#Concrete additives production

[rmxsolution]

Explore RCMPL’s advanced liquid construction chemical plants designed for optimal efficiency and superior quality. Our cutting-edge facilities produce a wide range of construction chemicals, including waterproofing solutions, concrete additives, and industrial coatings.

[karlachismylife]

Spot on the Mark || The Queen of the Clan pt.5

CW: fem!chubby!reader, mentions of animal marking/pasting, some piss mentioned again, dead animal mentioned (no descriptions).

A lot more work goes into a wildlife documentary than you thought. It was obvious that it’s not as simple as just grabbing good quality cameras and riding off into savannah blindly, but the amount of tricks and different ways to get enough shots for a compelling and educational storyline you’re learning about seems infinite: from studying animals’ trails and routes of migration to hauling senior operators up into the trees to film fluffy and feathered stars of the future documentary as up close as possible without disturbing their natural peace.

These people have done it time and time again, telling you about the months-long stakeouts on bigger productions, the ones that can afford to simply wait every day for an animal to come and do what the script requires; the masking of carefully placed hides that can still be not enough to trick a smart bird into thinking it was all alone and perform a beautiful mating dance; the difficult hikes that test everyone’s endurance and result in barely ten seconds of footage in the end cut. You can’t help but feel excited yet intimidated when your turn comes to participate in one such trick, intended to shorten the waiting time your smaller production just can’t afford.  It’s not that difficult, but it’s smart and elegant – at least in your opinion.

This is how you find yourself stuck in your Rover with Kir, wrapped in a small blanket for additional warmth, while he meddles with the sound equipment: speakers mounted on the hood of the car and a knot of wires connecting them to a laptop, screen covered up with a scarf to muffle its light. You’re holding your night vision camera pointed at a spot just several meters ahead, a fresh carcass placed under a tree to attract a carnivore, two more cameras planted at different angles on the ground and one more strapped to a branch right above the “dining table”.

A switch clicks, and the night fills with triumphant hyena whooping, a whole cacophony of different voices celebrating a kill. This is a dinner bell for lions – no matter what the public’s perception is, it’s often the big cats coming to steal hyenas’ fresh kills, not the other way around. You hold your breath, misty clouds of steam coming out of your mouth dissipating in the loud, poorly lit night. You wait.

Time doesn’t stretch as much as you would think. This isn’t a boring, monotonous wait of a text back in a stuffy big city apartment, the only “wildlife” sounds seeping through the closed windows – revving engines of nighttime dumbass street racers or neighbours yelling at each other over hysterically loud TV.

Compared to what you’re used to, savannah seems peaceful. Somewhere in the vast darkness big predators avoid each other’s paths, unwilling to start unnecessary fights. Grass rustles in a rhythmic pattern as little springhares jump through the night, stopping to glance at the huge, imposing shadow of a human car just once and continuing on their way. The wind breathes quietly and calmly with the cooling ground, welcoming a lively picture of a complex system, each part of which is perfectly in tune with others.

You feel like you could be a part of it – like it’s a place you can actually belong to, care for and be taken care of in return, unlike the constant hectic hostility of a city. They call it concrete jungles, but none of the brutal ways of nature you’ve witnessed in the wild so far can compare to the ruthless, pointless cruelty human kind inflicts on itself and everyone else.

There is a hopefulness inside you that was completely snuffed out previously, and it sounds like a smooth, lulling chirping of insects hidden in the wet grass.

Loud baboon yelling alerts you before you manage to clock any movement or hear an animal approaching your little spectacle. Insane luck. Before gluing yourself to the camera, you glance at the time and it’s barely an hour after you put the recording on – it’s hard to contain your excitement, but you manage to keep your hands steady as you scope the area in search of your guest. Kir shifts in his seat next to you, picking up his simple night vision binoculars and following the same trajectory as your camera lens.

When you see a distinctive hunched silhouette sniffing at the bait, you almost feel the tiniest bit of disappointment – no lions today, huh? – that quickly gets replaced with surprise.

The hyena doesn’t even touch the food you placed to lure animals in and turns its back on it, instead staring straight at you and Kir. Its ears twitch, clearly determining the direction where other hyenas’ noises are coming from, and slowly, almost leisurely, it moves towards you.

“It’s coming here, Kir,” you whisper, still keeping the camera rolling, too fascinated with the elegance of each silent step the huge, dark form with devilishly glowing eyes in your night vision tape takes. “Didn’t even try the meat… what do we do?”

“Ah, shit, that’s a first one.” He sounds more surprised than concerned, and after a moment of hesitation, reaches out to turn the luring sounds off. “Maybe it’s already killed and got territorial? Worst case scenario, we just scare it away. You getting the footage?”

“I… am, yeah… it’s pretty.” Somehow you aren’t even surprised anymore, when the hyena ignores the fact that the calls of its peers or more likely rivals stop abruptly – there’s something deeply wrong with them here, you decide, too much human contact or something. Maybe these ones were released from the sanctuary? But no one in their right mind would let such domesticated animals back into the wild, right?

While the myriad of possibilities swarms your mind, the camera keeps recording, and you, quite well-trained already, don’t even seem to realize that you’re following the hyena’s steps, turning the camera more and more to the side as the animal approaches your Rover. Wait-

“Tsk, hold up!” Kir’s hand hooks into your back belt loop and pulls you slightly back into the car. When did you even stand up to lean over the car door? “Let’s not diversify its diet today with soft city cookies, alright?”

“Sorry, sorry,” you whisper, sitting back down. For a moment – just a moment – you lose the animal out of sight while you pull your pants back up, and the next thing you know it’s already right in front of you.

Standing on its short hind legs and resting front paws on the car side to lean inside.

A big snout shoved almost into your face, coming into your darkness-shortened sight out of nowhere, is bound to freak you out – you drop your camera, luckily catching it in your lap, and pull back, pressing your back into Kir, who can only grunt quietly under the sudden weight and grip your shoulders protectively.

The hyena just snorts and tilts is head adorably, a soft, almost reproachful look in its bit wet eyes reflecting every little light on the car’s dashboard and your equipment. There’s something familiar to this slender, elegant snout, nodding in the air as the big nose takes in your scent, toned down by the contrasting savannah night cold.

“Chocolate?.. Is that you?” It’s a wild guess, honestly – you can’t see shit without your camera, only able to notice the hyena’s movements by the wet glistening of its eyes, nose and lips, and even through the night vision equipment you weren’t able to determine your guest’s colour – something that would definitely help distinguish Chocolate from any other hyenas; you doubt there are any others, who are already this big and grown up, yet still carry their childish dark brown hide. Maybe Chocolate is a melanistic variant? You’ve never heard of such mutations in spotted hyenas, but it’s not like you specialize in them, right?

A soft grunt tears through your thoughts again, a non-threatening pitch that almost sounds like purring – along with the repeated scratching of its claws on the steel side of your Rover, Chocolate seems like a cat more than anything. A huge, maned cat asking to be let inside.

“No-no-no, buddy, you’re not coming into the car. It’s humans only.” You try to sound stern – it seems to work on these animals, but it’s so damn hard, when your visitor whines quietly and flutters its rounded ears, staring at you hypnotically. “Come on, there’s food. Look!”

A nod in the direction of the carcass, attracting no one but some flies it seems, has no effect on the hyena. When you pretend to throw something there, Chocolate giggles quietly and lowers itself back on the ground – but when it realizes you won’t be throwing any of your real possessions for it to chase after, it stands up against, reaching its long, thick-furred neck to breathe a hot, steamy snort into your face.

And just like that, after you blink at the pretty muzzle in disbelief, trying to find an appropriate way to react to a wild, dangerous animal almost sneezing in your face, it leaves to inspect your car.

For a moment, you worry it’ll try and jump inside from the back, but it seems to have lost any interest to join a party it wasn’t invited to. Slowly, you scramble back into your seat, relieving Kir of your weight and earning a supportive pat on the back from him, and pick up your camera to watch Chocolate.

“What’s it doing?” Kir’s whisper suddenly elicits more of a reaction from the hyena than any of your stern talking – it lifts its head from the tire it was sniffing at and scowls, a striking killer smile flashing in your direction. Seeing its sharp canines nestled in the massive jaws makes a cold shiver run down your spine. This just was right in front of your face with nothing to protect you against a sudden attack.

“Shh, quiet… don’t agitate it,” you whisper back as soon as you manage to swallow the snowball-like lump in your throat. Kir shuts up, clearly a full-on believer in your hyena whisperer abilities now, and you watch on as Chocolate lowers its cute head back, sniffing and pawing at your tire.

After several minutes of looking between you and the wheel, sniffs and huffs growing more and more impatient and exasperated, it gives up on whatever it was trying to tell you – you could swear it rolls its eyes too! – and circles your car, flicking the fluffy brush on the end of its tail in what you can only assume to be a goodbye.

You’re wrong. A real goodbye is left a few meters away from the Rover on Kir’s side. Your curious night visitor stops abruptly, sniffs the air, tilting its head so far back that it almost rests on its shoulder blades, and then, without a warning – what warning could you expect though? – it crouches down to paste over a particular spot in the tall grass.

“Is that?..” – “Yes.” You tear yourself away from the camera to glance at Kir, just in time to see him sigh heavily and put his binoculars down, rubbing his hand down his face painted with disbelief, eyebrows raised high and lips pressed together. You’re still not sure – even though little snickers already start escaping your throat and roll down your nose in sweet snorts – so you pry again: “The spot where you went to-“ – “Yes.”

Even the need to hold your camera still to capture Chocolate marking its territory with a thick smelly paste smeared all over the grass Kir went to pee in several hours ago can’t prevent you from giggling. Anxious about scaring the animal and provoking it, you cover your own mouth and keep filming – eyes on the little black and white picture just in time to see Chocolate shake its plush butt, tail high up to assert dominance, and turn to look at you.

Or, perhaps, to look at Kir.

“Okay, okay, got it, no pissing on your territory. Jeez, buddy, no need to be so petty about it, I probably live here as long as you do.” Hearing Kir mutter under his nose as he gets stared down by a proud carnivore is hilarious.

“You disrespected it. What’s it like, to have a sworn enemy because of your bladder?” Your little giggles elicit two smiles at the same time – an embarrassed one from Kir, who threatens to snore into your ear directly once you wrap up this nightly stakeout, and another wide, toothy one from Chocolate.

You can’t be sure with the blurry image your camera shows you, but you once again feel like it winks at you. How likely is it for this hyena to have some eye problems that cause it to constantly dish out the flirtiest winks an animal is capable of?

“Oh, look, it’s leaving,” Kir finally turns away from the direction Chocolate left in, and just scoffs when you hear distant whooping slowly pick up in frequency before it disappears into the night. “Wanna try with the record again? I’m not sure we will attract anyone if there are actual hyenas around, though.”

“No, no, let’s try again,” you’re fully energized despite your arms feeling cold because the blanket slipped off your shoulders when you got spooked by Chocolate. Kir pulls it back up, wrapping you in a warm cocoon, and rubs your shoulder absentmindedly while he rewinds the recording and tries slightly different settings. “Maybe we’ll attract Stinky at least, these two seem to be buddies.”

“Yeah, right,” he responds, wrapping his own jacket tighter around himself. “Because that little shit will cause less chaos that the one we just saw.”

You can’t argue with that. If that was Stinky that came to the false call, it would have definitely jumped into the back of your Rover.

“At least that’s some good footage to post online. They’re cute. Will be good promo for the documentary.”

Kir grumbles something into the warm thermos, steam clouding the air between you, and hands it to you – to warm both your hands and your whole body from the inside.

Even if you don’t catch a lion tonight, you still caught something precious – right in your heart. You just have to find a way to define it properly.

Part 4 | Part 6

Series masterlist | Main masterlist

Tagging: @elaineiswithyou-blog @creepingeva @my-halo-is-a-little-broken @sillymanjaro @ihatethinkingofnames10 @ravensfeatheruniverse @yaminax @ljh861 @darkangel4121 @ginger-n-coco @grey-shadow6475 @cryingpages @mothsdrabbles @mc-glare-is-king @vixxie22 @aldis-nuts @terraantarctica @henhouse-horrors @blizzivy @perfectus-in-morte

Here's an illustration to Chocolate's visit:

Comrades, I think I'm too deep in this now, I started watching documentaries about filming documentaries, the docuseption is coming for me...

[blogport]

EPOXYSHİNE - DRAGON+ (4)

When it comes to innovative interior design, the choice of flooring plays a pivotal role in defining the overall aesthetic and functionality of a space. Among the various options available, metallic floors have emerged as a striking trend, blending style with durability. Their unique finish not only adds a contemporary edge but also reflects light, creating a sense of openness in any room. Meanwhile, alternatives like quartz flooring offer an equally compelling mix of elegance and resilience, perfect for those seeking a natural yet refined look. 

Metallic Floor

Metallic floor have become an exciting trend in modern interior and exterior design, offering a sleek and futuristic aesthetic. This type of flooring is typically made using materials like epoxy, polished concrete, or terrazzo, which can be infused with metallic pigments that reflect light. The unique appearance of a metallic floor allows for a striking look, making a bold statement in any space.

One of the significant advantages of metallic floor finishes is their durability and resistance to wear and tear. Unlike traditional flooring options, metallic surfaces are often resistant to stains, scratches, and impact damage, making them ideal for high-traffic areas such as commercial spaces or homes with pets and children. Additionally, they can be easily cleaned and maintained, preserving their luster and shine over time.

In terms of design versatility, metallic floors can be customized to fit various interior themes, from industrial chic to modern minimalism. Available in a range of colors and finishes, they can seamlessly blend into the environment or stand out as a focal point. Furthermore, incorporating metallic flooring can enhance the overall ambiance of a space, reflecting light and creating an illusion of depth, thus making a room feel larger and more open.

Quartz Flooring

When it comes to choosing a flooring option that combines beauty and durability, Quartz flooring stands out as a premier choice. This type of flooring is composed primarily of natural quartz crystals, which are not only aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly tough. As a result, Quartz flooring is resistant to scratches, stains, and other wear and tear that can occur over time.

Another significant advantage of Quartz flooring is its versatility. It is available in a vast array of colors and patterns, making it a suitable option for any home or office decor. Whether you're looking for a sleek modern look or a more traditional style, Quartz flooring can provide the perfect finish to your space.

Furthermore, Quartz flooring is known for its low maintenance requirements. Unlike other flooring types that may need frequent refinishing or special cleaning products, Quartz flooring can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water. This not only saves time but also makes it an economical choice in the long run.

Concrete Floor

When it comes to flooring options, concrete floor have risen in popularity due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. Unlike traditional flooring materials, concrete can be customized in various finishes and colors, allowing homeowners and businesses to create a unique look that complements their design vision.

In addition to their visual versatility, concrete floors are incredibly strong and resistant to wear and tear. This makes them an ideal choice for high-traffic areas, where traditional flooring may suffer from scratches, dents, and fading over time. Concrete not only stands up to heavy use but is also easy to maintain, requiring only simple cleaning and occasional sealing.

Sustainability is another key advantage of concrete flooring. As a naturally abundant material, concrete has a lower environmental impact compared to other flooring options.

[chefkids]

So what comes next?

In case you have not heard. Season 3 might be the last. This was the same source that first announced that the bear will have additional episodes and they would begin filming in February so I would say they are pretty reliable. It was also Chris' intention to just do 3 seasons, and based on the major themes I do think it makes sense.

The timeline to pay back Jimmy was 18 months. We're already 3 months in. I doubt Season 3 will cover an entire year and 3 months. So why end it at Season 3 when there is still so much that could happen and they could explore?

The Bear will shut down.

It's not unheard of for Michelin star restaurants to shut down. I could see them giving it their all and even getting a star or two, but in the end it still not being enough. Operating costs is extremely high. Gentrification was touched lightly in season 1 with the landscape of the neighborhood changing. Many Michelin restaurants are part of restaurant groups and have large financially backing plus generate income through other products like books or packaged goods.

The show has been setting up everyone to be ready to be on their own if or when the time comes.

Marcus becoming a legit pastry chef.

Tina leveling up in the kitchen as a sous.

Richie becoming a high end host and expediter.

Natalie becoming a manager and also a mom.

They have all gained skills that could get them a job anywhere else. Carmy and Sydney are the ones still stuck.

Sydney is terrified of having to start over once again, because she's scared of time running out for her. She's not even 30, most people don't get to have their own restaurants until much later in life. She wants what Carmy got and she wants to share it with him.

Carmy doesn't know what he's doing on his own. Mikey was his motivation but now that he's accepted he's gone, the only thing that seems to get him motivated is his fear of disappointing Sydney. He started cooking out of spite and has seemingly ignored all his other interests like fashion and drawing.

They need want each other. I think it will end with knowing that they will have each other even if it's not about the restaurant anymore, because really this show was never really about the restaurant but the people in it.

Syd will stop stressing about time, Carmy will find his own purpose. And maybe 10 years down the line they'll give it another try and build something completely new and he'll actually be there for her in the process. I think it will be bittersweet, but still hopeful.

Honestly this is the only way that I can see it having a concrete ending, without leaving a ton of questions in the air, while still having a optimistic door open for the future. In the end the restaurant might have not succeeded financially, but it brought everyone together and made them better.

[inariedwards]

Museum news from Finland:

Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia donates its Sámi collection to the Sámi Museum Siida

The Sámi Museum Siida is the national museum with the responsibility for preserving the material and cultural heritage of Finland's Sámi people. The Sámi objects in the Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia's collections were mainly acquired between 1900 and the 1960s with the last ones added to the collections in the 1980s.

The first part of the donation, which includes the textile items of the collection, will be transferred to representatives of the Sámi museum in the collection facilities of the Museum of North Ostrobothnia on Tuesday, 16 January 2024.

– As the new collection and exhibition facilities of the Sámi Museum Siida are now completed, this seemed like a good time to donate the objects of Sámi origin back to the Sámi community, says Pasi Kovalainen, Director of Cultural heritage work at the Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia.

– The Sámi objects and their return have a profound meaning for the Sámi community. The donation is a significant addition to the oldest part of the Sámi Museum Siida's collections. We thank the Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia for this important decision, says Taina Pieski, Siida's Museum Director.

The collections of the Museum of North Ostrobothnia that include objects of Sámi origin date back to the early days of the only professionally run museum in Northern Finland. The objects were collected by Samuli Paulaharju (1875–1944), a folklorist and museum curator from Oulu. The collection was destroyed almost completely by two fires in the museum buildings in 1929 and 1940. After both fires, replacement items were collected in Lapland.

The collection of approximately 400 items now donated consists of Sámi textiles and utensils, including a goahti (traditional Sámi hut) and several sledges. The oldest items include a cheese mould from Enontekiö dating back to 1797 and rare crossbow stocks, the oldest of which dates back to 1730.

As a large part of the Sámi cultural heritage is still held by museums outside the Sámi region, the transfer of the collection is important for the Sámi community.

The Sámi material culture is both practical and beautiful in its diversity, and the museum objects contain a wealth of intangible knowledge about their manufacture and use. This knowledge is best preserved in Sápmi by the Sámi themselves. Through the study of artefacts, it is possible to revive the old craft traditions and techniques of the Sámi community, knowledge of materials and the vocabulary related to the production and use of the objects. The revitalisation processes are a form of communal and intergenerational transfer of learning and knowledge, and they contribute to the transmission of Sámi material and immaterial culture to future generations.

The transfer of Sámi collections to the Sámi Museum Siida over the past decade is a concrete demonstration of genuine cooperation between museums and the increased understanding of the importance of cultural heritage for the Sámi community.

[vashvenus]

★ミ serpentine.

synopsis: naga knives has a sort of morbid fascination with you than manifests in a strangely sexual manner.

contains: naga/serpent knives, knives’ taxidermy hobby is mentioned, sort of medical? but he’s just exploring and weird, dubcon i think?, he has two weewees, and afab reader. 3.5k words.

note: teehee!! this is a (late) christmas present for my BEST FRIEND!! my cool, adorable, and wonderful bff @knivesbunny <33 hehehe enjoy bee + everyone else!!

it was about time you moved on in the world. getting a fresh start in the form of a cozy cabin at the edge of the woods sung your name and the price point was staggeringly low so, after confirming there were no safety hazards, you took the place. with dark wood and muted tones alongside a beautifully kept garden by the previous owners, how could you possibly go wrong? well, ‘wrong’ is an arbitrary term and ultimately up to the individual for judgement.

your moving process went without a hitch. furniture and belongings all being placed properly following a good deep clean plus a couple coats of paint, things any place would need upon a new owner arriving. you'd been rather happy at the final product, something dreary at first taking the form of your own home; a fond word. trinkets, cupboards of dishes, and an amalgamation of photos and artworks lining the walls to create an atmosphere you almost wished you could share but, alas, a solitary life was your preference.

the garden out back was complete with a greenhouse tucked to the side, surrounded by an abundance of flora and fauna that also colourfully dotted the rest of the greenery. small plots had been sectioned out for different fruits and herbs and the idea of being able to grow a large quantity of your own food was an exciting new feeling, one that you couldn't wait to grasp. thusly, it wasn't long until you found yourself kneeling in the grass and working new seeds into the dirt. a variety of the basics alongside some of your favourites was the route of action, one also deemed reasonable. between fondly nestling new seeds and sipping at cool beverages, the thought of the greenhouse slowly slipped your mind despite how vital it was to your task. swiping the gathered sweat from your forehead, you rose up to analyze your progress to which brought your eyes back to that small addition cozied up to the side of the property. the bags of dirt and tools resting on the ground would need a place to go after all... so, you wandered over to that little building and fiddled with the door.

the wooden door was slightly overgrown and gave you a good fight to open, weeds and rust seemingly actively working to keep you out of the space. stepping back, you looked it over a bit more, not wanting any splinters, before pressing your shoulder into it for added force. with a combined 'bang' and 'groan,' the door scraped across the inner concrete floor before coming to a stop about three quarters open. you huffed and slipped in, cursing the rotten chunk of wood and attempting to get a good look at what you were working with. eyes glazing over various rickety shelves, a sharp and icy chill rolled down your spine. a small nagging voice in the back of your head whispered ‘something isn’t right,’ in response to the unusual, for lack of better words, appearance of the inside.

atop aforementioned delicate shelves lay different jars full of an indistinguishable liquid and what appeared to be organs, small ones so hopefully not human, as well as a range of entire animals fully submerged in their own watery tombs. wind chimes made of bones twinkled from the ceiling above firmly locked chests and you weren’t totally sure you were interested in the contents. the previous owners, an old couple, didn’t seem like the type to hoard such morbid trinkets but sometimes it’s the most innocent ones, you figure. still, the lingering idea of this being the work of some beast that had chased them away from their lovely home rattled at the back of your mind ominously. shifting on shaky knees and feet, you contemplated poking around a bit but rationality told you to at least find a sturdy pair of gloves first. though, as it would seem, the choice wasn’t yours to make judging by that same yet more aggressive scraping and slamming door.

whipping around, you came face to face with… a man? one with frosty eyes, near white hair, and a scowl that could skin you alive. more importantly, he was hanging from the ceiling of the small shed you were now trapped in; stuck. with him. this… not quite man, if your judgment of his long serpentine looking lower half meant anything. all wide eyes and dry mouth, you gaped helplessly at him, attempting to find some sort of explanation for what exactly you’re doing, as if this isn’t your property he’s on. his eyes turned to slits seeing you fumble for words and, with an amount of grace that shouldn’t be possible, he slithered off the ceiling to instead… stand? lay? rest? you’re not too sure but he’s in front of you now right side up. pupils merely scratches inside his powdery blue eyes, you fear he’s deciding if you’ll make a good meal and you’ve half the mind to assure him you’re not as tasty as he may think. alas, he speaks before you get the chance.

“name,” it’s a simple but firm commanding question you weren’t quite expecting but, to be real, what were you expecting from an interaction with a snake man? you stutter out a whimper of a reply and he clicks his tongue; it’s forked, you note. with all confidence you can muster, not much, you promptly for his own. he hums low. “millions knives. shorten it to knives at most. don’t dare to give me any sort of nickname, as you humans often do; it’s abhorrent,” and you’re shocked he’s so eloquently spoken. perhaps there’s snake people schools you aren’t aware of?

“right. noted, millions knives,” you hesitate, not keen on irritating him further, as clearly just your presence has perturbed him, “i… apologize if i’ve intruded but… this is my property after all. some sort of explanation on your,” you gesture widely at the space, “hobby would be appreciated.” your poor attempt at mimicking his speech pattern has him letting out a chuckle that sounds more like an array of chitters. palms sweaty and desperately avoiding eye contact, you gulp hoping he’ll entertain your question before potentially swallowing you whole; snakes can do that. his tail flicks your shin jolting you to bring your eyes back to his, admittedly handsome, face.

“my… hobby, hm? it’s nothing to you,” a disappointing response, “were you hoping i’d have a jar your size, little human?” you’re positive he’s making fun of your fear yet somehow his words feel flirtatious in a way that has your brain swinging like a pendulum between crying out of petrification and placing a hand on his built chest. “i’ve been watching you for some time now. you’re utterly,” his tail wiggles up to grip your waist, “fascinating. a perfect experiment.” if he didn’t sound like he was flirting before, he sure does now.

his words were true to an extent beyond your knowledge. ever since the first tour you took of the place, he had kept an eye on your every move. knives hadn’t found an ounce of appeal in new people moving into the small home but, if he had it his way, it would turn abandoned for him to find sanctuary in. alas, the housing market wasn’t on his side as people inspected the place top to bottom and he was stuck merely seething beyond view; that was until you came along. all bright smiles and eager nods, he was beyond irritated with the way he found you undeniably irresistible. something so... keen would make a lovely study after all, he thought, though destroying you utterly and completely was off the table for he'd never be able to poke and prod at you after that. unfortunately, in the time it took for him to mull over a game plan, your first visit was over and he slithered back into the thick woods while scowling; unfair. the jump knives felt in his heart upon your second visit was one that caught even him off-guard, an emotion towards humans beyond that of revolt? unheard of and vile. yet, he was the one who had it and couldn't simply deny that he was feeling something beyond curiosity. your scent, perhaps? he muses over a handful of biologically reasonable conclusions for his reaction to a distantly nodding vash whos already figured out the truth. he saves it though, as to not have his other arm lobbed off, and instead hums along agreeing to every point with faint amusement.

it's with thoughts racing past at speeds no human could match, that knives brings himself back to the present, large palms and boney fingers coming to trail your jaw. another flick of his tongue appears between the grin now forming along his pink lips and impossibly long teeth; even a playful nip would draw extensive blood. he makes a sound between a hiss and growl as one sharp nail trails along your neck down to your sternum slowly, as if assessing a piece of meat; perhaps, in a way, he was. silvery tail wrapping around your left ankle, he tugs your leg up with his head dipping to peer curiously at the limb. you can't really blame him considering legs are the only human trait he lacks but the unsettling nature still makes you shiver. knives takes turns with each of your legs and arms, taking them in at all angles and seemingly pleased with what he was seeing. sure, he wasn't fond of humans at all but, he can appreciate when one is well made; easy on the eyes. a slightly morbid fascination, maybe. finally letting you go from his clawed grasp, he nods, satisfied.

"alluring. remove these pesky clothes," he scrunches up his nose while pinching the fabric of your shirt, "and seat yourself atop that cabinet." his gaze never once easing up, you're between bolting or following his instructions. the former would rely on you being stronger and faster than the behemoth of a man-snake standing directly in front of the door and you're positive you'd be dead two steps in. with trembling fingers, you pull the dirt dusted shirt from your body and shiver at cool air ghosting across your bare chest, only held back by the simple bra clinging to your breasts. you swallow thickly before shimmying off your denim shorts past your thighs and awkwardly down your feet. having not removed your socks or shoes, it was quite the task, but potential tetanus from the rickety floors wasn’t on the menu today. knives found amusement in your struggle, if the chittering in front of you meant anything though, in truth, he was rather charmed. such clumsy behaviour almost reminded him of a newborn bunny. face flushed, you finally unclasp your bra and slip off your panties with no more grace than your shorts had been discarded with, before perching yourself on the cabinet knives had dully gestured to.

“is this… is this good?” the words slide past your lips before you let them, sounding too pleading for your liking but knives seemed to enjoy that despite a hum being all he offered in return. his strong chest was quickly in front of your eyes, curse his fast snake body, while his hands found purchase on your legs again. with one palm on each of your knees, he gently eased them open, nearly purring at the sight.

“you’re something of a gem, hm?” his voice was low, hands inching up your thighs with sharp nails leaving a trail of goosebumps. “how very kind of you to welcome me with such a,” the forked tongue of his makes a third appearance, “wonderfully prepared gift? such a lovely homeowner…” though sarcastically sweet in tone, his words did nothing but shoot directly between your legs. “i’ve got a keen nose, little rabbit, are you enjoying being my area of study?” his gaze was hard as he looked at you down his nose and from between long lashes. “your most intimate nodes are crying out ‘yes’.” he presses against your folds to spread them with feather light fingertips, much like one would a dissection. spreading you softly, his head tilts to one side while his eyes seem to slowly drag up and down the weeping slit of yours he's not fully exposed. knives wedges himself fully between both of your legs as to not allow you to close them and his other hand joins in on the fun, prodding softly at your entrance. he seems to revel in the small whimpers you make, crystalline tears clinging to your lashes from a mixture of desperation and humiliation at letting him do such to you so easily.

employing a sort of gentleness and patience you didn't think he had, knives slowly eases in one of his fingers down to the second knuckle before pulling it out with a wet 'schlick' to wrap his mouth around it. the taste seemed to please him based on his own moan and he returned to his previous ministrations, softly thrusting the finger in and out of you. with the hand that had been used to spread you, he smoothly switched to rolling gentle circles over your clit, eyes still fixed firmly on watching the way your body reacts. a second finger accompanies the first in its delicate rock, encouraging more of the sweet sticky essence of you to drool out and across his hands. panting and whining, you buck pathetically into his hands with closed eyes and red bitten lips; you miss the way he slides to his knees. for a man so large he is more than quiet, something you can't match with the harsh suckling on your clit coaxing loud cries from you. his mouth curls the slightest bit with a smug smile and you can feel it past the swirling of his tongue and sharp incisors teasing your skin. briefly, you hope he won't bite. the soft plunging motions of his fingers turns harsh alongside the movements of his mouth. he seems eager to have you unravel on his face and, despite your own tattered pride, you can't stave off the shuddering of the orgasm that washes over in the most intense waves you've ever felt. embarrassingly loud slurps echo around the small shed as knives continues his own motions with glee. it's only when you gently push at his forehead that he shifts backwards and up, allowing you some reprieve from what he had just done. you're breathless, to say the least, having been made to come so shamefully on the handsome mouth and hands of this stranger but somehow you don't feel as though you were the only one who had fun despite his firm acclaims of experimentation.

you're struggling to regain your breath while knives looks you over with thinly veiled lust, you figure teasing him for it wouldn't go well so you restrain despite the thick atmosphere begging for some reprieve. while still gasping for air and shaking the post-orgasm fog from your head, he's pushing you down with his body weight and adjusting the way you lay across the cabinet to his personal preference; legs bent around his waist and hand beside your head. with hazy eyes, you look down to catch the way not one but two thick cocks slide out from the slit they had previously been held in. hanging heavy but curved up slightly, thick arousal is pooling at the tips and you think you can see ridges along the base of each. your jaw is slack as knives lets out another one of those chittery laughs.

"scared, bunny? no need, i'll make it work," his smarmy expression is nearly enough to have you shooting something snide back but he's lining up the tip of the lower cock and sinking himself in faster than you can think. "let go of any premonitions, this will be mutually beneficial."

if you could have any thoughts, they'd be nothing more than slurred curses but with the thickness and impossible length occupying and stretching your insides, you're rendered incapable. he's slow enough to give you some time to adjust but still fast enough that your body can't quite keep up with what he's giving; a pleasurable form of purgatory. knives allows his hands to wander your body, one coming to grip and gather your wrists to now rest above your head while the other fondles your breasts harshly. he's grabbing you in a way that feels inexperienced and almost charming though the harsh penetration is tearing you away from the idea. knives trails his hand from your breasts, to your stomach, and back up to grip your throat as he finally bottoms out inside of your tight heat. the wetness and warmth covering him is seeping out and down his tail to leave a lewd trail of combined juices he briefly admires the shimmer of before he's sliding himself out and roughly back in with a resounding slap. a high and needy sound escapes your throat as the tip of his cock taps your cervix and the rest of it rubs across your walls, eagerly taunting all of what's to come. the hand around your throat compresses your blood flow just enough to have your head feeling like it's full of cotton and your body even more pliant for his use. nails tilt your chin to have you make eye contact with the man currently deep in your guts, a glittering and dangerous grin spread across his face. with your eyes on his, knives begins pounding into you with earnest.

all of the sounds that leave you are high-pitched and warbled with unshed tears borne of the hand around your neck and stretch of your cunt. he's letting out strangled grunts and eager clicks at the grip of your wet pussy trying to milk him dry. his second cock his sliding against your clit and lower stomach with every harsh thrust he gives you, rubbing and pulling pleasurably. all of your nerve endings feel ablaze with the way he's using your body in a way that's filled with determination. his head drops down to make contact with your shoulder, his mouth sliding up your neck to replace his hand and add plentiful marks along the untouched skin; he figures an array of bruises will decorate it better than any necklace. dark indigo and rouge dappling the skin as blood comes to the surface, he's enamoured with how it looks tainting your flesh. both of his hands are now around your hips to hold you still for every pump of his cocks along and into your body, forcing you to take it all in full. you're crying with your back arched and chest forced to the ceiling as he continues his fast pace with teeth grazing your nipples. knives is biting numerous times across your tits, imprints of his fangs left in the wake akin to a path on a trail; he's oddly proud of his work. you're beyond your own body, desperate for him to bring you to a second high of the day, hips trying in vain to undilate against his own but his grip is too firm; his unnaturally strong. tongue flicking at your nipples, one cock deep in your guts, and the other beating against your clit, it's not long before you're babbling useless pleas for him to not stop. through choked sobs and moans, you're falling to pieces with his cock nestled deep inside of you. your brain is blank as lights splatter across your vision, eyes rolled to the back of your head and drool leaking from the corners of your mouth. still, his heavy rutting hasn't ceased. every limb of yours is twitching as sobs move past your lips without permission and your hands slide from his grip to claw uselessly at his back from overstimulation until knives is letting out an otherworldly growl as he sinks to the hilt one final time. you can feel the thick ropes of his seed coat your insides as his body curls around you protectively; a mating instinct maybe. he's grumbling lowly as an impossible amount of his spend leaks in and out of you with each twitch of his shaft.

you're still feeling a touch foggy when he pulls out, globs of shared slick pooling beneath you. knives is assessing your form critically, hands and eyes sliding over every bruise and bite left behind from his own roughness. it's almost sweet, how he seems to care for your well being despite his words claiming otherwise, and you simply allow yourself to enjoy the way he's fussing over you. once satisfied, he nods to himself and moves to scoop you up in his arms despite your small whines of protest but your indignation doesn't last long as he slithers you both over to your home, mumbling something about a shared bath; for purely experimental purposes, of course.

[fromadistantstar]

A flimsy little pamphlet lies forgotten on a concrete floor, its cover missing. The title page is all block-print- the regulations for obtaining additional copies feature almost as prominently as the title. Big, black letters: MANUAL FOR SALVAGE AND DISPOSAL OF WITCHMADE DOLLS. Beneath, of course- FOR USE OF PERSONNEL ONLY, and further a neat little logo proclaiming it a product of the Imperial Scout Corps War Conduct Oversight Committee. The occasional gust of wind flutters its pages, revealing their contents. "In light of certain indiscretions on the part of members of the Imperial Scout Corps," the first page begins. The rest is illegibly ink-stained.

[solarpunkbusiness]

Swiss researchers develop robotic additive manufacturing method that uses earth-based materials—and not cement

Researchers at ETH Zurich, a university in Switzerland, have developed a new robotic additive manufacturing method to help make the construction industry more sustainable. Unlike concrete 3D printing, the process does not require cement.

According to a press statement from ETH Zurich, the robotic printing process, called impact printing, uses cheap, abundant, and low-carbon earth-based materials such as clay or excavated earth. Currently, the robotic additive manufacturing method uses a mix of excavated materials, silt, and clay. Most of the custom material is common waste product sourced locally from Eberhard Unternehmungen, a Swiss construction company. In the future, the process could use other materials.

With ETH Zurich’s method, a robot deposits material from above, gradually building a wall. On impact, the pieces of material bond together, with minimal additives. Whereas concrete 3D printing creates layers, ETH Zurich’s method extrudes and drops the material one bit at a time at velocities of up to 10 meters per second. The fast speed allows the material to bond quickly.

ETH Zurich’s process can build full-scale, freeform structures, including one- or two-story walls and columns. The printing tool has been used to build structures as tall as almost 10 feet. The process results in walls with a bumpy texture, but robotic surface finishing methods can achieve a smoother finish.

The custom printing tool can be integrated with multiple robotic platforms. As a result, the tool can build walls in both offsite facilities and onsite construction projects. At ETH Zurich’s Robotic Fabrication Laboratory, the tool has been integrated with a high-payload gantry system. The hardware can be mounted on an autonomous legged excavator to build walls on sites with variable terrain.

ETH Zurich says it aims to increase the cost competitiveness of sustainable building materials through efficient and automated production.

[weclassybouquetfun]

On the OLD GUARD cast front, it's either feast or famine and we are in now for hint of an impending feast. Charlize Theron gave an update on the sequel to the film, and while it isn't much more than what Matthias Schoenaerts provided when he talked about it while promoting HBO's THE REGIME, it's heartening hearing something from the leader, herself.

The question mark I have about her assertion that post-production was shut done due to the Netflix exec shuffle is that, by all appearances they aren't seeking shooting of additional footage. The cut I saw in June 2023 had three scenes (at least!) that would actually need the actors to film additional scenes - it's not something they could use CGI for, unless they've scanned the actors' images and will superimpose them over a stunts team. Or maybe they have decided to jettison those scenes.

What is the rest of the cast up to?

KiKi Layne has a film out in limited release: DANDELION

KiKi at the screening I attended.

KiKi with costar Thomas Doherty.

-Luca Marinelli has been making the rounds talking about LE OTTO MONTAGNE / THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS (STILL!) with buddy Alessandro Borghi (who gives an  exhilarating performance in SUPERSEX, the series about adult actor Rocco Siffredi) He has also been named one of the jurors for the upcoming Locarno Film Festival.

The long-awaited Joe Wright series about Benito Mussolini, M. IL FIGLIO DEL SECOLO / M. SON OF THE CENTURY will play the Venice Film Festival. And unlike THE OLD GUARD sequel, it has a target release date: winter 2025.

Marwan Kenzari will have a film playing the Toronto Film Festival - THE RETURN - a take on the Odyssey starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliet Binoche makes port (at least at TIFF) in September.

Kenzari will also have a role in series two of Netflix's THE NIGHT AGENT starring Gabriel Basso.

In between time he and his partner Nora Ponse have moved homes.

Marwan and son Karel exploring their new neighborhood.

Also at TIFF will be the Henry Golding film DANIELA FOREVER

Right now, Matthias Schoenaerts have four things in development, but nothing seemingly concrete. He posts street art and quotes on IG, but my favourite type of posts are ones about his late mother.

[forgottensibiria]

Advanced Ichthyocetus - Batrachorusalkas

Usually, the rate of evolution of secondary aquatic animals is high - for example, in whales, the transition from semi-terrestrial to semi-aquatic animals took no more than 8 million years. In ichthyosaurs, this interval is reduced to 4-5 million years (from 250 to 246 million years), in mosasaurs it increases to 39-18 million years (from 125, counting from the species Kaganaias or 99, counting from the species Aigialosaurus to 86 million years ago). One can also recall seals (26 million years), metriorhynchidae (3 million years), plesiosaurs (6 million years)*... This is enough time to transform the limbs into fins and become adapted to life in the open seas.

Whale evolution. Author unknown, found in internet.

The situation becomes strange when looking at ichthyocetus, which initially retained many features for life in water and almost never went on land. The ancestor of the clade, tulerpeton, lived in the Ural Sea 365 million years ago: however, 58 million years later (!) we see quite primitive species that differ from their ancestors only in increased size and a narrower skull (as well as a specialized tail). Obviously, in addition to such forms, we must inevitably find more advanced species capable of permanent life in open waters.

Ichthyocetes - late primitive species of Ichthyocetesidae (we will use there terms as synonyms, meaning whole clade, not concrete species).

Before we proceed to their discussion, let's clarify the features of ichthyocetus. These animals are ideally adapted for shallow waters, characterized by developed limbs for movement in difficult coastal environments and a movable neck. We should immediately note that this fact makes this clade dependent on glaciation cycles, therefore, transgression and regression of the seas. As a relative of tulerpeton, ichthyostega, ichthyocetus moved on land (if the situation forced them) like seals, stretching their body with their forelimbs (while the body could not bend similarly to modern lizards or salamanders). Thus, ichthyocetes, when moving in water and land, more often use their tail and limbs, especially the front ones, while the body itself is motionless. The neck is mobile, but limited in length and mobility due to its primitiveness.

It is quite obvious to see a tendency in ichthyocetes to decrease body length and tail/fin development. Nevertheless, in all ichthyocetes, the forelimbs never became fins completely, but on the contrary, developed mobility and flexibility for - oddly enough - capturing prey. This fact is explained by the limited mobility of the skull and the diet of ichthyocetes - the search for benthos/armored mollusks. The "hands" allowed them to capture prey, while the powerful jaws crushed the shells. However, the limbs themselves are flattened due to soft tissues, and the fingers are connected by webbing. This allows them to actively use it in swimming, especially if they need to quickly get up for a new breath of air. In other cases, the tail is used for movement.

Tulerpeton and Ichthyostega found fossils

As a result of these adaptations, the most progressive group of ichthyocetes from the Early Carboniferous appears - Batrachorusalka (mermaid frogs). This group is a medium-sized nautiloid and ammonite hunter. They appear after the Serpukhov extinction, as shallow waters lost most of their species and became less productive due to a decrease in carbonate platforms (shallow waters built by reefs) and, consequently, a slowdown in speciation of species. Nevertheless, it was during this period that ammonites and natuiloids reached their heyday, and some representatives of ichthyocetes began to specialize in them, becoming batrachorusalkas. The remaining species of the clade under consideration remained in shallow waters, almost ceasing to evolve, as well as gradually reducing their range: the only thing that led to the emergence of new species was a drop in sea level and fragmentation of the original populations into smaller isolated groups.

Batrachorusalkas have reduced hind limbs, a short barrel-shaped body and a long tail convergent to those of ichthyosaurs and mosasaurs. When moving, the forelimbs stabilize the body, as well as a small "dorsal fin". The developed "hands" are capable of folding into a compact fin and are usually placed to the sides. When chasing prey, batrachorusalkas captures prey with its jaws after a high-speed pursuit, after which it stretches its "arms" forward and captures the shell of the nautiloid, after which this ichthyocetes goes into depth to dismember prey. This is done as follows: the animal crushes a part of the shell to deprive the mollusk of the opportunity to hide in its house, after which it grabs the flesh of the prey with its teeth and pulls the nautiloid's body with its forelimbs from the head, lifting them up. Then the batrachorusalka swallows the part of the prey caught in its jaws, shaking its head, and the process repeats. Since farmhands can hold air for up to an hour, they can take their time in eating food.

Batrachorusalkas have two types of teeth. The teeth on the palate and lower jaw are flat, oppressive, and concentrated in the back of the jaws. The extreme dentition, on the contrary, is cutting, convergent to the teeth of Eugeneodonts with symmetrical teeth. Another feature of the species is the nostrils, which retain their position at the tip of the muzzle: these animals have a habit of floating vertically, "like a soldier".

The decline of batrachorusalkas, which could reach a size of about 4 meters, occurred with the appearance of large eugeniodonts in the region, which surpassed marine tetrapods in speed and agility, and also hunted the same ammonoids and nautiloids better. Moreover, the edestus of the Ural Sea easily took away the caught prey from the farmhands, since the latter ate their prey too slowly. Meanwhile, the more primitive shallow-water batrachorusalkas suffered from habitat loss and competition with their more basal relatives. 310 million years ago, the last mermaid frogs became extinct. The remaining ichthyocetes die out at the end of the Carboniferous due to changes in the hydrochemistry of the coasts caused by the extinction of carboniferous forests, although some representatives (descendants of batrachorusalkas, who began to live on the northern side of the Ural Ocean and became inhabitants of mossy reefs) live to the end of the Asselian Permian, having experienced a short-term surge in speciation 294-292 million years ago due to the largest transgression of the sea in the Permian (regression finally destroys the last ichthyocetes).

So the unique amphibian dynasty and the last of the Stegocephals (Stegocephali, which does not include the ancestors of modern tetrapods) ceased to exist.

NOTES (*) The calculations are approximate and made by the author of the article. The author looked for basal representatives of the family with legs and without legs, after which he calculated the gap between these forms. They are accurate enough to give general ideas on the topic under discussion, but nothing more.

[wei75631]

P6 Idea : Jungles and World Trees

"Jungle" in P6 is equivalent to the palace in P5. It is an obstacle that players must pass to advance the main plot, and it is also a turning point for adding new companions. The concept of "jungle" corresponds to the saying "concrete jungle = city". Each jungle is the product of human collective subconsciousness, corresponding to the Kleshas and Three Poisons of Buddhism respectively.

Jungle of Mirrors

This is the jungle created by "Delusion (Moha)", rooted in the subconscious of young people who feel confused during adolescence, and the sport girl breaks in to save her club members. When players go deep into the jungle, they also have to rescue people trapped in the mirror. The boss of Jungle of Mirrors is named "Jabberwocky of Moha". It will temporarily disappear like a chameleon. At this time, players cannot damage it with weapons or physical attacks. Only by using skills can they force it to appear. In addition, it will summon Bandersnatch and Jubjub Bird to serve as its thugs. After Jabberwocky is defeated, it will laugh at the protagonist's futility before leading to death, because if you want to solve the problem, you must catch the mastermind behind it, otherwise this lost world will be filled with many subconscious monsters like it.

Jungle of Webs

This is the jungle created by "Hate (Dvesha)", inspired by the use of cyberbullying by prejudiced people, with spider web elements that also correspond to the computer "web". The advisor boy came here to rescue the navigator boy. As long as he joins his companions, he can rescue people trapped in spider silk.The boss of Jungle of Webs is named "Yatsukahagi of Dvesha". Players cannot directly attack its body and must break its eight legs one by one. In addition, this big spider will spin silk and give birth to spiderlings to hinder players. After Yatsukahagi is defeated, the people of Ragnarok will forcibly take the navigator boy away. From this time on, players must be mentally prepared to confront Volva.

Jianmu the World Tree

Jianmu is not a jungle, but the World Tree in Chinese mythology. There are obvious differences between the World Tree and the Jungle. The World Tree is an indispensable part of Ophion like Dragon Veins, and the Jungle is produced by people's twisted subconscious and must be eradicated. Therefore, every time the player defeats a jungle boss, the jungle will follow the boss. disappeared together, but the World Tree did not. In addition to the previous statement, Jianmu is basically not much different from Separate Shangri-La. Players will still face Baize and Volva.

Jungle of Birdcages

This is the jungle created by "Conceit (Mana)", which is caused by the comparison mentality between companies and people involved in consortiums. Except for replacing the air battleship with a birdcage and avoiding fights with masculine boy, the overall structure of this jungle will not be too different from Clipper of Clouds. The boss of Jungle of Birdcages is named "Vucub Caquix of Mana". Because this big bird can fly in the sky, players can only use firearms to damage its two wings before shooting it down. After Vucub Caquix falls to the ground, it will attack the player with its claws and beak. In addition, it will put its companions in a birdcage as hostages. The player must destroy the bird cage to release the companions.

Yggdrasil the World Tree

Once the player comes to the World Tree in Norse mythology, the plot will take a very obvious turn. In addition, the Volva, which is opposed to the protagonist, has full home field advantage here. Yggdrasil will faithfully represent concepts from Norse mythology, for example, the guard shadows here will transform into the appearance of Norse gods.

The boss here is "Nidhogg of Raga", which is caused by people's overexploitation of nature and excessive abuse of substances. In order to prevent Nidhogg from eating the roots of this world tree, players must try to avoid damaging the roots when attacking this big worm. Nidhogg will burrow into the ground to avoid physical damage, and players must use skills to blast it out. After Nidhogg emerges from the ground, it will forcefully swallow its companions. Players must climb on its head and attack its vitals to rescue its companions.

Jungle of Witches

After the problem of Yggdrasil is solved, players will have to develop several different endings from now on. At this time, the level of community improvement of players and partners must be taken into consideration to affect the development of the ending. The first is Amalthea, she will be the most important key to the ending. If her community is raised to full, she will tell us the truth when she first enters Jungle of Witches, and will continue to accompany players to fight against the mastermind behind the scenes.

Instead, once her community is not full, she enters Jungle of Witches to fight the player, leading to a bad ending where the protagonist and Amalthea are buried in the jungle. In other words, Amalthea is the boss of Jungle of Witches. Her confusion and low self-esteem about her identity make her the only exception among the subconscious monsters, which is "Doubt (Vicikitsa)". The guard shadows here will transform into the appearance of famous demons in monotheistic religions.

In the boss battle, she will fight the player under the name "Amalthea of ​​Vicikitsa", and her persona will change from three bugs to Heidrun. This persona will release milk to hinder the player, and the player must use skills to prevent it. After defeating Amalthea, you will enter the next round of battle. The dying Amalthea will immediately transform into "Shub-Niggurath the Elder Mother", which releases several "Spawns of The Black Goat" to serve as thugs. In addition, Shub-Niggurath will spawn previous bosses to fight players, including Jabberwocky, Yatsukahagi, Vucub Caquix and Nidhogg.

Irkalla and Primordial Sea

Once you avoid the bad ending, you'll end up here, where the mastermind (final boss) lives. Irkalla is part of the Primordial Sea, and different ending developments will still be distinguished here, but I have to give a hint and I will explain the details later.

Once players enter the interior of the Primordial Sea, it is full of organic and body horror style, and the guard shadows will become representative gods from Middle Eastern mythology.

After going deep into the base of the mastermind behind the scenes, the final boss here is Nammu. She is actually the shadow of Gaia's consciousness, just like Ophion is the persona of Gaia's consciousness. Nammu looks like an innocent girl, but in fact her nature is full of pathology and distortion, which also highlights the result of her distortion of maternal nature. The reason for her distortion is the Gaia consciousness caused by the destruction of the natural environment by humans, which has caused everything to be imbalanced. And Nammu is the side (shadow) that Gaia doesn't want to face.

After defeating Nammu, she will transform into the huge "Tiamat the Chaotic Mother" before she dies. This monster, which is like a fusion of aliens and human deformities, will derive tentacles with the appearance of Cambrian creatures on its body to fight. The names of these tentacles are Musmahhu, Basmu, Usumgallu, Ugallu, Uridimmu, Girtablullu, Umu-dabrutu, Kulullu and Lahmu.

I will stop here first, and I will find time to explain the detailed truth later, so stay tuned!

[blogport]

EPOXYSHİNE - DRAGON+ (3)

Epoxy floor coating is not just a practical choice for enhancing the durability of your flooring; it's also a stylish solution that can transform any space. Whether you're a homeowner looking to revamp your garage or a business owner seeking reliable commercial flooring solutions, understanding the benefits of epoxy will help you make informed decisions. As you search for "floor polishing near me," consider how an expertly applied epoxy coating can elevate your interiors while providing a long-lasting finish. 

Epoxy Floor Coating

Epoxy floor coating is a highly durable and resilient flooring solution that has gained popularity in both residential and commercial spaces. This type of coating is made from a combination of resin and hardener, creating a strong bond when applied to existing concrete surfaces. The result is a seamless surface that can withstand heavy foot traffic, chemicals, and abrasions.

One of the major benefits of epoxy floor coating is its versatility. It can be customized in various colors and finishes, including high-gloss and matte textures. This means that property owners can choose a look that complements their interior design while still providing the durability they require. Additionally, the smooth finish of epoxy makes it easy to clean and maintain, which is particularly advantageous in commercial settings.

Furthermore, the installation process for epoxy floor coating is relatively quick, often completed within a few days. However, it’s essential to hire professionals who have the expertise and equipment to ensure a flawless application. The right team will properly prepare the surface, allowing for optimal adhesion and longevity of the coating.

Floor Polishing Near Me

When searching for floor polishing near me, it's essential to find a service that not only meets your expectations but also understands the unique needs of your flooring. Professional floor polishing can revitalize old surfaces, restoring their shine and luster while protecting them from future wear and tear.

Many local companies offer specialized services in floor polishing that cater to various materials, including hardwood, tile, and concrete. A quick search in your area will yield numerous options, allowing you to compare prices, services, and customer reviews to find the best fit for your needs.

Additionally, hiring professionals for floor polishing ensures that the job is done correctly and efficiently. They use advanced equipment and high-quality products that not only enhance the appearance of your floors but also extend their lifespan. So, don't hesitate to reac

Commercial Flooring Solutions

Commercial flooring solutions are essential for businesses seeking to enhance their aesthetic appeal while also ensuring durability and functionality. The choice of flooring can greatly influence the overall atmosphere of a commercial space, leading to improved employee morale and customer satisfaction.

Among the various options available, epoxy floor coatings stand out due to their seamless finish and resistance to heavy foot traffic. These coatings not only provide a sleek look but also protect the underlying surface from wear and tear, making them ideal for warehouses, retail spaces, and industrial environments.

Moreover, businesses often explore additional options such as vinyl flooring, carpet tiles, and laminate surfaces to meet specific needs. Each of these materials offers unique advantages, allowing business owners to choose the most suitable flooring solution that aligns with their operational demands and aesthetic preferences.

Metallic Epoxy Floor

A metallic epoxy floor offers a stunning visual appeal that enhances the aesthetic of any space. The reflective properties of the metallic pigments create a unique look, resulting in a three-dimensional effect that can mimic a variety of surfaces, such as water, marble, or even molten metal. This type of flooring is especially popular in modern homes, showrooms, and commercial spaces, providing an eye-catching yet durable surface.

One of the significant advantages of a metallic epoxy floor is its durability. This flooring solution is resistant to stains, chemicals, and impacts, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. Additionally, it is easy to clean and maintain, which means that business owners and homeowners can save time and resources. The seamless nature of epoxy flooring also contributes to a hygienic environment, especially in spaces like hospitals or laboratories.

Installing a metallic epoxy floor can be a customized process, allowing property owners to choose their preferred colors and patterns. Whether you’re looking for a sleek, industrial look or a vibrant, artistic finish, this flooring solution can be tailored to meet your unique vision. By consulting with professionals, you can ensure that your metallic epoxy floor is installed correctly and maximizes its longevity and beauty.

[romanceyourdemons]

tales from the hood (1995), a horror anthology film that draws from contemporary black literary culture and experience, uses the anthology format to play with a wide range of horror premises, subverting each as it does. unlike many horror anthologies, this one feels very cohesive as a whole, with many themes and devices shared across stories. within a frame of three young men heavily involved in the world of crime being told stories about their community against their will by an (ostensible) community elder, the first, second, and fourth stories deal heavily with destructive isolation felt by black men in the places where they ought to feel the strongest community and camaraderie—in the workplace, at school, in gangs. this isolation is not caused by a supernatural force, but rather by deeply-entrenched systemic violence (even if a supernatural force does concretize it). additionally, in the first, second, and third stories the supernatural power at the heart of the story is channeled through black folk art: murals, drawings, dolls. in addition to these running themes, each film presents in fairly unambiguous fashion a contemporary source of violence that deeply affects the black community, from police brutality to domestic violence to gang violence; and, reinforcing and adding to these abovementioned themes, the film’s creative and very well-done special effects create a very enjoyable and effective horror movie experience. although the horror anthology format is an easy one to get a bad product out of, tales from the hood (1995) makes full use of its format to create an excellent product, which i deeply enjoyed

[mariacallous]

t it, quoting an ancient adage Xi himself once cited, “The wise adapt to the times, and the astute respond to circumstance.”

Beijing’s high-stakes strategy for navigating a second Trump administration involves, in the words of national security heavyweight Donald Rumsfeld, both the known and the unknown in different quantities. Up top is the most familiar—the “known knowns,” and chief among these is tariffs.

Unlike in 2016, Beijing now faces Trump’s return with a sharper sense of what to expect, thanks to his prior policies. Chief among anticipated challenges are Trump’s intensified “reshoring” agenda and potential tariffs—such as 10-20% on all imports and an additional 60-100% on Chinese imports. These would pose direct threats to China’s export-driven economy at a time when the country is still struggling with a slow recovery, real-estate instability, and weakened consumer demand.

Chinese experts foresee a hardline cabinet in a second Trump term, with figures like trade hawk Robert Lighthizer indicating a more protectionist, confrontational approach. Unlike Trump’s first administration, where voices like Steve Mnuchin occasionally tempered his policies, a unified hawkish team would likely leave little room for moderation. Yet Beijing has been preparing—even if not always successfully—its “dual circulation” strategy aims to boost domestic consumption and curb export reliance, but results have stalled: Domestic demand lags, and export levels remain steady. This strategic pivot is evident in a surge of Chinese investment in Southeast Asia, as Beijing seeks to diversify its supply chains and shield its economy from trade shocks.

To reinforce its position, Beijing has ramped up countermeasures against U.S. companies, shifting from firing warning shots to dealing concrete blows. Skydio, the largest U.S. drone manufacturer, faces critical supply chain disruptions after China sanctioned it over sales to Taiwan’s National Fire Agency, forcing the company to ration batteries. PVH Corp., the parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, now risks placement on China’s “unreliable entity list” for allegedly boycotting Xinjiang cotton, jeopardizing growth in a key market. Intel is also under scrutiny as the Cybersecurity Association of China pushes for an investigation into alleged security flaws, threatening Intel’s hold in a market that accounts for nearly a quarter of its revenue. These sanctions and probes reveal a bolder stance, showing that Beijing’s arsenal for retaliation is far stronger than it was during Trump’s first term.

Chinese experts also see potential blowback for the U.S. economy. A 60% tariff could push U.S. inflation upward, potentially forcing the Federal Reserve toward further rate hikes. Within Chinese policy circles, some view this inflationary risk as a possible check on Trump’s ambitions, noting that rising borrowing costs and asset volatility could dampen his support base for aggressive tariffs.

Beyond tariffs, Beijing is keenly aware of the limitations faced by alternative manufacturing hubs in Southeast Asia and Latin America. Regional bottlenecks—such as labor shortages, infrastructure challenges, and resource constraints—may prevent these regions from fully absorbing production shifts away from China. Ironically, these limitations could exacerbate U.S. inflation if Trump’s tariffs disrupt established supply chains without viable alternatives.

Trump’s anti-globalization stance is familiar, but the ideological shifts it ignites fall into what strategists call “unknown knowns”—factors that are understood but whose full impact remain uncertain. For Beijing, Trump’s isolationist rhetoric resonates with a rising tide of populism across Europe and parts of Asia, such as Italy, Hungary, and the Philippines, creating ideological undercurrents that both challenge and complicate China’s global aspirations.

Some nationalist voices in China view Trump’s “America First” approach as an opportunity. The logic is simple: If the United States pulls back from global frameworks or retreats from alliances like NATO, other nations may look to China as an alternative. But Beijing’s seasoned policy experts approach this notion with sober realism. While China recognizes the potential for Western alliances to fragment, it also understands that a wholesale “pivot” toward Beijing is unlikely.

European leaders may be frustrated with Trump’s isolationism, but they remain wary of China’s growing influence—especially given Beijing’s reluctance to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine. This perceived tacit support for Russia has deepened European skepticism, fueling doubts about whether China’s expanding reach aligns with Europe’s strategic interests.

Beijing’s advisors are also attuned to the fact that the same populist forces driving Trump’s comeback are gaining ground in Europe. Economic strains have spurred protectionism. This sentiment has tangible economic implications: Calls for tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and other trade protections, particularly in high-value sectors, reflect Europe’s intensifying desire to shield its own industries.

For Beijing, the ideological dimensions of a second Trump term present new complications. While the United States retreating from its traditional global role could create openings, Europe is unlikely to align more closely with China. China’s strategy is to avoid positioning itself as a direct alternative to Trump’s America. Instead, Beijing is casting itself as a pragmatic, stable partner amid the uncertainties triggered by Trump’s disruptions.

Xi’s administration has underscored this practical stance to emerging economies across Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe, promoting investment incentives, visa-free entry, and a revitalized Belt and Road Initiative focused on green and future-industry infrastructure. Beijing’s aim is to strengthen its reputation as a dependable economic partner for countries seeking growth and stability, without appearing to exploit the ideological rifts Trump’s isolationism has exposed across the West.

Xi is accelerating China’s push for self-reliance, especially in technology—a strategy captured in a phrase popular among Chinese advisors: “以不变应万变” (“respond to ever-changing circumstances with a steady core”). The drive toward self-sufficiency isn’t new; “Made in China 2025” set the stage. But recent directives from the Third Plenum and Xi’s call to foster “new productive quality forces”—a frequently repeated Xi-ism—have pushed this ambition further, centering on breakthroughs in next-generation technologies—artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductors. This vision aims not only to reduce dependency on Western technology but to assert China’s dominance in frontier industries, with an eye to leading the fourth industrial revolution. For Xi, this is more than economic strategy; it is the fundamental answer to China’s domestic pressures and the ultimate trump card in its rivalry with the United States.

This quest for self-sufficiency also extends to forging stronger economic ties with the global south. Xi’s aim goes beyond building alternative trade networks to Western influence; he envisions a sanction-proof supply chain and financial network—a new global market immune to Western pressures that can fuel China’s ambitions independently.

Then there’s the “known unknowns”—the predictably unpredictable, something very much at the forefront with Trump. A defining feature of Trump’s political style is his highly transactional approach, adding a layer of unpredictability to what might otherwise be straightforward policies. Beijing has observed this pragmatism up close, recognizing that Trump’s business instincts often outweigh ideological commitments, occasionally opening doors for negotiation.

When the United States imposed sanctions on Chinese telecom giant ZTE, for example, Xi personally spoke with Trump, leading to a reversal of the sanctions. For Beijing, this underscored that Trump’s flexibility could be influenced by high-profile gestures that he perceives as personal acknowledgments—a dynamic Beijing sees as potentially useful.

Beijing also understands Trump’s showbiz background and his strong emphasis on image and ego. In 2017, Xi hosted Trump and his family with an unprecedented reception at the Forbidden City, a site traditionally reserved for China’s emperors, infusing the event with a level of grandeur rarely extended to foreign leaders. This carefully curated spectacle played to Trump’s appreciation for high-profile events and deepened his positive impression of Xi. This “personalized diplomacy” showcased Beijing’s understanding of Trump’s sensibilities and laid a foundation for a cooperative rapport between the two leaders.

With this in mind, Chinese advisors are prepared to pursue similar transactional openings in a second Trump term. Behind the scenes, Beijing is nurturing ties with influential American business figures who could serve as informal intermediaries to Trump’s inner circle. Elon Musk, for instance—whose Tesla operations are deeply tied to China’s market—may emerge as a potential bridge between U.S. business interests and Chinese policymakers.

Some advisors are also advocating for figures like former ambassador Cui Tiankai, who has previously established a rapport with Trump’s family, particularly his son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka Trump. Cui’s connections could offer Beijing a valuable “track 1.5” channel for backdoor diplomacy, adding an extra layer of access and influence.

Still, Beijing is cautious about relying too heavily on Trump’s transactional tendencies. Recent remarks suggesting Taiwan should pay more for U.S. protection have sparked mixed reactions in China. Some view it as an opening to ease U.S. support for Taiwan, while others see it as a mere bargaining chip Trump could discard at any time. For Beijing, these mixed signals create a delicate balancing act: While it may aim to leverage Trump’s pragmatism, it knows any perceived concession could be revoked at a moment’s notice. In navigating Trump’s dealmaking style, China proceeds with cautious optimism, fully aware of his unpredictability.

Beyond Trump’s familiar transactional style, Beijing is on high alert for wild cards that could upend its plans. The nature of unknown unknowns is the impossibility to know what you’re missing, but there are some drastic, but not predictable, changes that could shake up U.S.-China relations. A sudden shift in U.S.-Russia relations, for example, could have major implications for Beijing. A closer alliance between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin might strain China’s relationship with Moscow, potentially isolating Beijing within the global power structure. Likewise, unexpected maneuvers by Trump in the Indo-Pacific could unsettle China’s carefully managed ties with regional powers like Japan, South Korea, and India.

A critical constraint on China’s ambitions lies in Washington’s tightening grip on technology exports, an escalating tactic that has introduced more unknowns into Beijing’s strategic calculus. While the general U.S. intent is clear—limiting China’s access to advanced technologies—the extent to which Washington will go remains uncertain. Recent export controls target crucial fields like semiconductors and AI, threatening to curb China’s technological progress at a pivotal time.

Chinese analysts interpret these moves not just as competitive hurdles but as a calculated strategy to stall China’s ascent in strategic areas, particularly AI and quantum computing, which are critical to both economic growth and military strength. As Beijing watches for new layers of restriction, the scale and impact of U.S. actions remain fluid, injecting a destabilizing uncertainty into China’s tech trajectory. To brace for these unknowns, Xi’s broader vision is to shape an economy resilient enough to withstand unpredictable global shifts—whether driven by Trump 2.0 or other forces—without risking economic upheaval or, worse, destabilizing Chinse Communist Party (CCP) control. Trump’s return may add urgency, but Beijing views him as more a symptom of a chaotic world order than its cause, which only reinforces Xi’s long-held belief in fortifying China’s self-reliance. For Xi, bolstering resilience across technology, supply chains, and education is about safeguarding China from external shocks and cementing the stability essential to the CCP’S rule.

In truth, Xi’s groundwork for managing “Trump-style” disruptions began long before Trump’s first term. China’s approach has always hinged on minimizing vulnerabilities to external pressures, a direction deeply embedded in Xi’s worldview. Yet this pursuit of resilience walks a fine line. Strengthening defenses could deepen China’s isolation—a shield that may paradoxically create new weaknesses. Gains in domestic supply chains and tech independence mark real progress, but much of Xi’s vision remains aspirational. Beijing is racing to secure these defenses, understanding that, in a world increasingly defined by upheaval, China’s strength will be measured less by its rapid growth and more by its capacity to endure through turbulence.

[rad-o-saurus]

I AM BEGGING YOU HOW DID YOU MAKE THE CHUM MASK

I'm probably not the best to ask for costume making advice but i will do my best to explain my process as comprehensibly as possible. Luckily i took pictures during it's production!

This post is kinda long but hang in there lol

Step 1: Research

Since there is no tutorial on how to make a fish head, i had to find tutorials that deal with characters with a similar face shape and and skin type for both construction and material. Any fursuit head tutorial should be watched just to get a general feel for what you're getting into though.

(Link of playlist of video tuts i used for reference)

Step 2: Planning/Sketching/Gathering

To start i recommend taking a picture of yourself and drawing the head around it to plan where to place things like eyes and jaw (if you want a movable jaw) . It's also important to measure your head/plan out how big you want the head to actually be concretely. I adapted the design as best i could while still retaining likeness. Know exactly what your head is gonna look like before you start

EX1: Sketch for look and measurements (i had many others this is just the cleanest)

I then had to decide what material I was going to use for certain parts of the cosplay. Following the tutorials i gathered essential materials like Upholstery foam, a balaclava and elastic band for the jaw but i had to improvise for more case specific parts. The hair and teeth are made out of cardboard and the eyes are just Styrofoam balls for example. I also cheaped out a little for the skin, opting to just buy gray fabric instead of the preferred minky.

I also kept a log to track my progress, schedule myself and take notes when changes need to be made so that can be useful as well

Step 3: Production

Finally it is time to make the damn fish!!

3.1:Bucket head

I used the bucket head method (which basically just consists of wrapping a piece of foam around your head gluing it and putting a top) since it was the simplest to do.

I then cut out the necessary holes and started adding the other foam to get the shape base of the head.

I then kept adding on foam in general shaped and started sculpting it. Normally fursuit makers use a fancy saw but if you have a bread knife (serated) and a pair of good scissors you should be good to go.I also painted and paper maché-d the Styrofoam eyes at this point.

(sculpting process also for tail too)

Don't forget to try it on every once and a while to make sure everything works as it's supposed too and looks how it's supposed too (also make sure you can see because I didn't and it's very hard too see in that thing)

Ex 2: Swag

3.2: Skinning and accessories

By this point I started making the teeth and the hair which was simple enough since i've used cardboard as a material before.

The real tough part for me would be to skin the thing which required that i learn how to sew.

I first had to make a pattern which required that i wrap my precious fishy boy in duck tape and then draw out the different sections of the head for them to be sewn together later. It was definitely hard to get used to but I'm thankful that I learnt how to do it because it actually helped me better understand Uv wrapping in 3D texturing !

I did the same for the tail! (Btw if you ever decide to do this please wrap your foam base in plastic wrap because removing the duck tape otherwise is difficult and can even rip off some of your foam)

When all was done and sewn in one piece wrapped it around the head, glued the hair and started painting the details like scales and mussel as well as glue on the mesh in order to hide the eye holes.

Step 4: Fuck around you funky fish!!!

If you have any additional questions about the costume feel free to ask, i will be happy to answer!

Have a Fishtastic day!

[carterashofficial]

So, what is the difference between concrete and cement? I genuinely didn't know there was one.

Okay so 1- I'm not sober right now and 2- Concrete was one of my top 3 favorite college classes (along with botany and architectural history from early gothic to 1700s-ish. yes i had a concrete class. it was required for my major)

So *Cement (the OG stuff) is like. old as balls. its been used since the dawn of time and is like. water+ chalky rock stuff. it's got the structural integrity of a saltine cracker, so if you touch it wrong it crumbles, much like my self esteem.

Then the Roman came along, looked at *Cement, and thought "i wanna make it better" and then went and invented Concrete. The One True Big Deal OverPowered Concrete recipe used in Ancient Rome has unfortunately been lost to time. However- we know the basics. Cement + Water + Fly Ash + Aggregate (you might be thinking "hang on, cement is in concrete?" it always has been). So what are these things?

Cement: the basic ingredient. its cement.

Water: H2O preferably in liquid form

Fly Ash: well-done charcoal in a Supremely Fine Powder

Fine Aggregate: sand, essentially.

Coarse Aggregate: small-medium gravel

So you mix all of these things together and you get Concrete. Unlike the fragile cement, Concrete doesn't give a damn how you touch it unless you're a jackhammer. if cement is the crumbly saltine cracker, concrete is a graham cracker. Stronger, heavier, and overall better.

back to Ancient Rome.

So Concrete has been Invented and those Romans use it to build the Colosseum, because they could and no one could stop them. deep at the bottom of the Colosseum are concrete walls like 9 feet deep. Because their structural engineering can be summed up as "lets make it an arch" and that was it. It was the only way to hold up all those wall and different levels above.

You might now be thinking "hang on Carter, why don't other giant modern buildings not have 9' deep concrete walls. b/c thats ridiculous" It's because the Romans excelled at a lot of things, however they did not use rebar. rebar in concrete started in the 1800s, which led to the boom of Tall Buildings across the globe. Like the first Skyscraper was only 10? stories.

So now we have Concrete + Rebar. just about all Concrete you see in the wild has rebar in it. your sidewalk? rebar. Driveway? rebar. the in-ground pool? Rebar.

But in that below ground pool, its not just concrete. it's Concrete + Additives/Admixtures.

Additives/Admixtures: fancy schmancy chemically engineered compounds to change various things about the concrete, such as:

Concrete cures slower

Concrete handles the expansion/contraction of ice/water better

Concrete has a different Heat of Hydration temp

Colored Concrete (i've seen red for fire lines, aka STOP DIGGING)

Before I continue, i need to explain Heat of Hydration. when the cement, the primary ingredient in concrete, cures (goes from gloop to solid), it lets off heat. it gets hot. Spicy Cement. This is why when you get cement/concrete on your clothes or skin, you're supposed to wash it off ASAP. its corrosive AF and will give you a chemical burn. which like, no bueno. supremely no bueno.

So now you know of Cement and it's better, stronger child: Concrete.

Cement is the flour of the cake that is concrete. Flour + Water? sad saltine cracker. Flour + Water + Sugar? Graham Cracker. Flour + Water + Egg + Sugar? Cake.

You mix your cement with water and aggregates and fly ash and then you've got your concrete. to make it Extra Strong, pour it over rebar. And then wash off wherever it splashed.

Now my final note: in stores across the US you can find bags of lies called 'Quikcrete'. these are not concrete. these are cement. There is no aggregates. no admixtues or additives. Despite the wrong name its a decent product. holds up fence posts really well even when you have a dog that spent 11 years trying to become one with the fence.

Now next time someone complains about the 'cement' or whatnot being chipped, you can turn to them, the soul of an ancient roman engineer in your eyes, and go "its concrete"