#session 88 begin

[ask-alterwolf-curseko]

Session 88 (K-0 debut session and ?????)

[It's many weeks later since the incident and frightening KX encounter. KO has long been ungrounded since then. He doesn't have his patches on, but they're currently inside the backpack he has on him.]

Last week at the city got both confusing and too much... [He sighs.]

Let's see if we'll have a nice day back at the office this week...

[ask-beast-o-tonicko]

Session 88 (K-0 debut session)

"Ugh, geez. Last week at that city where Neon and that creepy, awful shape-shifting monster attacked everyone was just ridiculous. This week better be actually decent in the office or else I'm walking out... see ya..."

[ask-mutant-ko-n-tko]

Session 88 (K-0 debut session)

"Hoo boy... last week was too much... hope this week is a better... Later guys."

[skamenglishsubs]

Subtext and Culture, Young Royals, Season 3, Episode 3

Episode 3 picks up the day after the camping trip, and Wilhelm calls his mom to check on her. She dumps a massive guilt trip on him, maybe unintentionally, and Wilhelm is feeling a little bit down.

Culture: These are Swedish studentmössor. They originated in the 1800's among Nordic university students and they wore them as a common marker. Later, they were adopted as graduation caps for high school students, signifying that they were now allowed to begin studying at a university.

Culture: Valborg, April 30th, is a traditional Swedish holiday where you celebrate the coming of spring with bonfires. It is also the start of graduation season for high school students, and graduates are allowed to start wearing their caps.

Cinematography: This season they started writing most on-screen social media commentary in English, despite those users being pretty obviously Swedish. I suspect it's because it saves them having to subtitle all of them, it makes it a bit easier for all the viewers to follow along.

Subtext: No, keeping up appearances is more important than mental health for the royal family, which is why this is new behaviour that Wilhelm has never seen before.

Subtext: As a reminder of the increased interest, here's a paparazzi intruding on school grounds. Also, where the hell is Malin? Isn't it her job to shoo away photographers?

Culture: Vintern Rasat is a classic Swedish song celebrating spring that's often performed by student singers at Valborg.

Subtext: Boris cleverly offers August individual therapy, something he sorely needs.

Subtext: It's of course a bit ironic that pretty much the entire fandom hates August and has decided that he can't be forgiven or redeemed. Yes, you, dear reader. But Boris lays out a way for August to start his redemption arc. Will it work? Tune in for next week's episode!

Culture: These usernames reek of white supremacy. Norse mythology references are very popular, and 88 means H*il H*tler, so that's the kind of people we're dealing with. The show is also foreshadowing what's gonna happen at the end of the episode.

Blink and you miss it: Linda made Pabellón, a Venezuelan dish. In season 1 we didn't know where Linda was from, but in season 2 she was canonically made as being from Venezuela, just like Omar is in real life.

Subtext: I think August actually cares, Kristina is family to him too, but Wilhelm refuses to treat him as family, so he lies about how she's doing. Not very convincingly, though.

Cinematography: This is an absolutely hilarious shot with a bunch of students anxiously peering out through the windows as the dreaded enemy arrives: Skolinspektionen! Dun-dun-dun!

Blink and you miss it: There's a rainbow flag on the board to the left.

Subtext: Vanessa totally knew she interrupted a makeout session between our boys. Oh, and there's a lot of purple in these two scenes, colour theory exploded with joy.

Subtext: Simon will be proven wrong, someone will be honest.

Subtext: It's also ironic that Simon joins the rest of the Forest Ridge boys pretending to have a great meal together that is totally not stiff and awkward at all, absolutely not.

Lost in translation: Simon Walter says that May 1st is a "röd dag" - a red day, which is how Sundays and public holidays are usually marked in a Swedish calendar. "Bank holiday" is the term used in the UK for public holidays. There are 13 public holidays in Sweden each year.

Culture: Första Maj is the name of the International Workers' Day in Sweden, because it always occurs on May 1st. In defence of Henry and Walter's shared braincell, most Swedes actually don't participate, but it's a bit weird to not even know what it is.

Subtext: This entire sequence shows how Felice's dad tried to stick up for himself, but quickly learned to keep his head down instead and conform and roll with it. And it wasn't just the other students who were racists, the staff was in on it too. This goes for all the shit the students are doing, the partying, the booze, the alcohol, the bullying: The staff is in on it. They know. They're complicit.

And despite all of this, Poppe's immediate answer when asked how his time at Hillerska was, is that it was the best time of his life. This is why schools like this stay the way they are, why they never change, because they're very good and very bad at the same time. Trauma-bonding works, the kids will all get friends for life, they'll forget the shit and remember the good times. They'll become like him.

But when Felice learns what the school did to her dad, she decides to help shut it down, to stop the cycle of abuse. The reason she goes in alone is because she now knows she can't trust her dad, he's gonna defend the school, and she also doesn't want him to know that she snitched.

Subtext: In official surveys, students from schools like this generally rate them very highly. Student satisfaction is very high. Maybe they're lying, maybe they're delusional, but they sure care more about their schools than public school students.

Blink and you miss it: REAL SUBTLE THERE, SHOW.

Subtext: Keeping with the school theme, this is how students defend the shit that goes on. Outsiders are kept in the dark, you don't tell them anything, because they "wouldn't understand", they're missing the "full context", etc. Oh, I don't know shit about fashion, but Fredrika's jacket smells very expensive.

Blink and you miss it: While Wilhelm pinned a polaroid of himself and Simon prominently on his wall, August keeps a similar polaroid of himself and Sara hidden.

Subtext: Micke's redemption arc is in full swing, so why not play a song that reinforces the idea that people can change?

Subtext: August's redemption arc is in full swing, so let's cut to him nervously waiting outside Micke's place for Sara to come home, while the same song is playing. Is he gonna be a villain forever?

Blink and you miss it: Micke introduces himself as Micke af Eriksson when August introduces himself as August Horn af Årnäs. The English subtitles for some weird reason went with "Micke Eriksson of Bjärstad", but that's actually not what he says.

Subtext: Sara is pretty realistic about her expectations of her dad because she's seen this before, but this also applies to her expectations of August, because she knows that he can also slide back into his normal shitty self. Also, she's wearing a purple sweater.

Subtext: In case you forgot, August's dad also struggled with addiction, and died from it, so he and Sara actually has that in common. Maybe there's hope for this redemption arc thing?

Cinematography: I don't fucking know why they included this baking scene. It serves no purpose, and I suspect quite a few people in the production have a serious hand fetish, because what is this? What is this? Also, why are Simon and Wilhelm joining what appears to be a Manor House thing with the rest of the girls? How? Why? This makes no sense! It's very cute, though!

Subtext: Oh ok, we got a social media pic that Sara could see and feel bad for her lost friendships. But man, those Hillerska aprons! On point!

Subtext: This is unfortunately a very common thing for people on any kind of psychoactive medication. How can you tell if you need medication if you feel good right now? Is it lasting or temporary? Can you trust your own brain? Either way, fantastic conversation between Micke and Sara, which starts her on her journey to reconcile with Felice at least.

🎵 I can change, I'm not the same, not forever. 🎵

Culture: The official hat-on-putting ceremony where all the third-year students put on their hats, set to another traditional Swedish spring celebration song: Vårvindar Friska.

Culture: It's Valborg, so Hillerska has their own little bonfire. We saw some students with torches pretending to light it, but it's actually floating in the middle of the fountain so, uh, how did they do that? Normally, your local bonfire or Majbrasa is just a huge heap of wood that you set on fire.

Cinematography: Man, this is a pretty show. Look at that shot. The fire, the sunset, the pool reflection. The end of April is over a month after the spring equinox, so the days are getting longer, and the sun now sets at about half past nine in the evenings.

Subtext: Ok, let's do one more on-the-nose lyrics thing for when August sees Sara back at school. Yes, yes, he needs her.

Culture: I had to post about it immediately after watching the episode, because setting a sex scene to Uti Vår Hage is hilarious. Everyone in Sweden knows it, most people have sung it at school, it's a cute little song about enjoying your garden, flowers, and giving your loved one a wreath of flowers. I can now never hear this song without thinking about this scene. Thanks a lot, show.

Blink and you miss it: Simon fucks Wilhelm. Yay! Versatile supremacy!

Subtext: Sara is still so suspicious of her dad's behaviour, she can't make herself trust that his current good period will last.

Subtext: Even though this dialogue is about how Simon and Sara are so different, it of course also applies to how Wilhelm and Erik were different, because Wilhelm struggles with not being able to handle his duty the same way Erik could.

Culture: Alright, it's time for the actual local Första Maj event in Bjärstad. The town is probably a bit small to have a proper demonstration parade, but there's people with banners and socialist slogans, and a bunch of local organisations have joined in, including Bjärstad BK, the football club Rosh plays in.

Culture: Meanwhile, the absolutely not socialist rich kids at Hillerska are nursing their hangovers and enjoying the day off, and they're doing some yoga and playing some padel instead. As you do.

Subtext: Drugs. He looks like he's selling drugs.

Culture: These apparently confused a bunch of viewers, but they're just raffle tickets. It's one hundred numbered, rolled up, paper tickets stuck on a metal ring. When you buy a ticket you just tear it off at the perforation, and when all tickets are sold you can just break the seal on the ring and pour all the stubs in a bag or whatever so you can draw winners.

Blink and you miss it: Cute kiddo has a pride pin on his jacket.

Lost in translation: The show waited a bit with showing what it says on the banner behind them in the photo, but if you can read Swedish you immediately saw that it says KROSSA ÖVERKLASSEN - CRUSH THE UPPER CLASSES. Oh no, Simon, what have you done?

Blink and you miss it: Like a pack of rabid wolves, the social-media starved Gen Z kids rush to their phones for an hour of glorious feeding on Instagram and TikTok.

Blink and you miss it: I love Vincent so much, he's terrible, but he's just so much fun! The little fist he makes as he says "kampen" just seals it.

Subtext: The show still hasn't revealed the banner text to the non-Swedish audience, but Wilhelm immediately sees it and knows how bad it is and why Farima tried calling him seven times. Also, Vincent is just on a roll here.

Cinematography: Man, this is a pretty show. Look at that shot. Look at how they perfectly aligned the hole in the window with Simon, the police car, and the entrance to their house, as he discovers that someone decided to vandalize it.

[discordshawty]

genius and her tutor ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

when a second-year student is failing english and has to get help from the mean first-year tutor.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ tsukishima is no less of a troublemaker than the other karasuno first years, and when he gets caught by the principal bickering with kageyama, he finds himself assigned as a tutor for struggling students as a form of punishment.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ there, he gets the pleasure of meeting you, a second-year student who’s failing english and in desperate need of his help.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ you’d been failing all your tests since the beginning of the semester and your teacher was finally sending you to tutoring.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ the first time you and tsukishima were to meet, you were scheduled to meet in the library. being the oh-so-kind upperclassman, you went to the vending machine to get you both colas, but to your demise, you were seven minutes late and discovered you got the mean tutor.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ “don’t you know it’s rude to keep someone who’s tutoring you waiting?” he snarled.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ the glare in his eyes and the height he had even when sitting down intimidated you like no other, but you were a hardhead anyway and didn’t let it get to you.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ his irritation only grew as you stumbled over apologies and explanations. when you sat down next to him and placed the cola in front of him, tsukishima ignored it.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ you opened your binder to show him your most recent english test, the bright red 36% glowing on the paper. you mentioned that you were going to retake the test, which is why you needed tutoring.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ “a real genius, aren’t you?”

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ over the next few days, you met with tsukishima at the library at the same time and table, bringing a cola every day even though he never touched it.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ he did the usual quizzing and correcting, but he also started jotting down tips and tricks in the margins of your notes, though he’d never admit it was to help you.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ the more days passed he saw you had a tendency to accidentally knock over stacks of books or misplace your notes, which drove tsukishima up the wall.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ he was not the most patient teacher, and you had a tendency to fall off topic, often discussing everything from the best snack foods to why cats are superior to dogs.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ over time, he got used to it and couldn’t help but be slightly entertained by your relentless enthusiasm and peculiar arguments.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ when you finally grasped a difficult concept, tsukishima would begrudgingly admit you weren’t as hopeless as he initially thought, though he’d still maintain his aloof demeanor.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ you’d occasionally catch him smiling despite his attempts to stay gruff, especially when you’d celebrate small victories.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ the first time tsukishima actually drank the cola you brought every day, he did it without thinking, and when you noticed, he simply muttered, “not bad,” but you both knew it was a small step in your odd little routine.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ one time, after he caught you doodling during a study session, he sighed and drew a quick sketch of a dinosaur in your notebook. you immediately cut out the dinosaur to keep.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ even though you were older than tsukishima, he acted as if he was your age. if you were lucky you two spoke as if you’d know each other longer than a few days.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ he’d quiz you unexpectedly, catching you off guard just to see if you were paying attention, and when you got it right, he’d give the slightest nod of approval.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ after a week of studying daily, you retook the english test you had failed. when the results came back, you rushed to the first-year floor to show him the new score—a much-improved 88%—but instead of a smile, tsukishima just smirked and said, “just a genius and her tutor.”

ᯓ★after tutoring ended you definitely went back to failing tests and tsukki had to be there to help you.

ᯓ★ xoxo , discordshawty

ᯓ★ borders from roseraris.

ᯓ★ ty u guys for the notes and reblogs ! even the silent readers u real ones 2 >:3

[dani-says-stuff]

Madison Seminary

❥ Back to the Control Center

❥ Nate Hardy Masterlist

-Do not fear, this will be a multi-part fic and I will end up finishing it at a different time, an explanation can be found in my reblogs here

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

Nate Hardy x fem!medium(?) reader

Summary: Ahh yes, finally a haunting where the spirits don't hate women

Word Count: 852

Warnings: hauntings, language, inconsistent capitalization, my usual grammar warning, short

Dialogue Key:

Y/N

Nate

Sam

Colby

Steve

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

"Oh. Well that's fun." you joked walking through the door, "My favorite thing to see when entering a haunted area," you turned, watching as the boys filtered in behind you-Sam filming, "Is a shit ton of creepy-ass dolls." 

"No!" Sam exclaimed, walking over to film some of the dolls closer up, "you don't just walk in and there's this many dolls just staring in your direction"

Probably wasn't the best idea to kick off the night by making fun of some weird and possibly haunted dolls... but you only live once, right? 

After a thorough bullying session, the four of you went to do a quick walk around the building, some light exploring, if you will, before the night truly begins. 

Nate was in the front with Colby, followed by Sam who was filming, you walking slightly behind him at the end of the group.

"Isn't there supposed to be some strange occult shit in here too?" Nate called back, as he looked at all the walls, trying to find any of the alleged sigils. 

Sam stopped, moving to the side as he positioned the camera to look at the triangular thing he found on the floor. "What is that?"

You, however, weren't phased by the "sigil" he found and walked right on top of it. 

"What are you doing Y/N?!" he shouted, "That could mean anything-"

You pierced your lips, trying to hold back your laughter at your blonde friend, "It's a shuffleboard, Sam."

The blonde looked down one more time, tilting his head slightly as he did so. "Ooh, ok, yeah I see it now." 

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

"Guys, this building is actually insanely huge" Colby explained, during the initial information portion of the video, "it actually has 88 rooms in it and the haunting s are rumored to be started at the beginning of the 20th century, so it's been haunted for a very very long time."

"Legend has it," Nate joined in, "that there have been approximately 200 bodies found here. It's frequent for people to experience shadow visitations, they will get disoriented, dizzy, nauseous-"

"There are even reports of people getting like choked."

"Poltergeist activity, things getting moved around, getting pushed... this is not a good spirit place."

"And, they don't like men"

Your eyes widened as you looked between the three guys around you, "wait are you serious?"

They all nodded solemnly, mistakenly believing you to be worried on their behalf. 

At least until you fist-pumped and started cheering. 

"I'm sorry" you spoke despite the unapologetic grin on your face, "it's just, this is new to me" you explained gesturing to yourself, "usually in the place we go, the spirits all hate women"

Colby tilted his head to the side with a shrug, "Yeah, yeah that's true" 

"So" you spoke nonchalantly, raising your arms to grasp Sam and Colby's shoulders in faux sympathy, "how's it feel to be in my shoes" 

Sam laughed, shaking his head at you, "Honestly? Not a fan."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah... we might need to be more considerate in the future"

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

You truly began the investigation within the basement of the Seminary. It is believed that this was the area where a woman was buried under the floor.

In this area, an anomaly was detected beneath the floor as well as a cadaver dog hit about three feet away. However, when they looked into it and dug the hole, nothing was there. 

"Alright" Nate announced, stepping around the railings "I'm goin' in the hole."

"You're really going for it this video" Sam nodded from the corner, "Proud of you."

"Thanks, man" he deadpanned looking between the blonde and the raven-haired man controlling the camera, "Yeah, I'm stoked you guys brought me out to butt-fuck Ohio to be in a hole." 

You stood behind him on the other side of the railing, laughing softly as he jumped in. 

"I just want to point out" Steve spoke looking over the railing, "this is the second night in a row that we made Nate be a dead body."

"Wow!" Nate mocked, "I didn't even notice that dude."

"Wait, yeah!" you joined in, raising your voice and crunching up your face a little, "Can we talk about that for a second? It took me long enough to not be single... can we please stop killing my boyfriend" you whined stomping your foot for good measure. 

The boys laughed at your antics, all the while Nate leaned forward, grabbing onto the bars, "Can I have a good-bye kiss this time?" he pouted, "You know before I leave this earthly plane and die... again"  

You leaned forward and grabbed his cheeks looking straight into his eyes, "You're just pitiful, aren't you?"

"Please" he whined, dragging out the end of the word and keeping his pout. 

"You're ridiculous" you whispered before leaning down and pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

He smiled, pushing himself from the bars and plopping down in the hole, "Kay, thanks babe!" 

Colby 'Aw-ed' obnoxiously from behind the camera, whipping it back and forth between zooming in on Nate who now was crouched below the floor, and yourself as you leaned over the railing looking down at him. 

Sam just blinked owlishly, feigning annoyance for the video, "Ok, now that��that's over, can we begin the investigation now?"

once again, don't worry, i will be making a pt. 2 for this fic

[theanonymouscosmos]

If you're new here, I'm:

Late 30s lady, childless by choice, purveyor of fine beefwives. I share this blog with a far superior counterpart. Fallout OC content with occasional AU art of our fallout girls.

Sometimes I write. Sometimes I draw. Sometimes she draws. The tags always clarify.

-

The Pursuit of Memory - a wlw story, this has everything. A silly little asshole of an oc trying to figure out who she is and why she's even still alive 200 years after the bombs drop. With the help of friends, including a certain Minuteman and a beefwife Brotherhood Paladin, she gets answers. They're just not the answers she wants.

Alternate beginning in which our brave hero is NOT someone's mom. Spice abounds.

A re-write in progress: Malfunctioning. Otherwise known as the tale of X6-88 becoming completely discombobulated by his own human feeling. Told from his POV and featuring a sole survivor who is - shocking, I know - nobody's mom.

[krispyweiss]

Yes Man Rick Wakeman Turns 75

There are 88 keys on a piano and 75 candles on Rick Wakeman’s cake.

Born May 18, 1949, the restless keyboardist - who’s logged a half-dozen separate tenures with Yes (so far) between 1971 and 2020 - hits the milestone today and has no plans to slow down. He’s on the road, making new music and already planning year-end holiday concerts.

But first …

“I intend to have a very lazy day of dog-walking and doing some ‘nothing’ followed by some more ‘nothing’,” Wakeman wrote on his website regarding the milestone day.

He’s off to a piano festival in Milan tomorrow.

But before all that he …

… was a session musician, playing on David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” and recordings by Cat Stevens, Elton John and others. He then briefly joined the Strawbs before beginning his on-again, off-again relationship with Yes.

He’s said to have released more than 90 solo albums. While the exact number seems impossible to track down, one number is certain: 75. As in years.

5/18/24

[schooloftuneage]

SCHOOL OF TUNEAGE: LESSON ONE. IN THE BEGINNING...

CLASS IS IN SESSION.

Good evening, my fellow freaks, fillies, and other assorted friends. I'm your deejay for the evening, Zee, and I'll be starting out this blog, this course, and this whole damn mission with a statement that some would consider to be moderately controversial.

Rock music is innately Black music.

Now, yes, we've had our share of crackers in the biz (myself included) but the FOUNDATIONS OF ROCK MUSIC, AND THE SONGS THAT MADE ROCK MUSIC WHAT IT IS, are primarily from Black artists.

Don't believe me? Let's delve in.

Early Rock and Roll was, at its core, a danceable, high-octane (for the time) fusion of Rhythm and Blues and Country. Now, I don't have to tell you how very Black-dominated R&B was, even at the time.

Consider this: Jimmy Preston's "Rock The Joint", from 1949.

Or, from 1946, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's "That's All Right".

BUT rock `n roll got passed off to the public vis-a-vis an acceptable, lilly-white proxy… Elvis Presley. Consider this, his seminal hit, 'You Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog'.

Now, do you want to see something really awesome?

Elvis' version was a cover. A cover that he (and the recording industry) tried to pretend wasn't a cover.

Here's our first track of the week… the original.

That's BIG MAMA THORNTON, blues singer, the woman responsible for the trope codifier for rock `n roll… and, you will note, a woman singing quite a different song from Elvis' version. Big Mama's was a song of Black female empowerment, a song about telling a freeloading gigolo to hit the road, while Elvis' was sanitized into almost a Kidz Bop version. Hell, he sanitized it MORE than Kidz Bop sanitized "Lips of an Angel" (and more on THAT debacle another day).

And this was far from the only offense in Presley's resume.

Otis Blackwell was a prolific songwriter who originally sang many, many early rock songs. These included Jerry Lee Lewis' 'Great Balls of Fire', as well as Elvis' 'All Shook Up', 'Don't Be Cruel', and 'Return to Sender'. And these last three are probably the most damning indictment of the whitewashing of rock `n roll. Why?

That's why. Give that a close listen.

Elvis seemed to take his entire way of singing - his delivery, his inflection, everything - from Otis Blackwell. As you can see from Otis' album title there, "These are my songs!", he was at least able to attempt to claw back some recognition in later years, but - in the opinion of this berk - it was definitely a case of too little, too late.

We know now. History is damn clear on the topic. But for years, the industry hid behind the Great White Hype of Elvis, pretended he was an innovator instead of a repackager, and shut out the real innovators from their rightful recognition.

Perhaps it is ironic that in years to come - particularly in the late sixties and seventies - there would be a rising 'damn the man' rebellion baked into rock and roll. Or perhaps it would just be karma, ensuring that the sanitization of an inherently rebellious music made by an oppressed people would still carry their spirit.

For tonight, I leave you with another early rock track - what some people say is the first real rock song. Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm - Rocket 88.

Class dismissed.

And now we go to open conversation - we've got a survey out right now, check down the page. If you fill it out, I'll have a better idea of what topics everyone wants to cover. And of course, if you want to keep talking about what I covered above... please do.

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

Things Hriob is No Longer Allowed to Do, Revised Edition - Part Trois

#81 Yes, exercise nuts often invent new fads to sell shit to the unknowing masses trying to ‘get in shape’. No, I am not allowed to market a new “Diogenes Workout” involving rock climbing using only a cauldron and a sledgehammer. Not even if I demonstrate how ‘easy’ it is.

#82 Yes, Sparring is a fun way to get a full-body exercise so long as I have a designated partner and don’t get carried away. No, asking bar-goers random thugs and mercenaries Pirates with serious anger issues anyone ‘Hey, you want to Fight?’ is NOT sparring and I am not allowed to do this anymore.

#83 I am forever forbidden from ‘Saving Christmas’, even ESPECIALLY if I was the one who put it in Jeopardy in the first place.

#84 I am not to confuse ‘Spreading Christmas Cheer’ with ‘Getting the masses intoxicated with my Eggnog Special’. There’s more to the Spirit of the Holidays than Spirits, Hriob, you should know this already.

#85 Just to be safe, to build upon the prior two rulings (#83 and #84), I cannot ‘Save’ Hanukkah Kwanzaa Thanksgiving Halloween Easter Ramadan St. Patrick’s Day Valentine’s Day ANY remotely ‘major’ Holiday regardless of whether or not it has anything to do with any given religion.

#86 I can be ‘Santa’ for Christmas, or I can be ‘Krampus’. Both have ups and downs, but I will remember to pick ONE and stick with it per Christmas season, for my own sake as much as everyone else’s.

#87 Regardless of whether or not I have the powers of Bardic Magic on my side or not, I will refrain from abusing this power to turn deadly battles villainous monologues do-or-die moments training sessions ANY moment that isn’t already filled with unusual amounts of song into quaint musical numbers. Yes, even if the children love it when I do that.

#88 I am not a cherub, and even if I’m not too shabby with a bow when the time calls for it, I am not allowed to claim that I can make people fall in love by shooting them with arrows splashing them with potions showering them with chocolate serenading them getting them drunk enough holding them at knife-point locking them in a small room together ANY means - and I am forever forbidden from trying to prove that I can.

#89 The power to ‘bring snowmen to life’ is not a Right, it is a Privilege. The moment I abuse this power for ANY reason is the moment I am forever banned from making ‘Atronachs’ of ANY material, period.

#90 Even if I know any personifications of the Seasons personally, I am not allowed to bribe threaten trick coerce seduce gamble use ANY means to adjust when one season ends and another begins, be it for my own benefit or ‘shits and giggles’.

#91 Reddish hair or not, Inconceivable Alcohol Immunity or not, Strange Luck or not, I am NOT Irish, but Czech-German, and I am not allowed to let others confuse that issue.

#92 In accordance with the prior rule, this means I am not allowed to celebrate St. Patty’s Day unsupervised, nor am I allowed to encourage people to ‘Kiss me’ under the pretense that ‘I’m Irish’. It's bad enough I have too many people who’d do it anyways, they don’t need further incentive.

#93 As a self-employed Entrepreneur and Craft Brewer, I understand the importance of self-promotion and advertisement. Making careful deals with bar owners and handing out Business Cards is a step in the right direction - Going door-to-door with a red wagon and trying to use arguably cute animal familiars random woodland creatures glamours girl scouts boy scouts random children important children puppies kittens baby seals ANY variation of ‘little helpers’’ to make sales is right out.

#94 Many restaurants and food vendors enjoy using the concept of ‘Free Samples’ to sell their products. As an Alchemic Craft-Brewer, I am to remind myself that, no, this is NOT a valid method of advertising for my wares, with all but a few NO exceptions.

#95 As I grow more talented with Life magic, alchemy, and gain access to individuals with greater talents in those fields than myself, I am to be reminded that I will not create/pester others to help create a ‘Molotov Cockatiel’ to use as a familiar pet prank biological warfare agent FOR ANY REASON.

#96 The ‘tomato allegory’ is a good way to demonstrate examples of Wisdom versus Intelligence, as well as other ‘DnD stats’ in a real-world context. I am NOT to try and actually act out parts of the allegory, or try to make my own ‘better’ one using beer vodka hamsters zombies drunk zombie hamsters ANYTHING ELSE, “just because” - no matter HOW ‘educational’ it may or may not be.

#97 I am not allowed to stress-test Bowling Lanes or Equipment by “playing as hard good fun as I can”.

#98 I am not allowed to help Jacob in any variety of smithy, workshop, metalworking, or engineering project without additional adult supervision. Let the Coilgun-powered Hammer be the last Scientific Monstrosity I help bring into the world.

#99 When building massive projects involving Gingerbread buildings ‘To Scale’, I will remember to make sure that the Runic Protections prevent anything breaking, sagging, dirtying or making any part of it inedible, and also remember that the Load-bearing structures are kept far away from hungry guests whenever possible.

#100 Just because I have a Ring of Sands that gives me an extra casting focus for my magics, attuned to both Wind and Earth elements as well as the Concept of Sand itself, does Not make me ‘The Sand Guardian, Guardian of the Sands’, and neither does it give me any reason, excuse, legitimacy, or ability to tease, torment, or banish The Master beyond what I already can do in any way not already defined by the pertinent ‘unspoken agreement’ - even especially in light of the fact he’s already broken it.

#101 Yes, I am a Lord of the Fae, and can use my power to command certain kinds of ‘Lesser’ Fairies, including Pixies. Yes, Pixies are for all intents and purposes magical glowing balls of flying teeth and mischief with a taste for human flesh. No, I am NOT allowed to ‘summon’ them by quoting the Wicked Witch of the West and/or weaponizing massive swarms of pixies as a substitute for flying Piranha Unless I really want to Excepting truly Dire Circumstances by my reckoning as defined by a rational, responsible adult that is not myself.

#102 Upon further revision and consideration, the above rule (#101) is to be applied to any and all flying creatures, contraptions, and/or weapons, magical or otherwise, again excluding Emergency Use as defined by an independent observer. Projectiles of any kind, guided or not, are to be used carefully, not liberally.

#103 If against all odds and attempts to avoid combating a so-called God or Deity fail, and violence becomes necessary to defend myself or others, should I be given the chance to attack them with something resembling a symbol of their office, I am to remind myself of two things first:

A) If it is a symbol of their office, they most likely have high resistance to it, if not power over it, and I ought to consider other options B) I am not allowed to chant ‘Stop Hitting Yourself’ if I proceed to attack them with said symbol regardless of the above step.

#104 I may be immune to Nightwood poison powder, but that does not allow me to ‘create a new version of the cinnamon challenge’ using it instead of a generic spice, nor use it for any other purposes beyond careful poison applications. And even if that does include toxic smoke bombs, I will NOT refer to them as ‘vanishing powder bombs’.

#105 I am not allowed to apply to break into enchant curse be within a seven mile radius of interact with any ‘Bed Bath and Beyond’ with the intention of “revamping their ‘Beyond’ section to comply with the Better Business Bureau’s advertising standards.”

#106 I am not allowed to break into buy the entire stock of in any way acquire any amount of scented candles beyond ‘2’, even especially with the intention of creating a ‘Scented Wax Antronach’.

#107 Just because my blood probably should be a controlled substance in at least 39 states by this point, doesn’t mean I should brag about it. If anything, the less any given national government knows about me, the better.

#108 The above ruling (#107) is to be extended hereafter to all other bodily fluids, samples, and secretions of my physical form, including Lymph, Sweat, Bones, Mucus, Semen, Ligaments, Major Organs, Minor Organs, Imaginary Organs, anything and everything off my person.

#109 No longer allowed to avoid paperwork with the O.A.B. by just claiming “the Dog ate it”- Gurrel has enough on his plate without being made into a scapegoat. In addition, despite how much more likely it actually is, claiming ‘the Moose ate it’ is not acceptable either.

#110 Not allowed to look into body modifications - magical or otherwise - until I have been given a clean bill of health by a licensed therapist in regards to any potential body-image issues second opinion from a responsible adult that doesn’t veto my idea… and the moment I decide I want to ‘show them my junk and hope they can work their magic’ is the moment I am forbidden from getting any mods regardless.

#111 If given the option, I will Not use my powers of Lightning and/or Space-Time Magic to pull ‘random’ objects towards my person. It never ends well.

#112 I will remember why I practiced the Prestidigitation spells until they were second nature, and only use them for protection against theft and utility beyond the need for physical pockets - I will NOT abuse the powers to pick-pocket or ‘reverse’-pick-pocket others.

#113 If someone asks for a lift to a particular country or city (ex: Paris, France), and I am not certain if they mean one instance or another lesser-known one (ex: Paris, Texas), I will NOT assume I know which one they mean but instead ask for clarification.

#113 I will not misunderstand what is asked of me if I am asked for a ‘Lift’ from someone.

#115 I will not attempt to make a sandwich out of anything that is larger than a standard four-door sedan. Nor am I allowed to construct a sandwich that exceeds those dimensions.

#116 “What Happens in Atlantis, Stays in Atlantis”, is not, has never been, nor will ever become a valid legal defense. The same is true substituting for “Pompeii”.

#117 Just because I met Gilgamesh in a past life (As Humbaba) and was subsequently killed by him and his best friend does not mean I get to claim he owes me money reparations a solid anything.

#118 I don’t care how many people seem to think I am a ‘dead ringer’ for Thor, I will not accept the title or namesake: fighting one giant god-slaying snake-man was enough for me for any number of lifetimes.

#119 I know I hate spandex and think it is uncomfortable, impractical, and generally a stupid thing to wear. That is no excuse for chastising the fashion senses of ‘superheroes’ and ‘supervillains’ I come across even if they clearly need the help for any reason.

#120 Yes, I know Mixed Martial Arts championships exist that incorporate Medieval European Weapons and Armor in the ring. No, I am not allowed to compete given my dozens of unfair advantages - if tempted to do so anyways I am to chant to myself the words ‘we have weapons and armor sparring at home’ until the urges subside.

[cricketbettingidinindia]

Usman Khawaja slams ton as Sri Lanka continue to toil

Usman Khawaja's (119*) 16th Test century helped Australia maintain their dominance on the first Test's opening day in Galle. Steve Smith, who finished the second session undefeated at 64, was a good companion to the left-hander in a 126-run partnership at the fourth wicket. Australia scored 116 runs in a perfect session for the visitors, taking no wickets.

Smith cleared the ropes and handed over command to Prabath Jayasuriya as soon as the lunch break was over. With great defensive confidence, the two batters moved forward or returned to the crease with ease, putting the ball in the gaps. Additionally, they attacked any high-pitched deliveries made by the spinners from Sri Lanka. After a difficult beginning session, it made the tourists even more irate. Similar to that time frame, Sri Lanka lost another chance to review, this time seeing Khawaja's back on 74 as the umpire failed to call a little nick to the 'keeper.

As soon as lunch was finished, Smith untangled the ropes and turned the reins over to Prabath Jayasuriya. The two hitters put the ball in the gaps with ease as they pushed forward or returned to the crease with a great deal of defensive assurance. Furthermore, they attacked any high-pitched deliveries made by Sri Lankan spinners. It further infuriated the tourists after a contentious opening session. Similar to that period, Khawaja's back on 74 gave Sri Lanka another opportunity to review, but the umpire did not call a small nick to the 'keeper.

Smith changed tactics eight overs into the match, taking full advantage of Jeffrey Vandersay's misplaced lines on each side of the stumps with three boundaries. With a flip for four over an empty mid-wicket area against Jayasuriya, he kept making it appear simple. As Khawaja entered his nineties, he proceeded to perform the reverse sweep and then caressed one through extra-cover for four. As Sri Lanka failed to seize opportunities, Khawaja escaped an edge that sailed over the wicketkeeper's head. Before Khawaja got his century with a flick to fine-leg for four, Smith reached his 50th with a single towards mid-wicket. Nothing went the hosts' way, so it was a chaotic session, but it all started with Travis Head in the morning session. After hitting Asitha Fernando for three fours in the first over, he gave Australia a brisk start. In Asitha's third over, Khawaja and Head hit three more boundaries, but Head escaped an LBW call on 23 when the hosts chose not to employ DRS since ball-tracking revealed three reds. Head hit a single down to long-on to get his fifty off just thirty-five balls. Head hit Peiris over his head as Australia started to get daring with a reverse sweep from Khawaja. After giving the tourists a great start, the latter eventually holed out to long-on off Jayasuriya. Khawaja was dropped at slip and survived a few overs after nursing his way to fifty. But after Dhananjaya de Silva managed to hold off Labuschagne on the stroke of lunch, Vandersay scored from the other end in one of Sri Lanka's rare happy moments.

Australia versus. Sri Lanka, brief scores: 261/2 (Usman Khawaja 119*, Steve Smith 64*, Travis Head 57; Jeffrey Vandersay 1-67, Prabath Jaysuriya 1-88).

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 1.22 (after 1950)

1957 – Israel withdraws from the Sinai Peninsula. 1957 – The New York City "Mad Bomber", George P. Metesky, is arrested in Waterbury, Connecticut and charged with planting more than 30 bombs. 1963 – The Élysée Treaty of cooperation between France and West Germany is signed by Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer. 1967 – Between dozens and hundreds of anti-Somocista demonstrators are killed by the Nicaraguan National Guard in Managua. 1968 – Apollo Program: Apollo 5 lifts off carrying the first Lunar module into space. 1968 – Operation Igloo White, a US electronic surveillance system to stop communist infiltration into South Vietnam begins installation. 1970 – The Boeing 747, the world's first "jumbo jet", enters commercial service for launch customer Pan American Airways with its maiden voyage from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to London Heathrow Airport. 1971 – The Singapore Declaration, one of the two most important documents to the uncodified constitution of the Commonwealth of Nations, is issued. 1973 – The Supreme Court of the United States delivers its decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, legalizing elective abortion in all fifty states. 1973 – The crew of Apollo 17 addresses a joint session of Congress after the completion of the final Apollo Moon landing mission. 1973 – A chartered Boeing 707 explodes in flames upon landing at Kano Airport, Nigeria, killing 176. 1973 – In a bout for the world heavyweight boxing championship in Kingston, Jamaica, challenger George Foreman knocks down champion Joe Frazier six times in the first two rounds before the fight is stopped by referee Arthur Mercante. 1984 – The Apple Macintosh, the first consumer computer to popularize the computer mouse and the graphical user interface, is introduced during a Super Bowl XVIII television commercial. 1987 – Philippine security forces open fire on a crowd of 10,000–15,000 demonstrators at Malacañang Palace, Manila, killing 13. 1992 – Rebel forces occupy Zaire's national radio station in Kinshasa and broadcast a demand for the government's resignation. 1992 – Space Shuttle program: The space shuttle Discovery launches on STS-42 carrying Dr. Roberta Bondar, who becomes the first Canadian woman and the first neurologist in space. 1995 – Israeli–Palestinian conflict: Beit Lid suicide bombing: In central Israel, near Netanya, two Gazans blow themselves up at a military transit point, killing 19 Israeli soldiers. 1998 – Space Shuttle program: space shuttle Endeavour launches on STS-89 to dock with the Russian space station Mir. 1999 – Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons are burned alive by radical Hindus while sleeping in their car in Eastern India. 2006 – Evo Morales is inaugurated as President of Bolivia, becoming the country's first indigenous president. 2007 – At least 88 people are killed when two car bombs explode in the Bab Al-Sharqi market in central Baghdad, Iraq. 2009 – U.S. President Barack Obama signs an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp; congressional opposition will prevent it being implemented. 2024 – Ram Mandir inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh after 500 years of dispute.

[mindcypress1]

CFA Exam: Understanding the Structure and Key Requirements for Success

Do you want to advance in your financial career and become one of the top professionals? The industry standard for demonstrating your proficiency in investment management and gaining access to profitable prospects is the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation. However, obtaining a CFA charter necessitates thorough study and a thorough comprehension of the format of the CFA exam.

In order to support you on your CFA Training course journey, we will examine the complexities of the CFA exam, providing insightful analysis of its format and crucial advice on how to successfully negotiate this difficult terrain.

CFA: What is it?

The CFA Institute, a body that assesses and certifies the proficiency and honesty of financial analysts, offers the internationally recognized professional distinction known as the chartered financial analyst (CFA) charter. Three exam levels encompassing topics like accounting, economics, ethics, money management, and security analysis must be passed by candidates.

Over 3.7 million applicants took the CFA exam between 1963 and November 2023. The pass rate was 45% overall. The 10-year average pass rate from 2014 to 2023 was 43 percent.

Understanding the Structure of the CFA Exam

Every CFA applicant must pass three levels, each of which builds on the knowledge and abilities assessed in the one before it. A person receives the CFA charter, a mark of distinction and legitimacy in the financial industry, upon passing all three levels and fulfilling other professional standards set forth by the CFA Institute. Let's dig deeper into each level's structure.

Level I: Knowledge Base

The Level I exam, which tests applicants' comprehension of fundamental ideas in wealth management and finance, is the basis of the CFA training program. The test consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and is split into two sessions. With an optional break in between, each section lasts two hours and fifteen minutes. Within five to seven weeks of the exam and the completion of the Practical Skills Module, results are usually available. Level I evaluates applicants' abilities to swiftly and accurately analyze and comprehend financial data with an emphasis on comprehension and application.

Level II: Expanding Your Knowledge

The Level II exam expands on the foundations covered in Level I by delving deeper into intricate subjects and calling for a more thorough comprehension of asset appraisal and investing strategies. There are 88 multiple-choice questions and 22 item sets of vignettes in the test. There is an optional break in between the two two-hour, twelve-minute sessions that make up the Level II exam. Achieving success at this level indicates mastery of the application of analytical abilities to investment decision-making procedures.

Level III: Gaining Proficiency in Planning and Portfolio Management

The Level III exam integrates ideas from the previous levels into a comprehensive framework for efficiently managing client assets, with a primary focus on wealth planning and portfolio management.

Unlike Levels I and II, Level III includes essay sets backed by vignettes in addition to multiple-choice questions. In addition to the current standard Portfolio Management focus, the exam will add two additional specialized tracks, Private Wealth and Private Markets, beginning in 2025. With this update, candidates can better customize their CFA experience to fit their unique interests and career goals.

Finally, Level III denotes preparedness to use sophisticated investment management techniques in practical contexts. The four hours and twenty-four minutes that make up the Level III exam are split into two equal parts, each lasting two hours and twelve minutes.

Conclusion

Globally, the CFA financial designation is regarded. For individuals who are willing and able to invest the time, energy, and financial resources necessary to fulfill its requirements—which include preparing for and passing three challenging exams—it can be a very worthwhile accomplishment. To ensure success, the aspirants should enroll in a reputed CFA course to gain a solid understanding of all the crucial topics.

Resource: https://mindcypress.com/blogs/finance-accounting/cfa-exam-understanding-the-structure-and-key-requirements-for-success

[beardedmrbean]

For the tenth consecutive time, the National Assembly failed to elect a Speaker. Both Silvi Kirilov from the "There is Such a People" (TISP) party and Assoc. Prof. Natalia Kiselova from the "BSP-United Left" reached the runoff. However, neither candidate was able to secure the required majority to assume the position.

In the first round, Kiselova received 88 votes in her favor, while Kirilov garnered 99. After a re-vote, Kiselova's support rose to 118 votes, with 30 against and 90 abstentions. This time, Kiselova gained the backing of the "DPS-New Beginning" group, in addition to support from GERB and the Socialists. Despite this, Kirilov's candidacy failed to gain enough support, receiving only 99 votes, leaving the parliament without a Speaker once again.

The unprecedented tenth attempt to elect a Speaker saw Kiselova remain just one vote shy of the position. She was supported by various political groups, including GERB, BSP, and one MP from "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB). However, despite Kiselova’s increasing support, WCC-DB did not vote for her, as they had requested a declaration from the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BPS) to support a “sanitary cordon” against Delyan Peevski from DPS, which did not happen.

Meanwhile, Silvi Kirilov, the oldest member of the parliament, continued to hold the position of candidate for the Speaker, but failed to gather enough votes. Kirilov’s supporters included members from his own party, TISP, as well as “Revival,” the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (APS), MECH, and some members of WCC-DB. The final vote left Kiselova just short of securing the seat.

The session will resume tomorrow at 10 a.m. As the election process drags on, the National Assembly is set to make yet another attempt to elect a Speaker. _____________________________

Not being Bulgarian I don't actually get a say for real, but at this point I still think it might be about time to call Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and see if he feels like being Tsar again for a bit while they figure this all out.

[s-------i-------g]

What the Car? | Lorn's Lure | Saviorless

Strange Brew | Robit Carnival

Atom: The Beginning 05 by Tetsuro Kasahara, Original Story by Osamu Tezuka, Concept by Masami Yuki, Supervision by Macoto Tezuka in collaboration with Tezuka Productions | Astro Boy, Omnibus 2 by Osamu Tezuka | Search and Destroy, Vol. 1 by Atsushi Kaneko, based on Dororo by Osamu Tezuka | Initial D, Omnibus 2 by Shuichi Shigeno | let's get burgers by ash s. | Kitaro by Shigeru Mizuki | Synapses by Ivo Puiupo | The Gull Yettin by Joe Kessler | Homunculus vol. 1-2 by Hideo Yamamoto | BLAME! Master Edition 2 by Tsutomu Nihei | INFOMANIACS by Matthew Thurber | BLAME! Master Edition 3 by Tsutomu Nihei | Sunday by Olivier Schrauwen | BLAME! Master Edition 4 by Tsutomu Nihei | New Engineering by Yuichi Yokoyama | BLAME! Master Edition 5 by Tsutomu Nihei | Cutting Season by Bhanu Pratap | BLAME! Master Edition 6 by Tsutomu Nihei

FJAAK THE SYSTEM by FJAAK | Clarence Park by Clark | Empty the Bones of You by Clark | Turning Dragon by Clark | Totems Flare by Clark | Iradelphic by Clark | Clark by Clark | The Last Panthers by Clark | Running Thangs by Busy Bee | Death Peak by Clark| Kiri Variations by Clark | Session 84-88 by Humanoid | Retro by P.A.L. | GRID00234 by MATRiXXMAN | Dust World by MATRiXXMAN| FANTAZIA III: Made in Heaven by Various Artists | Identity Crisis by MATRiXXMAN | World Clique by Deee-Lite | The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of Thank God It's Friday by Various Artists | Sonic Seasonings by Wendy Carlos | Ratimis by BRAHM | QE2 by Mike Oldfield | Skeezer Pleezer by UTFO | Eric Copeland's Trogg Modal Vol. 1 | Eric Copeland's Trogg Modal Vol. 2 | One Day of Forever by Steve Roach | Interactive Sampler Disc: Volume 2 by Sferro | The Black Monk of Pontefract by The Night Monitor | Example One by Listening Center | Dreamscape Part 4 by Brandon* | Forever Together by Raven Maize | Cycles/Other Phenomena by Listening Center | Aural Assignments by Listening Center | Move to Move by Kan Kon | The History of the JAMS a.k.a. The Timelords by The KLF | Vortex by ACD | P O N D by Chaperone | Paths and Surfaces by Listening | Done with the Scene by Kid606 | Retrieving by Listening Center | Diaphanous Structures by Listening Center | Non Functions by Listening Center