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goldleafacrossyourlips · 5 years ago

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Uneasy Lies the Head - CAOS - Dark Lord/OC - Chapter 9

Chapters - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13

Chapter 9 - Honeysuckle and Soaks

If someone would have told Samara a year ago that she’d lose her magick, regain it by eating a Mandrake’s heart and learn that she was destined to be the Dark Lord’s Queen, she would’ve laughed herself sick and then sent that person to have their psyche checked. Yet, there she was, following her cousins and their friends, leaving behind the quickly decaying body of her Mandrake after having heard the prophecy was in motion. Samara nearly scoffed to herself about how unbelievable it all was but when had Spellmans ever lived through normalcy. Still, all this was insane!

She could feel it though. Or rather, she supposed Him. Lightning still struck above but it was nothing compared to the electricity she could feel buzzing through the air. It seemed even the Earth knew what was happening. The Dark Lord had surfaced. She could tell. The way the world seemed to slow and tremble. The critters they passed in the forest were hiding and not because strangers were walking near their homes, but rather they could feel the power that had just emerged.

“Aunt Hilda.” Sabrina called out as the group finally reached the Spellman house. Samara was the last to enter the kitchen, bringing up the rear of them. She was too busy reassuring her Shadows that she was okay, as well as sensing the changes the Earth was going through with the Dark Lord now walking upon it.

“And where have you been all night?” Aunt Zelda’s voice was sharp. Samara looked up and greedily took in the sight of her hard-headed Aunt. Perhaps she could help her make sense of all of this. She was relieved to see her, after hearing that she’d been placed under a housewife spell. The knowledge of that just made Samara hate Blackwood even more.

“Aunt Zelda.” Sabrina continued to march towards their Aunts. Aunt Hilda was sitting down, concern written across her face. Aunt Zelda as always was puffing away at a cigarette, her nerves clear to see.

“Do you have any idea what’s going on, Sabrina? The trouble we’re in?” Aunt Zelda stressed, leaning towards the group. Samara weaved around the group until she was sitting across from Aunt Hilda and served herself some tea. She shot a soft grin towards her Aunts. Yet she was ignored as Sabrina continued to speak.

“Aunt Hilda, Aunt Zelda, listen to me for one second.” Their Aunt’s heads tilted towards Sabrina, showing their willingness to listen. Samara stirred in the sugar to her tea, snagging a sweet from Aunt Hilda’s plate. Not like she’d notice.

“Ms. Wardwell manipulated us into fulfilling a prophecy. One that’s meant to bring about the end of the world.” Sabrina’s words were quickly delivered and breathless. Samara nearly chuckled at her Aunt Zelda’s eye roll but resolved not to from the tension in the air. “Because of us, the Dark Lord has assumed His original form and is somewhere in Greendale. And the Gates of Hell are going to open, releasing the hordes of Hell.”

“Sorry, all this is--This is all happening now?” Aunt Hilda’s shaky question filled the silence, her eyes wide and mouth hanging. Samara peered at her over the rim of her teacup as she took a sip.

“Now or very soon.” Sabrina’s tone was very stressed. Samara leaned back and let Sabrina and the others fill her Aunt’s in on what was going on. Now that she had her magick back, she didn’t really care what was going on. She wanted answers of course, but her cousin’s panic wasn’t a priority to her at the moment. Honestly, she was still quite peeved off about the whole Mandrake business.

“According to the prophecy I found, His plan is to enslave the tribes of human and witch-kind, and to rule over everything with His demon army.” Nick revealed, stepping to Sabrina’s side. Samara could practically feel the shock and worry radiating from her Aunties, like storm clouds.

“There’s more. Sabrina created a Mandrake that’s absorbed her witch powers. Which created a Mandrake of Samara that absorbed her powers as well.” Ambrose butted in. Samara almost huffed at her cousins not noticing that she was well and fully powered. Still she remained silent, a deeper part of her enjoying the chaos that was rolling through the room.

“All of them?” Aunt Hilda’s voice barely hid her despair.

“And that’s not even the worst of it.” Sabrina continued to hammer on. Her Aunts were instantly groaning.

“What’s worse than you being mortal?” Aunt Zelda spat. Samara hummed. She knew out of the entire family, Aunt Zelda would be the worst one to react to Sabrina’s newfound mortality. Sabrina remained tightlipped for a moment but before she could respond, Ambrose spoke for her.

“She is to be the Sword of the Dark Lord and enact His will. And Samara…..” Ambrose trailed off. The room’s attention shifted to the girl in mention. Samara had her teacup raised to her lips and was taking a sip. She peered at her Aunt’s as she did so.

“And Samara what?” Aunt Zelda spat out, her hands and jaw clenched. Samara delicately set her teacup down.

“And apparently I am to rule by His side, as Queen. Oh, and I’m not mortal. I bit the heart out of my Mandrake and gained my powers back. So all good on that front.” She said lightly in opposition to how her Aunts reacted.

“How? Wh- Over my dead body. You’re both too young.” Samara felt like a cat that was being brushed the wrong way. Spikes trickled up her spine at her Aunt Zelda’s words.

“You’ll stand against the Dark Lord then, Auntie.” Ambrose’s voice was hopeful. Samara’s fists turned knuckle white on top of the table.

“To defend my nieces? Certainly. Family comes first. And the Dark Lord is not without His aversions.” Aunt Zelda’s words rang with newfound determination.

“Iron Spikes.”

“Onions.” Aunt Hilda supplied, staring at Samara from across the table. Samara kept her eyes downcast, her teacup rattling softly from where it sat in it’s saucer. She shouldn’t be this upset with her family attempting to protect her. But their words against the Dark Lord filled her with rage. Why?

Distantly she heard as her Aunt Zelda continued to bark orders on how to protect the house, but her mind was miles away. Why was she so angry with her family? Why did the thought of staying separate from the Dark Lord send a pang through her chest? In an even more private place in her head she asked the question she was most concerned with. Why did the thought of being His Queen appeal to her so much? She wanted answers. And she wanted them now.

“Samara?” A hand covered her still tightly furled fist. She forced it to relax and took a deep breath as she looked up into the concerned faces of her Aunts.

“I know this is scary, but we aren’t going to let Him have you two. Don’t be afraid, my love.” Aunt Hilda assured her, squeezing the hand she held. Aunt Zelda hummed in agreement. Samara felt a frown curl on her face.

“But I’m not scared. That’s the thing. I’m confused. I have so many questions. And I want the answers, now.” Samara said, her Shadows flickered in the corners of her vision. Her Aunt's casted looks at her full of pity. Samara felt irritation lick up her spine. She looked away from them and screwed her eyes closed.

“What’s even worse is that, a part of me. A rather large part of me, wants him, that, something. I don’t know! All I know is, is that the thought of staying apart from him hurts. I have to figure out what’s going on. I don’t know who I have to talk to but I need to talk to someone with answers. You know as well as I that you can put up as much iron as you want, he’s still going to come. And I want answers by the time he gets here. Excuse me as I make a few calls to some of my clients.” Samara ground out before shoving away from the table and stalked up to her room. Her Aunts were frozen where they were, shocked by her outburst.

Samara threw herself down into the seat of her vanity. The sight that met her in the mirror shocked her. She was a mess. Her hair was a frizzy heap, no doubt due to the electricity in the air that night. Her clothes were disheveled and she had streaks of dirt painting her exposed skin. She heaved a sign, resting her elbows on the vanity edge and setting her head in her hands. She had a bad feeling that this was going to end in a mess.

Peering up at her reflection once more, Samara made the decision to clean up before trying to find answers through mirror scrying her clients. Besides, a bath could help her mind kickstart into gear. She turned away from the mirror and walked to the bathroom.

She stared at the clawfoot bathtub that waited in the center of the room before shrugging her shoulders and snapped her fingers. Instantly the tub was filled with steaming hot water. At least her amped up powers were good for something.

She turned away from the tub and began to shed her soiled clothing. Finally bare to the room, she turned back to the bath only to freeze. Where once, still, clear water filled it, now petals of honeysuckle covered the surface of the water. She slowly approached the water and peered into it. Seeing nothing nefarious hiding in the water, she dipped a finger into the hot water. After a minute of nothing happening she hummed and decided to take her chances.

As she sank into the scorching water, a deep moan escaped her. Her tense muscles relaxed as she leaned back against the wall of the tub. The pleasant scent of the flowers surrounded her and caused her to feel even more boneless. This was exactly what she needed after the events she’d had since she’d arrived at her former home. Sure, she’d taken brisk showers and baths, but it’d been a while since she’d really soaked for the pleasure of relaxing.

She ran a finger over the top of the water, creating a break in the petals. Her mind, before seeming so frantic and spiralling, was now almost sluggish from the euphoria she was experiencing. She leaned her head back against the rim of the tub and her eyes slipped closed.

At this point, there were two main points of actions she could take. She could either stand with her family. Help them play keep away from the Dark Lord. Help prevent the Apocalypse and find a way to send the Dark Lord back to Hell. Or. She could accept the prophecy as it was. Help the Dark Lord bring Hell on Earth. Rule over the humans and witches. And stand by His side as Queen.

She really did love her family. They’d taken her in when she had nobody. But there had to be a reason that she was chosen to become His Queen. She was sure that was a decision not made lightly. Samara decided to not make a choice just yet, not until she knew more.

Her eyes blinked open as a chill wracked her, not from the water cooling; which with her powers she was keeping it at a nice skin melting temperature. No, the chill was from a familiar presence rushing through her. It didn’t linger though. It shuddered through her from head to toe before departing. She looked around the room and found nothing out of place before she realized the honeysuckle petals were gone and now red tulips were in their place. She hummed as she pinched a petal between her fingers and lifted it to her eye level. She placed it against her lips and inhaled, a small smile gracing her lips at the scent and softness before she dropped it back to the water.

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pera-mitu · 5 years ago

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Get to know me questions!

I was requested by @relik120 to do all of them so... here it goes.

1. selfie (Not gonna post one, you know what I look like)

2. what would you name your future kids?

So I don’t want kids, like at all, however I’ve always said that if by some cruel twist of fate I do have a son I’m naming him Togna. But pronounced like bologna.

3. do you miss anyone?

Yeah, I miss my SO. She’s away on a research trip and I’m not able to talk to her for about 10 more days. Shit sucks.

4. what are you looking forward to?

Vacation! I’m going to Disney in a few weeks and I’m amped! It’s gonna be a lot of fun and I’m gonna eat SOOOO much food.

5. is there anyone who can always make you smile?

A few people. My SO, obv, but also my closest friends constantly bring a smile to my face.

6. is it hard for you to get over someone?

No, people come and go, and while it sucks I try and not let it get to me too much. There have been times I struggled *coughs* but I think overall I’m decent at letting go.

7. what was your life like last year?

Last year was... interesting. I was in a bad spot mentally and kinda threw myself at people for any amount of attention. I really grew up in the last year and it’s odd to think back on.

8. have you ever cried because you were so annoyed?

Friend, I cry when I don’t have a reason.

9. who did you last see in person?

Uhh my grandmother, if you don’t count her then my ex. I looked into why his computer wasn’t working.

10. are you good at hiding your feelings?

Not great. I’m a very expressive person and really I can’t keep things too well hidden.

11. are you listening to music right now?

Nope, listening to the gentle drone of my AC

12. what is something you want right now?

A cheeseburger... legit I’m dying over here.

13. how do you feel right now?

Hungry mostly, see post above

14. when was the last time someone of the opposite sex hugged you?

Damn... must have been a few months ago, last time I hugged my ex.

15. personality description

Bubbly garbage bird woman whose a bit too loud for her own good. I’m also hella extroverted and have an easy time becoming peoples friend.

16. have you ever wanted to tell someone something but you didn’t?

All the time, I keep a lot of stuff to myself.

17. opinion on insecurities.

I mean I have them, everyone has them. They suck but they’re part of being human.

18. do you miss how things were a year ago?

Not at all, things are strictly just better for me.

19. have you ever been to New York?

Passed through it once. If that counts.

20. what is your favorite song at the moment?

It changes by the hour practically. But right now it’s Migraine by Twenty One Pilots.

21. age and birthday?

23 and January 19th

22. description of crush.

Well my crush is my SO but... She’s a smart and beautiful girl that can keep my attention forever. She’s sweet and kind, and god do I miss her. (I’m very gay)

23. fear(s)

Sharp things, literally any bug

24. height

5′5

25. role model

Ugh... I don’t really have one. I feel like I’m kinda my own person and know that?

26. idol(s)

Again I don’t really idolize anyone. I guess any successful lesbian?

27. things i hate

Hate, like hating others.

28. i’ll love you if…

cook for me.

29. favourite film(s)

Star Wars Ep 5, Jurassic Park

30. favourite tv show(s), Spiderverse 31. 3 random facts

I lost 6 inches of height due to medical issues. I play dnd twice a week. I walk 4-5 miles a day.

32. are your friends mainly girls or guys?

Mostly girls, though it’s close to an even split I think.

33. something you want to learn

How to play more instruments. I love making sound.

34. most embarrassing moment

. . . nah we’re gonna keep that locked up

35. favourite subject

Like in school? History I guess.

36. 3 dreams you want to fulfill?

Get wife. Get a nice job in my field. Own a shark tank like some supervillain

37. favourite actor/actress

I’ve answered this before, but Laura Bailey.

38. favourite comedian(s)

uhhh don’t have one?

39. favourite sport(s)

This is a final fantasy roleplay blog.

40. favourite memory

41. relationship status

In a relationship :D

42. favourite book(s)

Fahrenheit 451. It’s just a great book.

43. favourite song ever

? ? ? Didn’t I already answer this.

44. age you get mistaken for

I’m told I look 15-17

45. how you found out about your idol

Don’t really have one, again/

46. what my last text message says

“If you wanna swing by at 5-5:15 that’s chill.”

47. turn ons

Passions, intellect, tiddies, hobbies

48. turn offs

Bad personality, entitlement, judging others.

49. where i want to be right now

At a restaurant, eating a cheeseburger

50. favourite picture of your idol

again... don’t have one.

51. starsign

Capricorn?

52. something i’m talented at

I’m told I’m pretty good at singing.

53. 5 things that make me happy

My friends, my girlfriend, dogs, dnd, this community.

54. something thats worrying me at the moment

My arms been bleeding for a while... it’s concerning me.

55. tumblr friends

@wildname @draenei-tales @vylette-elakha @draenei-tales @relik120

56. favourite food(s)

Beese Churger. No it’s actually ramen.

57. favourite animal(s)

Sharks. They’re rad as fuck.

58. description of my best friend

A kind and adorable bean whose always there for me and her other friends.

59. why i joined tumblr

@wildname got me into it.

Fuuuuuck that was a lot.

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motortrends-blog1 · 5 years ago

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How Heavy Highway Use Tax is calculated?

Who's necessary to cover HVUT or Heavy Highway Use Tax?The Transport sector features a remarkable growth in the actual last couple of years. Annually a lot of new businesses enter in this industry. But they need to know of the taxes they have to cover once these people start operating. The hauling company utilizing heavy vehicles ought to comprehend in details regarding HVUT or heavy highway use tax. Heavy Highway Use Tax can be a central tax attained upon heavy vehicles at a licensed significant weight equal to as well as exceeding fityfive, Thousand pounds and works about open public highways. The absolute maximum HVUT about the cars exceeding 75,000 pounds is $550 annually. Annually Bureau of Cars (BMV) demands the repayment receipt or HVUT. The tax length of Heavy Highway Use Tax starts on July 1 along with ends on June 30 next year. For more information regarding ny highway use tax return, check out this eTrucks Tax Calculator Program.

The gross taxable weight with the vehicle is the summation of:

The real unloaded weight of the actual vehicle fully outfitted of support.

The actual unloaded fat of any trailers or semitrailers fully equipped about services customarily utilized in combination with the car, and.

The weight from the optimum load often carried on the vehicle and any trailers and semitrailers often utilized with the car.

Who's necessary to cover HVUT or Heavy Highway Use Tax?

You want to pay out Heavy Highway Use Tax in case your business fulfils the below criteria's.

The highway motor vehicle is authorised in your own title.

The gross weight of the automobile is 55,000 pounds or higher.

It can be predicted to exceed the mileage over 5000 miles (7500 miles for Agricultural & Logging vehicles).

In case your company has ideas not to exceed the 5000 kilometres (7500 miles for Agricultural & Logging vehicles).

Then the vehicle can be designated as Tax hanging vehicle. You do not need to cover the taxes but need to file for this anyhow.

There are several teams which are exempted the particular HVUT comprise:

The Federal Government.

State or local authorities, including the District of Columbia.

Local or State governments, including the District of Columbia.

Mass transportation authorities.

Nonprofit volunteer fire departments, ambulance associations or rescue squads.

Indian tribal governments (for vehicles used in essential tribal government functions).

You Have to Have the next information to file your current HVUT

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of each vehicle over 55,000 pounds.

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

The taxable gross weight of each vehicle

Penalties for not filing Heavy Highway Use Tax.

Should you miss to document HVUT returns or perhaps pay taxes within the specified deadline, the IRS may possibly impose penalties or even fines on you. HVUT penalties may also be charged on you if there is any fraudulent throughout filing tax returns. These kinds of sentences are going to be incorporated in the interest charged on the overdue repayment. If you have any valid reason for late payment, after that fines for past due filing of Heavy Highway Use Tax may not levy on you. Regarding completing after the due date, an individual need to attach the proof postpone to be able to get a reduction.

That's why It gets essential intended for each trucking company to submit Heavy Highway Use Tax sort 2290 punctually. Not merely it saves you through charges but also helps One to become authenticated within the company. To handle your own business with no interference, File the taxes on time along with following every principle associated with the industry.

#ny hut application

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thetricyclelove-blog · 5 years ago

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What is an Electric Bike and Just How Does it Work?

An electric bike is for all intents and functions a normal everyday bicycle that has actually been equipped with an electric motor to assist in its propulsion. These motors are, restricted by Federal Legislation, to 750 watts of power as well as 20 miles per hr top speed. The majority of electric bikes are constructed to fulfill that requirements but some do surpass them. The range can vary greatly depending on the weight of the bike as well as cyclist, wheel dimension, style of riding, and also surface. They come in a vast selection of styles and sizes from tiny electric folding bikes with 16 and also 20-inch wheels for travelers and also apartment or condo occupants to 28 inch and also 700c dimensions. The most common kind of motor used in electric bikes is a hub electric motor. When power from the battery is used to the motor the opposing magnetic force causes the wheel to spin. An electric motor rated at 1000 watts optimal may be a 500-watt electric motor in its basic operating output. Batteries are additionally extremely crucial in regards to these products. The most typical battery secured lead-acid (RUN-DOWN NEIGHBORHOOD) is the least pricey and offers the greatest amp hrs (ah). SLA batteries consider 3 times what a lithium battery does and last less than a third as long. A Lithium LiFePO4 battery is the most expensive battery and has low ah, yet is without a doubt the lightest weight as well as lengthiest lasting. You would have to acquire, mount, and also throw away 12 12volt SHANTY TOWN batteries prior to you resemble the lifetime of one 48 volts LiFePO4 battery. Nickel-cadmium and also various other batteries drop someplace in between. A lightweight lithium battery generally slides out of the battery rack for very easy recharge inside as opposed to needing to locate an electrical outlet in which to plug the whole bike. Lithium batteries are without a doubt the most ecologically friendly of all the batteries offered. The electric bikes constructed from packages are quite often your best choice in regards to cost and also efficiency. A lot of the bicycles that individuals already possess are superior makers to a number of those that have been designed as electric bikes. If you pick your kit thoroughly you will certainly obtain a much more effective motor, much better battery, and numerous various other features that you can not locate on a factory-built bike and also your converted bike will often consider less. A good package should have the electric motor pre-developed into a wheel (a front wheelset is much easier to install), twin brake electric motor cutoff, a spin or thumb throttle, a motor controller, circuitry harness, and a battery mounting rack with a lock mechanism. A really excellent package will also have wiring layouts, mounting hardware, cord connections as well as complete guidelines. The really expensive factory developed electric bicycles tend to look even more like motorcycles, are very hefty and difficult to pedal yet go no quicker or further than an economical bike or kit constructed bike. They do look cool though! Also, you will certainly want to buy your kit from somebody who will have the ability to aid you with the setup procedure in the remote situation that you have a question or trouble. If you are mosting likely to transform your existing bike, be sure that it is good operating problem and if you are going to build a bike from a kit of 500 watts or more, utilize a bike with a steel front fork. Really effective front-wheel electric motors can pull devoid of or damage aluminum and also suspension forks. You do not call for a great deal of gearing in an electric bicycle unless you are mosting likely to use it as a mountain bicycle. For road bikes, six or 7 gears are more than enough. If you choose to purchase a manufacturing facility built bike, find one you able to entirely regulate, feel comfortable riding which has every one of the options you are seeking. With an electric bike you can pedal individually of the electric motor, pedal with the electric motor for extended variety and also workout or usage power alone. You can take an electric bike anywhere a normal bike is enabled including on lots of subway and bus systems, bike trails, as well as bicycle lanes. Any individual that can ride a bike can ride an electric bike as well as anybody with fundamental device skills can set up an electric bike conversion set. For those who have troubles with 2 rolled bicycles, there are adult electric tricycle and conversion packages for grown-up tricycles also. These operate similarly and also can aid provide exceptional transport options for the elderly and also disabled. Electric bikes are authentic green transportation. They can offer really real options to the car for brief range use and also help ease traffic congestion, air contamination, dependence on imported nonrenewable fuel sources and also offer you a little workout while dealing with your daily life. It will not address every one of our problems, yet it's an excellent begin.

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zayneternal · 6 years ago

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myg || drabble

prompt ↠ “You want to kiss me, don’t you?” ↳Yoongi finally comes home from tour.

genre ↠ FLUFF member ↠ min yoongi warnings ↠ none, my homie. Just kick back. word count ↠ 2.0k

moodboard credit to @outroshooky || requested by anon. enjoy lil meow meow!

It’s official. Sitting still is impossible.

You came to that conclusion hours ago after trying everything under the sun to distract your amped thoughts from the prodding impatience and annoying excitement filtering through your body. You put on your favorite film only to realize halfway through that you hadn’t registered one word spoken, the usually familiar plot blotched and broken under your measly attentions. You tried immersing yourself in the newest edition of your novel collection, normally a page turner if you’ve ever seen one, but the intricate character arcs and unique story line left you feeling less than fulfilled. You attempted loosing yourself in a coloring book, taking random, useless (but totally necessary) quizzes on the internet, organizing your side of the closet, and even cleaning the entire apartment before you gave up, resolving to submit to your one track thoughts in their fullness, seeing as how that’s where your mind kept wandering back to anyway.

Your eyes flit, now, between the front door and the small cellphone clutched in your hand as you carefully pace the trail you’ve forged around the scope of the your small home. Feet passing around the couch, past the entry way, down the hall and back, through the kitchen, and repeating, you unlock your phone to reread the last correspondence between Yoongi and yourself.

Tiny Tot: I’m boarding the last plane now. I’ll let you know when I arrive. I love you.

Tiny Tot: We just landed. I can’t wait to hold you again, jagiya. Just a few more hours now.

You: I love you. Be safe, I’ll see you soon.

That message was sent almost two hours ago, just after you’d returned the cleaning supplies to their proper place under the bathroom sink, and you’ve received no update since. This normally doesn’t bother you as Yoongi has never been much on texting, but the months of solitary anticipation slowly building into this monumental day is making you just a little more antsy than usual.

You walk your manmade path a few more times, ears trained for the sound of the door, before you sigh, wondering what could be taking him so long. The bright light of the city around you is slowly dimming, the sun beams illuminating your apartment with natural light gently morphing into a soft glow from the neon paint of the buildings below. You move to flip on the lamp lighting, the space around you humming with a peaceful radiance as you’re spurred to try one last distraction. Making your way into the cream coated kitchen, you reroute your attention to one of your favorite therapies: cooking. You try to recall the many lessons Jin had graced you with during his numerous visits to your home, along with the other boys, before they all flew off to perform in places unknown. You’d always gotten along with Jin pleasantly, his old sense of humor and shared love of crafting food two things you easily connected on.

His words of wisdom begin to float through your head as you yank out various ingredients to prepare something Yoongi has labeled a beloved meal many times before. You begin slicing and dicing, panfrying and sautéing, throwing yourself into the wonderfully encompassing fog of aromas swimming through the air around you. For the first time all day, your distraction tactic seems to be having some progressive effects, subduing your thoughts to almost incoherence, the unrelenting tug of your attention becoming sedated within the world of food.

It’s when the short round of buzzing sharpens against the counter next to you that you’re drawn from your daze, the loud sizzling of the marinated meat in the skillet almost dousing out the competing noise. You jolt, hand stumbling to drop the chopsticks held between your fingers as you reach out to grip the vibrating device.

Tiny Tot: I was trying to surprise you, but your door was locked -_-.

Tiny Tot: Are you home? I’ve tried knocking.

Tiny Tot: Babe, seriously. Starting to get some weird looks from your neighbors, over here. I look kinda creepy just standing outside your door. Can you pretty please let me in?

Your fingers shake against the hard glass of your phone screen, a stupid smile spreading like butter over your lips as you read the messages. He’s here, and standing just on other side of the door, the annoying opaque of the surface the only thing separating you from the beauty of his presence, real and physical in front of you, finally. No longer do miles of time changes and busy schedules hinder your ability to be next to him, to talk with him, to lay with him, to love him.

Abandoning your phone upon the counter once more, you scurry towards the door, hopping your momentum to a halt when you realize the food is still frying on the stove. You hustle back, cursing under your breath, and remove the pan from the burn of the eye, speedily double checking the chance of any more kitchen mishaps before pivoting and setting your sights on the golden, brass nob of your front door.

It feels like running a marathon as you push yourself forward, uncooperative feet stumbling over themselves as you go, hand preemptively outstretched until if finally collides with the doorknob, ecstatically trembling fingers encircling the cold metal and pushing until you hear a soft click! Pulling it recklessly towards you, the wooden obstruction is removed from your vision, replaced instead with the ethereal and dream-like picture of a tousled and travel worn Yoongi standing in the frame, his disheveled appearance still managing to pool the long-missed bubble of heat in your stomach.

“Hi,” he breathes relievedly, his eyes settling on you with wide wonder, as if he’s trying to take the scene before it disappears.

“Hi,” you say back, air pulsing oddly in your lungs, the brunt of your breath held captive in the rise of your chest.

“So you are home,” he confirms gently, rocking back and forth on his heels. The banter of his voice, taunting you with the tension of it, has you fighting a playful and excited grin at the corners of your twitching lips. You can see his own mouth mirror your squirm.

“So are you,” you add, your eyes glinting with building suspense. Yoongi smirks, the picture of it like walking the beach on a cool night, refreshing and sweet. “You know, you couldn’t have waited just a little longer to show up? I had dinner on the stove and-”

“Shut up,” Yoongi laughs, surging forward, his bags left to their own devices in the hall as his arms snake around the waist of your happily squealing figure. You laugh unashamedly and uncontrollably as Yoongi’s momentum walks your intwined bodies backwards, his lean and tall frame curling over yours as you wrap your eager arms around the line of his warm neck. Yoongi presses his face into the curve of your shoulder, his lips pecking a fervent greeting into the exposed skin under your lopsided t-shirt as you lean against him, your feet pushed onto tip-toes between the spread stance of his legs.

“Oh, how I missed you,” he murmurs earnestly against your hair, his hands finding purchase on the hills of your full hips, fingers digging tenderly into your side as if he’s attempting to solidify the reality of you against him. “So beautiful.”

You can’t contain your joy as your body bounces up and down in reaction to his arrival, the feeling of him in your arms again utterly rapturous. Your face hides itself in the valley of his chest and neck, the cool protrusion of his collarbone brushing your nose. The familiar and warm scent of him invades your senses, a drug to your addicted fervor, inhaling the soft cedar and vanilla of his skin.

It feels like it’s only been mere seconds, much too short for Yoongi’s liking, when you pull away from his embrace, face emerging to admire his own as his arms remain locked around your waist, tugging your hips against him. Your eyes trail the gentle slopes of his porcelain features, the months of difficult distance making his glowing presence in front of you all the more vivid and detailed. You rake your gaze over the sharp line of his jaw, the expanse of his smooth complexion coating the button-like curve of his nose and pale apples of his cheeks, the pastel pink of his plush lips curled into an attentive smile, and the golden-glinted brown of his deep-set eyes shining down at you. He’s something of another world, a specimen crafted for someone much more deserving than you, but by the grace of God, here he is in your arms, and your arms only.

"What’re you looking at?” you wonder aloud, watching the way his own eyes are carefully memorizing your face.

“You,” he answers simply, the quiet ease of his voice sending warm tingles down your spine. His eyebrows scrunch with obviously forced confusion. “Are you wearing chapstick?”

“You want to kiss me, don’t you?” you ask, unable to contain the teasing amusement of your accusation in your smile, giggling against the sudden change of his expression, feigned wonder melting from his features as something more softly genuine fills its place.

“Is it that obvious?” he asks, eliciting more of the sweet giggles he so adores. Grinning sedately, Yoongi watches the way your face scrunches up, gentle features full of life as you laugh in his arms, the sound so much more satisfying in person than it is over the phone. Involuntarily, but full of want, Yoongi slowly raises a hand from your waist, his soft fingers coming to trail a tingling path along the arch of your neck, palm resting against your cheek as he brushes his thumb under the relaxing squish of your eye.

Your laughter fades, the air spilling into the sudden silence coated with an intimate warmth as Yoongi stares at you. Bated breath catches in your throat, the look in Yoongi’s eyes melting you into a pool of impatient anticipation as his tongue darts out to wet the pillow of his parted lips. His dark irises flit between your steady gaze and the waiting enticement of your mouth, the slow lean of his head to meet yours like millennia.

His lips pause over yours for a moment before he runs out of patience, pressing the cushion of his mouth against yours with deeply desiring affection. Your body goes limp at the feeling of his kiss, the absence of this mind-numbing connection for the past months leaving you completely subject to his touch, brain fogging as your entire being becomes slave to Yoongi’s lips.

The kiss is gentle, tender, satisfied without rough movement to express the sincere longing and love of Yoongi’s presence. He pushes and pulls against the unspoken give and take of your pout, the soft blanket of his mouth unlike any earthly bliss. His tongue carefully swipes along the flesh of your bottom lip, asking for solicitous entry to taste more of you, a request you instantly comply to. He slips past the gate of your mouth, painting lazy stripes of affection against you as his other hand raises to mirror the first, thumbs cooperatively caressing the skin of your cheeks as you mewl into the kiss.

Yoongi’s mouth curls against you, obviously grinning into the affects his lips have on you just before he pulls away, the soft sounds of your parting mouths igniting a heat in your stomach that you force into recession until later, too blissed-out by the gentle touch of Yoongi’s hands to demand more.

He rests his smooth forehead against yours, eyes studying your satiated and blithe expression with fondness. “So,” he whispers after a long, comfortable moment. “My woman made me dinner?”

Needless to say, his grip on you is broken by the playfully offended swat of your hands, back turning to saunter into the kitchen with a roll of your eyes.

“What?” Yoongi’s confused voice echoes after you. “I meant it as a compliment.”

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markvillacampa · 4 years ago

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Week 33, 2020

Microsoft’s Surface Duo arrives on September 10th for $1,399

The Verge - August 12, 2020 - 5 min

Foldables are the future of smartphones, whether it's a normal-sized phone that unfolds into a tablet, like the Samsung Z Fold 2, or a normal-sized phone that folds to become smaller in your pocket, like the Samsung Z Flip.

However, the Surface Duo is a little different. It's not a foldable screen, but two screens joined by a hinge and some software glue.

As positive things, its multitasking story seems easier to grasp than the one on iPadOS, and at 4.8mm it's the thinnest smartphone in the market (when unfolded).

You probably only want to buy it if:

If you've been waiting for a Courier successor for the past 10 years.

You replace your Surface every generation.

You're still clinging to the latest Nokia Lumia Windows Phone released.

Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

The Verge - August 13, 2020 - 7 min

Corporate trolling of Epic proportions. Let's review the steps:

Submit an update of the most popular mobile game to the AppStore and Play Store.

Pass app review and release the update.

Trigger a secret switch to swap in-app purchases to your own payment system, keeping 100% of the proceeds.

Force Apple and Google to remove your app from the stores.

Release parody video of Apple's famous 1984 spot.

Turn basically every teen in the world against Apple and Google.

Sue Apple and Google.

?????

Profit?

Apple Readies 'Apple One' Subscription Bundles to Boost Services

Bloomberg - August 13, 2020 - 4 min

Apple plans to launch an Amazon Prime-like bundle of services this fall, including Music, TV+, Arcade, News+, iCloud storage and a new Peloton-like virtual workout service together at a lower price

Bundling is the new unbundling? At least unsubscribing is now easier than it used to be with cable TV 🤷🏻‍♀️

Twitter, TikTok Have Held Preliminary Talks About Possible Combination

WSJ - August 8, 2020

Viners are going to be mad.

Tech, Financial Firms Discussing Ways to Save TikTok's U.S. Operations from Trump Ban

WSJ - August 9, 2020

Juicy bit of the article: Sequoia owns 10% of Bytedance, which is worth over $10B as per the latest approximated valuation of over $100B.

ByteDance in talks with India’s Reliance for investment in TikTok

Techcrunch - August 12, 2020 - 4 min

TikTok is banned in India since June 29, so it's trying to raise money from Reliance, the most valuable company in India, in order to try and get un-banned.

Atlassian tells employees they can work from home forever

CNBC - August 7, 2020 - 2 min

Atlassian informed its nearly 5,000 employees this week that it’s going further by not asking them to come back to offices.

Software company Atlassian isn’t getting rid of its offices. It’s just telling employees they don’t have to return to them.*

In 2021, it will become increasingly difficult for smaller tech companies to not become fully remote if they want to hire and retain employees.

KOMORU

Panasonic - August 3, 2020

Do you miss your office cubicle? Panasonic will sell you one specially designed for your living room!

SpaceX Starlink speeds revealed as beta users get downloads of 11 to 60Mbps

ArsTechnica - August 14, 2020 - 5 min

I'm obsessively against cables, so I, for one, welcome our new satellite internet overlords.

Ottawa plans to retaliate after Trump imposes tariffs on aluminum

The Globe and Mail - August 6, 2020 - 4 min

Only including this article because of the EPIC quote:

Say what you will about Nero, but at least he was a hell of a fiddler. This guy’s burning it all down without a soundtrack.

Here's the explanation for those who have never pirated a CD-ROM.

The lonely life of a yacht influencer

MEL Magazine - February 5, 2019 - 9 min

Yes, it's as bad as any job whose title contains the word "influencer".

How Kristi Noem, Mt. Rushmore and Trump Fueled Speculation About Pence’s Job

The New York Times - August 8, 2020 - 9 min

Wondering if they'll paint it orange.

Russia's secret space shuttles have been sitting in plain sight for 22 years

Business Insider - June 16, 2015

You will be impressed by the photos and the story, and you'll get sucked into a Wikipedia black whole for a few hours. Guaranteed.

Amazon and Mall Operator Look at Turning Sears, J.C. Penney Stores Into Fulfillment Centers

WSJ - August 9, 2020

Bankrupt and downsized mall chains means mall real estate owners need something to fill their spaces with. Who has a lot of physical inventory and wants to own fast, last mile delivery? Amazon.

China is now blocking all encrypted HTTPS traffic that uses TLS 1.3 and ESNI

ZDNet - August 8, 2020 - 3 min

The new encryption protocol hides the domain name of the request, and the Great Firewall has no way to know if the user is accessing a censored site... so they are censoring the whole protocol 😬

Wireless Charging Is a Disaster Waiting to Happen

OneZero - August 5, 2020 - 9 min

Wireless charging is really inefficient. At the micro level, it's not a big financial issue in terms of electricity bill or environmental impact, but at the macro level:

If all of a sudden, the 3 billion[-plus] smartphones that are in use, if all of them take 50% more power to charge, that adds up to a big amount. So it’s a society-wide issue, not a personal issue.

Changing World, Changing Mozilla

Mozilla - August 12, 2020 - 5 min

Mozilla is laying off 250 people, or 25% of its workforce. They already laid off 70 people back in January this year.

New focus on economics. Recognizing that the old model where everything was free has consequences, means we must explore a range of different business opportunities and alternate value exchanges.

Reminder that ~95% of Mozilla's revenue ($450M in 2018) come from the money Google pays to be the default search engine in Firefox.

The Pinterest Paradox: Cupcakes and Toxicity

Medium - August 12, 2020 - 17 min

Françoise Brougher, former Pinterest COO, is suing the company for alleged sexual discrimination.

What Is MasterClass Actually Selling?

The Atlantic - August 12, 2020 - 20 min

The company refers to its target customers as CATS: “curious, aspiring 30-somethings.” CATS are old enough not to be planning to return to school, but young enough, in theory, that they need help advancing in their career. A CAT is a person whose life has become complicated, who has had to put aside some of the things they loved to do, who isn’t exactly doing the thing they dreamed of doing

Masterclass is selling impossible dreams.

End of Summer Sleepover at The Last BLOCKBUSTER

Airbnb - August 12, 2020

Airbnb's latest publicity stunt: renting the last remaining BLOCKBUSTER store to have a 90s movies sleepover.

The Friendship That Made Google Huge

New Yorker - December 10, 2018 - 30 min

Fascinating profile of Google's two top engineers:

To become a Google Fellow, a Level 10, is to win an honor that will follow you for life. Google Fellows are usually the world’s leading experts in their fields. Jeff and Sanjay are Google Senior Fellows—the company’s first and only Level 11s.

Hashflag Gallery

A comprehensive archive of Twitter's "like" button animations and custom emoji hashtags.

Broken Cable Damages Arecibo Observatory

ACF - August 11, 2020 - 2 min

One of the auxiliary cables that helps support a metal platform in place above the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, broke on Monday (Aug. 10) causing a 100-foot-long gash on the telescope’s reflector dish.

2020 is not even sparing the radiotelescope famous for the movie Contact and the SETI project.

The millions being made from cardboard theft

BBC - February 7, 2020 - 5 min

It was estimated that almost half of all cardboard put into recycling in Madrid was being stolen

[The thieves] are accused of stealing and shipping more than 67,000 tonnes of waste a year since 2015, at an average value of €10m ($11.8m; £9m) per year.

Niches can be more profitable than you think.

Chrissy Meyer's stories from shipping the Apple Watch and Square Reader.

MachinePix - August 10, 2020 - 9 min

Interest interview with ex-Apple hardware Engineering Project Manager Chrissy Meyer:

I like new products, but you’ll never find me waiting in line for a new generation of hardware. That’s because I’ve seen first hand in factories how crazy and chaotic the first few months of production are. If you wait a few months after a product is released, you’ll probably have a better looking product: tolerances, offsets, etc will be better.

GM’s Chief Financial Officer Resigns to Join Fintech Startup Stripe

Calling Stripe a "startup" might be a bit of a stretch tho:

GM market cap: $39B Stripe latest valuation: $36B

China hires over 100 TSMC engineers in push for chip leadership

Nikkei - August 12, 2020 - 6 min

"Hongxin offered some amazing packages, as high as two to 2.5 times TSMC's total annual salary and bonuses for those people"

There are very few semiconductor manufacturers. Wikipedia literally has a list of all the semiconductor fabrication plants in the world. Taiwan is one of the leading countries (how they got there is fascinating story on itself) and TSMC is by far largest company in the industry.

N26 facing staff unrest in Berlin, as employees say confidence in management at “all time low”

Sifted - August 13, 2020 - 3 min

"[G]rievances are believed to be centred around uneven workers’ salaries, triggered by a loophole that meant N26 employees could look up their colleagues’ wages"

And that's why companies don't want employees sharing salaries.

Mini Raspberry Pi Boston Dynamics–inspired robot

An Oral History of the Making of ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater’

The Ringer - August 30, 2019 - 20 min

Great read for those of us who spent hours playing the games, with the upcoming launch of the remastered version of the first two games early next month.

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cophoenixseo · 4 years ago

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Best SEO Consultant Mesa

On an annual basis Google launches at least 500 algorithmic tweaks to its search engine, and with greater than 200 ranking factors, keeping track of what’s working for organic search is a critical thing every marketing manager and business principal should be doing.Following is an overview of the ranking factors to keep a close eye on if you desire to be # 1 ranked on Google in Mesa Arizona. To start, read what optimizing your website for search can do for your online traffic.Video: Learn what a Mesa top ranked search engine optimization agency can do for your business. SEO ranker company in Mesa partners with Arizona local business owners who want to improve their position on Google.

Get your FREE SEO analysis.

In our experience, an integrated search technique that uses both search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per click (PPC) is a highly efficient method. To assist even more inform service owners, executives and marketing directors on the virtues of Pay Per Click and SEO, continue checking out for more extremely valuable info as it relates to paid advertising and search engine optimization. To start, Pay Per Click uses laser focused exposure.

Top SEO conditions:

# 1 – Optimizing for mobile search is everything.More than 50% of common searches occur on a mobile device. So isn’t it time that you made your site mobile responsive? Do this work, and there is a guaranteed SEO and conversion advantage.Video: Why you should care about SEO for mobile.# 2 – The importance of AMP pages is growing.Accelerated mobile web pages (AMP) allows a site on mobile platforms to load more quickly than traditional HTML rendered in a mobile browser. Google has been saying that AMP compatible websites will perform better in search. Don’t wait, get your site mobile ready with AMP.# 3 – Better design leads to enriched UI/UX and deeper engagement.Google prefers websites that supply users with a favorable experience, and those which make finding the information the user is requesting easy. If you wish to rank higher in the SERPs, the design of your site is a growing ranking element, and attention should be paid to it. To learn more about the role of video in marketing, watch this video.# 4 – Page load time needs to be optimized.Make sure that all your photos are properly labeled, and metadata fields such as the ALT tag are completed, the extra few minutes to scale your photos and reduce their size, is worth the expense. Google increasingly is taking into consideration page load times, as a ranking factor. In addition to using a photo optimization product like JPEGmini, a quick and simple way to reduce photo sizes is to make sure that all your photos are scaled to the optimum size needed. Don’t upload images that are larger than the web design requires. E.g. you do not need to upload a 1000px wide image if the window in your design only supports 300px.# 5 – Rank Brain by Google and artificial intelligence control search.With artificial intelligence behind everything Google does, whether developing self-driving cars or a next generation search engine, AI, starting with RankBrain is the power behind the search engine results pages (SERPs) served by Google. Local Mesa SEO firms will need to invest more R&D dollars to learn the most effective ways to optimize websites for ranking performance and discoverability.# 6 – New content dominates Google.To Google rank your website in your specialty market, you must craft dynamic, innovative content. Google can track nearly every website, and this means that content which is not unique or does not add value to a topic will have a difficult time getting discovered.# 7 – Longer content ranks better.Put simple, add value, and do not spam your audience. If you are in the habit of authoring verbose “SEO posts” that offer little value except the appearance of keywords, stop doing it now. Google is now rewarding posts of 1,500 words and more with better search performance.# 8 – Search engine results are now factoring in rich snippets, schema, FAQs and pre-populated data fields.For searches where Google can identify common questions, FAQs, or other identifying information, they are beginning to fill a larger area of the home page with data lists, including frequently asked question blocks so that the consumer can get their question answered without needing to click on a listing. You must implement schema so that you can improve the odds of being included in Google’s rich data lists such as FAQ’s.# 9 – Social variables carry a ton of weight with respect to website ranking results.At SEO Ranker Company our team has found that social shares from the referring page are now one of the leading 100 ranking signals. This idea is backed by the sheer number of rankings that Arizona SEO Ranker Agency has delivered where social traffic, backlinks, and shares, were demonstrated to be a primary ranking condition.# 10 – Voice search as well as IoT devices will likely get rid of SERP ranking order at some point.As voice interfaces are expanding on mobile devices, car infomercial systems with gadgets like the iPhone, Amazon.com Echo, Google Home as well as others, more individuals will be obtaining answers to a search query expressed by voice. Not only will being in the top issue a lot more now, if you are not in the first or possibly 2nd placement, you are not mosting likely to receive any one of the search inquiry results.# 11 – HTTPS will certainly end up being important for placing.Internet protection experts see Google pushing HTTPS ever before harder as cybercrime as well as hacking continue to present a genuine danger to the globe. Google as well has actually chatted regarding the prioritization of HTTPS in such a method that it could be a ranking factor not to neglect.# 12 – The Facebook online search engine will certainly obtain increasingly more customers.All Facebook users are utilizing the Facebook online search engine. Expect this pattern to increase as users do not desire to leave the Facebook application simply to seek out something on Google.com# 13 – Titles as well as Summaries with far better click thru rates will certainly rate higher.Google will proceed fulfilling publishers who’ve gone the extra mile to create memorable titles that obtain clicked. You can anticipate to see articles that bring in even more clicks to go up in the SERPs while relate to typical titles are lowered. There is no doubt that Google not provides priority to sites simply for the large number of inbound web links that they have. Google is now tracking engagement, click thru prices (CTR) as well as time on web page. This is practical as the longer someone stays on a site, as well as the even more they engage with it, the much more engaged they will certainly be.# 14 – Even more customers are looking for video clip, infographics, pictures and multimedia material.Users are currently coming to be aware of the indexing capabilities of Google, Bing, and also Yahoo! – and they are doing searches for videos as well as also scenes inside of videos.Video: See the value of SEO compared to paid advertising.If you are wondering, “how does a website get on the first page of Google?” then don’t stop reading.Mesa SEO – absolutely free Google website traffic, is the most cost effective sales development technique for any organisation that provides their products as well as services to regional consumers. Exactly what is much better, Search Engine Optimization or Pay Per Click? Honestly, we can’t answer this inquiry without checking out the business’s goals and goals.A securely niched down organisation with little competition in a really small service location and a need for just a couple of leads weekly could develop solid visibility in the regional as well as natural search engine result with a basic SEO consulting bundle.At the same time, an ecommerce store competing with first page SERPs from Amazon, eBay.com as well as other major online stores, is likely mosting likely to struggle in organic search.A digital advertising and marketing and also Search Engine Optimization strategy with focused brief- as well as lasting goals is vital. Does your company requirement leads now? What is the paid search (PPC) expense each click for your targeted key phrases? Does your site command? Are you playing the lengthy game online or trying to find short-term results only? Exactly how difficult is your natural search competition?CTR and trust favor natural search, so why would a company think about paid search? Here are a couple of Pay Per Click advantages:Paid search dominates the content are above the fold. In short, on a smaller sized screen, you will not have to scroll to see the ads, but you will have to scroll to see all the natural search listings. Bear in mind that PPC advertisements are just that: advertisements, which suggests as a marketer you will have more control and area available for delivering your marketing messages.Google provides the alternative of a visual shopping advertisement that can assist a user picture what they are selecting/clicking. This advertisement type improves greatly the advertisements CTR by using a feature (visual carousel) that is not readily available in organic search.By running paid search ads, you will be seen by the ideal individuals and make sure brand presence. Additionally, PPC allows for a much tighter control of the spending plan. Determine how much you are willing to spend per day and this is all you will be charged. PPC also offers the small company owner a highly targeted method to obtain in front of potential customers or clients. Organic traffic is a bit more scattershot while ads might be targeted by search keywords, time of day they will be served, the day of the week, location/geography, language, device and custom audiences based on previous visits to your website.Establishing a strong natural search exposure can require time, making SEO a medium to long variety play. In contrast, a Pay Per Click campaign can be ramped and return positive lead to weeks. Given that there is no faster method to get in front of your audience than with PPC, lots of business employ PPC while the authority of their site is being developed and SEO tactics take a firmer hold.Where natural search obscures keyword data, there is no limitation with paid search (Pay Per Click). By using conversion tracking and with a solid combination with Google Analytics, we can determine exactly what keywords convert best, and at exactly what expense. This intelligence can be fed into SEO marketing projects and notify other marketing techniques to enhance results throughout the board. Speed supplies dexterity and enables quick feedback on brand-new slogans, messages, product announcements, etc. with making use of short burst PPC ad tasks.A PPC account that’s appropriately handled can be an affordable way to produce leads. If you are a service targeting a regional service location with a limited set of keywords, you will find that Pay Per Click can develop more than enough leads without reviewing budget. AdWords does not experience the turbulence that the organic results struggle with. Mindful use of match types and analysis of the search term reports enable the removal of junk search and a boost in return on investment.The advantages of PPC and also SEO might not be so apparent, however they include the following points of consideration.1. Conversion data from PPC keywords can be useful to figure out the most effective natural search (SEO) method.2. PPC can ramp site traffic by targeting clicks in paid and organic for high-performing keywords. If you are winning the Google AdWords auction and rank in the leading 3 SERPs for the same keyword, you can expect up to 50% or more of the total search volume.3. A/B screening of PPC landing page and advertising copy can be fed into your natural listing and landing pages.4. Use Pay Per Click to check your keyword technique before dedicating to seo project efforts.5. Speak with users in all stages of the customer journey from preliminary item research to the competitive contrast, through to the purchase choice stage, with commercial intent keywords.6. Look huge online and increase the self-confidence and awareness in your brand and business with a robust natural and paid existence.7. Remarket to your website visitors on other residential or commercial properties by using the Facebook and Google pixel on your site. This is an extremely reliable technique that allows you to remain in front of visitors to your site even after they have left.There are lots of advantages to paid search advertising, but there are also pitfalls advertisers need to be cognizant of.1. PPC is relatively easy to copy which means your competitors can quickly mimic your advertisement copy, images and call to actions. Effective Pay Per Click project management needs monitoring quotes, Quality Scores, keyword positions and click-through rates (CTRs).2. Paid search advertising (Pay Per Click) requires an in advance and ongoing financial investment. There are numerous alternatives available for PPC that can influence your results. If item listings control the screen for the keywords you are targeting; then text based advertisements might not transform.For this factor, it is necessary to do some research study before you release your Pay Per Click campaign. Ensure to Google the keywords that you are targeting and be particularly cautious to enjoy what type is being shown. Be sure to look at the words they are using. Don’t copy the ads, however you would do excellent to imitate them.Improve search traffic to your company website with SEO.A significant reason to buy SEO is due to the power of search engines to improve your awareness. If you have exposure in the online search engine results pages (SERPs) for the keywords that you are targeting, this will put your business in front of a significantly high number of possible clients. The very best method to consider SEO is that SEO drives brand name awareness and is totally free Google marketing.Branding is another advantage of SEO in that search terms and informational queries related to your company can have a favorable branding advantage. As your brand name is returned in the search results, it can (and typically will) become more associated with and trusted by searchers, and this will lead to a purchase decision.Research studies have shown that online search engine users trust natural outcomes as being more reliable than paid advertising. Lots of users avoid over the advertisements and go straight to the natural outcomes as they presume that Google likewise ranks the organic sites more highly. Showing up on the very first page of Google will give your organisation a stamp of approval that can be the distinction between somebody clicking your listing (ranking) or your competitors.Lastly, don’t forget the function that favorable reviews play in getting your target client to call you. It’s a truth that even if you rank greater than your competitor if they have more stars showing excellent evaluations, this can make all the difference in your conversions. For lots of service based companies, reviews are vital.SEO increases website traffic as the higher you rank, the more visitors you will need to your website and the more chance to drive awareness of your business. Traffic from natural search is complimentary, developing visibility takes time and effort, as Google has actually slowed down ranking results significantly over the last few years. The advantage of SEO is that unlike PPC, when you stop investing, there is a sluggish decay to the rankings. This does not imply that you should not continue buying preserving your rankings, but it means that you do not have to invest the same amount.As an outcome of the points above, natural search engine traffic by method of search engine optimization can offer an enhanced ROI over standard forms of paid media consisting of Pay Per Click. While SEO is initially not low-cost or easy, it remains in the long term much more cost-efficient than many other marketing techniques and provides stronger brand awareness and traffic to your company website. Unlike paid search marketing or PPC, free traffic from Google does moist up the minute you stop paying.This indicates that SEO will create more clicks from a natural search listing than from an extremely put paid ad. Keyword-level experimentation is required to make sure that you are not paying for clicks that you could get for complimentary, however to optimize results and that is certified leads, some services find that exposure in both paid and organic listings are needed.Due to the fact that of the always altering and dynamic nature of the web, lots of entrepreneur and marketing executives discover that dealing with an expert digital marketing and SEO specialist is the very best method for them to guarantee the very best outcomes. Organic traffic can take some time, and the competence had to beat those above you in the SERPs is substantial. Which is why, if you are just beginning, and the keywords you are targeting are currently “owned” by high authority sites, you may need to reassess your technique.A skilled search marketing expert should have the ability to assist your group in establishing content properties to search engine ranking supremacy. A # 1 ranked search engine optimization company will prove their worth by helping you develop safe, sustainable links so you can achieve the website rankings that will move your business to the next level.Click here to receive a no cost SEO audit and see how search engine optimization can benefit your business.See what local SEO in Mesa Arizona can do for your business online presence. Watch this video:

Best SEO Consultant Yuma

The post Best SEO Consultant Mesa appeared first on Get your website on the first page of Google with SEO.

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acgmedicalsupply · 5 years ago

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The Portable Power Chair - A Medical Boon

Delivering innovative solutions to fulfill transportation and mobility requirements, ACG Medical presents a plethora of power chairs. Keeping in mind all the basic needs of wheelchair users, these wheelchairs have a high capacity for weight and are designed to cater to the most comfortable experience. With premium quality materials and the best craftsmanship, the mobility products assure long-lasting, durable performance as well as conforming to its functions and providing ease of transportation.

One such chair is the Golden LiteRider Envy GP162!

The convenience of Transportation

Not only does it provide the convenience of transportation for those who are medically unable to, but the chair itself is also efficiently quick and easy to transport. Promising to be the world’s lightest mobile chair, the Golden LiteRider is easy to maneuver and can easily be disassembled within minutes, fitting into any car trunk without hassle.

Comfort-Oriented Design

A boon in the world of mobility medical supplies, the chair provides long-lasting comfort for extended use. The stadium-style seat and generous footplate offer complete relaxation and stress-free travel. Featuring a unique under-seat storage basket, the cash and carry chair delivers an easy shopping and transportation experience, without having to keep worrying about your belongings. Keep them safe in the provided basket and enjoy your ride!

Features

The mobility product has a bigger and better 22 amp hour batteries, allowing longer rides without worry. The weight capacity of the chair is 300 lb., bringing comfort to the masses with comfortable seating. You can go the distance with this chair 15.5 miles operating range and a top speed of 3.5 mph1!

So look no further and hop onto the Golden LiteRider Envy GP162 for the most comfortable and efficient mobility experiences!

Source: Blogger

#Golden LiteRider Envy GP162 #mobility medical supplies #power chairs

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un-enfant-immature · 6 years ago

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Starbucks challenger Luckin’s fundraising spree continues with $150M investment

Coffee startup Luckin is continuing its fundraising spree as it sets its sight on becoming an alternative to Starbucks in China.

The a-year-and-a-half old company announced on Thursday that it closed a Series B-plus raise totaling $150 million. The fresh proceeds valued Luckin at $2.9 billion post-money, up from $2.2 billion just four months ago.

While many question Luckin’s cash-fueled expansion, Blackrock, which owns a 6.58 percent stake in Starbucks, shows its confidence in the Chinese startup by pumping $125 million through its private equity fund into Luckin’s new round.

With that, the New York-based investment firm has its bet on two contrasting models for China’s coffee consumption. While Starbucks zeroes in on the brick-and-mortar experience, Luckin is a network of last-mile coffee delivery centers plus places for people to pick up orders and sit down targeting busy white-collar workers.

In a move that would amp up its battle with Luckin, Starbucks teamed up with Alibaba’s food delivery unit Ele.me last August to put hot and cold drinks in people’s hands.

Luckin did not disclose how it will spend the fresh capital infusion, but the pace at which it’s raising suggests the startup is in dire need of cash. The new round arrived less than a year after it secured a $200 million Series A in July and another $200 million from a Series B in December.

Indeed, Luckin founder Qian Zhiya, a former executive at auto rental firm Car Inc, confessed the company burned through $150 million within just six months from launching. A big chunk of money had gone to shelling out deep discounts for consumers, while the coffee challenger’s offline expansion was as cash-intensive.

As of late, Luckin has opened 2,000 outlets consisting of small prep kitchens, pickup stations and cafes in 22 Chinese cities, up from 1,700 locations reached in December. That gives Luckin less than eight months to fulfill its ambition of becoming the “biggest coffee chain in China by the number of outlets run and cups sold.” The goal is to top 4,500 outlets by the end of 2019.

Starbucks, which made its foray into China 20 years ago, has also been aggressively putting up storefronts. It currently runs 3,600 stores across 150 cities in China, up from 3,300 last May.

When it comes to actual people using the service, Starbucks still enjoys a huge lead. The Luckin app that allows one to order and pay has 650 thousand unique downloads in March, data from research firm iResearch shows. Starbucks’s app is more than four times its size with 2.81 million unique downloads from the same period.

Other investors who joined in on Luckin’s latest round included existing backers such as Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, Chinese government-controlled China International Capital Corporation, Dazheng Capital and Joy Capital, whose founding partner Liu Erhai sits on Luckin’s board.

#TechCrunch

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channelnewswire-blog · 6 years ago

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10 minutes in New Zealand drumming - Scene|AudioCulture

As I walked into York Street Studios one day to use a session, I fulfilled a drummer on his method out." I've just heard the finest

drum track ever, "he stated to me."

Remarkable!" I said."

Who was it? "" It was me,"stated he. "I simply tape-recorded it. "To his credit, it was a pretty great track-- an actually good track. The best? Ever? So, it got me believing. What makes a good drum track? What makes a drum track unforgettable? Recognisable? Musical? Is it the large technical radiance of the playing or is it the restraint shown? Is it the power and enjoyment of double kick drums at 236 bpm or the solid, hypnotic nature of the brushed ballad played at a tempo where you can comfortably brew a cup of Earl Grey between the quarter notes?

There are the obvious.

You can't hear Steve Gadd's quasi-military, rudiments-based opening couple of bars of solo drums and not understand it's Paul Simon's '50 Ways To Leave Your Fan'.

That cowbell, that basic pattern, that ringy, stunning overtone in the snare drum-- it could just be Charlie Watts kicking off 'Honky Tonk Female'.

Everytime I put Miles Davis' Sort Of Blue on, and I've worn about 30 copies, I wait excitedly for the joyful relief that comes when Jimmy Cobb switches from brushes to sticks and drops so completely into the relaxed swing of 'So What'.

What about closer to house? The re-amped, reimagined, remarkable, over-the-top sound of Ricky Ball's thunderous snare drum, developed in a minute of audio wizardry by the one and only Ian Morris, is the specifying noise of Dave McArtney's Hi Sailor timeless,'Gutter Black'.

I have actually always believed drums were best when playing a helpful role. Assisting a tune accomplish its peaks and lulls. Driving things along like an engine when required or shutting up when someone has something musically or lyrically important to say.

We're an odd lot, drummers. In researching this short article, a lot of I talked to had no concept whether they had ever taped anything memorable-- most talked of drum tracks that worked behind great songs. The way it must be.

I have actually taped countless tracks for numerous people and, like a lot of drummers, could just think of a handful that I was truly proud of. "The least wince causing," was how one drummer described his favourite taped pieces!

Anyway, everybody will have a different concept of a "Top Ten" list of New Zealand drum tracks-- and that's a good thing! I 'd hesitate to call this a Leading 10-- more a list of ten tunes that for me, in some way defines what makes a great recorded drum track.

Here it is, in no particular order.

1. How to pick three things and play them completely

'Helensville'-- SJD-- Chris O'Connor

A straight(ish) easy feel, a triplet fill and a straight 1/16th fill. Simply keep doing that-- over and over and over and over until it ends up being some sort of drumming mantra and you can't envision life without those two alternating fills. Genius!

2. Turning '50 Ways' into an indie anthem

'Crazy, Yes. Dumb, No'-- The Mint Chicks-- Paul Roper

A fast single stroke roll and a cool beat-- not as easy as it sounds (try playing it one day!). An idea of the hat to hours practicing rudiments on a practice pad. It's great because it's an idea-- a pattern. It nails the energy of the tune and is immediately recognisable.

3. How not to screw up a gorgeous song

'Me at the Museum, You at the Winter season Gardens'-- Tiny Ruins-- Alex Freer

The ideal drum track since you practically don't hear it. When somebody writes among the most beautiful tunes ever, the last thing you need is for an instrument to sidetrack your ear from the song. There's a point where the drums appear in the landscape-- subtle, fluttery brushes. There is a nearly invisible sense of momentum and urgency to take you to another place ... and after that it's gone. Stunning. Mastery of restraint.

4. I'm an artist, not a drummer

'The Taxidermist'-- Victoria Girling-Butcher-- Jol Mulholland

A few years back, I co-produced an album for Victoria with Jol Mulholland. My studio is straight below Jol's studio as part of The Laboratory, so I understood he occasionally played drums-- typically as I was recording acoustic guitar parts downstairs. Initially taped as a demonstration, this tune was always going to be on the album but we type of idea I might navigate to replacing Jol's drums. Fortunately, I never ever did. A best case of hearing the best part and determining how to play it. A win for musical brains over drumming brains!

5. Some people got it, some people don't

'You Can Dance'-- Collision-- Colin Henry

The "thing". The indefinable strange "thing" that makes it all feel good. Funk. Some people got it-- some individuals do not. Colin had truck loads of it.

6. Loose but tight

'Killer Clown'-- Superette-- Greta Anderson

Ian Morris as soon as said to me, "If you believe the snare drum is up until now 'back' that the whole tune is going to fall over, it most likely isn't quite far back enough." The loose but tight thing. This is it in a nutshell. Back, lazy, rolling, rising drums seem to move this tune in gorgeous waves. Perfect in its imperfection.

7. A drummer, an actor, a comedian

'Guitar Boogie'-- The Quin Tikis-- Gary Wallace

They didn't call them showbands for absolutely nothing. The art of making something hard looks simple-- Jo Jones had it. Gary Wallace, aka Gary Wahrlich, has got it! Showmanship! You kind of forget how excellent the feel is on this song due to the fact that you're on the flooring laughing.

8. If you can remember the seventies

'Shift'-- Dr Tree-- Frank Gibson Jr

Back in the seventies, I listened to a great deal of blend-- jazz and rock artists fulfilling in some not likely collision of virtuosity and indulgence. I quickly worked out that whilst sat behind a drum kit, I had problem counting past 4 which time signatures including prime numbers had no place in my musical future. There was just no chance I was ever going to make it in the mathematically tough world of fusion. I liked those players though, more chops than a butcher's store. New Zealand had its own bona-fide star drummer who might more than hold his own in any musical scenario you might toss his way. This is Frank revealing Billy Cobham simply how it's done. Master!

9. Can you play it sort of dumb?

'Beatnik'-- The Clean-- Hamish Kilgour

"It needs to be sort of dumb," a manufacturer said to me one day. I knew what he suggested ... maybe not dumb. Naive maybe. I like this track for its creative dumbness. Relentless hi-hats propel the song however he periodically drops the odd beat or 2 since it fits the riff much better. The impression is considered that anyone might sit behind a set and make a good fist of it. I just recently recorded a tune where I attempted to ape Hamish's feel on this-- never even got close.

10. It's my list, so there

'Ill Of This Shit'-- Greg Fleming and the Working Poor-- Wayne Bell

Okay, it's my list so I'm permitted among my own tracks! The important things I like about this track is that I played nothing that I set out to play. Overall spontaneity. Everything about this track is sort of screwed up-- the noise, the playing-- even the set is up to pieces half method through. One take and we got it-- or got something that says, "I'm ill of this shit!" I've probably recorded more technically proper tracks from a drummer's perspective, but this one makes me smile. And it can't be all bad if you're smiling, right?

That's my list-- there's a thousand others I could include. Numerous hours invested down a YouTube wormhole listening to numerous amazing drummers who call these islands at the bottom of the world home. It's pretty difficult to get a great track going without a fantastic drum take to construct it on, so, non-drumming musicians; you're pretty damn lucky! Numerous excellent drummers out there to select from!

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athleisure-aesthetic · 8 years ago

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This weekend was seriously the most fun and best I've felt in a long time. It was filled with good food, good workouts, good music, and good people. I feel so fulfilled.

Also, I think I'm gonna start putting one of my fave songs from the workout on each day, in case anyone is looking for good pump ups, bc tbh I have the best playlist for working out. So. Here we go.

April 7 Took a half day off work to go home early, work out, and get ready for the John Mayer concert I was attending later with my mom. I was debating working out at work so I had access to some cardio stuff and weights, but I figured I'd be doing enough walking later, plus navigating train schedules to time out perfectly is hard enough as it is, so I just went home and did a butt-focused session. I tried a new move called clams, which I don't think I'm doing right bc I don't feel it in my butt at all... oh well, gotta throw some new stuff in there here and there. Also, does anyone else have problems with their glute bridges (especially one-leg ones) where they feel it in their hamstrings instead of their butts?? Maybe it's just me. Idk.

After my workout, my mom came down on the train and we set out to eat and go to the concert. This is the first time in like literally months that I've put myself together and like did makeup and such. We're shopaholics together, so we stopped into Marshall's and I found this BOMB army green bomber jacket that's so soft and comfy and I was already wearing a jacket too light for the weather, so I was like ok so I'm just gonna take it lol. I looked real good ok, I wish I got a better picture of my outfit but I had to work with the awful mirrors in the concert venue. Check it. Dinner was so good too, I went for a chicken salad wrap with apples and pesto 😍 like kill me now it was so good.

John Mayer was and is everything and will always be. He's a bit of a weirdo and whatever, but his music and his talent is unbeatable. This was the 5th time I've seen him live, and it's still a religious experience every time. He's absolutely my favorite evER.

Butt Workout 3x each

20 reps plank jacks 20 reps glute bridges 15 reps fire hydrants, alt. sides 20 reps plie sumo squats w/ my laptop as a weight (lol I didn't have anything heavier in my living room, sue me) 15 reps clams 15 reps donkey kicks, alt. sides 10 single leg glute bridges, alt. sides 20 hop squats 15 reps bulgarian split squats, alt. sides

Listening to: "Surrender" by Cash Cash

April 8 That morning I had a speed run on the schedule, and I was also planning on doing T25 when I got back, but my mom woke up early and asked if I wanted to go running with her, so I convinced her to run my speed run with me, even though she doesn't love running fast haha. It was a gorgeous morning so we headed into Old City and ended up at Penn's Landing so we could have some good straightaways without stoplights. This time around it was 6 x 200m at a pretty fast pace with a little less than 4 minutes in between, and I got negative splits on each round except for the last, which felt really good. And even though it makes me a lowkey horrible person for thinking this way, I was kind of glad that my mom couldn't keep up on my sprints, bc that means A, I'm improving significantly, and B, I may have finally found something I can do that she can't in terms of fitness. I'm happy that I'm actually finding my own thing and that I can feel success around not only myself, but other people I consider extremely fit. YAY.

Although we got back and she did some yoga stretching, and I was like ok I get it we're back in your element lol. Didn't end up doing T25 cause I had to drop Mom off at the train and she was starving so we went to RTM to get her some food. She was clearly overwhelmed cause that place is nuts on a Saturday morning. But I was satisfied with some watermelon and a bagel from Dunkin hehe.

Later that day, I shopped around some more, found some badass Nikes to use as city shoes for hella cheap, as well as some face masks that I was planning on using at night as a little spa treatment for myself, bc idk treat yo self? Then I got early dinner with one of my friends from school, as well as ice cream at my favorite place 💕 my night wrapped up at Nova watching my roommate's aca group doing an alumni concert and helping Mikey finish his senior song arrangement. Got home ruhl late, but still tried out one of my masks while folding my laundry. Skin definitely feels clearer and brighter!

Also I walked legit so much on Saturday, I almost hit 30,000 steps 😮

0.74 mi 7'16" min / mi (but I ran like a lot more than that, probably around 3 miles)

Listening to: "Perm" by Bruno Mars

April 9 Today was my first ClassPass class day!!! SO hYpE. I was nervous as hell, but I felt like I had been working out enough that it wouldn't be that huge of a learning curve, and I knew it was only an hour so I could push through whatever and then die later. Got to the studio and heard the music from the previous class pumping before I even got to the floor it was on, so I got excited. I signed in at the desk, had to sign a waiver (for which I was like uhhhh............. ok), and got my assigned treadmill / bench. I went up to the instructor and told her I was new, and she did a quick explanation to me and the other newbies. Alternating Woodway treadmill hills / sprints and fast-paced strength training. She was like it's going to be very hard, but you can choose not to go the recommended pace if it doesn't feel right. You'll want to push yourself hard enough that you'll want to walk when we get to the recovery, so that's what I recommend.

When the class started, I was pretty motivated though, and pretty much stuck with the middle speed option or a little faster on the correct incline the whole time. Except that last damn hill on 9 incline, I was like I CANNOT, KATIE UR KILLING ME. The strength training moves weren't impossible, we just switched them a lot, so it was hard to get as many reps in while trying to see what the instructor was doing. But it was actually SO FUN. I love that it alternated between cardio and weights, and that I didn't feel dead by the second time at the treadmill. The session concluded with some nice yoga poses and great stretches, and then it was over. I was drenched in sweat, but felt sooooo good. When I left and was walking back to my apartment, I was like wow I can so see myself doing this for a few years and thriving. I felt so adulty lol.

Got back and had a protein shake in preparation for a magical afternoon at the Manayunk Food Truck festival with friends, where I had fried cheese curds, buffalo ranch fries, and root beer ice cream. I was in literal heaven; there were so many options, it was the nicest day out, and I felt good about eating whatever after working as hard as I did the rest of the weekend. I was very happy.

Listening to: "#thatPOWER" by will.i.am. & Justin Bieber

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entergamingxp · 4 years ago

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DualShockers’ Favorite Video Games of 2020 (So Far)

July 31, 2020 1:00 PM EST

Now that we’re halfway through 2020, the DualShockers staff shares the games that have been the highlights of the year so far.

As we’ve already seen so far, 2020 has been a very unusual year for video games. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused numerous delays and cancelled most of the events that we’d traditionally see during the year for the games industry, this year has still brought us a ton of gaming experiences worth celebrating and sharing. Given that the next-gen consoles are on the horizon later this year, the first half of 2020 has already had some generation-defining games worth playing, and we still have several months to go for 2020.

Now that the first half of the year is behind us, the DualShockers staff has gathered together to share some of our favorite games of 2020 so far. While we’ve already discussed a lot of the games that we’re considering for our Game of the Year awards for this year, this time around we’re focusing on each staff member’s highlights for games that have been released in the first half of 2020. From some of the most acclaimed games of the year to hidden gems that are worth a look, here are the games that DualShockers‘ staff have made 2020 an exciting year for video games.

Nick Blain, Video Editor

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

New Horizons was the first Animal Crossing game that I’ve committed to since the original back on the GameCube, and I adore it. It really makes no sense why I like it. The tasks are menial and there’s no central objective to accomplish. Yet, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the most I’ve ever been invested in the series yet. I find myself getting lost in the charm of its harmonious world. There’s just something about the mainline Animal Crossing games’ design that is always so cozy. For a brief couple of hours I can forget the outside world and be lost in its brilliance. Animal Crossing makes things feel normal.

Final Fantasy VII Remake

I have a weird confession to make: while I love Final Fantasy as series, I never found Final Fantasy VII to be all that compelling. Even replaying the original before the remake came out, I found it to be a chore at some parts, so my expectations for the remake weren’t extremely high. Playing through it, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The little things that Final Fantasy VII Remake does to flesh out the characters and overall world help give so much more context to even the original Final Fantasy VII. At times, it feels like it’s not only paying homage to what came before it, but also feels like an FFVII sequel unto itself. Much like the RE2 remake that came out last year, Final Fantasy VII Remake proves that a remake can be more than just a glossy new coat of paint; it can also be a re-evaluation of what came before.

The Last of Us Part II

What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this amazing game? The Last of Us Part II is just as grueling of a tale as what came before. Never has a game actually made me feel bad for fulfilling a QTE. Although, underneath that rough exterior is a beautiful inspection of love, pain, and sacrifice. At the end of The Last of Us, I felt that I had seen the end of the story and was absolutely fine with it. However, Naughty Dog proved that there was a significantly more meaningful story to delve into with Joel and Ellie. If they felt that they have more story to tell I’m here for it; but again, I don’t think that there has to be.

What I admire about Naughty Dog is that if there’s nothing left to say: that’s it. Chapter over, book closed. You can just tell the passion that was behind the team at Naughty Dog when they were developing this game. Naughty Dog is really proving that video games can be more than they set out to be initially. I can’t wait for more.

Kris Cornelisse, Staff Writer

Deep Rock Galactic

“Dwarves in Space.” Anything you can think of that would fit that phrase, Deep Rock Galactic embodies. It’s a four player co-op game where you pick a class and go on an alien mining expedition. You’ll navigate (or dig) procedurally-generated tunnels, find the resources or objectives you seek, defend yourself against angry alien bugs, and then get out. Extracting gets you a cut of the rewards, with which you can level up your classes, upgrade equipment, and customise your appearance further. Then you have a drink with your mates on the space station before doing it all again.

It might not sound like much on paper, but in practice? Deep Rock Galactic is something else. The passion and creativity of the devs is on full display, as they’ve filled the game with a ton of nuance and little details for you to find. Its graphics and sound design are well presented and stylised to suit, and the different environments are extremely well realised and fun to explore or dig through. Even with a strong core gameplay loop, there’s a decent chunk of variety in objectives. There’s also public games and solo options for those not interested in the co-op aspect, so if any of this looks or sounds interesting to you? Check it out. You won’t be disappointed. Rock and Stone, brothers!

DOOM Eternal

I’m rarely the sort to replay games often, mainly because I just never have the time. Imagine my surprise when I found myself replaying DOOM Eternal the day after I finished it. Any flaws in the game’s platforming or level design fades away the second that the music amps up and an intense combat scenario begins. Then there is nothing except an intricately designed dance of death, in which I am encouraged to use every tool at my disposal to rip and tear. Always pressured and always right on the verge of death and defeat, yet still always feeling powerful and with the means to turn the tide and raze hell. DOOM Eternal’s combat is absolutely phenomenal, and just writing about it now makes me want to start it up yet again.

Despite the controversies surrounding Mick Gordon and Denuvo, DOOM Eternal remains a highlight for me this year. I’m even one of the people who thinks that DOOM 2016 is actually the better overall package, but the sheer intensity of the combat in Eternal is like a drug that makes it impossible to go back to its predecessor. Kar en Tuk! Until it is done!

Hades

Supergiant Games have yet to deliver a bad game; in fact, Hades puts them at four for four in making excellent games that stand tall in my personal pantheon of favourites. It’s an action/roguelike where you play as Zagreus, son of Hades, on his quest to escape the Underworld of Greek mythology. And it is awesome. The combat is fluid and has impact to it from the very start, and that only gets more intense as you gain more upgrades and unlocks. The story and characters are engaging, and the entire thing is packaged with the usual Supergiant art, music, voice and style, which is to say that it is superb.

The game is still in Early Access, but since the launch version is due out this year, Hades absolutely counts for my GOTY 2020 considerations. Even then, there was a ton of content and variety even in the first iterations, and every major patch has expanded that dramatically. So far, it leads the pack by a country mile as my favourite. Hades is the most playable, content dense game that Supergiant has ever put out. If Dead Cells is the benchmark for what roguelikes aim to be, Hades is already past that and pushing higher still. “Godlike” is the only fitting descriptor.

Ricky Frech, Senior Staff Writer

Desperados 3

I will continue to beat the drum for what is, thus far, the best game I’ve played in 2020. Desperados 3 is a stealth-focused tactics game with sublime level design. The care developer that Mimimi Games put into crafting each level is astounding. As you lead a gruff band of Wild West mercenaries, you’ll take part in some of the most memorable sequences I’ve seen in the tactics space.

Every level feels unique. This is largely done by how Mimimi mixes up your party. Your squad is made up of five diverse characters; however, you almost never get to bring them all into battle at once. Instead, each mission gives you a unique combination and forces you to constantly adapt your playstyle to your team’s abilities. It’s a beautiful design that kept a smile on my face throughout the entire campaign.

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

I was very tempted to put Deadly Premonition 2 in my final slot. I love that game in spite of its many problems; however, it’s a tough one to recommend for several reasons. Another game that I heavily considered for this final slot is Murder by Numbers. It’s the best Picross game since Picross 3D, but it’s a niche genre that non-Picross fans are unlikely to check out.

Instead, let’s talk about a game that isn’t even technically out yet. I was lucky enough to play the beta for Mediatonic’s Fall Guys recently. It’s the most fun I’ve had playing a game since Gang Beasts, but takes it to a completely different level. As someone who grew up on Most Extreme Elimination and the vastly superior Japanese version of Ninja Warrior, Fall Guys’ brand of wacky game show antics really speaks to me. All it’s missing is Vic and Kenny’s hilarious commentary.

So, make sure to join me next week when it launches as part of August’s PS+ lineup (and also when it comes to PC). You won’t regret it.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Even in adding combat, Ori and the Will of the Wisps controls just as tightly as the original. Just moving through a level in this game is pure bliss. There are a handful of sections I didn’t love, but for the most part, developer Moon Studios absolutely nail gameplay.

However, that’s not why it makes my shortlist. Will of the Wisps is one of the more emotional stories I’ve played through in games. There aren’t many characters I’ve cared about more than that stupid bird. And I’m petrified of birds in real-life. Getting me to consider something with feathers as a friend is a big move. Plus, the game looks absolutely gorgeous. It’s a must-play.

David Gill, Staff Writer

Ghost of Tsushima

Ever since its announcement in 2017, I was so excited to play Ghost of Tsushima. Sucker Punch’s Sly Cooper and inFamous franchises are some of my favorite PlayStation exclusives, and I was interested to see what the developer would do next. From the moment I started rolling credits, I was so invested in Ghost of Tsushima and exploring Tsushima island even further.

One of the main things I love about this game is exploring the world and everything in it. There would be days where I didn’t do any story missions and just focused on side quests, raiding Mongol territory, and looking for collectibles. The game’s story went in directions I didn’t expect and I was always curious to see where it went. Sucker Punch also added cool mechanics such as the wind guiding you in the direction of your objective, which makes the game even more unique from others out there. You also can’t talk about the game without mentioning its gorgeous visuals that are just made for photo mode. After finishing Ghost of Tsushima, all I want to do is explore more, upgrade my skills, and get the platinum trophy. It’s up there with The Last of Us Part II as one of the best PlayStation exclusives and an amazing way to close out the current console generation.

The Last of Us Part II

With 2013’s The Last of Us being my favorite game of all time, my anticipation for The Last of Us Part II was high. I tried keeping an open mind and not letting my expectations getting the best of me. After finishing it four days after its release, The Last of Us Part II impacted me in ways I didn’t see coming.

The game took so many risks in telling its story, and I commend Naughty Dog for that. There were moments where I felt disconnected from the narrative but it ultimately succeeded in telling a story that’s multilayered and could be looked at through several different perspectives. On top of that, the game’s graphics are gorgeous, and in scope it is larger than any Naughty Dog game before. There are so many collectibles and environmental storytelling moments going on, and I couldn’t help but explore every area. Additionally, the game’s combat is better than ever and throws challenges at the player with almost every encounter. While The Last of Us Part II may not be for everyone, it’s one of very few games this year that I couldn’t stop thinking about days after I finished it.

Persona 5 Royal

Over the past few years, Persona 5 has been one of the games I’ve been meaning to play. It wasn’t until Persona 5 Royal released in March where I decided to finally play it. After reaching the credits in 80 hours, Persona 5 Royal is currently my favorite game of 2020, if not one of my favorite games of all time.

From its amazing story and characters to its incredible sense of style, Persona 5 Royal has so many things going for it. On top of that, there are so many side activities to do which make time go by so quickly. The game also has its amazing Confidant system that ties together your relationships with other characters and your main character’s progression. The game also features great writing and music you can’t help but jam to at times. While Persona 5 Royal’s length may turn some people off, it puts you on a journey you won’t regret taking.

Cameron Hawkins, Staff Writer

Final Fantasy VII Remake

The original Final Fantasy VII is one of my favorite games of all time, and Final Fantasy VII Remake has been one my most anticipated titles since its announcement back in 2015. Leading up to its release, Square Enix seemed shaky to say the least when it came to the development cycle of other previous big titles like Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III, with Remake showing similar signs. Thankfully though, Remake was not in the same boat.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is arguably the best JRPG of this generation, and it may be my favorite game in general this generation once the new consoles hit shelves later this year. Square Enix was able to recreate a game that is so special to so many hearts that they easily could have messed up, but they didn’t. The characters are stunning, Midgar is beautiful even during the most dreadful times, and the combat system blends the best parts of Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts‘ gameplay into one. Despite some minuscule setbacks, being able to reestablish such a beloved title that will give both new and old players different things to be compelled by is an incredible achievement that we haven’t seen in gaming before. It deserves all the praise it has been getting and more.

The Last of Us Part II

I’m not a big fan of The Last of Us. I think the original game is overrated and a lot of things that it gets praised for other games did beforehand and better, but I enjoyed my time with The Last of Us Part II. It was different and took some interesting narrative risks that worked in its favor in some areas and hurt it in others. I have issues with the level design and how Naughty Dog wanted you to explore around Seattle, but the main reason I picked up The Last of Us Part II is for the story.

This sequel feels like a worthy (and better) follow-up to its predecessor. In the original, I had issues regarding certain character choices that most of who I talk to normally don’t agree with. But in The Last of Us Part II, I felt validated that my issues were an important part of the narrative throughout. At the end of the day, I found the story to be memorable with a lot to unpack. I just wish I didn’t have so many general issues with the game at ground level, or else I would have placed it on a higher pedestal.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore

I never thought I would see the day where my favorite Wii U title would get a second chance at life. Even with being a remastered port, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is currently my favorite Nintendo Switch title. For some, the direction of teenage Japanese idols may turn you off, but that is just the face of a wonderfully fun and engaging JRPG. Being originally made by Atlus for the Wii U, it doesn’t meet the standards that people know from Persona 5, but there are aspects of Tokyo Mirage Sessions that I like over Persona. The combat system is diverse and addictive at times, the puzzles can give you a real challenge, and of course it oozes that Atlus charm.

It is a beautiful homage to the Fire Emblem franchise, telling a Fire Emblem story in a completely new way while still having the Atlus vision behind it. If you love Persona, play Tokyo Mirage Sessions. If you love Fire Emblem, play Tokyo Mirage Sessions. Unless you don’t like JRPGs, you should play Tokyo Mirage Sessions.

Allisa James, Senior Staff Writer

Final Fantasy VII Remake

This game has absolutely captured me from the first moment I played it. Expanding on the entirety of the Midgar section from the original Final Fantasy VII, FFVII Remake offers a crazy deep dive that fleshes out every last component. The expansions made to the plot managed to create more intrigue and better convey the inner workings of Shinra and the various villains. In turn, the heroes have more chances to shine as they spend more time cooperating with each other while expanding their team and character dynamics. The Avalanche members Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge are fleshed out themselves and actually feel like real people, making their (most likely) tragic fates even more poignant. The setting has never felt more alive with tons of shops, NPCs constantly scurrying around and chatting about their daily lives and current events, and side quests that give the residents agency and personality. And all of this is rounded out by some stellar voice work.

This isn’t even mentioning the action/turn-based blended combat system that requires strategy to prevail (and will crush you for button spamming). The revamped combat system in FFVII Remake features tons of combo creation that relies on both an intimate knowledge of each attacks’ timing and on quick reflexes to build those chains in the first place. There’s also an incredible amount of weapon and Materia build customization options for players, depending on the roles you want each character to take on.

Persona 5 Royal

Pushing past the dense pacing before Okumura’s Palace, Royal offers everything you could ever ask for in an updated re-release. It introduced sorely needed gameplay balances, brand new mechanics that liven up and condense otherwise boring dungeon layouts, revamped boss battles, and added tons of new minigames. That’s aside from the fact that there is a new prefecture to explore, it introduced two new characters and added more Confidants, completely overhauled a pre-existing Confidant, added brand new events, added a new school semester and an new dungeon coupled with two new endings, more voice work, and more. The sheer amount of new content in Persona 5 Royal is staggering and shows how much work Atlus put into this title to make an already amazing game even better.

Pokemon Sword and Shield: Isle of Armor

The first of two DLC packs releasing this year for the brand new main entries in the Pokemon franchise, the Isle of Armor expansion features tons of new content as well. More Pokemon are introduced in the National Dex, there’s a fun introductory plot that also brings in your (self-proclaimed) rival and gym leader hopeful, a huge island filled with secrets and hidden areas to explore, item fusion, and new Gigantamax forms.

The best part of Isle of Armor is getting to train up an adorable Pokemon named Kubfu. This Pokemon will let you take part in the Towers of Two Fists challenges and completing one of them — the Tower of Darkness or Tower of Waters — will evolve your Kubfu into Urshifu. The Tower you choose will determine Urshifu’s fighting style, with each style having its own moveset and strengths. For Pokemon fans, the first DLC expansion is guaranteed to keep you entertained for hours while making you wish for the upcoming Crown Tundra pack even more.

Mehrdad Khayyat, Staff Writer

F1 2020

I’m not a big fan of Formula 1 tournaments in the real world, as I know very little about the sport’s leading teams and basic rules. But when I got the chance to play F1 2020 this year, it started to turn me into a Formula 1 professional fan. It even got to the point that I began reading about the history of the sport, dig up its current teams, and follow the live real-world races of Formula 1.

Of course, if you put a lot of time on a certain game, you would become a veteran fan of it sooner or later, but the progress that I made in F1 2020 was significant enough that all I can do is to praise its gameplay design. F1 2020 is a game that will adapt itself to the level of your driving skills without losing its highly stressful realistic experience. It’s impossible to describe all the amazing features of the game in a few paragraphs, but F1 2020 is my favorite racing title of this year, as I enjoy it more and more by winning every lap of a race over the opponent drivers. Simply, it’s like my Dark Souls in the racing genre.

Minecraft Dungeons

As the one of the first branches of the Minecraft series set in a totally different genre from that of the original game, Minecraft Dungeons is a gameplay-focused entertaining experience that I would be playing for months if there were more chapters to jump in.

Despite its short campaign, Minecraft Dungeons is a highly replayable game where you are encouraged to challenge yourself more and more with higher difficulty levels and better gear for fighting enemies. Dungeons features a very simple combat design that some may find as a negative point, but if it’s enjoyable enough, then why bother ourselves with more complicated stuff?

Stela

Despite being a brief gaming experience, Stela is surely the most beautiful game that I’ve played so far in 2020. The game nails perfection in art and sound design, featuring various gorgeous locations accompanied by strong and impressive song pieces that I couldn’t stop listening to even days after finishing the game.

Of course, Stela has its own downsides in the case of gameplay, but it doesn’t mean you can put it aside easily. If you ask me, Stela is a must-play title for those who are looking for a relaxing puzzle-adventure to take a break from the routine mature video game experiences, at least for a few hours.

Ryan Meitzler, Features Editor

Half-Life: Alyx I’m not a huge connoisseur of VR games; I have an Oculus Rift headset but, for the most part, I prefer keeping my gaming to traditional experiences on console and PC. That said, Half-Life: Alyx changed that for me earlier this year and, in a lot of ways, it showed what I’ve been missing out on in VR. More importantly, Alyx feels like not just a tremendous VR game, but a huge step forward for the medium as a whole and an incredible example of immersive storytelling in a VR experience.

As a long-time fan of the Half-Life series, seeing the familiar sights of City 17 once again was a thrill in and of itself. However, the experience of witnessing it all again in Half-Life: Alyx was only enhanced by playing in VR, as Combine structures loomed in the distance and Striders towered over with their shambling legs. Everything I love about the Half-Life series is distilled perfectly into Alyx and fueled by its technical innovations in VR. Though I know a lot people most likely haven’t played it due to not owning a VR headset, trust me; when you do, this is the game that is worth having it for.

The Last of Us Part II

Even well after finishing The Last of Us Part II last month, it’s still a game that I haven’t been able to get out of my head after playing it. As much as I went into Part II unsure of whether Naughty Dog would be able to deliver an experience that could hold up to the original The Last of Us, by the end of Part II I had no doubt that the studio managed to pull it off and then some.

Though some might consider The Last of Us Part II the most “controversial” game of 2020 so far as a result of internet discourse around the game’s story and ending, to me, the game’s strengths lie in its willingness to take risks and ask questions with no easy answers. The moral complexities at the heart of Ellie and Abby’s stories in The Last of Us Part II are ones that I myself haven’t fully come to terms with yet even after finishing the game, and speak to its engrossing and unrelenting story. Though The Last of Us Part II was messaged as a game about “hate,” by the story’s end, you’ll see that it compasses much more than that, and is easily one of the most memorable (if gut-wrenching) experiences that I’ve had so far this year.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore

While normally I wouldn’t usually consider a remastered version of a game on my year-end lists, I have to give a bit of the spotlight this time around to Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore. Having missed out on the game when it first released on the Wii U and in the past several years becoming infatuated with the Persona series, those two events led to the perfect confluence of finally getting to play Tokyo Mirage Sessions this year and loving it.

Taking the elements of the Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem series and mixing them together, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore by today’s standards isn’t a JRPG of the caliber of Persona 5, but is still an incredibly fun and refreshing experience in its own right. With its J-pop infused theme and music, an eclectic and memorable cast of characters, and an engaging combat system, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is an excellent way to experience an underrated JRPG, regardless of whether you’re an SMT/Fire Emblem fan or otherwise.

Logan Moore, Managing Editor

DOOM Eternal

DOOM Eternal rules. In my own estimation, Eternal is a drastic improvement in nearly every way over the original game. The combat is more visceral, the soundtrack is heavier, and traversal around each environment is more enticing. It’s not just what I believe to be the best game of the year, it’s very well the best shooter released in this entire console generation. Play it.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

I did not expect to like Ori and the Will of the Wisps like I did. Blind Forest never clicked with me when I played it a few years back like it did for many others, so my expectations for Will of the Wisps were pretty reserved. The final game ended up being far more engrossing, especially from a storytelling standpoint, than I thought it would be.Will of the Wisps is likely the best Metroidvania game I have played in the past few years and is deserving of endless attention. Make sure you give it a shot if you have an Xbox or PC.

Persona 5 Royal

I never got around to playing the original Persona 5. It has basically been my white whale for years and was a game that I knew I’d love if I just fully committed to actually playing it from front to back. When I found that Persona 5 was finally set to be re-released in its new Royal iteration, I knew this had to be the point where I rectified my mistake from the first time around. Fortunately, that turned out to be the best gaming-related decision that I have made so far in 2020.

Persona 5 Royal, despite having not yet finished it, has already become one of my favorite games of all-time. In a year that has been rife with stress, anxiety, and a multitude of other hardships for me personally, Persona 5 Royal has been a consistent joy to ease into regularly at the end of some very long days. I can’t wait to (hopefully) finish it up in the next few weeks.

Laddie Simco, Associate Staff Writer

Dreams

Dreams is a tough one to put a label on. I remember when Media Molecule first announced the ambitious project, I was immediately intrigued but couldn’t fully wrap my mind around exactly what it was trying to achieve. It’s a constantly evolving set of tools that is somewhat overwhelming at first, but Media Molecule takes you by the hand and guides you through the scary stuff. If creation isn’t your thing, Dreams gives you instant access to every type of game or multimedia experience you could ever imagine created by other dreamers. You become part of the “Dreamiverse,” which is the built-in community and social network where you can meet other dreamers or check out their works. So far that includes everything from all original games to re-creations of things like the PT demo or the opening section of Metal Gear Solid. Admittedly, I’ve still not created anything I’m proud enough to publish for the Dreamiverse to see, but I’ve had tons of fun trying it out. My favorite thing is tinkering with the music tools.

Dreams includes a campaign known as “Art’s Dream,” which acts as an advanced tutorial to show what the game can do. It was created entirely within the game and using the same tools that are available to anyone with a PS4 and a copy of Dreams. It’s a bit on the short side, clocking in around two hours, but not a minute is wasted. It features a cast of likable characters and incorporates many genres including platformers, puzzle games, shooters, and even throws in a few unforgettable musical numbers for good measure. I’d love to see more of “Art’s Dream,” perhaps even a new adventure starring Frances and Foxy. If you don’t finish “Art’s Dream” with a smile on your face, you are either a monster or you’re dead inside.

Ghost of Tsushima

These three games not only represent my best of 2020 so far; in many ways they also represent the best of an era as we prepare to say goodbye to the console generation that gave birth to the PS4 and the Xbox One. While initially one of my three picks went to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Ghost of Tsushima came in at the last minute and knocked it out of the list. The game is an absolute joy to play. It features stunning visuals and environments, spicy combat, and an engaging story complete with well-written characters. It’s a massive open-world game that I’m still happily exploring without feeling that fatigue I get from so many other open-world games. This has a lot to do with the side missions not feeling like they were an afterthought; some are just as enjoyable as the main missions.

Throughout the game you play as Jin, who is one of the last samurai during the first Mongol invasions of Japan. However, there are a series of side missions that feature a story arc centering around Jin’s allies and friends. I found this to be a cool feature that lets you get to know the supporting characters better, and could even set up the possibility of spin-offs or sequels. Aside from being an expert with the katana, Jin is equipped with a small arsenal of other weapons and equipment that noticeably gets more deadly as you progress to the top of the skill tree. There are a few quirks with button responsiveness and erratic movement at times, but honestly, there’s so much to love about Ghost of Tsushima that after a while, you won’t even notice.

The Last of Us Part II

Naughty Dog made a few bold choices with the direction that The Last of Us Part II took. Not everyone was happy with the outcome, but for me it not only lived up to my high expectations, it at times surpassed them. It’s brutal and violent in a way that often makes you uncomfortable, and yet, it didn’t feel gratuitous. I’m sure playing it amidst a real-life pandemic heightened my experience and made it even more poignant. While playing my emotions ran the gamut of everything I’ve ever felt. Just like in the first game, it’s hard to tell who (or if anyone) is the protagonist. You can love or hate a character in this game for exactly the same reasons. I have to say, without blatant spoilers, the way that Naughty Dog dropped you in new character Abby’s playable shoes without a formal introduction was shocking and brilliant.

The gameplay of The Last of Us Part II is much improved over the first game, but it still retains many of the same core mechanics. As far as graphics go, it’s Naughty Dog, so of course the game looks amazing. We are introduced to a few new variations of the infected, some improved and new weapons, and an entirely new playground which largely takes place in Seattle. The voice acting is top-notch with Ashley Johnson once again reprising the role of Ellie. The campaign is lengthy and depending upon how you play and if you are a treasure seeker, it can take up to 40 hours to complete. Despite having many “giraffe” moments, The Last of Us Part II isn’t the “feel-good” game of the year. It shows us a harsh reality and some of the subjects explored are not for the squeamish, which was obviously going to divide the audience. Weeks after finishing The Last of Us Part II, it still haunts me. Despite its critics, The Last of Us Part II will be remembered as one of the greatest games ever made, and I think it deserves every bit of that praise.

Nick Tricome, Staff Writer

Final Fantasy VII Remake

Part of me is still in awe that this even exists (the part of me that watched that PS3 tech demo on loop all those years ago), and another part is trying to comprehend something I never could’ve expected upon completing the game: Final Fantasy VII is brand new again.

Let’s face it: the ending of this game and the new story elements it introduced along the way are pretty divisive, and scary for some even (hell, even the characters themselves were uneasy stepping into a quite literal unknown). The development team behind this game, composed of veterans from the original and new blood that grew up playing it, knew exactly what they were making here and how important FFVII is to so many people. And it’s obvious how far they went to be faithful not just to the original game, but everything about its world and characters that came after.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is only the first part of the story, but is such a grand celebration of everything the original game has become over the past 23 years. And then it sets itself up for the story to play out differently. It’s gutsy for sure, and to me, incredible. For the next part of Remake–be it “Part 2,” “Reunion,” or whatever Square wants to call it–I legitimately don’t know what’s going to happen, and that’s all really exciting to me.

Kingdom Hearts III: ReMIND

Kingdom Hearts III was hit or miss with fans, and the ReMIND DLC fell into pretty much the same boat. For me, they were both hits. The last third of Kingdom Hearts III is still one constant exposition dump, and ReMIND didn’t reinvent that. Instead, it just added to it with more story content, some extra, more challenging boss fights, and finally giving Kairi something to do. Combine that with the merciless boss battles, the Final Fantasy fan service that was noticeably missing from the core game, and that massive cliffhanger of a secret ending that came with the “Limit Cut” episode, and ReMIND is pretty much a small encapsulation of why I enjoy the series at the end of the day. It’s an ultimately nonsensical story that’s presented so sincerely that I can’t help but love it, with gameplay that can make me question my sanity but feel so incredibly satisfying and smooth when it all finally clicks, and has an ending teaser that’ll keep me theorizing for however long it takes to get the next game.

Plus, ReMIND reaffirms that Donald Duck is the most powerful being in existence.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered

By and large, this is more of a current-gen port than a straight up remaster (granted, that term has a pretty wide definition), but that’s perfectly fine. The Wonderful 101 was a commercial bomb when it released as a Wii U exclusive seven years ago, but it was also one of the most unique and highly creative action games I’ve ever played. So just having a modern, widely accessible version of the game, I think, is a huge win both for returning fans and players who’ve heard about it but never had the means to play it for themselves.

You don’t play as one character in The Wonderful 101, you play as an entire team of Super Sentai/Power Rangers-inspired heroes all at once, all colorful both aesthetically and in their personality. You draw basic shapes to summon weapons and fight alien invaders, being able to start out with a giant fist, then switching on the fly to a sword, a whip, or a gun to keep combos going. You play through a simple but earnestly put together story, one with plenty of wit and humor, that consistently escalates towards massive scale boss battles with some of the greatest quick-time events I’ve ever seen. However, then it will throw you into a gameplay section that’s just one big tribute to another game entirely, because why not?

The Wonderful 101: Remastered is excellent, but won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. That said, the game’s first mission captures everything it’s about, so if you’re curious but still on the fence, go check it out. It should be more than enough for you to make a decision.

Scott White, Associate Staff Writer

Dungeons & Dragons

So, the world is in a pretty crappy spot right now. I miss being able to have board game and Magic nights with my friends, but one game I’ve been able to continue to enjoy is Dungeons & Dragons. And boy-o-boy has the bug bitten me bad during this quarantine. My normal Tuesday night crew made the transition to Roll20 to continue our adventures, and this social interaction grew to become one of the highlights of my week. We still play mostly online, but we’ve been able to recently play our first in-person game recently and it was a magical celebration.

I love rolling dice, I love coming up with solutions to problems, and I love when things inextricably go off the walls and things go to hell in this game. In my hunger for more dice-rolling goodness, I finally started Critical Role (started at the very beginning, “Vox Machina” episode 1, baby!), and it has only ignited an even larger desire to play. I have even started an additional bi-weekly game with another group of friends and I’m doing some Gen Con stuff too, just to try and take the roleplaying itch off.

Thank you Dungeons & Dragons for helping keep me sane during these crazy times. As sane as I can be, anyway.

Final Fantasy VII Remake

Much like many people, I waited so very long for this game to finally release and the fact that it turned out so much better than we all expected was such an amazing surprise. Final Fantasy VII Remake finally nailed what Square has been attempting to create in a game since they released Advent Children, with flashy and stylish combat that retains much of the depth and strategy of a turn-based RPG. The gameplay, characters, and much of the story all snapped perfectly into place for me, and I fell in love with this world all over again. I’m hopeful that with much of the battle system figured out and a lot of the ground work now being laid, the time until the next entry of Final Fantasy VII Remake won’t be too long. Until then, I will eagerly daydream and speculate as to what many of the endgame moments mean, and hope that they add FFXII‘s Gambit system into the next game.

Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 is one of the best RPGs of all time; fight me. I fell in love with the original release back in 2017, and while excited for Royal, I was curious how I would take to replaying such a long game again. 130 hours later, I came away loving the characters, story, and gameplay even more than I did the first time. From the gratuitous amount of style that oozes from every facet of this game, to the jazz-rock soundtrack that I never want to get out of my head, I can’t help but smile when I think about Persona 5 Royal.

Sam Woods, Staff Writer

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Speaking of a game releasing at the right time, Animal Crossing: New Horizons absolutely hit the sweet spot. I’ve been an Animal Crossing fan since the GameCube, so my excitement was palpable for the new release, but Nintendo did what Nintendo does best and knocked it out of the park, exceeding my already high expectations.

My girlfriend is far from a gamer. The extent of her gaming history is building houses in The Sims and playing Wii Sports or Mario Kart 8, but as we entered lockdown in the UK earlier this year, I decided to pick her up a Switch Lite and a copy of Animal Crossing, and it’s been a revelation. Since the game came out in March we’ve played together almost every day, sharing design ideas, planning out our towns, trading items and just hanging out. We’ve spent hundreds of happy hours playing this game together and it’s absolutely deserving of its spot in my top three games of this year so far.

The Last of Us Part II

While I managed to hold off from replaying Persona 5, I think I’m going to struggle to do the same with The Last of Us Part II. The gripping drama, fantastic world-building and interweaving story are calling me back. It’s a call that is getting harder to resist the more time that passes.

Although “the internet” might disagree, I felt The Last of Us Part II told a fantastic story in a really engaging way. I felt a huge range of emotions at every twist and turn, and at the end of the game I was left feeling hollow. Not hollow in a negative way, but in the way when you complete an awesome TV series and wonder what life was like before it. The Last of Us Part II is nothing short of incredible, and I implore the doubters to give it a shot.

Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 was the first game in the Persona series that I’d checked out, and after completing it back in 2018, I was itching to play it again. During my time of hesitation Persona 5 Royal was promptly announced and I decided to wait it out, and boy am I glad I did.

The original game, to me at least, is an absolute masterpiece. The music is incredible, the art direction is stunning, and its gameplay loop is so addictive. While my expectations for Persona 5 Royal were high, the first game was so good that I wasn’t expecting anything groundbreaking. I was wrong. Atlus tightened up a lot of the smaller gameplay niggles from the original game, added a pair of fascinating new characters, and incorporated the pinnacle of all Palaces. Although I clocked in at close to 120 hours, it released at a perfect time where social interaction has been forced to a minimum. Persona 5 Royal allowed me to create meaningful bonds and make up for lost time all while playing through the game’s intricate story.

Now that you know what our favorite games have been from the first half of the year, what have your favorite games of 2020 (so far) been? What titles are you looking forward to for the rest of the year? Sound off and let us know in the comments down below!

July 31, 2020 1:00 PM EST

from EnterGamingXP https://entergamingxp.com/2020/07/dualshockers-favorite-video-games-of-2020-so-far/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dualshockers-favorite-video-games-of-2020-so-far

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maxihealth · 5 years ago

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How the Coronavirus and Technology Are Reshaping Home-Work, -Life and -Health

As people conform to the #StayHome lifestyle to #FlattenTheCurve of the coronavirus pandemic, technology is transforming peoples’ home lives for working, playing, and socializing.

The Consumer Technology Association has conducted the COVID-19 Impact Study assessing the use of technology at home, exploring U.S. households’ changing behaviors for consuming content, stocking the pantry, engaging with social media, and using online health and fitness tools.

This research surveyed 1,004 U.S. adults 18 and over in March 2020 — early in the U.S. pandemic’s national “curve.”

U.S. consumers’ top five technology purchases in mid-March 2020 were for smartphones, laptop computers, TVs, and headphones/earbuds.

These become the tech-platforms for people working, living, socializing, and accessing health care virtually at home.

It’s useful to consider peoples’ new normal-at-home in terms of Maslow’s hierarchy. Here’s a great illustration of the hierarchy by urban designer/civic specialist Mallory Basches which graphically portrays the hierarchy with symbols for each level of need — at the base, physiological basic needs (food, water, warmth, rest); above that, security and safety; third, the need for socialization and connection (intimate relationships, friends); fourth, approval and recognition; and finally at the apex, the need for self-actualization and personal achievement.

For living in the COVID-19 era, the most basic needs in Maslow’s hierarchy have dealt with grocery shopping and filling the pandemic pantry as Nielsen has coined the phenomenon. Consumers have increase their use of online services for ordering houeshold items, CTA’s poll found.

As people practice physical distancing, they’ve amped up their use of ecommerce platforms for shopping for household items, food, and other goods for cocooning at home. Amazon and Walmart as shopping platforms, and grocery delivery channels such as Instacart and Peapod, are working overtime to address the demands of online consumers.

Demand for subscription meal-kits have also grown in this #StayHome life, and many consumers also ordering from take-out services their local restaurants offer to stay in business as essential services in communities that have locked-down retail and other brick-and-mortar services. Nearly one-fourth of U.S. consumers are using online ordering more often, and half of people using it about the same amount.

For entertainment, 1 in 2 U.S. consumers are watching live TV more often, 1 in 2 watching online streaming video more often (such as Disney+ and Netflix), and one-third are playing online video games more often as well as listneing to online streaming music (like Apple Music or Spotify).

One in four people are using a new streaming video service for the first time, and 14% a new streaming service that offers live TV (e.g., Sling TV, YouTube TV).

Gaming is up: Twitch and YouTube Gaming, for example, are benefiting from rising demand for online gaming, and Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus are gaining new adopters.

For socializing, the uptake in using social media more often has clearly attracted new users and more intense use by existing users. Grandparents, physically separated from beloved grandchildren, have become “Baby Zoomers” with Boomers adopting Zoom, Skype and Facetime for virtual meet-ups with family members. [At this Easter and Passover spring season, we’ll see virtual meals and Seder get-togethers happening over the tech platforms to be a new-normal for now in helping families convene with loved ones sharing rituals].

Social networks facilitate virtual cocktail hours, work groups, and religious communities to come together, bolstering one of Maslow’s key human needs: the need for connections to avert isolation and loneliness, risk factors for mental health, exacerbating dementia, and other physical health conditions.

For health and fitness, the most-recommended physical activity has been walking outside — being mindful about keeping 6 feet apart through social distancing. But technology is also playing a role inside the home for supporting online health and fitness.

11% of people are using health and fitness services online more often, and 43% about the same. Affluent houesholds drive this trend, CTA found: 1 in 4 affluent folks are using online health and fitness services more often. [Sidebar: this has been a criticism of a digital health divide based on socioeconomic status for some time].

Other research such as this report from Kaiser Health News identified the quick adoption of telemedicine services in the COVID-19 pandemic. Some consumers experienced several hours’ wait times for telehealth company services in “virtual waiting rooms.”

CTA summarizes that, “the coronavirus outbreak has simply accelerated an existing uptrend [of technology adoption at home]…this could be the catalyst that pulls in millions of new users…for the time being, Americans are relying on these tech solutions to stay safe, but the convenience and value they offer might help them stick around long after the crisis.”

Health Populi’s Hot Points: As people increasingly adopt digital life-styles across their daily life-flows, their personal Maslow Hierarchies morph into digital needs from basic through self-fulfilment needs. Here’s how Dentsu Aegis characterized this updated hierarchy in their study on the 2019 Digital Society Index.

The CTA study revealed a snippet of health consumers’ adoption of online services for health in the COVID-19 era. There are many flows for healthcare and wellness underneath these consumer statistics.

In the physiological and safety needs for COVID-19 consumers, the demand for cleanliness, hygiene, and self-care is bolstered through ecommerce channels. Amazon quickly suppressed sellers who were gouging consumers seeking masks, gloves, Lysol and other products for managing the pandemic at home. The hoarding of toilet tissue became a normal in most markets, with ties to Maslow’s basic needs clearly explained in this TIME essay.

The new basic need underpinning these are broadband and connectivity. Without connection to the N of 1, not just the “last mile,” that health consumer or caregiver with the slick new smartphone can’t access WiFi if it’s not available where they live and/or they can’t afford their data plan. The FCC is working to solve this challenge, which has been a long-overlooked social determinant of health for several years.

Searches on Google and WebMD have grown for topics from understanding the general C19 virus to self-care, the use of acetominophen vs. ibuprofen, or the Rx for hydrochloroquine which has not yet been approved on-label for the coronavirus, spurring a shortage of the medicine for on-label use for patients with lupus, malaria, and other conditions.

I’m with the CTA’s forecast as the #StayHome ethos permeates our work lives, social lives, and health-lives. This is telehealth’s moment to shine, as my colleagues in the field concur, with the ability to help people — both health consumers and caregivers, and providers — manage the risk of spreading the virus.

For now, in this COVID-19 moment with our local viral curves on the upswing, we’ll continue to physically distance while remaining close socially via virtual networks. Here’s the rationale from our most-trusted public health leaders: Dr. Fauci, Dr. Birx, and Dr. Adams. Stay well and stay home! Let’s #FlattenTheCurve, together.

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The post How the Coronavirus and Technology Are Reshaping Home-Work, -Life and -Health appeared first on HealthPopuli.com.

How the Coronavirus and Technology Are Reshaping Home-Work, -Life and -Health posted first on https://carilloncitydental.blogspot.com

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elizabethcariasa · 5 years ago

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Free tax prep and filing available at VITA & TCE sites

Volunteer tax preparers help Florida taxpayers complete and file their taxes. (Photo courtesy United Way of the Big Bend)

You checked out Free File, but you're just not comfortable relying on the tax software alone. But when you looked into hiring a tax preparer, the fees put too much pressure on your already stretched budget.

Good news! There are tax-savvy volunteers across the United States ready to help lower-income and older taxpayers fulfill their annual filing responsibilities.

These folks are at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) locations nationwide. They are members of your local community who have been certified by the Internal Revenue Service.

Best of all, their tax help is free for those who meet their eligibility guidelines.

Free help to fit filing needs: To get tax preparation help at a VITA program, the key requirement is income.

VITA services are free to individuals who generally make $56,000 or less. However, VITA services also take into account whether a filer has disabilities and how well they speak or understand English.

Language challenges are a big one here in Texas, where the native language of more and more Lone Star State residents is Spanish. You'll more than likely find VITA workers here who can converse in both languages.

Head to Houston, the most diverse city in the United States (not just Tejas) and you'll no doubt find a VITA office or two that offers tax help to those more comfortable speaking not only español, but also Chinese, Cantonese, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

Once VITA workers help eligible taxpayers complete their returns, they'll then electronically file them, again at no cost.

The TCE program operates essentially the same way. TCE sites offer no-cost tax help for all taxpayers, but focus on filers who are 60 years of age and older.

Help with especially confusing tax benefits: Many of the taxpayers who can use VITA or TCE services also qualify for tax breaks that can be confusing.

Tops at many taxpayers' "help, please!" lists are the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and a couple of family tax breaks that were revised under tax reform, the expanded Child Tax Credit and the new Credit for Other Dependents.

The EITC is a significant tax credit for workers who earned $55,952 or less in 2019. On this year's returns, it could pay as much as $6,557 to a family with three or more children. But you don't have to have young dependents to get the EITC. Qualifying filers without kids could get a credit of up to $529.

And while the IRS notes that 25 million taxpayers received more than $61 billion in EITC benefits last year, around 20 percent of taxpayers who qualify for this credit fail each year to claim it. Its complexity often is cited as a reason the EITC is overlooked (or ignored).

That's too bad. The EITC, like the similarly confusing family related tax breaks, are credits, which means they can provide dollar-for-dollar reductions in a filer's tax liability. The EITC and additional child component of the Child Tax Credit also are refundable credits. As the name indicates, they could produce tax refunds for qualifying taxpayers.

VITA volunteers can help taxpayers though the complexity of these tax credits.

Meanwhile at TCE locations, volunteers tax preparers here are ready to answer older taxpayer's questions about pensions and retirement-related issues.

Many of the IRS-certified volunteers at TCE locations are retired individuals, so they personally know the issues that this segment of taxpayer face.

Sort-of DIY: Some VITA and TCE sites also give filers the option to prepare their own basic federal and state tax returns for free using Web-based tax preparation software.

How is this do it yourself option at a VITA or TCE location different from Free File? In-person, not online, help is on hand.

At participating sites, you start working on your taxes using the online software, but if you run into a problem, A VITA or TCE volunteer is there to help guide you through the process.

Look for the "Self-Prep" notation in the location listings if you're interested in trying to do your taxes yourself, but like the idea of expert back-stopping if you have trouble or questions.

Finding a nearby VITA or TCE site: VITA and TCE sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations across the country.

You can find the nearest VITA or TCE by using the IRS' Free Tax Prep online search tool or by calling toll-free 1 (800) 906-9887.

Most TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation's Tax Aide program. You can find the TCE Tax-Aide site nearest you between January and April by using the AARP Site Locator Tool or calling toll-free 1 (888) 227-7669.

You can also use the IRS2Go mobile app to find a site near you.

With a couple of clicks on my laptop I found 10 VITA or and 15 TCE locations within 25 miles of my house. Hey, I'm a Texan. We're used to driving longer distances. You can search for sites as close as 5 miles from your home.

Sites are added as they share their opening date, so if you don't find one convenient to you, keep checking for newly added locations.

Pre-help preparation: VITA and TCE are free, but just as if you were going to a private paid tax pro, you still must be prepared before you get to one of the sites.

To ensure that your tax return can be completed accurately, bring with you:

Proof of identification, such as a photo ID

Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification notices/cards for you, your spouse and any dependents

Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents you will claim on the return

Proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN

All W-2, 1099 and other wage-earning forms and statements, as well as documents showing income from investments

Any other information for other income not reported on a 1099

Information supporting all deductions and credits, such as how much paid for daycare services and the daycare provider's tax identification number

Affordable Care Act documents, notably Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, to reconcile advance payments of Premium Tax Credit

Proof of an account at a bank or other financial institution (for example, a blank check) for direct deposit of refund

A copy of last year's tax federal and state returns, if applicable

For filing of prior year returns, copies of income transcripts from IRS and, if applicable, your state filings

Also note that if you're married and you and your spouse want to file a joint return, both of you must come to the VITA or TCE site. This is because both spousal signatures are required, even when a return is e-filed.

Finally, note that while VITA and TCE volunteers strive to provide the best tax help they can, available return preparation services can vary at each site due to the availability of volunteers certified with the tax law expertise required to file your return.

Lots, but not total, tax help: Finally, realize that while VITA and TCE volunteers are a great help to millions of eligible taxpayers every filing season, they are not miracle workers.

They also focus on helping as many eligible taxpayers as possible. To that end, they typically help the larger pool of taxpayers who have more basic tax filing needs.

You can find more on the type of tax issues VITA and TCE will and won't tackle in IRS Publication 3676-B.

That's why VITA and TCE will not help prepare returns that involve:

Schedule C sole proprietor returns with losses (sorry, gig workers and full-time freelancers)

Complicated Schedule D filings, i.e., capital gains and losses (sorry, big-time investors)

Form 8606, reporting of non-deductible IRA contributions

Form 8615, minor's investment income, aka the kiddie tax (sorry, parents, this family-related tax matter doesn't make the free-help cut)

A couple of Social Security matters, specifically Form SS-5, request for Social Security Number, and Form SS-8, determination of worker status for purposes of federal employment taxes and income tax withholding

Still, for most taxpayers, the VITA and TCE services should do a fine job of helping you take care of your tax filing obligation.

Plus, the price is right and the trained volunteers might even be able to find ways to save you a few tax dollars.

You also might find these items of interest:

14 million taxpayers paid to file instead of using Free File

Special clinics help low-income taxpayers resolve IRS issues

High school senior's volunteerism essay offers a valuable tax lesson