Machaon woke up, another day under the dimly lit, haze choked skies of his home world of Barbarus. As always, he got dressed, had a meager breakfast, put on his gas mask and ventured out into the toxic air to check on his crops. His father had spent a long time trying to create a strain of their main food crop so that it could resist the toxic environment of the upper levels of Barbarus, and allow more food to be grown. His father always said that they were “working today so others can eat tomorrow.” Unfortunately, his father passed away many years ago, but Machaon continued his work in earnest, doing his best to accomplish his father’s dream.. And based on the growing stalks of healthy looking crops, he had succeeded. He performed a more thorough inspection on the stems and leaves of the budding vegetables, and wrote down everything he saw in his journal. Years of his family’s work finally come to fruition.
Next on his to do list was to check the herbal garden his mother had grown. He had taken care of it when his mother was unable to, due to a debilitating sickness. The garden had a few different varieties of medical herbs, including hawthorn, lavender, aloe, and peppermint along with a mix of herbs for cooking. He checked the stems and leaves of the plants, making sure all of them were healthy, once more writing his findings in his journal. Confident all his plants were healthy, he closed his notebook and made his way to the local herbalist he was being mentored by. Machaon had spent time with a local herbalist to try and learn how to make herbal remedies to cure his mother’s sickness, and the older gentlemen needed help with certain things around his house. In exchange for his expertise, Machaon provided some of his own herbs and some extra food since the older gentleman had trouble growing enough food to feed himself.
Machaon knocked on the door, hearing a gas mask sealing and a cantankerous older gentleman call out “I don’t appreciate interruptions to my work! Best be something important!” A few seconds later, the herbalist came to the door wearing a load of protective equipment, something that seemed a little out of place for an herbalist, swinging it open. “What do ya wan — oh hey kid, come on in.” The old man opened the door, hobbling back into his abode.
Machaon walked in, taking a look around the place. It was a mess like it always was, but the old man did have his own system of organization. Calling it a system of organization was a stretch, but Machaon couldn't convince him to change his ways, so he gave up on convincing him and focused on his herbalist and apothecary training. Pushing that thought from his mind, he put on his herbalist protective gear and got ready to start the day’s training regiment. The old man looked at him, smiling “You ready kid?”
Machaon looked at his journal, stocked with papers and writings, now old and worn. He was in his thirties now, and most people he knew and cared for had passed on. His mother died not too long after he finally made a chemical resistant strain of crops, and his herbalist mentor had passed a few years after, finally having accomplished his life goal. Wiping a tear from his eye, Machaon wiped a tear from his eye, closed his journal and went on his usual ritual of checking on his plants and documenting strange things. Once he finished, he changed into his apothecary attire and shouldered his backpack full of supplies. His apothecary goal was to keep tackling the disease outbreak that had popped up nearby. A village a few days ago in the valley east of his abode had sent missives asking for medical aid, as a small portion of their population had been confined to their homes with fevers and coughs, with the occasional victim with boils on the skin. He had been working to quell it these last few days, but he was not sure if he was going to be able to completely stop it before it spread outside his control. Unfortunately, he would never be able to find out. As he began to take care of his ill patients in the sick house, he heard the sounds of a ship outside, and the clanking of boots. Something was up, and he was certainly not about to surrender his patients to whatever was outside.
Machaon walked outside, a simple pistol holstered on his hip. He may be an apothecary, but he could deal just as much hurt as he could heal. And he certainly wasn't going to run away when he had people in his stead, people that could spread infection and kill even more people. However, he soon found that his pistol would do nothing against the new arrivals. A military officer of some kind, along with some soldiers had formed up outside the sick house, the officer wearing what seemed to be an imperial army officers uniform, a green patch with three green skulls on the shoulder. The officer approached him, and began to read from a data slate. “Apothecary Machaon Strakos, on the order of Primarch Mortarion, daughter of the God-Emperor of Mankind, head of the Death Guard Adeptus Astartes legion, you are to be transferred to the Endurance, the Primarch flagship, for apothecary duty. You have one hour to gather your belongings.”
Machaon tried to protest, “With all due respect sir, I have patients to take care of, otherwise they’ll die.”
The Imperial Army officer looked at him with disdain. “If you do not comply peacefully, I will be forced to make you comply.” The soldiers next to him aimed their lasguns at him at the same time, their faces cold and icy.
Machaon knew that his ‘forced compliance’ would hurt his patients more than him leaving peacefully. “As you wish, officer. I will collect my supplies and return shortly.” He then returned to the interior of the sick house, gathering all his supplies into his backpack, along with the seeds for his plants. He didnt want to leave his people, but he didnt have much of a choice. A young girl who was laying on a cot by the door asked him, “Mister, where are you going?”
He wanted to tell her the truth, but he knew that wouldn't help. So he did the next best thing he could do, and he kneeled down next to her cot. “Well young lady, I’m going to take care of another group of people who need my help. There’s a lot of them, and the man outside needs my help to do it. I know you all are in good hands, so I’m going to save the people who aren’t in good hands. Feel better young lady.” He said, giving her a flower from his garden as he stood up and left. He didn't really believe what he said, at least not entirely. He would be helping people, but not the way he wanted, not on his own terms. Nevertheless, he would do his duty to his planet and his people.
Machaon walked outside the sick house and found the officer. “Officer, I’m ready.”
The Imperial Army officer looked at him coldly. “Then get on. We must reach the ship before the fleet takes off for the next expedition.” He and his soldiers then got on Stormhawk, and Machaon made sure to follow close behind them. The doors shut, and the engines roared to life, taking the ship off the ground and into space. Shortly after, they arrived in the hangar of the Endurance, and the Imperial Army company that escorted him departed, and Machaon followed quickly, not wanting to be left in the huge ship.
When he stepped out of the Stormhawk, he saw a virtual city of people working, repairing and refueling ships, unloading cargo, and new recruits moving deeper into the ship. It was certainly more people than he had ever seen in his life, but it did not phase him. He knew that whatever they were calling him for would have been big, especially if it was being led by a daughter of the Emperor. He followed the Imperial Army officer further into the ship, until they arrived at the barracks section of the ship. The Imperial officer told him simply “These are your quarters. Find a bunk.” Then he left.
Machaon was not particularly impressed with the lodging, but decided it was better to secure a spot rather than leaving it to chance. Once he found a spot, he laid down his items that were not essential to his duties as an apothecary, kept whatever else he had on his and tried to make his way to the apothecary chamber. Having no idea where everything was, he asked directions, and eventually after nearly an hour, found his way to the apothecary chamber and began to set out his equipment and find a place to grow his herbs. He knew he would need them for the battles ahead,wherever they may be.

How can i open the Seat cushion. I know i can do it , when the Bike is on, but i dont know how.

Hi everyone, I'm excited (and a little nervous) to announce that I've just released my debut novel, Revenge Island. It's a psychological thriller that I poured my heart and soul into, and I can't wait to share it with you all!
Book Description: A lavish private island getaway becomes an inescapable nightmare of psychological terror and calculated torment for a group of affluent socialites. As friends are brutally slaughtered one by one, the remaining survivors are forced to confront not only their sadistic tormentor’s depravity but the yawning inner abyss threatening to consume their unraveling sanities.
If you're into gripping, edge-of-your-seat thrillers with a deep psychological twist, I think you'll really enjoy this one. I've tried to create a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
I'm so grateful for any support, whether it's reading the book, sharing it with friends, or just dropping a comment to let me know what you think. Your feedback means the world to me!
Happy reading, Axl Blaze

There is a curious dynamic at work in politics these days. Trump does not appear to be trying to court voters to his standard. If he were, he would be reaching out to Nikki Haley voters and trying to moderate his stances. Instead, he is rejecting her voters and doubling down on extreme positions. Rather than trying to appeal to swing voters, he seems to be trying to whip up his right-wing base to engage in violence on his behalf. In Minnesota on Friday, Trump echoed fascists when he told supporters, "No matter how hateful and corrupt the communists and criminals we are fighting against may be, you must never forget this is not a nation that belongs to them. This is a nation that totally belongs to you. It belongs to you. This is your home, this is your heritage." Saturday, at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association in Dallas, Texas, Trump floated the idea that he could throw out the constitutional amendment limiting a president to two terms. “You know, FDR 16 years—almost 16 years—he was four terms. I don’t know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term?” he asked the crowd. Some yelled, “Three!” In the same speech, Trump told attendees that the Second Amendment “is very much on the ballot” in November, and he urged gun owners to vote and to “be rebellious.” Then he told the crowd that Biden’s actions were such that if he “were a Republican, he would have been given the electric chair, they would have brought back the death penalty.” This evening, Trump’s Instagram account posted a video of what a newspaper would look like after a 2024 MAGA win. Under the headline “WHAT’S NEXT FOR AMERICA?” were the words “INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED DRIVEN BY THE CREATION OF A UNIFIED REICH,” a clear reference to fascism and German dictator Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. It is not clear to me how anyone can any longer deny that Trump is promising to destroy our democracy and usher in authoritarianism. But it is also not clear that he is still a figure that any but the extremes of his base will follow to that end. Hence his emphasis on turning them to violence. His lies have become increasingly outrageous. On Friday he told a crowd in Minnesota that he won the state by “a landslide” in 2020 even though he actually lost it by more than 7 points. At the NRA annual meeting, Trump claimed that his former physician told him he is “healthier” and “a better physical specimen” than the famously athletic former president Barack Obama. At that same event he boasted that he won 31 club golf championships; the day before, he boasted that he won 29. Significantly, he continues to insist that the area around the courtroom is like “Fort Knox.” “There are more police than I’ve ever seen anywhere because they don’t want to have anybody come down,” he said today, “There’s not a civilian within three blocks of the courthouse.” But this is, quite simply, a lie. Virtually no one has turned out to support him. As conservative lawyer George Conway noted today, “There is virtually complete freedom of movement around that courthouse.” Social media contributor Eddie Smith, who filmed the handful of Trump protesters in New York today, put it more colorfully. After noting that “MAGA’s not repping in New York,” he added: “Wait a minute! You guys hear that? There is a mouse pissing on a ball of cotton in China. That’s how quiet it is out here.” Republican lawmakers are stepping in where Trump’s base followers are not. Republicans attacked as unfit for office 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server. They tried to impeach current president Biden on unfounded accusations that he took bribes from foreign countries. Now they find themselves forced to defend a man who is currently the defendant in a criminal trial that is showing that his associates acted like a criminal gang. As Tom Nichols put it today in The Atlantic, that defense is partly because they are afraid of their own voters. Nichols also called out those “now circling Trump like the cold fragments of a destroyed planet” who “resent the people who stuck to their principles.” Those MAGA Republicans lawmakers are, like Trump, trying to gin up anger with lies. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who went to Trump’s Manhattan trial to support him on Thursday, told Jesse Watters of the Fox News Channel and later posted on social media that “[t]hey’re trying to keep cameras out of the courtroom so that the American people don’t see what’s happening.” Former federal prosecutor Ron Filipkowski noted in response that “New York has banned cameras in courtrooms since June 30, 1997.” The most important of their lies, though, is that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and that to protect the 2024 election, it is imperative to police the election. This is the same tactic Trump used in 2020, claiming exactly four years ago that “they send in thousands and thousands of fake ballots.” Those lies have resulted in a huge increase in threats against those whom MAGA perceives as an enemy. Danny Hakim, Ken Bensinger, and Eileen Sullivan reported in the New York Times yesterday that last year, threats against federal judges increased 150% over 2019: 450 federal judges were targeted. Since 2018, threats to members of Congress have increased by 50%, with more than 8,000 such threats last year. More than 80% of local officials also say they have been threatened or harassed. MAGA lawmakers refuse to say they will accept the results of the 2024 election. On Saturday, Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson refused to commit to that fundamental tenet of our democracy. On Meet the Press on Sunday, Florida senator Marco Rubio also declined to say he would accept the election results. Those vying for the Republican vice presidential nomination, including North Dakota governor Doug Burgum and South Carolina senator Tim Scott, have refused to say they would accept the results. Their tactics are working among the Republican base. A CBS News/YouGov poll released this weekend showed that only 47% of Arizona Republicans say they will accept the results of the 2024 election no matter who wins. An equal number—47%—say they will challenge the results if the other side wins. That result is not symmetrical with the Democrats: 82% of them say they will accept the results, while only 14% say they will challenge the results if their opponents win. But people are pushing back against the MAGA narrative. On May 15 the Texas Tribune and ProPublica published a story by Jeremy Schwartz about Courtney Gore, a woman who ran for a Texas school board to combat pornography and critical race theory in the schools, only to find there wasn’t any. When she told the public, her former colleagues turned on her. “I’m over the political agenda, hypocrisy bs,” Gore wrote. “I took part in it myself. I refuse to participate in it any longer. It’s not serving our party. We have to do better.” Steve MacLaughlin, a meteorologist for NBC 6 News in Miami, reported on a new law Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed into law last week that will remove references to climate change from state law. “On Thursday, we reported on NBC 6 News that the government of Florida was beginning to roll back really important climate change legislation and really important climate change language in spite of the fact that the state of Florida, over the last couple of years, has seen record heat, record flooding, record rain, record insurance rates, and the corals are dying all around the state,” MacLaughlin said. “The entire world is looking to Florida to lead in climate change, and our government is saying that climate change is no longer the priority it once was. Please keep in mind, the most powerful climate change solution is the one you already have in the palm of your hands: the right to vote. And we will never tell you who to vote for, but we will tell you this: We implore you to please do your research and know that there are candidates that believe in climate change and that there are solutions, and there are candidates that don’t.” On May 17, former lieutenant governor of Georgia Geoffrey Duncan noted on Amanpour & Company that Trump had done less for rural voters than any other president in modern history. “At the end of the day,” he said, “we just cannot get into the business in America of electing dishonest human beings to represent us…. The world’s watching us. I’m hoping we get this right.” Tonight, Sarah Matthews, who was deputy press secretary for the Trump administration, wrote: “Trump’s continued use of Nazi rhetoric is un-American and despicable. Yet too many Americans are brushing off the glaring red flags about what could happen if he returns to the White House. When someone shows you who they are, believe them.” — Notes: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/19/trump-nra-convention-dallashttps://www.rawstory.com/trump-threat-biden/https://nymag.com/intelligencearticle/the-nra-is-weaker-than-ever-how-much-does-that-matter.htmlhttps://time.com/6979795/trump-receives-nra-endorsement-urges-gun-owners-vote/​​https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-minnesota-4f7ebfe7a2e1949d38a7c9894616a985 https://apnews.com/article/trump-election-2024-rhetoric-germany-antisemitism-31002afb91b642c0314223d19e51f427https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/marco-rubio-joins-republicans-hedging-accepting-election-results-rcna153011 https://presswatchers.org/2024/05/trump-choosing-not-to-testify-in-his-defense-should-be-a-banner-headline/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/19/us/politics/political-violence.htmlhttps://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4675594-florida-meteorologist-ron-desantis-climate-change-roll-back/https://captimes.com/news/elections/top-wisconsin-republicans-mixed-on-accepting-2024-election-results/article_2ae8f1e4-1538-11ef-a217-d7802fd5a882.htmlhttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/donald-trump-fire-up-supporters-nras-annual-us-gathering-2024-05-18/,accepted%20the%20influential%20group's%20endorsement)https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/05/the-maga-memory-hole/678435/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/15/texas-granbury-isd-school-board-courtney-gore/X: BidenHQ/status/1791469492440072359RonFilipkowski/status/1792195770374099083samstein/status/1792188951920361645HueyRey/status/1792635408506912824mkraju/status/1792515853314904293gtconway3d/status/1792548740525363276eddsmitty/status/1792573721615434037atrupastatus/1792626209118884346BidensWins/status/1791609511435714795BidenHQ/status/1792209690664845569BidenHQ/status/1791946911340999113CarlosGSmith/status/1792207611733172238Tim_Walz/status/1791620309105119419BidenHQ/status/1791949552469082444AccountableGOP/status/1791661408641298808SarahAMatthews1/status/1792760772193374274

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/may-20-2024

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Link on this page: URL Scan

Delivering the commencement address to the graduating seniors at Morehouse College today, President Joe Biden addressed the nation. After thanking the mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, and all the people who helped the graduates get to the chairs in front of the stage, Biden recalled Morehouse’s history. The school was founded in 1867 by civil rights leader Reverend William Jefferson White with the help of two other Baptist ministers, the Reverend Richard C. Coulter and the Reverend Edmund Turney, to educate formerly enslaved men. They believed “education would be the great equalizer from slavery to freedom,” Biden said, and they created an institution that would make the term “Morehouse man” continue to stand as a symbol of excellence 157 years later. Then Biden turned to a speech that centered on faith. Churches talk a lot about Jesus being buried on Friday and rising from the dead on Sunday, he said, “but we don’t talk enough about Saturday, when… his disciples felt all hope was lost. In our lives and the lives of the nation, we have those Saturdays—to bear witness the day before glory, seeing people’s pain and not looking away. But what work is done on Saturday to move pain to purpose? How can faith get a man, get a nation through what was to come?” It’s a truism that anything that happens before we are born is equidistant from our personal experience, mixing the recent past and the ancient past together in a similar vaguely imagined “before” time. Most of today’s college graduates were not born until about 2002 and likely did not pay a great deal of attention to politics until about five years ago. Biden took the opportunity to explain to them what it meant to live through the 1960s. He noted that he was the first in his family to graduate from college, paid for with loans. He fell in love, got a law degree, got married and took a job at a “fancy law firm.” But his world changed when an assassin murdered the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King—a Morehouse man—and the segregated city of Wilmington, Delaware, erupted with fires, looting, fights, and occasional gunfire. For nine months, the National Guard patrolled the city in combat gear, “the longest stretch in any American city since the Civil War,” Biden recalled. “Dr. King’s legacy had a profound impact on me and my generation, whether you’re Black or white,” Biden explained. He left the law firm to become first a public defender and then a county councilman, “working to change our state’s politics to embrace the cause of civil rights.” The Democratic Party had historically championed white supremacy, but that alignment was in the process of changing as Democrats had swung behind civil rights and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Biden and his cohort hoped to turn the Delaware Democratic Party toward the new focus on civil rights, he said. In 1972, Biden ran for the Senate and won…barely, in a state Republican president Richard Nixon won with 60% of the vote. Biden recalled how, newly elected and hiring staff in Washington, D.C., he got the call telling him that his wife and daughter had been killed in a car accident and that his two sons were gravely injured. The pain of that day hit again 43 years later, he said, when his son Beau died of cancer after living for a year next to a burn pit in Iraq. And he talked of meeting First Lady Jill Biden, “who healed the family in all the broken places. Our family became my redemption,” he said. His focus on family and community offered a strong contrast to the Republican emphasis on individualism. “On this walk of life...you come to understand that we don’t know where or what fate will bring you or when,” Biden said. “But we also know we don’t walk alone. When you’ve been a beneficiary of the compassion of your family, your friends, even strangers, you know how much the compassion matters,” he said. “I’ve learned there is no easy optimism, but by faith—by faith, we can find redemption.” For the graduates, Biden noted, four years ago “felt like one of those Saturdays. The pandemic robbed you of so much. Some of you lost loved ones—mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, who…aren’t able to be here to celebrate with you today…. You missed your high school graduation. You started college just as George Floyd was murdered and there was a reckoning on race. “It’s natural to wonder if democracy you hear about actually works for you. “What is democracy if Black men are being killed in the street? “What is democracy if a trail of broken promises still leave[s]…Black communities behind? “What is democracy if you have to be 10 times better than anyone else to get a fair shot? “And most of all, what does it mean, as we’ve heard before, to be a Black man who loves his country even if it doesn’t love him back in equal measure?” The crowd applauded. Biden explained that across the Oval Office from his seat behind the Resolute Desk are busts of Dr. King and Senator Robert Kennedy, challenging Biden: “Are we living up to what we say we are as a nation, to end racism and poverty, to deliver jobs and justice, to restore our leadership in the world?” He wears a rosary on his wrist made of Beau’s rosary as a reminder that faith asks us “to hold on to hope, to move heaven and earth to make better days.” “[T]hat’s my commitment to you,” he said. “[T]o show you democracy, democracy, democracy is still the way.” Biden pledged to “call out the poison of white supremacy” and noted that he “stood up…with George Floyd’s family to help create a country where you don’t need to have that talk with your son or grandson as they get pulled over.” The administration is investing in Black communities and reconnecting neighborhoods cut apart by highways decades ago. It has reduced Black child poverty to the lowest rate in history. It is removing lead pipes across the nation to provide clean drinking water to everyone, and investing in high-speed internet to bring all households into the modern era. The administration is creating opportunities, Biden said, bringing “good-paying jobs…; capital to start small businesses and loans to buy homes; health insurance, [prescription] drugs, housing that’s more affordable and accessible.” Biden reminded the audience that he had joined workers on a picket line. To applause, he noted that when the Supreme Court blocked his attempt to relieve student debt, he found two other ways to do it. He noted the administration’s historic investment in historically black colleges and universities. “We’re opening doors so you can walk into a life of generational wealth, to be providers and leaders for your families and communities. Today, record numbers of Black Americans have jobs, health insurance, and more [wealth] than ever.” Then Biden directly addressed the student protests over the Israeli government’s strikes on Gaza. At Morehouse today, one graduate stood with his back to Biden and his fist raised during the president’s speech, and the class valedictorian, DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, who spoke before the president, wore a picture of a Palestinian flag on his mortarboard and called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, at which Biden applauded. “In a democracy, we debate and dissent about America’s role in the world,” Biden said. “I want to say this very clearly. I support peaceful, nonviolent protest. Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them.” “What’s happening in Gaza…is heartbreaking,” he said, with “[i]nnocent Palestinians caught in the middle” of a fight between Hamas and Israel. He reminded them that he has called “for an immediate ceasefire…to stop the fighting [and] bring the hostages home.” His administration has been working for a deal, as well as to get more aid into Gaza and to rebuild it. Crucially, he added, there is more at stake than “just one ceasefire.” He wants “to build a lasting, durable peace. Because the question is…: What after? What after Hamas? What happens then? What happens in Gaza? What rights do the Palestinian people have?” To applause, he said, “I’m working to make sure we finally get a two-state solution—the only solution—for two people to live in peace, security, and dignity.” “This is one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world,” he said. “I know it angered and frustrates many of you, including my family. But most of all, I know it breaks your heart. It breaks mine as well. Leadership is about fighting through the most intractable problems. It’s about challenging anger, frustration, and heartbreak to find a solution. It’s about doing what you believe is right, even when it’s hard and lonely. You’re all future leaders, every one of you graduating today…. You’ll face complicated, tough moments. In these moments, you’ll listen to others, but you’ll have to decide, guided by knowledge, conviction, principle, and your own moral compass.” Turning back to the United States, Biden urged the graduates to examine “what happens to you and your family when old ghosts in new garments seize power, extremists come for the freedoms you thought belonged to you and everyone.” He noted attacks on equality in America, and that extremist forces were peddling “a fiction, a caricature [of] what being a man is about—tough talk, abusing power, bigotry. Their idea of being a man is toxic.” “But that’s not you,” he continued. “It’s not us. You all know and demonstrate what it really means to be a man. Being a man is about the strength of respect and dignity. It’s about showing up because it’s too late if you have to ask. It’s about giving hate no safe harbor and leaving no one behind and defending freedoms. It’s about standing up to the abuse of power, whether physical, economic, or psychological.” To applause, he added: “It’s about knowing faith without works is dead.” “The strength and wisdom of faith endures,” Biden said. “And I hope—my hope for you is—my challenge to you is that you still keep the faith so long as you can.” “Together, we’re capable of building a democracy worthy of our dreams…a bigger, brighter future that proves the American Dream is big enough for everyone to succeed.” “Class of 2024, four years ago, it felt probably like Saturday,” Biden concluded. “Four years later, you made it to Sunday, to commencement, to the beginning. And with faith and determination, you can push the sun above the horizon once more….” “God bless you all,” he said. “We’re expecting a lot from you.” — Notes: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/05/19/remarks-by-president-biden-at-the-morehouse-college-class-of-2024-commencement-address-atlanta-ga/https://www.inquirer.com/news/a/wilmington-del-riots-occupation-martin-luther-king-jr-national-guard-20181207.htmlhttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/morehouse-graduation-thanks-god-woke-class-2024-2024-05-19/

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/may-19-2024

Hello!
I run debian on my desktop and I like to tinker with different/unique distros in VMs in my downtime
Alpine is interesting and when I saw that it had wayland support, I had to try it out
My attempt was not succesfull
I am not the most technically skilled linux user, but I am persistent
I was on the root account during the whole installation
If I didn't list a command, then I didn't use it during the installation process
Most of the commands were entered verbatim from the documentation
I use QEMU for VM shenanigans
00
https://wiki.alpinelinux.org/wiki/LabWC
Created a VM using alpine alpine-extended-3.19
01
https://wiki.alpinelinux.org/wiki/Eudev
Went straight from installation into the documentation for labwc
Setup eudev using:
alpine-conf
setup-devd udev
02
Installed mesa and gallium using:
apk add mesa-dri-gallium
03
https://wiki.alpinelinux.org/wiki/Radeon_Video
Installed firmware for amd using:
$ echo amdgpu >> /etc/modules
$ echo fbcon >> /etc/modules
04 - Incomplete?
Added mkinitfs using:
apk add mkinitfs
Edited mkinitfs.conf with the following:
features="keymap cryptsetup kms ata base ide scsi usb virtio ext4"
Run mkinitfs?
I'm not sure what this is asking for
Do I need to add this as a service and then start it?
05 - Incomplete?
Add yourself to the input and video groups?
Documentation lists the following commands:
adduser $USER input
adduser $USER video
Is $USER a variable that I need to set, or does the command as is add the user group to input and video?
06
Added the dejavu font
07 - Incomplete?
https://wiki.alpinelinux.org/wiki/Seatd
https://man.sr.ht/~kennylevinsen/seatd/
Added the seatd daemon:
apk add seatd
rc-update add seatd
service seatd start
adduser $USER seat
08 - Incomplete
I got lost trying to setup PAM and greetd from the sourcehut page
I'd like to do this manually and not have to worry about it, instead of trying to navigate additional programs that I don't understand
Where I'm at now
when launching via dbus-launch labwc I get 2 errors
[../src/config/rcxml.c:1418] cannot read (/rc.xml)
[../src/main.c:157] XDG_RUNTIME_DIR is unset
The documentation makes multiple references to ~/.profile, but this does not exist after installation
I want to setup XDG_RUNTIME_DIR manually and add it to the shell init scripts, but I'm not really sure how to do that
Any help is greatly appreciated

The main events take place in the summer of 2023, but before that there’s some pretty crucial information you need to know.
Many moons ago, three or four years before I was forced to live with the burden of knowing my dear friend, some shit went down.
Sophomore year of high school, Heather and my now boyfriend Tony were besties with another girl, that I will call Jane (the sweetest person I’ve ever met, by the way). At some point, Jane and her boyfriend went on a break, and Heather decided, for some reason to this day unknown, to try and sext her best friend’s ex boyfriend. I say “try” because he never really indulged her, which made the whole situation all the more embarrassing. Heather, however, lacking self-awareness and critical thinking skills, decided to keep this up for over five months, after which Jane and her ex got back together, and he told her everything. Contrary to Heather, Jane decided to be a good friend and wait for Heather to come clean about her actions without revealing she already knew everything.
And so she waited. But Heather never said anything.
Keep this in mind, it’ll be important later.
Fast forward to February 2022, yours truly is introduced on the scene by becoming Heather’s roommate during our first year of college. Surprisingly we got along pretty well, we became really close friends in a very short time. She was also the extroverted one (also important) of the two and really helped me come out of my shell, so for a while I was really grateful to her. Anyway, throughout the three months we lived together she was constantly talking about her friends Tony and Jane from back home, but especially referring to Jane as her best friend, the only one that really knew her and that she really trusted.
Her friend Tony was also a very popular topic in conversations, and the reason she convinced me to visit her home country that summer, which resulted in us dating but I will spare you the details of that because it’s a different story (although a good one too).
The summer ends. She moves back to her country, I go back to mine, now pursuing two long distance relationships, the one with my boyfriend and the one with my only friend. So, in January 2023 plan a trip there with Tony but I decide not to tell Heather, and to let it be a surprise instead.
This is where the thing I told you to remember comes back for the first time, and I get front row seats for this years-long conflict finally unraveling.
Jane decided she had enough of waiting for her friend to become decent and slowly started growing apart from Heather, who had actually started the fight by accusing Jane of ignoring her.
When asked about the reasons for her behavior, some of Heather’s responses were, and I kid you not, “BRO I HAD A PLAN” and “IT’S LITERALLY NOT MY PROUDEST MOMENT”.
So. Yeah. Needless to say, they stopped being friends.
Now, for some reason, Heather decided to start this fight on the groupchat with my boyfriend, which meant I had access to everything, and after learning about everything I started to question my friend’s actions for the first time. Like, yes I knew she was a bit stubborn, and annoying, but who isn’t. Betraying someone you have talked about multiple times as your best friend and then lying about it for years, however?
But I decided to put my worries aside for the moment and just be more careful around her before I actually formed an opinion. I also had never met Jane before so at that point it probably wouldn’t have been my place to intervene.
During my trip, I get the idea to plan a surprise party for Tony in the summer and I share it with Heather who seems on board and ready to help.
That aside, the rest of my visit was pretty uneventful up until my last day there.
It being my last day, I wanted to spend it with all my friends, so me, Tony, and Heather met up at a mall to hang out. After a while, I noticed Heather looking pretty down so I asked her if she was alright. She told me she was feeling a bit worried because she got the impression that Tony was growing more distant from her. She revealed to me that this actually already happened before, during Tony’s last relationship, and she was scared it was going to happen again. “And I’m so sorry for involving you like this but do you think you could talk to him for me?”
Now, you have to know Tony and her were never the best of friends; he’s always been closer to Jane than he was with her, simply because they don’t have many things in common. Heather also had the habit of constantly bringing up his ex in my presence, by making weird comparisons with me about literally anything. “Oh, you’re dyeing your hair red? Tony’s ex also dyed her hair red for a while. Omg your eyeliner is so good, you know Tony’s ex actually—”
No. I do, in fact, not know and I would like to keep it that way.
So when she mentioned his ex, being the idiot that I am, I felt so bad because I somehow assumed it was my fault, that I distracted him from his friends with my psychic evil girlfriend powers and therefore it was my responsibility to fix it.
So in May, I start planning Tony’s birthday party and Heather decided that for some reason it was her job to invite people and plan activities and literally plan the whole fucking party actually. She kept making suggestions I knew he would hate and inviting people he outright said he couldn’t stand, until I had enough and was forced to put my foot down. I let her invite her boyfriend and a friend of hers and handled the rest myself. In the meantime, I contacted Jane. Because unlike Heather, I know my boyfriend well enough to understand who his friends are so I always knew Jane was going to make the list, which I anticipated to Heather back in February. Her response was something along the lines of, “It’s okay for me if it’s okay for her”, which I thought was good enough. After all, I wasn’t expecting them to chat like nothing had happened but I assumed they would both be mature enough to put their differences aside for their friend’s sake.
The day of the party comes and Heather and I get there early to set things up, and when we’re in the bathroom doing our makeup she goes, “Hey, this might be a weird question but did Jane mention if she was bringing anyone?”.
This is where I might have been a bit of a bitch. Because Jane did actually ask me if she could bring her boyfriend, the same guy from the story that keeps coming back, and she even apologized for that, but knowing there were going to be three couples at the party already, including Heather and her own boyfriend, I didn’t even think twice before saying yes. However, I also failed to mention that to Heather until the day of the party.
When she found out, she was gone. Completely lost the plot, would not hear reason. She spent the whole evening sitting on the couch next to her boyfriend, with her back to the rest of the party, ignoring everyone else unless they asked her a question directly or forced her into conversation. After the umpteenth failed attempt of including her I felt so guilty I went to cry in the bathroom thinking I had ruined my boyfriend’s party because Heather was not having fun.
Days later, when all of this turned into a paragraph fight via text, instead of apologizing she kept attacking Tony for being rude to her and not understanding that she is very introverted and has “major anxiety”, and that was the reason why she didn’t even try to celebrate his birthday with him once throughout the night. Something I found hard to believe as I had been in that position before, while she was the one to help me out of it, introducing me to new people. So I am well aware of what it means to feel out of place, which is why I tried my best that night, and I also know that if she really wanted to do more, she would’ve.
During the fight, I finally had the opportunity to really talk to Jane for the first time and finding out about some things Heather did to her while they were friends reminded me of something else she did to me.

Back in November 2022, I got on birth control. Naturally I texted my friend, telling her about it.
Her response was, and I quote: “I have a theory. I’ve noticed a pattern where all of Tony’s girlfriends (ex and you) have started taking birth control since dating him soooo he either forced the girls or the girls don't care about STDs and accidental pregnancies. And the side effects obv.”
So I brought this back up during our fight. She tried to deny and to claim she was simply in “shock” because of my sudden interest in birth control, but I sent her back the proof of how she ignored everything I was trying to tell her only to keep trying to prove her hypotheses. My message said: “I was excited because I had done my research, I found a gyno and I went on my own and I texted you knowing that I couldn't share that excitement with my mother so I thought my friend would understand but instead you just came up with conspiracy theories about Tony forcing his girlfriends to get on BC or his girlfriends not caring about accidental pregnancies which was extremely insulting and I still don't know what your intention was because if you were joking it wasn't funny. I was being really vulnerable and you just basically chastised me. I can understand not agreeing but there's ways and ways to say that, you can still be happy and supportive while disagreeing, which was not what you did at all.”
She apologized but also said “I’m sorry you felt that way”. I decided to leave it at that and forget about it.
A couple of weeks later she angrily texted me wondering why I didn’t wish her a happy birthday.
So, AITA?

Hello all, I met my girlfriend around September 2023 at the gym after finally building up the courage to approach her. It ended up going well and we planned to work out with each other sometimes as a way to learn more about each other. I really liked her and tried my absolute best to make things work between us and it worked as we got to know more about each other however the first hurdle she presented to me is that her parents are very strict coming from a Eastern European Muslim household and I am not religious or from their country. She explained to me that her mum wants her to marry someone that is from the same ethnic or country as them but she assured me that it was her life and she wants to make it work with me. This means that even till this day her parents do not know about me and if they did then I would probably never see her again. She is not really allowed to be out the house so I only really get to see her at the gym which is tough but sometimes if both her parents are at work she would sneak out with me and we've been on dates and had time outside of the gym but I started to realise that she didn't really eat like when I took her on a date to have sushi she insisted that all she would have is some miso soup... she basically watched me eat but I just assumed its because she was on a diet and was really focused on the gym. As we got to know each other more and she became more comfortable with me she told me one night that she suffers from an eating disorder which is why she doesn't eat and has been demonising food for around 4 years now. She explained to me that she would throw up after binge eating because of guilt and would take laxatives which was a real shock to me since I've never had any experiences with ED and did not know the severity of this illness. She would also cut herself every time she failed to throw up after a binge and has told me she once passed out and had to go to the hospital after spending nearly a month without eating. All of this never made any sense to me because I didn't really understand but I asked her why she puts herself through it and some of the reasons were that she wants to look slim and petite (I met her when she was around 52kg @ 5ft 7) but I honestly do not see what more fat she could possibly forgo. At the time she was telling me she just wants to lose a little more fat around her thighs and that she hates how they look but once she accomplishes that she would maintain. This was not the case as she has been bouncing between losing and gaining since then which has been 9 months. During this time I tried to plead to her that this is silly to determent her health for vanity which doesn't last forever and there has been around 3 instances where she tried to eat again and work out to build muscle rather than do cardio for 2 hours but every time it was short lived with the longest period lasting around 2 weeks. I would try and talk some sense into her but this would leave us at disagreements and after a while I stopped and let her continue while I tried to ignore it otherwise I would start overthinking and worrying myself to death but every so often I wouldn't be able to ignore it and would express my distaste for what she was putting herself through. I ended up learning that this is not only about her being self conscious with how she looks but she would tell me that this is all she knows and that she doesn't even want to get better for the fear of losing herself and also losing all the progress she's worked on. she would always bring up that she has to be perfect which I tell her does not exist. She tells me that the feeling of being empty is comforting and she hates the feeling of being full but the body will do what it does to try and survive so binges were inevitable which would cause her to hate herself even more and affect her mood. She forgets things very easily now and I believe that she is so engrossed with this ED that she finds it hard to focus. Suffering from headaches and mood swings to also missing menstrual cycles makes me worry to death because I really want a future with her but it has really taken its toll on my own mental health that I just feel miserable these days. Its disheartening when I try to support her but nothing goes through to her and I told her that she should seek help from a professional but she always says that she doesn't want to and that they won't take her seriously anyways. I'm at wits end now and I'd be lying if I said I haven't broken down to my closest friends regarding this situation and they are now at the point of telling me to give up on her and she can't be helped if she doesn't wanna be. I also asked about how her parents feel about this and the general consensus is that they don't approve of it but I'm guessing they can't force her to eat but sometimes they would not let her go to the gym. Its been really shaky these last two months with breaks and break ups and right now I've told her that we need some time apart to work on ourselves because she is not herself at all and it seems she can't even look at me or show me any affection these days and it stems from her being self conscious. I don't know what to do, keep trying or give up and go our separate ways? There are so many hurdles we still have to overcome like when will she finally find the courage to tell her parents about me but my main worry will always be this ED and how it affects her and our relationship.

Hi everyone 👋
I’m car buying right now I have my heart set on a CR-V, but I’m stuck between the EX and the Sport hybrid. I’ve been wanting a hybrid for a while, but price-wise there’s a decent difference. I can swing it, but it would be a lot tighter, of course. Anyone have any advice they can give me or have experience with either? Anything would be appreciated!
Some background: I have been planning on getting a hybrid maybe a few years down the line, but I wasn’t planning on it this year. My current car needs a bunch of repairs and I’m not willing to put so much money into it at this point, so my timeline has been pushed up significantly.

Magnesium is important for:
Energy production. Blood pressure regulation. Normal heart rhythm. DNA and RNA creation. Bone structure development. Nervous system regulation. Insulin regulation ⬇️ https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/nutrition-fitness/magnesium-glycinate-is-this-supplement-helpful-for-you/
Signs of Magnesium Deficiency

1. Twitching Muscles (eyelids)
2. Waking up between 2-3am. (high cortisol)
3. Irritation (nervousness, low blood sugar)
4. Heart Flutters (arrhythmias)
5. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
6. Constipation (irregular bowel movements)
7. Bone Pain (Osteopenia) 60% Magnesium in body is stored in the bones
8. Stiff Joints (Arthritis)
9. Anxiety (Stress) Magnesium + B1
10. Chocolate Cravings (stress= adrenaline & cortisol response)
11. Clawed Hands or Feet (Carpopedal Spasms=commonly in feet at bedtime)
12. Muscle Cramps (spasms=calf muscle, back, neck/electrolyte imbalance)
13. Asthma (Magnesium + Vit D3, K2 to improve asthma symptoms)

Only "1%" of Magnesium is stored in the blood, thereby making tests for Magnesium Deficiency null & void as 60% of the body's magnesium is stored INSIDE the bones. This is why Magnesium Deficiency is overlooked & ignored by doctors, resulting in billions of people living with Magnesium Deficiency.
75% of humanity has an "Invisible Deficiency" of Magnesium.
400-800mg daily supplementation is recommended for optimal health/reduction in Deficiency symptoms.
Causes of Magnesium Deficiency: 1. Grains 2. Fructose 3. Soda 4. Soil depletion 5. Emotional stress 6. Antacids , Diuretics, Pharmaceuticals 7. Deficiency in VitD=Sunshine exposure
To fix Deficiencies: Magnesium Glycinate supplements, 400-800mg daily, eat dark leafy green vegetables daily, use celtic sea salt (also add a pinch in daily Filtered drinking water) .. ⬇️ https://youtu.be/emkLyutJ71Q?si=fcMhRijbZKug2Tge
Magnesium is vital to support the energy required for the body, cells, organs, and DNA to prevent degenerative diseases that are responsible for chronic diseases and premature death. ⬇️ https://youtu.be/J6aVE1Lo6Dw?si=Qz2DAegFQ1jEgcJq
Magnesium Glycinate is an orally available magnesium salt of glycine. Magnesium activates over 600 enzymes and is essential for DNA and RNA synthesis, cellular repair, and maintaining the antioxidant status of the cell. Magnesium plays a key role in bone and muscle function and assists in the activation of vitamin D, which helps regulate calcium and phosphate homeostasis to influence the growth and maintenance of bones. ⬇️ https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Magnesium-glycinate
Randomized Controlled Trial:
The effect of combined magnesium and vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status, systemic inflammation, and blood pressure: A randomized double-blinded controlled trial
Poor vitamin D and magnesium status is observed in individuals who are overweight and obese (Owt/Ob) and is often associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. Magnesium is a cofactor that assists vitamin D metabolism. ⬇️ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35576873/
Safest, fewest ingredients available for Magnesium Glycinate ⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C8DMMYTC/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A37SM01TLWSF12&psc=1
Safest, fewest ingredients available for Vitamin D3 (1 year supply) ⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JGCBGZQ/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=AQAIDN8YDF665&psc=1&th=1
Magnesium, D3, and potassium work synergistically, in tandem, for better absorption and better utilization in the body for optimal health benefits.

My issue stems from the fact that I’ve never truly “won” against a crew when I’m solo or in a group but outnumbered by the the other.
I’m not good at PvP and I try to avoid as much as possible. I wanted SoT to be a chill game as a break from my other sweaty comp games. However, I am decent enough since I have thousands of hours of gaming in my lifetime. I have more unalives/eliminations (dunno if it’s a banned word) than deaths.
My problem is that when I get lucky by winning a PvP fight against 1 or 2 people on a sloop, I still lose to a battle of attrition. People respawn way too quick for me to have the time to a.) get back to my ship, b.) load cannonballs in, c.) shoot 3-4 holes in the enemy ship. My main tactic is always to throw 5 firebombs at the ship before even boarding. I throw a few more if I was successful at unaliving them by getting their own supply of firebombs. However, that’s where it ends. Anchoring a sloop doesn’t buy you time because it can be raised in like 3 seconds by two people. You can’t even get back to your ship during that time. They’d just eventually unalive me and by the time I respawn, there’d be no way to recover because I have to balance fighting the boarding enemy, fight back with cannons, putting up the mast, raising the anchor, repairing holes, removing water, managing sails and wheel, etc. all on my own. It basically rendered my act of eliminating an enemy/duo useless. Even when me and my GF or a friend plays as a duo on a sloop, anytime we get attacked by a Galleon it’s instant GGs because you can only hold 4 people off for so long (unless of course you’re a PvP and naval god).
I wish they would add like a woodaxe equipment that you can use to manually chop down a mast in 5 swings. Or a small explosive device that can cause a single hole each when detonated inside an enemy ship. It would take a slot in the throwables section, with a maximum of 3. Just to make a PvP victory actually matter when you’re outnumbered 1v2, 2v4, etc.

My fellow gamers, for too long has our community suffered the indignation of an intolerable culture that has denigrated, besmirched, exploited, and has outright demonized our culture of unique individuals with a genuine love of a hobby that they see as profitable and progressive. They have taken beloved IP’s (Intellectual Properties) and twisted them into their own personal ideological crusade of undermining and humiliating the core aspects of characters they deemed as “Toxic” or “White Supremacy”. Through the guise and protection of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity) & ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) they have used our influence in the entertainment industry to push their narratives and agendas that have stigmatized our culture with numerous anti-consumer practices that they call “being progressive”. But the truth of the matter is they were never really looking to be a part of our community, they simply wanted to use our community as a tool of activism and propaganda in the entertainment industry as it was extremely profitable, and they wanted inclusion in that division. Ever since GamerGate & Female Frequency, we have had to endure the incursion of forced ideologies, xenophobic behaviors and inferior overpriced products that have never been in our best interest and have been flat out disgraceful towards foreign media.
Before Gaming had become a major source of entertainment, we were often categorized as anti-social or societies rejects where because we found more enjoyment in playing fictional characters and not spending as much time out and about, we never fully assimilated in society (which is a good thing if you ask me). From 1998 to 2007, at the height of innovation, creativity and production, Gaming had reached a golden age in which it had revolutionized society. Hollywood Execs who had ruined the movie industry turned their attention to video games as a source of income since video games had outperformed movies in terms of profit. No one was concerned about gaming, much less diversity or inclusivity until it became profitable. This makes people like SBI look extremely disingenuous as they were not interested in gamers as a community with its own culture. They simply wanted to use it as another weapon in identity politics.
Microtransactions; the hidden enemy to gamer progress and inducer to mental laziness of our community. Microtransactions have been around for a long time; however, it has never been more potent and apparent than in recent years. It has aided in the dismantling and segregation of players on the ideology of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and has created another sub-culture of gamers who have no real drive to be better outside of how much money they put into the game. This has degraded our culture as well as we have become “fat” off transactional gaming but at the same time we have been “starved” of purposeful gaming where our achievements were our sustenance. I am not saying that microtransactions are bad, but when they are exploitative and predatorial like they have been and don’t give gamers room to grow, we become lethargic and unwilling to improve ourselves as gamers. Oversaturated microtransactional games are one of the many reasons why we have become complacent and unwilling to fight against the exploitative tactics used by big brand game companies such EA, Ubisoft, ActivisionBlizzard, NaughtyDog and so many other western business model companies. Western style games were not like this in the past, they had much more depth and actual effort put into them with the gamer in mind. This has not been the case for over a decade and our connection to western developers has been whittled down to just being transactional. That is one of the reasons why you see so many remasters and remakes in today’s gamer community. They have lost their willingness to improve as developers of games and simply accept corporate/share holder rules.
Game journalists also do not have any real integrity or purpose outside of being funded for their involvement in promoting IPG (Identity Political Games) in a positive light to the public whether it’s positively received or not. They are not interested in what we have to say, they all support the same agenda and that is why they are a dying breed. Within the next couple of years, they will be out of the job and more than likely they will not be able to stay in the industry giving how they have responded to past articles that have clearly been scripted on the premise of diversity and racism. Not only that, but most of them are also extremely hostile to the community as they stereotype and defame the individuals that are a part of the community they are supposed to serve. We have been mentally liberated from their lies and coercive tactics as we tend to laugh at their obvious attempt at virtue signaling while hiding their misdoings so that they can play the victim.
My gamer brothers & sisters, I would not suggest the following action that we must take now without good cause. I have weighed our options and the best option for us now is this…...CULTURAL SECESSION. Naturally this is a form of segregation where they would more than likely claim they are being segregated by the dominant culture of the gaming community but that is incorrect. For years now we have been the ones who are often marginalized and ostracized for the smaller portion of our community. And when we aren’t, we’re exploited for more funds so that these companies can stay in business only to subject us to low quality products that coincide with the “WOKE Agenda” that are often huge expenses to these big brands i.e. AAA/AAAA games that will eventually flop for its obvious forced diversity and bug infested product which will undoubtedly piss off the consumer to the point of wanting a refund. Losing copious amounts of capital and stock in the process, not to mention their reputation is permanently marred.
We must separate on every cultural level in terms of entertainment and ideology. We must reject everything from the west that promotes toxic western beliefs, practices, and exclusion from other cultures (i.e. Southeastern Countries such as Japan and Korea). Japan & Korea have been the targets of unjust discrimination from Western Developers, Western Journalists, Western Localizers (The Wokelizers) and Western Society Prejudice regarding their sense of aesthetics as Westerners hate the aesthetic sense of these countries. The reason why they resort to such base tactics isn’t just because it weaponizes the ideal female form but it’s also because they have deep-seated insecurities about their own looks so when they see attractive female characters, they use terms such as “unrealistic” or “hypersexualized” to establish the moral high ground. But the truth is, they want to feel superior to that which is ideal, so they insult and dehumanize this figure that portrays natural female beauty because they see it as an insult to their own social superiority in what they believe is a hierarchy of them being at the top of all other women. Because of this and so many contributing factors, their movies flop harder than the Fat Chocobo landing on a group of enemies and their games seismically fail just as much if not more. We must sever our connection to Western Developers, Publishers, and ALL Western-Centric Entertainment for they seek to mentally enslave us to their Xenophobic ideology.
Let’s define Western Culture and its traits. Western Culture/Society is composed of more than several different ideologies that work in unison with one another to facilitate dominance over multiple aspects of society. Business, Social, Political, Technological, and sometimes even Global Affairs are affected by these ideologies that portray a specific mindset of Western beliefs. What are those ideologies you ask?

• Perpetual Victimhood: By weaponizing the fact that they are marginalized and of a small portion of western society, they can push their agenda to absurd standards that ultimately ostracize the main demographic. And when companies don’t capitulate, they are labeled as anti-progressive/misogynist’s or cohorts of White Supremacy. They use this to cancel their targets and silence them through societal defamation to keep the public on their side. They also use this mindset to justify their own lack of self-agency as they tend to throw companies who do adhere to their demands but miserably fail to turn a profit under the bus so that they can maintain face in front of the public while denying their actual involvement. They will never accept “Sense of Agency” when it’s negative but will gladly accept it when a positive outcome shines on them as if they are entitled to it.

Official Wiki GamerGate Page)
​

• Societal Terrorism: This is another form of ideology weaponization that they use in order to make companies “toe-the-line” with their agenda. By weaponizing cancel culture, they exert dominance over these companies but in exchange they also reimburse those companies with DEI & ESG funds that raise their credit score as well as having social status with the marginalized demographic. However; cancel culture has not succeeded in years and developers and publishers probably only want the money and the DEI ESG rating. But they have to maintain the image of having social economic power so that they can continue to strong-arm other developers into compliance and promoting financial benefits of DEI & ESG. In other words, if you are not for sale, they discredit and stigmatize you in the industry.

Asmongold Clips.
https://youtu.be/Iq86DnmX2xY
​

• “Its not us, its you who’s wrong” Mentality: This mentality is especially annoying as they tend to use it to hide their incompetence. They often look down upon gamers who are not in the industry to hide their obvious lack of knowledge on game development thinking that their job title grants them special status that they believe gives them the right to be condescending. But the truth they never wanted revealed has already strangled their careers of all credibility. They were never GAMERS, they were INVADERS. Community Colonists that seek to indoctrinate next generational gamers into their hive-mind and brand previous generations of gamers as villains.

@GeeksandGamers
https://youtu.be/1HbrTkqQFuM
​

• Double-standard Enforcement: By labeling something as “unrealistic” or “hypersexualized”, they can claim this is morally wrong if it promotes traditional dynamics between men and women. Heterosexual relationships are condemned while at the same time Same-sex relationships are praised. Additionally, heterosexual relationships with main white male characters turn antagonistic and spotlight stealing. This is deliberate as to promote the “Girl Boss” ideology to indoctrinate women into the Feminazi state of mind. While at the same time, should a male character also adopt the “I don’t need male/female” ideology its seen as Toxic Masculinity which isn’t even a real thing. The idea of a strong male character is taboo while enforcing strong female characters is the ideal.

@MugenLord
https://youtu.be/to5Uciy_yeg
@EndymionTv
https://youtu.be/7TPTR8-qmbk
​

• Dehumanization/Demonization: This is something that most military branches use in order to remove conscious inhibitions such as mass slaughter is wrong or categorization. By enforcing ideologies to denounce humanity in certain targets, it deactivates your conscience by saying this is not human therefore its ethically okay to treat this target without compassion and deny the fact it has sentience. We gamers fall under this category for journalists, developers, companies and society at large. This is a tactic we are familiar with to an extent as it implies that we are not normal when we do not do what everybody else is doing. “Geeks are the worse” or “Nerds need to fall into a pit of lava” are verbal dehumanization forms that most people in society say and we as Gamers tend to be relegated to those categories. This is their way of imposing the social hierarchy on us by establishing superiority. We know this as Gamers as we see it very often in the games that we play and some times experience it in real life.

https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Gamergate#The_end_of_their_relevance
​

• Deflection/Projection: This is basic psychology 101. By redirecting the conversation away from their mistakes and back on to the opposing view to avert blame and justify their innocence they can avoid criticism. However; deflection is a CONSCIOUS decision, meaning they have no real argument to justify their incompetence. If you can consciously process the situation, you have self-agency which means you don’t have a legitimate excuse. Projection is something else entirely. Most times, Projection doesn’t work on conscious decisions rather it is automatically deployed when feeling threatened, anxious or both. Instead of accepting accountability for feelings or actions that are deemed socially unacceptable they accuse others of committing that unacceptable behavior thereby exonerating themselves and proving that those feelings and/or actions are not their own.

@TheTrentReport
https://youtu.be/bPIPSKruYRo
These traits are so nefarious and unconscionable that I have a hard time believing that anyone could harbor them. However, given the social, political, and economic climate that we are in, those in power who use their influence on controlling society most definitely possess these insidious traits. Everything that they do is all about control and since video games are the biggest market in the world, they want control over it and the communities built around it to accrue more wealth and to use that wealth to subjugate other cultures. Mainstream media is a tool as well as mainstream organizations and sites to help accomplish this goal.
The government recently announced its intentions towards what they believe is “GamerGate 2.0” and now even the ADL has made an official appearance, referring to gamers as “extremist’s”. We know EXACTLY what they are doing, and they aren’t even trying to hide it anymore because they don’t think we are aware of their motives. This is just a pretext for them to exert even more control and we know why, it’s because they want the influence we as a community have to must serve them. So here is what we do my fellow gamers-
“In light of recent events and years of mainstream stigma, we the members of the Global Gaming Community [GGC] must officially renounce ALL TIES to the corporate western video game market. We have been financially exploited through predatorial monetization schemes, pelted with numerous articles of disdain and intentional misrepresentation from game journalists, news outlets regarding us as dangerous individuals and, even subjected to inferior products not only riddled with bugs but also products meant to push political agendas. For the preservation of our community and its unique culture, apart from a few select game development studios we officially sever all connections to western owned video game companies & their mainstream affiliates. From this point onward, we will no longer support western corporate developers, journalists and publishers that do not coincide with the goals of our community.”
Naturally this is completely optional. If you are okay with the state of the gaming community as it is, feel free to ignore this. But if you wish for real change and a break away from oversaturated monetization in the games you play and the push for radical ideological reform, then you are in the right place. Lets sever these rotted miasmic ties once and for all so that our community can be preserved and made better for future gamers. If you agree with this, share it with whoever you think might be interested. The more gamers who get involved, the easier it will be for us to finally break free from mainstream game companies and their associates.

TLDR: Baby (13 weeks) won’t nap out of arms. We’ve been practicing for 8 weeks. Practicing is making me miserable. Planning to sleep train in July. Should I cut my losses and just contact nap at this point, or is there something I’m missing?
Baby is almost 13 weeks old. Since the end of March, I’ve been working on the elusive contact-free nap. Based on my Snoo record, I’ve tried in the Snoo least once a day (sometimes twice) 29 times in the last 54 days. We’ve had four successes in total, all under an hour. Twice I put him down awake and he fell asleep on his own, and twice I got him to sleep then set him down and he stayed asleep for another 20-30 minutes or so. A few times I’ve tried putting him asleep on my bed, the baby swing, the doc a tot knock off, or some other more comfortable less safe location … but no bites. We’ve also tried naps in the car and in the stroller (both bassinet and car seat attachments), and he’s only had one nap in one of those arrangements—it was in the bassinet part of the stroller, but I had to keep the stroller rolling.
During the day, he primarily naps in the baby carrier. If you get him in before his internal timer is up, he doesn’t even fight it. (If you get him strapped in a little late in the wake window, he’ll let out his swan song for 15 minutes before passing out.) At night he sleeps great in his Snoo, typically nursing to sleep before bed and during his 1-2 MOTN wakes, but he doesn’t always nurse to sleep! Sometimes I’ll put him down awake and asleep he goes. Even when he nurses to sleep, he’ll sometimes wake up during the transfer. The point of this paragraph is to spell out “sleep crutches” that he does have and the extent to which he depends on them, and to suggest that he doesn’t have reflux since he sleeps flat on his back all night long.
When we try for Snoo naps, he typically cries so intensely that the Snoo almost immediately (3 minutes in) turns off. I’ve tried just sitting there in the room, resetting it several times in a row—you have to do it manually because you’re not supposed to let your baby cry that loud for that long I guess. I’ve tried SITBACK. I’ve tried getting him sleepy before setting him down, but almost nothing pisses him off more than me trying to “Taking Cara Babies” CRIES him into a drowsy state. Once we’ve given it 10-15 minutes of wailing in the bassinet (I’m talking 100% volume, sets-off-your-smart-watch decibel levels), the road forks: I hold him to sleep then keep trying to put him down; I hold him to sleep and just sit or stand in his room for the rest of the nap; I strap him into the carrier for the rest of the nap. But whatever we do at that point, it involves a lot of intense crying and a far less restful nap than he’d have if I just put him in the carrier to begin with, and 2/3 of those options tie me down for another hour or more while I try to keep him asleep.
His room is dark with blackout curtains and is 71-72 degrees (bought a thermostat for his room in particular in case temperature was the issue.) We use a sound machine, and we have a pre-nap routine that mimics the bedtime routine. And of course I’m watching the wake windows; he seems to be a little higher sleep needs than average. He still doesn’t love being awake for more than 75 minutes at a time, especially for that first wake window which typically precedes our practice nap, so usually I start the nap time routine at the one hour mark.
I am struggling to provide more consistent practice than this because I also have a 2 year old son, and when I’m taking care of him, my ability to sink time and attention into the baby’s nap is very limited. When my toddler has other care, I need to be getting work done, so it’s a big loss to spend so much time on the nap. Best case scenario, trying for the bassinet nap takes 40 minutes more of my time than just putting him in the carrier and carrying on with life, but often it’s much more because I get stuck in his room trying to salvage some sleep for him. And of course, various life things come up, too: grandma visits and offers to hold him, we take a trip, we try to hit up library story time, baby gets his shots, etc. While I understand that this is not a great deal of consistency, it’s hard for me to imagine that there are parents of multiple children out there who have much more consistency to offer. Who that is also taking care of other kids has an hour and a half out of every 3 to render themselves otherwise unavailable, multiple times a day, every day of the week? Maybe I’m dead wrong on this point, but I have to imagine I’m offering as much consistency as other parents of multiple kids have offered their younger babies, babies who somehow began to get some traction after months of effort.
I’m feeling frustrated and hopeless. I am going on 8 weeks of making what feels like a lot of sacrifice to encourage independent napping, and I am not really seeing any progress. In fact, I’m starting to feel like it’s not worth it any more. I’ve already accepted that I’ll need to sleep train; we’re ripping off that bandaid on 7/22 and have multiple out-of-town trips planned before then. And the practice naps come at a big cost to me in terms of both time and peace of mind. Right now, I don’t have full time childcare for my baby, so I am already working in the margins. I keep telling myself that it will save me time once it clicks for him, but like we are months into this and have seen literally no return on the investment. With all the stress it has caused me, we are actually pretty deep in the red.
So: should I cut my losses and just lean in to the carrier nap until the end of July? Or is there something I can do to get bassinet napping online? Why does practicing help other babies but not mine//why have we seen no progress at all when practice is touted as the ticket?!

Have you ever felt uneasy using your bathroom? Or maybe you have a loved one who struggles with mobility issues, making showering an uncomfortable or even daunting task. Bathrooms can be the most hazardous area in a house, especially for seniors or people with disabilities. The risk of falling is particularly high when getting in and out of the shower, which is why many of us consider getting a shower chair. If you or someone you care about is looking for independence and confidence in the bathroom, finding the right shower chair is crucial.
In this post, we’ll explore the best shower chairs available, considering various needs and comfort levels. We’ll look at the features, pros, and cons of the top options, helping you make an informed decision to ensure safety and ease in your daily routine.

Recommended Shower Chairs For Elderly

Shower Chair	Features
Essential Medical Supply Height Adjustable Shower Chair	Padded removable arms, height adjustable from 16 to 20 inches, texturized seat with drain holes, rust-resistant aluminum frame, supports up to 300 pounds.
Medline Shower Chair Seat	Backrest and padded armrests, adjustable seat height from 16 to 21 inches, rust-resistant aluminum frame, supports up to 350 pounds, tool-free assembly.
Drive Medical 12011KD-1 Tub Transfer Bench	Adjustable backrest, reversible bench, extra-large suction cups, dual-column extending legs, tool-free assembly, supports up to 400 pounds.
ComfortAble Deluxe Shower Chair	Polyurethane padding on seat and armrests, bright blue color for visibility, rust-resistant aluminum frame, height adjustable, supports up to 310 pounds, lifetime warranty.
Dr. Kay’s Adjustable Bath Chair	Supports up to 350 pounds, non-slip feet, narrow design fits most tubs, portable and easy to disassemble, quick assembly, adjustable height.

Types of Shower Chairs

Bariatric Shower Chair: These chairs are designed for individuals requiring a higher weight-bearing capacity, typically supporting up to 120 to 130 kg. Built to be durable and sturdy, bariatric shower chairs provide the necessary support and safety for heavier users. Occupational therapists often recommend them due to their robustness and reliability.
Standard Shower Chair: Standard shower chairs are dependable options equipped with rubber tips on the legs to prevent slipping. They feature a wide seat and offer good support, making them suitable for most users. While they might not have height-adjustable legs, this feature isn’t necessary for everyone. If the chair fits the user well, it’s a practical choice without the need for extra adjustments.
Folding Shower Stool: Compact and portable, folding shower stools have four legs with rubber tips for stability. These stools lack armrests and back supports, making them ideal for individuals who are generally mobile and don’t have significant limb impairments. They provide extra support and comfort during bathing without taking up much space.
Shower Chairs with Wheels: These chairs combine the stability of a standard shower chair with the convenience of mobility. Equipped with lockable wheels, they can be easily moved in and out of the shower area. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to transport the chair frequently. However, users should exercise caution on wet surfaces to avoid slipping.
Transfer Bench: Designed for individuals with significant mobility challenges, transfer benches offer an extended seating area with two legs inside the tub or shower and two legs outside. This setup provides a stable support system for entering and exiting the shower, making it easier and safer for those who have difficulty stepping over the tub or shower edge. Transfer benches are an excellent choice for enhancing the safety and convenience of the bathing experience.

How to Choose the Best Shower Chair

Weight-Bearing Capacity: One of the most crucial factors to consider when selecting a shower chair is its weight-bearing capacity. Various models are available that support different weights. If a higher weight capacity is needed, a bariatric shower chair is ideal, as it offers extra support and stability.
Height Adjusting Feature: Many shower chairs come with adjustable legs to accommodate different user heights. When choosing a shower chair, ensure it has an easy-to-use height adjustment feature. This is essential for achieving the right fit and comfort, allowing the user to sit and stand with ease and safety.
Chair Structure: Deciding between a stool and a chair is an important step in selecting the best shower chair. Stools are narrow, compact, and typically lack backrests, making them suitable for smaller showers. Chairs, on the other hand, offer more support with backrests and sometimes armrests. Consider the user’s needs and the available space in your shower when making this decision.
Seat Dimensions: The size of the seat is a critical factor. It should be large enough for the user to sit comfortably with some extra room to move. The user’s size should be proportional to the seat size to ensure comfort and stability. Measuring the width of the user’s buttocks on a flat surface can help determine the appropriate seat size.
Manufacturing Materials Used: The materials used in the shower chair are also important. Look for chairs made of rust-free materials, such as plastic and aluminum. Plastic offers comfort, while aluminum ensures the chair remains rust-free. Avoid materials that can rust, as they may cause harm to the user. A combination of plastic and aluminum often provides the best balance of comfort and durability.

Best Shower Chairs For Elderly

Essential Medical Shower Chair
The Essential Medical Supply Height Adjustable Shower Chair is a practical and safe option for bathroom use. With padded, removable arms, it provides comfort and stability, especially for those needing assistance getting in and out of the chair. The height can be adjusted between 16 to 20 inches, allowing for a customized fit. The large, texturized seat measures 13 by 16 inches and includes drain holes to prevent water buildup. The sturdy anodized aluminum frame is rust-resistant and can support up to 300 pounds. This chair is easy to assemble and has rubberized feet to prevent slipping, making it a reliable choice for seniors and individuals with mobility issues.
Medline Shower Chair Seat
The Medline Shower Chair Seat is a versatile bath seat with a backrest and padded armrests for added comfort and support. It features an adjustable seat height from 16 to 21 inches, accommodating various user needs. The chair can support up to 350 pounds, and its rust-resistant aluminum frame ensures durability. The legs adjust in one-inch increments for further customization. Assembly is tool-free, making setup simple and quick. The chair’s feet provide excellent grip, although there might be slight wobbling on perfectly flat surfaces.
Drive Medical 12011KD-1 Tub Transfer Bench
The Drive Medical 12011KD-1 Tub Transfer Bench enhances bathroom safety and accessibility with its durable blow-molded plastic construction and stable "A" frame design. The adjustable backrest and reversible bench make it versatile for various bathroom layouts. It features extension legs with extra-large suction cups for added safety and stability. The bench allows for easy transfers in and out of the tub, reducing the risk of falls. The adjustable legs can be raised or lowered in 0.5-inch increments from 17.5 to 22.5 inches. Assembly is tool-free and straightforward, and the bench supports up to 400 pounds. However, it may not be suitable for smaller bathtubs without careful measurement.
ComfortAble Deluxe Shower Chair
The ComfortAble Deluxe Shower Chair offers enhanced comfort and safety features, making it a premium choice for bathroom use. It features polyurethane padding on the seat and armrests, providing warmth and minimizing the risk of skin tears. The bright blue color aids visibility and prevents staining, making it ideal for users with visual impairments or dementia. The rust-resistant aluminum frame supports up to 310 pounds and ensures durability. The chair is height adjustable for optimal safety and comfort. Assembly is easy, and the chair comes with a lifetime warranty. Despite its higher price, the ComfortAble Deluxe Shower Chair’s blend of comfort, safety, and durability makes it a worthwhile investment.
Dr. Kay’s Adjustable Bath Chair
Dr. Kay’s Adjustable Bath Chair is a practical and reliable option for enhancing bathroom safety. It supports up to 350 pounds and features non-slip feet for secure placement. Its narrow design fits well in most tubs and walk-in showers. The chair is portable and can be easily disassembled for travel. Assembly takes about 10 minutes with clear instructions and no additional tools needed. The handles provide extra support, and the seat has drainage holes to prevent water pooling. The height is easily adjustable, allowing for a comfortable sitting and standing experience.

I wanted to build out a combo setup for my kids with some shade. I was thinking of using four 6x6 pressure treated columns, (3) glued & screwed 2x8x12 for each side, with 2x6x6 pergola rafters. In between the sections, at the top, I wanted to put monkey bars, and on the one side, 2 or 3 sets of swings. My question is, would the ZMax American accents 6x6 posts support the weight, but also the "swinging" motion of the kids? For the rafters, I would use hurricane rafters hangers, and notch them down 2" so they sit into the 3 2x8's, and a few 2x4s for a ladder on both sides. The cement base will be pro-form 12" tube 36" down, just worried about that back and forth movement on the post-base.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-Outdoor-Accents-Avant-Collection-ZMAX-Black-Powder-Coated-Post-Base-for-6x6-Nominal-Lumber-APVB66/312991859#overlay

Hi everyone,
I could really use some advice on a situation that's causing some tension between my wife (23F) and me (31M).
For context, we've been living with my large family on a month-to-month basis, sharing rent and grocery expenses. It's been particularly tough on my wife due to different perspectives and lifestyle habits within the household. She really wants us to have our own place, and I completely understand her frustration.
My wife has taken the initiative in our house-hunting journey. She's been contacting real estate agents, looking at listings, setting up viewings, and doing all the research. I've been trying to support her, but she's done the bulk of the work.
Here’s where the dilemma comes in: I'm hesitant about buying a house right now for a couple of reasons. Firstly, using all our savings for a down payment makes me nervous as it would leave us without a financial cushion in case of emergencies. Secondly, the housing market in our area is really hot right now, and I'm worried about buying at the peak. I think we might get a better deal if we wait for prices to stabilize.
I've tried to share these concerns with my wife, but it led to a major disagreement. She’s upset that she had to take the lead on this and now feels unsupported because I'm hesitating. She even slept on the couch last night. From her perspective, she’s put in a lot of effort and feels like I’ve left everything up to her, only to backtrack now that she’s ready to move forward.
I feel torn. I want to support my wife and move into our own place, but I'm also worried about our financial security and timing our purchase wisely.
How can I address my concerns without making my wife feel unsupported and burdened? Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your insights.
TL;DR: My wife (23F) and I (31M) want to buy a house, but I'm worried about financial security and timing due to a hot housing market. She’s upset because she’s taken all the initiative, and now I’m hesitant. How can I balance my financial concerns with supporting her efforts?