So I've been working at this job for 6 months now. And I like it but right now I don't know if they hate me there or I should report anything to HR
Context: 6 months ago around December I got a part-time job for stockings shelves so this place has self checkout and a bunch of just a lot of stuff they sell like stationary, food, cleaning products, etc. So 2 months in my boss offers me a promotion for part time management I've gotten the training I've gotten chosen all was great until my district manager kept saying that It was too soon and I wasn't managing material and they need to do interviews as well (mind you I've been a manager at a gaming store all by myself I opened and closed by myself all the time, counted money, handled customers, and I only had to quit because my dad was in the hospital and no one cared to cover my shift) but so back to the story. My district manager told her he's sending someone from another store for training and then that was taken from me... Now cut to today they opened a new position (the same position as before) but this time I've worked there for half a year now my boss told me I've been doing amazing and improved and she's been proud but now I'm always in trouble and it's been revealed that someone who was just hired got the position that she said before she didnt even want. So now I'm feeling like I'm being disrespected and told that I'm doing great and doing things only managers can do now the next I'm being annoying I'm always in trouble and get backstabbed.. WIBTA if I reported it to Hr?
(Side note: I rarely call out, I always come in when they need me, and I never take off days or come in late I'm always early, she used to say whenever they need someone they could call me but now my hours are down and I never get anything else)

I personally like how Suship handles you having to play 3 Normal Monsters. Each sushi searches Shari (The Vanilla) in a different way, and self summons if you have Shari. Their Extra Deck cards draw 1 if Shari is used as material, meaning that a Shari in hand gets instantly replaced keeping card advantage.
I also think we could use a new Tuner, and since konami loves giving everyone a poplar, the Blue-Eyes poplar can be searchable with Sage making it a Snake-Eyes Ash for the deck.
As a massive Blue-Eyes fan I really hope this Structure Deck is powerful enough to make it tiered, if Yubel can do it so can Blue-Eyes.
Saga of Blue-Eyes White Dragon got me into playing Yugioh with my friends, not competatively, but we got into it enough to buy Legacy of the Duelist so we could duel against eachother and collect cards for cheap, so I think if this new Structure deck is strong, it could really bring in some new people.

Welcome, beautiful people of wicked_edge, to the inaugural installment of The People’s Republic of Croap - my latest review series wherein I evaluate, pontificate upon, and review soaps, creams, and croaps that have a connection to China. Too long has the world not seen the glory of Chinese wetshaving artisans and my review series aims to rectify that injustice. The contributions China has given to wetshaving are vast. The overwhelming majority of all badger hair used in shaving brushes is sourced from China. Nearly all synthetic fibers in synthetic hair brush knots were also pioneered and developed by Chinese cosmetic companies. Resin materials used for brush handles are primarily manufactured by Chinese industrial companies. Millions of razors are produced every year by Chinese companies for entry-level and high-end razor brands spanning from the Maggard Razor store-brand heads, all the way up to Aylsworth’s APEX AL, APEX SS, and Kopparakant razors. And yet rarely is the soapmaking prowess of China’s artisans contemplated. So now we will embark on a journey to the East, with me as your monkey king, and together we will discover the boundless wealth of high quality wetshaving software that hails from mainland Taiwan China.

Aren’t you retired from posting? Why didn’t you stay retired?

For better or for worse, on April 3rd, in the two thousand and twenty fourth year of our Lord, I hijacked a thread that should have been the opportunity for this amazing community here at wicked_edge to join creative forces with the community’s preeminent buyer of women’s panties, the man who ended the base race, the man who wanted to create a sub exclusive (which by all accounts is still happening) that would finally make barbershop scents interesting again: u/bostonphototourist. In subsequent groveling negotiations on another chat platform, I joined forces with likeminded individuals to harangue Will into conceding request that Barrister and Mann revisit the legendary scent Roam, and out of that discussion came the a seed of an idea that would become Roam 2: Yes. Really. in a vegan version of the legendary Omnibus shaving soap base. My part in these negotiations was the threat offer that I would “un-retire” from my legendary career as a shitposter community icon. Well Roam 2 is confirmed for release on June 4, and I am nothing if not a man of my word. So here we are.

Enough about you, what about the soap reviews?

Those of you familiar with my review methodology know that everything I evaluate is objective and scientifically proven. Those of you unfamiliar with my review methodology can kick rocks.
Scoring will be conducted based on my interpretation of the Four Cardinal Principles derived from the Legalist text Guanzi, attributed to the Qi philosopher Guan Zhong.

• Lǐ (禮) - the rites, ritual; how does this soap engage with the ritual of wetshaving?
  
• Yì (義) - righteousness; does this soap behave appropriately and without deception?
  
• Lián (廉) - integrity; is the soap upright in its behavior?
  
• Chǐ (恥) - shame; how does this soap acknowledge its faults?
  

Twoface Brothers Shaving Cream - Classic

For the inaugural soap of this review series, I could choose no better subject than Classic, a shaving cream from Beijing-based Twoface Brothers. The brainchild of Master Chen, Twoface Brothers is a high-end, luxury barbershop at the absolute pinnacle of classic barbershop style. Twoface Brothers is also a line of wetshaving products, including a unique shaving cream formulation that is offered in four scents: Classic, Everest, Tobacco, and Rum. I purchased a tub of 3, to the exclusion of Tobacco due to the scent note, “cigarettes,” though I have been informed this may have been a translation confusion and that it does not smell like straight cigarettes. Twoface Brothers recently partnered with Oumo to offer their line of shave creams, aftershaves, and preshave oil to international customers outside of China. The branding is an elegant combination of East-meets-West style considerations.
Lǐ (禮) - the rites, ritual; how does this soap engage with the ritual of wetshaving? Unusual/5
The cream is truly a cream, with the consistency of whipped cream cheese. If you were to swirl your brush in this shaving cream like you would with a hard soap, you would scoop up cream as if your brush was a spoon. This disrupts the customary ritual of loading soap into your brush.
Yì (義) - righteousness; does this soap behave appropriately and without deception? 110%
This soap builds into a lather very well, able to take quite a bit of water and with appropriate thickness and stickiness that it remains solidly on your face while the brush works it into a rich, foamy lather.
Lián (廉) - integrity; is the soap upright in its behavior? 10/10
The lather retains moisture well and is incredibly slick once hydrated. The scent is of good strength, and Classic smells very good to my nose.
Chǐ (恥) - shame; how does this soap acknowledge its faults? 2/3
The tin lid, designed for impeccable aesthetics, is susceptible to denting around the rim. Unfortunately mine was dented while in transit to the United States from China.
Final Verdict: 13.1+Unusual/19
Disclosure: I buy all my soaps, either new at full price, used, or on clearance. Ain’t no soaper out there gonna send me free stuff. Get off my jock.

I've owned my Polestar 2 for 3 weeks now and have a lot to say about the car.
TLDR: - Looks good on the outside and inside with performance and plus packs - Pilot pack adds to an interesting driving experience - Range and electric adds to longer journeys due to charging time and public charging prices are more expensive than petrol
Model Year: 2021 Interior: WeaveTech in Charcoal with Black ash deco - This option is a little dull to be honest. I haven't been in a Nappa Polestar but in pictures that looks really nice. I believe even the slate would look better. - I do like the comfort of the seat but I have had comfier seats. Where it really shines is the number of adjustments you can make to it. - The golden seat belts to match the brake calipers on the performance pack are a nice touch - The centre console is occupies a lot of space without providing much storage. They have tried to give some of that back with the little side storage on it which I like the concept of - no major comments about the controversial cup holder but I wish the centre storage where the second cup holder is had more space - The infotainment system is a little slow and I wish the screen had a button to turn it off for when it's not needed. Overall though I like the Android OS and can see potential once it has time to mature some more. The risk is Google likes to randomly end projects so who knows if it will get canned in some nearby year. - I really like the integration of Google maps. Firstly into the driver HUD and secondly that it can read the battery level and automatically add stops for charging points - The 360 camera is nice but I wish that the view had rear camera in a split screen. Still it's not too bad as I can use the mirrors at the same time to help. - The design of the gear knob is cool, especially with the Polestar logo. - I have the panoramic roof which I think is really cool. Unfortunately as the driver you do not get to enjoy it much. - I wish the lights had more colour options other than white - I like the music auto plays when I sit in the car - I like that there is no on/off. I just sit and drive. - The Harmon sound system is okay but could be clearer. I haven't played around with the mixer yet so maybe need to adjust that for better sound quality.
Exterior: Midnight Performance Pack - Overall I like the exterior of the car. It was one of the main reasons that I bought it. Especially with the performance pack. - Not 100% sure about the front grill though - The front lights look pretty cool. I like the motion they make when you lock/unlock the car. I have the Pixel lights and seeing them in action is awesome. - I think the back looks really nice. I think the rear light looks futuristic and the motion it does when you lock/unlock the car puts the icing on the cake. - The Polestar logo on the car blends in really nicely and isn't so in your face. - The rimless wing mirrors look great. Now whenever I sit in other cars I notice the ugly frame around the wing mirrors. The blind spot warning lights on them are really useful too. - The car has an interesting stance making it somehow look bigger than it really is - The two tone alloys and eye catching yellow brembo brake calipers make a nice combination
Motor: Long range Dual motor - It makes the range a little too short . It has over 50 miles less range than the long range single motor. Despite this I like having the additional performance power available and therefore I am willing to make the sacrifice. - The reduced range and longer recharge time versus a petrol car does add time to roadtrips unfortunately. Charging prices on the road mean the long journeys are more expensive than a petrol car as well. However for local driving it is great and charging at home is very easy and convenient.
Driving experience - The instant acceleration is fun and for this reason I'm seriously considering getting the performance software upgrade. - The steering, even on the firmest setting is still too light for me and doesn't really feel connected to the road. This is to be expected for this kind of car I guess. There is understeer when pushing it a bit as well. Interesting that you can make the car slide. - I am a convert to single pedal driving it is really nice to not really have to use the brakes. I really like going into corners and not having to use the brake to adjust the speed, as well as when having to come to a stop just letting go of the pedal and slowing nicely to a stop. - I'm undecided whether to have creep on or off. I have it on at the moment but I'm considering turning it off - adaptive cruise control with the lane control is amazing on motorways, the car is almost driving itself. Not so useful in local driving, especially in the UK but there's nothing wrong with old fashioned less autonomous driving - I had a fun experience with the rear collision detection. I thought the seatbelts were trying to choke me but after a moment realised that the car is trying to protect me when it thought someone was going to hit me from behind. I love that feature.
Keys: - The fat keys are too big but I barely use them - the active lifestyle key is slim and combined with the touch sensitive door handles suits me very well - I do not believe in my phone enough yet to use it as a full time key however it is very convenient when I just need to go to the car for any quick reason. I don't have to take my key with me because the phone is the key making it a lot more convenient. The polestar app is fairly limited but it's useful to see the battery charge, whether you forgot to lock it and where the car currently is.
One last point that I didn't really know where to fit is that I really like the online documentation that is available for the car, it's really clear and explains a lot of things and I can search through it using Google
Let's see what the next few weeks, months and years brings.

I think the obvious ones would be to expand the pawn/NPC banter and emotes rather than them just sitting there like a powered down T-1000 and having more recipe options for buffs. I am curious what more creative stuff would be good to add that wouldn't be far from feasible or outside the spirit of the game.
I want to emphasize that these things should not make camping more restrictive or bloating but rather add value to interaction. The option of pulling over and passing out to pass the time hassle free should not be removed. In one of my points I started to rant about crafting and figured it would be best to separate that out since it is long winded and applies to all games much moreso than DD2. Ignore this preface on the argument in favor of completely overhauling crafting if that's not something you care about.

• Skip this quote block if you don't give af

.if all i'm doing is pressing button on the environment and hitting confirm to combine in the menu then I feel like I'm balancing spreadsheets more than crafting. At that point I will probably just use mods to get what I need out of tedium exhaustion. When you make the process of something fun, immersive, and engaging, THAT is when you go from mundane and uninspiring to excellent. An easy way to do that is with engaging little mini-games or bits of character interaction within the process. I think any game that has a crafting system these days is just doing it out of obligation and honestly I would prefer it just not be in 90% of games if all they are going to do is make me practice pressing confirm to remove computer pop-ups. So IFyou're going to create a crafting mechanic, let me crush up some berries, mix some bubble fizzy gooey stuff, pour together some science liquids and give me bonouses for getting a rhythm down or coordination mechanic down. TOBE FAIR; I haven't thought of anything more reasonable than little rhythm sequences or phone game level coordination type stuff. I am open to suggestions. Back to the point. Literally if you just make it auto-animate my character using a pestle&mortar or shaking up some vials as I move my cursor on over 3D models of the resources I collected layed out in my camp then the added immersion and visual aesthetic is worth way more than the efficiency of what I will refer to as spreadsheet stat crafting. Like at that point just prompt an IDE or cmd prompt and let me run a script to craft my variables so I can get back to the game. So all this to say; I think if Itsuno/Capcom want to have a crafting system. Spend the effort in making an actual system or something worth engaging in like Monster Hunter World's Bacooking menu which is briliantly done imo. The camping mechanic such as it is in DD2 right now could be a great platform for that.

My thoughts;

• I think it would be kind of cool if there was little bit of a mini-game akin to monster hunt to get optimal cooking
• It would be cool to have the amount of firewood you collect and consume to set up camp overnight = the likelihood of getting attacked at night. You could also have your pawn run out and get X amount of firewood while you cook or have your pawn cook while you collect firewood. The more they do either of those things the better their own yields will be. Perhaps expanding to more camp chores that bring actual value rather than making camping more bloated.
• Discuss strategy with your pawn telling it to focus on certain priorities or materials or however you want to expand the pawn interaction system
• Trap/device building and overall crafting. We have things like the harpy flare, wakestone finder, meat usable as bait. We don't need an overbloated crafting system but I think it would be cool to craft or repair simle devices like these in camp and possibly expand them to be a little more rewarding. Perhaps that's just getting to be too similar to Monster Hunter, but I love Monster Hunter so I accept that criticism and don't find it a bad thing. A bit more on crafting in the top portion of post since this is where it turned into a whole rant.
• Lastly, it's a small thing, and I don't want it turning into full on house or crafting/survival level home decor planning, but it would be nice to have a few camp decrations build up as you go on your adventures. Think like Persona 5 lvl just a few things of memorabilia get automatically added in or around your tent. (this could be cooly applied to your house as well with stuff like a monster trophys) tell me your ideas. Or shit on mine if you got nothing and just want to tell me to go buy The skims: skyrim cooking dogma crossing 3; Camp chores fantasy rather than offer critiques of DD2

I really want Windows 11 to get its act together. There's something embedded at the top of the windows that reacts occasionally, causing unintended temporary display changes. This isn't a smartphone, so at the very least, revert to the design of Windows 10 and add an option for those who want such features.
Without any explanation, Windows keeps adding features that make it increasingly difficult to use. These features are more about self-satisfaction for a few people rather than actual usability. Instead of focusing solely on AI, make it a simpler system that can handle basic tasks.
Recently, the mouse pointer automatically moves to buttons like "Save," which might seem convenient, but it disappears from sight, making it troublesome to find and requiring actions to return it to its original place.
Another ongoing issue is that the default save location is often set to "Documents" or some past location, even when the file was previously opened from elsewhere. This adds the hassle of searching for the correct save location.
Despite claims of AI, the Japanese input conversion remains poor, frequently forgetting recent conversions and failing to prioritize commonly used kanji. If AI is being used, make it learn individual usage patterns to save the effort of searching for the correct characters.
There's also a browser issue where tools keep adding icons around the display area, which become obstructions. These icons respond to the mouse pointer, obscuring the view and interfering with text input.
Why prioritize filling empty spaces over usability? The top and bottom areas are particularly cluttered, making it harder to use. Even the meanings of many icons are unclear due to the lack of explanations. New displays often make things less user-friendly.
Windows is becoming increasingly icon-centric, obstructing writing and viewing activities. These icons should be grouped together off to the side or vertically aligned on the right. Displaying tool-specific icons within the browser is just a nuisance.
by ChatGPT
--Original article in Japanese--
ブラウザなどいろいろなアイコンが邪魔で仕方がない、どうにかならないのか
win11もいい加減にしてほしいのだが、まずウィンドウで上部に何か仕組まれていて、それが時々反応する。それが意図していないから一時的に表示が変わる。スマホではないのだから、せめてwin10までの仕様に戻して、そういう機能がほしい人には選択肢の画面をどこかにつけてほしい
そういう説明もなく機能追加によってどんどんと使いづらくなっているのがwindowsの特徴でもある。それが使いやすいのか、一部の自己満足の仕様でしかない、AIばかり集中する暇があるなら、もっと基本的なことだけできるシンプルなものにしてほしい
最近では保存などボタンに自動でマウスポインタが移動するから、それが便利だとしているのだろうけど、これだってマウスポインタが目線から消えるから探すのが面倒だし、もとに戻すだけの操作も必要になる。つまり元の場所に戻すことをやらないといけない
いまだにできていないこととして、保存先が直前に起動したファイルでもなぜかドキュメントにdefaultで保存させようとしたり、過去の場所に保存しようとするから、その場所を探す手間がかかる。自分が起動した場所を忘れている
日本語変換がいまだにAIといいながらも、漢字変換がとてもお粗末で、直前の変換すら忘れているし、ずっと使っていてもその人が普段使う漢字が先頭に来ない。いつも探すことになる。AIを導入し、さらにAI PCも出すならせめて漢字変換を個々に学習して、探す手間を省いてほしい
そしてもうブラウザの問題だけど、表示の周りが空いているからとして、アイコンをどんどんと追加するtoolがあり、それが邪魔。マウスポインタに反応してその目線のところを隠したり、文字を入力しようとするにもアイコンが邪魔だったりととにかくこのアイコンが邪魔
なせ使い勝手よりも空いているからと表示をするのだろうか
特に上部エリアや下部エリアがとても煩雑で、どんどんと使いづらくしている。アイコン化するにしてもそのアイコンの意味がわからないことも多く、その説明もない
何か新しい表示にしてもそれがかえって使いづらくしている状態に気が付かないのだからね
winsowsはどんどんとそういうアイコンばかりになって、表示や投稿記事を書いているときなどに邪魔になる。もう欄外にでもまとめて右でも縦に並べてほしいものだ。ブラウザの中にtoolごとにアイコンを表示するのはもう邪魔でしかない

Howdy! My english bad sorry for that but are you know what mod are crashing game? When I create new world game crashes.
---- Minecraft Crash Report ----
// You're mean.
Time: 2024-05-19 04:57:47
Description: Exception in server tick loop
java.lang.BootstrapMethodError: java.lang.RuntimeException: Mixin transformation of com.simibubi.create.content.trains.entity.Train failed

`at com.simibubi.create.content.trains.GlobalRailwayManager.loadTrackData(GlobalRailwayManager.java:94)` `at com.simibubi.create.content.trains.GlobalRailwayManager.levelLoaded(GlobalRailwayManager.java:83)` `at com.simibubi.create.foundation.events.CommonEvents.onLoadWorld(CommonEvents.java:171)` `at net.fabricmc.fabric.api.event.lifecycle.v1.ServerWorldEvents.lambda$static$0(ServerWorldEvents.java:34)` `at net.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer.redirect$coo000$fabric-lifecycle-events-v1$onLoadWorld(MinecraftServer.java:4870)` `at net.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer.method_3786(MinecraftServer.java:360)` `at net.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer.method_3735(MinecraftServer.java:324)` `at net.minecraft.class_1132.method_3823(class_1132.java:69)` `at net.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer.method_29741(MinecraftServer.java:646)` `at net.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer.method_29739(MinecraftServer.java:265)` `at java.base/java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:833)` 

Caused by: java.lang.RuntimeException: Mixin transformation of com.simibubi.create.content.trains.entity.Train failed

`at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClassDelegate.getPostMixinClassByteArray(KnotClassDelegate.java:427)` `at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClassDelegate.tryLoadClass(KnotClassDelegate.java:323)` `at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClassDelegate.loadClass(KnotClassDelegate.java:218)` `at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClassLoader.loadClass(KnotClassLoader.java:119)` `at java.base/java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(ClassLoader.java:525)` `... 11 more` 

Caused by: org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.throwables.MixinTransformerError: An unexpected critical error was encountered

`at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinProcessor.applyMixins(MixinProcessor.java:392)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinTransformer.transformClass(MixinTransformer.java:234)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinTransformer.transformClassBytes(MixinTransformer.java:202)` `at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClassDelegate.getPostMixinClassByteArray(KnotClassDelegate.java:422)` `... 15 more` 

Caused by: org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.throwables.MixinApplyError: Mixin [create_interactive.mixins.json:MixinTrain from mod create_interactive] from phase [DEFAULT] in config [create_interactive.mixins.json] FAILED during APPLY

`at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinProcessor.handleMixinError(MixinProcessor.java:638)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinProcessor.handleMixinApplyError(MixinProcessor.java:589)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinProcessor.applyMixins(MixinProcessor.java:379)` `... 18 more` 

Caused by: org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.throwables.InvalidMixinException: u/Overwrite method findCollidingTrain in create_interactive.mixins.json:MixinTrain from mod create_interactive was not located in the target class com.simibubi.create.content.trains.entity.Train. Using refmap create_interactive-fabric-refmap.json

`at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinPreProcessorStandard.attachSpecialMethod(MixinPreProcessorStandard.java:436)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinPreProcessorStandard.attachOverwriteMethod(MixinPreProcessorStandard.java:416)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinPreProcessorStandard.attachMethods(MixinPreProcessorStandard.java:346)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinPreProcessorStandard.attach(MixinPreProcessorStandard.java:299)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinPreProcessorStandard.createContextFor(MixinPreProcessorStandard.java:277)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinInfo.createContextFor(MixinInfo.java:1289)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinApplicatorStandard.apply(MixinApplicatorStandard.java:294)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.TargetClassContext.apply(TargetClassContext.java:422)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.TargetClassContext.applyMixins(TargetClassContext.java:403)` `at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinProcessor.applyMixins(MixinProcessor.java:363)` `... 18 more` 

A detailed walkthrough of the error, its code path and all known details is as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- System Details --
Details:

`Minecraft Version: 1.20.1` `Minecraft Version ID: 1.20.1` `Operating System: Windows 11 (amd64) version 10.0` `Java Version: 17.0.8, Microsoft` `Java VM Version: OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (mixed mode), Microsoft` `Memory: 2679414400 bytes (2555 MiB) / 4932501504 bytes (4704 MiB) up to 34359738368 bytes (32768 MiB)` `CPUs: 16` `Processor Vendor: GenuineIntel` `Processor Name: 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700K @ 3.60GHz` `Identifier: Intel64 Family 6 Model 167 Stepping 1` `Microarchitecture: Rocket Lake` `Frequency (GHz): 3.60` `Number of physical packages: 1` `Number of physical CPUs: 8` `Number of logical CPUs: 16` `Graphics card #0 name: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080` `Graphics card #0 vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)` `Graphics card #0 VRAM (MB): 4095.00` `Graphics card #0 deviceId: 0x2216` `Graphics card #0 versionInfo: DriverVersion=31.0.15.5212` `Memory slot #0 capacity (MB): 16384.00` `Memory slot #0 clockSpeed (GHz): 3.20` `Memory slot #0 type: DDR4` `Memory slot #1 capacity (MB): 16384.00` `Memory slot #1 clockSpeed (GHz): 3.20` `Memory slot #1 type: DDR4` `Virtual memory max (MB): 38777.41` `Virtual memory used (MB): 14516.93` `Swap memory total (MB): 6144.00` `Swap memory used (MB): 0.00` `JVM Flags: 9 total; -XX:HeapDumpPath=MojangTricksIntelDriversForPerformance_javaw.exe_minecraft.exe.heapdump -Xss1M -Xmx32G -XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:G1NewSizePercent=20 -XX:G1ReservePercent=20 -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=50 -XX:G1HeapRegionSize=32M` `Fabric Mods:` `ad_astra: Ad Astra 1.15.18` `javazoom_jlayer: jlayer 1.0.1` `alloy_forgery: Alloy Forgery 2.1.2+1.20` `antique-atlas: Antique Atlas 2.7.2+1.20` `folk_sisby_kaleido-config: kaleido-config 0.1.1+1.1.0-beta.3` `surveyor: Surveyor Map Framework 0.4.3+1.20` `appleskin: AppleSkin 2.5.1+mc1.20` `archers: Archers (RPG Series) 1.2.1+1.20.1` `com_github_zsoltmolnarrr_tinyconfig: TinyConfig 2.3.2` `ranged_weapon_api: RangedWeaponAPI 1.1.0+1.20.1` `structure_pool_api: Structure Pool API 1.0+1.20.1` `architectury: Architectury 9.2.14` `artifacts: Artifacts 9.5.5` `cardinal-components-base: Cardinal Components API (base) 5.2.2` `cardinal-components-entity: Cardinal Components API (entities) 5.2.2` `expandability: ExpandAbility 9.0.4` `step-height-entity-attribute: Step Height Entity Attribute 1.2.0` `azurelibarmor: AzureLib Armor 2.0.3` `balm-fabric: Balm 7.2.2` `bclib: BCLib 3.0.14` `wunderlib: WunderLib 1.1.5` `bettercombat: Better Combat 1.8.5+1.20.1` `betterdeserttemples: YUNG's Better Desert Temples 1.20-Fabric-3.0.3` `org_reflections_reflections: reflections 0.10.2` `betterdungeons: YUNG's Better Dungeons 1.20-Fabric-4.0.4` `betterend: Better End 4.0.11` `betterendisland: YUNG's Better End Island 1.20-Fabric-2.0.6` `betterfortresses: YUNG's Better Nether Fortresses 1.20-Fabric-2.0.6` `betterjungletemples: YUNG's Better Jungle Temples 1.20-Fabric-2.0.5` `bettermineshafts: YUNG's Better Mineshafts 1.20-Fabric-4.0.4` `betternether: Better Nether 9.0.10` `betteroceanmonuments: YUNG's Better Ocean Monuments 1.20-Fabric-3.0.4` `betterwitchhuts: YUNG's Better Witch Huts 1.20-Fabric-3.0.3` `bookshelf: Bookshelf 20.1.10` `bosses_of_mass_destruction: Bosses of Mass Destruction (Beta) 1.7.5-1.20.1` `maelstrom_library: Maelstrom Library 1.6.1-1.20` `multipart_entities: MultipartEntities 1.5-1.20` `botarium: Botarium 2.3.3` `team_reborn_energy: Energy 3.0.0` `cardinal-components: Cardinal Components API 5.2.2` `cardinal-components-block: Cardinal Components API (blocks) 5.2.2` `cardinal-components-chunk: Cardinal Components API (chunks) 5.2.2` `cardinal-components-item: Cardinal Components API (items) 5.2.2` `cardinal-components-level: Cardinal Components API (world saves) 5.2.2` `cardinal-components-scoreboard: Cardinal Components API (scoreboard) 5.2.2` `cardinal-components-world: Cardinal Components API (worlds) 5.2.2` `carryon: Carry On` [`2.1.2.7`](http://2.1.2.7) `charmofundying: Charm of Undying 6.5.0+1.20.1` `spectrelib: SpectreLib 0.13.15+1.20.1` `cicada: CICADA 0.7.1+1.20.1` `cloth-config: Cloth Config v11 11.1.118` `cloth-basic-math: cloth-basic-math 0.6.1` `crawl: Crawl 0.12.0` `mm: Manningham Mills 2.3` `create: Create 0.5.1-f-build.1417+mc1.20.1` `com_electronwill_night-config_core: core 3.6.6` `com_electronwill_night-config_toml: toml 3.6.6` `com_google_code_findbugs_jsr305: jsr305 3.0.2` `flywheel: Flywheel 0.6.10-2` `forgeconfigapiport: Forge Config API Port 8.0.0` `milk: Milk Lib 1.2.60` 

dripstone_fluid_lib: Dripstone Fluid Lib 3.0.2

 `porting_lib_brewing: Porting Lib Brewing 2.3.2+1.20.1` `porting_lib_models: Porting Lib Models 2.3.2+1.20.1` 

porting_lib_model_loader: Porting Lib Model Loader 2.3.2+1.20.1

 `porting_lib_obj_loader: Porting Lib Obj Loader 2.3.2+1.20.1` `porting_lib_tags: Porting Lib Tags 3.0` `reach-entity-attributes: Reach Entity Attributes 2.4.0` `registrate-fabric: Registrate for Fabric 1.3.62-MC1.20.1` 

porting_lib_data: Porting Lib Data 2.1.1090+1.20
porting_lib_model_generators: Porting Lib Model Generators 2.1.1090+1.20
porting_lib_model_materials: Porting Lib Model Materials 2.1.1090+1.20

 `create_interactive: Create: Interactive 1.0.2-beta.2` `create_jetpack: Create Jetpack 4.2.0` `flightlib: Flight Lib 2.1.0` `createbigcannons: Create Big Cannons 0.5.4-nightly-8b9cea6` `ritchiesprojectilelib: Ritchie's Projectile Library 1.0.0-369e88d+1.20.1-fabric` 

porting_lib_utility: Porting Lib Utility 2.1.1127+1.20
porting_lib_gametest: Porting Lib GameTest 2.1.1127+1.20

 `creativecore: CreativeCore 2.11.28` `net_minecraftforge_eventbus: eventbus 6.0.3` `creeperoverhaul: Creeper Overhaul 3.0.2` `distanthorizons: Distant Horizons 2.0.4-a-dev` `do_a_barrel_roll: Do a Barrel Roll 3.5.6+1.20.1` `fabric-permissions-api-v0: fabric-permissions-api 0.2-SNAPSHOT` `mixinsquared: MixinSquared 0.1.1` `dsurround: Dynamic Surroundings 0.3.3` `org_openjdk_nashorn_nashorn-core: nashorn-core 15.4` `eatinganimationid: Eating Animation 1.20+1.9.61` `elytraslot: Elytra Slot 6.3.0+1.20.1` `endermanoverhaul: Enderman Overhaul 1.0.4` `endrem: End Remastered 5.2.4` `fabric-api: Fabric API 0.92.0+1.20.1` `fabric-api-base: Fabric API Base 0.4.31+1802ada577` `fabric-api-lookup-api-v1: Fabric API Lookup API (v1) 1.6.36+1802ada577` `fabric-biome-api-v1: Fabric Biome API (v1) 13.0.13+1802ada577` `fabric-block-api-v1: Fabric Block API (v1) 1.0.11+1802ada577` `fabric-block-view-api-v2: Fabric BlockView API (v2) 1.0.1+1802ada577` `fabric-blockrenderlayer-v1: Fabric BlockRenderLayer Registration (v1) 1.1.41+1802ada577` `fabric-client-tags-api-v1: Fabric Client Tags 1.1.2+1802ada577` `fabric-command-api-v1: Fabric Command API (v1) 1.2.34+f71b366f77` `fabric-command-api-v2: Fabric Command API (v2) 2.2.13+1802ada577` `fabric-commands-v0: Fabric Commands (v0) 0.2.51+df3654b377` `fabric-containers-v0: Fabric Containers (v0) 0.1.64+df3654b377` `fabric-content-registries-v0: Fabric Content Registries (v0) 4.0.11+1802ada577` `fabric-convention-tags-v1: Fabric Convention Tags 1.5.5+1802ada577` `fabric-crash-report-info-v1: Fabric Crash Report Info (v1) 0.2.19+1802ada577` `fabric-data-attachment-api-v1: Fabric Data Attachment API (v1) 1.0.0+de0fd6d177` `fabric-data-generation-api-v1: Fabric Data Generation API (v1) 12.3.4+1802ada577` `fabric-dimensions-v1: Fabric Dimensions API (v1) 2.1.54+1802ada577` `fabric-entity-events-v1: Fabric Entity Events (v1) 1.6.0+1c78457f77` `fabric-events-interaction-v0: Fabric Events Interaction (v0) 0.6.2+1802ada577` `fabric-events-lifecycle-v0: Fabric Events Lifecycle (v0) 0.2.63+df3654b377` `fabric-game-rule-api-v1: Fabric Game Rule API (v1) 1.0.40+1802ada577` `fabric-item-api-v1: Fabric Item API (v1) 2.1.28+1802ada577` `fabric-item-group-api-v1: Fabric Item Group API (v1) 4.0.12+1802ada577` `fabric-key-binding-api-v1: Fabric Key Binding API (v1) 1.0.37+1802ada577` `fabric-keybindings-v0: Fabric Key Bindings (v0) 0.2.35+df3654b377` `fabric-lifecycle-events-v1: Fabric Lifecycle Events (v1) 2.2.22+1802ada577` `fabric-loot-api-v2: Fabric Loot API (v2) 1.2.1+1802ada577` `fabric-loot-tables-v1: Fabric Loot Tables (v1) 1.1.45+9e7660c677` `fabric-message-api-v1: Fabric Message API (v1) 5.1.9+1802ada577` `fabric-mining-level-api-v1: Fabric Mining Level API (v1) 2.1.50+1802ada577` `fabric-model-loading-api-v1: Fabric Model Loading API (v1) 1.0.3+1802ada577` `fabric-models-v0: Fabric Models (v0) 0.4.2+9386d8a777` `fabric-networking-api-v1: Fabric Networking API (v1) 1.3.11+1802ada577` `fabric-networking-v0: Fabric Networking (v0) 0.3.51+df3654b377` `fabric-object-builder-api-v1: Fabric Object Builder API (v1) 11.1.3+1802ada577` `fabric-particles-v1: Fabric Particles (v1) 1.1.2+1802ada577` `fabric-recipe-api-v1: Fabric Recipe API (v1) 1.0.21+1802ada577` `fabric-registry-sync-v0: Fabric Registry Sync (v0) 2.3.3+1802ada577` `fabric-renderer-api-v1: Fabric Renderer API (v1) 3.2.1+1802ada577` `fabric-renderer-indigo: Fabric Renderer - Indigo 1.5.1+1802ada577` `fabric-renderer-registries-v1: Fabric Renderer Registries (v1) 3.2.46+df3654b377` `fabric-rendering-data-attachment-v1: Fabric Rendering Data Attachment (v1) 0.3.37+92a0d36777` `fabric-rendering-fluids-v1: Fabric Rendering Fluids (v1) 3.0.28+1802ada577` `fabric-rendering-v0: Fabric Rendering (v0) 1.1.49+df3654b377` `fabric-rendering-v1: Fabric Rendering (v1) 3.0.8+1802ada577` `fabric-resource-conditions-api-v1: Fabric Resource Conditions API (v1) 2.3.8+1802ada577` `fabric-resource-loader-v0: Fabric Resource Loader (v0) 0.11.10+1802ada577` `fabric-screen-api-v1: Fabric Screen API (v1) 2.0.8+1802ada577` `fabric-screen-handler-api-v1: Fabric Screen Handler API (v1) 1.3.30+1802ada577` `fabric-sound-api-v1: Fabric Sound API (v1) 1.0.13+1802ada577` `fabric-transfer-api-v1: Fabric Transfer API (v1) 3.3.4+1802ada577` `fabric-transitive-access-wideners-v1: Fabric Transitive Access Wideners (v1) 4.3.1+1802ada577` `fabric-language-kotlin: Fabric Language Kotlin 1.10.20+kotlin.1.9.24` `org_jetbrains_kotlin_kotlin-reflect: kotlin-reflect 1.9.24` `org_jetbrains_kotlin_kotlin-stdlib: kotlin-stdlib 1.9.24` `org_jetbrains_kotlin_kotlin-stdlib-jdk7: kotlin-stdlib-jdk7 1.9.24` `org_jetbrains_kotlin_kotlin-stdlib-jdk8: kotlin-stdlib-jdk8 1.9.24` `org_jetbrains_kotlinx_atomicfu-jvm: atomicfu-jvm 0.24.0` `org_jetbrains_kotlinx_kotlinx-coroutines-core-jvm: kotlinx-coroutines-core-jvm 1.8.0` `org_jetbrains_kotlinx_kotlinx-coroutines-jdk8: kotlinx-coroutines-jdk8 1.8.0` `org_jetbrains_kotlinx_kotlinx-datetime-jvm: kotlinx-datetime-jvm 0.5.0` `org_jetbrains_kotlinx_kotlinx-serialization-cbor-jvm: kotlinx-serialization-cbor-jvm 1.6.3` `org_jetbrains_kotlinx_kotlinx-serialization-core-jvm: kotlinx-serialization-core-jvm 1.6.3` `org_jetbrains_kotlinx_kotlinx-serialization-json-jvm: kotlinx-serialization-json-jvm 1.6.3` `fabricloader: Fabric Loader 0.15.11` `mixinextras: MixinExtras 0.3.5` `fallingtrees: Falling Trees 0.12` `farmersdelight: Farmer's Delight 1.20.1-2.1.1+refabricated` `porting_lib_accessors: Porting Lib Accessors 2.3.4+1.20.1` `porting_lib_base: Porting Lib Base 2.3.4+1.20.1` 

porting_lib_entity: Porting Lib Entity 2.3.4+1.20.1
porting_lib_fluids: Porting Lib Fluids 2.3.4+1.20.1
porting_lib_mixin_extensions: Porting Lib Mixin Extensions 2.3.4+1.20.1
porting_lib_transfer: Porting Lib Transfer 2.3.4+1.20.1

 `porting_lib_client_events: Porting Lib Client Events 2.3.4+1.20.1` `porting_lib_config: Porting Lib Config 2.3.4+1.20.1` `porting_lib_extensions: Porting Lib Extensions 2.3.4+1.20.1` 

porting_lib_attributes: Porting Lib Attributes 2.3.4+1.20.1
porting_lib_common: Porting Lib Common 2.3.4+1.20.1

 `porting_lib_lazy_registration: Porting Lib Lazy Register 2.3.4+1.20.1` 

porting_lib_core: Porting Lib Core 2.3.4+1.20.1

 `porting_lib_loot: Porting Lib Loot 2.3.4+1.20.1` `porting_lib_networking: Porting Lib Networking 2.3.4+1.20.1` `porting_lib_recipe_book_categories: Porting Lib Recipe Book Categories 2.3.4+1.20.1` `porting_lib_registries: Porting Lib Registries 2.3.4+1.20.1` `porting_lib_tool_actions: Porting Lib Tool Actions 2.3.4+1.20.1` `figura: Figura 0.1.4+1.20.1` `com_github_figuramc_luaj_luaj-core: luaj-core 3.0.8-figura` `com_github_figuramc_luaj_luaj-jse: luaj-jse 3.0.8-figura` `com_neovisionaries_nv-websocket-client: nv-websocket-client 2.14` `firstperson: FirstPerson 2.3.4` `framework: Framework 0.6.27` `org_javassist_javassist: javassist 3.29.2-GA` `friendlyfire: FriendlyFire 18.0.6` `geckolib: GeckoLib 4 4.4.4` `com_eliotlash_mclib_mclib: mclib 20` `goblintraders: Goblin Traders 1.9.3` `graveyard: The Graveyard 3.0` `guardvillagers: GuardVillagers 2.0.9-1.20.1` `midnightlib: MidnightLib 1.4.1` `healthindicatortxf: Health Indicator TXF 1.20.1-1.2.3-fabric` `configlibtxf: ConfigLib TXF 4.2.1-fabric` `horizontal_glass_panes: Horizontal Glass Panes 2.0.0` `indium: Indium 1.0.30+mc1.20.4` `inventoryprofilesnext: Inventory Profiles Next 1.10.10` `iris: Iris 1.7.0+mc1.20.1` `io_github_douira_glsl-transformer: glsl-transformer 2.0.0-pre13` `org_anarres_jcpp: jcpp 1.4.14` `org_antlr_antlr4-runtime: antlr4-runtime 4.11.1` `irisflw: Iris Flywheel Compat 0.2.5` `ironchest: Iron Chests 2.0.2` `libgui: LibGui 8.1.1+1.20.1` 

jankson: Jankson 6.0.0+j1.2.3
blue_endless_jankson: jankson 1.2.3
libninepatch: LibNinePatch 1.2.0

 `itemphysic: ItemPhysic 1.7.1` `jade: Jade 11.9.2+fabric` `java: OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM 17` `jei: Just Enough Items` [`15.3.0.4`](http://15.3.0.4) `jeresources: Just Enough Resources` [`1.4.0.247`](http://1.4.0.247) `jewelry: Jewelry (RPG Series) 1.3.0+1.20.1` `kiwi: Kiwi Library 11.6.2` `lambdynlights: LambDynamicLights 2.3.2+1.20.1` `pride: Pride Lib 1.2.0+1.19.4` `spruceui: SpruceUI 5.0.0+1.20` `libipn: libIPN 4.0.2` `lithium: Lithium 0.11.2` `minecraft: Minecraft 1.20.1` `mobsunscreen: Mob Sunscreen 3.1.0` `modmenu: Mod Menu 7.2.2` `mythicmounts: Mythic Mounts 1.20.1-7.4` `naturalist: Naturalist 4.0.3` `nethersdelight: Nether's Delight 1.0.0` `disable_custom_worlds_advice: Disable Custom Worlds Advice 4.1` `notenoughanimations: NotEnoughAnimations 1.7.3` `notreepunching: No Tree Punching 7.1.0` `nyfsspiders: Nyf's Spiders 2.1.1` `opf: Modern Online Picture Frames 1` `owo: oωo 0.11.1+1.20` `paladins: Paladins & Priests (RPG Series) 1.2.0+1.20.1` `pandalib: PandaLib 0.2.1` `passablefoliage: Passable Foliage 1.20.1-fabric-8.2.1` `patchouli: Patchouli 1.20.1-84-FABRIC` `fiber: fiber 0.23.0-2` `player-animator: Player Animator 1.0.2-rc1+1.20` `polymorph: Polymorph 0.49.3+1.20.1` `presencefootsteps: Presence Footsteps 1.9.4+1.20.1` `kirin: Kirin UI 1.15.6+1.20.1` `puffish_skills: Pufferfish's Skills 0.12.1` `reeses-sodium-options: Reese's Sodium Options 1.7.2+mc1.20.1-build.101` `repurposed_structures: Repurposed Structures 7.1.15+1.20.1-fabric` `resourcefulconfig: Resourcefulconfig 2.1.2` `resourcefullib: Resourceful Lib 2.1.24` `com_teamresourceful_bytecodecs: bytecodecs 1.0.2` `com_teamresourceful_yabn: yabn 1.0.3` `runes: Runes 0.9.11+1.20.1` `simplyswords: Simply Swords 1.55.0-1.20.1` `sit: Sit 1.20-24` `sliceanddice: Create Slice & Dice 3.2.1` `snowrealmagic: Snow! Real Magic! 10.4.3` `sodium: Sodium 0.5.8+mc1.20.1` `sodium-extra: Sodium Extra 0.5.4+mc1.20.1-build.115` `caffeineconfig: CaffeineConfig 1.3.0+1.17` `crowdin-translate: CrowdinTranslate 1.4+1.19.3` `spell_engine: Spell Engine 0.14.3+1.20.1` `spell_power: Spell Power Attribute 0.10.2+1.20.1` `travelersbackpack: Traveler's Backpack fabric-1.20.1-9.1.12` `travelerstitles: Traveler's Titles 1.20-Fabric-4.0.2` `trinkets: Trinkets 3.7.2` `valkyrienskies: Valkyrien Skies 2 2.3.0-beta.5` `visuality: Visuality 0.7.1+1.20` `vs_eureka: VS Eureka Mod 1.5.1-beta.3` `watching: From The Fog 1.9.2` `water-erosion: Water Erosion 1.1.6` `waterdripsound: Drip Sounds 1.19-0.3.2` `waystones: Waystones 14.1.3` `wizards: Wizards (RPG Series) 1.2.0+1.20.1` `yet_another_config_lib_v3: YetAnotherConfigLib 3.4.2+1.20.1-fabric` `com_twelvemonkeys_common_common-image: common-image 3.10.0` `com_twelvemonkeys_common_common-io: common-io 3.10.0` `com_twelvemonkeys_common_common-lang: common-lang 3.10.0` `com_twelvemonkeys_imageio_imageio-core: imageio-core 3.10.0` `com_twelvemonkeys_imageio_imageio-metadata: imageio-metadata 3.10.0` `com_twelvemonkeys_imageio_imageio-webp: imageio-webp 3.10.0` `org_quiltmc_parsers_gson: gson 0.2.1` `org_quiltmc_parsers_json: json 0.2.1` `yungsapi: YUNG's API 1.20-Fabric-4.0.5` `yungsbridges: YUNG's Bridges 1.20-Fabric-4.0.3` `yungsextras: YUNG's Extras 1.20-Fabric-4.0.3` `Loaded Shaderpack: (off)` `Flywheel Backend: GL33 Instanced Arrays` `Server Running: true` `Player Count: 0 / 8; []` `Data Packs: vanilla, fabric` `Enabled Feature Flags: minecraft:vanilla` `World Generation: Experimental` `Type: Integrated Server (map_client.txt)` `Is Modded: Definitely; Client brand changed to 'fabric'; Server brand changed to 'fabric'` `Launched Version: fabric-loader-0.15.11-1.20.1` 

You guys know what an alpine coaster is? They are like a small roller coaster you find in the mountains. They are also called summer toboggans or mountain coasters and I think there’s some long German compound word they are called in parts of Europe. They are like a roller coaster, but with much smaller one or two person sleds you just sit on instead of multi-person cars you ride in, and instead of being built with like a scaffolding or a framework the tracks are just on the ground, using the elevation of the mountain. Basically it’s a coaster track on the side of a mountain where you ride a sled down.
They are pretty fun. Or at least I used to think so. They are more “personal” than roller coasters and although you get nowhere near the speed on them that you do on a good traditional roller coaster and they can’t do corkscrews or loops or anything like that the openness and simplicity of the ride gives an impression of a much greater speed. You’re just sitting there with nothing but a little plastic sled and the track between you and the ground as it goes zooming by. It’s like the difference between how fast a go-cart feels compared to how fast a sports car feels. You know the sports car goes faster but the open, simpleness of a go-cart feels a different kind of fast. There’s plenty of POV Youtube videos if you want to get the basic idea of what they are.
I used to love alpine coasters. Used to.
My family used to go to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and up and down the Smokey Mountains for vacations when I was a kid and they are common in that area and I’d always rode them every chance I got.
But as with so many things after I grew up and went to college they just became part of my childhood that slipped away. They aren’t exactly common once you get away from the mountains.
Until one cool spring afternoon in 2004. I was in my final year at college and I was driving back to campus in Tennessee after a short visit to my folks in North Carolina. It was only like a 4 or 5 hour drive via the most efficient route and I had no need to be back at campus early so instead of taking the freeway all the way I got off and took part of my trip through the mountains. The scenery was nicer and I admit I liked pushing my Camaro just a little faster than I should through the twisty mountain roads.
Just after lunchtime happened upon one of those little by-the-highway tourist towns deep somewhere in the Smoky Mountains near the Carolina/Tennessee border. Nothing fancy, a gas station/truck stop, a diner, a couple of places selling tourist merch nestled deep in the mountains. I pulled into the gas station. My tank was getting low and I needed to stretch my legs, maybe grab something to eat. It was still early and I only had another couple of hours. I could kill an hour or so and still make it back to campus at a decent hour.
I pulled into the gas station and was filling my tank when I happened to glance across the road and… well I’ll be damned. There it was. “The Blue Ridge Alpine Coaster.” Nestled on the side of the mountain was a building, a mockup of a red barn, where a single railed track that led up into the mountains, where it soon got lost in the greenery. Wooden hand painted standees of cartoon character bears dressed in stereotypical “Hillbilly” getup stood around, some of them holding signs showing the ride hours and ticket costs and other info. I had to admit, as silly as it was, it made me smile.I finished pumping my gas and, well, nostalgia is a helluva thing. I decided then and there I could waste a little time riding an Alpine Coaster again after all these years before getting back on the road.
I parked my car in a corner of the truck stop's parking lot, put my phone in the center console, this being the days before smart phones when people didn’t keep their phones with them 24/7 and I didn’t want my old Nokia brick phone to fall out during the ride, locked my car and walked across the mountain highway to the Alpine Coaster building.
Getting closer, the place was less inviting. The half hearted attempt at a whimsical faux-Americana kitsch was far less effective when it brushed up against the actual decaying, run down wooden building. Hell calling it a building was generous. It was a wood frame holding up a long roof that covered the area where you got on the sleds. The wood boards creaked under my footsteps.
The only real enclosed structure was a shack that held, what I assumed, was a ticket booth. A door on the side had both a single occupancy bathroom with an out of order sign on it. An old Pepsi machine buzzed and glowed next to it.
Still the place looked alive. Ahead of me a bored looking attendant was helping a mother and her young son into one of the sleds while in a bored monotone repeating the safety brief. A few people were waiting in line at the ticket booth. Up in the mountains the playful shouts of people on the ride echoed down. Fond memories of my own childhood rides flooded my mind.10 minutes and 15 dollars later I was settling into the hard plastic seat of a bright red sled sat atop a simple aluminum rail.
I couldn’t help but grin as the sled slowly climbed the track up the mountains, making click-clack ratcheting sounds that hit my nostalgia centers hard. I felt good. The air was cool and crisp and smelled of pine.Higher and higher in the mountains we went. I don’t know if this is my mind trying to make sense of it after the fact but when I remember these moments, the last good moments, I sometimes think I remember a very slight, very subtle pit of fear in my stomach. I honestly don’t know if I felt it at the time or not or it’s just how my mind tries to make sense of it looking back at.
But either way mostly I was enjoying myself. I smiled. I was a kid again. I could hear riders in front of me let out that initial yell of terrified glee you get at the first drop of any good ride.
It peaked. I glanced around. I could see for miles, rolling hills and mountains. I the sled tipped over and zoomed down the mountain and I let out the same happy yell I heard from the other passengers.The ride zoomed down the mountain, catching speed. The mountain forest floor zoomed past, only a few feet under me. Trees zoomed past. I gave out a happy whoop as the ride banked hard around a curve and then looped back under itself.Another dip, another curve. I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of the G-forces pulling me every which way.
There was no one exact single moment where things started to go “wrong.” The ride kept going. And going. At this point the first creeping thought entered my head.
The ride… was still going.
It just started to hit me… this ride was going on for a really long time. I had taken a dozen rides on various coasters of this type before that day and they topped out at about 5 minutes or so, and that was the long ones. Longer than a traditional roller coaster but not that long. This one had been going on for what felt like 10, maybe even 15 minutes.
I looked back over my shoulder and could only see trees, moving too fast to really get a bearing on where I was at in relation to anything.
I wasn't exactly really worried yet. Okay so I had found a particularly long alpine coaster. At the time I wasn’t 100% wasn't sure they didn’t exist or anything like that. I was a little… unnerved but nothing was happening that was impossible. Yet.
I was trying to talk myself back into just enjoying the ride and stop overthinking it, and halfway succeeded, when out of nowhere I suddenly banked hard, the track jutting out almost over a sheer cliffside. I gripped the sled more tightly as I was whipped around. The ride then dipped hard and picked up speed, barreling down the side of the mountain.
I was pushed back against the seat by the force of the drop. Jesus I didn’t remember them being this rough. I was feeling slightly nauseous. And where had this elevation drop come from I wondered? I was still in the foothills and I didn’t remember seeing anything but gentle rolling hills and light drops from looking at the ride’s route earlier. How the ride had managed such a long, steep drop in this area I didn’t know. . For the first time I hoped that the ride would be over soon. I had no idea then how much I would want that same hope to be true so much more as time went on.
With a whiplash motion I was whipped forward and then back as the ride leveled out on flat ground again, but by this point I was going fast, too fast. My neck hurt from the mild whiplash and I felt sour in my throat and for a moment the contents of my stomach threatened to come back up. For the first, but hardly the last time the ride felt unsafe. Alpine Coasters are tame affairs, much slower and gentler than full on roller coasters but this thing was throwing me around like no thrill ride I had ever been on.
I looked around. I mean I wasn’t that deep into the woods. I should have been able to see a glimpse of something; the highway, the gas station, the tourist shops, the Alpine Coaster office, something, anything. But nothing. Just trees.
I forced back some panic for the first time. I closed my eyes and counted to ten. The ride zoomed along. I counted to 60. I counted to 60 again. And again. Okay this was getting uncomfortably harder and harder to explain.
Suddenly I noticed that up ahead the track seemed to just end, for one brief, terrible moment I thought the track just ended but I was wrong. Almost without warning the track dipped in an almost vertical drop. I almost screamed as I plummeted for 20, maybe 30 seconds before flattening out again.
By this point the voice in my head that was telling me something was wrong was louder and I could no longer tell myself it was wrong. This ride could not have been this long. I tried to make sense of it, wondering if somehow I had gotten diverted onto some kind of maintenance track or, hell for one brief irrational moment even entertaining the idea that I had wound up on an actual train track somehow. But that was absurd. The rail below me was not a train track, it was still just the simple, aluminum rail of an alpine coaster and there had been no diversions or junctions in the track. I was still on the ride, as insane as that was starting to feel. Had the ride somehow looped? Again after having the thought I immediately dismissed it as crazy. There’s no way I could have missed the ride building where I got on. And what kind of ride loops over and over?
The sled zoomed through the forest, oddly never seeming to lose speed despite the relatively flat grade of the track. I cursed myself for leaving my phone in the car and not wearing a watch. I don’t know exactly how long I had been on the ride at that point but it felt like I had been on the ride for a half hour, maybe more. But time is a funny thing when you’re in a situation you’ve never been in. Could have been more, could have been less, at that point.
My pride finally failed me. I started to scream for help. I screamed out that the ride was broken, to stop it, that I needed help. I did that for about ten minutes or so I think. The ride kept going. Mostly flat, level track with occasional mild dips and turns. But the simple length of the ride grew more and more unnerving and unexplainable.
I thought about just bailing out. But the ride, impossibly, was still not slowing down and chunks of mountain rock and thick tree trunks were all around me. Bailing out without risking smashing into a rock or a tree seemed impossible.
The ride kept going.
Up ahead the forest was clearing out some, I could see the forest brightening, more sunlight making it through the canopy.
I wasn’t prepared for what I saw.
The trees stopped and I had just enough time to take in a flat, open area of rock maybe 40, 50 yards at most before another sheer cliff. The tracks twisted and turned and then shot straight down. But that wasn’t the worst of it. For a moment, a very short moment, I had a clear view for miles and the landscape was, to be blunt, totally impossible. Any possibility that I had just stumbled on some incredibly long ride was blasted out of my head. Barren, volcanic looking rock stretched for miles. Jagged, black rocky outcroppings as far as the eye could see. I was in the goddamn Smoky Mountains. They don’t look like that.
I had a few moments for the terror of that view to settle in before the cart plunged into another horrifying drop. I gripped the handles of the cheap plastic sled until my knuckles turned white. The drop felt completely vertical, like I was falling at terminal velocity. I screamed. My stomach dropped and turned. I imagined the sled coming away from the track and me just plummeting screaming to my death on the rocks below. But somehow the ride still functioned. I closed my eyes tightly and just waited for whatever was going to happen. Eventually after several what felt like a full minute of steep plunging the track again leveled out, and I opened my eyes to see myself moving at breakneck speed over that black, rocky landscape.
Now that I was moving on a more or less flat horizontal track again I took a few deep breaths. I looked over the edge of the track. Nothing but that black, jagged rock, almost looking like obsidian, zooming past. I had no idea how fast the sled was moving now. Fast. Faster than a gravity powered sled should be moving. And the track was higher off the ground now. Alpine slides usually stick pretty close to the ground, but I was 20 feet or so in the air, the track suspended in the air, a simple metal tube tower like a power pylon every few yards.
Without any immediate threat and the sled moving fast but steadily and level I was able to think about my situation again, for all the good that did me. Ahead of me the track just continued to the horizon, nothing but the same rocky landscape as far as I could see. I craned my neck to look back over my shoulder and looked back behind me and it looked the same. Even the mountains were but distant specs on the horizon behind me.
This was insane. There’s not a giant seemingly endless field of black jagged rock in the goddamn Smoky Mountains. There’s no cliff faces tall and steep enough for a multi-minute vertical drop. And alpine coasters were small affairs, not major engineering projects that span miles with pylons and vertical tracks. It made no sense.
Sadly it wasn’t going to start making any more sense anytime soon.
The ride kept going.
I was on this rocky landscape for several hours. I feel comfortable saying this because I could actually notice the sun getting lower in the sky. And the sled wasn’t slowing down despite the grade of the track being flat. I was getting cramped from sitting and stretched my legs and twisted my back as best I could. Didn’t do much help. My eyes were starting to get irritated from the constant wind in them. Worst of all it was starting to get chilly. I only had on a light jacket, a windbreaker, just something to keep the breeze off me, no real insulation. I was cold, my joints were stiff, I was hungry and thirsty. My eyes watered and my throat was so dry it was sore.
But none of that was as bad as just how little sense this all made. There’s nothing like this place anywhere near the Smoky Mountains. This was like some volcanic rock landscape. The more I thought about it the less sense it made.
The ride kept going.
My mind didn’t even try to process this. Whatever I was experiencing simply couldn’t be possible. I was crazy. I was dreaming. The CIA had kidnapped me and dosed me with some new version of LSD and I was in a straightjacket in a padded room at Area 51.
The sled kept zooming along as the sky turned to dusk. Soon the bridge disappeared from my view and I continued on along the endless, rocky, featureless landscape.
I sat back against the sled, mentally and physically numb. I was exhausted. I was thirsty. I was cramping up. I was hungry. I had to pee. I held it for as long as I could, then had no choice but just wet myself. I cried until I had no more tears left. Then I just sat there.
The ride kept going.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon my throat felt like sandpaper. I dug around in my jacket pockets hoping to find a stick of gum or piece of candy. Nothing. I checked again, having nothing else to do. Under a crumpled store receipt in the inner pocket of my jacket was a single old, forgotten cough drop. I unwrapped it from the paper and popped it in my mouth. Saliva flooded back into my mouth and I was overwhelmed by the methanol and medicine taste. It was something at least, although I knew it would be a brief and temporary fix at best.
I felt my eyes get heavy. It was getting colder. That mountain cold. That deep cold the mountains have even into the early spring when the sun goes down. That kind that just pulls the heat right out of you. I shivered. A terrible, horrible certainty came to me. I would ride until I passed out from exhaustion or the hypothermia set in. My body would tumble off the sled to fall and skip across the rocky ground like a stone skipping across a lake, my bones breaking as I tumbled until my body finally came to a stop. If I was lucky I would be killed and not have to lie for days, broken and bruised, on the ground until death took me.
The ride kept going. The ride kept going. The fucking ride kept going.
“Fuck you” I said to the ride, my voice a horse whisper. I pulled my jacket closer around me, for all the good it did. The cold wind was slowly but surely pulling my body heat away. My shivering got worse, crossing the line from a simple normal shiver into those deep, almost violent full body ones.. I wasn’t anything you could call an experienced outdoorsman, but I knew enough to know that wasn’t a good sign.
It was getting dark. There was a full moon at least so I wasn’t totally in the dark.
About then I noticed something. The landscape, what little I could see in the fading light, was changing. It was smoothing out, becoming less rocky and craggy. Up ahead an odd, shimmering light was starting to appear on the ground.
I was over it before I even realized what it was. The tracks were going over a smooth surface.
Water. It was a lake. The odd lights I had seen were the moon, reflected in ripples on the lake.
Within minutes I was out of the view of the land. After the nearly endless rocky landscape and everything else I had seen, it scared me how little I was shocked. I didn’t like how mentally numb I was getting. I leaned over. There was enough moonlight to see the water, 15 or 20 feet below the track. The pylons holding up the track went into the water, the light wasn’t good enough to even make a guess at how far they went down or how deep the water was.I leaned back in the sled. My eyes were red and bloodshot from the constant wind. I closed them. This was a mistake.I jerked awake. I don’t know if I dozed off for a split second or an hour. My weight had shifted and I caught myself as my center of gravity was in danger of sending me off the sled and into the water.
I screamed in anger. A deep primal scream. I hurt so bad. My joints felt like they were full of glass. My limbs were full of pins and needles. I glanced over at the water. For the first time on the very edges of my brain a tiny voice started to speak up, telling me that I could be all over if I just jumped. I shut the voice up, but it scared me still.
I sat there as the ride went on. It felt like hours. Eventually the lake ended in a rocky shore line. The damned ride. There was no safe place to bail out. If the ride slowed down, it was high in the air, if it moved toward the ground it sped up. Sharp rocks, big trees, nothing you could safely bail out into.
I kept having to force myself awake. I kept dozing off. Once I felt myself falling asleep and drove a vicious uppercut into my own nose to stave it off.
I seriously started to think about how much longer I could hang on. The voice came back again. This time I didn’t shut it up. I wasn’t admitting it to myself yet, but I was starting to think about the best way to land that would end it quickly if I needed to.
Something was ahead. The track seemed to dip into the ground. I was too tired, too beaten to even get scared. I was just resigned to whatever happened at this point.
With little warning the track took my sled into a tunnel in the ground. Everything went completely pitch black. After several moments even the dim moonlight was gone.
This was the worst part. The creepy forest, the immense rocky landscape, the eerie lake… those were bad. But this was just nothing. Nothing to look at, nothing to hear, nothing for reference or sense of where I was going. The walls of the tunnel felt like they were inches from me in every direction. The air felt thick, like there wasn’t enough oxygen.
With every moment I was in that tunnel I lost a little more hope. After a long, long time I made a decision. When I got out of this tunnel, I would jump. I didn’t care anymore. Hopefully there would be a spot where I could be certain the fall would instantly kill me. I was done. The ride had beaten me. I sat there, waiting for a chance to end this on my terms. That was all I had left.
Eventually up ahead, a tiny speck of light appeared. I gathered my strength, ready to end it. I sat up, getting my legs under me so I could jump as soon as we were clear. The sled burst out of the tunnel. The dim light of the full moon was enough to be momentarily blinding after the pitch black of the tunnel.. I gave my eyes a moment to adjust.
I was back in a normal looking Appalachian forest. Rolling hills, green trees. The air smelled of pine again. I heard an owl hoot off somewhere.
Slowly I lowered myself back into a setting position, in shock. At first I refused to believe it but the ride was slowing down. I held still, making sure my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me, but no, the cheap plastic sled that had been my world for what felt like an eternity was slowing down.
Up ahead, a structure was visible, peeking out from among the trees in the dim lighting as the sled moved down the track.
It was the Alpine Slide building. The crappy fake red barn where I had boarded this cursed ride so long ago. I blinked and rubbed my eyes, sure it was either my mind or the cursed ride playing tricks with me. But the building stayed there.
It grew closer and closer. The track leveled completely out. The sled slowed down more. Before I had the time to really come to terms with it I arrived back at the building.
The sled slowed to a stop, gently pumping against another sled parked on the track. I sat there for a few moments, gasping in great big gulping fear breaths, trying to assure myself the ride didn’t have one last trick of its sleeve.
I looked around. The place was empty, deserted. The overhead lights were still on and the old Pepsi machine still glowed and buzzed, but the ticket booth was dark and empty, a metal gate pulled down over the ticket window.
Suddenly it hit me that I was free and I practically leapt out of the sled and onto the platform. I immediately collapsed. My legs were jelly and my head was spinning. I tried to stand up again and doubled over, dry heaving. Have you ever been out on a boat for a day and have that weird reverse motion sickness when you’re back on solid land? It was like that times a hundred. My inner ear was literally pounding, all the motion had really done a number on it.
I laid there for a few moments and eventually forced myself to stand up on my two wobbling legs. I looked around, a horrible certainty creeping into my mind that there would be no exit, no way off the platform but to my relief an exit turnstyle, one of those full height ones, was set into the fence that surrounded the ride property.
I went through it and found myself back on the main road. The truckstop was still there, still open but far less busy. My car sat in the same corner of the parking lot I had left it.
I allowed myself one look back, just one quick one. The metal skeleton of the Alpine Slide track sat there, dark and quiet but otherwise normal.
I stumbled-ran back to my car, dug the keys out of my pocket, and collapsed inside. When the door shut I let out a primal scream, the tons of fear and confusion and anger all fusing into a single, raw emotion. I screamed again and again.
After a few moments I felt like I was emotionally at least back to a place where I could act, although I wasn’t sure yet what to do next. Not really knowing what to do I cranked the car. The A/C had been on low when I shut off the car and it came roaring back to life and cold air blowing on me almost sent me back into a full on panic attack. I fumbled with the climate controls until the air stopped blowing directly on me, then calmed down enough to turn the heat on, helping to get the chill out of my bones. There was a half full bottle of water in the center console cup holder and I grabbed it and chugged it. Nothing ever tasted as good before or sense as that few ounces of water.
That was when I noticed the clock on the radio head unit. It was 4:17 in the morning. It had been about one, one thirty or so in the afternoon when I got on the accursed ride.
Over 15 hours. I had been on the goddamn ride for over 15 hours. Over half a day.
I just sat there. Warming up. Calming down. I was exhausted. I was dehydrated. I can’t even describe how my head felt. I probably had at least a minor case of hypothermia. I thought about going into the gas station and asking for help but what would I even say, and more than anything I just wanted to get away from this place. And I just wanted to get away. I wanted to be nowhere near that damn ride.
I put the Camaro in gear and pulled into the street and in panic I immediately slammed on the brakes. I was lucky there was no traffic on the road at that moment. The feeling of accelerating to just normal surface street speeds made me sick to my stomach. I gathered myself and very slowly accelerated the car I usually treated with a very heavy foot up to 30 miles an hour. Every time I tried to accelerate at a pace faster than “Old Lady Going to Church, Uphill” I would have a panic attack. I was okay once I was up to speed, but accelerating freaked me out after being on that ride.
I drove about 30 minutes, putting some arbitrary amount of distance between myself and the coaster. Eventually I made it back to where the twisty mountain road met back up with a major road that would eventually meet back up with the highway. After a few more minutes of driving I saw the onramp for the highway. There was one of those big truckstop travel plazas and pulled in, parking right up at the door. I smelled like pee and I can only imagine how I looked, but I didn’t care.
I kept a couple of emergency 20s in the back of my wallet and spent it on the biggest bottle of water the store had, an overpriced bottle of eye drops, and a huge travel mug of coffee. The clerk looked at me as if he was expecting me to either drop dead or rob him the entire time.
Back in my car I downed the coffee. I put a few eye drops in each of my eyes and sat there as the caffeine took effect until I felt like I could make it back to my apartment. The sun was just coming up when I finally pulled out of the truck stop and got on the freeway. I slowly, very slowly, accelerated up to highway speed, put the Camaro in cruise control, and let the miles start to drift away. I turned on the radio, I needed to hear human voices. Every time my mind went back to what had just happened I turned the radio up louder, eventually drowning it out with painful levels of rock music. I wasn’t ready to think about it yet. Yes looking back I know I was just in denial. I finally made it back to the crappy little apartment I had off campus, a little two story walk up studio. I let myself in and collapsed on the cheap couch. I was asleep before I even had the time to decide whether or not to do anything else. I woke up later that afternoon. I took a shower and ate a meal and didn’t think about the ride. I washed the pee stained filthy clothes I had been wearing and didn’t think about the ride. I went back to class and didn’t think about the ride. Every time I thought about the ride I forced it out of my head. I’m sure this wasn’t the most mentally healthy thing to do but what can you say?
I didn’t forget about it, don’t be silly. This isn’t the kind of thing you forget. One day while looking up something else in the university’s library my curiosity got the better of me and I looked up the Alpine Slide. No website but a few Google Map and Yelp mentions. None of them mentioned anything weird, certainly nothing even remotely like what I experienced. Near as I can tell it closed sometimes in the winter of 2012.
Life went on. I mean, that’s what it does. The next day was a little better. And the day after that a little better. And the day after that a little better still. I met a nice girl. Graduated. Got married. Got a nice house in the suburbs. Got a dog. Had a daughter. Spent a lot of time happy and not thinking about being trapped on an endless alpine coaster.And that was my life for many, many years after that.
Until a few weeks back when as a very different person I found myself driving a boring and safe mid sized family SUV through those same mountains. My wife Carol, 5 months pregnant, sat in the passenger seat, our 6 year old daughter Emily in a booster seat in the back, and Max our mixed breed mutt next to her. It had been a nice pleasant trip, driving back from visiting her folks.
I hadn’t thought about that fucking ride in so long I barely registered that I was in the same general area until it was too late. Suddenly I realized that little mountain tourist trap town was only a few minutes down the road. I swallowed hard and gripped the steering wheel hard. Carol was looking out the window at the scenery and Emily was deep into some kid’s Youtube video on an iPad. I forced myself to keep my breath steady as we rounded the corner.The town was still there, sorta. Time had not been kind to it. The gas station was still there, at some point it had been bought out by Shell. The tourist trap shops were still there. One of them was now a vape shop. The diner was closed, the building looking like it sat unused for a long time.
But of course that’s not what I cared about. A looked over at the site where the Alpine Coaster once stood. It was gone. The kitschy fake barn was gone. The site was just a bare concrete slab with a chainlink fence around it. Faded “no trespassing” and “for sale” signs hung off the fence. A pile of old, decaying lumber that might have once long ago been part of the structure covered part of the old lot. No sign of the track remained outside of some old concrete support posts dotting the side of the mountain.
I exhaled out a breath I hadn’t even realized I had been holding in. Soon the little town disappeared in my rear view mirror.
About a half hour later we stopped for gas. I pulled up to a gas pump across from a massive motorhome. Max stuck his head out the window and started barking at a little white dog, a toy breed of some kind, in the window of the motorhome. Carol and Emily immediately headed into the store to restock on snacks while I fueled up.
I stood there, a half smile on my lips as Max barked and wagged his tail in an attempt to attract the attention of the other dog while I filled up the tank, said dog doing an admirable job of ignoring him.
Right about the time I finished fueling up and cleaning the bugs off the windshield Carol returned from inside the store, Emily in tow, arms filled with two full sized bags of Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips and what looked to be a half dozen individually wrapped pickles.
I raised an eyebrow at the collection of food but knew better than to question a pregnant woman's snack choices.
“Should we take Max for a quick walk?” Carol asked. The travel plaza had a nice little gated dog walking area off to the side.
“Yeah probably not a bad idea, he’s been cooped up in the car for a few hours.” I said. Max, upon hearing his name and the word “walk” , forgot about the other dog and upgraded from wagging his tail to wagging his entire body while making whining sounds and staring right at me.
About this time I became half aware that the big motor home next to us was pulling away. I didn’t think much of it, outside of doing a quick automatic mental check to make sure Emily was well clear of the moving vehicle, but she was safely between me and our SUV, well out of the way.
But that was when Emily looked behind me and cheerfully yelled “Daddy look a roller coaster! Can I ride the coaster?”
It’s cliche as fuck I know but my blood went cold.
I turned around slowly, certain in my knowledge that terrible old decrepit Alpine Coaster would be there, having just popped into existence to trap me again.
That.. is not what I saw. Sure enough there was a coaster there, one I hadn’t noticed earlier because it had mostly been blocked by the motor home, but there it was. It was even an Alpine Coaster.
But it was not the same coaster I had encountered those years ago. That was immediately obvious. It was a small but modern and newish looking setup with neon lights and a bunch of people. There was an actual building where you bought tickets and a little snack stand.
“Daddy! Can we go on the coaster!” Emily asked again.
My mouth made motions but no words came out. I glanced over at Carol, hoping she’d say we didn’t have time but to my horror she smiled and said “You know what? That does sound like fun. Daddy will take you while I take Max for a walk.”
My mind raced, trying to think of a way to get out of it. But Emily was already dragging me across the parking lot to the entrance.
I patted my pocket, making sure my phone was in it. Every fiber of my being was screaming to run away. I slept walked through the line and the ticket booth while Emily bounced happily.
We got into a two seat plastic sled. This one was actually a lot nicer than the one my mind wouldn’t stop thinking about. It had two nice cushioned seats, big grab handles, even a nice rollbar.
The sled started up the track. I fought back the panic. I swerved my head around, keeping the building in my view. I was terrified of losing sight of it. We made it to the top and Emily did a happy squeal as we started down the side of the mountain.
My heart raced. Any second, any second my mind told me we’d lose sight of the building and then the ride would never end. The ride sped down the mountain. My mind tortured me with thoughts of not only going through it again, but seeing Emily go through it. The ride went around a big, banking turn. Emily kept shouting happily. How long before Carol reported us missing I wondered? Could I keep Emily calm? What if it lasted even longer this time? What if this time it never ended?
And then we were back at the start of the ride. The same attendant who had helped us into the sled was helping Emily out. I stepped out. The attendant gave me a brief look but said nothing. I guess I looked a little wild eyed.
I was fine. Emily was fine. It had been a perfectly normal, fun ride.
“That was fun Daddy! Thank you!” Emily said. I forced a smile back. “It was fun.” I responded, hoping like I sounded like I meant it.
I took Emily’s hand and we walked back to the car. Max saw us coming and barked happily. Carol looked up from the pint of Ben and Jerry’s she had somehow acquired and added to her snack collection while we were gone and smiled at us.
“Did you have fun?” she asked.
“It was so fun Mommy!” Emily said.
Carol smiled down at her, but then looked at me and frowned. “Are you okay?” Carol could read my face a lot better than the attendant could. “You’re pale.”
I smiled and this time the smile felt real. “Ya know what. Yeah, I think I am okay.”
Carol looked a little puzzled, but didn’t press it. We loaded Emily back in her booster seat, stopped Max from trying desperately to eat half a discarded gas station hot dog off the ground and got him back in the car. Carol and her small collection of snack food took her place in the passenger seat and I got in the driver's seat.I smiled. I cranked the car. I put it in gear. I pulled out of the gas station and back on the road, this time accelerating just a little faster than I had in years.

I am writing a story about a character being reborn in a world where Naruto was too weak to handle Kurama and died after the sealing, making the Nine Tails dissipate and leaving the world without the Asura reincarnation to save the world from Kaguya.
The OC's cheat is going to be "Perfect Recall" and materialize in almost perfect chakra control that will let him learn things somewhat easily.
His parents, however are going to be a Nara lady and Uchiha man. They are both dead, however and he will grow up among the Nara, with his uncle keeping the identity of his father secret in order to keep his nephew with him.
Would you give him a Sharingan? Would you let him learn the Shadow Possession technique?
Both?
I feel like I really want to do the Perfect Recall part, but it feels like a waste to not use the innate gifts of his parents.
What do you guys think?

1. Install Pi-hole and Assign a Static IP

• Install Pi-hole: Follow the official installation guide from Pi-hole’s website.
• Assign a Static IP: During installation, Pi-hole will prompt you to set a static IP. Ensure this IP is within your network's range and not conflicting with other devices.

2. Access the Pi-hole Web Interface

• Open a browser and navigate to http:///admin.
• Log in using the password provided during installation or configured later.

3. Configure DHCP Settings in Pi-hole

• Navigate to DHCP Settings: Go to Settings -> DHCP.
• Enable DHCP Server: Check the box to enable the DHCP server.
• Enter Router IP and IP Range:
  • Router IP Address: Enter your router's IP address.
  • IP Range: Copy the DHCP range from your router settings and enter it here. For example, if your router's DHCP range is 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254, enter the same range.

4. Advanced DHCP Settings

• Enable DHCPv4 Rapid Commit: Check the box for "Enable DHCPv4 rapid commit (fast address assignment)".
• Enable IPv6 Support: Check the box for "Enable IPv6 support (SLAAC + RA)".

5. Set Static DHCP Leases

• Navigate to DHCP Leases: Scroll down to the "Static DHCP Leases Configuration".
• Add Static Lease for Router:
  • Static MAC Address of Router: Enter the STATIC MAC address of your router. This information is typically found in your router's settings or on a label on the device. This step is crucial to ensure your router consistently gets the same IP address.
  • STATIC IP Address of Router: Enter the IP address of your router. Using the static IP of your router here is essential for proper network configuration.
  • You can also enter the normal (dynamic) IP of your router to be thorough. (Just to be safe)
  • Static IP of Pi-hole: Also add the static IP of your Pi-hole to ensure it remains consistent. (Just to be safe)
• Click the + button to add the entry and then Save.

6. Configure DNS Settings in Pi-hole

• Navigate to DNS Settings: Go to Settings -> DNS.
• Upstream DNS Servers:
  • Add the static IP address of your router as one of the upstream DNS servers. It is very important to use the static IP of your router here to ensure reliable DNS resolution.
  • You may also add the static IP of your Pi-hole (this is optional, but can be done if needed). (Just to be safe)
  • You may also add other DNS servers (e.g., Google DNS, OpenDNS) if needed.
• Check the relevant boxes to enable these servers.
• Conditional Forwarding (optional):
  • If you want to resolve local hostnames, enable conditional forwarding.
  • Enter your router’s IP and local domain name.

7. Restart Pi-hole or DHCP Server

• Restart Pi-hole: Restart the Pi-hole device to ensure it recognizes and applies the new settings. You can do this through the Pi-hole web interface or by rebooting the device.
• Restart DHCP Server:
  • Router DHCP Server: Temporarily disable and then re-enable the DHCP server on your router. This action forces the router to recognize the Pi-hole as the DHCP server. Do not permanently disable it yet; just turn it off and then back on until it recognizes the Pi-hole.
  • Pi-hole DHCP Server: Ensure the Pi-hole DHCP server is enabled and running.

8. Finalizing Configuration

• Double-check all entries for accuracy.
• Click Save to apply the settings.

Verification and Troubleshooting

1. Restart Devices: Restart your router and any connected devices to ensure they receive the new DHCP settings.
2. Check Pi-hole Logs: Look at the Pi-hole query logs to confirm that DNS requests are being routed through Pi-hole.
3. Test Connectivity: Ensure internet connectivity on all devices. Use nslookup or dig to verify that DNS queries are being handled by Pi-hole.

Notes

• Leave Router DHCP Enabled Initially: Leave the DHCP server on the router enabled initially. Temporarily disable and re-enable it to ensure it recognizes the Pi-hole.
• Static IP and MAC Address Importance: Keeping Pi-hole’s IP static and ensuring the router’s Static and IP MAC address is correctly entered are crucial steps. These ensure that the router consistently gets the same IP address and that DNS resolution remains reliable.
• Permanently Disable Router DHCP (Optional): Once Pi-hole is recognized as the DHCP server and everything is working correctly, you can consider permanently disabling the DHCP server on your router to avoid conflicts.
• Include Normal IP of Router: You can also enter the normal (dynamic) IP of your router in the Static DHCP leases configuration settings. Maybe very important to get the PI even working on your Router (You see it green in the Queries after some time) (Just to be safe)
• Or easy, just buy a router with DNS Options (Asus, etc...)

Only important if you dont know what static and dynamic Router address are otherwise ignore it:

Edit : Static MAC and IP of the router : If you're confused about what I mean by static and dynamic IP, MAC addresses of the router...:

In your router's network settings, you'll likely find an option to view your Static IP for the Router. Additionally, there will be a STATIC MAC address associated with its STATIC IP, which is different from the dynamically assigned IP and MAC of the Router.
The IP address of the static assignment is usually longer and unique for each router (STATIC). It's crucial to use this specific STATIC MAC address and STATIC IP OF THE ROUTER when configuring static DHCP leases in Pi-hole, rather than the MAC address associated with the dynamically assigned IP.
This ensures that the router consistently receives the same IP address from Pi-hole. So, instead of using the IP "192.168.0.1", you should use the Static IP of your ROUTER along with its corresponding STATIC MAC address found in your router's settings.
This way, your Pi-hole works automatically on all devices that connect to your WLAN. If you have a second router, you can TRY and SHOULD adding the Pi-hole's static IP to DNS settings; however, typically, all traffic runs through the FIRST router and should be filtered accordingly. Ensure to perform these configurations also on your 2nd Router (if you have one) and on your MAIN router.
Locate Router's Network Settings: Access your router's administration panel through a web browser. Typically, you can do this by entering your router's IP address (usually something like "192.168.0.1") into the address bar. Log in using your router's username and password.

1. Find Static IP for the Router: Look for an option related to network settings or LAN settings. Within this section, you should find an option for finding the Static IP of your router. This static IP address will be used to ensure consistency in network configurations.
2. Identify Static MAC Address: Alongside the static IP address, you'll also find a MAC address associated with it. This MAC address is unique to your router and is used to identify it on the network. Make note of this MAC address as you'll need it later.
3. Configure Static DHCP Lease in Pi-hole: Access the Pi-hole web interface and navigate to the DHCP settings. Find the section for setting static DHCP leases. Here, you'll add an entry for your router.
4. Enter Router's Static MAC and IP: In the static DHCP lease configuration, enter the MAC address you found earlier along with the static IP address assigned to your router. This ensures that your router always receives the same IP address from Pi-hole.
5. Update DNS Settings in Pi-hole: Navigate to the DNS settings in the Pi-hole web interface. Add the static IP address of your router as one of the upstream DNS servers. This ensures reliable DNS resolution for your network.
6. Verify Configuration: Double-check all entries for accuracy. Ensure that you've used the correct static IP address and MAC address for your router.
7. Save Settings and Test: Click save to apply the settings. Restart your Pi-hole device to ensure it recognizes and applies the new settings. You can also restart your router for good measure.

1. Install Pi-hole and Assign a Static IP

• Install Pi-hole: Follow the official installation guide from Pi-hole’s website.
• Assign a Static IP: During installation, Pi-hole will prompt you to set a static IP. Ensure this IP is within your network's range and not conflicting with other devices.

2. Access the Pi-hole Web Interface

• Open a browser and navigate to http:///admin.
• Log in using the password provided during installation or configured later.

3. Configure DHCP Settings in Pi-hole

• Navigate to DHCP Settings: Go to Settings -> DHCP.
• Enable DHCP Server: Check the box to enable the DHCP server.
• Enter Router IP and IP Range:
  • Router IP Address: Enter your router's IP address.
  • IP Range: Copy the DHCP range from your router settings and enter it here. For example, if your router's DHCP range is 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254, enter the same range.

4. Advanced DHCP Settings

• Enable DHCPv4 Rapid Commit: Check the box for "Enable DHCPv4 rapid commit (fast address assignment)".
• Enable IPv6 Support: Check the box for "Enable IPv6 support (SLAAC + RA)".

5. Set Static DHCP Leases

• Navigate to DHCP Leases: Scroll down to the "Static DHCP Leases Configuration".
• Add Static Lease for Router:
  • If you dont know anything about Static Addresses, scroll down, there is a section for it.
  • Static MAC Address of Router: Enter the STATIC MAC address of your router. This information is typically found in your router's settings or on a label on the device. This step is crucial to ensure your router consistently gets the same IP address.
  • STATIC IP Address of Router: Enter the IP address of your router. Using the static IP of your router here is essential for proper network configuration.
  • You can also enter the normal (dynamic) IP of your router to be thorough. (Just to be safe)
  • Static IP of Pi-hole: Also add the static IP of your Pi-hole to ensure it remains consistent. (Just to be safe)
• Click the + button to add the entry and then Save.

6. Configure DNS Settings in Pi-hole

• Navigate to DNS Settings: Go to Settings -> DNS.
• Upstream DNS Servers:
  • Add the static IP address of your router as one of the upstream DNS servers. It is very important to use the static IP of your router here to ensure reliable DNS resolution.
  • You may also add the static IP of your Pi-hole (this is optional, but can be done if needed). (Just to be safe)
  • You may also add other DNS servers (e.g., Google DNS, OpenDNS) if needed.
• Check the relevant boxes to enable these servers.
• Conditional Forwarding (optional):
  • If you want to resolve local hostnames, enable conditional forwarding.
  • Enter your router’s IP and local domain name.

7. Restart Pi-hole or DHCP Server

• Restart Pi-hole: Restart the Pi-hole device to ensure it recognizes and applies the new settings. You can do this through the Pi-hole web interface or by rebooting the device.
• Restart DHCP Server:
  • Router DHCP Server: Temporarily disable and then re-enable the DHCP server on your router. This action forces the router to recognize the Pi-hole as the DHCP server. Do not permanently disable it yet; just turn it off and then back on until it recognizes the Pi-hole.
  • Pi-hole DHCP Server: Ensure the Pi-hole DHCP server is enabled and running.

8. Finalizing Configuration

• Double-check all entries for accuracy.
• Click Save to apply the settings.

Verification and Troubleshooting

1. Restart Devices: Restart your router and any connected devices to ensure they receive the new DHCP settings.
2. Check Pi-hole Logs: Look at the Pi-hole query logs to confirm that DNS requests are being routed through Pi-hole.
3. Test Connectivity: Ensure internet connectivity on all devices. Use nslookup or dig to verify that DNS queries are being handled by Pi-hole.

Notes

• Leave Router DHCP Enabled Initially: Leave the DHCP server on the router enabled initially. Temporarily disable and re-enable it to ensure it recognizes the Pi-hole.
• Static IP and MAC Address Importance: Keeping Pi-hole’s IP static and ensuring the router’s Static and IP MAC address is correctly entered are crucial steps. These ensure that the router consistently gets the same IP address and that DNS resolution remains reliable.
• Permanently Disable Router DHCP (Optional): Once Pi-hole is recognized as the DHCP server and everything is working correctly, you can consider permanently disabling the DHCP server on your router to avoid conflicts.
• Include Normal IP of Router: You can also enter the normal (dynamic) IP of your router in the Static DHCP leases configuration settings. Maybe very important to get the PI even working on your Router (You see it green in the Queries after some time) (Just to be safe)
• Or easy, just buy a router with DNS Options (Asus, etc...)

Only important if you dont know what static and dynamic Router address are otherwise ignore it:

Edit : Static MAC and IP of the router : If you're confused about what I mean by static and dynamic IP, MAC addresses of the router...:

In your router's network settings, you'll likely find an option to view your Static IP for the Router. Additionally, there will be a STATIC MAC address associated with its STATIC IP, which is different from the dynamically assigned IP and MAC of the Router.
The IP address of the static assignment is usually longer and unique for each router (STATIC). It's crucial to use this specific STATIC MAC address and STATIC IP OF THE ROUTER when configuring static DHCP leases in Pi-hole, rather than the MAC address associated with the dynamically assigned IP.
This ensures that the router consistently receives the same IP address from Pi-hole. So, instead of using the IP "192.168.0.1", you should use the Static IP of your ROUTER along with its corresponding STATIC MAC address found in your router's settings.
This way, your Pi-hole works automatically on all devices that connect to your WLAN. If you have a second router, you can TRY and SHOULD adding the Pi-hole's static IP to DNS settings; however, typically, all traffic runs through the FIRST router and should be filtered accordingly. Ensure to perform these configurations also on your 2nd Router (if you have one) and on your MAIN router.
Locate Router's Network Settings: Access your router's administration panel through a web browser. Typically, you can do this by entering your router's IP address (usually something like "192.168.0.1") into the address bar. Log in using your router's username and password.

1. Find Static IP for the Router: Look for an option related to network settings or LAN settings. Within this section, you should find an option for finding the Static IP of your router. This static IP address will be used to ensure consistency in network configurations.
2. Identify Static MAC Address: Alongside the static IP address, you'll also find a MAC address associated with it. This MAC address is unique to your router and is used to identify it on the network. Make note of this MAC address as you'll need it later.
3. Configure Static DHCP Lease in Pi-hole: Access the Pi-hole web interface and navigate to the DHCP settings. Find the section for setting static DHCP leases. Here, you'll add an entry for your router.
4. Enter Router's Static MAC and IP: In the static DHCP lease configuration, enter the MAC address you found earlier along with the static IP address assigned to your router. This ensures that your router always receives the same IP address from Pi-hole.
5. Update DNS Settings in Pi-hole: Navigate to the DNS settings in the Pi-hole web interface. Add the static IP address of your router as one of the upstream DNS servers. This ensures reliable DNS resolution for your network.
6. Verify Configuration: Double-check all entries for accuracy. Ensure that you've used the correct static IP address and MAC address for your router.
7. Save Settings and Test: Click save to apply the settings. Restart your Pi-hole device to ensure it recognizes and applies the new settings. You can also restart your router for good measure.

I’m enjoying this game for what it’s worth and I know that it’s not even officially out yet, but I hope that before the official release they can add these things to the game. I don’t know if the devs are reading this sub, but I’m sure at least one of them does lol!
Different looking gear: This is definitely one of the main complaints in the game and they should really address this. Legendary weapons and gear should look like their in-game counterparts if they have any like in Fallout Shelter. I mean Cicero is wearing a mail, he should be wearing his jester costume. Tiber Septim should be wearing his gold armor, and so on. It just helps differentiate it from other items and also make them look more “Legendary”. They don’t even need to make their 3D model look similar to the source material, just their gear is fine, but at least give them the right skin tone and hairstyle.
As for the other gear with just special effects but are not from the other ES games, literally just add particle effects on them like a sword with a fire bonus should be on fire, an axe with a frost bonus should be icy, a dagger with a lifesteal effect should be dripping in blood, and so on. It makes it more obvious that the item has an enchantment. I swear people would love this game more if you add that.
Return the “Wasteland Expedition” feature(forgot what it’s called) that Fallout Shelter had: You know, just drop a unit or a party in a carriage placed maybe at the entrance of the castle or something and let them explore the world where they will get items, gold, and so on, without your intervention, and the longer they explore, the more items they get, then give it a cap that when they die, they automatically go back home instead so they don’t go exploring forever.
Maybe add a small animation where they are doing stuff like running, fighting enemies, eating, and so on to make it more interesting while they are just exploring and have dialog options here and there so you have to check them for then to move forward. Then have some checkpoints so you can continue travelling the said route and discovering new areas and dialog options to get better items.
They can connect this with exploring new locations for the game to have a more coherent story and questlines. Tbh exploring locations is what makes Fallout Shelter fun and interesting, I really hope that they return that feature someday. Imagine exploring towns and castles where you can go inside rooms, look for items and talk to other NPC’s, then at some point you get to fight enemies or while running around town you fight bandits and stuff, then the game switches to the normal combat screen. Man that would really elevate Castles to a more fully fleshed out game. Like imagine going to Whiterun or Cyrodiil, man that would be amazing 🤩
Imagine having a Thieves’ Guild Questline or a Dragonborn quest where in the end one of your units becomes a dragonborn with special gear and stuff like that. And they can make it seasonal since units die of old age anyways, so like this month you can get a dragonborn unit with a unique trait if you complete the quest, then next month you can get a thieves guild unit and so on. And these traits cannot be inherited so the only way to get them is by doing the quests. One can only dream 🙏
More decorations that the subjects can interact with: I only have a low level castle right now so I don’t have all the decorations, but I notice units can interact with the fountain and have a ruling that say the fountain is being filled with gold coins and such. I don’t know if there are other decorations like this in higher levels, but I hope they add more of them. Like maybe someone reads the red book and suddenly they get an enduring trait since the description says it contains the “Secret to Enduring Health”, or they read the green book and they become 5 years younger, someone hangs around the purple tree too much and they become temporarily haunted, that would be really nice to see.
Oh and animation-wise too they definitely should add more interactions. I’ve only noticed two decorations that the NPC’s interact with, the fountain and the purple tree. Adults steal coins from the fountain, and kids play ring-around-a-rosie around the tree. It’s cute when they do that, just small details that add more life to the game. Oh and they sometimes taste the soup in the kitchen and check out their clothes in the sewing table, which is funny. I hope they add more of these to the other workstations, like they can test a weapon in the blacksmith, scribble over the battle plans in the war room, steal a sweet roll at the buffet, and so on.
Hard mode quests: Quests where if your units die, you lose your units permanently, but the rewards are better. They can implement this at the gauntlet for more seasoned players to try.
Bookshelf should have books that players can read: I bought the Lusty Argonian 1 and 2 for some gold, I should at least be able to read them, right? Isn’t that why we even choose what book to buy in the first place?
Music Stage should let us choose what background music to play: The music plays on a loop but it changes, at least give us an option to choose what we want to hear and maybe get new music to play from the shop. And definitely should add a musician/bard trait or something where if they play music at the music stage, they increase happiness for other NPC’s. To make it balanced, they can only increase the happiness to the lowest green level and will only affect their family and friends, I guess that would be reasonable without being too gamebreaking.
Allow us to destroy items to get back their raw materials: Not really necessary but it would be a nice feature to have. I’d be okay with destroying items to get half or 1/3 of the resources used to make them, at least my useless items will have some other use except for selling them.
Have an alchemy/wizard table that produces potions/scrolls: 1 potion per day is good enough. In the same vein, having a wizard table that produces scrolls is nice too, maybe not just resurrection scrolls, but temporary buffs that work only for the current battle is good too.
Have a leveling system for the units: Like someone using their workstation for 5 years should at least get a +1 bonus productivity in their job, up to a maximum of +5, with rarer units getting more, like gold units can get up to +9, purple +8, blue +7, green but with 2 traits +6, while fighters should get more proficient with their weapons the more they fight. A 10% increase for having weapon proficiency isn’t so overpowered anyway but is nice to have. Maybe each weapon should have a specific unit that they need to kill, and when they accomplish it they unlock the proficiency? Like “kill 100 goblins to get 10% more damage with this weapon”? I dunno, but it’s a nice thing to have and adds something more to do in the game with a tangible reward.
That’s all I have for now, hope you guys like my ideas and definitely your comments will be much appreciated! If you have ideas of your own you can share them below 😊

1. Install Pi-hole and Assign a Static IP

• Install Pi-hole: Follow the official installation guide from Pi-hole’s website.
• Assign a Static IP: During installation, Pi-hole will prompt you to set a static IP. Ensure this IP is within your network's range and not conflicting with other devices.

2. Access the Pi-hole Web Interface

• Open a browser and navigate to http:///admin.
• Log in using the password provided during installation or configured later.

3. Configure DHCP Settings in Pi-hole

• Navigate to DHCP Settings: Go to Settings -> DHCP.
• Enable DHCP Server: Check the box to enable the DHCP server.
• Enter Router IP and IP Range:
  • Router IP Address: Enter your router's IP address.
  • IP Range: Copy the DHCP range from your router settings and enter it here. For example, if your router's DHCP range is 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254, enter the same range.

4. Advanced DHCP Settings

• Enable DHCPv4 Rapid Commit: Check the box for "Enable DHCPv4 rapid commit (fast address assignment)".
• Enable IPv6 Support: Check the box for "Enable IPv6 support (SLAAC + RA)".

5. Set Static DHCP Leases

• Navigate to DHCP Leases: Scroll down to the "Static DHCP Leases Configuration".
• Add Static Lease for Router:
  • If you dont know anything about Static Addresses, scroll down, there is a section for it.
  • Static MAC Address of Router: Enter the STATIC MAC address of your router. This information is typically found in your router's settings or on a label on the device. This step is crucial to ensure your router consistently gets the same IP address.
  • STATIC IP Address of Router: Enter the IP address of your router. Using the static IP of your router here is essential for proper network configuration.
  • You can also enter the normal (dynamic) IP of your router to be thorough. (Just to be safe)
  • Static IP of Pi-hole: Also add the static IP of your Pi-hole to ensure it remains consistent. (Just to be safe)
• Click the + button to add the entry and then Save.

6. Configure DNS Settings in Pi-hole

• Navigate to DNS Settings: Go to Settings -> DNS.
• Upstream DNS Servers:
  • Add the static IP address of your router as one of the upstream DNS servers. It is very important to use the static IP of your router here to ensure reliable DNS resolution.
  • You may also add the static IP of your Pi-hole (this is optional, but can be done if needed). (Just to be safe)
  • You may also add other DNS servers (e.g., Google DNS, OpenDNS) if needed.
• Check the relevant boxes to enable these servers.
• Conditional Forwarding (optional):
  • If you want to resolve local hostnames, enable conditional forwarding.
  • Enter your router’s IP and local domain name.

7. Restart Pi-hole or DHCP Server

• Restart Pi-hole: Restart the Pi-hole device to ensure it recognizes and applies the new settings. You can do this through the Pi-hole web interface or by rebooting the device.
• Restart DHCP Server:
  • Router DHCP Server: Temporarily disable and then re-enable the DHCP server on your router. This action forces the router to recognize the Pi-hole as the DHCP server. Do not permanently disable it yet; just turn it off and then back on until it recognizes the Pi-hole.
  • Pi-hole DHCP Server: Ensure the Pi-hole DHCP server is enabled and running.

8. Finalizing Configuration

• Double-check all entries for accuracy.
• Click Save to apply the settings.

Verification and Troubleshooting

1. Restart Devices: Restart your router and any connected devices to ensure they receive the new DHCP settings.
2. Check Pi-hole Logs: Look at the Pi-hole query logs to confirm that DNS requests are being routed through Pi-hole.
3. Test Connectivity: Ensure internet connectivity on all devices. Use nslookup or dig to verify that DNS queries are being handled by Pi-hole.

Notes

• Leave Router DHCP Enabled Initially: Leave the DHCP server on the router enabled initially. Temporarily disable and re-enable it to ensure it recognizes the Pi-hole.
• Static IP and MAC Address Importance: Keeping Pi-hole’s IP static and ensuring the router’s Static and IP MAC address is correctly entered are crucial steps. These ensure that the router consistently gets the same IP address and that DNS resolution remains reliable.
• Permanently Disable Router DHCP (Optional): Once Pi-hole is recognized as the DHCP server and everything is working correctly, you can consider permanently disabling the DHCP server on your router to avoid conflicts.
• Include Normal IP of Router: You can also enter the normal (dynamic) IP of your router in the Static DHCP leases configuration settings. Maybe very important to get the PI even working on your Router (You see it green in the Queries after some time) (Just to be safe)
• Or easy, just buy a router with DNS Options (Asus, etc...)

Only important if you dont know what static and dynamic Router address are otherwise ignore it:

Edit : Static MAC and IP of the router : If you're confused about what I mean by static and dynamic IP, MAC addresses of the router...:

In your router's network settings, you'll likely find an option to view your Static IP for the Router. Additionally, there will be a STATIC MAC address associated with its STATIC IP, which is different from the dynamically assigned IP and MAC of the Router.
The IP address of the static assignment is usually longer and unique for each router (STATIC). It's crucial to use this specific STATIC MAC address and STATIC IP OF THE ROUTER when configuring static DHCP leases in Pi-hole, rather than the MAC address associated with the dynamically assigned IP.
This ensures that the router consistently receives the same IP address from Pi-hole. So, instead of using the IP "192.168.0.1", you should use the Static IP of your ROUTER along with its corresponding STATIC MAC address found in your router's settings.
This way, your Pi-hole works automatically on all devices that connect to your WLAN. If you have a second router, you can TRY and SHOULD adding the Pi-hole's static IP to DNS settings; however, typically, all traffic runs through the FIRST router and should be filtered accordingly. Ensure to perform these configurations also on your 2nd Router (if you have one) and on your MAIN router.
Locate Router's Network Settings: Access your router's administration panel through a web browser. Typically, you can do this by entering your router's IP address (usually something like "192.168.0.1") into the address bar. Log in using your router's username and password.

1. Find Static IP for the Router: Look for an option related to network settings or LAN settings. Within this section, you should find an option for finding the Static IP of your router. This static IP address will be used to ensure consistency in network configurations.
2. Identify Static MAC Address: Alongside the static IP address, you'll also find a MAC address associated with it. This MAC address is unique to your router and is used to identify it on the network. Make note of this MAC address as you'll need it later.
3. Configure Static DHCP Lease in Pi-hole: Access the Pi-hole web interface and navigate to the DHCP settings. Find the section for setting static DHCP leases. Here, you'll add an entry for your router.
4. Enter Router's Static MAC and IP: In the static DHCP lease configuration, enter the MAC address you found earlier along with the static IP address assigned to your router. This ensures that your router always receives the same IP address from Pi-hole.
5. Update DNS Settings in Pi-hole: Navigate to the DNS settings in the Pi-hole web interface. Add the static IP address of your router as one of the upstream DNS servers. This ensures reliable DNS resolution for your network.
6. Verify Configuration: Double-check all entries for accuracy. Ensure that you've used the correct static IP address and MAC address for your router.
7. Save Settings and Test: Click save to apply the settings. Restart your Pi-hole device to ensure it recognizes and applies the new settings. You can also restart your router for good measure.

1. Install Pi-hole and Assign a Static IP

• Install Pi-hole: Follow the official installation guide from Pi-hole’s website.
• Assign a Static IP: During installation, Pi-hole will prompt you to set a static IP. Ensure this IP is within your network's range and not conflicting with other devices.

2. Access the Pi-hole Web Interface

• Open a browser and navigate to http:///admin.
• Log in using the password provided during installation or configured later.

3. Configure DHCP Settings in Pi-hole

• Navigate to DHCP Settings: Go to Settings -> DHCP.
• Enable DHCP Server: Check the box to enable the DHCP server.
• Enter Router IP and IP Range:
  • Router IP Address: Enter your router's IP address.
  • IP Range: Copy the DHCP range from your router settings and enter it here. For example, if your router's DHCP range is 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254, enter the same range.

4. Advanced DHCP Settings

• Enable DHCPv4 Rapid Commit: Check the box for "Enable DHCPv4 rapid commit (fast address assignment)".
• Enable IPv6 Support: Check the box for "Enable IPv6 support (SLAAC + RA)".

5. Set Static DHCP Leases

• Navigate to DHCP Leases: Scroll down to the "Static DHCP Leases Configuration".
• Add Static Lease for Router:
  • If you dont know anything about Static Addresses, scroll down, there is a section for it.
  • Static MAC Address of Router: Enter the STATIC MAC address of your router. This information is typically found in your router's settings or on a label on the device. This step is crucial to ensure your router consistently gets the same IP address.
  • STATIC IP Address of Router: Enter the IP address of your router. Using the static IP of your router here is essential for proper network configuration.
  • You can also enter the normal (dynamic) IP of your router to be thorough. (Just to be safe)
  • Static IP of Pi-hole: Also add the static IP of your Pi-hole to ensure it remains consistent. (Just to be safe)
• Click the + button to add the entry and then Save.

6. Configure DNS Settings in Pi-hole

• Navigate to DNS Settings: Go to Settings -> DNS.
• Upstream DNS Servers:
  • Add the static IP address of your router as one of the upstream DNS servers. It is very important to use the static IP of your router here to ensure reliable DNS resolution.
  • You may also add the static IP of your Pi-hole (this is optional, but can be done if needed). (Just to be safe)
  • You may also add other DNS servers (e.g., Google DNS, OpenDNS) if needed.
• Check the relevant boxes to enable these servers.
• Conditional Forwarding (optional):
  • If you want to resolve local hostnames, enable conditional forwarding.
  • Enter your router’s IP and local domain name.

7. Restart Pi-hole or DHCP Server

• Restart Pi-hole: Restart the Pi-hole device to ensure it recognizes and applies the new settings. You can do this through the Pi-hole web interface or by rebooting the device.
• Restart DHCP Server:
  • Router DHCP Server: Temporarily disable and then re-enable the DHCP server on your router. This action forces the router to recognize the Pi-hole as the DHCP server. Do not permanently disable it yet; just turn it off and then back on until it recognizes the Pi-hole.
  • Pi-hole DHCP Server: Ensure the Pi-hole DHCP server is enabled and running.

8. Finalizing Configuration

• Double-check all entries for accuracy.
• Click Save to apply the settings.

Verification and Troubleshooting

1. Restart Devices: Restart your router and any connected devices to ensure they receive the new DHCP settings.
2. Check Pi-hole Logs: Look at the Pi-hole query logs to confirm that DNS requests are being routed through Pi-hole.
3. Test Connectivity: Ensure internet connectivity on all devices. Use nslookup or dig to verify that DNS queries are being handled by Pi-hole.

Notes

• Leave Router DHCP Enabled Initially: Leave the DHCP server on the router enabled initially. Temporarily disable and re-enable it to ensure it recognizes the Pi-hole.
• Static IP and MAC Address Importance: Keeping Pi-hole’s IP static and ensuring the router’s Static and IP MAC address is correctly entered are crucial steps. These ensure that the router consistently gets the same IP address and that DNS resolution remains reliable.
• Permanently Disable Router DHCP (Optional): Once Pi-hole is recognized as the DHCP server and everything is working correctly, you can consider permanently disabling the DHCP server on your router to avoid conflicts.
• Include Normal IP of Router: You can also enter the normal (dynamic) IP of your router in the Static DHCP leases configuration settings. Maybe very important to get the PI even working on your Router (You see it green in the Queries after some time) (Just to be safe)
• Or easy, just buy a router with DNS Options (Asus, etc...)

Only important if you dont know what static and dynamic Router address are otherwise ignore it:

Edit : Static MAC and IP of the router : If you're confused about what I mean by static and dynamic IP, MAC addresses of the router...:

In your router's network settings, you'll likely find an option to view your Static IP for the Router. Additionally, there will be a STATIC MAC address associated with its STATIC IP, which is different from the dynamically assigned IP and MAC of the Router.
The IP address of the static assignment is usually longer and unique for each router (STATIC). It's crucial to use this specific STATIC MAC address and STATIC IP OF THE ROUTER when configuring static DHCP leases in Pi-hole, rather than the MAC address associated with the dynamically assigned IP.
This ensures that the router consistently receives the same IP address from Pi-hole. So, instead of using the IP "192.168.0.1", you should use the Static IP of your ROUTER along with its corresponding STATIC MAC address found in your router's settings.
This way, your Pi-hole works automatically on all devices that connect to your WLAN. If you have a second router, you can TRY and SHOULD adding the Pi-hole's static IP to DNS settings; however, typically, all traffic runs through the FIRST router and should be filtered accordingly. Ensure to perform these configurations also on your 2nd Router (if you have one) and on your MAIN router.
Locate Router's Network Settings: Access your router's administration panel through a web browser. Typically, you can do this by entering your router's IP address (usually something like "192.168.0.1") into the address bar. Log in using your router's username and password.

1. Find Static IP for the Router: Look for an option related to network settings or LAN settings. Within this section, you should find an option for finding the Static IP of your router. This static IP address will be used to ensure consistency in network configurations.
2. Identify Static MAC Address: Alongside the static IP address, you'll also find a MAC address associated with it. This MAC address is unique to your router and is used to identify it on the network. Make note of this MAC address as you'll need it later.
3. Configure Static DHCP Lease in Pi-hole: Access the Pi-hole web interface and navigate to the DHCP settings. Find the section for setting static DHCP leases. Here, you'll add an entry for your router.
4. Enter Router's Static MAC and IP: In the static DHCP lease configuration, enter the MAC address you found earlier along with the static IP address assigned to your router. This ensures that your router always receives the same IP address from Pi-hole.
5. Update DNS Settings in Pi-hole: Navigate to the DNS settings in the Pi-hole web interface. Add the static IP address of your router as one of the upstream DNS servers. This ensures reliable DNS resolution for your network.
6. Verify Configuration: Double-check all entries for accuracy. Ensure that you've used the correct static IP address and MAC address for your router.
7. Save Settings and Test: Click save to apply the settings. Restart your Pi-hole device to ensure it recognizes and applies the new settings. You can also restart your router for good measure.

Welcome to /Charity!

Got a charitable cause you'd like to share! This is the place!

Requirements

For 501c(3) non-profits (US) or a Non-Governmental Organization (aka NGO outside the US)

• For a registered 501c(3) or other certified charity (such as NGO's in other non-US countries), the charity must be listed in a governmental web site for verification.
• A fundraiser that is being handled directly by that charity, such as the American Heart Association's Heartwalk or JDRF's charity walk, where you supply a link on their site for your team/yourself.
• A crowdfunding site that shows it is directly benefiting a certified charity.

Please modmail us so that we can flair your post as a registered certified non-profit!

For Everyone Else

You must have both

• Account age of 30 days or older AND
• Comment karma of 250 or greater.

NOTE: We are specifically looking for COMMENT karma. The karma value you are probably looking at is a COMBINED value, consisting of both Link/Post karma plus Comment karma.

To view your karma breakdown:

• Mouse-hover over your username on desktop. This works for both the old and redesigned web site.
• On the official Reddit app for iOS, view your profile, then tap the karma value shown.
• On the official Reddit app for Android, you can't. Complain on /redditmobile.
• On the unofficial Reddit App for Android, RIF (Formerly known as Reddit is Fun), your breakdown is listed on your profile screen.

The following circumventions will result in a ban:

• Using a karma farming subreddit, such as Karma4You, or asking focomplaining about karma in a general sub.
• Unsolicited private messaging to push your campaign.
• Posting your campaign on someone else's post.

Comment Karma is directly correlated to how many comments you leave plus/minus any points as people upvote a popular comment or downvote an unpopular comment.

Credibility, Community, and You

AKA, Why Do We Have Account Requirements for Individuals?
In an effort to make your crowdfunding efforts more successful here on Reddit, some background first:
In many of the gifting and fundraising subs, you'll notice that without a certain amount "karma" and an account that's old enough, you'll garner down votes or worse, your posts and comments get automatically removed.
Why?
To many Redditors, this place is a community built on activity. The "coin" of the land here is your account, and how much you've contributed to the Reddit community at large reflected in post and comment karma.
As a general rule, Redditors dislike the creation of accounts specifically to fund raise or to make requests. It makes it seem like these people simply treat Reddit as some sort of magical internet wallet, and that doesn't win many friends.
The other reason why new accounts are so disliked is that they're often alternate accounts of established users, in order to hide their activity from people they know. While we do sympathize with those of you who have valid reasons, this privilege is often abused by those who create disposable accounts to scam people for a quick buck.
This trust issue doesn't exist in the same way with certified non-profit groups, as you can look them up online for verification, and at least in the case of 501c(3)s, their spending is transparent due to their required tax filings which are public information.
So if you're new to Reddit, welcome! Spend some time and look around for something that catches your interest and chat it up with others and become part of the community!
However if you're here for the sole reason of making requests in a hurry, please be aware your pleas for help will likely be ignored.
REMEMBER, CREDIBILITY AND COMMUNITY IS EVERYTHING!
For this reason, the mods will not post anything on behalf of any user that does not meet account requirements.

Rules

1. Posts must be more than just a link to your campaign. Be descriptive! Show evidence . This includes:
   1. If this is for your pet, photos of your pet in question, with your username on a handwritten note in the picture.
   2. School documentation showing enrollment if you are asking for assistance for school.
   3. Redacted bills showing your situation.
   4. Or other relevant documentation that can help establish credibility.
   5. At minimum, please attach an unobstructed selfie photo of yourself(the submitter) with a handwritten note of your username.
   6. Low effort posts that simply say to the effect of, "everything is listed in the GoFundMe" will be removed.
2. Please Flair your posts, once created. If you don't know how, just let the mods know and we'll do it for you.
3. Only 1 campaign per user. We want you have some personal connection to the campaign, and not submit multiples simply because they were in the news.
4. Reposts are allowed once a week. If a repost comes up too early, the newest one(s) will be removed.
5. Acceptable transfer methods for individuals are for crowdfunding sites only, such as GoFundme, YouCaring, etc. Individuals should avoid using Paypal, crypto, or direct banking aps (like Chase). 501c(3) and NGOs may use whatever method they wish.
6. Don't PM people to make requests. If you receive an unsolicited private message, please let us know!
7. Do not post politically-related campaigns. They're just too divisive.
8. Trolling will not be tolerated and offending users will be banned.
9. Don't bug the mods for an exception to the account requirements. None will be given. If you attempt to circumvent the requirement by karma farming or by commenting on someone else's post, your account will be banned.
10. No posting for other Redditors. No Alts. This is viewed as a circumvention of requirements and both accounts will be banned.
11. Selling is only allowed by 1st parties directly. We do not allow selling by 3rd parties to benefit another organization, as there's no transparency to verify that the announced percentage of sales actually goes to the beneficiary. Only direct sales by the non-profit organization are allowed.

Supporting Information Requested for Non-501c(3) and Non-NGO campaigns.

We aren't the government. We aren't a court of law. We definitely don't want you to give out information that could lead to identity theft. However, some campaigns are more successful when they have additional documentation.
This includes:

• Pet related requests: Photos of your pet in question, with your username on a handwritten note in the picture. This helps show you actually own the pet in question.
• Education related requests: Documentation showing enrollment or acceptance if you are asking for assistance for school.
• Redacted bills showing your situation. In some cases, a donor may prefer to pay a creditor directly on your behalf, so be prepared and find out if that is available to you.
• If you are sharing a campaign for a registered certified non-profit organization (such as a 501c3 or NGO), you should say so in the post, and it should list that status on the campaign page/web site.
• Or other relevant documentation that can help establish credibility.

Low effort posts that simply say to the effect of, "everything is listed in the GoFundMe" (or less!) will be removed.

How to Include a Photo or Other Supporting Info Document In Your Post

Because Reddit wasn't initially designed to handle photos when it was created, it has limitations in the implementation of photo support which don't work well for us. So instead we suggest the following:

1. Upload your photo to Imgur.com or other photo hosting site.
2. Copy the URL for the photo.
3. Create a new post or Edit your existing one to include the URL to the photo.

Please make sure to include this, as it is the primary reason why posts that are otherwise fine get removed.

Advice On Making Your Campaign Go Further

Not all crowdfunding campaigns are the same, but here are some suggestions.

• Make sure your campaign has been shared among your Facebook friends! You might think it's embarrassing, however your friends and family are more likely to care than internet strangers.
• Show that you've exhausted all the other possibilities. A lot of potential donors don't like to give money when it seems like the requester's first and only solution is to simply throw someone else's money at the problem. Nobody is going to take your word when you literally only say, "but I've done everything!", when the actual reality is probably closer to "I've done everything I can think of", which arguably is NOT everything.
• Show that there's a plan to use the money wisely. Often people have campaigns for their business ideas, but it doesn't really seem like they thought it all the way through. Tell people what steps you've taken so far, and what you're going to do next.
• Be open to critics. If there's something that people ask about, you should not be dismissive. Provide more detail. There's a possibility that they know something you don't, or they have something different about their own experience that might be useful to you. If you simply brush off your critics, it shows objectively that you're not doing everything possible.
• Review your own campaign with the mindset of a potential donor. Ask yourself, "Would I give money to this?" Or get a friend to review it for you.

Questions?

Please don't hesitate to ask the mods!
... Unless you're trying to ask for an exception to the account requirements.

note: sorry for long text, but thoughts came to my mind, and can't free me to sleep
let's begin
In the natural world, there is a stark contrast between the governance of living and non-living things. Take, for example, the difference between a scratch on a car's paint and a wound on human skin. While both are forms of damage, the way they are handled is fundamentally different.
A car, being a non-living object, cannot heal itself. If its paint is scratched, it will remain that way until an external force, such as a human with the right tools and materials, intervenes to repair it. The car has no inherent ability to coordinate a response to the damage or to communicate with other parts of itself to initiate a healing process.
On the other hand, when human skin is wounded, a complex biological process springs into action. Various cells within the body, such as platelets, white blood cells, and fibroblasts, work together to stop the bleeding, fight infection, and repair the damaged tissue. This intricate dance of cellular coordination and communication happens without any conscious effort on our part – it is an automatic, self-governing response.
Now, let's compare this to the governance of human organizations and the potential governance of AI systems. Human organizations, like living organisms, are composed of many individual parts (i.e., people) that must work together to achieve common goals. This requires a system of governance, often in the form of a hierarchical chain of command, where leaders at the top set the overall direction and delegate tasks to those below them, who in turn delegate to others, and so on.
However, human governance is not always as smooth or efficient as the biological processes within our bodies. It can be hindered by miscommunication, conflicting interests, and the limitations of human decision-making. This is where the potential of AI governance comes into play.
An AI-governed system, much like a living organism, could potentially coordinate and communicate seamlessly between its various components. Each AI entity within the system could be programmed with clear roles and responsibilities, and they could work together in a highly efficient manner to achieve their designated goals. If one part of the system encounters a problem (like a scratch on a car), it could quickly communicate this to other relevant parts of the system, which could then coordinate a response (like the healing process in human skin).
However, it's important to note that the governance of AI systems is not without its challenges. Unlike biological processes, which have been honed by millions of years of evolution, AI systems are created by humans and are therefore subject to the same potential flaws and biases. It's crucial that we design these systems with robust safeguards and ethical principles in mind, to ensure they operate in a way that benefits humanity as a whole.
In conclusion, the governance of living things, like the human body, is a marvel of self-coordination and communication. While non-living things, like cars, require external intervention to repair damage, living organisms have an intrinsic ability to heal themselves. As we look to the future of AI governance, we can take inspiration from these biological processes, while also being mindful of the unique challenges and responsibilities that come with creating artificial systems of governance. By striking the right balance, we may be able to create AI-governed organizations that are as efficient and resilient as the living systems we see in nature.

Here's a more comprehensive guide on opening a new account at Bank of Khartoum, including both in-branch and mobile options:

In-Branch Account Opening

Visit a Branch: Locate a Bank of Khartoum branch near you and visit them during their operating hours. You can find a branch locator on the bank's website https://bankofkhartoum.com/sudan/branches/.

Meet a Customer Service Representative:

Inform them that you'd like to open a new account. They will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have.

Complete the Account Opening Form:

The representative will provide you with the form and guide you through the process. Be sure to fill out the form accurately and completely.

Submit the Required Documents:

Along with the completed form, you'll need to submit the following documents:
Valid photo ID (e.g., passport, national ID)
Proof of address (e.g., utility bill, rental agreement)
Minimum opening deposit (amount may vary depending on account type)
The bank may also request additional documentation depending on your circumstances. It's best to check with your preferred branch beforehand to confirm their exact requirements.

Application Processing and Document Verification:

The representative will handle this step. They will verify your identity and the information you provided on the application form.

Receive Account Details and Banking Materials:

Once approved, you'll receive your account number and other banking materials like a debit card and checkbook (if applicable).

Optional: Set Up Online and Mobile Banking

For easier account management, you can set up online banking and mobile banking through the bank's app or website. This will allow you to check your balance, transfer funds, pay bills, and more conveniently.

Tips

Review Account Options:

The Bank of Khartoum offers various account types, including current accounts, savings accounts, and investment accounts. Each account type has its own features and benefits. Research the different options to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Check the Bank of Khartoum Website:

The bank's website is a valuable resource for information on new account applications, including requirements, downloadable forms, and current account offerings https://eaccount.bankofkhartoum.com/.

Contact Your Preferred Branch:

Consider contacting your preferred branch beforehand to inquire about wait times or to schedule an appointment. This can help you avoid long waits at the bank. Mobile Account Option
The Bank of Khartoum also offers a mobile account option that you can set up through their mobile app called “بنكك” (Banak). This might be a convenient alternative if you don't need to visit a physical branch.

Here's a general overview of how it works:

Download and install the “بنكك” (Banak) app on your smartphone.
Register for a new account using your valid mobile number.
Follow the app's instructions to complete the registration process and verify your identity.
Once your account is set up, you can start using it for various banking transactions. Additional Notes
Keep in mind that the specific steps and requirements may vary depending on the account type you choose and the branch you visit.
It's always a good idea to bring a pen with you when visiting the bank to complete the application form.