Hello everyone
Here is why Good Friday is called Good Friday, what sin is and who sinners are.
Why is Good Friday called Good Friday?
In the case you don't know why Good Friday is Good Friday is it's the day that Jesus died for all of humankind’s sin.
What is sin?
Sin is a thing that if done would be in violation of God's law also it is the thing that separates us from God.
Romans 6:23 mentions: “for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” there is no such thing as a sin that doesn't result in not going to heaven.
Also, the word death in this context doesn't mean to cease to exist, it is referring to separation from God.
Who are sinners?
all of us! as mentioned in Romans 3:10,23; Isaiah 64:6 and Psalm 51:5. We are sinners because of the fact that Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, this is mentioned in Genesis 3.
What did Jesus go through on the Cross?
He went through unimaginable suffering as he was dying on the cross for our sins. We all deserve what Jesus went through on the cross and we too deserve to pay for our sins in the fires of hell(Psalm 7:11, 9:17; Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8; James 2:10; Jude 1:7; 2nd Thessalonians 1:8,9)
Jesus knew that there needed to be a price paid for all of humankind's sin.
the last things that he said before he died was in Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing” and in John 19:30 where he said “it is finished”
After He said that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit, then, he was then buried in a tomb and 3 days later God with the power of the Holy Spirit rose Jesus from the dead, As mentioned in 1st Corinthians 15:6 “After that, he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers and sisters at the same time most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.”
In accordance with 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4, John 3:16,17, and Romans 5:8, He shed His precious blood, dying on the cross for our sins, He was buried, and rose again 3 days later.
Someday He will return, when? That I don't know, only God knows when He is going to return as mentioned in Matthew 24:36 which mentions: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13:32 has this message as well.
Also, Matthew 24:44 mentions: So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man(Jesus) will come at an hour when you do not expect him” Luke 12:40 carries this message as well.
Furthermore, when Jesus died on the cross he not only paid the price for mankind's sin, he also took the weight of God's Wrath on him as well. He died on the cross so you can be Saved and go to Heaven.
Why did Jesus Christ go through all the suffering that he went through?
It is because he loves you so much, The love He has for you and us all isn't comparable to the love that for instance your parents have for you, John 3:16 Mentions: ”for God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”
Also, when Jesus Rose again, he defeated Death, Satan, the world, hell and sin. John 15:13 also mentions: “Greater love has no man than this, to lay down one's life for one’s friends”
It is his literal liquid and precious blood that cleanses and washes our sins away(Hebrews 9:12, 24; 12:24; 1st John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, along with Ephesians 1:7, 2:13; Colossians 1:14,20; Hebrews 9:22, 10:19; 1 Peter 1:18&19; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5)
Here are some Important things to know about God, Jesus Christ and Salvation
Jesus was born of a Virgin(Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23)
He never sinned(2nd Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 4: 15,16)
He is the Lord almighty(John 1:1-3,14 John 10:33; Revelation 1:8, 19:13)
The Godhead incarnate(Colossians 2:9 and 1st Timothy 3:16)
The Godhead exists as Three Persons, namely God the father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit(Colossians 2:2, 9; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 1:20; Acts 17:29; 2nd John 1:3; Matthew 3:16-17; 1st Timothy 3:16)
Now how salvation works it is through Faith you have salvation and works(Faith = Salvation and works), As mentioned in verses such as Galatians 3:2, 1st Corinthians 1:21, Ephesians 2: 8-9, Romans 4:5, 5:1 and 11:6.
Jesus is the only way to Heaven.
He mentioned in John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life no one comes to the father(God) except for me”
Acts 4:12 also mentions: “ Salvation is found under no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Jesus too mentioned in Matthew 9:12-13 “On hearing disk Jesus said it is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick”(Verse 12) “but go and learn what this means I desire Mercy not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners”(Verse 13), Luke 5:31 -32 has this message as well
Now, here are some things about Hell
Jesus Christ made it so that you can be saved from hell and so you could be in Heaven with him for eternity.
Who was Hell made for?
Satan and the devils, not for us humans, but the truth is that if someone rejects Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior then there is no other place for them to go.
John 8:24 mentions: “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”,
Luke 13:3 and 5 mentions: “ I tell you, no!, but unless you repent, you too will all perish”
Part of Mark 16:16 states: “.... but, whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Part of John 3:18 states: “..... but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only son”
Revelation 20:15 states: “Anyone whose name was not found found in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire”
Amongst the kinds of people listed in Revelation 21:8 include the Unbelievers, these kinds of people along with the others listed there will be thrown into the lake of fire.
Here are some things for people who don't think that Hell is real
And now for the people who don’t think that Hell is real, what if you end up realizing that you are wrong? What if Jesus was telling us the truth? Are you really willing to take that risk and gamble with your soul? Please think about it. Because at some point it will be too late. Also, I’m not intending to scare you with this, I’m wanting to have you saved from hell. Furthermore, you only have one life on earth to decide on where you will go for eternity. Hebrews 9:27 mentions: “Just as people are destined to die once and after that to face judgment”
When is the time to repent?
Now!, is the time to repent of unbelief and believe the Gospel, tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone.
God is calling us to repent, Acts 17:30 mentions: “ In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
Acts 3:19 mentions: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”,
Acts 2:38 mentions: “Peter replied’ repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’.
Mark 1:15 mentions,: “The time has come” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and Believe the Good news!” Matthew 3:2 also mentions this.
Luke 15:7 mentions: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:10 also has this message as well.
Here are some more salvation related things and a salvation prayer below:
Acts 16:31 Mentions they replied,” believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved you and your household”
John 6:47 mentions: ‘Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.”
Romans 10:9 Mentions if you declare with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.
Romans 10:13 also mentions for, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”.
Also, you must be born again as mentioned in John 3:3, 5, and 7.
Now, here is a prayer to say to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior:
The exact words are not what matters in your prayer to accept him, but what you mean is what matters.
This is the prayer to say:
“Heavenly father, God, I know that I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness, I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and you raised him from the dead 3 days later, I want to turn away from my sins and to live a Godly life, Please come into my heart Jesus Christ, I now accept you as my Lord and Savior, I am willing to follow you as Lord of my life from this day forward, please fill me with your Holy Spirit, in Jesus name I pray Amen.”
Lastly, here are some things that you will need to avoid:
1. Abusing God’s grace, it is not a license to sin,
Romans 6:1-2 mention: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?”(Verse 1), “By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”(Verse 2)
2. Being a lukewarm Christian,
Revelation 3:16 mentions: “ So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
What luke warm would look like for instance is hardly or never doing the following: Praying, Reading your Bible and going to church service. It can also be like this, spending one hour in the church and another hour in the club, one hour praising and another hour swearing, one hour in the light and another in the darkness, one hour with the Lord and another with Satan. Take both the cup of the demons and the cup of the Lord(1st Corinthians 10:21). It’s either God or Satan or either Christ the king or the kingdom of the world.
3. Denying Jesus before others, Matthew 10:33 mentions: “But whoever disowns me before others. I will disown before my Father in Heaven.
4. Depend on your own works to save you and/or be a false follower of Christ. Matthew 7-21 - 23 mentions “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me that day, ‘Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Luke 13: 25-27 has a similar message.
Here are some reasons that I share my faith with others are these:

1. I don’t want to spend eternity without them
2. The book of Revelation lists some horrifying things that are to come that I would not wish on anyone, even my worst enemy
3. I don't want them to go to hell.

Here is the doc for the thing that I created as well:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FMK14LoH0iKIpMkxNNfSDao35QowJZHxkDEtI_Xuk8A/edit?usp=sharing

[Eöl] shunned the Noldor, holding them to blame for the return to Morgoth, to trouble the quiet of Beleriand; but for the Dwarves he had more liking than any other of the Elvenfolk of old.
Welcome one and all again to the 2024 Read-Along and Discussion of The Silmarillion here on tolkienfans. For Week 20 (May 12-May 18), we will be exploring The Quenta Silmarillion (The History of the Silmarils) chapter 16, "Of Maeglin."
​
Aredhel, the daughter of Fingolfin, resided awhile in Nevrast with her brother Turgon, but later went with her people to dwell in the hidden city of Gondolin. However, she soon wearied of her hidden life in Gondolin and was permitted to set out purportedly to visit with Fingon in Hithlum with three lords of the household of Turgon. Upon reaching the Ford of Brithiach, she commanded her companions to instead turn south in the hope of passing through Doriath to eventually find the Sons of Fëanor, "her friends of old".
Upon arriving at the borders of Doriath, they were refused entry by King Thingol. And so Aredhel and her companions instead sought the dangerous route between the haunted valley of Ered Gorgoroth and the northern edge of Doriath. This passed through the land of Nan Dungortheb, where Aredhel was separated from her companions. They searched but could not find her, and barely escaping death themselves returned to Gondolin to share their tale, and there was great sorrow at the assumed fate of Aredhel.
But Aredhel, having lost her companions, continued on and eventually arrived in Himlad, where she was welcomed by the people of Celegorm and waited for his return. There for a while she was satisfied, but as the year lengthened, she took to riding further afield, seeking new and unknown paths and fields. By chance, she crossed into the forest of Nan Elmoth, where dwelt Eöl, who was named the Dark Elf. In earlier days, he was of the kin of Thingol, but he had left Doriath and fled to the shadows of Nan Elmoth. He loved not the Noldor, but learned from the Dwarves much skill of metalwork, and was often a guest to the halls of Nogrod and Belegost. He espied Aredhel from afar and desired her, and ensnared her in enchantments so she could not find the way out, but instead came deeper into Nan Elmoth. Being weary, she finally came to the halls of Eöl, and he welcomed her, and took her for his wife, and it was a long time before any of her kin heard rumour of her again.
Though at Eöl's command she was required to shun sunlight, it is not said that she was completely unwilling to their union, and in the darkness of Nan Elmoth was born their son, who, in her heart, she named Lómion, which means "Child of the Twilight" in Quenya. But Eöl gave him no name until he was twelve years old, at which time he named him Maeglin, that is "Sharp Glance".
As Maeglin grew to full maturity, he resembled, in face and form, one of the Noldor. But speaking few words, except in matters important to him, he resembled his father in mood and spirit. Often he went with Eöl to the cities of the Dwarves, and learned much from them, especially the craft of finding ores and metals in the mountains. Yet he loved his mother more and would often listen to her tales regarding the Noldor, and the valour of the House of Fingolfin, while Eöl was abroad.
In speaking of her kin to Maeglin, Aredhel desired to see them again, and these tales stirred also in Maeglin the desire to see the Noldor. But upon revealing his inner wishes to Eöl, his father became infuriated, and threatened to bind his son if he would associate with the Noldor. Maeglin became cold and silent, and no longer went abroad with Eöl, and Eöl mistrusted him. One midsummer, Eöl went away to a feast in Nogrod. During this time, the desire grew hot in the heart of Maeglin to leave Nan Elmoth and look upon his mother's people and to seek the city of Gondolin. Seeing this, Aredhel was glad and they departed, telling Eöl's servants they sought the sons of Fëanor.
However, Eöl returned earlier than anticipated and found his wife and son two days gone. He set out immediately in wrathful pursuit. On entering Himlad, Eöl was ambushed by the riders of Curufin, and was taken to their lord. Curufin mockingly asked Eöl what urgent matter brought him to his land, and Eöl told him that he wanted to join his wife and son on their visit to him. Upon learning from Curufin that they turned westward, travelling along the northern fence of Doriath, Eöl asked leave to discover their purpose. Curufin instead coldly bid him go back to Nan Elmoth.
Thus Eöl rode off in haste, full of shame and anger. He perceived that Aredhel and Maeglin were heading towards Gondolin and rode after them. As the two arrived at the Outer Gate of Gondolin, they were received joyfully and passed inside the Hidden Kingdom, where Turgon listened with wonder to the story of his sister, and gave Maeglin the highest honour in his realm. Eöl watched them from afar and followed them to the city, but was taken in by the Guard, and was brought before Turgon after claiming to be husband and father to Aredhel and Maeglin. Aredhel confirmed this and Turgon welcomed Eöl as his kinsman, giving him leave to stay in Gondolin. But Eöl insulted the King, and bid Maeglin to "leave the House of the slayers of his kin, or be accursed". Maeglin did not answer.
Turgon then set a choice before Eöl and Maeglin of either abiding in Gondolin, or dying in Gondolin. Eöl stood a long time in silence, before he abruptly took a spear from under his cloak and threw it at Maeglin, crying "the second choice I take, and for my son also! You shall not hold what is mine!" But Aredhel came between the spear and Maeglin, and was struck. Eöl was restrained, set in bonds and led away. However the tip of the spear was poisoned, and Aredhel died in the night. Eöl was brought before Turgon and no mercy was shown to him; he was led to the Caragdûr, a precipice upon the northern side of the city, to be cast down. Maeglin stood by in silence, and Eöl cried out "so you forsake your father and his kin, ill-gotten son! Here shall you fail of all your hopes and here may you yet die the same death as I". And he was cast over the cliff-edge. Thus ended Eöl, Dark Elf, of the shadows of Nan Elmoth.
Maeglin grew great in stature in Gondolin, and was high in the favour of Turgon. He rose to be mighty amongst the Princes of the Noldor, and was the greatest other than Turgon in the realm of Gondolin. And yet not all things went as he would have liked, though he did not reveal his heart. For from his first days in Gondolin, he loved Idril Celebrindal, his first cousin, and desired her, but without hope. For the Eldar did not wed with kin so close, and further, Idril loved him not at all. Maeglin's love turned to darkness, and he sought more to have his will in all matters, no matter the cost to him, if it might grant him more power.
And so it came to be that in Gondolin, at the height of all its bliss, majesty, and beauty, a dark seed of evil was sown in the heart of Maeglin.[1]
Of Maeglin at The Lord of the Rings Wiki: This chapter introduces Maeglin, and his father Eöl, and tells the history of Maeglin's life from his birth to his becoming a citizen of Gondolin. Also in this chapter is the death of Eöl.
Chapter discussion at Entmoot TolkienTrail.
Chapter discussion at The Barrow-Downs.
Questions for the week:

1. Eöl is described as grim -- "his eyes could see deep into shadows and dark places." Does this just mean his eyes have adjusted to life in the dark, or is there also a hint of his being able to see beyond what is there, in a "foresight" or "farsighted" kind of way?
2. Maeglin and Eöl argue because Eöl won't let him see his mother's kin which causes a major rift between the two. Why did Eöl object?
3. What is significant of Maeglin's given name of Lomion, i.e. "Child of the Twilight" by his mother, Aredhel, but at age 12, Eöl named him Maeglin, i.e. "Sharp Glance".
4. Why did Eöl have more liking for the Dwarves "than any other of the Elvenfolk of old."?

For drafts and history of this chapter see The War of the Jewels, "Part Three: The Wanderings of Húrin and other Writings not forming part of The Quenta Silmarillion", Chapter III, "Maeglin)", pp. 316-339.
For further history and analysis of this chapter, see Arda Reconstructed (by Douglas Charles Kane), p. 155.
Be sure to have your copy of The Atlas of Middle-earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad on hand as you go through this chapter.
Some Tolkien-related hangouts on YouTube (relevant to this week):

• Nerd of the Rings This episode: Maps of Middle-earth: The First Age The Silmarillion Explained
• Nerd of the Rings This episode: The Origins of Melkor Tolkien Explained
• Nerd of the Rings This episode: The History of Morgoth [COMPILATION] Tolkien Explained
• Nerd of the Rings This episode: Eöl the Dark Elf Tolkien Explained
• Tolkien Untangled This episode: The Return of the Noldor Of the Lords of Beleriand : Silmarillion Explained - Part 2 of 10
• Ælfwine's Road This episode: Silmarillion Summary: Ch. 16 - Of Maeglin [19/31]
• Voice of Geekdom This episode: Chapter 16.1 - Eöl the Dark Elf, and Aredhel, White Lady of the Noldor Silmarillion Explained
• Voice of Geekdom This episode: Chapter 16.2 - The Rise of Maeglin Silmarillion Explained
• The Tolkien Road Podcast This episode: Silmarillion 2022 Ch 16 » Of Maeglin
• The Tolkien Road Podcast This episode: 0047 - The Silmarillion - Chapter 16 - Of Maeglin
• The One Ring This episode: Tolkien’s Disney Princess!? – Of Maeglin – The Silmarillion – 18

The Silmarillion Reader's Guide at Tea With Tolkien.
The Silmarillion Reader's Guide by askmiddlearth on Tumblr.
Quettaparma Quenyallo (QQ) - The most extensive list of Quenya words available on the internet, by Helge Fauskanger, 1999-2013.
Tolkien Collector's Guide - Guide to Tolkien's Letters
A (Hopefully) Light Guide to the Silmarillion — Or What I Wish I’d Known Before Reading It by u/Ok_Bullfrog_8491/
The Definitive Family Tree of the Tolkien Legendarium by u/PotterGandalf117
Wikipedia - The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Announcement and Index: (Take 2) 2024 The Silmarillion and The Fall of Gondolin Read-Along

please note im a solo travler!
August 13
6:15 landing Narita International → Naritasan Temple → Taito hotel

• Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
• Sensoji Temple
• Ueno Park
• AmeyaYokocho
• Tokyo skytree
• Akihabara
• Food
  • Rokunisha
  • Tendon tenya
  • Torizoku

August 14

• Tsukiji market
  • omlet/seafood bowl
• Tsukishima monja street
• Nezu shrine
• Ochanomizu
• Food
  • Motomura

August 15

• Shibuya crossing
• Omotesando
• Takeshita Doori
• Meiji Jingu
• Nakano Broadway
• Omoide yokocho
• Food
  • Mutekiya ramen
  • Yakinku beef tounge lmeon shinjuku
  • Roast beef ono

August 16

• Azanudai hills
• Toko tower
• Teamlab
• Food
  • HARBS/motomura

August 17-18: Summer Sonic

• Location: ZOZO Marine Stadium & Makuhari Messe
• August 17-18, open 9 am start 11 am
• Ticket pickup at 7/11

August 19

• TBD

August 20

• 2:40 PM TAKEOFF

Let’s make it aware that there is a job offer scam that lies and take you to Scam Factories and you become a slave, and you may even die. Post here all cases of Disappearance of people who may be associated with this type of scam.

Know The Signs! Have you been trafficked? * Did you apply for the job via Social Media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram), WhatsApp, Telegram or an online platform? * Did you have an online interview? * Have you been promised a job with a company in Thailand? * Were you promised a lucrative salary? * Did you receive a letter of confirmation for your new role? * Did you investigate the company you applied to and are they registered? * Do you have an agent or consultant handling details for you?
How to prevent yourself or someone you know from being trafficked * Never give anyone your passport! * Research the company you are applying to join. For example, check their website, search for them on social media and LinkedIn, check the legal registration of the company. * Ask for references (face to face or virtual) from current employees. * Ensure you received an official letter of offer and check the email addresses match the companies contact information. * Research the visa requirements for working in a foreign country. * Notify your countries Immigration Office of your intention to travel or contact your countries Embassy once you arrive at your destination. * If you are about to cross a river in north-west Thailand don’t, it is likely you are being trafficked into Myanmar.
Could this be your situation? If you or someone you know has been trapped in forced criminality, contact your nearest embassy or email the Global Alms Counter Trafficking Unit at admin@globalalms.com with the details.

This is a post for awareness. Let’s help each other. Only serious comments.
Below are more links to other related posts.
https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2023/12/asia/chinese-scam-operations-american-victims-intl-hnk-dst/
http://chinascope.org/archives/32233
https://youtu.be/m6qFCdHvYuI?si=rs2J71V1XIeFF7we
https://www.reddit.com/Thailand/s/L8OTm9Lvye
https://www.globalalms.com/protection
(My account created recently for privacy/scam concerns)

Hi, Games!
We'd like to show you the game we've been developing for the last several years. It's like a cross between Cronenberg's 'eXistenZ' and the good old 'Goblins' game series: solve challenging puzzles in a world of living technology. It's an unhurried chamber point-n-click adventure set in a Smart House struck with achootecture; meet talking cursors, get humorous reactions to almost every player action, explore a surreal mix of science fiction and alchemical imagery! It's impossible to get stuck: built-in hints are always ready to lend a helping tentacle...
Steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/620410/Exit_A_Biodelic_Adventure/
Schizoteric teaser: https://youtu.be/4ZCEB09lNqo
Gameplay trailer: https://youtu.be/XeQ0zCRDdyE
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/neurosauropod/
Platforms: PC (Windows), Steam Deck
To overcome the challenges you’ll have to use your natural and implanted organs (nose, mouth, bioport, reference mollusc, caterpillar-injecta, etc.), which also communicate with each other. The game isn't very long, somewhere between 5-8 hours, but exploring the world is encouraged; even "wrong" actions generate unique reactions (and achievements too). You'll learn something new about this strange world, or maybe you'll just smile.
Much of the game takes place in the spirit of fun classic quests like 'Space Quest' and 'Sam & Max Hit the Road', but towards the end the mood shifts to the darker side in the spirit of 'Sanitarium' and 'I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream'.
I'm the only game designewriteprogrammer of this point-and-click adventure, there were different game artists at different time, now there's also only one artist. The game was released on the 1st of March'24 and a few days ago a major update went live.
It's biodelic adventure time!

*CONTAINS SWEARING*
This is gonna be a hefty and most likely triggering post for specific groups of people out there (meaning people who struggle with anger, people who don't want poltical content/opinions etc), so please stop reading and leave if you figure this is gonna be rough for you. This will (mainly) be about the conflict between Palestine and Israel. (and apparently a long one) No hate towards any specific groups of people, but I do have a lot of *frustration regarding behaviours*.
Before I start, I want you to remember some facts about me as you read;
I am autistic
I am heavily influenced by world peace, hate, racism and other unfair situations
I have incredibly high standards for myself that I strive to not break, including, but not limited to, being kind and respectful *always*, despite being in a bad mood, not liking someone, or disagreeing, especially political disagreements
I have always, and will always, stand against widespread hate, racism and other discrimination towards any specific religions, ethnicities, nationalities, cultures, etc.
I also want you to know that I named this throwaway accordingly.
So let's get this shitshow started then, shall we.
As the details of the conflict stands, it is beyond obvious to me that this is racism and, literally, a Holocaust. Not *the* Holocaust, but *a* Holocaust. Oxford Languages has the term defined as a destruction or slaughter on a mass scale, especially caused by fire or nuclear war . I'd say that's very much accurate. Proof to come.
Regardless, this situation has had me very pressed the last almost 8 months, as I know most other people have been too. Without getting too much into the conflict itself, I want to talk a little about what I've seen from the Jewish community.
This is where I advise anyone who struggles with anger especially to leave and try to keep your day positive. If you have a magical potion to stay stable after this, who am I to stop you...
Alright, onto the dreaded part. And yes, I am stalling.
I have never, and I truly mean *never* had any hateful thoughts or opinions about religions (other than Christianity but that's one for another time), and as we are all aware of, The Holocaust had massive effect on the world some 80 years ago. I have always seen Jews as victims due to this, but in recent times I've realised that a lot of them, too, see themselves as victims. The issue is that they aren't the victims right now. They (Israel) aren't defending themselves, they have nothing to defend themselves against. Israel is currently doing the exact same thing as Germany did to them, to Palestine. Sure, maybe at some point who knows when, Palestine *was* the land of Jews, but since then, multiple religions have been thriving together on that land, including Jews. They were never excluded. From what I've understood, there weren't any wars or conflicts going on within the country that didn't happen elsewhere. The issue began when in the late 1940's zionists brutally murdered families to steal their homes. I'm sure the situation was so much more complex than that, but in a nutshell that is basically it. The fact that everyone today have been so desensitized from the travesties happening around the world is depressing and hope-killing. I truly am well on the way to giving up, and at this point in time I'm so angry all the time due to the Middle East's situation.
So a few weeks ago, probably closing in on months at this point, I randomly got a notification from reddit about someone posting on /Jewish. They didn't say anything explicit, so I pressed the notification and I was met with the worst victimization and ignorance I've ever seen. I truly believed most jews would see this for what it is, and not let some racist maniac spoon-feed them propaganda and hate, but I was brutally and humbly proven wrong. They were mocking proPAL parades, hating on news anchors and civilians alike calling this a genocide, insisting that Israel has no other choice, saying "casualties happens in war", convincing each other that zionism is a good thing, and feeling sorry for themselves when friends and families cut contact because they said they supported Israel and saw this as the only solution. Some might have been genuine problems, idk, but for the most part, that subreddit seems to only be about hating the rest of the world because their great grandparents were killed. I know I sound like a complete asshole, but the world isn't antisemetic anymore - they are actively looking for it and then using that one person telling them to stop feeling so sorry for themselves as proof that everybody in the world wants to throw them back in gas chambers.
I commented on my personal once where I mentioned that judaism and zionism are two separate things and got downvoted to oblivion. Someone replied saying that my comment was very much exactly what they too feel, but I got downvoted *simply because* I referred to them as separate entities. That is another criticism they've recieved lately; the pure idea of zionism is on the complete opposite side from what Judaism stands for. I've seen so many of the members there calling Jews protesting against Israel "self-hating" and traitors.
I've also made so many replies that I never sent because I know for a fact they would do anything in their power to ban me from ever using reddit again, and I wouldn't be surprised if I got doxxed and harrassed IRL from it. I saved them all, though. I found that it was kind of therapeutic to get it out, but it still bugs me that I never found a way to say it to them. I once also made a post about my rage for their behaviour connected to this genocide, but I thankfully stopped myself before I posted it. I'm so enraged by their sheer ignorance and hypocritical behaviour, all the while Gaza is still being eradicated and slaughtered, war crimes happening day in-day out, inhumane atrocities by the IOF being posted and hailed, and they have the audacity to say that they are the victims? That Israel has no other choice but martyring tens of thousands of CHILDREN? Starving the entire Gaza Strip, segregating West Bank, literally teaching their young in school to hate and attack arabs? That last one might not be true as I don't speak Hebrew or Arabic, so anyone could've just made up the translation, but I still feel it's worth mentioning in case it actually *is* real.
My point is that the guts they have to claim to be so moral, yet still be so unfaced from what's happening in Gaza is beside me. Sure, for those living near the Gaza wall, I'm positive that hearing bombs and screams were traumatizing as fuck, but to then leave for work the next day and claim that "shit happens"? It's insane! It's inhumane. They can leave whenever they like, children can play football (soccer) in the streets and not having to worry about shit, hotels and restaurants with 5-star ratings thriving, plants and flowers still blooming, absolutely no threats on a daily basis. The fact that people are still calling this a war, something necessary, is beyond devastating to me. There are millions still siding with zionism, claiming there's nothing wrong with the belief that you have an innate right to some dirt simply because your holy book says that thousands of years ago, your religion lived there, and simply because of that religious fact you are rightfully owed thousands of young lives, the death of an entire country with its own culture, just to feed the irrational religious political system? How in God's name has that ever, *IS* that still okay? If Muslims were the ones saying that shit, they would've been completely destroyed by now, today's generation wouldn't know what the fuck Islam was. They are still being slaughtered though, because they're saying it's *not* okay. How is that not racist again?
My brother and I got into a heated argument a few days ago about this. I am very much *for* Palestine to have human rights and to own their own land - he is very much *against* "ugly blackies" having any rights because they're *not* human. Boi when I tell you I got so angry I started crying. And the worst part about that fight? He claims that Jews aren't any better, however they still deserve to defend themselves against children running on the beach. "But Hamas-" is so over-used and outdated by now, it just proves that he doesn't follow up on statistics and evidence. Even if there only were one-sided news (from Gaza), the fact that the ICJ ruled Israel's actions a genocide and war crimes still proves everything he claims to be "n*****'s propaganda". And the fact that he so underminds my autism and *need* for factual evidence before discussing it also goes to show that he genuinely does not care about anything other than the black "terrorists" being eradicated. I said "So you're not just a racist, you're just plain racist?" he just scoffed and looked at me as if I just said the most nonsensical bullshit gibberish ever, practically saying "I'm not gonna say anything, but it really took you that long to realise?" Either that, or he actually didn't comprehend the words coming out of my mouth, like it was a foreign language or something. Because he genuinely does not have a single reason to be racist.
He can't even blame suicide attacks because 1) not all are carried by muslims, and 2) between 1981-2015 around 45,000 were killed by suicide attacks worldwide, where in 2019 the total death toll was only 1,699 more than amount of attacks; whereas in Gaza, between Oct 7 to present there are about 34,000 confirmed palestinian deaths, and assumed around 42,000 with unconfirmed deaths. If, in 36 years, "muslim terrorism" killed about the same amount as Israel has in almost 8 months, how on earth are Arabs the terrorists?
And I've also seen the argument that 30,000 is nothing compared to the total population in Gaza, as if that makes it okay. I will, again, make example of The Holocaust. When 30,000 Jews were martyred, people were already catching on, and this was without the technology we have today.
How have we been allowing this to happen to Palestinians *with* our technology today? Why haven't people been doing more; striking our jobs, cummute chauffeurs striking, proper permanent boycotts, more coverage from news anchors and private people alike? Even if it is to officially reclaim your love for white supremacy, you're still talking about it. Why are people still not reading up on this? Why does millions still not know that this *didn't* begin on October 7th? And why are there still those who claim that the past doesn't matter today? I have so many questions, and if I do get an answer I will only end up with more questions. How hasn't the world stopped over this? Why are people so okay knowing that there are children being intentionally murdered every single day? How can you go to work and talk about Dave's new tie? Or your 6 year old's birthday party with 15 other 6 year olds? Hasn't it crossed your mind that if the roles were reversed, your precious princess would be the one burried under tons of rubble, dying slowly while simontaniously starving, dehydrating, suffocating and crushing, and *knowing* that absolutely no one cares because you're [skin color] and it's normal for your kids to be horrendously massacred? "Oh but the Taliban-ISIS-Al Qaeda" OKAY so what are you gonna do to help save innocent lives and suffering??? How are you gonna contribute to STOP these organizations that have manipulated and murdered to rule their country and are intentionally making the citicens miserable? Are you even aware that your own govurnment is essentially the same fucking thing, just disguised as a well dressed, polite gentleman? Aren't you sick of all those ads on TV showing brown children with flies in their eyes? Or your mama telling you to think about the starving children in Africa? Because I am.
I am so sick and tired of how inhumane humans have come to be. You don't see animals (and I'm trying my best to not mention how humans *are* animals, guess I failed) intentionally kill another animal simply because they're that animal. They kill prey; polar bears kill seals, seals kill penguins, penguins kill fish, fish kill amoebas, and you can get to that result from absolutely everything. What you don't find as a natural event is a golden, brown mane lion attack and kill an albino lion simply because it's albino. You don't see a school of fish swim away from one with two heads, because "*omg Jared is such a freak with his two heads*." So why the FUCK DID WE START DOING THAT? Where did this hunger for power come from? You *will* see a female lion tell the king that enough is enough, and he *will* accept that. I could go on and on for DAYS if I got the chance, but I don't wanna get too off topic here.
I've started a list of all the universally illegal shit Israel has done, and once I'm satisfied with it, I'll make one comparing Israel to Palestine, and then Arabs/Muslims as a whole. I can guarantee that I will still hear "on-sided sources" still, or "You can't trust Wikipedia!" Have you ever tried to edit or create an article on Wikipedia? I have, and I had to confirm that I had a degree or a current valid work ID to prove that I was elgible to speak on the topic. I tried to make a site for myself... Sure, there are more trustworthy sites, but even in a discussion about wether or not being trans is a mental illness, where I quoted and linked all of the most well known official sources like WHO, I was still slapped with "but this shady ass article from a random Deutch website that explicitly says everything I've said, yet still isn't actually saying the same thing because I misquoted and mixed the words to form my own sentence says that it is" when they literally linked a website called "disabled world". I will say though, I agree with that name. Today's world is so non-funtional for neurotypical, hetero, white MEN, it's no fucking wonder everyone else are classified as disabled or whatever. Also, on that disabled topic, if you've made it this far, please don't say "differently abled". A quote unquote quote (heh geddit? cuz it's rephrased and I don't have the book near me rn to directly quote) from Devon Price's "Unmasking Autism" that I really like: "You wouldn't say "a person with Asianness", you'd say "an Asian person"." We are disabled because today's world isn't made for us, and for the most part isn't even accomodated or accessible to us. We are different, yeah, but literally everyone is. We just got that term because we can't do the same things as you (assuming you're neurotypical) without aid. We are able, just not like you. Of course, if an autistic person tells you they prefer "person with autism", listen to them! But most of us embrace it as a part of us because we can't just get rid of it. Autism is what make me me, I wouldn't be me without my autism, so I *am* autistic, for better or for worse. :)
I find it kinda ironic that I started this as a venting about a lot of Jews' hypocritical behaviour, and now ending up on autism. Yaknow, cuz Dr. Asperger during WW2 experimented and tortured autistic people, and found out that some where more alike him than others, which then coined the term Aspergers for the Autistic Community.
Anywho, I feel better now, so thanks for letting me vent a little (a lot). I want to finish off by restating my intro; I have not, and will not tolerate any hate, racism or discrimination towards any religion, ethnicity, nationality, culture etc. This post is not intended as a rant about how aweful jews are, because they're not. I just wanted to air some frustration over their behaviour regarding I/P genocide. This is also not about *all* Jews, but that's the same discussion as "not all men" so I'll leave it at that.
I will delete this account in a week, so if you have any questions, be fast ig. If you find I've mis-phrased, used irrationally insensitive wording or any other complaints that calls for a repost, I will fix it and post an updated version. My DMs will also be available if that should be of interest, but I will not be responding to hate or personal attacks for my opinions. If the issue is my wording, again, tell me and I'll fix it.
At this point I've written so much that I don't remember if I found anything myself that I figured was worth fixing, and I've proof read it so many times that my eyes are crossing and giving me a headache lol
Gosh I'm scared of posting this. I don't want anyone to read this and think I support what A. H. did in 1940 cuz I cannot begin to describe my hatred for that man

This is THE best free AI STILL. By far. There is NO competition.
I am currently making it write a short science fiction story. I asked it to make a plot, with mid story twist and ending twist.
Next, I asked it to add two supporting protagonists to the story. Next, I asked it to add three minor characters to the story.
The twist in the middle is great. The ending twist it came up with is fantastic. Action is on a colonizing spaceship flying to another planet.
At first, it wrote a short story with literally 6 paragraphs, divided into chapters. I asked it to write "OK, just write chapter 1 scene 1", asked it to write location descriptions, dialogue between characters.
And it did so. And how.
Here's how I work with the AI to develop the story, lets jump into the middle of it.
Me: Good, but the banter between Maya and Alex should be more joking, less on stressing importance of mission. Make the "alien life form" banter into some form of a joke? Also, the bit about contributing to humanity's future is not necessary.
Pi: "So, what's on the docket for today?" Maya asked as they walked toward the genetics lab. "Oh, just a bit of genetic sequencing, some data analysis, and maybe a game of hide-and-seek with a rogue gene or two," Alex quipped. Maya laughed. "Ah, the glamorous life of a scientist on a generational ship! Sometimes I wonder if there are alien life forms out there having more fun than us." "If there are, they better have some killer dance moves, because our moves in these lab coats are interstellar," Alex joked, striking an exaggerated pose. Maya chuckled, playing along. "Can you imagine? A galactic dance-off between humans and aliens? Now that would be a mission worth signing up for!" As they reached the lab, they were still laughing, ready to tackle the day's work with a lighthearted attitude and a renewed sense of camaraderie.
Me: Continue the story as Alex and Maya work together in the genetics lab. They use future science fiction machines, which are based on real science. They now only talk to each other to further their work. What specific task are they both working on today in the genetics lab?
Pi: Inside the genetics lab, Alex and Maya focused on their task for the day: analyzing a newly discovered genetic anomaly in one of the ship's food crops. Using state-of-the-art equipment, such as the Quantum Gene Sequencer, they were able to delve deep into the plant's DNA, searching for the cause of the abnormality. "Alright, let's start with a complete genetic mapping," Alex said, powering up the sequencer. Maya nodded, carefully placing the plant sample into the machine. "I'll run a comparative analysis against the original genome while we wait for the results." The sequencer hummed to life, its holographic display showing a flurry of data as it worked. "Interesting," Alex noted, studying the preliminary results. "It looks like there's a significant mutation in the photosynthesis gene cluster." Maya glanced over at the display. "That would explain the decreased yield we've been seeing in the hydroponics bay.
Me: Both are somewhat puzzled as to how the mutation could have occured. A small mutation like that is understandable, but to them, this is a big mutation, and should not have occured. Continue the story, please, in that lab.
Pi: Maya furrowed her brow. "I don't understand how such a significant mutation could have occurred. The genetic safeguards in the hydroponics bay should have prevented this." Alex scratched his head, equally perplexed. "You're right. A small mutation here and there is normal, but this... this is different. Could it be a result of a systems malfunction?" Maya shook her head. "I doubt it. The environmental controls are constantly monitored and adjusted. It just doesn't make sense." Alex's gaze drifted to the sequencer's display, which was still churning out data. "Maybe we're missing something. Let's dig deeper into the genome and see if we can find any other anomalies that might explain this." Maya nodded, her fingers flying over the control panel. "Good idea. I'll cross-reference these results with the data from our long-term genetic stability studies." As they delved further into the mystery, the genetics lab hummed with the sound of their focused determination, both scientists refusing to give up until they had an answer.
The only "bad" thing, if I can call it that, is that every paragraph ends with cheesy "lets help each other" paragraph. Take that out, and I literally have a (fan fiction level?) human written science fiction story.
And it is read to me by voice number 4.
And that voice changes its tone and inflection, depending on the character's dialogue and situation. Yes, really.
This is insane.
I don't think you guys have an idea how powerful this (old? bad? soon to be replaced?) Pi AI is.
And I am not hitting any token limits. At all. EVER. This is insane. And free.
PS Sorry about the formatting of Pi entries - on my screen it is formatted like a proper writer would do so.
To the devs of Pi - THANK YOU.
To the people keeping Pi going - THANK YOU.

For reference: I'm only on season 2 episode 12. The most recent thing I remember concerning them is Asta approaching Jay on the street and telling her that she loves her. I'll try to spoiler things for the sake of anyone else who is behind. Don't read this post if you haven't finished season 2.
So. I understand why Asta had to give Jay up as a teenager in an abusive relationship, and I do sympathize with her. Her feelings are valid, but some of her behaviors (like the one referenced above) really bother me. She just seems to be crossing some major boundaries with Jay. Some of her behavior comes across as stalker-like to me. It seems so unfair of Asta to barge into Jay's life and load down a literal teenager with all of her emotional baggage.
And the language the show uses around it I feel is disrespectful to Jay's mom, the woman who raised her. Asta repeatedly refers to Jay as her "daughter", and never really acknowledges the people on the other end of the adoption process. I apologize if my own language isn't up to date, but isn't it appropriate to call the adoptive mother the "mom", and the person who gave birth to the child the "birth mom"? The show and Asta basically ignore the fact that there is a set of parents who raised Jay and treat Asta like Jay's mom.
I don't have any major skin in the game — I wasn't adopted myself, nor do I have any adopted children. I don't have any children, so maybe I'm out of line here. But this whole storyline just kinda feels gross to me.
Does the show ever address/justify this? I love a flawed character, but the show has to address them as flaws, and so far it seems like the show wants us to root for Jay and Asta to have some deep and meaningful mothedaughter relationship while happily ignoring the existence of the people who raised Jay. Do Jay's parents ever become somewhat realized characters, or are they ignored?
I don't mind spoilers in the comments because I'm on the fence about continuing the show, and knowing where this storyline is going might make or break it. Which is unfortunate, because there's a lot to love about this show. (ofc hide spoilers for the sake of others though.)
edit: spelling

Currently working in a small company (~150 employees total) and a little while ago new management rolled in. Started restructuring company-wide and made quite a number of new hires in analyst-level roles, almost all newly created roles by them as a result of their restructuring project, who I've had to cross-functionally work with.
The problem is that all of them have never coded in their lives and everything is pretty much built in Python and SQL. Now I have to explain how my code works without ever having to reference my code and justify the outputs of my code a-la ELI5 when the numbers "don't look right" to them so many times it's driving me nuts. Not to mention the pile of ad-hoc requests to extract or collate data.
The job adverts apparently didn't even mention Python and SQL as I later found out. None of the above problem would arise if management would actually hire people who can code or at least during the hiring process consult with the existing team members because the new hires suddenly pop into the office out of the blue.
Regardless, it's a bygone now and I guess it's time to start job hunting. To that end and per the title, are there things you've done in past interviews to get an idea of how a team or company is culturally in terms of its technical operations? Perhaps something to gauge how techincally-oriented the management is, does the company's management decision-making process respect its technical staff, etc.

Currently working in a small company (~150 employees total) and a little while ago new management rolled in. Started restructuring company-wide and made quite a number of new hires in analyst-level roles, almost all newly created roles by them as a result of their restructuring project, who I've had to cross-functionally work with.
The problem is that all of them have never coded in their lives and everything is pretty much built in Python and SQL. Now I have to explain how my code works without ever having to reference my code and justify the outputs of my code a-la ELI5 when the numbers "don't look right" to them so many times it's driving me nuts. Not to mention the pile of ad-hoc requests to extract or collate data.
The job adverts apparently didn't even mention Python and SQL as I later found out. None of the above problem would arise if management would actually hire people who can code or at least during the hiring process consult with the existing team members because the new hires suddenly pop into the office out of the blue.
Regardless, it's a bygone now and I guess it's time to start job hunting. To that end and per the title, are there things you've done in past interviews to get an idea of how a team or company is culturally in terms of its technical operations? Perhaps something to gauge how techincally-oriented the management is, does the company's management decision-making process respect its technical staff, etc.

My knowledge of Greek mythology only goes as far as knowing the names of their well known celebrities that we saw in the show. I know Greek mythology is immense with full of complex characters, each having their own story book. But I also know pantheons tend to evolve over time through reinterpretations. Reading some of the comments here, I am fascinated at how all these deities’ narratives interweaved with one another throughout history and how their behaviours impacted outcomes.
We started to see more of the family dynamics in S2 whether they are true to the classic mythology or not. I, for one, tend to enjoy the creative liberty of writers. By the sounds of some redditors, the writers are fully allowing that creativity flow in this show adaptation. Lol.
With that said, and without any prior knowledge to restrict me to cross reference (or even if I did), I hope they explore more on sibling dynamics in future writing. I really enjoyed seeing more of Zeus’ children’s interactions with one another. We got a glimpse on whose sides they align. I hope we get to see more their nuances and complexities. I mean, there’s enough of them to create a storyline for a season, at least.

I saw a post here about a year ago asking about Pizza Hut locations that still had dine-in. I fed the replies to AI and got a list broken up by State. Feel free to respond with additions or corrections, and I'll update the list.

Alaska

• Fairbanks
• North Pole

Arizona

• Apache Junction
• Bullhead City
• Chandler
  • Arizona & Ray
• Coolidge
• Cottonwood
• Florence
• Glendale
  • 43rd Ave & Glendale
  • 43rd Ave & Olive
  • 59th Ave & Bell
• Globe
• Holbrook
• Kingman
• Lake Havasu City
• Mesa
  • Gilbert & Baseline
• Nogales
• Payson
• Phoenix
  • 1st Ave & Van Buren
  • 36th St & Thomas
  • 48th St & Broadway
  • Cave Creek & Bell
• Prescott
• Safford
• Show Low
• Sierra Vista
• Tucson
• Willcox
• Winslow
• Yuma

Arkansas

• Arkadelphia

California

• Anaheim
  • 301 S Magnolia
• California
  • 12373 Glenoaks Blvd

Colorado

• Brighton
  • 2210 E Bridge St

Florida

• Daytona Beach
• Dunedin
• Homosassa
• Inverness
• New Port Richey
• Quincy
• Spring Hill
• Tallahassee

Georgia

• Buford Hwy
• Dahlonega
  • 1352 South Chestatee
• Greensboro
  • 2270 S Main St
• St Mary’s

Hawaii

• Honolulu

Illinois

• Chicago
  • 4350 S Pulaski Rd
• Cicero
• Crete
• Crown Point
• Griffith
• Lowell
• Munster
• Pittsfield
• Portage
• Schererville

Indiana

• Delphi
• Ft. Wayne
• Lafayette
• Lebanon
• Monticello
• Plymouth
• Scottsburg
• West Lafayette

Iowa

• Clinton

Kansas

• Osawatomie
• Sabetha

Kentucky

• Lawrenceburg

Louisiana

• Abbeville
• Bunkie
• Pinhook Rd Lafayette
• Sulphur

Maine

• Ellsworth

Michigan

• Brookville
• Charlevoix
• Clarion
• Fremont
• Greenville
• Houghton
• Hudsonville
• Ludington
• Warren

Minnesota

• Detroit Lakes

Missouri

• Columbia (3 locations)
• Fenton
• St. Joseph (2 locations)

Montana

• Anaconda
• Billings
• Bozeman
• Butte
• Dillon
• Libby
• Livingston
• Lewistown

Nevada

• Dayton

New Hampshire

• Rochester

New Jersey

• Jersey City
• Toms River

New York

• Albany
• Auburn
• Brockport
• Canton
• Liverpool
• Malone
• Massena
• Mohegan Lake
  • 1751 East Main Street
• Ogdensburg
• Oneonta
• Plattsburgh
• Potsdam
• Queensbury
• Rochester
• Rome
• Scarsdale
• Watertown

North Carolina

• Apex
• Bryson City
• Charlotte
• Dunn
• Greensboro
• King
• Lillington (with Buffet)

Ohio

• Vandalia
• Wauseon

Oregon

• Klamath Falls

Pennsylvania

• Brookville
• Butler
• Chambersburg
• Clarion
• Hanover
• Masontown
• Mechanicsburg
• Shippensburg
• Tunkhannock
• Uniontown
• West Mifflin
• White Oak

South Carolina

• Camden
• Goose Creek
• Moncks Corner
• Summerville

Tennessee

• Alcoa
• Carthage
• Crossville
• Jackson
• Knoxville (5 locations)
• Maryville
• Sweetwater
• Trenton

Texas

• Belton
• Brownsville
• Corpus Christi
• East Texas (multiple locations)
• Harker Heights
• Kaufman
• Killeen (Trimmier)
• Kingsville
• Port Isabel
• San Antonio
• San Benito
• South Padre Island
• Temple (west adams, general bruce)

Vermont

• Rutland

Virginia

• Dumfries

West Virginia

• Bridgeport
• Cross Lanes
• Kanawha City
• Summersville

Wisconsin

• Dodgeville
• La Crosse
• Menomonee Falls
• Waukesha

Let's say Montreal managed to keep the Expos and thus the MLB had managed to keep a more sturdy foothold in Canada to the point where Calgary and Vancouver got MLB teams. Anyway, remember how in 2020 the Blue Jays were forced to play in Buffalo (the closest American city to Toronto) due to the COVID-related hassles of crossing the border? I'd imagine that in that situation the Expos might've spent 2020 in Burlington, VT and the hypothetical Vancouver team in Seattle alternating T-Mobile Park with the Mariners (or maybe playing in Tacoma*). But where would a Calgary team have spent an "exile season"? Does Montana have any sizeable minor league stadiums? Or would they have had to go all the way to Denver and alternate Coors Field with the Rockies?
* Or maybe Bellingham, WA?

I know a lot of producers have talked about unsolicited feedback in the past but this post isn't about that. It's about feedback for various projects and feedback that gets requested and given. This also applies equally to original production in many cases.
A good number of mashup producers do not tend to master or don't apply limiters on tracks, or just make them softer compared to commercial levels. When albums get mastered, loudness will usually be adjusted through various plugins (EQ, multiband compressors, limiters, clippers, etc.) to shape masters so that one track is not significantly louder or softer than another especially back-to-back and groups of tracks follow a certain sound.
What this means is that once your softer mashup of -14 or -15 LUFS or softer is amplified to commercial levels in the -7 to -11 LUFS range or more depending on genre and how the overall track should sound given peaks and valleys with softer and louder parts (LUFS stands for loudness units full scale, look that up), small issues may stand out like thorns when amplified. Bottom line: Don't take the small or big issues personally; we're all human, we all miss things, and we can all improve. You may learn something new!
Think of it like how you ask to proofread writing to check for spelling or grammar and have it work for the audience.
All this to say, feedback I give or others give based on small details may come across as nit-picks at first. Don't completely discount them. You never know who will want to play your tracks, and this could range from personal playlists all the way up to DJ gigs and big festival stages.
In the case of a club DJ or performances on festival stages, volumes will be significantly louder than what you may have worked with when you created the track. I've given the restaurant food analogy before but I'll give it again: If something clearly doesn't taste good, people won't usually know why. But an experienced chef who knows how the ingredients interact sure will.
Just something to think about as you improve on mashup production and production in general.
Here are some issues below that experienced mashup producers could point out. Note that a lot of the "don't do this" stuff is really code for "don't do this unless you really know you're doing and it sounds good":

Big issues

• Out of key (OOK): This refers to wrong key signature (e.g. mixing A Minor with B Minor), not blue notes from modes or short moments of modulation. Key rule of thumb: If you're going to use key databases, verify by ear. Tunebat is the least accurate. If you must do so, use a reliable key database like the ones in this post. DJ software can work, but some automatic key detection performs better than others and are far from perfect. Above all, databases are not perfect and some will be far from it, so ears will be the final judge of whether a pairing sounds good.
• Out of tempo/time (OOT): this usually refers to wrong tempo (e.g. mixing a 116 BPM track with a 118 BPM track) or not constant tempo and going out of time. Key rule of thumb: Sync your tracks and if you need to use any form of warping (see Ableton), be prepared to do so.
• Too much going on (a.k.a. playing both songs at the same time): This happens when playing multiple main elements at the same time to the point where multiple elements or entire songs played together clash in key, progression, or other things to make the combination sound unpleasant and hard to listen to. Sometimes this can sound really good if the progressions are compatible, but generally, less is more.
• Incorrect/bad beat alignment: This is more for when a vocal or element is offbeat enough that it really sticks out as a trainwreck when mixed together
• Wrong beat/out of structure/off structure/bad phrasing: This is when a vocal or other element is placed on a beat that doesn't make sense for what it's combined with (e.g. placing the first word of a vocal over an instrumental on beat 2 when it was meant for beat 1). Mileage will vary, sometimes the vocal beat placement only makes sense for the original song and makes less sense on others.
• Distortion from going in the red: This is when the overall mix or elements sound distorted because the volume of each track channel is too loud and either alone or combined goes well above 0 dBFS (a.k.a. into the red). Key rule of thumb: Start your track volumes at -6 dB (not 0 dB) and then adjust to taste. Don't go into the red unless you absolutely know what you're doing.
• Elements way too soft or loud: This is more along the lines of not being able to hear the added vocals or elements at all or they're too loud that you can't hear the other elements in the mix.
• Big mood mismatch: This tends to be less egregious, but if sources don't cooperate at all to a point of completely ruining the vibe, the mashup could stick out like a sore thumb from the start. Mileage will vary, and sometimes your audience would appreciate this especially with genre clashes even to the point of creating memes. But it depends on what you're going for, and sometimes you want consistency for certain albums and groups of tracks.

Smaller issues

• Fifth traps/not picking the right keys to use: This is a specific version of another problem I'll touch on, but this happens when you mix keys fifths or fourths away (e.g. F Major and C Major) and the chord progressions don't cooperate. What makes this a trap is that the pairing might appear to sound good at first glance, but when you look back at what you made, you probably could have made a better sounding pairing if you had just picked sources in key, relative key (e.g. A Minor and C Major), or parallel to the mode type (i.e. A Minor with A Dorian since Dorian is a minor mode). This Berklee Online article is a really good starting point to modes. With modes, mileage will vary.
• Out of progression/blue notes: This can happen when there are short moments where the element clashes on top of other elements (e.g. modes or short moments of different modulation). Sometimes the tracks may not be compatible, but other times it's just a part with notes outside the scale. This can be fixed by doing small note changes, but be careful not to make it too obvious, otherwise it might sound like you're forcing the pairing to work. It may also follow the same theme as fifth traps, where you could have made a better sounding pairing if you had just picked sources in key, relative key (e.g. A Minor and C Major), or parallel to the mode type (i.e. A Minor with A Dorian since Dorian is a minor mode). This Berklee Online article is a really good starting point to modes. With modes, mileage will vary.
• Low quality sources: This happens with YouTube or other rips where the elements are lower quality due to a lower frequency cutoff (YouTube is usually 15.5 kHz for AAC, other platforms may be 15-16 kHz for 128 kbps MP3, etc.). Bottom line: Get the highest quality sources you can, and use Spek or another spectrum analysis software to check rips or record pool sources. Your ears and processing algorithms will thank you. Again, you never know who will listen to or play out your track, could even be a big sound system.
• Stem separation artifacts: This can take several different forms, but can happen when either the invert or stem separation algorithm being used adds noise or other unwanted high end artifacts like high hats that once amplified, will absolutely stand out in a mix. This also includes artifacts from stem separation algorithms like Utagoe which make vocals sound like they're underwater at default settings. Key rule of thumb: Remember that the instrumental and original could be mixed and mastered differently depending on the production environment and how masters spread. If an invert makes a vocal stand out more but just needs extra cleaning, don't be afraid to combine the invert technique (original + instrumental) with stem separation. When using multiple stem separation techniques or using different sources (like remix + remix instrumental), think about how they sound on parts of the instrumental and consider picking the best extraction for a given part; remember that this includes using the original song (this is called comping in the production world). If there are parts of vocals intended to be silent and there are artifacts, don't be afraid to replace the reverb + delay with your own. Keep up to date with stem separation algorithms by keeping up with developments on the Audio Separation Discord server: https://discord.gg/wY3AAaTvHT
• A little too much going on: This happens in many cases when looking at megamashups, megamixes, and even simpler overlap of vocals where too many elements are competing for space at some point (e.g. two vocals at the same time competing for mono or midrange). Key rule of thumb: In production just as in life, leave elbow room! With vocals, this can be done by overlapping a lead source that's more mono (e.g. lead vocal) with a background source that's more stereo (e.g. background vocals or vocal pad). When transitioning, it's also really useful to slightly pan or automate pan and volume of the vocal you're trying to brief in, which can include repeating the first word or few words of a phrase. Volume and EQ may also be useful here to properly convey space.
• Weird time-stretch and pitch-shift artifacts: This can happen when using a lower quality time-stretch or a time-stretch that can destroy transients/drum hits (Audacity or Elastique Efficient on vocals, older Elastique Pro on full instrumentals) or pitching too much and/or with too much/little formant preserve. The best way to reduce these effects on instrumental is to think about combining stem separation with ways to improve quality (pitch everything BUT the drums unless tonal, experiment with different time stretch methods on different elements, etc.). For too much pitch or formant preserve, either pick sources that are closer in key (+/- 2 semitones is a good rule of thumb) and try to control the amount of formant preservation and/or envelope (in Ableton) to make the vocals sound more natural. Formant preserve is usually a good idea for pitched vocals, but can sound bad for pitched instrumentals especially drums depending on the track.
• Pops or clicks while editing: This tends to happen when elements like vocals are cut off when not at zero volume. Key rule of thumb: Edit to zero crossing and/or use fades to cut off regions or when combining different regions together.
• Flanging, phasing, or flamming while editing: Sometimes these effects are on purpose, but oftentimes when crossfading between different parts of an instrumental, both parts of the edit don't align on beat. Flanging and phasing applies for sample level edits (ms or more), flamming for tenths or hundredths of seconds (e.g. 0.05 sec or 0.1 sec). Flamming is a drumming term for when the same part of the drum kit (usually the snare drum) is hit twice with different sticks at close to but not exactly the same time.
• Vocals or other elements end too suddenly in an edit: You may want to get different vocals to interact with each other or edit out of artifacts from vocal stem separation, but the other vocal (or elements) sound like they were cut off. Key rule of thumb: Have a reverb effect handy, and if you're working in a DAW, take advantage of wet/dry automation and combine the reverb with delay afterwards in the effect chain for vocals and other elements so when you crank up the wet the decay helps fade out the element gracefully.
• Vocals or other elements start too suddenly or out of place when connecting them or transitioning: This also considers getting different vocals or other elements to work together or going to a new part, but refers to a new part using vocals or other elements sounding out of place at the beginning of a region in a transition. Key rule of thumb: Watch your crossfades and when you're in a pinch and want to start the next part gracefully, don't be afraid to use reverse reverb or other effect like a riser to introduce a completely new element or different part in a pinch. Reverse reverb is exactly what it sounds: Adding reverb to a short snippet of an element like a cymbal, vocal note, or pad, and then applying reverse on it. Often this is done by choosing a tonal center to transition into, choosing a small snippet to add reverb to, choosing reverb with a long decay time and big space (usually I do a Cathedral reverb), reversing it, and then carefully aligning the reverse reverb so the end of it hits the beginning of the next region. Whew that was a lot! Tutorials will do this much more justice but this is the general idea.
• Vocals too dry or too wet for the instrumental: Usually this depends on the instrumental's genre. For genres like pop or EDM, vocals tend to have some reverb applied to make them shine. For others like alternative and some classic hip-hop, the reverb might be less or no wet or a completely different type. This issue usually refers to too little reverb (too dry) or too much reverb (too wet). Key rule of thumb: Don't forget to have reverb handy. You might need it. Keep your wet low in the middle of a vocal depending on what you're trying to do (think 3-5% wet or - on the low side
• Vocals or other elements slightly too loud or soft: Self-explanatory, this is usually an issue where elements should be the right volume for elements to work well together.
• Vocals or other elements drowned out/don't gel due to hypercompression: This usually happens when using a vocal not from an EDM, hyperpop, hard rock, or other genre where there is hypercompression but no matter how much volume amount you try elements like vocals don't gel and compete for space in the mid range. Two common techniques take the form of adding more compression to a vocal to stand up to an hypercompressed instrumental and/or reducing mid band EQ of the other source (which could come from sidechaining). For the added compression, it tends to be done with either multiple compressors in series (e.g. two compressors using low threshold + high ratio and high threshold + low ratio) or through various guitar distortion plugins on settings meant for vocals (e.g. Camelcrusher with British Clean or certain presets of OTT). Don't be afraid to experiment.
• Master too loud or soft for the genre: This usually takes the form of using limiters and other effects to make certain tracks too loud for the genre intended, or not using anything at all and the track is too soft for the genre/commercial sound. This can come down to taste, but how a track was produced can affect how loud you master. Mileage will vary; listen to how loud tracks are made and emulate your favorites assuming nothing too egregious.
• Stereo issues: This can happen if there are elements out of phase when trying to combine mono and stereo or applying other effects. It's a bit more difficult to diagnose, but one rule of thumb is to test your overall track on different playback systems (from headphones to big speakers and even your phone or small bluetooth speaker which will effectively test mono depending on the device).

Wow that was a lot and I know it's very overwhelming who don't produce a ton. There might be more issues I didn't mention here, so let me know if there's anything else that could be useful.
Update 1: Added "bad phrasing" under the off structure issue, this is the DJing term for it
Update 2: Added two variations of "too much going on" to the bigger and smaller issues

Background Info: I (stupidly) got back with my abusive and cheating boyfriend. I had to move back in with my mom a few months ago so our physical contact has been limited. I was hanging on to the hope that if I stuck around that he would eventually pay me back the almost 10,000 dollars he owes me and to spend time with his dog who I love. I thought we could work through previous issues and things would improve. (I am an idiot)
Last week I had the opportunity to go over and spend time with the dog and see how the garden I planted last year was doing. I stayed overnight and the next day he spent mostly sleeping because he has been working overnights. I then (stupidly) looked through his unlocked phone. He had changed his passcode because of how I found out about all of the cheating in the first place. I saw it unlocked and I just went for it despite knowing that I would hate what I saw. Turns out it was way worse than I thought. Not only is he screwing many different men and women, buying drugs or attempting to, but also using pictures of us/me to do these things. The pictures I saw he used CLEARLY show my face and I have never ever consented to him sharing these pictures with anyone, let alone with STRANGERS ON THE INTERNET.
I took a picture of one message exchange but I was so sick to my stomach I couldn't look anymore. I read the law regarding Pennsylvania's revenge porn but I am not clear on whether this falls into that category. Can anyone clarify that for me? What would be the first thing I do if I wanted to pursue this legally? I don't particularly want to get near him again to obtain more evidence because I am honestly scared of him and his disgusting behaviors. Do I need a lawyer? Honestly any advice is welcome, I am a mess right now and need logical advice. I have no idea how many people now have access to these photos and I do not want anymore to be used. I am horrified that one of my many redditor friends will find me on one of the porn reddits.. Here is the info on revenge porn in PA:
§ 3131. Unlawful dissemination of intimate image.
(a) Offense defined.--Except as provided in sections 5903 (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances), 6312 (relating to sexual abuse of children) and 6321 (relating to transmission of sexually explicit images by minor), a person commits the offense of unlawful dissemination of intimate image if, with intent to harass, annoy or alarm a current or former sexual or intimate partner, the person disseminates a visual depiction of the current or former sexual or intimate partner in a state of nudity or engaged in sexual conduct.
(b) Defense.--It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that the actor disseminated the visual depiction with the consent of the person depicted.
(c) Grading.--An offense under subsection (a) shall be:
(1) A misdemeanor of the first degree, when the person depicted is a minor.
(2) A misdemeanor of the second degree, when the person depicted is not a minor.
(d) Territorial applicability.--A person may be convicted under the provisions of this section if the victim or the offender is located within this Commonwealth.
(e) Nonapplicability.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of the law enforcement officer's official duties.
(f) Concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute.--In addition to the authority conferred upon the Attorney General by the act of October 15, 1980 (P.L.950, No.164), known as the Commonwealth Attorneys Act, the Attorney General shall have the authority to investigate and to institute criminal proceedings for any violation of this section or any series of violations involving more than one county of this Commonwealth or another state. No person charged with a violation of this section by the Attorney General shall have standing to challenge the authority of the Attorney General to investigate or prosecute the case, and, if a challenge is made, the challenge shall be dismissed, and no relief shall be made available in the courts of this Commonwealth to the person making the challenge.
(g) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Law enforcement officer." Any officer of the United States, of the Commonwealth or political subdivision thereof, or of another state or subdivision thereof, who is empowered to conduct investigations of or to make arrests for offenses enumerated in this title or an equivalent crime in another jurisdiction, and any attorney authorized by law to prosecute or participate in the prosecution of such offense.
"Minor." An individual under 18 years of age.
"Nudity." As defined in section 5903(e).
"Sexual conduct." As defined in section 5903(e).
"Visual depiction." As defined in section 6321.
(July 9, 2014, P.L.1013, No.115, eff. 60 days)

2014 Amendment. Act 115 added section 3131.
Cross References. Section 3131 is referred to in section 8316.1 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Hi everyone, I'm looking for your advice (sorry for the large text)
Just went on date with a girl (we are both around 30yo) I matched and been texting with for 2 weeks. She's looking for something casual with a connection (no HU or LTR) and I'm on the same mood.
Texting is good, she replies and is interested on keeping the conversation alive from the beginning so I decided to give her a chance. We texted for a few days, she laughs a lot at my jokes and after a moment I was slowly engaging for the option of meeting her, which she seems very interested. I also tried to check if she liked flirtatious talk, doesn't seem like it so I never forced it.
I'm a really busy guy and focusing on myself now, so I asked her out the second Saturday night after we match. I decided to take her out for some pool table at a bar, she liked the idea. I also told her that because of my job and the stress that comes with it, I had a health issue and because of that I need to shave my head now. I told her in a funny way and she doesn't seem to care much, so I was reassured. We were also already joking about a second date, so to say.
Here is how the date went:
We first decided to meet for a little walk around the bay, we walked like 30min, talking like we talked by messages and I felt like she was interested in me.
She's a 3Xyo woman studying and working here, but knows that she wants to go back to her country (that is why she doesn't want an LTR). I'm also here only for a few months so I perfectly understand her point of view. Very elegant, chill, classy, but with a mindset of woman that needs to feel independent (no problem for me)
After the walk, I asked her if she wanted to go to the bar or wanted to eat some food if she was hungry. She proposed to go to a restaurant that sells food from her culture and I thought it was really cute.
At the restaurant, we talked like 2 hours (60% me 40% her). During the discussion, I felt like she was very not into the small talk. Everytime I talked about basic subjects, she laughed a lot, but I could see that her non verbal was very closed, hands crossed, etc.. So I decided to focus on things that were more intellectual like philosophy, her feelings about the world, how does she would like to do things if she could and of course I talked about my professional life which I have a lot to say (I was a doctor student and I'm now an entrepreneur working online).
From that moment, she changed completely. Her non verbal was as open as possible, she kept replying fast, 100% eye contact, she almost never blinked I think (scary), so I think we both enjoyed that type of conversation.
We stayed until the restaurant closed and she insisted to split the bill because, as we talked earlier, she likes when the guy offers but she prefers to keep an independent attitude and pay for her things (Not a red flag for me as that's what she referred also before we met). No worries for me on that subject.
11PM, gentleman, I ask her if she would like to have a drink or maybe I accompany to her home safely if she was tired. She said it was late for a drink, but would enjoy that we just buy a bottle of water (we both don't really drink alcohol) and just find a spot and continue the conversation.
And this was my clue, I think, to ask her about how she would like to pursue our meeting. But stupidly, I was so into offering her the most enjoyable conversation ever that I didn't even go upfront with her about what she feels, if she likes me, if she would be interested in going further and I'm really facepalming myself right now. However, the conversation lasted up to midnight and offered her to walk her home as she felt she was getting tired.
She offered me to accompany her in between so that I could grab a cab easier on the main street. I do believe she's keeping herself safe by not showing me where she lives (green flag in my opinion). But I feel like it was also a clue for me. Like why ask me to accompany her closer to her home if it wasn't to show that she waited for me to be upfront again, but no, I was stupid enough to do nothing.
In the end, I take my cab, I kiss her goodbye and tells her that it was nice meeting her.
Conclusion: I feel like the date went 90% great, and absolutely, utterly failed like a dumbass the 10% most important part that is to show her that I really liked our meeting and might be interested in seeing her again or even ask if she enjoyed the date and would consider a second one. I'm still a bit ashamed of my new bald look and gets a bit nervous sometimes because I feel way less attractive that when I had a full head of hair. Plus, I think she doesn't like me to be too much flirtatious so it cock blocked me a bit as I tend to be more upfront with these things and don't wanted to screw up.
I truly believe everything I said earlier is pretty accurate and not fooling myself. So my questions now are:

• Taking in consideration my feedback, do you think she's interested? (staying to restaurant closure + offering to continue the conversation outside in a sitting spot together are big green signals for me)
• How do I manage to fix the last 10% if they can still be saved? On second thoughts, maybe it's good because she knows I'm very busy and like to take things slow to be 100% true to my words and thoughts. But it may bad to wait too much time to reply to her.

My idea is to wait until tomorrow and maybe reply to her by Whatsapp joking about something that I know will tell me instantly if it's dead or not. Then following her attitude, if she seems interested, tell her that I really like our meeting and would like to know if she would be interested in a second one.

• Is it a good idea for you to reply directly tomorrow, like 1-2pm, or maybe a bit later? I know it's a lot of overthinking but I truly think it will be disrespectful to wait more than 24h to tell her a feedback about our date and seek her point of view as well.

Thank you for your time