#bridge milling machine

[laura24scott]

Maximising Patient Success with Customised Titanium Abutments

The dental industry has undergone significant advancements in recent years, particularly when it comes to dental implants. Implants have become the preferred choice of treatment for patients with missing teeth, and they have revolutionised the way dentists approach tooth replacement. One of the most critical elements of dental implant treatment is the abutment, which connects the implant to the crown or bridge. With the increase in demand for implants, dental professionals are constantly seeking ways to maximise patient success and satisfaction. Customised titanium abutments have emerged as a game-changer in the field, providing superior fit and functionality. In this article, we will explore the benefits of customised titanium abutments and how they can help patients achieve optimal outcomes.

Dental Bridge Abutment For Sale

Before we delve into the advantages of customised titanium abutments, let's first understand what abutments are and their role in dental implant treatment. An abutment is a connector that attaches the implant to the crown or bridge. It acts as a support system for the prosthesis and transfers the forces from the crown or bridge to the implant. 

Traditionally, prefabricated abutments have been used in dental implant treatment. These abutments come in standard sizes and shapes and are chosen based on the shape and position of the implant. However, they may not fit perfectly, leading to issues such as micro-gaps, which can cause bacterial accumulation, implant failure, and implant abutment loosening.

Customised titanium abutments, on the other hand, are specifically designed to fit the implant and the patient's unique anatomy perfectly. They are made using CAD/CAM technology, where the abutment is digitally designed based on a scan of the patient's mouth. This ensures a precise fit, eliminating micro-gaps and reducing the risk of complications.

Dental Milling Machines

Another advantage of customised titanium abutments is their strength and durability. Titanium is a biocompatible material that is highly resistant to corrosion and wear. It also has a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it an ideal material for dental implants. Customised titanium abutments are milled from a solid block of titanium, ensuring their strength and durability. They are also less likely to fracture or wear out over time, ensuring long-term success and satisfaction for patients.

Customised titanium abutments also offer aesthetic benefits. Unlike prefabricated abutments, customised titanium abutments can be designed to match the color and shape of the surrounding teeth, ensuring a natural-looking smile. They can also be designed to support a variety of prosthesis types, including zirconia, porcelain, and hybrid materials.

Conclusion

Customised titanium abutments have revolutionised the field of dental implant treatment. They offer superior fit, strength, durability, and aesthetics, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients. Dental professionals looking to maximise patient success should consider incorporating customised titanium abutments into their treatment plans. Dental bridge abutment for sale can be found at reputable dental suppliers, and dental milling machines can help in the fabrication of customised titanium abutments. With these tools at their disposal, dental professionals can provide the highest level of care and satisfaction for their patients.

[natalievoncatte]

Lena didn’t mean to overhear. She was at the bar to grab a drink, and was taking it when she noticed Kara and Alex conspiring intently together. It was a private moment, a sister moment, so she shouldn’t have listened, and yet she did anyway.

“I’m sorry, Alex. I don’t want to ruin your wedding.”

“You’re not, kiddo. This isn’t the wedding, this is just a little night out. I’ll be happy if we get through the ceremony without a bridge collapse or an alien invasion or whatever.”

Everyone was having a good time. Kelly was with James, who’d come in from out of town for the ceremony tomorrow. Nia leaned back to Brainy as she made a giggling attempt to hit the dart board. The other guests were milling about, mingling and chatting and getting tipsy.

Lena felt more than a little maudlin, because Kara was hanging with Alex and that left Lena alone in the crowd.

“I’m so happy for you,” Kara was saying, “I just hope I get it myself some day.”

“You’ll find someone, Kara. You’re a beautiful, amazing person- not Supergirl, you.”

Lena pretended not to notice them, nursing her scotch. (A double, neat)

“That’s just it,” Kara choked out. “There is someone, Alex. There already is. She just won’t ever want me like I want her.”

Lena looked up in absolute shock and at the absolutely, perfectly wrong time. Alex’s eyes met hers, her expression as shocked as Lena’s was.

Rushing away from the bar, Lena headed for the pinball machines, not looking back. She downed the rest of her scotch in a coal-hot rush and it only added to the churning in her belly. She swallowed hard and her throat was instantly dry, and she cursed the afterburn of the liquor.

“You heard her.”

Lena wheeled. Alex was standing behind her, a beer in either hand. She handed one to Lena.

“You know what they say about liquor after beer,” said Lena.

“Lena, we both have advanced degrees and we both know that’s bullshit.”

That was good, because Lena downed half the brew in one long pull.

“Jesus,” said Alex. “I was trying to get you to slow down.”

“Yeah, well,” said Lena. “I’m Irish.”

Alex snorted. “You’re deflecting. You heard what she said.”

“Maybe.”

Alex rolled her eyes. “I’ve been through five fucking years of this and I’ve had enough, Lena.”

“Enough of what?”

“Kara’s wrong about your feelings.”

Lena blinked, took another pull. “How do you know she means me?”

Alex looked at her flatly.

“How do I know it’s you? Because she always rescues you. She’s always defended you. She gave you chance after chance and never gave up even when you were at your worst. Kara would die for you. A fifth dimensional imp offered to grant her wish and she didn’t wish for her planet or her parents or to have our dad back. She wished for you. For a second chance.”

“Fifth dimensional what?”

“She reversed time for you, Lena.”

Lena gaped at her.

“What do you mean? She did what?”

“She made me swear never to tell. There was a time when she was too slow, when she was already in the middle of a disaster when you got shot. She’s the only one who remembers that timeline because she fixed it. She flew at superluminal speed and went backwards in time so she could be in two places at once. Apparently a Kryptonian can do that, but she swears it can only be done the one time.”

Lena’s beer was sloshing in the bottle from the shaking of her hands.

“For God’s sake, Lena. I know you’re in love with her. You two had a bad breakup without even dating first. You spent a billion dollars to hang out with her at work. You filled her office with flowers. You let her in, you let her bring you into our family, and you forgave her for doing something really fucked up and you forgave me for pushing her to do it.”

Alex clapped a hand on her shoulder.

“Lena, sack up and go get your girl. She’s at the bar crying into a Shirley Temple because I cut her off. She’s waiting for you.”

Lena stared at her.

“Alex, I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything. Go. Get. Her.”

Lena looked at her beer, downed the last of it, and gave Alex a curt nod, marching past her.

Kara was sitting at the bar. She was dressed in skinny jeans and a loose N’Sync t-shirt and leather sandals. She was among friends here and had removed her glasses, her hair in a sloppy ponytail. She looked like she’d rather sulk at home than party.

Lena hopped on the stool next to her.

“Hey.”

“Hi, Lee. Having fun?”

“Not really,” said Lena. She waved the bartender away as he approached to offer her another drink. “I’m kind of down honestly.”

“Weddings always depress me,” said Lena. “Watching other people get all the happiness I’ll never have, basking in their joy for a while. It’s like sitting by the fire in someone else’s house, but eventually you have to go home to your own and it’s empty.”

Kara’s eyes glittered with tears. “Yeah. It does feel like that, doesn’t it?”

Lena rested her hand on Kara’s wrist.

“May I have this dance?”

Kara looked up sharply.

“This isn’t really a dancing kind of place.”

Lena snorted. “I’m a billionaire. I can do what I want.”

She slipped off her stool and offered Kara a hand.

Kelly and Alex had reunited. They were talking animatedly, and Alex pointed at Lena. Suddenly she rushed over to the jukebox as Lena took Kara’s hand and led her to an open space.

The music changes to Wonderful Tonight. Eric Clapton.

Lena was going to kill Alex.

“Huh,” said Kara.

It seemed natural that Kara would lead, being taller and more graceful by far, but Lena put a hand on her hip and rested the other on her shoulder, wondering if Kara could feel her pounding pulse through her palms.

It started with them like middle schoolers, half a foot awkwardly apart, movements jerky, but it quickly changed. Lena didn’t know who bridged that gap first but soon they were pressed body to body, Kara tilted forward to rest her forehead against Lena’s.

Lena went from chastely pressing a guiding hand to Kara’s flank to an arm looped lazily around her hips, hand resting gently against her ass. Her other hand moved from Kara’s shoulder to her neck, thumb grazing Kara’s jawline.

Kara, hesitantly, reciprocated, less dancing with Lena and more swaying with her in a meandering hug. They were so close that Lena’s head swam.

“Do you remember when you first got back from the Phantom Zone?”

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget,” said Kara. “When I came back and I saw you standing there, I could barely take it. You looked like an angel.”

Lena nodded gently, nudging closer to Kara until she could feel the presence of the other woman’s lips without touching.

“You looked like you wanted to kiss me.”

Kara’s entire body went briefly rigid, then relaxed.

“You could have,” Lena whispered. “You could have and I’d have kissed you back. I swear I can think of a dozen times when you were about to kiss me and I wanted it right then, I wanted it so bad.”

Kara choked back a small sob. “I remember the first time I thought about it. It was when Morgan Edge was framing you and you were so upset, you were crying. You were so sad and beautiful and soft and I wanted to kiss you right then. I wanted to make you feel better any way I could.”

“That would have been a great time.”

Kara laughed. “That would have been a good time. Maybe the best time.”

“The second best time is now.”

Lena looked up. They were holding each other now and Lena knew there were eyes on them, that their friends were watching.

Kara didn’t seem to notice or care. There was a fresh sparkle in her eyes, wide and nervous, her lips trembling in a half smile. She didn’t seem to know what to make of what Lena said, perhaps questioning if she’d heard right.

Poor Kara, her Kara, would find any excuse to steal the happiness from her own hands, to martyr herself, to seek penance for a crime that she never committed. Lena knew her guilt, felt in sing in her own soul like a kind of magnetic resonance.

Lena Luthor did not believe in silly things like soulmates or fate or destined lovers.

But she believed in Kara Danvers, and Kara Danvers kissed her. Lena barely registered it at first, so gentle was the brushing of Kara’s soft lips against her own. She gave Kara no chance to retreat into embarrassment or confusion, kissing her back so intensely that there could be no mistaking the intent. When she did, it was like seeing the stars for the first time, and a pleasant warmth pooled low in the cradle of her hips.

Kissing Kara felt like coming home.

They were staring at each other. Lena drank the sight of Kara staring at her, shocked expression full of an elation, a pure excited joy that magnified her stunning beauty a thousandfold until Lena thought she might die of pure love for this woman that she held in her arms. She went in for another kiss and this time, neither hesitated.

Alex’s voice cut through it all. “Hey, you two. Get a room.”

She was by the jukebox, grinning ear to ear despite Kelly’s scowl. Before either of them could react, Alex dropped a coin in the jukebox and played… the fucking Macarena.

“I don’t know whether to murder her or send her a gift basket,” Lena snapped.

Kara curled a finger around Lena’s chin and their eyes locked.

“Maybe we should get a room,” Kara whispered.

Lena swallowed hard.

“What are we waiting for?”

Kara took her hand, and stuck out her tongue at her sister as they left the bar.

[wanderersrest]

An Abbreviated History of Mecha Part 3.1: Do You Remember Love? (1980-1985)

Welcome back to An Abbreviated History of Mecha! Last time, we covered a small smattering of shows from the 70's. I tried to cover the big names, with a focus on the Holy Trinity (Mazinger Z, Getter Robo, and Mobile Suit Gundam). While the latter of the three will be showing up throughout this series, the other two will largely fade into the background. Do not mistake this for them no longer being relevant though, as there is a very good reason why they are part of the Trinity. Besides, they'll show up again in some capacity towards the end. This also ignores the fact that both Mazinger Z and Getter Robo would constantly get updates throughout the years, so to say that the other two were somehow lesser than Gundam is foolish.

What we DO see in the 80's though are mecha shows popping up left, right, and center. A lot of this is helped by the fact that the 80's are also a time in Japanese history where the economy was booming. OVAs also become a major thing in this time period, as do a lot of surprisingly influential series. As such, I will be covering 80's (and later the 90's) in multiple parts due to how many series come up in this time period:

Part one (this part) will cover the time period from 1980-1985

Part two will cover 1986-1990

Part three will cover pretty much everything directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino from 1981 to 1993 and will serve as a bridge between the 80's and the 90's

Oh, and let me reiterate something about Mobile Suit Gundam from the last point: Gundam wouldn't become successful until the 80's with the release of the compilation movies.

With that out of the way, let's transform and ROLL OUT!

Space Runaway Ideon (1980)

Coming off the heels of Mobile Suit Gundam, Yoshiyuki Tomino would follow it up with Space Runaway Ideon. Think of it as a classic giant robot series mixed with the style of war stories that would be more in line with Space Battleship Yamato or Mobile Suit Gundam. Do not let the brightly-colored giant robot fool you. Ideon is, to my understanding, one of the darkest entries in the canon of mecha. Ideon is also where the Itano Circus came from, so that's another reason to be aware of this series. More importantly, Space Runaway Ideon specifically would be the inspiration for one Hideaki Anno when he made a certain series that I will talk about in the future. Something about a young man needing to get into a robot something, I don't know.

Diaclone (1980) & Transformers (1985)

Remember when I brought up Microman (the toy, not the wrestler)? This is why.

In 1980, Takara would release the Diaclone line of toys as a spinoff to Microman. This series would be noteworthy due to its inclusion of transforming machines designed by one Shoji Kawamori (more on him soon). One of these machines would be the eighteen-wheeler known as Convoy.

In 1985, Hasbro would license out the Diaclone line among other Takara licenses for the surprisingly ambitious series known today as Transformers. The story would follow the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime (who Diaclone fans would recognize as Convoy), as they fight against Megatron and the Decepticons. Chances are very likely that if you're not thinking of the RX-78-2 Gundam when you hear the word "mecha," chances are likely you're imagining Optimus Prime.

Transformers' success in America and beyond would be so great that, in the 90's, Takara would end the Diaclone line and create a new line of toys, complete with accompanying TV series. That's another story for when we get to the 90's though, so stay tuned for that.

Beast King GoLion (1981) & Voltron (1984)

In 1981, the anime Beast King GoLion would air in Japan. GoLion itself would be pretty run-of-the-mill as far as mecha shows in the early 80's would be concerned. However, GoLion is worth mentioning as it would be one of the first anime properties that US showrunners would splice with other shows like it in order to make something for syndication.

In 1984, World Event Productions would splice Beast King GoLion with another mecha series, Armored Fleet Dairugger XV (1982), to create Voltron. And when it comes to combining robots, chances are very likely that one would think of Lion Voltron (or GoLion for those more familiar with the original) over something like Getter Robo or Voltes V. Voltron is an icon of the 80's, so much so that Voltron (specifically the lion version) would get multiple adaptations over the years, including but not limited to Voltron Force in the 2000's and Voltron: Legendary Defender in the 2010's, the latter of which I am told is a big part of Tumblr history. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if people considered GoLion/Voltron to be more of a US creation than a Japanese one.

Fang of the Sun Dougram (1981)

Starting in 1981, Ryousuke Takahashi and company would create Fang of the Sun Dougram. Building off the themes of Mobile Suit Gundam, Takahashi would begin to push the envelope in terms of what one could present with a military mecha series. Whereas Gundam's relative realism comes from how the One Year War affects the soldiers, Dougram would go further and show us just how the parties involved plan out their attacks and political machinations.

If you want to learn more about Dougram, I'd highly recommend Pyramid Inu's video on Dougram, as they're a big Takahashi nut.

Also, Dougram is of vital importance to a certain tabletop RPG coming up.

Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982) & Robotech (1984)

In 1982, Shoji Kawamori and the people at Studio Nue would release Super Dimension Fortress Macross, a series that would explode in terms of popularity. Like Gundam and Dougram before it, Macross would give us a war story featuring giant robots. But unlike Gundam and how war has its tolls on soldiers, or Dougram with its focus on political machinations and realistic strategy, Macross would focus more on how love and culture can overcome conflict. Macross is notable not just for popularizing transforming robots, it would also bring idol singers into vogue.

In 1984, Carl Macek would be tasked by Harmony Gold to make Macross eligible for syndication. Doing the best he could, Macek would fuse Macross with two other series, Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross and Genesis Climber Mospeada, to create the controversial Robotech.

Why is Robotech controversial? To put it very shortly: Robotech would be the reason why the original Macross has never been brought over to the west, for reasons that we will see later. It's a shame too, since Macross is one of the biggest mecha franchises after Gundam. But, it should also be worth noting that Robotech, while controversial, is still important due to it being a major introduction point into mecha stories and anime as a whole for a whole generation of people.

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu/Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1982)

In 1982, Yoshiki Tanaka's Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu, or Legend of the Galactic Heroes for us westerners, would be published. Over the course of ten volumes, the series would follow the exploits of the so-called Galactic Heroes, Reinhardt von Lohengramm and Yang Wen-Li, as the factions the two belonged to fought for control of the galaxy, with all of the politics and strategizing that ensues. Galactic Heroes is such a large and sprawling story that, when it came time to adapt it into an animated original video animation (OVA) series in 1988, it ended up becoming the longest-running OVA series of all time, clocking in at about a whopping 108 episodes in total. The series would also get another animated adaptation in 2018, Die Neue Theiss.

Armored Trooper VOTOMs (1983)

Following up on the success of Dougram, Ryousuke Takahashi would release the extremely iconic Armored Trooper VOTOMs in 1983. While Dougram was already a pretty grounded military robot in its own right, VOTOMs would take that concept to its logical conclusion. Here, VOTOMs were 4-meter tall machines that acted more like humanoid jeeps, and not only were they expendable, they were easily replaced. When mecha heads talk about realistic mecha series, VOTOMs is oftentimes brought up as the gold standard for this.

Panzer World Galient (1984)

Galient gif courtesy of Sakugabooru

Following up from VOTOMs, Takahashi would then follow that up with Panzer World Galient, a series that would trade out the military robots in favor for fantasy-flavored mecha. What's interesting to note here is that this would come out a year after a series called Aura Battler Dunbine, and I'd argue that both series would be the bases for later fantasy-inspired mecha series such as Magic Knight Rayearth and Break Blade.

Battletech (1984)

1984 would also see FASA Corporation release the first edition of its BattleTech ruleset. Rumored to have taken inspiration from series like Fang of the Sun Dougram, Macross, and Crusher Joe, BattleTech would become the poster child of the western giant robot aesthetic, that of the walking tank.

Also due to a messy copyright situation, BattleTech would also get tied up with Harmony Gold due to stolen designs. This legal back and forth would eventually be the reason why Macross would be unavailable outside of Robotech to this very day, though at one point the legal nonsense got so out of hand that, if I remember correctly, they tried to also bar FASA and their successors from using mechanical designs from Dougram and Crusher Joe (even though they did not have the rights to either series).

Blue Comet SPT Layzner (1985)

Blue Comet SPT Layzner is a 1985 series created by Ryousuke Takahashi. The series, from my superficial glancing of the series, would be the first major Gundam-like series to come out. It should be noted that, prior to this, the only major Gundam series to exist prior to 1985 was the original Gundam. Unfortunately for Layzner, 1985 would be the year that Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam would air, which is generally considered to be the most popular Gundam series in the franchise.

Conclusion

As we get further into the 80's, we will begin to see more and more stories show up that would be a part of the mecha canon. The latter half of the 80's is where we see the rise of the OVA which, as I mentioned briefly with Legend of the Galactic Heroes, will be where we see a lot of OVA series pop up. We'll also see couple more western productions, along with an appearance by a certain Blue Bomber.

This is a work of fiction, but in ten years? Who knows?

[one-of-many-journeys]

Day 14 (1/2)

Lone Light

Up with the sun, of course. Most of the others in the inn did the same, being travelling hunters, even a couple of Banuk I saw stumbling around in puddles of their own spilled drink last night. Impressive. I spotted smoke and the red skull flags of a bandit camp next to a rock arch on the road. Nil was there. Is he following me, or just returning home to his homeland?

As usual, we took them out silently at first, targeting their snipers and the alarm, then the gunner, using his heavy weapon to pick off the rest in a hail of metal.

Nil is...concerning. He participated in the Red Raids, which I guess I knew, him being an ex-soldier for the Carja, but since then I've learnt more about the terror of those times for the Nora and other tribes. I can't figure him out. He volunteered a confession for his brutality during the war and served a sentence in prison. Makes more sense to lock dangerous people up than just send them away, make them someone else's problem, but I can see what Teersa meant when she called Nora practices humane.

I'm not sure if Nil was always the way he is now, but the way he tells it, it was in prison at Sunstone Rock that he honed his outlook on the world. He doesn't care who he kills, as long as he gets to do it. It's a thrill for him, it seems. Strangely he seems perfectly content to let me take the lead in the camps. Is he testing me? Looking for a spark in my eyes that he feels in his own? He wants me to enjoy it too. Maybe...maybe I do. A well executed hunt is always fulfilling, and the lives of the people in these lands would be better off without this red smoke stain with its warring and plundering. Maggots, Nil called them.

I wouldn't feel this way killing innocents, of course. I've only ever killed killers, people who kill for sport or personal gain. There's justice in that. I know there is.

Meridian from over the rise, and a huge machine stalking the area to the right—a Thunderjaw. I've heard of them, Erend mentioned them. One of the new, deadly machines brought forth by the Derangement. Rested a while in some nearby ruins.

Things got greener the further I rode down toward the river. I stopped my mount at a crossroads, the way to the city being crowded and narrow, stocking up on herbs by the riverbank.

The view from the mountain path.

There was an encampment at the top of the mesa loaded with traders milling around with their wares, carts of food, fabrics, machine parts and wandering animals. The way to the city was blocked by guards, searching all stock that passed through. I heard mutterings that even Carja were being searched, something about keeping all outlanders away. Hard to tell what was law and what was only hearsay. I'm not going to let these Carja stop me from getting to Olin.

There was a huge, golden complex of towers atop an edifice separate from the city proper. Must be the Sun King's residence. With the way Irid and the other Carja talk about him, I guess I can't be surprised—they worship him, but how can one man be deserving of all that wealth? The people out here have sweat on their brows and mud on their soles.

I rested in the camp, hoping to wait out the commotion at the bridge entrance.

No such luck. I figured I'd have a better chance slipping through in Carja clothes (scrounged up the shards to buy their silks), but my Nora Seeker mark and weaponry will probably give me away. The bridge was a marvel of construction: huge chain pulleys hoisting moving platforms up and down.

The disguise was no use anyway, there was a line of guards waiting at the city gates who stopped me immediately. They told me that Ersa had been murdered by Shadow Carja. Gera told me a little about them so I wasn't completely clueless. The Carja are in the midst of a civil war, and Erend has been promoted to captain of the vanguard in his sister's place. It's a shame. I would have liked to meet her.

When I asked the guards to summon Erend, they might have turned me away there and then if Erend hadn't happened by himself, stone drunk. He agreed to let me search Olin's cabin, since he's out of the city on a delve. Did he hear about me? I guess he has no reason to believe I'm alive anyway.

Erend led me through the city, the entrance crowded with Carja and Oseram, heavily armoured. It was loud, stunk of spices and manure, crammed with the cries of sellers, but it was beautiful. So tall, felt like I was going to strain my neck taking in the turrets and domes and overhead walkways, blue flags and hanging ivy swept up in the breeze.

Erend wasn't too happy with the mob gathering in the city, demanding vengeance for Ersa's death. He cussed out the herald and they dispersed. I've heard people whispering of the new Sun King's supposed weakness when it comes to retribution before now, and it seems the sentiment is stronger here in the city.

Searching Olin's apartment. It was huge, decorated with mosaics and embroidered drapings, lounges and beds and shelves full of trinkets. His treachery has made him wealthy. Breaking through a vault door to his hidden basement, I found a map and journal proving Olin was a traitor and that the killers were targeting me. I also found a message, the killers holding his wife and child hostage, urging him to obey. So he was coerced...it doesn't change anything.

I guess what befell the Nora was my fault, in a way. Olin just happened to be there, and he saw me. If I never went up and spoke to him...Where would I be? Would my boon for winning the Proving have been granted? I would never have seen that image of the short-haired woman, that's for sure, and would be forbidden from leaving the Sacred Lands to search for an antidote to the corruption barring me from the door in the mountain. None of this was worth the lives lost, of course, but maybe this was the only way I was ever going to find the answers I've been seeking all my life.

I found Olin's location among the evidence, but before I could leave Erend begged me to use the Focus to search the field where Ersa and her soldiers fell to the Shadow Carja. Maybe I shouldn't have told him about the Focus. Then again, he granted me access to the city and to Olin's house. I should return the favour.

Meridian by night. Fire dancers, then I was attracted to a beautiful, mournful chorus and came upon an open rooftop, a pyre in the centre surrounded by singing sun priests. I wonder if Irid is here somewhere. There were many worshippers, and the altars around the circumference of the space each held artefacts and sigils of a different tribe. Shrines to commemorate those lost in the Red Raids.

There were many at the Oseram shrine, many more at the Carja, a few Banuk. None prayed for the Nora. I sat there, not sure if you could call it praying. The weapons and armour of the dead were on display. I turned and saw one of the sun priests watching me from the edge of the chamber.

His name was Naman, and he was seeking help in clearing sites of worship for a Banuk and an Utaru (the first I've seen) who had come to mourn their own. I agreed to help. At first I didn't really understand the spectacle of it all. Such showy rituals do nothing for the dead. Naman said they're for the living, that they help us to represent the feeling of grief, give it form. Does that separate it from us, in a way? I remember the flowers and artefacts at Rost's grave, his feather cape slung over the headstone as if it was his own body, unyielding, carved with runes of life and memory. It's still in me though, the grief. Those were Nora rituals. What are mine?

I think I'm too practical for ritual anyway; too bitter for prayers.

The spire. In the night, it's even clearer that it's machine made, the way it glimmers along trace faultlines.

Tired, but there's so much to see in this city. I'll stop by the Hunter's Lodge next. As much as I'd like to stay here on the empty outlook under the stars, I think the priests will kick me out soon enough.

[queeniecook]

The Grant Legacy - Generation 2 - The Second Act - Part 1

It has been four months since Este was born. It is now October and there have been some happenings in the lives of Vera, her family, friends and enemies.

The Grant-Vatore Household- Hendford-on-Bagley

Este is now four months old. Caleb has quit his job at the graveyard to be a full-time stay at home Dad. He doesn't want to miss a precious second of his little girl growing up. Vera has started back, part-time, at the Vet Clinic with Zoe Frenz handling a lot of the day to day operations. It's been a bit rough for Vera to be away from her daughter but Caleb makes sure to take Este to visit Mommy on a regular basis when Vera is at the clinic.

Josie did indeed get to meet Este. This is Josie hanging out with Este shortly before Josie crossed the rainbow bridge in her sleep at the very end of September. The whole family misses her terribly, especially Vera. She and Josie had been together for many years.

Lucky also misses her furry pal and has been feeling a bit down with no one to play with. She's grown close to Este, rarely leaving the infants side when she is home. Vera is having a hard time with the idea of finding another cat to take into their family. Caleb has suggested maybe a puppy for Lucky to play with instead. Vera is torn because she's always had a feline around since the moment she entered the world.

Otherwise, things are going well for Vera and her family. They haven't heard a peep out of James since before Este was born, which they find odd but maybe he's gotten bored and moved on?

The Grant Household - Sulani

AJ has grown into a child and it's turning out to be quite the responsible young man. Mew Mew is still his constant companion when AJ is at home, despite turning into an elder kitty. Apollo enjoys helping his son with his homework when he's not at his job as a Cog in the Machine in the Engineer career.

Naya does her best to try to help AJ with his school work as well, but she's become very busy with her career. She's made it to Ensemble Author in the Style Influencer Career. Being a bit older than Apollo, Naya feels like she only has so much time left to make her mark in the fashion industry before she's considered "washed up". It's led to a few issues between the high school sweethearts as Apollo feels Naya's career is taking up time she should be spending with her family. Naya feels Apollo don't understand her viewpoint because he's fine if he never advances in his career. He's just happy being able use his love of science at work and help provide for his family.

The Zhu/Volkov Household - Moonwood Mill

Once AJ became older, Lily decided that although she loves AJ it was time for her to return to Moonwood Mill and to her pack. She still visits AJ when she gets the chance to. She also keeps in touch with Caleb and his family, along with Lilith. They have all made progress in their relationships with one another though they may never be as close as they once all were.

Another development in Lily's life is love. She never thought it would happen at her age but Kristopher declared his love for her once she returned. She has always had feelings for him since she met him all those years ago and he helped her find who she's really meant to be. Kristopher's adopted son Jacob is thrilled that his Dad has finally found someone, especially since it's Lily, who has always been a mother figure to him. Rory, Kristopher's adopted daughter, acts like she could care less.

The Vatore Household - Forgotten Hollow

Despite Lilith's infidelity with Vladislaus Straud, Jackson has chosen to forgive his maker when he saw that she had nothing to do with the Count once Lilith came clean to him. She even went as far as to have Dakota Laws place a spell on the Vatore estate grounds so Count Straud can't step foot on the property, let alone slither into Lilith's bed. The vampire duo have reunited and are trying to make things work between them. Jackson has even started working again as a writer's assistant. He's made great strides in controlling his blood lust thanks to Lilith and his friendship with Lurch.

Lilith is glad that Jackson has forgiven her and thrilled to have not only a new niece in her life but contact with a cousin she thought was lost to her forever, Lily. Yet still there's a ache in her non beating heart that thinks of a certain pipe organ playing vampire that lives across town.

Nacho is living in the lap of luxury for him, considering he came from the streets. Lilith spoils him rotten, buying him whatever his furry little heart desires whether it's tuna fish or crab. Jackson has also started warming up more to him and Nacho enjoys the scratches the male vampire gives him when Jackson returns home from a day of work.

The Lewis Household - Brindleton Bay

August and Aubree got quite the surprise when Aubree when into labor in September.

Twins! Little Edgar Allan and Emily, named after two of Aubree's favorite poets. The couple was obviously shocked. Little Emily had hidden behind her brother everytime Aubree went to have an ultrasound done. To say the couple wasn't prepared would be a accurate statement. Caleb helped them out by rushing to buy an extra set of everything in the nursery.

August has cut down some of his hours of work as a Mailroom Technician at Landgraab Industries, while Aubree is about to return from maternity leave to her Editor in Chief job. Given they have not only the twins but their dog Thor and their cat Bette Davis to feed, they can't afford not to work. They are considering hiring a Nanny to help take care of the twins.

The Laws/Ambrose/Gates Household - Brindleton Bay

Jillian is five months along with her and Dakota's first child. Jillian still has her job at the local bookstore while Dakota has just been promoted to a Private Fourt Class in the Army. In an attempt to save some money, they approached Joey with the idea of moving into a smaller home. He agreed and so they moved across town. Joey still has his own room, which Annabel Lee has also claimed as hers while Jillian and Dakota now share a room. The third bedroom in the house has been turned into a nursery. While Jillian was scared at first to be pregnant so early in her relationship with Dakota, now she's excited. Dakota is as well, he never misses a Doctor's appointment and hopes he can make it to all of them as work allows. Their relationship is doing well and they feel it's growing stronger each day.

Dakota hasn't give up his quest to find out where in the world Thaddeus Laws is, especially now that he's going to be a father, but the trail has run cold. Dakota knows his so called Father is alive but Thaddeus certainly doesn't want to be found it seems.

Joey is now an Medical Assistant and is happy that he gets to work with Doctor Annalise Blake. Despite her being a vampire, she has a lot of medical knowledge and is a pleasant being to be around. He's grown very close to the families' cat, Annabel Lee. He swears she understands everything he's saying to her. He's always heard most cats do whatever they want but if he tells her to go eat her food or don't jump on the stove, it's hot. The cat actually listens to him.

Sadly Joey hasn't had much luck in his love life. He's gone on a few random dates here and there but none of it has turned into anything more. He's starting to wonder if he just isn't meant to be with someone.

[binniesoob]

My very professional review of Things I Can't Say I LOve by OnlyOneOf

bare with me, i had a long day working and studying and all my two braincells left can do is singing "addict to you- addict-" and thinking about that very specific frame of yoojung from the dOpamine mv (more on this later).

not a single bad song in this album i fear.

things i can't say i lOve (instrumental)

went straight into my sci-fi dystopian cyberpunk playlist. the sound is sooo cool to me!! it's giving ateez ngl (affectionate). love the fact that it's not too rough on the ears and has that airy (?) ending. i've replayed it an embarrassing amount of times already... watch it being one of my most played songs this month 💀

dOpamine

since the preview i suspected i was going to enjoy this title track a lot and more than seOul drift, and i was right! i really like the contrast between the industrial sounds and percussions of the verses reminiscing of chrOme hearts and the guitar in the pre-chorus and bridge (that made me levitate btw). the build-up is nice 😌👌 it's on the ooo chillier side aka perfect for me yay

give me the lOve, bitxx

the sound is giving alternative rnb (too tired to know for sure), so i was sold already 😋 she's the brighter sister of "mirage", the toxic one of "suit dance", and the chiller one of "gaslighting". she sits at the same table of "time machine", "desert" and "heartbreak terminal", and i love this for me because i love all these songs 😎

i might be completely wrong about all the associations above though ... my mind is playing a mashup remix of all of them at this point lol

O

nothing better than a slow sexy rnb-ish sound with percussions to make me happy 🤌 the sound production is so cool again, idk how to articulate words more than this rn, but all the various sounds work perfectly together and with ooo's voices 😌👌 talking of voices... kb's deep register esp in the beginning!! more of this in the future please and thank u 🙌 mill mini-rap followed by junji higher note!! can't seem to hear enough of yoojung tho 🧐👂 and that's a crime also because this is my fav track of the album 😠 i'm gonna look for a color-coded lyrics vid to check 🤨

gravity

this song is sooooo gooooddd ahhhhhhhh really my vibe once again 🤭 the chorus is so cute <3 and nine and junji in the bridge 😮💨 i am levitating 🕴 tbh i see it as a perfect chiller title track too, if ooo had made a bright, cute concept, the genre of vibes that love 119 by riize and inbloom by zerobaseone are for example, but chiller 🤔 also, I CAN HEAR MY MAN YOOJUNG CLEARLY HERE THANK U

time for my current ranking:

O

gravity

dOpamine

give me the lOve, bitxx

in conclusion, i really missed my boys ☹ more than i thought i did tbh! i'm so happy we finally have new music from them 🫶🏻 there's no better way to start the new year~

this is all for now because i am too tired to write anything more 😴

let me know your thoughts!! 🫶🏻

[liaromancewriter]

Something To Talk About

Premise: Cassie is all about keeping up with Edenbrook’s rumor mill, much to Ethan’s dismay.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine) Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff. Words: 545

A/N: Submission for @choicesmonthlychallenge March prompt "Do-nothing day". I'm using @choicesflashfics week 22, prompt 1 (in bold). This fic was an anon request for story starter prompts (no.8) from @creativepromptsforwriting. Tagging for reblog to @creativepromptfills

“Have you heard about the rumors that are going around?”

Ethan Ramsey glanced up from programming the coffee machine and half-turned to face his wife. Cassie placed her elbows on the kitchen island and leaned in, anticipation written across her face.

He was not one for gossip. Cassie knew that. Naveen knew that. Hell, even his father knew his stance. And yet, the three most important people in his life always seemed to want to drag him into their ‘tea’.

“Don’t ask, don’t ask,” he mumbled under his breath, turning back to the machine.

They were enjoying a late start to their Sunday morning. While Cassie had jumped into the shower after her run, he’d gone to the kitchen to make French Toast—her favorite—with maple syrup and berries.

Knowing her eating habits, he already had whipped cream waiting next to her place setting. He resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose when she lifted the container, pointed the nozzle and sprayed some in her mouth.

“Anyway,” she continued, unfazed at his lack of interest. “Marlene heard on the nurses’ WhatsApp group that two second-year residents were caught going at it on the OR One observation room floor.”

Ethan poured their coffee and carried it over, unable to help the smile curving his lips at the utter glee on her face when she narrated the rest.

“The new surgical intern class and their preceptor certainly got an eyeful,” Cassie said, pausing briefly to sip her coffee.

“Apparently, the residents didn’t hear the door open, but everyone in the hallway outside certainly heard them. I’m told their grunting and groaning was worthy of an Oscar or two.”

She laughed then, a deep bellyful, and doubled over, clutching her stomach. She hiccupped, and tears leaked from the corner of her eyes.

Ethan shook his head and chuckled more at her reaction than the incident. He took his seat beside her on the kitchen island and spooned berries into their plates.

And then he frowned. “Wait a minute. Don’t they know how dirty those floors are, not to mention the germs? That’s got to be the craziest, most idiotic thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Like we’ve never fucked in Edenbrook,” she countered, mirth swimming in her green eyes. “Remember the supply closet outside the pediatric wing last October?”

She grinned lasciviously and winked.

This time Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered, “Christ.”

“What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?” she asked, one brow raised in curiosity.

“Love you,” he quipped, a grin flashing.

“Ha Ha,” she pouted and rolled her eyes.

She forked up a piece of French Toast and hummed in pleasure. He grinned at the thought that the sound wasn’t that different from the one she made in bed. Definitely Oscar-worthy.

“What?” she asked, catching the look in his eyes.

He shook his head and turned back to his breakfast.

“I haven’t even told you about the latest tea from the EMTs.” Cassie picked up the coffee and held the mug between her palms, smiling at him over the rim.

Ethan hated gossip, but he loved indulging Cassie. So, he settled in to enjoy his breakfast and listen to his wife catch him up on a lazy Sunday morning.

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

All Fics & Edits: @annfg8 @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @doriopenheart @genevievemd @headoverheelsforramsey @lucy-268 @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @takemyopenheart @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Ethan & Cassie only: @cariantha @custaroonie @hopelessromantic1352 @mrs-ramsey

[armed-with-a-waffle-iron]

Stephanie Brown's Playlist💜 (Circa 2011)

50 songs that I think our punk rock Batgirl listened to during Bryan Q. Miller's run (also none are sung by men🖕):

Anything but Ordinary by Avril Lavigne

For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic by Paramore

Miss Nothing by The Pretty Reckless

I Don't Love You by My Chemical Romance

All the Things She Said by t.A.T.u.

She's So Gone by Lemonade Mouth

Breath (2AM) by Anna Nalick

Torn by Ednaswap

Fade Into You by Mazzy Star

Everyone's Fool by Evanescence

I Am the Only One by We Are the Fallen

Breathe by Michelle Branch

Pieces of Me by Ashlee Simpson

Better Than Revenge by Taylor Swift

How Do You Love Me Now by Hey Monday

Bridges by Courage My Love

Take Me Away by Avril Lavigne

All Around Me by Flyleaf

Wasting Away by Tonight Alive

Make a Move by Icon For Hire

Love Bites (So Do I) by Halestorm

Rumor Mill by We Are the In Crowd

Roots Before Branches by Room for Two

Coming Down by Dum Dum Girls

Bury Me Alive by We Are the Fallen

Rock N Roll by Avril Lavigne

Never Let Me Go by Florence and the Machine

I'm Not Okay (I Promise) by My Chemical Romance

Try by P!nk

Celebrity Skin by Hole

Bang Bang Bang Bang by Sohodolls

Hurricane by Bridget Mendler

Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal) by Fergie

Closer to Fine by Indigo Girls

Dreams by The Cranberries

Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill

Just a Girl by No Doubt

Alone by Heart

Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper

Seventeen by Marina and the Diamonds

My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson

Careful by Paramore

You Don't Know Me by Elizabeth Gillies

Freak Like Me by Halestorm

Bad Reputation by Joan Jett

Real Gone by Sheryl Crow

Kiss Me by Six Pence No Richer

The Chain by Ingrid Michaelson

My Happy Ending by Avril Lavigne

Didn't add nearly enough Avril "I never said I was punk" Lavigne.

Steph coded albums?

Stephanie Brown was most definitely a pop-punk girlie at heart. I feel like she'd SO identify with how Avril Lavigne described herself: "I think that I'm just a rock chick. I like to rock out. I like to throw shit around. I like to go nuts. I like to lose myself on stage. I like to scream, I like to holler, I like to yell. And...I like to get my anger out."

Evidence:

Post-Crisis ended in 2011 and Steph was 19-20, so she was born in 1991 and must have listened to a lot of 2000s and late 90s stuff.

She loves wearing flannels, boyish jackets, beanies, and tucked in shirts.

She gives hella bisexual vibes.

In high school, she partied in old factories, subway tunnels and rooftops with "her crowd" (her words). Her friend Bailey seemed to be into punk rock.

But she doesn't have much of a campus life at university which has more fratty, middle class people; less were "her crowd" (she was struggling with uni expenses).

Women-led pop-punk and rock seems to explore a lot of themes that would mean something to Steph.

She was a working class latchkey kid and times were tough on her growing up.

She grew up fast; she had to care for her mother and she had a child at 16 whom she gave up for adoption.

A LOT of men around her have made her life a living hell. Her dad sucks. Her exes suck.

Don't forget, she's a talented pianist too.

And the important piece of evidence, she was into sk8er boi Tim Drake.

[benihana-circumcision]

large machine cell, the one with the bridge mills and the 25 foot tall horizontal 4axis, is currently thick with a coolant humidity that smells potently of non-estrogenated monster-addict cum. it's in my fucking sinuses dude

[msn-04iinightingale]

Archange

Helios Classified Location

The two girls sat beneath the canopy of a tent. One, the older, is 15, the other, the younger, only 10. The younger clutches a stuffed bear to her chest. The hot desert wind blows around the salt flat, mixing the smell of salt with sacred incense. A scattering of Word personnel mill about checking instruments, mostly scientists, but some military. 

In the plain beyond the small clutch of tents, a mock city has been built. And in the mock city, are the Gestalts. Six of them, controlled by a command vehicle parked alongside the tents, ready and waiting.

“Begin test now.” says a tall, serious looking man in a labcoat. He adjusts his glasses briefly, sparing the two girls only the briefest of glances. The girls for their part are focused on the city.

—

The black and orange Waneta dropped from the sky like a missile. The Gestalts turned their weapons to the sky. Too slow. The Medium LAM transformed, barely slowing down as it did, firing its jets just enough to avoid destruction. It slammed into one of the Gestalts from above, crushing it. The Waneta fired its LRMs into the flank of the closest Gestalt, following it with spearing the “cockpit” with the ER Large Laser shot. It dodges the incoming fire from the other Gestalts, ducking in and out of cover and firing lasers with pinpoint accuracy. It downs two more Gestalts before one clips the handheld ER Large Laser. The Waneta discards the damaged weapon, firing LRMs and the Small ER Laser into the attacker. The fight finishes with the Waneta putting its clawed hand through the processor of the last Gestalt. 

The battle took 3 minutes. The Waneta sustained no damage.

—

“Test concluded.” The man in the labcoat says, adjusting his glasses. He looks to one of the scientists beside him, working furiously at a computer console.

“The data collection went off without a hitch.” The scientist announces. “At this rate we’ll be ready in a week, tops.”

The man with glasses grunts in response, watching the black and orange Waneta begin to walk back toward a waiting prefab machbay hanger. 

“Indeed…if we were just satisfied with mock battle combat data, that is.” The man rubs the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

“We will need real proper combat data for this to work.” He says, turning to the scientist. “Besides…do you think Archange will be satisfied fighting glorified practice dummies?” The man nods in the direction of the approaching LAM.

The scientist watches the LAM for a moment, before shaking their head.

As it approaches, the two girls spring to their feet, relief clear across their faces, the two hurrying to meet the mech at the mechbay. 

The man with the glasses shakes his head slightly, bemused.

“I’ll make sure they stay out of trouble.” He says, following. “I want to see how Mihaly is doing anyways.”

“Of course Doctor Schroeder. Blake be praised.” Replies the scientist, resuming their diligent work.

“Yes, indeed, Blake be praised…” Schroeder replies, saying the phrase by rote rather than conviction. Not that it showed. Schroeder was never one to emote, for any reason. It got in the way of his work.

—

The hanger was a bustle of activity, with mechtechs checking the LAM for damage, and prepping a replacement ER Large Laser module. Schroeder watches as the hatch of the mech opens with a hiss, and the pilot emerges, removing his neurohelmet with shaking hands and handing it to a waiting technician. 

Mihaly Dumitru Margareta Corneliu Leopold Blanca Karol Aeon Ignatius Raphael Maria Niketas A. Shilage, callsign Archange, was an old man. Schroeder wasn’t sure if his age or the countless battles he had taken part of weighed more heavily on his body. Either way, they had both taken their toll on him, as two medical staff helped him down out of his machine, and onto solid ground. The two girls, his grandchildren, helped him to a waiting seat alongside the hanger wall. Schroeder watched as he gave an affectionate pat on the head to Alma, the younger, and Ionela, the older, once he was seated.

“...I never get used to it.” One of the techs mutters nearby. “The way he can push a mech like that and walk away.”

Schroeder nods slightly, taking an offered medical readout from one of the medtechs. It was what he expected. The forces being applied to Mihaly’s body each time he used a mech were…well…it was a wonder he was still alive. They would need to work on that. Fortunately, the piloting suit they were designing for that purpose was almost ready. The next round of tests would see if it worked.

Passing the readout back to the medtech, he returned his attention to Mihaly and his grandchildren. They were seated around him, happily chatting with him, while the old man sat and relaxed his damaged body. 

Not for the first time, Schroeder wondered what his stake in this was. He supposed it didn’t matter too much, as he watched the grandfather listen to his grandchildren, and stare at the LAM being worked on by the techs. 

Schroeder brought up his personal datapad and keyed in a message to HQ.

/PROGRAM EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS, REQUESTING PERMISSION TO BEGIN LIVE COMBAT DATA GATHERING PHASE.

He sent the message, and waited several seconds.

/PERMISSION GRANTED. BEGIN PREPPING FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL TO MOVE CLOSER TO THE FRONT LINES. BLAKE BE PRAISED.

Schroeder nodded to himself.

Blake be praised indeed…

[2kkiupdates]

New Worlds: Overview (0.120d)

No information anywhere, no routes, no maps. All I had was determination and a need to know what was new. That being said, with the new 0.120d update came a host of new worlds to explore! 

As always,  all names in brackets are placeholder names I’ve come up with in order to more easily differentiate these worlds!

(Blob Tower)

Accessed through the twisted streetlights near the Monochrome Street Entrance.

A very simplistic world! First thing you see when you enter is a locked door. To get through it, you must get to the bottom of this tower.

Going down the floors, you might notice sheets of paper lying around. These seem to be drawings of strange creatures.

After seeing the last one in the bottom floor and exiting the room, you will notice soemone killed the NPC that was previously standing there.

If you follow the bloodstains, you’ll have to survive a chase through all the floors with new obstacles and a static-blob chaser.  (I don’t have any pictures because i was kinda busy running for my life...). Once you reach the last door, you will be treated to a little cutscene showing that you now have a green key.

The door that the key opens has... nothing! It’s a bit underwhelming, but perhaps we’ll see new connections added in future updates!

(Pastel Shoal)

Accessed through the door to the left in the second-floor of the Spaceship.

A very cute and calming world! The blue and pink hues are very soft and sweet. Some NPCs are seen milling around, more notably three humans: Surf Bro, Green-haired Girl and Brown-haired Girl.

There are also three cones leading to the water that imply this might be a future connection. Near the upper side of the world is another connection, this time fully functional: it’s a golden fence with a gap in the middle. This leads to (Pastel Heaven).

(Pastel Heaven)

Accessed through the gate in (Pastel Shoal). Also thorugh Fantasy Island (Method unknown).

A small, looping world with pretty pink clouds and carpets. Some angelic NPCs similar to those in Fantasy Island are milling around, together with a poodle and a squirrel (both winged). Cute!

(Waterlogged Bridges)

Accessed through the upper left corner of Tesla Garden (Industrial Waterfront).

Short world that begins with a wooden bridge. Crossing it, you will first see a blue NPC behind a dumpster.

Bringing out the Chainsaw, however, seems to convince her to leave, showing she was hiding behind that dumpster because of her injuries and deformities.

Going forward, a small traditional house and a child appear.

If you equip the Grave effect, the child seems to have a bit of a neck problem.

If you enter the house, six futons lie on the floor, five of which are occupied. You can sleep in the empty one! you can also chainsaw the other five and sleep to see their spirits glaring at you in your sleep.

Going further right from here will bring you to a small dock and a boat.

Following the path, which is littered with white ghostly figures coming out of the water, you’ll reach a broken grate.

(Hydroelectric Power Plant)

Accessed through the broken grate in (Waterlogged Bridges).

Once you enter this area, you’ll have to keep going in the boat for a while in a sewer-like section until you reack a dock and a doorway. This will take you to a section with flickering lights.

Not much is interesting in this part, since it ends up being a mostly straight path, except perhaps the vending machine.

Eventually you’ll reach a lit doorway.

Going through here will take you to the Power Plant per se.

Going up the ladder and through the door, you’ll end up in a small workshop zone with very cozy lighting!

If you go down, however, yo’ull see a fenced-off exit and an enormous turbine (which you can interact with to see fully).

(The Mall)

Accessed through the right exit in Flo’s Shop in Graffiti City.

A sprawling mall with a variety of shops and food stalls! Apart from the shops where you can’t interact with anything, there are a few points of interest. First of all, there’s an octopus hairdresser!!

There’s also a sales clerk that will chaneg appearances depending on which effect you have equipped! They do so with almost all effects with varying results, so here are a few examples:

There is an arcade (or gambling area, however you want to see it) where a girl occupies one of the machines. Two cones block off an exit, marking a possible future connection.

This place is great for getting difficult-to-get food items like pizza (previously only available in Virtual City) or Takoyaki!! Make sure to check out all the food vendors!

Neon Suburbs

Accessible through a rainbow warp in Monochrome School.

A vast, looping area filled with flashing neon colors and creatures! You can walk on the “tree leaves”. Only two things of note in this area: first of all, there’s a warp blocked off by a cone, so maybe we’ll see more of this area in the future.

And lastly, there’s a warp identical to the entrance somewhere else in the map.

Going through this door will take you to a rave party, with many creatures dancing to their hearts’ content! You can drink the punch, and if you interact with the giant npc sitting in the sofa it’ll switch the music! 

As a side note, try using the Marginal effect in here. It’s... curious!

Marble Ruins

Accessible through the backstage in the theatre in Snowy Village.

An extremely pretty world to me personally, this pristine and elegant place is vast and a bit maze-like. By roaming around, you can find a fossil, a mural and a gold-and-blue clock you can admire.

There are other things scattered around, like a tiny garden, but if you explore enough eventually you’ll come across a small exit. Going through it will lead you to a path over the water where shadow fish swim in the foreground, and afrter that you’ll find a statue of a praying figure with four arms.

Going further from here, there’s a strange device in the winding path after this section.

Once you reach the end, there is a staircase adorned with stained galss windows. As you go up, however, these windows become more and more deteriorated...

At the top is a doorway that takes you to a beutiful starry night sky and some cones that mark a future connection.

The music is also extremely pretty and calm! The perfect ending to this journey through the 0.120d worlds. They were many and very extensive, but overall I really liked them!! My personal favorite was Marble Palace, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them!

[erijonarexhepis-blog]

PROFESSIONAL COURTESY

SEASON ONE, EPISODE THREE

Full series

MELISSA GOT HERSELF some coffee because it was the only way she could get through the last two hours of her shift. It was getting late. Hermann and Mouch were watching The Fresh Prince until the tv stopped working.

Peter walked in and looked at the clock. "Two hours left in the shift and no calls yet." The other three turned to look at him in disbelief. "That happen very often?"

"No freaking way," Melissa muttered, putting the coffee mug down.

"He did not just say that," Hermann added, annoyed. A moment later, the alarm went off. And Peter would learn not to make that comment again, especially after Casey scolded him.

Upon arriving at the scene, they could see immediately how serious the situation was. Two cars had collided, and one was about to fall off the bridge to the road below.

The firefighters jumped in immediately, and the paramedics got ready.

They had to stabilize the car. Melissa went to the other vehicle and got the door open. She got the driver out. He insisted that he was okay, but he was clearly drunk.

Melissa could smell the booze, and he had cans in the passenger seat. The officer told her he'd take care of it before Melissa joined her fellow firefighters. The car was going down, and she rushed over to help them stabilize it.

Squad arrived just then, and they had more hands, which helped.

They worked together to stabilize the car and keep the son and father calm. They would get them out through the windshield because it would be easier.

Melissa stepped back after the vehicle was stabilized and looked over at the other driver, only to see that he was gone. He wasn't at the scene. "Lieutenant," she called over to Casey.

The two approached the officer, who was standing by the drunk driver's car alone.

"Where's the driver?" Casey asked the officer.

The officer turned to them. "Uh, some officers took him to the hospital."

"You're kidding." Casey took his helmet off.

"No, he was complaining of leg pain, and you guys looked swamped over there, so..." he trailed off.

Melissa couldn't help but roll her eyes. Casey was annoyed as well, going out on the officer. "He should have been c-collared and transported properly."

The officer nodded. "My bad."

Melissa looked inside the car and was surprised to see it empty. She turned to the officer again. "There were empty beer cans on the passenger seat. They're gone. Did you bag them?"

The officer sighed. "Look... detective Voight behind me, the guy in the jacket, that was his son driving this car." He walked away.

Melissa and Casey looked over at this detective, who, after a moment, looked at them. They made eye contact with the man whose son almost killed two people.

"Unbelievable," Melissa muttered, annoyed under her breath. It was not a good night.

꧁ ꧂

THE FIREFIGHTERS sat in the kitchen area, enjoying lunch the following day. They were talking about their tv, which had malfunctioned the previous night.

Cruz pointed at the tv with his fork. "That ain't gonna cut it."

"The sign's out front," Mouch stated. "Just a matter of time till a good samaritan steps up."

"We can do that?" Peter asked. Asking people for a tv didn't sound legal or right.

"Oh, yeah. It's frowned upon, but it's not illegal, per standards and procedures." Mouch was flipping through the paper. "Last year we got the new— what was it?"

"Microwave," Hermann answered.

"We got the new microwave by doing this."

"It took three months to get the new microwave," Cruz pointed out. "The Bears game is this Sunday."

"What do we got in the treasury box?" Casey asked.

"Dick," Hermann deadpanned. "We spent it all on the elliptical machine so Shay could keep her ass toned."

"Oh, Hermann, please. Everyone benefits from me having a toned ass," Shay shot back, earning some chuckles.

Casey turned to Peter. "Mills, you're in charge of a fundraiser for a new tv."

"Instead of cooking?"

"In conjunction with cooking."

Otis then spoke up. "I believe it's called multitasking. Can you get some ideas together ASAP?"

Casey was called over by Gabby, and the two left. The others continued the conversation. They had to find a way to get enough money for a tv.

Peter came up with some ideas. He stood in front of everyone. "Neighborhood hot dog eating contest."

"Nah. Too tacky," Mouch said.

Shay looked over at him from the table. "And putting a sign out front begging for a tv is what?" This was followed by Melissa and Otis telling Mouch she had a point.

Peter continued, ignoring their teasing and bantering. "Okay, how about a t-shirt booth in the driveway?"

Cruz was the one to protest the idea. "We already sold t-shirts."

"Yeah, but, I mean, no one can ever find the key to the cabinet, Hermann never has change in the treasury box. It's a pain in the ass."

Melissa then spoke up in agreement with Peter. She liked his idea. "If selling t-shirts worked before, why not?"

Peter quickly thanked her for agreeing with him before continuing. "We put the shirts out front and display them properly."

Mouch was skeptical. "I don't know how that's going to generate enough money."

"We get Nicki to man the booth," Melissa replied, and Hermann and Cruz agreed. This could work.

"Why don't you put her in a bikini while you're at it?" Shay retorted.

Otis looked at her from across the round table. "Now, before I respond, are you joking or serious?" He leaned in when asking the question.

"About as serious as putting you in a bikini."

"That's what I thought. So, yes, a bikini would be ridiculous, and we get the joke."

Melissa saw Casey walk in as the rest laughed at Otis. "What do you think, lieutenant? T-shirt stand?"

"Or should we have Mills here run a few laps around the block and think about some alternatives?" Otis added.

Casey didn't answer the question; instead, he decided they were going to do a drill.

꧁   ꧂

THE KID FROM THE accident was paralyzed from the waist down. That was what Casey was telling Melissa before Mouch cut the conversation short.

They all met outside because some cop from the 35th district donated a tv to them.

Two cops brought the tv out. It was big and much better than the one they had. The firefighters got excited when they saw it.

"Who's it from?" Casey didn't waste any time.

"Detective Voight," one of the cops said. Melissa couldn't help but tense up when she heard the name. "He saw your sign."

"Is that a 40-inch?" Otis asked.

"A 43."

"Oh, goddamn," he chuckled.

"Take it back," Casey ordered. He wasn't as excited by the tv as the others were. And neither was Melissa. They knew things about Voight that the rest didn't, and therefore they didn't want to take the tv he donated.

The excitement faltered a little. "No, no, no, don't worry. Voight went through all the channels and had it donated to the city but specified that it come here so the Bureau bitches aren't gonna freak out," the cop tried to assure them, but it didn't work.

"Send it back."

Everyone was confused by this. Why was Casey turning this tv away? Even the cops were confused, but they didn't protest. "Sure. You got it."

꧁ ꧂

"ANTONIO IS LOOKING into it," Casey told Melissa, his voice low. They were getting coffee.

Melissa let out a sigh. She felt sorry for the kid. "I wish there was something we could do."

"Tell me about it."

"I didn't know your side job was a restaurant business, Mills," Hermann said as he walked into the kitchen. He leaned on the counter.

Peter was cooking. "For now. Phasing that out, though."

"I think you're the only food-related side job we got in here, 'cause let's see, we got security guard, construction..." Hermann trailed off. He looked at Melissa. "Sunshine over here makes and sells candles, but that's not really a job. It's more of a hobby."

Melissa shot him a look. "That I earn money from. And you said you liked the candle I got you."

"I did. I was just making a point."

"And when are you getting there?"

Hermann shot her a sarcastic smile, which she returned. "What about you?" Peter asked, cutting their bantering short.

"General entrepreneurship," Hermann replied. "I was doing pretty good as a day trader, you know, until all the trolls jumped onboard and, you know, capsized it for guys like me. You know, it's funny that you bring it up, Peter Mills, because I'm actually circling an investment opportunity that could be massive. You know, and I might let you guys get it on it."

Hermann looked over at the other people in the room. "Well, what is it?" Cruz asked. He was playing cards with Vargas.

"Nah. You guys are gonna have to wait 'cause, you know, I..." Hermann started pretending he didn't want to tell them, but the act didn't hold up long. "Okay, fine. Two words... energy water."

Cruz laughed when he heard Hermann's idea, and Vargas uttered under his breath, "are you kidding me?"

"Greg Duffy?" Nicki walked in. The name earned Casey's attention. "I guess he was in a car accident the other day that you guys responded to?"

"Yeah," Casey answered. "What about him?"

"He's outside."

The firefighters on truck followed their lieutenant outside, where Greg stood.

The lieutenant shook his hand. "Sir."

"Sorry to barge in on you like this, but my wife made this for you guys." Greg gestured to the cake on the squad table. "We really appreciate what you did. And we know damn well it could have been worse if the car had tipped over. So... thank you."

"How's your son?"

"Yeah. Well, you know, Mikey's got a tough road ahead of him, but we're going to make it. We're gonna be all right." Greg paused before continuing. "The other reason I came here is, I don't know if there's anything you guys do in terms of what you saw or piece together based on what the accident scene looked like, but the police report came back saying I ran a red light, causing the accident. And that's— that's not what happened."

Melissa felt her heart drop at Greg's words. He was getting blamed for an accident caused by a drunk driver, who happened to be a detective's son. She looked at her lieutenant, and he had the same reaction as she did.

This family didn't deserve to go through this.

"And I'm kind of at a loss in terms of how to fight it."

After Greg left, Melissa met up in Boden's office with Casey.

"I pulled him out of the car," Melissa explained to the chief. "I could smell the alcohol on his breath. The slurred speech, the empty beer cans." She looked at Boden. "I'm a witness."

Boden felt this could come back and haunt her later and was hesitant. But he knew that Melissa wanted to do the right thing no matter what. She wouldn't listen. Casey knew that too.

The chief handed her a piece of paper and told her to write what she saw. About the driver being drunk and the beer cans. And she did. She wrote everything down. She signed the paper, as did Casey.

Melissa stood, and Boden shook her hand. She was doing the right thing, and it made him proud.

꧁ ꧂

THE FIREFIGHTERS stood in the kitchen the following day. Mouch was counting the money they had earned. "344 dollars."

"444 dollars," Melissa said, handing him a hundred-dollar bill.

Casey then walked up to them. "We found a 32-inch over in Roscoe Village," Hermann explained. "The guy says it's barely been used."

Casey looked at the cake that Greg had bought the previous day. It wasn't much left, but it gave him an idea.

"I got a better idea."

Casey planned to build a ramp outside Greg's house for his son. They all liked the idea very much. It was so much better than getting a tv.

Greg and his wife stood in the yard and watched the firefighters work. Melissa and Peter were planting flowers to make it look better, and the others were building the ramp.

After they finished the ramp and cleaned up, Peter suggested they'd go to his family's diner to watch the game.

They were greeted with hugs by his mother, who owned the place. And they met Peter's sister, Elise.

Melissa sat in the booth with a beer in her hand. She sat beside Peter, with Casey and Hermann on the opposite side. They turned their attention to the tv and enjoyed the game.

That was until Melissa and Casey saw Voight slowly drive by. His gaze was set on them, and they knew whatever was coming next wasn't good.

[forgottenyear]

[for the curious: the tangent I deleted from the previous post, in its entirety]

My Rockwellian idyll memories are of coming up with ingenious ways to amuse myself and others. Ingenious, of course, because the unfused part played a big role. We discovered long-wave resonant frequencies and toppled massive dead trees in the forest (for a kid who was suspected of having anorexia to topple a tree they could barely wrap their arms around, this was exciting – potentially deadly, too) (and Mythbusters totally screwed that one up in their Nicola Tesla’s earthquake machine episode). I am sure I have listed other things we did, floating down river on ice, making a form of atlatl or trebuchet from a maple switch to fling apples long distances, failing to cross a small pond on stilts, among other amusements.

I have described the town as the land that time forgot, not just because the town was as out-of-touch as many small towns, but because there are few Norman Rockwell paintings that could not have been set in this same town (not the one of Ruby Bridges, although the very first black family ever only moved to the town at the time I was growing up). The town stopped changing when the railroad discontinued passenger service. Most public buildings were built by, and named for, the family that owned the mill which had closed just after the great war. The vice principal of the grade school (which was originally built for all grades, to replace the one-room schoolhouses that still dot the woods) was called Mrs. Crabapple (not her real name). Many teachers knew kids because they had also taught the parents, and probably went to school with the grandparents. The plow factory donated the school’s massive, segmented-beam, flagpole. The post office was in the five-and-dime and so the proprietor of the store was also the town postmaster.

[spaceintruderdetector]

This book is essential reading for researchers and practitioners in computer science, technical managers and software specialists This book provides a comprehensive treatment of the subject of sculptured surface machining in terms of user needs, CAM software solutions and theoretical research results and issues. State-of-the-art capabilities of the best commercial CAM systems are compared to user needs, and advanced academic research is presented. Among the topics covered are the following: Generative NC for dies and molds; 5-axis machining of impellers; Cutting simulation and NC verification; Virtual machining; CAPP for die and mold machining; NURBS-based CNC interpolators 

Cutting Molds/Dies from Scan data

Experiences from a Quantum Leap Improvement in Turbine Manufacturing

A Generative Approach for Die Pattern Machining

Geometric Contributions to 3-Axis Milling of Sculptured Surfaces

Efficiency of Multi-Axis NC Machining of Sculptured Part Surfaces

Best-Fit of Sculptured Surfaces

Point-based Geometric Modelling

Virtual Machining and the Manufacturing Model

Virtual CNC with Performance Error Modeling

Fast Simulation of Sculptured Surface Milling with 3-Axis NC Machine

Simulation of Ball-nose End Milling Operations — Selection of Geometric Resolution Parameters

Machining Process Modeling for Intelligent Rough Machining of Sculptured Parts

Bridging the Gap Between Tool Path Generation for Sculptured Surface Machining and Computer Aided Process Modelling Techniques

Automatic Five-Axis CNC Feedrate Selection via Discrete Mechanistic, Geometric, and Machine Model Integration

Milling Simulation with an adaptive Strategy

Deformed Swept Volume Analysis to NC Machining Simulation with Cutter Deflection

Segmentation and Surface Fitting in Reverse Engineering

Surface Reconstruction from Point Clouds

Reverse Engineering Employing a Wrap-Around SurfaceTriangle Set

Manufacturability of Reverse Engineered CAD-models : a case study

https://archive.org/details/springer_10.1007-978-0-387-35392-0

[smartdentalstudio1]

A Beginner’s Guide to CAD/CAM Digital Dentistry in the USA

CAD/CAM digital dentistry technology has revolutionized dentistry in the USA by streamlining the design and production of dental restorations. This digital approach allows dentists to create precise crowns, bridges, veneers, and inlays with unparalleled accuracy and efficiency. CAD software designs the restoration, while CAM technology fabricates it using materials like ceramic or zirconia, often in a single appointment. For beginners, adopting CAD/CAM requires investing in specialized equipment, such as intraoral scanners and milling machines, and undergoing training to master the workflow. While the initial cost can be high, CAD/CAM enhances patient satisfaction, reduces lab turnaround times, and sets the stage for the future of digital dentistry.

[vicmemories]

HUMBLE & SONS FOUNDRY: GEELONG, VICTORIA. 1933.

This very atmospheric shot looks into the earthen-floored Humble and Sons Foundry in Geelong. One can almost smell the hot metal and hear the clatter of the overhead belt driving the milling machines and lathes.

Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city, sitting on Corio Bay, about 65 kms south west of Melbourne. The foundry was situated on a constantly growing site on Little Malop Street. I will include in comments below a rare 1887 coloured sketch of the works.

BRIEF HISTORIC STORY…

What was then called the Vulcan Foundry was established in Victoria’s gold-rush years of the mid-19th century by a Scottish immigrant named William Croll. It enjoyed almost immediate success building quartz crushers and shaft-pumps etc. for the goldfields. Some of the castings being up to 5 tons in weight.

In 1866, the business was acquired by another Scot, William Humble in partnership with Ward Nicholson.

The business continued to prosper.

By 1888 Humble & Nicholson had won £60,000 in government contracts, their main source of income and testament to their reputation. The firm built the £5000 bridge at Cressy, the hydraulic crane at Echuca and boilers, tanks and pumps for public authorities. They also had extensive work in the agricultural industry.

The company made the Ferrier wool press and began building reaping and binding machines. They were also one of the first Australian companies to manufacture refrigeration machines, based on the absorption principle.

William Humble & Ward Nicholson continued to the end of 1900 when that partnership was dissolved: From that point on, the firm was known as Humble & Sons.

(photo source: Geelong Heritage Centre)

David Panther