#food van manufacturers

[schickwheel]

Food Cart Manufacturers- Redefining Mobile Business Solutions

The rise of mobile businesses, particularly in the food and beverage sector, has fueled the demand for high-quality and versatile food carts. Food carts are an excellent solution for entrepreneurs looking to launch or expand their ventures in a cost-effective and mobile manner. With their compact, customizable designs and ease of operation, food carts and food van are becoming a popular choice for street vendors, small-scale businesses, and even large brands seeking innovative ways to connect with customers. Among the leading names in this industry is Schick Wheel, a trusted food cart manufacturer renowned for its top-tier products and customer-centric solutions.

The Importance of Food Carts for Businesses

Food carts offer unmatched flexibility and versatility for businesses across various sectors. They serve as a cost-effective entry point for aspiring entrepreneurs and provide established businesses with a unique platform to expand their reach. Key benefits of food carts include:

Mobility: Food carts allow businesses to operate in high-traffic locations such as markets, festivals, and public events, ensuring maximum customer visibility.

Cost-Efficiency: With lower setup and operational costs compared to brick-and-mortar establishments, food carts make business ownership accessible to more people.

Customization: Food carts can be tailored to suit the specific needs of the business, from equipment layouts to branding and design.

Scalability: As a business grows, additional carts can be added to expand operations across multiple locations.

Schick Wheel: A Trusted Name in Food Cart Manufacturing

What Makes Schick Wheel the Ideal Choice?

Customized Designs: Schick Wheel specializes in crafting food carts tailored to the unique requirements of each client. From compact beverage carts to fully-equipped units for elaborate menus, their designs maximize space and efficiency.

High-Quality Materials: Durability is crucial for food carts, which must endure frequent use and varying weather conditions. Schick Wheel uses high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting products.

Innovative Features: The company integrates modern features such as storage solutions, cooking equipment, and hygienic setups to enhance operational ease and comply with safety standards.

Aesthetic Appeal: Eye-catching designs and professional branding are essential for attracting customers. Schick Wheel creates carts with visually appealing exteriors that align with each client’s brand identity.

Affordable Solutions: Schick Wheel provides cost-effective options without compromising on quality, making their carts accessible to entrepreneurs with varying budgets.

After-Sales Support: Beyond manufacturing, Schick Wheel offers maintenance and support services to ensure their carts remain in optimal condition for years.

Types of Food Carts Offered

Food cart manufacturers like Schick Wheel cater to a wide range of business needs. Some popular categories include:

Snack and Beverage Carts: Ideal for serving quick bites, coffee, tea, and cold drinks.

Ice Cream and Dessert Carts: Perfect for selling frozen treats, pastries, and confectioneries.

Multi-Cuisine Food Carts: Equipped with versatile cooking tools to serve hot meals and snacks.

Retail Carts: Customized carts for selling non-food items such as crafts, clothing, or accessories.

Why Choose Schick Wheel for Your Food Cart Needs?

In a competitive market, choosing the right food cart manufacturer is critical to your business’s success. Schick Wheel not only delivers high-quality carts but also ensures that every detail is tailored to meet your goals. Their customer-focused approach, commitment to innovation, and reputation for excellence make them a top choice for businesses across India.

Whether you’re launching a food startup or expanding your existing operations, a food cart from Schick Wheel can help you achieve mobility, cost-efficiency, and customer engagement.

Conclusion

The food cart industry in India is thriving, offering endless opportunities for entrepreneurs to tap into the mobile business trend. Manufacturers like Schick Wheel play a vital role in empowering businesses with their expertly crafted, customizable, and reliable food carts.

By choosing a trusted food cart manufacturer, you can turn your vision into a reality, serving your products to customers wherever they are. Whether it’s a bustling street corner or a high-profile event, food carts provide the mobility, efficiency, and branding needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced market.

Original Source: Food Cart Manufacturers in Delhi

[ezeedial]

Get commercial kitchen equipment in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu at the best price. View Trichy-based commercial kitchen equipment manufacturers

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Amazon's bestselling "bitter lemon" energy drink was bottled delivery driver piss

Today (Oct 20), I'm in Charleston, WV at Charleston's Taylor Books from 12h-14h.

For a brief time this year, the bestselling "bitter lemon drink" on Amazon was "Release Energy," which consisted of the harvested urine of Amazon delivery drivers, rebottled for sale by Catfish UK prankster Oobah Butler in a stunt for a new Channel 4 doc, "The Great Amazon Heist":

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-great-amazon-heist

Collecting driver piss is surprisingly easy. Amazon, you see, puts its drivers on a quota that makes it impossible for them to drive safely, park conscientiously, or, indeed, fulfill their basic human biological needs. Amazon has long waged war on its employees' kidneys, marking down warehouse workers for "time off task" when they visit the toilets.

As tales of drivers pissing – and shitting! – in their vans multiplied, Amazon took decisive action. The company enacted a strict zero tolerance policy for drivers returning to the depot with bottles of piss in their vans.

That's where Butler comes in: the roads leading to Amazon delivery depots are lined with bottles of piss thrown out of delivery vans by drivers who don't want to lose their jobs, which made harvesting the raw material for "Release Energy" a straightforward matter.

Butler was worried that he wouldn't be able to list his product on Amazon because he didn't have the requisite "food and drinks licensing" certificates, so he listed his drink in Amazon's refillable pump dispenser category. But Amazon's systems detected the mismatch and automatically shifted the product into the drinks section.

Butler enlisted some confederates to place orders for his drink, and it quickly rocketed to the top of Amazon's listings for the category, which led to Amazon's recommendation engine pushing the item on people who weren't in on the gag. When these orders came in, Butler pulled the plug, but not before an Amazon rep telephoned him to pitch him turning packaging, shipping and fulfillment over to Amazon:

https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-let-its-drivers-urine-be-sold-as-an-energy-drink/

The Release Energy prank was just one stunt Butler pulled for his doc; he also went undercover at an Amazon warehouse, during a period when Amazon hired an extra 1,000 workers for its warehouses in Coventry, UK, in a successful bid to dilute pro-union sentiment in his workforce in advance of a key union vote:

https://jacobin.com/2023/10/the-great-amazon-heist-oobah-butler-review

Butler's stint as an Amazon warehouse worker only lasted a couple of days, ending when Amazon recognized him and fired him.

The contrast between Amazon's ability to detect an undercover reporter and its inability to spot bottles of piss being marketed as bitter lemon energy drink says it all, really. Corporations like Amazon hire vast armies of "threat intelligence" creeps who LARP at being CIA superspies, subjecting employees and activists to intense and often illegal surveillance.

But while Amazon's defensive might is laser-focused on the threat of labor organizers and documentarians, the company can't figure out that one of its bestselling products is bottles of its tormented drivers' own urine.

In the USA, the FTC is suing Amazon for its monopolistic tactics, arguing that the company has found ways to raise prices and reduce quality by trapping manufacturers and sellers with its logistics operation, taking $0.45-$0.51 out of every dollar they earn and forcing them to raise prices at all retailers:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/25/greedflation/#commissar-bezos

The Release Energy stunt shows where Amazon's priorities are. Not only did Release Energy get listed on Amazon without any quality checks, the company actually nudged it into a category where it was more likely to be consumed by a person. The only notice the company took of Release Energy was in its logistics and manufacturing department – the part of the business that extracts the monopoly rents at issue in the FTC case – which tracked Butler down in order to sell him these services.

The drivers whose piss Butler collected don't work directly for Amazon, they work for a Delivery Service Partner. These DSPs are victims of a pyramid scheme that Amazon set up. DSP operators lease vans and pay to have them skinned in Amazon livery and studded with Amazon sensors. They take out long-term leases on depots, and hire drivers who dress in Amazon uniforms. Their drivers are minutely monitored by Amazon, down to the movements of their eyeballs.

But none of this is "Amazon" – it's all run by an "entrepreneur," whom Amazon can cut loose without notice, leaving them with unfairly terminated employees, outstanding workers' comp claims, a fleet of Amazon-skinned vehicles and unbreakable facilities leases:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/17/revenge-of-the-chickenized-reverse-centaurs/

Speaking to Wired, Amazon denied that it forces its drivers to piss in bottles, but Butler clearly catches a DSP dispatcher telling drivers "If you pee in a bottle and leave it [in the vehicle], you will get a point for that" – that is, the part you get punished for isn't the peeing, it's the leaving.

Amazon's defense against the FTC is that it spares no effort to keep its marketplace safe. As Amazon spokesperson James Drummond says, they use "industry-leading tools to prevent genuinely unsafe products being listed." But the only industry-leading tools in evidence are tools to bust unions and screw suppliers.

In her landmark Yale Law Review paper, "Amazon's Antitrust Paradox," FTC Chair Lina Khan makes a brilliant argument that Amazon's alleged benefits to "consumers" are temporary at best, illusory at worst:

https://www.yalelawjournal.org/note/amazons-antitrust-paradox

In Butler's documentary, Khan's hypothesis is thoroughly validated: here's a company extracting hundreds of billions from merchants who raise prices to compensate, and those monopoly rents are "invested" in union-busting and countermeasures against investigative journalists, while the tools to keep you from accidentally getting a bottle of piss in the mail are laughably primitive.

Truly, Amazon is the apex predator of the platform era:

https://pluralistic.net/ApexPredator

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

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/20/release-energy/#the-bitterest-lemon

My next novel is The Lost Cause, a hopeful novel of the climate emergency. Amazon won't sell the audiobook, so I made my own and I'm pre-selling it on Kickstarter!

[paintyoureyeswithavividmind]

close to home | chapter twenty seven

close to home | chapter twenty seven

plot: the reader throws herself into work to keep her grief at bay, and helps get everyone ready for their journey north

series masterlist

Pairing: Eventual Daryl Dixon x f!reader Word Count: 2,496 Warnings: violence, blood, typical twd, A/N: thank you for reading!!!

It had been two days since Beth’s death, and every day started out the same. You were okay when you woke up, then you remembered, and you wanted to cry. Then you were busy with the day and were able to get through it. Then, you lay down to sleep and remembered all over again and cried. Then it would repeat itself. 

You learned about Rick’s plans on going to Virginia for Beth, and you immediately agreed to it. You wanted to honor your little cousin in the only way you knew how. You wanted her death to mean something. If you got Noah back to his family, his home, then it would. 

But the group had things to do before the big move. You needed better transportation, and you needed supplies. So on the last day before you left, you were all busy getting ready. 

Two supply groups were formed and would head in opposite directions. You’d travel twenty-five miles, see what you could get, and then come back. You were all due before sunset, and if you weren’t back, the remaining group would come looking. 

You were with Michonne, Carol, Rick, and Daryl. Glenn, Maggie, Rosita, Sasha, and Tara would be the second group. Carl, Eugene, Tyreese, and Abraham would stay back at the campsite with Judith and Tora, and would wait. Rick wanted you to stay back, but you couldn’t. Besides, you were feeling better. Physically, at least. 

Your group took one of the cars, the other group took the other car, and the campsite group stayed with the truck. It would offer the most protection in case something happened. 

You were sitting in the backseat with Michonne and Carol and had been for a while now. The road was mostly clear, and after about fifteen minutes of Rick’s crazy driving, you approached a town. 

“I’m thinkin’ we divide into two groups. We need food, water, and gas. We need stuff for Judith, too.” Rick said as he parked the car. “We also need some cars. The van will hold a decent amount of us, but we’ll need two more cars. I don’t think this one is makin’ the trip, and I’d rather not get stuck on the road with it.”

You climbed out of the car, your hand gripping your machete as you spotted a lone walker. You waited a second before approaching it, taking it down quickly. The rest of the group was taking out some supplies the group had scavenged the past few days--which was nearly nothing, though Rosita scored big when she found some empty gas containers. 

“Michonne and I will look for food. You three try and get your hands on a car. Meet back here at midday, and we’ll reassess if we want to go back in for more.” Rick said. 

You all nodded and made the journey into the town. It mainly seemed deserted, with a few walkers here and there that were quickly taken out. Soon, Michonne and Rick bid their goodbyes, and the three of you were left to scavenge. 

Twenty minutes later, you were breathing deeply and covering the sore wound as Carol took the last walker down. It’d only taken a few minutes but it felt like more. 

“There’s gotta be keys inside the shop,” Carol said. “You two pick a car, and then we’ll try and figure it out from there. I’m going to try and siphon some gas. Hollar if you need help.”

The three of you split up as you searched the small car dealership. When you’d seen the logo of a common car manufacturer, you felt like it was a sign from God. The lot was pretty full, and most car dealerships had cars with full tanks. 

You returned to where most of the SUVs were, Daryl, walking slowly behind you and making sure nothing was around. Your gun was heavy and solid against your thigh, and you drummed your fingers against it a few times as you walked. 

Your eyes scanned the few remaining SUVs, and you smiled when you saw the biggest one. It was an old Acadia, and it reminded you of the one your mom used to drive. You walked up to the door, wiping dirt away with your hand and then wiping your hand on your pants. 

“This will hold seven of us. We got seventeen, including Judith….” You trailed off, checking to see if the door was unlocked. It was, and you stuck your head into the car. “Seems like it was pretty new.”

Daryl walked to the passenger side door and looked in the glove box and visors. A pair of keys fell out, and you smiled at Daryl. He handed them to you, and you started the car. It took a second, but it started, and you sighed with relief. 

“Tank is full, which is a relief. You might want to check the engine. It's been here since the start. Imma look for another seven-seater.”

Daryl nodded, “Shouting distance,”

You rolled your eyes but nodded before leaving. It was quiet, and the dealership seemed mostly untouched--which you were thankful for. You glanced back at Daryl, watching him sort through what was probably a dusty engine. You paused momentarily, watching the muscles in his arm contort as he looked through the machine. 

Shaking your head, you looked across the lot to Carol, who was siphoning the gas from a car. You then walked around, looking for another bigger car to hopefully get you all to Virginia. Unfortunately, the rest of the SUVs weren’t worth trying, so you helped Daryl get the car out of the spot and park it at the front of the lot. Carol met up with you with a full container of gas, and after setting it in the trunk, you drove the car off the lot. 

“Okay, so we got a car and some gas. We just need food and water. I think we should see if we can get some clothes. I’ve got blood on here that’s so old and stained that nothing gets it out.” You said as you drove. 

“There’s a Goodwill; looks like a coffee shop next to it,” Carol said, leaning into the front and pointing. 

“We should see if we could get Judith some clothes too. Maybe a car seat, too, if we could. I’m sure Rick would love that,” You said. 

After parking, Carol went to the coffee shop while you and Daryl checked out the front of the store. A few walkers dumped into the glass, and you and Daryl worked carefully to kill them. It wasn’t a very big store anyway. 

“Smells like shit in here,” You said, looking around the store. 

He snorted, “Ain’ like it always smells.”

You nodded in agreement and walked down the aisles of clothes. You started at the pants, grabbing a few pairs the group's women could use and stuffing them into a bag you’d found at the front of the shop. You weren’t sure what everyone’s sizes were, and everyone being nearly starved didn't help. You did your best to fill up some clean shirts, too, even a few sports bras you hoped would be good. 

You found a few things for yourself to change into, and after making sure Daryl was across the store, you quickly changed.

A few more minutes of searching later, you approached Daryl. He was grabbing a few plastic water containers in the kitchen area. “Here, I found these for you. Will these fit you?” You asked, showing him the clothes you’d found for him. 

“What?”

“You need new clothes. Those ones are disgusting. Go, try them on. I’m going to look for Judith. And don’t argue with me.”

You handed them over to him and went to the baby area without another word. You quickly grabbed a few onesies, shorts, and shirts that would fit her, with room to grow. You grabbed some socks and shoes that looked right. Unfortunately, there was no baby food, but this was something. You even found a car seat, and added it to the growing pile of supplies you made in the middle of the store. 

When Daryl met you, he had changed into newer clothes. They were just a pair of dark pants, a shirt he’d already torn the sleeves off, and his vest. But he looked better. 

“Did you grab some stuff for all the guys?” You asked. 

“Huh?”

You sighed, shaking your head. “We should grab some shirts for the guys. So they could change too.”

“I ain’ doin’ all that,”

You rolled your eyes and walked to the men’s section. It took about ten minutes for you to find stuff that would fit them all--since they were all different sizes. But you had enough shirts for them and wouldn’t even bother trying to guess pants sizes. At least all the women in the group were similar. And you had no idea how to look for men’s clothes. 

After adding them to the pile, you walked towards the employee door and slowly pushed through, checking the small break room before entering. There were some dusty tables and two vending machines in the back. You started laughing when you saw them. They were still nearly full. 

“Daryl!” You yelled, grabbing your machete. 

The door swung open after a few seconds, and he came in with his bow raised but lowered it when he saw your face. 

“Food,” You said, “Help me?”

Daryl looked at you, of course, unspoken on his lips. So he nodded and took the arrow out of the crossbow and then used the butt of it to break open the glass. 

“Careful,” He said quietly as you reached in, pulling out everything and shoving it into one of your bags. 

“Mhm,” You hummed, grabbing candy bars, bags of chips, pop-tarts, and granola bars. It wasn’t the healthiest of foods, but it was more than you had. You grabbed a blueberry pop-tart and ripped it open. It was stale when you took a bite, but you moaned at the taste anyway. “Oh my God,” 

Daryl shook his head in amusement as he busted the other vending machine and pulled out all the water bottles. 

“Here, eat,” You said, handing him the other pop-tart. He tried to refuse, but you forced it on him. “You gotta take care of yourself, too, Daryl. Hand me one of those sodas.”

“They probably taste like shit,” He said. 

You shrugged, taking the soda from him and sitting on one of the tables. A meal of stale pop-tarts and flat soda wasn’t what you had in mind today, but it was like finding a little slice of heaven in the hell you’ve been in. 

Once you finished your food and made Daryl drink, you went to grab the bags. The one with the water bottles was too heavy, and you barely lifted it off the ground. “Ugh,” You groaned. “You take this one.”

Daryl laughed quietly and you looked over at him. Hearing him laugh was a rarity and you loved when he did. 

“C’mon, Carol’s probably wonderin’ where we at,” He said. 

It took you two a good few minutes to load up all your supplies in the trunk, and you were sweating and aching when it was over. The truck was packed, and you tossed the car seat in the back. Before Daryl closed the trunk, you swiped a bag of chips. 

“It’s our reward for all the work we did,” You said, opening it up. Before you could even take a chip, Daryl swiped it from you and took some himself. “Asshole,” You said. 

He laughed again and handed the bag back to you after taking a few more. 

“Bags are mostly air anyway, so you owe me,” You said. 

“Let’s go check on Carol,” He said. 

You followed him as you ate handfuls at a time. You’d been starving since yesterday, and you couldn’t stop yourself from eating the shitty chips. 

The coffee shop was small, and Carol was inside. She’d found a decent amount of supplies in here. She’d found a few jugs of vegetable oil, cornmeal, and grains. An industrial size thing of oats. There were two can openers and some lighters. Nothing that you’d all be able to just open and eat, but it was better than nothing. 

“I found you some clothes,” You told Carol, grabbing some of the supplies. 

Carol smiled at you, “You’re my new favorite.”

***

By midday, you were waiting in the new car with all your supplies at the meeting point. Michonne and Rick weren’t back yet, but there was still time. You were sitting on top of the front of the car, leaning against the front window. Daryl had gone off into the woods to see if he could do some hunting for a few minutes. 

Carol was pacing back and forth on the road. 

“They’ll be back. It’s Rick and Michonne.” You said. 

Carol nodded, “Yeah, I know. I hope they found water.” 

You sat up and squinted in the sunlight. “We’ll figure it out if they didn’t.” 

Carol turned back at you. “You told Daryl.”

You knew exactly what she was talking about. “I needed to… needed to tell someone, you know?”

She nodded and crossed her arms. “I understand. I’m glad. He asked about it. It was nice talking to someone about it.” She admitted. 

You were about to lean back when you heard a car and watched as a car sped over the hill toward you. You didn’t need to even attempt to worry about who it was--Rick’s driving was a dead giveaway. 

The car slowed as they approached, and when Rick put it in park, they both got out. They looked like they had a bit of trouble but were okay. 

“How’d it go?” You asked them. 

“We found a small apartment building. Probably only ten units. Single floor.” Rick said, “We only cleared a room before heading back. There are probably two dozen or so walkers there. Where’s Daryl?”

“He went to see if he could catch anything. He’ll be back soon. He said he’d be gone for twenty.” Carol said. 

“Did you get stuff from the apartment?” You asked. 

Michonne nodded, “Yeah, they had a decent amount of food.” You knew exactly what that meant. Whoever it was, they killed themselves early on. 

You slide off the front of the car, ignoring the slight ache on your side. “So you wanna clear it?”

“I’d like to. We have the time. How did you guys do? I see you got a car.”

“We found a decent amount. Oh, I got some clean shirts. Michonne, even got some pants.” You said, “Not for you, Rick, sorry.”

“I’ll take a shirt. You won’t see me complaining,”

[theoutcastrogue]

Makiri, the Ainu knife

[by Peter Dekker at Mandarin Mansion, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License]

Description

Makiri is the Ainu word for knife. The word first appears in a 1643 Dutch handwritten journal by chief helmsman Cornelis Janszoon Coen, sailing on the ship Castricum. The term re-appears in 19th-century dictionaries and reports by ethnographers, indicating its continued unchanged use.

They typically have curved, single-edged blades with a sharp point. The edge has a single bevel, on the right side. The hilt follows the same curve as the blade.

The hilt and scabbards are made of wood, usually carved with decorative motifs. Scabbards can be made of a single piece, or two pieces and with strips of cherry bark to reinforce them. 

Use

The Ainu men used their makiri for woodcarving and for preparing food. Women carried a slightly smaller version called menoko-makiri which they used for food, and for the gathering of fruits and bark.

Ainu hunters. The one on the right carrying his makiri. 19th century painting. Anonymous. Brooklyn Museum

In the literature

Knives are the weapons on which a modern Ainu most relies. Some of these knives are of such length that they might pass for swords. The blade is single-edged, and is protected by a wooden sheath. Nearly every man possesses one, which he carries in his girdle when dressed; when naked, he carries it in his hand. 

The illustration shows knives of different sizes, and with different patterns worked on them. From an artistic point of view the sheaths of knives are the most carefully wrought over, and ornamented to a greater extent than any other article of Ainu manufacture.

— Arnold Henry Savage Landor, Alone with the Hairy Ainu, 1893

Notable examples

The Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden has two makiri that were collected by Philipp Franz Balthasar von Siebold, who must have acquired them before 1826, which makes them the earliest provenanced makiri known to me. Both were purchased by the museum in 1837. Accession numbers RV-1-4108 and RV-1-3695:

A drawing of the latter appears in Siebold's Nippon, Leiden, C.C. van der Hork. 1832:

The British Museum has an Ainu knife that was brought back by Dr. John Andersen and donated to the museum in 1885. Accession number As1885,1219.3.a-b:

Glossary of terms

English Ainu 1 - Knife blade makiri-ibe / ibehe 2 - Knife handle makiri-nip 3 - Knife sheath makiri-saya 4 - Back of knife mekkashike 5 - Edge notak 6 - Point of knife kanetuhu / etuhu

Examples

19th century, Hokkaido or Saklhalin, Japan, knife length 20.2 cm - 28.8 cm

[source] [licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License]

[redpenship]

fun fact about the rouge one shot

commander douhet is named after giulio douhet, an italian general during WWI who was arrested for criticizing his superiors because he believed they weren't using their air force to its full potential. he advocated strongly for using bombers on enemy cities to break stalemates as well as the will of their populations. at the time period, he was one of the first to advocate for strategic bombing campaigns on cities.

it is worth noting that the difference between "civilian" and "military" casualties only came into existence in the post-WWII era. until that period, european military leaders did not distinguish between the two groups since civilians were often just as involved in the war effort (they farmed the food that was sent in soldiers' rations kits, manufactured their weapons and munitions, etc) and also because they didn't really care lol. i have actually read excerpts from douhet's power of the air wherein he literally advocates for bombing civilian centres. his theory correctly predicted many of the bombing campaigns seen in WWII, such as the bombing of dresden (in which the british dropped so much artillery on the city of dresden that its river literally dried up from the heat) and the us fire bombing of tokyo. ironically enough, the us army actually expressed a bit of moral outrage over britain's campaign in dresden, since the us army's modus operandi at the time was to conduct daytime strikes on industrial targets rather than urban ones, but this attitude clearly did not hold out by the time they were focused on defeating japan lmao.

anyways, douhet was ahead of his time military-strategy wise and died before WWII began, which i can honestly only compare to van gogh dying before any of his works became famous. i would call this a tragedy (jokingly) but the last thing anyone needed was for this guy to be in charge of the italian air force during WWII so its probably good that he checked out early

[libertarian-druid-ny-separatist]

Ya know I hate to be that guy, but like, a great way we could be helping the environment would be to ease restrictions on auto imports. There's a lot of "pavement queen" trucks that could be easily replaced by smaller, more fuel efficient light duty trucks like the Toyota Hilux, Honda Acty, Nissan Clipper, Daihatsu Hi Jet, and so many others.

It's not like small trucks don't exist, we just ban their import and as a result American auto manufacturers have no need to compete with them. The models exist, but are prohibited from import until they're both technologically obsolete or so high mileage they're not worthwhile purchases for use.

By lifting these bans we can reduce emissions just due to the fact that there will be availability of 4 cylinder trucks and vans, which also helps consumers due to the fuel efficiency. If the American manufacturers refuse to adapt, their downfall is exclusively on themselves.

Just some food for thought.

[darkmaga-returns]

By Chris Van Tulleken For The Daily Mail.

We're all eating too many calories and too much sugar, salt and saturated fat – but you don't need me to tell you that.

However, the thing that has eluded scientists until recently is why.

After all, sugar, salt and fat have been cheap and available for a long time – but it's only in the past few decades that obesity has soared. What happened?

'Bliss-point', 'sonic branding', 'vanishing caloric density', 'snackification', 'stomach share' and 'hyperpalatability' is what happened – these are just some of the terms that explain why food-related disease is fast overtaking tobacco as the leading cause of early death in this country and globally.

These terms refer to just some of the covert tactics being used by the food manufacturers with one aim in mind: to make us buy and eat more, and then still more.

These approaches are highly scientific, developed by the best minds, using MRI brain scanners and other techniques, in order to learn exactly how to hijack our unconscious desires.

This knowledge then informs the new products developed by food scientists – moreish, packaged foods.

These are made using industrial processes that you could not replicate in your own kitchen, with ingredients that you would not find in your home larder, what are now known as ultra-processed foods, or UPFs. 

[austinstudying]

April 24, 2024

UT Austin was supposed to have a peaceful protest in solidarity with Columbia university and to get UT to divest from donors who are weapon manufacturers and sell ammunition and weapons to Israel.

Department of Public Safety (DPS), Austin Police Department (APD), and University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) were all sent to disrupt the protest.

They didn't let students sit on the lawn where they were supposed to initially go the peaceful protest. DPS brought horses and used those horses to push students from Speedway (the main walkway across campus) to the South mall (lawn in between the tower and fountain) which was previously blocked off by officers. Students protested on the lawn before DPS started mass arresting people and shoved people into vans before taking them away. DPS brutalized the victims they arrested. People protested outside the Travis County Jail to release them all night last night and a vast majority has been released.

Over 50 people were arrested in total.

The counterprotestors (zionists and pro-Israelis) stood by and watched, cameras out to record the faces of the protestors. They have been attempting to doxx these students and call them 'Nazis' on Twitter.

After DPS left, people returned to the South mall lawn and 'reclaimed' it. It became the peaceful event it was supposed to be. People brought food, water, and themselves.

The aggressive response by DPS has left many students and faculty shaken to the point where it was decided that a protest for DEI would be repurposed into a protest for first amendment rights and for Palestine was going to happen the next day. Today, April 25, 2024. I participated and it was much larger than the protest yesterday.

[dailyanarchistposts]

Legislate or Die?

We Can Save The Planet (For Ourselves!)

Companies are making an increasing number and range of ‘environmentally-friendly’ and ‘healthy’ products, such as bleaches and detergents or unadulterated foods. These products are invariably more expensive (and can only be bought by the better-off), and they are also the ‘acceptable’ face of corporations who continue to make the same old junk in large quantities to sell to the poor or dump in poor countries. Big firms such as Shell spend millions on advertising and PR, letting us know how ‘green’ they are – reclaiming the land after they’ve used it, putting their pipelines underground and giving money to green projects — yet they continue (with their government partners) to be the environmental terrorists. Consumerism (alienated buying to be happy) is part of the problem. Capitalism wants us to spend all of our ‘free’ time (when we’re not working to live or busy with domestic drudgery) buying “leisure”.

A significant part of the environmental movement remains wedded to the idea that capitalism can provide technological ‘fixes’ to the megacide it has created. Although green products are preferable, they are not the answer. They’re an individual solution to a social problem: who controls what, is produced and how. As individuals the majority of us — the working class — have no control over our lives. We certainly don’t have a say or exercise any social control over what we do or don’t buy (or as dissident shareholders).

A prime example is that of green car technology. It took years – thanks to the strength of the roads lobby – to win the introduction of lead-free petrol. But cars remain massive polluters, so what was achieved? Traffic fumes are a major contributor to the greenhouse gases that produce global warming. Cars and light vans produce 18% of global carbon dioxide emissions (with more produced by their manufacture), nitrous oxide (which contributes to surface and tropospheric ozone), and carbon monoxide. A proportion of nitrogen oxides turn to nitric acid, falling as acid rain. They react with other chemicals in sunlight to form petrochemical smogs that destroy millions of dollars worth of crops in America and elsewhere. Catalytic converters are supposed to reduce emissions of these dangerous pollutants. They don’t work when cold however, making them redundant at the start of the journey when most pollutants are emitted. They are widely used in Los Angeles, one of the smog capitals of the world. Similarly, there are problems with alternative fuels. Liquid hydrogen needs electricity to freeze it, and storage and safety are problematic. Like electric vehicles, it needs an expensive fuel that usually produces carbon dioxide in its generation. Super “technical fixes” such as hydrogen fuel cells are very expensive and distant prospects. If and when they are introduced they will displace existing car technologies to the developing world, as has happened with tobacco smoking. Even if a genuine green car is developed, the many other adverse effects of cars will remain, such as the waste of space and resources, widespread injury and death, and the effects on street life and community.

[yuki-boshi]

Kai no Kiseki - English Summary - Act 3 Van Route 4

Table of Contents

The Bunny Outfits are essential to the plot.

Act 3: Van 4

Van picks up everyone, including Renne and Agnes, at the Aramis Dorms. The students gather to see them off, and Feri comments on the strength of school friendships, to which Agnes agrees.

Renne, having been giving Van sidelong looks all morning, finally gets on his nerves. He asks her to speak up. Renne replies that it’s nothing and that she totally doesn’t know what happened last night with Agnes. Regardless of the outcome, she hopes Van had fun.

She then whispers, asking if Van’s kink involves making Agnes go out in her school outfit late at night. Van denies it, insisting that all they did was a nightly patrol.

He explains that Agnes came up with a flimsy excuse about her clothes being in the washer. Renne laughs and asks if he got pulled over by the cops. Van says no, but remarks it must have been sheer luck that he didn’t.

While still in the car, Van gives an exposition dump about Anchorville, explaining that it’s a city situated between Messeldam and Oracion with a population of about 120,000. The city hosts major companies but still retains a medieval charm despite its modern upgrades, making it almost a tourist attraction. He adds that it’s an ideal place for people looking for a medium-sized town to settle in. Judith, annoyed, tells him not to summarize her hometown like that, but admits he’s pretty much right. She also mentions that Anchorville has a lot of manufacturing and logistical warehouses for exports, and it’s well-known for its hospital. Risette tells Quatre that it ranks in the top 10 most desirable cities to live in Calvard. Aaron adds that it’s only a two-hour train ride from Edith.

Quatre says he needs to check on something, and Van asks if it’s related to Basel. Quatre confirms this, mentioning that the CID has closed off the underground after some incident involving the Thors group. He also shares that something significant was discovered deep in the Observatory’s undergrounds. Quatre can’t reach his grandma, and neither can Esremay. He asks Van to get information from Grim Garten for updates, but Aaron notes that everyone there is keeping their cards close to their chest.

Agnes agrees, wondering what Nadia, Swin, and Lapis are up to. Overhearing the conversation from his orbal bike, Bergard reflects that Kevin will likely face difficulties, but if Rion and Celis are involved, they might have a chance.

Judith then gets a call from her mom, Chloe, who asks if anyone’s been able to contact Dominique, Judith’s grandmother. Chloe says no one has. She also informs Van that all the lodging and food arrangements have been made, then hangs up. Aaron, ever the flirt, slyly comments on how young Chloe looks for her age, asking Judith if Chloe’s open to remarrying or if she’s seeing anyone.

Judith initially answers that she’s been trying to set her mom up on dates but quickly becomes furious when she realizes Aaron might be interested in her mom.

As they arrive in Anchorville, everyone admires the blend of medieval and modern architecture. Judith feels at home, while Risette stands lost in thought, staring at City Hall. Judith, wearing sunglasses, offers to take the group to her family’s Café Brasserie, whose logo was designed by her grandma, Dominique.

Inside, they meet a waitress named Shannon (cue the "another reused NPC name" comment). Judith is outed as a local, and the regulars ask if Van is her boyfriend. One of the patrons even mentions that Dominique has talked about Van, hinting that the future of the café might be in his hands. Judith, flustered, denies that Van is her boyfriend.

Chloe arrives and escorts the group upstairs, while Shannon (also sporting blue hair) gives Risette a curious glance. Chloe explains that the second floor is set up with internet access for Van’s group since they’ll be staying for a while. Judith, oversharing, accidentally reveals that the third floor and basement serve as Grimcats’ base of operations, complete with cool gadgets, before getting a sharp look from her mom. Van sweatdrops but thanks Chloe for going above and beyond, even promoting their 4SPG services on bulletin boards throughout the city. Chloe assures them it’s no problem, and she hopes they’ll gain traction soon.

Bergard wonders if Chloe might know something off about Anchorville. Chloe responds, saying that while there’s been an influx of shady individuals due to the Space Project hype and constant partying, she hasn’t noticed anything specific about the Masked People. Despite being a "retired kitty," she offers her assistance to the group, saying she can still lend a hand. Aaron asks about lunch, and Chloe assures him it’s simple but delicious before leaving the room.

Agnes praises Chloe, noting her elegance and flawless demeanor, leaving no room for criticism. Bergard compares her aura to Dominique’s, though Dominique was more hotheaded. Aaron adds that Chloe’s composed competence made Judith’s constant missteps more noticeable, much to Judith’s annoyance. Judith quickly changes the subject, asking what Van will do now that he has the 4 SPGs. Van says he’ll contact Elaine at the Guild branch in the capital, while Aaron mentions he could get some intel on Heiyue from the Kowloon bank.

Just then, a voice calls the group downstairs for food. As Van turns, he notices that the "scent" he typically gets when something is off has completely vanished, making him wonder if something’s going on.

Downstairs, the group enjoys a buffet with mussels as the star dish. Quatre is surprised, but Risette and Bergard explain that, though mussels are typically found in the sea, they’re also harvested from the river running between Oracion and Anchorville. Renne dips her bread in the sauce, and Feri follows suit. After the meal, tiramisu is served, much to Van’s excitement.

Everyone is equally thrilled, and Renne muses that while she’d normally have tea with such a dessert, coffee seems to pair well too. Bergard mentions he’s been to the café countless times but never ordered the tiramisu. Van says he’s had it before, but this version blows anything he’s tasted out of the water, calling it rich and fragrant, a true testament to the dessert’s three generations of perfection from Judith’s family. His enthusiastic rambling alarms Shannon, and Van gives Chloe a thumbs-up from across the restaurant, prompting Judith to tell him to stop scaring the staff.

Risette suddenly pauses, and when everyone asks her what’s wrong, she says the tiramisu is just too good. Judith offers to share the recipe, mentioning it’s already published, and Van immediately raises his hand to get it. Risette, thinking to herself, reflects that her body’s mimicry taste sensor is supposed to replicate only 30% of actual taste buds, yet she’s still able to fully enjoy the dessert.

In free roam, speaking with a customer named Perdue, a long-time regular, he comments that what the group just ate is only the third-best dish the café offers. When Van asks what’s second, Perdue replies it’s the alcohol served later in the day. And the first? Perdue coyly responds that it’s "a little erotic" and suggests Van could be the answer to Judith’s need for a proper man. Flustered, Judith insists she has no trouble attracting men, while Aaron laughs, teasing her about being bullied by an old geezer.

Agnes comments on how lively the café is. If you talk to Perdue again, he mentions he’s always trying to "educate the girls." Judith becomes irritated, asking if he’s been harassing Shannon, but Perdue denies it, explaining that Shannon already has a boyfriend. He does, however, admit that he might extend his "education" to the other female staff, prompting Chloe to overhear and ask for clarification, causing Perdue to fall silent.

In an optional cutscene with Shannon, Judith points out that Risette looks familiar to her. Shannon jokes that Risette could even be her long-lost sister. Feri takes it seriously, but Shannon clarifies that she’s an only child—though she does feel a connection.

Afterward, outside, Judith begins explaining Anchorville and its districts, but locals interrupt by waving to her. An old lady even scolds Judith, telling her to put on sunglasses. The group finds it amusing how strongly the locals feel about Judith, attributing it to a deep sense of local love and admiration. Aaron, however, scoffs, saying it feels more like everyone is intensely judging Judith’s every move, rather than admiring her.

At the hotel, the receptionist informs you of a bar downstairs. Upon talking to the bartender, the group learns that an elderly man in Far Eastern clothing recently visited and left a big impression on him. (Yun Ka-Fai?!!!)

You can visit Eton and head to the back, where Reporter Edwin, a familiar face, recognizes Van. Though they've crossed paths before, this is their first proper meeting. Van notices Agnes acting strangely and asks her why. She explains that Edwin is the same name in Sunshine Agnes.

At the church, the Bishop tells Van to sit down and pray to Aidios or leave, as they’re in the middle of prayers. Bergard mentions that this Bishop is actually well-known within the Septian Church. As they’re about to leave, Priest Leon engages in a conversation, causing Judith to ‘tch’ at him. Leon questions why she did that, leading to a discussion where the group asks about their connection. Leon playfully asks Judith if she has any sins to confess, especially concerning her Grimcats outings. Quatre is surprised Leon knows about it. Judith explains that she’s known Leon for a long time but is offended by his old-fashioned mindset, particularly his disdain for acting and movies. Leon clarifies that he doesn’t hate acting itself but rather the current state of the industry, which he believes focuses too much on sexualizing people and catering to fanservice (probably referring to Gotti's movies). He mentions that even discussing Judith’s profession gives him a headache.

Judith fires back, demanding that he at least watch her movies before judging. She challenges him, asking if he’s ever actually watched any of her films. Agnes laughs, commenting on how they don’t seem to get along, while Aaron quips, “Hehe, well, it’s only natural considering she’s both a kinkster and a phantom thief.”

Talking to Leon again, he’ll vent to Van about all his old grievances with Judith—being late, forgetting homework, breaking promises, borrowing his things without returning them. Judith interjects, calling him clumsy too and questioning how he can hold onto grudges from a decade ago, especially when the Church teaches forgiveness. She also points out that he failed to mention the time she jumped into a river to save him from drowning.

At the Guild Branch, Alvis arrives, expecting Van. Agnes notes that Alvis seems more accepting of Van now. Aaron also recognizes Luka, Hazel’s granddaughter from Oracion. Regena is there as well, worried about Anju, who was stationed in Anchorville. The receptionist, Regard, Anju’s brother, explains that the branches in the Capital, Anchorville, and Oracion are cooperating to track down the Masked People. Aaron compliments him, and Judith remarks that Anchorville’s peace is largely thanks to him. Van comments that he’s heard of Regard, a former A-Rank Bracer who retired due to injuries. (You can learn this earlier if you spoke to Anju and Regena back in Act 2.)

Renne asks for any updates on A-D and the Remnants, but the Guild reports no abnormalities in Messeldam, Oracion, or Anchorville, leading Alvis to wonder if they’re even in Anchorville. Still, his instincts tell him not to overlook the town just because there’s no visible threat. Regard notes that the police haven’t been mobilized from the Capital in a while, leaving Anchorville largely defenseless, with only the Bracers protecting the area. He suggests that Van’s unique skills as a Spriggan could help, and asks Arkride to prove himself.

Arkride appreciates being recognized without initial suspicion and agrees to investigate. Alvis asks for Van’s help with their matters, and Regard proposes that Van’s group handle monsters in the southern outskirts while Alvis covers the north.

Talking to Regard again reveals that he holds high expectations for Van, hoping his renowned “smell finder” ability proves useful. Regard also mentions his intention to repay Alvis and Regena for watching over Anju. Speaking to Alvis again reveals that Anju is upstairs, preparing for Bracer work. When you talk to her, she expresses anxiety, fearing that the Remnants and A-D are secretly hiding in town, and she’s determined to protect everyone.

----

4SPG: Finding Snapshots Nathan, a man searching for rare photographs he took, realizes he misplaced them after getting drunk. The last thing he remembers is putting the photos in a magazine he was reading, but now the magazine is missing. The group starts by investigating at the bar, where they discover the bartender took the magazine—but it had no photos. They suspect other customers might be involved, and it turns out, four customers had taken the photos.

The first customer has a photo of Dominique and reminisces about growing up with his grandmother, a fan of hers. He tearfully returns the picture to Van.

The second customer is a Judith fan and hands over the photo after seeing Judith in person.

The third customer, a woman, claims to have a picture of Grimcat, which causes Judith to panic and Aaron to laugh. It turns out to be a photo of Rosalie’s Grimcat instead.

The fourth customer is a hotel guest who returns a photo of Chloe.

The group returns to Nathan and asks where he took the picture of Rosalie’s Grimcats. He explains that he snapped it in the outskirts of Edith, where he saw a strange figure. Renne laughs, suggesting Rosalie was essentially streaking, and suspects this might have been before her mission to steal the Alter Core at The Chardin.

4SPG: Nelken Transportation The CEO of Nelken Transportation asks the group to help find a missing driver named Yasel, who has a troubled past. Nelken’s company hires misfits like Yasel to help reintegrate them into society. As they investigate his delivery route, the group deduces that Yasel might be attempting to take his own life. They find him on the outskirts, with a gun in his mouth, but Van knocks it away and talks him down.

Their investigation shifts focus as they uncover Nelken Transportation's darker side. They learn that it is a "black company" (slang in Japan for exploitative companies), and Yasel had been forced to work over 300 hours in a month while covering all truck-related expenses himself. The group tricks Nelken into believing Yasel took his own life, prompting Nelken to reveal his true colors, expressing relief at not having to deal with Yasel anymore. They confront Nelken, revealing that Yasel is alive and they have a USB containing evidence of the company's illegal activities. When negotiations fail, Nelken summons bodyguards to attack.

After the battle, Yasel tries to kill Nelken with the same gun he almost used on himself. The group faces a critical choice: stop Yasel or let him carry out his revenge.

4SPG: A Tourist’s Troubles Gracio, a city hall employee, asks Van for help with lodging issues. Chief Bannings (not Lloyd Bannings) explains the situation further. The group interviews various hotels and inns, including Chloe’s Café, and pieces together the truth.

Back with Gracio, Van bluntly reveals that Gracio is the culprit. By altering reservation information, Gracio forced customers into precarious situations where they had to cancel and attempt to get refunds. However, due to an ongoing charity campaign, part of the refunded money was nonrefundable, allowing Gracio to embezzle the difference. Bannings concurs, pointing out the mismatch between the budget and the amount received. Frustrated, Gracio lashes out, saying he asked for a cover-up, not an expose on him.

----

At the Kowloon Bank The group meets Fan Lu. Fan explains that while Heiyue has mostly stabilized, the case of the missing people still concerns them. He read about Heiyue’s defeat at Dirke Memorial Park (Act 2 Van 2) and wanted to confirm if the remnants were in Anchorville. Judith has named the Masked Remnants as Apostle, Female Soldier, and Chivalrous Warrior. Aaron expresses concern, noting how strong the Masked Warriors are, even beating Rixia, also known as Yin.

Fan is surprised by Aaron's newfound composure and growth, attributing it to the influence of the Spriggans. He praises Aaron, recalling how the old Aaron would have charged in recklessly. Aaron suggests relying on Van and the solvers through the 4SPG system. Fan agrees, promising to share any new information with them.

-----

Connect Event: Agnes

Agnes and Van meet the children from Earl's Orphanage in Oracion under the guise of showing them around Anchorville. Furona, the chaperone and their foster caretaker, plans to surprise Jan, one of the orphans, with the news of his new foster parents. 

They take the children around town, walking the streets, crossing the river bridge, and even stopping by the Eton News Agency where Sunshine Agnes was. Van treats them to food and tiramisu at a café. However, Jan, sensing something is off, sneaks away from the group after the dessert. The others notice his absence and rush to find him sitting alone by the canals. 

Van, having been in Jan’s shoes, immediately understands. He talks to Jan, explaining how hard it is to be chosen by a new family while leaving behind the siblings and caretaker he’s known. Van reveals that he too grew up as an orphan and was the “big brother” of his group. He shares how he was a troublemaker, always getting into mischief, but that Mr. Arkride would always encourage him, reminding him that no matter how far away you are, you’re still connected to those you care about. 

Thanks to those words, Van says, he was able to form new friendships. He reassures Jan that leaving the orphanage doesn’t mean those bonds are broken. While speaking, Van glances at Agnes, hinting that his life has turned out pretty well. He encourages Jan to be happy, as his family wants the same for him. With newfound courage, Jan rejoins his siblings and agrees to meet his new foster parents. 

Afterward, Agnes asks Van about his past. He shares that shortly after his birth, he was abandoned and left at an orphanage with a letter claiming he was a demon and urging the orphanage to raise him regardless. After being adopted, he was subjected to torture by the DG cult. Following his rescue, the orphanage was contacted to explain what had happened, but Van never returned. When he eventually started Arkride Solutions, he tried to track down his ‘Father’ only to learn that after Van's rescue, his father had fallen ill around the same time. His father’s final wish was for Van to find a place where he belonged.

Van remembers moments with his father, who assured him that he wasn’t a devil. He told Van that many people face misfortune, but because Van had known pain from the start, he could stand by others to help prevent them from suffering the same fate. His father believed that through this, Van would find his place in the world. Agnes is intrigued, wondering if this could be the origin of a 4SPG.

She holds Van's hand, urging him not to have regrets about the person he cares about most. She expresses her desire for Van to find a place where he can smile, be happy, and truly belong, which she believes is also what Van's father would have wanted. Apologizing, Agnes admits she might be overstepping, but she felt compelled to tell him because she believes she and his father share the same wishes for him. She wants him to find happiness no matter what.

Van takes a deep breath, telling Agnes she’s truly something else, and that once again, she’s the one helping him realize these things. He jokingly calls himself pathetic. Agnes laughs, reminding him that he’s been his own person from the start—he just hadn’t realized it. She tells him he’s helped so many people, including her, to take that "step forward." From the bottom of her heart, Agnes confesses that she’s glad she met him.

Van tells her the feeling is mutual, though he feels unworthy of having her by his side. Agnes laughs, teasing him by saying she feels the same about herself. Then, with a wink, she warns him to be ready because she plans to grow so much as a person that one day Van will realize too late what an amazing woman she’s become, and he’ll regret missing his chance. (Agnes says this while sounding like she’s about to cry, foreshadowing...)

Van chuckles, saying he looks forward to that day.

Connect Event: Renne

Renne and Van visit the Eton News Agency to meet with Reporter Edwin, who had invited her to appear on his radio show/podcast. Edwin asks about Van, and Van explains that he's her guardian and is curious about what Edwin wants with Renne. Edwin quickly apologizes, saying he didn’t mean to come off as creepy—he just wanted to feature interesting individuals on his show. He then remarks on Renne’s reputation as a child prodigy with multiple degrees.

Renne plays along, teasing that Edwin’s compliment about her beauty is making her blush. Van, puzzled, asks why she's even going through with this, to which Renne replies that she can't avoid attention now that she's being noticed even behind the scenes. Edwin reassures them that any sensitive parts of the interview can be edited out. He also invites Van to participate, noting who he is. Surprised that he’s been identified, Van suspects this is Edwin’s skill as a reporter but still declines the offer.

Renne and Edwin enter the recording booth, where she introduces herself as “Kitty.” Edwin gives a brief overview of Renne’s background, mentioning her contributions in the Republic and hinting at her rumored identity as the infamous hacker “Kitty.” Renne laughs, admitting this is her first public interview. She then shares her experiences as an exchange student from Liberl and the Student Council President at Aramis. Edwin brings up the runner-up to her presidency, who became a terrorist in Kuro 2. Renne also displays her Kitty website, which is managed by a Hollow Core AI, and mentions that clicking the Kitty logo ten times plays kitten sound clips throughout the Capital.

During the interview, Edwin notes that Renne has traveled to many countries and asks if she's wealthy. Renne coyly responds that she used to have a job. When asked about her childhood, she jokingly says she "slaughtered" obstacles in her hacking operations (a combination of angel of slaughter and being the hacker kitty), before backtracking and requesting that be off the record. Van facepalms at the slip.

As the interview wraps up, Renne reflects on her past, recalling the people who helped lift her from darkness—Loewe and Joshua—and how her family, particularly Estelle and Joshua, showed her a brighter path. She also acknowledges a certain someone (Van) who helped her when she was lost, expressing gratitude to everyone who has supported her growth, and hopes it’s her turn to guide those struggling in the shadows.

After the interview, Van admits how worried he was, as Renne was close to revealing too much. Embarrassed, Renne blushes, which surprises Van, given her usual smug and teasing demeanor.

He notes that while she’s 18 and wealthy, she's still a kid. Van muses that those who lifted her up should hear this interview, and he believes those “inside” Renne would be proud as well. Renne reveals that after Nemeth Island, she no longer feels that "they" are with her, believing they’ve moved on peacefully after she confronted her past. Van acknowledges her growth, and Renne thanks him for supporting her when she was younger and staying close to her now. Van jokes that she's putting too much credit on him, forgetting the others who helped her. Renne wonders if Van is finally becoming self-aware. She also mentions, in jest, that perhaps she should even thank Harwood for the events of Kuro 2, despite the chaos. Renne then asks Van to continue supporting her, as she’s once again in his care.

Connect Event: Emilia

Van rides Bergard’s ETWS bike to meet Emilia, who has taken the Excalibur without permission to meet him. Van asks if that’s allowed, but Emilia brushes it off.

Emilia invites Van to join her on her final “Hermes request” before heading into space, determined to complete it without regrets. At a logistics warehouse, she speaks with a worker about a package she’s come to collect. The worker vaguely recognizes her but can’t place where.

Meanwhile, at a train station, a girl and a man are saying goodbye to another male, wondering if a gift will arrive in time. Emilia rushes to deliver the package just in time, handing it to the departing man.

Later, at a café, Van and Emilia discuss why she took on this delivery. Emilia explains that due to a shipping mix-up, the gift would have arrived too late for the childhood friend leaving on the train. Van is surprised that her final Hermes request is something so ordinary. Emilia laughs, teasing him—what, did he expect it to be some top-secret espionage document? She clarifies that she doesn’t discriminate when it comes to requests.

Just then, Emilia’s long-awaited tiramisu arrives—something she’s been eager to try again but hadn’t had the chance until now. Van jokes if this too is on her bucket list. He notes that it sounds like she's preparing for a life-or-death mission, and Emilia confides that she's placing everything on the line, including her life, to ensure success and live without regrets.

As Van prepares to send her off, he asks if she’s scared. Emilia admits that despite the high success rate of the mission, she is scared—after all, the cost of failure is her life. Van reassures her, reminding her that “Hermes” always comes back.

Emilia kisses Van, asking him to travel with her once it's all over. (Bro, what happened to her doing this with Crow in Rean 2?!!! EMILIAAAAAAA!!!)

-----

Main Story:

After completing all four SPGs, the group returns to the Café to discuss their findings. Van tells Chloe that based on the four SPGs, there are no Remnants. However, Van suspects that the SPG requests themselves were warped with malicious intent to mislead the group. Chloe shares that two individuals linked to the hospital have slight cases of amnesia. Aaron points out that this might be similar to Jeffrey’s case. With this in mind, the group decides to investigate the hospital.

The group heads to the hospital, where Feri and Quatre join the party. Once there, they begin gathering information, though some members, particularly Renne, question how useful Feri will be due to her innocence and naivety. Feri counters this by telling Renne that, in Kruga culture, she's considered an adult. Renne apologizes and says she trusts Feri will come through. An older woman, Ohara, shares that management at the hospital has been changing since last December.

Van talks to Finly, a friend of Paulette’s who had been discussing Maxim with her back in Act 2. Finly reveals that the suspension of certain wards was due to collusion. Both Agnes and Van suspect the previous head’s firing is linked to Almata, especially considering the timing in December.

Yun Ka-Fai arrives at the hospital and chats with the receptionist, Karen. Van recognizes him. Despite the busy atmosphere, Yun Ka-Fai is given a waiting number, 92, and asks Karen out to the Black Cat Café after work. The group wonders about him, and Van explains he had previously met him in Edith.

When talking to Yun Ka-Fai, he mentions that their reunion feels like fate and inquires about Jorda, the girl who used to accompany Van. Van explains he works with Agnes and the others more often than with Jorda. Yun Ka-Fai remarks that it’s a shame but compliments Van on having a beautiful assistant, implying that Van must be quite formidable.

Renne asks where Ka-Fai is from, and he replies "Longlai," though he was actually in Tharbad yesterday on holiday (Kevin 1 Shenanigans). He shares that his subordinates are a handful, so this vacation is his chance to unwind. Quatre observes that Ka-Fai might be as old as Bergard, but their approaches to life are vastly different.

Getting back to business, Van asks Yun Ka-Fai if he noticed anything suspicious. Ka-Fai mentions that during his checkup the previous night, he saw patients skipping the pharmacy, which is unusual since checkups usually come with prescriptions. He also mentions hearing ringing in the hospital, which stopped as soon as he left. Ka-Fai suggests it might be related to air flow, and Quatre explains the science behind it. Renne is impressed by Ka-Fai’s keen perception.

Using this information, they suspect a doctor named Grant is behind the strange occurrences. Van has Quatre use FIO to hack the database and move their names up as patients, causing Karen to wonder how they got ahead of Yun Ka-Fai.

At Grant’s office, Van pulls out the Alter Core and asks if he recognizes it. Risette checks his heartbeat and catches him lying when he denies it. Van pressures him about distributing drugs similar to those from the Almata Incident, noting how Grant bypasses the pharmacy by directly providing medication. Under pressure, Grant chants A-D and becomes empowered. He escapes and casts a white "breath," as Feri describes it, brainwashing everyone in the lobby.

Yun Ka-Fai briefly appears, and both he and Bergard recognize each other. Ka-Fai assists in handling the brainwashed citizens, stating he’ll help for Bergard’s sake, as well as for Van and his team. But most importantly, he’s helping because there are cute girls. Judith, somewhat confused, thanks him for his assistance.

The group heads to the back rooms where Van detects a "smell," prompting Risette to use Shard Search to reveal a hidden door, which Feri opens. Quatre questions why the hospital has a secret lair, as if they’ve stumbled into a spy movie. Renne immediately grasps the situation, explaining that it ties back to the former management’s collusion. Van instructs Agnes to call the police and the guild, while Judith angrily declares that such a thing happening in the garden of the phantom thief won’t go unpunished.

In the hallway, Agnes expresses concern about Ka-Fai, but Bergard reassures her. Van realizes he’s been holding a tachi, and Aaron remarks that now everything makes sense. Upon entering the secret area, they uncover a drug lab using the Agave plant, though it appears in a different color.

The group suspects this ties back to the hospital's mismanagement before December. They mention that if new management had taken over, the lab should have been shut down, but clearly, someone has restarted it. They soon find Grant unconscious.

Delving deeper, they receive a call from Alvis, who informs them that the Guild has arrived at the hospital and warns them not to do anything reckless. Renne finds it reassuring, but they can’t afford to wait. At the lowest level, they discover the Alter Core is enhancing the Agave drug, and they also find the people who had vanished from the Capital. After defeating the thugs, Van senses someone above, and Feri fires at the scaffolding, hitting a cloaked, masked individual.

The man introduces himself as one of the Masked People (Blue), the Provoker, who masterminded the distortion of the 4SPG requests and manipulated Grant.

Another masked figure, the Soldier (Green), appears, catching Feri’s attention. She questions the Soldier’s origins, but the Soldier remains silent and summons the Executor to fight them. The way the Soldier holds her gun reminds Feri of Aida, while the Provoker’s speech patterns reminds Van and Agnes of someone they’ve met (Giacomo)

During the battle, Feri clashes with the Soldier, who acknowledges Feri's skill, remarking that it’s expected of a Kruga neophyte.

After the fight, Agnes checks on Feri, who is puzzled by the Soldier's familiarity. Feri presses the Soldier on her identity, sensing a nostalgic connection in her fighting style. The Provoker then calls upon the Executor to attack again, but Renne attempts to activate Shard barriers, only to be too slow.

Just in time, Yun Ka-Fai arrives in the basement and effortlessly cleaves the Executor in two.

The Provoker hints at triggering the Executor’s other “mode,” but drones summoned by Mirabel intervene, and she appears via projection, stating that both the police and the guild are now at the entrance.

The Soldier retreats, destroying the Executor that Ka-Fai had defeated, and takes the Alter Core, announcing that they’ve finished analyzing everyone’s strength, including Ka-Fai’s. Shortly after, Alvis, Regena, and the police arrive to assist the victims and investigate the basement.

Later, Risette asks Mirabel if she came because the Crisis Management AI flagged Anchorville as a threat. Mirabel confirms but says the situation is currently undetermined. Judith finds this hard to believe, considering the hell of Nemeth Island had been classified as SSS-ranked.

Van and the group thank Ka-Fai for his assistance. Ka-Fai, sensing that Van has connected with one of his wandering disciples (Shizuna) and another apprentice (Rean), reveals to them that he is the founder of the Eight Leaves One Blade style and the former leader of Ikaruga, ending the chapter.

[schickwheel]

Trailer Manufacturers in India: Revolutionizing Mobility and Transport Solutions

In a rapidly evolving industrial landscape, trailers play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless logistics, transport, and business operations. From carrying goods across cities to housing innovative mobile setups like food trucks and event spaces, trailers are indispensable. India, being a hub for manufacturing and technological advancement, has witnessed a surge in demand for high-quality and customized trailers. Among the prominent players in this space is Schick Wheel, a company renowned for its superior trailer manufacturing services that cater to a diverse range of industries.

This article delves into the world of trailer manufacturing in India, highlighting the expertise of manufacturers like Schick Wheel and their contributions to various sectors.

The Growing Importance of Trailers in India

Trailers are versatile and indispensable assets for industries such as logistics, agriculture, construction, food services, and entertainment. They offer a reliable solution for transporting heavy goods, machinery, and raw materials, as well as serving as mobile units for businesses like food kiosks, healthcare vans, and promotional events.

With India’s infrastructure and logistics sector growing rapidly, trailers are becoming increasingly essential. Their ability to provide mobility, efficiency, and customization makes them a preferred choice for both small-scale businesses and large enterprises.

Schick Wheel: A Leader Among Trailer Manufacturers in India

Schick Wheel is a trusted name in the trailer manufacturing industry, offering tailor-made solutions that combine functionality, durability, and innovation. The company has carved a niche for itself by designing and producing trailers that meet the specific needs of clients across various industries.

Key Features of Schick Wheel’s Trailers:

Customization: Schick Wheel specializes in designing trailers that align perfectly with the client’s requirements. Whether it’s for transporting goods or creating a mobile food or retail setup, they provide trailers with unique layouts, equipment, and features to suit specific purposes.

Durability and Quality Materials: Schick Wheel prioritizes the use of high-quality materials, ensuring that their trailers are robust, weather-resistant, and capable of withstanding heavy-duty operations.

Advanced Engineering: The company employs state-of-the-art technology and engineering techniques to manufacture trailers that are efficient, reliable, and easy to operate.

Innovative Designs: Schick Wheel’s trailers are not just functional but also aesthetically appealing. This makes them ideal for businesses looking to create a strong brand presence, such as food trucks and event trailers.

Compliance with Safety Standards: Schick Wheel ensures that all its trailers adhere to national safety and quality regulations, providing clients with products that meet industry standards.

Types of Trailers Offered by Indian Manufacturers

India’s trailer manufacturers cater to a broad spectrum of needs, offering a variety of trailers, including:

Cargo Trailers: Designed for transporting goods and materials across long distances.

Food Trailers: Fully-equipped mobile kitchens ideal for food entrepreneurs.

Refrigerated Trailers: Perfect for businesses dealing with perishable goods.

Utility Trailers: Used in construction, agriculture, and other industrial applications.

Event and Promotional Trailers: Customized for exhibitions, mobile shops, and brand activations.

Why Choose Indian Trailer Manufacturers?

India’s trailer manufacturing industry stands out for its combination of affordability, innovation, and high-quality production. Manufacturers like Schick Wheel bring years of expertise, offering clients the ability to customize their trailers while ensuring durability and efficiency. Additionally, Indian manufacturers provide after-sales support and maintenance services, making them a reliable choice for long-term investments.

Conclusion

The trailer manufacturing industry in India is thriving, catering to the diverse and dynamic needs of businesses across sectors. Companies like Schick Wheel are leading the charge by providing innovative, high-quality, and customized trailers that empower businesses to achieve mobility and operational efficiency.

Whether you’re looking for a cargo trailer for transport, a food trailer for a mobile kitchen, or a specialized event trailer, India’s trailer manufacturers offer solutions that combine functionality and style. With a focus on quality, safety, and customization, they are transforming the way businesses operate on the move, driving growth and innovation across the country.

[bumblebeeappletree]

Costa tours the food rescue initiative OzHarvest and meets the team transforming waste into taste.

OzHarvest is the biggest supplier of rescued food in Australia and it’s where food, gardening and community come together. In 2004 Ronni Kahn developed the idea to rescue fresh food destined for landfill and over 20 years they've delivered more than 225 million meals to hungry Aussies. Ronni says, “I saw food waste in my business and one day decided to do something about it, not even imagining that this is what would come out of it... I didn't realize the scale of waste; I didn't realize that food waste feeds climate change. I thought I'd start a social organization but very soon I realized it was also an environmental organization.”

Australia wastes 7.6 million tons of food a year. OzHarvest rescues 250 tons a week which Ronni says, “is the equivalent of two blue whales, if you just want to imagine quantity.” The national figure of 7.6M tones is caused one-third by farms, one-third by industry and one-third by households “so we really do have a huge role to play,” says Ronni. Every day the team set off in their iconic yellow vans to collect and distribute donated food from their Sydney base in Alexandria. They collect from everywhere in the food supply chain including farmers, supermarkets, manufacturers and wherever food is served or produced. Ronni says, “we deliver that out to over 2000 charitable organisations, but that's not all that we do. Our education arm is hugely important.”

In addition to a school program called Feast, OzHarvest delivers community team-building programs called Cooking for a Cause. Here people gain essential cooking skills, such as proper knife-handling techniques and how to use every millimetre of food put in front of them. Dishes made in these programs are tasted by the learners and then sent out to people in need. Ronni says, “this is dignity and respect in a container.” OzHarvest chef, Mark Hamilton, says, “this is what I like to do... teaching them little tips and tricks about food waste and giving them new skills in the kitchen.” Participant Lucinda says, “I’m amazed that all this food was donated for one thing, that we could turn it into such a delicious-looking meal and learn some fabulous skills from Chef Mark. I hope our team are really happy with what we've done, and that the people at the end of the line enjoy the food.”

A lot of the produce is also grown on-site in a raised kitchen garden. They grow fruit trees, vegetables and a wide range of herbs, with a focus on growing produce that is less likely to be donated fresh. It’s run entirely by volunteers and garden team leader, Ruth Dexter, says, “it's been a case of experimenting with what will grow here, with the limits we have with sunshine, water and being stuck in the middle of an industrial estate.” Garden team leader, Edgar Liu, says, “we also try to grow things that have multiple purposes, like the fennel for example. We can get the bulb, we can use the fronds, the pollen, and even the seeds.”

Reflecting on what OzHarvest has achieved, Ronni says, “I'm actually in awe of what it has become. My intention was to stop food waste, do that for a little bit until I’d solved the problem, but I didn't realize the scale of the problem. I look around and see all our programs and our masses of volunteers, a staff now of over 300 people; it blows my mind, but the truth is the need is there. All we’re here to do is service and have the greatest impact we can. I think if I have one message it's that every single one of us can play, and must play our part.”

[spider-gets-artsy]

I Can't Call You Home Again

A Herack & Anenja story

You can also find me here

It was stuffy inside the van. The air conditioner was running at full blast, but it couldn't quite disperse the heat that had the leather seat sticking to her thighs.

The holoscreen in front of Anenja flickered with static, the loading symbol unmoving. She sighed, wishing for better reception. The desert was barren of many crucial things; shade, water, grubburgers, and good wifi.

If it was anyone's fault, it was her own, she thought bitterly. She had somehow surrounded herself with tech wizards throughout her childhood and left every single one of them behind to travel with Sadane. She didn't regret it, she didn't have it in her to feel homesick over a cage. But still. Maybe it'd be worth it to take the trip back to Elysian, get an Eos worker to… do whatever needed to be done to the van in order to get a clearer signal. Stars, she grew up in a tech manufacturing company, she should know the basics of wifi.

The holoscreen blipped, and suddenly he was face to face with her.

"Hey, kiddo."

"Hello, Herack."

She carefully took him in, noted his normally coiffed hair hanging limp, and wondered how dark his eye bags would be if he took off his mask. She'd only been gone a few weeks, was that all it took to make such a powerful man fall into despair?

Tactfully, she asked, "Are you well?"

He snorted. "Just peachy."

An awkward silence stretched between them, until Herack's eyes began to dart to the side, looking off screen. Probably at Rhoren. Disappointed, Aneja said dejectedly, "If you want to stay in my life, Herack, you have to act like it. We both know we don't do these calls for my benefit."

His features pinched, scowl starting to form, until a bright green sock with purple stars nailed him in the face. Anenja had to hold back a giggle, mentally thanking Rhoren for having her back when it came to her temperamental dancestor. Herack swiped it away, flipping the bird in what she assumed was Rhoren's direction.

Returning his gaze to the camera, Herack ran both hands through his hair, leaning down to hide his face momentarily. After a beat he straightened, his lips quirked in a half smile.

"I'm not used to you being away. To you being able to", he gestured vaguely at her. "You know. Act like an adult."

"You only ever treated me as a child," Anenja replied coolly, her ears pinned back in anger. "But I never truly was. Even if you hadn't shoved me into a meat suit, if I'd been hatched properly, I would have been raised in a war. I wouldn't have had a chance to be a child."

His expression turned solemn, watching her as he might a stranger. Warily.

And maybe she was a stranger to him now. She was growing, she could feel it in her bones, becoming someone she never got to be in the depths of Eos. Someone free, someone with loved ones and friends. Stars, she never loved being alive more than these past few weeks on the road.

Herack quickly changed the subject. Typical.

"You still have money? I can wire more to you, anytime. And what about food? Have you been eating crap? If you need a chef I can spare one from the kitchens, send him out to-"

"Are these calls just another way for you to try to control my life?!" Anenja cried out in exasperation. "All you want to do is find ways to insert yourself back into my life. I left you! I had to get away, do you understand that? You suffocate me, I couldn't breathe in Eos, Herack. I need space."

Herack opened his mouth to say something, then shut it promptly, looking strained.

"Actually… I just miss you."

It wasn't an apology. But she knew it was as close as it got for him. Herack couldn't talk about his feelings for shit, so it was actually a pretty impressive statement, coming from him.

"Part of me misses you too. But I can't come back, not yet."

He nodded, sinking into his chair in defeat.

On the other side of the van, Sadane poked her head through the door, a stick of jerky poking out of the corner of her mouth. She tapped her wrist with a meaningful look and disappeared again.

"We're headed out soon. Is Rhoren there?"

The gold blood ducked into frame, grinning. "Hi An, having fun out there?"

"Oodles of it," she said with a teasing smile. "I found a patch of lumenrose out near the canyon. I pressed one for you."

"I can't wait to see it," he said warmly.

Herack was staring daggers at his matesprit for hogging her attention, so she asked, gently, "You'll take care of Herack, won't you Rhoren? Make sure he's eating well, you know how he is."

For all his talk over her eating habits, he was by far, worse. He thought a can of beans for dinner was an appropriate meal.

Herack's scowl softened as Rhoren gave her a jaunty little salute. The gold blood then dove out of screen, with a panicked, "My pasta-"

She laughed as Herack rolled his eyes, calling out goodbye to him. And then it was just the two of them again.

"Take care, kiddo. I'll see you next week."

"Bye Herack, I-"

She couldn't bring herself to say I love you. She probably wouldn't be able to for a long time. But she did, stars help her she did. Even if he was a shit guardian. Even if it was hard to look him in the face still sometimes.

"I'll see you next week," she parroted with a wry smile.

And she would. Family was important.

[spiritualdirections]

"For the first time, an oral contraceptive is going to be available over the counter, without a prescription. On July 13, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has approved the contraceptive pill Opill. Many are praising the FDA’s decision as a significant step toward making contraception more widely available. Perrigo Company, the pill's Dublin-based manufacturer, stated that Opill will most likely be available in grocery and convenience stores, as well as online, in early 2024. Perrigo’s president and CEO Murray Kessler called the FDA’s decision “a new, groundbreaking chapter in reproductive health.”  "It may indeed be groundbreaking—but not for the reason Kessler believes. Contrary to popular myth, increased use of contraception is correlated to an increase in abortions. And despite what proponents claim, hormonal birth control has a damaging effect on both mental and physical health...Opill, like other forms of hormonal birth control, primarily consists of progestin, “a hormone that thickens mucus in the cervix to make it harder for sperm to enter the uterus,” according to the New York Times. Opill is said to be less effective than pills with both progestin and estrogen, yet defenders of the FDA’s decision say that Opill is still highly effective as long as it is taken at the same time every day."

The article makes the point, which everyone who studies this knows, that the pill actually increases nonmarital pregnancies, because the pill requires regular use, and the kind of people who are not disciplined enough to wait until marriage are often also not disciplined enough to take a pill every day. This version of the pill seems to require an extraordinary high level of discipline--it must be taken at the same time every day. "Unintended" pregnancies in the U.S. basically never occur because contraceptives aren't available, but because the couple does not use them properly.

The article also makes the point about the extensively documented link between the pill and depression, which I've blogged about before. It might have mentioned the link between the pill and blood clotting, which might be dangerous if the pill is taken over the counter and the user is not in touch with a doctor.

The article does not make a point that it easily could have, that this is a huge win for Big Pharma. Notice that it is the CEO who calls this "groundbreaking." I'm assuming the Biden administration will get its fair share of donations this cycle.

The article also does not discuss something that I think is relevant. Typical birth control pills are on the list of known carcinogens by the International Agency for Research for Canger (IARC), a project of the World Health Organization. They are in category 1, the same as tobacco. It's likely that the explosion in cases of breast cancer over the last 50 years is caused by increasingly widespread use of the hormones in the pill. The CDC says that using the pill increases a woman's chances of breast and cervical cancers by as much as 60%. As I wrote a few years ago, "It’s safer to smoke 5-8 cigars daily (relative risk of cancer 1.17; see Table 3)–which almost nobody does–than to be on the Pill (relative risk 1.24 for current users)." 

(The article does not say more about whether the reduced amount of estrogen is intended to make Opill less carcinogenic, but I can't imagine that we have sufficient data on this particular pill to determine this.)

The argument for having restrictions on tobacco sales is that tobacco causes cancer. The same argument should argue for at least the same restrictions on Opill. Defenders of the pill will point to studies that show the likelihood of cancer drops off once someone stops using the pill (as in the CDC link above); the likelihood of cancer also drops off once someone quits smoking cigarettes. Given these parallels, I would think that states would want to pass laws restricting over the counter sales of either carcinogen to minors.

The more people become aware that playing with the hormones in the body is not that safe, the more people will switch to using fertility awareness methods, which are natural and more in tune with the environment. But these natural methods don't make Big Pharma any money!

[annaphylaxis]

I can think of a few more valid exceptions for plastic usage. Number one being: straws. By all means, make the plastic more easily biodegradable, but keep it plastic. Single use paper straws don't even last for a single use, and if you try to tell me "its just as good", I won't believe you've ever used one. There's some other things plastic excels at, namely, applications where you need something relatively rigid and lightweight, or other cases where glass, metal, and paper won't work or would be too weak or too heavy. Vehicle panels (even if we abolish cars tomorrow, we're not gonna ever get rid of things like buses and cargo vans, and switching from plastic body panels to metal will increase energy usage, and therefore, energy demand). Its also good for multi-use cups, soda can liners, food packaging, bottled water, water pipes, etc. And yes, I will defend disposable water bottles and food packaging. Plastic excels there for the exact same reason it excels in medical uses: it helps ensure sterility. Also, things like mouthwash bottles, shampoo and bodywash, you're really not going to find a better material than plastic. Even discounting ease/cost of manufacture and material costs, plastic is TOO useful to not use in cases other than just "medical use".

no offence but I dont give two shits how big a carbon footprint inhalers and other medical equipment have when theyre keeping someone alive. like sorry you shouldnt feel guilty over the medical device that allows you to breathe when shell can guzzle oil directly into a birds mouth and nothing happens