#best online seed bank

[astrogre]

What gifts to buy for each Venus sign

Christmas is among us, my favourite season and time of the year. Venus is the planet of love, by nature it can display what we like to receive from others but if you don’t know their Venus or the house it’s in you can try to look at the persons Sun sign instead but Venus is ideal.

A gift based on their:

Sun sign will make them feel seen and like you know them well, it will be a gift they may appreciate

Venus sign is all they’ve ever desired it’s the pinnacle of their ideal gift. Especially as Venus represents how we like to receive and experience love

Aries/ 1H Venus

Gym membership, running shoes, thrill seeking experiences like tickets to bungee jumping, rock climbing, a skydiving event, gym outfit, tickets to their favourite artist, tickets to festival, cool lighter, archery classes, tickets to sports games, a shirt with their teams logo or merch from their favourite artists, scissors set, cooking tools, hair styling products like hairspray, hair dye, Fitbit/apple watch, knives set, sports gear, heavy bass headphones, tickets for those room smashing experiences, take them clay pigeon shooting, family destroying board games like Risk or Catan, diy tattoo kit, diy piercing kit, theme park tickets.

Aries Venus are by nature thrill seekers, Aries is ruled by the head and has 1st house influences, they can certainly appreciate something that ignites passion, they are impulsive and quick by nature to pursue what they desire. They need gifts that match their decisive nature and to let out that pent up energy they have in them, I honestly think experiences are the best for them. Or a box of hair dye for their impulsive moments

Taurus/ 2H Venus

Hire a chef or take them to a really good restaurant for a 5 course meal that serves orgasmic food and has impeccable visuals/atmosphere OR you can even arrange a 7 course homemade meal with the finest of recipes! , fine jewellery adorned with a gemstone, culinary experiences, cooking classes, kitchenware, go to fragrantica.com and find a high quality perfume to give, premium home decor, art, antique items, antique furniture, comfortable cosy clothing, hot water bottle, gardening tools, plants, selection of seeds for their garden, diffuser, essential oils, desserts like baklava/ferro rocher, luxury goods, wellness retreat subscription, day at the spa, tea set, comfy velvet winter pillows and bed sheets

Oh my Taurus natives, they know how to break a bank for Christmas and if not they can enjoy luxury on a budget! They enjoy the finer things of life of course Venus ruled, they know how to induge in pleasures and satisfaction. Due to the earthy influence they have a green finger and a natural affinity with plants and gardening, they may love flowers or want to grow plants themselves. Taurus venuses are rather easy to gift, if you know them they usually have a vice, it may be sleep, food or pure laziness, get them something according to their vice and they will treasure it.

Gemini/ 3H Venus

Really cool stationary, Spotify subscription, comedy show tickets, books from their favourite genre, a notebook, Grammarly subscription, cards against humanity board game, Duolingo subscription, multiplayer games, home kit recording studio, language learning stuff, calligraphy classes, kindle, portable car charger, Bluetooth speaker, karaoke machine, suitcase, travel accessories, a musical instrument, sealing wax kit, creative hobby supplies, microphone, podcasting equipment, audio editing software, a car, vr headset, Nintendo online subscription, Netflix/HBO/youtube/crunchyroll subscription

Gemini rules communication, short journeys and social engagement. Blessing these natives with tools to enhance their pleasant hobbies will make them swoon in gratitude, if you want to get them something make it engaging and whimsical. These natives are ruled by mercury and always welcome something that requires the mind.

Cancer/ 4H Venus

A cooking set, baking set, comfort food, commission artwork of the family, family photos, some really nice home decor, a keepsake/musical box adorned with velvets and soft materials that will store sentimental objects, a locket necklace, family recipe book make a recipe book of all their favourite foods and some foods you know they’d like, soft fluffy blanket, the family heirloom, hand crafted quilt, hand painted ceramic mug, animal crossing game, sims 4 game, games relating to the home, bring and fly in family that are far away as a surprise and cook their favourite meal together, household utilities, lush bath products, a personal chef for a day, a personal butler for a day, custom family tree art, ancestry DNA kit (please be careful though once you use them they keep your data and if they get hacked your information is out there), home movie night, comfy slippers and pyjamas, family board games, this christmas make them Christmas dinner this time.

Cancer rules the home and there’s nothing more appreciated by a cancer Venus than things that remind them of this. They are by nature expressive and nurturing, this time let them be pampered!

Leo/ 5H Venus

Hair care products, gift card for their favorite store, make them an edit no joke like a TikTok edit that makes them look really cool, one of those light up mirrors or a pretty handheld one if they don’t have one already, book them a photoshoot together if they don’t like the camera maybe post them on your social media and show affection for these bold natives, theatre tickets, bold sunglasses, luxury watch, good jewellery, VIP experiences like backstage passes or reservation to exclusive invite only restaurants, designer clothing that is a prestigious brand they love, commission style artwork, make them a playlist of songs that reminds you of them, fine wine, personalised fragrance creation that allows them to create their own signature fragrance, personalised makeup makeover, hire a stylist for them

A perfect gift for Leo’s need to have an element of self expression, luxury and incorporate their personality that garners attention from peers. They need a gift that makes them feel special, something tailored specifically for them that cannot be gifted to anyone else. Personalised gifts do well either this placement too. When I think of these natives I just think of that Meghan Trainor music video “Me Too” watch that and you’ll get their vibe.

Virgo/ 6H Venus

Skincare products, a blender for smoothies, lots of cleaning products, multi purpose aesthetic storage containers, Quora or chat gpt subscription (these guys like to be well informed), give them scientifically researched bath products that have all that vitamin breakdown qualities, make them a notion template to help them plan, quality office supplies like a desk organiser or chair, practical fitness gear like a yoga mat, a fitness tracker, get them a personal nutritionist, tailored meal prep services, bookshelf organiser system, a stylish briefcase, home office makeover (BUT PLEASE GET THEIR PERMISSION FIRST), online course subscription, digital subscription to news feed, you can never go wrong with practical things, an ikea haul, Costco membership, minimalist decor, multi vitamins, a precision watch, set of labelling and sorting tools, a neat tidy chess board, get them a nice little pet, honestly for some reason whenever I think of Virgos I think of matcha. Get them something matcha based.

Virgo Venus natives need gifts that resemble their routine and organisation, they can be rather difficult to purchase for since they have such a specific taste in mind. Gift cards are practical for them but they really need something that allows them to be more prepared. Take them out for comparison price shopping like say if you want to get them a sofa tell them you’ll take them out to Costco, Amazon, ikea, and compare the best ones. They are also very clean and efficient.

Libra Venus/ 7H Venus

Trending Make up like the fenty hot chocolit heat lip gloss, Korean skincare products, beautiful piece of art, a wedding ring 😏, bouquet of flowers, take them to a beautiful botanical garden, fashionable accessories like a silk scarf, books and courses on design, take them to a couples romantic date, a couples workshop, write them a love letter, museum date, tickets to an art exhibition, fine dining, an astrology synastry reading, if they’re single set up a blind date with someone who you KNOW they would like (make sure they’re handsome/pretty), couples retreat, love coach Patreon subscription, pottery/painting classes, relationship podcast subscription, relationship psychology books, fine fragrance/cologne

Libra is ruled by Venus and 7th house, all things related to love beauty and pleasure align with this native, even if they are single they have a natural gift for delving into relationships. Make sure that whatever gift you give them it is pleasing and sensual

Scorpio/ 8H Venus

Intimate gifts, a psychological crime documentary playlist like Epstein island documentary or YouTubers who speak of renowned cult leaders, personalised astrology reading, a dark seductive fragrance, dark artwork, dominance and submission guide book, shadow work journal with a lock on it, dark poetry and literature, escape room adventure tickets, monopoly game, dungeons and dragons game equipment, bdsm accessories, personalised erotic art, leather/latex clothing, bonding activities, empowering books like 48 Laws of Power, martial arts training, taxidermy, personal development workshops, intense workout equipment like a punching bag, chess, daggers, locks on their door or for their belongings like installing a lock for their drawers, buy them a ring camera and subscription, wine tasting experience

Give them something sultry and deep, it has to be psychological and empowering. They are not impressed by superficial gifts that mean nothing to them. They really like gifts that allow them to explore their nature and the darker aspects of existence.

Sagittarius/ 9H Venus

A scratch off map that allows you to scratch off countries you’ve been to, a surprise holiday where you take them abroad, Duolingo subscription, a wanderlust journal for them to document their experiences, passport accessories, an electric guitar, drums, take them to a fireworks display or do one at home for them, a telescope, a drone, binoculars, philosophical books or religious books based on their own beliefs and religion, running shoes, horse riding in the sunset experience, musical instruments, motivational and positive affirmations book or make some for them yourself, a book collection of all their motivational and positive messages they have said, a compass, pay for their tuition for a course they’ve always wanted, traveling stuff like suitcases, pillow for travelling, a portable flask, a disposable camera, a Polaroid camera, a tent, tickets to a cultural festival, hiking gear, skiing gear, camping gear, sketchbook, a donation in their name

Sagittarius Venus and 9H venuses love the concept of exploration whether it be in the mind or physically, the best gift you could give them is one that allows them to take in so much culture, information and experiences.

Capricorn/ 10H Venus

Customisable credit card (CUCU is a good site for this), a nice power suit like business attire, vintage pocket calculator, cufflinks or a tie, formal shoes, pay for their CV to be analysed by professionals in their industry, elegant timeless clothing and jewellery, make them business cards, get them a corporate slave (an assistant will do), pay for business class flights for their next trip abroad, project management courses, tickets to Ted Talk event, take them to and big them up at networking and entrepreneurial opportunities, a sleek desk, submit their work for trophies and awards, quality furniture, Starbucks or their fave coffee place gift cards, a fountain pen, personalised desk name plate, professional photoshoot, designer accessories like a Swiss watch, leather wallet, cheque book, pay for a professional calligrapher to design their signature, time management software

Our sweet cap Venuses and 10Hers need their professional acknowledgment, give them anything timeless and a way for them to better themselves. They love being the best of the best so give them things that support their ambitions.

Aquarius/ 11H Venus

A 3D printer, high tech phone, a gamer console, smart home device like Alexa, chat gpt subscription, AI art pieces of them, rubix cube, VR headset, bespoke one of a kind art piece, tickets to a science technology conference or musem, networking events, phone case, futuristic home decor, membership to an niche club their interested in, mini indoor garden like a plant terrarium, pay for an astronomy stargazing experience for them, alt clothing, goal setting journal, a camaraderie for their friendships can be a bracelet for an example, tickets to a unique workshop according to their niche interests, video editing software, a unique invention prototype for the industry their interested in say if it were cars then a mini Tesla or something, volunteer together, design software, film festival tickets, social cause merchandise, unique fashion piece, astronomy kit, an AI boyfriend or girlfriend, take them a Ted talk.

Always remember the specific niche interests of these natives they like things that are very niche and so sometimes asking them is actually the best thing to do. But make sure it’s something they’re passionate about not all of these natives live tech but they certainly are innovative.

Pisces/ 12H Venus

Seashell necklace, watercolour paints, fantasy book collection, their favourite mangas, handmade artwork, stained glass window art, dream interpretation book, flowerpedia book, vinyls, yoga mat, contact lenses, tickets to their favourite artist like mitski or the sort, create a playlist for them that’s about fantasy and imagination, they might like Disney consider taking them to Disneyland, windchime, subscription to mindfulness app, astrology book, go to the aquarium together, windchimes, art supplies, a dream journal, sound healing instruments, pay for their spiritual retreat, zen garden decor, a mystical music box, water fountain, take them to a mesmerising body of water, prayer mats, diary, write them a heartfelt letter of how amazing they are, take them to a nature retreat, wearable art

Dreamy imaginative gifts would be perfect for these people, they need gifts that allow them to appreciate their escape world where they have a reality that’s just better than here. Give them things that are as beautiful as their inner world.

[southernsolarpunk]

so since I've basically seen all the seasons at my house now I've got a decent understanding of the micro-climate of my yard, and i need to document it somewhere so here goes:

front yard gets scorched. straight up. it doesn't really let up until 2-3 pm so i need full sun drought tolerant plants in the front area. (i dug some swales to redirect runoff from the foundation of the house, so its a little more moist than it was when we first moved in) this can be slightly mitigated by planting a couple dwarf trees in the very front area of the yard but that'll only help a little. i got a hardy hibiscus 'dark mystery' (Hibiscus Moscheutos, native perennial) that i plant to take cuttings of next year that has been loving the heat. This area i also plan to plant a bunch of milkweed (current varieties I'm planning to get are sandhill milkweed [asclepias Humistrata] green milkweed [Asclepias Viridis] Purple milkweed [Asclepias Purpurascens]) I'm also planning to get some native ornamental grasses to place around the entire property (including the front yard) some other plants i planning to plant are cardinal flower (Lobelia Cardinalis), liatris (liatris Spicata), Gaillardia (Gaillardia Pulchella), prairie sage (artemisia Ludoviciana), mountain mint (pycnanthemum muticum). more to be decided after i put this wave in. (definitely want some bee balm)

right side of the yard (by the house) is dark, cool, wooded, and wet. the rhododendron i put in was doing great until my brother in law took a lawnmower to it. :( but at least i can replace it. this is also where i have my feijoas (he also ran over them but they bounced back). probably will just add some rhododendrons & hydrangeas. i need to look up some more native shade plants for this area.

left side of the yard (by the house) gets even more sun than the front yard. i want to get a green house eventually (i have to replace all the windows in my house so I'll repurpose those for it) so this is probably the best place to do it.

backyard is large, part is dry and sunny, and towards the back is wooded. this is where i plan to put the fruit & nut trees i want. i need to thin out some of the less mature trees because they're extremely dense at the moment. (got a battery-powered chainsaw. i would have just borrowed my stepdads tools but hes convinced i would break them if i used them. :/ but at least now my father-in-law can borrow mine if he needs it) in the center of the backyard is where i have 2 12x4 gardens beds, and in the future i plan to add 2 more. this is where i have a lot of passionflower maypop plants, i transplanted some to the fenceline but i want an archway trellis as well. (i have watched probably over a hundred gulf fritillary caterpillars turn into butterflies, they're everywhere) the right side of the yard is where i plan to put the taller fruit & nut trees, (wont block sunlight) but i also want to get some dwarf fruit trees to place around as well. also this summer i saw lightning bugs in the backyard (!!!!!!!) so i plan to put in some grasses around an area that's like 12x12 ft across that dips down a few feet. (this area literally looks like a dried up small pond) i looked up how to use clay to create a natural lining for a pond, so this area will be good for lightning bugs, frogs, toads, salamanders, etc. this is in the lowest part of the yard, so its an optimal place for it.

this is just some basic plans for the future- i got a lot of seeds online so its not too break-the-bank expensive, and i get a lot of bushes and trees from etsy which can be great for saving money, despite the slight increased risk for mislabeled plants. i save money with this so i can get some nicer varieties of fruit trees that i really want (fuji apples, hosui pears, bing & rainier cherry trees).

my father-in-law really enjoys canning and preserving so I'm growing all the trees so i can give him some fruit to preserve (he lives in a very low-laying area, and a lot of it is swamp so he doesn't have as much room for fruit trees, his blackberry jam is amazing) also a guy my partner works with is into gardening as well (dudes he gave us so many peppers literally pounds of them) so i want to be able to return the favor with fruit. :) my mom and stepdad also have some fruit trees but I'm hoping to grow some that they don't have so we can trade.

ultimately i just want to grow as much food as possible and give it away to everyone who wants it, while also hosting the ultimate butterfly rest stop.

if you read this and enjoyed it, I'm glad! I'll post about these projects as i do them (which will be slowly) so i hope maybe this will inspire some of you :)

[rosieofcorona]

POST YOUR BIRD SON

HERE HE IS, sweet prince kirby, the best to ever do it!!!

some kirby lore for the tumblr court:

- i know the universe usually distributes cats but i got kirby - think i manifested him for real - tried to convince my fiancé for YEARS to agree to a pet budgie - and he was staunchly against it until kirby was FOUND IN THE STREETS - this is not a joke - fiancé went for a run one day and kirby was just...on the side of the road in our neighborhood - and ofc he couldn't bring himself to leave him there - we don't know his origin story bc nobody ever claimed him (we did try to find an owner online and with local vets, and budgies are not native to the area, so he must've been somebody's) - he rejects all toys and all treats - and in fact is actively afraid of some fresh fruits and vegetables - will exclusively eat bird seed and the occasional bit of millet - loves to chime in on all of my work meetings (and has many opinions on the finance industry despite never having been to a bank) - has never done anything bad or wrong in his life

[therealvinelle]

Hello. The dome above Forsk was already there, but what about the dome over Volterra? How will the Volturi cope with the situation?

"Gentlemen, it seems we'll have to amend a few rules."

The people of Volterra are no longer off-limits.

The good news is, there's 10 519 of them.

The bad news is, there are ~35 Volturi.

If each vampire eats one human every fortnight for a year (35*26) then 910 humans are sacrificed to the blood gods. That's 9% of the population total.

That is not all, however.

In a normal year, Italy has a mortality rate per thousand people of 10 people, that is to say, of these 10 519 people, we can assume 100 of them die of natural causes.

However, that rate is going to be significantly higher under the dome. Everyone dependent on medication is cut off, the hospital is going to run out of supplies fast, you have people dying of easily preventable causes.

I imagine the very first thing Aro does, after ascertaining that nobody is getting out and they're going to have to start living off the humans of Volterra, is dismembering all but Caius, Marcus, and the wives, and those in his guard who can help with crowd control. The twins, Heidi, Corin, and Chelsea get to stay online, the rest are stored in separate boxes in the basement, hopefully to be put back together someday in the future. We are now down to ten vampires, making it so 260 people are killed annually.

(Though I imagine Aro uses gamification to lower the rate even further. "Funny hats to whoever goes the longest without feeding!" "Praise and brownie points to he whose eyes are the blackest!")

There are, however, some good news.

Tuscany is a very fertile region, even if Volterra is a city and on top of a mountain hill there are large swaths of green areas that could be repurposed for farming, at least in theory. The people of Volterra are luckier yet in that there happens to be a very powerful man whose only interest is to keep as many people as possible, who could easily take control and allocate the resources in whichever way he found most constructive.

Said man also happens to have superpowered people who will never grow tired by his side, people who could easily take care of the farming.

Water is a concern, but with a sound filtration system that should sort itself out.

Would people still starve, yes, and there's the question of where Aro would find the seeds for farming (here's to hoping the local flower shops come through, or else that Aro has a seed bank in his palace. You never know with that guy), how long it would take for his efforts to bear fruit (pun intended), and how long the rations already in the city would keep.

Feeding is done as strategically as possible, the Volturi kill only the sick and the dying in a bid to keep the mortality rate as close to normal as possible. Fertile and pregnant women and children are cared for the best, in the hopes that humans won't stop procreating.

(... I imagine the fertile women with chronic illnesses or other health problems hurry up and get pregnant so they won't be the next sacrificed to the blood gods.)

They have a chance of achieving sustainability, is what I'm saying. The population will be significantly reduced and their standard of living will plummet, but it's not as bleak as with the dome over Forks, mainly because Tuscany allows for farming in a way Forks doesn't, and Aro can take control of the city in a way the Cullens can't.

The irony, I imagine, is that without the Volturi the world outside that dome is tearing itself to pieces, making the humans within the dome better off than those without.

[realiv0]

Address by the President of Ukraine on the Day of Dignity and Freedom

Fellow Ukrainians! [*]

Today we celebrate the Day of Dignity and Freedom. A holiday that shows that for us dignity and freedom is a holiday. The answer to the question of who Ukrainians are and what is most important to them.

Dear people!

I said these words in the same place on the same day exactly one year ago. What has changed since then? A lot. In our country, Europe and the whole world. But something remains unchanged. This is the answer to the question of who Ukrainians are and what is most important to us. Two values, inextricably intertwined, like the right and left banks of the Dnipro River. Like blue and yellow colors. Like Chubynsky’s words and Verbytsky’s music. Like two threads of a pattern on a vyshyvanka where our genetic code is encrypted. This is dignity and freedom.

We always remembered this and have no right to forget. We always valued this and are not afraid to defend this. We always knew what we wanted. And this year, everyone found out what we are capable of. Friends and enemies saw it. Allies and partners. We saw for ourselves. Someone - once again. Someone - for the first time. But all together we proved and continue to prove that dignity and freedom are a holiday for us. This remained unchanged. And everyone saw what Ukrainians are capable of.

Everyone saw what defenders we have. How to hold out against one of the greatest armies in the world and become one of the best armies in the world. Someone will say: it sounds loud. Yes. Our army sounds loud. For the last eight years. And for the last nine months. When hardened fighters are joined by musicians, actors, Olympic champions, IT specialists, scientists, businessmen. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who did not get on the plane, but stood in line at the military commissariat. And side by side they stood up for our dream. Free Ukraine forever.

And everyone saw what our civilians are capable of. Everyone saw what kind of citizens we have! How can you become a living wall on the path of the occupier's military columns, stop and turn around enemy tanks and armored personnel carriers with bare hands. Go to rallies under the occupation despite the gunshots and stun grenades. Preserve the Ukrainian flag and wait to finally meet the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Flood your village to prevent the orcs from entering Kyiv.

Shoot down a Russian drone with a can. Give seeds to the occupiers so that sunflowers sprout in the place where they perish.

And everyone saw what kind of doctors, firefighters, rescuers, railway workers, energy workers, and farmers we have. How can you be on duty for several weeks in a row. Pull dozens of wounded from the battlefield. Carry out surgeries under bombs and bullets. Sow a crop and gather it as a harvest under bombs and bullets. Give lectures to students online, in the trenches. Get a bachelor's degree online, in the trenches.

Everyone saw what kind of volunteers and caring people we have. How can you raise funds for drones, ambulance vehicles, optics, thermal imagers in a matter of hours. How to get everything. Buy everything. Bring everything. And then get, buy and bring again, because that wasn't all. And in every village, people canned borscht and stewed meat for the frontline, because we would go red with embarrassment if our warriors ate expired dry ration, like orcs.

We are willing to give the last we have so that the Ukrainian warrior looks decently. Fights decently. Wins decently. And everyone saw what kind of business we have. Not oligarchs, but a modern, creative, humane and responsible business. How to turn your office, hotel or gym into a shelter for IDPs. How fashion shoe brands manufacture army boots. Designers of women's dresses manufacture body armor. A garden furniture manufacturer makes anti-tank hedgehogs. A famous model cooks food for warriors and refugees. A TV presenter makes a "Bandera smoothie". A doctor of science sorts humanitarian aid in Poland. And an opera singer evacuates hundreds of people in his car.

Everyone saw what kind of children we have. How they give up smartphones and gadgets to donate money to the army. How they wash cars and sell drawings, collecting money for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. How a boy runs away from home to enroll in the territorial defense. How a girl with shot legs drives a car 15 kilometers to take out four wounded adults.

Everyone saw what kind of people we have! Willing to give the last. Willing to stand to the last. They did not lose dignity. Bravery. Faith in themselves. And they united. In order not to lose freedom. Not to lose independence. Not to lose Ukraine.

We can be left without money. Without gasoline. Without hot water. Without light. But not without freedom. And it remains unchanged.

Yes, we have paid and continue to pay a very high price for freedom. And we will never forget all those who gave their lives for Ukraine. And we will never forgive everyone who took away their lives and wanted to take away our freedom. But the main thing is that no one succeeded and no one will ever succeed.

Dear people!

I said these words in the same place on the same day exactly one year ago. What has changed since then? A lot. Craters appeared on our land. There are roadblocks and anti-tank hedgehogs in our cities and villages. It may be dark on our streets. It may be cold in our homes. There are many changes, but they have not changed the most important thing. Because the most important thing is not outside, but inside. And it remains unchanged. And that's why we will hold out. We will endure.

Everyone. Different. But Ukrainian men and women. Defenders. Everyone who knows: we must be worthy, we must not give up. Because Ukrainians are not used to giving up. Because they have dignity. And therefore - freedom!

This remains unchanged. We will overcome everything. Endure. Survive. Prevail!

And on the Day of Dignity and Freedom, we will gather on Maidan Nezalezhnosti. Where dignity and freedom have always been protected. On the granite, on the barricades during the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity. Where we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. And where we will celebrate the Victory Day of Ukraine. In a peaceful Kyiv, in a peaceful Ukraine, I will speak about the important. About the main thing. What remained unchanged. And will remain unchanged.

Glory to Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

Source

[* all italicized text = speech from 2021

Please, also watch the video. They use a lot of clips to visualize his words.]

[cannabistraininguniversity]

Lavender Weed Strain Review & Information

The best Lavender strain review will look into the genetics that make this strain so unique. It will also delve into growing potential and yields while also examining the user experience and essence that come along with the cannabis strain.

Lavender Strain Genetics

Is Lavender strain an indica or sativa? Lavender, also known as Lavender Kush and Soma #10, was bred by Soma Seeds. It is a 60/40 indica-dominant hybrid that is the result of crossing 4 unique strains from different parts of the world: Super Skunk, Big Skunk Korean, Afghani, and Hawaiian. Super Skunk As you can probably deduce from its name, this pot strain features an ultra-skunky essence. Skunk #1 is one of the parent-strains to Super Skunk. It is derived from Afghani, which plays a large role in creating Lavender. If you want to know how important the Super Skunk strain has been to the cannabis world, it is one of the parent strains to the world-famous Sour Diesel! Big Skunk Korean Strains Big Bud, Skunk #1 (again), and a Korean landrace go into making Big Skunk Korean. While it lacks a unique name, Soma Seeds used it throughout their breeding process to create much more than Lavender Kush. Somativa, Kahuna, and Somango are all descendants of Big Skunk Korean. This bud strain is rare but appears to be quite energizing in nature. Afghani The Afghani indica landrace comes from where some of the oldest cannabis plants were ever cultivated! It treats insomnia and pain like a champion and is used to pass on its resin-drenched buds through many breeding programs. So many marijuana strains can be traced back to Afghani, including classics like Northern Lights and Amnesia Haze. Hawaiian The Hawaiian sativa landrace produces an energetic experience that is both happy and creative. The light green buds contain and tropical fruit essence reminiscent of its growing location. It has spawned strains like Pineapple Express and Amnesia Haze. Availability Of Lavender Strain Genetics You can find Soma Seeds Lavender through many online seed banks. If you purchase feminized seeds, you are aiming to grow consumable bud. If you find regular seeds, you can grow males and females, which have the potential for breeding new generations and phenotypes. Derivative Strains Lavender Kush is popular on its own, but it has also created a few child strains that are popular as well. Two of the more well-known spawns are Cotton Candy and Wookie strains. Cotton Candy is Lavender crossed with Power Plant, which results in a balanced experience and an essence rich in cherries and floral tones. Appalachia and Lavender combine to create Wookie. It delivers a sour floral essence with a balanced high that is well suited for reducing the effects of stress.

Lavender Strain Yield

Lavender is easy to grow and does well in any climate that doesn’t have frost-producing temperatures through the growing season. Unfortunately, the yields aren’t very high with this weed strain. Growing this pot strain indoors will typically result in around 1.2 ounces per square foot of plant, while outdoor growers can let their plants stretch to their heart’s content and harvest about 9 ounces of bud per plant. It’s not on par with ultra-heavy producers on the market today.

Lavender Strain Flowering Time

The flowering period for Lavender will last about 9-10 weeks for optimal potency and terpene profiles to develop in the buds. Outdoor growers will be harvesting in mid-October. Dark purple and violet infiltrate the leaves and buds through the flowering stage if low temperatures are present during the early flowering stage. The curly orange hairs wrap around the bud and attempt to cover the crystal appearance of trichomes below.

Lavender Kush Strain THC Percentage

Lavender has so many parent strains that it puts out a variety of phenotypes. With this many phenotypes, it’s understandable to have a wide range of potencies in the buds produced. Lavender has been tested between 14-27% THC. Everyone from absolute beginners to daily smokers can find a batch of this strain with optimal potency for their needs. The high is quite similar to a generic indica. The cerebral effects are euphoric and happy while the body relaxes and melts into sedation. Many users find it useful to fall asleep at night, but it can be used any time of day.

Lavender Strain Flavor & Aroma

The aromatic qualities of Soma #10 put off a spicy and floral essence that resembles lavender itself. The flavor is quite similar, with a hashy presence as well. Lavender Strain Terpene Profile Myrcene, Caryophyllene, and Pinene dominate Lavender Kush. Myrcene acts as an antioxidant, induces relaxation, and is thought to be the culprit of couch lock. Pinene is a catch-all for medicinal uses, treating pain, inflammation, and anxiety. Caryophyllene brings spiciness to the plate and helps fight the effects of inflammation. While Lavender is certainly unique, there are other strains with similar effects and terpene profiles, like Grape Ape, Cherry Pie, and Pineapple OG.

Medical Conditions Lavender Strain Can Help

If you are looking at using Lavender for medicinal purposes, you are in good hands. It can be used to treat many ailments, including: - Chronic Stress - Pain - Insomnia - Anxiety - Nausea - Arthritis - Depression - Headaches & Migraines - PMS - PTSD The only thing it lacks is a good dosage of CBD. If you consume Lavender Kush and combine it with a CBD supplement, you have everything that cannabis has to offer for medicinal purposes! Cannabis strains recognized for their ability to induce feelings of peace and relaxation are common, and one such strain is lavender. This indica-dominant hybrid has a flavor profile as well as a scent that is unlike any other strain, which helps it stand out from the crowd. In this post, we'll take a more in-depth look at lavender, discussing its history, as well as its affects, growing suggestions, and more.

The Genealogy and Family Tree of the Lavender Strain

A mix between Super Skunk, Big Skunk Korean, and Afghani Hawaiian resulted in the creation of the hybrid strain known as Lavender. In the 1990s, Soma Seeds was the first company to breed this strain, and it immediately rose to prominence due to the distinctive flavor profile and effects it exhibited.

Description of the Appearance and Smell of the Lavender Strain

The buds of lavender have a purple tint, a medium size, and a dense structure. Additionally, they are covered in trichomes. The name of the plant comes from the pleasant and fragrant scent it gives off, which has undertones of lavender. Lavender has a distinct flavor profile that is equally as distinctive as its perfume, with a taste that is both sweet and spicy that lingers on the palate.

The Effects of the Lavender Strain, as well as Its Medicinal Benefits

Due to the fact that lavender is well-known for its ability to soothe and relax, it is frequently recommended to people who struggle with conditions such as anxiety, stress, or sleeplessness. It is also known to promote appetite, which makes it an excellent strain for people who suffer from illnesses such as anorexia or nausea caused by chemotherapy. Lavender is a strain that has a THC level that normally runs from 17-23%, making it a strain that is fairly potent. Linalool, a terpene that is renowned for its relaxing effects and potential anti-inflammatory qualities, is present in large amounts in this substance as well.

Advice on Cultivating the Lavender Strain

It is recommended that growers of all levels of experience start with Lavender because it is a strain that is not overly difficult to cultivate. It thrives best in dry climates that are warm and range from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature. Flowers can be produced by lavender plants after an average of eight to nine weeks have passed since the plant was planted. Growers should also be aware that lavender plants, when in their flowering state, can produce a potent odor; therefore, enough ventilation is absolutely necessary.

Conclusions Regarding the Lavender Variety

Those who are looking for an experience that is both tranquil and relaxing will find great success with the Lavender strain, which is both distinctive and tasty. Its aroma and flavor profile, which are both sweet and floral, set it apart from other strains, and its medicinal properties make it an excellent option for people who struggle with anxiety, stress, or appetite loss. Lavender is an excellent option for your next harvest, regardless of your level of experience as a gardener (beginner, intermediate, or advanced).

Final Words On The Lavender Weed Strain

Lavender Kush, or Soma #10, is a beautiful melting pot of what cannabis around the world has to offer. It’s no wonder why this strain pleases consumers and continues to be used for breeding new child strains to utilize its traits. Learning about cannabis strains like this is awesome, right? If you care to learn more about cannabis, from growing it to the commercial industry, we have plenty of training courses here at Cannabis Training University. Check them out and find out why knowledge is power! Is Lavender Strain Indica or Sativa?The Indica-dominant hybrid strain known as Lavender (sometimes referred to as Soma #10) has a THC content that can reach as high as 19% and has won first place in a number of competitions. Its flavor, which is similar to that of Afghani hash, is smooth, and it comes with a strong euphoria.Where can I find Lavender Strain Seeds?Lavender strains seeds are sold by Pacific Seed Bank, as well as from Soma Seeds. Read the full article

[bryonyashaw]

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Here are 𝟭𝟬 Easter Activities to do with the family!

𝟭. 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗴𝗴 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘁/𝘀𝗰𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘁

Plan an easter egg hunt for your little ones. My children love searching for clues & chocolate eggs around the house or if it's dry, doing it outside in the garden.

𝟮. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀/𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀

Growing food, such as planting seeds teaches children about nature, nutrition, responsibility for caring for something, and about where their food originated. It could even help picky eaters develop more of an interest.

𝟯. 𝗘𝗴𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

Make hard boiled eggs and paint or colour them with pens. A great tradition in most households & there are lots of tutorials online for how to decorate them up!

𝟰. 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲

The tradition in Germany to decorate the branches of trees and bushes with eggs for Easter. The egg is an ancient symbol of life all over the world. Eggs are hung on branches of outdoor trees and bushes and on cut branches inside

𝟱. 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘀

You can buy pre-made items like sticker books, scratch art, Bird Houses, pottery, masks etc or you can look online and print out alsorts of items from hats to colouring sheets

𝟲. 𝗕𝗮𝗸𝗲!

Get your culinary head on and bake up a storm. There are lots of Easter based recipes out there for you to try. It can be as simple, messy and fun as you want it to b

𝟳. '𝗘𝗴𝗴' 𝘁𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴

Fill up some water balloons and play a game of 'egg' toss. The aim is to keep the balloons in one piece as you throw them from person to person. If you're feeling really brave, use real eggs!

𝟴. 𝗘𝗴𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀

Put the decorated boiled eggs to good use and have yourselves a good old fashioned sports day - inspired fun in the garden with a family egg and spoon race.

𝟵. 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗻𝗶𝗰

This one is always weather permitting in Scotland - but sunshine always seems to fall on the bank holiday weekend. You could meet up with another family and plan a picnic in the park with the kids.

𝟭𝟬. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵

An Easter wreath is the best decoration for a front door, hallway, or as a spring table centrepiece - always give a Spring aesthetic

[4twamp]

White Widow feminized

[tierknee]

The Evolution of Multiplayer in Pokemon and My Pokemon Journey

Pokemon and multiplayer have always gone hand in hand. From trading and battling in Red and Blue, to taking on the journey together in Scarlet and Violet. It’s interesting how Pokemon made the most solitary genre in video games, JRPGs, into some of the best social interactions I’ve had in my entire life. From the beginning, trading and battling against other people’s teams and collections set Pokemon apart from the rest. It’s easy to think that’s really where most of the social innovation stopped, but there’s still a lot to be said on the strides this series has taken. 

The way I see it, you can really split this progression into three eras. You’ve got the Game Boy era, Pokemon Generations 1-3, that were limited by hardware at the time. You had link cables or at best, a wireless adapter jutting out of your GBA. You’ve got the DS era, introducing online play (I’d argue the single largest innovation in franchise history), and you’ve got the Switch era, making experiences in Pokemon game more and more communal over the last couple generations with a touch of Pokemon Go for good measure.

The games that started it all have the simplest multiplayer experiences to offer, but they’re still evergreen pillars of the franchise in the forms of trading and battling. You and someone else with a Game Boy could square up, pitting your strongest teams against each other, or you could trade Pokemon to fill out the vast 151-strong Pokedex. Pokemon’s roots come from collecting bugs and childlike, rural exploration. By being so straight forward, the original few generations still have that organic encouragement of meeting up with other people physically, in-person. For all the advances and improvements future generations provide, a little bit of that original intent shifted over time as the internet became more and more ubiquitous.

The leap from the Game Boy to the Game Boy Advance was a massive one by almost all accounts. In terms of playing Pokemon games with other people, it was mostly the same. Link cables. By the time we get to the Hoenn region, we’re already at the point where cell phones are getting more and more common, and the internet is becoming more apart of our daily lives. GameFreak was well aware of this, carrying entire hardware peripherals that would push the likes of the Game Boy Advance further on. With the introduction of the Nintendo DS, however, everything goes global.

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl brought the series into the internet age, taking advantage of Nintendo WiFi Connection to connect trainers across the globe! It may seem novel, being able to trade and battle Pokemon online, but in 2007, this was a gamechanger. This was of a time and place where social media was relegated to MySpace and AOL instant messenger, not nearly as ever-present as the likes of Facebook and Twitter. Forums and web boards flourished with the influx of online Pokemon. This time period just so happens to be when I personally started going on community-focused websites and planted the seeds of what would become lifelong friendships. So, yeah, on a personal level, the mere act of playing and trading online really helped me navigate social waters I wasn’t even perceptive of at the time.

After such a huge step forward, what comes after feels unsurprisingly tame by comparison. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl took the franchise online, and with Black and White, it kept a majority of Gen 4’s functionality. Black and White also went in a lot of different directions in terms of silly gimmicks GameFreak likes to try generation to generation. Remember the Dream World? You’d go to an actual website on your computer or phone to meet other Pokemon and get unique items, but I mostly remember it being a giant bore. They made up for it with the C-Gear, always keeping online functionality right at that bottom screen - an improvement they would take into the next generation.

The transition from Black and White to X and Y brought us Pokemon Bank, a cloud-based application where you could continue to store your Pokemon for years to come. Pokemon had always made efforts to make sure you were able to transfer your Pokemon all the way back from Ruby and Sapphire through future generations. It’s…not the most elegant process, but with Pokemon Bank, we get a modern solution to an ever-growing Pokemon problem. It’s not a direct multiplayer facet on its own, but in the context of what you do online, it’s a crucial addition to the franchise.

X and Y by far have the easiest to use and most straightforward online functionality. It, too, existed primarily on the bottom screen, but it has a much easier to parse user interface than the C-Gear. By this point, I’m in college, and while robust online features are necessary, the attention to detail on local functionality was equally important. Pokemon X and Y were up to the task, emboldened by the Nintendo 3DS hardware, which itself was also more of a social machine (rip StreetPass).

College is also where I originally got into Pokemon Go, which honestly could use it’s own video. Pokemon Go brings back those organic roots I mentioned the original games thriving in. It’s a different experience, built for mobile devices and once again fostering community and in-person communication. I’ll never forget seeing upwards of 100 people on a cool July evening, swarming our college campus, as there were plenty of Pokestops and gyms in a walkable range. Pokemon Go was the defining social experience of 2016, and in the context of Pokemon’s multiplayer innovation, changed the series forever.

Back in the main series, we get to Pokemon Sun and Moon. I’m wrapping up my college career and the onset of Pokemon Go definitely had the following traditional generation not hit as hard on campus or online. The feature set was…fine, but they GameFreak’d it up by having it work so well in the previous generation, just to shake things up with the Festival Plaza in Sun and Moon. It was more confusing with less features, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have a part in my general apathy to the games at the time. Serviceable, but I have easily the least to say about it. Communication-wise, this was the calm before the storm.

Remember how I said Pokemon Go changed everything? I think it’s one of the most defining aspects of Pokemon’s transition to the Nintendo Switch, as everything from the Let’s Go remakes of the original games, to Max Raid Battles in Sword and Shield, to an entire game built around cooperative experiences, are ripped straight out of Pokemon Go. It’s by far the largest shift the franchise has had since going online.

Pokemon Let’s Go is definitely more of a footnote in the whole multiplayer aspect of Pokemon, as it stripped out a lot of the social features on top of the gameplay being a lot more like Pokemon Go in general. It does still shine a light on where the series goes next in Pokemon Sword and Shield. One of, if not THE best part of vanilla Sword and Shield were the Max Raid Battles, where you and three other people would team up to take down a Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokemon, presented very similarly to Pokemon Go’s Gym Leader battles. It wasn’t perfect, especially if you were forced to have an AI teammate or two, but it’s something they’re carrying over into Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, so you know it was a big enough impact to warrant bringing it forward.

With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it really feels like the culmination of a lot of different paths Pokemon has been going through the last few years, communication being front and center. They’re refining Max Raid Battles, expanding the Wild Area to the entirety of the game, and the vast majority of the game can be played cooperatively. It’s genuinely touching to be able to share all the shiny grinding, the item scouring, and every other little goofy thing we do in Pokemon - together.

[geargoyle]

I highly suggest everyone reads this. Anyone can be caught unaware by fraud. Through calls and texts, emails, skimmers at ATMs and PoSs, and more. The best way to protect yourself is stay aware - stay up to date on the way scammers behave.

This one's apparently hitting Credit Union customers, so heads up if that includes you. With banking especially, if you get an unexpected call - Always remember to say thanks for the information, then hang up. Look up the bank's number yourself (and I mean from your statement or website you use regularly, not a fast google search - even those search results have been seeded by scammers lately.) Never trust the number some stranger on the phone gives you.

One of my regular grocery stores recently found skimmers at their checkouts. I've had two likely phishing emails forwarded to me by co-workers in the last week or two. One was a pretty legit looking 'Your QuickBooks subscription has expired!' notice that was forwarded with a note saying, 'Please pay this'. Luckily we use QB Online not desktop and I was paying attention. Right at USA tax time. Ya gotta watch out for yourselves out there.

How I got scammed

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/05/cyber-dunning-kruger/#swiss-cheese-security

I wuz robbed.

More specifically, I was tricked by a phone-phisher pretending to be from my bank, and he convinced me to hand over my credit-card number, then did $8,000+ worth of fraud with it before I figured out what happened. And then he tried to do it again, a week later!

Here's what happened. Over the Christmas holiday, I traveled to New Orleans. The day we landed, I hit a Chase ATM in the French Quarter for some cash, but the machine declined the transaction. Later in the day, we passed a little credit-union's ATM and I used that one instead (I bank with a one-branch credit union and generally there's no fee to use another CU's ATM).

A couple days later, I got a call from my credit union. It was a weekend, during the holiday, and the guy who called was obviously working for my little CU's after-hours fraud contractor. I'd dealt with these folks before – they service a ton of little credit unions, and generally the call quality isn't great and the staff will often make mistakes like mispronouncing my credit union's name.

That's what happened here – the guy was on a terrible VOIP line and I had to ask him to readjust his mic before I could even understand him. He mispronounced my bank's name and then asked if I'd attempted to spend $1,000 at an Apple Store in NYC that day. No, I said, and groaned inwardly. What a pain in the ass. Obviously, I'd had my ATM card skimmed – either at the Chase ATM (maybe that was why the transaction failed), or at the other credit union's ATM (it had been a very cheap looking system).

I told the guy to block my card and we started going through the tedious business of running through recent transactions, verifying my identity, and so on. It dragged on and on. These were my last hours in New Orleans, and I'd left my family at home and gone out to see some of the pre-Mardi Gras krewe celebrations and get a muffalata, and I could tell that I was going to run out of time before I finished talking to this guy.

"Look," I said, "you've got all my details, you've frozen the card. I gotta go home and meet my family and head to the airport. I'll call you back on the after-hours number once I'm through security, all right?"

He was frustrated, but that was his problem. I hung up, got my sandwich, went to the airport, and we checked in. It was total chaos: an Alaska Air 737 Max had just lost its door-plug in mid-air and every Max in every airline's fleet had been grounded, so the check in was crammed with people trying to rebook. We got through to the gate and I sat down to call the CU's after-hours line. The person on the other end told me that she could only handle lost and stolen cards, not fraud, and given that I'd already frozen the card, I should just drop by the branch on Monday to get a new card.

We flew home, and later the next day, I logged into my account and made a list of all the fraudulent transactions and printed them out, and on Monday morning, I drove to the bank to deal with all the paperwork. The folks at the CU were even more pissed than I was. The fraud that run up to more than $8,000, and if Visa refused to take it out of the merchants where the card had been used, my little credit union would have to eat the loss.

I agreed and commiserated. I also pointed out that their outsource, after-hours fraud center bore some blame here: I'd canceled the card on Saturday but most of the fraud had taken place on Sunday. Something had gone wrong.

One cool thing about banking at a tiny credit-union is that you end up talking to people who have actual authority, responsibility and agency. It turned out the the woman who was processing my fraud paperwork was a VP, and she decided to look into it. A few minutes later she came back and told me that the fraud center had no record of having called me on Saturday.

"That was the fraudster," she said.

Oh, shit. I frantically rewound my conversation, trying to figure out if this could possibly be true. I hadn't given him anything apart from some very anodyne info, like what city I live in (which is in my Wikipedia entry), my date of birth (ditto), and the last four digits of my card.

Wait a sec.

He hadn't asked for the last four digits. He'd asked for the last seven digits. At the time, I'd found that very frustrating, but now – "The first nine digits are the same for every card you issue, right?" I asked the VP.

I'd given him my entire card number.

Goddammit.

The thing is, I know a lot about fraud. I'm writing an entire series of novels about this kind of scam:

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865878/thebezzle

And most summers, I go to Defcon, and I always go to the "social engineering" competitions where an audience listens as a hacker in a soundproof booth cold-calls merchants (with the owner's permission) and tries to con whoever answers the phone into giving up important information.

But I'd been conned.

Now look, I knew I could be conned. I'd been conned before, 13 years ago, by a Twitter worm that successfully phished out of my password via DM:

https://locusmag.com/2010/05/cory-doctorow-persistence-pays-parasites/

That scam had required a miracle of timing. It started the day before, when I'd reset my phone to factory defaults and reinstalled all my apps. That same day, I'd published two big online features that a lot of people were talking about. The next morning, we were late getting out of the house, so by the time my wife and I dropped the kid at daycare and went to the coffee shop, it had a long line. Rather than wait in line with me, my wife sat down to read a newspaper, and so I pulled out my phone and found a Twitter DM from a friend asking "is this you?" with a URL.

Assuming this was something to do with those articles I'd published the day before, I clicked the link and got prompted for my Twitter login again. This had been happening all day because I'd done that mobile reinstall the day before and all my stored passwords had been wiped. I entered it but the page timed out. By that time, the coffees were ready. We sat and chatted for a bit, then went our own ways.

I was on my way to the office when I checked my phone again. I had a whole string of DMs from other friends. Each one read "is this you?" and had a URL.

Oh, shit, I'd been phished.

If I hadn't reinstalled my mobile OS the day before. If I hadn't published a pair of big articles the day before. If we hadn't been late getting out the door. If we had been a little more late getting out the door (so that I'd have seen the multiple DMs, which would have tipped me off).

There's a name for this in security circles: "Swiss-cheese security." Imagine multiple slices of Swiss cheese all stacked up, the holes in one slice blocked by the slice below it. All the slices move around and every now and again, a hole opens up that goes all the way through the stack. Zap!

The fraudster who tricked me out of my credit card number had Swiss cheese security on his side. Yes, he spoofed my bank's caller ID, but that wouldn't have been enough to fool me if I hadn't been on vacation, having just used a pair of dodgy ATMs, in a hurry and distracted. If the 737 Max disaster hadn't happened that day and I'd had more time at the gate, I'd have called my bank back. If my bank didn't use a slightly crappy outsource/out-of-hours fraud center that I'd already had sub-par experiences with. If, if, if.

The next Friday night, at 5:30PM, the fraudster called me back, pretending to be the bank's after-hours center. He told me my card had been compromised again. But: I hadn't removed my card from my wallet since I'd had it replaced. Also, it was half an hour after the bank closed for the long weekend, a very fraud-friendly time. And when I told him I'd call him back and asked for the after-hours fraud number, he got very threatening and warned me that because I'd now been notified about the fraud that any losses the bank suffered after I hung up the phone without completing the fraud protocol would be billed to me. I hung up on him. He called me back immediately. I hung up on him again and put my phone into do-not-disturb.

The following Tuesday, I called my bank and spoke to their head of risk-management. I went through everything I'd figured out about the fraudsters, and she told me that credit unions across America were being hit by this scam, by fraudsters who somehow knew CU customers' phone numbers and names, and which CU they banked at. This was key: my phone number is a reasonably well-kept secret. You can get it by spending money with Equifax or another nonconsensual doxing giant, but you can't just google it or get it at any of the free services. The fact that the fraudsters knew where I banked, knew my name, and had my phone number had really caused me to let down my guard.

The risk management person and I talked about how the credit union could mitigate this attack: for example, by better-training the after-hours card-loss staff to be on the alert for calls from people who had been contacted about supposed card fraud. We also went through the confusing phone-menu that had funneled me to the wrong department when I called in, and worked through alternate wording for the menu system that would be clearer (this is the best part about banking with a small CU – you can talk directly to the responsible person and have a productive discussion!). I even convinced her to buy a ticket to next summer's Defcon to attend the social engineering competitions.

There's a leak somewhere in the CU systems' supply chain. Maybe it's Zelle, or the small number of corresponding banks that CUs rely on for SWIFT transaction forwarding. Maybe it's even those after-hours fraud/card-loss centers. But all across the USA, CU customers are getting calls with spoofed caller IDs from fraudsters who know their registered phone numbers and where they bank.

I've been mulling this over for most of a month now, and one thing has really been eating at me: the way that AI is going to make this kind of problem much worse.

Not because AI is going to commit fraud, though.

One of the truest things I know about AI is: "we're nowhere near a place where bots can steal your job, we're certainly at the point where your boss can be suckered into firing you and replacing you with a bot that fails at doing your job":

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/15/passive-income-brainworms/#four-hour-work-week

I trusted this fraudster specifically because I knew that the outsource, out-of-hours contractors my bank uses have crummy headsets, don't know how to pronounce my bank's name, and have long-ass, tedious, and pointless standardized questionnaires they run through when taking fraud reports. All of this created cover for the fraudster, whose plausibility was enhanced by the rough edges in his pitch - they didn't raise red flags.

As this kind of fraud reporting and fraud contacting is increasingly outsourced to AI, bank customers will be conditioned to dealing with semi-automated systems that make stupid mistakes, force you to repeat yourself, ask you questions they should already know the answers to, and so on. In other words, AI will groom bank customers to be phishing victims.

This is a mistake the finance sector keeps making. 15 years ago, Ben Laurie excoriated the UK banks for their "Verified By Visa" system, which validated credit card transactions by taking users to a third party site and requiring them to re-enter parts of their password there:

https://web.archive.org/web/20090331094020/http://www.links.org/?p=591

This is exactly how a phishing attack works. As Laurie pointed out, this was the banks training their customers to be phished.

I came close to getting phished again today, as it happens. I got back from Berlin on Friday and my suitcase was damaged in transit. I've been dealing with the airline, which means I've really been dealing with their third-party, outsource luggage-damage service. They have a terrible website, their emails are incoherent, and they officiously demand the same information over and over again.

This morning, I got a scam email asking me for more information to complete my damaged luggage claim. It was a terrible email, from a noreply@ email address, and it was vague, officious, and dishearteningly bureaucratic. For just a moment, my finger hovered over the phishing link, and then I looked a little closer.

On any other day, it wouldn't have had a chance. Today – right after I had my luggage wrecked, while I'm still jetlagged, and after days of dealing with my airline's terrible outsource partner – it almost worked.

So much fraud is a Swiss-cheese attack, and while companies can't close all the holes, they can stop creating new ones.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to post about it whenever I get scammed. I find the inner workings of scams to be fascinating, and it's also important to remind people that everyone is vulnerable sometimes, and scammers are willing to try endless variations until an attack lands at just the right place, at just the right time, in just the right way. If you think you can't get scammed, that makes you especially vulnerable:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/24/passive-income/#swiss-cheese-security

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[thehagueseedcenter]

Finding High-Quality Marijuana Seeds for Sale: Tips for Success

Whether you're an experienced grower or a beginner, sourcing premium Marijuana Seeds for Sale is essential for a successful crop. High-quality seeds set the foundation for strong, resilient plants that yield the best possible harvest. Here’s what to consider when choosing cannabis seeds for your next grow.

Choosing the Right Seeds

Feminized Autoflower Seeds: For those seeking easy, high-yield options, Feminized Autoflower Seeds are a popular choice. These seeds are designed to automatically switch from the vegetative to the flowering stage without needing specific light schedules, making them perfect for beginners and those with limited time.

Genetics and Strain Quality: Always select seeds from a reputable source that offers detailed genetic information on each strain. High-quality seeds typically come with a guarantee of authenticity, ensuring you’re growing what you purchased.

Benefits of Autoflower Seeds

Feminized autoflower seeds have many advantages. They’re resilient and can grow in various climates, yielding fast results with shorter growing cycles. This can be ideal for those seeking efficiency in their growing process, as these seeds flower regardless of light changes, making cultivation simpler and more predictable.

Where to Buy

When looking for Marijuana Seeds for Sale, research vendors known for reliability and positive reviews. Online seed banks with customer feedback, such as The Hague Seed Center, provide peace of mind with their detailed product descriptions and support resources.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose feminized autoflower seeds or traditional options, getting quality seeds is key to achieving the best harvest. Investing in the right seeds can make all the difference in your cultivation journey, setting you up for success from the very start.

[herbinmybrain]

[athulyaaindia]

How to Choose the Perfect Return Gifts for Any Party Theme

Planning a party is always exciting, but it doesn’t end when the last guest leaves. One of the best ways to show appreciation for your attendees is through thoughtful return gifts. These little tokens can leave a lasting impression and make your celebration even more memorable. But how do you choose the perfect return gifts that align with your party theme? Whether it's a birthday bash, baby shower, or corporate event, selecting just the right item can be overwhelming. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Let’s dive into some key factors to consider when picking out those special gifts and explore creative ideas tailored to various themes. Plus, we’ll share budget-friendly options so you can keep costs in check while still impressing your guests!

Factors to Consider When Choosing Return Gifts

Choosing the right return gifts for party requires careful thought. Start by considering your party theme. The gifts should complement the atmosphere you’ve created, enhancing the overall experience for your guests. Next, think about the age group of your attendees. Kids might appreciate fun toys or sweets, while adults may prefer practical items or gourmet treats. Tailoring gifts to their interests makes them more meaningful. Don’t forget about personalization! Customizing return gifts can add a special touch that shows you care. From monogrammed bags to personalized keychains, these small details create lasting memories. Consider practicality and usefulness. Gifts that serve a purpose are often appreciated and used long after the party ends. Striking a balance between creativity and functionality will ensure your guests leave with something truly valuable.

Return Gift Ideas for Different Party Themes

When planning a birthday bash for your little superhero, consider personalized capes or themed action figures. Kids love to take home a piece of their favorite character. For elegant soirées, think about scented candles or gourmet chocolates. These gifts add a touch of sophistication, leaving guests with delightful memories. Planning a fun-filled beach party? Go for colorful beach towels or customized flip-flops. They capture the essence of sun and sand perfectly. If it’s an artsy celebration, DIY craft kits can be both engaging and memorable. Guests will appreciate the creativity involved in making something unique. Hosting a vintage-themed gathering? Vintage-inspired coasters or small potted plants can transport guests back in time while being practical keepsakes. Each theme opens doors to endless possibilities; focus on what resonates most with your audience for truly special return gifts.

Budget-Friendly Return Gift Options

When planning a party, finding budget-friendly return gifts is a smart way to show appreciation without breaking the bank. There are plenty of options that are both thoughtful and wallet-friendly. Consider DIY crafts. Handmade items add a personal touch and can be tailored to fit any theme. You might create custom bookmarks for a book-themed party or decorate small jars filled with homemade treats for a food-centric gathering. Another great choice is eco-friendly products. Items like reusable bags, bamboo utensils, or seed packets promote sustainability while serving as practical gifts your guests will appreciate. If you’re short on time but still want something unique, look into bulk purchases from local artisans or online marketplaces. Many sellers offer discounts on larger quantities, allowing you to snag quality items at lower prices. Personalized stationery sets also make excellent return gifts without going over budget. They are useful for everyone and can easily reflect the theme of your event with some creative design choices. Consider experiences instead of physical gifts. A simple invitation to join an upcoming community event or workshop can leave lasting memories while keeping costs down. Selecting the right return gift doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful. With these ideas in mind, you'll likely find the perfect token of gratitude that resonates with your guests and aligns beautifully with your party's theme.

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