Let me preface this lang na I tried to do my due diligence and search between different companies offering hmo and insurance, I am just a bit overwhelmed ngayon sa dami ng options + I come from a family na hindi talaga financially literate kaya I'm better off getting the opinion of people in the internet so here I am hahaha
Hello! I'm a fresh grad that got hired recently earning roughly 40k/mo, 20k dito automatic tinatransfer ko sa savings ko so I have about 20k left to divide between my expenses and a healthplan. I want to ensure kasi that may backup plan ako incase na magkasakit ako or something that needs operations etc. Kabilang ako dun sa mga pamilyang 1 hospitalization away from poverty hahaha and ayaw ko naman na mangyari yun that's why I need to know what to get.
Since I am young, fairly healthy pa naman sa ngayon I need to know if I need to get an HMO, an insurance or both? I'll be paying this all out of pocket kaya I'm trying to do my best to make the right decision haha
Paadvise po mga ate and kuya's na mas may experience in life 🥲 thank you!

I need to make flyers and posters for a restaurant and bar. Searches haven't answered my questions.
Before I pay a $20/month subscription for any of them, why can't I make a flyer with the correct spelling? Ie. It spells "Drink" "Drins" or adds random letters.
Even when I put the words I want in quotes!
When I try to add what I want to a flyer design i like, it changes the whole flyer!
Is there an AI flyer generator that I can add perfect wording?
Is it because I'm on the free versions? Or because I'm on my phone?
Thank you in advance.

So, as the title suggests, this is my idea for the Indigo Park Timeline and Lore, including the time before, and the game's events. This will be one of three parts due to character limitations, this part dealing with the time before the events of the game.
BEFORE THE GAME
So, this game is clearly based loosely on Disney, if it wasn't obvious enough: a man by the name of Isaac Indigo opening Indigo Park (Walt Disney, Disney World, self-explanatory), starting out with cartoons in the early 1900s.
Mr. Isaac Indigo started out his business ventures in the cartoon sphere, specifically with Lloydford L. Lion, or more commonly known as Lloyd the Lion. The reason that it's Lloyd specifically, and not anyone else, can be seen when interacting with the Retro Lloyd Plush, both from the protagonist and Rambley the Raccoon, the modern day representative of Indigo Park.
Protagonist in regard to the Retro Lloyd Plush: "Lloyd obviously had an older look in the classic Indigo cartoons, but I'm not sure it looked like this. I guess nostalgia sells..."
Rambley AI in regard to the Retro Lloyd Plush: "Ugh...I don't get why we even have those. And why did they only make one of LLOYD? Is it because he's the loudest? I CAN BE LOUD TOO! WHERE'S MY LIMITED-EDITION THROWBACK PLUSH?! WHERE'S MOLLIE'S? WHERE'S FINLEY'S?"
Protagonist in regard to the Lloyd Plush: “I feel like as a kid, Indigo used Loyd a lot more.”
If it wasn't obvious enough by Rambley's rather frustrated demeanor regarding the plush, only Lloyd received this sort of plush, while none of the others received such a collectible. Well, it's possible Salem the Skunk received one, since Rambley didn't mention her, but that might be more representative of his intense dislike for Salem, something that will be discussed down the line. Another thing to note is that this plush does not look like the original Lloyd Lion, which is a detail I will discuss in depth towards the end.
Anyways, over the years, the other mascots we know and love, Mollie the Macaw, Finley the Sea Serpent, Salem the Skunk, and Rambley the Raccoon are added. I would like to put forth the idea that Mollie, Salem, and Rambley were all added in the same general time period, thanks to the Rambley Rush Arcade Game.
The quick rundown of the game is thus: Mollie Macaw crashes somewhere in the depths of Rambleberry Woods, and Rambley goes to find her. Along the way, he must jump across rivers and pits, collecting Rambleberries, and stomping upon evil purple squirrels, eventually reaching Mollie, who is still near her crashed plane. When she gets up, she claims that she crashed because her vision became rapidly obscured, at which point Salem Skunk appears and takes credit for that, claiming that she needed better test subjects for her potions than a bunch of squirrels. Infecting Mollie with the potion, Salem flees, not before Rambley and Salem exchange some barbs. Rambley eventually knocks Mollie out by stomping on her a few times, and the game glitches and crashes.
This arcade game is important for several reasons, one of which is that it introduces us to the dynamic that Rambley and Salem have: one of enemies, different than with Lloyd, because Rambley is merely jealous of the fact that Lloyd came before him, and was the main character for a long period of time. There is also the fact that Salem's area in the Rambley Railroad is completely destroyed. Not even Lloyd's area is so damaged.
From my basic understanding of early black and white television, based on the Chapter 1 opening cutscene of Isaac Indigo, Indigo Park opens somewhere in the 1940s to 1950s, as the grainy, blurry footage and somewhat muffled audio is reminiscent of such times. All sorts of rides and attractions are available for families to explore, such as Rambley's Railway, Jetstream Junction, Oceanic Odyssey, and Lloyd's Main Stage Theater. Again, interesting to note that Salem doesn't have such an area dedicated to her, though that might just be a way of putting off that area for later in the game. People in costumes (note, not called Mascots themselves, as I will use the term to address the replacements of these costumes) roam about the place, likely acting like modern day Disney Cast Members do today, interacting with guests in character.
After a long period of time, and possibly into the early 2000s, the focus is drawn away from Lloyd and onto Rambley, and specifically after the park was open, and not before, because in that same commercial that I dated to approximately the 1940s or 50s, the front gates are decorated with artwork of Lloyd, which is different than in game, where the Lloyd artwork has been replaced by art of Rambley. The reasoning for this is unclear, though I do have a few speculations. It is noted, both by the Rambley AI and the protagonist when interacting with the limited Golden Rambley Plush, that the idea is kind of cheap.
Protagonist: "So wait. They were so money hungry that they just recolored a regular Rambley plush and called it a new product? Kinda lazy don't you think?"
Rambley AI: "... Seriously, our employees had to clean up SO many stray teeth and nails. Hard to believe that there was all this demand for a regular Rambley Plush we blasted with gold spray paint..."
The idea of cutting corners and lowering costs comes up a fair bit. This might be the reason that they swapped main characters, after all: it's easier to animate a cute, small raccoon with a bandana than a large lion in a full on suit. This might also be the reason that the park transitions from costumed staff members, or "Ranglers", to Mascots.
Another reason for the change could have been growing awareness of animal welfare issues at the time, with many circuses and zoos facing criticism for how they treated their animals, lions and elephants specifically, and is an issue that is still ongoing, so perhaps Indigo Park didn't want the negative press to come to them, so they swapped. However, it is important to note that these are purely my speculations, and no concrete reason for the swap was ever introduced in Chapter 1 (to my knowledge).
A third possible reason could be in reference to what Indigo Park represented, at least in the time that it was built. According to Isaac Indigo:
Isaac Indigo, giving a press conference outside Indigo Park: “Indigo Park offers a slice of the American dream to call your own. In this place, echoes of days gone are brought back to life as a new generation captures a glimpse of the exciting potential of Tomorrow. Indigo Park pays homage to the values, dreams, and unwavering truths that gave rise to our great nation.”
Let’s take a step back. Remember how I dated the opening of Indigo Park to the 1940s or 1950s? If that was true, that means that Indigo Park opened in the shadow of the Second World War, the deadliest human conflict ever recorded, with a death toll of over 50 million people, both soldier and civilian. After the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, it was eventually public knowledge that the USA still decided to drop the second one, even after Imperial Japan had surrendered after the first one had been cast.
It's entirely possible that Indigo Park was, in some way, propaganda. Think about it, Lloyd the Lion was the mascot. And what do lions represent? Strength, power, unity, leadership. Lloyd could have been a symbol to the American people that proclaimed themselves as leaders, people who thought of the future, while trying to sideline the negative press the USA received.
After a while, however, there was no need to justify their victory. People, for the most part, accepted their victory, and as the world headed into a Cold War, there was no need to justify themselves; many people were afraid of the Communists, the Red, and the influence it may have. Clearly, the USA and its allies were the good guys. Communism was a threat to democracy, everyone knew that! So there was a switch to a more child friendly character, Rambley, as the main man himself.
That might also explain why the retro plushie doesn’t look like how Lloyd did in the old cartoons, as stated explicitly by the protagonist; perhaps that older Lloyd was more mature, older, and signified some much darker. There’s no need to stir up bad memories of WW2, so they changed his design to be softer, younger, much more unassuming.
The Protagonist, regarding the Retro Lloyd Plushie: “I always find it weird when companies make merch that’s supposed to look old. Lloyd obviously had an older look in the classic Indigo cartoons, but I’m not sure Lloyd looked like this.”
There’s also a case to be made that Disney also participated in some good old propaganda of their own, mocking Nazi Germany and their ideals.
Now, disregarding politics, because that thing is a minefield to safely navigate, this is just my theory. I am not trying to radicalize the game, and if you hate this theory, you can go about ignoring it! I personally don’t think it’s the correct answer, just a potential answer.
Another change that soon occurred was the change from costumed "Ranglers" to living, breathing, flesh and bones Mascots, introduced to us in the Rambley AI interaction with the Rambley mask.
Rambley AI, playing an old tape in the database in regard to the costumes: "First Person - Hey Jackson! You hear about the new mascots? Jackson - Yeah, you think it will put us out of a job? First Person - I think so, Old Sport, and right after we got this damn raccoon costume."
An important note to this is that this interaction is considered an Easter Egg to a FNAF fan game called Dayshift at Freddy's, alongside some other references such as the Golden Rambley being a reference to Golden Freddy, and the Poodle Plush being a reference to another FNAF fan game Playtime with Percy. Despite this, these items seem to carry a bit of significant lore in them, something that I think is an interesting way of hiding it. It opens up the possibility to state that it should be disregarded, since it's supposed to be an Easter Egg to something else, but I don't think so.
This quote makes me think that the switch from costumes to Mascots happened quite early on in Indigo Park's lifetime, considering it's said that the Mascots should appear quite soon after the introduction of the costumes, perhaps yet another clue that Indigo Park was looking to cut costs. After all, why pay people when you can have Mascots roaming about, doing just the same, if not better, of a job?
And everything seems to be going fine for quite a while. The protagonist notes several times that his family, and especially his mother and himself, were avid fans of the place and characters, his mother liking Mollie Macaw the most, while the protagonist favored a few, such as Lloyd the Lion, while disliking Finley due to his large size, which was revealed when interacting with a few different collectibles.
When the protagonist interacts with the Lloyd the Lion plush: "I feel like as a kid, Indigo used Lloyd a lot more. He was always one of my favorites."
When the protagonist interacts with the Mollie the Macaw plush: "I remember when my mom took us to the parks one summer. Her favorite was always Mollie, so when they first opened new Mollie Meet & Greet in Jetstream Junction, we were some of the first in line."
When the protagonist interacts with the Rambley Ears: "My dad promised me he'd buy me a pair when we went."
When the protagonist interacts with the Souvenir Rambley Cup: "When I was a kid they used to have free unlimited refills on those things. I once drank so much Bird Up that I got sick and threw up while riding Rooftop Races. That poor kid behind me..."
Anyways, we got the point: the family went there often and were huge fans of the park. What could go wrong?
Well, apparently a huge evacuation and closure of the park with no explanation whatsoever, to the point where the authorities also were not able give any reasoning or answers.
This comes from the newspaper we see in the beginning cutscene, after the old video of Isaac Indigo introducing Indigo Park. So, let's theorize a bit. Out of everything in the park, what could possibly lead to such a drastic evacuation of a place so well loved? Oh, I don't know, maybe the killer Mascots that try to kill you in Chapter 1 ...
What isn't so clear is what happened to them. Clearly, they were well behaved and safe to be around, even for small children, as the park remained open for 50 years (minimum) without issue, and almost as long with the actual mascots themselves. Obviously, they went rogue, as can be seen when the protagonist has to run away from Lloyd the Lion's attempts to attack and have the Rambley AI save the protagonist from the Mollie the Macaw by killing the Mascot with a metal door. I don't think it had to do with resources such as food, since the Mascots remained by themselves in the park for 2920 days, exactly eight years, and only seemed feral. Besides that, we see a bunch of vendor stations and a few cafes, still with food in them. Moldy, perhaps, and expired, but there's still food. There's also water (possibly) available in those self serve drinking fountains. The last time the park was operational was October 7th, 20XX (with the exact year being a mystery), and the reason I say operational is because of an announcement seen on one of the Rangler monitors in the reception area.
Announcement: "Attention Ranglers. The date is October 7th, 20XX. Charge guests the SATURDAY pricing indicated in your Rookie Rangler Handbook! Thanks! - Management."
What jumps out immediately is the way Saturday is so bold. So, what can we assume? The last operational day we have knowledge of was Saturday, October 7th, somewhere in the 2000s. Unless this is the future (which we have no reason to believe), we can assume this Saturday occurred somewhere between 2000 and 2023 (2023 and not 2024 because the creator, in a livestream, ended up giving a vague message of the game taking place in 2023). Looking up old calendars and looking specifically for an October 7th that lands on a Saturday reveals a couple potential years: 2000, 2006, and 2023. We can discount 2023, as we know the park was closed for 8 years. I did try to find a date on those three monitors the protagonist uses in the opening cutscene, but only found the time, 7:32 pm. Unfortunately, Harmony, a knock off of Discord (antonyms) also doesn't have a date, or even a time, for that matter. And besides, we know that we're the first actual person to visit in quite some time. So, we're left with 2000, and 2006. Assuming this game takes place in 2024, I have a feeling the year it closed is actually 2006.
First foremost because of the Rambley AI. Having AI Rambley be as advanced as he is makes it seem like the park was closed in 2023, but again, there is no evidence to say the game takes place in the future. And AI's back in 2000s and 2010s eras were good, but nothing like we have today. They were capable of basic object identification, and navigation, but the capabilities were limited, compared to today. And in 2000, it was much more basic. Image recognition consisted of identifying edges. That's it. Edges, not distinct features, and even then, the accuracy was pretty bad. At the time, AI was mainly used for data retrieval and predictive modeling, mostly for things like language translation, text classification, and such. They were basically office assistants.
Of course, that's assuming that the AI was introduced back then. It is entirely possible, and likely plausible, that the AI was introduced later. After all, the park may have closed, but Ranglers were still visiting the place as late as 2015, which was the last time the AI Rambley notes an actual person arrived. So, if that's true, then I am still not too sure as to which of the two years the park closed.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. And the present of the game and my conclusions shall be posted in separate posts, as there is a 40k character limit. Leave any theories of your own in the comments, and I'll be happy to theorize regarding and questions or concerns yall have!

IF YOU DO NOT READ AND FOLLOW THE PROFILE GUIDE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS POST, YOUR PROFILE REVIEW WILL BE REMOVED
In most online dating subreddits, profile reviews focus on aspects of the person that won't actually lead to increased results, like bios or silly minutiae regarding someone's profile. Here at SwipeHelper, we realize that the two biggest factors regarding success on apps are your personal attractiveness and the quality of your photos.
The idea of this thread is for people to get honest advice on both aspects:

1. how to improve one's profile
2. tips for improving your physical attractiveness so that you can come across better on your app of choice.

All profiles posted will be given advice on both how to improve their profile as well as maximize their looks (if needed - for some people they are attractive enough and the profile itself is more of the problem, or vice versa).
The following are required information in every profile review request:
- What type of relationship you're looking for (hookups, FWBs, something more serious, marriage)
- Your current level of success (number of matches per week and how many likes you send out) plus if you're paying for any premium features

SwipeHelper Profile Guide

NOTE: READ THIS GUIDE THOROUGHLY BEFORE POSTING YOUR PROFILE HERE. If your profile does not live up to the guide's standards, your comment will be removed and you will be referred back to the guide.
Archetype and Story
Before you build a Tinder profile, you need to determine your archetype. What vibes do you want to give off to attract your ideal type of girl? Attractive archetypes could include:

• Cool California surfer guy
• Suave suit-wearing businessman
• Tattooed bearded hipster lumberjack
• Iced out hood fuckboi
• Generic good looking fratty college dude

The following are not attractive archetypes. If you are one of these people, either change your lifestyle or at least make it look like you aren't.

• Nerdy neckbearded gamer
• Completely generic nondescript dude with no personality
• Overweight guy that doesn't work out
• Skinny sadboi that never smiles

You get the idea.
Once you have your attractive archetype, you should aim to tell a story through your photos - don't just have a bunch of photos of you standing around posing for the camera. When someone swipes through your photos, they should get a full picture of who you are, what you look like, what you like to do, and what spending time with you will feel like.
General Photo Quality and Looks You Should Emulate
The minimum acceptable photo quality you need to succeed on Tinder these days is a professional photo taken with a DSLR camera. Yes, this probably means you need to pay a photographer to take photos of you. May seem like a big investment, but for a few hundred dollars you get a bunch of great photos that you can ride for years.
Read the following two articles for examples of photos that do well: Playing With Fire Ultimate Guide to Tinder Profile Pictures and Playing With Fire 6 Highly Successful Tinder Photos for Men and Why They Work
And the following article for photo inspiration: https://killyourinnerloser.com/inspiration/
Photo Order and Types
Your first photo should be an upper-body shot with your full head (no sunglasses) and torso visible, taken with the highest-quality camera possibly, preferably a DSLR. You should be wearing stylish clothes that fit your archetype. YOU SHOULD BE THE ONLY PERSON IN THE PHOTO. DO NOT USE A GROUP PHOTO AS YOUR FIRST PHOTO.
For your other photos, choose from:

• You with a group of friends. You should be as tall or taller and as attractive or more attractive than every friend in the photo. All of your friends must be decently attractive and not low-status (i.e. if this photo was taken at an anime convention, you’re toast). (see: Pancake’s Golden Rules of Group Photos on Apps
• You doing [insert hobby here]. Snowboarding, DJing, skydiving, climbing, playing a high-status sport (sorry, Magic: The Gathering doesn’t count).
• You in an exotic location.
• You doing something that indicates you’re a leader of men. Holding a microphone, giving a speech, standing on stage, etc.
• A candid, shirtless photo (e.g. playing sports, on a beach). If you cannot bench your bodyweight and/or squat/deadlift 1.75x your bodyweight AND are less than 18% bodyfat, skip this. If you don’t have a candid shirtless photo, a non-candid is OK, but you’ll get worse results.

Each photo needs to be in a different setting and you need to be wearing a different outfit in each. They should not look like they were taken the same day or on the same photoshoot.
Do not include photos that:

• are generated by AI apps or otherwise obviously over-edited
• don't have you in them (like of your pet or your art or a meme)
• have your back turned to the camera
• are of you wearing a mask or obscuring your face or eyes (e.g. wearing sunglasses)
• are too far away to see your face
• are selfies. SELFIES ARE ALWAYS UNACCEPTABLE. IF YOU HAVE A SELFIE, REMOVE IT. Your phone has a self-timer function for a reason — use it, or get someone to take photos of you.

You do not need to fill out all nine photos. As long as you have more than three photos, you're fine. Remember, you will be judged on your worst photo, so make sure they're all solid.
Finally, learn to pose and squinch (narrowing your eyes to make you appear more attractive).
A more detailed guide from a different perspective can be found at: https://killyourinnerloser.com/tinder-guide

I know this has been suggested before, but I think what has changed is that now FDev have opened the box of paying for ships, this is one I would definitely get behind. And I don’t think I am alone.
Let me tell you why I think this could be a quicker earner for Frontier; This is a feature that would really work for families; it allows parents who played in the 80’s and 90’s introduce one of the more fun but low risk activities to the next generation. Not only does this bring new players into the game (who will need a licence) but the appeal would be more relevant to those who would be more likely to be happy to pay for it. And surely such a feature would be so easy to add; much more so than a new ship which really only appeals to existing players (maybe who have lapsed, but still not driving new players).
I know we don’t like the idea of pay for play, but at the end of the day any business will only invest in products that make money. Elite needs to make money if it is to survive.

1. Chuck has item Spruce Sapling, this is alright it is not weed that is a magical lamp and he rubs it and the djinn is fine he is just not able to act with cherry around and the Mew is out of the box and it is Cherry Sapling and it is growing and I give a wish to chuck which has to be PLUR and it was out of OT4 must be chuck how can he ask for such a small thing, so I give him his thing which is a big thing for once, Out of ot 4 into ot 7 Third Underworld and he is out of there not haha he is the judge there and he is talking to My Little Syndey's Boyfriend and seemingly unware that the boy fragged syndey so I must have done my DBT for him especially well explaining his devils snare remediation and putting my asia or cherry planks in his penis which this meant a wizard mated with devils snare and devils snare is not supposed to be particularly sentient in any way and this meant the devils snare mesmerized the devils snare cherry planks into his penis so chucks wish is fulfilled, asia is back on the wall and bam bam is not pacing and I am ok in the 1st yitvah for my magic trick where I don EOD Plates and EOD Armor in the 0th yitvah fighting in cithital and survive and grant that I am there terror and virgin both sides and jacob wins the duel now, and the frag was due to twitching yo and he is a disney princess so has to be treated specially, they keep ripping out her cervical beads to make her a mommy and keep ripping out her cervical beads so I call it and send him to the Second Underworld as a prostitute where he has a better thetan chance than in the mental hospital or prison, not chuck, pencildick, and he never was pencildick here because chuck uses spruce sapling or pay to wish to fix all of this and agrees that she was a princess just twitching and she was actually having orgasm twitching and this was unrelated to gypsies orgasm twitching of violets sissy gypsie she had discovered the gangbang of syndey due to total domination of the devils snare, he is an auror, devils snare went into his pee pee, et cetera and this was not his doing and he must be sent on M1 hold as a result there is magical constraints and this gives that the client had pencildick for unrelated reasons the Student from Chavez who the missing Steve rather Charlotte just is Steve as always you may not imprison who Samus Aran famously gave Steve Power armor and Steve is my doctor this is the related case of Steve, who is the doctor of the person is over there he is always consulting over there just using polyjuice legally as a very old wizard and is full of full consent, impossible consent which breaks things. Master judge's wish was firstoff for peace and love and unity over mankind and to know pencildick as what that was exactly in nature and have explained why the oil is 200$ a barrel and stays at 200$ a barrel and had a wish in regards to israel the particular peace and unity of israel under the 2nd yitvah which as a gangster the Student from Chavez who is not the old name of this but sydney's boyfriend who the devils snare was overpopped 1.1 The Student from Chavez is alongside sydney in a DBT shower like I am showering as Violet roze with my unnamed anonymous tactical therapist, like normal, and on the outside, and also not supposed to illegally there on the outside. The Student from Chavez knows the as and is speaking the As and is popping himself and this is because Blueberry PC is running 10h to a dead master on the outside which popping is like how a girls second cervix puffs the devils snare puffs and he has no hostage, just popping, and that was like efe and it is actual popping of devils snare not popping as an individual act or popping the dance as a baby or popping acne 1.1.1 The oil is 200$ a barrel because I am in the second yitvah with brand new master, and I was playing rig the market against opec oil 200$ a barrel and still have 128$ oils sands barrel and my whole ruck but died rigging at 200$ so johnnay or mo is always feed the oil constant oil feed forever oil feed 10h at least oil feed 1.1.2 I show master judge chuck the whole yitvah evidence making sure he knows this IMSI Sucks, and Netanyahu was on stream and this is kind of the start of the 1st yitvah of the problem is the dead me, violet.

Understanding Enthusiastic Users
Who are Enthusiastic Users?
Enthusiastic users have several characteristics:

1. High Tolerance for Basic Products: They are willing to use and tolerate even rudimentary versions of your product. 2. Genuine Appreciation: They find your product amazing and are grateful because it solves a significant problem for them. 3. Willingness to Pay: They are ready to pay for your product. 4. Eagerness to Recommend: They enthusiastically recommend your product to people around them who might find it useful. 

Why Not Discuss Seed Users?
The common understanding of seed users is the first 100 or even 1,000 users of a new product.
Why Focus on Enthusiastic Users Instead of Seed Users?
The term seed users often includes non-target users or those who think your product is just okay but not essential. In other words, they might find the product mediocre and would use it only if they have to, making numerous demands before committing to it. This type of user is fundamentally different from an enthusiastic user.
Finding 10 Enthusiastic Users is Far More Valuable than Getting 1,000 Seed Users in the Early Stages of a Product!
First Step in Finding Enthusiastic Users: Define Them
Firstly, you need to describe who your enthusiastic users are. This has been mentioned in previous checklists. You need to create a profile of these users.
Example: Suppose we are developing an AI-generated professional headshot product.
My envisioned enthusiastic users would be:

1. Working Professionals: Especially those active on social media. They frequently use LinkedIn or Twitter and prefer formal headshots as their profile pictures. They often participate in media events and need headshots for posters. 2. Time-Constrained: They have limited time for in-person photo shoots. Their area lacks professional photo studios, making it costly to travel for a photoshoot. 3. Sales Professionals: They use professional headshots to appear more formal when interacting with clients, such as financial, real estate, or insurance salespeople. 4. Predominantly Female: Women are more concerned with their public image and have a higher willingness to pay for professional photos. They also prefer their photos to look more flattering. 5. Financially Capable: As white-collar professionals, they can afford to pay a reasonable fee for such services. Their appearance is crucial and can even bring additional benefits to their careers. 

Why I Can Define Enthusiastic Users

1. User Observation: For example, when you open WeChat and look at your friend list, notice who is using professional headshots. 2. Scenario Observation: Reflect on the scenarios where professional headshots are needed, such as public event posters. 3. Search Term Observation: People searching for “professional headshots near me” indicate a concern for their time. Others searching for “female professional headshots” highlight that women are particularly interested in this service. 

By paying close attention to your surroundings and continually observing, you can gather valuable insights without extensive research.
Where to Find Them?
To find them, first, you need to describe them. Once you have their profile, finding them becomes easy.
Methods to Find Enthusiastic Users

1. Find Their Gathering Places: Such as LinkedIn, sales communities, or specific QQ groups. 2. Reverse Simulation: If you were them looking for this service, what would you search for? Capture their search paths. • For instance, a post about “what to wear for professional headshots” could lead to a rich comment section full of potential users. • A video tutorial could have a comment section where you can engage potential users. 3. Provide Content for Their Needs: Create content addressing their needs, such as “how to dress for professional headshots” or “nearest professional photo studio.” • When they search for “nearest professional photo studio,” create a page with studio contacts and a prominent ad offering instant professional headshots. They are likely to click on it. 4. Media Platforms: Post about your product to gain exposure and attract users. 5. Build in Public: During this process, filter out enthusiastic users. 6. Referrals: Set up incentives, such as a free trial in exchange for sharing with three friends. Target users often know other potential users. 7. Leverage Existing Resources: Identify who already has access to your target users. • For instance, to find insurance salespeople, approach an institution that trains them and offer your product for them to promote. 8. User Group Setup: Establish an enthusiastic user group on platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Discord to continuously gather feedback. 

Chapter Summary

1. Understanding Enthusiastic Users: High tolerance, willingness to pay, genuine appreciation, and eagerness to recommend. 2. Why Not Seed Users: They are not the target audience, have vague pain points, and make numerous demands. 3. Defining Enthusiastic Users: The core task is everyday observation to reduce the cost of research. 4. Where to Find Them: Seven methods to locate your enthusiastic users. 5. Building User Groups: Always listen to your users’ voices. This is crucial. 

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Soon 26 and never had a girlfriend my entire life
I will turn 26 in a few months and never had a girlfriend my whole life. I am more used to it now but still this misery is eating me up inside. I live in a scandinavian country, born and raised here, people here are so socially awkward and wont accept you to their friend groups. In other words hard to befriend people. I am tired of seeing people my age have girlfriends and go out and have fun whilst I am wasting away my life in loneliness.
I used to be more sad about this shit in the past. But lately many people are acknowledging that modern society is kinda fucked up in terms of dating nowadays. Even some doctors I've spoken to admit society is fucked, and they said there is nothing wrong with me that I can't get a girlfriend. Especially where I live. With that being said, there are still many people who have girlfriends. I am sick and tired of this shit, where I constanly feel like a failure but other people successfully get a girlfriend.
I am not an awkward virgin, I have slept with women in other countries, I am in fact a tall ( 6ft) and good looking man and have good characterics, highly intelligent etc, despite this I am unsuccessful. This pisses me off even more, that there are many idiot guys who have a piece of shit personality and cheat on their girlfriends, have had many girlfriends, but someone like me is alone all the time. If I had a nice beautiul girlfriend I would do everything for her. Some of you might think I am desperate and think that this shows in my behaviour. But the thing is I hardly ever ask out women anymore, partly because I am tired of being ignored just before the date (has happened before that a woman agrees to go out for a coffee but cancels last minute due to some weird excuse). Actually one time I got choosing signals from a hot chick so I talked to her, she asked if I was single, got my contact info,, but then stopped talking to me.
But I cant talk to new women mainly because talking to and meeting new women seems impossible where I live. It is kind of seen as weird to try to meet women in work/school, so how the fuck am I supposed to get to know new people I potentially can ask out.
I have realized that my most logical solution is to move abroad and leave this bullshit country when I have my life settled and can work abroad with a good paying job. I will be more desired in more traditional conservative countries without all the bullshit and wokeism of western society.
Anyway, like I said there are still many guys my age who are successful. Despite not having any real success in their life. I deserve a girlfriend more than them. I am so pissed of at my shitty life, I keep getting reminded that most people in my country my age have girlfriends and experience love and affection, intimacy, sex from hot sexy girlfriends daily. They even have girls that they text all the time.
I can't even get girls interested to talk to me online. I am about to lose my mind what the fuck is wrong with me why am I so undesirable.
My ancestors would be ashamed of me.. these problems did not exist before in older generations.
I cant even have a fucking female friend. Even that would be enough, to have a good looking female friend to hang out with. At least I would have more confidence, would be easier to meet new single girls through mutual friends, and most importantly the popular snobs from uni would not see me as an awkward loner and respect me more

As the title says, the last three months have been miserable, and I've been smoking weed every day like a degenerate stoner. It all started when my closest friend (23F), let's call her N, in university asked us to be more than friends (she just went for the kiss, and I let her, to be honest). I'll admit I had a bit of a crush on her too, but it wasn't to the extent where it could have hurt me if I hadn't allowed those feelings to grow.
A little bit of context: N and I met at our part-time job. For whatever reason, she just started hanging out with me at least twice a week. When I met her, it was my first year in university, and I was basically all alone in a new city, living completely on my own for the first time (I am 21 now). None of my close friends from high school had decided to start university (very normal in my country, Scandinavian laziness, I guess), and admittedly, I'm not very good at making new friends (I relied pretty much on my best friend for breaking the ice as I was always the quiet one, and he was the talker). So for her to be so outgoing and ask me to hang out all the time definitely felt like a gift from the universe.
She was also so much different from all the other people in my life. I don't think I would have ever become friends with her if she didn't try. We don't study the same things, listen to the same kind of music, or even have any hobbies in common, other than drinking/partying (if you can even call that a hobby—it's more like ritualistic self-destruction with the purpose of being back to 100% after the weekend, which is very normal here). But she would still always ask to hang out. She would talk about her day, and I would talk about mine. We gave each other advice, etc. Pretty standard stuff.
Except she had these habits that were kinda cool, like how she was extremely generous (she would always pay for random shit and insist that I don't pay, but I would always just take the bill somewhere else so we were kept even). I get that for a lot of people, this may seem like standard stuff, but in Scandinavia, it's not. As an immigrant, I can tell you that in this country, if you start paying for things, people start expecting it without ever returning the favor. So giving and taking is not something you do here, and this just made her feel a lot warmer than people usually are here. It's not just me she was kind to; she was pretty much a kind person to everybody. I guess somewhere along the line, I decided she was in the group of "good people" and that I could trust her, which led to me being perhaps a lot more open with her sooner rather than later, like I had with my oldest friends.
After a while, I started opening up to her about personal stuff, as she had done with me. She would often talk about the guys she was dating or crushing on, etc., and ask me for advice, which I tried my best to give. At some point, she would keep pressing me about how I was doing in my love life, and I opened up to her about it. Here is the gist of what I communicated to her in the span of a whole bunch of different sessions of going out for beers and just talking, which gets relevant later, so bear with me.
I don't feel like I fit in with this generation or at least this country's dating culture. I can't just move on from person to person like most people here seem to do just fine. Not because of parents teaching me stuff or religion (I was born and raised atheist), but simply because, to me, it feels wrong. Also, my parents did pretty well in that regard—I just wanted what they had. I am also very career-focused (engineering, CS with business combined honors program that's very highly regarded here, and the goal is to get to Partner at a consulting firm by the time I am 30). So setting aside time for serious stuff is just not something I can do lightly. Besides, the last relationship I was in almost cost me my spot in the program when it went south, so at least at the start of the year, I was not looking for anything, to say the least.
Another aspect of why I have not been "as active as I should be" for my age compared to peers is also because I did not want to have sex with just anybody. For me, it meant something (used to mean something now). My ideal was to pick a person who I think is "good" and hopefully we stick together (that's how I learned about relationships at least—you make things work by working through them). That's simply not something that people do where I am at in life; at least it just feels like pure lust with zero love involved, to be honest. All in all, I was waiting for the right person because I had decided the next person would have to be it, because anybody after that would simply not feel special anymore (I just kept moving the goal post like it fucking mattered XD).
Fast forward a year and half, and we were still great friends, it was just another standard day out with some friends, when i was about to leave when she came by the door to say farewell, and as i was done tying my shoes and getting my jacket she was standing really close to my face looking at me straight in the eye, this is not the first time she had done that, and i usually would just play dumb even though it was obvious every time where she wanted to go with that action. We would just never talk about it because one could always say "we were just drunk or whatever" but this time she was like insanely close, and i guess i was just a bit tired of doing this, so i whispered to her "N, we cant" (because we work together, and a piece of advice from an older friend i always tried to follow was, Dont shit where you eat, so yes even when i had for months realised i possibly had a little crush on N, i did nothing about it and was not planning on doing anything about it), To my surprise she responded with "why not, why cant we just try" and i guess that was about the limit to which i could hold back because we ended up kissing, which ended pretty quickly because another friend was coming through the hallway and i didn't want this to become a problem so i just said goodbye and left. So far no big deal i guess, i was honestly expected it to just be an awkward conversation we would have to have later on, 30 minutes later, she sent me a text, "Do you want to come over?", i said yes, and got to her place. just even talking was awkward at frist, but once i just remembered that hey, neither i or her have changed, we got back to normal, and we discussed things, i admitted my feelings for her and she did as well, i spent the rest of the evening and night talking to her (i pretty much grabbed the last bus ride back to my place) i honestly was shocked at finding out the way she claimed to feel about me, i did not think i was her type at all (yes even with the coming close my face every time she gets too drunk, i had just kept telling myself its only cause she is drunk) she even displayed jealousy and asked me to stop talking to an older lady (30F) i had started talking to (and told her about) after a weird night out with a company which was advertising its positions (Companies take us out to fancy places to try and get dibs on contracts with us)
The timing of this was a bit weird, we were going for easter break and i was actually going home the day after, and honestly i kept myself kinda skeptical about the whole thing during the entire break, i was just bracing for the "it was a mistake" to come out, cause i had been burned like that before, and i didn't want to let my feelings grow any bigger before i was sure about her feelings. When i got back, i didn't push to meet her even though i wanted to, i was trying to see what she would do, and again to my surprise she asks if she can come over, we talk more, i started to think, hey maybe this is for real, but i still wasn't 100% going in just out of caution, by the next week, we ended up sleeping together for the first time, and honestly it was great, it was also here where i actually let myself have hope that hey, maybe she is different, i mean it should be different now that i am an adult right, i mean she knows so much private shit about me, she know the way i think, she knows how i feel about these things, and she is a good person, there is no way she could play me like the previous times i had let myself get real feelings for a girl. After about a month and us hanging out even more, and me starting to get used to it, she asks me out for a beer, than tells me she wants to go back to being just friends, because she "feels closed in, and thinks its too early for her to be in a serious relationship" mind you i had not even talked directly about things being serious or whatever (I might be naive sometimes, but im not a fucking idiot i now your not supposed to put pressure like that early on.) all in all deep down i was expecting something like this, because i never have luck with these things, but i would be lying if i said i didn't feel hurt. As for how i reacted, i just told her its ok, and that we cant control the way we feel so she shouldn't feel bad, went home and started smoking weed, i always have some for certain nights but from this day i started doing it everyday since.
We were supposed to go to a party together that weekend, and we were going to pregame at her place with a few friends, ill get to this, but before that there was a job event where i pretty much did not talk to her at all, and i had not talked with her on socials like we usually did. she suddenly sends me an SMS asking if i am mad and not want to talk to her again, i said no and that everything was fine, and resumed communication like normal from here on. Truth is i just needed some space i dont hate her, i just needed a bit space, but i get that she got concerned or whatever. Anyways the weekends here, and she asks me if i am still coming over, honestly i had planned to just meet up at the party and drop the pre game but i just told her i could come if she wants me there. She obviously said yes and i went there, we had other friends there who did not know (besides a very kind friend of ours) the pre game went without mostly any trouble, and i even told her we were cool and that i was sorry if things got weird when we had a private moment. Fast forward towards the end of the night we were at a club (where i have a friend who works there foreshadowing) i was at a separate place within this club which is massive, and sometime later she finds me sits next to me, and within a few minutes she ended up kissing me again. Our friend who was also at the table, the universe bless her, grabs her and takes her away to talk (yell at her) somewhere private.
when the whole group of us returns one of the apartments for the afterparty, i decided i was going to try to figure this shit out and talk things out with her, figure out wtf is going on and all that. But she was being very childish and avoidant in our conversation. she lived close by and i lived far away so when people were leaving (it was very late as well so i would have had to walk home drunk) she asked med to come over, i went only because i was not going to let her just shove this under the rugg. I asked her what this all meant and what she meant by "feeling closed in" when she broke up, because at that point i didn't really understand it, lets say i did not get my answer, but she did however end up admitting to me that already 3 days in, the day before this day she had one of her ex FWB over at her place. Now thats would have been all fine and dandy if she had not kissed me again and told me this right after, it really hurt to know that, to the point that i walked home for 40 minutes from one end of town to the other 15 beers and a joint in, instead of sleeping on her sofa (she was also insisting that i sleep on her bed while she takes the sofa, like it fucking mattered at that point, and she was not sleeping until i did, so i used it as an excuse to leave).
I dont quite remember what i was feeling during the walk home but it was not great, now remember the friend who works part time at that club, he just happened to have been working when all this went down, and me and him and a few other friends (all from highschool who started their first year here) were chilling and decided to invite me. This friend had meet N before once at a party at my place, and apparently what seemed to me like N randomly finding me at the Club was her looking around for me, the way. i found this out was because N had ran into my friend and asked him about my whereabouts, so now i am sitting here thinking well this just went from a dumb accident to a premeditated. Lets just say i was a combination of very annoyed, pissed and sad. For my own sake i decided not talk to her for a while, and this time when she did send an sms i just simply told her something along the line of i am not mad, i just need time. she stopped bothering me for 2 weeks and then she just suddenly asked me if i wanted to go for a beer. In these two weeks i had avoided even looking at her, when we were attending a work thing again, and after this she had sent me a long as message basically being pissed at me for being like this, and me being the gigantic pushover that i am, said sorry and that "i just need a little bit more space", So when she asked if we could hang, i just said yes because it felt as if i had to.
We talked like we normally would, i tried to avoid the topic of us, after a while we went for a walk, and i honestly just tried to defuse any serious conversation with humor, at some point she mumbled something to herself, along the lines of "I fucked up", i said "what?" and she goes on about how she sabotaged us, and she feels bad about it. My initial reaction was something along the lines of "Womp Womp" but obviously i listened to her, talk then cry, then talk again about it all, and kept quiet and tried to think through the things she said, while i waited for her bus to arrive. She had a great many excuses for why things went the way the did, Like for example "being afraid of holding me back from my ambitions" (she thinks i am really smart and hardworking and that my goals are so hard to achieve she would've gotten in my way, truth is i do just enough to be in the clear for the next goalpost, i dont feel like a hard worker nor do i feel smart, its just she is not great at school and thats fine everybody has their own talents i guess), nothing she said really felt like a good explanation, and i did not see the point to this, but it did make me want to ask about it again and try to figure shit out.
So the day after i asked her out for a beer again and asked if we could talk, this time she gave a better answer, she just said, she did not feel like she could be in a relationship because she didn't feel ready to i guess settle down, but that she found me attractive but because of the things we had talked about, (my ideals when it comes to romance, see here is where the jargon got relevant) she was not going to make a move unless it was serious, and that at some point she had to try to see if she was done with fooling around and wanted to have a serious relationship but that it felt like too much pressure in the end (¯\_(ツ)_/¯, This is my fucking reaction to but belive me, this is not the first time i have heard shit like this and its completely normal in this hedonistic godless generation, at least in my circles it is). Anyways believed her and this gave me a bit closure but it still hurt, we decided to just talk about other stuff and drink since it was the weekend and we were out anyways, and she starts getting handsy and giving me the eyes again, i thought about it while talking to her, and just said, "Are we going to keep doing this stuff every time now, cause its gonna get annoying if i have to worry about it every time we are out" and that "we could maybe just do what she does with other guys while she is single" (she just has a few FWB) "she lights up and is like alright if you really are ok with that" and we ended up at my place and we ended up sleeping together again talking about the rules of our new "arrangment"
Now why did i do this, it seems hypocritical to my ideals and whatever and honestly i see that. it is fundamentally just a degradation of my boundaries and ideals, and honestly to me it just felt like a wall i have been keeping up that simply is becoming unsustainable.
The next time we ended up being together was a few weeks ago during a weekend out, we actually ended up not sleeping together cause she was tired, but more likely she was probably on her period but did not say out of fear of me being annoyed at her still saying yes to coming over (its like an unwritten rule to these things here), but i guess she did not want to say that cause she just wanted to sleep next to someone out of loneliness which is honestly understandable to me at least but a lot of guys are just assholes about that.
This is all happening while we are in the middle of the examination period so communication is being slowed down, not that i mattered much i have my own shit to do as well, but before that we had returned to talking like we normally do and me putting shit behind me, she is on her 3rd year as well so this year was obviously important for her career wise so it was not strange that we weren't talking as much, anyways i meet her yesterday just for a break and to have a few drinks and somewhere in there she gives me the heads up that she has started talking with someone and that we cant do any "stuff" until further notice, which is again fine and what she is supposed to do, and i did not react much to this, but deep inside it was like i just got another knife in the chest, i mean its been what, a month since she did all of that and told me she is not ready for a relationship and she is already talking to a new guy and wants to see if shit is gonna get serious.
Now for my feelings that i needed to get off my chest, Props to you if you bothered to read so far, this felt great to write out, but i cant belive i just wrote that much and there is no way i am proof reading this shit. I am kinda afraid of this blowing up rn, incase anybody i know in loop who might see this, but it will probably be fine, and if you are one of those brain rot instagram profiles, YOU DO NOT HAVE CONSENT to make on of those shitty AI voice videos with this.
Not that i was hoping to get together with her again at some point, i would not even if she wanted that, i am done with her in that way, but this makes the second time she has lied to me, cause what this implied just now is that she was bullshitting the whole time (Womp to the fucking Womp, i get it i am an absolute fucking idiot for even believing it in the first place) but man how can people be like this, am i just a fucking insane, or is everybody just completely detached. I trusted her so fucking much and there she was just smiling like she just got a text from Ken from barbie himself. the real hurt is the speed at which she just moved on, i had to have assumed that she must've felt at least something when she basically risked our entire friendship over it. Did she care so little about my feelings, am i just too emotional? i dont think of myself as an emotional person, i mean last night was the first time i cried since i belive when i was 15 or 16 (mostly due to my dad pavlov'ing the shit out of me cause "men dont cry", i dont hate him for this btw, he would probably agree that it was wrong now, but its just the way it was when i was child in my country)
The worst part is the moral degradation of it all, i feel like that was the last straw, the last few weeks all i have been able to listen to is fucking Future other "toxic" rap shit, usually i dont even listen to these stuff outside of parties, but for some reason i get it now, i feel toxic, i feel like i just wanna go around and sleep around, i wanna fucking break someones heart, between all the different times i have had my heart broken, to my own amazement at how many times this shit would end up happening to me, THE GUY, i mean when i growing up i was raised mostly by my grandmother since both my parents worked all the time, and all they ever taught me about stuff like this is, that as long as you are a good person, you will be fine, its always the guys that are assholes in relationships, now i dont blame her or my parents as it was mostly true for her generation, but goddamn i wish i was better equipped for this shit. I wanted to be a good person, i wanted to have something pure for once, something i can be proud of and say hey, everything is else is lowkey fucked up, but hey at least i got this part of my life that i can see is true and honest and not a two faced power play but nah, thats just wishful thinking. between the immature girls in Highschool which is like fine, okay we were all kids figuring shit out, or the getting fetishised as the "white enough to test my boundaries guy for rich white college girls" but goddamn it its getting enough for me at this point. every god damn time i get played like this, and i am just tired honestly i dont want to feel like this but i really feel bad for the next girl who ends up trying with me if they end up being genuine, because after this one i honestly cant, there is no excuses this time, every other girl before i could blame it on myself but if i couldn't tell that i should not have trusted N with my feelings than it does not feel like it was my fault for being gullible, nobody deserves that kind of trust in my eyes now and thats the saddest part, i feel like a worse person, i feel like i am turning into the kind of person i would look down on and there is nothing i can tell myself to stop that.
Sorry if this felt like a giant rant from a wussy as mofo, thats for sure what my dad would have said, and i did write this high asf, so sorry about all the typos i did not catch. i did not really have anybody i could tell this to, without completely destroying the semi-stoic character i have tried to present myself as publicly sure as hell felt better then reading for that god forsaken DBMS test i have coming up (driest fucking shit in CS, besides networking and communication protocols).

Cannibal had made up his mind a few moves ago: If this kid doesn't swing this chair, doesn't absolutely fuckin' nail me, then he's getting taxed, and big time.
The kid's name is Rob Small, and he's supposedly some hot-shot rookie fresh out of the local school. But Cannibal doesn't get it. Everything about the kid bugs him, right down to the name. The sport lost something when people stopped calling themselves ridiculous things, like 'The Big' this, or 'Ultimate' that.
And besides, it's a dirty trick. It's too easy, just like everything the new kids are doing. It's almost too real. And the audience doesn't want real. They only think they do. Cannibal knows this better than just about anyone.
Cannibal feels that he's been carrying them both since the bell. Again, it's this new, soft shit. Flipping, and posing, and nobody wants a single scratch on their pretty mugs. The word fake doesn't exist in this business, but as Rob winds up for another one of his little tricks, all flare, no impact, you can kind of see where people get that idea.
Cannibal takes a knee, then another, but wide, because that's how you take a real hit. Rob pulls the chair back.
"Don't fuck this up," Cannibal says.
The blade of the chair just grazes Cannibal's eyebrow, opening two inches of scar tissue, and perforation.
This is good. Unintentional, but good.
The crowd isn't theirs yet, but the stream of blood pulls a few people forward and gets them almost leaning into the next row down.
The blood is good, no doubt about it. But the sound of skull on steel would've lit them on fire, and that's just science.
Rob moves to the ropes, taking a squeaky-clean moment to acknowledge the crowd. He waves his arms around like he's leading a marching band or something, and it "earns" him a small pop of recognition.
Here's the problem- there's no story here. No tale of the tape. Just some rookie nobody cares about, and an aging prick that people care even less about. This is when every move is supposed to count. Not just every move, but every transition, every facial expression too. The kid's athletic, sure. But so is everybody. He doesn't have the rhythm yet, and his nose is too straight. And Cannibal is tired of carrying this match.
Cannibal starts back on his feet, quickly, counter-intuitively, like a jump scare. The kid's finally connecting with the crowd now, lifting the chair like some intramural trophy. But it's too little, too late, and Cannibal sees his opportunity.
First Cannibal snatches the chair, up, and behind Rob, then steadies his giant, calloused fingers with a well-timed exhale. He whirls Rob around, ready or not, and drives the lip of the chair into the liver side of his waist, which folds him directly in two. The crowd chatters a bit, but he isn't finished.
Cannibal throws the chair less than a foot away, then sets up the move that's going to win the crowd.
He didn't invent the move, not even close. It's not even particularly uncommon. But he made his name off this move. Here's some wisdom from the old school: There are precious few people who make money from this business by looking good. And if you can't look good, you need to look vicious.
Cannibal hooks his arms under Rob's armpits, then wrenches both arms so violently that the triceps almost touch. Operating on pure panic, and instinct, Rob's legs unwind, independently searching for a better position, but never finding it.
"Hey, easy up there," Rob says from somewhere near Cannibal's midsection, but he may as well be speaking to the mat now.
Cannibal wrenches Rob's arms again, but this time the triceps touch for one moment of searing pain. He does this half for show, and half as a warning to keep quiet during his finisher. He looks out at the crowd, and their features form for the first time since he entered the arena. Before then, they were nothing, just a wallpaper pattern of merch, and facial hair. There's a difference between the individual faces in the first row, and the voice that fills the venue, and guides your match.
A single fan can be wrong, but a crowd never is.
But Cannibal takes some of that power back now, and he's staring at the crowd, the entity, right in the face, starting with the first row.
The first few faces that he locks eyes with are rabid, their eyes wild with anticipation. They're gesticulating wildly, like they can't believe, or can't wait for what's coming next. The next face is a little boy who shies away and looks at his dad for help. He scans about a seating section and a half, screaming spittle-seasoned insults along the way.
Mid-taunt, before anybody can count it off, Cannibal hits his finisher, The Flesh Eater.
Cannibal pushes off the toes of his boots, about a foot into the air, bringing Rob's craned arms with him. That's why you really need to wrench. With Rob feeling real pain at each arm's socket, he has no choice but to sell. At the height of his jump, Cannibal shoots his legs straight out in a wide V, unclenching his ass for a nice, cushioned landing.
Rob's face hits the chair a microsecond before Cannibal's legs, and underside absorb the remainder of the blow. It's enough to make the aluminum ring out into the high warehouse ceiling and put a pretty little face-sized dent in the seat.
The crowd reacts with screams, with horror, with finally, some fucking emotion.
Cannibal climbs to his feet, while the lights flick on-and-off, on-and-off in Rob's eyes. Rob props himself on his palms, and knees, finding the floor he wasn't even looking for.
But he loses it again with a big, booted punt to the ribs. The crowd boos now from every direction.
This is good. It means that right now, they hate Cannibal. It means that when they go home, they'll remember how much they hated him. It means that he did his job.
Cannibal takes a victory lap around the ring while Rob writhes in presumably authentic agony. Cannibal leans over the top rope, pointing at the front row again, dissolving the boundary between them. He's screaming at a fan. He may even be screaming at one hundred fans when he notices a face that shouldn't be in attendance.
Was it section B? He looks over but can't find the face anymore.
He darts his eyes wildly, unfocusing them so that the crowd transforms into nothing but eyebrows, and merch, approval, and disgust.
He glances back toward Section B, right around where he thinks he saw the face, right as Rob crawls from behind, hooks his leg, and rolls him into a three count.
Both men roll onto their backs; Rob, because the pain from his neck, down to his waist puts him there. Cannibal, because he's defeated and confused.
Had he really seen that face? He knows he hadn't. One, because that would make no sense. And two, because, and he only saw it for a second, but the face was significantly younger than it should have been. About 20 years younger. Which would put it right around a time that he doesn't think, or speak about. Cannibal decides that he didn't see the face after all. He doesn't believe in ghosts. Especially not ghosts that haven't even died.
***
Cannibal collects his pay, and the doc plugs up his gash, in that order. He's got a show in a bigger market tomorrow, so the butterfly stitches just need to hold until then.
He unlaces his boots in the parking lot, then trades them for some once-white Adidas from the back seat of his gray Toyota Camry. Then he thinks about the ghost again. The one that he didn't see, the one that isn't even dead as far as he knows.
He stands still in his untied sneakers and thumbs a few reps through his social pages. If he had died, the news would have picked it up by now. An old friend would have even messaged,
"Here if you need to talk." Or, "It's not your fault"
Something like that, anyway. But Cannibal doesn't see anything, no messages, neither of their names gracing, or disgracing any headlines. And besides, that doesn't exactly solve the issue at hand. Maybe the kids are right, he thinks. I've officially taken too many blows to the skull.
For twenty years, Cannibal has always driven to the next city, or the next stop on the road, the night prior. Tonight, he checks into the nearest hotel/rest stop that connects to the main road. It's only about a four-hour drive, three if he can avoid traffic, and the need to piss. He doesn't even need to check into the venue until 5 pm. That's ample time, he decides for the first time in his career.
"I just need a bed and a shower", Cannibal tells the night clerk, a pimply boy who has deepened his voice since the exchange intensified.
He's the only employee, except for a few maids pushing yellow baskets around the parking lot, and a few unofficially affiliated girls prowling around from the local skin bar.
The boy wants to avoid a hassle. He knows that the nearest signs of life are the old warehouse a few exits down, and the sheriff's office even further.
"I'm sorry sir," he begins, and he's really using diaphragm now, speaking to the back of the house, "But all's we got left tonight is the honeymoon suite."
"So it's $30 extra for a dirty mirror on the ceiling, and a vase full of plastic fuckin' roses?"
The clerk winces at the swear, then gleams over Cannibal's right shoulder into the mostly empty parking lot. Cannibal gives the kid his best mean mug, the same one that he'd shoot toward a new opponent or a crowd that hates his guts. The quiet moment lingers, and then, wouldn't you guess it, just like that, thirty dollars gets shaved off the tab.
Cannibal tosses his duffel onto the frilly red sheets, then rolls off his sneakers as his reflections oblige in both the ceiling and wall-length mirrors. He sits on the bed, then wiggles his toes a bit generating a sound like gravel crunching in a driveway. He wants to get up and shower off some of the dried blood that's clotted his hair to his face, but the world rocks, and spins, and he lays down and falls asleep without even killing the bedside lamp.
He can't remember the ramp, the fans, or the bell. He can't remember the promos, or what angle he's supposed to be taking. But judging from the dark cherry splatted canvas, and the ringing in ears, it's been a fuckin' barn-burner so far. He looks directly ahead, at the high, pipe-laden ceiling, and realizes he's on his back. A boot lands next to his head, then another. Maybe it's the high-intensity discharge lights that are stinging his eyes, maybe he's still rattled from whatever move put him on his ass, but as his opponent steps over him, he can't seem at all to make out their face.
Whoever his opponent is, he begins to pick him up by the hair, and that's when Cannibal notices that the abstract art on the mat has mostly come from the back of his head. Drops of blood race down his opponents wrists, and pool near his elbows. Cannibal is bent over looking down at the mat, at his opponent's standard-issue black boots, and at the fresh coat of bright red, which will soon dry darker.
His opponent cranks his arms clumsily but with intensity. He can feel his blood greasing his opponent's grip, not allowing for any real traction. Then his opponent's knees square up, then bend, and Cannibal realizes. "Hey, that's my fucking move!" he says, or tries to say, but his opponent's airborne, and then so is he.
Usually, there's a nice thud when you hit the mat, but not this time. This time it sounds more like a series of wet pops, like cracking your knuckles underwater. Cannibal tries to roll over and assess the situation. Then he tries to roll over again.
Oh. Shit.
He's face down on the mat, and he intuits, rather than feels his opponent hurry off him, and in that same foggy way, he can feel the crowd. The beast with one thousand eyes is silent, but it isn't bored. It's murmuring, but with a sort of upward inflection, like it's asking him a question can't answer. Now a referee rolls him over. Cannibal awakens in a panic and tries to jump out of bed, away from the red sheets, but his body is uncooperative. His head lolls at an unnatural angle toward the mirrored wall. He can move his eyes, but nothing else.
He wants to scream for the pimply-faced boy or one of the night girls, but nothing comes out of his mouth. He can see his reflection, the collapsed muscles in his face, and the pool of spit that's collected on the pillow by his ear. The parts of the bed directly under him appear a darker red than the rest of the sheets. His eyes roll wildly and take in different parts of the same wall that he's frozen on. He can barely feel his breathing, but he knows that it's sporadic and shallow. He keeps rolling his eyes, searching for a modicum of control over his own body. And that's when he sees him again.
The ceiling mirror casts its reflection into its wall counterpart, and with the furthest strain of his eyeball muscles, Cannibal can just barely recognize him. He's a little older than he looked in the crowd earlier, but it's unmistakable this time. Fucking ghosts. Ghosts who aren't even dead yet. From somewhere behind his eyes Cannibal feels the onset of rage.
His eyes blink involuntarily, and a well of tears are pushed, and guided down into the spit-soaked pillow. He imagines himself rocking forward and tries to send this signal to a part of his body that doesn't exist. He imagines it again. He tries to kick a leg, throw an elbow, he'll settle for anything. He sends that signal in random intervals like he's trying to surprise his own faculties. He "throws" another elbow.
Except this time his arm releases from his side and soars out in front of him. His body follows, and he feels a vile concoction of fear, and relief as he falls off the bed, with arms and legs too weak to break his fall. He narrowly avoids contact with the corner of the nightstand and lands with a thud on the carpeted floor. He wiggles his toes, and the sound of tires on gravel rings out into nothing. ***
After regaining some strength, Cannibal uses his recently renewed limb strength to tear through every creak, and crack of the hotel room. He finds nobody in the room, nobody in the mirrors, just himself and his aching fucking cranium. Exhausted, but no longer tired, Cannibal grabs his duffel and checks out of the hotel room by tossing his key in the general direction of the unsuspecting clerk. He tears his car door open, then drives off with only half a plan in mind.
The morning sun breaks as Cannibal pulls up to a red light, and re-reads his early morning text to the promoter, 'Can't make it tonight. I'll make it up to you somehow.'
He's never backed out of a show before, and he knows that he'll have to confront that fact soon, but right now, it doesn't seem to matter. He needs to see him. He cobbles his route out of headlines and news stories that he manages to search up between red lights and stop signs.
Where are they now? 6 Wrestlers Whose Careers Ended In Tragedy The Real Story of Ernie "The Eagle" Samson Former World Champion Contender in Hospice After 20-Year Battle
Cannibals mind races as single sentences fire out at him like shrapnel. He scrolls past his own names, both gimmick and government a few times over. He feels the rage, and tears form behind his eyes again.
You weren't the only one that lost your legacy that day, you prick.
After twenty years he knows these roads well. Well enough to cruise over to the hospice unassisted by a map, or GPS. He acknowledges his thoughts as his motions become routine.
Ernie Samson was poised to be the next big thing back before all the wrestling territories got swallowed up by the Big Guy in the corporate machine. He was a handsome bastard, and a city man with the strength of a farm boy. He could talk fear into the crowd without raising his voice, and he pulled women who didn't know and didn't care what he did for a nightly living. Cannibal hated him, but in a brotherly way that was steeped in admiration. Even in those times, Cannibal was more brutish and uglier than everyone in the locker room. It was a stroke of momentary genius when some otherwise dipshit promoter first suggested that they pair up. Some sort of beauty and brawn type gimmick. The monster and his mouthpiece.
And you know what? It worked. People ate that shit right up. Cannibal chewed through his opponents with ferocity, while Ernie dazzled the crowd with his mixture of strong style, flips, and tricks. They melted the imaginary territory perimeters and became shooting stars in every market they played. Men paid off their tabs at the bar, and Ernie was gracious enough to send some trim Cannibal's way every now and again. It was a nice system, comfortable even.
Then that dipshit promoter had another bright idea. The team was ready to break up.
The way he described it, they'd take all that heat they had amassed together, and cover double the ground. This storyline was a natural, mostly because it was real. What the promoter was saying, in his dickhead way, was that Cannibal had served his purpose. He'd put the real star in place for his meteoric rise. Cannibal looked at where his career was, and how far it had come, and he agreed. They'd go out in one final bloodbath of a match, and defeat their current rivals, The Maniacs. Then Cannibal would attack Ernie, severing their ties, and launching their individual careers. Cut, dry.
Right up until the end, that match stands in Cannibal's memory as his finest work. If he'd been vicious before, he was rabid in this match. The hits were real, the emotions were high, and the crowd invested in every last pectoral twitch. After nearly half an hour of slogging and bruising, Cannibal hit his finisher and covered his opponent to the tune of twenty-something-thousand screaming fans. As the three-count fell, the crowd hit a decibel that he'd never heard before. They were screaming so loud, that it almost dampened in volume, and became a whisper in his ears.
The Maniacs had done their jobs well, bloodying and bruising Cannibal and Ernie for a gruesome glamor shot that would make the following day's paper. That image, of Ernie raising Cannibal's arm before the inevitable turn, would haunt almost every article written about either of them from that day forward.
Soaked in the moment, and each other's blood, Ernie hoisted Cannibal's arm, and they spun the ring, facing every single fan in attendance. Normally you'd wait for a break in the volume before the next big moment, but this crowd had no intention of quieting down. They faced each other, and Ernie mouthed the words.
"You ready?"
To this day Cannibal doesn't exactly know what went wrong. First, he felt sadness. Then he felt anger. He realized that the cheers wouldn't end for Ernie, but there was a very real possibility that this was his own last big pop. He went ahead as planned. First with an absolutely brutal kick to the midsection, which softened Ernie's abs into dough. Ernie let out a real, dry cough as the crowd's cheers morphed into shock and confusion. Then he cranked his arms, clumsily, but with intensity. Ernie's arms were slick with blood, and Cannibal couldn't sink in his hooks correctly. His legs shot out gracelessly, and rather than hearing the cushioned thud of his own ass, all he heard was a sick, wet pop.
Cannibal notes that he is about one exit from the hospice, and shakes his head vigorously as if to erase his thoughts. The exit approaches, and he cuts in deftly. He is immediately greeted by a green, bustling town, in a decent Midwestern neighborhood.
He cruises toward the hospice, passing a few young couples, and their church-clothed children. Bells chime nearby, and a dog emits a medium-sized bark from a nearby public park.
Cannibal glances in his rear-view as he changes lanes. Ernie is seated behind the middle console, smirking, but with no joy in his eyes. Cannibal tries to scream, but can't.
With the wheel slightly angled for his turn, Cannibal cruises subtly across lanes, onto the sidewalk, then into the park.
The first few couples dive out of the way with synchronized, but inharmonious shrieks. A young man pushes his wife and child to the ground, and the driver's side front wheel crunches, and shatters his ankle. The next few people aren't so lucky.
A group of friends sprawled across a picnic blanket snap around toward the source of the commotion just in time to greet the Toyota Camry's fender. Cannibal's eyes dart between his windshield and the rearview where Ernie sits smirking. He sees a young woman snatched from his sight line and hears a gunshot of a pop as the back of her skull smacks against some concrete. Tears roll down Cannibal's face as he wills his arms, legs, or fucking anything to move. The litter of bodies test the car's shocks, as the wheels find their way over strange terrains of bone and flesh. Then, a street lamp.
Cannibal's forehead smacks against his wheel a millisecond before the airbags deploy. He flinches, and his arms twitch as the bag chafes his nose and brow. He has regained control of his movement, if only slightly. He kicks open the door but does not face the trail of mayhem that succumbed to his vehicle. Instead, he realizes that he is just one block away from the hospice. With the remaining screams a comfortable distance behind him, he half runs, half stumbles to the reception desk.
People react to Cannibal's arrival with appropriate confusion and terror. The butterfly stitches have ceased to hold, and a rigid pattern of blood trails him as he staggers across the linoleum tile.
"Sir, do you need help?"
"Samson. I need Ernie fucking Samson."
He peers over the desk and sees a directory of sorts, like a cheat sheet of hospice patients, and their assigned rooms. He leaks blood from his brow over the counter, and onto the sheet, and the seated receptionist recoils with disgust as he snatches and reads it.
Ernie Samson 211
Cannibal marches now on sturdy feet to the nearest stairwell. A small security guard attempts to stand in his way, but Cannibal dwarfs his face with his gigantic palm, and smashes it into the drywall behind him, eliciting a collective gasp from the lobby waiting room. He kicks open the stairwell door and drags himself up the single flight of stairs onto the landing. Then he kicks open the second door.
Nurses gasp and take a step back as he emerges from the stairwell, ferocity emblazoned across his face and written in his scar tissue. He observes the direction in which the numbered rooms flow and stomps toward Room 211.
Half a dozen people are stood outside the room, with hospital staff accounting for only two of them.
"Bradley?" an older woman asks, as Cannibal tears past her, and into the room.
Inside the room is a white sheet spread over a series of lumps on a lightly inclined bed. A young man is seated near the side of the bed where the railing has been temporarily removed. His eyes are bloodshot, and his cheeks are damp.
"Brad, what the fuck is-" he begins to say.
Cannibal lifts his leg and boots the man right off the green cushioned chair. Then he turns to the white lumps and tears the blanket off.
Ernie's face appears as it did in his back seat but without the rigid smirk. The muscles in his face are weak and sag as if they'd collapsed several years before his death. His dull eyes are still open, still staring at Cannibal.
"Ernie, you fucking prick," Cannibal starts, "You fucking prick, you get back here right now! You gonna fuck with me? You gonna fuck with me, Ernie? I fucking made you Ernie! We both fucking died that day!"
A small militia of security guards pour into the room, and it takes every last one of them to restrain Cannibal. He fights, and squirms as the fattest guard sits on the wide of his back, and pulls his arms. Cannibal thrashes and screams like an animal as he is restrained. He bashes his face into the tiled floor, leaving increasingly large spots of blood at the sight of impact. The fat guard applies some pressure to his hold, as small, wet pop emits from Cannibal's back.
There's no story here. No tale of the tape. Just a has-been wrestler in tomorrow's headlines, and a family mourning a loss that begun two decades prior. The crowd of mourners gasp and scream as all the fight leaves Cannibal's body at once. Then a woman breaks into sobs. She used to know Bradley Hughes. The real Cannibal. But nobody wants real.
They only think they do.

The subreddit is usually crazy around ADCC time, but with the ADCC/CJI drama we are starting early!
This thread is for:

• General discussion about the situation.
• Questions/speculation about what's going on.
• Talking about comments other users made on the subreddit
• Wish list for CJI participants.
• "Mo [organizer ADCC] said on Discord that..." "Mo handled my ADCC open complaint poorly" "Craig Jones is hurting/helping the sport."
• Comments from the ADCC Discord.

News about ADCC/CJI are still allowed as top-level posts. All other stuff goes in this thread. We understand that the line between speculation and news can sometimes be blurry, but we don't want to put everything into a megathread unless we have to. So for now, this will be our approach.
What is going on with ADCC / CJI?
ADCC is arguably the most prestigious no-gi tournament in the world. B-Team instructor Craig Jones has been vocal about low pay for ADCC (see payout structure).
This year, Craig has announced the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), which plans to pay each fighter $10k to participate and $1 million for the winner of each bracket. CJI is also scheduled to go head-to-head with ADCC in the same city on overlapping days: CJI on 8/16-17 and ADCC on 8/17-18. Craig believes the income for big tournaments should be spent on fighter pay, not production value or more expensive venues (link). His anonymous sponsor may provide funding for future years if successful (link). There are superfights on the CJI card as well; Craig is looking for separate sponsors for those fighters.
A number of fighters who were signed up for ADCC have already jumped ship to CJI, including Ffion Davies, William Tackett, Nicky Ryan, Nick Rodriguez, Jozef Chen, Mason Fowler, UFC fighter Luke Rockhold, and Lucas "Hulk" Barbosa.
Other athletes have been invited to fill in for now-vacant ADCC spots. No official news yet on Gordon Ryan's plans. Currently it is understood that he is in the ADCC superfight against Yuri Simoes.

• Current list of ADCC Competitors ADCC Website
• CJI Instagram for fighter announcements CJI Website

Recent developments

• Craig visited the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. (link)
• Mo did an instagram live that apparently nobody can find. Please comment it here if you do!!
• There is a "Road to CJI" Youtube series. Yes, these may be posted to the subreddit. (link)
• Gabi has released a video explaining why she's jumping to CJI (fighitng Craig) (link)
• Tickets will be available via UNLV Website, according the the MMA hour interview.. Craig said on MMA Hour that they'd go on sale this past Friday but it hasn't happened yet. Feel free to post a link to the sub when it becomes official.
• Bo Nickal wants in, apparently. (link)

Previous Megathreads: #1 #2
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As a Dungeon Master (DM), one of your most powerful tools is the ability to improvise. While planning and preparation are essential, the unpredictable nature of players’ actions means that being able to think on your feet is crucial. In this post, we’ll explore why improvisation is important in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) and share practical tips to help you enhance your improv skills, ensuring your sessions are both dynamic and engaging.

The Importance of Improv in TTRPGs

TTRPGs, such as Dungeons and Dragons, thrive on the spontaneous creativity of both the DM and the players. No matter how meticulously you’ve planned an adventure, players will inevitably make choices that veer off your intended path. Embracing improvisation allows you to adapt the story in real-time, keeping the narrative flowing smoothly and maintaining player engagement.
Improvisation also adds an element of unpredictability that can make your game more exciting and memorable. It helps create a living, breathing world where the story evolves organically based on the actions and decisions of the players.

Techniques to Enhance Improv Skills

1. “Say Yes, And…”: This classic improv technique involves accepting whatever the players present and building on it. Instead of shutting down unexpected ideas, embrace them and find ways to incorporate them into the story. This approach encourages player creativity and collaboration, leading to richer storytelling.
2. Prepare Loose Frameworks: Instead of scripting every detail, create loose frameworks for your sessions. Outline key plot points, NPC motivations, and major locations, but leave room for flexibility. This way, you have a structure to guide the story, but you’re not constrained by a rigid script.
3. Practice Active Listening: Pay close attention to what your players are saying and doing. Active listening helps you pick up on cues and ideas that you can weave into the narrative. It also shows your players that you’re engaged and responsive, which encourages them to contribute more actively.
4. Develop a Toolkit of Tropes and Archetypes: Familiarize yourself with common story tropes and character archetypes. Having a mental library of these can help you quickly generate NPCs, plot twists, and encounters on the fly. For example, the “mysterious stranger” trope can be used to introduce a new quest or piece of information at a moment’s notice.
5. Embrace Mistakes: Improvisation isn’t about getting everything perfect; it’s about being adaptable and creative. If you make a mistake or forget a detail, don’t stress. Use it as an opportunity to introduce a new plot element or twist. Often, these “happy accidents” can lead to some of the most memorable moments in your game.

Preparing for Spontaneity

While improvisation is crucial, the right kind of preparation can significantly enhance your ability to adapt and be spontaneous. Understanding the “bigger picture” of your world and storyline allows you to pivot seamlessly when the unexpected happens.
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1. Know Your World: Develop a deep understanding of the world your game takes place in. This includes geography, cultures, politics, and key figures. When you have a solid grasp of these elements, you can quickly create plausible scenarios and responses to player actions.
2. Outline Major Plot Points: Have a clear outline of the major plot points and overarching storylines in your campaign. Knowing where the story is headed allows you to guide the narrative back on track when players deviate. This big-picture perspective ensures that even spontaneous events feel like part of a coherent story.
3. Create Detailed NPCs: Prepare detailed backgrounds and motivations for important NPCs. When you know what drives your characters, you can improvise their actions and reactions more convincingly. This depth adds realism and consistency to your world.
4. Develop a Toolbox of Encounters: Keep a toolbox of ready-to-use encounters, puzzles, and challenges. These can be slotted into the game when needed, providing seamless transitions and maintaining the pace of the session. This preparation ensures you’re never caught off guard.
5. Plan Flexible Scenarios: Design scenarios that can be adapted to different outcomes. Instead of having a single solution to a problem, create multiple paths that lead to the same goal. This flexibility allows players to explore their creativity while you maintain control over the storyline.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of improv is a valuable skill for any Dungeon Master. By embracing spontaneity, actively listening to your players, and staying flexible, you can create a dynamic and engaging TTRPG experience. Coupled with the right kind of preparation, you’ll be ready to adapt and pivot seamlessly, ensuring that the story continues to unfold in exciting and unexpected ways. Remember, the goal is not to control every aspect of the story but to facilitate a collaborative and evolving narrative that everyone at the table can enjoy. So the next time your players surprise you with their actions, take a deep breath, say “Yes, and…”, and see where the adventure leads. As a Dungeon Master (DM), one of your most powerful tools is the ability to improvise. While planning and preparation are essential, the unpredictable nature of players’ actions means that being able to think on your feet is crucial. In this post, we’ll explore why improvisation is important in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) and share practical tips to help you enhance your improv skills, ensuring your sessions are both dynamic and engaging.

The Importance of Improv in TTRPGs

TTRPGs, such as Dungeons and Dragons, thrive on the spontaneous creativity of both the DM and the players. No matter how meticulously you’ve planned an adventure, players will inevitably make choices that veer off your intended path. Embracing improvisation allows you to adapt the story in real-time, keeping the narrative flowing smoothly and maintaining player engagement.
Improvisation also adds an element of unpredictability that can make your game more exciting and memorable. It helps create a living, breathing world where the story evolves organically based on the actions and decisions of the players.

Techniques to Enhance Improv Skills

1. “Say Yes, And…”: This classic improv technique involves accepting whatever the players present and building on it. Instead of shutting down unexpected ideas, embrace them and find ways to incorporate them into the story. This approach encourages player creativity and collaboration, leading to richer storytelling.
2. Prepare Loose Frameworks: Instead of scripting every detail, create loose frameworks for your sessions. Outline key plot points, NPC motivations, and major locations, but leave room for flexibility. This way, you have a structure to guide the story, but you’re not constrained by a rigid script.
3. Practice Active Listening: Pay close attention to what your players are saying and doing. Active listening helps you pick up on cues and ideas that you can weave into the narrative. It also shows your players that you’re engaged and responsive, which encourages them to contribute more actively.
4. Develop a Toolkit of Tropes and Archetypes: Familiarize yourself with common story tropes and character archetypes. Having a mental library of these can help you quickly generate NPCs, plot twists, and encounters on the fly. For example, the “mysterious stranger” trope can be used to introduce a new quest or piece of information at a moment’s notice.
5. Embrace Mistakes: Improvisation isn’t about getting everything perfect; it’s about being adaptable and creative. If you make a mistake or forget a detail, don’t stress. Use it as an opportunity to introduce a new plot element or twist. Often, these “happy accidents” can lead to some of the most memorable moments in your game.

Preparing for Spontaneity

While improvisation is crucial, the right kind of preparation can significantly enhance your ability to adapt and be spontaneous. Understanding the “bigger picture” of your world and storyline allows you to pivot seamlessly when the unexpected happens.

This is an email from Jeff McLaren to a mailing list:
Super Clinics a Hattrick of Wins A Super Clinic seeks to get three wins. A win for the City, a win for the clinics, and a win for the health of the people of Kington. The basic goal of the Super Clinic is to increase access to high quality healthcare for the greatest number of people at no cost to the taxpayer in a scalable and duplicatable model. A Super Clinic an example of municipal government working with healthcare providers to improve the health outcomes of the population for generations to come. The funding piece has been figured out and does not involve any increase in taxes or any regular yearly budget outlays. Beyond the money the one-time initial funding that has already been earmarked for the purchase of 309 Queen Mary Rd, the cost of renovations above budget will be funded through a pay-as-you-go formula in which the cost of renovations are amortized and collected through the clinic’s lease payments. The Super Clinic, because it is in partnership with the City, allows the City to enter into a debt financing plan through Infrastructure Ontario (the go-to source for municipal debt). They provide loans at below market rates and longer amortization periods – these savings can be passed on to the medical organizations that will fill the building at 309 Queen Mary Rd. thus making them more fiscally feasible and operationally secure. This type of partnership, where the City of Kingston facilitates projects in the public interest extends beyond just financing. Facilities Management and Construction Services is another noteworthy example of a City department in partnerships that enhance project feasibility. The City manages over 160 buildings (we recently took over the building envelop management of the Police Station, Slush Puppie Place, and the 5 libraries) and has many assets that are used to maintain all these buildings. When City takes on another building to manage, like 309 Queen Mary Rd, our marginal costs go up slightly. But that increase in marginal cost is lower than the total cost for the organizations who lease the space if they did it all on their own. A price above the City’s marginal cost and below the total cost to the clinics is a win-win for both. Then it becomes a triple-win since we are now talking about facilitating increased healthcare access for the community. So far this is relatively common, these finance and maintenance models are not new. They have been tested and have been shown to work. The unique innovation that I am proposing is to extend this mutually beneficial principle through more services the City does and has expertise in. I am thinking about services that normally have to be done by a clinic but that take away from a medical professional’s time, energy, focus, or income. Such things as Human resource management, accounting, IT and cyber security services, basic legal, advertising and messaging, customer relations, and call center services. These are all expected or required in a modern clinic, but they are not the core competencies of healthcare workers. They take away from the healthcare professionals time or income. It is a generally accepted principle that you want the right expertise in whatever service you need. Therefore, if the City can offer any of these expert services on a full cost recovery basis – that is at a price point that does not affect the City’s budget – then this would be better for the clinic than to farm out these services to a for profit company. This is a savings that can be passed on to clinics in reduced operating costs and to patients in the form of healthcare practitioners that are less stressed and have a better work-life balance. Let’s consider one possible example: human resource management. The City of Kingston has a very sophisticated HR department – it is likely that a new medical clinic will not need all the services the City could provide but the clinic might be able to benefit from a super simple HR task like payroll. If your expertise is not in payroll, as is the case with most healthcare professionals (and most people in general), it can be a pretty daunting task every time you have to do it – or it could be relatively expensive if farmed out to a for profit company. For HR professionals, on the other hand, payroll is a walk in the park. The City, as a non-profit with a full cost recovery mandate but not a profit mandate, could offer a savings to the clinic in time, money, energy thus freeing up a medical professional’s time and energy, reducing a source of burnout, businesses instability and uncertainty. What in total can the City of Kingston do to in all the fields of its expertise is speculative at this point but worth exploring in order to make family medicine more attractive to those entering the field and retaining those in the field. Some of these services may become more attractive with increased economies of scale. This is why having several clinics under the City’s service umbrella is better. Things like ministry reporting, billing, and WSIB processing services might not be immediately needed but later after some growth and expansion, when a critical mass of clinics is reached it could make cost effective sense to contract the City’s services for synergistic help; that is if and only if the City’s marginal increase in costs is less than the clinics total cost to do it themselves. When this is the case, everyone benefits. This Super Clinic model over time will very likely generate more opportunities to benefit from economies of scale. The economies of scale in close proximity facilitate an ecosystem of healthcare with several different clinics running different delivery models that can build on each other, support each other, and learn from each other. They can pool their business service needs and when they reach a critical point they can explore a partnership with the City. The basic principle that makes the Super Clinic model unique is the facilitation that the City can provide through its service expertise from many City departments. Let me be clear: this is not going to be easy. Anything innovative is hard – very hard – there are a lot of unknowns with any endeavor and with a novel idea. But if we don’t take chances by evolving successful strategies into new domains then we will fail to be innovative, we will fail to find new solutions because we were too afraid to take a calculated risk. In this Super Clinic model, we have a well-tested formula applied by expanding in a managed and calculated risk that will accrue cumulative health benefits for generations at no cost to the taxpayers. The Super Clinic model is scalable and duplicatable meaning it has the real potential to really solve some of the root problems in primary healthcare that have led to its crisis – rather than just managing our doctor shortage with old band-aid solutions. The Super Clinic Model really is a hattrick of wins that will pay health dividends for generations of people and across the whole health continuum. If this idea is compelling, please let your City councillor know. City Council will make decision on June 4th join us at 7 pm to show your support.
Jeff McLaren

This is NOT my story this is a repost from another subreddit!

I'm scared I'm raising a bigot - please help

Hi Reddit,
This is a throwaway account because I don't want any of my colleagues or my husband to see this. I'm just after advice.
I'll start from the beginning:
Me (39F) and my partner (57M) have always had disagreements, but we love each other - a lot. I think it's a generational thing, our disagreements. Anyway, so we've always had arguments over things we disagree with each other on, and now this has included our child (13M).
When my son arrived home from school yesterday, he sat me down and told me he's thinking of converting to Christianity. My partner and I are both Atheist. I looked at him with an expression of bewilderment. We always told our son that the dangers of the church and that Christianity isn't as good as people make it out to be. We don't hate Christians, in fact I'm fine with them. But another thing that got to me with my son was that after he told me this, he said my partner - his father - told him that I had an abortion when I was 15 because my parents and I were too broke to afford me having a baby at that age, plus I had to go to school too. When he said this to me, I felt livid. I told him to never tell our child about my adolescent abortion, but clearly he went behind my back and did just that. I told my son about the circumstances, and he gave me a look of disgust. He asked why wasn't he aborted, if I was willing to abort so easily. I told him, because his father was the right man, he was well off, and he had pulled me through a dark period of my life when I was using substances and was going out every night. I still go out every few weeks with the girls, but my drinking habits are basically none now and my substance abuse is completely gone. I told my son his father is a good man, and I knew raising a child with him was the right idea. My son thought it over briefly and stormed off to his room without a word.
That night when my son went over to his friend's place for a sleepover (this was on Friday night - I live in Australia, so last night), I confronted my husband. He said he was proud of our son taking directive and not "bending the knee" (like that's a bad thing ...); I told him that if our son finds out about my substance abuse, I will divorce his ass and take full custody and that he will never see our son again. He looked quite shocked, and said that he just thought he was doing the right thing and that he wanted no secrets in this household.
When my son got back this morning, he told me he was absolutely converting to Christianity and his father was going to be taking him to church on Sunday morning (tomorrow). I told him to go to his room while I have a little chat with his father. My son slammed his bedroom door and sulked while I went outside to my husband, who was gardening.
I asked my husband about the whole church ordeal, and he said "Well, yeah, what's wrong with wanting to find faith?"
I was absolutely befuddled. I didn't realise my husband was like this. We agreed to never raise our child as a bigot and that he would remain secular. My husband basically ignored my pleas to not take him to church tomorrow. He went back to his gardening and I stormed inside.
When I opened my son's bedroom door, I saw his laptop was open to 4chan. Alarms immediately began ringing in my head. Wtf was my son doing on that Nazi website? Is this who he's been talking to when my husband and I aren't home?? Is he being groomed?
I told my son when he got out of the shower that he was forbidden from going to church and that he was having his laptop taken off him.
He told me I was being completely unreasonable and unfair. I ignored him, unplugged his laptop and grabbed it, then left to hide it. My son was getting visibly angry at me and told me to give his stuff back or he was leaving. I told him go ahead, but I'll cut his phone off and he won't have any money.
He's been gone now for a couple of hours and I'm planning on calling up his mobile service provider (the one that I pay for) on Monday morning. My husband told me I'm being stupid and to get over myself. He's out now looking for my son while I'm typing this up.
I don't know what I've done wrong here. My husband is acting like an imbecile and my son is being a bigot. Is there any way to break him out of this alt-right rabbithole he's going down?? I don't want my son to be a religious zealot or a bigot. I want him to be an upstanding citizen who focuses on school and has good friends. I'm scared his newfound "religion" will make him become a racist, transphobe, and homophobe.
I'm just so worried, but I'll leave this here.
Thanks in advance for any advice

Hello everyone!
I have been following the development of Day of Dragons for a long time since its original Kickstarter campaign back in 2019. About how an idea was crafted and sold to the public, a genuine concept with great potential and with unknown consequences. At this point many believe that this game was a scam gone wrong, with the game developer asking for money to make a game and gravely underestimating the popularity that their project would receive. From the lead developer proudly taking credit and keeping his audience in the dark about using bought assets while taking all of the credit from the assets' original creators. Eventually as lies kept piling, people were unfairly banned for concerns regarding the financial management, Day of Dragons truly had barely hatched with its tech demo into the world when the lead developer made it clear that he had no interest or patience. As much as Jao has also claimed to have been destroyed and burnt out by the "YouTube propaganda" that brought all of his lies and truth to light originally. Jao keeps coming back to the drama every single year as attempts to use it as a negative monetising of his project, being a strong believer that if you cannot gain good attention, then even the worst kind of attention is enough.
The alpha stage of development with the tech demo was simply put a survival to its fittest, a desert map with only three known oasis at its release and forcing players to only feed upon other players. It was a massive let down that barely kept players' attention and the player cap quickly dropped after first three weeks of its release. The lead developer's belief of players having to work tirelessly to keep their dragon fed truly matched his ideology. It took months before new assets were bought and first single AI creature was added into the game in hopes to bring players back. It did work for a while but it couldn't keep high player population meant for 100 people alive for long. Clans were quickly established and most largest ones kept all other players from growing to adulthood and though these original clans might not exist here today, there has truly been no difference from the bloodshed from the past.
The beta stage of development was started with the first pay-to-win DLC: an acid dragon that could force all flying dragons (99% of all free playable dragons in the game) into the ground for an easy meal. The Acid Spitter Drake that even to this day despite its decreased health pool, still is fully capable of standing above other free playable dragons. The excuse that we were given for a paid DLC to be the first dragon to be worked on was that "It was the easiest and it had no wings." which brought the public's trust down even further. Truly only the greatest of fans continued to keep holding onto the faith of anything that is being developed a good thing. When the beta stage of development was released to Kickstarter backers and soon the new established Patreon supporters, the second dragon and first FREE playable dragon Shadow Scale was easily brought to its knees in front of the Acid Spitter Drake and this would continue to be the end of time of the beta stage. While Flame Stalker dragon was also developed and released there were a real power struggle and lots of issues with balancing the existing 3 dragons.
After as the approach of the 4th Anniversary of Day of Dragons we were promised that the game would finally let go of its early access (EA) title and strive with pride to full release access. We were promised beautiful visuals of the Unreal Engine 5, brand new free dragons that we had been waited for many years to be released, a new skin and customisation system, and much more! Same promises that that the lead developer had promised so many years ago during the Kickstarter campaign. What exactly happened yet again? After so many promised delays. The 1.0 release was supposed to have been here in 2021. It was delayed due to an excuse of not expecting dragons and artists having cost that much. For a new game and first time game developer it was an acceptable pass, not the favoured one but acceptable regardless. Then half a year later another delay came and flew by, and then another and another and another. All the meanwhile the players and community members have had to walk on eggshells hoping not to say something by accident that would "upset" the lead developer's feelings, over 40 year old man who still lives in his mother's basement and who cries cyber bullying when someone says that the flight system isn't perfect but it could be made with [insert suggestion here] adjustments.
Every year Day of Dragons has received thousands of dollars from Patreon supporters. In 2020 when the Patreon was page Day of Dragons was given a large amount of $7,158 USD in its first year in the website. Then in 2021 the financial support grew to huge $41,571 USD. During the start of Covid in 2022 Day of Dragons received $117,506 USD. During the year of 2023 the Patreon sum was $179,288 USD and so far up to mid 2024 Day of Dragons have been receiving total of $91,235 USD this year.
Patreon has in total of its current lifetime given $436,758 USD to the development of Day of Dragons. Well, not exactly development because the lead developer said that its actually going to pay the comic artist and some of their Discord community (part-time and full time) staff.
The original Kickstarter campaign brought together $533,938 USD and the generous people who came together to support the idea and help bringing it to life were generously thanked by the lead developer and said that "they only paid for the concept of the game, not for its development" when Kickstarter backers asked why they were not receiving as many developer blogs on Kickstarter when the developers had failed to update the Kickstarter page for two months.
While we do not know the exact number of private sales that the lead developer has made and gained through the official Day of Dragons website, what we know for a fact from the use of public internet searches and website statistics is that together Day of Dragons has generated roughly around $970,696 USD (not including private sales. The game has mostly a million dollars in support money and income from selling the game on its official website and Steam, yet the game has been 'recoded' twice and its still as poor state with little to no increases in its game content than what it was between the alpha and beta stages of development.

• The lack of giving basic changes in survivability are horrendous. There is still not enough food in the game and the AI behaviour program still has the same issues from alpha and beta where AI sometimes glitches and doesn't spawn at all.
• The new dragon Biolumer has barely any flowers except in 3 known areas of the map, which at least 2 of these areas are in the open. This is a dragon that gets instantly killed by anything larger than itself and it cannot fight back, and it has to sit in the open areas in order to feed where its easy food for other players.
  • Players are actively being punished for not killing other players, playing in PVE or trying to play a certain dragon because of its flaws. This by common sense is extremely poor game design.
• Forcing players to play in groups: yes, I understand that the entire idea of this game is that you play in groups (clans). However, the fact that the game is so piss poorly balanced and that the game is designed to actively punish players who want to play solo- or with 1 - 2 friends is baffling to me.
  • I will not go into the entire clan dynamics and how toxic the member hierarchies are. However, if you are unable to own 3 - 10 copies of the game and have alternative accounts nesting and spamming eggs, you are already being disqualified from most of the still active clans in the game.
  • Not to mention if you do join a clan and something happens, you will end up being witch hunted, harassed and threats of doxxing and none of the official Day of Dragons staff will lift a finger for you. If this doesn't happen in the official Discord server, you will be left for fend for yourself.
• The poor performance has always been an issue in this game and when I started seeing reports of Day of Dragons causing emergency shut downs on computers because of the overheating of CPU and GPU. You should have alarm bells screaming and to uninstall the game. Doesn't matter if you can run it or not, this game is clearly causing severe damage to computers!
• Last but not least the amount of exact same issues, the same bugs and glitches that have existed since the day dawn of the alpha stage of development and refusal to fix them is just mind blowing to me. If you truly know programming and C++ to bring blueprints together and make a good game like the lead developer has been claiming as the 'master programmer'. Then why do we have years old bugs that many others have given support and help how to fix? No, seriously. Why does Jao ban other programmers from 'his' Discord server who are only trying to help? Oh yes, because they are trying to steal and sabotashe his game.
  • Jao literally sits in Unreal Engine asset Discords and asks how to implement a basic thing because he doesn't know how to do it himself and then comes to Day of Dragons official Discord exclaiming how he knew all along how to do something and takes credit of being the first person ever to implement it. Like seriously?
  • Yet no second programmer can be hired because Jao stages himself up to failure. The lead developer claims that he is bigger and brighter than he is with only 3 years of learning blueprints and not fully knowing what to do with the engine that he has. He barely takes any advice from far more experienced programmers and is quick to throw anybody, including his own developers under the buss (like he did with Echo during February after the backlash on 1.0.0 release), or blames them trying to steal 'his code' made out of YouTube tutorials and already existing blueprints that come by default with the engine or the assets that he has bought.

I apologise if this post is this long. I truly am but to this day I cannot believe how people are still so forgiving towards a lead developer and his 'friends' in staff team for the players and community horribly, dare I even say abuse because of the clear favourite picking, harassment, encouragement of harassment and doxxing attempts. As we all know even the people who have believed that they are supporting the development of the game for years have began to receive the nasty side of the developers and staff. It is rich coming from some person in the United States believing about how privileged he is to gather a group of people, force them to shut their ears for reason, claiming that the internet is lying to you when you are shown Patreon or Steam statistics (from the actual Patreon/Steam websites) and then proceed to brainwash adults and underaged to obedience because "he is some big game developer" who in total honestly just happened to get lucky.
Do not take me wrong, I like many many others wish that this game would be finished, but all of the signs of the lead developer holding back the development because withholding information when there are desperate people willing to keep throwing money at him, just points towards the direction that this game is most likely going to fail. As long as we, the community as a whole and people refuse to act and show that actions have consequences the things are not going to change. After the meltdown and entire shutdown during 2019 because the lead developer lost his cool over the backlash and destroyed his public appearance the first time, there was no changes and he refused to change because there were hard headed people who insisted that Jao did no wrong and blamed someone entirely for Jao's actions. People have kept throwing the project and lead developer money year after year. Jao's behaviour has not changed. His game is barely progressing which is not a surprise because long before 1.0.0 update it was barely being developed in the first place.
If you look at one of the more recent survival games that is currently in progress, such as The Wings of Dawn which also includes playable dragons: their game failed their first Kickstarter campaign and received nothing. Where most would have stopped there because their idea was not sellable, The Wings of Dawn development team kept going without any money. It was their community who pushed and kept pushing the developers to accept Patreon funding, which they eventually did and still receive a small fraction compared to Day of Dragons, yet somehow and in some way, this 2 year old survival game has already completed their first map (working on 2nd map), 5 fully finished and rigged dragon models, playable humans and 3 playable dragons in their TECH DEMO. Yes, a pre-alpha tech demo and its going to be free to play for everyone during The Wings of Dawn next Kickstarter campaign.
Where is Day of Dragons' progress of 5 years? Surely noticing that there is active competition the development should have been sped up, right? We have 3 free playable dragons, 1 Kickstarter "aesthetic" dragon and 1 paid DLC (with 2nd right around the corner). There are no completed map, barely have gotten half of the free dragons that we were promised, no questing system which was promised to be here the last 2 years. No character customisation and breeding system that we were promised at the early stages of beta in Unreal Engine 4 build. Hell, something very simple such as weather which is an easy setup plugin has been hold back in the release because of what? Because it would make the release of the Blitz Striker Ampithere so much bigger deal. You serious? A competitor gets half of the basic shit that we have been waiting for Day of Dragons done in 2 years and receives roughly $2K per month, where as the Day of Dragons receives $17K per month to this day.
So in all honesty what the fuck?
Where has all of that $533,938 USD been going to?
Because it most definitely has not been going for the development. Not all of it.
I do believe that when people say "if you don't like the game leave a preview and uninstall and leave it be" is the best advice in this situation. There comes to a point when a game has received very likely a million dollars in funding, support and sales The raw and sad reality is that people have been enabling and encouraging the lead developer's behaviour by giving him money, lots and lots of their money when Jao has done nothing more than acted very predatory and unlawfully towards his community. If people truly want to help this game to do a turn around then it is time to give the lead developer a reality check: act on those consequences: do not support a developer who's morality and ideology doesn't align with your own. There has been new dragon games coming out which may or may not have been the result of Jao screaming at people to go and make their own game if Day of Dragons is so bad. These are consequences.
Please support games who acknowledge you and respect you as a person. Not just someone's wallet that they can bleed dry. Most importantly look after yourselves and your own health. Only through actions can we teach other people the basics of human interaction. Praise and reward the good behaviour in people when they do good. Do not praise and reward bad behaviour because it will turn very harshly something like this that has been happening and keeps happening in the higher up of Day of Dragons. If it turns out that the lead developer, the owner and CEO of the BeAwesome company refuses to take respect his customers and takes no responsibility of his staff's actions whatsoever. Then let it burn.
We do not need game developers like the ones developing Day of Dragons in game industry. We do not need mini AAA's demanding that we must give money just to be treated somewhat better. We do not need a tiny ass company that acts so big because their egos got inflated by a streak of luck that just played right before their company was even founded. We do not need developers who think that they are validated and able to do horrible things to other people because they are in the status that allows them to become predatory. If Day of Dragons doesn't change, then neither are we required to throw money at people who bite the hands that feeds them.
I apologise that this has been such a long post. Consider this as a very long review of mine about the game and the misgivings that we have had to experience and a reminder that not all game developers act this way. Most of all please remember to respect yourselves as a human being. You should not have to pay someone to be treated differently or have your voice heard. You should never have to pay in order to have your feedback or critique heard, any kind of development or company doesn't work that way and will never succeed with that kind of mentality. Stay safe, stay aware and keep playing games. Except this one.

This is my first Reddit post, so I apologize in advance. I am a 29F who is still living at home with her parents because I am pursuing my master's in nursing (to one day become a Nurse Practitioner) and also living in an HOC area. Further, I am also the only child of first-generation immigrant parents who also has a multitude of chronic illnesses (gastroparesis, chronic pancreatitis & GERD.. to name a few) and multiple abdominal surgeries that nearly killed me at a young age. Those deadly surgeries were a result of being undiagnosed for gastroparesis for the first 14 years of my life. I give all of this context because, throughout most of my life, my parents have always been VERY overly protective and overbearing of me to the point of it being unbearable.
As a result of my medical conditions, my mom became a SAHM while my dad worked in construction 7 days a week to make ends meet. As grateful as I am for all my parents' sacrifices to help me get to where I am today (they have paid for both my undergraduate and master's degrees), it has come at an extreme emotional cost on my end. Throughout most of my childhood, my mom would always say that if I ever decided to act like a spoiled brat (which I never did, and I never threw a tantrum for a toy), she would take me into a bathroom stall at the mall and spank me and that the more I cried while getting spanked, the more she would hit me. I knew better than to try and see if that threat was true because I knew my mom meant business, and she often got a kick out of spanking me when I had done something wrong or just annoyed her. All this is ironic, considering my mom is quite spoiled herself. She often does not like the gifts given, OR you have to tell her to pretend to like your gift before giving it to her. This is despite her claiming that 'gift-giving is her love language.' My mom also refused to get her driver's license when she immigrated because my dad refused to buy her an automatic car (my dad had a stick at the time, which my mom refused to learn to drive). Further, from when I was born until I was 14, I went undiagnosed with gastroparesis, which meant that I did not eat much as a kid thus, was labelled a 'picky eater' by everyone, including my parents. My mom often compared me to a cousin of mine (who is a year younger than me) to try and shame me into eating more. My mom's mean comments did not stop there. Last year, when I was dealing with some TMJD issues and did not want to leave my house because of the terrible vertigo I had, my mom basically took that as an opportunity to say I had no friends and was only hanging out with my boyfriend. (Both my parents also dislike my boyfriend because he is uneducated, and they view him as 'white trash.' However, he makes $60k/year with benefits from working as a supervisor in a casino. He also treats me very well and is extremely loving.) This is true; I distanced myself from my friends then, but that was because of how terribly I was feeling. I know she only commented because I had distanced myself from my parents. She is quite belligerent and likes to make comments that hit below the belt. On her side of the family, many people often say she has her grandmother's personality (which is NOT a compliment, and my mom was ironically raised by her).
Now, onto my dad. Throughout most of my life, my dad has always positioned himself as a safe haven from my mom because even my dad knows how hard it is to deal with my mom. He often says that you need a mind of steel to deal with my mom- which is true. As the years have gone by, my dad has begun to lose more and more of his patience from dealing with my mom and her belligerent and unapologetic ways. This has caused him to blow up at my mom and I (sometimes) in pure rage. This has resulted in him swearing at my mom (like telling her to STFU) and hitting her (twice that I know of so far- this is not me excusing his behavior because there is no excuse for hitting your spouse). One example of my dad blowing up on me was during Easter 2021. I received some pictures on Easter Saturday from our legal representative from back home in the motherland (Spain) of my parents' house, which was getting renovated. After spending time at my boyfriend's, I communicated this to my parents that evening and told them I would show them the pictures on Easter Sunday (the next day). My dad got really mad and began demanding I show him the pictures. On the other hand, my mom took my side (but only for self-serving reasons because she is quite jealous and does not like being the person who finds out about things last) and agreed that I should just show them the pictures the next day. My dad became even angrier after my mom said this and told me that he did not want to see the pictures anymore, and if he did see them, he would break my electronics (laptop and/or phone). The next day, on Easter Sunday, I got a long lecture from him while my mom was at Mass about how I always should do as I am told and when he told me to do something, I should do it, no questions asked. To diffuse the situation, I offered to show him the renovation pictures, which he accepted only because the whole time he saw the pictures, he just kept saying, 'It looks the same as the last update.' Also, for anyone wondering why I am dealing with the Spanish legal representative and not my parents (despite both my parents being born in Spain and knowing Spanish), it's because my dad REFUSES to use either his work email or create a Gmail account on his work phone or tablet. After all, he fears being tracked by his company. Meanwhile, my mom just claims technological ignorance, thus leaving me to do the emailing.
In addition to my parents' emotional outbursts, they have also been adamant about being as overprotective as possible, which has genuinely stunted my independence. An example of this was during my undergraduate degree when I went to study B2-level Spanish in Madrid for the semester (I was 20 years old at the time). Despite my family being from Galicia and having gone back a ton throughout the years for vacation, I had never been to Madrid. However, my parents took this as an opportunity for a family vacation and forced me to leave residence and live with them in an apartment they rented for the semester. At one point, they even tried to insist that I should let them drive me to school because "I did not know the area," and they wanted me to be "safe." We eventually settled on a "compromise" where my dad would walk me to the subway/metro station in the morning before school. Even though where I live, I always take public transportation, and there are no issues. Another example of this is for an upcoming conference related to one of my jobs (I work two jobs while in graduate studies), which is overseas. My parents are in a frenzy because I will be going alone for a week. And they have been freaking out about me being on my own for the week even though I feel more than ready.
From their overbearing nature to their emotional outbursts, I have, over time, grown to resent them. Once again, I am grateful for all they have done for me, such as paying for my studies, setting me up with a Roth IRA & savings, providing food & shelter, helping take care of my medical expenses, etc. Although the emotional toll is becoming far too much. So much so that I have begun being extremely mouthy towards my parents and my dad has been the most sensitive to it. One example was in 2020 when I flippantly told my parents, "You guys suck for not telling me my uncle's cat had died" (I was really close with that cat, and I was moreso mad that they had not told me because my parents see me as quite sensitive and "didn't want to hurt my feelings"). This caused my dad to give me the silent treatment for three days and then break down crying and saying how me saying something like that made him fear that I wouldn't take care of him in his old age. I did end up apologizing for what I had said. The second example was a week ago when I explained to my mom that because of the time difference between me and some stakeholders from that conference I am going to, I would need to take a meeting early in the morning before being able to help her. My dad then starts freaking out about the time change for whatever reason, and I say, "Alright, I am just going to start talking in overseas times before my dad starts barking up a storm." Once again, I hurt my dad's feelings and immediately apologized. But this time, I can tell what I said cut deep, and he continues to give me the silent treatment.
I know what I said was wrong on both occasions. What should I do going forward? For anyone wondering why I still live at home, it's to try and save money to move out, but paying with my mental health eventually doesn't seem to be going well.

This post is quite large, the first 2 parts are a rant about Aegon the first and House Targaryen and the third isn't as much a charachter rant as a rant about the lack of charachters of some parts of Asoiaf lore and what I considered it failures in worldbuilding that have led up to it. The final one explores the under laying issues behind all of this.
The humour (because I refuse to write a post this big about something I hate without humour) and the more sideline stuff will be marked as a spoiler, there aren't really any spoilers here except something Daemon does early on and the fate of Aegon's younger sister first wife which takes place several hundred years before HotD and GoT both will be marked too, both of these spoilers are minor parts of section 1 and 3 respectevely but neither are big.
1 Aegon is a Gary Stu 100% and I don't know why people struggle to see him as that (+ issues with house Targaryen in this time period)
I don't think he is nearly as cool as William the Conqueror the fact that he married both of his sisters (and likely got cucked by atleast one) is super icky and dosen't make that much sense and him being retconned to being a straightforward good guy is the final nail in the coffin for me.
Many Pre-Blackfyre (not including Aegon the Unworthy which I actually like as a bad king and gets developed in that way instead of book Viserys just stirring as much shit as posible for very little reason) Targaryen kings strike me as Gary Stus (this point won't be elaborated on because I don't have B&F here and the post is long enough, sufice to say House Targaryen gets to have all of the cool stuff even surpasing other houses at their niche while other houses are usually pretty one faced) who wouldn't have been capable of holding a small realm irl, much less a continent , Aegon is the most exagerated example of that.
The nobility hates him
The church hates him
The commonfolk hate him
The order of facechanging assasins living next door who descend from slaves his people used to abuse and experiment on hate him.
Big pharma hates him due to his bloodline hability to be inmune to generations of incest
Matpat probably loves him due to his theory about the GoT ending being right.
How the fuck has this guy not been murdered in a world as full of intrigue as Westeros? wtf is this guy even feeding his armies or his dragons?
The fucking dumbass spends all day burning his fields and going scorched earth would completely fuck with his tactics of "throw dragon at problem if problem not solved throw more dragon at problem unitl problem solved" , fortunatly he got plot armoured out of having to conquer the North, the largest of the kingdoms he ruled over, how or why were the northen houses (which include House Bolton who shas a claim to the North) fine with this to the point of not asking questions is beyond me.
As far as I remeber it's not like the feudal contract between the Starks and the crown is particularly generous so Torrhen Stark just accepted to get taxed as much as the Riverlanders (who Aegon had freed from slavery and granted land) because Rhaenys saw him fuck a goat and he didn't want her to tell on him or something.
Futhermore the North's religion is unique, and now he has accepted to be in a realm mostly consistent of people of another religion, during the Middle Ages in a world where fanatics of the Seven Pointed Star exist, under a liege lord that would eventually convert.
Aegon, a fellow inspired and who is meant to mirror William the Conqueror , who was pretty morally ambiguous irl, and who's consequences of his actions lead up to the of thousands of innocent people and several wars is supposed to be sympathetic.
Aegon isn't build as a bastard, in fact we are kinda supposed to sympathese with him specially after the dagger retcon, GRRM just won't let be a Targaryen main charachter be evil, I don't want the author to remind me that "acktually this charachter who you have seen behave like an absolute bastard isn't really that evil because... " fuck that, if you show me Aegon behaving like a remorseless psycopath I don't care what your intention while writting him was , "Daemon is made out of light and dark in equal parts" fuck that man that's not the charachter you've written, that guy has done nothing good in his life, ffs in the books he might have killed his wife for his own selfish interests. You named the guy Demon ffs , don't go back and try to convince me he is sympathetic.
It's absurd how much favoritism this house gets inside the narrative, mixing some of the most obnoxious fantasy tropes into a single bloodline:
White hair? Check
Special eye colour? Check
I understand that these 2 might have not been as generic as they were when the series started but they definetly were when F&B was published
Last of their kind trope? Check
Descended from nobility even if the books are critical of the feudal system? Check
Chosen ones to save the world ? Check
Dragon riders? Check (kinda deserves it's own post to explain why I find dragon riders annoying but it's mostly stuff that has been complained about before how unpractical it is, how dumb it looks, dragons probably being better on their own...)
Humble origin? Fucking somehow check too, given that they are supposed to be a very small house when they arrived at Dragonstone, which kinda poses it's own issues regarding House Celtigar and Velaryon but it's best to not explore them rn as as I said the post is already long enough.
Own religion disregarding the traditional one which is totes super evil and represive? Check.
These tropes are already annoying when on a random fantasy charachter but they pose a lot more issues when they affect the ruling house of a realm, specially the unique religion one because you would think that the rulers disregarding the traditional religion of an entire continent in a world that has somehow been stucked in the Middle ages for allegedly hundreds of years is insane.
2 I don't care who the IRS sends I refuse to pay my taxes
How he is even able to tax anything beyond the street he lives in is insane given that he is ruling over a continent which has never unified before and dosen't have centuries of chinese burocracy behind it , the clergy should consider him to be (with good reason) the anticrist , the commonfolk don't have money and sure as fuck neither Dorne nor the Free cities are going to be willing to trade with him.
Contraband is going to be rampant, and again in a world as full of intrigue as Westeros I don't believe the lords are going to be enforcing his laws unless Balerion is directly staring and them specially now that they are poorer because of him and the clergy is telling them not to behind closed doors, it's not like Aegon established a secret police (he wouldn't even had had the money to do so) .
You can argue that some lords like Orys Baratheon owed everything to Aegon, but those lords have their own troubles in legitimasing their rule now that they are among the most important in the realm and without an army to back them or money is not like they can afford to stress their rule over the minor nobility which should be the ones to mostly profit from the situation short term as now most of the realm rellies on them deciding to collaborate. They are going to be forced to be granting priviledges to ensure they do their job.
Again this is the Middle ages these guys rule because god sayed so, and while the church might have to oficially recognised them, they can't be forced to preach whatever the crown desires behind closed doors, Aegon's conquest should mean a great trauma to the region, no one beyond the people that directly depend on them is going to support that bloodline, and once the first generation of appointed rulers have passed on, that is really is no one.
Of course some of these problems would be solved if the distances weren't so wonky and Westeros was the size of let's say England , but I refuse to believe Aegon is literally sending Visenya to a town in the middle of the riverlands to collect the 3 sheeps it owes the crown every month (although it's very funny to imagine it).
3 Dragons are just that strong
I think it is very lame how the conquest is Aegon going "nuh uh I have dragons", to every battle even if the Westorosi should have bigger armies and wayyyy better generals. Is kinda boring to see that the whole conflict has no tension because the Targaryens at any point can say , "nuh uh I have dragons".
Harrenhal? Nuh uh I have dragons.
The Eyre? Nuh uh I have dragons.
The iron Isles (which should be unassailable as soon as they get balistas) ? Nuh uh GRRM kinda forgot to write this part .
Even when Rhaenys gets killed in Dorne ,dornish weapons now don't affect Balerion because Aegon is like super angry and thus inmune to consequences from bad judgement calls (let's go to the one place that has weapons capable of killing me,>! and have in fact killed my sister a couple weeks ago!<, yes I am a great tactician how did you know?) , even if the dornish should be pretty good at countering dragons by this point due to terrain and the fact that they have fought against dragons before.
Dragons are an issue there is no way around it , it's really weird that in a world were dragons had been the norm for hundreds of years no one had a reliable answer, Chariots were the norm, and a counter was developed, Phalanxes were the norm and a counter was developed, the roman empires' troops were more heterogeneous but they still were able to be countered and defeated .
It's odd that in a world that makes callbacks to irl history the only ones that have access to unbeatable magic bullshit are the valyrians and the rest can only suck up despite hints that they might have access to magic bullshit too, it would be fine if dragons were the strongest magical bullshit, but it's absurd that no one can counter that whatsoever.
What's more is that Rhaenys' incident is either extremely lucky / caused by her own idiocy (which is weird given that she is a veteran dragonrider by this point) and leaves the Targaryen as fucking dumbasses for not invading Dorne anyway and just a cheap way for GRRM to make something happen to her while asking the reader to never think more of it or to how she died or how Aegon surviving Dorne after is just plot armour or the Westerosi nobility really just forgot that they can make their own with the same wood they are taxing.
In anyway the ballistas being introduced lampshades the issue of dragons being op, because they aren't nearly as relevant as they should, they are introduced wayyyy to late into the narrative (like c'mon no one ever came up with "shot arrow but faster an" even though their families being burnt depended on it during hundreds of years?) and the fact that they weren't refined and mass produced enough into them being atleast decent against dragons leads me to believe my 9 year old niece would be a better duke than any westerosi/essosi noble.
And honestly, as soon as a dragon lands, that rider is getting sniped, actually nevermid I forgot that the Targaryens also have the best archespymastewizard/seer in the setting in Bloodraven.
Dragons are cheap and lazy answer to "how did valirya/Targaryens get this strong?" Instead of the author having to work on an answer that would be complicated or have to create charachters that drive the Valiryan empire forward the answer is "duh they have big fire lizard things"
The following paragraphs are about other fantasy settings and how they handle their own current hegemons/fallen empires.
Why is the Empire of Reikland the hegemon of the warhammer world?
Humans breed faster, they have access to better technologies than their neighbours, their gods are active , they have had a history of poor and great rulers (currently having an amazing one), they are the most reasonable power and they are a diplomatic superpower due to having no grudges with adjacent factions, it's also pretty good at supressing chaos cults.
It has it flaws as it being decentralised leads to internal conflict and it would be utimnatly unable to compete with a great host of another faction, one to one an emperial army that unable to heavely relly on gunpoweder (which can't even be used against every foe effectively) will always lose against a great host of elves (as they are just able to field objectevely better soldiers and mosters) dwarfs (as they are able to field better gunpowder and soldiers), conversely while an empiral army is greater in quality than an undead or skaven army those factions have a way easier time replanishing their casualties.
Why is Niflgard the Hegemon of the Witcher world?
It is technologically more advanced than any of it's neighbours, it is generally better managed , it dosen't have the racial/religious tensions the northen kingdoms have, it can use mages more reliably , it is better at spying, access to slave labour, it is able to field larger armies , it is far more stable than it's neighbours and the Impirial court is more advanced than any of it's neighbours
It has flaws , though it's armies are vast the empire is overextended, it's bad at dealing with monsters due to having purged it's own witchers (or never having them depending on the source) which is a problem as wars tend to create them , it's armies struggle (kinda) with the different climates , the empire being stable rellies on the emperor being competent and it's slave trade forces the empire to continue expanding, upon succesive failed campaings supply of slaves can be complicated and harm the economy
Why was Ventrue Rome the Hegemon in Princes of Darkness (I'm going with PoD because WoD lore is more ambiguous and has gone through many retcons) ?
It was technologically more advanced and cohesive than it's original rivals in the Gangrel celts , it was generally better managed , it dosen't have as many tensions with other clans except the Brujah as it meant the colaboration of most other clans, unlike the Brujah , the Salubri , the Assamites , the setites or the Tmiscze it dosen't seem to have been weakened as much by the baali wars or have been tainted by infernalism.
After the fall of Carthage Camilla it's most influencial leader for hundreds of years was corrupted by an ideology kinda adherent to infernalism focused on hedonism, so that fucks with our point of Ventrue Rome not being weakened by infernalism.
Driving the leading clan the Ventrue into an schisim some being fanatic stoics and others being tainted by Camilla's ideas, this fucks with our previous point of them being better managed as there is now faccionalism in it's goverment.
Seeing the clusterfuck Rome has become one of the most powerfull Toreador vampires has denouced the central goverment and taken his whole clan which so far hadn't been particularly ambitious and many other leaders of other clans to it's own breakaway state after this another Ventrue figure has fucked off to Britain making it his own furthering weakening the main Clan , so that fucks with our point of Ventrue Rome being more cohesive.
What's worse is that first the Gangrel and then the Brujah have rallied around new figures which have been dealing both political blows (taking away some LaSombra and Nosferatu vampires to the Brujah cause) and military ones , so that fucks with Ventrue Rome having larger armies.
Finally the LaSombra clan has pretty much decided the Ventrue can go fuck themselves now that there is land to grab easily and their own clan has had politcal problems because of the Brujah and appropiated much of the Mediterranean and the Iberian peninsula, while many Ventrue have decided to start over in Germany and the Nosferatu always were there because Ventrue Rome was the biggest power at the time.
Why is/was the Empire of Tamriel the Hegemon of the Elder Scrolls world?
....
No one stole dragon eggs to breed, no valyrian lord went independant and created it's own dragon realm outside valyria except the Targaryens (which is absurd given how powerhungry they are written to be) which were a relatevely small house (also Idk why they didn't conquer most of Westeros as soon as they got there).
All around it sucks because in a narrative that's supposed to be complex and ask the reader to think further you aren't meant to think about how the fuck did the Targs or the Vals came to power and managed to hold it for so long.
Like just implement something that banes them, why have the evil ambituous , scheming Tmiszce expanded beyond Carpathia? Well it turns out that they are bound to those lands and struggle to get away from them.
Maybe the dragons could get ill if they get away from Valerya, maybe as some short of curse from the Rhoynar that came as a vengeance from their conquest and was removed by the Doom of Valerya, which the Targaryens were capable of scaping narrowly because of the dream of their ancestor (which is already canon), this would add mistery to the Doom , as maybe it was the valeryans trying to remove the Rhoynar curse except they fucked up, give us names as to who did what , why and what were the consequences of "Ops Valeryans are gone their plannet needed them"
You also don't get the impression of the valyrian nobles being particulary smart or capable because of the fucking dragons, in fact you get the idea that if anything they were a bunch of dumbasses given that despite them being unbeatable on the field and seemingly unvunarable to civil unrest (aside from the slaves that would form Braavos somehow scaping) they weren't able to crush the Dothraki or other external threads and their realm was relatevely small compared to what the romans or the persians got irl, or how much did the Targs seem to struggle with the stepstones, just fly to Lys ,Volatis and Tyrosh and nuke them you fucking dummies.
The only guys that may have had something capable of countering Valerya is Braavos with the faceless men (it's super weird that they just have the most efficient assasins ever and that's it) and those fellows didn't seem to mind the powerhungry dragon lords that kept them as slaves conquering the continent next to them lol.
The "there wasn't any other way to go around it if one has dragons point" is moot because ultimatly that was a choice that was taken by the author that made the history less engaging and he could have choosen to just not take it.
The problem ultimatly is that when writting Fire & Blood or any of the Westeros world for that matter GRRM knew that the story had to arrive at a desired outcome (the Westeros world of A Game of Thrones) and that completely fucks with the whole "gardening writting style" that is fucking non-sense any way, so the only way GRRM saw to arrive at Westeros was making dragons into nukes, and because he was kinda forced to write Fire and Blood and not delay it 50 times and also restricted by pre-stablished lore and ideas he had about the story, he wasn't able to atleast balance that decision.
Actions and consequences , charachters being both people and influencial politicians with their own ideologys, a fall of an empire lasting hundreds of years happening over hundreds of years, we get to know many of the long past leaders of these factions and how their actions affected the world even if we never meet them are just not there,
Even the Dance of the Dragon is much better written as a fall history than the Fall of Valirya (lmao your socerers big died you goof)
End The underlaying issues
One of the issues Pre-Blackfyre stuff has is that GRRM loves to have it's cake and eat it too (no pun intended I don't want to criticise him for his weight) and during that period he is free to write as high fantasy as he wants, the original series points out incestous relationships are bad? Well better point out that acktually there can be positive too, religion fanatism bad? acktually the dragons were killed by religious fanatics defending the future of their continent which idk how the fanbase percieves as something bad (also you probably know how I feel about dragons being killed by common folk after the dragon rant ).
Introducing concepts and ideas that have nothing to do with the themes , Asoiaf didn't need to have an ancient prophetic hyperadvanced world spanning virtuous hyperborea chinese empire (following the steps of GRRM I'm just gonna drop this concept leave you to question if it really is canon or the writer of this is just making shit up at this point or just insane) , it didn't to have weird genetic experiments by the valiryans (the dragon worms were kinda cool ngl), and it sure asf didn't need to have a women moaning so loudly when she was getting fucked by her brother-husband that a maester considered it worthwhile writting it down on a chronicle.
And that's another thing that bothers me it's that GRRM dosen't even commit to an answer he opens himself a backdoor to an easy retcon, in a book that people only buy to know more of the ASOIAF lore,>! following in his steps too, I decided to add information about settings you weren't interested in just because I consider them cool (and because if I don't praise/reference PoD in every post I make here wtf is even the point tbh)!< even though you just wanted to see an Asoiaf rant, except atleast I had the decency to flag what was unimportant and will not be adding lovecraftian elements into my narritive an undetermined amount of time after the release of this post in a follow up that might exist or might just be a way to fuck with my editor.
Edit:
This turned out to be more controversial and more engaged with than I thought it be given the lenght of the post, I honestly don't understand what the fanbase sees in this guy, to me is as bland as a bread and the most enjoyment I get from him as a charachter is from making fun at him, I really mean it it's one of my least liked charachters and I think it's a good example of the issues House Targaryen has in general just how the treatment Valyria gets is a good example of the issues of the wider asoiaf lore.
I'm seeing the complaint that big conquerors exist irl and I by my logic they are Gary Stus too? I might have not make myself clear , my problem is not that Aegon conquered Westeros my problem is that the conquest of Westeros is boring asf.
My problem is not that Aegon is good at everything, but that he was granted the hability to be good at everything because he has dragons, we never see Aegon or the Valeryans developing smart tactics that use dragons or being a good politician or both, he just tosses dragons at problems and then were are told not showned that he was actually great at strategy which is absurd, the dragons being as op as they are makes pre-dance lore significantly worse.
I also have seen incest not being as dangerous as I claim it is being brought up? This is weird to me because it's more of a side point about Aegon breaking religious tabuus of all the peoples he intends to conquer for no reason and him being a bad politcian refusing any marriage alliance, although it is also icky which makes it even weirder that that's a detail GRRM decided to include
I don't want to go into depth about the genetic consequences of incest because : 1 it is a tangent , 2I don't much about biology the biology and 3 honestly I don't care enough about this particular detail as much as I care it being a dumbass decision politcally .
So I'm just gonna link the matpat video I referenced earlier because is the reason why I think that Targ genes are treated super weirdly. Targ genes have to be magical for the amount of incest they carry out having not killing them yet and their bloodline being magical in anyway fucks with the point of the story criticising feudalism and nobility.
I apreciate the comments as I like discussing fantasy lore with other fans and there are people that have raised good points which I apreciate , I had fun writting this and I'm glad some people have liked it and whoemever dosen't feel free to criticise it.

My company offers HMO, but only the principal is covered. Therefore, you need to pay for all of your dependents since di na sila covered.
So, I'm in a dilemma between getting a personal HMO then add my dependents for long term benefits or should I just add them on my existing HMO offered by my employer?
What makes me worried sa latter is that, once you are no longer part of the company, mateterminate nadin 'yung benefits, so for me di siya for long term, and sayang if you weren't able to exhaust the benefits, yet you were paying for your dependents every month (like once you start to another company, back to zero ka na naman) or pwedeng di siya ma terminate, but mas expensive siya if ipapachange mo siya into a personal HMO after employment.
Given that scenario, what will you choose and why?
PS: I am not really knowledgeable how HMO works, so I'm open for any insights. Thanks in advance!