#available toll free numbers

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive

More than 117,000 new COVID cases were reported in the United States this week, a fourth week of decline, as the weekly death toll remained above 1,200, according to figures collected by BNO News.

At least 117,284 new cases were reported between September 23 and September 29, down from 131,272 the week before (-11%). Those figures were collected from state health departments and, where necessary, estimated based on hospital admissions.

Actual case numbers are higher because many hospitals and states are no longer reporting detailed COVID data. Laboratory testing is also low as most people and doctors are using at-home tests which are not included in official statistics.

Starting this week, every household in the U.S. is once again eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID tests. The tests are being made available in anticipation of the expected winter wave. Orders can be placed at covidtests.gov.

During the past week, cases increased in only 7 out of 24 states with consistent but limited data. In those states where increases were reported, the changes were only minimal.

The CDC estimates that COVID cases are currently rising in 0 states (down from 3 last week), declining or likely declining in 41 states (up from 23), and stable or uncertain in 7 states (down from 23). Nationally, COVID test positivity is 11.6%, down from 14.9% last week.

Only 32.6% of hospitals in the U.S. submitted COVID data this week, unchanged from last week and the lowest since the end of mandatory reporting on May 1. Those limited figures reveal that at least 4,657 Americans are currently hospitalized with COVID, down from 4,974 last week.

1,213 new COVID deaths were reported during the week, the seventh week in a row with more than 1,000 new deaths. It’s also the 12th week in a row with more than 500 new deaths and the 236th week with more than 400 new deaths.

So far this year, more than 5.5 million COVID cases have been reported across the U.S., causing at least 375,971 hospitalizations (limited data) and 43,923 deaths, according to BNO’s COVID data tracker.

[stayteezdreams]

Hotel For Ghosts

Plot: When the hotel booked for the band ends up cancelling yours and Jongho's rooms, you have to make due at a nearby hotel. Too bad it's haunted as fuck.

Pairing: Choi Jongho x Gn!Reader

Prompts: "If you get scared you can hold onto me." "Oh you'd love that wouldn't you?" "Very much." + 'You're in a hotel with doubles beds, you keep hearing scary noises and end up in the same bed.' Requested By: @lieutenantn

A/n: I know this is a similar plot as Sans fic, but I tried my best to make it different.

Warnings: Just some creepy ghost stuff, but nothing specific.

Words: 1.9k

Exhaustion was slowly taking its toll on you and Jongho as the elevator doors slid open. Dragging your suitcases along with you, little was said between you.

You had no idea the day would end up like this. When the band had arrived at the hotel, you found out you had overbooked. This lead to some of the rooms being unexpectedly canceled. After a lot of apologies, you and Jongho were whisked away to another hotel they had move you too instead.

Entering the hallway, the atmosphere immediately seemed different. And it was obvious enough that you and Jongho paused in your tracks.

The lights were flickering and buzzing and it was eerily silent. You and Jongho shared a brief look before you began walking.

Jongho checked the key number as he glanced at the doors you were passing. "It might be at the very end."

"Great." You said sarcastically as you were feeling uneasy as the lights continued to flicker. "Why is it so creepy?" You added on after a moment.

Jongho shrugged in response, as he glanced back towards the elevator just as the sound of footsteps approached.

You looked back as well but saw no one in the empty hallway. You and Jongho locked eyes as confusion washed over your faces. Silently, you both walked faster down the hall, finally spotting your room.

You continued to eye the empty hall as Jongho fiddled with the key. The hotel was obviously old and not even upgraded to key cards for the doors.

The hotel staff claimed they had only one room available, but you wondered how true that was, as the hotel seemed eerily quiet and empty. You hadn't seen or heard another person after you and Jongho showed up.

"Come on." He hissed softly as the key refused to turn. "Did they give us the wrong key?"

Just as the door clicked, a soft noise almost like a voice caught your attention. The two of you looked down the hall before hearing the sound of footsteps, yet there was still no one around.

Suddenly, the lights started to dim and flicker, before turning off entirely.

You gasped and Jongho made an almost guttural sound as he pushed the door open to your hotel room as the two of you shuffled into the room with silent panic. As he turned on the light, you let out a breath of relief as you were now free from the scary hallway.

Looking into the room you were glad it appeared relatively modern, and clean. As you walked further into the room, you were aware the eerie atmosphere still lingered in the room as well. Uneasiness hung over the two of you.

"What the hell is this place." You muttered as you glanced out the window, unable to see anything in the darkness.

"Haunted" Jongho muttered.

Your eyes snapped over to him and he let out an almost startled laugh. "Sorry, sorry, bad joke." He paused for a moment before adding on. "But this place is totally a hotel for ghosts, I haven't seen a single person since we got here."

You groaned and he laughed again. "Stop" You whined, "This place is so creepy already, don't make it worse!"

He apologized again through soft giggles as the two of you sat on your beds. The tension was lessened a little, but your experience in the hallway still lingered in both your minds.

Hearing a soft knock at the door, you and Jongho shared a brief look before he went to answer. You expected it to be room service or maybe someone saying there was another room available.

You heard the door open, but when no words were said, you stood up and walked over to see what was going on.

What you were not expected, was Jongho staring at a completely empty hallway. The lights in the hallway had turned back on, but there was no one around.

Jongho looked back at you and the fear you were now feeling was written on his face. He closed the door and walked silently back towards you.

"Maybe it was at another door?"

You nodded mutely, wanting to prefer that over any other option passing through your mind.

"Why did we have to end up here of all places? I feel like we're in purgatory or something its just so...off" You shivered dramatically at your own words.

Jongho nodded as he walked back over to his bed. "This place is definitely old too."

You groaned softly as you sat back on your bed before lying down, staring blankly up at the ceiling. "Why do I feel like we aren't gonna get any sleep tonight?"

Jongho peered over at you and smirked. "If you get scared you can hold onto me."

You let out a huff of laughter, there he was. Flirty, teasing Jongho. Even in the midst of a possibly terrifying situation, he never resists the urge to tease you.

"Oh you'd love that wouldn't you?" You retorted.

"Very much." He sighed as he lied down on his bed, the smile obvious in his tone.

You shook your head in annoyance, though his words did fluster you. They always did, and he knew it, much to your further annoyance.

You had known the boys for a couple years now, ever since you started working with them, but you and Jongho were always the closest. You figured you probably had a crush on him, but never focused on it too much, always telling yourself to be nothing more than his friend and colleague.

With all of that, you were glad you were with him now, he could always keep you grounded in the worst, and weirdest situations.

As much as you wished the rest of the night would get better, it only got worse. You were now sitting in Jongho's bed, side by side as you both anxiously stared at his phone as he scrolled through the nearby hotel listings.

The TV played a movie you didn't know, as you hoped the noise would lessen the frightening atmosphere.

Your room proved to be no better than the hallway, if not worse, as the lights started to flicker and odd noises came from various areas of the room. Tapping in the closet, footsteps by the door, the shuttering of the blinds, though there was no wind or a.c. in the room.

But the final straw, was when you had gone to the bathroom. While washing your hands, you felt and heard a loud breath directly in your ear. It made you yelp and run out of the bathroom and right to Jongho.

He calmed you down and as soon as you told him what happened, he pulled out his phone and began searching. He wrapped his arm around you and held you close to him. He could tell there was no way it was in your head with the genuine fear coursing through you.

He hated seeing you so afraid, and he felt as though anything would be better than this.

After panicked texts to the others, who only responded with amusement, thinking you were over-reacting, you gave up on trying to convince them to let you come back to their hotel rooms.

"Is there anything?" You asked and he sighed, "Not yet. There are so many concerts and festivals here that so many places are booked already."

He looked over at you and his gut clenched with guilt, "I'm sorry, we might be stuck here."

He saw your face fall as you let out a sigh.

"Just stay here in the bed with me okay?"

You met his eyes shyly and he smiled.

"Don't worry, I won't tease you. Too much." You rolled your eyes at this, and he chuckled as he squeezed you a little closer. "I just don't want you to be alone if you're this scared."

Ignoring how your heart was hammering in your chest you gazed at him, unaware of how it was making his own heart race.

"Aren't you scared?"

He nodded, "Yes, but I'm more worried about you."

You smiled softly, both touched by his care for you, and flustered by his words. He noticed this as he smiled to himself, you leaned into him a bit as you looked around the room. Things had been a bit quiet since what happened in the bathroom, maybe it would stay quiet.

Jongho squeezed your arm a bit as he spoke, his voice soft and close to your ear. "At least one good thing is coming out of this"

You looked over at him, your faces closer than you were expecting. "What?"

He smiled and tightened his arm around you, almost causing your noses to brush. "This."

The way his words flustered you were obvious on your face, and you pushed him away a bit, "You said you wouldn't tease me!"

He laughed before he pulled you back to him, "Hey, what makes you think I'm not being serious?"

Your eyes locked as tension rose between you, the silence hanging in the air held a million questions you wanted to ask.

But before you could speak, the television suddenly shut off causing you both to look quickly to the TV. The room was now completely silent, but it didn't last long before you heard a creaking sound.

Yours and Jongho's eyes drifted towards the sound as you watched the bathroom door slowly open.

"Jongho" Your voice was almost a whimper and he quickly grabbed his phone and started furiously typing.

He held you close again. "I know, just don't react."

You continued to stare at the darkened bathroom, feeling as though something would happen if you looked away. You could see Jongho out of the corner of your eye searching something on his phone.

After what felt like an eternity of terrifying silence, Jongho sat up.

"There's a hotel almost an hour from here with rooms available."

"Book it." You said quickly and he nodded.

You did not care how far you'd have to drive, as long as it was away from here.

He pulled his arm away from you as he grabbed your hand instead, "Let's go."

Not wasting any time, you both hurried to grab your bags and a few items around the room, panicked silence between you. You glanced at the bathroom a few times in fear, purposefully leaving a few of your items behind with no hesitation.

Finally leaving the room, you nearly jogged to the elevator as the hallway lights greeted you with familiar flickering.

Entering the elevator, you felt relief slowly start to wash over you. Soon you'd be out of this place forever.

Jongho's hand was still tightly holding yours as you leaned into him for comfort.

"There's one thing about the new hotel."

You looked over at him in anticipation. "It better not be haunted."

He let out a soft laugh and shook his head. "No. I only booked one room. That's the requirement for going so far."

You quirked your brow and he smiled, squeezing your hand. "You have to stay with me."

You felt heat rise up your neck and face as you bit the inside of your lip. He never can resist can he?

You nodded with a soft smile as you looked away from him, not wanting him to see just how much he affected you

"I'm okay with that."

He grinned happily as he pulled you close to him. At least something good really did come from this after all.

xx End xx

Not the cock-blocking ghost lmao

General Taglist: @otsilliak, @brattybunfornct, @bahng-chrizz, @otakutrash669

Ateez + Jongho Taglist: @soso59love-blog, @thunderous-wolf, @lieutenantn

[anim-ttrpgs]

Hey I know you’ve probably said or before. But what’re some of the playable Supernatural folk in ANIM.

Firstly, just to be clear, A.N.I.M. is the design team, while Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy is the TTRPG currently in its final week of crowdfunding (ends 2:00 PM CST on Friday May 10th)

As for the supernatural folk, even though most PCs in Eureka end up being mundane, there’s quite a lot of options for supernatural characters, which we have talked about before, but we never miss a chance to talk about them again!

This will be a brief overview that will barely even scratch the surface of the depth and nuance we’ve written in to most of these abilities. If you’re interested in learning more, why don’t you just download the fully playable, free prerelease version of the Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy rulebook available on our website and our itch.io page, and go to Chapter 8!

There are ten of what we call “Mage traits.” A “mage” in Eureka is something you could think of as kind of like an X-man. They are otherwise normal people except for one single inexplicable power. Some of these include pyrokinesis, telekinesis, lightning powers, supernatural speed, supernatural beauty, and even the option to play a “psychic detective” who can receive clairvoyant revelations based on clues.

These powers tend to come with few if any downsides, besides the fact that the character can only have at-most one of them. There is also a slight investigation point penalty.

Then, there’s the playable monsters, of which there are five, each of which is fleshed out to the point that they are entirely unique gameplay experiences.

First up is the vampire.

Playing a vampire is a unique challenge because of their rather large list of weaknesses they must contend with in everyday life. The sun, while not instantly lethal like in Hollywood vampire movies, does strip them of all their powers, and they must contend with a compulsion to count large numbers of small objects, an unwillingness to enter private residences uninvited, difficulty crossing bodies of running water, an aversion to garlic, and more! They must of course also drink human blood to keep their Composure up, as they do not gain Composure from eating or sleeping.

These weaknesses are more than made up for by incredible stealth, combat, and mobility options. They can move nearly silently, travel through shadows as if by teleportation, are superhumanly strong, nearly unkillable, can walk effortlessly on sheer surfaces and ceilings, and can “remanifest” into a variety of forms, such as the classic bat, a wolf, an enormous monstrous bat form, and even mist! There’s also a religious angle with them but that is too complicated to get into with just a brief overview.

Next up, the wolfman.

The wolfman is like a Hollywood werewolf. They can transform from a mundane human to an anthropomorphic wolf(however you choose to interpret that) or a very large regular wolf. In either wolf form, they can only be permanently killed by decapitation or by silver weaponry.

My favorite thing about them is the fact that they transform involuntarily on the night of the full moon, or when they hit 0 Composure. In this state, they will rampage uncontrollably, attempting to devour just about anything that moves for a period of time. The fact that it can come out at the worst of times is so awesome it makes me super excited to hear about in future sessions.

Then there is the witch.

The witch is actually a regular human and has no supernatural weaknesses except for the fact that their powerful witchcraft takes more of a toll on their body than the supernatural powers of other playable monsters.

The first thing a witch can do is place a variety of terrible curses on people, a few examples of which include turning them to stone, putting them in a supernatural slumber, or turning them into animals.

The other thing witches can do is cycle throughout all the different Mage traits. They can only have one at a time, but if a Mage trait exists in the rulebook, they can have that trait when they need it, which basically represents their ability to cast a wide variety of different spells in addition to those curses.

My actual favorite thing about the witch though is their ability to enchant certain objects to make them fly, which is not limited to just broomsticks, although broomsticks are of course a classic.

Then there is the fairy.

The fairy was a tough one to translate into Eureka because of the sheer number of different things attributed to fairies in historical folklore. We had to come up with a sort of “generic fairy” that gets the gist of fairies across while leaving room for a player to get way more specific if they are so inclined.

The fairy shares the witch’s ability to place curses on people and cast a variety of different spells, but also can take pieces of people’s identity, such as their names, and/or spirit them away to the fairy world, from which they may never return.

This is offset by the fact that they cannot lie, as well as a few other folkloric fairy weaknesses.

Finally, one of the fan favorites, the thing from beyond.

(Fanart by @umbraldame)

The thing from beyond is kinda like if you wanted to play as something inspired by The Blob and The Thing.

Imagine a color-changing “blanket” of flesh and teeth that can fold itself up into the shape of a human, change colors to mimic the right colors including clothing, and mimic human speech. It wants to be your friend, and eat you, which, to it are not mutually exclusive.

The thing from beyond can do anything a thin blanket of flesh could do when unfolded, such as squeeze under doors or camouflage themselves against surfaces, and also fold themselves up to mimic just about anything, including specific humans. They tend to have a default human persona, but can get very specific with their mimicry if they want, which gets easier the more of that specific person they have ingested. A small sample of blood or hair could give a bonus, but eating the entire person makes mimicking them effortless.

Eating a person also allows them to absorb bits of their memories, which means they can get to know bits of what their meal knows, which is represented in mechanics by them getting bonus investigation points for the duration that they are digesting their latest victim. If the victim knew anything about the current case they are investigating, that means even more investigation points.

Here’s a fan comic about that, if you’d like to see it in action.

And here’s a post about the themes of monstrousness in Eureka if you’re interested.

You can play as all of these things and more in Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy, which is in its final week of kickstarting right now! Crowdfunding closes at 2:00 PM CST on Friday May 10th, so lock in your copy now while you still can!

If you’re interested in a more updated and improved version of Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy than the free demo you got from our website, subscribe to our Patreon where we frequently roll our new updates for the prerelease version!

You can also support us on Ko-fi, or by checking out our merchandise!

Join our TTRPG Book Club At the time of writng this, Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy is the current game being played in the book club, and anyone who wants to participate in discussion, but can’t afford to make a contribution, will be given the most updated prerelease version for free! Plus it’s just a great place to discuss and play new TTRPGs you might not be able to otherwise!

We hope to see you there, and that you will help our dreams come true and launch our careers as indie TTRPG developers with a bang by getting us to our base goal and blowing those stretch goals out of the water, and fight back against WotC's monopoly on the entire hobby. Wish us luck.

[inventors-fair]

Updates and Expectations

Hey folks. Couple of important notes before we get into the meat:

To accommodate spoiler warnings, we generally ask that future set mechanics not be used until a set has had its prerelease—i.e. don't use Duskmourn mechanics until the contest announced on September 15th, since the prerelease will be on that Friday the 20th. Again, this is minor, something we'd prefer, but not the end of the world. We've talked about this on Discord but not on Tumblr, so some folks might not have heard about it. Our bad.

If you're somehow not submitting from a Tumblr account, please add some way to tag you, or literally any information whatsoever. We've had a couple folks submit from email addresses and, well, it's frustrating when we're not even sure if you're gonna see comments later.

As everyone knows, all cards need artist credit for discernable pictures. If it's a random set of pixels like what I usually do, don't worry about it. If it's a text art description, also don't worry about it. Original art? Credit yourself, you gorgeous maestro! Mashup art from other MTG cards? Gotta credit 'em all. Stock photo? Find the original photographer and/or credited group. Game screenshot? Credit the developer. Use your critical thinking skills and find solutions; we have faith in y'all's abilities.

Alright. Now for the other stuff.

Commentary on cards, as everyone knows, can range from some quick snippets to a massive essay-long series of thoughts and opinions. I range from about 4,000-8,000 words for mine. Now that I'm working on Saturdays, it's going to be a bit tight to get things in in the afternoon, but that's what Friday (and the week in general) is for. I'm in a fortunate position regarding time, space, and experience in writing.

As some folks might've noticed, commentary isn't always on time with the contests in question. The long story short is that there's no easy solution to this. If I was running this full-time solo, I would barely have time to write for myself during the week. Even divided, commentary is a massive undertaking—and it isn't always tenable.

Going forward, the winners and runners should still be around their right time barring extenuating schedules and circumstances. Commentary will just not always be available for the rest of the entries, especially if there are larger numbers. I don't think that limiting the number of entries is a good option, and there are just too many factors for this position to warrant that every judge fulfill commentary every week. I'll try to get in commentary as much as I can, and in this position I'm grateful that I'm able to get it all done to the degree that I have over the years. Not everyone has that time or energy, and it's more of a toll than meets the eye.

In the #fair-talk in Discord, Judges can ask any questions you might have about the card and offer their opinions and insights. That way, you can get some in-depth comments on your card that may not be available in lieu of full commentary. If full commentary is available, then feel free to read up and read away!

One last note: THE EARLIER YOU GET YOUR CARD IN, THE BETTER! Late entries are totally fine, but speaking from experience, doing commentary over the week becomes more difficult when we have multiple entries down to the wire. Sometimes timing and schedules make things difficult! The fact is that timing still matters. Help us help you.

We're all here for the love of the game. We all understand that mental taxes are just as taxing as anything. And, I hope we all understand that writing is really hard. Be well, stay sharp.

@abelzumi

[icarus-suraki]

September is International Suicide Prevention Month.

Unfortunately, given current trends on a lot of social media, the word "suicide" has become a Bad Word and people have resorted to using ridiculous newspeak like "sewer slide" and "self-unaliving" to appease the algorithms and the censors.

But this is Tumblr. We can say words like "suicide" here. And I'm going to say it

Suicide Hotline (US): 988

Text-based suicide hotline hotline: 741-741 (Text CONNECT to begin a conversation)

International Suicide Hotlines: Argentina: 54-0223-493-0430 Australia: 13-11-14 Austria: 01-713-3374 Barbados: 429-9999 Belgium: 106 Botswana: 391-1270 Brazil: 21-233-9191 Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (toll free) Canada, French-speaking: 1-866-277-3553 (1-866-APPELLE) Canada, text-based: 45645 (only available 4pm-midnight) *Canada will begin using the 988 hotline number on November 30 2023 China (Mainland): 852-2382-0000 Hong Kong: 2389-2222 Costa Rica: 606-253-5439 Croatia: 01-4833-888 Cyprus: 357-77-77-72-67 Czech Republic: 222-580-697 OR 476-701-908 Denmark: 70-201-201 Egypt: 762-1602 Estonia: 6-558-088 Finland: 040-5032199 France: 01-45-39-4000 Germany: 0800-181-0721 Greece: 1018 Guatemala: 502-234-1239 Holland: 0900-0767 Honduras: 504-237-3623 Hungary: 06-80-820-111 Iceland: 44-0-8457-90-90-90 India Self Harm Hotline: 00 08001006614 India Suicide Helpline: 022-27546669 Israel: 09-8892333 Italy: 06-705-4444 Japan: 3-5286-9090 Latvia: 6722-2922, 2772-2292 Malaysia: 03-756-8144 Singapore: 1-800-221-4444 Mexico: 525-510-2550 Netherlands: 0800 0113 (website: www.113.nl ) New Zealand: 4-473-9739 New Guinea: 675-326-0011 Nicaragua: 505-268-6171 Norway: 47-815-33-300 Philippines: 02-896-9191 Poland: 52-70-000 Portugal: 239-72-10-10 Puerto Rico: 787-763-7575 OR 1-800-981-0023 (toll free) Russia: 8-20-222-82-10 Singapore: 1800-221 4444 Spain: 91-459-00-50 South Africa: 0861-322-322 South Korea: 2-715-8600 Sweden: 031-711-2400 Switzerland: 143 Taiwan: 0800-788-995 Thailand: 02-249-9977 Trinidad and Tobago: 868-645-2800 Ukraine: 0487-327715

These are phone number for people who are at risk for suicide. Not "sewer slide" not "self-unaliving" not "self-exiting." Yes, the idea can be upsetting, but it needs to be confronted under its real name: suicide. These numbers are for suicide prevention and September is International Suicide Prevention Month.

Please update and amend this post as might be needed!

[transsolidarityproject]

LGBTQIA+ Hotlines & Crisis Care

If you're thinking about harming yourself or others, please get immediate support by contacting one of these services. Support the project by reblogging or visiting transsolidarityproject.wordpress.com. Updated last: 11/30/2024

🇪🇸 028 @ igualdad.gob.es / 028 / Emergency telephone, email, and instant messaging service for LGBTQIA+ people residing in Spain.

🇵🇸 alKhat @ alkhat.org / 072-2220202 / Support service that provides advice and counseling to LGBTQIA+ in Palestine exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.

🇲🇺 Collectif Arc-En-Ciel @ collectifarcenciel.org / 230-5919 2232 / LGBTQIA+ hotline available in Mauritius via telephone and WhatsApp.

🇰🇷 Chingusai @ chingusai.net / 02-6953-7941 / Free phone consultation service for LGBTQIA+ people in South Korea seeking advice about sexual orientation, gender identity, and related mental health issues.

🇷🇸 Da Se Zna @ dasena.lgbt / 0621104844 / Peer-support helpline in Serbia that specializes in reporting hate crimes and anti-LGBTQIA+ discrimination.

🇺🇸 DEQH @ deqh.org / 908-367-3374 / Confidential support line for LGBTQIA+ South Asians in the United States.

🇬🇷 Dipla Sou / 11528 / Information and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Greece.

🇲🇽 Diversidad Segura @ consejocuidadanomx.org / 55-5533-5533 / National Mexico Safe Diversity Line and Chat for LGBTQIA+ Mexicans seeking mental health assistance or legal help.

🇫🇷 Foundation Le Refuge @ le-refuge.org / 06-31-59-69-50 /LGBTQIA+ organization in France that supports young queer people ages 14 to 25.

🇬🇧 Galop @ galop.org.uk / 0800-999-5428. /UK anti-abuse charity that works for LGBTQIA+ victims and survivors of abuse, violence, hate crime, conversion therapy, etc. Galop provides free emotional support via their helpline to anyone at least 18 or older.

🇮🇹 Gay Helpline @ gayhelpline.it / 800-713-713 / Italy's national anti-homophobia and anti-transphobia contact center to offer support and counseling to LGBTQIA+ people.

🇳🇱 Genderpraatjes @ genderpraatjes.nl / 085-3037680 / Telephone and chat service for LGBTQIA+ people in the Netherlands.

🇭🇺 Háttér Society @ hatter.hu / 361-329-3380 / Counseling hotline in Hungary that provides anonymous assistance for LGBTQIA+ people. Additional toll-free number available for local calls from Hungary.

🇱🇧 Helem @ helem.net / 961-81-478-450 / LGBTQIA+ rights organization in Lebanon that facilitates a helpline for those within the SWANA region.

🇮🇳 Humsafar @ humsafar.org / 022-266-73800 / India's first community-based organization centered for LGBTQIA+ people that offers helpline services to Indians.

🇩🇰 LGBT+ Denmark @ lgbt.dk / 45-3313-1948 / Denmark's oldest and largest LGBTQIA+ organization that provides confidential counseling for those exploring their gender identity or sexual orientation.

🇬🇧 LGBT Foundation @ lgbt.foundation / 0345-3-30-30-30 / LGBTQIA+ UK charity that provides a range of services to queer people across the country - including a helpline.

🇺🇸 LGBT National Help Center @ lgbthotline.org / 888-843-4564 / Free and confidential peer-support, information, and local resources where volunteers help connect you to other groups and services in the US. Also maintains a coming out hotline, youth talkline, and senior hotline.

🇨🇭 LGBTIQ Helpline @ lgbtiq-helpline.ch / 0800-133-133 / Helpline in Switzerland that offers call services and peer advisors for LGBTQIA+ people.

🇦🇺 Lifeline @ lifeline.org.au / 13-11-14 / Australia's leading suicide prevention service that provides 24/7 crisis support via their hotline.

🇦🇷 Línea 144 @ argentina.gob.ar / 144 / Official app through the government of Argentina to support LGBTQIA+ people.

🇹🇷 LISTAG @ listag.org / 0546-484-82-85 / Family counseling line in Turkey that supports LGBTQIA+ people and their journeys.

🇧🇪 Lumi @ lumi.be / 0800-99-533 / Belgian hotline and chat service for LGBTQIA+ people seeking anonymous and free peer support.

🇺🇸 MASGD @ themasgd.org / 717-864-6272 / Warmline services for LGBTQIA+ Muslims in the United States.

🇵🇪 Más Igualdad @ masigualdad.pe / 51-955-178-208 / Feminist organization in Peru that works for LGBTQIA+ equality. Hosts free support and resource services via WhatsApp.

🇮🇳 Naz @ nazindia.org / 91-8800329176 / Foundation that hosts a free helpline for LGBTQIA+ people in India.

🇬🇷 Next to You @ 11528.gr / 11528 / Support line in Greece that serves LGBTQIA+ people and their families.

🇸🇬 Oogachaga @ oogachaga.com / 8592-0609 / Free WhatsApp counseling provided by trained volunteers to LGBTQIA+ individuals in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

🇳🇿 OutLine @ outline.org.nz / 0800-688-5463 / Confidential and free support line for LGBTQIA+ individuals in New Zealand, regardless of age.

🇺🇸 Pride Institute Resource Hotline @ pride-institute.com / 833-926-2100 / Drug and alcohol treatment center based in the United States that exclusively serves the LGBTQIA+ community through quality culturally-competent care.

🇦🇺 QLife @ qlife.org.au / 1800-184-527 / Australian organization that offers anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referrals regardless of state or city jurisdiction.

🇩🇪 Queer-to-Queer @ diversity.muenchen.de / 089-55266986 / Anonymous chat service by peers for LGBTQIA+ people in Germany.

🇯🇵 Rainbow Hotline @ proudlife.org / 0120-51-9181 / Telephone counseling for LGBTQIA+ people throughout Japan.

🇮🇹 Rainbow Line @ mariomieli.net / 800-110611 / Toll-free line based in Italy that provides LGBTQIA+ people with access to information and community.

🇭🇰 Rainbow of Hong Kong @ rainbowhk.org / 9442-6910 / Peer and community hotline hosted via WhatsApp for LGBTQIA+ within Hong Kong.

🇸🇪 Regnbågslinje @ kyrkanssos.se / 0700-55-00-10 / Swedish LGBTQIA+ call center that supports queer people regardless of faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

🇵🇾 Rohendu @ aireana.org.py / 0981-110-108 / Free telephone service for LGBTQIA+ people and their families seeking advice by trained professionals in Paraguay, operated by the lesbian rights group Aireana.

🇷🇺 Russian LGBT Network @ lgbtnet.org / Interregional social movement that promotes equal rights in Russia and serves LGBTQIA+ people's needs regarding emergency care, legal assistance, mental health, etc. Chat services available through QueerilBot application.

🇺🇸 SAGE x HearMe @ sageusa.org / The United States' largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ older people. SAGE now offers supportive services and resources through the SAGE x HearMe app, formerly known as the SAGE LGBTQ Elder Hotline.

🇺🇸 SGR Hotline @ sgrhotline.org / 415-989-7373 / Formerly known as the San Francisco Sex Information switchboard, SGR provides relationships and sex education training to foster healthy relationships within the LGBTQIA+ community.

🇧🇬 SingleStep @ singlestep.bg / Online chat for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families in Bulgaria.

🇳🇴 Skievchat @ helseutvalget.no / 59-44-42-15 / Anonymous chat service in Norway for LGBTQIA+ youth.

🇹🇷 SPoD LGBTI+ Helpline @ spod.org.tr / 0850-888-54-28 / Peer support system in Turkey that provides accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information regarding gender identity and sexual orientation.

🇬🇧 Switchboard @ switchboard.lgbt / National UK LGBTQIA+ support service and telephone line that provides care to those residing in the United Kingdom.

🇹🇼 Taiwan Tongzhi LGBT Hotline Association @ hotline.org.tw / 02-2392-1970 / Regular telephone services provided to LGBTQIA+ people in Taiwan seeking peer counseling.

🇮🇪 The Switchboard @ theswitchboard.ie / 01-872-10-55 / Ireland-based service that provides support and care to LGBTQIA+ people throughout Ireland.

🇺🇸 The Trevor Project @ thetrevorproject.org / 866-488-7386 / The leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization centered on LGBTQIA+ young people in the United States. Offers 24/7/365 information and support to those ages 13 to 24 with trained counselors via call, text, or instant message.

🇨🇱 Todo Mejora @ todomejora.org / 600-360-7777 / 24/7 confidential support program for LGBTQIA+ people in Chile.

🇺🇸 TransAdvice @ transadvice.org / Live support chat for transgender and nonbinary individuals, as well as their friends and family. Also hosts their own community Discord server.

🇺🇸 Trans Lifeline @ translifeline.org / 877-565-8860 / Transgender-centered crisis organization that does not use involuntary intervention/forced hospitalization to provide support to transgender people through fully anonymous and confidential calls within the United States and Canada.

🇿🇦 Triangle Project @ triangle.org.za / 021-712-6699 / General helpline in South Africa that fights LGBTQIA+-based hate and discrimination.

🇺🇸 THRIVE @ thrivelifeline.org / 313-662-8209 / Free crisis text line staffed by people with marginalized identities for people with marginalized identities. In addition to text services, THRIVE also maintains its own Discord server.

🇯🇵 Yorisoi Hotline @ since2011.net / 0120-279-338 / Specialty hotline available 24/7 for LGBTQIA+ people in Japan who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.

🇨🇦 YouthLine @ youthline.ca / 647-694-4275 / Anonymous peer support for LGBTQIA+ people under the age of 30 in Canada, available by chat, text, and email.

Enjoy this content and work? Consider helping out by sharing this blog or visiting transsolidarityproject.wordpress.com.

[sunflowersandthestars]

Sorry I know people like these updates and notices since Trump stopped public communication regarding the FDA and CDC. I could not get this weekend info until I was back at work today. I will break it down below for Saturday and Sunday. It’s been hell today at work trying to figure out what’s going on with the new Canadian and China tariffs, pulled into 50 meetings. Mexico is on pause for 30 days since they reached a preliminary agreement.

FDA Recall/Drug Shortage Roundup Saturday 2/1

Food and Drug Recall summary

DJ’s Boudain LLC Recalls Sausage Link Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2025 – D.J.’s Boudain, LLC, a Beaumont, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 17,720 pounds of boudain sausage link products that may be contaminated with foreign materials, specifically pieces of a pen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The fresh and frozen boudain sausage link items were produced on January 23, 2025. A list of the products subject to recall can be found here: [view product list]. The labels for the impacted products can be found here: [view labels].

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 13246” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distributor, restaurant, and retail locations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

The problem was discovered after the establishment received a consumer complaint involving the discovery of a piece of a pen while eating the Original Boudain sausage links product.

There has been one reported oral injury associated with consumption of this product. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury or illness from consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’, retailers’, and restaurants’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Jonathan Wallace, Vice President of Operations at DJ’s Boudain, LLC, at 409-842-0558 ext. 111 or jwallace@djsboudain.com.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

Drug shortage summary

(As a reminder, if the drug says it is discontinued it does not necessarily mean that it is gone completely. Many companies produce the same drugs so there may be a relative shortage though.)

No new updates as of 2/1/25 at 10PM EST.

FDA Recall/Drug Shortage Roundup Sunday 2/2

Food and Drug Recall summary

Gerber Products Company Announces Recall and Discontinuation of All Batches of Gerber® Soothe N Chew® Teething Sticks Due To Choking Hazard

Gerber Products Company is initiating a recall and discontinuation of all batches of GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children.

GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS were distributed nationwide via the internet and to distribution centers and retail stores in the following states and territories: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI and Puerto Rico.

Recalled products can be identified as follows:

GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – STRAWBERRY APPLE, Net Wt. 3.2 Oz (90g), with UPC 0 15000 04618 7, all lot codes

GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA, Net Wt. 3.2 Oz (90g), with UPC 0 15000 04608 8, all lot codes

GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA, Net Wt. 1.59 Oz (45g), with UPC 0 15000 01015 7, all lot codes

This recall and discontinuation is isolated to GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – STRAWBERRY APPLE and GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA.

The recall was initiated after receiving consumer complaints of choking incidents. To date, one emergency room visit has been reported to the firm.

Consumers who may have purchased GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS should not feed this product to their child and can return the product to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a health care provider. For any additional support needed, Gerber is available 24/7 at 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237).

(Press Release URL: https://www.nestleusa.com/media/pressreleases/gerber-recalldiscontinuation-soothe-n-chew-teething-sticksExternal Link Disclaimer)

Drug shortage summary

No new updates as of 2/2/25 at 9AM EST.

[dailyanarchistposts]

On Sunday, February 25, we received an email from a person who signed himself[1] Aaron Bushnell.

It read,

Today, I am planning to engage in an extreme act of protest against the genocide of the Palestinian people. The below links should take you to a livestream and recorded footage of the event, which will be highly disturbing. I ask that you make sure that the footage is preserved and reported on.

We consulted the Twitch account. The username displayed was “LillyAnarKitty,” and the user icon was a circle A, the universal signifier for anarchism—the movement against all forms of domination and oppression.

In the video, Aaron begins by introducing himself. “My name is Aaron Bushnell. I am an active-duty member of the US Air Force and I will no longer be complicit in genocide. I’m about to engage in an extreme act of protest—but compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it’s not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal.”

The video shows Aaron continuing to film as he walks to the gate of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, puts down the phone, douses himself in a flammable liquid, and sets himself alight, shouting “Free Palestine” several times. After he collapses, police officers who had been watching the situation unfold run into the frame—one with a fire extinguisher, another with a gun. The officer continues pointing the gun at Aaron for over thirty seconds as Aaron lies on the ground, burning.

Afterwards, police announced that they had called in their Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit.

We have since confirmed the identity of Aaron Bushnell. He served in the United States Air Force for almost four years. One of his loved ones described Aaron to us as “a force of joy in our community.” An online post described him as “an amazingly gentle, kind, compassionate person who spends every minute and penny he has helping others. He is silly, makes anyone laugh, and wouldn’t hurt a fly. He is a principled anarchist who lives out his values in everything he does.”

Aaron’s friends tell us that he has passed away as a consequence of his injuries.

All afternoon, while other journalists were breaking the news, we discussed how we should speak about this. Some subjects are too complex to address in a hasty social media post.

The scale of the tragedy that is taking place in Gaza is heartrending. It exceeds anything we can understand from the vantage point of the United States. Over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 12,000 children. More than half of all inhabitable buildings in all of Gaza have been destroyed, along with the majority of hospitals. The vast majority of the population are living as refugees with little access to water, food, or shelter.

The Israeli military is now planning a ground invasion of Rafah that will add untold numbers of casualties to this toll. It is not hyperbole to say that we are witnessing the deliberate commission of genocide. All available evidence indicates that the Israeli military will continue killing Palestinians by the thousand until they are forced to stop. And the longer this bloodshed goes on, the more people will die in the future, as other governments and groups imitate the precedent set by the Israeli government.

The United States government bears equal responsibility in this tragedy, having armed and financed Israel and provided it with impunity in the sphere of international relations. Within Israel, the authorities have effectively suppressed protest movements in solidarity with Gaza. If protests are going to exert leverage towards stopping the genocide, it is up to people in the United States to figure out how to accomplish that.

But what will it take? Thousands across the country have engaged in brave acts of protest without yet succeeding in putting a halt to Israel’s assault.

Aaron Bushnell was one of those who empathized with the Palestinians suffering and dying in Gaza, one of those haunted by the question of what our responsibilities are when we are confronted with such a tragedy. In this regard, he was exemplary. We honor his desire not to stand by passively in the face of atrocity.

The death of a person in the United States should not be considered any more tragic—or more newsworthy—than the death of a single Palestinian. Still, there is more to say about his decision.

Aaron was the second person to self-immolate at an Israeli diplomatic institution in the United States. Another demonstrator did the same thing at the Israeli consulate in Atlanta on December 1, 2023. It is not easy for us to know how to speak about their deaths.

Some journalists see themselves as engaged in the neutral activity of spreading information as an end in itself—as if the process of selecting what to spread and how to frame it could ever be neutral. For our part, when we speak, we presume that we are speaking to people of action, people like ourselves who are aware of their agency and are in the process of deciding what to do, people who may be wrestling with heartache and despair.

Human beings influence each other both through rational argument and through the infectiousness of action. As Peter Kropotkin put it, “Courage, devotion, the spirit of sacrifice are as contagious as cowardice, submission, and panic.”

Just as we have a responsibility not to show cowardice, we also have a responsibility not to promote sacrifice casually. We must not speak carelessly about taking risks, even risks that we have taken ourselves. It is one thing to expose oneself to risk; it is another thing to invite others to run risks, not knowing what the consequences might be for them.

And here, we are not speaking about a risk, but about the worst of all certainties.

Let’s not glamorize the decision to end one’s life, nor celebrate anything with such permanent repercussions. Rather than exalting Aaron as a martyr and encouraging others to emulate him, we honor his memory, but we exhort you to take a different path.

“This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal.”

These words of Aaron’s haunt us.

He is right. We are rapidly entering an era in which human life is treated as worthless. This is obvious in Gaza, but we can see it elsewhere around the world, as well. With wars proliferating around the Mideast and North Africa, we are poised on the threshold of a new age of genocides. Even inside the United States, mass casualty incidents have become routine, while an entire segment of the underclass is consigned to addiction, homelessness, and death.

As a tactic, self-immolation expresses a logic similar to the premise of the hunger strike. The protester treats himself or herself as a hostage, attempting to use his or her willingness to die to pressure the authorities. This strategy presumes that the authorities are concerned with the protester’s well-being in the first place. Today, however, as we wrote in regards to the hunger strike of Alfredo Cospito,

No one should have any illusions about how governments view the sanctity of life in the age of COVID-19, when the United States government can countenance the deaths of a million people without blushing while the Russian government explicitly employs convicts as cannon fodder. The newly-elected fascist politicians who govern Italy have no scruples about consigning whole populations to death, let alone permitting a single anarchist to die.

In this case, Aaron was not an imprisoned anarchist, but an active-duty member of the US military. His LinkedIn profile specifies that he graduated from basic training “top of flight and top of class.” Will this make any difference to the US government?

If nothing else, Aaron’s action shows that genocide cannot take place overseas without collateral damage on this side of the ocean. Unfortunately, the authorities have never been especially moved by the deaths of US military personnel. Countless US veterans have struggled with addiction and homelessness since returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans commit suicide at a much higher rate than all other adults. The US military continues to use weapons that expose US troops to permanent brain injuries.

Members of the military are taught to understand their willingness to die as the chief resource they have to put at the service of the things they believe in. In many cases, this way of thinking is passed down intergenerationally. At the same time, the ruling class takes the deaths of soldiers in stride. This is what they have decided will be normal.

It is not willingness to die that will sway our rulers. They really fear our lives, not our deaths—they fear our willingness to act collectively according to a different logic, actively interrupting their order.

Many things that are worth doing entail risks, but choosing to intentionally end your life means foreclosing years or decades of possibility, denying the rest of us a future with you. If such a decision is ever appropriate, it is only when every other possible course of action has been exhausted.

Uncertainty is one of the most difficult things for human beings to bear. There is a tendency to seek to resolve it as quickly as possible, even by imposing the worst-case scenario in advance—even if that means choosing death. There is a sort of relief in knowing how things will turn out. Too often, despair and self-sacrifice mingle and blur together, offering an all-too-simple escape from tragedies that appear unsolvable.

If your heart is broken by the horrors in Gaza and you are prepared to bear significant consequences to try to stop them, we urge you to do everything in your power to find comrades and make plans collectively. Lay the foundations for a full life of resistance to colonialism and all forms of oppression. Prepare to take risks as your conscience demands, but don’t hurry towards self-destruction. We desperately need you alive, at our side, for all that is to come.

As we wrote in 2011 in reference to the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi,

Nothing is more terrifying than departing from what we know. It may take more courage to do this without killing oneself than it does to light oneself on fire. Such courage is easier to find in company; there is so much we can do together that we cannot do as individuals. If he had been able to participate in a powerful social movement, perhaps Bouazizi would never have committed suicide; but paradoxically, for such a thing to be possible, each of us has to take a step analogous to the one he took into the void.

Let’s admit that the kind of protest activity that has taken place thus far in the United States has not served to compel the US government to compel a halt to the genocide in Gaza. It is an open question what could accomplish that. Aaron’s action challenges us to answer this question—and to answer it differently than he did.

We mourn his passing.

[1] In the email, Aaron specified his pronouns as he/him.

[mckitterick]

~ vintage internet ads ~

GE introduces GEnie. Your low cost way to get on-line, and stay there (1985)

Here's Genie!

(most of) the ad text:

Imagine having access to quality personal computing SIGs, software, CB simulation, E-Mail, and games at 1200 baud. But paying only a 300 baud rate.

GEnie stands for the General Electric Network for Information Exchange. It's a part of General Electric Information Services - the world's largest commercial tele-processing network. And now the power of GEnie is available to the home computer user.

The High Speed GEnie.

GEnie can take you to new highs in speed and keep you there. Because our non-prime time rate for 300 or 1200 baud is only $5.00 an hour. That's up to 60% less than you're paying now.

So when you're wrapped up in a computer group, or heavily into serious conversation, you can keep your eyes on the screen, not on the clock. (More good news: no minimum monthly charges, the sign up fee is just $18.00, and new subscribers get three free hours until December 31, 1985.)

What wishes Can GEnie grant?

GEnie has most everything. Including LiveWire CB simulator, Round Table SIGs, bulletin boards. GE Mail, classic games like Castle-Quest and BlackDragon, conference rooms, newsletters, and more.

Get on-line with GEnie. And stay longer, for less.

More SF fans materialize here (1989)

* * *

1) Set your modem for half duplex (local echo) at 300 or 1200 baud.

(most of) the ad text:

Genie's SF & Fantasy Round Table is your best online resource for science fiction, fantasy, horror, and comics. You'll meet people who share your interests, including some of the hottest SF writers, actors, directors, and artists. So sign up today. It's as easy as 1,2,3.

2) Dial toll free 1-800-638-8369. Upon connection enter HHH.

3) At the U#= prompt enter XTX99694,GENIE then press RETURN. Have a major credit card or your checking account number ready.

We bring good things to life.

* * *

non-prime time rate for 300 or 1200 baud for only $5.00 an hour, whatta bargain!

FYI: 300 baud = 300 bits (~30 characters) per second. by comparison, today's 1GB/second high-speed internet is equivalent to 1,000,000,000 (one billion) baud, or 3,333,333 times faster than 1980s high-speed internet

the internet sure was A Thing back then

[dragon-appreciator-fray]

Irene Fray's Wordthings 2023 (And 2022)

I started writing Ruinous Hearts in early 2022 with the promise to leave everything I write available for free somewhere on the internet. (Currently that home is Scribblehub under the username IreneFray)

After seeing another beloved story of mine report on their word count for the year, I wanted to take a step back and see what my output was.

I ended up gushing, so I'll keep the details below the page break for those of you into having a trans girl hyperfixate to you about her passion. <3

2022: 56,437 words for Ruinous Hearts.

2023: 143,413 between Weight of Broken Promise and Deluded Hearts: Inheritance.

It's been a hard year, but I'm really fucking proud of those numbers. So many of those days in 2023 after I burnt out were 50-100 word writing days. (Those are valid and they add up!)

2022

Ruinous Hearts hit a total published word count of 58,667 words, with only the last 2,230 word chapter coming out on January of 2023.

56,437 words in my first year of writing feels pretty good. I still remember how good it felt to put those emotions into words and discover so much more about myself than just exploring my gender.

2023

2,230 words of RH's 19th Chapter - Something that can never Be.

This... chapter released with a feeling that I no longer knew how to tell my own truth and by extension, was letting Verity down.

Weight of Broken Promises by extension had so many false starts.

But on April of 2023 Royal Road, the site I was reading a lot of fiction on, namely Thundamoo's Vigor Mortis and Siilver Lining's Edge Cases, (both of which you should absolutely read.) announced a Writathon.

So I started a clean slate. And for the next grueling month I managed to almost effortlessly keep pace with the daily word count needed to hit the goal of 55,555 words (Almost the entirety of Ruinous Hearts!!!) within one month.

Our plurality's agreed pen/username on Royal Road is ArtoriaFray if you'd like to check the 2023 April Writathon participants list

Needless to say I felt fucking invincible there for a while.

But that kind of writing takes a toll.

Weight of Broken Promises hit a word count of 88,920 before I burnt out. But I never stopped working a full time job, even if I have slowly reigned in how much overtime I've worked. That it is as good as it is still feels like a miracle given the span of time that it was written within.

For the last six months I let myself write as much or as little as I felt like. This time focusing on the parts of Ruinous Hearts that never stopped living rent free in my head.

So while I have kept Deluded Hearts: Inheritance close to my chest with intent to only release completed books, I can only give you Google Drive's word count.

It is currently at 52,263 words. (Even if a lot of this is notes, outlines, and rather raw. That I still wrote all of this in the latter half of this year is wild to me.)

Adding my 2nd and 3rd stories with that last chapter of Ruinous Hearts published in January all together?

143,413 words is so much more than I thought I would ever be capable of despite working a full time job that is causing a visible drain on me.

I'm still not making more than spare change off this passion of mine despite how much it means to me. But that has come secondary to really exploring myself and connecting with new friends + girlthings whom I love and adore and cherish and occasionally nibble on.

And I'm not even counting a little collab project that started earlier this year and my headmates pushing out full chapters of writing projects I haven't committed to.

Or that time one of my newest partners recommended I record a journal of my time with Fear and Hunger 2 Termina, which I treated as a Death Game Diary in order to justify the looping of the game and growing my knowledge of how to play. This is frankly one of the small side projects I am MOST PROUD OF but I'm waiting for a new update and another playthrough on the rumored harder difficulty before I share the Let's Journal.

I want to share the picture proof of that Let's Journal, but it has serious spoilers. So! This is where I sign off.

Thank you for reading any amount of this little recap of mine. (Or making the leap to reading either of my stories!) I just wanted record somewhere that this all happened.

I never expected it to become all that it has.

But I'm so glad it has. Writing is how I found the people that mean the world to me. I literally come alive and out of funks in order to write.

Edit: I forgot the Termina screenshot and tags

[the-black-manor]

Heard something about you having a hunger. May I offer you a nice slut-on-a-platter in this trying time?*

*Includes moans, groans, whimpers, screams, tears, lingerie for tearing apart with knives or teeth, our patented Bite-Worthy Mark-Me-Up™️ neck feature, wet dripping holes, and a slice of pie for dessert! All for the low low price of filling me with your cum!

Optional restraints and/or collar available upon request. Call this toll-free number to order now and get a free (FREE!) leash add-on to your meal package! 666-420-6969

-🥀

This might be the greatest ask I've ever received.

I'll take ten.

[hostpyters]

OpenPhone is a modern business phone system designed for startups, small businesses, and growing teams. It offers a range of features to streamline communication and improve professional interactions. Here is a detailed review of its features and functionalities:

Key Features

Phone Numbers:

Local and Toll-Free Numbers: OpenPhone provides users with the option to choose local or toll-free numbers, enhancing accessibility and professional presence.

Port Existing Numbers: Businesses can port their existing phone numbers to OpenPhone, ensuring continuity and avoiding disruption.

Call Management:

Call Forwarding: Users can forward calls to different numbers, ensuring important calls are never missed.

Call Routing: Advanced call routing options allow businesses to direct calls based on time, availability, or team member roles.

Voicemail Transcription: Voicemails are transcribed and sent as text messages, making it easier to read and respond quickly. Messaging:

SMS and MMS: OpenPhone supports sending and receiving SMS and MMS, allowing businesses to communicate with customers via text.

Shared Inboxes: Teams can share inboxes, making it easy to manage and respond to messages collaboratively.

Automated Texts: Users can set up automated text responses for missed calls or other triggers, ensuring prompt communication. Integrations:

CRM and Productivity Tools: OpenPhone integrates with popular tools like HubSpot, Slack, Zapier, and Google Contacts, enhancing workflow and productivity.

API Access: For more advanced needs, OpenPhone offers API access, allowing businesses to create custom integrations and automate workflows.

Collaboration:

Team Management: Teams can be organized within OpenPhone, with the ability to assign numbers and manage communication collaboratively.

Internal Notes: Team members can leave internal notes on conversations, facilitating better context and collaboration.

Caller ID and Call Recording:

Custom Caller ID: Businesses can customize their caller ID to display their company name, ensuring brand consistency.

Call Recording: Calls can be recorded for quality assurance, training, and compliance purposes, with easy access to recordings.

Mobile and Desktop Apps:

Cross-Platform Access: OpenPhone is available on both mobile and desktop, allowing users to make and receive calls from any device.

Unified Experience: The user interface is consistent across platforms, ensuring a seamless experience. Pros

Ease of Use: OpenPhone’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for teams to set up and use, without requiring extensive training.

Cost-Effective: The pricing is competitive, making it an attractive option for startups and small businesses.

Flexibility: Features like shared inboxes, call routing, and integrations provide flexibility to accommodate various business needs.

Modern Features: Advanced features such as voicemail transcription, automated texts, and API access offer functionality beyond traditional phone systems.

Cons Limited International Features: While OpenPhone supports international calls, its primary focus is on the US and Canada, which may limit its utility for businesses with a global presence.

Feature Depth: Some advanced telephony features available in more established business phone systems might be missing or less robust in OpenPhone.

Scalability: While suitable for small to medium-sized teams, very large organizations might find limitations in scalability or require more complex solutions.

OpenPhone is a modern and flexible business phone system that caters well to startups, small businesses, and growing teams. Its ease of use, competitive pricing, and range of features make it a strong contender in the business communication space. Although it may not offer all the advanced features of more established systems, its integrations, collaboration tools, and modern functionalities provide significant value for teams looking to streamline their communication processes.

[s2vinfotech1]

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[urban7verse]

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEARING STARTING TODAY! Give Your Ears The Best Hearing Support And Give Your Ears A Rest CLINK the link to watch VIDEO https://bit.ly/3RD1KkcCortexi hearing support has been gaining immense hype for the past few months. This is an all natural supplement that claims to provide relief from tinnitus and amps the quality of hearing. Available in the form of oral drops, Cortexi hearing formula is unique, different from any other supplement in the market. It is also currently available at a discounted price for a limited time.

Helping your ears stay healthy and functioning is a lifelong journey, but with Cortexi you’ll have a strong ally by your side. Here are just some of the proven benefits of taking Cortexi as part of a healthy and balanced diet

Cortexi comes with a 100% money back guarantee - 60 full days from your original purchase. If you're not totally and completely satisfied with our product or your results within the first 60 days simply let us know by calling our toll-free number or dropping us an email and we'll gladly give you a full refund within 48 hours of the product being returned. That's right - simply return the product, even your empty bottles, anytime within 60 days of your purchase and you'll receive a full, no-questions-asked refund (minus shipping and handling fees). CLINK the link to watch VIDEO https://bit.ly/3RD1KkcCortexi

[pingcall-getlead]

Effective Moving Inbound Calls Strategy For Flight Booking

Flight booking call lead generation is a critical aspect of the travel industry as it provides a direct line of communication between the customer and the travel agency or airline. This approach allows potential customers to ask questions, clarify doubts, and receive personalised recommendations that help them make informed decisions. By offering such services, travel agencies can establish a good rapport with their customers and build trust, which can eventually lead to loyal and long-term relationships. Furthermore, Moving Inbound Calls prove to be an effective way of generating leads that are highly valuable and have a higher chance of converting into actual bookings. This stands true with the statistics where moving inbound leads have proven to be 10 times more likely to convert than outbound leads. 

Strategies for Flight Booking Calls Inbound Lead Generation

To generate high-quality leads, travel agencies or airlines need to employ effective strategies that encourage potential customers to call and inquire about Flight Booking Call. 

Some of the strategies employed by lead generation companies include:

24/7 Availability: Customers should be able to call at any time of the day, including holidays and weekends. This ensures that they have access to the information they need when they need it, increasing the chances of converting leads into bookings.

Provide Personalised Service: Train staff to provide personalised service by answering questions, offering recommendations, and providing solutions that meet the customer's needs.

Offer Incentives: Offering incentives such as discounts, loyalty points, or free upgrades can encourage potential customers to book flights and become repeat customers.

Advertise Toll-Free Numbers: Promote toll-free numbers that customers can call without incurring charges. This strategy is especially effective for international customers.

Handling Flight Booking Calls

Handling flight booking calls requires attentiveness, professionalism, and excellent customer service. By providing accurate information and recommendations, addressing customer queries and concerns, and following up with essential details, travel agencies and airlines can establish a good rapport with their customers and build trust, which can eventually lead to loyal and long-term relationships.

Handling moving inbound calls is a critical part of lead generation as it directly impacts the customer's experience. Here are some tips for effectively handling inbound calls:

Greet the customer with a warm and friendly tone. Introduce yourself and ask how you can assist them.

Listen attentively to the customer's query and ask follow-up questions to clarify any doubts.

Provide accurate information and recommendations that meet the customer's needs.

If necessary, provide alternative flight options, such as different dates or routes.

Offer additional services such as hotel bookings, car rentals, or travel insurance.

End the call by thanking the customer for choosing your service and providing them with a confirmation number and other relevant details.

PingCall is a leading call lead generation company that specialises in providing inbound flight booking call services to travel agencies and airlines. With PingCall, travel agencies and airlines can generate high-quality leads by providing excellent customer service to potential customers who are interested in booking a flight. 

Wrapping Up!

Flight Booking Call lead generation is an essential aspect of the travel industry that can help generate high-quality leads and increase bookings. By employing effective strategies and handling inbound calls with care and professionalism, travel agencies and airlines can provide personalised service that meets the customer's needs and builds trust.

PingCall's experienced team of professionals is equipped with the necessary skills and tools to handle inbound calls efficiently and effectively. They have extensive knowledge of the travel industry and understand the importance of providing personalised service to customers.They employ effective strategies, handle Moving Inbound Calls with care and professionalism, and provide accurate information and recommendations that meet the customer's needs. SOURCE URL: https://medium.com/@pingcall69/effective-moving-inbound-calls-strategy-for-flight-booking-1fd8fe53387e

[nyxstyxsstuff]

Taken from Wikipedia and Google for anyone that needs them:

The Crisis Text Line (crisistextline.org) is a 24/7, nationwide crisis-intervention text-message hotline.

The Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741–741.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/) is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. It provides Spanish-speaking counselors, as well as options for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. It is only available in the United States. A 24-hour online chat service is also available.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988.

The Lifeline's previous number, 1–800–273–8255, can still be dialed at anytime.

Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1–888–628–9454

Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988

Samaritans USA (http://www.samaritansusa.org/) is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in distress or at risk of suicide throughout the United States.

The Trevor Project (http://www.thetrevorproject.org/) is a nationwide organization that provides a 24-hour phone hotline, as well as 24-hour webchat and text options, for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth.

The TrevorLifeline can be reached at 1–866–488–7386.

TrevorChat can be found at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

TrevorText can be reached by texting START to 678–678

Trans Lifeline (https://www.translifeline.org/) is a nonprofit organization that is created by and for the transgender community, providing crisis intervention hotlines, staffed by transgender individuals, available in the United States and Canada.

The Trans Lifeline can be reached at 1–877–565–8860.

The Youthline (https://www.theyouthline.org/) is a free teen-to-teen crisis support and help line run by a nonprofit. Between the hours of 4–10 pm PST daily, teens are available for peer support via phone and text. Otherwise, the line is staffed by adult crisis responders 24/7.

CALL (24/7): 877–968–8491

TEXT (4–10 pm PST): 'teen2teen' to 839863

CHAT (4–10 pm PST) https://www.theyouthline.org/

imagine how much of a fucking horrible person you have to be that on the first day your elected into office the crisis calls of a Suicide Prevention Project Go Up 33%. The Trevor Project Received over 1,400 Call By Early Monday Afternoon. Most of those calls, if not all, are coming from children. Children scared of you and what you will do. Imagine how much power and how horrible you have to be to do that.