#could be good to know if the style is a benefit or a drawback from a reader's perspective

[bookshelf-in-progress]

Question 7 for the writing asks?

7. What do you think are the characteristics of your personal writing style? Would others agree?

Concise/underwritten prose. Poetic phrasing. Narrative voices that are at a slight-to-significant remove from the characters' perspective--there's someone who's telling you this story, rather than just sinking into a cinematic scene. Lots of telling/summary. Lots of space for the reader's imagination to fill in. I'm sure there are other things, because I've noticed my style coming through in places where I didn't really want it to, but I can't define the other elements or say if readers would agree.

[rorykeanersactualgf]

request where Benny uses a love potion on the reader but it doesn't work cause she already loves him

A/N: i have seen a few other people do this and i have liked their ideas, i don't mean to copy any ideas, only take inspiration. should i create a masterlist so its all in one place or wait a bit? xx

side note, on posts where its not specified for gender, i do gender neutral so everyone can read it, if you want specified gender or different versions where it has specified genders, please let me know so i can do that for you, the reason i say this is because there is the use of she in the request but i am more than willing to do other versions :)) sorry it took longer than usual to upload but i had a few things to do today but i will compensate by doing 2 today :))

CW: Fem! Reader version, Benny and reader being cute and oblivious, Benny being nervous, Grandma Weir being amazing as always :)))

@regalisonata for the GIF of Benny :))

The Potion Of Love

Over the years of being friends with Benny, he developed a little big crush on me, which somehow managed to go undetected by me seeing how obvious he can be when he wants to be. But seeing as he has been my friend for ages and his advances towards me just seemed friendly, I never noticed and thought he was being nice... That was until middle school when I started developing feelings for him too.

This crush however was not very well hidden from Ethan and Rory since they had figured it out within the first few weeks, which is why they get told and documented on pretty much interaction or small look from across a place or slight touch, which they quickly grew interested/tired of. Rory was always the one to be happy to talk about what it could mean while Ethan was the more rational and realistic one.

As Benny and I grew closer as friends, our feelings for each other only grew and made Ethan more indifferent and Rory more invested. As we talked more, I fell more in love with every and anything about him, like his smile, style in clothes, his little gestures that he had for me, his ability to make me laugh no matter where we could be, etc.

"Man, she's so pretty, I can't not look at her," Benny said, Ethan trying to regain his attention but ultimately failing when he realised why he couldn't get it back, he noticed that Benny was looking at me from across the lunchroom, while me Sarah and Erica were getting our food. "Dude, she's looking at you... she just smiled," Rory whisper-yelled into his ear, feeding into his feelings for me. He sat there and waved, almost as if he was in a trance, with lovey-dovey eyes like he was under a sirens call and finally broke contact when he saw me approaching.

Benny realised he couldn't wait much longer to tell me his feelings, scared he would be rejected and have to try to move on from his first and only real crush he's had. He was looking through his old spell book when I sat down opposite from him, not questioning what he was looking at since he had a serious face, which usually meant he was trying to concentrate.

What he was concentrating over wasn't something like memorising incantations or spells that could be useful in a fight, it was love potions, their benefits and drawbacks, the things that could go very wrong and very good, but funnily enough it had nothing on if the other person already had a crush on the person giving the potion, interesting.

Throughout the day, Benny became increasingly more nervous and but excited, hopefully with this potion, I could be his girlfriend and he could give Ethan and Rory a break from being all lovey-dovey, or would it make it worse. He knew that Rory wouldn't leave it alone, wanting to know what its like to have a girlfriend and helping Benny on dates and such, but for Ethan, hopefully it would quieten him down at least a bit.

When Benny got home, he almost flew to his room and started on the potion making, getting all of the ingredients he would need and putting them together in a frantic manner like his life depended on it. A flurry of swirls and sparks flew around him, making various shapes until finally it made a pink heart, to which he had to say one final incantation and my name and then it would be done.

As he did so, a realisation befell him, what if it doesn't work, nothing in the book said what would happen if it didn't work, what if she hates me, what if it DOES work, what then? A mix of excitement and nerves coursed through his veins, wondering all the possibilities, meanwhile I was on the phone to Sarah and Erica, on the same old spiel as always, talking about Benny and how cute he was etc. In this case, Erica was like Ethan, not too bothered about it and just wanting me to say something because it was obvious he liked me. Sarah was similar to Rory, very willing to dissect what had happened and give educated guesses about what it could mean.

The next day, Benny came into school with the potion in his bag, cradled around a jacket so it couldn't break in the vial it was in. When he reached Ethan and Rory, he had a feeling of anticipation and apprehension crawl up his spine as he waited for their reactions after pulling out the potion. Rightly, both of them were confused even with the pink slurry of liquid and the vaguely heart-shaped container. After explaining to them that it was a love potion for me, there were polar opposite reactions, Rory was ecstatic because it was fool proof, it had to work and he would finally have a girlfriend. Ethan on the other hand, was uneasy to say the least, relighting all the past worries Benny had.

I, on the other hand, was ignorant to any strange behaviour Benny was exhibiting. When I did walk up to the group, I saw that Benny was almost unable to look at me, Rory having a big smile on his face and Ethan looking almost disappointed at the other two.

I wasn't able to talk to them much before the bell rang signalling us to go to our first class, to which I didn't share with anyone which was a bit upsetting but it was over soon enough. After a few more lessons, it finally became lunch. Almost a full repeat of yesterday but this time (Reader) was sat in between Benny and Rory, talking about my lessons and any recent news about assignments or projects that would need to be done. After Erica and Sarah came to the table with their trays of food, I stood up and went to the bathroom.

As I was getting up to leave, I had a sip of my water and placed it back down where it was and I turned towards Benny so I could get my legs out and get up, Benny go up with me while sneakily taking m water bottle and taking it with him. I didn't think anything of it, but when I came back Benny had an eye on me at all times, which was odd but I brushed it off thinking he was being a little bit weird. What I didn't know is that Benny had taken my bottle and poured all the potion in and said a small incantation so the pink slurry it was creating turned back into a clear mixture so I wouldn't suspect anything.

"Hopefully she loves me now," Benny said with a sad but hopeful tone.

The only thing that he didn't account for was the fact it tasted different. When I had a sip of the water, my face scrunched up slightly and confused me, wondering what that unfamiliar taste was. It made me feel weird but it was probably because I hadn't eaten anything. As lunch went on and our table got to chatting, Benny and Rory had a closer eye on me than normal and I decided to bring it up.

"What's going on? Do I have food on my face or something?" I said with a light-hearted tone, not wanting to seem annoyed but more confused than anything.

Since it had been a few seconds, Rory decided to say something so it didn't weird me out. "Uh, yeah, you've got some food right there," he said, pointing to a part of my cheek and slightly kicking Benny under the table to snap him out of this trance.

"Oh, thanks Rory," I said, less confused now and getting back to talking with my friends.

As the day went on, Benny kept looking for any sorts or behavioural changes and when he couldn't see any he gave up and went back home at the end of the day. When he got in, he flopped onto the couch face first and heard his grandma shout a greeting, to which he replied in a lack-luster way to. That was when his grandma walked in and sat next to him, rubbing his back and asking what's wrong since Benny never usually acts like this.

"Okay, promise not to be mad?" He rolled onto his side as her eyebrow quirked up at this and she let him continue.

"So I gave (Reader), yknow the girl I'm crushing on," his grandma nodded, urging him to continue, "well I gave her a love potion..."

"Benny..." she said, warning laced in her tone.

"Hey, you said you wouldn't get mad at me," he said rolling onto his back and going to sit normally, "and it didn't work anyway."

She looked back at him, a small smile stretching her face as she realised something. "Don't you know what this means?" She asked with a small laugh hiding behind her voice.

"That she doesn't like me?" he said more like a question, "The book didn't have anything on if it didn't work..." he trailed to a stop.

"Or if the person given the potion was already in love with the potion maker." She said with a knowing smile, waiting for Benny to understand what she was getting at.

"Wait... she likes me?" He said with hope rising in his voice.

All she did was nod and he took off out of the door running to confess to me.

After a few minutes of running and panting on my porch, Benny rang the doorbell, waiting for me or my parents to answer the door. Luckily it was me that answered the door and as soon as he did, he looked up at me and said all in one breath,

"Look(Reader)IreallylikeyouandIcametoaskyouifyou'dliketobemygirlfriendofvourseyoucansaynobu-" He was cut off by my hand covering his mouth.

"Okay, I think I caught about 3 words in that whole sentence but I like you too Benny, I was literally getting ready to go to your house to tell you." I gestured down to my feet and he saw I had my shoes on.

After a moment, I pulled my hand away from his mouth and placed it behind his head, over the small hairs on the back of his neck and pulled him down gently and as soon as he was at the same level as me, I leant in and kissed him. After a moment, we pulled away and I spoke up again,

"I've always liked you Benny, since we were kids but I was always too shy to tell you so I always told Sarah and Erica about it. I'm surprised that they didn't tell you."

"Me too, I've liked you since we were kids, and I always told Ethan and Rory, I was for sure certain that Rory would have told you by now." I looked at him again and realised we were just two dumb kids, not realising our feelings for each other until we almost burst. We had a sleep over that night and caught up on lost time together, falling asleep in each others arms with content smiles on our faces and a bit story to tell our friends next week.

[quirkwizard]

Which of the Non UA Hero Student Quirks would All For One like for himself, minons or Nomu?

I know that you asked for non-UA students, but I think this is a good opportunity to talk about some of the characters I have yet to cover with this series. Namely, Mei, Shinso, and the Big Three.

All For One: Stiffening: With how simple the Quirk is, it could easily open itself to a lot of combination potential. Namely by applying it to Quirks with some artificial part to them, like using it through other Quirks to improve their offense or defense, or by applying it to changes he makes in the environment, kind of like the opposite of Juzo.

Glamour: While it is a simple Quirk with plenty of combination potential, I honestly think he would take this for the chance to enhance his aura of menace and to better mess with people. Not only is he going to bring up your trauma at the worst possible time, but the man is going to do a slide show of the greatest hits.

Brainwashing: This one is basically perfect for him. Considering how much he loves to talk and antagonize other people, someone is bound to respond to him eventually. And when they do, they are totally under his control, and he is absolutely going to take advantage of it to have people fight each other or leave them open to taking their Quirks.

Minions: Zoom: While simple, it doesn't really offer All For One any major benefits or combination potential. It may work better to supplement the Quirk of another minion with a range power, such as giving it to Aoyama to better compliment his long range fighting style or giving it to someone with an eye based ability like "Erasure".

Boomerang: Like "Zoom", this one isn't enough for All For One to take and would be better for certain combinations. Such as giving it to someone with super strength who could throw items harder or someone whose Quirk creates tangible projectiles to better land their effects, like Lady Nagant apply it to one of her hair bullets.

Wave Motion: Considering how poor All For One seems physically, at least without the assistance of Quirks, anything based around stamina is going to eat through him pretty fast. And while a Nomu might be able to use it well, since they could have much greater stamina reserves to pull from, I think this would be better in the hands of someone smart enough to use it.

Nomu: Extend o Hair: Not only could this work as a hilarious disguise for any Nomu that had it, walking around as a Wookie with their limited speech, but the power is both simple and effective enough that any Nomu could wield it without much trouble. Then again, maybe All For One would take the Quirk just to get his hair back.

Vibrate: Between the immense power and dangerous drawbacks, it would certainly go well with a Nomu. It would definitely be put on one of the lower, throwaway Nomus to act as an initial attack to disrupt the enemy or a last resort in case it gets damage, similar to some of the Hosu Nomus or the Bombers from Vigilantes.

Permeation: I know this may seem like an odd choice given how complicated it is and how much training Mirio needed, but it could work with the right setup. Specifically, you could put it on a High End with modifications to help get around the issues with breathing and certain sensory issues. Given how difficult it would be to capture or damage, it could pose a serious threat.

Unsure: Whirlwind: I went back and forth on this one. It certainly has a lot of innate power, but I do think what makes it special comes from the skill Inasa has in controlling it, requiring some learning curve for a new user and making it less useful. Plus, a lot of what it could do could already be covered by other Quirks in one way or another.

Meatball: This one just raises a lot of interaction questions for me to be certain of it. Like could All For One steal Quirks with it? If not that, could he grow back any part of himself with "Super Regeneration"? Because if he can't, I'm not sure he'd want something that would leave certain parts of him at risk of being destroyed. If he can, this would be a nightmare for him to have.

Manifest: While All For One could want this for the variety, I think that dietary needs could be an issue. It's not super demanding, but still enough of an issue that I think All For One would pass it off. I doubt that All For One would trouble himself of switch up his diet for one Quirk. He's not going to give up his diet of wagyu beef, lobsters, and IV fluids.

[tokiro07]

You got any other ideas for characters in other series with negator powers? The one piece ones were real good!

[I'm not skipping your other asks, there's just a lot of them and this is the one that I saw first]

Medaka Box:

Medaka, Unfair - closest canon analogy to The End; Medaka's natural tendency to make enemies and rivals lends to people considering her a threat, enabling her to copy abilities with ease. Alternatively; Unflawed - similar to Unfair, but more versatile in that it allows the user to also copy non-Rule techniques and abilities while negating the flaws in the movements or powers

Hitoyoshi, Unfortunate - Devil Style is LITERALLY a Negator ability! In fact, I think that all of the Negators could be considered Zeroes in the context of Medaka Box on the basis that their abilities inherently come with some kind of drawback that neutralizes their benefit (until they're better understood by their users at least)...WAIT, DID TOZUKA TAKE "THIS WILL REDEFINE SHONEN PROTAGONISTS FOREVER" SERIOUSLY??? Anyway, Unluck but as an internal targeter, it negates Hitoyoshi's own good fortune

Kumagawa, Unmake - like All Fiction, negates the existence of objects or concepts. Alternatively; Unskilled - negates the skills and abilities of the target to make them as weak as Kumagawa (yes, he literally has a Skill called that in canon as well, but we're using it here in place of Bookmaker. How he switches from Unskilled to Unmake I don't know, but it's probably something to do with Ajimu)

Ajimu, Unequal - in this context, Ajimu can be considered kind of a cross between Sun and Ruin; she's God, but she's also manifested herself as a Regulator and vessel for the concept of natural balance and order. Being Unequal, she negates any situation where she would "meet her match" and gains the ability to surpass it

Shiranui, Unspecified - like Real Eater, negates the specifics of other abilities, allowing Shiranui to manipulate the Rules of other Negators or UMAs, at least temporarily

Tsurubami, Uncomposed - negates a target's composure, leaving them open for attacks or preventing them from landing their own (in place of Provocation Style); Artifact Around the World in 80 Days controls gravity (in place of Spinning Angler) and has a pact with UMA Stop to hold enemies in place (in place of Octopus). Alternatively to Stop, Artifact 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea summons tentacles to hold targets down (I would prefer Stop be present so Tsurubami represents all three power systems, but I love the idea of him having two Artifacts named after Jules Verne novels)

I could go on, but like I said, you sent a lot of asks and I've already spent like...half an hour on this one alone

If you have more series you'd like me to tackle, let me know, and if I'm familiar enough, I'll make an attempt

[hugintheraven]

(none of this is in response to the actual artist above, whose cats are very cute)

If you have a clever idea just make it. There is no need to involve AI in the process.

"But I can't draw!"

Make it anyway. Maybe you can't draw. But if your crappy art gets the point across, maybe that's good enough. Or maybe there's a way to achieve what you want without drawing yourself. There's picrews, commissioning artists, or finding hacks and workarounds.

Example: I saw an actually funny bit of AI art on Twitter, it was a fake movie poster for Fast and Furious: Dinosaurs. You had a Dodge Charger jumping an explosion, a T-Rex, etc. But that was the drawback, it was exactly what you'd expect from the premise, rendered roughly like a real poster. Now, I can't draw. But if I'd had that idea and wanted to make it, I could have. Because I have image-editing software and tenacity. And it wouldn't be hard to slap together a photoshop of real movie stills, actor headshots, and paleoartist renderings of dinosaurs that match the style of an actual FF poster. AND I'd be able to credit my image sources when I did it, put in jokes that add layers(put Roman on something flashy, Shaw swinging a thagomizer at someone, the villain is the guy who played live-action Fred Flinstone), etc. All the benefits of a real human brain being involved.

The downside, of course, is that it would look like crap. Obvious artifacting, clearly not matching styles, no attempt to blend, etc. But that's fine. If it looks like crap and still sends the message you want it to, then it doesn't look like crap.

If you know 3 chords, you know enough to start a band. If you don't know 3 chords, learn. There's no situation where the solution to "I can't art" is "outsource your creativity to a machine".

*Or at least you don't want to devote 10 years to developing the skills, which, fair.

Stop putting AI-generated bullshit on my dash. I'll care about the cats who spell out "GAY SEX" with their bodies when it's art made by a human person.

[technophili]

AI vs human bosses: who leads better in the workplace?

AI at workplace is becoming increasingly common. From chatbots handling customer service to algorithms optimizing supply chains, artificial intelligence is transforming how we work. Now, a new question arises: Could AI in management be the next big step? Let's explore whether having an AI boss might be better than your current human one.

Pros of AI bosses

 AI leadership could offer several advantages:1. Reduced bias and favoritism Human managers often have unconscious biases that affect their decisions. An AI supervisor might avoid these pitfalls. According to a survey reported by Tech.co, 28.2% of US workers believe a robot boss would make less biased decisions than humans. Furthermore, 28.8% think AI would lead to lower levels of discrimination in the workplace. 2. Efficient task management and planning

Photo by cottonbro studio: pexels   AI at workplace excels at organizing and optimizing tasks. A study at Student Marketing Agency, reported by BBC News, demonstrated this capability. An AI manager achieved a 44% success rate in getting employees to pre-plan their workdays. It also motivated employees to log in on time 42% of the time. These figures were comparable to human managers' performance. 3. Data-driven decision making

Photo by Burak The Weekender: pexels   AI in management can process vast amounts of data to make informed decisions. This ability could lead to more objective and efficient project management. AI could analyze performance metrics, market trends, and resource allocation to optimize business strategies. 4. Consistent performance Unlike human bosses, AI doesn't get tired, emotional, or distracted. A robot boss could provide consistent management 24/7, potentially leading to improved productivity and employee satisfaction. Let's explore how AI might excel at certain leadership skills: Setting clear objectives: AI could use data analytics to create precise, measurable goals for each team member. It could track progress in real-time and adjust objectives as needed, ensuring that everyone always knows what they're working towards.  Rewarding good initiatives: 

Photo by kues1: freepik  An AI boss could consistently recognize and reward good work. It could use predefined criteria to identify outstanding performance and provide immediate positive feedback. This consistent recognition could boost employee morale and motivation.Decision-making skills: AI can process and analyze vast amounts of data to make informed decisions. It could consider multiple factors simultaneously, weigh pros and cons objectively, and make choices based on logical reasoning rather than emotion or gut feeling.

 Cons of AI bosses

 Despite these potential benefits, AI leadership has significant drawbacks: Lack of emotional intelligence AI struggles with understanding and managing emotions, a crucial aspect of leadership. Human bosses excel at:  Building trust: 

Image by freepik  Human leaders create a safe, supportive environment by showing empathy, being vulnerable, and consistently following through on commitments. They understand the nuances of human interaction and can adapt their communication style to each team member's needs. Enabling knowledge exchange: 

Image by freepik  Effective leaders foster open communication by creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas. They facilitate brainstorming sessions, encourage diverse perspectives, and know how to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics to ensure everyone's voice is heard. Personifying company values: Human bosses embody the organization's principles through their actions and decisions. They can explain the reasoning behind company values, demonstrate them in challenging situations, and inspire others to align with these principles. Caring for others: 

Photo by Edmond Dantès: pexels  Genuine concern for team members' well-being is a uniquely human trait. Good leaders check in on their team's mental health, offer support during personal challenges, and create a work environment that prioritizes work-life balance.  Limited creativity and innovation AI might struggle with creative thinking, which is crucial for innovation and problem-solving. Justin Berg's research, as reported by Sushantvohra on Medium, shows that managers aren't always best at spotting good ideas. Human bosses can engage in both divergent thinking (generating creative ideas) and convergent thinking (evaluating those ideas). AI, primarily relying on existing data and patterns, might struggle with truly innovative thinking.  Difficulty in handling complex, nuanced situations Many workplace scenarios require understanding context, reading between the lines, and making judgment calls based on subtle cues. An AI supervisor might struggle with these nuanced situations, potentially leading to misunderstandings or inappropriate responses.

 What people think about AI bosses

 Public opinion on AI in corporate management is mixed. A survey by Business Name Generator, reported by Tech.co, revealed interesting insights: -  One in five workers would prefer an AI boss, believing it would do a better job than their current human manager. - However, 80% of employees aren't ready for AI managers. -  40% would be scared if AI replaced their boss. -  About two-thirds of 18-24 year-olds are open to AI bosses. - Only 12% of people over 55 like the idea. - 30% of UK workers in Arts and Culture welcome AI bosses - 23% in HR are open to the idea - 19% in Manufacturing and Utility, and Finance agree -  17% in Healthcare would accept an AI boss -   One group was managed by humans -  Another by AI -  A third by both AI and human managers -  The AI-only and human-only groups achieved about 45% success in getting employees to plan their day and log in on time. -  The group with both AI and human managers performed significantly better, with 72% of workers planning their day in advance. - Project management AI: Scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking - AI inventory management: Optimizing stock levels and supply chain logistics -  Data analysis: Processing large amounts of data to identify trends and insights Meanwhile, human managers could focus on skills that AI struggles with:  Communicating transparently: Human leaders can share information honestly and clearly, adapting their communication style to their audience. They can handle sensitive topics with tact, address concerns empathetically, and foster an open dialogue within the team. Listening skills: Understanding team members' needs and concerns often requires reading between the lines. Human bosses can pick up on subtle cues, interpret the emotional context of a conversation, and respond with empathy and understanding. Having convictions: Strong leaders stand up for what they believe is right, even in the face of opposition. They can articulate their values, make principled decisions, and inspire others to uphold ethical standards. Being innovative: Human creativity allows leaders to come up with novel solutions to complex problems. They can think outside the box, challenge conventional wisdom, and encourage their team to explore new ideas and approaches.

 What to expect with AI leaders in the future ?

 As we look ahead, it's likely that we'll see more collaboration between AI and human leaders. AI in management could handle data-heavy tasks, freeing up human managers to focus on interpersonal and strategic aspects of leadership. To thrive in this new landscape, human leaders might need to develop new skills: Learning agility: The ability to adapt quickly to new technologies and AI tools will be crucial. Leaders will need to stay curious, embrace continuous learning, and quickly apply new knowledge to solve problems.

 Passion: 

Showing enthusiasm for integrating AI in the workplace can help teams navigate the transition. Leaders who are passionate about technological advancements can inspire their teams to embrace change and see the potential in AI collaboration. Resilience: As AI transforms the workplace, leaders will need to bounce back from challenges posed by new technologies. This includes adapting to changing job roles, helping team members who may be displaced by AI, and maintaining a positive outlook in the face of rapid change.  Delegation: Knowing when to assign tasks to AI vs. human team members will be a critical skill. Leaders will need to understand the strengths and limitations of both AI and human workers to optimize team performance.

 Conclusion

 So, would an AI boss be better than a human one? The answer isn't straightforward. AI offers advantages in fairness, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making. However, it lacks crucial human skills like empathy, creativity, and the ability to navigate complex social situations. Let's say that the future of leadership  likely lies in a balance between AI and human managers. By leveraging the strengths of both, organizations can create more effective, efficient, and empathetic leadership structures. Furthermore, I think both leaders and employees need to adapt to this changing landscape. Welcoming AI's potential while valuing uniquely human skills will be key to success in this workplace. The challenge – and the opportunity – are all gathered in finding the right balance between technological advancement and human touch in leadership. Read the full article

[tremendousdefendorsweets]

How Did We Get Here? The History of replica bags Told Through Tweets

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I've considering that recognized the Idea of proudly owning a reproduction bag is a tad controversial.​ All things considered, the initial designer ordinarily places their blood, sweat and tears into each individual design, and knocks-off corporations merely take the credit history as their particular.​ Even though I purchased my replica bag a few years ago, I still reflect fondly on many of the excellent times I'd with that bag.​

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Although I do not Individually personal replica bags anymore, I realize Many of us who do, and to use an idiom, ‘everything depends upon the person’.​ For a few, the one difference between an reliable and replica bag is the cost tag.​ They don't treatment about recognition or excellent, They simply want to save lots of a couple of dollars no matter what way they're able to.​

I can thoroughly empathize with this perspective.​ All things considered, I have been there myself, desirous to experience stunning and stylish in my duplicate Gucci bag.​ But I also recognize the crucial job of the designer and the importance of guarding their rights and their hard work.​

I keep in mind The very first time I saw a phony bag.​ I had been procuring in my community mall and stumbled across this beautiful designer handbag.​ I was so mesmerised by its magnificence which i promptly assumed it absolutely was authentic.​ Very little did I are aware that it was in fact a counterfeit! I'm able to even now recall the depth in the disappointment Once i found the truth.​

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I really feel responsible realizing that there's an business that takes benefit of folks.​ But the reality is, a good deal of shoppers have their own individual explanations for purchasing bogus luggage.​ Some folks are not able to afford originals, while some are searhing for a very good deal.​

Plenty of individuals have been cheated and duped by acquiring phony luggage.​ It's best to keep away from counterfeits altogether.​ Correct, They might search seemingly genuine and experience magnificent, but that's only intending to past for thus extended.​ Very low-good quality supplies and inadequate craftsmanship imply your fake bag would not stand the examination of time.​

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I suppose I’m trapped in the middle, having seen each side on the coin.​ I might not carry a designer tote any more, but I am able to value the worth, craft and top quality that went into it.​ And After i do see a person carrying a gorgeous primary piece, I can’t assist but admire the trouble and creative imagination at the rear of it.​

So, when it comes to replica luggage, what actually defines them? Can it be the craftsmanship, the originality, or maybe the piece of brain that goes in conjunction with it? Or can it be basically about the cost tag?

In the long run, I think replica luggage need to be regarded as manner statements that should be highly regarded and appreciated, just like the initial items.​ In fact, they help us spend less without having compromising our model in any way, and for that they should be thought of a precious addition to anyone’s collection of luggage.​

Using a deeper consider the make any difference of replica bags, there’s much more to them than just knock-offs of originals.​ Some knock-off models became pretty Imaginative, Performing hard to produce handbags with outstanding craftsmanship and cocktails of resources that would not Ordinarily be uncovered on a conventional designer piece.​ They draw inspiration from the initial and think of models which might be remarkably trendy - showcasing their unique exceptional elegance in lieu of just copying a design and style from somewhere else.​

An increasing number of, The style sector is seeing a growth of replicated models gaining traction, as An increasing number of buyers appear to add a singular contact for their wardrobe without the need of breaking the financial institution.​ Sure, the knock-off market carries its share of low high quality baggage, but even replica baggage occur in different grades now.​

It truly is correct that designer originals will constantly stay originals, but the market for knock-offs has developed considerably through the years, supplying The buyer bit of head even though even now being able to Categorical their own individual model at a portion of the cost.​ Personally, I do think there’s a particular appeal to the knock-off industry which can’t be denied.​ Absolutely everyone really wants to shave two or three hundred of the fee of purchasing a designer bag, so it’s Secure to say that duplicate bags are likely to be around for fairly some time.​

Moreover, there are a lot of different thoughts around the subject.​ A lot of people may well argue that purchasing knock-offs supports the unethical procedures of price cut merchants, while others might counsel that it encourages creativeness and helps you to bring up the conventional of manner parts.​ Some could possibly be wholly indifferent for the make any difference, but Irrespective, it’s anything well worth discussing and mulling around.​

At the end of the working day, Absolutely everyone has their unique belief on replica luggage, And that i’m no exception.​ Around I’d love to try to avoid the knock-off market place, I’ll acknowledge that there are times Once i discover myself waving for your cab having a replica bag by my facet.​ Little doubt it’s a personal selection that every of us need to make for ourselves, and I’m absolutely sure it’s a topic that could go on to become the source of diverse debates.​

[truck-runningboards]

Improve Your Truck’s Looks with The Best Nerf Bars!

If you own a big truck, you know that one drawback of owning such a vehicle is getting in and out of it. This can be particularly difficult if you have little ones or elderly passengers riding along with you. Nerf bars can provide an extra step that makes getting into and out of your truck a lot easier. They also give your truck a sporty appearance.

What are the major benefits of nerf bars?

Functionality: Not only do nerf bars look good, more importantly they assist you and your passengers in entering and exiting your truck safely and securely. Why risk a tumble or fall? For a few hundred bucks, you can eliminate any safety issue by installing a new set of stylish nerf bars.

  Protection: Nerf bars also provide protection for your truck by creating a barrier between the tires and the sides of your vehicle. They can provide this same protection from road debris and from other vehicles parked next to you in a parking lot.

Style: If you want to add some style and flare to your truck, then adding a set of nerf bars is a great idea. Chrome nerf bars are especially perfect if you have other accents on your truck that are chrome or stainless steel. Or you could go for the modern look and choose black powder-coated nerf bars.

Safety: It's a good idea to have an extra step on the side of your truck. This is especially important when you're carrying children and the elderly. An additional step increases stability and decreases the chances of slipping or falling.

What are some other important considerations when buying nerf bars?

Material: When you’re in the market for nerf bars, it’s important to consider their quality. High-quality nerf bars are made of 304 marine grade stainless steel; lower-quality ones are simply made of cheaper regular steel. If you want something that will last a long time, stainless steel is your best bet.

  Running Boards vs Nerf Bars: Running boards are generally more practical and offer a nice wide and long continuous flat step area. Whereas nerf bars look great and give you a secure step pad to put your foot on when getting in and out of the truck. If you want to enhance the look of your truck, choose nerf bars. If you want a platform that makes your passengers feel safe while climbing into and out of your truck, choose regular running boards.

Platform Size: When looking for nerf bars for your truck, consider the size of the step  area where you will place your foot. A larger area will make it easier to step on. You also want to look for good traction on the step pad. Some cheaper plastic inserts won't provide much traction. All in all, you will find exactly what you are looking for at American Truck N’ Auto Accessories.

  Visit https://truck-runningboards.com to choose from our wide range of nerf bars. We carry products of the highest quality, ensuring that you get the very best! And don’t forget - our nerf bars carry the best warranty in the industry to give you peace of mind! Order today!

[socalrollerskates]

Rolling Into Fun: The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Perfect Roller Skates

Rollerskates are arguably the coolest way to get around town. Whether you were a child who begged your parents for a pair or an adult who has rediscovered them, roller skates offer a fun and healthy way to get around. 

But with so many different types of roller skates on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? We’ve got all the information you need in this helpful guide to choosing the perfect rollerskates:

Where should I buy my roller skates?

There are three main ways to buy your roller skates: online, in-store and secondhand.

Online - The best thing about buying online is that you can do it from the comfort of your own home! You can find a wide variety of skates at great prices on sites like Amazon or eBay. The downside of ordering online is that you may not be able to try them on before purchasing them (although some sellers will let you return them if they don't fit).

In-Store - If you want to test out some skates before making a purchase, an ideal place would be a local skate shop near where you live or work so that if something goes wrong with your new pair, there's someone nearby who can help fix them for free (or at least cheaply). A lot of stores also offer discounts when buying multiple pairs at once; this could save money if all four members in your family need new shoes! However remember not every store carries every brand so make sure beforehand what kind of model/style/color etc.

What kind of wheels should I look for?

First, you need to consider the size of your wheels. The larger the wheel, the easier it will be for you to skate around and make sharp turns. However, if you have small feet or are not yet confident in your skating abilities, a smaller wheel may be better suited for your needs.

The material that makes up roller skate wheels also makes a difference in how they perform--and what kind of tricks you can do with them! 

Some skates use hard plastic wheels while others employ softer rubber ones; each has its own benefits and drawbacks (for example: plastic tends to roll faster but won't grip as well over uneven surfaces). You'll want to experiment with different types before deciding which kind is right for your style in order avoid any unfortunate accidents when attempting more advanced moves like grinding rails at full speed!

How much should I spend on my roller skates?

If you're new to roller skating, it's likely that the first thing on your mind is how much money you want to spend. We'll get into that in more detail later, but for now let's look at some of the other factors that are important when buying skates.

First, consider whether or not comfort is an issue for you: your feet will be doing a lot of work as they push off from one foot to another and pull back again--you don't want them hurting! If they do hurt after using the skates for only a short time or if there is any kind of discomfort or irritation around areas where the straps meet (the top of each foot), then those skates aren't right for you. Look for something else instead!

Second, think about fit: if there are no problems with comfort then try tightening everything down as tight as possible without causing pain; this will help keep everything in place while skating which means less chance of injury while out having fun on wheels!

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped you to understand what makes a good pair of rollerskates. We know it can be overwhelming when you first start looking at all the options out there, but we hope that this article helped simplify things by breaking down some key points to look for when buying new pairs.

Know more about Impala Roller & Inline Skates

[majestichardwoodfloors]

Your Guide To The Different Types of Hardwood Flooring

If you have recently purchased a new home and want to make it more inviting, hardwood flooring could be the answer. Homeowners can select from a variety of styles and colors to complement their decor. Hardwood flooring has become the “in” thing to have in a place of business due to its durability and beauty. Consider wood floor restoration services and hardwood floor refinishing Charlotte NC if you notice visible scratches and gouges in the future.

Hardwood floors are a stunning addition to any home. There are numerous types of hardwood flooring available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Hardwood floors can be stunning, but as with any flooring, you must understand the various types in order to make the best choice for your lifestyle and budget. This guide will explain some of the most popular types of hardwood floors and how to decide which is best for you.

Types of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is a fascinating option for adding a lot of character while also having a timeless appeal. The best type of hardwood flooring for your home is determined by what you want from it, how much money you have to spend, and how much maintenance it requires.

Solid Hardwood

The core layer of solid hardwood is made up of only one type of hardwood. When compared to other wood flooring materials, this pattern looks and feels distinctive. Depending on the design chosen by the manufacturer, the grain pattern can be any shape or size, and it can be made from a variety of species.

Laminate Flooring

Layers of wood veneer are glued together with an adhesive under pressure applied by an industrial machine known as a press brake to create laminate flooring. Because it doesn’t require much work other than installation, this type of flooring can be installed quickly and easily. Laminate floors are also less expensive than other types of hardwood floors, so if you want something less expensive than hardwood without sacrificing quality or durability, this may be the right choice for you or you can also find hardwood floor experts near me.

Also read about, Benefits of Residential Hardwood Flooring

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood is a composite material composed of two or more layers of various types of wood glued together in a specific pattern. They are available in a variety of styles, including oversized plank designs that are more expensive than other types. Depending on the design chosen by the manufacturer, the grain pattern can be any shape or size, and it can be made from a variety of species.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is a popular choice among homeowners because it is naturally resistant to pests and mold, making it ideal for those looking for an environmentally friendly option! Because the grain runs from end to end rather than being cut into planks or boards, it has a more natural appearance than other types of wood flooring. This makes it easier to maintain than other types of wood flooring and contributes to your space looking clean and fresh all year.

Cork Flooring

The bark of the cork oak tree is used to make cork flooring. It’s commonly used in homes with high humidity levels or near oceans or seaside towns where sea salt can get into the wood itself. Cork floors are also a good choice for pet-friendly homes because they are more scratch-resistant than other types of floors.

How To Install Hardwood Flooring Properly

If you’re a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, this may seem obvious. If you’ve ever installed carpeting, you know how simple it is! However, installing hardwood flooring in Naperville is more complicated than simply pulling out your measuring tape and measuring for your first plank.

Final Thoughts

Though various types of hardwood floors have been discussed above, you must choose the best one for your needs. Always keep in mind that it is an investment that must be completed flawlessly. The type of floor you select must be compatible with both your financial budget and the overall design of your room.

With so many options and the fact that hardwood flooring is not one size fits all, Majestic Hardwood Floors Inc offers free on-site estimates to assist you in finding the perfect flooring solution, so you can rest assured that your next project will come out flawlessly. In addition, we offer hardwood floor contractors Charlotte NC and the surrounding areas. We perform our duties diligently and strive to bring a rainbow smile to your face. Call us today at +1-704-497-4424 or email us via john@majestichardwoodfloors.com.

Original source, https://bit.ly/3R9pEBK

[curmudgeoned-lab]

What Are The Advantages Of Porcelain Tiles?

Unique design and a variety of advantages The popularity of porcelain tiles has seen a dramatic increase in popularity. If you're thinking of using porcelain tiles in your commercial or residential space, read on to discover more about their benefits. Clay is used to create porcelain flooring that is a white material. It is available in a variety of designs of styles, designs, and finishes, such as matte and gloss. These tiles are often employed in hotels and restaurants because they are safe as well as durable and stain-resistant. Continue reading to learn about additional advantages that porcelain tiles could offer:

What exactly is Porcelain?

Before we go any further we must first get to know what actually is. Porcelain can be described as a ceramic with a high degree of whiteness. The definition of porcelain differs in accordance with the country and the manufacturer however, in general it has a more white than other ceramic types. It's a flexible material which is easily cut and fired at a range of temperatures. When used in the production of floor tiles, it's extremely robust, stain-resistant and remarkably easy to clean thanks to its non-absorbent properties.

Why Use Porcelain Tiles?

Porcelain tiles go beyond simply beautiful, they're resistant to stains and are easy to maintain, too! Porcelain tiles make a fantastic option if you're looking for a long-lasting flooring option that can last many years. They're not abrasive, scratch-resistant and feature a high degree of whiteness, making the perfect flooring for a broad variety of styles. Porcelain tiles are suitable for use indoors and outdoors. They are ideal flooring for kitchen, bathroom and patios. They are also great for restaurants and hotels. People who trade often employ porcelain slabs as flooring in warehouses, offices, and other commercial buildings.

Benefits of Porcelain Tiles

There are many good reasons to consider Porcelain Garden Tiles for your commercial or residential premises. Durability - Porcelain flooring has a low percentage of wear, so it will last an extended time and requires little maintenance. Hygiene - They're easy to clean and bacteria don't grow on the floor. They can be matched to a variety of decor styles, making them ideal for any properties.

Benefits of Porcelain Tiles

There are many benefits of using porcelain tiles, but here are the top three: - Cost - Porcelain tiles make a fantastic investment. They're durable and last for a long time which means they won't have to be replaced for a number of years, if ever. Porcelain tiles are more expensive than other flooring options , but they will help you save money in the long term. - Versatility - As we've already stated that porcelain tiles are versatile. They are compatible with a variety of styles, so they're suitable for any locations. - Hygiene - As we've mentioned before, porcelain tiles are remarkably hygienic. They're simple to clean and won't allow bacteria to thrive. Porcelain tiles are perfect for pets and small children since they aren't a magnet for bacteria.

Cons of Porcelain Tiles

Although there are some drawbacks with porcelain tiles, they can be overcome. Three major disadvantages of porcelain tiles: Price - Porcelain tiles are more expensive than other flooring options. They are durable and last a long time, so it's worth the investment. Soundproofing: Even though porcelain tiles are extremely durable, they don't soundproof well. They won't reduce noise if they're placed in commercial structures. Porcelain tiles are a Cold Surface. It is because of the style and materials of porcelain tiles. They're ideal for warm spaces like kitchens and living rooms.

Conclusion

The purchase of flooring tiles from PremierPorcelain is the finest option in India. They're strong, durable, and easy-to-clean. There are numerous kinds, designs and colors that are available, so you will be able to choose something that will suit your style. Tiles made of porcelain are used for their ease of installation and minimal maintenance. Porcelain tiles are an excellent choice for both residential and commercial homes.

[peonacotton]

What Are The Benefits Of Porcelain Tiles?

Tiles made of porcelain are becoming popular due to their unique appearance and numerous advantages. Find out more about the advantages of porcelain tiles when you're thinking about installing them in your home or workplace. Clay is used to make porcelain flooring that is a white material. You can find it in various styles and colors such as matte and gloss. Because they're extremely durable, sanitary and are stain-resistant for years, these tiles are frequently employed in restaurants and hotels. Keep reading to find out additional advantages that porcelain tiles could offer:

What exactly is Porcelain?

Before we proceed further we must first get to know what actually means. Porcelain can be described as an extremely white ceramic. degree of whiteness. While the definition of porcelain differs based on the place it's produced, the majority of porcelain has a higher level of whiteness than other types. It's a flexible material that can be shaped and fired in a wide range of temperatures. It is a great material to create floor tiles. It is stain resistant and extremely durable.

Why Choose Porcelain Tiles?

Porcelain tiles look stunning and are durable. They're also easy to clean. If you're in search of a flooring option that will last for a long time the porcelain tiles are a great choice. They're non-absorbent and scratch resistant. Their superior whiteness allows them to be used in many environments. Porcelain tiles can be used in both outdoor and indoor environments. They are ideal flooring for bathrooms, kitchens, and patio areas. They also work well in restaurants and hotels. The majority of tradesmen use porcelain paving as flooring in warehouses, offices, and other commercial buildings.

Benefits of Porcelain Tiles

There are a variety of reasons why porcelain tiles should be considered for your home or office. Durability - Porcelain flooring has a low rate of wear, which means it can last for many years and will require minimal maintenance. The flooring is easy to clean, and bacterial will not be found on it. The versatility - You are able to match them to a variety of styles, making them appropriate for all kinds of homes.

Pros of Porcelain Tiles

There are many benefits for porcelain tiles. Here are three of the top three ones: Cost. Ceramic tiles are a great investment. They're long-lasting and durable and won't require to be replaced for a number of years, if at all. While they're more expensive in comparison to other flooring choices, porcelain tiles will actually help you save money in the long run. Versatility- Porcelain tiles can be utilized in a variety of ways, as we've previously stated. They can be matched with a wide range of designs, which means they're appropriate for all kinds of places. - Hygiene: As we've already said, porcelain tiles are extremely hygienic. They're simple to clean and bacteria aren't able to thrive on the surface. If you have children or pets porcelain tiles are an excellent choice as they're unlikely to pick up any germs.

Pros and Cons of Porcelain Tiles

Although there are some drawbacks for porcelain tiles, they are not insurmountable. Here are the main three negatives: Cost - Tiles made of porcelain are a more expensive option compared to other flooring materials. They're tough and will last for a long period of time, so it's worth the money. Soundproofing - Even though porcelain tiles are very sturdy, they're not very good in soundproofing. They'll not help reduce noise if they're placed in commercial structures. - Porcelain Tiles are a cold surface. It is because of the design and materials of porcelain tiles. They are best suited for warm spaces such as living rooms and kitchens.

Conclusion

The purchase of floor tiles from PremierPorcelain is the finest option for India. They are durable, hygienic and easy to keep clean. They are available in a variety of patterns, styles, and finishes, so there's something to suit every taste and decor style. You can also opt for porcelain tiles due to their minimal maintenance requirements and ease of installation. Porcelain tiles are an excellent choice for both residential and commercial homes.

[swimmingpoolfences]

Pool Covers: Things You Should Know Before Buying

Summer is coming, and that means pool season. But before you can jump into the pool and enjoy the weather, you need to make sure that your pool cover is in good shape. Here are five things you should know before buying a pool cover: 1. Make sure it's UV-resistant – A pool cover should be able to withstand the sun’s rays. If not, it could start to fray and lose its color over time. 2. Be sure it fits snugly – A pool cover should fit snugly on the deck of your pool so that water doesn’t get into the seams and cause damage. 3. Test it out first – Before you buy a pool cover, be sure to take it for a test drive to make sure it fit properly and isn’t too heavy or windy to carry around. 4. Be wary of cheap covers – While there are plenty of great options available at affordable prices, be careful not to get scammed by a low-quality cover. Cheap covers can often fall apart or leak, costing you money in the long run. 5. Make sure it's registered – Always make sure to register your pool cover with the manufacturer in case of theft. Get more info about Pool Barrier

Types of Pool Covers

There are a variety of pool covers available on the market today, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Before you buy a pool cover, it's important to know what type of cover is best for your needs. The three main types of pool covers are floating, fixed, and semi-fixed. Floating covers are the most popular style because they are easy to put on and take off. They are also the cheapest option, but they can be damaged by strong wind or water currents. Fixed covers are more expensive than floating covers, but they stay in place even in strong winds or waves. They can be difficult to remove, but they're ideal for people who want protection from debris or bad weather conditions. Semi-fixed covers are a hybrid between floating and fixed covers. They have a floating top that allows them to move with the waves, but a fixed bottom that keeps them in place during high winds or rain.

Material and Construction of Pool Covers

There are a few factors to consider when purchasing pool covers, including the material and construction. Pool covers made from vinyl or PVC tend to last longer than those made from other materials, but they're not always the most aesthetically pleasing option. Liner fabrics such as polyester and cotton can be more durable but may also look less appealing. Some covers are also equipped with weather-resistant seams that help protect the liner against water damage in inclement weather.

Size and Fit of Pool Covers

When it comes to pool covers, the size and fit can be a bit confusing. So, here are some things to keep in mind when looking for a cover: -The cover should be large enough to fit around the entire pool edge, including the ladder and steps. -The cover should have a snug fit so that it doesn't flap in the wind or slide around on the ground. -Make sure the cover is properly fitted before you attach it to the pool frame or deck.

Conclusion

Buying a pool cover is an important decision, and it's one that you don't want to make hastily. Here are five things to consider before making your purchase: -How big of a pool do you have? -Does the cover fit over the entire pool? -What type of material is the cover made out of? -Is the frame sturdy and will it hold up in harsh weather conditions? -Will the cover rattle in windy conditions?  To get more info please visit https://poolguardusa.com/

[iristial]

The belated part where I share the theories I had over the last week

Ace’s sly enough as it is; being the DezaStar merely justifies his behaviour. However, the staff changed everything up because they want to know what makes him tick - with the added bonus of giving other contestants a chance. They can't see him slip up if he's switching personas every other day. And surprisingly enough, setting up others for his own benefit...doesn't suit Ace's style? Sure, he won't give up his ambitions for his kouhai and yeah he endangered Keiwa that one time but he's obviously fond of them, is happy whenever they demonstrate ingenuity/progress (he was downright gleeful at Keiwa and Neon's penchant for scheming), and encourages them to never give up their ambitions. At worst he's indifferent, and that's only to players who are 1) despicable or 2) don't last long enough for him to really interact with them

Another contestant who’s too easy of an answer: Ginpen 3.0. I much prefer the non-DezaStar route where he seeds discord and makes scapegoats of other players. At least there's another player operating by schemes. Though he really took a gamble on framing Keiwa; highlighting that in contrast to Ace, he's overconfident to the point of disregarding drawbacks to his plans

Keiwa has consistently wanted everyone to get along and dislikes how the new rules enforce hostility/rivalry amongst the Riders. Whenever he partook in manipulating or attacking others, he did it with selfless intentions in mind. He even goes as far as to give up his own Buckles if it benefits someone else. While there's a possibility the DGP can draw out his nastier side, thus serving as commentary on moral degradation becoming entertainment for the privileged rich, there's a high chance they'll butcher the execution. Also he has literal children rooting for him. I refuse to let them down

On the fence with Lopo. As a newcomer, it's easy to give her a hidden sinister side, let alone disqualify her. Especially considering Yuya Takahashi's passing out character deaths like candy and Punkjack's unceremonious demise, despite being the one extra Rider popular enough to get his own merch. Plus she's kinda unremarkable compared to the others (though there's nothing wrong with her no-nonsense, straightforward and steady character). Being a backstabber gives her some much needed spice. However, she's the first extra Rider who isn't a Mary, Shirowe or Ginpen recolour, and her aforementioned personality positions her as someone more likely to be manipulated than to be the manipulator. That is, if she even budges from her convictions

Now Neon can't believe I suspected my sweet girl. While she doesn't have Keiwa's naivety, if there's one thing she hates it's outright hurting others. She holds the distinction of being the one main quartet Rider who hasn't attacked her fellow players (as well as the only one who hasn't been retired/eliminated pre-final round). It's why her pedestal for Ace was broken after he let Keiwa get injured, yet she refused to be a fox hunter - to the extent where she used her (loathed) connections to out Giroli and save Ace. But who says being a DezaStar means enjoying it? The guilt may very well eat her up, no matter what she does, and play into a rather sad exit from the DGP. I've also noticed that her interactions with Ace and Keiwa are sparse this time round. Instead she's gravitated to Lopo, a fairly recent addition who doesn't know her that well. Nothing wrong in of itself...except how she ended the previous arc on good feelings for the boys, and up until now her main mentor and confidant was Ace (and to a lesser extent Keiwa), so it's jarring to see her somewhat avoid them. On one hand she could be trying to avoid relying on Ace and is, you know, just being friendly with another player. On the other, gaining Lopo's trust means she has one less player to deceive when the time comes

Casting my vote before this week's episode drops: the DezaStar is either Lopo or Neon

[solacefruit]

hmm... so what would be the difference between writing a fanfic and a book sequel then? especially longer series typically include less and less exposition as they go on and have a built-in fandom. is there even any difference in how they are written at that point?

This is such an interesting question. I had to do a good think about it so I could articulate my answer in a way that’s going to make sense. 

The short answer is: one is fanfiction and one is a novel. This matters, because they are functionally different mediums. It’s not as simple as different modes of novelisation and, because of that, fanfiction and book sequels might share some similarities but ultimately you couldn’t successfully exchange one for the other without coming across some strangeness. At least, that’s my theory. 

The long answer is: by virtue of being fanfiction, fanfiction is read differently than published work, and the reverse is also true. Published fiction (and I’ll talk specifically about novels since you mentioned those) is fundamentally different to fanfiction because it is mediated through commerce. Publishing is a business. In other words, unless you’re entirely self-publishing (which is its own kettle of fish that I won’t get into here right now), your work will be expected to meet with certain standards and expectations for genre, style, grammar, etc., not to mention the editors’ opinions and recommendations. 

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, either. The benefits of editors are the insights and guidance of highly experienced people skilled in understanding and honing narrative, language, so on. The benefits of genre is the ability to approximately categorise the expected reading experience of a work, so you know not only what you’re in for (and if it’s for you) but also it teaches you how to read it. If you want more on what I mean by this, I can elaborate elsewhere, or you can check out “the horizon of expectations” by Hans Robert Jauss. 

A tl;dr version: we know how to read a romance novel, for instance, because we understand what a romance novel is and what it does. We understand how to recognise it (i.e., what characteristics and tropes it typically contains) and we understand how to read the story in the light it is meant to be read. In other words, if you go into a romance novel not knowing how to read a romance novel, you are likely to end up saying, “well, that was the worst zombie apocalypse novel I ever read! There weren’t even zombies, and no-one died, and it was all about kissing. Yuck.” 

Published fiction is highly codified, because that’s how you sell books. Because of that, if you want to sell books--which is to say, get your work professionally published--your knowledge of tropes, genre, conventions, etc., will shape your work, both subconsciously and intentionally, and it will also guide your editors’ feedback. Even if what you’re doing is subverting genre conventions with your work, you are still very aware of those conventions, and you are relying on your reader to also be aware of those conventions so they recognise how you’re subverting them.

The reason I’m saying all of this is because fanfiction as a medium has basically no oversight whatsoever compared to any published fiction. You can quite literally do whatever, more or less, and publication is not an obstacle or consideration unless you want it to be. The creative liberty available there is fantastic, but the drawback is that you’re not guaranteed that anyone’s going to care--if you’re writing original fiction on a fanfiction site, that is.

 Instead of the horizon of expectations being dictated by familiarity with genre (which is what Jauss talks about), I think it’s more useful to approach fanfiction from a perspective of horizon of expectations being defined by familiarity with canon. You are on some level relying on your reader to understand canon enough to recognise the ways you are reshaping it, whether that’s reinterpretation of characters or rewriting of scenes, so on. 

By that measurement, we can say that a “good” novel is one that does something interesting and potentially innovative with how it relates to genre; and a “good” fanfiction is one that does something interesting and potentially innovative with how it relates to canon. (Saying “good” in quotation marks because that’s so subjective, but I hope I’m getting across what I mean clearly enough).

So anyway, second tl;dr: even though a novel sequel has similar requirements to fanfiction in that you typically need to know the canon to get the best experience of the work, I think the immense set of underlying rules and expectations for published fiction in terms of structure, language, genre, narrative, etc. etc., mean that they aren’t really comparable as mediums in the way you’re suggesting. 

It’s sort of like comparing film and novels, for example. Obviously fanfiction and novels are both written, but just as cinematography has its own language, style, conventions, and rules that can be somewhat translated but not really accurately imitated by novels, I feel that fanfiction and published novels have a relationship kind of like that. You can’t create visual vectors in written fiction the way you can in film, for instance, and similarly I think fanfiction can do things that the far more rigid world of contemporary publishing typically cannot. 

Final tl;dr: novels have to follow rules and jump through certain hoops of expectation to be published that fanfiction simply doesn’t, and this is actually quite a major factor in the end results for both mediums. Thank you for asking! I hope this made some sense. 

[askkrenko]

Krenko’s Guide to Pokemon: Munchlax Line

Height two feet, weight two hundred thirty one pounds. I don’t think density works that way.

DESIGN:

I don’t like Munchlax’s face. It’s furry boddy, bear-like feet, fluffy arms, and tall ears are all fine, but when compared to the rest of it not only is its face woefully underdesigned, but the straight line of separation between the two colors that goes all the way around its head makes it look like the top of its head should just pop off like a South Park Canadian. For the most part, it’s cute, and I love the tiny bear-like design, but I really wish the darker color went down behind its jawline.

Also, it has blank eyes. The vast majority of pokemon either have proper irises or some sort of solid eye with a shine to it. Munchlax just has little dots in the middle of white spaces, and while it’s not the only Pokemon with eyes like that, it stands out as a design issue.

Snorlax, on the other hand, is basically perfect. It’s a big, fat bear-like thing that’s just flopping around and doesn’t want any part of this. I do wish the basic design was a bit more textured with less distinct lines to make it clear that this is a furry creature, especially at its forehead, but overall it reads like a real animal that’s not an animal we actually know.  There’s a brief appearance of Snorlax in Detective Pikachu, and honestly it looks perfect there. Just by making it clear that it’s furry the Pokemon gets a huge layer of life… But I can’t really complain about that not being there in most games, as Pokemon has a very smooth graphical style and even fluffballs like Pikachu tend to look overly smooth.

Gigantamax Snorlax is one of my favorite Gigantamaxes, because while Snorlax itself doesn’t really change, its sedentary nature allows foliage to grow up and over it. This brings in a strong addition of color and new design space without feeling as though it’s rewriting the Pokemon’s design. It also just looks like a really nice place to spend an afternoon. Would anyone like to picnic with me on a Snorlax’s tummy?

TYPING: 

Pure Normal is a great defensive type and a poor offensive one. Weak only to Fighting, but not strong against anything, the best normal types tend to be ones built for survivability. Fortunately, that’s exactly what Snorlax is. 

STATS:

With 160 HP, Snorlax is one of the beefiest Pokemon around, even when Legends are considered. 65 Physical Defense is a bit low for a tank, but  the HP more than makes up for it and 110 Special Defense is rather strong. Further, while there are others with more HP, none of them come with a higher Attack or Special Attack than Snorlax’s 110 Physical. It does have to get by with one of the lowest speeds in the game, but that’s a normal tradeoff for tankier builds.

Art by SillyFoe

ABILITIES:

Snorlax’s three abilities are, surprisingly, all quite good.

Immunity, likely the weakest of the three, grants immunity to Poison. As Toxic is one of the deadliest moves to tanky pokemon, this should be beneficial, but if that’s the worry it’s generally better to just include Rest in your build and instead use one of Snorlax’s other abilities.

Thick Fat, generally the best of the three abilities, grants Snorlax resistance to both Fire and Ice attacks. As Snorlax is generally already being used for defense, this is a great ability that allows it to more easily cover more attackers with the only tradeoff being that you’re then susceptible to Toxic. The vast majority of Snorlax builds are going to want Thick Fat.

And then there’s Gluttony. Gluttony allows a Snorlax to eat either a health-restoring berry or an ability-enhancing berry at 50% HP instead of 25% HP. While this is a very limited number of berries, it’s important to remember that Snorlax has access to the move Recycle and that its G-Max move has a 50% chance to restore a consumed berry. Further, Snorlax can use Belly Drum to immediately halve its HP to maximize its attack stat, and being able to trigger a berry off that enables survivability. A Gluttony Snorlax requires building around Gluttony and thus limits options, but a Gluttony build can be very good.

Art by Gyorkland

MOVES:

As a Gen 1 Normal type, Snorlax has access to way more moves than it will ever need, with random TM access like Thunderbolt and Psychic that it really has no need for. That said, Snorlax also has access to a number of solid attacks.

A Snorlax’s primary attack varies by build, but Double-Edge, Body Slam, and Return/Frustration all offer significant power with STAB. A Snorlax build should probably have one of these moves, but which one is entirely up to you.

For a secondary attack, Rock and Steel types both resist Normal but are conveniently both weak to Fighting and Ground. While Snorlax does have some useful Fighting moves, Earthquake also enables it to hit Ghost types, leaving only a few Pokemon like Mismagius and Skarmory to be serious road blocks.

If further coverage is desired, Snorlax has plenty of it, with the elemental punches, Heavy Slam, Seed Bomb, Darkest Lariat, and plenty of other options. Finding the right attacks is simply not an issue for Snorlax.

What Snorlax is best known for, though, is Rest. With its huge HP and solid defenses, a Snorlax can sleep through most attacks, especially if Sleep Talk is used to make up for the lost turns during Rest.  A Return/Earthquake/Rest/Sleep Talk lineup is a solid option on its own.

Another very popular move on Snorlax is Curse. Curse’s speed debuff is basically negligible to a Pokemon who has almost no speed to begin with, and Snorlax both leans heavily on Attack and can really benefit from just a bit of defense boosts. Further, Snorlax’s bulk and support from Rest enable it to build up Curse with less risk than many other Pokemon. 

Art by Heri-Shinato

And then there’s Gluttony. While a normal Snorlax is going to want Thick Fat, there are a few moves that would make it want Gluttony instead.

First off, G-Max Replenish has a 50% chance of restoring a used Berry, so if you’re planning to Gigantimax your Snorlax in a fight, using your berry early and then recovering it can go a long way. 

Second, Recycle simply restores Snorlax’s berry when used, and when combined with a Figy, Wiki, Mago, Aguav, or Iapapa berry this enables Snorlax to regularly recover HP without worrying about the ‘drawback’ of rest, though how much HP it recovers depends on which generation you’re playing.

Finally, while not exclusive to a Gluttony Snorlax, the use of Belly Drum to halve your HP and immediately max out your Attack stat is far safer when that move triggers berry recovery.  A Gluttony build that includes Belly Drum, Recycle, Body Slam (or Double-Edge), and Earthquake can work quite well for a Gigantamax Snorlax. 

Art by oddsocket

OVERALL:

Snorlax is a great Pokemon with a strong move variety, good abilities, and the ability to play as either a tank with decent attacks or a powerful attacker that can take hits. If anything, it has too many move options, but as more and more Pokemon exist, it’s leveling out to somewhere near fine. In the early days, Snorlax was an overpowered force to be reckoned with, getting weaker overall not because it’s any less competent than it was in Gen 1, but because there’s simply more competition from things like Mega Evolutions and Ultra Beasts.

That said, with a base stat total similar to that of a fully-evolved starter, Snorlax could certainly get a Mega Evolution without breaking anything… unless you’re of the opinion that Megas are already broken. Either way, Snorlax doesn’t really need any help to realize its full potential, it’s just having a bit of trouble keeping up with power creep.

Art by FistEastwood