#I understand that they aren't paid

[gingerreblogs]

Hot take but maybe Ao3 should use some of their funding to make their own encryption / Captchas instead of giving the domain to Cloudfare. Or at least implement an alternative, non-3rd-party method of defending against DDosses

Since, y'know, Cloudfare could be a massive data mining company and is already causing problems for a lot of users... Further reading below

"Now cloudflare has control to eavesdrop and log any user interactions with your website or silently tamper content if they please." -dr jimbob (Link) explains this well & briefly in a stack exchange comment.

JoePie91 has a post criticizing Cloudfare & provides alternatives at the end, although the article is old so take it with a grain of salt (Link).

Troy Hunt has an equally old article in support of Cloudfare, if you want a different opinion (Link). Although I disagree with a lot of his takes, and the whole "anyone who disagrees is crazy and polarized" bit is super off-putting.

"if your choices are to either run entirely unencrypted or to protect against the 95% (or thereabouts) of transport layer threats that exist between your visitors and your origin, do the sensible thing. Nobody in their right mind is going to advocate for remaining totally unencrypted rather than using CloudFlare purely to encrypt between their edge nodes and your users. There are people not in their right mind that will argue to the contrary and that's precisely what the title of this post suggests - it's unhealthy security absolutism."

I personally think security absolutism is silly, but to say people who want to use more secure alternatives are "not in their right mind" is an insane straw man.

Idk I just want Ao3 voulenteers to do more research!! Users being forced to consent their info to Cloudfare in order to use the site is dumb! I'm done yapping, feel free to RB with your own thoughts / disagreements..

[thefirstknife]

Getting real sick of a certain subset of Destiny players complaining that it’s a baby game and crying to Bungie to nerf exotics and abilities when their ENTIRE POINT IS TO BE STRONG in specific ways as if they are being locked into using them.

IF YOU WANT AN EXTRA CHALLENGE STOP BEING SUCH A DPS GOBLIN AND JUST EQUIP SOMETHING THATS NOT TOP TIER META AND STOP COMPLAINING JESUS FUCKING CHRIST

MOOD. Go off.

It's incredibly annoying to me. They always use the argument of "the game should FORCE me to do things, I should not SELF-IMPOSE challenges." And like. ? I'm sorry but what? It's a video game for a big audience, it's here to be playable and accessible to the widest possible playerbase. There are plenty of ways to make the game difficult for yourself, so knock yourself out if that's your thing, but don't force others into it.

Like, I enjoy hard content, I regularly at least attempt day 1 raids, I do master raids, GMs, solo and solo flawless content and all that. But only when I want to. Sometimes I don't and I don't want to suffer in a patrol zone or struggle in a seasonal activity I'm doing for the story. The majority of the players don't want that. Designing games for the professional gamers only has NEVER been a good idea and never will be. Fifty streamers can't sustain a video game. It needs casual players who will want to come back to the game instead of feeling defeated.

One of the reasons I really enjoy helping others is because I know that casual players tend to struggle in stuff that's basic activity for me. I've seen people unable to get through a strike. I've sat for 10 minutes rezing someone who couldn't do the jump in a seasonal activity. I want those people to be able to play basic content without feeling frustrated and I want them to know that there are people out there who will help them out.

And this doesn't apply just to basic content, although it should start with that. I think all dungeons and raids and everything should be things that all players can complete. Fine, doing a master raid with all challenges should be tough, but it should be achievable with time and practice, not impossible. What a lot of these "pros" want is just completely divorced from reality.

It takes days and days of practice every time a new master raid is out for me and my team (all with thousands of hours of playtime) to get comfortable to finally finish it. We're far from casual players and it still takes a lot of time to be able to finish hard content. Making it even harder is insane to me. Like, if something is so hard that my team full of people, each with 5000+ hours of playtime and a coordinated team that's been raiding together for years now can't finish it, that means it's absolutely impossible for probably 90% of the playerbase. That's wild to me. Raids and GMs should have more people playing them. If master raids are too easy for you, Mr. I-Play-Destiny-For-A-Living, that's on you buddy. Unequip the super god tier god roll meta guns and loadouts or play something else.

And ofc, another excuse they make is "if I don't use meta, I am not going to win a raid race!" Then don't. Idk. Let me play you the tiniest violin. This affects literally nobody except a grand total of 50 people. Run your meta in day 1, and play with random shit otherwise. Play raids with all white weapons. Play without mods. Play without a HUD. Do things solo only. I don't know, make up a way to spice things up for yourself. I'm not interested in that and neither are 99% of the players out there. The game is genuinely hard enough for the majority of the players. On top of that, I am here to feel like a powerful space fantasy superhero. I am NOT here to die to dregs in patrol zones. If there's ONE thing that I know for a fact that put people off from Lightfall (as in this year of Destiny), it's the difficulty changes. They're annoying, frustrating and for some a barrier to entry more than anything else.

[binch-i-might-be]

you know I remember once when my best friend and I were just browsing the video game section in a store he turned to me and went "the nintendo ds is now considered a retro console btw" and I had a whole crisis. the scariest part of this story is that it happened like ten years ago

[cementcornfield]

https://www.tumblr.com/cementcornfield/748681680206905344/hes-looking-for-more-long-term-security-than-what

I really hope it doesn’t come to this with Ja’Marr man

i don't think it's a similar situation at all really. and we have a history of paying our WR1s from what i understand. it might not happen this offseason, but i have faith we'll pull through for ja'marr at least.

[veronicathegoddess]

i hate when someone invites me to like do something or go somewhere but they also invite someone i dislike, that they know i dislike and when i say i don't want to come because that person is there they're like it's fine, just ignore them...because i want to spend money i barely even have to spend time around people that have hurt me????? like if i don't like the person, idc who else is there and if i can ignore them, i'm not gonna put myself into a situation like that and idk why that's so hard for people to get

[one-half-guy]

I don't know how well you know SA1, but consider: Twinkle Park's rule of "cute couples get in free" with Silver and Espio plus Blaze and Gold👀 (they ended up on a double date and none of them know how that happened lmao)

I had to look up to see what Twinkle Park is like because I legit didn't remember gosh, I am so rusty

At first glance, bomb-throwing robots and spiky balls aside, Twinkle Park is pretty much like a real life amusement park: there's a rollercoaster, a hall of mirrors, bumper cars, a carousel, etc... Buuuut then you realize they are a little... Hmmmmm... Deadly radical. They're a little deadly radical: the bumper cars descent slide will surely be with the car a meter above the floor, the access to the rollercoaster is a bit complicated, the hall of mirrors is full of traps, KAKAKAKAAK, plus, there are badniks and spiky balls in almost every corner of that park AKAKAKAKAKAKA

I mean, that does seem the standart judging by the fact it is just there amid Station Square and by the other carnival stages, like in Sonic Rush and Advance (although it's hard to say if those were or weren't created by Eggman)

That taken into account, Espio, Silver and Blaze probably would be very chill and enjoy the park, I bet Silver would be even the most excited with the presence of badniks as the challenge in destroying them, but poor Gold would panick for sure, the regret for falling to the bait until they get her to the only calm ride, the carousel... Which is also surrounded by big spiky balls 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 the girl can't take a break, she is never falling for this bait again 🤣🤣 In a second thought Blaze's not chill as her girlfriend is not chill, she's full focused in protec her

For how it happened though, for Espilver case I imagine it's possible that a day, after they finish a case around Station Square, they come around the entrance to the park and Espio considers it could be a nice activity to do with his lover, especially if it's free to cute couples, aka them, Silver just shrugged and agreed with a "why not?" CUT to him have fun galore destroying some bomb-throwing robots

For Goldaze it's harder... Maybe Gold heard of the place through Amy and managed to convince Blaze in a free day (She then swears the next time she's gonna put more thought before take Amy's suggestions... She doesn't, no shenanigan is enough) or maybe it was one of that one in a million cases and Gold was lucky to meet Blaze exactly there... Anyway, if that's their very first date, or one of their first dates, bet Espio and Silver are gonna make help them to find a ride they both can enjoy nothing less than their main goal (what is a hard mission... Even harder with badniks and spiky balls almost everywhere).

[fallen-grace-smd]

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

I want to scream.

[izzy-b-hands]

My doctor messaging me at 12:30 in the morning to tell me she wants to do a telehealth visit abt the side effects I'm having with my new Lamotrigine dose (including worse insomnia than my usual insomnia, as u may have guessed lmao) is. something.

[supercantaloupe]

sorry i PURCHASED a plan for extra photos with the yearbook photographers to get some professional headshots done and now they're telling me i have to pay literally Hundreds Of US Dollars more just to download them????

[artemismatchalatte]

So I'm signed up for this online 30's speed dating event for WLW and sapphics right?

Here's the thing: It looks like they aren't even bothering to regulate it at all because I see tons of people who aren't in their 30s and even some men are listed in the people who are signed up for the event.

What's even the point of a specific event for 30 something WLW if just anyone can join it? :/

[iwaasfairy]

hihiiii fairy berry :3 i was reading flighty AGAIN!!!! and i was wondering if you ever thought ab a part 2 THIS ISNT ME PUTTING IN A REQ OR ANYTHING i just wanna know if its smth thatd ever be done yk no pressure i swear i love and am satisfied w flighty and i will happily continue to read it for the rest of my days

hi love! if the long flighty ask was yours, sorry i haven't responded to it yet,, i've been a little absent!! as for a part 2,, honestly i haven't really considered it yet? that's not to say it won't happen or anything, but it isn't a priority atm.

i know it's probably annoying to hear and i'm really not trying to shove my commissions down people's throats; but genuinely the best way to get full continuation fics definitely are my commissions, because i do those before any other fics i personally want to write. often times i don't really do part 2s (for stand alone fics) because i get ideas for another fic i'd rather do,,, and then any further fics that continue off of what i wrote just get pushed up and up and up and i forget about them a little :/

so i'm not sure? maybe when i watch season 2 jjk i'll be really inspired and want to continue flighty. but it's just as likely that i'll get a new fic idea and want to write that instead ♡♡♡

[prapuna]

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[zouisexo]

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[22degreehalo]

I know I’m trying to vent less here but god do I wanna complain about the sims 4 community because it has such incredibly terrible viewpoints on money and labour and it is increasingly draining on me to not just open up the subreddit and tell them they’re all wrong lmao :’)

[alhaith4ms]

i'm so happy i chose to be an OT consultant instead of an OT working in a hospital setting since i have more freedom with my time and schedule for clinic hours ( ⸝⸝´꒳`⸝⸝)

[sukunasweetheart]

Sukuna, a middle aged man jaded by the harsh realities of his life. He steps outside for a smoke nearby a convenience store, completely bored out of his mind.

A lady is handing out flyers nearby, although nobody is bothering to look her way, including sukuna himself.

You approach the man who's getting irritated by the lighter that refuses to work in his hand.

"Hello there, sir. Would you be interested in taking up classes for arts and craft?" You offer the cute flyer up.

Sukuna scoffs. Is she serious?

"No thanks."

"Are you sure? You look like you could use a bit more colour in your life."

He's too exhausted at this point to get angry at a random woman on the street.

"...You're not too far off, i suppose," sukuna mutters, still trying to get the spark to stay on his lighter. "Even so, I'm not interested in the likes of arts and craft. Do i look like a child to you?"

You withdraw your offer of your flyer, and inspect him for a moment.

"Arts and craft can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age. But moving past that... you seem a bit down. If you'd like to confide in a stranger for a night, I'm happy to listen."

What a strange, persistent woman. Sukuna gives up on his lighter, and takes out the unlit cigarette in his mouth to think back for a moment. One thing does come to mind.

"I'm not feeling down. But i remembered something, now that i think about it..." he confesses, feeling weirdly compelled to tell you about it.

"Today is supposed to be my birthday."

Birthdays have never been special to him. Nobody celebrated his birth as a child, and in turn, he's never paid attention to the birthdays of others.

"Oh, happy birthday. Are you doing anything special for yourself today?"

"No. I've never cared for birthdays. And I'm getting too old for that anyway."

"Well, that won't do... Hold on for a second."

Puzzled, sukuna looks back at you but you've already gone inside the convenience store. Whatever you're up to now, couldn't possibly be more enticing than getting in a proper smoke right now. Sukuna begins to zone out.

He only snaps out of it when something mildly cold grazes past his cheek, leaving a ticklish and moist sensation on his skin as it disappears upon impact.

Bubbles. Bubbles are flying past him, and floating away into the sky.

For a moment, he gets mesmerised by the swirl of colours that are harboured in each one. Even just from the light of this dingy street, they fly up while holding a multitude of different colours inside them. Time seems to slow for a split second, and he doesn't understand why.

His gaze follows the trail to identify it's source. And unsurprisingly, it's you, standing behind him. You blow a couple more out, and then grin at him childishly. He finally looks at your face properly for the first time.

"Birthday bubbles. For the birthday man," you chuckle sheepishly, knowing that you probably look a bit silly right now. You put the bubble wand back into the small bottle of the soapy mixture, and screw it tightly.

"Here, you can have it. Next time you're feeling a bit antsy, why don't you try blowing some yourself? They're pretty, aren't they?"

You also hand him a different small item.

"And i also threw in a little something else, while i was at it."

He looks down, and sees that it's a new lighter. He slowly pulls his hand out of his pocket to take both of them from your hands.

"I hope you get to do something more special next year. Birthdays are supposed to be joyful, after all," you comment.

"Thanks for putting up with my nosiness. Farewell."

And then you leave him after a quick wave.

Sukuna stares wordlessly as you walk off, wondering what to name this ticklish feeling rising in the pit of his stomach.

The small bottle in his palm reminds him of a moment in his childhood. Kids in the park bragging about their bubble wands that were gifted to them. the laughs that resounded as they all ran off to catch the fragile spheres as they blew away in the wind. The tiny feelings of envy in his heart.

The item he tucks away into his pocket is the lighter. And when nobody is watching, he blows a couple more bubbles into the night sky.

-

Every time he passes by that convenience store, the thought of you comes to his mind. A flashback of your smile in the back of his mind. Every so often, he comes to this particular store. Despite having closer options, he comes to this specific one.

At times, sukuna regrets not taking one of the flyers that you were handing out. He wouldn't have had to mope around a convenience store in hopes of running into you again.

Today is a rainy day, and this calls for a hot piping cup of instant ramen. He doesn't usually enjoy convenience store food, but he wants a reason to stay around inside for a bit longer.

He needs to wait five minutes for the noodles to soften. In this time, he stares out the glass frame of the store, and watches the various rows of people walking past with their umbrellas opened.

There appears to be one anomaly in the crowd, however. Running without shelter from the rain, clutching her bag as if it contains something important in there. Sukuna realises that it's you.

Forgetting about his instant ramen, sukuna grabs his umbrella and dashes out the door.

You're mildly panicking about being stuck behind the red light at the zebra crossing without anything to save you from the rain, but the sensation of the droplets hitting your body come to a stop all too suddenly.

You look up, and there's a black umbrella sheltering you, big and strong looking. You spin around and recognise the stranger with pink hair and sharp eyes. Seemingly out of breath.

He signals to the light that has now turned green behind you, and ushers you forward to cross the road before you can say anything to him.

Now safely on the other side of the road, you begin to converse with him.

"It's you! Hello. Thank you for sheltering me. How have you been?"

"... So-so. Nothing's changed since the last time we met."

"I see. You look better than last time, though." You get the feeling that his eyes have a little more light in them.

Sukuna doesn't really get what you mean, but he moves on.

"What’s in your bag that's so important for you to be protecting it like that?" He asks, effectively changing the topic.

"Oh, this? I literally just bought some brand new origami paper... i can't risk getting them wet and unusable. The children would be disappointed."

"Origami, huh? How original."

"Hey! That's not all... there's a lot of options i offer them. They voted on origami this time."

"You got a lot of people signed up?"

"Not really... but I'm sure it'll start picking up soon. Slowly, one at a time."

You smile up at him hopefully.

"...is the offer still open?"

You cock your head to the side slightly, confused. Sukuna grits his teeth, feeling a little bashful about having to ask more specifically.

"You know. Lessons for grown adults."

"Oh! Of course, anytime! Would you like to come sign up today?"

"Do you offer one-on-one sessions too?"

"Yes, I do."

"Alright. Let’s go."

Sukuna can't fathom the words that are coming out of his own mouth. But fuck it, what's the worst that could happen? You've somehow intriged him, and he can't think of a better way to approach you.

You chatter his ears off along the way, and he nods along while his shoulder gets wet from the way he leans his umbrella closer to your side.