#Boost encourages blast's behavior

[barrel-of-bones-and-brain-worms]

little wip that I'm not sure if I'm going to finish or not

My take on the turbo twins. I've drawn them a couple times in the past and was just thinking of them

[pumptools]

Table of Contents - Micro-Segmentation for Precise Targeting - User-Generated Content to Boost Credibility - Integrating AI for Smarter Insights - Optimizing for Mobile Users - Personalized Experiences - Engaging with Interactive Content - Prioritizing Data Privacy - Embracing Minimalist Design - Channel Synergy Email has grown into a staple of digital communication, establishing itself as a high-impact marketing tool. Its efficiency and reach make it ideal for any business looking to connect directly with its audience. Yet, as technology and consumer expectations continue to evolve, keeping up with the latest trends is crucial. Here are the top nine email marketing strategies for 2025 to ensure your messages resonate with your audience. 1. Micro-Segmentation for Precise Targeting Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all email blasts. In 2025, micro-segmentation allows you to zero in on precise customer subgroups, creating highly relevant emails for niche segments. By tapping into more advanced data, marketers can refine audience segments based on unique details like: - Usage Patterns: Screen time, browsing habits, and device types - Purchasing Behavior: Past purchases, frequency, and spending thresholds - Demographics: Age, location, and other key identifiers - Historical Interactions: Engagement history and previous brand interactions This depth of personalization has proven to dramatically increase open rates and drive more conversions, allowing brands to optimize communications based on actual customer behavior. 2. User-Generated Content to Boost Credibility User-generated content (UGC) remains a vital part of authentic digital marketing. From reviews to social media shout-outs, UGC enhances your brand’s credibility by leveraging customers’ voices. Use these strategies to incorporate UGC into your email campaigns: - Highlight Testimonials: Include snippets of positive customer reviews in your emails. - Showcase Social Shares: Feature photos and videos of customers using your products. - Run Contests: Encourage customers to share their experiences via photo contests or comment threads. UGC not only builds trust but also increases engagement, as customers are more likely to respond to content that feels genuine and community-driven. 3. Integrating AI for Smarter Insights With a growing emphasis on data-backed marketing, artificial intelligence (AI) is now a game-changer for email campaigns. AI helps manage, interpret, and implement data for better personalization and efficiency. It supports several key areas, including: - Optimized Subject Lines: AI-driven testing can enhance subject line effectiveness. - Timing Adjustments: Use AI to determine when your audience is most likely to open emails. - Content Recommendations: Personalize email content based on past customer preferences. - List Management: AI can clean and update your mailing lists automatically. As data grows more complex, AI simplifies it, improving campaign performance and ROI. Companies that embrace AI in their marketing are seeing noticeable increases in revenue and customer retention. 4. Optimizing for Mobile Users Mobile email access has surged, with around 85% of users now checking email on smartphones. With so many emails opened on mobile devices, mobile optimization is a non-negotiable. However, studies show that 75% of users delete emails that fail to display properly on mobile. In 2025, responsive design isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential to maintaining your audience’s interest and maximizing engagement. 5. Personalized Experiences Modern consumers want brands to know them well enough to make recommendations and remember their preferences. With data-driven insights, brands can create a personalized experience by: - Using Customer Names: Make emails more engaging with personalized greetings. - Offering Tailored Recommendations: Leverage data to suggest relevant products or services. - Celebrating Special Dates: Acknowledge birthdays or anniversaries with exclusive offers. - Providing Tips and Tricks: Share relevant content, like how-to guides or trending products. The majority of consumers value personalization, with over 80% reporting that a tailored experience makes them more likely to purchase. Investing in personalization strategies fosters a stronger connection with your audience and encourages brand loyalty. 6. Engaging with Interactive Content Interactive content turns passive readers into engaged participants. By adding elements that encourage recipients to act, you make your emails more dynamic and memorable. Interactive features might include: - Surveys and Polls: Ask for feedback to increase customer engagement. - Embedded Videos and Animations: Provide product demos or brand highlights. - Image Galleries: Showcase collections with carousel-style image displays. - Quizzes and Games: Create a fun experience that reflects your brand's personality. Over 92% of buyers find interactive content more engaging, and this trend will likely continue in 2025. Creating an engaging, immersive experience can boost your brand’s appeal and keep customers coming back. 7. Prioritizing Data Privacy Data privacy remains a pressing concern for consumers. In an era of stricter data regulations, brands are expected to be transparent about how they collect, use, and protect customer data. To build trust, consider adding a data privacy message in your emails that explains: - Compliance with Current Laws: Reassure customers that your practices meet legal standards. - Data Collection Policies: Briefly outline what information is collected and why. - Storage and Security Measures: Explain how data is securely stored and protected. - Options for Data Use: Allow customers to control what data is collected and stored. A clear commitment to data protection helps build confidence, ensuring customers feel secure while engaging with your brand. 8. Embracing Minimalist Design In a cluttered digital landscape, simplicity stands out. Minimalist email designs reduce distractions, making the message clearer and more accessible. HTML-styled emails with limited images, whitespace, and concise text can improve readability and lead to better user engagement. Ask yourself: does each visual add value? If not, consider paring it down to essentials, allowing the main message to take center stage. By emphasizing clear, focused designs, your emails can cut through the noise and hold your readers’ attention. 9. Channel Synergy Today’s consumers interact across multiple devices and channels. To maximize engagement, incorporate omnichannel strategies that connect email with other platforms. For example, you might include links to your social media profiles, text message notifications, or a QR code linking to a special offer on your website. Blending email with SMS, social media, and digital ads reinforces your message and boosts the chances of customer interaction. With an omnichannel approach, you create a seamless brand experience that follows the customer journey across multiple touchpoints. Empower Your Email Marketing with PumpTools Email marketing is continually evolving, and 2025 is a prime opportunity to refresh your approach. These nine trends can help you connect with your audience more effectively, transforming routine emails into powerful marketing tools. Ready to implement these strategies? At PumpTools, we specialize in cutting-edge CRM, automation, and digital marketing solutions to support your brand's unique needs. Together, we’ll build an email marketing strategy that captures attention, deepens customer relationships, and drives growth. Read the full article

[vawagencymarketing]

Why Conversion-Focused Landing Pages Are Key to Your Business Growth

In the fast-paced digital world, every business strives to maximize its online presence and turn visitors into customers. One of the most powerful tools for achieving this is the conversion-focused landing page. These pages are designed to capture attention, address pain points, and drive users toward a specific action, such as signing up, purchasing, or downloading.

If your business isn’t leveraging the power of conversion-focused landing pages, you could be missing out on significant growth opportunities. In this blog, we’ll explore why these pages are essential for business success, what makes them effective, and how to create ones that drive results.

What Are Conversion-Focused Landing Pages?

A conversion-focused landing page is a standalone web page designed with a single objective: to encourage visitors to take a specific action. Unlike homepages or generic web pages, landing pages eliminate distractions, making it easier for users to focus on the offer or message being presented.

Key Characteristics of Conversion-Focused Landing Pages:

Singular Purpose: Each page is built around one goal, such as collecting email leads or driving sales.

Targeted Content: The content addresses a specific audience or campaign, ensuring relevance.

Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Encourages users to take immediate action, such as “Sign Up Now” or “Get Started.”

Minimal Distractions: Limited navigation and links help users stay focused on the goal.

Why Conversion-Focused Landing Pages Are Essential for Business Growth

1. They Improve Lead Generation

One of the primary goals of any business is to generate leads. A well-designed landing page can act as a powerful lead-generation tool by capturing visitor information in exchange for something valuable, like an eBook, webinar, or discount.

Example:

Imagine running an ad campaign promoting a free guide to social media marketing. Sending users to a generic homepage might confuse them or lead them to drop off. Instead, a dedicated landing page with a simple form ensures you capture their details efficiently.

2. They Increase Conversion Rates

Landing pages are designed to guide users toward a single action, which significantly boosts conversion rates compared to multi-purpose pages. By removing unnecessary elements and focusing on the user journey, conversion-focused landing pages minimize friction and drive results.

Example:

E-commerce brands use landing pages for flash sales or product launches, streamlining the purchase process and reducing distractions.

3. They Provide Valuable Data

Landing pages offer a wealth of insights into user behavior, helping businesses refine their strategies. By tracking metrics like click-through rates (CTR), bounce rates, and conversion rates, you can identify what’s working and where improvements are needed.

Tools for Analysis:

Google Analytics

Hotjar (heatmaps and session recordings)

A/B testing platforms like Optimizely

4. They Align with Marketing Campaigns

Whether it’s a pay-per-click (PPC) campaign, email marketing blast, or social media ad, landing pages can be tailored to match the message and audience of each campaign. This alignment improves user experience and increases the likelihood of conversions.

Example:

If your Facebook ad promises “50% off all yoga mats,” the landing page should reinforce this offer prominently to maintain consistency.

5. They Build Trust and Credibility

A well-optimized landing page with social proof, testimonials, and secure payment options reassures users, encouraging them to trust your brand and take action.

Example:

Adding customer reviews or trust badges, such as “100% Money-Back Guarantee,” can significantly boost conversions.

6. They Are Cost-Effective

Instead of creating extensive, multi-page websites, businesses can deploy specific landing pages for different campaigns or audiences. This targeted approach reduces costs while delivering measurable results.

Components of a High-Converting Landing Page

Creating a conversion-focused landing page requires careful planning and execution. Here are the essential elements:

1. Attention-Grabbing Headline

Your headline is the first thing visitors see. It must immediately convey the value of your offer and encourage users to stay on the page.

Example:

Weak: “Welcome to Our Site.”

Strong: “Double Your Productivity with Our Time-Management Software.”

2. Persuasive Subheadline

The subheadline supports the main headline, adding more detail and reinforcing the value proposition.

Example:

“Get organized, meet deadlines, and achieve your goals—all in one intuitive app.”

3. Clear and Compelling Call-to-Action (CTA)

Your CTA should be prominently displayed and encourage immediate action.

Tips for CTAs:

Use action-oriented language: “Start Your Free Trial” or “Download Now.”

Make buttons stand out with bold, contrasting colors.

Place the CTA above the fold and repeat it strategically.

4. Minimal Navigation

Keep the focus on the conversion goal by removing unnecessary links or menus that might distract users.

5. High-Quality Visuals

Visuals help communicate your message quickly and effectively. Use product images, explainer videos, or infographics to engage users.

Example:

A software company could include a short demo video showing how their tool works.

6. Social Proof

Testimonials, reviews, case studies, and client logos build credibility and trust, making users more likely to convert.

Example:

“Since using this platform, our sales have increased by 40%!” – Jane Doe, Marketing Manager.

7. Risk Reversal (Guarantees)

Offering a risk-free guarantee, such as a free trial or money-back promise, reduces hesitation and encourages users to act.

Example:

“Try it free for 14 days—no credit card required!”

8. Mobile Optimization

Ensure your landing page is fully responsive and provides a seamless experience on all devices, especially mobile.

How to Optimize Conversion-Focused Landing Pages

1. Conduct A/B Testing

Test different variations of your landing page to see which version performs best. Experiment with headlines, CTAs, layouts, and visuals.

2. Improve Page Load Speed

A slow-loading page can lead to high bounce rates. Optimize images, use caching, and minimize unnecessary scripts to improve speed.

3. Align with Ad Copy

Ensure your landing page matches the messaging and visuals of the ad or campaign that drove users to it.

4. Address Pain Points

Identify your audience’s challenges and highlight how your product or service solves them.

5. Optimize Forms

If your page includes a form, keep it simple. Only ask for essential information to reduce friction.

6. Add Exit-Intent Pop-Ups

Capture users who are about to leave with an exit-intent pop-up offering a discount, free trial, or additional value.

Real-World Examples of Conversion-Focused Landing Pages

1. Shopify

What Works:

Clear headline: “Start Your Free Trial.”

Simple, targeted copy.

Strong CTA button with contrasting color.

2. Dropbox

What Works:

Clean design with minimal distractions.

Highlighting benefits with concise copy.

Visuals that demonstrate the product in use.

3. Evernote

What Works:

Focused value proposition: “Organize Your Life.”

Clear CTA: “Sign Up for Free.”

Simple layout and navigation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too Many CTAs: Stick to one clear goal per landing page.

Cluttered Design: A clean and focused layout is essential.

Generic Copy: Speak directly to your audience’s needs and desires.

Ignoring Mobile Users: Ensure a seamless experience across all devices.

Lack of Social Proof: Failing to include testimonials or trust signals can hurt credibility.

Conclusion

Conversion-focused landing pages are indispensable for businesses looking to grow in today’s competitive digital landscape. By focusing on user intent, addressing pain points, and streamlining the conversion process, these pages can dramatically improve your marketing ROI.

Start optimizing your landing pages today to unlock their full potential and propel your business toward success. With the right strategy and design, you’ll turn more visitors into loyal customers and drive sustained growth.

[anvi-cybernetics]

Email Marketing Best Practices: From Lead Generation to Conversion

In today's digitally connected world, email marketing remains a powerhouse. It’s personal, direct, and effective when done right. While many businesses jump into email campaigns with high hopes, not all achieve the same level of success. Why? Because effective email marketing goes beyond just sending out newsletters or promotions. It involves a blend of strategy, timing, and personalization.

This blog will walk you through the best practices for email marketing — from lead generation to conversion — and how you can make the most of this timeless channel. Whether you’re using platforms like Mailchimp or Thunderbird, or looking for ways to integrate email marketing with your broader digital marketing efforts, these tips will help elevate your strategy. Let’s dive in.

1. Start with Strong Lead Generation

Before you can start converting, you need an audience. That’s where lead generation comes into play. Capturing the right leads—people who are genuinely interested in what you offer—is the first step.

Your lead generation efforts should go hand-in-hand with your email marketing strategy. Use lead magnets, such as free guides, eBooks, or discounts, to entice potential customers to share their email addresses. It's essential to ensure that your offers are relevant and provide value. If you’re looking for tried-and-true techniques to boost your lead generation, check out this guide on proven digital marketing strategies.

One proven technique is to create custom landing pages for each lead magnet, optimized for conversion. The page should explain why the visitor should care about your offer, with a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA) to submit their email.

2. Segment Your Audience

Once you have a list of leads, it’s crucial to recognize that not all leads are the same. Segmentation is a powerful practice that helps you tailor your messaging to different parts of your audience.

You can segment based on several factors:

Demographics: age, gender, location.

Behavior: what they’ve clicked on or purchased in the past.

Engagement: whether they frequently open your emails or haven’t interacted in a while.

By segmenting your audience, you ensure that each group receives content that resonates with them personally, increasing your chances of engagement and conversion. Tools like Mailchimp make segmentation simple by allowing you to create and send targeted campaigns based on specific audience behaviors.

3. Craft Compelling Subject Lines

Did you know that 47% of email recipients decide whether to open an email based solely on the subject line? That’s why crafting the right subject line is crucial.

The perfect subject line strikes a balance between curiosity and clarity. It should tease the value of your email but still be straightforward enough to tell the reader what to expect. Here are a few tips:

Keep it short and sweet: Aim for 6-10 words.

Use personalization: Include the recipient’s name or reference their past behavior.

Create urgency: Phrases like "Limited time offer" or "Last chance" can encourage immediate action.

A/B test: Try different subject lines on small segments of your audience and see which performs best.

When creating subject lines, think about how they might speak to different segments of your audience.

4. Personalize Your Emails

In a world where people are inundated with emails, personalization is key. Emails that feel like they’re crafted just for the recipient outperform generic blasts. By personalizing your emails, you're making each recipient feel valued and more connected to your brand.

Personalization goes beyond just using someone's first name. You can:

Send product recommendations based on previous purchases.

Provide relevant content based on a subscriber's preferences.

Use personalized images or content that ties into their location or interests.

Mailchimp offers dynamic content options, enabling you to easily implement personalized features. And if you’re a Thunderbird user, they also support email personalization features, which can be enhanced with add-ons and plugins available on the Thunderbird platform.

5. Create Engaging Content

Content is at the heart of your email marketing strategy. When you consistently send valuable, interesting, and actionable content, you build trust with your audience. Here’s how you can keep your emails engaging:

Be clear and concise: Respect your reader’s time by getting straight to the point.

Add visuals: Use high-quality images, GIFs, or infographics to break up text and make your emails more visually appealing.

Include strong CTAs: Whether you want recipients to shop, read a blog, or sign up for a webinar, make sure your CTA is clear and compelling.

Mix it up: Don’t just send promotional emails. Mix in educational content, tips, and even customer stories to keep things fresh.

6. Timing is Everything

Email timing can significantly impact your open and click-through rates. The best time to send emails depends on your audience, but studies have shown that emails sent on Tuesday and Thursday mornings tend to perform well.

Of course, these are just general trends. It’s essential to test different times and days to see what works best for your particular audience. Most email marketing platforms, including Mailchimp, offer scheduling tools that allow you to experiment with sending times and track performance.

7. A/B Test Everything

Email marketing is as much science as it is art. To fine-tune your campaigns, you need to embrace A/B testing.

Test your subject lines: Try different lengths, tones, and formats.

Experiment with content: See how different offers, images, or layouts perform.

Test send times: Test different days or times to see when your audience is most likely to engage.

Make sure to test one variable at a time to clearly understand what’s driving the results.

8. Focus on Deliverability

Deliverability is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of email marketing. You might have the best content, but it’s useless if it doesn’t land in the inbox. Here’s how to improve your email deliverability:

Authenticate your domain: Use SPF, DKIM, and DMARC protocols to show email servers that you’re a legitimate sender.

Use a clean list: Regularly remove inactive subscribers and avoid purchasing email lists.

Limit spammy language: Words like "free" or "guarantee" can trigger spam filters.

If you need more help with technical aspects, services like Anvi Cybernetics offer cybersecurity and marketing solutions, including advice on improving email deliverability.

9. Measure, Analyze, and Optimize

Once your campaign is live, it’s time to track its performance. Key metrics include:

Open rates: How many recipients opened your email.

Click-through rates (CTR): How many people clicked on a link in your email.

Conversion rates: How many recipients took the desired action, like making a purchase or signing up for a webinar.

Regularly analyze these metrics to understand what’s working and what’s not. Tools like Mailchimp provide in-depth analytics that help you refine your strategy over time.

Conclusion

Email marketing remains a highly effective tool when executed thoughtfully. By focusing on the entire funnel—from lead generation to conversion—you can create campaigns that not only engage your audience but also drive results. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your email marketing efforts, following these best practices will ensure you're on the path to success.

To learn more about enhancing your digital marketing strategy, visit Anvi Cybernetics.

[no-code-chatbot-builder]

How I Boosted End-of-Season Sales in My Retail Business with Botbuz Chatbot

Every year, as the end of the season approached, I found myself staring at shelves filled with products that needed to be sold. The end-of-season sales period was always a challenge in my retail business. It was a delicate balance of clearing out inventory while still making a profit. I had tried everything from deep discounts to flash sales, but I always felt like I was leaving money on the table.

Then, one day, while scrolling through my social media feed, I came across a post about chatbots. I had heard of them before, but this time something clicked. Could a chatbot help me with my end-of-season sales ? I decided to dive deeper and discovered Botbuz Chatbot for Retail Business, a tool specifically designed to help retail businesses like mine engage customers, drive sales and improve overall efficiency.

Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. Setting up Botbuz Chatbot was surprisingly simple. The platform offered an intuitive interface that allowed me to customize the chatbot to fit my brand’s personality. I could create responses that matched my tone and style, making the bot an extension of my brand rather than just a robotic customer service tool.

Personalizing the Customer Experience

The first thing I focused on was personalization. I knew that customers are more likely to make a purchase if they feel like the shopping experience is tailored to them. With Botbuz Chatbot, I was able to segment my customers based on their previous purchase history, browsing behavior, and even their location. This allowed the chatbot to recommend products that were most relevant to each individual customer.

For example, if a customer had previously bought winter coats, the chatbot would recommend matching accessories like scarves or gloves that were on sale. If a customer was browsing from a warmer climate, the bot would highlight lighter clothing options that were more suitable. This level of personalization made the shopping experience feel more like a conversation with a knowledgeable sales associate rather than just browsing a website.

Engaging Customers in Real-Time

One of the biggest challenges during end-of-season sales is getting customers to engage with your promotions. Traditional methods like email blasts or social media posts often get lost in the noise. But with Botbuz Chatbot, I was able to engage customers in real-time.

For instance, when a customer visited my website, the chatbot would instantly pop up with a friendly greeting and a personalized offer. “Hi there! I noticed you’re checking out our winter collection. We’re offering an extra 20% off today! Can I help you find something specific ?” This immediate interaction caught customers’ attention and encouraged them to explore more of the sale items.

The chatbot also handled customer inquiries quickly and efficiently. Questions about product availability, sizing and shipping were answered instantly, which kept customers on the site longer and reduced the chances of cart abandonment. In the past, customers might have left my site if they couldn’t find the information they needed quickly enough, but with the chatbot, they got the answers they needed right away.

Flash Sales and Urgency

Creating a sense of urgency is key during end-of-season sales, and Botbuz Chatbot helped me do just that. I set up the chatbot to send out notifications about flash sales and limited-time offers. These notifications weren’t just random pop-ups ; they were strategically timed based on the customer’s behaviour.

For example, if a customer had been browsing a particular category for a while but hadn’t made a purchase, the chatbot would send a message like, “Looks like you’re interested in our winter coats ! Just so you know, they’re 30% off for the next hour. Don’t miss out!” This gentle nudge was often enough to prompt a purchase.

The bot also allowed me to create countdown timers for specific deals. Customers could see exactly how much time was left on a sale, which added to the urgency and pushed them to complete their purchase before the deal expired. The combination of personalized offers and time-sensitive promotions was incredibly effective in driving sales.

Handling High Traffic

End-of-season sales often bring a surge in traffic, which can overwhelm customer service teams and lead to delays in responding to inquiries. In the past, this had been a major pain point for my business. During peak sales periods, it was nearly impossible to keep up with the volume of questions and requests, which led to frustrated customers and lost sales.

But with Botbuz Chatbot for Retail Business, I didn’t have to worry about this anymore. The chatbot was able to handle multiple customer interactions simultaneously, ensuring that everyone received timely responses. Whether it was answering a question about a product, processing a return, or guiding a customer through the checkout process, the bot was there to help.

This automation freed up my time and allowed my team to focus on more complex issues that required a human touch. It also meant that we could handle a higher volume of customers without sacrificing the quality of service. The result ? Happier customers and more sales.

Gathering Customer Insights

One of the unexpected benefits of using Botbuz Chatbot was the wealth of customer insights it provided. The chatbot collected data on customer interactions, which allowed me to see which products were most popular, what questions customers were asking and where they were dropping off in the sales process.

This data was invaluable in helping me refine my sales strategy. For example, I noticed that a lot of customers were asking about shipping times, so I made sure to highlight our expedited shipping options in the chatbot’s messaging. I also used the data to identify which products were most in demand and adjusted my inventory and pricing accordingly.

The chatbot’s analytics also helped me identify trends and patterns in customer behavior. For instance, I found that customers were more likely to make a purchase if they received a personalized offer within the first few minutes of visiting the site. Armed with this information, I tweaked the bot’s settings to ensure that these offers were sent out even faster.

Seamless Integration with Other Platforms

One of the things I loved most about Botbuz Chatbot for Retail Business was its seamless integration with other platforms I was already using. The chatbot easily connected with my CRM system, allowing me to sync customer data and keep track of interactions across different channels.

It also integrated with my email marketing platform, so I could send follow-up messages to customers who had engaged with the bot but hadn’t completed a purchase. These follow-ups often included additional incentives, like a discount code or free shipping offer, which helped bring customers back to the site and convert them into buyers.

The chatbot also worked perfectly with my social media platforms. Customers could start a conversation with the bot directly from my Facebook or Instagram pages, making it even easier for them to take advantage of the end-of-season sales. This omnichannel approach ensured that no matter where my customers were, they could access the same level of service and support.

The Results

By the end of the season, the results spoke for themselves. Not only had I cleared out most of my inventory, but I had also seen a significant increase in sales compared to previous years. The combination of personalized offers, real-time engagement and strategic promotions had a major impact on my bottom line.

But beyond the numbers, the most rewarding part was the feedback I received from my customers. They appreciated the personalized experience, the quick responses and the ease of navigating the end-of-season sales. Many of them even mentioned the chatbot specifically, noting how helpful it had been in guiding them through the process.

Looking back, I can confidently say that Botbuz Chatbot for Retail Business was a game-changer for my end-of-season sales strategy. It allowed me to engage with my customers in a more meaningful way, drive more sales and ultimately achieve my business goals. If you’re a retail business owner looking to boost your sales during peak periods, I highly recommend giving Botbuz Chatbot a try – it could be the key to unlocking your next level of success.

[brocusa]

Benefits of Electric bikes for kids

Electric bikes for kids are taking the world by storm, and kids are no exception! These mini marvels offer a thrilling, eco-friendly, and convenient way for young ones to explore the outdoors, get exercise, and have a blast. But with so many options available, choosing the right electric bike for your child can be tricky.

Benefits of Electric Bikes for Kids:-

Fun and Exciting: Electric bikes for kids provide an exhilarating and enjoyable riding experience, making outdoor activities more engaging and entertaining for children.

Increased Independence: With the assistance of electric power, kids can explore farther distances and conquer more challenging terrains, fostering a sense of independence and adventure.

Healthier Lifestyle: Encourages physical activity and outdoor play, promoting a healthier lifestyle and reducing sedentary behavior among children.

Boosted Confidence: Mastering the controls of an electric bike builds confidence in children as they gain new skills and overcome obstacles, boosting their self-esteem.

Family Bonding: Electric bikes offer a shared activity for families to enjoy together, creating opportunities for bonding and memorable experiences outdoors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, electric bikes for kids offer numerous advantages that promote physical health, independence, environmental consciousness, family bonding, skill development, and inclusivity. By providing an enjoyable means of exercise and exploration, electric bikes contribute to the overall well-being of children while instilling important values related to sustainability and outdoor activity.

[madhukumarc]

What is the quick step to get more followers for my social media platform?

Getting more followers on your social media platform is a common goal for many individuals and businesses.

While there is no magic formula that guarantees instant success, here are the most important steps you can take to boost your follower count.

In fact, these are the secrets of successful social media players.

So, Let's dive into the World of Social Media Growth:

1. Define Your Target Audience:

Before you start chasing followers, it's essential to understand who you want to attract.

Identifying your target audience will help you tailor your content and messaging to resonate with them.

Additionally, it saves you time and energy so that you can get the most out of your work.

Booster insight - “Your audience will grow naturally if you put effort and time into creating engaging, informative, or inspirational content without worrying about "quick fixes" for boosts in followers” – HubSpot

2. Optimize Your Social Profile:

Your profile is the first impression people get of your social media platform. Make sure it's complete, compelling, and showcases what your platform is all about.

Use a professional profile picture, write a catchy bio [show what value you can offer or how you can benefit your visitors or followers], and include keywords and relevant links.

3. Consistency is Key:

To attract and retain followers, you need to consistently deliver high-quality content that resonates with your target audience.

Develop a content strategy that aligns with your brand and post regularly.

Experiment with different types of posts, like images, videos, quotes, and articles, to keep your feed interesting.

4. Engage with Your Audience:

Social media is all about building relationships. Respond to comments, messages, and mentions promptly.

Engage in conversations with your followers and show them that you value their input.

The more you interact with your audience, the more likely they are to become loyal followers.

“Today, it’s not enough to have social media followers and blast out content to them. To have ongoing and meaningful engagement with their target audience, businesses need to build a community” – Business

5. Utilize Hashtags Strategically:

Hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing your reach and visibility on social media platforms.

Research relevant hashtags in your industry and include them in your posts strategically.

Avoid using too many hashtags or irrelevant ones, as it can make your posts appear spammy.

6. Collaborate with Influencers:

Partnering with influencers in your niche can help expose your social media platform to their established audience.

Look for influencers whose values align with yours and reach out to them for collaborations or shout-outs. This can significantly boost your follower count.

“Big audiences don’t always mean high engagement. Be sure your influencers of choice are able to really connect with their followers. This audience must also have an interest in your niche” – Semrush

7. Cross-Promote on Other Platforms:

Leverage the power of cross-promotion by sharing links to your social media platforms on other channels such as your website, blog, email newsletter, and other social media profiles.

Encourage your existing followers to follow you on other platforms as well.

8. Use Paid Advertising:

If you're looking for a quick boost in followers, consider investing in paid advertising on social media platforms.

Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer targeted advertising options that allow you to reach a specific audience based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.

Remember - “A social media post's comment section is a lens into what your followers care about and what content of yours interests them” – PLANOLY

Social Media Content based on Audiences Needs and Interests:

Image Content Source: Social Trends 2024 Report by Hootsuite

Pro-Tip: To increase discoverability, reach, and engagement, apply SEO strategies tailored to the specific social media platform.

In summary, gaining followers takes time and effort. It's important to stay committed and consistently implement these strategies to see results.

Keep analyzing your metrics, experimenting with different tactics, and adjusting your approach accordingly. With perseverance and a solid strategy, your follower count will start growing organically!

Here's related information that you may also find helpful – Social Media Marketing Statistics [Social is the new powerful].

[marketingprofitmedia]

Email Marketing Reinvented Boost Your Campaigns with Next-Level Methods!

Email marketing is one of the oldest and most effective digital marketing channels. It’s also one of the most versatile, as it can be used to achieve a wide range of marketing goals, from generating leads and driving sales to building brand awareness and customer loyalty.

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However, in today’s competitive landscape, it’s not enough to simply send out mass email blasts. To be successful, email marketers need to adopt next-level methods that are personalized, engaging, and data-driven. In this article, we’ll share some of the latest and greatest email marketing trends and best practices to help you reinvent your campaigns and boost your results.

Understanding Email Marketing

Unveiling the Evolution of Email Marketing

Email marketing has come a long way, transforming from a simple communication tool to a powerhouse for businesses. Explore the historical roots and evolution of email marketing, setting the stage for the innovative methods awaiting exploration.

Significance of Reinventing Email Marketing

Uncover the why behind the need for reinvention in email marketing. Discuss the changing landscape of digital communication, emphasizing the importance of staying ahead in the competitive realm of online marketing.

Setting the Stage: Understanding the Current Email Marketing Landscape

Delve into the current state of email marketing. Highlight statistics, trends, and challenges faced by marketers in the ever-evolving digital ecosystem.

Preview of Next-Level Methods

Offer a tantalizing glimpse into the groundbreaking methods awaiting discussion. Create anticipation by showcasing how these strategies can elevate email marketing to unprecedented heights. there are a few next-level email marketing tactics that you can use to boost your campaigns:

Use artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize your emails and improve your targeting. AI can be used to segment your subscribers, generate dynamic content, and send triggered emails at the right time.

Use interactive email content to engage your subscribers and encourage them to take action. Interactive content can include polls, quizzes, surveys, and product configurators.

Use gamification to make your emails more fun and engaging. Gamification elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards can motivate subscribers to open and interact with your emails.

Use video email to create more visually appealing and engaging emails. Video email can be used to tell stories, demonstrate products, and provide educational content.

Use predictive analytics to anticipate your subscribers’ needs and interests. Predictive analytics can be used to send subscribers the most relevant content and offers at the right time.

Crafting Compelling Content

The Power of Persuasion: Writing Irresistible Email Copy

Explore the art of crafting compelling email content. Break down the anatomy of an effective email, from attention-grabbing subject lines to persuasive calls-to-action.

Personalization Beyond the Basics

Dive into advanced personalization techniques. Uncover how tailoring content to individual preferences and behaviors can skyrocket engagement and conversion rates.

Visual Appeal: The Impact of Multimedia in Emails

Discuss the role of visuals in email marketing. Explore the incorporation of images, videos, and interactive elements to captivate audiences and convey messages more effectively.

A/B Testing: Refining Content for Maximum Impact

Introduce the concept of A/B testing and its significance in optimizing email content. Share real-world examples of how small tweaks can yield significant improvements in campaign performance.

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Leveraging Advanced Segmentation

Beyond Demographics: Behavioral Segmentation Strategies

Examine the power of behavioral segmentation. Discuss how understanding subscriber actions and interactions can inform targeted and hyper-personalized email campaigns.

Predictive Analytics: Anticipating Subscriber Needs

Uncover the magic of predictive analytics in email marketing. Explore how leveraging data-driven insights can enable marketers to predict subscriber preferences and deliver tailored content in advance.

Dynamic Content: Tailoring Emails in Real-Time

Delve into the dynamic world of real-time content customization. Showcase how dynamically updating content based on user interactions can enhance engagement and drive conversions.

The Role of AI in Segmentation

Explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and email marketing segmentation. Discuss how AI algorithms can analyze vast datasets to identify patterns and enhance the precision of audience segmentation.

Maximizing Automation for Efficiency

Streamlining Campaigns with Automated Workflows

Introduce the concept of automated workflows. Demonstrate how setting up predefined triggers can streamline the entire email marketing process, saving time and resources.

Behavioral Trigger Campaigns

Highlight the power of behavioral triggers in automation. Showcase how responding to subscriber actions in real-time can create a seamless and personalized customer journey.

Smart Timing: Optimizing Send Times with AI

Explore the role of AI in determining the optimal timing for email campaigns. Discuss how machine learning algorithms can analyze historical data to predict when individual subscribers are most likely to engage.

Testing and Refining Automated Campaigns

Discuss the importance of continuous improvement in automated campaigns. Provide insights into testing methodologies and refining automated workflows for ongoing success.

Enhancing Deliverability and User Experience

Tackling the Challenge of Inbox Placement

Examine the factors influencing email deliverability. Offer actionable tips and best practices to ensure emails land in subscribers’ inboxes rather than getting lost in the dreaded spam folder.

Mobile Optimization: A Non-Negotiable

Highlight the significance of mobile optimization in email marketing. Discuss how the majority of users access emails on mobile devices and provide strategies for creating mobile-friendly campaigns.

Interactive Emails: Engaging Subscribers Beyond the Inbox

Explore the realm of interactive emails. Discuss how incorporating interactive elements can enhance user experience and drive higher levels of engagement.

Accessibility in Email Design

Discuss the often-overlooked aspect of accessibility in email design. Provide guidance on creating emails that are inclusive and accessible to individuals with diverse abilities.

Metrics that Matter

Moving Beyond Open and Click Rates

Challenge the conventional metrics and explore advanced measurements. Discuss the significance of metrics like conversion rate, customer lifetime value, and ROI in evaluating the true success of email marketing campaigns.

Custom Metrics for Unique Campaign Objectives

Emphasize the importance of aligning metrics with specific campaign objectives. Provide examples of customized metrics tailored to diverse business goals, from brand awareness to customer retention.

Harnessing Customer Feedback for Continuous Improvement

Explore the value of customer feedback in refining email marketing strategies. Discuss methods for collecting feedback and leveraging insights to adapt and improve future campaigns.

The Role of Predictive Analytics in Performance Measurement

Introduce predictive analytics in measuring campaign success. Discuss how these advanced tools can forecast future performance based on historical data, allowing marketers to proactively refine strategies.

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Staying Ahead of the Curve: Emerging Trends and Technologies

Blockchain in Email Marketing

Explore the potential of blockchain technology in enhancing email marketing security and transparency. Discuss how blockchain can address issues of fraud and improve the credibility of email campaigns.

Immersive Technologies: AR and VR in Emails

Dive into the world of immersive technologies and their role in email marketing. Discuss how augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) can create unforgettable and interactive email experiences.

Voice Search Optimization for Email

Look ahead to the integration of voice search in email marketing. Discuss how optimizing content for voice search can prepare businesses for the evolving landscape of digital communication.

Ethical Email Marketing in the Age of Privacy

Explore the ethical considerations in email marketing. Discuss the importance of respecting user privacy and provide insights into building trust through transparent and responsible email practices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our exploration into the realm of next-level email marketing unveils a transformative landscape. By embracing persuasive content creation, advanced segmentation, and the power of automation, marketers can propel their campaigns to unprecedented heights. As we navigate the evolving metrics and emerging technologies, the key takeaway is clear: adaptability is the linchpin to sustained success. Stay innovative, stay informed, and let your email campaigns soar into the future!

FAQs

Q1: Are these advanced methods suitable for small businesses?

Yes, the discussed methods can be tailored to suit businesses of all sizes, with scalable strategies to accommodate varying needs.

Q2: How can I implement predictive analytics without a dedicated data team?

Several user-friendly tools are available, requiring minimal technical expertise. These tools can empower marketers to leverage predictive analytics without an extensive data team.

Q3: What’s the significance of mobile optimization if my audience primarily uses desktops?

Mobile optimization is crucial as an increasing number of users access emails on mobile devices. Even desktop-focused audiences may engage with emails on mobile, necessitating a responsive design.

Q4: How can I balance personalization without compromising user privacy?

Striking the right balance involves obtaining explicit consent for data usage and ensuring transparency. Inform users about the benefits of personalized content while respecting their privacy choices.

Q5: Is blockchain adoption practical for small businesses?

Blockchain adoption may seem ambitious for small businesses, but scalable solutions exist. Consider blockchain applications that align with specific security and transparency needs.

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Affiliate Disclaimer :

This article Contain may be affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at NO ADDITIONAL cost to you if you decide to purchase something. While we receive affiliate compensation for reviews / promotions on this article, we always offer honest opinions, users experiences and real views related to the product or service itself. Our goal is to help readers make the best purchasing decisions, however, the testimonies and opinions expressed are ours only. As always you should do your own thoughts to verify any claims, results and stats before making any kind of purchase. Clicking links or purchasing products recommended in this article may generate income for this product from affiliate commissions and you should assume we are compensated for any purchases you make. We review products and services you might find interesting. If you purchase them, we might get a share of the commission from the sale from our partners. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended.

Source : Email Marketing Reinvented Boost Your Campaigns with Next-Level Methods!

Thanks for reading my article on “Email Marketing Reinvented Boost Your Campaigns with Next-Level Methods!“, hope it will help!

[aion-rsa]

Why Eevee Is the Most Realistic Pokémon Ever

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Pokémon is renowned for its eclectic superpowered creatures that gamers of all ages can collect, train, battle, and trade. While Pokémon such as Girafarig are clearly inspired by real-world animals, they all have fantastic powers that obviously don’t exist in real life (unless giraffes have psychic powers they never told us about). When it comes to realistic Pokémon, though, Eevee has long stood alone.

Eevee’s is a 15-pound, foot-tall creature with brown fur, long ears, a flat face, a fluffy tail, and no readily apparent fantasy traits that allude to elemental affinities. Essentially, Eevee’s design combines the features of dogs, foxes, and cats. It’s not necessarily the most realistic Pokémon from a sheer visual standpoint (Talonflame would arguably win that award since it looks like an orange peregrine falcon), but Eevee’s verisimilitude proves to be more than skin deep thanks to the gimmick at the core of the creature’s design

Even if you are only vaguely familiar with Pokémon, you probably know at least a little about its evolution system. As Pokémon become stronger, many reach milestones that let them morph into new forms, complete with stat boosts and, on occasion, new elemental typings. Every so often, though, Pokémon games ask players to fulfill additional evolutionary criteria, such as using special items or holding the console upside down. These gimmicks make their associated evolutions feel special, but Eevee’s gimmick is actually evolution itself.

Unlike real-world evolution, most evolutions in Pokémon are akin to metamorphosis or epigenetics (how genes are affected by environment and behavior). Think of Pokémon evolution like lion puberty. When maturing, lions rapidly increase in mass, and males grow a resplendent mane. Female lions typically don’t grow manes, but they can if they’re given enough testosterone. Replace manes with wild additions such as extra heads and steel girders, and you have linear Pokémon evolutions. As Game Freak created more Pokémon, alternate, albeit binary, evolution paths became much more commonplace. However, Eevee remains the only Pokémon since Gen 1 to receive multiple branching transformations, and its number of possible evolutionary paths has only grown as the series itself has evolved. 

As of writing this article, Eevee has eight possible evolutions (fingers crossed for a new Ghost or Steel-type in Pokémon Legends: Arceus). These choices, or “Eeveelutions,” are Flareon, Jolteon, Vaporeon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon. Not only is this a record number of evolutionary forms for any Pokémon, but each decently resembles real-world evolutionary examples.

For now, let’s pretend that Pokémon evolution is not a magical, instantaneous process and that the elemental stones used in many “Eeveelutions” represent different environments (e.g., the Water Stone is a river or lake and the Fire Stone is a desert or volcano). What does that say about those evolutions? It suggests they demonstrate adaptations that would help Eevee survive and thrive in distinct biomes and ultimately turn into different species (just like the real world)

Vaporeon, for instance, is a fantastical creature that resembles the evolution of cetaceans (i.e., whales and dolphins). Several Vaporeon Pokédex entries even state it can “become invisible in water.” That adaptation mirrors how scientists believe Orcas hunt. Orcas’ black backs blend into the inky depths when viewed from above, and their white bellies blend into the water’s surface when seen from below. Thanks to those patterns, Orcas are essentially invisible to prey, not unlike Vaporeon and its bright blue body that can “melt away” into the clean, blue waters it prowls. Plus, Vaporeon sports a horizontal tail fin; a trademark feature of real aquatic mammals that connects them to land-dwelling ancestors whose back legs fused into a flipper. Granted, Vaporeon has four legs and a flipper on its tail, but it also has gills, so not everything is one-to-one.

Flareon, meanwhile, mirrors the evolutionary adaptations of the fennec fox. As a Fire-type, Flareon’s internal temperature resembles that of a blast furnace, and, according to many Pokédex entries, its flame pouch does the endothermic heavy lifting. However, several entries state the Pokémon cools down by radiating excess heat off its fur. That is reminiscent of how fennec fox fur functions but in reverse. Instead of cooling it off, a fennec fox’s thick fur keeps it warm during cold desert nights. When it does need to cool off, heat pours off their gargantuan ears. Have you ever noticed that a Flareon’s ears closely resemble those of a fennec fox? Food for thought.

If “Eeveelutions” initiated by stones are akin to natural selection, then the non-stone “Eeveelutions” of Espeon, Umbreon, and Slyveon seem to reflect selective breeding, which is, essentially, a “manmade evolution” process that breeds specific traits resulting in unique domesticated animals. Corgis are a prime example of this process, as they were selectively bred with short legs to make them better herders that can nip at livestock’s legs without being kicked. Plus, corgis are family-friendly guard dogs. Selective breeding irrevocably alters the gene pool and instills a symbiotic relationship with humans, but what does it have to do with Pokémon such as Espeon and Sylveon?

Well, for starters, they cannot evolve without high friendship and affection stats (which measure how much a Pokémon love its trainer). Several Espeon and Sylveon Pokédex entries even discuss their relationships with humans. Comparatively, entries for “naturally evolved” Pokémon, such as Darumaka and Conkeldurr, at best explain how they benefit humans. 

Moreover, Espeon, Umbreon, and Slyveon have some physical traits similar to those animals brought about through real-world selective breeding. For instance, Espeon doesn’t seem to have fur except for the corn-like tufts sprouting from its ears. However, several of Espeon’s Pokédex entries state the Pokémon is covered in fine fur. Espeon shares this trait with Sphynx cats, which, contrary to popular belief, are covered in nearly invisible downy fur caused by a genetic mutation. Normally, this mutation would be weeded out of the gene pool, but it was encouraged via selective breeding. Furthermore, Espeon mimics the Sphynx cat’s large eyes and gremlin ears, which can also be attributed to selective breeding. Sure, Espeon also sports psychic powers and a split tail, but that’s Pokémon fiction for ya.

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While Eevee ultimately transforms into a Jolteon or Umbreon via nothing short of video game magic, it remains arguably the most realistic Pokémon thanks to its branching forms which mimic the mechanics of real-world evolution. In fact, if you want to give your child a leg up on lessons in real-world evolution, use Eevee as a handy analogy.

The post Why Eevee Is the Most Realistic Pokémon Ever appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[legomydoggos]

August 2020 camping

Another camping trip, another wall of text for my thoughts because the last one was really nice feeling to write out.

I really do have the best dogs. They make all of my outdoor adventures more enjoyable. <3 <3

Headed up Friday and added 2 hours to the drive so we could make a scenic stop+hike+ice cream. I’m normally not one for midday hikes in the summer, but we were north enough and having storms in the area so there was a cool breeze and it was overcast. One portion of the trail was rated difficult but Rogue took it with ease and I made sure he had frequent creek stops and he submerged at one point which helped refresh him.

On the way back, we stopped for a breather and Jyn and I engaged in our longest personal play session to date! Usually she starts biting too hard at my hands so we have to stop, but there was some loose dirt that had been added to the trail recently and I encouraged her to zoomie on it instead of biting and she took the direction well and we had a blast! The rest of the time both were on leash as the trail was too busy to allow for off-leash time.

Which was totally fine because they got to be off-leash the entire time at the campsite! Jennie’s friends booked the site through HipCamp.com, which seems to be an Airbnb of camping. People can rent out space on their properties so that where we were: in someone’s 32 acre section of woods and it was lovely. They provided us with tents, tables, chairs, ice, firewood, a double seater outhouse, and allowed dogs to be off leash under voice control. Their land backed right up to a state forest. Due to time and weather we didn’t get to explore as much of it as I would have liked to, but I would definitely love to visit again!

Rogue notes

Our friends brought their two rescue Boston Terriers and the first few minutes were a bit of confusion from my two pups with all the snorting that sounded like snarling, but they got it figured out quickly and all four enjoyed playing together every day. Rogue was energetic like he hasn’t been in months thanks to the cool weather.

He’s a camping pro by now. It’s his third camping trip with us. He dug a shallow bed in the dirt, plopped down by the fire, and got up when he wanted to solicit pets and food from us. He was also good about getting up when he needed to potty and going an appropriate distance away into the woods to take care of business. He did try to sneak onto the air mattress a couple times and screamed when I pushed him off. Very dramatic... The second night was cold, over 20 degrees colder than we have gotten used to in the summertime, so I layered a blanket and towel on him and he wore a light coat. That seemed to keep him comfortable. One evening he heard gunshots in the distance so I put him into the car to relax in a safe space, which he appreciated. He was still picky about his food and ate maybe one full meal per day, usually only because I mixed our food into it. (He’s been picky during the hot weather this year so hopefully he’ll go back to his no nonsense eating habits once it cools down again.) It was nice to have his CBD oil on hand for thunderstorms and any hiking aches.

Jyn notes

Jyn on the other hand absolutely gorged herself on the free fed kibble left out for the Bostons. In one day I believe she ate about 3 times the amount she normally would get. Her belly was distended, she was gassy, and oh so pleased with herself. She only needed a few reminders to stay close to the campsite, already an improvement from last time. She learned to lay closer to the fire if she wanted to warm up. She did not resource guard me or the car! But she did nearly get into a scuffle with one of the Bostons over a bully stick. My management mistake, so it didn’t happen again. Her new thing was alarm barking when the camp host showed up to check on us. He was an older gentleman, very nice and gentle demeanor. Rogue ran up to him like a beloved long lost friend. Jyn arooed like a Beagle but wasn’t aggressive at all, just suspicious. She would approach and then dart back to me but never looked like she was going to escalate more than a bark. The second time the host came by Jyn was in the car eating so I let her have her fit in there and let her out when she was calm. I will keep an eye on this behavior but since it wasn’t aggressive at all, I don’t think I really mind being alerted by her. I think it was appropriate given the situation: we were in “our spot” and a stranger approached suddenly. Jyn enjoyed sleeping in our sleeping bags. She did wake up and throw up on the outside of my bag (I shoved her out so fast the moment I woke up and heard her) the second night, probably due to all of the overeating she had done, and while I was half asleep looking for something to clean it with, she ate it all back up which was maddening in the moment and pretty funny looking back on it later. Overall, her recall was about 98% for the entire trip.

Another interesting behavioral moment I witnessed was Jyn and one of the Bostons investigating toads and their owner came over and scolded the Boston who was attempting a murder by that point. In reaction to the scolding, Jyn threw out every appeasement behavior in the book, groveling on the ground in front of the person even though the scolding wasn’t being directed at her. I haven’t ever seen her do that before, since I never have corrected her like that, so it was interesting to see. I ended up calling her over to me and boosting her confidence with some pats and verbal praise. She bounced back immediately. 

On the way home, we stopped to meet @goblin-dogs‘ Kunina and Astrid. They are all sweethearts 12/10 highly recommend. The dogs got on swimmingly, as if they had known each other always. We had a nice hike, enjoyed brunch, and went to a dog park. Cannot wait to do it again, hopefully sometime soon! 

Both Rogue and Jyn were fantastic in the car. It’s been a while since we’ve all road-tripped together. The last time would have been when we picked up Jyn to bring her home. I have been slow on car crate training with Jyn so she did end up in the lap of whoever wasn’t currently driving, which I know isn’t ideal safety-wise, but we will get there. By the end, I did get her to settle in her bed in the back. I love my Ryobi fan, Rogue really seems to cool off quicker with it and have a more pleasant trip overall. The battery life is great, too.

That's all for now, kudos to you if you read all that!

[newstfionline]

Headlines

Shedding light on quarantine weight (Worldcrunch) “There’s a heaviness to the pandemic that’s weighing people down, including in a very literal sense,” writes Sylvain Charlebois, professor in food distribution and policy, in Canada’s daily La Presse. “Polls show that some 40% of Canadians gained weight since mid-March. In developed countries, this long period of self-isolation has caused waistlines to bulge—a serious matter, especially since obesity is a clear COVID-19 risk factor. The issue isn’t, of course, limited to this country. Nor is there one single explanation for why some people have put on a few extra kilograms. But governments are choosing to act now, during the pandemic, to raise awareness among their citizens. Leading the way is the government of Great Britain, where public initiatives include a ban on television and online junk food advertising before 9 p.m. Restaurant menus will also be required to display calories, while over-the-top marketing campaigns for calorie-heavy foods will have to stop: No more chocolate bars near cash registers that encourage impulse buying. About 60% of Britons are overweight, including the prime minister himself. Here in Canada, research suggests that about 25% of the people have used self-isolating as an opportunity to change their habits and adopt healthier behaviors. But there’s also evidence that more than half of the population has had more difficulty staying healthy during this period. Either way, the ‘Great Quarantine’—aside from the stress it caused—has changed our habits. While it is important to stay active to successfully lose and maintain weight, it is also essential to improve diets, as most people consume more calories than they need.”

No federal relief leaves states, cities facing big deficits (AP) State and local government officials across the U.S. have been on edge for months about how to keep basic services running while covering rising costs related to the coronavirus outbreak as tax revenue plummeted. It’s now clear that anxiety will last a lot longer. Congressional talks over another coronavirus relief package have failed, with no immediate prospects for a restart. The negotiation meltdown raises the prospect of more layoffs and furloughs of government workers and cuts to health care, social services, infrastructure and other core programs. Lack of money to boost school safety measures also will make it harder for districts to send kids back to the classroom.

Seattle police chief to resign following department cuts (AP) Seattle’s police chief says she is stepping down, a move made public the same day the City Council approved reducing the department by as many as 100 officers through layoffs and attrition. Carmen Best, the city’s first Black police chief, said in a letter to the department that her retirement will be effective Sept. 2. Cuts to the department have been supported by demonstrators who have marched in the city following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis but strongly opposed by the police chief. Measures that would cut $4 million of the department’s $400 million annual budget this year passed out of committee unanimously last week.

Powerful derecho leaves path of devastation across Midwest (AP) A rare storm packing 100 mph winds and with power similar to an inland hurricane swept across the Midwest on Monday, blowing over trees, flipping vehicles, causing widespread property damage and leaving hundreds of thousands without power as it moved through Chicago and into Indiana and Michigan. The storm known as a derecho lasted several hours as it tore from eastern Nebraska across Iowa and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois, had the wind speed of a major hurricane, and likely caused more widespread damage than a normal tornado, said Patrick Marsh, science support chief at the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. A derecho is not quite a hurricane. It has no eye and its winds come across in a line. But the damage it is likely to do spread over such a large area is more like an inland hurricane than a quick more powerful tornado, Marsh said. He compared it to a devastating Super Derecho of 2009, which was one of the strongest on record and traveled more than 1,000 miles in 24 hours, causing $500 million in damage, widespread power outages and killing a handful of people.

Trump abruptly escorted from briefing after shooting near WH (AP) A uniformed Secret Service officer shot and wounded a man during a confrontation near the White House that led to President Donald Trump being abruptly escorted out of a briefing room during a televised news conference Monday, authorities said. The White House complex was not breached and no one under Secret Service protection was in danger, said Tom Sullivan, chief of the Secret Service Uniformed Division. Trump had just begun a coronavirus briefing when a U.S. Secret Service agent escorted him from the briefing room. The president returned minutes later, saying there had been a “shooting” outside the White House that was “under control.”

Sen. Kamala D. Harris named as Joe Biden’s running mate (Washington Post) Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden has chosen Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) as his running mate. Harris will be the first Black woman and first Asian American to run for vice president, representing a historic choice at a moment when the country is grappling with its racial past and future. The announcement was made in a text and a tweet from Biden. Harris, 55, is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants. The first-term senator previously served as San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general.

Belarus’s Leader Vows to Crush Protests After Claiming Landslide Election Win (NYT) A day after the leader of Belarus, often called “Europe’s last dictator,” claimed a landslide re-election victory, his capital slipped into mayhem late on Monday as protesters barricaded streets and riot police officers beat back crowds of demonstrators with violent baton charges, stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets. The authorities described what began as peaceful protests as “riots” and vowed to crush demonstrators who have taken to the streets for the past two nights in Minsk, the capital, and in towns across the country. Struggling to contain public fury over a fraud-tainted election that gave Mr. Lukashenko his sixth term in office, the government on Monday shut down subway stations, sealed off roads and poured armed riot police officers into the center of Minsk. By nightfall, security forces and protesters were clashing violently in the capital, and in Brest, a city in the west of Belarus on the border with Poland, as well as in several other towns. In a sign that anger over the election had spread beyond affluent areas in the center of Minsk, Monday night’s protests also convulsed outlying districts of the capital dotted with bleak Soviet-era apartment blocks.

Fallout from Chernobyl’s forest fires (The Atlantic) While forests covered 30 percent of the land in the Chernobyl exclusion zone prior to the explosion of the reactor, today they cover about 70 percent as nature reclaims the poisoned region surrounding the contaminated facility. The problem is that, to some notoriety, trees are quite flammable, and when forest fires hit the forests around Chernobyl they release cesium-137, strontium-90, and plutonium-238, -239, and -240, and enough of those to expose firefighters to triple the annual limit of radiation for nuclear workers. Fires have become more frequent, and more severe: in April, a blaze consumed 165,600 acres, and researchers as far as Norway noticed a bump in atmospheric cesium.

China’s unrelenting crackdown on Hong Kong (NYT) Weeks after ramming through a controversial national security law, Beijing’s proxies in the city are extending their crackdown on protesters and pro-democracy activists. On Monday, Hong Kong authorities raided the offices of the popular tabloid newspaper Apple Daily and arrested its owner, media tycoon Jimmy Lai; his sons; and a number of executives affiliated with Next Digital, the newspaper’s parent company. Monday’s arrests underscored the speed with which the former British colony’s political freedoms—including rights to assembly and freedom of the press—are being curtailed by Beijing. Chinese authorities argue that their repressive measures are merely bringing law and order to an unacceptably restive city. But governments elsewhere are getting increasingly vocal about the danger inherent in China’s actions. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has locked itself into a punitive cycle of sanctions with China. On Friday, the Treasury Department targeted 11 Hong Kong officials, including Chief Executive Carrie Lam, with sanctions for their role in undermining the city’s autonomy. On Monday, Beijing fired back, slapping its own sanctions on 11 U.S. lawmakers and nongovernmental organization leaders as a symbolic riposte. “An assertive tit-for-tat risks further escalation, but at least sends a consistent message that Beijing is willing to impose costs on the U.S. in response to U.S. actions,” wrote researchers Adam Ni and Yun Jiang at China Neican. “So Beijing will almost certainly continue to adopt a tit-for-tat approach to responding to Washington.”

Lebanese demand change after government quits over Beirut blast (Reuters) Angry Lebanese said the government’s resignation on Monday did not come near to addressing the tragedy of last week’s Beirut explosion and demanded the removal of what they see as a corrupt ruling class to blame for the country’s woes. A protest with the slogan “Bury the authorities first” was planned near the port, where highly explosive material stored for years detonated on Aug. 4, killing at least 163 people, injuring 6,000 and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. Prime Minister Hassan Diab, announcing his cabinet’s resignation, blamed endemic graft for the explosion. “I said before that corruption is rooted in every juncture of the state but I have discovered that corruption is greater than the state,” he said, blaming the political elite for blocking reforms. Talks with the International Monetary Fund have stalled amid a row between the government, banks and politicians over the scale of vast financial losses. “It does not end with the government’s resignation,” said the protest flyer circulating on social media. “There is still (President Michel) Aoun, (Parliament Speaker Nabih) Berri and the entire system.” For many Lebanese, the explosion was the last straw in a protracted crisis over the collapse of the economy, corruption, waste and dysfunctional government.

They return to homes damaged in Beirut’s blast to discover someone has already cleaned them (Washington Post) In the days following the Beirut blast, hundreds of volunteers have climbed chipped stairs and through blasted holes that used to be doors, armed with long brooms and shovels. They’ve entered homes, abandoned in the aftermath of the explosion that destroyed much of the Lebanese capital, and scrubbed blood off the walls, swept glass shards, and set aside torn doors and windows. With evident care, they’ve straightened people’s personal belongings: stacking books, hanging up broken paintings, righting religious statues. Often, the owners are nowhere to be found—or they return home to discover that the volunteers have beaten them there. “Every time I would come back to my apartment, which is obviously relatively destroyed, it would still end up being cleaner and cleaner,” said Adam, 32, who spoke on the condition that his last name not be used out of security concerns. A few volunteers had let themselves into his home through the hole where his front door once stood. “This has been the worst week of my life in a lot of ways,” he said, choking up. But he added, “I’ve never felt like I’m more part of a community though at the same time.” Hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers have descended onto Beirut’s streets in the past week—some from other Lebanese towns, a few from as far afield as the United States and France—relentless in their efforts to clean up their city.

Violence in Congo (Foreign Policy) Nineteen people were killed in a series of attacks on three villages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s eastern province of Ituri, according to Innocent Madukadala, a local chief. Madukadala blamed the Cooperative for the Development of Congo—a paramilitary group that has been accused of carrying out similar attacks in the past. The region has been a hotspot for ethnic tensions, with the farming Lendu people regularly clashing with the herding Hema over land usage. Tensions boiled over into full-scale ethnic conflict in 1999, which was brought under control only after the EU deployed a French-led peacekeeping mission to the region. Tensions between the two groups have recently surged. Since December 2017, violence in the Ituri area has left almost 1,000 people dead and displaced around 500,000 others. At least 636 people have died since the beginning of this year alone.

[battlers-of-galar]

When Dominique was just a young Zigzagoon she grew up in a pretty large family of mostly Galarian Zigzagoons and a few Hoennian Zigzagoon as well. She was generally the rowdiest pokemon of them all with her brother often encouraging this behavior with taunts and dares. Her parents were, fortunately, able to stop her chances at actually trying to battle others early on, but the roughhousing was out of their control and would likely cause things to break every once in a while. When she was old enough to start learning how to battle, her parents would often have her try and partake in battle-related groups in the hopes she would avoid doing so at home. While this wasn’t an outright perfect solution, it did help reduce the amount of damage she could cause at home with having exhausted herself earlier. While Dominique continued to battle through the years, she began to evolve and gain much more energy towards her rough nature. It was only by the time she evolved into an Obstagoon when she stopped being so eager to roughhouse all the time and took a much bigger interest in real battling. Though nowadays Dominique often just spends her time alongside her brother and daughter, rocking out to music and usually doing Poke Jobs to get funds and food. She might not be the easiest pokemon to click with, but she can often be a fun one to have around if a little excitement is needed.

Character Artwork done by: @nataliesartprofile { Character belongs to ZiggyZackaryZigzagoon / battlers-of-galar }

Name: Dominique Age: 36 Gender: Female Species: Obstagoon Type: Dark / Normal Pokemon Abilities: Guts ( Boosts Attack if there is a status problem. ) Pokemon Moves: Obstruct | Hone Claws | Cross Chop | Counter ( Hidden Move: Taunt ) Pokemon Level: 52 Likes: Pokemon Battles, Playing Rough, Loud Music ( Having battled for many years, Dominique always enjoys a chance to sharpen some of her old skills and likely learn some new ones in the process. While battles are her thing, she mostly enjoys playing rough with her siblings like her daughter or nephew to get them riled up for a battle or to tease them. Dominique has quite the love for music of the loud variety such as rock, often blasting it throughout her home or headphones ) Dislikes: Responsibilities, Long Jobs, Fighting-types ( Dominique isn’t exactly cut out for the parenting job with a troublemaker of a daughter to handle, but even more so is having to get up in the morning for a job almost every day. One of the reasons Dominique sticks with Poke Jobs is generally to avoid having to do one job more than necessary, especially with actual work. While it is true Dominique loves to battle, she often has a grudge against of fighting types due to the number she has seen who like to flex and show off their strength as if they’re the best. )

Family: ( Mother ), Maverick ( Brother ), Piper ( Daughter ), Emersyn ( Little Sis ), Zackary ( Nephew ) Occupation ( Job ): Poke Job Volunteer Relationships: Portia ( Gullible Bird ), Anya ( Neighbor's Daughter ), Amity ( Piper’s Cook ) Personality: Freewheeling, Rough, Provocative ( Dominique always enjoys the chance to be her own pokemon without the worry of responsibilities or rules, even if that is just a dream sometimes. Even to this day Domonique loves being rough with her siblings, often ruffling their hair or trying to show her strength versus theirs. Often not wanting to be the first to make the first strike, Dominique generally likes to provoke others into a battle or actually battling her. )

[sinsofsummers]

Precious

Request: “can i get insecure plus size reader with tony stark?” from @lilacprincessofrecovery

Pairing: Tony Stark x Plus size!reader (gender neutral)

Word Count: 1.55k

Summary: After a mission gone wrong, you refuse to let your boyfriend touch you. But he knows just how to make you open up. He’s been there with you through it all, and despite your every effort, Tony’s not going anywhere.

Warnings: Angst, body insecurity, self-deprecation, mentions of fat-shaming, slight nudity(not NSFW, though), barely some fluff as well.

Note: Oh gosh, I’m so so sorry that this is so late! I tried my hardest to write it as quickly as I could, but I got busy and then good ol’ writer’s block decided to knock me in the titties and paralyze my fingers for awhile so now I’m back and ready to give you this! Thank you for waiting!

Also, let me know if the descriptions of the reader are leaning toward a certain gender or if its not as gender neutral as I’m going for! I really appreciate all feedback!

(this just scrEAMS soft boyfriend tony doesn’t it)

line

You were disgusted with yourself. Utterly and completely disgusted with your failure.

Everyone—everyone—had relied on you to get the job done. They had trusted you to do it by yourself because you were the most qualified. You’d had no choice but to succeed. But those assholes that you were supposed to get the upper hand on, they’d dug their claws into you. And it left a mark. The manipulator got manipulated.

The water ran down your body in a million little streams, washing the sweat and grime off of your skin from the previous mission. But it did nothing to cleanse your mind, or the way it made you glare down at your round belly and pudgy legs in pure revulsion. 

It had been years since you’d looked at yourself with such disdain, since you’d hated yourself and every imperfection that came with you. But of course, only a few scathing words from the idiots you were planning to take down on your mission had you crawling back into your hole of insecurity. 

You froze when it happened, suddenly unsure of yourself. 

“Ah, look what we’ve got here,” one of the thugs had sneered, nudging their partner with their elbow. 

Confident in your abilities of emotional manipulation, you’d cocked an eyebrow and waited for them to look at you so you could get on with the mission and complete it. 

Tony was in your ear, boosting your morale with kind words of encouragement. “You’ve got this, babe. You can do it.”

But when the thugs met your eyes again and opened their mouths, your confidence drained faster than water through a clean drain. “You’ve got such a pretty face,” one of them gushed in a sickly smooth voice. 

The other one went in for the kill as he swiftly followed up, “Too bad it’s on the body of a pig.” The two of them mocked you as they watched you shuffle a step back, horrified that just two sentences could knock the wind from your sails. You’d frozen on the spot, your mouth dropping open in an attempt to regain your footing in the situation, but it was no use. These men, these strangers that knew nothing about you, had just incapacitated you with mere words. 

It was bitterly poetic. You’d come here expecting to go home with physical wounds, but instead you’d be leaving as a shell of your own mind, their insults following you for however long they decided to stay. 

If it weren’t for Tony coming in and saving the day, blasting the thugs away from you instead of getting information like you were supposed to, you probably would have let them kill you, take you, do whatever they wanted to you. It had been so long since you’d had such evil thoughts, but it was too late once they said what they had. It was too late to keep your mind from going to the gutter and sinking into the hateful thoughts you’d locked away in a box. 

The flight back to the compound was quiet. Tony had tried to comfort you, cursing out the thugs for calling you names, but the only thing you could think about was the fact that they were right. You were hideous, and you were kidding yourself if you thought Tony liked you. 

You weren’t even sure what to call this...relationship. He’d told you that he was interested in you only a few months ago, and you’d been flattered by his words, nodding quickly and kissing him before he could change his mind. You hadn’t even thought about your shape; you were so far beyond those petty insecurities. It was time you got into a relationship.

But now, with the water running down your face, mixing with tears, you knew that it was all bullshit. The confidence, it was all just a facade that your mind had come up with just to fuck with you in times like these. 

“Hey, Y/N?” You heard Tony’s voice through the bathroom door in your room at the compound, muffled by the barrier. “You okay?” You shook your head even though you knew he couldn’t see it. When the water turned off and you were wrapped in a towel, you opened the door and nearly collided with Tony, who was leaning against the door and waiting for you. “Baby, they don’t know you, they don’t know how goddamn pretty you are.”

On any other night before this, you might have let him spoil you with compliments. But you weren’t having any of it tonight. Shoving your way past him, you dodged his every attempt to touch you, to catch your wrist and pull you back to him. You couldn’t let yourself be enveloped in his arms, you felt disgusting and revolted by your mere appearance. “Go away, Tony,” you mumbled, sniffling through the tears. “I’m fine.”

“Clearly, you’re not,” Tony huffed, stepping closer to you. You turned your back and searched in the dresser for some clothes to slip on. “Come on, babe, let me help.”

“No,” you insisted, not in the mood to draw out an argument. “Go away.” He left without another word, recognizing the same behavior that he would often show. 

For the next few hours, you lay in your bed, tracing a finger around your stomach and your legs, finding the small divets in your legs that formed stretch marks. You scowled at the mere existence of them, hating the way they appeared on your skin after gaining weight. You hated yourself for letting go of it all. You couldn’t even pinpoint one specific moment that you chose to let yourself get this way. It was who you were now, and it was all your fault. 

—

The light breeze cooled your face and dried the tears on your cheeks as you stood on your balcony in the middle of the night, unable to fall asleep. You knew it would be difficult to sleep, as you always had a hard time going back to normal after a mission, but of course, this specific mission was much worse than any of the others you’d been on. 

“What are you doing up?”

You jumped at the sound of Tony’s voice. “I…” you stumbled, “I’m just getting some fresh air.”

He stood beside you on the edge of the balcony and didn’t look at you, which you were grateful for. If he did, you weren’t sure you’d be able to keep the tears from spilling over. “I couldn’t sleep,” he said instead. “So I thought I’d come and look at something easy on the eyes.”

You glared at him. “Stop.”

“Stop what?” He looked at you, eyes shining in the moonlight.

Shaking your head, you turned away again. “Stop trying to make me feel better. This isn’t something you can fix with your smooth words and charisma.”

Tony reached out and touched your hand, pulling it closer to him so he could wrap his own fingers around it. “I know,” he reassured you, “I know that. I’m not trying to make you feel better.” He cleared his throat. “But I am worried about you.”

You scoffed. “Yeah? Why’s that?” 

“I need to make sure you’re not...you know, bleeding out on me or anything.”

It was a rough attempt to distract you, but an attempt nonetheless. And you knew that he wouldn’t give it up anytime soon, so you rolled your eyes and let him bring you back into your room, sitting you on the bed while he stood in front of you, inspecting every centimeter of your body for any injury that might be there, even though you’d hardly been touched by the men on the mission. 

When his fingers run along your legs and brush the stretch marks that may as well form canals in your skin, you whimper and squirm away from his touch. “Don’t do that,” he scolded gently. “I love those.”

“I hate them,” you retorted sourly. “They’re ugly. I’m ugly.”

He looked up at you with sadness in his eyes and he leaned in to press his lips to your forehead in a chaste kiss. “You’re beautiful.” He pushed you back on the bed and tucked you in under the covers, joining you seconds later. Pressing his chest to yours, he wrapped his arms around your waist and held you there despite your whines of protest. “See?” He whispered into your ear. “I’ve got so much of you to hold onto. Your hugs are the best.”

He continued like that for the next few minutes, just whispering sweet nothings in your ear and keeping you from moving. Your tears had dried on your cheeks but now new ones trickled down your face, a weak smile finding its way on your lips as his words sunk in. 

“Baby, you’ve got the sweetest ass I’ve ever seen, don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

And then, of course, there were things like that that he said, making you roll your eyes.

“You’re full of shit, Tony,” you hummed, his compliments offering slight relief from the weight on your chest. 

“Yeah, I know,” Tony grinned, dipping closer to press a soft kiss to your lips. “But it’s all true. You’re precious, babe.”

[riddledeep]

Anti-Cosmo’s Full Character Profile

🎩  Leader of the Anti-Fairies’... husband (and father of 5, but who’s counting?)

🎩  Founder of the Genie Conservation Program

🎩  Stepson of High Count Anti-Bryndin and his third wife, Anti-Florensa

🎩  H.P.’s best friend (It’s complicated)

🎩  Mortal host to the nature spirit of Water

Slight Riddleverse ‘fic spoilers. Your mileage may vary.

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OVERVIEW

Full Name: Anti-Cosmo Julius Anti-Cosma (née Anti-Lunifly)

Title(s): High Count / Vürstlik / Creche father of the Anti-Fairywinkle colony

Preferred Form of Address: Anti-Cosmo

Alternate Forms of Address: Esteemed High Count / Sunnie’s champion / Julius / Anti-Cozzie / A.C. / Father / Papa

Vatajasa Name: Pag-sün d'eskel (Eskel) - Conceived under milbark trees

Aspiration: Be a good example by striving for equality and encouraging the next generation to do the same

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Born: Summer of the Black Lake

Zodiac: Water

Birthday: July 13th (Flight’s Honour Festival)

Hometown: Luna’s Landing - Raised in the Blue Castle near the Anti-Fairy capital city

Came Into Adult Wings: 159,223 (Average)

Age During Frozen Timestream: 381,444 (Mentally 34)

Age As of “Live For the Moment”: 528,875 (Mentally 47)

Age As of Devil’s Backbone: 544,704 (Mentally 48)

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Race: Fae (Unseelie Court)

Species: Anti-Fairy

Ethnicity: 3/4 common anti-fairy (Faeumbra fae), 1/4 anti-brownie (Faeumbra mundus)

Nationality: Hy-Brasilian (Obtained at birth)

Patron Bat: Tadarida brasiliensis (Mexican free-tailed bat)

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Gender: Drake

For part of his youth, Anti-Cosmo was referred to with they/them pronouns. This is due to the Anti-Fairy belief that his mood swings are the result of a nature spirit named Clarice living in his head.

Anti-Cosmo prefers he/him over they/them and refers to himself as such. While most Anti-Fairies don’t know he was ever addressed like this as a child, a few people in the know still insist on using they/them (despite his protests).

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Mindset: Kabouter

As a kabouter, Anti-Cosmo is less prone to expressing bat behaviors than pilots are.

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Counterparts: Cosmo > Dame Cosmo > Anti-Cosmo 

Core: Storage space - Easily overlooked, doesn't attract high expectations, but incredibly versatile (and lifechanging, too)

Core Color: Green

Core Trait: Keep an open mind and strive to make choices that lead to happiness, even if it’s not what others say is best for them

Primary Fairy: Shy, goofy idiot with occasional genius flashes

Fairy Refract: Flighty kleptomaniac with incredible street smarts

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Stats:

Power: Below Average

Endurance: Average

Wisdom: Above Average

Adaptability: Above Average

Charisma: Average

Openness: Above Average

Conscientiousness: Below Average

Neuroticism: Above Average

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Magic:  Tomte  |  Unstable  |  Weak  |  Average  |  Strong  |  Luz Mala

Crown Lift: Low

Karmic Weave:  Frayed  |  Sparse  |  Plain  |  Average  |  Thick  |  Elaborate  | Royal  |  At Equilibrium  ||  Manifests as ballgown (Unstable)

Fagiggly Color: Blue

Preferred Shapeshifting Form: Rat (Formerly fox)

Signature Tactic: Demon’s Tooth - Anti-Cosmo’s long-distance magic leaves something to be desired, but his strength lies in knife-wielding. He’s rather dangerous up close, especially since he can regenerate (and hosting Sunnie gives him an agility boost).

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Wand Type: Pumice

Requires a brief recharge between wand blasts; cap is loose and worn because Anti-Cosmo has a nervous habit of twisting it on and off

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Family: High status through marriage to the Anti-Coppertalon line (Anti-Lunifly)

Creed: Quil sa jujin relniva quilla s’raju - “Calm the spirits and they will calm your storms.”

Caretaker Spirits: Her Glory Cadema (The fox) and His Glory Perez (The rat)

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Permanent Residence: Blue Castle, Luna’s Landing; Anti-Fairy World

- High South Region (Navy)

- Also has a private jail cell

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Occupation: High Count; genie breeder; babysitter of demigods; Foop’s mentor in the ways of ruling Anti-Fairy World (Allegedly)

Ruled: Year of the Red Dirt - Present day

Former Heir: Talon Anti-Lunifly

Heir Presumptive: Foop Anti-Cosma-Anti-Fairywinkle

Previous Employment: Worked at the Sugarslew Chocolate Factory as a teen; interned under Venus Eros at the Eros Nest after that; First General under Anti-Bryndin for many years

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BACKGROUND

Self-Perception: A hard-working, skittish, and socially awkward leader of his people who is very aware of his limitations but does his best anyway.

Alignment: Chaotic Good

MBTI: ENTP

Deadly Sin: Lust

Heavenly Virtue: Temperance

Love Language: Physical touch

Reinforcers: Assurance; he needs verbal approval to feel good about himself and his decisions

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History: Born the son of a concubine and a castle servant, Anti-Cosmo was never expected to amount to much (despite technically being High Count Anti-Bryndin’s stepson).

After a rebellious phase in his youth he never quite grew out of and a failed stint in studying godparenting at the Academy, he turned to a life of breeding some of the last known genies in the universe. This attracted the attention of his creche father (High Count Anti-Bryndin), catapulting the young anti-fairy into the coveted position of First General just before the War of the Angels.

Eventually, Anti-Cosmo usurped Anti-Bryndin’s position and took over as High Count. He’ll go down in history for the Anti-Cosma v. Adelinda von Strangle case, founding the Genie Conservation Program, reorganizing Anti-Fairy World’s entire food supply, sealing away the anti-pixies, technically being responsible for Anti-Fairies becoming visible on Earth again, and his infamous scheme to outwit the honey-lock.

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Personality: Very deliberate in his actions, even the impulsive ones. Knows exactly what he wants and is very difficult to turn off from an idea. Tries to remain smooth, but often comes off as nervous- ranges between charming and socially awkward depending on his impression of the other party’s mood. Will argue, shriek, and lash out at objects when upset.

Rather scattered and disorganized, but this doesn’t stop him from working on a million more plans when he has alone time (not that many of these plans ever see the light of day). Has manic and depressive mood swings. He’s the type to plan things out in advance but jump the gun, miss a crucial step, and run with it anyway.

Anti-Cosmo views conquering the universe (well, mostly just Fairy World and Earth) as the one true crowning prize that gives him purpose. He prefers circling these targets for weak points and making moves piece by piece.

He’d much prefer to gain experience by completing side quests before throwing himself into a direct boss fight, the way H.P. prefers.

Anti-Cosmo doesn’t enjoy being in the line of fire; direct confrontation isn’t his strong suit. He’d rather shove you down the stairs like a slinky, taking advantage of external social and political factors that prevent you from clawing your way back up to seize command. And he’ll brag about it all the while, too; there’s no glory in success unless accompanied by recognition.

Anti-Cosmo isn’t one to rest on laurels. He’s achieved many successes in the past, from overthrowing the former leader of the Anti-Fairies to achieving his dream of fathering biological children, but finds no satisfaction in life unless he’s working towards his next big bragging opportunity.

He’s caught in a constant loop of striving for grand successes and feeling like a failure each time he falls short, always looking ahead instead of admiring how far he’s come.

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Special Note - Divus Displacement Disorder (D3): Anti-Cosmo has a magical parallel of bipolar disorder. He experiences mood swings, energy swings, and hypersexuality. Rather than taking lithium (a drug helpful for bipolar disorder), he paints bottled Fairy pheromones on his cheeks and forehead. These soothe his fluctuating energy periods. Unfortunately, he enjoys the emotional highs so much that he rarely wants to give them up.

Anti-Cosmo has struggled with hypersexuality since his early adolescence. His impulsive desires often damage his relationships or otherwise get him into trouble (socially, emotionally, or politically).

Just as with his other pursuits in life, Anti-Cosmo constantly looks ahead to the next success he can win, yet fails to find satisfaction every time. He assures himself his next dangerous escapade will delight him, but thrills are always fleeting.

Lack of achievement makes him feel shameful and helpless, leading him to plunge into anxiety. Anti-Wanda supports her husband as best she can and they’re working through it together.

Anti-Cosmo is the protagonist of Frayed Knots, which depicts many of his struggles in life (especially in regards to D3 and hypersexuality)

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Education: Young Julius was specifically selected to attend Spellementary School despite Anti-Fairy children not being allowed to after the War of the Sunset Divide; High Count Anti-Bryndin paid handsomely so he could go and test the waters for Anti-Bryndin’s son Anti-Phillip (Winslow) to potentially attend in the future.

Julius didn’t last long in Spellementary, but did receive special one-on-one architectural and interior design training from several Anti-Fairy experts.

Despite many bumps in the road, Anti-Cosmo eventually studied genies and is widely known as a genie expert in modern times.

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Spellementary School: Was specially invited to Spellementary School (in contrast to Cosmo Prime being homeschooled). Only attended for a day before he embarrassed himself and refused to return. He interacted with many Fairies at school and, upon being judged, began developing prejudice towards Fairies himself.

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Middle School: Attended Frederick Shinesworth and easily established himself as more of an academic than a jock. Notably, he was roommates with Anti-Lance, another very intelligent Anti-Fairy who had been permitted to gain a Fairy education.

Julius performed very well in his studies and also interned at the Eros Nest during this time, where he studied pixie behavior and learned more about genies (since up until now his knowledge of genies was self-taught).

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High School: After a hiatus from his education, Anti-Cosmo attended Shiverwings High, where he befriended Wanda and Blonda and finally met Cosmo. Once again, Anti-Cosmo established himself as very intelligent. However, while many Fairies were happy to study with him during middle school, his braggart attitude during high school put many people off.

Anti-Cosmo planned to specialize in art history, but switched his focus to godparenting in an attempt to get closer to Wanda; the two were roommates and partners during a study abroad godparenting program for seven years.

After that, he switched to genie studies. Partway through his education, half the school was sent to Carl Poofypants; Anti-Cosmo said good-bye to Wanda at that point.

He and Blonda were good friends in high school. They were briefly in an interspecies relationship despite social disapproval

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Further Education: Anti-Cosmo did not graduate from any further Fairy education facilities; however, he continued learning about genies, founded the Genie Conservation Program, and is regarded today as an expert authority on genies.

He rose through the ranks of Anti-Fairy society and became First General after Anti-Buster, and went on to become High Count of the Anti-Fairies after that.

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Favorite Magic Subject: Cloudscaping and Terraforming

Least Favorite Magic Subject: Flying Carpet Weaving

Favorite Non-Magic Subject: Hospitality and Tourism

Least Favorite Non-Magic Subject: Electricity and Magnetism

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Notable Likes:

- Tea

- Reading

- Creating and buying art (Paintings and strange sculptures especially)

- Poetry

- Friendly animals

- The color blue

- White chocolate

- Gothic and art deco architecture

- Elegant clothes

- Genies

- Traveling for vacations

- People who listen to him talk

- Bragging about his plans

- Moments he and Foop get along and feel like part of a happy family

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Goals:

- Satisfy Anti-Wanda with anything her soul desires

- Argue for the rights of his people

- Distribute balance throughout the universe

- Raise an heir for the High Count seat

- Find his kids good significant others

- Preserve the genie race

- Finally beat H.P. in golf or fidchell

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Beliefs:

- Believes in the Zodii teachings (e.g. reincarnation, fate, evolution)

- All things are alive and even inanimate objects ought to be treated with respect

- Fairies are spoiled, arrogant bullies who are quick to overreact

- Dealing with a bad seed is worth winning over the garden

- Anti-Fairy World may be doomed when Foop takes over, so he must doom Fairy World first

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Fears:

- Being buried alive. He refuses to go underground (or undercloud) if it can be avoided, though he makes an exception for zodiac temples

- Outliving his children (He fears for both their well-being and his nation’s)

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Upsets:

- Frustrated by snark and disobedience (especially from a certain spoiled brat)

- Fairy news riles him up, but he can’t stop watching it

- Stressed when people don’t like him, don’t seem to be paying attention to him in conversation, or don’t show up on time

- Very annoyed when people are late (Especially if it’s him)

- Flustered when people ask him complicated questions in public and when he feels he’s made a social blunder

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Comforts: Snuggles, gentle kisses, near-constant reassurance, the unwavering support of his people behind him.

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Indulgences: Loves reading and romance; his secret weakness is white chocolate.

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EXTERNAL

Verbal Notes: Anti-Cosmo is very loud, often yelling. He has a tendency to shriek, plead, and whine, and generally expects people to pity him. His temper often gets the better of him. When in his manic state, he’s an enormous braggart. When in a depressive state, he’s more self-deprecating. He uses an advanced level of vocabulary.

One of Anti-Cosmo’s quirks is using phrases such as “you and I” at the ends of his sentences when the correct phrase would be “you and me.” He frequently ends sentences with the stereotypical British phrase, “You know what I mean?” or begins them with the phrase “I say!” Another common line is “For smoke’s sake!” or “Good smoke.”

Anti-Cosmo is very literal and answers rhetorical questions. He’ll also jump in and answer for other people. He can pick up new slang quickly, but language barriers still trip him up.

He’s still mortified over this one time he implied he and the Head Pixie had an affair... Sleeping together has a much more platonic meaning for Anti-Fairies than for Fairies.

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Language: Anti-Cosmo has a High Southian accent. He speaks Snobbish fluently, can get by awkwardly in Vatajasa, knows some Milesian, and knows some Gaideliac.

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Physical Notes: He’s very short and light; H.P. can easily carry him over one shoulder. Blind in his other eye. Prone to flushing. Poorly-healed right wing means he limps, leaning to that side when he floats.

Handedness: Favors his left hand, except when wielding his wand or other weapons while in a serious mindset. Has a tendency to switch things to his left hand after picking them up, even if it means throwing something that was already in that hand over his shoulder.

Body Language: Overly expressive with his arms. Kicks up his heels when irritated or delighted. Splays his fingers when alarmed, clenches his fists when angry or gleeful. Folds one arm behind his head while in a cocky mood. Regularly crosses one leg over the other while he sits.

Puffs his cheeks when annoyed; has a habit of tapping his wand against his knee at the same time. When uneasy, he twists the cap of his wand around. Often huffs upwards, making his bangs billow. Frequently sets his hands to his hips when sassy or irritated.

Hair: Blue and permanently scruffy just like his father’s. He has a bald spot in the middle due to having a scent gland there, like a sugar glider. His hair is long in the back and reaches his shoulders in messy curls, but there isn’t quite enough to tie it up.

As with Cosmo, I draw Anti-Cosmo with a 'C' tuft in the back of his hair. However, Anti-Cosmo's usually remains in the C direction while Cosmo's follows the position of his head.

Teeth: Has large fangs for an Anti-Fairy and is considered highly attractive in Anti-Fairy society because of it.

Wings: Wings are based on the Mexican free-tailed bat. Anti-Cosmo limps on his right side when he flies, allegedly from jumping out a castle window the day he was born. It never quite healed. He has three small punctures near the edge of each wing, mirroring the commitment notches in Cosmo’s wings.

Iris Virus: Inherited (Maternal)

Scars: He’s completely blind in his left eye, though it hasn’t lost its bright green color. Additionally, the Water zodiac symbol is branded into the underside of his right wrist. His ears are scruffy at the tips because he cut them with a knife as a child.

Has a blatant star-shaped scar below his chest (in the belly area, above his stomach pouch) due to his fagiggly gland transplant (S5′s “The Gland Plan”).

Tattoos: Not entirely a tattoo, but several ultraviolet spirals can be found along the left side of his neck, down his collar, and across the upper part of his chest. They glow turquoise in the dark.

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Style: Tries to look prim and proper, but often comes off as scatterbrained.

Regular Clothing: Wears a navy blue morning coat along with his famous cravat.

Casual Clothing: Black undershirt with seven colored patches arranged in a circle, symbolizing the Fae zodiac.

Nightwear: Black silk tops and bottoms. His favorite nightwear is actually a black nightshirt, but he only wears it when Anti-Wanda is out travelling or he’s away from Anti-Fairy World, when he’ll be sleeping lying down rather than roosting.

Ceremonial Clothing: Fond of black robes. Likes wearing silver during elegant affairs.

Other: Wears a blue robe with silver crescent moons during very serious meetings with high-ranking people.

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Height: 2′11″ (Short for a fae)

Hygiene: Scruffy and disorganized in private. Constantly forgets to bathe and brush his teeth, and has been known to dunk himself in acid or lava before a meeting in order to burn off the dirt.

That said, his clothes are always clean. When in public, he makes an effort to appear cleaner than he is behind closed doors. Has many servants who keep the Blue Castle nice and tidy.

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Morning Schedule: Assuming he actually slept, Anti-Cosmo wakes up late since chances are he stayed up working on something outrageous (or alternatively, wooing Anti-Wanda).

Anti-Cosmo doesn’t like being seen in improper clothing at the wrong time, so he always splashes water on his face, runs his claws through his hair, and dresses before he leaves the camarilla roosting room. He does take pride in his appearance, even if he still comes off as messy.

It’s uncommon for him to be awake in time to join the rest of the Castle at breakfast, so the servants deliver meals to his office.

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Typical Day Schedule: If Anti-Cosmo had his way, he’d design new evil plans all week and throw them into action over the weekend. He still does this when he can, but he’s also High Count of the Anti-Fairy race and has to do boring government-oriented things too. During and after breakfast, he’ll review whatever paperwork he was looking at the previous night and try to make decisions that are best for his people.

His job mostly entails reading memos written by the camarilla court and deciding whether or not to give them his stamp of approval. Sometimes he prepares and practices speeches, or writes letters to the Fairy Council. Occasionally he may join an important figurehead for lunch. He also keeps an eye on a few genies who are part of the conservation program he runs.

As creche father of his colony, it’s Anti-Cosmo’s responsibility to look after the pups who live in the castle. Their parents take care of them in the morning and Anti-Fairy pups can provide for themselves for the most part, but he always checks in on them before noon and several times throughout the day to provide healthy snacks, teach a daily class about life and the world, and just generally socialize with them and answer any questions they may have.

He and Foop don’t get along; he prefers to avoid his son when possible, but often can’t. Irritating brat or not, Foop is still his heir and job-shadows him every few days so he can prepare to take over as High Count in the future. 

He and H.P. share custody over an anti-fairy child named Talon who is an acolyte at the Water Temple; occasionally, Talon stays at the Blue Castle for weeks or months at a time, being a broody teenager who doesn’t get along well with Foop (who replaced him as heir presumptive).

Anti-Cosmo frequently visits the Water Temple in Pixie World (often spending a week there) and sometimes meets with H.P., sometimes doesn’t.

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Evening Schedule: Anti-Cosmo receives new papers to look over in the evenings, and will read them once before making decisions in the morning. He’s athletic and strives to stay that way- he gets stir-crazy after hours of sitting inside, he’s the medium for the nature spirit of agility, and keeping in shape for the next Fairy World Games never hurt anyone.

He frequently leaves the Castle in the evenings to run, swim, or fly around the nearby area (something which the other nobles frown at as dangerous since he could easily be kidnapped or hurt).

If Anti-Wanda is home, she generally goes with him (and listens to him chatter about his current projects); otherwise, he may go by himself or possibly drag Foop along in an attempt to bond with or educate him.

Evenings after exercise is the typical time for him to wash up (Anti-Wanda may join him on occasions or may not). Generally the last one up and about, he gives the Castle corridors a final sweep before heading to the camarilla roosting room.

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Sleep Schedule: Anti-Cosmo’s sleep schedule is a wreck. He tends to stay up late or not go to sleep at all, and often wakes up earlier than planned due to the noise that can fill the roosting room in the morning. He’s a deep sleeper, at least, but once woken, it’s impossible to get to sleep again.

He hates naps, so if he isn’t well-rested he’s often cranky all day. He always stays up late when in prison or during the weeks Anti-Wanda is out traveling. However, when she’s home, he often follows her to roost and is, if nothing else, IN bed at a reasonable time (though he might stay up for another few hours enthusing over something, ranting about something, or wooing her).

If he didn’t sleep the night before he generally goes to bed early the following night; when Anti-Wanda isn’t in the Castle, he sometimes sleeps in the nursery with the pups (or with the juveniles if there’s someone he particularly wants to keep an eye on).

On colder nights, he’ll snuggle up with other members of the camarilla court (most likely his cousin and loyal First General, Anti-Poof Anti-Everwish).

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PERSONAL

Relationship Status:

- Married to Anti-Wanda

- Wedding Anniversary: October 13th

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Ideal Relationship: Regular physical touch when he’s in the mood is a must, but someone who’ll give him personal space when he wants it is equally important.

Anti-Cosmo needs a partner interested in his ideas and supportive of his dreams. Someone who can run wild with him while he’s energetic, but is gentle enough to comfort him at his low points.

Flexibility is crucial, and he found that in Anti-Wanda.

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Sexuality: Romantically and sexually attracted to many sentient species in the universe; demisexual.

On paper, he’s panromantic graysexual (generally referred to as demisexual) and struggles with hypersexuality (one of his D3 symptoms)

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Attractiveness: Anti-Cosmo is considered a somewhat attractive anti-fairy by Anti-Fairy standards. His brains and noble upbringing win him many points, but his shorter-than-average stature and general “off-ness” have long made potential partners hesitate.

The fact that he’s High Count has made him desirable for those seeking one-night stands; his hypersexuality is widely known, and many curious Anti-Fairies daydream about what it would be like to have the High Count sweep them off their feet on a day his energy is at its highest.

By Fairy standards, Anti-Cosmo is far from attractive. He’s physically weak, magically weak, and unpredictable to the point of chaos. Chaotic does not an attractive figure make in Fairy eyes.

By Pixie standards, Anti-Cosmo holds a pleasantly high rank in society, but his wildly fluctuating moods affect his dominance. At his most confident he’s considered quite attractive, but Anti-Wanda is seen as more attractive during long periods of time when Anti-Cosmo crumples into an anxious, self-loathing mood.

Many would argue Anti-Wanda’s reliable stability makes her the more desirable catch all the time, so pixies are often confused by gossip suggesting that Anti-Cosmo and H.P. have had romantic affairs. No...? Why would their boss go for Anti-Cosmo when he could have Anti-Wanda instead? How illogical.

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Intimate History: Regular sociosexual interaction with fellow Anti-Fairies, in line with their culture. Was groomed and taken advantage of by his lifelong friend and later boyfriend (Anti-Kanin). He’s still in denial this happened and vehemently defends his friend.

Considers his first “real” sexual experience to be a fling he had with a drake named Anti-Apollo. Later, when imprisoned in the Anti-Fairy enclosure at the Eros Nest - a zoo run by Cupid’s family - he had a fling with a damsel named Il d'ijärv [Anti-Pine]. Had a few more flings after that, including a relationship with Blonda. Was regularly intimate with his first wife (Anti-Saffron), whom he passed the iris virus to. 

Anti-Cosmo has a long string of partners lurking in his past, but he strives to be faithful to Anti-Wanda (apart from a few dozen flings he’s had when his hypersexuality proved difficult to fight).

Anti-Cosmo cheats on Anti-Wanda, especially when she’s away traveling. He zigzags between “She wouldn’t leave me if she loved me” and “I have needs” and “I’m a horrible person” and “I don’t deserve her.

Anti-Fairy society has an interesting view of sex (as their culture is sociosexual); Anti-Cosmo is a unique case with hypersexuality in a world where it’s not easy to find information or get help. Anti-Wanda forgives him and shows love without hesitation; she’s far more interested in where his  mind and heart lie than his physical touch.

It’s worth pointing out that as High Count, he’s preened occasionally with political figureheads, so there’s some intimate history between him and H.P. Fairies and Anti-Fairies alike suspect Anti-Cosmo has regular affairs with H.P. behind Anti-Wanda’s back.

Anti-Cosmo tends to wave such questions off with cryptic amusement and a chuckle, neither wholly confirming nor denying it (to the Head Pixie’s irritation, since it casts doubt on his own denials).

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Turn-Ons: Anti-Cosmo is a very physical person who likes to let his hands wander. He likes tracing them along Anti-Wanda’s hips, or playing with her wings... he has a thing for wings.

He loves it when Anti-Wanda draws patterns across his skin with her fingertips, and we haven’t even mentioned the kisses. He’s a man of spontaneity who lives for wild, playful encounters (especially when his hypersexuality kicks in).

His biggest turn-on is being the more submissive one in a relationship; he can be charming and make the first move and whatnot, but he loves it when Anti-Wanda toys with him.

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Kiff-Tie: Anti-Cosmo currently hosts the nature spirit Prince Sunday (“Sunnie”), the zodiac spirit who wields control over water. The gem he wears on his cravat is evidence of this fact. Sunnie can take control of Anti-Cosmo’s body, but only in one of the other six Zodiac Temples or if Anti-Cosmo grants him explicit permission (i.e. he can’t simply seize control if Anti-Cosmo happens to be tired or hurt).

Taking full control of Anti-Cosmo’s body is rare; normally Anti-Cosmo will only allow him a hand to gesture with or a mouth to speak with.

For the most part, however, Anti-Cosmo and Sunnie simply share a mental link. Anti-Cosmo is essentially Sunnie’s yoo-doo doll, and Sunnie experiences all the physical and emotional sensations that Anti-Cosmo does while the two are tied. The two cannot have mental conversations, although Anti-Cosmo can sense when Sunnie becomes restless, upset, or excited.

Sometimes Anti-Cosmo wakes up in the middle of the night, groggy, and wanders off to take care of whatever got the spirit agitated (Like turning off a faucet that was left on, picking a book off the floor, pulling the drapes shut in some room on another floor of the castle, or getting a midnight snack). Sunnie can be pretty picky and easily upset, and Anti-Cosmo does a lot of strange little things at random times of the day.

Anti-Cosmo has described the sensation of being tied with a nature spirit as “feeling permanently turned on” (See the Frayed Knots chapter “Sunnie Rise”).

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Honey-Lock Partner: Anti-Wanda

Bound by honey-lock 3 months after their counterparts mate (No more than once every 500 years due to common fairy heat cycles and biology).

I heard rumor something else happened once, but I’m sure it’s nothing important.....

Anti-Cosmo’s Family Tree: HERE

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Father: Anti-Robin Sr. Tiberius Anti-Cosma

Grandfather: Anti-Gonzo Anti-Cosma

Grandmother: Anti-Starling Anti-Cosma (née Anti-Lilytail)

Uncle: Anti-Hawk Anti-Cosma

Notable Ancestors: Anti-Ky Anti-Braddocki (Anti-brownie holotype)

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Mother: Anti-Florensa Eleanor Anti-Lunifly

Grandfather: Anti-Jasper Anti-Lunifly

Grandmother: Anti-Miranda Anti-Twigfall

Grandmother’s Civil Fairy Partner: Lucas Rainwings

Aunt: Anti-Joanie Anti-Lunifly

Cousin: Anti-Poof Anti-Everwish

Uncle: Anti-Harold Anti-Lunifly

Cousin: Anti-Estella Anti-Lunifly

Notable Ancestors: Distantly related to the Anti-von Strangle family

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Brother: Anti-Robin Jr. “Anti-Schnozmo” Augustus Anti-Lunifly

Sister-In-Law: Anti-Ingrid Anti-Wandflick

Niece: Anti-Snowball Anti-Lunifly

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Ex-Boyfriend: Anti-Kanin Caden Anti-Fairywinkle

Met just after birth

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Ex-Wife: Anti-Saffron Mona Anti-Feldspar

Met at age 4

Stepdaughter: Anti-Miranda Eurydice Anti-Feldspar

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Wife: Anti-Wanda Venus Anti-Fairywinkle

Met at age 21

Sons: Anti-Poof (Foop), Anti-Poof (Hiccup), Anti-Dusty (Smoky)

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Major Political Ally: Head Pixie the First

Met at age 128,288

“Nephew”: Talon Anti-Lunifly - See Frayed Knots

“Niece”: Larkspur Mayfleet - See “Health Bars”

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Current Love Interest: Anti-Wanda; has a secret crush on Wanda Prime too

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Nature Spirits: Anti-Cosmo is also referred to as “Sunnie’s champion” as he is medium for Prince Sunday, the zodiac spirit of water, focus, and agility. They share a physical, mental, and magical bond known as a kiff-tie.

Whenever Anti-Cosmo sees, smells, touches, tastes, or hears a thing, Sunnie can also sense that thing. Though the two cannot communicate telepathically, Anti-Cosmo can generally get an idea of Sunnie’s desires since he can feel the spirit’s emotions.

Sunnie is extremely picky and whines when he doesn’t get what he wants (which is often a swim, dessert, soft animal, shiny object, or kisses); the emotions can become overwhelming for Anti-Cosmo when Sunnie is upset.

Sunnie cannot take over Anti-Cosmo’s body unless Anti-Cosmo freely offers it to him and cannot use any nature spirit magic unless in harmony with his medium, but the mental link they share can wreck Anti-Cosmo’s unstable emotions on top of his usual mood swings. All of this makes Anti-Cosmo a chaotic and unpredictable being who still has a passionate, hardworking soul at his core.

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Other Important Relationships: Considers Cosmo his cousin (and Poof & Dusty his nephews). He doesn’t get along well with Jorgen or with Anti-Sanderson, but he does have a rocky friendship with Dame Artemis Cairo.

He’s raised many genies as part of the genie conservation program and is very fond of almost all of them.

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TRIVIA

- As High Count, he owns an official stamp that he uses to approve important documents. It also functions as a credit card. The stamp is identical to Anti-Wanda’s since they’re legally equals, but Anti-Cosmo uses green ink whereas Anti-Wanda uses pink.

- Like all Anti-Fairy drakes, he has a scent gland on his head. He doesn’t consciously think about it, but he nuzzles his head against people (or doors) he considers “his” in order to mark them as such.

- Cosmo’s middle name was revealed to be Julius in the printed comic “Baby Factory” (March 2007) and confirmed again in “77 Secrets of ‘The Fairly OddParents’ (Revealed)”

- Frequently dissociates and will either withdraw or wander off on his own for long periods of time; occasionally suffers from dissociative amnesia.

- Has strong legs; would sooner kick than punch. He’s able to take off from the ground, which many Anti-Fairies can’t do.

- Has an extremely long tongue pierced with several studs in the back.

- Paces while floating (in contrast with Foop, who paces while walking).

- Can’t use magic if Cosmo hasn’t been drinking his milk.

- Bottles his emotions until they explode.

- His lifelong rival (Anti-Phillip) has the same name as Cosmo’s beloved nickel (although Philip is a girl nickel).

- Really doesn’t like his food touching.

- Raised Talon as his heir until Foop came along (See the latter half of Frayed Knots for more details); Talon is meant to be the anti-fairy child Anti-Cosmo and H.P. were implied to have raised together in “Fairly Odd Baby.”

- The small nose is fake; he disguises it with magic.

- Secret Pokémon nerd.

APPEARANCES

Main Blog Tag - #The bat with the hat

Sideblog Tag - #RD AntiCosmo

Sideblog Masterpost

AO3 Tag - #Anti-Cosmo

130 Reasons Why I’m Fairy Trash - 130 Prompts series

Rainbow Train - Pieces that aren’t in the 130 Prompts series

[bandjili]

Shakedown hawaii release date switch

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#SHAKEDOWN HAWAII RELEASE DATE SWITCH UPDATE#

The overall changes make acquiring the island feel much more rewarding, and give further room for varied strategies to calculate an optimal speedrun. Properties are more widely affected by inflation, multipliers give a more balanced boost, and shakedowns give higher rewards to encourage a broader approach. The empire building metagame has been extensively rebalanced under the new difficulty setting. It breathes a whole new life into the experience and I definitely think it makes a second playthrough worthwhile. I'm incredibly happy with how the new difficulty setting's turned out, especially as someone who's played through the game more times than I can count. You'll need to start to pay more attention to where pick ups, shops, and vending machines are so you can replenish your health. There are also fewer health drops, which encourages a more strategic approach and steers you towards more exploration. Trying to take them out with a vehicle won't always do the trick anymore either, as many will blast you out and force you to continue your battle on foot. When they arrive, ordinary weapons will no longer do, and you'll need to dodge, jump stomp, melee, or throw things to defeat them. New bulletproof and even fireproof enemies will appear as the game progresses, necessitating the use of more varied attacks. The new normal mode is designed to offer more challenge, but not to the degree of being experts-only.Īmong the many other changes, the added difficulty mode boasts new and more challenging enemy types across its story missions, sidequests, and shakedowns. Since the original game was specifically designed to be on the easier end, it made more sense to label it this way, rather than calling the new mode "Hard". The original experience remains available as the "Easy" difficulty setting (and will remain the setting for your previous save games). The newly added "Normal" difficulty setting is a top to bottom rebalancing of the game. It also brings a long list of little tweaks and refinements that've gradually made their way into the game since the previous console update.

#SHAKEDOWN HAWAII RELEASE DATE SWITCH UPDATE#

This brand new update is a major one, adding a whole new difficulty mode, new types of shakedowns, a quick menu for upgrades, and much more. The Nintendo 3DS update's also just around the corner, and should be through Nintendo certification shortly. Continued abuse of our services will cause your IP address to be blocked indefinitely.The latest Shakedown: Hawaii update, titled "The Shake-Up Update", is now available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS3, and PS Vita. Please fill out the CAPTCHA below and then click the button to indicate that you agree to these terms. If you wish to be unblocked, you must agree that you will take immediate steps to rectify this issue. If you do not understand what is causing this behavior, please contact us here. If you promise to stop (by clicking the Agree button below), we'll unblock your connection for now, but we will immediately re-block it if we detect additional bad behavior. Overusing our search engine with a very large number of searches in a very short amount of time.Using a badly configured (or badly written) browser add-on for blocking content.Running a "scraper" or "downloader" program that either does not identify itself or uses fake headers to elude detection.Using a script or add-on that scans GameFAQs for box and screen images (such as an emulator front-end), while overloading our search engine.There is no official GameFAQs app, and we do not support nor have any contact with the makers of these unofficial apps. Continued use of these apps may cause your IP to be blocked indefinitely. This triggers our anti-spambot measures, which are designed to stop automated systems from flooding the site with traffic. Some unofficial phone apps appear to be using GameFAQs as a back-end, but they do not behave like a real web browser does.Using GameFAQs regularly with these browsers can cause temporary and even permanent IP blocks due to these additional requests. If you are using Maxthon or Brave as a browser, or have installed the Ghostery add-on, you should know that these programs send extra traffic to our servers for every page on the site that you browse.The most common causes of this issue are: Your IP address has been temporarily blocked due to a large number of HTTP requests.

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5 Benefits of Healthy Relationships | Renuvenate

When we get ourselves into a bind, we heed the old adage, “everyone needs a hand to hold.” This saying refers to the saving grace of a helpful friend or family member who provides emotional or moral support in times of need. But recent studies have found that relationships also affect people in physiological ways. The studies point to links between in Healthy Relationships these four ways:

1. Sustained Intimacy Helps You Live Longer.

Based on a recent study, couples that engaged in hostile discussions experienced increases in blood pressure and stress hormones. Such increases can have damaging effects on health in the long run. On the other hand, couples that communicate effectively can prevent this negative impact on their health. To strengthen the bond  with your partner try the following:

 Communicate frequently in the form of e-mails and/or phone calls

Schedule time to be together when there are no distractions

Communicate what you desire rather than focusing on what you do not want

Be optimistic about your relationship

Consciously make a decision to touch more. Holding hands, hugging and kissing will help you and your partner create a closer and more loving bond.

2. Positive Social Bonds Help Your Immune System.

Research by Lisa F. Berkman, Ph.D. of Harvard University has revealed that people with more social relationships recover from illness faster. Though studies are inconclusive regarding just how this happens, some studies suggest social ties aid with coping with illness and reducing stress. According to the Canadian Health Network, a larger circle of friends, family, and communities can help you cope with stress by giving you a sense of control over your struggles; this sense of control helps boost the immune and nervous systems to keep you healthy.

  3. Mixed Feelings Can Raise Your Blood Pressure.

You may love your husband very much, but his overbearing ways drive you nuts. You may have a blast every time you hang out with your old college roommate, but her competitive spirit puts you on edge. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, an assistant professor of psychology at Brigham Young University, conducted a study that monitored participants’ blood pressure five minutes into a social interaction in their daily lives. Holt-Lunstad’s research team also gathered data from detailed diaries and questionnaires about personal relationships.

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 Ultimately, these “researchers found that in relationships, mixed feelings seem to be more unsettling, at least as related to blood pressure, than outright hostility.” One explanation for why relationships with conflicting feelings are more stressful than openly hostile ones is because the one party with the conflicted feelings may be nurturing hope that things will go well but then is repeatedly disappointed; whereas, with openly hostile relationships, a party knows what to expect and can do whatever it takes to avoid interaction. Best Health Treatments in Bromley – Renuvenate

4. A Spouse Can Inspire You to a Healthy Lifestyle.

What is an effective way to encourage your spouse to pay attention to his cholesterol or start a new exercise regimen? Take the lead yourself. Pay attention to your cholesterol and start your own new exercise regimen. Psychologists have found in marital relationships when one spouse takes the initiative to change her own unhealthy habit, a partner feels compelled to keep up.

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  After feeling disillusioned about an unexpected diagnosis from a doctor or a struggle through a semi-serious illness, spouses have shown strong inclinations to stop drinking, stop smoking, and get regular flu shots together. Just imagine the impact your spouse’s behavior has on you on a daily basis. Now, envision ways you both can eliminate bad behaviors that might minimize unnecessary health risks. Experts have determined that family members’ habits rub off on each other.

  Let these four scientifically validated points give you incentive to take charge of your relationships, your health and ultimately, your happiness.

 Contact your doctor immediately if you are suffering from pain or injury following your routine therapy sessions.