Hi, I wanna export my document to pdf with high quality images. I already set the option to not compress my images in Word and I reinserted the images, such that they look good. But in the Export menu in the Tools menu (yellow) there should be an option for exporting uncompressed images, which I saw in a youtube video but is not here in my version of word.
video https://youtu.be/Xc6plf3WVW8?t=88
screenshot from video
https://preview.redd.it/019pg22ems1d1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=53fb04246dbfb27191851af6f8182981dfcb72ff
my screen - can't screenshot the menu - it closes, but there is only the "map nework drive" option
https://preview.redd.it/smbsd3s4ms1d1.png?width=1305&format=png&auto=webp&s=7dddb0b49cdc9d03bee4fb977d36c7510e7a3b7c
my Word version:
https://preview.redd.it/zm99w327ms1d1.png?width=998&format=png&auto=webp&s=36f3b006bd62ae01e3e3a1a21713b34775001b55
Does anyone of you have an idea how to fix this?

Hi guys. Making another shot at this. Cut prices on a few things because I'm just running out of room for storing my new builds. Order multiples and I may cut you a deal.
This post is mostly for people interested in buying, but I love a trade! If you're interested in trading see my latest post in /letstradepedals. I post there every other week, usually on Tuesday. I got non-DIY stuff in the trade post, too.
What I got for sale is hand-built stuff that I made, mostly relatively unique or heavily tweaked designs built on vero or point to point. Many are housed in upcycled tins, a few in hammond boxes. I've also got small practice amps built inside whatevers that you can crank up and enjoy at low volumes. They all run on standard 9v pedal power.
PRICES DON'T INCLUDE SHIPPING -- I ship USPS priority using pirateship.com, so expect shipping to be between $5 and $15 depending on how close you are to Tennessee. Would prefer to not deal with international shipping, but if you want it bad enough to pay for it, I'm game.
I accept Paypal or Venmo.
MOBILE USERS: There are 4 columns in the table below: Name, Price, Links, and Notes. If you don't see all 4, scroll over or ask for more info.
Fuzzes

Name	Price	Links	Notes
Bazz Me Fuss You #1	$90	PIC DEMO	A bazz-fussified perversion of the Escobedo push-me-pull-you, featuring controls for octave and volume. This is the first unit I've built using my own custom PCB. Housed in a painted 125B with top jacks.
Space Fuzz	$80	PIC DEMO	This is a Hollis crash sync fuzz that I souped up with an LFO to modulate the filtesync frequency. Really wild flangery/phasey type gated fuzz sound. At the right settings you can get some octave-down effects as well. Housed in a ~3.5 inch square game tin reinforced with recycled plastic. Pretty pleased with this build.
SwirlFuzz	$75	PIC DEMO	Modulated octave fuzz prototype. It's an octave fuzz, but you can switch on an LFO to modulate the octave amount. Controls for Rate, Depth, Gain, and Volume, plus switches for waveshape and mode (Normal/Octave/Modulated). In a circular tin reinforced with recycled plastic.
Big Green Fuzz for Attractive Bass Players	$75	PIC Demo	Like my bazz-me-fuss-you circuit, but with a big muff tone stack, a clean blend, and optional clippers for more compression. Housed in a big round tin reinforced with recycled plastic and designed specifically for attractive bass players. Unattractive ones may not really gel with this.
Creature from the planet Chyowngg	$65	PIC Demo	Prototype of a unique fuzz I've been developing that I call the Chyowngg fuzz. It's a 2-stage octaver that gives a bright synthy tone with a distinctive envelope (hence the name). You can toggle each stage from octave to non-octave mode for a variety of interesting timbres. Also has a tone control, but the tone control is before the octave stages so it results in interesting behaviors depending on the switch settings. It's in a tin meant to be painted like an alien, though some say it looks more like a triceratops.
Baller Fuzz	$60	PIC DEMO	Another Bazz-Me-Fuss-You build with an added BMP-style tone control. In a slightly beaten-up heart-shaped basketball tin. Y'all ready for this?
Wiff Spwinkles on Top	$45	PIC Demo	This point-to-point fuzz lives in the same neighborhood as the Harmonic Percolator, but has a few differences. I altered the way the gain knob works, and added a switch to toggle bass cut. It's housed in an ice-creamity welly tin.
Dumbo's Bazzrite Fussrite	$40	PIC Demo	A bazz-fussified mosrite fuzzrite circuit I cobbled together in point-to-point wiring style. Housed in a little Dumbo puzzle tin with GLITTER! Controls are for balance (kind of tone-cum-gain) and volume.

Drives, Distortions, and Boosts

Name	Price	Links	Notes
Bronze Drive	$85	PIC Demo	This is a point-to-point, transistor based overdrive I designed based loosely on the Davisson Easy Drive. Good for low-gain crunchy tones and plenty of output volume on tap if you want it for a boost. Tone circuit is like a BMP stack but with a mid hump instead of a mid cut. Housed in a painted 125B with top jacks.
Copper ZenerMorph Drive	$65	PIC Demo	This is an experiment in zener diode clipping. Nice crispy drive that gets beefier as you turn up the gain, lots of good edge-of-breakup tones to be had. Housed in a decorated tin reinforced with some plastic.
GOOST	$65	PIC	A simple JFET boost vaguely based on the Runoffgroove Fetzer valve. Switch toggles bass cut for a treble-boosting sound. Point-to-point build housed in a small tin reinforced with recycled plastic.
B is for Beast	$55	PIC DEMO	This fun little drive/boost consists of two cascading MOSFET gain stages with optional clipping in between. It goes from clean and loud to massive wall-of-gain distortion nicely. Controls for gain, clipping, and volume. In a small heart-shaped tin about 4in by 4in.
Shining Hope Drive	$40	PIC Demo	Differential mirroring drive, gives a kind of overdriven-mixer-channel distortion. Controls for gain, tone, and volume. Housed in a star-shaped Christmas tin.
Green Sparkler Boost	$35	PIC	Just an Escobedo Duende JFET boost built point-to-point in a sparkly little round tin. Gives a little gain and a bit of warmth to the tone.

Non-Dirt

Name	Tier	Links	Notes
Gift of Chykka Wakka	$65	PIC DEMO	First build of an all-transistor envelope filter I designed. Built point-to-point style and housed in a little giftbox tin reinforced with recycled plastic. Controls for Q and Sweep, switch toggles envelope smoothing.
Vortex of Funk	$65	PIC DEMO	Second build of the Chykka-Wakka circuit, this one features attack, Q, and range controls. Built point-to-point and housed in a painted tin.
BZZZ BOOP BEEP	$50	PIC DEMO	A basic square wave oscillator on a momentary switch. Can go from bzzz to boop to beep with a sweep of the big knob. Also has tone and volume controls, and a 3-way switch for different decay amounts. Use it to simulate a spring door stopper or dying cow. Or bleep your foul-mouthed frontman. Or mess with the sound guy. Or send Morse code to the bar. I dunno. Housed in a painted tin reinforced with recycled plastic.

Little Amps

Name	Price	Links	Description
Ample iMank	$65	PICS DEMO	This is a Runoffgroove Ruby Amplifier built into this old multimedia speaker enclosure designed to look like an old iMac. Glows blue when you turn it on. It runs from a standard 9v pedal power. It's not terribly loud, nor terribly clean, but if you dig the classic mac vibe it might be fun. Controls for gain and volume, and a power switch on the back.
Nosy Amp	$75	PICS DEMO	Another solid-state amp based on the Ruby amplifier, housed in a repurposed bookshelf speaker. This one actually has pretty decent volume, even on 9V (can run on 12V as well for more), and can stay clean while getting loud enough for a quiet jam with friends.
Fleur-de-Lis Amp	$90	PICS DEMO	A tiny bookshelf speaker turned into a practice amp. This one features a class D power amp for lovely cleans, and a custom designed discrete preamp that gets punchy & crunchy when cranked. Runs on 9V but pretty loud nonetheless.

That's all for now. I just keep building and building, though, so there'll be more.

“Will you look at that,” Captain Yontan marveled from the observation deck. They had arrived in the Solar System at long last, the old bastion of knowledge mankind had abandoned many millennia ago.
“Such a basic tech, yet so beautiful, so… poetic,” Lezlybe uttered, gazing at the constant flux of Sunfire Conduit pulled from the sun to one, two, three relays, and finally to the surface of Pluto, where its energy was being harnessed inside a crater. “And you’re certain that’s where the Ultimate Knowledge is stored?”
“Yes,” Yontan nodded. “Every clue leads to Pluto. Can you imagine? The Ultimate Knowledge, lost for millennia, on this planet out of all places.”
“Ready to descend at your command, captain,” announced Ghenna.
Yontan turned to his crew and smiled. It was the first time they had seen him do that in months. “Hover around the south-south-eastern quadrant of the crater. That’s where the entrance is supposed to be.”
“Yes, Sir!”
Lezlybe’s turned to face the captain, her long black hair swirling around with her.
“Wouldn’t that energy burn us on approach?”
“It might be basic tech, but not that basic, Lez,” said Yontan. “It’s safe up to a distance of 100 meters. Don’t underestimate the intelligence of our ancestors because they built this thing in the distant past. They were as smart as us. Smarter even, in certain aspects, I’m sure.”
“Found the entrance, captain,” said Ghenna. It was a pale peach colored door built on the craterside.
“Land near it, wherever it’s stable.”
“Yes, Sir!”
The ship touched down next to the Hollis Crater. Yontan and four others suited up and left the craft. Before heading for the door, the team stopped to gaze at the Sunfire Conduit from their position. It went up, up, up as far as the eye could see.
Jmerr was awestruck.
“I can’t believe we’re able to look at it with basic sun visors. Do you think our ancestors purposefully designed it like that?”
“Of course,” said Yontan, mesmerized by the spiraling blaze swooshing down the crater. “Aesthetics have always been important, especially since it used to be connected to three planets, two dwarf planets, and eight moons. Many renown painters have depicted the Conduits in their art. Although no physical portraits survived, their works have been well documented over hundreds of books.”
Lezlybe approached Jmerr and put her hand over his shoulder.
“I kind of wish we could hear its thunderous sound. I imagine it’d be a satisfying swoosh, kind of like a blowtorch.”
“You’d be deaf before you’d hear a thing,” laughed Yontan. “We’re speaking of extremely powerful jets coming from a star, after all. I can’t wait to see why they’re pulling so much energy on such a small planet. It’s totally excessive in my view.”
“Maybe it’s not,” said Lezlybe. “Especially if the Ultimate Knowledge is behind this door.”
The team approached the door, a small black panel to its side. Yontan placed a round device on top and, seconds later, it retracted into the ground.
“A Grampus?” frowned Jmerr, even though no one could see his face behind the visor. “Why do you use this old AI?”
“Because I don’t know the code,” explained Yontan as they stepped inside a long hall. “So I brought this device with me to crack the password. Don’t forget that this here is also old tech. Newer devices could break something.” He glanced over his shoulder at the wide-open entryway with the ship not too far behind. “But it looks like the Grampus broke it anyway since it doesn’t slide shut.”
At the end of the wide turquoise hall, another door was easily popped open with Yontan’s device. This time, however, the heavy door closed shut when the last person stepped in.
“I hope we’re not trapped in this small room,” gulped Lezlybe.
“Don’t worry, we can ask someone on board to cut it open if needed,” said Yontan. “After all we –”
PSHHHHHHHH
A burst of gas sprayed them from all sides, followed by a shower of heavy liquid. A few moments after it stopped, the door in front of them opened, and a gentle male voice greeted them.
“Welcome to U.K. ONE. The current air pressure is at 101.3 kilopascals, with a temperature of 22.4 degrees Celsius and a humidity level set at 60% RH.”
The voice then proceeded to inform them about the room’s condition among other sets of data.
“I see. We were inside a basic decompression chamber,” muttered Jmerr.
The tallest crewmate, Lessandre, popped his helmet off and took a deep breath.
“Ah, historical fresh air,” he boomed, looking around the oval room. “It brings a tear to my eye.”
“What are you doing?” Yontan shouted. “We don’t know what particles or microorganisms could linger in here.”
“Relax, captain. Tyche analyzed the air and told me it’s fine. Why don’t you all retract your visors and experience this multimillennial-old air? You’ll never have the chance to do that again, you know.”
Yontan checked with his own version of his AI, Tyche, and everything seemed to be fine, so he retracted the visor of his helmet as well, just in time to scratch an itch on his beard. The rest of the crew followed, except for Jmerr.
“Come on, Jmerr. It’s a unique experience, my friend,” beamed Lessandre, tapping on his shoulder.
Jmerr scowled at Lessandre. “I refuse to take unnecessary risks.”
“As you wish,” Lessandre grinned, loudly sniffing the air. “Ahhh. The air in here is exceptionally… how to describe it?”
“Dusty?” Lezlybe chimed in. “I think the auto-clean on the filter stopped working long ago.”
Yontan was ignoring his crew, inspecting the walls of this oval room for clues. But the room was pretty much empty, outside of the air conditioning holes and lights flickering on the ceiling.
“I know there’s another door on the other side of the crater, but that one’s the entrance to the accumulator and workspaces,” he muttered to himself, caressing the wall in the hopes of finding a button or a gap of sorts.
“Is that place also turquoise?” asked Lessandre. “I really hate this color. Reminds me too much of my ex.”
Lezlybe rolled her eyes.
“Then why don’t we go there?” asked Ghenna, who had closed her visor since she didn’t like the smell.
“Because,” began Yontan absent-mindedly while brushing his hands over the wall, “every document points to this place. We’ll check the other site if we don’t find anything here. Now if only I – aha! A button. This might be it.”
Yontan pushed it with his finger. Instead of clicking, like any other button would, his index finger sank completely in. He immediately withdrew it, fearing something might cut his finger off. But the button came back, except it was now white and protruded out of the wall. Yontan hesitantly pressed it.
An oval pedestal emerged from the middle of the floor, gradually rising until it reached chest height. The left side slid open with melodious clicks, and out came a small table with a round black object on it with a sky-blue center. Before they had the time to guess what it was, a hologram rose from it, displaying the head of an old balding man with a lazy eye.
“Greetings, future humans,” said the feeble voice. “And welcome to K.U. ONE. What is your purpose here?”
Yontan glanced at his crew, who gave him a nod and shrugs. He cleared his throat and spoke clearly, “We’ve come here to gain access to the Ultimate Knowledge, which is said to contain the answers to our purpose within the universe.”
“I see. And you are one, two, five. Oh! That is good news, good news indeed. I’ve been waiting for you. Well, not me per se, since I’m long dead, I suppose,” the hologram laughed, “but my digital image. And five? Oh, proof that nothing happens at random.”
Yontan was slightly taken aback.
“Wait. You’re not a simple recording?”
“No, no. I’m enhanced with artificial intelligence. It speaks as I would speak, saying what I asked it to say – with a bit of panache. Now, move to the other side of the pedestal. It will pop open and contain a box.”
The other side popped open, displaying a silver box embossed with gold on the edges. It was beautiful. Lessandre grabbed it and tried to pry it open.
“Tut-tut! You need the key to open the box. I’ll hand it over only of you accept to eat its contents.”
“Eat it?” Yontan uttered in excitement. “Will it alter our brains? Give us the knowledge we yearn for?”
“Not quite. But it is a necessary step.”
“I won’t touch it,” Jmerr stated firmly. “I don’t trust this man. Whatever’s inside, it’s been in there for thousands of years. There’s no way it’s still edible.”
“Oh but it is,” grinned the man. “What do you think the Sunfire Conduit is used for?”
“What?” uttered Lezlybe. “The power of the sun used for… food?”
“Of course, there’s more to it. But a lot of energy is necessary to cool it down to near zero kelvin and keep it that way until it’s very slowly reheated to the ideal temperature for you to savor.
“Now, will you eat its contents or not?”
“Why don’t we bring it back to the ship and study it?” suggested Jmerr.
“The moment you leave the room with the box, its contents will be destroyed, and so will the key to Ultimate Knowledge.”
Yontan exchanged a glance with his crew. Lessandre gave him thumbs up, Ghenna nodded and Lezlybe shrugged. Jmerr was the only one to firmly shake his head.
“Fine, we’ll eat its contents,” said Yontan, upon which Jmerr put his hands up in the air in frustration.
A key appeared from the front of the pedestal. Yonan used it to open the box Lessandre was holding. Five dark-brown spherical objects were neatly placed within fitting molds, resembling the five dots on a die.
“Behold the Five Orbs of Knowledge,” the hologram said solemnly. “I recommend one for each of you.”
Jmerr crossed his arms. “There’s no way I’m touching this.”
“What if someone eats two?” asked Yontan, eyeing Jmerr.
“It would sadden me, even though it might be beneficial to grasp the Ultimate Knowledge.”
Without hesitation, Lessandre popped the middle one in his mouth. Every other crewmate was staring at him. A few bites in, he suddenly froze, eyes wide open. His gaze slowly shifted from Yontan, to Lezlybe, to Ghenna – whose visor was now lowered – and finally stopped on Jmerr.
“Awl eash ‘em bofh,” he rapidly chewed, popping a second one in. “Awl eash ‘em owl ihf you guysh downt.”
Yontan’s hand was shaking as he picked his Orb. Lezlybe and Ghenna also chose one.
“On the count of three,” gulped Yontan, as he noticed the horrified look on Jmerr. “One… two… three!”
The shell of the Orb had a slight crunch, with a rather soft, creamy inner core, gently melting on their tongue. Sweet with a zest of bitterness. Each bite, each movement of their tongue was another moment they savored, dreading the end of this unique flavor. It was an explosion of exoticism, a sensory overload inside their mouth; the richness of the Orb filled their taste buds and souls alike with pure bliss.
Then there was the aroma, dissolving the dusty odor of the room with its arboraceous perfume. It reminded them of Terrestrial woods, now planted across various planets in the Milky Way. Comforting, ancient, nostalgic, and so raw at heart.
Fortunately, this jolly adventure didn’t end after they swallowed it, no, each residue, sticking to the various corners of their mouths, lingered like a fleeting memory soon to disappear forever. Yet it was still there, to grasp with the palm of their hands. But when they tried to, it became vapor, dwindling, yet etched in their brains with such strength it would be impossible to ever forget this moment. Ever.
Their minds were still floating on a cloud of ecstasy when Yontan stared at Lessandre.
“You ate two,” he breathed. “And you,” he turned to Jmerr, “you have no idea what you’ve just missed. It’s… indescribably delectable.” Yontan faced the hologram. “Please, give us one more, for Jmerr. He has to try this… Orb.”
The hologram grinned widely, creasing the old man’s entire face.
“These were the last five. There are no more.”
“WHAT?” everyone shouted at once.
“Th– that’s it? No more?” Yontan’s shoulder slumped. “Why didn’t you tell us earlier? We could’ve taken it back to the ship and try to recreate it.”
“It’s impossible without the recipe.”
“A recipe? Give it to us, I don’t care about Ultimate Knowledge anymore,” Lessandre laughed.
“But you had two,” Lezlybe scowled.
“And I want more,” he chuckled. “I’ve never felt better in my life. Even two were far too few!”
“Yes, hand us the recipe so we can share it with the rest of the crew,” pleaded Yontan.
The hologram seemed more and more pleased with itself.
“Even if I gave you the recipe you couldn’t make it when the main ingredient’s missing.”
“What’s the main ingredient?” Ghenna asked.
“Cacao. And these were chocolate truffles, which I made myself utilizing the very last cacao beans to ever exist. I’m sorry. You’ll never eat chocolate ever again.”
Jmerr seemed disappointed upon hearing it, especially after seeing how everyone reacted to it.
“B – but… why?” Yontan asked. “Why offer us a delicious treat only to punch us in the gut right after?”
The hologram smiled. “Think. What is your purpose here?”
“To acquire Ultimate Knowledge… But I fail to understand…”
“If my clock is correct, 3622 years have passed since the last human – which is myself – set wheels in this room. 3622 years of technological advancement, of accumulated mastery of various sciences and understanding of the universe. Yet you believe Ultimate Knowledge is to be found in the past?”
The crewmembers looked at each other, dumbfounded.
“So… it doesn’t exist?” suggested Lezlybe. “We’ve come this far for nothing…”
“Haven’t you just experienced the ultimate delicacy of humankind? Therein lies everything you need to know.”
“It’s not about the knowledge,” began Yontan, “but about the experience we savor?”
“Exactly!” Clapping hands appeared in front of the hologram’s face. “Instead of looking for something that may not be, learn to cherish the transient nature of existence through every experience you encounter. Who knows what happens once you’re dead? Constant hesitation leads to a life of lost opportunities. One of you has learned this lesson the hard way, I’m afraid. However, the tall man over there has greatly benefited from this lesson. Balance in all things!”
“No data is ever lost,” snorted Jmerr scornfully. “Death is simply the temporary loss of information until it’s retrieved.”
“The no-hiding theorem,” smiled the hologram. “Of course. But you wouldn’t be here if you could completely determine the state of the entire universe. Thus, my rhetoric stays valid. For as long as this is beyond our grasp – likely until humanity’s extinction – you ought to cherish every experience and lose your fear of consequences within reason.”
The room went silent, the subtle taste of chocolate still lingering in their mouths like the fading words of an old love letter.
“What do we do now, captain?” Ghenna asked shyly.
“Take your new-found knowledge and share it with others,” the hologram said before Yontan could open his mouth.
“So… there really is nothing else here?”
“Nothing at all.”
The hologram fluttered for a moment.
“Were these really the last pieces of chocolate?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you eat them yourself?”
“Because sharing is the quintessential attribute of humanity. And I’m glad to have contributed my part, even though it took several millennia.”
“So why use all that energy from the sun?” asked Lezlybe.
“It’s twofold,” said the hologram. “Partially to keep this chocolate in pristine state, as I said before. You’ll understand the second reason soon enough. Let’s say it’s a parting gift, for that man who hasn’t eaten his Orb.”
“I don’t understand.” Yontan was running his fingers through his hair. “You speak of sharing, yet we won’t be able to share this exquisite experience. There’s no chocolate left.”
“Share the wisdom you’ve acquired. Or perhaps you shall find something unique to share with others as I did. Even the stories of your adv–”
The man disappeared for a few seconds.
“–entures – Ah? We’ve been cut. Soon I shall be free, just like your minds. Swiftly return to your ships, and sail t–”
It flickered again and stopped for nearly ten seconds.
“–he vast empty space to… wherever your heart leads you. Farewell. Fare well indeed.”
The hologram zoomed out to show an old man sitting on a wheelchair, waving both hands. It flickered one last time before completely fading out with a hum.
Suddenly, a familiar voice spoke from everyone’s earpiece.
“Captain, is everything all right?” asked one of the crew left on the ship in a panic.
“Why? Did the entrance crumble down?”
“No, Sir. It’s the Conduit. You need to see this for yourself.”
The crew put on their visors and hurried out of the room, through the hallway, out on the freezing surface of Pluto. They gasped upon staring up.
“The Conduit!” Ghenna uttered.
It was oscillating, slowly shrinking until the last flames swooshed back and forth from the relay to the crater, and then, it retracted entirely.
“It’s… it’s gone…” sighed Yontan.
“The parting gift,” Jmerr sobbed. “He knew. He knew someone might not try out the chocolate truffle, and he purposefully shut down the entire system.”
Lessandre turned to Jmerr. “Consider this your incredible experience. We must be the only humans to ever see this happen in real time.”
“But we can reconnect it, unlike the chocolate, can’t we?” said Lizlybe.
Yontan shook his head. “Do you know of the ancient pyramids in the northern African continent?”
“Yeah…” she hesitated. “Vaguely.”
“Do you know why they’ve never been rebuilt?”
Lezlybe shrugged.
“Because there’s nothing to gain in doing so.” He pointed his finger at the vast expanse above him. “We’ve never rebuilt the ancient pyramids – not due to complexity, but due to loss of time and resources involved without any actual benefit. I’m afraid this is the last time anyone has admired this old tech at work.”
Upon their return on the ship, they told the rest of the crew what inside the U.K. ONE.
“So the Ultimate Knowledge doesn’t exist?” one of the crewmember asked.
Yontan took one last glance at the crater as the ship took off.
“I believe it does,” he beamed, looking at the bemused faces of his crew. “Not here.” He gently tapped his temple. “But here.” His hand rested on his chest. “And there.” His arms were wide open, as if trying to embrace his whole crew at once. “Acquired wisdom is the Ultimate Knowledge. And the ability to share experiences with others is our greatest gift.”

I had a pretty severe viral illness in 2011 (age 26) and since then I was constantly fainting. My heart would race horribly in situations it never did before. I stopped going out anywhere I might not find a chair if I feel dizzy. I developed a phobia of fainting while driving on the highway. I couldn’t work out like I normally did without palpitations.
The worst part is I didn’t know for years. I am a waify female but despite that I had previously been seen as tough, outspoken, outgoing, athletic. Since POTS I was deemed as a pathetic, scared, fainter. I was told by my own family and friends I was fainting because I was overly sensitive or wanted attention. The first time I fainted, I still had that original virus on Christmas Day. I had become very quiet while my family was chatting because I felt dizzy. I got up to use the bathroom (feeling very sick to my stomach) and fainted on the way there. I fainted again about a year later while a friend was chatting with a stranger at a bar. My sister and my best friend said I was fainting on purpose in those situations. I fainted when another friend met with her boyfriend at a restaurant. I woke up being accused of being drunk by a waitress but they did call me an ambulance. While my friend didn’t say anything mean, she didn’t come to the ambulance. It wasn’t until 2015 that I had a boyfriend (now my husband) and I fainted in front of him. He took me to the ER, they admitted me and did a tilt table test. I fainted after 12 minutes, and that was after 24 hours of IV fluids. Even then, it was prior to COVID and I was so skeptical of this condition. My friends and family rolled their eyes at this news and I started to as well. I went to therapy for years for anxiety over fainting, bordering on agoraphobia. I was taught to not catastrophize fainting, that it’s not the worst thing that can happen. I pushed myself and even finished pharmacy school and got a great job (with a chair accommodation), got married (with a chair at the alter).
As of 2019 my symptoms were completely gone. I am still afraid of driving or bathing alone, but I am no longer afraid of not having a chair available. I go out with no restriction. I have two young kids and the physical demands actually keep me very fit and healthy. Since long covid became common I’ve been hearing about the condition more and can’t believe I went through all that with no support. I just want to tell people on this forum- I’m so happy you have the understanding and support I never had. I want to reassure you this is likely not forever. It may have just been time for me, but I did change my diet drastically the same year it resolved. In any case, you will find your resolution somehow. I think it’s very important to not fear fainting and stay active to not let hopelessness take over. Make fun of your potential fainting while keeping an eye out for dangerous falls. It’s all about how you cope with this emotionally.

So, you’ve got an event at the Tivoli Royal Court in Okhla, and you’re scratching your head, wondering how to get there without having to sell a kidney for cab fare. Fear not, fellow traveler! The Delhi Metro is here to save the day (and your wallet). In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about reaching the Tivoli Royal Court using the nearest metro station. We’ll throw in some laughs, some lists, and even a table or two for good measure. Let’s dive in!

Getting to Know the Tivoli Royal Court

First things first, let’s get acquainted with the place. The Tivoli Royal Court is a swanky venue located in Okhla, South Delhi. Known for its elegant decor and top-notch facilities, it’s a popular choice for weddings, corporate events, and other grand celebrations. If you’re headed there, you’re likely in for a treat – and probably a lot of delicious food.

Why Choose the Metro?

Now, you might be thinking, “Why not just take a cab?” Well, here are a few reasons the Delhi Metro might be your best bet:

1. Cost-effective: Save your money for the event – those samosas aren’t going to pay for themselves.
2. Time-efficient: Delhi traffic can be a nightmare. The metro zips past the snarls and jams.
3. Eco-friendly: Reduce your carbon footprint. Mother Earth will thank you.

Nearest Metro Station to Tivoli Royal Court

The Contenders

The nearest metro station to the Tivoli Royal Court is Govind Puri Metro Station on the Violet Line. But let’s not jump the gun – here’s a list of other nearby stations, just in case you have a change of heart (or route):

1. Govind Puri (Violet Line)
2. Okhla NSIC (Magenta Line)
3. Nehru Place (Violet Line)
4. Kalkaji Mandir (Violet Line & Magenta Line)

Govind Puri Metro Station: The Winner

Without a doubt, Govind Puri is your best bet. It’s the closest station to Tivoli Royal Court and offers a straightforward route.

How to Get There from Govind Puri

• Exit the Station: Take the exit towards Okhla Phase III.
• Catch an Auto-rickshaw: You can easily find autos outside the station. It’s a short ride to the Tivoli Royal Court, and autos are usually more than willing to take you there.
• Enjoy the Ride: Sit back, relax, and maybe enjoy a little breeze (if it’s not too hot).

Other Options: If You’re Feeling Adventurous

If you’re up for a bit of exploration or need an alternative route, here are some other stations and how to get from them to the Tivoli Royal Court:

Okhla NSIC (Magenta Line)

• Exit the Station: Head towards the exit for Okhla Phase I.
• Hop in an Auto: Much like at Govind Puri, autos are your friends here.
• Short Ride: It’s a slightly longer ride than from Govind Puri, but still pretty quick.

Nehru Place (Violet Line)

• Exit the Station: Follow signs for Nehru Place market exit.
• Take an Auto or Bus: Autos are available, or you could take a bus if you’re feeling particularly adventurous (and thrifty).

Kalkaji Mandir (Violet & Magenta Lines)

• Exit the Station: Choose the exit based on the line you’re coming from.
• Auto or E-rickshaw: Both are readily available, and the ride is not too long.

A Step-by-Step Guide: Reaching Tivoli Royal Court

1. Planning Your Route

Let’s break it down into bite-sized steps. Think of it as a recipe for travel success:

• Check the Metro Map: Identify your starting station and plot a course to Govind Puri.
• Purchase Your Token/Card: Grab a token for a single journey or use your metro card for convenience.
• Hop on the Metro: Board the metro towards Govind Puri. Enjoy the ride and maybe catch up on some reading or people-watching.

2. Navigating the Metro

• Stay Alert: Keep an eye on the stations. Govind Puri is on the Violet Line, so make sure you’re on the right train.
• Station Announcements: Listen to the announcements. They’re there to help, even if they sometimes sound like they’re underwater.
• Get Off at Govind Puri: Exit the train and head towards the station exit for Okhla Phase III.

3. The Final Stretch

• Find an Auto: Walk out and flag down an auto-rickshaw. Tell the driver you’re headed to Tivoli Royal Court. They’ll know where it is – it’s a popular destination.
• Enjoy the Ride: It’s a short trip, so sit back and maybe enjoy a bit of local scenery.

Table: Quick Reference for Metro to Tivoli Royal Court

Metro Station	Line	Exit Direction	Transport Option	Approx. Travel Time
Govind Puri	Violet Line	Okhla Phase III	Auto-rickshaw	10-15 minutes
Okhla NSIC	Magenta Line	Okhla Phase I	Auto-rickshaw	15-20 minutes
Nehru Place	Violet Line	Nehru Place market exit	Auto-rickshaw / Bus	20-25 minutes
Kalkaji Mandir	Violet & Magenta Lines	Depending on Line	Auto-rickshaw / E-rickshaw	20-25 minutes

Tips for a Smooth Journey

• Travel Light: The less you carry, the easier your journey. Plus, you’ll have more room for all the goodies at the event.
• Be Early: Delhi Metro is usually punctual, but it’s always good to give yourself a buffer.
• Stay Safe: Keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings.

Wrapping It Up with Some Humor

Navigating Delhi can sometimes feel like participating in a reality show. You’ve got the drama of rush hour, the comedy of trying to communicate with auto drivers, and the suspense of wondering if you’ll get a seat on the metro. But with this guide, you’re well-equipped to make it to the Tivoli Royal Court with ease (and maybe even a smile).
So, next time someone asks you how to get to the Tivoli Royal Court in Okhla, you can confidently say, “Oh, that’s easy! Just take the metro to Govind Puri and grab an auto from there.” You might even add, “And don’t forget to invite me to the event – I love a good party!”
And there you have it – a simple, humorous, and hopefully helpful guide to navigating your way to the Tivoli Royal Court via the nearest metro station. Safe travels, and enjoy the event

I've lived very spoiled because I have always been a good kid and straight A student until adulthood. My parents would grant me my every wish. I am 30F. But only problem is they are so critical of everyone I date. They expect me to marry a good man. but they have also scared so many of the men I've truly liked. Those men who want to marry me only want me because I am a "good girl". It's creepy and it makes me feel weird.
I don't believe in relationships or love anymore. I just want to date someone they wouldn't approve of.
My background: my family is involved in politics in Mexico and I have to represent them. If I post a risqué picture they say no that's not classy take it off- even if just showing a bikini. I don't ever post bikini pictures. Once I liked a guy with tattoos and my grandmother through a fit. She screamed at me. I cried that whole day. She said I shouldn't date any men with tattoos. I am traumatized of trying to impress them. If a guy comments on my pictures someone would say, "take that comment off, he looks like a low life." My mom never allowed me to date the guy who I truly felt something for and felt the same way, she said it would "devastate my family and he wouldn't be allowed in the house. That he would only break my heart. " I've cried so much. There is so much pain in my heart.
When I went to my dream club in Mexico my uncle told my cousin and his best friend to keep a close eye on me. They hired bodyguards. We had a VIP front table and I met some actor and asked of a picture but every guy who would ask me to dance would have to ask my cousin for permission but they would leave to do c0ke in the restroom and I had my chance. but It went to the extent that if I wanted to go to the bathroom, the security said no you cant go alone. Until I told them this is enough this is too much. Let me be!. Then my cousin got into an alteration with a guy who was giving me a rose. And once his best friend asked me on a date, my cousin went behind my back and told him to "stay the fuck away from her." My cousin simply said, "he's into drugs, he is no good for you." It was an amazing night except them getting in the way of who I date! Why can't I have that crazy moment and wild moment with a guy. I met someone I truly connected with that night but my family scared him away.
all the best kisses I've ever received were there in Mexico in clubs. but then I would get paranoid and look around and thinkg what if someone knows me or my family and they talk. I am still so innocent I haven't even seen a guy naked or French kissed anyone. that is why I go for the "bad boys," because my whole life they kept trying to arrange me to date and marry men they approve of but some of them have been the worst men I've ever met in my whole life!!! I want to have an adventure with someone not have sex but just learn how to kiss and learn about men's body. But everytime I date someone I keep thinking "will my family approve of them." I care so much about what they think. But they will run their mouth anyway. And what if my type is guys with tattoos who smoke. I am tired of pretending. I want to learn how to French kiss with one of those guys. Why is is to bad
I usually cry every other night to sleep when I remember who I used to like who they didn't approve of. He's moved on but you cant help but think the what ifs. and I don't drink but I have been drinking more to numb this feeling

People ruminate on the past, who’s wronged them, and the things that are absent from their lives. People imagine past events as though they are still happening now. They use who they were in the past to define their future.
The issue with defining oneself in the present from your past is that it keeps you bound to the past. This self-imposed limitation asserts that everything about your past determines how you will behave in the future. Your future hasn't been written yet. The decisions you make will continue to shape who you can be.
When you are a child of an alcoholic, you learn from a very young age the signs to look for so you aren’t in the line of fire when the next violent episode occurs. And the feared incident always happens. Consequently, you become conditioned to react to these indications.
As an adult, you see evidence that because bad things have happened in the past doesn’t mean more bad things will happen. Not every slurred speech or stumbling from another person will cause harm. Therefore, you can determine that the past doesn’t have to repeat itself.
Although this may take time to realize, it doesn’t have to. You’re shaped by your past. The good news is, you aren’t bound to it. You can move beyond the difficulties of the past and into something far better. The main reason you don’t have to repeat the past is because you can learn from it.

While we cannot predict the future, we will most surely live it. Every action and decision we take - or don't - ripples into the future. ~ Jacque Fresco

Your Mindset Determines Your Future

You often have feelings and attachments to the past. The past can be hard to let go of, and it affects you emotionally. Yet you have a choice to make, an option to choose a different outlook, a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset.
The fixed mindset is the idea that you believe your attributes and abilities are inherently fixed and can’t be changed. For example, you may think that you’re as smart as you’ll ever be and therefore, that thought process causes you not to even try to learn new things. Since you don’t believe your intelligence can grow with time and experience, then you can’t change, and your future will be the same.
A growth mindset is the exact opposite. This mindset is founded on the conviction that your basic abilities can be cultivated and are malleable. This allows one to grow with enthusiasm, time, and a commitment to improving, learning, and becoming greater than before. With a growth mindset, failures are short-term setbacks, and the process is usually more important than the outcome. So, with a growth mindset, your future is never predetermined. It’s boundless.
The fixed mindset is the most common mindset and the most harmful. So, you need to know which mindset you favor so you can learn from the past and then choose a different future. You can change your mindset just by thinking it through.

The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power. ~ Mary Pickford

Reframing Your Past To Better Serve You

Your world is the one you make through your decisions. So is the one you remember from your past. Change the significance of the experiences if what you remember is difficult or negative. Examine the experiences that are preventing you from moving forward and try to see them from a more positive perspective. Reframe your rejection, to believe it was a sign from the Universe directing you to a better place. If you have ever failed at something, consider it a lesson in building resilience for a better future.

Accepting your history serves as a springboard and a means of getting ready for the future once you can no longer imagine a better ending for it. The way you identify who you have been and how you envision who you will be next, combine to form who you are today. Take care of the narratives you accept and write about yourself. Take deliberate steps to embrace the lessons learned from the past and the opportunities that lie ahead. 

These are the components of who you are right now. The gifts that make up your current existence have been your experiences. A clear vision for your life is essential, as you attract what you focus on. Your destiny is entirely within your control. Even if you can't control everything in life, you can still do great things if you accept responsibility, grow from your mistakes, and have a clear vision.

There are times in our lives when we have to realize our past is precisely what it is, and we cannot change it. But we can change the story we tell ourselves about it, and by doing that, we can change the future. ~ Eleanor Brown

Everybody Changes; So The Future Will Differ From The Past

As an adult, you have experienced enough of life to see that one constant is change. You grow, circumstances transform, people develop. All of this is observable. Therefore, if everybody changes, then the past can’t indicate the future.
Even those around you that don’t seem to have the desire to grow still change. They are based on the circumstances that occur in their life and by the choices they make. Not making a choice is still choosing, which impacts one’s life that doesn’t allow things to stay the same. Thus, despite a lack of growth, the future will differ from the past.
As you develop, how you perceive the past is altered and reframed. You learn from the past and determine ways to prevent unwanted situations. You make informed decisions and take responsibility for your choices, so that you can move forward toward the goals and dreams. Thus, validating that you are creating a better future than your past.
My aha moment came when I realized my past was holding me back because I allowed it to. I embraced both the idea that I had total autonomy to decide in the present and the reality that I couldn’t change the past, only reframe it. Then I choose to forgive anyone who had wronged me, as well as myself for my previous missteps. And you can make the same choice.

People underestimate their capacity for change. There is never a right time to do a difficult thing. ~John Porter

Making Your Future Better than Your Past

As you have seen, in order to improve your future than your past, believe that it’s possible. This may take a bit of courage to overcome your fears and move towards a growth mindset. Here are some ways to help you with this process.

1. Find Your Tribe To Create The Future You Desire

You may have to cut ties with those people in your life that keep you fixated on negativity. The girlfriend who’s always teasing you about the mistake you made years ago has no bearing on the present, except that it keeps your ego in a place of embarrassment every time she mentions it. The people who remind you of your failings or missteps are focusing on the negativity of the past. You may need to spend less time with these people.
Instead, focus on those people who are encouraging, the ones who are excited for you to try new ventures or take a class. This is your tribe, the ones who look at your best attributes and speak positively to you. They remind you of the successes you’ve had, to inspire you to keep moving forward. Make new friends in the areas that you are growing. It's helpful to have someone learning with you to discuss and problem solve together.
Releasing those people from your life that have a negative influence on you is an important step to safeguarding that your future doesn’t resemble your past. By ensuring that you have people who are positive and encouraging around, you help yourself enlarge the possibilities of a better and boundless future.

When we think we have been hurt by someone in the past, we build up defenses to protect ourselves from being hurt in the future. So the fearful past causes a fearful future and the past and future become one. ~ Gerald G. Jampolsky

2. Let Go Of The Past And Its Attachments

Fear of loss is a common concern, like the anxiety of losing your job and the grief of losing a friend. The harsh reality is that you will lose things and loved ones. It’s the natural course of life. Nonetheless, being anxious about the future or worried about the past does nothing but keep you from being fully present and working towards your goals.
The fear of loss can cause many to stay in a mode of indecision and procrastination throughout the course of their lives. People grow attached to the stuff in their lives. Things like their profession, their prominence, their income, their lifestyle, etc. To pursue a change would mean relinquishing some or these things that are now associated as part of your life. Because of this aversion to loss, many people choose to put their dreams on hold — continuously.
By becoming less attached to the things in your life, you overcome the fear of loss. This enables you to move forward towards your goals and build a better future for yourself.

Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is. Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose. ~ Yoda

3. Accepting What Is Stops The Struggling

By learning to be thankful for your current situation, one changes the focus from lack to having enough. This is important from a universal perspective. Acceptance for what is allows peace to enter your life instead of feeling you are fighting just to get by.
Part of acceptance is gratitude for everything you have, which includes any hardships, as they’re there for you to learn something. The fastest way through adversity is to ask the Universe what lesson are you to glean from the experience. Then, you have to get quiet and discern how this situation can teach you something about yourself or how you relate to the world around you.
One of the best ways to help you see all the good in your life is a gratitude journal. It’s easy to write a few items each evening that happened during your day, which you are grateful for. They can be things like the beautiful sunrise you witnessed while driving into work or your child passed their math test even though he struggled with the homework. You have things in your life to appreciate, and this is where you need to focus your attention in order to shape the vision you have for your future.

Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it. ~ Michael J. Fox

4. Small Steps Towards A Better Future

Growth and development don’t happen overnight. It takes time. And you want things to happen quickly as you are impatient with yourself. But you need to be kind, give a little self-care and self-love. Pay attention to the incremental steps you take as you grow.
It took me over two years before I could meditate daily. I wanted to, but I had to overcome obstacles within myself in order to accomplish this goal. First, I set the intention to meditate daily, but I had focus issues. So, I had to work on being able to quiet my mind so that I could focus. Once I accomplished that step, I added meditation to my calendar, because if it’s on my calendar, I do it. This entire process could be frustrating, but I focused on each incremental step, not the end result. Now, I wouldn’t begin my day without first meditating.
So, whatever you are trying to accomplish, set up steps along the path so you can have minor victories along the way. This ensures you will continue to move forward even if you run into a time of struggle. Being able to see that you overcame previous difficulties encourages you to continue until you accomplish the goal.

You need to be content with small steps. That's all life is. Small steps that you take every day, so when you look back down the road, it all adds up and you know you covered some distance. ~ Katie Kacvinsky

Remember, You Are Wiser Now

It’s unnecessary for you to continue suffering just because you were taken advantage of or mistreated by others, often by those closest to you. You have the power to decide to quit mentally reliving the past. Actually, more anguish is frequently caused by your mind continuously playing back an awful experience from the past than by the actual incident.
You are no longer required to assume the victim's role. You're a survivor. And you can determine how you interpret negative experiences from your past. It’s the key to your freedom.
Unlike what some people think, you can be remorseful without always punishing yourself for past transgressions. Make the adjustments and move on. I can attest to the liberating nature of forgiveness, having extended forgiveness to my abusive mother. You don't choose to be forgiving of others in order to excuse or justify their actions. You choose to be free through forgiveness.
It's also important for you to accept responsibility for your own missteps. Since nobody is perfect. You don't have to serve a life sentence that you put on yourself in order to make up for the wrongs you did or the poor decisions you made. Treat yourself with self-compassion.
You can choose to see your past as quicksand or a launching pad. It’s up to you to make use of your experiences as a tool or allow them to be used against you.

Close the door on the past. Don’t try to forget the mistakes, but don't dwell on them. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space. ~ Johnny Cash

Moving Forward Believing In A Better Future

You have the freedom to decide how much control you wish to have over your present life, regardless of what has happened in the past. Although it’s impossible to undo the past, you can reframe it and decide how to respond to it.
Belief is paramount to being able to do anything. Confidence in your abilities, conviction in your resolve to constantly move forward, and faith that all your work will make your dreams a reality. Maintaining this belief is important, which is why you need to take pride in the victories along the way.
Every disappointment that you overcame, each circumstance you seized, and the individuals that arrived along the way that you recognized were there to help you. All the success along the way helps you maintain the belief that the future is going to be better than your past, because you are creating it every day.
No matter how awful it was, your past does not indicate your future. The decisions and deeds you commit to today will ultimately shape who you become in the future. Decide to take what you've learned from the past and use it in the present to live the life that was meant for you.

Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay. ~ Simone de Beauvoir

Throwaway because my polycule might be lurking here.
I’ve been dating both Rowan and Willow for about a year. We are all in our mid to late thirties. They both know and like each other and we had a go at a triad for a while, but Rowan pulled the plug on it recently. Now, Rowan’s been poly for a while but Willow is fairly new. Willow expressed that they are sometimes a bit uncomfortable when we hang out all three, but didn’t ask us to alter our behaviour in any way, just to respect their process. Rowan decided this made them feel bad and destroyed their experience, ended the triad arrangement and proposed we go back to parallel with me as the hinge. Willow is now miserable - she feels rejected, and while she accepts that triad is off the table she’d still like to have a kitchen table poly arrangement as being parallel is not something she wants at all. Rowan says they've got too much going on to engage in any kind of relationship with Willow at the moment and wants to keep it parallel and focus on just the two of us.
How do I handle it? I don’t want Willow to grow resentful of Rowan for rejecting her, at the same time I think Willow has to respect Rowan’s wishes for distance. What can I do as the hinge?

To develop a custom WordPress website, plan your site structure and design. Next, install WordPress on your hosting server and choose a suitable theme or create a custom one. Customize the design and functionality using HTML, CSS, and PHP coding as needed. Add content, including pages, posts, and media, to populate your site. Finally, test your site thoroughly across different browsers and devices to ensure it functions correctly before launching it to the public.
What are the initial steps to create a personalized WordPress site?

1. Define your goals and objectives for the website.
2. Choose a suitable domain name for your WordPress site.
3. Select a reliable web hosting provider that meets your needs.
4. Install WordPress on your hosting server.
5. Choose a theme that aligns with your brand and design preferences.
6. Customize the theme settings and appearance to match your desired look and feel.
7. Create essential pages such as Home, About, Contact, and Services.
8. Install and configure necessary plugins for added functionality.
9. Set up user roles and permissions as per your requirements.
10. Develop a content strategy and plan for creating and organizing your website content.

Step-by-Step Guideline Develop a Custom WordPress Website

Step 1: Choose a Domain Name and Hosting
Your domain name is your website's address on the internet, like www.yoursite.com. Choose a domain name that's easy to remember, relevant to your brand, and not too long. Next, you'll need hosting, which is like renting space on the internet to store your website files. Look for a hosting provider that offers reliable service, good customer support, and enough storage and bandwidth for your needs.
Step 2: Install WordPress
WordPress is a popular platform for building websites because it's easy to use and highly customizable. Many hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation, which makes getting started a breeze. Simply log in to your hosting account, find the WordPress installer, and follow the prompts to set up your site. Once WordPress is installed, you can log in to your site's dashboard and start customizing it to your liking.
Step 3: Select a Theme
A WordPress theme determines the overall look and layout of your website. There are thousands of free and premium themes available, so take your time to find one that fits your style and the goals of your site. Look for a theme that's responsive (meaning it looks good on all devices), easy to customize, and well-supported by its developers. Once you've chosen a theme, you can install it on your WordPress site with just a few clicks.
Step 4: Customize Your Theme
Once you've installed your theme, it's time to customize it to make it your own. Most WordPress themes come with built-in customization options that allow you to change things like colors, fonts, and layouts without needing to know any code. Use the theme customizer in your WordPress dashboard to tweak your site's appearance until it looks just the way you want it to. Don't be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect look for your website.
Step 5: Add Content
With your theme customized, it's time to start adding content to your website. Create pages for important information like your Home page, About page, Services page, and Contact page. Use the WordPress editor to add text, images, videos, and other media to your pages. Write clear, engaging copy that tells visitors what your website is about and encourages them to explore further. Remember to proofread your content carefully before publishing to ensure it's free of errors.
Step 6: Install Plugins
WordPress plugins are like apps that add extra features and functionality to your website. There are thousands of plugins available for everything from contact forms to social media integration to search engine optimization. Think about the goals of your website and choose plugins that will help you achieve them. Be selective about the plugins you install, as too many can slow down your site and cause conflicts. Install and activate your chosen plugins from the WordPress plugin directory, then configure them to suit your needs.
Step 7: Optimize for SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving your website's visibility in search engine results. A well-optimized website is more likely to rank higher in search results, driving more traffic to your site. Install an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack to help you optimize your content for relevant keywords, add meta tags and descriptions, and improve your site's overall SEO performance. Take the time to research keywords relevant to your niche and incorporate them naturally into your content for the best results.
Step 8: Test and Launch
Before you launch your website, it's important to test it thoroughly to ensure everything is working correctly. Check your site on different devices and browsers to make sure it looks good and functions properly. Test all links, forms, and interactive elements to make sure they work as expected. Once you're confident that everything is working as it should, it's time to launch your website and share it with the world. Celebrate your hard work and take pride in your new custom WordPress website!
Step 9: Maintain and Update
Building a website is just the beginning – maintaining it is an ongoing process. Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and relevant, and update your plugins and themes to ensure your site stays secure and performs well. Monitor your site's performance using tools like Google Analytics, and make adjustments as needed to improve usability and user experience. Listen to feedback from your visitors and make changes accordingly to keep your website running smoothly and meeting the needs of your audience.
What do you consider to select hosting and a domain name for your WordPress site?
Firstly, you'll want to choose a hosting provider that offers good speed and reliability. Look for one that has a solid reputation and good customer support in case you run into any issues. Consider your budget too, as hosting costs can vary.
As for the domain name, it's important to choose something that's easy to remember and relevant to your site's content. Avoid using complicated or obscure words that might be hard for people to spell or remember. It's also a good idea to check if your desired domain name is available on social media platforms to maintain consistency across your online presence. Lastly, think about whether you want to use a .com, .net, or other domain extension, keeping in mind what best suits your site's purpose and audience.
How do you evaluate and choose a theme that suits your brand and design preferences?
Firstly, consider your brand identity and the message you want to convey to your audience. Look for a theme that aligns with the style, colors, and overall feel of your brand.
Next, think about the functionality you need. Do you want a theme that's highly customizable or one that's more straightforward? Consider features like layout options, customization options, and compatibility with plugins you might want to use.
It's also important to check the responsiveness of the theme. Make sure it looks good and functions well on various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Lastly, take some time to browse through different themes and read reviews from other users. This can give you a better idea of what to expect and help you make an informed decision that suits your brand and design preferences.
What essential pages should you create first?

• Homepage
• About Us/About Me
• Contact Page
• Products/Services Page
• Blog
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service
• Legal Pages (Disclaimer, Copyright Notice, etc.)

How do you decide which plugins to install?

1. Identify Needs: Determine the specific functionality you require for your site.
2. Research: Look for plugins that offer the features you need.
3. Ratings and Reviews: Check plugin ratings and read user reviews to gauge reliability and performance.
4. Compatibility: Ensure the plugin is compatible with your WordPress version and other installed plugins.
5. Active Installations: Choose plugins with a high number of active installations for reliability and community support.

Example:

• Yoast SEO (for search engine optimization)
• Contact Form 7 (for creating contact forms)
• WooCommerce (for e-commerce functionality)
• Jetpack (for security, performance, and site management)
• WP Super Cache (for caching to improve site speed

How do you integrate custom features and functionalities into your WordPress site?
Integrating custom features and functionalities into your WordPress site involves adding extra capabilities beyond what comes with the standard installation. One way to do this is by using plugins. These are like apps for your website, and they can add all sorts of new features, from contact forms to e-commerce shops.
For example, let's say you want to add a feature for visitors to book appointments on your site. You could search for a booking plugin like "Bookly" or "Appointment Booking Calendar." After installing and activating the plugin, you'd typically set it up by following the provided instructions, which might involve configuring settings, creating booking forms, and placing them on your site where you want them to appear.
Another way to integrate custom features is by adding code directly to your site. This could involve writing your own custom functions or modifying existing ones. For instance, if you wanted to add a custom sidebar widget displaying your latest Instagram photos, you might need to write some PHP code to fetch the photos from Instagram's API and display them on your site.
In summary, integrating custom features and functionalities into your WordPress site can be done through plugins or by adding custom code, allowing you to tailor your site to your specific needs and preferences.
How do you manage user roles and permissions?
RoleCapabilitiesHow to Manage AdministratorCan do everything, including managing other users, installing plugins, and changing themes.Go to Users > All Users in the dashboard, find the user, and change their role to Administrator. EditorCan publish and manage posts, including those of other users.Go to Users > Add New, fill in user details, and assign the role of Editor. AuthorCan publish and manage their own posts only.In Users > All Users, select a user and change their role to Author. ContributorCan write and manage their own posts but cannot publish them.Add or edit a user and assign the role of Contributor. SubscriberCan only manage their own profile and read content.Change the user role to Subscriber in the Users section.
What security measures should you implement to protect your custom WordPress website?
To protect your custom WordPress website, you need to implement several security measures. Here are some specific steps:

1. Install a Security Plugin: Use plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri. They offer features like malware scanning and firewall protection.
2. Use Strong Passwords: Make sure all users have strong, unique passwords. A good password includes letters, numbers, and symbols.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security. Users will need to enter a code from their phone in addition to their password.
4. Keep WordPress Updated: Always update WordPress to the latest version. Updates fix security vulnerabilities.
5. Limit Login Attempts: Use a plugin like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded to prevent brute-force attacks.
6. Change the Default "admin" Username: Don’t use "admin" as your username. Choose something unique to make it harder for hackers to guess.
7. Use HTTPS: Get an SSL certificate to encrypt data between your website and visitors. Most hosting providers offer this for free.
8. Backup Your Site Regularly: Use plugins like UpdraftPlus to create regular backups. If your site gets hacked, you can restore it.

How do you ensure responsiveness and mobile-friendliness in a custom WordPress site?
To ensure your custom WordPress site is responsive and mobile-friendly, follow these steps:

1. Pick a Responsive Theme: Start with a theme known for being responsive, such as Astra or GeneratePress.
2. Use a Mobile-Friendly Plugin: Install plugins like WP Touch, which help make your site mobile-friendly.
3. Apply Media Queries: Add CSS media queries to adjust your layout for different screen sizes. For example:

(Css code)@media (max-width: 768px) {
.sidebar { display: none; }
.content { width: 100%; }
}

1. Flexible Images and Videos: Ensure images and videos resize properly with:

(Css code)img, video { max-width: 100%; height: auto; }

1. Mobile Menu: Use a plugin like Responsive Menu to create a user-friendly mobile menu.
2. Optimize for Speed: Compress images using a plugin like Smush and enable caching with a plugin like W3 Total Cache.
3. Testing: Regularly test your site on different devices and browsers. Tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test and BrowserStack can help.

How do you troubleshoot and debug issues that arise during the development of a custom WordPress site?
Troubleshooting and debugging issues during the development of a custom WordPress site involves several steps. Here are some real-world challenges and specific issues you might encounter:

1. White Screen of Death (WSOD): This issue often occurs due to PHP errors, plugin conflicts, or exhausted memory limits. Solution: Enable WordPress debugging by adding define('WP_DEBUG', true); to your wp-config.php file to display error messages. Check the error log for specific issues.
2. Plugin Conflicts: Plugins can conflict with each other or with the theme, causing functionality problems.Solution: Deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one by one to identify the conflicting plugin. Check for updates or consider alternative plugins.
3. Theme Issues: Custom themes might have coding errors or compatibility issues with WordPress updates. Solution: Use a child theme for customizations to avoid losing changes during updates. Validate your theme code using tools like Theme Check.
4. Database Errors: Corrupt or misconfigured databases can lead to errors or data loss. Solution: Use phpMyAdmin to check and repair database tables. Ensure regular backups are in place to restore data if needed.
5. Broken Links and 404 Errors: Incorrect URLs or deleted pages can lead to 404 errors, affecting user experience and SEO. Solution: Use a plugin like Redirection to manage and fix broken links. Regularly check for 404 errors using tools like Google Search Console.
6. Slow Performance: Poor performance can result from unoptimized images, bulky plugins, or inefficient code. Solution: Optimize images, use caching plugins like W3 Total Cache, and minimize CSS and JavaScript files. Profile your site using tools like Query Monitor to identify slow queries.
7. JavaScript Errors: JavaScript errors can break site functionality, especially interactive features. Solution: Use the browser’s developer tools (F12) to inspect the console for JavaScript errors. Fix issues by debugging the scripts or checking for library conflicts.
8. Security Vulnerabilities: Sites can be vulnerable to attacks if not properly secured. Solution: Regularly update WordPress, themes, and plugins. Use security plugins like Wordfence, and implement strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
9. Responsive Design Issues: Ensuring the site looks good on all devices can be challenging. Solution: Use responsive design techniques and test the site on various devices and screen sizes. Tools like BrowserStack can help simulate different environments.
10. User Role and Permission Problems: Incorrect configuration of user roles and permissions can lead to security and functionality issues. Solution: Use the User Role Editor plugin to manage and troubleshoot roles and capabilities. Ensure that users have appropriate access levels.

How do you create a seamless user experience (UX) in a custom WordPress site?
To create a seamless user experience (UX) in a custom WordPress site, start by choosing a clean, responsive theme that looks good on all devices. Ensure your site loads quickly by optimizing images and using caching plugins like W3 Total Cache. Simplify navigation with clear menus and breadcrumbs, making it easy for users to find what they need. Use readable fonts and sufficient white space to make content easy to read. Add a search bar so visitors can quickly locate information. Implement intuitive forms with clear labels and error messages. Regularly test your site on different devices and browsers to ensure everything works smoothly. By focusing on these details, you can make your WordPress site user-friendly and enjoyable to navigate.
How do you implement e-commerce functionality in a custom WordPress site?
To implement e-commerce functionality in a custom WordPress site, start by installing a reliable e-commerce plugin like WooCommerce. Set up your store by adding products with detailed descriptions, prices, and images. Configure payment gateways such as PayPal or Stripe to accept online payments securely. Customize the appearance of your store using built-in themes or by modifying CSS styles. Create user-friendly navigation with categories and filters to help customers easily browse products. Implement shopping cart functionality to allow users to add items and proceed to checkout seamlessly. Set up shipping options and rates based on location and weight. Test the entire purchasing process to ensure it works smoothly for users. Regularly update plugins and monitor sales to optimize your e-commerce site for success.
Conclusion
Creating a custom WordPress website involves several key steps. You start by deciding on your site's goals and picking a domain name and hosting provider. Then, you install WordPress, choose a theme, and customize it to match your brand. Next, you add content, like pages and posts, and install plugins for extra features, such as contact forms or SEO optimization. You'll want to make sure your site is responsive and works well on mobile devices. Lastly, you test everything thoroughly before launching your site to ensure it's ready for visitors. And don't forget to keep it updated and secure over time!

This was a few weeks back and I am still kinda upset about it. I went to dinner for my graduation party with some friends. I am secretive about my eating problems, as most are. I've been trying to recover and get better, but... yall know how that goes. Only one friend knew, though. Everyone else didn't. While we were waiting for a table to be available, I don't know how the conversation led to this point, but my friend loudly declared, "I'm really glad you're eating again!"
My weight loss has been extremely noticeable to everyone in my life. People have asked if I'm okay. I lie. You knos how that goes, too. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to infer why I have lost weight after my friends statement. I didn't want my other friends to know, nor did I ever want to discuss it. But I was exposed on what was supposed to be a joyous evening. I didn't want to get upset and ruin the night for everyone, so I just laughed and changed the topic. I know it was not malicious at all. The friend who said this is autistic and doesn't always have the best situational awareness. Regardless, as I said before, I'm still upset about it. They are not aware of the further depth to the statement, too. Others should not have to alter their behavior for my sake and they are not responsible for my feelings, I must clarify. She isn't wrong for mentioning my eating, which is the aforementioned further depth to why it hurt, but rather disclosing it to my other friends.
Anyway yeah I'm just kinda defeated. I'm having issues again with eating and my body. I was trying to recover when this happened, but I'm back into old habits. Now I feel like everyone is paying attention to it. I don't wanna hang out with my friends anymore because of it. It's not my friends fault that I feel this way. They meant no harm. It shouldn't be this big a deal to me. I don't know what to do with this anger and hurt because I feel it's misdirected. This is my own problem that I cause and perpetuate. But why did she have to let everyone else know? And talk about my eating habits??? She didn't know it was uncomfortable for me, and I never said it was after the fact, but yeah. Urgh

My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had for breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.
"...umm "My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.

"...umm "

Part two of the noodle demon.
Now that this creature knelt before me I realized that the room I was in was so terrible quietly you could hear everyone's ass get tight in anticipation of what would happen next.
" ...what...are you. "
I spoke carefully to the being that had taken the shape of myself. It still took my breath away and my throat was dry.
The beast was a deep green. The color mixed with shades of grey streaming from it. The longer I looked at it I could see it getting closer to what I looked like shaping itself.
From small flowing green tendrils to an arm they grew as they twisted and made bone then muscle and finally skin.
It locked eyes with me and it smiled deeply at me. As it formed the face finally.
" Your vassle. "
My eyes had not moved to the crowd at all but even though the lights hit the stage so hard it was enveloped in smoke.
The creature's eyes glowed as it answered brightly, not figuratively. This thing's eyes were glowing.
"To serve you, We are bound by blood magic. I am a reflection of your desires, Master, " it said, its voice now a whisper in my mind.
It began to stand up as my grey suit began to form on it and by the time it stood fully up it had copied what I looked like.
" let me explain everything. "
My body frozen in fear woke up with adrenaline as I blinked and a flash of green smoke covered my vision as he teleported right to me face to face.
Its body turned to smoke and went into the slits of my eyes. I felt visions follow me in my peripheral vision but surprisingly no pain followed power filled me and it felt like one hell of a drug.
My body and mind altered.
I was now in a very dark place with no walls or light except my reflection on the floor which waved like water.
I took a step back looking around and back to the reflection of me on the ground.
Soon the water rippled and my reflection fell through the floor like gravity was inverted. he flew upright and water fell off of him as he looked at me as he now stood straight ahead of me. He was just reflecting in the water but now eyed me down.
Collecting my nerves.
I begin to speak.
" what do you want..."
He was still in my form and stood perfectly straight. Now with water dripping from his...my hair.
Slight stubble with hair that hung down and my hazel eyes were not present within him but I was greeted with a swelling acidic green that doubled the size of my pupil.
" to serve you. "
He made no other movement than putting his hands behind his back like a soldier at ease.
I could not tell if it was lying or not.
" ...is that it? "
" I am the embodiment of your fear desires and brilliance. You have shaped me. Your desire for solitude birthed me. I will aid you in shaping the world how you see fit. Your reality becomes mine. "
There was a slight echo in the room as he spoke.
" wait...where are we "
I questioned haphazardly
" your mind. "
An awkward silence was in the air until I spoke
" so...am I just standing on the stage not making a sound? "
He gave me a concerned look.
" no...time has frozen outside for you. You may sleep here without having to in the real world so to others you look as if you never rest and you may think and plan what to do in battle here. For them, it will be about two seconds...Do...do you not have any knowledge of what I am? "
Suddenly I felt bad like I had encountered someone famous and I had no idea who they were. A slap in the face like a popular kid meeting someone who had never heard of them. Ego shattered.
" ok sorry no. I...don't go around reading about...monsters?"
I felt like was I saying the n-word of the demon realm not knowing if that word was offensive.
He folded his arms a little upset.
"Are you not a warrior? "
" well...no I...just watch TV and cook here and there- "
The demon cut me off
" weak. "
" excuse me? "
" look. I am an immortal being and after a while you get bored. So I'm sorry if I may be a little upset after being bonded with some nobody. "
I got quiet and I was a little annoyed that I was being roasted by some demon that I just met.
Its form wavers and eyes begin to open on its skin. Cheeks forhead etc.
"After being a god for so long it's fun to play with limitations. Makes things extremely exciting. "
" what do you mean by that? "
" look. You can only be so entertained by the same things. Life gets boring and now...you are going to help me with this. I get to have pure entertainment while you get every wish you could ever want. A mutual bond no? "
He then closed his eyes annoyed and the other eyes meshed back to his skin.
" though... the TV is not that interesting...life is what gets the blood pumping"
I felt the need to quickly change the topic
"Are there others like you? "
The room began to take shape very slowly as the water floor turned to wood and walls went around us.
" of course. You may meet them one day "
Confused and curious I pressed.
"Meet them? "
" yes. Summoning one of us is considered a threat to them. "
He spoke while opening and closing his newly found hand except backward.
" hm...no that don't look right "
I quickly responded
" Wait! How is doing that a threat! "
"Well, one doesn't just accidentally Summon one of us to suddenly get powers beyond human control. "
I thought back to how I summoned him by accident with some food I made.
" well...funny story but I summoned you using my breakfast..."
I had never regretted speaking so much as in that moment.
" What... "
Acid dripped from his words. Literally. His pupils split in half and his bottom jaw ripped open like an ant and curved giving sharpness to the bone.
"Please don't kill me. "
The room began to look like a cozy cabin with a fireplace and he slowly went back to normal.
" I would if I could. I've never felt so disrespected. We are bonded by your blood. If you die...I die. "
Suddenly I felt at ease by this new information.
Then a thought came to my mind
" ...God's can die? "
" you did hear me, right? "
The SAS from this guy was unneeded and I was starting to miss him being on his knees as weird as that sounds.
" so...all that power gone.... in an instant... "
" well...no actually God's powers don't just disappear they transfer to whoever killed them...wait...hold up."
He suddenly had an epiphany.
A smile grew on his face and he grabbed my shoulders
" you! You are going to help me kill the other gods! "
He sounded proud but I let him down.
" ha! No. "
" oh come on! Don't be like that. "
He did a pout.
"Look, man. I'm not killing gods for you. Just because you are bored. "
" hey...they might send people to kill you because you bonded with me. "
"What did I ever do to them? "
"They have a system to this stuff. They like to build and watch things play out. You're a problem. That can mess it up. So...they kill ya...to be honest, I don't know any other way to explain it, man. You know people normally just use my power to kill people and become a king and know this already. "
"This is outrageous. "
" bro. Look if you do this I will be able to get their powers and you will be able to do so much more than what I offer "
I tilted my head
" what can you do? Know what never mind. I will just talk to them and figure things out. "
He groaned and his form melted down sagging and it shot back up reforming
"Is there not anything that you want? Anything in the world? Gods don't put themselves in physical forms. They give people power and can make beings to hunt you. And if they care enough to come down themself. Ha, good luck."
I stopped and thought about it trying to weigh the options of pissing off higher beings.
Suddenly. I found something.
"Can you bring back the dead..."
He stopped confused.
" well...no "
" then I don't want anything "
" wait! "
He threw his arms out pleading
"I don't...but another God does..."
He crosses his arms smiling. He had left the question hanging letting me reconsider his offer.
I stopped and thought for a while before looking back up to him.
I let out a sigh and looked him in the eyes
" ok...you are going to help me get my father back. "
The demon smirked.

AUTHOR'S NOTE
This is going to be a side project that will get slowly updated, if ever. It's a fun idea I have been mulling over for a few months now, but don't see myself fully committing to it in the future. It's not going to be the main story I am working on, nor will it ever be referenced in other chapters unless I explicitly say so in the author's notes.
This is an alternative timeline for The Skalgan, and this will begin in the middle of Chapter 20. As such, the first half of this chapter will be identical to the first half of that chapter.
Enjoy.
Memory transcription subject: Dr. Rebecca Taylor, M.D., Ph.D., Human exchange program participant, U.N. Therapist
Date [Standardized human time]: February 3, 2137
I quickly tightened my grip around Jorlka’s paw to reassure him. His breathing had stopped, and his tail movements became a bit erratic.
“If you are NOT okay with this, then it’s fine. We would never want you to feel pressured into something you are not comfortable with doing. Nobody will be upset with you.”
I do not fucking care how much Havingsway bitches at me. I will protect Jorlka.
“I-I-I… I mean… How would…” His eyes were darting around, examining my face all over, like his was trying to decipher information that wasn’t there.
“Jorlka, breath. Please.” I let the hand on top of his paw go and reached to his back to lightly pat it. His eyes shut tight at this and he did as I asked, letting in a long breath and holding it. For bit longer than felt comfortable. “… Okay, now exhale.”
He released the air with a loud pant.
“Do… Do you want to… Here?” His face was still maintaining that bright orange glow all over, from the tips of his ears to his snout. I would be swooning over this adorable vestige if I didn’t know that the person in front of me was incredibly stressed.
“No, not here. We’ve got a room set aside for you. Private. Nobody will be there with you.”
“N-No… Nobody?” He started to calm down and his expression and look in his eyes switched to one of puzzlement. “Then… How would you…” He paused as he struggled to find the words. “I can’t… Not without help?”
“What do you…” I returned his puzzled look with one in kind, then focused on the paw I was holding.
Claws. He can’t… Male Venlil don’t… OH MY GOD. I am fucking pissed at myself for never even considering that before. He thought that I was going to… OH MY GOD!
I looked back at him, right in the eye. “Th-that’s not a problem! They’ve got special tools and materials in the room so that you can do it without help! And if there’s anything you need, I’m certain the staff would happily help you get it.”
We already know there are enough Venlil who would jump at the chance. Hell, Havingsway is desperate enough that he may both figuratively and literally bend over for this… Fuck, I would even call Freya down if you asked.
“I… I see.” He had finally calmed down enough to start thinking properly again. “And… This is needed to fix my people?”
“It’s not absolutely needed. Our scientists, Human and Venlil, are more than capable of undoing the damage that the federation caused… But your samples would expedite the work by… God, probably years.” I dug my fingers into the wool on his back as I comforted him. My god, his wool was even softer and smoother than Freya’s was, and I love running my fingers through hers.
“I see…” Jorlka repeated himself, and closed his eyes, becoming lost in thought. We sat in silence for several moments, and I continued to gently caress his paw in one hand and embraced his back with the other. He could take all the time he needed; I was no rush.
“… V-very well. I… I’ll do it.” His eyes opened again and looked at mine again.
“Are you certain? It’s perfectly okay if you don’t. I promise yo-“
His ears and tail lashed with irritation. “Please, just stop before I do actually change my mind.” His voice cracked slightly. His performance wasn’t as convincing as he had hoped, but it will have to do.
“… Alright. Come, I’ll take you down.” I helped him to his feet and lowered the hand to the center of his spine. We made our way out of the office and down the hall without any words. His ears were still twitching erratically from time to time, clearly indicating that his thoughts on this were mixed.
There really wasn’t much else I could say or do to alleviate his stress. If he’s found the confidence to go through with this, then we’ll capitalize on it. We got down to the furthest part of the wing, and there stood two individuals in white lab coats. A male human and a female Venlil: Dr. Havingsway and Bilvi.
The two of them introduced themselves and offered to take Jorlka into the room behind them.
I turned Jorlka to me one more time, away from the pair. “Okay, Jorlka. Are you sure now? There is no judgement or shame if you have second thoughts.”
Havingsway stared daggers at me as I said these words. I glared back quickly, with a look that said ’I will find a baseball bat’. I swear to fucking god, I might actually turn violent if I get wind that these two pressured him. The message was received as he averted his eyes from me with a brief flash of fear.
“I’m… I’m fine. I need to do this.” I pulled him into a hug, giving him a reassuring embrace, and whispered into his ear.
“My office is just back down the hall. Come back right away, okay? I’ll be there for you, even if you back out.”
His breathing hitched, and he softly replied back. “… Thank you.”
I released and let the pair of doctors take him through the door. I watched as it closed behind him, then turned back to my office.
[Time advancement: 40 minutes]
He should have been back by now… I think. How long do male Venlil...
I shook my head to rid myself of that thought. I actually didn’t want to know. I turned my head to look at my water kettle which had finished boiling. I emptied a packet of instant coffee into a mug and poured the water in after it.
There was a ding from my computer, indicating that I just got an email. Thank goodness, I’d been going a bit stir crazy. Jorlka is scheduled to be my entire day today because of how important he is, so I haven’t had much to do but worry about him.
I poured in a packet of sugar, and a little cup of real cream that I swiped from the special cafeteria–I’ve never liked the non-dairy stuff–and stirred the mug with a plastic spoon as I returned to my desk to check the email.
Sitting at my desk, I set the mug aside and opened my mailbox, to find that I had received a new message from the team responsible for handling information from the Archives. They were the ones responsible for sorting and getting back to each of the different alien societies that were negatively impacted by the actions of the Federation. They were also the ones that had found Jorlka’s cryopod.
This is unusual. I figured I was done talking with them now that Jorlka was safely brought back to his home. I opened the email.
[ERROR. ERROR. ANAMOLY DETECTED IN TRANSCRIPTION.]
[RESUME PLAYBACK? Y/N]
[Y]
[RESUMING PLAYBACK]
Dear Dr. Taylor:
We have recently come across a new discovery in the Archives: Additional files pertaining to the Venlil that was originally found within, as well as a shocking new revelation.
He was not the only one. We have found a second pod that was buried away in the furthest depths, forgotten by the archivists themselves. We scoured all records pertaining to the Venlil and only found a single file that references this Venlil.
Attached to this email is an image we have taken of the cryopod and its occupant, as well as the relevant files. We believe this Venlil has ties to the one that you have already been working with, so we will be sending this pod to you for you to awaken.
The new Venlil will arrive within 5 days.
The UN Archive recovery team
Oh, holy shit! Jorlka isn’t alone anymore?! I hastily opened the first file. It was a record directly from the Archive, recorded by an unnamed Farsul scientist. It was recorded in their language, but the translator in the software quickly turned the text to plain English for me.
Subject_001
Species: Venlil
Sex: Male
Status: Stasis
Archivist note: The first Venlil we have abducted as we begin our efforts to indoctrinate the planet of Skalga Venlil Prime. We have elected to keep this subject in stasis, and to keep their physiology untouched. If and when we go about altering the genecode of their species, it will be good practice to keep a pure sample in case of unforeseen complications.
End of file
Attached to the file is an image of Jorlka asleep in his pod, with a small label placed on him denoting him as ‘Subject_001’.
Well, this would be the file on Jorlka. Nothing major here, other than stating WHY the Farsul kept him on ice. I can show him this when he gets back, I guess?
This really didn’t feel that important when compared to what was coming. I opened the image file first out of curiosity.
It showed a cryopod that looked identical to the one that Jorlka arrived in, with the glass frosted over. The frost on the glass made it difficult for details of the occupant within to be seen. I could see the outline of a white Venlil, and the contours of a snout were visible through the opaque lid.
This image wasn’t that much help, but maybe Jorlka will recognize them?
I clicked on the data file after I gave up on trying to extract more detail from the image.
Subject_002
Species: Venlil
Sex: Female
Status: Stasis
Archivist note: The first subject of the efforts to tame the Venlil populus. The genecode was successfully altered in the embryo within her womb. The subject gave birth to the first corrected Venlil. The subject was placed back into stasis shortly after. As her own genecode is still pure, she will be kept as a pure sample in case of unforeseen complications.
Archivist note: Thank you. You were a delight to have, and we apologize for the less than amicable ending to our relationship. We hope you will one day forgive us.
End of file
Oh, dear god, what the fuck did they put her through!?
I was not given any time to process this information: there was a click at the front of the room. The door had closed had Jorlka was standing there. His face was lined with tear stains, and his eyes were shot.
“R-Rebecca… It is done.” His voice was cracked. His entire body shook with distress.
I rose from my desk and quietly made my way to him. Without a word said I wrapped my arms around him, and he started to weep into my shoulder. Tears flowed fresh from his eyes and stained into my blouse. His armed reached up, shaking the entire time, and gripped the lose fabric above my hips.
We stayed there in silence. He said something. It was barely a whisper. It was barely audible.
“Why does she have her name?” His paws gripped harder on my shirt. His claws pierced through the fabric with a tearing noise. “Why does she have her eyes?”
I gently patted him on the back and did what I could to soothe him, with a gentle shush. He sank deeper into my embrace. I didn’t understand what he was asking, or who he was referencing, but that wasn’t my concern right now.
I need to help him get his mind off what he just went through.
“Jorlka, you did something really great for your people, nothing to be ashamed of.” I gently guided the two of us back towards the couch in my office and sat us down, giving him more physical reassurance. “And I, as well as Freya, will do whatever we can to help you.”
His state started to calm down as he kept his arms tightly bound to my body. “I-I know…”
“If it’ll help you get your mind off it, I have what I think will be good news for you.”
He slowly pulled away from me and reached for some of the tissues on the coffee table. I gave him a moment to blow his nose and wipe the tears away. “G-Good news? What kind?”
“I just got a message from the humans that are managing the efforts to sort the Archive information. They found some new information on you, as well as something that will really shock you, cause it absolutely just shocked me.” I placed my hand on his should and rubbed it lightly, waiting for his response.
“And what would that information be? That those bastards killed more of my people?” His ears folded back frustrated as he let out some cynicism. I don’t blame him; it is information about the Archives. Everything related to that damn place has been absolute shit for him.
“No, they found another Venlil in stasis, and she’s unmodified like you.”
“WHAT!?” His ears shot up in alarm as this clearly flabbergasted him harder than it did to me. “REALLY!? WHO!?” His paws landed on my shoulders again as he took hold of me, enraptured by what I just said.
I couldn’t help but to laugh at the sudden change, it really brought some refreshing levity that I felt was much-needed. “Easy there, big guy! I can show you the files on my computer. Come on.”
He shot up onto his paws and bolted by my PC before I could stand up properly myself, before coming to a stop, realizing that he didn’t know how to use the device. He turned back to me slightly embarrassed at how he acted and making an effort to not seem impatient. I gave him an understanding smile as I walked around him and sat in my chair.
Then, with a few taps on my keyboard I opened the message again and resized the window so that it was all seen on the screen, before turning it to the Skalgan.
He stood in silence reading the messages and the files, before his eyes fell onto the image of the opaque white Venlil in the pod. Then the only word that left his mouth was the thing that shocked me the most out of all of this, more than everything that email contained.
“… Freya.”

Hey guys, a little about me.
I'm a founder and software engineer. Im really passionate about dispatching and trucking in general because I have really good friends that are dispatchers out of Chicago that work at small / mid-size trucking companies. Anytime we'd talk, they'd always complain about how they spend too much time on the phone with brokers, that they'd prefer text / email but brokers never respond, and their time booking new loads is pretty inefficient right now.
I'm still in the super early stages building this and would love to get your feedback. It's an ai auto dialer that integrates with Truckstop / DAT that actually calls the broker with Voice AI, tries to get ahold of the decision maker (actual broker), gets basic load details, and transfers the call to you to negotiate a rate. So rather than spending 90 minutes to book 3 loads where you wait on hold or call about an already booked load, you can spend just 30 minutes.
A couple other things that make this thing useful in my opinion:

• There's a chrome extension that allows you to dial any number or send an email from DAT / Truckstop using AI
• Fills out paperwork like carrier packets with AI so you can get to a rate confirmation quicker after a call. The AI also auto processes the rate con and enters in your TMS.

If this sounds useful, comment or ping me and I will set it up for you for free!
It's called Pike: Website
Best,
Ani

Husband and I (outdoorsy 30-somethings) just got back from the most magical 10 days of blitzing through Italy and I wanted to report back on how it all went! Itinerary report followed by general takeaways below. (:
May 5 (Rome) - Landed at Rome airport around 9AM, bought tickets for the Leonardo Express / validated in station and then hopped on a train around 10ish, got to Termini for around 11AM if I remember correctly. Wandered from Termini to our airbnb in Trastavere with our backpacks on, walked through/past a lot of the sites we'd be seeing later on. Part of the walk took us down the steps so we were walking along the bank of the Tiber and wowowowowow. We were more wiped out than expected after the walk and ended up napping at our airbnb after we checked in (lol) and then put ourselves back together, did Rick Steves' audio tour of Trastavere, found a place to get dinner, and just kind of wandered around the neighborhood stopping to sip wine and eat tiramisu in different spots. It was incredible.
May 6 (Rome) - Used IT.TAXI to call a car to bring us to the drop off point for our guided tour of the Vatican. I don't regret booking this because The Vatican is, ultimately, fucking insane in its offerings of art and history and whatnot, but this was easily the busiest/most crowded/suffocating thing we did the whole trip. There were so many people our tour ended up getting diverted from the Sistine chapel 2 or 3 times, which I actually liked because it meant we got to see EVERYTHING there was to see. I think we walked ~4 miles by the end of the tour. Tour started at 9:30 and we were walking out of St. Peter's at 13:00. Walked back to our bnb, passed out until 15:00, and then walked back into the heart of the city for our 17:45 Colosseum entry slot. Took our time getting there and let ourselves get distracted by any steps we wanted to run up or things we wanted to get closer to, etc. Waited behind maybe 5 people before getting our tickets checked for the colosseum, did Rick Steve's audio tour once inside, amazing. Originally we were planning on doing the forum afterwards but did not realize the forum closes early! Ended up spontaneously catching a bus to Appian Way and wandered around some of the park for sunset - not the part of the park we meant to wander around, but it was pretty nonetheless. Tried to catch a bus back but it never came, so we called another car via it.taxi back to our neighborhood. Grabbed dinner and gelato.
May 7 (Rome) - Hopped on a local bus to San Paolo train station, took a train out to Ostia Antica. Did the Rick Steve's audio tour (this is a running theme) and wandered the ruins for a couple of hours. The red poppies popping out of everything could make me cry, honestly. We were basically the only people there all morning. When we left around 11:00 there were hoards of schooltrips showing up, but we had the whole place to ourselves. Crazy. Hopped back on the train and took it to San Paolo, where we dipped into the metro and took a different train to the Colosseum area. Grabbed some street food and wandered - at midday this area is WAY more packed than in the late afternoon, like how it was the day before when we were there. The main line to the forum was stupid long, but there was no line at the Palatine Hill entrance just a little bit away from the Arch. We entered through there and wandered, did the Rick Steve's audio tour, wandered some more. Caught a bus to Campo d'fiori, and did most of Rick Steve's heart of rome walk. When we got to the pantheon we got in line to buy tickets - one of the machines was accepting money but was out of printer paper - we were able to snag one of the last printed tickets from the other machine around 17:00 and get inside the Pantheon. We ended up being two of like 10 people inside, this was a definite highlight. Did Rick Steve's pantheon audio tour and marveled at everything. Got kicked out around 17:45, continued the Heart of Rome walk and ended it ourselves at the Trevi Fountain. It was slammed but not hard to get close to the fountain itself. Walked back to Trastavere and watched sunset from one of the bridges over the Tiber. Wandered into a restaurant named something ending in "il massi" in trastevere - inadvertently one of the best meals of the whole trip. Hung out in Piazza Trilussa while a street performer played Bob Marley to a very happy crowd, went home, passed out.
May 8 (Rome -> Florence) - Grabbed coffee and pastries and ate them in Piazza Trilussa after checking out of our bnb. Trekked up Janiculum hill (with our bags) and hung out there for about an hour taking in the incredible view before walking down the other side (towards the Vatican?) and catching a bus to Termini, where we hopped on a pre-booked bullet train from Rome to Florence. Walked from the train station to our place in Oltrarno, close to Pitti and Ponte Vecchio - felt a kind of like, culture shock, I guess? Rome and Florence are so, so different. We stayed in a really cool airbnb on the top floor of what used to be a tower, I think? There was a plaque out front. A lot of stairs to go up but definitely worth it. Dropped our stuff off, grabbed some gelato, made it over for our 17:15 tour time of Accademia to see David. The line situation was NUTS but there was a method to the madness. The poster scammers were EVERYWHERE. Once we got inside it was very cool - David does not disappoint - we did the Rick Steves audio tour and wandered. Once that was over we made our way back towards Oltrarno and realized we were close to Gustapizza and like ~15 minutes out from it opening. I'm not about to wait in line for hours for food, but I can wait 30 minutes. Got in the to-go line, ordered two pizzas right after they opened (husband went out and bough a bottle of wine in the meantime), and we ate the pizzas and drank the wine in the nearby piazza. This was one of my favorite meals. I fucking love a piazza.
May 9 (Florence) - Slept in a bit! Did Rick Steve's Florence walk. Were originally going to do the duomo climb but changed our minds at the last minute - the amount of people waiting made it seem like it was going to be really claustrophobic - I don't regret this at all. Ended getting tickets to the Orsanmichele church / museum kind of on a whime (it was suggested in the Rick Steve's audio), I think 8 euros a pop. The church was beautiful, but the museum must be a state secret. We were the only 2 people in there, and the second floor is all HUGE windows with unobstructed views of the whole florence skyline, from within the skyline. It was dead quiet inside. No crowds. And incredible views. We soaked it up in here for a while, and then after the tour was done (around Palazza Vecchio), we wandered into San Frediano (I heard it was a cool area), got some of the best sandwiches from some random place, had Salciccia for the first time and didn't realize until we were like halfway through eating it (so good, omg), and hung out at a bar near a park for a while before catching a bus (I think 12) up to San Minianto. I read in a thread that this was a better viewpoint than the Piazzale Michelangelo with less crowds, and holy smokes. The view was insane. The monks closed the grounds right before sunset, but we were able to post up in one of the nooks in the wall right outside of the grounds and watch the sun go down. No crowd at all. Magical. Hiked back down on foot through Piazzale Michelangelo and stopped for a second to grab a beer and snap a photo, but it was SO so soooooooo crowded. Kept walking and wandered around Palazzo Vecchio area, grabbed dinner somewhere and headed home.
May 10 (Panzano) - Got our rental car and made our way to Panzano for a lunch reservation at Dario's. I was worried this was going to be hokey or full of old people or something, but this ended up being a huge highlight. We were sat at a table with a bunch of guys weekending together from Milan, a couple from Brazil, and some other folks from Northern Italy, and we all just chatted and ate together and drank way too much chianti and stayed until we basically were asked to leave. It was amazing. What was supposed to be a two hour lunch turned into a six hour hang out. The food was incredible, obviously, but making friends with such an assortment of strangers was really, really special. Wandered around Panzano a little bit after we all parted ways and then made our way to the carpark in Florence. We had reserved a spot at a place a week or so in advance and paid once we got there in person, it was great. Grabbed some more of the best sandwiches I've ever had in my life from some hole in the wall place in Oltrarno and hung out at our airbnb drinking wine until bedtime.
May 11 (Montepulciano) - Slept in a bit! Grabbed a capuccino at the local spot we'd found near our place, got our rental car, and set off for a day spent wandering around in Montepulciano. Didn't really have a set in stone plan for the day, but we parked for free near a bus station and then caught a cheap shuttle up to the top of the town. Hopped off at the top (the driver could tell we had no idea where "the top" was going to be and kindly flagged us when we were supposed to get off), and really spent the whole day just wandering up and down the town. The wine was all very good, everywhere. The food also. And catching the sunset from the top was probably one of the most incredible sunsets I've seen anywhere ever. Highly recommend. Drove back after dark and the highway was CLOSED so we spent most of the drive on a very, very small road carrying diverted highway traffic in both directions. It was a little scary because of the buses and trucks, but we lived. Dropped our car off at the return lot, caught a tram back to termini, and walked back to our place. Got in around 23:00. LONG, beautiful day.
May 12 (Florence -> Cinque Terre) - Got coffees at some third wave coffee shop instead of the usual spot because the usual spot was slammed and we had our bags with us - this place was fine but definitely geared towards Americans. And then walked to Termini and caught a train to Pisa, hopped out and switched platforms, and then caught a train to Monterosso Al Mare, landed around 15:00. Met up with our airbnb host, who was SO KIND, and walked up the 150 steps to the room we'd be staying in (not in the old side of town), it was amazing. Rooftop access. And tucked into the forested hill behind the other buildings. It was directly over the train but, surprisingly, that didn't bother us at all. We dropped our stuff off and wandered back out, got some foccaccia (holy shit) and walked into the old town. We wandered deep into the old town and up some road surrounded by vineyards and found some open but OLD woodsy staircase path that brought us up.... we did not know where we were going but did not care. Ended up popping out in the back of the cemetery at the top of the hill. Nobody was there, but if you walk ~50 meters or so away from the cemetery and down the road, there's an incredible panoramic viewpoint of the whole area. Wandered around here, then down an old-looking path around the cemetery that brought us to the front of the place, which is where the crowds (really not a lot of people) of people were. Wandered back down into the old town, bought some picnic-stuff from a local market (focaccia, pesto, olives, cheese, beer, limoncello) and then made our way home and picnicked on the rooftop while the sunset. Incredible day.
May 13 (Cinque Terre) - I think this was my favorite day. I don't know. I'm a sucker for large bodies of water and generally just being in nature. We got down for breakfast around 10AM, and droves of people were getting off of the train to start the hike that everyone does. Currently only the Monterosso -> Vernazza -> Corniglia sections are open. We were planning on doing the hike first thing, but really, really didn't want to deal with the crowds of it all. So we bought our trail pass ticket and then decided to change our plans around. We ended up catching the ferry from Monterosso Al Mare and taking it down to Riomaggiore, 45 minute trip total (15 euros a head and you get to see every town from the water... so worth it), where we ran around a little bit and split a cone of fried anchovies from Tutti Frutti (10/10). Hopped on the train and took it to Corniglia, wandered around here a bit and then hopped on the hiking trail and hiked Corniglia -> Vernazza. Definitely recommend. The views were stunning, and we only saw a couple of people in either direction since we started a bit later in the day / I assume a bunch of people only do the first chunk of the hike when starting in Monterosso. The portion we did took us about 65 minutes, and we stopped to re-apply sunscreen and gawk at the views a couple of times. Did a quick lap in Vernazza but were itchy to get to the beach at this point, so hopped on the train to Monterosso, used our trail passes to get free access to the train bathrooms and change into our swimsuits (we brought a small, roll-up-able hiking sling bag for this purpose), bought a towel for 10 euros from one of the stalls near the beach and hit the free section of the beach in Fegina. Some folks but nothing crazy. Laid our stuff down and spent the afternoon swimming in the sea. The locals said the water was cold but it was beautiful - 69 degrees Fahrenheit or so - much warmer than the ocean water we're used to in California lol. After hanging out here until around 18:00 or so, we made our way back up to our room (150 steps!!!!!), showered, put ourselves together, and made it back out for dinner around 21:00. We were able to get a table at a restaurant in the old part of town and if I recommend any place, it's this one: Tosca Bistrot. The chef was out and about helping the waitstaff, she stopped and chatted with us for a bit, and the food was the best food we had the whole trip. Anchovies in lemon and oil, trufie with pesto, poached sea bass, tiramisu and a pinoleta, which is a tart I've never heard of or had but now cannot stop thinking about. It was amazing and special and sweet. Walked out of here and sat on the beach in the dark for a little bit near some street performers before making our way home.
May 14 (Cinque Terre -> Milan) - I'm counting this as our last day even though technically we flew out of Milan on May 15. Initially we were going to spend two nights in Monterosso Al Mare but it felt dicey having to take a three hour train ride to a city where you then would have to catch a flight, so we opted to head to Milan to spend our last night before flying to limit any chance of craziness. We checked out of our bnb in the morning, spent a few hours wandering around with our bags, got some focaccia and ate it on the beach in the shade of the sidewalk overhand, and stopped at a local market to buy some fresh fruit for the train ride. This turned out to be a mistake. We bought two peaches, a nectarine, and some lemony cookies. Husband and I split the peaches and nectarine on the train ride, and just as we get to our hotel in Milan he starts complaining of nausea / upset stomach. He ended up having wild food poisoning. We washed the fruit before eating it but I guess something similar happened to him years ago when he was in Romania - something about his guts just not being familiar with the bacteria on the skin of the fruit or something. I was totally fine, but I historically have really strong guts. It ended up pouring rain the entire afternoon we were in Milan, anyway, so while it wasn't the most ideal way to end the trip it was also not the worst. Our hotel room was small enough that it was the perfect place for him to need to be close to a toilet, and we just opened the windows and listened to the rain and the locals being raucous into the night. Thankfully he was through it by morning and was able to get some sleep! But that was basically that!!!
BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS - I have to assume this applies to anywhere, but our favorite moments / things really ended up being the little everyday things as opposed to the big tourist attractions. Like the local cafes we ended up going to every morning, hanging out in piazzas with the birds, chatting with people, and letting ourselves wander down any weird little path that caught our attention. And the gelato. - We tried our best to not over-schedule things and really only book the attractions we wanted to see instead of what we felt we HAD to see. We're not huge art people so we felt the Uffizzi and such would have been lost on us, were more interested in eating and hanging out with people so we prioritized that, etc. - Public transit is so wildly easy to use here that you should absolutely lean into relying on it. The bus schedules were pretty easy to read wherever they were posted, google maps' routes were usually spot-on, and if the bus doesn't show up (in Rome this seems to happen sometimes) and you don't want to walk, it.taxi worked just like uber. - If you can book the BIG ATTRACTIONS towards the end of the day, do it. Crowds are thinner and you have a better chance of smaller numbers being inside. We booked Colosseum/Forum/Palatine Hill pass + Vatican (with a tour) + Accademia + time slot to Ostia Antica in advance and let ourselves sort of figure out the rest of the day-to-day as best we could. - Aside from lodgings and the car rental, the only other thing we booked in advance was the bullet train. It was pretty packed so I recommend you do the same, plus I think it's cheaper if you book it in advance. - Idk if Rick Steves gets a bad rap or whatever but as two people who didn't WANT to book tours to everything and also could not afford to book tours to everything, the guided Rick Steves walks were amazing. They give you so much context to wherever you are and there were absolutely some things we saw - a completely empty church with a beautiful rose garden and singing nuns comes to mind - that we never would have stumbled upon without them. Definitely recommend. Husband and I literally just split a pair of airpods, made sure to download the audio tours when we were on wifi, and listened and walked. In this vein, definitely bring a good portable charger.
I can honestly say this was a magical, life altering trip for me. I have never taken two weeks to just go have fun somewhere like I did with this, and it was amazing. Ultimately I think the most important thing is not letting yourself be too tied to a schedule, giving yourself some leeway/grace, figuring out specifically what's important for YOU to see, and just leaning in to living in wherever you are. It was amazing. I wish we had more time and I can't wait to go back.
If you want any specific recs (food, gelato, lodging, etc) in any of the places we were, feel free to message me!!
EDIT: additionally takeaway: forgot to explicitly mention this but husband and I each ONLY brought one backpack and I stand by this move 100000%. It made getting places on travel days way easier, made us pack smarter, and was honestly a great way to live. We did some sink laundry and I made sure to book a bnb midway through the trip (Florence) with laundry facilities. We brought some rope to hang our clothes. I felt awful for everyone I saw using rolling suitcases in Rome on the cobblestone. You need less than you think you do, I swear!

So I turn on manual catch before creating a new skater but when I go skate it puts me into the tutorial and changes catch to auto.
If I skip the tutorial and instantly put manual catch back on before I go to the first mission will I be able to get the “That’s how it’s done” trophy? Is there someway I can prevent the tutorial from altering my settings?

So I turn on manual catch before creating a new skater but when I go skate it puts me into the tutorial and changes catch to auto.
If I skip the tutorial and instantly put manual catch back on will I be able to get the “That’s how it’s done” trophy? Is there someway I can prevent the tutorial from altering my settings?

I used inspectdb to auto generate models, and four fields were skipped without warning, there's something like 20 fields so it was hard to immediately detect, and fortunately during testing I did find that there were missing fields. My question is how have you gone about moving over an existing db into django -- consider for example if I have dozens of tables to move over and want some sort of guarantee or alerting when fields are omitted. Is there something more robust than inspectdb? Or, what is your process for reviewing a large set of generated models from inspectdb that minimizes human error? My approach thus far was to print out column names, print out db metadata, and cross compare -- is this the best?