away he replied me "yea".
When he online at that time, I asked him he didn't reply to my message, leave it on seen that made me feel not good. He answered me that what should he reply me
And I feel that was terrible answer, I said that if he was busy at the time I texted, he could told me he was busy and he would reply to my message later instead of just online, and leave it on seen. Then he said "why he have to tell? You have to know by yoursel" I asked back” how can I know when you and me don't live in the same place” And what he means is that at the time he asked about “ Use this photo to check in gym?” I must understand that he was busy going to the gym. And he feels it's normal to take 2 to 3 hours to reply to someone's message
But I feel it's normal when in non-urgent situations (like me, I need to know about his time to go to the gym, so I can make sure he's allowed to go to the gym and then do another stuffs instead of waiting there for his update). Or when he's really busy and can't receive my messages not there online and seen it without reply. ( Specially, for him, every single day, for whole day, all he has to do is wake up, eat, rest play phone, go to gym, go back home, rest, eat, play phone, sleep thats all. )
I feel like usually a person will take a longer time to replying messages from unimportant people, than for their partner. And It makes me feel like I'm not valuable and not priority to him,
I also feel like he talks to me and updates me " I will go to the gym at 2pm, is it ok? " " i will book the car now".. in the past weeks just because he had to ask me to help him communicate with the staff so he could go to gym only. I feel like he doesn't think about my feelings at all and just keep saying that he's right about everything today. I am so childish to have this argument, overrated for just 2-3 hours without any messages …
Do you guy thinks am I wrong too ? Im happy to hear and receive advices from you guys to improve myself and the relationship… 🥺

In the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization (SEO), understanding and implementing the latest strategies is crucial for staying ahead of the competition. One such strategy is semantic SEO. This approach focuses on the meaning behind the words and phrases users type into search engines, rather than just the keywords themselves. But what exactly is semantic SEO, and why is it important? Let’s dive in.

The Basics of Semantic SEO

At its core, SEO is about optimizing content for the intent behind a user’s search query. Instead of focusing solely on specific keywords, semantic SEO considers the context and relationships between words to provide more relevant and comprehensive search results. This approach aligns with how search engines like Google are becoming increasingly sophisticated in understanding and processing language.

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How Semantic SEO Works

Semantic SEO leverages advanced algorithms that understand natural language and context. These algorithms can interpret synonyms, related concepts, and even the sentiment behind queries. By optimizing your content with a semantic approach, you help search engines better understand the context of your content, which can lead to higher rankings and more relevant traffic.

Why Are Semantic Keywords Important in SEO?

Semantic keywords are crucial because they reflect the way people naturally speak and search. Here are a few reasons why they matter:

1. Enhanced User Experience: Content that addresses the user’s intent provides a better experience, which can lead to longer site visits and lower bounce rates.
2. Improved Search Engine Understanding: By using semantic keywords, you help search engines grasp the broader context of your content, making it easier for them to match it with relevant queries.
3. Higher Rankings: Content optimized for semantic search is more likely to rank higher because it aligns with the sophisticated algorithms of modern search engines.
4. Increased Visibility: Semantic keywords can help your content appear in a wider range of search results, capturing traffic from various related queries.

The Role of Structured Data in Semantic SEO

Structured data plays a significant role in semantic SEO. It helps search engines understand the context of your content by providing explicit clues about the meaning behind it. Implementing structured data, such as schema markup, can enhance your site’s search engine visibility by enabling rich snippets and other enhanced search results features.

Semantic SEO Tools

Several tools can help you implement a semantic SEO strategy effectively. Here are some of the most popular ones:

1. Google’s Natural Language API: This tool analyzes text to understand the structure and meaning behind it.
2. SEMrush: Offers features to identify semantic keywords and analyze content for semantic SEO.
3. Ahrefs: Provides insights into related keywords and their context, helping you optimize your content.
4. MarketMuse: Uses AI to suggest content improvements and identify semantic gaps in your writing.
5. Surfer SEO: Analyzes top-ranking pages to help you optimize your content semantically.

Implementing Semantic Keywords in Your SEO Strategy

Incorporating semantic keywords into your SEO strategy involves several steps:

1. Keyword Research: Start by identifying primary keywords related to your topic. Then, use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find related terms and phrases.
2. Content Creation: Write content that naturally incorporates these keywords. Focus on creating comprehensive, in-depth articles that cover the topic from multiple angles.
3. Use Synonyms and Related Terms: Don’t just repeat the same keywords. Use synonyms and related terms to create a more natural and varied text.
4. Optimize for User Intent: Consider what users are looking for when they type a query. Aim to answer their questions and solve their problems.
5. Structured Data: Implement schema markup to help search engines understand the context of your content.

Case Study: Successful Semantic SEO

Let’s look at a hypothetical case study to understand the impact of semantic SEO. Imagine a travel blog looking to increase its organic traffic. By adopting a semantic SEO strategy, they might do the following:

1. Identify User Intent: Understand that users searching for “best travel destinations” might also be interested in “affordable travel destinations” or “family-friendly travel spots.”
2. Create Comprehensive Guides: Develop detailed guides covering various aspects of travel destinations, including costs, activities, and family-friendly options.
3. Use Structured Data: Implement schema markup to highlight key information, such as location, price range, and user reviews.
4. Monitor and Adjust: Continuously use tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush to monitor performance and adjust the content strategy as needed.

By focusing on the semantic relationships between keywords and understanding user intent, the travel blog can attract a broader audience and rank higher in search results.

Common Misconceptions About Semantic SEO

There are several misconceptions about semantic SEO that can hinder its effective implementation:

1. It’s Just About Using Synonyms: While synonyms are part of it, semantic SEO is more about understanding and addressing user intent.
2. It Replaces Traditional SEO: Semantic SEO complements rather than replaces traditional SEO practices. Both are essential for a successful strategy.
3. Only Big Sites Can Benefit: Any site, regardless of size, can implement semantic SEO to improve its rankings and visibility.

Future of Semantic SEO

The future of semantic SEO looks promising as search engines continue to evolve. Here are some trends to watch:

1. Voice Search: With the rise of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, optimizing for natural language queries will become even more crucial.
2. AI and Machine Learning: These technologies will further enhance search engines’ ability to understand context and intent.
3. Visual and Video Search: As visual and video content becomes more prevalent, understanding the semantics of these formats will be key.

Conclusion

Semantic SEO is a powerful strategy that goes beyond traditional keyword optimization. By focusing on the meaning and context behind search queries, you can create more relevant and comprehensive content that meets user intent. Implementing semantic keywords, using structured data, and leveraging advanced SEO tools can significantly enhance your site’s search engine visibility and rankings. As search engines continue to evolve, staying ahead with semantic SEO will be essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the digital landscape.

FAQs on Semantic SEO

1. What is the difference between traditional SEO and semantic SEO?

Answer: Traditional SEO focuses on optimizing content around specific keywords to improve search engine rankings. It involves practices like keyword stuffing, backlink building, and meta tag optimization. In contrast, semantic SEO emphasizes the meaning and context behind keywords, understanding user intent, and creating content that addresses those intents comprehensively. It uses related terms, synonyms, and structured data to help search engines understand the broader context of the content.

1. How can semantic SEO improve my website’s search rankings?

Answer: Semantic SEO can enhance your website’s search rankings by aligning your content with how search engines understand and process language. By optimizing for user intent and context, you create more relevant and comprehensive content. This improves the user experience, leading to longer visits and lower bounce rates, which are positive signals to search engines. Additionally, using structured data helps search engines better understand and display your content in rich snippets, further boosting visibility.

1. What tools are best for implementing semantic SEO?

Answer: Several tools can assist with semantic SEO implementation. Some of the most popular include:

• Google’s Natural Language API: Analyzes text to understand structure and meaning.
• SEMrush: Identifies semantic keywords and analyzes content for optimization.
• Ahrefs: Provides insights into related keywords and their contexts.
• MarketMuse: Uses AI to suggest content improvements and identify semantic gaps.
• Surfer SEO: Analyzes top-ranking pages to help optimize content semantically.

1. How do I find semantic keywords for my content?

Answer: To find semantic keywords, start with thorough keyword research using tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner. Identify your primary keywords and then look for related terms, synonyms, and variations. Analyze search queries and user intent to understand what users are looking for. Tools like Answer the Public can also provide insights into common questions and topics related to your primary keywords, helping you identify semantic keywords that align with user intent.

1. Why is structured data important in semantic SEO?

Answer: Structured data is crucial in semantic SEO because it provides search engines with explicit information about the content on your website. By using schema markup, you can help search engines understand the context and relationships within your content. This can enhance your search engine visibility by enabling rich snippets, knowledge graphs, and other enhanced search results features. Structured data helps ensure that your content is accurately represented in search results, making it easier for users to find and engage with your content.
In the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization (SEO), understanding and implementing the latest strategies is crucial for staying ahead of the competition. One such strategy is semantic SEO. This approach focuses on the meaning behind the words and phrases users type into search engines, rather than just the keywords themselves. But what exactly is semantic SEO, and why is it important? Let’s dive in.

CBSE schools in Paschim Vihar is a well-built residential area located in Delhi. It is known for its lush green environment, new age amenities and comfortable living. There are high-rise apartment buildings as well as gated societies, which make it a great place for families. Therefore, the environment for children is good for studies. Paschim vihar in many CBSE schools which are very good for the future of children. It is necessary for studiesThere is a good network of paschim vihar roads and paschim vihar Delhi Metro to connect with the rest of Delhi. Due to this, main commercial and business centers can be easily reached from here paschim vihar .Paschim Vihar also has many parks, shopping centres, hospitals and recreational facilities. People living in paschim vihar enjoy a peaceful and safe environment and there is a sense of togetherness among the people in the neighbourhood. Furthermore, Paschim Vihar has many reputed schools, making it a great location for families who value their children's education.

Importance of Choosing the Right CBSE School in Paschim Vihar

Choosing a CBSE school for children is an important decision for parents in paschim vihar . These schools lay the foundation for children's education and development of their entire personality in paschim vihar . So that children have a good future, make a good career, get knowledge of every field and every subject, CBSE schools are very good in paschim vihar.

• Paschim vihar CBSE schools have a very good curriculum which not only provides good education but also prepares the children for further studies and competitive examinations. Good performance in board exams is important for both jobs and college admissions.
• Paschim Vihar CBSE schools have educated and experienced teachers who can teach children well and develop their thinking power. The number of children in the class and the method of teaching also affect the learning experience.
• Paschim Vihar Schools structure and facilities In schools which have buildings with new technology, good libraries, labs with latest equipment, play areas and smart classrooms, children get a good environment for studies. These facilities help in all-round development of children and motivate them to learn different things.
• Paschim vihar Top schools do not just teach books but also include things like sports, art and culture in the curriculum. This develops creativity, teamwork and leadership qualities in children.

Paschim Vihar best CBSE schools inculcate good values and discipline in children, making them responsible and good human beings.Only those schools are good which work closely with the parents and keep them involved in the education of their children. This relationship between parents and teachers is very important for the progress of children.

Criteria for Selecting the Best CBSE Schools

Choosing the right CBSE school for your child is an important decision that impacts their studies and their overall development. Let us see what to keep in mind while choosing the best CBSE school:1. Academic performanceGood education is the most important thing for any renowned schools. To ensure that the school will strengthen children's basic education, you should consider the following:

• Board Exam Results: Check out how the school has performed in the CBSE board exams over the years. If a good percentage of children pass every year and the number of students scoring good marks is also high, then it is an indication that the school pays a lot of attention to studies.
• School Rankings: View national and regional schools rankings published by renowned organizations. These rankings are often given keeping in mind things like the education of schools, qualifications of teachers, structure of the school etc.

2.Teachers and teaching methodsThe knowledge and commitment of educators have a major impact on the standard of education. When choosing a school, it is crucial to assess the instructors and their methods of instruction.

• Teacher Qualification: Verify whether the institution employs qualified educators with degrees and certifications in the teaching profession.Teachers who undergo continuous professional development stay abreast of the latest teaching methods. Such teachers bring valuable knowledge to the classroom and use effective teaching strategies.
• Student-Teacher Ratio: A lower student-teacher ratio means each student will get more individual attention. This ratio is important to meet individual learning needs and create a supportive learning environment. An ideal CBSE school has a low student-teacher ratio, which provides teachers an opportunity to connect more with the students and resolve their doubts.

3.Infrastructure and facilitiesThe well-equipped school provides an environment suitable for learning and all-round development. It is important to evaluate the infrastructure and facilities while choosing a school.

• Classrooms and Laboratories: Modern, spacious classrooms and well-equipped laboratories are important for effective teaching and practical learning.Science and computer laboratories should have the latest equipment and resources. Well-lit and ventilated classrooms create a good environment for learning.
• Sports and extra-curricular facilities: Apart from physical development and education, adequate sports facilities, playgrounds and areas for extra-curricular activities are essential to nurture talents. Check availability of courts, fields and equipment for different sports. A good school provides a balance of indoor and outdoor sports facilities.

Best CBSE Schools in Paschim Vihar: Doon Public School

Doon Public School is one of the top CBSE schools located in Paschim Vihar, Delhi. The school is known for its commitment to providing quality education and promoting all-round development. This school has established itself as a major center not only for being top in studies but also for building good character of children. Sports and dance take children to excel in everything, which helps children a lot in their future career. and takes the first step into the world of success

• Experienced teacher :

The school has a team of highly qualified and experienced teachers who are dedicated to nurturing the intellectual and personal development of each student. With a low student-teacher ratio, Doon Public School provides individual attention, giving teachers the opportunity to meet individual learning needs and foster a supportive and encouraging environment.

• Academic Excellence :
  In Doon Public School, children's education is given utmost importance. Every year the children of the school perform very well in the CBSE board examinations. This is proof that the standard of education in the school is very high and the methods of teaching are also very effective. The school's curriculum is broad and challenging, preparing children for the rigorous examinations and higher education ahead.
  
• State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
  

Doon Public School is equipped with modern facilities that make the learning experience even better:

1. Classrooms: Spacious, well-lit and air-conditioned classrooms with smart boards and audio-visual aids to promote interactive learning. These classes create a good environment for learning and help children concentrate.
2. Laboratories: Advanced science and computer laboratories provide students with hands-on learning experiences, fostering scientific curiosity and technical proficiency. Laboratories equipped with the latest equipment give students the opportunity to put theoretical knowledge into practice.
3. Library: A well-equipped library with a wide range of books, magazines and digital resources encourages a love of reading and research. This serene environment motivates students to study and gain knowledge.

• Holistic Development

Understanding the importance of holistic development, Doon Public School offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities:

1. Sports: The school has extensive sports facilities, including cricket, football fields, basketball courts and indoor games, which promote physical fitness and teamwork. Participation in sports competitions inculcates a sense of healthy competition among the students.
2. Arts and Culture: Regular art classes, music education, dance and drama programs provide opportunities to students to explore their creative talents. Cultural festivals and events celebrate diversity and promote cultural appreciation. These activities make students feel confident and comfortable on stage.
3. Clubs and Societies: Various clubs like Debate, Robotics and Environment Club help students pursue their interests and develop leadership and organizational skills. Participating in club activities builds cooperation, coordination and team spirit among students.

Conclusion

Choosing the right CBSE school in Paschim Vihar is important to ensure the academic success and all-round development of your child. Doon Public School stands as a premier institution providing high quality education, state-of-the-art infrastructure and a nurturing environment. With its experienced teachers, emphasis on academic excellence and a wide range of extra-curricular activities, Doon Public School prepares students for future challenges and opportunities. Investing in a school like Doon Public School is a step towards securing a bright and promising future for your child.

Turkish dramas are irresistible because of their diverse stories, and characters, and even the actors will keep you hooked to your TV screens because of their impeccable performances. The shows have a crisp storyline, the characters, and their lives are explored in depth, and the scenic locations of Turkey are like a cherry on the top! If you want to watch some of the best Turkish dramas on Hotstar, here are some of the names for you.
1. Price Of Passion
A romance drama series that got a lot of attention from viewers in Turkey as well as globally and even got an 8 IMDb rating! It is about a woman who is a devoted doctor helping her patients and children heal their wounds and hearts. She crosses paths with a mysterious man who turns out to be a cold-blooded murderer. And, even after trying hard to stay away, she falls for this man. Two strangers with opposite motives in life- what will happen to their future?
2. Life Of Secrets
Life of Secrets is a family drama series with a 7.1 IMDb rating, it is beautiful because of the pure love story between two innocent lovers- Burak and Seher. While, the show is heart-breaking because of many secrets that come out in the open- regarding different family members of the Kuzgan family. A show that has an intense storyline as secrets will keep spilling one after the other- shocking you throughout. The aftermath of those shocks, the family relations, the love stories, and heartbreaks- everything about this show is wonderful.
3. New Life
A drama series that was released in 2020, is about a special force officer, Adam- he loves his job and has an adorable family. His life is perfect until he gets injured and has to leave his profession and find an alternative. He finds a new job as a bodyguard for a beautiful and rich woman named Yasemin, who is also the second wife of a rich businessman named Timur. What Adam does not know is that Yasemin has many deep secrets and a hidden past, and the whole family setup he is entering, is nothing less than a minefield.
Also Read: The Peripheral
4. Sisterhood
A gripping drama show about three sisters who have grown up without knowing each other’s existence. One fine day, they receive an anonymous letter revealing them about their connections as siblings. They are even invited by an anonymous person to meet each other at one of the sister’s weddings. They are happy and shocked to come face-to-face on the night of the wedding, but something more happens that day and changes their whole life. They now can no longer leave that place and have to live together.
5. Hiding Our Mother
It is an interesting story about a woman named Handan whose life takes a one-eighty-degree turn when she meets a mysterious couple. Now, she wants to have a husband and lead a better life- but this single mother of three is not such an interesting partner, why? Because of her three children! So, what happens to her three children, did the couple adopt them? And will she ever get married again? All these are answered in the show.
If you are just starting to explore the Turkish drama world- the above-mentioned Turkish Dramas on Hotstar are the best options. Once you have entered that world- you will find so many other great Turkish shows on YouTube as well.

Last night my wife and I were chit-chatting and joking around. Long story short the subject of my alcoholism came up and she was insistent that I'm no longer an alcoholic since I quit drinking over 9 months ago. I reiterated that I am still an alcoholic. She continued to insist that I wasn't.
In a separate post yesterday, I received a lot of good advice about available online meetings since we live in the middle of nowhere. I'm filtering through the lists and will be trying out one or more in the next few days.
My question today: Is there a group meeting that includes non-alcoholic spouses to help her better understand my situation and how she can help? I would like to find a group that we can share, while I also attend another group totally focused on me/my needs.
Though she isn't "the problem" I need a place for myself where I can be totally open about her. Therefore the desire to find a separate group for us as a couple.

I think Jane Austen must’ve experienced Limerence. Which might’ve been more common in her era because of the social constraints against women pursuing men. She certainly seems to know what reciprocated but thwarted limerence felt like.
In Sense and Sensibility, Marianne almost dies after Willoughby rejects her.
I was watching the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice. Darcy becomes limerent for Elizabeth and we watch him say that he has struggled to conquer it. But because he has wealth, position and a beautiful home he’s able to use that to save her sister and win her over.
Elizabeth’s sister Jane is limerent for Mr. Bingley. Bingley appears limerent for Jane as well, but Darcy and his sisters persuade him that Jane doesn’t really care for him because she has never said so. They suggest that she is just after his money. Both of these couples end up happy in the end.
I probably didn’t need to watch this right now because I haven’t had a private conversation with my LO in weeks. He is a long distance coworker and I have to attend a Teams meeting once a week with him. I hadn’t seen him in a couple of weeks and then they put the cameras on. I saw him and I wanted him so much and now I’m a mess. After we would see each other in that meeting he would often arrange a reason for us to talk privately, but now he isn’t doing that anymore. I know that is an answer and I haven’t done anything crazy in response. Probably because we are coworkers and I don’t want anybody accusing me of being inappropriate. But after my reaction to seeing him, I’m thinking I need to pull out of this meeting and go no contact. Thoughts….

this arent nightmares,they are dreams, my nighmares are things i cant describe even if i was god so,ive been having this dreams ,almost everynight sicne my birth they go in to 1 of 3 categories

1. crisis :in this dream type, my family dies in wierd days, of all my dreams this is a 50%
2. in this type of dream, im alone,alone in the whole place the dream has been placed in, usualy followed up with a super power of soem kind to traverse the weird terain of the place im placed trhough of all my dreams this is a 49.9%
3. 0.1% super rare, this are dreams that make me almost punch the wall out of happines that it ended, you allways know that its adream in the other 2 types, but in this one,it feels real,it feals like reality in this type of dream, im placed in,places simular to type 2s ,strange terain, where one hollway comes up behind you, or staircases go nowhere, almost allways in a house of some sorts, simular to the backrooms i think, tho,in this type of dream , im not alone, ive played a game recently called, "it steals" ,and the feeling i felt when playing that game is the thing i can most deifnelty say, is what i feel when im in a type 3, the things i see in there, i m not going to describve it as ive learned that the more you think of them the higher the chance it becomes i get one

so , respectfully things in my dreams, that dont let me sleep fuck you ,and lets not meet

Recently i have been feeling lonely and i decided to try getting a friend or two but it just feels like no one wants to talk to me. It lead me to think about why most of my friendships were one sided in the first place and i cant seem to figure it out. I think that i can be a good friend and i actually try to be the friend i want for myself. Ive realized some of my friends were exhausted by some of my clingy behaviours irl so ig thats one reason. Just lost my only irl friend a few weeks ago because again it felt one sided and they barely cared about me or my recent struggles.
Its just that im scared at one point ill give up even trying to have friends and end up not meeting some cool friend that i vibe with. I always envy those good friendships on shows and cartoons. It just hits like a wall on my face tbh, being alone can be okay but its also quite depressing in modern times.

A few years ago, before my graduation, I joined three of my classmates to start a service-based software house. One of them was my friend; the other two were just classmates. They always made decisions based on the majority, and the three of them were always on the same side. My friend, who called himself the CEO, was an overconfident person. Our first project was an e-commerce website for the CEO's friend, and the payment is still pending because he didn't need the website at all and gave us the order just because of my friend.
It was during the time of COVID-19 when my father's business collapsed, and I was under a lot of pressure, while they were financially stable at that time. I started preparing for jobs, but they insisted that I focus on freelancing and our company because none of them wanted to get a job. However, I wanted to get a job to support my family, gain experience, and grow professionally.
After all this, I decided to leave them and focus on my own path. Meanwhile, they started on Upwork and Fiverr, and luckily got an order early on. Now, after two years, I am still working a job, while they continue freelancing and have even hired one or two student interns. I don't regret my decision because I had no other option at that time; I earned just 2,000 to 3,000 rupees in four months. They are still my friends, but whenever I meet them, I tend to overthink that decision. What would you do if you were in my place?

Welcome, Coffee Aficionados, to our Weekly Topic Exploration!
Every week, we dive deep into a unique aspect of coffee culture and brewing, exploring the rich and diverse world of coffee. This is your platform to share insights, engage in in-depth discussions, and learn from fellow enthusiasts in our community.
🌱 This Week's Focus: Each week, we'll highlight a different facet of coffee – it could be regional coffee traditions, innovative brewing techniques, or the science behind what makes a perfect cup. Let's unravel the mysteries and joys of our beloved bean!
🔎 Deep Dive Discussion: What unique coffee practices have you encountered or experimented with? Maybe it's a brewing method you've mastered or a regional coffee you've tasted. Share your experiences and knowledge!
🤔 Question Time: Got questions about this week's topic? This is the perfect place to ask! Our community is full of knowledgeable coffee lovers eager to share their insights.
💡 Learning and Sharing: Whether you're a seasoned expert or a curious newbie, we encourage you to share your thoughts and tips. Let's broaden our coffee horizons together!
🌍 Global Perspectives: Coffee is enjoyed worldwide in myriad ways. Share any interesting global coffee practices or anecdotes you know.
This weekly thread is more than just a discussion – it's a celebration of our shared passion for coffee. So, let's get brewing with thoughts, ideas, and lots of coffee talk!

Please don’t come for me!! I’m a big fan and collect all her books and will always read them. Please don’t tell me “just don’t read them” the books were very comforting to me at a time I needed them but that doesn’t mean I can’t be open to discussion about her recent work and how her new direction or perhaps rush to put out books might be affecting quality.
I’m part of her Facebook group as well; which is strictly a fan page.
Spoilers ahead !
Here goes:
I guess I expected Sloane to be a character who looked like Bridget but with the personality of Jules. Instead she behaved exactly like Allesandra, Isabel and Vivian. Speaking of Bridget, the Queen was more icy than Sloan (the series' designated Ice Queen) and she was supposed to be Rhy's sunny counterpart. We were constantly TOLD how icy and emotionless she was and never really shown it. Instead, we find out she's actually insecure and has a lot of issues, which yes is realistic to how Ice Queens typically form their avoidant personalities, but it would have been great to see a few chapters of her being icy before we peel the layers and find out why she puts up these icy walls.
If the book was supposed to be about how she’s NOT the ice queen people think she is…that wasn’t exactly shown either. She does admit it herself that she is icy, just hates that she is and hates being called that.
Xavier is the Jojo Siwa of bad boys. He was a bad boy, he did some bad things. The things that made him Colombia’s biggest bad boy with a bad boy reputation known all over the word: Parties with other rich kids, spends his wealthy father’s money, refuses to behave at publicity events like galas, refuses to inherit his family’s company, gets into shenanigans that land him in a night in jail with other rich kids, got a tattoo of his family rival’ crest….this one’s more stupid than “sticking it to his family”, slept around with whether model/It Girl was around. In the words of Phoebe Buffay “Okay, who hasn’t?!” Even Jules, Ava and Stella have landed themselves in jail after some shenanigan gone wrong. It’s clear that despite being a “spicy” book, AH created a Disney character version of a bad boy.
I feel like Ana forgot how to write from the male's POV after the Twisted series ended. The point of the dual POV is that you feel like you're reading two different people's POV, and honestly it all just blends together. I think Josh's book (Twisted Hate) was the best example of a male's perspective and thoughts/dialogue that a guy in that situation would be saying.
I noticed since King of Greed at least, these Alpha males have been carrying dialogue that mention the most ridiculous things that "Alpha billionaire" males wouldn't even notice. Example: In King of Greed, when Dominic makes a comment about the expression a Chinese food delivery person makes when he realizes he just dropped off a ton of food for two people.....I think that was an Ana Huang thought, not a Domenic thought. While we’re at it, Domenic was just as bad a Xavier…. Dante was the last good “Alpha” she wrote and Kai was such a different character (modeled clearly after the lead in Crazy Rich Asians) that he was hard to mess up ..
The Spanish in King of Sloth was important given the character's background, but felt like it was written with Google Translate. It felt very formal and boring, and doesn't feel like a Spanish-language consultant was brought in to make sure the random sentences and random Spanish words made sense. It was giving the same energy as the Netflix original shows that are set in Los Angeles neighborhoods and the writer's idea of Spanglish is sprinkling random Spanish words into English sentences. There was a little Spanish dialogue in Twisted Games that was way less cringier- maybe because the Spanish was in full sentences and then translated right after….. Latino English speaking people don’t add random “Tios” or “hermano” to their sentences. Look up @Leogonzall “how Latinos talk in movies” videos to see a visual representation of how the Spanish dialogue in these books feel.
Neither Xavier or Sloane had to work very hard to get together. We've seen small bits and pieces of how Sloan is essentially his babysittePR person and he's a chaotic playboy and I get the
Some random things that appear in every single book: - "A thought niggling......" - A table groaning under the weight of food - The first kiss consists of the male's mouth "crashing" into the female's - Every single female character has parental and sibling issues of some sort. - Every male character has parental/abusive parents of some sort. I'm beginning to feel like AH cannot write complex characters that don't rely solely on parental drama, as relatable as it can be...not counting her "If Love..." series, we've seen this 7 times in a row, for EACH main character. - Ana Huang writes parents and siblings the way Amy Sherman-Palladino writes children in Gilmore Girls, just very one-dimensional and for the plot. - Except for Isabel's good relationship with one of her brothers, Alessandra (and Ava and Josh) every female character has severe sibling drama, usually a case where their sibling is an over-achiever and conforms to their parent's expectations (and that's horrifying because it affects the main character and not because that sibling is also a victim that may have used conformity to survive their abusive parents actions)
Things I wanted to learn more about Sloan other than the same repetitive things over and over - How she started her PR agency and the staff she hires- what a girl boss! We only get a vague background about how she started her agency but nothing about how she built experience prior, and how she managed to build a reputation to become one of the best PR agencies in the world. We just have to take the author's word for it, and there's been so much build-up of Sloan in the three previous books.

• I always imagined Sloane having a luxury apartment in NYC, something completely immaculate and stone-cold like her personality. We hear nothing about her apartment despite so many scenes taking place there.
  
• We didn't get that many scenes of Sloane doing anything by herself…anything she eats or wears or anything. I feel we got more of these smaller details about the heroines in the earlier books.
  
• I think Sloane got the Stella treatment- Both heroines's have been teased since the first book in the series but were a bit lackluster once the book came out. The both have parental and sibling drama….but they do yoga
  

The things I enjoyed about KOS and Ana Huang books in general - The world building in NYC and DC and other countries. - I love the scenes that take place in both DC and NYC - they feel so cosmopolitan but I feel we no longer get smaller details about the weather, street details, etc - we got plenty more of this in Twisted Hate and Twisted Games...even details about it being a misty or cold day, make a huge difference in creating imagery in the reader's mind. - The Valhalla scenes are typically entertaining and beautifully written, it's clear how lovely and gorgeous this country club is. - Any cameos where Alex shows up, are well-written. I think Twisted Love was one of her strongest books, so it makes sense he's one of her strongest characters who is stable and can carry any appearance.

I had a vasectomy several months ago and I noticed afterward my semen had a far more neutral smell. No more of the strong, sort of fishy smell. Being an enterprising scientist, I tasted it. It was very, very neutral/bland whereas it used to have a bitter salty taste. The first time my wife performed fellatio on me to completion, she said “wow this taste totally different” without being prompted by me. This is a woman who has been tasting me exclusively for a decade and a half. She know performs fellatio more often than in the past, citing the more mild smell and taste than before (an improvement in her eyes). I’ve always noticed that previously, if masturbated and did not showed within a few hours, I would develop a musk odor that I was very self conscious about (Im uncircumcised and always felt this was why). I’ve found since the operation I can masturbate and skip showering and I don’t seem to develop any noticeable odor. I did some research on this, and there are medical articles and research establishing that the viscosity and ph of ejaculte are objectively changed by the lack of spermatoza following vasectomy. I found this to be quite interesting as my doctor assured me there would be no chance and multiple “so you want a vasectomy” articles online declare there was absolutely no difference. Reddit is the only place aside from actual medical research that I have found other men saying the same thing as me, but I’m not surprised. This isn’t something that men really talk about, and it’s not the only thing about the surgery that the doctors misrepresented or assured me wouldn’t happen and did. Just wondered who else has shared this experience.

Hey all, so for a little background I'm a Celtic folk witch who has been practicing various traditions of Pagan witchcraft for the last 7 years, mostly independently but with some guidance in recent years from peers in the Christian folk witchcraft crowd locally. I was raised in a Celtic culture, but I was not raised within a religious faith as my mum wanted me to make my own decision. My mum was raised Christian, but doesn't identify with or actively practice any religion anymore, though she does have some private spiritual beliefs and occasionally prays.
Because of my cultural background in a Celtic nation, I've been drawing on my culture's folk witchcraft a lot, which is heavily based on folk Catholicism from the 1800s to the present day. I've found a lot of affinity with Christian folk magic and pray to God each day, meditating using the techniques of a German monk from the 16th century (because I was reading about different saints and meditative practices, and his sounded very cool), and I'm now wanting to expand my knowledge of western Catholicism so that I can develop my practice and do so with respect to the religion my practices were inspired by.
I'm trying to find a place to start, basically. I tried reading the Bible, but have a disability that can make long term reading difficult, though not impossible. I find video and audio formats more accessible, and especially I find video essays and someone explaining the text to me much easier to process. Once I have that explanatory information, I then use that foundational knowledge to help me read the original text later on, if that makes sense.
I'm also plagued by the fear that what I'm doing might be construed as disrespectful by Christians and especially Catholics I may meet, which I suppose comes with the territory of witchcraft a little, but I'm always of the opinion that I shouldn't be disrespectful towards individuals and their beliefs irregardless of the wider context of organised religion.
Anyway, you are all much more informed and experienced than I will be, so I would deeply appreciate advice on this.

Someone who was once very important to me passed away a while back. It was a very big shock, and until now, I have been very much hurt by his passing. I dreamt of him a few times, and each time I couldn’t see his physical form in my dream. I feel the emotions I had towards him, but we are not interacting at all. I am not sure how to explain it, but maybe the easiest way would be to say that I dream of him without him in it. I can’t seem to really meet him there. It caught my attention because it’s a repetitive scenario. Last night, in my dream, I was supposed to meet him, but again, I never did. The other day in my dream, I found myself in the city he comes from, driving a car, thinking of him, and trying to explore all the places that were once important to him. Another time, I was again dreaming of him, and I found myself on a cliff with the sea beneath me, looking at the horizon, thinking this was as close as I could get to where he is now. Why would I dream of someone all the time without being able to see them?

• Genre/s: science fiction
• Goals/expectations/commitment: check ins critiques and progress
• Writing/experience level:beginner
• Meeting place: telegram or discord
• Max size:up to 4

Looking for accountable partners who enjoy writing, critique and growth have some ideas as well as open to any new ideas .I’m 46yo male who is a beginner nothing published but a new passion that time will be invested into