YouTube video I lived almost a year in UB in 2022-2023 have seen men bikers (very impressive btw) but no women on motorcycles
So I watched the video, what do you guys think about it? =)

Hi guys I'm back with another post about how to get 10K followers fast. If you are serious about growing on TikTok and making money from it , I suggest if you go to my profile and read my previous posts you will get more value. anyways lets get back to our topic: HOW TO GET 10K FOLLOWERS FAST.
Before 5 days I posted about how you can use slideshows to get 10K followers Fast and Easy b/c you don't have to edit , voice over , write script you just get inspiration from other Tiktokers and create the slideshows. that post got 50K views and a lot of engagement. That's why today I want to add one more simple yet powerful Trick that worked for me. you can use it to grow on Tiktok super fast.
This method involves using slideshows so if you only want to post videos , I suggest to post 1 slideshow for every 4 videos you post only to get Followers.
The first step you you have to do is find an idea about your Niche you can work with , I usually follow Top accounts in my Niche and take their videos as inspiration then add my own flavor.[Trust me most PROS are doing this , no one is reinventing the wheel]
Then once you create your slideshows on the Final photo of the slideshow write a strong reason enough to make viewers click the Follow button, You can't no more say "Follow for more " in your videos. everybody is using it , Guess what, when the public is going RIGHT , it's better you if you move LEFT.
I know some of you are thinking this is simple trick and it won't work but I tried it with new account that had 13 followers and got 785 FOLLOWES, 93k VIEWS with this trick , I know some of you are under 100 followers with 20+ videos , so I think this will be very useful Hack to apply.
THE SECRET IS: You must give very strong reason for the viewer to follow you otherwise it won't work, let me tell you what I did in that post. The post was about "Top 4 movies guys Must Watch " [20% of viewers were ladies 😂 ] then at the last slide I said "If I get at least 50 Followers from this post I will post about Top finance movies to get Rich " then I got 1500% higher followers than I asked which is 785.
The Idea is : 1 I set the number low so people think it's doable so they contribute [don't say 1,000,000 followers ]
2 I clearly told them what they will get [be specific ]
3 I knew most of the viewers will be Men so obviously they will be interested in Money movies [know the psychology of your viewers]
So to benefit from this method make sure you create Call To Action that will obey the 3 LAWS OF u/dry-exercise-3446 , otherwise you won't get results.
ENOUGH WITH THEORY
My Final advice is to take Tiktok seriously, I know high school kid making $1000+ per month from the same app most people trade their Valuable Time for Nothing. You don't have to be smart and edit 2 hours for 20 second video or research about how to go Viral on YouTube for weeks without taking massive action. I read some people saying "Tiktok is going to be banned so what's the Point" , you know what even if it gets banned it will be after 1 year so what do you make some money until then.
For those of you who didn't read my past Posts , I've been in this game for 1 year and currently running Multiple faceless Tiktok accounts so if you are struggling to reach 10K and stuck on 200-1000 views, you can DM me your TikTok profile link, I will review and show you what's holding you from getting 10K followers and growing on Tiktok also suggest how to improve your videos. IT'S 100% FOR FREE. May be the problem you are facing , I faced it 1 Year ago and solved it so it will be great Time saver for you to get free review from that guy who cracked it a year ago.
BTW AS I CAN'T REVIEW EVERYONE'S ACCOUNT I ONLY ACCEPT 20 PEOPLES ACCOUNT SO DM BEFORE OTHERS TAKE THIS CHANCE.
I REALLY WANT TO SEE COMMENTS THAT SAY" I applied what you told me and I got ***** Followers " THAT'S THE IMPACT I WANT TO CREATE. GO AND MAKE AWESOME CONTENT BOYS 💪💪 💪 T

Synopsis:
"You are a monster, Adam, but you didn't choose to be. Make your first choice."\
Molded into a mindless killing machine from birth, psychic prodigy Augustus Adam makes his first real choice and frees himself from the shackles of his upbring. But it is too late.
After being tried for his crimes against humanity, he is sentenced to summary execution after a short trial. Unwilling to let his mind be studied to produce more psychics like himself, he does the only thing that ensures humanity's freedom from psychic tyranny: suicide.
Though death's embrace is sweet, it's surprisingly short as Adam awakes in an unknown forest, learning soon after that he is in a world of magic, of swords and sorcery. Accompanied by magical beasts that could flatten a mountain if they so wished, Adam sets forth into this new world, hoping to make a positive difference this time around. It was his choice, a real chance for freedom, and he wasn't about to let some demon lords, necromancers, or gods get in his way towards redemption.
***
Note:
A rewrite from a previous version, this story is a slice-of-life adventure of an young man blessed with powers but burdened by a heavy and troubled past, hoping to reconcile himself with his innate humanity. Though the premise is magic vs psychic power, I also want to explore the human heart. I believe that there is good in people, but they all need to make the choice. This story follows that line of thinking. Any and all constructive criticism is encouraged and appreciated.
Next / RoyalRoad
______
Prologue
From the moment I opened my eyes and saw the silhouettes of masked men and women looking down on my feeble body, I realized that something was wrong. I was a fully conscious and thinking mind trapped in a newborn's body. I knew not my name, nor if I ever had a life before this one, and still I recoiled from the truth laid bare before me.
It had been barely a few seconds since I emerged from that tube. I could still remember being submerged in water, my body connected to machines as it grew and matured. When I got out, I was a toddler. A baby. They checked me, ran their tests, and examined my mind.
I could remember them nodding at each other, satisfied at what they saw within me. At the time, I didn't understand their words, but now I did.
"His psychic potential is enormous. A first for the program. Make sure he survives." I remembered my mother saying. She was the leader, the head researcher of the group, and she led her team with efficiency and effectiveness.
She was my mother by blood, for she provided the egg that allowed me to form. I did not know my father, but it didn't matter. I was shaped by that woman from the moment of my conception, and controlled by her throughout my childhood. Other than that, she was nothing more to me. Nothing but a monster, a manipulative hag who shaped me into something I was not.
As I grew old, they placed me in a facility deep beneath the ground. They trained me in the ways of battle, taught me in the ways of war, and instilled upon me the obedience of a mindless drone. Despite my conscious mind, I was weak-willed and easy to manipulate. It was an ironic reality, considering that my power relied on the strength of one's will.
I knew I was being led astray, and yet it felt so good to hear their words. Their lies. The deceit.
Each year without fail they would examine my mind. They would measure my intelligence and understanding, forcing me to answer questions in all manner of subjects. Most of these subjects were beyond my child's mind to take, showing poor results that made my mother and her team frown. They hated my supposed stupidity.
Despite that, I excelled at one thing, and that thing only. Psychic powers. I remembered the first time I grabbed something with my mind. I was 2 years old, barely able to stand upright. In my frustration, I held out my hands and pulled at one of my toys in the distance. The stuffed bear moved, hurling itself towards me with surprising speed before slamming against my body. My caretaker at the time was quick to help me, but quicker still to inform my mother that it was time.
Thus began my real training. I learned how to handle my power, harnessing the potential within me. As I grew older, so did the strength I wielded. When I was 5, I destroyed a boulder with a mere clench of my hand. When I was 10, I stopped a wave of HE shells mid-air before sending them back to the tanks that fired them. When I was 15, I pulled down a warship as it descended from orbit, slamming it into the ground and leveling an entire city.
Now I was 20, cuffed and standing alone in the middle of a vast room with bright lights focused on my person. There was a device wrapped around my neck, whizzing and flickering with small lights. It was a so-called psychic dampener, a device designed to inhibit my psychic powers. It was the reason why a crowd was gathered on the nearby stands, shouting obscenities and their demands. They felt safe to do so, thinking that I was powerless.
"Death to the monster!"
"Kill him! Kill him for the demon he is!"
"Avenge our worlds!"
The courtroom was far from peaceful as it filled even more with people, all longing and clamoring for my demise. I could not blame them, and I expected justice to be swift in its judgment of my crimes.
I was a monster, there was no denying the magnitude of my crimes. Billions lay dead on my feet, their blood an ocean in which I drowned. It took me a while to realize that I was the product of a harrowing effort to create the ultimate weapon utilizing humanity's greatest asset: the mind. Specifically, it was found that a certain mutation allowed for the human brain to control reality. Unfortunately for myself, I happened to be born with the mutation. Worse yet, it was the most potent of its kind, allowing me to shatter records, and planets.
The courtroom erupted into a further uproar as the judge and jury entered the chamber, followed by a stream of additional soldiers to keep the crowd at bay. The soldiers, formerly rebels under the banner of the Colonial Freedom Movement, looked at me with disdain. A few glared with hate. Cameras pointed in my direction as flashes of light bloomed from the crowd. Journalists spoke into their microphones, reporting live for whatever network that employed them.
The presence of so many emotional humans meant that my senses were overwhelmed by the noise of human emotion. Their hate and anger were a constant stream of pain that poured into my mind with a ferocity that - if I was any weaker - would have easily killed me via an aneurysm. It felt like I was being suffocated while being nailed multiple times by a hundred hammers.
Unbearable, and yet I bore it still.
The judge came to his stand and struck down his gavel, calling the courtroom to order and silencing the crowd. All eyes were on the judge as he cleared his throat and began to speak.
"Through the powers vested in me by the Laws of the Transitionary Government for the Restoration of Humanity, I hereby begin the hearing of Augustus Adam for multiple counts of crimes against humanity and multiple counts of war crimes too long and varied to name. This court is now in session."
The session took a mere 30 minutes. Prosecutors flooded the floor with accusations and evidence to back them up. Scenes of destruction and death were projected in 3D holographic images for everyone to see. An entire list of my atrocities was read out, only for the prosecutor to claim that it was an incomplete compilation.
It was impressive to hear and see how extensively they documented my actions through the decade-long galactic civil war. My mother told me that the colonies deserved to be brought low for their rebellion, conveniently leaving out the many, many facts of repression and inequality.
The crowd grew ever restless throughout the sham trial. I felt the intense gazes as voices rose once more. Dozens of cameras zoomed on my face, trying to see if I would react in any way. I gave them a blank expression, keeping my thoughts to myself.
If I had been the person I was a few years ago, I would have collapsed the courtroom, killing everyone inside before escaping. The psychic dampener was utterly useless. It worked on other psychics, but not on me. The gap between my powers and the others with the same power was so wide it's almost imperceptible.
But I was not my mother's son anymore. I was alone, and I felt regret. Regret for my crimes. Regret for not realizing sooner the monster I was becoming. Regret for not acting against it sooner. I was, indeed, a monster. However, no amount of repayment would be enough to make amends. I had to die.
Everyone knew I was guilty and my punishment had already been prepared beforehand. Immediate execution. When the show concluded, the judge and jury unanimously agreed on my punishment. I was to be put to death by firing squad, with what remained of my brain to be stored for further research. This was met with thunderous applause.
After the trial, I was led out into an open yard by the soldiers while the crowd surrounded us. Many were eager to kill me themselves. They pushed and shoved, trying their hardest to get through the wall of power-armor.
A bright sun greeted me as I looked at the sky. There were no clouds to offer shade for there was only the clear blue sky, and the collective cacophony of humanity demanding my blood.
I was left alone in the middle of the yard. My cuffs were removed while my dampener was tightened further. After that, a line of soldiers took positions several meters away in front of me. They raised their rifles and aimed their sights, but as they were about to pull the trigger, the world stopped.
A wave of psychic energy exploded from my person, destroying the psychic dampener around my neck before shoving back the crowd and soldiers.
I raised both my arms and looked at the crowd, their hateful eyes replaced by fear and horror. This was my mark on the human race, my legacy in history. I was a monster in a human's body, a dreadful existence that did not deserve to continue any longer.
I opened my fists, felt my head, and clenched.
My ears rang and my eyes blurred. The world slowed down as I felt my brain implode into itself. I subconsciously tried to fight back against my own attempt as two sides of the same power rammed against one another.
In the end, my will to die won. My final moments were grotesque. An implosion of flesh and brain matter, followed by a catastrophic explosion that left a crater where I stood, a violent result of me crushing matter too tightly together in a small space.
My mind was potent enough to know my final moments up until when the last threads of my consciousness were severed forever. What I did not expect, however, was to see my life flash before my eyes. It was as if I was reliving every single moment.
As the memories rolled, so too did my emotions boil. I felt anger and sadness, regret and horror. The human mind was capable of great calamity, drawn to destruction and even malice. But it was also capable of kindness and good deeds. In the end, what separated humans from other animals was our humanity, our inherent capacity to care and do good.
I realized this when I made a choice. My first ever free choice. The horrified look of my mother as I clenched down on her throat was a priceless sight. I freed myself from the clutches of a mad woman and struck her down, removing my chains. In doing so, I became a weapon no more. Merely a tool, a criminal, a monster.
Now I was not a slave to any other but my own hate and anger. Hate against myself. Anger against my actions. I could have, and should have, done better. The choice I made could've been done sooner. Billions would still be alive.
The sharp pain I felt was replaced by an icy chill. Eventually, coldness filled my mind and numbness overtook the rest of my body. The memories faded away, giving space for one more brief glimpse of the world I was soon to leave behind.
I saw myself splattered against the dusty ground as blood formed a pool around my soon-to-be corpse. My mind looked around one last time, using what remained of my power to see the world. The crowd looked in stunned silence. The soldiers walked towards me with weapons raised, themselves alert and cautious. Confusion fluttered within all their minds. Content, I closed my psychic sight, and allowed my consciousness to fade.
And on that empty, open field, I found my demise, surrounded by the people I wronged. Maybe in a different time, I would have lived a normal life. An unimpressive yet happy existence. A life of friendship. A protector of peace.
If only.
_____
Next / RoyalRoad

Hi,
I hope I put the right flair on, but I am honestly feeling so lost and confused as to what to do.
I am about 5 weeks pregnant right now and I have been considering my options. I am 26 and my boyfriend is 29. Our relationship is okay, very new, only 8 months along.
I have stable financials because I am on VA disability. My boyfriend does not, he has a job that doesnt pay well, however he is getting his VA claim worked through and will eventually have the same stability I do.
I didn't want a child yet, but I fell pregnant and have been back and forth in my decision between options.
I asked my boyfriend "If I stay pregnant and we broke up, would you be prepared to be a single dad?" He looked at me kind of shocked, but let out "yes?" I reminded him of all of the responsibilities and he changed his answer to no.
My boyfriend already has a child (M5) by another woman. He sees his son and talks to him sometimes, but doesn't have sole custody.
I told him I was never interested in being a single mom. Not because I hate single moms or anything, but quite the opposite. Single moms are the strongest warriors and they are full of so much strength. I am not that strong, my day gets ruined if my doordash order gets sent to the wrong address. I know I would struggle immensely being a single mom, because I struggle with my mental without any children. It's not really fair that men can walk away from their children and get off free. Meanwhile, single moms are looked down on by society and scrutinized.
My boyfriend is excited and gets disappointed when I tell him I'm still deciding my options. I don't have much time because of the changing laws. He does say he will support any decision I make.
Has anyone else ever felt this lost?
I go back and forth between wanting to have my baby because I'm at nesting age and I think it would be lovely with my current support system, and thinking that me and my boyfriend have relationships things to work out and financial issues to solve before bringing a child into this world. I was so excited to schedule my first ultrasound yesterday, but today I felt like I was losing myself and giving up everything. I feel like I should do the logical thing and make the much needed choice, but my heart already likes the tube I have growing in me. Help!

So I’m 22 and Bisexual but i have always liked men more. I’ve had a pretty crazy “spiritual awakening” evolving past life and pre birth memories. I don’t really talk about it much to people because it’s honestly weird and quite personal but I know i can’t be the only one who has had this experience. So let me start from beginning. My grandpa past away in 2020 due to Covid. At this point in my life I was really feminine, crop tops booty shorts the whole gay nine. When I my grandpa died I kinda fell down a lot of rabbit holes first one being drugs, weed became a daily habit. I stopped going to school and lost my job due to Covid so I entered period of isolation. Smoking weed everyday and just getting by, at this point I had no belief in supernatural, ghosts, universal powers all that stuff. But I was deep into the weed addiction and my family called me out pretty publicly and badly. I didn’t fight it because I knew they was right.
So I went soul searching. I started with astrology and that was a rollercoaster, learning about all the disadvantages I had in life according to my chart was honestly devastating but accurate and I studied astrology non stop for a year and that sent down more rabbit holes which was numerology which was another roller coaster but the results align perfectly with my birthchart which solidified my belief in astrology. It was like once that belief was solidified it opened spiritual doors for me. That night I had a dream about my grandfather he finally showed he self to me. He started using me as a consult or something because my wisdom was out of control the things I would say to myself and family and friends was just on a whole different level and things I didn’t understand it got so bad I became suicidal. So In order to deal with these feelings I went to past life regression. I was successful using a Brian Weiss past life regression video on YouTube. My first regression was a flash a past lovers a lot was women and a lot of them I hurt very badly. The second one was far back, i was some sort of royalty and I had my mother killed for treason. Reliving those lives took a toll on me and I attempted suicide then after because I had answer all my questions about the hardships of my current dating and my upbringing and I thought there was no hope for when my soul has done such horrible things.
During the suicide attempt I called my social worker to get some guidance and she didn’t pick up, I was about to pretty kick the bucket until she called, I rushed to the phone relieved to receive the call back. She didn’t really have to say much, her calling back was enough. After that I decided I was gonna get mentally healthy despite knowing my soul’s past. I decided to try to forgive my family for the mistreatment growing which I succeeded in. Me and my family are very close now. I started to appreciate my soul for choosing a hard life so that it can grow from its mistakes which inadvertently made me appreciate the suffering of life a lot more. So I wanted to know more I decided I was gonna past life regress again. Oh shit i forgot to mention during all of this I was going through heavy gender dysphoria. I pretty much was a “women” at this point. And a pretty one at that haha.
So during the regression I didn’t go back into any lives, I went to a memory of me choosing me. It was the most surreal thing I’ve seen! I had options and I chose me because of my disposition. My life is gonna come with certain lessons only my life can deliver. Seeing that my soul specifically chose a gay man was intentional! It needed a masculine way to heal the toxic masculinity of my past. After that I became much more comfortable with my masculinity, I started growing a beard and actually started to like how it looked on me and wasn’t disgusted. I started appreciating all of masculine qualities like my broad shoulders and deep voice all this I was insecure about.
After this transformation, I guess it was time for another, because I went through a two year phase of researching prebirth memories and past life experiences. Which eventually led me to the books “Journey of souls” “density of souls” and “wisdom of soul” I didn’t just read these books, I studied them like a pastor studies the Bible. That book validated every experience I had until this point. It talk about everything.
Now these books are extremely informative on all fronts after reading these book you wouldn’t need a read another spiritual book a day in your life. It’s all in those three books.
So with all this wisdom it has completely changed me as human being, my political beliefs are different, my sexuality is different, my gender is different. I just feel more aligned with my higher self which means I know the reason I chose my body to incarcerate in and I’m grateful and flatter my soul chose me. Because my soul maybe have a lot of karmic debt, but it’s still a joyful soul! Me and soul have lots of fun. Okay I don’t what else to say, this is all over the place, I just wanted to share my story, but didn’t feel like making a YouTube video.

For a number of reasons, Sudan has unfortunately not had the opportunity to build a sizable film industry, and the relatively few Sudanese movies that are made are often hard to find, not being publicly available and often being poorly preserved and archived.
That said, I feel like post-2019 there was a miniature Sudanese film renaissance, a proliferation in higher quality Sudanese movies and short films that, aside from winning awards, were made available on streaming services like YouTube, Vimeo On Demand, Netflix MENA, etc.
So, with that said, what are your favorite Sudanese movies, and where did you watch them?
I think my favorite is still Talking About Trees, a movie about three Sudanese filmmakers trying to open a movie theatre in Bashir-era Sudan. Despite the niche topic, I find it to be a moving story about the suppression of arts in the Bashir-era and also three elderly Sudanese men maintaining a long friendship over tumultuous political circumstances and the difficulties of political exile. I haven't seen it in a while, though, since it was on Amazon Prime when I first watched it and is no longer available on there.
The one I usually mention to people who aren't Sudanese cinephiles, though, is You Will Die at Twenty, a movie that was controversial on release but for a Westernized Sudani like myself is relatively inoffensive and is probably one of the more honest explorations of Sudanese people's relationship with religion imo. I think it's well shot, I love that it takes place in el-Gezira, I think the framework of the story is really great, I think the acting is good for a Sudanese movie but probably so-so on the greater scheme of things, and I think it actually has some really interesting things to say about sin, social pressure, superstition, etc. I also think it has a terrible ending that is the main reason I hesitate to recommend the movie or laud its praises. The ending, in a lot of ways, spoils the message and makes the movie's seeming criticism of misogyny in rural Sudan ring hollow (as the movie's treatment of Sittannisa is disturbing). That said, though, it stands out to me as a Sudanese movie because it tries to take a critical look at this part of Sudanese society, and in retrospect it's very emblematic of a lot of the revolutionary attitudes, even though it was mainly filmed before the revolution. It's a worthwhile watch, I think, even though there's a lot to criticize in its screenplay and character writing, as well as the finer points of its philosophy, but again, I haven't seen other Sudanese movies that deal with these topics, much less so frankly.
Other movies I've found memorable are Mohammed Kordofani's "Sijin al-Kajar" and "Nyerkuk," the latter of which I prefer, both being available on YouTube and being short and worth watching. There's also the work of Hajuj Kuka, he has a great documentary called "Beats of the Antonov" on music and life in the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains during the Bashir-era war there, as well as "Akasha," a short comedy-romance film that's very unique but IMHO not that fun to watch. Kuka's stuff is on Vimeo On Demand, which is nice. He's also the first Sudanese member of the Oscars Academy!
There is also Ibrahim Shaddad's "Insan" which is more abstract but is an extremely interesting early Sudanese movie along the lines of "The Dislocation of Amber," an abstract short film made in Red Sea State. Both should be on YouTube. Of the two, I really like and recommend Insaan, it's a very unique silent movie being about a rural Sudani moving to Khartoum and the life changes that brings.
There is also Tajouj, which is kind of a mess of a movie with terrible wigs, but it stars famous Sudanese singer Salah ibn al-Badiya playing a famous Sudanese folk hero (Muhallag) and I think that's awesome and the kind of movie we need to see more of. There's also "Faisal Goes West," which represents the only Sudanese-American diaspora movie I know of, and is directed by Benteley Brown, who's famous online for being a white guy who speaks fluent Sudanese Arabic (even though he actually speaks Chadian Arabic, lol).
Those are the Sudanese movies I remember seeing in part or in whole, I started The Wedding of Zein movie but found it unwatchable. I gotta give it another shot.
What Sudanese movies have you seen, and what are your favs? Why?
Edit: I forgot to mention A Handful of Dates, a short film that's an adaptation of a at-Tayyib Salih short story, which I also saw through the online Toronto Arab Film Festival if I'm not mistaken, which is notable for being a faithful adaptation but tbh I think the magic of at-Tayyib Salih can only be captured in his words. It really doesn't compare to the short story, which is part of one of my favorite short story collections of all time (The Doum Tree of Wad Hamid and other stories).

Great feedback history so buy with confidence. Now through Tuesday, May 7, 8PM PDT / 11PM EDT only take an extra $5 off a total of $50 or more of items, $10 off $100 or more, $15 off $200 or more and $20 off $250 or more on top of already great prices (excluding the binoculars). You can also combine with items from the 48 Hour Sale Part II.
Ship to lower 48 states (open to shipping internationally and to AK & HI, please ask). Paypal Friends & Family preferred or add 3% for the Paypal Goods & Services fee. Just let me know which items you’d like and I’ll check the least expensive UPS and USPS tracked shipping. All sales are final. Thanks for looking!
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5) * SOLD \* Gossamer Gear Mariposa Ultralight Backpack, RegulaMedium Torso (18-20 in), New - Ultralight yet durable and feature-rich backpack with storage up to 60L for longer sections and a solid track record of performance on major trails. It’s a thru-hiking classic. Lots of volume available at such low weight for big food loads between resupplies or for winter backpacking when you may have bulkier insulation, yet cinches down really well for when you don’t need as much space. This 2023 pack is functionally the same as the 2024 (the 2024 has a slightly different frame stay which functionally makes little to no difference - save over $125 with this one). Hip belt fits a very wide range from 30"-57.5" Photos: https://imgur.com/a/jbUMoct
6) Hennessy Hammock 4 Season Expedition with XXL Snake Skins, New, $245 (regularly $309.90 = $289.95 + $19.95 for the XXL Snakeskins). Photos: https://imgur.com/a/LZN8HI8 Not only is the HH Expedition one of the best, most comfortable and durable 4 season hammocks you can get, it’s also popular for summer use in areas of high bug pressure as the double bottom is impervious to the worst mosquitoes (mosquitoes can bite through single layer hammocks). Many militaries rely on HH hammocks for good reason. Comes with attached mosquito netting, detachable Hex rain fly, support ropes, compression sack with set up instructions on back, complimentary standard 42" / 107 cm long "Tree Hugger" webbing straps to protect tree bark, and an oversized open-cell foam pad. HH asymmetrical design is very comfortable compared to more classic hammock designs.
7) Granite Gear Blaze 60L Backpack Women’s Fit, Highly Adjustable Regular Frame (18-21 in. torso), Black, New, only $189 (regularly $299.94 + Tax). Photos: https://imgur.com/a/SF9XV3r One of the most adjustable and comfortable lightweight load haulers. The capacity and generous extendable collar are great for longer trips or trips with heavier gear or a big water carry, yet easily cinch down for shorter trips. Women’s specific fit and frame is highly adjustable (also works great for men with narrower shoulder width). Makes a great winter pack too, with durable material and many lashing points.
8) Hillsound Weatherproof Packstack Pro Storage Sack, 40L Tall, New, $25 (regularly $35) weatherproof storage sack that made Outside Magazine's Gear Guide Editor's Choice Award. https://hillsound.com/products/packstackpro Photos: https://imgur.com/a/7wlWcDr
9) Hillsound Weatherproof Packstack Pro Storage Sack, 40L Short, New, $24 (regularly $34) - weatherproof storage sack that made Outside Magazine's Gear Guide Editor's Choice Award. https://hillsound.com/products/packstackpro Photos: https://imgur.com/a/7wlWcDr
10) COAST Dual LED Multi Tool, New, $30 (Regularly $49.99 + tax) - The LED150 Multi-Tool comes packed with 13 tools that can help you master any task or job. Tools: Spring-loaded pliers with wire cutter, 3.0 in. Blade, two built-in LEDs, Phillips (1) and flathead (3) screwdriver tips, bottle opener, wire stripper, can opener. 2 x CR1616 batteries included. With Coast’s commitment to quality, the LED150 Multi-Tool is backed by Coast’s lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. 4 in length closed. Never opened clear blister case has some small cracks in the back around the sheath. https://coastportland.com/products/led150 Photos: https://imgur.com/a/VryHhPy
11) COAST FDX300 Double Lock One-Handed Open Stainless Steel Folding Knife, 3 in. blade, New in package, 2 available, $45 for both (regularly each $30 + tax) - One-handed opening, double lock system for double safety, stainless steel handle, partially-serrated and partially-straight blade, ambidextrous opening, 3-position pocket clip, 7Cr17 stainless steel (also known as 68Cr17, a modified version of 440A steel, with more vanadium elements added to give it extra strength, increase toughness and wear resistance). Lifetime warranty. It’s the drop point version of this $29 COAST partially-serrated tanto: https://coastportland.com/collections/cutting-tools/products/fdx306 Photos: https://imgur.com/a/yxS7uno
12) Squeeze Water Filters & Water Pouches - Photos: https://imgur.com/a/EyGwPih
a) Squeeze 34 Oz. Personal Water Filtration Bottle SP140 with self-contained filter, New, $35 (regularly $50) - Just scoop water into the bottle and drink. Filters up to 100,000 gallons. Highest level of filtration at 0.1 micron absolute. https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP140-Personal-34-Ounce/dp/B005SO8VAE
b) * SOLD \* Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System SP131, New - Highest level filtration to 0.1 micron absolute. With Squeeze Filter with Push/Pull Cap, 16 ounce Collapsible Pouch, Two ounce Collapsible Pouch, Backwashing Plunger, Cleaning Coupling, Inline Adapters, Drinking Straw or Gravity Tube, Mesh Carrying Pouch (can also be used to create gravity water filtration system). Identical filter to below c) SP129. https://www.sawyereurope.com/water-filtration/sawyer-sp131-squeeze-water-filter-system
c) Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System SP129, New $34 (Regularly $46 + tax) - Highest level filtration to 0.1 micron absolute. Identical filter to above b) SP131. Includes Two Reusable 32-Oz, Bpa-Free Collapsible Pouches That Roll Up Tightly For Easy Packing, Drinking Straw, One Set Of Sawyer Inline Hydration Pack Adapters For Filter, And Mesh Storage Bag. https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP129-Filtration-Squeezable/dp/B00B1OSU4W/ref=sr_1_3
d) * SOLD \* Sawyer All-In-One Water Filtration System SP181 for emergency use, remote cabins and campsites, New - Gives you the ability to use the filter attached to a squeeze pouch, attached to a standard 5 gallon bucket, or attached to your home faucet. The "build your own gravity system" can yield up to 540 gallons of clean water per day from any fresh water source. Kit includes: the Sawyer 0.1 Micron Absolute Micron Hollow Fiber Membrane Screw On/Off Filter, 32 oz Squeeze Pouch, 2 Pop-up Drinking Spouts, 1 bucket adapter kit, 1 faucet adapter, and 1 filter cleaner. Life Expectancy: 1 Million Gallons Guaranteed. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sawyer-PointONE-All-in-One-Filte21811661 Photo of everything included: https://imgur.com/a/Ve8gn98
e) Sawyer Tap Filter for fast emergency water & for cabin use, New, $36 (Regularly $48 + tax) - Great for muddy tap water following pipeline work, use at a cabin or in an emergency. With tap filter, backwash adapter, threaded spigot adapter, dual threaded adapter, tap gauge and extension hose. Highest level filtration 0.1 micron absolute.
f1) Box of Two 64 oz Sawyer Squeeze Pouches, New, $10.50 (Regularly $14 + tax) - 1 left. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SO8SPC/ref=twister_B08NGGJMD6
f2) * SOLD \* Box of Three 32 oz Sawyer Squeeze Pouches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SO8RQM/ref=twister_B08NGGJMD6
f3) Box of Three 16 oz Sawyer Squeeze Pouches, New, $6.75 (regulary $9 + tax) - 2 boxes available. https://www.highwaterfilters.com/products/sp116-sawyer-5-l-16oz-squeezable-pouch-set-of-3

Men, I don't like to brag about me in this game, but I have a random and playful playstyle, with possibilities for mixups and unusual combos (I don't have a YouTube channel or anything like that, profile: HAHA PIADAS)
I have some replays that I would really like to favorite on my profile and it would be amazing to have access to highlights of all the players I play against and, like, what kind of matches would TENRUN favorite on his own account?

Hi,
There used to be a video on YouTube of a documentary interview with several old Canadian men speaking in their mother language about how they were forbidden from speaking the language in elementary school, and then singing songs together in that language.
The original YouTube video has been disabled (dead link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sXlxc2Ee8I), but a trace of it is still online as a short clip in part of another video, which you can watch here, at timestamp 9m50s:
https://youtu.be/tb3OHv6tv38?t=590
The full clip is really heartwarming and beautiful and would really appreciate if anyone can track it down
Sorry if this is actually Scottish and not Irish language -- I speak neither and can't tell the difference by listening

Just a rant. Feel free to ignore. Dumping it here for some mental peace.
Every time I talk to a (feminist) girl (for marriage) it's always about her "choices", her "life", her "body" etc. As if husband does not play any role in a successful marriage/family. They demand anything and everything from you but even something as basic as "expectation to have kids" is "controlling".
Even when I am ready to step down politely and nicely because our future plans don't align, I often have to hear a long feminist lecture from her about how having future plans is controlling behavior. Interestingly all those lectures from different girls have exact same talking points. Cut, copy, paste. Talk about a hive mind.
Today I had enough so I argued until she backed off and agreed that men can also have standards.
Leaving the usual "feminist" talking points and my counters to them for anyone interested (I am sure I am not the only one facing this issue).

1. How can you decide how many kids I will have or when I will have? Counter: I am not deciding it for you. If your future plans don't align with me, you can back out. Don't lecture me.
2. You are too "controlling"/"rigid"/"inflexible". Counter: I am not as I was willing to call it off nicely but you started guilt tripping me into accepting your future plans. You are the controlling one here.
3. I am only marrying for companionship (not kids). Counter: I have enough friends and family for companionship already. My primary reason to marry is to raise family. (Nothing against men/women who are happy with only companionship in marriage but respect other individual's values and reasons as well. I even observed my "companionship"-only guy friends guilt tripping me to drop the "kids" requirement.)
4. My body, my life, my rules. Counter: My life, my rules. You cannot force me. Do whatever you want with your life.
5. We don't need men to have kids. We can always get sperm. (Yes this argument was really used today and I am quite pissed because of this) Counter: Men can go for test tube baby, paid surrogate mother, donate sperm or just marry someone else.
6. A woman's life is over once she has kids. Counter: A man's life is over once he marries.
7. Primary reason to marry nowadays is companionship. Counter: Throughout the history and in almost all cultures, primary reason to marry has been reproduction and it's not gonna change in 21st century because it's wired in our genes.

Bonus: It's important to act calm,collected and not raise your voice no matter what. Don't give any opening to change the topic. Express your anger only once you are alone (like ranting here).
Thanks for reading, now please go do something productive.

I am a beginner and I have recently been getting feedback from my senseis that I'm not doing sayu-men properly during kirikaeshi, but despite trying to follow their advice as they show me during training I keep getting this feedback nonetheless.
I think I'm having trouble visualizing _where_ exactly you're supposed to hit and when/how much you angle the shinai during the movement. I have found a couple of videos on YouTube that were helpful, but they usually just glance over it and don't go into too much detail on how exactly you're supposed to do it. Does anyone know of a resource I could use to learn in detail the correct way to do it?

A Brief Account of the True Nature of the UFO Entities (sacred-texts.com)
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE TRUE NATURE OF THE "UFO ENTITIES"
by
Gordon Creighton
This article, which appeared originally in FSR 29/1 (October 1983)
is reprinted now at the request of a number of readers, and to
remind all our readers of what lies ahead for Mankind. Ever since
its publication, the article has been treated throughout the world
Page 1
with total silence, and there is a general agreement among all
Ufologists on both sides of the Atlantic never to give it a mention.
FSR Consultant Dr Richard F. Haines expected me to print his
comphrehensive REVIEW OF EXPLANATORY HYPOTHESES FOR UNIDENTIFIED
AERIAL PHENOMENA, and I promptly did so. (FSR 32/2 - 1987.) But it
might be noted that he did not deem it necessary to include the
slightest reference to my work in his survey, even as a minimal
gesture of courtesy.
Four of the leading experts in Ufology in the world have written
me privately to say that they think I am on the right track. Only
one of them - Ann Druffel - has had the guts to say so publicly.
EDITOR
One of the more curious features of the followers of the various
religions is that, being so dogmatically certain that in their own
particular little faith they already possess the whole Truth about
all things in Heaven and Earth, it almost never occurs to any of
them to look elsewhere and find out what the followers of other
religions may know or may have discovered.
This is certainly a pity, for study of all the great world-religions

• and notably Islam - would yield valuable clues as to the true

nature of the so-called "UFO Phenomenon" and would rapidly eliminate
much of the fatuous "Space-Age Mythology" that has been spawned in
such profusion over the last three decades.
Islam knows, in fact, of the existence of THREE entirely separate
and distinct species of intelligent beings in the Universe, and
indeed can furnish suprisingly precise details regarding their
natures and roles and activities.
ANGELS, MEN, AND JINNS
The first category is of course that of the ANGELS or Messengers
(Greek: ANGELOS; Hebrew: MALACH; Arabic: MALAK). These are high
beings created of LIGHT.
The second category, however, and the one with which we are here
concerned, is the category of those beings (CREATED BEFORE MAN WAS)
who are referred to collectively in Arabic as AL-JINN *1*. Although
there is some dispute about it among Arab grammarians, most of their
lexicologists seem to hold that the word derives - as Arabic words
almost invariably do - from a verb-root, namely JANNA, "TO HIDE OR
TO CONCEAL" - indeed a very fitting derivation for the name of these
creatures.
The third category are MEN, with bodies created according to the
QUR'AN, of CLAY, or, in other words, this being poetic language,
they have physical bodies assembled from the mineral and chemical
elements of our PERIODIC TABLE - the "PLANETARY BODY", as Gurdjieff
used to call it.
Whereas the bodies of Angels are of light and the bodies of men are
of the gross elements of the Earth, the bodies of AL-JINN consist
Page 2
of what is variously translated as "ESSENTIAL FIRE" *2*, or
"ESSENTIAL FLAME", or "SMOKELESS FIRE" *3*, or "SMOKELESS FLAME",
and it is specifically stated in the QUR'AN (Surah XV, 26 and 27)
THAT THEY WERE CREATED BEFORE MANKIND WAS. (Some scholars have
speculated that these might be the "PRE-ADAMIC MEN" whose existence
is hinted at here and there in the "Holy Bible.")
There has been much debate among modern students of Arabic as to
precisely what these terms "MIN NARI AL-SAMUMI" *2* and "MIN MARIJIN
MIN NARIN" *3* can conceivably mean in modern parlance, and some
scholars have concluded that, in using these terms, the Prophet
Muhammad (the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) was there
attempting to describe what Western occultists have tried to
describe by such terms as ETHER, or maybe the so-called ETHERIC OR
ASTRAL PLANES. (I have also seen it suggested that some sort of
PLASMA is indicated.)
(Needless to say, such concepts as ETHERIC PLANE and ASTRAL PLANE
have no meaning for modern Science and, so far as I know, apart from
Dirac, the physicists have abandoned their speculations regarding
the existence of an ether.)
THE SOURCE OF THE JINNS
Wherever it is that the JINNS are thought of as being normally
located, it seems highly likely that the source of many of them, at
any rate, is not very distant from us, and some Muslim scholars who
have become aware of the current Western research into the so-called
"UFO Phenomenon" and have reflected awhile upon it have concluded -
and I think correctly - that maybe the best way we can start to
visualize these matters is by thinking of the JINNS AS BEING VERY
CLOSE INDEED TO US AND AND YET AT THE SAME TIME SOMEHOW VERY FAR
FROM US. IN OTHER WORDS, ON SOME OTHER DIMENSION, OR IN SOME OTHER
SPACE/TIME FRAMEWORK, "RIGHT HERE', OR MAYBE IN A WORLD OF ANTI-
MATTER RIGHT HERE, OR OCCUPYING AS IT WERE SOME OTHER UNIVERSE THAT
IS HERE, BEHIND ALICE'S MIRROR: "A MIRROR-UNIVERSE ON THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE SPACE-TIME CONTINUUM" AS IT HAS BEEN NEATLY PUT BY SOME
INVESTIGATORS.
The QUR'AN, however, is not clear on this, and admittedly it looks
as though it is very possible that some of the JINNS could be fully
physical and what we call extraterrestrials, while other species of
them are of an altogether and finer sort of matter, corresponding to
what various UFO investigators have tried to indicate by such terms
as "ULTRATERRESTRIAL" or "METATERRESTRIAL".
In thinking about these ideas, we might bear in mind the theory
of the Russian philosopher P.D. Ouspensky regarding the possible
existence of other, more subtle, levels of matter on which the
elements of the Periodic Table of our own chemical world are
repeated - and, if I understand him aright, repeated more than once,
on more than one level. The early writings of Dr. Meade Layne in
the USA about the "DENSE ETHERIC WORLD" from which he maintained
that the UFO entities and their craft originated should also be
borne in mind. (His book, THE COMING OF THE GUARDIANS, was
published in 1958, and may prove one day to have been very important
indeed.) Certain of the benevolent JINNS may well be our
"Guardians".
Page 3
That there is some close affinity, or some link of destiny between
JINNS and Mankind seems certain, for although the vast majority
of the JINNS are DEVILS, SHAYTANS *4*, nevertheless we are assured
in the QUR'AN that some among their many species are "goodies" and
are capable of salvation. For it is specifically stated that
Muhammad was sent as a Messenger to both Mankind and the JINNS, so
that, in the Final Days, some of the JINNS will enter into Paradise,
while the rest of them will be cast down into Hell. Their
revelation to IBLIS *5*, the Top Devil ( = "Satan") is in general
somewhat obscure. In the QUR'AN IBLIS is certainly described as a
JINN, but elsewhere in the QUR'AN he is also described as an ANGEL.
(Surely the explanation is that IBLIS is that same high being,
originally of Angelic status, who rebelled against God and is named
in the Christian texts as "LUCIFER?")
Had we the space, much more might be said about the JINNS and their
doings, but only a brief account of their main characteristics can
here be given. Their principal features, as listed below, are as
I have gathered them from all the Muslim written and traditional
sources that I have been able to consult over the past 15 years.
The reader can see for himself the parallels with the reported
features of UFO entities and can draw his own conclusions. I hope I
do not have to labour the point, space being precious.
THE CHIEF CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JINNS

1. In the normal state they are not visible to ordinary human

sight.

1. They are, however, capable of materializing and appearing

in the physical world. And they can alternately make
themselves visible or invisible at will.

1. They can change shape, and appear in any sort of guise,

large or small. (See for example, Ahmad Jamaludin's
excellent report, A WAVE OF SMALL HUMANOIDS IN MALAYSIA IN
1970, in FSR Vol. 28, No. 5). Ahmad Jamaludin is a Muslim,
and he knows, of course, what it is that we are talking
about.

1. They are able also to appear in the guise of ANIMALS.

(Yetis? Pumas? Loch Ness Monsters?)

1. They are inveterate liars and deceivers, and delight in

bamboozling and misleading mankind with all manner of
nonsense. (See the average Spiritualist SEANCE for examples
of their activities, and also the usual "communications"
from UFO entities in close-encounter cases.)

1. They are addicted to the abduction or kidnapping of humans.

(The Scotsman Robert Kirk, who wrote "THE SECRET
COMMONWEALTH" in 1691, evidently "knew more than was good
for his health", and was killed by them.)

1. They delight in tempting humans into sexual intercourse and

liaisons with them, and Arabic literature abounds with
accounts of this kind of contact by mankind with both the
"goodies" and the "baddies" among the JINNS. There are also
even a considerable number of accounts of encounters between
Page 4
the "goodies" and famous Muslim saints. For example, the
book MANAQUIB AL-ARIFIN *6* has a number of very significant
references to contacts between such higher beings, and JALAL
AL-DIN RUMI, Islam's greatest mystical poet, who lived from
1207 to 1273.
(I often wonder which category of JINNUS it was that was encountered
in Brazil by the farmer A.V.B. See my third article on "A.V.B.",
POSTCRIPT TO THE MOST AMAZING CASE OF ALL, in FSR Vol. 11, No. 4,
August 1965.)
IN OFFICIAL ISLAM - AND THIS CANNOT BE OVER-EMPHASIZED - THE
EXISTENCE OF THE JINNS HAS ALWAYS BEEN COMPLETELY ACCEPTED, EVEN
LEGALLY, AND EVEN TO THIS DAY, IN ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE. THE FULL
CONSEQUENCES IMPLIED BY THEIR EXISTENCE WERE WORKED OUT LONG AGO.
THEIR LEGAL STATUS, IN ALL RESPECTS, WAS DISCUSSED AND FIXED, AND
THE POSSIBLE RELATIONS BETWEEN THEM AND MANKIND - ESPECIALLY IN
RELATION TO QUESTIONS OF MARRIAGE AND PROPERTY! - WERE SERIOUSLY
EXAMINED BY JURISTS, AS THE GREATEST AND MOST AUTHORITATIVE WESTERN
SOURCE, THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF ISLAM, CONFIRMS.
Stories of sexual commerce between JINNS and mankind have been of
perennial interest to Arab readers, and it is important at this
point to mention that in CHINESE literature (and in China the Han
population are not Muslims - only certain of the smaller minority
peoples of the North-West and Far West are) there is also a
considerable tradition of this sort which awaits examination by
Ufologists.
The great Arabic literary catalogue known as the FIHRIST *7*,
compiled in the year 373 of the Muslim Calendar ( = C.E. 995) by
Muhammad bin Ishaq bin Abi Ya'qub al-Nadim al-Warraq al-Baghdadi,
lists no less than sixteen works dealing with this theme. (Compare
also the European occultists' records of sexual contact between men
and female SYLPHS, as well as the copious mediaeval Christian
records relating to INCUBI and SUCCABAE.)
Most Westerners will discount all this talk about the JINNS with
the usual argument that the Arabs "are barbarians anyway". Let me
therefore point out that, in C.E.995, when the FIHRIST was written,
the brilliant civilization of the Arabs was incomparably higher than
anything elsewhere in the world except for China and that Christian
and Western RENAISSANCE owes its origins as much to our contact with
Islam (the Crusades) as to the early percolation of Greek learning
to the West.
As a matter of fact quite a lot of the philosophy and the literature
of the Greeks reached us first, not in Greek at all, but in the
Arabic translations secured from Cordoba and Toledo in Spain in the
10th and 11th centuries, when the Muslims still held most of Spain.
It is only in the last few centuries, and particularly since the
Industrial Revolution and the growth of modern materialistic
Science, that the West has forged ahead. But in 1200 C.E. Muslim
Science was in the lead, particularly in such fields as Medicine,
Mathematics, and Astronomy, and it would be grossly impudent to
assume that our current "superiority" over them has anything
permanent about it.
Page 5

1. THE JINNS are wont to snatch up humans and teleport or

transport them, setting them down again - if indeed they
ever do set them down again - miles away from where they
were picked up, and all this is the "twinkling of an eye".
(See my first article on TELEPORTATIONS, about the Spanish
soldier who, on October 25, 1593, was suddenly taken from
Manila in the Philippine Islands across the Pacific to
Mexico City. In FSR Vol. 11, No. 2, 1965).

1. The Arabian tradition asserts that, throughout all known

history, there have been a few particular human beings who,
through some strange favour, have "been in league with the
ÿ JINNS" or "had a copact with the JINNS" - to such a degree
that the JINNS have endowed them with what we regard as
"preternatural powers" - ie., PSYCHIC POWERS.
These humans have consequently become known as wonder-workers,
soothsayers, and MAGICIANS. (Either "white magicians" or "black
magicians", depending of course upon what sort of JINNS they were in
league with.)
Here again, compare the European tradition about individuals who
have discovered how to collaborate with the KINGDOM OF THE SYLPHS or
the FAIRIES. For example, there is the case of the "working
partnership", not more than seventy years ago, between a SYLPH and a
highly successful Parisian dealer in rare old books. The SYLPH made
its contribution by acting as the "scout" and finding out where and
in whose possession the rare books were. All the dealer had to do
then was to approach the owners and offer to buy!

1. Along with all these displays of prowess by the JINNS there

goes, finally, a tremendous TELEPATHIC POWER and the ability
(to use an age-old term) to "CAST A GLAMOUR" over their
human victims. Our UFO records are already full of evidence
of this.
How much of what we see happening today, at the highest levels
of international politics, as well as in ordinary human affairs, can
be attributed to this subtle control and interference in our lives
by insidious and unseen forces! Indeed, this is one of the prime
reasons for the parlous state in which man finds himself. Some
recent reports from UFO investigators hint at alien plans to provoke
war here and drive the Gadarene Swine (mankind) over into the abyss.
The present-day Christians, who generally seem to have very little
sense of curiosity, are apparently quite happy to pass their days in
total ignorance of all this. But a careful study of the New
Testament (AND ONLY IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK!) will show clearly that
nothing of what is said above was unknown either to the Teacher and
Healer Jeshu of Nazareth or to his principal followers -particularly
Paul. (Incidentally, Christians may like to know that in Islam the
full name and title of Jeshu of Nazareth is ISSA, SON OF MARY, WORD
OF GOD.)
Long before the rise of Christianity or Islam there were of course
other great Teachers (Messengers) who preceived clearly the
situation in which mankind finds itself. One of these was
Zarathustra (Zoroaster) in the old Iranian civilization of the
Page 6
Achaemenidae -about 600 or 700 years B.C.E. The great religious text
left by Zarathustra is the AVESTA, which tells us much about the
Demonic Forces, referred to under the blanket term of AHRIMAN, the
Enemy of Light. Mankind, in this teaching, is seen as a special
creation of ORMAZD, the SUPREME SPIRIT, who is locked in permanent
conflict with AHRIMAN.
THE SOUL OF MAN IS THE OBJECT OF THE WAR, AND MAN HIMSELF IS THE
BATTLEFIELD.
DR. RUDOLPH STEINER
In our days, there has probably been no teacher who saw and
understood all this more clearly that the great Austrian Dr. Rudolf
Steiner (1861-1925), founder of the Anthroposophical Society.
"Clairvoyant" from childhood, Steiner [claims he] saw into the other
worlds and planes and saw deeply into the human heart, and no books
or teachings are so relevant as his are to the crisis of mankind
that is now upon us. His lectures throughout 1917, for example,
show clearly that he foresaw, in their totality, the political,
social, and military results and the police-state tyranny which
would inevitably follow from the Russian Revolution, just as the
"Lady" of the Apparitions at Fatima in the same year also did.
Steiner foresaw what would result in the world as a whole from a
materialistic science run mad: the development of "test-tube" man,
"biological engineering" and other horrors; the deliberate creation
and development of living monsters; and the soul-less, God-less,
dehumanized, computerized, insect-like chromium and plastic slave
world of "1984" that may now be at hand.
According to Steiner, a tremendous and crucial round in the
battle was fought out in the last thirty years of the 19th century
and on the Inner Planes, between the Forces of AHRIMAN (the term he
took over from Zarathustra) and the FORCES OF LIGHT.
These latter are conventionally known to Western (Christian)
tradition as the Cohorts of Michael. Steiner said that the fight
ended in a complete victory for the LIGHT, but that, as a result of
it, a great many of the powerful demonic beings had been actually
cast down upon the planet Earth, with the consequence that their
presence and their influence now impinge more than ever upon the
propects and the destiny of mankind.
STEINER TAUGHT THAT THE COMING YEARS WILL SEE INCREDIBLE UPHEAVALS,
IN THE COURSE OF WHICH THIS GREAT BATTLE WILL BE CARRIED FORWARD, TO
ITS CONCLUSION, INSIDE EVERY HUMAN HEART. See Rudolf Steiner: DER
STURZ DER GEISTER DER FINSTERNIS: (THE OVERTHROW OF THE SPIRITS OF
DARKNESS), Series of Lectures, 1917. (Available only in German.)
The objective of the Forces of Darkness is to take over the stream
of human evolution, to merge with it, and to divert mankind from the
evolutionary development "planned" for it. The end result of this
would be new creatures in which those qualities that represent the
highest that we know would have been eliminated.
Smart-alecky modern man of the Pop Age, the "Trousered Ape" as he
has been called, has of course no use for all this sort of
Page 7
"rubbish", and immense numbers of our species have discarded all
belief in the existence of demons, along with any belief in the
Great Power that rules the Universe.
(Sophisticated folk nowadays know that the world was not created by
God, but by Karl Marx. And they know that Lenin and successors are
His Prophets.)
There is a delightful passage in C.S. Lewis's SCREWTAPE LETTERS,
where the Senior Devil, talking to one of his underlings, makes a
profoundly important remark: "OF COURSE, OUR GREATEST TRUMP-CARD IS
THE FACT THAT EVERYBODY *KNOWS* WE DON'T EXIST." (Or words to that
effect.)
Similarly, the vast majority of mankind KNOW that JINNS and UFOs and
UFO entities don't exist. And what a nice advantage that is for the
entities!
But what if HOMO SAP (so-called, self-dubbed) were in for some
big shocks in the near future? What then?
With the recent advance of Science, man has rapidly become aware of
the vastness of the Cosmos and of the probability that there exist
out there innumerable other physical worlds inhabited by intelligent
beings, some of which, for all we know, may be (as we dearly hope)
identical with men, with our tastes and our values, our hopes and
our fears.
It is natural that some among us, surveying the impasse into
which we have got ourselves, might well be tempted to look up to the
stars in the hope that someone wiser than we are might arrive one
day from there and give us all the easy answers.
If there be any truth in the ancient story that the inhabitants
of Magonia, unlike men, do not possess the possibility of developing
immortal souls, and therefore are anxious to acquire such by mating
with us and mingling their life-stream with ours, what moment could
be more propitious to them for achieving their purpose than now?
Can't you just hear the message of their Captain?
-"WE ARE FROM TAU CETI, AND WE COME TO BRING YOU SALVATION
AND SHOW YOU THE WAY OUT OF YOUR PROBLEMS. WE WILL GET
YOU OFF THE HOOK!"

Vangard Notes..
This is one of the most interesting papers I have seen in
awhile as far as UFO's and ancient beliefs. The book "1001
Nights" goes into much detail regarding the Jinn and their
abilities and aims. They are extremely mischievous and take
great pleasure in teasing mankind.
Page 8
Years ago, during my magical studies, I found many intriguing
legends, traditions and superstitions relating to beings or
forces which COULD BE CONTROLLED OR DIRECTED BY MAN.
Indeed, that is the basis of the higher forms of CEREMONIAL
MAGIC. Talismans, amulets and spells also influence these
entities to various degrees. I firmly believe that there are
specific geometries and patterns which can be so combined and
projected as to cause changes in line with the will of the
operator.
Unless you have experimented in the magical area, you do not
have the right to cast aspersions or make decisions based on
your own prejudices or beliefs. The basic Gnostic teaching is
to know FROM DIRECT EXPERIENCE.
This file offers a most interesting "alternative" to the UFO
pheonomenon which I think is refreshingly original. Note that
is in directly inline with the thinking of John Keel and Jacque
Vallee. Although without the mystical overtones of some of the
more outrageous Persian tales.

Information

• Series: VCL
• Organizer: Knights, Riot Games
• Type: Online
• Location: North America
• Start Date: 05-06-2024
• End Date: 05-07-2024
• Coverage: Liquipedia VLR THESPIKE rib.gg

Format

• Bottom two teams from Challengers Split 1 face the top two teams from Premiere
• Double elimination bracket
• Top two teams qualify for Mid Season Cup and Challengers Split 2

Schedule

• Thinking Men vs Resonate — 4 PM EDT / 3 PM CDT / 1 PM PDT
• The Glazers vs Blinn Esports — 4 PM EDT / 3 PM CDT / 1 PM PDT
• TBD vs TBD — 7 PM EDT / 6 PM CDT / 4 PM PDT

Streams

• Twitch - https://twitch.tv/valorant_northamerica
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@valorantChallengersAmericas/live

Broadcast Talent

Hosts:

• Dryad (Daniela Herrera)
• Sierra Dawn (Sierra Dawn Hunter)

Commentators & Analysts:

• Gompers (Darlyn Diaz)
• IHOLDSHIFT (Alan Donofrio)
• LemonKiwi (Jennifer Pichette)
• Uber (Mitch Leslie)
• Vansilli (Alex Nguyen)
• Wyatt (Wyatt River)

Observers:

• DazedDreams (Tasia McConkie)
• Presy (Preston Calcutt)

Producers:

• CallMeShelton (Jacob Shelton)
• Kaiserine
• razur (Ray Zurawski)
• Catinator
• Brndnly

Hi,
There used to be a video on YouTube of a documentary interview with several old Canadian men speaking in Gaelic about how they were forbidden from speaking the language in elementary school, and then singing songs together in that language.
I used to be able to find it quite easily by typing "Canadian Gaelic spoken" or "Canadian Gaelic interview," but it seems to have disappeared.
Did anyone else ever see that video, and do you know where I could find it?
It was really beautiful and heartwarming

Do any other fellow femcels out there feel jealous of men? I feel myself constantly wishing that I could be as carefree as the average male, not text back, and not be griped with the turmoil of all the emotions and feelings I have everytime I have sex with someone. Men also seem to be entertained by way more things than women. They fill their time watching YouTube videos or weird bad movies that just aren’t appealing to me. They seem like they have endless amounts of autistic hobbies and interests that fill up their time and also have fun friends that all contribute to not placing a lot of weight on having a significant other. They don’t care about catering to the female gaze, they don’t care about some girl who won’t text them back, they don’t nonstop talk about the opposite gender everytime they hangout with their friends the way women do. I wish I was a man!!!

Was watching a video on Kevin Richardson's YouTube Channel, (aka The Lion Whisperer), & an upbeat Punk Song was playing in the background. The lyrics were "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go out to Sea/Let's go, Let's go, let's go oh oh oh/Let's go, Let's go, Let's go Everywhere/Let's go let's go let's go oh oh oh". It was definitely sang by a group of men. Upbeat tempo and starts with an electric guitar..

Hey, so a friend of mine is going to a fat camp before basic in a couple weeks, and he was wondering what fat camp was like for other people. He's also wondering about phone usage because of some game event that's going to happen while he's there but he couldn't find much online, aside from Sundays being half an hour and only for phone calls, so any help to calm him down?
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How old is too late? Approaching 30 and I've been reconsidering joining. I completed a Challenge program in Wyoming funded by the WY Air National Guard when I was 19 and was on board until I let myself slip away from the drive to join.
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So I took the ASVAB and scored a 98 with GT 133! I passed my medical test in the first go yesterday! I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, albeit a lower gpa of 3.05, but I have more than 2 years of working experience in the same field! I am currently enrolled in a graduate program in Computer Science! I want to do OCS reserve but my recruiter is pushing me to go enlisted. I said I am sticking with what I had said in the beginning which is OCS and I also gave him 3 mos options- 1) 17 series 2) 25 series and 3) 35 series. He is saying 17 is going to be hard and it’s going to take a long time. It also has a test! However, he’s giving me a positive signal about 35 and saying there are 5 vacancies nearby! For 25, there is only one and that is far but Im willing to fly there! For 17, there are 3! What should I choose as my 1, 2, and 3?
Also what benefits do you get if you go to OCS? He was saying I wouldn’t get any educational benefits such loan repayment and so on.
(Edited: I am doing Army Reserve)
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So l've seen a lot of tips and things to bring to basic training, but I wanna know what I really need to bring because a lot of those list say a bunch of things and I doubt that I'm gonna need all of them and mind you I am a female going to basic trading so it be appreciated. If y'all would give me some tips on what to bring to basic training and what not to bring
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I have never served in the military. I want to sign an option 40 to get a tryout at RASP some time in the future, I want to know how physically fit you should be before you even want to consider ranger training for one (What physical feats should you be able to accomplish on a bad day) And how well basic training and MOS training would get you ready (physically) for RASP. And what you need to manage on your own in terms of training. So to recap I'm asking how trained I should be before joining and if I will need to take my own initiative to get physically fit enough for ranger school. I am looking to not be last in line when doing runs or 12 mile rucks because that was 5 days a week every week during high school track. I want every advantage I can get.
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Considering crossing over to Army from a sister service. I lied about my ADD diagnosis at MEPs 6 years ago. Will this prevent me from joining?
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I’m choosing 13m as my mos I just wants info on it I’ve heard it’s a lot of motor pool stuff etc I’m just curious before I sign the contract
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Any Idea how hard it is to re class to a different unit or even switch from reserves to the guard? Trying to go from 35F reserves to 15T National Guard.
Ive just heard Florida Guard has alot more to offer getting activated during hurricanes working during drills going into the field and hopping on orders and helping my community more!
Just wondering what factors come into play such as my incentives on my contract. Does anything change on my GI bill? How likely is it that a unit will sign my release for and how ling itll take.
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Enlistment processing times in these days (2024)
Hi. I am planning to show up a recruiting office but I wonder how long it will take from first touch to basic training? Also does the timeline change for female candidates? Thanks!
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Im a CDT about to attend Sapper school and was wondering if anyone knows rappell gloves other than the petzl ones which are acceptable to bring to the school. I have tried looking to buy the petzl ones online and they're out of stock everywhere! I would also like to ask for ASU cotton tan shirt recommendations since I heard the standard issue ones get annoying (?).
Thank you in advance for hearing out my weird and oddly specific questions.
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I signed a contract with the reserves for 15k as I transition from active duty. When can I expect to see that money? My ETS date is 07/27
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I am a workstudy at my college's Veterans Resource Center, and I get a lot of calls about the most random shit. Today, I got a call about a poolee serving in the Army band, and it was all Greek to me. From his work schedule to his training to his GI benefits, to some $9,000 copay, I didn't have any information as to how to help him.
While I have a lot of knowledge about veteran benefits, the army's benefits are the most confusing by far (imo), and I dont know dick about the band. I'm sending this kid to a few places, but the first place I'm pointing him to is his recruiter.
Recruiters, how much training do you receive about benefits, and what is your role in the poolees' lives after they swear the oath?
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I’m super close to my ship date May14th. & I’m getting extremely nervous and having 2nd thoughts. I’m 33 and just probably overthinking it. Any one else have this problem and came out okay? Or did you really regret it?
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I found out I can join the army in 24 months. I’ll be 21 and I feel kinda like a loser for having to wait cause everyone I know joins at 18. How many of y’all enlisted at 21 and did you feel out of place?
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hi all, so i am currently in the Marines and realized that this branch will not serve me in the way i need for career progression. i eventually want to get into a Physician Assistant Master's Program and want to utilize as many resources as possible that the military offers. i also plan on eventually attempting to get a military apprenticeship as a nursing assistant role through the United States Military apprenticeship program (USMAP) and it requires that you are already in an MOS that closely correlates to said apprenticeship. i see that the Army has the most options for medical. what MOS would you guys recommend for PC experience and just best hands on experience overall? thank you in advance for your response!
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I'm a 35N (E5) Reservist about to graduate college with my bachelors as my initial contract expires. I did a (pretty dang awesome) SOCOM deployment a couple years back, and am now contemplating going active duty once I ETS. I'm weighing other options as well, but this is one I'm taking seriously.
I've talked with a recruiter a little bit, but wanted to cross-check here since they seemed unfamiliar with my particular MOS' situation. How likely am I to get an INSCOM (or SOCOM, although that might be difficult/impossible to check) duty station as an option if I show up to MEPS? I really don't want to wind up in FORSCOM sweeping motorpools all day, but am not familiar with how branch/positioning is looking for 35Ns these days.
If I show up and there is nothing but FORSCOM duty stations, ala Cavazos, Bliss, Moore, etc, I might just take my chances in the civilian world. I'm presuming/hoping that if I show up at MEPS, at least one of my options would be a non-FORSCOM station, but I have no way of verifying for myself until I show up and I don't want to waste a recruiter's time if there is a high probability of me walking out from MEPS slamming that "No Deal" button.
Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.
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When joining can you negotiate what your ait will be or no, and is it something that a recruiter might lie on?
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When is 09m program ending for 16-20 ASVAB scores
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Is it actually worth it to try and max out your PT scores early on like in Basic and AIT? Are there any real benefits to trying to stand out from my peers at these points? My current long-term plan with the military doesn't go past the completion of my contract, and I would rather just get through the early training component with as little eyes on me as possible and focus on being a good medic for whatever unit I am assigned to while deciding if I'll be making a career out of this or not.
Current Firefighter EMT, 77 ASVAB score, son of a Marine so I have a good gist of the military, deciding between active or reserve, but that might just be a spur of the moment decision. I figure the 68w MOS would make the most sense.
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Hey so I’m leaving for bt on May 28th as a 68w. I’m going to fort sill any advice or tips? YouTube doesn’t really have anything besides Jackson or Benning. I’ll be going in as an e4 because if prior EMT experience and certification
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Shipping out Monday, just want to make sure everything I bring is good. Hygiene= 12 pack of Disposable razors ( to also trade), 2 bars of soap+ container, toothbrush+ paste, stick solid deodorant, Qtips, baby wipes. Shower flops. Battery bank, phone cable. QUESTION- What type of towel/ cloth you guys recommend? Also for my pair of socks; will they allow logo on bottom of toes? What size journal/ notebook to bring? What else is crucial that I’ve failed to mention? Your guidance is much appreciated!
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Need helping deciding career army or usmc..
I’m looking for truthful (preferably non biased) and helpful information on what to decide. My dream is to be able to make a long lasting career out of the military and I specifically would love to be an infantry man. I’m about 3 weeks out from going to any bootcamp and I need some serious insight on this decision. I’ve been doing my research and it seems that for a longer lasting career, a decent bonus, more opportunities(especially after service), and a better quality of life would be the army. It also seems as if going to be a marine wouldn’t really get me more than a fancy blue suit and the title ‘marine’ and also to hate my life for however many years. Can anyone shed light on this? Either one is a life changing decision and I have a limited amount of time to decide between the two… genuine help needed brothers and sisters!
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Hello,
I'm a 16 year old high school junior. I have always had a passion for math, and since the 7th grade, I have been learning computer science. The plan was to complete a PhD in computer science, make loads of money, then go back for a masters and or PhD in math. I have been working hard in school since my freshman year to stand out in computer science and attend a t-20 school. For example, this past fall, I completed my AA in computer science at my local community college and have a 4.0 at high school and a 3.8 at college. But recently, I have started to have a change of heart. My father served, so did my grandfather, and so did my uncle. This has all sparked a great sense of patriotism and nationalism. So I have read up on a bunch of army/military benefits, like 20 year retirement and 100% tuition for college. I'm now torn between what to do. If I join the army, I'm going to be doing so directly after graduation. But then I won't be going to college, and I feel like if I do my 20 years and get out, it will be to late to pick up my studies. I don't waste what time I've put into math and computer science to go to waste as I love these topics and am proud of what I have done. Has anyone experienced something similar? Is it possible to be a college student and we enrolled in the army? Have any of you gone to college after serving? If so, how did it work out? Also, for anyone who has done their 20 years, are the benefits worth it? Their page makes it seem so perfect, to be able to retire at 38 with a pension and medical, but I also understand they want people to think this is perfect.
TLDR: Can I go to college for a PhD and also be enrolled in the army? Do you think serving for 20-years is worth the benefits? Lastly, can I still attend college after my 20 years and be successful in getting a PhD?
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Hi! How low is too low of a GPA for a bachelor’s to commission? Wondering if I should even try, or just go enlisted. Thanks!
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I am leaving 21 May for FSPC Fitness track, I am having a hard time finding much information on it. Has anyone gone through it recently or have any insight as to what it will be like? Thanks!
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My recruiter gave me a take-home packet for OCS where it asks about character references and so on! I submitted it a couple of weeks ago and after that I went to MEPS for medical and all. I just realized that I put some information wrong such as email addresses, and relationship to the person listed! I would like to change them with the updated information. My packet has not been submitted yet because I still haven’t sent him my essay and LORs. The deadline for it is 21st I believe. So now my question is can I change those info before the deadline? I asked him what that take-home packet was for and he said they built off of whatever I put there. I am worried because I know I will need a security clearance and it will come back to haunt me later on.
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What medical MOS's have 4 year contracts?
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Anyone in reserve Civil affairs willing to answer some questions that i have?
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I have some questions before I enlist officially.
I have greencard so I don't have secret. I'm 28. I took my asvab and scored 44 this due to my knowledge on math is really faded away and some questions unfortunately exceed my English. Eventho I can speak and understand daily conversations with no problem. Automation and electrical part I barely understand half of them. Since the component parts and some measurements uses respective terms for them which is not daily so I couldn't even understand. I'm soon will be homeless. So I want to join army 1 for sleeping safe, 2 get my citizenship and 3 get a Job that I can use in my civilian life. So in total 3 things.
What MOS should I go for? If possible I would like to sign for 3 years contract or less. I'm interested in medical field, currently I'm a caregiver. And I would like to learn from my job in military to utilize it in my civilian life.
What is Reserve/Reservist? It still gives me the 3 things I need? If not what does it provides?
I have some stuff with me including clothes, my computer and some other stuff that. Will I have enough space in basics to store them safely?
Thank you for your answers and if possible as I'm very inexperienced to the process please share your opinions on what should I know before signing the contract. Thank you.
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Hey! So I'm super interested in joining as a 35 series (leaning towards 35m) I have a completely clean record and am not worried about myself at all. My family doesn't tell me much but I do know that my grandpa has a pretty intense arrest record including being a sex offender... My dad is telling me not to worry about it and that since its been so long the court cleared his record. I am not close to that side of my family and just want to make sure it won't be a problem. Any input is appreciated, thanks!
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My girlfriend has already gone through Meps and signed her contract. She leaves late May. Despite birth control and condoms we just found out she’s pregnant.
If we go to Planned parenthood and get a termination pill, is that something that would have to be reported? If she did that and went off to basic without reporting it would they Separate her?
We just want to know how to proceed and what will happen to her career because of it.
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Are officers just paper pushers? I’d like to join as an Engineering Officer, I wouldn’t mind pushing papers but if it’s the only thing I’m expected to do then I definitely wouldn’t join, are engineering officers mostly outside?
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Seasonal Allergies Immunotherapy
Hi I’m planning on applying for OCS when I graduate in May. But im currently taking allergy shots for my seasonal allergies. I would have no problem pausing them during basic etc. Resuming when I’m past training, but is this something I have to do? Is it worth having to get a medical waiver for it? Do I need to tell my recruiter?
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Thinking of enlisting
I need opinions from experienced soldiers and officers. I just turned 30. I’ve wasted the last 12 years of my life just getting by, without guidance or direction. I’ve worked for UPS part time loading trailers for the last 6 years. I’m in college now for a BA in criminal justice. I know it’s best to wait until you have a degree to join but that won’t be for another 3 years at least. Should I go Army, Reserves, or ARNG? I’m not worried about losing my civilian job as I would be granted military leave and planned on quitting anyway once I have my bachelors degree. I feel like my life has no purpose and I’m ready for a change. I also want to serve and protect my country. I have a couple months to decide as I’m on probation until October. What are your thoughts? What would you suggest?
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What is current prior service rules? Current e5 with 5 yrs active
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I am thinking of enlisting as a 19D with option 19 for Germany. My husband is German (Bavarian) and we both currently live in Bavaria. My question is, what would hosuing look like?
I would prefer to live off base and commute so that I could live with my husband, but I do not know if that is possible.
Would I have to live in a barracks and only visit my husband in my freetime? Could we both live on base? I am not sure what the housing rules are and what options would apply to someone like me.
I am not sure how or if any of this would effect things, but I currently live in Germany, speak german at a B2/C1 level, have a drivers liscense here, and was told that with my education I could become a E-4 after training. No I am not picking 19D just to get germany, I am actually interested in that.
Thanks in advance for all your help!
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So, I just signed my contract and sadly since I'm not a Citizen nothing that I actually wanted to do was available to me. From all the options 15R seemed the coolest. Did I make a huge mistake? I really don't want to hate my life for next 4 years. If it helps I wanted 25B (IT) because I like fixing computers and trouble shooting issues. Also I'm joining in late (34F), anybody have some experiences going into the army older?
Shipping out May 21.
Thanks.
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Serious concern, need your opinion
Hey guys, I just turned 18 and ive been seriously considering joining up, however, some people around me have been saying that because I am a muslim, i might face some discrimination or unjust treatment while in the military, for all the veterans and active duty men and women, what is your take on this?
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I’m going down to MEPS this Thursday to sign a navy contract. I’m really hesitant and doubts I’m choosing the right branch. The army is in the back of my mind because the possibility of signing a three year contract. I needed a mental health waiver for adhd, adjustment disorder, anxiety. I’m 35 years old. I’m moderately in shape. Do you think it’s worth it to stop a sure thing to inquire about the army? Thank you for your response?
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Currently a 31B trying to reclass over to 35L when I leave Korea. Does anyone know how long this process would take and how much time in service I would need to have left so I do not need to reenlist to accomplish this?
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I asked this on the main page but was told to post it here. I hope this is the right place. I got a few answers on my other post, but more information helps. I’m going into the Army. I’m married to someone who is going into Marine Corps. What are the odds we get stationed together? He’ll be either aviation or infantry and I’ll be a nurse if that makes a difference.
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I ship out tomorrow currently on the meps shuttle but i was previously told i wouldn’t have to do basic training, now my recruiter told me earlier today that i might have to redo basic training and to make sure my contract specifies that im an e5. Im an e5 prior service Marine with 42 months inactive reserves in the Marine corps. Why am i being told this the day before i ship out when they told me i didnt have to do basic?
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Hey guys I’m seriously considering a career as a 35L Counter Intelligence. They seem really cool. I’m wondering what places they are likely to be stationed at. Thank you
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Hey everyone, I was told by the mods to come here for this question, so I did. Anyways, I’m 14 and live in the UK but I am an American citizen and proud American and U would love to serve my country, however I’m also really smart academics wise and so I’d definitely go to Uni and not just a mediocre one. However, once I finish uni I want to join the Army as an officer and my dad was a sergeant back in the 80s in the airforce where he did communications in Germany (also where he met my Mom) and I’m planning on only doing 1 enlistment. Is this a waste of 4 yrs? Also, if I were to join, then which unit would be best to join as I want to join a unit that actually is fun and has a good brotherhood but I am also worried about being deployed as I don’t want to die, seeing as I value my life and I’m my parents only child. Can yall give me some advice please. Have a good day and thank you for your service.
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Hello! I have a question for anyone who knows MEPS regulations.
If someone has had the gastric bypass surgery, had no complications with it whatsoever and is considered by the doctor to be fully healed, can they still enlist?
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Hey, so a friend of mine is going to a fat camp before basic in a couple weeks, and he was wondering what fat camp was like for other people. He's also wondering about phone usage because of some game event that's going to happen while he's there but he couldn't find much online, aside from Sundays being half an hour and only for phone calls, so any help to calm him down?
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How old is too late? Approaching 30 and I've been reconsidering joining. I completed a Challenge program in Wyoming funded by the WY Air National Guard when I was 19 and was on board until I let myself slip away from the drive to join.
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So I took the ASVAB and scored a 98 with GT 133! I passed my medical test in the first go yesterday! I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, albeit a lower gpa of 3.05, but I have more than 2 years of working experience in the same field! I am currently enrolled in a graduate program in Computer Science! I want to do OCS reserve but my recruiter is pushing me to go enlisted. I said I am sticking with what I had said in the beginning which is OCS and I also gave him 3 mos options- 1) 17 series 2) 25 series and 3) 35 series. He is saying 17 is going to be hard and it’s going to take a long time. It also has a test! However, he’s giving me a positive signal about 35 and saying there are 5 vacancies nearby! For 25, there is only one and that is far but Im willing to fly there! For 17, there are 3! What should I choose as my 1, 2, and 3?
Also what benefits do you get if you go to OCS? He was saying I wouldn’t get any educational benefits such loan repayment and so on.
(Edited: I am doing Army Reserve)
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So l've seen a lot of tips and things to bring to basic training, but I wanna know what I really need to bring because a lot of those list say a bunch of things and I doubt that I'm gonna need all of them and mind you I am a female going to basic trading so it be appreciated. If y'all would give me some tips on what to bring to basic training and what not to bring
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I have never served in the military. I want to sign an option 40 to get a tryout at RASP some time in the future, I want to know how physically fit you should be before you even want to consider ranger training for one (What physical feats should you be able to accomplish on a bad day) And how well basic training and MOS training would get you ready (physically) for RASP. And what you need to manage on your own in terms of training. So to recap I'm asking how trained I should be before joining and if I will need to take my own initiative to get physically fit enough for ranger school. I am looking to not be last in line when doing runs or 12 mile rucks because that was 5 days a week every week during high school track. I want every advantage I can get.
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Considering crossing over to Army from a sister service. I lied about my ADD diagnosis at MEPs 6 years ago. Will this prevent me from joining?
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I’m choosing 13m as my mos I just wants info on it I’ve heard it’s a lot of motor pool stuff etc I’m just curious before I sign the contract
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Any Idea how hard it is to re class to a different unit or even switch from reserves to the guard? Trying to go from 35F reserves to 15T National Guard.
Ive just heard Florida Guard has alot more to offer getting activated during hurricanes working during drills going into the field and hopping on orders and helping my community more!
Just wondering what factors come into play such as my incentives on my contract. Does anything change on my GI bill? How likely is it that a unit will sign my release for and how ling itll take.
Link to Comment Chain
Enlistment processing times in these days (2024)
Hi. I am planning to show up a recruiting office but I wonder how long it will take from first touch to basic training? Also does the timeline change for female candidates? Thanks!
Link to Comment Chain
Im a CDT about to attend Sapper school and was wondering if anyone knows rappell gloves other than the petzl ones which are acceptable to bring to the school. I have tried looking to buy the petzl ones online and they're out of stock everywhere! I would also like to ask for ASU cotton tan shirt recommendations since I heard the standard issue ones get annoying (?).
Thank you in advance for hearing out my weird and oddly specific questions.
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I signed a contract with the reserves for 15k as I transition from active duty. When can I expect to see that money? My ETS date is 07/27
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I am a workstudy at my college's Veterans Resource Center, and I get a lot of calls about the most random shit. Today, I got a call about a poolee serving in the Army band, and it was all Greek to me. From his work schedule to his training to his GI benefits, to some $9,000 copay, I didn't have any information as to how to help him.
While I have a lot of knowledge about veteran benefits, the army's benefits are the most confusing by far (imo), and I dont know dick about the band. I'm sending this kid to a few places, but the first place I'm pointing him to is his recruiter.
Recruiters, how much training do you receive about benefits, and what is your role in the poolees' lives after they swear the oath?
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I’m super close to my ship date May14th. & I’m getting extremely nervous and having 2nd thoughts. I’m 33 and just probably overthinking it. Any one else have this problem and came out okay? Or did you really regret it?
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I found out I can join the army in 24 months. I’ll be 21 and I feel kinda like a loser for having to wait cause everyone I know joins at 18. How many of y’all enlisted at 21 and did you feel out of place?
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hi all, so i am currently in the Marines and realized that this branch will not serve me in the way i need for career progression. i eventually want to get into a Physician Assistant Master's Program and want to utilize as many resources as possible that the military offers. i also plan on eventually attempting to get a military apprenticeship as a nursing assistant role through the United States Military apprenticeship program (USMAP) and it requires that you are already in an MOS that closely correlates to said apprenticeship. i see that the Army has the most options for medical. what MOS would you guys recommend for PC experience and just best hands on experience overall? thank you in advance for your response!
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I'm a 35N (E5) Reservist about to graduate college with my bachelors as my initial contract expires. I did a (pretty dang awesome) SOCOM deployment a couple years back, and am now contemplating going active duty once I ETS. I'm weighing other options as well, but this is one I'm taking seriously.
I've talked with a recruiter a little bit, but wanted to cross-check here since they seemed unfamiliar with my particular MOS' situation. How likely am I to get an INSCOM (or SOCOM, although that might be difficult/impossible to check) duty station as an option if I show up to MEPS? I really don't want to wind up in FORSCOM sweeping motorpools all day, but am not familiar with how branch/positioning is looking for 35Ns these days.
If I show up and there is nothing but FORSCOM duty stations, ala Cavazos, Bliss, Moore, etc, I might just take my chances in the civilian world. I'm presuming/hoping that if I show up at MEPS, at least one of my options would be a non-FORSCOM station, but I have no way of verifying for myself until I show up and I don't want to waste a recruiter's time if there is a high probability of me walking out from MEPS slamming that "No Deal" button.
Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.
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When joining can you negotiate what your ait will be or no, and is it something that a recruiter might lie on?
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When is 09m program ending for 16-20 ASVAB scores
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Is it actually worth it to try and max out your PT scores early on like in Basic and AIT? Are there any real benefits to trying to stand out from my peers at these points? My current long-term plan with the military doesn't go past the completion of my contract, and I would rather just get through the early training component with as little eyes on me as possible and focus on being a good medic for whatever unit I am assigned to while deciding if I'll be making a career out of this or not.
Current Firefighter EMT, 77 ASVAB score, son of a Marine so I have a good gist of the military, deciding between active or reserve, but that might just be a spur of the moment decision. I figure the 68w MOS would make the most sense.
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Hey so I’m leaving for bt on May 28th as a 68w. I’m going to fort sill any advice or tips? YouTube doesn’t really have anything besides Jackson or Benning. I’ll be going in as an e4 because if prior EMT experience and certification
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Shipping out Monday, just want to make sure everything I bring is good. Hygiene= 12 pack of Disposable razors ( to also trade), 2 bars of soap+ container, toothbrush+ paste, stick solid deodorant, Qtips, baby wipes. Shower flops. Battery bank, phone cable. QUESTION- What type of towel/ cloth you guys recommend? Also for my pair of socks; will they allow logo on bottom of toes? What size journal/ notebook to bring? What else is crucial that I’ve failed to mention? Your guidance is much appreciated!
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Need helping deciding career army or usmc..
I’m looking for truthful (preferably non biased) and helpful information on what to decide. My dream is to be able to make a long lasting career out of the military and I specifically would love to be an infantry man. I’m about 3 weeks out from going to any bootcamp and I need some serious insight on this decision. I’ve been doing my research and it seems that for a longer lasting career, a decent bonus, more opportunities(especially after service), and a better quality of life would be the army. It also seems as if going to be a marine wouldn’t really get me more than a fancy blue suit and the title ‘marine’ and also to hate my life for however many years. Can anyone shed light on this? Either one is a life changing decision and I have a limited amount of time to decide between the two… genuine help needed brothers and sisters!
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Hello,
I'm a 16 year old high school junior. I have always had a passion for math, and since the 7th grade, I have been learning computer science. The plan was to complete a PhD in computer science, make loads of money, then go back for a masters and or PhD in math. I have been working hard in school since my freshman year to stand out in computer science and attend a t-20 school. For example, this past fall, I completed my AA in computer science at my local community college and have a 4.0 at high school and a 3.8 at college. But recently, I have started to have a change of heart. My father served, so did my grandfather, and so did my uncle. This has all sparked a great sense of patriotism and nationalism. So I have read up on a bunch of army/military benefits, like 20 year retirement and 100% tuition for college. I'm now torn between what to do. If I join the army, I'm going to be doing so directly after graduation. But then I won't be going to college, and I feel like if I do my 20 years and get out, it will be to late to pick up my studies. I don't waste what time I've put into math and computer science to go to waste as I love these topics and am proud of what I have done. Has anyone experienced something similar? Is it possible to be a college student and we enrolled in the army? Have any of you gone to college after serving? If so, how did it work out? Also, for anyone who has done their 20 years, are the benefits worth it? Their page makes it seem so perfect, to be able to retire at 38 with a pension and medical, but I also understand they want people to think this is perfect.
TLDR: Can I go to college for a PhD and also be enrolled in the army? Do you think serving for 20-years is worth the benefits? Lastly, can I still attend college after my 20 years and be successful in getting a PhD?
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Hi! How low is too low of a GPA for a bachelor’s to commission? Wondering if I should even try, or just go enlisted. Thanks!
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I am leaving 21 May for FSPC Fitness track, I am having a hard time finding much information on it. Has anyone gone through it recently or have any insight as to what it will be like? Thanks!
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My recruiter gave me a take-home packet for OCS where it asks about character references and so on! I submitted it a couple of weeks ago and after that I went to MEPS for medical and all. I just realized that I put some information wrong such as email addresses, and relationship to the person listed! I would like to change them with the updated information. My packet has not been submitted yet because I still haven’t sent him my essay and LORs. The deadline for it is 21st I believe. So now my question is can I change those info before the deadline? I asked him what that take-home packet was for and he said they built off of whatever I put there. I am worried because I know I will need a security clearance and it will come back to haunt me later on.
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What medical MOS's have 4 year contracts?
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Anyone in reserve Civil affairs willing to answer some questions that i have?
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I have some questions before I enlist officially.
I have greencard so I don't have secret. I'm 28. I took my asvab and scored 44 this due to my knowledge on math is really faded away and some questions unfortunately exceed my English. Eventho I can speak and understand daily conversations with no problem. Automation and electrical part I barely understand half of them. Since the component parts and some measurements uses respective terms for them which is not daily so I couldn't even understand. I'm soon will be homeless. So I want to join army 1 for sleeping safe, 2 get my citizenship and 3 get a Job that I can use in my civilian life. So in total 3 things.
What MOS should I go for? If possible I would like to sign for 3 years contract or less. I'm interested in medical field, currently I'm a caregiver. And I would like to learn from my job in military to utilize it in my civilian life.
What is Reserve/Reservist? It still gives me the 3 things I need? If not what does it provides?
I have some stuff with me including clothes, my computer and some other stuff that. Will I have enough space in basics to store them safely?
Thank you for your answers and if possible as I'm very inexperienced to the process please share your opinions on what should I know before signing the contract. Thank you.
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Hey! So I'm super interested in joining as a 35 series (leaning towards 35m) I have a completely clean record and am not worried about myself at all. My family doesn't tell me much but I do know that my grandpa has a pretty intense arrest record including being a sex offender... My dad is telling me not to worry about it and that since its been so long the court cleared his record. I am not close to that side of my family and just want to make sure it won't be a problem. Any input is appreciated, thanks!
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My girlfriend has already gone through Meps and signed her contract. She leaves late May. Despite birth control and condoms we just found out she’s pregnant.
If we go to Planned parenthood and get a termination pill, is that something that would have to be reported? If she did that and went off to basic without reporting it would they Separate her?
We just want to know how to proceed and what will happen to her career because of it.
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Are officers just paper pushers? I’d like to join as an Engineering Officer, I wouldn’t mind pushing papers but if it’s the only thing I’m expected to do then I definitely wouldn’t join, are engineering officers mostly outside?
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Seasonal Allergies Immunotherapy
Hi I’m planning on applying for OCS when I graduate in May. But im currently taking allergy shots for my seasonal allergies. I would have no problem pausing them during basic etc. Resuming when I’m past training, but is this something I have to do? Is it worth having to get a medical waiver for it? Do I need to tell my recruiter?
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Thinking of enlisting
I need opinions from experienced soldiers and officers. I just turned 30. I’ve wasted the last 12 years of my life just getting by, without guidance or direction. I’ve worked for UPS part time loading trailers for the last 6 years. I’m in college now for a BA in criminal justice. I know it’s best to wait until you have a degree to join but that won’t be for another 3 years at least. Should I go Army, Reserves, or ARNG? I’m not worried about losing my civilian job as I would be granted military leave and planned on quitting anyway once I have my bachelors degree. I feel like my life has no purpose and I’m ready for a change. I also want to serve and protect my country. I have a couple months to decide as I’m on probation until October. What are your thoughts? What would you suggest?
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What is current prior service rules? Current e5 with 5 yrs active
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I am thinking of enlisting as a 19D with option 19 for Germany. My husband is German (Bavarian) and we both currently live in Bavaria. My question is, what would hosuing look like?
I would prefer to live off base and commute so that I could live with my husband, but I do not know if that is possible.
Would I have to live in a barracks and only visit my husband in my freetime? Could we both live on base? I am not sure what the housing rules are and what options would apply to someone like me.
I am not sure how or if any of this would effect things, but I currently live in Germany, speak german at a B2/C1 level, have a drivers liscense here, and was told that with my education I could become a E-4 after training. No I am not picking 19D just to get germany, I am actually interested in that.
Thanks in advance for all your help!
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So, I just signed my contract and sadly since I'm not a Citizen nothing that I actually wanted to do was available to me. From all the options 15R seemed the coolest. Did I make a huge mistake? I really don't want to hate my life for next 4 years. If it helps I wanted 25B (IT) because I like fixing computers and trouble shooting issues. Also I'm joining in late (34F), anybody have some experiences going into the army older?
Shipping out May 21.
Thanks.
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Serious concern, need your opinion
Hey guys, I just turned 18 and ive been seriously considering joining up, however, some people around me have been saying that because I am a muslim, i might face some discrimination or unjust treatment while in the military, for all the veterans and active duty men and women, what is your take on this?
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I’m going down to MEPS this Thursday to sign a navy contract. I’m really hesitant and doubts I’m choosing the right branch. The army is in the back of my mind because the possibility of signing a three year contract. I needed a mental health waiver for adhd, adjustment disorder, anxiety. I’m 35 years old. I’m moderately in shape. Do you think it’s worth it to stop a sure thing to inquire about the army? Thank you for your response?
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Currently a 31B trying to reclass over to 35L when I leave Korea. Does anyone know how long this process would take and how much time in service I would need to have left so I do not need to reenlist to accomplish this?
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I asked this on the main page but was told to post it here. I hope this is the right place. I got a few answers on my other post, but more information helps. I’m going into the Army. I’m married to someone who is going into Marine Corps. What are the odds we get stationed together? He’ll be either aviation or infantry and I’ll be a nurse if that makes a difference.
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I ship out tomorrow currently on the meps shuttle but i was previously told i wouldn’t have to do basic training, now my recruiter told me earlier today that i might have to redo basic training and to make sure my contract specifies that im an e5. Im an e5 prior service Marine with 42 months inactive reserves in the Marine corps. Why am i being told this the day before i ship out when they told me i didnt have to do basic?
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Hey guys I’m seriously considering a career as a 35L Counter Intelligence. They seem really cool. I’m wondering what places they are likely to be stationed at. Thank you
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Hey everyone, I was told by the mods to come here for this question, so I did. Anyways, I’m 14 and live in the UK but I am an American citizen and proud American and U would love to serve my country, however I’m also really smart academics wise and so I’d definitely go to Uni and not just a mediocre one. However, once I finish uni I want to join the Army as an officer and my dad was a sergeant back in the 80s in the airforce where he did communications in Germany (also where he met my Mom) and I’m planning on only doing 1 enlistment. Is this a waste of 4 yrs? Also, if I were to join, then which unit would be best to join as I want to join a unit that actually is fun and has a good brotherhood but I am also worried about being deployed as I don’t want to die, seeing as I value my life and I’m my parents only child. Can yall give me some advice please. Have a good day and thank you for your service.
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Hello! I have a question for anyone who knows MEPS regulations.
If someone has had the gastric bypass surgery, had no complications with it whatsoever and is considered by the doctor to be fully healed, can they still enlist?
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I don't know if any of you followed The Traka - by now I think clearly Europe's most important gravel race - this weekend. I certainly did. So I figured I start a thread here to share some thoughts / observations. And hopefully some of you want to chime in.
The Traka Coverage
First things first, the Traka team did a great job covering the event live on social media. What I enjoyed the most was the YouTube live coverage of the 360 event. They had ebikes with cameras out on the course, following the lead group(s). That made for some of the best live race coverage I've seen in gravel. I'd love to see more of this in the future.
Subsequently, I was pretty shocked/surprised on Saturday when I realized that they didn't have the same live coverage of the 200 - arguably the main event. I wonder why that is. I speculate that it might be because the 200 & 100 are UCI events and it might be a rights issue related to this fact. Still, it's a pitty and hopefully this can be improved next year.
I'm curious to see what they release after the race. The benchmark is what Life Time GP did for Sea Otter a couple of weeks ago.
360 or 200 - what's the real deal? Above I said that the 200 is arguably the main event. What I mean by "main event" is best explained with the way we think about: if you say someonw won Unbound, it's clear you're talking about the 200 mile race.
In the case of Traka, it's the 200k. It has the reputation and the depth of top starters - at least coming from a European gravel/cycling perspective, it's hard to argue otherwise.
But then, many of the US gravel household names like Stetina, Britton or Rockwell chose to start in the 360. My take on this: they knew that they likely wouldn't compete for a top result in the 200. Thus, they opted for the 360. And yet, you could also make the case that 360 is the "realer" gravel distance. And, resultingly, the US gravel pros, optimize their training for that type of distance. When they come to Traka, the 360 might simply seem like "the real deal" to them.
So should we consider the 360 as the main event maybe? Or do we even need a clear main event? I'm torn here as I like both distances and the types of race they result in. What do you think?
Casa Rassmann
I watched the 200's live stream (which had no live footage except for the finish line) and saw German Frederik Rassmann cross the line as first, beating eventual winner Petr Vakoc and Jasper Ockeloen in a sprint. He later - after some discussions at the finish line, as the moderator mentioned at some point - he even joint the live stream's set to give his winner interview.
But an hour or so later, Rassmann disappeared from the results. And the Traka Intagram post about the men's race results - which took a long time to come online, unlike in Caro Schiff's/the women's race case - mentioned Petr. In the complete results list, Rassmann was now listed as 15th - apparently he had received a time penalty.
For a while, there was no information on what had happened. Later, Rassmann posted on Instagram and mentioned "illegal feeding" as the reason for a time punishment. In a comment on Strava, Carolin Schiff later added more context and stated that he "accepted nutrition from outside in the first feedzone". Other accounts, including his team's, later confirmed that its related to feeding illegally.
Still, as of writing this we don't know any details. In particular, the organizers didn't release any official communication on the subject. Is it just me or is that weird?
Someone crosses the line of your most prestigious event in first place and you opt to give him a time punishment. Certainly frustrating for the rider and, too, a bummer for the organizer - who can't promote glorious finish line pics. But it's also not extraordinary and a common occurrence in road racing. So I would expect an official statement if such a big decision is made.
I mean, one could even argue that the organizer might be incentivized to not dq/or punish the first finisher because doing so significantly reduces the marketability of the result. So being strict and enforcing the rule could even be seen as a honorable act that prioritizes protecting the competition's integrity over the potential marketing benefits. So why not communicate what happened quickly and clearly? I mean, it shouldt be pretty straightforward as the rules are clear on this (see p. 14 in the Athlete Guide).
Certainly an area for improvement.
Other random notes

• Great repeat victory for Carolin Schiff and judging by the time and dot watching a strong performance in the last k's (too bad we have no footage)
• Stetina and Britton coming back after at some point being back around 7-8 minutes due to technicals is quite impressive
• The 360 women's winner Karolina Migon was super strong. But don't take the time gap she had on 2nd-placed Geerike Schreurs (+22:09) as an expression of the difference in their performances. Migon was riding with a strong group of men for a long time. Meanwhile, Schreurs was solo TTing it, trying to close the gap. That's a normal event in gravel racing but a good reminder to not take finish times at their face value.

Has anyone watched this Odd ones dating show? I watched the YouTube video they just put out and find the whole thing so repulsive and misogynistic.
Doesn’t Uncle Tics have an audience that is generally younger children, like why is he doing this? The way him and Nixon talk about the girls is so piggish. What does this teach young men in New Zealand about how to treat women. Anyone else that’s watched this have any thoughts?