#incredible postal service

[chloelouygo]

My @resuri-art order arrived the other day and I just 🥹🥹💜💜💜 look how cute!!!! I'm so happy to have physical copies of art I've loved seeing on tumblr and I can't wait to put the print on my wall! The trash lighting in my room does not show well enough how pretty the charms are on my pinboard, they're so sparkly 😭 thank you so much Resuri, I'm so happy I got to order from you! 💜💜

Order some wonderful goodies yourself here!

[nguyenfinity]

hey if rinne can have his mum and niki can have his can himeru have kaname back

He nii-chan jacket too big for he gotdamn he,,,,,

[headspace-hotel]

im reading a lot of research about the mycorrhizal network because this is a HUGE emerging area of research and there is so much new stuff coming out its sooooo neat

So basically "the mycorrhizal network is how trees send each other nutrients and help each other" is wrong,

but the main reason people were mad at it—because they thought everything in the ecosystem is selfish and competitive acting for its own interests—is much wronger.

How come?

Well...fungi aren't just a postal service for trees. They have lives of their own! Plants aren't just controlling the mycorrhizal network to send nutrients where they want, they are communicating with the fungus and negotiating the terms of that relationship.

The genetic basis in plants for forming the mycorrhizal symbiosis is old. REALLY old. Like, "before plants even came onto land" OLD. Other forms of symbiosis, like what legumes have going on with the Rhizobia, are using the same genes to do their thing. There's a LOT of genes involved with creating the symbiosis, including some redundancies just to be safe, and we're only just now starting to understand them.

Why so many genes? What are all these genes for? Everything! Communication chemicals, hormones the other partner will respond to, flipping switches in the other partner's genes. There was a lot of arguing over which partner, the plant or the fungus, was "controlling" the partnership, but this question turned out to be total nonsense. Both symbionts have to recognize each other, respond to each other, prepare for symbiosis by adjusting how their genes are expressed, form the symbiosis, and continuously negotiate the relationship by exchanging chemical signals. Both can actively select the partner that offers the best benefits. There's even experiments where it's been shown that if the fungus turns parasitic, the plant will start secreting fungicidal chemicals. (But also the mutualist fungi in the experiment outcompeted the parasitic one when the pots were seeded with both.)

Mycorrhizal symbiosis is an incredibly intimate relationship. Like, the fungus produces special organs that literally grow inside the plant's cells, and the plant is actively participating in allowing this to happen. The plants and fungi have genes for hormones used by the other species, they have soooooo much stuff encoded in their DNA for interacting with their symbionts, it's like, blurring the lines for whether they're even separate organisms. There are SO many chemicals involved in communication between them and we only understand a few of those chemicals.

This is SO MUCH COOLER than if the plants were just using the fungus as a passive conduit to communicate with and support each other. The fungus is actively participating!

We were fools and assumed there had to be one partner that was "in control," but both plant AND fungus have to initiate and to some extent they're each engaging on their own terms! Or maybe it's better to think of them as one and the same organism?

We're also finding out that there's a lot more types of mycorrhizal symbiosis than we thought (at least five) and a lot more variety in how it works.

And that's not even getting into fungal endosymbionts—fungi that live inside plant cells completely instead of having part of them be outside and in the soil. They aren't considered mycorrhizae because they're fully inside the plant cells and not connected with any soil fungi network but they do a lot of complicated things we don't understand and interact with the plant's other symbionts.

Fungal endosymbionts produce a lot of chemicals that are useful to the plants in some way, and it turns out, that a lot of them kill cancer. Seriously, we've gotten a LOT of anti-cancer drugs from these guys. I think it's because they have to bypass the plant's immune system, but they also fight each other/other little guys that get inside plant cells, so they kind of...are part of the plant's immune system?

And what's MORE

Is that plants and fungus aren't the only things part of this system! There's also bacteria that are symbiotic with the plants and fungi! Even the endosymbiont fungi have bacteria that are endosymbionts inside THEM. Double endosymbiosis.

I think I read one paper saying the bacteria use the fungi to get around? Like that's how Rhizobia find their way to the legume roots in the first place? Have to double check that one

[weatheredcopper]

the contrast between the incredibly complex and thought-out PET postal service and grian's completely-useless-on-purpose permit office is so funny. truly the opposite ends of the public infrastructure spectrum

[becausegoodheroesdeservekidneys]

A solo holiday present idea I have just had and think someone should invent:

A website that enables a Secret Santa-style service for one person. Depending on the holiday custom and your gift needs, you can input a wishlist (linked to all possible websites that you can buy gift wrapped shit from), your postal details, your gift wrapping of choice and a pot that you pay into. Then the website randomly selects which items to get you, purchases them, gift wraps them, and sends them to you, along with refunding any leftover change (or maybe you could tick a box to donate the leftovers to a charity of your choice).

That way, you can still get the element of surprise in what you get sent, but if you celebrate the holidays alone you still get the fun special self-love experience of opening gift wrapped stuff. Holidays alone can be incredibly depressing! But this could help you regain some of that magic.

Also! You know you're only getting stuff you actually want. If you aren't sure what you want and want a true surprise, you could pick a bunch of categories and let it pick for you; if you want some specific stuff, you could only select those, and pay in enough money to cover them. You could have a weighting system on your wishlist too, so you can prioritise some things. But crucially, it all arrives gift wrapped, so you don't know what it is until you open it.

Anyway I know nothing about web design or running a business but I think it would be good. Also it should have a stupid pun for a name.

[boombox-fuckboy]

Do you know any podcasts with transfeminine main characters?

Apologies for the delay. I have a few:

Between Heartbeats: (Urban Fantasy) In a city of incredible abilities and mundane struggle, we follow Sundiata, a time-manipulator struggling to stay employed. During a a quick break from waiting tables to go help in an emergency, she instead finds herself caught in a bizzare mystery. Unfortunately release seems to have stalled following the first episode, but I'm eagerly awaiting its return.

Inn Between: (Fantasy, Adventure) What the adventuring heroes get up to at the tavern, between the grand adventures. Cleverly fills the listener in on the adventures using "previously on" and "next time on" segments. You'll need to wait (or jump) to Season 3 to meet our transfem lead, but she is an absolute delight.

Interference: (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance) A human tabletop podcaster and an orc researcher get their broadcast signals crossed between worlds, and start a dialogue. Cross-reality research, and a budding romance, ensue.

The Magnus Protocol: (Horror) Seeking employment, Sam gets a job working with his friend Alice for a bizzare little government office. The work? Night shifts listening to, and then cataloguing, bizzare and unsettling material trawled from the internet. Despite Alice's warnings, Sam may be getting a little too invested.

The Night Post: (Supernatural) Concerning the conscripted nighttime couriers/postal workers of Gilt City, and the otherworldy encounters they have on the job.

PSST: Paranatural Support Services Team: (Supernatural) Struggling with a supernatural entity or haunting encounter? The PSST's got you covered. Meet The Agent at the other end of the phone as she gives advice, unravels mysteries, and tries to work out just how long it's been since she went home.

The Silt Verses: (Horror) In a modern world where gods are abundant, frequently both commercialised and restricted, two devotees of an outlawed river god go on a pilgrimage. You'll meet the character in question a few episodes in.

Breathing Space: (Sci-fi, Space Western, Anthology) Included more as a special mention (as this is an anthology and the leads change every episode), Breathing Space is an array of stories set in the early age of space exploration that leans hard into the "Western" part of "Space Western". A not-insignificant number of the stories feature trans characters. If you don't vibe with the first story, do me a favour and listen to the second before you bail.

Additions are, of course, always welcome.

[sil3ntfr34k]

orr p1/p4 as platonic comforting thing…

Platonic!P1 Dude and P4 Dude Comforting Headcanons

(Also matching gifs this is so cool)

Postal 1 Dude

He’s actually the worst person to comfort you. WILL make it worse

Even if your anxious about just going to the grocery store because you don’t feel like socializing, he’s trying to convince you that something bad is going to happen and now you can never go to store at all

“I don’t feel like going…” “Whatdayamean?? Why don’t you want to go? You always wanna go somewhere, what if something is going to happen? It’s waiting for its moment to strike you, to take you from this world. No! You can’t go anymore! Just stay here, it’s safest here than being out there with those… vermin.”

Somehow, he’s spiraling before you,,, He doesn’t even know what the hell is going on, yet he’s in the corner facing the wall and hugging his knees

If it’s really bad, like your having a trauma response kind of bad, he’s making it worse. You could be hyperventilating on the floor, shaking and all, and he will be there crying over your body like your actually dying

Sometimes it feels like he makes it about himself, but it’s just that his anxiety is that bad

Postal 4 Dude

“What the hell is wrong with you🤨⁉️”

Has no idea what’s going on, ever

Has a mini heart attack when he sees you upset and immediately bombards you with questions. “What’s wrong? What happened? Why are you upset? Was it that asshat down the street? Because he was fucking with me yesterday too. I’ll kill him for you I swea-“

You gotta hit him with something soft to shut him up bc he will yap until you forget what the hell you were upset about

If it’s something like a trauma response or panic attack, Dude tries his best to be there but also be at a distance. He read one somewhere that it’s best to give someone who’s having an attack space and to just ‘watch’ over them. It still kills him inside to see you like that, but he knows he can’t do much to help

If he can, Dude will make Champ go sit with you. He’s seen service dogs do that before so in his head it’s a good idea. Until Champ is trying to play with you and is trying to knock you over,,,

Cue Dude dragging Champ back again by the collar, poor guy,,,

Afterwards, he will most definitely try to pry what’s wrong out of you, even if it’s something personal. It’s not that he’s trying to butt into your personal life or make you uncomfortable, he’s just concerned (and curious. What the hell could’ve made you act out like that???)

Overall, he’s okay to go to for comfort, but definitely not the one you should be going to for that. Unless you wanna get incredibly high or drunk (or both) afterwards as a compensation

[theballmighty]

Government agencies bad yadda yadda yadda EXCEPT the US Postal Inspection Service, because it is incredibly easy to not get in trouble with them, and if you did, you absolutely deserve whatever’s coming to you.

[birrdies]

all this incredible, wholesome PET postal service art and I’m sitting here in my dark corner surmising a wartime historical fiction postmen au. i want some of what y’all are having

[thosearentcrimes]

The Achaemenid/First Persian Empire is kind of wild. At the time of its greatest conquests it was the largest empire the world had ever seen, by a significant amount. Like any good empire it's a triumph of logistics, of course, but what's unusual is the character of the logistics in question. The kinds of empire we're used to are generally either basically maritime (Roman, Spanish, British, American) or basically horselord (Xiongnu, Parthian, Mongol, American) or Chinese (special case, the general tendency for there to exist a Chinese Empire is impressive in its own right but relatively familiar).

The Achaemenid Empire touched a lot of seas and bodies of water (Indus, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Tigris and Euphrates, Red Sea, Nile, Mediterranean, Aegean and Bosporus, Black Sea, Caspian Sea) and certainly these would have been used to facilitate logistics to some degree (Persian invasions of Greece relied on naval support, for example), but it certainly seems like the fundamental lifeline of their state was their extensive system of roads. The Romans talk a big game about their road system but ultimately the major logistical corridors of the Roman state were maritime and riverine. The Inca Empire was similarly road-based, likewise a hilly/mountainous region, and is also extremely cool, but didn't last nearly as long and was much smaller.

Herodotus says: "There is nothing mortal that is faster than the system that the Persians have devised for sending messages. Apparently, they have horses and men posted at intervals along the route, the same number in total as the overall length in days of the journey, with a fresh horse and rider for every day of travel. Whatever the conditions—it may be snowing, raining, blazing hot, or dark—they never fail to complete their assigned journey in the fastest possible time. The first man passes his instructions on to the second, the second to the third, and so on." A different translation of a section of this passage is famously associated with the US postal service.

Herodotus may be wrong in the details because the actual intervals between adjacent waystations seem to have been on the order of 16-26km, a distance a rider could reach in an hour (and perhaps most relevantly, a pedestrian or army might reach in a day), and as such it's certainly plausible horses were changed more than daily, as is attested in later relay postal networks, but it's easily possible he was right about their incredible speed. A perhaps somewhat generous estimated speed of government messages along this route is ~230km/day, by analogy of the pirradazish to the Pony Express and barid systems. This would make them faster than Roman communications, though certainly we have to recognize that maritime transport is ultimately faster and more convenient for trade in bulk goods and food. All figures taken from H.P. Colburn, "Connectivity and Communication in the Achaemenid Empire" Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient 56 (2013).

That's so cool! It's several hundred BCE and they have a complex permanent relay system with stations every couple dozen km, on a system of roads running throughout an empire thousands of km from center to edge. Just for one road, like the Sardis-Susa section that the Greeks usually talk about, that's over a hundred stations, each with a stock of supplies, backup mounts and riders, accommodations, anything else they might need, and Sardis-Susa was just one possible road stretch among many. That's incredible! I wish we knew what the people who made it and ran it thought. What was the life of a gas station attendant waystation operator in the reign of Artaxerxes I like?

It's kind of tragic that the Achaemenid Empire has been marginalized historiographically for so long. Generally it was treated as significant for its invasions and meddling in Greece, for ending the Babylonian captivity, or for providing a ready-made empire for Alexander to take over. It's not nothing, other places and time periods end up with much less of an imprint on our contemporary understanding of the past. We know a lot of cool stuff. But I wish we had more reflections on Persia from within. Most of what we seem to have is reports from Greeks, fragmentary letters and steles, and precious few excavation sites.

[were--ralph]

me, ccrying: I've never seen something so deep and profound as Blues Clues. The way they tackle the US Postal Service and it's flaws is incredible. It's not just about finding cluse, it's about looking deeper inside yourself and finding theres more to your surroundings than you ever thought. theres a clue everywhere. maybe you're the clue. it's so profound and advanced for its target audience

[nguyenfinity]

Sooooo since we're on angst mood might as well contribute~♡

Do you think Rinne would purposely avoid finding out "why" and "how" Mamagi returned from the dead in fear the knowledge will somehow make her disappear/die again because he cannot go through that loss a second time ?

Do you think HiMERU know there is something going on which Rinne isn't letting them know, questioning him but also doing his own research probably getting threatened to stop it

I was like “mmm I dunno” until I remembered that necromancy is very much A Thing in Enstars

I think when it comes to other people Rinne is very insistent on getting the information he wants and like. He’s already grown up without his mother so if this mother disappears it’s not like it’s something he’s not used to—

It’s also a kind of gambling thing ‘cause the outcome is very unpredictable but if Hiiro were to somehow run into their mom (who knows if this is actually their mom) that would make things Significantly More Complicated

With the way I’m putting this together though she never died, nope nothin bad happened ever ahahahahaha she’s just visiting her sons and spending quality time with them

Mamagi is just having a delightful time eating omurice and figuring out what the hell pachinko is

[cherrygirlystuff]

Your Guide to Indie Romance Aesthetics

Hey babe! 🌸 Ready to dive into the world of indie romance with a touch of grit and passion? Welcome to Sleaze Seduction, where we’re all about capturing the raw, passionate side of love through mixtapes, polaroid photo diaries, and all those little details that make indie romance so irresistible. Whether you’re swooning over the aesthetics or just looking for some romantic inspiration, I’ve got everything you need to embrace that indie seduction vibe. So grab your favorite mixtape, snap some Polaroids, and let’s get into the romance of the indie sleaze era! 🎶📸

Sleaze Seduction: Embracing Indie Romance with a Gritty Twist 🌟

Indie romance isn’t about perfect, polished love stories—it’s about capturing the messy, passionate, and incredibly real side of romance. It’s about finding beauty in the rough edges and cherishing those moments of raw emotion. Here’s how to infuse your life with the gritty, romantic charm of indie sleaze.

1. Mixtapes: The Heartbeat of Indie Romance 🎶

There’s nothing quite like a mixtape to capture the essence of romance. Whether it’s for a special someone or just for yourself, creating a mixtape is all about curating a collection of songs that tell a story.

Classic Indie Love Songs: Start with tracks that have that raw, passionate edge. Think of songs like “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service or “All I Want” by Kodaline. These tracks are perfect for setting a romantic yet gritty mood.

Personal Touch: Add in songs that have special meaning to you and your partner. Whether it’s a song from your first date or one that reminds you of your favorite memories together, personal touches make your mixtape unique.

Mix It Up: Don’t be afraid to mix genres and tempos. Include a mix of mellow tracks for those intimate moments and upbeat anthems for when you’re feeling the love and energy.

Mixtape Tip: If you’re feeling extra creative, make a physical mixtape using old-school cassette tapes or CDs. It adds a nostalgic touch and shows how much thought you put into it.

2. Polaroid Photo Diaries: Capturing Indie Romance Moments 📸

Polaroid photo diaries are all about freezing those fleeting, beautiful moments of indie romance. Here’s how to create a photo diary that captures the gritty, passionate side of your love story:

Capture Everyday Moments: Don’t just focus on the big events—snap pictures of those everyday moments that make your relationship special. Whether it’s a cozy night in, a spontaneous adventure, or just a quiet moment together, these photos tell a story.

Embrace the Imperfections: Indie romance is all about embracing the imperfections. Don’t worry about perfect lighting or perfectly posed photos. The charm of Polaroids is in their spontaneity and rawness.

Create a Photo Wall: Display your favorite Polaroids on a wall or in a scrapbook. Arrange them in a way that tells a story and captures the essence of your relationship. Add handwritten notes or captions to give each photo a personal touch.

Photo Diary Tip: Use vintage-inspired photo filters or effects to give your Polaroids that authentic indie vibe. It adds a touch of nostalgia and enhances the romantic, gritty aesthetic.

3. Embracing Indie Romance Aesthetics: Adding the Finishing Touches 🌹

To really capture that indie seduction vibe, it’s all about the little details that make your romantic moments feel special and authentic. Here’s how to add those finishing touches to your indie romance:

Handwritten Letters: Nothing says romance like a heartfelt, handwritten letter. Pour your feelings onto paper and add it to your Polaroid photo diary or mixtape. It’s a personal touch that makes your romance feel extra special.

Vintage Decor: Surround yourself with vintage decor that adds to the indie romance aesthetic. Think old records, vintage books, and retro trinkets that add character and charm to your space.

Mood Lighting: Create a romantic atmosphere with mood lighting. Use fairy lights, candles, or old lamps to set a cozy, intimate scene. The right lighting can make any moment feel magical.

Romantic Tip: Plan spontaneous dates or surprise gestures that align with your indie romance aesthetic. Whether it’s a midnight picnic or a surprise mixtape, it’s the little things that make your romance stand out.

Final Thoughts, Gorgeous: Embracing Indie Seduction in Every Moment 🌟

And there you have it—your ultimate guide to capturing the raw, passionate side of indie romance! From mixtapes and Polaroid photo diaries to vintage decor and handwritten letters, Sleaze Seduction is all about embracing the gritty, beautiful moments of love. So go ahead, dive into your indie romance, and let every moment be a celebration of your unique love story.

What’s your favorite way to capture indie romance? Share your mixtapes, Polaroid diaries, or romantic gestures in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re embracing the sleaze seduction vibes! 💕

[kaiyves-backup]

The U.S. Postal Service has issued two new Priority Mail stamps celebrating NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the largest, most powerful, and most complex telescope ever put in space. The stamps, issued Jan. 22, feature images of the cosmos captured by Webb since it began its science mission in 2022. Webb is a mission led by NASA in partnership with ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).

“NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is the perfect intersection of science, engineering, and art as it reveals the greatest secrets of our cosmos through the beautiful images it captures,” said Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “With these stamps, people across the country can have their own snapshot of Webb’s captivating images – and the incredible science they represent – at their fingertips, and know that they, too, are part of this ground-breaking new era in astronomy.”

[intermundia]

First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! 🎊🎈🎉🎂 I wish I could bake you a real cake and mail it to you but I fear the postal service would not be down. Second of all, literally all of your writing is fucking incredible, 10/10 no notes, except that it’s gorgeous in every way. So please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list, just a few nuggets that come to mind:

1: you already know how I feel about the olive oil one shot in the classics au, it’s spectacular and funny and so full of love. So have I ever mentioned that another fave from that series is when Anakin brings Obi-Wan coffee in the classics building after their honeymoon, when Obi-Wan had been away for a few days?? Anakin’s impatience, the way their elopement and honeymoon is peppered in, the detail of Anakin stacking the cups to open a door…👌🏼 I am feral

2. Symposium? All of it is glorious but I think about the moment when Anakin comes in and is drunk and obi-wan is just internally panicking and all the locals are like ohohoho, and then Anakin looks at the AWARD-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT and is like “can I take half of your prize because my master is so handsome and smart and I love him this is reasonable and not at all an insane thing to ask” and the guy is just like “lmaoooo so yall AREN’T fucking, Kenobi. Riiiiight.” And Obi-Wan is just confused and flushed and Anakin is RIGHT THERE, and gah. Send help.

3. The one-shot prompt about the glory hole. Something about the longing, the inner conflict, the hesitation. And then the realization??? Like, as a reader familiar with your work, I knew it was gonna be obi-wan but I stg, every time I read that moment, that moment when his shields slip and they connect and they both freeze and there’s just that moment where neither of them are sure what to do or what to feel or how to handle it…it hits SO RIGHT, it sends chills down my spine every single time.

I could keep going but I have to go have dinner with my best friend, have a very happy birthday, hopefully with delicious foods and treats!!! LOVE YOU!!! 💜💜💜💜

can you believe the "hey let me have your crown agathon i am drunk and cute and gotta give half to my very special mentor" is just straight lifted out of plato, in the symposium alcibiades does that for socrates lmao and it was one of the moments that made me write the fic if the first place (reading the platonic dialogue and the obikin of it all jumping out)

[guardevoir]

Fiber arts update!

The postal service gods have smiled upon me and gotten me my wheel a day early, huzzah!

I might just be developing kit-based stockholm syndrome, but putting this thing together was actually kinda fun. Easier than the loom and, hilariously, less frustrating than the fucking bobbin winder, even if it did take absolutely forever. Also, I like the way it sounds (or... doesn't sound like much, as the case may be), I like the way it looks, I like how sturdy it is. And I think I'm starting to really enjoy the way it spins, too.

On the other hand? I have thoughts.

Why is there no convenient place to put fiber. Why are the sliding hooks so goddamn hard to operate smoothly. And, honestly, I don't mind the double treadle, but I also still do not understand why it exists. It makes direction control harder, with no notable upside that I can see.

I'm also fighting a desperate battle against the concept of scotch tension. I mean, I did pick a single drive wheel kind of deliberately, because there's upsides to it that double drive does not have (like how the drive band isn't a non-euclidean nightmare of horribleness)... but goddamn it, I really didn't appreciate the smooth, incredibly even take-up of my old wheel enough until now. You put the tension somewhere, and unless something catches in the orifice, that's the tension you're gonna get, no ifs and buts. The Kiwi 3, meanwhile, likes to periodically tug at my fiber and it's weirding me the fuck out. At least tension's about as easy to adjust as my double-drive wheel (which, thanks to its center-screw setup, is probably a great deal easier than average for double-drive), but also just as finicky.

The "no convenient place to put fiber" thing is annoying, though. The vintage wheel has all kinds of bits and bobs that you can fix your WIP to in a pinch, plus a nice handy distaff, while the Kiwi 3 spins, and anything beyond that single function is kind of a "not my goddamn job" kinda deal.

I do appreciate the orifice hook slot, though.

I have also somehow STILL MISPLACED the orifice hook about half a dozen times in the last few hours. I am incorrigible.

The most interesting takeaway is that I was kinda scared that I'd get a new spinning wheel and realize that my old one is crap. This is definitely not what happened. Despite all my grumbling, I do like the Kiwi and I'm very happy to have it, but I'm also realizing all the upsides of the vintage wheel that I took for granted. Like how easy it is to get it started in the right direction with barely a tap of my foot, (almost) no matter which position it's in. The even take-up. The feather-light tension. The distaff. The nub I can wrap my spin around when taking a break. The fact that, when I stop treadling, both flyer and bobbin stop at the same time.

On the other hand, I will admit to never taking the bobbin off of that vintage wheel unless I absolutely have to. To wind off, I usually just lower the tension all the way and let the bobbin free-spin, because fuck that. And the Kiwi also doesn't make me smack my shins into a wooden base on a regular basis. AND I got the high-speed whorl for it so now I have ratios from 5.5:1 all the way to 15:1, and it's glorious. Plus, it's a whole lot quieter. And as much as I don't like the specific way they set up the sliding hooks, they're still much, much more pleasant than the double-threaded nightmare I had to pull off on the vintage wheel half the time.

TL;DR: new wheel good, once I get my blending board and really figure out the tension on the Kiwi, I'll be so fucking powerful you folks