#integrated parking management system

[parkingsolution]

Parking Management System

CuroPark is smart parking management system that is capable of automating parking methodologies. It not only helps detect available parking slot also sends parking information to users from mobile app. It is regarded as the best parking management system.

[parkomax]

Ticket-Based Parking: Reliable Access Control and Revenue Management Manage parking operations efficiently with Parkomax’s ticket-based solution, offering robust access control, revenue tracking, and a smooth flow for vehicles entering and exiting your facility.

[myuiis]

sally park: a missed opportunity

this is probably going to rot in drafts for a WHILE but i needed to scream into the void about this so let me rant to YOU (yes, you) about how ptj fucked up sally park's writing and purpose in the story so much that she is now just a bundle of missed opportunities. the same could also be said about other characters like crystal choi, luah lim, etc. but i just reread hunt for hostel and i have a lot of insane thoughts that need to be screamed about.

as a character who was the center of attention during her introduction arc, she has been reduced to simply an eli enabler and warren's love interest, who gets about 3 panels to really shine, and then is demoted back into window dressing.

warning: mild eli hate ahead but i do NOT hate eli, i just hate ptj for making everything hostel related eli-centric, when sally is arguably just as important.

so. lets start at the beginning.

from the very beginning, the eli jang arc was told from sally's perspective especially based off the narration, and her character during the majority of the eli jang arc BANGED. initially introduced as a classic demure, feminine savior figure for bad boy warren in the first chapter of the eli jang arc, it's then shown that she isn't as naive or one-dimensional as she may seem.

in fact, shes shown to be fiercely independent and self-sufficient, learning to live by herself and deal with her own problems without anyone helping her, while simultaneously grappling with her grandmother blaming her over her dad's death (side note this plotline, which could've added so much depth to her story was NEVER picked up again)

on my first read of the eli jang arc, this sequence actually punched me in the gut and sally became an instant fav

but i digress. continuing back to the main point, sally was a tremendously well written character (or as good as we're gonna' get when it comes to female characters by ptj) in the eli jang arc, whether it be her narration (scenes like "sometimes i think if i hadn't introduced them to eli back then, our story wouldn't have been such a tragedy"), or her actual actions in the story.

she was integral to the story. in fact, i would say that she was MORE central to the heart and soul of hostel than eli jang was (at first, before she got butchered by ptj and forgotten about) because it was HER that was providing for her family with HER own money, until eli stepped in months later. she was the one that everyone wanted to assist and protect because she was who was holding everyone together through her sacrifice and love.

LOOK AT HER!!! just LOOK AT HER!!! she is so noble and tragic and she does everything for the sake of her family, including starving herself! she is so tremendously loving and sacrifices so much for her family, which is why everyone unites around her to help her!

in fact, the reason warren, eli, and others devolve into crime and stealing is to help her get more money for food, as they can't bear to see her starve herself. while this does come off a little bit white knight-ey (oh a big strong man has to save the sweet damsel), the point is that she has this kind of power over the people around her through her genuine leadership skills

not only that, but she was actually also the one who came up with the idea of using their old building to provide for more homeless kids, showing that she really should be credited with the creation and management of the runaway fams, far more than she is in the story.

even though, immediately after, its shown that she didn't think enough about the financials of the situation, and eli gets his time to shine by coming up with the point organization stuff, the way its framed portrays both sally's idea and eli's financial proposal of the financial system as equally important things. this scene makes me think that, at the very least, sally and eli's importance should be on equal footing: sally is the passion, the heart, the core, while eli is the figurehead, the brains, the fighter.

in summary, sally was the person who united the original hostel A through her leadership, kindness, and sacrifice, and had so much soft power over everyone that the entirety of her family would do anything to help her. she also came up with the idea of helping runaway families, demonstrating her kindness and generosity.

not only that, she was still actively managing the runaway families and making money while eli fucked off to j high to become a barber, allowing her to get closer to the runaway fams and inspire them with her leadership.

with all that said, it's clear that sally should be a three-dimensional girlboss who uses her charisma and good personality to gain soft power and lead the people around her as one of the figureheads and hearts of the hostel crew, right?

well. no.

after the eli jang arc, she becomes close to useless.

i dont remember much of 2A outside of the big deal stuff, but what i do remember is that sally does nothing, wins a singular rock-papers-scissors game, and then becomes a damsel in distress again that warren needs to save and gets to show off his cool fighting skills in the process. (this may not be accurate, feel free to correct me if im wrong)

but my BIGGEST gripe is the hunt for hostel arc. the hunt for hostel arc was very much centered around eli, warren, and even jerry, more than it was sally, despite how much of an integral role she played in the formation of hostel. during the entire arc, she does basically nothing but watch on the sidelines

... and then ptj pulls this on us. they all unite because they admire and love eli jang so much? only eli jang? not warren chae, gangdong's mighty? not max and derek, the two uncles? not sally park, THE big mama?

i cannot emphasize how ironic it is that sally, the big mama, quite literally gave birth to the idea of the runaway fams, and yet nobody mentions her again afterwards, and only ever eli jang. like... what did eli ever do for you? give you a shitty haircut?

and when warren and eli leave, i FINALLY thought that ptj was going to give sally a moment to shine and show her by herself again, like she was all that time ago, and how she figures out how to save her family despite being unable to fight...

but no. we get this sick ass panel and then she is completely irrelevant again

the next example of the sally erasure comes when eugene is talking to eli about him joining workers. he tries to convince eli that this is the ONLY thing that he can do to protect his family, and that, now that he's here and so is warren, hostel is weak and helpless because the MEN that get everything done aren't there anymore and "oh no, what can sally park and the girls do?"

like fym "what can they do"?! sally is a LEADER and she has POWER and INFLUENCE (or at least, she should). but no, the narrative doesn't prove him wrong, and sally does next to nothing in the narrative.

i cannot emphasize how much more of a leader figure she is than eli btw. she took all the runaway kids under her wing. it was her idea to build an organization for these kids in the first place. she was the one singlehandedly raising money for all 7 high schoolers in her family before eli stepped in. she STARVED HERSELF and CUT HER OWN FINGERS trying to make food for her family. she was THE big mama. EVERYONE wanted to protect her and respect and love her. and yet ELI is the main character of hostel that is oh so important and that everyone will unite under????

"oh no without you how will anything get done, eli jang?" stfu

and even when she does do things, later on, it's really more of an excuse for vasco to shine. while she was the one to get heather's mom to forgive eli, as well as the one that got vasco to save eli in the first place, 1) her major role in this part of the story is entirely sidelined and given no narrative weight outside of being the reason that eli's healing arc can happen and 2) the only agency we've ever seen her having since hostel arc is in relation to eli. she only ever acts on her own to save eli. she PROBABLY did stuff outside of that to help hostel, but that is entirely offscreen and not focused on at all, so her leadership and agency when it comes to things outside of a MAN are ignored.

in chapter 478, i thought that she was once again given a brief moment to shine when she looked sad and all wondering what they would do once they didn't have the income workers supplied them with, and i was hoping that she'd get a chance to creatively problem solve around it to show a good character moment for her and the rest of hostel... but who am i kidding this is ptj of course he wouldnt do that. nah, it was just a scene so that vasco could introduce jay again and be like "hey guys jay is actually relevant to the story and he's a nice person, just so you guys dont forget that he's still there! and also ignore this deus ex machina ass solution to a conflict that could've been a really interesting character study!!"

so yeah. that's basically it. in conclusion, i think sally park is a HUGE missed opportunity for ptj to finally write a good female character. kind, compassionate, charismatic, smart, sally's got it all. however, just because she is a soft character doesn't mean that she's a pushover and she held tremendous power and authority because of everything she did for her family. however, ptj decides to do nothing with her and turn her into an eli enabler and a warren love interest instead, ignoring her leadership skills and influence.

and once again, no hate to eli, warren, jerry, jay, or any of the other character i just shat on to make a point!! i like all of them, but i just think that sally's character assassination to allow them to shine was an infuriating decision on ptj's part

[usafphantom2]

The U.S. Air Force Has Released The First Official Images Of The B-52 In Orange Paint Scheme

David CenciottiLast updated: October 4, 2024 1:54 PM

B-52 orange

The B-52 sporting the amazing throwback paint scheme has returned at Barksdale Air Force Base.

As reported in details a few days ago, a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber was photographed by our friend Rob Stephens at Redhome Aviation, taking off from Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, home of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, on Sept. 30, 2024 sporting an eye catching paint scheme.

The B-52 sporting the amazing throwback paint scheme has returned at Barksdale Air Force Base.Under testing after six decades of operationsThe previous orange BUFFs

The B-52H 61-0028 “Wolfpack” had forward fuselage, wings near the wingtips, engine nacelles, and vertical stabilizer painted in dayglo orange, contrasting the typical overall dark gray paint of the Stratofortress aircraft. As explained, the bomber was not given any markings, as the “OT” and “49 TES” tail markings, black arrow point on the tail, and “U.S. Air Force” on the fuselage will be applied upon return to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

The U.S. Air Force has now released some official images of the test aircraft.

These photographs depict the “throwback B-52” arriving at Barksdale. According to the captions, “the test orange scheme was used to remind everyone of the B-52’s incredible journey and continuous progress made in the U.S. Air Force.”

A B-52H Stratofortress with a special orange paint scheme parks after landing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 30, 2024. The orange paint scheme was used to signify the B-52’s modernization while paying respect to its legacy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)

The B-52 with orange accents that touched down at Barksdale is part of the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, which leads operational testing for the bombers.

U.S. Air Force Aircrew from the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53d Wing, gather beside a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress with a special orange paint scheme at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Sept. 30, 2024. The orange color represents a test and evaluation paint scheme based on the test and evaluations conducted during the 1950s and 1960s, honoring the B-52’s history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)

Under testing after six decades of operations

In the next few years, the Air Force plans to modernize its fleet of B-52H bombers with a series of upgrades that will extend the bomber’s service life into the 2050s, by which time the aircraft will be nearing 100 years in operation.

The “new” B-52s will be designated B-52J.

Rolls-Royce F130 engines will replace the aging Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-103 engines through its remaining operational life, significantly improving fuel efficiency, range, and reducing maintenance costs. Another key upgrade is the installation of a modified version of the APG-79 AESA radar, used in the F/A-18EF Super Hornet. This radar will enhance the B-52’s range and situational awareness while freeing up space for additional electronic warfare capabilities. Externally, the removal of the AN/ASQ-151 Electro-Optical Viewing System (EVS) will streamline the bomber’s appearance, as modern targeting pods have made the EVS obsolete.

Inside, the B-52 cockpit will receive new digital multifunction displays, a hybrid mechanical-to-digital throttle system, new data concentrators, and an upgraded engine management system. While not a fully modern glass cockpit, these upgrades will improve functionality. Additionally, crew size will be reduced from five to four members.

The B-52J will also feature humps near the wing roots, possibly for classified equipment such as satellite communications systems, further enhancing the bomber’s capabilities.

The Air Force aims to complete integration and deliver the first modified B-52s by 2026-2027, with full operational capability anticipated by 2030.

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, gather beside a B-52H Stratofortress with a special orange paint scheme at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Sept. 30, 2024. The orange color represents a test and evaluation paint scheme based on the test and evaluations conducted during the 1950s and 1960s, honoring the B-52’s history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)

The previous orange BUFFs

In mid-1957, NASA made the decision to replace the B-36 Peacemaker with the B-52 Stratofortress as the launch aircraft for the X-15 hypersonic research program. The B-36 was nearing the end of its operational life, and it was anticipated that finding spare parts to maintain it after retirement would be challenging.

As the X-15 project advanced, two B-52 Stratofortresses, the NB-52A and NB-52B, were chosen to serve as the launch platforms. The NB-52B, designated 52-0008 and nicknamed “The Challenger,” continued in this role until its last mission in November 2004, while the NB-52A, known as “The High and Mighty One” with tail number 52-0003, was retired earlier in 1969. “The High and Mighty One” is still preserved and displayed at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Arizona, with its distinctive orange markings.

High-altitude contrails frame the B-52 mothership as it carries the X-15 aloft for a research flight on 13 April 1960 on Air Force Maj. Robert M. White’s first X-15 flight. The X-15s were air-launched so that they would have enough rocket fuel to reach their high speed and altitude test points. For this early research flight, the X-15 was equipped with a pair of XLR-11 rocket engines until the XLR-99 was available. (Image credit: NASA)

The NB-52B served as an airborne launch platform, essentially acting as a flying launch pad. It operated at altitudes of nine miles, providing the rocket planes it carried with necessary fuels, gases, and electrical power. To handle this role, the right wing of the aircraft was reinforced and equipped with a pylon capable of carrying over 50,000 pounds—approximately a fifth of the aircraft’s total weight. This made the Stratofortress a crucial asset in various aeronautical research endeavors, including those that eventually contributed to the development of the Space Shuttle.

One of the NB-52B’s key contributions was helping validate the Space Shuttle’s steep gliding landings. It accomplished this by launching wingless lifting bodies, which demonstrated that such landings were possible. The aircraft also played a vital role in testing parachutes for recovering the Shuttle’s solid rocket boosters and the drag chute used during Shuttle landings. Despite its increasing age and the growing cost of maintenance, the NB-52B continued to support a wide array of cutting-edge research throughout the 1970s and 1980s, launching drones, remotely piloted vehicles, and experimental payloads.

In addition to its launch duties, the NB-52B was used in research on wake turbulence, served as a target for gunnery exercises, and tested fuel additives aimed at reducing pollution. At one point, it flew with ten engines when additional engines were mounted under the bomb bay for testing purposes. During the X-38 program, the aircraft deployed the largest parafoil in history, with a surface area larger than a Boeing 747’s wing.

The NB-52B’s last mission took place in 2004, when it launched the X-43A, which reached a speed of Mach 9.6 using the most powerful air-breathing engine ever built. After a long and significant career contributing to both aviation and space research, the NB-52B was officially retired on December 17, 2004, during a ceremony at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center.

At the time of its retirement, “Balls 8” (a nickname derived from its NASA tail number 52-008, where military slang refers to leading zeroes as “Balls”) was the oldest B-52 still in active service and the only one that wasn’t an H model. It also had the lowest total flight hours of any operational B-52. The aircraft is now displayed permanently near the north gate of Edwards Air Force Base in California.

@TheAviationist.com

[olomaya]

Honestly, I'm relieved. This game was still looking so rough and I'd feel much more comfortable with a June release than this coming out in 6 weeks.

I was watching a video from SatchoSims* and he talked about how LBY is more just a compilation of gameplay features without any gameplay and he definitely pinpointed my main issue with the game despite my excitement for it. I just don't know what I'm going to DO or what I will want to do because they haven't really done a good job of explaining the rules and structures and goals of the game (aka what the game is about).

I'm still excited for it and will definitely play it in June and am eager to check out the modding tools but yeah, what are we doing?

The Sims was a time management game. You had to figure your shit out and meet your basic needs all while juggling other mini challenges and responsibilities and TRY to become successful which would then unlock cool shit to buy or do that you would have the time to do because the money and rewards and perks you grinded for allowed you to do it.

And then TS2 improved on that by focusing on interpersonal relationships and making that more complex so that Sims felt more unique but also had to focus more on mental health and well-being and the drama that comes with interacting with other people.

Then TS3 took that even farther by basically unleashing chaos all around you with an open world so you have less control over what is going on so while you are grinding away to create a dream house for the Sim you want to marry and grow old with, you head over to the park and see your future spouse making out with some asshole in zebra print pants! And then on top of that, they deepened skills and hobbies so Sims have soooo much to do so that life goals are so much more diverse (though I will admit this came at the expense of interpersonal relationships). People often say that they wish TS3 had TS2's hobby system but in my opinion, it not only does but it's infinitely much better than TS2's. I would argue that TS3 at its core is a game about hobbies and interests.

I love that LBY seems to be wanting to improve on TS3 (because TS4 definitely didn't) and give us a true life simulator but I still don't understand what the game is about. They show off how many traits they have and how we can mod in our own traits but what do the traits means? If a character has a Difficult Childhood trait, how is that going to affect their ability to form relationships, fall in love, be a good parent? They said we could have truly homeless characters to play Rags to Riches challenges. That's awesome! Can we see that? How does the economic system work? Could it be integrated, for example, where household taxes and bills actually go towards community development? Like THIS is gameplay. I don't want to see another treasure trove video or someone doing work tasks. Those are features, not core gameplay and if it is then I'm afraid Rod Humble is making TS4 competitor, not TS3 which would be a shame.

*I don't know if I like him or not, but he has good viewpoints compared to the other high-profile Sims 4 YouTubers who at this point are practically on the Maxis payroll desperately trying to pretend that game is interesting because it literally pays their bills 😭😭

[nilima-2003]

SERVO DISTANCE INDICATOR USING ARDUINO UNO

INTRODUCTION

Distance measurement is a fundamental concept in various fields, including robotics, automation, and security systems. One common and efficient way to by emitting sound waves and calculating the time it takes for the waves to reflect back from an object, allowing accurate measurement of distance without physical contact.

In this project, we will use an HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor in conjunction with an Arduino microcontroller to measure the distance between the sensor and an object. The sensor emits ultrasonic waves and measures the time it takes for the waves to return after reflecting off the object. By using the speed of sound and the time measured, the distance is calculated. This simple yet powerful setup can be applied in a variety of real-world applications such as obstacle detection in robots, parking assistance systems, and automatic door operations.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

1. Servo Movement: The servo motor rotates to different angles (0° to 180°). The ultrasonic sensor is mounted on top of the servo and moves with it.

2. Distance Measurement: At each position, the ultrasonic sensor sends out an ultrasonic pulse and waits for the echo to return after hitting an object. The Arduino records the time taken for the echo to return.

3. Distance Calculation: The Arduino calculates the distance to the object based on the time recorded and the speed of sound (0.0343 cm/µs).

4. Servo as Indicator: The servo motor's position provides a physical indication of the direction of the detected object. As the servo moves across a range of Image map out objects in different directions based on distance.

5. Visual Output: The Arduino can also send the distance and angle data to the serial monitor, creating a real-time visual representation of the detected object positions.

APPLICATIONS

1. Autonomous Robots and Vehicles

2. Radar Systems

3. Parking Assistance

4. Security Systems

5. Environmental Scanning in Drones

6. Warehouse Management and Automation

7. Industrial Automation

8. Robotic Arm Guidance

9. Collision Avoidance in UAVs/Robots

10.Interactive Displays or Art Installations

11.Smart Doors and Gates

CONCLUSION

The Servo Distance Indicator Project successfully demonstrates the integration of an ultrasonic sensor and a servo motor to create an effective distance measurement an object, the project provides real-time feedback through the movement of a servo motor, which indicates the measured distance via a visual representation.

[cognitivejustice]

Creating the world’s “greenest” highway in a desert city: URB city design

Bagherian’s concept includes “water-sensitive landscape design” that includes native flora and drought-resistant plants suited to the arid climate, and soil mixed with zeolite, an absorbent crystal that aids water retention.

These “passive techniques” are complemented with smart irrigation technology, he added, “which use real-time data to adjust watering schedules based on soil moisture levels, weather forecasts, and plant needs.”

Smart tech and solar-power

The autonomous solar-powered tram is just one aspect of the proposed highway’s transport system: above the tram line, a network of green areas, parks and overpasses would increase connectivity and walkability of the city, which is currently tough to navigate on foot.

The highway would also integrate smart technology, such as “internet of things” (IoT) sensors, to manage traffic and optimize energy use.

Bagherian’s designs allow for 300-megawatt solar panels and a storage system to be embedded in the tracks, that would power the tram line, as well as generate clean energy for an estimated 130,000 homes.

And the green spaces — including parks and community gardens — would provide space for one million trees, which would also help cool the city and improve air quality.

Source

[thedigitalmuseum]

Dreaming of AI with Hidonix

A one-hour webinar facilitated by Alex Kron, Nik Honeysett, and Jen Weavers from Balboa Park Online Collaborative, featuring Giovanna Panebianco and Jovan Harmon from Hidonix who introduced their Museum Innovation Technology (MIT) platform, an all-in-one solution for museums that includes a content management system, a mobile application for visitors, and a customer relationship management system. They demonstrated the platform's many features and functionality, including AI capabilities for digitization, cataloging, content creation, personalizing tours, and integration with other technologies like OpenAI's ChatGPT. The discussion also covered the platform's ability to manage and standardize operations across all parts of a museum, from handling changes in artwork location to providing smart parking.

[chaotic-archaeologist]

Hi! I’ve seen you and other north american archaeologists writing about the pros and cons of archaeology, and I’m a bit curious as to how the archaeological system works. Who is responsible for doing excavations? Can anyone go out and dig? I’ve also seen some people mentioning being employed by private companies, are there non-government institutions, that does archaeology?

I’m from Denmark, and here it is only specific official museums, that are allowed to excavations anything. The universities aren’t even allowed.

Hi there, this is an awesome question and I'm going to do my best to answer it, but at the same time, my status as a relatively junior archaeologist is going to get in the way a little. I'm tagging @archaeologysucks and @archaeo-geek as two much more experiences archaeologists who work in the US and Canada, respectively.

Broadly speaking, there are three categories of archaeologists who work conducting excavations in North America:

Academics: folks who work at universities/in higher education who do archaeological excavation as research. They'll probably take whatever they find back to a lab to process it and write articles/books that will be published as part of their career. Academics mostly dig during the school breaks.

Cultural Resource Management/private practice: this is often done by private firms that are hired by companies/organizations when they need to conduct various kinds of archaeological survey (not always digging) before doing construction or maintenance. These folks also do lab work and research/publishing, but it's potentially less integral to their jobs whereas academics are expected to publish. Unlike academics, CRM archaeologists can work pretty much all year round, since they don't have teaching obligations.

Government archaeologists: State Historical Preservation Offices (SHPO) in each US state all have archaeologists who are tasked with conducting archaeology on state land. There are also archaeologists working in all sorts of different government offices, like the US Department of Agriculture and the National Park Service. There are also archaeologists who work for Indigenous peoples (Tribal Historic Preservation Offices) and within the US government to oversee compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

This is all very broadly speaking, and I'm sure that there are nuances that I've missed. My experience is primarily within academia, but the majority of archaeologists work outside of academia doing many incredible things.

-Reid

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Jurassic Park Daily - When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth

Gennaro’s really very good in this chapter. He lays out what the experts are here to evaluate, and gives them the key pieces of negative information that they need to be aware of, that indicates that dinosaurs may have escaped to the mainland and be posing a danger.

Malcolm’s right about the graphs - with those kind of fluctuations (and a small sample size), you don’t want to read too much into the monthly changes; it’s statistical noise, not periodicity. But I think he’s wrong that dinosaurs couldn’t be implicated in the general upward trend: again, these are very small numbers, we know the dinosaurs are causing infant deaths, and even if they’re only causing about two deaths a month that would still be enough to explain the rise. That doesn’t take hundreds of dinosaurs.

Regarding Malcolm’s broader point about complex systems, you don’t really need complex math or chaos theory to draw that conclusion. But he exaggerates about the impossibility. For example, consider a Biosafety Level 4 lab, the kind that the US Centre for Disease Control has at its main facility. The CDC can and does prevent diseases from escaping from there to the outside world, because there are very extensive precautions and controls. But Hammond is trying to replicate that kind of system - nothing gets out, ever, and no one is endangered - in a tourist attraction, where lots of movement in and out is integral to its purpose. Even now, before the guests have arrived, food and supplies have to come in in by boat, waste presumably has to leave by boat.

A system set up that way, with piles of uncontrolled variables, needs some degree of resilience, something in between “absolutely nothing goes wrong ever” and “disaster”. And the park doesn’t have that - and wouldn’t even if it were more competently managed.

But also, it’s really not competently managed, and Hammond inviting his grandkids to an assessment of the park’s safety, where that safety is seriously in doubt, really drives that home. The movie doesn’t emphasize in the same way how egregious it is to be inviting the kids there at all. Hammond’s in a dangerous state of being simply unwilling to recognize anything that isn’t what he wants to see.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Giant Magellan telescope begins primary mirror support system testing

The Giant Magellan Telescope today announced the successful installation of one of its completed 8.4-meter-diameter primary mirrors into a support system prototype at the University of Arizona’s Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab. This highly sophisticated system — comparable in size to half a basketball court and containing three times the number of parts of a typical car — is vital to the telescope’s optical performance and precision control. The milestone marks the start of a six-month optical testing phase to demonstrate that the support system can control the mirror as required, validating the revolutionary capabilities of the telescope’s primary light-collecting surface.

The Giant Magellan’s 368-square-meter light-collecting surface is composed of seven of the world’s largest optical mirrors arranged in a unique flower pattern. Together, they will provide the highest image resolution over the widest field of view ever achieved for the exploration of the Universe — delivering up to 200 times the power of today’s best telescopes. Each primary mirror weighs 17-metric tons and is supported by a highly specialized pneumatic support system which is housed in a steel weldment, or “cell.” This system works with nanometer precision, and is designed to adjust the mirror’s position, stabilize its temperature, protect it from seismic activity, and maintain its precise shape by mitigating mirror sagging from gravity as the telescope moves. The system controls the combined seven primary mirrors to act as a single light-collecting surface, creating the optimal conditions for peak optical performance during scientific observations.

“This work is funded by a National Science Foundation award,” said Barbara Fischer, Primary Mirror Subsystem Manager for the Giant Magellan Telescope. “We began integrating the active support prototype system more than three years ago, and we first used a steel mirror mass simulator to demonstrate that our design was able to safely support and control the completed primary mirror segments. I am honored to work with an extraordinary team, and it is exciting to finally see a completed mirror segment integrated with the cell.”

As a key part of the integration process, Giant Magellan worked closely with Texas A&M University to clean, assemble, and test the support actuators that are being used in the cell. While the actual installation of the mirror into the cell took only one day, the process began with four weeks of disassembly to prepare the cell and support system for transport. The system was then moved 20 miles from the University of Arizona’s Tech Park to the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab for reassembly. This logistically complex operation occurred a few hours after midnight to minimize traffic disruptions, as the wide-load cell required two road lanes for transport.

“The Giant Magellan Telescope’s primary mirror active support system is the first of its kind,” said Trupti Ranka, Principal Opto-Mechanical Control Systems Engineer for the Giant Magellan Telescope. “The active support system contains an array of approximately 200 actuators and sensors to control the position and shape of the 17-metric tons, 8.4-meter mirror within a fraction of a micron. The control system allows a harmonious operation between the sensor data and actuators to achieve this precision.”

Now that one of the primary mirrors has been successfully integrated with the support system prototype, it will undergo rigorous testing under a metrology tower at the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab to confirm that the mirror can maintain its shape and performance under various operational conditions. Once testing is complete, the design for the production active support systems will undergo a final design review, and production will commence in 2027.

“This intricate system took years of designing, building, and testing by a team of specialized engineers and technicians,” said Tomas Krasuski, Principal Software and System Test Engineer for the Giant Magellan Telescope. “Every single component was thoroughly tested before integrating it into the system. Now that we’ve installed the mirror segment, we are excited to validate its performance. It has been a challenging yet rewarding process to get here.”

The milestone highlights the next stage of advancement for the Giant Magellan Telescope’s seven primary mirror segments and their support systems. Three of the primary mirror segments are complete, while the remaining four are in various stages of polishing. The seventh and final primary mirror was cast in October 2023 and is now being prepared for polishing. This latest milestone also follows the August 2024 start of the Giant Magellan’s 39-meter-tall telescope mount structure assembly at Ingersoll Machine Tools in Rockford, Illinois, which will support the seven primary mirrors and their cells, adaptive optics, and scientific instruments.

“For the first time, a completed primary mirror segment has been integrated into its support system — this is a giant step in our journey toward first light,” said William Burgett, Project Manager for the Giant Magellan Telescope. “Once its performance is validated, we will begin manufacturing all seven mirror cells at Ingersoll Machine Tools, which will be one of the most exciting advancements to date.”

The Giant Magellan Telescope is now 40% under construction across 36 states and on track to be operational in Chile by the early 2030s.

IMAGE: Completed 8.4-meter-diameter primary mirror being transported and integrated with a support system prototype at the University of Arizona’s Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab. Credit Damien Jemison, Giant Magellan Telescope – GMTO Corporation

[parkomax]

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A Year of Walking Meditation Shaina Tranquilino July 26, 2024

Embarking on a year-long journey of walking meditations can be a transformative experience, helping you cleanse your mind, body, and spirit while renewing your outlook on life. This simple yet profound practice combines the physical benefits of walking with the mental clarity of meditation, fostering a deeper connection to yourself and the world around you. Here’s how you can integrate walking meditations into your daily routine over the course of a year to achieve lasting change.

Why Walking Meditation?

Walking meditation is a mindfulness practice that involves focusing on the act of walking. It encourages you to be present in the moment, aware of each step, and in tune with your surroundings. Unlike sitting meditation, it incorporates movement, making it accessible and beneficial for those who find it challenging to sit still. The rhythmic nature of walking can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being.

The Benefits of a Year-Long Commitment

1. Physical Health

Regular walking improves cardiovascular health, boosts energy levels, and aids in weight management. When combined with meditation, it also lowers blood pressure and enhances the immune system. Over the course of a year, these benefits accumulate, leading to significant improvements in your physical health.

2. Mental Clarity

Walking meditation encourages mindfulness, helping you clear mental clutter and focus on the present. This practice can reduce anxiety and depression, improve concentration, and enhance creativity. As you dedicate a year to this practice, you’ll find that your mental clarity and emotional stability increase substantially.

3. Emotional Balance

The meditative aspect of walking helps you process emotions and develop a deeper understanding of your feelings. This can lead to greater emotional resilience and a more balanced perspective on life’s challenges.

4. Spiritual Growth

Walking meditation can deepen your connection to nature and the universe. It provides an opportunity for introspection and spiritual reflection, allowing you to explore your inner self and foster a sense of peace and harmony.

How to Begin Your Year of Walking Meditations

1. Set Your Intentions

Start by setting clear intentions for your year-long journey. Reflect on why you want to commit to this practice and what you hope to achieve. Write down your goals and revisit them regularly to stay motivated and focused.

2. Choose Your Path

Select a safe and comfortable walking route. It could be a park, a nature trail, or even a quiet neighborhood street. The important thing is that it’s a place where you feel relaxed and can walk without interruptions.

3. Establish a Routine

Consistency is key. Decide on a time of day that works best for you, whether it’s early morning, during lunch breaks, or in the evening. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes of walking meditation daily.

4. Focus on Your Breath

As you walk, pay attention to your breath. Breathe deeply and rhythmically, synchronizing your breath with your steps. This helps anchor your mind in the present moment and enhances the meditative aspect of the practice.

5. Observe Your Surroundings

Engage your senses by observing your surroundings. Notice the colors, sounds, and smells around you. Feel the ground beneath your feet and the breeze on your skin. This sensory awareness helps ground you in the present moment.

6. Be Present

If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your focus back to your breath and your steps. It’s normal for thoughts to arise, but try not to get carried away by them. Acknowledge them and let them go, returning to the present moment.

7. Reflect and Journal

After each walk, take a few minutes to reflect on your experience. Consider keeping a journal to record your thoughts, feelings, and any insights you gain. This can help you track your progress and deepen your self-awareness over time.

Monthly Themes to Guide Your Journey

To keep your practice fresh and engaging, consider focusing on a different theme each month. Here are some ideas:

January: New Beginnings – Focus on setting intentions and embracing new possibilities.

February: Self-Love – Cultivate compassion and kindness towards yourself.

March: Mindfulness – Practice being fully present in each moment.

April: Nature Connection – Deepen your awareness of the natural world.

May: Gratitude – Reflect on the things you’re thankful for.

June: Simplicity – Embrace the beauty of simple pleasures.

July: Joy – Seek out moments of happiness and laughter.

August: Letting Go – Release what no longer serves you.

September: Balance – Strive for harmony in all aspects of your life.

October: Reflection – Look back on your journey and acknowledge your growth.

November: Acceptance – Embrace yourself and your life as they are.

December: Peace – Cultivate inner calm and tranquility.

A year of walking meditations offers a holistic approach to cleansing and renewing your life. By committing to this practice, you can enhance your physical health, mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual growth. Each step you take on this journey brings you closer to a more mindful, peaceful, and fulfilled life. So, lace up your walking shoes, take a deep breath, and embark on this transformative adventure. Your path to renewal awaits.

[eleni-cherie]

among thieves ✨ || bts • pjm

- chapter 1.1

"what even am I to you? your rival, your lover, an obstacle or am I supposed to be your coffin?"

about two thieves who can't live with nor without each other. and a joint past that comes back to threaten them.

© 2023 | eleni_cherie

»»»

masterlist: here

— genre: thief au, gangster comedy, adventure, romcom, humour, angst, fluff, very flirty jimin, friends/rivals/exes to lovers (it's complicated, ok?!) f2l e2l ex2l all members play a role in this story!

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. CHARACTERS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE REAL PERSONS. ALSO VERY UNREALISTIC PLOT LOL - JUST PRETEND READING A MANGA/COMIC OR WATCHING A FILM, REALLY.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES. MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE & BLOOD (BUT NOTHING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S STILL A COMEDY!)

»»»

Breaking into the evidence storage wasn't hard with Seokjin's keycard. Getting there had been a bit more challenging considering the guards and agents who had remained there past office hours but he had still managed sneaking his way upstairs through the emergency staircase unnoticed. Finding his gun, however, appeared to be the harder task. Numerous boxes lined up with a nonsensical sorting system were lined up on the shelves and Jimin gulped when coming face to face with.

He didn't have much time though, getting there had already cost him five minutes and twenty three seconds - years of training to precisely calculate the time for heists in case a watch stopped working, coming in handy. That also meant he couldn't afford wasting any more time though. He only had four minutes to get out of there.

His gaze ran over the series of numbers on the boxes and he started recognising a pattern. Sorted by date of arrest, initials of arrested and their birth date.

So after walking around the aisle, he came to an halt in front the box that according to this logic, must've been his. And indeed, inside he found his Walter ppk, watch and wallet with fake IDs, the only personal belongings he always carried with him.

If he remembered correctly from the previous times he'd "visited" that building, the parking lot was just behind the evidence storage. If Yoongi was there, he could've just cut a hole in the wall with his swordand they'd escape, but he wasn't so Jimin had to come up with a different idea. And that fast.

He stepped out, making his way down the empty corridor when footsteps echoed on the linoleum ground from around the corner. He stopped in his tracks and quickly unlocked the door he was standing in front of by sliding one of his IDs into the door crack. After entering, he closed it soundlessbehind him and pressed himself against it, waiting. A sigh of relief left his lips when the sounds soon died down, although not for long as he only had roughly two minutes left.

The room he was in was dark, barely making out any shapes s he pressed one of the buttons on his watch to switch on the integrated flashlight. It seemed like he'd found himself in someone's office. Already spotting the small window up high. Too high for normal people but not too high for him, his monkey-like climbing abilities from climbing up all kinds of things since a young age made it easy to get on the bookshelves and bent enough to reach the small margin and open it.

He crawled through it, the frame just wide enough for him to fit and jumped down. Landing in front of none other than agent Blake who had just turned around the building's corner in that moment. She immediately froze when seeing the criminal who was supposed to be behind bars. Both staring at each other bewildered.

"Park Jimin, you're under arr-"

Before she could even finish her sentence and draw her gun, he had already rushed behind her. Holding her arms behind her back and spreading her legs with his, just in case she thought about kicking him where it hurt, making it impossible for her to move.

"Shh, dear," he whispered, making her audibly scoff while trying wiggling herself out of his grip. "Agent Blake, for you." He laughed out, hislips curling into a smirk then as he leaned in then. "Say, agent Blake, can't remember anyone else smelling as lovely as you. Is that parfume?" Skylar's lips parted, his unexpected comment about her scent taking her off-guard. "Wh-" "Hm.. Let me guess," Jimin chuckled then from behind, "You're into your little colleague, agent Jeon, right?" A scowl immediately spread on her eyes over this random conclusion. "T-that'd be highly unprofessional," she said, feeling the need to defend herself. "Aw c'mon, you can tell me!"

The woman only huffed, feeling her cheeks flushing. He was only trying messing with her and make her let her guard down, she realised. She had to stay clear-minded and not get fooled. With a deep inhale, she gathered all her energy before yelling out: "Agent in danger! Help! Ag- !" But her mouth got quickly covered by one of his hands, preventing her from attracting anyone's attention. "Shhh, don't be so mean," he whined, "You know you ain't in danger. Don't get me in trouble just because I'm exposing your crush on the little guy." She lookd offended by that. "He isn't a little guy," she mumbled against his hand, "He could beat your ass with no trouble."

Jimin laughed out at this, amused about him having hit yet another nerve. As always. Analysing people and finding out their weaknesses was part of the job after all and he was fairly good at it. Partially because it was also fun to see theirfacade of staidness crumble so easily and getting upset like children.

"Aw, sorry for offending your crush."

"He isn't my crush!"

He grinned, knowing she couldn't see him. "Whatever you say, love." And before she could retort anything else or attempt escaping, he pinched the spot between her neck and shoulder, causing Skylar to instantly succumb, her body subsiding in his arms. "Huh, she's heavier than she looks," he muttered to himself while carefully placing her down. Leaning her unconscious body sitting against the wall.

He grabbed her phone out of her jacket then and headed to the parking lot. Twendy-five seconds were left andhe knew Seokjin wouldn't gift him any second more. He broke into one of the few cars standing there when hearing sirens going off inside the building.

"As expected, exactly ten minutes," he huffed, looking at his watch, "Punctual as always, pops. But I'm not dumb." He took the tracker from the coat's pocket which the agent thought he hadn't noticed him placing there, crushing it with his heal before sliding behind the driver's seat. After taking a few seconds to hot-wire the car and get the motor to jump start, he floored the gas pedal and dashed out of the parking lot right when seeing several agents in the side-mirror, rushing out of the main entrance and looking dumbfounded.

Despite the late hour, the streetsof Seoul were still quite busy as he was heading to the direction of an old hideout near the port. On the way, he planned to stop in an alley and leave the car and find a substitute, as the cops would easily find the car tag from security footage.

While overtaking another car he remembered still having Skylar's phone and took it out of the pocket to scroll through her contacts and stopped at one, tapping on it.

He cleared his throat, preparing his voice to adjust while he waited for the other person to pick up. The dial tone abruptly cutting off.

"Hello? Skylar?" "Jungkookie, please help me!" Jimin mimicked the panicked voice of Skylar, immitating her perfectly. Even adding a pleading tone, to make it more believable. "S-Skylar, where are you?" "At the east side of the building. Please, hurry."

He didn't wait for a responce and hung up. Tossing the phone out of the window of the driving car.

"Thank me later, love."

»»»

3 minutes earlier

"Is everything alright? How did this happen?" Jungkook furrowed his brows at his supervisor, concern evident in his expression. He helped him get rid of the handcuffs, handing them back to him. "Did he fake the amnesia after all?" Seokjin shook his head, rubbing his wrists that were finally freed before securing the handcuffs back around his belt.

"I don't think so," he answered and made his way to the elevators to head back upstairs, Jungkook trailing behind him. "He said someone gave him a pill and messed with his mind, ordering him to eliminate Valentine." Jungkook's round eyes became even rounder at this. "Makes sense, I suppose, he'd never do this on his own after all.." the younger agent humed, earning an arched brow from Seokjin. He blinked, coughing nervously. "I-I mean, for all we know it'd be quite atypical of him at least." His supervisor chuckled, directing his gaze to the elevator doorswhich opened with a ping. "Indeed," the older guy nodded and headed to his desk, "That's why I wanted you to do a new background check on her." "Of course, yes. And did he say who it was? The one ordering him to eliminate Valentine?" Seokjin stopped in front of his desk, turning at him with a sigh. "He did not."

His replies only rose more questions in Jungkook's head and Seokjin could tell by the deep crease between the young man's brows. "But why do they want him to kill her?"

Pursing his lips, Seokjin had to suppress a chuckle. "That's what we gotta find out. He only said she used to be their member, whatever that means." Jungkook slouched slightly but still nodded, despite not being entirely satisfied. He rubbed his temple then when his eyes fell on the whiteboard next to their desks. The crease returning tohis forehead "Who's 'owl inc'?"

Seokjin hummed questioningly, glancing up from the papers in front of him confused. "Never heard of it. Why?"

"Because someone wrote it here." Jungkook pointed with his finger on the bulletpoint on the bottom.

The older agent frowned and stood up again, walking up to the board to see what his subordinate was talking about as Jungkook excused himself to answer an incoming call.

The whiteboards was where they had gathered all relevant information on Jimin and his gang. Dates, notes, photos all in one place. It was quite a lot for everyone, sometimes new things getting added on them, except for one person. Arabella Valentine.

Out of the four, her bulletpoints were the most sparsley filled ones, hardly containing any useful information past her direct involvement with cases regarding Jimin.

"Arabella Valentine

associate to Park Jimin his lover!

no known/confirmed alias

thief/spy

age: unknown, ca. 25-30

birthplace/nationality: unknown

background: unknown kidnapped at 5 by 'owl inc', past member"

Someone had added something under 'background' and considering the freshly added 'his lover' under associate, Seokjin was confident in knowing exactly who that someone had been.

But what or who was 'owl inc'? Were they the ones Jimin had been talking about?

"Don?" he called out for one of the other few agents there. The man instantly perking up when hearing his name. "Call Jung Hoseok from organised crime tomorrow morning, I wanna ask him if he knows anything about this 'owl inc'." The agent nodded and noted it down, when Seokjin call out for him again. "And also get Kim Namjoon from special victims here. We might need him, too."

He heard hurried footsteps coming closer then. A flustered Jungkook standing beside him. "Sir, that was Skylar. She seemed in trouble and need for help. I've got to check on her."

Seokjin straightened himself, alarmed by that himself and gave him a stern nod. "Okay, but be careful. Perhaps it wasn't the real Blake after all."

Jungkook's eyes widened, eventually understanding what he meant. It wouldn't be the first time Park Jimin perfectly immitated someone's voice, even a female one. So he nodded, promising to be careful before rushing out and Seokjin watched him disappear behind the glass doors.

He exited the building and headed to its east side just as the voice on the call had instructed him to. Gun in his hand, just in case as he carefully roamed around the area until turning around the corner where the visitor parking lots were located at.

And his breath hitched when seeing an unconscious body against the wall. "Sky!"

His gun went back into its holster before he rushed towards his unconcious colleague and lowered down on one knee to get a closer look on her. Her head was bent to the side, eyes closed but otherwise she didn't seem to have any external injuries, which he was glad about but it still made him wonder what else had caused her unconsciousness. He gently pressed three fingers into the side of her throat until finding the carotid artery to check her pulse. It was still beating and that quite strongly which made him him sigh shakily as relief washed over him. Still, he had to bring her to a hospital.

Brushing the strands of hair away from her serene looking face, his gaze lingered on it a second more before he swallowed and propped himself up. Sliding his arms behind her back and her knees, he carefully heaved her from the cold ground and held her close to his chest.

"Please, hang in there, Sky."

»»»

two days later Havana, Cuba

Three knocks were heard on the door, but neither Taehyung nor Yoongi made a move to answer, the first one being too immersed in his mobile game while the other one was watching a basketball match and choseto ignore it. Only when another three knocks followed, Yoongi threw Taehyung an inquiring look, causing the younger one to drag out a sigh and push himself off the couch.

"Yeah, yeah, coming," Taehyung yawned with tousled hair and strands flying around from hours of gaming. He walked to the door and cracked it open, only to see Jimin standing there with a wide smile. "Hey! What took you so long?" However, he only earned a suspious glare from Taehyung who reached for his gun. And Jimin chuckled, holding his hands up high in defense. "Wowhoho," he shoved the gun away from his face, "Is this how you greet your best friend?" "Obviously," Yoongi was heard then, soon appearing behind Taehyung and brushed past him. He was also holding his sword towards Jimin, just in case. "So you're back to normal now?" He grinned, pushing his fists against his waist to boast out his chest. "Yep, good old me!" Taehyung eyed him carefully up and down, wanting to be entirely sure before eventually nodding, lowering his gun with Yoongi following slowly - very slowly- allowing him to enter. 

The younger guy arched a brow. "So you won't try killing us again?" he asked with a lopsided smirk, making Jimin huff. "I've never tried killing you." "True, it was Arabella you were after," Yoongi corrected nodding, taking his previous seat on the couch, "You only attacked us for holding you back."

Jimin sighed at the faint memory which felt like rather belonging to a stranger than being his own. He was only glad his friends had been sane enough to keep him from getting to Arabella. They'd protected her just like he'd promised her they would back in Mexico. They might not like her but they wouldn't let anyone harm her either. 

"Thanks for that by the way," he said, scratching the back of his neck when sitting down himself. Now that he was reminded of that, he felt embarrassed despite not being himself then, "I owe you for that." "You owe us for many things," Taehyung mumbled lazily before plopping down on the couch and returning to his game, "But let's forget about it. At least you're no lunatic anymore."

"Speaking of Bella, where's she?" he asked then, looking around. He couldn't spot her anywhere. Taehyung frowned at his display. "Didn't you call her?" "No, I assumed she'd be with you guys.. Why? Where's she?" Yoongi shrugged, averting his eyes from the tv to briefly look at him. "Last time we heard of her she was with some multi-millionaire on a greek island." Jimin to let out a loud groan at this. "This woman.. I told her it's not safe on her own." He shook his head, exhaling deeply before furrowing his brows at them. "And you guys just let her?" "She's an adult," Taehyung rolled his eyes, "It's not like we could force her to stay." He groaned again. Getting more and more frustrated. "You should have!" "Jimin, calm down. You out of all people should know how headstrong she is," Yoongi argued, "And it's not like she isn't able defending herself."

Folding his arms, he sat down with a pout on his lips. He knew they were right but couldn't help but being concerned about her. These guys were still after her after all and they weren't the ordinary kind. Besides, he was the only one who could protect her, not some stupid 'multi-millionaire'.

He scoffed internally at the thought of that. 

"What happened to you anyway, why were you after her?"

"It was these guys," Jimin explained, propping his face on his hands. "They got me and I don't know.. brainwashed me? They gave me some mind control drug or so, conditioned me into only seeing her as a target. I had completely forgotten everything else. Partially even you guys. I mean, I knew you, but I had forgotten what you're to me. And what she is to me. The only thing on my mind was that I had to eliminate her."

Yoongi scrunched his nose at his narration. "Sounds like you were their puppet." He sighed, burrowing his face in his palms. "Pretty much." "And explains why you attacked us," he pointed out, "But you seem fine now. Are you fine?" Jimin shrugged. "Guess so.. I got memory flashbacks in the cell pops locked me into. And eventually it all came back." "About that.." Taehyung paused his game and sat up, giving him an awkward look, "Sorry I set him on you. It seemed the only save solution back then. You were out of your mind after all and I didn't know what to do."

Jimin waved him off quickly, though, shaking his head. "Don't worry, I get it. And I had missed pops anyway," he chuckled then, "Poor guy looked so offended when I couldn't remember him anymore."

Who knew, perhaps that was the reason he'd given him those ten minutes to escape. He'd looked quite happy when seeing Jimin had gained back his memory and remembered who he was. They might be rivals, like cat and mouse, but they did have a mutual respect and sympathy for each other. And he was the only lawenforcement member Jimin genuinely trusted.

"Alright, anyway," he exclaimed suddenly, clapping his hands enthusiastically. "New plan then! First we get Bella back, then we'll proceed with the original plan." "The original plan?" Yoongi repeated astonished, "You mean-" "Yep. Following the hint from your idea and hopefully finding the treasure." Yoongi's gaze immediately wandered to Taehyung who remained silent, looking at his hands laying flat on his lap. Jimin frowned, following Yoongi's gaze. He noticed the troubled expression on his face and soon understood. "Oh, look, Tae, if you prefer staying here with Cas, it's totally fine. I'd understand."

Even if it'd only been for merely two weeks, it almost felt like back in the good old days. He always knew, however, that sooner or later he'd have to bid goodbye to her again and he'd been mentally preparing himself for that moment to come from the beginning. It was looming in the horizon, it was lingering in the air, ever since he'd allowed himself to relent and enter her life again. He was just glad it came later than expected. But still too soon.

"No, it's okay," he shook his head eventually and glanced at his friends. First at Jimin, then at Yoongi who was giving him a quiet glance of empathy. He'd been there after all, he'd seen him and Cassandra together and how happy they were. Swallowing, Taehyung looked down at his hands again. "T-that's the life I've chosen after all. The only thing I'm good at," he said, the smile not reaching his eyes. It was a sad one, they could tell. Sitting up straight then he forced his lips to grow wider. "And besides, I can't let you guys hanging, you'd be stranded without me. Well, at least you, Jimin. I know Yoongi can handle himself just fine."

Yoongi couldn't help but let out a small laugh at this as Jimin rolled his eyes. "Fine. But don't use me as an excuse," Jimin said. "I'm.. I'm not." They grew quiet before Yoongi cleared his throat, changing topics. "So when are we leaving?" Jimin mused for a moment. "I'm gonna leave tomorrow to get Bella. You guys can follow later, in two to three days. Except if you already got other plans for these days.." He glanced at Taehyung who shook his head quickly.

He stood up then and headed to the door. "I'm.. I'm gonna let her know then." "Take your time," Jimin said with a soft smile, "See you then." Taehyung gave them a nod and left, Jimin facing Yoongi then with a grin. "Alright, how about we grab some food?"

"Sorry, already got plans right now."

His eyes widened. "What plans?"

Yoongi motioned with his chin to the television, making the younger man roll his eyes and slumb back in his seat,. And Jimin knew he didn't even need to try. He wouldn't get Yoongi to leave before the game was over. Not if he didn't want to.

"Hmph, fine. I'm gonna look for food on my own then."

»»»

Taehyung stood in front of Cassandra's door with a heavy heart. His hand kept rising and falling tohis side. He couldn't bring himself to go through with it, unsure of how to explain to her that he was leaving her once again. Just like one and a half years ago.

He rubbed his face out of frustration.

Her reaction wasn't something that scared him, after all he knew how understanding she was. He knew how she respected his life. No, her possible reaction wasn't scaring him, it was rather tearing him apart. Because even if she was more understanding than he ever deserved, she'd never been good in hiding her feelings. Her pain. Her big brown eyes would always give her away, as much as she tried hiding it.

So when he finally founnd the courage to ring the doorbell and Cassandra opened the door, seeing him standing there slouching and filled with anguish, her sweet smile instantly dropped. And before his lips could even part to explain himself, she cut him off with a sigh. "You've got to leave, right?" she asked with a sad smile. And he simply nodded, unable to utter a word. "When?" "In three days."

She inhaled sharply. A stern expression spreading on her soft features then as she straighted herself. "Don't you dare disappear on me again. Got it?" Taehyung's lips fell agape and he blinked, taken aback by her unexpected words. "Cas, you know it's better wh-" "- when you just dip and disappear like I've never mattered to you?" His lips pressed together in a straight line, an equally severe look in his eyes as he held her glare. "You know I don't wanna drag you again into the mass that's my life." "No, don't start all that again." Her voice broke at the end although she tried her best remaining firm and not let her emotions take over, "You know I never minded your life or only seeing you every other month." She stepped out then despite being barefoot, placing her hand on his cheek. Caressing his warm skin with her thumb as a small mirk tucked on her lips. "You know how cool I find my super hot master thief boyfriend," she giggled then.

He couldn't help but laugh at this, placing her hand on hers. Even now she managed making him laugh. Their hands lowered and they intertwined their fingers, squeazing them together.

"Jimin's the master thief, I'm just the gunman," he corrected her with fake-offence.

"That's even hotter."

He shook his head bashfully, chuckling at her nonsense. Even if she'd explained it to him years ago, he still couldn't wrap his head around how someone as cool as her would ever fall for him.

He honestly didn't believe he deserved Cassandra. He never did. She was too good of a person for a jackass like him. She deserved better. And yet, there she was, always sticking with him throughout the years. Despite him hurting her over and over again in the attempt of protecting her.

"I almost lost you the first time," he whispered then, pain washing over his soft edges when recalling the end of their relationship, "I promised to myself to never endanger you like this again." She shook her head, holding his gaze. "That wasn't your fault, you know that." "It was because of me, though." Cassandra's eyes fell, searching for any more arguments. She was set on changing his mind and she would. "Alright, then see it like that," she said then and Taehyung saw a suspiciously grin on her lips, full of mischief, "It already happened once, so it's less likely to happen again any time soon."

He huffed, dumbfounded. "You really stick to your guns, huh?" "You're not the only one with one."

She was persistent, he gave her that. And perhaps she did have a point, but no, he had to stay persistent himself. It was about her safety.

"So?" Cassandra arched a brow at him, tucking at his hand like an impatient child. "Promise you'll come back after the job's finished. Otherwise I'll hunt you down myself. I might not have all you guys' skills but I will track you down on my own if you dare vanishing into thin air again. You hear me, cool guy?"

Her determined expression evoked a chuckle from him. He knew Cassandra was stubborn and if she set her mind on something, it was one of the many reasons he loved her and perhaps she'd indeed manage hunting him down if he tried breaking up with her again. But quite frankly, he felt tired of trying conving them both that breaking up was the best when in reality he also couldn't bring himself to do it again. The first time had torn his heart apart, the past one and half year without her being the worst in his life and he never wanted to go through that experience ever again.

The ghost of a smile was on his heart-shaped lips when he finally nodded. Squeazing her hand, he pulled her into his arms and embraced her tightly. "You make it hard for me to protect you, angel, but yes, I promise."

»»»

next chapter: 1.2 here

Don't forget to like, reblog & leave feedback!♡ It motivates me to keep writing :)

[aimarketingdubai]

Dubai's Smart City strategy

Dubai's Smart City Strategy is an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the city into a global leader in technology, innovation, and sustainability. Launched by the Dubai government, this comprehensive strategy leverages digital technologies and data-driven insights to improve the lives of residents, enhance government services, and foster economic growth.

Key Pillars of Dubai's Smart City Strategy

Digital Transformation: At the core of the strategy is the digitization of government services. This includes providing online access to public services, streamlining administrative processes, and implementing paperless transactions. The goal is to create a seamless and efficient experience for residents and businesses when interacting with the government.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Dubai's Smart City strategy emphasizes the collection and analysis of data to inform decision-making and improve city management. This includes using sensors and IoT devices to gather data on traffic flow, energy consumption, and environmental conditions. By analyzing this data, the city can optimize resource allocation, improve infrastructure planning, and enhance public safety.

Technological Innovation: Dubai is actively promoting the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing. This includes supporting research and development initiatives, fostering partnerships with technology companies, and creating a regulatory environment that encourages innovation.

Sustainability: A key focus of the strategy is to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly city. This includes initiatives to promote energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and encourage the use of renewable energy sources. Dubai is also investing in green infrastructure, such as parks and green spaces, to improve the quality of life for residents.

Citizen Engagement: The Smart City strategy emphasizes the importance of citizen engagement and participation. This includes creating platforms for residents to provide feedback, share ideas, and contribute to the development of the city. The goal is to create a sense of community ownership and ensure that the Smart City initiatives align with the needs and aspirations of the people.

Key Initiatives and Achievements

Happiness Meter: Dubai has implemented a "Happiness Meter" to gauge citizen satisfaction with public services and city initiatives. This real-time feedback system helps the government identify areas for improvement and prioritize projects that enhance the well-being of residents.

Paperless Strategy: Dubai has launched a "Paperless Strategy" aimed at eliminating paper transactions in government offices. This initiative has significantly reduced paper consumption, streamlined administrative processes, and improved efficiency.

Smart Mobility: Dubai is investing in smart mobility solutions, such as autonomous vehicles, smart traffic management systems, and integrated public transportation networks. These initiatives aim to reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety, and enhance the overall transportation experience.

Blockchain Strategy: Dubai is exploring the use of blockchain technology to enhance security, transparency, and efficiency in various sectors, including government services, logistics, and healthcare.

AI Lab: Dubai has established an AI Lab to develop and deploy artificial intelligence solutions for city management. This includes initiatives such as using AI to optimize traffic flow, improve public safety, and enhance the efficiency of government services.

Impact and Future Outlook

Dubai's Smart City strategy has already made significant progress in transforming the city into a technologically advanced and sustainable urban center. The initiatives have improved the efficiency of government services, enhanced the quality of life for residents, and attracted investment and innovation.

In the future, Dubai aims to further leverage technology to create a city that is not only smart but also resilient, inclusive, and human-centered. The focus will be on using technology to address challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and economic diversification. By continuing to invest in innovation and prioritize the needs of its citizens, Dubai is poised to become a global model for smart city development.

[daemaroony]

Blog's been dead for two years but I'm back with updates lolololol

My therapist introduced me to the concept of internal family systems a couple weeks ago and I'm having the realization that daemonism for me has served as a pretty solid precursor to that!

Rune's still around. He chimes in from time to time but is mostly dormant/integrated. Still the voice of reason and the smartest person in the room. Now I kind of recognize him as one of my parts, or facets, as I call em. He's one of many, so let me introduce y'all to a couple more.

My therapy homework assignment this past week has been to get acquainted with Fawn and Nuke. I think that Fawn is one of my firefighters and Nuke is one of my exiles. Fawn is named after the trauma response that she embodies. She's pretty young, and has learned the art of rolling over and accepting mistreatment, especially if she thinks it prevents greater mistreatment or the cessation of important relationships. She's a people pleaser through and through, to the point of being a doormat.

Nuke is younger than Fawn, and hates Fawn with every fiber of their being. This is because Nuke really loathes being disrespected. Nuke wants me to be a badass who doesn't take shit from anyone. Nuke wants to rain hellfire upon our enemies. They will throw down with god in a Denny's parking lot and they view Fawn as a stubborn and immovable obstacle. Nuke represents the suppressed rage I carry, whose impotence only begets greater rage.

So that's one firefighter and one exile. Some of my managers are The Diplomat and The Narrator. The Diplomat is perhaps an older sibling or parent figure to Fawn: wiser and cunning enough to figure out how to keep the peace by finding acceptable compromises with others. The Diplomat isn't afraid to make sacrifices to keep the peace, but they can do so in a way that maintains our integrity. I think that when push comes to shove, I go from The Diplomat to Fawn pretty quickly. And The Narrator is the part of me that craves understanding and hates being misunderstood. The Narrator needs to rationalize everything and over-explain myself so as not to be misunderstood.

Another potential manager that I have yet to bring up to my therapist (but that she'll probably agree with), I've been calling The Performer. The Performer is charming and charismatic, lively and fun to be around. The Performer is the life of the party and down for whatever adventure you can throw at him. Extremely easy to get along with, that one.