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Good evening Healthcare_anon members
I believe we are at the midpoint of the multi series DD on the paper:
Rooke-Ley H, Brown E, Grumbach K, Hoffman A, Ryan A, Roy V, Grogan C, Appelbaum E, Lipschutz D. Medicare Advantage and Vertical Consolidation in Health Care. American Economic Liberties Project, April 2024. Available: https://www.economicliberties.us/our-work/medicare-advantage-and-vertical-consolidation-in-health-care/#, accessed 05/19/24 (for this subreddit post).
Today's discussion will be centered around page 23-31. I will be collaborating with u/ Fabulous-airport-273 on the remainder of the paper, as I believe we should address the topic in a collaborative fashion after this midpoint. If you like, you may review the previous DD in the following links:
https://new.reddit.com/Healthcare_Anon/comments/1culz57/medicare_advantage_capitation_model_prio
https://new.reddit.com/Healthcare_Anon/comments/1cw50xp/vertical_integration_of_the_healthcare_insurance/
https://new.reddit.com/Healthcare_Anon/comments/1cwsavi/vertical_integration_of_the_healthcare_insurance/
I was thinking on also discussing Aetna and Humana within the model as well, however in the interest of time and effort, I may have to revisit those 2 creatures at a later time - not because they are particularly difficult, but that it would be a similar rehash of UNH and BHG. The minutiae of improper population model care and investment made by CVS/Aetna and Humana is in my personal belief the reason why their MCR exploded, and perhaps inadequate preparation for CMS V28 blend adjustment also played a role. Even though CVS/Aetna has an adequate service sector, Humana does not, and we may see further margin divergence of these 2 behemoths.
Without further digression, let us begin:
Vertical consolidation - what is currently happening
"Consolidation allows these vertical conglomerates to use capitated payment structures in ways that drive profits without creating value. As noted above, corporate consolidation in health care has existed for decades, largely driven by hospitals. The primary result: hospitals can negotiate higher prices in the commercial market, cut labor costs and demand more of clinicians, and exploit various loopholes in the fee-for-service Medicare system. In addition, private equity (PE) rollups in health care have risen dramatically over the decades, also exploiting fee-for-service reimbursement and threatening patient care."
We have certainly seen the damage from PE acquisition on practices, especially in emergency medicine, which I previously alluded to in: https://new.reddit.com/Healthcare_Anon/comments/1c0bi4u/the_healthcare_workforce_staffing_crisis_a/. The damage to physician morale is especially acute during this consolidation process.
We are also seeing widespread practice buyouts in the PCP arena now:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/08/health/primary-care-doctors-consolidation.html
https://www.beckersasc.com/asc-transactions-and-valuation-issues/optum-s-multibillion-dollar-acquisition-spree-3-deals-to-know.html
https://www.hcinnovationgroup.com/finance-revenue-cycle/mergers-acquisitions/news/55000097/steward-health-care-plans-to-sell-physician-network-to-optum
https://radiologybusiness.com/topics/healthcare-management/healthcare-economics/unitedhealth-earns-emergency-order-buy-radiology-provider-placed-crisis-due-change-cyberattack
The last one from Corvallis is a particularly spicy acquisition - the change healthcare cyberattack created a cash flow crunch within Corvallis, creating the impetus for Corvallis to then sell itself to Optum. If I were to use cruder terminology, the analogy is this: Optum/Change groomed Corvallis to be dependent on its "service", and once Corvallis is dependent on Optum/Change, Optum/Change then "convinced" Corvallis that Corvallis needs to sell its body (clinics) to Optum for the couple to stay together after Optum/Change failed in its basic "pimp" duty on protecting the groomed subject. Absolutely disgusting analogy, and I hope it brings the message across - what Optum did was absolutely abhorrent and should have paid Corvallis interest and damages, but instead gets to steal the Damsel-in-distress. Who said pimping doesn't pay?
"Today, as policy moves away from fee-for-service, analogous patterns of corporate consolidation are emerging under capitation-based financing. While vertical conglomerates promise clinical integration, familiar harms are emerging, such as the push toward “productivity” medicine and the replacement or supplementation of physicians with less expensive advanced practice providers."
Ok, I am not sure if that last part was absolutely necessary. Advanced Practice Providers (APP) are Physician Assistants (PA), Advanced Nurse Practitioners (APRN), or in the case of Anesthesia, CRNA (Certified Nurse Anesthetist) who work under a supervision of an overall Medical Doctor (MD) for the practice. In the current labor shortage, there are not enough physicians to make up for lack of physician help. I would rather work with our APP colleagues on creating a more equitable platform, and this paper is not helping the cause in this manner. Vertical integration can bring plenty of harm, but having APP being part of the Team is NOT a problem. In fact, I have worked with many APP who are wonderful healthcare colleagues and we all want the same thing: equitable treatment of our patients in the most humane, effective, and medically appropriate way possible.
I. Gaming capitated benchmarks:
"Vertical conglomerates in capitation-based models are keen on controlling primary care physicians, who are essential for inflating risk-adjustment payments and quality bonuses. In MA alone, gaming of risk adjustment is responsible for at least $23 billion in annual overpayments to insurers, while quality payments amount to another $10 billion in subsidization without demonstrated value. In addition to increasing costs, the preoccupation with risk-coding and box-checking wastes scarce time with patients and contributes to dissatisfaction among clinicians."
Remember my CMS DD a month ago? If not, I will submit those links again:
https://new.reddit.com/Healthcare_Anon/comments/1c1n3tf/cms_finalizes_payment_updates_for_2025_medicare/
https://new.reddit.com/Healthcare_Anon/comments/1c1yg8q/cms_finalizes_payment_updates_for_2025_medicare/
We on the field AND CMS knows this is happening. In fact, CMS is attempting to stop this practice by the rollout of CMS V28 AND the April 1 2024 Contract Year 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule (CMS-4205-F). What CMS is attempting to do is to decrease the capitated payments on risk adjustment and quality bonus payments to elongate the Medicare Trust Fund depletion runway, which hopefully also will force the MA companies to take care of patients. As was seen in our 24Q1 DD, companies will instead retrench, retreat, and cut benefits instead. this indicate a potential market failure of the capitated model payment. We should readdress this point in a future post.
***"***The centrality of data in diagnosis coding puts vertical conglomerates in the driver’s seat. It helps contextualize UnitedHealth’s recent $13 billion acquisition of Change Healthcare, the nation’s largest billing clearinghouse, which, according to the Department of Justice, would give UnitedHealth a near monopoly (94% market share) over the clearinghouse market. Through the prism of risk coding, as well as other financial strategies discussed below, the business case was obvious: acquiring Change gives UnitedHealth visibility into the claims, diagnosis codes, and provider IDs of tens of millions of patients"
With the Change Cyberattack in February 2024, UNH unleashed the biggest cybersecurity threat on our patients' medical history in this nation's history, all because someone forgot 2 factor authentication on a whole server worth of data. Good job United. We thank you for proving the ineptitude of private enterprises. We no longer get to just make fun of the National Health System in UK for ineptitude, or that only government agencies suck, but a private enterprise that is a small nation state with a profit margin higher than the NSA's yearly budget can't figure out 2FA.
***"***As with risk adjustment, vertical conglomerates can inflate quality scores with greater control of clinicians. They can, for example, game medication adherence quality measures by pushing providers to put their patients on 90-day refills, mail-order prescriptions, and automatic refills, even if patients never take the medications. Similarly, they can discourage or prohibit clinicians from giving samples to patients and allowing them to use lower- cost alternatives. Further, Star Ratings and other quality programs require significant administrative efforts, placing small practices at a disadvantage."
I do take exception to the samples argument. Look, we just got out of the VERY SHADY stuff happening in the 90s with MD offices taking a HUGE backhand deal when giving out samples, I don't really want to see that stuff back in vogue again. Do you know how frustrating it was for a patient to say they are on a med that is from their doctor's office, they got it for free, and they must have it as an inpatient, when they don't even have it on the medication fill list or on the electronic medical record database? Who do I trust?
II. PATIENT STEERING AND “CAPTIVE” REVENUE:
This section is the reason why I did UNH and BHG as a DD - to pave the way for the discussion on this section. If you haven't read it, please see:
https://new.reddit.com/Healthcare_Anon/comments/1cw50xp/vertical_integration_of_the_healthcare_insurance/
https://new.reddit.com/Healthcare_Anon/comments/1cwsavi/vertical_integration_of_the_healthcare_insurance/
"UnitedHealth is increasingly relying on this captive revenue—or “intercompany eliminations”—with its growth of its provider subsidiary, Optum. UnitedHealth has increased intercompany eliminations by over 80% in five years, reaching $108 billion in 2022. It now sends over 25% of its medical claim revenue to its own subsidiaries. Its market presence shows why: UnitedHealth exists in 87% of insurance markets, only rivaled by Humana at 90%. 130 Further, UnitedHealth has over 50% share in more than 140 MA markets."
OK even though this paper is quoting another paper, my 10K/10Q analysis does match what this paper said, except it isn't 25%. Its 37.7% now. WHOA!
"These captive revenue strategies enable regulatory arbitrage. Medical Loss Ratios (MLRs) were established in the Affordable Care Act to cap insurance administrative costs and profits and to ensure that a minimum percentage of capitation payments and private insurance premiums were spent on medical care. However, insurance companies can circumvent this regulation by paying themselves, directing above-market payments and end-of-year bonuses to their own sister subsidiaries. This is referred to as “transfer pricing” and has been best documented with PBMs. For example, UnitedHealth can evade the MLR requirement by paying higher-than-cost fees to its Optum PBM, booking that fee as a medical cost. The same is possible with medical providers: insurers can increase fees to their sister primary care or post-acute providers to conceal profits as costs and to therefore evade the MLR constraint."
Is this how UNH continues to have high profits, and how the impact of CMS V28 somehow did not threaten UNH and Elevance the same way as Humana and CVS/Aetna? I think they may be onto something...
"In addition to increasing profits, steering squeezes independent providers and other competitors. In the prescription drug space, the gaming of medication adherence, explained above, diverts business away from unaffiliated pharmacies while gaming quality metrics. As another example, vertical conglomerates that own PBMs can devise formularies and copays that funnel patients to their own pharmacies, squeezing independent pharmacies. The proliferation of “specialty” pharmacies embeds these anti-competitive practices.".
Personal anecdote: I know of independent pharmacies who CANNOT compete anymore due to high PBM requirements, "clawback" penalties, quality metrics that is impossible to achieve, and "out of network" processing fees, that these pharmacies either have to be shut down, or acquired. "Specialty Pharmacies" are basically pharmacies who carry high dollar cost items that may have more stringent FDA counseling requirements, but because now the Marketplace is littered with PBM funnels, most independent pharmacies cannot "enter the foot in the door" of the PBM requirements. Guess who does though? Optum Rx!
"Vertical consolidation in the post-acute setting presents similar steering risks. MA insurers have increasingly been under scrutiny for limiting or denying care through narrow networks, “ghost networks,” and onerous prior authorization. Recent reporting revealed that UnitedHealth and Humana are using artificial intelligence with their conveners, specifically NaviHealth, to drive “clinical” prior authorization decisions and override clinical judgment."
I think I've beaten this dead horse many times already.
"Another way to steer patients in post-acute care is to effectively bring the prior authorization function “in house.” By directly employing physicians, the risk-bearing entity can cut costs by prohibiting or discouraging clinicians from authorizing expensive care. In a 2020 whistleblower lawsuit reported by The Prospect, Maxwell Ollivant, a UnitedHealth-employed nurse practitioner in a nursing home, alleged that his supervisor denied requests to transfer UnitedHealth-MA patients with exacerbations to the hospital. This, Ollivant alleged, was consistent with UnitedHealth’s compensation structure, which gave bonuses to their clinicians who kept patients in the nursing home and out of the hospitals."
Well holy shit Batman, that is more degenerate than a WSB 0-5DTE put taken on a Thursday afternoon.
III. PATIENT “FLIPPING” AND ENROLLMENT ARBITRAGE
" In MA, favorable selection is responsible for another 11%-14% of overspending, or as much as $56 billion annually. Selecting enrollees also allows insurers in MA to game county benchmark bonuses, which excessively rewards insurers with patients in areas of low Medicare spending, to the tune of another roughly $10 billion in excess MA payments. As vertical conglomerates increasingly own physicians and operate in ACOs, similar risks of selection may arise."
CMS is acutely aware of this gaming, however their model hasn't exactly been able to pinpoint how to address this yet. This was discussed in the CMS Final rule comments section.
"More direct than marketing, provider acquisitions allow conglomerates to “flip” patients into MA plans or ACOs by coordinating efforts with sister provider subsidiaries. Conglomerates can initiate the flipping strategy by using some of the steering tactics discussed above. In a recent lawsuit, UnitedHealth was accused of terminating contracts with unaffiliated physicians in order to force the patients to establish care at nearby Optum practices. In another suit, UnitedHealth, with 50% of the MA and commercial insurance markets, allegedly attempted to force the sale of local practices to Optum. UnitedHealth was accused of cutting insurance reimbursement and steering members away from the target practice, and as a condition of insurance contracting, forcing the target practice to give UnitedHealth the first right of refusal upon sale.
I inivite our physician colleagues to comment on this section. I have personally heard of such anecdotes, but further validation is always helpful and will also increase our membership engagement on such complicated subjects
And we now reach the end of page 31. This paper is extremely dense, and required basically a multi-layer DD on top of it to corroborate and create discussion points on the topic discussion.
We hope you enjoyed this half of the mini-series, and we hope to bring you the 2nd part of the mini-series soon as a collaborative post.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this. I hope this provides you with a better perspective on a glimpse of the landscape that I am personally aware. Please submit your comments below on your thoughts
Sincerely
Moocao
​

Amidst all the meme stock mania and pump and dumps lately that have fizzled out, I found myself wanting to find more short/long plays penny stocks with less volatility and more security. I feel this one is a solid one based on its financial results, not by saying “its gonna moon” and leave it at that. lol
I have researched it quite a bit the past week. Here is a write up on how Supercom describes what they do:
About SuperCom Since 1988, SuperCom has been a global provider of traditional and digital identity solutions, providing advanced safety, identification, and security solutions to governments and organizations, both private and public, throughout the world. Through its proprietary e-Government platforms and innovative solutions for traditional and biometrics enrollment, personalization, issuance and border control services, SuperCom has inspired governments and national agencies to design and issue secure Multi-ID documents and robust digital identity solutions to its citizens and visitors. SuperCom offers a unique all-in-one field-proven RFID & mobile technology and product suite, accompanied by advanced complementary services for various industries including security and safety, community public safety, law enforcement, electronic monitoring, and domestic violence prevention. For more information, please visit SuperCom's website, www.supercom.com
Supercom trades on the Nasdaq. The impressive part about this company is how they are able to be profitable year over year.
They reported record profit and 400% YoY Ebitda for the first Quarter of 2024.
It has beat its earnings estimate every quarter and has a positive eps since Q2 of 2023.
TradingView Analysts report as a Strong Buy
First Quarter Ended March 31, 2024, Financial Highlights (Compared to the First Quarter of 2023) * Revenue increased by 8% to $6.9 millionfrom $6.4 million. * Gross Profit increased by 139% to $3.8 million from $1.6 million. * Gross Profit margin increased by 123% to 55% from 25%. * Operating Income improved by $1.8 million to $0.7 million compared to an Operating Loss of ($1.1) million. * Operating Margin improved by 27.2 percentage points to 10.5% from negative margin of (16.7%). * Net Income improved by $2.3 million to $0.8 million compared to Net Loss of ($1.5) million. * EPS improved by $0.36 to positive $0.04compared to Negative EPS of ($0.32). * Non-GAAP Net Income improved by $1.6 million to $1.35 million compared to Net Loss of ($0.25) million. * Non-GAAP EPS improved by $0.12 to positive $0.07 compared to Negative ($0.05) * EBITDA increased by 400% to $2 millionfrom $0.4 million. * Working Capital at the end of the quarter of $23.6 million.
Recent Business Highlights: * The Company has received over $5.0 million in new orders from European governments. * The company raised $2.9 million in gross proceeds in a registered direct offering in Q2 2024, providing additional capital to execute the Company's business plan. * SuperCom, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, LCA, won new project in California valued at up to $2.0 million to provide a comprehensive program focusing on re-entry services for adult inmates, designed to support individuals transitioning back into the community. The award is a result of winning a formal competitive bid process. * SuperCom launched a $4.25 millioncontract to provide adult re-entry services in Northern California through its wholly-owned subsidiary, LCA. The project expanding LCA's existing day reporting and electronic monitoring services to include jail-based and community-based sites. * LCA secured a new EM contract in California with an established Californiaservices provider in the judicial sector. This contract is particularly notable for SuperCom's successful displacement of a long-time incumbent competitor, primarily due to SuperCom's new innovative PureOne solution. * SuperCom won a new project in Canadawith a renowned Canadian industry partner in the tracking solutions sector. This new project expands an existing collaboration with a long-standing partner, transitioning from providing RF-based tracking technology to embracing new GPS technologies. This expansion into new GPS technologies with the state-of-the-art PureOne devices underscores the company's commitment to innovation and its ability to adapt to the evolving needs of its clients. * SuperCom launched a $3.6M national EM project in Finland with the national government in 2023. The PureSecurity EM Suite is fully deployed in Finland, covering all EM offender programs – house arrest, GPS, and inmate monitoring. SuperCom has also expanded its footprint in Finland by securing and launching a national program for the Electronic Monitoring of Domestic Violence offenders. This program leverages SuperCom's cutting-edge PureSecurity Suite to empower Finnish authorities to enhance citizen safety.
This is all just my opinion, DD, and what I believe to be a good pick among all the trash out there that is at a similar share price. Lol it isn’t financial advice, do your own research. Just wanted to put it in the spotlight. This is one I have added to my portfolio and it is nearish its 52 week low so I like the price. They just received a 1.8 million dollar contract from a long time customer that starts at the end of May and will be completed after 5 months.

Amidst all the meme stock mania and pump and dumps lately that have fizzled out, I found myself wanting to find more short/long plays penny stocks with less volatility and more security. I feel this one is a solid one based on its financial results, not by saying “its gonna moon” and leave it at that. lol
I have researched it quite a bit the past week. Here is a write up on how Supercom describes what they do:
About SuperCom Since 1988, SuperCom has been a global provider of traditional and digital identity solutions, providing advanced safety, identification, and security solutions to governments and organizations, both private and public, throughout the world. Through its proprietary e-Government platforms and innovative solutions for traditional and biometrics enrollment, personalization, issuance and border control services, SuperCom has inspired governments and national agencies to design and issue secure Multi-ID documents and robust digital identity solutions to its citizens and visitors. SuperCom offers a unique all-in-one field-proven RFID & mobile technology and product suite, accompanied by advanced complementary services for various industries including security and safety, community public safety, law enforcement, electronic monitoring, and domestic violence prevention. For more information, please visit SuperCom's website, www.supercom.com
Supercom trades on the Nasdaq. The impressive part about this company is how they are able to be profitable year over year.
They reported record profit and 400% YoY Ebitda for the first Quarter of 2024.
It has beat its earnings estimate every quarter and has a positive eps since Q2 of 2023.
First Quarter Ended March 31, 2024, Financial Highlights (Compared to the First Quarter of 2023)

• Revenue increased by 8% to $6.9 millionfrom $6.4 million.
• Gross Profit increased by 139% to $3.8 million from $1.6 million.
• Gross Profit margin increased by 123% to 55% from 25%.
• Operating Income improved by $1.8 million to $0.7 million compared to an Operating Loss of ($1.1) million.
• Operating Margin improved by 27.2 percentage points to 10.5% from negative margin of (16.7%).
• Net Income improved by $2.3 million to $0.8 million compared to Net Loss of ($1.5) million.
• EPS improved by $0.36 to positive $0.04compared to Negative EPS of ($0.32).
• Non-GAAP Net Income improved by $1.6 million to $1.35 million compared to Net Loss of ($0.25) million.
• Non-GAAP EPS improved by $0.12 to positive $0.07 compared to Negative ($0.05)
• EBITDA increased by 400% to $2 millionfrom $0.4 million.
• Working Capital at the end of the quarter of $23.6 million.

Recent Business Highlights: * The Company has received over $5.0 million in new orders from European governments. * The company raised $2.9 million in gross proceeds in a registered direct offering in Q2 2024, providing additional capital to execute the Company's business plan. * SuperCom, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, LCA, won new project in California valued at up to $2.0 million to provide a comprehensive program focusing on re-entry services for adult inmates, designed to support individuals transitioning back into the community. The award is a result of winning a formal competitive bid process. * SuperCom launched a $4.25 millioncontract to provide adult re-entry services in Northern California through its wholly-owned subsidiary, LCA. The project expanding LCA's existing day reporting and electronic monitoring services to include jail-based and community-based sites. * LCA secured a new EM contract in California with an established Californiaservices provider in the judicial sector. This contract is particularly notable for SuperCom's successful displacement of a long-time incumbent competitor, primarily due to SuperCom's new innovative PureOne solution. * SuperCom won a new project in Canadawith a renowned Canadian industry partner in the tracking solutions sector. This new project expands an existing collaboration with a long-standing partner, transitioning from providing RF-based tracking technology to embracing new GPS technologies. This expansion into new GPS technologies with the state-of-the-art PureOne devices underscores the company's commitment to innovation and its ability to adapt to the evolving needs of its clients. * SuperCom launched a $3.6M national EM project in Finland with the national government in 2023. The PureSecurity EM Suite is fully deployed in Finland, covering all EM offender programs – house arrest, GPS, and inmate monitoring. SuperCom has also expanded its footprint in Finland by securing and launching a national program for the Electronic Monitoring of Domestic Violence offenders. This program leverages SuperCom's cutting-edge PureSecurity Suite to empower Finnish authorities to enhance citizen safety.
This is all just my opinion, DD, and what I believe to be a good pick among all the trash out there that is at a similar share price. Lol it isn’t financial advice, do your own research. Just wanted to put it in the spotlight. This is one I have added to my portfolio and it is nearish its 52 week low so I like the price.

I've been extremely wild these last few months and have been using straight homeless guys for sexual favors. Usually, these are consensual, and I normally compensate them with food, cigarettes, or money. However, this was not the case last night. Last night, I was out drinking with some friends, and after the bar closed, everyone went their separate ways. I decided not to go home but to walk around and hopefully find a guy to do stuff with. Well, I didn't have any luck. We have a bike share company in my city where you pay a monthly subscription, and you can use the bikes anytime you want, and they're basically everywhere. So, I grabbed one of those bikes and decided to ride down to the park/community tennis courts. The designated station for the bikes at the park is at one end, and the tennis courts are on the other side. The distance is probably slightly less than half a mile. Anyway, l parked the bike and wandered around the park until I ended up at the tennis courts. That's when I spotted him there, sleeping on the bench.
At first, I sat on the bench next to him for about a minute in silence. Nothing happened. I then loudly cleared my throat to see how lightly he was sleeping. He was still asleep, but then his cock made a jump. I could see it through the wrap he was wearing, like a shawl or something. I was really surprised, as I didn't even notice he was hard before (mostly because it was dark and I had not gone close to him yet).
I walked over to him and slowly rubbed my fingers over his cock. I did this for a few seconds, and he didn't respond. That's when I kind of pushed the fabric down over his cock so that I could see the full shape. It was nice and thick with a nice head on it. Man, was I ever hard. I started rubbing and stroking his cock, stroking the head. It was an amazing experience, but then I let my curiosity get the best of me, as I wanted to now see his cock fully exposed. Maybe even take it in my mouth. I started to pull the shawl up to his waistline. I got about half a foot up, just about to expose his cock, when he suddenly woke up. He smacked my hand away hard and yelled,
"WHAT THE FUCK / & YOU DOING?!?!"
I immediately turned around and ran off back towards the bike share station. I got about a quarter of the way there and turned around. I saw him following me, but he wasn't running, just walking, but definitely in pursuit of me. I started running. It was now about 5 am, and people were up for their morning jogs, so many people were running around the park. I tried my best not to look too panicked and to blend in with the joggers. I was almost to the bikes when I turned around again, and the guy was now running full speed towards me. I quickly unlocked a bike with a code, got on, and immediately took off. I ran over another homeless guy's foot by accident as I sped off. I booked it for about three blocks and then finally looked back. I didn't see him, obviously, as he was on foot and I was on a bike. Finally, I could stop and breathe. I cycled home. There's a bike station on my street. I went in, grabbed a drink of water, and plopped down on the couch. I just breathed for a moment, thinking about the whole thing.
I could have gotten beaten up, stabbed, or killed-maybe all three-but man, was I ever excited. Just the risk alone is an amazing feeling. The pursuit really got my adrenaline up. I wish I had never pulled the shawl up so l could have stroked his cock some more. I want to do it again, but l'm afraid. I can't tell anyone this. I have another experience to share if you all want to hear it.

Ronald Reed Duck Jr., known to his family and friends as Ronnie was a beloved husband and son in 1995. He was awaiting the birth of a baby girl, he and his wife's first child within a few weeks of his disappearance. He was said to love dirt bikes and baseball in his youth and was recently interested in billards. In 1995 he was 21 years old and studying to be an electronic communications technician.
Just before Ronnie vanished he had spent time home in Alabama, where he was from, with his wife, and his mom Beverly and father Ronald Duck Sr. During this time home he expressed extreme concern over returning to duty. He was awaiting what he hoped was an upcoming medical discharge.
The main reason however Ronnie was concerned with returning was that he'd confided in family he'd been threatened by a fellow sailor. He was "in fear for his life."
According to Ronnie's father Robert Sr. " Some of the sailors coaxed him into buying drugs somewhere in Panama." his father added "Ronnie had a way of telling on himself anyway. We think it was a revenge thing."
Ronnie had attempted to purchase drugs from an undercover Naval Intelligence Officer. Ronnie had just testified against another sailor involved and that sailor received a less than honorable discharge. It was then when Ronnie reported receiving threats.
Ronnie left to report to Pascagoula Naval Station in Mississippi to board the U.S.S. Stephen Groves. He was last reported seen at 3:30a.m. on February 14th 1995 alive, by a Captain Shannon Broom. The Capt. reportedly saw Ronnie just 50 yards from where he was scheduled to board the ship.
Investigators later told the Duck family Ronnie was in a car with another sailor when they went through the first security check at a guard gate at the home port the morning of his disappearance. They then stated he was no longer in the car when it got to the second guard gate. According to investigators Ronnie had gotten out of the car in between gates to "talk to someone". No one has ever seen Ronald Duck Jr. since.
The Navy initially declared Ronnie AWOL. But pretty much from the very beginning his family was very vocal in driving back and forth from Alabama putting up fliers and stating they believed someone had harmed their son. Ronald Sr believes he was killed and disposed of in a swamp somewhere. The Navy eventually reclassified Ronnie as a missing person.
Investigators later found his maroon truck at the Naval Station parking lot and there was mud on the floorboard. The bar of Ivory soap and carton of cigarettes that he intended to carry on the ship were still inside the truck. Ronnie had reportedly taken a $40 check with him that was never cashed. His daughter was born 6 weeks after he vanished.
Beverly Duck, his mother spent years after he disappeared tracking down leads. According to Ronald Sr. she tracked down other Navy sailors that she believed were involved with her son's disappearance. According to Ronald Sr. no one would admit knowing what happened to their son. Beverly sadly has sinced passed away with no answers. Ronnie's daughter, who he never got to meet is an adult. He still has a sister named Julie out there who seeks those answers as well.
What happened to Ronnie Ronald Duck Jr. on Valentine's Day 1995 in between guard gates at the Naval Station in Pascagoula Mississippi?
Navel Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) is investigating at 202-433-9225 or 1-800-479-9685
https://charleyproject.org/case/ronald-reed-duck-jr
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-ronald-reed-du/37793589/
https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/crime/article199753824.html

There have been a couple of posts and comments recently regarding what does or doesn't have 'SPIRIT' or can or can't be classed as 'ANIMIST'
Position: My Animist Perspective: Everything Has Spirit
Scenario: As animists, we want to eat the meat of some type of antlered deer in a ceremony and also use the antlers for various purposes (personal ornaments, decorations, tools, etc).
For this to occur, a farmer or a Hunter is needed. The items that are needed to humanely cull and process an ungulate deer.
The farmer or hunter cull a stag to harvest both meat and antlers.
The hunter uses a firearm and ammunition and the farmer may use the same or an electric/hydraulic bolt or perhaps even a steel knife to dispatch the animal humanely. The ammunition for the rifle contains, lead, brass, composite alloys, chrome, gunpowder (chemicals), and electricity.
The rifle is made from various types of metal, metal alloys, hardwoods farmed and exotic, plastics, fibreglass, rubber, glues, chemicals, glass if a scope is attached, lasers, batteries, electricity, etc.
The steel bolt is made from metal, metal alloys, plastic, composite rubbers, chemicals, and electricity. The knife is made from metal, metal alloys, hardwoods farmed and exotic, plastics, fibreglass, rubber, glues, chemicals, electricity, and if kept in a sheath leather, nylon chemical plastics.
Also, don't forget everything associated with the refrigeration of the meat. The packaging for everything. The electronic and paper products are used for advertising. The manufacturing distribution and administration buildings. The transportation vehicles include all the metal, plastic, rubber, oil, chemicals, electricity, etc. The people involved - their housing, food, clothing, medications, etc.
The infrastructure for producing all of the power necessary for the above - electricity, hydro, coal, uranium, geothermal, solar, tidal.
etc, etc, etc.
My Animist Perspective: Everything Has Spirit
From an animist viewpoint, the belief that all entities—animate and inanimate—possess a spiritual essence is central. This perspective imbues every element of the scenario described with a sense of interconnected spirituality. Here, I present a detailed and compelling positive argument that everything involved in the process of culling and utilising an antlered deer for ceremonial purposes belongs to the realm of animism.
The Deer and Its Spirit
In animism, the deer is not merely an animal but a being with a spirit. The stag embodies strength, grace, and the cyclical nature of life. The meat and antlers are gifts from the deer's spirit, offered in a ceremonial context to Honor its life and essence. The act of culling the deer, therefore, is not just a hunt but a sacred exchange, acknowledging the deer's spirit and its contribution to human sustenance and culture.
The Hunter and the Farmer
The hunter and the farmer, as facilitators of this process, are seen as mediators between the human community and the spiritual world of the deer. Their skills, tools, and knowledge are not just practical assets but are imbued with their own spirits. The hunter's connection to the deer through the hunt is a deeply spiritual bond, one that respects the life of the deer and acknowledges its spirit.
The Tools of the Hunt
* Firearm and Ammunition: Each component of the firearm and ammunition—the metals, wood, plastics, and chemicals—has its own spirit. The metal alloys are born from the earth, the hardwoods from the forests, and the chemicals from complex natural processes. The firearm, as a composite entity, carries the spirits of all its parts, combined into a tool that serves a sacred purpose.
* Steel Bolt and Knife: Similarly, steel bolts and knives are more than mere tools. The metals used in their creation have been shaped and transformed, their spirits forged to create instruments of humane dispatch. The wood, rubber, and other materials each bring their own spiritual essence to these tools, making them part of the ceremonial act.
The Process and the Ritual
The act of culling the deer is a ritualistic one, steeped in respect and spiritual significance. The hunter's or farmer's actions are guided by a profound understanding of the balance between taking life and honouring it. This process is a form of communication with the spirits of the tools, the deer, and the natural world.
The Role of Technology and Infrastructure
Even the technology and infrastructure involved in processing, preserving, and transporting the meat and antlers are seen through an animistic lens:
* Refrigeration and Packaging: The machinery and materials used in refrigeration and packaging are composites of various natural elements. The metals, plastics, chemicals, and electricity all carry the spirits of their origins. These spirits contribute to the preservation of the deer's gifts, ensuring they remain viable for ceremonial use.
* Transportation and Buildings: The vehicles, buildings, and infrastructure involved in the distribution process are also imbued with spirit. The metals and plastics in vehicles, the materials in buildings, and the energy sources (electricity, coal, uranium, etc.) all possess spiritual essences derived from the natural world. The interconnectedness of these elements ensures the respectful and efficient handling of the deer's gifts.
The Human Element
The people involved in this process—the hunter, farmer, workers, and consumers—each carry their own spirits. Their interactions with the deer, the tools, and the infrastructure are part of a larger spiritual network. Their homes, food, clothing, and medications are also seen as having spirits, derived from the earth and other natural sources.
Energy Sources and the Natural World
Finally, the sources of power—electricity, hydro, coal, uranium, geothermal, solar, and tidal—are manifestations of the earth's spirit. Each energy source, whether harnessed from water, wind, sun, or the depths of the earth, contributes its spiritual essence to the process. This interconnected web of spiritual energy sustains the entire chain of activities.
Conclusion
From my animist perspective, every element involved in the culling and utilisation of an antlered deer is imbued with spirit. This worldview sees the interconnectedness of all things, recognising the spiritual essence in the deer, the tools, the technology, the infrastructure, and the people. Each component plays a sacred role in the ritual, contributing to a holistic understanding of life, death, and the spiritual continuum. This deep respect for the spirits of all entities fosters a harmonious relationship with the natural world, emphasising the reverence and interconnectedness that are central to animism.
References

1. Bird-David, Nurit. "Animism Revisited: Personhood, Environment, and Relational Epistemology." *Annual Review of Anthropology* 21 (2023): 67-91.
2. Harvey, Graham. *Animism: Respecting the Living World*. London: Hurst & Company, 2017.
3. Van Eyghen, Hans. "Animism and Science." *Religions* 14, no. 5 (2023): 653. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14050653.
4. Astor-Aguilera, Miguel. "Animism and Materiality: Relational Ontologies and Practices." *Religious Studies Review* 44, no. 2 (2018): 139-147.
5. High, Casey. "Waorani Perspectives on Animal Spirits and the Agency of Shamans." *Journal of Anthropological Research* 73, no. 1 (2017): 129-147.
6. Fienup-Riordan, Ann, and Alice Rearden. *Yuungnaqpiallerput: The Real Person of the Ancestors: An Ethnohistory of the Cup'ik Eskimos of Nelson Island, Alaska*. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Press, 2016.
7. Skvirskaja, Vera. "The Sacred Space of the Nenets Tundra: Rituals and Practices." *Journal of Siberian Studies* 15, no. 3 (2022): 147-159.
8. Chidester, David. "Animism and Religion: Material Dynamics." *Religion* 48, no. 1 (2018): 85-97.
9. Tylor, Edward Burnett. *Primitive Culture*. New York: Harper & Row, 1871.
10. Hallowell, A. Irving. "Ojibwa Ontology, Behavior, and Worldview." In *Readings in Indigenous Religions*, edited by Graham Harvey, 17-49. London: Continuum, 2002.

These references provide a comprehensive academic basis for understanding animism in the context of both traditional and contemporary practices, emphasising the interconnectedness and spiritual significance of all elements involved in the described scenario.

Am not here to support the current government or any other government. And honestly speaking idk much about employment rates and how that really works.
So basically I want to ask people that when you haven't studied in any semester of your college, you were passing exams with 0 knowledge, then why are you crying now for low paying jobs?
Ok let me clarify my statement first through an example:
Am using my own name in example. So khushi was a very dull student. She never paid attention to the lectures in school. She got 70-75% in 12th standard by rote learning and cheating in exams.
Due to caste based admission (obc/sc/st) she got admission in a college of a reputed university. And Because she never paid attention to her school lectures her basic knowledge is incomplete now. She is facing difficulties in her higher studies. And due to that she isn't paying attention to her college lectures as well.
All she is doing is sleeping in her hostel room watching movies, series etc. Now it's the semester exam, again she is just rote learning and cheating in her exams to get passing marks only. She also thinks like the most of the students "academic knowledge doesn't matter" also "what matters the most is experience and practical knowledge". But she got none of them. It's the last year of college life and companies are here to hire students. Due to zero knowledge khushi got no job. She is blaming the education system now. She is blaming her college by putting a tag of 'shittiest placements'. She knows that she have 0 knowledge about the subjects she passed by cheating. But she wasn't aware that she can't cheat in an interview. Now khushi is working as a credit card seller or accountant for 10-15k a month. Now khushi is blaming government for low salary and low employment rates.
Now my question is, was the government really responsible for it?
In today's world many people are living in this same situation. My senior who was boasting about 14 backlogs in semester exams is crying because there are no jobs for her. She used to be like one of those 'CoOl sTudEnts' who believes in only clubbing and spending money pver silly things which are considered as cool kids things nowadays. And whom she is blaming now? The government. The education system. And yea her parents.
I saw a reel where ashneer grover answered a question asked by a student that "Is the knowledge we are gaining in college life really matters?" To which he answered that "This generation is the most stupid generation who thinks that only they themselves are the most logical people nowadays. For them teachers are fools, universities are fools, their own parents are fools. He also said that if you aren't attending lecture but you are somewhere doing something better than the lecture then it's a good thing for you. But if you are just sleeping in your hostel rooms, binge watching a series at the time of studying then you are the one who is fool here.
This was the most logical and simple answer i have ever heard. People will blame everyone and everything but not themselves, not their own doings. People with full knowledge are getting jobs. They are getting everything for which they worked hard in their school and college days when you were just clubbing and wasting your money over cigarettes and alcohol. When you were looking for casual dates amd hook-ups those people were keeping a check on their exam dates.
My brother (not writing the name or college's name for privacy) topped in his college and got 50+ LPA package from a well reputed company. His current salary is 4.5 lakhs per month. He is living his dream life. And all because of the hard work and time he putted in his studies (and yeah surprisingly not because of his luck.)
The whole purpose of this rant was to make y'all aware that unless you aren't working hard you shouldn't yapp about not having a dream job or dream life you kept dreaming of. Thanks. Have a happy and healthy life. And start studying MFs <3

Well, I saw many posts on this reddit about the matter. Here is another one:
I went to Italy for a month and I used two rental companies, Hertz and National (Localauto). I circulated on the Modena - Reggio Emilia zones. No problem with National - Localauto besides not recognizing the Executive Elite status.
A month after leaving, I received a mail from Hertz about a speeding fine done a week before my departure. I'm willing to pay the original amount but there's no payment information on the letter attached to the mail. Hertz says that I will be charged an administration fee and the physical letter will be sent to my main address, in Mexico. So far, 3 monts have passed, no charge has been done and no mail is yet arrived. I already tried to sent a email to Modena's police but no response about that.
Some colleagues I know have the same problem from past travels and neither them had received the information payment. Fine was originally 30-35 € but by now should be 95 € or more.
Do you know even if this mail will arrive? How i can pay? Does affect on future travels to the country? Why they just don't send an full electronic copy like the rest of the world do?

Hi all, longtime listener, first-time caller. Please see my query and first 300 below.
My biggest question is this: 95% of the story takes place in 2014, but the book opens in 2020 when my main character receives a letter from the California Dept of Fair Housing & Employment informing her of an investigation into behavior at Chatpic. Receiving the letter spurs her to tell the story of what happened back then. The book checks back into 2020 in the middle as my MC tries to get more information about the investigation, and then it ends back in 2020 again when she decides what she wants to do about the letter.
The reason the story takes place in 2014 is because the time period--pre #MeToo/Donald Trump/the workplace reckoning of 2020--informs the decisions the MC makes back then, and she's looking back at it from a wiser perspective. If you've read The Rachel Incident, Caroline O'Donoghue does a similar thing as she retells a 2008 abortion story from the perspective of present day.
In the end, the investigation is not a driving force of the plot--so my question is how important is it that it's mentioned in the query? I ask because I've found that trying to add that piece to what I've already written starts to get convoluted, though obviously I can work at it. I think it's very clear once you read the first 300, but for agents who don't want a sample, is it clear in the blurb that this story is looking back to a time gone by?
Mostly looking for insight on this question specifically, but if you have further feedback about the letter for first 300, open to that as well. Thanks!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear [Agent],
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my query for TERMS OF SERVICE, a true-ish fictional story about a young woman in a nearly impossible workplace a la UNCANNY VALLEY meets THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (with shades of 9 TO 5). TERMS OF SERVICE is complete at 95,000 words.
It’s 2014 and down-and-out celebrity blogger Maggie Clarke is desperate for a fresh start. Not only is she broke in New York City, but at 31, she thought she’d be writing something a little less embarrassing than Justin Bieber listicles by now. When her longtime internet friend Aron York–recently named the world’s youngest billionaire–offers her a lucrative position at his massively popular social media app Chatpic that puts her at the center of his inner circle in Los Angeles, it’s exactly the step-up she’s been waiting for. As Maggie learns to manage the always-on hours, the slew of acronyms, and the unlimited access to free cold brew, she encounters another more complicated problem–the boys’ club. Except this isn’t the typical ham-fisted sexism she’s used to–this is the tech bro variety: insidious, inexorable, and infuriating. When she meets an ambitious young reporter who encourages her to speak out, Maggie has a shot at revenge. But in a world before mansplaining and microaggressions, is blowing the whistle worth the risk? And is anyone ready to hear it?
Like Maggie, I was also plucked from internet obscurity by the world’s (then) youngest billionaire, [redacted], to come work at his massively popular social media app, [redacted company]. I was a founding member of the company’s content team, and all I have to show for it is six footnotes in the [redacted company] biography [redacted title] and the brutal feminist awakening that inspired me to write this manuscript. Before that, I was a full-time writer in New York whose work has appeared on MTV, Rolling Stone and Elle. Currently I’m a content and editorial consultant in Chicago, and I’m also on TikTok where 21,000 people watch me rant about work and office culture. (It’s also where 2M people enjoyed my show-and-tell video about the “sentimental” stock certificates [redacted company previously mentioned] gave a few early employees–that were worth exactly $0.00.)
As the agent who represents [Author 1] and [Author 2], you have a strong list when it comes to complex female characters embroiled in complicated social dynamics. TERMS OF SERVICE would be a great addition to this track because, while similar themes of class and workplace are explored, my flavor of levity and sarcasm makes my work distinct from [Author 1] and [Author 2], bringing a new facet to your program.
If you are interested in reading TERMS OF SERVICE, I would be happy to forward a sample of any length you suggest. Thank you for your consideration!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
First 300:
Chapter 1
2020
A lot of people might revel in the idea of receiving a letter announcing an investigation into their ex-employer.
One might, for example, envision draping themselves in a mink stole, lighting the cigarette at the end of their old-timey cigarette holder, and dialing the investigator’s number from a rotary phone atop a solid wood desk under shadowy, film noir lights. One might then imagine whispering I knew this day would come into the receiver between bursts of psychotic, hysterical laughter as they rejoiced in the long overdue arrival of the long arm of the law.
But me, I wasn’t so sure. Maybe because I didn’t have a mink stole.
No, I was crouched on the ground of my parents’ musky basement in Des Plaines, Illinois, knee-deep in piles of old diaries and CDs when I received notice of one such letter. It was month four of COVID, and Dad and I were only halfway through his cleaning list. He was already a germaphobe so a global pandemic was all he needed to justify a top-to-bottom disinfection of the entire house. And since my routine trip home in the middle of March turned into a hapless extended stay when the world shut down, it was the perfect excuse to put me to work. Just like the good old days.
We wiped down every square inch of the place. We soaked the faucet heads in lemon juice, we scrubbed the coffee mugs with baking soda. We vacuumed the damn fridge.
Reorganizing the basement shelves was a beast. Every box was like a Russian nesting doll of useless crap: old TV Guides, corroded double-A batteries, dried-out cans of paint primer, an unsettling number of hand saws. I made decent headway through the “tools” and “electronics,” but I lost all steam when I got to my high school stuff—faded Polaroids and folded-up notes stopped me in my tracks.

Not sure if I used the right flair because I know this is a scam, I just don’t know WHAT the scam is.
I received an email from a “HR representative” who thought I would be a good fit for a job I’d applied for. I definitely applied for the job, but the email address looked slightly off—hr-companyname.com as opposed to companyname.com. I’ve seen companies do weird things like this and I had actually applied for a job with the company, so I responded. I figured as long as they don’t ask for my banking info or anything like that, I’d go along with it just in case it was legit.
They asked me to respond to “screening questions” that assessed my skills and experience. Again, a little weird, but I’ve been asked to jump through stupid hoops for job interviews before so I went ahead and responded just in case it was legit. At this point, the only personal info they’d asked me for was my name and email, both of which they already had. I asked the guy some questions about the company but didn’t hear back (he was very responsive in his previous messages), so I figured it was fake and moved on.
Two days later I get an email congratulating me on being selected for employment at a rate of $95/hr. No interview, no phone call, no zoom call, just hey you’re hired. They still did not ask me for any of my personal info, but sent me a list of thousands of dollars worth of equipment to buy and said they would send me a check to cover the cost for me to get set up.
At this point it’s 1000% obvious this is completely fake, so I found a phone number on the real company website and called them to inform them this was happening. The receptionist confirmed that both of their HR people are women and no one by that name worked there in any capacity and said I wasn’t the first person to call them about this. I forwarded her the scam emails for her to send to their IT team. I’m guessing there was some kind of data breach on the application I submitted, but what’s the scam here?
They never asked me for any banking info or tried to send me a “digital check”, which I’ve seen before. They didn’t ask me to submit a resume which other fake recruiters have done. They didn’t ask me for any of my personal information at all, no ID, no social security number, etc. They offered to mail me a check first so I can go buy my equipment from any store I want, so they aren’t trying to get me to buy equipment from them through some fake electronics store with the expectation of being reimbursed. It seems like if I moved forward, they would have sent me a check for several thousand dollars? Is the scam that if I try to deposit it, they’d sue me for check fraud or something?

This is less a home electrical question and more a vehicle electrical question, so I'm sorry if it doesn't quite apply to this sub, but I will ask anyway.
I know you can hook up power inverters to the aux power outlet in a vehicle (AKA the cigarette lighter) which can provide a certain amount of AC power to small electronics and whatnot.
Would it be possible to use one to power a sump pump via extension cord?
I see power inverters for sale that advertise a RANGE of wattages up to, say, 3000W. (here's one example: https://www.walmart.com/ip/JLLOM-3000W-4000W-Car-Power-Inverter-DC-12V-To-AC-110V-Pure-Sine-Wave-Solar-Converter-LCD/1010148549?athbdg=L1400 I know that's peak power, and continuous is more modest)
My Colorado's front aux Power outlet is on a 50 amp fuse, so a generous battery voltage of 12.6 would mean my maximum wattage is 630.
My Wayne sump pump is a 4 amp pump, running on household 120v (the sticker lists it at 115, but I'll use 120 for the calculation) so that comes out to 480 watts.
So...would an inverter running off the vehicle's aux power outlet be able to supply enough power to the sump pump in case of power failure? Is the inverter actaully going to provide the wattage advertised?
This isn't "the plan" but I'm just curious as we've been getting constant severe weather and storms and I worry the power might go out for a while, which has happened on occasion. And yes, I know generators are a thing too, I'm just inquiring about this possible angle. Athlough, another power failure and I might just buy one anyway.

I took a 401K distribution which consisted of two large checks (one after tax and one Roth) and a rollover to an IRA. The checks were mailed from Phoenix last Thursday. The rollover check went to Cincinnati and it was deposited into my IRA yesterday.
The other two checks were mailed to me in Kansas City. Informed Delivery showed they were supposed to be delivered yesterday. I got no mail yesterday. Today I got everything that Informed Delivery showed for yesterday and everything Informed Delivery showed today EXCEPT those two envelopes with the two distribution checks.
How did my rollover check get to Cincinnati in time to be deposited in my IRA account yesterday, but the ones to me in Kansas City (last I knew KC was closer to Phoenix than Cincinnati) are MIA? I went to the post office and they said "It happens." Okay, thanks. :(
I don't know why the 401K company couldn't just do an electronic transfer. Or sent it by FedEx or UPS with signature required, or at least certified mail. But here we are and I don't know where my money is.

I'd like to find someone who captivates me. Someone who I can talk with effortlessly. I want to meet a person who I can include in my daily tasks, and talk with throughout the day. I just want to find someone I can be open with. Platonic conversation or romance. Whatever you are looking for, don't hesitate to message me. I hope to hear from you.
I love a number of things, and hate very little. I'm fairly open to trying new things, but some of the things I enjoy are as follows. I love the outdoors. I've never been camping, but I would like to try it with someone some day. I also love to fish. I mostly fish salt water. I do occasionally fish freshwater though. I like to check out new spots around me, but I mostly fish on the beach. Do you like to fish? What are some of your favorite places to go?
I also enjoy the shooting sports. I primarily target shoot. I take part in a little bit of everything, including rifle, pistol and shotgun. It would be nice to find someone who is into shooting or would like to learn/become more familiar. If you shoot, what do you like to shoot mostly? What's been your favorite gun to shoot so far?
PC games are also a enjoyable pastime for me. I have a variety of games, most of which are on Steam. I have other games on various other stores/services. I enjoy a wide variety of different kind of games, so I'm sure we can find something to play together if you game. What are some of your all time favorite games? What are you currently grinding on that you can't put down? One hobby I discovered later on in life is Magic the Gathering. I play both online on MtG Arena, and with physical cards. Magic has become something I am particularly fond of. Do you play any kind of card/table top games? What's been your favorite so far? If you play Magic, what are some of your favorite deck themes?
Music has always been a part of my life. My tastes are varied, ranging from country, death and black metal, electronic, classic rock, folk, pop punk, and more. Do you have a favorite band? What has been your favorite concert you've been to?
I'm honestly an ambivert. I enjoy doing things outside, as well as spending time indoors. I can veg out all day under the covers curled up in my bed, or I can take a trip somewhere and experience something new. I think my personality is a mix of the best of both worlds. What would the perfect day consist of for you?
As far as my personality is concerned, I would say I am fairly relaxed and laid back. I feel like I am somewhere in the middle between loud and excitable, and shy and quiet. Around people I don't know, I tend to be fairly quiet and to myself. In the company of someone who I am close with, I am more open and free. Do you open right up to people, or does it take a while to become comfortable with someone new?
All I hope for is a connection. It could be platonic, or it could blossom into romance, and commitment. I'm not putting a limit on what I am looking for.
With the prior being said, I am single. I may be interested in changing that with the right person. The idea of commitment excites me. Monogamy is appealing to me. Do you feel satisfied with your social life? What kind of connection are you looking for?
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I appreciate it. I hope you can identify with something I wrote. If you do, please reach out.
P.S. Please feel free to check my post history, and check out a few pictures of my cat if you would like.

I'd like to find someone who captivates me. Someone who I can talk with effortlessly. I want to meet a person who I can include in my daily tasks, and talk with throughout the day. I just want to find someone I can be open with. Platonic conversation or romance. Whatever you are looking for, don't hesitate to message me. I hope to hear from you.
I love a number of things, and hate very little. I'm fairly open to trying new things, but some of the things I enjoy are as follows. I love the outdoors. I've never been camping, but I would like to try it with someone some day. I also love to fish. I mostly fish salt water. I do occasionally fish freshwater though. I like to check out new spots around me, but I mostly fish on the beach. Do you like to fish? What are some of your favorite places to go?
I also enjoy the shooting sports. I primarily target shoot. I take part in a little bit of everything, including rifle, pistol and shotgun. It would be nice to find someone who is into shooting or would like to learn/become more familiar. If you shoot, what do you like to shoot mostly? What's been your favorite gun to shoot so far?
PC games are also a enjoyable pastime for me. I have a variety of games, most of which are on Steam. I have other games on various other stores/services. I enjoy a wide variety of different kind of games, so I'm sure we can find something to play together if you game. What are some of your all time favorite games? What are you currently grinding on that you can't put down? One hobby I discovered later on in life is Magic the Gathering. I play both online on MtG Arena, and with physical cards. Magic has become something I am particularly fond of. Do you play any kind of card/table top games? What's been your favorite so far? If you play Magic, what are some of your favorite deck themes?
Music has always been a part of my life. My tastes are varied, ranging from country, death and black metal, electronic, classic rock, folk, pop punk, and more. Do you have a favorite band? What has been your favorite concert you've been to?
I'm honestly an ambivert. I enjoy doing things outside, as well as spending time indoors. I can veg out all day under the covers curled up in my bed, or I can take a trip somewhere and experience something new. I think my personality is a mix of the best of both worlds. What would the perfect day consist of for you?
As far as my personality is concerned, I would say I am fairly relaxed and laid back. I feel like I am somewhere in the middle between loud and excitable, and shy and quiet. Around people I don't know, I tend to be fairly quiet and to myself. In the company of someone who I am close with, I am more open and free. Do you open right up to people, or does it take a while to become comfortable with someone new?
All I hope for is a connection. It could be platonic, or it could blossom into romance, and commitment. I'm not putting a limit on what I am looking for.
With the prior being said, I am single. I may be interested in changing that with the right person. The idea of commitment excites me. Monogamy is appealing to me. Do you feel satisfied with your social life? What kind of connection are you looking for?
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I appreciate it. I hope you can identify with something I wrote. If you do, please reach out.
P.S. Please feel free to check my post history, and check out a few pictures of my cat if you would like.

Hi all, looking for advice. Im 23, I live in Europe, ending my Engineering studies next year(Bachelor’s degree in electronics) , somewhere along the way i realized altough its cool and all, its not really for me. I have worked 10 months as a testing engineer in a big company. I quit because i had some stuff going on in my private life, then decided to go for software developer internships, got a few interviews in decent companies, but didnt make it past the last round due to the size of my portfolio(thats understandable as im fighting CS guys who have some decent projects while i had pretty much none). Now altough I have some programming projects lined up for the summer which i want to do and create, i recently have learned about sales, seems to fit me, altough you never know for sure, also as i have realized its hard to break in. Im really outgoing, extroverted and not scared of talking to people, i can make bread out of shit when i talk with someone. From experience i know this working 9-5 as an engineer would make me unhappy, i have done this once for almost a year and i was far from happy. In my last position i used to work in a team and i was talking to clients a lot, doing lots of analysis and presenting those to the clients, collaborating with client engineers on different projects, thats the part i actually enjoyed, thats also one of the reasons Im thinking about sales, its not the same, but similar. I sure as hell can talk and also listen, would say my engineering knowledge is not over the top, but helping people, talking and thinking whats best for them is definitely one of my strongest qualities. Any advice to which direction i should look forward to? Also when reading about sales online, i have seen lots of engineers doing well in sales, i know it depends on the person. I know trying it would give me some amazing skills, but dont know if its worth it, especially here in Europe.

Good dsy everyone,
Do you all have any idea what great semiconductor manufacturers are there in the state of Illinois? Specifically those who cater to 0 years experience, since I just migrated here in the US about a month ago and I also just graduated last September. Currently in Cali but will move to Illinois to stay with relatives.
Tried searching on LinkedIN but there's no notable companies such as ASM, ASML, etc.
I have a BS in Electronics Engineering, if it helps...

PROFESSIONAL CHARGES* COST VAT
Legal Fee £1,250.00 £250.00
TT Fees £40.00 £8.00
Search Pack* £400.00 £80.00
SDLT Form Submission £75.00 £15.00
Bankruptcy Search (per person) £4.00 £0.00
Land Registry Search £4.00 £0.00
Land Registry Fee (Electronic) £150.00 £0.00
SDLT £1,000.00 £0.00
PURCHASE TOTAL £2,923.00 £353.00
TOTAL (Inc VAT) £3,276.00
Also, the fine print says the following, anything weird there?

• Search Pack including Local Authority Search, Water and Drainage, Environmental Searches, Chancel Repair Indemnity, Electronic ID Verification and econveyancing administration fee. Please note that if your new mortgage lender is on the LMS Panel a Management fee of £30 is payable. You are treated as non‐UK resident for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) if you are not present in the UK for 183 days or more in the 12 months before the effective date of the purchase. Please note that the Land Registry registration fee quoted is based on our ability to achieve electronic registration to achieve the 50% reduction in fee. If for some reason electronic registration is not possible you will be responsible for additional 50% for the postal fee. The Land Registry fee will increase for completions after 31/1/22 We will charge a professional fee of £48.00 plus vat for all subsequent telegraphic transfer payment. Please note while we are happy to honour our fees at a fixed fee for six months from the date of this quote there may be some variation in the prices charged by the search providers in respect of the searches and other disbursements, which are beyond our control. Vat will be charged at the appropriate rate on the date of completion. Please note that when dealing with leasehold properties there may be some additional charges levied by the Management Company or included in the Lease which we will advise you of once we have seen the documents. In addition if the sale/purchase involves a lease extension which we have not mentioned in our quote we will charge an additional £500.00 plus vat to deal with this. Please also note that following the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 our quote will only be valid for leasehold blocks of less than five storeys. If your property is in a block over five storeys please contact us for an updated quote.