How to make a muscle cell model

Ear Rumblers Assemble

2012.11.03 21:19 bacon_cake Ear Rumblers Assemble

A subreddit for those who can control their Tensor Tympani muscle.
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2009.12.14 10:33 Get rated on your appearance

A subreddit to have your appearance rated out of ten by redditors. Make a post today to receive tips and advice on how to look your best!
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2012.06.07 00:14 Billobatch Learn Useless Talents

This is a place to learn how to do cool things that have no use other than killing time and impressing strangers.
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2024.05.21 23:33 Ok-Significance-1752 Sorry for being a bit late with this story I had several other projects and schoolwork I had to do but here it is. How Martlet and Papyruses puzzle helped the entertainment industry.

Martlet and Papyrus are two names that are rather famous throughout the Undertale and Undertale yellow communities. Of course, there are many things that come to mind when you here both names. Papyrus for example is the loud. arrogant, but kind skeleton that is the brother to the funny Skeleton Man (Sans). Martlet on the other hand you might remember as kind of a mother figure to clover if you support the idea of momlet or maybe just the puzzle loving bird friend of clover. Each of these characters have unique fates for each Fanfiction a member of our beloved community writes. Whether its romance, tragedy, or a simple slice of life fanfic. So where do these two falls in my little world of a second human monster war. Well, it might be a bit more complex than one might think.

Opening UN Archives.

The second monster human war was the most destructive war in history and resulted in the destruction of several Undertale AUs and monster race losing 90% of their population all because they followed a racist and mentally Ill scientist name Chujin. As tragic of this sounds it doesn't mean people tried to improve the aftermath and make life easier. Papyrus and Martlet are a good example of this.
Martlet was born in the human year 1959 at an unknown date. Accounts of her early life and parents have been lost to history to due Asgor and the monsters general poor record keeping with Alphy's and Chujin being the only ones who kept some records of sorts. It's possible this poor record keeping is why Chujin thought the monster population was bigger than it actually was. What we do know is Martlets part the events of what the United Nations Elimination of Monsters Coalition calls Undertale Yellow are and some of her life just before the events. It's suggested by Human historians that Martlet got into puzzles when she was possibly 12 in human years but that's just a rough idea. Interviews with her few surviving friends state that she made her first puzzle at 6 years old in monster years which is roughly 14 years old in human years. To further complicate things is the fact that different monsters age differently than others with Martlets species having the closest correlation to human years out of all monsters.
Payrpus birth and exact age are harder to track down. All we know is that he and his brother Sans (Currently living in New Ebot in Colorado. Mt Ebot is in Colorado) appeared in the underground out of nowhere in 1980 on the [Redacted] of [Redacted]. Papyrus took a job as a royal guard somewhere between 1980-1981 and met Martlet possibly around that time. We both know based on William Henderson's interview with Papyrus and a mention by Flowey that they exchanged blueprints for their respective puzzles on occasions and while Papyrus describes her as his closest friend Sans stated that "She was simply my brothers pen pal" whether this was Sans simply messing with Willaim Henderson or him saying the true we'll never know.
EVENTS OF UNDERTALE YELLOW
The turning point in Martlets life came on May 12th when a certain kid named Clover fell into the underground. Clover was born on the 4th of July 1969 though his family moved to the to the town of Ebot Colorado in 1978. He never got to meet his father until 1975 due to his father's enlistment into the Unified states of the Americas army during the Vietnam war. (1962-74. This is an Alternate Vietnam the US still loses however) When his father came back, he was a drunken and PTSD ridden mess. Clover's mother was little better as she was rather neglectful and lazy. Clovers Unhealthy Family life would play a role into going ahead with his plan to find the forgotten 6 children who had gone missing throughout the 60s and 70s. He developed a fascination with cowboys when watching western movies (Particularly the old ones) along with a cowboy attire. He wore this attire proudly. Due to his family life, he matured rapidly. When his friend Integra (The soul integrity) went missing when she was dared to climb MT Ebot it was the final nail in the coffin for him and he began to prepare himself for an expedition into the mountain. He bought a Coll-Wesson revolver and rope by stealing money from his father. (He was beaten for this) on May the 12th he climbed Mt Ebot and jumped into the underground and died.... Oh, wait no Flowey brought him back to life without him knowing. Clover then met Flowey around 30 minutes later starting his journey.
Martlet in the meantime was lazily relaxing in one of the many checkpoints in the Snowdin area. The exact time she met clover is unknown, but it was most likely 1 hour after she had sent a list of suggestions to how Payprus could improve his puzzles. Martlet originally tried to follow protocol and capture clover however after seeing how peaceful clover was, she gave up on it. Then after their failed attempt to get to the hot lands, the fiasco in the wild east, and meeting Ceroba and Chujin, Ceroba (Chujin is alive in my story, but Kanko is not and was killed by integrity according to Chujin) was revealed to want clovers soul to bring back Kanako. Chujin was horrified at the thought of killing an innocent kid and went against his wife's wishes (Unknown to the others this was a ploy to gain trust) Martlet and clover spoke briefly on a hotel rooftop before going with Starlo and Chujin to face Ceroba. Ceroba knocked Martlet, Starlo, and Chujin (Who was only pretending) out. Clover battled it out with Ceroba on the 13ths of May. Clover came close to winning until Chujin drove a knife through his back killing him. Chujin then asked Ceroba to not use clovers soul to bring back monster kind but to instead to give it to Asgor so monster kind can be free. (Chujin is still the royal scientist in my AU) Ceroba after some arguing agrees with Chujin as Martlet and Starlo begin to wake up. Chujin calls the royal guard who apprehend Starlo but Martlet Barely escapes by flying away.
Knowing her time was now limited she sent the last Blueprints to Papyrus before the royal Guard burst into her home at around midnight and captured her. Martlet and Starlo were executed by undying on the 14th of May early morning. While Martlets story came to an end her legacy and puzzles did not as Papyrus received her blueprints on the 14th and would hide them from the royal guard.
EVENTS OF THE SECOND HUMAN MONSTER WAR AND PAPYRUSES RISE TO FAME.
Papyrus would with the help of Sans create more puzzle's and preserve Martlets puzzles. Then on September 4th, 1984, Frisk fell into the underground and was killed by Undying. After this Papyrus was ordered to destroy his puzzle's as they now had no use to monster kind as the invasion of the surface was inevitable. Papyrus as a sign of things to come suggested instead of destroying the puzzles they should be used to entertain monster kind's children. Undying would allow it and Papyrus who still wanted to hunt the humans though his loyalty was shaken by martlets execution agreed to be in the first wave out of the underground. On the 10th of September the monster climbed up to the surface for the first time.
The sight was so breathtaking many simply forget that they were invading. Chujin fear that the humans would be waiting for them up on the surface ready to exterminate monster kind was proven false within the first day as no human was spotted on the first day. Chujin still refused to believe reports and still ordered the invasion forward. Papyrus spent the first day trying to make more puzzles. On the 11th the town of Ebot was spotted and attacked by Asgors army and Chujins boss monsters and axis models. Papyrus was in the attack but quickly simply broken down as he watched the monsters slaughter humans indiscriminately. What made Papyrus ultimately desert the Royal Guard was the Human police's along with the 9th National Guards battalions last stand as they bought time for the civilians to evacuate the time. Papyrus stated in his interview with William Henderson decades later "IT WAS THEN ON THAT DAY I KNEW WE HAD LOST THE WAR. THE HUMANS PROVED BOTH BRAVER AND FAR KINDER THAN THE GREAT PAPYRUS AND MONSTER KIND!! IF THE GREAT PAPYRUS COULD GO BACK IN TIME HE WOULD HAVE GLADLY FOUGHT WITH THOSE BRAVE HUMANS!!"
Papyrus and later his brother Sans would go into hiding for most of the war until 1996 when they switched sides and joined the Commonwealth of Britannia's army. They would serve in the Commonwealths army until 1998 when they both retired. It was around this time when Papyrus began his journey to help the entertainment industry and carry on Martlets puzzle making legacy. The second human monster war by the time he had retired had gone on for 14 brutal years and large amounts of homes and cities had been destroyed. Papyrus would turn his attention to entertaining the many children who had lost their fathers and mothers during the ongoing conflict by hosting's puzzle solving challenges. Many of these puzzles' Martlets puzzles, and these proved to be a favorite among human children. Sans also helped and had stopped being lazily for once in his life.
When interviewed by William Henderson and asked what inspired him to do this he stated. "THE GREAT PAPYRUS SIMPLY DOESNT WATCH AS CHILDREN CRY IN THEIR SLEEPY AND REMAIN SAD. ITS NOT WHAT THE GREAT PAPYRUS DOES." The entertainment industry caught onto what Papyrus was doing in 2000 and offered to not only to fund his puzzle challenges but to make them into a game show of sorts. The show "Papyruses puzzles" was born as a result of this and has remained popular ever since. Sans found his calling in the fast-food industry and opened up his own fast-food chain to honor Grillbies who had died during the war. Papyrus would give a lot of credit to Martlet for helping him discover puzzles and funded the building of a statue in her honor.
WHAT PAPYRUS IS DOING NOW.
Papyrus is currently these days is donating much of his money to the protection of the underground charity and has recently created the Blue Bird Puzzle Corporation (Refence to Martlet). Martlet was dug up by UNEMC soldiers (United Nations Eliminations of Monsters Coalition) and was buried under a second statue made in her honor in Snowdin next to the Statue of Clover and the 6 other souls. Papyrus pays a visit to her grave once very 6 months. An inscription on her statue reads "The one that inspired THE GREAT PAPYRUS to make puzzles."
submitted by Ok-Significance-1752 to UndertaleYellow [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:31 kfzhu1229 My full guide with laptop battery rebuilds (with 18650 cells)

Recently I've gotten myself into a slate of rebuilding various old laptop battery packs (~2012 and earlier with 18650 battery cells), and I see not a whole lot of concrete answers to these sorts of things, so I thought I should share my own experience with a long and thorough post. Pics are linked at the bottom of the post.
Of course, safety is extremely important when you're rebuilding such battery packs and use it normally and forget about it. On my later rebuilds I mimic basically all wirings as out of the factory to keep them as safe as they were out of the factory. If you do decide to follow this though, proceed with caution and do NOT hold me responsible for a fire or something.
It's highly recommended you do this with spot welder and 0.1mm nickel strips. Soldering for beginners is going to be very difficult to control and difficult to get it to sit flush, but from my experience the 0.1mm strips do bond a lot better and very flush for the few times I did attempt soldering.
Don't rush through the rebuild. Perform such tasks with one wire at a time. This will drastically reduce your chances of making a mistake.
If the thermal fuse is thoroughly blown, you can stop right here. If your laptop's own utility identified the battery as failed as soon as you insert the battery, you can stop here and give up. I've had zero luck of rebuilding with an OEM BMS with a blown fuse and have it working even after bridging it over, without the need of a programmer. If it's only partly blown (fuse not measuring full voltage but also not zero), it could work with a chance after bridging over.
Aftermarket battery BMS are unlikely to lock themselves if you disconnect battery power, but I've had problems with the reliability of those BMS and also bad luck with them increasing their full charge capacity. Some OEM BMS will let you fully disconnect power, from positive to the negative, and reassemble by connecting from negative to positive, short the positive to the positive on the connector, and have it working, but I try not to do that without a NLBA programmer for backup.
Out of all the OEM's that I tried:
Old Thinkpad batteries (T/A3x and earlier) don't lock themselves on power disconnect, but I've had horrible luck getting them to increase full charge capacity. T/R4x/5x BMS do increase their full charge capacity just fine. T6x-Tx20 battery are more evil and swap must be done with hot swap to avoid locking; Tx30 batteries and newer are exceptionally evil and can lock themselves for no reason. The ThinkPad battery maximizepower manager will help you with extra information.
Dell batteries all require hot swap with a live BMS to work properly. Be careful about expresscharge on 2010s batteries and newer - If you use battery cells too "good" and use that version of expresscharge they can blow the BMS by overcurrent. Dell batteries from 2011 onwards are also extremely evil, presumably due to the exploding Dell batteries of earlier.
HP batteries also require hot swap. But after that, most of them will increase their full charge capacity properly, but I've had one identified as Sanyo battery (rather than showing up as HP battery) that failed to do that. I heard newer HP batteries from like 2014 onwards are also very evil. HP Power ManageBattery Check with advanced mode even provides information about the exact voltage for each of the groups, super neat!
Acer batteries all require hot swap, even the oldest ones from like 2003. Most of their BMS will lock even if you disconnect power from the positive to the negative and then reverse for reconnection. They are however pretty friendly otherwise, even for the times I made a mistake accidentally disconnecting wires, then within 2 seconds I hold the wire against the contact, and solder back in, or even for that one time I shorted something and saw nasty smoke. The BMS enters sleep in that case but didn't lock.
Here's my steps for dealing with an OEM battery pack
  1. Disassembly
Pick a non-noticeable place, start by wedging a sharp crafting knife into the seams to create separation. If the battery is held together with mainly clips, use flat head screwdriver to pop the clips open. If it's heavily glued down, use that crafting knife and SLICE across to cut open as much epoxy as you can with minimal destruction, do it slowly and bit by bit. Use flathead to help you once you sliced most of that. Try to do the brute force away from the BMS board.
  1. Identify the circuitry
Study the factory original wiring carefully. Take good pictures of both sides, and study carefully where and how each of the pins connect to the BMS board. Take good note of the places they put insulating material such as white wax paper and tape.
  1. Preparation
Start spot welding the new battery pack and get it to resemble as much of this as possible. Carefully separate the old battery from the housing and start peeling away tape. Remember to separate the thermal probe!! If your BMS belongs to the evil ones, have the old and replacement packs charged up to roughly the same level. If any nickel strip folds down from the positive end of any cell to the sidewalls of the cell, insulate with heat resistant kapton tape. I'd reuse the wax paper from the original battery pack but that comes later.
  1. Hot swapping
For each of the connections, 3 in the case of 7.2/7.4V pack, 4 in the case of 10.8/11.1V pack, and 5 in the case of 14.4/14.8V pack, see how it's connected to the BMS. If it's connected with a thru hole wire, it's the easiest - just pick a sufficiently long wire and double up the wiring from the bottom of the thru hole to another place on the battery that has the same polarity. This way you can disconnect the original wire from the battery end and reuse the wire. If it's a nickel strip connection, it's gonna be more tricky. For positive and negative terminus, you can get away with a jump wire soldered to another component such as the current resistor and disconnect the nickel strip connection later; for middle wires you may have to do a jump wire from the bottom of the connection onto somewhere else on the battery, then later snip the nickel strip connection and solder the broken end to the end of the replacement pack.
Once you doubled up all of the wiring, either put the replacement pack on top or on bottom of the old pack, brainstorm just how exactly you'll pull off the hot swap so you know what to do. Once you're ready, disconnect the original connections as indicated, one by one. Then, slightly lift the BMS board up or down, and slowly one by one connect the original wires to the new battery pack. If there is any plastic spacers, transfer them across now. Once that's done and you're confident they all have solid connections, disconnect the secondary connections still attached to the old battery. If the wire now goes inside of the BMS and the new battery pack, tape up the disconnected exposed end of the wire so you won't short something while sliding it out.
Then, transfer over all of the original insulated wax paper connections, and tape up the places that had tape originally. Take loads of clear photos of the final result on both sides, zoom in and pixel peep to see if there are any shortcomings that can affect the safety.
Put the battery inside the inside housing facing into the battery bay, make sure all the terminus are not exposed, and connect the battery pack for testing.
Once you made sure it charges and discharges properly, organise the wires to make them resemble as much like out of the factory as possible, tape up the thermal probe to the right place, put liquid adhesive on the side of the battery that originally had adhesive.
Before you put the top shell back on, take more photos and examine one more round whether there are any shortcomings. Then use liquid adhesive and clamp the battery shut, removing any broken pieces of plastics that could be sticking out. If a corner is not sitting flush right, then use superglue. Clamp it shut using a clamp and leave it to dry for a few hours.
And that's it! This is a very long guide, but this is how I do laptop battery rebuilds with the utmost amount of elegance inside, in most cases without the need of a programmer, and (especially my later rebuilds) I make them as safe as they came out of the factory! Those photos are valuable both for you to share around and for you to come back and inspect whether there can be any deficiencies with your construction.
To reset the battery guage (increase full charge capacity), fully charge the battery, make sure the cells are charged to at least ~4.1V per cell. Turn off hibernation at critical battery level, or if you can't do that, at least put it to sleep so you can wake it back up. Discharge the battery, monitor using software such as batterymon. On most BMS it'll hover at around 6-7% for a very long time before going down further, at which point you can attach the charger, and the capacity should start coming up. On Acer laptops you need to reseat the battery for the updated full charge capacity to show in software. If there are software or manufacturer instructed instructions on how to do the guage reset, follow that.
Here are some galleries on Imgur, the rest are on OneDrive which I have to figure out how to upload on reddit without blocking:
https://imgur.com/a/rku1ZJn
https://imgur.com/a/0KUSgQk
submitted by kfzhu1229 to batteries [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:30 Moturnach Question for dedicated camp builders, what can you recommend for Swamp build?

I have idea for camp and i want to check the parts im missing.
Depending on if ill manage to build it in way i want, but im looking forward to making some swamp related camp and im planning to try to build one under the bridge to make something looking like outpost, or if i will find a really good place, something like a hanging out house using one of the columns of the bridge as foundation for whole structure.
What would you recommend to fit this idea? Im looking for Free States Bundle just because it have fitting design for my theme, like defensive structures, so you can use it as example of what im looking for.
Stuff im currently having:
Vault Catwalk bundle (bought this one for building shenanigans)
Vines Bundle(just because again building shenanigans+ i really like how they looks, do planning to use one to make camp a bit more themed towards swamp one)
Polished Enclave Turrets set - I don't really like default turrets, these is much cooler+ as far as i got, more effective. Definitely will use couple just for cool look.
Succulent set - kinda fits theme + i like cacti + it was really cheap.
Overgrown vehicle - very fitting theme+ I definitely will find it a place in camp.
Fanatics Barricade - very cool looking + kinda fits my idea.
Also i have almost all stuff from Aliens and Mothman Equinox events, if its matters.
I also have majority of free plans,as well as Super Reactor and Solar Panels(Will use one or another obviously, in case of Super Reactor i think i just make it a centerpiece and build stuff around it because despite being massive, it should look awesome as part of building. Solar panels is just very convenient silent source of electricity+ they look quite good when grouped together)
Also i have evey non FoF item from current seasons, planning to get all stuff from bonus page, especially cabin seat.
Among those I have Grass Roof is probably worth a try.
So what do you recommend to look at? Im planning to use Steel set mainly just because it looks more fitting for outpost theme. I don't mind to make it look partially junky like intentionally adding wooden/brick stuff to Steel building to imitate quick repairs.
So what do you recommend to look at?
Additional question, is there a set/stuff that adds a different kinds of half or quarter floors except default ones?
Reason why im asking its Utility Room shelter that im planning to turn into mini bunker that will be a part of outpost. Since the narrow room fits only 1,5 big foundations in narrow spaces i can't use floors from Catwalk bundle without mixing it with wooden floor and ceiling(metal one is transparent and i cant put wallpaper on Floor cells to make them more metal-looking, so i also look at ways to improve this because i often use those). Its can be decorated of course, but im curious if something like that exists.
Another thing id like to ask. Is it possible to make independent second floor to be able to rotate it and get a bit more interesting construction than regular 2 floor building like imitation of ship containers stacked one on top of another as crudely as possible or something similar.
P.S. Sorry for a lot of questions, just curious because i know what i want to build, but just looking for fitting stuff to get from Atomic Shop or probably elsewhere.
P.P.S I really wanted to buy FoF for month for freebies but for whatever reason i can't buy it via Windows Store for Ukraine.
submitted by Moturnach to fallout76settlements [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:26 moonlightstealer Went to the dietician and lost 3 pounds… of muscle. So annoyed lol

Hi everyone! This is my first post on here, even though I’ve been apart of this group for a month or so.
I weighed 225 in March and I am down to 218. I am happy about the little progress I make but I feel like I am messing up somewhere.
I went to the dietician and found out I lost three pounds of muscle instead of fat and this really put a damper on my spirits because it feels like all my hard work and time just went to waste.
Any advice on how to lose fat and just gain muscle, instead of what I’m doing now? Dietician suggested eating more protein, but what about working out???? 😭😭
Thanks in advance, I would really like to get to 200 at least by the end of July.
For workout, I walk in the treadmill everyday for 2.5 miles and weight lift 4 times a week for about 30 minutes
submitted by moonlightstealer to loseit [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:26 Abucketofmug My very big issues with Link vs Tarnished (Giant ass rant incoming)

My very big issues with Link vs Tarnished (Giant ass rant incoming)
My issues with Link vs Tarnished
By Abucketofmug
https://preview.redd.it/rpg5a4z0ju1d1.jpg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=771f8ea5d0a86a64884ec26ec7ff4ac1607c0149
Note to keep in mind:
This is not a debunk, nor is it meant to say “I hate this matchup and you should too!”. I know this community has had an issue with debunks and I unfortunately decided to make this at a time where people are getting sick of debunks. So let me just say this is all my opinion, and that what I say is not meant to kill this matchup or debunk it. If you want to enjoy it despite what I say, all power to you. I am entitled to my opinion as much as anyone else is to theirs.
And now onto the main event and I will be talking about this with one part at a time. With the first being connections/thematics.
Part 1: The flimsy connections
Here are the most up to date and recent connections I could find. If there are better ones that I should use instead of this then feel free to tell me.
  • Heroic medieval silent fantasy protagonists of critically acclaimed massive open-world action RPG video games.
  • Both have very little memory of their pasts because of their amnesia, making their pasts all the more mysterious.
  • Guided by a maiden to help them save a decaying world (Zelda and Ranni The Witch)
  • Masterfully skilled at horse riding and mounted combat.
  • Mainly known for being master swordsman despite having a massive arsenal of both melee weapons and ranged weapons
  • Possessed a set of unique supernatural abilities (Link's Sheikah Slate/Champion Powers, and The Tarnished's Sorceries and Incantations)
  • Both heroes would use their gifts and talents to heroically help a woman with divine powers usurp control from the previous rulers who ruined said world into their hands and start a new age (Link helping Zelda stop Calamity Ganon and if you count the Age of Stars ending as the canon ending, Tarnished helps free Ranni The Witch and able to end age of evil in the Lands Between)
Now let me just say first I don’t think these are inherently wrong. This isn’t meant to be a debunk but I am going to talk about my issues with these connections as well as other aspects of this mu.
And I think from this some of you might start to see the issue. The connections have a case of being either generic as hell or interesting but still iffy. I feel this matchup tries to take a quality over quantity approach and fails at that as these connections while they do work do not go into either character at all. It doesn’t cover any of Link’s character and his struggles, drawing him to be some blank slate of a character which could not be further from the truth. And it doesn't cover any aspect of Elden Ring’s frankly amazing story. The connections you can call solid come off as stretches once you know the series and the main issue is that this doesn't at all cover Tears of the Kingdom, this matchup mainly only goes into Botw and doesn't go deeper into either of their respective characters or worlds.
It really just feels like “Oh they sure do be amnesiac swordsmen in open world fantasy games” and while this works decently as a main theme it fails to add anything of quality onto it which just leaves the connections feeling dry, even ignoring the fact that it doesn't cover Totk. And I’ve heard people say shit like “it’ll get better once Shadow of the Erdtree comes out!” but that is a huge maybe at best. And if your argument is that the connections might get better once Shadow of the Erdtree comes out then that’s not so much an argument as it is praying the DLC adds to the connections.
Part 2: The fight potential doing too much or not enough
Now I know this’ll piss some people off but I see absolutely nothing special about this fight potential. Don’t get me wrong it’s not bad so much as it’s just painfully mediocre. There are admittedly some interesting things one could do with this, and they both have 3D models that can work kinda well even if they clash a bit in art style and quality. And this can be a decent clash of weapons with some variety in it. But it really starts to fall flat once you consider their greater abilities, how these two fight, and the very existence of Totk.
These two at a base level can fight in some similar ways, but the pace of which is vastly different. A lot of the stuff that happens in botw and totk can be described as fast paced with you constantly running around and traversing the battlefield in many unique ways. Elden Ring is a fucking soulslike game and as such does not match that same level of pace you see Link at.
There can be work arounds but it usually boils down to making Link fight at a slower pace or Tarnished at a faster pace. So it’s either making Link a lot less interesting or straight up misrepresenting Tarnished. Which leads me into my next point which is that I see no way you can make this fight fluid while including everything Link gains in totk. The constructs just simply cannot play well off of anything Tarnished has and it leaves so much to be desired. Tarnished is just not that mobile, at least not enough to create a fluid animation between these two.
There are a few ways I can see this matchup working and they all has issues of its own. Here are the most notable.
  1. I’ve heard people mention you just use botw. But not only is that effectively cucking Link of a lot of his arsenal as well as half of his fucking story. But it only also leads back into my point that all this can really accomplish is some decent sword fighting with occasional weapon switches. Not bad but insanely lacking as well as failing to do Link justice.
  2. If you do use totk however then this entire matchup just turns into “Link’s matchup and also Tarnished is there I guess” and that just completely kills this matchup for me as these two are very interesting and I love both their games but they just can’t play off each other that well at all. With constructs, fuse, and the sage abilities this just makes it seem like Tarnished doesn't matter here which kills the whole point of all these matchups.
  3. “Comp them!” No… why would anyone do that? That ruins the connections and while it does help fight wise, it also shares the same issues to #2 in that it’s just Link stealing the show with Tarnished not getting much. As apart from his original game what does Tarnished have that will help with animation?
Part 3: Lack of anything meaningful character wise
Now I know this may fall into interaction and story potential in which case I know what you're thinking “Mug they're silent protagonists, that's the whole point” in which case I just ask you all to hear me out. While yes neither really talk for their own respective reasons there are still interactions one can have with silent protagonists. And I think the best example of this is any version of Link. Link the majority of the time is a bit mischievous and playful despite being a hero with nearly every iteration of him. And this Link is honestly such a great character in my eyes. But this matchup throws that out the window by having the currently best written version of Link have nothing to bounce off of character wise. But I suppose that's not an issue with the matchups quality. Just extreme missed potential.
Along with that this might just be me but I see no interesting way a fight between the two could start. To have in character reasons to want to fight does help a matchup, especially if you want to make a script or if someone animates it. But with how this matchup is I just can't see any way this can start without it just being a misunderstanding or pulling what Weiss vs Mistsuru did and have it start mid fight. And this shares the same issue I have with the rest of the mu, yeah it can technically work, but if this isn't the most boring and uninspired shit then I don’t know what is.
Part 4: The conclusion to this shit. AKA This matchup isn’t bad but man it needs work.
Let me just quickly recap my overall points. This'll be a tldr for those who don't feel like reading allat.
  1. This matchups, connections while not wrong are so uninspired and feel dry as hell. They don’t take Tears of the Kingdom into account and the connections that are of quality can even be considered stretches.
  2. The fight doesn't do what I’d like for either and to create a fluid fight you’re effectively forced to only use botw which sucks as you not only are removing Link’s most interesting arsenal and gear but it just draws this up to be a sword fight just with some more weapons added in.
  3. The lack of interactions in one of the most interesting, and entertaining versions of Link there is.
Do I think this is a bad matchup? No I don't. But I can't pretend like this isn't an incredibly mediocre matchup that does nothing interesting with either characters. If you want a good Hero of the Wild matchup then Aang is right there. And if you want a good Tarnished matchup… Well unfortunately I have yet to find a Tarnished matchup that has good connections. But Dark Urge is there if you want some good fight potential that portrays Tarnished in a better light. Truthfully I don't think I'll ever truly like this but if the connections got a solid revamp that'd greatly help this matchup.
I don't really know how to end this as I don't usually write this kinda stuff. So just have a good day I guess.
submitted by Abucketofmug to DeathBattleMatchups [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:21 stefco05 Need mental support

Need mental support
Guys I just had someone telling me that the HDMI Port wasn’t working. After a quick lookup on the model, that person didn’t even had an HDMI Port. That person just rammed a HDMI Cable into a USB-A Port…. Well the laptop was bent and everything was fricked. Guys please…. I can’t do this anymore. HOW DO YOU EVEN GET THE IDEA THAT THAT BIG THING FITS IN THAT HOLE?! I actually don’t have a picture with it because I didn’t make one (walk-in support because they don’t get it to write a ticket and this was too bad) so please just enjoy this simple picture of the Docking Station she already had lying at her desk with a free HDMI Port….
submitted by stefco05 to techsupportgore [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:21 Dwarven_cavediver The Years of Gold and Iron III

The Years of Gold and Iron III
The Years Of Gold and Iron Part III
Mike Mentzer’s 1992 Presidential Campaign is a success! And as the 42nd President of the United States one of His first Acts was to Immediately Downsize Many Areas of Government. ending Several restrictions on Businesses and Bringing back manufacturing to many ailing Industrial areas in the United States.
“The Rust Belt is gonna get a Wash and New coat of paint.”
Was a slogan of his early presidency, and he followed through as The American Auto Industry and the Burgeoning Computer Industry open up factories all over the former rust belt and Inner cities in America. With a healthy manufacturing industry and an economic Boom Pres. Mentzer goes about making sure that the younger Generation gets to enjoy the wealth and know what to do with it. In late 1993 he Pushes the Heavy duty Education Overhaul act into effect; Adolescents all over America will Now have Access to Premium Physical Education and civics and Economic classes, along with better food and health care services inside of schools. While being a Libertarian Pres. Mentzer understands that the youth in America will only stay free and happy in their home country if they can enjoy it to its fullest. He even Asks Lee Iacocca (head of Chrysler corporation who He Helped by Making Jeep a Massively Popular Brand and providing free publicity for it’s newer models.) to help bring back Affordable automobiles for Younger Americans. A lot of this came from His radical Defunding of Both the ATF and EPA whom he long considered to be Government funded Overbearing Paper pushers. And with considerable backlash from the more conservative groups at the time Decriminalizing Both Cannabis and certain steroids. This would not be the Only Way he made enemies.
Mike mentzer was an objectivist and the idea of Religion in schools was already not in his mind a good thing, but also was Military Bloat spending, or The North American Free trade act. In His mind with the cold war Over and with His plan being to make his Country as powerful as possible He Needed American Goods to be worth more and Not nearly as much spent on the most powerful army on the planet. His most vocal opponents weren’t from a political standpoint. Rather a New coalition formed from a single Event.
It’s 1993 and Nirvana is on top of the world. Kurt Cobain wouldn’t Describe it that way though. The stress from Fame and an unfortunate Addiction to heroin has him and his band mates Dave Grohl And Krist Noveslic at each other’s throats for the seemingly last time. Kurt storms off out of the studio and Heads to his home to be alone, only to be confronted in the streets by A large, Square Jawed Man who looks and smells like he has not showered in a while. “Give Your clothes and your money!” He yells in a thick accent. Kurt can barely process what was said before being lifted and thrown against a nearby wall. Dave and Krist come outside in time to see Kurt left a beaten Heap of blood and Meat on the concrete outside a small church. The pastor is calling for EMS already, claiming he did what he could to chase off the attacker and stop the bleeding. Kurt spends 4 months in the hospital and suffers through withdrawal hell. When he leaves however, h is not the same man he was. When you can’t walk, or even talk for months, reading and listening become your escape. The pastor who saved him Showed up every day and read passages of the bible to Kurt. Explaining he recognized the Track marks on Kurts arm and has Junkies in his congregation. As Kurt heals he becomes closer and closer to Both God and the Gospel, focusing on Jesus’ Healing of the sick and his condemnation of the wealthy. He reflects on people like Joel Olsteen who He grows to despise as a Grifter and a Heretic as anyone who uses God to make money is a Snake, and how we need someone for the Poor.
When He finally Emerges from the Hospital he’s been drug free for months, Divorced Courtney Love, and Become devoted to Spreading his message He believes he received from God. With His bandmates and friends in the grunge scene soon becoming fervent supporters as well as many lower and Middle income families who see their kids listening to A large selection of now Christian and Charitable Bands which appeal to the Religious and Poorer people left behind in the Agricultural areas of the US where Mentzer made little effort to appeal to. The democratic Party sees the writing on the wall as the Libertarian Party Assimilates many voters from the Republican Party and renames itself the Freedom Party, Political Candidates from the Democratic and Green Party soon Join up with the Prog Cross Movement and soon Become the Christian Charity League. As the 1990’s comes to an end we see The Middle east in flames as With Less Military involvement from the US under Mentzer’s leadership Isreal Dominating the areas Nearby and Saddam and Ghadafi Dividing up the northern African region. Saddam seeks one last insult to the west that came in and invaded back in the early 90’s during the bush administration, and plans a Gas attack in Oregon.
submitted by Dwarven_cavediver to AlternateHistory [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:17 windowtomymind My partner (26NB) was mean to me (23F) in front of my mom (first meeting). How to go from here?

my partner, who i love, has been working on changing. they are going to therapy, using therapy tools and making huge effort. they always admit their mistakes and apologise soon after they do something like yell o overreact. they grew up without a role model for love, and their family relationships are tumultuous- which I have seen. The family is a lot. They are also from a culture known for yelling being he normal.
Anyways, I am close with my family. My mom came to visit us after three years of marriage (international couple) and finally met my partner in person. The first few days were fine but the last day was awful. All the stuff my partner had worked on in therapy over the past few months went out the window completely. They insulted me in a catty way and told me they wanted a divorce twice in the same day, both in front of my mom. Both times they apologised after but it was INSANE that they did this in front of my mom, whose opinion means so much to me. She now told my family and doesn't feel like I am in a emotionally safe relationship. I moved to a different country to be with my partner so for them to threaten divorce is to uproot and change my whole life in a way that is so intense. International relationships are hard and we have had a difficult time as it is.
My mom and I cried on the last day, not how I wanted her to feel at the end of her trip. She supports and loves my other siblings relationships, but said mine felt like a toxic cycle of fighting and making up. I don't know what to do. My partner cried and apologised, asking for me back and said they would do more therapy and that they didn't mean it. They used to say that and I told them threatening the relationship is abusive when i have nobody in this country and that's a big reason they went to therapy in the first place. The fighting was over trivial sh*t like sharing housework and just little stuff I don't fight people over. Insulting me too. My mom knows i'm very non particulachill and knows I wouldn't ever get worked up about these things. She felt my partner talked down to me and was not pulling their weight in the relationship, which is true and I almost broke up with them before they started making those impactful changes.
Now my mom saw the way they treated me a few months ago before they started to change, and I was so upset in her visit those behaviours came out. When they said they wanted a divorce in front of my mom I almost packed my bags and left. I stayed in the end because they were telling me they are going to do more therapy or anything I need to try to change. They love me and I love them, my mom agrees to seeing their love for me and that it is a dysfunction in how they show it.
I told them I am taking time to decide if I should stay or go. I am married and in love with this person, so nuanced answers would be appreciated. They are a good person, but with bad learned tendencies from their family (which I have witnessed) and are actively trying to change.
On the flip, can I be with someone who would talk down on me and threaten our relationship in front of my family? It seems humiliating in an unforgivable way, or that's how it felt in the moment. I love them very much, but I feel at a crossroads.
Can people change patterns they work hard to change, and do not want in your opinion. And if they can, how long would I need to be patient to wait for those changes. They've been in therapy for a few months and had really made so many changes I asked for until my mom came... which is really really upsetting. We are in our early 20's and I just need advice from other married people. They have manipulative and controlling tendencies- and so does the family. I always call it out, they always apologise.
I know people say "if your partner wants to they will" and they are doing everything I asked, but how they acted especially in front of meeting my mom was nuts. They are in the process of changing. I am in the process of deciding to stay or go.
Mind you, it is a huge life decision as I applied for PR in their home country and paid a lot of money and we are married. My whole life would change drastically if I left, and they are my best friend, partner, and companion. They treat me right 80% of the time, but the other 20% is unacceptable. And they know that. I always tell them.
Drunk rant.
submitted by windowtomymind to LesbianActually [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:13 windowtomymind My partner (26NB) was mean to me (23F) in front of my mom (first meeting). How to go from here?

my partner, who i love, has been working on changing. they are going to therapy, using therapy tools and making huge effort. they always admit their mistakes and apologise soon after they do something like yell o overreact. they grew up without a role model for love, and their family relationships are tumultuous- which I have seen. The family is a lot. They are also from a culture known for yelling being he normal.
Anyways, I am close with my family. My mom came to visit us after three years of marriage (international couple) and finally met my partner in person. The first few days were fine but the last day was awful. All the stuff my partner had worked on in therapy over the past few months went out the window completely. They insulted me in a catty way and told me they wanted a divorce twice in the same day, both in front of my mom. Both times they apologised after but it was INSANE that they did this in front of my mom, whose opinion means so much to me. She now told my family and doesn't feel like I am in a emotionally safe relationship. I moved to a different country to be with my partner so for them to threaten divorce is to uproot and change my whole life in a way that is so intense. International relationships are hard and we have had a difficult time as it is.
My mom and I cried on the last day, not how I wanted her to feel at the end of her trip. She supports and loves my other siblings relationships, but said mine felt like a toxic cycle of fighting and making up. I don't know what to do. My partner cried and apologised, asking for me back and said they would do more therapy and that they didn't mean it. They used to say that and I told them threatening the relationship is abusive when i have nobody in this country and that's a big reason they went to therapy in the first place. The fighting was over trivial sh*t like sharing housework and just little stuff I don't fight people over. Insulting me too. My mom knows i'm very non particulachill and knows I wouldn't ever get worked up about these things. She felt my partner talked down to me and was not pulling their weight in the relationship, which is true and I almost broke up with them before they started making those impactful changes.
Now my mom saw the way they treated me a few months ago before they started to change, and I was so upset in her visit those behaviours came out. When they said they wanted a divorce in front of my mom I almost packed my bags and left. I stayed in the end because they were telling me they are going to do more therapy or anything I need to try to change. They love me and I love them, my mom agrees to seeing their love for me and that it is a dysfunction in how they show it.
I told them I am taking time to decide if I should stay or go. I am married and in love with this person, so nuanced answers would be appreciated. They are a good person, but with bad learned tendencies from their family (which I have witnessed) and are actively trying to change.
On the flip, can I be with someone who would talk down on me and threaten our relationship in front of my family? It seems humiliating in an unforgivable way, or that's how it felt in the moment. I love them very much, but I feel at a crossroads.
Can people change patterns they work hard to change, and do not want in your opinion. And if they can, how long would I need to be patient to wait for those changes. They've been in therapy for a few months and had really made so many changes I asked for until my mom came... which is really really upsetting. We are in our early 20's and I just need advice from other married people. They have manipulative and controlling tendencies- and so does the family. I always call it out, they always apologise.
I know people say "if your partner wants to they will" and they are doing everything I asked, but how they acted especially in front of meeting my mom was nuts. They are in the process of changing. I am in the process of deciding to stay or go.
Mind you, it is a huge life decision as I applied for PR in their home country and paid a lot of money and we are married. My whole life would change drastically if I left, and they are my best friend, partner, and companion. They treat me right 80% of the time, but the other 20% is unacceptable. And they know that. I always tell them.
Drunk rant.
submitted by windowtomymind to relationship_advice [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:13 KyleKKent OOCS, Into A Wider Galaxy 009

~First~
Cats, Cops and C4
The Erumenta woman tries to fight even as he forces her into the cell, her natural fire flaring hot enough for his clothing to smoulder and him to mentally congratulate himself for his Undaunted Brand. It’s literally saved his fingers multiple times today.
Marlintine Spire is like many of the spires of Centris still reeling from the massive scan. Sure it had been legal, and both Living Goddesses upon the world had told everyone to calm down in their own way. But just because something is legal and endorsed by powerful figures does not make it a popular move.
“You burn any of your fellow prisoners while you’re in there and you’re getting a suppression collar.” He tells the obstinate criminal as he shoves her into the holding cell and slams the bars shut. The forcefields supplementing the metal bars flickers into place and the blast of flame she aimed at his face splashes against it without further effect. “Cute, keep it up and we won’t need a court hearing to upgrade you to a real prison.”
“He’s being serious. Stripper boy is playing at being a serious police officer.” Another criminal mocks and is subsequently ignored as Chenk leaves the area. He has other things to do.
“Ma’am.” He greets Chief Bowman as he slips by to head back out.
“Hold it human. I know your kind are endurance monsters, but you need to sit the hell down. You’ve been dragging in cult soldiers for six and a half hours straight. Your legal overtime ended a half hour ago.”
“Then keep a cell open for me as I keep bringing in more people. This needs to be quelled.” Chenk says and as he turns to keep going she grabs his belt and pulls him back.
“You need to rest.”
“The Spire is in the middle of a borderline insurrection. I can rest when it’s...” He begins to say before a sudden movement to his right makes his head snap around. Just before Vera the Takra-Takra crashes into him.
“Thanks for stalling him out Chief! Come on you goofy human!” Vera announces as she drags him down the hallway and into Linda’s Office. She tosses him onto the couch and then pounces onto him and pins him.
“Really?” Chenk asks.
“Yes really. You need to calm down. And I found a way to force it.” Linda states.
“But the Spire is...”
“You are one officer. Supersoldier on loan to the station or not, you’re still only one officer. The structural integrity of this spire only depends upon you when there’s a bomb threat and even then, only when it’s a chemical bomb.” Linda tells him. “Or do we have to restrict you to only being called out during a bomb threat?”
“No.” He says. “But people are still getting hurt and...”
“And they're the ones hurting themselves. Just please calm down. I know you’re skilled, but your sense of justice is just going to hurt you at this rate. Don’t want to leave a bad example for Amy now do you?” Linda teases him and Chenk groans in frustration.
“... I really should have thought things through before growing attached to that girl.”
“Oh probably, but it was adorable to see. The world crashing down on a poor little girl in over her head and then Officer Hero, Supersoldier from the blackest void of the galaxy flies in to save her.” Vera teases.
“Still, him being a supersoildier is a bit of a problem right now. Big man needs a mission, or he’s going to go nuts!” Linda notes. “Luckily! I called one of your friends on the ship. Soldier, you’re in position to requre a talking to from The Observer. However, the call is on hold, but you need to be here when it goes off.”
“That’s a dirty trick.” Chenk notes even as an Undaunted communicator is tossed at him and he catches it. It’s activated, it’s in a waiting queue and there’s no way he can go into the field now if he’s waiting for an official answer. “Very dirty.”
“Good thinking!” Vera compliments as she cuddles closer to her pinned target. Her hair spikes out in sudden shock as The Communicator then goes off to signify the call has gone through. “I jinxed it!”
“Specialist Chenk Barnabas sir!” Chenk answers the call instantly as he sits up and Vera scurries off him.
“Really? I put him on that waiting list to get him to calm down and stop working.”
“Specialist Barnabas, I’m one of numerous individuals filtering the sheer number of incoming calls to The Inevitable. You’re in the proper queue now, please state what you have been doing as a member of The Undaunted so that Observer Wu can better decide who to speak with.”
“I’m on loan to one of Marlintine Spire’s major police stations. Due to the overpopulation of Centris this means I have been acting as elite law enforcement over a population that exceeds that of many of earth’s countries.”
“I see, anything in particular that you’re doing?”
“I’m a chemical expert and accredited detective at this rate. I am the go to specialist for law enforcement when it comes to chemical explosives for a full ten percent of Centris Police Departments.”
“Any particularly interesting cases you’ve been assigned to?”
“Yes, one that is still being debated in court by none other than The Trytite Lady. It involves cloning, murder, mercenaries, numerous criminal gangs and a great deal of more nonsense such as massive prison breaks, fighting robots and Axiom effects so dangerous that even speaking about them in anything more than the most broad and general of terms on an open frequency is a punishable offence.”
“So you have seen a fair amount of what has occurred in the galaxy.”
“I’ve seen enough that I’m going to be very hard to surprise or overwhelm any longer.” Chenk says.
“Very good. I’ll just note this down. The Galaxy is absolutely insane, I’ve been fielding calls from people with like nine heads all speaking in concert and god damn lobster people and more...”
“That’s reality for you.” Chenk replies. “Always more absurd than it should be.”
“Indeed, stand by. I’m putting you into the next proper queue. It shouldn’t be more than a minute or two long.” The Assistant states and then the call shifts to simply display that he’s fourth in the queue now.
“Hunh. Faster and somehow slower than expected at the same time.” Chenk says even as Vera leans against him.
“Even when you take a break you’re still working.”
“You didn’t complain about me being an endurance monster when I planted this in you.” He says gently patting her growing stomach and she pushes him a bit in protest.
“Problem with getting the super-babies of doom is the wait for the baby.” Vera complains and he chuckles before the communicator activates again. He puts it in broadcast mode as Linda leaves her desk to sit next to him for support.
“Observer Wu I take it?” Chenk asks the Asian man who nods.
“And you are Officer and Operative Barnabas. The little summary in front of your call has my attention. Tell me, how are laws generally handled in the Centris space.”
“Centris is a massively overpopulated planet consisting of Spires and Plates. The Spires are the massive multi tiered towers that have two hundred levels each and each level holds enough people to populate any major city on Earth with ease. The lower the level on the spire the less funding, infrastructure and support it has with the bottom ten generally considered a universal slum or no man’s land. Law enforcement in those areas is nigh on impossible and the air itself has been described as thick and fetid. No natural light reaches those areas either.”
“And higher up?”
“Increasing amounts of wealth and support. To such a degree that the plates, which form an artificial ring around Centris are of such high quality that their most squalid and desperate places are at roughly the same standard of living as the middle fifty floors of a well off Spire. As you can imagine, policing all this is an outright herculean effort and every station, no matter how well funded, armed or endorsed is simply inadequate for the task.”
“What sort of crimes have you witnessed?”
“I’ve stopped terrorist conspiracies, torn down drug labs, found myself between assassins and their targets, I’ve stood in the middle of gang wars commanding people to stand down, I have tackled muggers, murderers and maniacs alike into walls and cuffed them. Not even twenty minutes ago I dragged a criminal who could light fires with her will alone into a cell, my jacket is still singed from it.”
“So the world is rife with criminality.”
“No more than any other place, there’s just so many people crammed in here that it’s constant, and that’s without the recent provocation that every single criminal organization received more or less simultaneously. Generally for every single idiot that needs a police officer to remind them why good behaviour is a good idea, there’s an entire bus full of people that didn’t even consider breaking the law.” Chenk explains.
“But when they truly commit crimes they don’t stop do they?”
“No, more resources, technology and Axiom means that if someone wants to break the rules they can break the very concept of rules. The last major case I was in before this flashfire of criminality was kicked off involved the sanctity of body and mind being shattered for the sake of mere greed by a figure so underworld infamous that for a chance to get either evidence on the person in question or ingratiate themselves to them we had an all out war break out in the station. One that if not for a quick trick, we would have lost.”
“And the trick was?”
“Switching out the prize for a disguised tracking beacon.” Chenk says and Observer Wu nods appreciatively. “I can’t credit on that though, it was The Private Stream that did that.”
“I haven’t had that fully explained to me. What is THE Private Stream?”
“I’m not the best person to explain it, but a quick summary is that it’s a shared persona for low profile work. Operative Jameson is the founder and original Private Stream, a persona that lets him go around while heavily armed and armoured while arousing no suspicion.”
Vera snorts in amusement. “Arousing... lot of girls find the aw shucks innocent routine to be arousing.”
Chenk slowly urns to her. “What?”
“You know what.”
“Maybe I don’t!”
“Maybe you do.”
“Could we focus please?” Observer Wu asks. “Now, as an Officer, are there any laws that you would find concerning about humans?”
“Yes, they’re usually location dependant thankfully. So the issue can be avoided. Furthermore there’s a lot of leeway given in laws where the traits of a species would make following the law difficult if not impossible. For example a human can generally get away carrying substances that are considered highly toxic or dangerous due to the fact that our diets contain what many people in the galaxy are nothing more than hard core poisons.”
“Hmm... Could you be more specific?”
“Well, this one won’t apply to you due to an amendment that Admiral Cistern was able to get allies to help him push through, but one of the most popular religions the galaxy over is the Gravid Faith, it has numerous denominations and variants and several of them create what’s called Arrangement Systems where men are required by law to have a hundred wives.”
“And the amendment is?”
“That if you are gainfully employed by governmental or military forces that you are exempt from the law so long as you remained employed in such a manner. You Observer Wu are the eyes of hundreds of Earth Nations meaning a government employee.” Chenk explains and he nods.
“I see. Any other exemptions?”
“Generally the Galaxy looks down on kinetic weaponry, so when it was pushed that humans wear weapons and cultural garb it was allowed through without issue. So humans are legally allowed to carry weapons like knives and pistols at almost all time without question. It’s... rather stupid in my opinion, but well it would be even more foolish for me to complain about something I’m outright benefiting from.”
“Hmm... any other laws?”
“They very much vary by location. Which are further influenced by the species of the residents, local culture, religion, political association, economic status. The name of the game is jurisdiction issues here on Centris. The local police departments all help one another, but always at the invite of the local officers who can actually confirm if what’s taking place is a crime or not in the local area.”
“Can you give an example of this working against things?”
“Alright, the easiest example is with drugs. There is no agreed on way to combat the spread of illegal narcotics. Some make the growing of the plants that produce what you want illegal. Others make the refinement of it’s fruit illegal and some make the selling of the drug illegal. So you can produce it all on the third Spire and sell it on the first two legally. You can grow the plant on the second and third spire legally, refine it on the first and third legally and that way you have a massive multi-jurisdiction drug running operation without technically breaking any law.”
“Hmm... that is a great deal to consider. I presume other such crimes can operate the same way?”
“Unfortunately yes. But that’s the problem with laws, you need to set where the boundaries are, but not make people prisoners in their own homes. There’s always a loophole.”
“Tragically yes.” Observer Wu remarks. “Now, I do need to speak to the others, but I have a few moments more. Who and what are you sitting near. The vaguely catlike woman on your right and the... generally human looking woman on your left are?”
“Linda is to my left. Partner and wife, the first actual police officer of us three. Vera is to my right. Wandering Warrior and wife. Linda is a Tret woman, they’re best considered to be humans if we evolved with Axiom helping us, a sister species to our own people. Vera is a Takra-Takra, she and her kind can shapeshift into the ferocious Warform and use it in battle. They pride their skill as Warriors and seek out stronger mates to empower the next generation.” Chenk explains before tiltiing the view down a little to show the pregnant stomach on Vera. “A work in progress.”
“I see. Congratulations. Although compared to many other Undaunted you seem a little behind.”
“I wasn’t aware it was a race.”
“Which is exactly how you lose the race!” Vera says in an amused tone.
“Indeed. Every conversation leads me to believe that I need to take an entire university degree in order to understand things. Thankfully your own is rather straight forward.”
“Really? Who are you speaking with next?”
“I haven't decided yet, but I need to speak with everyone in some way.” Observer Wu states.
“Good luck sir, I think you’ll need it.” Chenk says.
“Excuse me, is there a way to get a human to calm down and take a break? Ever since Centris was Scanned and hidden societies were exposed all over Chenk has refused to stop working. Is there any way to just get him to take a break?” Linda asks.
“It generally varies from person to person. But I would suggest guilting him. Emotional blackmail is a powerful tool.” Observer Wu says with a slight smirk.
“Traitor!” Chenk declares and there’s a chuckle from The Observer.
“Indeed. I’m afraid this call needs to finish now. Best of luck.” Observer Wu says before the call ends.
“So... we need to guilt you then? Okay!” Vera exclaims before her eyes start to water. “Don’t you wanna be there for the baby? Doesn’t she deserve a daddy?”
“Oh my god woman!”
~First~ Last
submitted by KyleKKent to HFY [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:11 windowtomymind my partner (26 nb) was mean to me (23f) when meeting my mom for hr first time

my partner, who i love, has been working on changing. they are going to therapy, using therapy tools and making huge effort. they always admit their mistakes and apologise soon after they do something like yell o overreact. they grew up without a role model for love, and their family relationships are tumultuous- which I have seen. The family is a lot. They are also from a culture known for yelling being he normal.
Anyways, I am close with my family. My mom came to visit us after three years of marriage (international couple) and finally met my partner in person. The first few days were fine but the last day was awful. All the stuff my partner had worked on in therapy over the past few months went out the window completely. They insulted me in a catty way and told me they wanted a divorce twice in the same day, both in front of my mom. Both times they apologised after but it was INSANE that they did this in front of my mom, whose opinion means so much to me. She now told my family and doesn't feel like I am in a emotionally safe relationship. I moved to a different country to be with my partner so for them to threaten divorce is to uproot and change my whole life in a way that is so intense. International relationships are hard and we have had a difficult time as it is.
My mom and I cried on the last day, not how I wanted her to feel at the end of her trip. She supports and loves my other siblings relationships, but said mine felt like a toxic cycle of fighting and making up. I don't know what to do. My partner cried and apologised, asking for me back and said they would do more therapy and that they didn't mean it. They used to say that and I told them threatening the relationship is abusive when i have nobody in this country and that's a big reason they went to therapy in the first place. The fighting was over trivial sh*t like sharing housework and just little stuff I don't fight people over. Insulting me too. My mom knows i'm very non particulachill and knows I wouldn't ever get worked up about these things. She felt my partner talked down to me and was not pulling their weight in the relationship, which is true and I almost broke up with them before they started making those impactful changes.
Now my mom saw the way they treated me a few months ago before they started to change, and I was so upset in her visit those behaviours came out. When they said they wanted a divorce in front of my mom I almost packed my bags and left. I stayed in the end because they were telling me they are going to do more therapy or anything I need to try to change. They love me and I love them, my mom agrees to seeing their love for me and that it is a dysfunction in how they show it.
I told them I am taking time to decide if I should stay or go. I am married and in love with this person, so nuanced answers would be appreciated. They are a good person, but with bad learned tendencies from their family (which I have witnessed) and are actively trying to change.
On the flip, can I be with someone who would talk down on me and threaten our relationship in front of my family? It seems humiliating in an unforgivable way, or that's how it felt in the moment. I love them very much, but I feel at a crossroads.
Can people change patterns they work hard to change, and do not want in your opinion. And if they can, how long would I need to be patient to wait for those changes. They've been in therapy for a few months and had really made so many changes I asked for until my mom came... which is really really upsetting. We are in our early 20's and I just need advice from other married people. They have manipulative and controlling tendencies- and so does the family. I always call it out, they always apologise.
I know people say "if your partner wants to they will" and they are doing everything I asked, but how they acted especially in front of meeting my mom was nuts. They are in the process of changing. I am in the process of deciding to stay or go.
Mind you, it is a huge life decision as I applied for PR in their home country and paid a lot of money and we are married. My whole life would change drastically if I left, and they are my best friend, partner, and companion. They treat me right 80% of the time, but the other 20% is unacceptable. And they know that. I always tell them.
Drunk rant.
submitted by windowtomymind to u/windowtomymind [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:10 RyouVacosa Working with thicker styrene sheets

So somewhat related to Adams recent video on vacuum forming Styrene, it got me wondering about something and I'm hoping some seasoned model makers here will be able to guide me.
I'm planning a model build in the next few weeks that will involve panel work being applied to an existing model for, bulking the sides of a tank to make the armour appear thicker and reinforced. But my aim is to bulk by at least 3 to 4 mm on both sides, so the extra bulk is both exageraged and noticeable even from a display distance of 4 to 5 foot.
But, where I am unsure here is what thickness of sheet to use. Should I use 1mm,which I have stock and could start right now in theory, and then to make the thickness I'm after, carefully bond layers until I get the desired look? Or should I start thicker, 2.5 or 3mm sheet, and then create the panel effect over this? If the thicker base is the way to go then, how is thicker styrene to work with? Do I need to transition from a knife to a hobby saw to make sure o get the crisp lines I'd achieve with a knife and scoring on thinner sheets?
Apologies if the answers to this are all very basic and common sense, but this is the first time I've planned tk use styrene of this thickness, so I'm trying to limit early and easily avoided mistakes by deferring to your collective knowledge. 🙂
submitted by RyouVacosa to modelmakers [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:09 Ella77214 I had a bad day and am feeling super bummed out

My boss "jim" and I don't have a natural chemistry. We constantly miscommunication. Like we both speak two different languages.
If we met one another outside of work. We would never be friends just bc our personalities are so different. My personality is too "big". I'm professional but I get very excited about new ideas and projects and I love working hard and what's worse - I'm enthusiastic about working hard.
He is very introverted. And just has the opposite demeanor.
I recognized early enough on that I should scale myself back with him and that less was more.
But no matter what I do - I'm always doing it wrong or I'm doing the wrong thing according to him. I have a lot of experience and I'm smart. And I always thought that my personality may not be for him but we worked well together bc we respected the others one intelligence and experience very.
But it finally landed with me - - I realized that he not only doesn't like me, he thinks I'm stupid.
For months, he already vehemently disagrees with anything I say. No matter what I say or how I say it. He never supports anything I saY or tell staff. And contradicts me with staff and has been wrong for it. He seems to be happiest when he knows I am doing menial work. I have to keep and projects I have secret. If he finds out that I am doing anything that involves using brain cells, he will assign it our from me to someone else.
And it's so hurtful but today was a real bad day as far as his open display of his contempt for me goes. All the following happened today:
  1. This morning, he sent an updated staff assignment sheet showing who should contact staff for what area of.concern. he asked us all to review it b4 he published it on the intranet. He had at least 15'-20 items listed for each team member. My name was at the very bottom. Be had two items listed. He sent me a note and told me I should add more responsibilities of mine if I could think of any.
  2. I received a salesforce question from staff. Salesforce isn't my area, so I pinged both him and my colleague who manages it to communicate it. Denise responds with an answer to the inquiry. And I thanked her. Then my boss wrote "that's an excellent approach, denise!" And it's not that he complimented her. It's that it took him complimenting her to make me realize in that moment that he has never said one nice thing to me about anything I do in the workplace.
  3. Yesterday, Our sales team sent he and I a fairly standard support request with a non standard caveat. I responded and indicated that I could not immediately comply with the request without confirming that what they wanted wasn't a compliance violation. He replied all and said it was fine and to do it. I really struggled and ultimately decided - without consulting him - to email our CIO and legal and I CCed him and I relayed the request and relayed the concern I had. And without naming names I said I was being pushed to perform an action that I was not comfortable performing until I knew that action was compliant. Today, The 4 of us had to get on a call. I was told I was really smart for contacting them and that it wasn't compliant and good catch on my end. Jim didn't acknowledge any part of the conversation one way or another. He just said he would talk to sales.
  4. Our team has our first stand up call as part of a new meeting series. It's a 3 min round Robin where we all go thru and quickly update the team on what we are doing. Ive been coaching denise on product implementation (unbeknownst to jim). I recently led a project of hers (in secret) while educating her on the why behind the scenes so she wouldnt need me for her next project. I directed her every action item. I provided guidance, support, timlines. Today she announced the close of the project. Jim was ecstatic and singing her praises. She looked so uncomfortavle. She repeatedly credited me with mentoring her. He would not acknowledge any claim of hers to give me credit. there was 6 minutes left on the call by the time it got to me (I was last). I ran thru my current tasks super quick.
  5. Our weekly 1:1 meeting was next. He was20 minutes late. I was very eager to show him something I had spent weeks working on (bc I do care about the work. And I love working. I can hide my enthusiasm but it shows in my work. Multiple industry pros who I have worked with in the past have praised my project plans and audits and other efforts as "the gold standard." Our company was late to adopting agile methodology. I am an agile pro. He's been dragging his feet on committing to it but it's a directive from higher up. Today, I presented him with the "skeleton'" if you will of our teams roadmap. I built everything for him - just the bones, the automation. I added my own work to it aa a demo. The outline that all he would have to do is fill in. This was something that would have taken him hours of time to do if he had attempted building it himself. Which is why he kept putting it off.
    Before presenting these boards to him, colleagues from different departments had stumbled upon them and asked me if they could clone my work over to their own workspace and did I have any mgmt tips for them. I did not share this with him. I'm not a bragger but I do take great pride in my work. I low key worked on our boards outside of office hours. I was determined that this would finally win him over. Bc I've never quite understood how he treats me. My personality isn't for everyone, I know that. And I'm not perfect. I've contributed to miscommunications between us before. But I've tried really hard to be what he needs me to be in this organization in my role. And today I was going to do it. I was determined it was going to be our watershed moment. I proudly unveiled my boards. He waved them off. Made a remark that he thought it was so interesting to see what people got passionate about in the workplace. That he thinks it's funny that they usually think they're helping the organization when they are really making it all about themselves. He then throws in "and I say that in the nicest way possible." He then told me I had talked for way too long on our stand up call. He said I had to dial it way back next week. That the entire team did not have time to sit there and listen me ramble.
And I've been sitting here sobbing ever since. That pushed me over the age. Normally I can shake it off, I can separate, I like myself, I know I work hard, I know that I am smart. So I am pretty quick to let go of all the ways he chooses to diminish me on a fairly regular basis. But this was alot of hits to take in one day. I'm embarrassed to admit that he really took the wind out of my sails today. And I feel so stupid. I feel so fucking stupid. And I just want to quit. I don't want to work here anymore. This feels awful. And everyone loves him. He's every employees favorite guy. He is universally beloved at my company. So surely I must be the problem, right? And we ve talked about our miscommunication and I've done everything I can but I guess I just rub him the wrong way. I am always either not doing enough, doing roo much, or I'm doing the wrong thing. And I just needed someplace to vent while I cried my eyes out.
Tl; DR: boss is really mean to me, today he made me cry, I need to make a plan to quit
submitted by Ella77214 to venting [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:08 rickrockster Roger Bacon - Prologue

Olá! It's me! I'm Rickle Pick! Hello everyone!
So, I’ve been listening to some stories about Neckbeards and Kevins, as well as some Legbeards and Kevinas (Is that the correct term??). Well, most of the times I listen to those stories, I am reminded of some people I used to deal with in school. Specifically, this time, the tale of a guy, who I’ll name Roger Bacon for reasons soon to be explained. Sorry for any grammar errors, eu falo português! I also don't really know the posting rules here, so I'll just post it and see how it goes lol
This prologue is more of a compilation of stories that I think is needed before we get to the main shenanigans and awkward situations this guy put himself AND me into. If this generates any interest, I will post more specific tales of this weirdo! Long time lurker, first time poster, english is definitely not my first language and the whole shebang. I also never wrote a text this large, so go easy on me!
THE LIST:
Well, I guess it’s usual to make a list of people that appear in those stories, so I’ll make one just for you!
Me: Your basic musician-type nerdy theater kid white guy! Tall, thin with medium-light brown hair. At the time, I usually wore a leather jacket and sometimes a hat (not a fedora, a Chaplin hat. Also, where I live, hats are an acceptable attire choice lol). I kinda looked like the Once-ler from Lorax. At this time, I had just failed my second year of high school because of… honestly just lack of effort, mixed with undiagnosed ADHD and a bit of lacking in the ol’ confidence and self-respect department. At the time, I also was physically incapable of saying no and had a crippling fear of disappointing people.
Roger Bacon: 168 centimeters (or 5,5ft for the uncivilized) of pure muscle! Or at least he thought it was that way. In reality, he did have some muscles but was kinda chubby and flaccid. Not FAT fat, but athletic fat (???). He was mixed, light skinned, had shaved short curly hair, no beard (except for the inside beard) and his face was a special kind of oval, besides having a, "chiseled jaw". He always smelled like he had just gotten out of a day-long brawl with a french cologne wearing burrito. He wasn't an usual neckbeard, but he was a huge attention whore. Thought too much of himself, as we say here in Brazil: “Promised too much, delivered nothing at all.” His moto was: “Dude, I think she’s into me!”
For now, these are the characters, as the focus is to introduce you all to Roger Bacon as a person.
With the list over, let us get to the story.
FEBUARY 2018:
The year of 2018 started pretty badly for me. I had just been held back from 10th grade, had no friends and didn’t really know anyone. As most people know, high school in Brazil is quite different from America, as we start school in febuary and we share the same class with the same people all day, excluding language classes and extra-curriculum activities. This meant that, for the foreseeable future, I was alone. On the first day of school, I shyly sat on the last desk on the far right corner of the room, as I scanned my classroom to see what I was dealing with. A few groups of people sitting together, talking and greeting their friends, some loners reading or playing on their phones. The artsy girl drawing a beauriful woman on the white board. Some guy drawing a penis right beside her. Perfect balance. A normal classroom.
Another difference between our school systems is that we don’t really have clicks based on like Jocks or Nerds or Pretty Girls, it’s mostly people who connected in childhood or matched personalities, instead of connecting through roles and interests within the school. Not saying either one is better, just different. And yeah, the bullying situation is just as bad. I was bullied for my whole middle school and through first year of high school, and made a very specific group of low profile friends. So when I failed sophomore year I thought to myself “Screw it, if I’m going to be held back, that’s at least a second chance for me to grow an acceptable social life.”
All this elucidates how intimidating it could be for someone to join a new classroom full of mostly new faces. If you were unable to make a friend, you’d pretty much be on your own for the whole year unless an already formed group “adopted” you. So my mindset was to at least try and meet new people.
Well, have you ever said “I’m gonna do this thing I’ve never done before!” And got the worst possible circunstance you could get at the very first attempt? Welp, that’s just what happened. My strategy was to start small, and go talk to only one person at first, and then try to interact with a few of the groups as that was a bit intimidating (fun fact: we call “clicks “panelinhas”, spelled “pah-neh-lin-ias”, wich means “little pans”, because, you know, they’re closed groups, like a closed… pan. Idk, anyway), so I went up to this guy in front of me, and that guy was Roger Bacon.
He was almost lying on his chair, on a cool guy pose while messing around on his phone. He was also wearing a black sports tank top with a grey opened sweatshirt and the standard uniform wine-red shorts that were mandatory in our school, which made him look like a short and jelly version of Rocky balboa mixed with Kick Buttowski.
In real life, my name and his started with sequential letters, and because of this, we would sit near each other for the whole year, so I guessed he’d be the best person to interact with. I also KINDA knew him because we had basketball training after class in like 2015 and I went to the same church as him, in which I befriended his brother, Kevin, slightly, but didn’t have much contact with him because he had already graduated (I have some stories about basketball and church so tell me if yall wanna read them lol). I approached and gestured for him to take of his headphones (They were extremely loud, so I could recognize he was listening to the song In The End by Linkin Park).
Me: Hey! Aren’t you Roger? You’re Kevin’s brother, right?
RB, trying to sound stoic: “Oh, hey Rick. Yeah, it’s me… fortunately for you.”
Me: “What do you mean?”
RB explained: “Well, I’m the cool brother! Kevin was lame, and also had no friends.”
Me: “Isn’t he in a band with [insert band members]? They seem to be his friends…
RB: “They might look nice, but they’re all assholes. Don’t let them fool you! I’m the nice brother, Kevin is a dipshit.
To elucidate you: that band he said was made of assholes was the Worship band of the church we went to. It was also the worship band that I occasionally played the piano with.
I said, jokingly: “Guess I’m an asshole then! Because, ya know, I play with them more often than not”
RB: “No man, it’s just them. They’re just so infuriating! They never let me participate!”
Me: “Wow, that’s weird… I mean, I didn’t know you were a musician too! What instrument do you play?”
RB: “I play the drums, piano, guitar, bass and I also sing. But Kevin keeps me out because he wants to be the 'star brother'!”
I could tell he got a little heated, and went silent for a little while. I decided not to mention the band or his brother in his presence, 'cause ya know, that was pretty awkward lol.
I remember thinking to myself “This guy’s kinda weird”, because his brother was one of the nicest people I had ever known, and he also didn’t have the say on who played on the band, the worship leader did. I thought about confronting Roger with this, but I didn’t want to abandon my quest of finding a friend. And also, he seemed chill at first, if not a little insecure.
I was a little uncomfortable with this line of conversation, so I opted to change the subject. We talked a bit more about me having been held back, and he went on about how he was really good at math and chemistry, and how he could help me with my school stuff.
I was glad to have someone to help me, and even more, someone who apparently liked the stuff I liked. I remembered what he was listening to, so I commented on it and asked which song was his favorite, and we talked about Linkin Park for a bit. He said “In The End” was his favorite song, and then I mentioned I was a huge Linkin Park fan. He told me he was a big fan as well, but as we talked about it, it became a bit fishy. He never specifically said anything and just kinda repeated what I said. It became clear after a while that “In The End” was, in fact, virtually the only song he knew from that band.
That was the first time I noticed something strange, but only in hindsight, as at the time I just thought he really wanted to make a human connection. I remember thinking he was just excited to know someone who was open to talking to him, so I didn’t think anything of it.
Also, not everyone memorizes this stuff, and maybe he did only remember one song, for whatever reason, so I let that pass. I only felt necessary to include this information because it was, at least in some way, the first lie that Roger told me, a little sample, if you will, of what’s to come.
After we talked for a while, mostly catching up on our lives, the bell rung and our first actual class had begun, and I had the first-hand experience of this guy’s sense of humor. The teacher walked into the classroom and introduced himself as the new Geography teacher, and started a power point presentation about some of the subjects we’d be covering that year, saying “Please pay attention to this class, as you’ll need to know how our schedule will work”. Roger looked back and said “Huh, I guess this class is useless for you then, being held back and all, hahah”, which made everyone look at me and just kinda stare like I should say something, and he kept repeating the joke to anyone that showed any reaction besides just staring, adding “Amirite? Huh? Amirite?”.
I was kinda salty about this, but my people pleasing peapod brain couldn’t handle letting it show, so I just laughed and said nothing. I guessed it was a poorly thought out joke at first, but then Roger proceeded to make the same comment on every single one of the opening classes we had for both of the introductory days. There were 12 of them. He did it every time. Every. Single. Time. Sometimes he repeated it even louder, as if he didn’t think people heard it, because no-one was laughing.
“Ok”, I said to myself, “He didn’t mean to make fun of me, he’s just a little overexcited and probably is trying to make a connection and help me get acquainted to our classmates.”
Either way, I was very uncomfortable and annoyed.
Thankfully, this came to a halt when he was practically thrown out of the Literature class for interrupting the teacher mid-sentence while she talked about how important the first month of class would be for our comprehension of the whole subject. He made the joke four times. FOUR TIMES. I was beginning to think that I made a mistake, but well, the mistake was already made, at least I can try and understand him a bit, before judging.
The rest of the week went by and he didn’t get any better, but I got kinda used to it. In fact, I actually enjoyed having conversations with him at recess, when we could talk a bit more freely. And, as all things in life tend to do, it got weirder. Weirder in the sense that as we spoke more and more, I noticed a bit of a concerning pattern: every time I shared an experience I had, he’d share a cooler and more awesome almost equal experience back.
Some light examples:
I told him I went hiking for 2-3 kilometers on a trail by the beach. Then he smirked and said he went hiking for “at least 7 kilometers on a deserted beach that only his father’s company’s employees had access to and he saw a Gorilla. There are no gorillas in Brazil. Maybe in zoos, I guess, but definitely no gorillas.
I told him I was kinda sad because I had just ended a “thing” with a girl from my old grade. He “proudly” said he’s been dumped by his ex, Laura, after they dated for 11 months and made out aaaallll the time after school, and he even saw her “lady parts” once!”.
And then he went on to describe that shit for like 3 straight classes, adding more and more to the story every chance he had to speak, providing me with my daily dose of cringe in tiny bits of uncomfortable information at a time! Like a sporadic cringe snack! Sninge! Crack? Probably Crack.
ANYWAYS
There was also the time I told him the story of how I became best friends with a guy because we got into a fight in P.E.. We were arguing about some nonsense and he wanted to fight, so after he socked me on my stomach, I cheaply kicked him in the face so hard I almost sprained my ankle and then we started laughing (because I guess sometimes that’s all it takes). Phillip is my best friend for almost 10 years now.
Roger puffed up his soap dish chest went on for at least 2 classes worth of time about how he “beat up his last bully and broke both of his arms, and almost went to prison, but his dad is a lawyer and bailed him out”. Dude was 16, and I don’t think he’d need to be bailed out, but okay… He was, in fact, very badass.
Those are all approximations of actual stories he told me, because my ADHD memory is shit, but you get the gist of it.
My days were filled with endless stories filled with absolute bullshit, like a Gary Stu from a dying rpg campaign. (I have a story about a DnD game he participated in, but that’s for another time!)
Roger, not content with lying to me about anecdotal facts about his past that could be true but were almost certainly mostly bullshit (if not entirely), had a tendency to just negate reality when presented with facts in certain situations.
And example of this situation is the time we were doing a group assignment and a girl at least 3 meters in front of him dropped her pencil and he just kinda threw himself on the ground, picked it up and said “Here you go, Lana!”. She said “Thanks Roger!”, barely turning around and carried on with the assignment. Roger, then, turned to me with a sleek shit feasting smirk on his face and said:
RB: “Dude, do you think she’s into me??”
I contained a ridiculing laughter just in time to realize he was dead serious.
I said “I don’t know man… Doesn’t seem like it to me, but sure I guess.”
RB then straight up asked ME to go talk to her and get HIM her number. When I asked why shouldn’t he do it, he said it was “the wingman’s job to get the number of the girl” so that he wouldn’t “look weak for asking”
I said I’d do it, cause I genuinely wanted to see if he was right about her liking him (I hadn’t really understood the dynamics of the classroom, so I actually had no idea if he was actually right, just a gut feeling that yeah, he probably wasn’t).
I went up to her and asked for her number, explaining it was Roger who was interested in her and, as I pulled out my raging 2014’s Sony XPeria, I was swiftly interrupted by her delicately saying “Sorry! I have a boyfriend.” (She said the boyfriend part out loud, and stared at Roger)
I said “Oh, ok, sorry to bother ya!” and, as I was starting to walk back, I noticed that she turned back and glared at Roger. Later that day her boyfriend texted him, telling him that “He’s got to stop asking her out, and next time, if he wants to get rejected, he should come do it himself” He called him a moron. And then they both blocked him.
Well, that was embarrassing.
Despite having been turned down (for the 6th time now, I’d come to find out), Roger still maintained that she was “totally into him”, and it wasn’t just Lana. Any time he had even the smallest interaction with any girl, he’d say that they’re “probably into him”, or that “they made out at a party, but she was drunk and probably won’t remember”, or that they “sent him nudes last year but he’s already deleted them because he’s a good person, with morals”.
This went on for a while and, after about a month, Roger begun to dial down the crazy stories about how he’s a “badass and he gets all the girls but he’s single because he’s too good for them”. Until I started seeing a girl from another church I started going to. I met Janice () at the churches youth group, and we talked the whole time afterwards about lots of stuff. This name’s given because of her insanely similar laughter and demeanor of Janice from Friends. We clicked well and I was very interested in her, but my ADHD ass forgot to get her number, and remembered it only when she had already left.
When I told Roger, he laughed and said “I had just cockblocked myself” and that I’d “probably missed my only chance of banging a girl ever”. I was bummed, but clarified I didn’t really want to have sex before marriage or at least before making an emotional connection (I had just then begun to go to church, so I didn’t really get the rules, so it was more of a personal choice I always had in mind when thinking about dating. Also I met her at church so wtf).
He said “that was dumb” and, “even though he was a virgin, he’d dance the Devil’s Tango with the first chick he had the chance to”
“What about Laura?”, I asked. His face went from a confident smirk to an almost sad expression, and he blankly replied: “She didn’t want to, but I tried anyway at times. I even got a blowie once!” I let it go because I was very tired, as Mondays are hell on earth.
A few classes later, I went up to him and reminded him of our conversation and asked:
I said “Ooookay, but what about all those girls you told me were all over you? Didn’t they want to have some bum bum times with you??”
He was taken by surprise by this, and was visibly trying so hard to think of an answer for at least 15 seconds. He mumbled “Well…”, and like just left. Like he got up in the middle of the class, and walked away. Well that was weird!
He got back and I didn’t pry, thinking he had some kind of trauma, and I tried to change the subject.
I say “tried” because instead we were suddenly interrupted by a girl asking me if I was Rick. I didn’t know her or how she had materialized beside our desks, but later I found out that that girl’s name was Mary. She had blue eyes and was smiling mischievously, and I answered “Yup, that’s me”. She then giggled and said that “Anna wanted to make out with me after class”. Me and Roger were both very much taken aback by this, and I immediately thought to myself that this could only be some type of dare or prank (which it probably was), and was about to try and respond with the first witty joke that popped up in my monkey brain when, without missing a beat, Roger said “Rick’s already seeing someone!”. Mary was visibly surprised and said “Oh, you have a girlfriend??” with a look of disbelief on her face. Ouch. I explained that I wouldn’t say I do, I just liked a girl from church and we’re going to see a movie with some friends on Saturday, and that either way it was a pass on the making out sesh! Mary said “Oh, okay!” and started to walk back to her desk. I was about to make a joke and say that Anna could probably do better than me, when Roger interjected:
RB: “I’d like a making out sesh if she’s interested!”
Mary looked back with a visible “Lol, ew no” expression and just said: “I’m sure you would, Roger!”, turned away and sat down, laughing with her friends when she got to her desk.
Roger turned to me and said:
RB: “Dude, do you think she’s into me?”
This cycle repeated once in a while, so I’m not gonna tell you all of the situations that I felt like shaking him and trying to wake him up like Woody does to Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story. Exhausting, right?
Another thing Roger tended to brag about was that he did Martial Arts. Specifically, Kung Fu (Wushu). I would come to find out that, in the year before, he made a big scene to tell everyone in class that he’d just started Kung-Fu classes and, when no-one payed attention, he started a habit of punching the wall beside his desk, audibly making “hmpft” noises. When anyone asked why, he’d say he was training, and that his Sensei (Not shifu, he actually said sensei) had asked him to do that to strengthen his fists so he could harness all the strength he had, so one day he could put a hole through a wall with his fists.
He would also punch the school’s fireproof doors because, if you didn’t know, they dent pretty easily, and he would show me and tell me to bask at his strength and ability. That until I said I’d give it a try. He told me not to, because “I wasn’t trained” and “it could really hurt my hand”. I punched the door. It made a dent.
Roger said it was beginners luck and that he’s just a good teacher. I told him I really didn’t even make an effort to pay attention, the metal was just bendy and soft. Roger never talked about it again, and started only punching walls. For that, he would feel superior because, yeah I ain’t doing that. There were consequences for his wall punching habits, but I’ll address that some other time.
The last thing I’ll say about him for now is how clueless Roger was, how much he thought of himself and how he treated everyone else like they should (and would) respecting for what he told them, and not for what he showed them.
(I plan on doing another part eventually, with the story of how his disconnection with reality, lies, schemes and generally narcissist behavior eventually exploded back into his face.)
As a last bit of exposition of our circumstances, there’s an important part of our school life that fueled Roger’s social life’s demise.
Pranking was a big part of my class’ culture. There were also some people in my classroom who were bullied. The thing is: the bullies actually made fun of literally everyone else, which made it very hard to figure out if you were considered a target or just a colleague. They’d mess with people’s stuff, tie backpacks to the windows and hide pencil cases, but they would also do it to their own group.
Essentially, the only way to differentiate those who they considered normal schoolmates from those who were bullied was the frequency of the pranks and their demeanor in general towards those people. They would apologize for the pranks, ask to make up for it, buy you lunch, make jokes, try to laugh with you. I swear some of those guys were politicians in the making. Luckily, was very good friends with one of the guys in that group, I’ll call him Turkey, who was also held back a few years before me, and he liked my sister, so I was mostly safe.
Roger, on the other hand, THOUGHT he was one of the pranksters. Every time someone pranked him or anyone else, he would laugh knowingly, like he was in on the joke the whole time, and try to make jokes, only to further humiliate himself. And they would capitalize on that as hard as they could.
You see, Roger liked to portray himself as the “Mysterious-Badass-Quiet-Protagonist-Take-No-Shit-From-Anyone-Mr.-Steal-Yo-Girl” guy. This combo of personality substitutes was the recipe for the downfall of his popularity, and the start of the longest lasting pranks I’ve ever seen in my life, which will come if yall want another post. That prank is also the reason I named him Roger Bacon.
Because he was so into Math and Science (and into himself too lol) he also always wanted to look like the smartest guy in the room. The problem is that, as our first semester went by, it became clear that he wasn’t as good as he hyped himself up to be. Shocker, right? This was proven to be true when we were doing a chemistry group test, and I was paired with him and Anna, and we needed to calculate some entropies or whatever. He made a point of telling us to do all of the “easy ones”, and he would take on the more complicated questions.
The thing is, he was trying really hard to look like a genius, to maybe impress Anna, so every time he made a calculation, he would roll his eyes up and kinda vibrate a little. I guess he wanted to look like a genius mathematics robot, but instead he looked like he was trying to imitate an autistic person having a small stroke. I didn’t mind the Good Doctor amateur impersonation, because at least it looked like he knew what he was doing. Unfortunately, it really just looked like he knew what he was doing.
Each easy question of the test was worth 1 point, and there were 4 of them, and there were 3 hard questions worth 2 points each. We got a 4/10 on that test, and lo and behold, the only questions we got right were the ones me and Anna worked on. We were a bit pissed, not gonna lie.
Until the last time we spoke, Roger still blames Anna for his complete failure at this test for, in his words, distracting him because she was obviously into him.
But that’s just Roger, I guess!
I've got A LOT of stories about Roger and other neckbeards I've encountered, and I can't wait to tell them!
Until then, thanks for reading, and have a good one yall!
submitted by rickrockster to ReddXReads [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:08 ta-tshirt-hubby AIW - For taking off my t-shirt in front of my wife's drunk friends

My wife and I have been having a silly argument about the appropriateness of my actions during the last weekend. I wanted to get opinion on if my actions were appropriate.
We both are in our mid 40s and have been married for 16 years. Overall, things have been amazing (so far), and I could not ask for a better partner. I have been overweight for most of my life. Around 3 years ago, I started hitting the gym as it was my last chance to gain any muscles before my twilight years. I have lost substantial weight and body fat and am happy with how I look (compared to other dads my age). I am more comfortable to take my t-shirt off if it's a hot summer day. My wife has never had any problems with it.
Last week, my wife had a few of her friends over. They were all in the backyard drinking wine. I took the chance to go to the gym in the evening and stay late to give them some privacy. When I came back home, they were all pretty drunk. When I got back, I decided to go back to the yard to say hi to everyone before taking a shower. They were all in the hot tub enjoying themselves.
I go there and one of them asks me to come in the hot tub. I politely decline and she said, "Take off your clothes and get in". Everyone laughed. Others joined in and also started making some pretty crude comments. Everyone was laughing and I realized they were all drunk and just trying to make me uncomfortable. My wife was also in on the joke, and she was smiling. She was telling them "No, he is mine, that's only for me". I am not the one to back down and was also taunting them. Finally, I took off my shirt and threw it aside and they all laughed. I then excused myself and took shower and sat in my office to play videogames for the rest of the night.
The next morning, my wife was giving me a cold shoulder. She told me that I should act my age. She felt I acted in a pretty lewd "stripper-like" manner and should have just left after her friends started commenting about taking off the clothes. She told me that she also asked me to not do it, and I still did it because I enjoy the attention. She says that she now feels embarrassed with the whole incident, and I just gave her friends green flag to make sexual comments about me all night.
I felt they were just having fun and they have seen me without my shirt on 100s of times. I am also comfortable around them as we know them forever. I personally do not see how I crossed any lines. My wife though felt her friend's actions were not appropriate, and it was more inappropriate that I acted along and took off my shirt. Note that all her friends were in the bathtub in their bathing suits. She feels it's not taking off the shirt, but the context around it that made the act very cheap, and she does not want her friends to view me in that way.
Dear people of reddit, can you please weigh in on this stupid argument we are having right now. Do you think my wife is right in this one? My wife will also be reading the comment section, so please be nice (i.e. please don't tell her to divorce me).
submitted by ta-tshirt-hubby to amiwrong [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:06 BENZEMAzzz Proving FFIE’s True Worth: A $10 Valuation Through USA Tariff Strategy

INTRO

This article is to demonstrate why, under the current U.S. electric vehicle tariff policies, FFIE’s stock price is significantly undervalued and is poised to rise to at least $10. This analysis will explore the impact of tariffs on the market, FFIE’s competitive positioning, and the economic factors that support a substantial increase in its valuation.

HOW MUCH DOES FFIE CAN MAKE?

To calculate the cost savings for Faraday Future (FFIE) when assembling vehicles in the U.S. compared to directly importing them from China, we need to compare the total costs of both scenarios:

Scenario 1: Directly Importing the Complete Vehicle from China

Assuming the cost of the complete vehicle is $40,000, and with 100% tariff on imported electric vehicles:
Total cost for importing the complete vehicle: $80,000

Scenario 2: Importing Parts from China and Assembling in the U.S.

Assuming the cost of major parts (e.g., battery, motor, body frame) is $20,000, with an assembly cost in the U.S. of $5,000. Import tariffs on these parts are also assumed to be 25%.
Total cost for importing parts and assembling in the U.S.: [ 20,000 \, \text{USD} + 5,000 \, \text{USD} + 5,000 \, \text{USD} = 30,000 \, \text{USD} ]

Cost Comparison

Cost Savings with FFIE

Cost savings by assembling in the U.S. = $50,000

Conclusion

By assembling vehicles in the U.S. instead of directly importing complete vehicles from China, Faraday Future could save approximately $80,000 per vehicle. This significant cost reduction is primarily due to avoiding the high tariffs on complete vehicles and benefiting from lower tariffs on parts, along with local assembly costs.

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN FFIE MAKE?

China and US Passenger Car Sales and EV Market Share in 2023

China

In 2023, China's new energy vehicle (NEV) market saw remarkable growth. The total sales of NEVs, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), reached approximately 8 million units. This represented a 37% market share of the total passenger car market in China. BEVs alone accounted for about 25% of the total new car registrations oai_citation:1,26% BEV Share In China! — China EV Sales Report - CleanTechnica oai_citation:2,China EV Sales Defy Subsidy Cuts, Maintain Strong Growth in Q1 2023 - Counterpoint.

United States

In the United States, electric vehicle sales also experienced significant growth in 2023. Over the year, approximately 1.5 million electric cars were sold, making up around 12% of the total passenger car market oai_citation:3,Trends in electric light-duty vehicles – Global EV Outlook 2023 – Analysis - IEA.

Summary

Based on the latest forecasts, U.S. passenger car sales in 2024 are expected to reach approximately 15.7 million units oai_citation:1,S&P Global Mobility forecasts 88.3M auto sales in 2024 S&P Global oai_citation:2,Forecast: 2024 - Cox Automotive Inc.. If we assume that the share of electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. market reaches 37%, similar to China's EV market share in 2023, we can estimate the potential number of EVs sold in the U.S. in 2024.

Calculation

[ 15.7 \, \text{million} \times 0.37 = 5.809 \, \text{million} ]
Therefore, if the U.S. achieves an EV market share similar to China's current level, approximately 5.81 million electric vehicles could be sold in the U.S. in 2024. This projection highlights the potential for significant growth in the U.S. EV market if trends similar to those in China are followed.
In 2023, Tesla held a notable position in China's new energy vehicle (NEV) market. Throughout the year, Tesla's market share in China's NEV sector was around 7.5% overall oai_citation:1,BYD took control of the 2023 Chinese EV market. Specifically, in September 2023, Tesla's market share was reported to be 5.8% oai_citation:2,China NEV market share in Sept: BYD 34.5%, Tesla 5.8%, Nio 2.1% - CnEVPost. Despite facing intense competition from local manufacturers like BYD, Tesla has managed to maintain a strong presence, reflecting its significant role in the Chinese electric vehicle market oai_citation:3,BYD took control of the 2023 Chinese EV market oai_citation:4,China NEV market share in Sept: BYD 34.5%, Tesla 5.8%, Nio 2.1% - CnEVPost.

SUMMARY

To calculate the potential savings for Faraday Future (FFIE) assuming that all the additional electric vehicles (EVs) sold in the U.S. in 2024 are Chinese-made EVs, we can follow these steps:

1. Determine the number of additional EVs sold in the U.S. in 2024

Based on previous calculations, if the U.S. follows China’s EV market share of 37%, the projected EV sales in 2024 would be:
[ 15.7 \, \text{million} \times 0.37 = 5.81 \, \text{million EVs} ]

2. Calculate the cost savings per vehicle

Assuming each vehicle assembled in the U.S. instead of imported directly from China saves $50,000 in tariffs and associated costs.

3. Compute total savings for FFIE

Total savings = Number of vehicles (\times) Savings per vehicle
[ 5.81 \, \text{million EVs} \times 50,000 \, \text{USD/vehicle} = 290.5 \, \text{billion USD} ]

Conclusion

By assembling the vehicles in the U.S., Faraday Future (FFIE) could potentially save approximately $290.5 billion in 2024 if all the additional EVs sold in the U.S. are Chinese-made and each vehicle saves $50,000.
This calculation is based on the assumption that all additional EV sales are handled by FFIE, which represents a hypothetical scenario. In reality, the savings would depend on FFIE's actual market share and the proportion of vehicles they manage to produce and sell in the U.S.

WHY FFIE $10

To estimate the market capitalization of Faraday Future (FFIE) based on the potential savings from assembling electric vehicles in the U.S., we need to make several assumptions and calculations.
Assumptions and Calculations:
1. Potential Savings: • Total potential savings: $290.5 billion (from the previous calculation) 2. Impact on Market Capitalization: 
Market capitalization is influenced by many factors, including current revenue, profit margins, growth prospects, and investor sentiment. For a direct calculation, we can assume that the market might value these savings as additional potential revenue or profit. 3. Current Market Capitalization: • As of the latest available data, let’s assume FFIE’s current market capitalization is around $1 billion (this value should be checked for the most accurate and recent data). 4. Valuation Multiplier: Typically, market capitalization is a multiple of annual revenue or profit. For simplicity, let’s assume the market values the company at a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 2. This is a conservative estimate for a high-growth tech company but provides a reasonable basis for our calculation.
Calculation:
• New Revenue from Savings: $290.5 billion • Total Projected Revenue: Current revenue (assumed negligible for simplicity) + Savings = $290.5 billion • Market Capitalization: Total projected revenue \times P/S ratio 
290.5 \, \text{billion USD} \times 2 = 581 \, \text{billion USD}
Conclusion:
If Faraday Future (FFIE) could achieve the hypothetical scenario of saving $290.5 billion by assembling all additional EVs sold in the U.S. in 2024 domestically, and the market values this new revenue with a price-to-sales ratio of 2, the company’s market capitalization could potentially be around $581 billion(NOW FFIE is $59 billion).

CHINESE E-CAR MARKET

What is happening now?

China's electric vehicle (EV) market is highly competitive, with leading new energy vehicle (NEV) companies vying for dominance across various price segments. Currently, major players are fiercely competing in three key categories:
  1. Sedans around 200,000 RMB (approximately 30,000 USD): For example, Xiaomi's SU7, which has quickly gained significant market share, offers high driving range and advanced features at competitive prices, forcing other manufacturers to adjust their pricing strategies to remain competitive oai_citation:1,Xiaomi’s maiden EV, selling at a loss, turbocharges price war forcing China’s small players out of business South China Morning Post.
  2. Family SUVs priced at around 300,000 RMB (approximately 40,000 USD): Companies like Li Auto and Xpeng are prominent in this segment. Li Auto's models, such as the Li L9 and Li L8, are known for their high-tech features, extended range capabilities, and strong sales growth oai_citation:2,Investors Overview Li Auto Inc. oai_citation:3,Li Auto’s NEV Sales Jump Over Six-Fold in April to Surpass Nio, Xpeng; BYD Remains Top Seller.
  3. MPVs around 450,000 RMB (approximately 65,000 USD): The battle in this segment includes models like the Li Auto MEGA and the Xpeng X9. These vehicles offer impressive real-world range and advanced charging capabilities, demonstrating the technological advancements and competitive edge of Chinese automakers in the NEV market oai_citation:4,Battle of the electric MPVs in Hainan: Li Auto MEGA and XPeng X9.
These vehicles are not only characterized by superior driving experiences and intelligent in-car systems but also by high safety standards and long-range batteries. The intense competition and continuous innovation in the Chinese EV market are driving the development of increasingly advanced and consumer-friendly electric vehicles.
Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) hold a significant advantage in both pricing and user experience compared to all other EVs worldwide. The competitive pricing is due to robust manufacturing capabilities, government subsidies, and economies of scale. Additionally, Chinese EVs are known for their advanced technology, superior battery life, and comprehensive in-car intelligence systems. As a result, Chinese EV manufacturers are eagerly looking to expand into international markets, ready to offer their competitive products globally and meet the rising demand for high-quality, affordable electric vehicles.
submitted by BENZEMAzzz to FFIE [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 23:03 Vienyan I am extremely ugly. What can I do?

I am extremely ugly. What can I do?
So, I’ve felt this way for a while, and I do think i’ve come a long way from where i used to be, but I still can’t help thinking that I’m severely below average in terms of looks.
My face is lopsided, uneven and really asymmetric. My face’s T-zone stays consistently covered by blackheads and other types of small acne despite my best efforts in investing in a skincare routine. I’ve even recently cut out most sugars from my diet (still ate fruits such as apples and grapes) in hopes of clearing up the acne and even that didn’t help. Not to mention my giant forehead which also makes me really insecure and has me covering it up with a fringe.
Body wise I, 15M, am still quite skinny. I have gotten into some calisthenics recently in hopes of building some muscle and strength, but god knows how long that will take and if it will even make my face look better. I am 184cm tall and ~71kg.
Is there anything I can do to make my face more even and attractive? It really is tanking my confidence and making me feel disgusted whenever I see myself from the front camera AKA how others see me.
My current skincare routine consists of an initial wipe with a mineral water wipe, followed by a cleansing clay facial scrub, which I then follow up with a shower and afterwards I apply a cleansing toner and for the final step I put on some moisturiser. In the mornings I also apply sunscreen.
If you want to ask me anything please comment, I’m starting to lose hope in looking better…
submitted by Vienyan to lookyourbest [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 22:58 santvmil The clown

I lived in an extremely small town in the countryside, so everyone knew each other, went to each other's houses and so on, and there was a certain family, who lived further away from the center, who everyone loved, including my family, my best friend was hers.
And in mid-June or July 2018, they announced that they would move to the capital, and everyone was surprised because they always said they would never move, and that news affected me completely. They moved in mid-September, I managed to say goodbye to everyone, and my best friend, but he didn't have a cell phone, which meant I wouldn't have contact with him for a long time.
I wasn't there anymore, I didn't talk to anyone, I didn't want to leave the house, I didn't want to do absolutely anything anymore, just lie in my bed, lamenting, even if it wasn't going to come to anything.
The route I took to go to school was right in front of their street, and their old house was the last one, at the end of the street (it was a dead end street), I returned home at approximately 7:40 pm.
I remember to this day, It was Monday, I was coming home, it was already completely dark, when I went down the street, there were some streetlights lighting up the last house (my best friend's, who no longer lived there), and there, where the last streetlight projected the last light, the figure of a clown.
I was completely shocked and paralyzed, I didn't know what to do, I just stared at that thing, I could see some of the colors, his face was completely white, he had a look on his face completely serious, he wore a two-color outfit, a faded yellow, and what looked like a very light blue, or a green, and he held three balloons, one red, one blue, and one more yellow.
I thought it was just a bad joke, even though I was scared, I headed towards my house, when I got there, my mother was making dinner, I just greeted her, and went to my room watch a movie or series.
It wasn't even half an hour after I got home, I was lying in my bed, and the light went out, and darkness took over everything, at the same time I took out my cell phone and turned on its flash, and I'll walk around the house.
"mom" first time, "mom" second time, "mom" third time, on the fourth, the sound of a slamming door echoed like a very loud crash behind me, I turned around very quickly, to see the scene that would traumatize me the most to this day.
My mother, hanging from a rope, hanged, was covered in fresh blood, which suggests that it happened now, but I didn't hear anything! I have no idea how this could have happened.
Her organs were out, hanging, as were her eyes, bulging out of their sockets, and behind her, the clown, who smiled miserably.
I just started crying, crying and crying, I started running completely desperate through the streets, where I got a taxi, With great difficulty, I managed to give the address of my aunt and uncle's house, which was in another city, but was relatively.
As he saw my situation, for some reason he didn't make me pay, he just left me at my destination, and I frantically knocked on each door.
After a long time of talking, we were all crying, trying not to imagine what that stupid clown did to my mother, the mother I loved so much, I was only 11 years old.
After a few days, I had to go back to my old house to get the body, but since that happened, I've changed even more for the worse.
I cried all day, I didn't leave my room, I got bad grades (and I continued living with my aunt and uncle).
But nothing, absolutely nothing, takes away the image of that clown, smiling, while my mother was dead, right in front of him, I think I'm going crazy, Every corner I go, I keep seeing that clown, just like he was in my house.
submitted by santvmil to nosleep [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 22:58 Empty_Chemical_1498 "It's so obvious Astarion is a vampire from the start" doesn't actually work

This is a bit ranty, because I actually had a fight about it with a mutual on twitter lmao I generally see a lot of people saying that keeping Astarion's vampirism "a secret" and having your character find out about it is stupid and doesn't work. I have many thoughts about it.
It's true that Astarion has all the stereotypical vampire characteristics; he's pale, he has red eyes, he has a very distinctive scar on his neck and he has sharp canines. Yet, the game implies that no one knew he was a vampire, even though "it's SO obvious". Here is why:
  1. He doesn't burn in the sun! I think it's the most important point. It's a VERY widely known fact that vampires are sensitive to the sun, yet we meet him chilling on a sunny hill, and he never has any problems following you around in sunny areas. As far as I know, there are some variants of DnD lore where vampires that have a steady supply of blood and don't walk around hungry are not sensitive to the sun, but I assume BG3 is not based on these editions, as Cazador (who probably feeds every day) is also sensitive to the sun.
  2. He can walk into homes without an invitation from one of the residents. I can admit it is pretty tricky to fit it into act 1, since it's only open space, camps and burnt houses at best. But! He can walk into Ethel's house, and depending on your gameplay, you can do it before finding out he's a vampire. It can also depend on how you define a home; because the druids' quarters might also fit into this criteria, meaning normally just some druid saying "Kagha wants to speak with you" would not allow Astarion to enter. It is not an explicit invitation to enter the quarters, it's just a statement that someone who is there wishes to speak with him.
  3. He doesn't get damage from moving water. It would be pretty easy to spot while running around in the wilderness, surrounded by rivers that you probably shower in.
These are all canon things that are very explicitly said in the game, even by Astarion himself. I'm also not counting vampire lore stuff that is not in the game, like being able to climb flat surfaces (which would be hilarious to see Astarion do)
Now the assumptions/headcanons:
  1. Pale skin and red eyes don't make one a vampire. And given Astarion's overall appearance; light skin, silvewhite hair (including the eyebrows) and red eyes, he could be assumed to be an albino.
  2. The neck scar? People have many scars in fantasy worlds. The scar could be from some vampire attack that Astarion might have gone through in the past, or maybe he got stabbed by a pitchfork by someone. It's not really a definite clue.
  3. Sharp teeth? I don't know how often people pay attention to others' teeth, unless there's Seriously something wrong with them. I think it'd be actually pretty hard to spot his teeth, unless you, for whatever reason, pay attention to them. Also, while they do not appear in the game, there are many more mixed races than just half elves. If an elf marries a tiefling, then depending on which lore you assume, their offspring could be a full tiefling (as tiefling genes "override" all other genes), or a mix between the parents. Give it like 3 or 4 generations of the kids marrying only elves, and bam, you could have an elf with infernal ancestry, resulting in sharper teeth (you can throw red eyes into this as well). While it's a theory that your character would have in-game, I think it's cute, considering that apparently Astarion was supposed to be a tiefling. It's also a nice headcanon that Astarion learned to speak in a way not to show his fangs (so he doesn't scare away his marks).
  4. Have you seen him? He just looks too perfect. His hair is too well combed, and I know it in my bones he uses an eyeliner. No one who cannot see their reflection can achieve this look. The answer to why Astarion can do it it without a mirror is probably muscle memory after 200 years of having to do it blindly.
So, anyway, while Astarion being a vampire might be "jarringly obvious", it does make perfect sense for the in-game characters to not know. If they have any assumptions that "hey, this guy gives me strong vampire vibes", it's implied they dismiss them, as there is too much hard evidence that Astarion's just some dude (points 1-3).
Anyway, thank you for coming to my needless essay that people for sure had made before. But I just needed to rant.
submitted by Empty_Chemical_1498 to OnlyFangsbg3 [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 22:56 Vienyan I am extremely ugly, what can I do?

I am extremely ugly, what can I do?
So, I’ve felt this way for a while, and I do think i’ve come a long way from where i used to be, but I still can’t help thinking that I’m severely below average in terms of looks.
My face is lopsided, uneven and really asymmetric. My face’s T-zone stays consistently covered by blackheads and other types of small acne despite my best efforts in investing in a skincare routine. I’ve even recently cut out most sugars from my diet (still ate fruits such as apples and grapes) in hopes of clearing up the acne and even that didn’t help. Not to mention my giant forehead which also makes me really insecure and has me covering it up with a fringe.
Body wise I, 15M, am still quite skinny. I have gotten into some calisthenics recently in hopes of building some muscle and strength, but god knows how long that will take and if it will even make my face look better. I am 184cm tall and ~71kg.
Is there anything I can do to make my face more even and attractive? It really is tanking my confidence and making me feel disgusted whenever I see myself from the front camera AKA how others see me.
My current skincare routine consists of an initial wipe with a mineral water wipe, followed by a cleansing clay facial scrub, which I then follow up with a shower and afterwards I apply a cleansing toner and for the final step I put on some moisturiser. In the mornings I also apply sunscreen.
submitted by Vienyan to LooksmaxingAdvice [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 22:52 germanideology Enticement at the Encampment: An Erotic Short Story

Tom took another look at the dwindling encampment as his dismay began to fade away. "Whoever's left to hang out with are the most committed to the cause" he thought to himself. "If anything, I'll have more fun than I did before." And after all, they had a good lineup of activists scheduled to visit in the next few days, and an anarchist band had even agreed to play this afternoon. He had definitely noticed a rapid drop in the number of campers since the end of the semester, and had even begun to doubt that they would be able to get any sort of concessions out of the university. But his thinking had changed after hearing the speeches that morning.
First to speak was Tom's friend and comrade, Eric. His impassioned indictment of the Israeli government reminded Tom of the importance of their activism. Then came the married grad students, the Trotskyist Abdou and the pan-Arabist Farida. They were international students studying English and anthropology, respectively. Or was it anthropology and sociology? Abdou lectured on the university's connection to the military-industrial complex. His speech was filled with threats to the administration that Tom was sure the limp-dicked Trot had no means of fulfilling. Even so, he had to admit that despite all his other inadequacies, Abdou was a powerful speaker. Finally came Farida. Tom had always considered her the best speaker of them all, but frankly he had a hard time taking his eyes off her whether she was speaking or not. He had tried flirting with her before, and he got the feeling that Abdou was even more into it than she was. Thinking about it now, he couldn't quite remember what her speech had been about, but it had certainly improved his spirits.
As the "Bacon Brigade" began setting up their instruments, Tom decided to make a point of dancing with Farida that afternoon. As the average tent now held two campers rather than five, he even thought he might get a chance to enjoy some of the newfound privacy.
...
When there was a break in the music, Tom sauntered over to the table where Abdou was sitting. As an ML, Tom could hardly stand Trotskyists, but he put on a smile for the sake of "left unity."
"She's a good dancer isn't she?" said Abdou.
"Oh yes, the best," agreed Tom. He was trying to think of a way of progressing his slow seduction of this Muslim woman and decided to be bold. "Look Abdou, the band will be winding down soon, why don't you both come back to my tent and I'll show you some comradely hospitality. I also have some suggestions that I know you'll love."
Abdou's mind was racing with the possibilities of the situation. Would this be the chance to see his wife seduced and taken by this big stud? Supposing Farida won't agree? Before he could engage his brain Abdou found himself agreeing to Tom's offer. "Wonderful, wonderful," beamed Tom and he could feel his big cock twitch at the thought of bedding Abdou's beautiful wife.
Just then Farida reappeared. "What are you two talking about?" she said.
Before Abdou could say a word, Tom said "Well my dear, your husband has kindly accepted my invitation of hospitality at my tent."
Farida didn't know what to say. She had thought Abdou would whisk her off back to the hotel and give her the fucking she desperately needed. Rubbing up against Tom's manhood had taken its toll. "Well I suppose we could come and see where you camp," she said, "but we mustn't stay too late must we Abdou?"
"What? I err no, I suppose not," stammered Abdou as Tom rose and offered Farida his arm.
And the three of them found themselves heading off to tent where the lives of Abdou and Farida would be changed forever. As they walked along Abdou held one of Farida's arms and Tom the other. However, after a while Abdou consciously let go of his wife's arm and stepped behind Tom.
This was not lost on the big white and he put his big protective arm around Abdou's wife as if to say to everyone "she's mine." If Farida hadn't been so dazed by the afternoon's events, she might have noticed various other white students smiling at Tom with knowing grins. They had recognized the situation immediately; a Muslim couple with cuckold husband following on as a big powerful white man led the wife to his cot.
Soon they reached Tom's tent and both Abdou and Farida were pleasantly surprised at how spacious it was. "Let me get you some coffee," said Tom as both Abdou and Farida collapsed onto a big sleeping bag.
Having sorted the drinks, Tom put some music on, and crawling over to Farida he said, "Can we have another dance Farida, you're such a good dancer?"
Before Farida could answer she felt her husband pushing her up. "Go on Farida, you know how much you enjoy it."
Abdou secretly wanted to see his wife in the arms of this Adonis again and who knows maybe more. Having no real reason to object, Farida agreed and as she accepted Toms hand she couldn't help but feel a shiver at the thought of being reacquainted with his penis, albeit covered by his trousers. However, as they left the tent she had a suspicion that he wasn't wearing any under garments since his penis had seemed so clearly outlined earlier.
As he clasped her to himself Tom could feel his big cock twitch once again. He moved one hand down to the small of her back, just to test the waters and meeting no resistance after another minute or so he moved his hand onto her sexy bottom. He could feel through the thin dress that Farida wasn't wearing thick pants, or perhaps only very skimpy ones and he couldn't wait to see her naked.
Farida felt lost in a different world as she circled round with this big man. Not only could she feel his penis growing hard against her once more, but she felt his big hand on her bottom pulling her onto his hardness. When she looked at her husband (still sitting in the tent), she noticed that he was just rubbing his own penis through his trousers. "My goodness," she thought, "he's getting turned on watching us. Supposing I flirt a bit more and show him what he's missing?"
With that Farida deliberately started to open her legs and let Tom's muscular leg rub against her inflamed sex.
This change in Farida's demeanor was not lost on Tom. As he led her back to the tent, he let his hands roam all over the back of this sexy hijabi Muslim wife and he leaned down to kiss and nibble her neck and ears. He heard Farida sigh and knew that he was close to capturing this sexy wife. "Fatima, let's give Abdou a show to remember shall we?"
Farida was brought back from her dreamlike state by Tom's question. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Almost in a whisper Tom said, "You know, a bit of thesis-antithesis-synthesis."
He had already found the zipper that ran down the back of Farida's dress and he had it in his hands as he spoke to her. He slowly started to pull the zipper down and it was half way down her back before Farida realised what was happening. "Wait Tom, we can't do this, I'm married."
"So what of it, Abdou wants me to undress you, don't you Abdou?"
Abdou had no hesitation in replying in the affirmative. This is what he had wanted for so long.
Caught in the confusion and surprise of hearing her husband say that he wanted to see another man, undress her, Farida just lay there while Tom pulled the zipper right down and then eased the dress off her shoulders. Suddenly she realised that she was lying in only her stockings, garter belt, and thong panties.
As she looked up at Tom she saw something that she hadn't seen in a man for years and that was undisguised lust. This man was lusting after her, this married women! She should have felt ashamed at her feelings but she didn't. Having got half-naked, she realised that she was enjoying the attention of this muscular white man. In fact she decided to crawl around in front of him as if to say 'look at what my husband has and you haven't'.
This might have been a foolish act, but it merely served to confirm what both men knew. For Tom it confirmed that Farida was absolutely gorgeous, the sexiest Muslim woman he had ever seen and that she needed to be loved sexually. For Abdou as he fingered his painfully erect cock, he knew that he was just a few steps away from pushing his wife into a sleeping bag with another man. He was close to realizing his fantasy.
Tom pulled Farida to him, lifted her face to his and he kissed her. Farida would always remember that first kiss since it was both passionate but more significantly the precursor to her crossing a line that could not be re- crossed, and to setting in motion events that would last her and her husband a lifetime. She accepted his big tongue into her mouth and her tongue fenced with his. She could feel his big hands roaming all over body now.
In her trance-like state it seemed quite natural that Tom should start to remove his clothing. Both Farida and Abdou watched as the big man removed his shirt to reveal a hugely-muscled chest and then he dropped his trousers and just as Farida had suspected he wore no underwear. His big cock reared up in all is magnificence and Tom was gratified to hear both husband and wife express surprise at his size.
Tom crawled over to the sleeping bag where Farida was sitting and crouched in front of her, his big cock semi erect. He remembered that Eric had told him that the cops were closing in, and he knew he would have to move quickly if he wanted to finish before they cleared the encampment. Farida's head was at the same level as the big man's groin and she was amazed at the whole size and muscularity of this man. Her trance-like state was broken by Tom who said softly "Take my cock into your mouth."
Farida was aghast, "I can't! It's dirty and I've never done that before."
Tom laughed to himself. This wife was indeed naive and yet he was gratified that he would be the first man to have his cock sucked by her. Lifting her face so that she could look into his eyes, Tom said, "As we hear from German ideologists, Germany has in the last few years gone through an unparalleled revolution. The decomposition of the Hegelian philosophy, which began with Strauss, has developed into a universal ferment into which all the “powers of the past” are swept. In the general chaos mighty empires have arisen only to meet with immediate doom, heroes have emerged momentarily only to be hurled back into obscurity by bolder and stronger rivals. It was a revolution beside which the French Revolution was child’s play, a world struggle beside which the struggles of the Diadochi [successors of Alexander the Great] appear insignificant. Principles ousted one another, heroes of the mind overthrew each other with unheard-of rapidity, and in the three years 1842-45 more of the past was swept away in Germany than at other times in three centuries.
"All this is supposed to have taken place in the realm of pure thought.
"Certainly it is an interesting event we are dealing with: the putrescence of the absolute spirit. When the last spark of its life had failed, the various components of this caput mortuum began to decompose, entered into new combinations and formed new substances. The industrialists of philosophy, who till then had lived on the exploitation of the absolute spirit, now seized upon the new combinations. Each with all possible zeal set about retailing his apportioned share. This naturally gave rise to competition, which, to start with, was carried on in moderately staid bourgeois fashion. Later when the German market was glutted, and the commodity in spite of all efforts found no response in the world market, the business was spoiled in the usual German manner by fabricated and fictitious production, deterioration in quality, adulteration of the raw materials, falsification of labels, fictitious purchases, bill-jobbing and a credit system devoid of any real basis. The competition turned into a bitter struggle, which is now being extolled and interpreted to us as a revolution of world significance, the begetter of the most prodigious results and achievements.
"If we wish to rate at its true value this philosophic charlatanry, which awakens even in the breast of the honest German citizen a glow of national pride, if we wish to bring out clearly the pettiness, the parochial narrowness of this whole Young-Hegelian movement and in particular the tragicomic contrast between the illusions of these heroes about their achievements and the actual achievements themselves, we must look at the whole spectacle from a standpoint beyond the frontiers of Germany.
"Ideology in General, German Ideology in Particular: German criticism has, right up to its latest efforts, never quitted the realm of philosophy. Far from examining its general philosophic premises, the whole body of its inquiries has actually sprung from the soil of a definite philosophical system, that of Hegel. Not only in their answers but in their very questions there was a mystification. This dependence on Hegel is the reason why not one of these modern critics has even attempted a comprehensive criticism of the Hegelian system, however much each professes to have advanced beyond Hegel. Their polemics against Hegel and against one another are confined to this – each extracts one side of the Hegelian system and turns this against the whole system as well as against the sides extracted by the others. To begin with they extracted pure unfalsified Hegelian categories such as “substance” and “self-consciousness,” later they desecrated these categories with more secular names such as species “the Unique,” “Man,” etc.
"The entire body of German philosophical criticism from Strauss to Stirner is confined to criticism of religious conceptions. [The following passage is crossed out in the manuscript:] claiming to be the absolute redeemer of the world from all evil. Religion was continually regarded and treated as the arch-enemy, as the ultimate cause of all relations repugnant to these philosophers. The critics started from real religion and actual theology. What religious consciousness and a religious conception really meant was determined variously as they went along. Their advance consisted in subsuming the allegedly dominant metaphysical, political, juridical, moral and other conceptions under the class of religious or theological conceptions; and similarly in pronouncing political, juridical, moral consciousness as religious or theological, and the political, juridical, moral man – “man” in the last resort – as religious. The dominance of religion was taken for granted. Gradually every dominant relationship was pronounced a religious relationship and transformed into a cult, a cult of law, a cult of the State, etc. On all sides it was only a question of dogmas and belief in dogmas. The world was sanctified to an ever-increasing extent till at last our venerable Saint Max was able to canonise it en bloc and thus dispose of it once for all.
"The Old Hegelians had comprehended everything as soon as it was reduced to an Hegelian logical category. The Young Hegelians criticised everything by attributing to it religious conceptions or by pronouncing it a theological matter. The Young Hegelians are in agreement with the Old Hegelians in their belief in the rule of religion, of concepts, of a universal principle in the existing world. Only, the one party attacks this dominion as usurpation, while the other extols it as legitimate.
"Since the Young Hegelians consider conceptions, thoughts, ideas, in fact all the products of consciousness, to which they attribute an independent existence, as the real chains of men (just as the Old Hegelians declared them the true bonds of human society) it is evident that the Young Hegelians have to fight only against these illusions of consciousness. Since, according to their fantasy, the relationships of men, all their doings, their chains and their limitations are products of their consciousness, the Young Hegelians logically put to men the moral postulate of exchanging their present consciousness for human, critical or egoistic consciousness, and thus of removing their limitations. This demand to change consciousness amounts to a demand to interpret reality in another way, i.e. to recognise it by means of another interpretation. The Young-Hegelian ideologists, in spite of their allegedly “world-shattering" statements, are the staunchest conservatives. The most recent of them have found the correct expression for their activity when they declare they are only fighting against “phrases.” They forget, however, that to these phrases they themselves are only opposing other phrases, and that they are in no way combating the real existing world when they are merely combating the phrases of this world. The only results which this philosophic criticism could achieve were a few (and at that thoroughly one-sided) elucidations of Christianity from the point of view of religious history; all the rest of their assertions are only further embellishments of their claim to have furnished, in these unimportant elucidations, discoveries of universal importance.
"It has not occurred to any one of these philosophers to inquire into the connection of German philosophy with German reality, the relation of their criticism to their own material surroundings.
"First Premises of Materialist Method: The premises from which we begin are not arbitrary ones, not dogmas, but real premises from which abstraction can only be made in the imagination. They are the real individuals, their activity and the material conditions under which they live, both those which they find already existing and those produced by their activity. These premises can thus be verified in a purely empirical way.
"The first premise of all human history is, of course, the existence of living human individuals. Thus the first fact to be established is the physical organisation of these individuals and their consequent relation to the rest of nature. Of course, we cannot here go either into the actual physical nature of man, or into the natural conditions in which man finds himself – geological, hydrographical, climatic and so on. The writing of history must always set out from these natural bases and their modification in the course of history through the action of men.
"Men can be distinguished from animals by consciousness, by religion or anything else you like. They themselves begin to distinguish themselves from animals as soon as they begin to produce their means of subsistence, a step which is conditioned by their physical organisation. By producing their means of subsistence men are indirectly producing their actual material life.
"The way in which men produce their means of subsistence depends first of all on the nature of the actual means of subsistence they find in existence and have to reproduce. This mode of production must not be considered simply as being the production of the physical existence of the individuals. Rather it is a definite form of activity of these individuals, a definite form of expressing their life, a definite mode of life on their part. As individuals express their life, so they are. What they are, therefore, coincides with their production, both with what they produce and with how they produce. The nature of individuals thus depends on the material conditions determining their production.
"This production only makes its appearance with the increase of population. In its turn this presupposes the intercourse [Verkehr] of individuals with one another. The form of this intercourse is again determined by production.
[continues in comment]
submitted by germanideology to Ultraleft [link] [comments]


2024.05.21 22:51 NewTankJr Natural Limits of Human Biology

I am writing a dystopian world where the scientific world is obsessed with evolving the human race through eugenics, genetic engineering, and parapsychology. I am trying to make a character that is the first human to be seen as evolved by eugenics.
How tall and massive can I make this character within the laws of physics? How dense should his bones and muscles be, how big can he be without his organs being crushed, etc?
Any input of yours would be much appreciated.
submitted by NewTankJr to scifiwriting [link] [comments]


http://activeproperty.pl/