Nortel bcm alarm 75 conferencing problems

University of Leicester report finds 45% of UK’s East and Southeast Asian people experienced hate crime in the last year

2024.05.18 04:02 silhouette1085 University of Leicester report finds 45% of UK’s East and Southeast Asian people experienced hate crime in the last year

https://le.ac.uk/news/2024/april/race-study

University of Leicester report finds 45% of UK’s east and southeast Asian people experienced hate crime in the last year

26 April 2024
An alarming report co-authored by the University of Leicester has revealed hate crime experienced by east and southeast Asian (ESEA) people in the UK remains chronically underreported, with trust in authorities low, as just 10% report hate crime to the police.
The report, published by charity Protection Approaches in collaboration with the University’s Centre for Hate Studies, examined ESEA communities’ experiences of hate crime in the UK and was launched in Parliament on Tuesday 23 April, with Sarah Owen MP as host and chair.
This report reveals what ESEA communities in the UK have long known, that hate against them remains high and victims are often unsupported. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a spotlight was shone on anti-ESEA hate crime in the UK, when it spiked with a nearly 70% increase in incidents recorded by police in 2020 vs 2019. That period of increased reports and activism highlighted both a lack of services supporting ESEA community members who face hate, and the extent to which ESEA experiences of hate crime had been historically neglected in the public consciousness.
Emily Wertans, Research Assistant at the Centre for Hate Studies, said: “Police recorded data has demonstrated an almost constant upward trend in levels of hate crime in England and Wales over the last decade. With 145,214 recorded hate crimes, 2023 statistics represent over 100,000 more incidents than that of a decade ago. However, as this report demonstrates, this official data is the tip of the iceberg.
“Wider research undertaken by the Centre for Hate Studies, and this research undertaken by Protection Approaches, reveals that groups targeted on the basis of their identities are more often than not, not reporting this victimisation to criminal justice agencies. As a result, there are countless individuals and communities living without protection, help and support. Research such as this indicates how much further we need to go to adequately understand and respond to the needs of hate crime victims.”
Sarah Owen MP said: “The absence of a national strategy on hate crime has left policymakers ill-equipped to address the new challenges facing Britain in 2024, with communities paying the price. If we are to ensure our ESEA communities thrive, we must listen to their needs. This report should serve as a call to action for people, politicians, and policymakers alike.”
Due to underreporting, there is very little reliable data on the true extent of hate crime faced by ESEA communities in the UK. For a long time, groups supporting ESEA community members, such as third party reporting and support service On Your Side, have known that the true picture is much higher than has been recorded to date but had no meaningful data to prove to policy makers and funders just how serious the problem is. Until now.
This report, funded by the Office of Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs at JPMorgan Chase, has been conducted in partnership with the Centre for Hate Studies, with the support of End Violence and Racism Against ESEA Communities and VoiceESEA, works toward closing this gap.
The research has found that 45% (430,000) ESEA community members were subjected to a hate crime in the last year. As 55% were subject to more than one incident, this suggests that close to one million incidents targeting ESEA community members were committed in the last 12 months.
Just one-in-10 of those who were subjected to hate crime in the past year reported to police. 63% of participants who did not report their experience of hate crime to police felt the police wouldn’t take it seriously.
The researchers asked what would make those participants more likely to report to the police: 23% said they would report if they thought the report would be taken seriously and actioned by the police / authorities, and 15% said they needed more awareness or understanding of what can be reported or how to report.
In 75% of recent experiences of being subjected to hate crime, the offendes were men, while 73% of hate crimes targeting ESEA women are perpetrated by men. Moreover, 42% of victims were targeted by groups of perpetrators, and at least 42% of participants said the most recent incident they were subject to was perpetrated by more than one person.
The study found that in 53% of recent incidents participants believed the offendes were under 30 years old. This shows that hostility and prejudice towards ESEA communities in the UK is not an issue of the past or confined exclusively to older generations.
Ninety-nine percent of those who have been subjected to hate crime suffered negative impacts to their wellbeing, 90% said their experiences of hate crime had made them upset, 72% had been made to feel anxious, 61% had been made to feel vulnerable, 26% were made to feel depressed, and 4% felt suicidal. Despite such serious impacts, only 5% of victims had ever received emotional support from any agency or organisation.
Andy Fearn, Co-Executive Director, Protection Approachesm said: “The findings of this research are a call to action for both the Government and funding bodies. The rise in hate crime faced by ESEA communities during COVID-19 was not just a passing trend but is a significant societal issue that demands immediate and comprehensive intervention. It is imperative that the Government expedites the publication of a new national Hate Crime Strategy. This strategy should be developed in close collaboration with community organisations, as well as those dedicated to supporting hate crime victims and implementing prevention programs.”
These findings unveil a concerning trend of victims not feeling able to access support, report incidents, and a widespread mistrust towards authorities. It is clear much more must be done to prevent hate crime targeting ESEA communities and to ensure that victims are able to access the support they need.
This report offers a clear roadmap for change through better support for victims, and meaningful community-led initiatives toward the prevention of future crimes. Protection Approaches called on His Majesty’s Government and funding bodies to take the following immediate steps:
submitted by silhouette1085 to AsianMasculinity [link] [comments]

2024.05.17 20:37 Jhonjournalist Should Covaxin users be alarmed about potential side effects?

Should Covaxin users be alarmed about potential side effects?
https://preview.redd.it/sz7sfxsr611d1.jpg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=85bdf190c121d0bfa839779b60f71b41e6c3e43d
  • Events known as AESI are those that might be causally linked to a vaccine product and happen after vaccination.
  • In adults, the most prevalent AESIs were nervous system illnesses (5.5%), musculoskeletal disorders (5.8%), and general disorders (8.9).
  • Events known as AESI are those that might be causally linked to a vaccine product and happen after vaccination.
  • In adults, the most prevalent AESIs were nervous system illnesses (5.5%), musculoskeletal disorders (5.8%), and general disorders (8.9).
According to research done on the BBV152 anti-COVID vaccination by Bharat Biotech, around one-third of the 926 people who received the shot reported adverse events of special interest (AESI). Events known as AESI are those that might be causally linked to a vaccine product and happen after vaccination.
Roughly 1% of people had a history of serious AESI, which included stroke and Guillain-Barre syndrome. The three most frequent disorders seen in teenagers following vaccination were general disorders, nervous system disorders, and new-onset skin and subcutaneous illnesses.

Covaxin

The long-term safety of the BBV152 vaccination in adults and adolescents was examined in a study that was published in the Journal of Springer Nature. It was discovered that during the follow-up period, about 50% of the sample size reported having illnesses, with viral upper respiratory tract infections being the most common type.
Bharat Biotech clarified, however, that several studies on the safety of Covaxin have been conducted and published in peer-reviewed publications, exhibiting a strong safety record.
AESIs that were often reported included adult and adolescent patients with newly developed skin and subcutaneous issues (10.5%), general disorders (10.2%), and nervous system ailments (4.7%).
In adults, the most prevalent AESIs were nervous system illnesses (5.5%), musculoskeletal disorders (5.8%), and general disorders (8.9). Notably, 4.6% of the female participants had irregular menstruation. In 2.7% and 0.6% of subjects, respectively, ocular anomalies and hypothyroidism were found.
Dr. Vanita Arora, senior consultant cardiac electrophysiologist and interventional cardiologist at Apollo Hospital, Delhi, stated that the creation of COVID-19 immunizations was essential to controlling the pandemic. Monitoring and understanding the long-term adverse effects is critical, like with any medical procedure, to ensure patient safety and effectively address concerns.
Especially in patients with cardiovascular risk factors, strokes classified as AESI give rise to serious concerns. If a patient has ever experienced atrial fibrillation, diabetes, or hypertension, they should exercise extra caution. It is recommended to manage cardiovascular risk factors and have regular check-ups.
People who already have health problems appear to be more susceptible to AESI after receiving Covaxin medication. This is especially important for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. The benefits of vaccination considerably outweigh the risks because they protect us from serious health consequences, even though these side effects are vital to take into account.
Notably, 4.6% of the female participants had irregular menstruation.
  • Notably, 4.6% of the female participants had irregular menstruation.
According to research done on the BBV152 anti-COVID vaccination by Bharat Biotech, around one-third of the 926 people who received the shot reported adverse events of special interest (AESI). Events known as AESI are those that might be causally linked to a vaccine product and happen after vaccination.
Roughly 1% of people had a history of serious AESI, which included stroke and Guillain-Barre syndrome. The three most frequent disorders seen in teenagers following vaccination were general disorders, nervous system disorders, and new-onset skin and subcutaneous illnesses.

Covaxin

The long-term safety of the BBV152 vaccination in adults and adolescents was examined in a study that was published in the Journal of Springer Nature. It was discovered that during the follow-up period, about 50% of the sample size reported having illnesses, with viral upper respiratory tract infections being the most common type.
Bharat Biotech clarified, however, that several studies on the safety of Covaxin have been conducted and published in peer-reviewed publications, exhibiting a strong safety record.
AESIs that were often reported included adult and adolescent patients with newly developed skin and subcutaneous issues (10.5%), general disorders (10.2%), and nervous system ailments (4.7%).
In adults, the most prevalent AESIs were nervous system illnesses (5.5%), musculoskeletal disorders (5.8%), and general disorders (8.9). Notably, 4.6% of the female participants had irregular menstruation. In 2.7% and 0.6% of subjects, respectively, ocular anomalies and hypothyroidism were found.
Dr. Vanita Arora, senior consultant cardiac electrophysiologist and interventional cardiologist at Apollo Hospital, Delhi, stated that the creation of COVID-19 immunizations was essential to controlling the pandemic. Monitoring and understanding the long-term adverse effects is critical, like with any medical procedure, to ensure patient safety and effectively address concerns.
Especially in patients with cardiovascular risk factors, strokes classified as AESI give rise to serious concerns. If a patient has ever experienced atrial fibrillation, diabetes, or hypertension, they should exercise extra caution. It is recommended to manage cardiovascular risk factors and have regular check-ups.
People who already have health problems appear to be more susceptible to AESI after receiving Covaxin medication. This is especially important for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. The benefits of vaccination considerably outweigh the risks because they protect us from serious health consequences, even though these side effects are vital to take into account.
Learn More: https://worldmagzine.com/health-and-medical/should-covaxin-users-be-alarmed-about-potential-side-effects/
submitted by Jhonjournalist to u/Jhonjournalist [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 16:23 VanillaWinner Car - Loss of power - Odd Issue!

Hey everyone,
I've got a 2011 Scirocco R 2.0TFSI Ea113 with around 90k miles on it (not kilometers), and I've been the proud owner for a solid decade. It's been running like a dream, until recently.
Here's the issue: About nine months back, my car unexpectedly conked out, with the battery light flashing. No matter how much I tried, it just wouldn't start, though it cranked up without firing. After that incident, I went ahead and swapped out the alternator (went for a genuine OEM Bosch), replaced the serpentine belt, pulleys were ok. Two months ago, I even replaced the battery with the factory equivalent, thinking that would sort it.
Just when I thought all was well, the problem reared its head again yesterday. This time, I was approaching a junction behind another vehicle, and bam, the car stalled - same old battery light, and zero crank. I called in the RAC (Roadside Assistance), they ran diagnostics, but couldn't pinpoint any issues. After giving it a jump, it reluctantly started, only to refuse to crank again once turned off. We did get it going and I drove it 2 miles home with them closely following, it drove fine.
Whilst I was broken down, I checked the earth, terminals etc, all seemed fine. All electrics inside the car worked fine.
I've got a few theories on what might be causing this, but I'd love to hear your thoughts before I dive into any fixes. I've reached out to a few garages, but for some reason, they're not exactly jumping at the chance to lend a hand.
Here's what I'm considering:
Crank Shaft Sensor Cam Sensor Fueling issues like HPFP / LPFP / Fuel Rails or Fuel Line / Filter (replaced the filter a couple of months ago)
I'll be running a full scan with my VCDS once I'm off work. If anyone could offer some insight or assistance, I'd be immensely grateful! Will share the auto-scan results once I've got them.
Cheers
***EDIT - I've now included the VCDS Auto-Scan***
Thursday,16,May,2024,16:22:45:00009
VCDS -- Windows Based VAG/VAS Emulator Running on Windows 7 x64
VCDS Version: 23.3.0.0
Data version: 20230228 DS346.1
www.Ross-Tech.com
VIN: WVWZZZ13ZCV005173 License Plate:
Mileage: 144890km-90030mi Repair Order:
Chassis Type: 13-VW36 (7N0)
Scan: 01 03 08 09 14 15 16 17 19 25 2E 37 42 44 46 52 55 56 77
VIN: WVWZZZ13ZCV005173 Mileage: 144890km-90030miles
01-Engine -- Status: Malfunction 0010
03-ABS Brakes -- Status: OK 0000
04-Steering Angle -- Status: OK 0000
08-Auto HVAC -- Status: OK 0000
09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
14-Susp. Elect. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
15-Airbags -- Status: OK 0000
16-Steering wheel -- Status: OK 0000
17-Instruments -- Status: OK 0000
19-CAN Gateway -- Status: OK 0000
25-Immobilizer -- Status: OK 0000
2E-Media Player 3 -- Status: OK 0000
37-Navigation -- Status: Malfunction 0010
42-Door Elect, Driver -- Status: OK 0000
44-Steering Assist -- Status: OK 0000
46-Central Conv. -- Status: OK 0000
52-Door Elect, Pass. -- Status: OK 0000
55-Headlight Range -- Status: OK 0000
56-Radio -- Status: Malfunction 0010
77-Telephone -- Status: OK 0000
Address 01: Engine (CDL) Labels:. 06F-907-115-CDL.clb
Part No SW: 1K8 907 115 B HW: 8P0 907 115 B
Component: 2.0l R4/4V TFSI 0030
Revision: 5BH20--- Serial number:
Coding: 0403000C18070060
Shop #: WSC 66565 257 00032
VCID: 2D51BCB3B41137FB58-8078
VINID: 9E69EAAAA043A939800050470CBEA06003
3 Faults Found:
001681 - Fan 1 Control Circuit
P0691 - 002 - Short to GND - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100010
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 14
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 143990 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2018.10.07
Time: 15:47:49
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 1590 /min
Load: 11.0 %
Speed: 12.0 km/h
Temperature: 54.0 C
Temperature: 33.0 C
Absolute Pres.: 1010.0 mbar
Voltage: 14.224 V
001152 - Coolant Fan Control Circuit 1
P0480 - 008 - Electrical Malfunction - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 28
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 143990 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2018.10.07
Time: 15:48:51
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 749 /min
Load: 22.0 %
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Temperature: 69.0 C
Temperature: 31.0 C
Absolute Pres.: 990.0 mbar
Voltage: 14.224 V
000017 - Bank 1: Camshaft A (Intake)
P0011 - 004 - Retard Setpoint not Reached (Over-Advanced)
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100100
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 144895 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2018.10.07
Time: 01:23:12
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 1265 /min
Load: 14.5 %
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Temperature: 94.0 C
Temperature: 39.0 C
Absolute Pres.: 990.0 mbar
Voltage: 14.224 V
Readiness: 0000 0001
Address 03: ABS Brakes (J104) Labels:. 1K0-907-379-60EC1F.clb
Part No SW: 1K0 907 379 BJ HW: 1K0 907 379 BJ
Component: ESP MK60EC1 H31 0121
Revision: 00H31001
Coding: 763B80F5492280FF6E0C01EB921C0181350800
Shop #: WSC 00020 790 00000
VCID: 7BF542EBFAE5694B96-802E
No fault code found.
Address 08: Auto HVAC (J255) Labels: 5K0-907-044.clb
Part No SW: 5K0 907 044 EA HW: 5K0 907 044 EA
Component: Climatronic H17 1010
Revision: 00001003
Coding: 0000000002
Shop #: WSC 00020 999 00000
ASAM Dataset: EV_Climatronic A01010
ROD: EV_ClimaAutoBasis_VW36.rod
VCID: 6ED37BBFB1970CE321-803A
No fault code found.
Address 09: Cent. Elect. (J519) Labels:. 1K0-937-08x-09.clb
Part No SW: 5K0 937 087 M HW: 5K0 937 087 M
Component: BCM PQ35 H 011 0048
Revision: BE011001
Coding: 49180A388027E100400800C0340048E44B558388736D8D20E48000000040
Shop #: WSC 00020 790 12345
VCID: 3F8DF6FBAE7DB56BFA-806A
Subsystem 1 - Part No SW: 1K8 955 119 G HW: 1K8 955 119 G Labels: 1KX-955-119.CLB
Component: Wischer 23031 10 0603
Coding: 009795
Subsystem 2 - Part No: 1K0 955 559 AH Labels: 1K0-955-559-AG.CLB
Component: RLS 250611 05 54 0403
Coding: 0230ED
Subsystem 3 - Part No: 1K8 951 171
Component: DWA-Sensor 00 001 0104
Coding: 000000
1 Fault Found:
01134 - Alarm Horn (H12)
004 - No Signal/Communication
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100100
Fault Priority: 4
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 1
Mileage: 143987 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2018.10.07
Time: 16:13:47
Freeze Frame:
Term 15 On
Voltage: 11.40 V
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
Address 14: Susp. Elect. (J250) Labels:. 3C0-907-376.clb
Part No SW: 3C0 907 376 A HW: 3C0 907 376
Component: DAEMPFUNGS-SG H07 0071
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 22061101400002
Coding: 000180
Shop #: WSC 00020 790 00000
VCID: 275D4E9B56ED1DABA2-8072
3 Faults Found:
03262 - Comfort Restriction
000 - -
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100000
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 191
Reset counter: 97
Mileage: 143987 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2018.10.07
Time: 19:20:03
Freeze Frame:
Error Code: 2
Bin. Bits: 00000000
00141 - Rear Body Acceleration Sensor (G343)
003 - Mechanical Failure
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100011
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 191
Reset counter: 97
Mileage: 143987 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2018.10.07
Time: 19:20:03
Freeze Frame:
Bin. Bits: 00000000 00000010
Bin. Bits: 00000000 00000000
00141 - Rear Body Acceleration Sensor (G343)
006 - Short to Plus - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100110
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 203
Reset counter: 137
Mileage: 143987 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2018.10.07
Time: 15:29:35
Freeze Frame:
Address 15: Airbags Labels: 1K0-909-605.lbl
Part No SW: 1K0 909 605 AE HW: 1K0 909 605 AE
Component: 0H AIRBAG VW8 020 2300
Revision: 05020000 Serial number: 003D1D03V9H4
Coding: 0012360
Shop #: WSC 00020 790 00000
VCID: 6FED66BB7E9D05EB2A-803A
Subsystem 1 - Serial number: 6332MSME60134E717
Subsystem 2 - Serial number: 6342MSME6004412E3
Subsystem 3 - Serial number: 6352QSME3D1E3274O
Subsystem 4 - Serial number: 6362QSME0B0C0672G
No fault code found.
Address 16: Steering wheel (J527) Labels: 5K0-953-569.clb
Part No SW: 5K0 953 521 BM HW: 5K0 953 569 D
Component: LENKS.MODUL 014 0140
Revision: FF010040 Serial number: 20110616200784
Coding: 1082040000
Shop #: WSC 00020 999 00000
ASAM Dataset: EV_SMLSNGVOLWSXS A01004
ROD: EV_SMLSNGVOLWS.rod
VCID: 78FF5DE7C3D34253FB-802C
Multifunction steering wheel control module:
Subsystem 1 - Part No SW: 5K0 959 542 A HW: 5K0 959 542 A Labels: 3C8-959-537.CLB
Component: E221__MFL-TAS H07 0013
Coding: 820000
No fault code found.
Address 17: Instruments (J285) Labels: 5K0-920-xxx-17.clb-SRI1
Part No SW: 1K8 920 973 B HW: 1K8 920 973 B
Component: KOMBI H03 0607
Serial number: 00000000000000
Coding: 170F01
Shop #: WSC 00020 999 12345
ASAM Dataset: EV_Kombi_UDS_VDD_RM09 A04114
ROD: EV_Kombi_UDS_VDD_RM09_004_VW32.rod
VCID: 3467A9D79F3B663317-8060
No fault code found.
Address 19: CAN Gateway (J533) Labels:. 7N0-907-530-V2.clb
Part No SW: 7N0 907 530 H HW: 1K0 907 951
Component: J533 Gateway H42 1620
Revision: H42 Serial number: 170611F1000061
Coding: 354001
Shop #: WSC 00020 790 12345
VCID: 356194D39C417F3B20-8060
No fault code found.
Address 25: Immobilizer (J334) Labels: 5K0-920-xxx-25.clb
Part No SW: 5K0 953 234 HW: 5K0 953 234
Component: IMMO H03 0607
Serial number:
Coding: 000000
Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
ASAM Dataset: EV_Immo_UDS_VDD_RM09 A03009
ROD: EV_Immo_UDS_VDD_RM09_VW21.rod
VCID: 6ADB77AF8D7FE0C37D-803E
No fault code found.
Address 2E: Media Player 3 (J650) Labels:. 5N0-035-342.lbl
Part No SW: 5N0 035 342 E HW: 5N0 035 342 E
Component: SG EXT.PLAYER H13 0240
Revision: A1001003 Serial number: 7660255100
Coding: 010000
Shop #: WSC 00020 790 00000
VCID: 295948A340F92BDBB4-807C
No fault code found.
Address 37: Navigation (J0506) Labels:. 1T0-035-680.clb
Part No SW: 1T0 035 680 P HW: 1T0 035 680 P
Component: RNS-MID H10 5270
Revision: AB001001 Serial number: VWZ6Z7K5046078
Coding: 04000400040000900004
Shop #: WSC 12345 123 12345
VCID: 3B7582EBBA65A94BD6-806E
Subsystem 1 - Part No: 1T0 919 859 B
Component: EU West V11 8117
1 Fault Found:
00862 - Antenna for GPS Navigation (R50/R52)
011 - Open Circuit - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101011
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 27
Reset counter: 137
Mileage: 144395 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2018.10.07
Time: 00:00:16
Address 42: Door Elect, Driver Labels:. 1K0-959-701-MAX3.clb
Part No SW: 1Q0 959 701 H HW: 1Q0 959 701 H
Component: Tuer-SG 009 2130
Coding: 0016949
Shop #: WSC 00020 790 00000
VCID: 397998E370599B5BC4-806C
No fault code found.
Address 44: Steering Assist Labels: 1K0-909-14x-GEN3.clb
Part No: 1K0 909 144 M
Component: EPS_ZFLS Kl. 250 3201
Revision: 00H20000
Shop #: WSC 00020 790 00000
VCID: 3467A9D7573B663317-8060
No fault code found.
Address 52: Door Elect, Pass. Labels:. 1K0-959-702-MAX3.clb
Part No SW: 1Q0 959 702 H HW: 1Q0 959 702 H
Component: Tuer-SG 009 2130
Coding: 0016948
Shop #: WSC 00020 790 00000
VCID: 3A7B87EF755F9043CD-806E
No fault code found.
Address 55: Headlight Range Labels: 8P0-907-357.lbl
Part No: 8P0 907 357 K
Component: Dynamische LWR H01 0010
Revision: 00000001 Serial number:
Coding: 0000016
Shop #: WSC 00020 790 00000
VCID: 428BFF0F1D8FD88395-8016
No fault code found.
Address 56: Radio (J0506) Labels:. 1T0-035-680.clb
Part No SW: 1T0 035 680 P HW: 1T0 035 680 P
Component: RNS-MID H10 5270
Revision: AB001001 Serial number: VWZ6Z7K5046078
Coding: 04000400040000900004
Shop #: WSC 12345 123 12345
VCID: 3B7582EBBA65A94BD6-806E
Subsystem 1 - Part No: 1T0 919 859 B
Component: EU West V11 8117
1 Fault Found:
00862 - Antenna for GPS Navigation (R50/R52)
011 - Open Circuit - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101011
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 27
Reset counter: 137
Mileage: 144395 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2018.10.07
Time: 00:00:16
Address 77: Telephone (J412) Labels: 7P6-035-730.clb
Part No SW: 7P6 035 730 E HW: 7P6 035 730 E
Component: TELEFON H09 2730
Revision: 1B001001 Serial number: 00007660233684 Dataset Number: 7P6035730E 0001
Coding: 0A01000000010101
Shop #: WSC 00020 999 00000
ASAM Dataset: EV_UHVNA A01015
ROD: UHVNA.rod
VCID: 3467A9D79F3B663317-8060
2 Faults Found:
13635840 - Supply voltage
U1011 00 [000] - Voltage too Low
[New feature! Extended UDS fault detail is only supported by current gen. interfaces]
Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
13893632 - Function Restricted due to Insufficient Voltage
U1400 00 [000] - -
Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
End-------------------------(Elapsed Time: 02:50)--------------------------
submitted by VanillaWinner to MechanicAdvice [link] [comments]

2024.05.14 12:40 Specialist_Bake6514 Vapiano P3: Italian Food Made in Germany

Vapiano P3: Italian Food Made in Germany
The kitchen is on fire. Welcome to the final part of the Vapiano story where the tables are turning. In the first two episodes we followed Mark Korzilius' journey from setbacks to founding Vapiano, a groundbreaking restaurant concept, highlighting its fresh ingredients, dynamic atmosphere, and data-driven operations that drove rapid success. While achieving initial profitability and garnering attention from industry giants like McDonald's, Vapiano's global expansion has led to stellar revenue growth. However, it has also resulted in the emergence of numerous side projects (or distractions), operational challenges, increased costs, significant investments, and a notable accumulation of debt. This underscores the prioritization of top-line growth over profitable growth. We will continue on this thread and see how the story ends, but I would encourage you to read part one and two for better context. Vapiano P1: Italian Food Made in Germany (substack.com). Let's dig in.
Before Going Public
We are now in 2015 and the year is a disaster for Vapiano's PR department. Employee time stamps are being manipulated, endless overtime for employees and high turnover in managerial roles are reported; mice in the kitchen and even rotten food allegedly found.
The company is confronted with allegations of exceeding working hours among trainees in an article published by Welt am Sonntag, while the same outlet accuses Vapiano of manipulating punch times. The auditing firm PwC is commissioned to investigate the allegations and finds that there is no systematic approach but rather misconduct by individual employees, a mistake that’s being corrected. Internal however, investigations into stamp times are carried out regularly now and beyond its obvious reputational impact, this sucks up valuable management time and attention.
In the summer of 2015 CEO, co-founder and investor Gregor Gerlach, who has been running the group since 2011 is stepping down and Jochen Halfmann is taking over. A new Vapiano People Program with an App is being developed with the aim to better interact with customers that will incorporate innovate features such as mobile pay. The German website sees a launch of new magazine to further promote the brand and there is now a full inhouse blogger and Instagram team being installed. In October the company buys seven restaurants from original co-founder, former co-investor and ex-president previously responsible for internation expansion Kent Hahne (2x Bonn, 3x Cologne, 1x Koblenz and one in Cologne that’s under construction). This package of Vapiano restaurants is very successful and generates net sales of more than 20 million euros in 2014. Hahne opened his first Vapiano restaurant in Cologne in August 2006 and in 2015 with his company apeiron AG, Hahne operates six L'Osteria franchise restaurants, a direct Vapiano competitor, and two self-owned restaurants GinYuu.
Then in November of 2015, the next public relations bomb goes off with allegations regarding the company's quality standards. The company immediately investigates the issue through internal and external specialists but finds no evidence of any quality issues. Nevertheless, knowing that the group is now being closely watched, the company’s already in place hygiene standards are being reinforced. Additional audits and inspections are performed nationally. Further, all Vapianos worldwide are being audited twice by the partners SGS Institut Fresenius and SAI Global. Auditing software is purchased to simplify the implementation of the audits and the resulting measures. Apart from the external examinations, there is a food sampling plan in place being performed continuously. Again, all of this sucks up costs, management time and attention. With all these tumultuous developments the company’s growth engine is undeterred. Revenue grows by a whopping 50 million euros to 202 million euros, an increase of 33%. Impressive. While average spent per customer increases in all countries, the number of customers per day in Germany decreases by 3.3% partially due to the negative press towards the end of the year. Five own, four JV and 19 new franchise restaurants are added that year to the group, the total number of own managed restaurants grows to 51, there are 31 JVs and 84 franchises which bringing the total to 166 Vapiano restaurants. Global restaurant sales are now above 400 million euros.
But while revenue grows by an astronomical 50 million euros, operating profits, alarmingly, shrink again. Gross margins are staying perfectly healthy above 75% but operating costs keep growing disproportionately fast. The Company’s outstanding debt jumps by almost 30 million, close to 85 million euros by the end of the year. With operating profits at 9.5 million euros, alarm bells should be going off right now.
In Q4 of 2015, new CEO Jochen Halfmann introduces Strategy 2020. The new strategy includes five essential points. One, profitable growth in the newly defined core markets of Germany and Austria as well as in the UK, Netherlands, France and USA. Two, operational excellence through strict “best practice” management. Three, further development and digitalization of the concept considering guest feedback. Four, greater focus on long-term employee retention and five, building a modern and sustainable IT landscape. Sound’s good on paper but let’s see how things pan out.
Vapiano's investments (capital expenditures) that year are primarily directed towards new restaurant openings, renovations of existing establishments, and share acquisitions in other Vapiano restaurants from franchisees or JV partners. A significant portion of funds is allocated to the digitalization of the guest experience, including the development of a new app scheduled for market release in 2016 and the implementation of a time recording system across all group restaurants. The world's first standalone Vapiano restaurant with a delivery service that year is built in Fürth, Germany. The company keeps expanding its presence in both inner-city locations and international markets, such as Shanghai, China.
To finance all of this, the group has its own operating cash flow which comes in at 18 million while capital expenditures are 26 million euros plus 14 million for acquisitions. The funding gab is filled with 26 million euros of new debt and a seven-million-euro equity raise. At that end of the year and after the equity raise Gregor Gerlach (through his AP Leipzig GmbH & Co. KG entity) holds 30.1%, Hans-Joachim and Gisa Sander through their Exchange Bio GmbH hold 25.5% and the Tchibo heirs, Herz through their Mayfair Beteiligungsfonds II GmbH & Co. KG hold 44,4%.
But for the first time the restaurant’s concept that was so successful to date is being questioned. Some customers are starting to mislike the operational flow of the concept itself. If you want pasta, you must queue for pasta. If you want pizza you stand in a different queue. A small side salad, yet another queue. "You spend more time carrying trays than an actress in Berlin-Mitte. The audience in the pasta limbo can only consist of people who have worked for an insurance company for a long time and, like Stockholm syndrome, they can no longer get away from the industrial canteen feeling," writes TV host Beisenherz provocatively. While overly harsh in his assessment he's not entirely wrong judging by customers venting their frustrations in forums and social media channels. It isn’t uncommon for those who ordered pizza to have already finished eating while there is little movement in the pasta queue. Long term that doesn't go down well, QSRs competitors like L’Osteria are handling this process differently, with much success.
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Tipping Point

Where are now in the year 2016 and things start to deteriorate visibility. Perhaps not for the leman’s eye but any business minded observer can see that there are problems under the hood. Yes, revenue grows yet another whopping 50 million to almost 250 million euros but half of that growth, comes from acquisitions of restaurants that the group didn’t already own 100%, which is now being fully consolidated within the group’s accounts. Here is a concrete example. In the past, Vapiano SE, the group’s top holding company held an indirect 50% stake in a French subgroup via the subsidiary VAP Restaurants SA, based in Luxembourg, and included this as an associated company in the Vapiano SE consolidated financial statements using the equity method. Due to the acquisition of additional shares in September of 2016, Vapiano SE's indirect share in the French subgroup increased to 75%. This means that Vapiano SE takes control of the French subgroup, which is therefore included in the group’s financial statements as part of the full consolidation. The revenue from the acquired subsidiary now recorded in the consolidated income statement amounts to 12.8 million euros. While that’s great for the top line, the loss of the fully consolidated entity equates to 0.2 million euros. Yes, you are buying revenue, but there are losses attached to them, not profits. A similar case is the Swedish entity that runs eight restaurants with revenue of 11.5 million euros but has losses of 235 thousand euros. So much for Strategy 2020 and “profitable” growth.
That year the group’s operating profits are absolutely tanking, halving to 3.5 million euros. Operating profits are now a mere 1,4% of revenue. Remember original founder Mark Korzilius who talked about operating margins of 25% to 28% at the restaurant level? Yes, there are overhead costs for the organization that sits above the chain of restaurants, but operating margins that low indicates a course correction is needed. What’s telling is that in the annual report, in the management discussion section, the company starts talking about EBITDA as a proxy measure of profitability, rather than operating profit or net income. This wasn’t the case in the years before. Is this window dressing for an upcoming IPO? EBITDA is short for earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization. How can you measure profitability of a restaurant chain that absolutely and unequivocally needs capital investment to maintain its restaurant operations, the very source of cash generation, by simply excluding this maintenance charge (depreciation in the income statement)? Vapiano’s own annual report talks about the fact that existing restaurants must be rejuvenated from time to time and that new interior designs have to be implemented every few years. These things wear and tear, they go out of style, kitchen equipment breaks and needs replacement. This business absolutely needs maintenance capital expenditure, why anyone talks of profits before these maintenance costs is beyond me. Fun fact: in the previous annual report EBITDA is mentioned seven times, mostly around restaurant acquisitions and financing, not however as a profit indication for the group. In the new annual report, EBITDA is mentioned 28 times. Maybe it’s just me but belated Charlie Munger liked to call EBITDA: bullsh*t earnings. When in doubt I stick with Charlie. Interestingly, EBITDA for Vapiano keeps growing while operating and net profits keep falling.
Operating cashflow for the group that year is about 21 million euros, but capital expenditure is 30 million and acquisitions for subsidiaries another 20 million. To finance these expenditures another 28 million euros of debt and 16 million of equity is raised. Net debt rises above 130 million euro. The operating cashflow of the group before any capital expenditures is 21 million euros. I am not sure free cash flow would be significantly positive after maintenance capex is paid out; it’s not broken out so we can’t be sure. Granted, I am not on the ground during this time, and I am not in the board room, I am simply reading what’s in front of me, but to me this is starting to look like a distressed situation. Regardless, the following year the company goes public.

IPO

Where are now in the year 2017 and its Vapiano’s first year as public company. The company’s annual report reads the following “Sales revenue, like-for-like growth (LfL) and the earnings figures EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are used as the most important financial performance indicators for controlling operational business activities.” The very same report however also says: “The majority of the group's investments regularly go towards opening new restaurant locations and modernizing existing restaurants. The latter are differentiated into regular replacement investments that occur during ongoing operations (Maintenance CAPEX) and fundamental investments in the renovation of a restaurant (Remodeling CAPEX). On average, a restaurant remodeling takes place nine years after opening.” It says it right there in their own report; every nine years a remodeling is taking place. Remodeling and updating is not cost free, so why exclude depreciation charges which reflect capital expenditures? I understand that perhaps you would want to strip out one-off opening costs, that’s fine and fair, but don’t go overboard.
The number of restaurants increases by 26 (previous year: 13) to a total of 205. The increase consists of 27 new openings and one closure. Group revenue grows to an astonishing 325 million euros but here comes the shocker, operating profits turn negative to 25 million. Fine, strip out foreign exchange losses of 3 million, IPO costs of 5.8 million and new opening costs of 6.1 million and you still have 10 million euros of operational losses. All the while the debt load of almost 130 million hasn’t materially changed, so those operating losses are before a six-million-euro interest payment. 184 million euros are raised through the IPO of which 85 million go to the company. This money is earmarked for further expansion as the group has ambitions to almost double the footprint to 330 restaurants by the end of 2020. The company is currently not profitable on an operating basis, and still wants to expand aggressively? I don’t get it. The remaining 100 million euros of the IPO money raised is distributed to co-founder Gregor Gerlach and Wella heirs Hans-Joachim and Gisa Sander. The family office of the former Tchibo owners Günter and Daniela Herz with a 44% stake, don’t sell a single share. After the IPO, 32% of all the company’s shares are now in free float.
One year later, in 2018, things get even worse. Revenue grows to 371 million, but operating losses mount to 85 million euros, that’s before interest expenses of 9 million. Even the beloved EBITDA figure turns negative, meaning the operating business before any expansionary or even maintenance capital expenditures is loss making. All regions are experiencing significant deterioration in their earnings profiles. Like for like sales are down 1% across the board. That’s revenue, not profitability. The question naturally arises: is the Group approaching its natural saturation point here or this operational by nature? The operating cash flow is now 9 million while financing cost are close to 7 million. That leaves 2 million for maintenance capital for 74 own restaurants and 76 joint ventures ones. Describing this as financially tight, would be an understatement.
Things are not looking good at this point. Yet the company still grows restaurants by 26 new sites. 64 million euros are spent on acquisitions, new openings, and maintenance costs, financed through a 20 million-euro equity raise and 72 million of new debt. The Company now has net debt outstanding of over 160 million euros. After the equity raise and by the end of the year 2018, Mayfair owns 47.4%, VAP Leipzig, Gregor Gerlach’s entity owns 18.9% and the Sander couple own 15.5% of the company. Yes, the Sanders and Gerlach may have taken 100 million euros off the table, but they still have substantial skin in the game. Plus, Mayfair hasn’t sold a single share and instead injects more money into the company through the equity round. The stock has now fallen from its IPO price of 23 euros per share to under 6 euros by the end of 2018. Something must be done here. And indeed, there is pivot in strategy and a hard push for change. At last, the management team abandons its aggressive growth plan and curtails new openings significantly. Additionally, the team wants to run a thorough analysis of weak locations to then either discontinue or sell sites. In Europe, the operating focus will be put on corporate restaurants and joint ventures in major cities to ensure the ideal size and location to match the respective demographic target group. Outside of Europe, the franchising business is being expanded and at the same time a consolidation of the existing corporate and joint venture markets is being sought. All future investments will be reviewed to achieve higher rates of returns on new openings. Investments are also being made in the renovation of older restaurants. The goal in the future is to also open smaller formats, like Mini-Vapianos (less than 400 square meters) or Freestander at prominent transportation hubs outside city centers (currently in Fürth and Toulouse) to cater to individual location requirements, and to enter new partnerships. I am not sure why management hasn’t stopped all expansion altogether, bringing the ship in order first, getting profitable, clean up, all hands-on deck before considering any further expansions whatsoever. But again, it’s easy to comment from the sidelines; maybe they saw white spaces that would be covered by competing concepts if they weren’t moving fast and aggressively enough. Although pushing internationally means competing with local players such as Jamie's Italian, Prezzo, Pizza Express, Wagamama, Nando's and many more which brings in its own dynamic.
Management also aims to enhance guest satisfaction. This involves refining operational processes, reorganizing the support center, and refocusing on the core offering: providing fresh and high-quality Italian food at affordable prices for a broad audience. The group also aims to reduce waiting times, especially during lunch, while also improving the evening atmosphere. There is even what I would call an evolution, away from Vapiano’s original concept, reorientating the customer journey. The ordering flow is being changed, offering guests synchronized preparations of all dishes while eliminating wait times at the cooking stations. The open show kitchen remains, staying true to original mantra of freshness and transparency but now guests can choose their preferred method of ordering through a mobile app, using a digital order point (kiosk), or by personally placing an order with a waiter. Guests can still freely choose their table and are then informed about the complete preparation of their order through a pager or their smartphone. This is a substantial deviation from the original concept, but a needed one. The group is also exploring and implementing the expansion of take-away and home delivery services but only at suitable locations, not universally across new openings. I am not sure why home delivery is even a priority here; it adds operational complexity. It’s better to clean up shop first and get back to the basics before adding new complexities. To be fair management does try to simplify. There are 49 different permanent dishes on the menu and additional 10 seasonal ones. Customers can choose from eleven different types of pasta. There is simply too much choice, and it makes orders complicated. The company announced to slim the menu down to its most popular and typical Vapiano dishes. There’s no need for an Asian salad at an Italian restaurant. "We have to go back to the roots, i.e. classic, honest Italian cuisine" says COO Everke. Regardless, in November of 2018, the supervisory board pulls the plug on CEO Jochen Halfmann and replaces him with Cornelius Everke. Everke himself has just become COO five months ago. Since 2017 he was responsible for international expansion. From 2011 to 2017 that role was filled by Mario Bauer – put a pin in that name, he’ll play a key role in the groups fate later. Then nine months later, in the middle of 2019, Cornelius Everke quits. He essentially concludes that his skillset and experience in the areas of internation expansion is no longer needed in the foreseeable future. To put it differently: Vapiano has moved from a growth story and has become a restructuring case, and other skills are required for that job. In June of 2019 Everke says the following “(we’ve) made a bit of a mistake when it came to foreign expansion”. No sh#t. Vapiano postpones the presentation of the 2018 annual financial statements three times in the spring of 2019, citing negotiations over an urgently needed loan of 30 million euros. It’s not until the end of May that a binding loan commitment comes through from the financing banks and major shareholders.
We are now in August of 2019 and the corona pandemic is just around the corner. Supervisory board chief Vanessa Hall takes over as interim-CEO and things are unravelling. Visitor numbers are declining; originally, it was planned to sell the US business but halfway through the year the buyer cannot come up with the money. But not all restaurants are performing poorly. The group's poor figures contrast starkly as an example with the experiences of the Swiss-German franchisee, who runs six restaurants. The Sodano family in Switzerland pays Vapiano a royalty of 6% of sales for the use of the brand. Enrico Sodano explains in an interview that they operate largely autonomously from the licensor. If an “accident” were to occur, he could immediately replace the Vapiano sign with Sodano, he says. The family concluded the rents and contracts with employees and suppliers independently. The Sodano family have six locations in Bern, Basel and Zurich, around one million guests every year and 350 employees. Things are going well on the ground. The delivery service they’ve built is offering them a second income stream. Expansion into Winterthur, St. Gallen and Lucerne are being planned; small locations with 150 to 250 square meters and an attached delivery service. Originally, Vapiano restaurants used to be huge but for such a large restaurant to be profitable, 800 to 1,000 guests per day are needed. That’s possible in medium-sized cities, but not in smaller towns which is why the Vapiano group now also supports smaller formats. Back to our corporate drama. The 2019 annual report would be the last report the group files. By the end 2019 the outstanding debt of the company is at an astronomical 450 million euros. Revenue has grown by another 7%, produced by four net new openings through two JVs and two franchise restaurants but operating losses come in at 317 million euros. That sound like an absolute shocker at first but depreciation and amortization charges are 345 million, so that operating cash flow is actually positive but unfortunately capital expenditures and interest payments are so large that they are eating up all of the company’s operating cash flow. Then in the beginning of 2020 Corona hits with full force and the world shuts down. As a result of the measures to prevent further spreading of the virus, the group is forced to cease all global business operations (except in Sweden). While all these shutdowns are happening, the group is the middle of negotiating with its lending banks and main shareholders. There are additional financing needs for restructuring measures, even without a pandemic happening in the background. The situation is so dire that the company starts pleading to the German government to roll out the package of financial help more quickly. Unfortunately, it’s to no end. The rapid closure of restaurants and the resulting lack of operating cash inflows in conjunction with the additional financing requirements, lead to the company’s final knockout punch. In April of 2020, the Vapiano group officially files for insolvency proceedings. The end of an era.

New Beginnings

Because of the pandemic, the majority of the group's subsidiaries in Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United States, Sweden, and China also file for insolvency or seek liquidation. The US business never gets sold in the end and is wound down. In the summer of 2020, significant group divestments occur, including the sale of 75% shares in the group's French subsidiaries, shares in franchisor companies, Australian subsidiaries, German subsidiaries, associated companies, self-managed restaurants in Germany, and insolvency-related sales in the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Sweden. The buyer of the Vapiano brand and one of these bundles of Vapiano restaurants is company named Love & Food Restaurant Holding, a consortium led by Mario C. Bauer – a name I told you to remember. Bauer was a former Vapiano board member and led the national and international expansion, opening 200 sites in 33 countries from 2011 to 2017 until he was succeeded by Cornelius Everke. Bauer didn’t feel comfortable with the IPO at the time but clearly has a lot of managerial and entrepreneurial talent.
The buyer consortium is an absolute A-Team comprised of European QSR top league hitters, including the founder of the Pret A Manger chain Sinclair Beecham; Henry McGovern, the founder and Ex-CEO of the giant international restaurant and foodservice operator AmRest; the Van der Valk Family that runs hotels and Vapiano restaurants in the Netherlands, and co-founder and ex-CEO Gregor Gerlach. The acquisition value is 15 million euros and entails 30 Vapiano restaurants in Germany, albeit that’s just the purchase price which comes on top of any capital investment needed to refresh and return the sites to its former glory. Nevertheless, just as a thought experiment, if you can get each site to 2 million euros of revenue and 400,000 euros in operating profit on average, which wouldn’t be an overly aggressively assumption given the company’s history, you’ve got yourself a package that can deliver restaurant-level operating profits of 12 million euros or more. It’s not disclosed how much capex was needed to refresh the operations, just that fact that the overall investment plus purchase price was a middle double-digit million-euro figure. Stil, it probably was a decent purchase. The same consortium buys Vapiano’s French business for 25 million euros just two weeks prior. After the transaction concludes, the master franchise is given to Delf Neumann and his Gastro & Soul GmbH. Neumann is an experienced operator, and he is ambitious to revitalise the brand with new services and products. For example, instead of pizza, the restaurants will be serving pinsa - a flatbread made from sourdough, wheat and rice flour, topped similarly to a pizza. It targets a more health-oriented customer base looking for a less calory heavy option. The menu overall is expanded by including a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
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Today Neumann’s Gastro & Soul GmbH operates 18 Vapianos on its own account and has 29 franchise sites, amongst other brands. By the year 2021, Vapiano operates 191 restaurants in 34 countries. This is around 50 fewer sites than before the bankruptcy. The number of branches is particularly thinned out in Germany – from 80 to 55. Nevertheless, Vapiano's home country remains by far the largest market, followed by France with 35 restaurants and Austria with 15 locations. “We have shrunk ourselves to health,” says Bauer in the aftermath and there is no further shrinking planned. Quite the opposite, the smell of expansion is in the air again – pun intended. Not as aggressively as before and with a new menu and ordering process.
Overall, the team around Bauer is filled with industry experts with knowledge and networks gained over decades who have a great track record, a long-term view, and the staying power to let Vapiano breath and finds its way back to success. The pressure of being a public company with all the associated quarterly, half-year and yearly disincentives have been removed. The menu is changed and extended with new types of pasta and sauces with significantly more vegetarian and vegan dishes available. Guests can order with restaurant staff, at terminals or on their phones and there are barcodes attached to the tables identify the respective seat. The food is brought to your table, all at the same time if you are in a group, no more annoyances with waiting in line. There is a plan for smaller, 350 square meter locations, with half the number of guests and significantly fewer staff and less set-up costs required to make the economics work. Locations that capitalize on remote work and increased demand for local lunch options, higher population density with shorter delivery routes and therefore cost-effective in house delivery services are targeted. And Bauer is testing the concept of ghost kitchens, which operate without a dining room or service staff, focusing solely on preparing food for delivery services, which for obvious reasons have a very different operational set up and footprint. Original founder Mark Korzilius however is not entirely convinced. He is not a fan of the pinsa for instance and he considers Vapiano's pizza as its cash cow, flagship product and believes that the core Vapiano proposition of Pizza, Pasta, Bar that has given the company its original success is being diluted. He instead admires the competitor L'Osteria, saying they’ve done a better job by focusing on Italian classics, especially the impressively large pizzas that sticks out beyond the plate is leaving every customer in awe. The guys who run L’Osteria are the same guys who have built Vapiano with him in the first place. Bauer on the other hand, like a true business leader, remains undeterred, stating that he is frequently asked whether Vapiano's restart was bold or foolish. He believes in entrepreneurship, franchising, in his experienced fellow partners and importantly the Vapiano concept. By the year 2024 you can find over 140 Vapiano branded restaurant in 27 countries across the globe, including locations far away from its birthplace like Australia, USA, Columbia, Chile, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. And why not? Italian food is, and will remain to be, incredibly popular. Vapiano offers fresh and tasty food at affordable prices in a good atmosphere. This combination of attributes should attract a lot of customers. It certainly has in the past.
For more stories: WIP Thomas Weitzendoerfer Substack
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2024.05.13 04:06 buffyfl positive tonsillectomy story (25 days post op)

hello! sharing my story because it was *super* encouraging reading other positive stories during my recovery. firstly, I am 21F. i had my tonsils removed because they were very large after I had covid in the summer of '23. sometimes they caused me pain and sometimes they didn't. they were always uncomfortable, just got used to it. i was def questioning whether or not I needed the surgery because my situation wasn't exactly dire. now that I'm 25 days post op, I'm relieved I got the surgery done sooner rather than later.
day 1 (surgery day) - I had my surgery in the morning, so I'm counting it as day 1. this was the worst day for me. surgery was a breeze. , got adenoids out too. was given liquid hydrocodone at the surgery center. was prescribed oxy and tylenol for the pain. i absolutely could not handle the oxy. i felt too nauseous to eat anything. threw up twice, slept, woke up for a drinking alarm at midnight and pretty much instantly threw up two more times. this def freaked me out, a lot. i had a moment of regret during these hours. my stomach is typically pretty strong. before this surgery the last time I had thrown up was in 2021. so I think that says something. i was worried that throwing up would cause for hemoraging- my biggest fear throughout the healing process.
i stopped taking oxy after day 1. took tylenol only and drank ice water CONSTANTLY. i had an alarm *every* hour throughout the night to remind myself to drink water. the most physical activity I did each day (day 3-6) was a ten minute walk outside.
days 2-6 - i started trying to talk on day 3 because i heard the sooner the better. it hurt to talk a lot. but i did it whenever i could. i was eating barely anything because most things were uncomfortable and a hassle. cold things were preferred here. smoothies with peanut butter, banana & plain yogurt were good for a bit, til bananas started to suddenly burn my throat terribly. could not handle applesauce at all. a lot of popsicles. scrambled eggs were uncomfortable but worth it because they actually made me somewhat full. ramen the same.
day 7 was when things started to look up. i remember i kept trying to make certain things to eat because i was so hungry, but i would try and it would fail over and over again. tried making tofu... i was able to eat it, but it made me burp a lot so i had to stop. tried making ramen, again, kept bothering my throat. oatmeal, which was good before, was now awful. i was losing hope on a meal, until i had the sudden glimmer of hope in a pasta side (those cheap half premade sodium filled things). That pasta side was the best thing. Ever. i was somehow able to eat ALL OF IT. and boy did i. i continued to opt for pasta sides and pasta dishes for the rest of recovery.
day 8-10 was taking 30 min walks each day. talking more but it was def still uncomfortable/sometimes painful. hurt to laugh, tried to not laugh as much as i could. definitely did laugh at times. extremely concerned about hemmoraging. i never looked at my mouth to see the scabs, hurt too much to open my mouth and i was also afraid i would make matters worse by doing so. i never felt any scabs come off. they must've dissolved. i continued to drink insane amounts of ice water and barely sleep throughout the nights because i was so worried. thankfully my dad was taking care of me throughout recovery so i didn't really have to worry about being tired throughout the day, because, well, there was nothing for me to do except rest.
day 10- post op appointment. dr looked at my scabs and told me they look normal and my uvula is still swollen, which i had no idea about. seriously felt no discomfort there.
day 12- went out into the world for a concert. Yep. i had already bought my ticket months ago and decided it was worth going to because of how easy of a concert experience it was. it was an outdoor venue, sat on the lawn with two of my friends, we saw the opening act (the only one we wanted to see, i know, strange) and then left. we were probably there for an hour and a half total. i did accidentally shout once, but to my surprise it didn't cause any pain. i was certainly more tired than i expected to be from the whole experience. like, really tired.
day 15- went out into the world again. got my hair done. felt SUPER dehydrated after not constantly drinking water for two hours.
day 16- i would say i was 75% normal now. i went to a friends house to prepare for the next FOUR DAY music festival. slept through the night with no alarms for the first time since surgery, it was amazing.
day 17- music festival all day (we camped too). i danced and jumped around for probably 6 hours straight. i had alcohol- just one twisted tea, which was all i needed. was able to talk completely normally with no pain. was able to sing as well. was able to shout, laugh, ate a beautiful peanut butter sandwich (first time having bread since surgery).
day 18- i was super tired throughout the day because of lack of sleep from previous night. danced a bit too hard and started to suddenly feel nauseous/overheated. was super worried i was going to have a sudden hemmorage, felt really silly for not exactly taking it easy. i did not have any alcohol. considered going home, but i found ice and chomped it down and slept early instead.
day 21- went back to work. i work 13 hour days where I'm on my feet constantly, so I'm glad i took time before going back.
yes this was a super long recovery story, but these are the posts that allowed me to sleep while i was on day 7-12. so i'm hoping this will help someone else out there in need for a good story!
random notes:
i had no problem brushing my teeth (i read that others had issues)
the weird smell from my scabs was gone by day 7. never really bothered me too much either.
yes it was painful when i would wake up from my alarm to drink water, but after a couple gulps the pain would go away. i think because of how cold the water was, it almost had a numbing affect.
i stopped taking tylenol completely by day 10.
tongue was numb until day 12 or 14.
was able to speak full sentences beginning day 5 or 6.
for me, the pain was honestly never that bad. i don't think anything ever came close to the discomfort/miserableness i felt on day 1 after throwing up so much.
pancakes were AMAZING. had pancakes on day 6 and they probably changed my life because of how good and easy to eat they were. dipping the pancakes in honey was perfect. i ate pancakes every single day from day 6-12. Not kidding.
i lost 6 pounds from recovery lol.... prob all back now tbh
right after the surgery I stopped snoring, stopped sleeping w my mouth open. also, i frequently have sleep paralysis episodes. before surgery it would be especially scary because i always felt like i couldn't breathe during these episodes. but now, since surgery, i had sleep paralysis recently and i could breathe just fine throughout it. a lot less scary when you can breathe.
pasta was also super easy to eat, surprisingly.
welp that's all i got. ketchup still burns my throat lol. let me know if you have any questions at all.
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2024.05.13 01:26 chronic314 Backlash, parental alienation syndrome and co-construction

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Backlash%2c+parental+alienation+syndrome+and+co-construction.-a0179570828
Work on the issue of sexual abuse in children and adolescents lays bare the power relations between genders, generations and social classes. The issue of gender is seen in statistics from UN agencies that report that "one in four girls and one in nine boys will be sexually abused before they reach the age of 18."(1) Generational power relations are clear because the perpetrators are adults, and the power relations of class are evident in the backlash generated by powerful sectors that have attempted to prop up the myth that child abuse is only a problem among the poor and working classes.
Webster's Dictionary defines "backlash" as "a strong adverse reaction to a political or social movement." More plainly, backlash is a negative reaction to a positive and constructive step forward. Professor of law John Myers identifies the positive step as the progress made in the past two decades with regard to child abuse and the backlash as the escalation of criticism against professionals involved in child protection.(2)
David Finkelhor was responsible for pioneering work on the sexual abuse of children in the United States. In his 1979 book, Sexually Victimized Children, Finkelhor recognizes the important contributions of the women's movement and professionals involved in child protection lobbying in drawing attention to the realities of sexual violence against minors: "If the sexual abuse of children has risen to prominence as a social problem rather quickly, it is because it has been championed by an alliance of two constituencies by now rather experienced in the promotion of social problems."(3)
In the United States, a backlash began in the 1980s under the Reagan Administration's return to stale and reactionary values following the struggles of the women's movement and the children's rights movement the 1960s and 70s.
What was once secret was now openly debated, and controversy wracked the most idealized institutions, including church, family and school. Socially consecrated myths of long-standing were crumbling: "The home is the seat of love, support and safety for children"; "Good families don't talk about sexuality"; "Churches reflect the highest moral standard with regard to sexuality"; "Children are safe in school."
By drawing attention to the realities of child sexual abuse, a solid blow was dealt to the "powers that be"; hypocrisy was uncovered; and unquestioned assumptions were challenged. This frontal attack was met with denial by means of a range of strategies developed by the fundamentalisms of faith and the market.
One of these backlash strategists was prominent forensics expert Richard Gardner, who coined the term "parental alienation syndrome" in 1985 to describe a supposed psychological disorder that he had observed in lengthy and bitter custody battles. His original paper on the subject uses the following description:
"The term I prefer to use is parental alienation syndrome. I have introduced this term to refer to a disturbance in which children are obsessed with deprecation and criticism of a parent—denigration that is unjustified and/or exaggerated. The notion that such children are merely 'brainwashed' is narrow."(4)
However, supposedly citing his original work several years later, Gardner re-describes this phenomena somewhat differently.
"[t]he parental alienation syndrome (PAS) is a childhood disorder that arises almost exclusively in the context of child-custody disputes. Its primary manifestation is the child's campaign of denigration against a parent, a campaign that has no justification. It results from the combination of a programming (brainwashing) parent's indoctrinations and the child's own contributions to the vilification of the target parent. When true parental abuse and/or neglect is present, the child's animosity may be justified, and so the parental alienation syndrome explanation for the child's hostility is not applicable."(5)
The two different definitions demonstrate the changes in this argument over time with the goal of developing a different strategy for discrediting the hard research work and harder-won social gains of the women's movement and the professionals lobbying for child protection.
Maria Jose Blanco Barea has studied the many works that Gardner published up to his death by suicide in 2003, and she suggests that "perhaps the psychological causes that led to his suicide should be taken into consideration." With regard to Gardner's professional career, Blanco Barea recounts that "Gardner dedicated the first part of his professional life to working as a forensics expert in cases of sexual abuse brought by children against their parents, students against professors, members of the faithful against representatives of organized religions and within military families. Gardner often stressed that he was a former captain [in the U.S. Army Medical Corps] and as a psychologist treated members of the armed forces who had served in Korea. He specialized in techniques to 'deprogram' U.S. soldiers who had been prisoners of war. His methodologies and expert testimony were used to question the credibility of sexual abuse victims, to prove that the accused were innocent and that the accusers were guilty of perjury. Gardner testified in cases of sexual abuse in the context of hearings to determine custody, visitation and guardianship, and he himself explains that he developed his research over the course of his career. In other words, he directly applied the scientific method of trial and error in real-life court cases that were settled while he was still carrying out his research. When he decided to publish his theories in 1985, Garner failed to provide the scientific community with the necessary data to scientifically analyze his conclusions."(6)
Richard Gardner's books were published by Creative Therapeutics, which he himself owned. Some of his articles were published in Issues in Child Abuse Accusations, a publication of the Institute for Psychological Therapies, which is directed by Dr. Ralph Underwager who is well known for an interview in the Dutch journal Paidika […](7)
In the 1970s and 80s and prior to his publication of the parental alienation syndrome, Gardner developed the "Sex-Abuse Legitimacy Scale" (SAL Scale), which he used in his own courtroom testimony. Nonetheless, Gardner's ideological stance clearly shows that he did not view child sexual abuse as a problem, except when it is denounced.
"It is of interest that of all the ancient peoples it may very well be that the Jews were the only ones who were punitive toward [adults who had sex with children]. Early Christian proscriptions against [adult-child sex] appear to have been derived from the earlier teachings of the Jews, and our present overreaction to [adult-child sex] represents an exaggeration of Judeo-Christian principles and is a significant factor operative in Western society's atypicality with regard to such activities."(8)
"The child might be helped to appreciate the wisdom of Shakespeare's Hamlet, who said, 'Nothing's either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.'"(9)
"And her [the mother's] increased sexuality may lessen the need for her husband to return to their daughter for sexual gratification."(10)
"… except for a certain amount of sexual frustration that was not gratified, the four-year-old had not been significantly traumatized by these encounters."(11)
Elsewhere Gardner had the following to say about child sexual abuse: "The sexually abused child is generally considered to be the victim, though the child may initiate sexual encounters by 'seducing' the adult."(12) Gardner even proposes that [child sexual abuse] serves procreative purposes; he maintains that although the child cannot become pregnant, a child who is drawn into sexual encounters at an early age is likely to become highly sexualized and thus will crave sexual experiences during the prepubertal years. Such a "charged up child" is more likely to transmit his or her genes through his or her progeny at an early age. Gardner states: "The younger the survival machine at the time sexual urges appear, the longer will be the span of procreative capacity, and the greater the likelihood the individual will create more survival machines in the next generation."(13) He also recommended that the incestuous father "has to be helped to appreciate that, even today, it [adult-child sex] is a widespread and accepted practice among literally billions of people. He has to appreciate that in our Western society especially we take a very punitive and moralistic attitude toward such inclinations.… He has also had back [sic] luck with regard to the place and time he was born with regard to social attitudes toward [adult-child esx]."(14)
The two definitions of parental alienation syndrome are interesting because the first reveals that the intention of the original strategy was to minimize the devastating effects that child abuse has in the victims. However, the 2002 definition added: "When true parental abuse and/or neglect is present, the child's animosity may be justified, and so the parental alienation syndrome explanation for the child's hostility is not applicable."(15) But curiously, the indicators of parental alienation syndrome also coincide with the indicators of sexual abuse that have been established by international studies on this problem.
At the time of the revised definition, the international study of child abuse and the movement to prevent the victimization of children was much further advanced. Some examples are the five European seminars "Secrets that Destroy" held in 1998 by the Save the Children Alliance; the 1999 "Vision and Reality" reports that address women's and children's rights; and a series of later publications by experts in the matter.
Although the SAL scale has been widely disregarded as a tool for diagnosing sexual abuse, Gardner's real thoughts are evident in the above citations from his works. Both the SAL scale and parental alienation syndrome represent a scandalous violation of the human rights of women, adolescents and children.
In numerous publications, Gardner uses supposedly scientific but paradoxical arguments to rationalize his denial of violence against women, defined in the Belem do Para Convention as "a manifestation of the historically unequal power relations between women and men."(16) Making use of children, he creates a new and sophisticated form of violence against women that involves complicity of the justice system.
Gardner proposed a series of symptoms that reveal three types of parental alienation syndrome (severe, moderate and mild) and specific treatment for each type. The treatment that he proposes for parental alienation syndrome involves both legal and health-care professionals, who Gardner says should have the power to administer the appropriate treatment based on the coercion, threat, change in living arrangements and, as a last resort, the internment and "deprogramming" of the child. As Blanco Barea observes, "Parental alienation syndrome makes a fraud of the law. It makes use of the declarations against discriminations against women and of the rights of the child to protect the parent and escape the application of the Conference of Vienna that protects against torture and degrading treatment, especially in the case of women and girls, and to escape the application of the Convention on the Rights of the Child."(17)
As law professor John Myers explains, "Gardner is an outspoken critic of certain aspects of the child protection system. Apparently, Gardner believes America is in the throes of mass hysteria over child sexual abuse. He writes that 'sex-abuse hysteria is omnipresent' (True and False Accusations of Child Sex Abuse, 1992, p. xxv). In his 1991 book titled Sex Abuse Hysteria: Salem Witch Trials Revisited, Gardner is harshly critical of an unspecified portion of the mental health professionals, investigators, and prosecutors trying to protect children. For example, Gardner accuses some prosecutors of gratifying their own sexual urges and sadistic tendencies through involvement in sexual abuse cases. […] It seems clear that Richard Gardner cannot claim to be balanced or objective when it comes to allegations of child sexual abuse."(18)
Although Gardner and his theories can be questioned for their misogynist and perverse ideology, in Argentina former family court judge Eduardo Cardenas published "El abuso de las denuncias de abuso" (The Abuse of Claims of Abuse) in La Ley, on September 15, 2000. Cardenas's article supported Gardner's theories and sparked backlash in our country, which has provoked widespread reaction among well-known professionals.
Perhaps the best summary of what occurred in Argentina after 2000 is found in the book Maltrato infantil: Riesgos del compromiso profesional (Child Abuse: The Risks of Professional Commitment), a collection of essays by known specialists on the issue, edited by Silvio Lamberti. As the introduction to this book describes:
"As long as the problem was associated with the lower classes, more and more cases were reported. When it began to be suspected that family violence affected all social classes and the middle and upper classes were scrutinized, a reactionary movement used the guise of good intentions to put limits on professionals that supposedly 'abused the reports of child sexual abuse.'
"This was the reaction of:
  1. Fathers who were engaged in custody battles or other legal disputes regarding visitation rights.
  2. Lawyers who preached equanimity and warned against the feminist bias that they claimed had affected the reports.
  3. Experts who tried to pass off the backlash literature from the U.S. as scientific evidence to support their own conclusions.
"This brutal attack tends to carry into an ideological realm a debate that crosses legal and psychosocial discourses, ethics and society as a whole and tries to undo the advances already gained, discouraging those who have worked to achieve these gains. In short, they intend to:
  1. Discredit reports of child abuse.
  2. Turn anyone who denounces abuse into a suspect.
  3. Blur the boundaries between victim and victimizer.
  4. Confuse the matter by citing the rare cases of violence against boys or adult men committed by women.
  5. Discredit the specialized treatment services even though the law recognizes the value of their diagnosis.
  6. Ignore constitutional norms from the Convention on Rights of the Child.
"Thus, the meaning of abusive conduct is inverted, with abuse being attributed to the person who reports the abuse and requests the fulfillment of the law.
"This reactionary backlash supports the persistence of family violence and condemns all girls and/or victims of the perpetuation of incest and abuse while attempting to stymie the legal system and the work of other professionals who until now have born the heavy burden of this process."(19)
This scientific alert went out over three years ago; nonetheless, today there are increasing obstacles to working on this issue. The notion of false reports of abuse is now firmly rooted in the courts. Sexual abuse trials are tremendous ordeals that seriously damage the children and the adults who report the crime and place a heavy burden on the professionals who take the children's part and who often face accusations of malpractice, libel or slander.
The discrediting of psychological experts is of serious concern. What started with Gardner has continued with followers who have discredited indicators, treatments, techniques and prevention campaigns. Brandishing the concept of co-construction on the part of the family members of the victims or the professionals, the testimony of the children is discredited, accused of being childhood fantasy and tale-telling.
The efforts of Gardner and his followers have been echoed by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, an institution that claims to represent the social sexual moral but which has promoted a policy of smoke-screening sexual abuse.
The Red Latinoamericana de Catolicas por el Derecho a Decidir (Latin American Network of Catholics for the Right to Decide) has undertaken a study on the secret system of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.(20) The ecclesiastical hierarchy always has been aware of these crimes and has implemented a policy of covering up the abuses committed by priests. This policy is summarized in the following ten points adapted from the studies carried out by the Spanish journalist Pepe Rodriguez(21) and corroborated in the studies of the Catolicas por el Derecho a Decidir:
  1. Discreet investigation of the incident. The prelates of the diocese often have ecclesiastical informants, people who desire to rise in the esteem of the hierarchy through their reports. They keep the bishops abreast of the transgressions of the priests under their authority. These reports are given orally.
  2. Initiation of actions to dissuade the aggressor and/or the victim(s). Once the prelate recognizes the situation of sexual abuse in which the image of the Church could be tarnished, the aggressor is rebuked. Then the bishops dedicate themselves to convincing the victims and their families, assuring them that the aggressor will be punished and that he has repented. They persuade the families to not report the crime so that no one in the Church or the family will suffer the consequences.
  3. Covering up the incident and the identity of the aggressor so the case never becomes public. In this effort, acts are undertaken to confuse the matter, including transferral of the priest to another parish, bribery of the victim and their family members or the use of threats and suspension of benefits (for example, expulsion from school).
  4. Measures to reinforce the cover up. When the case escapes the closed doors of the Church, the hierarch opens an internal investigation against the aggressor to defend against eventual accusations of passivity in case there is external pressure from the media or society or a civil suit. Generally, the investigation is paralyzed indefinitely. At this stage, the priest usually is transferred to another parish, another diocese or another country, depending on the situation.
  5. Denial of the incident when the case becomes public, under the argument that the priest is a man of virtue heeding God's call, a holy figure who could never commit a crime of this nature. When denial is no longer possible, the matter is treated as an exception to this rule.
  6. Public defense of the aggressor, stressing his good service to the Church and his personal merits. If he did do anything wrong, he is profoundly repentant and was not conscious of his acts. An appeal is made to the Christian sentiments of pardoning a repentant sinner.
  7. Public discrediting of the victim(s). Rodriguez uses the metaphor of ants defending an anthill to describe the corporativist attitude of the clergy when one of its members is accused. The guilt is reversed; the victim(s) and/or their family members are blamed.
  8. Paranoiac accusations of the denunciation being linked to campaigns orchestrated by "enemies of the Church." When the number of accusations is so high that discrediting the victims is not enough, the hierarchy complains that there are national or international powers or cults conspiring against the Church.
  9. Possibility of negotiation with the victim. This negotiation frequently occurs before the case is made public when the intention of the Church is to buy the victim's silence to preserve the image of the institution. When there is a public scandal, the hierarchy tries to minimize the damage by trying to negotiate the withdrawal of the accusations against the aggressor.
  10. Protection of the priest/aggressor. When the accused is found to be guilty, the hierarchy stands by him and in some cases even pays him homage or praises him, doing everything possible to erase the incident from the public memory.(22)
As the Church silences and covers up the abuses committed within its institutions, it resembles Gardner and his followers in that it denies the realities of domestic violence and the sexual abuse of children and adolescents and hampers investigation of these matters. Alliances with key judicial figures lead to perverse and scandalous rulings, such as the Melo Pacheco case in Mar del Plata, the Storni case Santa Fe or the stalling in the Grassi trial, to name the most notorious cases. Many others remain anonymous, which demonstrates the existence of a model that favors the impunity of the abusers, the suffering of the victims and the punishment of those who are working within the framework of human rights.
A sturdy thread connects those who deny, discredit, silence, minimize, distort and negotiate the rights of children: the perversity that has subordinated their ethics to systems of belief that are authoritarian, patriarchal and/or favor the domination of adults.
This ideological combination stacks the deck against victims who, for the most part, are children, adolescents and women. Women are the most discredited. In the cases in which priests are accused of sexual abuse, most people take their side, doubt the word of the victim(s) and even blame them or imply that the priests were victims of a conspiracy. Girl victims are not considered credible because they are presented as easily influenced, prone to fantasy or liars. If they are adolescents, their morals are questioned: it is argued that they already had had sexual relations before the abuse or are guilty of seducing their abuser.
In the case of domestic abuse, especially in cases of father-child incest, the mother is accused of maliciously attempting to distance the child from the father, inventing the abuse out of revenge or because she is hysterical or any other argument that serves to safeguard the figure of the father of the family or the Father of the parish. In both cases, the common sensibilities of the population are exploited: tolerance of male sexual behavior fed by the dominate sexual morality, which makes the argument of false reports even more credible than the martyrdom and accusations of the victims.
To compare the consequences that a child may suffer with the separation of his or her parents, even in a messy divorce, with the short- and long-term consequences of father-child abuse is a perverse strategy that denies the serious and profound attack on the victim's subjective integrity, which Jorge Barudy calls "attempted moral murder."
Parental alienation syndrome, the "malicious mother" and co-construction are non-scientific theories, and when used in the context of a trial, they violate the victim's constitutional rights as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, CEDAW and other agreements incorporated into our constitution in 1994.
We must remember that Richard Gardner's theories were developed in the United States through a method of trial and error that was applied directly in the courtroom in bitter divorce cases, which were ruled upon as Gardner was undertaking his research. In addition, the U.S. is one of the few countries that has neither ratified nor incorporated into its constitution the Convention on the Rights of the Child or CEDAW.
As Blanco Barea explains, in legal contexts based on human rights, those professionals who can carry out the therapy or treatment recommended by Gardner or his followers (such as "aversion therapy" plus the vicarious treatment of deprogramming and, as a precaution, the guarantee of visitation rights or the reversal of custody and/or total separation of the "alienating" parent and the "alienated" child) "are committing crimes of torture, obstruction of justice and legal fraud, and if they are related to the minors in question, they are also guilty of domestic violence."(23)
Child abuse, especially sexual abuse, is an alarming, universal problem. Increased attention and effective protection skills and prevention measures are necessary at family, local, national and international levels.
After a long tradition of silence, sexual abuse of children is being denounced more frequently and is becoming a topic for public and political discussion.
To alert governments and civil society organizations to the need to play a more active role in the promotion of and respect for the rights of the child (as put forth in article 19 and 34* of the Convention on the Rights of the Child) and to contribute to the prevention of child abuse, the Women's World Summit Foundation, WWSF, launched the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse in 2000. The Day is commemorated every November 19 together with the anniversary of the International Day for the Rights of the Child (November 20). The objective of the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse is to rally around the issue of child abuse and the urgent need for effective prevention programs.
To consolidate the global call for action, in 2001 WWSF launched an international NGO coalition that marks the World Day with appropriate events and activities to focus on and increase prevention education.
* For more information, visit the website of the Women's World Summit Foundation, https://www.woman.ch/children/1introduction.php.
* Art. 19 - States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.
* Art. 34 - States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent:
(a) the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity;
(b) the exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices;
(c) the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.
The author is a psychologist, a founder of the Casa de la Mujer in Rosario, Argentina, and a longtime defender of the rights of women and children.
Notes
(1.) Selected facts and figures from various UN documents, part of the 2006 Open Letter from the Women's World Summit Foundation on the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse, 19 November. Available online at http://www.woman.ch/children/1-openletter.php.
(2.) Alicia Ganduglia (2003) "El backlash: un nuevo factor de riesgo," in Maltrato Infantil. Riesgos del compromiso profesional, Silvio Lamberti, ed., Buenos Aires: Editorial Universidad, p. 75.
(3.) David Finkelhor (1979) Sexually Victimized Children. New York: The Free Press, p. 2.
(4.) Richard A. Gardner (1985) "Recent Trends in Divorce and Custody Litigation." Academy Forum 29:2, Summer, pp. 3-7.
(5.) Richard A. Gardner (2002) "Does DSM-IV Have Equivalents for the Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) Diagnosis?" American Journal of Family Therapy, 31(1):1-21. See also Richard A. Gardner (2003) "The Parental Alienation Syndrome: Past, Present, and Future," in The Parental Alienation Syndrome: An Interdisciplinary Challenge for Professionals Involved in Divorce. W. von BochGallhau, U. Kodjoe, W Andritsky and P. Koeppel, eds. Berlin, Germany: VWB-Verlag fur Wissenshaft and Bildung, pp. 89-125.
(6.) Maria Jose Blanco Barea (2006) "El sindrome inquisitorial estadounidense de alineacion parental," p. 11. This document may be downloaded from http://www.revistaiuris.com/MISC/8618/borrador%20el%20sindrome%20inquisitorial%20del%20sap.doc.
(7.) The interview with Dr. Ralph Underwager was originally published in Paidika, Issue 9, 1993, and has been reproduced online at http://www.nostatusquo.com/ACLU/NudistHallofShame/Underwager2.html.
(8.) Richard A. Gardner (1992) True and False Accusations of Child Sex Abuse. Cresskill, New Jersey: Creative Therapeutics, pp. 46-7.
(9.) Ibid. p. 549.
(10.) Ibid. p. 585.
(11.) Ibid. p. 612.
(12.) Richard A. Gardner (1986) Child Custody Litigation: A Guide for Parents and Mental Health Professionals. Cresskill, New Jersey: Creative Therapeutics, p. 93
(13.) Richard A. Gardner (1992) pp. 24-25.
(14.) Ibid. p. 593.
(15.) See note 5.
(16.) From the Preamble to the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, also known as the Convention of Belem do Para, adopted by the OAS General Assembly June 9, 1994; entry into force March 5, 1995.
(17.) Maria Jose Blanco Barea (2006) p. 219.
(18.) John E. B. Myers (n.d.) "What is 'Parental Alienation Syndrome' and Why Is It So Often Used Against Mothers?" an excerpt from a forthcoming book titled A Mother's Nightmare: A Practical Legal Guide for Parents and Professionals. Available online at http://www.gate.net/~liz/fathers/pas.htm.
(19.) Maltrato Infantil. Riesgos del compromiso professional. Silvio Lamberti, ed., Buenos Aires: Editorial Universidad, 2003. The contributing authors were Maria Ines Bringioti, Cristina Caprarulo, Julio Cesar Castro, Alicia Ganduglia, Norberto Garrote, Isabel Gens, Eva Giberti, Carmen Gonzales, Irene Intebi, Victoria Irazuzta, Silvio Lamberti, Patricia Paggi, Mirta Pirozzo, Carlos Rozanski, Diana Sanz, Juan Pablo Maria Viar, Maria Cristina Vila and Juan Carlos Volnovich.
(20.) Regina Soares Jurkewicz (2005) Develando la politica del silencio: Abuso sexual de mujeres por sacerdotes en Brasil. Brazil: Red Latinoamericana de Catolicas por el Derecho a Decidir.
(21.) Pepe Rodriguez (2002) Pederastia en la Iglesia Catolica: Delitos sexuales del clero contra menores: Un drama silenciado y encubierto por los obispos. Barcelona: Ediciones B.
(22.) Regina Soares Jurkewicz (2005) pp. 20-22.
(23.) Maria Jose Blanco Barea (2006) p. 219.
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2024.05.12 18:57 ProfBumblefingers d100 Donkey Details

Gus the donkey.
Adventurers often obtain donkeys to carry extra gear or loot. Strong and sturdy, these beasts of burden are also remarkably efficient, able to forage almost anywhere, and needing only straw or hay and a little grass now and then when on the farm or in town. These un-sung heroes need a little love. Here's a d100 list of Donkey Details (I suppose you could use most of these for mules, too):
  1. Laughing Donkey. This donkey's hee-haw sounds remarkably similar to human laughter. Makes this particular sound only when PC's do something stupid or risky.
  2. Scared of open fire -- torches, campfire, etc; runs away. Can tolerate lanterns (but kinda iffy).
  3. Practical Joker Donkey. Takes one step to the side when anyone tries to load anything onto it and the loader is not looking.
  4. Union Donkey. If ever loaded over 3/4 normal carrying capacity, goes on strike, will only walk in circles until it gets a long rest.
  5. Back-Peddling Donkey. When spooked, always tries to back up 60 feet, no matter what's back there.
  6. Depressed. Need to talk to it and pet it for 10 minutes after each long rest (and on cloudy days) to get it moving.
  7. Battle Donkey. This one loves battle and always charges straight toward any battle noises it hears. No holding it back. Ooh-rah!
  8. Passenger Donkey. Happy to carry riders (bareback, without a saddle), but doesn't want anything tied / cinched around it (will try to scrape items off against a tree, wall, the ground, etc.).
  9. Allergies. Donkey has allergies in spring and fall. Sneezing fit 2-in-6 chance each hour. Drops stuff.
  10. Lie-Detector Donkey. This donkey can sense when a humanoid is lying. Likely via some sort of pheromone cue (?). Farts if a lie is told within 10 feet of it.
  11. Marathon Donkey. This donkey has incredible endurance and can travel twice as far between long rests.
  12. Will carry sacks, corpses, or other floppy things, but not wooden boxes or other things with sharp edges.
  13. Scared of crowds. Simply WILL NOT enter a village / town / city.
  14. Has tapeworms, must feed twice the normal rations until diagnosed and healed. Poop can give tapeworms to any humanoid. Heads up.
  15. Streetwise Donkey. Grew up in a city, pulling a delivery cart. Knows all the streets of the city, how to get anywhere. You tell it where you want to go, it will slowly, at a plodding pace, lead you there. It can't talk or understand any commands other than place names in that one city.
  16. Vagabond Donkey. This donkey will occasionally wander away from the group and stay gone a few days, but then it always returns. Where does it go? Why? No one knows.
  17. Mother-bucker. Will attempt to buck any female humanoid who attempts to ride.
  18. Nauseated, 2-in-6 chance of throwing up in a big way every 10 minutes for a day
  19. Scared of its own shadow. On sunny days, freaks out every now and then.
  20. Large Donkey. This donkey is a freak of nature and is twice the normal size. It can carry four times the normal load and requires four times the normal feed/rations. It won't fit in most stable stalls, through most doorways, etc. Commoner strangers are usually freaked out by it; they are often intimidated by it (2-in-6 chance), or try to kill it (1-in-6 chance) because they think it is a bad omen, enchanted, cursed, undead, etc.
  21. Stealthy Donkey. This donkey walks in a way that is completely silent, even on cobblestones, and shifts its weight as needed to eliminate the sounds of any clanking gear it carries. Instinctively hides itself behind/inside/undearound any available cover, at all. You turn around, there it suddenly is, looking at you in the eye. Can freak a dude out.
  22. Loves butterflies. Chases every one it sees.
  23. Counting Donkey. Point at a group of objects and say "Count." Donkey will tap its front right hoof a number of times equal to the number of objects in the group. Counts about one item per second. Can't spell worth a damn, though.
  24. Aqua-donkey. This donkey loves playing in streams/rivers/ponds/rivers. Runs to them. Likes to splash everyone else. Thinks it's funny.
  25. Catches a parasite disease and will die in 3 days unless healed
  26. Chip-On-Shoulder Donkey. If there are other donkeys / horses around, hates them, always picking a fight.
  27. Blessed Donkey. This donkey enters the scene carrying a religious messiah, or so they say.
  28. Talking Donkey. Amazing! But, a bit finicky, only talks 1-in-4 times you ask it to, and at other random times as DM deems appropriate. Also, only knows a few words/phrases: yep, nope, hungry, tired, idiot, run away.
  29. Hates the heat. Half movement and half carrying capacity on hot days > 80F. Needs double water rations.
  30. Ate some weird mushrooms along the way. Temporarily blind for 1d4 days
  31. Hates elves, they're too self-absorbed and snooty, always making you walk through trackless forests, getting you stuck in the underbrush.
  32. Prudent Donkey. Has 1-in-6 chance of perceiving a trap within 30 feet. Will look at the trigger mechanism, hee-haw loudly, and not take a step toward it. No matter what.
  33. Mystical Donkey. Has some kind of weird ancestral donkey mind-meld with a caster in the group, constantly complaining (mentally) that "this s**t is too heavy, dude," "can't you give a donkey a break?," "how about carrying some of this s**t yourself, tough guy," etc. You can't concentrate.
  34. Lucky Donkey. When within 10 feet of this donkey, you can re-roll one roll per day.
  35. Somehow, loves smelly green ogres who sing. Tries to run off with any such ogres encountered.
  36. Hates humans, they make you work too hard, usually in larger towns or cities where the cobblestones hurt your feet.
  37. Needs a bath, smells very bad. Indescribable, really. No surprising any foe while this donkey is around until it gets a bath.
  38. Shy Donkey. Always tries to move behind you when you encounter anyone new.
  39. Keen smell. Can smell most enemies within 100 feet and will hee-haw loudly to warn you. False alarm 1-in-4.
  40. Sprint Donkey. This donkey can run at twice the normal movement rate, but only for one minute between long rests.
  41. Drunk Donkey. Will only work when slightly inebriated. Must feed it a wee flask of ale, wine or whisky to get any work out of it.
  42. Has one very short leg. Walks unevenly. Kinda funny, but only 1/2 normal movement rate.
  43. Beautiful Donkey. This donkey is a very fine specimen of a donkey. Highly desired by donkey ranchers to breed other donkeys. Sells for double the normal price. Bit of a prima donna. Must be fed one apple or pear per day, or refuses to work. Resents you.
  44. Hates the cold. Half movement and half carrying capacity on hot days < 50F. Needs double saddle blankets.
  45. Sneaky. When you're not looking, has 1-in-2 chance each day of pick-pocketing something off the back of a random PC. Might drop it, might eat it, might fling it to the side of the road, might just hold it in it's mouth. Hard to say with donkeys.
  46. Scared of snakes. Snake within 30' causes total donkey freak out.
  47. Always tries to eat/gnaw whatever it is carrying (especially food) whenever you're not looking, ruins stuff.
  48. Freaked out by undead. If it sees undead, or smells them (can smell 60' away), RUNS in the opposite direction.
  49. Narcoleptic Donkey. Falls asleep, often.
  50. Critic Donkey. When others aren't looking, looks at you and rolls its eyes. You swear.
  51. Foraging Donkey. Grew up in the wild. If there is any vegetation around, at all, it can find it, find enough edible material for a meal, and feed itself, no rations required.
  52. Shoe-Throwing Donkey. One-in-four chance of losing a horse shoe each day, won't walk until found or replaced.
  53. Small Donkey. Can only carry half normal carrying capacity. But has a scrappy attitude and is NOT SCARED OF ANYTHING (immune to fear and intimidation).
  54. Repressed anger. Tries to bite (for real) anyone within 5' who is not its owner (considers only one person its owner).
  55. Back-Row Donkey. If there are multiple four-legged animals in the group, this one must be the last, in the back, or it won't go/work at all.
  56. Vertigo Donkey. Always dizzy, walks in circles unless carefully guided constantly by hand.
  57. Hates carts, wagons, etc. Will not pull a cart or other wheeled vehicle.
  58. Wallowing Donkey. Enjoys a good roll in a mudhole/puddle. Every mudhole/puddle.
  59. Deaf. You bought/raised a deaf donkey. Should have checked. Anyway, can't hear any commands. Won't respond to visual commands. Must touch the donkey to give it a command.
  60. Musical Donkey. Gets indigestion often, becomes VERY flatulent.
  61. Flying Donkey. This donkey has been magically enchanted to fly, only once in its life, for one minute. The wranglemaster must speak the command word: "Esel-burro"
  62. Addle-Headed Donkey. Once per day, has a 1-in-4 chance of running in a random direction for 1 minute.
  63. Hates the rain. Won't work in the rain. *OR* Hates the wind. Won't work in the wind.
  64. Say-My-Name Donkey. You must call it by name to get it to do anything. It answers with a loud bray each time.
  65. Hates dwarves, always making you work underground in the mines, and their beards are (somehow) scary.
  66. Often gets a leg cramp, limping for 10 minutes, 1/4 movement rate.
  67. Smoking habit. Will work only if you let it smoke lit cigarette or pipe while on duty.
  68. Smart and independent. Anticipates and does exactly what you want 5-in-6 of the time, but disagrees and argues 1-in-6 of the time.
  69. Lover Donkey. Wants to make baby donkeys, runs after opposite gender donkey (or horse) every time it gets the chance.
  70. Has a drinking problem. Will always rush toward any water source to take a drink.
  71. Is a hot head, always immediately charges and attacks any foe encountered. No holding him back.
  72. Pregnant Donkey. This donkey is about to have a baby. 2-in-6 chance each day until baby is born.
  73. Loves flowers. To eat. Will only do any work if given one bouquet to eat per day.
  74. Pious. Has 1-in-6 chance each hour of stopping for 10 minutes, kneeling on front two legs, and praying to the donkey god "No Cargo Bob"
  75. Death Wish Donkey. Is reckless, doesn't look where it's going, always running into things, chance of falling off cliffs, etc.
  76. Dead pan smile. At the most dangerous / awkward moments, turns to a party member and gives the most ridiculous, hilarious donkey smile you have every seen. PC must make DC 10 Const saving throw or bust out laughing for 30 seconds.
  77. Nervous Tick Donkey. This donkey kicks its left leg backwards randomly, every now and then. If anything/anyone is standing behind this donkey, there is a 1-in-6 chance that it kicks.
  78. Cargo Donkey. Happy to carry items/supplies tied or cinched around it, but won't carry humanoid riders (bucks them off).
  79. Homesick, always tries to run away and go back home (or to the place where you bought / found / raised him) every chance he gets
  80. Perceptive Donkey. Has 1-in-6 chance of perceiving a secret door within 30 feet. Will walk up to it and put its nose on it.
  81. Scared of water, won't cross a creek/rivepond/lake, etc. Definitely not getting on a boat.
  82. Front-Row Donkey. If there are multiple four-legged animals in the group, this one must be the leader, in front, or it won't go/work at all.
  83. Pacifist Donkey. Refuses to carry any weapons or ammo.
  84. Glowing Donkey. This donkey glows faintly in the dark. Very dim light. No one knows why.
  85. War Veteran Donkey. Missing one leg at the knee (maybe has peg leg). Opposite ear slashed off. Wears an eyepatch. Lots of scars. Can only carry half normal weight, but its kick does +2 damage.
  86. Vagabond Donkey. This donkey will occasionally wander away from the group and stay gone a few days, but then it always returns. Where does it go? Why? No one knows.
  87. Alert Donkey. This donkey has a 1-in-6 chance, on its own, independent of PC checks, of noticing an impending ambush. It will hee-haw loudly if an ambush is about to occur.
  88. Ate some bad food / weeds, now has diarrhea, big diarrhea, 1-in-4 chance every hour for a day.
  89. Expressive Donkey. Often has ideas and wants to share, "hee-haws" very loudly for 30 seconds. Sometimes indicates something important, sometimes not.
  90. Large Donkey. This donkey is a freak of nature and is twice the normal size. It can carry four times the normal load and requires four times the normal feed/rations. It won't fit in most stable stalls, through most doorways, etc. Commoner strangers are usually freaked out by it; they are often intimidated by it (2-in-6 chance), or try to kill it (1-in-6 chance) because they think it is a bad omen, enchanted, cursed, undead, etc.
  91. Hates halflings, their barn doors are too low and their generally cheery attitude is annoying.
  92. Super-donkey. Can carry three times normal carrying capacity, but for only one-third the normal time between long rests.
  93. Easily distracted by various things along the road ("Squirrel!"), constantly stopping to sniff / check out something.
  94. Really thirsty today, requires twice the normal water ration for one day. Pees a lot. (I mean a lot.)
  95. Wrong-way Donkey. Will only walk backwards. Half movement rate.
  96. Ugly Donkey. This donkey is bow-legged, has a saggy back, missing teeth, ugly hair, warts, boils, is missing large patches of hair due to mange, somehow is always dirty, has flies, ticks, lice, etc. Nose usually runny. Eyes too. BUT, this donkey can Misty Step.
  97. Shell-shocked Donkey. Scared of battle noises. Runs away from battle noises. Like, a quarter-mile away.
  98. Hates strangers. When within 15 feet of an unknown/new humanoid, hee-haws loudly for 5 minutes. So embarrassing.
  99. Picky eater, only eats store-bought straw/hay/whatever. Won't forage along the road/trail.
  100. Loyal Donkey. Will not leave its humanoid wranglemaster unprotected. Will defend wranglemaster to the end. Will take an arrow or battle ax blow to defend wranglemaster. There to the end, no matter what.
https://professorbumblefingers.blogspot.com/
[edit: corrected a redundancy]
submitted by ProfBumblefingers to osr [link] [comments]

2024.05.11 14:46 ProfBumblefingers d100 Donkey Details

d100 Donkey Details
Gus the donkey.
Adventurers often obtain donkeys to carry extra gear or loot. Strong and sturdy, these beasts of burden are also remarkably efficient, able to forage almost anywhere, and needing only straw or hay and a little grass now and then when on the farm or in town. These un-sung heroes need a little love. Here's a d100 list of Donkey Details (I suppose you could use most of these for mules, too):
  1. Laughing Donkey. This donkey's hee-haw sounds remarkably similar to human laughter. Makes this particular sound only when PC's do something stupid or risky.
  2. Scared of open fire -- torches, campfire, etc; runs away. Can tolerate lanterns (but kinda iffy).
  3. Practical Joker Donkey. Takes one step to the side when anyone tries to load anything onto it and the loader is not looking.
  4. Union Donkey. If ever loaded over 3/4 normal carrying capacity, goes on strike, will only walk in circles until it gets a long rest.
  5. Back-Peddling Donkey. When spooked, always tries to back up 60 feet, no matter what's back there.
  6. Depressed. Need to talk to it and pet it for 10 minutes after each long rest (and on cloudy days) to get it moving.
  7. Battle Donkey. This one loves battle and always charges straight toward any battle noises it hears. No holding it back. Ooh-rah!
  8. Passenger Donkey. Happy to carry riders (bareback, without a saddle), but doesn't want anything tied / cinched around it (will try to scrape items off against a tree, wall, the ground, etc.).
  9. Allergies. Donkey has allergies in spring and fall. Sneezing fit 2-in-6 chance each hour. Drops stuff.
  10. Lie-Detector Donkey. This donkey can sense when a humanoid is lying. Likely via some sort of pheromone cue (?). Farts if a lie is told within 10 feet of it.
  11. Marathon Donkey. This donkey has incredible endurance and can travel twice as far between long rests.
  12. Will carry sacks, corpses, or other floppy things, but not wooden boxes or other things with sharp edges.
  13. Scared of crowds. Simply WILL NOT enter a village / town / city.
  14. Has tapeworms, must feed twice the normal rations until diagnosed and healed. Poop can give tapeworms to any humanoid. Heads up.
  15. Streetwise Donkey. Grew up in a city, pulling a delivery cart. Knows all the streets of the city, how to get anywhere. You tell it where you want to go, it will slowly, at a plodding pace, lead you there. It can't talk or understand any commands other than place names in that one city.
  16. Vagabond Donkey. This donkey will occasionally wander away from the group and stay gone a few days, but then it always returns. Where does it go? Why? No one knows.
  17. Mother-bucker. Will attempt to buck any female humanoid who attempts to ride.
  18. Nauseated, 2-in-6 chance of throwing up in a big way every 10 minutes for a day
  19. Scared of its own shadow. On sunny days, freaks out every now and then.
  20. Large Donkey. This donkey is a freak of nature and is twice the normal size. It can carry four times the normal load and requires four times the normal feed/rations. It won't fit in most stable stalls, through most doorways, etc. Commoner strangers are usually freaked out by it; they are often intimidated by it (2-in-6 chance), or try to kill it (1-in-6 chance) because they think it is a bad omen, enchanted, cursed, undead, etc.
  21. Stealthy Donkey. This donkey walks in a way that is completely silent, even on cobblestones, and shifts its weight as needed to eliminate the sounds of any clanking gear it carries. Instinctively hides itself behind/inside/undearound any available cover, at all. You turn around, there it suddenly is, looking at you in the eye. Can freak a dude out.
  22. Loves butterflies. Chases every one it sees.
  23. Counting Donkey. Point at a group of objects and say "Count." Donkey will tap its front right hoof a number of times equal to the number of objects in the group. Counts about one item per second. Can't spell worth a damn, though.
  24. Aqua-donkey. This donkey loves playing in streams/rivers/ponds/rivers. Runs to them. Likes to splash everyone else. Thinks it's funny.
  25. Catches a parasite disease and will die in 3 days unless healed
  26. Chip-On-Shoulder Donkey. If there are other donkeys / horses around, hates them, always picking a fight.
  27. Blessed Donkey. This donkey enters the scene carrying a religious messiah, or so they say.
  28. Talking Donkey. Amazing! But, a bit finicky, only talks 1-in-4 times you ask it to, and at other random times as DM deems appropriate. Also, only knows a few words/phrases: yep, nope, hungry, tired, idiot, run away.
  29. Hates the heat. Half movement and half carrying capacity on hot days > 80F. Needs double water rations.
  30. Ate some weird mushrooms along the way. Temporarily blind for 1d4 days
  31. Hates elves, they're too self-absorbed and snooty, always making you walk through trackless forests, getting you stuck in the underbrush.
  32. Prudent Donkey. Has 1-in-6 chance of perceiving a trap within 30 feet. Will look at the trigger mechanism, hee-haw loudly, and not take a step toward it. No matter what.
  33. Mystical Donkey. Has some kind of weird ancestral donkey mind-meld with a caster in the group, constantly complaining (mentally) that "this s**t is too heavy, dude," "can't you give a donkey a break?," "how about carrying some of this s**t yourself, tough guy," etc. You can't concentrate.
  34. Lucky Donkey. When within 10 feet of this donkey, you can re-roll one roll per day.
  35. Somehow, loves smelly green ogres who sing. Tries to run off with any such ogres encountered.
  36. Hates humans, they make you work too hard, usually in larger towns or cities where the cobblestones hurt your feet.
  37. Needs a bath, smells very bad. Indescribable, really. No surprising any foe while this donkey is around until it gets a bath.
  38. Shy Donkey. Always tries to move behind you when you encounter anyone new.
  39. Keen smell. Can smell most enemies within 100 feet and will hee-haw loudly to warn you. False alarm 1-in-4.
  40. Sprint Donkey. This donkey can run at twice the normal movement rate, but only for one minute between long rests.
  41. Drunk Donkey. Will only work when slightly inebriated. Must feed it a wee flask of ale, wine or whisky to get any work out of it.
  42. Has one very short leg. Walks unevenly. Kinda funny, but only 1/2 normal movement rate.
  43. Beautiful Donkey. This donkey is a very fine specimen of a donkey. Highly desired by donkey ranchers to breed other donkeys. Sells for double the normal price. Bit of a prima donna. Must be fed one apple or pear per day, or refuses to work. Resents you.
  44. Hates the cold. Half movement and half carrying capacity on cold days < 50F. Needs double saddle blankets.
  45. Sneaky. When you're not looking, has 1-in-2 chance each day of pick-pocketing something off the back of a random PC. Might drop it, might eat it, might fling it to the side of the road, might just hold it in it's mouth. Hard to say with donkeys.
  46. Scared of snakes. Snake within 30' causes total donkey freak out.
  47. Always tries to eat/gnaw whatever it is carrying (especially food) whenever you're not looking, ruins stuff.
  48. Freaked out by undead. If it sees undead, or smells them (can smell 60' away), RUNS in the opposite direction.
  49. Narcoleptic Donkey. Falls asleep, often.
  50. Critic Donkey. When others aren't looking, looks at you and rolls its eyes. You swear.
  51. Foraging Donkey. Grew up in the wild. If there is any vegetation around, at all, it can find it, find enough edible material for a meal, and feed itself, no rations required.
  52. Shoe-Throwing Donkey. One-in-four chance of losing a horse shoe each day, won't walk until found or replaced.
  53. Small Donkey. Can only carry half normal carrying capacity. But has a scrappy attitude and is NOT SCARED OF ANYTHING (immune to fear and intimidation).
  54. Repressed anger. Tries to bite (for real) anyone within 5' who is not its owner (considers only one person its owner).
  55. Back-Row Donkey. If there are multiple four-legged animals in the group, this one must be the last, in the back, or it won't go/work at all.
  56. Vertigo Donkey. Always dizzy, walks in circles unless carefully guided constantly by hand.
  57. Hates carts, wagons, etc. Will not pull a cart or other wheeled vehicle.
  58. Wallowing Donkey. Enjoys a good roll in a mudhole/puddle. Every mudhole/puddle.
  59. Deaf. You bought/raised a deaf donkey. Should have checked. Anyway, can't hear any commands. Won't respond to visual commands. Must touch the donkey to give it a command.
  60. Musical Donkey. Gets indigestion often, becomes VERY flatulent.
  61. Flying Donkey. This donkey has been magically enchanted to fly, only once in its life, for one minute. The wranglemaster must speak the command word: "Esel-burro"
  62. Addle-Headed Donkey. Once per day, has a 1-in-4 chance of running in a random direction for 1 minute.
  63. Hates the rain. Won't work in the rain. *OR* Hates the wind. Won't work in the wind.
  64. Say-My-Name Donkey. You must call it by name to get it to do anything. It answers with a loud bray each time.
  65. Hates dwarves, always making you work underground in the mines, and their beards are (somehow) scary.
  66. Often gets a leg cramp, limping for 10 minutes, 1/4 movement rate.
  67. Smoking habit. Will work only if you let it smoke lit cigarette or pipe while on duty.
  68. Smart and independent. Anticipates and does exactly what you want 5-in-6 of the time, but disagrees and argues 1-in-6 of the time.
  69. Lover Donkey. Wants to make baby donkeys, runs after opposite gender donkey (or horse) every time it gets the chance.
  70. Has a drinking problem. Will always rush toward any water source to take a drink.
  71. Is a hot head, always immediately charges and attacks any foe encountered. No holding him back.
  72. Pregnant Donkey. This donkey is about to have a baby. 2-in-6 chance each day until baby is born.
  73. Loves flowers. To eat. Will only do any work if given one bouquet to eat per day.
  74. Pious. Has 1-in-6 chance each hour of stopping for 10 minutes, kneeling on front two legs, and praying to the donkey god "No Cargo Bob"
  75. Death Wish Donkey. Is reckless, doesn't look where it's going, always running into things, chance of falling off cliffs, etc.
  76. Dead pan smile. At the most dangerous / awkward moments, turns to a party member and gives the most ridiculous, hilarious donkey smile you have every seen. PC must make DC 10 Const saving throw or bust out laughing for 30 seconds.
  77. Nervous Tick Donkey. This donkey kicks its left leg backwards randomly, every now and then. If anything/anyone is standing behind this donkey, there is a 1-in-6 chance that it kicks.
  78. Cargo Donkey. Happy to carry items/supplies tied or cinched around it, but won't carry humanoid riders (bucks them off).
  79. Homesick, always tries to run away and go back home (or to the place where you bought / found / raised him) every chance he gets
  80. Perceptive Donkey. Has 1-in-6 chance of perceiving a secret door within 30 feet. Will walk up to it and put its nose on it.
  81. Scared of water, won't cross a creek/rivepond/lake, etc. Definitely not getting on a boat.
  82. Front-Row Donkey. If there are multiple four-legged animals in the group, this one must be the leader, in front, or it won't go/work at all.
  83. Pacifist Donkey. Refuses to carry any weapons or ammo.
  84. Glowing Donkey. This donkey glows faintly in the dark. Very dim light. No one knows why.
  85. War Veteran Donkey. Missing one leg at the knee (maybe has peg leg). Opposite ear slashed off. Wears an eyepatch. Lots of scars. Can only carry half normal weight, but its kick does +2 damage.
  86. Vagabond Donkey. This donkey will occasionally wander away from the group and stay gone a few days, but then it always returns. Where does it go? Why? No one knows.
  87. Alert Donkey. This donkey has a 1-in-6 chance, on its own, independent of PC checks, of noticing an impending ambush. It will hee-haw loudly if an ambush is about to occur.
  88. Ate some bad food / weeds, now has diarrhea, big diarrhea, 1-in-4 chance every hour for a day.
  89. Expressive Donkey. Often has ideas and wants to share, "hee-haws" very loudly for 30 seconds. Sometimes indicates something important, sometimes not.
  90. Large Donkey. This donkey is a freak of nature and is twice the normal size. It can carry four times the normal load and requires four times the normal feed/rations. It won't fit in most stable stalls, through most doorways, etc. Commoner strangers are usually freaked out by it; they are often intimidated by it (2-in-6 chance), or try to kill it (1-in-6 chance) because they think it is a bad omen, enchanted, cursed, undead, etc.
  91. Hates halflings, their barn doors are too low and their generally cheery attitude is annoying.
  92. Super-donkey. Can carry three times normal carrying capacity, but for only one-third the normal time between long rests.
  93. Easily distracted by various things along the road ("Squirrel!"), constantly stopping to sniff / check out something.
  94. Really thirsty today, requires twice the normal water ration for one day. Pees a lot. (I mean a lot.)
  95. Wrong-way Donkey. Will only walk backwards. Half movement rate.
  96. Ugly Donkey. This donkey is bow-legged, has a saggy back, missing teeth, ugly hair, warts, boils, is missing large patches of hair due to mange, somehow is always dirty, has flies, ticks, lice, etc. Nose usually runny. Eyes too. BUT, this donkey can Misty Step.
  97. Shell-shocked Donkey. Scared of battle noises. Runs away from battle noises. Like, a quarter-mile away.
  98. Hates strangers. When within 15 feet of an unknown/new humanoid, hee-haws loudly for 5 minutes. So embarrassing.
  99. Picky eater, only eats store-bought straw/hay/whatever. Won't forage along the road/trail.
  100. Loyal Donkey. Will not leave its humanoid wranglemaster unprotected. Will defend wranglemaster to the end. Will take an arrow or battle ax blow to defend wranglemaster. There to the end, no matter what.
https://professorbumblefingers.blogspot.com/
[Edit: corrected a redundancy]
submitted by ProfBumblefingers to d100 [link] [comments]

2024.05.11 14:26 ymikomi Unravelling the Web: Chemical Warfare, Agriculture, and Our Health Crisis

In the intricate dance between human health and the environment, an alarming truth emerges – our economy thrives on healthcare, yet the public health statistics paint a bleak picture that transcends conspiracy theories. Delving into the heart of the matter, it becomes evident that the control over populations extends beyond borders and governments; it lies in the very sustenance that shapes our existence – food.
The Power Play of Food Control
Ansel Key's revelation in favour of carbohydrates over fats played a pivotal role in shaping agricultural practices. The influence of such dietary preferences on the agricultural industry underscores the immense power that controlling food wields over the masses. As we scrutinize this narrative, it becomes clear that controlling food production is not just an industry but a formidable business – one that shapes the health and well-being of nations.
The Unseen Warfare: Inflammation and Autoimmune Epidemics
Inflammation, a natural biological response to injury, takes centre stage as scientists in the 1990s and 2000s observe diseases emerging in various organ systems. The shockwaves of an autoimmune epidemic in the early 1990s prompt us to question if there is a singular root cause of all diseases. The parallels between our misunderstood gut and the long-neglected soil become apparent, tracing back to transformative shifts in farming practices in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Green Revolution and Glyphosate: A Toxic Legacy
The advent of World War II ushered in mechanized warfare and halted the petroleum industry. Enter the Green Revolution, fuelled by chemical-based fertilizers derived from petroleum. Glyphosate, initially not patented as a weed killer, became a cornerstone of the chemical industry's codependent relationship with fertilizers. This water-soluble toxin, now omnipresent in our environment, disrupts the shikimate pathway, affecting essential amino acid production critical for human health.
Glyphosate: Unravelling the Web of Health Issues
Glyphosate's insidious effects extend beyond its intended purpose. Recent studies reveal its prevalence in air and rainfall, with 75% of rain in the Southern United States contaminated. The urgency to halt its use is underscored by its impact on bacterial and fungal communities crucial for detoxifying our environment.
As we confront the stark reality, the question of whether conspiracy theorists might be onto something gains weight. The surge in public health issues – cancer, autism, Parkinson's – challenges assurances from entities like Monsanto, sparking a revaluation of glyphosate's true impact on human health.
The Unseen Battle Within: Microcosm and Macrocosm
At the heart of this crisis lies the gut, held together by tight junctions. Glyphosate's assault on these junctions permeates every macro membrane in the body, from blood vessels to the blood-brain barrier and kidney tubules. The consequences unfold in a cascade of health issues, from autoimmune diseases to neurological injuries.
Yet, within this sea of challenges lies the potential for change. Identifying the problem opens avenues for solutions. The journey involves recognizing that we've introduced a chemical into our food chain that disrupts not only our ability to build a healthy body but also deletes the medicinal features crucial for our well-being.
The Path to Healing: From Crisis to Consciousness
The impact of glyphosate extends beyond the physical to the very essence of our being. As we lose our self-identity at the cellular level, societal crises emerge, manifesting in depression, panic disorders, and relationship breakdowns. However, within this turmoil lies the potential for healing – a call to rediscover our interconnectedness, both with ourselves and the world around us.
The realization that we are all one, on a mission to find truth within ourselves and each other, becomes the catalyst for change. The shift in consciousness, witnessed in individuals changing their diets and reconnecting with their food chain, holds the promise of a brighter future. Amid the challenges, a hopeful narrative emerges – one where conscious choice by individuals, not politicians, hold the key to transforming our health and the trajectory of our society.

submitted by ymikomi to u/ymikomi [link] [comments]

2024.05.06 07:22 GoAheadMMDay Anno 1800 - First steps - How to build a sustainable economy

Anno 1800 - First steps - How to build a sustainable economy
This guide will help you develop a sustainable economy in Anno 1800. It covers the beginning part of the campaign, guiding you through the first 2 levels of houses… farmers and workers.
By the end of this guide, you will be ready to upgrade your houses to the 3rd level… artisans. You will also have a steady and lucrative income stream that you can use to finance the development of your tiny settlement into a sprawling empire.
Your starting capital and game difficulty depend on the type of game you create.
Normal game = $75,000 starting capital, difficulty 1.1
Advanced game = $50,000 starting capital, difficulty 1.2
Expert game = $25,000 starting capital, difficulty 1.3.
Whatever your starting capital is, it won’t last long if you do not manage your finances well. And because your main source of income is your citizens, sound financial management begins with a good housing layout.
Part A - Housing grid
The first thing I will cover is the housing layout. I found the following grid to be ideal for the first 3 levels – from farmers to artisans.
Pic 1
Pic 1: The total dimensions of the grid are 113 x 36 tiles, which is quite compact.
Note that the middle section has no road in the center by intention.
Pic 2
Pic 2: Be sure to make a stamp of the residential grid, as you will be using it several times throughout the game.
You make a stamp using the small stamp icon (green circle). All stamps are then stored in the Stamps menu (yellow circle).
Pic 3
Pic 3: Stamp files are kept in the game’s “stamps” folder, where you can create sub-folders to organize them.
Pic 4
Pic 4: The market goes in the center. On either side of the market, we have 2 pubs and 2 fire stations. Make sure both pubs are on the inside, closer to the market than the fire stations. Do not place the pubs any closer to the market, or they won’t cover the houses on the edges.
Pic 5
Pic 5: In the remaining spaces we can fit 168 houses.
But notice how the 4 corners are empty? There are 8 houses missing, 2 in each corner. These 8 lots have only 80% market coverage.
You can still build houses there, but they will not reach full capacity, and you will not be able to upgrade them. I build houses in those spaces anyway and just leave them as farmers, because we will always need some farmers.
In this picture, I left those spots blank to show you where the market’s full coverage ends.
All of the other 160 houses have 100% market and pub coverage.
https://preview.redd.it/446wx9pocwyc1.jpg?width=1470&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fae13211230a022fd8e11d6927fa32e34566a69a
Pic 6: Later in the game, you will need a school to upgrade your houses from workers to artisans. In this pic, I removed 4 houses next to the market, building a school in their place.
You will have an extra row of tiles along the school. If you keep the school closer to the middle, you get slightly better coverage on the right side of the grid. I then planted some trees in the extra tiles, as they add to the attractiveness rating. I also planted some trees in the extra tiles by the fire stations.
In later stages of your game, you may want to remove a few more houses to place a church, police station, and other public buildings like parks and zoos which add to the attractiveness.
But for the first 3 levels of houses - from farmers to workers to artisans - this grid layout is all you need. It helps you keep your residences in a neat and compact area, with 100% market and pub coverage, and excellent fire protection.
Pic 7
Pic 7: I then joined 2 grids together, top to bottom, making a double-grid. I then made a stamp of it also. We will be using this double-grid in this guide.
Part B - First settlement
When you start a new Campaign game, the starting island will always be the same, regardless of the starting conditions you select.
The first thing to do is use your double-grid stamp to place the double-grid.
Pic 8
Pic 8: Placing the double-grid sideways fits perfectly between the rocks on the left and right (yellow circles). It is an absolutely perfect fit, without a single tile space between the roads and the rocks.
Be sure to place the grid right up to the river’s edge (green circle). Placing the grid like this gives you almost every available housing slot – except you lose 2 houses in the bottom right corner (blue circle).
Be sure to build a short road to connect the grid to the trading post (orange circle). This is important, for without it, citizens will not move in.
When you first start the game, there will be several old ruins in the area (purple circles). These ruins create gaps in your roads. After you have cleared these ruins, simply reconnect the roads through the gaps.
Since you start the game with only 30 lumber, all you can build for now is a market and 10 houses. Build those where they are in the pic. We will move the market to its proper place later, after the ruins are cleared.
Part C – Clear old ruins
https://preview.redd.it/xeya4ohdtqyc1.jpg?width=1481&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a75db8ce13d34449612735b6a5c7f02b95a1df1e
Pic 9: The 10 houses we have built will allow 50 farmers to move-in very quickly. As soon as those 50 farmers arrive, you will be allowed to clear 14 ruins (yellow circles). Be sure to click on all 14 of them right away.
All of these 14 ruins give you lumber. Pick up the lumber and build more houses.
There are other ruins which you cannot clear at this time. You will be allowed to clear them as your population increases.
Part D – Farmers' demands
Pic 10
Pic 10: As you build your settlement, be sure to provide your farmers with everything they need.
In the middle of this picture we have a market and a pub, surrounded by exactly 70 farmers houses. I didn’t place a fire station here yet.
On the right side we have our schnapps production (2 potato farms, 2 distilleries, and 1 warehouse).
At the bottom we have 2 fisheries, 2 sheep farms, and 2 work clothes factories. I placed the work clothes production down here so they can use the trading post as their warehouse, which saves me from building another warehouse for now.
On the left side we have a lumber production area (6 loggers, 6 sawmills, and 2 warehouses).
At the top right corner we have a second lumber production area (4 loggers, 4 sawmills, and 1 warehouse).
This gives us a total of 40 lumber per minute. With this much lumber, you can build 20 farmers houses every minute.
From here, continue filling the rest of the grid with houses, and keep expanding your schnapps, clothes, and fish production as well.
Pic 11
Pic 11: As you expand, keep checking to see that you are fulfilling your citizens’ demands by using Ctrl + Q to access the Production page.
The blue bars indicate how much your citizens demand, while the green bars indicate how much you produce. Make sure your green production bars are longer than the blue demand bars. There are also numbers to indicate quantities per minute.
For balanced and sustainable growth, you need to build a few houses, then a few production chains, then a few more houses, then a few more production chains.
Note 1: Do not over-build your production chains. Production buildings cost money to run. If you build too much production capacity, your citizens will not be able to buy all the goods produced, and you will lose money.
Note 2: You earn income from your houses. The more houses you have, the more goods they buy, and the more money you make. So keep filling the grid with houses.
Part E – Upgrade to workers
As you progress, you will be permitted to upgrade your houses from farmers to workers. This opens up several more building types which require workers to operate.
Pic 12
Pic 12: Keep expanding the right half of the grid, building a second pub toward the top, and filling-in the top-right quarter with more farmers houses.
You will also need to upgrade some farmers houses to workers houses to work in the new production buildings that are coming. You can see some workers houses here already.
You can also see how the fish, schnapps and work clothes production have also expanded to keep supplying the growing number of houses.
I moved the work clothes production from the bottom to the top, where there is more room to expand.
I left the lumber operations the same. The current production of 40 lumber per minute is plenty, and I will not be expanding its production.
Part F – Build schooners
By this point, you will be asked to manufacture 4 sails. If you look near the sheep farms above the grid in pic 12, you will see I have built 2 sails factories and 2 sheep farms for them.
After you have made the 4 sails demanded of you, a quest will pop up to pick up some wreckage. I won’t spoil the adventure by revealing the details here. Completing this quest will give you permission to build a shipyard – which you will see at the bottom of pic 12, to the left of the trading post.
Note this part… This is important… When you build your shipyard, keep building schooners non-stop. Schooners will earn you a lot of money by selling them to Archibald Blake – whose island is conveniently located very close to yours.
Archibald buys as many ships as you send him. He pays $2,500 per schooner, and they take only 3 minutes to build.
Schooners are the cheapest vessel to build, needing only 20 lumber and 10 sails in materials. You also need 100 workers in the shipyard. After all expenses, your net profit from each schooner is $1,625 in 3 minutes, which is $541.67 per minute.
If you keep building schooners non-stop, they will greatly speed-up your expansion. To ensure you have enough sails for your schooners, you will need 2 sheep farms and 2 sails factories for each shipyard building schooners.
In my own play-through, I ran 3 shipyards producing 3 schooners every 3 minutes, which is 1 schooner every minute, bringing-in $1,625 net profit every minute. That helps immensely in the beginning of the game when money is tight.
Part G – Buy from Archibald
Pic 13
Pic 13: While we’re on the subject of selling to Archibald, don’t forget you can buy from him too.
Early in the game, Archibald is your only source of bricks and steel beams until you can get your own production chains built.
Bricks are needed for sails factories and shipyards. You get 35 bricks for free when you clear the ruins. That is enough for exactly 1 shipyard and 1 sails factory, which allow you to build 1 schooner every 5 minutes.
But if you buy just 10 bricks from Archibald, you can build a second sails factory, allowing you to build 1 schooner every 3 minutes. That’s almost double the rate of production, and of course, almost double the rate of income.
At some point, though, you will need to build your own brick production chain, which I describe next.
Part G – Brick production
Pic 14
Pic 14: As you keep expanding, more and more buildings will require bricks. So be sure to build a brick production chain (yellow circle).
As you can see here, the settlement is growing nicely, with similar expansion in work clothes (top center), schnapps (right), and fish (bottom) production.
I also stamped down another housing grid above the brick production area, which I will use for future expansion. This new grid is just a small single grid, not the double-sized grid we have at the bottom.
Part H – Blast through rock pile
Pic 15
Pic 15: Soon after you build your shipyard, you will be given instructions to blast through the pile of rocks to the left of our grid (yellow circle).
Pic 16
Pic 16: Blasting through this barrier opens up the western half of the island, where you have iron and coal mines, and a whole lot more land.
Part I – A fork in the road
At this point in the game, you come to a very crucial fork in the road. Taking the wrong road here will ruin you economically. Pay close attention to this part, because the decisions you make here will make or break you!
After blasting through the pile of rock and having all those mines available to you, there is the temptation to start building mines, furnaces, steelworks and weapons factories. After all, you need steel and weapons to build a strong navy to conquer your foes.
But not now! Why not now? Because you can’t afford it.
The 2 iron mines you have available to you would allow you to build 1 steel production chain and 1 weapons chain, providing you with steel for construction, and weapons for warships.
To develop both production chains to their max capacity, you will need:
2 iron mines,
4 charcoal kilns (the coal mine is not available until you reach 250 artisans),
4 furnaces,
3 steelworks, and
6 weapons makers.
Initial cost? $12,800. This initial cost is actually quite affordable. If you are playing a normal game, you will have started off with $75,000. By this point in the game, you should still have quite a lot of that money left. So you should be able to afford that initial construction cost. That isn’t the problem.
The problem is the maintenance cost. The total maintenance cost of all those buildings is a whopping $2,080 per minute! This is what will break you, because there is no way your tiny settlement is going to be able to support that upkeep. Remember, all you have are a handful of farmers and workers.
If you go ahead and build those steel and weapons production chains at this stage in the game, you will see your cash erode to zero very quickly.
We can see why players make this mistake. As soon as you blast through the pile of rocks, the in-game tutorial tells you to build an iron mine, a furnace, a steelworks and a weapons factory. So players naturally follow those instructions.
There is nothing wrong with following those instructions EVENTUALLY. But not right now at this early stage in the game. You won’t be able to afford the upkeep.
To be fair to the in-game tutorial, it doesn’t tell us to build the maximum number of buildings in those chains. It tells us to build only one of each type. But even that should be avoided at this point in time, because they will subtract money from your bank account at an alarming rate. What we need at this early stage in the game is to add money to our bank account.
So when we arrive at this fork in the road, the way to go is to supply our citizens with the goods they need, since this will bring income in, building our wealth instead of depleting it.
We are already providing our farmers with fish, work clothes and schnapps. Now we need to focus on providing our workers with sausages, bread, beer, soap and a school.
Part J – Buy hops fertility
Pic 17
Pic 17: To supply our workers with beer, we will need to purchase the hops fertility item (blue arrow). You get this item from one of the NPC traders. You will have different traders in your game, depending on the options you selected when you started. One of them will have the hops fertility item for sale.
Every island has a different set of fertilities, allowing you to grow only certain types of crops. Your starter island does not have hops fertility, so you can’t grow hops on it. And without hops, you cannot make beer.
This hops fertility item will allow you to grow hops in a small area of your island. You must build a Trade Union building and put this hops fertility item inside that building. Then, all hops farms within the trade union’s area of influence will be able to grow hops (at 85% capacity with this particular item).
Now let’s head over to the western part of our island that just opened up to us, and we’ll start producing goods for our workers.
Part K – Supplying workers
Pic 18
Sausages (blue box):
The easiest worker demand to fulfill is sausages. I built 2 sausage chains and a warehouse between them at the bottom of the pic.
2 chains are enough for now, but we will need more as we fill up our grids with houses.
Bread (green box):
Next, I built 2 bread chains. Each chain consists of 2 grain farms, 1 mill, and 2 bakeries. I doubled those and inserted a warehouse in the middle.
Beer (orange box):
I then built 1 beer chain, which is enough to satisfy 130 workers houses. Each beer chain consists of 2 grain farms, 1 malthouse, 3 hops farms, and 2 breweries.
Note 1: At the top of the orange box you will see a Trade Union building. Inside this trade union building you must place the hops fertility item you purchased earlier. The hops farms must lie within the trade union building’s sphere of influence in order for those farms to grow hops.
Note 2: To build 1 beer chain, you will need to buy 12 steel beams from Archibald. See Part G above.
Soap (pink box):
The final worker demand we need to fulfill is soap. Each soap chain consists of 2 pig farms, 2 rendering works, and 1 soap factory, satisfying the needs of 240 workers houses. 1 soap chain is plenty for now.
Note: To build 1 soap chain, you will need to buy 12 steel beams from Archibald. See Part G above.
Let the money roll in (yellow box):
By this point, we have built all the chains we need to satisfy the needs of farmers and workers. And what’s the result?
As shown in the yellow box at the top left of the picture, we are earning more than $1,000 coins per minute already. Plus, if you are still making and selling schooners, you’re getting another $500 per minute from 1 shipyard, or $1,000 per minute from 2 shipyards, etc, etc.
And we still have enough room in this western part to double all the buildings you see here. Like a mirror image, we can copy all the buildings on the left and build duplicates on the right (working around the oil wells, of course), allowing us to double our production and squeeze-in a few more.
But what about the steel and weapons chains? Where are they going to go? There is room for those at the top of picture 18, where that lone warehouse is, close to the iron mines.
https://preview.redd.it/e58oqciiyqyc1.jpg?width=1816&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b6acbd8c21110ccea731b7c6c120063cf0f2d17
Pic 19: Going back to our housing grid, by this point in the game our settlement has grown quite a lot. And we still have more room to grow as we upgrade more farmers houses into workers houses. (Workers houses are the dark ones near the markets. All the rest are farmers houses. I was in a bit of a rush playing it for this guide, and I forgot the fire stations.)
Now that we have a steady stream of income, we can build those steel and weapons chains we postponed earlier, knowing we can now afford their maintenance costs without any trouble at all.
Build a steel production chain next, as we will be needing 2 steel beams to upgrade each house of workers to artisans. We will also need to build at least 1 school, which requires 20 steel beams. Be sure to place the school near the middle to get the best coverage, as shown in picture 6 at the beginning of this guide.
Once that is done, we will be able to upgrade our workers to artisans. That will open up a whole new set of production chains to build. It will also generate more profit than ever before, since artisans pay more than workers do for sausages, bread, beer and soap - which we already have up and running!
If you run out of room on your main island, you can always settle other islands, build production facilities there, and ship those goods to your main island.
But to keep our settlements running smoothly, we must remember one thing… we must keep supplying our citizens with the goods they need. If we do, they will reward us with the income we need to grow our tiny settlement into a global empire.
Cheers!
Joseph Cafariello
submitted by GoAheadMMDay to anno1800 [link] [comments]

2024.05.03 21:08 Wild_Seaworthiness47 Name and Shame: SquarePoint Capital (NYC)

Hey folks,
I've been unemployed for a year now and, like many of you, have been making the rounds through some ridiculous interview experiences. I wanted to share some red flags from my most recent disappointment to hopefully help others escape my fate in the future.
Red Flag #1
I started interviewing with SquarePoint in late February after being recommended by a recruiter on LinkedIn. I received a detail-redacted job description from the recruiter and was asked to complete a HackerRank quiz for the role before ever talking to a human being.
Red Flag #2
The first round interview I had was scheduled in-person in midtown, in business attire. I commuted in a downpour to the interview at 9 AM from my outerborough abode and met with someone on the team I'd be working with. During the interview, this person let me know that I was the first person to pass the technical round interview to speak with him in over a year. That's right, I was the first person to pass the HackerRank quiz in over a year. It was not a difficult quiz...
Red Flag #3
I was subsequently scheduled for three virtual interview rounds with other members of their IT team across the organization. Feedback from these folks was that I impressed them with my technical knowledge and responses and they were excited to expedite me along. The red flag from this portion, however, was that there was a third participant in each of these scheduled interviews -- a Video Conferencing unit with no audio/video on. Which means I was being watched by other people the entire time I was interviewing.
Red Flag #4
Finally came the request for interviews with management. I would be interviewing with the hiring manager for the role and another IT manager overseeing other functions at the company.
I'm not going to lie here. I made a couple of gaffes during these interviews. I accidentally called the hiring manager by her last name when thanking her for her time and leaving the meeting. I unintentionally overrepresented some experience with a certain technology when talking to the second IT manager.
The general impression from these two interviews, though, was that I had full experience in their application stack and I had experience solving many of the technical problems they were currently working on (like cloud and application transitions). I made my value clear to them and they agreed that I would be an exceptional asset on their team. They liked my personality, all of the feedback from the team was positive, they just needed some time to make an offer. Then...
Red Flag #5
A few days after my Monday interview, my recruiting contact tells me that the hiring manager would like to schedule a quick additional call with me. I'm pretty reticent to accept the call at this point because it can't be a good sign, but against my better judgment, I agree.
I take the call the following Monday and the HM seems a bit cagey. She asks me questions like "Are you ready to work?" and "You know what this role entails, right?". Yes, I applied for a support role with some engineering responsibilities and I'm a little overqualified. That's not a problem for me, though, and I let the HM know that I'm ready for work, excited to tackle some new challenges, and ready to hit the ground running. Great, end of interview.
Red Flag #6 (Yep, I'm also not sure how I let it go this far)
Another few days go by, my recruiting contact calls again letting me know that the company wants to schedule one more call with me. This time the other IT Manager wants to talk to me personally. He says that all of the feedback has been positive so far, they just want to make sure that they're putting my skills to the best use. They tell me that this other IT manager would actually rather I report to him because he has a couple open positions in an engineering role and a trade systems support role that they think would be better for my growth long-term. They asked for a call the following Monday (now 2 weeks after my 'final round interviews') with this hiring manager. The internal recruiter, external recruiter I had been working with, and IT manager all insisted that an offer was ready to go for Job #1, they just wanted to get my feedback on these other openings incase I would also be a good fit for a possible Job #2.
At this point, alarm bells are going off in my head. It sounds like a trap, but it can't possibly be a trap, right? I look through the company's website for job postings in these other areas and see related roles, but nothing that quite fits what I'm hearing on this phone call.
My naivety got the best of me. I agreed to the call and spoke with IT Manager #2 about other roles. We talked a bit more about my knowledge and experience, he reiterated that all of the feedback so far has been positive, that they are excited to move forward, he just needs a couple of days to draw up a job description for this other role and possibly put me in front of a few more team members on these engineering teams.
Which brings us to now. My recruiting contact calls me and lets me know that SquarePoint has decided to reject me after all. The initial offer for job #1 that was floated never existed and is no longer being considered. My recruiting agency goes to bat for me, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Dejected, I find myself back at Square One wondering how I could've been so stupid.
Folks, please listen to me (and Maya Angelou): trust your gut, companies aren't going to start respecting you at some point in the hiring process if there isn't respect from the start.
I should've never completed the HackerRank quiz that demonstrated zero respect for me as an applicant and everything that happened after reinforces that belief.
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
submitted by Wild_Seaworthiness47 to recruitinghell [link] [comments]

2024.05.01 02:35 kainzy_ Some Balancing Changes + Ideas

Edit: For some reason reddit formatting changed my +'s to squares, so any square is meant to be a +

Overall Changes

Frag Grenades (Credit to/idea from brodiebradley51)
‘Trophy System’ Secondary Gadget
Grip Changes

Attackers

Sledge
Thatcher
Nokk
Kali
Dokkaebi
Amaru
Twitch
IQ
Zofia
Brava
Sens
Jackal
4 pings for red, 2 for orange, 1 for yellow

Defenders

Fenrir
Jager
Solis
Mozzie
Echo
Thunderbird
Alibi
Ela
Kaid
Tachanka
I know this is a lot, but I just wanted to post some ideas I've had regarding balancing since Ubisoft seems keen on not really doing much. There are so many operators that have been bad for so long that they refuse to touch, and there are also OP operators they refuse to touch as well. I find it hilarious how they said "we know FenriSolis are overtuned, and we have changes we're 100% going to implement, but we're not adding them for another season". Like why are they treating basic balancing changes like a new map or operator???
submitted by kainzy_ to Rainbow6 [link] [comments]

2024.04.28 14:18 LastWeekInCollapse Last Week in Collapse: April 21-27, 2024

Bird flu in the milk, an Israel-Lebanon War draws closer, and the worst-case scenarios get even worse.
Last Week in Collapse: April 21-27, 2024
This is Last Week in Collapse, a weekly newsletter compiling some of the most important, timely, useful, soul-crushing, ironic, stunning, exhausting, or otherwise must-see/can’t-look-away moments in Collapse.
This is the 122nd newsletter. You can find the April 14-20 edition here if you missed it last week. You can also receive these posts (with images) every Sunday in your email inbox with Substack.
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The EU Green coalition claims that the Green Deal is probably dead now, since conservatives are projected to make small gains in this June’s EU Parliamentary election.
Gullies are becoming more common across Brazil and several other South American states, a crisis worsened by climate change & deforestation. One coastal municipality in Brazil has seen 50+ homes eaten by new holes; 100+ families have been displaced there as well. The process happens when large quantities of rainfall, unable to be absorbed into the soil (because of overdevelopment & deforestation), run off, carrying the dirt away with it. In the Himalayas, glacial lakes are growing from the massive meltwater piling up in the mountains.
Climatologists believe this summer is going to break records for temperature and/or humidity, with a 70% chance. A study in npj climate and atmospheric science determined that AI holds great potential in forecasting future storms…An analysis of the November 2023 Storm Ciarán predicted its 48-hour trajectory with reasonable accuracy.
A dust storm blew into Athens from Africa, the worst such incident in 6 years. The images look like they’re straight out of a cli-fi movie—or from Mars.
Taiwan felt 6.3 magnitude aftershocks from its 7.3 earthquake 3 weeks earlier, rumbling buildings. Thailand [issued an extreme heat warning](​​https://phys.org/news/2024-04-heatstroke-thailand-year-kingdom.html) after temperatures surpassed 40 °C (104 °F) this week, with a heat index expected to break 52 °C (125 °F). In the first 108 days of the year, Thailand recorded 30 deaths from heatstroke—compare that with 37 in all of 2023. Meanwhile, the heat index in the Philippines hit 47 °C (117 °F), forcing the government to close thousands of schools; one scientist said there was a 50/50 chance it the heat worsening in the coming days. Drought in the Philippines got so bad that an old settlement, flooded by the construction of a 1970s dam, resurfaced after El Niño-aggravated Drought dropped reservoir levels.
The CDC and the U.S. National Weather Service released a new heat scale, with another color representing the most dangerous level of heat. You can search your zip code here to check for your heat alarm level. Meanwhile, the famed climate scientist Michael Mann is predicting the most storms on record this hurricane season, estimating 33 in total.
Water shortage in Scotland. Drought in Spain & Greece expands; one major Spanish wine company laid off 80% of its staff indefinitely because the vines are barely producing anything. In Thailand, sugar farms are drying up. In France, a strange kind of “last chance tourists” from all over are converging on the Alps to see once-epic glaciers before they’re gone forever… Europe, the fastest warming continent, is seeing more days of heat stress than ever before.
A study in Earth’s Future examined the effect of wildfires in Greater Siberia, and found that they are projected to create a cooling effect over part of the northern hemisphere, along with the more obvious: lowered air quality & economic damage.
The total area of oases across the world expanded from 1995-2020 by 220,000+ km² (85,000+ mi²)—an area larger than the size of the island Britain, or Japan’s largest island, Honshu. Most of this expansion was the result of artificial expansion. However, the study from Earth’s Future also says that the risk of desertification is quite high, owing to mismanagement of water resources.
Wildfires in British Columbia & Alberta, including dozens of carry-over fires from last year. Record night temperatures for April in parts of West Africa—Chad even tied its hottest day in history with 48 °C (118 °F). Six countries in southeastern Asia recorded their hottest April night temps. Türkiye felt its hottest day ever in April last week: 39.2 °C (102.5 °F). Drought in Mexico is causing conflict between subsistence farmers and the cartel-linked avocado plantations. Sea surface temperatures remain at record highs for this time of year.
A 14-page article in Science Advances claims that deep sea troughs ferrying circumpolar deep water (CDW) (often warmer & saltier) to the undersides of ice shelves is causing concerning levels of melt. Making the problem worse is an upwelling of an ice shelf’s newly melted freshwater, which rises and pulls the salty water upwards. The study summary explains better, and warns that this feedback loop may reduce the stability of our ice shelves, leading to their Collapse. Some experts are proposing a large geoengineering attempt, spraying aerosols in the stratosphere atop ice shelves within the next 25 years—although they warn such efforts will not be productive unless they are also accompanied by massive CO2 emissions reductions.
Anchovies traditionally found in the Mediterranean have been detected off the Irish coast—about 750,000,000 of them—and scientists are baffled. They say that rising ocean temperatures are probably not enough to attribute this habitat change, since fewer than 150,000,000 anchovies were detected in those waters four years ago.
South Africa & Namibia saw record autumn temperatures. Flooding in Mauritius forced the shutdown of many banks & offices, and flooding worsened in East Africa, where 90+ have been killed by storms in the last fortnight. Tobacco plantations in Uganda killed off the usual animal food sources, forcing local species to eat virus-thick feces...yes, really. Meanwhile, one of the largest mountains of trash in India has been on fire for a few days, spewing toxic fumes into the atmosphere; and it’s still growing by 2,000 tons of garbage every day.
NASA released before & after images from Dubai’s historic flooding.
Foreign diseases & pests are damaging EU agriculture—some 70 new threats each year. In Botswana, Drought is evaporating muddy ponds, trapping hippos; those which escape, desperately thirsty, become aggressive and invade nearby villages.
Over Antarctica, the ozone hole is stretching into December, the start of summer—and the breeding season. Scientists say the exposure to extra radiation is affecting the eyesight of animals, and may threaten their general health. They also blame Australian wildfires for the longer-lasting ozone hole.
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Drinking water in Bangladesh is being poisoned by rising salinity in drinking water. Women are especially affected, particularly pregnant women, who suffer complications resulting from malnutrition, hypertension, menstrual interference, and more.
Residents of an old neighborhood in Ethiopia were given 5 days notice before demolition—ostensibly to rebuild a modern city center……including a $10B (USD) palace complex. Standardized test scores in the UK are at appalling lows—a result blamed, myopically, mostly on COVID school closures.
A study summary from the UK claims that 28% of COVID survivors will develop some form of Long COVID—25% of those will experience brain fog, and 75% some form of depression and/or anxiety. Examinations into the variant of COVID which infected an old Dutch man—and persisted in his body for 613 days—found that the COVID strain mutated into a new immuno-evasive strain inside his body…before killing him.
A 75-page report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) concluded that migration has now rebounded completely from its COVID dip. The U.S. FDA announced that food recalls hit a new high in 2023, the most since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scientists claim bird flu was in cows last year, probably. The U.S. FDA also announced that traces of bird flu were found in pasteurized milk—some 20% of samples—but the milk is still safe to drink. Nevertheless, the USDA is doing ongoing milk testing, albeit less than they first promised. The spread of Asian tiger mosquitoes farther northward in Europe portends the spread of malaria and dengue fever to areas where it has never before reached.
Shadow banking relates to non-bank lenders: mostly private investors, and unregulated institutions. Shadow banking is supposedly a $63 trillion (USD) problem worldwide—and the shadow real estate market in South Korea has central banks concerned. Delinquency rates are up, and shadow banking in real estate totals almost $7 trillion (USD). The Bank of England is warning about massive job losses if trends in shadow banking turn sour. Commodity prices worldwide are supposedly going to drop slightly, but inflation will remain.
In Scotland, rising numbers of youths are smoking marijuana. Across Great Britain, child alcohol abuse has become a serious problem; the UK has the highest rate worldwide, according to the collected data. In France, youth curfews have been imposed to keep unaccompanied children under age 13 off the street—more for the safety of adults than the kids.
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Two Malaysian helicopters collided mid-air, killing 10. The UK once again vowed to move forward with deporting migrants to Rwanda this summer. Protestors clashed with police in Venice over a modest €5 fee to enter the historic city on the front lines of climate change. Espionage against Germany, by Russia and China, is growing—or at least being identified.
Haiti continues to get worse as famine continues eating away at the population. 90% of Port-Au-Prince lives under control of the gangs; the other 10% lives under fear of gang expansion. Gangs forced the stop of the unloading of fuel at a port terminal on Monday so they could better wield their fuel as leverage. Haiti’s new transitional council has been sworn in, but is impotent on arrival.
Rebel groups in Sudan, including but not limited to the RSF, attacked 11 settlements in Darfur, following an old anti-black pattern practiced by the Janjaweed. In addition to potentially thousands of lives lost, the traumas of War threaten to perpetuate generational tensions from which new conflicts could sprout. A city that once held half a million people (many of whom were themselves displaced earlier) was razed and the people scattered or killed. And barely a peep of this makes the weekly news…
In Balochistan, a large region of Pakistan, an insurgency is growing, targeting Pakistani security forces and Chinese workers. Killings and IED detonations are said to be reported almost every day. Recruitment into the terror group, several thousand members, has been increased in response to the government’s militarized approach to counterinsurgency. Years of somewhat porous borders have also allowed abandoned American weapons to transit from Afghanistan into the region, empowering rebels.
US-Philippines military drills began the biggest ever between the two nations. Hundreds of people are flowing into Thailand from Myanmar every day, many of them wounded by the heavy-handed ruling junta forces. “This is the worst in my time in 35 years here,” one doctor said of the spike in patients. The junta is becoming so desperate that they are trying to draft Muslim Rohingyas into their forces, some of the very people they attacked, and denied citizenship to, several years ago.
Donald Trump is building a team of China hawks for his potential cabinet, and allegedly planning a more aggressive stance towards China, should he return to power. Reports emerged that, on the day Iran launched 300+ drones against Israel, a simultaneous crackdown began in Iran against women flouting the country’s strict hijab laws. More details are emerging about a massacre in Burkina Faso from February: “They separated men and women in groups…As we started moving forward, they opened fire on us indiscriminately,” said one survivor.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights announced the discovery of mass graves at two hospitals in Gaza—”buried deep in the ground and covered with waste.” An official from the United Nations announced that clearing all the rubble and unexploded bombs from Gaza could take 14 years. And the War isn’t over yet. A growing number of analysts say War against Hezbollah is inevitable as both sides have recently escalated strikes over their 130 km (81 mi) border barrier, the so-called Blue Line.
Hundreds of student protestors were arrested across a number of universities, demanding the institutions divest from Israeli corporations, and generally opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of students in Argentina protested against cuts to universities.
Ukraine suspended consular services for some men aged 18-60 living outside Ukraine, as part of a pressure campaign to get them back to Ukraine, where they can be conscripted. Russia warned that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, threatening an unspecified retaliation if Ukraine’s allies seize the roughly $300B frozen assets formerly under Russia’s control. On the battlefield, momentum is moving against Ukraine, although small victories remain. Ukraine is pulling back its Abrams tanks because Russian drones are too easily taking out the tanks. Five of the thirty-one $10M-apiece tanks provided in September have been destroyed so far. Reports emerged that the U.S. sent long-range ATACMS to Ukraine secretly; the ballistic missiles can strike targets up to 300 km away. Ammunition for Patriot systems is now being rushed to Ukraine.
Russia vetoed a resolution to ban the use of nuclear weapons in space. Worldwide, defense spending hit new all-time highs in 2023—about $2.44 trillion USD. (The U.S. accounts for $850B of that total.)
Amnesty International released its enormous, 418-page State of the World’s Human Rights Report for 2023, with 155 country-specific rundowns of selected human rights violations. Search for your own country and judge for yourself how accurate their report is. The general worldwide picture is one of regression to old norms and the breakdown of international law.
“...authoritarian policies ate away at freedoms of expression and association, hit out at gender equality,and eroded sexual and reproductive rights. The underlying public narratives, based in hatred and rooted in fear, encroached on civic space and demonized marginalized individuals…Climate activists were branded “terrorists” for denouncing governments expanding fossil fuel production and investment…States turned increasingly to facial recognition technologies to aid policing of public protests…in Afghanistan, being a woman or a girl has been de facto criminalized…To be a Palestinian in Gaza today is to be plunged to a far more violent and destructive version of the 1948 Nakba...Russia’s aggression has continued to manifest itself in deliberate attacks against civilians, the killing of thousands, and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure…” -selections from the executive summary
——————————
Select comments/threads from the subreddit last week suggest:
-There will (probably) be signs before SHTF—so say these comments in a thread about horizon scanning a doomsday event. But for some crises, like earthquakes, they spring up suddenly and unexpectedly. This is the very nature of an emergency.
-Household financial troubles are mounting, getting a decent job is nigh-impossible, everyone is coughing, demoralized people are throwing away their lives, trust is gone, most people seem exhausted, and there’s bird flu in the milk—says this essay-length weekly observation from the United States.
Got any feedback, questions, comments, complaints, upvotes, crystal ball predictions, etc.? Check out the Last Week in Collapse SubStack if you don’t want to check collapse every Sunday, you can receive this newsletter sent to your (or someone else’s) email inbox every weekend. What did I forget this week?
submitted by LastWeekInCollapse to collapse [link] [comments]

2024.04.25 21:33 HyaedesSing Some Ideas are actually bad, but not for the reason you may assume

"There are no bad ideas" is, pretty obviously, wrong. You suggest that we should build a nuclear reactor out of the small bits of radioactive material found in smoke alarms, it's certainly possible, but it's an objectively terrible idea for both your health, the health of people within a certain radius and for increasing your chances of both ARS and Prison in roughly equal measure.
And this applies to fics. "Wut if Jon snow get Harem" is objectively pretty shit. Popular, but shit. "Oh you can do it well, you just" nah, it would require far, far more effort to turn such an idea into something good than its actually worth.
But I'm not talking about that either. I'm talking about the bane of fanfiction, and ASOIAF fics are especially bad for this. Pacing.
Some ideas are unfinishable. And that matters.
You might not think that does. What if you covered the entire life of Ned Stark from birth to death in detail sounds like an interesting fic. It's certainly got interesting potential, its got a lot you can do with it, its not innately going to be OOC or bashing or puerile wish fulfillment. But what its got is a more fundamental problem. Its unfinishable. We, as a fandom, should understand more than anyone about bloat, about the problems of a piece of fiction getting out of hand and the scope expanding far beyond someone's ability to finish it. And that's with GRRM, someone heavily economically incentive to finish his work, his magnum opus, what will 100% be his defining legacy. Your fanfic, unless you dox yourself, will not.
Some seemingly good ideas are just not doable, and we should do more to account for that when suggesting them. How many fics drag on and on and on forever, no end in sight? Now, a counter argument might be that that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's about the journey, not the destination, one might say. Maybe, but that journey is not only a drag on your readers as they approach the 800th 2k long chapter, this time covering the journey between Castle Darry and Saltpans, but its a drag on you. Longfic writers have all probably felt this, that heavy feeling of "I'm still writing about this!?!?"
Plan or no, a fanfic idea generally begins as an idea for one or two cool scenes. You work out how to get there, and then you start writing. But some ideas innately will either have to have or will have by conscious decision of the writer endless buildup. It sucks to see the words "chapter 75" and be fucking nowhere close to completion, and I sort of believe anyone who thinks otherwise, is lying. We want to finish projects, almost nothing feels better. And some ideas by their very nature are not condusive People often don't want to hear it, but with some fanfic ideas I think the kindest, most merciful thing to do is to tell the person that such an idea is probably unwritable, and certainly unifinishable.
Fic writers should endeavour to do all they can to reduce the bloat in their fics. Stop starting your stories decades before the main conflict with characters with no agency and nothing exciting actually happening. Stop writing out every travel scene, stop repeating what is in essence the same dialogue over and over again. We need to be lean with writing, to cut off the unnecessary. And readers won't tell you this, not while you're writing, but every single fic only gets less and less reads and less and less popular the longer it drags on, after a certain point.
submitted by HyaedesSing to TheCitadel [link] [comments]

2024.04.24 21:46 just_one_of_us_ Is there an interconnected smoke detector (EU) that allows local (non-cloud) smart home integration?

My house got bigger, so I need additional smoke detectors, and here's my wishlist:
My research found the following options:

X-Sense XS01-M

The smoke detectors from X-Sense fill most parts of my wishlist. They seem to be reliable, they are independently interconnected and an app would immediately tell me the details about the alarm. In addition they are not too expensive.
The only problem I see is the integration into my own smart home solution. It seems that their gateway only talks to the cloud and the cloud does not provide any open API.

Interconnected detectors from Ei

The Ei605 would be my favorite. I have them in my house for some years now and so I know, they detect smoke very fast and reliable and on the other side never have false alarms. Their interconnection works as I want it: direct and independent.
It does not come with any smart home option, but there is an additional module available, providing DC output pins. And with some nerdy tools like an additional Shelly, it would be possible to get informed via MQTT about an alarm. https://youtu.be/C_AjePYcuYM?si=zI3VUxI_9dxP7_Fs
Although I really like this idea, I have two main issues with this solution:

Homematic IP

These seem to completely fill my needs. Directly interconnected and this connection works without power and without connection to their base. I assume that local connection to my MQTT would be possible.
I read about false alarms, which is unneeded stress I'd really like to avoid.
With a price of 60 EUR per unit, this is the biggest hurdle.

WIFI smoke detectors

Then there is a wide range of smoke detectors that directly connect via WIFI. I see this as a great option but I couldn't find a single one that also provides additional independent interconnection with other detectors. That's pretty sad.
I would be happy with one, that connects with others via IP and checks this relationship from time to time, and if one of them is not reachable anymore I get informed. But I also couldn't find this feature with any of them.

Zigbee smoke detectors

Then there is a list of Zigbee detectors, many of them can be found here: https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/supported-devices/#e=smoke
But I can't find out too much about how they are connected with each other. From what I found out, they always need to talk to a base and they work at 2.4 GHz. This combination does not fit with a medium/big house in my eyes and wouldn't work during a power outage. But maybe I'm wrong?

So what's next?

My current conclusion would be, I need to drop the idea of connecting my smoke detectors with my smart home and X-Sense XS01-M seem to be the best option for interconnected smoke detectors at a good price. That can't be everything.
What interconnected smoke detectors are you using out there, what's your experience and how are they connected to your smart home?
I would be happy if you could help me to find a solution that fits my needs.
submitted by just_one_of_us_ to homeassistant [link] [comments]

2024.04.24 04:05 Middle_Mark_3798 Glitches?

I got the pavlok watch just a few days ago and I have been using it for a little while. There are many great things about the watch and many bad things about the watch.
I heard about the pavlok watch on a YouTube video about ways to wake up in the morning. As an extremely heavy sleeper, this was very appealing to me. Without much thought, I just decided to order the pavlok cuz why the heck not? The shipping was a pain... They estimated that it would ship in about 8-11 days, and nothing actually happened. When I talked to them they said that it didn't even leave the house. Few days pass and they tell me that it was gonna come in 8-11 days once again. I waited and, once again, nothing happened. Not only did the watch not show up, but they refunded all the money. At that point, I just decided to order on Amazon and it came within less than a day💀
When it arrived, I started testing it on my naps and they worked perfectly fine. It woke me up just like it was supposed to. I use it for a little bit and I don't experience any problems. The first problem that I experienced was that it would start randomly unpairing from my phone. It still happens to this day and I am afraid that it will one day unpair during my naps and fail to wake me up (It hasn't yet). Every time it unpaired I would just manually pair it back. The next problem that I experienced was that the shocks stopped being painful. I don't think I got used to the pain because it was a very sudden drop in pain. I decided that I would just turn up to intensity, hopeful that there would be no more problems. This is until it delayed my alarm. Like I set my alarm to wake me up at 9PM when I was going to sleep at 8:15 and it started going off at 9:28... By the way, I set this at a high intensity so it can't be that I slept through it. Anyways, I decided to look at my battery and was astonished to see that my battery dropped by 25% in a single nap! Something really wrong must have happened because there is no way my battery went from 90% to 65% in 75 minutes. If you went to my battery usage history you just see a steady and slow fall to a random fast dip. So I hope I'm not alone in experiencing these random glitches as I want to use this not just for waking up but also breaking bad habits.
submitted by Middle_Mark_3798 to Pavlok [link] [comments]

2024.04.23 20:05 Kunkulis Finally Sub 3 - Zurich Marathon 2024

Race Information

Goals

Goal Description Completed?
A Sub 3 Yes

Splits

Kilometer Time
5 20:58
10 41:56
15 1:03:21
21.1 1:29:09
26.8 1:51:48
30 2:06:55
35 2:28:19
40 2:49:09
42.2 2:58:03

Context

It all started pretty much after my Bilbao marathon, post - here After finishing and not achieving Sub3 a friend wrote to me about Zurich marathon saying that it is flat as a mirror. This marathon was exactly 6 months from Bilbao. So I considered it. A week later the friend ran Frankfurt marathon with the same goal of Sub3 and missing it by 28 seconds, so with that it was clear that I am going to visit him in Zurich and both of us will run the marathon and try to get each other across the finish line under 3 hours.

Training

The training process didn't build confidence, most of the time I was doubting if I will be able to do it. The whole time I've been running 5x a week, with Wednesdays being group trainings.
So, about a week or two after Bilbao I wrote to my coach and said that I could go out for a run, he said it might be too early, but gave an easy run which felt far too difficult (more on the tempo run side). And that feeling stayed with me for the next two or three weeks on every run. Coach told me to go give blood analysis which came back excellent. Now, since everything was okay under the hood, we kept training and working even though the paces weren't the same as they were prior to Bilbao, even my VO2 Max kept dropping from 67 to lowest point of 63 over the 3 months with January hitting the lowest point. While this downfall is happening, I tried telling myself that it is winter outside, its expected that I won't be able to go as fast as I did, but this was killing the confidence and it all felt different, not sure how to describe it, but I felt weaker in general and winter didn't have anything to do with it even though I tried telling myself its okay.
On January 30th for the first time my watch told me that I was being Productive and gave a bit of confidence boost. And it was a bit less then 3 months left to Zurich, so I thought this is a good sign, some light at the end of a tunnel. The following month the load stayed the same, ran 267km in total. But with March I did 392.66km with the first time almost hitting 100km per week. Training did take a lot of time with spending 7-8h running per week. But I stayed consistent, trusted the coach and tried ignoring my negative thoughts. During March and April we changed the training plan a bit. Usually I had Mondays and Fridays off, now it was Mondays and Thursdays off.
Week Distance Time
Feb 26-Mar 3 75.6km 6h3min
Mar 4-10 87.1km 7h44min
Mar 11-17 97.5km 8h
Mar 18-24 76.8km 6h31min
Mar 25-31 78.5km 7h13min
Apr 1-7 97.4km 7h54min
Apr 8-14 84.2km 7h7min
As the race week arrived, I was confused, from one side I've done the work, I've had huge load compared to previous years or preparations. From the other side I didn't feel as if I would be on the same level as I was for Bilbao and if I wasn't able to run there sub 3 how am I supposed to do it now in Zurich...
Some other preparation was on the nutrition/fueling side. The friend asked to get Maurten Marathon set. I asked him about it and he showed their fueling suggestion so I got one set for myself as well.

Pre-race

I had my flight on Thursday 18th April evening. On Friday the friend gave me his car and sent to a nearby city to take my mind off the race. The whole time walking around the city I was conscious if I am not walking too much, wouldn't want to put too much stress on my legs just before the race and have a question linger if the sight seeing was the reason I wasn't able to reach the goal. On Saturday we had a 40min easy warm-up run in the morning and then we went into the city after the bibs and walked around the city a bit and some pasta for lunch. The whole time thinking and talking about the race, with few other topics here and there... As evening came stress was build up, now up to this point the friend was stoic, but now he was also worried. We had to do some carbo loading and drink a Maurten drink mix. I eat under stress so it was easier for me, the friend was opposite, he forced himself to eat. Whilst we were eating, both were soothing ourselves trying to calm down saying things like "the work is done", "we can't change anything", "no matter what, I am going all in, if I fail, I fail...", "if the weather is bad, I will just enjoy the run". The evening passed and we had done all the prep and went off to bed.

Race

Alarm went off at 6:00, we had to have another Maurten drink mix. Friend just had a banana, but I had a double porridge bowl and coffee. Afterwards felt a bit full, but though okay, there is still 1.5h until the start, thought it will be okay. A bit after 7:00 we arrive at the start, bag drop off is 1.5km from start so we walk there and drop the bags off. The weather seems a bit cold, but okay, happy that there wasn't wind. We drop off the bags and do a small warm-up on the way to starting line. 7:58 we both are in the starting corridor, about 3 meters behind the 3:00h pacers. 7:59 we wish each other luck. 8:00 start
First kilometers didn't build confidence - the stomach still felt full, but not unbearable, the abs felt like pulling/cramping and hamstrings felt tired already. For the next five-ish kilometers I was switching between thinking about these things and just looking where are the pacers and forgetting about my feelings and thoughts.
We had two pacers, I decided to go with the one that was a bit ahead, since I though I'd rather have a faster finish then risk maybe a slower pacer and barely getting a sub3 if that is the case. My friend stayed with the other pacer.
The other 5km went through the city, nothing too interesting just trying to settle in.
With the 10th km we went on to the long stretch running next 14km next to the lake. The feeling in the stomach and hamstrings was still there, but everything was fine. By this point the runners where already spread out and settled into their paces.
We kept running, stayed with the Maurten plan and having a gel every 6 kilometers. Nutrition stations where frequent as well.
Reached Half-Marathon point, all went well, but from this point I started comparing myself to how I felt in Bilbao and expected the same outcome, since the first half is easy. We still had 3km till the turning point and pace wasn't changing which was a good sign, but I constantly though this is a trap.
We reach the turning point, it has a small uphill, I slow down a bit on my way up. My friend runs next to my shoulder and say "come on, let go", I stick with him, this is also the point where we need to take 4th gel, he goes for the Coffee gel and with 25th km he opens up, thinks it is second-wind and starts talking to a lot of people from our 3h group. I kept to myself not saying a word just using my hands to talk, since I didn't want to mess up my breathing and put unnecessary stress and risk failing faster. The thoughts also went to Bilbao and though how I felt, I realized I feel better then I did there, but still not having confidence that I will go all the way, since the hardest part is still ahead. Few kilometers later my mate says he is feeling great as well and thinks he could push faster, but holds himself back.
Comes 30th km my first coffee gel, at this some confidence that I will do it comes up, legs feel good compared to Bilbaos 30th km, but there still is a bit less then 1h to go, it all still can go sideways. I tell myself to stick with the group until 38th km when we are back in the city and then push if there is anything in the tank. Around this time weather got worse, some stronger rain started, but luckily for a brief moment, by 35th km it was gone.
We're at 36th km and I am full of confidence that I got this. I take my last gel, run through the nutrition station and with 36.5km I pick up the pace to around 4:00/km. Few meter ahead of the group I look back to see if my friend also picked up the pace, but he didn't. I am catching up with other runners, I am passing them and feeling great. There is now some more headwind since I don't have people in front, but that is not bothering me.
I get in the city, still holding the pace.
Around 40th km I start to get emotional, I know that even if I break down now, I got this I will have a sub3 marathon. I hold the emotions back and continue running. 41st km is my fastest at 3:55/km Last km I just enjoy it, I feel great, thinking I didn't have to encourage myself a single time this race, I felt strong and it wasn't a torture, I am smiling.
Finish, I jump up and hit my heels together its 2:58:04 on my watch when I stop it. I am happy. (later I see that I did negative splits first half 1:29:09, second 1:28:54)
I step to the side and look at the people who are coming and the clock. Few seconds later I see my friend, the clock is still in 2:58. I get even happier. He crosses at 2:58:47, I rush to him and we congratulate each other on the achievement.

Post-race

In the finishing zone we got the foil blankets and our medals. As we leave the finishing zone, the friend meets his wife and lets his emotions go, I get a bit emotional one the side as well, but held it together. I see that my friend is relieved, I am smiling, we're all having a good time and slowly moving towards the bag drop-off zone. But then it started raining cats and dogs, the blankets was just a slight protection. We are just happy that we don't have to run in this weather, since the Half Marathon runners just went in and there are still a good amount of people running the Marathon.
We get our bags, friends changes in a toilet, but I though I will wait until we are somewhere with a roof and a heater. But shortly after in recovery tent I change as well. Got my phone as well and the rain had stopped, I call my wife and as I call emotions take me over, she picks up and I can't say a single word. With a cry-e voice I say hi, she asks me something, but I can't reply, fighting the urge to break down, thinking if I let go, I won't be able to stop and talk. I squeeze out few cry-e words and I am able to talk for a bit but being on the edge. We talk for a bit, but then I wasn't able to feel medal around my neck, I might have left it in the recovery tent, I say good-bye and rush to my friend to say I lost my medal, but luckily I had just put it my bag.
We walk to pasta place for some beer and pizza and celebrate, beer tasted excellent. We were receiving from our club members on our achievements and it was just euphoric.
Best part was that we weren't getting any cramps, we were able to walk normally.
The next day the same, walking wasn't a problem, the legs just felt like they had a harder workout not the zombie legs that I was used to after each marathon.

Afterthough

On Monday evening I returned, finally seeing my wife and being able to hug her. This whole time I can't stop smiling, even now walking the dog I realized how lite I felt, how energized.
This marathon was my 4th try to go sub 3 and I finally got there. And the whole thing is more enjoyable that I did it with a close friend, I felt lite and strong. I haven't felt this great after a marathon since my first marathon which was in 2018.
Made with a new race report generator created by herumph.
submitted by Kunkulis to running [link] [comments]

2024.04.23 16:39 wet_day_timetable [SPOILERS] WWE Raw - April 22nd, 2024 - WDT Promo Ratings

WWE Raw - April 22nd, 2024 - WDT Promo Ratings

Ratings: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee - 2.5 STARS Jey Uso and Damian Priest - 3.25 STARS Damian Priest, Dom Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Santos Escobar - 2.75 STARS Imperium and the New Day - 2.75 STARS Andrade - 1.5 STARS Drew McIntyre and Sheamus - 3.5 STARS Sami Zayn and Bronson Reed - 1.75 STARS Chad Gable and the Alpha Academy - 3.25 STARS Ricochet and Dom Mysterio - 2.5 STARS Nia Jax - 2.5 STARS Zooey Stark - 2.75 STARS Indi Hartwell, Candice LeRae, Becky Lynch, Maxxine - 3.75 STARS Michael Cole and Pat McAfee Location: In-Ring Recap and Thoughts: This was an unusual way to open Raw, but I'm a fan. The show opened with a graphic of the Womens WHC with the text "DEVELOPING STORY", to find Michael Cole and Pat McAfee in the ring, giving a break down of what's going to be on tonight's show, with two championship defenses on the card. Cole tells us that Rhea had to vacate her championship due to injury, and they'll be crowning a new Women's World Champion in a battle royal. As Cole and Pat are explaining this and hyping it up in the ring, there is a giant red on screen graphic with large text reading "DEVELOPING STORY". The big text in all capitals helps you understand that this is important. To be a nit picking asshole, I have to say this is a very liberal use of the term "DEVELOPING STORY" from a journalistic perspective. And this will not be the only questionable journalism to occur on the show tonight (more on that later). A "developing story" refers to an ongoing news event or situation that is still unfolding and evolving, with new details and information emerging over time. It indicates that the full facts and circumstances surrounding the event are not yet known or confirmed, and the news coverage is being updated continuously as more information becomes available. By this definition, all stories within the WWE are "DEVELOPING". Heck, they should've just had that giant "DEVELOPING STORY" graphic on screen permanently when Cody debuted at Mania two years ago, only removing it at Mania XL. We then got a recap video of Rhea relinquishing her title due to injury. Once the video is over, we get a graphic of the competitors in the battle royal, and we see Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch arriving at the arena. Guess who the final two competitors in the battle royal will be? Either way, this wasn't really a promo, but I think it's important to highlight the pacing change here. In previous weeks, Raw has just begun with footage of competitors arriving at the arena, before cutting to our first promo or match of the evening. In a way, I enjoyed Pat and Cole in ring introducing the headline story of tonight's show. In a way, it provides people tuning in with a reason to keep watching until the main event. It just helps the show feel a bit more structured. FWIW, I'm also a fan of how Collision does something similar. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.5⭐ Jey Uso and Damian Priest Location: Backstage Recap and Thoughts: As Jey made his way to the ring, Pat McAfee sung along the following words to Jey's song: "I WALKED FROM THE RING HERE, NOW I'M BLOWN UP, NOW YEET MYSELF" Ok! Jey begins by saying, "I said Backlash is in two weeks. I said Backlash is in two weeks." Crowd: "YEET" "So I got a lot to prove." Crowd: "YEET" "Prove to the world" Crowd: "YEET" "Who I say I am" Crowd: "YEET" "Main event" Crowd: "YEET" "Jey" Crowd: "YEET" "Uso" Crowd: "YEET" I didn't think I'd be saying this, but Jey Uso has taken far more than we'd like to admit from Stone Cold. People give LA Knight a hard time for taking influence from the Rock and Austin, but the way Jey employs the "YEET" chants reminds me an awful lot of Austin - just re-wrapped in modern packaging that appeals to terminally TikTok'ed individuals. Before Jey can even get into saying anything of substance, he's interrupted by Damian Priest. While we got a vignette building him up last week, Damian has a long, long, long way to go before he feels believable as champion. Priest says that Jey's whole presentation, the yeet, the vibe etc, it suits him, and congratulates him. Priest remembers that the two of them went to war last year, and begins his promo with a worky shoot, saying that he's going to tell a story about one specific night that the public isn't aware of. Before he continues, you can smell this from a mile away: Priest is gonna cut a baby face-esque promo, but then show his true heel colours with a punchline. Let's see how this unfolds. Priest remembers that there was one night that Jey whooped his ass so bad that Priest went up to him in the locker room and said that he earned Priest's respect. This is why Priest asked Jey to be in the Judgement Day. I entirely forgot Jey was asked to join JD, but I like this little reminder for continuities sake. After this, they went out and drank on Priest tab. He says that it was an expensive night, as Jey had become accustomed to the Bloodline drinks budget. Jey confirms that it was expensive by saying he also took an Uber. This got a chuckle out of me. Priest remembered that Jey said that himself and Priest were next - as in, they were about to step up into the main event scene. Priest acknowledges that Jey was right ... well, half right. It was Priest who was next. Oh ho! What a twist, Senor Priest. It's no "I prayed for this and it happened" level of face to heel twist, but it's fine enough for Priest. He goes on to say that Jey will just be the first in line of opponents fed to him by the machine on his lengthy title reign. Jey stops him and tells Priest to take it easy. Priest wonders what Jey could possibly say to him. Jey says that Priest may only see him as another tag team guy, and just an Uso. I had to go back and watch this, because Damian did not say that at all. I'm not sure where Jey got the idea that Priest only saw him as another tag team guy and just another Uso. Feels like an awful lot of projection from Jey there, and almost nonsensical if you were following the promo at all. Wrestling promos can be so stupid sometimes Jey continues his bizarre false accusations of being referred to as just another tag team guy, and says it's tall talk coming from the leader of the Judgement Day. Jey says the only reason Damian is the leader of JD is because Rhea got hurt, before capping it with a "Tell Mami I said Hi!". This whole time, Priest is actually laughing and I suspect he might have even been breaking for real. It wasn't until that Jey called Priest "Dom Mysterio's bitch" that he cracked. Jey says that Priest made himself champ, but Jey isn't going to be fed to Priest. Priest is going to be fed to Jey. The two stare off, and JD McDonagh enters the ring. JD goes to super kick McDonagh, but hits Priest by accident, waving Priest off while shouting "My bad". If you told me two years ago Damian Priest and Jey Uso would be leading the WHC title story, I wouldn't believe you. This promo was good - but I say that with a massive caveat: it was good relative to the respective abilities of Jey Uso and Priest. That's to say: it was good for a Priest promo, and it was good for a Jey promo. Is this a great story with terrific promos on the same scale as Drew McIntyre and Punk, or Cody and Rock? No. But for a filler feud for the B-Show that Backlash is panning out to be? Yeah, it's entertaining enough. I think it's worth watching for the simple fact that it is absolutely bizarre to see Jey Uso and Damian Priest engaging in a 5+ minute promo segment to open Raw in a WHC storyline. Should you watch?: Yes ✅️ ⭐ RATING: 3.25 ⭐ Damian Priest, Dom Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Santos Escobar Location: Judgement Den Recap and Thoughts: Backstage in the Judgement Den, JD is complaining to Priest that Jey is talking shit about Dom, Rhea and hurting their reputation. Priest says he never asked for McDonagh's help last week or this week. Despite not asking for his help, Priest notes that JD failed in both his attempts to help. Priest is pissed and McDonagh apologises. Dom appears with his arm in a sling, accompanied Santos, resulting in a now fiery Priest asking about what the hell is going on. Dom says that he was supposed to tag with JD against Andrade and Ricochet, but he got a little banged up, and he's getting Santos to return the favour he did for him at Mania by getting him to tag with JD. Dom says that he's already gotten the OK from Pearce, asking JD to ask, "Did you talk to me?" Santos asks if it's a problem. Priest says clearly it is a problem. Santos says that they don't have to worry about him. Dom apologises to Priest. Priest cuts him off and tells him to handle his business. Sensing the tension, McDonagh tells Priest that they'll handle "Judgement Day business", and Priest tells him, "Handle YOUR business". It appears the story we'll be getting with the Judgement Day moving forward is that Rhea's absence will create a power vacuum in the group, and Priest is naturally trying to assume the position as leader, with his new WHC giving him seniority and authority. There's a lot of potential in this story, and I enjoyed Priest's passion in his delivery in this segment. I even enjoyed McDonagh as an apologetic turd! However, the other week, we saw a re-invigorated Dom, who was sashaying through his promos with such a natural confidence. In this segment, he felt insanely scripted and robotic. I don't know what happened but it was a disappointing showing from Dom. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.75 ⭐ Imperium and the New Day Location: In-Ring Recap and Thoughts: When we last saw a Gunther promo, it was pre-Mania. He was wearing a suit, bringing a sense of professionalism and pride to the IC belt. Here, we see him dressed down in more casual attire, wearing a simple navy sweater and jeans. He still looks great, but this feels like a conscious dress choice to sell his current position. He begins by saying that the crowd might expect him to take cheap shots at Sami, but he assures us that that won't be happening. He says he elevated the IC title to heights never seen before, and became the greatest champion in the belts illustrious history. However, this means that for two years, he was walking around with a target on his back, with pressure and expectations. Gunther thanks Sami for lifting this weight, allowing him to do what he wants. Of course, it wouldn't be an episode of WWE programming in April 2024 without a mention that it's a new era! Gunther establishes that he wants to embed his name into this new era, and announces his entry in the King of the Ring. Once he wins that, he will then decide which championship he wishes to pursue. He sends a warning to all champions, noting that they will be targeted, and hunted by a challenge who not only wins titles, but someone who holds onto them longer than everyone else. He notes that while he is currently the General of the Ring, he will soon be King of the Ring. If a wrestler is in Gunther's position of being a record breaking title holder, it will always be a daunting task to cut the first promo following your defeat. I think this was excellent, in Gunther maintained his respect of the ring and title by being gracious in defeat towards Sami. His integrity remained in tact as he also plotted a clear outline of his immediate future. Simple, yet effective stuff. As he winds down, the New Day's music hits. Woods tells them to sound the alarm, which prompts Kofi to let out one of the funniest noises I've ever heard in a promo from a wrestler. It is a difficult sound to describe. I am captivated by this endeavour of Kofi attempting to replicate the piercing wail of this hypothetical alarm that Woods has described. It's a valiant effort, but the sound coming from Kofi ventures into the territory of comedic brilliance, as it straddles this fine line between approximation and caricature. I fucking lost it at this, and it wasn't even key to the promo. Kofi agrees with Gunther in noting that it is indeed a new era. He continues to ask, what better way to usher in a new era, than with our boys, the New Day. Woods reminds us that he is the reigning and defending King of the Ring. If I were Woods, I wouldn't be proud of that "achievement". The accolade of winning King of the Ring is an embarrassment. Where previous winners would once take immense pride in such a victory, for years now, the King of the Ring prize has been reduced to a: "Congratulations: You've won yourself a gimmick where you wear a comical crown and speak in a British accent". However, Woods does good with the material he has, and calls Gunther a "usurper" to his throne, and boasts that he'll become two time King of the Ring. Kofi tells Woods to repeat this three times for emphasis. Gunther tells them to be realistic, and says that he will re-establish the image of the tournament, where as Woods will be remembered as the guy who won by accident, and embarrassed himself by covering himself with gold. The New Day then mock Gunther with a terrific crowd sing along of "Where your gold at, Gunther? Where your gold at?" Childish, but extremely catchy and entertaining. Gunther tells Vinci and Kaiser to take care of this and Woods reacts in a way that leads me to believe he is a mind reading savant: "No! We fought them so much already!" He's right. No one wants to see that feud re-ignited. Despite this, Woods says they'll handle it at King of the Ring. However, Woods says that if Vinci and Kaiser want a match tonight, then they'll happily beat them. Let me get this straight: Woods openly admits and complains that no one wants to see Imperium feud with the New Day again, yet immediately proceeds to suggest that they have a match?! EUGHHH. Even worse, Michael Cole says on commentary, "I wanna see the renewal of this great rivalry!" Great rivalry?! Eugh. I mean, it was fine at best. It was perhaps the bare minimum of what a mid-card tag feud without the belts should be. The highlight of that rivalry was learning that Kaiser is an underrated terrier. A beast capable of immense violence with his post match beat downs. We were reminded of that brilliance in his post match beat down of Vinci. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.75 ⭐ Andrade Location: Pre-Tape Recap and Thoughts: Andrade tells us to be careful of what we hear about somebody, as we might be hearing it from the problem? Not the most sage of wisdom, but sure. He says he is many things, but the one thing he is not is someone's fool. We get a recap of Andrade betraying Judgement Day to help Rey. Look, the reality is this: we had a match of Rey and Dragon Lee vs Dom and Santos. WWE pulled a sloppy as shit last minute audible, running an audible to replace Dragon Lee with Andrade. This recap here tries to reframe what happened within the last month as some "This was the plan all along!" energy. The story we're being told in this segment is that Andrade was recruited by Judgement Day, with an offer of making him a member if he helped them. However, Andrade says that he didn't betray them, and asks, "How can you pressure someone when from the beginning they were never loyal." He says the Judgement Day didn't want to do business with him; they wanted a servant. As a result, Andrade claims to be their biggest problem. Look, if we're to buy into this narrative, then it kind of makes little to no sense. If we believe what's being told, then the story is as follows: Judgement Day and Dom teased hints with Andrade. They didn't hint at anything solid, but just had Andrade lingering around with the possibility of "something". Interestingly, Dragon Lee got the night before Wrestlemania and the plans were changed, with Andrade betraying the previous hints established with Dom to team with Rey. With that done, we're now being told that Andrade did betray them. He did this because he realised they were trying to make him work for the Judgement Day. And now, as a result of that, he's going to make their life hell. So, in this scenario: Andrade appears multiple times to say hello to Dom -> Andrade says here he never intended to be loyal, and if this is true, why the fuck was he doing "business" with them -> he then realised JD wanted to use him as a "servant" -> this makes Andrade look like an idiot -> and because he was being used as a pawn, he now wants revenge on Judgement Day. You're free to have whatever opinions you want, I firmly believe that this is a shit story. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 1.5 ⭐ Drew McIntyre and Sheamus Location: In-Ring Recap and Thoughts: Before we get to this promo, we need to continue to highlight the absolute one that Cole and Pat were on for this episode. Here is an exchange that occurred while Drew made his way to the ring: Pat: He is our former world champion. That's gonna get forgotten in the storyline, because of how jaded he is. Five minutes, this man was champion in front of fans. Cole: Five minutes could be considered a long time Pat: I'd say Cole: Wait till you get to my age Pat: Amen brother, I think I'm getting there closer every day Chants of "CM Punk" fill the arena as Drew takes his Punk inspired cross legged seat in the middle of the ring, and reminds the camera man again to not shoot up his kilt, calling him a "perv". Drew asks the crowd why they insist on chanting Punks name. He reminds the crowd that there's piles of evidence to suggest that Punk hates the fans. Drew asks if we've ever loved something so much that doesn't love you back as much. This is a metaphor Drew's relationship with professional wrestling, which gets an annoying "What?" chant from the crowd. He quickly shuts this shit down with immense class, "Say What if you french kiss your cousins?", which the crowd stupidly falls for. He continues to say that this crowd doesn't understand complex relationships, as the most complex relationship they've had is with their right hand. Drew admits he could sit there and complain all night about how he got attacked by Punk, resulting in Priest to cash in like a coward. Furthermore, his victory in the #1 contender fatal four way was compromised by Punk beneath the ring. However, Drew says that he'll come out swinging, and off handidly mentions he has his eye on King of the Ring. He is quickly interrupted by Sheamus, who is wearing a more flattering pair of black trunks this week. Sheamus says he doesn't understand why Drew is complaining about how everyone's a coward. As he enters the ring, he lets out a hilarious and quick, "Hi, by the way" to the crowd. Once in the ring, Sheamus says that he sees a man who won't take responsibility for his own mistakes. Some might say that that makes Drew a coward. He stops himself to ask Drew if he's going to continue sitting, which prompts Drew to stand up, noting that the relationship the two have had at least warrants the respect to stand face to face. Sheamus continues to remind us that for the last four years, all he's heard from Drew is how he got robbed of his Wrestlemania moment due to COVID. However, at Mania 40, Drew got his moment in front of a live crowd, with his wife and brother being in attendance. Sheamus then notes that Drew blew it over some social media spat. If it weren't for a meme and a t-shirt, Sheamus notes that Drew would be standing in the ring as champion. He reminds Drew that they're friends, having "banger after banger after banger" etc, and tells Drew the hard truth: "A one armed CM Punk kicked your arse" Drew says that Sheamus knows better than anybody what Punk did to him as a kid. Drew paces and says that if Sheamus wants to give hard truths and air dirty laundry in a public forum, he's more than happy to oblige. He says that before Sheamus was injured, it was "banger after banger after banger", but since he's returned, it looks more like "burger after burger after burger". This is further proof that our favourite wrestlers can sometimes be as terminally online as us. While I'm not a fan of a body shaming promo, to his credit, Sheamus takes this in good humour. Sheamus says that he's been watching WWE while he's been off, and he admits that Drew's gotten good at those one liners. This is true. Sheamus says he deserves that, and I don't really know if he does? I don't think Sheamus deserves that at all. There's a whole conversation here about body image, and I'm not going to go into it, but Sheamus shouldn't have said "I deserve that". However, his rebuttal is well placed, "I can lose the weight, you can't lose stupid", but ultimately feels a bit like a playground insult. Sheamus says that Drew shouldn't blame everyone for his own mistakes. Drew snaps back saying it is everybody else's mistakes. "Burger after burger, the ginger pillsbury doug boy, flubber man", those aren't Drews words, those are the guys in the back during Sheamus' match last week, and Drew was standing up for him. Sheamus screams that he doesn't care, but Drew does, because he's Sheamus' friend. Drew says that he tells the truth, because he's Sheamus' only friend here. He says that where he once fought, and enjoyed a pint afterwards, he now only fights if it's worthwhile. Drew admits that his friendship with Sheamus isn't worthwhile, but he'll still be there for him. He finishes in saying he'll watch Sheamus' match and "watch your back", which Pat pointed out that it felt a bit suspicious. This was a good promo with a lot of entertainment value. There were a lot of cheap shots, with the "burger after burger" lines and the other fat jokes. That's all low hanging fruit, even if they were delivered craftily. The story here was also kind of elegantly simple: the two are old friends, Sheamus has been injured, while he's been out, Drew's become a dick, and Sheamus has returned to find his friend become a self-deluded dickhead. It's simple and a great way to integrate Sheamus back into the show. Should you watch?: Yes ✅️ ⭐ RATING: 3.5 ⭐ Sami Zayn and Bronson Reed Location: Interviewed backstage by Cathy Kelley Recap and Thoughts: Cathy Kelley asks Sami how he feels about Gable's betrayal from last week. Sami says that he feels angry and hurt, but he's biting his tongue. He heard Chad's going to go out and address what he did, to which Sami will be listening. However, Sami doesn't see how Chad could defend his actions. Bronson appears from behind Sami and tells him to not worry about Chad, as he has bigger problems to deal with. Sami holds the belt to Reed's face, and says he'll defend it any time, any place. Reed leaves, and Cathy goes to continue with a question, when Reed returns to attack Sami. With Sami down, Reed screams in Sami's face, "I told you, if I want the championship, I will take it". I don't really understand Reed's thinking here. He approached Sami, and Sami told him that he'd be happy to defend the title to Reed any time and any place. Reed then returns to beat down on Sami, and says "I'll take it". I already don't like Reed as a promo. He feels like some terrible caricature who just spits out whatever scripted lines he's told without a second though. You could argue this segment was effective at making Reed look strong, as he violently beat down on Sami, but that doesn't feel right at all. His character hasn't really been about mindless violence for the sake of violence. Last week, Bronson had a segment with Chad saying that regardless of who wins, they won't be champion for long, as the winner will have to answer to him. This segment just made Reed look stupid. Sami happily told him he'd give him a shot at the belt. And as a result, he just attacked Sami and said he'll take the title. Ok? Bronson has just been lurking in the wings, wanting an IC title shot. This isn't personal at all, by Reed's own admission. Yet despite being told he wants he will get a title shot from Sami, he attacks Sami anyway? It's like if a child asked their parent for an ice cream. The parent said sure, you can get your ice cream whenever you want. Then the child throws a tantrum and kicks the parent in the shins. Look, it kind of makes sense? But it feels poorly articulated. Sami was his fine self in this segment, but this just felt very weak overall. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 1.75 ⭐ Chad Gable and the Alpha Academy Location: In-Ring Recap and Thoughts: Gable appears in a suit in the ring, being re-inforced by Tozawa, Otis and Maxxine. He admits that Sami has had a rough couple of weeks, but at least what he did to Sami was justified. Chad recaps last week, framing it as the hometown hero defending his belt, and walking out of champion. Following their match, Sami found Gable in the corner weeping, and placed the championship disrespectfully in front of Gable's face. Gable believes he was graceful in defeat, even going as far to raise Sami's hand in victory. However, Sami took it too far, taking the belt down to his wife at ringside, knowing Gable was right there. Gable said that it was his moment, and it should've been him at Wrestlemania, and it should have been him hugging his daughter in the front row. He blames his loss on the fact that he's been wasting his time not only training Sami, but also a "bunch of freakin' losers", referring to Akira, Otis and Maxxine behind him. He looks to a wincing Tozawa, encouraging Akira to defend himself. Gable accurately points out that each week, Tozawa comes out, does his dance, and racks up loss after loss. Where's the lie? Gable continues to Maxxine, calling her pretty as a princess, but dumb as a box of rocks. He says he's given her everything, but has gotten nothing in return. Finally, he turns to Otis and says "Don't get me started on you", referring to him sarcastically as his "prized pupil". Gable calls Otis the biggest disappointment of them all, but doesn't quite give a reason as to why. However, there's a silver lining here apparently. Gable says that this kind of honest feedback is the reason they signed up for the Academy, and they can't be upset at him for this. From now on, they're all going to focus on Gable, urging them to help him win his Intercontinental Championship together, no matter what. He forces the beaten Academy members to say "No matter what", forcing the words from a meek Otis. It seems like a pretty obvious story moving forward: Gable will beat down the morale of Otis, Tozawa and Maxxine > he'll be disappointed in them no matter what they do > they'll get beaten down by the Creed Brothers who will replace them. I'm enjoying this story, and while it might be a little obvious to see where it's going, Gable is a brilliant shit of a heel. Should you watch?: Yes ✅️ ⭐ RATING: 3.25 ⭐ Ricochet and Dom Mysterio Location: Backstage Recap and Thoughts: Ricochet is doing squats backstage when Dom appears with a "Well, well, well, Ricochet!" Dom says that it's lucky he's injured or else ... Ricochet cuts him off with a, "Yeah yeah, you would've shown me what happens you step to Judgement Day" Ricochet says that no one on the roster is more upset that Dom is injured than himself, as he was really looking forward to beating him. He says that he and Andrade will have to settle with JD and Santos. Ricochet pivots to tell Dom to pass a message to McDonagh, telling him that he'll see him for their Speed match, where Ricochet will further embarass him, because Ricochet is "like that". Is this a new catchphrase for Ricochet? I don't recall him ever saying that as a catchphrase. It's fine, I guess? Ricochet walks off, and Dom shakes off some of his roboticness by adopting a bully-ish tone, "Yeah yeah, keep walking, RICK-OH-SHAY" Dom turns to face Liv Morgan. The two stare off and we go to an ad break. A whatever segment, but I do like the tease of Dom and Liv. What could happen here? Is Dom just simply mad at Liv for injuring Mami? Could Liv perhaps steal Dom from Rhea? Intrigue! Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.5 ⭐ Nia Jax Location: Backstage Recap and Thoughts: Let's see if Lil Miss "There's Two Kinds of People" can redeem herself. As a reminder, when we cut to Ricochet backstage in the last segment, it was set up as though he was just doing squats and preparing for his match, when Dom appeared. That was the reason for that promo. In this segment, we don't find Nia doing squats. Instead, we see her standing by herself, talking to herself. In fact, if I didn't know any better, it looked like she was rehearsing her promo?? I could be wrong on that, but if she wasn't rehearsing her promo, then what the hell was she doing? She then begins to actually speak audibly, saying that there is an all star women battle royal for the championship with 14 women. To Nia, this means there are 13 women and 1 monster, and she's "that monster". She's going to terrorise each and every one of them, and she's going to eliminate them one by one by one, until she's the last woman standing, becoming the champ. This was just a simple exposition segment to promote the battle royal. To Nia's credit, this was much better than last week, but it was just fine, given the context. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.5 ⭐ Zooey Stark Location: Pre-Taped Vignette Recap and Thoughts: Weird, wasn't expecting a Zooey segment. I like Zooey! In fact, she's the perfect reason for WWE to trash those Women Tag Team Belts and making a Womens Mid-Card IC/US Belt! Zooey says that it's been a year since she's been drafted, and reminds us of her accomplishments in that year. She says she was told to sit in the corner, watch, learn and be patient. She admits she did not take this advice, and instead, she sent Trish Stratus packing, she beat Becky Lynch clean, she was inches from winning the Money in the Bank, and she was close to beating Rhea at Survivor Series for the belt. However, she's just getting started. I totally forgot that she had a match with Rhea at Survivor Series. Yeah, make a Womens mid-card belt ASAP. Zooey's good! Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.75 ⭐ Indi Hartwell, Candice LeRae, Becky Lynch, Maxxine Location: Backstage, single take shot Recap and Thoughts: Backstage, Jackie Redmond is interviewing Candice and Indie. Jackie says that while Candice and Indi have arguably used "underhanded" techniques in previous weeks, in tonight's battle royal, it's every woman for themselves. Indi says that it wasn't underhanded, but Candice cuts her off to clarify that they don't have to defend themselves. Before they can continue, an insanely loud commotion can be heard off screen. Jackie ReDmond does her journalistic duty in running over, where we see Nia and Liv being pulled apart from referees and officials as they scuffle before the match. Jackie says "Michael Cole, as you can see, emotions are running high back here, tensions are...", when she's interrupted by Becky Lynch. Becky says that there's definitely a lot to report on, but the Man wears many hats, and ask Jackie if she'd mind if she'd try out one more, and takes the mic to report on the scene backstage. This was fucking hilarious if you breakdown the logic of what happened here: Jackie Redmond left an interview to report on a chaotic brawl backstage. From a journalistic point of view, this was probably the right move, as getting footage on a "developing story" as it happens live is pretty important for a journalist. While arguably rude to Candice and Indi, that interview could always happen later. However, as Jackie is trying to report on the scene unfolding before her, Becky Lynch appears. Becky says that Jackie is doing a bang up job, but asks if she could try her hand at reporting. Jackie says "Please", and puts her hands on her hips, overwhelmed at the fight that's broken out. I hate to say that, but if Jackie Redmond is overwhelmed by a backstage fight, so much so that she relinquishes her job to an unqualified rookie in Becky Lynch, then maybe she shouldn't be a wrestling "journalist". Now, the logic of this segment is even funnier, because Becky Lynch is an even WORSE journalist. Becky said she wanted to try her hat as a journalist, and what's Becky's first instinct as a journalist? Well, to LEAVE THE SCENE OF THE FIGHT UNFOLDING BACKSTAGE?! Becky immediately walks off, saying that it's chaos back here, but it's about to get more chaotic in the ring, as they're about to have their battle royal match for the womens WHC. As she says this, she walks past Maxxine who is preparing. Becky walks back and approaches Maxxine, asking her if it's her first time fighting for a championship. Maxxine nods, and Becky gives her a short but sweet pep talk, telling her to show everybody that it won't be her last title shot. Becky continues walking, and says that it isn't ideal as to how they got to this position of the Battle Royal, but assures Rhea that once she's recovered, Becky will be ready. The single shot follows Becky into gorilla where we spy William Regal, Road Dogg and Triple H, before she goes out to the stage. This segment was fucking hilarious in how stupidly entertaining it was. Becky's a treasure. Should you watch?: Yes ✅️ ⭐ RATING: 3.75 ⭐ TL;DR / Show Notes: • "I WALKED FROM THE RING HERE, NOW I'M BLOWN UP, NOW YEET MYSELF" are words that Pat McAffee sang along to Jey Uso's theme this evening. • Jey Uso's use of the Yeet chants reminds me of "What?" era Austin circa 2002-ish. • With Seth and Cody currently away from Raw, this leaves Jey Uso as the top baby face of Monday Night's. This isn't talked about enough. I would argue the top heel on the show is currently Drew, and that's incredibly telling, since the WHC, Damien Priest, is meant to be a heel. • Xavier Woods openly said no one wants to see Imperium fight with New Day again, and then immediately suggested that they have another match. Ok! • If Jackie Redmond is overwhelmed by a backstage fight, so much so that she relinquishes her job to an unqualified rookie in Becky Lynch, then maybe she shouldn't be a wrestling "journalist". • If Jackie Redmond is a terrible journalist, then Becky Lynch is even worse. She immediately left the scene of the backstage fight she had just asked to cover. • I love Kaiser. And from the crowds "Holy Shit" chants? The crowd fucking loves him too. I genuinely believe Kaiser would make a better WHC than Priest. Of course, Kaiser hasn't been built up within the kayfabe of weekly WWE programming, but I firmly believe he has more appeal, skill, promo ability, presence and viciousness than Priest by a significant margin. His character is so well rounded and complete. It's confident and so self-assured. There's little to no question as to how this character acts in kayfabe. Meanwhile, Priest has an aura of self-doubt, which was no doubt solidifed by months of failed cash ins and pathetic attempts to posit himself as a leader of the Judgement Day. Even just in the way Kaiser lightly saunters around the ring demonstrates infinitely more character than Priest has ever shown. In his post match beat down of Vinci, he does so many brilliant little things with his body language that are convey his character perfectly. I'll even break them down: he holds up his hands to indicate a "Ok, I'll stop beating this dude up! I get it", as he walks off, he mean mugs the beaten corpse of Vinci, he puts on a face to indicate to the officials that he understands he may have gone a little too far, he then offers a little smirk to show he's proud of his actions, he dusts his hands off, and he lightly wipes his jaw and lips to show that he walked away from the beat down with relative easy. What do these numbers mean? These star ratings are based off a combination of factors. Some of these include, but are not limited to: • The content of what the wrestler is saying • Their delivery of what their saying (acting) • The story surrounding the promo, and whether the promo furthers the story, or creates further intrigue/resolve for the greater story • The location, production value • A crowds investment
0 Stars: Dog Shit Bad 1 Stars: Do better 2 Stars: Fine - right down the middle. It served its purpose, but was neither phenomenal or terrible. It just was. 3 Stars: Good 4 Stars: Great 5 Stars: All-Timer Hall of Fame Promo
Should You Watch? Yes ✅️ - If you can't catch the whole show, go out of your way to watch this. Depends ↔️ - If you can't watch the whole show, you can give or take this segment. If you're particular invested in the superstars in this segment or the overall story, it might benefit you to watch. No ❌ - If you can't watch the whole show, don't bother going out of your way to watch this segment.
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2024.04.23 16:36 wet_day_timetable [SPOILERS] WWE Raw - WDT Promo Ratings - April 22nd, 2024

WWE Raw - April 22nd, 2024 - WDT Promo Ratings

Ratings: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee - 2.5 STARS Jey Uso and Damian Priest - 3.25 STARS Damian Priest, Dom Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Santos Escobar - 2.75 STARS Imperium and the New Day - 2.75 STARS Andrade - 1.5 STARS Drew McIntyre and Sheamus - 3.5 STARS Sami Zayn and Bronson Reed - 1.75 STARS Chad Gable and the Alpha Academy - 3.25 STARS Ricochet and Dom Mysterio - 2.5 STARS Nia Jax - 2.5 STARS Zooey Stark - 2.75 STARS Indi Hartwell, Candice LeRae, Becky Lynch, Maxxine - 3.75 STARS
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee Location: In-Ring Recap and Thoughts: This was an unusual way to open Raw, but I'm a fan.
The show opened with a graphic of the Womens WHC with the text "DEVELOPING STORY", to find Michael Cole and Pat McAfee in the ring, giving a break down of what's going to be on tonight's show, with two championship defenses on the card. Cole tells us that Rhea had to vacate her championship due to injury, and they'll be crowning a new Women's World Champion in a battle royal.
As Cole and Pat are explaining this and hyping it up in the ring, there is a giant red on screen graphic with large text reading "DEVELOPING STORY".
The big text in all capitals helps you understand that this is important. To be a nit picking asshole, I have to say this is a very liberal use of the term "DEVELOPING STORY" from a journalistic perspective. And this will not be the only questionable journalism to occur on the show tonight (more on that later).
A "developing story" refers to an ongoing news event or situation that is still unfolding and evolving, with new details and information emerging over time.
It indicates that the full facts and circumstances surrounding the event are not yet known or confirmed, and the news coverage is being updated continuously as more information becomes available.
By this definition, all stories within the WWE are "DEVELOPING". Heck, they should've just had that giant "DEVELOPING STORY" graphic on screen permanently when Cody debuted at Mania two years ago, only removing it at Mania XL.
We then got a recap video of Rhea relinquishing her title due to injury. Once the video is over, we get a graphic of the competitors in the battle royal, and we see Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch arriving at the arena. Guess who the final two competitors in the battle royal will be?
Either way, this wasn't really a promo, but I think it's important to highlight the pacing change here. In previous weeks, Raw has just begun with footage of competitors arriving at the arena, before cutting to our first promo or match of the evening.
In a way, I enjoyed Pat and Cole in ring introducing the headline story of tonight's show. In a way, it provides people tuning in with a reason to keep watching until the main event. It just helps the show feel a bit more structured. FWIW, I'm also a fan of how Collision does something similar. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.5⭐
Jey Uso and Damian Priest Location: Backstage Recap and Thoughts: As Jey made his way to the ring, Pat McAfee sung along the following words to Jey's song: "I WALKED FROM THE RING HERE, NOW I'M BLOWN UP, NOW YEET MYSELF"
Ok!
Jey begins by saying,
"I said Backlash is in two weeks. I said Backlash is in two weeks."
Crowd: "YEET"
"So I got a lot to prove."
Crowd: "YEET"
"Prove to the world"
Crowd: "YEET"
"Who I say I am"
Crowd: "YEET"
"Main event"
Crowd: "YEET"
"Jey"
Crowd: "YEET"
"Uso"
Crowd: "YEET"
I didn't think I'd be saying this, but Jey Uso has taken far more than we'd like to admit from Stone Cold. People give LA Knight a hard time for taking influence from the Rock and Austin, but the way Jey employs the "YEET" chants reminds me an awful lot of Austin - just re-wrapped in modern packaging that appeals to terminally TikTok'ed individuals.
Before Jey can even get into saying anything of substance, he's interrupted by Damian Priest.
While we got a vignette building him up last week, Damian has a long, long, long way to go before he feels believable as champion.
Priest says that Jey's whole presentation, the yeet, the vibe etc, it suits him, and congratulates him. Priest remembers that the two of them went to war last year, and begins his promo with a worky shoot, saying that he's going to tell a story about one specific night that the public isn't aware of.
Before he continues, you can smell this from a mile away: Priest is gonna cut a baby face-esque promo, but then show his true heel colours with a punchline. Let's see how this unfolds.
Priest remembers that there was one night that Jey whooped his ass so bad that Priest went up to him in the locker room and said that he earned Priest's respect. This is why Priest asked Jey to be in the Judgement Day. I entirely forgot Jey was asked to join JD, but I like this little reminder for continuities sake.
After this, they went out and drank on Priest tab. He says that it was an expensive night, as Jey had become accustomed to the Bloodline drinks budget. Jey confirms that it was expensive by saying he also took an Uber. This got a chuckle out of me.
Priest remembered that Jey said that himself and Priest were next - as in, they were about to step up into the main event scene.
Priest acknowledges that Jey was right ... well, half right. It was Priest who was next. Oh ho! What a twist, Senor Priest.
It's no "I prayed for this and it happened" level of face to heel twist, but it's fine enough for Priest.
He goes on to say that Jey will just be the first in line of opponents fed to him by the machine on his lengthy title reign.
Jey stops him and tells Priest to take it easy. Priest wonders what Jey could possibly say to him.
Jey says that Priest may only see him as another tag team guy, and just an Uso.
I had to go back and watch this, because Damian did not say that at all. I'm not sure where Jey got the idea that Priest only saw him as another tag team guy and just another Uso. Feels like an awful lot of projection from Jey there, and almost nonsensical if you were following the promo at all. Wrestling promos can be so stupid sometimes
Jey continues his bizarre false accusations of being referred to as just another tag team guy, and says it's tall talk coming from the leader of the Judgement Day. Jey says the only reason Damian is the leader of JD is because Rhea got hurt, before capping it with a "Tell Mami I said Hi!".
This whole time, Priest is actually laughing and I suspect he might have even been breaking for real.
It wasn't until that Jey called Priest "Dom Mysterio's bitch" that he cracked.
Jey says that Priest made himself champ, but Jey isn't going to be fed to Priest. Priest is going to be fed to Jey.
The two stare off, and JD McDonagh enters the ring. JD goes to super kick McDonagh, but hits Priest by accident, waving Priest off while shouting "My bad".
If you told me two years ago Damian Priest and Jey Uso would be leading the WHC title story, I wouldn't believe you. This promo was good - but I say that with a massive caveat: it was good relative to the respective abilities of Jey Uso and Priest. That's to say: it was good for a Priest promo, and it was good for a Jey promo. Is this a great story with terrific promos on the same scale as Drew McIntyre and Punk, or Cody and Rock? No. But for a filler feud for the B-Show that Backlash is panning out to be? Yeah, it's entertaining enough.
I think it's worth watching for the simple fact that it is absolutely bizarre to see Jey Uso and Damian Priest engaging in a 5+ minute promo segment to open Raw in a WHC storyline. Should you watch?: Yes ✅️ ⭐ RATING: 3.25 ⭐
Damian Priest, Dom Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Santos Escobar Location: Judgement Den Recap and Thoughts: Backstage in the Judgement Den, JD is complaining to Priest that Jey is talking shit about Dom, Rhea and hurting their reputation.
Priest says he never asked for McDonagh's help last week or this week. Despite not asking for his help, Priest notes that JD failed in both his attempts to help. Priest is pissed and McDonagh apologises.
Dom appears with his arm in a sling, accompanied Santos, resulting in a now fiery Priest asking about what the hell is going on.
Dom says that he was supposed to tag with JD against Andrade and Ricochet, but he got a little banged up, and he's getting Santos to return the favour he did for him at Mania by getting him to tag with JD. Dom says that he's already gotten the OK from Pearce, asking JD to ask, "Did you talk to me?"
Santos asks if it's a problem. Priest says clearly it is a problem. Santos says that they don't have to worry about him.
Dom apologises to Priest. Priest cuts him off and tells him to handle his business. Sensing the tension, McDonagh tells Priest that they'll handle "Judgement Day business", and Priest tells him, "Handle YOUR business".
It appears the story we'll be getting with the Judgement Day moving forward is that Rhea's absence will create a power vacuum in the group, and Priest is naturally trying to assume the position as leader, with his new WHC giving him seniority and authority.
There's a lot of potential in this story, and I enjoyed Priest's passion in his delivery in this segment. I even enjoyed McDonagh as an apologetic turd!
However, the other week, we saw a re-invigorated Dom, who was sashaying through his promos with such a natural confidence. In this segment, he felt insanely scripted and robotic. I don't know what happened but it was a disappointing showing from Dom. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.75 ⭐
Imperium and the New Day Location: In-Ring Recap and Thoughts: When we last saw a Gunther promo, it was pre-Mania. He was wearing a suit, bringing a sense of professionalism and pride to the IC belt. Here, we see him dressed down in more casual attire, wearing a simple navy sweater and jeans. He still looks great, but this feels like a conscious dress choice to sell his current position.
He begins by saying that the crowd might expect him to take cheap shots at Sami, but he assures us that that won't be happening. He says he elevated the IC title to heights never seen before, and became the greatest champion in the belts illustrious history.
However, this means that for two years, he was walking around with a target on his back, with pressure and expectations. Gunther thanks Sami for lifting this weight, allowing him to do what he wants.
Of course, it wouldn't be an episode of WWE programming in April 2024 without a mention that it's a new era! Gunther establishes that he wants to embed his name into this new era, and announces his entry in the King of the Ring. Once he wins that, he will then decide which championship he wishes to pursue.
He sends a warning to all champions, noting that they will be targeted, and hunted by a challenge who not only wins titles, but someone who holds onto them longer than everyone else.
He notes that while he is currently the General of the Ring, he will soon be King of the Ring.
If a wrestler is in Gunther's position of being a record breaking title holder, it will always be a daunting task to cut the first promo following your defeat. I think this was excellent, in Gunther maintained his respect of the ring and title by being gracious in defeat towards Sami. His integrity remained in tact as he also plotted a clear outline of his immediate future. Simple, yet effective stuff.
As he winds down, the New Day's music hits.
Woods tells them to sound the alarm, which prompts Kofi to let out one of the funniest noises I've ever heard in a promo from a wrestler. It is a difficult sound to describe. I am captivated by this endeavour of Kofi attempting to replicate the piercing wail of this hypothetical alarm that Woods has described. It's a valiant effort, but the sound coming from Kofi ventures into the territory of comedic brilliance, as it straddles this fine line between approximation and caricature. I fucking lost it at this, and it wasn't even key to the promo.
Kofi agrees with Gunther in noting that it is indeed a new era. He continues to ask, what better way to usher in a new era, than with our boys, the New Day.
Woods reminds us that he is the reigning and defending King of the Ring. If I were Woods, I wouldn't be proud of that "achievement". The accolade of winning King of the Ring is an embarrassment. Where previous winners would once take immense pride in such a victory, for years now, the King of the Ring prize has been reduced to a: "Congratulations: You've won yourself a gimmick where you wear a comical crown and speak in a British accent".
However, Woods does good with the material he has, and calls Gunther a "usurper" to his throne, and boasts that he'll become two time King of the Ring. Kofi tells Woods to repeat this three times for emphasis.
Gunther tells them to be realistic, and says that he will re-establish the image of the tournament, where as Woods will be remembered as the guy who won by accident, and embarrassed himself by covering himself with gold.
The New Day then mock Gunther with a terrific crowd sing along of "Where your gold at, Gunther? Where your gold at?" Childish, but extremely catchy and entertaining.
Gunther tells Vinci and Kaiser to take care of this and Woods reacts in a way that leads me to believe he is a mind reading savant: "No! We fought them so much already!"
He's right. No one wants to see that feud re-ignited.
Despite this, Woods says they'll handle it at King of the Ring. However, Woods says that if Vinci and Kaiser want a match tonight, then they'll happily beat them.
Let me get this straight: Woods openly admits and complains that no one wants to see Imperium feud with the New Day again, yet immediately proceeds to suggest that they have a match?! EUGHHH.
Even worse, Michael Cole says on commentary, "I wanna see the renewal of this great rivalry!"
Great rivalry?! Eugh. I mean, it was fine at best. It was perhaps the bare minimum of what a mid-card tag feud without the belts should be.
The highlight of that rivalry was learning that Kaiser is an underrated terrier. A beast capable of immense violence with his post match beat downs.
We were reminded of that brilliance in his post match beat down of Vinci. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.75 ⭐
Andrade Location: Pre-Tape Recap and Thoughts: Andrade tells us to be careful of what we hear about somebody, as we might be hearing it from the problem?
Not the most sage of wisdom, but sure.
He says he is many things, but the one thing he is not is someone's fool.
We get a recap of Andrade betraying Judgement Day to help Rey. Look, the reality is this: we had a match of Rey and Dragon Lee vs Dom and Santos. WWE pulled a sloppy as shit last minute audible, running an audible to replace Dragon Lee with Andrade.
This recap here tries to reframe what happened within the last month as some "This was the plan all along!" energy.
The story we're being told in this segment is that Andrade was recruited by Judgement Day, with an offer of making him a member if he helped them. However, Andrade says that he didn't betray them, and asks, "How can you pressure someone when from the beginning they were never loyal."
He says the Judgement Day didn't want to do business with him; they wanted a servant.
As a result, Andrade claims to be their biggest problem.
Look, if we're to buy into this narrative, then it kind of makes little to no sense. If we believe what's being told, then the story is as follows:
Judgement Day and Dom teased hints with Andrade. They didn't hint at anything solid, but just had Andrade lingering around with the possibility of "something". Interestingly, Dragon Lee got the night before Wrestlemania and the plans were changed, with Andrade betraying the previous hints established with Dom to team with Rey. With that done, we're now being told that Andrade did betray them. He did this because he realised they were trying to make him work for the Judgement Day. And now, as a result of that, he's going to make their life hell.
So, in this scenario: Andrade appears multiple times to say hello to Dom -> Andrade says here he never intended to be loyal, and if this is true, why the fuck was he doing "business" with them -> he then realised JD wanted to use him as a "servant" -> this makes Andrade look like an idiot -> and because he was being used as a pawn, he now wants revenge on Judgement Day.
You're free to have whatever opinions you want, I firmly believe that this is a shit story. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 1.5 ⭐
Drew McIntyre and Sheamus Location: In-Ring Recap and Thoughts: Before we get to this promo, we need to continue to highlight the absolute one that Cole and Pat were on for this episode. Here is an exchange that occurred while Drew made his way to the ring:
Pat: He is our former world champion. That's gonna get forgotten in the storyline, because of how jaded he is. Five minutes, this man was champion in front of fans.
Cole: Five minutes could be considered a long time
Pat: I'd say
Cole: Wait till you get to my age
Pat: Amen brother, I think I'm getting there closer every day
Chants of "CM Punk" fill the arena as Drew takes his Punk inspired cross legged seat in the middle of the ring, and reminds the camera man again to not shoot up his kilt, calling him a "perv".
Drew asks the crowd why they insist on chanting Punks name. He reminds the crowd that there's piles of evidence to suggest that Punk hates the fans.
Drew asks if we've ever loved something so much that doesn't love you back as much. This is a metaphor Drew's relationship with professional wrestling, which gets an annoying "What?" chant from the crowd.
He quickly shuts this shit down with immense class, "Say What if you french kiss your cousins?", which the crowd stupidly falls for.
He continues to say that this crowd doesn't understand complex relationships, as the most complex relationship they've had is with their right hand.
Drew admits he could sit there and complain all night about how he got attacked by Punk, resulting in Priest to cash in like a coward. Furthermore, his victory in the #1 contender fatal four way was compromised by Punk beneath the ring.
However, Drew says that he'll come out swinging, and off handidly mentions he has his eye on King of the Ring.
He is quickly interrupted by Sheamus, who is wearing a more flattering pair of black trunks this week.
Sheamus says he doesn't understand why Drew is complaining about how everyone's a coward. As he enters the ring, he lets out a hilarious and quick, "Hi, by the way" to the crowd.
Once in the ring, Sheamus says that he sees a man who won't take responsibility for his own mistakes. Some might say that that makes Drew a coward. He stops himself to ask Drew if he's going to continue sitting, which prompts Drew to stand up, noting that the relationship the two have had at least warrants the respect to stand face to face.
Sheamus continues to remind us that for the last four years, all he's heard from Drew is how he got robbed of his Wrestlemania moment due to COVID. However, at Mania 40, Drew got his moment in front of a live crowd, with his wife and brother being in attendance. Sheamus then notes that Drew blew it over some social media spat. If it weren't for a meme and a t-shirt, Sheamus notes that Drew would be standing in the ring as champion.
He reminds Drew that they're friends, having "banger after banger after banger" etc, and tells Drew the hard truth: "A one armed CM Punk kicked your arse"
Drew says that Sheamus knows better than anybody what Punk did to him as a kid. Drew paces and says that if Sheamus wants to give hard truths and air dirty laundry in a public forum, he's more than happy to oblige.
He says that before Sheamus was injured, it was "banger after banger after banger", but since he's returned, it looks more like "burger after burger after burger". This is further proof that our favourite wrestlers can sometimes be as terminally online as us.
While I'm not a fan of a body shaming promo, to his credit, Sheamus takes this in good humour. Sheamus says that he's been watching WWE while he's been off, and he admits that Drew's gotten good at those one liners. This is true. Sheamus says he deserves that, and I don't really know if he does? I don't think Sheamus deserves that at all. There's a whole conversation here about body image, and I'm not going to go into it, but Sheamus shouldn't have said "I deserve that".
However, his rebuttal is well placed, "I can lose the weight, you can't lose stupid", but ultimately feels a bit like a playground insult.
Sheamus says that Drew shouldn't blame everyone for his own mistakes. Drew snaps back saying it is everybody else's mistakes.
"Burger after burger, the ginger pillsbury doug boy, flubber man", those aren't Drews words, those are the guys in the back during Sheamus' match last week, and Drew was standing up for him.
Sheamus screams that he doesn't care, but Drew does, because he's Sheamus' friend. Drew says that he tells the truth, because he's Sheamus' only friend here. He says that where he once fought, and enjoyed a pint afterwards, he now only fights if it's worthwhile. Drew admits that his friendship with Sheamus isn't worthwhile, but he'll still be there for him. He finishes in saying he'll watch Sheamus' match and "watch your back", which Pat pointed out that it felt a bit suspicious.
This was a good promo with a lot of entertainment value. There were a lot of cheap shots, with the "burger after burger" lines and the other fat jokes. That's all low hanging fruit, even if they were delivered craftily.
The story here was also kind of elegantly simple: the two are old friends, Sheamus has been injured, while he's been out, Drew's become a dick, and Sheamus has returned to find his friend become a self-deluded dickhead. It's simple and a great way to integrate Sheamus back into the show. Should you watch?: Yes ✅️ ⭐ RATING: 3.5 ⭐
Sami Zayn and Bronson Reed Location: Interviewed backstage by Cathy Kelley Recap and Thoughts: Cathy Kelley asks Sami how he feels about Gable's betrayal from last week. Sami says that he feels angry and hurt, but he's biting his tongue. He heard Chad's going to go out and address what he did, to which Sami will be listening. However, Sami doesn't see how Chad could defend his actions.
Bronson appears from behind Sami and tells him to not worry about Chad, as he has bigger problems to deal with. Sami holds the belt to Reed's face, and says he'll defend it any time, any place.
Reed leaves, and Cathy goes to continue with a question, when Reed returns to attack Sami.
With Sami down, Reed screams in Sami's face, "I told you, if I want the championship, I will take it".
I don't really understand Reed's thinking here. He approached Sami, and Sami told him that he'd be happy to defend the title to Reed any time and any place. Reed then returns to beat down on Sami, and says "I'll take it".
I already don't like Reed as a promo. He feels like some terrible caricature who just spits out whatever scripted lines he's told without a second though. You could argue this segment was effective at making Reed look strong, as he violently beat down on Sami, but that doesn't feel right at all. His character hasn't really been about mindless violence for the sake of violence.
Last week, Bronson had a segment with Chad saying that regardless of who wins, they won't be champion for long, as the winner will have to answer to him.
This segment just made Reed look stupid. Sami happily told him he'd give him a shot at the belt. And as a result, he just attacked Sami and said he'll take the title. Ok? Bronson has just been lurking in the wings, wanting an IC title shot. This isn't personal at all, by Reed's own admission. Yet despite being told he wants he will get a title shot from Sami, he attacks Sami anyway? It's like if a child asked their parent for an ice cream. The parent said sure, you can get your ice cream whenever you want. Then the child throws a tantrum and kicks the parent in the shins.
Look, it kind of makes sense? But it feels poorly articulated. Sami was his fine self in this segment, but this just felt very weak overall. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 1.75 ⭐
Chad Gable and the Alpha Academy Location: In-Ring Recap and Thoughts: Gable appears in a suit in the ring, being re-inforced by Tozawa, Otis and Maxxine.
He admits that Sami has had a rough couple of weeks, but at least what he did to Sami was justified.
Chad recaps last week, framing it as the hometown hero defending his belt, and walking out of champion.
Following their match, Sami found Gable in the corner weeping, and placed the championship disrespectfully in front of Gable's face. Gable believes he was graceful in defeat, even going as far to raise Sami's hand in victory. However, Sami took it too far, taking the belt down to his wife at ringside, knowing Gable was right there.
Gable said that it was his moment, and it should've been him at Wrestlemania, and it should have been him hugging his daughter in the front row. He blames his loss on the fact that he's been wasting his time not only training Sami, but also a "bunch of freakin' losers", referring to Akira, Otis and Maxxine behind him.
He looks to a wincing Tozawa, encouraging Akira to defend himself. Gable accurately points out that each week, Tozawa comes out, does his dance, and racks up loss after loss. Where's the lie? Gable continues to Maxxine, calling her pretty as a princess, but dumb as a box of rocks. He says he's given her everything, but has gotten nothing in return. Finally, he turns to Otis and says "Don't get me started on you", referring to him sarcastically as his "prized pupil".
Gable calls Otis the biggest disappointment of them all, but doesn't quite give a reason as to why.
However, there's a silver lining here apparently. Gable says that this kind of honest feedback is the reason they signed up for the Academy, and they can't be upset at him for this. From now on, they're all going to focus on Gable, urging them to help him win his Intercontinental Championship together, no matter what.
He forces the beaten Academy members to say "No matter what", forcing the words from a meek Otis.
It seems like a pretty obvious story moving forward: Gable will beat down the morale of Otis, Tozawa and Maxxine > he'll be disappointed in them no matter what they do > they'll get beaten down by the Creed Brothers who will replace them.
I'm enjoying this story, and while it might be a little obvious to see where it's going, Gable is a brilliant shit of a heel. Should you watch?: Yes ✅️ ⭐ RATING: 3.25 ⭐
Ricochet and Dom Mysterio Location: Backstage Recap and Thoughts: Ricochet is doing squats backstage when Dom appears with a "Well, well, well, Ricochet!"
Dom says that it's lucky he's injured or else ...
Ricochet cuts him off with a, "Yeah yeah, you would've shown me what happens you step to Judgement Day"
Ricochet says that no one on the roster is more upset that Dom is injured than himself, as he was really looking forward to beating him.
He says that he and Andrade will have to settle with JD and Santos. Ricochet pivots to tell Dom to pass a message to McDonagh, telling him that he'll see him for their Speed match, where Ricochet will further embarass him, because Ricochet is "like that".
Is this a new catchphrase for Ricochet? I don't recall him ever saying that as a catchphrase. It's fine, I guess?
Ricochet walks off, and Dom shakes off some of his roboticness by adopting a bully-ish tone, "Yeah yeah, keep walking, RICK-OH-SHAY"
Dom turns to face Liv Morgan. The two stare off and we go to an ad break.
A whatever segment, but I do like the tease of Dom and Liv. What could happen here? Is Dom just simply mad at Liv for injuring Mami? Could Liv perhaps steal Dom from Rhea? Intrigue! Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.5 ⭐
Nia Jax Location: Backstage Recap and Thoughts: Let's see if Lil Miss "There's Two Kinds of People" can redeem herself.
As a reminder, when we cut to Ricochet backstage in the last segment, it was set up as though he was just doing squats and preparing for his match, when Dom appeared. That was the reason for that promo.
In this segment, we don't find Nia doing squats. Instead, we see her standing by herself, talking to herself. In fact, if I didn't know any better, it looked like she was rehearsing her promo?? I could be wrong on that, but if she wasn't rehearsing her promo, then what the hell was she doing?
She then begins to actually speak audibly, saying that there is an all star women battle royal for the championship with 14 women. To Nia, this means there are 13 women and 1 monster, and she's "that monster". She's going to terrorise each and every one of them, and she's going to eliminate them one by one by one, until she's the last woman standing, becoming the champ.
This was just a simple exposition segment to promote the battle royal. To Nia's credit, this was much better than last week, but it was just fine, given the context. Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.5 ⭐
Zooey Stark Location: Pre-Taped Vignette Recap and Thoughts: Weird, wasn't expecting a Zooey segment. I like Zooey! In fact, she's the perfect reason for WWE to trash those Women Tag Team Belts and making a Womens Mid-Card IC/US Belt!
Zooey says that it's been a year since she's been drafted, and reminds us of her accomplishments in that year. She says she was told to sit in the corner, watch, learn and be patient. She admits she did not take this advice, and instead, she sent Trish Stratus packing, she beat Becky Lynch clean, she was inches from winning the Money in the Bank, and she was close to beating Rhea at Survivor Series for the belt.
However, she's just getting started.
I totally forgot that she had a match with Rhea at Survivor Series.
Yeah, make a Womens mid-card belt ASAP. Zooey's good! Should you watch?: No ❌ ⭐ RATING: 2.75 ⭐
Indi Hartwell, Candice LeRae, Becky Lynch, Maxxine Location: Backstage, single take shot Recap and Thoughts: Backstage, Jackie Redmond is interviewing Candice and Indie. Jackie says that while Candice and Indi have arguably used "underhanded" techniques in previous weeks, in tonight's battle royal, it's every woman for themselves. Indi says that it wasn't underhanded, but Candice cuts her off to clarify that they don't have to defend themselves. Before they can continue, an insanely loud commotion can be heard off screen.
Jackie ReDmond does her journalistic duty in running over, where we see Nia and Liv being pulled apart from referees and officials as they scuffle before the match.
Jackie says "Michael Cole, as you can see, emotions are running high back here, tensions are...", when she's interrupted by Becky Lynch.
Becky says that there's definitely a lot to report on, but the Man wears many hats, and ask Jackie if she'd mind if she'd try out one more, and takes the mic to report on the scene backstage.
This was fucking hilarious if you breakdown the logic of what happened here:
Jackie Redmond left an interview to report on a chaotic brawl backstage. From a journalistic point of view, this was probably the right move, as getting footage on a "developing story" as it happens live is pretty important for a journalist. While arguably rude to Candice and Indi, that interview could always happen later.
However, as Jackie is trying to report on the scene unfolding before her, Becky Lynch appears.
Becky says that Jackie is doing a bang up job, but asks if she could try her hand at reporting. Jackie says "Please", and puts her hands on her hips, overwhelmed at the fight that's broken out.
I hate to say that, but if Jackie Redmond is overwhelmed by a backstage fight, so much so that she relinquishes her job to an unqualified rookie in Becky Lynch, then maybe she shouldn't be a wrestling "journalist".
Now, the logic of this segment is even funnier, because Becky Lynch is an even WORSE journalist. Becky said she wanted to try her hat as a journalist, and what's Becky's first instinct as a journalist? Well, to LEAVE THE SCENE OF THE FIGHT UNFOLDING BACKSTAGE?!
Becky immediately walks off, saying that it's chaos back here, but it's about to get more chaotic in the ring, as they're about to have their battle royal match for the womens WHC.
As she says this, she walks past Maxxine who is preparing. Becky walks back and approaches Maxxine, asking her if it's her first time fighting for a championship. Maxxine nods, and Becky gives her a short but sweet pep talk, telling her to show everybody that it won't be her last title shot.
Becky continues walking, and says that it isn't ideal as to how they got to this position of the Battle Royal, but assures Rhea that once she's recovered, Becky will be ready.
The single shot follows Becky into gorilla where we spy William Regal, Road Dogg and Triple H, before she goes out to the stage.
This segment was fucking hilarious in how stupidly entertaining it was. Becky's a treasure. Should you watch?: Yes ✅️ ⭐ RATING: 3.75 ⭐
TL;DR / Show Notes: • "I WALKED FROM THE RING HERE, NOW I'M BLOWN UP, NOW YEET MYSELF" are words that Pat McAffee sang along to Jey Uso's theme this evening.
• Jey Uso's use of the Yeet chants reminds me of "What?" era Austin circa 2002-ish.
• With Seth and Cody currently away from Raw, this leaves Jey Uso as the top baby face of Monday Night's. This isn't talked about enough. I would argue the top heel on the show is currently Drew, and that's incredibly telling, since the WHC, Damien Priest, is meant to be a heel.
• Xavier Woods openly said no one wants to see Imperium fight with New Day again, and then immediately suggested that they have another match. Ok!
• If Jackie Redmond is overwhelmed by a backstage fight, so much so that she relinquishes her job to an unqualified rookie in Becky Lynch, then maybe she shouldn't be a wrestling "journalist".
• If Jackie Redmond is a terrible journalist, then Becky Lynch is even worse. She immediately left the scene of the backstage fight she had just asked to cover.
• I love Kaiser. And from the crowds "Holy Shit" chants? The crowd fucking loves him too.
I genuinely believe Kaiser would make a better WHC than Priest. Of course, Kaiser hasn't been built up within the kayfabe of weekly WWE programming, but I firmly believe he has more appeal, skill, promo ability, presence and viciousness than Priest by a significant margin. His character is so well rounded and complete. It's confident and so self-assured. There's little to no question as to how this character acts in kayfabe. Meanwhile, Priest has an aura of self-doubt, which was no doubt solidifed by months of failed cash ins and pathetic attempts to posit himself as a leader of the Judgement Day.
Even just in the way Kaiser lightly saunters around the ring demonstrates infinitely more character than Priest has ever shown.
In his post match beat down of Vinci, he does so many brilliant little things with his body language that are convey his character perfectly. I'll even break them down: he holds up his hands to indicate a "Ok, I'll stop beating this dude up! I get it", as he walks off, he mean mugs the beaten corpse of Vinci, he puts on a face to indicate to the officials that he understands he may have gone a little too far, he then offers a little smirk to show he's proud of his actions, he dusts his hands off, and he lightly wipes his jaw and lips to show that he walked away from the beat down with relative easy.
What do these numbers mean? These star ratings are based off a combination of factors. Some of these include, but are not limited to: • The content of what the wrestler is saying • Their delivery of what their saying (acting) • The story surrounding the promo, and whether the promo furthers the story, or creates further intrigue/resolve for the greater story • The location, production value • A crowds investment 0 Stars: Dog Shit Bad 1 Stars: Do better 2 Stars: Fine - right down the middle. It served its purpose, but was neither phenomenal or terrible. It just was. 3 Stars: Good 4 Stars: Great 5 Stars: All-Timer Hall of Fame Promo Should You Watch? Yes ✅️ - If you can't catch the whole show, go out of your way to watch this. Depends ↔️ - If you can't watch the whole show, you can give or take this segment. If you're particular invested in the superstars in this segment or the overall story, it might benefit you to watch. No ❌ - If you can't watch the whole show, don't bother going out of your way to watch this segment.
submitted by wet_day_timetable to SquaredCircle [link] [comments]

2024.04.23 05:27 Affectionate-Ant3683 Passed with overall AT (AT/T/T)!

I am thrilled to share that I passed with AT/T/T and an overall score of AT. I wanted to pay it forward to future PMP aspirants with tips, resources, and my overall PMP exam day experience. I would not have passed the PMP exam on my first try (April 21, 2024) without this community and this is my way of showing gratitude.
I received my provisional pass within minutes of completing the exam and received the breakdown with the domains within 24 hours.
I spent about 6 weeks studying: 2 hours each weekday and about 5 to 6 hours on the weekends both days. I booked the exam as soon as my application was approved.
TLDR:
Detailed Post: There are so many great reddit posts and I implore you to research and find the posts that suit your study style, work/life situation, and PM knowledge. Here are some of the tips I would like to share from my experience:
General Resources:
I did the 15 question mini exams about 2-3 times each prior to taking the full length practice exams. Then about a month later, I took each mini exam 2 more times before retaking the full length practice exams. I completed my second attempt for the full length practice exams during the week prior to my actual exam so as to not remember the questions and practice the PM Mindset.
I found that SH practice exams typically would ask about 4 to 5 questions that were Difficult / Expert then revert to an Easy or Moderate question. Again, DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED and power through the question with the PM Mindset.
I found that the SH Practice Questions were oddly specific and really just killed my confidence as it was unlikely that they would ask these questions in the exam. I would still recommend doing them but don't focus too much on specific concepts but more on the PM mindset to answer the questions.
IMO, if you study nothing else but the SH questions and full practice exams, you will pass the PMP. The verbiage and the style of questions are similar to the actual PMP exam but the actual exam is noticeably HARDER than the SH practice questions / exams. It is the single best resource I can recommend out of all of the material I studied. The questions in the actual exam are all unique and are closer to the Difficult / Expert / a few Moderate level questions so keep that in mind when you practice.
YouTube Resources:
Exam Day Experience:
I took the exam at a Pearson Vue centre as my apartment building is notorious for having fire alarms so I did not want it to interfere with my exam. I arrived about 40 mins prior to my exam time but due to the centre only having one attendant, I wasn't seated for about 40 mins. The exam didn't start until I was seated so I wasn't too stressed about starting at the prescribed time.
The centre has lockers and a separate room where you can keep your snacks for the two prescribed exam breaks. They provided me with ear plugs too which was helpful as there were some noises during the exam. Overall, it was a good exam centre and the temperature wasn't too hot or too cold during the exam.
Sorry for the long read and again - thank you to this community for helping me pass. I hope this post helps you future PMP aspirants, good luck et bonne chance!
submitted by Affectionate-Ant3683 to pmp [link] [comments]

2024.04.23 04:42 guymanbob Dragonflight - Season 4 - Mythic+ Retrospective - The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Now that Season 3 is at its end, and we've had enough time to really digest everything that did and didn't work about the current dungeon pool and class balance,
I thought I'd break down my thoughts on the fun stuff, the trash stuff, and the stuff that can be frustrating or look bad, but there's perhaps a little more nuance with. (Which is what I'm categorizing as "Ugly").
I'm interested to hear your thoughts as well and I think it's always valuable to put this type of feedback out so Blizzard can keep their finger on the pulse of what players are enjoying and what they're hating.

The Good

  1. Big Pulls - From a DPS perspective, there were a lot of good dungeons that you could just blast in. I know every damage dealer is salivating when you're wrangling up the first pull in Throne of Tides, Galakrond’s Fall, and almost every pull of Everbloom and just watching those damage numbers soar. Obviously there can be downsides to this on a Bursting or Bolstering week, but affixes are a topic of their own. The pull size and pull variety in dungeons really highlighted the strengths of different damage profiles that I found consistently satisfying. Outside of a few specifics issues with certain specs, it was a great dungeon pull to be a DPS. And perfectly executing those pulls as a tank was often very satisfying, every run pushing to see if you could pull even more and still survive.
  2. Reuse Of Old Content - The reception on reworking old dungeons for Mythic+ has been mixed, but overall I think it is the best direction they can take to keep up the excellent content cadence of this expansion. I felt like the gameplay of Throne of the Tides was solid and didn’t feel as archaic as it could have. I have some complaints about the first boss, but I feel like if they can keep reworking old dungeons to this caliber or better we will be getting a lot of great and unique Mythic+ seasons for years to come.
  3. Talent Reworks Are Good - I’m sure some people will be upset to see me be positive about talent reworks as they tend to come out overtuned and become Flavor of the Month classes. But firstly, I think it is considerably worse to release a rework undertuned and no one plays it so that you learn nothing about the health of the tree. And secondly, I think it’s obvious that they are just getting better at making these trees. It seems like every time they rework a broken talent tree, the new version has learned a lot of lessons and actually implemented solutions.
  4. The Aug Situation - Once again, after season two, some people would be happier to see Augmentation Evoker removed from the game than to have them in a healthy state. However, I think they did an excellent job at resolving one of the biggest issues with Augmentation last season. Which was that Aug provided more damage than any other class on top of all the survivability and utility it brought. Now they are by far one of the lowest DPS output classes, and bringing them actually provides you with a choice between DPS and survivability. You could argue the spiky damage of this season made them still feel required at higher keys, but that is decidedly not a problem with the design of Augs as a whole. And I’ll go into it a bit more when we get to….

The Bad

  1. One Shot Mechanics - This has been talked about to death, so I'll keep it short. But the amount of mechanics that are just large spikes of damage which if you don't have a defensive or external DR for, you die, is totally unacceptable. Bosses like the first one in Black Rook Hold, that has literally ONE unavoidable damage event is pretty crazy. And that a spec like Balance Druid can only hit barkskin or go bear form, but a number of classes can just totally immune half of these one shot checks is extremely unhealthy. There HAS to be a middle ground somewhere. Mixed into this mess is that there is a large amount of defensive creep in the game. And while not every class has received 4-5 personal defensive abilities, the game frequently feels tuned to require that you have them. For example you have Fire Mage, which has Mirror Image (20% DR), Cauterize (Cheat Death), Greater Invis (60% DR), Ice Cold (75% DR, full heal), Mass Barrier (Group survivability), Blazing Barrier (Personal shield, short CD), Blink (breaks stuns). Then Elemental Shaman which has Astral Shift (40% DR), Earth Elemental (15% health increase), then.... I guess Ankh? and... Healing Surge? Which gets us into my next issue.
  2. Soulbound Goliath & Random Targeting - Indisputably, the worst thing to come out of this entire season is the Soul Thorn mechanic from Soulboard Goliath. For the life of me, I can’t think of a less interactive mechanic in the game. The target of the ability is not telegraphed, so you don’t know if you need to pop a defensive or immunity before the cast finishes. And only a handful of classes have a way out or even a defensive once stunned. Then you are just meant to sit there like a moron until your teammates break you out, which can take a while if their cooldown timings don’t line up. And at higher key levels, there may be no way to keep you alive even if the healer just spams heals on you. Meanwhile mages can just BLINK OUT, EVERY TIME. Honestly… need I say more. The same sort of complaints could be said about Yazma now that they made her cast uninterruptible, Xavius with Feed the Weak, Blight of Galakrond with Corrosion. Granted, these are at least telegraphed, so you know if you will be targeted. But they happen so frequently that if you are on one of the unlucky classes that only has one or two defensives, you might just get chosen more times in a row than you have an answer to. This is just total nonsense.
  3. Lady Naz'jar & Visual Clarity - This is a smaller point. But I just have a personal hatred for the Lady Na’jar fight, and no one ever talks about it. I think the fight is just fundamentally not very fun. The way that the geysers go off when someone has Shock Blast on them which is a gigantic and extremely bright, obstructive visual is laughable on its face. And on top of that, there just aren’t a ton of classes with the tools to cleanly gather the adds, and RNGing into geysers spawning under you 5 times in a row is insufferable. The difficulty of this encounter overall is not high. But I never once enjoyed it.

The Ugly

  1. Exclusionary Affixes - There has been much discussion about Afflicted and Incorporeal, and for good reason. It is obviously frustrating that there are a large number of classes/specs that have literally no option to interact with the affixes, but to me even more frustrating that there are small changes that could be made that would significantly lower that number. Is there really any good reason that magic dispels shouldn’t work on Afflicted? Why can’t Incorps simply despawn after being Stunned or perhaps even just kicked? On top of this, I find that frequently the healer will be stuck dealing with the majority of Afflicted, but there are dungeon mechanics that require you to have your dispel available. And due to the nature of pugging, and not always having perfect class composition, you find yourself in a lot of situations where you just have to let the afflicted go off. And the consequences for this are not trivial. It feels to me like if you make the dungeons as complex as they usually are made these days, and you rotate the dungeons on a regular basis, are these affixes even necessary? And if they are, can they really be balanced? If you gave people the option, for example, to remove affixes from their key and the dungeon scales up an additional 50%. Would anyone ever put an affix on their key again? If you’re unsure about the answer to this, that should be alarming.
  2. Megadungeon as M+ - I have heard a lot of people this season groan if they had to zone into Dawn of the Infinite. Personally I don’t mind the Megadungeon as a whole. It was actually one of my favorite pieces of content last season. It has fun challenging encounters that can be a form of five man progression content, and is packed with interesting lore, flavor, weapons and trinkets. But the question is, does all of that translate into a satisfying Mythic+ dungeon? I don’t know anyone running M+ that talks about how much they love waiting for a wall to despawn, so that they can wait for another wall to despawn after that before they can continue the dungeon. Then there’s the less offensive more novel things like running the gauntlet after Tyr, clearing the sandroom to activate the portals. Stuff like this is not AWFUL, but it’s strange and maybe was worth a shot in M+, but they should really get feedback to see what the general consensus on more unusual stuff like this is. Not to mention navigating the dungeon being a real issue, the amount of backtracking and portals and time travel I don’t know how someone unfamiliar with the dungeon would understand how to move through it. But on top of those things you also have encounter design that plays much more like mini raid bosses than dungeon bosses. This is evidenced by the fact that there are a larger than normal number of mechanics that if ANY one member does not understand the mechanic, you will fail the encounter rather than just that one person dying. And I think that has been the largest contributor to people not enjoying these dungeons. The last thing I’ll note here is that they also design these encounters to be big spectacles, there are a lot of big model changes and transitions that go on with bosses that the game engine doesn't always handle well. This can cause some technical hiccups and make playing some classes totally unbearable. Two examples: When Morchie briefly turns into a dragon to do a frontal, I lose target EVERY time. And when Morchie initially splits or every time the Blight of Galakrond splits or morphs they drop ALL DoTs and Debuffs. In fact Blight of Galakrond will actually drop all DoTs and Debuffs twice every phase change. And you have to wait till he is done morphing to do anything. This makes playing any DoT spec, especially ramping DoT specs just miserable to play.
  3. Caster Heavy Dungeons - One thing that has been mostly absent from what I’ve written here so far is the tank meta. And that’s because I think it has more to do with the dungeon poll than the tanks themselves. Obviously Vengeance Demon Hunter is too strong at the moment. But I’ve seen a lot of discourse around all tanks needing the control of VDH. But I believe the largest issue with tanks like Warrior, Monk and Bear Druid this season is the fact that there are 3+ caster mobs in most pulls and a lot of them really don’t want to move, and on top of all the casters you have mobs like the Dryads in Darkheart, or the Archers in BRH, or the Goblins in Throne that just jump around everywhere. If there was less dungeons just absolutely packed with these mobs. And more dungeons that only had 1-2 casters per pull, I think the makeup of the tank meta would at least be less extreme. The second issue this causes is that caster damage is fundamentally more spikey than melee damage. Which means the disparity between a group with coordinated kicks and stops and a random group that lets everything through is MASSIVE. I can go from a +18 where I heal 50k overall and never felt like anyone was in trouble to a +18 where I’m doing 100k overall healing and I simply can’t keep up with the damage. I think they need to find a better balance point with this and at least have more variability between dungeons in the pool.
Thanks for reading everyone! I will also try to record an audio version of this for people who would rather consume it in that way. When that is done it will be linked HERE.
Whether you’re coming back for Season 4 or for Pandaria remix, or waiting for The War Within, have fun out there and good luck!
submitted by guymanbob to wow [link] [comments]

2024.04.23 01:13 steveb68 2 Questions: Bimmercode stuff & car alarm

Hey, Fellow i3 Mavens!
1) Why do I have a CEL? Will BimmerCode tell me about it or do I HAVE TO buy BimmerLink too?
I finally got a CEL 3 months into the ownership of my beloved '17 REX car.
Thought it might be something to do with gas filling even though the CEL started a week or more after I filled the REX tank(and I try NOT to overfill by running to empty then trying ONLY to put in exactly 2 gallons). Anyway, I drained the tank. Refilled with 91 octane gas(I had been using 87 to this point - it does help to read the Owner's Manual sometimes) then I dropped the charge down to less than 75% and started running the REX. Ran it to get an entire 1 of 4 clicks on the gas gauge comsumed. I hoped this process would fix the gas problem if that was it. It didn't. I still have the CEL. I own Bimmercode but haven't used it for CEL stuff, don't even know if it does that.
2) When I do the "convenience lock" by pressing my finger against the door handle lock button for 5 seconds or more, the windows close, the sunroof closes, the mirrors fold, and about 30 seconds later the car alarm can go off. It doesn't always do this(I don't think) but it seems to do it enough that I hate to lock this way and walk about from the car because it can become a noisy nuisance. Anyone know why the alarm trips? No to car movement, things touching car, etc. It just happened tonight while I was standing by the car paying at my parking meter (going to my Fav beer pub!). Any thoughts? I've searched our Forum and nothing seems obvious.
Thanks in advance for any tips you might have! ...Steve
submitted by steveb68 to BMWi3 [link] [comments]

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