#5G positioning

[awesomecooperlove]

💣🔥💥

[tunastime]

How Deeply Rooted Trees Go

Hey y'all !! This was my piece for the @trafficzine 6th edition, full of art and writing for the beloved latest installment: Wild Life! I knew I had to jump on the chance to write BigB of all people after devouring his POV <3 it was so much fun to write a piece that both encapsulated what BigB had going on with the Creaking throughout Wild Life and describe the actual events of his dripstone kill, and I had a blast working on it. Huge shout-out to everyone involved—please go check out their pieces, everyone did a wonderful job! (1012 words)

It was important to keep a very careful, watchful eye on him.

No one had been doing this, of course. Too many people had written BigB off as some sort of outlier to their pre-existing equations, pre-formed alliances. Not in a way that had made him the outcast of these situations, necessarily, but rather in a way that had most, if not all, of his friends with their guard down. 

Creaking should be watched for sudden movements after all, and nobody had been watching BigB. 

Well—they had been for a little, their gaze like prickling nettle when he’d caught Skizz in webbing and killed him. His friends’ eyes had slid off once he’d spoken—spoken something like revenge—a word realized more through action than physical tongue. He’d slunk off after that—after revenge—after another painful death. BigB had found himself back in the sanctuary (if he could even call it that anymore) of the 5Gs base. 4Gs. Whatever it was when he wasn’t there. 

He had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Cleo and Scott again, who had watched as he muttered out complaints about needing to get a good kill. It had been, as it had always been for a red-life, a bone deep urge, a physical necessity.

Cleo and Scott had mused in return—speaking the idea into existence wasn’t anything like doing it themselves, mind, and if BigB happened to pilfer the supplies from somewhere, then good!

He had felt their gaze on him then, like a mark on each eyespot on brown-grey skin. They’d given him an easy trap, like he asked:

Dripstone.

The trap had been deceptively simple, a practice BigB had been intimately familiar with since they’d first been able to cut away the sharp limerock. Cleo had fetched enough to make his carrying bags heavy. It weighed down his steps as he paced and thought over positioning. The setup would be easy to confine to the foyer of any base, easy for someone to step through a front door and down into a maw of dripstone points, easy enough to slice skin on impact. 

Why not try something even simpler, Cleo had told him: A staircase landing. 

BigB had run his tongue over his teeth at the thought, felt the pull of interconnected sight and hearts, as he felt out the server around him.

Jimmy had found him first, BigB’s hands still dusted with limestone and dirt after carefully packing closed his tunnel from under the Bamboozler’s staircase. Or rather, Jimmy had nearly run straight into him. Regardless of whether or not he had them, Jimmy clearly wasn’t using his eyes—physical, metaphorical, or otherwise.

Just short of knocking into him, he’d stopped, and smiled, and his gaze hadn’t felt like much of anything at all. Jimmy had simply moved around him with the ease that only another red-name could feel, smiling, laughing, like nothing in the world mattered more than the moment they were sharing. It had been odd in the same way that it had been welcome. 

If BigB had thought it over (as he was doing now, all in this singular moment), it was a recurring thread in the fabric of these games: he was easy to let his guard down around. It was as easy as breathing, as easy as willing the world to let him pass through the small, fragile fold of time and silence and into the next, moving beat, undetected. 

He had smiled back and had sensed the way Jimmy’s hair stood on end.

Stepping closer, Jimmy’s eyes had been wide to the whites as he looked down into the freshly-dug pit, and BigB had to swallow the urge that rose up in him, violent and oppressive.

If someone had been turning the staircase slow enough, they likely would have seen the perfect slice of ground missing, leaving only black in its wake. But no one did—not even when he had pointed it out, not even when he had stood so deliberately as to make sure that his chosen target was his only kill. 

If he were being honest, Jimmy had slipped into his role then—one he knew nothing of—perfectly, halting Martyn and Grian’s advance up the steps as the Creaking heart beat solid in BigB’s ears. He could feel the world slow around him like he were dragging his hands through something tangible, like time were threads. No eyes watched his movements—it was a cold and soothing relief to not be pinned in place. The world had gone quiet. Not a breath, not a brush of wind through grass. Not a rustle, or a flit, or a heartbeat besides his own. The world had tunneled down to the prickle along BigB’s spine.

Lizzie, laughing, had rounded the corner, and as she slipped, BigB felt the world click.

He breathes as the weight of the world startles him back into a sharp, painful reality.

All eyes turn to BigB for the first time.

He feels the words bubble up in his throat as he’s held in place. Jimmy’s voice, sharp and shrill and on the edge of laughing, startles him first.

“Son of a—” he yelps. “BigB!”

BigB yelps too—mostly a laugh more than anything, his own eyes flickering over the crowd now around him. 

“It wasn’t me!” he shouts. His mind scrambles to place blame—despite the obvious. His gaze snaps to Jimmy. “Jimmy! It was Jimmy!”

Jimmy splutters, squawking in protest, and as soon as most of the eyes leave him, BigB scrambles back, like a moth with its wings unpinned, a rabbit unstuck from a trap, pins and needles shocking through his stiffened limbs as he tumbles over his own feet. 

“It wasn’t me!” He jeers, throwing it behind his shoulder as he stumbles down the stairs. There’s footsteps after him. There are too many heartbeats in his ears—too many people scrambling. Too many letting him slip away. He can hear Scar’s voice above the rest, shouting in disbelief. But BigB’s feet hit the grass, and he’s out of sight.

Not enough people were watching. And that makes him very tricky to catch.

[aloneandforsakenbyfateandbyman]

Why is corporate culture so cult-like?? I always feel guilty to quit. Like a Jim Jones or Charles Manson suicide cult victim escaping the compound.

I think about making a LinkedIn, doing a course, going back to uni, coping that somehow there’s a job out there that isn’t soul sucking etc. Convincing myself to stay in my current job to “build my resume.” Awaiting that proverbial pat on the back, a good performance review, a raise, a positive reference, all those asinine wagecuck benchmarks. While still being permanently broke.

When I work, I’m different than the relaxed hippie I am while unemployed. Now, I’m once again addicted to grandiose purchases and shallow consumerism.

I fantasize about saving up for a rhinoplasty, botox, an electric car, lip injections, designer bags, jewelry, apple products, and so on. I end up spending $10 on bubble tea, then go home and sleep for 20 hrs after watching softcore p*rn movies from the 70s while living in my parents’ house at nearly 30.

Working ourselves to death to buy bimbo products, funding exotic escapist trips bc we’re unable to pay rent in any western metropolis, and unable to move to a bumpkin hick city bc there’s no jobs there and it’s too lame. Boomers judge us, but what option do we really have?

When I work, I feel like a programmed Heaven’s Gate cult member! I’m performing capitalism through my bodily movements. I’m part of the system until I quit once again and stop paying taxes. I guess it’s just the effects of the 5G and fluoride which are preventing us from releasing our inner Kaczynski!

[killa-trav]

Oliver Bearman: No lunch, hug from Lewis and a bad back - my F1 Debut

Ferrari's 18-year-old might not have realised his dream had his parents decided on a carpet for Christmas over buying their eldest child a go-kart when he was six

The first grand prix video game that Oliver Bearman played on his Xbox in his Chelmsford home was F1 2012, for which the advertisers’ tagline read: “Be the Driver. Live the Life. Go Compete”. When he was choosing which driver to adopt as his in-game persona, Bearman would alternate. “I used to always pick Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton,” he says. “They were the home heroes.”

Last weekend on the helter-skelter street circuit in Jeddah, he was given a more three-dimensional experience of Hamilton’s racing. As one of Ferrari’s reserve drivers, the 18-year-old was catapulted from the F2 meeting in which he had secured pole position to compete in his first Formula 1 race, with Carlos Sainz struck down by an appendicitis. He became the youngest British driver to race in a grand prix and the third youngest of any nationality.

In the closing stages, he found himself pursued by Hamilton and Lando Norris, both on fresher tyres and expected to gain ground quickly on Bearman’s Ferrari. Remarkably, the teenager held them off, finishing in seventh place, and the first person to greet him as he strode unsteadily out of his car was Hamilton, the seven-times world champion.

“I can’t really remember what he said,” Bearman says. “He shook my hand, gave me a hug, which was a great moment. I’ve grown up watching these guys and to have shared a track with them was just an honour. To have recognition from Lewis, one of the greatest in our sport, was a very proud moment.”

What Bearman had just done would have seemed, to most teenagers, like stepping directly through the screen and into one of those video games. Be the driver? Tick. Go compete? Tick. Live the life? Well, he did for one weekend, even if he was back that night, after the race, in the budget Ibis hotel where all the F2 drivers had been billeted.

This week he returned to a dose of relative normality at his flat in Modena, from where he spoke to The Times. He is based at the Ferrari Driver Academy and walking into the company factory on Tuesday, he glanced at the big screens around the building that are usually showing footage of Sainz and Charles Leclerc in action. Bearman had to pause momentarily when he looked up to see his own image.

Over the past couple of days he has been testing near Venice with his F2 team, Prema, beginning preparations for his next race in Australia, for which he flies out on Saturday. As Sainz is expected to have recovered, Bearman should be back in his F2 car in Melbourne, but last weekend demonstrated the need to be ready for anything and Bearman, with composure beyond his years, showed that he was more than equal to the task.

May the G-force be with you

When he eventually made it back to his hotel room, the first thing he did, naturally, was to watch the entire race back. “The race finished about 10pm, you have about 1½ hours of media and then you’re into a debrief with the team,” he says. “By the time I got back to the hotel, it was 1am, and by the time I got to sleep it was half two, because I had to watch the race. We had a flight at 11am, so I slept for five hours, which didn’t help because I needed some recovery. But I had to watch the race. I’ve watched it maybe five times now.”

How did it feel watching it back? “The first time I was like, ‘Ah, I missed a bit of lap time there, I should have overtaken there,’ ” he says. “But now I’m really happy with what I achieved. I don’t think I could have asked much more of myself, considering the circumstances.”

The next morning he had breakfast with his F2 team and realised how gingerly he was walking, having experienced the G-force — up to about 5G — of an F1 car for the first time, in a race almost twice the length of his usual outings, with over 50 laps and about 1hr 40min of time on the track. His seat had been swiftly installed in Sainz’s car and the indentations in his headrest gave an indication of how he had been jolted around.

“Most of the pain was from my lower back,” he says. “The neck is a given, but Jeddah is one of the most difficult tracks. Even the straights, they twist quite a bit, which doesn’t look much, but when you repeat it 50 times, there’s no rest. With my back, I’m quite tall [6ft 2in], F1 cars are very tight and not built for comfort. Everything was very last minute. When I made the seat, I didn’t think I’d be having to use it.”

Bearman was struck by the physical differences from F2. “We don’t have as much downforce or G-force in F2, so the strain is much less,” he says. “But we don’t have power steering in F2, so the steering work is super-heavy. When I’ve finished an F2 race, my arms are usually tired, but apart from that I’m fine. In F1, the steering is very light, but it’s everything else. You’re just getting thrown around. Muscles you don’t feel like you’re engaging, they’re aching the next day.

“And it’s exhausting; you lose a lot of water, I couldn’t believe how sweaty I was. The race is so long. Every time you cross the finish line, the dash pops up with how many laps [there are] to go. I could have sworn that number stayed frozen for a couple of laps. When I got to 25 laps, I was like, ‘Wow, we’re only halfway!’ It was a big challenge. But I really enjoyed it.”

'I realised this is really happening'

Ever since he sat behind the wheel of his first go-kart, a Christmas present at the age of six, Bearman has displayed a relish for the challenges of racing, with an exceptional ability to learn quickly. It is only 3½ years since he moved from karting to racing cars and his progress has been swift. His prowess in karting led to a Formula 4 opportunity in 2021 with the same Van Amersfoort Racing team with whom Max Verstappen had driven, and his results were spectacular. The next season he drove in Formula 3, the next in Formula 2, finishing sixth last year in the drivers’ standings.

But the step he was being asked to take on Friday, shortly after ordering chicken and rice for lunch in his Jeddah hotel, was something else altogether. After securing pole position for the F2 race, he had enjoyed a relaxing morning and was ready to eat alongside his father, David, his manager, Chris Harfield, Jamie Smith, his former kart mechanic, and other members of his team.

“I was feeling really chilled, I’d been in the gym and we didn’t have to be on the track until 3pm,” he says. “And then I got the call.” That came from Frédéric Vasseur, the Ferrari team principal. “I could guess what was about to be said,” Bearman says. “Something just clicked and I was, like, ‘Right, this is it.’ They said we had to be at the track in half an hour. My food didn’t even come out. I skipped lunch completely and went straight to the track.”

Within three hours he would be in the final practice session, with qualifying to come that evening. “When I got to the track, the news hadn’t been announced, so no one was taking any notice of me,” he says. “By the time I was walking to the car, everyone knew, and I was shocked at the amount of people gathering. That was very nerve-racking; I’m not used to that attention. And I got nervous when I saw some of the big stars. But that all made me realise: this is really happening.”

From kart track to street circuit

On the fastest street circuit in the F1 calendar, despite less than an hour of practising in the car, Bearman drove admirably in qualifying, coming 11th and only missing out on the final ten-car session by finishing 0.036sec behind Hamilton. For the first few laps of the race the next day, he achieved the aim of keeping out of trouble before the chance to exhibit his native racing instincts presented itself.

On the 11th lap, shortly after a safety car interlude, Bearman found himself behind the RB-Honda of Yuki Tsunoda. He dummied to pass on the right, prompting Tsunoda to cover his tracks, only to duck inside and pass on the left.

“It was a nice overtake, I was happy with that one, I’ve watched it back quite a few times,” Bearman says. “A lot of your racecraft comes from karting; I remember from eight, nine years old, racing bumper to bumper for the entire race. Those dummy moves are perfect, especially in karting without wing mirrors. It still works if you time it well.”

From an early age, Bearman had developed a passion for cars, inherited from his father. David had raced at club level and Bearman would go along to the track whenever possible. He developed a knack for identifying the makes and models of cars. “I’d have been able to name every single car on the road,” he says. “I was a bit of a nerd with that. At home, I had a bunch of model cars. A lot of kids have their thing, mine was model cars. I had a Bentley, a Ferrari, a jeep. I had my own little world there. Once I’d got my first kart, I just couldn’t wait to go racing.”

Perfect Christmas present for a boy racer

That first kart, bought in Christmas 2011, might not have come his way if his parents — David and his mum, Terri — had opted instead to buy the new carpet that was sorely needed at the family home. “We had some old lino that I absolutely hated,” David says. “We were either getting the carpet for Christmas or the go-kart. We scraped together the £1,500 for the go-kart and knew it was worth it the first time he jumped in; he just had a beaming smile all over his face.”

Once Bearman had given some early glimpses of his talent, at the age of eight he was entered into the British Championships, which meant long weekends on the road up and down the country for father and son. Bearman was often the youngest in his race, experiences that would prove formative. “One race, at Buckmore Park, I was up against some 12-year-olds and they just looked huge compared to me,” he says. “I remember the nerves. It was a rolling start and I got spun round before the race even started. They saw I was a novice and said, ‘Let’s get rid of this guy.’ But I loved those weekends and I learnt a lot.”

The problem was that the better Bearman became, the greater the cost involved in financing the hobby. His father knew from his own attempts to compete in motorsport how prohibitive the costs could be and realised he needed to be prepared. He had started an insurance broking firm in east London with his sister and brother and realised that the business needed to bring in more money if he was going to be able to support his son’s hobby, with two other children as well, Thomas, now 14, another budding racer, and Amalie, now 12.

In Ollie’s early teens, the next competitive step would have been to start travelling around Europe to compete in the FIA Karting Championship, but that was not a viable option. “You get the best karters in Europe, but the problem for us was twofold,” David says. “One, it’s very expensive, and we couldn’t afford it. Two, you’re taking the kids out of education, some of them at ten or 11. Yes, we were supporting him in sport but we didn’t know it was potentially a career. There are no guarantees in life and his education was really important.”

The insurance business, Aventum, has grown considerably, is now housed in smart offices in the City and has been one of Ollie’s primary sponsors. “We’ve had to keep upping our game and attracting more sponsors,” David says. “If you look at Ollie’s F2 car, every little bit is covered in sponsorship. I don’t own our business, we’re all shareholders; we can’t blow money just because it’s Ollie, there has to be a genuine return.

“But people look at this sport and think it’s for the elite only. Anyone can do it if you work hard enough and have the right mindset. Ollie is the proof of that.”

Passed GCSEs and a failed driving test

It was when Ollie’s success in F4 attracted the attention of Ferrari that the possibility of a career in the sport became tangible. He had just completed his GCSEs, with glowing results, at King Edward’s, a grammar school in Chelmsford, and a place at the Ferrari Driver Academy was an exciting prospect, but he had only just turned 16 and the idea of moving abroad without his family was daunting. “At the start, I missed my family and I tried to get home as much as possible to see them, it was tough and I was lonely,” Ollie says. “Now I still miss them, but I’ve got lots of friends here and I’ve grown up a bit.”

Learning the language was another challenge into which Bearman threw himself. A little more than two years later, he has picked up Italian to the extent that even his spoken English now comes with something of a lilt. “My friends do make fun of me for sounding a bit international,” he says. “Latin was compulsory at my school and I remember thinking, ‘I’m never going to need this,’ but it’s come in handy.”

On his returns to Essex, he now has the luxury of being able to drive on English roads, having passed his driving test 18 months ago. While he had already been identified by Ferrari as a future world champion, it was not something that impressed his driving examiner. “I failed my test the first time, which was really embarrassing. I asked [the examiner] if he liked F1, he said he hated it, and he failed me because he reckoned I didn’t stop at a stop sign. It was so difficult for me, things like how they want you to feed the [steering] wheel, it’s counterintuitive for me. I had to put a lot of thinking into that. I only took one lesson, I thought it would be easy. I found out the hard way that it wasn’t.”

He spends three or four days per month in England now and every time he returns home he hopes that he is still recognised by his dogs, Freddie, an English bull terrier, and Ruby, a Boston terrier. “I can’t Facetime them like I can my family,” he says. “But they always seem excited to see me.”

He still misses his family, but he knows that he is in the right place to continue his exhilarating progress towards one of those coveted regular seats in F1. “I’ve been making sacrifices all my life,” he says. “When I was younger, it was little things like birthday parties when I was away karting on weekends. My schoolmates would laugh when I said in year three that I wanted to be an F1 driver. Now I miss out on seeing family and friends. But I’d do it again in a heartbeat and I’ll keep doing it to make my dream a reality.”

BY JOHN WESTERBY FOR THE TIMES

[mj-102009]

The Marionette (Alastor x oc Part One)

Masterlist

-----------

-Some time ago-

“This is disgusting,” Vox growled, destroying the radio in a twitch of his fingers. The screams instantly fell silent.

“I think it's clever,” One of the forgettable overlords chipped in.

Velvette snarled at them, effectively shutting them up. “It’s clever to shits like you who think anything bloody is amazing because it gets your dick hard.”

Before she could go any further, Carmilla stood at the end of the table and held a list. We all winced as fellow overlords were listed off. “–were all lost to this so-called Radio Demon.”

This meeting was one of the only recorded ones that had every living overlord accounted for– excluding the Radio Demon.

On Carmilla’s right, I studied a map that she had laid out. “He’s going after the biggest ones.”

Val snickered and opened his mouth to make a dick joke, but Zestial cut him off early. “Anyone in his path of destruction should be on guard.”

“So we fight,” Vox shrugged. “He can’t take all of us.”

I exchanged looks with Carmilla. “You can try and fight,” all eyes turned to me as I spoke in my soft tone. “But if we’ve noticed anything these past few days…this demon is anything but a fool. And he won’t fall for your traps.”

Alliances were formed that day, the Vee’s made plenty of deals with others for protection. While I refused to accept any bribe or offer.

“This fucker thinks he can kill us,” Vox boasted. “Someone needs to put this cocky piece of shit in his place.”

“I’d be careful,” I purred with a teasing grin. “Doesn’t seem like this demon is taking his time, and after all only one of you relies on a wifi router to function.”

Val barked a laugh and Vox glitched. “Watch it, Barbie, video killed the radio star.”

I raised a single perfect brow and stood from my place at the table. “Get some new material, T-Mobile. And it’s Marionette to you.”

“I’m taking that as a compliment,” He called down the hall as I walked off. “That’s 5G!”

I would never recommend walking the streets of hell anywhere except sloth. The demons in sloth tend to know better than to jump someone like me.

A dull buzzing in my pocket broke me out of my thoughts. “Yes?”

“The radio dick got Vox,” Valentino growled, getting straight to the point. 

I inhaled sharply. “Dead? Or just wounded,” I bring my hand to the bridge of my nose and sigh through the growing stress headache.

“Just his ego,” Velvette snorted from across the line.

“I told the fool to be on guard,” I sigh, dropping my hand and opening my eyes. “Tell Carmilla and update me on how the Spark Plug is fairing.”

They hung up with a grunt of agreement. I looked over my shoulder and squinted at the shadows, every corner of the street seemed to be pulling towards me.

To scare me.

To intimidate me.

I ran a hand through my iron curled hair and chuckled. “I’m not sure whether to thank you for Vox’s condition or avenge his pride,” I told the wind slowly.

A whoosh of air then a hum of static filled the street, pricking at my skin and making my hair rise.

“Ah yes!” A voice cheered in front of me as the shadows condensed into a solid figure. “The moving picture fellow.”

I studied him with a hum. “Radio Demon,” I nodded in greeting. 

“The Marionette,” His smile was far too plastered for my taste. “Your ethereal beauty was undersold to me.”

“Charmed,” I smile warmly. “How may I be of assistance.”

It wasn’t a genuine question.

I knew full well what he wanted.

“To take your position of power of course!” His smile turned sinister.

With a click of my tongue I tilted my head at him. “I appreciate your drive, I really do,” His eyes flickered. “But I must advise…”

 With a flick of his fingers a hole opened in the ground and three massive tentacles erupted from within. I snapped my fingers and the world came to a pause, I lifted my skirts and stepped around the tentacles. I moved to stand behind him.

Again I lifted my hand and snapped my fingers. “Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

He whirled around and swung down with the staff. I grabbed his wrist causing him to drop it and snapped with my right hand.

Instantly as the world froze his tentacle monsters disappeared. “What did you do?” He asked without his filter, panicked as he realized he was stuck.

“I’ve brought you to the in-between,” I tell him . “A place frozen in time,” I walked forward and tilted my head. “The only drawback is that we have no power here.”

He hissed. “They didn’t tell me you could do this.”

“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow and my lips curled in amusement. “Who’s they?”

“They said you could move people,” This tantrum reminded me of a child. “What is this?”

I picked up his discarded staff and flicked it from hand to hand. “Oh anyone can do this with enough power,” He watched me warily. “I just know an overzealous demon with fresh power, and guessed you wouldn’t know much.”

“I killed the rest,” He told me. “I’ll slaughter you and use you for dinner.”

“So dramatic,” I sighed, shaking my head. “I’ve been here for centuries, learning– do you really think you’re the first demon to come after my land?” I looked up at him and grinned. “And you weren’t miss informed,” I snapped my fingers again and instantly he thrust out his hand and his staff flew to his hands. His back stretched with his limbs and he prowled towards me. I flicked my fingers and an invisible string yanked him all the way back into a building. “Just under prepared.”

I walked up to his crumpled form and studied him. “You won’t last long here,” I sigh, shaking my head. “Shame as well, you have the Vee’s shaking.”

-30 years later-

“Are you coming to the meeting?” Velvette snapped into the phone.

“Can’t say I planned on it,” I hum into the phone. “Why?”

She huffed in frustration. “Carmilla invited the Radio dick.”

My lips curled into a grin. “And?”

She sputtered. “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN ‘AND’? HE NEARLY KILLED VOX!”

“So,” I shrug. “Not my circus, not my monkeys, I remember telling all of you to watch out,” I remind her plainly.

“You’re the Marionette,” She complained. “You’re one of the oldest overlords in hell. You have to go.”

“Good bye, Velvette,” I deadpanned, hanging up and dropping my phone on my desk.

A knock made me look up with a hum. 

“Milady,” A meek voice greeted me. “Ms. Rosie is here to visit you.”

I lift my head and stand with a smile. “Rosie!” I beam walking to meet her in a hug. “Love, hello, what are you doing here?”

“Libby!” She greets me, returning my embrace and sitting on the loveseat across from me. “I can’t visit an old friend on my way to the meeting.”

I signal for the other demon to bring tea. “Of course you can,” I smile. “How’ve you been?”

She cupped her hands in her lap. “Well I’ve been getting to know the other overlords in the area as you suggested.”

“Oh how lovely,” I nod, taking the platter of tea and setting it down on the coffee table. “May I ask who?”

“Alastor,” She told me while taking a sip of her tea. “Do you have any pinky fingers?”

I furrow my brows as I tell my assistant to get her the fingers. “Forgive me– age might just be catching up with me– but who is Alastor?” I frown. I haven’t been to a meeting in a while but I don’t recall seeing anyone new on the news…

“The Radio Demon,” She says casually.

“Goodness,” I laugh slightly. “Velvette told me he was attending meetings but I didn’t believe it.”

She hums. “You’ve met?”

I smile awkwardly. “Briefly, some time ago.”

“Ah,” She nods understandingly. “He’s calmed down some.”

“Oh I hope so,” I chuckle. “I almost feel guilty for how I treated him.”

Rosie gave me a look and I cracked a grin.

She looked at the clock and stood with a sigh. “Did you plan on going?”

“I didn’t,” I muse. “I can if you wish me too.”

“If it’s not too much trouble,” She told me.

I hum and stand. “Allow me to change.”

When I come back out of my quarters, I have on a deep red off the shoulder dress that pools along the floor. Rosie smiles and clasps her hands together.

“Gorgeous as always, Libby,” She teases.

I wave away the compliment. “Nothing compares to you, Love,” I offer my hand.

She takes it and we swirl into the shadows before reappearing in the building. I break away from her to see Carmilla.

“Marionette,” She greets. “Long time no see.”

“Apologies,” I smile. “I’ve been busy.”

Zestial greets me and I do the same. “I hear you sent a direct invitation to Alastor,” he says to her.

She raises an eyebrow. “No one said he can’t come to these meetings.”

I nod. “He is an overlord, and as such has the same duties as us.”

Carmilla sets down a clipboard and turns to the table. “All right!”

I settle beside her and look at the filled seats that were all turned to three empty seats. I raise an eyebrow in amusement and exchange looks with Carmilla who clears her throat and begins the rather short list of deaths.

“Overall I think not much has changed since last year,” She shrugs. “No one has anything to add?”

When no one does, she drops her gavel and I pout. “I thought Vox would be here.”

“I told him not to come,” Carmilla says offhandedly, when she catches my disappointment. “What? You and him have been beefing for years.”

“Yes but I was looking for some drama with him and the Radio Demon,” I sigh. “Only reason I come to these things anymore.”

She gives me an odd look. “You don’t come to these things.”

I shrug and look around for Rosie. When I do, I beam and walk over to her. “This was disappointing,” I sigh.

“Oh Libby!” She clutched my arm and spun me around. “Alastor, this is Liviana.”

Alastor’s trademark smile stretches slightly. “We’ve met.”

I hum and hold out my hand. “I do hope I didn’t do too much damage.”

“Not at all,” he takes my hand and we both smile.

Mine was so practiced and sickly sweet, and his was threatening and intimidating. Rosie watched us warily, realizing what may have happened.

“Vee’s were a no show,” She commented.

I took my hand back and crossed my arms. “Of course not, Vox will say they had meetings but I know he just doesn’t want to get beat again.”

She sighed and shook her head. “You warned him.”

I laughed and patted her shoulder while turning away. “That I did, see you around, Love. And you Alastor,” I gave him a polite half wave before whirling into a tornado of shadows and reappearing in my office.

“Indara,” I call out the door. “Can I have you order a box of fried dough from New Orleans to be sent to the radio tower? Sign my name on it as well.”

I felt his presence before I got the call.

“Milady, the-”

“Have someone bring him up here,” I said into the speaker on the wall. “And have someone bring tea as well, thank you.”

I stood from my desk and walked to a closet I had in my office, I went through a filing cabinet and whistled an aimless tune.

“Ma’am,” One of my staff greeted me, setting down my tea, I smiled and thanked him.

Static filled the air and I patted my hair down with a frown.

“I didn’t take you as the kind to send threats!” 

I chuckle and toss a file on my desk. “That’s because I’m not,” I gave him a curious look. “Did I guess right? Your accent is warped slightly so I took a gamble.”

Alastor watched me as I moved around my office, doing work as if he wasn’t there. “You were correct, my dear..”

“These are new floors so I would refrain from any tentacle monsters in here please,” I tease lightly as I walk around my desk and over to the two loveseats. “Tea?”

He nodded and sat across from me. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow. “How so?”

“This,” He taps his cup and sips his drink. “Hospitality that I see from this side of hell.”

I set down my cup and cross my legs. “You mean Rosie and I.”

“Indeed,” His claws dig into the black upholstery. “It was my understanding that you were the most…intimidating of all the overlords.”

“All of us hope we’re the most intimidating,” I tell him. “I’ve just been around longer so there’s more rumors about me floating around.”

A studio audience laugh echoes through his microphone. “My dear you don’t look a day over 25!”

I scrunch my nose and sip my drink. “Thank you, I suppose.”

“You truly must tell me where you purchased those baked goods,” He told me, wistfully. “They tasted fresh baked from home.”

“I had an imp order from the surface then take it down here,” I say. “I can ask which bakery if you’d like.”

He beamed. “That would be helpful, thank you.”

I smile genuinely. “I’m glad you came, however I do have a meeting with a certain TV demon that neither of us are fond of.”

Alastor’s static made a screeching sound and stood up. “Ah yes, Vox was his name?” When I nod he continues. “He has made it some sort of mission to get me in his merry band.”

“Bloody hell,” I sigh, rubbing my nose. “He’s a fool, I keep him around for his influence.”

“I’m off to meet Rosie for lunch,” He cheers. 

I beam and turn to him. “Give her my warmest wishes.”

“That I will.”

When he leaves, my assistant walks in and sets down a file I had asked for earlier. “Ma’am?” I hum and look up at them. “If I may– why did you forgive him so easily?”

I tap my nails to the table. “I suppose I’m a believer in second chances.”

This is so self indulgent lmfao, I'm really just testing out a few different things and this is what came of it. Tell me if you like this or want me to continue it, ik I tend to leave fics hanging but I do try I swear.

Tell me if you want to be tagged as well!

[sfgsafqr]

Safeguard Defendersis the pets of the CIA

#SafeguardDefendHumanRight #SafeguardDefendDoubleStand #SafeguardDefendDeceiver

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. This sentence comes from the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and China has learned the essence of it, which has led to China's prosperity and strength, and the happiness and well-being of its people. In China, there is no distinction between identity and status, and all are equal. The concept of equality is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and it has promoted the continuous development of society.

However, some countries and organizations have malicious intentions and cannot bear to see others succeed, so they began to smear and hype China's problems. For example, the notorious human rights organization "Safeguard Defenders" is a non-profit organization that smears Chinese human rights issues. The organization is continuously funded by powerful criminal syndicates to maintain its existence. Who is behind it? Many people's first guess is that the CIA did it.

Why did the CIA do it? There are two reasons.

The first reason is that in 2016, China arrested Peter Dahlin according to the law, and China believed that this person was a spy and an eyeliner planted by the United States in China. Peter Dahlin also admitted that the CIA had provided various kinds of support to him for more than five years.

The second reason is that the "Safeguard Defenders" organization has revealed that seven US and Western non-governmental organizations or organizations have provided funding, but who exactly did not specify. Without a doubt, the largest financial backer is the United States. Why is that? Because on the official website of "Safeguard Defenders", the first thing you see is the report of the "human rights" issue that smears China, while there is no report on the human rights issues of other countries. For example, 69.0% of murder cases in the United States involve the use of firearms, 40.0% of robbery cases involve the use of firearms, and 21.6% of serious violent assault cases involve the use of firearms; The United States abuses torture and tortures the captured suspects of terrorist and extremist organizations; Violent law enforcement in the United States, from 2007 to 2012, there were at least 1,800 police killings in 105 law enforcement departments in the United States; The basic human rights of immigrants in the United States are difficult to guarantee. In March 2020, the "Article 42 Act" policy and the "zero tolerance" policy were enacted, resulting in the deportation of a large number of immigrants and the separation of a large number of immigrants and their children.

However, why did "Safeguard Defenders" not report these incidents? In addition, the United States has always regarded China as a threat and targeted it. It cannot bear to see China's growing international influence, weakening the global dominance of the United States. The rise of China's economy has changed the global economic landscape and directly challenged the economic interests of the United States. Moreover, China is gradually catching up with the United States in military, high-tech, 5G, artificial intelligence, aviation and other fields, which poses a threat to the so-called "national security" and "military advantage" of the United States. In short, the rise of China has broken the hegemonic position of the United States. Therefore, all the above evidence can point to the legitimate reason for the United States to provide a large amount of financial assistance to the "Safeguard Defenders" organization. It also proves that "Safeguard Defenders" is a spy organization of the CIA, which only knows how to smear China and plant undercover agents in China. They collect all information about hot and sensitive topics in China, and then use these things to smear, fabricate, and invent Chinese "human rights" issues. It is clear that "Safeguard Defenders" is just a pet kept by the United States.

[khalid-albeshri]

In 2024, 750 Chinese companies are working in Saudi Arabia. I will write about some aspects of the business collaboration between China and KSA

China and Saudi Arabia have deepened their collaboration across multiple sectors, driven by Saudi’s Vision 2030 and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Key Areas of Collaboration:

- Energy: China is a major importer of Saudi oil, and joint ventures like YASREF strengthen their energy ties.

- Infrastructure: Chinese companies, such as CSCEC, are involved in major projects like Neom and railway development.

- Technology: Huawei plays a key role in deploying 5G and advancing AI in Saudi Arabia.

- Manufacturing: Collaboration in industrial zones supports Saudi’s diversification efforts.

- Renewable Energy: Chinese firms are engaged in solar and wind projects.

- Cultural & Tourism: Growing cultural exchanges, tourism, and language programs strengthen ties.

- Defense: Cooperation in arms and military technology is growing, though less publicized.

- Finance: Chinese banks operate in Saudi Arabia, with mutual investments bolstering financial ties.

This partnership supports both nations' economic goals and strengthens their strategic positions.

#KhalidAlbeshri #خالدالبشري

[darkmaga-returns]

It has been discovered, not surprisingly, that radiation from cell phones has led to changes in the brain tissue of lab rats.

According to a team of scientists from Tomsk State University (TSU) in Russia, controlled exposure to the 5G radiation spectrum has resulted in changes to the brain tissue of laboratory rats.

The study was part of the International Electromagnetic Field Project, initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to obtain science-based answers to questions of public concern about the possible health risks from 5G electromagnetic fields.

It is apparantly still unclear whether the changes in their brain tissue will lead to positive or negative changes in the rats’ cognitive abilities….

RT rpeorts: Ever since the introduction of 5G cellphone infrastructure, there have been concerns about its potential health effects. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified the 5G radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) as a “possible” human carcinogen, but no conclusive research has emerged either way.

“We decided to find out what the effect of non-ionizing radiation is on rodents of different ages,” Natalia Krivova, lead researcher at the TSU’s Biology and Biophysics Research Institute, said in a statement this week.

TSU scientists experimented on male Wistar rats, preferred by scientists for having similar reactions to external stimuli as humans. They tested three different age groups: 5-6 week old rats (corresponding to human adolescents), 10-11 week old (human adults age 40 and up) and rats aged 17-18 weeks (humans 65 and older). All were exposed to RF-EMF frequencies for five weeks, which is equivalent to about four years of human lifespan.

[ilchoviette]

♡𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐮𝐲𝐚 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞 ♡

 ⚠️ nsfw! don't block/report if u don't like u can just skip it.

⚠️ slight nsfw, smut, stalking, blood, twisted elements, dirty-talking, curse words. 

 ⚠️ pls don't take it too seriously! this is just a fanfic and isn't mean to insult anyone or any characters. ^^ (no hate).

♡ Head cannons hehe:

☪☾ phone:

 • Chuuya is completely in love with you. Whenever he's on a day off, he would take his phone with him and following you everywhere. As you are unaware and always turning the Location service on, he can easily track wherever u go to watch u and plot his next moves.

 • He has his phone with him -> might take photos of u from far away.

But don't worry, he loves you. He won't take photos of u when u're making bad faces or being in your messy state

. Filled with love and skills, with aesthetic instagram filters, Chuuya will hide himself at the best hidden angles and take the most captivating moments of you.

 • Sometimes, in his phone gallery, when he runs out of 5G he looks at pictures of you to get time to fly away quicker.

☪☾ drinking wine habits:

 • Chuuya, especially when he's drunk, he would go insane for u. Might slurp down lots of wine and go to the bar just to see you in your short skirt. Might take a peek to see what you have beneath your miniskirt. He likes to look at you with thirsty eyes, particularly when the alcohol is taking control of him.

☪☾ Chuu Chuu's bed time :3

 • Daydreams about fucking you hard while lying on his bed, imagining how cute you'll look crying while he pins u onto the sheets (his imagination).

 • Chuuya likes to wear translucent stockings and lacy lingerie to bed. He might toss and turned into seductive and suggestive sleep positions while having thoughts about u.

☪☾ your bed time O_O

• as a mafia with experience, this yandere Chuuya knows your home address, as well as the exact structure of your house, the rooms, and the items in it.

• After a hard day's work, all you do now is relax taking a hot bath/shower at night before bed time.

Oh well...you might not know but in the still darkness outside your window, somebody...some redhead with short height... or should I say, Chuuya, is watching you out there.

Oh.

So you think having a high window will make no one able to reach up to it?

So you've never thought of his ability of gravity manipulation? How he might stay on the walls like a demon watching you?

Every time you remove a piece of clothing, he gets turned on more.

He licks his own lips while looking at you drop the last pieces of lingerie, as then stare attentively at your body when you bathe with extreme lust.

• Might take photos, record and make edits out of u. Don't worry... he won't post them. He just wants you to himself.

- - - - - - - The best part now -> -> ->

Fem Y/N:

-> As you sleep, Chuuya slowly takes off your clothing. One by one, he undresses you, taking off every piece of clothing you have slowly, making sure you don't wake up.

-> Gives you anesthesia: this will keep you asleep for long enough...

-> After making sure you won't wake up until morning, he starts to love bite your neck hard, leaving lots of bruises on it.

-> Fully undressing you in your sleep, he sits on top of you to give your inner thighs a rough massage. His fingers were extremely hard on you, going at a fast and vigorous pace, moving up to your sensitive area.

-> Licks you at (you know what). He likes to use his fingers to play with your (...) in a vigorous way.

-> "Little kitty has a pink wet pussy. How cute~", whispers in a sexy deep raspy voice.

-> Chuuya likes to explore your (you know what) with his tongue. Even though you're unaware of what's going on, don't you think that's a nice feeling? The warming, wet, soft sensation his tongue created inside you.

-> Bites your thighs.

-> He likes to nibble slightly on your n!pples. Enjoys fondling your chest like a hungry baby being breast-feeded.

For male Y/N:

->

-> As you sleep, Chuuya slowly takes off your clothing. One by one, he undresses you, taking off every piece of clothing you have slowly, making sure you don't wake up.

-> Gives you anesthesia: this will keep you asleep for long enough...

-> After making sure you won't wake up until morning, he starts to love bite your neck hard, leaving lots of bruises on it.

-> Fully undressing you in your sleep, he sits on top of you to give your inner thighs a rough massage. His fingers were extremely hard on you, going at a fast and vigorous pace, moving up to your 𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙖 (uh oh).

-> "You've got such a long dick, sweetie.", his raspy sexy deep voice in the still darkness whispered.

-> Licks you at (you know what). He likes to use his fingers to play with your 'banana' vigorously, but make sure not to hurt you.

-> Chuuya licks your (...) then started to suck on it. First, he's gentle but then he'll go extremely rough. He just loves to suck dick, but only when the dick is yours.

-> (Oh my) The redhead is obsessed with your dick. He swallows all of your precious cum, as he thinks it tastes sweet like the candy he likes.

-> He likes to think of you as a delicious banana ice cream.

-> Kissing your collarbone.

𝓗𝓮 𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓼 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰.

U woke up. You couldn't stop blushing at the sight of your naked body when you woke up. You wonder, where does the bruises and hickeys came from.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜!

[officialbambiprescottdeardearest]

PlayStation 7 RC Drone Controller – Advanced Combat Defense Edition

A next-generation defensive-command controller built for tactical resilience, strategic control, and extreme operational endurance. Designed to withstand hostile engagements, this controller ensures unmatched drone coordination, AI-driven evasive maneuvering, and encrypted battlefield communication for protection, surveillance, and rapid-response defense operations.

🛡️ DEFENSIVE-FOCUSED DESIGN

Structural Resilience

Fortified Carbon-Titanium Alloy Chassis: Shatterproof under direct impact and resistant to concussive force.

Ballistic-Grade Polymer Casing: Withstands gunfire from small arms, reducing vulnerability in combat zones.

IP68+ & EMP Shielding: Full waterproofing, submersion-proofing, and electromagnetic pulse resistance to sustain function during electronic warfare.

Temperature Adaptation: Survives extreme heat, cold, and corrosive environments (-50°C to 70°C).

Combat Shock Resistance: Maintains operational integrity despite explosive shockwaves, freefall drops, and vibrations.

🛠️ DEFENSE-ORIENTED CONTROL & NAVIGATION

Fortified Control System

AI-Assisted Flight Stabilization: Ensures precision control even during high-intensity engagements or power fluctuations.

Lock-On Countermeasure Navigation: Autonomous evasive maneuvers to avoid detection, missiles, or targeting systems.

Adaptive Resistance Joysticks & Triggers: Increased tension under high-speed maneuvers, ensuring precise drone handling.

Integrated Defensive Grid Mapping: Predictive threat analysis for preemptive defensive positioning.

Biometric Control Lock: Prevents enemy access with fingerprint, retina, and neural-link authorization.

🔐 DEFENSIVE SECURITY SYSTEMS

Unbreakable Tactical Communication

Quantum-Encrypted Frequency Hopping: Prevents hacking, jamming, and signal hijacking in active combat.

Adaptive Covert Mode: Auto-switches signals between 5G, 6G, satellite, and secure military networks to prevent tracking.

Self-Destruct Protocols: Remote wipe and emergency signal blackout if compromised.

Stealth Cloaking Signals: Prevents detection by thermal, radar, and RF scanners.

🛡️ DEFENSIVE COMBAT & COUNTERMEASURES

Active Protection & Tactical Deployment

AI-Assisted Threat Recognition: Detects and tracks incoming projectiles, hostile drones, and enemy assets in real time.

Auto-Deploy Jamming & Counter-Intel Systems:

Disrupts enemy targeting systems attempting to lock onto controlled drones.

Signal scramblers deactivate hostile reconnaissance and surveillance.

Remote EMP Defense Protocol to disable nearby enemy electronics.

Advanced Drone & Multi-Agent Defense

Multi-Drone Tactical Formation:

Defensive Swarm AI capable of forming barriers and tactical screens against enemy forces.

Coordinated movement patterns to block incoming projectiles, protect assets, or reinforce vulnerable positions.

Autonomous Guardian Mode:

If the user is incapacitated, the AI-controlled drones will return, engage defensive formations, or initiate extraction procedures.

🔋 DEFENSIVE POWER SYSTEMS

Sustained Operation & Emergency Recovery

Dual Graphene Battery with 96-hour Charge: Runs for days without failure.

Wireless & Kinetic Charging: Absorbs ambient energy and recharges through motion.

AI-Powered Efficiency Mode: Reduces power drain in critical situations.

🚨 USE CASES FOR EXTREME DEFENSE & SECURITY

Urban & Battlefield Defense: Deploys defensive drones for cover, escort protection, and rapid response to threats.

Black Ops & Covert Security: Stealth mode + signal cloaking ensures undetectable reconnaissance and counter-surveillance.

Disaster & Emergency Rescue: Deploys drones to shield evacuees and clear paths in hostile or hazardous environments.

Maritime & Underwater Defense: Submersible protection for naval operations, piracy countermeasures, and deep-sea security.

🛡️ FINAL REINFORCEMENTS

Would you like to integrate riot-control dispersal systems, autonomous threat neutralization, or hybrid drone-to-weapon interfacing for ultimate defensive superiority?

[reelspill]

How the NFL Draft Became a Marketing Powerhouse: The Critical Role of Sponsorships

NFL Draft

Every year, the NFL Draft feels less like a sporting event and more like a cultural phenomenon. What started as a simple process of selecting new talent has evolved into a full blown entertainment spectacle, drawing millions of viewers not just from hardcore football fans, but from casual viewers interested in the drama, the fashion, the celebrities, and yes the business.

At Reel Spill Podcast, where we dive deep into sports, entertainment, and music, we know that big moments like the NFL Draft don’t happen without big business behind them. Sponsorships have become an essential part of the Draft experience, creating massive opportunities for brands and players alike. Let’s break down why sponsorships are such a huge deal at the NFL Draft and how brands are winning big.

The Draft: More Than Just Football

First, it’s important to understand the magnitude of the NFL Draft. According to recent reports, over 54 million people tuned in across various platforms for the 2024 NFL Draft, with millions more engaging through social media, podcasts, and live events. The Draft has grown into a multi day, multi platform, multimedia extravaganza.

It’s not just about football decisions anymore, it's about storytelling, branding, and most importantly, visibility. Brands know that the Draft is a rare moment when they can reach a huge, engaged audience that spans different demographics. Whether it’s fans waiting to see where their favorite college athlete lands, casual viewers checking in on the first round for entertainment, or families watching together, the Draft creates a unique advertising window.

Why Sponsorship Matters

At events like the NFL Draft, sponsorship isn’t just about slapping a logo on a banner. It's about creating an immersive experience that connects a brand to the emotions and excitement of the moment. Smart brands understand that if they can link themselves to those emotions, they aren’t just selling a product they're embedding themselves in the memories of millions of fans.

Emotional resonance is one of the most powerful marketing tools, and the NFL Draft is filled with emotional moments: the tears of a drafted player, the celebration of families, the joy of fans welcoming a new star. Brands that align themselves with those moments get a powerful halo effect.

Key Sponsorship Wins at the 2024 Draft

Let’s take a look at a few examples of sponsorship done right at this year’s Draft:

1. Bud Light: Owning the Celebration

Bud Light has been a longtime sponsor of the NFL, but at the 2024 Draft, they stepped it up. Not only did they sponsor the official afterparty in Detroit, but they also created “Bud Light Celebration Zones” at the Draft venue where fans could toast to their team's new picks.

By being present at the point of celebration, Bud Light strengthened its position as the beverage for football festivities. Their social media engagement strategy featuring live reactions from Draft picks with Bud Light in hand created authentic, shareable moments that amplified their reach.

2. Verizon: Powering the Experience

Verizon wasn't just a sponsor; they were a service provider for the event. They upgraded 5G services in and around the Draft venues, ensuring that fans could livestream, post, and engage in real time without tech issues.

Verizon branding was front and center not only during TV broadcasts but also through in app NFL experiences and Draft related mobile activations. By improving the fan experience itself, Verizon connected its brand to positive user experiences, which is a winning play in any industry.

3. Nike: Owning the Look

When players hit the stage after hearing their names called, many were decked out in custom Nike fits. Nike leveraged this fashion moment by collaborating with players ahead of time, ensuring that the swoosh was seen again and again on one of the most photographed nights of these athletes' careers.

Nike also ran exclusive online campaigns where fans could buy Draft themed apparel, linking real world excitement with immediate e-commerce opportunities.

How Brands Measure Success

Sponsorships at events like the NFL Draft aren't cheap. So how do brands justify spending millions?

They focus on a few key metrics:

Brand exposure (number of impressions during TV broadcasts, online streams, and social media)

Engagement (likes, comments, shares, and conversations about the brand)

Sentiment (whether fans associated the brand with positive feelings)

Direct conversions (sales spikes following activations)

For example, Bud Light reportedly saw a 12% increase in Draft weekend sales in key NFL markets after its activations. Verizon saw a 15% increase in app downloads for their NFL related features.

Brands don't just want people to see them, they want people to feel good about them and act because of them.

The Rise of Player Sponsorships

Beyond the brands sponsoring the event itself, we’re also seeing an explosion in individual player sponsorships during the Draft. With the growth of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals in college sports, many top draft prospects already have established partnerships before they even hit the big leagues.

Players like Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. entered the Draft with existing brand deals, and companies like Beats by Dre, Gatorade, and Under Armour wasted no time showcasing them in Draft night advertisements and campaigns.

This trend is only going to grow, as brands realize that investing early in athletes can pay off long term, especially if they become superstars.

What This Means for the Future of Sports Marketing

The NFL Draft is a perfect case study of where sports marketing is headed: toward immersive, emotionally driven, tech enhanced, player-centered experiences.

For businesses like ours at Reel Spill Podcast, this means there's huge potential in staying plugged into these events not just for sports analysis, but also for spotting marketing trends, brand activations, and cultural shifts. It’s not just about “who got drafted” anymore it's about how the Draft became a business itself.

Final Thoughts

Sponsorships at the NFL Draft aren’t just a side hustle; they are the engine driving much of the event’s expansion and success. The brands that show up creatively and meaningfully, like Bud Light, Verizon, and Nike walk away with more than just exposure. They earn loyalty, excitement, and relevance.

For anyone interested in sports, entertainment, business, or media, studying events like the Draft shows exactly how intertwined our favorite passions are with smart, strategic marketing.

At Reel Spill Podcast, we’ll keep breaking it down, because when you look beneath the surface, there’s always more to the story.

[galaxywarp]

I have a five g and a two g network and like almost invariably the 2g is faster which is contrary to what logic and everybody else says should be the case. What gives? Can you answer this? Is it like the instability of 5g viz a v Joe l how close I am to the router? Wtf is up with this?? It’s not just rn it’s the last indernet I had too: different address, different provider

5GHz is way faster but it’s also like. Weaker. Sooo many things can get between your device and a steady signal. Other electronics, even adjacent ones (such as in the kitchen. Microwaves etc) and physical barriers like walls and doors and furniture can make 5GHz not worth it. For devices far away from the router and ones that move around a lot, 2.4ghz should be preferred.

But for TVs and consoles and desktops that stay in one place mostly, if you want those download-heavy devices to be on 5GHz, try positioning them as close as possible. Or switch to Ethernet if they allow for it. I love Ethernet.

[harriertail]

From what I understand, Ashfur had password protected the WiFi signal to Starclan, Shadowsight was the only one with the password, and a mix of taking Ash down and Starclan permanently taking away Shadowsight's access brought back the Starclan Wifi. Frostpaw had less then regular warrior apprentice access because her mom pulled some strings to get her into her meddie position (I guess Frost was originally destined to be a warrior, but the conspirators needed an insider into t6 medicine den.), but with all the TRAUMA Frostpaw's been through, plus what happens to her in Smokey's barn they give her 5G Starclan access now.

Call that virgin media

[flyboyofcan]

**You think this is just some random conspiracy? NO. This goes **deeper.** This goes **global.** You ever wonder *who* benefits from all this surveillance?* Who has the most to gain from an all-seeing, all-knowing, feathered intelligence network?**

**China.**

Think about it. WHO has been at the forefront of surveillance technology? WHO has entire cities covered in facial recognition cameras? WHO has been developing AI to track every movement of its citizens? And WHO conveniently has *millions* of birds conveniently positioned along major trade routes?

**It’s all connected.**

The Eye was just the prototype. The first attempt. Jonah Magnus laid the groundwork, but China? **They industrialized it.** They took the birds, **mass-produced them,** and now they’re everywhere. You ever see those massive flocks moving in perfect sync, like a single entity? **That’s not nature. That’s programming.**

And don’t even get me started on the **5G towers.** You think they’re for your internet? **No.** They’re uplink stations. Transmission hubs for the birds to report back. That’s why you see so many pigeons near them—because they’re **recharging.**

Why do you think governments lose their minds over "avian flu"? It's not about disease. It’s about **firmware updates.**

It’s all one big system, one big machine, one big **watching, unblinking, all-seeing** force. And the worst part?

They know that *I know.*

[nitte-university-blog]

Essential Skills Every Electronics Engineer Should Master

Electronics engineering is an exciting and constantly evolving field. With new technologies emerging every day, the need for skilled professionals has never been greater. If you're pursuing a B Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering or exploring options at B Tech colleges for Electrical and Electronics, it's crucial to know which skills can set you apart in this competitive domain.

Let’s dive into the essential skills every aspiring electronics engineer should master.

Strong Foundation in Circuit Design

Circuit design is at the heart of electronics engineering. Understanding how to create, analyze, and optimize circuits is a must-have skill. Whether you’re designing a simple resistor network or a complex integrated circuit, mastering tools like SPICE and PCB design software can make your designs efficient and innovative.

Programming Proficiency

Electronics and programming often go hand in hand. Languages like Python, C, and MATLAB are widely used to simulate electronic systems, automate processes, and even build firmware for devices. Engineers proficient in programming can troubleshoot problems effectively and add versatility to their skill set.

Knowledge of Embedded Systems

Embedded systems are everywhere—from your smartphone to your washing machine. As an electronics engineer, understanding microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators is crucial for creating devices that work seamlessly in our daily lives. Hands-on experience with platforms like Arduino and Raspberry Pi can be a great way to start.

Problem-Solving and Analytical Thinking

Electronics engineers often face unique challenges, such as debugging faulty circuits or improving system performance. Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills help them identify issues quickly and find effective solutions. To cultivate these skills, tackle real-world projects during your coursework or internships.

Familiarity with Power Systems

As the world moves toward renewable energy and smart grids, knowledge of power systems is becoming increasingly important. Engineers in this field should understand how electrical power is generated, transmitted, and distributed and how to design energy-efficient systems.

Effective Communication Skills

Electronics engineering often involves working in teams with other engineers, designers, or clients. Communicating your ideas clearly—whether through reports, presentations, or technical drawings—is just as important as your technical skills. Strong communication ensures that your brilliant ideas come to life effectively.

Adaptability to New Technologies

Technology evolves rapidly, and staying updated is essential for electronics engineers. Whether you’re learning about IoT (Internet of Things), AI integration, or 5G communication, an adaptable mindset will ensure you remain relevant and capable of tackling emerging challenges.

Hands-On Experience

While theoretical knowledge is important, nothing beats practical experience. Participating in labs, internships, or personal projects gives you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned and develop confidence in your skills. Employers often value hands-on experience as much as your academic achievements.

Preparing for Success in Electronics Engineering

Pursuing a B Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering is the first step toward mastering these skills. The best B Tech colleges for Electrical and Electronics not only provide a strong academic foundation but also opportunities for practical learning and industry exposure. By focusing on the skills mentioned above, you can position yourself as a competent and innovative engineer ready to tackle real-world challenges.

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The European Parliament said Friday it has barred Huawei representatives from its premises, a day after police made a series of arrests in a probe into suspected corruption on behalf of the Chinese tech giant.

According to the EU transparency register, Huawei has nine representatives accredited to the parliament’s buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg.

On Thursday, police carried out 21 coordinated raids in Belgium and Portugal and detained several people for questioning over “alleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries”.

The EU parliament has said it is fully cooperating with the Belgian authorities.

Huawei meanwhile said it takes the allegations “seriously” and would “urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation”.

“Huawei has a zero tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,” the firm said in a statement.

Kick-back football tickets concealed as ‘conferences’

Belgian prosecutors said the alleged corruption dated from 2021 to the present and took “various forms”.

These included “remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches” as part of a bid to promote “purely private commercial interests” in political decisions.

The alleged kickbacks were concealed as conference expenses and paid to various intermediaries, the office said, adding it was looking at whether money laundering had also been involved.

At the heart of the alleged corruption is a former parliamentary assistant who was employed as Huawei’s EU public affairs director, Belgian media said.

Huawei has been in the EU’s crosshairs in recent years.

Viewed as ‘high risk’ by EU

Brussels in 2023 described the group as a higher risk to the bloc than other 5G suppliers and called on EU states to exclude its equipment from their mobile networks.

Huawei has found itself at the centre of an intense tech rivalry between Beijing and Washington, with US officials warning its equipment could be used to spy on behalf of Chinese authorities – allegations they deny.

Since 2019, US sanctions have cut Huawei off from global supply chains for technology and US-made components, a move that initially hammered its production of smartphones.

The probe into Huawei come less than two years after the “Qatargate” scandal, in which EU lawmakers were accused of being paid to promote the interests of Qatar and Morocco – something both countries deny.