Clever wording for western menu

Accidental Racism: When innocent things appear to be racism, though it's totally not intentional

2012.12.03 20:27 M0D3RNW4RR10R Accidental Racism: When innocent things appear to be racism, though it's totally not intentional

Accidental racism
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2018.10.09 06:39 outsider_ whitetourists

A sub dedicated to exposing the infamous hypocrisy, degeneracy, disrespect, and violence regularly seen in tourists, travellers and expats from white and white settler colonial countries.
[link]


2015.07.15 22:24 EdTwoONine Where Foodies Flex Their Menu Creations

Do you like to create unique combinations of items from restaurant/market/store menus? Please share them here with fell Food Hackers
[link]


2024.06.10 12:09 interstellarmoth western/americana boy names

So I'm looking for some western sounding, adventurous, or americana boy names... Think cowboys, American literature, or anything that would evoke a sort of James Dean vibe. I've already looked at all the major naming sites and I feel like I've run out of ideas. I'm very picky about the sound and meaning of names so keep that in mind. Names can be normal names OR they can be nicknames or words that wouldn't normally be a name but you could see an American folk figure or character having.
some I like (but aren't quite good enough) are:
I also like the names Arizona (as sort of an Indiana Jones thing), Sal (think Sal Paradise) and Hawkins (for the adventurous sound) but those aren't quite right either.
I really don't like most basic names like Robert or Tanner or Wyatt. I see those names again and again on baby naming websites. I've seen them all but I know there's a name that's JUST right out there and if someone is clever enough to give me that name I'll be super impressed!
submitted by interstellarmoth to namenerds [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 11:47 No_Brain_5735 The 12+ Best Charity Ad Campaigns

The 12+ Best Charity Ad Campaigns
In the competitive landscape of digital advertising, standing out is a challenge even for charities. A compelling charity ad can not only capture attention but also drive action, whether that means donations, volunteer sign-ups, or raising awareness for a cause. In this article, we'll explore the best charity ad
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What Makes a Charity Ad Effective?

Before diving into specific examples, let's consider the elements that contribute to the effectiveness of a charity ad:
  1. Emotional Appeal: Ads that evoke strong emotions, whether they be empathy, hope, or urgency, tend to resonate more deeply with audiences.
  2. Clear Call to Action (CTA): A well-defined CTA guides the audience on what action to take next, whether it's donating, sharing the message, or signing up as a volunteer.
  3. Compelling Visuals: Striking images or videos can capture attention and convey a message more powerfully than words alone.
  4. Authentic Storytelling: Sharing real stories of those impacted by the charity's work helps to build trust and connection with the audience.
  5. Data and Facts: Providing concrete data can underscore the importance of the cause and the impact of the charity's work.

The 12+ Best Charity Ad Campaigns

1. Save the Children: Most Shocking Second a Day

Save the Children created a hard-hitting video campaign depicting a young girl’s life in the UK being turned upside down by conflict, mirroring the experiences of children in war-torn countries. The powerful narrative and high production values made this ad widely shared and discussed.

2. Charity: Water – The Spring

Charity: Water's ad for their monthly giving community, The Spring, uses emotional storytelling to show the direct impact of donations on providing clean water. The combination of hopeful imagery and testimonials makes it compelling.

3. WWF: Stop Wildlife Crime

WWF’s campaign against wildlife crime utilized stark, impactful images of animals being transformed into products, highlighting the brutality of wildlife poaching. The powerful visuals and urgent messaging effectively raised awareness.

4. UNICEF: Tap Project

UNICEF’s Tap Project encouraged people to donate a small amount for the tap water they usually take for granted, which would provide clean water for children in need. The simplicity and relatability of the campaign made it highly effective.

5. Amnesty International: Bulletproof Kids

This campaign featured children wearing bulletproof vests to highlight the dangers they face in conflict zones. The shocking visuals and poignant message made it a memorable and impactful ad.

6. Red Cross: Missing Type

To address the global blood shortage, the Red Cross launched the Missing Type campaign, removing the letters A, B, and O (representing blood types) from brand logos and social media profiles. This clever approach effectively communicated the message and engaged a wide audience.

7. PETA: Face Your Food

PETA’s graphic video ad exposes the harsh realities of animal farming. While controversial, the campaign raised awareness and spurred conversations about animal rights and veganism.

8. WaterAid: If Men Had Periods

WaterAid used humor and role reversal in this ad to highlight women's challenges with menstrual hygiene in developing countries. The unique approach helped bring attention to an often overlooked issue.

9. Make-A-Wish: The Power of a Wish

This campaign showcased the transformational impact of granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. The heartwarming stories and positive outcomes highlighted the charity’s work effectively.

10. World Food Programme: 805 Million Names

WFP teamed up with footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović, who displayed temporary tattoos of 50 names of people suffering from hunger during a match. This bold and innovative campaign drew significant media attention and awareness.

11. Oxfam: Secondhand September

Oxfam’s campaign encouraged people to buy only secondhand items for September to reduce waste and support sustainable fashion. The campaign’s relevance to current environmental concerns and clear action plan made it successful.

12. Greenpeace: There’s a Rang-tan in My Bedroom

This animated short film for Greenpeace highlighted the impact of palm oil production on orangutans. The engaging storytelling and strong environmental message resonated with a broad audience, particularly younger viewers.

How 7Search PPC Can Amplify Your Charity Ad Campaigns

Leveraging digital advertising platforms like 7Search PPC can significantly enhance the reach and impact of your charity’s ad campaigns. Here’s how:

Targeted Reach

7Search PPC allows you to target specific demographics, interests, and geographic locations, ensuring your ads reach the most relevant audience. This precision targeting helps maximize the effectiveness of your campaigns.

Cost-Effective Solutions

With 7Search PPC, you can set your budget and only pay for actual clicks on your ads, making it a cost-effective solution for charities with limited marketing funds. This pay-per-click model ensures you get the most out of your advertising budget.

Detailed Analytics

7Search PPC provides comprehensive analytics that helps you track the performance of your ads in real time. This data is crucial for optimizing your campaigns, allowing you to adjust strategies based on what works best.

Enhanced Visibility

By appearing on a network of high-traffic websites, your charity ads gain greater visibility, increasing the likelihood of attracting donations, volunteers, and support for your cause.

Flexible Ad Formats

Whether you prefer text, image, or video ads, 7Search PPC offers various formats to suit your campaign needs. This flexibility allows you to create more engaging and diverse ad content.

Conclusion

Creating the best charity ad campaigns requires a blend of emotional storytelling, compelling visuals, and a clear call to action. The examples highlighted demonstrate the power of innovative and impactful advertising in driving awareness and action for important causes. By leveraging platforms like 7Search PPC, charities can amplify their reach and effectiveness, ensuring their messages are seen by the right people at the right time.

FAQs

What is the key to a successful charity ad?

Ans. A successful charity ad combines emotional appeal, compelling visuals, authentic storytelling, and a clear call to action to engage and motivate the audience.

How can 7Search PPC benefit my charity's ad campaign?

Ans. 7Search PPC offers targeted reach, cost-effective advertising, detailed analytics, enhanced visibility, and flexible ad formats, helping your charity achieve greater impact with its ad campaigns.

What are some examples of impactful charity ad campaigns?

Ans. Notable examples include Save the Children's "Most Shocking Second a Day," Charity: Water’s "The Spring," and WWF’s "Stop Wildlife Crime" campaign. Each of these ads uses emotional storytelling and compelling visuals to drive awareness and action.
submitted by No_Brain_5735 to u/No_Brain_5735 [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 11:09 Count-Daring243 Best Funny Iron Sights

Best Funny Iron Sights

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Welcome to our collection of the most hilarious and amusing iron sights on the market! In this article, we've curated a roundup of Funny Iron Sights that will have you doubling over with laughter. From quirky designs to outrageous sayings, these iron sights are sure to bring a smile to your face. So, grab your favorite beverage, sit back, and get ready to have a good laugh as we showcase these funny and unique iron sights!

The Top 16 Best Funny Iron Sights

  1. Retro Fishing Aluminum Metal Tin Sign for Home, Hotel, Bar, Cafe Decor - Catch your next big catch with this stylish, lightweight, and durable aluminum fishing sign - perfect for home decor or as a unique gift!
  2. Certainly Amusing Warning Sign for Living Room Decor - Warped Humor Sign: A durable and funny metal sign perfect for indoor or outdoor use, guaranteed to bring a smile and make a unique gift.
  3. Humorous "I Was Wrong but Mistaken" Iron Sign for Home Bar or Pub - This ironic "Treasure Gurus" metal sign declares, "Once I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken," making it a cheeky addition to your home bar, pub, or garage wall.
  4. Hedgehog Warning Tin Sign: Vintage Metal Decoration for Man Cave or Outdoor Space - Guard your property with humor and vintage charm - the 12x8 inch Hedgehog Tin Sign is a unique, eco-friendly addition to any space!
  5. Sarcastic Hunting Warning Decor with Iron Sights - A sarcastic, humorous hunting-themed metal sign perfect for man caves, bars, garages, or outdoor spaces, offering a unique gift idea for any hunter. Adhere to the Google search guidelines.
  6. Funny Warning Sign for Man Cave or Home Bar Décor - Bring laughter to your man cave or home bar with this amusing Warning Gun Shots sign, complete with painted bullet holes and a durable finish.
  7. Funny Metal Tin Sign for Outdoor Enthusiasts with Personalized Message - Add a touch of humor and vintage charm to your outdoor space with River's Edge Products' Dirty Glass Whiskey 12-Inch x 17-inch metal tin sign - perfect for your garage or home bar!
  8. Unique and Durable Warped Humor IndooOutdoor Metal Sign - Brighten up any space with the durable, humorous "Warped Humor" metal sign, perfect for both indoor and outdoor use!
  9. Funny Metal Sarcasm Defense Sign - Bring humor to your walls with this sarcastic, metal 'Sarcasm is the Body's Natural Defense Against Stupidity' sign, perfect for any office or home!
  10. Humorous Deer Baiting Warning Sign - Perfect Hunting Cabin Decor - Add a touch of humor to your hunting cabin, garage, or bar wall with the Treasure Gurus Funny Baiting Deer Illegal Warning Tin Sign - perfect for deer hunting enthusiasts or as a unique gift!
  11. Humorous Lead Novelty Sign for Gun Owners - Brighten up your shooting range with this rust and fade-resistant Lead Novelty Sign, featuring pre-drilled mounting holes and durable plastic construction - the ultimate redneck gift!
  12. Colorful and Funny Aluminum Signs - Perfect for Garages and Offices - Inspire laughter and create impact with ATX CUSTOM SIGNS' high-quality, rust-resistant Aluminum signs featuring funny slang, colorful prints, and custom wood-like finishes perfect for man caves, bar decor, and office spaces.
  13. Funny Fishing Sign: Last Cast Bass Wall Decor - Celebrate the last cast with this hilarious fishing metal sign, a perfect gift for any avid fisherman or boat enthusiast!
  14. Vintage Camping Rule Metal Sign for Home Wall Decor - Spruce up your walls with a vintage touch through the Forbidden Paper Funny Camping Metal Tin Sign, offering unique patterns and bright colors while being eco-friendly and professionally designed.
  15. American Pride Humorous Dog Warning Sign - Add a touch of humor to your workspace or den with the T'Hell with The Dog Beware of Owner -warning Sign - a durable, made-in-the-USA gift perfect for any personality!
  16. Rustic Funny Metal Sign for Home Decoration - Add a touch of quirky charm to your space with our durable, rust-inspired Funny Iron Sights metal tin sign, perfect for decorating bars, shops, garages, and more!
As an Amazon™ Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Reviews

🔗Retro Fishing Aluminum Metal Tin Sign for Home, Hotel, Bar, Cafe Decor


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While enjoying a leisurely fishing trip, I stumbled upon this unique and humorous fishing sign. The vibrant colors of the sign immediately caught my eye, reminding me of a fun day at the lake. The 8X12 inches size was perfect for hanging on my patio wall, and the thickened aluminum material gave me peace of mind knowing it wouldn't bend easily.
The pre-drilled screw holes made hanging a breeze too. Although it has a rusty-looking effect, the sign is actually printed, not rusted, which I found interesting and gave it a retro vibe. The folded edges provided safety and stability, and the aluminum material allowed me to display it both indoors and outdoors.
This fishing sign turned out to be an unexpected and delightful addition to my home, and it became a conversation starter among my friends.

🔗Certainly Amusing Warning Sign for Living Room Decor


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When I first laid my eyes on the Warped Humor Metal Sign, I immediately loved its bold design and catchy phrase. Its unique sense of humor made me feel like I was getting a one-of-a-kind piece of art for my home.
The 8 inch x 12 inch size was perfect for my living room wall, and the lightweight aluminum material made it easy to hang. However, I noticed that the sign's chemical warning label seemed unexpected and didn't quite fit the overall theme. No matter though, because I ultimately loved the sign and knew I could return it if I didn't completely adore it.
Overall, I found the Warped Humor Metal Sign to be a delightful and quirky addition to my home decor.

🔗Humorous "I Was Wrong but Mistaken" Iron Sign for Home Bar or Pub


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When I first received the Treasure Gurus Funny Metal Thought I Was Wrong Mistaken Sign, I couldn't help but chuckle at the humorous message it conveyed. This metal sign, with its elegant white background and scroll art border, is the perfect addition to any home bar, pub, or garage wall.
One aspect I particularly appreciate is the durability of the heavy-duty metal used to create the sign. Its 12-inch by 8-inch dimensions make it a noticeable and eye-catching piece of decor. However, I wish the sign had included more varied options for mounting, such as screws or adhesive, as the pre-drilled holes can be limiting.
Despite this minor inconvenience, the Treasure Gurus Funny Metal Thought I Was Wrong Mistaken Sign has been a delightful addition to my home. It serves as a constant reminder that we all make mistakes, and sometimes we don't even realize we've been wrong. I can't wait to gift it to my friends and family who appreciate a good laugh and a humorous home decor piece.

🔗Hedgehog Warning Tin Sign: Vintage Metal Decoration for Man Cave or Outdoor Space


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The Hedgehog Tin Sign is a charming addition to any space. As a proud owner, I've displayed it in my cozy man cave, enhancing its nostalgic charm. The 12x8-inch vintage wall decór stands firm with its high-quality tin or metal construction, adorned with clever hedgehog humor. The metal sign offers pre-drilled holes and four corner placements, making it versatile for various display methods.
One of its best features is its ability to bring a unique ambiance to any location, such as cafes, restaurants, or work spaces. However, it's essential to consider the sign's impact on personal safety when deciding where to display it. This cheeky decoration adds character to establishments without compromising on elegance, making it a worthy choice for your property.

🔗Sarcastic Hunting Warning Decor with Iron Sights


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I recently added a new piece of decor to my man cave, and it's been quite the conversation starter. This metal sign, titled "Warning Beware of Hunter", is the perfect addition to any hunting enthusiast's space. The 12" x 8" aluminum design is both sleek and sturdy, ensuring it's suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
The design itself is a clever play on words, featuring a humorous warning for those who might venture into the territory of an avid hunter. With two convenient holes for easy hanging, this sign can effortlessly grace the walls of your man cave, garage, or even your yard.
One of the things I appreciate most about this sign is its made-in-the-USA origin. Not only does it support local craftsmanship, but it adds a sense of pride to the piece as well. And if you're looking for the perfect gift for the hunter in your life, this would certainly fit the bill.
However, one minor downside I've noticed is that the sign's font could be a bit bolder, making it more visible from a distance. Nevertheless, the overall charm and uniqueness of this piece make it a standout addition to any hunter's space.

🔗Funny Warning Sign for Man Cave or Home Bar Décor


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I recently added a "Treasure Gurus Warning Gun Shots Funny Metal 8"x12" Novelty Sign" to my home bar and it's become the talk of the town. The 8"x12" sign looks so authentic, it's like a real warning sign you'd see before entering a hazard area.
I love that it reads "DUE TO PRICE INCREASE ON AMMO DO NOT EXPECT A WARNING SHOT. " However, it's not just about practical jokes. It's a hilarious tin sign that works as great decor and a fantastic gift for any 2nd Amendment supporter. The clearcoat finish over the face of the sign protects it from scratches, wear, and weathering.
It's perfect for hanging in your man cave, pub, or garage. A fun and unique addition to your space! .

🔗Funny Metal Tin Sign for Outdoor Enthusiasts with Personalized Message


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I've been using this metal tin sign from River's Edge Products for a while now, and it's become a staple in my home bar. First off, the overall dimension of 17 inches by 12 inches makes it an eye-catching piece without taking up too much space. The rolled edges and pre-punched corner holes make it easy to hang, and the weatherproof finish is a great added feature that's kept it in top condition despite being exposed to the elements.
Customizing it with my own personal touch has been a breeze, and I love how it's brought a unique touch to my living space. However, one downside is that the sign doesn't come with any mounting hardware, so I had to go out and buy some separately. Other than that, this funny tin sign has been a great addition to my decor.

🔗Unique and Durable Warped Humor IndooOutdoor Metal Sign


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When I first laid eyes on this metal sign, I couldn't help but chuckle at its comical humor. The epoxy ink printing was vibrant, and it instantly became a conversation starter in my living room. Its durability is a plus, as it can be hung indoors or outdoors without any hassle. The sign is light enough to be mounted with double-sided foam tape or Command Strips, giving you the flexibility to place it wherever you'd like.
On the downside, some users may not appreciate the chemical warning label on the back, although it doesn't detract significantly from the overall design. One thing I noticed was Etsy's tendency to cut the top and bottom of the photo, even after shrinking it to 700 in height. This minor issue wasn't enough to dampen my experience with the sign, and I ended up loving it so much that I'd even recommend it as a unique and fun gift with a guarantee of satisfaction.

🔗Funny Metal Sarcasm Defense Sign

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If you've been in the market for a sign that's both hilarious and sassy, look no further than Treasure Gurus' Funny Sarcasm Stupidity Defense Metal Sign. With a rating of 5.0, this clever metal sign is sure to impress.
The vibrant red and yellow lettering on the black background might just be a natural defense against stupidity. And, measuring a perfect 12" long, 8" wide, and 1/8" thick, this decadent piece fits right in at the office or pub wall.
Plus, with pre-drilled holes for easy wall mounting, you'll be laughing all the way to a simple installation. So, why not give it a try? . Trust me, everyone will want one.

🔗Humorous Deer Baiting Warning Sign - Perfect Hunting Cabin Decor


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I had the pleasure of trying out this hilarious Treasure Gurus sign in my own hunting cabin. The sign's weathered white and red background with bullet holes adds a vintage, humorous touch that makes it stand out among other decorative elements.
The funny warning about deer baiting being illegal had my hunting buddies in stitches. Although some hunters may not find the humor, it certainly adds a unique charm to any hunting cabin, garage, or bar wall. The only downside is that it's a bit smaller than I expected, but overall, it's a great addition to any hunting enthusiast's space.

🔗Humorous Lead Novelty Sign for Gun Owners


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Recently, I stumbled upon a quirky novelty sign that caught my eye - the "Warning Beware of Lead Novelty Sign" for gun owners and redneck enthusiasts. It's a humorous yet practical addition to any space, both indoors and outdoors. The one I got was made from sturdy, rust-resistant plastic with eye-catching premium-grade ink, making it durable to withstand the elements for years to come.
The sign's pre-drilled mounting holes came in handy, making it a breeze to hang on the wall. At 8 inches by 12 inches, it's the perfect size to grab attention without taking up too much space. Not only does it serve its purpose, but it also adds a touch of humor to any environment.
While I appreciate the overall quality and durability of this novelty sign, I would have liked to see a wider range of designs and themes available. Nonetheless, this little guy is a fun and functional addition to my collection of unique home decor.

🔗Colorful and Funny Aluminum Signs - Perfect for Garages and Offices


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I've had the pleasure of trying these hilarious signs from ATX Custom Signs, and let me tell you, they really add a unique touch to any space. The high-quality aluminum material ensures they won't rust, and the vibrant colors never fade, even with outdoor use. The sign's flat, rigid design simulates a variety of looks, from wood to rust, giving it a charming appearance.
Placing one of these signs in my man cave instantly turned it into a conversation starter. They can also be hung in a kitchen to add a fun touch to your decor, or even in the office as a lighthearted addition to your break room. I've even given a few as gifts, and they've been well-received by friends who appreciated the humor and creativity.
However, it's important to note that these signs may not be suitable for everyone, as the content can be considered adult-oriented. Always ensure the person who will be receiving or viewing the sign appreciates the humor before purchasing. Overall, these signs are a great choice for those looking to add a bit of fun to their spaces.

🔗Funny Fishing Sign: Last Cast Bass Wall Decor


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I recently came across this fun and quirky Last Cast fishing sign in my mom's kitchen. It's definitely not something you see every day and instantly caught my attention. The sign features a slyly humorous take on the concept of "one last cast" for a bass fish, making it perfect for a fishing enthusiast's man cave or bar.
What stood out to me was its practicality since it comes with two holes, making it easy to hang it on a wall. The high-quality metal construction also adds to its durability. However, the sign might not be as versatile as I initially thought, as it isn't ideal for all types of boats or cabins.
Overall, if you're looking for a unique and entertaining gift for the fisherman in your life, this Last Cast fishing sign is a great choice. But, do keep the space considerations in mind, as it might not fit seamlessly in every scenario.

🔗Vintage Camping Rule Metal Sign for Home Wall Decor


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I recently came across the Forbidden Paper Funny Camping Metal Tin Sign, and I must say, it's been a fun addition to my home decor. The design is a playful take on vintage camping rules, adding a touch of whimsy to any space. Made from high-quality aluminum, it's both durable and environmentally friendly. I appreciate the bright colors that really stand out and make a statement.
The sign measures approximately 8 x 12 inches, which is a great size for a small accent piece. One thing I noticed is that it could be a little harder to hang if you don't have a sturdy nail or hook nearby. However, the unique design and high-quality materials make it a worthwhile investment for any home. Overall, it's a fun and colorful addition to my living space, and it's been a great conversation starter with friends and family.

Buyer's Guide

Funny Iron Sights, also known as humorous or silly iron sights, are popular accessories for guns, particularly airsoft and paintball guns. They are designed to be unique, eye-catching, and sometimes even quirky—adding a touch of humor and personality to your firearm. In this buyer's guide, we will explore the important features, considerations, and general advice when purchasing Funny Iron Sights for your gun.

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Important Features

  • Material: Funny Iron Sights are primarily made of metal or plastic. Choose a material that is durable, resistant to wear and tear, and suitable for your specific gun model.
  • Design: Iron sights come in various designs, from simple to intricate. Consider the style and personality you want to convey with your sight.
  • Compatibility: Make sure the Funny Iron Sight is compatible with your gun model and any existing optics or attachments you plan to use.
  • Installation: Some iron sights require installation expertise, while others come pre-installed or are easy to mount. Research the installation process and consider your skill level.

Considerations

  • Functionality: While Funny Iron Sights are primarily for aesthetic purposes, they should not hinder your accuracy or performance when using your gun. Evaluate the sight's functionality before making a purchase.
  • Price: Funny Iron Sights can range in price, from budget options to higher-end custom-designed options. Determine your budget and be prepared to pay a premium for unique and high-quality designs.
  • Brand Reputation: Research the brand and seller to ensure they have a good reputation and positive customer reviews. This can help you avoid counterfeit products or unreliable merchants.

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General Advice

  1. Always measure your gun before purchasing a Funny Iron Sight to ensure a proper fit. Some sights may require additional customization to fit your specific gun model.
  2. Be open to trying different designs and materials. While Funny Iron Sights are primarily for aesthetics, you can express your personality and style through your choice of sight.
  3. If you're unsure about installing the sight yourself, consider hiring a professional or consulting with a gunsmith to ensure proper installation.
  4. Regularly maintain and clean your Funny Iron Sight to ensure its longevity and performance.
Funny Iron Sights can add a unique touch of personality and humor to your gun. When selecting a sight, consider the features, compatibility, installation, and functionality to ensure you make the best purchase for your needs. With proper care and maintenance, your Funny Iron Sight will continue to serve as a stylish and functional accessory for your gun.

FAQ


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What are Funny Iron Sights?

Funny Iron Sights are a unique and humorous take on the traditional iron sights found on firearms. They are designed to provide a more accurate and enjoyable shooting experience by making the sights more fun to use.

What materials are Funny Iron Sights typically made from?

Funny Iron Sights are typically made from metal or high-quality plastic materials to ensure durability and longevity. Some may also be coated with a protective finish to prevent rust or corrosion.

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Are Funny Iron Sights suitable for all firearms?

No, Funny Iron Sights are not suitable for all firearms. It is important to check the specifications and compatibility of the sights with your firearm before making a purchase. Most Funny Iron Sights are designed for standard-sized pistols, but some may be compatible with rifles or shotguns.

How do I install Funny Iron Sights on my firearm?

Installation of Funny Iron Sights may vary depending on the specific model and design. In general, you can expect the sights to be easily attached to the firearm using screws or other mounting hardware. Detailed installation instructions should be provided with the product or can be found on the manufacturer's website.

Are Funny Iron Sights more effective at long range shooting than traditional iron sights?

No, Funny Iron Sights are not designed to be more effective at long range shooting than traditional iron sights. Their primary purpose is to provide a more enjoyable and humorous shooting experience. Traditional iron sights or optics are typically recommended for long-range shooting.

Do Funny Iron Sights come in different colors or styles?

Yes, Funny Iron Sights are available in various colors and styles to suit different preferences and applications. Some may have custom designs or be personalized for the user.

What is the typical price range for Funny Iron Sights?

The price range for Funny Iron Sights can vary greatly depending on the quality, materials, and design of the sights. On average, you can expect to pay between $20 to $100 for a decent set of Funny Iron Sights. However, high-end or custom designs may cost significantly more.
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submitted by Count-Daring243 to u/Count-Daring243 [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 11:09 peanutbuttternutter “The man who can “ a poem by Albert Guest that has helped me deal with my phobias I thought I’d never face

Can't
Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken; Doing more harm here than slander and lies; On it is many a strong spirit broken, And with it many a good purpose dies. It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning And robs us of courage we need through the day: It rings in our ears like a timely-sent warning And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.
Can't is the father of feeble endeavor, The parent of terror and half-hearted work; It weakens the efforts of artisans clever, And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk. It poisons the soul of the man with a vision, It stifles in infancy many a plan; It greets honest toiling with open derision And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.
Can't is a word none should speak without blushing; To utter it should be a symbol of shame; Ambition and courage it daily is crushing; It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim. Despise it with all of your hatred of error; Refuse it the lodgment it seeks in your brain; Arm against it as a creature of terror, And all that you dream of you some day shall gain.
Can't is the word that is foe to ambition, An enemy ambushed to shatter your will; Its prey is forever the man with a mission And bows but to courage and patience and skill. Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying, For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man; Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying And answer this demon by saying: "I can."
submitted by peanutbuttternutter to mentalhealth [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 10:28 infomuch-- Steely Dan, the Minutemen and subversion

The recent posting about the death of Steve Albini and his views got me thinking of the times when, in my life, punk and Steely Dan rubbed shoulders (at least in my circle).
I sometimes ask myself why Steely Dan has had this second life in the digital age when so many of their peers from the 70s - 80s really have not.
I grew up in punk rock Texas in the Reagan era. We'd listen to the Minutemen, Black Flag, The Dicks etc like any other teen rockers. We'd listen to the Minutemen, Black Flag, The Dicks etc like any other teen rockers.
Then, at a certain hour, late at night, we'd put on Steely Dan...
Their music pointed to the much wider, varied, and yet strangely subversive world.
I remember comparing the Germs' rendition of Round & Round with Everyone's Gone to the Movies and realizing the Steely Dan song, while so much more melodically subtle and refined, was actually much less innocent than the Germs' feedback-drenched cover of the Chuck Berry song. Yet musically, it was clear which song your parents would have preferred.
Steely Dan is about expanding horizons, and entering new and dazzling worlds. For me, the fact that The Minutemen did a cover of Dr Wu indicated that Steely Dan's sound was good in a universal way, unbound from any genre.
The Minutemen cover was like a portal between genres in my vinyl collection. This was in a time where the type of music you listened to had an almost medieval power to identify and pigeonhole. Call it genre-fluidity. Or at least record bin-fluidity.
But the Minutemen covering Steely Dan showed that what I thought was good in Steely Dan, well, others could see it.
It's probably for that reason that I included a mention of Steely Dan in Dark Shining Moment. But there is good reason to include the reference too.
A word that is continually used to describe Steely Dan's music and lyrics is "subversive". The definition is "intending or intended to subvert an established order, especially to undermine or overthrow an established government."
Culturally, of course, the implication is to upend the dominant authority, its norms, its morality, the bland polyester trappings of the society that gave birth to the Dan. (Clearly, their title comes from a William Burroughs story).
Reading Fagen's essay The Cortico-Thalamic Pause: Growing Up Sci-Fi, he describes how, in his adolescence, his mother's clothes were "apparently made of the same polymeric stuff as the beige carpet that covered almost the entire floor of our house".
Fagen goes on...
"Despite my protests, I, too, was obliged to deck myself out in a pair of macromolecular 'slacks' (beige, natch) for special occasions. Beige was the default color of the decade. The coolest girl in my high school used to throw herself down on her mom's Sahara-colored wall-to-wall carpet and crawl from one side of the living room to the other croaking, 'Water...Water!'
"As a housewife, my mother was the ideal target of the not-so-hidden persuaders of Madison Avenue, and she enthusiastically bought the whole Cold War package."
That's it: The subversion of the "whole Cold War package".
The wall-to-wall beige, the readymade answers to existential questions. It was this that the young Donald Fagen and Walter Becker encountered and subverted, or at least mocked, knowingly, through their lyrics.
Thinking about it now, part of the joy of listening to Steely Dan as a world-be punk rocker, was subverting the paradigm of punk rock orthodoxy, which, by my time in the 1980s, had already grown rigid.
So there was layer upon layer of subversion. The Minutemen likely did the same by recording a stripped down but earnest and moving cover of Dr Wu.
For me, it's interesting that while a young Steely Dan may have endeavored to subvert rules enforced at school, the Kremlin today works to overturn and subvert American democracy.
There is a difference between 'being subversive' and subversion.
The Kremlin weighing into Western political society seeks to explain (with nefarious intent), to citizens of democracies the meaning of their own society.
The subversive quality of the band's music is a reminder of a greater truth: To a degree, to be alive in a democracy today, as it was in the 1970s (when the canon was being cut), is to be in a state of disagreement.
We contest and oppose so much of our own society, even as we are entrusted to choose our leaders. To a degree, even as we drive our democratic society's direction, we're all raging against the machine. We cry out for a freer, less stifling, less-beige world.
Unlike subversive poetry and song, such as the work of Steely Dan, some nations really want to tear democracies apart to make our division irreparable.
A big part of modern life of culture and politics in 2024, is knowing the difference between a subversive thought, feeling, lyric, occasional urge - and and true political subversion (and yes, I added a Steely Dan mention in Ep. 2)..
It's so easy to think, in the realm of politics: "I'm ready cross to that fine line" - but it's more important that, under our own guidance, we don't all die behind the wheel.
(OK so this may have veered from pure Steely Dan commentary - forgive me: But it's a topical. I thought it was timely and worth sharing.)
submitted by infomuch-- to SteelyDan [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 10:21 Significant-Notice- Where and how to eat in Cape Town, South Africa

Don’t laugh, but basically you want to eat in the restaurants with the beautiful women. And with the views of the waterfront.
You may recall those are usually the opposite of the correct recommendations. But in Cape Town, there is no coherent “mom and pop” restaurant sector, based on either recent Asian or Latino immigrants, or based on an existing middle class. You simply want to go to the nice, fancy places. And you don’t need my list, many sources can tell you which ones those are.
The economics of that are simple. There is a well-defined class of people with a lot of money, and the best restaurants do everything they can to target them, including seaside views. That is by far the best way to get good food here, arguably the only way. You cannot in fact “arbitrage against the inequality,” even if you think you might wish to.
Usually you should order seafood, and (as in Chile) be suspicious of any menu item with a cream sauce, which will be overdone on the creamy side. You may see batches of Afrikaans words on the English-language menus, don’t worry just pull out your ChatGPT app and enjoy the feeling of strangeness.
I did have one meal of grilled meats and bbq in a black township, and it was not bad. But I would say you are going for the sociological experience more than for the food. You’ll also get some South African side dishes, such as the corn meal, that may not pop up in the fancier restaurants. So do that if you can, I also found the experience to be safe and not stressful.
Prices here are very low, and an excellent meal can be well under half of the comparable cost in the United States or Europe, maybe even 3x lower. Wherever you go, make sure they give you a seat looking out on the water!
The post Where and how to eat in Cape Town, South Africa appeared first on Marginal REVOLUTION.

Related Stories

submitted by Significant-Notice- to marginal [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 10:21 Euphoric_Coyote9296 Changelogs

Hey,
I found some changelogs for the game. Not sure if the freshest one. Looks promising:D Valve doing updates!
30.05.2024 Changelog
[ General Changes ]
  • Bots will now replace a human player if the player has been disconnected for more than 30 seconds (hero will retreat home first and then after 30 seconds the bot takes over). After 4 minutes it will start using souls to buy items. During laning phase it will go to its assigned lane, afterwards it will aim to stick near where most allies are located. If the player rejoins the bot will leave. We will work on improving the bot behavior as we get feedback.
  • Added a temporary matchmaking ban system for people that leave games
  • Reworked the Watch tab to highlight suggested matches to watch. There is currently a limit on the number of people that can watch the same match, so it'll recommend different games if the best suggestions are full. We are working on removing the spectator limit for a future update.
  • Matches in the watch tab will now indicate if a friend is in that match
  • A paused a game can only be unpaused by the player that paused for the first 30 seconds
  • Once you pause a game, you cannot pause it again within 5 minutes
  • Pause now says the player name pausing it
  • Added a view cone for your player on the minimap to help with finding yourself and the direction you are pointed
  • Added a sound when you receive a chat message
  • Increased the base font size for text chat
  • Increased the duration text chat is visible
  • You can now ping enemy items on the scoreboard to say alert players that the hero has that item.
  • You can now middle mouse click an ability to say its on cooldown
  • You can now alt click your active items to say if they are ready or not
  • Candle Troopers and other NPCS can no longer see or shoot through Cosmic Veils
  • Changed F1-F5 keys to instantly snap to the team mates rather than move there more slowly
  • Adjusted the health bar on Walkers to be easier to see
  • Match found sound now plays regardless of window focus
  • Added option to give fast stamina regen in Hero Sandbox
  • Minimap player icons now dynamically shrink and adjust positions slightly when there are many overlapping
  • Fixed zooming bypassing the shooting speed penalty
  • Added new effects for Shifting Shroud
  • T1 Boss now has quicker melee animations
  • Fixed Turrets causing backdoor protection to be lost
  • Fixed Guided Owl flying while the game is paused
  • Fixed a bug with using Melee in the air that could cause you to move a lot
  • Fixed some sound issues with Pulse Grenade
  • Added new sprint animations for Abrams
  • Various fixes to Lash's Ground Strike visual effects
  • Fixed various bugs and crashes with hero guides
  • Fixed Turrets not proccing things like Mystic Vulnerability
  • Fixed some outdated details on the minimap
  • Grey Talon's Charged Shot effect matches the damage radius better
  • Added visual tell for when Assassinate is active
  • Fixed some bugs that could cause McGinnis gun to be stuck
  • Updated Zipline Boost hint to say ACTIVE when it is active and only show the cooldown timer when its done
  • Fixed an edge case with Unstoppable and a debuff being applied on the same frame
  • Reduced minimum delay before you can press a button again to cancel a channel/precast from 0.5 to 0.2
  • Fixed getting stuck going up the ramp on the inner lane street
  • Fixed corner neutral camps not burrowing if they lose line of sight
  • Fixed being able to get on top of the tall border building behind the Chapel and behind the Firehouse
[Misc Gameplay]
  • Lane Guardian HP increased from 3750 to 4600
  • Various adjustments to lane layout to give defenders more options for forward positions near their Guardian
  • Midlane Walkers HP reduced a little bit to match the same HP as the sidelane Walkers
  • Base Guardians moved a little bit further towards the outside of the base
  • Airborne Heavy Melee now triggers when the charge up is complete, rather than waiting for the player to land on the ground (you had to manually release it before)
  • Airborne Heavy Melee distance increased to match ground version
  • Heavy Melee time reduced from 0.6 to 0.55 (same for Air)
  • Crate powerups can now only spawn after 2 minutes (when the small neutrals spawn)
  • Added breakable crates inside each lane's Cosmic Veil
  • Expanded space in some of the lane's Cosmic Veils
  • Audible distance of enemy footsteps is reduced
  • Special 15 minute melee creep now upgrades again at 25 minutes
  • Base zipline speed increased by 10%
  • Extended inner lane urn bridge buildings toward the T1 and added a doorway to allow defenders to shoot down into the canal
  • Removed 3 bush trees on each inner lane near the urn bridge buildings
  • Carved out interior of inner lane tower buildings beside the Guardian and connected to the neutral camp in the underground areas
  • Moved outer lane Walker on Factory and Mansion sides slightly closer to the stairs
  • Carved out interior of outer lane wall buildings beside the Walker to allow forward position for defenders
  • Reduced width of forward base lookout bridges
[Item Gameplay]
  • Basic Magazine: Ammo reduced from +16% to +15%
  • Basic Magazine: Weapon Damage reduced from +16% to +15%
  • Headshot Booster: Cooldown reduced from 9s to 5s
  • Spirit Strike: Health Regen increased from 0.7 to 1
  • Enduring Spirit: No longer provides +1 Sprint
  • Enduring Spirit: +10% Spirit Lifesteal
  • Soul Shredder Bullets: Spirit Amp reduced from 14% to 12%
  • Slowing Hex: Cooldown increased from 25 to 27
  • Restorative Locket: Spirit increased from +4 to +5
  • Decay: Cast range now scales with Spirit (0.2 factor)
  • Suppressor: Fire rate slow increased from 30% to 35%
  • Enduring Speed: Move Speed increased from +1.25 to +1.4
  • Swift Striker: Bullet Resist penalty reduced from -8% to -7%
  • Alchemical Fire: Now grants +5 Spirit
  • Alchemical Fire: Bullet Shield Health increased from +150 to +175
  • Alchemical Fire: Cooldown reduced from 37 to 34
  • Shifting Shroud: Duration increased from 2.75 to 3
  • Shifting Shroud: Can now be canceled early
  • Shifting Shroud: Cooldown reduced from 55s to 45s
  • Knockdown: Cooldown reduced from 50s to 40s
  • Superior Stamina: Spirit buff duration increased from 8s to 12s
  • Lifestrike: Melee damage increased from +35% to +40%
  • Toxic Bullets: Now deals half damage against troopers and neutrals
  • Leech: No longer gives +8 Spirit
  • Glass Cannon: Weapon Damage reduced from +70% to +65%
  • Mystic Reverb: No longer stops the echo if the target dies
  • Vampiric Burst: Duration reduced from 5s to 4.5s
  • Vampiric Burst: Lifesteal increased from 60% to 70%
  • Shadow Weave: Invis Sprint increased from +3 to +5
  • Curse: Now grants +8 Spirit
  • Refresher: Spirit Resist increased from +10% to +12%
  • Silencer: Ammo increased from +15% to +20%
  • Spiritual Overflow: Spirit bonus increased from 30 to 35
  • Boundless Spirit: Spirit increased from +40 to +45
[Hero Gameplay]
  • Abrams: Seismic Impact is now faster to play out
  • Abrams: Seismic Impact now has a very brief busy state upon landing
  • Bebop: Hyperbeam width increased from 2.7m to 2.9m
  • Bebop: Base bullet armor increased from 20% to 24%
  • Dynamo: Quantum Entanglement fire rate bonus reduced from 35% to 30%
  • Dynamo: Singularity T1 range increased from +2m to +3m
  • Grey Talon: Charge Shot spirit scaling improved from 1 to 1.3
  • Grey Talon: Guided Owl duration increased from 13s to 14s
  • Grey Talon: Guided Owl T3 increased from 20% to 22%
  • Grey Talon: Guided Owl player collision sized increased to regular sizes for these kind of projectiles
  • Haze: Sleep Dagger cooldown increased from 27 to 29
  • Haze: Sleep Dagger spirit scaling increased from 2.2 to 2.5
  • Haze: Smoke Bomb T2 and T3 swapped
  • Haze: Smoke Bomb T3 cooldown improved from -20s to -25s
  • Infernus: Afterburn T3 reduced from +40 dps to +35
  • Infernus: Flame Dash T1 duration reduced from 8s to 7s
  • Infernus: Flame Dash T1 Fire Rate slow increased from +30% to +35%
  • Infernus: Flame Dash T2 increased from +40 DPS to +45
  • Infernus: Flame Dash T3 increased from -15s to -20s
  • Ivy: Kudzu Bomb T3 improved from +50 DPS to +60
  • Kelvin: Base health increased from 550 to 600
  • Kelvin: Frost Grenade radius increased from 6 to 6.5
  • Kelvin: Frost Grenade charge time reduced from 10s to 8s
  • Kelvin: Players can now slide down the Ice Path
  • Kelvin: Ice Path slow resistance increased from 50% to 60%
  • Kelvin: Ice Path T3 max spirit increased from 40 to 55
  • Lady Geist: Soul Exchange cast time reduced from 0.5 to 0.2
  • McGinnis: Rocket Barrage now does less damage to objectives similar to other ability damage
  • Mo & Krill: Sand Blast no longer affects bosses
  • Paradox: Bullet base damage reduced from 8 to 7.2 (indirectly affects Kinetic Carbine)
  • Paradox: Bullet growth reduced from 0.48 to 0.42 (indirectly affects Kinetic Carbine)
  • Paradox: Kinetic Carbine damage reduced from +100% to +85%
  • Paradox: Paradoxical Swap range reduced from 40m to 35m
  • Paradox: Fixed Paradoxical Swap being able to grab multiple heroes if they were really close to each other
  • Pocket: Barrage radius increased from 5m to 6m
  • Pocket: Barrage cooldown reduced from 35 to 30
  • Pocket: Barrage T3 increased from 100% to 150%
  • Pocket: Flying Cloak speed increased by 7%
  • Pocket: Flying Cloak T3 increased from +5 damage to +7
  • Vindicta: Now has -10% Base Bullet Resist
  • Vindicta: Flight no longer grants +1 bonus air speed
  • Vindicta: Flight falloff damage increase reduced from +20% to +10%
  • Vindicta: Fixed flight spirit damage being able to pierce Metal Skin
  • Warden: Willpower T1 improved from +15% to +20%
  • Warden: Last Stand duration increased from 5s to 6s
  • Wraith: Project Mind cooldown reduced from 50s to 45s
  • Yamato: Power Slash spirit scaling improved from 1.6 to 2.0
  • Yamato: Power Slash no longer does a very minor movement on enemies hit
  • Yamato: Fixed Power Slash sometimes not being a full charge when channeled fully during the Shadow Transformation
  • Yamato: Shadow Transformation's ability speedup now affects the post-cast durations as well
  • Yamato: Shadow Transformation's ability speedup now improves the visual animations (cosmetic only change)
06.06.2024 Changelog
[ General Changes ]
  • Reworked how friend invites work inside the client. You must now be Steam friends with a person to invite them. This has a friend recency requirement as well as your friend needing to not be a limited steam user.
  • Replaced the neutral vaults with a new model, the Sinner's Sacrifice
  • Added the ability to change builds while in-game
  • Build descriptions can now be seen in-game via a tooltip
  • Added neutrals to Hero Sandbox (the small room in the back on the right)
  • Added new objective health bars for Guardians and Walkers
  • Added Match History link to the top right
  • You can now move active item slots on the HUD while holding alt/tab
  • Improved visibility of the voice icon indicating who is talking
  • Hero icons on the minimap are scaled up a little when holding alt
  • Removed Pause cooldown in private bot matches and tutorial/sandbox
  • Improved networking when there is packet loss or jitter
  • Soul Vessel dropped from heroes (after killing neutrals) now scales in size based on how many souls are inside
  • Improved Grey Talon's trap visibility
  • Increased the speed of Guardian's melee attacks
  • Changed Guardian's behavior to only attempt melee when a unit is within 6m but still do damage to units in 12m range
  • Candle trooper health bars now stick around at 1% when they are in self destruct mode to make it more clear they can still be shot
  • Infernus's Afterburn now shows portraits of enemies that are burning for the full duration
  • Improved menu UI sound feedback
  • Player's icon is highlighted in the top bar
  • Added UI sound effects for team and opponent deaths
  • Added Kinetic Carbine charge audio loop
  • Updated Vindicta Flight sound effects
  • Added Vindicta Assassinate sound effect for targeted players
  • Improved visuals for Kelvin's gun projectile
  • Fixed some visual issues with Ice Path
  • Added AoE effect to Pocket's Barrage
  • Updated weapon buff effect in Pocket's Flying Cloak upgrade
  • Visual effects updates for melee lifesteal items
  • Fixed Power Slash sometimes getting stuck on nearby geometry
  • Updated sound effects for the Sinner's Sacrifice
  • Updated Pocket's Enchanted Satchel delay and explode sounds
  • Updated Pocket's Barrage cast and impact sounds
  • Updated Warden's Binding Word delay and impact sounds
  • Fixed Dynamo's Quantum Entanglement going through ceilings sometimes
  • Fixed an HTML exploit with chat
  • Fixed not being able to place deployable abilities at certain angles
  • Fixed moving active item slots causing the player to say "[ITEM] is on cooldown"
  • Fixed training Ivy's True Form causing you to get healed
  • Fixed a bug with Malice firing slightly upward
  • Changed collision on barrel stand stacks to block bullets
  • Added zapper on factory outpost building
  • Removed roof duct on top of low building besides inner Walker
  • Removed street lamp post that was causing heroes to get stuck near inner lane Guardian
  • Added lights to outer lane Cosmic Veil tunnels
  • More heroes will now compliment on good uses of ultimates instead of just saying "good work"
  • Fixed more instances of heroes being called out by the wrong name
[ Misc Gameplay ]
  • Base hero kill value increased from 150 to 225
  • Rejuv duration reduced from 4 to 3 minutes
  • Rejuv buff no longer increases your ammo
  • Rejuv now causes all your candle troopers to have double health for 3 minutes
  • Mid Boss can now only be damaged by enemies inside the bottom pit
  • Mid Boss Rejuv claim time reduced from 2.5s to 1.5s
  • Strong neutrals HP reduced by 20%
  • Strong neutrals souls bounty reduced by 20%
  • 4 Strong Neutral camps in the corners of the map have been replaced with Medium neutrals
  • Vaults souls increased from 260 to 300
  • Spirit tier bonus increased from 3/6/9/12 to 4/8/12/16
  • Vitality tier bonus increased from 5/10/15/20% to 8/12/16/20%
  • Bullet damage falloff now maxes out at ~65m instead of ~70m
  • Walker bomb damage reduced from 300 to 200
  • Moved the middle lane Base Guardians further out slightly
  • Powerups bonus types are now split between the regular destructibles like crates/vases/etc and the Golden Statues. Regular ones can only roll for souls and Golden Statues can only roll for buffs. Distribution of destructibles and Golden Status around the map has been adjusted a bit.
  • Respawn rate for Destructibles/Statues (after initial spawn) slowed from 120s to 180s
  • Mid boss area has reduced destructibles
  • Movement Speed powerup duration increased from 12s to 30s
  • Movement Speed powerup movespeed reduced from 2 to 1
  • Movement Speed powerup sprint speed increased from 2 to 4
  • Fire Rate powerup reduced from +20% to +15%
  • Fire Rate powerup duration increased from 25s to 35s
  • Health Regen powerup regen reduced from 1.5% to 1%
  • Health Regen powerup duration increased from 15s to 25s
  • Cooldown Reduction powerup reduced from 25% to 20%
  • Extra Clip powerup reduced from 4 clips to 3
  • Extra Stamina powerup duration increased from 60s to 80s
  • Extra Stamina powerup amount reduced from 2 to 1
  • Crouch movespeed increased from 4 to 4.75
  • Bullet Shields now block damage from melee (similar to resistance)
  • Increased the distance heroes slide when they come to the bottom of a ramp
[ Item Gameplay ]
  • Extra Regen: Regen increased from 1.75 to 2
  • Enduring Spirit: Spirit Lifesteal reduced from +10% to +8%
  • Reactive Barrier: Cooldown reduced from 35s to 25s
  • Decay changed from 2.2% of Max Health to 2.4% Current Health (less damage when the target is low, and non-lethal now)
  • Healbane moved from Spirit tree to Vitality tree
  • Healbane now gives +50 Health
  • Spirit Lifesteal: Reduced from +25% to +23%
  • Soul Shredder Bullets: Spirit Amp reduced from +12% to +10%
  • Cold Front: cooldown reduced from 40s to 32s
  • Improved Cooldown: HP Regen reduced from 2 to 1.5
  • Knockdown: No longer provides +2 Sprint
  • Knockdown: Now provides +1 Stamina
  • Shifting Shroud: Cooldown reduced from 45s to 35s
  • Shifting Shroud: Bonus spirit duration increased from 6s to 10s
  • Sharpshooter: Damage falloff bonus reduced from 20% to 15%
  • Metal Skin duration reduced from 4s to 3s
  • Metal Skin cooldown increased from 25s to 30s
  • Intensifying Magazine: Time for Max Damage reduced from 4s to 3.5s
  • Torment Pulse: Interval improved from 2s to 1.5s
  • Torment Pulse: Damage per pulse reduced from 45 to 40 (total dps from 22.5 to 26.6)
  • Torment Pulse: HP bonus reduced from +150 to +125
  • Majestic Leap: Velocity increased from 22.5 to 27
  • Leech: Spirit Lifesteal reduced from +35% to +33%
  • Refresher: No longer has cast time (was 1s)
  • Mystic Reverb: Fixed the damage being reduced by armor twice
  • Mystic Reverb: Damage reduced from 35% to 30%
  • Curse: No longer prevents stamina usage
  • Curse: Now also prevents item usage
  • Curse: Duration reduced from 3.75s to 3.5s
  • Diviner's Kelvar: Bullet Shield increased from 700 to 1000
  • Boundless Spirit: Spirit increased from 45 to 50
  • Spiritual Overflow: Spirit duration increased from 14s to 18s
[ Hero Gameplay]
  • Abrams: Base HP growth reduced from 36 to 32
  • Abrams: Infernal Resilience T2 reduced from +200 Health to +150
  • Abrams: Seismic Impact personal brief busy state upon landing increased from 0.2s to 0.3s
  • Bebop: Hyper Beam slow now affects stamina dashes
  • Dynamo: Base HP growth reduced from 48 to 44
  • Dynamo: Quantum Entanglement fire rate bonus reduced from +30% to +25%
  • Dynamo: Singularity base radius increased from 8m to 10m
  • Grey Talon: Charged Shot T3 spirit scaling increased from 0.91 to 1.1
  • Haze: Sleep Dagger T3 damage reduction on target improved from -30% to -40%
  • Haze: Smoke Bomb sprint speed now instantly kicks in after casting it
  • Haze: Bullet Dance cooldown reduced from 160s to 130s
  • Haze: Bullet Dance T2 changed to -40s Cooldown
  • Haze: Bullet Dance T3 changed to +1 Targets Hit Per Shot
  • Infernus: Flame Dash cooldown increased from 30s to 38s
  • Ivy: Watcher's Covenant heal sharing reduced from 65% to 55%
  • Kelvin: Ice Path sprint speed increased from +1 to +2
  • Kelvin: Ice Path trail duration increased from 12s to 15s
  • Kelvin: Frozen Shelter T2 changed to -40s Cooldown
  • Kelvin: Frozen Shelter T3 changed to +70 Health Regen that scales with Spirit
  • Kelvin: Frozen Shelter can now be dismissed early
  • McGinnis: Spectral Wall can now be dismissed early
  • Pocket: Barrage channel can now be interrupted by casting your other abilities
  • Pocket: Barrage radius increased from 6m to 6.5m
  • Pocket: Enchanted Satchel cast time reduced from 0.25s to 0.15s
  • Seven: Storm Cloud T1 increased from +30% to +35% Bullet Resist
  • Vindicta: Flight spirit bonus damage reduced from +12 to +10
  • Vindicta: Flight no longer has +10% bonus range to damage falloff
  • Vindicta: Flight cooldown increased from 35s to 50s
  • Vindicta: Flight T2 changed from +12 Spirit Damage to -15s Cooldown
  • Vindicta: Flight T3 changed from +3 m/s Bonus Air Speed to +12 Spirit Damage
  • Vindicta: Can no longer melee while flying for extra movement
  • Vindicta: Assassinate now ramps up its total damage from 50% to 100% over 1 second of being zoomed (UI indication for this)
  • Vindicta: Fixed being unable to move while scoped in with Assassinate
  • Warden: Base ammo increased from 14 to 16
  • Warden: Alchemical Flask T3 increased from +25% Fire Rate Slow to +35%
  • Warden: Willpower T3 increased from +150 Spirit Shield to +200
submitted by Euphoric_Coyote9296 to DeadLockHub [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 09:55 adulting4kids Figures of Speech

24. Understatement:
In a pivotal moment of your story, describe a significant event with deliberate understatement. For instance, narrate a character's encounter with a mythical creature as if it were merely a routine disturbance. Explore the impact of this subtle approach on the reader's perception and the unfolding plot.
25. Cliché:
Challenge the notion of clichés by incorporating them intentionally into your narrative. Develop a storyline where characters knowingly navigate situations reminiscent of common tropes, and explore how they either conform to or subvert the expected outcomes associated with these familiar elements.
26. Anthropomorphism:
Bring an inanimate object or natural element to life by assigning it human-like qualities. Explore the world from the perspective of this anthropomorphized entity, uncovering its thoughts, emotions, and interactions within the larger context of your story.
27. Symbolism:
Craft a scene where a specific object or element becomes a powerful symbol within your story. Explore the deeper meaning and significance attached to this symbol, delving into how it shapes the characters' beliefs, actions, or the overall trajectory of the narrative.
28. Paronomasia:
Introduce wordplay into a conversation between characters, where the clever use of similar-sounding words or phrases serves as a catalyst for an unexpected turn of events. Develop a scenario where linguistic wit becomes a driving force in the unfolding plot.
submitted by adulting4kids to writingthruit [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 09:28 ErikCoolness O.MG/Malicious Cables - What I Found and How to Protect Your Smart Device

Warning: I am not a technician, programmer, or a cybersecurity expert, I am simply a tech enthusiast who hopes to help people in whatever way possible. So do take my advice with a grain of salt, as what I know may not be 100% true.
Also disclaimer: This post is not to criticize Hak5, O.MG or ridicule their staff, but rather to point out the potential danger posed from anyone who intend to use one of their products for malicious intent. I am sure they mean well, as their products are made to help improve the security of companies and software products.
——————————-
It’s a bit of a rare topic to talk about when it comes to cybersecurity, and I think it deserves more attention, especially since hackers are becoming more clever with hardware.
https://youtu.be/mPF9f-PLDPc?si=NG_MZvUZowT6czQz
I came across this YouTube video by Linus Tech Tips where he talks about a special type of cable known as, O.MG Cables. They sound terrifying because they are replica cables of the ones officially sold for iPhones and Android devices. These cables at first glance look normal and exactly like the ones you’d plug into your phone, but are actually hacking devices. Inside the USB end of the cable is a small, compact Wi-Fi connector that uses the Wi-Fi your device is connected to allow remote access to it. Once plugged in, a hacker immediately has remote access to your phone and it automatically keylogs everything you type, allowing the hacker to read everything you are saying, including in chat messages with other people, and even see your logins and passwords. I’ve been doing research on these things for the past two weeks now, and as a guy who travels a lot, either to college or general public, I even started to wonder if my cables were replaced at some point by somebody unknowingly. It was just simply out of fear and imagination though, and I’m pretty sure they’re still the same cables I’ve always had and used, plus I’m sure I would’ve noticed if somebody replaced them or tapped into my phone, but I am keeping a close eye on my cables from now on. (I mean I’m using my phone to make this post now.)
Now, I want to clarify, what I’m about to say is pretty much already covered in Linus’ and other YouTube videos, but I felt it necessary to spread word with more detail as possible.
Throughout my research, I found out these cables are sold by a company called, Hak5, who sells a bunch of hacking devices to red teams, IT departments, corporations, police departments, government agencies, or people in general to help improve security systems and patch out vulnerabilities in software. This is their website here:
https://shop.hak5.org
No, it’s not some black market scheme; these are legally sold. I know the media usually portrays hacking in a dark tone, whether it’s on a fictional TV show or video game, or news outlets explaining the dangers of hacks, but not all hacks are malicious as the media portrays; as already mentioned, they are sometimes done to help find vulnerabilities to be patched. If you’re into cybersecurity or a tech enthusiast like me, you may have at one point heard of the Wi-Fi Pineapple, a device used to find holes in a public Wi-Fi and eavesdrop on people, or the USB Rubber Ducky, a device made to look like a normal USB Flash Drive is actually a small computer that loads hacking payloads onto PC’s. These are actually products of Hak5. The O.MG Cable basically does the same thing as the Rubber Ducky, but it’s harder to detect since it was mainly made for smartphones, and they’re often detected as keyboard or mouse peripherals, which is usually the method of bypassing. They are indeed intended for smartphones, but in some cases I heard it can also affect computers too.
In case you don’t know what a payload is, it’s basically a script or a piece of code written by a hacker, made to cause the target system to do things without the need of its intended user, such as commanding the computedevice to open the default web browser and immediately go to a malicious website to download malicious files. Another reason why O.MG Cables and their payloads in particular are harder to detect is because the payloads are written in a unique coding language made for the O.MG Cables.
The O.MG Cable isn’t actually made by Hak5, but rather a product they sell in cooperation with another company, that being O.MG. Now I know what some of you iPhone users may be thinking: “what’s the big deal? Just update your iPhone and don’t jailbreak it!” Oh my friend, you have no idea what this thing is capable of. The O.MG Cables are regularly updated, with various updates, and new payloads are shared amongst people who use Hak5 sold products, and O.MG every once in a while releases a new model of O.MG Cables. Just last month, as of the time of this post, they released a new version:
https://youtu.be/TYXeIBhYZrw?si=-nFc1WuDH9Has5Dh
The good thing about cables like these, whether they’re O.MG or generic malicious cables, because there are some that have existed before O.MG ones, is that they are rare, and Hak5 sells O.MG Cables at a minimum of $180 USD. You’re most likely to see one of these things left on the ground at corporate offices or government agencies, where hackers might attempt to breach and obtain vital company or government information by hoping someone working in those fields will pick them up and think they’re benign devices. Now, that doesn’t mean that anybody who has a hold of one of these things won’t try to hack into a random individual’s device.
However, if you are somewhat worried whether or not your USB cables are legit or not, there do exist software and devices that can help you ease your worries, most notably, USB data blockers. These small USB devices were made to block out data transfers but allow power to pass through them, making it safer to even use public chargers that the FBI and other law enforcement agencies keep telling people not to use (though, I personally still wouldn’t trust them anyways). There’s plenty of them out there, but the most popular choices I’ve seen are the following:
-Juice Jack Defender -PortaPow USB Data Blocker -Charger Defender -Gosund USB Data Blocker -USB Condom (Yes, that’s actually its name.) -The Databloc -JSAUX USB Data Blocker
O.MG even made one themselves, because (this may make you chuckle) the wife of the guy who made the O.MG Cables got tired of trying to figure out which cables they had in their home were O.MG Cables, and which ones were genuine charger cords. According to the webpage on Hak5 and O.MG’s instruction manual for the product, this not only blocks data, but also there’s an LED indicator to alert the user that the Cable is attempting to connect to Wi-Fi or perform actions other than charging, so good thing they made such a product:
https://shop.hak5.org/products/malicious-cable-detector-by-o-mg
If you’re wondering whether or not your cable may be malicious, and for some reason you cannot get ahold of a device or software that can help you find out, here are some things and some signs to know if your phone is hacked, especially by one of these:
  1. You may already know this one, but one of the first well known obvious signs is that your battery is draining fast. This is because your phone or device is being forced to do extra work so that the hacker maintains access to your phone.
  2. Another well known and obvious sign is that your device is heating up even without you using it. This ties in with #1, where the device is doing extra work to keep the hacker connected.
  3. Your web browser suddenly opens a web page you didn’t even intend to open. The keyboard is also acting on its own to make this happen.
  4. Your device suddenly installs an app that you don’t even remember installing.
  5. Probably the scariest one, is that your device suddenly sends texts or messages to others you don’t remember sending or the phone suddenly takes a photo from the camera or screenshot of what’s currently on the screen and immediately sends it to an unknown contact.
  6. If you’re using an iPhone, it should be un-jailbroken. Being jailbroken means that your iPhone can download unauthorized apps and run files that are not approved by Apple and published in the AppStore. Apple keeps the iPhone un-jailbroken and sandboxed to ensure the safety of the user and to make sure iOS is as secure as possible, and the only software that you can download to your iPhone are the ones approved by Apple. If you find that your iPhone is jailbroken and you did not intend for this to happen, this means a hacker had somehow tapped into your phone and uploaded malicious code to jailbreak itself, so that the hacker could do more damage to it by making it download unauthorized files.
Note: 3,4, and 5 are signs that payloads were executed onto your device. As mentioned before, these are scripts or at least, pieces of code that were unknowingly sent by the hacker and executed so that the device performs actions that were not intended by the user and could most definitely be an indication that something you plugged into your phone is malicious.
These are some of the more well known signs of malware or hacks present on your device, and it may be best to check and see if your cable or whatever you may connect to it may be responsible. But what should you do if you believe the cable you currently hold is malicious? Here’s some steps I came up with:
  1. Throw it away, or if possible, turn it in to police department. Throwing it away may sometimes or most times be the better, time saving option because oftentimes, a malicious cable has a self-destruct feature. Don’t worry, I do not mean it’ll blow up and cause physical harm to you. What this means is that the hacker can put in a command that’ll tell the cable’s computer components to delete everything it may have stored onto itself and fry the electronics, turning it into a normal charging cable and leaving no traces in the code as to who was hacking you. The hacker no longer has access to your device or can control the cable afterwards, but you should still throw what’s left in the cable away even if they could or did self-destruct it. So, when throwing it away, and I recommend wearing rubbenon-conductive gloves if you feel the need to do this, cut the wire in half or in pieces with a pair of scissors, flush cutter, or a knife and dismantle the connectors on both ends, the USB connector and the lightning/USB-C connector; this can be done by either crushing the shell and pulling the components apart with some strong pliers, or, and a bit of a dangerous method, smash it with a hammer. I don’t recommend the latter though, as the internal pieces could go scattering and end up somewhere you can’t find or get to them. If you can and it’s recommended anyway, dispose of the now dismantled cable in an e-waste bin. The reason we want to tear it up like this is so nobody else falls victim to the cable.
  2. Replace your wire with an official wire from retail, such as Best Buy, Walmart, or even an Apple Store, or a phone service store like T-Mobile, Verizon, etc. Don’t buy a cable off of eBay, since most of the times, those are just random sellers who are not affiliated with a business and there’s a chance they might have tampered with it in some way and secretly turned it into a malicious cable (unless of course for whatever reason, you have a really old iPhone model that requires the old bulky connector). If you intend to buy a third-party cable online, especially from Amazon, do research first, see what people say about the particular cable you are about to buy whether it’s YouTube reviews or reviews on Amazon. I don’t know anything about Android cables unfortunately since I’ve never owned an Android phone, but for iPhones, definitely look for a cable that’s MFI Certified. MFI Certified means that the cable/product was checked and verified by Apple themselves and they confirmed it safe to use.
  3. Factory Reset or download an AV app for your device if the hacks and possible malware continue to persist, even with the cable gone. If you have an Android phone, it’s definitely possible to download an AV off of the Google Store. Definitely find one with good detection rates and a firewall. I usually recommend the following for computer users and they could be just as good on Android if they are available: Bitdefender, Kaspersky, ESET, Malwarebytes, and Sophos. For iPhone users, I hate to say it, but you’re most likely going to have to backup and factory reset your iPhone. Because of the nature of the iPhone and Apple’s strict policy and sandboxing doesn’t allow true antivirus software onto iPhone. You’ll see many AV companies make apps for iPhone, but these are mostly jailbreak checkers and VPNs. Factory resetting is usually the way most iPhone users go to remove malware, hacks, payloads, and even reverse jailbreaks on an iPhone. Even then, Apple usually does great job at patching security exploits, so if you don’t want to do the factory reset, try checking for updates for iOS or simply turning off and on your iPhone again to see if that removes any problems first.
  4. Lastly, and very simple. Keep your device’s OS and apps up to date. Especially if there’s a major update, download and install it. Consider a VPN for extra security if you feel the need.
If the steps above don’t work, it’s probably best to go see a cybersecurity or computer expert. At the very least, you should definitely change any the passwords and set up 2-Factor Authenticators for any and all accounts that were logged in onto your device through a non-compromised one.
That’s all I have to say for this post. I simply wanted to bring attention to malicious USB charging cables and give out some tips on whenever and if ever you came across one and you may have infected your smartphone device with one of these. I’m sure Hak5 and O.MG mean well, since their products are mainly done to pentest security systems and seek out vulnerabilities to help companies and people patch up their systems. The O.MG Cables have been around for some time, about four years now, they even come in different models that aren’t smartphone replicas, such as a USB to USB-C adapter, though the smartphone replicas are much more prevelent. While it is a bit rare to see a hardware based attack these days with tight security amongst corporations, and people being more weary of their surroundings, I still felt it necessary to make this post, and I hope it does potentially help someone in the future.
submitted by ErikCoolness to AskNetsec [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 09:22 707ww The Wizard of 'Oz'

All the answers contain 'oz' in that order
$200: A word meaning 12 when bragging about your homemade cookies
$400: US slang for a bit of a dumb-dumb
$600: Thinking of skipping the mocktail section of the menu and going straight to cocktails? Maybe you’re in the mood for something with a little more this
$800: Ooh, you’re on holiday in Tokyo? Trying to order ‘dumplings’ may not be specific enough, opt for this Japanese term
$1000: The infamous layer of the atmosphere that has some unfortunate holes leading to a lot of Kiwi’s sunburn
submitted by 707ww to CustomJeopardy [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 09:14 liranlin I got error on my comfyui and now a few nods are missing

here is my log:

ComfyUI-Manager: installing dependencies done.

[2024-06-10 10:04] ** ComfyUI startup time: 2024-06-10 10:04:24.703477
[2024-06-10 10:04] ** Platform: Windows
[2024-06-10 10:04] ** Python version: 3.10.9 (tags/v3.10.9:1dd9be6, Dec 6 2022, 20:01:21) [MSC v.1934 64 bit (AMD64)]
[2024-06-10 10:04] ** Python executable: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\python_embeded\python.exe
[2024-06-10 10:04] ** Log path: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\comfyui.log
[2024-06-10 10:04]
Prestartup times for custom nodes:
[2024-06-10 10:04] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Marigold
[2024-06-10 10:04] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\rgthree-comfy
[2024-06-10 10:04] 0.1 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-deploy
[2024-06-10 10:04] 0.5 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Manager
[2024-06-10 10:04]
Total VRAM 24576 MB, total RAM 130965 MB
[2024-06-10 10:04] pytorch version: 2.1.2+cu118
[2024-06-10 10:04] xformers version: 0.0.23.post1+cu118
[2024-06-10 10:04] Set vram state to: NORMAL_VRAM
[2024-06-10 10:04] Device: cuda:0 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 : cudaMallocAsync
[2024-06-10 10:04] VAE dtype: torch.bfloat16
[2024-06-10 10:04] Using xformers cross attention
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path checkpoints D:\ai\Ai Models\Stable-diffusion
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path configs D:\ai\Vlad-oneclick\stable-diffusion-webui\models/Stable-diffusion
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path vae D:\ai\Vlad-oneclick\stable-diffusion-webui\models/VAE
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path loras D:\ai\Ai Models\Lora
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path loras D:\ai\Vlad-oneclick\stable-diffusion-webui\models/LyCORIS
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path upscale_models D:\ai\Vlad-oneclick\stable-diffusion-webui\models/ESRGAN
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path upscale_models D:\ai\Vlad-oneclick\stable-diffusion-webui\models/RealESRGAN
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path upscale_models D:\ai\Vlad-oneclick\stable-diffusion-webui\models/SwinIR
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path embeddings D:\ai\Vlad-oneclick\stable-diffusion-webui\embeddings
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path hypernetworks D:\ai\Vlad-oneclick\stable-diffusion-webui\models/hypernetworks
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path controlnet D:\ai\Ai Models\Controlnet
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding extra search path ipadapter D:\ai\Ai Models\ipadapter
[2024-06-10 10:04] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\nodes.py", line 1879, in load_custom_node
module_spec.loader.exec_module(module)
File "", line 879, in exec_module
File "", line 1016, in get_code
File "", line 1073, in get_data
FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\custom_nodes\\BiRefNet\\__init__.py'
[2024-06-10 10:04] Cannot import D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\BiRefNet module for custom nodes: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\custom_nodes\\BiRefNet\\__init__.py'
[2024-06-10 10:04] [95m[ComfyUI-0️⃣ 2️⃣ 4️⃣ 6️⃣ ] Loaded all nodes and apis.[0m
[2024-06-10 10:04] [AnimateDiff] - [0;33mWARNING[0m - xformers is enabled but it has a bug that can cause issue while using with AnimateDiff.
[2024-06-10 10:04] [AnimateDiff] - [0;31mERROR[0m - No models available. Please download one and put it in models folder
[2024-06-10 10:04] Adding D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes to sys.path
[2024-06-10 10:04]
[36mEfficiency Nodes:[0m Attempting to add Control Net options to the 'HiRes-Fix Script' Node (comfyui_controlnet_aux add-on)...[92mSuccess![0m
[2024-06-10 10:04] Loaded Efficiency nodes from D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\efficiency-nodes-comfyui
[2024-06-10 10:04] Loaded ControlNetPreprocessors nodes from D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui_controlnet_aux
[2024-06-10 10:04] Loaded AdvancedControlNet nodes from D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Advanced-ControlNet
[2024-06-10 10:04] Loaded AnimateDiff from D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-animatediff\animatediff/sliding_schedule.py
[2024-06-10 10:04] Loaded IPAdapter nodes from D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_IPAdapter_plus
[2024-06-10 10:04] Loaded VideoHelperSuite from D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-VideoHelperSuite
[2024-06-10 10:04] ### Loading: ComfyUI-Impact-Pack (V5.5.11)
[2024-06-10 10:04] ### Loading: ComfyUI-Impact-Pack (Subpack: V0.5)
[2024-06-10 10:04] ### Loading: ComfyUI-Impact-Pack (V5.5.11)
[2024-06-10 10:04] Loaded ImpactPack nodes from D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Impact-Pack
[2024-06-10 10:04] [Impact Pack] Wildcards loading done.
[2024-06-10 10:04] [Impact Pack] Wildcards loading done.
[2024-06-10 10:04] [Crystools [0;32mINFO[0m] Crystools version: 1.12.0
[2024-06-10 10:04] [Crystools [0;32mINFO[0m] CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-10900KF CPU @ 3.70GHz - Arch: AMD64 - OS: Windows 10
[2024-06-10 10:04] [Crystools [0;32mINFO[0m] GPU/s:
[2024-06-10 10:04] [Crystools [0;32mINFO[0m] 0) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
[2024-06-10 10:04] [Crystools [0;32mINFO[0m] NVIDIA Driver: 545.92
[2024-06-10 10:04] CD_BYPASS_UPLOAD False
[2024-06-10 10:04] ### Loading: ComfyUI-Impact-Pack (V5.5.11)
[2024-06-10 10:04] [Impact Pack] Wildcards loading done.
[2024-06-10 10:04] ### Loading: ComfyUI-Inspire-Pack (V0.70.1)
[2024-06-10 10:04] Total VRAM 24576 MB, total RAM 130965 MB
[2024-06-10 10:04] pytorch version: 2.1.2+cu118
[2024-06-10 10:04] xformers version: 0.0.23.post1+cu118
[2024-06-10 10:04] Set vram state to: NORMAL_VRAM
[2024-06-10 10:04] Device: cuda:0 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 : cudaMallocAsync
[2024-06-10 10:04] VAE dtype: torch.bfloat16
[2024-06-10 10:04] ### Loading: ComfyUI-Manager (V2.34.1)
[2024-06-10 10:04] ### ComfyUI Revision: 2198 [1900e511] Released on '2024-05-20'
[2024-06-10 10:04] #fix sys.stdout.isatty
[2024-06-10 10:04] [ComfyUI-Manager] default cache updated: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ltdrdata/ComfyUI-Managemain/alter-list.json
[2024-06-10 10:04] [ComfyUI-Manager] default cache updated: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ltdrdata/ComfyUI-Managemain/model-list.json
[2024-06-10 10:04] [ComfyUI-Manager] default cache updated: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ltdrdata/ComfyUI-Managemain/github-stats.json
[2024-06-10 10:04] [ComfyUI-Manager] default cache updated: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ltdrdata/ComfyUI-Managemain/extension-node-map.json
[2024-06-10 10:04] [ComfyUI-Manager] default cache updated: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ltdrdata/ComfyUI-Managemain/custom-node-list.json
[2024-06-10 10:04] --------------
[2024-06-10 10:04] [91m ### Mixlab Nodes: [93mLoaded
[2024-06-10 10:04] ## lama torchscript model not found: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\models\lama\big-lama.pt,pls download from https://github.com/enesmsahin/simple-lama-inpainting/releases/download/v0.1.0/big-lama.pt
[2024-06-10 10:04] LaMaInpainting.available True
[2024-06-10 10:04] ## clip_interrogator_model not found: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\models\clip_interrogator\Salesforce/blip-image-captioning-base, pls download from https://huggingface.co/Salesforce/blip-image-captioning-base
[2024-06-10 10:04] ClipInterrogator.available True
[2024-06-10 10:04] ## text_generator_model not found: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\models\prompt_generator\text2image-prompt-generator, pls download from https://huggingface.co/succinctly/text2image-prompt-generatotree/main
[2024-06-10 10:04] ## zh_en_model not found: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\models\prompt_generator\opus-mt-zh-en, pls download from https://huggingface.co/Helsinki-NLP/opus-mt-zh-en/tree/main
[2024-06-10 10:04] PromptGenerate.available True
[2024-06-10 10:04] ChinesePrompt.available True
[2024-06-10 10:04] RembgNode_.available True
[2024-06-10 10:04] [93m -------------- [0m
[2024-06-10 10:04] Failed to auto update `Quality of Life Suit`
[2024-06-10 10:04] [33mQualityOfLifeSuit_Omar92_DIR:[0m D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-QualityOfLifeSuit_Omar92
[2024-06-10 10:04] [0;33m[ReActor][0m - [38;5;173mSTATUS[0m - [0;32mRunning v0.5.0-b3 in ComfyUI[0m
[2024-06-10 10:04] Torch version: 2.1.2+cu118
[2024-06-10 10:04] ### Loading: Save as Webp
[2024-06-10 10:04] Copying JS files for Workflow loading
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Flatten_Colors
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_FontText
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_GenerateNoise
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Glitch_This
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Hue_Rotation
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Load_Picture_Index
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_PILGram
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Pixel_Sort
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Play_Sound_At_Execution
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_PromptGen
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Solid_Color
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Swap_Color_Mode
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Flatten_Colors
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_FontText
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_GenerateNoise
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Glitch_This
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Hue_Rotation
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Load_Picture_Index
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_PILGram
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Pixel_Sort
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Play_Sound_At_Execution
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_PromptGen
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Solid_Color
[2024-06-10 10:04] Imported node: DT_Swap_Color_Mode
[2024-06-10 10:04] (pysssss:WD14Tagger) [DEBUG] Available ORT providers: TensorrtExecutionProvider, CUDAExecutionProvider, CPUExecutionProvider
[2024-06-10 10:04] (pysssss:WD14Tagger) [DEBUG] Using ORT providers: CUDAExecutionProvider, CPUExecutionProvider
[2024-06-10 10:04] Workspace manager - Openning file hash dict
[2024-06-10 10:04] ### Loading: Workspace Manager (V1.0.0)
[2024-06-10 10:04] Ignoring node 'CV2TonemapDurand' due to cv2 edition/version
[2024-06-10 10:04] ------------------------------------------
[2024-06-10 10:04] [34mComfyroll Studio v1.76 : [92m 175 Nodes Loaded[0m
[2024-06-10 10:04] ------------------------------------------
[2024-06-10 10:04] ** For changes, please see patch notes at https://github.com/Suzie1/ComfyUI\_Comfyroll\_CustomNodes/blob/main/Patch\_Notes.md
[2024-06-10 10:04] ** For help, please see the wiki at https://github.com/Suzie1/ComfyUI\_Comfyroll\_CustomNodes/wiki
[2024-06-10 10:04] ------------------------------------------
[2024-06-10 10:04] [34mFizzleDorf Custom Nodes: [92mLoaded[0m
[2024-06-10 10:04] [92m[tinyterraNodes] [32mLoaded[0m
[2024-06-10 10:04] [36;20m[comfy_mtb] INFO -> loaded [96m76[0m nodes successfuly[0m
[2024-06-10 10:04] [36;20m[comfy_mtb] INFO -> Some nodes (2) could not be loaded. This can be ignored, but go to http://None:8188/mtb if you want more information.[0m
[2024-06-10 10:05] 2024-06-10 10:05:00.511 WARNING Jovimetrix.core.utility::52 - no gifski support
[2024-06-10 10:05] [1;32m[Power Noise Suite]: 🦚🦚🦚 [93m[3mSqueaa-squee!!![0m 🦚🦚🦚
[2024-06-10 10:05] [1;32m[Power Noise Suite]:[0m Tamed [93m11[0m wild nodes.
[2024-06-10 10:05] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\nodes.py", line 1879, in load_custom_node
module_spec.loader.exec_module(module)
File "", line 879, in exec_module
File "", line 1016, in get_code
File "", line 1073, in get_data
FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\custom_nodes\\replaced\\__init__.py'
[2024-06-10 10:05] Cannot import D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\replaced module for custom nodes: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\custom_nodes\\replaced\\__init__.py'
[2024-06-10 10:05]
[2024-06-10 10:05] [92m[rgthree] Loaded 40 fantastic nodes.[0m
[2024-06-10 10:05] [92m[rgthree] Will use rgthree's optimized recursive execution.[0m
[2024-06-10 10:05]
[2024-06-10 10:05] Searge-SDXL v4.3.1 in D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\SeargeSDXL
[2024-06-10 10:05] [34mWAS Node Suite: [0mBlenderNeko's Advanced CLIP Text Encode found, attempting to enable `CLIPTextEncode` support.[0m
[2024-06-10 10:05] [34mWAS Node Suite: [0m`CLIPTextEncode (BlenderNeko Advanced + NSP)` node enabled under `WAS Suite/Conditioning` menu.[0m
[2024-06-10 10:05] [34mWAS Node Suite: [0mOpenCV Python FFMPEG support is enabled[0m
[2024-06-10 10:05] [34mWAS Node Suite [93mWarning: [0m`ffmpeg_bin_path` is not set in `D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\was-node-suite-comfyui\was_suite_config.json` config file. Will attempt to use system ffmpeg binaries if available.[0m
[2024-06-10 10:05] [34mWAS Node Suite: [0mFinished.[0m [32mLoaded[0m [0m213[0m [32mnodes successfully.[0m
[2024-06-10 10:05]
\[3m\[93m"Art is the daughter of freedom."\[0m\[3m - Friedrich Schiller\[0m 
[2024-06-10 10:05]
[2024-06-10 10:05]
Import times for custom nodes:
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_IPAdapter_plus
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\SDXLAspectRatio.py
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-VideoHelperSuite
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds (IMPORT FAILED): D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\replaced
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\efficiency-nodes-comfyui
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Image-Selector
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\websocket_image_save.py
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\LoadLoraWithTags
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\sdxl-recommended-res-calc
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_cspnodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Logic
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Styles_CSV_Loader
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-sampler-lcm-alternative
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_ImageProcessing
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_Noise
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui_easy_padding
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui_controlnet_aux
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-SDXL-EmptyLatentImage
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\SD-Latent-Upscaler
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\sdxl_prompt_styler
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-optical-flow
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-post-processing-nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-RAVE
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUi_PromptStylers
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Embedding_Picker
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUi_NNLatentUpscale
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\save-image-extended-comfyui
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Impact-Pack
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_toyxyz_test_nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\sd-dynamic-thresholding
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_essentials
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-CSV-Loader
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\As_ComfyUI_CustomNodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-previewlatent
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_Cutoff
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\stability-ComfyUI-nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\wlsh_nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\cg-use-everywhere
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_SimpleTiles
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-AutomaticCFG
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Lora-Auto-Trigger-Words
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_TiledKSampler
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfy-nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\mikey_nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\StableZero123-comfyui
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_ADV_CLIP_emb
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_experiments
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_ModelScopeT2V
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Iterative-Mixer
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-inpaint-nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_ColorMod
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\PowerNoiseSuite
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\images-grid-comfy-plugin
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-various
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-DynamiCrafterWrapper
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-WD14-Tagger
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-QualityOfLifeSuit_Omar92
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-animatediff
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\Comfy_KepListStuff
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds (IMPORT FAILED): D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\BiRefNet
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\steerable-motion
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ymc-node-suite-comfyui
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyMath
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Flowty-LDSR
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_Native_DynamiCrafter
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfy-image-saver
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Saveaswebp
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_UltimateSDUpscale
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Advanced-ControlNet
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\Derfuu_ComfyUI_ModdedNodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Custom-Scripts
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Video-Matting
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Frame-Interpolation
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Marigold
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-KJNodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-AnimateDiff-Evolved
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\rgthree-comfy
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-workspace-manager
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-SUPIR
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-0246
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\OneButtonPrompt
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.0 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_Comfyroll_CustomNodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.1 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\aegisflow_utility_nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.1 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_tinyterraNodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.1 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\facerestore_cf
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.1 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Inspire-Pack
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.1 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\komojini-comfyui-nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.1 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_smZNodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.1 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-deploy
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.1 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\SeargeSDXL
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.2 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-DiffusersStableCascade
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.4 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-BiRefNet
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.4 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Manager
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.7 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-reactor-node
[2024-06-10 10:05] 0.7 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-dynamicprompts
[2024-06-10 10:05] 1.1 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_FizzNodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 1.4 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-DynamiCrafter
[2024-06-10 10:05] 1.6 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Vextra-Nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 1.6 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Image-Filters
[2024-06-10 10:05] 2.6 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfy_mtb
[2024-06-10 10:05] 2.8 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Crystools
[2024-06-10 10:05] 2.9 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-art-venture
[2024-06-10 10:05] 2.9 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-mixlab-nodes
[2024-06-10 10:05] 3.3 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\Jovimetrix
[2024-06-10 10:05] 3.3 seconds: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\was-node-suite-comfyui
[2024-06-10 10:05]
[2024-06-10 10:05] https_key OK: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-mixlab-nodes\https\certificate.crt D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-mixlab-nodes\https\private.key
[2024-06-10 10:05]
[2024-06-10 10:05]
Starting server
[2024-06-10 10:05] [93mTo see the GUI go to: http://127.0.0.1:8188
[2024-06-10 10:05] [93mTo see the GUI go to: https://127.0.0.1:8189\[0m
[2024-06-10 10:05] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'DynamiCrafterLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:05] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_Native_DynamiCrafter\nodes.py", line 300, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (get_models_directory(os.listdir(MODEL_DIR_PATH)), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\dynamicrafter_models'
[2024-06-10 10:05] Error: OpenAI API key is invalid OpenAI features wont work for you
[2024-06-10 10:05] [33mQualityOfLifeSuit_Omar92:[0m:NSP ready
[2024-06-10 10:05] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'ModelScopeT2VLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:05] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_ModelScopeT2V\nodes.py", line 186, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (os.listdir(model_dir_path), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\text2video'
[2024-06-10 10:05] FETCH DATA from: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Manager\extension-node-map.json [DONE]
[2024-06-10 10:05] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'DynamiCrafterLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:05] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_Native_DynamiCrafter\nodes.py", line 300, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (get_models_directory(os.listdir(MODEL_DIR_PATH)), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\dynamicrafter_models'
[2024-06-10 10:05] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'ModelScopeT2VLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:05] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_ModelScopeT2V\nodes.py", line 186, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (os.listdir(model_dir_path), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\text2video'
[2024-06-10 10:05] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'DynamiCrafterLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:05] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_Native_DynamiCrafter\nodes.py", line 300, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (get_models_directory(os.listdir(MODEL_DIR_PATH)), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\dynamicrafter_models'
[2024-06-10 10:05] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'ModelScopeT2VLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:05] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_ModelScopeT2V\nodes.py", line 186, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (os.listdir(model_dir_path), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\text2video'
[2024-06-10 10:05] #read_workflow_json_files_all D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\comfyui-mixlab-nodes\app\
[2024-06-10 10:05] Error reading JSON from D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\my_workflows\FILM-2x-AnimateDiff_00055.json: Extra data: line 1 column 28227 (char 28226)
[2024-06-10 10:05] Error reading JSON from D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\my_workflows\New Folder\ANI-LCM.json: Extra data: line 1 column 44678 (char 44677)
[2024-06-10 10:10] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'DynamiCrafterLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:10] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_Native_DynamiCrafter\nodes.py", line 300, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (get_models_directory(os.listdir(MODEL_DIR_PATH)), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\dynamicrafter_models'
[2024-06-10 10:10] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'ModelScopeT2VLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:10] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_ModelScopeT2V\nodes.py", line 186, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (os.listdir(model_dir_path), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\text2video'
[2024-06-10 10:10] FETCH DATA from: D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI-Manager\extension-node-map.json [DONE]
[2024-06-10 10:10] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'DynamiCrafterLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:10] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_Native_DynamiCrafter\nodes.py", line 300, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (get_models_directory(os.listdir(MODEL_DIR_PATH)), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\dynamicrafter_models'
[2024-06-10 10:10] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'ModelScopeT2VLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:10] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_ModelScopeT2V\nodes.py", line 186, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (os.listdir(model_dir_path), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\text2video'
[2024-06-10 10:10] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'DynamiCrafterLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:10] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_Native_DynamiCrafter\nodes.py", line 300, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (get_models_directory(os.listdir(MODEL_DIR_PATH)), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\dynamicrafter_models'
[2024-06-10 10:10] [ERROR] An error occurred while retrieving information for the 'ModelScopeT2VLoader' node.
[2024-06-10 10:10] Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 415, in get_object_info
out[x] = node_info(x)
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\server.py", line 393, in node_info
info['input'] = obj_class.INPUT_TYPES()
File "D:\ai\Comfy_Ui\ComfyUI\custom_nodes\ComfyUI_ModelScopeT2V\nodes.py", line 186, in INPUT_TYPES
"model_path": (os.listdir(model_dir_path), ),
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'D:\\ai\\Comfy_Ui\\ComfyUI\\models\\text2video'
submitted by liranlin to comfyui [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 08:40 voidinnate What can I do about my progressive, LGBT muslim friend?

TLDR AT BOTTOM
Since last year I have this friend at university who I honestly don't really like anymore, but I don't know how to end the friendship with her because it will cause a stir between the other (non muslims) in my friend group.
She is muslim and she wears the hijab, she says phrases like "Ya Allah" "Alhamdulillah" etc and in rare occasions we briefly talked about religious stuff. But from the day I met her she revealed to me that she is 1. Lesbian and 2. Transgender, female-to-non-binary. When we first met she asked me if I was homophobic, and because I didn't know any better about LGBT in Islam I suddenly answered "no", and she told me "thank goodness because a lot of hijabis are homophobic". She constantly makes remarks like "Happy June (aka pride month)!" and queer jokes like "Oh she's definitely gay..." and "Women 💖" and whatever else. For some inclass presentations she outright chooses to talk about her sexuality and queerness with no shame, and as a Muslim it was so embarrassing for me to here because she is muslim herself and she's saying all of this in a majority non-muslim classroom!
But what really annoys me is her progressive, western-centred feminism from twitter dedicated to putting men and straight people down. Like whenever there is talk about a man and and a woman being together her first immediate thought is "straight people", or if there are relationship problems between a man and a woman she would say "are the straights okay?", as well as other derogatory comments like "Straight people are so boring" and this one time she outright made negative comments about straight people with another friend right in front of me while I had earphones in, and I knew this because right after she said those comments she immediately looked at me, nervously laughed and said sorry, but then continued the conversation anyway. this one time she even asked if I was a misogynist because I didn't like this one popular female fictional character (who is straight up arrogant and rude), she said it in a joking manner but it still annoyed me a lot. whenever someone is of the norm and not gay or whatever she jumps up to make comments about them to put them down, but I can't even say anything that goes against her or I'll be seen as "homophobic" or whatever other label.
as for her comments about men, whenever a man does something wrong she's quick to jump and make mean remarks about his gender, she asked me how I could "possibly talk to men" (referring to my male peers) just because they made a joke, she would tell women (not in real life, but referring to photos of women, fictional or not) to run away from her man because he's a man, i honestly can't remember much because I try to push these out of my head but she is a straight up misandrist and I'm tired of hearing these comments and expecting me to agree with her. the most I can do is stay silent.
and the WORST part about all of this is that she doesn't even seem proud to be a muslim! She was forced to wear hijab by her parents so I simply sympathised with her and didn't think much of it. When I invited her to go pray she would say she'll pray at home, but when the hours got really late she wasn't worried about prayer at all even when the next azan was about to come. Recently when the lecturer was talking about religion (particularly Islam) she would say "not again" or put more emphasis/make more comments on the religious comments the lecturer made instead of anything else the lecturer said, and when the Syariah law was brought up she would cover her ears make this annoying cry to avoid hearing the lecturer talk about religion, then she straight up told me that she's not very religious. I don't understand how she could be using phrases associated to Allah e.g. "Ya Allah" and then turn around and say that!
TLDR: She's fully supportive of LGBT and is part of it herself, she's a misandrist who's obsessed with women and constantly makes remarks about men, and she clearly has negative thoughts about the religion she's in (I get that she might have some trauma associated with it because she was forced to wear hijab, but to be so open about it infront of everyone in a non-muslim majority university instead of actually working on it???).
What should I do about her? Guide her, cut her off? If I cut her off, how should I go about it? If I tell her I'm not supportive of LGBT she might tell my other friends (some of whom are also queer but are normal and definitely not annoying about it like her + they don't make derogatory comments at all, besides they are non muslims so what they want to do is up to them) and it's going to cause drama and I don't want a negative reputation.
Sorry if my words are confusing, I'm pretty mad writing this + if any of you are GEN Z and aware of these queer jokes and insults about men in progressive spaces (especially on twitter), then you can definitely understand the type of person she is. I really need your help because I don't think I can stand her anymore and I don't want to be a pushover and just let her say all of these things in my presence. Thank you SM for any help!!
submitted by voidinnate to MuslimLounge [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 08:37 trufflepesto Just finished the Dune Ornithoptor - I'm blown away. What else is there that will make me as excited?

I've been on a slow Lego binge for the last few years with my GF. I've mainly been picking up the modular sets. From memory, we've done the bookshop, boutique hotel, town square and just finished the Natural History Museum. We've also done the treehouse and A frame cottage.
I got (back) into Lego with the Vespa, sharing cocktails over an afternoon or two of working together to get it completed. We moved into the lighthouse with electric light, and there was a special feeling of excitement seeing the small mechanical bits come together, wondering what the little switches would do. We've done a few others - but the lighthouse is easily my favourite.
I found the museum to be just plain boring. Step 1 is build a flat ground. Step two is build two rows of wall. Repeat until step 35 or something. I haven't been too interested in picking up and more since it feels like 'going through the motions'
After hearing about someone blissfully completing the Ornithoptor on a podcast - the exact phrase used was "this is the most fun I've ever had" - I took the plunge. And WOW. It's easily the most 'dynamic', full of 'ooh's' and 'ah's'. Little bits of mechanics all the way through that make it less like a static bit of plastic and more like a model. I was worried it wouldn't all work - but putting the final wings on and seeing them retract (!!) was incredible.
10 steps, each one adding meaningful detail to the build. It wasn't a huge number of pieces but each piece felt important. It sits on my shelf taking up the same space as a couple of modular sets, and it's gorgeous.
I am struggling to put into words what exactly was different about the Ornithoptor. I'm hoping who has done it before and felt the same can expand on my feelings.
What I'm trying to ask is - is there any other sets that will make me that interested in Lego again? I want sets that will make me smile as it comes together through tiny details, clever use of pieces, and a bit of interactivity.
I don't like branded stuff - e.g. not interested in Harry Potter, Marvel, toy lines, etc. Vespa is hip, lighthouse sits in my living room. Modular sets work for the most part since they scream 'slice of life'. Dune I was hesitant since yes it's a branded thing... but it's a work of art in its own right.
What sets made you genuinely gleeful as you completed them?
submitted by trufflepesto to lego [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 08:25 adulting4kids Genres Examples

This is a regular post that's scheduled to pop up and receive different types of writing as response. Since a few of these tools are incredibly time consuming I have them on rotation for new members and those who have missed them. I have started working on responses for examples but as busy as I have been and struggling, I again turned to ChatGPT and I am again, totally excited to see these NOT compete with the human writer in creativity.
So check out the results this week and let me know your thoughts!
It's all in fun and let's prove our worth with better!
🎄⛄🎁🎄⛄🎄🎄⛄⛄🎄🎁⛄⛄🎄🎄⛄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎁🎄🎁⛄🎄🎄🎄⛄🎄🎄⛄⛄ original post below followed by ChatGPT re
We have so many different ways to express our appreciation for things. This series is an expensive list of the subgenres you can use as a writer to describe the projects you are working with.
Respond with anything you think might be missing, or comments on whatever you have that may fit one, or more, of these awesome definitions of subgenres!
This is supposed to be fun, so no rude Dolphin hate!
  1. Ergodic Literature: Requires effort from the reader beyond typical reading, often involving non-linear narratives or physical interaction with the book.
  2. Bildungsroman: A novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood.
  3. Eco-Horror: Blends elements of horror and environmental issues, often featuring nature as a malevolent force.
  4. Biopunk: Explores the impact of biotechnology, genetic engineering, and biometrics on society.
  5. Cli-Fi (Climate Fiction): Focuses on climate change and its effects on the environment and humanity.
  6. Chick Lit Noir: Merges elements of women's fiction, mystery, and noir, typically featuring a female protagonist.
  7. Solarpunk: Envisions a future where renewable energy and sustainable living practices prevail.
  8. Flintlock Fantasy: Features technology equivalent to the flintlock firearm era in a fantasy setting.
  9. Transrealism: Blurs the line between reality and fiction, often incorporating real-life events and characters.
  10. Splatstick: Combines slapstick comedy with elements of horror, often involving exaggerated and gory violence.
  11. Crunchy Noir: A subversion of traditional noir with added elements of comedy and irreverence.
  12. Kaiju Erotica: Involves giant monsters (kaiju) in explicit or erotic contexts.
  13. Gastrofiction: Focuses on food and culinary experiences as a central theme in the narrative.
  14. Biopunk: Explores the societal implications of biotechnology, genetic engineering, and biometrics.
  15. Dieselpunk: Set in a world where diesel-based technology is prevalent, often in an alternate history.
  16. Bugpunk: Blends steampunk aesthetics with insect-inspired technology.
  17. Rural Noir: Noir fiction set in rural or small-town environments, often exploring dark themes.
  18. Hopepunk: Emphasizes hope, optimism, and resilience in the face of adversity.
  19. Mannerpunk: A subgenre of fantasy that focuses on manners, social hierarchies, and etiquette.
  20. Clockpunk: Features clockwork mechanisms and Renaissance-era technology in a fantasy setting.
  21. Atompunk: Centers around the aesthetics and technology inspired by the Atomic Age and mid-20th century.
  22. Dreadpunk: A subgenre of gothic horror that emphasizes a sense of dread and unease.
  23. Decopunk: Set in the Art Deco era, often with a focus on sleek design and glamour.
  24. Dying Earth Subgenre: Takes place in the last days of a dying world, often with a sense of decay and decline.
  25. Mannerpunk: Focuses on manners, social structures, and etiquette in a fantastical setting.
  26. Slipstream: Blurs the boundaries between mainstream fiction and speculative fiction.
  27. Cattlepunk: A western-inspired subgenre with advanced technology and cattle-centric themes.
  28. Oceanpunk: Features maritime and underwater settings with a focus on oceanic technology.
  29. Dolphin Poetry: Poetry inspired by or featuring dolphins as a prominent theme.
  30. Cat Poetry: Poetry centered around cats as a significant subject.
🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁
Prompt 1: Ergodic Literature
Title: The Maze of Whispers
In a dimly lit room, there sat an old man named Professor Bartholomew, surrounded by books that seemed to teeter on the edge of chaos. He was known for his eccentricities and fascination with ancient tomes. The assignment for the day was a peculiar one - ergodic literature. He urged us to create a narrative that required effort beyond typical reading.
I closed my eyes, picturing a world where whispers held the secrets of existence. My protagonist, Lydia, stumbled upon an old, tattered book bound with a lock of silver. As she flipped through the pages, the words whispered to her in faint echoes, inviting her deeper into their labyrinthine secrets.
Lydia soon realized that reading wasn't enough; she had to engage with the text physically. The words wove a path, guiding her through an intricate maze of passages that twisted and turned with each decision. Every choice she made altered the narrative, leading to different outcomes, each branching into new, uncharted territories.
The book's world was alive, responding to Lydia's touch, her emotions, her doubts, and her courage. It demanded her presence, her active participation, pushing her beyond the boundaries of passive reading. The more she interacted, the more the story revealed its enigmatic nature, challenging her perception of reality.
As Lydia ventured deeper, the whispers intensified. They weren't just words anymore; they were living entities, shaping the very essence of her being. She found herself in a struggle to escape the maze of whispers that threatened to consume her entirely.
In the end, she discovered that the book was a reflection of her own soul, a manifestation of her inner struggles and desires. To break free, Lydia had to confront her fears and make peace with the cacophony of whispers that echoed within her mind.
The story unfolded as a journey of self-discovery, where the reader became an active participant, navigating the maze alongside Lydia, feeling the weight of each decision and experiencing the consequences firsthand.
Professor Bartholomew applauded the class for their imaginative takes on ergodic literature, emphasizing how our narratives required readers to engage beyond the surface, encouraging a deeper level of interaction with the text. The assignment opened doors to a realm where the act of reading transcended mere observation, transforming into a collaborative journey between the author, the characters, and the reader.
This exercise challenged my perceptions of storytelling, igniting a newfound appreciation for the intricate dance between the written word and the reader's participation, leaving me eager to explore more unconventional narrative styles in the future.
submitted by adulting4kids to writingthruit [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 07:59 Proud-Site9578 Is the current pro palestinian movement in the west a cult?

Following on a popular Jewish subreddit [post](https://www.reddit.com/Jewish/comments/1dbz406/comment/l7vgs3o/) since yesterday I have started thinking about weather the current pro palestinian movement in the West qualifies as a cult or not. I have no first hand experience with cults but for some time I was very intrigued and studied them a bit. For some time I used to follow youtubers spreading awareness about cults (like Telltale) and from that I learned about the BITE model which I believe can be applied to the current pro palestinian movement.
This is how I believe the BITE model applies.
  1. **Behaviour control**:
  1. **Information Control**:
  1. **Thought Control**:
  1. **Emotional Control**:
I don't know maybe you have some other arguments or maybe you disagree with some that I made. Lets build a solid argument together!
submitted by Proud-Site9578 to cults [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 07:56 AvidLebon How does your snake communicate with you? Do you have any unique ways of communication? (+ Storytime)

Tl;Dr - Do your snakes communicate in any other way besides normal hissing and hooding up?
When I first got my little hognose girl Scoria I was worried I wouldn't be able to understand her. She can't speak, doesn't have limbs other than a tail, didn't have facial muscles to snarl, smile, or frown, she didn't even have eyelids to do "love eyes" like I'd do with my leopard gecko. Over the months I've come to know her, I've found that she's actually incredibly skilled at communicating her wants and needs so much so she's arguably communicating on borderline simple sign language. I'm curious how much of my experiences are similar to others, so I thought I'd share, and see what is similar and if there are ways your snakes communicate or have their own unique signals/methods of communication. Long post as it's a bit of a story.
Before I got Scoria, I had a leopard gecko named Fig whom I had found ways to communicate with despite her also being mostly mute and unable to make expressions. I hadn't planned to get her, but one day I just found myself going to the pet store and standing in front of the her tank with an overwhelming feeling that she needed to come home with me I couldn't shake- that feeling wasn't wrong. Shortly after I got her while holding her, I noticed her freeze in place and panting quickly- she was terrified of something. I looked around, wondering if maybe some object had scared her, then realized she was afraid of ME. Ah, right, I was indeed a giant who was staring at her- how could I communicate I didn't want to hurt her? I thought back to how cats will slowly blink at you to communicate they love you- ah yes, that could work! A slow blink is calming, and it stops me from staring- if I were a predator I wouldn't break eye contact. It took a few times, me very slowly blinking and holding my eyes closed a few moments before slowly opening them again and her breathing slowed to normal and she felt comfortable enough to move again. Whenever she got scared, I'd give her "love eyes" to let her know everything was okay, and she understood. It became like a secret word for us. Over the months and years, if I wanted to ask her if she was okay I'd give her "love eyes" and if she was alright she'd slow blink back. Sometimes we'd just give love eyes back and fourth to each other, her relaxed and grinning, "I love you." "I love you too!" If I had someone over to the house who wanted to meet her and I took her out, Fig would watch my face while breathing quickly, unsure what was happening and looking to me to tell her. I'd only show her to friends I trusted of course, and I'd tell them the "secret password"- slowly close your eyes and then open them again while looking at her. The moment they did she'd immediately relax and climb all over them, acting like she'd known them for years. When she got sick she stopped doing love eyes back. She wasn't okay, she knew she wasn't okay. I lost her too young due to illness, only 12 years old. When you've found a way to tell a pet you love them, and they know how to say it back, it hits incredibly hard. My family didn't really understand why I was bawling over 'just some lizard that can't love you back.' She told me every day she loved me. She trusted me. I wish I knew then what I know now and maybe she'd still be here, but I digress.
About a year later after losing Fig I was browsing Western Hognoses online and liked looking at their patterns and colors. They were so cute, and the photos of them brought me such joy. Then I felt that feeling again, a feeling that hooked into my core and I couldn't shake, one I hadn't felt in years but felt intensely as I did years ago when I was looking at that tiny little gecko- but this time it was a listing for a little conda hognose. She was the one. She was the little girl I would share my life with. When I got her home she was absolutely furious, if she saw me move she would immediately strike and hiss and puff up. I wondered if I made a massive mistake.
Shortly after I realized she was in blue and aside from the stress of being rehomed was probably itchy as hell and struggling to see- which had to be incredibly stressful for her. Still, I'd never had a snake before and was very scared of her, but I hoped that she'd like me and if she bit me it wouldn't hurt too much. After she'd eaten twice successfully I tried "choice handling". We were afraid of each other but also trying. I would see her freeze, and think she must be afraid of me staring. Slow blinking did nothing- perhaps she thought I was still watching her as she might not understand eyelids? So instead I used a slow head turn. I'd slowly turn my head, sometimes my whole upper body, and look away for a few seconds, then slowly turn back. "I won't hurt you." After a few days attempting to use this "body-language word" to communicate I wouldn't hurt her, she would unfreeze after a few head-turns. One day she came out into my hand, something startled her and she hissed loudly, and I got so scared I put her back in her enclosure. Total time out, 15 seconds. XD I think she was surprised. I was afraid of her? This seemed to be an epiphany for her, and after thinking about this all for a moment, while looking at me, she slowly turned her entire upper body to the left and held that position for a moment, and then slowly turned back to look at me. Did she just tell me she wouldn't hurt me? Did this tiny creature the size of a gummy worm not only understand when I communicated to her, but then copy that same gesture to tell me she wouldn't hurt me either?
After that, she was much more calm. She rarely hisses except to communicate things like "no" or "I'm frustrated!" (usually "I don't want to stop playing with my toys") but never at me in a way to try to scare me. She's never struck at me since. Based on her change in behavior and never trying to hurt or scare me after- I think we communicated. I think she told me she'd never (intentionally) hurt me. Hell, she won't even eat a mouse if I touch it, I think she's scared of accidentally biting me.
We communicate in other ways too; I learned with Fig that if she got a response when attempting to communicate she'd try more and more to communicate her wants and needs. If Fig was hungry she'd point at what she wanted with her nose, if she wanted to see something or go somewhere she'd point there. I'm not sure how normal this is for leopard geckos to do, but I think playing "airplane" helped encourage this behavior. While holding her, I'd slowly start moving my hand in the direction she was looking. Fig didn't catch on at first and wasn't sure why I slowly flew her into walls and things, and she'd look away and start flying in another direction. After several attempts with her, she realized when she looked different directions, my hand would fly her in that direction. And then she took that opportunity to fly up to things she never had a chance to get a good look at before- though Fig never understood why I refused to fly her up to the ceiling. I have done the same with Scoria, and she has caught on that once she starts "flying" she can control where she goes, but most of the time she flies herself down to a surface she can slither on rather than fly around. She does, however, point at things she wants even if she's not on my palm. If she wants to go back in her enclosure she'll point at it. Sometimes she'll go back in and get a drink then come back out again. Or else she'll go take a break, then come up to the side of her vivarium and stare at me until I take her out. If that doesn't work she'll wiggle in front of her camera to make my phone ding at me.
She actually uses her camera a lot for communication, and might even be using it to keep track of ME! If she wakes up first and wants to come out, she'll wave at her camera as she's learned it makes my phone ding. (It makes a very specific sound for the camera, not the same as a text or call.) If waving doesn't work, she'll come over and start rubbing the lens like a crystal ball. When I had to go out of town, after several days of not seeing me I had to mute my phone because she kept trying to get me to come to her for TWO HOURS of constant notifications of her waving at, rubbing, and eventually SHAKING the camera. Probably wondering "why isn't this dang thing working???" The day I came home she was actively trying to break out of her enclosure, shoving at every point trying to find a gap- she hadn't done this since the day I got her. Maybe she thought if I couldn't come to her she would come find me? I would talk to her through the camera feature and she'd relax for a few minutes, but then start trying to get out again. When I got home we snuggled and she was again content in her home.
Scoria also knows how to avoid where the camera can see her if she wants time to herself. The camera is motion activated, and makes a click sound when it turns on to record a few seconds which then makes my phone ding wherever I am. When it clicks, she knows it has seen her, so she has found exactly where she can go in her enclosure to get to her basking spot and every hide without it going off. If I didn't get the memo she wants to be left alone, if I reach in to pick her up and she doesn't want to be she'll flatten out. She's not threatening me, but it is a very clear message of, "No I don't want to be touched right now." Respecting that and showing this worked reinforces communication- when she doesn't want to come out again in the future she is much more likely to try communicating the same docile yet effective way. If I ignored it and forced her out, rather than continue trying something that didn't work, she might have otherwise possibly escalated the behavior to hissing or even false strikes. And yes I COULD force her to come out- but she's my friend. If we're not both enjoying time together that's no good. Sometimes I think she says no or asks to go back just to see if she can say no. And knowing she has a choice? Just knowing she has the option? I think she is much happier. I know I would be, if I had a giant friend who let me choose if I wanted to play that day vs. knowing I'd be forced to regardless of what I wanted. Most of the time after she says no, a few minutes later she wants to spend time together anyway. I'm so much happier too, knowing that she wants to spend time with me rather than some people who aren't sure if their snake enjoys being out with them.
She of course does the normal snake language. If she gets startled or frightened she will hood up. Thankfully she recognizes my voice and trusts me, so if I tell her she's alright she usually believes me and will relax her hood and go back to whatever she was doing. And sometimes she will hiss, but rarely and only little ones. Usually it's to protest if she was playing and I pick her up, to say "No!" and most of the time I let her go back to playing with her toy or activity. She's not threatening me, she's just saying the only word she can, "No." I know she can hiss much louder, but she hasn't done that since before she mirrored the "I won't hurt you" head turn.
I have a lizard who wants to eat her, but she isn't impressed by or scared of him at all. She'll ask to go on the table his enclosure is on, slither in front of his tank, and watch him bite at the glass like a child at the zoo watching a lion at an exhibit. She will never give him the satisfaction of a reaction. If he's asleep, she'll look at him in his cave, momentarily hood up at him and then go back to her business- I swear it looks like she just goes over to him to flip him off.
She has ways to share affection too! Which is why I don't buy snakes can't feel affection- she asks for and gives affection in the form of pets. The first few times I tried petting her she didn't understand, and squashed down the part of the body I was petting while flicking her tongue inquisitively. "Are you asking me to lower? I don't understand why, but I will try." After she ate then demanded to come out (I know you aren't supposed to take them out but she specifically requested this) I carefully took her out while supporting her body, and gently pet her lump where her food was. She realized this felt really good on her stretched skin, and after I stopped petting her she gave petting herself a try. She rubbed the flat part of her chin on her lump and started petting herself. Now she'll regularly ask to be pet by rubbing her chin along her body. If I'm petting her and she wants more pets she'll start petting herself. Sometimes the silly girl helps me pet her. After she eats, she almost always wants to be pet- specifically where her food is. Sometimes she even pets me! I suppose she believes we live in a world where we all pet each other. <3 If she doesn't want to be pet, she'll scooch over or lower her body, so she knows how to communicate this too. When she is being pet she likes everywhere except where her lungs are (maybe it's harder to breathe?) and she'll just relax and slowly flick her tongue like this is exactly where she wants to be.
Aside from looking at her vivarium, she has a unique way to tell me she wants to go home- which works well if we are in a room where she can't see her viv. She'll start burrowing into my palm. She only does this if she absolutely doesn't want to be out anymore, and will not do anything else except this action until I put her back. When we play, she'll poke at the holes in my fingers, poke her head out and pop back in. It's always at the gaps in my fingers, or the gap where my arm meets my body. But when she absolutely wants to do nothing but sleep, she will dig her nose in the middle of my palm like it is the ground (it doesn't hurt of course- she's communicating, not trying to hurt me). She came up with this one herself, and it's pretty obvious she's saying "I want to go where I can burrow." Since she came up with this secret body language "word" it makes me wonder if other hoggies communicate doing this, or if she's learned she can communicate with pointing and actions and she just created her own very basic sign language word. Which, if she did, that's incredible. She's used this body-language word multiple times (usually when she's too tired to play and it is her bed time.) I know the woman that target trains her snakes uses a specific box hide they go into to indicate they are done training and want to go back to their enclosure, so it looks like there are multiple snake keepers who have found effective ways for their snakes to tell them they want to go back now.
I think that's all the ways my girl communicates with me, though I suppose I may have forgotten some. I'm curious on hearing about other's experiences communicating with their snakes.
submitted by AvidLebon to hognosesnakes [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 07:15 topman20000 36M, opera singer, let me impart some experience for you

The baroque era, or the era of enlightenment, was a crucial time in terms of the composition of opera music. The best way to think about baroque music and oratorio is like when you are a little kid, learning the foundations of logic for the first time and how they interconnect. The music is structured with simplicity in its arrangement and instrumentation, with much of its orchestration being a combination of period instrument strings in a lower tuning and a harpsichord continuo beneath the strings to give them a percussive substance. The thematic material of opera is often revolved around topics of the divine, and of antiquity, such as Dido and Aeneas by He Ru Purcel, or Alexander’s feast by George Friedrich Handel.
The classical era was the beginning of western civilizations expansion of these structural concepts into more robust works of music. Classical composers began to introduce more woodwinds such as the oboe and the clarinet alongside their flute and piccolo counterparts, as well as a bit more brass, and timpani percussion. Themes of operas were in some respects still upon the divine, the antiquity, or even on nature, but the purpose of glorifying these subjects was still to suggest that they worked in a logical order. Yet one of the most well-known composers of the time began to do something revolutionary, which was to bring the common man into the literary and theatrical material of opera music. His name was Mozart, and the operas he wrote since the age of 12 included a collection of stories and libretti, which talked about the every day lives of common people, such as in Operas like Bastien und Bastienne, Cosi fan Tutte, and Don Giovanni. And his most well-known opera, the magic flute, was a climactic combination between a world of light and order and logic— depicted by the priests of Osiris and Isis— versus a world of darkness add magic— depicted by the queen of the night.
The early 1800s were a time of transition for composers, and a time of emphasis on the paradigm of colorful singing, known in Italian as “coloratura“. This is reflected in long continual passages in Operas most especially by Rossini such as “ la cenerentola”, and “il barbiere di Siviglia” from which many people who know nothing of opera gained their first introduction through figures in Chuck Jones cartoon characters such as Michigan frog, Elmer Fudd and bugs bunny. Composers pre-dating the 1850s still maintained paradigms of the classical era, although they began to expand their orchestras, as well as their choruses, although they still maintained a particular strictness towards form.
The mid 1800’s were a much more different time for composers, especially given the most noticeable changes in the homeland of opera, Italy, which had just become its own distinct unified nation, free and independent from the rules of France and Austria. This resurgence in national identity, or Risorgimento as it is termed in Italian, was spearheaded by a distinct politician who not only worked to support the unification of Italy, but also wrote it’s “ va pensiero” the Hebrew slave chorus of one of his earliest Operas “Nabucco”, which would eventually become the national anthem of Italy itself. This man was none other than one of operas most central composers, Giuseppe Verdi!
Verdi would go on after his initial success with his early operas to begin making some very noticeable and familiar changes to the way opera was performed. He brought in more theatrical movement and more realism to the portrayal of the characters. No longer was the material of an opera so much about showcasing the singers in an amateur “park and bark” fashion of singing where they simply did their runs, up and down the scales pretending to be little angels. But rather it involved more in-depth language, more substance and convenience of emotional nuances and vocal style, and indeed more breath pressure and residence in the upper palate of The Voice—the technical term for this being “Squilo”— in order for the vowels and consonants of the voice itself to cut through the quantity and substance of a large and expanded orchestra beneath it. This middle period of the romantic era, was like coming into a fantastical dream for composers, no longer embracing a sense of order and putting great figures on pedestals, but rather embracing chaos, and giving precedence to the common man and woman of the world. Such fantastical material can be seen especially in German operas, such as “ Der Freischütz“ by Carla Maria von Weber, or in almost any of the Teutonic and Nordic mythological operas of grand scale and Leitmotif of Richard Wagner, who wrote the ever familiar “ride of the Valkyries” as the theme for his second ring cycle opera. While German composers found the magic of the romantic period in the thematic material of their operas and song cycles, Italians found their magic in how far Verdis operas expended the technique of opera singing itself, with many of his middle period operas such as “Rigoletto”, “La Traviata” and “La Forza del destino”, and with his later romantic operas such as “Othello” and “Don Carlo”. And while Italy and Germany were in their prime with this music, France was also working to catch up to this trend, with operas by George Bizet such as “the Pearl fishers” and the ever famous “Carmen“, the motifs and classically staged elements of which, many people today recognize when they hear themes like the famous “Toreadore”, or the Habnera them, or even when they look upon cancan girls in their flared and twirled skirts and recognize the spiritely and fun Cancan motif of Jacque Offenbachs overture to “Orpheus in the underworld”.
But like all dreams, which take us to realms of fantasy and imagination, western civilization at some point had to wake up, and see the world for what it really was… enter the Verismo period; a literary movement out of Italy, reflecting a time not so much emphasized by the beautiful and the imaginative of the human mind, but by the ugly, the hideous, and the truth to which mankind awakens during an adventure after a night of partying in a luminescent fae-themed city of lights and music and wonders. And in this respect, no composers are more known to this obscure and wild change in paradigms than Pietro Mascagni and Ruggero Leoncavallo in their operatic depictions of every day life of Italian villagers in “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “i pagliacci”, as the stories dole out plots of triste, jealousy, anger and ultimately murder.
Beyond this in my observation of opera and classical music music, with special exception to Russia and the music created by Sergei Prokofiev, composers across the world and operatic spectrum alike, have strived to make opera music their own, adding in the paradigms of their own distinct national traits. but what has inevitably happened to all of them is that they have sunk into a series of gentrified sub genres which cried desperately to prove that they are the scion of a bygone era in music, and the innocence of the great discoveries which defined the Baroque/Classical/Romantic/Verismo eras of opera. Many operas descended into minimalism portrayed by composers such as Adam West and Philip glass. Other works of art became the bases in the United States for music theater, building upon the theatrical paradigm changes of Giuseppe Verdi, while still providing a more minimalist flavor of music, easier for singers to perform to with dancing, and easier for younger audiences to absorb.
Despite how little people realize, and despite how mich it is opera music is by far one of the most significant genres of music in existence. It is not simply an image on a canvas in a two dimensional frame, it is not simply a wave form scratched onto a disk, it is not simply a collection of words bound between two hard covers and threads and glue fermenting into a scent of vanilla. It is instead, the most translucent window into the history of western culture we have ever had the great fortune to inherit.
Most younger people will take a sickly stance to those words, and trying to twist it into arguments bigotry, imperialism, colonialism, misogyny, objectification or any number of vial associations. But all that does is point out a blatant obvious, ignoring the notion that what it leaves behind for us, which is a visual/audial, and ultimately codified understanding of who we are as a society, where we come from as a People, and why people behave(d) the way they do/did. Most people are not exposed to the magic of this understanding of the genre of opera music, and as a result are more likely to act out, to lash out in server against anything they find distasteful. It is one of the reasons why the genre cannot seem to break through to a younger audience I cannot understand this point, and why they prefer only the early classical repertoire, if not just other more modern genres of music.
submitted by topman20000 to KindFriend [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 07:00 Alternative-Knee-109 Delusion

Thought I’d list some delusional aspects of 49. Curious on y’all’s thoughts too.
  1. Claiming to be “changing” the industry, while only offering two investment products for most consumers is hilarious. That’s like me claiming I’m changing the restaurant industry while only offering a burger and fries on my menu.
  2. The claim of “a salary holds you back” is hilarious too. I’d imagine making only 30k until your 26 and finally stop drinking the kool aid, holds you back a lot, in terms of your earning potential. If you quit, you know barely anything about investing since you don’t handle it, and your only sales experience is to friends and family who came on because they changed your diapers when you were a kid.
  3. What causes some folks to buy into the bs for so many years there? You’d think after 1 year of realising your income is half of the average college graduate, would be a glaring red flag.
  4. The claim that “you control your income” is wildly far from the truth of the situation. You don’t control your income, the income you “earn” from a client is absurdly degraded by the insane “splits”
  5. The reliance on “Hey let’s train these 22 year olds for 1 week, to bring in a bunch of clients” is very strange. Why no advertising? Why is nothing being put back into the company to get the word out digitally or commercially? All successful businesses have advertising, most of the businesses that survived the Great Depression did so because they dumped all of their money into marketing. That’s how crucial it is for a company to survive. Where the hell is all of that cash going?
  6. What the hell does “Head of Generosity” even mean?
  7. Obviously “Tasty-Forever” is just trying to stir stuff up in this sub Reddit. Which is ironic considering this sub Reddit is more organised than the actual company itself. We all know only the most successful companies and it’s current employees go on sub Reddit to try and debunk former employees.
submitted by Alternative-Knee-109 to Ex49ers [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 06:56 Street_Researcher995 AITA for Scamming a Kid Who Scammed Me?

Fake story!!
I (14M) have always been known as the "smart kid" in my school. I love reading, solving puzzles, and learning new things. Recently, I found myself in a situation that has made me question my morals, and I need an outside perspective.
There's this kid, Jake (15M), who's always been kind of a jerk. He's known for tricking people and getting away with it. Last month, he managed to scam me out of my new limited edition gaming console. He convinced me that he had a rare collectible card that I've been wanting for years. We made the trade, but when I got home, I realized the card was a fake.
I was furious and felt incredibly stupid for falling for his trick. My parents told me to just let it go, but I couldn't. I spent weeks thinking about how to get my console back without getting into trouble.
That's when I came up with a plan.
Jake had been bragging about this new, rare comic book he got. I knew it was something he treasured. I decided to create a perfect replica of that comic book, down to the smallest detail. I spent hours every day after school working on it. Once it was ready, I approached Jake and proposed a trade: my "rare collectible" for his comic book. I played up the value of my fake collectible, just like he had done with the card.
To my surprise, he agreed without hesitation. He didn't even bother to verify if my collectible was real. I guess he thought I was too dumb to scam him back. We made the trade, and I finally got my console back while he was left with a worthless item.
When Jake found out he had been tricked, he was furious. He confronted me, and I simply told him, "Now you know how it feels." He threatened to tell the teachers, but I reminded him that he had scammed me first, and if he told anyone, he'd be exposing his own scam.
Now, word has gotten around school about what happened. Some people think I'm a hero for getting back at Jake, while others think I'm just as bad as him for stooping to his level. Even my parents are divided on the issue. My dad thinks it was clever, but my mom thinks I should have just let it go and told the teachers instead.
So, Reddit, am I the asshole for scamming a kid who scammed me first?
submitted by Street_Researcher995 to AITAH [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 06:32 VegetableHousing139 Best longform profiles of the week

Hey guys,
I'm back with some of the best longform profiles I've found this week. You can also subscribe here if you want to get the weekly newsletter in your inbox. Any feedback or suggestions, please let me know!
***
🚔 The Border Patrol Is an Engine of Crisis—and Has Been Since the Beginning
Tim Murphy Mother Jones
The agency, and the landmark immigration-reform bill that nudged it into existence in May 1924, were backed by eugenicist politicians who feared a Great Replacement by “undesirable” immigrants. The story of the Border Patrol’s founding offers a lesson for the century that followed, and a rejoinder to the agency’s modern myth: Chaos is not just the absence of a border; it is also the consequence of trying to maintain one.
🍕 How Food Critic Keith Lee Went From MMA Fighter to TikTok Star
CT Jones Rolling Stone
His reviews have helped stop businesses from closing, jump-started their online presence, and, in one case, spun a city’s food scene into complete turmoil in less than two videos. Lee’s fans span from teenagers to their parents, uncles, and aunts, a generational divide that other influencers couldn’t even pay to win over. Lee has become the Everyman voice of food TikTok. He’s a bona fide star — just don’t let him hear you say it.
📝 “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Was Larry David’s Book of Manners (🔒 paywall link)
Wesley Morris The New York Times
Even people who don’t watch the show (and that’s most of the country) seem to know the gist, that Larry, as performed by Larry David, is a monstrously entitled crank, the Godzilla of western Los Angeles. But “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is about more than Larry’s probable narcissism. It’s a supreme comedy of manners. How, it asks, do we share a meal, a drive, a party, a meeting, a bathroom, an office pantry, a city — how do we courteously enforce norms and, with modesty, uphold standards?
📰 How to Publish a Magazine in a Maximum-Security Prison
John J. Lennon The New Yorker
I hate to look at it this way, but the fact is, if I had not gone to prison, I would have been dead a long, long time ago. I didn’t care what happened to me. I didn’t have the kind of knowledge and education I have today, where we can discuss this. Back then, I was angry. I just had emotions and feelings. They drive you. You’re too stupid to know anything else.
🧬 This Woman Will Decide Which Babies Are Born
Jason Kehe WIRED
There will still be disease and suffering. We are not that much of an optimistic fantasy. We are taking risk off of the table. For the whole category of cancer, for example, about 10 percent to 15 percent has a genetic component. So 90 percent of people will still get cancer. And the same with neurodevelopmental disorders and birth defects. It’s just going to make it so that more parents can feel more confident and have more information going into the most important decision of their life, which is to have a child.
🎬 Robert Downey Jr. Doesn’t See Things the Way You Do
Ryan D'Agostino Esquire
“It’s so funny, too, because you either constantly remind yourself when things aren’t going your way, or you’re constantly reminded externally when things are going your way,” he says, unwrapping a nugget of Nicorette. “Clearly, the latter is preferable.” He smiles, the bright, boyish smile—rubbery lips and eyes like a sad clown’s and not a care on God’s green earth—that has broken your heart or made you laugh in a thousand scenes.
🎨 It’s Not What the World Needs Right Now
Andrew Norman Wilson The Baffler
But Trump is in office, and my work is deemed less “urgent”—“irresponsible,” even. A curator who selected me for an Art Basel commission ghosts me. A gallerist who wants to work with me says she can’t add a white man to her roster. An esteemed curator from the Middle East tells me I should probably get a day job for a while because my career outlook in the art world is bleak. It becomes trendy to believe that images within contemporary art contexts can directly achieve the goals of political struggle.
🎤 Erick the Architect of Flatbush Zombies constructs his own sound
Brian Braiker Brooklyn Magazine
You either fuck with my music or you don’t. If you don’t, that’s cool with me. I wanted to make a project that I love. I’ve heard reviewers write, “This is like a mess.” I’m like, What are you listening to? If this is a mess, what the fuck is good in hip-hop music? How the hell is this a mess? Or, “This is awkward to listen to.” I’m being so honest. If my honesty makes you uncomfortable, then I’m not the artist for you.
🏀 Ladies and Gentlemen, Ian Eagle
Bryan Curtis The Ringer
To understand how Eagle calls a basketball game, you have to visit him and Jack and Monica in the swinging show-business past. You have to travel to Catskills resorts and $10-a-night hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, where you can hear the sting of the drummer in the house band. That’s where Ian Eagle, the no. 1 announcer, was created.
👔 How Marni Designer Francesco Risso Built the Ultimate Fashion Playground
Samuel Hine GQ
In a way, the cave also served as a metaphor for Risso’s own eight-year journey to becoming one of the most captivating and irreverent creative voices in fashion. Italian menswear is heavy with tradition, but since Risso joined Marni in 2016 he has built his own distinct—and highly unpredictable—universe. He has defied the commercial imperative of the modern luxury business, which increasingly dictates that the fantasy of fashion should take a backseat to the business of it.
🤖 OpenAI Made Sam Altman Famous. His Investments Made Him A Billionaire.(🔒 paywall link)
Alex Konrad, Phoebe Liu Forbes
A founder turned partner and president at Y Combinator who has invested out of a number of funds over his career, Altman maintains a maze of holdings that are not well understood. Forbes sifted through more than a dozen regulatory filings and spoke to more than a dozen people familiar with Altman’s investments to reach the most thorough estimate of his net worth so far: $1 billion, enough to make Altman a new billionaire.
🕵️‍♂️ The Family Who Vanished Into the Bush
Dan Kois Slate
Soon photos of the missing father and his three smiling children were in every newspaper and on every TV channel in New Zealand. Police and volunteer searchers fanned out over the area, knocking on doors. Helicopters, planes, and heat-detecting drones flew over the deep bush surrounding the beach. Rescue boats and jet skis buzzed through the roaring waves, looking for bodies. On days the sea was calm, swimmers from surf rescue teams explored caves along the shoreline.
🍾 How Jay-Z and the 40/40 Club Ruled NYC Nightlife (🔒 paywall link)
Abe Beame Rolling Stone
The allure of proximity to Carter and his circle was the main draw. Once you got through the heavy, fortress-like, wood-panel doors with silver baseball-bat handles off of 25th Street, you might see J. Cole performing on the stairs or Alonzo Mourning hanging out alongside Dame Dash, sharing plates from the menu of greasy, salty, beer-friendly sports-bar standards. Any random day over two decades, Carter and his friends might be in a visible roped-off area, or lingering somewhere in the far recesses of the club.
✈️ The Boeing Nosedive
Jeff Wise New York Magazine
Contemporary air travel is the safest mode of transport human beings have ever devised. That’s because when things go wrong, a robust procedure has been developed to learn from what happened and make changes to reduce the odds that they will happen again. Almost always, aviation accidents happen after a chain of mistakes, any one of which would have prevented the accident from occurring. The challenge for Boeing is to apply that analysis to its own slowly unfolding corporate disaster and find a way to fix its chain of management failures.
🔫 Confessions of a Moll: A Boston Gangster’s Long-Time Girlfriend Speaks
Dave Wedge Boston Magazine
To Grispi, though, Flemmi was something else entirely. She threw her arms around the gangster’s neck and planted a kiss on his lips. For the past nine years, she had been Flemmi’s moll, as gangsters’ girlfriends are known. Throughout the 1960s, a decade known in Boston for its deadly and terrifying gang wars, Grispi had an intimate view of a notorious criminal operating in the city’s underworld and his interactions with his mentors, who would also become his targets.
💸 How A Texas Oil Billionaire Hit A Gusher In Hotels (🔒 paywall link)
Christopher Helman Forbes
Deep in the early 1980s oil bust, the Rowlings and their Tana Oil & Gas couldn’t find any partners to back a particularly promising prospect in Live Oak County. With their lease set to expire, they bet it all on drilling one well. It was 100% risk but they found an oil field prolific enough to support 17 more wells. Only a few years later, in 1989, Texaco bought nearly all of Tana’s assets for $480 million worth of preferred stock paying 9%. “We got paid, and continued to get paid,” says Rowling, who was tasked with diversifying the fortune.
🧠 She had a severe brain injury—so her husband turned to an unprecedented therapy(🔒 paywall link)
Jonathan Moens National Geographic
Every day, for more than 550 days, David has been meticulously noting Sarah’s condition and the impact of treatments: stimulants, sleeping pills, ADHD medications, supplements, cognitive enhancers known as “nootropics," and techniques to arouse the brain, including transcranial direct-current stimulation. He’s also tried various recommended nutrients administered through a feeding tube: shots of espresso, scoops of matcha, mushroom-based powders, liquid turmeric, lemon juice, and Chinese acupuncture tea.
🏡 One Couple's Quest to Ditch Natural Gas
Tik Root WIRED
What unfolded was more than a year of cascading decisions and obstacles that strained our wallets and tested our notions of comfort and sacrifice. While the late nights buried to my knuckles in spreadsheets calculating the payback periods on heat pumps and solar panels were, dare I say, fun, my nerves began to fray when the solar company we wanted to hire abruptly went out of business. They nearly broke when I saw what all of this would cost, and they shattered when I thought we’d have to upgrade the electrical panel. My wife found her limit when we were forced to choose between cutting emissions or cutting trees.
🗑️ The Ex-N.Y.P.D. Official Trying to Tame New York’s Trash
Eric Lach The New Yorker
Tisch believes that she and her aides have developed a plan that will clean up New York City. It’s a program they refer to, grandly, as the Trash Revolution. Bags off the sidewalks. Clean highways. Citywide organic-waste pickup. Beefed-up enforcement of sanitary laws. Tisch has committed her department to implementing these changes, along with other improvements that have eluded previous sanitation commissioners.
🌵 One Man's Quest to Transform the West Texas Desert
Wes Ferguson Texas Highways
He grew up in the Fort Worth suburbs and still lives there with his wife, Neidy Overton, and their three kids. Entering middle age, he’d grown financially comfortable from his career as a software programmer and small-business owner, but he also felt burned out. Overton enjoyed watching online videos about permaculture, a farming movement that preaches harmony with nature. Like many urban dwellers, he fantasized of returning to the land, of building something with his own hands.
🎾 Zendaya Talks Challengers, Talks to Serena Williams, and Considers Her Future
Marley Marius Vogue
Zendaya wrestles with how to exist in public—what to share, what to show up to, how to avoid it all becoming too overwhelming. At one point none of it felt like a choice: “I think growing up, I always felt like when someone asks for a picture, I have to do it, all the time. You have to say yes, because you need to be grateful that you’re here,” she says. “And while I still feel that way, I also have learned that I can say no, and I can say kindly that I’m having a day off, or I’m just trying to be to myself today, and I don’t actually have to perform all the time.”
⚖️ How a Case Against Fox News Tore Apart a Media-Fighting Law Firm (🔒 paywall link)
David Enrich The New York Times
Litigation, however, tended to be a last resort. More frequently, Mr. Clare, Ms. Locke and their colleagues sought to derail or shape stories before publication. To do this, they cranked out warning letters to reporters, editors, publishers and their lawyers trying to poke holes in planned articles and accusing journalists of bias, unethical behavior and getting facts wrong. Citing the possibility of litigation, the letters often instructed news organizations to preserve all documents, notes and other materials associated with their reporting.
♟️ Chess Brat
Jen Wieczner New York Magazine
Long before the scandal, he was notorious for his volatile demeanor and widely disliked. He plays with the face of a bull preparing to charge: raw rage in his scowl, bug-eyed glare, nostrils flaring. Livestreams of his games often end with Niemann screaming and pounding his computer, making the speakers explode with feedback and the webcam tumble down in a blur of lights.
🤯 Inside the Savage, Surreal, Booming World of Professional Slap Fighting
Ander Monson Esquire
It’s the replay, caught with super-slo-mo cameras, that makes it exactly the kind of weird I like: We see the hand approaching the face and then the impact. BAM! Phillips’s face is briefly displaced off his skull, his neck skin stretching, his face in this moment deformed like a rubber mask—that’s how unlike a face it looks!—and then suddenly it snaps back on. And in that extended instant we see the light going out. His face is almost peaceful as he falls in the aftermath of such a sudden blast of pain. The clip ends and we don’t see what happens after.
submitted by VegetableHousing139 to longform [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 06:08 johnny_velociraptor My High Fantasy LO for a khajiit playthrough feat. TPOSC + lux

My High Fantasy LO for a khajiit playthrough feat. TPOSC + lux
I'm excited to share my first Stable LO on this sub. Like everyone, I've lost count of how many times I've tweaked and restarted but I'm now 30 hours into this save and confident this mod list will see me through my entire playthrough.
The biggest change since I last posted my LO is I've taken out Lux Via and it's made my game significantly more stable. I'm speculating there could be some conflicts between the latest lux via and tposc but I'm not certain.
Things to expect from this LO: bold colours, pretty lights and lots of particle effects. The world feels full of life with new things to explore. Slightly more difficult gameplay. Khajiit stuff.
Potential deal breakers: you will crash after leaving the cave from Helgen. This is basically unavoidable w quick start but the game will be stable by the time you get to riverwood. Occasional A-posing with Elden Beast. I'm still not sure why this happens but it's rare and I've learnt to immediately jump or dodge roll when it does. Also, Khajiit has Tents has conflicts w decorations added by khajiit Kittens (in the caravan immersion bundle), I've used Decorator helper to clean up each caravan site when I first encounter them.
I've had I think 4 ctds in 30 hours. I don't know my fps but the only times I've noticed drops or stutters have been when there's alot happening at once eg absorbing a Dragon soul while casting spells in the middle of a big fight. I don't get any crashes from fast travel.
187 mods and all AE content. 580kb remaining.
Master Files (ESM)
Simple Workaround Framework
Reconciliation: QOL and Bugfixes (Updated)
Reconciliation: Gameplay and Quest Alterations
Reconciliation AE (Updated)
Lux Resources 02052024
Lux Orbis v 4.2.2 - Master File
Lux v 6.7 - Master File
Just Shields (on Back) - AE Edition
Realistic Equipment - AE Version
Reforging to the Masses (Weapon Expansion) - SWF Edition
Courier Delivers to NPCs
Clouds All Over CC
Bug Fixes & Quality of Life
Quest Debugger (XB1)
GET No More Dead Merchants (A Game Environment Tweaks mod) [XB1]
GET No More Dead Followers (a Game Environment Tweaks Mod) [XB1]
Unequip Helmet Ouside Combat (UHOC)
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submitted by johnny_velociraptor to SkyrimModsXbox [link] [comments]


2024.06.10 05:57 HeadOfSpectre Soldiers Keep Moving (Part 4)

Part 3

I needed a drink.

God, did I ever need a drink.

The incident by River Ridge was nothing short of a disaster, to say the least. When he’d made it to the scene, Sheriff Smith had asked me for every detail I could give him on what had happened, and I’d told him most of the truth.

Most of it.

I left out the part where Clementine Di Cesare had drank a man's blood and caused the earth to move. Biggs probably would’ve believed all of it if I had told him, but the Sheriff? He’d probably send me to get my head checked, and I wouldn’t blame him one bit for that. Even if there was a chance he’d believe me, I couldn’t really bring myself to include those particular elements of the story. I barely believed them, even though I’d seen it all with my own two eyes. None of this seemed to make sense anymore. I felt like I was looking at the shifting gears of some great machine without any context for what any of them did. I only knew that they did in fact do something.

I knew that Apostle was killing monsters.

I knew that Di Cesare probably wasn’t actually with the State Police.

I knew that apparently there’d been a bunch of fish women living down by River Ridge, and I may or may not have just saved them all from being ambushed. These were things I knew… and yet they didn’t make sense to me.

Christ, and here I thought small towns like this were supposed to be simple?

***

I was at The Honey Pot and Spaniel, having a beer when Dr. Miller found me. The moment I saw him walk in, I gave him a nod and wasn’t in the least bit surprised when he slid into the booth across from me.
“Deputy Sawyer… sounds like you’ve had a hell of a day, huh?”
“I’ve had a hell of a week,” I replied. “I didn’t think you drank, Doc.”
“From time to time,” He said. The bartender, Dixon came by and he ordered a beer.
“You look like you’ve barely slept,” He said, once he was gone.

“Yeah? Go figure?” I asked. “I’ve got coffee keeping me going for the time being.”
“Caffeine doesn’t really make up for a good night's sleep.”
“Maybe not, but I’ve kinda had a lot going on lately. That doesn’t really give a man much time for sleep.”
“No, I guess it doesn’t,” Dr. Miller admitted.
“So what brings you to my little watering hole?” I asked, “It’s not 5 o’clock yet, so I can’t imagine this is a social call.”
“Yes and no,” He admitted. “Thought you might be interested in the autopsy results from last night's victim.”

I raised an eyebrow and took a sip of my beer.
“Yeah, I am actually,” I said. “I take it she had gills?”
“Noticed those, did you?” Dr. Miller asked.
“I saw them on the other girl. The one that got shot.”

He nodded.
"Guess I don't need to tell you that I've never seen this before, do I?"
"I'd be shocked if you had, Doc."
He laughed humorlessly.
"Yeah… gotta say, there wasn't a hell of a lot to find on the victim. Her name was Melissa Sinclair. Address was listed as River Ridge. Far as I can tell she owned an RV there."
"Sounds about right," I said, taking a sip of my drink. "You find anything else?"
"A lot, actually. But I'll spare you the autopsy details and cut to the really interesting bit."

He reached into his pocket and set a black card down in front of me. It looked a little bit like a student card. On it, I could see a picture of Melissa, along with her name in white text and a bar code. In the top right hand corner was a red four pointed star that looked a little bit like a cross.
"What's this?" I asked.
"Found it in her purse. There was a similar one in Hector Russells wallet too. Ever seen anything like this before?"

I took a closer look at the card. Aside from the red star, there wasn't much to ID it as belonging to any particular group, and the red star logo didn't look familiar to me either.
"No, never," I admitted.
"Me neither. Two victims with cards like this though? I'm no cop but something tells me it's connected."

I nodded, looking the cards over carefully.
"Yeah… Vickers and the Russell's… you ever met them while they were still alive?" I asked.
"You know, I actually did. My wife and I signed up for couples dance lessons for our fifteen anniversary… Hank and Patricia were in the same class as us. Can't say we were close, but I'd spoken to them a few times."
"You ever notice anything off about them?"
"Not in the slightest. I sure as hell didn't imagine they'd be… well…"
"Yeah…" I finished, nodding thoughtfully. "Melissa and Kayley… the girl that got shot… they passed as human too. So did Vickers. It's weird… no one seemed to suspect a damn thing about any of these people, but our gunmen seem to know exactly who they are, where they are and what they are…"

I looked down at the card and turned it over in my hands.
"Almost as if they've got a list of them…"
Dr. Miller's brow furrowed.
"You think that's possible?"
I nodded.

"Makes sense, doesn't it? Vickers worked in IT, right? Could be that he had access to this list… that's why he was the first target. Could also be why they burned his house. To try and get rid of any evidence of the list existing."
Dr. Miller grimaced.
"Why target the Russells and Melissa next though?"
"I'm not sure. Melissa… I may have some idea on what was going on there. The Russell's, not so much… but…"

I pocketed the card.
"I've still got time to find out."
Dr. Miller nodded.
"Keep me posted if you do," He said as Dixon brought him his beer.
We shared a drink together, and went our separate ways.

***

It was late in the afternoon when I finally made it back home. Since Di Cesare still had my car, I needed to take a cab, which I may have used as an excuse to drink more than usual. After the whirlwind of chaos that had defined the past 24… hell, the past 72 hours… I was more than ready to collapse and finally get some rest. Dr. Miller was right. I did need some sleep.

I unclipped my gun from my belt and left it in the living room along with my wallet before I dragged myself to the bedroom. I didn’t even bother to get changed before sinking down into the bed. Christ, I was getting too old for this… the drinking, the shooting. Ten years ago, maybe I wouldn’t have felt so rough, but I wasn’t in my body from ten years ago, now was I?

I rested my head back on my pillow, half ready to doze off completely. Unfortunately, that was around the time I noticed I wasn’t alone in my room.

There was a man with a red beard and a military crew cut, standing silently in my doorway. He fixed me in an intense stare, and I stared right back at him as an exasperated pit formed in my stomach.
“Well…” I said, “Hello there.”
“Deputy Rick Sawyer,” Red Beard said, his voice was low and rough with a distinct southern drawl to it. “You’ve been quite the pain in our ass, haven’t you?”
“Just today, or have I been an ongoing pain in the ass?” I asked, sitting up. I noticed two figures waiting in the hall behind Red Beard. One of them was a very disgruntled looking bald man with his arm in a sling. I waved to him. His eyes just narrowed at me.

I could feel my heart beating faster. But I did everything I could to keep a stoic face. These pricks didn’t deserve the satisfaction of knowing they’d spooked me.
“The boss wants to have a little chat with you,” Red Beard said. “Get up.”
“If you’re gonna shoot me, do me a solid and do it in my own bed. I’d like to at least die comfortable,” I said.
Red Beard just grunted.
“Lawrence, Oswald. Get him on his feet.”

The bald man and the other guy who I didn’t recognize both pushed past him, storming into my room to force me up. The bald man hung back, letting his friend do most of the work in forcing me to my feet. He only grabbed me with his good arm when I was already standing. Red Beard turned without a further word, leading us down the hall and through the door where a black Audi waited for us. I was forced into the back seat with my bald friend, while Red Beard got into the passenger seat.
“Oswald, keep a gun on him. Make sure he don’t do anything stupid,” Red Beard said.

The bald man… I guess he was Oswald, nodded. I figured that meant that the man who got in the driver's seat must’ve been Lawrence.
The car rolled away from my house, heading away from town.
“Taking me back to that abandoned auto garage?” I asked.
“Nah,” Red Beard replied. “Had to burn that one because of the mess you made… but we’ve got other places to stay.”

“On the run, huh?” I asked. “That’s gotta suck.”
“If you wanna stay alive, Deputy, that attitude ain’t gonna do you any favors.” Red Beard hissed.
“I wasn’t aware staying alive was on the table,” I replied.
“You’ve seen the way we work, Deputy. If we wanted you dead, we wouldn’t be having a conversation right now.”
I guess he had a point there.

Trees and farmland drifted past through the window before the car pulled into an overgrown parking lot with a single run down building in it. Once upon a time, that building had been a restaurant, although it looked like it’d been defunct for over a decade.

The car stopped and Oswald gestured with his gun for me to get out. I did.

Red Beard stepped out of the car as well, and without so much as a word to me, headed in through the broken door of the old restaurant. Oswald pushed me to follow. The old restaurant was baking in the summer heat and the dining room was completely empty. The tables and chairs that had probably once been here were long gone and the carpet where they’d once stood was dirty and covered in debris. The ceiling fans that had once hung over the dining room were stained and dirty. One of them had collapsed entirely.

Oswald ushered me past all of this, coaxing me toward an office where I could hear the roar of indoor fans. At his insistence, I stepped through the door and was greeted by a massive man behind a desk.

This man, I almost recognized… almost.

Joseph Cray. There’d been a photo of him on Apostle’s website, identifying him as the man who’d gotten the whole operation started. But the man in front of me only barely resembled the man in that photo. In fact, if it hadn’t been his employees who’d kidnapped me, I probably wouldn’t have recognized him at all. Cray looked to be somewhere in his mid fifties to early sixties, and he was big. I could see this man topping 600 or 700 pounds easily. He was bald and covered in liver spots, with an unkempt, wiry beard and coke bottle glasses. He was dressed in a khaki shirt with matching pants and wheezed with every breath.

He looked at Red Beard and I when we came in, and gave Red Beard a curt nod.
“Thank you, Klaus.”
Red Beard… Klaus, I guess, nodded in response and turned to leave. As soon as he was gone, Crays attention shifted to me.
“Deputy Sawyer…” He rasped, “So good to meet you face to face. I’m Joseph Cray.”
“Figured as much… so, to what exactly do I owe the pleasure?” I asked, getting straight to the point. Cray just gave me a twisted smile.

“You can relax, Deputy. I guess you probably think this is some sort of punishment, for that trouble you caused us today… but I assure you, it’s no such thing. I’m a reasonable man, Deputy. I understand you were doing your job and my men were doing theirs. Situations such as the one that occurred today are inevitable in our line of work. We don’t hold it against you… actually, you’re here because I’m inclined to offer you an olive branch. You’re a diligent, hardworking man. I respect that. Diligence in particular is a virtue I cherish.”
“Dragging me out of my home and bringing me here… hell of an olive branch,” I noted.

He laughed sheepishly.
“Sorry about the theatrics. But we both know you probably wouldn’t have accepted a formal request for a sit down and this location, while not ideal, does offer us an ideal amount of privacy.”
“I’m sure. Nobody would hear the gunshots, if things didn’t go the way you wanted.” I said.

Cray’s smile didn’t fade. He didn’t deny it.
“With all that’s been going on these past few days… I’m certain you must have questions.” He continued, “You’ve seen the bodies. Seen that they’re not human. I’m sure that might give you some ideas as to why the work we’re undertaking is so important.”

I didn’t answer that. I didn’t need to.
“This little town of yours… it’s dying, isn’t it?” Cray asked. “Or at least it was. You’ve had quite the shift in fortunes, over the past few years. Small warehouses, new businesses. Exciting, no? New life creeping into an old husk… like a hermit crab taking a new shell. Although that new life… it’s not what it seems, is it? Tell me… is it fair to the people who’ve lived their lives in this town for their entire lives, who’ve built it from the ground up to wake up and find that they’re not the ones in control anymore? Is it fair for something to come in, creep into the abandoned husks of dead buildings and bring them back as something else?”

“Better than letting the town die off,” I said.
“Is it? Perhaps it might be, if it weren’t for the ones behind it,” Cray said. “Make no mistake, these friendly new faces are anything but. This isn’t reinvigoration, it’s an invasion. Slow and insidious. Creeping into your communities, armed with lemon squares and potato salad, smiling just like people but hiding their teeth behind closed lips. Demons with human faces and a need for blood, calling themselves your friends, your neighbors… turning your home into theirs. You’ve seen most of them by now. Vampires, werewolves, sirens… others. Yours is not the first town they’ve co-opted. It will not be the last either.”
“And so what exactly is your mission, then?” I asked. “Kill them before they can… what? Form a homeowners association?”
“Before they can kill you,” Cray said gravely. “Our business is pest control. Parasites come in… and we exterminate them. We’ve done it before. It’s bloody, thankless work. But we have done it.”

I shifted uneasily. The way Cray spoke so proudly about having done this before disturbed me. That twisted smile on his lips told me that he wasn’t bluffing.
“I recognize that what we do may seem needlessly violent. I recognize that you may have reservations about our work. But you’ve seen the things we’ve killed. Deep in your gut, I think you know that this is necessary. These creatures look human. They act human. They seem so human. But they aren’t. I have fought them long enough to know for certain how monstrous they truly are… when they sink their claws into a place like this, there is no choice. You fight or you die. I am giving you the opportunity to fight.”

Cray leaned in toward me, and my eyes locked with his.
“We’re not enemies, you and I. You can help save this town, Deputy. You are obligated to save this town.”

I looked Cray in the eye, knowing what he was asking me. I didn’t even need to think about my answer.
“Save this town from what, exactly?” I asked, “Monsters? You want to know how many people in this town have been killed by vampires, Mr. Cray? Not a single goddamn one. You wanna talk about how many folks have been mauled by werewolves? None! But let’s take a look at the number of folks who you’ve shot in the past week. Five. And it would’ve been a whole hell of a lot more if I hadn’t stumbled into your ambush for those RV’s! Y’know, I may not have the firmest grasp on exactly what the hell is going on here right now, but from where I’m sitting, the only thing I have to save this town from is you!”

Cray’s eyes narrowed.
“I’d be watching my words if I were you,” He warned.
“If you’re gonna have your lap dogs shoot me, then just shoot me and get it over with.” I snapped. “You want me to sit here and grovel, because your boys have some guns? You want me to kiss your ass? See your side of things? No. That ain’t gonna happen, so take your olive branch, and shove it up your ugly ass.”

Cray went silent for a moment. His brow furrowing into a look of rage that admittedly gave me pause. After a moment, he sank back into his chair. From the corner of my eye, I saw Oswald raise the gun to my head again, but Cray raised a hand, making him stop. His eyes were still on me.
“We don’t make a habit of killing our own kind without good reason,” Cray said coldly. I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or Oswald. “Misguided as you may be, Deputy Sawyer… you’re still human. But they aren’t. Please, Deputy… reconsider who you’re thinking of standing up for, here. These creatures may fool you, but you need to understand they’re not what they claim to be! Even that witch who saved you today… Perhaps she did preserve your life, but you saw what she was capable of. With power like that, she’d be more than capable of leveling this county on a whim! Think of the bigger picture here! Do you really want to throw your lot in with the likes of that?”

“As opposed to throwing it in with you?” I snapped. "You murder people, claiming they're monsters! And maybe they are? Maybe! I don't really know how else to explain the things I've seen these past few days! But even if they're not human… they're still part of this goddamn town!"
“They’re an infestation!” Cray said. “Make no mistake, Deputy. This is war and you must choose a side. Are you going to look me in the eye and choose the bloodsucking, feral monsters over your own kind?”
“Considering what ‘my own kind’ looks like right now… yeah… I think I’ve made my choice,” I replied bitterly.

Cray stared at me, before finally huffing through his nose.
“Why is it that the stupidest people have the strongest convictions?” He said under his breath, “I’ve done everything in my power to talk some sense into you… you’ve chosen not to listen. I’m disappointed, but I won’t argue with a man unwilling to accept reality. Mr. Oswald, kindly take the Deputy out back and dispose of him. Then, you and Mr. Lawrence can find a suitable spot to dispose of the body.”
“Bout damn time…” Oswald huffed, pointing the gun at me. “On your feet.”

I didn’t move. I just stared down Joseph Cray.
“Come on, Cray. If you’re not gonna kill me yourself, at least look me in the eye like a man.”
The corner of his mouth shifted into a half smile as a single dry laugh escaped him.
“If you insist,” He said, before giving Oswald a half nod.

Oswald pressed the gun into the back of my head, and I looked Cray dead in the eye as I waited for everything to end. But when I inevitably heard the pop of gunshots, they were from somewhere else. Somewhere outside the restaurant.

Cray looked out through the open door, but I couldn’t read his expression. I heard the screams of men over the gunshots, but couldn’t tell exactly what the hell was going on out there. Not until Oswald was suddenly launched across the room by absolutely nothing. He was sent flying across the office and hit the far wall hard enough to leave a dent in the drywall.

I didn’t even need to see her to know she was there… Just that told me who it was.

I seized my opportunity, racing toward Oswald and lunging for him. He still held the gun tightly in his grasp, but he was disoriented. I slammed my boot into his face and heard his nose crunch under my heel before diving down to rip the gun from his hands. He didn’t let it go without a fight. But he only had one functional arm, and I had two. Mathematically speaking, he got his ass kicked.

I slammed his head hard into the ground, knocking him out cold before pulling the gun from his hand and raising it to Cray. He was holding his own .45 in one meaty hand. I could see markings along the barrel of the gun. Runes of some kind, but I couldn’t figure out what they meant. His teeth were gritted in rage, although his attention quickly shifted away from me and back toward the door of his office as the cause of all the current commotion strolled in through his door.

Clementine Di Cesare.

Her posture was casual and relaxed, as if she’d been on an afternoon stroll and just happened upon us by chance.
“In trouble again already, deputy?” She asked, calmly.
“Same trouble, actually…” I said.

She hummed in acknowledgement, looking at Cray from behind her sunglasses.
“So… you’ve saved me the trouble of hunting you down, Witch,” He snarled. He held the gun tightly in his hand. Di Cesare stared down the barrel, unflinching and calm.
“Joseph Cray… not what I’d been expecting,” She noted. “I’d thought a man of your reputation might be… different.”

“Mark my words, Di Cesare. I am no less a man than any soldier under my command!” He hissed.
“And yet no greater a man than any who’s tried to kill me in the past,” Di Cesare said calmly. She studied the runes on his gun, before huffing. “Well… at least you have an appropriate weapon, unlike most. I recognize those runes… you’ve found a way around my attribution spell… clever, but on the whole meaningless.”
“I knew they’d send you…” Cray said. “Clementine Di Cesare… they say you’re among the strongest of the Di Cesare Sisters. Still, you impress me… I presume you found us through the Deputy, didn’t you?”

She gave a half nod.
“Very astute. Even more impressive is how you’ve even managed to manipulate one of the local deputies over to your side… I’ve barely seen you in action, but I already know you more than live up to your legend, don’t you? Ironic… since you’ll be the first Di Cesare to die in two hundred years.”
“Fire that gun at me, and I’ll manipulate that bullet into your skull,” Di Cesare said. Her tone was calm, as if she was simply stating a fact, not making a threat.
“I know you would,” Cray said. “But the funny thing about the runes on this gun is… they ain’t unique.”

Di Cesare’s eyes widened and I heard a sudden gunshot. She moved, diving into cover behind the door frame, but not in time. I saw her blood spatter against Cray’s face as someone shot her from behind. A bullet hole appeared in Di Cesare’s shoulder. Cray’s gun followed her, I took aim at him and fired twice, aiming for his outstretched arms. I saw his wrist twist at an unnatural angle as my bullet tore through his hand, robbing him of a few fingers. Cray’s gun discharged but the bullet went through the wall behind Di Cesare, missing her entirely. He clutched at his ruined hand, screaming in pain before shooting me a death glare. A moment later, all 700 pounds of him came barreling toward me.

I fired twice, hitting him in the chest before he slammed into me, slamming me into the far wall of his office. The two of us tripped over Oswald’s unconscious body before crashing through the drywall and landing in what used to be the kitchen. My gun slid out of my hand as I tumbled to the ground and I didn’t see where it went.

My ears were ringing, but I looked up to see Cray forcing his way through the splintered wall joists. The buttons on his shirt had popped off and I could see kevlar underneath. Of course he was wearing kevlar.

In the office behind him, I could see Red Beard… Klaus coming in through the door, handgun drawn as he rounded the corner to finish off Di Cesare. The moment he took aim at her though, the ceiling of the office collapsed down on him, burying them both underneath it.

Cray still stumbled toward me, drenched in blood and sweat as he picked up speed again. I only barely got out of his way in time, and scrambled behind one of the kitchen counters before picking myself up. The counters were bare, not a weapon in sight, but I still needed to put up a fight.

With an almost animal scream of rage Cray continued after me. He moved with surprising speed, closing the distance between us and grabbing me by the throat. My fists pounded at his face, breaking his nose and knocking his glasses off, but he refused to let up. His hands wrapped around my neck and started to squeeze as he dragged me around, rasping and wheezing with every step. My legs kicked frantically and I desperately dug my fingers into the bullet wound on his hand. I felt his flesh squish beneath my fingers and he let out a cry of pain before pulling back. I kicked him in his generous stomach, but that didn’t really do much to stop him. He barely even flinched and instead caught me across the face with a backhand.

I found myself back on the ground, scrambling across the floor to put some distance between us before kicking back at him. My shoe connected with his groin, earning a pained rumble from him as I quickly picked myself up. I threw a haymaker, right in his face, sending him back just a single step. My fist connected with his face again, again and again before Cray finally collapsed backward onto the ground.

Through the hole in the wall behind him, I could see that both Di Cesare and Klaus had recovered from the collapse of the roof. Klaus still seemed a little disoriented, but Di Cesare was already coming for him. She gestured violently with her hand, and Klaus’s body was jerked violently to the side. I heard the crunch of drywall as she borrowed a move from Cray’s playbook and hurled him through the office wall, although Klaus was sent into the dining room, not the kitchen. Di Cesare glared at him, making sure he was down for the count before gritting her teeth and stepping through the hole in the wall that led to the kitchen.

Cray looked over at her, blood dribbling from his split lip and broken nose. His breath came in heavy pants and I could see a look of utter disgust on his face.
“No…” He rasped, “No… no… no…”

He tried to stand, but I forced him down onto his stomach. I took a pair of handcuffs from my belt, and closed them around his wrists.
“Joseph Cray…” I panted, “You’re under arrest for the murders of Geoffery Vickers, Hank Russell and Melissa Sinclair… you have the right to remain silent, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law…”

As I read him his rights, Di Cesare just stared down at him. Her expression was completely neutral. No anger. No contempt… nothing. Finally, she simply turned away to deal with the others. Klaus, Oswald and Lawrence… wherever the hell Lawrence had ended up.
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