#pogo games support

[homestuckreplay]

JOHN EGBERT’S GIFT UNBOXING VIDEO LIVE UNEDITED

(page 1052-1069)

‘So much sweet loot. You'd almost think it was simultaneously your birthday, AND Christmas or something. Of course you know that is ridiculous and could never conceivably happen.’ (p.1069)

Today’s update – which was posted on December 21-22, near Christmas, but is set on April 13, John’s birthday – is John blatantly ignoring Rose’s orders and making himself a bunch of sweet loot. The story has laid the groundwork for John alchemizing further, so I think this could still work for someone who’s reading the archive and/or who doesn’t celebrate Christmas – but it’s clearly set up as a real time, shared culture experience.

The things John makes apparently came from an 80 item (!!) MSPA forums poll, with other readers voting on potential alchemy combinations. That’s cute because it’s like we’re collectively deciding what Christmas gifts to give him. Unfortunately I can’t find the poll to see the other options.

I’m going to list off everything John makes for completonism, and then drill down on a couple specific items and discuss the alchemy process generally.

John’s Christmas Loot <3

Hammerhead Pogo Ride (Hammer || Pogo) (5 build 20 shale)

Green Slime Ghost Suit (Suit && John Shirt) (3 build 1 shale)

Wise Guy Slime Suit (Green Slime Ghost Suit || Wise Guy Book) (1 build 5 shale 10 tar) (Contains Secret Trickster Gimmicks)

Serious Business Goggles (PDA && Glasses) (6 build 3 tar 6 mercury)

Telescopic Sassacrusher (Sledgehammer || Colonel Sassacre’s && Telescope) (250 shale 10 tar 50 mercury) (MUCH bigger than John)

Hellacious Blue Phlegm Aneurysm Gushers (Gushers && Nannasprite’s Ectoplasm) (24 build 30 shale 18 mercury) (has healing properties, but still made by Betty Crocker)

Remote Ghost Gauntlet (Fake Arm && Nannasprite’s Ectoplasm || PDA) (32 build 128 tar)

Left Handed Remote Ghost Gauntlet (Remote Ghost Gauntlet && Bathroom Mirror) (32 build 128 tar)

Barber’s Best Friend (Umbrella && Razor) (2 shale 8 mercury) (I support john branching out weapons wise)

Betty Crocker Barbasol Bomb (Gushers && Shaving Cream) (1 build 1 shale) (terrible, but the || combination is likely even worse)

Cosbytop (Ghost Dad Poster && Computer Tower) (30 build 10 shale)

Fedora + Candy Corn (Fedora && Problem Sleuth Game) (5 build)

?????? (Problem Sleuth Game && Hammer) (30,000 build 90,000 ? 6,000 mercury 180,000 ? 1 ?) [NOT MADE]

Wrinklefucker (Pogo Hammer || Iron) (55 build 44 shale 66 tar)

John thinks that his Serious Business Goggles make him ‘look way cooler, like one of the kids from SPY KIDS or something.’ He then quotes the tagline ‘REAL SPIES… only smaller’ which I thought was a classic Homestuck incorrect quote, but a quick search reveals that this was the actual tagline for Spy Kids 1 (2001). I haven’t seen that movie but I HAVE seen Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003), which is a very Homestuck relevant movie. So I’m planning to rewatch that in the next couple days and see how the game in that movie compared to John’s experiences playing Sburb.

John wearing a bland business suit didn’t feel right to me. It felt like he was playing a part, either dressing up like a movie character or dressing up like his dad because the house feels empty without him, and John feels like he has to step into the ‘man of the house’ role. Now that he’s customizing the suit with the green slime ghost and the possibility of playing 52-card pickup at any moment, this feels like a John outfit. Any suit is still a type of clothing that has a lot of cultural associations, but John showing some identity through his clothes is still meaningful, and the teal looks good on him.

The Cosbytop is a very unfortunate reference and I don’t support Bill Cosby in any way, but the connotations are accidental. From John’s perspective, this person plays a movie character he looks up to. John loves the movie Ghost Dad, but has defaced its poster with ‘IDIOT [R SLUR] DEAD FATHER’. It seems like something John’s dad should have noticed and maybe discussed with John, but instead he apparently ignored it and kept on watching movies with John. I am starting to think that a lot of John’s problems come from his dad’s complete unwillingness to address things openly, which is a common, culturally ingrained trait of quite a few fathers.

And now John has made a computer themed after someone he sees as a good dad, literally creating his own new father figure to guide him through important activities, alchemizing a dad replacement. So there’s a huge difference between John’s conscious and unconscious opinions of Elliot Hopper (the protagonist of Ghost Dad), and he’s unwilling to think through that – he takes a moment to think ‘lousy goddamn stupid subsconscious!’ but immediately moves on. I think John is less able to compartmentalize his feelings towards his actual dad, but they’re just as conflicted.

In and around the SWEET LOOT, we actually learn more about alchemy (although it’s easy to miss in the excitement). John is now using overlapping card && combinations, leading to punched cards with only a few holes, and double punched || combinations, leading to punched cards with a lot of holes. The hammer/pogo combination is the only one where we’ve seen both options. I think this is a missed opportunity – John should have tried Problem Sleuth Game || Hammer and seen if it also cost a ridiculous amount of grist.

The pogo hammer cost 10 build grist and 16 shale, while the hammerhead pogo cost 5 build and 20 shale – the same types of grist for both, but the numbers are different. I’m not sure how an item’s grist cost and types are calculated, or if it’s possible to predict that – but most items John has tried to make, he’s had the right types of grist for. So maybe the items in a player’s house are linked to the grist they collect in the early game, while other items John might discover on his journey (or perhaps on Prospit??) will use grist that doesn’t appear until the late game. The cost could relate to the number of combined items, except the butchered rocket pack (4 combined items) only cost 4 build and 8 shale.

On page 1064, John figures out how to ‘subtract’ one item from another, making a simpler item instead of a more complex one. This is super smart of him, as he accounts for all possible ways the subtraction could work, tries them in turn, and finds which one is right. I want to give John big props for being so smart, but also highlight how different the items from the other combinations are – punch cards with a single hole difference can yield a potted plant, a painting of a horse attacking a football player, and a Ghost Dad movie poster. So it’s not possible to change a single hole to make a similar but different item; there’s a randomization process preventing that.

I also wonder if there’s a maximum number of items that can be combined – John says that by alternating && and || combinations, the total number of holes will stay relatively consistent, but surely there’s a point where combining enough complex items loops back around to making something really simple. Just due to the limited number of hole combinations available, there’s a theoretical limit to how weird this can get, and I think it’d be funny if John combined the Wise Guy Slime Suit with the Hellacious Blue Phlegm Aneurysm Gushers and ended up with a simple kitchen spoon, because he’s hit the limit.

I understand why Rose wants to save the grist for building John’s house, but most of the items he’s made are genuinely useful – the new weapons are essential, the healing gushers are really smart for if Nannasprite isn’t around, and the serious business goggles will make it WAY easier to keep in touch with Rose without the PDA getting lost in John’s sylladex. Sburb/Skaia is a somewhat malevolent entity, so while this is a fun happy update, I can’t help but wonder if Sburb is trying to sow discord between friends by giving the server and client player two different goals, but a singular resource. Even if it’s not malicious, it’s a trial by fire for this friendship.

> John: Combine playing cards and candy corn.

[nosolaceofastraightanswer]

at a family reunion-esque dinner an i just found out i have the cilantro soapy gene when i tell you i yelled at everyone “WHO WAS IT” so damn loud. anyway to cope here’s tua cilantro soap gene headcanons. please read i worked so hard XD

luther- yes and he’s sad about it :(

diego- no but he makes fun of luther

allison- nope. kind of convinced that it’s not real and everyone just made it up as an inside joke she wasn’t in on as a kid. she’s wildly insecure and bitter about it and is really passive agressive when it’s brought up

klaus- no but he is infinitely curious about what it tastes like and when he was 9 he ate a sliver of a bar of soap and cilantro at the same time to simulate the experience so he could empathize with his siblings. he cried and ran to grace who was confused but supportive and helped him wash his mouth out

five- yes but he doesn’t care. his food opinions and vibes are Very Fucked Up and he used to eat rocks anyway so. you cannot tell me this man didn’t eat rocks in the apocalypse drunkly because he was so hungry i’m sorry. also like cardboard poor baby

ben- thinks he does but he doesn’t. this is og ben bc i’m always posting about him he is the real ben hargreeves to me but this goes for s! ben too. and idk how to explain it either

viktor- yeah but he likes it. he’s like mmmmm and diego is horrified everyone is losing their minds and he’s like yummy :D my favorite

lila- yes but pretends she doesn’t because she’s seen diego make fun of luther for it. he’s all “extra cilantro right babe B)” and she’s like “hell yes” but is sad inside. if she just told him he would never order cilantro on anything again in case she wants to eat some of his food but she’s too far in at this point

sloane- no. she eats all of luther’s cilantro for him though <3

reginald asshole hargreeves- yes and i hope He Fucking Suffers. stupid ass alien tastebuds or whatever. he pretends nothing’s happening because he thinks it’s a human thing and he doesn’t want to blow his cover

grace- she can’t eat, but is aware of the chemical that makes it taste/smell like that because of her advanced sensory hardware and software

the handler- no. she puts cilantro in five’s food because she knows he has the gene. she thinks he’s on to her and picks it out but he just has no reaction. he just doesn’t care lmao. she’s playing these fucking mind games 4d chess and he’s like absentmindedly chewing on checkers

pogo- nope.

[fleckcmscott]

Haunted Heart

Summary: Mabel invites the Flecks to visit for the holidays. On Halloween, more than trick or treats await them.

Words: 5,606

Warnings: Swearing

A/N: In this oneshot (twoshot? 🤫), I wanted to revisit Y/N's family in Missouri, catch up on how Mabel and Ed are doing, and give Arthur a new way to celebrate the holidays. This Halloween story is a tad late, but I hope you all still enjoy it. 😊 Much gratitude to @jokerownsmysoul for beta-ing and @sweet-nothings04 for her kind support and encouragement. 💜

If you have any thoughts or questions, please comment, feel free to message me, or send me an ask. Requests for Arthur and WWH are open!

The notion had sprung from Mabel's gut, not her head. Flown out of her mouth like one of Jason's fastballs flying past home plate.

"Why don't you and Arthur come down for the holidays?"

The plea disguised as a question hung, waited. Tick-tocked in the air and her heart. A sitcom's muffled dialogue came from the other end of the phone line, canned laughter directed squarely at her. The tap of Y/N's fingernails on Bakelite. Once. Twice.

Silence pushed Mabel to continue the sales pitch of the year. "Two weeks would be enough time to do Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We'd be happy to have you stay here, if you're ready to try that again. Not that before was your fault, I mean- That's not what I mean." Shut up, shut up, shut up!

The airy idea had taken on the sudden heaviness of urgency, paired with an awareness of how much she craved this, how much she had to make up for. Yeah, Y/N had forgiven her. But the wheels of self-forgiveness spun at two miles at hour. And though her sister wasn't one for drawn out heart to hearts, Mabel felt an acute need for amends.

It manifested at the oddest times. When Ashley had taken her first steps, and Mabel realized Y/N had witnessed their dad's last. Or when Jason had gone to the prom, and his date's baby blue dress had reminded Mabel that she'd missed Y/N's wedding. The Widow Brown shuffling through the produce section with her walker; catching Murray Franklin with Ed; card games on family nights, new since Ed's demotion. They induced the pang of not being there. Of not having been there.

The last two years they'd made real process. Weekly calls and surprise cards and quite a few I love yous. They continued to work their way back to each other.

Last summer, Mabel had downed a mint mojito in the airport bar, clung to Ed and the kids, and boarded a plane to the Great Wilds of Gotham, where Y/N and Arthur let them further into their lives. Shown them Dube & Ellis's office building, the city's zoo and botanical gardens, and Amusement Mile. They'd even made reservations at a fancy Italian joint called Bamonte's and caught a show at Pogo's.

At Gotham Beach, Y/N had taught Brian how to skip stones, and Ruthie had returned her magic coin to Arthur. Running down the shore, Ed held Ashley above him like an airplane, zoom zooming all the way. For the first time, Mabel had seen the ocean. Standing on the rocky beach, toes digging into broken shells and jagged pebbles, the water was endless. So vast it could have swallowed her up.

Starting, she'd stumbled back, feeling foolish for never being the type of girl to leave home.

She folded deeper into the den's easy chair, squished herself into the worn leather. "We just love you and would love to see you again."

A click of the tongue across the miles. "I don't see why not. It's one of Arthur's busier seasons, but he doesn't take enough time off, anyway. I'll talk with him. We'd love to see you, too."

Mabel rushed out a breath she definitely knew she was holding. "Really?"

"Yes!" Bright laughter that dimmed to an ahem. "I...can't make any promises about our parents or going to Sunset Hills. Please don't ask me to visit. If I can, I'll tell you. All right?"

Mabel's chest tightened. At least getting this out of the way would result in fewer eggshells. The curly phone cord wound between her knuckles. "All right. I hope to make the bed for you soon."

~~~~~

Arthur couldn't have agreed faster than if Y/N had asked him to marry her (which he would do again and again and again.) Spending the holidays in the countryside? With his nephews and nieces and in-laws? Even without snow, the celebration would be worthy of an Irving Berlin song, a postcard to paste in his journal.

And, after the tidal wave of their last visit, he'd get to see how Y/N would do.

When she'd mentioned the trip, there'd been none of the pursed lips, the fleeting fear, the cryptic conversation that'd made him wonder what she was hiding. Just a simple matter-of-factness that her family was worth having to make small talk with perfectly nice people she never wanted to see again. A weird notion, yeah, but within her realm of weird, the same realm that made her love Gotham and him.

On the flight down, he turned to a fresh page and jotted a title in the top margin: "Our Trip to Missorie."

Welcoming and warm, Mabel and Ed were as kind as Arthur remembered, an imprint on his heart. Before they had a chance to drop their suitcases, Ruthie and Brian rushed them for hugs, while Jason held back in the way happening teenagers do. Sitting on the play rug in the corner of the living room, Ashley waved and smiled. "Hi! Who you guys?" Hard to believe they'd fed and rocked her a blink of an eye ago.

With Halloween only two days away, they got right to work.

Having an entire porch to decorate, an honest-to-goodness front yard, tickled Arthur's mind, made it whir with creative flair. Not that he didn't love the small touches Y/N put together back home. Die-cut cardboard cutouts on the windows, a jack-o-lantern he lit and set outside the door. How her cat costume cradled her curves and that teasing tail.

Their celebrations were sweet and understated, wholeheartedly them. But compared to an apartment, the possibilities here were endless.

On the way to the supermarket, they'd stopped at a clapboard farmhouse that took the holiday as seriously as evening news. Spooky sounds echoed, an audio effects cassette on infinite loop, howls and screams that prompted a shiver even in the day. Plywoods gravestones - at least a dozen - loomed over coffins, from which rubber masked ghouls climbed. A hooded creature lurked behind a crooked tree, a scythe in its skeletal hand. A guestbook lay open on a music stand by a makeshift crypt.

Arthur declined to sign. Instead, he chose a friendly competition.

"Miller's has cornstalks for sale," Mabel said. She and Arthur were in the basement, digging through box after box of goodies. "We can get some this afternoon. Hay, too. But we'll want to decorate tomorrow - the squirrels'll tear it up, otherwise." She knelt by a plastic milk crate of props and lifted a rubber rat by its tail. "This'll look good on the stairs."

He blew dust from the ears of a blow mold horned owl. "I don't understand how you can love Halloween but Y/N doesn't."

A pause, a gulp loud enough to make him turn. "The kids help," Mabel began. "The first year Jason was supposed to go trick-or-treating, he had a fever of a hundred and two. The poor thing wore his Daffy Duck costume and watched cartoons. Arthur, look at this."

Scooting beside her, he studied the object in her hands. A pumpkin shaped doily, vines winding into curlicues at the edges. It'd ridden in directly from the fifties, akin to Y/N's needlepoint apron, the one her mother hadn't gotten to finish. Mabel's fingers curled as though holding a fragile treasure, stained-glass that'd been cloaked in dirt for too long.

When his gaze met hers, there was melancholy mixed with merry. "Do you wanna use it?" he asked, indicating it with his chin.

"Yeah." Thumbs caressed the seams once more. "Mom would hang it on the door after we carved pumpkins. Did Y/N tell you about that?"

"She doesn't talk a lot about the holidays." A grimace twisted the corner of Mabel's mouth. Leaning into one of the earliest lessons he'd learned, he sought to cheer her, raised a palm in a Hold On gesture. "She tells me more than she used to - about you and your mom and dad. But I think it's still hard. Please. Don't be upset with her."

"I'm not, not at all." Mabel said with an emphatic shake of her head. But she didn't meet his gaze. "What did you do last year?"

The tastes and sounds and sensations of that evening roared through his head and heart. He sought to keep his cheeks from turning crimson through sheer will. "Um. Worked on one of her cases and baked a cake." He cleared his throat twice. "She does like to catch B-Movies on TV in October."

Mabel chuckled. "That's an old tradition. One night she took me to see The Blob at the drive-in. She was always so refined and smart - I had no idea she had such bad taste."

"I don't like them, either. But I watch with her, try to plan something special, you know? Make it about us? There's a Grand Halloween Ball every year. At Wayne Hall. I'd love to take her there someday."

"But she'd have to get better at dancing."

A snort wrinkled his nose, shoulders raised in an agreeable shrug. "Well, loving her makes her easy to dance with. It's just it’s the one thing she's shy about."

"I love her, too." Mabel folded the doily into quarters, grabbed a steel support post, and pushed herself to her feet. "This should be enough to knock the neighbors dead. Help me lug all this upstairs."

~~~~~

"Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom!"

Brian rounded the bottom of the stairs. Careened into the kitchen. Skidded to a stop at the oval dining table, where Mabel, Y/N, and Arthur stood sorting candy. A plastic turtle shell, a repurposed sandbox cover, clattered to the floor. Frantic huffs and puffs that left Mabel wondering if she should grab a paper lunch bag and hold it to his mouth.

The boy pressed an orange strip of terrycloth to his forehead. "I can't tie it!" He pulled the ends past his ears for emphasis.

"Honey, slow down." It was just after breakfast, but the kids were determined to wear their costumes all day. She handed a quarter-filled paper treat bag to Arthur. Turned the boy around by the shoulders. "Where's dad?"

"In the bathroom. Ashley missed again."

Mabel rolled her neck from side to side. Though she adored the stork's little surprise, she'd assumed potty training would be behind her at forty. She'd double-wrap Ashley before sticking her in her pumpkin costume. "Put your dirty clothes in the hamper and I'll start the laundry." Mabel tied the terrycloth into a knot. "Did you find your pillowc-"

"Mommy!" Ruthie's plaintive cry from the downstairs bathroom. "I can't find my makeup!" An unsurprising development, given the last-minute switch from Strawberry Shortcake to Circus Ballerina.

Ensuring the headband wouldn't cut off circulation, Mabel stuck two fingers between it and the crown of Brian's head. "All set! Now get your clothes, then go help your sister."

"But my shell isn't on yet!" He pointed at the forlorn accessory.

"Brian, take a deep breath and count to five." Y/N crossed the linoleum to kneel next to the boy. She retrieved the fallen armor, instructed him to hold up both arms. Held his hands one by one to keep his elbows straight and slip it over his green sweatshirt. Once the shell was in place, she tightened the straps on his shoulders, tightened his belt to keep his plastic nunchaku in place.

"There you go," Y/N said, ruffling his caramel hair. "Now let's go find that makeup."

"I don't have green."

"Mommy!" Ruthie wobbled on the tightrope of excitement and panic.

A much-needed referee, Arthur stepped from behind the table. "I do. I have enough for Ruthie, too." He offered his hand to Brian, wiggled his fingers. When he took it, Arthur gave the quarter-filled bag to Y/N. "Save a treat for me," he said, flashing a grin as he was tugged out of the room.

Smiling softly, she studied the crinkly paper, where a scarecrow waved, clad in a top hat, plaid suit coat, and patched pants. "This looks like Arthur's Carnival costume."

On their vacation north, they'd gotten to meet the professional clown courtesy of a special street performance. Mabel opened a box of taffy. "Is that what he wears for Halloween?"

Y/N answered with a nod. "He works most of the day, usually one or two gigs." She dropped a few loose candy corns into the bag. "That reminds me. I've got to dig my cat costume out of my suitcase."

"Not this year, you don't." A skeptical glare shot Mabel's way. She cackled. "All will be revealed. Your hubby shared a smidge of what you two get up to. I'm glad you're making your own history."

"This is for him, mostly This is the one holiday he insisted on." Lower lip stuck between her teeth, Y/N looked in the direction Arthur had gone, gaze flitting back and forth. Then she leaned forward. "You heard what he said on Murray. I don't think he had many traditions growing up."

It was a truth Mabel had locked in her psyche, one that turned her throat to cotton.

"He likes looking through my photo album," Y/N continued. "We've gone through it probably six times. He asks about every single picture. What I got for Christmas that year, or what game we were playing, or what we had a picnic - he refuses to try egg salad sandwiches." Giggles dissolved to a tender hush. "Sometimes I think he wishes he was there. I don't blame him. His father wasn't around, Penny couldn't take care of or protect him.

"There's a file he took from Arkham - that's the state hospital in Gotham - about his mother and what happened to him. He doesn't know this, but I read everything in it, all of it. Part of me wishes I hadn't, but I had to know. What he went through, I-"

One long inhale, the rapid flutter of her lashes. "I know how hard it is to want to look back at happy times and not find them - even when they're there. We've put a lot behind us. It's nice to be able to appreciate Halloween again, to celebrate with someone who can enjoy it." Wincing, she shook her head. "I didn't mean how that sounded."

Lips pinched, Mabel put a bag in the white wicker treat basket. "You did and that's all right."

"I did love taking you house to house. Remember when you drove your bike into a pothole and scraped your knee?"

That hadn't hurt as badly as the scraping of Mabel's heart. After a moment, she pushed the weight of what she couldn't change off her back and went to her side. "You gave me a Clark bar while dad patched me up."

Y/N folded down the end of the treat bag to seal it shut. "Where are we taking the kids, anyway? The mall?"

"Absolutely not. It was a zoo last year." Stumbling through what must've been a thousand people, all for hard candies a grandmother would be ashamed to have in a lead glass dish on her coffee table. "The elementary school's having a fall carnival for the town. Jeff might be there. Would Arthur mind?"

"They met before and got along well enough to gossip about me." Y/N nestled her bag next to Mabel's, fingertips lingering at the seam.

"How have you been sleeping?" Mabel asked. It'd been a relief when Y/N had forgone a reservation at Four Acres, decided to give the old brick house another try. And while she still took morning walks, they were shorter and came only after a decent breakfast.

"Better. It's not easy to sleep in a new place - or an old place. But I'm getting there. This-" She gestured at the festive mess "- is helping me get there."

Mabel blinked back enough remorse to sling an arm about her shoulders and squeeze. "Good. I want this place to feel like home."

~~~~~

Clad as Carnival, Arthur waited on the living room sofa, pen in hand and notebook on his lap. "I think Y/N's halfing a good visit. She wants to talk with me more now and that's a relief. She isn't tossing and turning in bed - so I can get some sleep! Ruthie and Brian let me paint there faces, like I do at work sometimes. But it was nicer because their my neece and nephew (f?) and-"

"Ready or not, here we come!"

In the dining room doorway to the left, Mabel stood with Y/N, their arms firmly linked. Identical outfits forced a doubletake. Claw clips held back cinnamon hair, siren blue headbands sat snug above their ears. They wore Lycra leotards, capsleeve and V-neck, a fuchsia bright enough to blind. Spandex belts flattered rounded hips, what he figured was a family trait, and blue tights hugged their legs. Fuchsia leg warmers and white Saucony Jazz sneakers completed the ensembles.

Rising, Arthur rolled up his journal and stuck it in his waistband, flummoxed but eager gaze darting back and forth between them. "Who're you supposed to be?"

"The Doublemint Twins!" Mabel said, beaming with pride.

Y/N offered the half-smile of the Playing Along.

"Double the pleasure, double the fun! Look, I even have gum." Mabel retrieved a pack from her belt and doled out a stick each, which had gone soft from her body heat. Arthur hated mint gum; it tasted like trying to quit smoking. But, being in the spirit of things, he accepted, anyway. "Ed and I usually do couple's outfits, but he agreed to make an exception this year. No football player and cheerleader."

Y/N asked, "What's he doing, then?"

A guffaw boomed beyond the woman's shoulders. Slicked back salt and paper hair came into view, a face bathed in blotchy baby powder like a 1940s B-movie extra. A faded white short sleeve button-up was tucked into gray trousers, and a plastic cape was tied loosely at the neck. The cape came to his waist, as if he'd borrowed it from one of the kids.

Fingers curled into claws, he lurched forward and slurred through cheap plastic fangs. "I vant to suck your blood!" He grabbed Mabel by the bicep and bent to her neck.

Giggling, she swatted him away. "Now, now, not in front of the guests."

He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I can't find Ashley's tights."

"They're in the bathroom." Mabel rubbed his hairline with her thumb, then grabbed his hand. "You need a widow's peak."

Once they were out of earshot, Y/N crossed her arms over her chest. "I think she forgot we're not actually twins. This is too tight for a school party."

When an outfit accentuated her breasts, she tended to avoid it. As Arthur saw it, though, she had nothing to be bashful about. She was lovely and his. Rouge highlighted the apples of her cheeks, violet eyeshadow flattered her brown eyes. Stepping forward, he pried her hand from her armpit.

A timid laugh bubbled up. She tucked her chin. "You're looking at me like you want to eat me up, but I feel more silly than sexy."

"You're always sexy. Especially when you're silly." He pressed a chalky kiss to her wrist, lingered until he felt her pulse. "What is it they say on GMC? When your bad movies are on? Something wicked is coming this way?"

"Not too wicked, I hope," she said, stealing beneath his plaid suitcoat to cup his sides. "At least, not yet." She bounced to her toes, plush, plum painted lips puckered towards his...

"Bye mom, bye dad!" Jason bellowed from the kitchen.

Mabel did not miss a beat. "Hold on a minute, young man!"

Arthur's mouth bumped Y/N's temple as she turned towards the commotion, then started off with an arched brow.

Ashley shoved under her arm like a sack of flour, Mabel marched out of the bathroom. "Where do you think you're going with that?" She pointed at the VCR sticking out from Jason's windbreaker.

"Mike's mom said she'd rent movies if I brought it over."

Felt pumpkin outfit at the ready, Ed jogged to Mabel's side. The toddler's stubby legs kicked wildly. Mabel passed Ashley to her husband and the interrogation continued, questions whipped off a well-memorized list. "Is this a party?"

"No."

"How many people will be there?"

"It's just some friends from school!"

"Will Mike's parents be home?"

"Yes. No. I dunno."

"Your curfew is ten-thirty."

Wincing, Jason leaned his head against the door. "But we won't even get through one movie by then!" He'd reached that age where being cool was of the utmost importance. While getting his driver's license had added a notch to the cool belt, he currently sounded much younger and uncooler than his sixteen years.

Hands on hips, Mabel let out a huff. "Eleven-thirty and not one minute later." Once the boy nodded, she pecked his cheek and opened the door. "I love you. No speeding."

Though agitation lurked in the air, Arthur couldn't help but find the scene heartwarming, akin to a family disagreement he'd seen on one of his old sitcoms. Something he wished he'd had. Maybe a compliment would soothe the situation.

"You're good at that," he said. "Being a mom, I mean."

Mabel shrugged. "He's growing up so fast - sixteen going on thirty. Let me grab this basket here-" she heaved the basket of treats from the table "-and we can be off."

~~~~~

Boonville Elementary and Sumner Middle shared a quad with Thomas Hart Benton High, with the high and middle schools on a hill on Cooper Street, and the elementary on the parallel Locust Road. Victory Field, a football field surrounded by bleachers and a quarter mile track, delineated where the big and little kids played. A baseball diamond was to the left and a playground sat to the right, which had a merry-go-round, a jungle gym, a metal slide that'd scald you when the sun was out, rickety seesaws, and two sets of swings.

The high school's gym bustled, as if the whole town had joined in celebration. Booths and tables lined the walls, manned by teachers, students, and volunteers from the community. A cakewalk with desserts and other small prizes stood in the center. A sign in an urgent font advertised a bake sale, featuring Ms. Chippy's Blue Ribbon popcorn balls.

Brian and Ruthie steered Ed and Mabel through the throng, to a haunted house hosted in the kindergarten classroom. Mabel shifted Ashley from one arm to the other, calling for them to wait up.

Y/N's face was a mask of unwelcome discomfort. Her hands folded firmly together, her Ready for Inane Conversation stance. It was foreign on her, ill-fitting. Arthur cocked his head, wondered allowed what was wrong.

Skeptical glances scanned the room. "The last time I was here was my high school reunion ten years ago. And I hated every minute of it." Before he could ask for more details, she took hold of his collar, rubbed the worn cotton between thumb and forefinger. The corner of her lips quirked, her crow's feet softened. "But with you here, it'll be worlds better. Should we bob for apples or play bean bag toss first?"

Delighted, he pressed his nose to hers, marked her with a faint streak of white.

They ambled along, Arthur adjusting his wig and tiny hat. Local dentist. Dr. Young manned a completely abandoned station; the red delicious apples and toothbrushes on offer belied why. A tween girl wrapped in swirled, turquoise scarfs and gaudy rings on her fingers, ran Madame Trudy's Palm Reading. Arthur dropped a dollar in the donation jar and held out his left hand.

"You're married," Madame Trudy said with the enthusiasm of the voluntold. A cheap trick, give his wedding ring and the woman at his side. But she was just a kid, and her next prediction made it all right. "You'll be married a long time."

A wizened old crone in a witch's hat and warted rubber nose waved them over. To his surprise, Y/N wore a warm look behind her makeup, the most genuinely welcoming he'd seen when meeting a stranger from her past.

"This girl was one of my best students," Mrs. Spencer said, patting Y/N's hand. Mrs. Spencer was a forty-year veteran of the English department and prided herself on never forgetting a face. "She sometimes got her is and es mixed up, but she always asked the right questions."

Arthur palmed the small of Y/N's back. "That makes sense. She's my best wife."

"I thought I was your only wife," she said, elbow nudging his ribs.

"Come around here," Mrs. Spencer instructed. The pat of Y/N's hand became a firm grasp as the teacher guided her former student to her side of the table. "Tell me all about what you've been doing and the big, wide world you moved to."

~~~~~

Sipping spiced cider by the snack table, Mabel and Ed made pleasant chit chat with Brian's teacher, Mr. Webb. The boy had a knack for natural sciences, and Mr. Webb had a plan for leaf graphing to help him earn his Nature merit badge. Mabel was grateful the boy had a mentor, if not a pal.

In some ways, Brian was younger than his years. Smart and good at school, but he tended to struggle with his peers, miss the social cues that'd turn classmates into friends. Luckily, he'd been enrolled in special classes in the resource room twice a week and good progress was on its way.

Just then, a woman in a sock hop costume came to the table, a woman that Mabel had the misfortune of recognizing. Replete in poodle skirt and saddle shoes, she poured herself an orange drink from a large, yellow cooler.

The prim and proper nurse was a longtimer at the hospital, had won local recognition for excellent patient care. But her method of handling family members should've resulted in a rusty iron medal.

Whenever their dad had been admitted to the hospital, the nurse had admonished Y/N with accusations. That he'd had pneumonia because she'd fed him too quickly. Or that she hadn't turned him enough in bed. Or that he wouldn't have had a UTI, if she'd washed her hands before changing his catheter. How could she not know the basics when her father was a doctor? All as if Y/N were a reckless child, with no acknowledgment of the dreams she'd abandoned to care for him. A realization Mabel had been too immature to recognize.

Though seven years had passed, the disapproval the nurse had displayed - and Mabel's own inaction against it - made her blood slow to sludge. She crumpled her paper cup, steeled herself against recollections that barged in like wanted guests.

"Mom, look!" Ruthie ran to Mabel's side, ballet flats smack, smack, smacking the linoleum floor. "I won it in the cakewalk!" she said, shoving a book at her.

Mabel took the slim paperback, studied the cover of vibrant purple and velvet black, where two tiny ghosts stood before a crumbling castle. The full moon shone through jagged clouds, illuminating a path to a splintered door. Bats and spiders snickered, waiting to greet them with screeches and snares. With a soft sound, she flipped the book to read the synopsis.

Searching for the best treats, sisters Anne and Amelia stumble into a haunted castle. Through phantom wails and creaky hallways, only by facing their fears together will they be able to break free!

Water stung her eyes, lips parted then pursed. She was stricken. Once again the silly girl at the edge of the ocean, taken aback and barely able to breathe. Sisters who were freed by facing their fears together...

"Uncle Arthur can read it to me tonight!" Ruthie said, oblivious to her mother's sudden turmoil.

Mabel wouldn't have had it any other way. Bending to return the book, she offered a tight smile. "That's my girl." She reached into her bra, dug out a five-dollar bill. "I'll be back in just a little bit. Go get something for you and Brian at the bake sale." The girl ran off, darting towards dreams of sweets.

~~~~~

Sodium vapor lights cast shadows across the playground, long, spindly fingers bent at unnatural angles. Leaves rustled in the light breeze, warm but with a nip at the back end. Through hopscotch and four square courts, Mabel hurried across the pavement, steps quickening towards the swings tucked into the furthest corner.

She sat on a worn rubber seat, knees pulled in tight, hands rubbing her upper arms. The earthy smell of wood chips, normally a familiar comfort, failed to reassure. No moon shone tonight. A new moon. If only that wasn't the only thing that was new.

This town was supposed to be familiar and friendly and safe. But while she'd gotten all the safe, it seemed as though Y/N had gotten all the thorns. Even when her divorce had been behind her, the inquires about it hadn't. She'd mentioned it more than once over beers at the Silver Spur. Innuendo in the guise of polite curiosity. The way friends they'd made as a married couple had fallen away.

And when their dad had gotten sick, there'd been enough questions put to Y/N to fill the entire room. How their father was doing, what he needed, but not how she was doing or what she needed. - something Mabel herself had been guilty of far too often. Y/N's eyes glassing over as she tucked her hair behind her ear, always answering the same.

For her, Boonville had been a blackhole. Cold and dark and lonelier than ever.

A silhouette slid into Mabel's peripheral vision, stood a few yards away. Before whoever it was could get closer, she swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.

The shadow stepped forward. Teased hair, spandexed hips, headband that nearly glowed in the dark...

"Shit." Mabel cleared her throat, consciously eased her voice like the best Beauty Boutique sales representative. "I'll only be a minute, Y/N." She swiped a stray tear from her cheek. "Are the kids all right?"

"Ed's getting Ashley a snack. Arthur's taking the others classroom to classroom to trick-or-treat. I don't think I've ever seen him smile so wide," Y/N said, sitting on the swing beside her. "When I told him I didn't want children, him being fine with it was a relief. But I love seeing him be an uncle. He wouldn't have had that chance - I wouldn't have had that chance - without you."

Mabel winced against her gratitude, the last thing she wanted.

Y/N pulled a long blade of grass from the A-frame's post. Rubbed away the wispy seeds. "You and I haven't talked about the hard stuff. Not yet. It's easier with Arthur because he wasn't there."

"I wasn't either," Mabel said. With all her missing in action, she should've been a regular confidant.

"You're here now and that's what's important to me."

A soft sniffle forced itself out of Mabel's nose. She'd invited Y/N here to atone, to recapture the holiday magic they'd loved as little girls and lost for too long. And here she was being comforted instead. God, how it irked her. She didn't want to burden Y/N, didn't want to wallow. She'd work it out with Ed, her silo of support.

Mabel decided to share a simple truth. "You know, after you got married and moved out, mom let me light the jack-o-lantern. But I'd rather have had you."

Sidling her swing closer, Y/N put her hand on her knee. "There've been enough ghosts between us, Mabel."

A wave of protectiveness swept through Mabel, the same she'd felt when given Jason the third degree. "Let's face them together," she said, ready to start right away. She kissed Y/N's cheek and sprung from the swing. "Now hold on tight."

~~~~~

"Watch your step," said Arthur, a kid on each hand. While Ed and Ashley napped in the school nurse's office, Arthur navigated the downward slope to Victory Field. In clown shoes, that was a feat.

Ruthie and Brian had gotten a haul to be proud of, their pillowcases filled to the brim. Arthur's own pockets were bursting with his favorite butterscotch candies and Palmer chocolate flavored crispy wavers. Y/N insisted the latter were terrible, and he had to admit the chocolates she'd introduced him to were less sickly sweet. But Palmer's distinct plastic taste was tied to the warmth of a kind schoolteacher who'd taken a boy without a costume under her wing.

Girlish laughter rang out in the distance. He blinked in the semi-darkness, guided the kids towards the cheerful sound.

Halfway down the hill, he halted. Unbridled joy stretched his lips, a smile to rival Carnival's.

Crouching behind Y/N, Mabel pushed her on the swing, letting loose an exaggerated groan. Heavy duty chains squeaked in their pendulums with each back and forth. Y/N's legs pumped harder and harder, toes reaching for the stars as if she was ready to fly. "Higher!" she cried, then laughed again. "Higher!"

Brian dumped his sack on the ground, spread out the booty in a big circle. He knelt to arrange the candy into neat rows, sorted by least favorite to most. Offering to trade three rolls of smarties for a Jolly Jack bar, Ruthie flopped down in her tutu and dug into a peanut butter cup.

Half-listening, Arthur sat cross-legged on the lawn, an eager audience to the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

~~~~~

Tag list (Let me know if you want to be added!): @harmonioussolve​​​​​ @ithinkimaperson​​​​​ @sweet-nothings04​​​​​ @stephieraptorr​​​​ @rommies​​​​​ @fallenstarsabyss @gruffle1 @another-day-in-chuckletown​ @hhandley80​​​​​ @jokerownsmysoul​​​​​ @rafaelbottom @ralugraphics​​​​​ @iartsometimes​​​​​ @fleckficgirl

[alexandriaisburning]

046: Virtua Unlimited Project

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Virtua Unlimited Project owes the Mega Man Zero series a debt so large that it could fund a new entry in the series. Which is good, since it essentially operates as one. With familiar movement, tech, and level design, Virtua Unlimited Project synthesizes and straight up steals many of the aspects that made Inti Creates’ take on Mega Man so memorable. 

But while Inti’s games were known for their ambitious and often uneven shakeups of the formula and unreasonable difficulty, VUP is a more straightforward game, made to be playable by normal human beings. On its hard difficulty, it lands closer to the Mega Man X series in terms of difficulty and structure. 

Protagonist Aizawa Kana is equipped with a saber and buster, and while she never receives any other weapons, there’s plenty of variety in her armament thanks to new techniques earned by each boss. Each boss bestows elemental modifiers, saber techniques or projectiles, alongside a more powerful super attack than can be used when your meter fills. These range from simple shields, screen clearing attacks and even whole new movesets. This is unbalanced as it sounds, but gives you plenty to play with. 

Movement is snappy and fast, with the familiar set of dashes and wall jumps, bolstered by a dive kick that allows you to pogo off of enemies and bosses. None of the recovery frames seen in some Mega Man entries is present here, and combined with generous hitboxes, running through familiar stages is nearly effortless.  

Thanks to this hypereffective toolset, enemies rarely stand a chance, and most stages are likely to provide low resistance unless you push for a higher difficulty or rank. VUP seems to follow the philosophy of the Gunvolt games, allowing you to blunder through the game with unlimited lives and frequent checkpoints, and reserving the real challenge for return trips. 

Without a dedicated way to retry stages, practicing them for the S-rank will be a bit more tedious, but VUP at least allows you to retry bosses an unlimited amount of times, and this was easily where a large chunk of my time ended up going. VUP’s systems drive a mindset not dissimilar to character action games--where finishing a fight is only the initial goal, with the true objective being returning to do it with flawless style. 

With practice you can not only finish a fight without damage, but sometimes even under 30 seconds, thanks to VUP’s combo system. VUP ressurrects Mega Man Zero’s unique combo system, allowing you to attack bosses during their invincibility frames if hit with the right moves. The priority system here is much more intuitive than any of the games in the Zero system, and you’ll generally find big damage payouts simply by chaining charge shots into saber combos or special moves. 

The combo system is rather “loose”, allowing you to get away with many combinations of attacks, in many different orders, to the point that I sometimes wondered if bosses even had invincibility frames. The high damage output is balanced by the lack of stagger on most attacks, forcing you to deliberately put yourself in danger the longer the combo you’re attempting goes on. 

It takes the best part of Mega Man Zero’s combat without the esoteric restrictions and frustrations of it. That can make it feel “sanded off” in comparison, but the variety of expression it gets in exchange feels like a fair trade. 

As smooth as it is in most places, it’s surprisingly unpolished in many others. The most standout issue is the translation, which is generally intelligible but full of grammatical errors, awkward phrases and generally of poor quality. The story it’s telling isn’t too interesting, with some allusions to virtual societies and what is real, but with predictable beats that have been done better, even in other Mega Man Zero style games. 

Aside from a few fun character interactions, there’s little compelling about its narrative or world design, something that was arguably one of the best parts of the series it’s imitating. With such specific and thought out combat, it’s unfortunate that the narrative feels like such an afterthought. 

Even with these clear narrative flaws and limited budget, Virtua Unlimited Project is a clear passion project. I cannot impress enough how much it earns from nailing the sensation of what makes the Mega Man X and Zero games feel good. It’s something that’s so tough to get right, even the series creator’s have struggled to pull it off. 

Virtua Unlimited Project channels that desire that the best action games inspire--the desire to pull something off not because it’s the most efficient or effective, but because it looks so damn cool. It’s that desire to push up against the limits of the system, and see what you can get away with. That makes it not only a worth successor to the Mega Man Zero series, but a worthy entry in the catalog of great action games.  

[dmgammitabc]

Best Platforms for Online Money Skill Games

Choosing the right platform for online money skill games is crucial for both enjoyment and success. Here’s a guide to some of the best platforms where players can compete in skill-based games for real money prizes.

1. Skillz

Skillz is a leading platform that hosts a wide range of skill-based games, including puzzles, card games, sports games, and more. It offers tournaments and head-to-head competitions where players can compete against others for cash prizes. Skillz provides a fair and competitive environment with robust anti-cheating measures and secure payment systems.

2. WorldWinner

WorldWinner offers a variety of skill-based games such as Solitaire, Bejeweled, and Scrabble Cubes, among others. Players can participate in tournaments and cash competitions to win prizes. The platform emphasizes fair play and provides a user-friendly experience for players of all skill levels.

3. GSN Games

GSN Games features skill-based games like Wheel of Fortune, Bingo Bash, and various card games where players can compete for real money. It offers a mix of tournaments and cash games with varying entry fees and prize pools. GSN Games is known for its reliability and commitment to providing a fun and secure gaming environment.

4. SkillGaming

SkillGaming is another platform that offers a range of skill-based games for cash prizes. It includes games like Mahjong, Tetris, and various arcade-style games where players can challenge each other in competitions. SkillGaming ensures fairness and transparency in its tournaments and provides multiple payment options for winners.

5. King.com

King.com, known for popular games like Candy Crush Saga and Farm Heroes Saga, also hosts skill-based competitions where players can earn real money rewards. While primarily known for casual games, King.com occasionally features skill-based tournaments and events that appeal to competitive players.

6. PlayAndWin

PlayAndWin offers a diverse selection of skill-based games, including strategy, arcade, and puzzle games. Players can participate in free-to-play games or enter paid tournaments to compete for cash prizes. The platform provides a straightforward interface and supports various payment methods for prize withdrawals.

7. Cash Tournaments

Cash Tournaments focuses exclusively on skill-based gaming competitions for real money. It offers a variety of games such as chess, pool, and word games, allowing players to showcase their skills and compete against others globally. Cash Tournaments ensures fair play and provides timely payouts to winners.

8. Prime Gaming

Formerly known as Amazon Prime Gaming, this platform offers a selection of skill-based games where players can earn rewards through competitions and challenges. Prime Gaming provides a seamless integration with Amazon’s ecosystem and offers exclusive benefits for Amazon Prime members.

9. Pogo

Pogo, operated by Electronic Arts (EA), offers a mix of casual and skill-based games where players can earn tokens and prizes. While primarily focused on casual gaming, Pogo occasionally features skill-based tournaments and events that allow players to compete for rewards.

10. Mobile Apps

Many mobile apps also host skill-based games for real money, such as Solitaire Cube, Dominoes Gold, and 21 Blitz. These apps provide convenient access to competitions and tournaments directly from smartphones or tablets, allowing players to compete anytime and anywhere.

Choosing the best platform for online money skill games depends on personal preferences, game selection, and the overall gaming experience offered. Whether you prefer traditional desktop platforms or mobile apps, these platforms provide opportunities for players to showcase their skills and potentially earn real money prizes in a competitive and engaging environment. Always ensure to read and understand the platform’s rules and payment policies before participating in any competitions.

[sinceileftyoublog]

Guided By Voices & Kiwi jr Live Show Review: 6/1, Thalia Hall, Chicago

From left to right: Bobby Bare Jr., Mark Shue, Robert Pollard, Kevin March, & Doug Gillard of Guided By Voices

BY JORDAN MAINZER

Robert Pollard sure has a way of making audiences feeling special. No, I'm not just talking about giving them their money's worth with regular forty-plus-song sets. As Guided By Voices walked out to chants of "G-B-V!" on Saturday night at Thalia Hall--a chant the band itself invented in studio on Propeller opening track "Over the Neptune / Mesh Gear Fox"--Pollard let the crowd know that it was Chicago itself who were the very first to chant the band's initials back at them, on their tour for 1993's Vampire on Titus. Perhaps it was a plea to continue supporting the band as they continue to release records, often upwards of 3 per year. "We can't just rest on our laurels!" Pollard proclaimed upon introducing "Serene King", the first single from their upcoming album Strut of Kings, the band's 41st (!) record. And rest on their laurels they don't, as evidenced by the band's 40th anniversary celebration last fall, and, really, by every show they continue to play.

Gillard

The year's shows so far for Guided By Voices are opportunities for many fans, even diehards, to hear live for the first time the songs from the band's 40th album, last November's Nowhere to Go but Up, as well as those released so far from Strut of Kings. As has been the case with this current lineup since 2016, the new material is often the highlight of the set, the songs the band is most excited to play. On Saturday, swinging opener "The Race Is On, The King Is Dead" proved to be more raw than its sweeping string-laden studio version from Nowhere to Go. It stood out has having a more urgent live sound without flourishes and could become a setlist regular in that vein, like "The Rally Boys". Elsewhere, Pollard's vocals were more upfront in the mix on prog songs like "Jack of Legs" and "Song and Dance". And two of Nowhere to Go's highlights certainly showcased the band's dynamism: "How Did He Get Up There?", with its choppy riffs and syncopated verses, and "For the Home", Doug Gillard's introductory guitar prelude giving way into a mammoth rhythm riff from Bobby Bare Jr. and drums from Kevin March.

Pollard

Even at 66 years old and less than two years removed from a busted knee, Pollard's still on stage crushing Miller Lites, taking swigs from a bottle of Jose Cuervo (which he somehow passed to the crowd reaching over the Thalia Hall photo pit), and launching high-kicks. If the crowd shows enthusiasm on its own, pogoing during career hits like "Game of Pricks" and "I Am A Scientist", it seems like Pollard takes the effort to amp them up with his leg up in the air for newer songs like Welshpool Frillies cut "Romeo Surgeon". The rest of the band, too, finds ways to subtly shift tunes night by night. Gillard's riffs on Tremblers and Goggles by Rank song "Boomerang" were a bit more bluesy than I recall, while the end call and response between Pollard and Bare Jr. during Pollard solo cut "Love Is Stronger Than Witchcraft" was straight up soulful, emulating the studio version's vocal layers. GBV are also careful not to oversaturate their material. Pollard joked that this would be the last time we'd hear Surrender Your Poppy Field's slow-burning "Volcano"--it won't going to make the cut on subsequent tours--but only after playing "Planet Score", a Motivational Jumpsuit cut that has found its way back into the rotation 10 years later. So, you never know.

From left to right: Mike Walker, Jeremy Gaudet, Brian Murphy, & Brohan Moore of Kiwi jr

Opening again for GBV, just like last September, was Toronto indie rock band Kiwi jr, culling from their three very good records. I thought of their opening set as a victory lap of sorts, the band now 3 years into their record deal with Sub Pop, having opened for 90s indie rock royalty like GBV and The Lemonheads. Live, they're becoming increasingly crispy, with wonderfully chintzy sounding synths introducing "Unspeakable Things", drummer Brohan Moore providing an appropriately wavy rhythm on "Salary Man", the band seamlessly diving into a galloping breakdown during the middle of "Waiting in Line". Vocalist Jeremy Gaudet's annunciation is increasingly Malkmus-esque, breathing out the final syllables of a melisma or laughing a tossed-off line like "nothing to worry about" on "Guilty Party". Yet, what separates him is his acerbic wit, clear as day even over the band's jangle. "It might take another year / It might take a shot-gunned beer / It might take a rifled deer / Head shot, night vision, sex tapе, head shot / Turn it out," from dark closer "Night Vision", sounds unexpectedly anthemic when coming from Gaudet's deadpanned delivery. Oh, and best of all, Kiwi jr played two new songs, the melancholy "I Want To Live in a World Like Polly" and the impressive "Blowin' Up". The latter started Cars-esque and punky before sporting a mid-song hip-hop drum beat with a synth freakout. If Kiwi jr continues to take the GBV route and morphs into something more kinetic, I don't think anybody will complain.

Murphy

Gaudet

[xfcpogopin]

Finding the Perfect Pogo Pin Machine for Sale: A Guide to Enhanced Production Efficiency

Are you looking to streamline your production process and ensure top-notch quality for your electronic components? Investing in a pogo pin machine can be a game-changer for your manufacturing operations. Pogo pin machines are specialized equipment designed for the precise assembly and testing of pogo pins, which are essential components in many electronic devices for creating reliable electrical connections.

When searching for a pogo pin machine for sale, it’s important to consider several key factors to ensure you choose the best machine for your needs. First, evaluate the machine's compatibility with the specific types of pogo pins you use. Pogo pin machines come in various configurations, each designed to handle different pin sizes, shapes, and materials. Ensuring compatibility will help you avoid production delays and maintain high-quality standards.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the machine's automation capabilities. Advanced pogo pin machines offer automated processes for pin insertion, alignment, and testing, significantly reducing manual labor and increasing production speed. Look for machines equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and software that provide real-time monitoring and quality control, ensuring each pogo pin meets stringent performance criteria.

Durability and maintenance are also important factors. A robust machine built with high-quality materials will provide long-term reliability, reducing downtime and repair costs. Additionally, consider the availability of technical support and spare parts from the manufacturer, as these will be vital for maintaining smooth operations.

Lastly, consider the machine's ease of use. User-friendly interfaces and intuitive controls can minimize the learning curve for your operators, leading to quicker integration into your production line.

In conclusion, finding the right pogo pin machine for sale involves careful consideration of compatibility, automation capabilities, durability, and ease of use. By investing in a high-quality pogo pin machine, you can enhance your production efficiency, ensure the reliability of your electronic components, and ultimately boost your business’s bottom line.

[jackscharp]

Maybe I’ll actually post again on this second blog since I’m arguably more into Pokémon than I was when I made it.

For starters, my Pokémon journey:

Right around the time it got huge in the United States, my mother enrolled me in a summer camp. A kid there introduced me to Sandshrew, and he was so cute that I wanted to know more about this game.

So somehow I convinced my parents to buy me the Machamp starter deck. I didn’t recall there being any fire type cards in the deck, but Im sure I’d remember having learned how to edit decks so early, so it must have had them and just only the holo Machamp stands out in my memory.

Bringing your cards to school to show off or trade was a thing, so I did that, but my backpack wouldn’t fit in the lockers for gym class and so it was left out and some jerk stole my cards. (sidebar, you’d think I learned my lesson but someone got into my unlocked drawer at one of my desks at work this year and stole some Matchbox cars I had in there that I’d take out to decorate the desk; unfortunately I hadn’t been issued a key to lock them - and work stuff - up and this location).

I was dejected enough that I lost interest in Pokémon, and it was pretty quick that it seemed everyone else at my school did too, or at least they stopped being vocal about it. I don’t think I ever heard if my friend Matt got his Charizard he wanted.

Years later, Pokemon Go comes out. I wasn’t going to try it out, but my wife wanted to and so that was my getaway free card to nerd out. Our son wasn’t born yet so we had lots of time to hit up the parks, drive slowly through cemeteries, and follow the online postings of where to find Snorlax and Blissey and the Dratini family.

When my son was born, taking him for stroller-supported strolls through pretty parks with pokestops, gyms, and Magnemite and other nests became a weekly occurrence and was my preferred way to spend the days I’d take off every year for my birthday. Though my wife eventually stopped liking the game, he became old enough to understand and start catching for himself (though unfortunately that was a gateway to all sorts of other videogames and for a while it seemed absolutely nothing interested him other than screens, so introducing PoGo to him had downsides). As he learned to ride a bike, having that with me during those times was an extra plus. I even got the Pokémon Plus or whatever that first edition was called, to discretely fill up my inventory on pokeballs at museums without getting distracted by a desire to catch every Sandshrew, Magnemite, etc. I could find despite not caring whether I got a better one and not needing any more candy.

Some time in the last two years, I realized that the battles were less fun than they had been for me when they first came out and I found multiple types of teams for each league. Battling to win stardust to further power up Pokémon to hopefully win more battles so I could get stardust to… That cycle just wasn’t as fun anymore. It wasn’t long after that that I was rarely opening the game except for trips, to send Postcards to friends. Around this time I had also learned of the mobile game for Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering called Magic: Spellslingers. I had never got into Arena and here comes what I found to be a more approachable mode of playing. The matches were more intellectually stimulating than I had found the PoGo battles to be, which is what I was missing from that.

I really liked that game but it didn’t last: Earlier this year, WotC announced that the app - which had little meaningful updates since like fall 2022 - was shutting down in July 2024. The Kotaku article that I read mentioned other similar games that have come to an end but also games that are still going, including Pokémon TCG Live. So: A free-to-play all of the card game, so an even more one-to-one upgrade in the planning and strategy I missed from PoGo, but still with the characters that I know and love, than Spellslingers had been?

So I started into that, and just hit Master League level in my second season. I highly doubt I will get to Arceus and won’t even try, but I’m glad to have gotten this far. I’m the meantime, I remembered that my friend Red had gotten me a Galarian Darumaka theme deck years ago for some reason. We had never played the TCG together - though he was one of my PoGo buddies for raids and we did remote battles occasionally - so even he forgot he bought it for me. Around that time I had come up with some ideas if I were to ever make a second deck, and now here I am planning to get my son the Pokémon Battle Academy from 2020 for his birthday and myself an Ampharos EX Battle Deck. I don’t be going to no Friday Night Pokémon or whatever they call that sort of thing on this side of the TCG aisle but I look forward to teaching my son this weekend and finally getting some matches in with Red.

I’m hoping there are some other Pokémon TCG Live fans out there among my MtG followers and maybe I can hear about your decks or favorite cards. I plan to share my two favorite homemade brews, as In not sure my minor tweaks to the game-provided intro decks would be that interesting to anyone since my win percentage is sub-50% (and in anticipation of that, my chosen slogan in the game is ‘The most important thing is to have fun. Winning just happens to be fun!’ Or something like that). Maybe you’ll be interested. If not, we’ll, I probably don’t need another blog time sink like my Magic one was at first!

[crazyfilterlady2024]

“15 Tips for Earning and Saving Money in 2024!” & More!

The Power of Reciprocity: Building a Supportive Online Community

In our digital age, we're all striving for success and recognition. However, true fulfillment comes from giving back and supporting one another. Let's explore the importance of reciprocity in nurturing a positive online community.

Embracing reciprocity: When we give and receive support in equal measure, it creates a symbiotic relationship that benefits everyone involved. Instead of solely focusing on personal gain, let's prioritize lifting each other up.

Following Back: If someone follows you on social media, reciprocate the gesture by following them back. This simple act shows appreciation and fosters a sense of camaraderie within your online network.

Engagement Matters: Don't stop at following back—engage with your followers by liking, sharing, and subscribing to their content. Building meaningful connections is key to fostering a supportive community.

Leading by Example: By embodying the principles of reciprocity, you inspire others to do the same. Together, we can create a culture of generosity and mutual support in the digital realm.

Conclusion: In a world where self-promotion often takes precedence, let's stand out by prioritizing reciprocity. When we give back to those who support us, we contribute to a thriving online community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

With love always, Maria D.C. Santiago

Photo Credits Pixabay

You are welcome to follow me or subscribe to my sites:

1. Facebook 2. TikTok

3. Instagram

4. Pinterest

5. YouTube

6. Twitter

Photo Credit Andrea Piacquadio

Money Making Hustle:

1. Swagbucks: Surveys, Games, and Much More: (I Am the link.)

2. 🧑‍🎓Hi! I thought you might want to check out SoFi’s Private Student Loan with flexible repayment options and no fees. Learn more and use my link to apply for a SoFi Private Student Loan and you can get a $100 welcome bonus 💰: (I Am the link.)

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Photo Credit Eva Bronzini

Missy Burgos (Crazy Filter Lady) © 2023 by Missy Burgos (Crazy Filter Lady) is licensed under Attribution 4.0 International.

#MoneyTips2024 #FinancialAdvice #SaveAndEarn #BudgetingTips #MoneyManagement #WealthWisdom #FrugalLiving #SmartSpending #InvestmentIdeas #FinancialGoals #EconomicInsights #CashSavings #PersonalFinanceTips #MoneyMakingStrategies #FinancialFreedom

[apkville1]

Match, blast and decorate with your favorite characters from the Subway Surfers universe! Solve the puzzles and unveil new wonders every day. Billions of fans all over the world have been asking for more Subway Surfers games - now we are answering your call with Subway Surfers Blast, a blast matching game. Solve fun free puzzles, collect stars, decorate your hangout, and much more, even in offline game modes! Features: BLAST THOSE TILE MATCH LEVELS Team up with Jake, Yutani, Fresh or Tricky and blast your way through challenging free puzzles. Connect and crush colorful cubes to charge up for even more powerful effects, and make good use of amazing boosters. EXPLORE, BUILD AND DECORATE SKATE HAVEN Join the crew on their journey to turn drab dens into cool cribs and expand their base of operations, Skate Haven. Match and blast tiles to solve free puzzles, progress through matching game levels, and unlock unique items to decorate your hangout. THE MORE THE MERRIER: CREATE A TEAM AND WIN SPECIAL REWARDS Help your Subway Surfers crew become the best. Team up with your friends, send and receive lives, and complete tile match levels to climb the ranks. Participate in team tournaments to unlock cool rewards. POWER TO THE PLAYER Crush the matching game levels with legendary Subway Surfers Charged Powers like the Super Sneakers, Pogo Stick, Hoverboard, and Jetpack. BE THE STORY Join the gang and tour endless locations, bringing the spaces to life by solving bold and colorful free puzzles. Collect moments from the Subway Surfers crew’s lives as you complete areas and watch the action unfold. PICK UP AND PLAY, WITH OFFLINE GAMES SUPPORT Jake and the crew are ready to play the matching game, anytime, anywhere - even offline! Play tile match for 2 minutes or 2 hours - Subway Surfers Blast is the break you deserve. Need a boost? Subway Surfers Blast is a fast track to instant fun you can reach for any time of the day. Download and start solving puzzles today! It’s completely free to play, though some in-game items can also be purchased for real money. What are you waiting for? Join Jake and the Subway Surfers crew and team up with your friends in Subway Surfers Blast!

[linuxgamenews]

Navigate Through Vibrant Worlds With Adventure In The 2nd Dimension Platformers

Adventure in the 2nd Dimension Positively Playful Plaformers game bundle launches with Linux and Proton support via Windows PC. Thanks to the work of the Humble Bundle team. Available as a pay what you want deal with a minimum. Embarking on an adventure through the vibrant and imaginative realms of 2D platformers in Adventure in the 2nd Dimension Positively Playful Plaformers. These games are due to bring a sense of joy and challenge as you navigate through various worlds. Let's delve into a selection of these offerings and understand what makes each one unique. And also how they contribute to a worthy cause when you choose to acquire them.

What's in the bundle:

Super Bunny Man presents a quirky and engaging universe where you control a heroic rabbit. The key to success in this world is mastering the art of movement. As you traverse the levels, you'll find that momentum and precision are your best allies. You’ll leap and hop, using physics to your advantage. Sometimes even comedy ensues from the unusual results of your actions. It's due to be a test of skill and patience as you journey through time and space. Thanks to the Adventure in the 2nd Dimension Positively Playful Plaformers, you will laugh while you take on the trials with the native Linux build. Pogostuck: Rage With Your Friends turns the act of climbing a mountain into a social and satisfying feat. You and your friends will find yourselves in fits of both frustration and laughter. Since you will use a pogo stick to ascend harsh terrain. It's also a game that bonds players through shared difficulty. Celebrating small victories becomes a communal joy. Webbed invites you to see the world through the eyes of a small spider. This title stands out by transforming the simple concept of web-slinging into a form of art. You’ll work through a wilderness with speed and grace. While solving puzzles and making new friends along the way. It's a showcase of how a simple mechanic can be expanded into an enthralling experience.

What's in the Adventure in the 2nd Dimension Positively Playful Plaformers bundle

Super Bunny Man (native Linux)

Pogostuck: Rage With Your Friends (with Proton) - Verified

Webbed (with Proton) - Verified

Hoa (with Proton) - Verified

One Hand Clapping (with Proton) - Verified

Will You Snail? (with Proton) - Verified

Toodee & Topdee (with Proton) - Verified

Minute of Islands (with Proton)

Adventure in the 2nd Dimension Positively Playful Plaformers also comes with titles like Hoa and One Hand Clapping. Since they offer more serene experiences. Hoa features stunning, hand-painted visuals and a soothing soundtrack. One that invites you to lose yourself in its beauty. One Hand Clapping, on the other hand, literally gives you a voice in the game world. It's a unique title that uses sound and song to solve puzzles and progress. Pushing the boundaries of traditional mechanics. By opting to invest $10 or more, not only do you gain access to this diverse title. They are valued at up to $119 USD in total. Plus you also have the chance to support a noble cause. The platform lets you to decide how much you wish to contribute, with the option to enhance your contribution to unlock further content. Your purchase is an act of charity, aiding the efforts of the World Central Kitchen in their mission. Aiming to provide meals in the wake of disasters.

Platform Support:

Furthermore, the convenience factor is big, as all Adventure in the 2nd Dimension Positively Playful Plaformers titles are redeemable on Steam for Windows with full Proton support, and one with a native Linux and Mac build. The decision of where the funds go is in your hands: you can opt to support the publishers or direct funds to the World Central Kitchen. If the platform has impressed you, they also accept tips as a token of appreciation for their service. In summary, this collection of platformers offers a rich tapestry of experiences. Going from the exhilarating to the serene. All while contributing to a cause that extends beyond the digital world. It's a chance to indulge in your passion and, at the same time, make a difference in the real world. Available as a pay what you want deal.

[new-one-games]

Top 11 Best gaming sites online 2023

Here are some of the best online gaming sites for 2023 (Updated Guide)

Newone.games

Steam

Epic Games Store

Kongregate

AddictingGames

MyPlayCity

Miniclip

Pogo

FPS Central

MMORPG.com

Itch.io

1. NewOne Games

NewOne Games is one of the best Famous platforms That Share the list of Free Download Latest Games, that allows players to browse and download the best games freely. and also known as best platform of Gaming sites online for 2023

This website keeps you from irrelevant stuff and lets you download the best and most popular games you desire. The prime focus of New One Games is to guide gamers directly to the games that match their preferences, you can select your category, and the site will provide you with a list of games

NewOne games has a category for gamers of all ages. No matter your preference, NewOne Game has a list of the best online games for you. You can select the best Games to our Choose. We have a vast collection of games ranging from Action, Strategy, Puzzle, Battle, Fighting, Racing, and Sports games. New One has you covered if you want to download the best popular offline games for Android and IOS. .

2.Steam

Steam: Steam is the Vast and most popular online gaming platform, with a huge library of online games to choose from, including both free-to-play and paid titles. Steam also offers a variety of features, such as cloud saves, matchmaking, and community features.

3. Epic Games Store

Epic Games Store is another most popular Free online gaming platform. Epic Games Store also has a vast library of online games, including many exclusive titles.

4. Kongregate

Kongregate is a more famous website for finding a list of free online games to play. Kongregate has a wide variety of online games. Such as Free online casual games, free online puzzle games, and free online action games.

5.AddictingGames

AddictingGames is another website with a large selection of free online games. Addicting Games has a focus on casual games, but it also has some more challenging games as well.

6.MyPlayCity

MyPlayCity is a website that offers a variety of free online games, including many that are multiplayer. MyPlayCity also has a social networking component, so you can connect with other gamers.

7.Miniclip

Miniclip is a website with a Vast famous selection of free online games, including many that are mobile-friendly. Miniclip is known for its simple but fun games, such as 8 Ball Pool and Agar.io.

8.Pogo

Pogo is a most popular Gaming platform with a variety of free online games, including many that are puzzle games and word games. Pogo also has a membership option that gives you access to exclusive games and features.

9.FPS Central

FPS Central: A hub for first-person shooter fans, FPS Central provides news, reviews, and discussions on various FPS games. It’s a great platform for staying updated on the latest developments in the genre.

10. MMORPG.com

MMORPG.com: A haven for MMORPG fans, MMORPG.com provides news, reviews, and guides for various massively multiplayer online role-playing games. It’s a valuable resource for those seeking in-depth information on the genre.

11. Itch.io

Itch.io: Itch.io is an online gaming platform that specializes in indie games. It offers a wide variety of games, including both free-to-play and paid titles. Itch.io is also known for its support for pay-what-you-want pricing

[husbandogoddess]

What was your inspiration for Flickering Light? It's one of my favorite games

AHHHH!! I'm glad that Flickering Light is one of your favorite titles from me, Anon! The inspiration was my friends and my journey towards trying to find my own self-worth!

Prior to Coby/Hallie (CG/Character Artist) coming on, PogoNR (Background and UI Artist) and I liked the concept of light and how it's often ignored when talking about elements.

Once Coby came on, the three of us had a call about the type of game we wanted to do while keeping in mind the original concept Pogo and I had. We eventually settled on telling a story of the various elemental avatars trying to stop light from disappearing in both the Human World and the Spirit Realm. Additionally, Lumen feeling underappreciated and feeling less than her peers was something we also all agreed upon!

When it came to putting these concepts/ideas into words, I used some of my personal experiences with depression. Although I'm getting better at it, I still sometimes struggle to find my self-worth especially when I'm surrounded by so many talented people. And again, although I am getting better at it, talking about these feelings... is hard!

Much like Lumen, I sometimes think it's better I go off somewhere and try and deal with these negative thoughts and feelings by myself as not to bother others. But for me, stewing in your own thoughts and isolating yourself can cause that negativity to fester and get progressively worse.

It's only when I find the courage to open up and talk about my negative feelings with my friends that I feel better. It's their support and kind words that help me realize that give me strength to keep pushing forward. They help me forget all the bad in my life and realize how enjoyable life can be. It's thanks to them that I'm still here and smiling. :)

So yeah! Apologies for the long answer, but I hope that not only answers your question, but gives you some insight into the game's development process as well!

[burpenterprisejournal]

„THIS IS JUST TO SAY“ AT DONAUESCHINGER MUSIKTAGE

2023/10/20 Donaueschinger Musiktage 2023 THIS IS JUST TO SAY DIE HOCHSTAPLER + ANTJE VOWINCKEL CRISTINA VETRONE MAT POGO Realschule - Kleine Sporthalle Donaueschingen - DE

Mat Pogo, Antje Vowinckel, and Cristina Vetrone have been invited by Die Hochstapler to perform „This Is Just To Say“ at prestigious Donaueschinger Musiktage Festival. The piece will be performed twice Friday October 20 at 18:00 and 23:00

DIE HOCHSTAPLER has developed a highly personal style based on collective composition, radical individualism and oral communication. Their music is developed collectively in extensive rehearsal periods, the repertoire growing and renewing itself constantly. Poetry, alphabets and game structures serve as a basis for the common memory basket from which the four players are drawing in every performance in a new and unpredictable way.

​Die Hochstapler is Louis Laurain : Trumpet Pierre Borel : Alto saxophone Antonio Borghini : Bass Hannes Lingens : Drums

For ten years, "Die Hochstapler" (The Impostors) have been developing music based on orality that is both improvised and composed. Games, mathematical systems, voice-overs, alphabets and texts serve as their inspirations. For "This Is Just To Say", the quartet has invited three artists working with language in individual ways: radio-play producer Antje Vowinckel, vocal performer Mat Pogo and Neapolitan singer Cristina Vetrone. These seven artists jointly derive structures from language, explore the voice as maximally moldable musical material and play with sound poetry as an expression of interior processes.

DONAUESCHINGER MUSIKTAGE The Donaueschingen Music Days are the oldest and most traditional festival for New Music in the world. Founded in 1921 under the protection of a prince, they still stand for all new experimental forms in the field of contemporary music and sound art. Every year, around 10,000 visitors from more than 15 countries come to Donaueschingen to experience the diverse programme of world premieres, sound installations, discussions, workshops and lectures. Internationally renowned ensembles such as the Klangforum Wien, the Ensemble Intercontemporain, the SWR Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart and the SWR Experimental Studio regularly perform here.

The Donaueschingen Music Days are organised by the Donaueschingen Friends of Music Society in cooperation with the town of Donaueschingen, Südwestrundfunk and the SWR Experimental Studio. The Federal Cultural Foundation supports the festival as part of its top-level funding. Other sponsors are the State of Baden-Württemberg, the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, the City of Donaueschingen and Südwestrundfunk.

[thxnews]

Singaporean Government Recognizes Philippine National Police for Rescuing Human Trafficking Victims in Metro Manila Raids

  Acknowledgment for PNP's Rescues and Efforts

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has received recognition from the Singaporean government for its commendable efforts in rescuing victims of human trafficking during a series of raids on illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) in Metro Manila. PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. expressed gratitude to Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for acknowledging and appreciating the police force's accomplishments.   Successful Operation Leads to Appreciation Acorda highlighted the recent successful police operation conducted by the PNP, resulting in the rescue of four Singaporean nationals among the 2,000 alleged victims of human trafficking discovered in a raided POGO establishment. He stated, "This acknowledgment comes in response to the recent successful police operation conducted by the PNP, which resulted in the rescue of four Singaporean nationals among the 2,000 alleged victims of human trafficking discovered in a POGO establishment that was raided last week."   The recognition from Singapore's MFA reinforces the importance of international cooperation in combating human trafficking and underlines the dedication and professionalism exhibited by the PNP.   ASEANAPOL Membership and Collaborative Efforts Both the Philippines and Singapore are founding members of the ASEAN Chiefs of National Police (ASEANAPOL), comprising the national police forces of all 10 ASEAN member states. Acorda emphasized the significance of this operation in highlighting the commitment to international cooperation in combating human trafficking and ensuring the safety of affected individuals. The successful rescue of the four Singaporean nationals serves as a testament to the relentless efforts of the PNP.   Immediate Assistance and Comprehensive Support Singapore's MFA has officially verified the identities of the four rescued Singaporeans, confirming their status as POGO workers who fell victim to this crime. Acorda acknowledged the prompt extension of consular services by the Singaporean embassy in Manila, ensuring the welfare of the victims and providing comprehensive support during this challenging time. The collaboration between the PNP and Singapore's MFA demonstrates the commitment of both nations in combating human trafficking and protecting the rights of affected individuals.   Collective Determination to Address Transnational Crimes This joint effort signifies the collective determination to address transnational criminal activities through international cooperation and mutual support. Acorda reiterated the PNP's commitment to eradicating human trafficking and dismantling illegal operations like the one uncovered in this case. The police force remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all individuals, irrespective of their nationality. By recognizing the PNP's crucial role in rescuing victims and combatting human trafficking, the Singaporean government reinforces the importance of international collaboration in addressing this heinous crime. The commendation serves as a testament to the PNP's unwavering dedication to protecting individuals and upholding the values of justice and solidarity.   Sources: THX News & The Philippine News Agency. Read the full article

[mi4011dinethfernando]

Assessment 06- My story in your lens

One day, he'd be playing with paper to create an Origami bird. The next day he was playing with sand to create a sand castle. Next day a toy gun that shoots rubber bands. Young Dineth, was always fascinated with creating something new.

He used to watch the Pogo classic Tv show "MAD" and created things that further increased his enthusiasm in art. At the age of 14, Dineth entered an art competition at school just because he loved art. For his surprise, he won a consolation prize for his art work.

When Dineth grew up he also started to have an interest in Music. He played the violin for the school orchestra. Due to this reason he started studing music insted of art. It was a bit too late when Dineth realised that his true passion was for art and not music, and by this time he had come too far drifting away from art. Due to this reason he started drawing portraits at home and started to self learn through practice. The biggest game changer happened when, he started to post his arts on Instagram. His friends and family members started supporting him. The lovely feedback as well as the hate he got through Instagram motivated him to create even more. When he was using Social Media he started to see art styles from around the world. This motivated him to improve on his art style and build a unique art style for him. With all the studies and extra curricular activities he did, Dineth made art a part of his life. In his spare time he played video games as well. After completing his school studies, Dineth had to make a decision. Since Dineth had quite good grades, he was convinced he wanted to do a subject like Management. But deep down he knew he wanted to pursue arts for his higher studies. But he was scared to follow his passion. So he first considered studying Business Management, Then Financial Accounting and finally landed on Aviation Management. Dineth started his Higher National Diploma in aviation. Months passed and he was not quite enjoying the subjects that he had to study. This is when, Dineth started watching "ARCANE" the TV show inspired by the famous video game. This TV show connected everything that Dineth was passionate about. Music, Games and most importantly Art! This triggered his enthusiasm on how they make such amazing, cool looking tv shows. Dineth's parents were very supportive and they together started looking for universities which taaught Art subjects. This is when, Dineth got enrolled to the academy of design and started studing Motion graphics and animation as his major.