#this is not my personal system to be clear it’s a local standard

[astronicht]

WiFi died again despite my 5 hours of trying to put it back on rolling payments and what if I just go to bed. This is the most useless system. Do you know how hard it is to top up a SIM card that lives in your router and thinks it can receive confirmation texts?

[grogusmum]

Crash Into Me

alpha!DIN DJARIN X omega!F!READER

WORD COUNT 2100ish

WARNINGS: A/B/O Dynamics, omega reader in mild peril

A/N: The idea of Din discovering his alpha nature as an adult took hold of my brain and I couldn’t shake it, or write anything much else until I got it down, so here it is. I’ve never written a/b/o before and I don't read too much of it. So please be gentle with me. 

It starts out in third person, from Din’s pov and then switches to second person when the pov opens to both of you. 

It’s pretty fluffy (What? You say. Shocking, I know! Hazel replies.) and doesn’t contain smut. (I know, I know)

This here is a one-shot that could expand when and if inspiration strikes, if there is to be smut in its future, the Magic 8 Ball says “Reply hazy, try again”.

*** When reblogging or talking about Omegaverse, please remember that ‘a/b/o’ without the slash punctuation marks (/) is considered a slur for the Aboriginal people in Australia. 

Din enters the local cantina. The job’s complete, but the kid needs to eat before they bring the bounty back to the client. He gently lifts Grogu out of his satchel and places him in a booth. Grogu coos and tries to climb onto the table.

“Hey don't do that, pal.”

A friendly-looking server comes up just as he settles himself and Grogu on one side of the booth with a ready warm smile.

“Welcome, traveler,” the server greets. Upon seeing Din settling Grogu beside him on the inside of the booth, she corrects herself sweetly, “I’m sorry, welcome travelers! Are you interested in eating or just a- ”

“Yes, thank you,” Din interjects. “Um, just for this one here.”

“Very well, the special today is fried gorg over pashi noodles.” she reaches over to point out a few items. Reaching past Din, as Grogu is playing with the single-page menu.

“Unfortunately we are out of roasted craw-maw and the ladnek bisque.” 

Din stills when her arm crosses him, below his helmet. His helmet filters out much in standard mode, but he catches a scent he has never experienced. His head swims slightly, normally he would turn on the extra filtration, but something in him wants more.

“Oh, I apologize for my reach, sir,” she pulls back realizing she has invaded his space.

“Don’t worry about it,” Din's voice is low, lower than usual. He is taken by surprise, it’s his ‘bring you in warm or cold voice’, without any of the menace. He clears his throat. And his server does the same, he looks at her properly for the first time. Warm eyes and very cute, pretty, he decides. Her moment of fluster pleases him in a way he doesn't understand and he tries to keep from puffing out his chest. Din thanks the stars for his helmet.

“He will take the gorg and noodles,” he says. “Enthusiastically.”  

Grogu watches this exchange closely.

“Very good!” her laugh is warm and genuine. Still smiling as she goes to the kitchen. Din wonders what that was all about and thinks of putting the extra filtration on again.But doesn't.

A busser delivers the food, Din thanks them politely, but can’t help but look past them to see where his server has gotten to.

Grogu digs in, just as his dad anticipated, with enthusiasm. Din is just happy he is eating a cooked gorg.

Quickly, Grogu is down to his last noodle.

“You ready, kid?” 

Grogu looks up and nods, making a little mrapp sound. Seeming full and content as Din lifts him off the bench and he sinks comfortably back into the satchel. 

After Din goes to settle up, he tells himself he is not put out at all that he didn't get to pay the pretty sever with the sweet smile and twinkling eyes directly, as he heads out the back. It's just the quickest way to the Crest. It has nothing to do with passing the kitchens. 

The crash of trash bins behind him catches Din’s attention, and he rounds the corner to investigate. He pulls up short, seeing her against the cantina wall, a hulking human looming. The bin lids continue rolling, then reverberating like cymbals. Her look of fear sends a kick of adrenaline through Din's system, and there is a rush in his ears. His growl shocks him. He has more control than this.

When her attacker looks in Din’s direction, she tries valiantly to take advantage and kick him. He is thrown off balance, yes, but it's not enough, and he quickly has her by the arm.

“I’m only going to say this once, let her go.” Din’s hand moved to his blaster.

“I’m only going to tell you once, to mind your business.”

Grogu ducks as Din draws his blaster. 

“Wait!” She shouts. 

“See the omega wants to go with me.”

“I do not,” she says, pulling away, but he clamps his hand harder, causing her to wince. 

Din is torn between seeing red at the pained expression on her face and the curiosity of this new information- what did he call her? Is that your name? Din holsters his blaster, his hands come to his hips. 

“Fine. It seems to me, Omega doesn’t want to go with you.” Din makes himself take up as much space as he can, and drops his voice further. Surprising himself yet again today, he adds “she wants to come with me.”

Confused and again relieved to be under his helm, for after saying such a presumptuous thing, Din can't keep from wincing just a little. Regardless, he stays in Bounty Hunter mode. The woman pulls away again and walks over to Din. He almost forgets about her assailant, watching her progress. Coming to him. Almost-

“It is Omega’s grace and not mine that you are still standing. I see you again, you won’t be so lucky,” Din says only after he has stepped in front of her, completely shielded her from view. 

When the other man is completely out of view, he turns and looks down at her. She is very close to him, eyes large. He catches a hint of that smell again. His thoughts lose focus-

“Omega,” he almost whispers. 

She looks, he isn't sure, concerned? Disappointed?

Then she tells him her name.

“Oh,” Din chuckles, it’s just a misunderstanding. He is taken aback at how relieved he feels. “I'm sorry- he called you Omega, I just assumed it was your name.”

Now, it is her turn to look confused, but then she smiles. 

“Can I escort you to your home or…”

“I thought I was going with you?” She says, a little cheekily.

Din flusters, but he is so curious about her and his feelings, that he makes no further comment, he just places a hand on her lower back and guides her in the direction of the Razor Crest. 

Grogu starts to fuss, reaching for this virtual stranger.

She looks at the baby and smiles-

“Do you want a carry?” 

Grogu coos and babbles, reaching animatedly.

“I don’t mind, if you don't.”

“Alright,” Din says and brings the satchel around to his front, and she scoops Grogu out. Grogu immediately clings to her shirt, telling a thrilling tale that usually only he, himself understands.  But Din watches her close. She listens in wrapped attention and laughs at seemingly all the right places.

Din can see her looking at him with curiosity, a question on her lips. He has plenty of his own.

The assailant had called her omega, but it's not her name. It stirs memories. He hadn't really thought about Aq Vetina, or the lessons the Mandalorians had taught him about his unique biology in years. 

This woman is not called Omega, she may be and omega. She might have omega physiology, but that would mean he is not what he thought… 

After the battle droid siege that took his parent from him, Din was taken from his homeworld by the Mandalorians before puberty. They understood Aq Vetina was peopled by Alphas, Betas, and Omegas, and knew that even out of their society, Din would have to understand what it all means. They not only taught him about what it is to be any of those designations, but instilled discipline so he would be able to marshal control over the base instincts that can disrupt his ability to function in non-a/b/o society such as the Child of the Watch and much of the galaxy. But not being part of the unique group of people they of course, couldn't tell Din what it felt like.

From what Din understands about it, he has always assumed he must be a beta. But when he thinks about it, he has never knowingly been in the presence of an alpha or an omega, the two designations that would inspire the strongest reactions. 

Lost in thought Din arrives at the Crest before he knows it. The Mandalorian hits a few buttons on his vambrace, lifting the security protocols, and lowering the gangway. He again guides his guest with a light hand on her lower back.

Din knows he should say something… 'welcome' or 'make yourself at home' comes to mind and is nixed immediately. He goes with-

"Watch your step."

She looks around. Her curiosity spurs her on but he can see, no feel, a guardedness too.

He reaches for Grogu, and the baby reaches back, then squawks in indignation when he is placed in his hammock.

"Sorry, Grogu. I'll come get you soon," he says as he presses the button to close the door to the bunk.

When Din turns, she is more apprehensive than curious. It comes off her in waves. He knows he needs to explain, but… he doesn't know exactly what to say.

"I'm not going to hear the end of that for some time."

She gives a small smile.

"I- um…" Din starts and stops, her eyes are so… 

Din takes off his gloves. 

He tries again, taking her hand-

"Aq Vetina is my homeworld, but I was saved after my parents were kiled and taken in by the Mandalorians when I was very young."

Whether she is also from Aq Vetina or just knows of it, he doesn't know, but he can see some recognition. She looks down at his hand on hers, his thumb making circles on her wrist. Her eyes close, and she hums a contented sound. The sound causes fireworks to go off in him. Din breaks away to walk over to a control panel on the wall and shuts down the lights.

You are plunged into darkness. Has your curiosity gotten you into trouble? 

"As a Mandalorian, to protect my creed my face can not be seen by others," he explains from across the hold. "But I want to take off my helmet with you-" 

The dark is absolute, but you can tell where he is from the sound of his voice. Then a hiss and clunk, followed by a soft fwump, fabric maybe. There is a moment of silence, then right in front of you-

"Do you understand why?"

He sounds different, no longer speaking through the helmet. And his scent- you breathe it in. 

"I think so, Alph- you're an alpha," you didn’t plan to whisper.

Din is hit with your scent, now unencumbered by the basic filtration within the helmet. He takes your hand again, bringing your wrist to his nose, inhaling. You know he is restraining himself from going to the scent gland in your neck. But if you are honest with yourself, it's all you want.

Din doesn't know what he is doing, he feels untethered, almost floating. He has never felt this way, his thinking is not confused though, on the contrary it is very clear though it almost feels like someone else's thoughts.

You move closer, bringing your neck so close. Din lowers your hand-

"Can I?"

"Please, Al- Mando"

"Din, please call me Din."

You tip you head to the side, you trust he will only smell, you don't know how you know and that frightens you.

"Alright, Din."

A shiver runs through him, and very slowly, he brings his face to the juncture of your neck and shoulder and inhales deeply. He feels drunk. His training battling with instinct and training all but raises a flag of truce when your nose is buried in his now bare neck, and instinct rumbles its victory. Little does he know that that rumble escapes him until you moan in response. 

"Din," you sigh. His response is quick and desperate, a growl rumbling from his chest and arms wrap tightly around you, as he murmurs your name.

How you got to the large crate you are now sitting on, you aren’t sure. Your feet dangle, legs open with Din standing between them, but he is not pressing against you. His head is tucked against your shoulder as he noses against your scent gland. Your hands in his hair,it's soft and fine. He does nothing without express permission. You have never met an alpha like this. You remind yourself he wasn't raised in a/b/o society, where the hierarchy puts him at the top, so many taught that they can just take what they want, like the alpha behind the cantina. You also can tell he is holding back, keeping instinct in check. And you are torn between incredible respect and wanting him to let go. 

“I want to kiss you, may-”

“I want to kiss you too, Din.”

Din brings his mouth to yours with an urgency that scares him. He wants to live here, right here. He knows he has to marshal himself, take control. But your lips are soft and the sounds you make, he wishes he could see you- 

Suddenly, there is the swoosh of a door to your right and an affronted cry that is as cute as it is furious. You smile, your lips still against his.

“Time’s up, I guess,” Din sighs.

"For now."

THANK YOU FOR READING 💚

You can find more of my writing here, and if you are interested in being tagged for this or any of my other works, here is my taglist form.

[matan4il]

hi quick question: what do u know about the lavender ai post that's circulating? i saw it on this fact checking blog i follow and they made it seem legit but im not convinced

Hi Nonnie!

Before I get into this specific subject, I just wanna tell you that for me personally, this war has been an eye opener about how little some "fact checking" sites are worth. I've read several articles on that type of site, which could have used some fact checking themselves. In some cases, they had author names attached to them, and when checking the authors out, it was easy to find that they were not free of bias themselves. So... yeah. Take "fact checking sites" with a grain of salt. Even journalists sometimes get it wrong, and they're held to higher standards, and have more personal accountability, than most "fact checking sites," not to mention that the latter often simply rely on a selection of journalistic sources, but sometimes without really taking into account which are reliable, and which aren't.

As for the lavender AI issue specifically, I heard it briefly referenced on the news, during a discussion panel, and it was brought up in the context of recent conspiracy theories about Israel. The panelists were so clear on how obviously false these all were, they didn't even really get into refuting any of them.

A bit like how, in the past, when watching panelists discussing antisemitic tropes reincarnated as anti-Israel lies, I saw them bring up the one claiming Israel set up a field hospital in Haiti after the earthquake in order to harvest organs, which is obviously a new version of "the Jews are bloodthirsty" without bothering to refute it, because to Israelis, it's evident that it's bullshit. Not only because we're aware that we're not actually those evil creatures, lusting for death and destruction, that the anti-Israel crowd likes to portray us as, but also because we know that the constant terrorist attacks here have made Israel a world leader in the field of emergency medicine (here's an example: even the antisemitic UN had to admit an IDF unit was the best medical emergency team in the world), so that's the actual reason we set up that field hospital, much like we use our experience to help others in basically every disaster around the world that's willing to accept aid from Israel (and sometimes we operate even in places like Syria, where technically, we're defined as an enemy state, so all of the aid had to be provided directly to private people, and while keeping their identity a secret, so their own government can't presecute them for receiving it).

Anyway, since the TV discussion didn't get into refuting what they clearly saw as an absurd, hateful lie, I went online in search of more info, and found that this news venturing into mainstream media happened in The Guardian, a British news source known for its anti-Israel bias, to the point where a female black, non-Jewish journalist of theirs felt the need to point it out all the way back in 2003, and in Nov 2023, a Jewish employee of theirs had published a personal piece about feeling unsafe there, and looking for another place of employment. But the source that The Guardian is quoting, is actually not a proper journalistic publication, it's an anti-Israel propaganda blog based magazine, which includes Israeli anti-Zionists and Palestinians, publishing in English since its audience is very much not Israelis despite claiming that they want to inspire change in Israel, and responsible for systematically vilifying the country and spreading lies about it.

If I, as an Israeli, thought that something was wrong with a system the IDF is using, and wanted to see real change in my army, I wouldn't go to a publication that isn't journalistic in nature, that doesn't publish in a local language, that most Israelis have never heard about, and that those who did, don't trust, because of its known anti-Israel reputation. That in itself makes me suspicious.

The IDF gave a statement in response to questions presented by The Guardian, based on the aforementioned piece. It's a bit long, but here are the main references to the claimed AI system Lavender (emphasis added by me):

Some of the claims portrayed in your questions are baseless in fact, while others reflect a flawed understanding of IDF directives and international law.

The process of identifying military targets in the IDF consists of various types of tools and methods, including information management tools, which are used in order to help the intelligence analysts to gather and optimally analyze the intelligence, obtained from a variety of sources. Contrary to claims, the IDF does not use an artificial intelligence system that identifies terrorist operatives or tries to predict whether a person is a terrorist. Information systems are merely tools for analysts in the target identification process. According to IDF directives, analysts must conduct independent examinations, in which they verify that the identified targets meet the relevant definitions in accordance with international law and additional restrictions stipulated in the IDF directives.

The “system” your questions refer to is not a system, but simply a database whose purpose is to cross-reference intelligence sources, in order to produce up-to-date layers of information on the military operatives of terrorist organizations. This is not a list of confirmed military operatives eligible to attack.

For each target, IDF procedures require conducting an individual assessment of the anticipated military advantage and collateral damage expected. Such assessments are not made categorically in relation to the approval of individual strikes. The assessment of the collateral damage expected from a strike is based on a variety of assessment methods and intelligence-gathering measures, in order to achieve the most accurate assessment possible, considering the relevant operational circumstances. The IDF does not carry out strikes when the expected collateral damage from the strike is excessive in relation to the military advantage. In accordance with the rules of international law, the assessment of the proportionality of a strike is conducted by the commanders on the basis of all the information available to them before the strike, and naturally not on the basis of its results in hindsight.

The IDF outright rejects the claim regarding any policy to kill tens of thousands of people in their homes.

Some things about the claims in that piece don't work out IMO. Like, the number of fatalities if indeed there's an AI system, which produced a list of 37,000 Hamas and PIJ terrorists, with an automatic green light to kill between 15 to 100 civilians per each, especially in the first months of the war, and even assuming they couldn't target them all during that period of time (we do know most Hamas units have been destroyed). There are about 1,500 terrorists in a Hamas battalion (source in Hebrew), and 4 are left in Rafah, so only about 6,000 Hamas terrorists are in the last area the IDF has not operated in yet. That would mean roughly 31,000 terrorists were accessible targets. Just for the sake of erring on the side of caution, let's assume 10 killed civilians per Hamas terrorist, instead of that piece's claimed 15-100 approved per target. This would produce somewhere around 341,000 people killed in the first months alone. Let's go even lower, let's say 5 civilians killed per terrorist instead of 15-100. That would mean 186,000 killed during those months. We are exactly 6 months into the war, and even Hamas' numbers (likely inflated) don't claim more than 33,000 as the total number of fatalities. The given numbers and directives in that so-called "article" just don't match the reality on the ground, but claim to explain it, and to prove that Israel is being callous with civilians' lives in Gaza.

I'll also add that the AI-based decision making described doesn't take into account the possible presence and harm to the lives of Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza. That's another thing that makes me doubt that piece, because the IDF commanders have repeatedly stated their commitment to bringing back all the hostages, and as many alive as possible, and Israeli soldiers more than once risked their own lives to get them out, whether it was living people, or the bodies of Israelis who deserve to get to be buried back home, with their loved ones there, as in tact as possible. This scenario only works if we assume the Israeli commanders and soldiers have no sentiment for the lives of their own kidnapped civilians.

I guess that's what the piece's aim is. To play on people's fears of AI determining whether people will live or die, and to paint Israel as an evil, unfeeling, bloodthirsty entity, capable of anything, including of the inhumanity of letting computers decide the fate of human beings. The ease and speed with which people believe this, and spread this notion, before anyone has verified that Lavender is anything other than a database, just like the IDF says, feels like a demonstration of how all antisemitic blood libels are spread.

I hope this helped!

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

[ad-nai]

#ＡＤ－ＮＡＩ  is  an  independent,  canon  divergent  &  selective,  hazbin  hotel  multimuse  writing  &  roleplay  blog.  it  features,  in  alphabetic  order:  adam,  alastor,  the  architect  (god),  roo,  rosie,  sera, stolas (test), &  valentino.  documented  by  your  local  degenerate  polymath,  romeo  iscariot  (xe/xem,  mixed  race,  25+,  lgbtqia+)

vivienne  medrano  critical.   established  2024. currently under construction

DEAD  DOVE,  DO  NOT  EAT.   (or  do,  i’m  a  roleplayer,  not  a  cop).   hazbin  hotel  &  the  lore  from  which  is  draws  are  rife  with  taboo  material  that  i  will  not  shy  away  from  in  my  writing.  therefore  i  ask  that  you  do  not  interact  if:  you  are  a  minor,  are  vulnerable  to  sensitive  topics,  or  have  difficulty  differentiating  between  fiction  &  reality.  please  do  not  follow  or  interact  with  the  intent  to  harass  or  self-harm.  specific  content  warnings  differ  between  characters  &  will  be  posted  in  their  respective  abouts.  blog-wide  warnings  for:  abuse  (all  kinds),  mental  illness,  blasphemy,  religious  imagery,  prejudice  (all  kinds),  oppression,  violence,  gore,  war,  &  sexual  content.

affiliated with: @televanghell / @pridemaster, @voxxisms / @condemnedsouls

rules below.

001.  blog  abides  by  roland  barthes’  literary  theory  the  death  of  the  author.  meaning  that  as  far  as  my  interpretation  goes,  i  only  take  what  is  shown  into  consideration.  &  only  so  far  as  it  aligns  with  basic  logic  &  storytelling.   personal  headcanons  &  theories  will  largely  dictate  my  characterization. that  being  said,  i  am  more  than  happy  to  meet  my  fellow  roleplayers  in  the  middle,  particularly  in  regard  to  their  own  theories  or  canon  divergence.

002.  this  blog  is  not  to  be  taken  as  a  condemnation  of  any  religion  or  those  that  practice  it.  while  christianity  serves  as  a  clear  inspiration,  i  also  take  inspiration  from  classical  literature,  hellenism,  judaism,  history,  pop-culture,  folklore,  &  cosmic  horror.  much  of  my  research  on  voodoo  /  voodou  &  hoodoo  come  from  the  works  of  professor  charles  porterfield,  kenaz  filan,  &  several  modern  &  1920s  documentaries  (the  latter  only  used  to  measure  public  opinion).  an  important  note  is  that  alastor  is  no  better  a  representation  of  hoodoo  than  he  is  of  asexuality,  in  that  he’s  terrible  for  both.

003.  inconsistent  activity.  i  work  full-time,  volunteer  part  time,  &  suffer  from  chronic  illness  &  autism.  due  to  any  combination  of  these  factors,  don’t  expect  me  to  respond  in  a  “timely  fashion”.

004.  standard  rp  etiquette  applies.  please  keep  in  mind  that  none  of  these  characters  are  particularly  easy  to  overpower.  when  engaging  in  altercation  based  threads,  it’s  wise  to  plot  out  the  victor  first.  beyond  that  godmodding,  infomodding,  &  other  extreme  power  imbalances  require  prior  consent.  if  you  write  with  the  architect  or  roo  some  amount  of  consent  for  infomodding  is  generally  presumed. otherwise,  harming  or  killing  my  characters  is  generally  fine  provided  it:  serves  a  plot  purpose,  is  an  appropriate  narrative  escalation,  &/or  is  in  line  with  the  behavior  clearly  outlined  for  your  character.

005.   i  don’t  have  any  personal  triggers  in  regard  to  writing.  i  ask,  however,  that  you  avoid  discussing  any  persons  real,  ongoing  delusions  with  me,  politics  &  current  events.  (i  work  a  job  that  requires  me  to  be  both  politically  active  &  informed,  tumblr  is  where  i  go  to  to  turn  off).  do  not  involve  me  or  my  muses  in  any  discussion  involving  kinning,  fictives,  or  endogenic  systems.  i  also  ask  that  you  please  do  not  call  my  alastor  a  w*ndigo  in  any  context  for  cultural  reasons.  i  tag  any  trigger  i  can  think  of,  canon  typical  violence,  cursing  etc.  won’t  generally  be  tagged.  please  let  me  know  if  you  need  something  tagged.  i  tag  val  specifically  as  “romeo’s  val  cw”. in  addition  to  tagging,  if  a  reply  from  me  ever  makes  you  uncomfortable  (even  if  the  boundary  crossed  was  not  pre-established),  you  can  ask  me  to  rewrite  it  &  i  will  do  so  to  the  best  of  my  ability.

006.   ocs  &  crossovers  are  encouraged!  i  have  a  live-action  fc,  a  human  verse  etc.  for  most  of  these  characters.  the  same  goes  for  duplicates!  a  gentle  note  on  archangel  ocs  —  they  will  be  considered  sera’s  equals  at  best  if  not  actively  under  her  will.  sera’s  importance  in  the  angelical  hierarchy  in  heaven  is  emphasized  repeatedly  in  the  series  &  given  the  treatment  of  lucifer  before  he  fell,  i  doubt  that  ‘archangel’  means  much  at  all  to  her.

007.  open  to  shipping,  but  it’s  not  the  main  focus.  polyamorous  ships  may  occur,  but  #ad-nai  is  multiship  (ships  take  place  in  different  verses/times  unless  specified).  please  approach  me  before  involving  my  muse(s)  in  content  involving  non-canon  actual  or  implied  infidelity.  i  won’t  generally  ship  val  x  velvet  (i  view  his  feelings  towards  her  as  paternal),  i  am  unlikely  to  ship  adam  x  charlie  or  adam  x  emily.  my  sera  is  aroace  &  is  unlikely  to  be  shipped  with  anyone.  alastor  asexual  &  is  shipped  extremely  selectively.  the  architect’s  relationship  with  those  he  has  created  is  complicated  &  not  inherently  paternal,  nor  is  it  biological.  while  i  understand  that  mormons  view  his  relationship  with  lucifer  as  that  of  a  father  &  a  rebellious  son,  that  was  not  how  i  was  taught  it  nor  is  it  how  i  perceive  it.  i  generally  default  to  them  having  been  friends,  lucifer  created  as  an  adult  &  for  the  purpose  of  being  a  companion  &  jester.  i  will  default  to  my  writing  partner  for  how  their  relationship  developed  beyond  that  &  abide  it.  but  you  will  see  them  occasionally  written  romantically,  or  more  accurately  as  sad,  bitter,  spurned  exes  on  this  blog.

008.  i  generally  prefer  to  rp  on  tumblr  over  other  platforms  (i.e.,  discord),  but  i  am  willing  to  move  threads  over  if  a  plot  is  deemed  too  triggering  for  dash  or  a  mutual  prefers  writing  nsft  content  in  private.  i  write  with  rich,  literate  formatting  but  will  send  ‘clean’  (unformatted)  versions  of  replies  upon  request.  i  prioritize  threads  over  asks  &  plotted  stories  over  spontaneous  interactions.

my  replies  can  get  lengthy,  so  the  matching  length  isn’t  a  big  deal,  but  the  matching  of  effort  is.   i  don’t  want  to  carry  the  interaction.

009.  please  do  not  steal  /  use  /  take  significant  inspiration  from  my  content  without  getting  permission.   i  actively  run  the  gambit  of  being  anti-fanon  with  my  interpretations  so  I  WILL  KNOW  if  you  do.

010.  graphics  &  psd  by  me.  additional  resources  from,  kaledya_,  ShoutinS,  BlackLeah,  Robin  Z,  snail-pngs.   

like or let me know if you read!

[corporatefrog]

↳˗ˏˋ loose change ˊˎ˗ ↴ level 1 - new beginnings

featuring: an overworked intern traveling to a new town for a new job opportunity notes: the first one AHHH! whenever a chatacter is introduced, they'll have a mini intro in the chapter and be added to the 'characters' page as the story progresses

series masterlist previous level | next level

The sun rose over the peaks of Colorado’s mountains, casting shadows across the rocks as a car sped through the morning light. Fingers with chipped polish and tattered cuticles tapped on the steering wheel. Windows rolled down to let in the fresh breeze and let out the sounds of a local podcast into the empty mountainside. 

"In other news, it seems like the whole food turf war has ramped up again as the environmentalists continue to harass shoppers who buy almond milk-"

"Wait wait wait, I thought almond milk was the good milk? Why are they flipping the script on us the moment we start drinking the stuff?"

"Well, apparently when it’s produced, it’s terrible for the environment."

"So we can’t win?"

"Not unless we start crafting milk in laboratories that don’t use any electricity or water"

"This is why I said breast milk should become the nationwide standard and no one believed me."

"Clyde, you said that while wearing a “Daddy wants Milfy” shirt so excuse everyone for not seeing your genius."

A laugh caught in the driver’s throat, sending them into a coughing fit. They leaned forward into the wheel in an attempt to keep their eyes on the road while clearing the residual shock from the unexpected reveal from their system. 

They turned down the volume to avoid any further surprises while driving on a narrow mountain road. The voices of Jimmy Valmer and Clyde Donavan, host and guest of Walk the Walk with Jimmy Valmer respectively, grew distant as the volume lowered. Another laugh fell from their lips at the thought of what they’d heard. 

“Jesus, what kind of shirt is that and how do I get it?”

—

Name: YN LN

Age: 22

Status: Overworked Intern

Fun Fact: This is you! What’re we doing talking in 3rd person? Be yourself!

—

A chill ran up my spine as I glanced into the rearview mirror. 

I just got the weirdest feeling that someone was watching me and narrating my every movement.

I shook off the thought. Today was not a day for stressors. I’ve already got too much going on to worry about the possibility that someone somehow got into my car when I stopped for gas three hours ago and hasn’t made a single noise since then. Instead, my mind latched onto the reminder that I’d been driving for three hours. 

I groaned, leaning back in my seat in a feeble attempt to stretch my back.

“Why did I agree to this again?” I mumbled to no one in particular.

Because our boss told us to and if we want to turn this internship into a job we’ll do whatever we’re told. Even if it means driving to a nowhere town to try and network. 

Oh yeah, that’s why. What a great reminder. 

As the newest graduate intern at Retro Revolution, my boss tasked me with searching for local businesses that would be interested in renting out the retro arcade games the company owned. I’d be starting in this town for three months then maintaining whatever accounts I managed to open with the businesses I met. It was a huge step towards making a name for myself in the marketing field and I wasn’t planning on coming back empty handed. 

A miniature car chugged along the blue path of my phone’s gps, moving with a neverending vigor that I envied. The timestamp at the bottom of the screen reminded me that I still had another 45 minutes before I’d reach my destination. 

45 minutes is the perfect amount of time to slowly go insane and get lost in the Colorado mountains.

Can we not do this right now?

What? I’m just saying it’s a way to pass the time.

I turned up the car’s audio to drown out my thoughts, preferring to take my chances with whatever the milf lover could come up with over my own mind. 

"No way. You’re joking!"

"I am being 100% serious! They’re opening an arcade in town and they’re all co-owners. I wish I could write something this funny."

My ears tingle at the mention of an arcade. No fucking way. That’s exactly what my boss was looking for! If I could get in with the owners maybe this place can be the perfect way to expand production. I focused on the podcast, listening to the guest begin laughing as he spoke. 

"They’ll kill each other. There’s no way they survive a week."

"Oh absolutely. I already bet Craig fifty bucks they go bankrupt in the first 30 days."

"I want in on that. I’ve got a hundred on them not lasting 20."

"You are so on."

My hopes deflated as the host and his guest continued to joke about the eventual downfall of the business. The one thing that would’ve been worthwhile on this trip and it’s already falling apart. 

Feels like a sign of what’s to come. 

I push back the negative thoughts, focusing my attention back on the road ahead. It doesn’t matter if they’re bad business owners. I’ll just have to show them how a real business is run. And then make sure they keep running it that way for the duration of my trip. And then make sure they stay open after I’m gone so the one contact I bring in doesn’t immediately burst into flames the moment I’m not micromanaging.  

I sighed, deflating slightly in my seat. 

This is going to be harder than I thought. 

A change in scenery caught my attention. The mountains began to fall into rolling fields with mounds of melting snow morphing into a slush along the sides of the road. In the distance, houses began to rise as if being erected from the ground itself. 

A voice chimed from my phone, “In 2 miles, your destination will be on your left.”

I sat up straighter in my seat, hoping to catch the best first view of the town I’d be staying in for the next three months. As I grew closer, a sign came into view with the town’s name scrawled messily over some old wood.

Fucking finally. I thought as my car pulled past the sign and into the town of South Park.

taglist [reply to be added]:@n0tangeliccc , @valstarroz , @kenanonsthoughts , @axteroiid , @hand-writxen , @that-kid-fromtheplayground  , @woahnotmecryingoverafanfiction, @h3artilly, @sula0kin

[jaspreet1727]

Week #12 Progress

What Is Working?

We have made significant progress in various areas of our professional car detailing service. Our major achievements include:

Successful Launch: We launched the business within our 14-week timeline.

User-Friendly Booking App: The development and implementation of our mobile app have been pivotal. It has streamlined the booking process, increased customer convenience, and differentiated us from competitors.

Secured Key Clients: We've attracted individual car owners, car rental companies, and local auto dealerships, ensuring a steady stream of business.

Positive Feedback and Repeat Business: Our commitment to quality service has resulted in positive feedback and repeat customers, enhancing our reputation.

Exceeding Revenue Targets: We surpassed our revenue goals by 15%, validating our business model and execution strategies.

What Is Not Working?

Despite these successes, we've encountered some challenges:

Initial Customer Acquisition: Breaking into a competitive market was tough. Although our introductory discounts and superior service helped, it took time to build our customer base.

Operational Efficiency: Managing multiple bookings and ensuring timely service delivery was challenging. Our scheduling system helped, but there's room for improvement in logistics.

Quality Control: Ensuring consistent high-quality service required regular training and quality checks, which was resource-intensive.

How Do You Feel the Project Is Coming?

Overall, I feel very positive about the project's progress. We've built a strong foundation, achieved profitability, and learned valuable lessons along the way. The business is on a solid trajectory, with clear potential for further growth and expansion.

What Are You Learning About Running a Business?

Running this business has been a crash course in entrepreneurship, teaching me several critical lessons:

Adaptability: The need to pivot and adjust strategies based on market feedback is crucial.

Customer Focus: Prioritizing customer satisfaction and building long-term relationships are essential for sustained success.

Effective Marketing: A well-rounded marketing strategy, combining digital and traditional methods, is key to customer acquisition and brand recognition.

Operational Management: Efficient logistics and quality control systems are vital for maintaining service standards and customer satisfaction.

What Are You Learning About Yourself?

This journey has been as much about personal growth as it has been about business development:

Resilience: I've learned to remain resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks, using them as opportunities for growth and learning.

Leadership: Managing a team and ensuring smooth operations have enhanced my leadership skills.

Strategic Thinking: Balancing short-term goals with long-term vision has sharpened my strategic planning abilities.

Continuous Improvement: Embracing a mindset of continuous learning and improvement has been vital in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, this venture has been a rewarding and educational experience. We've met our financial objectives and gained invaluable insights into running a business. The skills and knowledge acquired during this journey will undoubtedly benefit future entrepreneurial endeavors. I look forward to applying these lessons in my ongoing and future ventures.

[drcyrusbortel]

Fun With Scissors

Ship: Starco Summary: Marco and Star give their scissors a spin - and see what the universe can serve up. Experimental

=/= This author does not own the Star vs the Forces of Evil franchise. This story was written for personal amusement.

=/=

Night fell over Mewni (that is, the part of Mewni facing away from the local star). Curtains of glowing aurorae shimmered green, violet, and yellow across the star-studded sky, giving the magical land an appropriately magical air. Behind the aurorae, the glowing crescents of two small silver moons, the bloated, gargantuan disk of an ice giant planet, and the giant planet’s rocky ring system dominated the heavens.

Marco took a deep breath as he took in the view from his perch atop one of Butterfly Castle’s many onion domes. While small by the standards of gassy planets – no bigger than Uranus or Neptune, he estimated – the sheer proximity of “Overhead”, the ice giant Mewni orbited, was such that it took up a huge, spectacular swathe of sky. It was about fifty times the diameter of a full moon over Earth.

“Uhh… Marco? I know you’re the one who usually asks about this, but are you sure this is safe?”

Marco turned to his friend and master, clad in a spacesuit emblazoned with the Quest Buy logo. Marco cleared his throat, and put on his own space helmet.

“Relax, Star. We’ll do this step by step. As long as we follow my twenty-step procedure, nothing can go wrong. And step 17. Radio check. Good.”

Star rolled her eyes. “Marco. You have dimensional scissors. We can go literally anywhere! We could go to the Goblin Dog truck, the sandwich place, even the weird place where cats have human faces… but no… you want to go to Foggy, Brownie, and all the boring balls of rock in the sky.” She pointed at the two moons over the horizon.

“Star, I know what we’re doing.” He kicked his Quest Buy™ shipping crate, and ticked another item off his checklist. 

“Marco. Everyone who’s ever tried to go to the things in the sky has gotten sucked into their portals screaming. And we’ve looked thorough their portals. There’s nothing to see on Foggy or Brownie but grey rock. And don’t get me started on trying to go to Overhead! The portals blow up, poison gas comes out and suffocates everyone, and the poison gas blows up! You know what all these things have in common? Blowing up!”

“Star. As your squire, I can assure you that I what we’re doing. Now, step 19: can you please put up a bubble?”

Star sighed. “Okay… okay…” She began to mutter. “But when this blows up in our faces, remember: It was your idea.” She waved her wand. “Indestructible bubble blast!”

“Foggy, here we come!” Marco cut a tiny hole with his scissors. A whistling noise filled the air, grew softer, and cut out entirely as the bubble’s air escaped into space. Marco checked both their suits, and gave Star a thumbs-up.

 He widened the rift in spacetime, and stepped through. Star followed.

A magnificently desolate landscape greeted her. Endless grey sand dunes stretched towards an oddly near horizon. Small craters pockmarked the blasted landscape.

A pitch-black, star-studded sky vaulted high above, dominated by the glowing crescent of Overhead.

Star crossed her arms. “Ugh. At least the beaches in the underworld have the Solrise. See, Marco? Grey dirt, grey rock, black sky. We’ve seen everything. Can we go now?”

Much to her surprise, Marco leapt six feet into the air as he bounded across the landscape. “I, Marco Diaz, am the first man to walk on this moon! One small step for a man, one giant leap for…”

Star ignored Marco’s celebratory ranting, and took an experimental jump.

Wow. Twelve feet. Without magic. She was bored.

Marco had finished attaching the stiffening wires to his flag, and had taken a camera out for a selfie.

“Uhh… Marco? Other than taking selfies with a star-spangled banner, what exactly is there to do here?”

Marco gestured at the desolate landscape.

“Look around. This is the perfect place to practice magic.”

“Hmmm…” Star squinted her eyes in puzzlement as she scanned the moonscape.

Marco groaned. “There is nothing here you could possibly destroy by accident.”

“Oh! Yeah! Totally, totally, totally! This would be a perfect place to try out my new Sunlight Blast!”

Star blasted an intense beam of green light at a nearby ridge. She missed by a mile, instead blasting a large boulder into glowing slag. “Eh. Color’s still off.”

Star tried again, missing twice. She groaned, morphed into battle form (still clad in her suit), soared skywards, and blasted away until she finally hit the target.

Marco walked over to the portal, pulled out a Quest Buy super-spyglass, and turned it skyward. “Woo-hoo! No atmosphere, no distortions! I can even see the cloudtops on the ice giant! Oh, I see Mewni! Monster village looks quiet. Oh, Butterfly Castle! A little blurry, but it can’t be helped. What’s your dad doing… Arrgh! Huh. That’s our bubble.” Intrigued, he walked over to the portal.

Star followed his gaze, and looked up at the sky.

A small blue orb, flecked with streaks of white and patches of green, looked back at her. “Uhh… Marco? Is that… Mewni?”

Marco stepped through the portal into the bubble atop Butterfly Castle, waved his arms, stepped back onto Foggy, and pointed his spyglass toward Mewni. “Yep. That’s home.” The Marco Diaz in the bubble, plainly visible through his spyglass, waved his arms before stepping through a portal. “That’s me from five seconds ago. I got back here by portal before the light that bounced off me got here by travelling through space!”

Star’s eyes misted over as she surveyed her world. “Aww.... It’s so cute. So small. So lonely. Why are all of us squabbling all the time over that little blue marble? Okay, I’m bored.” She flipped through her notebook of spells. “Oh! I’ve never had the guts to try this one on Mewni before!” Star took aim at a nearby boulder. “Really Fast Tungsten Dart!”

Travelling at six kilometers per second, a tungsten dart the size of a large dog shot out of her wand and noiselessly smashed into a nearby boulder, rending it in two.

“Yeah!”

The scarred boulder sprouted limbs, spun to face Star, and began advancing menacingly towards her.

 “Uh-oh.”

“Heh. I’m on two planets at once.” Marco stuck his left arm through his end of the portal, keeping the rest of his body firmly planted on the grey regolith of Foggy. Through his super-spyglass, Marco carefully watched as his spacesuit-clad left arm emerged from a portal atop Butterfly Castle. He turned on his helmet recorder.

“Here we go. According to the speed-of-light-measurer, light travels at around 0.3 million kilometers per second in this dimension, just like it does on Earth. And the magic rangefinder says Mewni is about 1.8 million kilometers away, so the light should take six seconds to get here.”

He dropped his arm. “I drop my arm, and wait two… three…

Star slowly backed away as boulders came to life all around her. “Uh… Marco! We have a problem!!”

“Hang on, Star!” He looked at his timer. “five… six…” On the spyglass, Marco’s arm dropped.  “Yes! It takes precisely zero seconds to portal to Mewni and back! Star! Do you know travel through portals is faster than light…” He finally noticed the small army of grey, rocky trolls surrounding them.

“Oh, boy.”

The nearest troll roared noiselessly, and charged.

Star unleashed a barrage of magic at the first rank of trolls, blasting them to pieces with tungsten darts or knocking them over with magical one-tonne adult narwhals.

“Star! You can fly!”

“Oh, yeah.” Star picked up Marco, and soared skywards, leaving behind a rapidly shrinking moon. “So long, suckers!”

Marco’s eyes widened in amazement. “Star? According to this, you’re going ten thousand kilometers per second. That’s three percent of the speed of light.”

“Huh. I don’t think I can do that in a place with air.”

Marco recalled the fiery streak across the sky Star had made while sleep-portalling across the multiverse.

“No. I guess you’re limited by compression heating in an atmosphere. Really fast things compress a lot of air in front of them, and that gives off a lot of heat.”

Star frowned, and began moving back towards their outpost. “Speaking of air, I think we left our portal open.”

Marco observed the rapidly approaching moon, eyed his small bag of moon rocks, smirked, and dropped the bag. “Got it covered.”

A brilliant flash of light lit up their encampment.

=/=

Star stared, slack-jawed, at the field of soft, slightly molten glass that had replaced their outpost. Marco stared in amazement at the intact crate of Quest Buy merchandise.

“Marco? How…”

Marco shrugged. “Fast-moving objects kill. A one-kilo rock dropped at ten million meters per second packs fifty trillion joules of kinetic energy. That’s about a Hiroshima bomb’s worth. Normal space rocks are nowhere near as fast, but they can be a lot bigger.”

“Wow. Those trolls are… totally toast.” She inspected a molten blob. “I think this was a troll once. I never knew going super-fast could be so… destructive.”

Marco rubbed his chin as he inspected Star’s wings.

“Uhh… Marco? Personal space.”

Marco nodded, and backed away. “How fast do you think you can go?”

Star grinned. “I don’t mean to brag, but I made three percent of the speed of light without breaking a sweat. I’m pretty sure I can beat light.”

Marco shook his head. “Nope. Nothing beats light. Going faster than light allows for time travel, violation of cause and effect, and basically rips up all of physics – which needs cause and effect to work.”

Star rolled her eyes. “You just said portalling is faster-than-light.”

“Mmm-hmm. But I still bet you can’t fly faster than light.”

Star grinned savagely. “Let’s find out.”

[williszhang]

Anti-book bans

You may have heard of book bans, but some states and counties like our local school system have proactively enacted an "anti-book ban." This is a ban on bans, and within the school system, this means parents cannot opt their children out of curriculum with LGBTQ-inclusive texts.

Personality-wise, I love the idea of anti-book bans. Instead of libraries and BOEs being on the defensive from relentless conservative networks, they flip the story and assert the authority and leverage they've had all along. "If you don't like it, tough nuts, we're gonna give kids the opportunity to be more open-minded than you."

From the school board's perspective, I think it is appropriate, if not understandable, to equate this moment to school integration. Back then schools faced the wrath of angry parents, but the right thing to do was to keep letting the schools integrate. 

The message that kids see when they see parents openly protesting is "I am not okay with gay people." People of course have religious convictions against homosexuality. But parents should do well to tread carefully in the manner of how they discuss sexual identity, with LGBT youths from religious family backgrounds having higher risk of suicide. Sayings like "your identity is in Christ and not in being gay" are trite in the same way of "your identity is in Christ and not in being Chinese," because things like race and sex are so profound to our lived experiences that, yes, in theory Christian identity is rooted in Christ, but we minimize the beauty of imago dei by minimizing our particularities.

If we take the evangelical position that being gay is a distortion of the Christian sex ethic, there is still beauty in the distortion. For every gay or gender disphoric person who calls to Jesus, in evangelical lexicon, God is glorified to an even greater extent than a comfortably cis gendered person, because the weakness of man is the boasting in Christ. 

My personality does run contrarian, and that was one of the main appeals of being a Christian in the first place. "Society seems to be fluid or contradictory in gauging what's right and wrong, but God has a clear standard." So for religious parents, they could see this as a discipleship opportunity to have engaging and close conversations with their kids while gaining credibility that they aren't scared and are open to hearing and loving all people.

I am biased to the public school system. The hands-off approach of my parents wouldn't have served me well in areas like sex, drugs, and other sensitive health topics, but thankfully the schools were the safety net to give me really positive and practical information on how to navigate those things. In their message to parents, they cite research showing that "inclusive materials are a key component of a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students and increase positive psychosocial and educational outcomes." This honestly should be a shared goal across the community and I appreciate the system for the good faith effort.

[jaymesbkr]

General Device Maintenance for Windows

It is common for people to think they need a new laptop or desktop after a few years of use, and it is running slow. However, I’m going to show you a few tricks that I have perfected over the years to help a machine run in tip top shape. These are especially great to do after you have been uninstalling and reinstalling video games on them or just general use from office activity. These are, in my professional experience, the General Maintenance your company should be running on their Windows machines once a year, but probably is not…

-Work Machine-

Please note that for any commands I’m referencing to with quotes, you will not enter the quotes, it’s just the industry standard when specifying a string of data. We’ve all been there, on a work machine and it’s locked down on the permissions. Great news, you can run “gpupdate /force” (Group Policy Update) from Command Prompt. It’s pretty fast and either works or gives you an error that you can screenshot and send to your Service Desk, saving a ton of time. Fundamentally what it does is checks with your company’s server to make sure your computer follows the parameters of the domain. It’s typically the first thing your IT person will run and can be done with any account.

-Personal Machine-

If you haven’t already done it, you should uninstall any Bloatware. This is software that came on your computer when you got it, you don’t necessarily need or use it and it doesn’t seem to contribute to how your computer runs the way you are going to use it. Navigate to the “uninstall a program” area of your Control Panel and you will see the list, then just right click > uninstall (sometimes with stuff like Office there is a “Repair” option). If you see “Wave Browser” while in the control panel you will want to get rid of that at once and run a malware scan; actually, if you see any program you don’t recognize, Google it and/or the publisher to check that it’s legitimate or see what it does. (Note: modern browsers have Java built in, you no longer need it installed on your machine.) You may also have to do it from what we used to call the “Start” area and have no idea why they changed it, er the windows icon and “All Apps”.

-Light Clean-

Clearing your temp folders might seem like it’s not that important, but the closer your SSD drive gets to 50% the slower it performs. This is the random cache your computer stores during regular use of moving files, installing programs, error logs…etc. You’d be surprised at just how junked up they can get, I’ve seen them take up to 8GB worth of data.

From any account: Go to start > Run and type in “%temp%”. (The actual path is “C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp”)

With administrative rights, follow the same steps but instead type “temp”.(“C:\Windows\Temp”)

-Update Drivers-

If it’s not one thing, it’s the drivers. Easiest way you can check is to look for a caution mark on one of the listed items in the Device Manger; you might have to drop down the tree. These are the kernel code that binds your operating system and programs with the motherboard. You can set them to auto update, but sometimes the list doesn’t synchronize. Some laptops such as Lenovo have a program that you can download from their website or find in the Microsoft Store like “Lenovo Vantage” and it can be ran from a user account. If you want to look for them yourself the command is: “wmic bios get serialnumber”. The top two to look for and download if they have a newer version are the BIOS and Firmware/Chipset Management Engine.

-More in Depth Commands-

(You will need administrative rights)

Similar to Linux there are terminal commands that are native to the Windows environment that you can run to improve your system. To run these, go to start > Command Prompt > right click > run as administrator:

#1 System File Checker = "sfc /scannow"

This one will take roughly 10 minutes but it’s safe to use the machine while it runs; however, I wouldn’t install anything while it goes. It basically goes through your filesystem and makes sure everything lines up the way it should be, the right system files point to the correct location and there’s no junk files that shouldn’t be there linking to something else. This is just layman’s term, and feel free to look into it more but I assure you it’s perfectly fine to run even if you don’t know what you’re doing.

#2 DISM = "dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth"

It can take 15 to 45 minutes, depending on how bad your machine is, but again it’s safe to use while it runs. This connects with the Microsoft servers responsible for updates and ensures that your operating systems image matches the lines of code it should have. You can actually do a lot with dism commands.

#3 Check Disk = "chkdsk /f /r /x" (stands for: find, repair, dismount)

Please note that you will not be able to use the machine until it’s finished running and it can take up to an hour. It should automatically restart your machine after entering it so make sure to save and close everything beforehand. It sometimes gets stuck at “100%, please do not turn off or restart your machine”, but it’s safe to hard reset (press the power button or pull cord). This checks your hard drive for any irregularities and makes sure nothing is corrupt or damaged. There are several ways to run this, however this is the one I find most useful as it runs it at a very low level right after bios when it is loading the kernel (code that makes hardware talk to software).

#4 Cipher = "cipher /w:c:\"

This one will take a while, like up to 2 hours, and I wouldn’t plan on using it, so it goes faster. For when you drastically want to really clean your hard drive to sell or donate This command wipes the dark void of the strange quarks files turn into after the recycling bin. Basically, preventing anyone from restoring anything you deleted and maximizing the free space available in some parts per million way. — And that’s pretty much it! There are a few snazzy programs that I will leave below to help keep your computer stay in shape and safe. Other than that, Congratulations!!! You could be an entry level IT person now.

Noteworthy programs: ATF Cleaner, JRT Remover, Glary Utilities, CCleaner and Malwarebytes

[milwaukee2024]

How to Spot Red Flags When Selling Your Home for Cash

Selling your home for cash can be a quick and efficient process, especially when you need to move or access funds urgently. However, not all cash home buyers are created equal. Knowing how to identify trustworthy companies and avoid potential scams is crucial. Here, we share tips on spotting red flags when considering a cash home sale and ensuring you have a smooth experience with reputable cash home buyers in Milwaukee.

1. Overly High Offers Without Inspection

One common red flag is a cash buyer offering an unusually high price for your home without seeing it in person. While a competitive offer is desirable, legitimate buyers usually conduct at least a brief inspection or assessment before making an offer. If a buyer claims to buy houses sight unseen, be cautious. At Sell Your House Fast Milwaukee, we believe in transparency, ensuring that our offers are realistic and backed by a property evaluation.

2. Pressure Tactics and Rushed Contracts

Legitimate cash home buyers in Milwaukee won’t pressure you into making quick decisions. Be wary of buyers who demand you sign contracts immediately or who use aggressive tactics to rush the sale. It’s important to have time to read and understand any agreement thoroughly. Trustworthy companies prioritize your comfort and understanding throughout the process.

3. Lack of Credentials and Reviews

When considering a buyer, check their credentials. Reliable cash buyers often have verifiable business licenses, an established website, and a track record of successful purchases. Searching for “we buy houses Milwaukee” online should yield information about their reputation, including customer reviews. Absence of reviews or an online presence could be a red flag.

Sell My House Fast Milwaukee is a keyword that should lead to reputable companies known for transparent and ethical services. Be sure to research customer experiences and testimonials. Positive feedback from previous clients is a good indicator of reliability.

4. Unclear Payment Methods

Legitimate cash home buyers in Milwaukee will clearly outline their payment methods and schedules. Be cautious if a buyer wants to pay you via non-standard or untraceable methods. Trusted companies will use secure, traceable payment systems, such as bank transfers or certified checks, ensuring you receive your funds promptly and safely.

5. No Local Presence

Cash home buying can be a local business, and reputable buyers often know the area well. If the company you’re dealing with has no local connections or operates only online, take a step back. Companies like Sell Your House Fast Milwaukee understand the local market and tailor their services to fit homeowners' needs.

6. Unusually Complicated Contracts

Contracts should be straightforward and easy to understand. If a buyer’s contract is overly complicated or contains ambiguous language, this could be a red flag. Be especially wary if the contract includes hidden fees or clauses that lock you into unfavorable terms. Legitimate buyers, such as cash home buyers Milwaukee companies, will provide clear contracts with all terms explicitly stated.

7. Upfront Fees

Authentic cash buyers don’t ask for any upfront fees to initiate a purchase. If a potential buyer asks for money for processing, inspection, or other services, this is a major red flag. Reputable companies cover these costs themselves and only finalize the sale after all parties agree on the terms.

Final Thoughts

Selling your home for cash is an appealing option, but it’s important to know who you’re working with. By following these tips and choosing reputable cash buyers like Sell Your House Fast Milwaukee, you can avoid scams and ensure a seamless, honest transaction. Always remember to do thorough research, ask questions, and trust your instincts. When you work with a transparent and experienced company, selling your home can be fast, secure, and stress-free.

[car-transport-services-delhi]

Car Transport Services in Delhi: Reliable Solutions for Secure Vehicle Relocation

Delhi, a bustling metropolis, is a major hub for relocation services, including car transport. Whether you’re moving within Delhi or to a distant city, finding a dependable car transport service is essential to ensure a hassle-free experience. This guide explores the different types of car transport services in Delhi, average costs, tips for selecting the right provider, and some top-rated options for a safe and smooth vehicle relocation.

Advantages of Professional Car Transport Services in Delhi

Hiring a professional car transport service offers several benefits:

Safety and Protection: Experienced car movers have the right equipment and expertise to securely handle vehicle transport.

Time-Efficiency: Professional transporters save time, especially for long-distance relocations.

Insurance Coverage: Reputable companies provide insurance options, protecting your car during transit.

Types of Car Transport Services Available in Delhi

Delhi offers a range of car transport options catering to different needs and budgets:

Open Car Transport: The most common and budget-friendly option, where cars are transported on open trailers. Ideal for standard cars, though it exposes the vehicle to weather.

Enclosed Car Transport: Enclosed trailers provide additional protection from weather and road debris, making them a preferred option for luxury, vintage, or expensive cars.

Door-to-Door Transport: This option offers maximum convenience, with your vehicle picked up from and delivered directly to your specified addresses.

Terminal-to-Terminal Transport: A cost-effective option where cars are dropped off and picked up from specified terminals.

Cost of Car Transport in Delhi

Car transport costs in Delhi depend on factors like distance, vehicle type, and the chosen service. Below is an estimated range for various services:

Local Transport (within Delhi NCR): ₹3,000 to ₹7,000.

Delhi to Nearby Cities (e.g., Chandigarh, Jaipur): ₹8,000 to ₹12,000.

Interstate Transport (e.g., Delhi to Mumbai, Bangalore): ₹15,000 to ₹25,000, depending on distance.

Note: Enclosed transport typically costs 30-50% more than open transport due to the added protection.

Tips for Choosing the Right Car Transport Service in Delhi

To find the best provider, consider the following:

Request Multiple Quotes: Comparing quotes helps you find the most competitive price for the desired service.

Check for Licenses and Insurance: Ensure the company is licensed, and clarify insurance coverage to secure your vehicle.

Review Customer Feedback: Read reviews on Google, social media, and other review platforms for insights into reliability and service quality.

Inquire About Tracking Services: Many transport companies offer GPS tracking, allowing you to monitor your car’s journey in real-time.

Preparing Your Car for Transport

Preparing your vehicle for transport ensures a smooth experience. Follow these steps:

Document Pre-Existing Conditions: Take photos of your car, documenting any existing damage.

Remove Personal Belongings: Clear your car of all personal items, as most transport companies do not insure these.

Reduce Fuel to About 25%: A lighter fuel load reduces vehicle weight for transport.

Disable Alarm Systems: This prevents accidental triggering during transit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How long does it take to transport a car from Delhi to another city? A: On average, local transport takes 1-2 days, while interstate moves can range from 3 to 10 days, depending on the destination.

Q2: Can I leave items in my car during transport? A: Most companies advise against leaving personal items as they aren’t covered by insurance, and it may increase the transport cost.

Q3: Is door-to-door transport more expensive than terminal-to-terminal? A: Yes, door-to-door transport is generally pricier due to the added convenience of picking up and delivering at specified addresses.

Conclusion

Finding reliable car transport services in Delhi involves researching companies, understanding service options, and ensuring your car’s protection throughout the journey. With professional handling, transparent pricing, and insurance options, the right car transport company can make relocating your vehicle both safe and hassle-free. With these tips, you’ll be well-prepared for a smooth car transport experience in or from Delhi.

[smart-heating-hub-ltd]

Find a Local Boiler Installer Near You: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Professional

When it comes to maintaining a warm and comfortable home, having a reliable boiler is essential. But, finding a local boiler installer who is trustworthy, experienced, and affordable can be a daunting task. Whether you’re looking to replace an old boiler or install a new one, this guide will help you navigate the process of finding the perfect local boiler installer near you.

Why Choose a Local Boiler Installer?

Opting for a local boiler installer has numerous advantages. Local professionals are often more familiar with the specific requirements of homes in your area, including local regulations, climate considerations, and the types of heating systems that are most effective. Additionally, hiring someone local typically means quicker response times, better aftercare service, and the potential for a more personalized approach.

How to Find a Local Boiler Installer

Word of Mouth: One of the most reliable ways to find a trusted local boiler installer is through recommendations from friends, family, or neighbors. People you know are likely to provide honest feedback about their experiences with local professionals.

Online Reviews and Ratings: Websites like Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Checkatrade allow you to read reviews from other customers. Pay close attention to the overall ratings, but also take the time to read through individual reviews to get a sense of the installer’s reliability, quality of work, and customer service.

Local Directories: Many communities have local business directories that list trusted tradespeople, including boiler installers. These directories often include contact information, services offered, and sometimes reviews.

Social Media and Community Forums: Local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and other community forums can be excellent resources for finding recommendations. Often, people will share their experiences and suggest reliable local installers.

Manufacturer Recommendations: Some boiler manufacturers offer lists of approved or certified installers. These professionals are trained to install their specific products, ensuring that the installation is done according to the manufacturer’s standards.

What to Look for in a Local Boiler Installer

Once you’ve identified a few potential installers, it’s important to evaluate them based on specific criteria to ensure you’re choosing the right professional for the job.

Certification and Licensing: Always check that the installer is certified and licensed to work in your area. In the UK, for example, gas boiler installers must be registered with Gas Safe, which ensures they are qualified to work safely with gas appliances.

Experience: Experience is a key factor in choosing a boiler installer. An installer with several years of experience is likely to have encountered a wide range of installation scenarios and will be better equipped to handle any challenges that arise.

Insurance: Ensure that the installer has adequate insurance coverage. This protects you in case of accidental damage to your property or if any issues arise during the installation process.

Transparent Pricing: A good installer will provide a clear and detailed quote before beginning any work. Be wary of vague estimates or quotes that seem too good to be true, as these can sometimes lead to unexpected costs down the line.

Warranty and Aftercare: A reputable installer should offer a warranty on their work and provide aftercare services in case any issues arise post-installation. This gives you peace of mind knowing that the installer stands by their work.

Questions to Ask a Potential Boiler Installer

Before making your final decision, it’s important to ask potential installers a few key questions:

What experience do you have with installing my specific type of boiler? Different boilers have different installation requirements, so it’s crucial that the installer is familiar with your chosen model.

Can you provide references from previous customers? Speaking with former customers might help you better understand what to expect.

What is included in your quote? Make sure you know exactly what services are included in the price, such as removal of the old boiler, system flushing, and any additional parts that may be needed.

How long will the installation take? Knowing the projected timeline allows you to plan properly.

Do you offer maintenance services? Regular maintenance is key to ensuring your boiler operates efficiently and has a long lifespan. Ask if the installer offers maintenance packages or services.

The Importance of Getting Multiple Quotes

It’s always a good idea to get quotes from at least three different installers. This not only gives you a sense of the going rate for the installation but also allows you to compare what each installer offers in terms of service, warranty, and aftercare.

When comparing quotes, don’t just focus on the price. Consider the value each installer offers. For instance, one installer might be slightly more expensive but includes a longer warranty or better aftercare services, which could save you money in the long run.

Finalizing Your Choice

Once you’ve done your research, compared quotes, and asked the right questions, you should have a good idea of which local boiler installer is the best fit for your needs. Before signing any contracts, make sure to read through all the terms and conditions carefully, and don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on anything you don’t understand.

Conclusion

Finding the right local boiler installer doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that you choose a qualified, experienced, and trustworthy professional who will install your boiler safely and efficiently. Remember, a well-installed boiler is crucial to the comfort and safety of your home, so take the time to make the right choice.

With the right installer, you’ll enjoy the benefits of a warm, energy-efficient home for years to come.

Smart Heating Hub

sales@smartheatinghub.com

[health-products-mns3]

Ultimate OFF-GRID Generator 

Powering My Independence: A Review of the Ultimate Off-Grid Generator

Living off the grid has always held a certain allure for me – the freedom, self-reliance, and connection with nature. But the initial hurdle of reliable power generation seemed daunting. Then, I stumbled upon the Ultimate Off-Grid Generator, and it's become the cornerstone of my dream becoming a reality.

A Pioneering Approach to Off-Grid Power

The Ultimate Off-Grid Generator isn't your standard gas-powered generator. It's a revolutionary blueprint that empowers you to create your own renewable energy source. This blueprint details the construction of a hybrid system harnessing the power of both solar and wind energy. The prospect of generating clean, sustainable electricity for my off-grid haven resonated deeply with me, and the detailed instructions made the concept seem achievable.

From Blueprint to Powerhouse: Building the Generator

While I'm no electrical engineer, the Ultimate Off-Grid Generator blueprint is surprisingly user-friendly. It provides clear, step-by-step instructions with detailed diagrams and component lists. The use of readily available materials made sourcing everything I needed relatively straightforward. Following the blueprint meticulously, I was able to construct the generator myself, gaining a valuable sense of accomplishment and a deeper understanding of how the system works.

Reliable and Sustainable Power Generation

Since completing the Ultimate Off-Grid Generator, I've been consistently impressed by its performance. The combination of solar panels and a wind turbine ensures a reliable source of power, even on cloudy or low-wind days. The system charges a battery bank, allowing me to store excess energy for use at night or during times of lower power generation. This level of self-sufficiency has provided me with the peace of mind that comes from knowing I'm not reliant on the traditional power grid.

A Scalable System for Growing Needs

The beauty of the Ultimate Off-Grid Generator is its scalability. The blueprint outlines how to expand the system by adding additional solar panels or wind turbines as my energy needs grow. This flexibility allows me to adapt the system to my current requirements and future plans, ensuring I have the power I need for a comfortable and functional off-grid lifestyle.

A Rewarding DIY Project and Sustainable Choice

Building the Ultimate Off-Grid Generator was a rewarding experience in itself. The sense of accomplishment from creating my own power source is unmatched. Beyond the personal satisfaction, the system provides clean, sustainable energy, minimizing my environmental footprint and aligning with my desire to live a more eco-conscious life.

Disclaimer

It's important to note that I'm not a professional electrician. While the blueprint is detailed, consulting with a qualified electrician for guidance and safety protocols is crucial before embarking on this project. Additionally, local regulations regarding off-grid power generation may vary, so ensure you comply with any necessary permits or approvals.

Empowering My Off-Grid Dream

The Ultimate Off-Grid Generator has been a game-changer for my off-grid aspirations. It's provided me with the means to generate clean, reliable power, empowering me to live a self-sufficient and sustainable life. The detailed blueprint, scalability, and focus on renewable energy make it an excellent choice for anyone considering an off-grid adventure. If you're looking to break free from the grid and embrace a more sustainable future, the Ultimate Off-Grid Generator is an excellent starting point.pen_sparktunesharemore_vert

[ssw001]

Discover the Best Ayurvedic Clinics in Chennai: A Comprehensive Guide

Discovering the best Ayurvedic clinics in Chennai requires a combination of understanding what Ayurveda offers and knowing how to discern the quality and credibility of various clinics. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, offers holistic treatment with an emphasis on preventing disease and maintaining health through lifestyle practices and natural therapies. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you find the top Ayurvedic clinics in Chennai:

1. Research and Listings:

Start by conducting an online search for well-reviewed Ayurvedic clinics in Chennai. Websites like Justdial, Practo, and Google My Business can provide listings, along with ratings and reviews.

Consider looking into healthcare portals and Ayurvedic association websites that might list accredited or well-recognized clinics.

2. Check Accreditation:

Verify if the clinic is registered with the Ayurvedic Medical Association or any other relevant authority. Accreditation ensures that the clinic meets certain standards of care and service.

Look for clinics that are well-established and have a track record of professionalism and success in treatments.

3. Expertise and Specialization:

Investigate the qualifications and experience of the Ayurvedic practitioners in the clinic. Ensure they have legitimate degrees (BAMS - Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery or higher).

Some clinics may specialize in treating specific conditions or offer specialized therapies. Choose a clinic that aligns with your health needs or interests.

4. Consultation Approach:

Good Ayurvedic practice involves thorough consultation to understand the individual's unique body constitution (Prakriti) and imbalance (Vikriti). See if the clinic offers a comprehensive initial consultation.

Personalized treatment plans are a hallmark of Ayurvedic treatment. Ensure the clinic provides tailored treatment plans for their patients.

5. Treatments and Therapies Offered:

Check the range of treatments and therapies the clinic offers, such as Panchakarma, Shirodhara, Abhyanga, etc., and whether they use traditional methods and medicines.

The quality of the materials (oils, herbs, etc.) used in the treatments is crucial. Find out if they use organic, high-quality ingredients.

6. Facilities and Environment:

The clinic's environment should be clean, peaceful, and conducive to relaxation and healing. If possible, visit the clinic to assess its hygiene and ambiance.

The clinic should have well-maintained facilities and equipment necessary for various treatments and therapies.

7. Patient Reviews and Testimonials:

Look for reviews and testimonials from previous patients to gauge their satisfaction and the effectiveness of treatments. Platforms like Google reviews, Facebook, and healthcare review websites can be useful.

Word of mouth is also a powerful indicator of a clinic's reputation. Ask local friends or family for recommendations.

8. Location and Accessibility:

Consider the clinic's location and its accessibility from your place of stay or work. Proximity can be important for treatments that require multiple sessions.

9. Cost and Payment Options:

Compare the cost of treatments and check if they are reasonable and transparent. Remember that the lowest price may not always mean the best value.

Verify if they offer clear information on the costs of various treatments and accept multiple payment methods.

10. Post-Treatment Support:

Check if the clinic offers post-treatment guidance or support. Continued advice on lifestyle, diet, or follow-up treatments can be beneficial.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can discover the best Ayurvedic clinic in Chennai that meets your health needs and provides high-quality, authentic Ayurvedic care.

[mayra-quijotescx]

'go do the thing' won, and precisely three hours later, I arrived back home with the reassurance that at least I'd gotten that particular side trip out of my system.

The place was lovely. It was. but I am an expert at talking myself out of cool stuff I could buy, and Cool Stuff You Can Buy is the main purview of the place I went. They also had a tarot reader, but I'm quite aware of what's missing from my life, and with no disrespect to people who practice and put stock in divination, the answers and guidance I need aren't going to come from a deck of cards in the hands of a stranger.

The second bus on the 'get there' trip having gotten hung up in traffic and delayed nearly 40 minutes from its original time, my trip to the place took about an hour and thirty minutes, and when an awkward check of my phone showed the first return trip bus was about to land at the 'nearby' transit center, I hastily thanked the shopkeeps for letting me look around and bailed. I'd seen everything in there at least twice at that point, and, this being Houston and not a city worth the title, there was nothing else around for me to spend an additional 30 minutes at. And I was going to need to pee at some point. As a side note, alongside all the other reasons that the 'trans people using public bathrooms' panic is ridiculous, it should perhaps be brought up more that public bathrooms don't even exist around here. Might as well froth at the mouth about us filthy transes destroying the sanctity of the local unicorn pens or teleportation hubs.

For most of the return trip, everyone on the first bus was treated to the noise of another of God's Most Important Adult Children Who Must Be The Loudest Person In Any Situation* (to the point that the bus driver told him off, which shut him up for seven minutes before he decided to see how serious the driver was about throwing him out), I finished the book I was halfway through at the start of this entire 'going outside' ordeal, got off the first bus two streets early and walked the rest of the way to the transit center so I could be alone for a bit and clear my head, but I was rewarded with a most surprising treat on the second bus: seeing someone actually using headphones! I was beginning to fear that what's left of society had entirely abandoned such a basic courtesy.

*my standards for an okay time outside have dropped so desperately low that I wouldn't have even had a problem with this if the music he'd been tonelessly trying to accompany had been any good. Please let your interpretation of that sentence be informed by the fact that I am somewhat renowned for my own lack of musical discretion. His choices were just that disappointingly basic.

Oh, and you know, it was 49F and windy the whole way to and from. Which was actually nice, because that's the kind of fucking weather you're supposed to get here in February, and we've hardly had any.

[voicesfromthepicket]

Robin, History of Consciousness PhD Student, UC Santa Cruz

“I was lucky enough to secure a stable living situation with some great roommates - but situations like mine are rare here. Inflation has taken a huge toll on the housing market, and landlords here are notoriously predatory and unscrupulous. A friend of mine was served an eviction notice by a landlord after recently moving in as part of a scheme to steal his security deposit. This friend later ended up having to live in the local Best Western, and I know a variety of students who are living in hotels because they were scammed by landlords or simply didn’t have enough money to continue making rent. Witnessing the struggles of my colleagues has made it clear that the status quo cannot continue.

The UC needs to pay its students fairly because if they don’t, they’re discriminating against graduate students without generational wealth or the personal economic means to afford a ridiculously high cost of living. If we win a COLA and better childcare protections, we will set a new standard for academic labor practices in this country. It’s time to change subpar working conditions and fight against systems that are impossible to navigate in if you don’t have wealth and privilege. If a prospective student asked me about whether they should come here, I would possibly have to tell them that they would become impoverished paying high rents and that maybe they shouldn’t come - and that’s wrong.

I’m part of the music team here on the picket line, which I’m very excited about. I’m a big soccer fan, so I love making riffs of soccer chants with pro-union/pro-strike lyrics to bring the energy up and get people engaged. For me and other members of the team, music is more than just a way of self-expression, it’s a way of being true to your political commitments and building solidarity with others in a light-hearted way, and that is what will keep us motivated as this strike continues.

Our picket has really brought out the best in people, there is something for everyone to contribute to, whether its cooking, phone banking, media outreach, leading chants, or composing strike music. I’ve made great connections here and I think that community spirit is why our picket line has remained strong, even with all the challenges."