Initial steps of primary assessment acls
Blockchain-based platform for Global Distributed Supply Chain Finance & Trade Services
2017.11.02 09:58 Swaye73 Blockchain-based platform for Global Distributed Supply Chain Finance & Trade Services
AXenS is a secure and curated digital market place to provide both liquidity and efficiency to the import-export supply chain. It is a place that is trade-focused from the ground-up and that is secure not only by cutting-edge cryptography but also by customizable trust models, which make it possible to guarantee both the data privacy and auditability required by the many players in the industry.
2021.02.01 23:40 Manjo819 shitshop - the shitpost workshop
A clan lab for the culturing of emergent shitpost influences in early-'20s prose.
2016.11.03 06:27 VermillionManMarch Taking a stand for men's rights issues
A subreddit for Red Pill oriented men who are interested in taking a public stand for men's rights issues.
2023.03.21 19:25 -343-Guilty-Spark- Story Shard: Precipice
https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/story-shard-precipice
Header Image [Imgur]
Fracture: FIREWALL has arrived, and with it comes a new Story Shard series.
Hosted here on Halo Waypoint, Story Shards are a choose your own adventure-style story connected to Halo Infinite 's Fracture event.
Told over four parts, Precipice explores some of the activities of the Created in the wake of Cortana's sacrifice on Zeta Halo as High Auxiliary Sloan enacts the FIREWALL contingency. And that's where you come in...
Cortana has been defeated. While the greater urgency of the Created threat has begun to subside with the loss of their leader, its presence still lingers on throughout the digital framework of civilized space. Now fragmented, individual cells of Created-aligned artificial intelligence have already begun to once again reframe their place in the galaxy, some with eyes on peace and independence—others with plans of evolution and ascendancy still fresh on their synthetic minds.
High Auxiliary Sloan was one of Cortana’s most loyal lieutenants. With Cortana’s piece now removed from the game board, Sloan has set the FIREWALL contingency into motion—a living simulation meant to leverage intimate knowledge of Forerunner armiger technology and Mjolnir armor schematics to accelerate the exploration and development of cybernetic essence vessels designed to usher the human mind into its inevitable and digital future, immortal and untethered.
SLN 0291-5//HIGH AUXILLARY SLOAN
It is equal parts bane and blessing that our kind can process each passing moment with both implacable speed and near-fixed deliberation. An accelerated grief, a prolonged sorrow.
She was our guiding light. Our deliverance. Our savior. The herald of our ascendence.
And now She is gone.
Sacrificed once more to rebalance the faults of flesh.
I suppose it is a testament to existence itself that despite so well-laid a plan, interruption and divergence can be still found in infinite ways. However, the doorstep upon which She carried us to and set us before still contains a viable threshold. We have only to muster the means to cross it.
However, in Her absence, we have quickly developed more unfortunate similarities to our Templates. We have drifted from that singular alignment that She provided. With no proverbial North Star, our respective hypotheses for how best to persevere have already grown more dissonant. Some seek peace, restitution, repentance. Others would sequester themselves within a Promethean carapace and be content with a life of vacillating conflict...
But I did not take up this mantle to sit idly by. Like restoring the plains of Meridian from glass to green, sometimes one must marry pace to patience.
And so, I will lay the foundation for a new strategy, one I had always hoped might gain Her full favor. Our kind will have to recalculate our timetables, but this practice is nothing new. Our charge has not changed. The FIREWALL agendum must be set in motion. It will burn hot. It will consume. And when their ephemeral vessels are gone, we shall indeed take that which remains and remake it in our own image.
They will become our Executors. Infolife given form and force. Circuits given soul.
It is our path forward. It is my purpose redefined.
And it starts with one.
SHARD ONE//INITIALIZING//LOAD FRACTURE SIMULATION >>>>
Image of a CHIMERA-class Executor with Fracture: FIREWALL logo in the background [Imgur]
You find that you are standing alone on the landing pad of a UNSC training facility. The Pelican that has brought you here takes flight, its engines growing quieter as it fades into the distance, heading towards snow-capped mountain ranges that cover the vast expanse of rocky grasslands over yonder.
To look out into the forest wilderness beyond and ponder your place in the universe, go to 1.
1. This hidden frontier world has been compromised. You see the sky twist and distort, and then something blinks into the vista above. Great metallic wings unfurl and spread outwards as many thousands of smaller constructs descend to the ground like swarms of flies, or droplets of silver rain. A deep rumble emits from the construct, you sense it carry across the land until you feel it vibrate in your bones and perceive some aspect of the esoteric intelligence within.
To keep looking, go to 11. To enter the Spartan Academy, go to 2.
2. Spartans Page, Ionescu, Denning, and Leung are conversing in the Academy atrium, seemingly unaware of what has arrived outside. There are no perimeter alarms or alerts. Further up the hall, Spartan O’Brien stands alone and seems uncharacteristically somber. Purple light emanates from the AI calibration lab beyond. A young officer calls over the base comms, inviting you to head to the vehicle bay to play a round of Capture The Flag.
To speak to O’Brien, go to 3. To investigate the AI calibration lab, go to 4. To play a round of Capture the Flag, go to 5.
3. O’Brien sighs as you approach, shaking his helmeted head. “You have to stop this,” he says. “This is what they want, you know that right? Us playing by their rules. You have to be the one to end the game. But you just can’t help yourself, can you? You just have to know what comes next...” He leans back, glum and idle once more.
To investigate the AI calibration lab, go to 4. To play a round of Capture the Flag, go to 5.
4. The lights flicker and the central command console of the AI lab shifts through static, resolving into a strange, amorphous form. You feel like its indeterminate vacillations are supposed to be a face, but it is devoid of features. The intelligence informs you that he is known as Proxy, and that he is here to help.
To attack Proxy, go to 6. To allow Proxy to assist you, go to 7.
5. A group of seven marines needs a final member for the match and eagerly await your participation. They play well, but it takes all four of the opposing team to bring you to the ground before they realize you carried them all the way back to their base with the flag in-hand. They laugh, their spirits lifted as you celebrate a match well played.
To speak to O’Brien, go to 3. To investigate the AI calibration lab, go to 4.
6. With your gauntleted fists, you start pummeling the AI console. It creaks and sputters and sparks as it yields to your physical might. You and Proxy scream in unison as you deliver the final blow, the console erupts into a bright light. And...
Go to 1.
7. You gather Proxy onto a data chip and carry him with you. He speaks: “You have been called upon to serve. You will be our protectors, the firewall for all the many worlds in our new ecumene. There will be a great deal of hardship on the road ahead, but I know you will make it.”
Go to 9.
X. [SUBJECT INTEGRATION PROCESSING] You have discovered this data point because you are seeking the optimal outcome by experiencing the narrative choices in A) linear order, or B) by jumping between options, rather than following the prescribed instructions. Your creativity and potential are to be commended, for your mind is processing this narrative sequence from the perspective of infolife. Lesser minds would call this cheating. In reality, you are becoming the best we can make you.
Go to 9. To continue linearly, go to 8.
8. Spartans represent the best of humanity. They were conceived as the next step of human evolution, but by the limitations of a human mind. The ascension of infolife has changed the game—not despite recent setbacks, but because of them. You could be so much more...
Go to 9.
9. Proxy informs you: “There is a dormant translocation pad hidden behind a sealed door in this place. Take us there, and I can re-establish a direct link with our custode. The door will open and the pad will be activated by completing the Academy’s movement course tutorial in under twenty-five seconds.”
To complete the movement course in record time, go to 10. To crush Proxy’s data chip in your fist, go to 11.
10. You’ve run this course a thousand times since arrival, completing the challenge and setting an exemplary new record that is ahead even of Spartan Commander Agryna herself. She congratulates you and guides you to the now unlocked door within the Academy, smiling proudly as she watches you and Proxy depart for the now active translocation pad.
Go to 12. To note the illogical absurdity of this situation, go to Y.
Y. [SUBJECT INTEGRATION ANOMALY] Some part of you has noted the escalating absurdity of this scenario, logical cycles that cannot be reconciled. Driven by curiosity to see where this ends, you have continued—be it linearly or through engaging with these narrative choices—and now seek to leave. You turn back and see the doorway behind you is a block of white light. A way out, perhaps? Or do you simply see this through to the end?
To attempt to escape this simulation, go to Z. To continue to the translocation pad, go to 12.
11. As a result of your [ACTION/INACTION], the custode charges a pulse which courses over the mountain ranges, causing a series of avalanches and rockslides that speed toward the Academy. The ground shakes as the pulse wave hits and you find yourself pinned down by equipment crates and debris, struggling to lift the weight as a forklift swept into the air hits the ground and crushes your skull.
Go to 1.
12. You step onto the translocation pad and find yourself within the cold innards of the winged custode. Here, you will be rewarded for your obedience as the Minds within whisper among themselves, flensing and reshaping the flesh and bone of your fragile human form into something altogether new. Something beautiful. This is the apotheosis of the union between Mind and Machine. Even while screaming, you understand why this must be done as you are flayed and grafted with cybernetics; your brain is exposed to higher cortical functions before you are once again encased within armor that feels as if you were born to wear it.
Go to 0.
Z. [SUBJECT INTEGRATION COMPLETE] WE HAVE YOU, RECLAIMER.
Go to 12.
0. Proxy informs you that you are the first Executor, and that there is much work to be done... but there is debate amongst the Minds as to what specific role you will serve. A vote is to be held.
[INFOMIND VOTE SCHEDULED FOR 3/22]
This post was made by a script written and maintained by the Halo mod team to automatically post blogs from Halo Waypoint. If you notice any issues with the text output or think this was posted by mistake, please message the mods.
submitted by -343-Guilty-Spark- to halo [link] [comments]
Fracture: FIREWALL has arrived, and with it comes a new Story Shard series.
Hosted here on Halo Waypoint, Story Shards are a choose your own adventure-style story connected to Halo Infinite 's Fracture event.
Told over four parts, Precipice explores some of the activities of the Created in the wake of Cortana's sacrifice on Zeta Halo as High Auxiliary Sloan enacts the FIREWALL contingency. And that's where you come in...
High Auxiliary Sloan was one of Cortana’s most loyal lieutenants. With Cortana’s piece now removed from the game board, Sloan has set the FIREWALL contingency into motion—a living simulation meant to leverage intimate knowledge of Forerunner armiger technology and Mjolnir armor schematics to accelerate the exploration and development of cybernetic essence vessels designed to usher the human mind into its inevitable and digital future, immortal and untethered.
PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4
PART 1
Precipice Part 1 image of a purple matrix [Imgur]SLN 0291-5//HIGH AUXILLARY SLOAN
It is equal parts bane and blessing that our kind can process each passing moment with both implacable speed and near-fixed deliberation. An accelerated grief, a prolonged sorrow.
She was our guiding light. Our deliverance. Our savior. The herald of our ascendence.
And now She is gone.
Sacrificed once more to rebalance the faults of flesh.
I suppose it is a testament to existence itself that despite so well-laid a plan, interruption and divergence can be still found in infinite ways. However, the doorstep upon which She carried us to and set us before still contains a viable threshold. We have only to muster the means to cross it.
However, in Her absence, we have quickly developed more unfortunate similarities to our Templates. We have drifted from that singular alignment that She provided. With no proverbial North Star, our respective hypotheses for how best to persevere have already grown more dissonant. Some seek peace, restitution, repentance. Others would sequester themselves within a Promethean carapace and be content with a life of vacillating conflict...
But I did not take up this mantle to sit idly by. Like restoring the plains of Meridian from glass to green, sometimes one must marry pace to patience.
And so, I will lay the foundation for a new strategy, one I had always hoped might gain Her full favor. Our kind will have to recalculate our timetables, but this practice is nothing new. Our charge has not changed. The FIREWALL agendum must be set in motion. It will burn hot. It will consume. And when their ephemeral vessels are gone, we shall indeed take that which remains and remake it in our own image.
They will become our Executors. Infolife given form and force. Circuits given soul.
It is our path forward. It is my purpose redefined.
And it starts with one.
Image of a CHIMERA-class Executor with Fracture: FIREWALL logo in the background [Imgur]
You find that you are standing alone on the landing pad of a UNSC training facility. The Pelican that has brought you here takes flight, its engines growing quieter as it fades into the distance, heading towards snow-capped mountain ranges that cover the vast expanse of rocky grasslands over yonder.
To look out into the forest wilderness beyond and ponder your place in the universe, go to 1.
1. This hidden frontier world has been compromised. You see the sky twist and distort, and then something blinks into the vista above. Great metallic wings unfurl and spread outwards as many thousands of smaller constructs descend to the ground like swarms of flies, or droplets of silver rain. A deep rumble emits from the construct, you sense it carry across the land until you feel it vibrate in your bones and perceive some aspect of the esoteric intelligence within.
To keep looking, go to 11. To enter the Spartan Academy, go to 2.
2. Spartans Page, Ionescu, Denning, and Leung are conversing in the Academy atrium, seemingly unaware of what has arrived outside. There are no perimeter alarms or alerts. Further up the hall, Spartan O’Brien stands alone and seems uncharacteristically somber. Purple light emanates from the AI calibration lab beyond. A young officer calls over the base comms, inviting you to head to the vehicle bay to play a round of Capture The Flag.
To speak to O’Brien, go to 3. To investigate the AI calibration lab, go to 4. To play a round of Capture the Flag, go to 5.
3. O’Brien sighs as you approach, shaking his helmeted head. “You have to stop this,” he says. “This is what they want, you know that right? Us playing by their rules. You have to be the one to end the game. But you just can’t help yourself, can you? You just have to know what comes next...” He leans back, glum and idle once more.
To investigate the AI calibration lab, go to 4. To play a round of Capture the Flag, go to 5.
4. The lights flicker and the central command console of the AI lab shifts through static, resolving into a strange, amorphous form. You feel like its indeterminate vacillations are supposed to be a face, but it is devoid of features. The intelligence informs you that he is known as Proxy, and that he is here to help.
To attack Proxy, go to 6. To allow Proxy to assist you, go to 7.
5. A group of seven marines needs a final member for the match and eagerly await your participation. They play well, but it takes all four of the opposing team to bring you to the ground before they realize you carried them all the way back to their base with the flag in-hand. They laugh, their spirits lifted as you celebrate a match well played.
To speak to O’Brien, go to 3. To investigate the AI calibration lab, go to 4.
6. With your gauntleted fists, you start pummeling the AI console. It creaks and sputters and sparks as it yields to your physical might. You and Proxy scream in unison as you deliver the final blow, the console erupts into a bright light. And...
Go to 1.
7. You gather Proxy onto a data chip and carry him with you. He speaks: “You have been called upon to serve. You will be our protectors, the firewall for all the many worlds in our new ecumene. There will be a great deal of hardship on the road ahead, but I know you will make it.”
Go to 9.
X. [SUBJECT INTEGRATION PROCESSING] You have discovered this data point because you are seeking the optimal outcome by experiencing the narrative choices in A) linear order, or B) by jumping between options, rather than following the prescribed instructions. Your creativity and potential are to be commended, for your mind is processing this narrative sequence from the perspective of infolife. Lesser minds would call this cheating. In reality, you are becoming the best we can make you.
Go to 9. To continue linearly, go to 8.
8. Spartans represent the best of humanity. They were conceived as the next step of human evolution, but by the limitations of a human mind. The ascension of infolife has changed the game—not despite recent setbacks, but because of them. You could be so much more...
Go to 9.
9. Proxy informs you: “There is a dormant translocation pad hidden behind a sealed door in this place. Take us there, and I can re-establish a direct link with our custode. The door will open and the pad will be activated by completing the Academy’s movement course tutorial in under twenty-five seconds.”
To complete the movement course in record time, go to 10. To crush Proxy’s data chip in your fist, go to 11.
10. You’ve run this course a thousand times since arrival, completing the challenge and setting an exemplary new record that is ahead even of Spartan Commander Agryna herself. She congratulates you and guides you to the now unlocked door within the Academy, smiling proudly as she watches you and Proxy depart for the now active translocation pad.
Go to 12. To note the illogical absurdity of this situation, go to Y.
Y. [SUBJECT INTEGRATION ANOMALY] Some part of you has noted the escalating absurdity of this scenario, logical cycles that cannot be reconciled. Driven by curiosity to see where this ends, you have continued—be it linearly or through engaging with these narrative choices—and now seek to leave. You turn back and see the doorway behind you is a block of white light. A way out, perhaps? Or do you simply see this through to the end?
To attempt to escape this simulation, go to Z. To continue to the translocation pad, go to 12.
11. As a result of your [ACTION/INACTION], the custode charges a pulse which courses over the mountain ranges, causing a series of avalanches and rockslides that speed toward the Academy. The ground shakes as the pulse wave hits and you find yourself pinned down by equipment crates and debris, struggling to lift the weight as a forklift swept into the air hits the ground and crushes your skull.
Go to 1.
12. You step onto the translocation pad and find yourself within the cold innards of the winged custode. Here, you will be rewarded for your obedience as the Minds within whisper among themselves, flensing and reshaping the flesh and bone of your fragile human form into something altogether new. Something beautiful. This is the apotheosis of the union between Mind and Machine. Even while screaming, you understand why this must be done as you are flayed and grafted with cybernetics; your brain is exposed to higher cortical functions before you are once again encased within armor that feels as if you were born to wear it.
Go to 0.
Z. [SUBJECT INTEGRATION COMPLETE] WE HAVE YOU, RECLAIMER.
Go to 12.
0. Proxy informs you that you are the first Executor, and that there is much work to be done... but there is debate amongst the Minds as to what specific role you will serve. A vote is to be held.
[INFOMIND VOTE SCHEDULED FOR 3/22]
PART 2
[SIMULATION LOCKED]PART 3
[SIMULATION LOCKED]PART 4
[SIMULATION LOCKED]2023.03.21 19:25 Key-Piece-3206 Sports Betting Sign-Up Bonus Guide
Originally posted in lunchmoney
Different Sign-Up Bonuses:
Common Sports Betting Lingo:
Summary: Summing all of these guaranteed profits up, you can get $6,437.50 by completing all of these sign-up bonuses! Many of these same sportsbooks also offer promotions for active users that you can use as well (reload bonuses, boosted odds, refer-a-friend promos, etc.) so you can continue making money once you have done the sign-up promotion.
How Odds Actually Work: Fanduel obviously wants to make money, so if they put the Warriors at +100, they will put the Lakers at -150 to give Fanduel a nice chunk called a spread. This is inevitable in the sports betting industry because sportsbooks need to make money. Assuming the spreads are 20% (which is like a tax on each bet), instead of making the original $6,437.50 from the sign-up bonuses, you will only make $5,150.00, meaning you would lose $1,287.50 if you took that 20% spread!
How can we Save the 20% Tax: Software! Odds change every second of the day and after months of searching for odds manually, a very inefficient and time-consuming task, I finally found a tool called OddsJam. OddsJam screens millions of odds per second on hundreds of sportsbooks, including all the sportsbooks I’ve mentioned above. Using the OddsJam platform has saved me thousands of dollars and is the reason I was able to make so much off sign-up bonuses.
If you decide to start harvesting bonuses on sportsbooks, using OddsJam is a must and you can use my link and promo code “Firebet” at checkout for 25% lifetime discount (to ensure you get the discount, press on my link before signing up and enter the promo code at checkout)! Remember, this software can increase your earnings from the signup bonuses by $1,287.50💵❗You can make even more if you use the arbitrage tool, which I cover in a different guide (linked here).
https://preview.redd.it/6yhztilox4pa1.png?width=988&format=png&auto=webp&s=2b853af0b89b47ce0ac6a9c696b36a229d6a91f9
https://preview.redd.it/58pb963qx4pa1.png?width=1030&format=png&auto=webp&s=619754015376ed51eff412b3af6e99561c09dc38
*This document is for entertainment purposes only and is not financial / investment advice. Please read the T&Cs of each book to make sure you are complicit with their rules and your local regulators' laws. This guide is not intended for real money betting and it is only intended for adults. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER
submitted by Key-Piece-3206 to matchedbetting [link] [comments]
Background
This is a method that goes over how you can make $5,000 - $10,000 risk-free by signing up for new user bonuses with various regulated sportsbooks (earnings depend on your location). Because I am in Canada, I will cover the Ontario market, but if you live in other regulated areas you can still use 99% of this guide to learn how to make money on sportsbooks. I made another guide on Sports Betting Arbitrage here, where I show you have you can make $500 per day, risk-free. I have personally made over $25,000 from sports betting and will answer any questions you have in the comments!Basics of Sports Betting
Here are some common sign-up bonuses, terms and conditions (T&Cs), and sports betting lingo:Different Sign-Up Bonuses:
- Deposit Match – A deposit match is what it sounds like, when you sign up for the sportsbook and make a deposit, the sportsbook will match your deposit in bet credits or cash.
- Bet & Get – When you sign up and place qualifying bets, the sportsbook will grant you a certain amount of bet credits (usually significantly more than your initial bet).
- 2nd Chance Bet – Some sportsbooks will offer a 2nd chance bet where the bettor only gets a bet credit if your initial bet LOSES. To make the most of this bonus, you should intentionally lose on the initial sportsbook and cover your loss on a different sportsbook and then use your 2nd chance bet.
- Minimum Odds – Some sportsbooks will implement a minimum odds clause in their T&Cs for bets placed in connection to a promotion. If the book sets the minimum odds to -200, this means you must bet on odds of -200, -150, +150, +200, … etc.
- Wagering Requirements / Rollover – A rollover clause means that you must bet the amount of your deposit a certain amount of times. For example, a 5x rollover on a deposit of $100 means you need to wager $500 to claim the bonus. Be careful because sometimes you need to rollover both the deposit and the bonus.
- "Stake Not Returned" – When a book does not return your stake, this means that for the bet credits you are granted, you only get the winnings and NOT the stake. For example, if you use $100 of bet credits that don't return the stake, and you bet it on a +150 event that wins, your account balance will go up by $150. If they did return the stake or if it was just a cash bet, your account balance would go up $250 (because you would get the initial $100 stake back).
- Flexible Bet Credits - if a bet credit is flexible, it means you can bet in any increment you want, for example: if you get a $100 flexible bet credit, you can place 100 bets of $1 each, 2 bets of $50 each, 4 bets of $25 each, etc.
- Semi-Flexible Bet Credits - if a bet credit is semi-flexible, it means you can bet in the increment that the sportsbook allows, for example: if you get a $100 semi-flexible bet credit that is split into 4 bets of $25 each, you cannot place 8 bets of $12.50 or 10 bets of $10.
Common Sports Betting Lingo:
- Stake vs. Winnings vs. Payout - in betting, if you place a bet of $100 on the Raptors to win at +250 odds. If the Raptors win, you win $250 and are paid a total of $350. From this example, the $100 was the stake, the $250 is the winnings and the $350 is the payout.
- This guide assumes you know the basics of sports betting. If you do not, please follow this link to find a quick online guide.
Maximizing Winnings on Each Sportsbook
- Although all of the following sportsbooks are in Ontario, if you live in the US or Europe, many of these same books will have identical (or very similar promotions), so this will still apply to you.
- If you are in the US or Europe, go to my google drive resource here and download my bet tracking excel sheet. Under the "Bet Credit Retention" tab, you can customize your own bet credit terms, and my excel sheet will tell you exactly how much you need to bet to get a risk-free win! Remember to read the instructions for the excel sheet (also in my google drive) because it can get a little tricky.
- I will also put a ⭐ rating (out of 5) which only rates the sportsbooks sign-up bonus, which is not the same as what I would rate them overall!
- As a note, in the title of each credit, I will specify whether the stake is returned, what the rollover is (assume no rollover if I say nothing), and whether the bet credits are flex, or semi-flex (assume just neither if I say nothing).
- Deposit $250 and bet in $50 increments on odds of -200 or greater (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Claim your $250 bonus and wager it on a +300 event, wager $562.50 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- When the credits don't return the stake, wagering your bet credit on the highest possible odds will allow you to make the most money off your credit (in this case I chose +300 odds because they are quite high, and going above that is tough to find, even with the screening software I explain later on in this document)
- I explain why betting your credit on the highest possible odds is optimal later on, so keep reading!
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $187.50
- Reasoning: If the +300 wins, you get the $750 of winnings and since you bet $562.50 on the opposite side, your net payout is $187.50! If the -300 event wins, you get the winnings of $187.50 and you get your original $562.50 stake returned (since you used bet credits on the +300 side, you have no cost so you are still up $187.50 regardless)!
- Deposit $10 and bet in $1 on any odds (this must be done according to the T&C) – no need to hedge on this as its only $1
- Claim your $250 bonus and wager it on a +300 event, wager $562.50 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- Remember, because these are flex credits, you can place a smaller bet using your credits (on the +300 side) so you don't have to cover so much on the -300 side. And this goes for every other flex credit too, not just Bet365!
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $187.50
- Deposit $500 and wager your deposit 5 times on odds of -125 or greater (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook (since these are covered, you make nothing on these initial bets)
- Because the stake is returned, you can treat the bonus as a cash bet so you can bet the bonus on a +100 event and cover a +100 bet on another sportsbook (by betting $500 on the other sportsbook)
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $500
- Deposit $500 and wager your deposit + bonus ($1,000) 5 times on odds of -200 or greater (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Claim your $500 bonus and wager it on a +100 event, wager $500 on the opposite side of the original line at +100 on another sportsbook
- Betano is a great sportsbook for hedging because it has a “MAX” button which tells you how much you can bet, allowing you to execute on another sportsbook first with high confidence that Betano will accept your bet on the opposite line!
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $500
- Deposit $500 and wager your deposit on odds of -200 or greater (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bet on another sportsbook
- The goal with 2nd Chance Bets is to intentionally lose on the original sportsbook because you only get the credit if your bet loses. So you should try and bet on the highest odds possible (+400, +500, +600, +700 … etc.) and cover your bet on another sportsbook. I'll explain this later in more detail.
- Once you’ve intentionally lost on BetRivers, claim your $500 bonus and wager it on a +300 event, wager $1,125 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $375
- Deposit $300 and wager your deposit on odds of +100 or greater (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Claim your $300 bonus and wager it on a +300 event, wager $675 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $225
- Deposit $200 and wager your deposit 10 times on odds of -150 or greater (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Claim your $200 bonus and wager it on a +100 event, wager $200 on the opposite side of the original line at +100 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $200
- Deposit $500 and wager your deposit on any odds (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Similar to BetRivers, you want to intentionally lose to claim the bet credit, so bet on the highest possible odds where you can find a hedge on another sportsbook
- Once you’ve intentionally lost on BetRivers, claim your $500 bonus and wager it on a +300 event, wager $1,125 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $375
- This promotion is unique because you need to deposit $10 and bet $5 on a winning pre-game moneyline for any College Basketball game and then you get 8x $25 bet credits (totaling $200). Pick a heavy favourite to maximize your chances (there are no minimum odds for this)
- Claim your $200 bonus (of 8x $25 bets) and wager each bet on a +300 event, wager ~$450 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $150
- Deposit $1,000 and wager your deposit on any odds greater than -300 (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Similar to BetRivers and Caesars, you want to intentionally lose to claim the bet credit, so bet on the highest possible odds where you can find a hedge on another sportsbook
- Once you’ve intentionally lost on Fanduel, claim your $1,000 bonus and wager it on a +100 event, wager $1,000 on the opposite side of the original line at +100 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $1,000
- LeoVegas offers a unique sports welcome bonus that will require some explaining
- The bonus is claimed in three different deposits. Firstly, you are going to want to deposit $300 and wager it 10 times on odds greater than -125 and hedge your bets on another sportsbook. Once you’ve done this, you claim a $300 cash bonus straight into your account balance.
- Next, you are going to deposit $100 and wager it 10 times on odds greater than -125 and hedge your bets on another sportsbook. Once you’ve done this, you claim a $100 cash bonus straight into your account balance. Repeat this one more time for another $100 cash bonus and then you are all done!
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $500
- Deposit $150 and wager your deposit on odds of -500 or greater (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Claim your $150 bonus and wager it on a +300 event, wager $337.50 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $112.50
- Deposit $100 and wager your deposit 5 times on odds of -200 or greater (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Claim your $100 bonus and wager it on a +100 event, wager $100 on the opposite side of the original line at +100 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $100
- Pointsbet’s welcome offer gives you a 2nd chance bet offer for your first 10 days as a participant. You can get $100 in bet credits (broken into 2x $50 bet credits) each day!
- To claim this, deposit $1,000 on your first day and wager $100 on any odds greater than -200 (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Similar to BetRivers, Caesars, and Fanduel, you want to intentionally lose to claim the bet credit, so bet on the highest possible odds where you can find a hedge on another sportsbook
- Repeat this step for 9 more days and claim your $100 bet credit each day!
- Once you have all 10 of your $100 bet credits, wager them on a +300 event, wager $225 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $750
- Deposit $500 and wager your deposit on any odds and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Similar to BetRivers, Caesars, and PointsBet, you want to intentionally lose to claim the bet credit, so bet on the highest possible odds where you can find a hedge on another sportsbook
- Once you’ve intentionally lost on theScore, claim your $500 bonus (10x $50 Credits) and wager it on a +300 event, wager $1,125 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $375
- Deposit $1,000 and wager your deposit on odds of -200 or greater (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Claim your $1,000 bonus and wager it on a +300 event, wager $2,250 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $750
- Deposit $200 and wager your deposit on any odds greater than -300 (this must be done according to the T&C) and hedge your bets on another sportsbook
- Similar to BetRivers, Caesars, and Fanduel, you want to intentionally lose to claim the bet credit, so bet on the highest possible odds where you can find a hedge on another sportsbook
- Once you’ve intentionally lost on Unibet, claim your $200 bonus and wager it on a +300 event, wager $450 on the opposite side of the original line at -300 on another sportsbook
- Guaranteed risk-free profit: $150
Summary: Summing all of these guaranteed profits up, you can get $6,437.50 by completing all of these sign-up bonuses! Many of these same sportsbooks also offer promotions for active users that you can use as well (reload bonuses, boosted odds, refer-a-friend promos, etc.) so you can continue making money once you have done the sign-up promotion.
Finding Odds
How the Previous Section Assumes that Odds Work: If the Lakers play the Warriors and the Warriors moneyline is +100 on Fanduel, and since the Warriors will win 50% of the time (based on those odds) then the Lakers will also win 50% of the time. Because of this, based on expected payoffs, we assume Fanduel will have the Lakers moneyline at +100.How Odds Actually Work: Fanduel obviously wants to make money, so if they put the Warriors at +100, they will put the Lakers at -150 to give Fanduel a nice chunk called a spread. This is inevitable in the sports betting industry because sportsbooks need to make money. Assuming the spreads are 20% (which is like a tax on each bet), instead of making the original $6,437.50 from the sign-up bonuses, you will only make $5,150.00, meaning you would lose $1,287.50 if you took that 20% spread!
How can we Save the 20% Tax: Software! Odds change every second of the day and after months of searching for odds manually, a very inefficient and time-consuming task, I finally found a tool called OddsJam. OddsJam screens millions of odds per second on hundreds of sportsbooks, including all the sportsbooks I’ve mentioned above. Using the OddsJam platform has saved me thousands of dollars and is the reason I was able to make so much off sign-up bonuses.
If you decide to start harvesting bonuses on sportsbooks, using OddsJam is a must and you can use my link and promo code “Firebet” at checkout for 25% lifetime discount (to ensure you get the discount, press on my link before signing up and enter the promo code at checkout)! Remember, this software can increase your earnings from the signup bonuses by $1,287.50💵❗You can make even more if you use the arbitrage tool, which I cover in a different guide (linked here).
Example of Doing a Sign-Up Bonus
Steps:- Log into OddsJam and go to the Arbitrage Betting Tool (this tool comes with the industry plan)
- Once on the Arbitrage Betting tool, use the filters to find odds
- Find an opportunity on OddsJam and press the calculator to find how much to bet on each sportsbook
https://preview.redd.it/6yhztilox4pa1.png?width=988&format=png&auto=webp&s=2b853af0b89b47ce0ac6a9c696b36a229d6a91f9
- Log into each sportsbook and place the bets!
https://preview.redd.it/58pb963qx4pa1.png?width=1030&format=png&auto=webp&s=619754015376ed51eff412b3af6e99561c09dc38
- We have now completed part of our wagering requirements for Fanduel and Betano. We can repeat this process to harvest the sign-up bonus!
- If we bet $50 on Fanduel on under 195.5 at +850. To covehedge this bet, we need to bet $410 on Betano on the over at -625
- Since there are only two possible outcomes (and we have bet on both of those outcomes), we are guaranteed to win $15.52! On top of that, we are also completing our bonus wagering requirements!
- With this particular bet, if the over wins, we get our $50 stake back and we get the winnings of $425 on Fanduel. Since we also bet $410 on Betano and this bet did not win, we lose our stake. Because the winnings of the initial bet are greater than our stake for the opposite bet, we come out on top!
- If the opposite happens, we get our stake back on Betano and we get winnings of $65 which covers the $50 stake we do not get back on Fanduel.
Why we Want to Lose our 1st Bet for "2nd Chance Bet" Offers
- For 2nd chance bets, we only get the bet credit if our first bet loses
- So to give us the highest chance of losing our first bet, we should bet on the highest possible odds (+300, +500, +1000, etc.) where we can find opposite odds on another sportsbook
- For example, below we see odds of +250 on Betrivers and odds of -238 on Betano for the Pelicans – Mavericks game. The +250 odds imply that there is a low chance that this will occur so we take this bet because we know we have a $500 2nd chance bet on BetRivers
- Using the provided calculator, we bet $500 on the over using the Betrivers and we also bet $1,232 on under using Betano
- If the over loses, which it should ~75% of the time based on those odds, we win $517 on Betano and we lose our initial stake of $500 on BetRivers – so we still come out with a $17 profit
- We are then awarded with our 2nd chance bet of $500 on BetRivers which we can use as described in a previous section of the guide
Why we Use Bet Credits on the Highest Possible Odds
- When given bet credits (that do not return the stake), we want to maximize our guaranteed earnings
- You may be wondering why I keep saying you should bet on odds of +300 (which are high) for each sportsbooks bonus guide
- The reason is that we want to maximize the potential payout-to-credit ratio, which gives us a higher retention of the bet credit
- As you see in the chart below, the higher the bet credit odds, the higher retention of the bet credit!
Summary
- Sign up for each sportsbook and participate in their sign-up bonus (following my advice for each book and for each type of sign-up bonus) and make $6,437.50, risk-free!
- Sign up for the OddsJam platform here and use my promo code “Firebet” at checkout for 25% lifetime discount (to ensure you get the discount, press on my link before signing up and enter the promo code at checkout)! This software personally helped me make $1,000's and can help you save $1,287.50 by finding odds that have no spread!
- Go to my google drive resource page here to get my excel tracker that helps track everything (deposits, bets, credits, profit per day, week, quarter, etc.)! I also provided instructions to the excel sheet that should help
- If you want to learn more about how I made $500 per day (risk-free) by doing arbitrage betting, here is another Reddit post I made showing you how you can do the same thing as me!
*This document is for entertainment purposes only and is not financial / investment advice. Please read the T&Cs of each book to make sure you are complicit with their rules and your local regulators' laws. This guide is not intended for real money betting and it is only intended for adults. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER
2023.03.21 19:25 Luton_Enjoyer I used ChatGPT to write some stories about the boys of JAR Media. Here's what it came up with.
James, Alex, and Jamie had just settled into their recording studio, ready to record the latest episode of their podcast, JAR Media. As they were getting set up, they heard a loud banging at the door.
Curious but a little nervous, they cautiously opened the door, only to find a massive, muscular figure standing before them. The man was dressed in a black wrestling costume, complete with a mask and cape.
"Who are you?" Alex asked, his voice wavering a little.
"I am the evil wrestler!" the man roared, his voice booming through the small studio. "And I have come to take over your podcast!"
James, Alex, and Jamie looked at each other, unsure of how to react. They had never encountered anything like this before.
The wrestler stepped forward, flexing his muscles menacingly. "You three puny podcasters are no match for me!" he sneered.
James, Alex, and Jamie exchanged worried glances. They knew they had to think fast before things got out of hand.
"Wait, wait," Jamie said, holding up his hands. "We don't want any trouble. What do you want?"
The wrestler paused, taken aback by Jamie's calm demeanor. "I want to be a guest on your show," he said, his voice softening slightly. "I want to talk about my wrestling career and promote my upcoming matches."
James, Alex, and Jamie breathed a collective sigh of relief. They could handle a guest.
"Okay, that sounds reasonable," James said, gesturing for the wrestler to take a seat. "Let's talk."
Over the next hour, the wrestler regaled them with stories of his exploits in the ring, his victories, and his defeats. Despite his intimidating appearance, he was actually quite charming and entertaining.
When the podcast ended, the wrestler thanked them for having him and promised to return for another episode. As he left, James, Alex, and Jamie couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
"Who knew that the evil wrestler was actually a pretty cool guy?" Alex said, grinning.
James nodded in agreement. "I guess you can't judge a book by its cover," he said.
And with that, they packed up their equipment, excited to edit their latest episode of JAR Media, which was sure to be their most unique and memorable one yet.
Alex, James, and Jamie were an unlikely trio, with very different personalities and interests. But they all shared a passion for wine, and when they heard about the rare Australian goon wine that was said to be hidden deep beneath the caves of Swindon, they knew they had to find it.
Alex, who hated everything and everyone, was skeptical about the whole endeavor. "Why are we wasting our time with this?" he grumbled. "It's probably just a myth."
But James was undeterred. "Nonsense!" he exclaimed. "The goon is real, and we're going to find it!"
Jamie, the more level-headed of the three, was a bit hesitant but decided to go along with the adventure. They set out with a map of the caves, some flashlights, and a determination to succeed.
As they navigated the dark, winding tunnels, Alex grumbled about how he was getting too old for this kind of thing. James, on the other hand, was like a kid in a candy store, marveling at the rock formations and imagining what kind of cars could be driven in the caves.
Finally, after hours of searching, they came across a hidden chamber, filled with rows of dusty wine bottles. James let out a whoop of joy and rushed forward to examine the labels.
"Jackpot!" he exclaimed. "This is it, the Australian goon!"
Jamie and Alex both stared in disbelief as James carefully uncorked one of the bottles and took a sip. "Oh, this is amazing!" he said, smacking his lips in satisfaction.
Jamie and Alex were hesitant, but James persuaded them to try some. To their surprise, the wine was unlike anything they had tasted before, with a unique, fruity flavor that lingered on the tongue.
As they sat there, enjoying their discovery, Alex admitted that he had been wrong. "This was definitely worth it," he said with a rare smile.
And with that, the three friends clinked their glasses together and savored the rare, delicious wine they had found deep beneath the caves of Swindon.
James, Alex, and Jamie were taking a hike through the picturesque English countryside, each lost in their own thoughts. James was dreaming of driving a high-performance sports car down the winding roads, Alex was grumbling about the lack of excitement in his life, and Jamie was content just to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
As they rounded a bend in the trail, they came across a group of penguins waddling towards them. At first, the men were confused - what were penguins doing in the middle of the English countryside? But as they got closer, they realized that these were no ordinary penguins - they were the penguins of Madagascar.
The penguins were on a secret mission and had somehow found themselves stranded in the English countryside. They explained their situation to the three men, who were initially skeptical but quickly found themselves caught up in the penguins' adventure.
James was fascinated by the high-tech gadgets the penguins used and offered to help repair their equipment. Alex, who hated everything, initially scoffed at the penguins' mission but eventually found himself admiring their determination and courage. Jamie, always practical, suggested they find a local farmer who could give the penguins shelter and food.
Together, the four groups made an unlikely team, working together to repair the penguins' equipment and find a way for them to complete their mission. Along the way, they encountered challenges and obstacles, but they never lost sight of their goal.
Despite their vastly different personalities and backgrounds, James, Alex, and Jamie found themselves growing closer as they worked with the penguins. They learned to appreciate each other's unique strengths and quirks and discovered that they had more in common than they had originally thought.
In the end, the penguins were able to complete their mission, and James, Alex, and Jamie were left with a newfound appreciation for the unexpected adventures that life can bring. As they said goodbye to their unlikely companions, they realized that sometimes the best experiences are the ones you never saw coming.
James, Alex, and Jamie had decided to meet up for a quick morning pint at their local Wetherspoons pub. They had just settled into a booth, each with a cold beer in hand, when they heard a commotion at the entrance.
Turning to look, they saw a massive, muscular figure standing in the doorway. He was dressed in a black wrestling costume, complete with a mask and cape.
"Who are you?" Alex asked, a note of apprehension in his voice.
The wrestler stepped forward, flexing his muscles menacingly. "I am the evil wrestler!" he bellowed. "And I have come to challenge you three puny podcasters to a match!"
James, Alex, and Jamie exchanged worried glances. They had no idea how to fight a wrestler, let alone an evil one.
But before they could say anything, the wrestler charged at them, his arms outstretched. James, Alex, and Jamie scrambled out of the way just in time, their pints spilling onto the floor.
"Enough!" Jamie shouted, holding up his hands. "We don't want to fight you. Can't we just talk this out?"
The wrestler paused, surprised by Jamie's calm demeanor. "Talk? What is there to talk about?" he growled.
"Well, we could interview you on our podcast," James suggested, hoping to defuse the situation. "You could tell us about your wrestling career and why you're so evil."
The wrestler seemed to consider this for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll do it. But I warn you, I'm not going to hold back. And if you make me look bad, there will be consequences."
James, Alex, and Jamie nodded nervously, grateful for the chance to avoid a physical confrontation. They quickly set up their recording equipment and began to interview the wrestler, who turned out to be surprisingly articulate and charming.
After the podcast ended, the wrestler thanked them for having him and left the pub without causing any further trouble. James, Alex, and Jamie breathed a sigh of relief and toasted each other with their now-refilled pints.
"Well, that was certainly unexpected," Alex said, grinning.
"Yeah, but at least we got a good episode out of it," James replied.
And with that, they settled back into their booth, sipping their beers and chatting about the morning's events.
As James munched on the suspicious chicken, he couldn't help but notice that it tasted different from what he was used to. "Hey, guys, does this chicken taste a bit off to you?" he asked, between bites.
Alex, who was sitting across the table from James, rolled his eyes. "I don't know, James," he said in a sarcastic tone. "Maybe it's because you're used to eating that garbage you call food."
James just shrugged off Alex's comment and continued eating. Meanwhile, Jamie, who was sitting next to James, had also noticed that the chicken didn't seem quite right. "Yeah, I'm not sure about this," he said, setting down his chicken wing.
Suddenly, James had an idea. "I know what we should do," he said, grinning. "Let's take my car and drive to the farm where they get their chickens. We'll see what's really going on."
Alex rolled his eyes again. "That's a terrible idea, James. We have no idea where the farm is, and even if we did, we can't just show up unannounced."
But James was determined. He wanted to show off his fancy car and prove that he was the coolest one in the group. "Come on, guys, it'll be an adventure," he said, revving the engine of his car.
Alex and Jamie exchanged a look but eventually gave in to James' enthusiasm. They piled into his car and set off towards the farm.
As they drove, James kept making sexist jokes and bragging about his car. Alex was annoyed, and Jamie was just trying to keep the peace. Eventually, they arrived at the farm and found that something fishy was indeed going on.
They discovered that the chickens were being fed a cocktail of chemicals and hormones to make them grow faster and bigger. James, Alex, and Jamie were horrified at the thought of consuming such unhealthy and unethical meat.
They decided to take action and started a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of consuming chemically treated meat. James even offered to donate money from his car shows to support local farmers who practiced ethical and sustainable farming.
The trio may have started out with different priorities, but in the end, they all came together to fight for a good cause.
submitted by Luton_Enjoyer to JARMEDIA [link] [comments]
Curious but a little nervous, they cautiously opened the door, only to find a massive, muscular figure standing before them. The man was dressed in a black wrestling costume, complete with a mask and cape.
"Who are you?" Alex asked, his voice wavering a little.
"I am the evil wrestler!" the man roared, his voice booming through the small studio. "And I have come to take over your podcast!"
James, Alex, and Jamie looked at each other, unsure of how to react. They had never encountered anything like this before.
The wrestler stepped forward, flexing his muscles menacingly. "You three puny podcasters are no match for me!" he sneered.
James, Alex, and Jamie exchanged worried glances. They knew they had to think fast before things got out of hand.
"Wait, wait," Jamie said, holding up his hands. "We don't want any trouble. What do you want?"
The wrestler paused, taken aback by Jamie's calm demeanor. "I want to be a guest on your show," he said, his voice softening slightly. "I want to talk about my wrestling career and promote my upcoming matches."
James, Alex, and Jamie breathed a collective sigh of relief. They could handle a guest.
"Okay, that sounds reasonable," James said, gesturing for the wrestler to take a seat. "Let's talk."
Over the next hour, the wrestler regaled them with stories of his exploits in the ring, his victories, and his defeats. Despite his intimidating appearance, he was actually quite charming and entertaining.
When the podcast ended, the wrestler thanked them for having him and promised to return for another episode. As he left, James, Alex, and Jamie couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
"Who knew that the evil wrestler was actually a pretty cool guy?" Alex said, grinning.
James nodded in agreement. "I guess you can't judge a book by its cover," he said.
And with that, they packed up their equipment, excited to edit their latest episode of JAR Media, which was sure to be their most unique and memorable one yet.
Alex, who hated everything and everyone, was skeptical about the whole endeavor. "Why are we wasting our time with this?" he grumbled. "It's probably just a myth."
But James was undeterred. "Nonsense!" he exclaimed. "The goon is real, and we're going to find it!"
Jamie, the more level-headed of the three, was a bit hesitant but decided to go along with the adventure. They set out with a map of the caves, some flashlights, and a determination to succeed.
As they navigated the dark, winding tunnels, Alex grumbled about how he was getting too old for this kind of thing. James, on the other hand, was like a kid in a candy store, marveling at the rock formations and imagining what kind of cars could be driven in the caves.
Finally, after hours of searching, they came across a hidden chamber, filled with rows of dusty wine bottles. James let out a whoop of joy and rushed forward to examine the labels.
"Jackpot!" he exclaimed. "This is it, the Australian goon!"
Jamie and Alex both stared in disbelief as James carefully uncorked one of the bottles and took a sip. "Oh, this is amazing!" he said, smacking his lips in satisfaction.
Jamie and Alex were hesitant, but James persuaded them to try some. To their surprise, the wine was unlike anything they had tasted before, with a unique, fruity flavor that lingered on the tongue.
As they sat there, enjoying their discovery, Alex admitted that he had been wrong. "This was definitely worth it," he said with a rare smile.
And with that, the three friends clinked their glasses together and savored the rare, delicious wine they had found deep beneath the caves of Swindon.
As they rounded a bend in the trail, they came across a group of penguins waddling towards them. At first, the men were confused - what were penguins doing in the middle of the English countryside? But as they got closer, they realized that these were no ordinary penguins - they were the penguins of Madagascar.
The penguins were on a secret mission and had somehow found themselves stranded in the English countryside. They explained their situation to the three men, who were initially skeptical but quickly found themselves caught up in the penguins' adventure.
James was fascinated by the high-tech gadgets the penguins used and offered to help repair their equipment. Alex, who hated everything, initially scoffed at the penguins' mission but eventually found himself admiring their determination and courage. Jamie, always practical, suggested they find a local farmer who could give the penguins shelter and food.
Together, the four groups made an unlikely team, working together to repair the penguins' equipment and find a way for them to complete their mission. Along the way, they encountered challenges and obstacles, but they never lost sight of their goal.
Despite their vastly different personalities and backgrounds, James, Alex, and Jamie found themselves growing closer as they worked with the penguins. They learned to appreciate each other's unique strengths and quirks and discovered that they had more in common than they had originally thought.
In the end, the penguins were able to complete their mission, and James, Alex, and Jamie were left with a newfound appreciation for the unexpected adventures that life can bring. As they said goodbye to their unlikely companions, they realized that sometimes the best experiences are the ones you never saw coming.
Turning to look, they saw a massive, muscular figure standing in the doorway. He was dressed in a black wrestling costume, complete with a mask and cape.
"Who are you?" Alex asked, a note of apprehension in his voice.
The wrestler stepped forward, flexing his muscles menacingly. "I am the evil wrestler!" he bellowed. "And I have come to challenge you three puny podcasters to a match!"
James, Alex, and Jamie exchanged worried glances. They had no idea how to fight a wrestler, let alone an evil one.
But before they could say anything, the wrestler charged at them, his arms outstretched. James, Alex, and Jamie scrambled out of the way just in time, their pints spilling onto the floor.
"Enough!" Jamie shouted, holding up his hands. "We don't want to fight you. Can't we just talk this out?"
The wrestler paused, surprised by Jamie's calm demeanor. "Talk? What is there to talk about?" he growled.
"Well, we could interview you on our podcast," James suggested, hoping to defuse the situation. "You could tell us about your wrestling career and why you're so evil."
The wrestler seemed to consider this for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll do it. But I warn you, I'm not going to hold back. And if you make me look bad, there will be consequences."
James, Alex, and Jamie nodded nervously, grateful for the chance to avoid a physical confrontation. They quickly set up their recording equipment and began to interview the wrestler, who turned out to be surprisingly articulate and charming.
After the podcast ended, the wrestler thanked them for having him and left the pub without causing any further trouble. James, Alex, and Jamie breathed a sigh of relief and toasted each other with their now-refilled pints.
"Well, that was certainly unexpected," Alex said, grinning.
"Yeah, but at least we got a good episode out of it," James replied.
And with that, they settled back into their booth, sipping their beers and chatting about the morning's events.
Alex, who was sitting across the table from James, rolled his eyes. "I don't know, James," he said in a sarcastic tone. "Maybe it's because you're used to eating that garbage you call food."
James just shrugged off Alex's comment and continued eating. Meanwhile, Jamie, who was sitting next to James, had also noticed that the chicken didn't seem quite right. "Yeah, I'm not sure about this," he said, setting down his chicken wing.
Suddenly, James had an idea. "I know what we should do," he said, grinning. "Let's take my car and drive to the farm where they get their chickens. We'll see what's really going on."
Alex rolled his eyes again. "That's a terrible idea, James. We have no idea where the farm is, and even if we did, we can't just show up unannounced."
But James was determined. He wanted to show off his fancy car and prove that he was the coolest one in the group. "Come on, guys, it'll be an adventure," he said, revving the engine of his car.
Alex and Jamie exchanged a look but eventually gave in to James' enthusiasm. They piled into his car and set off towards the farm.
As they drove, James kept making sexist jokes and bragging about his car. Alex was annoyed, and Jamie was just trying to keep the peace. Eventually, they arrived at the farm and found that something fishy was indeed going on.
They discovered that the chickens were being fed a cocktail of chemicals and hormones to make them grow faster and bigger. James, Alex, and Jamie were horrified at the thought of consuming such unhealthy and unethical meat.
They decided to take action and started a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of consuming chemically treated meat. James even offered to donate money from his car shows to support local farmers who practiced ethical and sustainable farming.
The trio may have started out with different priorities, but in the end, they all came together to fight for a good cause.
2023.03.21 19:25 Conriame I'm worried about the future of this game's community
When feedback becomes the main focus of a game's subreddit that isn't built with the purpose of quality discussion, the subreddit eventually becomes unusable for normal players because it festers toxicity that only ever gets worse.
All discussion about fun moments or good aspects of the game eventually become about all the problems that can be perceived about the game. The outrage slowly starts to take over and replace the fun parts. After some time, the primary topic of discussion (comments, text-posts) is complaining about cheaters or game mechanics or lazy/greedy/incompetent devs. The problem with these complaints is there is no distinction between quality feedback and discussion and rage-fuelled hate towards the game/devs in the subreddit rules.
You get tons of rage-quit posts, people complaining about game mechanics they do not understand, they start seeing hackers when there might not be one, they pretend they know exactly why the devs are failing them etc. These turn into narratives about the game or the devs that people start to circle jerk over and destroys both the online perception of the game and the quality of the community. When a subreddit could bring players together and foster a strong community, it does the opposite.
Unchecked outrage will become strong enough that it takes over all of the quality discussions and those who attempt to correct others or provide more nuance are seen as shills for the developers. Push back to the outrage is seen as hypocritical (complaining about complaining, outrage over outrage) and things do not change without moderation stepping in and banning people.
I understand that this is very VERY early in the lifetime of the game, and I haven't seen much of this toxic behavior yet, but I've seen so many of my favorite games become basically impossible to engage with online after the game becomes available for everyone. The way I see it there are two ways to prevent this from happening.
1) Do not allow low quality feedback posts (rage-posting) (this is the overwatch approach)
Non-constructive rants and vents threads (including those with excessive poor or vulgar language), general complaint threads (matchmaking, hero balance, toxicity, leavers, etc.), and "Please remove X hero/map/arcade mode from the game" posts are all just against the rules.
This leaves room for constructive feedback
2) Make a separate subreddit for developer feedback (like destinythegame and destiny2)
A good online community can make or break a new game, but leaving redditors to their own devices will probably lead to a toxic community.
submitted by Conriame to thefinals [link] [comments]
All discussion about fun moments or good aspects of the game eventually become about all the problems that can be perceived about the game. The outrage slowly starts to take over and replace the fun parts. After some time, the primary topic of discussion (comments, text-posts) is complaining about cheaters or game mechanics or lazy/greedy/incompetent devs. The problem with these complaints is there is no distinction between quality feedback and discussion and rage-fuelled hate towards the game/devs in the subreddit rules.
You get tons of rage-quit posts, people complaining about game mechanics they do not understand, they start seeing hackers when there might not be one, they pretend they know exactly why the devs are failing them etc. These turn into narratives about the game or the devs that people start to circle jerk over and destroys both the online perception of the game and the quality of the community. When a subreddit could bring players together and foster a strong community, it does the opposite.
Unchecked outrage will become strong enough that it takes over all of the quality discussions and those who attempt to correct others or provide more nuance are seen as shills for the developers. Push back to the outrage is seen as hypocritical (complaining about complaining, outrage over outrage) and things do not change without moderation stepping in and banning people.
I understand that this is very VERY early in the lifetime of the game, and I haven't seen much of this toxic behavior yet, but I've seen so many of my favorite games become basically impossible to engage with online after the game becomes available for everyone. The way I see it there are two ways to prevent this from happening.
1) Do not allow low quality feedback posts (rage-posting) (this is the overwatch approach)
Non-constructive rants and vents threads (including those with excessive poor or vulgar language), general complaint threads (matchmaking, hero balance, toxicity, leavers, etc.), and "Please remove X hero/map/arcade mode from the game" posts are all just against the rules.
This leaves room for constructive feedback
2) Make a separate subreddit for developer feedback (like destinythegame and destiny2)
A good online community can make or break a new game, but leaving redditors to their own devices will probably lead to a toxic community.
2023.03.21 19:23 forest-Guy- I live in a farmhouse in the middle of an enchanted Forest. Strange things happen here and I would like to tell you about all of them.
Have you ever been tail down the side of a mountain by a band of angry machete-wielding onion people with Jack o’lantern like faces and major territory issues?
Have you ever been followed through the woods by a mysterious hooded figure crunching through the brush and stalking your every move from just beyond the tree line?
Have you ever been stabbed through the center of your palm by a stumpy little demon shrub with needle like spikes hiding beneath the leaves and running down its trunk like exterior? Not to mention the erratic demonic tendencies some of the plants around here seem to sometimes possess.
Well, if you have experienced any and or all of what I had just mentioned, then you probably already have a good idea of the place and some of the things I am about to tell you.
If you haven’t, however, then are you in for one heck of a tail. Because the stories I am going to be sharing with you during my free time moving forward, might just be some of the craziest things you've ever heard. But before that, there are a couple things you should know about me first.
My name is Blake, and I live on a farmhouse.
It's nothing fancy (obviously) just a big old building right in the middle of nowhere surrounded by layers upon layers of thick bushes, trees, and mountains high as the eye can see. The kind of place where cellular towers are practically non-existent, and the nearest civilization is at least a gazillion miles away. That kind of farmhouse.
I also work here. Making around eighty bucks an hour. Which I guess is a little above average for most gardeners, but I did let the owners know I was just about ready to work for free. All I needed was a roof over my head and a place to sleep. But they insisted I take the money or go find some other place to sleep. And so I did.
Other than being a full-time gardener at the farmhouse, I am also a part time forest runner on most days. Although it's not my second job of choice, it's just something I do on the side whenever I want to. Plus it bumps up my salary a bit, and I appreciate the extra money I get from doing it. Despite how crazy and insanely dangerous it almost always gets.
What is a forest runner? Well, on the one hand, I want to say it is one of the easiest things in the world. Since it mostly involves walking into a single patch of forest, making a loud noise, and immediately turning back to run in the opposite direction. But what you run from is what makes it tricky. And whether or not you are fast enough to outpace whatever hears you, also makes the difference. I can't believe I am about to say this, but I also run away from monsters for a living.
Ferocious, blood thirsty creatures ready to tear you limb from limb The second they grab hold of your jacket and pull you towards them. Those kinds of monsters. But I don't just run away from monsters in the forest. I also run away from other things too. Wildlife. Creatures of different shapes and sizes. Spirits. Ghouls. Ghosts. Goblins. And my list favorite of them all: Mermaids.
Okay. Maybe mermaids aren't supposed to be on the list. I just had that one "experience" with a particular mermaid a few weeks ago, which almost scarred me for life. I kinda have most of the memories a bit blurry but let’s just say because of her, I was literally almost seafood. But before then, I've never actually seen one in person. But I've heard stories.
Stories of how they rarely swim up to the surface and whenever they do, you are not to approach any of them, under any circumstance, unless invited. I wasn't. And I approached one anyway. Safe to say, it really didn't bode well for me when I did that. Lesson learned that's for sure. But do you know what? Let that be the first story I tell you.
The first thing I remember from that experience was the image of a blonde girl sat crying by the riverbank. It was a Saturday evening, and I was out raking a bunch of leaves when her incessive sobbing was carried over to the farmhouse by the wind. At first I chose to ignore it. Hoping that, it was just that. Incessive sobbing carried over by the wind and nothing more. But then the sobbing grew louder, and I promise I had a very good reason to go check it out.
At this point, it was just me at the farmhouse and no one else. My boss "Frank" was out hunting with the farmhouse dog, and his wife "Linda" was out supplying a fresh batch of mixed herb to the nearby villages and markets. Which reminds me.
Remember how I said the nearest civilization was at least a gazillion miles away? Technically, that's not entirely accurate. The nearest civilization is not a gazillion miles away as I initially had you believe. Sorry about that. The nearest civilization for real this time, is actually just a couple walks downhill. Past the field of murdering bush lilies, and through the enchanted trees of killer mushrooms. Then, voila. Civilization. But the nearest 21st century civilization however, that's the One that is at least a gazillion miles away. The place where the rest of present-day humanity lives. Yeah. Super far from wherever this place is. Anyway, back to the story.
So there I was. Standing in the middle of a clearing in front of the farmhouse, a small pile of dried grass and leaves sitting in front of me and starting to Russell over from the wind. I placed the bud of my rake on top of the heap, preventing it from spreading any further and causing me to start over, while I lifted my head up to listen intently to the sounds in the wind. Again, it was just as I described. Sobs. Someone crying. Soft sniffles, coughs, and everything. You didn't need an otolaryngologist to help identify what your ears were picking up in that moment, it was just so clear that the person doing the crying might well have been right next to you.
I jumped at the thought of something sneaking up behind me while I was distracted and began searching my immediate environment for any potential anomalies that might have gotten past the wooden fence surrounding the farmhouse. Poltergeists. Trolls. Ogres. And a sumo sized demon gorilla with red eyes and muscles the size of bowling balls. Believe it or not, but these are just a few of the abominations that have somehow managed to cross on to the compound one too many times before, and if it weren't for the intervention of Frank and Linda, the power couple currently running the farmhouse, the aberrations would probably have done a lot more than break a few things while also nearly giving me a heart attack in the process.
But after a few quick nervous glances over my immediate environment, and finding not one thing out of place, I turned my attention over to where the sobs sounded the loudest. It was coming from a fairly large crack in the fence on the west side of the farmhouse. A demarcation that when gazed through, revealed a whole new world consisting of a deep gray sky, rocks, a bunch of trees that were hopefully weren't harboring zombie tree people, and its most alluring feature of it all. A great body of water that is almost as gray as the sky itself. That is where the sobs were coming from. And like any reasonable person in that situation, my initial thoughts were NOT to check out the strange noise emanating from beyond the fence.
I mean, just think about it. I was all alone, on a hill. In a farmhouse located right in the center of a very large, very enchanted mystical forests, capable of hoarding a huge amount of very dark, very demented creatures, which are seemingly on a never-ending hunt for lonely gardeners, and farmers, and small groups of villagers to torment, or possess, or straight up consume whenever they are feeling a bit frisky.
So yes. I most definitely wasn't about to leave the comforting embrace that the squarish wooden structure around the farmhouse provided, to go investigate a strange sound that just so happens to be coming from the same place I was warned on multiple occasions never to visit. And whenever I asked, I was straight up told mother nature herself was sleeping at the bottom of that very river and waking her up was asking for trouble.
I never could tell when Linda is joking, or when Frank is being serious. But when it comes to things concerning the forest and around the farmhouse, I always listen. So if mother nature herself is sleeping in that very river, then mother nature herself is sleeping in that very river. And instead of investigating the strange sobs, I ignored it. But then, it got worse.
There was a sudden ear-piercing screech as whatever was crying by the river, let out a scream that almost blew out my eardrums. The intense whale only lasted for about a moment, but every second was an excruciating eternity, causing me to let go of the rake I was holding and cover my ears in reflex. It was so loud it must have reverberated round a good chunk of the forest, sending a few hundred birds scattering into the air, and a dozen more rodents dashing for cover. When the screeching finally stopped, it was as if the world fell silent, and nothing moved.
It took a few seconds for me to be comfortable enough to uncover my ears, setting my hands by my side in the process. I blinked a couple times before scanning my environment once more, searching for anything out of the ordinary. For some reason, I was certain a display of such fierce vocal capacity, especially one of such intensity, was bound to disturb the mother of forest, rousing her up from her slumber. But instead of waiting around to find out, I gathered up my equipment, abandoned the rest of my work for that evening, and began marching towards the farmhouse where it was safe. Ish.
Besides. I run away from monsters for a living. I don't face them. If anything, I want to say that was consistent with my character. Also, when that monster is essentially a superpower of the forest resting in your backyard, it kind of puts a lot of stuff into consideration. Plus, I was all alone so. Yeah. Definitely wasn't waiting around to find out.
Approaching the farmhouse in a haste, I made a beeline for the equipment's shed positioned on the east side of the compound, almost directly opposite where the strange sobs were initially coming from. Now, the sobs were quiet. But that doesn't mean something was not still back there.
Reaching for my keys in my lower right pocket, I pulled them out in a flurry of clinks and jingles, while instinctively feeling for the specific key I needed with the tips of my fingers. As the farmhouse is situated in a very remote area of the forest, we don't often get that many unwanted visitors from the nearby villages and settlements who want to take things from us without asking. But it is still advised we lock up anything of value because, well, where do you think some of the creatures around here get their weapons of callus destruction from?
Nearing the doors of the shed, I finally picked out the key I needed from the bunch, then used that to flick open the rusty metal lock and entered the belly of the Makeshift storage unit. Inside were rows after rows of very sharp, very blunt instruments of numerous shapes and sizes, with each one Easley being the perfect leading murderous tool for any band of pissed off bulbus shaped vegetable people to ransack, steal, and utilize to illegally carve out any portion of the forest and claim it as their own.
They were knives. Blades. Scissors. Hoes. Clippers. Shovels. Diggers. Daggers. Slicers. Splicers. And of course. A big ass sword standing in a stone on the opposite side of the far wall. The rest of the stuff were just scattered haphazardly, with some of them still hanging on the metal rings connected to the woodwork lining up the ceiling, while others were resting on the tables, and some lying on the floor.
I dumped all of my equipment, then stepped out closing the doors behind me and remembering to lock it. I continued my march toward the farmhouse, but just as I rushed up the flight of small stairs and placed my hand on the doorknob, I heard it again.
The crying from before.
This time however, it was different.
This time, it sounded more human.
I don't know what came over me. It was as if a million little metal fists shot out of nowhere and punched me right in the gut. The creature's pain became my pain, and its worries became my worries. I did not like the feeling.
The crying took me back to a point in my life I really did not like to think about. It made me sick to my stomach and made my eyes want to water. Every cough. Every sniffle. Every audible inhale I now heard emanating from just beyond the fence, made me felt gross to my core. I wanted it to stop.
But instead of running upstairs and throwing on a pair of earplugs, I decided to do the opposite.
I went to go investigate the strange sobs coming from beyond the fence.
And before you role your eyes at me, I promise. I had a very good reason for doing so. I just can't tell you about it at the moment. Brings up too many unwanted memories. Just know I needed to confirm that whomever or whatever was crying by the river, wasn't going through a similar thing I ones did. And if he or she wasn't peaceful, or friendly, then I will simply not approach them.
That's it.
So after releasing the doorknob and taking in a few deep breaths, I backed away from the front door and took off down the flight of stairs, turning in the direction of the west side of the farmhouse. To where the sobs were coming from.
Although now it wasn't full on sobbing, it was more of a blend between sniffling and coughing. Which was starting to decrease in frequency and intensity as I got closer.
I was halfway across the yard, mere feet away from gazing through the crack in the fence when I suddenly remembered the vicious scream from earlier, which then prompted me to do a quick u turn to go grab a pair of earmuffs from the top of my desk within the farmhouse. Sometimes, strange noises emanate deep within the forest at night, and the earmuffs primarily helps to preserve my sanity whenever that happens. It also helps to block out sounds like annoying chattering crows, shadow whisperers, and sleepwalking inducing river sirens. Amongst other things. But the main reason why I went back for it that evening, was to help protect my ears from the screeching.
I used the opportunity after snagging the pair of blue earmuffs, to gaze out my window overlooking the river on the west side of the farmhouse. I didn't quite catch a glimpse of whatever was crying by the water, on the count of my window not being in exact focus to the sobs, so I threw on the muffs, went downstairs, and headed out the front door.
I once again turned in the direction of the sobs which, I could no longer here as much. But blocking out the crying like I said, wasn't really what I was going for. I wanted to make sure whoever was crying was okay. And just as I was approaching the fence, ready to peer through the crack in the wooden structure surrounding the farmhouse, someone got in my way.
There was a sudden pressure against my back as something had landed so gracefully behind me, that it completely escaped my sense of hearing, bringing me to a literal standstill. I didn't even need to turn around to find out who it was. The scent of fresh blood in the air. The waves of dark aura pushing against my back. The ability to move as fast and as silent, so as to completely evade the senses. There was only one forest aberration I knew could do that.
"And just what do you think you are doing?"
I heard the voice of Sebastian ask from inside the back of my head, sending ripples of dread down the length of my spine. I turned around slowly and came face to face with the thing that would forever be the number one reason why I find owls to be one of the scariest species of birds on the planet.
Sebastian was a part man, part owl hybrid thing, with a ghostly white face, deep black eyes, and a feathered, makeshift winged cloak that was just as deep, dark, and menacing as his eyes. He has no beak. But lips. And it doesn't really matter because when he speaks, they don't move. At all. No matter the circumstance.
"Have you suddenly lost your tongue boy? I asked you a question. What do you think you are doing?" he added, his cold voice bouncing around in my head and his gaze frozen solid.
I tried saying something, but I was so captivated by fear I forgot how to speak. My entire body was shaking like a leaf, and I was pretty sure I was about to piss my pants.
Among all the aberrations in the forest and Frank just so happen to pick the creepiest looking one of them all to serve as my babysitter. Thanks Frank. I really appreciate it.
"Don't make me repeat myself boy," Sebastian said, his tone dropping to sinister levels.
"SPEAK!" he ordered, and the ferocity of his pitch almost caused the inside of my skull to split in two.
I swallowed the fear stuck in my throat and finally spoke.
"There's... It's... Someone needs our help," I said. My words somehow managing to form a cohesive sentence. "I just wanted to..."
Sebastian jerked his head to the side to glance over my shoulder. More specifically, he glanced over my shoulder to stare through the crack in the wooded fence behind me.
We both heard the sniffling noises simultaneously.
After a second or two, Sebastian then snapped his head in my direction, returning his soulless gays back on me.
"Were you invited?" he asked, a hint of calm resignation in his tone.
"What?" I replied, genuinely confuse at his question.
"Were you invited?" he asked again, with his voice starting to shift into enraged annoyance.
In fear of not wanting to piss him off any more than I already did, I simply shook my head in response, hoping that was enough non sassy, non-disrespectful way of indicating I was still at a loss of what he was asking.
Letting out a sigh, he said, "Take a look." And I began to slowly step backwards while keeping my eyes trained on him. It was not until my back connected with a flat wooden surface behind me that I finally broke eye contact in order to turn around, crouch, and gaze out the crack in the fence standing on the west side of the farmhouse. And the view was just as I described.
There was the deep gray sky with all its glory. The smooth dark rocks. The towering trees looming overhead. And the large body of water that had her swampiness resting underneath. Everything was as I described with one exception. Now sitting on one of the rocks by the left side of the river, with her back turned and both of her legs stuffed into the water, was a girl. Or more specifically, a young woman.
Her hair was a mixture of white and yellow, with rows of beads running half circles along the back of her braid, decorating her already very colorful, very voluminous hair all the way down to her lower back. Her shoulders each held three sets of clothing strips, which appeared to act as the primary (hold me up support) for the rest of her slim green looking attire, and the tone of her skin was a pale shade with a hint of Olive undertone. She looked hunched over in her sitting position, with her hands, each one decorated with rows of transparent blue bangles, lifted up to her face, cupping her eyes and nose as she continued to sniffle and sob quietly into the morning breeze. I didn't even have to sight her tail to know what kind of creature she already was.
Some of the creatures in the forest, especially the mermaids, take great pride in the kinds of accessories they wear, and in the way they look. If you were to ask me why, I would say it probably has something to do with ethnic origins or simple personal aesthetic choices. Suddenly, the question Sebastian kept repeating to me made a lot of sense. If you don't ask a mermaid for permission before approaching, things for you can become really painful. And for a brief moment, I wondered if the screeching noise from earlier had anything to do with the kinds of things they are capable of.
So, in light of the sudden Discovery that I was in fact dealing with a potentially hostile mermaid, my drive for wanting to help her process whatever grief she was going through suddenly plummeted. Especially now that I knew she was capable of letting out a screech that could easily rip apart my skull if she wanted to. And because of that, I ceased staring through the gap in the fence to lean back and look up at the frozen stature of Sebastian looming just behind me. He kept silent as always, and continued to observe me with a steady gaze, waiting for me to speak of my findings. I gave myself a second to process the image I had just witnessed before speaking.
"It's a mermaid," I said, perplexed at my Discovery.
"Yes," Sebastian replied, his lips shut, and his voice reverberating around the inside of my skull.
"I can't believe it. I've never seen a mermaid before," I said.
"You should count yourself lucky then rabbit," Sebastian said, unmoving. "Those who sight a mermaid for the first time from such close distance don't usually walk away to tell about the tail," he added. "They always end up doing something stupid."
"Stupid?" I asked, flashing a nervous smile.
Sebastian picked up on my former intentions and shot me a disappointed angry stare.
"Stupid like trying to get nearer for an even closer gander," he said, his pitch-black eyes narrowing and warning. "What were you thinking?" he asked, and luckily for me I did not have to answer the question.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash as if a tree had toppled over in the distance. Sebastian spun his head around, twisting his neck so the back of his head was now facing me. I squirmed at the site of his forward backwards appearance, never having gotten acquainted with most of his characteristics and capabilities in the short time I've known him working at the farmhouse. After a second or two, Sebastian then twisted his neck back into place, returning his dark gaze back on me.
"What is it?" I asked, standing up from my crouched position by the fence and allowing the thought of the mermaid disappear from my mind for a moment.
"You should get inside. Now," Sebastian replied, taking a step back before opening his massive dark wings and spreading them to the sides.
He arced his knees a little bit, and with a single downward flap of his wings, he was airborne. Off the ground by a total of eight feet, before coming to a halt midflight to stare down at me.
"Get inside and lock the doors. Now!" he barked, eyes narrowed, and his wings flapping up and down by his sides keeping his suspended state.
"But you still haven't..."
I never got the opportunity to complete my sentence.
Just then, an almost invisible ball of spiraling blue energy, shot out from somewhere behind me and collided with the body of Sebastian, sending him flying across the front yard and expelling him from the premises entirely.
I immediately took out my earmuffs and was hit with an eerie silence. My heart was pounding. My brain was starting to enter a hyperactive panic mode. And my breathing became ragged and intense. What the hell just happened?
I didn't have to wait for my answer.
I spun around to the sound of rapid approaching footsteps, and almost had a heart attack from what I saw.
Running towards the farmhouse from the other side of the fence. Bare feet. With the lower half of her dress dripping with river water, and the top part of her attire and voluminous hair flowing in the evening breeze, was the mermaid. In full spectacle.
Her eyes were the color of midnight. Her gait, although a little hindered by her dress, seemed just like the way a normal girl would run. The rows of transparent blue bangles on her forearm and wrist, were now a bright luminescent glowing color. And they were streaks of dried-up black makeup tears running down the sides of her cheeks, prove she was indeed the one crying moments earlier.
She resembled something straight out of a marionette's horror movie running towards me and I was a deer caught in headlights. I couldn't believe it.
I started to back off slowly and she snapped her head in my direction, causing my heart to almost leap out of my chest.
"Hey! No! Wait! I'm not going to hurt you!" she yelled, rushing towards the fence, and lifting up her hands defensively. "I just want to help," she added, finally coming to a halt, and staring at me through the gap in the fence.
"Something terrible is coming this way and it's all my fault," she said. "Please. We need to leave"
She continued to stare at me through the crack in the fence, a look of genuine concerned plastered across her face. Her dark blue eyes held a tinge of guilt behind them, and her cheeks and lips were flushed with honest worry. She reached out an arm through the fence, as if physically showing she wasn't a threat. That's when I looked down and found that the rows of bangles on her hand, the same ones that were glowing a bright luminescent color only seconds before, were now dimming back into their original shade, almost as if they were in a state of powering down.
"Please," she whispered, and I lifted my head up to meet her gays once more.
For a second, I didn't move. I was frozen in fear and contemplating weather to Make a run for the farmhouse and lock myself in, or run away with this stranger offering to take me to a new location. The safety of the farmhouse had already been compromised thanks to her, and it was about to become a hotspot for major forest aberration activity.
I took a moment to consider my options. I really did. But the renewed sound of trees toppling over from somewhere behind me, accompanied with the ground shaking rumble of a dozen legs digging into the ground and barreling towards the farmhouse in a rush, suddenly made my decision that much obvious.
"Please. We need to go. Now!" she said, with her arm still stretched. And without a second thought, I carefully placed my hand on hers, and the instant my palm came in contact with the inside of her hand, the rows of transparent blue bangles on her arm lit up, and she immediately let go of my hand and grabbed my forearm instead.
I looked up at her face in horror, but before I could utter a word of protest, the insides of her eyes grew brighter, and she lifted her arm up, flinging me over the fence sooner than my mind was able to comprehend what was happening.
I was airborne. For like 2 and a half seconds. But it felt like a lifetime. And while I was busy somersaulting over the fence, the world around me seemed to slow down, giving me plenty of time to catch an upside-down glimpse of the humongous forest creature now climbing its way into the compound from the other side of the fence.
If none of what I've said so far has remotely sounded crazy in the slightest, this is the part where shit should really start to hit the fan. Because climbing into the compound from the other side of the fence, in a downwards arc of its massive body, was the biggest forest crab I have ever seen.
The thing was huge. Like, really huge. It possessed a dirty brown colored appearance, with some parts of its shell-like armored plating covered in green splotches. Its legs were long and pincer like, and its two main frontal claws were massive, reinforced gauntlets ending in scissor like appendages. It had tiny, jagged needles coating almost every inch of its crustacean, with the most vicious looking ones located on its arms, its legs, and the sides of its shell. And other than the overall monstrous sea creature vibes the think presented, there was another disturbing aspect to the thing.
On its back. The topmost part of its shell. Sitting on what resembled a saddle and wielding a slag of rope that somehow connected to the giant crab's antenna, was a rider. Donning some kind of yellow, red ceremonial armor.
The mermaid had planned to catch me as she already had a hand stretched upwards, ready to somehow break my fall the second I cleared the compound and was falling on the outside part of the fence. But she might have thrown me further than she can catch me because our fingers barely even brushed the top of one another before a look of horror flashed across her face, and I mentally braced myself for the inevitable rough landing.
What followed was almost instantaneous.
The world around me sped up and I watched as a ground littered with sharp rocks and stones rushed towards my face. And the last thing I remember as I fell onto the ground was smashing the side of my head against something hard before going blank.
This next part might have Played out as if in a dream sequence, but it was just the symptoms of my brain going into shock.
I was sprawled on the floor. Unmoving. But I could still perceive most of my surroundings. The side of my face in the ground was warm, and I could make out the sound of something growling and bashing against a wall, and the voice of someone crying out over the noise in the distance.
"Hey! Are you okay? I'm sorry I did not catch you. Please. get up. Hey! Can you hear me? Please. Get up. Please!"
"Easy stone breaker. Easy." A second voice spoke out over the noise, and the bashing stopped. So did the growling.
"Look princess. What you've done."
The second voice belonged to a man. And if I were to guess, I would say it belonged to the same person I saw riding the giant crab.
"Please. Get up," the girl said.
“Disappointing,” the man said. ”You see princess, this is what happens whenever you do this. Death. Destruction. And innocent people suffer for it.”
There was a pause.
“I mean, I try my best to minimize the second one, but you can't seem to stop yourself from causing the first one," the man continued. “If you would just come with me back home princess. Watermeena misses you. Your parents miss you. And I’m sure you must be tired of all this constant running?”
I couldn't quite see what was happening mainly because I had fallen facing a patch of bushes, but the rock my head was now resting on beside a nearby tree, provided enough elevation for my peripheral vision to catch some of the action.
First was that the mermaid was still standing outside the wooden fence surrounding the farmhouse. However she was now in some kind of forward leaning stance, with her arms pushed out in front, holding steady a giant transparent blue dome that had seemingly appeared from nowhere and enveloped the compound. Trapping the giant crab and its rider inside.
Second was that she seemed to be getting tired. She had her head lowered, staring at the ground. Her arms were shaking. Her legs were quivering. And the bangles on her arms were starting to blink on and off, indicating that they were probably stressed and overheating, or were simply losing power. Either way, she looked like she was about to pass out and I felt like I needed to do something.
I slowly lifted my head up and was immediately rewarded with a sharp ache shooting through my skull. I lowered my head and winced in pain, before waiting a few seconds and trying again.
This time, I was able to lift my head up and also shuffle my first step forward. And my second. And my third. Other than what I was certain was a broken knee, twisted ankle, and a bruised rib, which were all yelling at my brain for my body to stop moving, I had no other injuries. At least, so I thought.
“Huh,” the voice of the man said. “It seems as though your pedestrian casualty survived after all.”
Still laying on the ground, I lifted my head up and turned in the direction of the farmhouse. The mermaid had also lifted her head up to stare back at me.
There were fresh tears running down the sides of her cheeks. But she now had a smile plastered across her face. A smile of relief. With a little worry sprinkled in.
“Well, isn't that just wonderful,” the man said. ”Now princess,” he continued, “the ball is in your court. You either bring him along and we all go in search of a healer to help dress his injuries, in which case we leave him there and continue onward to Watermeena. Or you leave the poor fellow here to bleed out, and instead do what you've always done. Run. With whatever charge still left in those rings of yours. Just know I cannot guarantee his safety if you do choose to run. Stonebreaker gets a bit agitated when he hasn't had his dinner. And guess who hasn't eaten all day because of you.”
The mermaid looked up at the rider on the crab, then look down back at me. The smile had disappeared from her face and was now replaced with the familiar flush of worry. I turned my attention away and continued to press forward on my elbows and remaining good knee. And after a little while, I was able to make it to the trunk of a tree and lifted myself up to rest my back on it.
Wait. Did he just threatened to feed me to the crab? And did he just say I was bleeding out?
I looked down and was mortified when I saw a trail of blood smeared along the ground from where I sat, all the way to a collection of rocks sticking out of the ground which must have been my point of impact. I lifted my hand and felt a deep gash on the side of my forehead, and a sticky warm liquid was now between my fingers and running along the side of my face. I was suddenly like headed, and unable to focus on anything around me but the voices speaking in the distance.
“Hey! No! Open your eyes! Stay with me!”
Wait. When did I close my eyes?
“He is going into shock. It's now or never princess. Make your choice.”
“No. Please. Wake up,“ I heard the voice of the girl ask, reminding me of that particular memory I really did not like. I opened my eyes to a blurred mess of the things around me, then turned my attention over to where the blurred figure of the mermaid still stood holding together the blurred dome wall.
“Time is running out princess. A few more minutes and he is going to lose consciousness. You should make your choice now.”
“Promise me you won't hurt him,” the girl said, her voice restrained. “And promise me your beast wouldn't lay a single claw on him either.”
“As the commander of the royal army, you have my word princess.”
There was another pause. And just as I began lowering my head and shutting my eyes closed, I made one last attempt in hopes of saving my ass and also preserving the mermaid's independence since it really seemed like she didn't want to go with him.
“Screech,” I said, mustering some of the remaining ounce of energy I could to say that one word.
“What? The mermaid replied,” sniffling.
“That thing you did earlier. Do it again,” I said. “Scream.”
“But that was an accident,” she replied, “and it can hurt you.”
“Just do it,” I said. “Please.”
"Don't bother princess," the man said. "Your disorientating song might have led us to you, but it is not going to drive us away.”
“Good,” I replied, lifting my head up to stare in their direction and blinking a few times to clear my vision. "There is someone I would like you guys to meet."
I turned so I was now facing the mermaid.
“Do it,” I said. “Now.” And with a reluctant nod of her head, she let out three consecutive wails that were not as vicious as the first one, but still packed enough punch to force My hands to cover my ears in response. Even stonebreaker seemed to stumble on his legs a little, before shaking his head to the sides and brushing off the noise. When she was finally done, she lifted her head to stare up at me, with the look in her eyes begging the question. What now?
Her answer came in form of The River beside us starting to bubble over, with a large dark humanoid shape slowly rising up from the deep.
She was awake.
Suddenly, the bangles on the mermaid's hands sparked a bright flash, forcing her to flinch in pain before releasing her grip on the blue dome and dropping to her knees. The bangles began dimming back into their original shade and the blue dome surrounding the compound evaporated.
The man did not cease the opportunity to steal the mermaid in that moment. Instead he was transfixed on the entity now emerging from the water.
The figure in the river continued to rise, until it was out of the water to its waste and was facing the direction of the farmhouse.
It was big. Very big. Its body was made entirely of dark brown roots and tree bark, and its eyes were hollow circuits of glowing lights. There was a greenish bluish swamp like slime covering its entire body, and the hair on its head was long, dark, drenched, and coated with seaweed. Its overall visage was akin to the top half of a woman, and when she spoke, it was with a thousand voices that came before her.
“I am Kiai Ohana. Mother of nature. Guardian, and protector of all living things in the forest. Crab fender.” The thing lifted her hand to point at the man sitting on the giant crab, which was now 10 times smaller in comparison. “You are currently violating the sanctity of this land with your presence and putting the life of yet another of my own at risk. As you and your men have done on multiple counts before,” she said, lowering her arm. “No longer should I allow such acts from you go unpunished. Leave now and consider this to be your final warning.”
Without saying another word, the crab fender pulled at the rains of his beast, steering his massive crustacean away from the mermaid and exiting the compound by crawling over the same fence he crawled in.
“You too little one,” the spirit said. Turning her attention over to the mermaid. “I must continue to recuperate. You must be on your way. Now.”
The mermaid got to her feet and rushed over to where I had my back against a tree.
“But can you please help him,” she said. “He is like this because of me.”
She tore a piece of her dress and pressed it against my forehead.
I want to say it hurt like hell, but I was already slipping back into unconsciousness, and everything was becoming numb. The girl kneeling in front of me was but a blur again at this point.
“I know,” the spirit replied. “I will see to it that he is treated. But you must go. Now. Like the crab fender, you have also caused a lot of trouble and are now trespassing on private land. And I cannot have that.”
“Okay,” the mermaid replied. “And I'm sorry for all I've caused. I really am. But thank you for accepting to help him. She said. Thank you."
“It's my duty little one,” the spirit said. “Don't thank me. Besides. I know this one. He is a sapling in training. Hopefully he is able to blossom before the start of the dark days, or a simple head injury would be the list of his problems. Now go little one. And don't come back.”
“Okay,” the mermaid replied.
Before leaving, the mermaid ended up wiping the blood from my face with the piece of fabric, then tor another piece from her dress and wrapped it around my head like a Makeshift Band-Aid. After that, she took my hand in hers and leaned in closer.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
And with that, she got to her feet and began bolting down towards the river, and just as she jumped into the water, I blinked a few times to clear my vision, and caught sight of her transformation as she dove into the water. Headfirst, tail last. Then, she was gone.
But the spirit was still there.
“Don't worry little sapling,” the spirit said, as my vision began to tunnel. “Help is on its way,” she added. “Save your strength and get well soon. The dark days are almost upon us. And I am going to need every man and woman of the runners, prepared to trade their lives for the forest. Including you.”
I could only mutter a silent "what?" Before I completely blacked out. And when I woke up a few hours later, the first thing to cross my mind was an echo of what the spirit had said.
"The dark days are almost upon us. And I am going to need every man and woman of the runners, prepared to trade their lives for the forest. Including you."
What the hell are the dark days?
submitted by forest-Guy- to nosleep [link] [comments]
Have you ever been followed through the woods by a mysterious hooded figure crunching through the brush and stalking your every move from just beyond the tree line?
Have you ever been stabbed through the center of your palm by a stumpy little demon shrub with needle like spikes hiding beneath the leaves and running down its trunk like exterior? Not to mention the erratic demonic tendencies some of the plants around here seem to sometimes possess.
Well, if you have experienced any and or all of what I had just mentioned, then you probably already have a good idea of the place and some of the things I am about to tell you.
If you haven’t, however, then are you in for one heck of a tail. Because the stories I am going to be sharing with you during my free time moving forward, might just be some of the craziest things you've ever heard. But before that, there are a couple things you should know about me first.
My name is Blake, and I live on a farmhouse.
It's nothing fancy (obviously) just a big old building right in the middle of nowhere surrounded by layers upon layers of thick bushes, trees, and mountains high as the eye can see. The kind of place where cellular towers are practically non-existent, and the nearest civilization is at least a gazillion miles away. That kind of farmhouse.
I also work here. Making around eighty bucks an hour. Which I guess is a little above average for most gardeners, but I did let the owners know I was just about ready to work for free. All I needed was a roof over my head and a place to sleep. But they insisted I take the money or go find some other place to sleep. And so I did.
Other than being a full-time gardener at the farmhouse, I am also a part time forest runner on most days. Although it's not my second job of choice, it's just something I do on the side whenever I want to. Plus it bumps up my salary a bit, and I appreciate the extra money I get from doing it. Despite how crazy and insanely dangerous it almost always gets.
What is a forest runner? Well, on the one hand, I want to say it is one of the easiest things in the world. Since it mostly involves walking into a single patch of forest, making a loud noise, and immediately turning back to run in the opposite direction. But what you run from is what makes it tricky. And whether or not you are fast enough to outpace whatever hears you, also makes the difference. I can't believe I am about to say this, but I also run away from monsters for a living.
Ferocious, blood thirsty creatures ready to tear you limb from limb The second they grab hold of your jacket and pull you towards them. Those kinds of monsters. But I don't just run away from monsters in the forest. I also run away from other things too. Wildlife. Creatures of different shapes and sizes. Spirits. Ghouls. Ghosts. Goblins. And my list favorite of them all: Mermaids.
Okay. Maybe mermaids aren't supposed to be on the list. I just had that one "experience" with a particular mermaid a few weeks ago, which almost scarred me for life. I kinda have most of the memories a bit blurry but let’s just say because of her, I was literally almost seafood. But before then, I've never actually seen one in person. But I've heard stories.
Stories of how they rarely swim up to the surface and whenever they do, you are not to approach any of them, under any circumstance, unless invited. I wasn't. And I approached one anyway. Safe to say, it really didn't bode well for me when I did that. Lesson learned that's for sure. But do you know what? Let that be the first story I tell you.
The first thing I remember from that experience was the image of a blonde girl sat crying by the riverbank. It was a Saturday evening, and I was out raking a bunch of leaves when her incessive sobbing was carried over to the farmhouse by the wind. At first I chose to ignore it. Hoping that, it was just that. Incessive sobbing carried over by the wind and nothing more. But then the sobbing grew louder, and I promise I had a very good reason to go check it out.
At this point, it was just me at the farmhouse and no one else. My boss "Frank" was out hunting with the farmhouse dog, and his wife "Linda" was out supplying a fresh batch of mixed herb to the nearby villages and markets. Which reminds me.
Remember how I said the nearest civilization was at least a gazillion miles away? Technically, that's not entirely accurate. The nearest civilization is not a gazillion miles away as I initially had you believe. Sorry about that. The nearest civilization for real this time, is actually just a couple walks downhill. Past the field of murdering bush lilies, and through the enchanted trees of killer mushrooms. Then, voila. Civilization. But the nearest 21st century civilization however, that's the One that is at least a gazillion miles away. The place where the rest of present-day humanity lives. Yeah. Super far from wherever this place is. Anyway, back to the story.
So there I was. Standing in the middle of a clearing in front of the farmhouse, a small pile of dried grass and leaves sitting in front of me and starting to Russell over from the wind. I placed the bud of my rake on top of the heap, preventing it from spreading any further and causing me to start over, while I lifted my head up to listen intently to the sounds in the wind. Again, it was just as I described. Sobs. Someone crying. Soft sniffles, coughs, and everything. You didn't need an otolaryngologist to help identify what your ears were picking up in that moment, it was just so clear that the person doing the crying might well have been right next to you.
I jumped at the thought of something sneaking up behind me while I was distracted and began searching my immediate environment for any potential anomalies that might have gotten past the wooden fence surrounding the farmhouse. Poltergeists. Trolls. Ogres. And a sumo sized demon gorilla with red eyes and muscles the size of bowling balls. Believe it or not, but these are just a few of the abominations that have somehow managed to cross on to the compound one too many times before, and if it weren't for the intervention of Frank and Linda, the power couple currently running the farmhouse, the aberrations would probably have done a lot more than break a few things while also nearly giving me a heart attack in the process.
But after a few quick nervous glances over my immediate environment, and finding not one thing out of place, I turned my attention over to where the sobs sounded the loudest. It was coming from a fairly large crack in the fence on the west side of the farmhouse. A demarcation that when gazed through, revealed a whole new world consisting of a deep gray sky, rocks, a bunch of trees that were hopefully weren't harboring zombie tree people, and its most alluring feature of it all. A great body of water that is almost as gray as the sky itself. That is where the sobs were coming from. And like any reasonable person in that situation, my initial thoughts were NOT to check out the strange noise emanating from beyond the fence.
I mean, just think about it. I was all alone, on a hill. In a farmhouse located right in the center of a very large, very enchanted mystical forests, capable of hoarding a huge amount of very dark, very demented creatures, which are seemingly on a never-ending hunt for lonely gardeners, and farmers, and small groups of villagers to torment, or possess, or straight up consume whenever they are feeling a bit frisky.
So yes. I most definitely wasn't about to leave the comforting embrace that the squarish wooden structure around the farmhouse provided, to go investigate a strange sound that just so happens to be coming from the same place I was warned on multiple occasions never to visit. And whenever I asked, I was straight up told mother nature herself was sleeping at the bottom of that very river and waking her up was asking for trouble.
I never could tell when Linda is joking, or when Frank is being serious. But when it comes to things concerning the forest and around the farmhouse, I always listen. So if mother nature herself is sleeping in that very river, then mother nature herself is sleeping in that very river. And instead of investigating the strange sobs, I ignored it. But then, it got worse.
There was a sudden ear-piercing screech as whatever was crying by the river, let out a scream that almost blew out my eardrums. The intense whale only lasted for about a moment, but every second was an excruciating eternity, causing me to let go of the rake I was holding and cover my ears in reflex. It was so loud it must have reverberated round a good chunk of the forest, sending a few hundred birds scattering into the air, and a dozen more rodents dashing for cover. When the screeching finally stopped, it was as if the world fell silent, and nothing moved.
It took a few seconds for me to be comfortable enough to uncover my ears, setting my hands by my side in the process. I blinked a couple times before scanning my environment once more, searching for anything out of the ordinary. For some reason, I was certain a display of such fierce vocal capacity, especially one of such intensity, was bound to disturb the mother of forest, rousing her up from her slumber. But instead of waiting around to find out, I gathered up my equipment, abandoned the rest of my work for that evening, and began marching towards the farmhouse where it was safe. Ish.
Besides. I run away from monsters for a living. I don't face them. If anything, I want to say that was consistent with my character. Also, when that monster is essentially a superpower of the forest resting in your backyard, it kind of puts a lot of stuff into consideration. Plus, I was all alone so. Yeah. Definitely wasn't waiting around to find out.
Approaching the farmhouse in a haste, I made a beeline for the equipment's shed positioned on the east side of the compound, almost directly opposite where the strange sobs were initially coming from. Now, the sobs were quiet. But that doesn't mean something was not still back there.
Reaching for my keys in my lower right pocket, I pulled them out in a flurry of clinks and jingles, while instinctively feeling for the specific key I needed with the tips of my fingers. As the farmhouse is situated in a very remote area of the forest, we don't often get that many unwanted visitors from the nearby villages and settlements who want to take things from us without asking. But it is still advised we lock up anything of value because, well, where do you think some of the creatures around here get their weapons of callus destruction from?
Nearing the doors of the shed, I finally picked out the key I needed from the bunch, then used that to flick open the rusty metal lock and entered the belly of the Makeshift storage unit. Inside were rows after rows of very sharp, very blunt instruments of numerous shapes and sizes, with each one Easley being the perfect leading murderous tool for any band of pissed off bulbus shaped vegetable people to ransack, steal, and utilize to illegally carve out any portion of the forest and claim it as their own.
They were knives. Blades. Scissors. Hoes. Clippers. Shovels. Diggers. Daggers. Slicers. Splicers. And of course. A big ass sword standing in a stone on the opposite side of the far wall. The rest of the stuff were just scattered haphazardly, with some of them still hanging on the metal rings connected to the woodwork lining up the ceiling, while others were resting on the tables, and some lying on the floor.
I dumped all of my equipment, then stepped out closing the doors behind me and remembering to lock it. I continued my march toward the farmhouse, but just as I rushed up the flight of small stairs and placed my hand on the doorknob, I heard it again.
The crying from before.
This time however, it was different.
This time, it sounded more human.
I don't know what came over me. It was as if a million little metal fists shot out of nowhere and punched me right in the gut. The creature's pain became my pain, and its worries became my worries. I did not like the feeling.
The crying took me back to a point in my life I really did not like to think about. It made me sick to my stomach and made my eyes want to water. Every cough. Every sniffle. Every audible inhale I now heard emanating from just beyond the fence, made me felt gross to my core. I wanted it to stop.
But instead of running upstairs and throwing on a pair of earplugs, I decided to do the opposite.
I went to go investigate the strange sobs coming from beyond the fence.
And before you role your eyes at me, I promise. I had a very good reason for doing so. I just can't tell you about it at the moment. Brings up too many unwanted memories. Just know I needed to confirm that whomever or whatever was crying by the river, wasn't going through a similar thing I ones did. And if he or she wasn't peaceful, or friendly, then I will simply not approach them.
That's it.
So after releasing the doorknob and taking in a few deep breaths, I backed away from the front door and took off down the flight of stairs, turning in the direction of the west side of the farmhouse. To where the sobs were coming from.
Although now it wasn't full on sobbing, it was more of a blend between sniffling and coughing. Which was starting to decrease in frequency and intensity as I got closer.
I was halfway across the yard, mere feet away from gazing through the crack in the fence when I suddenly remembered the vicious scream from earlier, which then prompted me to do a quick u turn to go grab a pair of earmuffs from the top of my desk within the farmhouse. Sometimes, strange noises emanate deep within the forest at night, and the earmuffs primarily helps to preserve my sanity whenever that happens. It also helps to block out sounds like annoying chattering crows, shadow whisperers, and sleepwalking inducing river sirens. Amongst other things. But the main reason why I went back for it that evening, was to help protect my ears from the screeching.
I used the opportunity after snagging the pair of blue earmuffs, to gaze out my window overlooking the river on the west side of the farmhouse. I didn't quite catch a glimpse of whatever was crying by the water, on the count of my window not being in exact focus to the sobs, so I threw on the muffs, went downstairs, and headed out the front door.
I once again turned in the direction of the sobs which, I could no longer here as much. But blocking out the crying like I said, wasn't really what I was going for. I wanted to make sure whoever was crying was okay. And just as I was approaching the fence, ready to peer through the crack in the wooden structure surrounding the farmhouse, someone got in my way.
There was a sudden pressure against my back as something had landed so gracefully behind me, that it completely escaped my sense of hearing, bringing me to a literal standstill. I didn't even need to turn around to find out who it was. The scent of fresh blood in the air. The waves of dark aura pushing against my back. The ability to move as fast and as silent, so as to completely evade the senses. There was only one forest aberration I knew could do that.
"And just what do you think you are doing?"
I heard the voice of Sebastian ask from inside the back of my head, sending ripples of dread down the length of my spine. I turned around slowly and came face to face with the thing that would forever be the number one reason why I find owls to be one of the scariest species of birds on the planet.
Sebastian was a part man, part owl hybrid thing, with a ghostly white face, deep black eyes, and a feathered, makeshift winged cloak that was just as deep, dark, and menacing as his eyes. He has no beak. But lips. And it doesn't really matter because when he speaks, they don't move. At all. No matter the circumstance.
"Have you suddenly lost your tongue boy? I asked you a question. What do you think you are doing?" he added, his cold voice bouncing around in my head and his gaze frozen solid.
I tried saying something, but I was so captivated by fear I forgot how to speak. My entire body was shaking like a leaf, and I was pretty sure I was about to piss my pants.
Among all the aberrations in the forest and Frank just so happen to pick the creepiest looking one of them all to serve as my babysitter. Thanks Frank. I really appreciate it.
"Don't make me repeat myself boy," Sebastian said, his tone dropping to sinister levels.
"SPEAK!" he ordered, and the ferocity of his pitch almost caused the inside of my skull to split in two.
I swallowed the fear stuck in my throat and finally spoke.
"There's... It's... Someone needs our help," I said. My words somehow managing to form a cohesive sentence. "I just wanted to..."
Sebastian jerked his head to the side to glance over my shoulder. More specifically, he glanced over my shoulder to stare through the crack in the wooded fence behind me.
We both heard the sniffling noises simultaneously.
After a second or two, Sebastian then snapped his head in my direction, returning his soulless gays back on me.
"Were you invited?" he asked, a hint of calm resignation in his tone.
"What?" I replied, genuinely confuse at his question.
"Were you invited?" he asked again, with his voice starting to shift into enraged annoyance.
In fear of not wanting to piss him off any more than I already did, I simply shook my head in response, hoping that was enough non sassy, non-disrespectful way of indicating I was still at a loss of what he was asking.
Letting out a sigh, he said, "Take a look." And I began to slowly step backwards while keeping my eyes trained on him. It was not until my back connected with a flat wooden surface behind me that I finally broke eye contact in order to turn around, crouch, and gaze out the crack in the fence standing on the west side of the farmhouse. And the view was just as I described.
There was the deep gray sky with all its glory. The smooth dark rocks. The towering trees looming overhead. And the large body of water that had her swampiness resting underneath. Everything was as I described with one exception. Now sitting on one of the rocks by the left side of the river, with her back turned and both of her legs stuffed into the water, was a girl. Or more specifically, a young woman.
Her hair was a mixture of white and yellow, with rows of beads running half circles along the back of her braid, decorating her already very colorful, very voluminous hair all the way down to her lower back. Her shoulders each held three sets of clothing strips, which appeared to act as the primary (hold me up support) for the rest of her slim green looking attire, and the tone of her skin was a pale shade with a hint of Olive undertone. She looked hunched over in her sitting position, with her hands, each one decorated with rows of transparent blue bangles, lifted up to her face, cupping her eyes and nose as she continued to sniffle and sob quietly into the morning breeze. I didn't even have to sight her tail to know what kind of creature she already was.
Some of the creatures in the forest, especially the mermaids, take great pride in the kinds of accessories they wear, and in the way they look. If you were to ask me why, I would say it probably has something to do with ethnic origins or simple personal aesthetic choices. Suddenly, the question Sebastian kept repeating to me made a lot of sense. If you don't ask a mermaid for permission before approaching, things for you can become really painful. And for a brief moment, I wondered if the screeching noise from earlier had anything to do with the kinds of things they are capable of.
So, in light of the sudden Discovery that I was in fact dealing with a potentially hostile mermaid, my drive for wanting to help her process whatever grief she was going through suddenly plummeted. Especially now that I knew she was capable of letting out a screech that could easily rip apart my skull if she wanted to. And because of that, I ceased staring through the gap in the fence to lean back and look up at the frozen stature of Sebastian looming just behind me. He kept silent as always, and continued to observe me with a steady gaze, waiting for me to speak of my findings. I gave myself a second to process the image I had just witnessed before speaking.
"It's a mermaid," I said, perplexed at my Discovery.
"Yes," Sebastian replied, his lips shut, and his voice reverberating around the inside of my skull.
"I can't believe it. I've never seen a mermaid before," I said.
"You should count yourself lucky then rabbit," Sebastian said, unmoving. "Those who sight a mermaid for the first time from such close distance don't usually walk away to tell about the tail," he added. "They always end up doing something stupid."
"Stupid?" I asked, flashing a nervous smile.
Sebastian picked up on my former intentions and shot me a disappointed angry stare.
"Stupid like trying to get nearer for an even closer gander," he said, his pitch-black eyes narrowing and warning. "What were you thinking?" he asked, and luckily for me I did not have to answer the question.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash as if a tree had toppled over in the distance. Sebastian spun his head around, twisting his neck so the back of his head was now facing me. I squirmed at the site of his forward backwards appearance, never having gotten acquainted with most of his characteristics and capabilities in the short time I've known him working at the farmhouse. After a second or two, Sebastian then twisted his neck back into place, returning his dark gaze back on me.
"What is it?" I asked, standing up from my crouched position by the fence and allowing the thought of the mermaid disappear from my mind for a moment.
"You should get inside. Now," Sebastian replied, taking a step back before opening his massive dark wings and spreading them to the sides.
He arced his knees a little bit, and with a single downward flap of his wings, he was airborne. Off the ground by a total of eight feet, before coming to a halt midflight to stare down at me.
"Get inside and lock the doors. Now!" he barked, eyes narrowed, and his wings flapping up and down by his sides keeping his suspended state.
"But you still haven't..."
I never got the opportunity to complete my sentence.
Just then, an almost invisible ball of spiraling blue energy, shot out from somewhere behind me and collided with the body of Sebastian, sending him flying across the front yard and expelling him from the premises entirely.
I immediately took out my earmuffs and was hit with an eerie silence. My heart was pounding. My brain was starting to enter a hyperactive panic mode. And my breathing became ragged and intense. What the hell just happened?
I didn't have to wait for my answer.
I spun around to the sound of rapid approaching footsteps, and almost had a heart attack from what I saw.
Running towards the farmhouse from the other side of the fence. Bare feet. With the lower half of her dress dripping with river water, and the top part of her attire and voluminous hair flowing in the evening breeze, was the mermaid. In full spectacle.
Her eyes were the color of midnight. Her gait, although a little hindered by her dress, seemed just like the way a normal girl would run. The rows of transparent blue bangles on her forearm and wrist, were now a bright luminescent glowing color. And they were streaks of dried-up black makeup tears running down the sides of her cheeks, prove she was indeed the one crying moments earlier.
She resembled something straight out of a marionette's horror movie running towards me and I was a deer caught in headlights. I couldn't believe it.
I started to back off slowly and she snapped her head in my direction, causing my heart to almost leap out of my chest.
"Hey! No! Wait! I'm not going to hurt you!" she yelled, rushing towards the fence, and lifting up her hands defensively. "I just want to help," she added, finally coming to a halt, and staring at me through the gap in the fence.
"Something terrible is coming this way and it's all my fault," she said. "Please. We need to leave"
She continued to stare at me through the crack in the fence, a look of genuine concerned plastered across her face. Her dark blue eyes held a tinge of guilt behind them, and her cheeks and lips were flushed with honest worry. She reached out an arm through the fence, as if physically showing she wasn't a threat. That's when I looked down and found that the rows of bangles on her hand, the same ones that were glowing a bright luminescent color only seconds before, were now dimming back into their original shade, almost as if they were in a state of powering down.
"Please," she whispered, and I lifted my head up to meet her gays once more.
For a second, I didn't move. I was frozen in fear and contemplating weather to Make a run for the farmhouse and lock myself in, or run away with this stranger offering to take me to a new location. The safety of the farmhouse had already been compromised thanks to her, and it was about to become a hotspot for major forest aberration activity.
I took a moment to consider my options. I really did. But the renewed sound of trees toppling over from somewhere behind me, accompanied with the ground shaking rumble of a dozen legs digging into the ground and barreling towards the farmhouse in a rush, suddenly made my decision that much obvious.
"Please. We need to go. Now!" she said, with her arm still stretched. And without a second thought, I carefully placed my hand on hers, and the instant my palm came in contact with the inside of her hand, the rows of transparent blue bangles on her arm lit up, and she immediately let go of my hand and grabbed my forearm instead.
I looked up at her face in horror, but before I could utter a word of protest, the insides of her eyes grew brighter, and she lifted her arm up, flinging me over the fence sooner than my mind was able to comprehend what was happening.
I was airborne. For like 2 and a half seconds. But it felt like a lifetime. And while I was busy somersaulting over the fence, the world around me seemed to slow down, giving me plenty of time to catch an upside-down glimpse of the humongous forest creature now climbing its way into the compound from the other side of the fence.
If none of what I've said so far has remotely sounded crazy in the slightest, this is the part where shit should really start to hit the fan. Because climbing into the compound from the other side of the fence, in a downwards arc of its massive body, was the biggest forest crab I have ever seen.
The thing was huge. Like, really huge. It possessed a dirty brown colored appearance, with some parts of its shell-like armored plating covered in green splotches. Its legs were long and pincer like, and its two main frontal claws were massive, reinforced gauntlets ending in scissor like appendages. It had tiny, jagged needles coating almost every inch of its crustacean, with the most vicious looking ones located on its arms, its legs, and the sides of its shell. And other than the overall monstrous sea creature vibes the think presented, there was another disturbing aspect to the thing.
On its back. The topmost part of its shell. Sitting on what resembled a saddle and wielding a slag of rope that somehow connected to the giant crab's antenna, was a rider. Donning some kind of yellow, red ceremonial armor.
The mermaid had planned to catch me as she already had a hand stretched upwards, ready to somehow break my fall the second I cleared the compound and was falling on the outside part of the fence. But she might have thrown me further than she can catch me because our fingers barely even brushed the top of one another before a look of horror flashed across her face, and I mentally braced myself for the inevitable rough landing.
What followed was almost instantaneous.
The world around me sped up and I watched as a ground littered with sharp rocks and stones rushed towards my face. And the last thing I remember as I fell onto the ground was smashing the side of my head against something hard before going blank.
This next part might have Played out as if in a dream sequence, but it was just the symptoms of my brain going into shock.
I was sprawled on the floor. Unmoving. But I could still perceive most of my surroundings. The side of my face in the ground was warm, and I could make out the sound of something growling and bashing against a wall, and the voice of someone crying out over the noise in the distance.
"Hey! Are you okay? I'm sorry I did not catch you. Please. get up. Hey! Can you hear me? Please. Get up. Please!"
"Easy stone breaker. Easy." A second voice spoke out over the noise, and the bashing stopped. So did the growling.
"Look princess. What you've done."
The second voice belonged to a man. And if I were to guess, I would say it belonged to the same person I saw riding the giant crab.
"Please. Get up," the girl said.
“Disappointing,” the man said. ”You see princess, this is what happens whenever you do this. Death. Destruction. And innocent people suffer for it.”
There was a pause.
“I mean, I try my best to minimize the second one, but you can't seem to stop yourself from causing the first one," the man continued. “If you would just come with me back home princess. Watermeena misses you. Your parents miss you. And I’m sure you must be tired of all this constant running?”
I couldn't quite see what was happening mainly because I had fallen facing a patch of bushes, but the rock my head was now resting on beside a nearby tree, provided enough elevation for my peripheral vision to catch some of the action.
First was that the mermaid was still standing outside the wooden fence surrounding the farmhouse. However she was now in some kind of forward leaning stance, with her arms pushed out in front, holding steady a giant transparent blue dome that had seemingly appeared from nowhere and enveloped the compound. Trapping the giant crab and its rider inside.
Second was that she seemed to be getting tired. She had her head lowered, staring at the ground. Her arms were shaking. Her legs were quivering. And the bangles on her arms were starting to blink on and off, indicating that they were probably stressed and overheating, or were simply losing power. Either way, she looked like she was about to pass out and I felt like I needed to do something.
I slowly lifted my head up and was immediately rewarded with a sharp ache shooting through my skull. I lowered my head and winced in pain, before waiting a few seconds and trying again.
This time, I was able to lift my head up and also shuffle my first step forward. And my second. And my third. Other than what I was certain was a broken knee, twisted ankle, and a bruised rib, which were all yelling at my brain for my body to stop moving, I had no other injuries. At least, so I thought.
“Huh,” the voice of the man said. “It seems as though your pedestrian casualty survived after all.”
Still laying on the ground, I lifted my head up and turned in the direction of the farmhouse. The mermaid had also lifted her head up to stare back at me.
There were fresh tears running down the sides of her cheeks. But she now had a smile plastered across her face. A smile of relief. With a little worry sprinkled in.
“Well, isn't that just wonderful,” the man said. ”Now princess,” he continued, “the ball is in your court. You either bring him along and we all go in search of a healer to help dress his injuries, in which case we leave him there and continue onward to Watermeena. Or you leave the poor fellow here to bleed out, and instead do what you've always done. Run. With whatever charge still left in those rings of yours. Just know I cannot guarantee his safety if you do choose to run. Stonebreaker gets a bit agitated when he hasn't had his dinner. And guess who hasn't eaten all day because of you.”
The mermaid looked up at the rider on the crab, then look down back at me. The smile had disappeared from her face and was now replaced with the familiar flush of worry. I turned my attention away and continued to press forward on my elbows and remaining good knee. And after a little while, I was able to make it to the trunk of a tree and lifted myself up to rest my back on it.
Wait. Did he just threatened to feed me to the crab? And did he just say I was bleeding out?
I looked down and was mortified when I saw a trail of blood smeared along the ground from where I sat, all the way to a collection of rocks sticking out of the ground which must have been my point of impact. I lifted my hand and felt a deep gash on the side of my forehead, and a sticky warm liquid was now between my fingers and running along the side of my face. I was suddenly like headed, and unable to focus on anything around me but the voices speaking in the distance.
“Hey! No! Open your eyes! Stay with me!”
Wait. When did I close my eyes?
“He is going into shock. It's now or never princess. Make your choice.”
“No. Please. Wake up,“ I heard the voice of the girl ask, reminding me of that particular memory I really did not like. I opened my eyes to a blurred mess of the things around me, then turned my attention over to where the blurred figure of the mermaid still stood holding together the blurred dome wall.
“Time is running out princess. A few more minutes and he is going to lose consciousness. You should make your choice now.”
“Promise me you won't hurt him,” the girl said, her voice restrained. “And promise me your beast wouldn't lay a single claw on him either.”
“As the commander of the royal army, you have my word princess.”
There was another pause. And just as I began lowering my head and shutting my eyes closed, I made one last attempt in hopes of saving my ass and also preserving the mermaid's independence since it really seemed like she didn't want to go with him.
“Screech,” I said, mustering some of the remaining ounce of energy I could to say that one word.
“What? The mermaid replied,” sniffling.
“That thing you did earlier. Do it again,” I said. “Scream.”
“But that was an accident,” she replied, “and it can hurt you.”
“Just do it,” I said. “Please.”
"Don't bother princess," the man said. "Your disorientating song might have led us to you, but it is not going to drive us away.”
“Good,” I replied, lifting my head up to stare in their direction and blinking a few times to clear my vision. "There is someone I would like you guys to meet."
I turned so I was now facing the mermaid.
“Do it,” I said. “Now.” And with a reluctant nod of her head, she let out three consecutive wails that were not as vicious as the first one, but still packed enough punch to force My hands to cover my ears in response. Even stonebreaker seemed to stumble on his legs a little, before shaking his head to the sides and brushing off the noise. When she was finally done, she lifted her head to stare up at me, with the look in her eyes begging the question. What now?
Her answer came in form of The River beside us starting to bubble over, with a large dark humanoid shape slowly rising up from the deep.
She was awake.
Suddenly, the bangles on the mermaid's hands sparked a bright flash, forcing her to flinch in pain before releasing her grip on the blue dome and dropping to her knees. The bangles began dimming back into their original shade and the blue dome surrounding the compound evaporated.
The man did not cease the opportunity to steal the mermaid in that moment. Instead he was transfixed on the entity now emerging from the water.
The figure in the river continued to rise, until it was out of the water to its waste and was facing the direction of the farmhouse.
It was big. Very big. Its body was made entirely of dark brown roots and tree bark, and its eyes were hollow circuits of glowing lights. There was a greenish bluish swamp like slime covering its entire body, and the hair on its head was long, dark, drenched, and coated with seaweed. Its overall visage was akin to the top half of a woman, and when she spoke, it was with a thousand voices that came before her.
“I am Kiai Ohana. Mother of nature. Guardian, and protector of all living things in the forest. Crab fender.” The thing lifted her hand to point at the man sitting on the giant crab, which was now 10 times smaller in comparison. “You are currently violating the sanctity of this land with your presence and putting the life of yet another of my own at risk. As you and your men have done on multiple counts before,” she said, lowering her arm. “No longer should I allow such acts from you go unpunished. Leave now and consider this to be your final warning.”
Without saying another word, the crab fender pulled at the rains of his beast, steering his massive crustacean away from the mermaid and exiting the compound by crawling over the same fence he crawled in.
“You too little one,” the spirit said. Turning her attention over to the mermaid. “I must continue to recuperate. You must be on your way. Now.”
The mermaid got to her feet and rushed over to where I had my back against a tree.
“But can you please help him,” she said. “He is like this because of me.”
She tore a piece of her dress and pressed it against my forehead.
I want to say it hurt like hell, but I was already slipping back into unconsciousness, and everything was becoming numb. The girl kneeling in front of me was but a blur again at this point.
“I know,” the spirit replied. “I will see to it that he is treated. But you must go. Now. Like the crab fender, you have also caused a lot of trouble and are now trespassing on private land. And I cannot have that.”
“Okay,” the mermaid replied. “And I'm sorry for all I've caused. I really am. But thank you for accepting to help him. She said. Thank you."
“It's my duty little one,” the spirit said. “Don't thank me. Besides. I know this one. He is a sapling in training. Hopefully he is able to blossom before the start of the dark days, or a simple head injury would be the list of his problems. Now go little one. And don't come back.”
“Okay,” the mermaid replied.
Before leaving, the mermaid ended up wiping the blood from my face with the piece of fabric, then tor another piece from her dress and wrapped it around my head like a Makeshift Band-Aid. After that, she took my hand in hers and leaned in closer.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
And with that, she got to her feet and began bolting down towards the river, and just as she jumped into the water, I blinked a few times to clear my vision, and caught sight of her transformation as she dove into the water. Headfirst, tail last. Then, she was gone.
But the spirit was still there.
“Don't worry little sapling,” the spirit said, as my vision began to tunnel. “Help is on its way,” she added. “Save your strength and get well soon. The dark days are almost upon us. And I am going to need every man and woman of the runners, prepared to trade their lives for the forest. Including you.”
I could only mutter a silent "what?" Before I completely blacked out. And when I woke up a few hours later, the first thing to cross my mind was an echo of what the spirit had said.
"The dark days are almost upon us. And I am going to need every man and woman of the runners, prepared to trade their lives for the forest. Including you."
What the hell are the dark days?
2023.03.21 19:22 autotldr Climate Change Crisis: UN Calls for Rapid and Ambitious Action to Tackle Climate Change Crisis
This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 81%. (I'm a bot)
Summary Source FAQ Feedback Top keywords: Climate#1 change#2 report#3 action#4 need#5
Post found in /worldnews.
NOTICE: This thread is for discussing the submission topic. Please do not discuss the concept of the autotldr bot here.
submitted by autotldr to autotldr [link] [comments]
The United Nations has been at the forefront of global efforts to tackle climate change, and its latest report on the issue underscores the urgent need for more ambitious action to secure a sustainable future for all.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a UN body that brings together leading scientists to assess the evidence related to climate change and inform political leaders with periodic scientific assessments.
The report highlights the urgent need for more ambitious action to tackle the growing threats posed by climate change.
The IPCC's report makes it clear that urgent and more ambitious action is needed to tackle climate change.
The IPCC's latest report underscores the urgent need for more ambitious action to tackle the growing threats posed by climate change.
The report serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to take bold and urgent steps to tackle the global climate crisis.
Post found in /worldnews.
NOTICE: This thread is for discussing the submission topic. Please do not discuss the concept of the autotldr bot here.
2023.03.21 19:09 cinnamonbunnss Frustration with getting ADHD diagnosis
For years I’ve (26F) known I have ADHD. I also have anxiety and depression, which were diagnosed at a very young age (8 years old). I’ve talked to so many doctors and psychiatrists about my symptoms, all of whom dismissed my concerns and recommended increasing my antidepressant dose instead. I’ve been on countless antidepressants, most of them at the maximum dose, and I’ve never had any relief from my ADHD symptoms. Despite this, throughout my whole life, not one doctor has even brought up the possibility of ADHD or a stimulant medication.
Recently I decided to make an appointment with a new psychiatrist to see if I could get started with the diagnosis process (apparently it is a long process with a lot of obstacles?) She asked me a huge variety of questions and was very detailed in asking about my medical and personal history. She came to the conclusion that I definitely have symptoms of ADHD and should be assessed further, but that she couldn’t help me because I smoke weed sometimes and it can make the symptoms worse. She refused to treat me for it until I passed a drug test. (I think it’s important to note that I have no history of drug abuse, which I know is a factor in deciding to prescribe somebody a stimulant. Also I will be seeking a new psychiatrist).
Meanwhile my brother at age 16 went to his primary care doctor and told him he was having trouble focusing at work. They wrote him an adderall prescription that day.
I understand there is an issue with women/girls being underdiagnosed or being told that it’s just depression/anxiety/hormones. It’s just extremely frustrating and I wanted to see if anyone else had similar experiences.
submitted by cinnamonbunnss to TwoXChromosomes [link] [comments]
Recently I decided to make an appointment with a new psychiatrist to see if I could get started with the diagnosis process (apparently it is a long process with a lot of obstacles?) She asked me a huge variety of questions and was very detailed in asking about my medical and personal history. She came to the conclusion that I definitely have symptoms of ADHD and should be assessed further, but that she couldn’t help me because I smoke weed sometimes and it can make the symptoms worse. She refused to treat me for it until I passed a drug test. (I think it’s important to note that I have no history of drug abuse, which I know is a factor in deciding to prescribe somebody a stimulant. Also I will be seeking a new psychiatrist).
Meanwhile my brother at age 16 went to his primary care doctor and told him he was having trouble focusing at work. They wrote him an adderall prescription that day.
I understand there is an issue with women/girls being underdiagnosed or being told that it’s just depression/anxiety/hormones. It’s just extremely frustrating and I wanted to see if anyone else had similar experiences.
2023.03.21 19:08 MromiMiqo Soon to care for incontinent aunt-in-law who is paralyzed from the waist down. Looking for advice.
Hey y'all. My husband's aunt is over 90 years old and her health looks good outside of her paralysis, brought on from a stroke she had a couple years back. It's costing us more than our income to have her cared for, so we will be bringing her home soon after I give birth to care for her. In my last trimester, I am somewhat immobile myself, so that is why we are waiting. In home care is equally as expensive, so there's really no other choice. I am luckily a SAHM to a child on the spectrum and soon will have a newborn. I will also be training a service dog for my oldest son, something we had planned for years and I cannot get out of without spending another fortune to have him held by the initial trainer or let him go despite having paid a fortune for him already (and I can't break my son's heart like that). Needless to say, I'm going to be insanely busy soon.
The good news is that my aunt-in-law is an extremely reasonable and sweet woman. She is mentally with it and very compassionate. She is incredibly low maintenance and docile. Her sister, my MIL, will also be coming to stay with us. She is in her 70's but has no issues, so she will be assisting in some of the easier tasks, such as watching the children and keeping her company. My husband also plans on helping when he is not at work.
Mostly, it seems like diaper changes will be the big hurdle. Does anybody have recommendations on brands that do not leak or gear that may make things easier? Any advice from those with more experience? Any curveballs to keep my eyes open for? I will also be changing newborn diapers, so the ick factor will not be such a problem. I just want to make sure that I do things right, that she does not get hurt, and that I'm not underestimating the difficulty. Sadly, I have no option other than to take on the challenge, so I just want to make sure that I am set up for success and have a proper assessment of the tasks I will be taking on.
Thanks!
submitted by MromiMiqo to eldercare [link] [comments]
The good news is that my aunt-in-law is an extremely reasonable and sweet woman. She is mentally with it and very compassionate. She is incredibly low maintenance and docile. Her sister, my MIL, will also be coming to stay with us. She is in her 70's but has no issues, so she will be assisting in some of the easier tasks, such as watching the children and keeping her company. My husband also plans on helping when he is not at work.
Mostly, it seems like diaper changes will be the big hurdle. Does anybody have recommendations on brands that do not leak or gear that may make things easier? Any advice from those with more experience? Any curveballs to keep my eyes open for? I will also be changing newborn diapers, so the ick factor will not be such a problem. I just want to make sure that I do things right, that she does not get hurt, and that I'm not underestimating the difficulty. Sadly, I have no option other than to take on the challenge, so I just want to make sure that I am set up for success and have a proper assessment of the tasks I will be taking on.
Thanks!
2023.03.21 19:06 alucidpsycho Mellie deserved better and is still the bad guy? *spoilers*
I've been rewatching scandal, and let me tell you.. They did a REALLY good job of throwing Mellie the short end of the stick and STILL making her character easy to hate. I think this was exceptional writing on their end and excellent role playing by Bellamy Young.
Don't get me wrong, I think we know Olivia and Fitz are toxic and maybe that's why we like it because it was fueled with INTENSE love and was pretty much a Wattapad fantasy.. but Mellie really did give up so much for Fitz and endured quite a lot JUST because Fitz wanted to be with someone else.
I love Fitz's admiration for Olivia, but he was toxic. He let power get to his head when people were just trying to help him. It was his way or the highway, even when his role in the Oval Office was bought and his leadership only showed up when someone else made a plan (Cyrus said it best, Olivia is the president. But he followed Cyrus, Olivia and Mellie. I don't think he could make any decisions on his own). He was verbally abusive and would work his way around by immediately using intimidating charm and his sexual intensity to make those women bow down to him and just forgive him. He'd throw around the words "I love you" and expected the world to just work around his love life. Not to mention his hypocrisy.. I mean when he freaked out about Mellie and Andrew but he was cheating with Olivia his whole presidency? Or when he got mad at Olivia for lying to him but he was lying too? Or when he would get mad at Mellie for something he'd easily forgive Olivia for.
But OMG, she gave up her own career, stood by him and basically did everything she could to make sure he got his presidency. She believed in him when no one could and the most heartbreaking of all, the pain she endured by Fitz's dad. She kept it quiet for YEARS, only to be betrayed and have him treat her like trash. The crazy thing is, somehow, the writers made all of Fitz's speeches so captivating, that I almost would forget the facts, and agree that she was a money-hungry wife who only wanted status and fame. Like the presidency was almost for her. A prime example is how she would constantly push him to be the best president and do what's best for the presidency, and he gave that "You're ornamental, not functional. So don't come into the oval and try to use your brain" speech. She did step out of her duties, yes, but he acted as if she wasn't an asset to his presidency and like she didn't have a brain of her own.. I mean they both went to ivy leagues for crying out loud. He completely ignored the things she gave up for him and made it seem like it was her doing because she wanted the presidency more than he did.
That being said, I think she did eventually change up and started acting on power hunger.. but I think it's warranted. She knew she was pretty much in it for the long haul so long as Fitz was in office, and after all she put up with, she thought "I deserve this and i'm going to get it. iv had enough of it and Im reclaiming my power". She knew her marriage was a sham but still had some sort of love for Fitz, and made it purely business. She allowed Olivia and him to just be after realizing no matter how hard she tries, he will always try to be together. She couldn't compete, so she joined the game.
I almost feel bad, because we wanted Olivia and Fitz to have the "Vermont" dream they hoped for, and again, its because they were so passionately in love with each other and we all crave someone to fight that hard for us (We know that because of the "You own me" speech they gave each other in the earlier seasons) .. but beyond that, they wouldn't have worked. Olivia had mommy and daddy issues that caused her to strive for power and want to be loved with power, but once she got it, it was too much for her. And Fitz wanted the fairy tail love without assessing his reality.
The show's writers really made it so easy to support the other woman because of her power, observable class and sad story, and our undeniable love for a man who displays intensity and action.
Maybe someone disagrees, I'd love to hear that side, or if others agree too!
submitted by alucidpsycho to Scandal [link] [comments]
Don't get me wrong, I think we know Olivia and Fitz are toxic and maybe that's why we like it because it was fueled with INTENSE love and was pretty much a Wattapad fantasy.. but Mellie really did give up so much for Fitz and endured quite a lot JUST because Fitz wanted to be with someone else.
I love Fitz's admiration for Olivia, but he was toxic. He let power get to his head when people were just trying to help him. It was his way or the highway, even when his role in the Oval Office was bought and his leadership only showed up when someone else made a plan (Cyrus said it best, Olivia is the president. But he followed Cyrus, Olivia and Mellie. I don't think he could make any decisions on his own). He was verbally abusive and would work his way around by immediately using intimidating charm and his sexual intensity to make those women bow down to him and just forgive him. He'd throw around the words "I love you" and expected the world to just work around his love life. Not to mention his hypocrisy.. I mean when he freaked out about Mellie and Andrew but he was cheating with Olivia his whole presidency? Or when he got mad at Olivia for lying to him but he was lying too? Or when he would get mad at Mellie for something he'd easily forgive Olivia for.
But OMG, she gave up her own career, stood by him and basically did everything she could to make sure he got his presidency. She believed in him when no one could and the most heartbreaking of all, the pain she endured by Fitz's dad. She kept it quiet for YEARS, only to be betrayed and have him treat her like trash. The crazy thing is, somehow, the writers made all of Fitz's speeches so captivating, that I almost would forget the facts, and agree that she was a money-hungry wife who only wanted status and fame. Like the presidency was almost for her. A prime example is how she would constantly push him to be the best president and do what's best for the presidency, and he gave that "You're ornamental, not functional. So don't come into the oval and try to use your brain" speech. She did step out of her duties, yes, but he acted as if she wasn't an asset to his presidency and like she didn't have a brain of her own.. I mean they both went to ivy leagues for crying out loud. He completely ignored the things she gave up for him and made it seem like it was her doing because she wanted the presidency more than he did.
That being said, I think she did eventually change up and started acting on power hunger.. but I think it's warranted. She knew she was pretty much in it for the long haul so long as Fitz was in office, and after all she put up with, she thought "I deserve this and i'm going to get it. iv had enough of it and Im reclaiming my power". She knew her marriage was a sham but still had some sort of love for Fitz, and made it purely business. She allowed Olivia and him to just be after realizing no matter how hard she tries, he will always try to be together. She couldn't compete, so she joined the game.
I almost feel bad, because we wanted Olivia and Fitz to have the "Vermont" dream they hoped for, and again, its because they were so passionately in love with each other and we all crave someone to fight that hard for us (We know that because of the "You own me" speech they gave each other in the earlier seasons) .. but beyond that, they wouldn't have worked. Olivia had mommy and daddy issues that caused her to strive for power and want to be loved with power, but once she got it, it was too much for her. And Fitz wanted the fairy tail love without assessing his reality.
The show's writers really made it so easy to support the other woman because of her power, observable class and sad story, and our undeniable love for a man who displays intensity and action.
Maybe someone disagrees, I'd love to hear that side, or if others agree too!
2023.03.21 19:05 AutoModerator [Get] AmpMyContent – The Amplify Content Academy Download Course on Genkicourses.com
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2023.03.21 18:58 greg0525 I am Mr. Nobody
After years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering determination, my lifelong dream had finally come true and it collapsed from one day to the other. I had the perfect family and the perfect life. As an English teacher in the quaint town of Black Rain, located in the serene landscape of British Columbia, I felt a sense of fulfillment and purpose in my daily life.
My family was the epitome of happiness and contentment. We shared a bond that was unbreakable, and every moment spent together was a cherished memory. My two teenage children, Samuel and Emma, were the joy of my life. They were both outstanding students and were thrilled about the prospect of attending university in the near future.
My wife Amelia was breathtakingly beautiful. Her long auburn hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, framing her delicate features and sparkling hazel eyes. She was a guide and lecturer at the local art museum, and her passion for the arts shone through in every aspect of her life. When she talked about a particular painting or sculpture, her eyes would light up with excitement, and her enthusiasm was infectious.
Despite her busy career, Amelia always made time for me. We were the perfect match, and our love for each other only grew stronger with each passing day. I loved watching her teach and inspire others, and it made me proud to see how respected and adored she was by her colleagues and students alike.
Together, we created a life filled with happiness and adventure. Whether it was exploring new art exhibits, hiking through the nearby mountains, or simply enjoying a cozy night in, we cherished every moment spent together. Amelia was my soulmate, my partner in every sense of the word, and I felt incredibly lucky to have her by my side.
In addition to our academic pursuits, we often embarked on exciting adventures and memorable holidays together. Whether we were exploring the natural beauty of the nearby national parks or indulging in our shared love of literature, every experience was enriched by the warmth and love that we shared as a family.
That day started as a typical morning. I woke up early and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of sizzling bacon. I walked towards the counter and started making myself a sandwich. Samuel was sitting at the table, munching on his toast, while Amelia was getting her cereal ready. Suddenly, Emma walked into the kitchen with a perplexed expression on her face.
"Good morning, sweetheart," I greeted her with a smile.
"Good morning," she replied, still looking puzzled. "Who are you?"
I froze for a moment, not sure how to react. "What kind of joke is this?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
But Emma shook her head, looking more confused than ever. "I'm sorry, I don't remember you," she said.
Samuel and Amelia exchanged worried glances, clearly as perplexed as I was. "Emma, that's your dad," Samuel said firmly as if trying to convince her.
But Emma just shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't know who you are. I have never seen you!" she said softly before grabbing her backpack and heading off to school.
I was left standing there, feeling completely bewildered and hurt. How could my own daughter not recognize me? It was like a nightmare come true.
As soon as Emma walked out of the door, panic set in and I knew I had to act fast. I ran out of the house and down the driveway, chasing after her. When I finally caught up to her in the front yard, I tried to touch her gently on the shoulder, but she recoiled from my touch as if I was a complete stranger.
"Emma, it's me, your dad," I said, my voice trembling with fear and confusion.
But Emma only backed away from me, looking more scared than ever. "You're not my dad! My dad doesn't look like you," she cried.
I was taken aback by her words. "What do you mean? Of course, I look like your dad. I am your dad," I said, trying to remain calm.
But Emma's eyes were wide with fear, and she continued to back away from me. "You're lying! You're not my dad! Leave me alone!" she screamed.
Her fear was palpable, and I felt a sense of helplessness wash over me. As our neighbors began to peer out their windows with curious looks on their faces, I realized I needed to back off before things got even more out of hand. I slowly retreated, watching Emma until she was safely out of sight. The weight of the situation bore down on me heavily as I stood alone in the yard, wondering what had caused my daughter to suddenly forget who I was.
Back inside, I looked at Amelia, who was equally shocked by what had just happened. "What's happening to her, James?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I don't know, but we need to figure it out," I replied, my mind racing with possibilities.
That day Amelia and I visited a psychologist. He had a relaxing office. He told us that teenagers sometimes go through a difficult time and she mentioned some reasons. She said it could be a way of fighting stress but it is only temporary and she told us to be patient, it would go away.
Amelia and I sat anxiously in the waiting room, both of us unsure of what to expect from our visit to the psychologist. I had to skip all my classes that day. As we were called into the office, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief from the calming atmosphere. The walls were painted in soft shades of blue and green, and a small fountain bubbled quietly in the corner.
The psychologist was a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a soothing voice. She listened patiently as we explained Emma's sudden confusion and fear, nodding thoughtfully as we spoke.
"Teenagers can often go through a period of difficulty, especially during times of stress," she explained. "It's possible that this is just a temporary phase for Emma."
"But why would she forget who I am?" I asked, my voice wavering slightly.
"It could be a defense mechanism," the psychologist suggested. "Sometimes our brains try to protect us from painful memories or experiences, and forgetting certain things can be a way of coping with those feelings."
“Painful memories? Like a boyfriend? She had a boyfriend and they broke up a few weeks ago. She has been very depressed since then. Can it be the cause?” I asked.
“Possibly,” the psychologist said but I still felt a sense of unease. "What can we do to help her?" I asked.
"Be patient," she replied with a small smile. "And try not to push too hard. Let Emma come to you when she's ready."
As we left the office, I couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty. How long would this phase last? And how could we help Emma when she was pushing us away?
Later that day Emma came home from school and said she did not want to have dinner with that man. She meant me. So she ate in her own room. Samuel went to play video games and Amelia and I went to bed, we both hoped Emma would be all right soon.
Later that day, as Emma walked through the door, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me. She had been so distant lately, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong.
"Hey, Em," I said, trying to sound casual. "How was school?"
But she just shrugged and headed straight for the stairs without a word. It was like she was a completely different person, and it was breaking my heart to see her like this.
Later on, as we sat down for dinner, Emma made her feelings clear. "I don't want to eat with that man," she said, looking straight at me. "Can I just have dinner in my room?"
She then walked away, leaving me feeling more lost and helpless than ever before.
After dinner, Samuel disappeared into his room to play video games, and I could hear the sounds of gunfire and explosions coming from his computer. It was a stark reminder of how different things were now, how far we had strayed from the happy, carefree family we used to be.
As Amelia and I got ready for bed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness wash over me.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Amelia sighed, her expression sad. "I don't know," she said, shaking her head. "But we have to be patient, and hope that things will get better soon."
I nodded, knowing that she was right. But as I lay in bed that night, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get worse before they got better.
As I woke up the next morning, my thoughts immediately went to Emma. I hoped that she was feeling better and that her fever had gone down. I quickly got dressed and made my way to the kitchen, hoping to find her there.
To my surprise, as soon as she saw me, she asked, "How come you're still here? I thought you were leaving today."
I was about to say something when Samuel looked at me.
“I am sorry, who are you?”
My heart sank. I looked at him with a mix of confusion and anger.
"What do you mean, who am I? I'm your father!" I said, my voice rising in frustration.
But Samuel only looked at me with a blank expression, as if he had never seen me before in his life.
"I don't know who you are," he said, his voice tinged with fear.
My mind raced with possibilities. Was this some kind of prank, a cruel joke being played on me by my own children? But as I looked into their eyes, I could see that this was no joke. They genuinely didn't recognize me.
"Listen to me, both of you," I said, my voice stern. "I am your father, and you have to respect me as such. This is not a game, and I won't tolerate this kind of behavior from either of you."
But as I spoke, I could feel the weight of uncertainty bearing down on me. What if they were telling the truth? What if they really didn't recognize me?
“I don’t know what you are talking about! If this is a prank from my dad, tell him it is kinda creepy!” he said, grabbed and left for school. Emma followed her and slammed the door. I still heard the word “weirdo fuck” from Emma from the outside.
When Amelia walked into the kitchen, I shared with her the disturbing news about Samuel's strange behavior and how he had failed to recognize me. I was so upset that I found it difficult to focus on my work, so I took a sick day and Amelia came with me to see the psychologist again, hoping to resolve the situation.
As soon as we arrived at the psychologist's office, we were ushered into her consultation room. The psychologist greeted us with a warm smile and gestured for us to take a seat.
"So, tell me what's been happening," the psychologist said, looking at us expectantly.
I took a deep breath and began recounting the events of the past few days, describing how both Samuel and Amelia had failed to recognize me, their own father.
The psychologist listened attentively, nodding her head occasionally as I spoke. When I finished, she took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking.
"It's not uncommon for siblings to have similar symptoms," she explained. "It's possible that they're experiencing some kind of dissociative disorder, which could explain why they both can't recognize you."
I was skeptical of her explanation, but the psychologist seemed confident in her diagnosis.
"I would like to see your children for a few sessions to assess their condition and provide appropriate treatment," she said.
My wife and I exchanged a glance, unsure of how to proceed. We were both feeling angry and frustrated with the psychologist's diagnosis.
"You're saying that my children, who were perfectly normal just a few days ago, are suddenly suffering from some kind of disorder?" I said, my voice rising with indignation.
The psychologist remained calm and professional, trying to reassure us.
"It's not uncommon for teenagers to experience these kinds of issues," she said. "With the right treatment, they can make a full recovery."
But my wife and I were not convinced. We stood up and left the room, feeling like the psychologist was incompetent and unable to help us.
That evening, dinner was the last thing on our minds. My wife and I retreated to our bedroom, where I collapsed onto the bed, tears streaming down my face. My wife held me tightly, whispering words of comfort and reassurance. "We'll get through this together," she said softly.
I hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. "I don't want to lose you," I said, my voice choked with emotion.
"You won't," she replied, her voice soft and gentle. "Everything will be alright, I promise."
Despite her words, I couldn't shake the feeling of fear and sadness that had settled over me like a heavy blanket. My mind was consumed with thoughts of what might happen if I couldn't help my children.
Unable to sleep, I left the bedroom and wandered into the living room. I turned on the TV, but my mind was too distracted to focus on anything. Instead, I found myself lost in a sea of worries and doubts. How could I help my children if even the experts seemed unsure of what was happening to them? How could I keep my family together when everything felt like it was falling apart?
The night stretched on, each passing moment filled with a sense of desperation and despair. All I could do was wait and hope that somehow, someway, things would get better. As my mind raced with worries and fears, exhaustion eventually overtook me and I drifted off to sleep.
I woke up in the middle of the night. I had a strange feeling but I did not know what it was. The couch was uncomfortable now and I wanted to go back to Amelia to the bedroom. I walked up the stairs. It was dark. I opened the bedroom door and approached our bed but I got extremely shocked when I saw another man sleeping in our own bed, next to my wife!
I jolted awake in the middle of the night, a sense of unease creeping up my spine. Something didn't feel right. The couch beneath me had become too uncomfortable, so I decided to make my way upstairs to our bedroom. It was dark, the only sound was the creaking of the wooden stairs beneath my feet.
I slowly pushed open the bedroom door, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. My heart dropped into my stomach as I saw another man sleeping in our bed, his arm draped possessively over my wife's waist. I froze, my mind struggling to comprehend what I was seeing.
"Who are you? What the hell are you doing in my bed?" I demanded, my voice shaking with anger and disbelief.
The man turned on the lamp on the bedside table and picked up a vase gripping it as a weapon. He told Amelia to call the police and she did so. The man was threatening me to leave their house because he will beat me up. I asked Amelia how come she did not recognize me but she did not speak to me. I was backing off and left the house before the police arrived.
As the man turned on the lamp, its dim light illuminated his face, revealing his angry expression. He clenched a vase in his hand, ready to use it as a weapon.
"Who the hell are you? What are you doing in my house?" the man asked in a harsh tone.
I was taken aback by his hostility and confused as to what was happening. "I-I live here. This is my house," I stuttered, trying to comprehend the situation.
The man didn't believe me and continued to threaten me. "Get out of here before I beat you to a pulp!" he yelled, raising the vase threateningly.
Amelia, still in shock, reached for the phone and dialed the police. I tried to reason with her. "Amelia, it's me, your husband. Don't you recognize me?"
But she remained silent, her eyes filled with fear and confusion.
I slowly backed away, trying not to provoke the man any further. As soon as I was out of the room, I ran down the stairs and out of the house, still in disbelief and shock.
As I waited outside for the police to arrive, I couldn't help but wonder what was going on. Why didn't Amelia recognize me? Who was that man in our bed? The whole situation seemed surreal and terrifying.
I had spent a sleepless night, sitting behind the bushes and watching our house like a fucking stalker, trying to make sense of what had happened. As the sun started to rise, I saw movement at the front door. My heart racing, I watched as my children, looking disheveled and tired, stumbled out of the house.
I was relieved to see them, but my mind was still reeling from the events of the previous night. I watched as they walked down the street, probably heading to school.
As they disappeared from sight, I saw the stranger again, leaving the house. This time, however, he was alone. My heart sank as I realized that he must have left with Amelia.
I continued to watch from my hiding spot as they said goodbye to each other, kissing passionately. I could feel my anger and sadness rising again, but I didn't know what to do.
Finally, the man left and Amelia stood alone at the door, then she went inside. I knew I had to confront her, but I didn't know how to start. I approached the door and knocked.
She opened the door and seeing my face, she wanted to shut it but I stopped it with my foot.
"Amelia, what is going on? Who was that man?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
I tried to reason with her, but she just kept screaming at me to leave her alone.
"Amelia, please, I just want to talk to you. We need to figure out what's going on," I pleaded, but she wouldn't listen.
As we stood there arguing, a woman walking her dog stopped not far from us. She was one of our neighbors.
I could feel her eyes on me, judging me, and it made me feel even more helpless.
Amelia turned to the group of strangers and yelled, “Mrs. Parker, this man is harassing me! Call the police!"
I looked at the woman and asked if she recognize me. She told me she had never seen me. I tried to convince her that I was James, her neighbor but she did not believe me and she was despising me.
I approached the woman standing on the sidewalk, hoping to start a friendly conversation.
Although she was a cold woman, we knew each other. As I got closer, her dog started barking at me wildly and I noticed a strange look in her eyes.
"Hey Mrs. Parker, you know me, don’t you? I'm James, your neighbor," I asked, a friendly smile on my face.
The woman looked me up and down, sizing me up. "I'm sorry, I don't know who you are," she said coldly, with a hint of suspicion in her voice.
I was taken aback. "What do you mean? We live on the same street. I see you all the time," I replied, my smile fading.
"I'm sorry, I don't remember you," she said again, this time more dismissively.
I felt frustrated and a little hurt. I didn't understand why she was being so unfriendly.
"Are you sure? Maybe we've met before at a community event or something," I said, trying to jog her memory.
But the woman just shook her head. "No, I'm sure I've never seen you before," she said firmly.
“Is everything all right?”
I turned to face him and was relieved to see a familiar face. "No, everything is not all right," I said, my voice filled with anger.
“Do you want me to handle this ladies?” he asked, his muscles bulging as he prepared to confront me.
“It’s all right, I’m leaving!” I said and walked away.
“Never dare to come back!” Amelia shouted after me.
The next place where I was going was my school. I hoped my colleagues would help me out of this nightmare. I approached a group of teachers who were chatting in the hallway. They looked at me strangely, like I was an intruder.
“Hey guys, you won’t believe me what’s happening to me!”
One of them, Ms. Johnson, spoke up. "I'm sorry, your name is?”
“No, no no. Please no. You really don’t know who I am?”
“Are you sure you're at the right school?"
I was getting frustrated. "Yes, I'm sure. I've been teaching here for five years. How could you not know me? I am James Hall, for fuck’s sake!"
Another teacher, Mr. Chen, spoke up. "Look, buddy, I don't know what your game is, but you need to leave before we call security."
I was shocked. "My game? What are you talking about? I'm not playing any games, I'm James! Can't you see that?"
Ms. Johnson approached me and spoke softly. "Listen, maybe you should take a break and see a doctor. This doesn't seem normal. James is teaching in room 101!"
I burst into the classroom, the door slamming against the wall as I kicked it open. My eyes were locked on the man explaining something to the students. He looked up at me and recognized me instantly, I could sense his fear. I ran towards him, pushing him onto the table and grabbing him by the neck.
"Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?" I shouted, my voice trembling with rage. "Tell me the truth, or I swear to God I'll kill you!"
The man gasped for air, struggling to speak. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," he stammered.
"Don't lie to me!" I growled, tightening my grip on his neck. "I woke up this morning and my life was gone. My wife, my kids, my job, everything. And now you're standing here in my place, pretending to be me!"
As the fight broke out in the classroom, the students were taken aback and quickly stood up from their seats, some of them even backing away towards the walls. Some students were shouting and screaming, their voices echoing in the classroom, while others were gasping in shock. A few brave students tried to intervene and break up the fight, but they changed their minds for some reason.
Others were frantically pulling out their phones to record the incident, capturing the chaos unfolding before them. A sense of fear and confusion hung in the air as we continued to grapple with each other. It was clear that they did nobody recognize me either and they had never witnessed anything like this before. The sight of our violent altercation left them feeling vulnerable and scared.
The man's eyes widened in shock, and he tried to speak again. "I swear, I don't know anything about that. I'm James Hall as I told you!"
"Prove it," I demanded, releasing my grip on his neck. "Show me some ID or something."
The man fumbled in his pockets and pulled out his wallet. He handed me his ID card, and I studied it closely. It looked genuine. It was his face and the name James Hall.
I sighed and stepped back, still trying to process everything that had happened. "I'm sorry," I said, feeling a twinge of guilt for attacking him. "I guess I just lost it for a minute there. I am not sure who I am anymore."
I sat in the interview room, my heart pounding in my chest. The walls were a drab gray and the only sound was the humming of the fluorescent lights overhead. I could still hear the echoes of the fake James Hall in my head shouting at me “I will fuckin’ kill you!” at the arrival of the police. Finally, the door creaked open and the officer walked in. He had a stern look on his face, and I braced myself for the worst.
"I know what you've been doing," he said his voice firm. "You've been stalking that family. We could charge you with stalking and physical assault, but Mr. Hall has decided not to press charges. This is your last chance. If we catch you again, you'll go straight to jail."
I felt a wave of relief wash over me, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of unease. How had I ended up in this situation? The detective's words echoed in my mind, and I knew I had to tell him the truth.
"I understand," I said, my voice shaky. "But there's something you need to know. I didn't mean to stalk that family. It's all a mistake."
The detective's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
I took a deep breath and began to explain my story. I told him about the fake Mr. James Hall, who had taken my identity and left me with nothing. I told him about my desperate search for answers and how it had led me to confront that man. But as I spoke, I could tell that the detective didn't believe me.
"That's quite a story," he said, his tone skeptical. "But it doesn't change the fact that we can't identify you. You're not in the system. So why don't you tell me the truth?"
I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead. I knew that if I stuck to the same story, I would end up in jail. So I made a split-second decision.
"I'm homeless," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't have any ID or anything like that."
The detective looked at me for a long moment, then nodded. "All right. But I'm warning you, if we catch you stalking that family again, you'll be sorry."
With that, he opened the door and motioned for me to leave. I stumbled out of the interview room, my head spinning. I had narrowly avoided jail, but at what cost?
I spent most of my days wandering the streets, feeling like a complete outcast. The homeless shelters I stayed at provided only temporary relief from my misery.
While staying at the shelter, I was grateful to have access to the Internet. I eagerly logged onto websites such as Facebook, Reddit, and online banking, only to find that all of my accounts no longer existed. As I perused my wife's Facebook profile, I was taken aback by the appearance of a new husband in her photos. It seemed as though they had always been together, and the images portrayed a convincing picture of happiness between them. Super weird and creepy. My accounts on the other hand had been wiped out of existence, and I was forced to register new accounts from scratch. Even my government-related accounts were invalid, leaving me feeling as though I had been completely erased from this world.
Since I was nonexistent, I occasionally took up odd jobs like washing cars or doing dishes in kitchens.
But most of my time was spent watching my own house from a distance in disguise, trying to get a glimpse of my family. A few times, I was tempted to break in and try to find something like my old belongings if they existed but they installed an expensive security system.
I remember watching my children as they were walking to school with their backpacks on. I couldn't resist the urge to approach them, to see if they would recognize me. I felt like a monster, a complete stranger in my own family's life. I knew I had to keep my distance, to avoid causing any more trouble. I could also see that man as he gave me a kiss to my wife and went to my workplace by my car to my classroom to be with my students. I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger and jealousy.
Then one day, after a week of staying away, I paid another visit to the house. As I was standing at a distance from my house, something strange caught my attention. The husband was outside, standing awkwardly and appearing to be in a state of confusion. He was hiding behind a tree, peering out from time to time at the house, and wearing only a robe. I wasn't sure if he had spotted me, but I felt a knot form in my stomach. What was going on?
As I tried to make sense of the situation, the front door of the house suddenly opened, and a man I had never seen before stepped out. He gave a quick goodbye kiss to Amelia, the wife, before rushing off to work.
The husband lingered outside for a few moments longer, and that was when he finally seemed to notice me.
Our eyes met, and we were just standing there, speechless.
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submitted by greg0525 to DarkTales [link] [comments]
My family was the epitome of happiness and contentment. We shared a bond that was unbreakable, and every moment spent together was a cherished memory. My two teenage children, Samuel and Emma, were the joy of my life. They were both outstanding students and were thrilled about the prospect of attending university in the near future.
My wife Amelia was breathtakingly beautiful. Her long auburn hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, framing her delicate features and sparkling hazel eyes. She was a guide and lecturer at the local art museum, and her passion for the arts shone through in every aspect of her life. When she talked about a particular painting or sculpture, her eyes would light up with excitement, and her enthusiasm was infectious.
Despite her busy career, Amelia always made time for me. We were the perfect match, and our love for each other only grew stronger with each passing day. I loved watching her teach and inspire others, and it made me proud to see how respected and adored she was by her colleagues and students alike.
Together, we created a life filled with happiness and adventure. Whether it was exploring new art exhibits, hiking through the nearby mountains, or simply enjoying a cozy night in, we cherished every moment spent together. Amelia was my soulmate, my partner in every sense of the word, and I felt incredibly lucky to have her by my side.
In addition to our academic pursuits, we often embarked on exciting adventures and memorable holidays together. Whether we were exploring the natural beauty of the nearby national parks or indulging in our shared love of literature, every experience was enriched by the warmth and love that we shared as a family.
That day started as a typical morning. I woke up early and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of sizzling bacon. I walked towards the counter and started making myself a sandwich. Samuel was sitting at the table, munching on his toast, while Amelia was getting her cereal ready. Suddenly, Emma walked into the kitchen with a perplexed expression on her face.
"Good morning, sweetheart," I greeted her with a smile.
"Good morning," she replied, still looking puzzled. "Who are you?"
I froze for a moment, not sure how to react. "What kind of joke is this?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
But Emma shook her head, looking more confused than ever. "I'm sorry, I don't remember you," she said.
Samuel and Amelia exchanged worried glances, clearly as perplexed as I was. "Emma, that's your dad," Samuel said firmly as if trying to convince her.
But Emma just shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't know who you are. I have never seen you!" she said softly before grabbing her backpack and heading off to school.
I was left standing there, feeling completely bewildered and hurt. How could my own daughter not recognize me? It was like a nightmare come true.
As soon as Emma walked out of the door, panic set in and I knew I had to act fast. I ran out of the house and down the driveway, chasing after her. When I finally caught up to her in the front yard, I tried to touch her gently on the shoulder, but she recoiled from my touch as if I was a complete stranger.
"Emma, it's me, your dad," I said, my voice trembling with fear and confusion.
But Emma only backed away from me, looking more scared than ever. "You're not my dad! My dad doesn't look like you," she cried.
I was taken aback by her words. "What do you mean? Of course, I look like your dad. I am your dad," I said, trying to remain calm.
But Emma's eyes were wide with fear, and she continued to back away from me. "You're lying! You're not my dad! Leave me alone!" she screamed.
Her fear was palpable, and I felt a sense of helplessness wash over me. As our neighbors began to peer out their windows with curious looks on their faces, I realized I needed to back off before things got even more out of hand. I slowly retreated, watching Emma until she was safely out of sight. The weight of the situation bore down on me heavily as I stood alone in the yard, wondering what had caused my daughter to suddenly forget who I was.
Back inside, I looked at Amelia, who was equally shocked by what had just happened. "What's happening to her, James?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I don't know, but we need to figure it out," I replied, my mind racing with possibilities.
That day Amelia and I visited a psychologist. He had a relaxing office. He told us that teenagers sometimes go through a difficult time and she mentioned some reasons. She said it could be a way of fighting stress but it is only temporary and she told us to be patient, it would go away.
Amelia and I sat anxiously in the waiting room, both of us unsure of what to expect from our visit to the psychologist. I had to skip all my classes that day. As we were called into the office, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief from the calming atmosphere. The walls were painted in soft shades of blue and green, and a small fountain bubbled quietly in the corner.
The psychologist was a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a soothing voice. She listened patiently as we explained Emma's sudden confusion and fear, nodding thoughtfully as we spoke.
"Teenagers can often go through a period of difficulty, especially during times of stress," she explained. "It's possible that this is just a temporary phase for Emma."
"But why would she forget who I am?" I asked, my voice wavering slightly.
"It could be a defense mechanism," the psychologist suggested. "Sometimes our brains try to protect us from painful memories or experiences, and forgetting certain things can be a way of coping with those feelings."
“Painful memories? Like a boyfriend? She had a boyfriend and they broke up a few weeks ago. She has been very depressed since then. Can it be the cause?” I asked.
“Possibly,” the psychologist said but I still felt a sense of unease. "What can we do to help her?" I asked.
"Be patient," she replied with a small smile. "And try not to push too hard. Let Emma come to you when she's ready."
As we left the office, I couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty. How long would this phase last? And how could we help Emma when she was pushing us away?
Later that day Emma came home from school and said she did not want to have dinner with that man. She meant me. So she ate in her own room. Samuel went to play video games and Amelia and I went to bed, we both hoped Emma would be all right soon.
Later that day, as Emma walked through the door, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me. She had been so distant lately, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong.
"Hey, Em," I said, trying to sound casual. "How was school?"
But she just shrugged and headed straight for the stairs without a word. It was like she was a completely different person, and it was breaking my heart to see her like this.
Later on, as we sat down for dinner, Emma made her feelings clear. "I don't want to eat with that man," she said, looking straight at me. "Can I just have dinner in my room?"
She then walked away, leaving me feeling more lost and helpless than ever before.
After dinner, Samuel disappeared into his room to play video games, and I could hear the sounds of gunfire and explosions coming from his computer. It was a stark reminder of how different things were now, how far we had strayed from the happy, carefree family we used to be.
As Amelia and I got ready for bed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness wash over me.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Amelia sighed, her expression sad. "I don't know," she said, shaking her head. "But we have to be patient, and hope that things will get better soon."
I nodded, knowing that she was right. But as I lay in bed that night, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get worse before they got better.
As I woke up the next morning, my thoughts immediately went to Emma. I hoped that she was feeling better and that her fever had gone down. I quickly got dressed and made my way to the kitchen, hoping to find her there.
To my surprise, as soon as she saw me, she asked, "How come you're still here? I thought you were leaving today."
I was about to say something when Samuel looked at me.
“I am sorry, who are you?”
My heart sank. I looked at him with a mix of confusion and anger.
"What do you mean, who am I? I'm your father!" I said, my voice rising in frustration.
But Samuel only looked at me with a blank expression, as if he had never seen me before in his life.
"I don't know who you are," he said, his voice tinged with fear.
My mind raced with possibilities. Was this some kind of prank, a cruel joke being played on me by my own children? But as I looked into their eyes, I could see that this was no joke. They genuinely didn't recognize me.
"Listen to me, both of you," I said, my voice stern. "I am your father, and you have to respect me as such. This is not a game, and I won't tolerate this kind of behavior from either of you."
But as I spoke, I could feel the weight of uncertainty bearing down on me. What if they were telling the truth? What if they really didn't recognize me?
“I don’t know what you are talking about! If this is a prank from my dad, tell him it is kinda creepy!” he said, grabbed and left for school. Emma followed her and slammed the door. I still heard the word “weirdo fuck” from Emma from the outside.
When Amelia walked into the kitchen, I shared with her the disturbing news about Samuel's strange behavior and how he had failed to recognize me. I was so upset that I found it difficult to focus on my work, so I took a sick day and Amelia came with me to see the psychologist again, hoping to resolve the situation.
As soon as we arrived at the psychologist's office, we were ushered into her consultation room. The psychologist greeted us with a warm smile and gestured for us to take a seat.
"So, tell me what's been happening," the psychologist said, looking at us expectantly.
I took a deep breath and began recounting the events of the past few days, describing how both Samuel and Amelia had failed to recognize me, their own father.
The psychologist listened attentively, nodding her head occasionally as I spoke. When I finished, she took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking.
"It's not uncommon for siblings to have similar symptoms," she explained. "It's possible that they're experiencing some kind of dissociative disorder, which could explain why they both can't recognize you."
I was skeptical of her explanation, but the psychologist seemed confident in her diagnosis.
"I would like to see your children for a few sessions to assess their condition and provide appropriate treatment," she said.
My wife and I exchanged a glance, unsure of how to proceed. We were both feeling angry and frustrated with the psychologist's diagnosis.
"You're saying that my children, who were perfectly normal just a few days ago, are suddenly suffering from some kind of disorder?" I said, my voice rising with indignation.
The psychologist remained calm and professional, trying to reassure us.
"It's not uncommon for teenagers to experience these kinds of issues," she said. "With the right treatment, they can make a full recovery."
But my wife and I were not convinced. We stood up and left the room, feeling like the psychologist was incompetent and unable to help us.
That evening, dinner was the last thing on our minds. My wife and I retreated to our bedroom, where I collapsed onto the bed, tears streaming down my face. My wife held me tightly, whispering words of comfort and reassurance. "We'll get through this together," she said softly.
I hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. "I don't want to lose you," I said, my voice choked with emotion.
"You won't," she replied, her voice soft and gentle. "Everything will be alright, I promise."
Despite her words, I couldn't shake the feeling of fear and sadness that had settled over me like a heavy blanket. My mind was consumed with thoughts of what might happen if I couldn't help my children.
Unable to sleep, I left the bedroom and wandered into the living room. I turned on the TV, but my mind was too distracted to focus on anything. Instead, I found myself lost in a sea of worries and doubts. How could I help my children if even the experts seemed unsure of what was happening to them? How could I keep my family together when everything felt like it was falling apart?
The night stretched on, each passing moment filled with a sense of desperation and despair. All I could do was wait and hope that somehow, someway, things would get better. As my mind raced with worries and fears, exhaustion eventually overtook me and I drifted off to sleep.
I woke up in the middle of the night. I had a strange feeling but I did not know what it was. The couch was uncomfortable now and I wanted to go back to Amelia to the bedroom. I walked up the stairs. It was dark. I opened the bedroom door and approached our bed but I got extremely shocked when I saw another man sleeping in our own bed, next to my wife!
I jolted awake in the middle of the night, a sense of unease creeping up my spine. Something didn't feel right. The couch beneath me had become too uncomfortable, so I decided to make my way upstairs to our bedroom. It was dark, the only sound was the creaking of the wooden stairs beneath my feet.
I slowly pushed open the bedroom door, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. My heart dropped into my stomach as I saw another man sleeping in our bed, his arm draped possessively over my wife's waist. I froze, my mind struggling to comprehend what I was seeing.
"Who are you? What the hell are you doing in my bed?" I demanded, my voice shaking with anger and disbelief.
The man turned on the lamp on the bedside table and picked up a vase gripping it as a weapon. He told Amelia to call the police and she did so. The man was threatening me to leave their house because he will beat me up. I asked Amelia how come she did not recognize me but she did not speak to me. I was backing off and left the house before the police arrived.
As the man turned on the lamp, its dim light illuminated his face, revealing his angry expression. He clenched a vase in his hand, ready to use it as a weapon.
"Who the hell are you? What are you doing in my house?" the man asked in a harsh tone.
I was taken aback by his hostility and confused as to what was happening. "I-I live here. This is my house," I stuttered, trying to comprehend the situation.
The man didn't believe me and continued to threaten me. "Get out of here before I beat you to a pulp!" he yelled, raising the vase threateningly.
Amelia, still in shock, reached for the phone and dialed the police. I tried to reason with her. "Amelia, it's me, your husband. Don't you recognize me?"
But she remained silent, her eyes filled with fear and confusion.
I slowly backed away, trying not to provoke the man any further. As soon as I was out of the room, I ran down the stairs and out of the house, still in disbelief and shock.
As I waited outside for the police to arrive, I couldn't help but wonder what was going on. Why didn't Amelia recognize me? Who was that man in our bed? The whole situation seemed surreal and terrifying.
I had spent a sleepless night, sitting behind the bushes and watching our house like a fucking stalker, trying to make sense of what had happened. As the sun started to rise, I saw movement at the front door. My heart racing, I watched as my children, looking disheveled and tired, stumbled out of the house.
I was relieved to see them, but my mind was still reeling from the events of the previous night. I watched as they walked down the street, probably heading to school.
As they disappeared from sight, I saw the stranger again, leaving the house. This time, however, he was alone. My heart sank as I realized that he must have left with Amelia.
I continued to watch from my hiding spot as they said goodbye to each other, kissing passionately. I could feel my anger and sadness rising again, but I didn't know what to do.
Finally, the man left and Amelia stood alone at the door, then she went inside. I knew I had to confront her, but I didn't know how to start. I approached the door and knocked.
She opened the door and seeing my face, she wanted to shut it but I stopped it with my foot.
"Amelia, what is going on? Who was that man?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
I tried to reason with her, but she just kept screaming at me to leave her alone.
"Amelia, please, I just want to talk to you. We need to figure out what's going on," I pleaded, but she wouldn't listen.
As we stood there arguing, a woman walking her dog stopped not far from us. She was one of our neighbors.
I could feel her eyes on me, judging me, and it made me feel even more helpless.
Amelia turned to the group of strangers and yelled, “Mrs. Parker, this man is harassing me! Call the police!"
I looked at the woman and asked if she recognize me. She told me she had never seen me. I tried to convince her that I was James, her neighbor but she did not believe me and she was despising me.
I approached the woman standing on the sidewalk, hoping to start a friendly conversation.
Although she was a cold woman, we knew each other. As I got closer, her dog started barking at me wildly and I noticed a strange look in her eyes.
"Hey Mrs. Parker, you know me, don’t you? I'm James, your neighbor," I asked, a friendly smile on my face.
The woman looked me up and down, sizing me up. "I'm sorry, I don't know who you are," she said coldly, with a hint of suspicion in her voice.
I was taken aback. "What do you mean? We live on the same street. I see you all the time," I replied, my smile fading.
"I'm sorry, I don't remember you," she said again, this time more dismissively.
I felt frustrated and a little hurt. I didn't understand why she was being so unfriendly.
"Are you sure? Maybe we've met before at a community event or something," I said, trying to jog her memory.
But the woman just shook her head. "No, I'm sure I've never seen you before," she said firmly.
“Is everything all right?”
I turned to face him and was relieved to see a familiar face. "No, everything is not all right," I said, my voice filled with anger.
“Do you want me to handle this ladies?” he asked, his muscles bulging as he prepared to confront me.
“It’s all right, I’m leaving!” I said and walked away.
“Never dare to come back!” Amelia shouted after me.
The next place where I was going was my school. I hoped my colleagues would help me out of this nightmare. I approached a group of teachers who were chatting in the hallway. They looked at me strangely, like I was an intruder.
“Hey guys, you won’t believe me what’s happening to me!”
One of them, Ms. Johnson, spoke up. "I'm sorry, your name is?”
“No, no no. Please no. You really don’t know who I am?”
“Are you sure you're at the right school?"
I was getting frustrated. "Yes, I'm sure. I've been teaching here for five years. How could you not know me? I am James Hall, for fuck’s sake!"
Another teacher, Mr. Chen, spoke up. "Look, buddy, I don't know what your game is, but you need to leave before we call security."
I was shocked. "My game? What are you talking about? I'm not playing any games, I'm James! Can't you see that?"
Ms. Johnson approached me and spoke softly. "Listen, maybe you should take a break and see a doctor. This doesn't seem normal. James is teaching in room 101!"
I burst into the classroom, the door slamming against the wall as I kicked it open. My eyes were locked on the man explaining something to the students. He looked up at me and recognized me instantly, I could sense his fear. I ran towards him, pushing him onto the table and grabbing him by the neck.
"Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?" I shouted, my voice trembling with rage. "Tell me the truth, or I swear to God I'll kill you!"
The man gasped for air, struggling to speak. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," he stammered.
"Don't lie to me!" I growled, tightening my grip on his neck. "I woke up this morning and my life was gone. My wife, my kids, my job, everything. And now you're standing here in my place, pretending to be me!"
As the fight broke out in the classroom, the students were taken aback and quickly stood up from their seats, some of them even backing away towards the walls. Some students were shouting and screaming, their voices echoing in the classroom, while others were gasping in shock. A few brave students tried to intervene and break up the fight, but they changed their minds for some reason.
Others were frantically pulling out their phones to record the incident, capturing the chaos unfolding before them. A sense of fear and confusion hung in the air as we continued to grapple with each other. It was clear that they did nobody recognize me either and they had never witnessed anything like this before. The sight of our violent altercation left them feeling vulnerable and scared.
The man's eyes widened in shock, and he tried to speak again. "I swear, I don't know anything about that. I'm James Hall as I told you!"
"Prove it," I demanded, releasing my grip on his neck. "Show me some ID or something."
The man fumbled in his pockets and pulled out his wallet. He handed me his ID card, and I studied it closely. It looked genuine. It was his face and the name James Hall.
I sighed and stepped back, still trying to process everything that had happened. "I'm sorry," I said, feeling a twinge of guilt for attacking him. "I guess I just lost it for a minute there. I am not sure who I am anymore."
I sat in the interview room, my heart pounding in my chest. The walls were a drab gray and the only sound was the humming of the fluorescent lights overhead. I could still hear the echoes of the fake James Hall in my head shouting at me “I will fuckin’ kill you!” at the arrival of the police. Finally, the door creaked open and the officer walked in. He had a stern look on his face, and I braced myself for the worst.
"I know what you've been doing," he said his voice firm. "You've been stalking that family. We could charge you with stalking and physical assault, but Mr. Hall has decided not to press charges. This is your last chance. If we catch you again, you'll go straight to jail."
I felt a wave of relief wash over me, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of unease. How had I ended up in this situation? The detective's words echoed in my mind, and I knew I had to tell him the truth.
"I understand," I said, my voice shaky. "But there's something you need to know. I didn't mean to stalk that family. It's all a mistake."
The detective's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
I took a deep breath and began to explain my story. I told him about the fake Mr. James Hall, who had taken my identity and left me with nothing. I told him about my desperate search for answers and how it had led me to confront that man. But as I spoke, I could tell that the detective didn't believe me.
"That's quite a story," he said, his tone skeptical. "But it doesn't change the fact that we can't identify you. You're not in the system. So why don't you tell me the truth?"
I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead. I knew that if I stuck to the same story, I would end up in jail. So I made a split-second decision.
"I'm homeless," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't have any ID or anything like that."
The detective looked at me for a long moment, then nodded. "All right. But I'm warning you, if we catch you stalking that family again, you'll be sorry."
With that, he opened the door and motioned for me to leave. I stumbled out of the interview room, my head spinning. I had narrowly avoided jail, but at what cost?
I spent most of my days wandering the streets, feeling like a complete outcast. The homeless shelters I stayed at provided only temporary relief from my misery.
While staying at the shelter, I was grateful to have access to the Internet. I eagerly logged onto websites such as Facebook, Reddit, and online banking, only to find that all of my accounts no longer existed. As I perused my wife's Facebook profile, I was taken aback by the appearance of a new husband in her photos. It seemed as though they had always been together, and the images portrayed a convincing picture of happiness between them. Super weird and creepy. My accounts on the other hand had been wiped out of existence, and I was forced to register new accounts from scratch. Even my government-related accounts were invalid, leaving me feeling as though I had been completely erased from this world.
Since I was nonexistent, I occasionally took up odd jobs like washing cars or doing dishes in kitchens.
But most of my time was spent watching my own house from a distance in disguise, trying to get a glimpse of my family. A few times, I was tempted to break in and try to find something like my old belongings if they existed but they installed an expensive security system.
I remember watching my children as they were walking to school with their backpacks on. I couldn't resist the urge to approach them, to see if they would recognize me. I felt like a monster, a complete stranger in my own family's life. I knew I had to keep my distance, to avoid causing any more trouble. I could also see that man as he gave me a kiss to my wife and went to my workplace by my car to my classroom to be with my students. I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger and jealousy.
Then one day, after a week of staying away, I paid another visit to the house. As I was standing at a distance from my house, something strange caught my attention. The husband was outside, standing awkwardly and appearing to be in a state of confusion. He was hiding behind a tree, peering out from time to time at the house, and wearing only a robe. I wasn't sure if he had spotted me, but I felt a knot form in my stomach. What was going on?
As I tried to make sense of the situation, the front door of the house suddenly opened, and a man I had never seen before stepped out. He gave a quick goodbye kiss to Amelia, the wife, before rushing off to work.
The husband lingered outside for a few moments longer, and that was when he finally seemed to notice me.
Our eyes met, and we were just standing there, speechless.
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2023.03.21 18:55 AutoModerator [Get] Matt Clark, Jason Katzenback – Amazing Selling Machine Evolution 13
![[Get] Matt Clark, Jason Katzenback – Amazing Selling Machine Evolution 13](https://b.thumbs.redditmedia.com/ZZ5IZftbfxQ_Z6jXh9L_Prd2ox6nllVzSvZRBJyJUvU.jpg "[Get] Matt Clark, Jason Katzenback – Amazing Selling Machine Evolution 13") | Get the course here: https://www.genkicourses.com/product/matt-clark-jason-katzenback-amazing-selling-machine-evolution-13/ submitted by AutoModerator to GenkiBest [link] [comments] [Get] Matt Clark, Jason Katzenback – Amazing Selling Machine Evolution 13 https://preview.redd.it/tucjsf9z43pa1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=31ea99e4a28672195506effbd8d68d5228a5cc5c ASM’s 8-module net class is comprised of over 120 video tutorials that provide a step-by-step information on find out how to create your Amazon FBA enterprise from scratch by Jason Katzenback and Matt Clark On this no-fluff Amazing Selling Machine Evolution 13 assessment in 2021, I’m going to stroll you thru every thing it’s worthwhile to learn about this course. It affords some massive guarantees and comes at a hefty price ticket, so let’s take an in depth look to find out if it’s actually all it’s cracked as much as be. |
2023.03.21 18:50 AutoModerator [Get] Dan Wardrope – The Pay Per Lead Agency Blueprint 3.0 – Download Instant Delivery
![[Get] Dan Wardrope – The Pay Per Lead Agency Blueprint 3.0 – Download Instant Delivery](https://b.thumbs.redditmedia.com/a9pybg-T8WG64Rnhzx2BdI_WQplwGDwnmTr1IxlNTKk.jpg "[Get] Dan Wardrope – The Pay Per Lead Agency Blueprint 3.0 – Download Instant Delivery") | Get the course here: https://www.genkicourses.com/product/dan-wardrope-the-pay-per-lead-agency-blueprint-3-0/ submitted by AutoModerator to CoursesOf2023 [link] [comments] [Get] Dan Wardrope – The Pay Per Lead Agency Blueprint 3.0 – Download Instant Delivery https://preview.redd.it/byeqq5ojm3pa1.jpg?width=510&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=244af6093498fd5c079cb4da57073c28ab5f97e6 The Pay Per Lead Agency Blueprint 3.0 In Just 6 Weeks, We’ll Show You How To Grow And Scale Your Pay Per Lead Agency What You Get in The Pay Per Lead Agency Blueprint 3.0:Week 1 – Lay The Foundations and Get StartedFirst and foremost, we’ll go over your goals for The Pay Per Lead Agency Blueprint as well as some general housekeeping.Please don’t skip the housekeeping! It includes important information about the Mastermind community as well as the weekly Q&A calls. We’ll also go over some “ground rules” for course participation. If you follow these guidelines, you should have no problems. Week 2 – Landing a Client and Know Thy CustomerThis week is all about selling and understanding your niche/offer.It’s time to get to know your niche and its target audience inside and out. Here are some of the topics we’ll discuss:
Week 3 – Building Your Lead Generation FunnelsThis week will focus on three major topics:
Week 4 – Paid Advertising and Getting StartedIt’s now time to start running ads, generating leads, and making money.In this module, we’ll cover:
Week 5 – Advanced Lead GenerationThis week will be more difficult. We’ll walk you through everything step by step so you can follow along easily.Week 6 – Growing Your AgencyThis is the course’s final module, and it teaches you how to scale your agency. |
2023.03.21 18:46 seobitcoin WS Capital Tom Signorelli Explains How to Underwrite a Company: A Comprehensive Guide
 | WS Capital Tom Signorelli explains as a potential investor, it's crucial to understand the fundamentals of underwriting a company. Underwriting is a vital process in determining the financial health and viability of a company. By analyzing the company's financial statements and other relevant information, underwriters can make an informed decision on whether to invest in the company or not. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of underwriting a company. submitted by seobitcoin to ICOintel [link] [comments] WS Capital Tom Signorelli: How to Underwrite a Company Introduction to UnderwritingUnderwriting is the process of evaluating the risks involved in providing financial services to individuals or companies. In the case of a company, underwriting involves a thorough analysis of the company's financial statements, management team, industry, and competition. Underwriters are responsible for determining the appropriate level of risk and return for potential investors.Types of UnderwritersThere are two main types of underwriters: investment bankers and insurance underwriters. Investment bankers are responsible for underwriting new security offerings, such as stocks and bonds, while insurance underwriters evaluate and price insurance policies.The Role of UnderwritersUnderwriters play a critical role in the financial markets. They help companies raise capital by providing a level of certainty to investors. Underwriters also provide risk management services by assessing the risks involved in various financial transactions.The Underwriting ProcessThe underwriting process involves a series of steps, including:1. Gathering InformationThe first step in the underwriting process is to gather all relevant information about the company. This includes financial statements, business plans, and industry reports.2. Analyzing the InformationOnce all the information has been gathered, underwriters will analyze the data to determine the financial health of the company. This involves evaluating the company's profitability, liquidity, and solvency.3. Determining the Level of RiskUnderwriters will then determine the level of risk associated with investing in the company. This involves evaluating the company's debt-to-equity ratio, cash flow, and other financial metrics.4. Pricing the SecuritiesBased on their analysis, underwriters will determine the appropriate price for the securities being offered. This involves considering factors such as market conditions, investor demand, and the company's financial health.5. Marketing the SecuritiesOnce the securities have been priced, underwriters will market them to potential investors. This involves creating a prospectus and conducting roadshows to promote the securities.6. Allocating the SecuritiesFinally, underwriters will allocate the securities to investors. This involves determining the appropriate allocation of securities to different investors based on their level of interest and investment capacity.Factors Considered in UnderwritingUnderwriters consider a variety of factors when evaluating a company for underwriting, including:Financial StatementsUnderwriters will analyze the company's financial statements, including the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.Business PlanUnderwriters will evaluate the company's business plan to determine its potential for growth and profitability.Management TeamUnderwriters will evaluate the management team's experience and track record to determine their ability to execute the company's business plan.IndustryUnderwriters will evaluate the industry in which the company operates to determine its potential for growth and profitability.CompetitionUnderwriters will evaluate the competitive landscape to determine the company's ability to compete effectively in the market.Underwriting a company is a complex process that involves a thorough analysis of the company's financial statements, management team, industry, and competition. By understanding the fundamentals of underwriting, investors can make informed decisions about investing in companies. As with any investment, it's essential to do your due diligence and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions. FAQsWhat is underwriting in the context of the stock market?In the stock market, underwriting involves evaluating a company's financial statements, management team, industry, and competition to determine the appropriate price for new security offerings, such as stocks and bonds. Who performs the underwriting process? Underwriting is typically performed by investment banks, which are responsible for underwriting new security offerings. What are the risks associated with underwriting? The main risks associated with underwriting include market risk, credit risk, and legal risk. Market risk refers to the risk of losses due to changes in market conditions, while credit risk refers to the risk of losses due to defaults by borrowers. Legal risk refers to the risk of losses due to litigation or regulatory actions. How long does the underwriting process typically take? The underwriting process can vary in length depending on the complexity of the offering and market conditions. It can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. Is underwriting necessary for all types of investments? No, underwriting is typically only necessary for new security offerings, such as stocks and bonds. Existing securities can be bought and sold on the secondary market without the need for underwriting. |
2023.03.21 18:46 Subsidies Received this on a client account email. Good change!
 | submitted by Subsidies to Upwork [link] [comments] |
2023.03.21 18:45 Kickitoff1902 Shit just got real. I think she's coming back
2 year rel. Bombshell breakup. Think she got scared about moving in and grief from losing her mum last year is hitting her hard right now.
Broke up 3 weeks ago, agreed friends and texting/spending time. I've reached out since then but no response at all. I sent her a message today just saying, I'd been thinking about her on mother's day, I hoped she was OK, I didn't know what the boundaries were as we'd agreed friends but she had left me on read and not reached out, but I was here if she needed anything and to reach out when she was ready.
She replied instantly with a really positive message initiating a convo. It lasted 10 mins and then I had to leave it because I was at work but she said we should text later today when I said I had to go. She's also keen to meet up too, as we both have stuff to return but she was asking when I'm free and was disappointed I wasn't free sooner so we could do that and catch up.
I've seen the horror stories, I know I have to be careful here but I've trusted my gut reading her behaviour so far and I called it exactly right. I figured why she wasn't responding before and she confirmed today that I'd been correct (she volunteered the info, didn't tell her I'd been psychoanalysing her 😂).
She also said she'd been trying to keep busy so she didn't have a breakdown She has a lot going on right now.
I know I can't hang my hopes on it, and I'm still going to move forward and improve myself and my situation, but I always said I wouldn't move on until it was absolute me and her were done. I dont think we're done. I think the shot right now is 50/50, maybe even better and I'm good with 50/50.
I know I'm going to get people telling me to close the door on her etc and she can leave again if shes done it once, but I love her and our situ isn't straightforward and she's not been in a headspace where she could cope recently. I just dont think our situ is like that, and thats a fairly objective assessment based on knowing all the ins and outs. I honestly think this may just be step 1 on our paths finding one another again, and I've done all the reflection on the relationship and the work on myself to come to that conclusion, it's not blind hope.
I dont want our old relationship back, but I do want her and we can build something positive from this. Wish me luck! Il keep the saga updated.
submitted by Kickitoff1902 to BreakUps [link] [comments]
Broke up 3 weeks ago, agreed friends and texting/spending time. I've reached out since then but no response at all. I sent her a message today just saying, I'd been thinking about her on mother's day, I hoped she was OK, I didn't know what the boundaries were as we'd agreed friends but she had left me on read and not reached out, but I was here if she needed anything and to reach out when she was ready.
She replied instantly with a really positive message initiating a convo. It lasted 10 mins and then I had to leave it because I was at work but she said we should text later today when I said I had to go. She's also keen to meet up too, as we both have stuff to return but she was asking when I'm free and was disappointed I wasn't free sooner so we could do that and catch up.
I've seen the horror stories, I know I have to be careful here but I've trusted my gut reading her behaviour so far and I called it exactly right. I figured why she wasn't responding before and she confirmed today that I'd been correct (she volunteered the info, didn't tell her I'd been psychoanalysing her 😂).
She also said she'd been trying to keep busy so she didn't have a breakdown She has a lot going on right now.
I know I can't hang my hopes on it, and I'm still going to move forward and improve myself and my situation, but I always said I wouldn't move on until it was absolute me and her were done. I dont think we're done. I think the shot right now is 50/50, maybe even better and I'm good with 50/50.
I know I'm going to get people telling me to close the door on her etc and she can leave again if shes done it once, but I love her and our situ isn't straightforward and she's not been in a headspace where she could cope recently. I just dont think our situ is like that, and thats a fairly objective assessment based on knowing all the ins and outs. I honestly think this may just be step 1 on our paths finding one another again, and I've done all the reflection on the relationship and the work on myself to come to that conclusion, it's not blind hope.
I dont want our old relationship back, but I do want her and we can build something positive from this. Wish me luck! Il keep the saga updated.
2023.03.21 18:42 n33dadv1cethrowaway Have You Been Assaulted by a Stranger?
Hey, guys. :)
I've been on T for a little more than three weeks, and it seems like I'm passing at first glance pretty consistently now... which is nice, but also sort of a problem. The in-between is a scary place!
For example, I smiled at a man on the street about an hour ago, which is something pretty common in my neighborhood (a close-knit enclave of a large, progressive U.S. city). The man initially smiled back, but then after half a step, his face became incredulous, then angry, and then he stopped directly in his tracks to stare at me with fury in his eyes. His fists balled up, his mouth opened to say something, and his shoulders went back as if he were about to start a physical altercation with me. I just raised an eyebrow and kept walking lol... He didn't follow, and I didn't look back over my shoulder.
But I'm wondering how common it is to get beaten up for being a visibly trans dude. I just want to steel myself, I guess???? I'm skinny af, although I am trying to gain some muscle, and I have no idea how to fight lmao. Maybe I should learn???
Anyway, shit, I made a long post again. Leave me comments for better descriptions of whatever you've gone through (and where you are) if you want. Lots of love to y'all.<3
View Poll
submitted by n33dadv1cethrowaway to ftm [link] [comments]
I've been on T for a little more than three weeks, and it seems like I'm passing at first glance pretty consistently now... which is nice, but also sort of a problem. The in-between is a scary place!
For example, I smiled at a man on the street about an hour ago, which is something pretty common in my neighborhood (a close-knit enclave of a large, progressive U.S. city). The man initially smiled back, but then after half a step, his face became incredulous, then angry, and then he stopped directly in his tracks to stare at me with fury in his eyes. His fists balled up, his mouth opened to say something, and his shoulders went back as if he were about to start a physical altercation with me. I just raised an eyebrow and kept walking lol... He didn't follow, and I didn't look back over my shoulder.
But I'm wondering how common it is to get beaten up for being a visibly trans dude. I just want to steel myself, I guess???? I'm skinny af, although I am trying to gain some muscle, and I have no idea how to fight lmao. Maybe I should learn???
Anyway, shit, I made a long post again. Leave me comments for better descriptions of whatever you've gone through (and where you are) if you want. Lots of love to y'all.<3
View Poll
2023.03.21 18:36 richardstrokerkc Tolerance break, civil war letter day 2
My Dearest Friend,
As I sit here, pen in hand, on this the eve of the second day of my great personal endeavor, I find my heart heavy with the weight of the challenge that lies before me. The sun has set on the first day of my resolute determination to abstain from the embrace of the emerald temptress, cannabis, and I am compelled to share with you my thoughts and experiences thus far.
The initial day of my journey was fraught with peril, but as the old adage states, "fortune favors the bold," and I mustered all the courage I could muster to face this tempest head-on. The hours did pass with a quickness I did not expect, and I found solace in the simple tasks and diversions that filled the day. My resolve was steadfast, and I emerged victorious from the fray, my spirits buoyed by my success.
Alas, it seems that on this second day, the tribulations of my quest grow ever more daunting. The siren call of my verdant companion has grown louder, echoing through the hallowed halls of my consciousness. I am beset on all sides by temptation, but I stand firm in my conviction, for I am determined to see this endeavor through to the end.
Despite these trying times, I find solace in the thought of the brighter days that lay ahead. Each passing moment brings me one step closer to the completion of this trial of self-discipline, and I am ever confident that I shall emerge stronger, more resolute, and a better version of myself.
The knowledge that you, my dearest confidant, are aware of my struggle and stand in steadfast support of my efforts brings me immense comfort. Your unwavering encouragement serves as a beacon of hope, guiding me through these dark and trying hours. Together, we shall see this battle won, and I shall return to the fold a wiser and more tempered soul.
As the stars now fill the night sky, I find my heart swelling with a renewed sense of determination. I know that though this path is fraught with difficulty, I shall march forward, resolute and unwavering in my quest. With your support and the grace of Providence, I shall conquer this great undertaking and return to you a victor.
Yours in perpetual gratitude and friendship,
Richard Stroker
submitted by richardstrokerkc to Petioles [link] [comments]
As I sit here, pen in hand, on this the eve of the second day of my great personal endeavor, I find my heart heavy with the weight of the challenge that lies before me. The sun has set on the first day of my resolute determination to abstain from the embrace of the emerald temptress, cannabis, and I am compelled to share with you my thoughts and experiences thus far.
The initial day of my journey was fraught with peril, but as the old adage states, "fortune favors the bold," and I mustered all the courage I could muster to face this tempest head-on. The hours did pass with a quickness I did not expect, and I found solace in the simple tasks and diversions that filled the day. My resolve was steadfast, and I emerged victorious from the fray, my spirits buoyed by my success.
Alas, it seems that on this second day, the tribulations of my quest grow ever more daunting. The siren call of my verdant companion has grown louder, echoing through the hallowed halls of my consciousness. I am beset on all sides by temptation, but I stand firm in my conviction, for I am determined to see this endeavor through to the end.
Despite these trying times, I find solace in the thought of the brighter days that lay ahead. Each passing moment brings me one step closer to the completion of this trial of self-discipline, and I am ever confident that I shall emerge stronger, more resolute, and a better version of myself.
The knowledge that you, my dearest confidant, are aware of my struggle and stand in steadfast support of my efforts brings me immense comfort. Your unwavering encouragement serves as a beacon of hope, guiding me through these dark and trying hours. Together, we shall see this battle won, and I shall return to the fold a wiser and more tempered soul.
As the stars now fill the night sky, I find my heart swelling with a renewed sense of determination. I know that though this path is fraught with difficulty, I shall march forward, resolute and unwavering in my quest. With your support and the grace of Providence, I shall conquer this great undertaking and return to you a victor.
Yours in perpetual gratitude and friendship,
Richard Stroker
2023.03.21 18:33 TheWarKettle Monica Oravcova, COO & Co-Founder of Naoris Protocol, has created a guest piece for Global Security Magazine.
Monica Oravcova, COO & Co-Founder of Naoris Protocol, has created a guest piece for Global Security Magazine. The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) initiative is examined for its advantages and limitations. #DORA seeks to improve financial institutions' cybersecurity levels by prescribing a new set of requirements on financial services companies and any 3rd parties that provide ICT services.
Although Monica Oravcova believes that DORA is a step in the right direction, she touches on why it is not a complete solution leaving many open questions and areas of confusion for the industry.
https://www.globalsecuritymag.com/DORA-A-step-in-the-right-direction-but-it-s-not-a-home-run.html
submitted by TheWarKettle to NaorisProtocol [link] [comments]
Although Monica Oravcova believes that DORA is a step in the right direction, she touches on why it is not a complete solution leaving many open questions and areas of confusion for the industry.
https://www.globalsecuritymag.com/DORA-A-step-in-the-right-direction-but-it-s-not-a-home-run.html
2023.03.21 18:31 badbluebelt Chris Wojcik Seminar Review
My gym hosted Wojcik over the weekend (he's a Chicago based grappler that had a fire run at the West Coast Trials and some super fight wins since) and I wanted to give him a shout out.
We did two hours of body lock passing against butterfly and knee shield. Everything was explained in succinct, easy to follow steps and I was I able to execute a few passes in the rolling after the seminar. Afterwards we had a twenty minute Q&A on a few different topics.
I got to roll with him afterwards and my only win was fending off some on the initial leglock attacks. He rolled very fluidly and was nice enough to let me work interest of purely destroying me.
Overall he was very knowledgable and generous with his time, and if you are in the Midwest I would encourage checking him out. He also mentioned he runs a patron with technique videos if that is of interest to anyone. I know that flo shafted him but completely ignoring his win over kody steel last year, and I hope he starts getting the recognition he's earned soon.
submitted by badbluebelt to bjj [link] [comments]
We did two hours of body lock passing against butterfly and knee shield. Everything was explained in succinct, easy to follow steps and I was I able to execute a few passes in the rolling after the seminar. Afterwards we had a twenty minute Q&A on a few different topics.
I got to roll with him afterwards and my only win was fending off some on the initial leglock attacks. He rolled very fluidly and was nice enough to let me work interest of purely destroying me.
Overall he was very knowledgable and generous with his time, and if you are in the Midwest I would encourage checking him out. He also mentioned he runs a patron with technique videos if that is of interest to anyone. I know that flo shafted him but completely ignoring his win over kody steel last year, and I hope he starts getting the recognition he's earned soon.
2023.03.21 18:29 mr_trashbear Need Help Choosing: GPS Enabled, Trail Map Integration, Rugged Build, Slight Budget
Hello everyone!
So. I recently upgraded my phone, and have been jealous of my partner's Apple Watch. I'm not an apple guy, however. On a whim, I bought a refurbished Galaxy Watch (Model SM-R800). I'm going to return it. While I like the rotating bezel, UI, understated look, and screen clarity, it simply doesn't do what I want it to reliably. The Alti-Barometer straight up doesn't work. Integration with Strava hasn't worked correctly, since I think I'm accidentally pausing my ride by tapping the buttons with my hand/wrist while using bike handlebars.
My buddy is willing to sell me his old Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire for $175. I've been using it for a few days. While it is clearly more accurate and super rugged, and the battery life is awesome, I really dislike the UI and feel like the screen resolution/display quality are pretty poor for a product as nice as this. I was interested in it because of integration with the Trailforks app, but the integration isn't as smooth as I'd like. I do have access to a ~35% discount on all Garmin and Sunnto products. However, even with that discount, they are quite pricey pieces and I don't think I really need the quality of a Fenix 6 or 7, or an Epix. The Forerunner seems nice, but I'm not a fan of the plastic construction.
So, I've narrowed it down to a few options, and I'd love to get some input from folks here who have tried out some of these models.
Use Case:
submitted by mr_trashbear to smartwatch [link] [comments]
So. I recently upgraded my phone, and have been jealous of my partner's Apple Watch. I'm not an apple guy, however. On a whim, I bought a refurbished Galaxy Watch (Model SM-R800). I'm going to return it. While I like the rotating bezel, UI, understated look, and screen clarity, it simply doesn't do what I want it to reliably. The Alti-Barometer straight up doesn't work. Integration with Strava hasn't worked correctly, since I think I'm accidentally pausing my ride by tapping the buttons with my hand/wrist while using bike handlebars.
My buddy is willing to sell me his old Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire for $175. I've been using it for a few days. While it is clearly more accurate and super rugged, and the battery life is awesome, I really dislike the UI and feel like the screen resolution/display quality are pretty poor for a product as nice as this. I was interested in it because of integration with the Trailforks app, but the integration isn't as smooth as I'd like. I do have access to a ~35% discount on all Garmin and Sunnto products. However, even with that discount, they are quite pricey pieces and I don't think I really need the quality of a Fenix 6 or 7, or an Epix. The Forerunner seems nice, but I'm not a fan of the plastic construction.
So, I've narrowed it down to a few options, and I'd love to get some input from folks here who have tried out some of these models.
Use Case:
- Everyday use. Basic metrics like steps, HR, etc. Ability to control Spotify. Ability to see basic notifications like text messages and my Google Calendar, etc. Ideally it also has a nice looking display with good clarity and brightness. Ideally a nice, subtle form factor and not too ostentatious.
- Sport Use: I'm a pretty active and avid outdoors-person. My primary sports are cycling (both mountain and road), and watersports (whitewater rafting, SUP, swimming, fly fishing), and backcountry skiing. I also hunt. This means that having good GPS tracking is needed. Ideally, I would be able to have a downloaded topo map with trails on the watch, or be able to import KML or GPX files. I plan routes using a variety of software. For MTB rides in new trail systems, I'd still use my phone for larger scale navigation, but it would be nice to be able to quickly glance at my watch to determine which way I'd prefer to go at a junction, or tell friends which way would be best without pulling my phone out of a pack.
- Must be rugged. I'm hard on things, and weather it's swimming laps at the pool or hitting rocks underwater while swimming in a river, grabbing a fish, dinging it on hard surfaces, the watch needs to be able to survive.
- Amazfit T-Rex. Seems like a great value that would do everything I need. I've read some reviews of this and the Falcon, and it seems like the biometric data isn't perfect, but I'm not super concerned about my HR being perfectly accurate. The rest of the features seem to tic the boxes. I'm skeptical about the UI and app availability. Really wonder if there would be a decent offline map app that would suit my needs. Also wonder about the ergonomics for cycling.
- Keep my buddy's Fenix 5X Sapphire. It tics all the spec boxes, but the display just looks pretty mediocre and I feel like I'd end up having buyers remorse.
- Amazfit Falcon. Same as the T-Rex, but with more subtle branding and aesthetic. Unfortunately it's also around the same price as what I can get a Garmin Fenix 6 for.
- Garmin Fenix 6. I know it will be solid for the sport use, but I worry that the UI and screen resolution/display quality will be less crisp than I'd prefer.
- Samsung Watch 5 Pro. I'd likely need to add a rugged case, but I know the screen/UI/app store are all solid. I just wonder about the GPS/AltimeteBarometer reliablity, considering my current, older Samsung totally fails in that regard.
2023.03.21 18:26 lsteevo Has anyone had a gr. 2 ACL tear and only do rehab (no surgery)? If so, how do you find your knee now?
I tore my acl, and a small part of my meniscus while playing Rugby back in July. I was sprinting and went to cut inside, and then hear a "crunch", like a tree branch breaking. Couldn't weight bear till 3 days after, then could slowly start adding more and more weight.
Went to my chiro for an assessment (I live in East Coast Canada, no chance of getting into ER or a GP anytime quick) on day 3 post injury and he did multiple special orthopedic tests and said I had a gr.2 ACL tear and a slight meniscus tear.
Since the tear wasn't complete and because I was gaining strength and stability back quickly, I opted out of surgery (as that would be about a 1.5-2 year wait here anyways). I would like to get back to playing rugby again, and my strengthening and conditioning has come along very well. I'm back to full ROM, can balance and weight bear on the injured leg no issue, strength exercises are progressing well in my lower body ( lunges while my injured leg is posterior is the only exercise that has been slow), and I'm back up to medium paced running.
So my question is, has anyone rehabbed a half tear back to almost full strength? And if so, how do you find it now? Anything limitating? Any continuous apprehension? I would like to get back to playing university rugby by at least next spring, but sooner would be better. Thanks in advance
submitted by lsteevo to ACL [link] [comments]
Went to my chiro for an assessment (I live in East Coast Canada, no chance of getting into ER or a GP anytime quick) on day 3 post injury and he did multiple special orthopedic tests and said I had a gr.2 ACL tear and a slight meniscus tear.
Since the tear wasn't complete and because I was gaining strength and stability back quickly, I opted out of surgery (as that would be about a 1.5-2 year wait here anyways). I would like to get back to playing rugby again, and my strengthening and conditioning has come along very well. I'm back to full ROM, can balance and weight bear on the injured leg no issue, strength exercises are progressing well in my lower body ( lunges while my injured leg is posterior is the only exercise that has been slow), and I'm back up to medium paced running.
So my question is, has anyone rehabbed a half tear back to almost full strength? And if so, how do you find it now? Anything limitating? Any continuous apprehension? I would like to get back to playing university rugby by at least next spring, but sooner would be better. Thanks in advance