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Season 10 “Days of Fury” - Episode 2 “Visiting Omen”

He had hoped for a boring day. Boring days are good at work, and Santos was already expecting to not have many of them for a while.
The first couple of days were boring, as usual- Blackriver is a small town, and the worst that had happened was Nila and Kessa making a few wellness checks after worried calls from neighbors. A couple of people in denial, a few ashamed at their own violent outbursts and a stern warning to Tamm about painting others’ properties without asking first.
This morning, however, began with an all-hands meeting. There were no meeting rooms in the office, so they made do in the general workspace room, they all stood there at the center while Keya looked them over.
“We have received a report from a neighboring city about a convoy of protestors making its way to Blackriver” she describes without tone. At this point nobody bothers interrupting.
“This convoy is comprised of approximately four hundred and seventy eight individuals of multiple species, primarily human and venlil but with operationally relevant representations of the entire spectrum of size and mobility types” her paws are behind her back, her ears focused directly ahead, her eyes centered to keep the entire team on the core of her focus “They have crossed multiple cities already, generally engaging in verbal sparring with any figure of authority, parading signs and banners denouncing all manners of authorities as well as occasionally engaging in physical altercations with officers.”
“They are also known to engage in vandalism. Though primarily aimed at exterminator and police precincts as well as public offices, they have already caused considerable collateral to others they have identified as ‘collaborators’” there’s a single heartbeat of waiting for breath before she continues “They have, however, not shown to be an incredibly organized group or one with a clear goal and objective. The convoy appears to contain only extremely emotionally charged people with no clear overarching goal.”
“We are incapable of dealing with the situation should they turn aggressive, as such we will be simply maintaining watch and relocating the populace should they become a problem.” Then, she picks up her holopad and passes it to Lunek beside her “They can only follow one path with the entire convoy, the central street, therefore I have divided it into four sectors. One of each will be assigned to a sector.”
First her ears turn to the first target “Lunek, sector one at the entrance. As the most approachable member of the precinct your task is to give an initial image of harmlessness. Do not engage first, do not take initiative against them. Ensure the members of the herd in the area are warned of their approach. If they become aggressive, retreat and focus on the escape of the herd.”
She tilts her head a little bit, turning her ears the other way “Marik, sector two. Mostly the commercial area, your task is ostensive protection to lower the chances of them initiating aggression. Whereas protection of the herd is first priority your second priority is ensuring Tenve’s Hardware Store as well as Sunbreeze Meals and Watchful Café remain capable of providing anyone whose residences become damaged.” suddenly, she turns her head entirely to face Marik “Ostensive protection means dissuasion, ensure that they know they are not under threat and as long as those specific areas are not engaged, do not provoke”
Next in her line of fire is Santos “As our human officer you will be in sector three, nearby the precinct. They are liable to become most agitated in this area and your presence may serve to calm them. You are not to engage, if deemed necessary the precinct’s materials are considered expendable, do not attempt to stop them”
“Sector four, the exit of town, will be with me to ensure that they have fully left Blackriver and will not attempt to turn back” then she tilts her ears again “Aren, you will gear up with a CCG and remain out of view range, your task will be quick emergency response should the need arise.” she then points her tail at the last three officers “Vess, your task will be to inform the herd and ensure a clear path for the convoy while Nila and Kessa will gather all of our medical supplies and set a staging area out of the convoy’s range. Organize ambulance assistance from Striped Hill and Everrain”
Then, she turns her ears around to focus each one in turn “As any attempt at aggression will end only in negative consequences, and in order to reduce the apparent levels of threat you will be unarmed. The estimated time of arrival is a third of a claw, ready yourselves and be at your post in time. Dismissed.”
“Not sure if I like or I don’t that we had the cold bastard right now” Aren says, as soon as Keya had left the room “Maybe we should move in closer when the convoy gets to sector four?”
“Probably a good idea to be nearby” Santos adds with a sigh “They might take umbrage with her demeanor, hopefully they won’t be set off too hard.”
And with silent signs of agreement all of the officers of Blackriver depart for preparations. The first ones to leave the precinct are the ones in charge of support, the two girls set off early to find someone willing to permit usage of their lawn as a possible impromptu field hospital and a little while later Aren leaves with a heavy CCG.
Slowly, the clock ticks to the appointed claw… And soon enough, Lunek can see in the distance the incoming omen of people. At first a distant line in the horizon, slowly the dark mark on the road coalesces into distinct shapes, the shapes of hundreds of vehicles slowly rolling down the road.
When the first few get close to the initial buildings of the main street, the entire convoy slows down. Their process of preparation is seemingly laborious, each vehicle houses multiple people at a time, smaller cars full to the brim, flatbeds with more people on their cargo space than can safely be contained, even buses conscripted for the effort. They carry with them signs, flags, a multitude of symbols as they dismount their vehicles and start spreading out to fill the street.
They seem to naturally form two distinct yet highly mixed groups, at its most distinctive is the pack of humans who keep a good distance from each other. But they are not alone in this group as takkan, mazic, yotul, zurulian and even drilvar form this central group. But flowing around them, not avoiding their presence but never infringing in their space is the grey mass of venlil, packed tight together, and mixed in there adding color to the monochromatic flux are krakotl, tilfish, sulean, iftali, sivkit and even a seemingly very confused duerten.
And at the very core of the moving group are their vehicles, which gently start rolling forward again as the group starts moving. Lunek simply waits, silently, by the side of the road, his ears attentively swiveling from one side to the other, expression having given way to function. Before the first of the convoy even arrives close he turns to the side, making a pointing sign with his tail. A woman who had been watching from her yard flicks her right ear and runs back inside.
He continues to wait, scanning around at all times for the presence of… Anything. The street is empty of locals when the first visitors start to alight. The convoy is loud, their symbols carry a loudness of colors and their vehicles make as much noise as they can to draw attention, but those who walk seem content in allowing their tools to speak for them, for now. Lunek tries to make sense of the banners and signs, but the messages are disparate as the group- Some speak of injustices against their people, some speak of anger at invaders, some speak of betrayal.
“Fuck off, fireman!” comes the harsh bark of a human, causing Lunek to flinch. But flinch is all he does, he simply starts walking alongside the moving convoy.
The exterminator’s attention is drawn to the details of the few people he can distinguish amongst the mass. Something tickles at his pattern-recognition but he cannot quite ascertain what for a while, until a lightly limping mazic makes her way to the edge of the mass “Want to finish the job?!” she trumpets, her form towering over his.
“I’m just observing, ma’am.” Though the tremor of his voice is noticeable, he remains stoic. But her proximity makes him notice something about her body, marks in her wrists, neck and feet. Though mazic have powerful wrists and knuckles upon which they support the front half of their weight, her left wrist seems completely incapable of it, giving her a limp particular to a three-point walk. “To make sure there’s no impediment on your path” he notices the leathery skin around her left wrist is deeply blackened.
“Oh, ‘no impediment’ is that it? So everyone that lives here is an impediment?!” her voice booms.
“Ma’am” still, he does not yield nor does he break his pace following the convoy “We have not done anything other than inform our people of your presence…” for a half second all he hears is the sound of his own heart “We can’t do anything else.”
Those words, then, sealed his fate. The first shout to echo in his direction was a yotul howling “Yeah you’re useless!” and soon the avalanche came in multiple voices and languages “Can’t do shit!” “You’re just here to hurt people!” “Useless crap!” “Idiot!” and many more.
With every step and twitch the very average exterminator puts all of his focus on just being there. He lets himself cower a little bit, against the barrage it is difficult not to, but he continues to accompany. A few curious coats step out from their houses to watch, but the front of the convoy seems far too focused on the sole exterminator in view to bother anyone else.
A few steps ahead, an older venlil with a cane has moved the closest to the convoy as any watcher has up to now. Seeing her proximity to the increasingly rowdy crowd causes Lunek to speed up, quickly approaching her “Leva-”
But his words are stalled when she puts a paw on his shoulder, she gently puts her head against his for just a second “You’re doing good pup, keep at it” she mutters to him before breaking contact and turning around to walk back inside. He can spy her grandchildren looking on through the door. Lunek looks back at the still-shouting moving convoy, takes a deep breath, and continues to accompany them forward. A small pawful of them, however, seem to have fallen silent.
Once having reached the limit of his assigned zone, however, Lunek stops. He watches the convoy move forward, past the houses, now noisier than before. The initial hollering at him had turned into disjointed screams at some indistinct foe- Though the herd had been noticed of a foe, it was yet unaware of who, or what, said foe was. So for now it howled at the ineptitude of… Someone. And as the last of the convoy passes beyond the imaginary line of his duty, Lunek lets out a deep sigh and allows himself to sit down on the ground.
He stays there for a moment, without thought, simply letting the tension, confusion and fear permeate his body until a gentle paw touches his arm. He doesn’t need to look to identify it, he lets his lover use her strength to prop him up, raising him to his feet “Keina you shouldn’t-”
“Neighbor’s looking over Tiss” his wife wraps her arms and tail around him “I’m not leaving you alone.” she stays like that for a second, before breaking off “Do you need to go after them?”
“No”
Marik stalks through the sidewalk, moving with energy. His speed outpaces the movement of the convoy, his paws twitch to grasp at something that isn’t there and a deep and intense motion makes his short fur stand on end. He had let the convoy’s head move in front of him, simply standing still as he assessed as many as he could in the mass, and now he had begun to move towards the front again.
As he stalked forward he focused his sight on every member of the convoy that seemed of interest. A human whose clothes seemed suspiciously loose, a venlil whose movements were far too stiff, a gojid who kept his claws behind his back. He stared at each like they were his quarry, analyzing every piece of movement they made for threats, and yet aside from the challenge in the human’s gaze he saw no danger arise.
Tenve had closed his shop, so as the convoy moved forward Marik simply continued to follow along, scanning the crowd for threats. But the next point of interest arrives, and he rushes ahead placing himself in front of the only restaurant of the town. Sunbreeze Meals wasn’t a very common sort of restaurant, Blackriver did not have enough visitors for a normal restaurant to be profitable and was small enough most people had their meals at home, it most often served takeout for those farmers who’d spend so long in the field they would return home without the energy to feed themselves.
Sparing a look inside at the only five tables, Marik couldn’t keep a small thought away from his mind. How most who got their meals from Sunbreeze these days did so because they enjoyed the cooking rather than their need of work, ever since the sunspeck population has been brought under control and the maintenance of the fields had become much smaller. He feels the presence long before he can recognize what led him to feel it and turns to stare at a group of six that approach the entrance: Two humans, a tilfish, two gojids and a takkan had broken off from the convoy and approached the restaurant.
He traces his color band over each in turn, and they all bristle at his stare. One of the humans hesitates before continuing to walk inside, and Marik simply remains by the door with his arms crossed, left ear twisted as far back as he could to listen to the inside.
“What have you got here?”
“W-we mostly ha-have ready ma-made meals to go or- or- Or you can look over the menu”
“There’s no need to stutter, y’know”
“So-sorry-”
“Really, after everything y’all are still with this predator crap?”
The chimes on the door echo for the second time in sequence as Marik makes his way inside. The tilfish had started to lean over the counter while the other five had arrayed themselves behind her. They all turn their attention to him as he enters, including the venlil manning the counter. Marik keeps his gaze directly on the tilfish for a few uncomfortable seconds, before looking at the man behind the counter and making a simple sign with his tail, a short vertical bob with the tip and a slow horizontal swipe. It’s meaning simple: >Safe<.
After a few seconds someone else appears from the kitchen. The tall venlil carries a large stack of plastic boxes in his arms, all of them seemingly designed to attach to themselves so as to be carried with ease. He puts them down with a resounding crash on the counter, and opens up his voice with ice “Farmer’s Pots, good meal when you’re working and can’t go home.” With each word the owner of the restaurant and main cook comes closer and closer to the tilfish, until the last “Ten credits each.”
Nobody moves for a couple of seconds, and then one of the humans steps closer and brings a holopad over to the credit reader. There’s a noise indicating payment, and then the owner raises his head and tilts it to focus his favored eye and both of his ears at the man who paid “Now,” he shifts register in his voice and the language he speaks in “fuck off” he finishes.
With no small amount of surprise the group of six retrieve the stack of packaged meals, carefully walking out and back into the convoy. Marik stays behind for a moment “Didn’t know you spoke human”
“Pup’s enamored with their languages. Of course, first greek words he learns is swearing.”
Outside, Marik stalks further ahead to the next point of interest. He moves faster than the convoy, and has time to move in front of it. For a few meters the street is still clear as he arrives to find a group of people standing in front of the Watchful. Standing there were all of its employees, and even all of its regulars, twenty people total standing there as if they were having the most normal day. If not for their raised ears tracking every noise coming from down the street and their swaying tails swinging about like angry beasts.
One of them simply points his tail at the other side of the street as Marik comes closer, and the hunter doesn’t need a second command to understand the meaning. They have this, he has a less practical but just as important duty. He crosses the street quickly before the convoy starts coming closer, and heads towards the park.
As the regulars of the Watchful had feared, it took little time until a large group had broken off from the convoy. With the town on alert about the convoy they had found themselves bereft of prey and now this group had set out to find some, anyone who might be willing, or not, to listen to their grievances. And what is clearly a place designed for people to congregate looked most appetizing.
Marik shadowed the group as they moved through the park, but they were accompanied by nothing but silence. It wasn’t until they ran into the centerpiece of the park that he took initiative, stepping ahead of the group and simply… Standing there a distance away from the tree of many scions, between it and the group.
“What’s so important over there, fireman?” it was a venlil who asked, but his usage of an english word was not lost on Marik.
“A place you will respect” the exterminator has his arms crossed, the one good portion of his gaze set on the man who asked “This is a grave.”
Though the group that now prowled was large, those who heard were taken aback. One such, however, approaches closer. He was a venlil whose fur shifted between a soft, brownish color and a dirty white “A tradition of the tenets right? One of those family trees?” The man would have been distinctive in any other group due to his missing patches of fur around neck, wrists, even portions around his head. But such signs of long term damage were common in the convoy.
Interest. They had shown true interest, or at least one of them had. “No, but similar… The forgotten tree is a grave for the forgotten.” He felt like these people, at least the ones before him, could probably understand the meaning of this place “It is of no tradition. Someone, a long time ago, wanted to honor someone who was gone but whose name was not meant to be remembered. Someone who had disappeared in the system… So they borrowed on another’s tradition, and added a scion to this tree, with something in their memory. Others have done so similarly, until it became… A grave for the forgotten”
“Didn’t think you’d be worried about this kind of place” it’s a human that speaks up this time
“Our duty is to protect this town, what you think-” but Marik’s words are interrupted by that same venlil who had asked before. His demeanor suddenly shifts, his ears perk up and his entire body shifts forward for a moment. He hesitates, for a second everyone’s focus is on him, and then he runs towards the tree.
Marik follows behind, stopping just by the man’s side as he finds himself at the base of the tree. The man makes a direct line to somewhere, something he had found from the distance, as if it had called him. He finds a thick and heavy branch that had been bent down by the weight of its scions and memories, near its base and speaking of a memory left behind long ago is a braid of fur made of three colors, a dirty white, a soft brown and a dark grey, bound by the braids are two beads.
The man raises up a paw, but does not touch it. As if cradling it, he recites the words engraved in one of the beads “I will cross every star to return home” others have come closer to listen to the man’s hoarse voice “There will always be a home for you” he reads of the second one. The names on the beads have been scratched out. The man falls on his knees “S-she kept her promise and… I couldn’t keep mine…”
Marik steps back as he watches two others come closer to comfort the man. He looks as a few others approach with more caution, looking up at the tree with a bit more reverence than they had before. Then, he turns around and starts heading back towards the main street.
Gazing out as the convoy gains a new flux, some leave it as it passes to move towards the park while others leave the park to rejoin the convoy, Marik simply stays there at the side of the street looking as stern as he could. Though the noise of the convoy remains great, here in this portion it seems to die down a little. A thought crosses his mind as he turns an ear as far back as he can, a thought he can’t help but voice “I wonder how many are looking at their own graves…”
As the convoy progresses, Santos simply stands by the front of the precinct, hands in his pockets. He watches the convoy arrive, heart beating fast, constrained hands the only reason he hasn't started shaking quite yet. He starts tapping his right foot as he watches the first few people cross by without noticing what this place is yet, everyone knows where the precinct is, so aside from the words printed on the sign by the entrance there is no other marker of what this building’s purpose might be.
Of course, it is impossible for nobody to notice. The entire convoy seems to stop as soon as a zurulian riding on the shoulders of a human points a claw at the building and says something. A large group breaks away at the command, all of them holding disparate signs and messages. They turn on the building with enough roars that whatever they are attempting to transmit is lost on him.
Santos is thankful his hearing isn’t nearly as good as his coworkers’, as the cacophony is already overwhelming him. He changes stances slightly, taking his hands out of his pockets and crossing his arms. This prompts a small group to turn their looks at him, the focus easily identifiable with the humans in their midst, focus which made the hair in the back of Santos’ neck stand on end. Living in this place had refined his sense of danger, but he didn’t need that to realize what could happen.
It was a group of five that approached, four humans and a venlil. “Didn’t think they’d be letting humans live out here in the boonies” said one of his kin.
Santos just shrugs “Got hired to work here. Honestly, rural folk get a needlessly bad reputation, most of the time they just don’t care as long as you’re not bothering them”
“Really? In my-”
Santos interrupts the man “Cut it out” there are many ways in which humans make themselves obvious, many of which are their eyes. Santos did understand the fear of them and why it was primal, it was not the fear of the eyes but the fear of attention, it was knowing you were under the scrutiny and judgment of another that set off that emotion. It was rarely the eyes that showed this attention for most species, but for humans it was, and the man’s clear gaze on his badge made the entire situation clear to him “Stop beating around the bush and say it already.”
Someone else is who speaks. The tall woman starts not with words, however, but by spitting on Santos’ uniform “You fucking traitor” her voice is both fierce and cold at the same time. A very emotional coldness.
“There we go” he sighs “Just… Move on. We’re not getting anything out of this conversation”
“Why?” It was the venlil in the group that started this time “These people hate you, they hate you for what you are! Why do you work for them?!”
Santos rubs his eyes and sighs “Because someone has to. Change only happens when you make it happen, simple as that”
“Change?!” another one of the humans howls “Do you think those people can change?! You know the truth, those fuckers have never done anything good!”
“You know, if you had read your history books…” Santos stares at the one who had just had their outburst “You’d remember that we once thought the very same about the police” there’s the sound of glass breaking, but he doesn’t reaction “And a lot of us still do”
The human staring him down shifts their gaze slightly at the broken window of the precinct, then back at Santos “A broken window is easy to fix” he shrugs “As I was saying. Same shit.” he crosses his arms again “There’s a role those people play, a role that needs to be played because it’s important. Different name, different problems, still the same shit. Gotta fix this, I’m doing my part” he then stares at the venlil in the group “You do yours. Simple as that.”
“Role?!” the venlil of the group steps closer “What role could they possibly have?! They only exist to hurt people!”
Santos steps back, and raises his eyes a little bit. Of course, the classics had shown themselves in this instance. With as many humans as there are in the crowd there were now quite a few objects in the air, most clearly aimed at the precinct behind him. Though given the failed arc of some of them it was clearly not just the humans indulging in such a tried and true method.
“I used to be a wildlife preserve ranger” Santos then focuses his gaze on the aggravated venlil “This is a frontier town, if you walk in the brushes with shorts you’ll walk out with your ankles numb. The athai out there are rather harmless, but they keep the sunspecks under control.” He takes another step back “Since coming here I’ve been pest control, had to catch an exotic animal set loose, investigated a murder, helped stop a child from taking her own life, stopped large scale fights, helped a dozen people avoid being arrested for self defense and helped break a fucking siege”
Santos cracks his knuckles “There’s roles. Jobs that need done and there is one fucking organization doing it all. That is a problem.” Then, he sighs and takes a few more steps to the side, offering indifference from this point on “There’s nothing I can say that would make you calm down.” he says one final time “Just make sure not to injure yourselves in the process, alright?” His words seemed to be enough to make the small group cease trying to interact, as the convoy had begun moving again. Though the one human who had called him a traitor gets one final parting shot at the precinct “Where the hell did you get an egg in this planet…” Santos says with a raised eyebrow as the projectile impacts the front door.
Keya stands by a large sign, the same one that welcomes you into Blackriver on one side and sees you out at the other, the official limit of the town. Her arms behind her back, her attention directly towards the front of the convoy as they march. Something gains the whole of her attention, the car in the front. Someone draws her focus, a human with a megaphone on top of the car. The man shouts words of encouragement at the people behind him with the megaphone before turning to his holopad, then he bends over downwards to discuss something with the driver.
She simply remains there, waiting for the convoy to pass. But instead of moving on out of the city, here the convoy stops completely. Keya observes as the further end of the convoy starts to slowly compact upon itself, and her ears pick up something “Alright everyone, start getting ready, next town over is more than a claw away, make sure you’ve left nothing behind” the words were not meant for her, nor for anyone too far. They come from the same man she had seen standing on top of the car, but he had now climbed down and was talking with a group of multiple species.
It is clear they have some degree of leadership, though the convoy does not stop cleanly nor does it begin to organize with alacrity they do respond to the group’s organization. So Keya keeps her focus on them as they point, wave and talk between themselves, others and devices. But at least one of them has noticed her attention, a gangly and light-skinned human with fire-red hair, the man that was atop the car. He starts walking in her direction, before turning around for one final set of commands as he walks backwards “And make sure the guys at the back got all the crap! We’re here to be heard, not to trash the city!” he says before turning back again to head towards her. A venlil with pure white fur erupts from inside the car he was riding, quickly dashing to his side as they notice where he was going.
In a few moments both have come up to her, the human looking down at her with the venlil bristles at his side “Saw anything interesting, fireman?”
“What are you doing here?”
“What? Isn’t it obvious?!” it was the venlil that roared a response “You saw all of it! You know what they’ve done to us! What they’ve done to everyone! And you still work for those brahking monsters! It’s like you’re thankful they made you a cripple!”
The human puts a hand on the venlil’s shoulder, calming her demeanor just a little bit “We’re here because honestly, we’re all too tired of being fucking ignored is what. So what the fuck are you gonna do?!”
“I have put the wrong emphasis” Keya says with her lack of tone. She can see the human shiver just a little bit “My task is to ensure the safety of this town. Your convoy is a danger. We have eight field-capable officers, we cannot ensure the safety of the residents against a group like yours. People will take actions for reasons, you have broadcast your reasons clearly. You have chosen this place for a reason which I cannot ascertain.”
She makes sure her ears are trained towards both the human and the venlil, an action which causes the venlil to cower behind her partner “We do not house government agencies. This is a farming town of little note. The local precinct is a simple precinct, we have no regulatory or command authority. The town population is approximately double that of the number of your convoy. We have no individuals of appreciable social or political reach. There is nothing in Blackriver of interest to people attempting to change government policy, nor have there been actions taken here that I can identify as being cause for retaliatory actions within the context of your message.”
“I must ensure this does not happen again and the only way of doing so is minimizing our attractivity as targets. A logical assumption of your choice of quarry would be a town with the presence of politicians, a large city with constant news coverage, cities housing important government agencies or those containing the Regional Firebases”
“So I ask again. What are you doing here?”
The two remain silent for a few seconds, before the human turns around with a mouth noise “Whatever, I don’t need to explain myself to someone that won’t listen. Come on!” he starts to stalk back towards the car, but stops once he notices his venlil companion wasn’t moving.
The snow-white venlil has their focus on Keya, who offers a simple low forward swipe of her tail, a sign to proceed. Still, the venlil seems frozen in place until the human comes back and grabs hold of their paw with a gentle touch. At which point both finally return to the convoy.
Keya remains at the side of the road, watching as the convoy readies itself again to leave. People get back inside cars, they hop on the back of trucks and load themselves into buses. She continues to watch as the convoy takes its time riding out, making their way out of the town.
Once it is finally gone, multiple footsteps sound behind her. When she turns around she meets her officers, having returned from their assigned positions “They have left. I expect your reports of what happened in each sector by the end of your shifts” she states plainly, before looking at Santos “They did not appear to have a specific reason for targeting Blackriver.” The question remains unspoken.
The human officer just shrugs “Sometimes, you don’t know what you’re doing. We’re just a little town, I doubt they even know what exactly they’re angry about.” He looks at the tail end of the convoy as it leaves “Town was probably just a place they felt safe going to.”
“D-do you think we might get more like that” Lunek says, at the back of the group.
“Who knows…” Santos sighs “But if human history applies anywhere here… This is just a sign of worse things to come”
[ [FIRST] [NEXT>]
And thus the omen passes by. Feelings, emotions of all sorts, without a plan or a reason other than just their own rage and distress.
Did any of these even know what they were doing? And how much worse can it be when they do?

Please help this is literally my final
Question 1 In row-major two-dimensional lists, when accessing an element, the __________ is always listed first. Group of answer choices
column
length
dimension
row
Flag question: Question 2 Question 2 1 pts For questions 2 and 3, consider the following two-dimensional list:
12
37
29
52
43
62
48
23
71
22
83
93
What is the element at [2][3]?
Group of answer choices
93
12
22
48
Flag question: Question 3 Question 3 1 pts What is the element at [2][2]? Group of answer choices
83
12
62
52
Flag question: Question 4 Question 4 1 pts Which of the following is true about lists? Group of answer choices
The first number when accessing a two-dimensional list gives the column number
Lists can only be one-dimensional
Elements refer to the locations of a piece of data in the list
Indexes refer to the locations of a piece of data in the list
Flag question: Question 5 Question 5 1 pts What does it mean for a list to be column-major? Group of answer choices
The elements first refer to the column and then the row
All data is stored in columns
The list has a maximum of one row
The indexes first refer to the column and then the row
Flag question: Question 6 Question 6 1 pts Which of the following lines of code correctly create a two-dimensional list? Group of answer choices
stuff = [3, 4, 5], [6, 3, 1]
stuff = [[3, 4, 5],[6, 3, 1]]
stuff = [3, 4, 5] + [6, 3, 1]
stuff = [3, 4, 5][6, 3, 1]
Flag question: Question 7 Question 7 1 pts Consider the following code:
grid = []
row = []
row.append(1)
row.append(3)
row.append(7)
grid.append(row)
grid.append(row) What are the dimensions of grid (row x column)?
Group of answer choices
2 x 1
3 x 2
1 x 3
2 x 3
Flag question: Question 8 Question 8 1 pts Consider the following code:
temp = []
temp.append([53, 12, 24, 86, 23])
temp.append([33, 77, 47, 58, 43])
temp.append([73, 42, 15, 82, 32])
print(temp[2][1]) What is output by the code?
Group of answer choices
33
12
47
42
Flag question: Question 9 Question 9 1 pts Consider the following code:
list = [[1,5,3], [4,9,7]]
list.append([2,7,9]) How many rows does the two-dimensional list now contain?
Group of answer choices
4
2
1
3
Flag question: Question 10 Question 10 1 pts Consider the following code:
grid = []
grid.append (["emu", "hedgehog", "cat"])
grid.append (["fish", "frog", "dog"])
grid.append (["rooster", "iguana", "llama"])
print(grid[0][1]) What is output by the code?
Group of answer choices
fish
hedgehog
emu
frog
Flag question: Question 11 Question 11 1 pts Which of the following statements are true? Group of answer choices
Numerical calculations can be performed using a single for loop on two-dimensional lists
Two-dimensional lists have to store the same type of element across each column
Numerical calculations on two-dimensional lists require two for loops
Two-dimensional lists have to store the same type of element across each row
Flag question: Question 12 Question 12 1 pts Consider the following code that stores values in a 5 x 3 list called grid:
grid = []
grid.append (["frog", "cat", "hedgehog"])
grid.append (["fish", "emu", "rooster"])
grid.append (["dog", "bird", "rabbit"])
grid.append (["deer", "chipmunk", "opossum"])
grid.append (["fox", "coyote", "wolf"])
for r in range (len(grid)):
for c in range (len(grid[0])):

grid[r][c] = r + c 

After this code is run, what values does the list grid hold?
Group of answer choices
0 1 2
1 2 3
2 3 4
3 4 5
4 5 6
0 0 0
0 1 2
0 2 4
0 3 6
0 4 8
0 0 0
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
4 4 4
1 2 3
2 3 4
3 4 5
4 5 6
5 6 7
Flag question: Question 13 Question 13 1 pts Which method would correctly swap two rows of a two-dimensional list? Group of answer choices
def swapRows (grid, a, b):

 if(a >= 0 and a < len(grid)): if(b >= 0 and b < len(grid)): grid[a] = grid[b] grid[b] = grid[a] 

def swapRows (grid, a, b):

 if(a >= 0 and a < len(grid[0])): if(b >= 0 and b < len(grid[0])): temp = grid[a] grid[a] = grid[b] grid[b] = temp 

def swapRows (grid, a, b):

 if(a >= 0 and a < len(grid)): if(b >= 0 and b < len(grid)): temp = grid[a] grid[a] = grid[b] grid[b] = temp 

def swapRows (grid, a, b):

 if(a >= 0 and a < len(grid[0])): if(b >= 0 and b < len(grid[0])): grid[a] = grid[b] grid[b] = grid[a] 

Flag question: Question 14 Question 14 1 pts Which of the following loops would change the list grid to the following values? Assume that grid is already a 2D list with 4 rows and 3 columns.
0 2 4
6 8 10
12 14 16
18 20 22
Group of answer choices
f = 0
for r in range(len(grid)):
for c in range(len(grid[0])):
grid[r][c] = f * 2
f = f + 1
f = 0
for r in range(len(grid)):
for c in range(len(grid[0])):
f = f + 1
grid[r][c] = f * 2
f = 0
for r in range(len(grid)):
for c in range (len(grid[0])):
grid[r][c] = f
f = f + 1
for r in range(len(grid)):
for c in range(len(grid[0])):
grid[r][c] = r + c
Flag question: Question 15 Question 15 1 pts Which of the following loops would change the list grid to the following values? Assume that grid is already a 2D list with 4 rows and 3 columns.
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
4 4 4
Group of answer choices
for r in range(len(grid)):
for c in range (len(grid[0])):
grid[r][c] = r + c
for r in range(len(grid)):
for c in range(len(grid[0])):
grid[r][c] = c + 1
for r in range(len(grid)):
for c in range(len(grid[0])):
grid[r][c] = r + 1
for r in range(len(grid)):
for c in range(len(grid[0])):
grid[r][c] = r
Flag question: Question 16 Question 16 1 pts Consider the following two-dimensional list:
72 57 97 63 85
84 42 90 61 88
98 43 54 86 55
Which loop correctly adds up the values in the third column (beginning with 97)?
Group of answer choices
sum = 0
for i in range(len(a)):
sum = sum + a[i][2]
sum = 0
for i in range(len(a)):
sum = sum + a[3][i]
sum = 0
for i in range(len(a)):
sum = sum + a[i][3]
sum = 0
for i in range(len(a)):
sum = sum + a[2][i]
Flag question: Question 17 Question 17 1 pts Which of the following loops would correctly initialize a 13 x 15 two-dimensional list to random 2-digit numbers? You can assume the list vals has been declared and random has been imported. Group of answer choices
for r in range(15):
vals.append([])
for c in range(13):
vals[r][c] = random.randint(10,99)
for r in range(13):
vals.append([])
for c in range(15):
vals[r][c] = random.randint(10,99)
for r in range(13):

vals.append([]) for c in range(15): vals[r].append(random.randint(10,99)) 

for r in range(15):
vals.append([])
for c in range(13):
vals[r].append(random.randint(10,99))
Flag question: Question 18 Question 18 1 pts Consider the two-dimensional list below:
7 9 8
3 2 1
6 5 4
Which position is the number 5 located at?
Flag question: Question 19 Question 19 1 pts Consider the following code:
grid = []
grid.append([])
grid[0].append(9)
grid[0].append(7)
grid.append([])
grid[1].append(5)
grid[1].append(3)
grid.append([])
grid[2].append(2)
grid[2].append(8)
grid.append([])
grid[3].append(1)
grid[3].append(3) How many rows and columns does this list have?
Group of answer choices
4 rows and 2 columns
2 rows and 4 columns
4 rows and 4 columns
2 rows and 2 columns
Flag question: Question 20 Question 20 1 pts What type of variable is available to all methods in a program? Group of answer choices
global
temp
universal
local

[First] [Previous] [Next]
When I wake up the next day, my head is swirling with questions. As I get up from my bed and go to clean myself, I can’t help but question everything! Did last night actually happen? I am pretty sure it did, but it all felt so bizarre… and wonderful! There’s a planetarium in the city, and it is magical in the most literal sense of the word! There are books on magic there, too! So I can probably start studying and learning more next time I visit!

Speaking of books… I have something to check there, don’t I?

As soon as I am out of the bathroom I go to the living room to get my pills and then, I start passing the pages of Humiko’s book. As I reach the ‘Epilogue’ section, I confirm to my horror that the words have completely disappeared.

In a panic, fearing the worst, I check my notes… oh, good, those were still here.

“What, were you fearing they would simply disappear too? Idiot.”

“Hey, with magic we really know nothing. It could have happened!”

I do feel a little silly but, yeah. For all we know, it could have happened. The point is that it didn’t!

Breathing way easier now, I sit down on one of the couches and sigh. Picking up my phone, I can confirm that it's Friday and it’s already eleven past noon. I guess this time I am justified in sleeping so much? But at the same time, I can’t help but feel a little guilty.

“Because you’re being lazy, even with your free time.”

With another deep sigh, I try to ignore the voices and just look straight up at the ceiling, tapping my chin for a moment.

How do we proceed from here?

Pelafina said I shouldn’t visit the Elysium early, because it gets full of people. I wonder how true that is… actually, I wonder how true anything she said was.

“Since when are you this distrustful?”

I don’t know. I don’t even know why I lied to her in the first place, but I just felt that this phrase, the one long complete phrase I managed to translate, is far more important than I know. I can’t share it… I actually don’t want to share anything with this lady?

“She will probably send the Cloaks if you stop cooperating though.”

That much I know, and I hate it. She has all the control over the situation!

“There’s one thing she can’t control though. She has no idea about your internet activity now, does she?”

… Good point. I have to focus on that!

I actually have to get back to GalaxyTaco, too! See what he's been doing and all that!

“But before all that, breakfast.”

Ah, right. Almost forgot… although, wouldn’t it be better to just ask for lunch at this point?

“Fair.”

Yes! Time for a burger.

“They feel blander and blander every time you buy one. Why even bother?”

Because they are still delicious, and more importantly, they are cheap and fast!

I quickly order a special Bisontian burger, with extra cheese of course, and then sit back down at the table, connecting my computer to the TER and tapping away a message at GalaxyTaco, to let them know I am up. Then, I write down my discoveries in the file I’m keeping. I’ll transcribe them to the notepad later.

I am adding the symbols (which I’ve learned are called Runes after a visit to the Elysium), meanings and effects I’ve learned. I’ve also learned that I can create Glyphs, which are combinations of Runes to create different effects. I wonder if they are phrases in the language!

Speaking of. They don’t even know it’s a language, they just seem to assume the symbols have effects and that’s it! Maybe they use it, but they haven’t fully grasped the implications yet.

That feels surprisingly shallow though. Just how much knowledge do these people have of magic? Is magic a recent discovery?

Or is there something else keeping people ignorant…?

The burger arrives not too long after I am done writing. I eat it while ruminating on the subject a bit further. They are not idiots, are they? To me, the first thing that comes to my mind when seeing symbols if they are part of a bigger language or something like that. Then again, maybe the lack of translation dissuaded them from experimenting further?

Stuff is not fitting as nicely as I wish…

I am about to write a little more when suddenly, I am added to a group in my messenger service. GalaxyTaco is alive! But not only them! There’s two other people in the conversation too.

Panic ensues, at least for a moment.

“Okay. Just keep calm.” I tell to myself. “Take a deep breath… phew… and let’s do this.”

My fingers are preparing to write some quick and tasteless introduction, when suddenly someone beats me to the punch.

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: HIIIIIII!! ^0^!!

Oh no. A weeb, and a very strong one at that. I can feel her aura, her reiatsu, pushing down on me like a wave of augmented gravity. There are two chances here: I either get along real well with this person, or we hate each other on sight. There’s no middle ground among us.

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: don’t be shy! :3 we’re friends here, I swear!

Well they are being real nice at least. Could be worse, they could be souseiseki.

man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): yo, you there?

Who the hell are these people!? I assume they are friends of GalaxyTaco, right? I really want to be patient but, damn it, new people get me nervous so easily…

xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Hi there, hi! n.nUu sorry, this whole deal took me by surprise.
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: ohhhh it is fine! uwu gal-kun told us everything!
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: you must be so scared Dx I know I was when I got started!
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Well it has certainly been a journey, heheh n.n but I’ve managed.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: I found the Elysium last night so, at least there’s that!
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): good job, that’s a big advancement actually
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): next you gotta find the clinic, though
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: There’s a clinic too? O.o
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): yep. but we’ll explain all that later
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): i’m canny btw. cannedtea at the forum, remember me?

My face burns a little bit when remembering this guy. I wasn’t expecting to find him again so quickly.

“Gay.”

Shut up.

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: the name’s Aoi! ^0^/ UwU28 at the forum!
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: sorry I didn’t comment your topic, i am a bit shy xwxUu
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: It’s all fine, no worries n.n I’m Tav! But you two probably know that already
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): it bears repeating, girl. it bears repeating.
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: yeah! ^^/
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: alright I’m back! sorry I was seeing grandma to bed heheh

I sigh in relief, cleaning the sweat off my brow. Thanks saints, this was going to be a little too much for me to handle alone!

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: oh hey gal-kun ~
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: reading up I see you’re all introduced, good good!
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: now I just gotta introduce the plan to you Tav, so pay attention!
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: I’m ready! o.o
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: alright, so
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: to avoid 82’s wrath?
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: canny here will be your voucher.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: huh?
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: just put him in your profile and he’ll cover for you.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: And you’re okay with that, Canny? ;w; really!?
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): eyeup, don’t worry girl. I gotchu.
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: canny-kun and mort-sama covered for me when I just got in too :3 he’s the best!

For a moment I blink. Huh? Covered for Aoi? Does that mean they are also a Bastard Mage? What does that mean? Did they just find the link somewhere, too?

Questions for later, I guess.

xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Thank you so much Canny! ;w;
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): no prob bob
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): is it chill if I add you? you seem cool
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Ah, of course! :3 Add away! You too, Aoi-chan.
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: EEEEE! Arigatou!! ^w^ <3 <3
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: oh yeah that reminds me.
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: Aoi, ain’t you forgetting something?
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: ah right!!! Tavy! what are your pronouns? o.o!

What?

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: you put you’d rather not say your gender and that’s so cool! I wanna know what to call you though! uwu
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: if that’s okay of course ^.^
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: Aoi that is NOT what I meant damn it!
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): nono, she’s right.
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): sorry i kept callin you girl
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: not you too canny… focus!

I have never been asked that before… I mean, I have, by computers. But by people, it feels… odd.

I like it.

“You’re going to start with your delusions again?”

“They can identify as anything. Stop being so harsh!”

xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: … I think I will go with she/her.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Is that okay? n.n
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): girl, don’t ask US
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): ask yourself
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): not the mean voice of anxiety, not the shit your guardians told ya
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): are YOU okay with it?

I feel the words pierce my chest for a moment. I gasp for air, my eyes opening a little more.

“This is all just play pretend. Don’t take it so much to heart.”

Shut up.

“What!?”

I said shut up. This time, this is for me. I decide this.

“You little ungrateful asshole…”

I want this. This makes me feel good and I will seize it. And you can go kiss my ass, you hear me!?

“...”

xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: … Yeah. Yeah, I think I am okay with it n//n
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): atta girl
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): it’s chill to call you a girl right?
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Yeah yeah, I like it! n.n
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: yayayay Tavy-chan! :3
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: huh. that’s unexpectedly wholesome…
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: but let’s focus! Aoi! do you have the book?
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: right here boss! o.o7

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!! has sent you bastard_recipe_book.pdf
Accept?

Huh? A pdf? I hesitate for a moment but, hell, maybe it’s magic and magic can’t get viruses or something. I just click it.

ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: this is the rulebook for us Bastards, don’t tell nobody about it though OoO!
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: it’s a seecret~
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: A secret book… now that’s cool uwu
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): man, tav’s first secret
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): granny get the camera
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: lol
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: no but really, read it, study it well
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: it’s all vital.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: will do! I’ll print it and get to it right now
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: NO!
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: TAVY-CHAN WAIT
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): wait a sec tav
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Huh? O.o
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: don’t print that one!
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: yeah you can’t print magic books, it’s risky
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): the runes can activate and shit would go boom
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Oh, okay o.o
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Man I hate reading on the computer! ;w;
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: sorry tavy-chan ;w;!! but that’s the only way!
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: yeah… anyways, I gotta go to bed, real badly.
GalaxyTaco to your rescue!: I trust you got it from here right?
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Yep! n.n
ケンジー・イズ・マイ・ワイフ!!!: byeeee everyone!! uwu see you in dejima!
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): see you around

I sigh and slowly lean back on my chair. That was intense, way too intense… but I am smiling. Really, this is some proper progress! I finally have tools to work on my own! Maybe I can even translate some more after learning magic!

“Are you sure that’s all you’re happy about?~”

… Shut up. Don’t look too deep into the whole ‘pronoun’ thing.

I am opening the file I got when, suddenly, another message hits me.

It’s from Canny!

man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): hey tav
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): if you don’t wanna read it on computer you can get it physical.

Whuh?

man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): you said you found an elysium, was it in a library?
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Yeah! o.o
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): thought so
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): look through the mundane part of the library, specifically in the section where you get cooking recipes
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): see if you can find a cheap notebook that says ‘MAGIC’ in it.
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): open it, say ‘jantar mantar’ to it, and that’s your ticket.

My eyes light up. A secret book, hidden under the cloak’s noses like that? That’s perfect!

man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): the book’s written in draconic, which basically means only mages can read the real shit and you can’t destroy it
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Wait what? O.o Draconic? Are dragons a thing here?
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): not anymore they ain’t
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Aww :c
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Wait,I can’t destroy it? O.o No matter how much I try?
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): i mean, you can, but it won’t do nothin
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): don’t worry about it
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Ok! n.n but hey I don’t know Draconic D:!
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): don’t worry about it girlie
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Yay! n.n I will go get it then
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): get some other books too, in case you’re being tailed.
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): good luck tav
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Thank you Canny!
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Ah! I will be on my phone so don’t send me magic stuff for a while, okay?
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): gonna teach you the glyph for your phone later.
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Yipee!! n.n
xXxCallMeBigCookiexXx: Ah hell, sorry for that úwu
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): you’re fine girl
man don’t you lecture me with your $30 haircut 8): good luck.

I feel motivated, so motivated that I stand up immediately, close my computer, and finish my hamburger on the spot.

“Going out again!? Hah.”

I am running out of mean things to say, that’s a good sign.

“Don’t count on it.”

“You are doing great. Let’s go! The day’s young and we have notes to take!”

Yes! I don’t even notice the door in my way this time! I just go out and hop my way over to the elevator.

To the library! Again!

TL;DR Please keep a work journal. Use it to record your small “wins” at work. Use it to build your resume for when you need a raise, a promotion, or a new job.

What do Firefighters Do All Day?

When I was a kid, I loved Richard Scarry picture books. He drew human-like animals who lived in “Busytown” and who worked in typical places: bank, firehouse, bakery, and so on. Richard Scarry explained to young readers what firefighters did all day: they rescued cats from tall trees. When the baker burned a batch of pies, the firefighters came and put out the burning pies. The firefighters had a big truck full of hoses, and they spent a lot of time fussing over the truck, too.
https://preview.redd.it/fpn6eflbl81d1.jpg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f51b4cafb6766ad0b1a2baea4ec7357f9d58a85e
Children are not born knowing what a banker does, what a baker does, what a firefighter does. It’s both useful and lovely to explain basic job functions to children so they can understand how their town functions.
A lot of people, including job seekers on this subreddit, seem to think resumes are Richard Scarry books. People spend their resumes explaining what a baker does all day:

• rolled out dough for pies and bagels each morning
• sold doughnuts and muffins to customers; returned correct change
• turned off ovens and swept kitchen clean every night

WHAT? That’s only a resume if you were terrible at your job. I’m serious; if I saw those three bullet points on a baker’s resume, I would assume the baker in question had just been fired.

The Point of Resume Bullet Points

Imagine you’ve been a professional baker for two years. You’ve applied for a new job. You’ve made it through the dumb website questionnaires, the redundant forms. You made it past the algorithm or the robot that rejects half the applicants right away. You’ve got your resume in front of me, the person who can decide to interview you, the person who can decide to hire you.
And you’re using this time to tell me what a baker does?
Your resume is not a place to educate children about your core job functions. Your resume is a place to persuade a manager that you are good at your job! If I’m hiring a baker, chances are good-to-excellent that I already know what a baker does all day. I want to know if you are a good baker!

• reduced morning biscuit prep time by switching to corn oil; saved 18 minutes per day
• caramel doughnut recipe won 2nd place in Busytown’s Bake-Off 2021
• increased earnings 8% by moving tip jar to front of counter

Those are accomplishments. They show that you were good at your job. They show that you make improvements. They show that you measure things: How long was it taking you to make biscuits before? What did you change? How long did it take you to make biscuits after that change? Was the change your idea, or something your boss told you to try?
Now, maybe the tip jar example bothers you. Maybe that’s not about being a good baker, it’s more about being a greedy, self-interested employee. Guess what? As a hiring manager, I don’t care! I’m so impressed that you made a change and measured the impact of that change that I give you full points for that tip jar bullet point. Even if my bakery doesn’t use tip jars. Even if I’m hiring for a pastry chef position at a hotel, a role that doesn’t get tipped income. It’s the drive to measure, the habit of making small improvements at work, that’s what impresses me.

Lost Progress: My Doughnut Years

I worked at a doughnut shop right after college, years ago. It was not a happy time for me; I had a fancy degree, so I had expected to be doing more interesting things with my life than frosting doughnuts and pouring coffee for customers. But I’m a driven person. I improve things everywhere I go. I remember I impressed my boss one day when I came in with colorful printed signs I had made on my home ink-jet printer: “Chocolate Sprinkles,” “Raspberry Jelly,” “Lemon Creme.” We had been using hand-printed signs, Sharpie on cardboard, and these were a big improvement.
Our regular customers noticed the signs. I probably bragged about them or fished for compliments. That’s something 22-year-old me would have done. For sure the shop owner liked them. I remember the glossy paper I used made them easier to wipe clean, so we didn’t have to re-write the labels every few days.
I didn’t write any of this down in a journal. It all happened years ago; I barely remember it. But I should have been keeping a journal. If I had, then my resume would have featured bullet points such as:

• simplified regular ordering process by creating new signs …or
• standardized inventory display with colorful, uniform signage …or
• took initiative to re-do store signage; received 23 compliments from regular customers …or
• “Did you make those signs? They look amazing!” -Actual customer, responding to the labels I created on my home printer for the doughnut display area

Maybe some of those bullet points hit harder than others; I was young and it was a dumb job. But see how those bullet points say much more about what kind of baker I am than
“• rolled out dough for pies and bagels each morning” ?

How, When, and What to Journal at Work

If you have an amazing memory for tiny details, then maybe you don’t need to keep a journal. But most people should. Every month, or at least every quarter, sit down for twenty minutes and write down something that demonstrates you are good, skilled, dedicated, resourceful, whatever:

1. “Neela Roberts, a regular client, said last month ‘Dave, whenever you process my invoice, I know it’s going to be correct, I don’t even have to check!’ That made me feel good.”
2. “I caught a pricing typo on the quote sheet Business Development was preparing to send over to Acme Industrials. Maybe someone else would have caught it, but wow those Acme people are pushy about little details like that; I probably saved us $500, who knows?”
3. “I’m glad I persuaded Marla to upgrade the A/V system in the conference room. We always used to have clients ask us ‘what? say that again?’ in our conference calls. Since we installed the new mics and speakers, I can’t remember that happening.”
4. “Chris over in Receiving bought me a beer after work today, said he wanted to thank me for recommending Dale for the new loader position. Glad to hear Dale is working out so well over there.”

It's easy, in the glow of a big win at work, to think "I'll always remember this accomplishment. I'll always remember how I helped the team, the way this project came together, the nice things the boss said about our hard work. This is a memory I'll treasure."
And then Monday rolls around, and you're back to rolling out dough for the morning bagels. Unless you are a professional athlete, most days at work are not wins. Most days at work are not noteworthy. And the ho-hum of the every day can overwhelm your big and small accomplishments unless you make time to write them down regularly.

Why to Journal at Work

Even if you love your job, even if you are 10 years into a 20-year role with a guaranteed pension, a place you never intend to leave, you should still be doing this.
First, I don’t believe any job is guaranteed in this life.
Second, a list of improvements and accomplishments will help you get promotions and raises at your current job. Think of how much you’ll have to say at your annual review when you’ve been taking monthly notes on your significant contributions! It will help you defend yourself if you ever face cutbacks at work due to downturns and budget problems.
Third, journaling and measuring will make you a better worker! My whole mentality at work changed when i started measuring stuff. “Hey, I think we should reorganize the mailing room, because I think the workflow in there is just nuts. But you know what? Let’s note down how many packages we ship out each morning for the next three mornings, just to get a baseline. Then, when we make the changes I have in mind, we can see if things actually improve. Three more days with the old system won’t kill us, and it will let me measure my impact.”
Your work journal needs to be in a paper book or in a computer file you will retain access to even if you change jobs. We’ve all heard horror stories about layoffs at Zenith Techno where workers got an automated email at 5AM and lost all access to company files. Your work journal needs to be your property. Your career is more important than any one job!
If you work for the CIA or for a urologist, you might need to take some basic care to respect the privacy of clients and your employer. Maybe use fake names of patients. Don't put the secret recipe to your boss's famous caramel doughnuts on a server where doughnut hackers can get to it. But keep a journal! Do it!
Otherwise, this is all you’ve got to say for yourself at the end of the day:
“• turned off ovens and swept kitchen clean every night”

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I am looking for the love of my life. someone who will truly love me for who I am. someone who wants to work through our differences and issues together. someone values commitment, communication, adaptability, loyalty, and honesty as much as I do. someone who wants to put in as much effort as I do. someone I can love back just as much because when I love someone, I really love them.
I don't expect us to have all of the same interests and we should have some different ones so that we can learn from each other. what matters most to me is that we have similar core values and relationship goals. I do still have my preferences and those are:

• I don't do drugs or smoke.
• I don't drink alcohol. I would prefer if you didn't but it is not a deal breaker.
• I would like to have kids one day. I don't have any kids of my own yet and expect the same from you.
• I am not a pet person. I am also allergic to cats.
• I am not political at all.
• I am a christian and am looking for someone who shares the same faith.
• I am only looking inside of the USA but I would be willing to relocate anywhere in the country for the right person.
• I am looking for someone between the ages of 25-30.
• I am looking for a woman who is single and wants to get married one day.
• I would like to swap pictures sooner than later. my basic info is: 5'8", brown hair, white, about 150 lbs.
• I want to voice chat / video chat using discord at some point but we can start with text first.

for a brief overview of myself, I am a typical computer nerd that likes tech a lot. I like to learn about tech-related things such as programming and linux. I also like watching anime / movies / tv shows / youtube / playing video games / 3d printing / playing board games / making art such as vector art / 3d art / pixel art / drawings / paintings / hiking / bike riding / fishing / and snowboarding. I am mostly a homebody but I do a few things outside with other people from time to time.
If this post piqued your interest and you would like to get to know me better, then you should reach out. I am looking forward to meeting you.

I am looking for the love of my life. someone who will truly love me for who I am. someone who wants to work through our differences and issues together. someone values commitment, communication, adaptability, loyalty, and honesty as much as I do. someone who wants to put in as much effort as I do. someone I can love back just as much because when I love someone, I really love them.
I don't expect us to have all of the same interests and we should have some different ones so that we can learn from each other. what matters most to me is that we have similar core values and relationship goals. I do still have my preferences and those are:

• I don't do drugs or smoke.
• I don't drink alcohol. I would prefer if you didn't but it is not a deal breaker.
• I would like to have kids one day. I don't have any kids of my own yet and expect the same from you.
• I am not a pet person. I am also allergic to cats.
• I am not political at all.
• I am a christian and am looking for someone who shares the same faith.
• I am only looking inside of the USA but I would be willing to relocate anywhere in the country for the right person.
• I am looking for someone between the ages of 25-30.
• I am looking for a woman who is single and wants to get married one day.
• I would like to swap pictures sooner than later. my basic info is: 5'8", brown hair, white, about 150 lbs.
• I want to voice chat / video chat using discord at some point but we can start with text first.

for a brief overview of myself, I am a typical computer nerd that likes tech a lot. I like to learn about tech-related things such as programming and linux. I also like watching anime / movies / tv shows / youtube / playing video games / 3d printing / playing board games / making art such as vector art / 3d art / pixel art / drawings / paintings / hiking / bike riding / fishing / and snowboarding. I am mostly a homebody but I do a few things outside with other people from time to time.
If this post piqued your interest and you would like to get to know me better, then you should reach out. I am looking forward to meeting you.

Another variable color "purple" card. This one could be really powerful if you change its colors unexpectedly. Again, for those who haven't seen my other post, as you cast these types of spells, you would choose a color for each Purple symbol, and those symbols become the chosen colors for as long as the card is visible (tracks across zone changes). A card with Purple costs has only the abilities in segments of its text box that match its colors. These two rules are separated so colors can be changed later to add effects. These cards would definitely be printed with "colors matter" cards and color changing effects.
(Again, sorry mods for accidentally posting without an image)

5/15/24 co CEO Fortress announces closure of Fortress Mgt buyback from Softbank. Now Fortress is ready to roll at Novation Co NOVCQ a public company hidden by SEC Rule 15c2-11 with partners co investors Mass Mutual & sub Barings aka Babson Capital, Jefferies $JEF & White Mountain’s Capital $WTM & NOVCQ Board of Directors Barry Igdaloff’s Howard Amster & Whitney Tilson, Chuck Gillman, Jeffrey Eberwein, David Pointer, Tim Eriksen, Lee Keddie & Robert Pearse. These people are all connected and their 3 NOVCQ restructuring are all connected and advised by 3 third party professionals TPP Boulay Group, Olshan Law, Shapiro Sher. These TPP are no different then Sullivan Cromwell aiding the FTX scheme.
https://www.pionline.com/alternatives/fortress-mubadala-complete-acquisition-fortress-investment-group
World Leading Investors Fortress, EJF Capital aka FBR, MassMutual Barings, Jefferies, White Mountains Capital $WTM are about to create BILLIONS in Capital plus Hundreds of Millions in Cash Flow every year. This is how Whitney Tilson's pals Chuck Gillman, Jeff Eberwein and their co-investors siege control of Novation Companies $NOVC. Use SEC Rule 15C(2)-11 to drive share price down, while taking 16M or 10% of stock at pennies as partial board compensation. Equipped with 40M common shares of NOVCQ they are ready to make Billions plus Create $100Ms every year in cash flow in dividends/Mgt Fees. They have a world class roster of investors supporting them including; MassMutual Barings/Jefferies 40M and Fortress/EJF Capital 31.3M NOVCQ common shares (EJF formerly FBR is owned by White Mountains Capital $WTM). Fortress/EJF Capital also own $NOVCQ only Sr Debt to exit their 1st Ch 11 MD and was used in 2nd Ch 11 in DE filed 8/13/2024. Fortress/EJF invested a few thousand dollars in Off Balance Sheet entities Taberna Trups CDOs I & II/Kodiak CDO I, that hold NOVCQ only Sr Debt. After the 1st Ch 11 NOVCQ Board of Director Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster hands Fortress/EJF Capital 31M shares allocated by Board at zero basis. This proves NOVCQ Board of Directors was not independent from Sr Debt Holders Fortress/EJF Capital. Sr Debt was a ruse including its use in DE Ch 11. DE Ch 11 was carefully crafted to provide short sellers a way to take tax free gains. The Board with little cash invested holds control of this former NYSE MREIT Novastar Financial Inc. traded under MREIT NYSE Exemption $NFI now Novation $NOVCQ.
Per WSJ Wesley Edens of Fortress is the new MREIT Subprime KING after restructuring Mr. Cooper $COOP and OMF One Main aka LEAF AIG and Citi Bank Subprime CaPersonal Lending unit, and RITM/NRZ and Dynex Capital DX. Manny Friedman Founder of EJF Capital formerly FBR Friedman, Billings Ramsey, is regarded as a leading MREIT expert. They control Novation Companies Inc. NOVCQ thanks to $NOVCQ Board of Directors who they have a past relationship. They renamed Novastar Financial Inc. former traded NSYE as $NFI to Novation Companies, which owns MREIT Novastar Financial Inc., renamed Novastar Mortgage inside 2nd Ch 11 in DE. A new 8-Member Board is waiting in the wings with new name/symbol. I have been told they have big plans for NOVCQ only operating unit http://healthcare-staffing.com HCS which owns and conceals Medmasa http://medmasa.com
I believe they will merge HCS/Medmasa with Jeff Eberwein Hudson Global $HSON to create quarter billion tax free BPO public company. Jeffrey Eberwein is the former NOVCQ COB/CEO that managed 1st Ch 11 in MD with Shapiro Sher. Eberwein is now COB/CEO of Hudson Global $HSON. This merger will monetize NOVCQ $730M NOLs just like both CH 11 the 1st in Maryland, MD & 2nd or last in Delaware, DE. Both used Sr Debt as ruse to execute both Ch 11s which have gone to great length to save NOVCQ $730M NOLs. 2022 NOVCQ triggered SEC Rule 15c(2)-11 which allows NOVCQ to remain public but conceals who is buying NOVCQ as only Expert Investors can accumulate NOVCQ like Putnam Inv. Goldman Sachs, Blackrock & David Dreman of Dreman Value Mgt. and Thomas Akin Talkot Capital fund owns 1.9M common. This SEC Rule is postured as way for small public company to remain public and not have the cost burden of SEC filings. What it really does is stops Retail bid/ask and allows Expert Investors in the know to front run a public company before rolling out true reorganization plans.
They are ready to change Novation Co $NOVCQ name and brand so as to eliminate any reference to the prior board or brand. This is how they roll. I believe they will present the new name/symbol and 8-Member Board comprised of Fortress, EJF Capital aka FBR people once Fortress Management close Softbank SALE of Fortress (DONE See Top 5/15/24 Announcement) to them and Mubadala Investment Company ex Fortress executive Rajeev Misra. Whitney Tilson close small cap co-investors Chuck Gillman, Jeff Eberwein are at the center. I’ve been told they do nothing but sure things. Former George Soros Investments Portfolio Mgr. Jeff Eberwein Wharton MBA, is ready to take $NOVC http://medmasa.com conceal behind http://healthcare-staffing.com & $730M NOLs. This 8-Member Board connected to past Board Members Jeff Eberwein, Chuck Gillman, Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster I believe will merge Medmasa/HCS with Hudson Global $HSON (see Jefferey Eberwein Form 4s at $HSON & Form 4s filed at NOVCQ between April-Oct 2015 via his fund Lone Star Value Mgt.). Jeff Eberwein & his clan including Whitney Tilson/Chuck Gillman were introduced to the present day NOVCQ Board Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster. Wes Edens, Founder of Fortress hide their identity behind Off Balance Sheet OBE Entities Taberna Trups CDOs I and II and former FBR Friedman, Billings, Ramsey now called http://EJFCap.com also hide their identity behind OBE Kodiak CDO I.
Fortress/EJF own at the same time both the only Sr Debt to exit 1st Ch 11 MD and months afterward 31M NOVCQ common (9M NOVCQ common shares plus 22.250M Ten Year Warrants. There are co-conspirators with NOVCQ board of directors that own 40M NOVCQ Common & MassMutual & Jefferies own 40M NOVCQ common shares. Novation Companies Inc. $NOVCQ submerged shareholder plans and value under SEC Rule 15c(2)-11 to sub penny stock that can only be traded today by Expert Investors defined by this SEC Rule. Fortress/EJF Capital paid almost nothing for OBEs yet they have spent at least $2M cash in the last Ch 11 in DE. They have every reason to do something big.
I believe that something will be splitting NOVCQ into two tax free public companies worth BILLIONS plus Hundreds of Millions in annual cash flow in MREIT Dividends & Lucrative Mgt Fees just like Fortress did a LEAF/One Main OMF, Newcastle that is New Residential $NRZ now Rithm Capital $RITM and $GCI formerly New Media NEWM and New Senior $SNR sold for over $2B. $RITM aka $NRZ in 2019 10K documented that shareholders paid Fortress over $250M in Mgt Fees annually, plus dividends. Fortress terminated the NRZ/RITM Mgt Deal for cool $400M (simultaneously changing Name/Symbol to Rithm Capital $RITM). NOVCQ Dark Horse are their plans for NOVCQ only operating unit HCS aka Medmasa http://medmasa.com concealed by CH 11 in DE. Medmasa NOVCQ only operating unit is http://healthcare-staffing.com NOVCQ former MREIT NYSE $NFI now named Novastar Mortgage is the Board, EJF Capital and Fortress ticket to monetizing rights (see Exhibit 2.1 of Q3 2007 10Q Service Rights Transfer Agreement Sec 5.04 that defines these rights as Cleanup Call Rights CCR well know to these MREIT experts) that control billions of rich, seasoned collateral assets ideal to be leveraged and securitized into MREIT dividend & like RITM aka NRZ another external management fee for Fortress and/or EJF. Fortress/EJF Capital then FBR did this with NOVCQ Board Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster 2000-03 at Dynex Capital NYSE $DX. Ask Igdaloff helpers Thomas Akin former CEO/COB of DX he holds 1.9M of NOVCQ in his fund Talkot Capital. Thomas Bruce Akin sat on DX Board for years with NOVCQ Chairman Igdaloff. Igdaloff served 20 years on DX Board per DX 8K 9/3/2020.This is your chance to do what is right. ====================================== ALTERNATIVES
May 15, 2024 12:04 PM

Fortress, Mubadala complete acquisition of Fortress Investment Group

LYDIA TOMKIWERIN ARVEDLUND

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Drew McKnight and Joshua Pack
Fortress Investment Group, an alternatives manager, and Mubadala Investment Co., the investment arm of Abu Dhabi’s $276 billion sovereign wealth fund, completed their acquisition deal May 15, and as part of the close, Fortress management now owns a 32% equity interest.
Mubadala owns the remaining 68%. The acquisition, through Mubadala Capital, is for the 90.01% of Fortress equity that was held by SoftBank Group Corp., according to a news release. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

RELATED ARTICLE

Mubadala seeks co-investors for Fortress in effort to clear U.S. security review SoftBank-Fortress deal turns attention to future arrangements with private equity firms
Fortress’s sale of majority equity was approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States after concessions were made to let Fortress keep data and technology in the U.S., the Financial Times first reported last week.
Fortress, which had $48 billion in assets under management at the end of 2023, said it expects the new joint venture to help it further establish itself in credit and real estate in both public and private markets. Fortress pointed to Mubadala Capital’s global network to help expand client relationships.
“This is a true landmark event for Fortress, for our employees and for the clients we serve,” said Fortress co-CEOs Drew McKnight and Joshua Pack, adding, “We have strengthened alignments of interest, put significant management skin in the game, and deepened our long-term partnership with Mubadala, one of the world’s most highly regarded investors.”
As part of Fortress management now owning a 32% equity interest, its management is entitled to appointment of a majority of board seats. McKnight, Pack and managing partner Jack Neumark were the largest individual investors in the buyout and were joined by about 150 members of the firm.
Mubadala Capital’s CEO and managing director, Hani Barhoush, continues to serve on the Fortress board, a position he has held since 2019 when Mubadala initially invested.
Fortress will continue to operate as an independent investment manager under its own brand and with full autonomy over its investment process and personnel.

1. ALTERNATIVES

I know everyone feels like their pet is special, but I really believe my cat Jorge was the most special of all. Many people throughout our time together referred to him as magical, or a wizard, something other-worldly. He was loyal, extremely affectionate, and the right amount of silly. When we met it was a real "they choose you" situation. I feel like he flew into my life when I needed him the most. He helped me through the darkest times and made that happy times that much happier. He had been found as a stray and already had FIV when I adopted him. Because of this, I braced myself for what was probably going to be a shorter than average life. He would occasionally have issues with digestion, and had to have emergency surgery twice for intestinal blockages from partially digested hairballs. But over time, as I learned more and adjusted his food and routine, they became less frequent and less severe over time. So when he started to show signs of that again, I didn't worry too much. He wasn't eating hardly at all, but unlike the other times, he seemed like he was in good spirits and acting more or less normal. But when he wouldn't even eat his favorite treats and started to feel lethargic, I took him to the vet where they discovered advanced leukemia, likely caused by his FIV. There wasn't much they could do, but they gave him a steroid shot to perhaps help him gain some more time. I just wanted him to perk up one last time, so I could properly thank him for everything he did for me. But he never did, and the next day I made the call. We spent that day glued to each other. It pained me so much to see him in such pain and discomfort. He was barely consious. I made sure he was as comfortable as he could be next to me in bed. I even took him outside in the sunshine for a bit. The vet came at 3:30pm and he was gone shortly after.
Even though I had been mentally preparing for years for the end of his life, nothing could have truly prepared me for this. We were together for 11 years. It all happened so fast. From the time he started showing his illness to the time he was gone was only a matter of days. In this way, I feel like this was his final gift to me. He comforted me until the very end when he made it abundantly clear that it was his time to go. I didn't suffer any agonizing decision over his care, nor did I have to see him suffer for very long.
He left me about a month ago and I still cry every day. I felt like there wasn't much point in going on without my best friend. My life from here on out would just be worse no matter what, because he wouldn't be in it anymore. I'm still afraid that I will never feel as loved, nor will I ever love so much ever again. I'm equally afraid that I will love again, and that will cheapen his memory.
I built a shrine in the room where he died where I placed his ashes amongst all of his favorite things. I say hello to him every day, touching his paw print in clay and jingling his collar just to hear the bell. I also memorialized the spot outside where he spent some of his final moments.
I recently took in a foster cat, which has helped a bit. I still think of Jorge every day when I wake up, when he would have heard me moving and jumped into bed with me for some morning cuddles. But now that I'm not completely alone, those thoughts don't tear me up as much. With the help of intense therapy and medication, I try my best to remember him with happiness and gratitude. He was, after all, a magical creature not meant to stay on this plane of existence for very long. And yet he held on for over 11 years, probably because I needed him so desperately throughout that time.
He was with me through my most important moments. The one constant element through my tumultuous twenties. He was my best friend, side kick, and spirit guide. He was loved and admired by all. I will always remember him, and I will think of him and miss him every day. Some days it seems impossible to go on, but I will, so that all of his work was not in vain.

Hi everyone, looking for advice as I've found myself in an unusual situation and don't know what to do.
My cat has been missing from Carrigaline since the start of April. Since then, I've put up posters around my estate and joined Facebook to join and monitor missing or found cats. I have found nothing relating to my cat.......until Thursday night. I was on the Munster Lost & Found page and saw a cat that was being fostered that looked identical to my cat. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw the photo. I sent them a message asking them for more information and that I thought it was my cat. They dismissed me, saying that the cat they have is young and has been missing since March. My cat is 15 and tabby but looks sooo young for her age!
I asked them if I could arrange to view this cat or see more photos, but they have ignored me. I sent them photo's and videos of my cat, and still I've been ignored. It's not the outcome I would expect from an organisation like this. Wouldn't you want to reunite owners with their pets? I just want some peace of mind. Even if it's not her, shouldn't a meeting or more photos be arranged to confirm?
I have no idea where the cat that was pictured is. I just have one photo from their Facebook page. I actually cried on Friday night because it's not how I thought the day would go for me...
Can anyone advise me on how I should proceed?

Real-time trading alerts powered by AI can provide valuable insights and signals to help you make informed decisions in the fast-paced world of trading. In this post, we'll walk you through a step-by-step guide to setting up AI-driven trading alerts using free data and simple code examples.
Choose the right tools: To begin with, you need to select the right tools for AI-based real-time trading alerts. Some popular free and open-source tools are:

• Python: A versatile programming language with numerous libraries for data analysis, machine learning, and AI.
• Pandas: A library for data manipulation and analysis in Python.
• Scikit-learn: A library for machine learning and data mining in Python.

Obtain free real-time financial data: To set up real-time trading alerts, you need access to real-time financial data. Some free sources of real-time financial data include:

• Alpha Vantage (https://www.alphavantage.co): Offers a wide range of real-time and historical financial data through APIs.
• IEX Cloud (https://iexcloud.io): Provides access to real-time stock data and financial information.

1. Read and preprocess data: Use Pandas to read and preprocess the real-time financial data obtained from the APIs. For example, to fetch real-time stock prices from Alpha Vantage:

​

import pandas as pd import requests api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY" symbol = "MSFT" url = f"https://www.alphavantage.co/query?function=TIME_SERIES_INTRADAY&symbol={symbol}&interval=1min&apikey={api_key}" response = requests.get(url) data = response.json() prices = pd.DataFrame(data['Time Series (1min)']).T prices.head() 

Create trading indicators: To set up trading alerts, you need to create trading indicators that signal potential opportunities. Common trading indicators include:

• Simple Moving Average (SMA)
• Exponential Moving Average (EMA)
• Relative Strength Index (RSI)

For example, to calculate the 5-minute SMA using Python and Pandas:
​

prices['sma_5'] = prices['4. close'].rolling(window=5).mean() 

Develop an AI-based trading strategy: Once you have the trading indicators, you can develop an AI-based trading strategy. For example, you can create a simple moving average crossover strategy:
​

def generate_signals(prices): signals = [] for i in range(1, len(prices)): if prices['sma_5'][i] > prices['sma_20'][i] and prices['sma_5'][i - 1] <= prices['sma_20'][i - 1]: signals.append("Buy") elif prices['sma_5'][i] < prices['sma_20'][i] and prices['sma_5'][i - 1] >= prices['sma_20'][i - 1]: signals.append("Sell") else: signals.append("Hold") return signals prices['signal'] = generate_signals(prices) 

Set up real-time trading alerts: Now that you have the AI-based trading strategy, you can set up real-time trading alerts. To do this, you can monitor the real-time data and trigger alerts based on the strategy:
​

def check_alerts(prices, symbol): latest_signal = prices['signal'].iloc[-1] if latest_signal == "Buy": print(f"AI Alert: Buy {symbol}") elif latest_signal == "Sell": print 

After being disappointed with FDM printing, I've arrived at the conclusion that I need a resin printer. I want to start a business making figurines n such, so this seems like the best option. After some research, this is the shopping list I came up with.
https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Saturn-Printer-Mercury-Station/dp/B0CJ9H434W
Printer + wash and cure
$448.99
https://www.amazon.com/Mach5ive-Screen-Saver-Protector-Printers/dp/B09VMHJRBC?keywords=screen+protector+saturn+2&qid=1667883247&sr=8-5&linkCode=sl1&tag=asianjoyco-20&linkId=809acbd197c233730fbcad5bf5b877a7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Screen protectors
$23.88
https://www.amazon.com/Cafe-Plastic-Fast-Food-Black/dp/B008CORVLM?crid=YF8ISOFWGBN1&keywords=lunch%2Btray&qid=1667010459&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI1Ljg4IiwicXNhIjoiNS4yMSIsInFzcCI6IjQuNTYifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=lunch%2Btray%2B,aps,83&sr=8-5&th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=asianjoyco-20&linkId=02aab5d28743a56b64b3c03dde5b462e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Trays for curing prints
$10.88
https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Serving-Kitchen-Stainless-Appetizers/dp/B08JPP4Q4D?crid=QD6L2TVDUTY6&keywords=green+silicone+tong+red+silicone&qid=1666974866&sprefix=green+silicone+tong+red+silicone,aps,82&sr=8-3&linkCode=sl1&tag=asianjoyco-20&linkId=73ca9348be94a16c2e0919c3354641d4&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Tongs for handling curing prints
$7.87
https://www.amazon.com/KOYOFEI-Printer-Accessories-ELEGOO-9-1-10-1/dp/B09WYZ3WKB/ref=asc_df_B09WYZ3WKB/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693071814643&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14871771837610617783&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022771&hvtargid=pla-1657412366393&mcid=28ba5155192f312aa5c10d64ec4033d7&gad_source=1&th=1
Fep sheets
$22.99
https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-UV-Curing-Standard-Photopolymer-Printing/dp/B07P6W5L8P?crid=2FUB9T1ONRRCG&keywords=elegoo+resin&qid=1669079626&sprefix=elegoo+resin,aps,76&sr=8-5&linkCode=sl1&tag=asianjoyco-20&linkId=c2fed61439d882e9c894b1013231140a&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Resin
$20.89
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09X7FRS6D?th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=asianjoyco-20&linkId=12033382c54c6c2ae7d335f8fbfaad7b&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Undersink mat in case of spills
$19.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VRSCVVC?linkCode=sl1&tag=asianjoyco-20&linkId=787273cda2aba2743fc2a6c9adc55408&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&th=1
Enclosure-- i figure i can turn it on its side and fit the printer and washing/curing stations easily
$68.39
https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Inch-Inline-Ventilation-Ducting/dp/B08X7H1ZL4
Inline fan + ducting
$45.99
https://www.amazon.com/Broan-NuTone-465B-Expander-Ventilation-Compliant/dp/B0886JZ9MR?crid=SRL6HV4QUFB0&keywords=Broan-NuTone+465B+4%22+to+5%22+Duct&qid=1661396606&sprefix=broan-nutone+465b+4+to+5+duct,aps,59&sr=8-2&linkCode=sl1&tag=asianjoyco-20&linkId=ee106d03dfd1411df1bf9e0e54eb6052&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
4 to 5 inch duct adapter
$8.42
https://www.amazon.com/YoleShy-Portable-Conditioner-Adjustable-Universal/dp/B08SC4876H/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2IQLU3EEY38WP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tMF5v7bMqC3AVyJTsEayJIg7zxjkUSKwTTOWKlyUyAClijHx1EihoZZH6mRsUJXdCsXbt1pw04NHNtZLCeHijMzDGJ3z6iiPw_CHIPls8OA7_PckcD2vJ0BLnljvLZKE_cvOLp1kTUG0RYOv5FQOINqCYEydnHdQph-JjKJJwiWzxY9fPbihsDxFbSa7OV4fyW960PJtVheq-pU4AgGHvVctVAX9NAUg-p_hsFdKe1x-ypl_0yYgTEo47nR-UaGFQsY7CMQXlBm_FjjXs70TMIidG_PX9KY5ZsxTbBNMcZs.5EbrPrqdnDDvY_EnRuqDX4fIGfjvLgJjfjvdPo4Cyaw&dib_tag=se&keywords=ac%2Bwindow%2Badapter&qid=1716052782&sprefix=ac%2Bwindow%2Badapte%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-8&th=1
Window ac adapter
$18.99
I have prime, so with an roughly estimated tax of $100 my total comes to nearly $800 exactly. Woof. I also plan on grabbing some nitrile gloves and a box fan from the store. Is any of this overkill? Anything I'm missing? Anything I'm paying too much for that I could get cheaper? I currently live in a one-bedroom apartment with two cats, so making sure that there are as little fumes inside the apartment as possible is a must. Let me know what you think :> thx

umm hey guys this my first post so i ima kinda new sorry if this isn’t good but let me tell you the full story so basically around 7pm ish a cat was following me home and followed me into my house the cat was very well behaved and very affectionate aka rubbing against me i will put up some photos and videos, so i took it to the vet and it wasn’t chipped and made a post on the facebook page for my area and no one has replied so rn it is just sleeping with on my bed until morning so i can take it the pound or something

My boyfriend and I both recently (3 months ago) Adopted 3 kittens (7,8,8 Months) and since we got them I’ve allowed them on every surface except the kitchen counters. I just don’t want them on there for cleanliness reasons and even today we came home to white paw prints all over the counters from their litter I guess (which has never happened before). We got 3 because they were all bonded and we fell in love.
One of the cats, Kai (Male Tuxedo), is the one who goes on the counters all the time. He doesn’t do it crazy often if I’m around but when we’re not home, we see it on the camera all. the. time. I think he associates me with getting in trouble which is why he doesn’t do it around me. And I am also the only one who tries to keep them off the counters.
Since Kai does it all the time, our other cat, Mango (Male Orange) will follow along. But if Kai isn’t up there, Mango isn’t either. I think I’ve been going about this all wrong because I just feel so desperate all the time to get them off so I’ll get mad and I will throw them harder or pat their nose hard. I feel so guilty for this and I know it’s not the right way to go about it but idk what to do.
I’ve tried pans of water, shock mats, citrus (they love it ?), and tin foil. They’re too smart and they don’t care about any of it and will just avoid it. Please help

Long time lurker, first time poster. Please be gentle.

Race Information

* **Name:** Jim Thorpe
* **Date:** 4/28/24
* **Distance:** 26.2 miles
* **Location:** Jim Thorpe, PA
* **Website:** https://runjimthorpe.com/
* **Strava:** https://www.strava.com/activities/11284047461
* **Time:** 3:00:11

Goals

Goal Description Completed?
-------------------------------
A 2:56 *No*
B Sub 3 *No*
C 3:04 *Yes*

Splits

Mile Time
------------
1 6:51
2 6:44
3 6:29
4 6:41
5 6:49
6 6:48
7 6:46
8 6:42
9 6:42
10 6:38
11 6:44
12 6:38
13 6:48
14 6:44
15 6:42
16 6:44
17 6:42
18 6:38
19 6:41
20 6:44
21 6:45
22 6:50
23 6:57
24 7:16
25 7:43
26 7:50
27 6:50

Past Marathons / Training

31M. 4th marathon. First one was almost 10 years ago in Pittsburgh (3:18) during med school, so I'm positive it was poor training, as I just ran for stress relief. Ran York, PA in 2022 (3:07) using the Run with Hal app. Tried PGH again in 2023, and ended up imploding in the back 9 (3:21), while training with a coach through our local Fleet Feet running group.
Goal coming in was a BQ (or at least a chance to apply, whatever), which I knew as going to be a tall task, given the huge PR needed and lost confidence from my previous race. Only change I made in my training from 2023 to 2024 was to actually push through pain on long runs / hills and not walk as often. I did between 38 to 58 miles / week during my 18 week block, usually in the mid 40s. I also was lifting consistently for the first 10 weeks. I did not have any midseason 1/2s and my only race was a St. Patrick's Day 4-miler (23:57).
I felt like I got super lucky with a golden training season overall though - no injuries or missed work outs. Going into taper and then the race, my body (and race mentality) were both in the best place they've been.
easy runs - Hoka Mach 5 and Nike Invincible 3
threshold / speed - Brooks Hyperion Tempo
race day - New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 (second race in these).

Pre-race

Found out the week before the race that there would be no pacers for the the 3 hour group. This was a huge bummer for me, as I've found that I don't always have the mental stamina to keep focus for that long of time. I've always found running off of feel alone gets me in trouble very quickly.
Stayed in downtown Jim Thorpe for the race weekend. Very lovely town - just be aware, this is the end of the course, not the start. Also, if you have a dog that needs grass to go to the bathroom, don't stay in town (all gravel with very few public grassy places).
Previewed the first two miles of the course with my wife and dog the day before. This was extremely beneficial because I did not find the webstite to have explained the starting line very clearly. Could have just been me though.
Luckily, racers were very well organized and grouped themselves by pace (Facebook group a few days before the race), which great. Consensus was a 7:15 start time, which I didn't love, since I had to give up the train ride - but this was a small price to pay, and ended up being a blessing later on.

Race

Honestly, not a lot to talk about for most of the race. Start was a little odd - out mile and back on a narrow portion of the trail, but not bad. Wore a garmin forerunner 955, which locked onto the pace pretty good for about 11 miles. Used race screen and a pacing tattoo after that to try to counteract the loss of service after that. Ambiance was relaxing with a lot of shade, lot of river noise (I don't listen to music), lots of packed gravel. Topography pretty much matched the description, constant slight down hill with only noticeable uphill at beginning.
Felt great coming through the half (1/2 PR - 1:27:51) while taking Roctane gu every 35 min and water every 45 min.
Still felt good until about 22. Hit some loose gravel around then and started losing shade as the sun/heat really started bearing down. Felt pretty mentally defeated coming through mile 24 and was just trying to not walk. Started losing the group I was with at this point despite their encouragement and from the people passing me. Unfortunately, I forgot to take my last gu by this point and did not have any water available (felt like Roland Deschain chasing the Man in black across the Mohaine Desert). I stopped looking at any my watch after mile 25, because I knew if I saw I fell off of my B goal, I was going to have a tough time finding the motivation to keep running at all.
Was able to find a last burst after passing the mile 26 marker, but man, there was nothing left. Thought I was going to collapse afterwards. Luckily stopped my watch, but never looked at it.

Post-race / Next Up

Decent set up with tents for food, water, shirts, etc... Medals were pretty nice too. Revived a little bit with congratulations from my wife and family / friends and then made my way to the official timing tent. Guy that printed my time looked like he didn't actually want to give it to me when he saw the time first - I think he could tell what my reaction was going to be.
I think I went through all 5 stages of grief over the next 10 minutes.
Slowly changed out my shoes and walked back to the Muggles Mug coffee shop (highly recommend, even if you're not a Potter head). Eventually did wrap my head around the PR and am pretty proud of my time. But those 11 seconds are haunting.
What's next?
Took a few days off to decide what to do next. Ultimately, the goal is the Boston, but will be happy with a sub-3.
But more than anything, looking for advice from you all: input, critiques, tips (besides run faster, dont forget gu).
Key questions:
-Thoughts on back to back Marathons to hit sub-3? Might try to sign up for presque isle and wine glass this fall, but not sure how feasible it is physically.
-Can I tell myself that I finally ran a sub-3 since every course is a little long based on USATF certification requirements? (this is purely for my ego, I know. Garmin did tell me 2:59:02)
Thanks in advance for any input and for reading!

The episode faded back in to a shot of the Gaffers' platform being raised up to the roof by Scott, Ripper, and Chase as MK watched and Izzy walked over, wiping slime off herself.
"Uh, not to sound lazy," Scott said as he left the chain, "but I'm not feeling so good."
"You probably just have a cold," Izzy told him.
"Since when do colds have sores like this?" Scott followed up as he lifted his right arm and pointed to a round, reddish-brown spot on his elbow.
Izzy looked at him attentively and put her hand on his forehead. "Your body temperature is high, but it's possible that-" she was interrupted by a sudden burp from her teammate that caused her to cringe and take a step back. "Why does your breath smell like lemons?"
"Are you trashing my burps?" Scott asked in confusion.
"Hold on," Justin interrupted as the camera cut to him. "Red sores, fever, lemony burps? Aren't those symptoms of one of the diseases in the book?"
"Page 753," Millie exclaimed. "Mortatistical Crumples Disease!" She gasped. "And it's fatal!"
Everyone gasped. "Mortatistical Crumples is also highly contagious!" MK added, eliciting another gasp from most of the cast.
"Okay, looks like it's quarantine time!" Chris said, backing towards the door with barely-hidden panic. "See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!" He gave them a quick wave, then dashed out the double door between the two vats. Both teams went over to it with shock on their faces as the sounds of power tools were heard on the other side.
The camera cut to Chris as he pounded a nail in with a hammer. It was one of many holding up a red banner with an orange skull-and-crossbones on it, set over several long pieces of wood that had been nailed up to bar the exit. "There's more to this disease than either team knows," he told the camera with an impish grin before walking away with a dark chuckle.
Another shot of the numbered studios was shown. "Hold on," Anne Maria spoke up as the shot cut back to the ten castmates in the challenge set. "How did Dirt Boy catch a fatal disease?"
“I'm sure it's just a twenty-four hour kind of fatal,” Scott hoped.
"We have to quarantine Scott! Stat!" Izzy said in a panic.
The camera showed Ripper furiously inflating a plastic bubble with a bicycle pump; the bubble had a yellow-and-black biohazard symbol on it. "Get inside now!" the bully shouted before Scott threw himself head-first into the bubble.
"Oh no!" Jasmine cried. "Brick has a sore too!" She pointed at the soldier boy's upper left arm, who took one look at the sore and began to wave his arm in a panic.
"It has to be a mistake!" Brick exclaimed.
"Hey!" Scott exclaimed from inside his bubble, another one getting inflated nearby. "Is there an exit to this thing?"
"There isn't one!" Ripper shouted as he continued to pump and Brick got into his bubble.
"Why didn't anyone tell me that before I jumped in?!" Scott griped.
“Okay, everyone just calm down!" Chase said.
"Agreed," Jasmine spoke up sternly. "We should make sure no one else is infected. Symptoms of Mortotistico Crumple's Disease include explosive diarrhea..."
"Oh no!" The camera cut to Chase as his bowels began to groan and he ran into a nearby portable toilet with a panicked look on his face.
"Itchy lips," Jasmine continued as the shot cut to Justin, who suddenly bit his lip.
"My… my lips," he moaned. "They're on fire!" He began to frantically rub and scratch at them, leaving them swollen and red.
"Sudden hot flashes," Jasmine listed off as MK began to sweat profusely and tug at her jacket. "Sea sickness," Ripper turned green and vomited. "Speaking in tongues," Izzy was the next to be affected as she babbled incoherently and indistinguishably with her eyes rolling upwards, which continued even as Jasmine listed the final symptom, "and temporary blindness."
"Everyone can see, right?" Jasmine asked as she checked over the castmates’ current states. "That's good to know," she said in relief before walking forward and bumping straight into Brick's bubble. "Oh no," she said in newfound panic. "I'm the one who's blind!"
Confessional: Anne Maria
"I know this is a reality show," Anne Maria told the confessional camera in a serious tone, "but I doubt that Chris would allow us to actually die on national television!"
Confessional Ends
The scene cut to Chris himself watching from his control room, leaning back in his chair with his legs propped up on the desk in front of him. "You'd think we wouldn't," he told the camera, "but, just imagine the ratings!"
Back in the quarantined set, the camera panned across the room to show that everyone except for Anne Maria, Millie, and the bubbled Brick and Scott were now laying on top of stretchers, groaning and moaning.
“This is super bad,” Millie said. “We have to do something.”
“Do you mean taking their temperatures, because we only have rectal thermometers, and I'm not in the mood to joke around with them,” Anne Maria responded.
“I wasn't even thinking about that at all,” Millie stated. “Joking with diseases is not funny at all.”
“Obviously, but have you noticed we're the only ones who didn't take part in the studying all-nighter, and we're the only ones who haven't been infected?” Anne Maria asked while looking over everybody.
“I'm not so sure about this supposed disease,” Millie mused. “We need to get our hands on one of those textbooks. There has to be something they missed.”
“I’d do it if Chris didn’t seal off the only exit,” Anne Maria argued.
"There’s another exit over there," Millie pointed to the Grips' platform, which was now sitting on the floor empty of body parts. The chain still led up to a hole in the ceiling where the reel was situated.
"Oh yeah. How in the world did I not notice that?" Anne Maria droned sarcastically before the two made a dash for the platform.
"I still haven’t forgotten you pushing me off the diving board a few days ago, so don’t think I’m scared of pulling the platform as high as possible," Millie informed as they stepped onto the platform and pulled down on the chain, making them ascend.
The footage flashed forward to the outside of the studio as the two girls jumped down from a ladder on the wall of the building. “You grab a textbook, I'll look in the kitchen,” Millie instructed before they split off in opposite directions.
Confessional: Millie
"I really hope that the disease is fake," Millie explained in the make-up trailer. "There were some diagnoses and symptoms in the textbook that I've never heard of before, but I've studied a lot about diseases to be familiar with a selective few."
Confessional Ends
Back inside, Scott was shown to be rolling around in his bubble. "How long has it been since I got in this bubble?" he groaned.
"I don't want to hold onto my bladder for more than an hour!" Brick cried while covering his groin with both hands.
"My lips," Justin groaned on his stretcher. "Of all places, why my lips?"
"I'd kiss them to make you feel better, but I'm not a princess and you are not a frog," MK said, sitting up on the stretcher next to him; Jasmine and Chase were visible in a row behind them. "And even then, I am not an animal kisser."
Ripper was sitting against one of the walls, writing something on a piece of paper with a bucket of vomit next to him. “To my parents; don't let my brothers keep the money I've taken from weaklings in the past.” He paused to throw up into his bucket before writing again. “To my brothers; don't even think about stealing my stash from me, especially you, Wolfgang! From your best son, Richard Kennedy.”
The double doors between the vats were thrown open by Millie and Anne Maria. The camera pulled out as the other cast members moaned, and the two young women stepped into the room – the Jersey girl holding a textbook, and the author with some kind of canister.
"Who's there?" Jasmine asked.
"Simmer down, everyone," Anne Maria said. "We're just here to expose the truth about these textbooks, which are actually bogus." She held the book she'd brought up, and easily tore the cover off it. "The book covers are just cereal boxes." Her bowels started to growl, and with a panicked look, she dropped the book and ran towards the portable toilet. "I'll be right back!"
"It can be a crock," Jasmine sat up on her stretcher. "Nobody's faking the sickness!"
“No, but it's still untrue,” Millie interjected. “I just went to Chef's kitchen, and I found this "cheese". The camera focused in on the canister in her hand as she held it up, showing that it had an image of a cheese wedge on the label.
"Uh, what is in that parmesan?" Brick wondered innocently.
"It is not cheese, but it is," Millie tore off the label to reveal a second beneath it with an image of scratching hands on it, "itching powder and laxatives!"
"Chef!" Brick muttered under his breath. "Why did he not inform me?"
It was then that Anne Maria burst back out of the portable toilet followed by a cloud of foul odor. "That explains the diarrhea and itchy lips."
"And I didn't get sick since I'm the only one who didn't eat the pizza," Millie added.
"What about the sores on Brick and Scott?" Chase asked.
"As for those," Millie laughed lightly, walking over to her quarantined teammate. "They're just pepperoni pieces that got stuck on you when you likely fell asleep."
Brick reached over to touch his sore, and it peeled off easily. "She's right!"
Scott also touched his own sore and it also peeled off quickly. "I was suckered! Now can somebody let me out of here now?"
"So wait," MK spoke up, "the disease is fake?"
Jasmine was the first to react, sitting up and blinking. "By golly. I'm not blind anymore!"
"And I can talk normally!" Izzy cheered.
"And I'm not gonna throw up anymore!" Ripper added. "We've been cured!"
"Could I be let out now?!" Brick pleaded. "I have some urgent business to take care of!"
"I'm comin’," Anne Maria rushed over to the bubble and simply popped it with her fingernail. Both of them winced as the bubble burst, and Brick immediately rushed over to the portable toilet.
"And don't forget about me as well!" Scott spoke up, rolling his bubble into the middle of the room.
Izzy took out a pin, popping her teammate's bubble. “This was all first year med school syndrome!” she said. “Too much studying and too little sleep can make you think you've got every disease in the book!”
"Congratulations, Killer Grips!" the voice of Chris McLean came suddenly, the camera pulling out to show the host descending from the ceiling on another chain. "You just won the challenge!"
The five Grips began to cheer and celebrate. "Brilliant diagnostic skills, Anne Maria and Millie. Way to suss it out. And, for your reward," Chris continued, frowning and looking down at his empty hands. "Knew I forgot something. Just a sec!" he said before stepping back onto the chain's foothold and raising back out of the room.
Confessional: Anne Maria
"This challenge was certainly… something," Anne Maria confessed. "I can't believe that I had to play the role of doctor just to tell everybody about the so-called disease being a lie. Who knew tainted pizza could make you have hot flashes and sea sickness?”
Confessional Ends
"One thing's for sure. I'm double checking my food from now on if I want to prevent temporary blindness or having to speak in tongues," Jasmine told the Grips as the footage cut back to them.
“Once again, the pizza was too good to be true,” Brick commented. “You made a good call not eating any slices, Millie.”
“I had no idea that there were laxatives put onto it,” Millie claimed. “If I wasn't so invested with the book, I'd probably eat the pizza and fall victim to the sickness just like you guys.”
It was then that Chris returned, descending down on the same chain as before but now carrying a covered platter. "As I was saying," he said as he walked towards the Grips, "for your reward!"
He removed the cover and the camera zoomed in on what lay beneath – five picture frames, three in back and two in front, each containing a photograph of a different person. The first on the left was a light purple cat. The second was a confident-looking Hawaiian woman with black long hair wearing a yellow tracksuit and red hoop earrings. In the middle was a teenage girl, pale with brown hair tied in a bun and a beige tank top. Fourth was a smiling white man; he had no hair, had golden dog tags around his neck, and was dressed in a dark green military outfit. And on the right end was an elderly black man with white curly hair, a white mustache covering his mouth, and a dark orange collared long-sleeved shirt.
"That's my cat Whiskers!" Jasmine said excitedly as the shot panned across the photos.
"And that's one of my girlfriends Vanessa," Anne Maria declared.
"Yup!" Chris told them. "One of you gets a whole spa night away from this cruddy studio lot, with your very best friend! So, who's the lucky stiff?"
“I'd kill for a spa day, even if it's with my mom, so how about letting me have it?” Justin smiled widely at his team.
“I have some things I want to talk about with my father,” Brick suggested.
“Now wait just a minute…” Jasmine interrupted as she, Brick, and Justin started to argue over who should get the prize.
“Can all of you shut up!!” Anne Maria ceased the fight, causing everyone to look at her. “As much as I would love to be away from this trashy film lot, I say we should let Millie have the reward.”
"Wait, me?" Millie asked in astonishment. “How come?”
"Clearly, you did the most research out of all of us, and you won the challenge for us," Anne Maria answered.
“You did say that the person who contributes the most should claim the reward,” Brick brought up.
“And with you also not eating that pizza, you've certainly earned that spa night,” Jasmine smiled.
“I don't want to be left out, so okay then,” Justin agreed with a shrug.
"Chris, the Killer Grips came to a decision," Anne Maria said before giving Millie a light shove forward.
"W-wow," Millie said softly as she began to tear up. "This is really generous!"
“Just accept the offer before I trade places with you,” Justin said.
"Eeeuuughh," Chris said in disgust. "Clean up on aisle two!" he called, and moments later, a pair of young white men in white work outfits walked through the open door, one of which carried a push broom. They disappeared off-screen for a moment, then reappeared with one pushing Millie towards the door and the other sweeping up after.
"Thank you for allowing me to take the reward!" Millie said as she allowed herself to be escorted out, wiping away her tears with her hands.
The scene cut outside as Millie walked up to the beaten-down Lame-o-sine. The door opened, and she smiled and stepped inside.
"Granddad!" the writer said happily as the shot moved inside to show her hugging the white haired old man who had been seen in one of the pictures. "I've really missed you!"
"I missed you too, Millie," the man said as he hugged his daughter. "Don't get my favorite shirt wet now. I got it dry cleaned."
"Sorry," Millie said as they broke their hug. "I have a lot to talk to you about ever since I competed in the first season."
Her grandfather smiled proudly. "Spill the details. I can tell you had a ball, but don't blame me if I start to doze off more than I do while writing best selling books."
"I'm not that boring!" Millie laughed cutely. "So it all started when I was dropped off on the dock..."
"Sheesh," Chris cringed as the scene cut to him in his control room. "Talk about a loving family! Hopefully they'll get their dullness smoothed while they're at the spa." He pulled a lever on the desk, cutting the monitor feeds to static, and stood up. "So, will the Grips' winning streak last? Or will they fall apart and lose their teamwork? Find out next time, on Total! Drama! Action!"
(Roll the Credits)
(Bonus Clip)
“That spa night was amazing!” Millie told the camera while in the trailer. “The manicures and pedicures were to die for, and the facials and mud bath really smoothened the rough parts of my skin. Granted, this spa night wasn't as fun as the two-day resort back in Camp Wawanakwa, but thankfully, I didn't have to eat any disgusting food this time, so that's an upside. Want to know something interesting? Granddad was more into the spa treatments than me, but don't tell him that I said that to you,” she added with a giggle.
Eva - 14th
Geoff - 14th
Izzy - RETURNED
Trent - 12th
Sky - 11th
Killer Grips: Anne Maria, Brick, Jasmine, Justin, Millie
Screaming Gaffers: Chase, Izzy, MK, Ripper, Scott

Hey Reddit, so this one time, I was running on fumes trying to get an email blast out before a sale. Classic rookie mistake, right? Hit send, poured a cup of much-needed coffee, and then... dread. Subject line? "50% off the WRONG product!!" ‍♂️
Let's just say my inbox wasn't a happy place after that. But hey, it happens to the best of us! That's why I wanted to share some war stories (and how to avoid them) from the trenches of email marketing:
1. The Wrong Target Audience
Imagine sending emails about cat food to dog owners. Not gonna fly. Segment your lists! Tailor your message to different interests for better engagement.
2. Subject Line Snoozefest
"Important Update" isn't exactly setting pulses racing. Craft creative, clear subject lines that spark curiosity and get people to open up.
3. Hitting the Spam Button
All caps, weird symbols, and SCREAMING FONT are one-way tickets to the spam folder. Keep it professional, and friendly, and avoid spammy language.
4. The Disappearing Act
Don't leave your subscribers hanging! Include a clear call to action (CTA) telling them what you want them to do next, whether it's visiting a website or making a purchase.
5. The Neverending Story
Nobody wants to spend their day wading through a novel in their inbox. Keep your emails concise and scannable. Bullet points, visuals, and short paragraphs are your friends.

ME: https://imgur.com/a/N859GU2
Hello fine people of reddit! What I wrote below is my sincere hope in finding my match. I wrote a lot so enjoy reading :)
To start, I'm Engr Nelle, a 29 yo civil engineer from the Philippines.
I work as a Project engineer for seven years, supervising construction workers specializing in steel frames and precast concrete.
I live alone and visits the family house every weekend to spend time with my supportive parents, funny siblings and our 5 year old cat who we adopted after our caretaker saw him in a trash can, as a days old kitten.
I consider myself blessed. I was raised in a loving home and I experienced an enjoyable childhood running around with the neighborhood kids, chasing piglets when I got curious and being scolded by my mama for running from a mountain top and crashing on big rocks during vacation. I survived with only a knee scar haha
I am educated having graduated with honors from high school until college. Single and do not have kids.
Despite my busy time, I do lots of nerdy stuffs such as reading books, mostly on Dystopian books or light Xianxia and Wuxianovels such as Against the Gods. I looooove animes and cosplayed twice last year. I play online chess and been learning German (hopefully my 4th language) for eight months now. Lately, I've been trying my hands on embroidery on my free time.
I travelled twice internationally last year, Thailand and Indonesia. I enjoyed visiting their temples, museums, eating lots of their foods and delicacies.I hope to travel to Vietnam next.
I do not smoke, do not drink and do not go to clubs. I consider myself an ambivert that enjoys being adventurous, yet enjoys my alone time also.
I try to do everything at least once from horseback riding, kayaking, ATV driving, wakeboarding and archery. I also love taking pics of food, places, family and friends, myself as the muse haha. I compile them and have a shop printed them using special papers and hard bound. Been doing this for 2 years now and I have 5 albums already.
I consider myself a happy girl that has lots to learn and craving for affection from a loving lifetime partner. I also have flaws. I have acne scars and milia around my eyes yet I consider myself beautiful haha.
I decided to post here as I'm very attracted to Caucasian/white men, especially the ambitious ones who are trustworthy, humble, generous, smart and takes care of their body. Hopefully, 28-34 , with a stable job, not a smoker nor a drinker and deeply monogamous. Never ma*ried and do not have kids. You may blame it on my dystopian and Xianxia novels, but my ideal man is someone who's obsessed with me and has only his eyes on me. I don't want to compete for your attention. Rather, I hope we see each other as soulmates who supports each other on our dreams and ambitions. I certainly fit to someone who loves loudly. Someone who believes in true love. Someone who will be excited to return to me and our kids every after work. I'm sorry but I think I won't fit to a gamer or someone who's addicted to social media. I would prefer a man who I can do fun stuffs on our free time such as gardening, cooking & eating, playing board games, reading, visiting museums, travelling, watch animes or movies, pet cute animals, running and just joking or finding laughter in everyday.
I wish to belong to someone, I see myself becoming a wif* and having biological kids in the future. In fact, I'm willing to relocate to anywhere as long as I know I'm loved and appreciated. Right now, I'm in the middle of an out of the city project so I am not free to travel until December.
If we clicked and become a couple, I hope you can find the time to fly and see me in person. I am serious in finding my forever love and I'm willing to communicate with you and date you with marriag* in mind
If you enjoyed my post and see that we fit, please send me a thoughtful message and attach your pics so we can check our compatibility. I will prioritize those who sends me their pics and well-thought messages.
Please be willing to verify too.
Thank you for reading my post.
Ciao! 💋

Originally posted at my blog.
Description
Discover the brutal hidden history of Keanu Reeves’ record-shattering immortal warrior’s saga, soon to be adapted for Netflix!
Renowned filmmaker and record-shattering comic creator Keanu Reeves is joined by writeartist Steve Skroce (The Matrix, Post Americana), screenwriter and director Mattson Tomlin (A Vicious Circle, The Batman Part II), and artist Rebekah Isaacs (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Money Shot) for a pair of self-contained stories set within the 80,000 year history of BRZRKR! In Poetry of Madness, a sea of gore and devastation awaits as B., through a fateful chance encounter, safeguards the advanced and ancient realm of Atlantis as its unstoppable protector. But a sickly monarch serves as a symbol for the rot inside, as the security and bliss created through B.’s violence is shallow...the cracks created by a secret cult might spell a monstrous end for the legendary city, one beyond even B.’s ability to save. In Dead Empire, a former kingdom eradicated by the BRZRKR has a single living survivor. She and her people knew B. as the God King. In this tragic story of death and cataclysm, the survivor recounts a fable in which lost love, manipulation, and warring empires brought out the very worst of Unute... but is the fable’s narrator reliable? What might the survivor be hiding? Collects BRZRKR: Poetry of Madness #1 and BRZRKR: Fallen Empire #1.
Overview
Title - BRZRKR: Bloodlines [Volume #1]
Author(s) - Keanu Reeves (Author), Mattson Tomlin (Author), Steve Skroce (Illustrator)
Publisher - BOOM! Studios
Genre - Fantasy/Action [Adult Fiction]
Chapters - 2 Stories
Pages - 112 (Print)
Cover - 7/10
Release Date - 2 April, 2024
Get your copy - Amazon
Review
NO Spoilers
Let's start with a simple enough question - What would you do when you found out that 'John Wick', aka Keanu Reeves, has written a comic/graphic novel series featuring himself as an immortal warrior who loves carnage? Me personally, I would want to grab a copy instantly! I mean, it sure sounds super fun, right? So when I got my eyes on 'BRZRKR: Bloodlines' over at NetGalley, I beat the heck out of the 'Read Now' button until I got the digital copy. And for that, I would like to thank the authors, the publishers - BOOM! Studios, and NetGalley for making it readily available. Oh, and how can I forget? My deepest of thanks to 'Mr. John Wick' himself!
So then, what really is 'BRZRKR' all about?
'BRZRKR: Bloodlines' is the first volume of the series which collects two stories - 'Poetry of Madness' and 'Fallen Empire'. Both of these stories shed a light on the life and times of the immortal, carnage-loving warrior known as the Berserker (portrayed by Keanu Reeves himself). Here's a quick summary, along with the pros and cons for each:

• Poetry of Madness

Welcome to Atlantis! A kingdom like no other, Atlantis is full of wealth and prosperity under the rule of King Azaes the Kind. But naturally, enemies want to take over the rich kingdom and have it all for themselves. But Atlantis and its people have nothing to worry or fear about. The King's Guard is there to protect them. And oh, if you didn't already know, the Guard is not consisted of "they", but just one person, and one person only...

For Atlantis’s true legend isn’t in its spires or its riches… but in the demi-god who protects them.
Behold!! Poseidon’s pet demon! The tip of the trident! The hope slayer! Unute, the Berserker!!!

Yep, it's the one and only 'John Wick' aka Keanu Reeves himself as Unute, the Berserker!
The opening sequence sets the tone for what this series is going to be about (at least for most parts in my opinion anyways) - blood, gore, and total CARNAGE! The present attacking enemy forces don't even stand a chance against the Berserker as he makes light work of them all, slashing and cutting them down to pieces one by one (almost quite literally!). And just like that, Atlantis is unharmed yet again, thanks to 'John Wi...', uh, I meant the Berserker. Unute, who is physically messed up himself and covered in gore, is paraded through the city as a hero. Not to worry one bit though, as he is an immortal demi-god (if you hadn't figured it out already) … who also has healing powers (not surprised to be honest, no?).
The story is narrated in the first person POV of Zubatai, a loyal servant to the beloved monarch of Atlantis, King Azaes the Kind. Not only that, she is also the honored chronicler and squire to the King’s personal guard, the royal protector of Atlantis - Unute himself. Her master, the Berserker, has only one true need that must forever be met… CARNAGE. Oh, and he absolutely LOVES carnage. And as Zubatai mentions -

The people want their gore.

And they all, including us fellow readers, are gonna get plenty of it right here!
The king is behaving a bit strange lately, and Vizane, the wizard priest, has something nasty and evil up his sleeves... And suddenly, one fine day, Atlantis is thrown into total chaos, destruction, and death when an unspeakable and equally unimaginable horror is unleashed. Can Zubatai and her master, Unute the Berserker, save the city and its people before it's too late?

• Pros
  • Blood, gore, and carnage present (if you love that kind of stuff) … lots of it!
  • A pretty good "twist" as to the identity of the real enemy. Was certainly not expecting it for sure. Took me by surprise.
• Cons
  
  • Not a solid enough plot in my honest opinion. Didn't get connected, or satisfied, with how it unfolded.
  • The ending wasn't that satisfactory.
• Fallen Empire
  

This time, we start off "many centuries ago" (presumably in the context to the events of 'Poetry of Madness') at a desert kingdom named Olos. The king is anything but kind (unlike the one from the first story). He is ruthless and hungry for power, with a sense of madness about him, and will do anything to crush his enemies. But onto his land, one day, steps foot a person who is not human...
The Berserker is here, and Olos is thrown into turmoil as the immortal's thirst for carnage seems to be never-ending. The queen, who is hiding secrets including her own dark past, sets out to carry on with a plan that will set in motion nothing but death and destruction of the highest of orders for Olos and beyond.
Narrated by the first person POV of a mysterious woman who has been the witness of the Berserker's journey and carnage firsthand, this tale depicts a range of emotions with an underlying aspect of sadness and grief... and what ultimately happens when the "rage for carnage" takes over...

• Pros
  • Blood, gore, and carnage present... but in a considerably lesser amount (which I thought worked out well).
  • There was more to the story, and I really liked it.
  • The emotions displayed - anger, sadness, grief, betrayal, love, etc. came across pretty well.
  • The ending was pretty good and satisfactory.
• Cons
  • None. I enjoyed this one much better than the first.

What was great about it?

• The illustrations were really good throughout. Very much liked the style of it all.
• As mentioned, this has plenty of blood and gore if you like that stuff, and absolutely pulls no punches.
• Read it in one sitting, and enjoyed it for the most parts.
• There are alternate covers present for both the stories. Loved that!

What didn't hit the mark?

• Both the stories were lacking that "X factor" in terms of plot (although I felt that the second was much, much better than the first).

Other info.

• Note: Strong, mature themes present throughout, like - blood, gore, nudity, profanity, etc.

Final thoughts
Overall, if you are looking for a fun and enjoyable start to a series featuring an immortal being who loves carnage, then this just might be what you are looking for. With no shortage of blood, gore, action, drama, and a decent amount of "steamy" stuff throughout, 'BRZRKR: Bloodlines' (Volume #1) pulls no punches in delivering the aforementioned elements. The plot aspect could have been done better in my opinion, but nonetheless, this was a pretty good enough read altogether.
Rating: - 7/10 (A fun read)