#Maxim Medical Supplies

[maximmedicalsuppliesstore]

Wound Care Products Dallas, TX | Bandages, Dressings

[victusinveritas]

There are people who have been doing this shit for decades. Take advice from them. The people at CrimethInc are great.

If you wear contact lenses, skip em and wear regular glasses. Tear gas and pepper spray can get trapped by the contacts and that's a bad time. In the milk/water vs tear gas debate: water for tear gas, milk for pepper spray if I recall the old maxim.

More below the cut.

A friend and long-time protester posted this in a comment:

"From my experiences I can tell you a few things

Keep all your info related to the protest offline

Don’t even say you are going

Don’t tell anyone personal info

Not even you’re real name

There will be cops among you

Don’t wear anything identifying

Wear Covid masks and a hat or hoodie to avoid ID and kinda loose but not too loose dark clothing with no logos or anything identifying

If you wanna bring something to record

Bring a USB spy gadget camera that does not have WIFI connectivity

Don’t bring your phone

If you absolutely need a phone

Get a disposable flip phone that has no Wi-Fi connectivity

And destroy it after being in one location

Other organizing tips

Avoid “free speech zones”

Those are areas that cops plan to box ppl in to crack down on everyone

It’s best to divide larger groups up into smaller groups all over the city

It’s easy for cops to surround everyone in one place

They don’t have the resources to handle it when protests break out all over the city

Also bring a few leaf blowers as they can blow the tear gas back on the cops pretty effectively

It’s also hilarious

Beware of ppl doing stupid shit

They are usually infiltrators

Do not ask anyone their name

Don’t ask for personal info, phone numbers etc

Anyone asking questions

Avoid them

Beware of anyone trying to get too friendly with you

If you are a medic

Don’t wear anything to indicate you are a medic

They target medics

Y’all will need lots of milk to flush out tear gas outta your eyes and nose

Carry a backpack with supplies and first aid, tear gas, food, milk

Etc

Don’t use your debit or credit card while you are on location

Cash only

But like I said

The protest is much more effective if it’s spread out over many locations

Than centralized in one place

Being in one place gives them all the advantage

There are much more of you than them so spreading out strips their defenses and are much easier to overwhelm a small group of cops than literally going against all the cops

Study OpSec

*Be sure to take the milk out of your backpack when you get home.*

This won't help with protest safety, but it will prevent a disgusting backpack disaster in your closet a week later."

[fearfulfertility]

MEDICAL REQUEST REPORT

DRC, Prenatal Division, Gestational Support Division

To: Operations Oversight Committee

From: Dr. [REDACTED], Gestational Support Division, Head of Dermatology

Date: [REDACTED]

Subject: Increased Demand for Dermatological Supplies

Overview

The Dermatology Department has observed a significant increase in cases of nipple irritation and related dermatological complications associated with excessive lactation and weight gain among surrogates. This trend has created an acute demand for additional moisturizing lotions, ointments, and specialized care supplies, which our department currently lacks the funds or infrastructure to provide.

I. Key Observations:

Excessive Lactation

Surrogates carrying large multiples exhibit abnormally high milk production starting in mid to late-term gestation (15-20 days). This leads to skin overhydration, irritation, and cracking of the nipple and surrounding areolar tissue.

Nipple Irritation

Constant leakage causes persistent dampness, fostering irritation and increasing susceptibility to [REDACTED].

Friction from improperly fitted paternity garments exacerbates the problem, causing rawness in extreme cases.

Complications

Reports of dermatitis have risen by 37% over the past quarter, requiring additional intervention.

II. Lactation Volume Trends

Generally, surrogates at +15 days gestation can lactate up to 1 gallon or more of milk daily. This necessitates additional accommodations for milking and storage capabilities. The substantial output directly results from enhanced hormonal protocols, multi-fetal pregnancies, and specialized dietary regimens designed to maximize pre-natal milk supply.

"I wake up drenched, and the fabric sticks to me. My chest is so heavy it’s pulling my shoulders forward, and it feels like my back is going to snap. My pecs are always sore, and the creams don’t do much. It’s not funny when you can’t sleep because it feels like your chest is wetting itself." - Surrogate S136-645-L, 27 days gestation with dodecuplets (12)

Due to the extraordinary lactation demands, the average pectoral size for surrogates has risen to K or larger. This unprecedented increase in breast size presents unique challenges:

Physical Strain: The weight of milk-filled pectorals, combined with the already substantial physical burden of multi-fetal pregnancies, significantly increases strain on the back, shoulders, and chest.

Clothing Requirements: Standard paternity garments cannot support surrogates with such large pectoral sizes. Custom-fitted or medical-grade support is necessary to reduce discomfort and prevent long-term musculoskeletal issues.

Dermatological Concerns: The enlarged size and volume contribute to persistent skin irritation, chafing, and [REDACTED]. Prolonged dampness from lactation leakage exacerbates these conditions, emphasizing the need for high-quality emollients, breathable fabrics, and anti-[REDACTED] treatments.

III. Stretch Mark Management

The extreme abdominal growth observed in surrogates has resulted in widespread reports of severe stretch marks accompanied by skin tearing and irritation. The epidermis’s inability to maintain elasticity under such extreme strain has led to:

Deep dermal tears across the abdomen and sides, causing discomfort and risk of infection.

Skin discoloration and prolonged inflammation complications have led to [REDACTED].

"The stretch marks are everywhere — they itch like crazy. My belly is so big it rubs against my legs so badly when I walk. I’ve been using diaper cream because that’s all they have, and even that’s running out. It’s humiliating to ask for more!" - Surrogate S112-529-P, 30 days gestation with sexdecuplets (16)

Recommendations:

Increase inventory of stretch mark creams containing high-grade hyaluronic acid and retinol to improve skin elasticity and promote healing.

Provide surrogates with access to medical-grade silicone sheets for scar prevention.

Weight Gain and Related Complications

The rapid weight gain associated with multi-fetal pregnancies has also resulted in significant dermatological challenges in the buttocks and upper thigh areas. Reports of chafing, redness, and [REDACTED] have increased as surrogates struggle to manage:

Localized inflammation due to friction from excess weight.

Moisture buildup leads to skin irritation, particularly in the thighs and lower back creases.

"The swelling, the stretching, the leaking — it never ends. My pecs are so big they hit my belly like doorbell knockers whenever I walk. My nipples are basically faucets from the constant milk flow." - Surrogate S126-773-O, 28 days gestation with quindecuplets (15)

IV. Resource Needs

To address these challenges and maintain operational efficiency, the Dermatology Department formally requests the following:

Increased Lotion Supply

The current inventory of emollients and specialized nipple creams, including higher volumes of lanolin-based creams, breathable clothing, and anti-[REDACTED] treatments.

Provide high quantities of zinc oxide-based diaper creams to prevent and treat skin irritation caused by chafing and moisture.

Enhanced Clothing Options

Access to soft, breathable paternity garments designed to minimize friction and wick moisture is urgently needed. Custom-fitted support designed for surrogates with K-pectoral sizes or larger.

Additional Staff Support

More trained dermatological aides are required to handle the increasing caseload effectively.

Regularly monitoring surrogate health to preempt complications arising from excessive milk production and epidermal strain.

V. Impact on Compound Operations

Failure to address these dermatological issues promptly risks:

Reduced surrogate comfort, leading to lower compliance and increased resistance.

Escalated medical costs due to untreated infections and complications.

Conclusion

The Dermatology Department strongly advises immediate approval of the requested resources to mitigate these challenges and ensure the continued efficiency of the compound’s operations. Please prioritize the allocation of additional lotions, creams, and suitable clothing options for surrogates experiencing these conditions.

Report Prepared by Dr. [REDACTED], Gestational Support Division, Head of Dermatology

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

Sending...

Sending...

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To: Head of Dermatology, Dr. [REDACTED]

From: Director [REDACTED]

Date: [REDACTED]

Subject: RE: Increased Demand for Dermatological Supplies

Following your memorandum's review, I approve the request for the increased lotion supply and additional staff support to manage the complications among surrogates. 

However, the request for enhanced clothing options is denied at this time. While clothing-related discomfort is acknowledged, allocating resources to garments over medical supplies is not justifiable under current conditions. Prioritizing lotion supplies and preventative care will address most dermatological concerns without incurring unnecessary costs. Surrogates will continue wearing standard paternity garments or nothing at all (for late-term surrogates), and this decision will be reassessed during the next yearly review if issues persist.

Moving forward, while their discomfort is noted, surrogates are to remain functional assets. I expect your team to focus on preventative care and rapid treatment protocols to maintain compliance and meet compound objectives.

Director [REDACTED]

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

Click Here to return to DRC Report Archives

[chick-with-wifi]

Meta: Shaw doesn't need god mode

Shaw is the only main character who has never been in god mode (Root in 2x22 then periodically throughout the series, Reese in 2x22 and 4x22, Finch from 5x10 onwards) and this is because, due to her skills and style of operating, she doesn't need it.

She is extremely observant, so would receive no benefit from the Machine's updates about her surroundings. For example, she reads the room in 5x11 ("That guy has a bum leg, the one by the door still has the safety on, and she hasn't stopped shaking since she raised her gun.") with the same level of detail as the information the Machine gives out ("Sharp right leg. Left knee, ACL. Tactical blade. Glass jaw." 4x22). 

This extends to awareness of approaching threats, so she doesn't require the Machine to tell her where to aim. In 2x22 when Reese is in god mode, she shoots an approaching enemy at the same time as him and continues to help throughout the scene. In 3x01 she uses two guns to take down a group of enemies, leaving them a groaning heap on the ground, much like Root does with help from the Machine in 3x10. 

She achieves this through a mixture of quick reflexes and precise aiming, as shown through her shooting an enemy after seeing his shadow under the door in 2x16, shooting a perpetrator who is using a victim as a human shield by aiming through his jacket in 3x05 and reacting instantly when a sniper's red dot appears on Root in 3x21. 

This ability to rapidly assess her environment and move with exact timing also factors into her signature move of sneaking up on people, demonstrated when she both appears and disappears on Reese in 2x21.

Shaw is excellent at reading people and gleans a lot of information from using this skill, so does not require any additional input from the Machine. In 2x21, she makes deductions easily from Reese's body language ("Can you track him? How? You put a bug on your friend?"). In 3x05, she can tell when Gen is lying ("There is no Agent Cross.") and later knows exactly what to say to persuade Gen to give her the location of the tapes ("I'm a spy too, remember?"). In 4x11, she is able to talk the bomber out of detonating his vest.

She also demonstrates incredible strategic planning, exemplified by her escape from Samaritan in 5x08 ("It's not like I'm gonna spill a glass of water on the nightstand, stomp on your foot, throw an elbow to your chin, and stick you with that sedative.") which parallels Root's escape from the psychiatric facility in 3x03 with the Machine's help ("First the phone on your desk will ring. She'll be letting me know it's time. Then I'll punch you in the carotid artery. It'll hurt, Ronald, but it won't kill you. Then I'll take your car keys.").

Her plans involve reacting in the moment and maximizing the resources available to her, so any further instructions would be a distraction. She does this both in smaller ways, such as taking the enemy's radio in 2x16 to keep updated on their movements and using her gun cartridge as a mirror to look down the hallway in 3x05.

And in larger ways, for example in 2x16 when she needs a place to lay low and get supplies, she kidnaps a drug dealer and uses their base of operations, likely because they won't call the police on her. In 3x05, she repeatedly ignores Finch's instructions to get medical help and instead follows the trail of clues stemming from a packet of drugs to successfully track down the people who took Gen, while stealing supplies from an ambulance and giving herself a blood transfusion in the field.

In conclusion, Shaw works best when given an objective and the freedom to choose for herself how to complete it. The ISA worked like this ("My call. We had the cesium. Seemed like the best way to cover our tracks." 2x16) and she excelled at it, as evidenced by Wilson calling her his "best operator" (2x16) and Hersh saying "Shaw is one of our best. Trained her myself. You're not gonna find her until she wants to be found." (2x16). In this episode Finch also asks her to stop running "because you're much too good at it and we can't keep up."

This makes her a very valuable asset to Team Machine, which is particularly well demonstrated in 4x11 when Shaw's arrival makes their chance of survival skyrocket from single digits to over 20%.

[altrbody]

Anatomical Venus, wax figure, Florence, Italy.

"Raised as a Roman Catholic, Grand Duke Peter Leopold was taught to condemn human dissection, which the Church Fathers deemed sacrilegious because it stripped the dead of viscera needed for the Last Judgement. But Peter Leopold was an enlightened despot who didn't want subjects to perish at the hands of unpracticed medics. In the early 1770s, the Italian physiologist Felice Fontana offered him a deal he couldn't refuse. In return for a supply of fresh cadavers, Fontana promised to replace human flesh with colored wax.

The technology was already well established. In ancient Greece, sculptors modeled wax to create funeral masks. Known as ceroplastics, the craft was revived in Renaissance Florence, and used to produce realistic-looking votive offerings such as ersatz hands and feet. Artists also introduced wax to religious statuary, often intentionally grotesque, embellished with real hair and teeth to maximize dramatic effect. Even a few anatomists had experience with ceroplastics, wrapping waxwork muscles around real-life skeletons for prolonged surgical study. (It helped that they weren't smelly.) . . . 

The historical term for such models is anatomical Venus. Many hundreds were made at the University of Florence under Fontana's supervision with Peter Leopold's patronage. Their anatomical accuracy was ensured by the cadavers provided to Fontana, which were dissected in the presence of sculptors who deftly replicated each part of the body. Because the wax could be cast, the models could be replicated and distributed far and wide. Prior to the invention of color photography, they were deemed the best available representation of human anatomy, optimal for teaching because they sidestepped religious controversy, diminished grave robbery, and averted the gag reflex induced by putrid flesh."

[humanitys-strongest-bamf]

i had an idea pop up in my head and it made my brain itchy, so i wrote it

Humanity's Strongest | Levi Canonverse Drabble

✧ word count ➼ < 700 ✧ notes ➼ canonverse, rewrite of a s1 scene, combat medic!reader

The gates to the middle ring opened and roughly 30 soldiers strolled into the ring on horses. Some rode alone and other horses were dragging in carts of supplies and wounded soldiers. The wounded soldiers had a wide range of injuries, with some having minor bite wounds and others missing multiple limbs. Fighting the Titans was not a glorious battle that people envied. Even the thought of leaving the wall was terrifying.

Every time the scouts of the Survey Corps returned, they found a mass of villagers on the sidelines eagerly waiting for them. Some were kids that were fascinated by the prospect of being a scout and battling Titans, others were families anxiously waiting to see if their loved one had survived. 

“Hey look, it’s Captain Levi of the scouts! They say he’s equal to an entire brigade! There’s a reason why they call him Humanity’s Strongest Soldier.”

“Tch,” he scoffed as he glared at the villagers, speaking under his breath. “Shut up.”

Captain Levi Ackermann was consistently hailed as “Humanity’s Strongest Soldier”. He had nearly 100 solo-kills of Titans and an uncountable number of assists. It was said that he alone was able to clear out an entire cluster of invading Titans on his own without sustaining any injuries. There wasn’t a day that passed in which he didn’t receive praise for his accomplishments. He had unmatched skill and no one was able to doubt it—and he absolutely hated it.

It was true that he was strong. It was true that his skills were unmatched. He knew all of that. From the very beginning of him joining the Scouts, he had risen the ranks and even invented his own unique method of battling the Titans. There was no one the commander trusted more to fight the Titans. He knew all of that. He worked hard to achieve that. However, as a result, everyone, including his comrades around him, only saw him as a weapon instead of a person. If he showed any sign of weakness or emotion, any type of respect that he had garnered would wither away like dust. To them, he wasn’t a person. He was an idol to be memorialized and a weapon to unsheathe when the threat of the Titans approached.

“You know they don’t know any better,” you whispered next to him, riding along next to him.

“About what?”

“You give them hope,” you responded, looking at him with a subtle, brief smile.

It was rare to find Levi without you around. Part of that was because you were on the same squad, but a bigger part of that was because of your background. Having grown up and joined the Scouts together, you and Levi Ackermann were a duo commonly found on the battlefield, although your tasks were vastly different from each other.

You sighed and looked towards the wagon of injured soldiers. Although you were well-built, you were not a fighter. Rarely did you ever find yourself having a primary duty of slaying Titans. Your job was to try to maximize the amount of soldiers that could make it safely home. You were one of the primary reasons that the Scouts' survival rates had dramatically increased, but even you could not save everyone.

The cart full of wounded soldiers was an abrasive reminder of that.

“Man, if they knew how fussy you were, they wouldn’t look at you with such admiration,” Hange said towards Levi with a grin.

A scowl appeared on Levi’s face at Hange’s comment. It didn’t feel like admiration. The villager’s comments felt like an insult. No one really knew who Levi Ackermann was, other than a Titan-killing machine. He wished the villagers knew about his fussiness. At least, then they would objectify him a little less. He had the terrible instinct that told him that if he ever lost his ability to fight, that suddenly any respect or admiration he gets from the villagers, and even his comrades, would disappear—all except for one person: you.

[emma-m-black]

Doctor White - Chapter Seven

Tom Koracick x OC (FanFiction)

This is a super rough draft of a Tom Koracick x OC story I've had in my head. I got a ton of chapters done, but then kind of his a block at a cliff hanger and I figure, perhaps if I post it, maybe I can figure out what to do next.

Rating is probably close to PG, don't think there is any spicey bits, pretty tame.

Read: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six,

Chapter Seven

“I think that’s everything,” Elizabeth said, her voice tinged with satisfaction as she surveyed the research room. The newly assembled space gleamed under the fluorescent lights, filled with pristine equipment and carefully organized supplies. The faint smell of new plastic and paper lingered, mingling with the excitement of progress. Her lips curled into a smile, proud of what they’d accomplished so far.

“Good, because I’m withering away here.” Tom’s exaggerated tone drew her attention, and she turned just in time to catch his dramatic tap against his wristwatch. “You can fuss over the microscope tomorrow. Right now, however, we have reservations at my favourite Italian restaurant, so let’s go.”

Elizabeth clasped her hands in front of her chest, feigning innocence as she faced him. “But what if we put the whiteboard by the window? And then moved the desk against this one to make an ‘L’ shape? It’d maximize—”

Her words were abruptly silenced by Tom’s finger pressing lightly against her lips. “Italian. Reservations. Ricotta. Gelato.” His tone brooked no argument as he removed his finger, an impish grin spreading across his face.

Elizabeth let out a mock groan of defeat, reaching for her purse draped over the back of an office chair. “Fine.”

Tom’s eyes scanned her up and down, his lips quirking in amusement. “Do you own any other clothes?”

She glanced down at her mustard-colored sweater, the same one she’d worn the week before. “Hey, I love this sweater!” Her tone was defiant as she smoothed a hand over the soft knit. “Besides, how was I supposed to know you were going to kidnap me for dinner?”

“Always assume I will kidnap you,” Tom quipped, waving her off dismissively. “Fancy places and good food are kind of my thing.”

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “Good to know. Is that why you’re always dressed like you’re heading to a board meeting?”

“Well, I did have a meeting,” Tom replied, straightening his dark blue suit jacket as if to emphasize the point.

“Receiving medical equipment isn’t a meeting,” she countered, slinging her purse over her shoulder.

“You say potato, I say … well, potato too. But you get my point.”

Elizabeth chuckled, shaking her head. “Fine, lead the way.”

Tom grinned and offered her his arm, his elbow bent at an exaggerated angle. “Shall we?”

With a smirk, Elizabeth looped her arm through his, and they strolled out of the research room together. The halls were quiet this late, their footsteps echoing softly as they made their way to the elevator. Inside, Tom reached for the main floor button, but before the doors could close, a hand shot through the gap.

“Doctor White. Doctor Koracick,” Owen greeted as he stepped inside, his eyes flicking to where Elizabeth’s arm was still tucked through Tom’s. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. “A few of us are heading for a drink. Would you two care to join?”

Elizabeth didn’t miss the strain in Owen’s voice as he addressed Tom. It was no secret that Owen was not a fan of his. Anytime Tom’s name came up, Owen either changed the subject or found an excuse to leave the room.

“We have dinner plans,” Tom replied smoothly, his tone polite but firm.

“Sorry, Owen,” Elizabeth added, her voice more chipper, as she offered him an apologetic smile. “Maybe next time. Technically, I still owe you that drink.”

The elevator doors opened, and Tom and Elizabeth stepped out, only to find Amelia waiting on the other side.

“Goodnight, Doctor Shepherd,” Elizabeth greeted, her tone cheerful as she and Tom walked past.

“They do look cute together,” Amelia remarked, as Owen moved to stand beside her.

Owen’s silence spoke volumes.

Outside, the cool night air greeted them, carrying with it the faint scent of rain on the asphalt. Tom chuckled as they made their way to his car. “You know Ginger likes you, right?”

Elizabeth laughed, shaking her head. “No, he doesn’t. He’s just being friendly. Not everything is about sex, Tom.”

“Everything is about sex,” he countered with a playful grin. “You’re naïve to think otherwise. Which is why I’m telling you right now—I don’t give up easily in a fight.”

Elizabeth patted his arm, her laughter light but genuine. “Oh, I know. But there is no fight because, as I’ve told you a hundred times, I don’t date coworkers.”

Tom guided her to the passenger side of his car and opened the door with a flourish. “After you,” he said, helping her in with a gentlemanly air before shutting the door and walking around to the driver’s side.

Elizabeth ran her hands over the smooth leather seat as he climbed in. “Even your car is pretentious,” she teased, her tone laced with mock disdain.

“You love it,” Tom shot back, his grin widening. “Don’t lie.”

Turning in her seat, Elizabeth looked at Tom with a smile that softened her features. “I do. I really do.”

The ride to the restaurant passed in comfortable silence, the soft strains of jazz filtering through Tom’s car speakers. Outside, the city lights glimmered like stars reflected on asphalt rivers, the occasional honk of a horn breaking the peace. When they arrived, Tom handed off his keys to the valet with an easy confidence before extending his arm to escort Elizabeth inside.

“Doctor Koracick, this way,” the hostess greeted warmly as they entered, her eyes flicking briefly between the two of them with a knowing smile.

The table Tom had reserved was near a large window overlooking the water, where the moonlight rippled across the surface like liquid silver. He pulled out a chair for Elizabeth with a flourish, gesturing for her to sit. A bucket of ice held a bottle of champagne already waiting at the table, its surface beaded with condensation. Tom made quick work of popping the cork, the sound sharp yet celebratory in the quiet din of the restaurant.

Pouring them each a glass, he raised his own. “To you, Elizabeth, and that beautiful, sexy brain of yours.”

Elizabeth laughed softly, the warmth of the compliment clear in the slight blush that colored her cheeks. She raised her glass; the rim catching the light. “To you, Tom, for having faith in me. For being someone I can trust.”

As their glasses met with a soft clink, Elizabeth’s thoughts drifted briefly to their first lunch together. She remembered the subtle pressure of his hand on hers, the way his thumb had traced small, soothing circles. It was such a simple gesture, but one that had felt grounding—safe.

After taking a sip, Elizabeth set her glass down and gazed out the window, her fingers interlaced on the table. Her voice was steady, though her words carried a distant ache. “My attending once brought me along to a conference. I think she was trying to curry favor with my father—not that it mattered since he’d already cut me off. I couldn’t sleep that night, so I went down to the bar for a coffee. I didn’t even think about how I looked—just shorts, a camisole, and a hotel bathrobe. I assumed the bar would be empty at that hour.”

The arrival of the server interrupted her, and she turned just enough to catch Tom’s eyes.

“Give us a minute,” Tom said, his tone firm but polite. The server nodded and left them alone again.

Elizabeth exhaled shakily, her gaze returning to the rippling water outside. “There was a table of guys. Drunk, loud. I ignored them and ordered my coffee, but one of them came over. The bartender made him back off, and I decided to head back to my room. I didn’t make it.” Her voice trembled slightly. “Paul Stadler followed me. By the time security found me, he’d already shoved me against the wall and was trying to rip off my robe. The bartender... he must’ve noticed something was wrong and sent security. But later, Paul apologized, told me I’d asked for it. That if I pressed charges, no one would believe me. And I... I believed him.”

Tom reached across the table, clasping her hands gently in his. His voice was low, almost reverent. “Elizabeth.”

She gave a bitter smile, tears glistening in her eyes but refusing to fall. “There it is. My black mark. The thing I’ll always wonder about. Could I have done something differently? Was it my fault? That moment... it colors everything.”

Tom’s grip on her hands tightened ever so slightly, anchoring her. “You’re not alone in that shadow. I had a wife. A son. David. He was ten. One day, just like any other, he was at baseball and he, he got hit in the head with a baseball bat.” His voice cracked, but he pressed on. “He died. And I’ll always wonder... if I’d gotten to the hospital sooner, if I could’ve saved him.”

“Tom,” Elizabeth murmured, her heart aching at the vulnerability etched across his face.

“You’re not the only broken one,” he said quietly. “Maybe we can be broken together.”

Elizabeth slipped one hand free, raising her champagne glass. “To continuing on.”

Tom followed suit, clinking his glass against hers before taking a sip. He kept his other hand on hers, a silent reminder that she wasn’t alone.

As the server returned, Elizabeth waved him over. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

Dinner passed in a blur of laughter, shared stories, and the occasional gentle teasing. By the time they finished, the restaurant staff was politely urging them to leave, their table one of the last occupied. Outside, the night air was crisp, biting at Elizabeth’s cheeks as she wrapped her arms around herself.

“Thanks for tonight, Tom,” she said, her breath visible in the cold.

Without a word, Tom shrugged off his jacket, taking her purse from her shoulder before draping the jacket around her. He adjusted the lapels, pulling them close to shield her from the chill, his fingers brushing her skin in the process. The gesture brought them impossibly close, their breaths mingling in the space between.

Elizabeth tilted her head up, her lashes casting shadows over her cheeks as her gaze flitted between his eyes and his lips. “Tom...”

“Elizabeth,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper. But the moment shattered as the deafening roar of an engine pierced the night.

Everything happened in a blur. One second, Elizabeth was standing with Tom; the next, she was on the ground beside him, ears ringing and heart pounding. A car had crashed into the valet station, Tom’s own vehicle now crumpled against a brick retaining wall.

Dazed, Elizabeth scrambled to her feet, her instincts kicking in as she rushed toward the wreckage. She yanked at the driver’s side door, but it barely budged. Tom appeared beside her, his face pale but focused, her purse still slung over his shoulder.

“On three,” he instructed, gripping the edge of the door.

Together, they heaved, the metal groaning as it gave way just enough for Elizabeth to lean inside. The valet driver was slumped against the airbag, unconscious.

“Pulse is thready,” Elizabeth reported, her voice sharp with urgency. She leaned further in, checking for other injuries. “Sir, can you hear me?”

Tom was already on the phone, relaying her assessment to emergency services. Within minutes, paramedics arrived, their flashing lights cutting through the dark. With their help, Tom assisted in loading the injured man into the ambulance, with Elizabeth using her hand to keep the man from bleeding out.

Chapter Eight

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this media report from the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services:

Environmental, social and economic crises – such as biodiversity loss, water and food insecurity, health risks and climate change – are all interconnected. They interact, cascade and compound each other in ways that make separate efforts to address them ineffective and counterproductive.

A landmark new report was launched today by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The Assessment Report on the Interlinkages Among Biodiversity, Water, Food and Health – known as the Nexus Report - offers decision-makers around the world the most ambitious scientific assessment ever undertaken of these complex interconnections and explores more than five dozen specific response options to maximize co-benefits across five ‘nexus elements’: biodiversity, water, food, health and climate change.

Approved on Monday by the 11th session of the IPBES Plenary, composed of representatives of the 147 Governments that are members of IPBES, the report is the product of three years of work by 165 leading international experts from 57 countries from all regions of the world. It finds that existing actions to address these challenges fail to tackle the complexity of interlinked problems and result in inconsistent governance.

“We have to move decisions and actions beyond single-issue silos to better manage, govern and improve the impact of actions in one nexus element on other elements,” said Prof. Paula Harrison (United Kingdom), co-chair of the Assessment with Prof. Pamela McElwee (USA). “Take for example the health challenge of schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) – a parasitic disease that can cause life-long ill health and which affects more than 200 million people worldwide – especially in Africa. Treated only as a health challenge – usually through medication – the problem often recurs as people are reinfected. An innovative project in rural Senegal took a different approach – reducing water pollution and removing invasive water plants to reduce the habitat for the snails that host the parasitic worms that carry the disease – resulting in a 32% reduction in infections in children, improved access to freshwater and new revenue for the local communities.”

“The best way to bridge single issue silos is through integrated and adaptive decision-making. ‘Nexus approaches’ offer policies and actions that are more coherent and coordinated – moving us towards the transformative change needed to meet our development and sustainability goals,” said Prof. McElwee.

The report states that biodiversity – the richness and variety of all life on Earth – is declining at every level from global to local, and across every region. These ongoing declines in nature, largely as a result of human activity, including climate change, have direct and dire impacts on food security and nutrition, water quality and availability, health and wellbeing outcomes, resilience to climate change and almost all of nature’s other contributions to people.

Building on previous IPBES reports, in particular the 2022 Values Assessment Report and the 2019 Global Assessment Report, which identified the most important direct drivers of biodiversity loss, including land- and sea-use change, unsustainable exploitation, invasive alien species and pollution, the Nexus Report further underscores how indirect socioeconomic drivers, such as increasing waste, overconsumption and population growth, intensify the direct drivers – worsening impacts on all parts of the nexus. The majority of 12 assessed indicators across these indirect drivers – such as GDP, population levels and overall food supply, have all increased or accelerated since 2001.

“Efforts of Governments and other stakeholders have often failed to take into account indirect drivers and their impact on interactions between nexus elements because they remain fragmented, with many institutions working in isolation – often resulting in conflicting objectives, inefficiencies and negative incentives, leading to unintended consequences,” said Prof. Harrison.

[financefatloss]

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[republicsecurity]

Sleeping Pods for Conscripts

Sleeping Pods for Conscripts

The Sleeping Pods for Conscripts are advanced, integrated rest modules designed for use by military personnel in the Republic's paramilitary forces. These pods are engineered to accommodate conscripts sleeping in their full-body armor, including helmets, providing a seamless, secure, and efficient method of rest and recuperation.

Overview

The sleeping pods represent the pinnacle of military sleep technology, blending comfort with utility to ensure that conscripts remain battle-ready even while at rest. Each pod is constructed from a durable, high-grade composite material that offers protection and insulation, effectively creating a self-contained micro-environment.

Functions and Features

Waste Evacuation System Each pod is equipped with an integrated waste management system that connects directly to the conscripts' armor suits. This system efficiently handles all biological waste, ensuring hygiene and comfort without the need for the conscript to leave the pod.

Power Charging Interface The pods feature a sophisticated power interface that connects to the conscripts' armor suits, ensuring that all electronic systems, including communication devices, HUDs (heads-up displays), and life support systems, are fully charged and operational upon waking.

Life Support Integration The pods are equipped with advanced life support systems that monitor and regulate the conscripts' vital signs, providing real-time data to the central command system. This includes oxygen supply management, temperature control, and emergency medical response capabilities.

Hydration System To maintain optimal hydration levels, the pods are fitted with a hydration system that supplies water directly to the conscripts' armor suits. This system ensures that conscripts remain hydrated throughout their rest period without needing to remove their helmets.

Sensory Deprivation and Noise Cancellation To ensure optimal rest, the pods utilize state-of-the-art sensory deprivation technology, including noise-canceling mechanisms and adjustable ambient lighting. This creates a tranquil environment, free from external disturbances.

Communications Link Each pod maintains a secure communication link with central command, allowing for instant alert and mobilization if necessary. This link also enables conscripts to receive updates and briefings without leaving their pods.

Ergonomic Design Despite the full armor requirement, the pods are ergonomically designed to offer maximum comfort. Adjustable internal padding and support structures conform to the contours of the armor, reducing pressure points and ensuring a restful sleep.

Quick Egress System In the event of an emergency, the pods are equipped with a rapid egress system that allows conscripts to exit and mobilize within seconds. This system is synchronized with the conscripts' armor to ensure immediate readiness.

Environmental Conditioning The pods maintain a controlled internal climate, adjusting temperature and humidity to optimal levels for rest. This conditioning also includes air filtration systems to remove contaminants and ensure a clean breathing environment.

Hot Bunking Capability Designed for efficiency, the pods support hot bunking, allowing multiple conscripts to use the same pod in shifts. The pod’s systems quickly sanitize and reset between uses, ensuring each conscript has a clean and ready environment.

Operational Benefits

The integration of sleeping pods into the conscripts' daily routine offers several operational advantages:

Enhanced Readiness: Conscripts remain in their armor and can be deployed instantly, reducing response times during critical situations.

Improved Health Monitoring: Continuous vital sign monitoring ensures early detection of health issues, allowing for prompt medical intervention.

Increased Efficiency: By managing waste, hydration, and charging needs within the pod, conscripts can maximize their rest periods, leading to improved performance during active duty.

Resource Optimization: Hot bunking capability allows for efficient use of space and resources, accommodating more conscripts with fewer pods.

Usage

The sleeping pods are deployed in all major barracks and outposts within the Republic's territory. They are a standard feature in the accommodation of Enforcer Cadets, Paramedic Corps members, Lifeguards, and other paramilitary units. Each pod is assigned to an individual conscript and is programmed to recognize and interface exclusively with their specific armor suit.

See Also

Armor Suits of the Republic

Neuro-Based VR Training Modules

Life Support Systems

References

Republic Defense Technologies Manual, 2047 Edition

Advanced Military Rest Systems: Enhancing Soldier Efficiency and Readiness by Dr. V. Harkness

The Integration of Technology in Modern Warfare by Prof. K. Linwood

This article is part of the Republic's Military Technology Series, providing detailed information on the advanced systems used to maintain the security and efficiency of our paramilitary forces. For more articles, visit the Republic Military Archive.

[sinceileftyoublog]

Say Anything Interview: Intentional Is My Default

Photo by Nicole Mago

BY JORDAN MAINZER

I'm waiting back stage at Riot Fest for Say Anything's Max Bemis to finish a photoshoot, one that sees him lie in the grass in various positions that make it look like he's stretching after a tough workout. Despite the fact that he hasn't yet gotten his real workout in yet--his newly reformed band would go on stage in a few hours--and that this photoshoot is full of capital-p Poses, I'm taken by how at ease Bemis seems with everything. When we speak, he reveals to me that, yes, while he did in fact feel awkward during the photoshoot--most of us do--he's learning to lean into his feelings much more naturally.

Five years ago, the legendary emo band disbanded, with their 2019 album Oliver Appropriate billed as their final LP for the moment. A purported sequel to their beloved sophomore record ...Is A Real Boy, the album was publicized in conjunction with a nine-page letter from Bemis, in which came out as bisexual and admitted to struggles with drug use. (The frontman has long been open about his diagnosed bipolar disorder, previous self-medication through drugs, and manic episodes.) During the pandemic, Bemis stayed busy, performing livestreams of older material, but there was always lingering doubt the band's hiatus would become permanent.

It wasn't until late last year that Bemis dropped that the band would be reuniting for festivals in 2023. In typical nonchalant fashion, he shared that the reunion would include past members drummer Coby Linder and bassist Alex Kent by replying to someone's comment on a Facebook post. In April, the band released their first new material since Oliver Appropriate, the maximally stream-of-consciousness rant "Psyche!". The song sees Bemis laying out those same struggles for everyone to bear witness to, blaming himself for his personal, marital, and familial problems atop a bevy of references to the band's older material, Titanic, and Riot Fest itself. "By Riot Fest '24, I'll be coughing up corks if you supply the Malörk," he sings, a line that's instantly iconic and bound to be infamous for its satiric misspelling of Chicago's shot of choice. In August, the band followed it up with "Are You (In) There?", which also establishes itself within our emo universe, with mentions of Sunny Day Real Estate and mewithoutYou, but a more personal ode to Bemis' wife and the love they have for each other despite his past actions and shortcomings. And just this morning, Say Anything annouced ...Is Committed (Dine Alone), their new record, along with a single entitled "Carrie & Lowell & Cody (Pendent)", Bemis placing his "mommy issues" in conversation with those of indie folk luminary Sufjan Stevens. The song is musically heavier and more complex and full-throated, while also containing gorgeous choral harmonies from Bemis' wife, Sherri Dupree-Bemis.

At one point, the future of the band was a mystery to everyone, Bemis included. But with some newfound perspectives, the musical and personal influence of new band member Brian Warren of Weatherbox, and therapy, it seemed from just the short conversation I had with Bemis and Kent that they're in a good place, ready to embrace their new chapter. Read my interview below, conducted last month before I knew about their new album, edited for length and clarity. Catch the band three nights next week at The Regent Theater in LA and at When We Were Young in Las Vegas next weekend.

Photo courtesy of Say Anything

Since I Left You: How does it feel to be back?

Max Bemis: It feels great. I don't think I would have decided to write the songs again if I didn't aspire to how this feels now, which is very different than our experience as little kids being in a punk band, which was very intense and an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. But this is comfortable, and it feels like having the best job ever, in the words of Piebald. It could have been a stress fest, anxious, or bad, but the only reason I wanted to write again was to reach for this thing that we never got to settle into, being dads approaching 40. The bands we looked up to were doing it at that age and still making inventive music but still seeming to chill and not base their entire personas and aspirations around being in a band. I think I appreciate it more now that I'm not trying to be "a guy in a band" as hard as I was.

Alex Kent: Something we've been talking about since getting back up and running was the transition from utilizing it as an escape versus a form of healing. Because we've been through so much traumatic shit in our lives, most of the time Max and I talk, we talk about therapy. It's fucking weird going from 18 years old on a tour bus to having that self-awareness and reflection.

MB: I didn't need it like that for many years because our entire life cycle was keyed in to being on tour. I wasn't living a normal person life. I'm not saying I ever have really or ever will--I wrote comic books for five years. That's still weird. We're still weirdo guys. Having a family, coming out of that kind of circus, I feel more like my 14-year-old self who needed this music for that reason.

SILY: The new songs have a self-aware quality.

MB: More than ever.

SILY: How do you include the self-awareness in a set at a festival or concert, where you're literally referring to other songs you're playing in the setlist?

MB: We refer to Riot Fest itself!

SILY: And Malörk [sic]

MB: And Malörk. It's incredibly self-referential and ironic, but because the band started that way, it's come full circle and is no longer ironic at the same time. There's still a lot of exaggeration and bullshit, but it's closer to me saying actual things that are happening. As you age, everyone's life becomes a circus, more surreal. The world has been very surreal, with COVID and Trump. You kind of have to say your inner experience now. It's an emotional, crazy, surreal thing anyway. It's not like before, when I said, "I have to think about my ex-girlfriend, but I'm thinking about my wife, and what the fuck is this about?" Now, this is about being at Riot Fest. And I am at Riot Fest.

SILY: There is a song about your wife, though.

MB: Yes. Also quite literal. So many emotions are certainly exaggerated, but the sincerity isn't. The love for my wife is very real. But even there, if you're in any successful relationship, it goes through the most intense rebirths and reformations, and you're adjusting to each other, especially after having kids. It's more potent to me to say what's happening or what my emotions are than do what we did on In Defense of the Genre, where I was literally forcing drama into my life on a regular basis. Now, I have no room. I'm tired. I have children to look after. The drama just happens from kids, life, everything. It's real and heartfelt, but a seasoned emotion and not so adolescent. I still love those songs, and I relate to them, but they all speak to a certain side of me I can't live out anymore.

SILY: Do the new songs more than ever exemplify the idea that the more personal you are, the more universal the songs can be?

MB: Yeah. But probably by being a little too hyper-specific. That's why I fell in love with this kind of music. Saves The Day got me into wanting to be in a band. What wowed me was when he was talking about the names of the other band members in song, like, "Ted's drooling on his sleeve." He's just saying he's in this New Jersey bar and he misses his girlfriend. He's not cloaking anything. Our thing has been a kind of parody of that, but now I don't have to stretch anything for it to be a parody.

Photo by Ben Trivett

SILY: What do you think Brian Warren brings to the table on the new songs?

AK: I've known Brian since we were 9 years old. Our very first band, we were in together.

MB: I wouldn't know about Weatherbox if it wasn't for Alex.

AK: He brings this calming energy. Humble is a weird word to describe him.

MB: It's accurate.

AK: Weatherbox is fucking amazing.

MB: He has more impostor syndrome than even me.

AK: He can play everything, and he writes cool shit.

MB: He's a virtuoso. The cool thing about Brian is that there's always been a connection between our bands. It's similar to me playing music with [Chris] Conley [in Two Tongues] back in the day. It's surreal, but it makes so much sense that you don't have to think about where he fits into the sonic picture or personality picture because we're friends.

AK: It's very cool how much sense it makes.

SILY: Has your relationship changed to your old songs?

MB: I like them more. Over the break from the band, I would listen to Say Anything, with my kids or in my car, alone. The way I severed it was so intentional. I wasn't saying, "The band was over." I was saying, "We're probably going to get back together, but I have to sever this incarnation." I was listening to [old Say Anything songs] and thinking, "I like Alex's bass part. I like the production. I even like my voice." It was like listening to another band, because of the space. I've grown to like them. I definitely know people in bands that are not what they listen to, but Say Anything has always been a conglomeration of the type of thing we listen to. If I'm going to listen to The Get Up Kids, I might as well listen to Say Anything.

SILY: Moving forward, are you trying to continue to be more intentional, or do what feels best?

MB: Both. I know that's cliché to say, and it does and doesn't make sense. I find that intentional is my default, and before, I would second-guess myself constantly. Now, I allow myself to make mistakes, and I let other people give me advice that before were such cerebral trips. There was a lot that weighed on me. If the lyrics are super intentional and literal, I'm just going to do it. If I feel awkward in a photo shoot like right now, I'm just going to be awkward in the photo shoot. That is, of course, my safe and happy place in life.

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[theworldvsyoshiko]

And for starting off...

The ideoligion for this run is the Dancing Flock.

They've got a lot of precepts. This is just the relatively high impact ones.

To summarize:

Any non-defensive violence is bad, against humans or animals.

Killing too, although if it's done defensively it's not as bad.

No eating meat or wearing leather.

No limits on sex and marriage. No judgment for extramarital sex.

Gotta maintain a hospital, with a size that scales with the colony, but the medical treatments are automatically a higher quality.

Alcohol and social drug use are allowed and encouraged. (More on that later.)

Mostly I just love the names here, but also: Orgy. I had to do a non-negligible amount of testing to reassure myself that the orgies seem pretty good at sticking to people who are 18+ Graphically it just kinda shows everyone dancing near each other, so don't gotta worry about that.

As for how this is going to work, as I mentioned before, the guidelines I'm setting are basically hedonic calculus: maximize the total pleasure. So...

Obviously the hedonism, of course, although short-lived hedonistic pleasures take a back seat to more long-term oriented things like 'having enough food to eat' and 'stopping people from bleeding out.' Despite the hedonism meme, this group is going to spend a lot more time bandaging wounds and building guest rooms than having drug binges, especially for the first year or two.

No killing if at all possible, but doing so in self-defense is allowed if it can't be avoided.

Any hostiles must be taken alive if possible, given quality medical care, and released. This includes animals. If they have scaria, we've gotta try to cure the scaria if possible. If a fucking lion tries to eat one of the group's members and they beat it unconscious to survive, we've gotta heal the lion.

For that matter, anybody who gets incapacitated must be helped, even if it has nothing to do with this group. If a wolf gets beaten unconscious by its intended prey, the group needs to haul that poor wolf in and heal it. Anybody who's injured but still ambulatory is on their own, though, because we can't force them into medical care.

Don't gotta give people quality prosthetics, though, at least not until the group has the resources to do that easily.

Obviously no organ-harvesting or blood extraction from unwilling participants.

Drug use is cool, but harder drugs are still discouraged, since it takes a lot of pleasure to counterbalance permanent liver damage. This group won't demand drugs, but I'd be halfassing it if I didn't make sure that they have an ample amount and variety eventually.

I'm not setting many firm limits on recruitment, but the main one is: anybody who wants to become a full permanent member of the colony must follow the Dancing Flock. Since this group doesn't have the proselytization meme, their ability to convert non-prisoners is... limited. So, most people who show up asking to join are going to get turned away. However, anybody who's injured or in danger needs to be helped first.

Once the group's in position to, anybody who wants to join but isn't eligible to stay must be shipped off to a friendly destination via drop pod. Preferably with some money to help them get back on their feet.

Gotta fulfill all charity requests, except for: 1) beggars who ask for a fuckton of medicine, because medicine is going to be in real short supply, you cannot believe how quickly this setup can go through medicine and 2) people who ask to join and aren't Dancing Flock members.

Thanks to the Hospital mod, there will in fact be an actual fucking hospital. Random people can show up and request medical care, which the group must give them. However, there's a charge for it, because they do have to keep the lights on. If people receive good medical care, it increases their faction's opinion of the group.

And thanks to Hospitality, other people can come by and enjoy the eventually-world-class rec room and other accommodations, and we'd like them to be happy too. Similarly, this can cost money, and anybody who enjoys their stay will put a good word in with their faction.

The goal is simple: to bring world peace by making every single (non-hidden) faction on the planet like us. I'm using Friendly Hostile Factions to make it so everybody is open to diplomacy, but I'm also using a custom scenario that makes every faction start off with an absolutely horrible opinion of this group. It's entirely possible that only one or two factions will be non-hostile at the start. We've got a few ways to raise their opinions:

Capturing, healing, and releasing their members who show up in raids.

Healing their members in the hospital.

Hosting their members in the resort.

The usual trade and stuff.

Obviously hostile people won't show up and ask for medical care, so the 'catch and release' method will be the primary way of buddying up to pirates and bandits. To make this a little easier, I'm also disabling mech and insectoid factions and some associated events. If I can't befriend it, I don't wanna see it.

[cutibless]

Why Question If a Hair Transplant is Right for You? Here's the Answer

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[gravityengineering]

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