#Master Gardener Programs

[n1pp]

Hobbies to try in your 20s

Explore art:

Tap into your creative side with painting, drawing, or sculpting. Art is not only therapeutic but also a fantastic way to express yourself and even decorate your space.

Reading:

Join a book club or set a personal reading challenge. From classic literature to modern thrillers, reading can expand your horizons and provide endless inspiration.

Get into gardening:

Whether you have a big backyard or just a small apartment balcony, gardening can be a relaxing and fulfilling hobby.Grow your own herbs, flowers, or vegetables!

Experiment with cooking:

Take on new recipes and cooking techniques. From baking bread to mastering the art of sushi, cooking can be both a practical skill and a creative outlet.

Try photography:

Capture the beauty around you and tell your story through the lens. Experiment with different styles, like portrait or landscape photography, and maybe even start a photo blog.

Practice yoga or meditation:

Incorporate mindfulness into your routine to reduce stress and enhance your overall well-being.

Learn to code:

Dive into the world of programming and build your own apps or websites. Coding is a valuable skill that can open up career opportunities and enhance your problem-solving abilities.

Challenge yourself with puzzles:

Engage your brain with jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, or brain teasers. It's a great way to relax and keep your mind sharp.

Try acting or improv:

Step out of your comfort zone and explore your theatrical side. Acting classes or improv groups can boost your confidence and creativity.

Travel and explore:

If possible, travel to new places, even if it's just a nearby town.Experiencing new cultures and environments can broaden your perspective and inspire new passions.

Try pottery:

Get your hands dirty and create beautiful, functional pieces with pottery. It's a relaxing and creative way to express yourself, and you'll end up with unique, handmade items.

Play games:

Board games,video games, or strategy games can be a great way to unwind and bond with friends.

Learn a new language:

Expand your horizons by learning a new language.It opens up opportunities for travel, cultural exchange, and even new career prospects. Plus, it's a fun and challenging way to keep your brain active.

Start a YouTube Channel or blog:

Share your passions, knowledge, or daily life through videos or written content. It's a creative outlet and a way to connect with like-minded individuals.

[k12academics]

Our educators provide nature-based education programs for ages PK-12 that align to state curriculum standards.

Our programs focus on a variety of topics about the natural world, including science, plants, bugs, adaptations, math, and art.

Groups can also enjoy a self-guided tour of our multiple gardens, indoor exotic Butterfly House and Insectarium, Snake and Reptile Shack, outdoor gardens and ponds, Art Gallery, and Natural Children’s Playscape.

The garden trains and associated historic buildings are on display daily, but the trains run only on Saturday, Sunday and special occasions.

[fall23iksection]

StudioVlayStreeruwitz: A MASTER PLAN PROPOSAL FOR A COMMUNITY WITH SHARED GARDENS, Vienna / Austria

_ik

[simpishly]

Simpishly's Salad Dressing Legacy Challenge

After confessing a favorite childhood meal involving peanut butter sandwiches and ranch dressing, horror--and inspiration--struck. I present to you: a salad dressing-themed legacy challenge for The Sims 4.

this is the most ridiculous thing I'll probably ever create for the Sims lol

Guidelines

You only need to complete 7 generations, because I think 7 salad meals in a row is about the maximum I could handle.

Generations can be played in any order.

The goals for each generation are straightforward. Your heir must:

Have the generation traits

Live in the generation world

Reach the top of the generation career

Max the generation skill

Complete the generation aspiration

The rest is up to you! Just like the amount of dressing you put on your leafy greens!

You'll find the rules (and dressing bottle-shaped graphics I had entirely too much fun making) below the cut.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Generation

The favorite dressing of crunchy moms and influencers.

Packs Needed: Spa Day, Lovestruck

Traits: Charismatic, Active, High Maintenance

World: Ciudad Enamorada

Career: Style Influencer (Trendsetter Branch)

Skill: Wellness

Aspiration: Zen Guru

Blue Cheese Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of dark souls and adults only.

Packs Needed: Life and Death

Traits: Macabre, Hates Children, Slob

World: Ravenwood

Career: Reaper

Skill: Writing

Aspiration: Ghost Historian

Caesar Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of emperors who were stabbed.

Packs Needed: City Living, StrangerVille

Traits: Bro, Paranoid, Ambitious

World: San Myshuno

Career: Politics (Politician Branch)

Skill: Charisma

Aspiration: Friend of the World

French Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of French stereotypes.

Packs Needed: Lovestruck

Traits: Gloomy, Romantic, Creative

World: Willow Creek

Career: Painter

Skill: Romance

Aspiration: Romantic Explorer

Green Goddess Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of PlantSims.

Packs Needed: Eco Lifestyle, Cottage Living

Traits: Recycle Disciple, Lactose Intolerant, Vegetarian

World: Evergreen Harbor

Career: Freelancer (Crafter)

Skill: Fabrication

Aspiration: Master Maker

Honey Mustard Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of bees and hot dogs.

Packs Needed: Cottage Living

Traits: Good, Non-Committal, Cheerful

World: Henford-on-Bagley

Career: Any / Multiple + Completing Townie Errands

Skill: Gardening

Aspiration: Renaissance Sim

Italian Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of Olive Garden.

Packs Needed: Get Together, City Living

Traits: Insider, Foodie, Perfectionist

World: Windenburg

Career: Critic (Food)

Skill: Gourmet Cooking

Aspiration: Leader of the Pack

Poppyseed Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of bagels.

Packs Needed: Businesses and Hobbies

Traits: Bookworm, Idealist OR Shady, Materialistic

World: Nordhaven

Career: Small Business Owner

Skill: Tattooing

Aspiration: Master Mentor

Ranch Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of correct people.

Packs Needed: Horse Ranch, Cottage Living

Traits: Rancher, Animal Enthusiast, Snob

World: Chestnut Ridge

Career: Self-Employed

Skill: Guitar

Aspiration: Championship Rider

Russian Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of Rasputin and Stu from What We Do in the Shadows.

Packs Needed: Get Together, Vampires

Traits: Dance Machine, Glutton, Erratic

World: Forgotten Hollow

Career: Tech Guru (Start-Up Entrepreneur Branch)

Skill: Programming

Aspiration: Party Animal

Thousand Island Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of In-n-Out.

Packs Needed: Island Living

Traits: Kleptomaniac, Child of the Islands, Self-Assured

World: Sulani*

Career: Diver

Skill: Fishing

Aspiration: The Curator

*I would have done Tomorang but I know residential rentals have been super glitchy and save-breaking, so I did Sulani instead!

Wafu Dressing Generation

The favorite dressing of Japanese salads.

Packs Needed: Snowy Escape

Traits: Geek, Genius, Loner

World: Mt. Komorebi

Career: Secret Agent

Skill: Video Gaming

Aspiration: Nerd Brain

[sub4dominant]

The boy had come looking for a Daddy, they’d invited him as he looked to have all the attributes of a perfect pup. 

He wasn’t sure but eventually let them convince him that being a pup was almost the same as being a boy, after all as they said, pups also received lots of attention and affection and could sit on Daddy’s lap. 

The boy was gently coerced into the ‘front legs’ being created with the rope, the tail plug unceremoniously shoved hoe and the collar applied…he didn’t understand what the small black box on the side of the collar was but he would soon find out when the first shock coursed through his body.

And so the intensive programming began, human noises were punished with electricity, doggy barks rewarded with doggy treats. Long, gruelling fetch session saw the new pup pushed to exhaustion as he scampered from one Master to the other for treats. The humiliation of pissing and shitting outside in the garden took a few sessions but a night chained outside showed it the errors of its ways. BEG! SIT! ROLL OVER! PANT! all tricks that had to be learned, it was relentless until the boy started to feel his humanity truly start to slip away. 

But as they had promised he did get to sit on their laps, did get some patting and rubbing. The possibility of this would be the carrot used alongside the stick tonight when pup was moved from dry to wet dog food and its transformation became complete. 

[millysilly123]

This is the Not So Berry Challenge in the Sims 4 but Base Game version! Enjoy!

Gen 1: Mint

Traits: Loves Outdoors, Jealous, Materialistic

Aspiration: Chief of Mischief

Career: Astronaut

Rules: Master astronaut career (Lvl 7), Complete Chief of Mischief aspiration, master mischief and logic skills, complete the elements collection and have at least one child (more if you choose).

Gen 2: Rose

Traits: Hot-Headed, Snob, Romantic

Aspiration: Serial Romantic

Career: Business

Rules: Master the business career, complete the Serial Romantic aspiration, leave someone at the alter, get married for the first time as an elder and have at least one child (more if you choose).

Gen 3: Yellow

Traits: Clumsy, Ambitious, Loner

Aspiration: Nerd Brain

Career: Freelance Programer

Rules: Master the programming, rocket science and handiness skills, complete the Nerd Brain aspiration, must complete ten sculptures via the woodworking table as a teen, must build a rocket ship and visit Sixam, enter the secret lot in Oasis Springs (requires max handiness), never have any close friends or relationships other than grandparent from generation one until the grandparent dies and have at least one child (more if you choose).

Gen 4: Grey

Traits: Active, Slob, Music Lover

Aspiration: Bodybuilder

Career: Athlete

Rules: Master piano, guitar and athletic skills, master the athlete career, compete the Bodybuilder aspiration, have three failed relationships before finding a spouse, marry a neat sim, be good friends with all of your children, have at least one family dinner a week where everyone is present at the same table while eating the same meal and have at least one child (more if you choose).

Gen 5: Plum

Traits: Genius, Non-Committal, Bookworm

Aspiration: Renaissance Sim

Career: Fast Food, Tech Guru, Entertainer

Rules: Master video gaming and two other skills of your choosing, achieve at least level eight in six skills (including the three you master), complete the Renaissance Sim aspiration, get divorced and later remarried to the same sim, must live in both Willow Creek and Oasis Springs over the course of your life and have at least one child (more if you choose).

Gen 6: Orange

Traits: Evil, Self Assured, Glutton

Aspiration: Public Enemy

Career: Criminal

Rules: Master cooking and charisma skills, master the criminal career, complete the Public Enemy aspiration, must live in a cheap starter home (under 12k) for entire young adult life, have twins but only have those two children (you may use cheats for this) and insist on being evil (claim to be a criminal mastermind) but have no one believe you.

Gen 7: Pink

Traits: Neat, Loner, Creative

Aspiration: Best Selling Author

Career: Business

Rules: Complete the postcard collection, master writing and gardening skills, complete the Best Selling Author aspiration, have a well maintained garden, quit day job as an adult to pursue dreams and have at least one child (more if you choose).

Gen 8: Peach

Traits: Foodie, Lazy, Goofball

Aspiration: Joke Star

Career: Secret Agent

Rules: Marry a co-worker, must play an instrument, master gourmet cooking and comedy skills, master the secret agent career, must live in a different world than the one they were raised in and have at least one child (more if you choose). You can choose if you want to complete the aspiration or not.

Gen 9: Green

Traits: Slob, Geek, Cheerful

Aspiration: Computer Whiz

Career: Tech Guru

Rules: Master mixology, programming and video gaming skills, master tech guru career, complete the Computer Whiz aspiration, must accept every invitation to parties/outings with your friends and/or go out or throw a party once a week, have at least five good friends and five enemies and have at least one child (more if you choose).

Gen 10: Blue

Traits: Gloomy, Perfectionist, Family Oriented

Aspiration: Big Happy Family

Career: Painter

Rules: Adopt at least one child, master the cooking, painting and gardening skills, master the painter career, complete the Big Happy Family aspiration, marry your high school sweetheart and stay with them until you die and have a one time secret affair.

I do not own this challenge, it is by Lilsimsie.

For me at least, I make my own husbands with required traits if needed.

Hope you enjoy doing this. Let me know if you want any other base game versions of challenges, if you are like me and play console with no mods or CC and own no packs.

[sarahmackattack]

Study after study show that planting native plants- especially in areas like cities where food is more scarce- makes a *huge* difference for your neighborhood’s insects.

You don’t need to know a ton about plants or be a master gardener here to make a difference. You don’t even need a yard! Have a patch of concrete? Get the biggest pot you can fit there and plant some native plants in there.

For Philly, I’ve had good luck with bee balm, swamp milkweed, and purple coneflower. The milkweed (shown in the drawing above) is a major hit for the bees on my sidewalk. Once you get it going it’s hardy, and gets lots of different insects visiting. Bonus? It’s the *only* plant monarch butterflies can lay eggs on.

If you’re hardcore you can grow plants from seeds, but if you wanna do this on easy mode, find a nursery near you that sells native plants. In Philly there are a few great options, including Good Host Plants and Redbud Nursery.

If you’re not in Philly, you’ll have to do a little research on what works best near you. Prairie Moon can source many different species!

If you have access to public areas, check out The Xerces Society They have lots of resources and even a grant program to supply you with plants. They’re a phenomenal resource.

One last thing- a lot of seeds for native plants need to get super cold before they’ll actually grow, so starting to think about this stuff in December is important if you want to grow from seed. 🌱

[digi-lov]

Digimon & Magical Witches

Bandai V-Pet Crossovers Part 2 (see Part 1 here)

With Tamagotchi's original launch in 1996, then Digital Monsters in 1997, Bandai and Wiz released Magical Witches in 1998!

While Tamagotchi were based on eggs, and Digital Monsters on cages, the Magical Witches v-pet is shaped like a book, cover and all!

Just like the original lines of Tamagotchi and Digimon, Kenji Watanabe was also the designer for the Magical Witches. Besides going through different stages, the Witches were also divided into four different clans each representing a different magical element. Which tribe of Witches you would raise depends on the version of the v-pet you have.

The clans and their respective magic are as follows:

Eneruge, who specialize in fire magic, Earthlin, who specialize in Earth magic, Baluluna, who specialize in wind magic, and Aquary, who specialize in water magic.

As your Witch grows, it can study other elements of magic! They cannot learn their opposite element until Gen 4 (and master it by Gen 5). So a Eneruge Witch has to learn Earthlin and/or Baluluna magic before they can learn Aquary magic.

[images from gotchi-garden]

Unfortunately this franchise never took off, and no further lines were created past the original line up. The toys are now quite the rare find and any online listings are super expensive.

But part of the franchise lives on within the Digimon franchise!

The Land of Witchelny is now portrayed as another dimension, so to speak, another layer to the Digital World we know. According to offcial DigimonWeb profiles, the land is ruled by elders of each clan and three sages that lead a council governing the clans.

Witchelny is split into four blocks for each cardinal direction, each occupied by a clan, and in the center lies Mount Brocken. On the top of Mount Brocken, the clans have established a joint magic school. Those who master magic (advanced programming language) at said magic school, move on to travel to the Digital World we know.

Here is a list of Digimon, who have been confirmed to have come from Witchelny: Wizardmon /X (master of fire and earth magic), FlareWizardmon (master of fire magic), Sorcerymon (master of light and ice magic), Witchmon (master of wind and water magic), Mistymon (master of various magics, of which fire is its forte), MedievalGallantmon (a legendary hero, who protected Witchelny in ancient times) and Wisemon (born in a magic-less region of Witchelny).

Furthermore, Hexeblaumon is a Digimon that came to Witchelny from the Digital World, and mastered ice magic there.

On the Option Card, Absolute Blast, which features HexeBlaumon, you can also see the symbol of Aquary!

Absolute Blast BT5-097 by Shin Sasaki from BT-05 Booster Battle of Omni

Comparing the original Magical Witches evolutionary charts to the what magic we know these Digimon to be proficient in, we can make some possible connections.

Wizardmon being a master of fire and earth magic, and Witchmon being a master of water and wind magic, these original Witches line up with their abilities.

[Wizardmon: Eneruge native master top, Earthlin native master bottom] [Witchmon: Aquary native master top, Baluluna native master bottom]

However with official artwork, such as the one below, portaying fire and water magic as their respective specialties, I believe the top sprites would be more likely.

With Mistymon being proficient in all magic, only the "Soul" type of Witch applies, which is the same in all clans.

I find this stuff super interesting! But wait... doesn't that one face look familiar...?

SATAN?!

If you are interested in Magical Witches, I recommend you check out gotchi-garden! They have a very detailed coverage on these. Also shoutout to @/MagicLad_Ty on twitter who first brought these to my attention!

[nualaofthefaerie]

Hexquad Cambridge University AU! Moodboards/Headcanons ✨️

A/N: A fun Au, but I'm too lazy to write it so instead I made some moodboards for each of the four pookies and some headcanons. 🎓🏫

Viktor, 26, an honourable Eastern European mix (Czech/Polish mom, Serb/Bulgarian dad)

Position: PhD in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, minor in Philosophy

Last name too difficult for Westerns to pronounce, so he is known simply as Viktor with a k at the university

He has been a prodigy since he was a child, winning innovator competitions left, right and centre

The State supported his education up until university. When his scholarship got rejected, his long-term tutor, the Dean of the Physics department, Professor Doctor Cecil B. Heimerdinger in combination with a letter of recognition from Sky's father (a prominent academic) paid his tuition in full

He offered some lectures to the Master's students and that's where he met Jayce and took him on as a research assistant to his project - Hextech.

He has certain insecurities as a result of how people viewed his disability as a child (Eastern Europe is not for the weak of heart) but with time he comes to accept it was not his business to educate or accept other people's remarks in regards to himself

Is highly respected among his peers

Also often hit on by students (can be quite oblivious to flirtations unless he knows or is interested in the other parties. For example, he always knows when Sky and Jayce are hitting on him)

Still, that level of attention from strangers annoys him so he takes his breaks in the botanic garden, pestering Sky who often could do without her crush looking over her shoulder and asking "How do these species interacts?"

His hobbies include silence, reading and sewing, believe it or not (rare, only when he has the time to really focus on it)

Jayce Talis, 25, Latino as far as he cares (his mom is Mexican, his father was supposedly English, he wouldn't know)

Position: Master in Experimental Physics

Raised by a single mom

The guilty money of his deadbeat dad paid for his tuition

Was not the brightest student in Elementary school but something just shifted in middle school and since then has acquired the moniker "Golden Boy" - valedictorian of his high school and bachelor program

Has crippling ADHD (on and off meds)

Is a big fan (has a crush) of Viktor's theories so he followed him around until the latter agreed to take him on as a research assistant (even pays him a bit)

Needs to create with his hands when he is overwhelmed so he found the only blacksmiths in Cambridge and works there on the weekends (loves it, sometimes Viktor or Mell will show up to encourage him or pass him a warm tea in the winter)

Is taken on extravagant vacations with Mel, whenever brands allow her to get a plus one and as a result has traveled a great deal of the world

Likes glitz and glamour just as much as he likes physics and getting dirty in the forge

Finds Sky Young and her passion for the outdoors difficult to understand but also hides in the botanic garden whenever a panic attack knocks on the door (they butt heads a lot but their hatred for a lot of other people unites them into an unstoppable force)

Doesn't get hit on a lot because everyone is scared of Mel (rightfully so)

Mel Medarda, 26, American heiress (both of her parents are American)

Position: PhD in Politics and International studies

Has a substantial online following and likes to nurture it. Wouldn't call herself an influencer but people do gawk and stare at her at campus.

Has never in her life known what it means to fail. Excels in every exam, every picture and every schedule she sets her sights on.

Picky with people, but charming to strangers

Likes to spend time in the lab with the boys whenever she has the time. Absorbs knowledge like it's nobody's business. Often offers a different perspective to their problems.

Her parents sent her off to England when she was 10 to a boarding school so she wouldn't grow too attached to them (they have never been a strong presence in her life). That built up a level of insecurity and anxiety within her that whenever they DO show up they're always disappointed she is not hanging out with those that could elevate her status.

Is close with her brother however (he is an aspiring politician). He likes all of her lovers/friends.

Due to everyone's attention always being on her, she TOO hides in the botanic garden to spend time with the human version of lily flowers. Also has a crush on Sky Young as much as Jayce has a crush on Viktor (they are excelling at bisexuality). Sky put a Marigold behind her ear once and told her everything will be alright and Mel's heart never quite recovered from that.

Also enjoys spending time just with Viktor. Jayce can be overwhelming at times. Viktor provides a slower pace and a more structured conversation. Brings him to galas where her parents have some level of involvement. He provides her with a lot of emotional support due to his DNA's idgafism.

Any attempt to hit on her falls flat. It's the equivalent of "baby...we couldn't even get a drink together."

Sky Young, 25, Mixed (Eastern European mom, British dad. Her mother's genes didn't even put up a fight, they just resigned)

Position: Master in Biological Studies with a focus on Plant Science

Has a full scholarship from the university. Also chose to assists the dean of bio studies (makes good money out of it) as to not burden her parents

Sky's and Viktor's moms were close when they were young so Viktor and Sky grew up relatively close whenever Sky traveled "home" for "vacation". She'd throw stones at anyone who had something to say about Viktor's disability (she never understood how they could be so mean to someone so inspiring)

Her parents nurtured her love for anything she wants to be (she's very emotionally healthy)

A shy extrovert. Needs a minute to get going. She makes acquintances very easy and can't quite figure out when sweetness borders on flirtations with those she truly cares for. (Doesn't understand how counting the moles on your childhood friend's face while holding it, putting flowers in the hair of the most gorgeous woman and hugging someone through their dark episode, is not something anyone would do)

Assigns flowers names in the garden.

Collects old volumes of classical literature

Writes short stories in her free time and bakes from time to time (designated birthday baker)

Can't drive, always walks or takes the bus (Mel would pick her up from time to time)

The only one of the four with a proper, clean apartment (they all hang out there, she makes them keys at some point)

Gets hit on a lot (she genuinely thinks people are just being nice and polite to her because she is to them)

A/N: I actually love that Au so much, if anyone has more thoughts, I'd love to hear.

[redsrooftopprincess]

Witchy Shit!

An ask from @footninja that I posted as a post accidentally. 🫣

The ask is here

HAPPY ALMOST SAMHAIN MY WITCHES!!! I may have gone a little deeper than "hippie hillbilly witch"... I've been practicing for a WHILE, and magic is one of my autistic special interests, soooo.....

All the boys are FOR SURE Pagan even if that isn't what they call it (Splinter raised them Shinto), and *very* eclectic, but definitely have their own flavors that they gravitate to...

Leo

Did you say MEDITATING? When? Where? How long? He is ready to sit with you peacefully for hours.

Want to start mixing your own incense/tea? He'll help you research and grow the herbs you need.

BONSAI ZEN GARDEN

Night time dates to ALL the secret/private botanical gardens in the city.

The first time he sees you in a garden in the daylight, surrounded by butterflies, he looses the power of speech.

When you're having a tough time at work, expect tea and a full body massage with all natural oils in a candlelit room when you get home. If you are feeling up to it, that massage can and will escalate to the most transcendent, mild blowing tantric sex imaginable, leaving you fully relaxed mind, body, and spirit.

NOTE: Depending on exactly how "crunchy granola" you are, you may find yourself in conflict with his OCD, so be EXTRA respectful of his space.

Craft: Green Witch

Element: Earth

Archetype: The Hero

Major Arcana: Temperance

Raph

Need help with Ritual? My guy is a WORKHORSE. Where did you want that solid stone altar, again?

Bardic circle like a BOSS. My guy is always down for drinks, songs, and good stories, and the reverb of his voice from his shell means you can feel his singing in your feet like thunder.

Speaking of his voice: guided meditations.

Speaking of guided meditations: guided meditations that take a filthy turn halfway through. 😏

Firetender extraordinare. Want it to burn forever? This guy can drop in literal trees that'll keep the balefire lit until next Solstice.

By FAR the most in touch with his animal side.

He's a beast who not only has NO PROBLEM chasing you, naked, through the woods, but will 1000% instigate. LOVES sex outside (I may have a story about an amethyst cavern, but you didn't hear that because it's not written yet).

Craft: Primal Witch

Element: Fire

Archetype: The Knight

Major Arcana: Strength

Donnie

Oddly accepting of the witchy shit for a techy guy. He's smart enough to know that he doesn't know everything.

Writes a program that will help you track EVERYTHING. Moon, planets, planting, hurricane season, you name it.

Builds you a whole ass Orrery, because despite his program you *still* missed a celestial event and you were sad.

Expect after hours dates to the Hayden Planetarium during eclipses, meteor showers, comets, or any other excuse he can come up with to look at the stars with you.

SIGILS ON POINT. Fractals and sacred geometry, this guy is PRECISE. Made a Mercury Square once that you're pretty sure caused a blackout. He disagrees, but he doesn't make planetary squares anymore.

A night outside of the city looking at the stars? Expect my guy to be drawing star charts on your skin, before "exploring the heavens."

Craft: Celestial Witch

Element: Air

Archetype: The Magician

Tarot Card: The Magician

Mikey

Is straight up pagan.

Beaded bracelets? Hell yes. Macrame? On lock. Candle making? Crystal Wrapping? This boy is DOWN with the Witchy Crafts.

Vibes with his semiaquatic nature on a grand scale. The first time you caught him meditating underwater you nearly had a heart attack until you remembered.

If you introduce him to your people, he will fully write and lead rituals for literally anything. Leo may be master of the Dojo, but *no one* directs people's energy like Mike.

If you even suggest it *vaguely*, he is fully ON BOARD to start a coven/grove/whatever with you as your consort.

Oddly good at High Magic, but only practices VERY rarely. Won't Oracle for evocations because the idea of having someone else in his head weirds him out, but has a 100% success rate negotiating with Otherworldly Entities.

Sex magic in the ocean under a full moon? Uh, why aren't you in the water already?

Calls himself "Magic Mike."

Element: Water

Craft: Water Witch

Archetype: The Lover

Tarot Card: Wheel of Fortune

....

Tag list:

@thelaundrybitch @the-cauldron-witch @fyreball66 @ninnosaurus @tmntngl @thegirlwiththeninjaturtletattoos @zagreustomb @ramielll @silverwatergalaxy @gornackeaterofworlds @footninja @daedric-sorceress @sophiacloud28 @iridescentflamingo

(if you want to be tagged lmk)

[valkerieccfinds]

The Paranormal Paths Legacy Challenge

By SilverPhoenix42 aka me & @streetrabbit42

Needed Packs: EP: Life & Death, Island Living, Discover University, Lovestruck, Seasons, Eco Lifestyle, City Living (OPTIONAL) GP: Realm of Magic, Werewolves, Vampires, Outdoor Retreat SP: Paranormal Optional Mods: MC Command Center, Spinning Plumbob’s Expanded Plantsims, Spinning Plumbob’s Expanded Mermaids

Generation 1: Human

As an average hopeless romantic, you are searching for that one special person. The one who will make the relationship feel magical. As it turns out, that person is not human. 

Aspiration: Soulmate OR Romantic Explorer

Traits: Romantic, Outgoing, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Romance, Charisma

Career: Romance Consultant

Rules:

Marry a spellcaster

Have at least 1 child

Generation 2: Spellcaster

Your parents met and fell in love, and with how perfect they seem together, you thought you’d never find that for yourself. Well, you didn’t. But you found someone truly out-of-this-world.

Aspiration: Spellcraft & Sorcery OR Purveyor of Potions

Traits: Bookworm, Goofball, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Herbalism, Logic

Career: Gardener - Botanist Branch OR Education - Professor Branch

Rules:

Must meet and have a baby with an alien

Must have 1 at least somewhat-alien child

Generation 3: Alien

Your parents weren’t quite the picture-perfect romance, but you had your dog. Your new partner gets along great with your furry friend!

Aspiration: Renaissance Sim OR Academic

Traits: Clumsy, Geek, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Handiness, Logic

Career: Freelance Programmer OR Business - Either Branch

Rules:

Must marry a werewolf

Must have at least 1 werewolf child

Must adopt a dog and have one when they meet their spouse

Generation 4: Werewolf

Growing up you always loved bathtime, and it seems your partner does, too. For different reasons.

Aspiration: Emissary of the Collective OR Wildfang Renegade

Traits: Self-Assured, Outgoing, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Charisma, Fitness

Career: Politician - Either Branch OR Criminal - Either Branch (Respectively depending on the aspiration you choose)

Rules:

Date or Marry a Mermaid

Have at least 1 mermaid child

Generation 5: Mermaid

Your romance isn’t as fantastical as your parents’ are, but it’s good enough. You were more like best friends than lovers. That’s why it didn’t quite work out.

Aspiration: Beach Life

Traits: Bro, Loves Outdoors, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Mixology, Wellness

Career: Culinary - Mixology Branch OR Conservationist - Marine Biologist Branch

Rules:

Meet and have a child with a vampire

Break up with Vampire

Must have at least 1 vampire child

Generation 6: Vampire

You never had many relationships, but this one person was always special to you.

Aspiration: Vampire Family, Good Vampire, Master Vampire (Your Choice)

Traits: Genius, Perfectionist, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Robotics, Programming

Career: Engineer - Mechanical Engineer Branch OR Self-Employed Inventor*

Rules:

*Build stuff and sell them off however you want

(HUMAN GEN)

You can’t have relationships higher than acquaintance expect for ONE romantic relationship that they marry

Must have at least ONE child

Either your child must be born human, or you must make a vampire antidote for the child

(OPTIONAL SERVO GEN)

You can’t have relationships higher than acquaintance

Must build a Servo as your heir

(OPTIONAL PLANTSIM GEN)

You can’t have relationships higher than acquaintance, OR you may only have one romantic relationship

Adopt a child or you must make a vampire antidote for your child

Generation 7: Servo (Optional - Requires Discover University)

You were your creator’s pride and joy. They loved you like their child, so you wanted to spread that love.

Aspiration: Serial Romantic OR Paragon Partner

Traits: Lovebug, Neat, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Robotics, Programming AND/OR a musical skill

Career: Business - Either Branch OR Tech Guru - Either Branch

Rules:

Adopt a child or (if you have to partners of the opposite sex) those two can have a child

Depending on the  Aspiration: If Serial Romantic, they can only date. If Paragon Partner, You have to marry one of your partners, but have at least two partners live with you

(PLANTSIM GEN)

Max out the Gardening skill, obtain the magic beans, and get the Fruit of the Plantsim for your child

If you chose Paragon Partner aspiration, one of the partners can take on the gardening challenge

Or cheat, I do not care if you choose to make your life easier.

(HUMAN GEN)

No specific Rules

Generation 8: Plant Sim (Optional)

Your parent(s) always cared for you deeply, doing whatever they could to help you reach your dreams. You wanted to give a child as many opportunities as you had.

Aspiration: Eco Innovator

Traits: Vegetarian, Loyal, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Gardening, Fishing

Career: Civil Designer - Either Branch OR Gardener - Botanist Branch

Rules:

Marry a Human

Have or Adopt a Human Child

Generation 9: Human

Your parent(s) were always very generous and attentive, but also quite lax, so you could do just about whatever you wanted. You made some interesting choices with your life, and look where it got you.

Aspiration: You Choose

Traits: Chased by Death, [Your Choice], [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Medium and Piano OR Pipe Organ OR Violin

Career: Achieve level 6 of any career

Rules:

Can NOT complete their bucket list

Can only complete up to 2 bucket list objectives before you die

Die as a Young Adult (you can choose how they die)

Either complete your aspiration before dying, or give up on it after death

Generation 10: Ghost

You got to do almost everything you wanted with your life. But there was plenty that was left unfinished. Now as a ghost, you can do more than you could in life, and want to use it to your full advantage.

Aspiration: Ghost Historian

Max Skills: Thanatology, Mischief

Career: Unemployed

Rules:

After dying, you must complete your bucket list (all 8 items)

Play your chosen instrument in the middle of the night

Choose a spirit route and lean into it. Go full on crazy with your choice

If you’re good, be a very helpful and nice ghost

If you’re evil, making their lives hell.

When done with this gen, feel free to Reincarnate and do what-the-fuck-ever you want

If you Reincarnate, feel free to re-play through these Gens and choose the other options!

[onyourowndaisymae]

don't mind me... just thinking about the dateables slowly dropping the rest of their roster for you as they fall head over heels...

diavolo // barbatos (you are here) // simeon // solomon -- x gn!reader, NSFW below the cut

barbatos, who will always be there for lord diavolo. when the idea of an exchange program first popped in the prince's head, barbatos was the backboard in which diavolo bounced his ideas off of. humans and angels in the devildom? how would we keep them safe? what would their curriculum look like? the program slowly molds into shape with each of these conversations. he watches as the idea grows to a proposal, then a plan, and finally, a real project to work towards. the prince is always chipper when discussing the program. a few nobles doubt that the plan will come to fruition, but barbatos has long since learned that doubting the prince will only motivate him more. when the day of the exchange program begins, barbatos watches with a small, almost entirely smile as the future king of the devildom welcomes the new students to his academy.

barbatos, who lives to please. it's his purpose, his sole duty in the devildom day in and day out. when lord diavolo orders him to make sure you feel welcome, he does the job with flourish. your favorite desserts are always at tea when you visit. he's sure to answer any questions or concerns you have promptly as you tour the castle. he even loosens the leash on the young master just a little as the two of you grow closer, giving him some grace to spend time with you over staying cooped up in his office-- so long as you continue to enjoy yourself. maybe somewhere along the way affection blurs into duty, obligation fading into genuine interest. he's there to lend a listening ear, to be a shoulder to cry on or a hand to hold should you so desire. barbatos never oversteps his bounds, for that would be wholly unprofessional. but he never speaks up when you linger in the kitchen, shuffling in your spot as you babble on about whatever comes to mind. he never rushes you out after a long day at the castle visiting the young master, even when the skies are dark and lucifer is impatient to know your estimated arrival time back at the house of lamentation. it's the little things that let you know he cares... maybe even a little more than he believes he should.

barbatos, who doesn't mind your company-- even if you're a little distracting. your laughter echoes through the garden, giddy chirps quickly becoming loud, joyous barks of noise as little d's bound around your feet. their voices overlap, all too excited to be avoiding their gardening duty, as they bombard you with jokes and stories. barbatos should send them on their way. but you look so happy. you once said that they reminded you of dogs from the human realm with the way they darted around and got into trouble. the metaphor wasn't perfect, considering they were still conniving little demons, but they'd suffice. anything to ease your homesickness, after all. he doesn't even realize the tree trimmers in his own hands have stalled until you cry out-- how long had he been watching you? in a moment of darting demons and misplaced footsteps, you tumble to the ground, tripped by one of the little d's. he knows it's an accident, but his tone is venomous as he tells the demons to get away from you. they scatter like roaches. he's quick to make his way to your side, and you laugh, brushing off his concerns as he helps you up. but look. your palm is red and irritated from the impact. it's not enough of a scrape to draw blood, but you still got hurt. barbatos bows deeply to apologize for allowing them to take things too far-- he should have been watching better. he'll find a fitting punishment for them, although he doesn't share that with you. your hands wave in panic as you assure him no, it's okay, don't apologize! he inspects the injury again, gloved fingers gliding against the wound, watching your face from the corner of his eye to see if he's causing you any discomfort. you appear to be fine. barbatos does the courteous thing-- surely, that's the only motivator for his actions, nothing else-- and presses a soft kiss to the wound as a final, silent apology. your eyes are wide when he meets them again, lips curling nervously into an uncertain smile. if he didn't know any better, he'd say you look like you're already plotting your next injury. maybe that's just his imagination.

barbatos, who has grown. who has lived a long, long life, and will continue to live far into the future, where the human mind can no longer perceive time. he was around long before you were a fruit on your family tree-- hell, he was probably born before it was even planted. he's seen civilizations rise and fall. greed has swallowed whole kingdoms under his silent watch, castles crumbling under the weight of their own hubris while he didn't say a word. humans are so flawed, so sinful. he's never cared much for their weight in his life. he used to think the realms were better off separate-- until he met the young master, of course-- but now he knows where he was wrong. your clumsy fingers fumble with the ingredients, their foreign colors and textures tripping you up as you follow the recipe he wrote out for you. he has to stop himself from micromanaging you. barbatos watches you from the corner of his eyes as he kneads out the pastry dough in his hands. the cultural exchange must be hard for you, even after all these months you've been immersed in demon culture. he doesn't think about it, didn't think about it, until one of the brothers brought it up in passing. how strange. you've adapted quite well to everything. his mind wanders as he watches you look between measuring cups. how long as it been? how long have these sorts of feelings been dormant in him, this level of passion for another living creature? you captivate him like no other. when he was a younger demon, he spent years wandering, indulging every hedonistic desire he had. there were countless lovers left in his dust, tangled bedsheets and broken hearts trailing back to the dawn of time. it'd been a long time since he bothered to look at anyone romantically, even longer since someone stirred these feelings up on their own. yet here you were. special, truly. a grin split your face, and barbatos watched as you did a little dance to celebrate your successful attempt at completing this portion the recipe. praise flowed like warm honey from his lips. his words made your grin wider, if at all possible. you crossed the counter to press a giddy little kiss against his cheek, and he stilled for a long moment. how did a little kiss affect him so? this, he might never realize. he broke the spell with a small chuckle and returned the favor-- properly, this time, pressing his lips against yours for a moment before refocusing your attention on the desserts you had yet to finish. he'd met a lot of humans in his lifetime, and yet there was something about you none of the rest of them had. but what? he'd gladly spend as long as he needed to in pursuit of that answer.

barbatos, who will never get tired of a quiet morning. they're rare in his profession-- usually he's up early, silently pattering about as he begins preparing to wake the rest of the castle. but today that is not the case. today he's curled around you like vines on ruins, body intertwined with yours until he hardly knows where he ends and you begin. the crypt he calls a room is dark at all hours of the day, only illuminated by candles and other such lights when someone walks in. but you've got a special lamp from the human world that brightens your room in tune with the time of day, like the sun in the human realm does naturally. the warm light caresses the curve of your cheeks, the curl of your lips, the fluttering of your eyelids as you begin to stir. there's a part of him that wants you to stay asleep. he wants to observe your drowsy form a little longer, to burn the shape of you into his brain so he'll never know another moment without your face. but your eyes open, and you smile-- maybe having you wake up isn't such a bad thing. you rasp a good morning. he returns the favor. and when you kiss him good morning, he again follows suit. it's lazily, all warm lips and breathy chuckles as your hands come to his cheeks. his arm was already wrapped around your side, and barbatos takes the opportunity to rub circles into your back. neither of you pull away, and lazy kisses grow more heated when left to progress. his lips trail across your skin, breath tickling your collarbone, your sternum, your stomach, until he reaches the waistband of your sleep shorts. he spares you a quick glance to see you nod, easing yourself out of your lower garments with his assistance. his tongue laps softly at your sex, eliciting a content sigh from you. your thighs wrap carefully around his head, and his arms link around them to hold you close. sleep clings to your skin like his touch. it's all light, all careful, his lips wrapping around your sex and sucking just enough to make you whine. it's a gentle build up of pleasure inside you. his fingers replace his lips somewhere along the way, stroking you as his tongue moves instead to your hole. his tongue pushes shallowly inside you, alternating between lapping and thrusting in a way that leaves you squirming around his head. trembling fingers grip his hair when you eventually climax. there's love in his eyes and in his smile as he licks his mess clean, his spit mixing with yours juices around his mouth and between your thighs. he only moves when you murmur something about wanting him inside you-- that catches his attention, and he's quick to finish cleanup before slipping out of his own clothes. he needs nothing more than a simple kiss to be prepped for you after such a wonderful show. your pleasure is his pleasure. his lips meet yours, and he lines himself up carefully before pushing into your hole with a few languid, easy thrusts. a sigh catches between your joined lips-- is it his, or yours?-- and he waits a moment before moving inside of you. you exist in many timelines, many worlds, all living different lives with different people. but he is eternally grateful he lives in this one. he couldn't imagine every being content after having you like this, ever craving someone else like he does you. a lifetime without you is simply not worth living in-- that, barbatos is sure of.

taglist for this series: @the-demonus-aunt // @scienceisfornerds // @hostilemakeover // @snow-fall1 // @kachan890 // @rphantom1 // @respitable // @deepseafragments // @niinian

[kirlicues]

Gabriella House Plan | CC-Free Sims 2 Lot Download

It might look a little plan from the front, but this sprawling single story home is one you have to see inside to appreciate. It's cc-free, built on a 5x3 lot, and costs §191,705.

This lot is built from house plans and took me a few years of tinkering and adjusting to get to look right in the game, but once it came together I knew my sim family had to live in it.

Here's how it looks from the back: Again, it doesn't look like anything spectacular, but just wait until you see the floor plans...

🎶We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you "Memory Lane Moments with Kirli", the part of the show where--🎶

Err, let's just get this "show" on the road, shall we?

Even though I don't play very often, I did get some pictures of the Sim version of my family enjoying this home several years back, before I polished it up to share.

These guys are all in college in real life. Where's that "aging off" cheat when you need it? They were just toddlers 21-ish days ago! Ok, it has been a few year longer...😢🥰 Being a Family Sim is hard! Maybe it's time to lock that "graduate 3 kids from college" want...🤔

Here are a few pictures just in case you are also a Family Sim and have nothing better to do than scroll through a few "scrapbook" moments.

He won't let me do this in real life anymore, so my simself gets to have all the snuggles. Just look at those double plusses! Aww!

I have no idea what is going on here and I don't think my eldest son does either, but the littlest sure is getting a kick out of it!

Then there's this guy. He has about 2 outgoing points, and 15 niceness points (ok, I exaggerate, but only slightly) and goes around sniffing flowers. I even have a real life picture of him sniffing flowers in our front garden. 🥰

🎶...And, now back to your regularly scheduled programing...🎶

So, uh now that we've walked down memory lane for a minute, how about that floor plan? It's had a bit of a makeover since my sim family lived in it and I've changed up the bedrooms for variety's sake.

Main Floor: Clockwise from bottom left: bathroom, kids bedroom 1, kids bedroom 2, master bedroom, master bathroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, dining nook, guest suite/mother-in-law suite, garage, laundry room, formal dining room, and entryway.

Did you also notice there's a little garden plot in the back? Nothing says "I love my family" like pulling weeds, spraying bugs, and getting heatstroke fresh meals made with homegrown produce!

Isn't it magnificent?! The only down side? Not quite enough bedrooms to fulfill my 10-kid want. The garage on this lot isn't functional. You'll have to leave the car parked in the driveway, folks which is how my actual real life home looks with everyone driving their own vehicle now.

Loft: Or turn this into a bedroom and add a couple more kiddos to your family! 🥰 Goodness, this empty nest syndrome is all too real.

Gabriella House Plan: MF | SFS

All EPs and SPs are required.

*I highly recommend that you have the PerfectPlants mod from TwoJeffs*

I’ve run this home through the Lot Compressor so any random references to sims that aren’t there should be removed. I have also run this lot through the Lot Cleaner to remove any bits of buggy code. This lot comes with a shiny custom thumbnail so it has even more curb appeal in your Lots and Houses bin! 😄

I ALWAYS recommend using the Sims 2 Pack Clean installer to install lot files.

Want to improve the look of your game, or grab some “Lost & Found” Maxis objects? Check out this post.

[ramspatula]

The elemental garden

Ninjago x reader ultimate master list

⚠️ Warning ⚠️ : all my fics include very mature and some triggering themes i.e alcohol , smoking, violence, gore, sexual themes and themes of a similar nature

Carnations | Cole Brookstone x fem!reader

• Ghosts aren’t real. I can’t see them. I can’t hear them. I can’t talk to them. I can’t touch them. I can’t feel them. And I can’t love one.

Zinnias | Lloyd Garmadon x fem!reader

• Everything around us is so wrong. I don’t know how we’ll live to tell the tail. Maybe we won’t. Don’t you ever worry this is it? - sent 18:04

• Rather melodramatic aren’t you, Peaches? - read 18:06

Begonias | Kai smiths x fem!reader

• You never learn if you can’t admit you’re wrong. All these bold words come from a weak mouth. All the games and the lies. Am I supposed to forget about them until it happens again? Until I’m too broke to mend?

Arrowheads | Nya smith x fem!reader

• Darling, are you lying to yourself again? It’s amazing how charming she can be when she wants her way.

Galanthus nivalis | Zane Julien x fem!reader

• I love you, Mr Julien and that’s the problem. Because you’ll never love me. It’s not in your programming.

Lobelias | Jay Walker x fem!reader (coming soon)

• You’re like that one advert you can never escape. Like that one song that you swear you hate but don’t actually care that it’s stuck in your head. You’re stuck in my head and I love it. You’re like the sugar rush I was never allowed to have because it was too good to last. Except you’ll stay right? Like the song stuck in my head whose lyrics I could sing on repeat?

[whimsicalwritingsandmore]

Marigold | ateez x reader

Pairing: college!ateez x college!reader

Genre: college, slice of life, romance, poly

Word Count: 1251 words

Summary: After your friend ditches you to become roommates with a rich group of kids in order to live in the Magnolia Apartments, you find yourself alone for your master's program. Never fear though, a long-lost friend has a room available and eight new faces might just make it much more memorable. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You weren't mad, just disappointed.

Your friend sat across from you, looking around everywhere but at you while you stared at her with an unamused expression as you took a long sip of your drink.

To be frank, you were a very understanding person. If she didn't want to be roommates then all she had to do was say so. Instead, she tiptoed around with another group of individuals who for some reason, did not like the best bone in your body. In your mind, you could only imagine the conversations she may have taken part in about you. 

The group was none other than an obnoxious bunch of former acquaintances who belonged to a particular tax bracket which afforded them the luxury of being able to live in the Magnolia apartment complex — the most prestigious residence near your university.

The property was a newly constructed, high-rise towering skyscraper with a shiny contemporary design. It was modelled out of excessive but opulent marble and ostentatious gold-plated fixtures, and was sprawled across a large-scale acreage with towering columns and numerous balconies overlooking the city. The entrance was beautifully decorated with a manicured garden and had an imposing entryway that was the epitome of an exclusive lifestyle that only some could afford. 

And you had a little secret…you were part of the some that could afford to live there. But you preferred not to and so, you never told your friend and hoped you would never have to.

But now here you are. You were going to end your friendship with her because you knew there was no way they would let her in if she only said nice things about you. And your friend wasn’t the most loyal person when it came to friendships.

"You should've just told me," you remarked, "It's not a big deal if you don't want to share a space."

"Well…” she answered, “I didn't know how you would react. After all, you lied about being able to afford staying there anyway." 

You grimaced and shook your head. There it was. 

"I admit I did lie, but what's the big deal staying there anyway? Does it matter where we stay? The master’s program is just two-years long."

"Yes! We had an opportunity to stay in the Magnolia apartments! Why wouldn't you want that??" 

"It's just an apartment building - luxurious and beautiful, sure, but it's not the end of the world if we don't."

"It is to me. I always wanted to stay there ever since they finished it and you knew that. And yet, you never decided to tell me that we could stay there."

"For good reason. I'm sorry for not telling you but it's not something I wanted to talk about."

"Am I not your friend?? Literally, how could you be so selfish?"

You scrutinised her with a blank expression. Selfish, a very interesting word choice coming from her. It was quite ironic that the embodiment of selfishness was calling you selfish. You planned on walking away from this calmly but that was no longer possible.

"Here's the thing," you vocalised, sipping your drink, "You could afford to stay there, can't you? But your parents refused because you selfishly and greedily usurped your trust fund to ridiculously splurge and waste it on unnecessary things. And then, you took, no, stole your brother's rainy day savings, to pay back the credit card debt you owed because your parents refused to pay for it. So now, you expect someone to pick up the pieces and help you out in maintaining your rich image, and you expect it to be me because I'm your friend?"

Your friend stayed quiet as you hit her with the harsh truth.

"That's all you ever expected from me. And the only reason why I agreed for us to be roommates was because your parents begged my mom since they can't trust you to not do stupid things."

"What are you trying—"

"What I'm trying to say is,” you interrupted, “You messed up your own opportunity at staying in the Magnolia on your own. You’re lucky your parents even considered paying your tuition. I have no interest in staying there and I won't be, and since you decided to become buddy-buddy with the most annoying group in this whole university, go along and join them, just remember don't come to me when they toss you to the side of the curb."

You got up from your seat and paid only for your drinks. 

"Have a nice life." You announced dryly before walking away.

-

It had been a few days since the confrontation and you spent most of the time touring apartments. Your mom mentioned that your friend had already moved into the Magnolia with the group the day after you two had it out.

You weren't surprised to say the least.

But you were surprised by the lack of apartment complexes near university. Some were...concerning to say the least, and any promising ones were about a 15-20 minute walk to campus. You weighed your options and considered the good cardio you could get out of it. But the idea of walking during the blistering sunny days and the colder months made it unappealing very quickly.

However, just when you thought all hope was lost, your saving grace in the form of an old school friend walked through the café door one Friday afternoon.

While mindlessly circling possible apartments at the back of the café, you didn't notice a tall figure approaching you.

"Y/N?"

You jumped in surprise at the voice.

"Song?"

Lucas Song was a longtime friend from high school who shared the same computer period as you and was your partner in every assignment. He is trustworthy and dependable, and moved cities to pursue a course in Computer Studies which the university didn’t offer.

“It’s been a long time! How are you?”

As you engaged in small-talk, you happened to mention your current situation on a whim, not thinking much of it as you conversed. Immediately, Lucas happily jumped at the idea of showing you a room in his parents' apartment complex the Marigold.

The Marigold didn't compete with the Magnolia, it was an older complex that had been around for the last 15 years and was once known as the cosy, homely safe haven near campus. You completely forgot about its existence because its structure was compact and slightly-worn down, with the paint peeling slightly and the bleak garden of wilting roses and hydrangeas making it easy to pass straight. Not to mention, it always looked like it was under construction with huge piles of sand and gravel, and numerous bags of cement scattered nearby the entrance.

But you trusted Lucas and agreed to a viewing. And it was probably the best decision you made because you were mesmerised by the beautiful interior. The rooms were cosy, quaint and efficient with a communal living room area. Lucas conveyed that you would have to share the kitchen and living room with a few others. You weren’t opposed to it so promptly, you signed the lease. 

But maybe you should have asked about your other roommates and how many of them there were. 

Because on moving day, as you strolled in with your luggage into the living room, you were abruptly greeted by eight persons - all boys, some of them with their hair dishevelled and only in their underwear...while the others were covered in flour gaping at you with a shocked expression.

[codingquill]

What happens when you start your computer ? ( Booting a computer )

We studied this in the lecture today, and it was quite interesting. What makes something a hundred times simpler than it is? Creating a story about it. That's why I made this super fun dialog that will help you understand it all.

I've set up a drive to compile everything I create related to the Linux operating system. Feel free to explore it for more details on the topics discussed in the conversation below. Check it out here.

Have a fun read, my dear coders!

In the digital expanse of the computer, Pixel, the inquisitive parasite, is on a microventure with Binary, a wise digital guide. Together, they delve into the electronic wonders, uncovering the secrets hidden in the machine's core.

Pixel: (zooming around) Hey there! Pixel here, on a mission to demystify the tech wonders . There's a creature named Binary who knows all the ins and outs. Let's find them!

Binary: (appearing with a flicker of pixels) Pixel, greetings! Ready to explore what happens inside here?

Pixel: Absolutely! I want the full scoop. How does this thing come alive when the human outside clicks on "start"?

Binary: (with a digital chuckle) Ah, the magic of user interaction. Follow me, and I'll reveal the secrets.

(They traverse through the circuits, arriving at a glowing portal.)

Pixel: (inquiring) What's the deal with this glowing door?

Binary: (hovering) Pixel, behold the BIOS - our machine's awakening. When the human clicks "start," the BIOS kicks in, checking if our components are ready for action.

(They proceed to observe a tiny program in action.)

Pixel: (curious) Look at that little messenger running around. What's it up to?

Binary: (explaining) That, Pixel, is the bootloader. It plays courier between the BIOS and the operating system, bringing it to life.

Pixel: (excitedly buzzing) Okay! How does the computer know where to find the operating system?

Binary: Ah, Pixel, that's a tale that takes us deep into the heart of the hard disk. Follow me.

(They weave through the digital pathways, arriving at the hard disk.)

Pixel: (curious) Huh? Tell me everything!

Binary: Within this hard disk lies the treasure chest of the operating system. Let's start with the Master Boot Record (MBR).

(They approach the MBR, Binary pointing to its intricate code.)

Binary: The MBR is like the keeper of the keys. It holds crucial information about our partitions and how to find the operating system.

Pixel: (wide-eyed) What's inside?

Binary: (pointing) Take a look. This is the primary boot loader, the first spark that ignites the OS journey.

(They travel into the MBR, where lines of code reveal the primary boot loader.)

Pixel: (in awe) This tiny thing sets the whole show in motion?

Binary: (explaining) Indeed. It knows how to find the kernel of the operating system, which is the core of its existence.

(They proceed to the first partition, where the Linux kernel resides.)

Pixel: (peering into the files) This is where the OS lives, right?

Binary: (nodding) Correct, Pixel. Here lies the Linux kernel. Notice those configuration files? They're like the OS's guidebook, all written in text.

(They venture to another partition, finding it empty.)

Pixel: (confused) What's the story with this empty space?

Binary: (smirking) Sometimes, Pixel, there are barren lands on the hard disk, waiting for a purpose. It's a canvas yet to be painted.

Pixel: (reflecting) Wow! It's like a whole universe in here. I had no idea the operating system had its roots in the hard disk.

(They continue their microventure, navigating the binary landscapes of the computer's inner world.Pixel gazes at the screen where choices appear.)

Pixel: What's happening here?

Binary: (revealing) This is where the user picks the operating system. The computer patiently waits for a decision. If none comes, it follows the default path.

(They delve deeper into the digital code, where applications start blooming.)

Pixel: (amazed) It's like a digital garden of applications! What's the enchantment behind this?

Binary: (sharing) Here, Pixel, is where the applications sprout to life. The operating system nurtures them, and they blossom into the programs you see on the screen.

Pixel: (excited) But how does the machine know when the human clicks "start"?

Binary: It's the BIOS that senses this initiation. When the human triggers "start," the BIOS awakens, and we embark on this mesmerizing journey.