Mr coffee strong brew selector review
Nifty Or Thrifty: Innocent Cup (And a Fond Farewell To The Silph Arena)
2023.06.07 13:50 JRE47 Nifty Or Thrifty: Innocent Cup (And a Fond Farewell To The Silph Arena)
All good things must come to an end. 🥲
As you surely know by now, this will be the very last Cup in The Silph Arena's long and glorious history. And so even though I slowly faded away from my monthy meta writeups for Silph some time ago (I think it's been over a year now! 🥹), I HAD to come back for one last ride together, my friends. Like many of you, I only ever got into PvP because of The Arena, and was a PvP veteran when GBL was still but a twinkle in John Hanke's eye. Many wonderful memories of tournaments and communities, local and remote, that I will cherish always.
And of course: YOU, my dear readers. I am sorry I stepped back, but you all surpassed beyond me and my relatively simple meta overviews. After a while, budget picks became less and less necessary to study as you had more and more tools already at your disposal, built up from the metas of the past.
In short, to paraphrase the great Yoda himself: I am what you grew beyond. That is the true burden of all teachers.
And perhaps, here at the end, you still don't need my simple budget heroes, my rather basic overview of the meta and, of course, off-meta potential wonders. You know, the thrifty AND the nifty stuff. 😉
But I can think of no better way to say a proper goodbye to the good folks at The Silph Arena AND you, my dear friends, than to give this one last go. Together.
One last..."Nifty Or Thrifty"! For old times' sake.
So here we go!
For those who don't remember, this article series serves a few functions. First, it gives a first blush, comprehensive look at the meta for the upcoming Innocent Cup, particularly from the perspective of which Pokémon are likely worth the cost of leveling up and adding a second charge move (nifty) and which ones would probably work out fine without heavy investment (thrifty), including some alternatives to the more expensive options. For those on a stardust budget — and/or folks trying to save up some dust for the future — it can be daunting trying to figure out where to spend or not spend it. We all want to field competitive teams of six, but where can we get the best bang for our buck and where should we perhaps instead channel our inner scrooge?
And as always, while I have tried to whittle somewhat, this is likely to be a long read, just to warn you up front! But always as per normal, I'll try to keep it entertaining as well. 😃
Before we dive in, make sure to familiarize yourself with what makes up Innocent Cup. It's Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Psychic, and Water type Pokémon, with with Arbok, Dragalge, Garbodor, and Swalot specifically whitelisted in as well. Excluded are Ice, Fire, Poison and Steel types, plus Altaria, Galarian Zapdos, Galarian Moltres, Galarian Articuno, Cresselia, Hawlucha, Lanturn, Mandibuzz, Mantine, Mew, Alolan Ninetales, Noctowl, Pelipper, Pidgeot, and Trevenant are all specifically banned. The full list and rules are over here, so check that out before reading on.
Now it's time to dive in, but only after one final, unapologetic musical intro. Hit it!
🎼 Oops, let's do this again
🎶 Silph played with our hearts
♫ We got lost in the game
♩ Oh baby, baby
♫ Oops, I think I'm in love
♬ Silph was sent from aboooooove
♪ I'm not that Innocent....
Okay, maybe not one of my greatest ever, but it was either this or a mushy goodbye song like "My Way" or something.
Anyway, in retro style, let's go through this final meta in order of cheapest second move cost all the way to the Legendaries. Here we go!
Volt Switch Thunder Punch & Wild Charge/Psychic
There is a LOT in AhChu's favor here. It resists Flying, Psychic, Electric, and Fighting damage — all very relevant in this format — and wails on all the Waters and Flyers around. As tempting as Grass Knot is for its ability to blow away the Mud Boys (and other Ground types), I think that if you choose NOT to use Wild Charge, it is Psychic (the move, to keep the old inside joke going!) that you want more, as it can at least slap around the important Poison types in the meta (beating ALL of them, whereas Dragalge and Swalot can escape otherwise). That said, the overall more threatening move remains Wild Charge, which obviously has its drawbacks, but is pretty widely unresisted and alone has the power to blow away things like Hypno, Azumarill, and Araquanid.
EMOLGA
Thunder Shock Discharge & Acrobatics
When I began this article (WAY too long ago now! ), Emolga was a mere footnote here. But that was then, and this is now with the addition of Acrobatics. I still don't know how high Emolga may soar now in PvP, but I know that with THIS meta, it should be off to an impressive start!
SWELLOW
Wing Attack Sky Attack & Brave Bird
Wait wait wait... Wing Attack and Sky Attack and Brave Bird? Why have you hardly seen any of these used? Well, it's much less tanky than Pidgeot and especially Noctowl, which is why they generally get all the press and poor Swellow usually languishes. But one thing that has always separated Silph from GBL are the spot bans, and in this Cup, it is Noctowl and Pidgeot that are on the outside looking in, allowing Swellow to soar high. And beyond the obvious Electrics and a few Fairies, there really isn't too much that it has to fear. Go fly past the competition!
DARTRIX
Leafage Brave Bird & Seed Bomb
Poor Decidueye may remain unexciting in PvP, but at least Dartrix now gets its moment in the spotlight as a budget (and with the addition of Leafage, perhaps even better?) Tropius here. I say "perhaps better" despite the fact that Razor Leaf Trop has a better record because of between the two, only Dartrix manages to overcome Dragalge and Clefable (and spicy Togetic). Trop instead shreds things like Hypno, Gliscor, Wobbuffet, Alolan Raichu, and Seaking, so there's certainly room for both, but Dartrix is absolutely the better fit on some teams.
WHIMSICOTT
Fairy Wind Moonblast & Seed Bomb/Grass Knot
I'm listing Charm and/or Hurricane as options here, but other than the latter sometimes winning the mirror, there's really nothing major they can do that Fairy Wind and Moonblast (along with one of the now-two Grass moves) can't. Only with the speedy charging of Fairy Wind can Whimsie outrace stuff like Azumarill, Tapu Fini, and Whiscash, and Moonblast is more reliable than Hurricane at taking out things like Wobbuffet, Zapdos, and importantly, have the advantage versus Dragalge. As for Grass Knot vs the new Seed Bomb, the former has the power to take down Wobb and Whiscash, while the latter instead now outraces (Fairy Wind) Slurpuff, (Ice Beam) Jellicent, and (Sludge Wave) Swampert. Go with Fairy Wind. You have plenty of other Charm options anyway. For example....
WIGGLYTUFF
Charm Ice Beam & Disarming Voice
Yes, you definitely want both Ice Beam and the new Disarming Voice for Wiggly to be well-rounded, but as is often the case with Charmers, it can often be best to go for the Charm-down, allowing additional wins against stuff like Dedenne, Tapu Fini, Florges. and several fellow Charmers (assuming they are not also trying to just Charm-down). Wiggly remains among the best, if not THE best, pure Charmer in yet another format.
CLEFABLE
Fairy Wind Meteor Mash & Moonblast
Fairy Wind is now the way to go here (and likely in many metas yet to come), as Meteor Mash can do some serious work, especially in whalloping the other Faires! You can run Psychic as well to also shock Poisons (Swalot and Dragalge in particular), but it's overall a bit weaker than Moonblast, which is needed for wins like Azu, Hypno, Wobbuffet, and most of the Electrics in the meta (Dedenne, Zapdos, and Emolga, specifically).
SWALOT
Infestation Sludge Bomb & Ice Beam/Gunk Shot
I've written about Swalot before, but only as an often-desperate attempt to show it as a decent thrifty Poison with upside. But never has it really SHOWN that upside like it does here in Innocent Cup. It can swallow all Grasses and Fairies whole, and can also topple things like DDeoxys, Alolan Raichu, Dedenne, Wobbuffet, Seaking, and fellow Poison Garbodor. Give it Ice Beam for coverage instead of big closer Gunk Shot, and while it gives up a couple Fairies (Azumarill, Tapu Fini) and Araquanid, it gains Ice-weak Zapdos and Zweilous instead. Swalot is not only finally a breakout star here at the end of Arena play, but you have legit options with it! You love to see it.
SWAMPERT
Mud Shot Hydro Cannonᴸ & Earthquake/Sludge Wave
It would be easy to assume that Sludge Wave is clearly THE way to go in this meta filled with Fairies and key Grass types. And there is wisdom in that, as Sludge does indeed conquer every Fairy here except the new Fairy Wind Togetic. But there remains just a strong a case for good old Earthquake instead, as it instead knocks out all the Poisons, plus Zweilous, Jellicent, and enemy Swamperts. The choice is even more in Quake's favor for Shadow Swampert, as it beats all the major Fairies besides Togekiss, Togetic, Azu, and Whimsie, still uniquely takes down Dragalge, Jellicent, and Swampert, and adds to that Whiscash and Rainy Castform as well. I understand the attention being given to Sludge Wave... Innocent Cup IS one of the better fits for it. Just don't put those blinders on too tightly. Earthquake still bears consideration too, depending on the rest of your team. And of course, there is also Shadow Swampert, which I think also prefers Earthquake, beating everything Quake non-Shadow Swampie can, PLUS Clefable, Tapu Fini, and Slurpuff as non-Shadow can only if it has Sludge Wave, AND completely unique wins versus Gliscor, Zapdos, and Rainy Castform too!
WHISCASH
Mud Shot Mud Bomb & Blizzard
Aside from the just-buffed Mud Bomb making Whiscash a bit better anyway, it has one other big thing going for it in this meta that separates it from Swampert: Blizzard, which simply destroys Flyers (Drifblim, Emolga, Jumpluff, Togekiss, Togetic) that Swampert can't touch, as well as Whimsicott for good measure. Sure, Whiscash can't match Swampert's wins versus things like Hypno, Florges, Tapu Fini, or Florges, and usually will lose to Swampert in the head to head, but at least it stands on pretty equal footing in this meta. Some teams will want one, some will want the other. Which do YOU prefer, my friend?
BLASTOISE
Water Gun Hydro Cannonᴸ & Ice Beam
As always, Blastoise is not exactly exciting, but it can get the job done in a pinch. Its excellent bulk allows it to hang in and beat every meta Fairy that isn't part Water or Grass, and also handles things like Drifblim, Swampert and Whiscash, Swalot and Garbodor, and thanks to Ice Beam, Dragalge, Jumpluff, and (Air Slash) Tropius as well. Nothing flashy, but solid as always. I do not particularly recommend Shadow Blastie.
GOLISOPOD
Shadow Claw X-Scissor & Liquidation
Golisopod is suddenly interesting now that it has all-new move Liquidation, which brings in new wins like Whiscash (it already beat Swampert), Swalot, Drifblim, and Gliscor. Add to this some surprising wins like Azumarill, Rainy Castform, and Alolan Raichu, and Golisopod may be more spicy than meta itself, but it's certainly on the upswing.
GYARADOS
Dragon Breath Aqua Tailᴸ & Crunch
Gyarados does just enough to be interesting, including taking out all the Poisons and Dragons in the meta, all Grounds but Quagsire, and stuff like Hypno, Wobbuffet, Jellicent, Rainy Castform, Drifblim, Araquanid. Slurpuff, and even Jumpluff. Not bad, right? Just don't get too cute with Shadow Gary.
SWOOBAT
Confusion Psychic Fangs & Aerial Ace
Hey, leave it to me for the oddball picks, especially among the "thrifty" 10ks. Swoobat is NOT a good PvP Pokémon, but it DOES come with Confusion to blow away the scary Poisons, and being a Flyer means it performs well against things like Swampert, Medicham, and the Grasses as well. It also manages to several of the big name Fairies and even Gliscor and Rainy Castform too. Not fantastic, but a lot of potential fun in this final Silph Cup.
Poison Jabᴸ Icy Windᴸ & Drill Runᴸ
One thing that doesn't change, despite all the new Fairy Wind around, is that Seaking still wipes away ALL the Fairies here, even really scary ones like Dedenne and Aromatisse/Slurpuff, even with fast-charging Fairy Wind and their scary Electric and Grass charge moves. With its adaptive moveset, it also handles big Poisons Dragalge and Garbodor, Flyers like Gliscor, Tropius, Emolga, and Jumpluff (and most non-Razor Leaf Grasses in this meta in general), and Dragons like Zweilous. Versatile and a LOT of fun, Seaking earns every bit of its current Top 3 Ranking in Innocent Cup!
JUMPLUFF
Fairy Wind Energy Ball & Acrobaticsᴸ
So here's one that DOES take a little hit with the redistribution of Fairy Wind (but Jumpie is still pretty good!). Jumpluff beats all the major Fairies except Florges... unless they're running Fairy Wind. But now it loses to FW Clefable, who is likely to suddenly be quite popular, and FW Togetic, who I feel like folks are going to bring as long-desired spice. It also has not a prayer against most Poisons (though it can handle Dragalge thanks to resisting Aqua Tail) but beats most Waters, Wobb, Medicham, Hypno, Zweilous, and even Tropius.
DEDENNE
Thunder Shock Discharge & Play Rough
When and I other analysts starting looking over this meta, we got very excited about Deedee. Upon further review, I personally like Alolan Raichu better overall, as it knocks out things Dedenne cannot like Hypno, Florges, Drifblim, Jumpluff, Seaking (Deedee does NOT like Poison damage!), Fini, Castform, and Clefable. Dedenne IS still quite good, with its better bulk and Fairy subtyping allowing it unique wins like Wobbuffet, Slurpluff, and Zweilous. And of course, you can always put Deedee AND AhChu on the same team of six....
FLORGES
Fairy Wind Disarming Voice & Moonblast
So Florges doesn't do anything particularly unique, as it is arguably best running with all Fairy moves. It CAN do some neat things with Vine Whip, like beating Jellicent and winning the mirror, but Fairy Wind is just better, instead taking out Jumpluff, Hypno, Wobbuffet, Whimsicott, Tropius and more.
As for other 50k Fairies:
AZUMARILL
Bubble Ice Beam & Hydro Pump/Play Rough
If there's one lesson we learned early on in The Arena, it's that if you allow Azumarill into a meta, it will find a way to become relevant. And lo and behold, here is yet another example. Not even Swalot, Emolga, or Zapdos can safely overcome Azu! And that's on top of all the Fighters, Psychics, Flyers, Mud Boys and fellow Fairies that Azu can strike down. Azumarill is a strong contender here, as it has basically always been in these metas.
JELLICENT
Hex Surf &/or Shadow Ball &/or Ice Beam
I think I can pretty definitively recommend Hex as the fast move, but after that? Time for a classic side-by-side. My default recommendation is Surf/Shadow Ball, which can get to meaningful wins like Whiscash, Drifblim, and the mirror, but also valid are Surf/Ice Beam and even Beam/Ball work. Ice Beam is basically required to beat Whimsicott, Tropius, Jumpluff, and Dragalge, but can usually do it alongside Ball or Surf. Beam/Ball can beat most of what Surf/Ball and Surf/Beam can except Clefable, Florges, and Slurpuff. I think the basic question is thus: do you need extra coverage versus Grasses and Dragons? If so: Ice Beam. If not? Probably just stick with Surf/Shadow Ball. But there's no "wrong" answer, really. Good luck!
ARAQUANID
Bug Bite Bubble Beam & Mirror Coat/Bug Buzz
Gotta be that Bug Buzz is the closer to go with, right? Well, yes... but also perhaps no. It's true that only the raw power of Bug Buzz can overcome things like Seaking, Fairy Wind Whimsicott, and Clefable, but as bad a move as Mirror Coat is, it's ALSO true that 'Nid can overcome all the format's Poison types (and win the mirror match) only with Mirror Coat, not Buzz. Do with that information what you will, but I like when I get to highlight secret tech like that.
QUAGSIRE
Mud Shot Stone Edge & Mud Bomb/Earthquake
I still don't think it's quite right to call new Quag toy Mud Bomb a straight upgrade, as there are good things like Earthquake can still do that Bomb can't, like overpowering Azumarill and Swampert. But yes, Mud Bomb is probably the de facto standard now, getting its own nice wins versus things like Seaking, Rainy Castform, Tapu Fini, and Wigglytuff. Lord Quag is certainly more interesting than it was in May, particularly Shadow Quag which can do all of that PLUS also beat all versions of Jellicent, Hypno, and Togekiss, and Azumarill slides back into the win column too!
DRAGALGE
Dragon Tail Aqua Tail & Gunk Shot/Outrage
Good enough place as any to slide over to the relevant Poison types, since Dragalge masquerades as a Water type with Aqua Tail. But which way to go for the closer? Well, I'll start by saying that either one nets wins versus Araquanid (without Mirror Coat!), Tropius, and Jumpluff. After that, the slightly better record lies with Outrage that can beat Jellicent and Castform with high neutral damage, but I think I STILL lean towards Gunk Shot for its own unique win versus Azumarill and its high pressure versus enemy Fairies, Grasses, and others in the meta. In this case, I'd just keep it simple.
GARBODOR
Infestation Gunk Shot & Body Slam/Seed Bomb
With a face only a mother could love, here comes the only meta that can also tolerate Garbo. It's still not quite on the same tier as Dragalge and Swalot, but yes, Garbo is legit viable in Innocent Cup. Body Slam is my recommendation for spam alongside the required Gunk Shot, as Slam overwhelms stuff like Wobbuffet and Araquanid. But there is some potential spice here as well if you instead run with Seed Bomb, as you can then beat (Sludge Wave) Swampert and surprise the heck out of Ground and Water types in general.
ARBOK
Acid Dark Pulse & Acid Spray
And even a small step below Garbodor (there is a sentence is never thought I would write!), we have Arbok withAcid, and NOT the Dragon Tail you might expect instead. While it's true that Tail can beat other Dragons and/or Poisons (Dragalge, Zweilous, and Swalot specifically), it's very poor otherwise. Acid is a bad move, but it does manage to dissolve (see what I did there? I so funny hee hee haha) every non-Psychic Fairy and Grass type in the meta besides Tapu Fini, which is obviously a big deal in this meta.
HYPNO
Confusion Shadow Ball & Thunder Punch/Ice Punch
Usually an analysis on Hypno means a long debate between competing (and all viable) movesets. Now there ARE several that work outside of my recommendation of Shadow Ball/Thunder Punch, but I am ready to label that the odds on favorite. It just brings the most overall pressure in this meta, especially to the many Water and Flying types (beating Azumarill as one specific example), at the very small cost of being non-ideal versus Grasses... though Hypno doesn't beat Jumpluff or Tropius with Fire OR Ice anyway, so in my mind, no harm, no foul. At least, that's the way I'd go for non-Shadow. For Shadow Hypno, Ice Punch now comes with the power to freeze and shatter Jumpluff and Tropius, as well as Gliscor and Swampert, and still manages to knock out Azumarill too. Best of all worlds!
FARIGAMARIF
Confusion/Tackle Psychic Fangs & Thunderbolt
Bittersweet moment here, as it's my last time getting to talk about ol' Geeriffa— um, Giffimar— uh, Jeffomafig? Oh, fine... Girafarig. Yes, I HAVE known how to spell it all these years. 😅 My boy has only gotten better since recieving Psychic Fangs, to the point that it's viable in TWO configurations in this meta: [Tackle]() to overcome fellow Psychics (the type, NOT the move... two long-running jokes in one section! 💪) like Hypno, or Confusion which overpowers Whimsicott, Drifblim, Castform, and Clefable and is, honestly, just the better fast move in general. And don't forget Shadow Farigamiraf, which does give up Swampert, Jumpluff, Gliscor, and Charm Whimsie, but gains Surf/Shadow Ball Jellicent (already beats other Jelli variants), Seaking, Tapu Fini, Whiscash, and Togetic... and now beats Hypno without needing Tackle! One last toast to everyone's favorite funky Girafamathingy! It's been real, buddy. Glad you get to go out in style. 🦒
SLOWBRO/SLOWKING
Confusion/Water Gun Surfᴸ & Ice Beam/Psychic
Slowbro gets the slight nod because I like Confusion/Surf/Ice Beam the best personally (with standout wins versus Jumpluff, Tropius, and Florges), but if you want to instead run Water Gun/Surf/Psychic (the move!), then Slowking or Slowbro work equally well. The unique wins there are basically other Psychic types like DDeoxys and Wobbuffet. Either way, the Super Slow Bros are pretty nifty here! Similar BRUXISH not quite so much though.
CLAYDOL
Confusion Rock Tomb & Ice Beam/Shadow Ball
Not a strong recommendation, but Claydol does just enough here to be interesting (and that should make the Niantic employee that keeps adding moves to it every couple seasons very happy). With Ice Beam it beats Jumpluff, but beyond that you really want Shadow Ball, I think, which can instead beat Seaking and gives Claydol unique coverage versus Psychics, Flyers, AND Poisons, among others.
MEDICHAM
Counter Ice Punch & Psychic
Speaking of doing just enough to be interesting, this is one of those rare-ish metas where Medicham is merely okay. It does manage to hold down the Poisons as a good Psychic type should, but beyond that it doesn't really know what it wants to be in this meta, settling for picking off some big names but whiffing on plenty of others. I don't feel great about it myself, but be ready for it to show up in your opponent's six at some point, especially after it absolutely rocked the first Play Pokémon tournaments of the new GBL season.
HONCHKROW
Snarl Sky Attack & Brave Bird
One final chance to put in a good word for Honch (and end a 50k section with some spice... sniff 😢), one of the ultimate boom or bust options in PvP. Really not much to say than that... just reminding you that it and its Shadow version remain out there, lurking, daring you to take a shot with it. High risk, but potentially sky high reward in this final Silph month, folks!
Razor Leaf Aerial Ace & Leaf Blade
I feel I am contractually obligated to start this section with ol' Banana Chin, specifically to point out a rare disagreement with my good friend Mr. PvPoke, who lists Air Slash as the fast move of choice. Respectfully, I disagree... it is Razor Leaf you want here. Not only does it still manage to beat everything Air Slash can that you most care about, and not only does it shred even scary Water types like Seaking and Jellicent, but it's also THE way for Trop to beat Florges and Electric types like Alolan Raichu and Dedenne. If you want more charge move pressure and such, go with Jumpluff. If you want to just beat stuff down almost regardless of remaining shields, Razor Leaf Tropius is your friend.
GLISCOR
Wing Attack Night Slash & Earthquake
Regular and Shadow both have plenty of merit. Non-Shadow has the bulk to outlast Clefable, Florges, Whimsicott, Zweilous, Medicham, Emolga, and Swampert, while Shadow instead has the raw power to overcome Jellicent, Tropius, Zapdos, Whiscash (before it can get to Blizzard), and non-Ice Punch Hypno.
GLIGAR
Wing Attack Night Slash & Returnᴾ
Honestly, though... purified Gligar is just better than Gliscor. Return is a big equalizing beatstick that allows Gligar to beat everything Gliscor can (regular and Shadow Gliscor combined, that is) except Jellicent, Whiscash, and Swalot, and further add on wins against Dragalge, Togekiss, and Gliscor itself! I think Gligar is a big time sleeper in Innocent Cup.
DRIFBLIM
Hex Icy Wind & Shadow Ball
It just got Mystical Fire, but at least in this meta, I think Blim wants to stick with Icy Wind, which does everything Fire can do plus can beat Flyers like Gliscor and Togetic. And just this once, I even give Shadow Blim a thumbs up. It drops Dedenne, but gains Tapu Fini, Rainy Castform, and stuff like Slurpuff too. Nice!
RAINY CASTFORM
Water Gun Weather Ball (Water) & Thunder
No Lanturn, no problem? Lanturn would indeed be perhaps a bit OP here, but Rainy is juuuuuuust right. Washes away Swalot and Garbo and even resists-all-its-moves Dragalge, Clefable and Togetic and Wigglytuff, and of course a ton of Waters (Jelli, Azu, Fini, Seaking) thanks to Thunder (and Swampert thanks to Weather Ball spam). Someone is definitely going to do well with it this month.
SYLVEON
Qucik Attack Psyshockᴸ & Moonblast
I mean, you CAN run Sylvie with Charm, but what makes it unique is Quick Attack. That plus Psyshock makes it the Fairy that handles the Poisons, while still doing most of the standard Fairy job (handling Dragons and Fighters and Bugs) and beating most of its fellow Fairies (and Jumpluff!) as well. It is very quietly a great Fairy in this meta.
ZWEILOUS
Dragon Breath Body Slam & Dark Pulse
Yes yes, it MUST avoid double super effective Fairy damage. And that leaves it with a less than inspiring record against the core meta. But take those away, and it has little to worry about beyond the few Bugs and Fighters in the meta. It beats the other Dragons you're going to see, and obviously dominates Psychic and Ghost types. And being a Dragon means resisting Water and Electric and Grass damage and beating many of those types too. It's far better (and sure to be far more popular) than the simple numbers would indicate.
DRAGONAIR
Dragon Breath Body Slam & Aqua Tail
Similar story here. The numbers are so-so, for similar reasons as Zweilous, but Dragonair puts out a lot of very spammy neutral damage. And unlike Zweilous, it can handle Seaking, Whiscash, DDeoxys and others.
I'll point out that Shadow DRAGONITE is pretty spicy too, though far less safe. It's more of a blunt object to the scalpel of Dragonair and Zweilous.
Before I go, one final extension of my thanks to my PvP friends, local and around the world, who have lent their own ideas and suggestions over the years and helped teach me to be a better player and student of the game. There are too many to list them all, but a few specific shout-outs to PvPoke, GO Battle Log, PvPIVs.com, PokeMiners, my old friends at GO Stadium for mutally getting each other off the ground in the pre-GBL days, and of course, one final time, to the good folks at The Silph Arena and The Silph Road. Krydos, Drock, Zooeys, the old Meta Team, Steeeeeeeeeeve, Myugenlol, and Dronpes for really launching this multi-year adventure by reaching out to me in the first place, back in simpler times. And to those I ran out of time/brain capacity to mention... you know who you are. Thank you for being here along that journey and walking parts of that (Silph) road with me. And once more, my thanks to all of you, dear readers, for your own encouragement, support, and patience with me over the years.
Okay, I said I wouldn't get sappy again, and specifically that I would NOT use this song, but I think I kind of have to as a musical outro. So with apologies to Ol' Blue Eyes... well, I always HAVE done these reviews... my way.
🎼 And now, the end is near
♫ And so we face the final curtain.
♪ My friends, I'll say it clear:
♬ I stated my case, of which I'm certain!
♫ And more, much more than this
♩ I wrote it myyyyyyy way!
I hope you've enjoyed these analysis articles over the years as much as I've enjoyed preparing and sharing them with you!
All the best, my friends. I hope you have as many happy Silph Arena memories to hold on to as I do. To whatever comes next! Take care, Pokéfriends.
Don't cry because it's over. Smile, because it happened.
— Dr. Seuss
submitted by JRE47 to TheSilphArena [link] [comments]
As you surely know by now, this will be the very last Cup in The Silph Arena's long and glorious history. And so even though I slowly faded away from my monthy meta writeups for Silph some time ago (I think it's been over a year now! 🥹), I HAD to come back for one last ride together, my friends. Like many of you, I only ever got into PvP because of The Arena, and was a PvP veteran when GBL was still but a twinkle in John Hanke's eye. Many wonderful memories of tournaments and communities, local and remote, that I will cherish always.
And of course: YOU, my dear readers. I am sorry I stepped back, but you all surpassed beyond me and my relatively simple meta overviews. After a while, budget picks became less and less necessary to study as you had more and more tools already at your disposal, built up from the metas of the past.
In short, to paraphrase the great Yoda himself: I am what you grew beyond. That is the true burden of all teachers.
And perhaps, here at the end, you still don't need my simple budget heroes, my rather basic overview of the meta and, of course, off-meta potential wonders. You know, the thrifty AND the nifty stuff. 😉
But I can think of no better way to say a proper goodbye to the good folks at The Silph Arena AND you, my dear friends, than to give this one last go. Together.
One last..."Nifty Or Thrifty"! For old times' sake.
So here we go!
For those who don't remember, this article series serves a few functions. First, it gives a first blush, comprehensive look at the meta for the upcoming Innocent Cup, particularly from the perspective of which Pokémon are likely worth the cost of leveling up and adding a second charge move (nifty) and which ones would probably work out fine without heavy investment (thrifty), including some alternatives to the more expensive options. For those on a stardust budget — and/or folks trying to save up some dust for the future — it can be daunting trying to figure out where to spend or not spend it. We all want to field competitive teams of six, but where can we get the best bang for our buck and where should we perhaps instead channel our inner scrooge?
And as always, while I have tried to whittle somewhat, this is likely to be a long read, just to warn you up front! But always as per normal, I'll try to keep it entertaining as well. 😃
Before we dive in, make sure to familiarize yourself with what makes up Innocent Cup. It's Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Psychic, and Water type Pokémon, with with Arbok, Dragalge, Garbodor, and Swalot specifically whitelisted in as well. Excluded are Ice, Fire, Poison and Steel types, plus Altaria, Galarian Zapdos, Galarian Moltres, Galarian Articuno, Cresselia, Hawlucha, Lanturn, Mandibuzz, Mantine, Mew, Alolan Ninetales, Noctowl, Pelipper, Pidgeot, and Trevenant are all specifically banned. The full list and rules are over here, so check that out before reading on.
Now it's time to dive in, but only after one final, unapologetic musical intro. Hit it!
🎼 Oops, let's do this again
🎶 Silph played with our hearts
♫ We got lost in the game
♩ Oh baby, baby
♫ Oops, I think I'm in love
♬ Silph was sent from aboooooove
♪ I'm not that Innocent....
Okay, maybe not one of my greatest ever, but it was either this or a mushy goodbye song like "My Way" or something.
Anyway, in retro style, let's go through this final meta in order of cheapest second move cost all the way to the Legendaries. Here we go!
10,000 Dust/25 Candy
ALOLAN RAICHUVolt Switch Thunder Punch & Wild Charge/Psychic
There is a LOT in AhChu's favor here. It resists Flying, Psychic, Electric, and Fighting damage — all very relevant in this format — and wails on all the Waters and Flyers around. As tempting as Grass Knot is for its ability to blow away the Mud Boys (and other Ground types), I think that if you choose NOT to use Wild Charge, it is Psychic (the move, to keep the old inside joke going!) that you want more, as it can at least slap around the important Poison types in the meta (beating ALL of them, whereas Dragalge and Swalot can escape otherwise). That said, the overall more threatening move remains Wild Charge, which obviously has its drawbacks, but is pretty widely unresisted and alone has the power to blow away things like Hypno, Azumarill, and Araquanid.
EMOLGA
Thunder Shock Discharge & Acrobatics
When I began this article (WAY too long ago now! ), Emolga was a mere footnote here. But that was then, and this is now with the addition of Acrobatics. I still don't know how high Emolga may soar now in PvP, but I know that with THIS meta, it should be off to an impressive start!
SWELLOW
Wing Attack Sky Attack & Brave Bird
Wait wait wait... Wing Attack and Sky Attack and Brave Bird? Why have you hardly seen any of these used? Well, it's much less tanky than Pidgeot and especially Noctowl, which is why they generally get all the press and poor Swellow usually languishes. But one thing that has always separated Silph from GBL are the spot bans, and in this Cup, it is Noctowl and Pidgeot that are on the outside looking in, allowing Swellow to soar high. And beyond the obvious Electrics and a few Fairies, there really isn't too much that it has to fear. Go fly past the competition!
DARTRIX
Leafage Brave Bird & Seed Bomb
Poor Decidueye may remain unexciting in PvP, but at least Dartrix now gets its moment in the spotlight as a budget (and with the addition of Leafage, perhaps even better?) Tropius here. I say "perhaps better" despite the fact that Razor Leaf Trop has a better record because of between the two, only Dartrix manages to overcome Dragalge and Clefable (and spicy Togetic). Trop instead shreds things like Hypno, Gliscor, Wobbuffet, Alolan Raichu, and Seaking, so there's certainly room for both, but Dartrix is absolutely the better fit on some teams.
WHIMSICOTT
Fairy Wind Moonblast & Seed Bomb/Grass Knot
I'm listing Charm and/or Hurricane as options here, but other than the latter sometimes winning the mirror, there's really nothing major they can do that Fairy Wind and Moonblast (along with one of the now-two Grass moves) can't. Only with the speedy charging of Fairy Wind can Whimsie outrace stuff like Azumarill, Tapu Fini, and Whiscash, and Moonblast is more reliable than Hurricane at taking out things like Wobbuffet, Zapdos, and importantly, have the advantage versus Dragalge. As for Grass Knot vs the new Seed Bomb, the former has the power to take down Wobb and Whiscash, while the latter instead now outraces (Fairy Wind) Slurpuff, (Ice Beam) Jellicent, and (Sludge Wave) Swampert. Go with Fairy Wind. You have plenty of other Charm options anyway. For example....
WIGGLYTUFF
Charm Ice Beam & Disarming Voice
Yes, you definitely want both Ice Beam and the new Disarming Voice for Wiggly to be well-rounded, but as is often the case with Charmers, it can often be best to go for the Charm-down, allowing additional wins against stuff like Dedenne, Tapu Fini, Florges. and several fellow Charmers (assuming they are not also trying to just Charm-down). Wiggly remains among the best, if not THE best, pure Charmer in yet another format.
CLEFABLE
Fairy Wind Meteor Mash & Moonblast
Fairy Wind is now the way to go here (and likely in many metas yet to come), as Meteor Mash can do some serious work, especially in whalloping the other Faires! You can run Psychic as well to also shock Poisons (Swalot and Dragalge in particular), but it's overall a bit weaker than Moonblast, which is needed for wins like Azu, Hypno, Wobbuffet, and most of the Electrics in the meta (Dedenne, Zapdos, and Emolga, specifically).
SWALOT
Infestation Sludge Bomb & Ice Beam/Gunk Shot
I've written about Swalot before, but only as an often-desperate attempt to show it as a decent thrifty Poison with upside. But never has it really SHOWN that upside like it does here in Innocent Cup. It can swallow all Grasses and Fairies whole, and can also topple things like DDeoxys, Alolan Raichu, Dedenne, Wobbuffet, Seaking, and fellow Poison Garbodor. Give it Ice Beam for coverage instead of big closer Gunk Shot, and while it gives up a couple Fairies (Azumarill, Tapu Fini) and Araquanid, it gains Ice-weak Zapdos and Zweilous instead. Swalot is not only finally a breakout star here at the end of Arena play, but you have legit options with it! You love to see it.
SWAMPERT
Mud Shot Hydro Cannonᴸ & Earthquake/Sludge Wave
It would be easy to assume that Sludge Wave is clearly THE way to go in this meta filled with Fairies and key Grass types. And there is wisdom in that, as Sludge does indeed conquer every Fairy here except the new Fairy Wind Togetic. But there remains just a strong a case for good old Earthquake instead, as it instead knocks out all the Poisons, plus Zweilous, Jellicent, and enemy Swamperts. The choice is even more in Quake's favor for Shadow Swampert, as it beats all the major Fairies besides Togekiss, Togetic, Azu, and Whimsie, still uniquely takes down Dragalge, Jellicent, and Swampert, and adds to that Whiscash and Rainy Castform as well. I understand the attention being given to Sludge Wave... Innocent Cup IS one of the better fits for it. Just don't put those blinders on too tightly. Earthquake still bears consideration too, depending on the rest of your team. And of course, there is also Shadow Swampert, which I think also prefers Earthquake, beating everything Quake non-Shadow Swampie can, PLUS Clefable, Tapu Fini, and Slurpuff as non-Shadow can only if it has Sludge Wave, AND completely unique wins versus Gliscor, Zapdos, and Rainy Castform too!
WHISCASH
Mud Shot Mud Bomb & Blizzard
Aside from the just-buffed Mud Bomb making Whiscash a bit better anyway, it has one other big thing going for it in this meta that separates it from Swampert: Blizzard, which simply destroys Flyers (Drifblim, Emolga, Jumpluff, Togekiss, Togetic) that Swampert can't touch, as well as Whimsicott for good measure. Sure, Whiscash can't match Swampert's wins versus things like Hypno, Florges, Tapu Fini, or Florges, and usually will lose to Swampert in the head to head, but at least it stands on pretty equal footing in this meta. Some teams will want one, some will want the other. Which do YOU prefer, my friend?
BLASTOISE
Water Gun Hydro Cannonᴸ & Ice Beam
As always, Blastoise is not exactly exciting, but it can get the job done in a pinch. Its excellent bulk allows it to hang in and beat every meta Fairy that isn't part Water or Grass, and also handles things like Drifblim, Swampert and Whiscash, Swalot and Garbodor, and thanks to Ice Beam, Dragalge, Jumpluff, and (Air Slash) Tropius as well. Nothing flashy, but solid as always. I do not particularly recommend Shadow Blastie.
GOLISOPOD
Shadow Claw X-Scissor & Liquidation
Golisopod is suddenly interesting now that it has all-new move Liquidation, which brings in new wins like Whiscash (it already beat Swampert), Swalot, Drifblim, and Gliscor. Add to this some surprising wins like Azumarill, Rainy Castform, and Alolan Raichu, and Golisopod may be more spicy than meta itself, but it's certainly on the upswing.
GYARADOS
Dragon Breath Aqua Tailᴸ & Crunch
Gyarados does just enough to be interesting, including taking out all the Poisons and Dragons in the meta, all Grounds but Quagsire, and stuff like Hypno, Wobbuffet, Jellicent, Rainy Castform, Drifblim, Araquanid. Slurpuff, and even Jumpluff. Not bad, right? Just don't get too cute with Shadow Gary.
SWOOBAT
Confusion Psychic Fangs & Aerial Ace
Hey, leave it to me for the oddball picks, especially among the "thrifty" 10ks. Swoobat is NOT a good PvP Pokémon, but it DOES come with Confusion to blow away the scary Poisons, and being a Flyer means it performs well against things like Swampert, Medicham, and the Grasses as well. It also manages to several of the big name Fairies and even Gliscor and Rainy Castform too. Not fantastic, but a lot of potential fun in this final Silph Cup.
50,000 Dust/50 Candy
SEAKINGPoison Jabᴸ Icy Windᴸ & Drill Runᴸ
One thing that doesn't change, despite all the new Fairy Wind around, is that Seaking still wipes away ALL the Fairies here, even really scary ones like Dedenne and Aromatisse/Slurpuff, even with fast-charging Fairy Wind and their scary Electric and Grass charge moves. With its adaptive moveset, it also handles big Poisons Dragalge and Garbodor, Flyers like Gliscor, Tropius, Emolga, and Jumpluff (and most non-Razor Leaf Grasses in this meta in general), and Dragons like Zweilous. Versatile and a LOT of fun, Seaking earns every bit of its current Top 3 Ranking in Innocent Cup!
JUMPLUFF
Fairy Wind Energy Ball & Acrobaticsᴸ
So here's one that DOES take a little hit with the redistribution of Fairy Wind (but Jumpie is still pretty good!). Jumpluff beats all the major Fairies except Florges... unless they're running Fairy Wind. But now it loses to FW Clefable, who is likely to suddenly be quite popular, and FW Togetic, who I feel like folks are going to bring as long-desired spice. It also has not a prayer against most Poisons (though it can handle Dragalge thanks to resisting Aqua Tail) but beats most Waters, Wobb, Medicham, Hypno, Zweilous, and even Tropius.
DEDENNE
Thunder Shock Discharge & Play Rough
When and I other analysts starting looking over this meta, we got very excited about Deedee. Upon further review, I personally like Alolan Raichu better overall, as it knocks out things Dedenne cannot like Hypno, Florges, Drifblim, Jumpluff, Seaking (Deedee does NOT like Poison damage!), Fini, Castform, and Clefable. Dedenne IS still quite good, with its better bulk and Fairy subtyping allowing it unique wins like Wobbuffet, Slurpluff, and Zweilous. And of course, you can always put Deedee AND AhChu on the same team of six....
FLORGES
Fairy Wind Disarming Voice & Moonblast
So Florges doesn't do anything particularly unique, as it is arguably best running with all Fairy moves. It CAN do some neat things with Vine Whip, like beating Jellicent and winning the mirror, but Fairy Wind is just better, instead taking out Jumpluff, Hypno, Wobbuffet, Whimsicott, Tropius and more.
As for other 50k Fairies:
- AROMATISSE is just kind of there. Thunderbolt is nice coverage in this meta in theory, but of course Charm makes it more of a Hail Mary than something to truly threaten all the Waters and Flyers with.
- SLURPUFF can operate with Fairy Wind, though it does so much less successfully than others. It's actually probably also best as a Charmer, just, again, a rather unexciting one. At least Flamethrower and Energy Ball are fantastic coverage options if you ever get to throw them!
- GRANBULL and TOGEKISS are even less exciting. Pass.
AZUMARILL
Bubble Ice Beam & Hydro Pump/Play Rough
If there's one lesson we learned early on in The Arena, it's that if you allow Azumarill into a meta, it will find a way to become relevant. And lo and behold, here is yet another example. Not even Swalot, Emolga, or Zapdos can safely overcome Azu! And that's on top of all the Fighters, Psychics, Flyers, Mud Boys and fellow Fairies that Azu can strike down. Azumarill is a strong contender here, as it has basically always been in these metas.
JELLICENT
Hex Surf &/or Shadow Ball &/or Ice Beam
I think I can pretty definitively recommend Hex as the fast move, but after that? Time for a classic side-by-side. My default recommendation is Surf/Shadow Ball, which can get to meaningful wins like Whiscash, Drifblim, and the mirror, but also valid are Surf/Ice Beam and even Beam/Ball work. Ice Beam is basically required to beat Whimsicott, Tropius, Jumpluff, and Dragalge, but can usually do it alongside Ball or Surf. Beam/Ball can beat most of what Surf/Ball and Surf/Beam can except Clefable, Florges, and Slurpuff. I think the basic question is thus: do you need extra coverage versus Grasses and Dragons? If so: Ice Beam. If not? Probably just stick with Surf/Shadow Ball. But there's no "wrong" answer, really. Good luck!
ARAQUANID
Bug Bite Bubble Beam & Mirror Coat/Bug Buzz
Gotta be that Bug Buzz is the closer to go with, right? Well, yes... but also perhaps no. It's true that only the raw power of Bug Buzz can overcome things like Seaking, Fairy Wind Whimsicott, and Clefable, but as bad a move as Mirror Coat is, it's ALSO true that 'Nid can overcome all the format's Poison types (and win the mirror match) only with Mirror Coat, not Buzz. Do with that information what you will, but I like when I get to highlight secret tech like that.
QUAGSIRE
Mud Shot Stone Edge & Mud Bomb/Earthquake
I still don't think it's quite right to call new Quag toy Mud Bomb a straight upgrade, as there are good things like Earthquake can still do that Bomb can't, like overpowering Azumarill and Swampert. But yes, Mud Bomb is probably the de facto standard now, getting its own nice wins versus things like Seaking, Rainy Castform, Tapu Fini, and Wigglytuff. Lord Quag is certainly more interesting than it was in May, particularly Shadow Quag which can do all of that PLUS also beat all versions of Jellicent, Hypno, and Togekiss, and Azumarill slides back into the win column too!
DRAGALGE
Dragon Tail Aqua Tail & Gunk Shot/Outrage
Good enough place as any to slide over to the relevant Poison types, since Dragalge masquerades as a Water type with Aqua Tail. But which way to go for the closer? Well, I'll start by saying that either one nets wins versus Araquanid (without Mirror Coat!), Tropius, and Jumpluff. After that, the slightly better record lies with Outrage that can beat Jellicent and Castform with high neutral damage, but I think I STILL lean towards Gunk Shot for its own unique win versus Azumarill and its high pressure versus enemy Fairies, Grasses, and others in the meta. In this case, I'd just keep it simple.
GARBODOR
Infestation Gunk Shot & Body Slam/Seed Bomb
With a face only a mother could love, here comes the only meta that can also tolerate Garbo. It's still not quite on the same tier as Dragalge and Swalot, but yes, Garbo is legit viable in Innocent Cup. Body Slam is my recommendation for spam alongside the required Gunk Shot, as Slam overwhelms stuff like Wobbuffet and Araquanid. But there is some potential spice here as well if you instead run with Seed Bomb, as you can then beat (Sludge Wave) Swampert and surprise the heck out of Ground and Water types in general.
ARBOK
Acid Dark Pulse & Acid Spray
And even a small step below Garbodor (there is a sentence is never thought I would write!), we have Arbok withAcid, and NOT the Dragon Tail you might expect instead. While it's true that Tail can beat other Dragons and/or Poisons (Dragalge, Zweilous, and Swalot specifically), it's very poor otherwise. Acid is a bad move, but it does manage to dissolve (see what I did there? I so funny hee hee haha) every non-Psychic Fairy and Grass type in the meta besides Tapu Fini, which is obviously a big deal in this meta.
HYPNO
Confusion Shadow Ball & Thunder Punch/Ice Punch
Usually an analysis on Hypno means a long debate between competing (and all viable) movesets. Now there ARE several that work outside of my recommendation of Shadow Ball/Thunder Punch, but I am ready to label that the odds on favorite. It just brings the most overall pressure in this meta, especially to the many Water and Flying types (beating Azumarill as one specific example), at the very small cost of being non-ideal versus Grasses... though Hypno doesn't beat Jumpluff or Tropius with Fire OR Ice anyway, so in my mind, no harm, no foul. At least, that's the way I'd go for non-Shadow. For Shadow Hypno, Ice Punch now comes with the power to freeze and shatter Jumpluff and Tropius, as well as Gliscor and Swampert, and still manages to knock out Azumarill too. Best of all worlds!
FARIGAMARIF
Confusion/Tackle Psychic Fangs & Thunderbolt
Bittersweet moment here, as it's my last time getting to talk about ol' Geeriffa— um, Giffimar— uh, Jeffomafig? Oh, fine... Girafarig. Yes, I HAVE known how to spell it all these years. 😅 My boy has only gotten better since recieving Psychic Fangs, to the point that it's viable in TWO configurations in this meta: [Tackle]() to overcome fellow Psychics (the type, NOT the move... two long-running jokes in one section! 💪) like Hypno, or Confusion which overpowers Whimsicott, Drifblim, Castform, and Clefable and is, honestly, just the better fast move in general. And don't forget Shadow Farigamiraf, which does give up Swampert, Jumpluff, Gliscor, and Charm Whimsie, but gains Surf/Shadow Ball Jellicent (already beats other Jelli variants), Seaking, Tapu Fini, Whiscash, and Togetic... and now beats Hypno without needing Tackle! One last toast to everyone's favorite funky Girafamathingy! It's been real, buddy. Glad you get to go out in style. 🦒
SLOWBRO/SLOWKING
Confusion/Water Gun Surfᴸ & Ice Beam/Psychic
Slowbro gets the slight nod because I like Confusion/Surf/Ice Beam the best personally (with standout wins versus Jumpluff, Tropius, and Florges), but if you want to instead run Water Gun/Surf/Psychic (the move!), then Slowking or Slowbro work equally well. The unique wins there are basically other Psychic types like DDeoxys and Wobbuffet. Either way, the Super Slow Bros are pretty nifty here! Similar BRUXISH not quite so much though.
CLAYDOL
Confusion Rock Tomb & Ice Beam/Shadow Ball
Not a strong recommendation, but Claydol does just enough here to be interesting (and that should make the Niantic employee that keeps adding moves to it every couple seasons very happy). With Ice Beam it beats Jumpluff, but beyond that you really want Shadow Ball, I think, which can instead beat Seaking and gives Claydol unique coverage versus Psychics, Flyers, AND Poisons, among others.
MEDICHAM
Counter Ice Punch & Psychic
Speaking of doing just enough to be interesting, this is one of those rare-ish metas where Medicham is merely okay. It does manage to hold down the Poisons as a good Psychic type should, but beyond that it doesn't really know what it wants to be in this meta, settling for picking off some big names but whiffing on plenty of others. I don't feel great about it myself, but be ready for it to show up in your opponent's six at some point, especially after it absolutely rocked the first Play Pokémon tournaments of the new GBL season.
HONCHKROW
Snarl Sky Attack & Brave Bird
One final chance to put in a good word for Honch (and end a 50k section with some spice... sniff 😢), one of the ultimate boom or bust options in PvP. Really not much to say than that... just reminding you that it and its Shadow version remain out there, lurking, daring you to take a shot with it. High risk, but potentially sky high reward in this final Silph month, folks!
75,000 Dust/75 Candy
TROPIUSRazor Leaf Aerial Ace & Leaf Blade
I feel I am contractually obligated to start this section with ol' Banana Chin, specifically to point out a rare disagreement with my good friend Mr. PvPoke, who lists Air Slash as the fast move of choice. Respectfully, I disagree... it is Razor Leaf you want here. Not only does it still manage to beat everything Air Slash can that you most care about, and not only does it shred even scary Water types like Seaking and Jellicent, but it's also THE way for Trop to beat Florges and Electric types like Alolan Raichu and Dedenne. If you want more charge move pressure and such, go with Jumpluff. If you want to just beat stuff down almost regardless of remaining shields, Razor Leaf Tropius is your friend.
GLISCOR
Wing Attack Night Slash & Earthquake
Regular and Shadow both have plenty of merit. Non-Shadow has the bulk to outlast Clefable, Florges, Whimsicott, Zweilous, Medicham, Emolga, and Swampert, while Shadow instead has the raw power to overcome Jellicent, Tropius, Zapdos, Whiscash (before it can get to Blizzard), and non-Ice Punch Hypno.
GLIGAR
Wing Attack Night Slash & Returnᴾ
Honestly, though... purified Gligar is just better than Gliscor. Return is a big equalizing beatstick that allows Gligar to beat everything Gliscor can (regular and Shadow Gliscor combined, that is) except Jellicent, Whiscash, and Swalot, and further add on wins against Dragalge, Togekiss, and Gliscor itself! I think Gligar is a big time sleeper in Innocent Cup.
DRIFBLIM
Hex Icy Wind & Shadow Ball
It just got Mystical Fire, but at least in this meta, I think Blim wants to stick with Icy Wind, which does everything Fire can do plus can beat Flyers like Gliscor and Togetic. And just this once, I even give Shadow Blim a thumbs up. It drops Dedenne, but gains Tapu Fini, Rainy Castform, and stuff like Slurpuff too. Nice!
RAINY CASTFORM
Water Gun Weather Ball (Water) & Thunder
No Lanturn, no problem? Lanturn would indeed be perhaps a bit OP here, but Rainy is juuuuuuust right. Washes away Swalot and Garbo and even resists-all-its-moves Dragalge, Clefable and Togetic and Wigglytuff, and of course a ton of Waters (Jelli, Azu, Fini, Seaking) thanks to Thunder (and Swampert thanks to Weather Ball spam). Someone is definitely going to do well with it this month.
SYLVEON
Qucik Attack Psyshockᴸ & Moonblast
I mean, you CAN run Sylvie with Charm, but what makes it unique is Quick Attack. That plus Psyshock makes it the Fairy that handles the Poisons, while still doing most of the standard Fairy job (handling Dragons and Fighters and Bugs) and beating most of its fellow Fairies (and Jumpluff!) as well. It is very quietly a great Fairy in this meta.
ZWEILOUS
Dragon Breath Body Slam & Dark Pulse
Yes yes, it MUST avoid double super effective Fairy damage. And that leaves it with a less than inspiring record against the core meta. But take those away, and it has little to worry about beyond the few Bugs and Fighters in the meta. It beats the other Dragons you're going to see, and obviously dominates Psychic and Ghost types. And being a Dragon means resisting Water and Electric and Grass damage and beating many of those types too. It's far better (and sure to be far more popular) than the simple numbers would indicate.
DRAGONAIR
Dragon Breath Body Slam & Aqua Tail
Similar story here. The numbers are so-so, for similar reasons as Zweilous, but Dragonair puts out a lot of very spammy neutral damage. And unlike Zweilous, it can handle Seaking, Whiscash, DDeoxys and others.
I'll point out that Shadow DRAGONITE is pretty spicy too, though far less safe. It's more of a blunt object to the scalpel of Dragonair and Zweilous.
100,000 Dust/75 Candy
Running out of space (and already WAY out of time), so gonna blow through these briefly....- ZAPDOS is the most interesting Legendary here, even with Emolga now really nipping at its heels. Emolga can overcome Whimsicott, Medicham, and Swalot, but it's still advantage Zapdos with wins versus Seaking, Jelli, Swampert, Gliscor, and Emolga itself. Zappie is still worth it, folks.
- It's no Azumarill, but yes, TAPU FINI still puts in some work. While Azu can outlast things like Emolga, Zapdos, Swampert, Gliscor, Florges, Wobb, and DDeoxys, it is Fini that alone can beat Jellicent, Dragalge, Araquanid, and Dedenne. There really IS a good case for both. If you're feeling particularly frisky, maybe literally both on the same team?
- Honorable mentions for GUZZLORD (which, unlike Zweilous, at least carries Sludge Bomb to somewhat threaten Fairies), LATIOS (just a Dragon that can wallop Poisons and other things with Luster Purge), DEFENSE DEOXYS (not particularly awesome here, but always a decent filler), and strangely-popular-so-far (according to Cup stats to date) CELEBI.
FEELIN' LUCKY?
For those unfamilar, this final section wraps up with stuff that needs to be pushed far into XL Candy territory. It CAN be great, but we're way past any semblance of "thrifty" at this point. Let's bring this one home!- Staraptor isn't so hot here (partly because there's just not much for Close Combat to do), but STARAVIA has got the sauce, right up there with the surprising Swellow. The downside, of course, is having to max out Staravia just to get to 1468 CP. Worth it? Well that's YOUR call, my friend!
- So this one is cheating a bit, because RUFFLET is actually more than viable JUST beyond Level 40, if you max out a hundo at Level 40.5, hitting 1500 CP right on the nose. And it actually performs better in ways than the recommended heavy XL investment variety, having a better shot at beating Hypno and Swalot (while #1 IVs instead takes down only Dragalge and Togekiss instead). Wing Attack/Brave Bird** can't even be held down by the mediocre Aerial Ace. Rufflet is yet another strong bird candidate. If it didn't make sense why Noctowl and Pidgeot were banned yet, this should finally make that case.
- VULLABY kinda works too (and is one I KNOW folks have already invested in), obviously with distinct advantages versus Psychics and Ghosts in particular, and it beats plenty else besides. The big risk, of course, is a weakness to Fairy that other birds in this meta don't really have to worry about (at least not in terms of taking super effective damage). While the Flying Normals are more all-arounders, Vullaby is more of a specialist here.
- One of my favorite memories from early in my PvP analysis "career" was basically being bullied into writing an expansive analysis on LEDIAN by some Pokémon GO friends on Discord, and then being teased by many members of the early PvP community about it. This was in the days before XL Candy, so Ledian topped out at like 1350 CP then, making it a particuarly nutty venture. But hey, it CAN get to 1500 CP these days, though it's still mere spice and nowhere near meta. But if you took the plunge way back when... hey, this is the last month, right? YOLO!
- Mentioned a few times throughout this article, WOBBUFFET is honestly just alright, suffering from some of the same issues as DDeoxys... bulk and Counter alone don't get you so far in this particular meta. Not like they usually do! Wobb works, but this is not the time to build on from scratch, IMO. Smoke 'em if you already got 'em, sure.
Before I go, one final extension of my thanks to my PvP friends, local and around the world, who have lent their own ideas and suggestions over the years and helped teach me to be a better player and student of the game. There are too many to list them all, but a few specific shout-outs to PvPoke, GO Battle Log, PvPIVs.com, PokeMiners, my old friends at GO Stadium for mutally getting each other off the ground in the pre-GBL days, and of course, one final time, to the good folks at The Silph Arena and The Silph Road. Krydos, Drock, Zooeys, the old Meta Team, Steeeeeeeeeeve, Myugenlol, and Dronpes for really launching this multi-year adventure by reaching out to me in the first place, back in simpler times. And to those I ran out of time/brain capacity to mention... you know who you are. Thank you for being here along that journey and walking parts of that (Silph) road with me. And once more, my thanks to all of you, dear readers, for your own encouragement, support, and patience with me over the years.
Okay, I said I wouldn't get sappy again, and specifically that I would NOT use this song, but I think I kind of have to as a musical outro. So with apologies to Ol' Blue Eyes... well, I always HAVE done these reviews... my way.
🎼 And now, the end is near
♫ And so we face the final curtain.
♪ My friends, I'll say it clear:
♬ I stated my case, of which I'm certain!
♫ And more, much more than this
♩ I wrote it myyyyyyy way!
I hope you've enjoyed these analysis articles over the years as much as I've enjoyed preparing and sharing them with you!
All the best, my friends. I hope you have as many happy Silph Arena memories to hold on to as I do. To whatever comes next! Take care, Pokéfriends.
Don't cry because it's over. Smile, because it happened.
— Dr. Seuss
2023.06.07 12:14 Frank_Leroux Molossus, Chapter Eighteen
Chapter One
Chapter Seventeen
Martinez slouched his way into the kitchen. He wasn’t really paying attention to his surroundings; in his defense it was early in the morning and he’d failed at getting some appropriate shut-eye before he went and, you know, bared his entire soul to Chao. At least that was his plan. But as usual, the universe laughs at plans.
He placed a sealed plastic package into the coffee machine, then put a styrofoam cup in the appropriate location. He yawned as the machine began its burbling.
“Hey.”
Martinez snapped his head over at McCoy, who’d suddenly appeared out of nowhere. She leaned against the counter, with a big and very evil grin on her face.
“Um…” began Martinez, before he was interrupted by a voice from his other side.
“Hey.” Matt leaned there, and if McCoy looked evil then Matt looked positively diabolical. Martinez glanced behind him and saw more soldiers, all with looks of ill intent on their faces.
The corporal didn’t waste time in asking what the hell they were up to, he just started throwing hands and feet. Future scholars would count the resulting battle as one for the ages; Martinez even managed to tag Toke with a couple of pretty good punches and one really sweet roundhouse kick.
But in the end, it was still a case of one against many.
__________
“Mmmm mm mmm m mmm!” protested Martinez.
Chao sighed as she beheld his bruised and very taped-up state. “What did those idiots do to you?”
“Mm MMM mmm mm!” The corporal’s mouth was now duct-taped shut, so verbal acuity was not amongst his strong suits at the present.
She put her hands on her hips. “For crying out loud. Matt goes and gets me all worried that you’re somehow in trouble, he leads me over to some random closet and shoves me in here and I find you like this. What’s the game?”
“Gmmmm?”
Chao squatted, examining his bonds. “Well, they sure got you trussed up like a roast for the feast. Hey, if you want me to pull the tape off of your mouth just nod.”
After a moment, Martinez nodded. She reached for the tape covering his mouth, then hesitated. “Um. I don’t have much experience with this so I’ll leave it up to you. Is it better to go fast or slow? Blink once for fast, two for slow.”
With deliberation, Martinez blinked once. Chao nodded and yanked the tape off. They’d even left a convenient tab for her to grab ahold of.
“FUCKING OW!” yelled the corporal. “Um, sorry.”
Chao seated herself before his figure, which was tied up in a fetal position. “You know, the last few weeks have given me a bit of a crash-course on the types of grab-ass shenanigans you soldier types get up to. This is a new one, though. Care to educate me?”
Martinez stared at her in horrified disbelief. “Toke didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what? He just said you were in trouble and that I needed to help out.”
“That…that evil, evil son of a bitch. He said he’d explain everything!”
“Explain what? Luca, I am just about ready to walk out and leave you in here to eventually soil yourself.”
Now that he was literally hog-tied and unable to escape, Martinez realized he had to ‘fess up. “I like you,” he said in an almost-gasp. “I mean, I like you like you. In that way. I mean, I know it’s sudden. We’ve only known each other for maybe four weeks but you’re so smart and pretty and…and, you know about Asimov and Heinlein and Clarke and about orbital mechanics and star spectra.”
She sat in stunned silence while he continued. “I don’t bring much to the table, I get that. But I want to learn. After we come back from the Rithro’s repair mission, I want to go to college…I’ve started looking into that. I’m not much of a catch right now, but maybe one day you’d consider liking me that way as well…”
He was interrupted as she leaned down, grabbed his head, and planted a firm kiss upon his lips. After a moment of pure bliss for both of them, she pulled away. “You utter and complete idiot,” she said, but she said it with a smile. “Did you never think that perhaps you have some attractive qualities of your own?”
Martinez tried to shrug as best he could, being all tied up. “I mean, Toke did mention that I have some pretty nice abs?”
Chao’s eyes glinted in good humor. “Pretty nice? You’ve got an eight-pack. I could shred cheese on those bad boys.”
He looked up at her. “Wait. When did you see my abs?”
“Back when we were sequestered within Cheyenne Mountain, and we were strictly on sponge baths.” She patted his taut stomach, feeling up those aforementioned abs. “Anyways, do you want me to get you out of these bonds?”
“Um…”
Her good humor turned into a diabolical grin. “Or, would you like to remain in these bonds? Toke said something about a safe-word and safe-gesture, he said you’d explain it.”
“Of course he did. That fucker. Um. Chao, this has gone better than I could ever have imagined but I don’t think you need to know…”
“Know about what?” Her caressing of his unprotected stomach did not cease. “Does my corporal have a bit of a fetish?”
His brain seized up again at her emphasis on ‘my’. “I…”
“Let me put it this way. Would you like me to be all mean and nasty, or more cuddly and dommy mommy?”
After a long, long moment of silence he finally murmured, “Dommy mommy.”
“See? That wasn’t so hard. Well, admitting it wasn’t hard.” Her hand continued its explorations. “Now this here is indeed quite hard. Hmm. Good thing you are just too cute for words.”
“Cute?” He looked in disbelief at her, and then flinched at her continued caressing.
“One can be a badass and also cute, my dear corporal. You tick both boxes. Not to mention you’re into a fetish which I’ve wanted to indulge in for a while. Never found anyone who was into it, until now.”
Outside the closet, McCoy stood guard. She smiled in triumph as she heard Martinez yell out in pleasure, and turned to give Toke a thumbs-up.
“It’s about fuckin’ time,” she said.
Matt smiled back at her. He now sported an epic shiner under one eye. “Eh, some kids just need a bit of a nudge, you know?”
__________
It was…it was a wall. A wall he was looking at.
A wall covered in white stucco. Nothing too fancy, but it was indeed a wall and Joachim realized he was looking at it. That might seem like a substandard feat, but for a man who’d been in Joachim’s proverbial shoes it was a grand accomplishment.
His mouth worked as he swished his tongue around in his mouth. He looked around. He sat in a lawn chair in the middle of a beige room, lined on every wall with the stucco he’d just realized he was looking at. “H…hello?”
His voice felt old and clotted. Joachim looked down at his hand, and he saw wrinkled skin and age spots that he didn’t remember seeing there before.
This room only had one exit door, and now it opened. A lean man with dark skin entered. “Joachim Neimyer? I’m Zawahir Ibn Harith. How are you feeling, sir?”
Joachim fixed the newcomer with a steady eye. “I’ll be feeling better once I know where I am. And where is Corina?”
“Corina is on her way, she should be here within minutes. We had great hopes that your treatment was progressing well. Do you know what day it is, sir?”
“Of course I know what day it is! It’s…” Joachim trailed off as he realized that he didn’t know. The last few…years? Decades? He had glimpses of moments in time, as if viewed via a strobe-light. He now realized it was much, much later in time than he thought. “I…what happened?”
“Alzheimer’s, Mr. Neimeyer.” Zawahir’s eyes were kind. “You’ve been suffering from it for the last seven years. But we discovered…or, I should say, we adopted a methodology for treating it. It not only stops the damage, it has a way of reversing at least some of its effects. I fear you will never regain the memories from the time during which you suffered the most, but from now on your mind should function properly once more.”
Joachim rubbed his now-bald pate. “Is Corina all right?”
Zawahir pulled over a chair next to him and seated himself. “She is, blessedly, un-marked by the same affliction. We are, of course, putting her on a similar treatment as yourself just to make sure she remains so. With her consent, of course.”
The old man fixed Zawahir with a direct stare. “This whole thing smells experimental. Why choose me?”
“Mmm, you are as sharp as ever, sir. This is indeed an experiment, and we chose you because you are one of the preeminent rocket experts who ever lived. We need such skills now.”
“What?”
Zawahir leaned forward. “I will do my best to catch you up…”
__________
She walked through the door, supported by a cane. The one person, the beacon in Joachim’s life. Corina lit up upon seeing his gaze. A gaze with intent, with purpose. “They said you were feeling better!”
Before he or the surrounding interns could react, Joachim now found himself with a hundred-ish pounds of enthusiastic elderly woman in his lap.
“Tell me something only you know,” she whispered.
Joachim smiled. “Do you remember what I told you when we saw the green flash? That one time, in Hawaii? During our honeymoon?”
“I do. You said that the flash was the souls of those who’ve gone before.”
“And I promised you that, if I passed before you, that you would just need to look for the flash to see me.”
She clasped his wrinkled face in her own equally-lined hands. “You did better than that. You came back to me.”
“I guess I did.” He kissed her, reveling in the fact that this time he’d remember it.
Zawahir motioned to everyone else in the room. They all quickly got the hint and left the pair to their mutual happiness.
__________
The door of the simulator cracked open and Kifa came scuttling out. She peered up at the normally stony face of Master Sergeant Wilkes; right now the latter looked like he’d just been kicked in the chest by a donkey and was still trying to process it. “How did I do?” asked the xyrax. “It seems like I did quite well.”
“Um…Kifa. Well. Um. Did the controls seem to operate right?”
“Oh, yes! Very much, quite intuitive! It’s been ages since I simulated combat within an atmosphere! That was fun!”
“Fun. You do realize that you were going up against aces. I mean real, human aces?”
“Oh. I thought that was the case.” Kifa peered back into the simulator. “Was I not supposed to know that?”
Wilkes finally laughed, something that was fortunately captured by several cameras and used as blackmail material for many years after. “You did fine. You also just utterly smoked several of the finest pilots on Earth, and that includes non-Americans.” He regarded her with a steady gaze. “I wish I could recruit you to TOPGUN, I’d love to see you show those strutting peacocks a thing or two.”
“What is TOPGUN?”
He sighed. “Right now, it’s in the same exact department as buggy-whip manufacturing. You just showed these punks that, even in atmosphere, you’re death from above.”
Kifa seemed to shrink into themselves. “I didn’t mean to…”
“Now, now, Kifa, this is a good thing. Gotta keep those aforementioned strutting peacocks on their toes. But soon we’ll be dealing with fighting using orbital mechanics, something with which our air-combat people have about as much actual experience as they do with chatting up the fairer sex.”
“Which fairer sex? I mean, my kind is hermaphroditic so I know the mechanics but…” Kifa trailed off as it blinked its four big, oil-drop eyes.
“You are too damned cute for your own good. Pick a sex, any one, I for one do not give a fuck anymore. Point being, we humans need a crash-course in how to fight in space. No atmo, so trying to maneuver using flaps and wings and things is right out. We need to understand how orbits work. Not just intellectually, but in our bones.” Wilkes patted the simulator. “We need you to teach us. We need you to teach an army. Well, navy. Technically. I guess it would count as a navy. Either way. You know how to do this shit, and you just proved that even in atmosphere you can run rings around our best and brightest. So. Are you willing to show us your voodoo?”
“My voodoo…” The blue-furred spider suddenly rose on all of its legs. “Of course! This will be used against the Breakers, yes?”
“Of course.”
“Then it will be my greatest pleasure to show you all of my voodoo!” Kifa paused. “Although, if I received a headpat or two it would also help me properly consider how best to teach you.”
Sergeant Wilkes sighed and reached down. Kifa purred in delight as the usually-taciturn sergeant unleashed the full might and power of Human Headpats upon the alien pilot.
__________
Sadaf watched as the two dark-haired women and one blonde-haired woman had a black-and-white cap fitted over their heads. Both had received a haircut for this day; Parvati for one seemed to be less than thrilled about losing some of her tresses.
“This is the snoopy-cap,” said the aide who stood between the two women. The surroundings were sterile and very, very white. “This cap contains your communications, and it will keep your hair in place during launch.” This was the actual process getting shown to the world. Behind them, Ravindar and Martinez were also in the process of getting suited up, but this was done with much less fanfare. The aide’s words carried to them all, of course.
“Arms up!” Everyone going into space today raised their arms, and a large tubby-looking upper suit then slid down over five figures. Many human hands made sure that their heads made it through the upper ring. “This is the upper part of your pressure suit,” said the aide. “The gloves and helmet will complete that part, but that will come later. Now I will need you all to step into your pants…”
Everyone did so; Chao was the one who didn’t quite make it look elegant. She grinned at Martinez as she fumbled for a bit getting her pressure-suit trousers on; his resulting blush was caught for the cameras but it wasn’t until a week later that someone realized what it meant.
“Latch!” The aide’s voice was hard as metal.
Many hands reached out, twisting multiple metal rings to lock the upper and lower halves of the four pressure suits into one cohesive piece.
“I still say we could make them some proper hardsuits,” said Sadaf to Takh. The two stood off to the side, not exactly part of the dance but not apart from it either.
“No, I think this is better,” said Takh. “We need to make this look more like a…human effort.” Her XO stood at parade-rest, with both sets of arms clasped behind his back.
Sadaf nodded. “I will default to your judgement. By the way…how are you and Corporal McCoy getting along?” She nodded towards the last-minute addition to the crew.
“Um…Ma’am, I…” His faltering was not helped by watching the humans in the clean-room getting clear helmets fixed over their heads. Each latching was followed-up by a tap on the shoulder and a thumbs-up.
The big human, Ravindar, waved his arms over his shoulders as he got the feel for the suit. He’d managed to get the helmet on without an issue, in spite of his substantial beard. “Need more air?” asked a much smaller woman at his side. He shook his head, while he continued to flex and get comfortable with how the suit restricted his motions.
Getting the Sikh to this moment had been a master-class in diplomacy. Not least of which was because he still carried a weapon upon his person. Sadaf had no experience with ‘Sikhism’, but she could appreciate any culture or creed which dictated the need to carry a protective weapon at all times. It appealed to her nature.
“Do you think Parvati knows that he’s, well, into her?” asked Takh.
His captain’s voice became damn near sultry. “Now Takh, and here I thought you were all clueless. I’ve heard of the effort these humans went through to get Chao and Luca together. Would you like me to ask them to perform a similar effort for you and Corporal McCoy? Hmmm? It would make for quite the photo-op, as the humans would say.”
Takh felt a bit of panic, somehow. “No!” His panicked reply was low, hopefully not picked up by the surrounding cameras. “I mean, she’s so small. I could hurt her…assuming she wants to be romantic, of course.”
“Romantic? Takh, I admit I am still learning about human body language but trust me…if you want that, she wants that.” She pondered the humans in the room still going through some last-minute checks of their pressure suits. “Let’s put it this way. If you don’t make a move, then I just might ask Dhuz if it’s okay to add a human to our harem when we get back.”
“What?”
“I have learned quite the delightful human phrase. It is, as they say, Time To Nut Up Or Shut Up. I do find McCoy really cute, after all. As do you.”
Her XO grumbled semi-silently for a bit. “Fair enough, Captain. I’ll ask her. While we’re out there.”
“Good.” The humans in the clean room were now about finished with their checks, and Sadaf felt a bit of a thrill. She was, after all, witness to a species taking their first steps into a larger universe.
Five hoses were now shoved into five chest-mounted receptacles, each hose leading to its own hand-held air-conditioning unit. Another complicated round of checks, slaps, and thumbs-ups then followed.
“They do know that we’re just going to walk beside them right into the landing boat, right?” asked Takh. “This whole process isn’t really necessary.”
“Let them have this moment,” said Sadaf with a gentle smile. “They’re having fun.”
__________
The five white-suited individuals emerged from the hallway to pretty much universal uproar, both in person and online. The suit color was all NASA, but the logos were not. All four wore the emblem of the United Nations at their shoulder, a pair of olive branches surrounding a polar view of the world. The four humans all did their bit and waved for the cameras. Those in charge of the cameras did as instructed, and ignored the two black-and-sliver figures behind the quartet. The latter weren’t wearing any sort of pressure suit.
In the middle of the courtyard hovered the real talking piece, a landing boat from the Rithro. Its entry door was already lowered, and with another wave to the cameras from each of the five humans, they walked up the ramp and into the craft.
The five of them then looked at each other as the door began to close behind them. They’d trained together for a bit, enough to get a feel for each other. But now there was a real sense among them of holy shit what now?
Their mutual what-nows were interrupted as Tofa appeared. The arachnoid alien held a tray in one pedipalp, and upon that tray sat a little dish of what looked like Brazil nuts.
“Greetings!” chirped Tofa. “Welcome to Rithro Air, I assure you we have an excellent safety reputation. Well, almost excellent, if you don’t count the affair around Barnard’s Star. You may now take off your pressure suits. May I interest you in a nut?”
The four humans (and a few of the aliens) flinched as Ravindar let loose with a hearty belly-laugh. He reached up to undo his helmet while he beamed a brilliant white smile at their greeter. “You? I like you. We’re going to be fast friends.” He reached down to pluck a nut from the tray. “Madame? Do you want to take the first nut? Or should I taste it first?”
“Um…” For once, Parvati looked uncertain within her glass-and-cloth cocoon. “If you wish to taste, then please go ahead.”
“As you wish.” Ravindar held her eyes as he bit into the proffered nut. “It seems to be all right,” he pronounced.
After the great ceremony with which they’d been ensconced into their pressure suits, the humans then with reluctance emerged from their cocoons.
“We set up some chairs for everyone!” exclaimed Tofa, who gestured to the sides of the landing craft.
“Um, where do we put all of this?” asked Martinez as he held up a pressure-suit gauntlet.
The alien spider blinked. “Oh, right! Kexal, would you mind helping our guests stow their material?”
__________
The conference room at ULA now looked out over an even-greater bustle of activity. They were determined to at least match SpaceX in terms of tonnage-to-orbit; maybe they’d do so more efficiently? The mere notion had set a fire under everyone.
Joachim sat in a wheelchair while he studied those in front of him. “Ladies and gentlemen. I have, through some strange technological miracle, been re-granted the use of my mind. Not only that; they tell me that I and my wife might, if certain tests go well…we could become that which we once were. I intend to make sure that this gift does not go to waste. Not for me, nor for my wife, nor for the rest of humanity. Anyways. We have some aliens who need our help, we have some psychotic robot idiots who are fucking things up for everyone, and we need to get some serious tonnage into orbit as a result. Is that about the shape of things?”
“That’s pretty much the shape of it, sir,” said Dwight.
Joachim pointed a wrinkled finger at the speaker. “You. I’ve been caught up enough that I know you were the one to advocate for the use of Sea Dragon.”
“Just as a Hail Mary,” Dwight protested.
Clara cleared her throat. “I mean, I understand the enthusiasm but nobody has ever fired a pressure-fed engine that big. A single engine, mind you.”
Joachim rubbed his chin. “I understand your concern. But also keep in mind, this is a pintle injector, not a shower-head like they had on the F-1s on the Saturn-Five’s first stage. Pintle injectors were classified at the time. That’s a pity, because pintle injectors are safe as houses.”
Clara looked over at him. “Really?”
“Oh yeah, they’re pretty much bomb-proof.”
The team regarded the design now up on the screen. Clara was the first to speak their mutual thought. “Could…could we make this work?”
Joachim’s exclamation brought them all up short. “Of COURSE we can!” He thumped his cane into the floor for added emphasis. “Gentlemen…and ladies, please forgive me Clara…not one month ago I was a drooling wreck of a human. Today I come before you with my mind re-borne and in full function. I intend to make full use of that function. As does my wife, God bless her. We are going to set an example.”
Joachim stood, levering himself upright via his cane. “Here I stand,” he said. “Like Martin Luther before me, I can do no other.”
After a moment, everybody else in the conference room stood as well.
“Welp, we’re all standing,” said Dwight. “Okay, so what do we do now?”
Joachim pointed his cane at the screen. “Now, my dear Dwight, we Build. That. Fucking. Thing. We’re gonna show these Coalition assholes how we humans put some serious fucking tonnage into orbit.”
“Fuck yeah,” said Clara, as an unholy light came into her eyes.
“Fuck yes indeed,” replied Joachim. “The question now is, what do we put into it?”
The other people in the room looked at each other, just before bursting out into exclamations as to what they wanted put into that first launch. It was the sound of people on an expense account to beat the band.
submitted by Frank_Leroux to HFY [link] [comments]
Chapter Seventeen
Martinez slouched his way into the kitchen. He wasn’t really paying attention to his surroundings; in his defense it was early in the morning and he’d failed at getting some appropriate shut-eye before he went and, you know, bared his entire soul to Chao. At least that was his plan. But as usual, the universe laughs at plans.
He placed a sealed plastic package into the coffee machine, then put a styrofoam cup in the appropriate location. He yawned as the machine began its burbling.
“Hey.”
Martinez snapped his head over at McCoy, who’d suddenly appeared out of nowhere. She leaned against the counter, with a big and very evil grin on her face.
“Um…” began Martinez, before he was interrupted by a voice from his other side.
“Hey.” Matt leaned there, and if McCoy looked evil then Matt looked positively diabolical. Martinez glanced behind him and saw more soldiers, all with looks of ill intent on their faces.
The corporal didn’t waste time in asking what the hell they were up to, he just started throwing hands and feet. Future scholars would count the resulting battle as one for the ages; Martinez even managed to tag Toke with a couple of pretty good punches and one really sweet roundhouse kick.
But in the end, it was still a case of one against many.
__________
“Mmmm mm mmm m mmm!” protested Martinez.
Chao sighed as she beheld his bruised and very taped-up state. “What did those idiots do to you?”
“Mm MMM mmm mm!” The corporal’s mouth was now duct-taped shut, so verbal acuity was not amongst his strong suits at the present.
She put her hands on her hips. “For crying out loud. Matt goes and gets me all worried that you’re somehow in trouble, he leads me over to some random closet and shoves me in here and I find you like this. What’s the game?”
“Gmmmm?”
Chao squatted, examining his bonds. “Well, they sure got you trussed up like a roast for the feast. Hey, if you want me to pull the tape off of your mouth just nod.”
After a moment, Martinez nodded. She reached for the tape covering his mouth, then hesitated. “Um. I don’t have much experience with this so I’ll leave it up to you. Is it better to go fast or slow? Blink once for fast, two for slow.”
With deliberation, Martinez blinked once. Chao nodded and yanked the tape off. They’d even left a convenient tab for her to grab ahold of.
“FUCKING OW!” yelled the corporal. “Um, sorry.”
Chao seated herself before his figure, which was tied up in a fetal position. “You know, the last few weeks have given me a bit of a crash-course on the types of grab-ass shenanigans you soldier types get up to. This is a new one, though. Care to educate me?”
Martinez stared at her in horrified disbelief. “Toke didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what? He just said you were in trouble and that I needed to help out.”
“That…that evil, evil son of a bitch. He said he’d explain everything!”
“Explain what? Luca, I am just about ready to walk out and leave you in here to eventually soil yourself.”
Now that he was literally hog-tied and unable to escape, Martinez realized he had to ‘fess up. “I like you,” he said in an almost-gasp. “I mean, I like you like you. In that way. I mean, I know it’s sudden. We’ve only known each other for maybe four weeks but you’re so smart and pretty and…and, you know about Asimov and Heinlein and Clarke and about orbital mechanics and star spectra.”
She sat in stunned silence while he continued. “I don’t bring much to the table, I get that. But I want to learn. After we come back from the Rithro’s repair mission, I want to go to college…I’ve started looking into that. I’m not much of a catch right now, but maybe one day you’d consider liking me that way as well…”
He was interrupted as she leaned down, grabbed his head, and planted a firm kiss upon his lips. After a moment of pure bliss for both of them, she pulled away. “You utter and complete idiot,” she said, but she said it with a smile. “Did you never think that perhaps you have some attractive qualities of your own?”
Martinez tried to shrug as best he could, being all tied up. “I mean, Toke did mention that I have some pretty nice abs?”
Chao’s eyes glinted in good humor. “Pretty nice? You’ve got an eight-pack. I could shred cheese on those bad boys.”
He looked up at her. “Wait. When did you see my abs?”
“Back when we were sequestered within Cheyenne Mountain, and we were strictly on sponge baths.” She patted his taut stomach, feeling up those aforementioned abs. “Anyways, do you want me to get you out of these bonds?”
“Um…”
Her good humor turned into a diabolical grin. “Or, would you like to remain in these bonds? Toke said something about a safe-word and safe-gesture, he said you’d explain it.”
“Of course he did. That fucker. Um. Chao, this has gone better than I could ever have imagined but I don’t think you need to know…”
“Know about what?” Her caressing of his unprotected stomach did not cease. “Does my corporal have a bit of a fetish?”
His brain seized up again at her emphasis on ‘my’. “I…”
“Let me put it this way. Would you like me to be all mean and nasty, or more cuddly and dommy mommy?”
After a long, long moment of silence he finally murmured, “Dommy mommy.”
“See? That wasn’t so hard. Well, admitting it wasn’t hard.” Her hand continued its explorations. “Now this here is indeed quite hard. Hmm. Good thing you are just too cute for words.”
“Cute?” He looked in disbelief at her, and then flinched at her continued caressing.
“One can be a badass and also cute, my dear corporal. You tick both boxes. Not to mention you’re into a fetish which I’ve wanted to indulge in for a while. Never found anyone who was into it, until now.”
Outside the closet, McCoy stood guard. She smiled in triumph as she heard Martinez yell out in pleasure, and turned to give Toke a thumbs-up.
“It’s about fuckin’ time,” she said.
Matt smiled back at her. He now sported an epic shiner under one eye. “Eh, some kids just need a bit of a nudge, you know?”
__________
It was…it was a wall. A wall he was looking at.
A wall covered in white stucco. Nothing too fancy, but it was indeed a wall and Joachim realized he was looking at it. That might seem like a substandard feat, but for a man who’d been in Joachim’s proverbial shoes it was a grand accomplishment.
His mouth worked as he swished his tongue around in his mouth. He looked around. He sat in a lawn chair in the middle of a beige room, lined on every wall with the stucco he’d just realized he was looking at. “H…hello?”
His voice felt old and clotted. Joachim looked down at his hand, and he saw wrinkled skin and age spots that he didn’t remember seeing there before.
This room only had one exit door, and now it opened. A lean man with dark skin entered. “Joachim Neimyer? I’m Zawahir Ibn Harith. How are you feeling, sir?”
Joachim fixed the newcomer with a steady eye. “I’ll be feeling better once I know where I am. And where is Corina?”
“Corina is on her way, she should be here within minutes. We had great hopes that your treatment was progressing well. Do you know what day it is, sir?”
“Of course I know what day it is! It’s…” Joachim trailed off as he realized that he didn’t know. The last few…years? Decades? He had glimpses of moments in time, as if viewed via a strobe-light. He now realized it was much, much later in time than he thought. “I…what happened?”
“Alzheimer’s, Mr. Neimeyer.” Zawahir’s eyes were kind. “You’ve been suffering from it for the last seven years. But we discovered…or, I should say, we adopted a methodology for treating it. It not only stops the damage, it has a way of reversing at least some of its effects. I fear you will never regain the memories from the time during which you suffered the most, but from now on your mind should function properly once more.”
Joachim rubbed his now-bald pate. “Is Corina all right?”
Zawahir pulled over a chair next to him and seated himself. “She is, blessedly, un-marked by the same affliction. We are, of course, putting her on a similar treatment as yourself just to make sure she remains so. With her consent, of course.”
The old man fixed Zawahir with a direct stare. “This whole thing smells experimental. Why choose me?”
“Mmm, you are as sharp as ever, sir. This is indeed an experiment, and we chose you because you are one of the preeminent rocket experts who ever lived. We need such skills now.”
“What?”
Zawahir leaned forward. “I will do my best to catch you up…”
__________
She walked through the door, supported by a cane. The one person, the beacon in Joachim’s life. Corina lit up upon seeing his gaze. A gaze with intent, with purpose. “They said you were feeling better!”
Before he or the surrounding interns could react, Joachim now found himself with a hundred-ish pounds of enthusiastic elderly woman in his lap.
“Tell me something only you know,” she whispered.
Joachim smiled. “Do you remember what I told you when we saw the green flash? That one time, in Hawaii? During our honeymoon?”
“I do. You said that the flash was the souls of those who’ve gone before.”
“And I promised you that, if I passed before you, that you would just need to look for the flash to see me.”
She clasped his wrinkled face in her own equally-lined hands. “You did better than that. You came back to me.”
“I guess I did.” He kissed her, reveling in the fact that this time he’d remember it.
Zawahir motioned to everyone else in the room. They all quickly got the hint and left the pair to their mutual happiness.
__________
The door of the simulator cracked open and Kifa came scuttling out. She peered up at the normally stony face of Master Sergeant Wilkes; right now the latter looked like he’d just been kicked in the chest by a donkey and was still trying to process it. “How did I do?” asked the xyrax. “It seems like I did quite well.”
“Um…Kifa. Well. Um. Did the controls seem to operate right?”
“Oh, yes! Very much, quite intuitive! It’s been ages since I simulated combat within an atmosphere! That was fun!”
“Fun. You do realize that you were going up against aces. I mean real, human aces?”
“Oh. I thought that was the case.” Kifa peered back into the simulator. “Was I not supposed to know that?”
Wilkes finally laughed, something that was fortunately captured by several cameras and used as blackmail material for many years after. “You did fine. You also just utterly smoked several of the finest pilots on Earth, and that includes non-Americans.” He regarded her with a steady gaze. “I wish I could recruit you to TOPGUN, I’d love to see you show those strutting peacocks a thing or two.”
“What is TOPGUN?”
He sighed. “Right now, it’s in the same exact department as buggy-whip manufacturing. You just showed these punks that, even in atmosphere, you’re death from above.”
Kifa seemed to shrink into themselves. “I didn’t mean to…”
“Now, now, Kifa, this is a good thing. Gotta keep those aforementioned strutting peacocks on their toes. But soon we’ll be dealing with fighting using orbital mechanics, something with which our air-combat people have about as much actual experience as they do with chatting up the fairer sex.”
“Which fairer sex? I mean, my kind is hermaphroditic so I know the mechanics but…” Kifa trailed off as it blinked its four big, oil-drop eyes.
“You are too damned cute for your own good. Pick a sex, any one, I for one do not give a fuck anymore. Point being, we humans need a crash-course in how to fight in space. No atmo, so trying to maneuver using flaps and wings and things is right out. We need to understand how orbits work. Not just intellectually, but in our bones.” Wilkes patted the simulator. “We need you to teach us. We need you to teach an army. Well, navy. Technically. I guess it would count as a navy. Either way. You know how to do this shit, and you just proved that even in atmosphere you can run rings around our best and brightest. So. Are you willing to show us your voodoo?”
“My voodoo…” The blue-furred spider suddenly rose on all of its legs. “Of course! This will be used against the Breakers, yes?”
“Of course.”
“Then it will be my greatest pleasure to show you all of my voodoo!” Kifa paused. “Although, if I received a headpat or two it would also help me properly consider how best to teach you.”
Sergeant Wilkes sighed and reached down. Kifa purred in delight as the usually-taciturn sergeant unleashed the full might and power of Human Headpats upon the alien pilot.
__________
Sadaf watched as the two dark-haired women and one blonde-haired woman had a black-and-white cap fitted over their heads. Both had received a haircut for this day; Parvati for one seemed to be less than thrilled about losing some of her tresses.
“This is the snoopy-cap,” said the aide who stood between the two women. The surroundings were sterile and very, very white. “This cap contains your communications, and it will keep your hair in place during launch.” This was the actual process getting shown to the world. Behind them, Ravindar and Martinez were also in the process of getting suited up, but this was done with much less fanfare. The aide’s words carried to them all, of course.
“Arms up!” Everyone going into space today raised their arms, and a large tubby-looking upper suit then slid down over five figures. Many human hands made sure that their heads made it through the upper ring. “This is the upper part of your pressure suit,” said the aide. “The gloves and helmet will complete that part, but that will come later. Now I will need you all to step into your pants…”
Everyone did so; Chao was the one who didn’t quite make it look elegant. She grinned at Martinez as she fumbled for a bit getting her pressure-suit trousers on; his resulting blush was caught for the cameras but it wasn’t until a week later that someone realized what it meant.
“Latch!” The aide’s voice was hard as metal.
Many hands reached out, twisting multiple metal rings to lock the upper and lower halves of the four pressure suits into one cohesive piece.
“I still say we could make them some proper hardsuits,” said Sadaf to Takh. The two stood off to the side, not exactly part of the dance but not apart from it either.
“No, I think this is better,” said Takh. “We need to make this look more like a…human effort.” Her XO stood at parade-rest, with both sets of arms clasped behind his back.
Sadaf nodded. “I will default to your judgement. By the way…how are you and Corporal McCoy getting along?” She nodded towards the last-minute addition to the crew.
“Um…Ma’am, I…” His faltering was not helped by watching the humans in the clean-room getting clear helmets fixed over their heads. Each latching was followed-up by a tap on the shoulder and a thumbs-up.
The big human, Ravindar, waved his arms over his shoulders as he got the feel for the suit. He’d managed to get the helmet on without an issue, in spite of his substantial beard. “Need more air?” asked a much smaller woman at his side. He shook his head, while he continued to flex and get comfortable with how the suit restricted his motions.
Getting the Sikh to this moment had been a master-class in diplomacy. Not least of which was because he still carried a weapon upon his person. Sadaf had no experience with ‘Sikhism’, but she could appreciate any culture or creed which dictated the need to carry a protective weapon at all times. It appealed to her nature.
“Do you think Parvati knows that he’s, well, into her?” asked Takh.
His captain’s voice became damn near sultry. “Now Takh, and here I thought you were all clueless. I’ve heard of the effort these humans went through to get Chao and Luca together. Would you like me to ask them to perform a similar effort for you and Corporal McCoy? Hmmm? It would make for quite the photo-op, as the humans would say.”
Takh felt a bit of panic, somehow. “No!” His panicked reply was low, hopefully not picked up by the surrounding cameras. “I mean, she’s so small. I could hurt her…assuming she wants to be romantic, of course.”
“Romantic? Takh, I admit I am still learning about human body language but trust me…if you want that, she wants that.” She pondered the humans in the room still going through some last-minute checks of their pressure suits. “Let’s put it this way. If you don’t make a move, then I just might ask Dhuz if it’s okay to add a human to our harem when we get back.”
“What?”
“I have learned quite the delightful human phrase. It is, as they say, Time To Nut Up Or Shut Up. I do find McCoy really cute, after all. As do you.”
Her XO grumbled semi-silently for a bit. “Fair enough, Captain. I’ll ask her. While we’re out there.”
“Good.” The humans in the clean room were now about finished with their checks, and Sadaf felt a bit of a thrill. She was, after all, witness to a species taking their first steps into a larger universe.
Five hoses were now shoved into five chest-mounted receptacles, each hose leading to its own hand-held air-conditioning unit. Another complicated round of checks, slaps, and thumbs-ups then followed.
“They do know that we’re just going to walk beside them right into the landing boat, right?” asked Takh. “This whole process isn’t really necessary.”
“Let them have this moment,” said Sadaf with a gentle smile. “They’re having fun.”
__________
The five white-suited individuals emerged from the hallway to pretty much universal uproar, both in person and online. The suit color was all NASA, but the logos were not. All four wore the emblem of the United Nations at their shoulder, a pair of olive branches surrounding a polar view of the world. The four humans all did their bit and waved for the cameras. Those in charge of the cameras did as instructed, and ignored the two black-and-sliver figures behind the quartet. The latter weren’t wearing any sort of pressure suit.
In the middle of the courtyard hovered the real talking piece, a landing boat from the Rithro. Its entry door was already lowered, and with another wave to the cameras from each of the five humans, they walked up the ramp and into the craft.
The five of them then looked at each other as the door began to close behind them. They’d trained together for a bit, enough to get a feel for each other. But now there was a real sense among them of holy shit what now?
Their mutual what-nows were interrupted as Tofa appeared. The arachnoid alien held a tray in one pedipalp, and upon that tray sat a little dish of what looked like Brazil nuts.
“Greetings!” chirped Tofa. “Welcome to Rithro Air, I assure you we have an excellent safety reputation. Well, almost excellent, if you don’t count the affair around Barnard’s Star. You may now take off your pressure suits. May I interest you in a nut?”
The four humans (and a few of the aliens) flinched as Ravindar let loose with a hearty belly-laugh. He reached up to undo his helmet while he beamed a brilliant white smile at their greeter. “You? I like you. We’re going to be fast friends.” He reached down to pluck a nut from the tray. “Madame? Do you want to take the first nut? Or should I taste it first?”
“Um…” For once, Parvati looked uncertain within her glass-and-cloth cocoon. “If you wish to taste, then please go ahead.”
“As you wish.” Ravindar held her eyes as he bit into the proffered nut. “It seems to be all right,” he pronounced.
After the great ceremony with which they’d been ensconced into their pressure suits, the humans then with reluctance emerged from their cocoons.
“We set up some chairs for everyone!” exclaimed Tofa, who gestured to the sides of the landing craft.
“Um, where do we put all of this?” asked Martinez as he held up a pressure-suit gauntlet.
The alien spider blinked. “Oh, right! Kexal, would you mind helping our guests stow their material?”
__________
The conference room at ULA now looked out over an even-greater bustle of activity. They were determined to at least match SpaceX in terms of tonnage-to-orbit; maybe they’d do so more efficiently? The mere notion had set a fire under everyone.
Joachim sat in a wheelchair while he studied those in front of him. “Ladies and gentlemen. I have, through some strange technological miracle, been re-granted the use of my mind. Not only that; they tell me that I and my wife might, if certain tests go well…we could become that which we once were. I intend to make sure that this gift does not go to waste. Not for me, nor for my wife, nor for the rest of humanity. Anyways. We have some aliens who need our help, we have some psychotic robot idiots who are fucking things up for everyone, and we need to get some serious tonnage into orbit as a result. Is that about the shape of things?”
“That’s pretty much the shape of it, sir,” said Dwight.
Joachim pointed a wrinkled finger at the speaker. “You. I’ve been caught up enough that I know you were the one to advocate for the use of Sea Dragon.”
“Just as a Hail Mary,” Dwight protested.
Clara cleared her throat. “I mean, I understand the enthusiasm but nobody has ever fired a pressure-fed engine that big. A single engine, mind you.”
Joachim rubbed his chin. “I understand your concern. But also keep in mind, this is a pintle injector, not a shower-head like they had on the F-1s on the Saturn-Five’s first stage. Pintle injectors were classified at the time. That’s a pity, because pintle injectors are safe as houses.”
Clara looked over at him. “Really?”
“Oh yeah, they’re pretty much bomb-proof.”
The team regarded the design now up on the screen. Clara was the first to speak their mutual thought. “Could…could we make this work?”
Joachim’s exclamation brought them all up short. “Of COURSE we can!” He thumped his cane into the floor for added emphasis. “Gentlemen…and ladies, please forgive me Clara…not one month ago I was a drooling wreck of a human. Today I come before you with my mind re-borne and in full function. I intend to make full use of that function. As does my wife, God bless her. We are going to set an example.”
Joachim stood, levering himself upright via his cane. “Here I stand,” he said. “Like Martin Luther before me, I can do no other.”
After a moment, everybody else in the conference room stood as well.
“Welp, we’re all standing,” said Dwight. “Okay, so what do we do now?”
Joachim pointed his cane at the screen. “Now, my dear Dwight, we Build. That. Fucking. Thing. We’re gonna show these Coalition assholes how we humans put some serious fucking tonnage into orbit.”
“Fuck yeah,” said Clara, as an unholy light came into her eyes.
“Fuck yes indeed,” replied Joachim. “The question now is, what do we put into it?”
The other people in the room looked at each other, just before bursting out into exclamations as to what they wanted put into that first launch. It was the sound of people on an expense account to beat the band.
2023.06.07 11:50 johntheh4cker Trying to build docker image using jenkins getting strange error, please help me.
Pipelines are failing and in logs it is showing no such method found, i am pasting the logs below. Please help me-
submitted by johntheh4cker to sysadmin [link] [comments]
Started by user Zen Admin > git rev-parse --resolve-git-dir /valib/jenkins/caches/git-4a497cbeca7fbace311ce2fe6be29d0e/.git # timeout=10 Setting origin to https://gitlab.com/org/no-framework.git > git config remote.origin.url https://gitlab.com/org/no-framework.git # timeout=10 Fetching origin... Fetching upstream changes from origin > git --version # timeout=10 > git --version # 'git version 2.34.1' > git config --get remote.origin.url # timeout=10 using GIT_ASKPASS to set credentials gitlab-credentials > git fetch --tags --force --progress -- origin +refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/* # timeout=10 Seen branch in repository origin/AddField/AttachEmail Seen branch in repository origin/Feature/Postman_collection Seen branch in repository origin/add-client_name-and-customer_name Seen branch in repository origin/add-customer_name-client_name Seen branch in repository origin/adding_qa_image_promotion_stage Seen branch in repository origin/aws_from_dev_config Seen branch in repository origin/aws_from_master Seen branch in repository origin/ayush_sphinxDocumentation Seen branch in repository origin/char-limit Seen branch in repository origin/cicd_rules Seen branch in repository origin/correct-loggers-notifications Seen branch in repository origin/defectdojo_jobs Seen branch in repository origin/dev-env-testing Seen branch in repository origin/dev-sc-POC Seen branch in repository origin/dev_config Seen branch in repository origin/dockerfile-non-root-user Seen branch in repository origin/email-char-limit-problem-notifications Seen branch in repository origin/emailID-limit-change-migration-test Seen branch in repository origin/endpoint_update Seen branch in repository origin/final-sms-daily-reporting Seen branch in repository origin/final-sms-daily-reporting-with-dev-config Seen branch in repository origin/fix-build-image Seen branch in repository origin/fix-migration-tracking Seen branch in repository origin/fix-notification-upgrade Seen branch in repository origin/fix-security-notifications Seen branch in repository origin/fix-ses-email-exception Seen branch in repository origin/fix-sonarqube-defectdojo-notitifications Seen branch in repository origin/fix-whitenoise Seen branch in repository origin/helm-fix Seen branch in repository origin/helm_security Seen branch in repository origin/integrate-swagger Seen branch in repository origin/integrate-vodafone-api Seen branch in repository origin/international_isd_code_support Seen branch in repository origin/local_test Seen branch in repository origin/logger-error-fix Seen branch in repository origin/logger-handle-bounce Seen branch in repository origin/master Seen branch in repository origin/new_pg_chart_15.1 Seen branch in repository origin/non_root_poc Seen branch in repository origin/notification-dev Seen branch in repository origin/notification_qa Seen branch in repository origin/pg_test_15 Seen branch in repository origin/python-django-upgrade Seen branch in repository origin/remove-extra-added-loggers Seen branch in repository origin/remove-extra-loggers Seen branch in repository origin/remove-international_isd_code_support Seen branch in repository origin/rishi_logging_duplicate_messageContent Seen branch in repository origin/s3_secret_update Seen branch in repository origin/sms-daily-reporting-satyam Seen branch in repository origin/sms-reporting-enhancement Seen branch in repository origin/sms_daily_reporting Seen branch in repository origin/sms_daily_reporting-with-dev-config Seen branch in repository origin/sonarqube-changes Seen branch in repository origin/subchart_integration Seen branch in repository origin/subchart_update Seen branch in repository origin/test Seen branch in repository origin/test-image-local Seen branch in repository origin/test-migration Seen branch in repository origin/turn-off-mail-admins Seen branch in repository origin/upgrade-postgres Seen branch in repository origin/vault_v2 Seen 61 remote branches Obtained Jenkinsfile.Build from efd6ca96c51d2bbebf5f523c28d0f9eb0e4f4b01 Loading library [email protected] Attempting to resolve testsonaar from remote references... > git --version # timeout=10 > git --version # 'git version 2.34.1' using GIT_ASKPASS to set credentials gitlab-credentials > git ls-remote -h -- https://gitlab.com/org/common-library.git # timeout=10 Found match: refs/heads/testsonaar revision bc3f74b58072bd6f208c2b55aad11e59bd17f957 The recommended git tool is: NONE using credential gitlab-credentials > git rev-parse --resolve-git-dir /valib/jenkins/workspace/[email protected]/19e1f074e72b9c95c7402648f84f95c2705487f5be8df1aa9345c2affee7bf38/.git # timeout=10 Fetching changes from the remote Git repository > git config remote.origin.url https://gitlab.com/org/common-library.git # timeout=10 Fetching without tags Fetching upstream changes from https://gitlab.com/org/common-library.git > git --version # timeout=10 > git --version # 'git version 2.34.1' using GIT_ASKPASS to set credentials gitlab-credentials > git fetch --no-tags --force --progress -- https://gitlab.zenatix.com/devops/common-library.git +refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/* # timeout=10 Checking out Revision bc3f74b58072bd6f208c2b55aad11e59bd17f957 (testsonaar) > git config core.sparsecheckout # timeout=10 > git checkout -f bc3f74b58072bd6f208c2b55aad11e59bd17f957 # timeout=10 Commit message: "commented sonarqube" > git rev-list --no-walk bc3f74b58072bd6f208c2b55aad11e59bd17f957 # timeout=10 [Pipeline] Start of Pipeline [Pipeline] node Running on Jenkins in /valib/jenkins/workspace/ramework_01_-_Build-Image_master [Pipeline] { [Pipeline] checkout The recommended git tool is: git using credential gitlab-credentials > git rev-parse --resolve-git-dir /valib/jenkins/workspace/ramework_01_-_Build-Image_maste.git # timeout=10 Fetching changes from the remote Git repository > git config remote.origin.url https://gitlab.com/org/no-framework.git # timeout=10 Fetching without tags Fetching upstream changes from https://gitlab.com/org/no-framework.git > git --version # timeout=10 > git --version # 'git version 2.34.1' using GIT_ASKPASS to set credentials gitlab-credentials > git fetch --no-tags --force --progress -- https://gitlab.com/org/no-framework.git +refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/* # timeout=10 Checking out Revision efd6ca96c51d2bbebf5f523c28d0f9eb0e4f4b01 (master) > git config core.sparsecheckout # timeout=10 > git checkout -f efd6ca96c51d2bbebf5f523c28d0f9eb0e4f4b01 # timeout=10 Commit message: "Merge branch 'adding_qa_image_promotion_stage' into 'master'" > git rev-list --no-walk efd6ca96c51d2bbebf5f523c28d0f9eb0e4f4b01 # timeout=10 [Pipeline] stage [Pipeline] { (Executing pylint on python scripts) [Pipeline] libraryResource [Pipeline] writeFile [Pipeline] libraryResource [Pipeline] writeFile [Pipeline] sh + chmod +x pylint.sh + ./pylint.sh + execute_pylint ++ find . -type f -name '*.py' + python_files='./notification_app/models.py ./notification_app/tests.py ./notification_app/migrations/0002_auto_20210819_0612.py ./notification_app/migrations/0007_auto_20230117_0756.py ./notification_app/migrations/0005_auto_20221107_0659.py ./notification_app/migrations/__init__.py ./notification_app/migrations/0003_auto_20210819_0636.py ./notification_app/migrations/0004_auto_20220309_1344.py ./notification_app/migrations/0006_auto_20221209_0859.py ./notification_app/migrations/0001_initial.py ./notification_app/email_utilities.py ./notification_app/apps.py ./notification_app/email_views.py ./notification_app/admin.py ./notification_app/serializers.py ./notification_app/__init__.py ./notification_app/views.py ./notification_app/utils.py ./notification_app/urls.py ./notification_app/management/__init__.py ./notification_app/management/commands/zenmigrate.py ./notification_app/management/commands/sync_customer_am_emails.py ./notification_app/management/commands/__init__.py ./notification_app/management/commands/daily_sms_reporting.py ./Dockeanalytics/jupyter_notebook_config.py ./Docke__init__.py ./notifications/wsgi.py ./notifications/settings.py ./notifications/asgi.py ./notifications/__init__.py ./notifications/urls.py ./manage.py ./docs/source/conf.py' + for file in $python_files + true + pylint --rcfile=./pylintrc ./notification_app/models.py + true [Pipeline] } [Pipeline] // stage [Pipeline] } [Pipeline] // node [Pipeline] End of Pipeline Also: org.jenkinsci.plugins.workflow.actions.ErrorAction$ErrorId: 23031cc0-2923-4598-b1ad-e5b49d42a449 java.lang.NoSuchMethodError: No such DSL method 'pyLint' found among steps [acceptGitLabMR, addGitLabMRComment, ansiColor, ansiblePlaybook, ansibleVault, archive, bat, build, catchError, checkout, compareVersions, container, containerLog, deleteDir, dir, dockerFingerprintFrom, dockerFingerprintRun, dockerNode, echo, emailext, emailextrecipients, envVarsForTool, error, fileExists, findBuildScans, findFiles, getContext, git, gitlabBuilds, gitlabCommitStatus, input, isUnix, jiraComment, jiraIssueSelector, jiraSearch, junit, library, libraryResource, load, lock, mail, milestone, node, nodesByLabel, parallel, podTemplate, powershell, prependToFile, properties, publishChecks, pwd, pwsh, readCSV, readFile, readJSON, readManifest, readMavenPom, readProperties, readTrusted, readYaml, resolveScm, retry, script, sh, sha1, sha256, slackSend, slackUploadFile, slackUserIdFromEmail, slackUserIdsFromCommitters, sleep, sshagent, stage, stash, step, tar, tee, timeout, timestamps, tm, tool, touch, unarchive, unstable, unstash, untar, unzip, updateGitlabCommitStatus, validateDeclarativePipeline, verifySha1, verifySha256, waitForBuild, waitForQualityGate, waitUntil, warnError, withChecks, withContext, withCredentials, withDockerContainer, withDockerRegistry, withDockerServer, withEnv, withGradle, withGroovy, withMaven, withNPM, wrap, writeCSV, writeFile, writeJSON, writeMavenPom, writeYaml, ws, zip] or symbols [GitUsernamePassword, agent, all, allBranchesSame, allOf, always, ansible, ant, antFromApache, antOutcome, antTarget, any, anyOf, apiToken, apiTokenProperty, aquaMicroscanner, architecture, archiveArtifacts, artifactManager, artifactsPublisher, assembla, attach, authorInChangelog, authorizationMatrix, batchFile, bitbucket, bitbucketPush, bitbucketServer, booleanParam, branch, brokenBuildSuspects, brokenTestsSuspects, browser, buildButton, buildDiscarder, buildDiscarders, buildRetention, buildSingleRevisionOnly, buildUser, buildingTag, builtInNode, caseInsensitive, caseSensitive, certificate, cgit, changeRequest, changelog, changelogBase, changelogToBranch, changeset, checkoutOption, checkoutToSubdirectory, choice, choiceParam, cleanAfterCheckout, cleanBeforeCheckout, cleanWs, clock, cloneOption, command, concordionPublisher, configFile, configFileProvider, configMapVolume, containerEnvVar, containerLivenessProbe, containerTemplate, contributor, credentials, cron, crumb, culprits, default, defaultFolderConfiguration, defaultView, demand, dependenciesFingerprintPublisher, developers, disableConcurrentBuilds, disableRestartFromStage, disableResume, discoverOtherRefs, discoverOtherRefsTrait, docker, dockerCert, dockerServer, dockerTool, dockerfile, downstream, dumb, durabilityHint, dynamicPVC, email-ext, emptyDirVolume, emptyDirWorkspaceVolume, envVar, envVars, envVarsFilter, environment, equals, expression, extendedEmailPublisher, file, fileParam, filePath, findbugsPublisher, fingerprint, fingerprints, fisheye, frameOptions, freeStyle, freeStyleJob, fromDocker, fromScm, fromSource, git, gitBranchDiscovery, gitHooks, gitHubBranchDiscovery, gitHubBranchHeadAuthority, gitHubExcludeArchivedRepositories, gitHubExcludeForkedRepositories, gitHubExcludePrivateRepositories, gitHubExcludePublicRepositories, gitHubForkDiscovery, gitHubIgnoreDraftPullRequestFilter, gitHubPullRequestDiscovery, gitHubSshCheckout, gitHubTagDiscovery, gitHubTopicsFilter, gitHubTrustContributors, gitHubTrustEveryone, gitHubTrustNobody, gitHubTrustPermissions, gitLab, gitLabConnection, gitList, gitSCM, gitTagDiscovery, gitTool, gitUsernamePassword, gitWeb, gitblit, github, githubProjectProperty, githubPush, gitiles, gitlab, globalConfigFiles, gogs, gradle, groovy, headRegexFilter, headWildcardFilter, hostPathVolume, hostPathWorkspaceVolume, http, hyperlink, hyperlinkToModels, ignoreOnPush, inbound, inheriting, inheritingGlobal, installSource, invokerPublisher, isRestartedRun, issueCommentTrigger, jacocoPublisher, jdk, jdkInstaller, jgit, jgitapache, jgivenPublisher, jnlp, jobBuildDiscarder, jobDsl, jobName, junitPublisher, junitTestResultStorage, kiln, kubeconfig, kubernetes, kubernetesAgent, label, lastDuration, lastFailure, lastGrantedAuthorities, lastStable, lastSuccess, legacy, legacySCM, lfs, list, local, localBranch, localBranchTrait, locale, location, logRotator, loggedInUsersCanDoAnything, mailer, masterBuild, maven, maven3Mojos, mavenErrors, mavenGlobalConfig, mavenLinkerPublisher, mavenMojos, mavenWarnings, merge, modernSCM, multibranch, myView, namedBranchesDifferent, never, newContainerPerStage, nfsVolume, nfsWorkspaceVolume, node, nodeProperties, nonInheriting, none, nonresumable, not, onFailure, openTasksPublisher, organizationFolder, override, overrideIndexTriggers, paneStatus, parallelsAlwaysFailFast, parameters, password, pattern, perBuildTag, permanent, persistentVolumeClaim, persistentVolumeClaimWorkspaceVolume, phabricator, pipeline, pipeline-model, pipeline-model-docker, pipelineGraphPublisher, pipelineMaven, pipelineTriggers, plainText, plugin, podAnnotation, podEnvVar, podLabel, pollSCM, portMapping, preserveStashes, previous, projectNamingStrategy, proxy, pruneStaleBranch, pruneStaleTag, pruneTags, pullRequestReview, queueItemAuthenticator, quietPeriod, rateLimit, rateLimitBuilds, recipients, redmine, refSpecs, remoteName, requestor, resourceRoot, retainOnlyVariables, rhodeCode, run, runParam, sSHLauncher, schedule, scmGit, scmRetryCount, script, scriptApproval, scriptApprovalLink, search, secretEnvVar, secretVolume, security, shell, simpleBuildDiscarder, skipDefaultCheckout, skipStagesAfterUnstable, slackNotifier, slave, snapshotDependencies, sourceRegexFilter, sourceWildcardFilter, sparseCheckoutPaths, spotbugsPublisher, ssh, sshPublicKey, sshUserPrivateKey, standard, status, string, stringParam, submodule, submoduleOption, suppressAutomaticTriggering, suppressFolderAutomaticTriggering, swapSpace, tag, teamFoundation, teamSlugFilter, text, textParam, timestamper, timestamperConfig, timezone, tmpSpace, toolLocation, triggeredBy, unsecured, untrusted, upstream, upstreamDevelopers, url, userIdentity, userSeed, usernameColonPassword, usernamePassword, viewgit, viewsTabBar, weather, withAnt, withSonarQubeEnv, x509ClientCert, zip] or globals [airflowCron, buildImage, commonUtils, configureLocustMasterSlave, createCluster, currentBuild, deployAirflow, deployControl, deployDashboard, deployDeviceMonitor, deployMakerSuite, deployServerMonitor, deployV2Server, deployWeatherDriver, deployWebTNT, docker, dockerOperation, env, fetchDynamicImage, helm, imagePromotion, inspec, issuesDeploy, locustDeploy, nodeJSPipeline, notification, params, pipeline, pythonCIPipeline, scm, setupDruid, setupDruidPub, setupFlask, setupIstio, setupKafka, setupKafkaAlertDriver, setupKeycloak, setupKubernetesDashboard, setupLogging, setupMonitoringStack, setupRedis, sonnarScanner, terraform, zenalytixBuildImage, zenalytixDeploy] at org.jenkinsci.plugins.workflow.cps.DSL.invokeMethod(DSL.java:219) at org.jenkinsci.plugins.workflow.cps.CpsScript.invokeMethod(CpsScript.java:124) at groovy.lang.MetaClassImpl.invokeMethodOnGroovyObject(MetaClassImpl.java:1295) at groovy.lang.MetaClassImpl.invokeMethod(MetaClassImpl.java:1184) at groovy.lang.MetaClassImpl.invokeMethod(MetaClassImpl.java:1034) at org.codehaus.groovy.runtime.callsite.PogoMetaClassSite.call(PogoMetaClassSite.java:41) at org.codehaus.groovy.runtime.callsite.CallSiteArray.defaultCall(CallSiteArray.java:47) at org.codehaus.groovy.runtime.callsite.AbstractCallSite.call(AbstractCallSite.java:116) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.sandbox.DefaultInvoker.methodCall(DefaultInvoker.java:20) at pythonCIPipeline.executePylint(pythonCIPipeline.groovy:114) at ___cps.transform___(Native Method) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.impl.ContinuationGroup.methodCall(ContinuationGroup.java:90) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.impl.FunctionCallBlock$ContinuationImpl.dispatchOrArg(FunctionCallBlock.java:116) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.impl.FunctionCallBlock$ContinuationImpl.fixArg(FunctionCallBlock.java:85) at jdk.internal.reflect.GeneratedMethodAccessor155.invoke(Unknown Source) at java.base/jdk.internal.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:43) at java.base/java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:566) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.impl.ContinuationPtr$ContinuationImpl.receive(ContinuationPtr.java:72) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.impl.CollectionLiteralBlock$ContinuationImpl.dispatch(CollectionLiteralBlock.java:55) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.impl.CollectionLiteralBlock$ContinuationImpl.item(CollectionLiteralBlock.java:45) at jdk.internal.reflect.GeneratedMethodAccessor152.invoke(Unknown Source) at java.base/jdk.internal.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:43) at java.base/java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:566) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.impl.ContinuationPtr$ContinuationImpl.receive(ContinuationPtr.java:72) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.impl.ConstantBlock.eval(ConstantBlock.java:21) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.Next.step(Next.java:83) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.Continuable$1.call(Continuable.java:152) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.Continuable$1.call(Continuable.java:146) at org.codehaus.groovy.runtime.GroovyCategorySupport$ThreadCategoryInfo.use(GroovyCategorySupport.java:136) at org.codehaus.groovy.runtime.GroovyCategorySupport.use(GroovyCategorySupport.java:275) at com.cloudbees.groovy.cps.Continuable.run0(Continuable.java:146) at org.jenkinsci.plugins.workflow.cps.SandboxContinuable.access$001(SandboxContinuable.java:18) at org.jenkinsci.plugins.workflow.cps.SandboxContinuable.run0(SandboxContinuable.java:51) at org.jenkinsci.plugins.workflow.cps.CpsThread.runNextChunk(CpsThread.java:187) at org.jenkinsci.plugins.workflow.cps.CpsThreadGroup.run(CpsThreadGroup.java:420) at org.jenkinsci.plugins.workflow.cps.CpsThreadGroup$2.call(CpsThreadGroup.java:330) at org.jenkinsci.plugins.workflow.cps.CpsThreadGroup$2.call(CpsThreadGroup.java:294) at org.jenkinsci.plugins.workflow.cps.CpsVmExecutorService$2.call(CpsVmExecutorService.java:67) at java.base/java.util.concurrent.FutureTask.run(FutureTask.java:264) at hudson.remoting.SingleLaneExecutorService$1.run(SingleLaneExecutorService.java:139) at jenkins.util.ContextResettingExecutorService$1.run(ContextResettingExecutorService.java:28) at jenkins.security.ImpersonatingExecutorService$1.run(ImpersonatingExecutorService.java:68) at jenkins.util.ErrorLoggingExecutorService.lambda$wrap$0(ErrorLoggingExecutorService.java:51) at java.base/java.util.concurrent.Executors$RunnableAdapter.call(Executors.java:515) at java.base/java.util.concurrent.FutureTask.run(FutureTask.java:264) at java.base/java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor.runWorker(ThreadPoolExecutor.java:1128) at java.base/java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor$Worker.run(ThreadPoolExecutor.java:628) at java.base/java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:829) Finished: FAILUREPlease help me.
2023.06.07 11:26 Proastandtoast Van Life Chronicles: Exploring Iceland for Three Weeks
This sub has been an incredible source of information and inspiration, so I gave myself an hour to write down and share some insights from the recent three-week road trip I’ve had with my partner.
General remarks:
- Our main goal was to enjoy nature, so we were okay with spending absolutely no time on the golden circle or in Reykjavik. Due to the weather, we ended up doing both anyway; but these would be the parts of the trip I would skip first. Coming from continental Europe, we had almost no jetlag and could safely start directly with our journey. With more jet lag, some more time to adapt is definitely a good idea.
- We rented a 2WD campervan from Star Car Rental and spent all but the final night on campsites. Our experience with Star Car was very good. The price was competitive and included unlimited mileage, additional driver and all necessary utensils (chairs, table, cooking stuff). We got picked up from the airport and were ready to go within 15’. When giving back the car, we got driven to our hotel without any inspection (we did have zero excess insurance).
- Mid-May to beginning of June was a very nice time to travel. The days are long (I’ve seen no darkness), almost all camping places are open, but the crowds at the highlights are small – except for the big boys in the south.
- We started our days quite early and therefore typically arrived during the afternoon at the campsites. The kitchen area, showers and laundry spaces were often free to use. Be prepared to go to campsites that have only 2 stoves and 1 shower. During prime time, expect some waiting times.
- We picked up around 100 € worth of cash – two campsites were cash-only, everything else was absolutely card-first / cash-free.
Useful ressources:
- Vedur and Safetravel: This sub is absolutely right. Learn how to read and anticipate the weather before you get there. We were there during two yellow warnings and these things are really no joke. It helps to have plenty of time to spontaneously adapt the schedule. And we’ve seen it all: blizzard in the West, hail up North, storm in the East and sun in the South.
- Google reviews & park4night: These were pretty accurate for the campsites. 4+ stars are no-brainers, 3+ depend on your needs (kitchen, shower, electricity) and less than 3 should be avoided. Also, remember to rate them yourself during/after your trip to increase the statistical significance ;)
- Google Maps/MyMaps: MyMaps was useful during our planning to fill with random highlights (waterfalls, hotpots, hikes, campsites) and to set up a rough itinerary. Google Maps is accurate on paved roads. On gravel roads, expect some significant delays. Maps calculates with 80 km/h, while you will probably never exceed 50 km/h. In the Westfjords, we guess-timated our times with 2 minutes per kilometer on the gravel roads. The Happy Campers Campsite Map as well as the Hot Pot Iceland Map were nice to have in the back-pocket to check with some time to spare whether something is close by.
- Polarsteps: This was a cute little App, which we used to keep family and friends informed. You can add pictures and some text to your highlights. This way, you don’t send the same picture into various chats and there is a location- and time-dependent context.
Cost: This is the per-person cost breakdown for our 21-day trip (20-day camper rental, 1 hotel stay, total 3’500€).
- Rental (zero excess insurance, additional driver): 1’135 €
- Flight (from continental Europe): 700 €
- Activities (Pools, Spas, Horse-riding, Kayak): 300 €
- Camping (pretty consistent 2’000 +- 500 ISK p.P.): 275 €
- Groceries (Bonus, Kronan, Netto): 255 €
- Coffee, Beers, Food in Restaurants: 260 €
- Petrol (420 € in total for roughly 3’600 km): 210 €
- Souvenirs: 180 €
- Ferries (into Westfjords and to Westman Islands): 95 €
- Hotel: 75 €
Highlights:
- Sundlaug and Spas: When camping in small towns, very often there will be a swimming pool close by. They are not expensive (around 1000 ISK pP) and a great way to relax after a long day. Also, it feels nice to take longer, hot showers without knowing people are waiting in line. We decided to go for some smaller premium spas and were very happy with all of them: Krauma was one of our first stops, the Forest Lagoon was incredible during evening hours and GeoSea was also fantastic. Re: nudity. It takes a bit to get used to, but its very refreshing to see this very open approach to nudity in the pools. No one cares, no one watches – just do your thing. It’s cool to see groups of friends at all age groups be so open about it. Certainly very different compared to continental Europe.
- As we had to skip the Eastfjords a bit due to storm, we had some time left at the end. We spent the last 3 nights on the Westman Islands. It was great to leave the car for a longer while and do everything by foot. There are plenty of things to do and the swimming pool is fantastic.
- Mulagljufur: Use Google Maps to find the exact location, as of now, there is no sign along the road. The canyon is very beautiful and we ended up hiking for almost three hours. Couldn’t get enough of the views.
- Glymur: The infamous log wasn’t placed when we were there, but the short hike to the cave and towards the canyon was absolutely worth it.
- Camping highlights: Melanes campsite at Raudasandur beach (Westfjords): incredible scenery, wild drive to get there; Thingeyri campsite (Westfjords): directly at the fjord, fantastic infrastructure (probably the best kitchen we’ve had) and IMHO a great alternative to the Tungudalur campsite in Isafjordur; 66.12 N campsite (near Husavik): insane ocean view, good infrastructure, one of the best sites along the diamond circle; Glamping&Camping (Westmann Islands): beautiful setting, good infrastructure.
Itinerary (Highlights: *, ** or ***)
Day 1: Arrival at KEF during the afternoon in pouring rain, set up campervan, first grocery stops at Bonus and Kronan, Dinner at Issi’s Fish&Chips*, Camp at Hjalli Kjos
Day 2: Glymur hike** (up to river, no log), Krauma Spa**, scenic drive into Snaefellsnes, Camp at Freezer Hostel
Day 3: Check out Snaefellsnes highlights, get to Stykkisholmur in the afternoon, Ferry Baldur to Brjanslaekur, Hellulaug hotpot*, drive to Melanes campsite*** on Raudasandur beach
Day 4: full day at Raudasandur, great hikes, another night at Melanes campsite.
Day 5: Long drive through westfjords. Highlights included the self-service fish station in Talknafjordur (amazing fisk bollur**), Dynjandi waterfall and Sandfell hike. Camping at Thingeyri*, relax in local swimming pool
Day 6: drive to Isafjordur, check out city (kind of underwhelming, but it was a national holiday; the brewery is nice), do some small hikes in the area. Camp at Tungudalur.
Day 7: very long drive out of westfjords towards Varmahlid. Hot dog stop in Holmavik and arrive at Lambeyri campsite (cash only)
Day 8: woke up with dead battery, but got jump start by campsite owner. Horseriding tour at Lytingsstadir* was very nice, drive to Akureyri, visit Forest Lagoon**. It was Saturday night when we visited, upon leaving we had police checking every driver for alcohol – so better hold off the pool-side bar ;) wanted to camp at Vaglaskogur but campsite wasn’t open. Went up until the CJA campsite in Laugar with a late-night stop at Godafoss (around 10pm, were the only people there)
Day 9: check out Myvatn area: Dimmuborgir hike, Hverir, Leirhnjukur hike**. Then continue to Dettifoss and camp at Asbyrgi. Late night hike to Asbyrgi ‘island’*.
Day 10: Hike in Asbyrgi canyon, continue to Husavik, visit GeoSea**, camp at 66.12N***
Day 11: long drive with very strong winds. We had to go back to Akureyri (optician to fix broken glasses), so went through Myvatn again with a quick stop at Grjotagja. Beautiful drive, weather was too bad for Studlagil canyon, so we continued all the way to Borgarfjordur eystri. Crazy winds during the night and we were happy that our car didn’t get blown away.
Day 12: unfortunately, no hikes in this beautiful area. Waited for storm to pass until lunchtime, visited harbor with puffins**, drive to Egilsstadir (hot dog stop), continue to Seydisfjordur (kind of underwhelming town, the drive is gorgeous though) and, due to weather forecast, continue all the way to Djupivogur campsite.
Day 13: Incredible drive from Djupivogur to Höfn, stops at Hvalnes and Jökulsarlon. Hike at Mulagljufur***, camp at Svenifell.
Day 14: early-morning hike in Skaftafell**, continue to Kirjubaersklausur for campsite. Had to skip Fjardrargljufur due to weather, visited local swimming pool.
Day 15: yellow warning again. Continued to Vik for Skool Beans Coffee*, quick stop at Reynisfjara beach (red alert was on, so we didn’t go further than the sign), continue to Skogarfoss and hike part of Fimmvorduhals*, camp in Selfoss – swimming pool was closed unfortunately.
Day 16: Weather forecast was very bad, so we spent the day in Reykjavik. Walked around town, grabbed some coffees and visiting the local Sundhöll*. Camp at Mosskogar** (cash-only)
Day 17: Golden circle: hike at Thingvellir, look at Geysir, skipped Delfoss. Camp in Selfoss again.
Day 18: quick stop at Seljalandsfoss, ferry to Westman islands. Set up camp at Glamping&Camping** for the next 3 nights. Visited Brothers Brewery*.
Day 19: Kayak tour with Kayak-and-Puffins-company***. Visited local swimming pool* (trampoline slide was very nice) and watched a local handball game.
Day 20: Hike along volcanoes and coast**, visit brewery again, go to puffin bay**
Day 21: Ferry back to mainland. Drive back towards KEF. Drop-off campervan and spent night in Konvin Hotel. Early morning shuttle to airport (we arrived about 2h early for our 7 am flight and had plenty of time).
Of course, I’m very happy to answer any questions you might have!
Hope this is helpful to some of you :)
submitted by Proastandtoast to VisitingIceland [link] [comments]
General remarks:
- Our main goal was to enjoy nature, so we were okay with spending absolutely no time on the golden circle or in Reykjavik. Due to the weather, we ended up doing both anyway; but these would be the parts of the trip I would skip first. Coming from continental Europe, we had almost no jetlag and could safely start directly with our journey. With more jet lag, some more time to adapt is definitely a good idea.
- We rented a 2WD campervan from Star Car Rental and spent all but the final night on campsites. Our experience with Star Car was very good. The price was competitive and included unlimited mileage, additional driver and all necessary utensils (chairs, table, cooking stuff). We got picked up from the airport and were ready to go within 15’. When giving back the car, we got driven to our hotel without any inspection (we did have zero excess insurance).
- Mid-May to beginning of June was a very nice time to travel. The days are long (I’ve seen no darkness), almost all camping places are open, but the crowds at the highlights are small – except for the big boys in the south.
- We started our days quite early and therefore typically arrived during the afternoon at the campsites. The kitchen area, showers and laundry spaces were often free to use. Be prepared to go to campsites that have only 2 stoves and 1 shower. During prime time, expect some waiting times.
- We picked up around 100 € worth of cash – two campsites were cash-only, everything else was absolutely card-first / cash-free.
Useful ressources:
- Vedur and Safetravel: This sub is absolutely right. Learn how to read and anticipate the weather before you get there. We were there during two yellow warnings and these things are really no joke. It helps to have plenty of time to spontaneously adapt the schedule. And we’ve seen it all: blizzard in the West, hail up North, storm in the East and sun in the South.
- Google reviews & park4night: These were pretty accurate for the campsites. 4+ stars are no-brainers, 3+ depend on your needs (kitchen, shower, electricity) and less than 3 should be avoided. Also, remember to rate them yourself during/after your trip to increase the statistical significance ;)
- Google Maps/MyMaps: MyMaps was useful during our planning to fill with random highlights (waterfalls, hotpots, hikes, campsites) and to set up a rough itinerary. Google Maps is accurate on paved roads. On gravel roads, expect some significant delays. Maps calculates with 80 km/h, while you will probably never exceed 50 km/h. In the Westfjords, we guess-timated our times with 2 minutes per kilometer on the gravel roads. The Happy Campers Campsite Map as well as the Hot Pot Iceland Map were nice to have in the back-pocket to check with some time to spare whether something is close by.
- Polarsteps: This was a cute little App, which we used to keep family and friends informed. You can add pictures and some text to your highlights. This way, you don’t send the same picture into various chats and there is a location- and time-dependent context.
Cost: This is the per-person cost breakdown for our 21-day trip (20-day camper rental, 1 hotel stay, total 3’500€).
- Rental (zero excess insurance, additional driver): 1’135 €
- Flight (from continental Europe): 700 €
- Activities (Pools, Spas, Horse-riding, Kayak): 300 €
- Camping (pretty consistent 2’000 +- 500 ISK p.P.): 275 €
- Groceries (Bonus, Kronan, Netto): 255 €
- Coffee, Beers, Food in Restaurants: 260 €
- Petrol (420 € in total for roughly 3’600 km): 210 €
- Souvenirs: 180 €
- Ferries (into Westfjords and to Westman Islands): 95 €
- Hotel: 75 €
Highlights:
- Sundlaug and Spas: When camping in small towns, very often there will be a swimming pool close by. They are not expensive (around 1000 ISK pP) and a great way to relax after a long day. Also, it feels nice to take longer, hot showers without knowing people are waiting in line. We decided to go for some smaller premium spas and were very happy with all of them: Krauma was one of our first stops, the Forest Lagoon was incredible during evening hours and GeoSea was also fantastic. Re: nudity. It takes a bit to get used to, but its very refreshing to see this very open approach to nudity in the pools. No one cares, no one watches – just do your thing. It’s cool to see groups of friends at all age groups be so open about it. Certainly very different compared to continental Europe.
- As we had to skip the Eastfjords a bit due to storm, we had some time left at the end. We spent the last 3 nights on the Westman Islands. It was great to leave the car for a longer while and do everything by foot. There are plenty of things to do and the swimming pool is fantastic.
- Mulagljufur: Use Google Maps to find the exact location, as of now, there is no sign along the road. The canyon is very beautiful and we ended up hiking for almost three hours. Couldn’t get enough of the views.
- Glymur: The infamous log wasn’t placed when we were there, but the short hike to the cave and towards the canyon was absolutely worth it.
- Camping highlights: Melanes campsite at Raudasandur beach (Westfjords): incredible scenery, wild drive to get there; Thingeyri campsite (Westfjords): directly at the fjord, fantastic infrastructure (probably the best kitchen we’ve had) and IMHO a great alternative to the Tungudalur campsite in Isafjordur; 66.12 N campsite (near Husavik): insane ocean view, good infrastructure, one of the best sites along the diamond circle; Glamping&Camping (Westmann Islands): beautiful setting, good infrastructure.
Itinerary (Highlights: *, ** or ***)
Day 1: Arrival at KEF during the afternoon in pouring rain, set up campervan, first grocery stops at Bonus and Kronan, Dinner at Issi’s Fish&Chips*, Camp at Hjalli Kjos
Day 2: Glymur hike** (up to river, no log), Krauma Spa**, scenic drive into Snaefellsnes, Camp at Freezer Hostel
Day 3: Check out Snaefellsnes highlights, get to Stykkisholmur in the afternoon, Ferry Baldur to Brjanslaekur, Hellulaug hotpot*, drive to Melanes campsite*** on Raudasandur beach
Day 4: full day at Raudasandur, great hikes, another night at Melanes campsite.
Day 5: Long drive through westfjords. Highlights included the self-service fish station in Talknafjordur (amazing fisk bollur**), Dynjandi waterfall and Sandfell hike. Camping at Thingeyri*, relax in local swimming pool
Day 6: drive to Isafjordur, check out city (kind of underwhelming, but it was a national holiday; the brewery is nice), do some small hikes in the area. Camp at Tungudalur.
Day 7: very long drive out of westfjords towards Varmahlid. Hot dog stop in Holmavik and arrive at Lambeyri campsite (cash only)
Day 8: woke up with dead battery, but got jump start by campsite owner. Horseriding tour at Lytingsstadir* was very nice, drive to Akureyri, visit Forest Lagoon**. It was Saturday night when we visited, upon leaving we had police checking every driver for alcohol – so better hold off the pool-side bar ;) wanted to camp at Vaglaskogur but campsite wasn’t open. Went up until the CJA campsite in Laugar with a late-night stop at Godafoss (around 10pm, were the only people there)
Day 9: check out Myvatn area: Dimmuborgir hike, Hverir, Leirhnjukur hike**. Then continue to Dettifoss and camp at Asbyrgi. Late night hike to Asbyrgi ‘island’*.
Day 10: Hike in Asbyrgi canyon, continue to Husavik, visit GeoSea**, camp at 66.12N***
Day 11: long drive with very strong winds. We had to go back to Akureyri (optician to fix broken glasses), so went through Myvatn again with a quick stop at Grjotagja. Beautiful drive, weather was too bad for Studlagil canyon, so we continued all the way to Borgarfjordur eystri. Crazy winds during the night and we were happy that our car didn’t get blown away.
Day 12: unfortunately, no hikes in this beautiful area. Waited for storm to pass until lunchtime, visited harbor with puffins**, drive to Egilsstadir (hot dog stop), continue to Seydisfjordur (kind of underwhelming town, the drive is gorgeous though) and, due to weather forecast, continue all the way to Djupivogur campsite.
Day 13: Incredible drive from Djupivogur to Höfn, stops at Hvalnes and Jökulsarlon. Hike at Mulagljufur***, camp at Svenifell.
Day 14: early-morning hike in Skaftafell**, continue to Kirjubaersklausur for campsite. Had to skip Fjardrargljufur due to weather, visited local swimming pool.
Day 15: yellow warning again. Continued to Vik for Skool Beans Coffee*, quick stop at Reynisfjara beach (red alert was on, so we didn’t go further than the sign), continue to Skogarfoss and hike part of Fimmvorduhals*, camp in Selfoss – swimming pool was closed unfortunately.
Day 16: Weather forecast was very bad, so we spent the day in Reykjavik. Walked around town, grabbed some coffees and visiting the local Sundhöll*. Camp at Mosskogar** (cash-only)
Day 17: Golden circle: hike at Thingvellir, look at Geysir, skipped Delfoss. Camp in Selfoss again.
Day 18: quick stop at Seljalandsfoss, ferry to Westman islands. Set up camp at Glamping&Camping** for the next 3 nights. Visited Brothers Brewery*.
Day 19: Kayak tour with Kayak-and-Puffins-company***. Visited local swimming pool* (trampoline slide was very nice) and watched a local handball game.
Day 20: Hike along volcanoes and coast**, visit brewery again, go to puffin bay**
Day 21: Ferry back to mainland. Drive back towards KEF. Drop-off campervan and spent night in Konvin Hotel. Early morning shuttle to airport (we arrived about 2h early for our 7 am flight and had plenty of time).
Of course, I’m very happy to answer any questions you might have!
Hope this is helpful to some of you :)
2023.06.07 06:54 Indeecent8 Black Baccara GC reviews + 1 over the top BPAL bonus review
https://imgur.com/a/6Af6Y4D My husband was sweet enough to get me this cool old lock box for my samples so I redid it and made it ridiculously decadent and added a unicorn for good measure. I have (hopefully properly) attached some pics. I've asked for so many recommendations here and had sooooo much fun! I thought it would be nice if I contributed some reviews of my favorite house Black Baccara. My personal tastes tend to be weird and dark atmospherics and BB definitely does that well! Here's some of her GC scents :
Sorceress (Aroma palette is smoky, woodsy, fruity, and boozy. Highlights include rum-soaked pineapple, dark roast coffee, pipe tobacco, soft amber, smoky cedar, warm musk.): I wanted this for a long time as the pineapple/coffee combo somehow became a HG scent in my mind and I've been searching for the best one. After a few months of hankering I finally pulled the trigger. Sorceress is a dark boozy coffee without cream with a slightly floral pineapple and cedar in the background. It's definitely not citrusy and not identifiable as pineapple until you know what it is. The musk comes out a little towards the end and is very subtle and somewhat powdery like cocoa powder. I consider this a dark/gothic tropical which is perfect for summer but wearable all year. It has moderate longevity but pretty low throw. I find this can be remedied by applying to the ends of my hair or just slathering on extra lol I really like this and I'm glad I got a 5ml. 4/5
Black Cat (Aroma palette is dark, spicy, and earthy. Highlights include toasted cardamon, church incense, ancient cedars, tendrils of oak moss, cloves, and earth.): Conifers and cloves. That's pretty much it. Which would be cool except it has very low throw and longevity even on my faithful test subject. Only one I wished I hadn't FS'd. 2/5
Vena Cava (Aroma palette is woodsy, floral, and metallic. Highlights include dark florals, merlot, orris, ylang ylang, oud, and blood accord.) This is decadent af! I've tried a lot of boozy smells and this one is perfect ! Its very noticeably wine and it's definitely red. However you're not gonna get a sobriety test if you get pulled over wearing it. (I bought nosferatu from bpal and wore it to work one day. Bad idea! I had two customers walk in and exclaim that it smelt like beer in the shop. And I work in a dispo so it was being smelt over the reek of weed lol) anyways this is the perfect wine. It's ever so slightly floral from the ylang but very much like crushed red fruits without going candy like. Again you get woods in the background and I cannot detect any oud. The really magic comes towards the dry down when the metallic blood comes out. It's not meaty and could very well be the scent of a metal knife or armor instead. I only got a dram of this and will be uprising. Just a heads up though when I first got this my husband and I smelled it and both immediately said "oh chewing tobacco" 😅 don't wry it totally changes in about 10-14 days 5/5
Cathedral Noir( Aroma palette is earthy, resinous, and smoky. Highlights include holy water, juniper and cedar incense smoke, melted candle wax, aged myrrh resin, lilies, and deep aged labdanum. ) verrrrrry strong smoke. Which I like. This is basically an extra strength version of Hexennachts Fumer with some juniper, cedar and resins underneath. I do not get any of the other notes at all. It's pretty cool though not very easy to wear going places. It last forever too and definitely don't put this in your hair 😆 I recently wore this camping and it was perfect. 3.5/5 cause I wish I got more of the other notes but I'm glad I got a 5ml since I'm out of Fumer.
Hecate (Highlights include Ylang ylang, dark aged patchouli, myrrh, black pepper, hibiscus, leather, and lilac. ) THIS ! YES THIS! This is as close as I have gotten to my perfect SS. It's straight up kinky sex in a bottle. New black leather straight from your trunk of bondage gear mixed with lilac/ylang combo. It's even balanced between the leather and floral and there's no new car smell. I do not get any patchouli or myrrh and it's perfect without it honestly. I will be getting another bottle and I will absolutely be wearing it to my next shibari class. 5/5
Wild Lilac (Highlights include wild blooming lilacs, white musk, hyacinth, and orange.) This is the most realistic lilac I have found. There's a bit of orange in the opening that fades in under a minute. It's a very nostalgic smell for me. When I was a kid I lived in a tiny country town and my best friend lived in an old farmhouse. She had ancient lilac trees in the back yard so big we could climb them. This is the scent of spring afternoons spent among their gnarled branches gathering fresh bouquets. 5/5.
Overall BB is a house that is true to their descriptions. I can easily predict if I'll like a scent and I feel safe blind buying. I've only had issues with longevity with the one scent and look forward to trying more! In fact I have Frogs Breath, Gaia, and Wake Me in September on the way to me now.
I've recommended BPAL's Depraved to quite a few people on here but never felt as though I described it accurately so wanted to offer a review Depraved(aged patchouli and apricot): It's a cool night in the beginning of summer and you're at a small local watering hole in Louisiana's Garden District. The bartender is getting ready to close up shop and filling one last round of drinks. As you push your chair in to leave you see a dark handsome man in leather jacket giving you a strange steady look. You smile invitingly to him and he walks over to place his hand around your waist as you leave the bar. You lead him out into the cool evening air over to your car and you both get in. He doesn't say a word to you as you drive but instead rolls down the car window as he lights a cigar. And you don't look to him for any sort of explanation ; you know just where you're going. You stop in front of a beautiful and abandoned Cathlic Church. St Agnes had stood here for at least a couple centuries now and has been witness to worse deeds than you plan to commit tonight. You both hurry up the steps and through the pews pausing in front of the altar. Until he slowly takes you forward and pushes you down onto the old creaking wood and as he leans into kiss you you smell the cool and smoky earthiness left in his goatee by the cigar he smoked in your car and you can almost taste the apricot brandy left on his lips. But there's something more than both these scents, something shadowy and dark maybe it's the entire spirit of the Garden District itself but whatever it is its completely feral and heartbreakingly untameable.
This is what Depraved smells like and it's why I recommend it so much.
submitted by Indeecent8 to Indiemakeupandmore [link] [comments]
Sorceress (Aroma palette is smoky, woodsy, fruity, and boozy. Highlights include rum-soaked pineapple, dark roast coffee, pipe tobacco, soft amber, smoky cedar, warm musk.): I wanted this for a long time as the pineapple/coffee combo somehow became a HG scent in my mind and I've been searching for the best one. After a few months of hankering I finally pulled the trigger. Sorceress is a dark boozy coffee without cream with a slightly floral pineapple and cedar in the background. It's definitely not citrusy and not identifiable as pineapple until you know what it is. The musk comes out a little towards the end and is very subtle and somewhat powdery like cocoa powder. I consider this a dark/gothic tropical which is perfect for summer but wearable all year. It has moderate longevity but pretty low throw. I find this can be remedied by applying to the ends of my hair or just slathering on extra lol I really like this and I'm glad I got a 5ml. 4/5
Black Cat (Aroma palette is dark, spicy, and earthy. Highlights include toasted cardamon, church incense, ancient cedars, tendrils of oak moss, cloves, and earth.): Conifers and cloves. That's pretty much it. Which would be cool except it has very low throw and longevity even on my faithful test subject. Only one I wished I hadn't FS'd. 2/5
Vena Cava (Aroma palette is woodsy, floral, and metallic. Highlights include dark florals, merlot, orris, ylang ylang, oud, and blood accord.) This is decadent af! I've tried a lot of boozy smells and this one is perfect ! Its very noticeably wine and it's definitely red. However you're not gonna get a sobriety test if you get pulled over wearing it. (I bought nosferatu from bpal and wore it to work one day. Bad idea! I had two customers walk in and exclaim that it smelt like beer in the shop. And I work in a dispo so it was being smelt over the reek of weed lol) anyways this is the perfect wine. It's ever so slightly floral from the ylang but very much like crushed red fruits without going candy like. Again you get woods in the background and I cannot detect any oud. The really magic comes towards the dry down when the metallic blood comes out. It's not meaty and could very well be the scent of a metal knife or armor instead. I only got a dram of this and will be uprising. Just a heads up though when I first got this my husband and I smelled it and both immediately said "oh chewing tobacco" 😅 don't wry it totally changes in about 10-14 days 5/5
Cathedral Noir( Aroma palette is earthy, resinous, and smoky. Highlights include holy water, juniper and cedar incense smoke, melted candle wax, aged myrrh resin, lilies, and deep aged labdanum. ) verrrrrry strong smoke. Which I like. This is basically an extra strength version of Hexennachts Fumer with some juniper, cedar and resins underneath. I do not get any of the other notes at all. It's pretty cool though not very easy to wear going places. It last forever too and definitely don't put this in your hair 😆 I recently wore this camping and it was perfect. 3.5/5 cause I wish I got more of the other notes but I'm glad I got a 5ml since I'm out of Fumer.
Hecate (Highlights include Ylang ylang, dark aged patchouli, myrrh, black pepper, hibiscus, leather, and lilac. ) THIS ! YES THIS! This is as close as I have gotten to my perfect SS. It's straight up kinky sex in a bottle. New black leather straight from your trunk of bondage gear mixed with lilac/ylang combo. It's even balanced between the leather and floral and there's no new car smell. I do not get any patchouli or myrrh and it's perfect without it honestly. I will be getting another bottle and I will absolutely be wearing it to my next shibari class. 5/5
Wild Lilac (Highlights include wild blooming lilacs, white musk, hyacinth, and orange.) This is the most realistic lilac I have found. There's a bit of orange in the opening that fades in under a minute. It's a very nostalgic smell for me. When I was a kid I lived in a tiny country town and my best friend lived in an old farmhouse. She had ancient lilac trees in the back yard so big we could climb them. This is the scent of spring afternoons spent among their gnarled branches gathering fresh bouquets. 5/5.
Overall BB is a house that is true to their descriptions. I can easily predict if I'll like a scent and I feel safe blind buying. I've only had issues with longevity with the one scent and look forward to trying more! In fact I have Frogs Breath, Gaia, and Wake Me in September on the way to me now.
I've recommended BPAL's Depraved to quite a few people on here but never felt as though I described it accurately so wanted to offer a review Depraved(aged patchouli and apricot): It's a cool night in the beginning of summer and you're at a small local watering hole in Louisiana's Garden District. The bartender is getting ready to close up shop and filling one last round of drinks. As you push your chair in to leave you see a dark handsome man in leather jacket giving you a strange steady look. You smile invitingly to him and he walks over to place his hand around your waist as you leave the bar. You lead him out into the cool evening air over to your car and you both get in. He doesn't say a word to you as you drive but instead rolls down the car window as he lights a cigar. And you don't look to him for any sort of explanation ; you know just where you're going. You stop in front of a beautiful and abandoned Cathlic Church. St Agnes had stood here for at least a couple centuries now and has been witness to worse deeds than you plan to commit tonight. You both hurry up the steps and through the pews pausing in front of the altar. Until he slowly takes you forward and pushes you down onto the old creaking wood and as he leans into kiss you you smell the cool and smoky earthiness left in his goatee by the cigar he smoked in your car and you can almost taste the apricot brandy left on his lips. But there's something more than both these scents, something shadowy and dark maybe it's the entire spirit of the Garden District itself but whatever it is its completely feral and heartbreakingly untameable.
This is what Depraved smells like and it's why I recommend it so much.
2023.06.06 21:16 clutchdeft Ineligibility of newly installed member could invalidate Oklahoma board vote on Catholic school sponsorship
https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/ineligibility-of-newly-installed-member-could-invalidate-oklahoma-board-vote-on-catholic-school-sponsorship/article_f71f83c6-0478-11ee-93a2-bb85100c09e0.html
Monday’s national headline-making vote to give state sanctioning and Oklahoma taxpayer dollars to a Catholic school may have been invalid.
It turns out the state Attorney General’s Office believes Oklahoma City businessman Brian Bobek is ineligible to serve on the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board until November.
But an email to that effect was not received by the board’s chairman and executive director until after Bobek cast the deciding vote Monday to approve state sponsorship for St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.
If opened, it will be the nation’s first religious charter school.
Long-serving member Barry Beauchamp, a retired school superintendent from Lawton who had been allowed to continue serving after his term expired some months ago, was replaced abruptly on Friday by Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall.
Less than a half hour before Monday’s special board meeting began at noon, Deputy Attorney General Niki Batt sent an email to board Chairman Robert Franklin and Executive Director Rebecca Wilkinson that stated because Beauchamp had not vacated his seat, the law that created the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board only allows Bobek to take over the seat in November.
Franklin said if Bobek was ineligible, his vote was invalid.
He is also concerned that a lengthy, written statement Bobek read during Monday’s meeting, which included numerous legal citations, could have influenced the votes of other board members including Scott Strawn, who was recently appointed to the board by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
“It basically says he shouldn’t even be seated,” Franklin said. “My response is I think his vote should be vacated. Therefore it (the vote) was 2-2 and was voted down. Strawn said, ‘I’m with Brian on his constitutional alignment concerns.’ He (Bobek) shouldn’t have been seated in the seat, he shouldn’t have been able to say what he said, based on what the Attorney General’s Office opinion is."
The Tulsa World obtained the correspondence from the AG’s Office through a public records request. The email was timestamped 11:34 a.m. Monday.
Batt first quoted directly from state statute that created the current Statewide Virtual Charter School Board: "'Members shall serve until their successors are duly appointed for a term of three (3) years. Appointments shall be made by and take effect on November 1 of the year in which the appointment is made.'"
Later in the letter she wrote: “Indeed, it is my understanding that Mr. Beauchamp requested to be reappointed and was only made aware of his replacement on the afternoon of (Friday) June 2, 2023. Mr. Beauchamp’s continued service demonstrates that there was not a vacancy to warrant the immediate placement of Mr. Bobek on the Board. Accordingly, it is my opinion that pursuant to 51 O.S. § 15, Mr. Beauchamp should continue serving until his successor, Mr. Bobek, is duly qualified on November 1 pursuant to the provisions of 70 O.S. § 3-145.1(B).”
But Franklin and Wilkinson have told their fellow board members they did not see the email, which was forwarded to all on Tuesday morning, until after the public meeting ended about 4:20 p.m. on Monday.
“My first thought was ‘Boy, that’s gonna open a can of worms!’” said board member Bill Pearson of Oologah. “It appears to me on the surface that he was an invalid voter yesterday. If I was a betting man, I would bet this vote will be challenged.”
Contacted Tuesday morning, Chairman Franklin of Tulsa said he is mystified why Batt didn’t vocalize her new concerns during the public meeting.
He noted that Batt spoke at length and in great detail about her office’s contention that a government-sponsored private Catholic school would be unconstitutional and strictly prohibited under Oklahoma statute, as well as her concerns that the school’s proposed governing board would not be independent from church elders.
Oklahoma church leaders and lawyers from the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative Clinic who helped them view St. Isidore as a test case to challenge separation of church and state laws across the nation.
They argue that charter schools are private and therefore, the Catholic church should not be barred from obtaining charter school sponsorship and funding on the grounds of religion.
Batt also sounded the alarm that the board’s standard, take-it-or-leave-it sponsorship contract, which is in place with six existing online charter schools, could become unenforceable because it would have to have its requirements related to non-sectarian school operations carved out for St. Isidore.
“It was an error in why that wasn’t brought to the light of the day at the forefront of the meeting, rather than in an email not seen until after the meeting,” Franklin said on Tuesday. “I don’t think there was anything underhanded, I just think it was an oversight that, in the rearview mirror, has major consequential questions.”
What will be done about it?
Phil Bacharach, spokesman for Attorney General Gentner Drummond, responded: “The Attorney General has consistently maintained that a vote of approval is unconstitutional and not supported by current Oklahoma law. He will carefully weigh all available options before taking any action.”
Asked why Batt did not email the entire board, Bacharach said a memo sent only to the executive director and chairman is how the AG’s Office “typically responds” to queries.
Whether or not Bobek was personally advised that he was ineligible to serve or vote drew this response: “No. The Attorney General’s Office provides legal counsel to the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, not to potential members before they are sworn in.”
However, House Speaker Charles McCall was notified Monday by the state’s top law enforcement office that his new appointee is ineligible to serve until November.
Daniel Seitz, spokesman for the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus, defended Bobek’s last-minute appointment to the board.
“The speaker was simply filling an expired term,” he said Tuesday. “At no point was there any conversation about how Bobek would vote on something or any litmus test. The speaker gets recommendations from members of the (GOP) caucus and makes appointments.
“As far as the attorney general goes, they haven’t come out and given any official opinion. I think that was a courtesy letter. I don’t think that carried the weight of law. Those two things are very different when it comes to the weight they carry.”
Franklin, who voted “no” on the St. Isidore application, said he resents that the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board finds itself in the position of having the eligibility of a member and validity of its votes called into question after seven months of review work on the St. Isidore application.
“Why on earth would they do this?” he said of McCall’s last-minute appointment. “It looks like a very clumsy, elementary political move. But I don't think it was clumsy — I think it was very intentional. They had to know what it would look like. That’s why I asked Mr. Bobek yesterday, ‘Don’t put us in the position of looking like we’re a political conduit.’ Here we find ourselves today in that position.”
At the conclusion of Monday’s meeting, Franklin announced that he intends to resign from the board.
Asked about the timeline for that on Tuesday, Franklin clarified that he only meant that he does not intend to continue his board service when the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board is abolished because of a new state law.
Senate Bill 516, which was just signed into law by Gov. Stitt on Monday, will do away with the board come 2024 and create a new governing board with expanded authority over all charter schools.
Ironically, SB 516 states: “A charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations. A sponsor may not authorize a charter school or program that is affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian school or religious institution.”
Pearson, who was appointed by Speaker McCall a few months ago, differed from Bobek by voting “no” on the St. Isidore application.
Asked whether he had made anyone aware of his position before Monday’s meeting, Pearson said no.
“When I was appointed, I had no clue what was going on with St. Isidore. All I was ever asked was do I believe in school choice? It took a lot of time to read up on the subject and review the application. I’m a strong conservative, and if you are a true conservative, you believe in the rule of law.
Then he added: “I’m all for school choice, but if you want secular schools, you have to change the laws.”
Bobek has not responded to a Tuesday morning email from the Tulsa World seeking comment.
submitted by clutchdeft to oklahoma [link] [comments]
Monday’s national headline-making vote to give state sanctioning and Oklahoma taxpayer dollars to a Catholic school may have been invalid.
It turns out the state Attorney General’s Office believes Oklahoma City businessman Brian Bobek is ineligible to serve on the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board until November.
But an email to that effect was not received by the board’s chairman and executive director until after Bobek cast the deciding vote Monday to approve state sponsorship for St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.
If opened, it will be the nation’s first religious charter school.
Long-serving member Barry Beauchamp, a retired school superintendent from Lawton who had been allowed to continue serving after his term expired some months ago, was replaced abruptly on Friday by Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall.
Less than a half hour before Monday’s special board meeting began at noon, Deputy Attorney General Niki Batt sent an email to board Chairman Robert Franklin and Executive Director Rebecca Wilkinson that stated because Beauchamp had not vacated his seat, the law that created the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board only allows Bobek to take over the seat in November.
Franklin said if Bobek was ineligible, his vote was invalid.
He is also concerned that a lengthy, written statement Bobek read during Monday’s meeting, which included numerous legal citations, could have influenced the votes of other board members including Scott Strawn, who was recently appointed to the board by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
“It basically says he shouldn’t even be seated,” Franklin said. “My response is I think his vote should be vacated. Therefore it (the vote) was 2-2 and was voted down. Strawn said, ‘I’m with Brian on his constitutional alignment concerns.’ He (Bobek) shouldn’t have been seated in the seat, he shouldn’t have been able to say what he said, based on what the Attorney General’s Office opinion is."
The Tulsa World obtained the correspondence from the AG’s Office through a public records request. The email was timestamped 11:34 a.m. Monday.
Batt first quoted directly from state statute that created the current Statewide Virtual Charter School Board: "'Members shall serve until their successors are duly appointed for a term of three (3) years. Appointments shall be made by and take effect on November 1 of the year in which the appointment is made.'"
Later in the letter she wrote: “Indeed, it is my understanding that Mr. Beauchamp requested to be reappointed and was only made aware of his replacement on the afternoon of (Friday) June 2, 2023. Mr. Beauchamp’s continued service demonstrates that there was not a vacancy to warrant the immediate placement of Mr. Bobek on the Board. Accordingly, it is my opinion that pursuant to 51 O.S. § 15, Mr. Beauchamp should continue serving until his successor, Mr. Bobek, is duly qualified on November 1 pursuant to the provisions of 70 O.S. § 3-145.1(B).”
But Franklin and Wilkinson have told their fellow board members they did not see the email, which was forwarded to all on Tuesday morning, until after the public meeting ended about 4:20 p.m. on Monday.
“My first thought was ‘Boy, that’s gonna open a can of worms!’” said board member Bill Pearson of Oologah. “It appears to me on the surface that he was an invalid voter yesterday. If I was a betting man, I would bet this vote will be challenged.”
Contacted Tuesday morning, Chairman Franklin of Tulsa said he is mystified why Batt didn’t vocalize her new concerns during the public meeting.
He noted that Batt spoke at length and in great detail about her office’s contention that a government-sponsored private Catholic school would be unconstitutional and strictly prohibited under Oklahoma statute, as well as her concerns that the school’s proposed governing board would not be independent from church elders.
Oklahoma church leaders and lawyers from the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative Clinic who helped them view St. Isidore as a test case to challenge separation of church and state laws across the nation.
They argue that charter schools are private and therefore, the Catholic church should not be barred from obtaining charter school sponsorship and funding on the grounds of religion.
Batt also sounded the alarm that the board’s standard, take-it-or-leave-it sponsorship contract, which is in place with six existing online charter schools, could become unenforceable because it would have to have its requirements related to non-sectarian school operations carved out for St. Isidore.
“It was an error in why that wasn’t brought to the light of the day at the forefront of the meeting, rather than in an email not seen until after the meeting,” Franklin said on Tuesday. “I don’t think there was anything underhanded, I just think it was an oversight that, in the rearview mirror, has major consequential questions.”
What will be done about it?
Phil Bacharach, spokesman for Attorney General Gentner Drummond, responded: “The Attorney General has consistently maintained that a vote of approval is unconstitutional and not supported by current Oklahoma law. He will carefully weigh all available options before taking any action.”
Asked why Batt did not email the entire board, Bacharach said a memo sent only to the executive director and chairman is how the AG’s Office “typically responds” to queries.
Whether or not Bobek was personally advised that he was ineligible to serve or vote drew this response: “No. The Attorney General’s Office provides legal counsel to the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, not to potential members before they are sworn in.”
However, House Speaker Charles McCall was notified Monday by the state’s top law enforcement office that his new appointee is ineligible to serve until November.
Daniel Seitz, spokesman for the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus, defended Bobek’s last-minute appointment to the board.
“The speaker was simply filling an expired term,” he said Tuesday. “At no point was there any conversation about how Bobek would vote on something or any litmus test. The speaker gets recommendations from members of the (GOP) caucus and makes appointments.
“As far as the attorney general goes, they haven’t come out and given any official opinion. I think that was a courtesy letter. I don’t think that carried the weight of law. Those two things are very different when it comes to the weight they carry.”
Franklin, who voted “no” on the St. Isidore application, said he resents that the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board finds itself in the position of having the eligibility of a member and validity of its votes called into question after seven months of review work on the St. Isidore application.
“Why on earth would they do this?” he said of McCall’s last-minute appointment. “It looks like a very clumsy, elementary political move. But I don't think it was clumsy — I think it was very intentional. They had to know what it would look like. That’s why I asked Mr. Bobek yesterday, ‘Don’t put us in the position of looking like we’re a political conduit.’ Here we find ourselves today in that position.”
At the conclusion of Monday’s meeting, Franklin announced that he intends to resign from the board.
Asked about the timeline for that on Tuesday, Franklin clarified that he only meant that he does not intend to continue his board service when the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board is abolished because of a new state law.
Senate Bill 516, which was just signed into law by Gov. Stitt on Monday, will do away with the board come 2024 and create a new governing board with expanded authority over all charter schools.
Ironically, SB 516 states: “A charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations. A sponsor may not authorize a charter school or program that is affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian school or religious institution.”
Pearson, who was appointed by Speaker McCall a few months ago, differed from Bobek by voting “no” on the St. Isidore application.
Asked whether he had made anyone aware of his position before Monday’s meeting, Pearson said no.
“When I was appointed, I had no clue what was going on with St. Isidore. All I was ever asked was do I believe in school choice? It took a lot of time to read up on the subject and review the application. I’m a strong conservative, and if you are a true conservative, you believe in the rule of law.
Then he added: “I’m all for school choice, but if you want secular schools, you have to change the laws.”
Bobek has not responded to a Tuesday morning email from the Tulsa World seeking comment.
2023.06.06 21:10 Key-Win7744 Your thoughts on "The Sword in the Stone" (1963)
https://preview.redd.it/ee6qz0rd5g4b1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=971449d3202978b8ce88cd69542d8ea7327d2925
Overview
Based on the Arthurian novel by T.H. White, The Sword in the Stone chronicles the adventures of young King Arthur with Merlin, in the days immediately before he pulled the sword from the stone and proved himself the rightful heir to the throne of England. It received mixed reviews, but was a box office success, and was the last of the WDAS features to be released during Walt Disney's lifetime.
Point by Point
The Sword in the Stone is a good bit of fun, but, compared to most other films in the WDAS canon, it's on the weaker side of things. The narrative isn't very strong or cohesive, none of the characters have become stand-outs in Disney mythology, and the song catalog is severely lacking, with just a few brief, forgettable tunes. I like it, but I think it's comparatively low-tier.
Current Ranking
submitted by Key-Win7744 to DisneyPlus [link] [comments]
Overview
Based on the Arthurian novel by T.H. White, The Sword in the Stone chronicles the adventures of young King Arthur with Merlin, in the days immediately before he pulled the sword from the stone and proved himself the rightful heir to the throne of England. It received mixed reviews, but was a box office success, and was the last of the WDAS features to be released during Walt Disney's lifetime.
Point by Point
- We open on England enduring "a Dark Age; without law and without order". No king sits on the throne. Deep in the forest lives Merlin, a likable and eccentric character whose absentmindedness and occasional clumsiness make him more endearing than if he were played completely straight. As he can see clear visions of the future, and also travel through time, he frequently makes reference to anachronistic things like airplanes, steam engines, and indoor plumbing, none of which the other characters are familiar with. He's a bit like a forebear of the Genie from Aladdin. Like that character, Merlin's magical nature provides ample opportunity for comedy and winks to the audience.
- Even Merlin doesn't appear to know why Arthur - or Wart, as he's called here - is important; all he knows is that fate has thrust the boy into his care. So he sets out to educate Wart, primarily through adventures in the forms of various animals. The sequence in the moat - with Merlin and Wart transforming into fish - focuses on the laws of physics, and eventually becomes a lesson in the principle of brains over brawn when a much bigger, more predatory fish shows up.
- Quickly following is the squirrel sequence, which begins as a lesson in the law of gravity, but ultimately imparts some wisdom about love too. Watching the girl squirrel fall in love with Wart's squirrel form is funny and cute, and the situation only becomes more comedic when Merlin manages to attract a prospective mate of his own. (I kind of feel bad for the skinny, mangy wolf that's been dogging Wart's steps, trying to get a bite, only to be met with calamity. He's not evil, he just needs something to eat.)
- The wizards' duel between Merlin and Madam Mim is fun and full of energy, and probably the highlight of the movie. Mim cheats frequently and flagrantly, and turns into various predators, while Merlin sticks mostly to meeker forms like a mouse, a rabbit, and a Billy goat. He still manages to outsmart her, proving to Wart his earlier point about brains over brawn.
- I think Merlin overreacts a bit when Wart becomes Kay's squire. It's not a permanent position, after all. He can still continue his education. There's no need for Merlin to blow himself to Bermuda over it. Of course, it was all supposed to be this way, because if Wart hadn't been Kay's squire, then he wouldn't have forgotten Kay's sword at the inn, and he wouldn't have ended up pulling the sword from the stone and fulfilling his destiny.
The Sword in the Stone is a good bit of fun, but, compared to most other films in the WDAS canon, it's on the weaker side of things. The narrative isn't very strong or cohesive, none of the characters have become stand-outs in Disney mythology, and the song catalog is severely lacking, with just a few brief, forgettable tunes. I like it, but I think it's comparatively low-tier.
Current Ranking
- Sleeping Beauty
- Lady and the Tramp
- Pinocchio
- Bambi
- Cinderella
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Alice in Wonderland
- Peter Pan
- Dumbo
- One Hundred and One Dalmatians
- The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
- The Sword in the Stone
- Fantasia
- Melody Time
- Fun and Fancy Free
- The Three Caballeros
- Make Mine Music
- Saludos Amigos
2023.06.06 21:06 Easilymapquest $COFFEE - It all began when a local coffee shop named “Decentralised Brews”introduced a revolutionary concept
Once upon a time in the world of memes, there was a caffeinated tale that blended the love for coffee with the excitement of crypto. In a small town named Bitpresso, where every morning started with a cup of joe, something extraordinary happened.
It all began when a local coffee shop named ‘Decentralized Brews’ introduced a revolutionary concept. They decided to accept cryptocurrencies as payment for their delicious brews. People were intrigued, for they could now satisfy their coffee cravings and dabble in the world of crypto simultaneously. Word spread like wildfire, and soon, the sleepy town became a hub of crypto enthusiasts. The line at Decentralized Brews grew longer, filled with people craving both a caffeine boost and the thrill of decentralized finance. It was like witnessing a bull run in a coffee mug. As the coffee shop flourished, the barista, a wise old soul named Satoshi Beans, took it upon himself to educate the patrons about the wonders of cryptocurrency. He would engage in animated conversations, comparing the flavors of various coffees to different digital currencies. The shop’s menu transformed into a crypto lexicon. Customers were faced with choices like ‘Espresso Coin,’ a strong and concentrated shot of flavor, or ‘Cappuccino Coin,’ a creamy blend of frothy goodness. And if you wanted something extra special, you could order the ‘Double Shot NFT Latte,’ a limited edition digital artwork served with a side of steamed milk. Soon, the café became a meeting place for crypto enthusiasts to exchange ideas, share tips, and discuss the latest blockchain projects. Some even claimed to have mined their coffee beans instead of the traditional farming methods. It was a blend of technology, caffeine, and humor that created an unforgettable experience. And so, in this whimsical tale, the power of coffee and crypto united, reminding us that sometimes, the most unexpected combinations can lead to extraordinary experiences. So, grab your cup of Crypto Coffee, embrace the memes, and sip your way to the moon!
https://www.0xcoffee.co/ TG: @DecentralisedBrews TWITTER : @0xcoffee_eth
submitted by Easilymapquest to CryptoMoonShots [link] [comments]
It all began when a local coffee shop named ‘Decentralized Brews’ introduced a revolutionary concept. They decided to accept cryptocurrencies as payment for their delicious brews. People were intrigued, for they could now satisfy their coffee cravings and dabble in the world of crypto simultaneously. Word spread like wildfire, and soon, the sleepy town became a hub of crypto enthusiasts. The line at Decentralized Brews grew longer, filled with people craving both a caffeine boost and the thrill of decentralized finance. It was like witnessing a bull run in a coffee mug. As the coffee shop flourished, the barista, a wise old soul named Satoshi Beans, took it upon himself to educate the patrons about the wonders of cryptocurrency. He would engage in animated conversations, comparing the flavors of various coffees to different digital currencies. The shop’s menu transformed into a crypto lexicon. Customers were faced with choices like ‘Espresso Coin,’ a strong and concentrated shot of flavor, or ‘Cappuccino Coin,’ a creamy blend of frothy goodness. And if you wanted something extra special, you could order the ‘Double Shot NFT Latte,’ a limited edition digital artwork served with a side of steamed milk. Soon, the café became a meeting place for crypto enthusiasts to exchange ideas, share tips, and discuss the latest blockchain projects. Some even claimed to have mined their coffee beans instead of the traditional farming methods. It was a blend of technology, caffeine, and humor that created an unforgettable experience. And so, in this whimsical tale, the power of coffee and crypto united, reminding us that sometimes, the most unexpected combinations can lead to extraordinary experiences. So, grab your cup of Crypto Coffee, embrace the memes, and sip your way to the moon!
https://www.0xcoffee.co/ TG: @DecentralisedBrews TWITTER : @0xcoffee_eth
2023.06.06 19:35 ServoToken Weekly Testing Report #2
Hey y'all, back for my next Weekly Testing Report. Just as a recap if you missed the last post: I do a lot of testing every week, and this is a series to showcase what i've learned about each deck i've played. Each deck will have a quick overview, a breakdown of its tested matchups, an overall rating, and any changes I am thinking about making at the moment. Not every deck is a banger, but I want to try everything out at some point.
I test everything against what I call the "Affinity Test", which is a suite of decks that I feel best represent each macro archetype (aggro, control, midrange, combo) at the moment, alongside any number of other random brews that I find that people have been working on.
I'll list those extra decks under each deck's heading, but for this week the Affinity Test was represented by Affinity, High Tide, White Initiative (sometimes Everett's GW list, sometimes a mono white build that I have, sometimes a RW list), and UW Miracles.
---
Rakdos Scam
Rakdos Scam is a Black Red midrange deck that looks to utilize "scam" cards that rebirth a creature when it dies. Undying Malice, Supernatural Stamina, etc. The main principle is to take advantage of creatures with strong ETB or death triggers, and double up on those while applying pressure with the creature half of the card.
When assembling this deck, I found a rather striking lack of cards that want to both die and enter play, which initially led me to believe that the archetype would be impossible to fully support. After some digging though, I realized that not only were there a small handful of very strong options, but that there was an infinite combo available as well. Dualcaster mage plus a sacrifice outlet go infinite with any of the scam cards, which means that there are a variety of "infinites" in the deck, from +1/+1 counters on carrion feeder to mana via treasure tokens to damage output via bombardment / judith.
In testing, the deck performed about along the lines of where I expected an untuned midrange deck to perform. It's quite good at stopping the aggro decks, but not a whole ton else. Hymn and Inquisition of course carry a lot of weight when it comes to disruption, which helps a ton in the control and combo matchups, but the creature suite is sort of fragile in the wake of actual removal spells - even with the scam cards as backup. I also found that the combo was way too fragile, and not super effective when broken down into components because the deck just doesn't have enough mana to support holding Dualcaster up at all times. I think that this may be better as a classic RakSac type of build similar to the pioneer deck, or maybe more of a Zombardment deck if the pieces can come together. At the moment, it just feels like you're relying on Bloodtithe and Judith to tag team to victory, and that's just not good enough in a good number of matchups. This is an archetype that i'm highly interested in however, and will likely be sticking with once I find a way to make it work.
Overall rating: 6/10
Primal Ponza
Primal Ponza is a spin on Green Devotion that uses the classic Arbor Elf / Wild Growth package to power out some mix of land-destruction and big old creatures that can close out a game once the opponent is slowed down enough. It's a classic ramp style deck that wants to cheat on mana costs, while also implementing a prison style squeeze on the opponent's mana base to make sure that it doesn't need to work too hard to get to that point of casting end game threats on repeat.
I was quite surprised by this deck. between the efficiency of the ramp cards and the sheer strength of land destruction in concept against a wide variety of decks, Ponza was able to do what it wanted to do a very high percentage of the time. Between the ability to stop the opponent from casting spells and the diversity of win conditions, the deck feels like it's got game against a lot more decks than a more conventional ramp oriented deck otherwise might. Roaring Primadox was a standout card. It feels very win-more when you read the ability in conjunction with the ETB effects happening in the win condition suite, but with its ability to act as a panharmonicon and bury the opponent in card advantage or to be a prison piece while working with Acidic Slime, the card put in a ton of work. I feel like there isn't a lot to change in this deck aside from perhaps some more suitable win conditions per the meta game.
In the Affinity Test, the deck was able to step on every archetype in one form or another. Combo struggled with the prison elements if there was a real clock in play, control usually started to fall behind when LD got started, and midrange wasn't able to 141 their way through the onslaught well enough to overtake positioning. Aggro was the only archetype that could really get under the strategy, either by going wide very quickly or by shooting the ramp creatures with burn spells and slowing the deck down tremendously.
Honestly, I don't think that i'm playing with the right suite of win conditions, but I do think that the other aspects of the deck are both very strong and the correct choices for their slots. I will continue working with this deck for a while to see if there aren't any major innovations to be made in the meantime however.
Overall Rating: 8/10
High Tide
So I understand that people have worked on High Tide before me. I'm not saying that i've innovated the deck, created anything, or otherwise. I'm largely just learning the ins and outs of the deck, because I've never played with the strategy before in a serious way.
High tide is a mono blue storm-style combo deck that uses its namesake in order to increase the output of its islands, then takes advantage of some well-meaning cards from 20 years ago to untap those lands and produce a bunch of mana. It then looks to draw a ton of cards, and eventually win the game by emptying the opponent's library. Blue Sun's Zenith is the common way to make this happen, but Brainfreeze, Fascination, Folio of Fancies, or a few other options have also been tried.
I've been using High Tide in my Affinity Test, which means that it sees a lot of action already. However, putting the deck through it's paces is also important to learning how the deck is supposed to work. It presents a strong clock against most decks, with its capacity to go off on turn three fairly regularly, turn two as a possibility, and turn four absolutely. It's difficult to disrupt and can fight through common hate pieces like Thalia with ease. It's less a matter of figuring out the right way to do things and more so memorizing patterns and recognizing when to focus on cards in hand vs when to focus on generating mana.
At the moment I don't see any changes being necessary, i'm happy with all of the cards and how they function in their specific slots. I might trim back one impulse for another solve the equation, but that's more or less just the minutiae. I've also attempted other builds, such as a paragrine drake ghostly flicker build, but those have often been too fragile or slow even though their output levels are superior. With the snap cloud of Faeries version, you only need two lands to get going.
Not a very exciting wrap up, because a lot of us already know what High Tide does and is capable of doing, but I put it here anyway just to note that i've spent A TON of time learning the deck this week, and that's why there isn't a whole lot else here.
Overall Rating: 9/10
submitted by ServoToken to BudgetVintage [link] [comments]
I test everything against what I call the "Affinity Test", which is a suite of decks that I feel best represent each macro archetype (aggro, control, midrange, combo) at the moment, alongside any number of other random brews that I find that people have been working on.
I'll list those extra decks under each deck's heading, but for this week the Affinity Test was represented by Affinity, High Tide, White Initiative (sometimes Everett's GW list, sometimes a mono white build that I have, sometimes a RW list), and UW Miracles.
---
Rakdos Scam
Rakdos Scam is a Black Red midrange deck that looks to utilize "scam" cards that rebirth a creature when it dies. Undying Malice, Supernatural Stamina, etc. The main principle is to take advantage of creatures with strong ETB or death triggers, and double up on those while applying pressure with the creature half of the card.
When assembling this deck, I found a rather striking lack of cards that want to both die and enter play, which initially led me to believe that the archetype would be impossible to fully support. After some digging though, I realized that not only were there a small handful of very strong options, but that there was an infinite combo available as well. Dualcaster mage plus a sacrifice outlet go infinite with any of the scam cards, which means that there are a variety of "infinites" in the deck, from +1/+1 counters on carrion feeder to mana via treasure tokens to damage output via bombardment / judith.
In testing, the deck performed about along the lines of where I expected an untuned midrange deck to perform. It's quite good at stopping the aggro decks, but not a whole ton else. Hymn and Inquisition of course carry a lot of weight when it comes to disruption, which helps a ton in the control and combo matchups, but the creature suite is sort of fragile in the wake of actual removal spells - even with the scam cards as backup. I also found that the combo was way too fragile, and not super effective when broken down into components because the deck just doesn't have enough mana to support holding Dualcaster up at all times. I think that this may be better as a classic RakSac type of build similar to the pioneer deck, or maybe more of a Zombardment deck if the pieces can come together. At the moment, it just feels like you're relying on Bloodtithe and Judith to tag team to victory, and that's just not good enough in a good number of matchups. This is an archetype that i'm highly interested in however, and will likely be sticking with once I find a way to make it work.
Overall rating: 6/10
Primal Ponza
Primal Ponza is a spin on Green Devotion that uses the classic Arbor Elf / Wild Growth package to power out some mix of land-destruction and big old creatures that can close out a game once the opponent is slowed down enough. It's a classic ramp style deck that wants to cheat on mana costs, while also implementing a prison style squeeze on the opponent's mana base to make sure that it doesn't need to work too hard to get to that point of casting end game threats on repeat.
I was quite surprised by this deck. between the efficiency of the ramp cards and the sheer strength of land destruction in concept against a wide variety of decks, Ponza was able to do what it wanted to do a very high percentage of the time. Between the ability to stop the opponent from casting spells and the diversity of win conditions, the deck feels like it's got game against a lot more decks than a more conventional ramp oriented deck otherwise might. Roaring Primadox was a standout card. It feels very win-more when you read the ability in conjunction with the ETB effects happening in the win condition suite, but with its ability to act as a panharmonicon and bury the opponent in card advantage or to be a prison piece while working with Acidic Slime, the card put in a ton of work. I feel like there isn't a lot to change in this deck aside from perhaps some more suitable win conditions per the meta game.
In the Affinity Test, the deck was able to step on every archetype in one form or another. Combo struggled with the prison elements if there was a real clock in play, control usually started to fall behind when LD got started, and midrange wasn't able to 141 their way through the onslaught well enough to overtake positioning. Aggro was the only archetype that could really get under the strategy, either by going wide very quickly or by shooting the ramp creatures with burn spells and slowing the deck down tremendously.
Honestly, I don't think that i'm playing with the right suite of win conditions, but I do think that the other aspects of the deck are both very strong and the correct choices for their slots. I will continue working with this deck for a while to see if there aren't any major innovations to be made in the meantime however.
Overall Rating: 8/10
High Tide
So I understand that people have worked on High Tide before me. I'm not saying that i've innovated the deck, created anything, or otherwise. I'm largely just learning the ins and outs of the deck, because I've never played with the strategy before in a serious way.
High tide is a mono blue storm-style combo deck that uses its namesake in order to increase the output of its islands, then takes advantage of some well-meaning cards from 20 years ago to untap those lands and produce a bunch of mana. It then looks to draw a ton of cards, and eventually win the game by emptying the opponent's library. Blue Sun's Zenith is the common way to make this happen, but Brainfreeze, Fascination, Folio of Fancies, or a few other options have also been tried.
I've been using High Tide in my Affinity Test, which means that it sees a lot of action already. However, putting the deck through it's paces is also important to learning how the deck is supposed to work. It presents a strong clock against most decks, with its capacity to go off on turn three fairly regularly, turn two as a possibility, and turn four absolutely. It's difficult to disrupt and can fight through common hate pieces like Thalia with ease. It's less a matter of figuring out the right way to do things and more so memorizing patterns and recognizing when to focus on cards in hand vs when to focus on generating mana.
At the moment I don't see any changes being necessary, i'm happy with all of the cards and how they function in their specific slots. I might trim back one impulse for another solve the equation, but that's more or less just the minutiae. I've also attempted other builds, such as a paragrine drake ghostly flicker build, but those have often been too fragile or slow even though their output levels are superior. With the snap cloud of Faeries version, you only need two lands to get going.
Not a very exciting wrap up, because a lot of us already know what High Tide does and is capable of doing, but I put it here anyway just to note that i've spent A TON of time learning the deck this week, and that's why there isn't a whole lot else here.
Overall Rating: 9/10
2023.06.06 19:06 Wise_Function8779 [Review] 30 or so fragrances reviews, for the archives! Some clones, some designer, some niche, cheapies, high end, low end.
Let's just jump right into it! Hopefully this helps some blind buying souls such as myself. Here are some reviews:
Afnan 9PM - JPG Ultra Male: Picked up a bottle at Amazon for $35USD at the suggestion of one of the users in one of my previous threads. Typical paper cardboard housing with Afnan branding. But we're here for the juice anyways. Basic design but... premium feeling. Nice weight, the atomizer cap is also premium. Good strong spray that outputs a cloud of mist, very good atomizer. First spray you're hit with a citrus and lavender scent, fairly fruity, but this almost immediately leaves and is replaced by a very warm scent which I would describe as a spicy amber. This sticks around but only as an undertone to the extreme vanilla. It's not overpowering, but it's identifiable. Very nice. The first time I sprayed it, I immediately identified the JPG heritage in it, I have owned Le Male and that vanilla is identifiable anywhere. Highly recommend. 8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Ana Abiyedh Rouge - Baccarat Rouge 540: If this is an accurate BR540 clone, I can confidently say the scent is very mid. Leans heavily on wood and amber, gives CK Obsession vibes oddly. I wear this because others are in love with it. Have gotten raving compliments. But I also rarely wear it alone, layering it with CDNIM. Great performance, lasting many hours projecting, and when it becomes a skin scent it's there until you wash your clothes I swear. Edit: I got a BR540 authentic decant, it's VERY similar. Like REALLY similar. The price difference on the two is nuts. 6/10. Would I wear it again: Reluctantly Would I want to smell it on someone else: Not really Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Armaf Odyssey Homme - Dior Homme Intense/Valentino Uomo Intense: Almost tobacco spicy like smell on first spray, then settles into a vanilla amber. Lots and lots of amber and vanilla with this one. Good winter fragrance. Affordable price. Average projection and performance of 4-5 hours max. Not really for me honestly, it doesn't stand out. 6/10. Would I wear it again: Meh Would I want to smell it on someone else: Not really Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Shades of Blue - D&G Light Blue: A fantastic fresh fragrance, and for the price it's amazing. Definitely the best smelling Belcam cologne yet in my opinion - other than the shit performance. It's so bad guys. Spray and it's become a skin scent within 20 minutes max. Over spray like crazy for a slight chance at this sticking around. Fantastic as just a pillow spray/room scenter imo. 6.5/10, major dings for performance. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Geau Black - ADG Profumo: Has a pepper musk added to the original Acqua Di Gio scent, and I'm not sure I like it. Mid performance, lasting perhaps an hour. Great price as always from Belcam. 5/10. Would I wear it again: Eh Would I want to smell it on someone else: Meh Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Geau Original - ADG: When I picked this one up I had a bottle of the original ADG on hand, and upon spraying both on both arms, I found Belcams perfume actually lasted longer than the OG. It is more linear than ADG, but after letting my dad (who's worn ADG for years) try to distinguish between the two after the dry down, he picked Belcams perfume as his choice for which more accurately represented what he thinks of when he sprays ADG! Very intriguing. Good price as always! 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Classic Match - Drakkar Noir: This is obviously intended to be a clone of Drakkar Noir. I have a bottle on hand, so I was able to compare the two. Personally I find the original Drakkar to be midtier at best in terms of performance and general smell, but I digress. Spraying both on me, the initial scent and the dry down both had Classic Match as a dead ringer for Drakkar! There was a bit of a pine undertone that perhaps was not quite right, but very easy to miss. Oddly, when I let my brother and father try out distinguishing the two in the initial spray, they both disagreed with me that one smelled vastly different from the other. It's possible their sniffers were off as we had been at new perfume testing for a while by that point. I have to disagree with them, it's a really good clone. 7/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Geau Blue - ADG Profondo: This one from Belcam takes all the notes of ADG that we love and gives it a...well...blue smell! It smells fresher, more vibrant than the original ADG. I have gotten many compliments on this one. Again though, it doesn't last for too long. Maybe an hour to an hour and a half max. Great price! A strong clone of ADG Profondo. 8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Volatile - Viktor and Rolf Spicebomb: This thing succeeds in being a spicebomb-esque clone. It is incredibly spicy, and called volatile for a reason. That being said, it's a lovely fragrance, for a super affordable price, you can't go wrong with this one. Lasting an hour or so before becoming skin scent, it's one of my favorites from this house. 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Club de Nuit Sillage - Creed Silver Mountain Water: So intriguing. I've never seen someone capture the smells of both metallic twang and freshwater nature green in the same scent. A good price, from a good house, and well worth a try. 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Creed Virgin Island water: Opens very tropical, lemony with a coconut oil background, it's not as straight coconut as I expected, and has a much appreciated twist of citrus. It quickly dies down into a lemony coconut. I can still faintly smell this on myself as a skin scent like 12 hours later. Not bad. Pretty good as a summer fragrance. Gives me "out of the shower" lotion vibes. 7/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Time will tell...
Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue: Didn't realize the original light blue wasn't unisex lol so I ended up trying the women's version. It opens with a ton of citrus, lemon, and then it gave me lemondrops, it kind of got more candy like. After a few minutes on it's settled into a solid lemon citrus where I expect it to remain. 6/10 Would I wear it again: No Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Not for me. Too linear and citrus sweet.
English Laundry's Tahitian Waters: Picked this up for $4 at Marshall's on discount, an absolute steal I could not pass up. It has a bottle that captivates me for some reason, chrome at some angles, nearly see through at others. It has a faint alcohol smell to it, but it's not a big deal. I definitely get citrus, and some have described the dry down as musk with baked cookies. Overall very tropical, and super refreshing! It's downfall is weak performance, gone within the hour almost. Fairly strong sillage, many people being able to smell it on me after application from a few feet away! Likeable, and a nice summer frag. 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it! If you can get it on the cheap, it's a nice addition to any lineup.
Guerlain Angelique Noir: On first spray you're hit with the most pleasant authentic vanilla bean you've ever smelled. There's a bit of a woody musk background, but this leaves in around an hour for me where only pure sweet vanilla remains. It's a very premium, rich, seductive scent of intense vanilla. 7.5/10 Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: No. It's way overpriced for what it is. It's good, but not THAT good. I don't think I'll look beyond my little sample for this one.
Hermes H24: A very woody/green fragrance, it's herbal at it's...almost finest? It smells like boiled peanuts up close to me, not in a bad way necessarily, but also not in a good way. This may be due to the floral notes similar to that of peanut oil or something. Either way, it's a decent pick for the price, projection is just ok, lasted on me for 4 hours before becoming skin scent.... nothing too special, but it smells different which is always nice. Just didn't wow me. 6.5/10. Would I wear it again: Eh. Yeah I guess. Would I want to smell it on someone else: Not really, it's not bad I just wouldn't seek it out. Would I buy the full bottle: Probably not. It's just not for me.
Kilian Angel's Share: I'm in love. This is what love is. I thought I loved cooking. I thought I loved puppies. I thought I loved my parents. No. I love Kilian Angel's Share. This is my top fall fragrance, #1 for clubbing, #1 for evocativeness, #1 for NOSTALGIA. This has personal meaning for me, but when I was younger, sometimes my parents would make desserts for us, and one of my favorites was apple pie. They made it with cinnamon and the most delicious syrupy sweet apples and perfectly crisp crust. This fragrance takes me back to those times. Some insist there is no apple note and that what I'm smelling is just the cinnamon, perhaps this is true, but I die on the hill that this fragrance smells exactly like vanilla, cognac, and homemade cinnamon apple pie :) Its expensive, but in my opinion, you can't put a price on memories and emotions, and that's what this fragrance brings to me. I recently got a good deal on a full bottle, thank you to the user that helped me go back to when I was 8 years old with just a single spray. 9/10, price is a hold up if you're looking at retail. Would I wear it again: Always Would I want to smell it on someone else: I would pass away or propose on the spot Would I buy the full bottle: Never discontinue this Kilian.
Lattafa Asad - Dior Sauvage Elixir: I hate the original sauvage. It offends my nose in so many ways, and I'm not a fan. This however, as a clone of elixir, with it's stronger emphasis on spice and "christmastime" succeeds in taking the little that is good from the original Sauvage and makes it delicious. A very good winter fragrance, at a very good price, with decent performance of 3-4 hours. 8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Lattafa Fakhar - YSL Y: I've never owned YSL Y, so I can't vouch for it's accuracy, but I love this one so much. It's such a good fresh scent to spray on, I've gotten many compliments on it, it's price is great, it has good projection, pretty sweet though so if that's not your thing...The performance is nothing to write home about, lasting 3.5 hours max. Blind buy safe for sure. Edit: Everyone claims this is a YSL Y clone, but I got a sample of Valentino Uomo Born in Roma and the two smell very similar. Please let me know if anyone else has experienced this. 7/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Lattafa Khamrah - Kilian Angels Share: My first boozy cologne, and a blind buy, I was a little worried. I've heard this takes ideas from Angel's Share but perhaps leans towards its own scent profile. Either way, I like Khamrah. It gives a lot of clubbing vibes, and it is a very thick scent, so I'm careful how I spray this one. Great performance, average pricing, interesting packaging. A good cologne to round out your scent profiles in your collection if you are yet to partake in a boozy one. Very sweet. Fragrantica describes it's notes as boozy/balsamic, and I agree. Edit: Got an Angel's Share sample, the two are not particularly alike. The boozy apple smell is very prominent in Angels Share, and I almost smell alcoholic apple pie. I prefer Angels Share in terms of just scent profile. 7/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Maison Alhambra Bright Peach - TF Bitter Peach: Assaults my nose. I used to hate this fragrance, after using it a couple times, I now just dislike it. Both parents and siblings disliked. Woman friend disliked. It's just too sickly thick in my opinion. Maybe I need more time. 4/10. Edit, I've now worn it a few more times, it's been a week, and I even voluntarily reached for it today. I still found it very cloying, but after about an hour it calmed down and even netted a compliment from a friend! 6/10. Second edit: I got an authentic sample of Bitter peach, the two are close (maybe 80% similar) but the Alhambra is much less light and much more cloying 6.5/10. Would I wear it again: It keeps getting better so yes. Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Maison Alhambra Kismet Angel: Starts off like 85% angels share, it lacks the boozy note that fills the air on first spray. However in the dry down it becomes more like 93% similarities, as the cinnamon intensifies just like AS. Projection is good, about equivalent performance with Angels Share. An hour later I'm amending that, worse performance than AS, it's not quite as potent. Can definitely over spray a bit on this one, I went for three sprays, two wrist one neck. For its lifetime on me it remained as an "Almost Angel's Share". I would buy this. 8.5/10 Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Yes
Maison Alhambra Rose Petals - TF Rose Prick: Bought this for mother. It's definitely rose, and definitely floral. It has powdery notes, and does have some amber going on. I think it's a good scent, just not for either of us when we tried it on. Would like it on an SO. 6/10, pretty linear. Would I wear it again: No Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Maison Alhambra Toscano Leather - TF Tuscan Leather: Disclosure I've never smelled the original. This is probably the most I've seen people split on a fragrance. Every guy I've spoken to loves this, it feels very masculine with notes of leather, oil, and tobacco/cigarettes. Every woman I've spoken to hated it. I'm big on this one, I love the smell of leather and this captures it perfectly. Performance is pretty good, lasting about 4-5 hours before fading to a lasting skin scent. 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break: I've so far owned two official samples and one traveler of this stuff, and it's one of my favorites from the Replica series. It has a vanilla latte thing going on. Definitely coffee in the opener, and becomes that vanilla latte maybe 50 minutes to an hour after the initial spray on. Very strong performer! 6 hours later I can still smell it easily as a skin scent, for around 3 hours I could easily smell it in the air around me. Garnered two compliments in the same day, truly a lovely scent. Fall leaning I would say, it's fairly sweet. 7.8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Yes...once I work my way through all that I have currently I probably will.
Maison Margiela Replica Matcha Meditation: Opening thoughts - This fragrance makes me feel something. It's not the best smelling ever, but man I feel good wearing it. It's floral, I get green tea, matcha, and mochi with chocolate or vanilla ice cream. It feels light to me, and airy upon first spray. I don't anticipate this as a scent that will garner lots of compliments, but I am happy wearing this. 30 minutes later thoughts - Scent has calmed down a bit, for a moment it was fairly strong, now it is much more linear, I'm getting mainly vanilla, with some very green herbal background. 1-2 hours - scent has begun fading to a skin scent, still vanilla and herbal. 7/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Maybe
Memo French Leather: Opens floral with a very subtle leather undertone. Immediately in the dry down I begin to get more of a premium leather smell. Leather and rose, but the rose is more dominant and primary than the leather in this one. Matures nicely, and last around 8 hours on me. 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Maybe
Nautica Voyage: No perfume has ever given me such instant gratification in the summertime as Voyage. It beats ADG Original and Profondo/Profumo soundly in my opinion. I get tons of melon in the opening, and it remains fairly linear. For a reliable, dependable, affordable (very) fragrance, this is a winner in my book, I've even used it as a pillow spray. It lasted a few hours before I had to reapply, but again it's so cheap it's no big deal. I get compliments every time I wear it. It's very versatile and my favorite application time is right out of a hot shower. 9/10. Best time to wear: Spring/Summer Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Already did. Yes. All day long.
PDM Layton: Feels like a cross between 85% JPG and 15% Spicebomb. Is a very nice warm vanilla with some woody spice going on in the background. I didn't feel it was worth the hype, but I wore it during the summer, so wintertime I may feel different. Had pretty good performance! I could smell it on me easily for a couple hours after I had applied just in the air, it only lasted about 5 hours before fading to a skin scent for me with around 3.5 sprays. 7/10, because it didn't stand out to me for the pricetag it's associated with. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Probably not. There's no shortage of good winter frags out there, I just don't think I would reach for this enough for the money.
Tom Ford Lost Cherry: Boozy cherries with...almond I think? Feels more feminine leaning, but also I don't care because this one ranks high for me on my list. It smells VERY intoxicating, and the cherry is unique, with the booziness adding a hint of seductiveness. Fairly linear scent that lasted maybe a few hours on me, nothing special there, but the notes are to die for. A very good one for layering as well! I'm a fan of this one from Mr. Ford, with points off for performance and price point issues - 8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: If my wallet permits, at least a partial.
Tom Ford Soleil Neige: Makes me feel warm and fresh. A little powder, a little floral. Dry down gives me tons of floral vanilla. Unisex but in my opinion leans more feminine. Has netted a few compliments. 8/10 Best time to wear: Spring/Summer Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Maybe
Qaed Al Fursan: Pineapple for sure, smells very appealing, synthetic and powdery when smelled very close for first few seconds after spray. Does not last long at all. Maybe like an hour max. Over spray for sure. Magnetic cap is a nice touch! Price is competitive to say the least. A very nice mixer to CDNIM EDP. 6/10. Update: I am bumping the rating of this cologne to 7. After letting it macerate, the performance improved about an hour, the scent became less synthetic in the dry down, and the powdery bit was less pronounced. People in my family have RAVED about the smell of this one. I went into this thinking it was somehow an Aventus clone or something, and I wasn't letting it just be its own thing. As a fruity pineapple that I find to be absolutely seductive, I can't recommend this one enough. However, it's scent profile is very linear, so keep that in mind, but you can always be confident in how consistent it is. 8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
submitted by Wise_Function8779 to Colognes [link] [comments]
Afnan 9PM - JPG Ultra Male: Picked up a bottle at Amazon for $35USD at the suggestion of one of the users in one of my previous threads. Typical paper cardboard housing with Afnan branding. But we're here for the juice anyways. Basic design but... premium feeling. Nice weight, the atomizer cap is also premium. Good strong spray that outputs a cloud of mist, very good atomizer. First spray you're hit with a citrus and lavender scent, fairly fruity, but this almost immediately leaves and is replaced by a very warm scent which I would describe as a spicy amber. This sticks around but only as an undertone to the extreme vanilla. It's not overpowering, but it's identifiable. Very nice. The first time I sprayed it, I immediately identified the JPG heritage in it, I have owned Le Male and that vanilla is identifiable anywhere. Highly recommend. 8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Ana Abiyedh Rouge - Baccarat Rouge 540: If this is an accurate BR540 clone, I can confidently say the scent is very mid. Leans heavily on wood and amber, gives CK Obsession vibes oddly. I wear this because others are in love with it. Have gotten raving compliments. But I also rarely wear it alone, layering it with CDNIM. Great performance, lasting many hours projecting, and when it becomes a skin scent it's there until you wash your clothes I swear. Edit: I got a BR540 authentic decant, it's VERY similar. Like REALLY similar. The price difference on the two is nuts. 6/10. Would I wear it again: Reluctantly Would I want to smell it on someone else: Not really Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Armaf Odyssey Homme - Dior Homme Intense/Valentino Uomo Intense: Almost tobacco spicy like smell on first spray, then settles into a vanilla amber. Lots and lots of amber and vanilla with this one. Good winter fragrance. Affordable price. Average projection and performance of 4-5 hours max. Not really for me honestly, it doesn't stand out. 6/10. Would I wear it again: Meh Would I want to smell it on someone else: Not really Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Shades of Blue - D&G Light Blue: A fantastic fresh fragrance, and for the price it's amazing. Definitely the best smelling Belcam cologne yet in my opinion - other than the shit performance. It's so bad guys. Spray and it's become a skin scent within 20 minutes max. Over spray like crazy for a slight chance at this sticking around. Fantastic as just a pillow spray/room scenter imo. 6.5/10, major dings for performance. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Geau Black - ADG Profumo: Has a pepper musk added to the original Acqua Di Gio scent, and I'm not sure I like it. Mid performance, lasting perhaps an hour. Great price as always from Belcam. 5/10. Would I wear it again: Eh Would I want to smell it on someone else: Meh Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Geau Original - ADG: When I picked this one up I had a bottle of the original ADG on hand, and upon spraying both on both arms, I found Belcams perfume actually lasted longer than the OG. It is more linear than ADG, but after letting my dad (who's worn ADG for years) try to distinguish between the two after the dry down, he picked Belcams perfume as his choice for which more accurately represented what he thinks of when he sprays ADG! Very intriguing. Good price as always! 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Classic Match - Drakkar Noir: This is obviously intended to be a clone of Drakkar Noir. I have a bottle on hand, so I was able to compare the two. Personally I find the original Drakkar to be midtier at best in terms of performance and general smell, but I digress. Spraying both on me, the initial scent and the dry down both had Classic Match as a dead ringer for Drakkar! There was a bit of a pine undertone that perhaps was not quite right, but very easy to miss. Oddly, when I let my brother and father try out distinguishing the two in the initial spray, they both disagreed with me that one smelled vastly different from the other. It's possible their sniffers were off as we had been at new perfume testing for a while by that point. I have to disagree with them, it's a really good clone. 7/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Geau Blue - ADG Profondo: This one from Belcam takes all the notes of ADG that we love and gives it a...well...blue smell! It smells fresher, more vibrant than the original ADG. I have gotten many compliments on this one. Again though, it doesn't last for too long. Maybe an hour to an hour and a half max. Great price! A strong clone of ADG Profondo. 8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Belcam Volatile - Viktor and Rolf Spicebomb: This thing succeeds in being a spicebomb-esque clone. It is incredibly spicy, and called volatile for a reason. That being said, it's a lovely fragrance, for a super affordable price, you can't go wrong with this one. Lasting an hour or so before becoming skin scent, it's one of my favorites from this house. 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Club de Nuit Sillage - Creed Silver Mountain Water: So intriguing. I've never seen someone capture the smells of both metallic twang and freshwater nature green in the same scent. A good price, from a good house, and well worth a try. 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Creed Virgin Island water: Opens very tropical, lemony with a coconut oil background, it's not as straight coconut as I expected, and has a much appreciated twist of citrus. It quickly dies down into a lemony coconut. I can still faintly smell this on myself as a skin scent like 12 hours later. Not bad. Pretty good as a summer fragrance. Gives me "out of the shower" lotion vibes. 7/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Time will tell...
Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue: Didn't realize the original light blue wasn't unisex lol so I ended up trying the women's version. It opens with a ton of citrus, lemon, and then it gave me lemondrops, it kind of got more candy like. After a few minutes on it's settled into a solid lemon citrus where I expect it to remain. 6/10 Would I wear it again: No Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Not for me. Too linear and citrus sweet.
English Laundry's Tahitian Waters: Picked this up for $4 at Marshall's on discount, an absolute steal I could not pass up. It has a bottle that captivates me for some reason, chrome at some angles, nearly see through at others. It has a faint alcohol smell to it, but it's not a big deal. I definitely get citrus, and some have described the dry down as musk with baked cookies. Overall very tropical, and super refreshing! It's downfall is weak performance, gone within the hour almost. Fairly strong sillage, many people being able to smell it on me after application from a few feet away! Likeable, and a nice summer frag. 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it! If you can get it on the cheap, it's a nice addition to any lineup.
Guerlain Angelique Noir: On first spray you're hit with the most pleasant authentic vanilla bean you've ever smelled. There's a bit of a woody musk background, but this leaves in around an hour for me where only pure sweet vanilla remains. It's a very premium, rich, seductive scent of intense vanilla. 7.5/10 Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: No. It's way overpriced for what it is. It's good, but not THAT good. I don't think I'll look beyond my little sample for this one.
Hermes H24: A very woody/green fragrance, it's herbal at it's...almost finest? It smells like boiled peanuts up close to me, not in a bad way necessarily, but also not in a good way. This may be due to the floral notes similar to that of peanut oil or something. Either way, it's a decent pick for the price, projection is just ok, lasted on me for 4 hours before becoming skin scent.... nothing too special, but it smells different which is always nice. Just didn't wow me. 6.5/10. Would I wear it again: Eh. Yeah I guess. Would I want to smell it on someone else: Not really, it's not bad I just wouldn't seek it out. Would I buy the full bottle: Probably not. It's just not for me.
Kilian Angel's Share: I'm in love. This is what love is. I thought I loved cooking. I thought I loved puppies. I thought I loved my parents. No. I love Kilian Angel's Share. This is my top fall fragrance, #1 for clubbing, #1 for evocativeness, #1 for NOSTALGIA. This has personal meaning for me, but when I was younger, sometimes my parents would make desserts for us, and one of my favorites was apple pie. They made it with cinnamon and the most delicious syrupy sweet apples and perfectly crisp crust. This fragrance takes me back to those times. Some insist there is no apple note and that what I'm smelling is just the cinnamon, perhaps this is true, but I die on the hill that this fragrance smells exactly like vanilla, cognac, and homemade cinnamon apple pie :) Its expensive, but in my opinion, you can't put a price on memories and emotions, and that's what this fragrance brings to me. I recently got a good deal on a full bottle, thank you to the user that helped me go back to when I was 8 years old with just a single spray. 9/10, price is a hold up if you're looking at retail. Would I wear it again: Always Would I want to smell it on someone else: I would pass away or propose on the spot Would I buy the full bottle: Never discontinue this Kilian.
Lattafa Asad - Dior Sauvage Elixir: I hate the original sauvage. It offends my nose in so many ways, and I'm not a fan. This however, as a clone of elixir, with it's stronger emphasis on spice and "christmastime" succeeds in taking the little that is good from the original Sauvage and makes it delicious. A very good winter fragrance, at a very good price, with decent performance of 3-4 hours. 8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Lattafa Fakhar - YSL Y: I've never owned YSL Y, so I can't vouch for it's accuracy, but I love this one so much. It's such a good fresh scent to spray on, I've gotten many compliments on it, it's price is great, it has good projection, pretty sweet though so if that's not your thing...The performance is nothing to write home about, lasting 3.5 hours max. Blind buy safe for sure. Edit: Everyone claims this is a YSL Y clone, but I got a sample of Valentino Uomo Born in Roma and the two smell very similar. Please let me know if anyone else has experienced this. 7/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Lattafa Khamrah - Kilian Angels Share: My first boozy cologne, and a blind buy, I was a little worried. I've heard this takes ideas from Angel's Share but perhaps leans towards its own scent profile. Either way, I like Khamrah. It gives a lot of clubbing vibes, and it is a very thick scent, so I'm careful how I spray this one. Great performance, average pricing, interesting packaging. A good cologne to round out your scent profiles in your collection if you are yet to partake in a boozy one. Very sweet. Fragrantica describes it's notes as boozy/balsamic, and I agree. Edit: Got an Angel's Share sample, the two are not particularly alike. The boozy apple smell is very prominent in Angels Share, and I almost smell alcoholic apple pie. I prefer Angels Share in terms of just scent profile. 7/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Maison Alhambra Bright Peach - TF Bitter Peach: Assaults my nose. I used to hate this fragrance, after using it a couple times, I now just dislike it. Both parents and siblings disliked. Woman friend disliked. It's just too sickly thick in my opinion. Maybe I need more time. 4/10. Edit, I've now worn it a few more times, it's been a week, and I even voluntarily reached for it today. I still found it very cloying, but after about an hour it calmed down and even netted a compliment from a friend! 6/10. Second edit: I got an authentic sample of Bitter peach, the two are close (maybe 80% similar) but the Alhambra is much less light and much more cloying 6.5/10. Would I wear it again: It keeps getting better so yes. Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Maison Alhambra Kismet Angel: Starts off like 85% angels share, it lacks the boozy note that fills the air on first spray. However in the dry down it becomes more like 93% similarities, as the cinnamon intensifies just like AS. Projection is good, about equivalent performance with Angels Share. An hour later I'm amending that, worse performance than AS, it's not quite as potent. Can definitely over spray a bit on this one, I went for three sprays, two wrist one neck. For its lifetime on me it remained as an "Almost Angel's Share". I would buy this. 8.5/10 Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Yes
Maison Alhambra Rose Petals - TF Rose Prick: Bought this for mother. It's definitely rose, and definitely floral. It has powdery notes, and does have some amber going on. I think it's a good scent, just not for either of us when we tried it on. Would like it on an SO. 6/10, pretty linear. Would I wear it again: No Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Maison Alhambra Toscano Leather - TF Tuscan Leather: Disclosure I've never smelled the original. This is probably the most I've seen people split on a fragrance. Every guy I've spoken to loves this, it feels very masculine with notes of leather, oil, and tobacco/cigarettes. Every woman I've spoken to hated it. I'm big on this one, I love the smell of leather and this captures it perfectly. Performance is pretty good, lasting about 4-5 hours before fading to a lasting skin scent. 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break: I've so far owned two official samples and one traveler of this stuff, and it's one of my favorites from the Replica series. It has a vanilla latte thing going on. Definitely coffee in the opener, and becomes that vanilla latte maybe 50 minutes to an hour after the initial spray on. Very strong performer! 6 hours later I can still smell it easily as a skin scent, for around 3 hours I could easily smell it in the air around me. Garnered two compliments in the same day, truly a lovely scent. Fall leaning I would say, it's fairly sweet. 7.8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Yes...once I work my way through all that I have currently I probably will.
Maison Margiela Replica Matcha Meditation: Opening thoughts - This fragrance makes me feel something. It's not the best smelling ever, but man I feel good wearing it. It's floral, I get green tea, matcha, and mochi with chocolate or vanilla ice cream. It feels light to me, and airy upon first spray. I don't anticipate this as a scent that will garner lots of compliments, but I am happy wearing this. 30 minutes later thoughts - Scent has calmed down a bit, for a moment it was fairly strong, now it is much more linear, I'm getting mainly vanilla, with some very green herbal background. 1-2 hours - scent has begun fading to a skin scent, still vanilla and herbal. 7/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Maybe
Memo French Leather: Opens floral with a very subtle leather undertone. Immediately in the dry down I begin to get more of a premium leather smell. Leather and rose, but the rose is more dominant and primary than the leather in this one. Matures nicely, and last around 8 hours on me. 7.5/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Maybe
Nautica Voyage: No perfume has ever given me such instant gratification in the summertime as Voyage. It beats ADG Original and Profondo/Profumo soundly in my opinion. I get tons of melon in the opening, and it remains fairly linear. For a reliable, dependable, affordable (very) fragrance, this is a winner in my book, I've even used it as a pillow spray. It lasted a few hours before I had to reapply, but again it's so cheap it's no big deal. I get compliments every time I wear it. It's very versatile and my favorite application time is right out of a hot shower. 9/10. Best time to wear: Spring/Summer Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Already did. Yes. All day long.
PDM Layton: Feels like a cross between 85% JPG and 15% Spicebomb. Is a very nice warm vanilla with some woody spice going on in the background. I didn't feel it was worth the hype, but I wore it during the summer, so wintertime I may feel different. Had pretty good performance! I could smell it on me easily for a couple hours after I had applied just in the air, it only lasted about 5 hours before fading to a skin scent for me with around 3.5 sprays. 7/10, because it didn't stand out to me for the pricetag it's associated with. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Probably not. There's no shortage of good winter frags out there, I just don't think I would reach for this enough for the money.
Tom Ford Lost Cherry: Boozy cherries with...almond I think? Feels more feminine leaning, but also I don't care because this one ranks high for me on my list. It smells VERY intoxicating, and the cherry is unique, with the booziness adding a hint of seductiveness. Fairly linear scent that lasted maybe a few hours on me, nothing special there, but the notes are to die for. A very good one for layering as well! I'm a fan of this one from Mr. Ford, with points off for performance and price point issues - 8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: If my wallet permits, at least a partial.
Tom Ford Soleil Neige: Makes me feel warm and fresh. A little powder, a little floral. Dry down gives me tons of floral vanilla. Unisex but in my opinion leans more feminine. Has netted a few compliments. 8/10 Best time to wear: Spring/Summer Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Maybe
Qaed Al Fursan: Pineapple for sure, smells very appealing, synthetic and powdery when smelled very close for first few seconds after spray. Does not last long at all. Maybe like an hour max. Over spray for sure. Magnetic cap is a nice touch! Price is competitive to say the least. A very nice mixer to CDNIM EDP. 6/10. Update: I am bumping the rating of this cologne to 7. After letting it macerate, the performance improved about an hour, the scent became less synthetic in the dry down, and the powdery bit was less pronounced. People in my family have RAVED about the smell of this one. I went into this thinking it was somehow an Aventus clone or something, and I wasn't letting it just be its own thing. As a fruity pineapple that I find to be absolutely seductive, I can't recommend this one enough. However, it's scent profile is very linear, so keep that in mind, but you can always be confident in how consistent it is. 8/10. Would I wear it again: Yes Would I want to smell it on someone else: Yes Would I buy the full bottle: Have it
2023.06.06 18:40 RyanOskey229 if you have no budget, here's some ideas
A rising trend among younger generations has emerged, particularly millennials and Gen Z.
It’s the increased humanization, or anthropomorphism, of pets.
This generation often sees their pets not just as animals, but as members of their families. With this mindset, they are increasingly focused on their pets' overall well-being, as-well as seeking high-quality, organic, and sustainably sourced pet food and other wellness products and services.
Millenials and Gen Z’s commitment to social and environmental causes further bolsters their willingness to pay more for products and services that align with these principles.
This cultural shift presents a multitude of opportunities for businesses in the Animal Wellness sector, particularly those that can meet these evolving consumer demands.
Additionally, society's growing awareness of animal emotions and cognitive abilities, further augmented by the humanization of pets, has led to extraordinary growth in the sustainable wellness industry for animals.
The demand for premium pet care products and services, which ensure not just physical, but also mental and emotional well-being of pets, is growing at an unprecedented rate. As research in animal psychology continues to enhance our understanding of animal emotions and cognition, the need for pet care products and services that address these aspects is also on the rise.
The convergence of these factors makes the present moment an ideal time for businesses to tap into this expanding market.
Heavily researched business ideas for people with no budget are sent out every Sunday right here, but all points are included below for Reddit discussion as well.
Industry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals
Problem: With the growing interest in sustainable and holistic wellness for pets, there is a gap in the market for an easily accessible, centralized platform offering tailored advice, resources, and products related to sustainable pet care and wellness. It can be a challenge for pet owners to identify appropriate resources, vetted products, and connect with experts who share a similar sustainable and wellness-focused ethos. There is also a lack of platforms that utilize AI to personalize pet wellness recommendations.
Solution: Pet Nurturer is a digital platform that offers personalized, AI-driven sustainable wellness recommendations for pets. Utilizing GPT-4 AI, the platform learns about each pet's specific needs, preferences, and health history to curate tailored advice, educational content, and product recommendations. This could include advice on diet, exercise, mental health, preventive care, and even guidance on how to deal with common pet health issues using sustainable practices.
Competitive Advantage: Unlike existing platforms, Pet Nurturer's unique selling proposition is its AI-driven personalization, focus on sustainability, and aggregation of resources. By harnessing the power of GPT-4, Pet Nurturer can offer a far more personalized and interactive user experience than competitors. It will focus on curating sustainably sourced and manufactured pet products, vetted by a team of animal wellness experts, distinguishing itself as a truly eco-friendly pet wellness platform.
Monetization: Pet Nurturer can generate revenue through several channels. Firstly, a freemium model could be introduced where basic features are free, and premium features are unlocked with a subscription. Secondly, affiliate marketing can be a source of income - when users purchase recommended products through the platform, Pet Nurturer earns a commission. Finally, Pet Nurturer could collaborate with sustainable pet product brands for sponsored listings and advertisements on the platform.
Viral Social Media Strategy: Pet Nurturer's social media strategy will leverage engaging, shareable content to drive brand awareness and customer acquisition. User-generated content will be at the forefront of this strategy - encouraging customers to share their pet wellness journey, transformations, and successes using a unique hashtag. Regular contests and challenges can be launched with sustainable pet product giveaways to boost engagement and shares. Additionally, educational content on pet wellness, sustainability, and product highlights can be shared in a visually appealing manner to further engage followers.
Industry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals
Problem: Despite the growing trend of pet humanization and the increasing awareness of sustainability, there's a lack of convenient, curated solutions that allow pet owners to access sustainable and wellness-focused products. Pet owners often have to navigate multiple online stores or physical outlets to find quality, eco-friendly products, which is time-consuming and often confusing.
Solution: Eco-PetBox is a subscription-based service that curates and delivers boxes filled with eco-friendly, wellness-focused pet products right to your doorstep. Each box is tailored to the pet's type (dog, cat, etc.), size, and any specific dietary or wellness needs. The boxes can include sustainable pet food and treats, toys, health supplements, grooming supplies, and even wellness accessories like calming pet beds or anxiety wraps.
Competitive Advantage: What sets Eco-PetBox apart from other pet subscription services is its focus on sustainable and wellness-oriented products. Every product in the box is vetted for its eco-friendliness and contribution to pet wellness. The convenience of having a curated selection of products delivered to their doorstep each month will appeal to busy pet owners who care about both their pet's health and the environment.
Monetization: Eco-PetBox operates on a subscription model, with customers paying a monthly fee for their custom box of pet products. There can also be premium subscription options that offer additional benefits, such as access to expert advice, larger product selection, or faster delivery. Another potential source of revenue could be partnerships with sustainable pet product companies that wish to feature their products in the box.
Viral Social Media Strategy: To spread awareness and create a buzz around Eco-PetBox, a strong social media campaign centered around unboxing experiences can be initiated. Encouraging subscribers to share their unboxing experiences, review products, and showcase their pets enjoying the products can create authentic and engaging content. Special promotions, giveaways, and contests can also be launched to encourage sharing and tagging. Sharing stories highlighting the sustainable impact of the products in the box can resonate with eco-conscious pet owners and further drive shares and engagement.
Industry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals, Pet Tech
Problem: As pet obesity becomes a growing issue worldwide, pet owners are looking for ways to monitor and improve their pets' health and fitness. However, solutions for pet fitness tracking are still quite limited, especially for non-dog pets.
Solution: PetFit Tracker is a wearable pet fitness tracker designed for all types of pets – not just dogs. The device tracks various data such as physical activity, sleep patterns, calories burned, and more. The data is synced with a user-friendly mobile app where pet owners can analyze their pets' health and fitness progress, set goals, and receive personalized recommendations for improving their pets' wellness.
Competitive Advantage: PetFit Tracker's main competitive advantage lies in its inclusivity for all types of pets, making it stand out in a market heavily focused on dogs. Furthermore, integrating the device with the latest AI technology, such as the GPT-4 API, can provide unique personalized insights for pet owners based on their pets' data. For instance, the AI could analyze a pet’s activity patterns and provide customized exercise or diet recommendations, detect any unusual patterns that might signal a health issue, or even provide reminders for preventative care measures.
Monetization: The primary revenue stream would be the sale of the PetFit Tracker devices. An additional recurring revenue model could be established through a premium subscription for the mobile app, which offers advanced features and more in-depth insights. Collaborations with pet wellness brands for product recommendations could provide affiliate marketing income.
Viral Social Media Strategy: User-generated content will play a big role in the social media strategy. Pet owners could be encouraged to share their pets' fitness achievements, fun moments caught by the tracker, or transformations powered by the device. These stories can be shared on the company's social media platforms, creating an engaging community of health-conscious pet owners. Additionally, collaborations with pet influencers and partnerships with animal welfare organizations could further increase brand visibility and credibility.
P.S. If you like these ideas, there's more in this free newsletter that tracks the newest trends and how you can capitalize on them. It helps you stay on the cutting edge in the time it takes to have your morning coffee.
submitted by RyanOskey229 to SideProject [link] [comments]
It’s the increased humanization, or anthropomorphism, of pets.
This generation often sees their pets not just as animals, but as members of their families. With this mindset, they are increasingly focused on their pets' overall well-being, as-well as seeking high-quality, organic, and sustainably sourced pet food and other wellness products and services.
Millenials and Gen Z’s commitment to social and environmental causes further bolsters their willingness to pay more for products and services that align with these principles.
This cultural shift presents a multitude of opportunities for businesses in the Animal Wellness sector, particularly those that can meet these evolving consumer demands.
Additionally, society's growing awareness of animal emotions and cognitive abilities, further augmented by the humanization of pets, has led to extraordinary growth in the sustainable wellness industry for animals.
The demand for premium pet care products and services, which ensure not just physical, but also mental and emotional well-being of pets, is growing at an unprecedented rate. As research in animal psychology continues to enhance our understanding of animal emotions and cognition, the need for pet care products and services that address these aspects is also on the rise.
The convergence of these factors makes the present moment an ideal time for businesses to tap into this expanding market.
Heavily researched business ideas for people with no budget are sent out every Sunday right here, but all points are included below for Reddit discussion as well.
Business Idea #1
Name: Pet NurturerIndustry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals
Problem: With the growing interest in sustainable and holistic wellness for pets, there is a gap in the market for an easily accessible, centralized platform offering tailored advice, resources, and products related to sustainable pet care and wellness. It can be a challenge for pet owners to identify appropriate resources, vetted products, and connect with experts who share a similar sustainable and wellness-focused ethos. There is also a lack of platforms that utilize AI to personalize pet wellness recommendations.
Solution: Pet Nurturer is a digital platform that offers personalized, AI-driven sustainable wellness recommendations for pets. Utilizing GPT-4 AI, the platform learns about each pet's specific needs, preferences, and health history to curate tailored advice, educational content, and product recommendations. This could include advice on diet, exercise, mental health, preventive care, and even guidance on how to deal with common pet health issues using sustainable practices.
Competitive Advantage: Unlike existing platforms, Pet Nurturer's unique selling proposition is its AI-driven personalization, focus on sustainability, and aggregation of resources. By harnessing the power of GPT-4, Pet Nurturer can offer a far more personalized and interactive user experience than competitors. It will focus on curating sustainably sourced and manufactured pet products, vetted by a team of animal wellness experts, distinguishing itself as a truly eco-friendly pet wellness platform.
Monetization: Pet Nurturer can generate revenue through several channels. Firstly, a freemium model could be introduced where basic features are free, and premium features are unlocked with a subscription. Secondly, affiliate marketing can be a source of income - when users purchase recommended products through the platform, Pet Nurturer earns a commission. Finally, Pet Nurturer could collaborate with sustainable pet product brands for sponsored listings and advertisements on the platform.
Viral Social Media Strategy: Pet Nurturer's social media strategy will leverage engaging, shareable content to drive brand awareness and customer acquisition. User-generated content will be at the forefront of this strategy - encouraging customers to share their pet wellness journey, transformations, and successes using a unique hashtag. Regular contests and challenges can be launched with sustainable pet product giveaways to boost engagement and shares. Additionally, educational content on pet wellness, sustainability, and product highlights can be shared in a visually appealing manner to further engage followers.
Business Idea #2
Name: Eco-PetBoxIndustry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals
Problem: Despite the growing trend of pet humanization and the increasing awareness of sustainability, there's a lack of convenient, curated solutions that allow pet owners to access sustainable and wellness-focused products. Pet owners often have to navigate multiple online stores or physical outlets to find quality, eco-friendly products, which is time-consuming and often confusing.
Solution: Eco-PetBox is a subscription-based service that curates and delivers boxes filled with eco-friendly, wellness-focused pet products right to your doorstep. Each box is tailored to the pet's type (dog, cat, etc.), size, and any specific dietary or wellness needs. The boxes can include sustainable pet food and treats, toys, health supplements, grooming supplies, and even wellness accessories like calming pet beds or anxiety wraps.
Competitive Advantage: What sets Eco-PetBox apart from other pet subscription services is its focus on sustainable and wellness-oriented products. Every product in the box is vetted for its eco-friendliness and contribution to pet wellness. The convenience of having a curated selection of products delivered to their doorstep each month will appeal to busy pet owners who care about both their pet's health and the environment.
Monetization: Eco-PetBox operates on a subscription model, with customers paying a monthly fee for their custom box of pet products. There can also be premium subscription options that offer additional benefits, such as access to expert advice, larger product selection, or faster delivery. Another potential source of revenue could be partnerships with sustainable pet product companies that wish to feature their products in the box.
Viral Social Media Strategy: To spread awareness and create a buzz around Eco-PetBox, a strong social media campaign centered around unboxing experiences can be initiated. Encouraging subscribers to share their unboxing experiences, review products, and showcase their pets enjoying the products can create authentic and engaging content. Special promotions, giveaways, and contests can also be launched to encourage sharing and tagging. Sharing stories highlighting the sustainable impact of the products in the box can resonate with eco-conscious pet owners and further drive shares and engagement.
Business Idea #3
Name: PetFit TrackerIndustry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals, Pet Tech
Problem: As pet obesity becomes a growing issue worldwide, pet owners are looking for ways to monitor and improve their pets' health and fitness. However, solutions for pet fitness tracking are still quite limited, especially for non-dog pets.
Solution: PetFit Tracker is a wearable pet fitness tracker designed for all types of pets – not just dogs. The device tracks various data such as physical activity, sleep patterns, calories burned, and more. The data is synced with a user-friendly mobile app where pet owners can analyze their pets' health and fitness progress, set goals, and receive personalized recommendations for improving their pets' wellness.
Competitive Advantage: PetFit Tracker's main competitive advantage lies in its inclusivity for all types of pets, making it stand out in a market heavily focused on dogs. Furthermore, integrating the device with the latest AI technology, such as the GPT-4 API, can provide unique personalized insights for pet owners based on their pets' data. For instance, the AI could analyze a pet’s activity patterns and provide customized exercise or diet recommendations, detect any unusual patterns that might signal a health issue, or even provide reminders for preventative care measures.
Monetization: The primary revenue stream would be the sale of the PetFit Tracker devices. An additional recurring revenue model could be established through a premium subscription for the mobile app, which offers advanced features and more in-depth insights. Collaborations with pet wellness brands for product recommendations could provide affiliate marketing income.
Viral Social Media Strategy: User-generated content will play a big role in the social media strategy. Pet owners could be encouraged to share their pets' fitness achievements, fun moments caught by the tracker, or transformations powered by the device. These stories can be shared on the company's social media platforms, creating an engaging community of health-conscious pet owners. Additionally, collaborations with pet influencers and partnerships with animal welfare organizations could further increase brand visibility and credibility.
P.S. If you like these ideas, there's more in this free newsletter that tracks the newest trends and how you can capitalize on them. It helps you stay on the cutting edge in the time it takes to have your morning coffee.
2023.06.06 18:26 RyanOskey229 3 business ideas if you have no budget
A rising trend among younger generations has emerged, particularly millennials and Gen Z.
It’s the increased humanization, or anthropomorphism, of pets.
This generation often sees their pets not just as animals, but as members of their families. With this mindset, they are increasingly focused on their pets' overall well-being, as-well as seeking high-quality, organic, and sustainably sourced pet food and other wellness products and services.
Millenials and Gen Z’s commitment to social and environmental causes further bolsters their willingness to pay more for products and services that align with these principles.
This cultural shift presents a multitude of opportunities for businesses in the Animal Wellness sector, particularly those that can meet these evolving consumer demands.
Additionally, society's growing awareness of animal emotions and cognitive abilities, further augmented by the humanization of pets, has led to extraordinary growth in the sustainable wellness industry for animals.
The demand for premium pet care products and services, which ensure not just physical, but also mental and emotional well-being of pets, is growing at an unprecedented rate. As research in animal psychology continues to enhance our understanding of animal emotions and cognition, the need for pet care products and services that address these aspects is also on the rise.
The convergence of these factors makes the present moment an ideal time for businesses to tap into this expanding market.
Heavily researched business ideas for people with no budget are sent out every Sunday right here, but all points are included below for Reddit discussion as well.
Industry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals
Problem: With the growing interest in sustainable and holistic wellness for pets, there is a gap in the market for an easily accessible, centralized platform offering tailored advice, resources, and products related to sustainable pet care and wellness. It can be a challenge for pet owners to identify appropriate resources, vetted products, and connect with experts who share a similar sustainable and wellness-focused ethos. There is also a lack of platforms that utilize AI to personalize pet wellness recommendations.
Solution: Pet Nurturer is a digital platform that offers personalized, AI-driven sustainable wellness recommendations for pets. Utilizing GPT-4 AI, the platform learns about each pet's specific needs, preferences, and health history to curate tailored advice, educational content, and product recommendations. This could include advice on diet, exercise, mental health, preventive care, and even guidance on how to deal with common pet health issues using sustainable practices.
Competitive Advantage: Unlike existing platforms, Pet Nurturer's unique selling proposition is its AI-driven personalization, focus on sustainability, and aggregation of resources. By harnessing the power of GPT-4, Pet Nurturer can offer a far more personalized and interactive user experience than competitors. It will focus on curating sustainably sourced and manufactured pet products, vetted by a team of animal wellness experts, distinguishing itself as a truly eco-friendly pet wellness platform.
Monetization: Pet Nurturer can generate revenue through several channels. Firstly, a freemium model could be introduced where basic features are free, and premium features are unlocked with a subscription. Secondly, affiliate marketing can be a source of income - when users purchase recommended products through the platform, Pet Nurturer earns a commission. Finally, Pet Nurturer could collaborate with sustainable pet product brands for sponsored listings and advertisements on the platform.
Viral Social Media Strategy: Pet Nurturer's social media strategy will leverage engaging, shareable content to drive brand awareness and customer acquisition. User-generated content will be at the forefront of this strategy - encouraging customers to share their pet wellness journey, transformations, and successes using a unique hashtag. Regular contests and challenges can be launched with sustainable pet product giveaways to boost engagement and shares. Additionally, educational content on pet wellness, sustainability, and product highlights can be shared in a visually appealing manner to further engage followers.
Industry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals
Problem: Despite the growing trend of pet humanization and the increasing awareness of sustainability, there's a lack of convenient, curated solutions that allow pet owners to access sustainable and wellness-focused products. Pet owners often have to navigate multiple online stores or physical outlets to find quality, eco-friendly products, which is time-consuming and often confusing.
Solution: Eco-PetBox is a subscription-based service that curates and delivers boxes filled with eco-friendly, wellness-focused pet products right to your doorstep. Each box is tailored to the pet's type (dog, cat, etc.), size, and any specific dietary or wellness needs. The boxes can include sustainable pet food and treats, toys, health supplements, grooming supplies, and even wellness accessories like calming pet beds or anxiety wraps.
Competitive Advantage: What sets Eco-PetBox apart from other pet subscription services is its focus on sustainable and wellness-oriented products. Every product in the box is vetted for its eco-friendliness and contribution to pet wellness. The convenience of having a curated selection of products delivered to their doorstep each month will appeal to busy pet owners who care about both their pet's health and the environment.
Monetization: Eco-PetBox operates on a subscription model, with customers paying a monthly fee for their custom box of pet products. There can also be premium subscription options that offer additional benefits, such as access to expert advice, larger product selection, or faster delivery. Another potential source of revenue could be partnerships with sustainable pet product companies that wish to feature their products in the box.
Viral Social Media Strategy: To spread awareness and create a buzz around Eco-PetBox, a strong social media campaign centered around unboxing experiences can be initiated. Encouraging subscribers to share their unboxing experiences, review products, and showcase their pets enjoying the products can create authentic and engaging content. Special promotions, giveaways, and contests can also be launched to encourage sharing and tagging. Sharing stories highlighting the sustainable impact of the products in the box can resonate with eco-conscious pet owners and further drive shares and engagement.
Industry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals, Pet Tech
Problem: As pet obesity becomes a growing issue worldwide, pet owners are looking for ways to monitor and improve their pets' health and fitness. However, solutions for pet fitness tracking are still quite limited, especially for non-dog pets.
Solution: PetFit Tracker is a wearable pet fitness tracker designed for all types of pets – not just dogs. The device tracks various data such as physical activity, sleep patterns, calories burned, and more. The data is synced with a user-friendly mobile app where pet owners can analyze their pets' health and fitness progress, set goals, and receive personalized recommendations for improving their pets' wellness.
Competitive Advantage: PetFit Tracker's main competitive advantage lies in its inclusivity for all types of pets, making it stand out in a market heavily focused on dogs. Furthermore, integrating the device with the latest AI technology, such as the GPT-4 API, can provide unique personalized insights for pet owners based on their pets' data. For instance, the AI could analyze a pet’s activity patterns and provide customized exercise or diet recommendations, detect any unusual patterns that might signal a health issue, or even provide reminders for preventative care measures.
Monetization: The primary revenue stream would be the sale of the PetFit Tracker devices. An additional recurring revenue model could be established through a premium subscription for the mobile app, which offers advanced features and more in-depth insights. Collaborations with pet wellness brands for product recommendations could provide affiliate marketing income.
Viral Social Media Strategy: User-generated content will play a big role in the social media strategy. Pet owners could be encouraged to share their pets' fitness achievements, fun moments caught by the tracker, or transformations powered by the device. These stories can be shared on the company's social media platforms, creating an engaging community of health-conscious pet owners. Additionally, collaborations with pet influencers and partnerships with animal welfare organizations could further increase brand visibility and credibility.
P.S. If you like these ideas, there's more in this free newsletter that tracks the newest trends and how you can capitalize on them. It helps you stay on the cutting edge in the time it takes to have your morning coffee.
submitted by RyanOskey229 to Businessideas [link] [comments]
It’s the increased humanization, or anthropomorphism, of pets.
This generation often sees their pets not just as animals, but as members of their families. With this mindset, they are increasingly focused on their pets' overall well-being, as-well as seeking high-quality, organic, and sustainably sourced pet food and other wellness products and services.
Millenials and Gen Z’s commitment to social and environmental causes further bolsters their willingness to pay more for products and services that align with these principles.
This cultural shift presents a multitude of opportunities for businesses in the Animal Wellness sector, particularly those that can meet these evolving consumer demands.
Additionally, society's growing awareness of animal emotions and cognitive abilities, further augmented by the humanization of pets, has led to extraordinary growth in the sustainable wellness industry for animals.
The demand for premium pet care products and services, which ensure not just physical, but also mental and emotional well-being of pets, is growing at an unprecedented rate. As research in animal psychology continues to enhance our understanding of animal emotions and cognition, the need for pet care products and services that address these aspects is also on the rise.
The convergence of these factors makes the present moment an ideal time for businesses to tap into this expanding market.
Heavily researched business ideas for people with no budget are sent out every Sunday right here, but all points are included below for Reddit discussion as well.
Business Idea #1
Name: Pet NurturerIndustry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals
Problem: With the growing interest in sustainable and holistic wellness for pets, there is a gap in the market for an easily accessible, centralized platform offering tailored advice, resources, and products related to sustainable pet care and wellness. It can be a challenge for pet owners to identify appropriate resources, vetted products, and connect with experts who share a similar sustainable and wellness-focused ethos. There is also a lack of platforms that utilize AI to personalize pet wellness recommendations.
Solution: Pet Nurturer is a digital platform that offers personalized, AI-driven sustainable wellness recommendations for pets. Utilizing GPT-4 AI, the platform learns about each pet's specific needs, preferences, and health history to curate tailored advice, educational content, and product recommendations. This could include advice on diet, exercise, mental health, preventive care, and even guidance on how to deal with common pet health issues using sustainable practices.
Competitive Advantage: Unlike existing platforms, Pet Nurturer's unique selling proposition is its AI-driven personalization, focus on sustainability, and aggregation of resources. By harnessing the power of GPT-4, Pet Nurturer can offer a far more personalized and interactive user experience than competitors. It will focus on curating sustainably sourced and manufactured pet products, vetted by a team of animal wellness experts, distinguishing itself as a truly eco-friendly pet wellness platform.
Monetization: Pet Nurturer can generate revenue through several channels. Firstly, a freemium model could be introduced where basic features are free, and premium features are unlocked with a subscription. Secondly, affiliate marketing can be a source of income - when users purchase recommended products through the platform, Pet Nurturer earns a commission. Finally, Pet Nurturer could collaborate with sustainable pet product brands for sponsored listings and advertisements on the platform.
Viral Social Media Strategy: Pet Nurturer's social media strategy will leverage engaging, shareable content to drive brand awareness and customer acquisition. User-generated content will be at the forefront of this strategy - encouraging customers to share their pet wellness journey, transformations, and successes using a unique hashtag. Regular contests and challenges can be launched with sustainable pet product giveaways to boost engagement and shares. Additionally, educational content on pet wellness, sustainability, and product highlights can be shared in a visually appealing manner to further engage followers.
Business Idea #2
Name: Eco-PetBoxIndustry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals
Problem: Despite the growing trend of pet humanization and the increasing awareness of sustainability, there's a lack of convenient, curated solutions that allow pet owners to access sustainable and wellness-focused products. Pet owners often have to navigate multiple online stores or physical outlets to find quality, eco-friendly products, which is time-consuming and often confusing.
Solution: Eco-PetBox is a subscription-based service that curates and delivers boxes filled with eco-friendly, wellness-focused pet products right to your doorstep. Each box is tailored to the pet's type (dog, cat, etc.), size, and any specific dietary or wellness needs. The boxes can include sustainable pet food and treats, toys, health supplements, grooming supplies, and even wellness accessories like calming pet beds or anxiety wraps.
Competitive Advantage: What sets Eco-PetBox apart from other pet subscription services is its focus on sustainable and wellness-oriented products. Every product in the box is vetted for its eco-friendliness and contribution to pet wellness. The convenience of having a curated selection of products delivered to their doorstep each month will appeal to busy pet owners who care about both their pet's health and the environment.
Monetization: Eco-PetBox operates on a subscription model, with customers paying a monthly fee for their custom box of pet products. There can also be premium subscription options that offer additional benefits, such as access to expert advice, larger product selection, or faster delivery. Another potential source of revenue could be partnerships with sustainable pet product companies that wish to feature their products in the box.
Viral Social Media Strategy: To spread awareness and create a buzz around Eco-PetBox, a strong social media campaign centered around unboxing experiences can be initiated. Encouraging subscribers to share their unboxing experiences, review products, and showcase their pets enjoying the products can create authentic and engaging content. Special promotions, giveaways, and contests can also be launched to encourage sharing and tagging. Sharing stories highlighting the sustainable impact of the products in the box can resonate with eco-conscious pet owners and further drive shares and engagement.
Business Idea #3
Name: PetFit TrackerIndustry: Sustainable Wellness for Animals, Pet Tech
Problem: As pet obesity becomes a growing issue worldwide, pet owners are looking for ways to monitor and improve their pets' health and fitness. However, solutions for pet fitness tracking are still quite limited, especially for non-dog pets.
Solution: PetFit Tracker is a wearable pet fitness tracker designed for all types of pets – not just dogs. The device tracks various data such as physical activity, sleep patterns, calories burned, and more. The data is synced with a user-friendly mobile app where pet owners can analyze their pets' health and fitness progress, set goals, and receive personalized recommendations for improving their pets' wellness.
Competitive Advantage: PetFit Tracker's main competitive advantage lies in its inclusivity for all types of pets, making it stand out in a market heavily focused on dogs. Furthermore, integrating the device with the latest AI technology, such as the GPT-4 API, can provide unique personalized insights for pet owners based on their pets' data. For instance, the AI could analyze a pet’s activity patterns and provide customized exercise or diet recommendations, detect any unusual patterns that might signal a health issue, or even provide reminders for preventative care measures.
Monetization: The primary revenue stream would be the sale of the PetFit Tracker devices. An additional recurring revenue model could be established through a premium subscription for the mobile app, which offers advanced features and more in-depth insights. Collaborations with pet wellness brands for product recommendations could provide affiliate marketing income.
Viral Social Media Strategy: User-generated content will play a big role in the social media strategy. Pet owners could be encouraged to share their pets' fitness achievements, fun moments caught by the tracker, or transformations powered by the device. These stories can be shared on the company's social media platforms, creating an engaging community of health-conscious pet owners. Additionally, collaborations with pet influencers and partnerships with animal welfare organizations could further increase brand visibility and credibility.
P.S. If you like these ideas, there's more in this free newsletter that tracks the newest trends and how you can capitalize on them. It helps you stay on the cutting edge in the time it takes to have your morning coffee.
2023.06.06 17:03 LordIlthari Monsters Chapter 77: Blood and Booze (Or, two paladins have a fistfight in a gay bar)
I am The Bard, who taught men their first magics, which to this day endure when all others have. It is written into the blood and bones of all you have built, and so I shall never die.
I did not teach you how to dream. I only taught how to tell a dream to another who you would never know.
The phone rang. Karna didn’t bother to pick it up. The message machine clicked for a moment, tape starting to turn backwards as new words were written onto it. It clicked again, stopping dead. Karna didn’t look up from his meal of leftover takeout. He finished his noodles, checked again to see if there was any shrimp left, and sighed as he threw the box at the bin. It bounced off the others already filling it up.
He sighed, rubbing his head and eyes. Healing magic could cure a hangover. It couldn’t do anything about dehydration. He needed to get up and get a drink. He went over to his cabinet and looked around for a glass. When he didn’t find a clean one, he grabbed a coffee mug instead. It was the last one. He was also out of coffee. Irritating. No matter how much of it he drank, he was still tired. It just meant he couldn’t sleep.
Sex helped, a bit, but when it didn’t, things were worse. Lying alone in his own bed, at least he could toss and turn and work his sheets into tangles trying to find some position that would let him finally fall asleep. He could slip out of bed for a nightcap, a strong one, to try and help. With another, there was nothing to do but lie there, still and silent, trying not to wake the man or woman next to him.
Trying not to think.
Impossible to sleep, then suddenly too much sleep. Blink and it was three-thirty in the afternoon. He stood at the sink, filling up the mug and draining it repeatedly. The call was probably from work. Worse, it might be his mother.
”Karna, what the fuck are you doing with your life you useless bastard. You’re not immortal, it’s all slipping away, one day, one minute at a time, and here you are doing nothing with it.” He said to himself. “Because you’re too tired to anything and still can’t sleep.” Of course, he knew why. His mind, treacherous as a serpent, betrayed him then, in the dark, in the solitude. Every wound he had suffered, every scar erased by healing magic, those were nothing. He was a paladin, the training had gotten him used to the sight of his own blood a long time ago.
”Practice for healing magic. Isn’t that what the old sister called it?” He wondered aloud. “Tch. She was kind of a bitch. Still is. I wonder if she’s calling me to yell at me too? Of course, I suppose I deserve it. I-“Then he stopped himself, and slammed the mug down, forcefully. It hit one of the plates in the sink, and it cracked. Karna swore and picked up the mess, picking the shards of metal out of his sink and throwing them in the boxes in the bin.
He sat back down in the one seat he used at his four-person table. It was covered in books, loose change, an unopened letter from some survey, a candle, a mug, miscellaneous bits of stationary, a comically large six sided die with red and black patterns, and off directly to his left a stick of deodorant and bottle of cologne. Those last two were the only things he’d used on this table in a while.
He sat back in his chair and sighed. “Yeah, you know exactly what you’re doing with your life. Nothing of any use to anyone. Well. Useless is better than detrimental, so hey, at least there’s that improvement.”
He hit the button to play back the latest message from his telephone, and picked it up, placing the receiver to his ear. At least he could listen to his messages. That would be something for the day.
”Hey, Karna. It’s Bas.” Karna’s head slumped forwards. He hadn’t expected him to be calling to call him an idiot. “I’ve tried coming by your place a couple of times to visit, seem to have missed you both times.” Or he was asleep, or drunk, or otherwise being a bad cousin. “So, I figured I’d give you a call and leave you a message. Just checking in to see how you’re doing. I know… things have been rough, for all of us, and I know you were taking things hard.” I know you’re weak. “I hope you’re doing well, and hope you understand, if you’re not, then, well, you’ve got my number, and you know where I live. Even though my apartment’s not exactly stellar.” I know you could reach out. But you won’t. You’ve been given everything, inherited power, your house, your money, and you still do nothing with it. I have nothing our society considers important, but I am still a better man than you. “Hope to talk to you soon. Adonai watch over you.”
That last bit was a bit odd. Adonai. The old invisible god, or God, as those that believed in such a thing insisted. Karna wasn’t entirely certain that this wasn’t just a clever way of disguising atheism, given that philosophy’s associations. Why in the world would Basil mention it now? As far as he knew… well he really actually didn’t know anything about Basil’s beliefs. He presumed, given his training, he was a follower of the western philosophies, which were philosophies more so than religions. They were fairly popular these days, a sort of secular spirituality, a substitute for the holes growing in Ordani religious life.
When you’ve fought and killed a god in living memory, it becomes harder to worship them. Beyond that, the old rites simply that, old rites. A series of rituals nobody really believed in anymore. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen a cleric. He paused. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen a cleric he hadn’t been fighting to the death with. The gods really didn’t seem to have much of a place in a modern society. It was probably arrogant, but part of the point of the gods was meant to be that they were something so much bigger than oneself, that there was nothing that could compare. They were monumental figures, but when the monuments can be torn down by mere men, was it a monument worth believing in?
It was that way then. Some people turned to the western philosophies, realizing that their religious needs, the desire for mystery, for reverence, for prayer, meditation, moral laws and sacred communities were met there, without gods. Some, Basil included, turned their gaze towards an invisible, supposedly omnipotent, God. Well, the gods were supposed to be omnipotent, but if nobody could even prove your God existed, well, then there wasn’t any fear that anyone could kill Him. And then, there was the other kind. The kind which were kind of a bad joke.
He remembered his days in the warm sun, under the abbot’s orchard in Hearthfire Abbey, amid the warm red walls, the golden light of the day filtering through the green leaves, the bright red apples highlighted against a blue sky. Quite literally simpler times. He remembered the grave beneath the tree. Senket Zarathustra. Of course, that wasn’t really where she was. She was a few miles up the road, in a chapel nobody paid any mind to, next to six other graves, two empty. How much a contrast that was, compared with what was in the abbey. Her image, glaring down from tapestry, immortalized in statuary, and everywhere revered. Saint, they called her, but what was the difference between a saint and a god, when you treated one like the other.
They had made gods for themselves, gods born of and midwives to, their own people. A god that was distant enough to be worshipped, but near enough to be known. Something understood, something relatable, and something that had bested other gods before. Gods borne of the people of godslayers, for what else could they be? Of course, every pantheon needed its devil, its fallen angel. And now here he stood, a useless bastard, but also the same kind of thing as their gods and their devil. What a bad joke.
But at the same time, a joke they had believed in. A joke he felt the obligation to make a truth. A joke he had failed to make true. Up on a pedestal, and down in the dirt. That was what paladin of Order Undivided meant now. A hero, until people had no more need of them. Good, he wasn’t even a hero in the first place.
He shook his head. It was going to be a few hours before any clubs opened. He was going back to bed until then. It didn’t do him any good to sit awake stewing.
Basil was getting worried. He’d tried paying visits and making calls, but there was no contact. He quietly sat through office hours, grading the first assignments of the year. He was starting to regret assigning an essay, particularly to his 101 class. Fortunately, it was early in the year, so he was able to work through his office hours without being further disturbed. He finished his last paper, capped the red pen, and stood up. It wasn’t that far out of his way to visit Karna again, and this time he wouldn’t be ignored.
He made his way through the city, until he came to the Red Street. It had another name, but people remembered not what was given, but what was done. Fifty years ago, the blood of black and red lions flowed, as Elsior faced down her old mentor during the height of the black rebellion. The street’s architecture was eclectic, a mix of the old buildings which had survived the battle, and newer designs built up out of the ruins left from a clash of titans.
There were alleys off the street where you could still see the gashes left in the ground by arcane blades. It was a street where history lay heavy in the mortar and the air. It was also a decently affordable neighborhood, as the old houses, while historical, were also old, small, and lacked modern amenities. He was still never going to afford any of them on a teacher’s salary, even with his stipend as a paladin. Of course, Karna would have had a bitch of a time paying for his house as well, but he had simply inherited it.
Basil shook his head, as if to throw the jealous thought out of his mind. “You’re a grey-eyed monster already. Let’s not add green to the mix.” He growled at himself, as he kept walking up to Karna’s door and knocked. No response. He sighed, looking through the door. Only two of his eyes saw the normal spectrum of light. The others varied from arcane, ultraviolet, infrared, and a curious ability to see electrical signals. The end result was an overlapping view of information, an in-depth view of the world that saw the surface and the depths of everything. It had been a bit of a rude surprise for his parents to find out their son saw their brains at the same time he saw their faces. The practical upshot of this at the moment was that he saw Karna was clearly not at home, and had left a trail of lingering celestial energy behind him.
Well, Karna or another aasimar, but they were fairly rare. Even with the increasing numbers of extraplanar citizens in the union, there weren’t many descended from angels. Basil wryly considered that it might be the former keeping out the later. Baatorites weren’t strictly speaking enemies with most angels, but the distaste between the two species was deep, ancient, and mutual. As such, there was only one trail to follow.
Basil sighed when he found the end of the trail. It was a club, and of a particular sort. He didn’t need his enhanced vision to tell that. Technically speaking, strip clubs and even prostitution were legal. Practically speaking, everyone in any of them used pseudonyms. He sighed and headed for the entrance. The bouncer at the door, a towering ogre, raised a hand. “If you’re carrying, head around to the side entrance. They’ll check your swords there. No weapons in the club.”
”Not planning on starting a fight. Just looking to meet someone.”
”Yeah, well check em anyway. We’ve had boyfriends throwing hands with one another because they were looking at the guy on stage a little too hard, we don’t want em doing it with swords. That’s the kind of domestic dispute that doesn’t just get the cops involved, it’s also a bitch to get out of the floors.”
”Well, I’ll keep that in mind.” Basil replied, and headed around the side. He stepped in, greeted by another bouncer, a dragonborn. He always found it amusing how it was always one of the larger races as a bouncer. Given their job, it made a certain degree of sense, but it occurred to him he’d never seen a gnome as a bouncer. Then again, he didn’t go to many clubs. He checked his sword in, and left a pseudonym.
The dragonborn looked down at the paper, and narrowed his eyes slightly. “What’s the T.D. stand for, Mr. Law?” He asked curiously.
Basil shrugged. “Hells if I know, it’s an alias, same as everyone else is using here. I mean, look at the guy above me on that list, when was the last time you ever met somebody actually named Flamingo?”
”The guy kinda looked like a flamingo. Aasimar type, maybe his wings are pink.” The bouncer replied.
”If he’s the person I’m thinking of, no. Let’s hope they don’t start changing.” Basil replied.
”Ah, ex-boyfriend?”
”Cousin, and why’d you assume ex?”
”The only people I’ve seen who’ve been drinking that much and going home with that many different blokes are the ones going through breakups, and you’re the only person I’ve seen go looking for him, so I know he’s not a whore.”
”Nah, just a dumbass. Thanks for the info. Here’s hoping you have a quiet night.”
”Yeah, try to keep it that way for me.”
”I’ll do my best. Believe it or not, I hate fighting.” Basil replied, and headed past the dragonborn into the club proper.
To give the club some credit, they had a pretty decent band going. A small number, playing as much with style as they did skill. That was to say, a decent if unspectacular amount. The rolling tones of the lead singer washed over an atmosphere of casual conversation and lewd humor. Basil cocked an ear at the sound. He would have sworn he’d heard the woman on the radio at least once. He watched her closely for a moment, along with the rest of the band, but didn’t recognize them. Then again, he didn’t go to many concerts.
As the double bass thrummed, the piano crooned, and the saxophone danced center stage, he made his way through smoke and other scents towards the bar. A teifling danced a lurid show in the center of the building, sweat glistening on blue skin from the lights. One of Basil’s eyes kept a lock on the man, tracing the electrical signals running under his skin to enact their sensual motions. It wasn’t exactly something he was looking to copy, but it was an interesting interplay to watch. Dancing wasn’t something often done alone, done for the show. It was interesting to compare the flow of signals of this to more traditional forms.
He kept most of his eyes forwards through. He had a job to do, and he preferred white to blue anyways. A brief thought entertained his mind of what Zeal might look like in such an outfit. He snapped it off immediately, jaw snapping shut in anger at himself. That was wrong, and a bad place to go. He couldn’t allow himself to think of her, think of anyone, that way, but especially her.
He focused himself. He had a job to do, and he was going to die alone. The only thing anyone would ever love of him would be an illusion. Any intimacy would have to be built on lies. Throw those thoughts out of his mind. They would only bring distraction, and disappointment.
He centered himself, and took a seat next to Karna, as the aasimar knocked back what was looking like probably the sixth shot tonight. How the hell was he even paying for all this? He rapped the bar twice with his knuckles. “First time here, got mezcal?” He asked.
”Mezcal coming up, though I can’t say it’s gonna be quite as good as home’s.” The barkeep replied.
”I am home, just grew up away from it.” Basil replied. For all his illusions, he always forgot to cover his chultan accent. Then again, recognizing his voice was part of the point for the man next to him.
”Basil?” Karna asked, turning slightly. “You’re straight, well, nearest to it, the fuck are you doing here?”
”Checking on you, and about to drink a theoretically decent mezcal.” Basil replied. “I’m worried about you.”
”Well fuck off, you don’t need to be.” Karna replied. “Another.” He requested. Another shot of strong absinthe filled his cup.
”Might want to slow down there hoss.” The barkeep warned. “The kind you’ve been having is a hundred thirty proof.”
”That so? Huh. Would have thought it was about a hundred twenty. Guess I’m getting better at drinking. Stands to reason, it’s all I’m good at or good for.” Karna replied, clearly about as drunk as someone on their seventh shot of one hundred thirty proof absinthe should be.
”Politely, bullshit.” Basil replied. “Though you are going to manage to be the first paladin to ever give yourself liver cirrhosis at the rate you’re going.”
”Paladin. What a bad joke.” Karna spat. “Paladins are heroes, we, we’re not fucking heroes. You got closer, and you’re, well, you. Me. I’m just a fool. So what if I ruin my liver. I’ve ruined everything else.”
Karna went for his glass, but Basil put his hand over it, stopping him. He looked his cousin in the eye, gentle, pitying, but firm. “Karna, we should go. Let’s find somewhere, a park or something, and talk.”
”We should, as in you should get your hand off my drink, and then pull that pole out of your ass. Dancer might need a spare.” Karna spat back. “I don’t need to talk, I need a damn drink.”
Basil didn’t move. “Cut the crap and calm down. You’re drunk already, and clearly not in a good place. If you’re going to be this way, at least we can do it at a safe distance from anyone else.”
”Oh fuck right off.” Karna replied. “What, am I embarrassing you? More so that I already have? I know I’m a fucking disgrace okay. I saw it with my own two eyes and can’t stop seeing it. The least you could let me do is drink myself to death in peace so I stop being a bother for all of you.”
The bartender was steadily shifting away, looking towards the bouncer who sighed and began to approach. He briefly made eye contact with Basil, who tried to give him an apologetic smile and flicked his eyes back towards Karna. The bouncer nodded. This wasn’t the first time he’d seen this.
Karna continued. “But no, you can’t do that. Can’t just let me be a failure in peace. You’re not content just being the better man than me, being better in every way but looks than me. You have to prove it, have to rub it in. I already you’re better, okay, don’t need to slam my nose in it with this stupid pity schtick.”
”When did I say anything about that? I’m the weakest member of our party!” Basil protested. “And what the hells does that have to do with any of that. You’re my cousin, my family, and beyond that my friend. You clearly need help, so of course I’m going to try and help you.”
”I don’t need help.” Karna snarled back, green eyes glinting red with a dangerous, gleaming light. “LEAST OF ALL FROM YOU!” He roared. The red light flared. Basil flinched, covering his eyes as the roar slammed into his mind and ears at the same time. He focused, piercing through the growing crimson fog.
The music kept playing, a hidden tape rolling, but the band pretending to sing had stopped. The club had gone silent, save for that. The patron’s idle gossip and chatter was muted. The bar was silent, patrons slumped over on their chairs, the bartender and bouncer were on the ground, foaming at the mouth. Karna and Basil were the only two people conscious in that building.
Karna stared in stunned silence, quiet horror at the scene. Some part of him processed exactly what he had just done, rationality quietly ticking away behind a fog of alcohol and badly managed emotional issues. It only intensified the later, a combination of terror and guilt forming into a blossoming rage. Then he saw Basil’s face, saw realization peeling back and something shifting in how he looked at him, saw a cold fury, a hatred, spreading across his face.
Basil looked himself, horrified at what had just occurred, and mind flashing to the street in front of Zeal’s home. This was the exact same scene. The same power as Alexander, but now being used instinctually. He had no idea what had actually happened to these people, if Karna had meant it or not. One thing he did know for certain. He had to stop this. If Karna was out of control there was no telling how many people could be hurt so he had to end this now.
Karna opened his mouth, but it was too late. Basil whirled, placing a palm on the bar to leverage himself from a sitting position into a whirling kick. His heel hit Karna squarely in the face, with every ounce of strength he could muster. A sucker punch, meant to be a knockout blow so he could take the aasimar down, end this spell, and get him out of here before anything else went wrong.
Karna snapped back out of his chair, it tumbled to the ground, and the back of his head hit the floor hard. His headache roared, but he rolled over coming back up to his feet, coming to a ready stance. He might have been depressed and drunk, but he was still a paladin, better trained than most and tougher than pretty much everybody. It was going to take more than that to knock him out.
Basil kicked him squarely in the nuts.
Karna doubled over in pain, and Basil kicked him in the face again. Basil had trained under paladins and monks alike. His skill with his own limbs was on par with his swordsmanship. His training under the paladins in the tradition of Jort made him an expert at sneak attacks, sucker punches, and practical, dirty fighting. In other words, he was effectively an expert at kicking people in the nuts. He went for a chop to the throat, trying to finish the fight right then and there.
Karna caught his hand, and broke it by squeezing his fingers. He looked up, bloody eyed and berserk. “Ah. Fuck.” Basil swore. Then Karna threw him. Basil went flying, arm broken, and hit the wall shelves, covered in a hundred forms of expensive booze. The impact shattered his collar bone, and he kept going until he hit the solid wall on the other side of the bar. He landed hard on his face, shirt torn to ribbons and bleeding freely.
His hand and shoulder reset themselves, and shirt tore entirely as he burst his extra limbs out of it, and slammed them down to pick himself up. He drew in a breath, and Karna threw a chair at him. Basil dodged upwards, onto the ceiling as the chair smashed a hole in the wall behind him. He rushed his cousin, gathering shards of broken glass with his spare limbs and a bottle into either hand. He flung the glass before him, forcing Karna to cover his face. Then he hit him on top of the head with both bottles, dropped them, and hit him on both sides of the throat with a chop.
Karna struggled to breathe, nearly blacking out from the impact, and but threw a wild, blind punch. Basil evaded most of hit, but even a glancing hit was enough to send him flying. He caught his momentum on a support pillar, swinging around it with his tendrils. His ankle hit the side of a table and shattered. He wheezed in pain, falling to a knee on top of the table to mend it.
Karna roared and charged like a bull, giving Basil scant time. He palmed a lighter from one of the unconscious men lying next to him, and jumped clear. Karna smashed the table into splinters beneath his fists, tearing skin and breaking bone, but healing them just as quickly as he damaged them. Basil flicked the lighter open, and threw it. The expensive alcohol covering Karna caught light, stunning and blinding him as Basil set him ablaze!
He hit the flaming angel with everything he had before the fire burned away. Fists, feet, elbows, knees, tendrils. A devastating combination of every move he knew to put a man on the ground flew out of him. He hadn’t really trained to get into a bar fight, but damn if it wasn’t coming in handy. He finished with a powerful drop kick in the aasimar’s solar plexus, sending him staggering back against the bar, breath torn from his lungs.
Basil breathed heavily, as his cousin slumped, then swore as Karna got his feet under him, and pulled his head up still more than ready to go. He swore louder as Karna gripped the sides of the bar, and tore the granite countertop off of it, swinging it at Basil like an improvised weapon.
Basil leapt, running along the side of the countertop as it smashed through everything it came across. Fortunately, it was swung high, missing the unconscious clubgoers, and shattered when it hit a load bearing column, though that cracked ominously. Basil landed on his cousin, spines biting into him and wrapping around bones to anchor the assassin. He’d seen a similar technique used by velociraptors when they hunted, using their massive claws to hook onto larger dinosaurs. Once attached, the smaller reptiles would begin to eat their prey alive. He wasn’t planning on biting Karna though, instead he raised up his boot and began to stomp his cousin’s face, over and over and over again, desperately trying to bring the berserk paladin down before he brought down the building!
Karna flared his wings and soared upwards, slamming both himself and Basil into the ceiling. Basil fell off, and Karna grabbed him by the face. He slammed them both down into the floor, smashing Basil’s head into the ground once, twice, three times, then threw him with enough force to scatter blood across the entire club and snap the assassin’s neck. He watched as Basil hit the pole the dancer had been, ahem, performing with, and his illusion vanished.
Horror overtook him as he saw Basil’s true form break in two, snaped apart by the force of the impact, and fall like so much meat onto the stage. He rushed forwards, hands shaking as he realized what he’d just done. He reached for Basil’s head, bloodied and broken. But his hands went through him. His emotional pain was then matched by physical pain, as he felt a steel stripper pole strike him directly between the legs.
Basil didn’t let up, as he dropped the illusion and his invisibility, and beat his cousin into the ground with the broken pole. He went for joints, broke ribs, hit below the belt with every opportunity and he did not stop. He didn’t know what it was going to take to put Karna down but he did know that if Karna got back up, he was actually going to die. It was nothing but the good fortune of his unusual anatomy that had kept him breathing with a broken neck, and his healing magic to allow him to ever get up again. He wasn’t going to get another chance, and so he beat down his cousin until the pole was bent beyond all recognition and the stage was slick with golden blood.
When he finally stopped, Karna was finally, mercifully, down. Basil knelt by his side, mending him enough to make sure he could be moved safely, though not enough to bring him back into consciousness. The patrons were beginning to stir to consciousness. With a grunt, he picked up his friend, hoisting him over his shoulder, and covered both of them with a spell of invisibility.
Slowly, shakily, he retrieved his and Karna’s weapons, erased both their names from the registry, and slipped away as people began to regain consciousness and the police arrived. Then, he began the slow, tired business of carrying Karna back to his house. He grumbled as he went. “You are far too skinny to be this heavy, and put up way too much of a fight for me to need the extra weight of lugging your ass out of here. You stupid overpowered twink.”
Karna woke up with a splitting headache, and a slightly less splitting everything-else-ache. Paladin healing factors worked wonders, but if you took a beating that was going to make you ache for a week, you were going to ache for a week. He remembered what happened, and started to wish he didn’t. “Oh fuck. I nearly killed Bas. And… yeah, the rest of the club. I’m not going to be allowed back there.”
He rolled off his couch and got a drink, of water this time. He looked at his liquor cabinet, walked over, opened it, and grabbed a bottle. He emptied it into the sink. Then he emptied the rest. He looked down at the drain, drew in a deep breath, and focused himself. “I need to apologize. I need to talk. I need help. And I need to get my life back on track.” He resolved. “I can’t let that happen again.”
He clenched his fists, and opened them again, hands still shaking. There was a knock at the door. His first thought was that it might be Basil checking on him. The next though was that it was the police. His third thought was that it was Basil, and the police. Well, either way. Apologies would be made, he might just also need to call a really, really good lawyer, and probably a bank to take out a loan to pay all that property damage.
He opened it, and saw another aasimar looking back at him.
”Hello Karna.” Alexander replied. “I heard you had something of a rough night, powers going out of control, a rather ugly bar fight, that sort of thing?”
”Yes. How long am I going to be in jail for?” Karna asked.
”Not at all, I’ve covered the damages and fortunately, nobody has any memory of last evening. Dominion Flare has that useful side effect.”
”Dominion Flare? What I did has a name?”
”Of course. It is your inheritance after all.” Alexander mused. “Though, you might be the first one to awaken it while drunk, though you’re not the first to cause some degree of damage with it. These things happen, it simply requires training.” He looked Karna squarely in the eye. “And beyond that, I strongly suspect you may be looking for some help getting yourself back on track.”
2023.06.06 15:49 Outrageous-Link-9421 Warframe themed drinks
My friend and I have been creating Warframe drinks based of things in the game. If you have ideas please comment them. here is what we have so far:
submitted by Outrageous-Link-9421 to Warframe [link] [comments]
=alcohol
The tenno: blue berryale
Stalker: pomegranateDevil's brew
Lotus: organic coconut water with coconut shell shotwhite wine
Ordis: lemon lime shotwhiskey
Vayheck: apple cider vinegar or just straight vinegarVinegar with everclear
Volt: blue mountain dewthe beast(monster energy alcohol)
Excalibur: milky way candy bar liquideverclear mixed with champagne
Mag: grape Kool aidtequila
Griener: sour patch kids and spritevodka cocktail
Corpus:lime waterdry martini
Sentients: grapefruit sparkling waterChampagne
Infested:Tabasco drinkfireball or everclear
Fortuna: huckleberrystrong beer
Rino: McDonald's spritemoonsine
Cetus:coffee blackrum
Teshin: double shot Carmel mochaCoffee liquor
Alad v:tonic water with limesomething German
Zanauku: lemonade Kool aidFrench wine
2023.06.06 15:37 escapistworld Infinity Gate by MR Carey Review: 3/5 stars
This book has everything: interdimensional travel, robots, alien/nonhuman organic sentience, post-apocalyptic dystopias, and more. It sometimes feels like it's trying to be too many things at once. As a result, the author doesn't have time to do any good worldbuilding, which doesn't ruin the reading experience, but does need to be mentioned when reviewing this book.
For example, there are entire planets that are almost completely uniform. Ut is a planet of sentient rabbits who all seem to be culturally and politically the same. There's brief mention of one religion, and an even briefer allusion to an urban-rural divide. In all other respects, the rabbits of Ut don't seem that diverse. As a result, Ut seems like one city, not an entire planet. Indeed we don't get to see much of the planet outside of the city of Canoplex, which makes it odd that it keeps getting referred to as Ut. Why talk about an entire planet when only referring to one specific city there? Why deliver exposition on "the Uti people" when the information only covers a tiny subsection of the population of Canoplex?
On a similar note, Tsakom is a toxic prison that seems much too small and ubiquitous to be a planet.
No matter what timeline and what planet, so many questions are raised, and no answers are even hinted at. How have all these sentient animals learned to understand each other's facial expressions? Where are the planets in which two or more dominant species share the earth? Why does it seem as though everyone evolved bipedalism? The book is marketed for fans of Adrian Tchaikovsky, but anyone who's read Children of Time knows that Tchaikovsky would never have created a planet full of rabbits without any explanation of how the rabbits evolved sentience. The only information about rabbit evolution that we get from MR Carey is that their strong legs make them good at escaping prey. In most respects, the rabbits don't seem that different from humans in a furry costume. The same goes for all other sentient species. Even the sentient robots are sometimes a little too anthropomorphic for my own personal taste.
Again and again, the author does the same thing: describes a planet, explains the one thing that makes it different from Earth, and fails to give readers any further information. It comes across as lazy and unrealistic worldbuilding.
In truth, I don't think Carey is a lazy writer. I think the opposite: This book is trying to do too much. It's a political thriller, a spy thriller, a war story, a philosophical treatise on sentience, an interdimensional crime drama, and a bunch of other things. There's just no time for good delivery of exposition. Perhaps we'll get some answers in the sequel, because it's clear that this book is designed to set up the rest of the series.
Inexplicably Carey does spend time on worldbuilding mundane Earth. Characters from alternate timelines are amazed at how the humans on Earth lack fur, use combustion engines, and practice slavery and indentured servitude. Pages are wasted describing this amazement. In context, it makes sense for characters to be surprised by Earth, but readers like me are far more curious about what kind of engines the rabbits use on Ut and what government entities and structures have outlawed most forms of slavery in the Pandominion. Unfortunately Carey never gives us many answers. It makes the worldbuilding feel shallow.
It's also odd that with all the interdimensional travel, no one encounters other versions of themselves from alternative continua. New dimensions branch into existence based on quantum probabilities. Thus almost every character, including the interdimensional travelers, should have clones. Many of these clones should also be interdimensional travelers who all head to similar—if not identical—final destinations. It should be extremely common for clones to bump into each other. I understand that if the multiverse is uncountably infinite in size, there may potentially be a part of it where no one meets their clone. There may even be a part of it where no one wonders why they haven't seen their clone. I still think it's unrealistic for the possibility of such an encounter to go mostly unmentioned. Carey has created a world where almost anything is within the realm of possibility (because of how uncountable infinities work), but it doesn't make the book beyond criticism. The only clone we see is Diallo, and he never engages in interdimensional travel, so he doesn't ever encounter himself.
Criticism aside, Infinity Gate is actually a very good book with compelling characters, a fun plot, witty prose, and mind-bending science. Its flaws don't detract at all from the story. For those better than me at suspending their disbelief, it could easily be the best science fiction story written this year. I just can't get past a few minor gripes with the worldbuilding.
submitted by escapistworld to Fantasy [link] [comments]
For example, there are entire planets that are almost completely uniform. Ut is a planet of sentient rabbits who all seem to be culturally and politically the same. There's brief mention of one religion, and an even briefer allusion to an urban-rural divide. In all other respects, the rabbits of Ut don't seem that diverse. As a result, Ut seems like one city, not an entire planet. Indeed we don't get to see much of the planet outside of the city of Canoplex, which makes it odd that it keeps getting referred to as Ut. Why talk about an entire planet when only referring to one specific city there? Why deliver exposition on "the Uti people" when the information only covers a tiny subsection of the population of Canoplex?
On a similar note, Tsakom is a toxic prison that seems much too small and ubiquitous to be a planet.
No matter what timeline and what planet, so many questions are raised, and no answers are even hinted at. How have all these sentient animals learned to understand each other's facial expressions? Where are the planets in which two or more dominant species share the earth? Why does it seem as though everyone evolved bipedalism? The book is marketed for fans of Adrian Tchaikovsky, but anyone who's read Children of Time knows that Tchaikovsky would never have created a planet full of rabbits without any explanation of how the rabbits evolved sentience. The only information about rabbit evolution that we get from MR Carey is that their strong legs make them good at escaping prey. In most respects, the rabbits don't seem that different from humans in a furry costume. The same goes for all other sentient species. Even the sentient robots are sometimes a little too anthropomorphic for my own personal taste.
Again and again, the author does the same thing: describes a planet, explains the one thing that makes it different from Earth, and fails to give readers any further information. It comes across as lazy and unrealistic worldbuilding.
In truth, I don't think Carey is a lazy writer. I think the opposite: This book is trying to do too much. It's a political thriller, a spy thriller, a war story, a philosophical treatise on sentience, an interdimensional crime drama, and a bunch of other things. There's just no time for good delivery of exposition. Perhaps we'll get some answers in the sequel, because it's clear that this book is designed to set up the rest of the series.
Inexplicably Carey does spend time on worldbuilding mundane Earth. Characters from alternate timelines are amazed at how the humans on Earth lack fur, use combustion engines, and practice slavery and indentured servitude. Pages are wasted describing this amazement. In context, it makes sense for characters to be surprised by Earth, but readers like me are far more curious about what kind of engines the rabbits use on Ut and what government entities and structures have outlawed most forms of slavery in the Pandominion. Unfortunately Carey never gives us many answers. It makes the worldbuilding feel shallow.
It's also odd that with all the interdimensional travel, no one encounters other versions of themselves from alternative continua. New dimensions branch into existence based on quantum probabilities. Thus almost every character, including the interdimensional travelers, should have clones. Many of these clones should also be interdimensional travelers who all head to similar—if not identical—final destinations. It should be extremely common for clones to bump into each other. I understand that if the multiverse is uncountably infinite in size, there may potentially be a part of it where no one meets their clone. There may even be a part of it where no one wonders why they haven't seen their clone. I still think it's unrealistic for the possibility of such an encounter to go mostly unmentioned. Carey has created a world where almost anything is within the realm of possibility (because of how uncountable infinities work), but it doesn't make the book beyond criticism. The only clone we see is Diallo, and he never engages in interdimensional travel, so he doesn't ever encounter himself.
Criticism aside, Infinity Gate is actually a very good book with compelling characters, a fun plot, witty prose, and mind-bending science. Its flaws don't detract at all from the story. For those better than me at suspending their disbelief, it could easily be the best science fiction story written this year. I just can't get past a few minor gripes with the worldbuilding.
2023.06.06 14:54 Then_Marionberry_259 JUN 06, 2023 USHA.V USHA RESOURCES DISCOVERS EVOLVED LITHIUM-CESIUM-TANTALUM SYSTEM AT THE GATHERING LAKE LITHIUM PEGMATITE PROJECT
 | https://preview.redd.it/tkmzzrv7ae4b1.png?width=3500&format=png&auto=webp&s=81001c64857f080dad6e3b4d8f280286e594bf6e submitted by Then_Marionberry_259 to Treaty_Creek [link] [comments] VANCOUVER, BC , June 6, 2023 /CNW/ - Usha Resources Ltd.** ("USHA"** or the "Company") (TSXV: USHA) (OTCQB: USHAF) (FSE: JO0), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of drill-ready battery metal projects, is pleased to announce that it has confirmed the presence of a fertile lithium-cesium-tantalum ("LCT") system at its Gathering Lake Lithium Pegmatite Project (the "Project") located within the Thunder Bay Mining District, Ontario Highlights:
The Company acquired the Project because of its high potential to be prospective for LCT-pegmatites, as the claims shared a number of similar characteristics to Rock Tech Lithium's Georgia Lake Deposit, which hosts a 10.6 Mt indicated resource at 0.88% Li2O and 4.22 Mt inferred resource at 1.04% Li2O, and is located approximately 10 kilometres to the west:
The Gathering Project was recently optioned for $12,000 and 50,000 shares and the Company has the right to earn 100% through a total payment of $69,500 and 412,500 shares over 3 years. The Company's initial site visit is on-going, with further prospecting, mapping, soil and outcrop sampling planned, and the Company will provide additional updates throughout the visit and upon its conclusion. "We are thrilled with these initial findings at Gathering Lake," said Deepak Varshney , CEO of Usha Resources. "With three confirmed LCT-systems, we are building a portfolio of strong properties that will continue to deliver shareholder value. The discovery at Gathering Lake further cements the credibility of our technical team in finding low-risk opportunities to drive value to the company. We firmly believe every asset we acquire has the ability to be the next major discovery in Ontario's growing lithium hotbed and we look forward to advancing this ourselves or as part of a potential partnership beneficial to our shareholders." https://preview.redd.it/d9tukup9ae4b1.jpg?width=342&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7b9cf8ee6846e2728a810d3897809fbc30034199 The Company announces that, further to its news release of May 3, 2023 , it has issued 275,000 common shares (the "Shares") to 2758145 Ontario Ltd. in connection with the first payment of the Option Agreements with respect to the acquisition of five (5) additional lithium pegmatite projects located in Ontario and known as the "Lee Lake", "Mead", "Bluett", "Gathering Lake" and "Triangle Lake" Projects. Qualified person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Andrew Tims , P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Usha Resources Ltd. Usha Resources Ltd. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality battery and precious metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Based in Vancouver, BC , Usha's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and consist of Jackpot Lake, a lithium brine project in Nevada ; White Willow, a lithium pegmatite project in Ontario that is the flagship among its growing portfolio of hard-rock lithium assets; and Lost Basin, a gold-copper project in Arizona USHA RESOURCES LTD. For more information, please call Tyler Muir , Investor Relations, at 1-888-772-2452, email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) , or visit www.usharesources.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements: This news release may include "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no reserves on any of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. https://preview.redd.it/iah38k2aae4b1.jpg?width=342&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0df75dcb2e653ab574f9d88c69222309eaec9b06 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usha-resources-discovers-evolved-lithium-cesium-tantalum-system-at-the-gathering-lake-lithium-pegmatite-project-301843098.html SOURCE Usha Resources Ltd. View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2023/06/c2770.html https://preview.redd.it/adddkx3aae4b1.png?width=4000&format=png&auto=webp&s=e3942418640e15c2f99200c34b729659dcde223d
|
2023.06.06 14:04 Then_Marionberry_259 JUN 06, 2023 SUP.V NORTHERN SUPERIOR REPORTS 0.90 G/T GOLD OVER 59.0 METRES AND 0.73 G/T GOLD OVER 61.0 METRES FROM THE FALCON GOLD ZONE AND 1.84 G/T AU OVER 11.5 METRES FROM EXPLORATION DRILLING AT LAC SURPRISE
 | https://preview.redd.it/8n6ddyvb1e4b1.png?width=3500&format=png&auto=webp&s=aeccc67a511d458452346397751ee870f8c170a1 submitted by Then_Marionberry_259 to Treaty_Creek [link] [comments] TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 6, 2023 / Northern Superior Resources Inc. ("Northern Superior" or the "Company") (TSXV:SUP)(OTCQX:NSUPF) is pleased to report the final assay results for nine holes completed on the Falcon Gold Zone ("FGZ") on its large (20km x 15km) 100% owned Lac Surprise property, located within the Chibougamau gold camp, Québec. Highlights****Include (Grades uncut; lengths measured along hole, Table 1):
[1] Independent Technical Report for the Nelligan Gold Project, Quebec, Canada, February 22, 2023. Prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects Technical Report for IAMGOLD Corporation (IAMGOLD) and Vanstar Mining Resources Inc. (Vanstar) by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. (SRK). Definition Drilling Program Confirms Grades and Widths The Company completed 11 definition core drill holes in this program designed to test the near surface continuity and depth extension of the FGZ. All eight (8) holes reported in this release were successful in intersecting gold bearing zones highlighted by drill hole LCS-22-075 located in the central portion and near surface of the FGZ intersected 0.90 g/t Au over 59.0 metres, LCS-22-077 drilled down dip on the same easting returned 0.73 g/t Au over 61.0 metres, and hole LCS-22-073 drilled up dip on the same easting, but drilled north versus south due to the ground conditions, returned 0.82 g/t Au over 36.4 metres again highlighting the robust thickness and consistency of the FGZ (see Figure 1 and 2). Drill hole LCS-22-091 also tested the central portion of the FGZ at a vertical depth of 230 metres and returned 0.87 g/t Au over 27.4 metres. A possible new zone was also intersected further downhole in hole LCS-22-091 which returned 1.23 g/t Au over 7.5 metres and again further downhole the Épervier Zone returned 5.29 g/t Au over 2.6 meters including 17.05 g/t Au over 0.8 metres. Drill hole LCS-22-074 located near the eastern extent of the zone and at a vertical depth of 170 metres returned 0.66 g/t Au over 22.5 metres and hole LCS-22-076 drilled 40 metres west, but near surface, returned 0.50 g/t Au over 10.0 metres for the FGZ and 0.43 g/t Au over 9.1 metres from the Footwall Zone ("FWZ"). Near the west-central portion of the FGZ hole LCS-22-072 returned 0.49 g/t Au over 40.3 metres, including 2.79 g/t Au over 3.5 metres. Drill hole LCS-22-090 tested the west side of an interpreted fault that offsets mineralization and intersected a weakly mineralized FGZ with 0.24 g/t Au over 19.0 metres. The FGZ is associated with a silicified-sericitized greywacke host rock. It is oriented approximately east-west and dips steeply (70-80 degrees) to the south. Characteristics defining the mineralized zone include the presence of silicification, sericitization, and pyrite, traceable along the whole 900 metres of strike length and 380 metres vertical depth. Higher gold and silver grades within the FGZ are spatially associated with smoky grey quartz veins and silicification, often containing molybdenite and pyrite, enveloped within strong sericite-carbonate-pyrite alteration. Higher grade intersections are shown in Figure 1, 2 and Table 1 below, and collar locations in Appendix Table 1. The mineralization style, gold grade and thickness have strong similarities to the Nelligan Gold Zone located 2 kilometres to the east of the FGZ. Table 1: Reported Assay Results, Falcon Zone; true width is estimated as 50-70% of the reported core length. https://preview.redd.it/g3b0pvyb1e4b1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=377ef1f18dc67a5f48e620ccefa72a3a6cfaa697 https://preview.redd.it/o7w1nqzb1e4b1.png?width=608&format=png&auto=webp&s=c453155e4f5a301fb3ba7c5ddf87bc8d6edad5c8 The Company completed 12 exploration drill holes on the Lac Surprise property to test regional targets and follow up drilling on the newly discovered mineralized trend associated with the Guercheville Deformation Zone ("GDZ"). Located north of the Falcon Zone, this broad weakly anomalous gold trend is defined by drill holes completed historically and by the Company in recent years including hole LCS-19-003ext., which returned 1.15 g/t Au over 9.5 metres. Included in this release are hole LCS-22-081 drilled 70 metres west of LCS-19-003ext which returned 1.84 g/t Au over 11.5 metres, including 18.5 g/t Au over 1.0 metre, and 80 metres to the east of LCS-19-003ext, hole LCS-22-080 which returned 0.78 g/t Au over 14.5 metres within a broader interval that returned 0.41 g/t Au over 31.9 metres (see Table 2 and Figure 3). Mineralization shows strong similarities to the FGZ mineralization including similar host rocks and structural setting. Exploration drilling followed up on previous exploration work northeast of the Amber Showing, where a historic intersection returned 0.82 g/t Au over 11.5 metres. Three drill holes tested this trend over 350 metres along strike, with the most eastern hole LCS-22-086, returning 0.65 g/t Au over 10.5 metres, LCS-22-085 returning 0.27 g/t Au over 19 metres including 0.80 g/t Au over 4.0 metres, and LCS-22-084 returning 4.06 g/t Au over 0.5 metres and 0.47 g/t Au over 3.0 metres (see Table 2 and Figure 4). The mineralized trend is associated with deformed and altered felsic porphyry dykes within gabbro host rocks and is open along strike and down dip. Other exploration holes intersected weakly anomalous gold values and the Company is working to integrate the new data with the already existing large geological database for future exploration targeting. Table 2 below includes highlights from the exploration drill program. See Appendix Table 1 and 2 for complete results and collar locations. Table 2: Exploration Drilling Assay Highlights; true width is not known. https://preview.redd.it/23ko8p0c1e4b1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=3da8489e21539f939f7ee0ff1cbdcdfb9fd7e287 Processing img n5twmt1c1e4b1... True widths of the intercepts reported in this press release have yet to be determined but are estimated to be 50% to 70% of reported core lengths. All NQ-size split core assays reported were obtained by fire assay with atomic absorption finish and samples returning values over 3 ppm Au are re-analyzed, utilizing standard Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods. Samples were shipped to ALS, SGS and AGAT Laboratories (ALS sample preparation done in Sudbury, ON and/or Val-d'Or, QC and analysis done in Vancouver, BC.), AGAT Laboratories (sample preparation done in Val-d'Or, Québec and sample analysis done in Mississauga, ON) and SGS Laboratories (sample preparation done in Val-d'Or, QC and sample analysis done in Vancouver, BC). The quality assurance and quality control protocol include insertion of blank or standard every 20 samples on average, in addition to the regular insertion of blank, duplicate, and standard samples inserted by the laboratories during the analytical process. The technical content and scientific aspects of this press release have been reviewed by Ms. Sarah Dean (P.Geo.) Ms. Dean is a Qualified Person ("QP") within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this press release related to the Lac Surprise program. Ms. Dean is not considered independent. Corporate Matters Northern Superior announces that further to the Royal Fox Gold Inc. ("Royal Fox") press release dated May 21, 2021 and pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement dated November 30, 2020, as amended March 23, 2021 and April 21, 2021, (collectively, the "Definitive Agreement"), entered into between the Royal Fox, Frank Guillemette (the "Principal Shareholder"), Jonathan Girard and Jean-Francois Girard (together with the Principal Shareholder, the "Vendors"), Royal Fox purchased from the Vendors, all of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of 9396-1217 Quebec Inc., which transaction closed on May 27, 2021 (the "Closing Date"), whose sole asset is 100% of the common shares in the capital of 9220-5392 Quebec Inc. o/a Mines Royales Quebec ("MRQ"). Pursuant to the provisions of the Definitive Agreement, as part consideration for the acquisition of 9396-1217 Quebec Inc. Royal Fox agreed to issue $3,000,000 worth shares to the Vendors in three (3) equal instalments on each of: (i) the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date (the "First Instalment"), (ii) the eighteen (18) month anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Second Instalment"), and (iii) the twenty four (24) month anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Third Instalment"), in each case at an issue price per share equal to the volume weighted average trading price of the shares for the 20 trading days prior to the date on which such instalment is due. As a result of the Company's acquisition of Royal Fox on November 4, 2022, Northern Superior assumed Royal Fox's Second Installment and Third Installment payment obligations. The Company announces that it has issued an aggregate of 2,293,051 common shares of the Company "Common Shares") at an issue price of $0.4361 per share for the settlement of the Second Instalment and 2,119,541 Common Shares at an issue price of $0.4718 per share for the settlement of the Third Instalment (collectively, the "Consideration Shares") to the Vendors. The Consideration Shares will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance, which hold period will expire on October 3, 2023. Moreover, 30% of the Consideration Shares were deposited in escrow and will be released to the Vendors in accordance with a TSXV Form 5B Escrow Agreement dated May 21, 2021, among the Vendors (and others), Royal Fox and TSX Trust Company. Pursuant to the Definitive Agreement, Mr. Frank Guillemette was issued 4,305,405 Common Shares. Immediately prior to the issuance, Mr. Guillemette held, directly or indirectly, 8,924,373 Common Shares and 60,000 stock options. Upon completion of is issuance, Mr. Guillemette will beneficially own or control 13,229,778 Common Shares of the Company and 60,000 stock options, representing approximately 9.32% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 9.37% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially basis. Depending on market and other conditions, or as future circumstances may dictate, Mr. Guillemette may from time to time increase or decrease its holdings of Common Shares or other securities of the Company. A copy of the early warning report will be available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company is also pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated May 2, 2023, Rockland Resources Ltd. (CSE: RKL) ("Rockland") has fully exercised its option to acquire the Wapistan property from Northern Superior, by accelerating its final option payment of $200,000 and its issuance of an additional 5.4M Rockland shares. Northern Superior has retained a 2% NSR on the property, 1% of which may be re-purchased by Rockland for $1M. Lastly, the Company has engaged Independent Trading Group ("ITG"), a Toronto based IIROC dealer-member to assist with market making activities. ITG is Canada's only brokerage firm dedicated specifically to professional trading. As Canada's foremost market making firm, ITG provides market making and liquidity provider services that are objective and focused. ITG employs real traders and provides real liquidity, with an underlying emphasis on integrity and success. The Company has agreed to pay ITG a fee of $6,000 per month for the duration of the contract, with an initial term of three months, followed by consecutive one-month terms unless cancelled by either party on 30-day notice. About Northern Superior Resources Inc. Northern Superior is a gold exploration company focused on the Chapais-Chibougamau Camp in Québec. The Company has consolidated the largest land package in the region, with total land holdings currently exceeding 62,000 hectares. The main properties include Philibert, Lac Surprise, Chevrier and Croteau Est. Northern Superior also owns significant exploration assets in Northern Ontario highlighted by the district scale TPK Project. The Philibert Project is located 9km from IAMGOLD Corporation's Nelligan Gold project which was awarded the "Discovery of the Year" by the Québec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ) in 2019. To date, more than C$13 million (historical value) have been spent on the Philibert Project, with more than 75,000 metres of drilling completed. The Philibert Project is owned by SOQUEM; the Company is currently undergoing an ownership option process, details of which can be found in the corporate presentation. Chevrier hosts an inferred mineral resource of 652,000 ounces Au (underground and open pit) and an indicated mineral resource of 260,000 ounces Au[2]. Croteau Est hosts an inferred mineral resource of 640,000 ounces Au[3]. Lac Surprise hosts the Falcon Zone Discovery, interpreted to be the western strike extension of IAMGOLD Corporation's Nelligan Deposit. Northern Superior is a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Québec, and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SUP, and the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol NSUPF. For further information, please refer to the Company's website at www.nsuperior.com or on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Northern Superior Resources Inc. on Behalf of the Board of Directors Simon Marcotte, CFA, President and Chief Executive Officer Contact Information: Simon Marcotte, CFA President and Chief Executive Office Tel: (647) 801-7273 [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to such risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Appendix Table 1: Reported Assay Results, Exploration, True widths are not known at this time. https://preview.redd.it/jguorx3c1e4b1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=5d1c785e594b72ef49aa930198c38dd9f4b6b5e8 Appendix Table 2: Drillhole Collar Locations, UTM Zone 17 https://preview.redd.it/vhf85l4c1e4b1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=73ac13cedcfe30d68f644e914330211341da2009 [2] NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimation for the Chevrier Main Deposit, Chevrier Project Chibougamau, Quebec, Canada, October 20, 2021, Prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") by Lions Gate Geological Consulting Inc. IOS Services Géoscientifiques Inc. for Northern Superior Resources Inc. [3] Chalice Gold Mines Limited and Northern Superior Resources Inc. Technical Report on the Croteau Est Gold Project, Québec, September 2015, Prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") by Optiro Pty Ltd ("Optiro") to Chalice Gold Mines Limited and Northern Superior Resources Inc. SOURCE: Northern Superior Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/759413/Northern-Superior-Reports-090-GT-Gold-Over-590-Metres-and-073-GT-Gold-Over-610-Metres-From-the-Falcon-Gold-Zone-and-184-GT-Au-Over-115-Metres-From-Exploration-Drilling-at-Lac-Surprise https://preview.redd.it/4n5cnf5c1e4b1.png?width=4000&format=png&auto=webp&s=4c42d007bd43302149466ecab7215832e6affa22
|
2023.06.06 06:37 Goose_jpg Do not swim down to Ravenser Odd. If you do, make sure you never return.
My name is Oliver Stubbs. My whole life and identity are all inextricably entwined with my camera, and to say that I make a living behind the lens would be a monumental understatement. Ever since I was a child, I've been fascinated by the power of photography, the ability to freeze time - to immortalise a moment. At an early age, I discovered a knack for capturing more than just images but stories, emotions, and life itself, though looking back, my pictures weren't all too impressive as a child. But, as I grew older, my fascination turned into a burning passion. I studied photography at the prestigious University of Arts London and became prominent for my evocative storytelling through images. I had the unique ability to capture the unseen, the unheard, the unspoken - the soul of a scene. My distinctive style was hailed as revolutionary.
My work spans a range of genres, but my underwater photography has become particularly renowned. The unseen world beneath the waves, teeming with life, captivated me, and I devoted myself to capturing it in all its vibrancy and mystery. My photos were acclaimed for their vivid detail and uncanny ability to transport viewers beneath the surface into the heart of the underwater world. My images graced the covers of National Geographic and Time magazines, and my exhibits were frequented by photography enthusiasts worldwide. And at the age of 30, I was awaiting the dreaded 'burnout' my friends had all complained about.
I was a natural choice when the renowned historical and marine research organisation, the Sea Past Society, decided to take on the ambitious task of finding and documenting Ravenser Odd, Britain's own Atlantis. They needed someone who could document the submerged ruins in a way that showcased their historical significance and captured the mystique of a town long lost to the sea. A challenge that I knew was perfect for me.Dr Katherine Howard, the head of the Sea Past Society and a well-respected marine historian, contacted me personally. She believed in my unique talent for visual storytelling and thought I could bring the sunken town's story to life. She felt my photos could inspire a global audience, stir their imagination, and allow them to connect with a past submerged beneath the cold waters of the North Sea. Naturally, I was thrilled and honoured to be selected for such a significant project. The chance to dive into the mysterious depths and uncover the secrets of a lost town was a dream come true, and although I had done similar projects - something just felt... Different.
My flat in London soon became a frenzy of activity, cluttered with new high-tech underwater cameras, powerful lights for illuminating the dark ocean depths, and all manner of equipment for preserving my gear against the corrosive effects of saltwater, all funded by the Sea Past Society. But amid the chaos, there was an undercurrent of palpable excitement. Beneath the exhilaration was a thin layer of anxiety, like a dusting of frost on an otherwise warm window pane. It lingered there, never once stepping into the light but ominously hovering in the room's dark corners. The task ahead was daunting. This was not a recreational dive into a well-explored reef but an expedition into a town lost to the depths six centuries ago. Unease did not overshadow my enthusiasm; it fueled it. The chance to tell the story of Ravenser Odd, to breathe life into its submerged and silent streets, was a thrill like no other. I relished the challenge. Before long, it was time to travel to Yorkshire. I was introduced to my dive buddy, a man named Callum, a burly Scotsman with a twinkle in his eye and a jovial demeanour. But beneath his light-hearted exterior was an individual of impressive expertise and meticulous attention to detail. Dr Howard had assembled a unique team of historians, marine archaeologists, and technical experts. Most of them were to say above the sea and watch through another camera broadcasting to the boat.
Callum was the Sea Past Society's Health and Safety Coordinator, a veteran diver with an impeccable track record. His task was to ensure the safety of the divers as they explored the undersea ruins, and I was to be his primary responsibility. Callum was hired not just for his expertise in dive safety but also for his ability to remain calm in a crisis. His warm personality put me at ease, making me feel safer about the dive.
In the days leading up to the dive, Callum and I worked closely together. We conducted practice dives, tested our equipment, and developed a dive plan. His attention to detail and uncompromising approach to safety impressed me. He was careful and cautious - but also open to the spirit of adventure that this exploration held. The excitement and nerves within me swirled like a tempest. The idea I was soon to explore a piece of history untouched for centuries, about to uncover stories that had been silenced by the sea, kept me tossing and turning in my bed at night.The day finally arrived. Our vessel was a massive, state-of-the-art boat stocked with all the equipment necessary for the dive, including cutting-edge sonar systems, robotic submersibles, and a plethora of diving gear. There was an undercurrent of tension in the air, a static charge that prickled the skin and raised the hair on the back of your neck. I noticed hushed conversations among the crew, quick, sidelong glances that hinted at concern. Was it the enormity of the task that caused this? Or perhaps they were wary of a new face? I shook it off; I had a talent for overthinking things, especially while stressed.
Callum meticulously checked my gear, ensuring every piece was functioning correctly. His diligent inspection was comforting, a touch of solidity amid a sea of anticipation. We ran through our final checklist - emergency signals, the navigation route, and ascent and descent points. As we finished our preparations, the moment we'd been waiting for was finally upon us. With one last nod of reassurance from Callum, we plunged into the icy embrace of the North Sea. The sudden chill was a shock, biting through the thick neoprene of my diving suit, but it did nothing to dampen my spirits. If anything, it heightened my senses, focusing my mind on the world we were about to enter.
As we descended, the remnants of Ravenser Odd slowly emerged from the gloom. The water had eroded much, but what remained bore a spectral reminder of the bustling town it once was. Buildings, streets, the outlines of what might have been a town square, all blanketed in a shroud of decay and encrusted with marine life. Intricate stonework, long worn away by the constant current, was now home to vibrant corals and anemones, creating an eerie fusion of man-made and natural beauty. The coral had claimed these structures, using them as foundations for their colonies, transforming them into organic, living artworks that swayed gently with the ocean's rhythm. It was a haunting sight, a tableau of life abruptly halted and preserved beneath the waves.
Statues stood guard over their underwater realm, their features softened by centuries under the sea, their stony gaze meeting mine through a veil of tiny bubbles that streamed from my regulator. A fish darted past, a flash of iridescent colour that stood out against the grey stone and green-blue water. I was caught between two worlds, the ancient human past and the teeming marine life of the present. It was simultaneously humbling and thrilling, a testament to nature's uncanny ability to reclaim and repurpose. With my camera at the ready, I eagerly started documenting this hauntingly beautiful underwater world. Callum and I navigated through the labyrinth of sunken streets. Each building was a monument to the past, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of those who once called Ravenser Odd home. While I concentrated on capturing the visual essence of these ancient structures, other team members avoided us and engaged in their own tasks. They meticulously scraped away at the encrusted stone walls, collecting samples to further understand how the sea had affected the material over the centuries. Though this underwater world was extraordinary, it wasn't entirely alien. I'd spent years exploring and documenting similar sites. Yet, each site had its own unique character, a singular atmosphere that made every dive a new adventure.
My previous major project had been an exploration of the underwater ruins of a Second World War shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea. That was a poignant journey, a testament to a grim period of human history. But despite the historical significance and the eerie beauty of the coral-clad wreckage, the experience was different, perhaps because it lacked the element of human life that Ravenser Odd held. Once a mighty symbol of naval power, the decaying hull now lay silent and broken on the ocean floor. Ravenser Odd was not merely a relic of an ancient era, but a snapshot of everyday life frozen in time and lost to the ocean depths. It had once been filled with people, their hopes and dreams, their daily routines. This tangible human element made this dive so much more thrilling. I felt like an interloper peering into a time capsule of lives lived centuries ago.
I was careful to capture every significant structure, every suggestive detail that hinted at the lives once lived here. I photographed the decay, the rich marine life, and the profound contrasts between human architecture and natural adaptations. Each click of my shutter felt like a tribute, a way to immortalise the town and its untold stories for posterity
.The underwater world has a curious way of warping one's sense of time. Minutes stretch into hours, and each moment is amplified in the silent stillness of the ocean depths. Before I knew it, our dive time was up, and the team began their gradual ascent back to the surface. As I started to swim upwards, I felt an unaccountable tug, like an unseen current pulling me back towards the sunken town. It was as if Ravenser Odd was reluctant to let us go, whispering silent pleas for us to stay and listen to its muted stories a while longer. Mistaking it for my thirst for excitement was a mistake.
A few days later, I found myself in the Sea Past Society's dedicated photography lab, surrounded by the familiar hum of high-end development equipment and the sharp, comforting scent of photographic chemicals. Developing photos was always a ritual of anticipation and discovery for me. The way an image gradually emerged on the paper felt almost like magic, a portal opening up to a frozen moment in time. As the first of the underwater images began to materialise, I was thrilled to see the haunting beauty of the sunken town coming to life once more. But as I went through the developing photos, unease started to creep in. I first noticed it in one of the shots of the town square. There was a shadow that didn't align with the underwater light refraction, a blur that felt out of place. I thought it might be a technical glitch, perhaps an equipment malfunction or an error in the development process.
But as more photos developed, the anomalies kept appearing. Patches of darkness seemed to move across sequential shots, undefined shapes lurking in the corners of the frame, and odd distortions that seemed to warp the scenery. They were subtle and could easily be dismissed as flaws or artefacts of the photographic process, but something about them made me feel uneasy. I reviewed the images over and over, trying to find a logical explanation, but the more I looked, the more the inconsistencies gnawed at me. It felt as though the images were hiding something, something that lurked just beyond the edges of perception. It was as if the quiet town of Ravenser Odd had secrets it was reluctant to reveal, secrets that I had inadvertently brought back with me to the surface.
In some sort of sicking denial, I laid out the images before me, my mind teetered between disbelief and fear. Something was wrong, but I couldn't discern whether it was a simple mistake on my part or something more profound. This was my work, and the anomalies, however bizarre, had emerged from my own camera. I wanted it to be my error. It had to be... Right?
Doubt seeped into my thoughts, creating a whirlpool of uncertainty. Had I overlooked something in the underwater conditions? Had I mishandled the equipment? Was there something wrong with my camera? I was well-respected in my field and known for my precision and attention to detail. A mistake like this felt uncharacteristic, but I couldn't ignore the possibility. And then, there was the question of whether to reveal these anomalies to my superiors. I found myself wrestling with the implications.
I was not one to be easily intimidated, but the thought of jeopardising my position unsettled me. Despite my accomplishments, the all too familiar feeling of imposter syndrome set in, and I found myself questioning my abilities and whether I really belonged here. Despite this, deep within me, a quiet resolve began to form. As much as the prospect of uncertainty unnerved me, the idea of not pursuing this anomaly felt even worse. I've always been driven by a hunger for truth and understanding. I had to find out if I had messed up; if not, what was causing the distortions? Ravenser Odd had presented me with a puzzle, and I could not resist the pull to delve deeper.
I approached Dr Howard with a carefully considered proposal. I had crafted an excuse, one that was rooted in genuine scientific curiosity and made to cover my arse if it turned out to be my fault the entire time. I suggested we needed a more detailed visual record of the site, a series of panoramic images that could be digitally stitched together to provide a 360-degree view of the underwater town.
"This could enhance our understanding of the spatial layout of the town, Doctor," I argued, maintaining an air of professional concern. "Imagine being able to virtually navigate through the streets of Ravenser Odd. It could reveal architectural patterns, structural relationships, aspects that we may have missed during the first dive."I had chosen my words carefully, knowing that the proposal would appeal to Dr Howard's keen interest in experimental archaeological techniques. The prospect of contributing a unique method of documentation to the field was too enticing for her to disregard. To my relief, she agreed.
"That sounds like an excellent idea, Oliver," she nodded, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "Prepare for another dive. And make sure this time, we document every inch of that town."
With the go-ahead secured, a new wave of anticipation swept over me. I was going back. I found myself relieved, yet something still sat deep inside of me.
In the days leading up to the dive, I found myself spending more time with Callum. Our shared passion for ocean exploration had naturally drawn us together, but our contrasting personalities solidified our bond. With his infectious enthusiasm and easy-going nature, Callum was the perfect counterbalance to my more focused and often intense demeanour. Callum had a knack for putting people at ease. He was full of stories about his adventures from all around the world - from wild encounters with marine creatures to the time he got lost in a coral maze off the coast of Australia. His tales were always told with a broad grin and a glint of mischief in his eyes, leaving anyone within earshot in fits of laughter. One evening, as the sunset bathed the sea in hues of orange and red, Callum and I found ourselves sitting on the company dock, just minutes from our temporary accommodations. He had brought two hot cocoa mugs, a comforting drink perfect for the cold evening. Callum turned to me as we sipped the sweet beverage and watched the sun sink below the horizon.
"You know, Ollie, diving isn't just about the adrenaline rush or the sense of adventure," he said, his eyes reflecting the dying light of the setting sun. "It's about connection. It's about understanding our place in the grand scheme of things and how we, as humans, interact with the world around us," he spoke, his words rich with his accent.
His words resonated with me. It was comforting to know that someone else understood and shared this sentiment. It was this shared sense of connection, this shared appreciation of the ocean's magnitude and mystery, that had drawn me to this profession in the first place.
As the night deepened and the stars shone brightly above, I hesitated, weighing my words carefully before speaking.
"Callum," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "there's something about the last dive I haven't told anyone."
Callum turned to look at me, his usually cheerful expression giving way to concern.
"What is it, Ollie?"
"The photographs from the dive, there are... anomalies," I confessed, watching his face nervously for any sign of ridicule or disbelief."Anomalies?" He echoed, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms."Yeah," I nodded, "Shadows that don't make sense, blurs that seem to... move. It's as if something was there with us."A silence stretched between us, filled only by the distant lapping of waves against the boat's hull. Callum's face was thoughtful; momentarily, I feared I had crossed a line.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"Ollie, we were diving into a sunken town. A place that held life, history, probably secrets too," he began, his tone measured. "And let's not forget we were deep underwater, where light behaves strangely, and visibility can play tricks on your eyes and the camera."I nodded, knowing his rationale made sense - but also knowing that my concerns weren't mere illusions.
"It's more than that. The photos, they... they feel wrong. I can't explain it, but it's like the town was trying to tell us something. Or warn us."Callum regarded me for a long moment, the lines on his face deepening as he processed what I'd just shared. Then, with a firm nod, he clapped a hand on my shoulder."Ollie, you're one of the best underwater photographers out there. If you say something was off, then it was off. We'll keep our eyes open on the next dive. Together."His reassurance brought a wave of relief, and I found myself smiling at his words. His support and willingness to believe in my concerns made me feel better about the upcoming dive.
There was a moment of silence as Callum finished speaking."Thank you, Callum," I finally said, my voice filled with gratitude. "I know it sounds...odd. I just needed someone to know. Just in case."
"In case of what?" he asked, his eyes searching mine for answers. I paused for a moment, staring out at the endless expanse of the sea.
"I'm not sure," I admitted. "But whatever it is, I have a feeling it's tied to Ravenser Odd. This is different from my other dives. It feels like something more than just a sunken town."
Callum continued to look at me, his eyes reflecting concern and curiosity. It was clear that part of him didn't believe me, but he remained silent.
"Well," he said, after a considerable pause, "we'll face it. As you said, this is about more than just the town. Whatever it is."I nodded, feeling a sense of camaraderie in his words.
"Yeah." I agreed, taking a deep breath as I turned to face the sea again.
The following morning dawned bright and clear, the crisp blue sky starkly contrasting the enigma that awaited us beneath the surface. As we prepared for the dive, I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and unease. There was a silent tension in the air, like the stillness before a storm. Callum, once again, meticulously checked over our equipment, his attention to detail a welcome source of comfort amidst my apprehension. Every buckle, valve, and gauge was inspected; every aspect of our gear was scrutinised to ensure maximum safety.
As we began our descent, the familiar coolness of the water enveloped us, and my senses heightened. This time, however, the thrill of the dive was tinged with an undercurrent of uncertainty. As the town of Ravenser Odd came into view, an odd sensation settled over me. It was as though the town was somehow aware of our presence. There was a whisper at the edge of my consciousness, a sense of being observed from the shadows. The closer we got, the more palpable this feeling became. It felt like we were intruders in this lost town, disturbing the peace of its long-forgotten inhabitants.
As we began our exploration, I continued to notice fleeting shadows at the edge of my vision. Faint movements caught in the corners of my eyes, seemingly disappearing as soon as I turned to look. My heart pounded in my chest as a chill ran down my spine, but I forced myself to stay composed and focused on the task. Determined to fulfil my promise to Dr Howard, I set about capturing the panoramic images of Ravenser Odd. I methodically swam from one building to the next, with Callum following close behind. I captured every detail of the sunken town. The remains of the harbour, the ancient sea wall, and the collapsed roofs of houses are all immortalised in my camera. Yet, with each shutter click, the sense of unease grew. It was as though the very act of photographing the town was disrupting something. And with each disruption, the uncanny sensation that we were not alone intensified.
It felt like the sea had a heartbeat, a thrumming rhythm that pulsed around me, seeping into my bones. The feeling of being watched became stronger as we swam through the main square, where a towering statue, ravaged by time and water, stood as a testament to the town's lost glory. As my flash illuminated the worn stone, I could swear the statue's gaze was locked onto us, the cold eyes of stone holding a cold glare. I shook my head, trying to dismiss it as a trick of the light, but Callum had noticed too.
The murkiness of the water seemed to thicken around us as we continued to the outskirts of the town, the once vibrant coral that adorned the buildings appearing pallid and ghostly under our torchlight. Occasionally, a fish would dart away, its silvery scales shimmering briefly before disappearing into the blue abyss, leaving us in solitude once more.
Examining the town more, I noticed each structure held its own tale of decay. Houses, once filled with the hum of life, now stood desolate, their skeletal remains encrusted with marine life. The town's church, with its toppled spire, lay half-buried under the sand. I captured the eerie beauty of the forsaken town etched in each frame.
As we neared the end of our exploration, the sensation of being watched peaked. The water around us seemed to ripple with an unseen presence. Suddenly, a gust of underwater current swept past us, an inexplicable chill that froze my blood. A dark form darted in the corner of my eye, but when I turned, there was nothing but the ancient ruins and the haunting darkness beyond. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched Callum signal our ascent, his eyes wide with fear.
A dark shadow darted towards him from the corner of my eye. A surge of adrenaline rushed through me as I turned to look, but it was too late. An unseen force struck Callum, pushing him with a violent current into the decrepit wall of a nearby building below. His regulator was knocked free, bubbles bursting from his mouth in a panicked rush, yet his training prevented him from breathing in water."Callum!" I screamed into my regulator, my voice muffled and carried away by the water. Frantically, I swam towards him, my heart pounding in my chest. His eyes were wide in shock, and his hands desperately grappled for the regulator as he struggled against the new, unusual current. I grabbed him, anchoring myself and fighting the force battering us. I swam down and, holding onto Callum with one hand, I grabbed his backup regulator and shoved it towards him. He took it, jamming it into his mouth. He purged the water out of the piece, and his panicked eyes softened slightly as the life-giving air flowed once more.
I turned to face the town, a sense of anger burning inside me. Whatever was lurking in the forgotten depths of Ravenser Odd had shown itself not just as an uncanny presence but as a threatening force. The water seemed to pulsate with sinister energy, the town's ruins casting ominous shadows in our torchlight. I could feel it watching us, pressing against us, making its displeasure known.
I signalled an ascent to Callum, who nodded, his eyes wide but resolute. We kicked upwards, each stroke taking us further from the menacing depths of Ravenser Odd. As we rose, the water grew lighter, the pressure eased, and the sense of dread began to dissipate.
Just as we thought we were clear, a sudden force pulled us back down, even stronger than before. It was as if the entire ocean had become an invisible hand dragging us back towards the malevolent town.
I screamed into my regulator again as I saw him get pulled away from me, his form disappearing into the murkiness. Desperate, I tried to swim towards him but the force was too strong. Then, suddenly, my grip on my camera slipped, and it began to sink, its attached lights flickering like a falling star into the watery void. I watched, horror-stricken, as it fell into a crack and deeper into the abyss.
I cried out, my voice lost in the aquatic emptiness. That camera was my lifeline, not just for my profession, but now it seemed, for our survival. It sank rapidly, swallowed up by the eternal darkness of the ocean
.Whatever was targetting us was weak, as if it needed us to be closer to the town to fully overpower us. As I was about to dive after it, I felt a hand grip my arm. I turned to see Callum, his eyes wide with fear and confusion, but alive. He shook his head. He was right. Going after it spelt more danger than either of us could imagine.
We ascended again with nothing else to do, hoping the loss of our evidence calmed the town.The effort was physically taxing, the cold seawater churning around us as we battled to ascend. Each kick and each push felt like we were fighting against a relentless tide. My muscles screamed in protest, but I forced myself to keep going, pushing past the pain and exhaustion. Callum was ahead of me, every sinew in his body straining as he, too, fought against the pull. Determination was etched on his face, yet he kept his eye on me.
Slowly, painstakingly, we began to gain distance, the pull of the town lessening. I could see the lighter waters above us, the sun's rays penetrating the deep blue, beckoning us towards safety.
We broke to the surface and found ourselves clinging to the side of the boat, our breaths ragged and our bodies exhausted. Our crew helped our heavy bodies aboard, their faces masks of concern and confusion. We exchanged no words. The terror of our experience had left us momentarily speechless.
As we docked back at the mainland, Dr Howard was there to meet us. She looked troubled, eyes scanning Callum and me, noting our bruised and battered bodies. We were a far cry from the enthusiastic team that had embarked on a journey to chronicle the sunken town.
"Oliver, Callum," she began, her voice a mixture of concern and something else, something I couldn't quite place. "What happened out there?"I
exchanged a glance with Callum before turning back to her. Taking a deep breath, I recounted the inexplicable experiences, the unseen force, the threatening shadows, and the attack.
Dr Howard listened, her face paling as we described our encounter. As I mentioned the loss of the camera, I saw a flicker of disappointment cross her face. But it was quickly replaced by a serious expression as I continued.
"I know this may sound... impossible," I concluded, bracing myself for her reaction. "But something is down there, Dr Howard. Something that doesn't want us there."
For a moment, there was silence. Dr Howard seemed to be processing what we'd told her, her gaze distant. Then, to my surprise, she nodded.
"I believe you, Oliver," she said quietly. "In fact, I owe you both an apology."She took a deep breath, and then began to explain. Teams before us had reported the same strange feelings, the same sense of being watched. But it was more than that. After their third dive, members started returning with inexplicable injuries. Those who were brave enough to attempt a fourth dive... they never returned at all. "I had hoped... foolishly perhaps... that capturing photographic evidence would help us understand what was happening," Dr Howard confessed, her voice wavering slightly. "I... I didn't want to believe that the town itself could be dangerous."While we were gone,
Dr Howard admitted she had examined the photos from our first dive. She also admitted to noticing the same strange phenomena I had. Ghostly figures, inexplicable shadows... things that didn't make sense. But she'd dismissed them, attributing them to lighting or damage to the camera. "But now, hearing your account... I understand that there's something more at play here," she admitted, her eyes reflecting a deep remorse. "I should have warned you, should have stopped the dives. But my desire for discovery overrode my caution."
Her confession left us shocked. The realisation that she had known, at least partially, of the potential danger but had not shared it... it stung. Yet, looking at her, seeing her genuine remorse, I could only feel a deep sense of sadness. I shook it all away. As Dr Howard's confession hung in the air, a deep sense of betrayal began to coil in the pit of my stomach. Anger, hot and quick, started to rise within me, searing away the icy dread that had gripped me since the dive.
I stared at Dr Howard, my mind a whirlwind of disbelief. My chest tightened, and my heart pounded in my ears. The woman who had entrusted us with an assignment of a lifetime, a woman we respected and admired, had knowingly led us into a trap. A trap that could have cost us our lives. We had trusted her, relied on her, and she had betrayed us. The pressure built inside me, a physical weight pressing against my chest, the corners of my vision growing red with rage. The sting of betrayal cut deep.
A flash of memory— the cold, unforgiving waters, the threatening shadows in the deep, Callum's terrified eyes, the invisible force that had almost claimed us— all came crashing down, feeding the fire of my anger.
"You knew?" My voice was low and harsh, carrying the weight of my brewing anger. "You knew, and you still sent us down there?"
Dr Howard tried to respond, her voice placating, but the words were lost on me. The anger was all-consuming now, blotting out any reason. "We could have died, Howard... Callum could have died!" the words tore from my throat, raw and furious.
At that moment, I felt a sudden urge to leave, to put as much distance between myself and Dr Howard as possible. To escape from the bitter taste of betrayal. But instead, I stood there, my fists clenched, my body trembling with unspent rage. My career, my love for the ocean, and the trust I had in those I worked with all felt like they were sinking. A shiver ran through me, a mix of anger and something else: a deep, echoing sadness as profound as the ocean itself.
I walked out after that. In a rush of adrenaline, I packed away my belongings, leaving behind the new equipment tainted by the darkness of the project, and left.
I hope whatever inhabits that town, stays there.
submitted by Goose_jpg to nosleep [link] [comments]
My work spans a range of genres, but my underwater photography has become particularly renowned. The unseen world beneath the waves, teeming with life, captivated me, and I devoted myself to capturing it in all its vibrancy and mystery. My photos were acclaimed for their vivid detail and uncanny ability to transport viewers beneath the surface into the heart of the underwater world. My images graced the covers of National Geographic and Time magazines, and my exhibits were frequented by photography enthusiasts worldwide. And at the age of 30, I was awaiting the dreaded 'burnout' my friends had all complained about.
I was a natural choice when the renowned historical and marine research organisation, the Sea Past Society, decided to take on the ambitious task of finding and documenting Ravenser Odd, Britain's own Atlantis. They needed someone who could document the submerged ruins in a way that showcased their historical significance and captured the mystique of a town long lost to the sea. A challenge that I knew was perfect for me.Dr Katherine Howard, the head of the Sea Past Society and a well-respected marine historian, contacted me personally. She believed in my unique talent for visual storytelling and thought I could bring the sunken town's story to life. She felt my photos could inspire a global audience, stir their imagination, and allow them to connect with a past submerged beneath the cold waters of the North Sea. Naturally, I was thrilled and honoured to be selected for such a significant project. The chance to dive into the mysterious depths and uncover the secrets of a lost town was a dream come true, and although I had done similar projects - something just felt... Different.
My flat in London soon became a frenzy of activity, cluttered with new high-tech underwater cameras, powerful lights for illuminating the dark ocean depths, and all manner of equipment for preserving my gear against the corrosive effects of saltwater, all funded by the Sea Past Society. But amid the chaos, there was an undercurrent of palpable excitement. Beneath the exhilaration was a thin layer of anxiety, like a dusting of frost on an otherwise warm window pane. It lingered there, never once stepping into the light but ominously hovering in the room's dark corners. The task ahead was daunting. This was not a recreational dive into a well-explored reef but an expedition into a town lost to the depths six centuries ago. Unease did not overshadow my enthusiasm; it fueled it. The chance to tell the story of Ravenser Odd, to breathe life into its submerged and silent streets, was a thrill like no other. I relished the challenge. Before long, it was time to travel to Yorkshire. I was introduced to my dive buddy, a man named Callum, a burly Scotsman with a twinkle in his eye and a jovial demeanour. But beneath his light-hearted exterior was an individual of impressive expertise and meticulous attention to detail. Dr Howard had assembled a unique team of historians, marine archaeologists, and technical experts. Most of them were to say above the sea and watch through another camera broadcasting to the boat.
Callum was the Sea Past Society's Health and Safety Coordinator, a veteran diver with an impeccable track record. His task was to ensure the safety of the divers as they explored the undersea ruins, and I was to be his primary responsibility. Callum was hired not just for his expertise in dive safety but also for his ability to remain calm in a crisis. His warm personality put me at ease, making me feel safer about the dive.
In the days leading up to the dive, Callum and I worked closely together. We conducted practice dives, tested our equipment, and developed a dive plan. His attention to detail and uncompromising approach to safety impressed me. He was careful and cautious - but also open to the spirit of adventure that this exploration held. The excitement and nerves within me swirled like a tempest. The idea I was soon to explore a piece of history untouched for centuries, about to uncover stories that had been silenced by the sea, kept me tossing and turning in my bed at night.The day finally arrived. Our vessel was a massive, state-of-the-art boat stocked with all the equipment necessary for the dive, including cutting-edge sonar systems, robotic submersibles, and a plethora of diving gear. There was an undercurrent of tension in the air, a static charge that prickled the skin and raised the hair on the back of your neck. I noticed hushed conversations among the crew, quick, sidelong glances that hinted at concern. Was it the enormity of the task that caused this? Or perhaps they were wary of a new face? I shook it off; I had a talent for overthinking things, especially while stressed.
Callum meticulously checked my gear, ensuring every piece was functioning correctly. His diligent inspection was comforting, a touch of solidity amid a sea of anticipation. We ran through our final checklist - emergency signals, the navigation route, and ascent and descent points. As we finished our preparations, the moment we'd been waiting for was finally upon us. With one last nod of reassurance from Callum, we plunged into the icy embrace of the North Sea. The sudden chill was a shock, biting through the thick neoprene of my diving suit, but it did nothing to dampen my spirits. If anything, it heightened my senses, focusing my mind on the world we were about to enter.
As we descended, the remnants of Ravenser Odd slowly emerged from the gloom. The water had eroded much, but what remained bore a spectral reminder of the bustling town it once was. Buildings, streets, the outlines of what might have been a town square, all blanketed in a shroud of decay and encrusted with marine life. Intricate stonework, long worn away by the constant current, was now home to vibrant corals and anemones, creating an eerie fusion of man-made and natural beauty. The coral had claimed these structures, using them as foundations for their colonies, transforming them into organic, living artworks that swayed gently with the ocean's rhythm. It was a haunting sight, a tableau of life abruptly halted and preserved beneath the waves.
Statues stood guard over their underwater realm, their features softened by centuries under the sea, their stony gaze meeting mine through a veil of tiny bubbles that streamed from my regulator. A fish darted past, a flash of iridescent colour that stood out against the grey stone and green-blue water. I was caught between two worlds, the ancient human past and the teeming marine life of the present. It was simultaneously humbling and thrilling, a testament to nature's uncanny ability to reclaim and repurpose. With my camera at the ready, I eagerly started documenting this hauntingly beautiful underwater world. Callum and I navigated through the labyrinth of sunken streets. Each building was a monument to the past, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of those who once called Ravenser Odd home. While I concentrated on capturing the visual essence of these ancient structures, other team members avoided us and engaged in their own tasks. They meticulously scraped away at the encrusted stone walls, collecting samples to further understand how the sea had affected the material over the centuries. Though this underwater world was extraordinary, it wasn't entirely alien. I'd spent years exploring and documenting similar sites. Yet, each site had its own unique character, a singular atmosphere that made every dive a new adventure.
My previous major project had been an exploration of the underwater ruins of a Second World War shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea. That was a poignant journey, a testament to a grim period of human history. But despite the historical significance and the eerie beauty of the coral-clad wreckage, the experience was different, perhaps because it lacked the element of human life that Ravenser Odd held. Once a mighty symbol of naval power, the decaying hull now lay silent and broken on the ocean floor. Ravenser Odd was not merely a relic of an ancient era, but a snapshot of everyday life frozen in time and lost to the ocean depths. It had once been filled with people, their hopes and dreams, their daily routines. This tangible human element made this dive so much more thrilling. I felt like an interloper peering into a time capsule of lives lived centuries ago.
I was careful to capture every significant structure, every suggestive detail that hinted at the lives once lived here. I photographed the decay, the rich marine life, and the profound contrasts between human architecture and natural adaptations. Each click of my shutter felt like a tribute, a way to immortalise the town and its untold stories for posterity
.The underwater world has a curious way of warping one's sense of time. Minutes stretch into hours, and each moment is amplified in the silent stillness of the ocean depths. Before I knew it, our dive time was up, and the team began their gradual ascent back to the surface. As I started to swim upwards, I felt an unaccountable tug, like an unseen current pulling me back towards the sunken town. It was as if Ravenser Odd was reluctant to let us go, whispering silent pleas for us to stay and listen to its muted stories a while longer. Mistaking it for my thirst for excitement was a mistake.
A few days later, I found myself in the Sea Past Society's dedicated photography lab, surrounded by the familiar hum of high-end development equipment and the sharp, comforting scent of photographic chemicals. Developing photos was always a ritual of anticipation and discovery for me. The way an image gradually emerged on the paper felt almost like magic, a portal opening up to a frozen moment in time. As the first of the underwater images began to materialise, I was thrilled to see the haunting beauty of the sunken town coming to life once more. But as I went through the developing photos, unease started to creep in. I first noticed it in one of the shots of the town square. There was a shadow that didn't align with the underwater light refraction, a blur that felt out of place. I thought it might be a technical glitch, perhaps an equipment malfunction or an error in the development process.
But as more photos developed, the anomalies kept appearing. Patches of darkness seemed to move across sequential shots, undefined shapes lurking in the corners of the frame, and odd distortions that seemed to warp the scenery. They were subtle and could easily be dismissed as flaws or artefacts of the photographic process, but something about them made me feel uneasy. I reviewed the images over and over, trying to find a logical explanation, but the more I looked, the more the inconsistencies gnawed at me. It felt as though the images were hiding something, something that lurked just beyond the edges of perception. It was as if the quiet town of Ravenser Odd had secrets it was reluctant to reveal, secrets that I had inadvertently brought back with me to the surface.
In some sort of sicking denial, I laid out the images before me, my mind teetered between disbelief and fear. Something was wrong, but I couldn't discern whether it was a simple mistake on my part or something more profound. This was my work, and the anomalies, however bizarre, had emerged from my own camera. I wanted it to be my error. It had to be... Right?
Doubt seeped into my thoughts, creating a whirlpool of uncertainty. Had I overlooked something in the underwater conditions? Had I mishandled the equipment? Was there something wrong with my camera? I was well-respected in my field and known for my precision and attention to detail. A mistake like this felt uncharacteristic, but I couldn't ignore the possibility. And then, there was the question of whether to reveal these anomalies to my superiors. I found myself wrestling with the implications.
I was not one to be easily intimidated, but the thought of jeopardising my position unsettled me. Despite my accomplishments, the all too familiar feeling of imposter syndrome set in, and I found myself questioning my abilities and whether I really belonged here. Despite this, deep within me, a quiet resolve began to form. As much as the prospect of uncertainty unnerved me, the idea of not pursuing this anomaly felt even worse. I've always been driven by a hunger for truth and understanding. I had to find out if I had messed up; if not, what was causing the distortions? Ravenser Odd had presented me with a puzzle, and I could not resist the pull to delve deeper.
I approached Dr Howard with a carefully considered proposal. I had crafted an excuse, one that was rooted in genuine scientific curiosity and made to cover my arse if it turned out to be my fault the entire time. I suggested we needed a more detailed visual record of the site, a series of panoramic images that could be digitally stitched together to provide a 360-degree view of the underwater town.
"This could enhance our understanding of the spatial layout of the town, Doctor," I argued, maintaining an air of professional concern. "Imagine being able to virtually navigate through the streets of Ravenser Odd. It could reveal architectural patterns, structural relationships, aspects that we may have missed during the first dive."I had chosen my words carefully, knowing that the proposal would appeal to Dr Howard's keen interest in experimental archaeological techniques. The prospect of contributing a unique method of documentation to the field was too enticing for her to disregard. To my relief, she agreed.
"That sounds like an excellent idea, Oliver," she nodded, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "Prepare for another dive. And make sure this time, we document every inch of that town."
With the go-ahead secured, a new wave of anticipation swept over me. I was going back. I found myself relieved, yet something still sat deep inside of me.
In the days leading up to the dive, I found myself spending more time with Callum. Our shared passion for ocean exploration had naturally drawn us together, but our contrasting personalities solidified our bond. With his infectious enthusiasm and easy-going nature, Callum was the perfect counterbalance to my more focused and often intense demeanour. Callum had a knack for putting people at ease. He was full of stories about his adventures from all around the world - from wild encounters with marine creatures to the time he got lost in a coral maze off the coast of Australia. His tales were always told with a broad grin and a glint of mischief in his eyes, leaving anyone within earshot in fits of laughter. One evening, as the sunset bathed the sea in hues of orange and red, Callum and I found ourselves sitting on the company dock, just minutes from our temporary accommodations. He had brought two hot cocoa mugs, a comforting drink perfect for the cold evening. Callum turned to me as we sipped the sweet beverage and watched the sun sink below the horizon.
"You know, Ollie, diving isn't just about the adrenaline rush or the sense of adventure," he said, his eyes reflecting the dying light of the setting sun. "It's about connection. It's about understanding our place in the grand scheme of things and how we, as humans, interact with the world around us," he spoke, his words rich with his accent.
His words resonated with me. It was comforting to know that someone else understood and shared this sentiment. It was this shared sense of connection, this shared appreciation of the ocean's magnitude and mystery, that had drawn me to this profession in the first place.
As the night deepened and the stars shone brightly above, I hesitated, weighing my words carefully before speaking.
"Callum," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "there's something about the last dive I haven't told anyone."
Callum turned to look at me, his usually cheerful expression giving way to concern.
"What is it, Ollie?"
"The photographs from the dive, there are... anomalies," I confessed, watching his face nervously for any sign of ridicule or disbelief."Anomalies?" He echoed, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms."Yeah," I nodded, "Shadows that don't make sense, blurs that seem to... move. It's as if something was there with us."A silence stretched between us, filled only by the distant lapping of waves against the boat's hull. Callum's face was thoughtful; momentarily, I feared I had crossed a line.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"Ollie, we were diving into a sunken town. A place that held life, history, probably secrets too," he began, his tone measured. "And let's not forget we were deep underwater, where light behaves strangely, and visibility can play tricks on your eyes and the camera."I nodded, knowing his rationale made sense - but also knowing that my concerns weren't mere illusions.
"It's more than that. The photos, they... they feel wrong. I can't explain it, but it's like the town was trying to tell us something. Or warn us."Callum regarded me for a long moment, the lines on his face deepening as he processed what I'd just shared. Then, with a firm nod, he clapped a hand on my shoulder."Ollie, you're one of the best underwater photographers out there. If you say something was off, then it was off. We'll keep our eyes open on the next dive. Together."His reassurance brought a wave of relief, and I found myself smiling at his words. His support and willingness to believe in my concerns made me feel better about the upcoming dive.
There was a moment of silence as Callum finished speaking."Thank you, Callum," I finally said, my voice filled with gratitude. "I know it sounds...odd. I just needed someone to know. Just in case."
"In case of what?" he asked, his eyes searching mine for answers. I paused for a moment, staring out at the endless expanse of the sea.
"I'm not sure," I admitted. "But whatever it is, I have a feeling it's tied to Ravenser Odd. This is different from my other dives. It feels like something more than just a sunken town."
Callum continued to look at me, his eyes reflecting concern and curiosity. It was clear that part of him didn't believe me, but he remained silent.
"Well," he said, after a considerable pause, "we'll face it. As you said, this is about more than just the town. Whatever it is."I nodded, feeling a sense of camaraderie in his words.
"Yeah." I agreed, taking a deep breath as I turned to face the sea again.
The following morning dawned bright and clear, the crisp blue sky starkly contrasting the enigma that awaited us beneath the surface. As we prepared for the dive, I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and unease. There was a silent tension in the air, like the stillness before a storm. Callum, once again, meticulously checked over our equipment, his attention to detail a welcome source of comfort amidst my apprehension. Every buckle, valve, and gauge was inspected; every aspect of our gear was scrutinised to ensure maximum safety.
As we began our descent, the familiar coolness of the water enveloped us, and my senses heightened. This time, however, the thrill of the dive was tinged with an undercurrent of uncertainty. As the town of Ravenser Odd came into view, an odd sensation settled over me. It was as though the town was somehow aware of our presence. There was a whisper at the edge of my consciousness, a sense of being observed from the shadows. The closer we got, the more palpable this feeling became. It felt like we were intruders in this lost town, disturbing the peace of its long-forgotten inhabitants.
As we began our exploration, I continued to notice fleeting shadows at the edge of my vision. Faint movements caught in the corners of my eyes, seemingly disappearing as soon as I turned to look. My heart pounded in my chest as a chill ran down my spine, but I forced myself to stay composed and focused on the task. Determined to fulfil my promise to Dr Howard, I set about capturing the panoramic images of Ravenser Odd. I methodically swam from one building to the next, with Callum following close behind. I captured every detail of the sunken town. The remains of the harbour, the ancient sea wall, and the collapsed roofs of houses are all immortalised in my camera. Yet, with each shutter click, the sense of unease grew. It was as though the very act of photographing the town was disrupting something. And with each disruption, the uncanny sensation that we were not alone intensified.
It felt like the sea had a heartbeat, a thrumming rhythm that pulsed around me, seeping into my bones. The feeling of being watched became stronger as we swam through the main square, where a towering statue, ravaged by time and water, stood as a testament to the town's lost glory. As my flash illuminated the worn stone, I could swear the statue's gaze was locked onto us, the cold eyes of stone holding a cold glare. I shook my head, trying to dismiss it as a trick of the light, but Callum had noticed too.
The murkiness of the water seemed to thicken around us as we continued to the outskirts of the town, the once vibrant coral that adorned the buildings appearing pallid and ghostly under our torchlight. Occasionally, a fish would dart away, its silvery scales shimmering briefly before disappearing into the blue abyss, leaving us in solitude once more.
Examining the town more, I noticed each structure held its own tale of decay. Houses, once filled with the hum of life, now stood desolate, their skeletal remains encrusted with marine life. The town's church, with its toppled spire, lay half-buried under the sand. I captured the eerie beauty of the forsaken town etched in each frame.
As we neared the end of our exploration, the sensation of being watched peaked. The water around us seemed to ripple with an unseen presence. Suddenly, a gust of underwater current swept past us, an inexplicable chill that froze my blood. A dark form darted in the corner of my eye, but when I turned, there was nothing but the ancient ruins and the haunting darkness beyond. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched Callum signal our ascent, his eyes wide with fear.
A dark shadow darted towards him from the corner of my eye. A surge of adrenaline rushed through me as I turned to look, but it was too late. An unseen force struck Callum, pushing him with a violent current into the decrepit wall of a nearby building below. His regulator was knocked free, bubbles bursting from his mouth in a panicked rush, yet his training prevented him from breathing in water."Callum!" I screamed into my regulator, my voice muffled and carried away by the water. Frantically, I swam towards him, my heart pounding in my chest. His eyes were wide in shock, and his hands desperately grappled for the regulator as he struggled against the new, unusual current. I grabbed him, anchoring myself and fighting the force battering us. I swam down and, holding onto Callum with one hand, I grabbed his backup regulator and shoved it towards him. He took it, jamming it into his mouth. He purged the water out of the piece, and his panicked eyes softened slightly as the life-giving air flowed once more.
I turned to face the town, a sense of anger burning inside me. Whatever was lurking in the forgotten depths of Ravenser Odd had shown itself not just as an uncanny presence but as a threatening force. The water seemed to pulsate with sinister energy, the town's ruins casting ominous shadows in our torchlight. I could feel it watching us, pressing against us, making its displeasure known.
I signalled an ascent to Callum, who nodded, his eyes wide but resolute. We kicked upwards, each stroke taking us further from the menacing depths of Ravenser Odd. As we rose, the water grew lighter, the pressure eased, and the sense of dread began to dissipate.
Just as we thought we were clear, a sudden force pulled us back down, even stronger than before. It was as if the entire ocean had become an invisible hand dragging us back towards the malevolent town.
I screamed into my regulator again as I saw him get pulled away from me, his form disappearing into the murkiness. Desperate, I tried to swim towards him but the force was too strong. Then, suddenly, my grip on my camera slipped, and it began to sink, its attached lights flickering like a falling star into the watery void. I watched, horror-stricken, as it fell into a crack and deeper into the abyss.
I cried out, my voice lost in the aquatic emptiness. That camera was my lifeline, not just for my profession, but now it seemed, for our survival. It sank rapidly, swallowed up by the eternal darkness of the ocean
.Whatever was targetting us was weak, as if it needed us to be closer to the town to fully overpower us. As I was about to dive after it, I felt a hand grip my arm. I turned to see Callum, his eyes wide with fear and confusion, but alive. He shook his head. He was right. Going after it spelt more danger than either of us could imagine.
We ascended again with nothing else to do, hoping the loss of our evidence calmed the town.The effort was physically taxing, the cold seawater churning around us as we battled to ascend. Each kick and each push felt like we were fighting against a relentless tide. My muscles screamed in protest, but I forced myself to keep going, pushing past the pain and exhaustion. Callum was ahead of me, every sinew in his body straining as he, too, fought against the pull. Determination was etched on his face, yet he kept his eye on me.
Slowly, painstakingly, we began to gain distance, the pull of the town lessening. I could see the lighter waters above us, the sun's rays penetrating the deep blue, beckoning us towards safety.
We broke to the surface and found ourselves clinging to the side of the boat, our breaths ragged and our bodies exhausted. Our crew helped our heavy bodies aboard, their faces masks of concern and confusion. We exchanged no words. The terror of our experience had left us momentarily speechless.
As we docked back at the mainland, Dr Howard was there to meet us. She looked troubled, eyes scanning Callum and me, noting our bruised and battered bodies. We were a far cry from the enthusiastic team that had embarked on a journey to chronicle the sunken town.
"Oliver, Callum," she began, her voice a mixture of concern and something else, something I couldn't quite place. "What happened out there?"I
exchanged a glance with Callum before turning back to her. Taking a deep breath, I recounted the inexplicable experiences, the unseen force, the threatening shadows, and the attack.
Dr Howard listened, her face paling as we described our encounter. As I mentioned the loss of the camera, I saw a flicker of disappointment cross her face. But it was quickly replaced by a serious expression as I continued.
"I know this may sound... impossible," I concluded, bracing myself for her reaction. "But something is down there, Dr Howard. Something that doesn't want us there."
For a moment, there was silence. Dr Howard seemed to be processing what we'd told her, her gaze distant. Then, to my surprise, she nodded.
"I believe you, Oliver," she said quietly. "In fact, I owe you both an apology."She took a deep breath, and then began to explain. Teams before us had reported the same strange feelings, the same sense of being watched. But it was more than that. After their third dive, members started returning with inexplicable injuries. Those who were brave enough to attempt a fourth dive... they never returned at all. "I had hoped... foolishly perhaps... that capturing photographic evidence would help us understand what was happening," Dr Howard confessed, her voice wavering slightly. "I... I didn't want to believe that the town itself could be dangerous."While we were gone,
Dr Howard admitted she had examined the photos from our first dive. She also admitted to noticing the same strange phenomena I had. Ghostly figures, inexplicable shadows... things that didn't make sense. But she'd dismissed them, attributing them to lighting or damage to the camera. "But now, hearing your account... I understand that there's something more at play here," she admitted, her eyes reflecting a deep remorse. "I should have warned you, should have stopped the dives. But my desire for discovery overrode my caution."
Her confession left us shocked. The realisation that she had known, at least partially, of the potential danger but had not shared it... it stung. Yet, looking at her, seeing her genuine remorse, I could only feel a deep sense of sadness. I shook it all away. As Dr Howard's confession hung in the air, a deep sense of betrayal began to coil in the pit of my stomach. Anger, hot and quick, started to rise within me, searing away the icy dread that had gripped me since the dive.
I stared at Dr Howard, my mind a whirlwind of disbelief. My chest tightened, and my heart pounded in my ears. The woman who had entrusted us with an assignment of a lifetime, a woman we respected and admired, had knowingly led us into a trap. A trap that could have cost us our lives. We had trusted her, relied on her, and she had betrayed us. The pressure built inside me, a physical weight pressing against my chest, the corners of my vision growing red with rage. The sting of betrayal cut deep.
A flash of memory— the cold, unforgiving waters, the threatening shadows in the deep, Callum's terrified eyes, the invisible force that had almost claimed us— all came crashing down, feeding the fire of my anger.
"You knew?" My voice was low and harsh, carrying the weight of my brewing anger. "You knew, and you still sent us down there?"
Dr Howard tried to respond, her voice placating, but the words were lost on me. The anger was all-consuming now, blotting out any reason. "We could have died, Howard... Callum could have died!" the words tore from my throat, raw and furious.
At that moment, I felt a sudden urge to leave, to put as much distance between myself and Dr Howard as possible. To escape from the bitter taste of betrayal. But instead, I stood there, my fists clenched, my body trembling with unspent rage. My career, my love for the ocean, and the trust I had in those I worked with all felt like they were sinking. A shiver ran through me, a mix of anger and something else: a deep, echoing sadness as profound as the ocean itself.
I walked out after that. In a rush of adrenaline, I packed away my belongings, leaving behind the new equipment tainted by the darkness of the project, and left.
I hope whatever inhabits that town, stays there.
2023.06.06 03:30 Firm-Cardiologist-25 My Jomashop Sale Excursion Fragrance Reviews
So I went a little crazy on the Jomashop sale and blind bought some fragrances I thought would be sure bets. I’ve sampled some Tiziana Terenzi and Xerjoff and was lusting after Memo Paris as well (embarrassingly because of those damn bottles but I’ve also heard good things about the scents), so those are the brands I was checking out. Here are the results of the spree:
Tiziana Terenzi Vele: I underestimated how green this would be and assumed the tropical fruits listed in the notes would mean it would be more like Kirke (a sparkling tart ambroxan passion fruit scent I’ve sampled). This is so far from Kirke (probably should have just purchased Kirke; it was on sale too). This is GREEN! I mean, green!!! It has taken a few wears to get used to because it smells exactly like plant trimmings or leaves. Very tropical though, so I just try to imagine I’m strolling through a tropical greenhouse or emerging from the rainforest. Some reviews mention a powderiness, creaminess, and fruitiness and I get that a little in the dry down, although that may just be the power of suggestion because what I mostly get it GREEN. 😂
Tiziana Terenzi Borea - this is a creamy beachy white floral but I wanted to smell the pear, coconut, and almond in the notes, and I really don’t. It’s blended smoothly and I kind of don’t like that quality because I like different pops of notes coming through not just like a uniform solitary scent. I wore this next to my Kayali Utopia Coco Vanille and I found Utopia to be much more special with its warm ambery touch. Unfortunately Borea is a little dull to me but still pretty and wearable. It’s summery but I’ll try it out in the cooler weather too and perhaps some of the nuttiness others pick up will emerge. I’ll also experiment layering it with different body care. Worst case scenario, I won’t touch it until I go through my Kayali Utopia and then it will be a nice change of pace from that one. But just like with Vele, I don’t think I would buy this again.
Tiziana Terenzi Delox - oops again 😅. I should have read more about this. I remembered a reviewer describing it as a coffee fragrance (which is missing from my collection) but atleast on me the coffee note is almost undetectable. This is a sugared rose scent, just like Roses Vanille by Mancera and Montale Intense Cafe. I’m not huge on rose but don’t dislike it. This strikes me as almost too sweet. I haven’t worn it much yet but there is something yummy about it so I’ll have to play around a little more.
Xerjoff Allende - This is part of the shooting star range and actually comes with a small fragment of meteorite which is kind of badass. Allende is vanilla and magnolia, super simple scent but unique. Many reviews describe it as smelling like a high end lotion and I agree. I find it very cozy. Its very dry for a vanilla scent, I detect only the faintest sweetness and the magnolia is prominent. Its not a green fresh floral or like a sharp white either; its smooth and almost dark smelling and quite creamy sort of like iris but still its own unique kinda vibe. i guess you just gotta know the smell of magnolia to understand. Finally a winner! Not necessarily a repeat buy but definitely something I am really enjoying and will love having in my collection for a time.
Xerjoff Bouquet Ideale - Quite spicy and sweet and powdery. I really detect the tobacco note in here not because its forefront but because I happen to be sensitive to tobacco. For this reason it reminded me a lot of the scents in the Penhaligon's trade route (or travel themed?) discovery set i got this past year. I still have some Ive yet to wear because of that note. Bouquet Ideale i think is more wearable though because of the smooth vanilla and sweet cinnamon. Im excited to try this more in the fall.
Amouge Sunshine Woman - many reviews of this describe it as kind of apricot-y from the osmanthus but I really just get a sweet light black current syrup and a vanilla dry down. Not something I’d buy again because I don’t find it that unique but I’ve really enjoyed wearing it so far and it is the most crowd pleasing out of this bunch.
Memo Paris Marfa - this one is so popular and I love the bottle and love tuberose, so I thought this would be a sure thing. But it will really have to grow on me. It’s a very strong, dry, and a bit sharp white floral. The kind of tuberose I like is sweet and bubblegum-y like Armani My Way and JHAG Lili Fantasy. This is classy though and I will keep trying it. The bottle is really gorgeous. 😍
What I’ve learned…sample and don’t blind buy. Don’t be taken in by a sale. And I knew this but had quite a moment a weakness, heck, maybe a manic episode. Something is so exciting about the gamble though and just getting mail is fun as well. But I suppose I need to set some better rules for myself.
Do you have any of these fragrances? What are your thoughts?
submitted by Firm-Cardiologist-25 to FemFragLab [link] [comments]
Tiziana Terenzi Vele: I underestimated how green this would be and assumed the tropical fruits listed in the notes would mean it would be more like Kirke (a sparkling tart ambroxan passion fruit scent I’ve sampled). This is so far from Kirke (probably should have just purchased Kirke; it was on sale too). This is GREEN! I mean, green!!! It has taken a few wears to get used to because it smells exactly like plant trimmings or leaves. Very tropical though, so I just try to imagine I’m strolling through a tropical greenhouse or emerging from the rainforest. Some reviews mention a powderiness, creaminess, and fruitiness and I get that a little in the dry down, although that may just be the power of suggestion because what I mostly get it GREEN. 😂
Tiziana Terenzi Borea - this is a creamy beachy white floral but I wanted to smell the pear, coconut, and almond in the notes, and I really don’t. It’s blended smoothly and I kind of don’t like that quality because I like different pops of notes coming through not just like a uniform solitary scent. I wore this next to my Kayali Utopia Coco Vanille and I found Utopia to be much more special with its warm ambery touch. Unfortunately Borea is a little dull to me but still pretty and wearable. It’s summery but I’ll try it out in the cooler weather too and perhaps some of the nuttiness others pick up will emerge. I’ll also experiment layering it with different body care. Worst case scenario, I won’t touch it until I go through my Kayali Utopia and then it will be a nice change of pace from that one. But just like with Vele, I don’t think I would buy this again.
Tiziana Terenzi Delox - oops again 😅. I should have read more about this. I remembered a reviewer describing it as a coffee fragrance (which is missing from my collection) but atleast on me the coffee note is almost undetectable. This is a sugared rose scent, just like Roses Vanille by Mancera and Montale Intense Cafe. I’m not huge on rose but don’t dislike it. This strikes me as almost too sweet. I haven’t worn it much yet but there is something yummy about it so I’ll have to play around a little more.
Xerjoff Allende - This is part of the shooting star range and actually comes with a small fragment of meteorite which is kind of badass. Allende is vanilla and magnolia, super simple scent but unique. Many reviews describe it as smelling like a high end lotion and I agree. I find it very cozy. Its very dry for a vanilla scent, I detect only the faintest sweetness and the magnolia is prominent. Its not a green fresh floral or like a sharp white either; its smooth and almost dark smelling and quite creamy sort of like iris but still its own unique kinda vibe. i guess you just gotta know the smell of magnolia to understand. Finally a winner! Not necessarily a repeat buy but definitely something I am really enjoying and will love having in my collection for a time.
Xerjoff Bouquet Ideale - Quite spicy and sweet and powdery. I really detect the tobacco note in here not because its forefront but because I happen to be sensitive to tobacco. For this reason it reminded me a lot of the scents in the Penhaligon's trade route (or travel themed?) discovery set i got this past year. I still have some Ive yet to wear because of that note. Bouquet Ideale i think is more wearable though because of the smooth vanilla and sweet cinnamon. Im excited to try this more in the fall.
Amouge Sunshine Woman - many reviews of this describe it as kind of apricot-y from the osmanthus but I really just get a sweet light black current syrup and a vanilla dry down. Not something I’d buy again because I don’t find it that unique but I’ve really enjoyed wearing it so far and it is the most crowd pleasing out of this bunch.
Memo Paris Marfa - this one is so popular and I love the bottle and love tuberose, so I thought this would be a sure thing. But it will really have to grow on me. It’s a very strong, dry, and a bit sharp white floral. The kind of tuberose I like is sweet and bubblegum-y like Armani My Way and JHAG Lili Fantasy. This is classy though and I will keep trying it. The bottle is really gorgeous. 😍
What I’ve learned…sample and don’t blind buy. Don’t be taken in by a sale. And I knew this but had quite a moment a weakness, heck, maybe a manic episode. Something is so exciting about the gamble though and just getting mail is fun as well. But I suppose I need to set some better rules for myself.
Do you have any of these fragrances? What are your thoughts?
2023.06.06 00:28 icallshogun Bridgebuilder - Chapter 42
Keeping Secrets
First Prev
“I’ll keep this brief, as you both have quite a bit of paperwork to get to.” Dae Yeong sat on the other side of a conference room table from Alex and Carbon, leaning over it as he slid them each two stacks of paperwork. Archaic, certainly, but still the most official. “Do not speak to anyone about anything you experienced in any fashion for the duration of your mission, without a signed order.”
“Oh, well, that shouldn’t be too hard. ‘So how was it?’ No comment.” Alex crammed another mini muffin into his mouth and washed it down with passable coffee. The program at least had the good sense to have food waiting in the conference room. He pulled the mountain of paperwork over to himself and shuffled through it. At least a dozen manila folders, all legal size and many of them finger thick, were stacked on top of a pile of pale blue paper with Tsla text peeking out at him. He’d see about getting a translator when he got down to those.
“I would recommend more tact, many people will never fully understand these circumstances and answers like that may put them off. But you are essentially correct.” He leaned back in his chair and looked between them. “If either of you have any questions, I will be available to you until you are done.”
Carbon shook her head and Alex shrugged as they started in on the forms.
It was basically what Dae indicated, but full of lawyer words that Alex had a tenuous grasp of. His eyes darted over to Carbon with a touch of envy. Her stack was shorter and the CPP had a personal AI waiting for her when they arrived, giving her near-instant access to any sort of reference material she needed. He got to ask questions.
The sheer volume of the forms was unsettling, but each covered a unique aspect of the mission and the many, many things that went wrong. There was the original mission non-disclosure agreement and the new extended non-disclosure agreement. Then there was the encounter with the Eohm, which included special agreements for being in control of a government vehicle when it sustains damage, being attacked by hostile nonhuman entities, using emergency equipment, and using a government vehicle outside of normal operational parameters, to start.
That didn’t even eat up half of the pile. The rest covered seeing, touching and boarding an unknown object, using unidentified technology and having an alien foreign object implanted. It was a strange mix of documents that hadn’t been altered in decades and a few that had been finished just days ago. It was only the second time in 60 years humanity had found abandoned technology, which had only been an old tkt settlement. There wasn’t a lot of precedence.
Alex took his time reading everything that had been put before him, even if it was slow going. It at least appeared that Carbon was doing the same. They took a break after an aide had delivered lunch, several hours into the day. By the time they had pushed through to the Tslao paperwork, they had been there for just over eight hours.
Dae locked the signed forms up into two different briefcases and handed them off to another aide, securing the door as she left. “Thank you for your patience with this. Many returning crews chafe at having to go over paperwork and there is usually much less to do.”
“I kind of expected it. Had a lot going on, you know?” Alex stood, stretched and leaned back against the table.
Dae shook his head. “Officially, I do not. So that you understand, Alex, that alone is almost too much information for you to give out.”
“Oh, yeah. This is going to take some getting used to.” He rubbed his eyes, which reminded him of how much his wrist hurt from all the writing.
Carbon pushed her chair away from the table and stood apart from both of them. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Yeong. If it is not troublesome, may I be shown to my room? It has been a very long week.”
“Of course, Shipmaster. Both of you have been given diplomatic quarters for the time being. It breaks with the decompression routine, but there is enhanced security and privacy up there.”
“That will do fine, thank you.” Carbon smiled faintly and gave him a shallow bow, little more than an incline of her head, some sort of formality. She’d done the same thing to Alex when they had first met, without the smile.
“I could stand to get some rest, myself.”
Dae nodded and led them out to the elevators, waving his badge over the call pad for an express that bypassed the rest of the hotel that occupied this portion of the upper tower in the station. It was very well appointed, with wood accents and a thick carpet and not a hint of the blue-gray paint that seemed to cover most everything else on the station.
The floor they stopped at was more of the same, Dae showed them down a side corridor and dropped Alex off at his quarters before leading Carbon further down the hall.
The room felt strange. It was nicer than anywhere Alex had stayed before, just short of being what he would consider opulent. Lots of real wood, granite counters in the bathroom and a king sized bed. At least the package of clothing they had left for him on the dresser was just standard CPP issue station gear. He picked it up and headed for the bathroom.
Quarantine had bothered him a little, but that was still a very compact area. This was just... enormous. The bathroom alone was larger than his cabin on the Kshlav’o had been. There was elbow room when he changed his clothes.
Maybe it was better in the dark. He crawled into bed and tried to get comfortable. “Lights, off.”
He waited for several minutes. It didn’t get better. He still did not like the dark. The room still felt empty and now he couldn’t tell where anything was. Maybe he could sleep in the closet. Fold up the comforter and make a little bed...
A knock at the door interrupted his descent. Alex wasn’t sure he had heard it until it happened again. Someone was actually knocking on the door, not using the call button on the lock.
He shuffled over towards the door controls in the dark and thumbed the button to activate the viewer. Only the top half of a head was visible, clearly Carbon. Probably no one else on the station had blue-black fur and antennae, anyway. He hit the panel, squinting into the light of the hallway. “Hi.”
Carbon pushed him back into the room and closed the door behind her, resting her head against his chest and slipping her arms around his waist. “I have missed you, Alex.”
“I missed you too.”
Carbon dragged him back to bed, not that he resisted. In the darkness the room still felt wrong, but Alex found it much more tolerable with Carbon’s back against him. She draped his arm over her waist and shifted her head around on the pillow. Her antenna landed on top of his head with a muted thump and they shifted down into the shared existence.
”This is nice.” Carbon’s mind felt smooth and hard, still prepared to deal with stresses beyond her control. There were little chips and cracks, though they seemed to be dissipating.
”It is. We should do this more often.” The Alex part warmed with mirth and cozied up to her.
Carbon began to shift, still smooth but less rigid as she relaxed. ”I would find that desirable. I have been thinking about our relationship, Alex.”
He wasn’t sure what to make of that. He assumed it wasn’t bad, it didn’t feel bad when she had said it. He lacked the skill to successfully hide the burst of anxiety that it caused. ”Go on.”
”I wish to continue with this, but I fear you will be ostracized by your species if we do.” Carbon tried to ease his fears and radiated a calm presence.
It actually worked very well, settling Alex down as he thought about his reply. ”I don’t know if ostracized is the right word. It’s new territory, I’ve never heard of anyone else having a relationship like ours. There have been a few instances in human history where parallels could be drawn.”
A hopeful sort of curiosity. ”How did those turn out?”
”In the long run or short term?”
Followed immediately by disappointment. ”Ah. I had hoped that your race would be more accepting, you seem to deal with change well.”
”Really? Us? It takes decades before you see any social norms change...” He pondered that for a moment, ”Two generations, probably.”
Carbon was quiet, ruminating and growing discouraged. ”I had hoped that there might be some refuge for us with one of our races.”
”The Tslao will not be accepting of this either, I take?” He couldn’t avoid the worry lacing through his thoughts, an uneasy sense of loss already seeping in.
She gave a sort of short, sharp laugh, sarcastic and pained. ”No. We are very insular, Alex. We do not like change, I fear the reaction would likely be worse from my people.”
”You don’t seem to mind change.” At least, she didn’t mind him.
Carbon shifted, softer but still pessimistic. ”I am an individual with an unusual upbringing. When I was a child, we were taught that humans were dangerous and unpredictable, like wild animals among the stars. Had I not seen them, interacted with them myself... I would have believed it.”
”That does explain why we’ve always had cool political relations.”
A pulse of agreement. ”Before the disaster, the number of my people who have met humans did not even number into the hundreds. Many were terrified at how quickly you expanded your borders.”
”Wow. Okay... I probably keep a closer eye on things like this than most people, but that’s not how the Tsla’o were portrayed in history classes. I guess that concealing yourselves thing worked a treat.” Alex unfocused, silent and contemplative. ”I don’t think we will be entirely alone here. My mother already likes you quite a bit.”
Carbon rippled with a burst of shock and surprise at that. ”She does? I thought I had been rude the first time you passed a message from her to me?”
”Oh yeah, you snapped at me good for that and I, uh... I just started making up replies for you.” It had seemed like a civil thing to do at the time, but saying it now was just embarrassing. “Nothing crazy, just polite responses that didn’t really amount to anything. I didn't want her to think you were mean.”
Embarrassment and a curious type of admiration marbled her presence. ”Thank you for protecting my honor when I had done nothing to deserve it.”
”I figured you were having a hard time. You looked like you were. I just wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt.” Alex warmed, unaware that he had been doing her a favor at the time. He’d mostly been doing it for his mom, who’d been more interested in aliens than he ever had. ”What about your father? Would he accept us?”
”I do not think he would react well.”
Her answer had come so quickly he was sure she had already been thinking about it. There was no hesitation, no more consideration to be done. She’d had a week to do nothing but dwell on things. ”Oh. Your aunt?”
Fear spiked in mind, cold and crisp. "No! No. She would never."
That her reaction was strong enough to make him afraid as well, an echo of the ‘narcotic effect’ he had learned about before, was surprising and unsettling. ”Okay. Well... At least we have my family.”
”Is that enough?”
”It’s a start.”
Carbon thought on that awhile, bemused. ”It will have to do. I think we should do our best to keep our relationship hidden, until we have better gauged reactions to it.”
”I agree. Are you going to keep coming over?”
The answer was coy and practically dripping with anticipation. ”No.”
”Liar.”
A memory of a smile and a laugh. ”You are not the only one with a room, Alex.”
He gave her that. ”I don’t know where yours is.”
”It is the next one down the hall. How do you think I got here so quickly?”
”So should we trade off nightly?”
”We will decide what to do when the time comes.”
Alex did the closest thing he could do to grinning. ”So every other night?”
”That sounds fine.” The Carbon part was amused by that, but quieted and became serious a moment later. ”Will you do something for me, Alex?”
”Sure, name it.”
”It has been a long week, will you show me a memory? An exciting one?”
First Prev
*****
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to get buzzed off your... very, very close friend's memories in Tsla'o society.
submitted by icallshogun to HFY [link] [comments]
First Prev
“I’ll keep this brief, as you both have quite a bit of paperwork to get to.” Dae Yeong sat on the other side of a conference room table from Alex and Carbon, leaning over it as he slid them each two stacks of paperwork. Archaic, certainly, but still the most official. “Do not speak to anyone about anything you experienced in any fashion for the duration of your mission, without a signed order.”
“Oh, well, that shouldn’t be too hard. ‘So how was it?’ No comment.” Alex crammed another mini muffin into his mouth and washed it down with passable coffee. The program at least had the good sense to have food waiting in the conference room. He pulled the mountain of paperwork over to himself and shuffled through it. At least a dozen manila folders, all legal size and many of them finger thick, were stacked on top of a pile of pale blue paper with Tsla text peeking out at him. He’d see about getting a translator when he got down to those.
“I would recommend more tact, many people will never fully understand these circumstances and answers like that may put them off. But you are essentially correct.” He leaned back in his chair and looked between them. “If either of you have any questions, I will be available to you until you are done.”
Carbon shook her head and Alex shrugged as they started in on the forms.
It was basically what Dae indicated, but full of lawyer words that Alex had a tenuous grasp of. His eyes darted over to Carbon with a touch of envy. Her stack was shorter and the CPP had a personal AI waiting for her when they arrived, giving her near-instant access to any sort of reference material she needed. He got to ask questions.
The sheer volume of the forms was unsettling, but each covered a unique aspect of the mission and the many, many things that went wrong. There was the original mission non-disclosure agreement and the new extended non-disclosure agreement. Then there was the encounter with the Eohm, which included special agreements for being in control of a government vehicle when it sustains damage, being attacked by hostile nonhuman entities, using emergency equipment, and using a government vehicle outside of normal operational parameters, to start.
That didn’t even eat up half of the pile. The rest covered seeing, touching and boarding an unknown object, using unidentified technology and having an alien foreign object implanted. It was a strange mix of documents that hadn’t been altered in decades and a few that had been finished just days ago. It was only the second time in 60 years humanity had found abandoned technology, which had only been an old tkt settlement. There wasn’t a lot of precedence.
Alex took his time reading everything that had been put before him, even if it was slow going. It at least appeared that Carbon was doing the same. They took a break after an aide had delivered lunch, several hours into the day. By the time they had pushed through to the Tslao paperwork, they had been there for just over eight hours.
Dae locked the signed forms up into two different briefcases and handed them off to another aide, securing the door as she left. “Thank you for your patience with this. Many returning crews chafe at having to go over paperwork and there is usually much less to do.”
“I kind of expected it. Had a lot going on, you know?” Alex stood, stretched and leaned back against the table.
Dae shook his head. “Officially, I do not. So that you understand, Alex, that alone is almost too much information for you to give out.”
“Oh, yeah. This is going to take some getting used to.” He rubbed his eyes, which reminded him of how much his wrist hurt from all the writing.
Carbon pushed her chair away from the table and stood apart from both of them. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Yeong. If it is not troublesome, may I be shown to my room? It has been a very long week.”
“Of course, Shipmaster. Both of you have been given diplomatic quarters for the time being. It breaks with the decompression routine, but there is enhanced security and privacy up there.”
“That will do fine, thank you.” Carbon smiled faintly and gave him a shallow bow, little more than an incline of her head, some sort of formality. She’d done the same thing to Alex when they had first met, without the smile.
“I could stand to get some rest, myself.”
Dae nodded and led them out to the elevators, waving his badge over the call pad for an express that bypassed the rest of the hotel that occupied this portion of the upper tower in the station. It was very well appointed, with wood accents and a thick carpet and not a hint of the blue-gray paint that seemed to cover most everything else on the station.
The floor they stopped at was more of the same, Dae showed them down a side corridor and dropped Alex off at his quarters before leading Carbon further down the hall.
The room felt strange. It was nicer than anywhere Alex had stayed before, just short of being what he would consider opulent. Lots of real wood, granite counters in the bathroom and a king sized bed. At least the package of clothing they had left for him on the dresser was just standard CPP issue station gear. He picked it up and headed for the bathroom.
Quarantine had bothered him a little, but that was still a very compact area. This was just... enormous. The bathroom alone was larger than his cabin on the Kshlav’o had been. There was elbow room when he changed his clothes.
Maybe it was better in the dark. He crawled into bed and tried to get comfortable. “Lights, off.”
He waited for several minutes. It didn’t get better. He still did not like the dark. The room still felt empty and now he couldn’t tell where anything was. Maybe he could sleep in the closet. Fold up the comforter and make a little bed...
A knock at the door interrupted his descent. Alex wasn’t sure he had heard it until it happened again. Someone was actually knocking on the door, not using the call button on the lock.
He shuffled over towards the door controls in the dark and thumbed the button to activate the viewer. Only the top half of a head was visible, clearly Carbon. Probably no one else on the station had blue-black fur and antennae, anyway. He hit the panel, squinting into the light of the hallway. “Hi.”
Carbon pushed him back into the room and closed the door behind her, resting her head against his chest and slipping her arms around his waist. “I have missed you, Alex.”
“I missed you too.”
Carbon dragged him back to bed, not that he resisted. In the darkness the room still felt wrong, but Alex found it much more tolerable with Carbon’s back against him. She draped his arm over her waist and shifted her head around on the pillow. Her antenna landed on top of his head with a muted thump and they shifted down into the shared existence.
”This is nice.” Carbon’s mind felt smooth and hard, still prepared to deal with stresses beyond her control. There were little chips and cracks, though they seemed to be dissipating.
”It is. We should do this more often.” The Alex part warmed with mirth and cozied up to her.
Carbon began to shift, still smooth but less rigid as she relaxed. ”I would find that desirable. I have been thinking about our relationship, Alex.”
He wasn’t sure what to make of that. He assumed it wasn’t bad, it didn’t feel bad when she had said it. He lacked the skill to successfully hide the burst of anxiety that it caused. ”Go on.”
”I wish to continue with this, but I fear you will be ostracized by your species if we do.” Carbon tried to ease his fears and radiated a calm presence.
It actually worked very well, settling Alex down as he thought about his reply. ”I don’t know if ostracized is the right word. It’s new territory, I’ve never heard of anyone else having a relationship like ours. There have been a few instances in human history where parallels could be drawn.”
A hopeful sort of curiosity. ”How did those turn out?”
”In the long run or short term?”
Followed immediately by disappointment. ”Ah. I had hoped that your race would be more accepting, you seem to deal with change well.”
”Really? Us? It takes decades before you see any social norms change...” He pondered that for a moment, ”Two generations, probably.”
Carbon was quiet, ruminating and growing discouraged. ”I had hoped that there might be some refuge for us with one of our races.”
”The Tslao will not be accepting of this either, I take?” He couldn’t avoid the worry lacing through his thoughts, an uneasy sense of loss already seeping in.
She gave a sort of short, sharp laugh, sarcastic and pained. ”No. We are very insular, Alex. We do not like change, I fear the reaction would likely be worse from my people.”
”You don’t seem to mind change.” At least, she didn’t mind him.
Carbon shifted, softer but still pessimistic. ”I am an individual with an unusual upbringing. When I was a child, we were taught that humans were dangerous and unpredictable, like wild animals among the stars. Had I not seen them, interacted with them myself... I would have believed it.”
”That does explain why we’ve always had cool political relations.”
A pulse of agreement. ”Before the disaster, the number of my people who have met humans did not even number into the hundreds. Many were terrified at how quickly you expanded your borders.”
”Wow. Okay... I probably keep a closer eye on things like this than most people, but that’s not how the Tsla’o were portrayed in history classes. I guess that concealing yourselves thing worked a treat.” Alex unfocused, silent and contemplative. ”I don’t think we will be entirely alone here. My mother already likes you quite a bit.”
Carbon rippled with a burst of shock and surprise at that. ”She does? I thought I had been rude the first time you passed a message from her to me?”
”Oh yeah, you snapped at me good for that and I, uh... I just started making up replies for you.” It had seemed like a civil thing to do at the time, but saying it now was just embarrassing. “Nothing crazy, just polite responses that didn’t really amount to anything. I didn't want her to think you were mean.”
Embarrassment and a curious type of admiration marbled her presence. ”Thank you for protecting my honor when I had done nothing to deserve it.”
”I figured you were having a hard time. You looked like you were. I just wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt.” Alex warmed, unaware that he had been doing her a favor at the time. He’d mostly been doing it for his mom, who’d been more interested in aliens than he ever had. ”What about your father? Would he accept us?”
”I do not think he would react well.”
Her answer had come so quickly he was sure she had already been thinking about it. There was no hesitation, no more consideration to be done. She’d had a week to do nothing but dwell on things. ”Oh. Your aunt?”
Fear spiked in mind, cold and crisp. "No! No. She would never."
That her reaction was strong enough to make him afraid as well, an echo of the ‘narcotic effect’ he had learned about before, was surprising and unsettling. ”Okay. Well... At least we have my family.”
”Is that enough?”
”It’s a start.”
Carbon thought on that awhile, bemused. ”It will have to do. I think we should do our best to keep our relationship hidden, until we have better gauged reactions to it.”
”I agree. Are you going to keep coming over?”
The answer was coy and practically dripping with anticipation. ”No.”
”Liar.”
A memory of a smile and a laugh. ”You are not the only one with a room, Alex.”
He gave her that. ”I don’t know where yours is.”
”It is the next one down the hall. How do you think I got here so quickly?”
”So should we trade off nightly?”
”We will decide what to do when the time comes.”
Alex did the closest thing he could do to grinning. ”So every other night?”
”That sounds fine.” The Carbon part was amused by that, but quieted and became serious a moment later. ”Will you do something for me, Alex?”
”Sure, name it.”
”It has been a long week, will you show me a memory? An exciting one?”
First Prev
*****
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to get buzzed off your... very, very close friend's memories in Tsla'o society.
2023.06.06 00:26 seobitcoin The Best Kratom Beverage Drink
 | Welcome to the world of kratom, where ancient traditions meet modern preferences. In this article, we'll explore the fascinating realm of kratom beverage drinks. From its origins and health benefits to popular recipes and safety guidelines, we'll cover everything you need to know about this unique botanical beverage. So grab a cup of tea (or kratom beverage) and let's dive in! submitted by seobitcoin to u/seobitcoin [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/8djzhn2fz94b1.png?width=509&format=png&auto=webp&s=30d2b4bb6cd88d3f4f1de4821c4cd5453159dff4 What is Kratom?Kratom, scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves have been traditionally used for their stimulating and sedative properties. Kratom contains alkaloids that interact with opioid receptors in the brain, resulting in a range of effects, including pain relief, relaxation, and increased energy.Kratom Beverage Drink: An OverviewKratom beverage drinks are an increasingly popular way to consume kratom. These drinks combine the benefits of kratom with the refreshing flavors of various ingredients, resulting in a unique and enjoyable experience. Whether you prefer a hot tea, a smoothie, or a cold brew, there's a kratom beverage to suit your taste buds.Health Benefits of KratomKratom is believed to offer several potential health benefits. Some of the commonly reported benefits include:1. Pain ReliefKratom contains alkaloids that can interact with pain receptors in the body, potentially providing relief from chronic pain conditions.2. Mood EnhancementCertain kratom strains are known for their mood-enhancing properties. They may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.3. Increased Energy and FocusMany kratom users report increased energy and improved focus after consuming kratom beverages. It can be a natural alternative to caffeinated drinks.4. Relaxation and Improved SleepKratom's sedative properties can promote relaxation and aid in achieving a night of restful sleep.Popular Kratom Beverage Recipes
Choosing the Right Kratom StrainWhen it comes to choosing a kratom strain for your beverage, it's crucial to consider the effects you're seeking. Different strains have varying properties, including energy-boosting, pain-relieving, or relaxation-inducing qualities. Here are a few popular kratom strains and their associated effects:
Potential Side Effects of KratomWhile kratom can offer various benefits, it's important to be aware of potential side effects. These may include:
Safety Guidelines for Kratom UseTo ensure a safe and enjoyable kratom beverage experience, consider the following guidelines:
Kratom: Legal Status and RegulationThe legal status of kratom varies across different countries and regions. While kratom is legal in many parts of the world, there are also places where it is regulated or prohibited. It's crucial to familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations in your area before purchasing or using kratom.Where to Buy KratomThere are several options for purchasing kratom, both online and offline. When buying kratom, consider the following factors:
Kratom and the Future of BeveragesAs the interest in natural and plant-based remedies continues to grow, kratom has the potential to play a significant role in the future of beverages. It's unique properties and diverse range of effects make it an intriguing ingredient for creative mixologists and health-conscious individuals.While kratom beverages are already gaining popularity, it's important to strike a balance between innovation and responsible use. Continued research and exploration of kratom's benefits and potential applications will shape its future in the beverage industry. In conclusion, kratom beverage drinks offer a refreshing and enjoyable way to experience the potential benefits of this ancient botanical. From its traditional use in Southeast Asia to its growing popularity worldwide, kratom has captured the interest of many enthusiasts. By understanding the different kratom strains, preparing the beverages with care, and following safety guidelines, you can embark on a flavorful journey that combines tradition and modern preferences. Remember to use kratom responsibly, listen to your body, and consult a healthcare professional if needed. Frequently Asked Questions1. Is kratom legal in my country?Kratom's legal status varies by country. It's important to research and understand the specific regulations in your region before purchasing or using kratom. 2. Are kratom beverages addictive? While kratom itself may have addictive potential, responsible use and moderation can help minimize the risk of dependency. It's crucial to follow recommended dosages and take breaks from kratom use. 3. Can I mix kratom with other beverages? Yes, kratom can be mixed with other beverages such as tea, coffee, or fruit juices. Experiment with different combinations to find your preferred taste. 4. How long does it take for kratom beverages to take effect? The onset of effects can vary depending on factors such as the strain, dosage, and individual metabolism. Generally, you may start experiencing the effects within 15 to 30 minutes of consuming a kratom beverage. 5. Are there any age restrictions for purchasing kratom? The age restrictions for purchasing kratom vary by country and jurisdiction. In many places, the legal age is 18 or 21. Make sure to adhere to the laws and regulations in your area. 6. Can I consume kratom beverages on an empty stomach? While it's possible to consume kratom beverages on an empty stomach, some individuals may experience stronger effects or slight discomfort. It's recommended to have a light meal or snack before consuming kratom to minimize any potential stomach sensitivity. 7. Can I sweeten kratom beverages with sugar or sweeteners? Yes, you can add sugar, honey, or other sweeteners to your kratom beverages to enhance the taste. Experiment with different amounts and flavors to find what suits your preferences. 8. Can I consume kratom beverages daily? Regular and long-term use of kratom should be approached with caution. It's advisable to take breaks and avoid daily consumption to prevent tolerance buildup and potential dependency. Moderation is key. 9. Can I mix different strains of kratom in a single beverage? Yes, you can experiment with blending different strains of kratom to create unique flavor profiles and combine desired effects. However, start with small amounts and be mindful of the overall dosage to avoid overwhelming effects. 10. Where can I find more kratom beverage recipes? There are various online resources, forums, and communities dedicated to kratom enthusiasts where you can find an abundance of kratom beverage recipes. You can also explore books or consult experienced kratom users for inspiration. |
2023.06.06 00:12 MasterOdd Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
Anyone know where to purchase Mr Black around Louisville?
submitted by MasterOdd to Louisville [link] [comments]