#currently browsing trough

[bigmonsteras]

this series is about guns etc

#suns out guns out #mgs #why do i have hundreds of drafts #currently browsing trough

[okimnerdy]

Ninjago: Genesis

(Pt. 1 of Ninjago: Restoration)

Summary: Nothing interesting ever happened in the small, village of Ignacia. That is, until a couple skeletons kidnap Kai's little sister and an old man offers to teach him a powerful fighting style to save her. In matter of days, he's gone from a simple blacksmith to a fighter against evil.

Can he keep up with everything or will he save his sister and run?

Project Masterlist

°•°•°•°•°•

The sound of a hammer hitting metal echoed through the empty fields of Ignacia. It was a common sound to hear during the day, especially at the Four Weapons. The small village had slowly kept the smithery operational after the owner and his wife disappeared nearly a decade ago, leaving it to be run by their children once the eldest came of age.

Within the walls of the forge, a young man of fifteen toiled away in the heat of the shop as his younger sister of thirteen watched from the window.

The boy was of average height, skin tanned by the sun, and a mess of brown hair on his head. He worked sleeveless in the forge, showing off the muscles he gained from the job, much to the annoyance of his sister, but knew his brown eyes shone with amusement. His sister stood half a head shorter, her black hair cut just below her chin, and had tan skin to match but her eyes were a deep blue. She had been complimented on them a lot growing up, most saying looked just like her mother that way. Kai knew she wouldn't admit it outloud, but he knew Nya hated hearing that.

The Smith siblings had been doing their best to keep their parents' memory alive, but with no teacher, the boy was struggling to make the simplest of weapons. For example, take the sword he was currently working on.

“In order to make the perfect weapon,” he said, lifting the weapon from the anvil, “you need the right metal and plenty of heat. To cool it off,” he shifted to a trough of water and dunked the sword in, “you use water.”

He lifted the sword out far too quickly, groaning as the metal had twisted on itself. Seeing his reflection all bent and twisted had him letting out a sigh of frustration. His sister merely laughed from her perch in the window.

“You made it too quickly, Kai,” she said. “You have to be patient. I think I learned more from your apprenticeship than you did. Remember what they said?”

“No matter how much fire you have, experience isn’t something you learn overnight.” His voice was tired and monotone. “Nya, that may work for you but I have to do what I can to get products available. This shop is the last connection we have to mom and dad, and I want to do my best to keep it going for when they come back.”

“How are you so sure that they’re going to come back?” Kai watched his sister deflate in the window, cheeks all puffed up as she leaned on her arm. “I mean, it’s been a decade since they disappeared. Wouldn’t they have come back by now?”

Slowly setting down the ruined blade, Kai walked over to the window and placed a sweaty palm on her head. He had only been five when their parents vanished, leaving him and a three-year-old Nya alone on the front lawn. Ever since then, the people of Ignacia had helped raise them and teach them much of what they needed to know.

“They’ll come back one day, I know it. Until then, you get to deal with me.”

Nya’s laugh echoed through the building as he pulled her into a playful headlock, nearly dragging her through the window. His knuckles dug into her scalp as she tried to pry him away with more squeals of laughter before he released her with his own chuckle.

“Feel better?” He asked, picking up a rag to wipe his face. She nodded. “Good. Now, how’s school?”

The sound of the shop’s bell cut off her answer. Hopping down from her seat, she took position at the counter by the front door. Looking through the window, Kai took note of an elderly man with a long white beard browsing over the weaponry he managed to make properly.

“Hello sir,” Nya greeted, dropping into a more pleasant demeanor. “Welcome to the Four Weapons, what can we supply you with today?”

“Your metal is too loud and heavy,” the man stated, confusing the siblings. “They are too useful to slow one down, nothing here to aid in the art of stealth. All of your tools suit a samurai. Have you nothing for a ninja?”

“I’m sorry, but we don’t really cater to samurai or ninja, especially since the practice of those arts have seemed to die out over the past couple years." She took a breath and cleared her throat. "Most of our weapons are commissioned or for self-defense. If you are looking to commission something to suit those professions, we’d be more than willing to discuss pricing.”

The man studied her before turning to the window where Kai still stood, his eyes squinting before he turned back to Nya.

“No, but thank you for your time. I thought I’d find something special here.”

Without another word, the man turned and left the smithery. The siblings looked at each other confused before they returned to their conversation.

-

Not long after the man left, dark clouds began swirling over the village. Fearing rain, many farmers and market sellers closed up shop to take refuge. Kai had just finished killing the fire when screaming came from downfield.

Nya was already looking down, nervously twisting the bracelet on her arm. A thick gold band with a large ruby had adorned her wrist ever since she was ten, a planned birthday present from their mother. Kai laid a protective hand on her arm as large skeletal vehicles crested over the first hill.

“What are they?” She asked, voice shaking in fear.

“I don’t know, but get inside and hide. I’m going to go see if everyone else is okay.”

Running back inside, Kai put on his father’s old armor and took up the sword gifted to him on his tenth. Ensuring his sister was inside, he took off running down the field to find armored-clad skeletons roamed the field. Confused, he failed to hear one sneaking up behind him until he saw the shadow on the ground.

Turning around, he blocked the blow with the sword and caught the attention of the others. All of the skeletons converged on his position, channeling his ability to multitask. He held his ground for as long as he could, almost giving under the pressure, until a skeleton lost its head. Looking up, he found Nya a few feet away with her rope dart held taut in her hands.

“I told you to stay inside!” Kai yelled out.

“And let you have all the fun? I don’t think so!”

With a frustrated yell, Kai shot to his feet as Nya released another attack. Like a synchronized dance, the siblings took out skeleton after skeleton. Once the last one was nothing but scattered bones, he threw the sword to the ground before grabbing Nya by her arms.

“What were you thinking? You could’ve been hurt!” Her eyes shone with unshed tears before he pulled her into a tight hug. “I can’t lose you too, Nya.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered as she returned the hug. Pulling away, she wiped away the few tears that escaped before her eyes widened in fear. “Kai!”

Kai felt something hard hit the back of his head and the world became blurry. He could barely register Nya leaving his hands and screaming for help before he hit the ground. Through his slowly shutting eyes, he watched as Nya was gagged and tied up before being shoved into one of the strange vehicles.

Waking with a gasp, Kai found himself in his room. A warm towel fell from his forehead as he sat up, confusion filling his brain.

“I wouldn’t move too quickly if I were you.” The elderly man from earlier walked into the room with a cup of tea. “That was quite a blow you took, any quick moves could worsen your state.”

“Where’s Nya?” The man hummed in question. “My sister, the girl you spoke to?”

“Ah yes, the skeleton’s prisoner.” Kai felt his heart drop. “She is with them, in a realm where no mortal can follow.”

“She’s dead?”

“Of course not!” The man looked appalled at the thought. “She is merely a guest in the Underworld. The skeleton that grabbed her was Samukai, King of the Underworld, and only took her on the order of Lord Garmadon. Now, Samukai never takes orders but to hear that he has put the level of danger to a higher level.”

“Hold on, time out. What are you talking about? What does this ‘Garmadon’ have to do with my sister being taken?”

“You should be asking what doesn’t Garmadon have to do with her capture. In fact, it has to do with a lot.” The man set down his cup. “Long ago, before time had a name, Ninjago was created by the First Spinjitzu Master.”

“Everyone knows that. It’s the first fairytale parents tell their kids.” Kai rolled his eyes before he considered it a bit further. “It’s not a fairytale, is it?”

“The First Spinjitzu Master used the Four Weapons of Spinjitzu to create the land as we know it,” he continued, ignoring the interruption, “the same four for which your shop got its name. These weapons were far too powerful for one man to handle alone, so when he passed, his two sons swore to protect them. However, the eldest was consumed by power and darkness, wishing to possess them alone. Do you recall what comes next?”

“The brothers fought.” Kai could practically hear his father’s voice telling him the story. “The loser was banished to the Underworld and the weapons were hidden, never to be found again.”

“That is where our stories differ. See the younger brother knew his brother too well, knowing that the elder wouldn’t give up. So the younger brother appointed a guardian to protect them, giving the guardian a map to hide in plain sight.” The man took a breath. “Your father was the most recent guardian, and I fear that they now have that map with your sister as a security measure.”

“So you came here looking for the map?”

“No, something greater - you.” Kai was taken aback. “Lord Garmadon cannot enter this realm, so he has struck a deal with Samukai. If he were to collect all four weapons, no one - not even I - would be able to stop him. You, however, have the fire that first defeated him inside of you. Come with me and I will teach you to harness it. I will teach you the art of Spinjitzu, a fighting form powerful enough to defeat Lord Garmadon himself”

For a moment, Kai considered the man’s offer but quickly shook his head. This man had to be bluffing. What kind of spinning is enough to defeat a powermad descendant of, basically, a god?

“If not to defeat Lord Garmadon, then to save your sister.”

“When do we start?” Kai asked with no hesitation.

The next day, having packed up most of his scarce belongings and the money he’d earned, Kai closed up shop and followed Wu out of Ignacia. He found himself more worried about leaving his home than having to eventually fight Lord Garmadon. Neither he nor Nya had traveled far from home, wanting to be close in case their parents ever came home. However, he had to push down that worry and begin to focus on saving his sister.

Traveling from the small village to the base of the Mountain of Impossible Height took about half a week, but nothing could’ve prepared him for the climb.

“You’re a spry old man, has anyone ever told you that?” Kai gasped for air as they finally reached the top. How Wu made it up without gasping for breath was beyond him. Slowly adjusting to the new altitude, he studied the large door in front of him. “A monastery? You expect me to learn how to fight in a place of peace?”

“Not fight. Train.” The man pushes open the door with his staff. They entered the courtyard and were greeted by a large dragon statue in the center. “In order to become a true ninja, first you must be able to see what others do not.”

Pressing a hidden button on the side of the statue, several training obstacles rose from the ground and surrounded the two. Honestly, it was almost intimidating but his sister needed him. Steeling his resolve, Kai turned to Wu. Where’d he get the tea?

“Where do I start?”

“Complete this course before I finish my tea, then we will see if you’re ready.” The cup was downed before Kai could even blink. “You failed. We’ll try again in half an hour.”

Wu turned and entered the monastery, locking Kai out in the courtyard.

It was several hours later when Kai had enough. Approaching his twentieth try, an idea struck him. As Wu goes to drink, the cup flies out of his hand and across the courtyard. Kai stands, fight ready, as he goes to retrieve the cup. Upon returning, the teapot is nowhere in sight.

“You know,” Kai’s voice echoed from above, “all this time I struck you as an oolong kind of guy. Imagine my surprise when I taste jasmine instead.” Kai sat on the roof of the monastery, sipping from the spout of the pot. “You have any sugar down there?”

“One lump or two?” Wu asked with an amused spark in his eye. “Come on down now, I suppose I should let you rest after the past week.”

Hopping down, he handed the teapot carefully to Wu and walked into the monastery. It was roomier than he expected, but had less of a home-y feeling than he thought it would. No pictures hung on the walls and no shelves lined the halls.

“Your room is down the hall and the first door on the left, bathroom will be two doors down.” Wu explained. “The kitchen is the opposite direction. Feel free to eat what you chose.”

“Thank you, Master. Are the training grounds always open?” Wu nodded. "Have a good night.”

Kai lugged his bag with him to his room. It was an average sized room; one bed, a desk, and a dresser. It was a lot more roomier than what he had back home. He and Nya had shared a room and a bed ever since that day, hardly ever sleeping away from each other. After traveling with Wu and sharing a room with him, Kai finally felt the loneliness weigh on his shoulders.

He sat on the bed with a heavy sigh, trying to hold back tears of frustration and grief. He had always been the strong one, so to feel weakness was like he was betraying himself. Pushing back his emotions, he got up and began to unpack.

The sun had set by the time he felt like he was settled in. His first official day of training was in the morning, but Kai couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position but the bed felt too big.

Throwing on the black training gi, Kai made his way to the courtyard and picked up one of shinai from the wall. He stood in the middle of the bricks, grasping the blade-like weapon in his hands, before taking a breath and hitting the first move. Each block, parry, and strike were made with precise movements. Kai fell so deeply into his movements that he failed to notice three figures arriving in the monastery.

One landed near the front door, a pair of nunchucks swinging in his grasp.

Another landed in the corner of the yard, a pair of shurikens held between two fingers.

The last landed just in front of Kai, blocking the last strike with his scythe.

Kai’s eyes locked in on this new figure. He pulled back and went to strike again, using the repeat block to kick the figure in the chest and flip away. The other two figures move to attack, earning solid hits themselves. Switching to a one handed hold on the shinai, Kai used the training weapon as a normal sword to give them a worthwhile fight.

The wielder of the nunchucks had just wrapped them around the shinai when a light turned on in the monastery. The three attackers ceased their fighting and stood at attention.

“What is the meaning of all this racket?” Wu said as he walked outside. “Didn’t I tell you to rest?” He had addressed Kai, but his eyes remained focused on the three newcomers.

“I couldn’t sleep. The bed’s too big.” Kai looked to the ground, not wanting to see the look of pity he knew Wu would give him.

“Understood. I’ll make you tea in a moment.” Wu sighed before gesturing to the three. “May I ask why you three decided to attack your new teammate?”

“New teammate?” They all exclaimed. The unison was almost unnerving.

“You never said we’d be getting a fourth,” the nunchuck wielder said as he stepped forward.

“What he means to say,” the scythe wielder interrupted, “is that we’ve trained together as three for years. We’re a solid team ourselves.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” Kai snarked, earning a glare from him.

“Master,” the final ninja spoke up, “what is the meaning of this?”

“The four of you were chosen.” They all looked confused. “Each of you are imbued with elemental properties, abilities passed down from your ancestry. Allow me to provide a visual aid.”

In the blink of an eye, Wu began to spin and created a gold tornado of sparks and wind. He traveled around the courtyard, passing each one in turn. Their black suits became decorated with various colors and weapons found their way into their hands.

“Kai,” Wu caught his attention, “you are the Master of Fire. Destructive, but a point for new beginnings.”

Kai found himself in a black gi with red embellishments and a sword in his hands before turning to study his new teammates.

“Jay.” The one in blue stood at attention. “You are the Master of Lighting. Unpredictable, but always striking where needed."

The nunchuck wielder was of average height with an average build, fair skin, skin dotted with freckles framing bright blue eyes as a ginger mop of hair sat on his head. He stood just a few inches taller than Kai, smiling at him while pulling down his mask. His gi was adorned with a deep blue, almost matching the night sky above and blending in with the black, and the nunchucks sat on his hip.

"Zane " The one in white turned forward. "You are the Master of Ice. Dangerous, but full of untapped knowledge."

The shuriken wielder was the tallest one yet, tall but skinny. His dark skin is a contrast to the patch of blonde hair on his head and his almost silver eyes. His colors were like the white of the moon that shone overhead as the shurikens sat nowhere in sight before one twirled between his fingers. He gave Kai a short nod and turned back to Master Wu.

"You forgot 'seer with a sixth sense.'" Jay interjected. Zane merely hid away his shuriken again.

"I sense that this one takes things a little too seriously," Kai said.

"You have a gift as well?" Zane asked.

"Zane, buddy, he's making a joke," the one in black spoke.

"Ah yes, a joke. Haha."

Was Kai the only one getting an odd feeling? Really? Just him?

Wu shook his head before speaking again.

"Cole." The one in black stood with his arms crossed. "You are the Master of Earth. Stable, but constantly adapting."

The scythe wielder was stockier than all of them combined, the wide shoulders almost intimidating. He stood just below the one in white, but half a head higher than Kai. The scythe sat attached to his back as his gi remained unchanged. His skin was darker than Kai’s but lighter than the one in white while his hair was long and curly, pulled back into a low ponytail. His eyes bore into Kai like two burning pieces of charcoal. This one stood with his arms crossed, scanning over Kai as he did so.

Wu looked out at the four boys.

"The four of you are the chosen ones to protect the Four Weapons of Spinjitzu from Lord Garmadon."

"And how does my sister play into this?" Kai asked.

"We're saving a girl?" Jay's interest suddenly peaked, but was given a warning eye from Cole. "What? I just – I want to know what we're walking into." He turned to Kai. "Does she like blue?"

"Stay away from my sister!"

"Enough dawdling!" Wu exclaimed before turning to Kai. "We find the weapons, we find your sister. We shall leave first thing in the morning. I suggest that you all rest. Come Kai, let us find something to help with that insomnia."

Kai knew that it wasn't insomnia, but he appreciated Wu for giving him that cover. As they walked through the halls in silence, a thought occurred to him.

"Master Wu, you said that you would teach me Spinjitzu. Shouldn't I learn that before we set off?"

"I have explained to my other students that Spinjitzu is inside all of you. You just need to find the right key for that lock."

"Are you sure that's smart? I mean, I know enough fighting skills to fend off a robber or a bandit. With Ignacia being a pretty small town, we didn't need to know much." Kai slowly took a seat in the kitchen as Wu broke off to make the drink. "My skills aren't enough to tackle Garmadon just yet, right?"

"Much like fire, I believe that you will learn best in a controlled freedom." Wu leaned against the counter. "I've known quite a few Masters of Fire in my lifetime, and they all start the same way."

"Like a loser?"

"Hotheaded." Kai chuckled. "Yet they become some of the most respected and treasured members. I know your father was." Kai's breath hitched for a moment. "I am sorry to hear about their disappearance."

"You and everyone from Ignacia to the city. I just wish I knew why they just up and left." He sighed as the kettle began to sing. "Thanks for the chat. I should get to bed."

"Take this." The man took a sandwich from the fridge. "You didn't have dinner. I suggest you put something in that stomach of yours before we leave."

"Thanks. Good night."

Walking to his new room, food in hand, Kai thought about how to handle the big room. Setting the sandwich on the dresser, he went to pull the pillows and sheets off the bed. Tucking them in the corner, he moved the dresser to make a small space for himself. With just enough to fit his body between the dresser and the wall, he felt a bit better.

The next day found the ninja and Wu traveling across Ninjago to the Cave of the Despair. The four boys are pulling the elder in a rickshaw, panting in unison.

"Remind me again. Why are we pulling this thing like a bunch of pack mules?" Cole asks, setting down the poles for their break. Wu had stopped them at a small market to ensure they were still heading in the right direction.

"I believe it to be some sort of team exercise," Zane explained, barely winded himself.

"So where'd Wu find you guys?" Kai asked as he took a drink from his water flask.

"Oh, I was testing a new invention of mine," Jay said. "I was performing a test flight for one of my gliders in the city when it swerved out of control and into a billboard. Imagine my surprise when I realized that this old guy was sitting there before offering lessons."

"He was just there for you too, huh?" Cole said with a small chuckle. "I was testing my limits, climbing this mountain - free hand mind you - and he's just sitting at the peak enjoying a cup of tea with a mountain goat. My home life wasn't the best at the time, so I said yes immediately."

"I too was testing myself." Zane didn't say much about what he was doing, but they didn't question it. "I have no memory of my life from before meeting Wu, so I wished to see what I was capable of when he approached me with an offer of shelter. Wisely, I accepted." He paused for a moment. "It seems all of us were testing something when we were approached."

"So what were you testing when he found you, Kai?" Jay asked.

"My patience." The group laughed at his answer. "Seriously though, I was. Nya and I had just talked about being patient after I rushed a sword and ruined it. It's just been me and her for a decade, and I was doing my best to keep our dad's shop open. He was the best blacksmith for miles, so when he vanished, it felt like I had to do anything to keep it standing for whenever they came home." Cole set a hand on his shoulder, giving a moment of sympathy.

"I take it that this is the longest you have been away?" Cole asked.

"It's also the furthest. Nya and I never left Ignacia, no matter what. It was a miracle we weren't picked up by the city's foster system, but I guess that’s what happens when your village is, like, twenty people.”

The boys shared another laugh as Wu exited the market. He passed a sandwich to each of them before spreading out the map of Ninjago on the ground.

“The Caves of Despair are just half an hour away. Within this cave lies the first of the Four Weapons, the Scythe of Quakes. This one and its brothers are guarded by its own kind of guardian, so be wary when approaching the item.” He looked over at them, all but Zane eating away. The boy merely chose to pack it away for later. “Remember, should you find the weapon, do not use it. For its power…”

“...is too much for mortals to handle,” Jay interjected before shrinking in on himself. “Sorry.”

“At least I know you were listening the first time.” There was humor in his voice. “After this, I am afraid I have forgotten where the rest lie. Apologies, an old brain can only remember so much. If you happen upon the map, grab it.”

Everyone quickly finished up and set out for the caves as soon as they were able.

Arriving at the Caves, Kai felt a sense of dread overwhelm him. The Caves lay in a desert-like canyon, the entrance nearly a hundred of feet below them. There were no skeletons in sight, but they could hear them yelling from within.

“So what’s the plan?” Jay asked.

“Well,” Cole started as he began to look over the group, “First, we’ll lower ourselves down the ledge. Then, we’ll…where’s Kai?”

Everyone looked around and only found his footsteps in the sand. Zane looked over the ledge and pointed to the mouth of the cave. Kai stood there, staring into the darkness, as they called out to him. Without a second thought, Kai pulled up the face mask and walked in.

“Is he crazy?!” Cole exclaimed. “Didn’t we just have a bonding moment with him like an hour ago?”

“I believe that we should take into account what he said earlier,” Zane said, thinking out loud. “He did much alone for a significant part of his life, being the sole provider for him and his sister.”

“Remind me to yell at him when we get done here.”

“Noted.”

The trio abandoned whatever plan Cole was pitching and followed Kai into the Caves. Wu sat back, gripping his bo staff in worry.

Kai wandered through the system, keeping a straight path so as to not get lost. He found himself at another opening and in the middle of a dig site. Tucking in behind a large crate of rocks, he studied the scene before him. Skeletons were picking away at the rock walls as two skeletons argued over a table.

“How have we been digging here for three days but still haven’t found that stupid scythe?” One groaned as he looked down. The map must be on the table.

“I found something!” The other exclaimed, waving something in the air.

“That’s another rock, Nuckal. We’re in a cave. You’re going to find rocks everywhere.”

“Yeah, but this one’s donut shaped. I wonder what it tastes like.”

“Can skeletons even taste things?” A voice asked from behind Kai, startling him. It was Jay. “Easy, it’s just me.” Cole and Zane dropped down next to them. “Now, you want to explain why you went in alone instead of with your team?”

“Sorry, still not used to the whole ‘work with others’ thing. I did a lot alone prior, call it an instinct.” He watched Cole groan and pass a bill into Zane’s hand. “You guys bet on me?”

“We’ll talk about it later. What have you found?”

“The map is over there, on the table. They’ve been digging here for three days and have found nothing but rocks. Oh, and that one over there is an absolute idiot.” Nuckal bit into another rock. “How did one skeleton retain a brain while the other is so stupid?”

“Same question could be asked about humans,” Cole said with a roll of his eyes. “Let’s get to a higher vantage point and see if we can spot something they can’t.”

The four of them made their way to a scaffolding towering over the table. They all did their best to study the map, but that skeleton was in the way.

“We need a distraction to get him away. Jay?” Cole’s voice held a bit of amusement.

Jay’s shone with a spark as he grabbed a loose board and launched it across the cave. The skeletons went off to berate their workers as Zane used a rope dart to steal the map from the table.

“Impressive,” Kai said.

“You’ll pick up soon enough.” Cole turned to Jay as he looked over the map. “Anything of note?”

“All skeletons are stupid.” The blue ninja turned the map around. “They’ve had the map upside down this whole time. It’s why they’ve been digging in the wrong place.” His finger traced the map until he landed what seemed to be an area next to their position. “We need to get here quickly.”

Tucking the map into his waistband, Jay leaped off the scaffold and gestured for the others to follow. They snaked their way through the system, avoiding skeleton after skeleton, until they reached a large boulder. They all shared a look and moved the boulder together.

Inside, simply floating in a column of light, was the Scythe of Quakes. It was longer than Cole’s own scythe, made of gold and embellished with a dragon design on the blade. Definitely a two handed weapon, so switching may be difficult for Cole as Kai took notice.

“This feels too easy,” Kai said as Cole walked to it. "Didn't Wu say these things came with guardians?"

As Cole took the scythe in hand, a deep rumble came from around them. From the shadows emerged a large dragon head, brown and black with cold gray eyes. The beast was sturdy, towering above them with its large limbs and boulder-like body. Orange lights danced beneath its scales with each movement as it studied Cole for a moment, taking in that he held the weapon, before roaring at the quartet.

"Let's get out of here!" He yelled, making a break for the archway. Kai had never seen a man so scared.

"Does Cole have a fear of dragons?" Kai asked as they took off.

"It is almost crippling actually," Zane explained as the dragon began its chase. "We never thought it would ever manifest into something of substance."

"How does one even get a phobia of dragons?"

"Unclear. Perhaps something in childhood affected him. Many studies suggest that trauma begins as a child."

"What kind of studies are you reading?"

Kai had to admit that Zane was quite the enigma.

They continued to run, easily evading the dragon, before running headfirst into Nuckal and his partner with a large gathering of soldiers behind them. Settling into positions, Cole settled the Scythe of Quakes in place of his own weapon.

“I guess we should thank you ninja for doing the job for us,” Nuckal’s partner said. “Hand it over and there won’t be any trouble.” A rope dart launched out from the group and dismantled one of the soldiers. “I believe they’ve chosen the hard way.”

“Yes Kruncha! Charge!” Nuckal led the soldiers toward the group with a loud yell.

The boys split off in four directions, each taking on their own small group to battle.

Jay moved with ease, aiding his teammates when he could. He had defeated several of the soldiers when a thought came to his mind. He jumped on top of the skulls, pushing off like stepping stones, and dodged each swipe of the swords. His moves became faster and faster until blue sparks started to fly off of his person and wind swirled around him. Soon, Jay was replaced by a blue tornado and all the skeletons were dismantled as he passed.

“You did– You did the thing!” Kai exclaimed as Jay came to a stop. “You did Spinjitzu!”

“I guess I did,” he laughed. “It’s just like the training course back at the monastery.” Cole and Zane got what he meant before mimicking the course themselves to find their own tornadoes of earth and ice.

“I didn’t do the obstacle course though. I don’t know what you mean!”

“You don’t need to know. It’s all about your balance.”

Jay spun away again, leaving Kai to wonder what he meant.

“You’re quite the fool to take us on alone,” Kruncha smirked.

However, he didn’t have much time to dwell on it. Skeletons were regrouping and chasing them down again as his teammates moved forward. Wanting to give them time, Kai held tight to the sword in his hand and faced the oncoming mob.

Kai took a deep breath, bringing the blade up in front of him, and readied himself for the fight.

“I don’t need to win. I just need to distract you long enough.”

Launching forward, he felt his mind go numb as his sword met theirs. For a moment, it was like he left his mind behind. All he cared about was giving them time to get out or enough time to let the dragon find them. As he fought, Kai failed to notice the red flames erupting from his body as the fight became more intense and the wind began to pick up. Finally, his body erupted in a whirlwind of dust and flames. He was a tornado of fire, defeating all his opponents before stopping in front of Kruncha and Nuckal.

“Anything else?” He asked as the dragon broke through the wall behind them. “Nevermind!” Launching into another whirlwind, Kai sped down the tunnel to meet up with the others. “Everyone okay?”

“Where were you?!” Cole said. His hands still held the Scythe tight. “We got ambushed!”

“I was buying you time! You had enough to get out and back to Wu before that dragon caught up with me!”

“What did we say about doing things alone?!”

“I helped you! What more do you want?!”

“Communication!”

The dragon burst through the walls again, hovering over them, and looked into Cole’s eyes. Time held still for a moment before it slunk back into the walls, leaving the boys confused.

-

Wu looked disappointed and confused as the four emerged from the cave.

“What happened there?” He asked.

“Ask Kai,” Cole spat out.

“I said I was trying to help. If I hadn’t bought you guys time, you would’ve lost the scythe!” Kai could feel heat build behind his eyes.

“And we could’ve gotten out of there sooner if we didn’t stop to wonder where you were!” Cole marched up to Kai’s face, pushing into his personal space to make a point. “I get that you don’t work well with others, but it’s not just your sister’s life on the line right now. It’s all of Ninjago at stake.”

“She’s all I have left! So excuse me for wanting her back!” Kai’s eyes felt like they were burning with flames and tears. The group looked taken aback at the confession. “The one moment I decide to care about you guys first is the one where you say I shouldn’t. You don’t want me on this team, fine. As soon as we get my sister back, you never have to see me again.”

Kai backed down from the fight, feeling the tear tracks on his cheeks, and moved to stand by the rickshaw as Jay laid the map on the ground. He barely listened to the next course of action as he stared down at the now empty cave.

Wu walked up next to him, silent as the others readied themselves to leave.

“I know that this is difficult to adjust to,” Wu said, “but this team is what I think you need. No matter what adversities may come next, they need you.”

“I don’t know if you heard what he said, but this team thing isn’t for me. I just want to get my sister and go home, home to something familiar.”

“I know that this isn’t what you envisioned when you accompanied me on this journey, but, again, I believe that the others are what you need.” Wu getured out to the sand dunes before them. “Much like the sand in this desert, there are untapped possibilities waiting to be discovered.” Kai leaned back, crossing his arms. “Just finish this mission, and see where you stand. As much as I would prefer you stay with the group and protect Ninjago, I understand if you leave.”

After a moment, Kai moved silently and took his place behind Zane. The group was silent, Jay and Zane scared to break the fragile air surrounding the two. They traveled in silence until they reached the base of the Mountain. Wu leaves the boys to head into town and secure travel into the coast.

Kai entered his room and threw his sword onto the bed before himself. He looked at the few belongings on the dresser, finding the one picture he had of him and Nya. It was at the reopening of the Four Weapons with the two dressed in their best clothes. He could still hear her laughter when one of the villagers said that he would be the best, maybe better than their dad. He hoped she was doing okay.

A knock echoed through the room and caught his attention. Sitting up, he was surprised to find Cole leaning against the doorframe.

“What do you want?” Kai asked. He was a bit bitter towards this “Master of Earth.”

“To apologize.” His voice was low, but steady. “What I said back at the caves was out of line. Your sister does matter just as much as Ninjago, and you made the right call. If you hadn’t bought us a bit more time, who knows if we would’ve made it out with the Scythe?”

Kai gestured for him to take a seat next him, pushing the sword aside. Cole slowly walked in and took his position.

“I won’t lie, Cole. Everything you said stung. I also get that you and the others have spent years building a team, and I show up and throw a wrench into everything. Can I just ask that you give me a chance and trust that I’m not going to just abandon everything to solo save my sister?” It took a moment but Cole nodded. “I tried to fight these skeletons the night she was taken and you see how well that turned out. If I’m going to save her, I need all of the help I can get.”

“Well, you have mine and I think I can speak for the guys as well.” He looked down at the photo. “Is that her?” Kai nodded and handed him the paper. “I see that she got all the good looks in your family.”

Laughter erupted from the open doorway, making Zane smile from his place in the kitchen. Maybe things will get better after today.

The group sat back in their seats as the train traveled through the barren lands of Ninjago. They had been traveling since late last night and were expected to disembark at some port town up north before taking a ship into the Frozen Wastelands.

Jay and Wu poured over the map, marking down the paths to take for the rest of the weapons, as the other three watched the land pass by.

“If these weapons are supposed to be so difficult to find,” Cole started, “why are there lines traveling directly to them?”

“Much of Ninjago is still made of small villages and trading towns,” Zane explained. “It is much more effective for products to be transported in bulk than in whatever their carts can carry. Besides, it is nice to have a moment or reprieve before whatever battle we may encounter at the Frozen Wastelands.”

“So let me see if I understand this all correctly,” Kai said as he ignored the initial conversation, “the Four Weapons were created by the First Spinjitzu Master and wielded by him. If he used all of them to create Ninjago, how? Did he use them one at a time or did he wield them with his feet?”

“Did you sleep last night?” Cole asked after a moment of silence. Kai shook his head. “Have you slept at all since joining the team?”

“Not well. I’m too used to having Nya in the room with me.” Cole hummed in thought. “What?”

“Our room has an empty bunk back at the monastery. Move your stuff over there when we get back. Hopefully, you can get some sleep then.”

Nodding, Kai noticed Wu nodding in approval.

“Can we rewind to Kai’s question for a second?” Jay asked. “I feel like it's a valid question.”

Finally arriving at the port where their fishing boat was waiting, Kai stood at the start of the dock with a sick-ish feeling sitting in his stomach.

“Hey,” Jay caught his attention with arms full of supplies, “are you okay?”

“Water and I don’t mix well. I never learned how to swim because of everything, so I just… I’m nervous,” he admitted.

“Don’t worry. We got life jackets and if you fall, grab Cole. He’s got a broad back, so we could probably use him as a raft if it comes down to it.” Kai’s laughter echoed over the dock as Jay nudged a life jacket off of his stack. “Put that on and I’ll walk you to the ship. It’s not so scary once you’re on the boat. Might take a minute to get your sea legs though.”

“Thanks Jay.”

The blue ninja gave him a smile and continued down the dock.

The boat ride was calmer than he expected, especially since good ol’ Captain Wu decided to barely use the steering wheel. There was nothing but water for miles.

Zane sat in the middle of the boat with Kai as Jay and Cole walked the edges. He noticed how Kai had a near white knuckle grip on the life jacket around his neck. He wasn’t quite sure on how one could fear the ocean or any body of water for that matter as it was a peaceful sight to look at. Nonetheless, he began a conversation.

“Are you alright, Kai?”

“As good as I can be without freaking out.” Kai let out a shaky sigh. “If this weapon was marked on the map and Master Wu knows the way to it, why haven’t we arrived yet? Shouldn’t we be there by now instead of drifting for hours?”

“It has barely been half an hour, but I do see your point. Sadly, Master Wu’s wisdom is beyond my own. Though I do have faith that he knows where we are going.” The ship lurched as it ran aground, launching everyone from their seats and feet. “I think we are here.”

The group trudged up the snow covered mountain. Jay, Cole, and Wu were shivering with the drop in temperature, but Kai felt fine. If anything, it felt like one of the warmer winter nights from back in Ignacia.

“How are you not shaking?” Jay asked before his eyes widened. “Why is the air around you so warm?” Cole shifted his steps over to Kai and smiled at the temperature change.

“I would not be surprised. He and Zane are the ones most likely to not be affected by the extreme cold,” Wu explained. “Have you always run so warm?”

“Yeah, it’s really the only reason why I’m in the forge full time back home. Nya almost fainted after she tried her first shift.” Kai admitted.

“I shall assume that she doesn't run as hot as you, then?” Kai shook his head.

The group remained silent as they arrived at the peak of a mountain. A small entrance lay hidden in the snow, but the Shurikens of Ice were able to be seen from the entrance. Wu gently pushed Zane forward with his staff as the rest held back, readying for a fight.

Zane entered with caution, pulling down his face guard as he looked around. The area was too dark and heightened the paranoia that the skeletons or the next dragon could be waiting in the shadows. He bumped into, what he thought, was a pillar but turned out to be a frozen skeleton. They had been here already, but failed to escape the guardian. Holding himself high, Zane took off for the Shurikens and dodge a blast of ice coming from the void. Grasping the small weapons in his hands, he ran for the exit as the dragon gave pursuit.

The Ice Dragon was longer than the one from yesterday, stretching nearly fifty feet long from snout to tail. It had pale white fur with a soft blue coloring the scales on its belly as beady black eyes chased him out of the mountain.

“We need to move fast!” Zane’s voice came and went as he passed. Everyone took off running down the mountain and tried not to trip and fall.

At the back of the pack, Jay nearly took another tumble before he found some broken carts, probably abandoned long ago. The material was some kind of metal and was still in an okay condition. Finding at least one still put together, he began pushing it until got momentum and hopped in. He held out his hand for those in front of him and called out for them. One by one they loaded into the cart and sped down the snowy side. Landing just outside the boat, every dashed for the boat and began to push it back to see.

Zane had tucked the weapon into his sleeves and looked back at the dragon. It sat back at the top of the mountain and watched them. He did not understand. Shouldn’t it have chased them as soon as he grabbed it like the Earth dragon did?

“Zane, come on!” Cole’s voice brought him back and onto the boat.

Kai had already started the engines as Jay took the wheel, driving them away from the coast of the Wastelands.

Once in a safe distance away, Jay cut the engines and went below deck to debrief with the rest of the group.

“Everyone okay?” He asked. “Are we good to head to the next stop in a little bit?”

“Are these weapons really worth it?” Kai asked, earning shocked faces. “Don’t get me wrong, I still want to save my sister, but if these weapons are so powerful or power-inducing, why didn’t the First Spinjitzu Master just destroy them when they weren’t needed anymore?”

“I may understand much, Kai, but I will not pretend to understand my father’s mind,” Wu said.

“Hold up, father? You’re the son of the First Spinjitzu Master?” Wu nodded. “Well you could have mentioned that before now, huh? What’s next? Gonna say that you and Garmadon are brothers?” Wu said nothing. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” His voice was tight and low, anger seeping in.

Kai hung his head before standing up and pacing around the cabin.

“No offense to you three,” he gestured to the other ninjas, “but I’ve been a part of this team for less than a week and at every turn I’m being blindsided by new information. A village boy like me can only handle so much in a short amount of time." He took a breath, failing to notice the steam that escaped the corners of his mouth. "I’m going to go into the captain’s cabin and decompress. You can get me when we get to the next location.”

They watched as he stomped away, each feeling a different kind of guilt.

Wu sat back and thought about the display. Out of all of the boys, Kai's element was manifesting faster than the others. The other three had barely given hint that their powers were there, but Kai…his element must have been growing since a child. If left unchecked, it could mean danger for him, his sister, and maybe Ninjago itself.

-

The ship docked late in the afternoon and the four boys left town to visit the Floating Ruins. No one really knows how it got up there or who lived up there, but to have a city sitting in the middle of an electrical storm for centuries was a feat in itself. The electrical farm that powered Ninjago City sat near the border and worked everyday to make sure nothing went wrong.

Cole and Zane stood next to Kai, who was still fuming from their previous encounter but glad Wu stayed on the boat. The boys waited as Jay finished adjusting the glider packs on each of them.

“Are you okay?” Cole asked to break the silence. Jay looked up from his ankle with concern on his face. “I understand that you’re mad, but don’t take it out too much on Master Wu. The man is centuries old, so he’s bound to forget to mention a few things.”

“Missed events or birthdays, I can understand,” Kai sighed, “but to forget to mention that the very villain we’re facing is his brother or the fact that he’s basically a god is not really something I’d file under forgetful.”

“Though you are correct about how all of this information was given to you,” Zane said with a hand under his chin, “it was quite unfair to have you arrive, train half a day and night, and send you off to battle. To you, your life changed in a matter of moments. To us, it’s just another day.”

For a moment, all of them were quiet.

“I’ll try to get better at this, I swear, but I think I may need a day off when we get all the weapons.” Kai leaned back, putting all his weight into his back foot. “If my sister saw me now, she’d do exactly what you two are doing. Right before socking me in the shoulder for being rude.”

They shared a laugh before something made a noise from behind them. The skeletons had finally arrived, but they needed to get up there and fast. They had no plan. The chain was far longer than they expected, it would take a few minutes or so to get up there if they legged it.

A light went off in Kai’s head.

“Jay with me,” he met Cole’s gaze and received a nod. "Buy us time?"

"We got you! Zane with me!" Cole called up, taking hold of his basic Scythe. Kai looked down at him as he pulled up his face guard. “We’re right behind you!”

Red and blue climbed higher on the chain, dodging lightning strike after strike. The floating city was shifting with every gust of wind. Upon reaching the platform, Kai felt Jay grab tight to his arm and hoist him up. A loud roar caught their attention as another dragon circled around them as sparks shot out from the clouds and onto the dragon.

The Lightning Dragon was a deep blue, blending it into the dark clouds surrounding them. The body was sleek, thinner than the Ice Dragon but around the same length. A bright blue flashed from under the scales with every strike. Its golden eyes observed the ruins, barely registering the two entering its keep.

“Go, I’ll guard the door,” Kai yelled as he drew his sword. “You got this Jay.”

With a curt nod, Jay ran into the building as Kai watched the dragon and skeletons below.

The halls were dark, only being lit by brief flashes of lightning through the windows. He could feel the paranoia and fear build up in his chest as he held tight to the plain weapon in his hands. He shouldn’t be afraid. He was trained for this. So why did he want to run?

A bright light flashed through the halls and illuminated a large, golden door. It towered over him, stretching from floor to the ceiling, unlike any of the other doors. Approaching the door, Jay took a deep breath and pushed it open. Inside, the Nunchucks of Lightning were floating in a pillar of light. The blue-like glow of the bolt in the middle reflected in his eyes, setting off a small spark inside of him as his face hardened and he took the weapon.

“Where’s Jay?” Cole yelled over the storm as he reached the top of the chain with Zane close behind. “The skeletons called in the cavalry. We got outnumbered, so we have to go.”

“He’s inside, should be out any second.” As if summoned, the blue ninja emerged with the Nunchucks in his waistband. “Nice timing.”

“Thanks.” He looked down at the approaching skeletons and the circling dragon. “No one’s afraid of heights, right?”

“Little too late to be asking that question. We’re already up here.”

“Right. Sorry. Panicking.” Zane laid a hand on his shoulder, calming him down. “Okay, okay. When you jump off, wait thirty seconds before pulling at that cord at your waist. It’ll engage the wings and glide you down.”

“Is there a way to steer it?”

“Lean!” Jay yelled as he launched himself off of the Floating City.

The other three took several deep breaths before following. Barely able to register the right amount of seconds, Cole pulled the cord as soon as he cleared the clouds. The jolt of the wings catching the air knocked the wind out of him as he adjusted to the glide. Looking around, he spotted everyone else gliding at various heights. Each of them were leaning left and right to avoid lightning strikes as they made it to the edge of the canyon.

Landing just a mile from the port, the boys tucked the gliders away and ran to the boat. Wu understood the silent message in Cole’s eyes as he started the engines and steered it back to the initial port.

Back at the monastery, the boys sat outside the entrance with cups of tea in their hands. Wu stood before them, looking at the weapons with - possibly - a proud look in his eye.

“Nice job, my boys,” he said. “We are one weapon away from securing all of the weapons away from my brother’s grasp.” Kai still glared at him for keeping that a secret. “Now, I assume that you are all curious on how these weapons created Ninjago. Correct?”

“You could say that,” Jay admitted. “I mean, Kai’s question from earlier is still unanswered. He didn’t feet-wield them, did he?” The group let out a laugh, even getting one from Wu.

“No, my father did not wield the weapons with his feet. My father was an oni, able to shift his form between oni and human. This allowed him to possess all of the Golden Weapons at once as he performed the Tornado of Creation.”

“How do you use a tornado to create? Don’t they usually destroy things?”

“Typically, yes,” Zane replied, “but they are uncommon in this part of Ninjago.”

“The Tornado of Creation is a special kind of tornado." Wu paused to find the right words. "It was where your elements, the Elements of Creation, worked in tandem to create the very land you stand on. It allows one to create something from nothing.”

“So we’ll be able to do it one day?” Kai asked.

“When you are ready, yes. If the Tornado is created incorrectly, there will be disastrous consequences. So do not even attempt to perform this technique before you are ready.” The boys nodded and set down their cups. “You had a long day, go get some rest. We’ll collect the final weapon tomorrow. Good night boys.”

“Good night, Master,” they replied.

Cole helped move Kai’s stuff into their room, placing the few packs on the bunk below his. The room was very much lived in with clothes strewn about and books lining the shelves.

“What time do you guys usually turn the lights out?” Kai asked.

“Usually an hour after sunset, but we usually fall asleep closer to midnight,” Zane explained. “If you wish to retire earlier, just let us know.”

“Thanks, but I should be good with that.”

Sleep came easy for all of them, having been running on adrenaline all day. Kai actually fell asleep first as he found comfort in having the others around, feeling safer than he did the previous nights.

Kai… That was Nya’s voice. Kai…

His eyes shot open as he gasped for air. Looking around, he tried to find Nya but could only continue to hear her.

“Nya?” He whispered aloud as an apparition of her appeared in front of him. “Are you okay? How are you here?”

The apparition looked behind her and took off running through the door. Kai launched out of bed, grabbing his sword as he followed her out. The figure ran through the halls with him hot on its heels. Stepping into the courtyard, Kai found himself falling through space before landing on solid ground.

The air was hot and dry. He looked up to find himself at the base of a volcano. The figure of Nya stood in front of an entrance before she disappeared. Desperate to get her back, Kai ran across the hot coals with his bare feet and into the volcano. The volcano itself was a temple with the Sword of Fire sitting in front of a curtain of lava.

Her voice called out to him again as he stepped inside, finding her in front of the Sword of Fire. He let out a sigh of relief before the figure shifted into a shadow of Lord Garmadon.

“I’m right here, brother,” the warlord laughed.

“You can’t hurt me, not as you are,” he said, hand already grasping his sword as a precaution. “Not when you’re banished and trapped in the Underworld.”

“That is why you are going to remove the Sword of Fire for me, and before you even think of denying me,” the curtain of lava parted and revealed Nya suspended over the pit, “think about how you’ll save your sister. That pitiful excuse of a sword would not even scratch those chains.”

“Don’t listen to him Kai! It’s a trap!” Nya exclaimed. She was wrapped tight in several rounds of chains, struggling to get out. “Okay, that’s tight.”

He knew it was wrong, but to save his sister, Kai pulled the Sword from its resting place. Taking position, he took off in a run and performed Spinjitzu to reach his sister. The Sword cut through the chain like butter, loosening Nya into his hold, before he lept back to the ground.

“Are you okay?” He asked as the chains fell to the ground around her. She pulled him into a tight hug and felt her tears drench his shoulder. “You’re okay, just stay close.”

“Trust me, I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

“He’s only a shadow. He can’t hurt us.”

“Even shadows have their uses,” Garmadon said as he shifted into a shadow version of Kai.

The shadow launches at him as he gives Nya the Sword.

“Get out of here!” He yells, dodging an attack. “Only use the Sword if you’re desperate, okay? Other than that, it’s dangerous.”

“What about you?” Her voice cracked, fear drenching her words.

“My whole mission was to get you home safe. Now go!”

Nya turned to leave but was blocked by multiple shadows of Kai. They began to close in on her before several disappeared with the swing of a staff. Wu pushed Nya towards the entrance with his staff as Garmadon paused his battle with Kai, allowing him to go after his sister.

“Hello brother,” the warlord smirked. “I see you chose to protect one over the other three. Was that really such a wise decision?” He waved a hand and opened a portal to the monastery. Skulkin were attacking and defeating the others before capturing the other Golden Weapons. “For you have made things far too easy once again.”

The shadows of Garmadon dissipated and left the trio alone. A loud roar echoed through the temple as a dragon emerged from the lava. This one was probably the second largest of all of what he had already encountered. This one was just in-between sleek and sturdy, the front half being wider than the back. Its black scales made the body look like living lava as orange and yellow glowed from underneath.

Nya let out a scream as it launched a fireball at the temple entrance, preventing their escape.

“That was our only way out!” Kai exclaimed. “It’s all over if we’re still here when the Skulkin arrive.”

“It’s never over,” Wu said as he took the sword from Nya. He ran to the cliff and lept onto a suspended lava rock, hand grasping the chain as it dangled over a bottomless pit.

“Master, what are you doing?!”

“If he is to bring the other weapons here, then I will take the Sword of Fire to the Underworld. This mess started because of me, so I will be the one to stop it. This is the payment I have owed.”

“There has to be another way.” Wu merely shut his eyes and swung the sword. The chain snapped as it passed and dropped the rock into the endless chasm below. Kai dropped to the ground in defeat. “This is all my fault. Master won’t be able to hold out for long by himself.”

The dragon towered above them, studying them.

“Forget about him,” Nya said, kneeling down to be with her brother and finally feeling the heat. “What about us?”

He heard her voice begin to slur and her body weight lean against him. Beginning to panic, he cradled her in his arms and attempted to get her to wake up. The dragon leaned down, its head nudging his shoulder.

“Can you help her?” He asked.

The dragon said nothing as it maneuvered them onto its neck. Holding tight to the spines, Kai braced himself as it took off to the blocked door. The dragon barreled through the rock barricade and into the cool night air. The dragon flew into the air, choosing to go into the colder parts of the sky to help the girl on its back. Landing just outside the Forest of Tranquility, it allowed the siblings to disembark next to a river where Nya washed her face in the stream.

The other ninja soon found them there, happy to see them safe.

“Kai!” Cole exclaimed upon seeing them, but he stopped once he noticed the dragon. Kai gestured for the dragon to stand down as he waved them over. “You found your sister!”

“At the cost of Master Wu,” he said as Nya placed a hand on his arm before pointing at the dragon, “but we did get a new friend.” The dragon hummed in amusement and moved closer. “They can help us get to the Underworld and retrieve the Golden Weapons and Master Wu.”

“Are you insane?” Cole backed up just a bit.

“Maybe, but once he realized we were trying to protect the Sword of Fire, he became quite the softie.” The dragon nuzzled against his cheek. “Knock it off.”

Jay made a noise, catching their attention.

“Forgive him, he took a foot to the throat,” Zane said, “but he was addressing you, Ms. Nya. He asked if you like blue?”

“It’s my favorite color,” she smiled and laughed as Jay pumped his fist. Kai rolled his eyes as Cole passed his gi to him. “So what now?”

“What happens now is that we head back to the monastery and regroup.” He turned to the others. “You guys okay?”

“As good as we can be. I mean, we did just get our butts kicked by piles of bones,” Cole said as he crossed his arms.

“But you were caught off guard and in your pajamas. Nice bunny slippers by the way.” He said to Jay, chuckling as the boy looked down at his feet.

“Don’t you have the same pair at home? You know, the ones I got you for the holidays?” Nya asked, breaking the awkwardness. She gave Jay a small smile, saying that she has his back.

The Fire Dragon was not big enough for more than one rider, so they needed to find a compromise. Jay found an old mine shaft at the border of the forest and the lava rock. It was big enough to fit three of them while two sat on the dragon. Nya sat with her brother as the other three swung in the basket that was clutched in the dragon’s claws. Cole sat with eyes shut for the entire flight. The dragon dropped them in the courtyard before curling up around the dragon statue.

Cole, Zane, and Jay bid the siblings good night as Kai and Nya went to the kitchen.

Kai opened the fridge and grabbed the bottle of milk, pouring his sister a glass.

“How are you holding up?” He asked, pushing it to her. “I mean, a week in captivity with a bunch of skeletons and a scary demon man must have been fun.”

“It could’ve been better,” she replied. “For beings that don’t really eat, they gave me some good food.” She ran her thumb against the cup. “So…ninjas?”

“I know, crazy right? Didn’t we just say that we don’t make stuff for samurais or ninjas? Maybe we should rethink our catalog.” They shared a laugh for a moment before they lulled into silence. “Seriously though, are you doing okay?”

“I thought I was going to fall, back at the volcano.” Kai set down the jug and walked around the island, pulling her into a hug as the cup sat on the counter. “I thought I was done for.”

"What have I always told you?" His voice was muffled by her hair, but he could care less. "That as long as I have breath in my body…"

"...you'll be there to protect me. "

"That's right." He began to rock her back and forth. "I'll stand by that saying until I can't keep my word anymore. I love you, Nya."

"I love you too."

They stood there just a little longer, Kai's fingers running through her short hair as she finally broke down in tears.

The trio waited until close to midnight for Kai to walk in, wanting to talk about the plan for tomorrow, but he never showed. Zane volunteered to find him.

Walking through the halls, he could hear the faint whistle of the wind outside as well as the rumble of the dragon. Approaching Kai's old room, he was surprised to find the door slightly ajar. His eyes softened as he spotted the siblings curled up on the bed.

The two laid close to each other, both on their stomachs. Kai's arm laid protectively across her back as her face was turned to him. Her hand rested just below his nose and twitched with each breath he exhaled.

Zane smiled and shut the door. Returning to his room, he turned out the lights and went to crawl into his own bed.

"Are they doing okay?" Cole asked through the darkness.

"Yeah, neither of them are hurt right?" Jay's voice followed in worry, still slightly scratchy from the earlier impact but working nonetheless.

"The siblings are sleeping soundly in Kai's old room. After everything they have gone through the past week, they deserve it," Zane replied with a smile. "Frankly, that was the deepest I have seen Kai sleep since he arrived. I suggest we let them rest and worry in the morning.”

The group rose at the crack of dawn, well-rested and ready for a fight. Kai was already in the courtyard with Nya as they said their goodbyes.

“Come back to me in one piece, okay?” She mumbled into his shoulder. “I can’t run the shop by myself.”

“I promise. Just keep a candle lit for me?”

“Always.”

“I’ll see you soon. Now go, you have a train to catch.”

Kai watched her exit, slowly disappearing down the mountain steps. Cole came up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Your sister’s really strong, must get it from you.” Kai put on a small smile before turning to him. “This part of the mission is yours now, what do we do?”

“Master took the last Golden Weapon to the Underworld and went into hiding. We can’t get there ourselves, but the dragons can.”

“I don’t know if you noticed but we can’t all fit on your dragon.”

“No, I noticed. That’s why I asked them to call in a favor before we turned in for the night.” He nudged the dragon with his shoulder and it let out a loud roar, shaking the monastery.

The ground began to shake before a loud boom erupted through the air. The Earth Dragon crawled over the monastery wall, perching on the edge. It looked at the four before leaning down before Cole and pressed its snout to his head. The boys flinched for a moment, but carefully placed a hand on its snout. It leaned in and everyone chuckled as he realized that he had nothing to fear.

“I guess you’re not so bad, huh?” Cole said, petting the rough surface of the beast's snout. “Just two?

Kai pointed to the sky as the Ice and Lighting arrived. They landed on the roof of the monastery, the blue dragon leaning down into the area. Jay quickly ran over to greet them, barely knowing how to react. His arms shook up and down as it bobbed its head to match. The white dragon merely curled up in the corner and waited for Zane to approach. It blew a mist of cold air in his face as soon as he arrived before resting its head on the ground, waiting for attention.

“They’ll get us to the underworld and back out, but the battle is down to us.” Kai laid a hand on his dragon. “Are you guys ready?”

“If we don’t leave now, it may become too late to stop anything,” Zane thought out loud.

Nodding in agreement, the group went to grab their trusted basic weapons and hopped onto their respective rides. The four of them took to the air and took a moment to let their new riders adjust. Kai took to riding the quickest, having ridden out of the Fire Temple last night. Jay was second, speeding around the other three with glee. Zane was next, simply holding on to the fur as they flew. Cole, was understandably, last. Though his dragon was gentle and steady, he was white knuckled on its back until he got used to being in the air.

“So,” Cole started once he caught up to Kai, “how do dragons cross over to the Underworld?”

“Well, we’re approaching the Forest of Tranquility and I believe there’s an entrance at the bottom of the Fire Temple. However, due to Zane’s dragon, I don’t think they want to bring them there,” Kai explained as all of them came to a stop. “I guess we’re about to find out.”

After a moment, Jay’s dragon dropped into a nose dive with the others following close after. The group began to scream as the ground came closer and the dragons began a corkscrew spin as they accelerated. Sparks flew around them, like the dragons were performing their own kind of Spinjitzu. The world began to shift from bright to dark before it all stopped moving.

“Is anyone else about to hurl up breakfast?” Kai asked as he got his bearings as everyone groaned in response. He looked around, noticing the temple dug into the rock and several Skulkin vehicles. “Well, we’re here. Mask up.” They all pulled their face guards up and hopped off.

Leaving their dragons to rest, the ninja begin to plan a way into the building. The Skulkin seem to have been expecting them as Kruncha and Nuckal were inspecting every cart that came through. By inspecting, they mean emptying each cart and only allowing the empty cart through.

Cole spots a large animal not being inspected, pointing at it as their ticket in. The four run over and latch on to the side of one about to enter. The group is almost in the clear, but then Jay truly notices what they’re hanging on to. It was a tarantula the size of a bus, decked out in bones and pieces of metal. He tried to get their attention, but they were too busy being grateful that he had no voice. Having no choice, he kicked a leg out to hit Cole but lost his grip. Zane tried to save him, but took the rest down with them.

“Is it ninja or ninjas if there’s more than one?” Nuckal asked upon seeing them.

“I think it’s just ninja,” Kruncha replied.

“Oh okay.” He pointed to them. “NINJA!”

The Skulkin army surrounded them from all sides, weapons at the ready.

“Ten to one, I like these odds,” Cole said before more dropped in.

“You were saying?” Kai could almost feel his eyes roll into the back of his head.

Kruncha launched into action first. His sword swung to cut down Jay, but Kai quickly moved to block the attack. The rest of the Skulkin followed suit and let out a roaring battle cry as they converged on the four.

Cole took most out by just a mere swing of his scythe before switching to hand combat for those that got close. Jay used his nunchucks to knock off most of his attackers to give Zane a chance to get into the open. The white ninja swung the rope in his hand around, knocking several skulls off with the metal ball at the end of the rope. The group were steady to hold their own as Kai battled against the skeletal generals, but the numbers were growing too fast.

“Any ideas?” Kai grunted out, blocking another attack. “I’m all ears.”

Jay attempted to say something, but his gravelly voice and the sound of fighting didn’t help. The other did their best to decode his words. It wasn’t until he was knocked in the throat again that he felt better.

“The Tornado of Creation!” He exclaimed.

“Don’t possible consequences await us if we do that?” Cole yelled back.

“We’re about to HAVE a disastrous consequence if we DON’T.” Kai swiped up and broke Kruncha for the third time. “The order we got these things has to be the key. Cole! Start us off!”

Tucking his scythe into the sheath on his back, Cole took a breath and launched into his Spinjitzu. He spun within a tornado of brown and gray. Zane followed suit, spinning in a tornado of white and silver. Jay blocked another attack before beginning his turn, disappearing in a tornado of blue and white. Kai rounded out the group, watching as his sight filled with orange sparks and red lighting. They all gravitated towards each other, becoming one with the fighting styles as they combined into a large golden tornado.

Kai can’t recall how long they spun in formation. He was only able to process what became of their move. The Skulkin had turned into a carnival made of bones. A bit macabre if he thought so himself, but it did the job. The generals were imprisoned with a cage of rocks and bone. This left the path open for the ninja to enter the structure.

Wu was busy fighting Samukai in the middle of the place. Cole, Jay, and Zane moved to help but were stopped by Kai. They looked at him, confused.

“This is Master Wu’s fight, one he has to finish himself.”

The four could only watch as their mentor battled the King of the Underworld with the Sword of Fire. Samukai wielded the other three. He used them on instinct, clearly not understanding the power of the weapons he held. Cole’s breath hitched as Wu was disarmed and Samukai now wielded all of the weapons.

“Good job,” Garmagdon’s voice echoed through the cave. “Now bring me the Four Weapons.” Samukai began to laugh, much to the boys’ confusion.

“I don’t think so.” Samukai pointed the Scythe of Quakes at him. “You obey me now!”

Wu spotted his students and escaped to their side as Garmadon smirked down at the walking pile of bones.

“You are nothing but a selfish fool. Did you not think I wouldn’t plan on your betrayal?” Samukai began to shake and melt as the Golden weapons began to glow. “See, you’ve fallen right into my master plan. See I, myself, cannot handle all of their power, but now that they’re combined, it’ll create a vortex through time and space.” His eyes drifted over to Wu. “I can finally get out of this prison of a world.”

Samukai exploded into a swirling portal of purple energy. Garmadon let out a laugh as he walked to it.

“Father would not want you to do this, Brother,” Wu called out, hoping to get through to his brother.

“Father is no longer here!” He called back as he turned around. “There has always been a balance in the universe. Good and evil, yin and yang, one cannot exist without the other. I just know what side I’m on.” Wu took a deep breath , but said nothing. “Soon, I will be strong enough to wield the Four Weapons, ready to create the world in my image!” Garmadon turned back to the portal. “Shame that you were always the favorite.”

Garmadon stepped through, finally escaping his Underworld prison.

“He may be gone, but he will return.” The boys look at Wu, seeing the exhaustion in his eyes.

“And when he does, we’ll be ready.” Everyone nodded at Kai’s words before running to where the weapons had fallen.

“As well as keep an eye out in case he has any more evil plans up his sleeve,” Cole finished as he picked up the Scythe.

The rest collected their respective weapons. Kai looked into the Sword of Fire. He saw a better image of himself than he did back at the forge within the bent sword.

“I believe my part in this chapter has been completed,” Wu said as he observed all of them. “The balance has been restored for now. So let us all return home.”

Nya sat in the front of the shop. She had yet to move from her vigil at the window since she lit the first candle before noon. The sun was just setting when she heard the beating of wings fly overhead. Four dragons landed outside of the forge, shocking many of the other villagers, but Nya didn’t care. She took off running and didn’t stop until she was held tight in Kai’s arms. He held her tight, tucking his head into the crook of her neck as her hands clutched the cloth of his gi.

“Did you win?” She asked as he slowly let her go.

“For now,” he replied.

“My turn!” Jay exclaimed as soon as Nya was free. She humored him and gave him a hug, not as tight, but still a good hug. Kai merely shook his head in amusement.

“Well, I hope you guys are hungry. I made some stew for whenever you guys got back. It just finished.”

“Thanks, Nee. We’ll be there in just a minute.” Kai ruffled her hair before she stepped away.

With the Golden Weapons in hand, the group gathered together and pointed their new arsenal into the circle. A large shockwave launched out and knocked them all to the ground.

“Perhaps it should be advised to not do that again,” Wu said with a chuckle.

“Good idea,” Cole groaned as he rubbed his head.

“Yeah, let’s just stick to high-fives,” Jay joked.

“Agreed,” Zane nodded before they all began laughing. “Was that also a joke?”

They all began to laugh again as they walked up the hill to the forge. Cole fell into step next to him, arms crossed over his chest.

“So…” He started.

“So what?” Kai asked.

“Are you gonna stick around?”

“Are you gonna be a stick up my ass?” He let out scoff when he was playfully shoved. “I’m kidding.” He took a breath. “But yeah, I think I’ll stick around a bit longer.” Pulling up his face mask, he shoved Cole back and took off running. “Race ya!”

“Oh you’re on!”

#project-ninjago:restoration #lego ninjago #lego ninjago rewrite #ninjago #ninjago rewrite #//sorry for the delay! i got a second job recently and training has been kicking my butt

[theretirementstory]

Bonjour à tous, looking back on summers past and remembering my reconnaissance drive to Vitry-le-Francois. At the station,this monument to the 39,642 Jews transported from this one station to the concentration camps listed. The photo at the bottom, of the two hands trying to meet, is a very moving sight, it really underlined the cruelty of wars, separating families and the loss of so many lives. Yet here we are today still seeing the same thing not just in Europe but in Africa and Asia. Will human’s never learn!

So back to the present, where I am currently cooking a couple of beetroot, picked from my garden yesterday. I have also had my first couple of spring onions 😀, ok so they were not very big but I just wanted to try them and they were quite delicious.

We have had lots of rain this week, still not filled my dustbin/water butt mind you, but every little helps. Today is due to be cloudy with a maximum high of 23c, I am hoping to go outside and tidy up the potager, only beetroot still growing in there at the moment. My strawberry plants are dead as doornails, but that’s ok as I will buy new plants next year and hopefully enjoy lots of berries from them. Before the rain I finally managed to get outside and move the bearded iris from the troughs, where they have been for two years, into the garden to fill in a huge gap near to my neighbours fence. I have decided to make that a plan for next year, to fill in large gaps with large and small plants. The garden can look good when the daffodils, tulips and iris are flowering but I don’t have a lot of summer colour and my autumn/winter colour may be sadly depleted this year as the gardener “kindly” sprayed weed killer onto the periwinkle and into the area where the cyclamen are. I really hope that they will have survived but I am doubtful.

My neighbour across the way, brought me a courgette last weekend then turned up with another two on Thursday…���. there is only so much courgette a person can get through and as I had previously had two from Marlene and one from Monique, it’s a bit of a “feast”. I am hoping to deliver two to Maud as I know she uses them.

Monique came to visit me and she read through the booklet on what I can and can’t do after I have had my “BEAM” chemotherapy. Meals have to be freshly prepared, not reheated so no food from the freezer, I am not allowed to do any housework so it seems I will need help. I cannot go to the cinema, visit large shopping centres etc and I need to wear a mask when people visit my home. Monique said she could come and do shopping for me and leave it on the doorstep. All this has to be done for one month (that will be a long month).

The weather has had a big effect on things due to take place this week. First of all I visited the photographers, it was pouring down and I got soaked so came home before next trip out, that resulted in another soaking as did the third trip of the day! The late night market was due to take place on Friday but it was cancelled due to the really heavy rain.

Today I am having a telephone call with my friends in Bristol, it will be the first call since April so a lot to catch up on! No doubt we will be discussing the weather and browsing some poems I came across this one which seems quite apt,

“A Beautiful Day” by Francis Duggan

“In the blue sky just a few specks of gray

In the evening of a beautiful day

Though last night it rained and more rain on the way

And that more rain is needed 'twould be fair to say”

I am hoping that “The Trainee Solicitor” will leave his books long enough to do a little work in the garden although I fear he may be seduced by the Car Boot sale in town and the Saltburn Food Festival.

“The Daddy” has had his daughter since Tuesday evening when she finished school, his son arrived on Friday morning and they have had some fun days out. Clothes shopping with daughter and then a visit to Stewart Park. A visit with both to a soft play cafe and then a trip to Beamish Museum. His son goes back to his Mum on Monday but Daddy and daughter have more adventures to have until she goes back on Friday.

So now it’s my turn to go….. see you next time!

#barsuraube #memorials #nature #trees #photography #gardening #veg garden #loving life #family

[petnews2day]

When will Australian interest rates stop rising?

New Post has been published on https://petnews2day.com/pet-industry-news/pet-financial-news/when-will-australian-interest-rates-stop-rising/

When will Australian interest rates stop rising?

Higher borrowing costs have taken a large bite out of property prices in recent months, and with more rate hikes to come we likely haven’t seen the bottom of this current downturn.

But when will the Reserve Bank of Australia next make a move? And when will its aggressive monetary policy tightening finally come to an end? We take a look below. 

Interest rates set to go up in December

The RBA has lifted interest rates at seven consecutive meetings this year, including a devastating four-month stretch of 50 basis point hikes from June to September.

The cash rate is now 275 basis points higher than it was when the tightening cycle began – nearly matching the 3% buffer banks tack onto their rates when assessing borrowers’ serviceability.

While limits are certainly being tested, the good news is that with unemployment currently at all-time lows, a material increase in mortgage arrears seems unlikely.

The central bank is widely expected to continue lifting rates, with Westpac economists pencilling in four more 25 basis point hikes in December, February, March and May and a terminal rate of 3.85%.

Meanwhile, CommBank believes the RBA will deliver just one more increase in December, which would leave us with a cash rate of 3.10% going into next year. 

How do we account for such different forecasts? For one, CBA has been much less hawkish on rates than its big bank peers, calling for caution in light of lags in the transmission of rate hikes.

Westpac, on the other hand, has emphasised the need for strong action to keep inflation from getting out of hand.

“The risk is that a ‘high inflation’ psychology emerges and is allowed to be sustained for longer, potentially making the challenge of bringing inflation back to target more difficult than necessary,” said Westpac chief economist, Bill Evans.

How far have property prices fallen?

Seven months of rate hikes have taken a heavy toll on the property market, with Sydney prices falling -10.2% since January and Melbourne prices down -6.4% since peaking in February.

But CoreLogic research director, Tim Lawless said the current downturn has been “orderly,” at least when compared to the frenzied growth the market experienced last year.

“This is supported by a below-average flow of new listings that is keeping overall inventory levels contained,” he said.

“There’s also tight labour market conditions, an accrual of borrower savings and a larger than normal cohort of fixed interest rate borrowers, who have so far been insulated from the rapid rise in interest rates.”

RELATED: Australia’s housing downturn enters its sixth month

Among other capital cities, home values dropped by -5.4% over the quarter in Brisbane, -4.3% in Canberra, and -4.1% in Hobart. Perth and Adelaide prices have been much more resilient in comparison, falling just -0.7% and -0.6%, respectively.

According to CommBank’s Household Spending Intentions (HSI) index, plans to buy a home declined by -3.1% in October and were down -27.3% over the year. 

The bank says the impact of this year’s rate hikes hasn’t yet been fully felt, warning that further weakness will begin to show in the market in the coming months. 

It expects a 15% fall in home values from peak-to-trough, though the downturn could be steeper if the RBA pushes the cash rate beyond CBA’s 3.10% forecast.

For more information on property and lending trends, head over to our home loan statistics page. And if you’re in the market for a home loan, visit our home loan comparison page, or browse the selection below.

* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.

** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate, loan amount and term entered. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards

Mozo provides general product information. We don’t consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren’t recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.

While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don’t cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.

#Pet Financial News

[superspunarticle]

Beyond the Hype of Web3: Delivering Utility, Value And Community in the Next Web

Tutorials and tips on Content and Video Marketing.

Photo by fabio on Unsplash

Originally published in Forbes

My dear friends Chris Heuer and Kristie Wells asked me to open Web 3.1, a new unconference series they founded. The goal of the event was to explore ways to deliver the promise of web3. This article is inspired by the research that went into my presentation and the conversations that followed. You can watch the presentation here.

Since October 2021, Google Trends data shows that “web3” as a search term started to take off. The same is true for “NFT” and “metaverse.” And with all of the hype amplifying the web3 ecosystem, the divide between its current state and its potential will only widen before it begins to close. It means that progress lies ahead. But to close the gap requires vision, utility, value, and execution toward innovative possibilities and solutions.

This is about leading web3 technologies such as NFTs, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, DAOs, dApps, wallets, the metaverse, and trustless networks to a decentralized future that benefits everyone. Hype and failure are part of the path toward disruption. Think “dot bomb” in Web 1.0 before mainstream successes like Amazon, eBay, Slashdot, and Craigslist demonstrated value and scale.

Right now, much of what we see defined as web3 is actually similar to the principles of Web 2.0, with centralized applications, servers, and platforms tied to blockchain transactions. Centralization has its upsides. But data ownership and portability is where the future starts to really take shape. Like 5G, and the various frequency bands before it, the foundation is set before mass market killer apps are built upon it.

The Really Early State of web3

There will be success stories in this initial phase of excitement of web3, but it will also set the stage for greater utility, access, and maturity. Gartner refers to this current state in its Hype Cycle framework as somewhere between the “Innovation Trigger” and the “Peak of Inflated Expectations.” Once web3 interest wanes as experiments and implementations fail to deliver or lose luster among the first wave of early adopters, we’ll then hit the “Trough of Disillusionment.” Following that, we’ll evolve into a “Slope of Enlightenment,” which reflects evolutions in web3 application development, more promising company charters, and more important industry and market benefits. Then mainstream adoption starts to take off in what represents, the “Plateau of Productivity.”

We’re just at the beginning when it comes to web3. Where we are isn’t yet where we need to be. As a longtime digital analyst and anthropologist who has studied tech milestones in and around Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and now Web 3.0, digital trends will ultimately affect how people shape markets. And it will evolve with each major iteration and innovation of technology progress.

The Gartner Hype Cycle

Getting Stuck in the Current Chapter of web3

In 2021, investors poured a record $30 billion into crypto, more than the previous years combined. That same year, nearly $41 billion worth of cryptocurrency fueled the NFT market. Cryptocurrencies added 1.5 trillion in value heading into 2022.

The promise of web3 is more than the next big drop in trendy NFTs, a new alt-coin that will shoot to the moon with 1000% returns, and exclusive clout or elite clubs. Yet, as of this writing, .1% of Bitcoin miners are responsible for half of the mining output. The top 2% of accounts own 95% of the $800 billion supply of Bitcoin. The top 9% of web3 accounts hold 80% of the $41 billion market value of NFTs. And, browsing through the Forbes list of cryptocurrency billionaires, it’s problematic not to consider this early chapter of web3 as more elite than community driven.

There’s a saying, “what comes easy, won’t last. What lasts, won’t come easy.”

While this early incarnation of web3 is indeed exciting, it’s also exposing weaknesses such as NFT and crypto thefts, plagiarism and fakes, as well as exclusivity and elitism. But hey, this is a gold rush as Signal founder Moxie Marlinspike observed. The “beautiful” future of this chapter of the internet is currently in competition with those chasing money and clout, just like the early days of Web 1.0 and Web 2.0.

For example, losses from crypto scams this last year totaled $14 billion. As I was writing this, hackers stole over $600 million of NFTs from Ronin Network, the underlying blockchain that powers Axie Infinity. NFT copying is, also as of now, rampant. Marketplaces such as OpenSea and Rarible don’t yet have the security infrastructure

to alert artists that their creations are being copied, minted, and resold. The blockchain doesn’t verify that a person minting an NFT has the asset rights, so it’s really up to platforms to help protect owners and buyers. According to OpenSea’s research of its own marketplace in January 2022, over 80% of the NFTs listed were plagiarized art, fraudulent collections, or spam. There are cases where OpenSea has stepped in however. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for artists to even know when copying is happening, let alone have a clear and consistent path to do something about it.

There’s also the issue of sustainability. Crypto mining consumes more energy than some small countries. The Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index reportedthat some miners purchased or built power plant plants dedicated to mining. As of now, only about 12% of mining energy comes from renewables. There are opportunities to invest in innovation that reduces the carbon footprint in every blockchain transaction.

The Next Chapter of web3

If South Park is already tackling NFTs, then that means we have a lot of work to do. As a hopeless optimist, however, I want to envision and build a more decentralized technology ecosystem that contributes to the “slope of enlightenment,” beyond the hype. We must move beyond the dark side of social media and the elitism of big tech (and early web3). We must explore data democratization and ownership among internet users and communities. We must empower users with a new class of autonomy through wallets, soulbound identity portability, and dynamic communities. We must foster a more equitable and sustainable society and a better world for all.

I get that this sounds Pollyannaish.

Like every iteration of the web, the promise of web3 lies in what we decide we’re going to do differently together moving forward. As the Web3.1 event spotlighted, the point is people.

If this is about people, then the opportunity for innovation lies in what my colleague Henry King and I define as relationship transformation: it’s the “why” of technology, reimagining web3’s trajectory to design concepts, inventions, and businesses around user relationships, those between companies and assets and people, and also between people and communities. With relationship transformation, we can define how we use decentralized and trustless technologies to create new asset classes and productive, collaborative communities and platforms that turn users and consumers into stakeholders and owners.

We can reimagine every industry from finance and insurance to healthcare and education to gaming, media, and music to accounting and legal to politics and governance to royalties and loyalty programs to software and technology to retail, marketplaces, and consumer goods and everything in between.

18 NFT predictions by Chris Cantino

Therein lies the vast opportunity: we get to create the future. We get to define not only the trajectory that we’re on but an entirely new trajectory altogether. We’re not just striving to avoid web3’s equivalent of Web 1.0’s dot bomb phase, or the ethics failure and data conundrum of Web 2.0 to get us through the hype cycle. We’re striving for an alternate path that gives web3 utility and meaning, one that builds an equitable community and offers a more sustainable impact while giving access, power, autonomy, and portability to users.

Remember, community is so much more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter. As Chris Cantino, founding partner in Color Capital, recently observed, you can extract utility, or you can create it.

!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments);if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '192647454418119'); fbq('track', "PageView"); (function(d, s, id) var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); (document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));

The above article “Beyond the Hype of Web3: Delivering Utility, Value And Community in the Next Web” was first provided here.

We trust you found the above of help and/or interesting. Similar content can be found on our main site: superspunarticle.com/blog Please let me have your feedback below in the comments section. Let us know what topics we should write about for you in future.

[danishima]

Before You | Osamu Miya x Reader

You were browsing the collection of books the school bought out for the “book fair” while waiting for lunch break to end. Dragging your hand along the covers while your fingertips collected dust. You stopped when you saw a familiar looking book. You smiled softly upon reading the name. You always liked romance novels, always imagining it was you living those soul shattering love stories.

As you skimmed trough the pages, looking for your favorite quotes you felt someone creep up behind you.

“What are ya looking at?” You quickly put the book back ask you responded

“Nothing, just browsing.” But he was quick to grab the book and started reading the back cover as you reached out to stop him.

“Oh, hopeless romantic are we?” Shit, you knew he would make fun of you for this

“Miya stop! Give it back!” Still reaching for the book as he raised it higher. Osamu was giving you a smug grin as you reached closer in hopes of snatching the book away. “Seriously, put it back. It’s not even mine!” Calling out his name once again as he didn’t respond. “Miya! Give it!” His smile dropped just slightly as he spoke

“Ya know pretty, there are two miyas here in this school. How will I know who you’re talking about?” You scoffed

“God Miya you are like a middle school boy. Taking away a girls book? That’s your way of flirting?” He rolled his eyes dramatically “Yea, I know Tsumu’s such a child.” You slapped your hand over your face with a groan leaving your lips.

At this point you weren’t even phased by his antics. Osamu and you had a weird dynamic. You met while you guys were both first years and since then it had been two years of teasing, flirting and denial.

Yes you guys flirted, yes you walked each other home, yes you shared food but no you were not dating. But for the past few weeks you two have been closer than ever and both of you were dropping hints anticipating the other to make a move. The team was growing tired of Osamu bugging them, so when they saw you walking around by yourself, they sent Osamu your way to end their misery.

“Osamu you are well aware which Miya I am talking about when I speak.” He leaned closer to your face “Mhm, but I much rather hear you say my name.” You felt his breath against your cheeks with each word he spoke.

Looking away, you shook your head as if you were shaking away the weird feeling his words gave you.

“You have such a way with words Samu. I wonder if you used this line on girls before me.” You said with a playful smile. Your tone was humorous but deep down you wanted to know what you had with him was different than the rest.

He backed away as he handed the book to you and looked in your eyes.

“Nothing before you counts," he said. "And I can't even imagine an after.”

Your eyes widened as you lowered your head to process the meaning behind what he said. He also seemed to be surprised by his own choice of words that he looked away with his hand scratching neck.

You shook your head. "Don't."

“What?"

"Don't talk about after."

He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t let any words out as he stared at you with a mix of confusion and hope.

“Let’s focus on what we have now.” You spoke softly as you reached to grab his hand.

His lips curled upward, “Well what do we have?” His smile wasn’t playful or sarcastic like before. It was genuinely hopeful.

“I think you know.”

You gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before letting go of his hand as the bell rang, leaving Osamu Miya with a love sick smile on his face.

Bonus:

“I gotta say that whole “there are two miyas” thing was pretty clever. You’re lucky to have me as yer brother Samu.”

“Shut it Tsumu.”

“Hey! Ya got the girl didn’t ya?! All thanks to me…”

“No.”

a/n: hey hey hello!! So I had this idea because it’s “book week” at school and they have this mini book fair so I mixed that in with my current osamu brainrot. The parts in bold are from “Elenor and Park” one of my fav romance books so check it out if you’d like :)

#haikyu x reader #haikyuu #haikyuu fluff #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu x reader #hq osamu #osamu fluff #osamu drabble #osamu x reader #osamu imagine #elenor and park #dani’s words 📼

[mldrgrl]

Broken Things 1/24

by: mldrgrl Rating: varies by chapter, rated R overall Summary: The year is 1886, William Mulder owns a horse ranch in northern Texas.  The widow of a neighboring landowner has something he wants. Notes: Please be aware that this fic will contain ‘off-camera’ references to violence and abuse of various kinds. I will not be tagging individual TWs on the chapters.

Prologue

Many years from now, when he tells the tales of his younger days, he will claim that this is the day that changed his life forever.  If that horse hadn’t thrown a shoe, well then.  His wife will roll her eyes at this, tell him that any number of events prior to that day had already changed his life forever.  The decision to leave Massachusetts for the open prairie, for example, had changed his life forever.  The fact that his father had sent him to live with his aunt in the countryside instead of keeping him in the city had changed his life forever.  The pony he received for his birthday when he was a child had clearly changed his life forever.

All of that will hindsight one day.  Right now, it’s just an ordinary Thursday, the 9th of September, 1886.  The weather is mild, almost cool compared to the heat wave that had hit in the latter half of August.  And William Mulder’s horse has thrown a shoe.

Chapter 1

Normally, Mulder (only his family ever called him William) sends his ranch hand, Melvin, to take care of small errands and menial tasks, but he hasn’t been to town in almost a month and he could use a change of pace.  He hitches one of his more reliable horses to his wagon and takes one of the ones in training as well, one he’s just broken in, to see how he handles on the hour-long ride.  Their first stop is Gray’s Blacksmith.

After tying the horses to the post, Mulder gives them both a good scratching about the neck for a job well done and receives a snort and whinny of appreciation.  “Well done, boys,” he says.  “Carrots and apples at home for both of you if you keep up the good work.”

The familiar sound of clanking and hammering and the crackle of fire greets Mulder as he steps into the open door of the blacksmith’s.  He tips his hat to the striker, who nods a greeting.  The blacksmith turns and nods as well.

“Mr. Gray,” Mulder says.

“Mr. Mulder,” the blacksmith answers, passing his tongs to his assistant and then removing his gloves to shake hands.  “What can I do for ya?”

“Faithful Jenny’s thrown a shoe.  Melvin’s fixing her up, but I figured it was a good time to pick up a crate of nails and shoes.”

“Come on back and take a look then.  How’s business?”

“Doing well.  We’re training up a half dozen draft horses for the postal service right now.”

“Is the rumor you pulled in a mustang a few weeks ago true?”

“Afraid so.”

“You ain’t got a broken neck far as I can tell, so you must be faring alright with him then.”

“You can see him for yourself when I take this cart out to the wagon.”

“You brung him with ya?”

“I did.”

“I’ll be.”

Mulder feels a surge of pride when the blacksmith comes out to admire the horse.  He slides the crate of shoes and nails into the back of the wagon and then shows off his friendship with the four-legged beast by rubbing his belly.  The horse scratches the ground with his front hoof and shakes his head.

“You sure got a way, Mr. Mulder,” Mr. Gray says.  “If you got any stock you’re looking to sell I heard there’s a new homesteader a ways south that was interested.”

“I’m on my way to the mercantile.  I’ll be sure to ask John.”

The two men shake hands once again before Mulder gets back in his wagon.  He smiles to himself when the blacksmith watches him leave.  He’s made a name for himself in the short while he’s been here breaking and training up horses.  Folks in the area have said time and again that there isn’t a horse he can’t tame, that it’s almost downright spooky the way he seems to be able to talk to them.

There’s a man being waited on in the mercantile that Mulder doesn’t recognize, probably someone just passing through.  He waits for John Byers to finish with the customer, browsing the Montgomery Ward & Co. catalog at the end of the counter.

“Mulder,” John says after ringing the man up at the till.  “It’s good to see you.”

“You too, John.”  He pulls a shopping list from his pocket and unfolds it.  “I’m sure you’re better at translating Melvin’s chicken scratches than me at this point.”

“I believe I can manage.”  John chuckles and takes the shopping list.  He pulls a crate down and begins to collect items off the shelves and William goes back to the catalogue, thumbing past the illustrations of ladies’ garments to find menswear.

“If I put in an order for denim trousers for me and the boys you think they’ll be in by winter?”

“I’d say it’s likely.”

“Mr. Gray mentioned there were some new homesteaders interested in horses.”

“He must mean Mr. Campbell.  It’s oxen he’s after, I believe.”

“If you hear otherwise, send him my way.”

“I’ll do that.  I suppose you heard about your neighbor?”

“What neighbor is that?”

“Jack Willis.”

“Haven’t heard a thing.  What about him?”

“He spent all of Saturday night at the saloon in a poker game and was found dead in a ditch just outside of town on Sunday morning.”

“Robbed?”

“I should actually say he spent all Saturday night losing in a poker game and downing whiskey like water.  I heard he stumbled his way into that ditch of his own accord and met an untimely demise.”

“I only met him the once, but that doesn’t surprise me much.  Far be it for me to speak ill of the dead, but the man had a disagreeable disposition.  He seemed like the type to get himself into trouble.”

“Well, the bank is soon to be after his widow.  I’ve heard he’s in arrears.  I’m actually surprised the Sheriff didn’t stop on at your place on his way out there to tell her about her husband’s death.”

“Didn’t know he had a widow.  And you know Sheriff Doggett, he’s all business.”

“My Susannah saw them together, he and his wife, the day they passed through looking for land, and you know Susannah, she was beside herself at the notion of another woman come to town, but then no one’s seen hide nor hair of her since.”

“I still regret having been back east when Old Man Goodwin passed.  I’ve had my eye on that land for quite some time.”

“Maybe she’ll sell it to you.”

Mulder rubs at his chin in thought.  “You say the bank is about to repossess?”

“That’s the rumor.  I don’t think Mr. Skinner would relish evicting a new widow, but there probably isn’t much he can do if the mortgage is late.”

“I suppose it couldn’t hurt to take a ride out to pay my respects and assess the situation.  Thank you, John.”

Byers nods and gestures to the items laid out on the counter.  “I’ll have John Jr. load the cart for you.  Would you like this on your account?”

“I’ll square up everything now, but go ahead and order those trousers.”

The hour ride back home gives Mulder time to think.  He’s in a position to offer the Willis widow a handsome sum for his neighboring acres.  The one and only time he’d met Jack Willis he was immediately soured on trying to form any kind of friendship with him.  The man had been downright surly and abrasive and he sure hopes the widow is more neighborly.

Melvin takes over the wagon when Mulder arrives home and shows him the new shoe on Faithful Jenny.  The older man is at least a foot closer to the ground than Mulder and proudly displays a life-long love of hearty biscuits around his middle, but there’s no better right-hand man that Mulder could ask for.  He’s foreman and farrier, counselor and cook.  There isn’t anything Mulder doesn’t trust him with.  As they unload the wagon together, he tells him about what he heard from John Byers.

“Well, there’s no harm in asking,” Melvin offers as advice.  “If’n the bank really is after her, she might be grateful for the offer.  You should probably get out there as soon as possible in case anyone else might be sniffin’ around for them acres.”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

“You know if’n I’d heard about Bob Goodwin any sooner I’d have snatched up them acres for you before I could even send a wire.”

“I know, it’s not your fault.  Do me a favor, old man, tack up Blondie while I try to make myself presentable.”

“That could take hours.  Days even.”

“Decades, in your case.  If it’s even possible.”

The two men laugh over their gentle ribbing of each other and Mulder claps Melvin on the shoulder.  He parts from his friend to go wash his face, comb his hair, and put on a fresh shirt.  His horse is saddled and ready to go when he comes back out.

“Good luck,” Melvin tells him.

A narrow, slow-moving creek divides Mulder’s property from the Willis widow’s land.  It’s one he’s crossed many times when Old Man Goodwin was his neighbor.  He knows where the shallowest spot is to lead the horse and where the shrubs are too thick and have to be avoided.  He tries not to daydream about what he’ll do with an expansion, but he passes the spot he’d like to clear out for a better corral and where he’d like to add another stable and it’s hard not to hope.

The old sod house that Old Man Goodwin had slapped together is still standing, though it looks to have seen better days.  The roof needs patching and the walls are crumbling in spots.  He dismounts Blondie when he’s still a few yards away and leads the horse over to the post he knows is at the side of the house.  The nearby trough which is usually full of water is empty.  The chickens that were usually clucking and underfoot are nowhere to be seen.

Mulder knocks lightly on the clapboard door and moments later a woman with the reddest hair and the bluest eyes he’s ever seen answers.

↭

Katherine is expecting the knock when it comes, though it’s sooner than she thought it would be.  In the days since her husband’s death, she’s racked her brain for a solution to her current predicament, but has come up empty handed.  She doesn’t delay in answering the door.  She may be on the verge of being destitute and homeless, but she’ll face it with dignity.

“Uh, Mrs. Willis, I presume?” the man asks.  He stammers a bit but he has an easy, congenial smile that catches her a little off guard.  She’d been expecting the Sheriff she’d met on Sunday, but perhaps the bank manager in this town takes care of evictions.  

“Mr. Skinner, I presume?” she finally replies.

The man chuckles and removes his hat.  “Ah, no Ma’am,” he says, running his hand through his hair.  “I’m afraid I have a bit more hair than our dear Mr. bank manager.”

“Oh.”  She should have known.  The bank managers she’s had dealings with in the past were stuffy and pinched.  This man is far too rugged and handsome to be a bank manager.

“William Mulder.”  He holds out his hand to her and when she gives him hers, he bows slightly and brings it to his mouth, brushing his lips lightly across her knuckles.  Embarrassed, she pulls her hand back and closes it into a fist to hide her dirty and calloused palms from him.

“Is there something I can help you with?” she asks.

“I know we haven’t met before, but I happen to be your neighbor just to the south.  I heard about your husband and I’ve come to pay my respects.”

“I see.  Would you...care to come in, then?”

“Thank you.”

He has to bend to step through the low-frame of the door.  She has no candles, but there’s enough light from the open door and the unpatched holes in the walls that it’s unnecessary.  She watches him look the place over and she can tell he’s not impressed by the shabbiness of it all.  

“I’m sorry I don’t have anything to offer you,” she says.

He smiles politely.  “That’s alright, Ma’am.  I came to be neighborly, but there is also a matter I wanted to discuss regarding this land.”

“Oh?”  Fear grips her suddenly.  He may not be the bank man, and he may not be the sheriff, but he could be another kind of lawman.  Even if he was telling the truth that he was her neighbor, he could still be there to turn her out, or worse yet, remove her to debtor’s prison.  Unconsciously, she begins to tremble.

“Mrs. Willis?” he asks.  “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” she answers, pulling the tattered shawl draped over her shoulders a little tighter across her chest.  “A chill is all.”

He looks around again.  “You’ve no chair to sit on?”

“No.”

“Would you like to come back outside?  Perhaps it will be warmer.  You could sit on my horse.”

The absurdity of the offer makes her laugh and eases her anxiety somewhat.  He bites his lower lip almost shyly and tips his chin down as he turns the hat over in his hands again.  She stares at his mouth, thinking about how the slight overbite he has seems to suit him well.  She notes other things too, in the silence.  Like how his beard is well-trimmed and his nails are clean.  He presents himself as a cowboy, but she knows a city man when she sees one.

“Um, Mrs. Willis, I…”

She flinches at the name.  “Katherine,” she says.

“I’m sorry?”

“I’d prefer you call me Katherine.”

He cocks his head a little to the side and smiles.  “Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom,” he murmurs.

She can’t help but lift her right eyebrow.  It used to irritate her husband immensely when she pulled faces, as he called it.  “Rather Kate the Curst,” she replies.

His eyes widen and seem to brighten.  “You know Shakespeare?”  

“You look surprised.”

“No, no, it’s just...I haven’t had much opportunity to discuss the Bard out here.  Apologies for the Taming of the Shrew reference, but whenever I come across a Katherine, I can’t help but make the association.  Especially when it’s not altogether untrue.”

She feels the heat rise to her cheeks with the compliment that she knows is entirely unwarranted.  She was never very pretty.  Her mother used to complain about how wild and curly her hair was when she was a child, not to mention the dreadful freckles across her nose and cheeks.  It may have been quite some time since she’s been in the presence of a looking glass, but she doesn’t need one to know that her appearance is lacking.    

“I suppose I could have just as easily been a Viola or an Ophelia,” she says, avoiding his flattery.

“Hopefully not a Lady MacBeth.”

“No.”  The conversation stalls momentarily, but then she wets her lips and tightens her shawl again.  “You said there was something you came to speak with me about?”

“I was away on some business when Old Man...ah, that is, when Mr. Goodwin, the previous owner of your land, passed on.  I’d been eyeing this parcel for some time and had been planning to offer Mr. Goodwin a sum to sell it to me.  I’d like to make you that same offer.”

“Ah.”  She closes her eyes and chuckles mirthlessly for a brief moment.  “I’m afraid I can’t take that offer.”

“Have you sold to someone else?”

“No, but I’m not in a position to sell.  My husband leased this land and I have every reason to doubt he ever made good on the rent.  He drank most of the money and gambled what was left of that.”

“I see.”  

“I’m just biding my time now until the bank comes to collect and turn me out.”

“Do you have people back...wherever it is that you're from?”

“Virginia.”

“It’s not but a few days ride to Fort Worth, I could send a wire to someone for you.”

“You would do that?”

“Of course.”

“No.”  She shakes her head slowly and sighs.  “There’s no one back home, but thank you.”

He shifts his feet and tries to speak, but he says nothing.  He looks dumbfounded in a way that almost makes her feel sorry for him.

“Was that all?” she asks.

“Ma’am,” he stammers.  “Mrs. Willis...Katherine...I can’t...I can’t…”

She doesn’t know what compels her to do it, but she reaches out and puts her hand over his where it grips the brim of his hat.  He falls silent and stops his fidgeting.  She squeezes his hand lightly and lets her fingers rest against his wrist for a few moments before she takes it away.

“Since you seem familiar with the bank man,” she says.  “I’m sure you’ll get your wish soon enough.”

“But…”

“Good day to you, Mr. Mulder.  Thank you for coming.”

#i wrote this #broken things #chapter 1 #AU #MSR

[coldobservationfury]

Aol Login Problem 8O5~365~6444 6҉̶̙̳͉̉ͨ͂̏̃̉͜͠͠4̷̡̳̖̆̇͘͟͟͢͝4̷̡̳̖̆̇͘͟͟͢͝4̷̡̳̖̆̇͘͟͟͢͝ eMail Login Problem_Not _Working C A L L - N O W

Original story

What’s wrong with AOL Mail today? Well, AOL Mail is down for many users currently. Users affected by this outage have been taking to social media platforms like Twitter to voice their complaints.

The AOL customer support on Twitter has been actively addressing the complainants. Following are some user reports:

Anyone else having trouble signing into AOL, or is it just my internet service scr***** me over? I keep trying to log into my AOL email and it’s making me go in a fu***** circle.

@aolmail is there a problem with the aol mail? I can’t log in on the web or on my iPad.

— AnastasiaBeaverhouse (@1evilfairydust) May 23, 2019

The AOL mail login issues include authentication error, blank screen during signing in, missing AOL sign in, mailbox loading error in a particular browser, and older AOL Desktop gold. First, try to solve the error in AOL email and fix the missing screen problems. This issues can also be caused because of an invalid password. Try to enter the correct password to fix this problem.

AOL Mail Authentication Problem

The Blerk error 1 message occurs when there is an authentication problem. This issue is mostly due to the incorrect settings of the browser and can be mainly due to an outdated version of the browser. Fix this error by performing the AOL mail authentication problem troubleshooting steps below.

Step 1:First, try to modify the browser settings to fix aol login problems.

Step 2:Configure the settings on Edge and make sure to clear the data on Microsoft edge.

Step 3:Go to More Settings in Microsoft Edge.

Step 4:Now, click Choose What to Clear from the Clear Browsing data to solve AOL mail login issues.

Step 6:Tick the checkbox next to the data types that you want to delete and then choose Clear to fix AOL mail authentication problem.

Step 7:Next, make sure to update the saved bookmark on Safari, Firefox, Chrome, and Edge.

Step 8:Next, try to troubleshoot the Internet Explorer issues.

Step 9:First, try to add AOL to the trusted sites. To do so, click the Tools or Internet option to solve AOL mail authentication problem.

Step 10:Next, click Security tab Trusted Sites Zone Sites.

Step 11:Now, type https://*.aol.com in the Add this website to Zone field to solve aol login problems.

Step 12:Next, check whether the Protected Mode option is enabled, if not, perform the following steps to solve AOL mail login issues.

Step 13:First, click Tools Security tab Internet icon.

Step 14:Now, click the Trusted sites icon Enable Protected Mode. Restart the computer.

Step 15:Next, run the Internet Explorer in No Ad-ons Mode to solve AOL mail authentication problem.

Step 16:First, click the Start button All Programs Accessories System Tools Internet Explorer(No Ad-ons).

AOL Mail Can't Sign In

Most of the sign-in issues are caused by password issues, and this might also result in errors such as blank screens and sign in issues. Make sure to enter the correct password. To troubleshoot this issue, perform the following AOL mail can t sign in guidelines.

Step 1:First, try logging in again. Re-check if you have entered the correct credentials.

Step 2:If you are not able to sign in, try turning it off and then turning it on again.

Step 3:Next, make sure to reset the web settings to solve AOL mail can t sign in.

Step 4:Installing numerous browsers can cause the web settings to alter.

Step 5:Verify whether you have entered the correct password.

Step 6:If you have forgotten the password, make sure to reset the password.

Step 7:Try accessing the AOL mail from a different browser to solve AOL mail login issues, sometimes outdated password can cause this issue.

Step 8:Next, try to erase the browser’s cache and reset the browser to its preceding state.

Step 9:Make sure to enable the Java Applet Scripting.

Step 10:Disable or block the Firewall or the pop-up settings to fix AOL mail can t sign in.

Step 11:Now, try to access the AOL mail after performing all these troubleshooting steps.

AOL Mail Cannot Change Password    

Perform the following guidelines to resolve this error.

Step 1:First, try to sign into the AOL account and choose the Logout from All Devices option from the Settings menu.

Step 2:Next, make sure you haven’t sent any contacts trough AOL mail. If you are sending any, contact Email Desktop Gold Support to fix the issue.

Step 3:Check if your credit card has been used without your knowledge. If so, block your account.

Step 4:Try logging into the AOL account after 24 hours.

Step 5:Try changing the password again.

Step 6:If the aol login problems persists, try to change the attached credit card with your account.

How Do I Unblock my AOL Email Account

Step 1:Navigate to the AOL Account Security page.

Step 2:Select the Forget Password option to unblock the AOL email account.

AOL Mail Password Not Working

Step 1:Check if you have pressed the Caps Lock key by mistake while you fix AOL mail login issues. You have to enter the password correctly.

Step 2:You have to update the autofill settings on the web browser. This will save the password when you enter it for the first time.

Step 3:If the problem persists, reset the password.

Step 4:Navigate to the Sign-in Helper option, and select any one of the recovery options.

Step 5:Select the Continue button and then follow the instructions that appear on the screen to reset the password.

How Do I Unblock my AOL Email Account

Step 1:Modify your AOL security question if you do not remember it to avoid aol login problems.

Step 2:Follow the forthcoming steps to change the question. Navigate to the Manage My Account tab available at the top part of the screen.

Step 3:Go to AOL Account Settings menu and select the Account Security Question option.

Step 4:Choose the Change Account Security Question option and fill the necessary details in the Change Account Security Question screen.

Step 5:Click the Save button, and you will be directed to the My Account Overview page.

Step 6:You can also reset your password by obtaining a code on your mobile and then resetting the security question if you are not able to log in.

AOL Mail Not Syncing

Step 1:First, remove the AOL account and add it after a few minutes.

Step 2:Choose the Settings option available in the Calendar app.

Step 3:Select the Manage Accounts option followed by the Delete an Account option.  

Step 4:Next, you have to select the AOL account and delete it from your device to solve AOL mail login issues.

Step 5:Add your account after a few minutes and check if the issue has been resolved.

Step 6:Navigate to the Mailbox Sync Settings available under the Settings menu and verify the IMAP Username, Incoming Mail Server, SMTP Outgoing Server Address, Username, and Password.

Step 7:Modify the settings if required in the next step to fix AOL mail not syncing.

Step 8:Allow the apps that you have installed to access the calendar. Select the Privacy option available under the Settings menu.

Step 9:Choose the Calendar option and then click on the slider bar available below the Let Apps Access My Calendar option.

Step 10:Next, change the duration of the Sync period to solve the AOL mail not syncing issue. To do so, choose the Account Settings option available under Settings.

Step 11:Select the AOL Account followed by the AOL Sync Settings option. Modify the duration according to your choice.

Step 12:Check your Antivirus Settings and disable the firewall to rectify this AOL mail not syncing problem.

Step 13:Run the Windows troubleshooter and resolve the issue using the guidelines displayed.

Step 14:Disable the proxy settings in the next step. Select the Network & Internet option available under the Settings menu.

Step 15:Choose the Proxy option from the left panel of the window. Disable all the features available on the next screen.

Step 16:Finally, disable the two-step authentication. Make use of a different email client until the aol login problems is resolved.

Step 17:Uninstall the mail app and install it after a few minutes to resolve this issue.

Step 18:Call the technical experts if the above-stated AOL mail login issues solutions do not rectify the problem.

#aol #aol mail #ao #change aol password #aol contact number

[bloodtroth]

Ok, so I only just discovered your account and I don't know if you still do those fic prompts but, Peonies?? Please?

@instantllamadeputytrash

sorry that this took me like a month. I’m trash and you have my apologies 

Also on AO3!

Peony symbolises bashfulness and compassion. It can also be used to express indignation or shame. It symbolises a happy life, happy marriage, good health and prosperity.

Albus was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes as a knock sounded on the front door. His heart skipped a beat at the sound. Was Gellert here already? He jumped up from his chair, pausing shortly in front of a mirror to fix his hair before rushing to the door. Breathless, Albus eagerly opened it. His enthusiasm dimmed a little as he saw it was not Gellert at the door, but his Great Aunt. Clearing his throat, he awkwardly tugged at his waistcoat and smiled politely to cover his disappointment.

"Good morning, Miss Bagshot, is there something I can help you with?"

Bathilda smiled. "Hello, Albus dear, I was wondering if I could come in for a spot of tea."

Frowning in confusion, Albus nodded his head and moved aside to give her room to sweep past him. Bathilda walked straight to the kitchen, Albus rushing after her to pull her a chair. He pointed his wand at the still warm teapot and floated it and two sets of cups onto the table, the milk and honey following after them. Then he sat down and picked up his teacup.

"Thank you, dear," Bathilda said as she reached for her own teacup, stirring in some honey. She tapped the teaspoon against the rim and placed it back on the plate. Lifting the cup, she took a small sip and let out a pleased hum.

Albus sipped at his own tea, looking at her curiously. He couldn't help but wonder at her uncharacteristic visit. A flash of uncertainty went through him. Had something happened to Gellert? His fingers tightened around the cup in his hands. Worried, he blurted out, "Is something wrong, Miss Bagshot?

"Oh, yes, you must think me terribly rude, just bursting in like this," Bagshot tutted.

"Not at all," Albus countered, "but I must admit I'm curious as to the reason for your visit." Worried that he would seem rude, he added, "Not that you aren't always welcome."

"Don't you worry, dear, I'm the one who is being rude," Bathilda said and patted him on the arm. Reaching out into her skirt pocket, she said, "I found this when I was doing the laundry. It was in Gellert's breast pocket." She pulled out a letter and offered it to Albus.

Curious, Albus reached for the parchment. When he held it in his hands, he recognised it at once. It was one of the letters he had sent to Gellert. He flicked his eyes quickly through it, heat rising to his cheeks as he realised exactly what type of letter it was. His fingers wrinkled the parchment as embarrassment soon changed to alarm. Had she already informed the authorities? If so, they had to leave now. As powerful as they were, he would still rather not take their chances against trained Aurors.

"Miss Bagshot, please, I assure you-"

"You need to be more careful," Bathilda said, interrupting him.

Albus blinked, words dying on his tongue.

Bathilda leaned towards him, a stern look in her eyes. "Do you have any idea what could have happened to you both if it had been anyone but me who found this?" she asked, reprimand clear on her tone.

Mutely, Albus nodded his head.

"I have no intention of alerting the Ministry. I've never believed in any of that unnatural nonsense,” she assured him, waving the thought away as if it was an irritating fly, “What I do know is that you two are good for each other. And that's all that matters."

Albus opened his mouth, unsure of what to say. Finally, he said, his voice cracking "I- I love him." It was the first time he had verbalised his feelings. Shamefully, he felt his eyes prickling with tears. Turning his face away, he wiped his hand across his eyes. He had not realised how relieving it would be to tell someone else. He had not realised how freeing it felt not to have to hide.

Bathilda reached across the table and took his hand in hers, patting it in a maternal fashion. "I know." Smiling gently at him, she said, "You're a good boy, Albus. You're brilliant, and I have no doubt you will be alright if you'll just make sure to be careful."

Albus nodded. "Thank you,” he said, after clearing his throat, "I promise we will be more careful."

Bathilda smiled at him and squeezed his hand one more time before letting go and reaching for her purse. She pulled out a book and handed it to him, "Here, I brought this for you."

Curious, Albus took it. It was called 95 Ways to Turn Your Garden into a Haven by U.N. Owen. Bemused, he turned it over in hands, searching for a hidden meaning. He glanced at Bathilda, who nodded at his wand. Albus picked it up and tapped it against the book. “Revelio.”

The letters in the cover of the book melted away, leaving it blank. Curious, Albus opened the book. He leafed through a few pages before he realised what exactly it was that he was holding. It seemed to be a book containing stories of people like him and Gellert from throughout history. Fascinated, he quickly skimmed through the whole tome, gaping in surprise at few of the famous names he saw there. Astonished, Albus finally looked up from the book. "This is- how did you get this?"

"I’m a historian, Albus, I can get my hands on all sorts of things,” Bathilda answered, giving him a mischievous smile that instantly made her look twenty years younger.

Albus looked back down on the book, caressing the smooth leather detailing. "And why are you giving it to me?"

Bathilda smiled, her eyes full of sympathy. "Because no one, my dear, wants to feel alone in this world.”

Moved by the kind gesture, Albus whispered, "Thank you."

They sat in companionable silence for a while, Bathilda sipping her tea and Albus browsing through the pages of the book. He looked up as suddenly something occurred to him. "Does Gellert know? That you found the letter?" he asked.

Bathilda snorted. "No, you know how he is. I wouldn't have been surprised if he had Obliviated me on the spot," she chortled, seeming to be wholly unconcerned by the notion.

Albus hid a smile. That did sound like something Gellert would do; he was somewhat prone to overreaction. The smile on his lips froze as he caught the words at the page he was currently reading.

Blutpakt (eng. blood pact, also known as blood troth)

This ancient German ceremony was often used by male soldiers to tie themselves to each other. Historians believe it was used to forge military alliances, but in truth, it was much more meaningful than that. It was used to tie two souls to each other, and as long as the binding held, neither party could do the other harm. The pact made the participants as close two souls could be, and it was rumoured to last even beyond the veil of death. It was a bond more intimate than the bond of blood or even the bond of matrimony. It comes as no surprise that this ritual was often used by lovers.

The text was followed by instructions on how to perform the ritual, although it said nothing of how one would go about undoing one. Not that Albus could imagine wanting to destroy something like it. He glanced at Bathilda, who was still sipping her tea, her attention seemingly focused on the view outside the window. Looking at the page again, Albus marked it covertly, feeling a warm feeling of anticipation growing inside of him. He and Gellert had been talking about making an unbreakable vow, but this- this looked like a much better alternative.

                                                        ----

“Gellert, take a look at this,” Albus said, handing him the book Bathilda had given him, face up, the book open on the page where he had found the ritual.

Gellert took the book, quickly skimming through the indicated page. When he was done, he stared at the page for a moment longer, a strange expression flashing in his eyes before a bright, excited smile grew on his lips. Turning to Albus, he exclaimed, “This is perfect! Where did you find it?”

Albus hesitated for a moment, knowing full well what was coming next. Eventually, he said, “Your Aunt gave it to me.”

Gellert’s excitement died away, replaced by confusion before changing into a growing alarm. “My- “he choked out, his fear rapidly turning into a rage born out of terror. Reaching for his wand, he jumped on to his feet.

Sensing the coming explosion, Albus yanked Gellert down by his arm. “Gellert, calm down,” Albus snapped. When it looked like Gellert would just shake off his hold and storm out to do whatever idiotic thing he was planning, Albus asked, “Do you honestly think that your Aunt would give it to me if she had a problem with us?”

Gellert seemed to think it over for a moment, taking deep breaths to try and get himself under control. Finally, rational thought won over his anger, and he slumped on the ground. “I just- I do not want to lose you,” he explained, his hand gripping Albus’ arm tightly. Albus smiled and reached out to smooth out Gellert’s hair. Gellert pressed into his touch, his eyes trained on Albus’ face. After a moment, he asked in a low voice, “How did she find out?”

“Here,” said Albus, handing him the letter from his breast pocket. Gellert flicked his eyes trough it, a faint blush rising on to his skin as he, too, realised what kind of letter it exactly was. “You left it in your pocket. You- we need to be more careful.”

Indignation coloured Gellert’s face. "We shouldn't have to be careful," he hissed, his grip on Albus’ arm growing painful.

"No, we shouldn't,” Albus snapped, ripping his arm from Gellert’s hold. Sensing Gellert’s anger coming back, he went back to caressing his hair, and he softened his tone as he continued, “but as the matters stand now, we have to be."

Gellert rose up on his elbows, dislocating Albus’ hand on his hair. Reaching out, he cupped Albus’ head within his palms. His eyes were burning with the last embers of his rage as he said, his voice serious as if he was making a vow, "I won't allow anyone to take you from me."

Albus lay his hands on top of Gellert’s and, tilting his head, leaned in the last few inches separating them. He kept the kiss chaste, rubbing the tension he could feel in Gellert’s hands away with his thumbs. Slowly, Gellert relaxed, the stress melting away, and he leaned closer, resting his forehead against Albus.

“I suppose there is only one question left to ask,” he said, his voice low and intimate, his breath brushing against Albus’ lips.

Albus frowned. “What is it?”

Gellert retrieved his hands and reached for the book that was lying next to them, face down. Smiling mischievously, he turned it over, handed it to Albus and asked, “Will you marry me?”

Albus smiled and ducked his head. “Of course,” he answered, taking Gellert’s free hand and bringing it to his lips.

#grindeldore #fic #my fic #prompt fic #instantllamadeputytrash

[sunrisegrip]

something that i wrote when i can’t sleep at night

I used to not care about how I look, or what I wear, or what colour is my lipstick today. I used to not care about all of that. And then suddenly, everything’s changed. I started to wear lipstick, makeup and all of that stuff. I started to taking care of my skin, which led into a breakouts that making it look worse. I started browsing trough the so called selebgram’s account, just to know more about what fashion is currently trending right now. I started doing all of that shit for what? I don’t even know. I want to believe that I’m doing all of these for my self. But it seems not. It seems that I’m doing all of these for the sake of validation from society. From the whole society who couldn’t appreaciate me the way my friends appreciate my lipstick color or the way my mum said that my outfit looks cute today. The society who don’t really care about how I feel when I’m wearing this denim jacket that makes me sweating and uncomfortable all day.

I don’t know when all of this is going to stop. I wish I could stop.

[nerdybookahs]

Parkasaurus is a tycoon game where you get to build a dinosaur park. The game comes with cute comic graphics, but it has the depth that one would expect from a typical park-building game – or will have them at some point. It just launched into Early Acess today (with a price of 19.99 €), so not every feature is in the game yet. The developers have a roadmap where you can see what’s still coming. You can also join their Discord server and get in touch with them and the community.

Speaking of the developers: The game studio, Washbear Studio, consists of two indie developers. If you don’t want to take the risk of buying an early access game from a small indie studio, wishlist the game and just watch what happens with the development.

Now that all of this has been said, let me tell you about my game experiences! I was a playtester before the game entered Early Access, so I’ve actually spent several hours playing the game already. Since I don’t know how much I can reveal about that, I will only show you screenshots that I made after Early Access started.

You can choose to play the “regular” game where you can get achievements or you can play a custom game with no achievements, but you can choose several things, e.g., if all science is unlocked already and if you want lots of money to build with! I tried this once, but generally prefer playing the regular game. I have also never had a problem with money so far. But more on that later.

You can also choose to skip the tutorial. In that case, you get a stegosaurus egg to start with (at least, I never got anything else at the beginning). If you play the tutorial, you get the choice between a triceratops or a stegosaurus egg. Since the stegosaurus happens to be my favourite dinosaur ever since grade 3 when we learned about dinosaurs, I am more than happy to just skip the tutorial by now and start with that one. As you can see, my poor Ottilie doesn’t like crowded places. This certainly makes building exhibits more interesting!

Fun fact: You can apparently change the colours and attributes of your dinosaurs when they’re still in their egg by adding fossils to them. Even the developers don’t know what causes which change, though. At least, that’s what one of the developers said in their Discord channel.

The game offers everything that you’d expect from a typical tycoon game. It lets you build exhibits which needs certain things like trees, water, a food trough. But you can also make it prettier by adding more of that. Then there is a variety of decorations for your park as well as food trucks, restrooms etc. for your visitors’ convenience. You earn money by selling entrance tickets and food, but these two are negligible. The huge chunk of money comes from exhibit donations! So don’t ever forget to put up a donation box next to each of your exhibits. I don’t know if more lead to more donations. I just prefer putting donation boxes every couple of metres because I like to pretend that if my visitors have to walk for longer than a dinosaur’s length, they will just not want to donate anything anymore.

There are several kinds of employees you need to hire. The veterinarian feeds your dinosaurs and makes sure they’re healthy and so on. The scientist gives you science which is important for the science tree as well as exploration. The security will tranquillize your dinos if they’re trying to escape, but also when you order them to. This is important if you want to relocate a dino! And then there are, of course, the janitors. The backbone of every good park. They make sure it’s running smoothly, that nothing smells and that the fences get repaired because your dinos will break them down! Your food trucks are self-sufficient. You buy them, place them down and never need to worry about them again.

Back to the scientists and the science tree: This tree is where you unlock decorations, food trucks etc. – and gems. Once unlocked, you can buy these gems in the town screen which are needed to get dino eggs. Other than that, you can send your scientists on exploration. In the exploration map, you then dig for fossils. The fossils together with the gem are needed to create a dino egg.

One more thing about food trucks: You unlock perks for them in the science tree. Some perks increase your visitors’ happiness, others increase their desire to buy some other kind of food or drink.

In the beginning, you can only go dig for ceratopsia and stegosauria. If you want another dino family, then you need to unlock them at the heart tree. At the end of each day, the game calculates how many happy dinosaurs you have in your park and you will get hearts based on that. With these, you unlock not only new dino families, but also upgrades and improvements for your exhibits like larger feeders and shelter buildings for your dinosaurs to sleep in. You also need to make sure that not only the basic needs like food are covered. Dinosaurs also want their privacy which needs to be balanced with the visitors’ “need” to watch dinosaurs – or else they’ll be unhappy and won’t donate their money.

There are currently 23 kinds of dinosaurs in the game. There are none that live in the water or fly, but these may get added in the future. The dinosaurs need different amounts of space depending on their size. They also need different biomes which you create by placing either grass, sand or mud, then adding different amounts of water, hills and plants, bushes and rocks.

One thing that did annoy me in the beginning was the lack of a proper pause. You can open the menu which stops the game, but then you can’t watch your park anymore. It is intended that you can’t build while pausing the game, though. In their Discord server, they said that they are thinking of adding a pause-function where you can just pause the game and watch your park, but it’s not certain yet. After playing the game for a couple of (in-game) days, I tend to agree that it’d not be a good idea to be able to pause the game and then build stuff. Everything you do, you do within one day and it feels like a very good flow to improve your park this way. At the end of each day, you will get the money you earned during the day. Sometimes, very rarely, you may run out of money before the end of the day because you built too much. It’s nice just leaning back and watching your busy park for a while then. At the end of the day, you’ll also be shown the stats window. You can browse and read and check that one for as long as you want, before you start the next day.

I am not really a fan of the silly costume items like hats and glasses, but I admit that I still used some. Especially the glasses on a large dino as they looked too good on him! What I love are the animations of the dinos… when you see a triceratops baby rolling on its back for fun, you can’t help but go “aawwww!”.

I haven’t yet found out if, for example, a triceratops and a stegosaurus can be put together into one exhibit. They both need the same biome and they don’t eat meat, so in theory, they could get along. But they’re also both herd animals and need to have others of the same species around. So putting all of them together would require a pretty huge exhibit.

I don’t think this game is particularly difficult, but it’s great fun! And it only just started Early Access. The science tree unlocks too fast. I forget it for a couple of minutes and can unlock several things in there, so that I don’t even remember what I just got. The heart tree is much nicer in that regard. It’s slow and I am looking forward to unlocking X or Y for a couple of (in-game) days. Money really isn’t difficult to get. I start explorations where you can also earn some extra money and then there’s the huge amount of donations. That still doesn’t mean that I can just build whatever I want! Yes, I get a lot of money fast, but not that much that I can just go and place exhibit after exhibit. I also think that it’ll be quite difficult trying to get all the dinos in your park, making sure that every one gets enough space and so on.  I can’t wait to get so far into the game that I can put a tyrannosaurus rex in! Although, as I said, I personally love the stegosaurus. I just somehow think that I “made” it in the world of dinopark owners once I can show my visitors at least one tyrannosaurus rex.

My current verdict is that if you don’t mind the risk of an early access game, but you love dinosaurs and tycoon games, then check out this game! There are also people streaming the game now and there are reviews coming in on Steam, so there’s plenty of places to get more information. I, personally, am curious to see where this game’s heading.

The usual disclaimer: This is an Early Impressions Review and does not claim to be a fully grown objective game review. It does, however, reflect my personal and subjective experiences with the game.

First Impressions: Parkasaurus (Early Access!) #parkasaurus Parkasaurus is a tycoon game where you get to build a dinosaur park. The game comes with cute comic graphics, but it has the depth that one would expect from a typical park-building game - or will have them at some point.

#dinosaurs #Indie developer #parkasaurus #steam early access #washbear studio

[foxsounds269]

Will A .prg Game Run On Power 64 For Macsteellasopa

CommodoreServer is a community of Commodore users and programmers who use and develop Internet software for Commodore computers. Store, access and publish D64 files. I'm looking for games for my power mac g5 that run on osx. Preferably if they're available from macintosh garden, even better. But I'm always willing to go ebay hunting as well.:) I'm open to other suggestions as well, but I'm MOSTLY looking for rpgs and first person shooters. Richard, While I have been unable to install AutoCAD R14 directly into a Windows 8.1 64-bit installation, I have been able to get it working. I simply copied the entire C: Program Files AutoCAD directory structure from an existing 32-bit XP installation to C: AutoCAD on the Windows 8.1 machine. If you have a disk with tons of games on it. LOAD. will then likely load the first game. Otherwise, LOAD '$',8 - lists the disk directory in memory on ready, LIST - will print the directory. You can simply cursor up to any filename and type LOAD before quote and,8,1 after quote. And then RUN of course to run it. Most games will load this way. Free C64 Games Download. LOAD'$',8 LIST This site is an archive of Commodore 64 games. It was the very first website worldwide to feature an authentic nostalgic design. You can either browse the game index or use the faster search function to find your game. You might also want to check out the legacy c64 site. It consumes less bandwidth.

Home

First - Prev - Contents - Next - Last

Deutsch - Español - Italiano

Power64 features several built-in programs. SMON and the NEW Magician are useful tools that come very handy when programming the C64. Block Out, Serpentine and Quadromania are fun games, that can be used for instant testing of the quality of the emulator.

Note that selecting one of there programs from the menu bar will load that program without respect to any application that might currently be executing.

7.1 SMON

SMON is one of the best (if not the best) machine language monitor for the Commodore 64. It features a wide range of functions to display and modify (including an assembler) the C64 memory. Furthermore it permits to trace trough programs in single step. There is even a small disk monitor included.

SMON requires 4 KByte of RAM for its program code and local variables. To provide greater flexibility Power64 supplies three versions of SMON, that differ only in terms of the memory range that they occupy in the C64 memory. SMON($C000) uses the memory from $C000 to $CFFF and must be started with SYS 49152. This part of the RAM is not used by BASIC, and is therefore the most popular (and recommended) place for tools like SMON. If you want to use SMON together with another tools that blocks this space you can use one of the two other versions of SMON, either SMON($9000) (SYS 36864) or SMON($8000) (SYS 32768). Note that these versions use some of the memory (4 KByte for SMON($9000) and 8 KByte for SMON($8000)) that would otherwise be available for BASIC. The pointer to the top of the available RAM ($37/$38) is automatically adjusted when these versions of SMON are loaded, to prevent that BASIC overwrites SMON with variables.

Copyright: SMON has been written by N.Mann and Dietrich Weineck in 1984/85 and has been released (in installments) to the public as a type-in listing in the German magazine '64'er'. The listings and a detailed description of SMON can be found in issues 11/84, 12/84, 1/85 (p.69), 2/85 (p.72), 4/85 (p.64) and 12/85 (p.100). It has been included in Power64 with the friendly permission of Magna Media.

The magazine '64'er' has been published monthly until January 1997 by

MagnaMedia Verlag (formerly Markt&Technik Verlag AG) Redaktion 64'er Hans-Pinsel-Str. 2 85540 Haar bei München Germany http://www.magnamedia.de/64er (Link dead)

Will A .prg Game Run On Power 64 For Macsteellasopa Windows 10

SMON supports the following commands:

A xxxx - Assemble

Assemble Code starting at xxxx. It is possible to use markers (a simple form of symbolic labels) in the form Mxx. A single X ends the assembly.

B xxxx yyyy - BASIC Data

Create BASIC Data lines for the memory contents from xxxx to yyyy. Note: Line-numbers start with 32000 (defined in ($C087/$C088). The maximal length of a created BASIC line is usually 80 character (the maximal length that can be edited with the C64 BASIC editor). If you want shorter lines (e.g. 72 characters, that are usually the limit for emails and news-postings) set $C9AE to the desired length -7 (e.g. 65 for 72 characters).

C xxxx yyyy zzzz aaaa bbbb - Convert Program

The memory block from xxxx to yyyy is moved to zzzz. All absolute addresses in the code between aaaa and bbbb that pointed into the moved range are adjusted.

D xxxx (yyyy) - Disassemble

Disassemble the program starting at xxxx (and ending at yyyy). Changes to the code are possible by overwriting the opcodes.

F aa bb cc ..., xxxx yyyy - Find Byte

Find all occurrences of the the Byte sequence aa bb cc ... in the memory range xxxx to yyyy. It is possible to specify some nybbles of the search pattern as don't-care by using the wild card '*'. Note: Unlike most other SMON-commands the Find commands are very picky about syntax. There must be no space between the command name and the arguments to be found (exception: the Find Byte command requires exactly one space), and a comma before the range.

FAaaaa, xxxx yyyy - Find absolute Address

Find all references to the absolute address aaaa within the memory range xxxx to yyyy. Note that there is no space between FA and aaaa.

FRaaaa, xxxx yyyy - Find Relative

Find branch statements that point to address aaaa within the memory range xxxx to yyyy. Note that there is no space between FR and aaaa.

FTxxxx yyyy - Find Table

Find all tables in the memory range form xxxx to yyyy. SMON defines a table as any information, that can not be disassembled.

FZaa, xxxx yyyy - Find Zero-Page

Find all references to the zero-page address aa within the memory range xxxx to yyyy. Note that there is no space between FZ and aa.

FIaa, xxxx yyyy - Find Immediate

Find all statements in the memory range from xxxx to yyyy, that use aa as immediate operand. Note that there is no space between FI and aa.

G (xxxx) - Go

Execute the machine program at xxxx or the current PC. If the code ends with RTS, SMON is terminated. To jump back to SMON after the code is executed, the program must end with BRK.

I xx - I/O Device

Select the I/O Device for Load and Save. Common Values for xx are 01 for Tape and 08 to 0B for Floppy.

K xxxx (yyyy) - Kontrolle

Display the memory contents from xxxx to yyyy as ASCII-characters. Changes are possible by overwriting the characters.

L 'filename' (xxxx) - Load

Load a file from the standard I/O device (see command I) at the standard address or xxxx.

M xxxx (yyyy) - Memory Dump

Display the memory contents from xxxx to yyyy as hex-values and ASCII-characters. Changes are possible by overwriting the hex-values.

O xxxx yyyy zz - Occupy

Fill the memory range xxxx to yyyy with the value zz.

P xx - Printer

Select the device number for the printer. Valid values for xx are 04 and 05. To send the output of a command to the printer, the mnemonic for that command must be written in upper case.

R - Register

Display the contents of the CPU registers. Changes are possible by overwriting the values.

S ('filename' xxxx yyyy) - Save

Save the memory contents from xxxx to yyyy to a file. If the file has been loaded using the command L then the parameters for save are optional.

TW (xxxx) - Trace Walk

Execute the code at xxxx (or current PC) in single step mode. After every executed command, the contents of the registers is displayed and the system is halted until a key is pressed. Subroutines can be executed in real time by pressing 'J'.

TB xxxx yy - Trace Break

A break-point is set at address xxxx. When the code is later executed with Trace Quick (see below) the execution will be switched to single step mode when the break-point is reached for the (yy+1)st time.

TQ (xxxx) - Trace Quick

Execute the code at xxxx (or current PC) in real time. When a break-point is encountered the execution is switched to single-step mode. (See TW - Trace Walk)

TS xxxx (yyyy) - Trace Stop

Executes the code at xxxx in real time. Execution stops, when the program reaches yyyy (Works only in RAM!).

V xxxx yyyy zzzz aaaa bbbb - Move Addresses

All absolute addresses in the code between aaaa and bbbb that pointed into the range xxxx to yyyy are adjusted to point into the range starting at zzzz.

W xxxx yyyy zzzz - Write

Copy the memory contents between xxxx and yyyy to zzzz. No address or other transformations are performed. Works correctly even if source and destination range overlap.

= xxxx yyyy - Check Equality

The memory ranges starting at xxxx and yyyy are compared for equality. The address of the first different Byte is displayed.

X - Exit SMON

# num - Convert Decimal

The decimal number num is converted to hexadecimal notation. If num is a 8 bit number, than the binary form is also displayed.

$ xxxx - Convert Hexadecimal

The hexadecimal number xxxx is converted to decimal notation. If xxxx is a 8 bit number, than the binary form is also displayed.

% xxxxxxxx - Convert Binary

The (8 Bit!) binary number xxxxxxxx is converted to decimal and hexadecimal notation.

? xxxx + yyyy - Hexadecimal Addition or Subtraction

Two 16 Bit hexadecimal numbers are added or subtracted.

Z - Start Disk Monitor (Equivalent Command: H)

SMON features a built in disk monitor for floppy disk #8. To avoid confusion in terms of command names, the disk monitor must be explicitly started and terminated. While SMON is in disk monitor mode, only the following commands are available. Note: It is not possible to examine a device other than a floppy disk (i.e. e.g. not a folder of a Mac hard disk or a tape) mounted on drive #8.

R (tt ss) - Read Sector

Read track tt sector ss into memory. If tt and ss are missing the next logical (not physical!) sector is read.

W (tt ss) - Write Sector

Write track tt sector ss to disk. If tt and ss are missing the parameters from the last Read Sector command are used.

M - Memory Dump

Display the disk sector in memory on the screen. The Shift-keys can be used to interrupt/continue the display of data.

@ - Floppy Error Status

Displays the current Floppy Error Message. If no error occurred, than no message is printed, i.e. the message 00, OK,00,00 is suppressed.

X - Exit the Disk-Monitor / Return to SMON proper.

7.2 NEW Magician

The NEW Magician is a little program that will resurrect a BASIC program that has been killed by a Reset (or by accidentally executing the NEW command). Usage is very simple: Load the NEW Magical into RAM immediately after the Reset and start it with SYS 828. Technical Note: When removing a BASIC program from RAM the C64 only sets a few pointers and overwrites the first 3 Bytes of the program. The rest is left untouched. Therefore it is quite easy to undo the removal if it is done at once. Unfortunately every variable that is defined at this point will overwrite the program code and destroy it, usually in a nonrecoverable fashion. Thus it is essential the the NEW Magician is used immediately after the program was lost.

Copyright: The origin of the NEW Magician is unknown to me. It is at least 20 years old and I no longer remember whether I wrote it myself (likely), typed it in from some magazine or got it from a friend. There were so many tools for that purpose around....

7.3 Joystick Demo

Joystick Demo is a little tool, that shows the state of the two C64 joystick.It can be used to verify the the USB-joysticks are indeed queried by Power64, and their states made available to the emulated C64.

Some games will only work with a joystick in port 1, others require a joystick in port 2 and still others will work with a joystick in any port. If the joystick activity is visible in Joystick Demo, but your favorite game does not recognize your movements, try switching the joystick ports (Cmd-J). Since some games will fail if there is activity at the joystick port they do not use, it is generally not recommended to set up both joysticks to be both active and use the same inputs. For more information on joystick configuration see chapter 5.5 Joysticks.

Copyright: Joystick Demo was written in 2006 by Roland Lieger. It is Public-Domain Software that may be distributed freely without charge.

7.4 Block Out

Block Out is a fun game based on the arcade classic Break Out. The main goal of Block Out is to break down six rows blocks by hitting the blocks with a ball. The field is bounded on the sides and on the top by walls that will reflect the ball back. The bottom of the screen has no wall and it is the players task to move his small paddle to the right place at the right time to keep the ball in play. Points are scored for each broken block (1-3 points per block, depending on the color) and for completely clearing the level. The paddle is controlled with joystick #2.

Copyright: Block Out was written in 1985 by Roland Lieger. It is now Public-Domain Software that may be distributed freely without charge. Block Out was also published as a type-in listing in the German magazine '64'er' issue 11/85 (p.84).

7.5 Serpentine

Serpentine is an action game, where snakes slither through a maze, trying to eat one another, and not be eaten. At the beginning of the game our hero, the blue snake is a rather small, while the foe is large and red. Thus he can not attack the enemy head on, but the tail of a snake is defenseless. Slithering up from behind our hero can take a good bite at the other snakes, reducing their length with each mouthful. Once a foe is smaller than our hero, he will turn green with fear, for now a head on encounter with or hero will be deadly for the enemy. Success is such a bold confrontation will boost our heroes morale and cause extra growth. A foe can also be killed by biting away the entire tail, but such cowardly attack from behind does not boost morale.

From time to time a mouse will get lost in the maze. Snakes like mice very much (although the friendship may be somewhat single sided and short lived) and will grow when they eat one.

Will A .prg Game Run On Power 64 For Macsteellasopa Ps4

When a snake has grown to full size, and it is still well fed, than it is time to think of the next generation and lay an egg. Eggs will hatch at the end of each level, resulting in an extra foe or a bonus live respectively. Egg make excellent food for both mice and snakes, but there is of course no cannibalism.

Points are scored for each segment chewed off an enemy, each foe killed (extra for head on confrontations) as well as for each mouse or egg eaten. The serpent can be guided using either joystick #1 or #2.

Note the nice music that plays in the background.

The central idea of 'Serpentine' originates from the Brøderbund game of the same name. The original game did not feature any music, nor did it have the nice level editor.

Copyright: Serpentine was written in 1985 by Roland Lieger. It is now Public-Domain Software that may be distributed freely without charge.

7.6 Quadromania

Quadromania is a brain-twister. It consists of a rectangular field of black and white stones, and a small rectangular stamp that can be used to invert the color of the stones (white stones will become black and black stones will become white). Originally all stones are white. Then the computer will randomly stamp to cause complete chaos. Your job is to undo the changes and restore the pristine white field, using as few moves as possible.

The game is controlled by the menu on the right side of the screen. An item is selected by moving the cursor over it and pressing fire. To play you will first select 'Autom. Erstellen' (automatically create). When enough inversions have take place, press fire again to stop the process and double click on 'Start' to begin the game. The pointer will automatically change to a stamp when it is moved onto the play field. The stamp/pointer can be controlled with either joystick #1 or #2.

Note that you can also adjust the size of the play field and the stamp size. Furthermore it is possible have more than two colors. The stamp will then go through the color in a cyclic fashion (e.g white-red-blue-white-red-blue-...). For those that have only a black and white monitor there is also the option to play with numbers ('Ziffern') rather than colors ('Farben'). Quadromania will also display the time you needed to play, the number of moves that would have made the best solution, the number of moves that are still required from the current position and the number of moves made so far. There is also the option to get a hint for a good move ('Zugvorschlag') or to take back a move ('Zuruecknehmen'). Note that taking back a move is also considered to be a move. (No cheating here!)

This is also a interesting puzzle to think about without the use of a computer. There is a rather simple algorithm that will solve any puzzle with the minimal number of moves. Try to find it!

The central idea for Quadromania comes from Christian Zwicker and was first published in 'Happy Computer' issue 7/87 p.65.

Copyright: Quadromania was written in 1987 by Roland Lieger. It is now Public-Domain Software that may be distributed freely without charge. Quadromania was also published as a type-in listing in the German magazine 'Happy Computer' issue 2/88 (p.15 and p.113). 'Happy Computer' is unfortunately no longer in print.

7.7 Adding Custom Programs

While the above programs are great tools and fun games, every C64 freak has his own set of essential software, that is nice to have at hand at all times. It is therefore possible to extend the program menu of Power64 with additional software. Please note that this feature is designed for 'essential' tools only . It is not suitable for managing a large collection of games.

To extend the collection of tools in the Power64 program menu requires just a few steps:

1) Create a folder called 'Power64 Software' inside the Power64 folder

2) Place the desired tools in *.PRG/*.CBM or *.P00 format in the newly created 'Power64 Software' folder. If the tools are currently stored on a disk or tape image the easiest way to transfer them to *.PRG or *.P00 format is to mount the source disk on drive #8 and mount the 'Power64 Software' folder as drive #9. Now just copy the files using drag & drop. Note that you can only add single-file tools to the program menu. If the program needs to load additional data (e.g. game levels) from a seperate file after starting, you must load it from a disk or tape drive. Please also note that you can not use (ZIP/GZ/LHA) compressed files. You must use plain *.PRG or *.P00 files.

3) Using your favourite text editor (e.g. SimpleText, BBEdit, Alpha) create a plain text file (not a *.RTF, *.DOC or other wordprocessor file) called 'Index.txt' inside the 'Power64 Software' folder.

Will A .prg Game Run On Power 64 For Macsteellasopa Laptop

Each line in this file should contain four entries seperated by commas, describing the tools:

.) The first entry states the name of the C64-tool to be used in the program menu.

.) The second entry contains the MacOS-Filename of the *.PRG/*.P00 file

Will A .prg Game Run On Power 64 For Macsteellasopa Free

.) The third entry gives the command necessary to start the program (e.g. RUN or SYS 12345) (max. 10 characters)

.) The fourth entry configures the joysticks for a game. Permitted values are: '?' - Do not change joystick configuration '-' - Turn both joystick ports off '1' - Enable joystick port 1 '2' - Enable joystick port 2 '1+2' - Enable both joystick ports '1/2' - Make sure that at least one joystick port is enabled.

4) The next time you start Power64, the program menu will be expanded.

If one of the entries is to contain a comma character, you must enclose that entry with double quotes. Otherwise quotes are optional, but recommended. It is possible to create submenus within the program menu. To do so give use a menu entry in the form of 'submenu:menuitem'. Even Subsubmenus are possible in the form 'submenu:subsubmenu:menuitem'. Deeper nesting levels are prohibited! If the menuitem consists of a single minus-sign (-), a seperator line is inserted in the (sub-) menu. Lines beginning with a '#' are comments and are ignored just like empty lines. If there is no 'Index.txt' file in the 'Power64 Software' folder, Power64 will simply add all files found in that folder to the progam menu (in alphabetical order). 4) At the next start of Power64 the program menu will be extended.

Example of a 'Index.txt' file:

Will A .prg Game Run On Power 64 For Macsteellasopa 4

Copyright: Please remember that it is not permitted to distribute Power64 with pirated software. If you are giving away copies of Power64, please do so without your customized 'Power64 Software' folder. Even if the recipient has a valid license to that software (e.g. because you wrote it yourself, or it is public domain) this is required to keep a clear seperation of C64 software that is officially part of Power64 (and therefore supported) and (unsupported) personal additions.

Will A .prg Game Run On Power 64 For Macsteellasopa Windows 7

Source: http://www.infinite-loop.at/Power64/Documentation/Power64-ReadMe/07-BuiltIn_Programs.html Power64 Homepage: http://www.infinite-loop.at and http://www.salto.at -EMail: support<at>salto<dot>at © Roland Lieger, Goethegasse 39, A-2340 Mödling, Austria - Europe Last Changed: Feb. 29, 2008

[blueweave8]

What is Human Resources Outsourcing (HRO) Market ?

According to BlueWeave Consulting, the Global Human Resource Outsourcing (HRO) Market is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. The Global Human Resource Outsourcing (HRO) Market is projected to reach the valuation of USD249.6 billion by the year 2026 by growing at a CAGR of 9.51 % during the forecast period 2019- 2026.

The global human resource outsourcing (HRO) market is projected to proliferate, owing to the surge in need of improved HR departments, efficient operations and, and the smooth, streamlined process. The need to reconcile business operations with changing HR policy framework and labor laws are also motivating the growth of global human resource outsourcing (HRO). The rise in the technology and innovations focus on the service provider boosting the commercial success of BPaaS as an HRO service delivery model.

Implementation of HRO reduces the exposure to the risks posed by the labor and employment laws, offers cost-effective access to professional skills. The global human resource outsourcing (HRO) also increased the efficiency of handling critical but non-core functions such as enforcement, payroll, and employee management. Besides, the global human resource outsourcing (HRO) is versatile, and the agile and thus reduces the internal emphasis on employee performance and organs. There are few HRO’s vigorously growing sectors comprise outsourcing of payroll, outsourcing of recruiting processes, and administration of benefits. A key market trend is the increasing prominence of cloud computing and the increase in HR services offered as a service under the Software.

The Payroll segment in Type is expected to dominate the HRO market during Forecast horizon

Based on Type, the Payroll segmented expected to dominate the global HRO market with significant growth rate during forecast horizon. The demand for the cloud based payroll system is increasing globally. The cloud based HR payroll software and solution service provides better access. Furthermore, the cloud based service will permit business outsourced payroll systems to scale with their employee reductions and increases.

Browse Sample Copy @https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/human-resources-outsourcing-(hro)-market-bwc19403/report-sample

Increase in adoption of cloud based technologies

The key driver for the global HR Outsourcing market is the increase in the adoption of cloud technologies such as SaaS technology (Software as a Service). Cloud-based payroll software solutions enable companies to enhance and simplify their payroll functions compared to other business technologies. Cloud-based HR payroll software solution is automated, and it further enhances the accuracy and efficiency of HR management. This solution gives an automated update when tax rates changes, which results to provide accurate payroll solution. The SaaS-based model allows distribution of high costs for hardware, software and data center operations among the customers by the vendors, thereby allowing the customers to avail top of the line infrastructure at a fraction of the initial cost.

Increased flexibility

Companies that employ temporary staff as part of their workforce achieve greater versatility when dealing with stressful peaks and troughs. Current custom-made production trends strengthen the company's need for scalable outsourcing of Human Resource.

North America is anticipated to dominate the lion’ share of the global Human Resources Outsourcing (HRO) market during the anticipated period.

By geography, the global Human Resources Outsourcing (HRO) Market segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. North America expected to dominate the global HRO market and anticipated to witness lucrative growth rate with a higher CAGR of 9.18% during the forecast period. In North America, software vendors mainly provide payroll services and collaborate with payroll outsourcing providers to deliver services in other countries.

#Human Resources Outsourcing (HRO) market

[catalinacimpoesu]

Style hunting

Free the Monsterind

In my constant struggle of finding a unique drawing style, I faced many creative blockages that were crucial to my overall development. 

The whole experience was like a rollercoaster of emotions: encouraging myself to draw, choosing a subject, letting my mind free and start sketching, adding colours, trying not to be picky on brushes and experiment different types and different textures without following any patterns, having that boost of energy and enjoying the moment while listening to music, feeling the dopamine rush, being excited when I considered the drawing looked good enough and any other changes would decrease its quality, then opening my social media account, returning to the drawing application and see the monster staring at me (Janda, 2013). 

A long-phrase that sums up my past two years. 

Is the “monster” that follows many artists worldwide. But it is the same “monster” or we all have different ones? At this moment my mind would turn to 180 degrees and see the final form of my drawing as being “ugly” and immediately my reaction would be to close everything and do not show my creation to the online world.

I found myself wondering how the monster would look like and this was the image that popped into my mind the minute after, so I started sketching again. Not a ferocious beast, but a snob fluffy mauve creature being too spoiled to remain grateful for what he has. 

Mind monster (Cimpoesu, 2020)

Starting to ask myself what is happening in my mind whenever I finish a drawing, was a promiscuous start. Why was I so concerned about what the others might think about my work? And why all of a sudden I would just have transposed myself into somebody else’s body and start judging my art, forgetting all the feelings I have had when I was creating it? Was my art supposed to carry any hidden meanings to anyone that might have seen it?

Art is subjective and does not represent pure tangible knowledge. Moreover, its purpose is to suggest and be interpreted by anyone who sees it (Scrivener, 2002). Thinking twice, every piece of art can include a small amount of knowledge due to the power of imagination and analysis its creation process.

Scrivener’s vision was that art in any form cannot embody pure knowledge either in-the-making process nor in the final-created object. This statement is half true from my perspective, for one reason: art, in any shape, can pass intangible information through generations, only because people can imagine and empathise through their bodies and souls, without experiencing the same times as the person who created it, but placing themselves in the other’s shoes, as humans made from the same material.

To be more clear, it is normal that paintings, for example, will not express anything at first sight; the viewer cannot gain any skills while staring at a canvas, but through analysing it he can feel at some point, all the overlapping layers full of acrylics and rough brush strokes that resemble shadows and highlights. In my opinion, it just depends on whom the viewer is: an artist will probably connect with the painting and imagine every step concluding the creation of it, while at a mental levet he could even transpose himself into the creator’s position.

As I started to see the presence of the “monster” more often, I started to draw more frequently just to try to catch momentum to analyse the feeling in depth. The answer was simple: my mind would categorize any of my creations as being low-qualitative in comparison with the others I have seen before from a variety of artists. Focusing on the flaws I automatically assumed that in the future there will be people in the same position as me (age, gender, being a self-taught artist) but with higher-quality final products.

The way art should be experienced is generally seen as being a short period of curiosity, sometimes it can progress on a long-term as well, until the reflection instinct approaches, as Danto et. al. (2013) suggest. Art should be a representation of the time and the environment it was created in. Another factor should be included in the equation, such as the experience the creator had and the time he spent on that specific piece of work. 

The right of criticising

Formal analysis represents the theoretical structure of the human perspective and it aims to categorise every element found into a pattern such as proportion, variety and unity, along with the emotional baggage a drawing is trying to express. Combining the intellectual effect with the feelings that are created just by looking at a piece of art can be considered the key to a high-rated critical analysis. This approach can be replaced with a pure intuition of someone who had experience and had seen plenty of evidence to have the right to classify any work (Heydat and Sabzali, 2014).

This made me think if art is such a versatile subject, it should not be fitted into some patterns conceived by somebody’s opinions and perspectives. At the same time if art does not follow these rules then anything can be considered a masterpiece. What a massive paradox.

Coming back to my twisted mind experience, I was starting to think what makes any of my drawings better than the others and why over time only a few of them still remain beautiful and worth to talk about in despite of others. As an interesting fact, the drawings illustrating objects won all of my sympathy, in comparison to the portraits and the artworks containing any kind of faces, on which I currently have doubts about their worth.

Restlesnesss (Cimpoesu, 2019)

Breakfast in Poznan (Cimpoesu, 2019)

Traditional house (Cimpoesu, 2019)

The way I perceived humans dramatically changed during time. Self-criticism help me to analyse the weaknesses of my artworks and what is representative for my vision. In addition, one reason for not recognise my digital drawings as being qualitative was the presence of errors in the proportions of the faces, along with the lack of accuracy of the shadows and highlights placed on the subject making the whole picture to have a flat look at the first glance. Improvement can be recorded in this area just by studying the basic human anatomy features and the basic principles of drawing. At the same time, art movement such as Expressionism and Surrealism are focusing on particular styles of representing the human features in an unfamiliar way and they are recognised as meaningful and interesting points of view. 

Modern French girl (Cimpoesu, 2020)

False posing (Cimpoesu, 2020)

Eye contact (Cimpoesu, 2019)

Examining the artworks now, after a long time, makes me notice the above photos look similar when exposing some aspects and are illustrating a constant style because of the used techniques, colours and tools. Despite of using a birds-eye view and underlying their similarities, the images are still exemplifying my creativity. 

Personal brand identity

Many artists point out that their style was shaped after many attempts of different ways to approach a subject and browsing through working instruments, tools and perspectives and in the end there is no defined path to follow to reach the goal in a specific period. The final form of an artwork is influenced by numerous decisions and environmental aspects (Zhao, Cao and Lau, 2018) aiming to reach the receiver’s feelings, along with his admiration and interest. 

The personality created trough all the final decisions and the presented outcomes represents a graphic designer’s way of expression, seeking to reach people who possess similar views. Although aesthetic taste is subjective and in constant change phases, a few elements are still keeping their place on the sensitivity map and help building a strong brand image when seeing an artwork for the first time. 

Building your own creative style as a designer, leads to a constant communication with yourself and the others around. In the end, only by experimenting different scenarios a graphic designer can mould his preferences and fully express his thoughts through art, without having second thoughts about showing the final version. Due to art’s ideology and skills’s perfectionism timeframe, there is always going to be room for reconsideration leading to improvement. 

Considering that for each artist there will always be people sharing the same vision as him, the action of finding the personal artistic style should be a metaphorical rollercoaster itself, which in the end will bring to light each stage and its significant meaning throughout the whole process. Understanding to embrace failure and to forgive myself when I don't have the desired outcomes, helped me more than it was expected.

Art, drawings and design taught me that you don't need perfection (Airey, 2012). It is fine to post something you do not like anymore and to appreciate that you did it. You have to embrace any state you have and be curious about any project you make because it is yours. 

In conclusion, you have to learn to work with what you own and cherish your goal for your mind to be able to create anything that appears in your mind.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Airey, D. (2012) Work for Money, Design for Love: Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Starting and Running a Successful Design Business, 1st edn, San francisco: New Riders

Cimpoesu, C. M.  (2019) Breakfast in Poznan. [Instagram] Available from: https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Laew2nahx/ [Accessed: 15th of November 2020]

Cimpoesu, C. M. (2019) Eye contact. [Instagram] Available from: https://www.instagram.com/p/B4uUYaBHinG/ [Accessed: 15th of November 2020]

Cimpoesu, C. M.(2020) False posing. [Instagram] Available from: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-iWyaHDHim/  [Accessed: 15th of November 2020]

Cimpoesu, C. M. (2020) Mind Monster. Unpublished personal artwork.

Cimpoesu, C. M. (2020) Modern french girl. [Instagram] Available from: https://www.instagram.com/p/B8MNRjwHcj-/ [Accessed: 15th of November 2020]

Cimpoesu, C. M. (2019) Restlessness [Instagram] Available from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwxZJN_hbGf/ [Accessed: 15th of November 2020]

Cimpoesu, C. M. (2019) Traditional house. [Instagram] Available from: https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Laew2nahx/ [Accessed: 15th of November 2020]

Danto, A. C., Horowitz, G., Huhn, T. and Ostrow, S. (2013) The Wake of Art, Criticism, Philosophy, and the Ends of Taste. Amsterdam: Routledge

Heydat M. and Sabzali, M.K. (2014) Conceptualizing Art Criticism and Art Education for effective Practice. Saarbrucken: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing

Janda, M. (2013), Burn Your Portfolio: Stuff they don’t teach you in design school, but should, 1st edn, San Francisco: New Riders.

Scrivener, S. (2002) The art object does not embody a form of knowledge. Working Papers in Art and Design. [Online] vol. 2. Available from: http://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/12311/WPIAAD_vol2_scrivener.pdf [Accessed: 12th November 2020]

Zhao, N., Cao, Y. & Lau, R. (2018) "What characterizes personalities of graphic designs?" ACM transactions on graphics. [Online] vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 1-15. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3197517.3201355 [Accessed: 15th of November 2020]

#personal #style #self-branding #catucuu #monster

[dantempyt555]

12 Steps to Finding the Perfect Kann man CBD in der öffentlichkeit frei konsumieren?

Olej

As of late, CBD oil company is rising. You will find healthcare knowledge proving CBD oil's efficiency in treating insomnia in children suffering from anxiety attributable to trauma. According to animal experiments, CBD has demonstrated antidepressant action. What this means is that you ought to get time to examine with the jurisdiction and determine regardless of whether your place has any restrictions regarding the usage of Cannabis sativa and its byproducts. Most African nations around the world Will not let any usage of Cannabis and its compounds. It is necessary to underline that, Despite the fact that this study has checked out kids from different revenue teams in South Africa, you'll find elements aside from revenue that influence using corporal punishment together with other sorts of humiliating and degrading punishment of children, for instance relative levels of anxiety and possibly involved romantic relationship troubles.

CBD oils may be used to circumvent 1 from receiving cancer. It is often great to avoid in advance of needing a remedy for a thing. CBD oils are certainly useful to folks since they Guantee that you obtain the healthier everyday living that you ought to be leading. The world wide web is there to give you any additional information about CBD oils as it is possible to perspective right here for more. CBD oils can be found on the internet and also in outlets where the place allows them for being bought. To sum it up, CBD oils give the most beneficial conclusion effects and assistance so many people reach Are living wholesome life They can be content about. You may check out below For additional details. The ANC government has developed 1.eight million properties, but Meanwhile two million folks have lost their houses. CBD oil is apparently acquiring a lot of desire just lately, because of its evident anti-inflammatory qualities. Certainly, you will discover Advantages and risks , as with any nutritional supplement.

The characteristic that defines cannabis from hemp is the content of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound in cannabis that gets end users "significant." Hemp is nearly solely devoid of THC but typically high in An additional cannabinoid - cannabidiol (CBD). Hemp has 0.3 p.c THC or much less whilst the threshold for cannabis starts off in a THC concentration of 0.31 percent or higher. Both varieties of cannabis, hemp and marijuana, happen to be proven to consist of medically effective amounts of differing cannabinoids, active compounds present in the cannabis plant. As talked about earlier, my journey into CBD was inspired by CNN's documentary, "Weed". In this particular documentary, Additionally they highlighted a vendor that made the CBD oil that assisted Charlotte. The exact same vendor then went on to build CBD oil item for others and named it immediately after Charlotte, "Charlotte's World-wide-web". I essential an item that will be Safe and sound for children. Supplied its history, Charlotte's Net gave the impression of a good in good shape.

Not only have we dramatically diminished the price, but we can even give a no cost bottle of our Black Pearl CBD Hand Sanitizer with Each individual acquire from the Immune Guidance and free delivery to aid you and your loved ones continue to be healthful through these challenging and unsure occasions. If you decide to consider CBD oil, treat it like you'd almost every other treatment method option for migraine It might take a while to operate , and you also might require to adjust your dosage to raised go well with your preferences. How would we report this period in the South African story for long term generations? The convulsions in excess of the ANC's Mangaung Management contest will occur and go; the suffering in the Marikana mine deaths will fade; the life of the lousy will continue being wretched as well as the wealthy will even now savour opulence at the rear of their superior walls; the point out will carry on to be the feeding trough with the effective.

Absolutnie nie namawiam, sam na weganizm nie przeszedłem i raczej się na to nie zapowiada. Jedyne co zdążyłem zrozumieć SM to to, że jest to popierdolona choroba i że każdy przechodzi ją inaczej. Przede wszystkim mam świadomość swojej ignorancji i niewiedzy w temacie medycyny i ciągle pokładam nadzieję w kolejnych lekach, które są proponowane i oczywiście Tobie będę zalecał to samo. Only acquire CBD items that use The complete hemp plant, not synthetics and not isolates, as The complete plant consists of the total spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, the active compounds that provide plants their style and scent. Herbalists consider the terpenes in hemp interact synergistically Using the cannabinoids to create an "entourage impact" that improves the healthful consequences of each person element.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for great health. Your body can not make them, so you need to get them from meals. Omega-3 fatty acids could assistance to decrease your hazard for a variety of health and fitness disorders, which include heart problems, arthritis and cancer. Sources of omega-three fats include the oils from crops, fish and nuts, including hemp seeds, which are technically nuts. The explanation that Billy's cannabis oil was seized at Heathrow airport was that it did not just comprise CBD, it also contained THC at greater ranges than lawfully permitted. A fantastic company for a lot of CBD solutions, Spruce surely has a lot to provide to be a brand name. Pertaining to their CBD oil for canine, It truly is absolutely obtained some top top quality notches for it. One thing that stands out is just how much generate you're getting from the total spectrum oil. The largest factor that'd we say might maintain it again is cost, particularly that it commences at such a superior-margin for pet owners. Besides that, it is a solid item for the worth, even with its steep entry.

A number of Abahlali members from Pemary Ridge went towards the Sydenham police station around two:30am to inquire about those that had been arrested. A police officer instructed them that eleven men and women had been arrested. He reported they might not begin to see the arrested, Which browsing hrs were being at 12pm on Saturday. He stated that the arrested had not been billed nonetheless, but they would seem from the Pinetown Magistrate's Courtroom on Monday. When questioned if those arrested had been given professional medical awareness, he denied that they were being injured. He explained which the 11 arrested were not hurt, and so have not received any clinical attention. In addition there are different strengths of CBD oil, the lowest currently being 300mg (three%) ranging to 800mg (eight%). It can be suggested you start in a lower dosage and slowly Establish up your tolerance.

Gusser and American Romance, all items will have to arrive at an conclusion. It is actually time for our Vitality usage and building ability to operate on a little something apart from oil and coal. Guaranteed these fuels built the US, but In the end we cannot find the money for it. Many people go through Long-term diarrhea adhering to gallbladder surgical procedure. In unusual situations, This may final For a long time, according to Michael File. Picco, a gastroenterologist crafting for Restricting foods that may cause diarrhea, for instance All those fried in olive oil or other greasy, large-fat foods, could support to cut back your diarrhea. Restricting dairy items, caffeine and sweets may enable also. However, the cause of diarrhea next gallbladder elimination stays unclear. The result in could be an increase in bile coming into your substantial intestine due to the fact this may need a laxative result, notes Picco.

Extra-virgin olive oil is derived by "cold urgent" of olives. This extracts the oil though preserving the well being and nutritive qualities of olives compared with most cooking oils wherein even though refining by chemicals destroys some in their natural nutritive benefit. Olive oil is full of oleic acid which has been associated, in clinical scientific studies, with reducing prices of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer and bronchial asthma. But olive oil is just not a heat steady oil and is also ideal made use of cold (for salad dressings) or under reasonable warmth and thus just won't accommodate our Indian frying cooking fashion. So, apply it to bread in lieu of butter for the breakfast but Never fry cutlets in it. The two major constituents of cannabis oil are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Oil containing CBD by yourself (CBD oil) could be legally acquired in britain with out a prescription because it incorporates only extremely Was ist der Unterschied von THC und CBD? very low quantities of THC. But cannabis oil that contains THC at higher stages (in excess of 0.3%) is prohibited. THC is a agenda 1 drug , which is to mention, it's considered to possess no medicinal value.

CBD oil has long been researched for its likely role in managing quite a few prevalent medical issues, including stress and anxiety, depression, acne and cardiovascular disease For people with cancer, it may well even supply a organic alternate for pain and symptom reduction. Exploration about the potential wellness great things about CBD oil is ongoing, so new therapeutic makes use of for this normal solution are certain to be discovered. Although There exists Substantially to get uncovered with regards to the efficacy and security of CBD, outcomes from new scientific studies recommend that CBD could offer a Harmless, effective purely natural treatment For several health issues. So, CBD can be The best bodyguard of The body and head. Law enforcement estimate 50,000 individuals marched in Johannesburg, South Africa's economic hub. Smaller crowds turned out in Cape Town along with other cities and towns.

CBD is available in various solutions and is also simple to operate for kids. Pure CBD oil, tinctures or liquid concentrates is often placed underneath the tongue which gets absorbed by mucous membranes inside mouth just before swallowing. In case youngsters aren't capable of holding CBD oil during the mouth it may be effortlessly ingested. Yet another widespread reasons seniors are up during the night time is to employ the lavatory. Helping seniors stay in bed at night could possibly imply limiting liquids a few hours in advance of bed, ensuring that they use the rest room suitable right before retiring for the night time, and providing them with bathroom support products like right away adult diapers, bed pans and bed pads, urinals, and various materials which will help lower the necessity to depart the mattress. A nicely-revered model from the business, Sunday Scaries unquestionably delivers on their oil. Although made for individuals, it's also competive to lots of manufacturers inside the Pet planet, along with comes along with considered one of the higher groups for customer care all around. As a staff that's in it to the extended-haul, there is a number of upside to Sunday Scaries, with their additon for the CBD planet for pets seeking just as notable.

Hemp is healthful! Nutritional worth of hemp seeds cannot be overstated, as they characteristic a posh profile of proteins, fats, natural vitamins and minerals, that lower and forestall daily life threatening conditions, including cancer and heart disease. It's not nonetheless absolutely comprehended just how much or which distinct lignans are needed to assist fantastic wellbeing. This eventually signifies that whilst there aren't any serious risks to consuming significant-lignan flax oil, this product may not give you any major Gains possibly. In the meantime, a 2017 study led by Bonn-Miller found that nearly seven of 10 CBD products did not contain the amount of cannabis extract promised within the label. Vitamin A is considered critical for the healthy immune operate, epithelial growth and repair service, bone expansion, reproduction, and standard embryonic and fetal progress (West 2006). Positive aspects for the lungs, having said that, do not look like crucial enough to say.

Cannabis oil is often supplied to people suffering from Persistent discomfort, inflammation and occasional soreness reduction. This can be why Individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer change to items relevant to cannabis, together with cannabis oil, after they need relief from the suffering of chemotherapy or even the condition itself. Numerous weeks later on, Laura obtained her 1st source of CBD oil. Laura's daily pill intake was lessened Soon afterward, as was her time expended in bed and in the new tub. Within just 2 months, her pelvis became less stiff. Consequently, she no longer desired her extended, very hot baths and she taken off her shower chair and bathroom aids from the toilet. She also started out feeding on breakfast at a normal time. Melancholy and stress and anxiety absolutely are a couple of most commonly encountered psychological health problems, which may have negative effect on human health and fitness. Most people use medicines prescribes by their therapists or Medical practitioners, but these medicines can have a lot of Uncomfortable side effects. However, CBD oil may possibly assist in treating both nervousness and depression in the most effective and organic ways.

Previously few years, The usa has designed attempts towards legitimizing cannabidiol products and solutions as a result of restrictions. It had been in 2018 the FDA authorised the first-at any time CBD-infused drug created to take care of sure varieties of epilepsy. Several months afterwards, the Farm Invoice was handed, legalizing the creation and usage of hemp as an industrial amount. Amidst these rules, the marketplace still hosts brands aspiring to income by way of Completely wrong implies. In some instances, CBD oil determined by crystalline biological solution in oil can be chosen, but plant extract is always much better for a full spectrum of substances. Nevertheless, It's also critical that it's bioavailable, i.e. how the human body processes CBD. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has explained in past times that CBD products and solutions will likely be taken care of like almost every other items that make unproven promises to shrink cancer tumors or other statements. The FDA has despatched warning letters to some firms advertising CBD.

#Cbd Hanf Kaufen