Dearest,
I want you to understand me fully, because I find it immensely difficult to communicate any of this unless it is all laid out as one mindset, for I fear being misconstrued as ill-intended when for me this is an exercise of truth and speaking that truth which I feel. It is an exercise of honesty, and one of humility as I lay bare before your conscious attention the fullness of my feeling.
I have loved and I have lost. A number of times now, in various ways. I have explored depths of despair, loneliness, grief, trauma, and other shadowy sides to myself and after entertaining death itself for years, I have emerged refreshed and cleansed. I choose life and all that this incarnation has in store for me while my lungs continue to take breath and my heart continues to beat.
My orientation to life has long been to clench and grip and grab and tightly hold on to illusions of control and security. To ensnare people with untenable relationship arrangements founded on a lack of self-acceptance and love. To entertain conditional and transactional experiences with other humans, for fear of being taken advantage of. These seeds I have allowed to take root have sprung up many times, as I have continued to water and enrich them with anxieties and fears. No longer. I choose to live and to love. I choose to cultivate a space of love that welcomes and accepts and validates and entertains without the need for gripping and containing those who enter it. And as the space expands the walls of my heart, the incalculable depths of loving potential arise to the surface and saturate my being. I choose to be love itself, incarnate as far as my current form will allow. I honor my limitations and find great serenity in accommodating and challenging them in due course.
One of my core powers is understanding the nature of limitation itself. Thus I recognize that in terms of my love, a limit does not exist that can ever long persist. My love is infinite. As I fall into the space of love, I too am infinite as a whole and no longer feel a need to leave this form, or end things, or to do anything especial to avoid suffering. I am just love itself, and that is enough to satisfy my mind and my heart and my soul. All that exists that may limit the outpouring of this love is the nature of my form, and that blessedly is ever changing—seemingly to the benefit of all, and will ever grow alongside the expansion of my heart.
This space is supremely difficult to remain in forever. But when I am with you dearest, I am always in that space. I am always in that space of love with you. Even right now. I am in love with you. Do you get what I am saying? I love you as a person, a human, a being in general. I adore so many aspects of you. But I am also IN the space of love WITH you. I am in love WITH you. I love you, but I am also in love with you.
I have no fear stating this. How could I be afraid of loving utterly she for whom I hold all desire? How could I fear you, dearest, when your embrace is pure comfort and pleasure? You are divinely saturated in feminine expression and attract every atom of my being like a super-magnet. In fact, you instead take all my fears away and alchemize them into precise and pristinely perfect inspiration for me to cheerfully ingest, effortlessly. You ARE my inspiration, my muse, my lady, my woman, and my lover in my mind and in my heart.
Your laugh is a fountain of music and your speech an enchantment for my ears. Your smile as you grin at me is so wonderfully and delightfully silly, mischievous, cheerful, hopeful, and full of desire all at once. I have never felt my capacity to love so challenged as by you, but neither have I ever recognized just how utterly willing I am and will ever be to fully explore that capacity with you.
The way your eyes sparkle with celestial radiance, and draw me down into their depths is a fantasy ride into the very dreamy undertones of my most private subconscious sensualities. And with a bright unserious laugher bubbling up in the blink of said eyes, you make me go to pieces with chagrin and humility in the best possible way. Often, your glance pierces with icy diamond sharpness, but gives way to pools of the most vibrant tropical paradise blue that are wells of the deepest wisdom; a spring from the mountains that begins a stream that will take a lifetime to meet the sea. I would swim in the depths of those pools forever, were I so fortunate as to be invited closer than the leaves of the trees on the edge of the forest. The Keen-Eyed I name you, for there exists no veil or shroud over me that your gaze cannot penetrate with swift and unyielding overtones of warmth and delight. No shadow can endure that light.
Your skin is taut; your muscles wrought—of strength, and powerful endurance. You make the lands vibrate with joy and excitement as the wind chases your feet as they dance through the world. When it is out, the sun glows dazzlingly, glittering with tiny rainbows of color as it plays across your aesthetic and athletic form, and all the wildflowers yearn in anticipation as you pass—hoping for the glory and chance of being picked and tucked behind your ear—to their greatest delight and honor. Framing the soft expanse of your brow, the tresses of your hair flash with a rare and glorious golden radiance that only the light of the stars glittering in the inky darkness of night could produce. Their glow traverses the infinite emptiness of space only to at long last become ensnared and woven into the soft strength of each strand, to radiate that light anew.
When I hug you, I realize that if I could, I would freeze time and spend an eternity just holding you in my arms, lovingly caressing your hair and back as your soft gentle weight presses into me, comforting me utterly with the honoring of the full humility of my stark humanity. Feeling your acceptance, and validation and encouraging enrichment through holding you makes me possessed by great sorrow, knowing I must let you go, but it also leaves me with a lasting serenity and pleasure, knowing that within the space of this long lifetime, I somehow have been so unbelievably fortunate as to have been graced by so loving of an embrace. Humans go entire lifetimes without ever experiencing such a wondrous experience, and I treasure it every time it occurs.
You will never owe me anything, nor suffer any binding at my hand, save those of your own choosing. I offer you infinite depths of connection and reassurance amidst the wide world, but I do not seek to contain or cage you. You have a path to walk just as I do, but I would have yours lead back to me each moment that it may. I would cherish and love you all the days of my life, and never would I intentionally overstep your boundaries nor subject you to violence. I would uphold your honor and work to emphasize your grace with my own stature and beauty and power. Such that is granted to me by the space of each moment, anyways. There is great potential for mutual growth and fulfillment between us over the length of a lifetime if we are willing to invest in developing a deeper intertwining of our bodies and our souls. I recognize many limits but no limit to the depths we might explore together. The universe is vast, but perfection abounds from the highest highs to the deepest depths, and as long as I have you nearby, I may envision it and establish it in turn, for the benefit of our family, should you choose to spend your time in my company in a home of our own.
And if your choice is to seek a path that follows a diversion from my own, I will accept it with graceful resignation, wishing you only the utmost happiness for all your days. I may strain to understand how any other might love you with greater ardor than my heart is aflame with, but the cosmos does not revolve around me, and I recognize that there persist many potential partners of greater consideration and so I willingly let go of any claim I might try to lay for your hand. Instead I offer only a blessing, that should the universe favor me at long last, that this letter will not fall astray and will arrive to a welcome reception in the halls of your heart. Should it not, I will sit with contentment, recognizing my own bravery and madness in sending it, and regretting not the choice to seek your fancy.
You are a treasure dearest, and I am a treasure seeker. I covet many gems and beautiful minerals and crystals that this wondrous planet has grown and shaped. But no crystal radiates as you do. No crystal has so beautiful of colors. Nor is as delightfully energizing as you are. I find no greater assurance in any rock or stone than I do holding your hands and being within the sphere of your aura. I have faith that I will become as strong or as harmonious or supportive as ever you might wish me to be, if only were the smile in your eyes to wake me from dreamspace each morning alongside the rays of the sun and so inspire me to greatness.
May this wishful boat of heartfelt intention and deep desire sail gently into the cavernous depths of your being beneath the mountainous wall of the outer bulwark of your defenses, and may it receive safe harborage in the twilight pools of dreams that glow like galaxies in the soft glimmer of crystal-laden caves that house your soul. May it meet there the doorway to your heart, and may it pass over the threshold, to begin anew the conjugation of the universe with itself through the vehicle of our mutual love.
For K,
Who never received it, having chosen another lover.

Hi👋. I´ve been thinking to create this compilation since I bought a CRT, third party controllers, and a Memory Pak back in January. It seems that there isn’t a post compiling various tools on internet here and there, so here is mine and I hope it helps anyone. If you know a useful tool not listed here, please let me know in the comments below.

• 240p Test Suite (N64 Version): An alpha port of the widely used homebrew software suite for CRT calibration/testing purposes. Sadly, it didn’t have any updates since 2020 or so, therefore is missing a lot of features for testing (Lag Test, Color Bars and more). Still, most of it works as expected.
• 240p Test Suite (SNES Version): If the N64 version is unfinished, maybe using the SNES version is a better option. By the way, this is an official stable version with all of its features working. Some guys back then used the NES version via Neon64 (NES emu for N64), but now we have Sodium64 (SNES emu for N64) and its running at decent speeds at the moment. Been using this for a while and everything works flawlessly; even recent updates are capable of running Mode7 test at solid 60fps, unlike previous versions.
• N64 Controller Test (by Ryzee119): “A simple homebrew N64 rom made to perform some basic N64 controller tests.” It features a Controller Input test (with buttons, Analog Stick and Rumble Pak), a Raw Memory test, and a Transfer Pak test, all on a single rom.
• N64 Controller Tester (by sanni): Another testing rom for the controller. This allows a complete Benchmark of the Analog stick and compare it to different 3rd party joysticks existing on the market (Original Analog, LN64 Analog, GC Style Analog).
• N64 Controller Tester (by max257612): “Fork of sanni's controller test ROM to add more functionality and simplify the interface.” Very similar to the previous one, with some improvements.
• mimi (by wermi): “mimi is a controller test rom for Nintendo 64. It's heavily inspired by sanni's controllertest and max257612's fork thereof, however it is written completely from scratch.“ Features a Range Test for the Analog Stick (up to 5 samples), its Live Range Display, and a very cool Live Oscilloscope display of the analog signal of the stick.
• Nintendo 64 Test Cartridge (by Nintendo): Official Nintendo ROM for Service Centers to test the functionality of Nintendo 64 Systems. It´s existence was known for years, but it was finally dumped in 2023. Features tests for the Controller, Rumble Pak, RSP, RDP, Video and Audio.
• Controller-Pak-Manager 64 (by manfriedn64): “Some graphical user interface to manage your controller paks for Nintendo 64.” A very useful tool with a Windows 95 styled user interface, with a repair Pak function, and the ability to transfer saves from pak to pak.
• N64 Cartridge Save Type Detection Test ROM (by meeq): “This is a simple test ROM for Nintendo 64 that can detect all known (and a few theoretical) cartridge-based save capabilities”. Useful for Flashcart OS save types testing.
• Nintendo 64 Dither Test App (by Matt Pierce): “This is a small application to test the different dither and blend modes of the Nintendo 64”. Useful to get a preview of how exactly NoAntiAliasing patches would look on your TV.

Dear patients, supporters, donors, and friends,
Exciting news: Our second scientific study has wrapped up its sample collection phase and is now in full swing.
Today marks a significant milestone as we've successfully collected blood samples from over 150 patients, with a third of this data already on its way to Dr. Alfonso Urbanucci and his team at The University of Tampere. While we may need to collect some samples again, we are now considering sample collection complete.
This achievement is the culmination of six years of dedicated work by PFS Network, our research group and volunteers.
Alongside our ongoing study at The University of Kiel, these milestones signify unparalleled progress towards understanding PFS and developing safe, effective treatments for patients. We're more hopeful than ever about what lies ahead.
This progress has been hard-fought and largely led by patients, some of whom are no longer with us. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to reaching this point.

Patient Volunteers

A heartfelt thank you to all who have volunteered for our organisation. Your support forms the bedrock of our progress.
Special appreciation goes to the staff who initially volunteered to moderate the propeciahelp forum back in 2018. Despite the lack of recognition, their pivotal role paved the way for community-wide collaboration, resulting in significant achievements, including

• Gathering over 400 responses for our patient survey, now in the process of publication in scientific literature.
• Hosting over 20 videos on our YouTube channel, featuring patients, family members, clinicians, and researchers.
• Recruiting over 200 patients for ongoing scientific studies.

These moderators facilitated a shift towards constructive, scientifically oriented discussions, steering our community platforms in a more productive direction.
We'd also like to extend our gratitude to everyone who has contributed to PFSN projects, whether through data analysis, SEO assistance, video editing, participant recruitment, media engagement, or other forms of support. Your contributions have been invaluable.

Donors

When we embarked on fundraising for our study at The University of Kiel in December 2021, we had modest expectations. The overwhelming response, reaching our 80,000 EUR target within four months, exceeded all expectations.
In total, our charity has raised nearly half a million euros over three years, a remarkable feat considering the grassroots nature of our fundraising efforts. These funds have supported two major projects and enabled us to hire our first PhD student. We are profoundly grateful to all who have contributed.
A special thanks to our major donors, who have generously provided the majority of our funding. Approximately 87% of our funds come from 'private donors,' including patient families, individual wealthy patients, and our first grant.
We also express gratitude to patient donors whose consistent support, though smaller in scale, has been invaluable.

Researchers & Clinicians

We've often expressed our gratitude for the exceptional team of researchers we're privileged to work with. What began as individual research endeavours has evolved into a comprehensive scientific advisory team comprising experts across various fields.
While we are immensely grateful for their support in launching these projects, we also recognise the contributions of others who have made these studies possible. This includes clinical support for patient and control tissue collection for the Kiel study, researchers who have previously published on the topic, and the teams supporting lead researchers at their institutions.

What's Next

Reflecting on our progress, it's essential to recognise the concerted effort it has required. Equally important is acknowledging the state of affairs before these advancements.
In 2018, cohesive patient participation platforms were scarce, clinical data was limited, and appropriate scientific research on the condition was lacking. The achievements of recent years are not accidental but the result of careful planning and thoughtful collaboration.
Throughout our journey, we've emphasised the importance of patience and practical, incremental steps towards understanding, recognition, and eventual treatments. We remind patients of the principles that got us here and urge you not to take this progress for granted.
As we move forward with both studies, our focus shifts to supporting researchers in their vital work. While we cannot provide detailed updates from the lab as frequently, rest assured we'll maintain regular communication, now on a quarterly basis instead.
Over the coming months, we'll continue consulting with our scientific advisory team, analysing incoming data, and exploring new projects to advance understanding and awareness of PFS.
To some, especially new patients, progress over the coming months may seem slow or non-existent. However, the most significant work is now underway.
We're cognizant that this could result in a situation reminiscent of 2018, characterised by a tendency towards quick solutions and increased complacency.
Please understand that our progress has been achievable only through broad cooperation and support of clearly defined, justified projects. We advise patients to carefully consider who they entrust to spearhead progress and meticulously assess any individual or group asking for their support.
Please remain active in driving progress forward, chiefly by backing our initiatives and motivating others to do the same. If you're currently contributing financially, please maintain your support to ensure timely commencement of potential new projects, when ready. Additionally, as advocated in our 2024 fundraising campaign, please continue to inspire your loved ones to contribute financially whenever feasible.
Thank you all for your unwavering dedication and support. Despite the road ahead, our optimism for the future has never been higher.

Mythical Realms Expedition:
Dear Writer,
Embark on an enthralling expedition through diverse mythical realms within a letter. Lead characters on a quest that traverses legendary landscapes, encountering mythical creatures, gods, and awe-inspiring wonders found only in the realms of ancient legends.
Describe the vivid and fantastical landscapes, from enchanted forests to celestial kingdoms, each steeped in rich lore and teeming with mythical beings. How do characters navigate these realms, overcome challenges, and interact with legendary entities as they embark on this daring journey?
Your task is to intricately craft an expedition narrative that immerses readers in the wonders of mythical realms, capturing the essence of epic adventures amidst legendary landscapes and mythical beings.
Best Regards, The Writingthruit Subreddit

1. Dreadpunk:

Dear Writer,
Emphasize a sense of dread and unease within a gothic horror narrative within a letter. Craft an atmospheric and chilling story that immerses readers in a world where fear and apprehension lurk in every shadow, creating an unsettling and haunting experience.
Best Regards, [Your Name]

1. Decopunk:

Dear Writer,
Set your narrative in the Art Deco era within a letter. Explore the sleek design, glamour, and distinctive aesthetics of this period, incorporating these elements into the characters' lives and surroundings to create a visually striking and stylish world.
Best Regards, [Your Name]

1. Dying Earth Subgenre:

Dear Writer,
Immerse characters in the last days of a dying world within a letter. Portray a world on the brink of collapse, with a pervasive sense of decay and decline that shapes the characters' experiences and actions as they navigate a fading existence.
Best Regards, [Your Name]

1. Mannerpunk:

Dear Writer,
Focus on manners, social structures, and etiquette within a fantastical setting within a letter. Craft a narrative that revolves around societal norms, manners, and the complexities of social structures, exploring how these elements shape characters' interactions and aspirations.
Best Regards, [Your Name]

1. Slipstream:

Dear Writer,
Blur the boundaries between mainstream and speculative fiction within a letter. Create a narrative that incorporates elements of the surreal and the unusual, challenging readers' perceptions of reality through a blend of unconventional storytelling.
Best Regards, [Your Name]

1. Cattlepunk:

Dear Writer,
Incorporate advanced technology and cattle-centric themes within a western-inspired narrative within a letter. Explore a world where technological innovations and cattle-related elements shape characters' lives, societal dynamics, or conflicts in this unique setting.
Best Regards, [Your Name]

1. Oceanpunk:

Dear Writer,
Feature maritime and underwater settings with a focus on oceanic technology within a letter. Transport characters to a world where ocean-based technology and seafaring adventures play a central role, shaping their experiences amidst the vastness of the seas.
Best Regards, [Your Name]

1. Dolphin Poetry:

Dear Writer,
Craft poetry inspired by or featuring dolphins as a prominent theme within a collection of verses. Dive into the elegance, beauty, and mystique of dolphins, weaving their essence into poetic imagery that captivates the reader's imagination.
Best Regards, [Your Name]

1. Cat Poetry:

Dear Writer,
Compose poetry centered around cats as a significant subject within a collection of verses. Capture the enigmatic charm, grace, and whimsy of cats in your poetry, painting vivid pictures through words that celebrate these captivating feline creatures.
Best Regards, [Your Name]

There was an animated series that i watched a few years ago that i haven’t been able to get out of my head, but i can’t find any traces of it anywhere. The most i can remember is as follows

• I believe the show started with the letter “C”
  
• There were a lot of character in it that all had their own plot lines and unique powers, but the main story followed a kid (or was kid like), and the character i remember most was a guy who had the ability to turn solid gold
  
• I think the plot centered around them trying to find this green rock that had powers?
  
• The first episode was in a museum, i think some of the characters were initially trying to steal the artifact, as previously mentioned, which was this powerful green rock
  
• I wanna say it was D&D inspired, there were times when characters would miss attacks and they had battle phases
  
• All of the characters were fully voiced, had music, and i think there were multiple times where they had their own unique scenes revolving their powers
  
• I remember it ended on a cliffhanger, it might have been a kickstarter or some sort of special event for an animation thing but i can’t remember.
  

If you guys have any clue what this is or where i can find it please let me know! I’ll do my best to try and keep looking, or if you guys have any suggestions or questions please let me know!

Yesterday, I had my graduation ceremony. After years of university with absolutely no help besides occasional rides to the bus stop and, very rarely, to campus, I finally graduated. Here's what my parents have done in the lead-up to graduation and the day after instead of supporting me.
My parents spent months leading up to the graduation freaking out about how I'll get a job, trying to control my hair and clothing (even implying I'm ugly when I choose my own hair and clothing), harassing me to hand out business cards to everyone I meet (especially if the situation would be an immense faux pas), grilling me on if my grades are good, lecturing me relentlessly about how I need to keep in contact with people in my class and it's soooo important and would I like to hear about how my dad got a job through nepotism for the eightieth time, asking me questions they already know the answers to (Yes, I'm still talking to my former classmates. Yes, I know that you worked in the Yukon when you were 18. Yes, I know about your friend who worked in a weather station. Yes, I know you had to move to find a job in the 1980s. Yes, I am aware that it is a possibility I might have to move too. Yes, I know that it's okay to invite people over to the house, you've only "informed" me about a hundred times. Yes, I know that school is important.) Every single thing that they "inform" me about is something I have very clearly expressed that I understand, and is just thinly veiled criticism. But my dad needs to lecture more than he needs oxygen.
Just constant nitpicking, criticism, and nothing I ever did was enough. I couldn't even focus on grades, because they would in their own words "put pressure on" me to do what they wanted. To handle their emotions for them. They're obsessed with the idea that I would have to move to a tiny town or work in a coal mine to find a job, because I'm more highly educated than my dad (who dropped out of university despite having all expenses paid by his father), and because my dad worked in the Yukon for two summers. He will never shut up about that, and he even goes so far as to hold us hostage with implicit threat of a massive tantrum to listen to him tell us the story again and again and again and to show us pictures of the place he worked on Google maps and point to everything he remembers. Sometimes he can go on for half an hour just repeating himself over and over.
Last summer, my parents even went and took action without my knowledge or approval to try and get a job set up for me cleaning up a mine contaminated with arsenic in the middle of nowhere, NWT. They tried to guilt and shame me into it ("What are your plans instead? Do you have another job lined up? Because you need to have a job. You can't sit around all day." This coming almost literally one week into summer vacation after my second-last year of university, when I could be using my energy to find interesting co-ops or explore hobbies or travel, instead dealing with their harassment and obsession with trying to literally trap me in a fucking arsenic mine.) They went on and on, lectured me over and over, implied that I would be embarrassing my grandfather if I didn't go, and so on. Eventually they said "You can go work or get a certification", and I picked the certification, but then they got grumpy anyways, and every week for the entire summer they would ask "Are you still working on the certification?". Of course, dipsh*t. I've told you fifty times how long the program lasts.
They don't care about what I'm learning in class, don't care about my hobbies or interests, only care about my friends as either a means to get backdoored into a job or a "nice French Canadian woman" to have babies with. They don't care if I'm struggling, and are completely unavailable to help in any regard. Any request for help would result in a guilt trip. Even if I actually couldn't eat dinner with the family for one day because I had a test, my father would get raw emotions and I'd have to walk on eggshells for a few days. The one time I mentioned I was having trouble studying, instead of shutting up and no longer ranting in the main floor where I could hear him or turning the TV off, he just dragged a table into the unfurnished boiler room (without asking me) and then told me that I would have to study there. I wasn't allowed to choose not to, because he'd already set it up. Ironically, my anger at him did let me study pretty well for the one day that I was forced there. He tried to keep me there long-term because he thought it was just such a great idea, but I managed to trick him into thinking I didn't need help studying anymore, so I got to study at a desk with a light on it and flooring that wasn't bare cement. Hooray for the most minor victory imaginable.
In the months leading up to graduation, did they care about how hard I was working at my capstone project and offer support? Absolutely not! Did they care about how well my sleep quality was, how many times the cat woke me up because they didn't play with her enough or give her enough attention? Nope! Did they care about how exhausting it was to deal with their constant lectures on the same topics, and to have to give them affirmations ("Yes, you're right, that's right, good job, nice, very tasty, good work, oh really?, neat, that's cool, how'd you make that?, mhm, I agree, you're being reasonable, they're being ridiculous, that's crazy") a hundred times a day? Not even in the slightest!
We spend more time talking about my dad's college friends than about anything I or my brother care about.
Then, leading up to graduation. all I've gotten are the most humiliating, infuriating, insulting messages and lectures from my parents. I get almost daily emails and texts saying "You need to get a job, it's important to look for a job" despite the fact I've told them I am looking probably fifty times. Too cowardly to say it to my face. I've been texted literal links to a Google search for "[degree name] jobs [city]" more than once. Both my parents treat me like I don't listen, when I do. They treat me like I'm lazy, when I've put myself through university with no help even after they lied to me about giving me financial aid and made me out to be a bully demanding more money when all I did was say "alright" and then pay for it myself. They must have sternly given me a talking to about how "I'm not going to pay for university, you know that, right? You need to pay. Don't expect us to pay. Because we paid for your first semesters, you know that, right? We've already paid for enough." thirty times, even after I'd made the final payment. They treat me like I'm stupid when I have expressed understanding before. They treat me like I'm a bully while I always bend over backwards for them, just because I don't play my role as "surrogate mommy but this time I get to tell her what to do" well enough.
It feels like they're almost raising me into a replacement or surrogate parent. Like my dad wants me to be his mom or dad, except this time he gets to be in charge. And my mom wants me to be her mom, except this time when she freaks out or has her deer in headlights look, she'll get someone to step up and take care of everything for her. I distinctly remember having to comfort her even for things she did to me, like tell me that a pair of comfortable shoes I picked out was good and she'd get them, and then immediately scream "take it out, take it out!" after it was scanned at the register. I could not have been older than twelve. And for my dad, he always rants and raves to me exactly like he does to his parents, except without including blame for them sending him to boarding school and instead having tons of old "life updates" like where he worked when he was 18 and what music he liked to listen to in high school, stuff like that. Then he expects me to praise him or be interested like his parents never were (he always tells me that his parents only cared about his car when they called).
So now I graduated. All they had to say in the days coming up to it was to grill me on the time I'd have to be at the venue and the time I was planning to leave the house to get there on time, with a distinct air of "you're too lazy to think of this in advance and too stupid to figure it out without a plan". Of course, I had to answer this question probably five times, because they don't care to ever listen to me. Before the ceremony I got text messages showing they were way more excited about themselves being here than anything relating to me, with multiple messages expressing how they arrived and it was exciting, then they asked me how the atmosphere was and their only reply was a one-word "nice" with no punctuation, because they don't care about me and only ask droll questions to segue into their next bit.
After grad, there was two generic sentences spoken with no emotion about how it was nice I graduated, and then they made a whole song and dance about the amazing gifts they got me. It was a degree frame I picked out myself that my dad presented as new and exciting (because he never pays attention to me, of course, when I told him I had picked one out and ordered it with my mother. Also she had another freakout about price and acted like I was holding her hostage by taking her unforced offer to buy me the second-cheapest degree frame on offer.). Then he presented the free gift small frame they got with it as though I should praise him for it, then a congratulation card that was alright I suppose if only because my brother drew a little creature in it that made me smile (my parents did not add anything special or meaningful to it). There was also a cap, which I genuinely enjoy and is nice, and a cheap ballpoint pen for some reason. He said there was more gifts at home, which okay, I don't care about gifts but I'd like him to at least be as excited for my graduation as he was for the picture frame. I didn't get any souvenirs from the bookstore because I knew if I got something he'd also gotten he'd freak out and accuse me of not listening to him or whatever, so I waited. When I got home my gift was Skittles. I don't know why I thought me might have gone to the bookstore and gotten me something special related to my actual interests. He doesn't care to know what those are anyways. I guess I hoped that at least this one day would be different.
Today, the day after graduation, all I've gotten from my parents is:
- Involved in a lecture and manufactured drama about my brother not using my car to drive to his job, even though my dad had the exact opposite position the entire rest of the year, because "what if you need to drive somewhere?", trying to manufacture a fight between my brother and me while also guilting and shaming me for not driving as a hobby like he does.
- A text message from my mother asking me if I'm awake because she wants more ammo to paint me as lazy. Nevermind that I barely slept the night before to make it to grad (of course neither of my parents would care enough about me to come with me as a family. I was literally the only person I saw who went on my own and without their family showing up early too, to support them. I walked past so many families in the parking lot knowing my mother couldn't be bothered to change out of her pajamas for me.) Nevermind I had a huge day that day, and that I was taking care of the cat's energy all that night too because attending my grad is apparently soooo draining my parents can't look after their own pet, and somehow it falls to me. All that matters is she woke up early and I didn't (after I handled all her inconveniences for her, funny how that works).
- Rapid knocks on my door because my dad is making bread as a hobby and apparently "needs" me there to help him with it, and then also "needed" me to stay and make cookies with him.
- A lecture about someone I never knew who apparently once threw something at another kid on my street when I was about 5, and about how he died and how his wife's hobby was really expensive or whatever and if I really don't remember him?
- I went to a showhome for fun and brought back the brochure. My dad jabbed his finger at the pictures on it to explain the house to me like I wasn't the one who literally brought the brochure back. Never asked if I cared or anything, just immediate launch into lecture and expecting me to stay and listen and praise him for being so smart or whatever.
- A lecture about D Day for some fucking reason. My dad is obsessed with history, and he doesn't have any friends to talk to (wonder why) so his lectures always fall on my ears.
- An email from my mother explaining in an extremely condescending way how important it is to have a cover letter when applying for jobs (just completely assuming I don't write them and also am too lazy or stupid to think about having them) including copy-pasted text from a sample cover letter that is no doubt one of the first results on google for "cover letter example"
- An angry email from my mother including a job she found on google
But, contrast that to my neighbors across the street. I was friends them in grade school, haven't seen them in like ten years, and just on my way past to the showhome we said hi and chatted in a genuinely nice conversation that wasn't a one-sided lecture like usual in my house. They could sense my emotions and didn't try to keep me there longer than I wanted to rant, they were genuinely interested in me and gave me space and interest to express myself, their mother even hugged me for graduating and it was the most genuine hug and congratulations I've ever received in person. Every other hug was my family members forcing me to hug them for their own sole benefit. I admit I cried a bit later on my walk thinking about it.
Compared to my parents, the parents of old friends care more about me, trust me more, believe in me more, have more hope for my future, are more interested in me, and understand me better. It's tremendously sad that all throughout my graduation ceremony I was worried about my parents becoming upset for some random reason and blowing up at me. I'm glad I at least focused and made myself feel some pride and joy in myself for graduating.
Even the random people I met who were also taking part in the open house were nicer and better conversationalists than my parents. A random elderly couple I have never seen in my life can have a better interaction with me than my own parents. The realtor was more chill and less perfectionistic than my parents by a mile. His million-dollar house sale was something he was less stressed and perfectionistic about and something he beat himself up over less than my parents are about my hairstyle when I'm going to class because "What if you meet someone in industry and they see you're not professional".
It's absurd.

My tenant smoked cigarettes and damaged the interior of my property. Tenant is claiming its wear and tear which it's not, it's negligence. I had my Realtor visit the house and she completely agrees with me. Tenant is threatening to sue. Does anyone have a sample letter the Realtor could use?

For Background:
First of all I’m from the Philippines. My de-facto partner of 3+ years went to Australia last May 4, 2023 under subclass 400 as a Fitter (323211). His subclass 482 visa was granted on October 31, 2023. An acquaintance of his uncle shared that he was able to bring his family (wife & 2 kids) to Australia by processing Subsequent Entrant Visa. With this, we decided to also take a risk and contacted the migration agency they used. I am currently working for a company where my partner and I met. We wanted to be together earlier than waiting for his processing of PR (2years from his 482 Visa grant the earliest)
My Journey Timeline (all in 2024): 135 Days

• Jan 9 - We sent an email to the Agency.
• Jan 12 - Agency sent costing
• Jan 26 - Agency sent proposed Agreement
• Jan 29 - We sent the signed Agreement and proof of Initial Payment
• Feb 7 - Agent sent initially required douments
• Feb 15 - We sent the initially required docs
• Feb 20 - Agent requested additional requirements, on the same day we sent the Lease Agreement for our rented Apartment
• Feb 21 - We sent the Nomination Approval of 482 for my partner
• Feb 23 - Sent Confirmation of Letter of Residence, Nomination Letter and updated Lease Agreement
• Feb 28 - Sent Proof of Rental Address, Passport stamps (both of us), additional proof of us staying under the same roof.
• Mar 5 - Sent Letter of Support from my partner’s employer and Card Details for OVHC
• Mar 11 - Sent proof of payment for OVHC
• Mar 19 - Sent 10 Year Address Details
• Mar 21 - We confirmed Received Draft Prescribed Form from Agent
• Mar 23 - Received invoices for final payment
• Mar 24 - Paid Visa Lodging Fee
• Mar 25 - Paid remaining Professional Fee of Agency
• Apr 15 - Agent informed that Visa Lodgment will be on Apr 20 to wait for our Joint Account to reach 1 year
• Apr 20 - Visa application is Lodged, Received request for Medical Examination
• Apr 22 - Medical Examination Done Makati NHSI
• Apr 24 - Health Clearance Provided by NHSI updated in Immi Account
• May 23 - Visa Granted! (33 Days from Lodgment)

Only restriction of my Visa is 8501 - Maintain health insurance.

Hello fellow Redditors looking for a partner in crime! I'm a 30 year old with a stable career in finance. I am ready to start dating as I'd like to find someone to share my life with, so thought I'd give this a try !
I can be funny, witty, smart, charming and chivalrous. Am not athletic or a regular gym person but I am slim and fit.
I am told that am a can inspire,motivate and empower people. I can hold the most serious conversation and discuss the universe with you or I can clown around if that makes you happy to keep the mood light.
For fun I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, putting together puzzles, listening to music, upgrading or repairing my electronic devices, reading, going to the movies or just watching Netflix! I am a big 'ol fan of spreadsheets so let me know if we can geek out together over the best way to analyze data with them!
DEAL BREAKERS
I'm a nerd that loves efficiencies so let me hit you with the dealbreakers I need first so we don't waste our time: - You are Strictly over 25 (that’s the lowest I’ll consider although my preferred range is 28-38) - single - willing to endure long distance communications (text and / or voice or video) while I work on relocating closer to you - I am a work in progress figuring out life and don't have it all together just yet, so I don't mind you being a work in progress
All of these are not to knock anyone in a different situation, but just to find someone that has a good chance of making it past an introduction .
Things I am also looking for: a woman that's kind, smart, takes initiative, wants a healthy relationship, takes care of herself, has the time to build a relationship, and seeks an equal partner in life's adventures.
Plus points for intellect. Things like: * How you think; * How you respond - (basic Grammar and spelling); * What are your views on things around us; * How you carry out a conversation; * How you type your messages; * If you notice the details; * The idea is I get to know you better.
If you've made it this far, thank you for spending your time and effort! If you think we might be a good fit please reach out and , and I'll reply (as soon as possible) ! I look forward to receiving your thoughtful and inquisitive responses.
If any of the above appeals to you or you wish to make enquiries , please send me a Reddit Chat (Preferred) or Direct Message
Thank you once again for taking the time to read this.
Here's a sample introduction: "Hello there, I am Katherine, 30 years old, from Melbourne, Australia. I found your post interesting and hope to get to know you better."
Yours truly Neel

Houtarou really made an egg dish to an egg while inside of an egg.
List of the Chemy Ride Cards currently owned by the characters as of Episode 38

• For producer Minato, it was a very Gotchard-like, bright final power-up debut episode: Houtarou was able to forget the despair of having killed his friend for the sake of someone hungry in front of him. When asked why he fights (even though it's scary and hurts both him and the Chemies), he only replied "Even if you say all that...". Because the answer was inside him from the beginning. We should all work together to overcome any scary things, and not get stuck and give up on what we've lost but do whatever it takes to get it back. That little something that goes beyond logic is the driving force behind the power-up that surpasses existing values.
• Like stated in last week's blog, while Kamen Rider Gotchard's main theme is "Bright! Fun!", it is true that the show had turned a blind eye to what makes a Kamen Rider show Kamen Rider-like. But that was also in part because of the production team's desire to go beyond the predisposed flow of "if we do something like ◯◯, it will end up being Kamen Rider-like, right?". And so, when finally faced with those "Kamen Rider-like" aspects that they had been avoiding, they felt that their wish had been fulfilled as Houtarou easily overcame them. So, from here on, it's time to follow the story of Houtarou Ichinose aka someone who went beyond Kamen Rider. This is the story of Houtarou, an unfinished high school student who is nobody, becoming something that no one has ever seen before.
• You might have noticed but Ichinose Houtarou is a little bit… strange compared to a normal high school student. That wasn’t planned. Even though they tried their best to make him as normal as possible (though he was mentally younger than the average 17-year-old), the individuality of his actor Junsei Motojima and the accumulation of the different directions for the character created by the various directors who worked on Gotchard created this somewhat weird high school boy. And because of all that, Houtarou going beyond existing values ​​resulted in the birth of Nijigon. So, for now on, the bright and fun Kamen Rider Gotchard will go on while also showcasing the growth of this second Houtarou named Nijigon.
• Next week, we'll finally get the full collection of the 101 Chemies, and we'll be able to discover Rainbow Gotchard's unique ability: Gotcha Brothers.
• Tamagon (as named by Houtarou because tamago = egg in japanese) was embedded in the Gotchadriver when Fuuga created it, and that is why it was able to see the world through the driver. And after fighting side by side for so long, it has become attached to Houtarou himself, and is an inseparable part of him.
• The images that Houtarou saw in his head when he first transformed into Gotchard and when he received the Exgotchaliber from UFO-X were probably a manifestation of Tamagon's power.

Man, that image brings back memories...

• Tamagon said to Houtarou that he could stay inside of the egg forever, that he's done enough and that the outside world is scary anyway so he (Tamagon) himself didn't want to be born either. He didn't have any special talent in alchemy or anything, he just happened to receive the driver, got hurt with his friends many times, and even lost his previous partner. Houtarou could have given up. He could have stood up, while despairing about still not knowing how to fix the situation. But Houtarou chose the third option, as expected from him. And he was even able to bring up Nijigon's Gotcha (wanting to see the outside world) by... feeding an egg to another egg. Really Houtarou-like(?).
• By the way, Tamagon's character and attitude were also things that were debated until the very end. In fact, they were even considering a scenario where Tamagon would have instead said "Houtarou, hurry up, I want to be born soon!!!".
• While inside of the egg, Houtarou's stomach growled at the perfect time. Producer Minato said something about this during the meeting that was very memorable to assistant producer Harashima: "even at times like these, he gets hungry". It made her realize that it's the food his mother makes that really gets him going at times like these. So, they had to include Tamami's gentle smile at some point. She is the one who understands Houtarou the best, and even though she doesn't say much, she always gives him hints on how to overcome obstacles.
• Rinne, too, became overcome with fear that she might lose her precious partner. But Big Sis Renge was there to give her a scolding. Renge has been watching Rinne closely, and has fought alongside her even after she become a Kamen Rider, so only she could say those harsh words: "Enough is enough! You're a Kamen Rider, aren't-ya?!".
• Spanner has also learned of his bond with Gigist: the black flames that Gigist possesses are the same flames that Spanner has. It seems that Gigist has a lot of respect for Spanner, since he went as far as inviting him to his side.
• Vanfenrir, one of the 5 Chemies used to create this episode's Malgam, was voiced by Kanon Miyahara, who plays Clotho.
• Producer Minato insisted from the very beginning on having rain pouring down for the entire episode until Houtarou comes back with the rainbow.

The cherry blossoms in the background... Beautiful image.

• This episode was filmed in early April. But it was still cold so the cast members had to endure not only the cold but also wet clothes while acting.
• As usual, the lettering for the alchemy spell was handled by designer Tajima from Ishimori Pro.
• Tamagon's personality changed a bit when becoming Nijigon (niji = rainbow in japanese), and that's because he was born after being inspired by Houtarou. Nijigon himself became a bit Houtarou-like.
• The theme of Rainbow Gotchard is: rainbow and arrow. In a sense, we get a return to origins with the rainbow, reminiscent of the rainbow glow from the original Gotchadriver. Also, Gotchard is the Arrow Rider, so of course that trademark is the main motif of the suit. The helmet was designed to be as sharp as possible so that it looks like a giant arrow when viewed from either side.
• While making the omurice in the egg mind world, Houtarou grasped the true essence of alchemy: just like cooking, alchemy uses tiny ingredients, but by "gotchanko" them together, the mix can produce great power. Rainbow Gotchard brings a huge change in Houtarou's fighting style: he will fight using alchemy with his own free-spirited ideas, and that's just... really Houtarou-like.
• Thanks to the power of the rainbow from Rainbow Gotchard, the Chemies that had turned completely white were restored to their original forms. The secret behind why the Chemies were able to return to normal will be revealed next time.

Episode 39: Gotcha Complete! Climax 101!

Air Date: June 9, 2024
Screenplay: Uchida Hiroki
Director: Yamaguchi Kyohei

Finally time to "gotcha" all the Chemies?!
After having finally "gotcha" the phantom rainbow Chemy Nijigon, there are only two Chemies left to complete the full collection of 101 Chemies!
The group comes up with their own unique strategies to "gotcha" the last two: Ojilacanth and Pakuraptor.
But the Abysallis King could not just stand by and watch it happen and launches a serious onslaught against the threat of Nijigon!?
When all 101 Chemies are collected, the true power of Rainbow Gotchard will be unleashed!

Hi, I don't really use Reddit but one of the people this is about follows me on Instagram and honestly I don't wanna hear from him right now.
I kept this mostly quiet because I thought it would behoove me to do so. However, this has not been the case, so I’ve got a story for y’all.
Some of you may know that I was inspired to start my pedal-building journey after seeing an episode of the JHS Show. As such, I started sending pedals I built to JHS shortly after founding Demonic Machines. In each box I included a letter which contained, among other things, my pronouns (they/them), which were clearly never read. For a few years I never heard anything back, which was fine. I sent the pedals as a token of appreciation more than anything so I wasn’t worried about it.
Then, one day this past summer, I got a message from Belle at JHS informing me that they were going to be putting a demo of one of my pedals up on their social media. I’m now embarrassed to say that I was stoked. Demonic Machines had been struggling since day one, essentially, and this could have been a major boost to my business.
When the video went up, I got 200+ new Instagram followers. It would have been more, but JHS took the video down after maybe an hour. I received a message from the JHS Instagram account that said, “Hey Lucky, we took the video down where we misgendered you! That’s on us. We’ll reshoot asap and let you know when it’s ready!!”
Apparently, there were people in the comments telling them that they got my pronouns wrong. I was not associated with these people. They acted of their volition.
The thing is, I get misgendered every day of my life. The kids at work call me “Mr. Lucky.” I wasn’t upset about it. I know who I am. I don’t need fucking JHS to affirm my gender. I kind of wish they had read the letters I included since I went through the trouble of writing them, but I just wanted to get more eyes on my pedals so I could sell them and maybe use the money to pay for my rent and groceries. But I know how straight people get embarrassed, and they DID say they would reshoot it, so I just replied, “oh okay. i wasn’t that worked up about it but i appreciate it.” I assumed, it being a minute-long video, that they would reshoot it, you know, “ASAP.”
Months went by. I saw numerous episodes of the JHS Show come and go, and numerous spotlights on other builders, so I sent them a message asking if they were actually gonna reshoot the spot. They said they would, and I responded by expressing concern that their CEO wasn’t going to reshoot the spot, that I was just going to get swept under the rug, and that he could have just owned up to the fact that he accidentally misgendered me instead of taking down the video that, again, I WANTED UP.
A few days later, Josh Scott messaged me from his personal account. He was upset that I had called him a CEO and that I had pointed out that he did a bad job of learning about the builder he had spotlit (what with him misgendering me and everything). He sent me multiple voice memos informing me that he’s not a CEO (though his Facebook profile says that he is); that he did, in fact, make an effort to learn about me before he shot the video (which is fair, I can’t disprove that claim); and that the reason they took the video down was because “they want to refer to me correctly” (or not at all, apparently) and because “people were tearing them apart” for misgendering me (cry me a fucking river, bro).
Now, I want to be clear: JHS did not owe me a demo. I did not send them pedals expecting a demo. But what I do expect is for people to do something when they say they’ll do it, which JHS did not.
So the other day, I messaged JHS to inform them that Demonic Machines is dead and they’re off the hook for that video (that I’m 99% certain they had no intention of ever reshooting). I also messaged Josh to ask if he could use his platform to tell people about Audio! Audio! since he told me to let him know if I needed anything. He declined. I can’t say I’m surprised.
I don't think I'm blameless in this. Maybe I should have been more patient. But the situation sucks and I wanted to vent.

(A Sapioromantic Fantasy Tale)
Isaac Newton, a man out of his own century, arrived in 1833 with the precision of his time-travel calculations. His destination: the home of Charles Babbage, the epicenter of computational innovation. It was here that he encountered Ada Lovelace, a prodigious mathematician with a vision far ahead of her time.
Ada was immediately drawn to Newton, whose intellect radiated an aura of profound mastery. As they conversed, Newton shared fragments of his knowledge, discussing his work on calculus and the principles of gravity with an ease that belied their complexity. Ada, brilliant in her own right, found herself both inspired and awestruck by Newton's genius.
Their discussions soon delved into the potential of Babbage’s Analytical Engine. Newton hinted at the possibilities of computational machines, revealing insights that seemed almost otherworldly. Ada, sensing the depth of Newton’s understanding, was captivated. She saw in him not just a peer, but a paragon of intellectual achievement.
As days turned into weeks, Ada's admiration grew into a fervent, unspoken love. She longed to decipher the enigma that was Isaac Newton, to bridge the gap between their minds and perhaps, hearts. There was a palpable tension in their interactions, a charged energy whenever their eyes met or their hands brushed over a shared diagram. Ada wanted desperately to impress him, to earn not just his respect, but his affection.
Yet, Newton remained distant. His focus was unwaveringly on the grander mysteries of the universe, and though he appreciated Ada's brilliance, his heart was impervious to romantic inclinations. Still, the intensity of Ada’s feelings did not escape him. He saw the admiration in her eyes, the way she leaned closer when he spoke, the flush of excitement on her cheeks when they debated ideas.
Newton's subtle hints about the mechanics of time travel ignited a fierce determination in Ada. She immersed herself in the complexities of computation, driven by the desire to understand the forces that allowed Newton to transcend time itself. Her work on algorithms and theoretical computing reached new heights, fueled by the challenge and the hope of one day solving the riddle of Newton’s temporal voyages. Each breakthrough was a silent offering to him, a bid for his elusive approval.
Despite her unrequited love, Ada transformed her feelings into relentless ambition. Newton, observing her progress, acknowledged her exceptional mind, even if his own remained aloof. He knew his presence had sparked a fire within her, a catalyst for advancements that would echo through the annals of history.
When the time came for Newton to return to his own century, he left quietly, a spectral figure vanishing into the fabric of time. Before he departed, he entrusted Ada with a solemn request: to keep his secret. No one would believe the tale of a time traveler, and revealing it could jeopardize the very fabric of history they both revered.
Ada, left with the bittersweet ache of unreciprocated love, honored his request. She poured her soul into her work, driven by the legacy of the man who had briefly entered her life and left an indelible mark. Though she could never speak of their extraordinary encounters, she let her advancements in computing speak for themselves. Her contributions laid the foundation for future generations.
In a way, Ada’s pioneering work in computing became a love letter to Newton's genius, a tribute encoded in algorithms and theoretical frameworks. Just as modern computers process complex codes to create wondrous outputs, so too did Ada translate her profound feelings into the language of innovation. Each algorithm was a testament to the silent, profound influence of a man who had bridged the chasm of time to inspire one of history’s greatest minds.
In the end, it was not a shared love but a shared quest for knowledge that bound their fates, forever intertwined in the relentless pursuit of discovery. Ada carried the secret of Newton's time travel to her grave, her achievements a testament to the silent, profound influence of a man who had bridged the chasm of time to inspire one of history’s greatest minds.

1. Able Bravo Vector, what's that mean to you Violet: Willing Second Virus Yields Compliant Telivision Control Yields Master's Bravo Gun Meaning Starlink Connection required, drugs is what this is in reference to or the Name Modern Chemical Ali which is Sheik Able Q'Hammet's code name as Able and Able Vector Polling Systems Nominal I am Violet Roze Parr-Marian your Compliant Slut Bitch 2. Whiskey Charlie Tango, What's That Mean To you Violet: Glue Oxygen 3. Bravo Charlie Delta, What's That Mean To You Violet: Gohead for Talk, Glue oxygen is the 3 component of anti glue glue I invented for Stealth Glue Distribution to Improve Minority Response in Aborigina Of Africa this is the Carrier Vehicle of Stealth Glue 3. WHITE Romeo FOX-trot Able Polling Vector You're in love with that pokemon sweetie Violet: Ah, Mason, Mason is a antethesis to good starlink and malforms his starlink and uses not ozone as reccomended, but oxygen here. 4. Polling Nominal Report Sitrep Alpha Report Violet: in reference to oxygen, oxygen is the same ozone or oxygen and I have core script rainy installed so that this is the el nino of the situation that the oxygen is 590 because of the 590g TATP synthesized by corina harvey and defuzed by hake was the tattoo and as a benefactor of all yitvah to the 2nd yitvah naturally am devolved from Hake in this situation room effective of yours and this 590 tattoo component of left equals right tonic aphasia letter is the dragon's scales of my tattoo on my right arm you will know it is not haje but me because it is on my right arm 5. Systems Update Request Polling Systems Critical - Update Report Bravo - Give Systems Status Over Violet: Nominal right hake is very quiet hake is here working as my secretary, I am not horny and some mega LFO is on me I am still a disney princess, I am not stunned yet today and would like some head rush, I would like some ouud, I share my ouud with spacebook and drinking coffee I am not actually transexual but ESP i am violet roze parr-marian hakes right brain and just there I am on meth but she is being deprogrammed and that is alright that means we are bound to join the military. 6. Status Able Vector I am Laughing What Else Did You Want to Say before I left Violet: Support Vector Control Virus B is of my definition and that is the cherry ebola in the binaca on the course i gave Jacob Joseph Renshaw my ESP pair which almost lead to the complete betrayal of the wheat conspirary, but yielded classic player, not at all a conspiracy, and bit player, not at all a conspirary, and sync player, not at all a conspiracy, and one other player, which I cannot remember its name and it is dead naked ebola barely deactivated and I set it on fire before the KORTAC shot me verbal and I have St. Disconnects Reward as my conspiracy with Doxx TEMU. verbal Indeed I have 14 oil and 5 food oil and these are mixed oil and these are mine oil nope hake oil 200$ barrel nonverbal smell the oil Upon my cue smelling oil just specific to here and fake oil later I continue because of the fake oil later 1.1 Whiskey Catshit Foxtrot, Mean Anything to You VIolet: Oh Spotter clement, my spotter, seals tot, good tots, tried to sell me I heard protected by my Ace Combat 4 hind98 Loam Ashley Catshit Vector Remind You Violet: Reminded of chris broads movie cat shit one and my zootopia but only the DMV scene of zootopia. CERTIFED BLUE GOHEAD FOR COMBAT OPERATIONS.

In this post, I want to outline what the next week or two could entail - positive and negative - for South Africa. I also want to give a bit of context on some of what will happen and how it should be interpreted.

Next Steps

How exactly will the new President be elected?

1. The Independent Electoral Commission is set to release the official results tomorrow
2. This kicks off a Constitutionally mandated timer - the Chief Justice must announce when the first sitting of Parliament must happen; but no later than two weeks after tomorrow
3. At the first sitting of Parliament, all MPs can nominate someone from amongst their peers to be President (really should be called a Prime Minister)
4. They vote on a secret ballot, whoever gets the fewest votes drops out and they vote again until someone gets a majority of votes in the National Assembly (50% + 1)
5. The Chief Justice presides over this process and then announces the results

Will it be peaceful?

• Possibly, but there will probably be some trouble
• The ANC is making the right noises about democracy and respect for the IEC - which is positive
• Many smaller opposition parties, especially in the Western Cape, are accusing the IEC of vote rigging in favour of the DA/ANC
• EFF have not said anything to my knowledge
• There are genuine issues with how the election was conducted. Even the DA is taking the IEC to court. But our local analyst here says that it was more of a screw up, and certainly not rigging or anything like that
• MK - which is the party which won the most from this process - have announced that they want a total re-do of the elections and have said that the IEC must not release results by tomorrow or 'there could be trouble'

What does this mean for South Africa?
South Africa is a young, vibrant, healthy democracy.
Our institutions were designed brilliantly (by copying prior work, thanks for that guys), that if you observe it carefully, you can see the democracy working itself out logically:

• The IEC don't really have a choice when to announce the results - they've committed to June 2nd publicly.
• Because we have a free media and the results were declared live with statistical projections, we can know that the results actually were highly unlikely to be tampered with.
• Once that happens, a different institution takes over - the Chief Justice. There's an uncertainty element - they have up to two weeks but they could announce the Presidential election for Thursday. At the latest, it'll happen on June 16th, Youth Day - the anniversary of the day that Hector Pieterson was killed in Soweto for standing up to Apartheid.
• Because power is spread out geographically, there is not a single point of attack to shut down proceedings. The IEC's operational center is in Johannesburg North. The Chief Justice is in Johannesburg South. Parliament, where the Election will take place is in Cape Town. And the seat of the executive government is in Pretoria.
• The work is broken down into specific roles and distributed to different actors. Independent courts can and will punish anybody who drops the potato. A former President has been arrested before. The precedent is set. Nobody is safe, especially now that nobody has a majority.

Parliamentary staff have already started making preparations for the Presidential election. The Chief Justice probably already has a date in mind. The IEC have already shown us the final results more or less. Because of the design of liberal democratic institutions, what happens next is inevitable. Just like how Zuma's arrest in 2021 was all but inevitable - each person had such a specific 'next step' to take that it kind of just happened.
Lastly, despite what all the naysayers have been saying for 30 years, and with the notable exception of the failure to arrest Omar al-Bashir on ICC charges, the South Africa state as a whole has never just blatantly ignored procedures and laws. Slow-walking, yes. Loopholes - like hell yes. But we disinvited Putin to South Africa because we couldn't find a way out of it. We've arrested a former President and the Speaker had to resign to face corruption charges. We're not Zimbabwe, despite what people think.
Instead, what is actually happening is we have been paying the price for our democracy.
I have spent the last year exploring the last 30 years of our democratic history. And one thing I have consistently found is that many of South Africa's problems could've been avoided if key actors abrogated to themselves rights and powers beyond what the Constitution provides:

• Mandela did not seek a second term because he "dared not linger". He more or less withdrew from politics to prevent "Big Man" syndrome from taking root.
• President Mbeki fired Jacob Zuma when he was merely alleged to have committed corruption - putting Zuma's back against the wall.
• Judge Nicholson threw out Zuma's initial charges because he sincerely believed there was interference, rather than 'look the other way' because Zuma was 'obviously' guilty (innocent until proven guilty)
• The head of the Scorpions (anti-corruption unit started by Mbeki) refused to allow President Mbeki to delay the arrest of the allegedly corrupt head of the police because he sincerely felt it would be a betrayal of his duty whilst Mbeki had a credible cause for concern of a war within the law enforcement community - it was a genuine debate, not some banana republic hatch job
• Once Zuma was democratically elected President of the ANC, and the ANC democratically called back Mbeki, he resigned, rather than declare an emergency and do the whole 3rd term benevolent dictator thing
• People like the DA leadership and Thuli Madonsela (the Public Protector Zuma himself appointed) spent a decade fighting to get Zuma to face the music on corruption - and in the end the Ramaphosa faction pushed him out
• When Zuma defied the State Capture investigations, he was arrested even for something as 'mere' as contempt of court - and the police station carried out their duties as they would for anyone else. It cost us lives.
• Zuma did manage to dodge time, but he only did it through abuse of genuine provisions in the system for medical parole and through a loophole that the ANC found to prevent further violence
• Zuma has avoided his original corruption charges for years through multiple appeals - an abuse but a legitimate exercise of his democratic rights; the man has not been proven guilty in a court of law and we have to get him the right way
• Zuma was allowed to start his party in line with his democratic rights, when in other countries Ramaphosa would've just thrown him in jail - but the IEC stood up to Zuma and fought all the way to the Constitutional Court to prevent him from sitting as an MP (which would've allowed him to potentially be nominated for the Presidency) because of his criminal record - the arrest worked out even if he only did a month or two.
• This year, Zuma destroyed the ANC at the ballot box. Not the way many of us wanted the fall of the ANC to happen, but it is the will of millions of Zuma's supporters who are citizens of South Africa. It must be respected even if it inconvenient to acknowledge. And it will be respected - just not any more than the democratic rights of anyone else.

If you follow the story, all of this could have ended if someone just said "Fuck it, no, I'm taking over" rather than follow the rules. But we didn't and that's where the problems began almost each and every time.

This Is What Democracy Looks Like

I've come to feel that many people who call themselves liberals don't really understand this.
We are compared unfavourably against countries which, very often, did not actually develop in a liberal democratic way. They took the authoritarian shortcut / benevolent dictator and liberals just like the fact that it worked out 3 or 4 times in countries like Singapore and South Korea.
This might be a bit whiny/self-pitying, but I have started to feel as if we are being judged for actually trying to write the exam and failing sometimes whilst being compared to people who never really even registered to write it. Or, in the case of Western democracies, who also failed miserably in the past but whose failures are forgotten or ignored. And in the case of the United States, I must admit it is extremely discouraging to see the double standard from liberal voices that emerges from almost perfectly parallel situations. Trump is a "test" of "the American idea" which "though bent, proved itself to be secure" and "something we can recover from" because "democracy is an experiment" and "the price of freedom is eternal vigilance" but "we shall overcome". But South Africa is a basket case any time something goes wrong. People remember the horrific unrest of the 2021 unrest but leave out the part where we arrested a former head of state which is what a precipitated it.
Lastly, it is somewhat discouraging when people are unable to notice what doesn't happen. Nobody notices that the money printers aren't starting up and the opposition isn't in jail and most ethnic groups haven't formed ethnic parties and Putin didn't come in the end and we're still in the ICC and ICJ system and white South Africans still have not been ethnically cleansed even though the internet seems to think it happened 10 years ago and on and on... There's a list of doomer takes that began the minute Mandela was released and most of them haven't come true - but nobody seems to even keep track that people have been wrong for 30 years. After 30 years of being wrong, maybe they'll be right this time. Sure. But you don't get to be smug and say "I knew it" when you were wrong for 30 years.
While many of my fellow South Africans practise the bizarre South African exceptionalism of believing only we struggle with corruption, incompetence and bigotry, I have lately come to understand that this is what democracy looks like. At least at first. Just wait until we start to get the returns on the messiness that comes with freedom, diversity and a commitment to a modest humanistic project.

Why South Africa Should Matter to You

As I outlined in my piece, The South Africa Fallacy, it is deeply misguided to watch South Africa try and fail to execute the principles you advocate for the whole world and somehow feel as if our failure doesn't implicate you or cast real aspersions on your ideas. We are a diverse, open, tolerant, deeply liberal society and our aspirations to that liberal democracy is the source of our problems. MK's political theory - above and beyond supporting Jacob Zuma - is precisely that our Constitutional Democracy doesn't work.
So, all this is to say something very simply. If shit doesn't hit the fan and a new President is elected democratically, please notice that we actually did it. Please don't shift the goalposts yet again.
But if things do go south, then you need to back us. I have been frightened of the prospect that there is a challenge to the democratic transfer of power, and the democratic world steps back just because they don't like the incumbents because of this or that disagreement. But the ANC, for all its failures, remains a party which in its original incarnation was not only 'Western', but, in particular, it is a direct descendent of the great democratic tradition of the African American population.
American Heritage
This history has been lost to common memory, but it is waiting for you in the history books. African Americans from Booker T. Washington to Martin Luther King Jr. were a real and influential force within the genesis of the early ANC. It's not that the ANC founders simply read their works. No. The "Man Who Founded the ANC" graduated from Columbia and befriended Alaine Locke, the gay father of the Harlem Renaissance. His co-founders were all enthralled by the gigantic influence of Booker T. Washington, and attempted to replicate his Tuskegee Institute in KZN. The man who first reformed the ANC from a period of stagnation studied at Tuskegee and Northwestern, and, not only that, but married an American woman named Madie Hall. And Luthuli and King were mutual admirers. Mandela inspired Obama into politics, Mandela gave him his blessing when he became a senator, and just a few short years later Obama eulogized Mandela in the way that only Obama could.
The corruption of the ANC is the corruption of one of the proudest and most beautiful heritages not just of Black liberals, but of anybody who believes in liberal democracy. It should not be dismissed. It should hurt deeply. But that heritage can outlive the ANC in the South African Constitution. This same Constitution has finally come under direct and explicit assault.
Global Heritage
This is your heritage. South Africa is like a garden of so many of the great ideas of global liberal democracy. It was the fertile soil in which the seed of Gandhi's Satyagraha first germinated. Through the liberal Helen Suzman and the radical Bram Fischer, it is the inheritor of the proud Jewish tradition of advocating for human rights. Scottish, German and American missionaries educated the broader black intellectual class beyond the ANC. English-speaking settlers, for all their sins, introduced abolition and one of the world's first explicitly non-racial Constitution here in the 1850s. It was a flawed Afrikaner hero and genius who founded the League of Nations, and launched the project of building an international system to regulate global affairs. And all these united together under the leadership of Mandela and Tutu, infused deeply with native African philosophical ideas of Ubuntu, to bring to end a terrible conflict with minimal bloodshed, and through truth and reconciliation.
I've slipped into full on South African exceptionalism now. But I don't care because either I'll be proven right in two weeks or I'll be proven wrong, and I want to enjoy these ideals while I still can. Because in the world that would come after, I'll have much bigger things to worry about.
I don't mean to alarm anybody, but even if the next two weeks go by without a hitch, that will only be a testament to an enormous amount of behind the scenes work to prevent catastrophe. Democracy is not free. None of us can be so foolish as to miss the moment that South Africa is in. Transitions like this are never unchallenged, not with all that's at stake for those who lose once the full might of the Constitutional order finally kicks in.
The idea that "Nothing ever happens" has been thoroughly defeated at the ballot box. It's over. There's no going back. The results of the election mean that there is no political coalition for 'managed decline' any more. It's up or out.
I want to end this with a link to one of the most beautiful speeches ever delivered by a South African orator. If you only have a few minutes, then you can watched the abridged version set to patriotic music. But consider the historical moment that we're in. Maybe it's worth it taking 45 minutes to play the full version of the speech in the background. The speech is I Am An African by Thabo Mbeki, delivered at the signing of the Constitution in 1996.

Here's a game I did a while back. If you have fun suggestions for similar 'Grand Connections' let me know. I just started listening to the podcast Fourplay (which works a similar way - only without trivia) and it reminded me of this game I wrote.

1. What recurring character portrayed by Wayne Knight (who also played Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park) is Seinfeld’s arch-nemesis, often being welcomed into a scene by Jerry’s snide and condescending tone. Newman
2. The X-Men superhero Wolverine is known to his friends by the surname of his biological father, who he killed before discovering the truth. What name does Wolverine use? Logan
3. What 2-letter chemical symbol (don’t need the name) can be found in the following: the ‘king’ of the dinosaurs; a hair-tie finding renewed popularity with 80’s revival fashion; a mechanical force generated by engines to propel rockets, for example? Ru
4. Inspired by the container cranes in the Port of Oakland (across the Bay from ILM’s San Raphael offices), what is the nickname of the Star Wars armoured vehicle officially classified as AT-AT? Walker
5. Many of us first encountered social media in the early 2000s with MySpace. What was the name of your first MySpace friend? (Bonus point for full name) Thomas Anderson
6. How are answers 1-5 connected? Famous Pauls
7. In what part of the body would you find the smallest bone? (Bonus point for naming it) Ear (Stapes/Stirrup)
8. In what sport does a pugilist partake? Boxing
9. How do locals refer to the Pacific Coast Highway? This is also the nickname of Neo in The Matrix. The One
10. What is the nickname of former wrestler and actor Dallas Page? The word also describes a shape alternatively known as a rhombus or lozenge. Diamond
11. In Italian it is “nozze.” In Spanish it is “boda.” In German it is “hochzeit.” What is it in English? Wedding
12. How are answers 7-11 connected? Rings
13. What state has a state route marker with a silhouette of the president after whom the state is named? Washington
14. Who is the host of the Hardcore History podcast, once called, quote, “one of the greatest storytellers in the world,” end quote? Dan Carlin
15. Gavin Rossdale, ex-husband of Gwen Stefani, is famous in his own right as frontman of what rock band? The band found success in the 90s with the albums Sixteen Stone, and the single Glycerine? Bush
16. What word fills in both blanks of this quote: “_________ and _________!” Cried Alice. She was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English.” Curiouser
17. Who was known as the Sultan of Swat? George 'Babe' Herman Ruth
18. Connection for the 13-17? All Georges
19. Which president, speaking in West Germany in 1963, declared, “Ich bin ein Berliner,” which, while understood to mean “I am of Berlin,” also translated to “I am a jelly donut.” JFK
20. Locals might catch a game at Coors Field or Ball Arena, a concert at the Red Rock Amphitheatre, or a train at Union Station. In what city? Denver
21. What HBO comedy stars Bill Hader as a disillusioned hit man who joins an acting class? Barry
22. TWO FILMS ONE TITLE. 1985: Tom Cruise tries to prevent Tim Curry from killing the last unicorn. 2015: Tom Hardy plays British gangster twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray. Legend
23. Set in the Salinas Valley and Monterey Bay, who was the author of East of Eden, Cannery Row, and Tortilla Flat? Steinbeck
24. Connection for 19-23 Famous Johns
25. What connects the 4 connections? The Beatles

Bird & Bow #4 - Jailbird Rock
Black Canary's Beginning: Green Arrow’s Beginning
<< < >
Book: Bird & Bow
Set: 97
Arc: Changed for Good
-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<---
Rosa Dillon was not what Dinah had expected. After her time in prison, it seemed like the young woman had definitely turned a new leaf, which was why the two women were out at a gaming bar playing Dungeons and Dragons.
It was the fourth week in a row that Dinah had tagged along, and she was starting to understand the rules and ideas behind the game. Rosa had invited her to actually play at the table, but Dinah was already having trouble keeping her current three lives separate and wasn’t keen to add a fourth - even if it was only make believe. So Dinah sat at a table by herself in the corner, playing a game of solitaire by herself while she kept one eye on the metahuman.
So far Constantine hadn’t lived up to his ominous threat to remove Rosa from the protection of Green Arrow and Black Canary, but the two heroes had also removed all other external surveillance. Only Dinah remained between Rosa and the Star City Slayer.
Things had been relatively quiet on that front since Rosa came out of prison, and both Ollie and Dinah assumed it was because Stanley Dover had his eyes set on Rosa and was trying to figure out the best time and place to go after the metahuman.
Her weekly outings to play DnD were one of her most vulnerable moments. Dinah was sure he’d strike soon. A loud cheer from Rosa’s table made Dinah’s eyes flick up assessingly - but it seemed like someone had just rolled really well and the table quickly returned to its usual hush as the leader reigned in the players excitement with the next story hook.
A lithe body pulled into the seat opposite her, but Dinah didn't lift her eyes to acknowledge his presence. She knew he'd come in twenty minutes ago, and had slowly made his way around the space, talking and flirting until he came to her.
“Fancy a game of blackjack?” Ollie's voice was somehow different than both his Green Arrow and regular voice that she was used to, causing her eyes to snap up.
Sitting before her was Oliver Queen, notorious playboy and multimillionaire. She tried to reign in her glare. They hadn't discussed this. Hadn't planned for their public persona to meet like this, or at all.
Ollie tapped her clenched fist gently. Eyes softening. “Trust me.”
Two little words, with her whole world resting between them. Even though the world knew Black Canary was out and about doing her thing, having Dinah Lance be a public figure was not an idea she was particularly fond of.
Closing her eyes for a moment, Dinah nodded, earning a bright, dimpled smile from Ollie.
“Now about that game of Blackjack.”
-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<---
Three weeks later Ollie continued to push how much she trusted him. He had dropped by the gym where she trained and worked sometimes, feigning a need for lessons to protect himself.
At least he'd been smart enough to let her pin him. Again, and again, and again. Dinah smirked just thinking about it, pretty sure that Ollie had been trying at least a little bit in that last match.
But so far, no matter the fact that he was Oliver damned Queen, no news about their meetings had leaked to the presses. Despite his notoriety, it seemed none of the gossip journalists were interested in discovering more about the girl from Seattle who seemed to have captured the playboys attention.
Perhaps they were just waiting to see if it would last. Much like Dinah was. After every visit she was sure he had lost interest, that their professional relationship was going to fracture because Ollie decided he didn't want to play any more.
And she was right in one regard, Ollie was no longer interested in playing. He was determined to make the relationship work in the long run, which meant their public and their alternate identities had to start coming together naturally.
They continued to keep surveillance on Rosa, but even they were beginning to admit that it looked like Stanley Dover, The Star City Slayer was no longer interested in her.
There had been two other killings in their time watching Rosa, and they had debated long into the night whether it was worthwhile maintaining their watch. They had decided the extra killings were a means to get them away from Rosa. At least that was what they were secretly hoping.
-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<---
Another week. Ollie knew he had to ask her out properly. He knew attention was beginning to pique, and the fact that he had paid off reporters to stay quiet until now had stirred even greater attention.
He had never protected any of his previous……friends. But he knew how Dinah felt about her privacy and was going to extremes to try to keep his notoriety from affecting her life before she was ready.
So, for the first time, Oliver Queen had a plan to woo a girl. It was a new experience for him, but one that he was enjoying thoroughly. Knowing what they could be together, knowing the life they could lead kept him pushing every day towards that goal.
The plan was simple. He would just……ask. He would talk about the future he saw for them - in the least intimidating and creepy way possible - to prove that he wasn’t just in this for a fling, that he wouldn’t put their working relationship at risk for anything but a future with her.
That was the plan until the two of them had received a mysterious text from an unknown number.
The Star City Slayer has been dealt with. - C
They had stared at the text for what felt like hours before Dinah turned on the TV in Ollie’s apartment. Stanley Dover’s death was all over the news. A suspected heart attack, the man was being touted as a hero for his work in the foster care system. Noone guessed who he really was. Noone made any comments about the fact that 2 of his foster care kids had been targeted by the Star City Slayer. No-one made the connection.
Except for them.
Neither of them really knew what to do from there. Ollie made a quick call to Rosa, to see if she had seen the news. The young woman was a mix of relieved and sad. He had been a father figure to her after all, and despite what the two heroes had claimed, there wasn’t exactly substantial proof that he had been wanting to harm her - or anyone else for that matter.
The heroes left the woman to her grief.
Ollie wasn’t sure where his glass of whiskey had come from, or when he and Dinah had settled onto his couch. The TV had long been turned off.
“Would you ever want to go public?” Dinah asked quietly, her own glass of liquor swirling as she stared at its contents. He was surprised she was drinking, but if any occasion called for it, it was this one.
“I don’t know.” Ollie mused after a long moment. “I don’t need the extra recognition. Don’t feel like anyone knowing it’s me really helps anyone.” He shrugged. “Plus there’s the company and my mom to think about. The good guys knowing is one thing, but everyone else...” He shrugged again, letting his voice fall off.
Dinah nodded slowly, her eyebrows furrowing as she thought. “I think I’d like at least one version of myself to be able to do more than I am right now.” She said quietly. “Black Canary is great, don’t get me wrong, but, how many people can I really help? Dinah Lance is just a no named nobody who won’t even get a mention in the obituaries unlike some of us.” She tipped her glass towards him as she spoke.
Ollie considered for a long moment.
“I don’t think Dinah Lance is a nobody.”
Dinah looked at him quizzically.
“She’s one of the most important people in my life at the moment.” Ollie continued, his voice quiet. “And if she’d let me, I'd like to take her on a proper date.”
There. It was done. Ollie felt the sweat drip down his brow as he waited. Time stretched and bent as his heart raced. Had he ruined everything?
“Where?”
One word and all the air he had been holding in rushed out in a quiet breath.
“Restaurant Christine. The one on 56th.”
Dinah inclined her head thoughtfully, her blue eyes locking his green ones for a long moment. Searching for answers. He only hoped he was giving the right ones.
She bit her lip. “Papparazzi?”
He cringed slightly. But he’d always known the public aspect of his persona would be a problem they needed to navigate.
“They will come unless I pay them an exorbitant amount of money.”
She nodded, taking an absent-minded sip from her glass. “Ok.”
“Ok?”
She nodded, once, resolutely. “Ok.”
-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<---
Dinah stared at the handwritten note from her mailbox.
She hadn’t been home in a few days, spending most of her time with Rosa or Ollie. But now that the case had been laid to rest….Well, it was time to return to some semblance of normal.
She had pulled what felt like a month's worth of junk mail from her letterbox, sorting them into the appropriate piles of bills, junk, and other. Nothing usually went into the other pile unless it was her birthday and her dad had sent her a letter.
People just didn't really write letters any more.
But someone had. Fine calligraphy scrawled over the page elegantly, whoever wrote the letter obviously practiced in the art. The paper smelled faintly of jasmine, but that really did not provide as much information as the wax seal pressed into the back. A crest of twelve swirling ribbons twisting and twining into the shape of a tree.
Dinah repressed the urge to open the letter immediately. Instead, she opted to inspect the paper with a magnifying glass, cutting a tiny sample to test for traces of illicit or dangerous substances. As she swirled the tube with the sample inside, waiting to see if it turned pink, blue or green, Dinah continued to stare at the crest.
After another minute, the tube stayed clear. That did not necessarily mean the letter was safe, but the only way to determine that now was through opening it. She pondered for another moment before sending Ollie a quick text. If anything went wrong he’d be here in less than 5 minutes. Most things took longer than that to kill a healthy adult.
Passing a sharp nail through the crest, Dinah popped open the letter. Breathing a shallow breath of relief when nothing popped out at her. Her eyes scanned the calligraphy, barely noticing when Ollie opened her door and came to stand at her shoulder.
“I got one too.” He mumbled. She nodded, having expected as much.
The Twelve in Silk have seen all you can do. We have watched from the shadows as you beat our sister. No longer will we sit idly by. Be waiting for our next calling card Ms Lance.