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9 episodes with retrieve
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What to listen for:"To truly understand your dog, embrace the power of observation, question the environment, and engage with the nuances of their behavior."Our hosts, Robin Greubel, Crystal Wing, and Stacy Barnett, take a deep dive into the role of critical thinking for handlers.We've all been there—reading a viral dog training post and feeling an emotional gut-punch, or second-guessing ourselves after watching a training video. We need to learn to slow down, analyze, and ask better questions. Robin emphasizes watching videos without sound to assess the clarity of intent. Crystal introduces her favorite training reflection game: pause and predict. And Stacy reflects on how questioning cues—like saying “drop”—led to big lightbulb moments in her own training.Our hosts share how truly understanding what (and why) you're training builds better habits and stronger bonds between handler and dog. Whether it's breaking down complex skills like a retrieve into more manageable pieces or recognizing how forward motion might unintentionally reinforce barking, it's all about peeling back the layers.The Dames of Detection look into how fear-based language can cloud judgment, and how to filter training advice by considering the source, the context, and your own dog's needs. Crystal encourages following trainers with different views to stretch your thinking. Robin adds that respectful, private conversations often lead to deeper clarity than public debates.Most importantly, critical thinking is a skill, not a fixed trait. Like any skill, it improves with practice. So whether you're evaluating a post, adjusting a cue, or watching your dog's body language, stay curious. Be open. Ask questions.In the end, sharper thinking leads to stronger training, and your dog feels the difference.Key Topics:“What Exactly Are You Training in This Video?” (00:00)Focus on the Message You're Trying to Teach (08:55)What Stops Trainers from Thinking Critically? (14:46)The Problem with Fear-Based Training (19:14)What Happens to Your Dog Training Without Critical Thinking? (24:02)Avoid Close-Mindedness and Preconceived Notions (33:40)The Power of Active Listening (39:01)Overcoming Analysis Paralysis (45:44)“It Depends on the Dog.” (50:07)Takeaways (54:19)We want to hear from you:Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!K9Sensus Detection Dog Trainer AcademyK9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer's Group on Facebook!Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!Crystal Wing (CB K9) can be found here!You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com
Selbstbewusst, kreativ und spirituell: Adja Fassas Debutalbum „Golden Retrieve Her“ ist ein Konfettiregen der Emotionen. Die Brüsselerin, deren Passion das Theater ist, liebt es, mit ihrer Musik in Rollen zu schlüpfen, die sie nicht nur verkörpert, sondern auch als Songwriterin selbst kreiert. Auf „Golden Retrieve Her“ leiht sie unsichtbaren Heldinnen und Helden in der Gesellschaft ihre Stimme: z.B. einem Lieferboten oder einer alleinerziehenden Mutter.
You've most likely been told that Thomas Aquinas is off limits, a theologian who will corrupt Protestants and turn them into Roman Catholics. And yet, Protestant history tells a different… Download Audio
Today, find a way to be blessed by helping someone with a disability like Joni. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Dr. Margaret Harris, Global Spokesperson for the World Health Organization, discusses humanitarian operations underway in Myanmar following a devastating earthquake there.
Hello, I'm Brett and I'll be your host for these amazing Old Time Radio Shows :) Dangerous Assignment was a thrilling NBC radio drama that captivated audiences from 1949 to 1953, starring the dynamic Brian Donlevy as the fearless U.S. special agent Steve Mitchell. It was broadcast across a range of media, including a syndicated TV series in 1951–52, and even inspired a reimagined Australian radio version from 1954 to 1956. Both the radio and TV series kept viewers on the edge of their seats with fast-paced plots filled with espionage, deception, and international intrigue. Series Premise: Each episode followed Steve Mitchell, an American agent dispatched by "The Commissioner," the enigmatic head of an unnamed U.S. State Department division. Steve's mission: to travel to exotic locations around the world to foil nefarious plots and uncover dangerous secrets. The show was designed to keep listeners in suspense, opening with a tantalizing scene before the action unfolded. Mitchell, posing as a suave foreign correspondent for an unspecified publication, navigated a maze of lies, betrayal, and violence—always emerging victorious by the end of the episode. Origins and Evolution: Dangerous Assignment was originally conceived as a summer replacement series for NBC in 1949. It quickly gained popularity, and its success led to a full radio series running until 1953. Brian Donlevy, who also narrated the show, brought an intense realism to his portrayal of Steve Mitchell, which contributed to the show's gripping atmosphere. The only other consistent voice on the radio version was Herb Butterfield, who played "The Commissioner." Guest stars included famous actors like Raymond Burr, William Conrad, and Richard Boone, each lending their talents to create a unique cast of characters across the episodes. After the American radio series concluded, Dangerous Assignment continued its journey abroad with a 1954 Australian radio adaptation. This version used remade American scripts and introduced Lloyd Burrell as Steve Mitchell, broadcasting a total of 39 episodes. The 1949 Summer Series: Dangerous Assignment first aired as a seven-week summer series in the summer of 1949, running on Saturdays from 8:30 to 9:00 PM EST. The character of Ruthie, the Commissioner's secretary, was played by Betty Moran, hinting at a possible romantic backstory with Steve Mitchell. The show's first episodes took listeners on adventures to locations like Messina, Sicily, Saigon, and Paris, where Steve investigated everything from stolen relief supplies to millionaire murder conspiracies. The 1950–1953 Radio Run: The show's popularity ensured its return to the airwaves in February 1950, although it faced some scheduling challenges. Over the next few years, Dangerous Assignment moved through various time slots, ultimately running for over 160 episodes. The radio series also attracted major sponsors, including Ford Motor Company, Wheaties, and Anacin, though it was largely supported by NBC itself. The episodes became more formulaic, often starting with Steve Mitchell being assigned a mission—usually involving espionage, sabotage, or international political conflict—followed by thrilling encounters with dangerous enemies. Syndicated Television Version (1951–1952): In 1951, Donlevy adapted the series into a syndicated television show. Rather than relying on a traditional TV network, Donlevy self-financed the production of 39 episodes, selling them individually to local stations across the country. This approach, aided by NBC's distribution assistance, allowed the show to reach a wide audience despite limited network support. Each episode remained faithful to the original radio scripts, with Donlevy reprising his role as Steve Mitchell and Herb Butterfield again playing "The Commissioner." Production Team and Legacy: The television version of Dangerous Assignment employed a talented team behind the scenes, including assistant director William McGarry, production designer George Van Marter, and film editor Edward Schroeder, A.C.E. The show's episodes were often fast-paced, with each story revolving around Mitchell's covert operations in places as diverse as Paris, Berlin, and the African jungle. Among the famous guest stars featured in the TV series were Hugh Beaumont, Paul Frees, and Michael Ansara, who appeared as a variety of different characters throughout the series. Notable episodes included titles like "The Alien Smuggler Story" and "The Atomic Mine Story," where Steve Mitchell faced off against spies, criminals, and saboteurs in a constant battle to protect U.S. interests overseas. The Man Behind the Character: Brian Donlevy: Brian Donlevy, born in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 9, 1901, was known for his tough, no-nonsense persona, both on screen and on the airwaves. With a career that spanned film, radio, and television, Donlevy brought a unique depth to his portrayal of Steve Mitchell. He was a familiar face in 1940s Hollywood, starring in classic films like Beau Geste (1939) and Wake Island (1942), and even earned an Academy Award nomination for his role in Beau Geste. In addition to his success in film, Donlevy was a major figure in the development of Dangerous Assignment, both as the star and as a key producer for the television adaptation. His tough-guy image made him a natural fit for the role of the action-packed American agent, and he remained a popular figure in postwar television, contributing to numerous anthology series like Kraft Theatre and Lux Video Theatre. Conclusion: Dangerous Assignment remains a notable chapter in both radio and television history. The series was a standout example of 1940s and 1950s action-adventure storytelling, blending espionage, drama, and international intrigue. Thanks to Brian Donlevy's magnetic performance, Dangerous Assignment continues to be remembered as a thrilling and influential series that helped set the stage for future espionage-themed shows and films.
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Have you ever felt stuck when you are training your dog? Or wondered what to do when things aren't working? I'm sharing how to troubleshoot, adjust, and turn things around with a fix for common mistakes. We're looking at why training might not be working, what to do about it, essential foundations that make all training easier, and strategies to put on the brakes when things are going in a direction you don't want. In this episode, you'll hear: • Why dog training sometimes doesn't go as planned and what to do when your dog just isn't getting it. • What should be included in your strategic protocol (Relationship, Recall, Retrieve and Reinforcement Zone) and how they impact training success. • About the key training games and exercises: ItsYerChoice, Crate Games, Relaxation Protocol, Tug Games, Hot Zone and Perch Work. • How to join the ItsYerChoice Summit, 100% free. • Why “Criteria is Joy.” • Why having a dedicated Training Den helps build confidence. • The importance of establishing and transferring value. • How to create clarity in training so your dog understands exactly what you want. • About recognizing signs of frustration in your dog and taking their feedback. • The key to adding distractions, duration, and distance without overwhelming your dog. • How to adjust your training plan so your dog succeeds. • My best tip: Take a Paws (pause!) when things aren't going right - small changes can make a big difference! Special Discounts To Join Or Gift Our Online Programs Check out our 300th Episode & 5th Anniversary Celebration Page - https://dogsthat.com/celebration-central/ ItsYerChoice Summit: Learn How to Play ItsYerChoice - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ Crate Games Online: Get Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ Resources: 1. Podcast Episode 228: Navigating Failure In Dog Training: What's Your Plan B? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/228/ 2. Susan Garrett's Shaped by Dog Podcast - https://dogsthat.com/podcasts/ 3. Podcast Episode 255: Rescue Dog Training: Priorities For Your First Week Together - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/255/ 4. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaUAScgaFAg 5. Live Stream Replay: Celebrating 300 With A Week of Positivity & Learning - https://www.youtube.com/live/-qligctVSFw 6. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3 7. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/ 8. Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/ 9. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett's Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6sj6fTJnFc 10. Podcast Episode 267: How To Use A Training Den To Fast Track Your Dog's Success: No Space? No Problem! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/267/ 11. Podcast Episode 257: How To Use Your Dog's Favorite Reinforcements To Fix Unwanted Inadvertent Behaviors - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/257/ 12. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5 13. DogsThat YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DogsThat/videos 14. YouTube Playlist: Dog Body Language, Communication Signals, and How to Read Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2IwzRwAWcG0yK8oez1nPU0 15. Podcast Episode 131: How Would Susan Garrett Plan Your Dog Training Sessions? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/131/ 16. Podcast Episode 295: Fear Of Criticism? Why Facing The Camera Is The First Step To Becoming A Better Dog Trainer - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/295/ 17. Podcast Episode 256: What Was That Cookie For?! When Positive Reinforcement In Dog Training Goes Wrong - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/256/ 18. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/NoUkg8RDpms
In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Matt Harrison sits down with longtime friend Jim Ronquest to share their favorite hunting stories. They reflect on the busy months following duck season and discuss the upcoming turkey season. As they reminisce about past adventures, listeners can expect a blend of entertaining anecdotes and insights into the world of hunting. Tune in for a lively conversation filled with camaraderie and anticipation for the spring season ahead!Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org
March 12, 2025 ~ Jerry Linenger, retired United States Navy flight surgeon and NASA astronaut, joins Kevin to tell us more about the upcoming SpaceX launch to retrieve the astronauts that are stuck in space.
In this episode, we dive into a series of powerful morning and evening energy practices designed to help you start and end your day with a sense of inner alignment, balance, and protection. These short, simple practices can be personalized to suit your needs and offer a way to cultivate resilience, self-love, and spiritual empowerment. You can choose a few exercises to do in the morning and the evening, or follow the entire checklist as part of your daily routine.This is a segment from Aleya's coaching sessions. To join her live online coaching sessions click on the link below...https://www.aleyadao.com/catalog/products/Live-Coaching-Sessions/721/Get a free month of the Cups of Consciousness meditations at https://www.7cupsofconsciousness.com/These steps are designed to help you:- Reclaim your energy and awareness- Send information to those you've interacted with during dreamtime- Retrieve your gifts, energy, and resources- Pull yourself into alignment with your higher self- Clear and protect your energy field, ensuring a more harmonious state of being
Kimberly spoke to Jacqui Felgate on 3AW Drive to detail the full ordeal, stating it's "quite a confronting reality as a victim of crime".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tatters, accompanied by the deadly Vale sisters, sets out on her mission to track down and recover the Ring of Winter. Their target, it transpires, is located within one of the most potent symbols of Dominion power. True to form, things start badly, go downhill from there, and then plummet straight over the edge of a cliff as Tatters experiences a deeply disturbing revelation. Links Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JcoDyLK43fWihJLgE_I5wzNcUWTMJGwJOXgkaI3s-gM/edit?usp=sharing All music is royalty-free, and courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/music/ and Slipstream https://slip.stream/ Email TheLoneAdv@gmail.com Podbean https://theloneadventurer.podbean.com/ Blog https://carlillustration.wordpress.com/ Chasing Adventure: https://chasingadventuregame.com/ Perchance TLA random event oracle: https://perchance.org/tla-randomevent Perchance TLA ritual generator:https://perchance.org/tla-tatters-ritual-generator Perchance TLA Mythic 2e GME https://perchance.org/tla-mythic2e Perchance TLA OCEANIC NPC generator https://perchance.org/tla-oceanic-npc Perchance TLA OCEANIC NPC behaviour oracle https://perchance.org/tla-oceanic-behaviour Perchance TLA Hammerhold Explorer https://perchance.org/tla-hammerhold Stephanie M's Fantasy and Modern Themes and Domains: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VjPuV29a5CgMXoUAQldcwvNB1FCsZwko/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/13KBv58Pq836vWLwDOK9qGYcCK8asK-O8/view Followers: Mara Vale Qualities Warrior. They count as +1 Armor when they help you fight, and you don't have to Command them to fight unless the opposition is terrifying or overwhelming. Costs Independence. They may follow you for convenience or mutual gain, but they are not truly loyal to you. Want Protect Lynn Methods Smash through obstacles Make a brutal show of force Call on reserves of inner strength Conditions 3C, sword (1C) Armour 1 Descriptors Cautious. Careful and methodical; avoids acting rashly. Blunt. Prefers a direct, honest, straightforward approach to most things in life. Infamous. They're well-known, for good or for ill. OCEANIC Openness: 4 - Fairly adventurous Conscientiousness: 5 - Very precise, controlled. Extroversion: 2 - Slightly reserved Agreeableness: 3 - neutral Neuroticism: 5 - Anxious, moody Interpersonal Disposition: 5 - v positive towards Tatters Core Disposition: 1 - v unhappy with circumstances Lynn Vale Qualities Cunning, Clever and observant. When they help you Examine, treat a 7-9 as a 10+. Costs Independence. They may follow you for convenience or mutual gain, but they are not truly loyal to you. Want Protect Mara Methods Spring a trap or plan Misdirect and confuse Lunge with terrifying speed Conditions 3C, Sword (1C) Armour 1 Descriptors Athletic. Good at running, climbing, jumping, and physical manoeuvring. Stealthy. Avoids detection; often gets the drop on foes. Infamous. They're well-known, for good or for ill. OCEANIC Openness: 4 - Fairly adventurous Conscientiousness: 1 - Very laid back, unstructured Extraversion: 5 - Very sociable, talkative Agreeableness: 2 - Slightly self-absorbed Neuroticism: 5 - Anxious, moody Interpersonal Disposition: 4 - positive towards Tatters Core Disposition: 4 - happy with circumstances Mechanics Copilot prompt Genre: magitech. Lord Tortemus has proposed sending Tatters, along with his two bodyguards, the Vale sisters, on a mission to retrieve the Ring of Winter from the leader of the machine cult. Describe the mission parameters, including the keywords Mysterious Vehicle. Mission Parameters: Quest for the Ring of Winter Objective: Retrieve the legendary Ring of Winter from the leader of the machine cult. Team: Tatters - The cunning and resourceful protagonist. The Vale Sisters - Tatters' loyal and formidable bodyguards, known for their combat prowess and tactical acumen. Mission Overview: Lord Tortemus has identified the leader of the machine cult as the current possessor of the Ring of Winter. This ancient artifact possesses immense power over ice and cold, making it a critical asset in the ongoing conflict. The cult has fortified itself within Hammerhold, the city's greatest forge and arsenal, located in the heart of Chaintop. Primary Objectives: Infiltrate the Stronghold: Gain access to the machine cult's heavily guarded fortress. Locate the Ring of Winter: Identify the exact location of the Ring within the stronghold. Retrieve the Artifact: Secure the Ring and ensure its safe return to Lord Tortemus. Secondary Objectives: Gather Intel: Collect valuable information on the machine cult's operations and technology. Neutralize Key Threats: Disable or eliminate high-ranking cult members and their mechanical constructs. Mysterious Vehicle: Investigate the rumored Mysterious Vehicle that the cult uses for transportation and potential escape. Operational Details: Transport: The team will travel via a swift magitech skimmer provided by Lord Tortemus, designed for stealth and speed. Entry Point: Utilize an old drainage tunnel as the entry point to bypass the main defenses. Reconnaissance: Deploy mini-drones for surveillance and mapping of the fortress interior. Engagement: The Vale sisters will handle combat encounters while Tatters focuses on securing the Ring. Extraction: Once the Ring is in their possession, exfiltrate using the Mysterious Vehicle if possible, or fall back to the skimmer for a swift retreat. Potential Hazards: Mechanical Sentinels: The stronghold is patrolled by advanced automata designed to detect and neutralize intruders. Environmental Extremes: The presence of the Ring has caused unnatural cold within the fortress, creating hazardous conditions. Cult Defenders: Devoted and fanatical cultists, equipped with magitech weaponry, will fiercely defend their leader and the Ring. Mission Success Criteria: Successful retrieval of the Ring of Winter. Safe return of Tatters and the Vale sisters. Acquisition of valuable intelligence on the machine cult. Failure Conditions: Loss of the Ring to enemy forces. Capture or incapacitation of team members. Incomplete mission objectives due to unanticipated threats. Mission Commences: 18:00 hours, local time. Genre: magitech. Describe an automated factory stronghold, at the heart of the industrial Chaintop area of Kyras, capital city of the Kyras Dominion. The air in Chaintop hummed with a low, insistent thrum. Gears ground, pistons hissed, and the glow of arcane forges cast long, dancing shadows across cobbled streets. At the heart of this industrial behemoth stood the Bastion of Gears, a fortress unlike any other. Appearance: Exterior: Hammerhold was a brutalist masterpiece, a symphony of iron and obsidian. Massive, interlocking gears formed the very walls, their teeth catching the light in a mesmerizing display. Arcane sigils, etched in shimmering gold, pulsed with an eerie light, warding off unwanted attention. Interior: A labyrinth of corridors, each a testament to magitech ingenuity. Production Halls: Gargantuan machines, powered by a combination of steam and arcane energy, churned out weapons, armor, and intricate gears. Dwarven engineers, their faces grim with concentration, monitored the intricate dance of pistons and pulleys. Assembly Lines: Goblins, their nimble fingers a blur of motion, assembled intricate magitech contraptions. From miniature clockwork automatons to devastating siege engines, each piece was crafted with meticulous care. Forges: Arcane forges, fueled by rare crystals, roared to life, casting a blinding light. Dwarven smiths, their bodies glowing with an otherworldly aura, hammered and shaped molten metal into weapons of terrifying beauty and power. Defenses: Arcane Shields: An invisible, shimmering barrier enveloped the bastion, deflecting projectiles and absorbing minor magical attacks. Auto-Cannon Turrets: Ironclad turrets, bristling with arcane-powered cannons, rotated menacingly, ready to unleash a barrage of fire upon any intruders. Clockwork Golems: Massive, iron golems, their movements fluid and deadly, patrolled the perimeter, their eyes glowing with malevolent intelligence. The Heart of Hammerhold: Deep within the fortress, in a chamber shielded by a dozen layers of arcane wards, resided the Engine of Creation, a masterpiece of magitech engineering. This colossal machine, powered by a captured celestial spirit, was the heart of Hammerhold, providing the raw energy that fueled the entire operation. Life Within Hammerhold: Hammerhold was a world unto itself. Dwarves, goblins, and humans, all bound by contracts of servitude, lived and worked within its walls. They were well-fed and well-compensated, but their lives were strictly regimented, their every move monitored by an intricate network of surveillance. Dissent was not tolerated. Hammerhold was a symbol of the Kyras Dominion's industrial might, its arsenal, a testament to the power of magitech. It was a fortress impregnable, a factory unmatched, and a constant reminder of the Dominion's unwavering pursuit of power. Scene 1 Chaos Factor: 6 Scene Description: Night flight to Hammerhold Scene Test: The scene is Interrupted: Current Context Meaning: Disrupt Protection * The magical cloaking hiding the skimmers fails, due to Seterra's interference Scene 2 Chaos factor 7 Scene Description: Rooftop infiltration Scene Test: The scene starts as expected. -1 ID for Mara & Lynn Q: Were they seen? Likely: No GM Move: See what they Find d10: 1 Feature: Huge, high-ceilinged room Danger: None Location keywords: Clean, Festive Flashback: Class Move: Ritual: Scrying on the Voice of the Machine Is there a source of Great Magical Power on the Night Queen's Shadow? 50/50: Yes No cost, spell succeeds Adventure Move: Examine: where is the Voice of the Machine? When you closely investigate a charged situation, ask the GM one question about it and roll+WIS. DIS for WIS condition, ADV for clean Ritual: 8 1XP On a 7-9 the GM answers your question truthfully. Tatters has a good idea of where he is in Hammerhold Scene 3 Chaos factor 6 Scene Description: Hunting the halls of Hammerhold Scene Test: The scene is Altered: Increase An Activity and Remove A Character Mara and Tatters continue to bicker, only to discover Lynn is missing GM Move: See what they Find d8: 4 Feature: Everyday devices powered by magic Danger: Locked door Location keywords: Spacious, Natural Q: is there a reply to the tap? 50/50 Yes Scene 4 Chaos Factor 7 Scene Description: Time to use a magic lockpick Scene Test: The scene starts as expected. Equivalent Exchange When you Push Yourself to Evoke a Spell, your Spell also becomes Greater. Evoke a Spell (Roll + SPELL: +2 +1 until next Settle In) When you unleash your magical talents, choose a Spell you know and roll+SPELL. On a 10+ you successfully evoke the Spell and its effects come to pass. On a 7-9 the Spell is still successful but choose one consequence from the list below. The Spell's Risk manifests as well. The Spell's magic drains you. You take -1 Ongoing to Evoke Spells until you next Settle In. Using it puts you in danger or draws unwanted attention, the GM will say how. Roll with ADV (DEX condition: Shaky): 10: success Technomancy You sink your mind into a piece of arcane technology, and gain control over it for the scene. Greater: The effect is ongoing, and grants a benefit you had not anticipated Random Event: Move Away from A Thread (End the Civil War in the city) Meaning: Move Information or Bleakly Dirty Tatters becomes more aware than she had planned, and sees the war for the city is growing worse The event relates to an Item: Arcanicity If required, here's a Starforged Action and Theme: Scheme Passage And here's a Mythic 2 Descriptor and Focus: Slowly Glorious
Scientists investigated how the shape of the human body makes hula hooping possible—and what hips and a waist have to do with it. And, the decision for how to proceed with NASA's Mars Sample Return Mission will fall to the incoming administration.What Makes A Hula Hoop Stay Up?Hula hooping might appear to be a simple physical activity. But there's some complex math and physics at play as the hoop goes around your body, and scientists haven't had a clear understanding of those hidden forces—until now. A team of mathematicians at New York University recently published research into the science of hula hooping in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Flora Lichtman is joined by Olivia Pomerenk, a PhD candidate in mathematics at New York University, and a coauthor of that paper. She talks with Flora about why the motion of hula hooping prevents the hoop from falling down and which body types make for the best hooper.NASA Considers Cheaper, Faster Ways To Retrieve Mars SamplesNASA's Mars Sample Return mission is an ambitious project that aims to use the Perseverance rover to collect Martian rocks, sand, and even gulps of Martian air. Then, through a complicated handoff between different spacecraft, it would ferry those samples to Earth.A 2023 assessment found that the original plan to retrieve the samples would be much more expensive, and take much longer, than initially expected.This week, NASA announced two options for how to cut costs and bring the samples to Earth by the late 2030s. But the agency did not solidify a plan, leaving it to the next administration to sort out around 18 months from now. Is the project on the rocks?To get up to speed on the mission, Flora Lichtman talks with Dr. Jim Bell, professor of earth and space exploration at Arizona State University, and distinguished visiting scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.
It looks like Moana 2 went farther than anyone expected, as the Thanksgiving weekend box office was dominated by her and Maui. Plus Ubisoft kills a game, Warner Bros may have found their new Snape, and don't expect an Elden Ring sequel anytime soon. Plus a review of Skeleton Crew and Alien Romulus. Greetings. I am the Monitor of Installation 04. I am 343 Guilty Spark.
The venture into the trolls' fortress continues to get more chaotic! Be nice, roll dice, and tune in each week. www.livetodiepodcast.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/livetodiepod Follow us on social media: Twitter: @LiveToDiePod Facebook: @LiveToDiePod Instagram: livetodiepod Email us at livetodiepodcast@gmail.com Themesong by https://soundcloud.com/justin-ghofrani Cover art by @doodleskelly
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Welcome back to another episode of The Upland Disciple Podcast! In this episode we welcome back former guest of the pod and good friend Jake Faas of True Loyalty dog training. In this episode I let Jake take the reigns and walk us through the process of a positive reinforced trained retrieve. Using his wealth of knowledge from shaping dogs in the bite dog sports, Jake has brought with him a knowledge and style of training the retrieve that is unique, well thought out, and effective! If you, like me, have a dog here and there that needs some work on their retrieve, or if you are in a competitive arena where the retrieve needs to on command and clean every time, listen twice to this episode with Jake. It was truly an eye-opening and ear popping conversation for me to hear how Jake has developed this method of trained retrieve through years of shaping behaviors and training dogs! You can find Jake on Facebook or Instagram at True Loyalty, and I would encourage you to reach out and ask questions or maybe for a short video of what this conversation looks like when applied to your personal bird dog! Sit back and enjoy this packed episode on the trained retrieve!
With all the fighting and sex, my work reviews should suck. In 25 parts, edited from the works of FinalStand. Listen and subscribe to the ► Podcast at Connected.. “Saving a life isn't about worthiness. It is about instinct and guts.” (Friday) Since I liked to think that life encouraging me with bruises, punctures, cuts and concussions made me smarter, I had scheduled some eleven o'clock gym time most of the week so to avoid the whole lunch and after-work crowds. Aya and I went to the 'Others' gym, which was nice, but wasn't as complete as the Full/Pure-blood one. Most notable was the lack of weapons. Aya's and my trip to the 'Other' gym on Friday hit a snag. Aya clued in on the fact that I was avoiding the Pure-blood facility. We talked about it. I explained I wasn't a Pure-blood. Her counter-argument was she was and I should confront my fears. Yes, I lost an argument with a nine year old. I have talked a nineteen year old, promise-ring virgin into nameless sex in an airport stall. Aya was an unassailable wall of resolve that dashed all of my ploys into so many useless words. I found myself entering the real 'No Man's Land' twice in less than a week. Not only was I hard-headed, I was also obviously soft-hearted. At the last moment, I imagined I had a reprieve. I didn't have to tell Aya how I got in the first time; grabbing an open door. I could swipe my card, have it rejected and move on to safer pursuits. Sure enough, my card failed. Aya's didn't; mother-puss-bucket! Upon entering, the twenty, or so women in the place looked at me; and Aya. I recognized somebody. It was Constanza, Elsa's chief evil henchwoman. Our eyes met. She smiled in a way that assured me she vividly recalled our last encounter. It should be of no surprise that I insulted her somewhere in the process. It's how I roll. I smiled back at Constanza and gave her a nod before setting up Aya and me for our workout routine. Constanza was not mollified in the slightest. She was patiently waiting; for something. I decided that Aya would be my sole focus and banished the other women from my mind. The munchkin could tell the difference and relayed that to me with her happiness. After twenty minutes, she decided her time with the machines was done and her minutes were better spent resting against, or sitting on, me. My cock was reminding me that it was approaching 36 torturous hours without sex. It was also pointing out that there were thirty available, sexually inquisitive women achingly close. I reminded my penis that being relocated was probably as fun-less as it sounded. That bought me some time. We finished up our sojourn by walking the wall, going over the weapon racks. Mainly we went over the ones various members of her family were proficient with. Aya still had problems with even the most basic ones. The words 'let me help you' spilled out of my mouth. There were two problems; Aya's tiny size and the fact that all the weapons were very dangerous. Even the leaf-shaped short blade was too heavy for her so we ended up screwing around instead. I picked up two Iron Age style axes. The blades were more of a thick wedge than the broad axe heads of medieval fame. They were less effective in delivering damage, compensating somewhat in their reduced weight. I've convinced a Jewish girl to have sex in a synagogue despite me not being Jewish yet this child was twirling me around her pinkie finger. I was entertaining her with some exotic, flamboyant moves wielding two axes while Aya clapped her hands and giggled when I felt a stranger approach me on the sparring mat. I had been hopping around keeping all my weight on my right leg until that moment. I turned to face the woman, putting my left behind me yet while keeping it firmly on the ground. I also drew my axes up, crossing them over my chest, blades pointing past my shoulders. "I have never seen that technique before," she addressed me. That and what followed was all in the Amazon tongue. "It is more of a fantasy creation. I had a love affair with pseudo-archaic movies that always do the crazy, two-weapon stuff so my mentor helped me create this method," I explained. "Has it ever been tested?" she continued. "I am Cáel Nyilas," I answered, "and yes, my mentor preferred using a poleaxe, or a mace/shield combo against me." "Oneida," she seemed amused. "We will see how well you have been tested." "May I request a favor?" I tried to keep my cool. She pulled out one of those damn spears. "Yes," she seemed intrigued. "Can you call someone over to sit with Aya? I don't want her to accidently set foot on the mat," I beseeched. "Drusilla, please aid me," Oneida summoned an observer. The woman had heard my appeal and settled beside the nervous, kneeling Aya. "Cáel, please be careful," Aya pleaded. "Who me?" I chuckled. "I'm impervious to all man-made contrivances." "Every weapon in this room was crafted by women," Oneida snorted. "That would certainly explain my full-body bruising and the hole in my leg," I grinned back. I caught Oneida trying to sneak closer to me. My axes came to a ready position and I charged. I was sure some sort of medic would punish me for this later. She got off two jabs then I was all over her. I knew how to fight a two and a half meter spear. She had no clue how to plot out two incoming weapons with an extra meter of reach. The first time I drove her off the mat. The second time, I got inside her guard and clocked her in the temple with the back end of an axe head. I quickly hopped back three paces, knelt and put my axes on the mat. The rush to get me was stillborn. A few did come to stand over me while two others checked on Oneida who quickly came around. "What happened?" were Oneida's first, shaky words. "He hit you," one of her companions answered. "With what; the Moon?" Oneida mumbled as they helped her up. "My ears are still ringing." "My turn," Constanza announced. She went for a spear, blade, and round leather-covered, wicker shield. "Give Cáel a moment to rest," Aya appealed. "He has been fighting longer." No such luck. I was halfway to exhausted as well. Fighting with two weapons pretty much means just that; twice the fight. Kinetically speaking, I was burning around 80% more calories than my one weapon opponents. I was wielding axes, not fighting sticks after all. In my favor was a deep wellspring of stamina and my Will reinforced by my desire to not upset Aya. What little time I was given wasn't out of charity. A second Amazon was joining the struggle. I could back off, but I felt Constanza would enforce an intense level of groveling solely to grind up Aya emotionally. She didn't hate Aya. Aya was an avenue to really hurt me and we both knew it. For a second, when I hobbled off the mat, there were chuckles. I had fled. That ended as I began retrieving some select weapons from the wall racks. Sword harnesses came in two varieties; belted and shoulder slings. I took two shoulder slings and two more axes. I affixed my two 'spare' axes with leather straps. As I turned to the mat, Constanza had decided to be clever. She and her buddy had closed to within three meters of the edge. They would box me in as soon as my second foot touched down on the mat. "Please back up," I requested. Constanza smiled with supreme confidence. I smiled back. This was going to be dangerous, agonizing and unorthodox; totally me. I began backing up. "Cáel," Aya murmured. "Don't let them hurt you." "Running away?" Constanza sneered. "Aya, wickedness is the expedience of the weak," I nodded her way. "Do you think I can win?" "Of course," Aya sighed happily. "I am by your side." I laughed. I charged. The Amazons did the precisely wrong thing; the stepped up to meet me. You keep thrusting weapons, like spears, aimed at the central part of the body. This allows you to deviate your projection anywhere from the thighs to the face. This does imply you know where the central part of the enemy will be. This was not playschool. Real weapons; real damage; real death. They didn't have to kill me. It didn't mean they wouldn't. I leapt. I didn't leap at them, I leapt over them. Let's not forget I'm pretty freaking strong. My left leg shot-gunned pain straight to the brain but held it together. I sailed over their thrusting spear points, flipped my axes down so that they would impact the mats first. The flat tops of the axe heads impacted the mat and my body rose up and then flipped over them. This gave me an extra meter and a half on my back flip. I turned that maneuver into summersault, giving three more meters of space. I rolled over to my side and rode the momentum to my feet, facing my adversaries. Now they were the ones in the corner of the mat with their enemy pinning them in and I wasn't done yet. With all my might, I hurled my right-handed axe at Constanza's companion. She did exactly what I thought she'd do. She saw the throw halfway in motion and raised her shield up; right where I wanted it. Amazon shields aren't what most people think shields are today. They think medieval knights, or more appropriately, the shields of the Greek hoplites. The Amazons date back 700 years before those Greeks and they weren't heavy infantry anyway. Amazons moved light and fast. Consequently, their shields were light; wicker constructs with layers of leather stretched over the frame. Great for deflecting light weapons; not so great for what I was about to do. The steel axe head shattered the top half of the wicker frame. It saved her life, but now she had this useless object strapped to her arm. It also had the added bonus of knocking her back while Constanza engaged me alone. Her first jab forced me to jump back, but I still was able to draw my first spare axe. My luck with women held up a little longer. The other Amazon hesitated just long enough to remove her shattered shield. Alone with Constanza, I attacked. She thrust, I captured her spear head between my axe handles and yanked her forward. We kicked out simultaneously. Her off-balanced strike brushed past my abused left leg. My right kick hit her shield and knocked her down. Her grip on the spear slipped and I propelled it somewhere behind me. Constanza pulled off a reverse summersaulted while drawing her short blade. A really nice move. Unfortunately, it moved her away from the chick with the spear, who hesitated again. This time she took the thrown axe straight to the head; back end impacting. I didn't want to kill her. Constanza anticipated my next action. It came down to position, distance, and stride length and they all favored me. We raced to the downed companion. My left-handed axes flat side slammed into her forehead, rendering her unconscious, and I kicked her spear off the mat; out of bounds. I slowly backed away from Constanza and readied my second spare axe. "Retire from the field," I panted. I was physically failing fast. "Why should I?" Constanza glared. "You are about to fall over." "Aya won't let me fall," I stared her down. "You couldn't beat me with a companion and a spear, Constanza. Do you really think a shield and sword will work any better." "Let's find out," she charged. I really needed the short breather to recover somewhat. The short Amazon blade was an excellent close-in weapon. I never let her get close enough to use it. Tandem axes allowed me to shred her shield while keeping her at arm's length. My axe bit into her upper left arm right above the elbow. Constanza hissed instead of screaming. She did stagger back. I hopped back three steps, knelt and placed my axes on the mat at my side. "No!" Constanza howled. She came at me while I remained still. Her hand drew back for a killing thrust. I waited. Sparing my life didn't stop her. The looks of her fellow Amazons held back her wrath. They wouldn't stop her from slaughtering me, but that was exactly what it was; a butchery. Two things occurred to me: Aya was showing remarkably better control today than on Saturday, and I figured out a way to sleep with Buffy tonight. Being killed? Nah, worry about the things you have control over. "Constanza, he was instructing me," Oneida stood up. She took up Constanza's discarded spear and stepped toward us. What disturbed the gathering was how Oneida held it; sidewise, not ready for combat. "You do not intimidate me, Oneida," Constanza growled. "You misunderstand," Oneida intoned. "I would do this out of shame and despair." "I will shear my hair, burn it and take myself to the cliffs to die childless," she continued. "I leave whatever contempt you might possess for me to be conveyed to my House when they learn your actions have killed one of their last breeding females. The death of some male will not concern them. My death will. The shame I bear for killing a teacher will certainly interest many of our people." "You wouldn't dare," Constanza scoffed. The spear dropped. Fuck that noise. I snatched the last quarter of the shaft before it hit the ground. No one seemed to understand what to do about that. Apparently my reaction was unique. "Yay!" Aya cheered. "He's the best Daddy ever," she loudly announced to the crowd. "Oneida, my apology, but Katrina has put her faith in me and the New Directive," I adlibbed. "I am here to aid the recovery of your people, not diminish them. For the sake of Katrina's honor, please reconsider." "Cáel Nyilas," Oneida smiled sadly, "this is not a pledge that can be retracted." "Ah; doesn't it only take effect when the weapon hits the ground?" I struggled. "I mean, otherwise dropping the weapon would be pointless; right?" I repeat, apparently this had never come up before. "This is kind of awkward. Can someone take this?" I meant the spear. I was worn to the bone and holding a long spear from one end, with one hand. Quickly calls went out to Hayden as well as a few department heads. "Constanza," one of the Amazons spoke up, "if you attack the male, you will be actively sealing Oneida's Death Pledge. Far fewer of us will understand that." "How is it that you are so damn lucky?" Constanza growled at me. "You are asking this of a man, on his knees before you with your sword at his throat?" I countered. "Lucky isn't you sparing my life. Lucky is me never having heard of this place; Except for Aya. She makes the rest of this hellish experience worthwhile." "Best Daddy ever," Aya chirped. "Hayden is on her way," a different Amazon called out. Already a passel of newcomers were swarming the scene. Truly curious was the group looking mournfully at Oneida. One stepped forward. "Male, do you need something? Water?" she asked. I gave it some thought. "Could you sing?" I requested. "A nice soothing song of hope would be nice." Blink. Like all panicked moments, nothing came to mind for several seconds. Oneida's people rapidly bantered about some names then the questioner began singing. By the third song I was crying and shaking like a leaf. Constanza had fallen back enough to get her arm tended to. Twice Aya had tried to get me, lending me the tiniest bit more strength. Wisely, her minder kept her away from the possible conflict. There was a whole different level of commotion when Hayden arrived this time. "To bear a weapon in my presence is Death, Cáel," Hayden stated. "I apologize for being a disappointing Male," I grunted. "Pass on my regrets to Katrina." "Drop the weapon and you will be spared. You will only be beaten," Hayden gave a hint of a smile. "If I drop it, she dies," I hissed. The ache in my right arm was exceeding that in my left leg. "I'm afraid I will have to decline," I concluded. "If I kill you, the spear will drop and she'll die anyway," Hayden pointed out. "Sucks to be both of us, I guess," I gasped. "Oneida, step on the spear. Push it down," Hayden ordered. Hush. Oneida raised her foot. "You are stepping in the wrong place," I huffed. She looked at me. My eyes flashed to the short side between my grip and my side. "Do you really think you can hold it up?" she questioned. "I know I'll fail if you step anywhere else," I tried to grin. "No matter what happens, you will die," she murmured. "Not my chief concern right now," I grunted. "Hurry." Oneida put her foot on the short end. "It will help your balance if you place a hand on his shoulder," Hayden noted. We both flashed Hayden a shocked look. Oneida stepped on the spear. It trembled and sunk down, barely millimeters off the mat. Her hand came to rest on the crux of my neck and shoulder. I felt my body about to tip over. I was at my limit. I almost missed the gasps whispering around the assembly. Oneida had her body off the ground. Hayden lowered herself so that she could witness there was a distance between the spear and the earth. "The spirits have not heard your pledge, Oneida," Hayden declared as she regained her regal posture. "I suggest you weigh your words with greater care in the future. Retrieve your spear." She turned and started to leave the gym. Oneida dismounted and snatched up her spear. "What of the male?" one of the spectators inquired. I didn't care. I had fallen on my back. "At a moment of such great spiritual significance; the ancestral rejection of a Death Pledge, the action of any one male does not concern me," Hayden remarked coldly. It wasn't praise. It was a 'don't fuck with him'. Around me a cultural conundrum was taking place. Not only could Oneida's house not thank me because I was a male, they couldn't thank me because, by Hayden's decree, there was no life to be saved. Oneida bent over me on one knee. "You really shouldn't be so eager to toss your life away, Cáel," she smiled warmly. I was essentially immobile. "You have the most gorgeous blue-grey eyes," I moaned. "You are thinking about that at a time like this?" she snorted. Her relatives were shockingly amused as well. "No time like the present. Besides, in 75 days you can all go out to some nature preserve and hunt me down with non-lethal weapons. Great way to spend a weekend." I heard an authoritative cough. I looked up from my still prone position to see Katrina. "Cancel that Oneida. I'm about to get relocated to Antarctica where I'll be tasked with teaching penguins how to arm wrestle," I sighed. "Cáel, why do you think I'd be so nice to you after all the hell you cause me on a daily basis?" Katrina looked all menacing. "You recall how much I like winter sports?" I pleaded. "Hey; wait. I was good on Friday. Wasn't I good on Friday?" "I don't recall you having a good day yet, but I may double check. Can you stand?" Katrina asked. "Is that a question, or veiled order?" I muttered. "If the former; no. If that latter, I'll die trying." Using a combination of my right leg and left arm, I managed to struggle my way upright. By that time, Aya had circled the practice mat and was at Katrina's side. "He was very brave," Aya insisted. One of Oneida's senior women coughed. "Nothing happened so nothing has changed," Katrina stated. It was a lie and both sides knew it. It was the whole loyalty/martial valor thing. Inside their closed little minds a balancing act had taken place; my worthlessness as a male against Oneida's value to her people. Aya was easy to discount as she was of Katrina's house. I had no clue who Oneida was yet still rallied to her when she desperately needed help; Hayden's obfuscation be damned. Yeah, Oneida had been young and foolish. Her challenge had been given to make Constanza back off. When Constanza called her bluff, pride took over. Oneida had been foolhardy and overly status conscious. Constanza had played Russian roulette with their House's future and almost 'won'. She'd be wise to avoid darkened corridors for the next few weeks too. There was not only Oneida's house but the houses allied to it to worry about despite Hayden's expunging of the official record. For me, it was time to be dragged over to my cute doctor friend. I had been slashed twice by the spears during my jump and not noticed it; adrenaline no doubt. "Congratulations, you and Aya are forbidden to work. I thought keeping you in the building would be safer. I'm mature enough to admit I was wrong," Katrina conceded. "No place is safe for you, or from you. I'm sending you home, under guard." "Can I choose Buffy?" I perked up. Katrina arched an eyebrow. "I also need something," I kept slaloming down toward Hell. "I need a six hour dispensation from you on the whole sex thing with employees." "Oh Goddess," Katrina laughed. "What part of me wanting you to stay alive have you missed?" "Are you going to sleep with my Mommy now?" Aya grinned. "No," Katrina answered for me, "he's going to play with Buffy." Right on the money. One scary-smart woman without a doubt. "Best of all, I'll let you assign Buffy to be your security for the night and you can tell her the good news when you get home. Aya, that means Cáel does, not you." "Yes Aunt Katrina," Aya moaped. She wanted me to be banging Caitlyn; her Momma. We would make love, Caitlyn would take me as her mate and I'd be Aya's Daddy for real. She'd kill me a month later for my twelfth indiscretion. I'm not a fortuneteller. I'm a bookie and I knew the odds of me staying faithful were a sucker's bet. The only questions were how many and with which one Caitlyn would kill me with. I wasn't sure how to break that reality to Aya. After getting bandaged/tortured my doctor, cleaned up and redressed, I managed to survive the rest of the day without catastrophe. (Later) "Cáel, do you realize that you've been wounded more than most Security Detail recruits do during their basic training?" Violet teased me. Buffy was too furious for coherent speech. "It isn't his fault, Buffy," Aya pleaded. "He wasn't seducing a woman, or anything like that. Oneida tried to sex him up all on her own." Huh? "Constanza's nipples were very aroused and we all know what she wanted." I really was worrying about the twisted sexual education Aya was getting. She knew the terms, but was missing out on the complete meaning of what she was saying. "Oneida? Who the hell is Oneida?" Buffy growled. "She's one of the new hires with Acquisitions," Violet answered. Brian Fung's group. "What were you making eyes at her for?" Buffy snarled possessively. "He didn't," Katrina swept into the office. "She made a Death Pledge and Cáel, acting as a vessel for our Ancestors, refused it; so the youngest breeding female in House Arinniti gets to keep living." I grunted because I knew who Arinniti was, or had been. "Vessels for the Ancestors?" Violet gasped. "Arinniti; that name rings a bell," Buffy mumbled. "She's one of the twenty founding bloodlines," Aya gladly provided. Katrina took her seat behind her desk and regarded me with something between amusement, annoyance, and pride. Oh, and sex. "Violet, Cáel held a weapon in the presence of Hayden; the spear that Oneida had dropped to seal her pledge. If he was a male acting alone, he would have to be killed. Is that the course of action you wish to recommend to the High Priestess?" Katrina suggested. "Ancestors work for me," Violet gulped. "You can't take back a Death Pledge," Buffy turned to Katrina. "It is a Death Pledge." "It appears you can if Cáel is in the room," Katrina smirked. "Best Daddy ever!" Aya yipped. "He caught the spear before it hit the ground and held it until Hayden came by and read the signs from the Ancestors that Cáel was supposed to retract Oneida's words. Hayden even had Oneida stand on the spear, but Da; Cáel didn't let it fall." "Maybe the Ancestors think Cáel is sexy too," Aya added. Groan. "They had better not," Buffy spun back to me threateningly. Fine, if some undead man-haters thought I was hot; sigh; that might entail there would be no rest for me even in the afterlife. "Buffy, do you have plans for this weekend?" I glared. "Why?" she snapped. "Great. Katrina, I want Buffy to be my bodyguard for this weekend," I looked to my boss. Aya almost slipped up, but bit her lip to hold herself back. "Fine," Katrina grumbled. "I promised you that you could choose your guardian. I was truly hoping you would pick among the candidates from SD I suggested, but so be it." "I have to be around him all weekend?" Buffy howled. "Yeah," I exhaled happily, "and I plan to have sex all weekend long." From the look on Buffy's face, she knew she was going to die. She was going to see me having sex with someone else, snap, kill me then kill herself out of shame and grief. Yep, she was going to die. It turned out Aya was off to Amazon Summer Camp for Squirts. We quickly arranged a series of smoke signals she could use to send for me if she was in danger. Desiree rolled her eyes, hefted Aya's luggage and left with my tiny boon companion. I sobbed. "Katrina, can I go see her when she's at camp?" I turned to my boss. "Cáel Nyilas, this is a place where we send our greatest treasure; our children," Katrina smirked. "We will not discuss the abuse of power it would be for me to reveal the location to you." "Cool; Daphne, where is it?" I turned to my closest female new hire. "I won't tell you and it changes every year," Daphne smiled. "But you know where it is this year," I persisted. "I didn't say I didn't," Daphne beamed. "Fine. Come home with me. While my ogress henchwoman holds you down, I'll tickle the truth out of you," I menaced. "Buffy don't!" Tigger shouted. Buffy was about to brain me with my reading lamp. I was fearless. "Okay, Bubbles," I beamed vindictively. "Go get us a car and make it snappy." There was a hush. "What? Did I use any words that were too big for you to understand?" Buffy's screamed caused people to reach for their sidearm three floors away. She stormed out, thankfully not running over anyone. "Do you want to die?" Violet tugged my sleeve. "Let the 'Lost Blood' (Old Kingdom Hittite) deal with him," Fabiola sneered. "They are both annoyances." I took a deep breath. "Fabiola, your laws regulate what I can and can't say to you," I stared at her. "Instead, I beseech you to never insult a 'Runner' (Old Kingdom Hittite) in my presence again." "Buffy is a 'Lost Blood' (Old Kingdom Hittite)," Fabiola defied me. I took another deep breath then hobbled over to Katrina's desk, retrieved a pen, piece of paper and a nice, soapstone-encased lighter. By the time I got back to my desk, I certainly had the new hires' attention. Since Fabiola was a Latin name, I had to guess at what it would look like in the Amazon alphabet. "Daphne, is this right?" I asked. She shook her head. She wouldn't give me the answer. I got it on the third try. I showed Fabiola her name on the paper then burned it. I rubbed the ashes between my palms then showed Fabiola my blackened palms. "What does that mean?" Paula inquired. She was worried. I was both flamboyant and hardcore at the same time. "Who cares?" Fabiola mocked me. "'Ghost'" I said in Old Kingdom Hittite. It took them a few seconds to realize it had a second definition; invisible. I had no doubt Katrina fully understood the implications of my actions. "Cáel, I will have to consult with Hayden over this," Katrina mused. I gave a nod, collected my stuff and headed for the elevator. "Katrina, what did he do?" Dora chimed in. "He murdered Fabiola," Katrina enlightened them. "In his mind, she no longer exists." "Can he do that?" Violet wondered. Fabiola took after me. "Cáel," she called out. I ignored her. She caught up. "Cáel." Ignored. Then she shoved me from behind in the shoulder. I kept walking. "Don't you ignore me!" she seethed. Daphne was coming up fast. "Leave him alone," Daphne insisted. Fabiola shoved me again. I was almost at the elevator. "Don't," Helena came up. She was aiming for Daphne because Daphne was about to kick Fabiola. "She's insulting you!" Daphne reacted to Helena while pointing at Fabiola. "He is a man," Helena explained. "We don't fight over men." Meaning that couldn't be the primary excuse, not that it never happened. "Katrina, make me Cáel's boss," Fabiola shouted. Well, I would never dare shout at Katrina unless her life was on the line. Also, technically Fabiola couldn't be my boss, being a 'new hire' and all. "Cáel Nyilas, Fabiola is your boss for the next five minutes," Katrina intoned. Oh fuck. "Cáel, to my side," Fabiola gloated. I looked past her to Katrina, sighed and punched the elevator button. "Don't turn your back on me," Fabiola snarled. A tug of war developed. She kept trying to turn me away from the elevator doors and I refused to be budged. Fabiola drew her blade. Shit. "You cannot run far enough away that I will let you get away with that," Daphne seethed in Old Kingdom Hittite. Fabiola was about to meet that challenge. "What are you doing?" Katrina had been coming out of her office when she caught the exchange. "I;” Daphne stammered. She'd screwed up. "Apologize," Katrina commanded. Daphne apologized grudgingly. The doors opened. "Cáel, hold the door." I did. "Cáel, to my side," Fabiola repeated. She thought she was about to win. I stayed where I was. "Fabiola, he can't hear you," Katrina pointed out. "Of course he can hear me," Fabiola rebutted. "No; no he can't," Katrina remained calm. "You have rendered yourself dead to him. Since he is not a priestess, or augur, he cannot hear the voices of the dead." "He cannot willfully decide he can't hear me," Fabiola demanded. "Oh, I agree. That would be wrong for him to willfully ignore any Havenstone female. Conversely, he can't allow any of our women to be harmed either," Katrina explained patiently. "So, when he witnessed an assault on the spirit of our women, he attempted to address it." "He approached the perpetrator and politely asked them to refrain from that activity. He was rebuffed. It wasn't like he could physically resolve the issue. To resolve that internal conflict; to defend his sisters but not attack a sister, he symbolically killed the problem. This allowed him to constantly and continuously forget the cause of this disruption." "He can't do that," Fabiola persisted. "Actually, it is pure Cáel," Katrina smirked. "I personally unaware of any scripture, bylaw, or statute that forbids him from doing this. I have given you a reasonable argument that explains his actions. He is essentially working through two conflicting orders." "Now Fabiola, as a perspective leader, what do you suggest he do? Let you force him to be relocated when he breaks your jaw? Let you insult half of Havenstone's staff until one day, one of them snaps and you end up in a Newark landfill? That would be wrong of him to do as he is supposed to lay his life down for us," Katrina kept at it. "What do you suggest?" "How do you resolve the crisis? Before you answer that, consider the fate of Leona," Katrina gave a predatory twist of the lips that would make a Momma T-Rex proud. "This male is making us fight amongst ourselves," Fabiola complained. "I'm not fighting just for the male," Daphne growled. "I'm fighting to have offspring that are strong in both body and mind." "Hey," Helena snorted, "can you imagine how much tougher the women in Acquisitions and Business Management have it? We get to talk about the New Directive without fear of weirding Cáel out." "Please believe me," I chuckled. "I'm still weirded out. There is simply nothing I can do about it so I get on with my day." "I don't understand any of you," Fabiola protested. "Fabiola, will Aya die?" Katrina asked. "Yes." "Why?" Katrina continued. "She is small, weak and hyperactive," Fabiola explained. "Cáel, will Aya die?" "No." "Why?" Katrina gazed at me. "Isn't she small, weak and hyperactive?" "Sure, she's small now, but she's only nine. Look at the size of all the other women in her house. None of them are super-tall either," I answered. "She's not hyperactive. She is very bright with a very active imagination. Once she finds her 'stillness'; her center; she'll do fine. If anything, she's too smart. She figures out that her guardians are worried, why they are worried and has to fight against their disappointment every time she does anything." Fabiola snorted, proving yet again she was clueless to her surroundings. "After all, Katrina, she's related to you and you are one of the scariest-smart people I've ever had the pleasure to know," I smiled. I could reply to Fabiola while not replying. "Cáel, go. You are unlikely to survive Buffy as it is," Katrina directed. Buffy was indeed apoplectic. She did manage to let me retrieve my bike before driving me home. Since I was dragging both all my business clothes, toiletries and my bike upstairs with crutches, it was painfully comical. A furious Buffy relented and took a few of my things. We had barely made it in the door when my phone rang. Buffy dumped my belongings in the center of the living room. "Hey," I answered the phone. "Hey, it's Odette," she greeted me happily. "Are you still in the HQ?" "Nope Odette," I grinned at Buffy. "I'm home. Do you want to come over?" "Sure; it's not going to be a problem, is it?" she asked. "I have a good friend over, but if you can stand my illicit behavior, you are more than welcome," I informed her. "Cool," she chirped. "I'll be over in about an hour." "See you soon. Until then Odette," I said. "Now I have to watch you fuck a whore?" Buffy stared at the ground. I wasn't going to go after for the 'whore' thing. She was at the end of her endurance. I knew that. I limped in front of her and pulled out her phone. She was too angry to look up at me so I knelt down. "Buffy," I showed her the text from Katrina about my six hour sexual exemption. She looked up and read it. "So? What does this mean?" Buffy looked ready to explode in tears and fists. "It means that when Constanza had her sword aimed at my throat I figured out a way to ease some of your fears," I stated. She blinked. "You worried that I'd be dead by the end of the month, and I did promise to try and make you the first Havenstone woman I made love to," I explained. "Constanza was about to kill you and you were thinking of me?" is what Buffy got out of all that. "Yeah. I also realized that Aya was far calmer than she was last Saturday, but the major thing was how to ask Katrina for the exemption and lure you here for the weekend," I told her. "Weekend?" Buffy studied me intently. "Yeah," I grinned seductively. "See, I figure we time everything. When we start something naughty, we flip on the timer and the moment we are done, we flip it off," I met her gaze. "That way we squeeze as much out of the six hours as possible; if that's what you want to do?" Buffy hugged me suddenly. "You were about to die and I was the one you were thinking about," Buffy wept. By that, I meant she fell apart emotionally. I had always seen Buffy so fierce that I was caught off-guard by this open vulnerability. I hugged her back and snuggled her close. She sniffled for several seconds. "This doesn't count, does it?" she hiccupped. "This is purely platonic. I'm bonding with my supervisor; team-building," I stated firmly. "Oh Goddess, you are crazy, you are crazy, you are crazy," she murmured into my shoulder. "Okay, I'm crazy. I also really want to have sex with you," I pushed her back so we could look eye to eye. "Or, are you going to make me beg like a big baby?" "I really want to have sex with you too," Buffy smiled; romantically. The fiery freakiness was gone to be replaced by a deeply sensual, gentle spirit. What the hell? "Let's go to the bedroom," I suggested. "We can try out the sofa later." "Is your leg going to be okay?" she suddenly worried. "Which one? Two of the three are working fine," I teased. No anger. "I love your sense of humor," Buffy snickered. I repeat; Huh? We stripped down then crawled under the sheets. Buffy was demure, calm and at peace. "Buffy, I don't want to ruin the mood," I said as I pulled her close. "But you are not acting normal and I don't know what to make of it," I completed. "I won," Buffy stroked my cheek lovingly. "I beat out everyone else for you. I gave it everything I had, you recognized that and came to me. This is me being happy, Cáel. Would you prefer me to be combative?" "I prefer you," I teased. The 'thank you' hovered right on the other side of unspoken. It wasn't in her. She was starting to get amorous. I pulled away to Buffy's momentary confusion then the condom came out, I ripped open the packet, slipped on the prophylactic and returned to my lover. I was about to slip into Buffy, missionary style. "Wait!" she stopped me. She hit two buttons on her wrist watch. "Timer," she explained. In I went. Buffy gasped slightly then began moving her legs up along my thighs. Years of experience made this a slow, gentle screw. This wasn't me wasting time; Buffy wanted savagery later. For her triumphal moment, she wanted to savor every second of this first time with her prize; me. Tender kissing and nuzzling were the signs of our affection. She ran her hands over my shoulders, back and ass. I would balance on my right arm while I coaxed delightful hums from Buffy. This was not Buffy's first time. By the level of stimulation she was giving me, this was unlikely to even be her 100th time. She knew her stuff. She had mentioned me physically and cerebrally engaging her being a reason she was so desperate to 'have' me. I had misinterpreted that. Buffy wanted a sex partner that could keep up in a way that went far beyond stamina; she hungered for matching skill and maturity. She could give me subtle clues with her body and I'd pick up on them, folding them back into my own actions and signals. There aren't too many that can meet me orgasm for orgasm. Buffy did. She crested first, but I was only seconds behind her. Before my final blasts, I rolled us over so that she was on top. I tried wiggle out of her. Buffy resisted. "Don't pull out yet," Buffy requested. "If I pull out, we can stop the clock," I insisted. "Oh," she giggled, "me lying naked on top of you in your bed isn't 'inappropriate behavior'?" "I won't tell if you won't," I snickered. Buffy cut of the timer on her wristwatch. Buffy was bringing her breathing under control and getting comfortable with our sweatiness. "If you hadn't been as good as your hype," Buffy whispered after a minute, "I think I would have fallen apart; and killed you; then probably myself." "Whoa," I reacted. "Explain that. Girls wanting to kill me is fine. Girls killing themselves for anything remotely involving me isn't." She mulled that over. She wasn't going to apologize yet felt a need to share something. I had to be patient. I've been with a lot of girls and a few guys who didn't take rejection well. That rarely had anything to do with the actual rejection. It was some festering wound much deeper and older than their encounter with me. "In high school I discovered the wonders of sex. I loved it. Not the lover, but the carnal act. I'd screw anyone, as long as it was something new and different," Buffy confided. "After a few bad incidents, my parents; my stepfather and my mother; threw me out because they thought I was a bad influence for my two younger sisters. I went to a city and did the only thing I was good at. I met this guy; you know the story. He would protect me, love me, blah, blah, blah," Buffy recalled painfully. "Slowly the sex stopped being fun. It was money and not my money at that. One night I got sick of it. 'He' wanted me to perform, I told him I was leaving so he and two buddies raped me. They raped me a lot over the next two days while they smoked meth and drank," she continued. "Finally, when they all passed out, I went to the place where he had his gun." "That wasn't going to be good enough for me," she tilted her head up to study my eyes. "I got his baseball bat instead and knocked them all out real good. I found a few garbage bag twist ties, tied their hands behind their backs and went at all three with a knife. I gutted them a bit so they were awake and in a shitload of pain; then I hacked their cocks and balls off." I was less revolted than I thought I'd be. I still felt my dick shrivel and my balls trying to retract into my bodies. I certainly wasn't going to joke about it; this was a serious sensitive moment for her. I stroked her hair. I could live with this revelation. I wasn't sure why I could, but my heart and mind weren't freaking out, so I went with my instincts. "I had barely finished up when the cops came bursting in. I had taken far longer torturing them than I imagined and their screams had been heard all over the housing complex. They Tasered me, I went to jail and finally to trial. My defense attorney argued an 'Insanity' Plea and I ended up in a mental facility," she was clearly relieved that I wasn't terrified. "A few months later, Katrina showed up," Buffy continued. "She wasn't where she is today. We talked a great deal, but there were only two crucial questions for her. 'Do you regret killing those men?' and 'Can you have sex again?' I answered 'no' and 'yes' after some thought. Two weeks later, I was transferred to a Havenstone facility, they cleaned me up, trained me, and I was stationed here." "What is with you and Elsa?" I prodded a handful of minutes later. "Don't go there, Cáel," Buffy muttered. "Do you seriously want me to confront her not knowing the whole score?" I countered. "She is a complete and total racist Bitch," she grumbled. "Please don't tell me it was a sex contest," I groaned. "If she is better than you, I'm going to die." Her grumbling lack of an explanation allowed me to crack a joke. Buffy 'punished' me by kissing my chin. "No, it wasn't a cunt-thing. If she can fuck you better than me, you have my permission to die," she smiled playfully. Scary. I was so used to her being scary, Buffy not being scary was scaring me. Push? "Well, the only thing I can do then, is a Buffy-Elsa-Cáel three-way," I sighed. "Okay," Buffy murmured. "Stop it!" I shouted. "You are freaking me out." Buffy giggled. I was howling off into madness on the inside. "I think you have company coming soon. We should get clean and put some clothes on," she exhaled joyously. By dressed, Buffy meant putting on my dress shirt; unbuttoned. She was like that, cross-legged on the sofa, eating Cheese Puffs and watching 'Real Housewives of Mumbai' when Odette arrived. It took Odette a second to realize this Buffy was the same firecracker from the last time they met. "Hi; um," Odette started. "We are fine. He fucked me. I'm in a state of grace," Buffy explained pleasantly; without a hint of menace, or fury. "Buffy; Odette Sievert," I made introductions. "Odette; Buffy Dubois." Odette strode right over to the sofa and plopped down beside Buffy. I had to struggle to not flinch. "He gives an incredible dicking, doesn't he?" Odette bubbled. "Yes," Buffy purred, "Yes, he does that and more. You are new to this whole 'love-making thing, aren't you?" "Pretty much," Odette openly admitted. "He gave me my first orgasm. I didn't realize how good sex was until I met Cáel." "I didn't realize how good sex was until I met me either," I joked. "Trust me," Buffy patted Odette's thigh, "I know a great deal about sex and I can assure you he's really, really good." "You are not wearing underwear," Odette noted. Life only got more bizarre. "Why don't you go into the bedroom, get one of his used dress shirts and put it on; and nothing else," Buffy advised. "It is a wonderful experience." "Oh God, don't I know it," Odette exulted. She jumped up and skipped into my bedroom. "Don't play with her," I cautioned Buffy. Buffy studied me then gave me a glowing look. "I'm trying to be a better companion Cáel," she told me. "I know I've put you through hell. I'm not going to apologize. I like the look of fear in your eyes. It is only matched by that look that says 'I'll get you for this'," she chuckled. "Just for that, its reverse cowgirl for you the next time we make love," I threatened. "How is that a threat?" Buffy teased. "I am absolutely positive you like my ass." "I bet he likes all of you," Odette sang out as she came out twirling in another one of my dressed shirts and nothing else. Odette had change really quick. I knew she came over bra-less. I was suspecting no underwear, or socks too. She sat down tightly next to Buffy. "So, how is this 'sharing' thing going to work?" Odette looked back and forth between us. "Have you ever been with a woman?" Buffy asked. "Don't be embarrassed about curiosity." "Ah; well, a little," Odette stammered. "Here is how it works," Buffy patted Odette's nervous hand. "I can only have sex with Cáel for five and a half more hours for the entire weekend. Since I like sex and you are here, I'm certainly interested in you." "Odette," she reassured my bed-buddy, "there is no pressure. I have gotten the most important thing; quality time with Cáel. Everything else is a bonus." "Oh; I'm okay with that," Odette nodded. Then she leaned in to kiss Buffy; maybe I should create a 'Sex for Beginners' CD. I was working gangbusters on expanding Odette's sexual horizons. Buffy wrapped a hand in Odette's hair and drew her into a steamer kiss. I settled in behind Odette, switching kisses between the back of Odette's head and Buffy's hand. "Wow," Odette panted. "You taste different than any guy I've kissed. I like it, but I like Cáel better." Before anyone thinks this never happens, or 'only in Hollywood (West Hollywood, that is), please understand I went to a rural college with a 70% female student enrollment. Convincing a girl to engage in a little girl-on-girl action to 'get me extra aroused' is insanely easy. The few times a lady has asked if I'd kiss a guy to get her 'extra aroused', I said 'for her and only for her'. Works every time. I've kissed a few guys, but only for charity. Fine; I've kissed a few guys in gay bars because Timothy intimated that we'd get our asses kicked if I didn't. He may have been playing me, but for all the shit I put him through, I can live with that. Back to the story: we had Odette in my bed in no time. I was on the bottom, Odette was lying on me, back to my chest and I was using my hips to piston into her while she moaned on top of me. Buffy was alternating between tantalizing Odette's clit and teasing her nipples. Using a very liberal definition for 'touching me', we decided that this wasn't consuming any of our 'exemption' time. Three orgasms later, Buffy poured an uber-contented Odette into her/my shirt and I carried her to the sofa. I put Odette's head in Buffy's lap, Buffy twirling Odette's forelock and Odette humming a happy tune. I was getting some apple and orange juice when Timothy's keys jangled in the door. He walked into the apartment and soaked up the scene. I took in that it was barely 8:30 and Timothy was in his date clothes. A seriously not-good situation. I diverted to him, drinks in hand, and hugged him. "Sorry Bro," I murmured. He hugged me back. "Buffy DuBois, this is Timothy." "Buffy? The crazy chick who wanted a hug?" Timothy chuckled. "She's not;” Odette mumbled. "Yes, that would be me," Buffy grinned sedately. Timothy looked down and shook his head. "That is some dick," he groused. "Damn Bro, "Timothy regarded me with some amusement, "did you bother to get her panties off, or was the mere thought of sex with you enough to cause a complete personality reversal?" "Cáel," Odette raised a shaking arm and commanded loftily, "put the drinks down and get us some ice cream. It is Bonding Time." She meant commiserating with Timothy over his dating failure. Timothy trundled off to his bedroom muttering something about 'getting into something more comfortable' and I delivered the drinks then doubled back for the ice cream and four spoons. Timothy ended up on the floor with his head resting against Odette's stomach. I offered to take the bottom spot. Timothy accepted the gesture then pointed out I was the guy with the bum leg. I ended up with Odette's feet in my lap. The flavor of the night was Cherry Vanilla and we were all making inroads into the supply quickly. Timothy dialed up Ninja Assassin on Netflix. Ten minutes in I realized why. There was this Asian actor who was really hot and extremely physically fit. Odette agreed. "You two can't believe any of this is real," Buffy commented shortly after. "This is absurd. Nothing and no one kills like that." She had professional pride after all. It hadn't taken me three days to figure out that the Executive Service babes' main purpose in life was not laundry delivery. They went everywhere and saw everything; just like a secret police force. Odd, huh? "Speaking of absurd and unreal," Timothy snickered. "Cáel, two ladies screaming Extreme High Maintenance showed up this morning. Apparently you weren't answering your phone, work said you were out of the office, and some spooky chicks at Havenstone showed them the door with something akin to a threat of lethal violence," he continued. "From long experience as your roommate, I could tell you'd fucked them to Nirvana and they wanted more." "From long experience'?" Buffy wondered. "You haven't known him two months yet." "Lady, this happens at least once a week with this guy. You are playing with the hair of one of those women right now," Timothy told her. "Yeah," Odette sighed happily. I was still wrapping my mind around the fact that Buffy hadn't threatened me with violence in the past four hours. Not even a glower. "So, what did you tell them?" I asked my bud. "I looked terribly put out then informed them you'd decided to become a Dominican and gone to a monastery in Italy to train," Timothy smirked. "What did you really say?" I thumped his head with my spoon. Before anyone goes 'iew, don't eat with that', I would remind you how pervasive hair is in a bachelor pad. Vacuum and you'll find out. "I told them you work in Looney Tunes Central; which they bought surprisingly easily; and that you would give them a call the moment your destiny was returned to you," Timothy said. I was willing to bet he used those exact words too. "What has Cáel told you about Havenstone?" Buffy prodded. "No way, Buffy," Timothy shook his head. "You are still one of those crazy bitches. Cáel hasn't told me the real deal, but when he looked me in the eye and said you ladies might kill me, I knew he wasn't playing around. He was afraid for my life." "Do you really think we would hurt you?" Buffy persisted. "You put an arrow in my boy; and he's got the magic dick. Since I'm not likely to put out for you ladies, I pretty much believe you'll put one through my heart without batting an eye," Timothy countered. "What would you do if he simply stopped showing up one day?" Buffy mused. "Not ask," Timothy snapped off his reply. "I trust Cáel enough to heed his warning and get on with my life." "Cáel has a big heart," Buffy regarded me warmly. "It is one of the many things that makes him a great prize." "Salmon; Angel Falls," Timothy taunted me. Before I even started at Havenstone, he had warned me that I had no chance of making it in that women-dominated Hell. He was right and he loved rubbing it in; the Bastard. To clarify: a salmon is a stupid fish who follows his penis to his death and Angel Falls in Venezuela is the Earth's longest, continuous waterfall; that's 807 meters for those who don't want to use Wikipedia. "Timothy, if there was any doubt, there will be no mention of Tuesday night and what came afterwards," I urged my guy. "Way ahead of you," Timothy chuckled. That was Rhada we were talking about. "If you are going to hang around Cáel, you will have to get used to all the other ladies," Odette sighed comfortably up at Buffy. "I know," Buffy stroked Odette's ear. "Also, if you see me outside of Cáel's home, be afraid of me because if you aren't, bad things might happen to you. Do we understand each other?" "No," Odette hesitated to respond. "Don't worry about it; just do it," Buffy warned her; affectionately. I was going mad. For the rest of the movie, everyone behaved. We emptied the ice cream container. Timothy went for beers. He bought back three. "Where is mine?" Odette inquired. "I don't think you are old enough to drink," Timothy told her. "Odette, if you give Buffy a kiss steamy enough to curl her toes, I'll give you mine," I offered. Odette weighed the offer, rolled over and crawled into Buffy's lap. The kiss was classic me; teasing contact; light tongue; full kiss; re-arrangement of tonsils. I was so proud of my girl. "That was exceedingly pleasant, Odette," Buffy grinned once the French kiss eventually ended. I handed Odette my beer. She remained straddling Buffy's lap, perfectly at ease. "Dude, do you have any guy friends you can bring over and make gay?" Timothy pleaded with me. We knew that didn't happen. "Fine, bi will do," he grinned. "I'm not a lesbian," Odette wiggled in Buffy's lap. "I just like Buffy." "Buffy likes you," Buffy placed a light kiss on Odette's lips. "Let's go to the bedroom." Acid test time. "Sure," Odette hopped up. She took Buffy's hand and pulled her up. Hand in hand they went to my room. I rose to follow. "We'll call you when we are ready," Buffy teased me. They went into my boudoir and shut the door. "Now you know how I feel," Timothy sighed. "Not really," I patted his shoulder. "In thirty, or forty minutes, I'm going to go in there and do some serious boning. Personally, I don't know how you take sleeping alone so often." Timothy and I sat down on the sofa. "You are an asshole," he grumbled. "Considering what you do to assholes, I don't know how to take that," I joked. He hit me. "Being gay would be the only thing that would make you more fun," Timothy laughed. I wondered how Katrina would take my sexual conversion. I deciding telling her would be unwise. I had another rescue flare about how out of control my life had become; Odette had seen my latest series of bandaged wounds and hadn't forced me to create some lie to explain them away. Damn. To be continued in Part 11 By FinalStand for Literotica.
Cáel's tombstone: For the love of women, women put him here.In 25 parts, edited from the works of FinalStand.Listen and subscribe to the ► Podcast at Connected..
D&P Highlight: Do you have a legal obligation to retrieve a loved one from the funeral home? full 545 Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:55:26 +0000 nhxofv1TFmxuSPpRLqEQZzASozIDmx0Q news The Dana & Parks Podcast news D&P Highlight: Do you have a legal obligation to retrieve a loved one from the funeral home? You wanted it... Now here it is! Listen to each hour of the Dana & Parks Show whenever and wherever you want! 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News False
Jim Culleton, Artistic Director of Fishamble appeals for the return of their Olivier Award.
A woman was stuck between two huge rocks in the Hunter Valley after she tried to retrieve her mobile phone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to a deeply transformative episode of Aleya Dao's podcast, where we explore the profound practice of retrieving energy fragments lost to past traumas. Whether these fragments are from this lifetime or previous ones, Aleya guides us through a gentle, yet powerful energetic protocol to reclaim parts of ourselves and integrate them back into our current consciousness.About This Episode: In today's session, Aleya Dao offers a meditation focused on healing and retrieving fragments of our soul, body, and spiritual team that have been affected by trauma. This practice not only aids in healing past wounds but also enhances our current state of being by integrating lessons of empowerment, self-love, and resilience.Episode Highlights:Understanding Energy Fragments:Explanation of how traumatic experiences in our current or past lives can cause parts of our energy to become fragmented and stuck in time.Discussion on how these fragments can affect our present life, often manifesting as unexplained feelings like perpetual entrapment or recurring emotional patterns.The Healing Protocol:A step-by-step guide through a meditation that addresses both the fragments from known traumas and those that are less apparent.Techniques for locating these fragments in past events, using a 'healing hologram' to cleanse and recalibrate them with higher vibrations of spiritual lessons.Integrating the Fragments:Instructions on how to bring these healed fragments through the time continuum back to the present, aligning them with our current consciousness and spiritual essence.Emphasis on the importance of this integration for strengthening our inner alignment and enhancing our spiritual evolution.Sustaining the Healing:Insights into how maintaining this practice can prevent the need for future traumas as tools for spiritual growth by fully utilizing past experiences as sources of enlightenment.Encouraging Continuous Growth:Encouragement to regularly engage with this practice to ensure all past traumas are healed and integrated, thus supporting our ongoing journey towards higher awareness and reduced need for traumatic experiences as catalysts for growth.Closing Thoughts: Aleya wraps up the episode by reminding us of the power of inner work and the importance of addressing both past and present traumas to achieve a state of complete healing and wholeness. She invites listeners to embrace this practice not just as a method for healing, but as a pathway to rediscover and empower their true selves.Connect with Aleya Dao: For more guidance and resources on energy healing and spiritual growth, visit AleyaDao.com. You can also find guided meditations and more teachings on her website to assist you in your healing journey.Thank you for joining us on this journey of healing and self-discovery. May this episode serve as a beacon for those seeking to reclaim their wholeness and move forward in life with greater clarity and strength.
Scare the kids for Halloween. Plans for Halloween. Witchcraft and magic spells. Dig a Halloween hole in the front yard. Fake your death for Halloween. Retrieve the capsule from your front yard. Digging easement. Dress you up for Halloween. Getting … Continue reading →
PREVIEW: NASA: Conversation with astrophysicist and author Professor Dante Lauretta re the relentless pursuit of developing what became the OSIRIS-REx mission to retrieve samples from asteroid Bennu. More later. 1953
Al and Kev rank the Stardew Valley Characters Timings 00:00:00: Theme Tune 00:00:30: Intro 00:01:36: What Have We Been Up To 00:25:25: New Games 00:33:54: Stardew Character Tier List 01:02:17: Outro Links Orange Season 1.0 Release Petit Island Story Trailer Paleo Pines new DLCs Go-go Town Major Update 1 Moonstone Island “Festivals” Update Seasonspree My Time at Evershine The Last Farmer Castaway Artisan Story Luma Island Stardew Tier List Video Stardew Final Tier List Contact Al on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheScotBot Al on Mastodon: https://mastodon.scot/@TheScotBot Email Us: https://harvestseason.club/contact/ Transcript (0:00:30) Al: Hello farmers and welcome to another episode of the harvest season (0:00:34) Al: my name is Al (0:00:36) Kev: And my name is Kevin. (0:00:38) Al: and we are here today to talk about Cottagecore games (0:00:41) Kev: Yeah. (0:00:45) Kev: The cottage court game more specifically. (0:00:47) Al: well I mean lots of other ones as well but what Kevin is talking about (0:00:50) Kev: No, but the. (0:00:53) Al: is we are going to this episode do a Stardew Valley (0:00:56) Al: character tier list. So we’re going to go through every character. (0:01:00) Al: in Stardew and we’re going to tier them. Tier list them. Tier list them. List tier them. (0:01:01) Kev: and judge them yum we’re gonna be patty and biased and mean oh there’s yeah it’s (0:01:07) Al: We’re going to judge them and put them on a tier list from S to D. (0:01:17) Al: Oh we will be mean. There will be lots of mean because these people don’t exist. (0:01:22) Kev: that’s I thought you were gonna say see people are awful and I was gonna agree (0:01:28) Kev: Amen. (0:01:30) Al: We’re going to talk about a bunch of news. There’s quite a bit of news this week. (0:01:36) Al: But first of all, Kevin, what have you been up to? (0:01:39) Kev: uh i’ve been not much game wise to be honest i’m busy (0:01:44) Kev: trying to grind away at work as I can but anyways i’m in the brief moments i (0:01:48) Kev: do more well you know what forget all this (0:01:50) Kev: let’s get into marvel snapcast because you’ve been playing it too I know (0:01:54) Kev: you’ve been doing really well because holy mackerel you hit infinite like in a (0:01:58) Kev: week it’s insane insanity (0:02:02) Kev: um you know marvel snap is good I have been (0:02:06) Kev: I have not progressed it like i’ve been going back and forth not (0:02:09) Kev: stopped in the 70s but i’m still having a blast a lot of great cards this season (0:02:14) Kev: move is getting some love I like the spider people’s um yeah marvel snap’s good which uh (0:02:22) Al: Well, yeah, I don’t disagree with you there, because yeah, I’ve fallen off a little bit (0:02:23) Kev: what are you doing over there in snap world (0:02:29) Al: the last kind of week or so, purely because I’m not really sure what I want to do now (0:02:34) Al: that I’m at infinite. (0:02:35) Kev: Yeah, that’s fair. (0:02:36) Kev: I live in the conquest mode, but I’m only- (0:02:39) Kev: I can’t mainly do it because I want the- (0:02:41) Kev: Like, if I want the, you know, the big reward variant or whatever. (0:02:45) Kev: And I like it, it’s a duck walk in a suit, I think it’s snazzy. (0:02:45) Al: Yeah. (0:02:48) Kev: I’ll probably go for it if I can. (0:03:00) Kev: yep it is you know that’s super fair um I have been like in the last match and lost it you know (0:03:10) Kev: the last one before hitting infinite or final infinite one or whatever um it’s it is rough it (0:03:17) Kev: is um so yeah I know you’re right yeah kind of girl ears um oh my gosh the more I think about it (0:03:18) Al: It’s like a roguelite. But overall I’m still really enjoying, overall I’m still really (0:03:29) Al: enjoying Snap. I’m loving the idea, like different strategies and stuff like that. And yeah, (0:03:34) Al: as you mentioned, I’ve hit infinite for my, for the first time this season, which is, (0:03:38) Kev: Clap, clap, clap. Good for you. (0:03:41) Al: is fun. Yeah, I honestly never thought I would get to this point. So it’s, it’s fun to be (0:03:46) Kev: And there you go and the cool thing is it’s you know, relatively easy, you know next season cuz you’ll just be down to 70 (0:03:54) Al: Mm. Yeah, yeah, I. (0:03:54) Kev: You only have to go 30 levels not a huge climb (0:03:58) Kev: So yeah, good on you man. Um (0:04:02) Kev: Marvel snap aside (0:04:04) Kev: Sorry, go ahead (0:04:05) Al: No, no, I yeah, no, you go. (0:04:06) Kev: Okay. Okay, Marvel snap aside. Um, I’m continue to plays endless zone zero the (0:04:13) Kev: will you overst… er… er… (0:04:18) Kev: I don’t know what to call this, but it’s kind of become a daily for me because you can log in and if you want you can just do your dailies in like 5 minutes or so. (0:04:28) Kev: Because it’s really easy really quick. (0:04:32) Kev: It’s interesting to be in a game as it’s just releasing content, you know, it’s still early on. (0:04:38) Kev: There’s 3 chapters of the main story and I completed them all right so I’m just kind of… (0:04:44) Kev: my wheels, but I’m just dedicating time to improving my character. (0:04:46) Kev: It’s still not spent any money on it, but it is a game that works well for me to get in and just zone out, or whatever, and just push buttons and whatnot. (0:05:04) Kev: Yeah, that’s it. I know there’s a new chapter coming, I think they’re saying, but yeah, that’s it. (0:05:16) Kev: It’s a good style. What about you, what’s going on, other than Snapworld? (0:05:20) Al: Yeah, well, I just want to say you’ve not spent any money on that game unlike Marvel (0:05:24) Al: Snap. (0:05:26) Kev: Oh my god. Oh, I don’t want to talk, oh. (0:05:29) Al: Look, just think about what you get from it though, the amount of fun you get from it. (0:05:30) Kev: If I think about that for one second, just try to even consider how much I spent on Snapworld. Nope. (0:05:38) Kev: Were mistakes made? I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like a mistake. (0:05:42) Kev: I I do have down a lot of good for it, but (0:05:46) Al: I try and limit myself to just the season pass. (0:05:46) Kev: Yeah, me too, especially in this day and age. (0:05:51) Al: Nothing more, but I always pay for the more expensive season pass. (0:05:58) Al: Also, when I say try to, I don’t… I haven’t. (0:06:02) Al: I haven’t just stick to the season pass, but I try to. (0:06:02) Kev: Yeah. Yeah, me too. Rarely. Yeah, I agree. I haven’t done it since getting unemployed (0:06:05) Al: Most seasons, I just do the season pass. (0:06:08) Al: But yeah, there have been a few good pass packs that I’ve purchased for a fiver or whatever. (0:06:17) Kev: because obviously, but beforehand, yeah, no. And there were some that I had to like, “Oh, (0:06:17) Al: Well, yeah, yeah. (0:06:23) Kev: my rule of force.” It’s those cheap ones, you know, like the $10 one. Like, “Oh, man, (0:06:26) Al: Yeah, yeah (0:06:27) Kev: look at all this bull and the bull.” They get ya. (0:06:29) Al: Yeah, they’re dangerous (0:06:31) Al: Look, I’ve put in way less money into snap than I have into Pokemon go. So so that’s okay, right? (0:06:32) Kev: You know what? Yes. Wait, wait. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Either way, you look at it. Yes. I haven’t (0:06:44) Kev: put any money in going. I’m proud of myself for that. So, you know. (0:06:47) Al: It’s a wise a wise decision (0:06:51) Al: What else have I been playing I have played and completed astrobot the new (0:06:56) Al: the new astrobot game which is just called astrobot. It’s confusing because (0:07:03) Al: they have astros playroom which was the free one that came with the ps5 and they (0:07:09) Al: have astrobot which is the new one that came out but they also have what was the (0:07:13) Al: other one called there was a psVR one ask no it wasn’t astrobot rescue mission (0:07:16) Kev: Wasn’t Playroom the VR one? (0:07:20) Al: that’s the VR one. I haven’t played that one but (0:07:21) Kev: Oh. (0:07:26) Al: yeah whatever. Astrobot is so fun it’s basically like it feels like a cross (0:07:33) Al: between Mario Galaxy and Mario Sunshine and I think it it’s a really nice (0:07:39) Al: crossover between those two things and it does a really nice job of every (0:07:47) Al: level feels the right length it feels like everything comes back just enough (0:07:53) Al: that you don’t get sick of anything (0:07:56) Al: like you don’t go, oh, not another one of these levels. (0:07:59) Al: And the game is a good length, I think. (0:08:02) Al: So I’ve 100%ed it, and I’ve got the Platinum trophy. (0:08:06) Al: And I think it took me about 35 hours, which (0:08:08) Al: feels like a good length to me. (0:08:11) Al: It’s not a super difficult game, but there (0:08:14) Al: are a few levels that are, if you (0:08:17) Al: want to 100% it, that are quite difficult and difficult (0:08:23) Al: platforming challenges. (0:08:27) Al: Kind of think about it like with Mario Wonder, (0:08:30) Al: most of it was reasonably easy, like not difficult. (0:08:34) Al: But there was a few right at the very end (0:08:37) Al: after the main story that were super challenging. (0:08:40) Al: But you didn’t need to do them to complete the story. (0:08:42) Kev: Okay, it’s curvy-ish in nature, um, that’s cool. (0:08:42) Al: It’s kind of like that. (0:08:46) Al: Yeah, yeah, yeah. (0:08:48) Al: No, I really think it’s super fun. (0:08:50) Al: And I mean, it’s a big PlayStation nostalgia fest. (0:08:56) Al: Like, you’re collecting bots that are all old characters (0:08:56) Kev: Yeah, it’s… it’s a shame that Sony fails to protect their legacy, though. (0:09:00) Al: and stuff like that. (0:09:06) Kev: You saw that tweet, right? (0:09:10) Kev: Okay, what? So, I didn’t understand. Are those just little… what are those characters? (0:09:16) Kev: Are they skins or are they just hanging out somewhere? Like, I don’t… you know? (0:09:20) Al: So there are other bots that you have to save who help run your ship, and some of them just (0:09:24) Kev: Okay. (0:09:26) Kev: Okay, I see. (0:09:26) Al: happen to look like characters in games. The best part about it is you’ve got, (0:09:32) Al: obviously, you’ve got Crash Bandicoot. There’s a Crash Bandicoot one. There’s an (0:09:36) Kev: Yeah, of course. (0:09:37) Al: Eloy from Horizon 1. There’s loads of other ones that I were like, “Okay, (0:09:40) Kev: Mm-hmm. (0:09:42) Al: I kind of vaguely know what that is.” There’s a Pyramid Head one. (0:09:44) Kev: Mm-hmm. (0:09:48) Al: It feels like the whole- (0:09:50) Al: The whole rest of the game is very much like kind of cutesy kidsy and then you’ve got this (0:09:55) Al: bot dressed up as pyramid head (0:09:58) Kev: Uh, well, you know, he was already in a, in a Bomberman game and his cute cartoony chibi. (0:10:06) Kev: So, okay. (0:10:07) Al: But it’s quite funny because they don’t name most of them right they have these like kind of funny names (0:10:14) Al: that kind of try and (0:10:16) Al: explain something about them without actually using the name. (0:10:20) Al: So it’s a little bit weird in that it feels kind of, I heard someone describe it, it was kind of like they’re using it without the rights to the characters. (0:10:28) Al: So it’s like a legally distinct sort of thing and the pyramid head one is he’s called the executioner. (0:10:28) Kev: okay (0:10:31) Kev: okay okay (0:10:37) Kev: why are just calling him that? (0:10:39) Al: Yeah, it’s very funny, but. (0:10:43) Kev: oh my gosh I just saw him call threat us dad of boy (0:10:46) Kev: and hgs boy (0:10:46) Al: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. (0:10:48) Kev: that’s incredible (0:10:50) Al: Well, exactly. It’s stuff like that. It’s just very funny, silly stuff. (0:10:54) Al: I’m trying to think what else it was. Oh yeah, Thor was Thunder God. (0:10:58) Al: And it’s not like the– Aloy was Machine Hunter. (0:11:02) Al: It’s not like they didn’t have the rights to these characters. (0:11:04) Al: They are. They’re characters. Right? Like, but it’s, yeah. (0:11:04) Kev: - Yeah, yeah. (0:11:09) Al: Nathan Drake is Raider Dude. (0:11:12) Kev: Yep (0:11:14) Al: So yeah, it’s really fun. I enjoyed it a lot. (0:11:17) Al: I would really OK, I would recommend. (0:11:20) Al: I would recommend it to anybody who has a PS5. (0:11:22) Al: If you have a PS5, I don’t think you have a good reason not to buy this game. (0:11:26) Al: If you don’t have a PS5, obviously do not buy a PS5 for this game. (0:11:30) Kev: Why would you do that when you could buy the PS5 Pro for this age? (0:11:37) Kev: Well, the one with the old colors. (0:11:43) Al: Oh, it just I didn’t even notice this at the time, but they have a Boku from Boku no Natsuya Sumi. (0:11:49) Kev: Oh, wow, there you go. There’s your cottage core (0:11:56) Al: All right. Cool. I think that’s I think I’m probably done talking to Astro about now. (0:12:01) Al: Three episodes in a row. That’s probably enough for you listeners. (0:12:06) Al: Cool. So we get into some news then. (0:12:08) Kev: Yeah, I guess so. Legally obligated to. Like, no one. (0:12:13) Al: We have. First of all, Orange Season have announced that there are 1.0 releases coming on the 24th of October. (0:12:21) Kev: Okay, all right. (0:12:25) Kev: Which one’s hard? (0:12:25) Kev: Wait, is that this one or you’re growing orange trees, right? (0:12:29) Al: I don’t think it’s like specifically growing just oranges. I think it’s a standard farming game. (0:12:34) Kev: Oh, okay. (0:12:35) Al: This is the one that had like a longer name and they renamed it. It was something something Orange (0:12:38) Kev: Okay. (0:12:39) Al: season rather than and then they renamed it to just orange season (0:12:41) Kev: Oh. (0:12:43) Kev: Oh, I… (0:12:44) Al: Yeah, it just feels like a pretty standard farming game there’s nothing about this that’s like oh, I must get this (0:12:47) Kev: Yes. (0:12:50) Al: - Yes. (0:12:51) Kev: Obviously, this is an us problem, because we’re the ones (0:12:51) Al: the (0:12:54) Kev: always reading the news and whatever, so we’re the ones who feel the fatigue. (0:12:58) Kev: Oh, it’s so rough, when, you know, it’s hard to stand out, like, (0:13:02) Kev: I feel so bad that I feel- (0:13:04) Kev: so unexcited or you know like it is this one’s very paint-by-the-numbers farming. (0:13:12) Al: Woofed apparently the first early access version of this was (0:13:18) Kev: Aw, sick. (0:13:20) Kev: Oh, good times. (0:13:22) Kev: Good time. (0:13:24) Kev: Well, hey, it made it. I will say that it did make it. (0:13:26) Al: Next we have Petite Island, have released a story trailer for the game. This is definitely (0:13:39) Al: not Animal Crossing. I mean it looks nice blah blah blah, too many games. (0:13:42) Kev: It’s, it’s animal intercession. (0:13:46) Kev: Aww. (0:13:48) Kev: Let me see. (0:13:50) Kev: Yeah. (0:13:52) Kev: They have, what is that? (0:13:54) Kev: Calico cat? Is that what it’s called? (0:13:56) Kev: It’s a cute, it is a cute cat. I’ll say that. (0:14:00) Kev: Oh my gosh, I don’t understand. (0:14:02) Kev: Did you have to go for the island motif? (0:14:04) Kev: You, you horizons cave out. (0:14:09) Al: Everything has to be an island or a valley, or both. (0:14:12) Kev: Oh gosh. All right. (0:14:14) Al: Next we have Paleo Pines. (0:14:16) Kev: Oh, oh wait, this one I care about, actually. (0:14:18) Al: New DLCs and a new update coming out (0:14:21) Al: on the 26th of September. (0:14:22) Kev: What are we getting? (0:14:26) Kev: Two deals. Wait, they’re playing it. (0:14:30) Kev: Michael Jackson’s Thriller is to Michael. (0:14:34) Kev: The trailer is to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. (0:14:36) Al: I don’t think they’ve announced anything about them. I’m just looking at their news. All I see is the names and then the announcement that they’re coming on the 26th. So we’ll see. (0:14:38) Kev: I didn’t expect that. (0:14:40) Kev: Oh, spooky stuffs, I guess. (0:14:48) Kev: Mm-hmm, okay (0:14:55) Kev: Okay, they’re probably just in-game events then adding new holidays or something. That’s probably what it is. All right, cool cool cool (0:15:00) Al: Yeah. We’ll see. We’ll keep you up to date when we get more information. (0:15:07) Al: Next, an update that we do have more information on. Gogotown, their major content update is now out. I think we recorded last time like four hours before it came out. So we didn’t have a lot of information. (0:15:18) Kev: Of course, of course. (0:15:21) Al: But yeah, we do have more information now. The biggest question I had was how the redoing of the industry zones works and you can basically decide how much space and how many on industry zones you have. (0:15:37) Al: Which is cool. I’m still not sure because I haven’t actually booted up the game since they’ve updated it. I’m still not sure how that affects the literal cave that exists and whether you can move that or not. (0:15:48) Kev: Mm-Hmm (0:15:50) Kev: Huh. (0:15:51) Al: But the rest of it makes sense. I guess you can just go. This is an area where we have mining and this is the area where we have trees and stuff like that. And more importantly, these are the places we have farming. (0:16:04) Kev: I’ll wait for 1.0 and this is good news, it sounds like stuff that’s good for 1.0. (0:16:04) Al: because they pointed out like you could set up one farm for animals. (0:16:06) Al: And a lot of crops, for example, so that’s cool. (0:16:10) Al: I need to spend some time with this update and see how it actually feels. (0:16:21) Al: Yeah, yeah. (0:16:22) Al: And they’ve added a bunch of expanded areas which you can purchase as you go, which is cool. (0:16:28) Al: And we got more information about the subways as well, so they’ve added in subways. (0:16:33) Al: It’s a little bit weird in that it’s very much. (0:16:36) Al: Clearly meant to be like a train subway, but you just walk in and then you walk out of a different exit to get to a different place. (0:16:44) Al: So it’s just kind of, it’s not even going to, it’s not even pretending that you’re actually getting on a train, which is a little bit weird, but simplest, probably implementation. (0:16:50) Kev: can’t they at least can’t they can’t they at least throw in the spider-man the metro (0:17:02) Al: Yeah, exactly, exactly. (0:17:03) Kev: little cutscenes in between (0:17:06) Al: Um, and the, the bike place spaces and the car parks are pretty cool. (0:17:13) Al: Uh, I noticed that they have a way to be able to summon vehicles that aren’t a (0:17:17) Al: specific one, which is nice as well. (0:17:18) Al: So if you’ve lost a vehicle or you’re on the other side of a map. (0:17:24) Kev: No, that’s great. (0:17:25) Kev: Alright. (0:17:27) Al: Yeah I think that’s the main three things. There’s a bunch of other kind of extra (0:17:31) Al: content and stuff but yeah I definitely need to need to try this out. (0:17:36) Kev: Mm-hmm (0:17:36) Al: Next we have Moonstone Island. We’re getting all our favorite games today. (0:17:43) Al: The festivals update is coming on the 30th of September and this has, can you guess, new (0:17:49) Al: festivals! There’s also some new spirits. I feel like this is one really good thing about… (0:17:50) Kev: Wow. Blowing my mind here, Al. (0:17:57) Al: they seem to add in a new spirit every update no matter how big the update is. (0:18:02) Kev: Yeah, it does like so (0:18:05) Kev: Okay, I think I’ve discussed this before like I wish I I appreciate them putting the work in love for it (0:18:13) Kev: But I’d rather they just make the spirit and hold off till they can release like kind of them at once (0:18:18) Al: interesting. Why do you say so? (0:18:19) Kev: Yeah, I like okay. Well, you know what? It’s honestly like going back (0:18:24) Kev: Let’s say that’s the motivating factor for me, right? Like I like to collect the spirits, right? Just going back for one (0:18:29) Kev: I don’t know. It feels very (0:18:32) Kev: Whatever because it’s not like anything any sort of special event fruit or whatever. You just it’s a random counter in the wild, you know (0:18:40) Kev: It’s a very small thing to look forward to whereas if it’s a ten (0:18:44) Kev: Okay, that’s at least a little more to to go through and motivate me getting getting them (0:18:46) Al: Yeah, so this this one’s four specifically (0:18:51) Kev: Okay, all right, um, the designs are usually good though, so I’m looking forward to see what they are (0:18:57) Kev: One big thing (0:18:58) Al: The the cooking update also get added for I’m just checking the previous ones as well (0:19:00) Kev: - Yeah. (0:19:02) Kev: I don’t know, well, it’s been a few updates, (0:19:04) Kev: so maybe I will check it out soon. (0:19:06) Kev: No, why not? (0:19:07) Al: Yeah if you’ve not if you’ve not played it since the first version it definitely feels like it’s (0:19:08) Kev: Maybe it’ll feel like 10. (0:19:11) Al: It’s a good time to jump in (0:19:13) Kev: Yeah, but honestly, the biggest problem for me (0:19:16) Kev: with Moonstone Island and their updates, (0:19:18) Kev: like it just, I don’t know, (0:19:21) Kev: it almost doesn’t make sense to me how they’re doing it, (0:19:26) Kev: because all their updates feel very like, (0:19:29) Kev: you know, the Cottagecore focus on decorations (0:19:33) Kev: and festivals and things like that, right? (0:19:35) Kev: But the game is still so very, like, (0:19:38) Kev: plot mode or objective motivated, let me say that. (0:19:43) Kev: And they haven’t really added more missions (0:19:45) Kev: or post-game things like that, (0:19:46) Al: Hmm (0:19:47) Kev: just left to decorate your house. (0:19:50) Kev: And like, and spirits, right? (0:19:53) Kev: Like, so, you know, you collect the spirits, (0:19:57) Kev: but I guess you have them, and that’s it, I guess. (0:20:00) Kev: I don’t know. (0:20:02) Kev: Oh, cool, now I see the little image (0:20:04) Kev: of the spirits being added on those mitten, that’s good. (0:20:08) Kev: But I don’t know, yeah, that’s all I really want, (0:20:10) Kev: more than anything from Moonstone Island, (0:20:12) Kev: you know, something actually to work towards (0:20:14) Kev: or to feel like to use my spirits for. (0:20:16) Al: Yeah, so it looks like it it looks like one of the so I’ve just gone through all the updates (0:20:18) Kev: Yeah, because, mm-hmm. (0:20:23) Al: since they released. One of them had three and all the others had four. So, yeah, it (0:20:24) Kev: Yeah. (0:20:27) Kev: Okay, all right, well, that’s a decent number altogether. (0:20:29) Al: doesn’t feel like a ridiculously low number to go with each update for but. (0:20:32) Kev: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I agree. (0:20:36) Kev: All right, but it is what it is. (0:20:38) Kev: I’m glad the game’s still being worked on, I’d still give it. (0:20:43) Al: Next, we have Seasons Spree. We talked about this at some point. I can’t remember when. (0:20:49) Al: I know we talked about it because it’s on my wish list. It’s out now, so if you care (0:20:57) Al: about this game, which again, definitely not Animal Crossing. I think it does do one interesting (0:21:04) Kev: how gosh one of the first things (0:21:07) Al: thing. It says that you control the flow of time just by walking around. (0:21:12) Kev: That’s okay, I don’t know I’m looking at it like it’s around spherical world (0:21:18) Al: Yeah, but that seems to be your progressing time as you’re moving left and right. (0:21:23) Kev: Yeah (0:21:25) Kev: Then that is an interesting mechanic. I will say that (0:21:30) Kev: So I wonder how well they utilize that (0:21:34) Kev: That is interesting (0:21:37) Kev: But are you excited for a cozy world because that’s one of the first things pieces of text in the trailer (0:21:41) Al: I love a cosy world nothing makes me more excited to be game than cosy world. (0:21:43) Kev: Wow (0:21:47) Kev: There you go, well season sprees got you covered don’t you worry (0:21:54) Al: We also have a steam page up for my time at ever shine now with a lot more information (0:22:00) Al: it’s very funny because they announced that this game was coming with no information and (0:22:04) Al: then like a week later the steam page is up with paragraphs and paragraphs and like ten (0:22:11) Al: different videos and screenshots of what’s happening in the game. (0:22:14) Kev: You know, I kind of like that, actually, like that, you know, (0:22:19) Kev: the first announcement isn’t a proper teaser, actually, right? (0:22:23) Kev: Like just if there’s a thing and we just wonder (0:22:26) Kev: and then they drop all the information. (0:22:28) Kev: I like that. That’s you. (0:22:29) Al: But like a week though, that feels really fast. (0:22:32) Kev: Oh, you’re right. OK. Weak is fast. You’re right. (0:22:35) Kev: But in general, I like the strength, but I like you. (0:22:39) Kev: Well, but hey, hey, what really matters? (0:22:42) Kev: You know what? Everyone wants to hear out. (0:22:45) Kev: The biggest announcement they’re developing (0:22:47) Kev: for currently unannounced Nintendo platforms. (0:22:50) Al: Oh no, I didn’t want to talk about this! (0:22:54) Kev: Oh, you thought you were going to get away with me on here? (0:22:54) Al: Oh my word, I forgot all about this. (0:22:56) Kev: It’s just. But. (0:22:58) Al: Okay, right, so, so many articles popped up and like, “Oh, (0:23:05) Al: first game confirmed for the Switch 2. Oh, we’ve got Switch 2 game!” (0:23:10) Al: And you’re like, “Okay, well let me read what they’ve actually said.” What they’ve (0:23:13) Al: said is, “We are committed to releasing this on the next (0:23:17) Al: Nintendo console and you’re like (0:23:20) Al: that is not first of all shut up secondly that is not anything like what you’re saying it is (0:23:28) Al: and thirdly it’s not even the first game that said that there are many games that have said (0:23:33) Al: they’re going to do that this is not a first it made it sound like it was an official announcement (0:23:40) Al: about the new console and it was nothing like that. (0:23:40) Kev: Yeah (0:23:45) Kev: Search to announce through my time at ever seen update (0:23:51) Al: I’m just- the good- the interesting thing about this- (0:23:53) Kev: Still more games than the PlayStation 5 already. I just want to say (0:24:00) Al: I mean half of the- so there’s only like 20 exclusive ps5 games and half of them are remakes. (0:24:06) Kev: Sick (0:24:08) Al: What was I saying? Yes, so the interesting thing about My Time at Evershine is that they do appear (0:24:14) Al: to be using a new character model which looks like much more like actual humans. (0:24:18) Al: Thank you very much. (0:24:21) Kev: Wow, I want to step up. (0:24:22) Al: Proper dimensions and proportions. (0:24:25) Al: I mean, I think it is. (0:24:26) Al: I think they look much better like this. (0:24:29) Al: I think some people probably prefer the previous character models. (0:24:30) Kev: No, I get what you’re saying. (0:24:32) Kev: Yeah, I get what you’re saying, (0:24:34) Kev: but it just, it also can sound like (0:24:36) Kev: they were using freak abominations before. (0:24:40) Al: They did have very big heads in the previous game. (0:24:41) Kev: Yeah, oh no, those, yeah. (0:24:44) Kev: Those are people, people, all right. (0:24:46) Kev: Wow, that’s a Breath of the Wild. (0:24:48) Kev: Wow. That’s good. (0:24:50) Kev: Breath of the Wild with dofers with hats on there. (0:24:53) Kev: Okay. Okay. Oh. (0:24:54) Al: I mean, I’ll be honest, unless they’ve fundamentally changed how the crafting works, I’m not playing (0:25:00) Kev: Yeah, no, I mean, it’s like, oh my gosh, I don’t know how to feel about this. (0:25:05) Kev: Okay, it feels, I don’t know, and going more in a normal portion, it almost feels a little more generic. (0:25:12) Al: Yeah, that’s fair. That’s fair (0:25:12) Kev: Um, uh, here we go, my time at power, non, non-loss-suit edition. (0:25:14) Al: You (0:25:22) Kev: Let’s, uh, okay, well, there you go. (0:25:24) Al: All right, well, we also have some new games because the list of new games is never ending. (0:25:33) Al: First of all, we have The Last Farmer. (0:25:36) Al: The Last Farmer is not just a tale of survival. (0:25:40) Al: It’s a journey of restoration amidst the sprawling deserts of a forgotten Texas. (0:25:45) Al: I mean, don’t we all wish Texas was forgotten? (0:25:48) Kev: Okay. Oh, oh wow. Wow. This is not what I expected. Sorry, I just clicked on the little. It’s not (0:25:48) Al: Your farm becomes a symbol of hope and persistence. (0:25:59) Kev: the aesthetic I expected at all. No, no, I didn’t. Oh, no. The local looks like (0:26:00) Al: You didn’t expect, you didn’t expect a zombie game? (0:26:05) Al: And oh, my word, there’s the. (0:26:11) Al: Zombies, just listen to this sentence. (0:26:15) Al: Zombies can be processed into fertilizer, helping you restore the fertility of the dead land. (0:26:22) Al: You have a literal meat grinder that you put a zombie on and it turns it into (0:26:27) Al: fertilizer and it does not. (0:26:30) Al: It does not hide away what it’s doing. (0:26:32) Kev: Aww, it’s SICK. (0:26:32) Al: It is like so clear what is this. Horrific. (0:26:35) Kev: That’s kind of sick. That’ll, you know, leaning in all the way. (0:26:39) Kev: Oh my gosh, so… oh my god. (0:26:42) Kev: I’m just… still recovering from the sh… the jump scare I got you from, but that, like, jump scare just completely unexpected. (0:26:53) Kev: So when they say “the last farmer,” they mean “the last of us farmer.” (0:26:58) Kev: that’s what they mean because that’s that is the aesthetic that’s (0:26:58) Al: - Yeah, yeah, that’s pretty much what it is. (0:27:02) Kev: the local that is what they’re saying you are the last of us (0:27:05) Kev: far oh wow (0:27:06) Al: Farming is only part of survival. You’ll need to craft tools and firearms to defend yourself and maintain your farm. (0:27:12) Al: Resources can be processed into biofuel, which is vital for keeping your operation running and surviving in this harsh state. (0:27:12) Kev: there you go (0:27:20) Kev: there you go (0:27:23) Kev: oh okay (0:27:24) Kev: you got me oh my god okay (0:27:26) Kev: sorry I just looked at the next link and I got another bitch hah! (0:27:29) Al: All right well let’s go on to the next one then. Uh cast away. Retrieve your weapons. Face bosses (0:27:35) Kev: Oh my gosh. (0:27:35) Al: to save your dog in a retro adventure focused on three dungeons. Finish the story mode to unlock (0:27:41) Al: the survivor mode. A 50 floor death tower. You’ll enjoy classic mechanics, charming visual style, (0:27:46) Al: and enchanting soundtrack. Um is this not actually farming? I don’t think this is farming at all is (0:27:52) Al: it? Why did I add this into the list? Is there no farming in this at all? I’m sure. (0:27:53) Kev: No, I don’t. I’m looking at it. (0:27:59) Al: I added this in for a reason. (0:28:01) Kev: Like, I’m looking, I’m playing the trailer. I don’t know. (0:28:04) Al: Nope I don’t know how this managed to get in there but (0:28:08) Kev: I don’t know why you added a… (0:28:10) Al: it’s a Zelda game. (0:28:11) Kev: It is not just a Zelda game. It is the Link’s Awakening. It is the power of the equivalent (0:28:17) Al: Yeah yeah. (0:28:20) Kev: of Link’s Awakening. (0:28:23) Kev: Wow, they’re character, it’s just Breath of the Wild Link, wow, wow, okay, boy I hope you’d (0:28:28) Al: You know what, I think I probably did. (0:28:29) Kev: yeah, I don’t blame you, like that’s a common trope for us, well I hope they don’t have (0:28:30) Al: I probably saw the word cast away and just assumed it was a farming game. (0:28:41) Kev: any mechanics that are plantive, oh, okay, what’s next, is the next one actually Cottage (0:28:44) Al: This one’s definitely Cottagecore. We have Artisan Story. Aspiring to be the best artisan (0:28:47) Kev: Club. Oh, oh, yeah, story. (0:28:53) Kev: You know it, you know it, it’s. (0:28:58) Al: in the world are young artisans are opening their workshop complete with a monster ranch. (0:29:03) Al: Monsters from the dungeon tend to your fan. I mean, it’s Rune Factory, right? (0:29:08) Kev: It’s- It- Every- You- You’ve ruined the genre for me, Al. Every game is just a Yahtzee of other games now. This is just a ruined factory. (0:29:16) Al: Sorry. (0:29:18) Kev: Hahaha. (0:29:22) Al: Is this how this podcast dies? (0:29:24) Al: With a whimper of the hahaha. (0:29:26) Kev: Oh, that was, that was without question. (0:29:30) Kev: What’s, oh, what’s, what’s the gummy guy game, the gummy bum drop guy? (0:29:36) Kev: I can’t remember physics based one. (0:29:38) Al: Oh, yes, Southfield, yes. (0:29:44) Kev: what is it called southfield i’m gonna go look at southfield to see what it’s just as (0:29:49) Al: Make yourself feel better. (0:29:54) Kev: verbal drink for my eyes because oh my goodness this is this is a rune factory what’s the artist (0:29:59) Kev: oh my gosh and the name it’s uh we’re just oh my gosh (0:30:06) Al: So you’re not excited about this? (0:30:08) Kev: oh but you know the worst part is it looks it it actually looks or at least (0:30:14) Kev: the trailer like I you know assuming I don’t know if this all the in-game or whatever but (0:30:18) Kev: it does look um the visual presentation is nice they’re kind of going for the octopath (0:30:24) Kev: 2.5 d what are you gonna call it right with kind of flat sprites whatever yeah with flat (0:30:26) Al: 2d HD or what? Yeah (0:30:30) Kev: sprites on a uh a uh 3d world um so oh my gosh some of the monster designs that I mean they (0:30:38) Kev: they work well but they’re they’re just ripping off other things it’s the characters that get me (0:30:44) Kev: those are just rune factory I mean you know it doesn’t help rune factories already (0:30:48) Kev: never gets into those designs but oh my gosh it’s clear what we’re going for oh (0:30:52) Al: Alright, let’s finish off the new games with Luma Island. (0:30:59) Kev: we need a section of new games in quotes and actually new games (0:31:04) Kev: uh (0:31:04) Al: Oh yeah look, it’s another island. Travel to Luma Island to go on an epic adventure by yourself (0:31:10) Al: or with your friends and family. Build your dream farm, master professions, collect magical (0:31:17) Al: lumas, find treasures and unravel the mysteries of the island. (0:31:21) Kev: Finally, we can build our dream farm and unravel missions of an island. (0:31:26) Al: I will say I quite like the the graphics in this game. It is the art style, it’s kind of, (0:31:32) Al: It feels like it’s trying to do. (0:31:34) Al: I’m going to do pixel art in three. (0:31:37) Kev: Yeah, yeah, I can see what you’re saying. Yeah, I can go where it reminds me of fabled them a little less cartoony (0:31:43) Kev: Um, like you said, I think yeah the pixel heart and 3d kind of like rounded fully rounded (0:31:48) Kev: I can kind of I see what you’re saying (0:31:51) Kev: Um, it it does look nice the visuals. Um (0:31:55) Kev: You know nothing like it’s not super (0:31:58) Kev: Super stylized the characters are fine, but it looks nice. It’s it’s well done. I’ll say that right. Um, and we can rotate the camera (0:32:06) Kev: I like that. (0:32:06) Al: Yeah, I hate how, I hate how every scene is just the camera constantly rotating, I’m feeling (0:32:07) Kev: I’ll say this. (0:32:08) Kev: I… (0:32:09) Kev: Yeah it is. (0:32:10) Kev: Yeah you can. (0:32:11) Kev: I get it. (0:32:12) Kev: You’re right. (0:32:13) Kev: You’re sober. (0:32:14) Kev: I appreciate… (0:32:15) Kev: Like I said before, I appreciate it when they go for 3D because, or generally speaking, (0:32:25) Kev: I do. (0:32:26) Kev: Looking at you, artist in story. (0:32:28) Kev: Because it’s so easy to do a Stardew clone. (0:32:32) Kev: But it looks nice. (0:32:34) Kev: I’ll say that. (0:32:36) Kev: Feels very like a san- (0:32:37) Kev: boxy sort of game, I don’t know what a luma is, but uh, there you go, luma, I’m- (0:32:40) Al: Uh, it’s the, the, the star from Mario. (0:32:44) Al: » [LAUGH] (0:32:44) Kev: I d- I’ve no- I was- I- I probably make a joke, but I lost the train in my head, so. (0:32:52) Kev: But yeah. Where’s that game? Where is this? (0:32:54) Al: I… well Mario farming game. A Luma farming game. (0:32:57) Kev: Ye- oh, yes. Tour, I don’t know. (0:33:01) Kev: Lu- yeah, why not? (0:33:03) Al: You’re just… you’re playing as Rosalina and you’re breeding Lumas, (0:33:03) Kev: Somebody’s gotta grow crops on that spaceship. (0:33:07) Kev: You know, I hate how much I love that concept of fiction. (0:33:10) Al: sending them off in to make stars. (0:33:17) Kev: Well, that’d be great. (0:33:19) Kev: Well, I’d love a game just running the starship, whatever, the observatory, whatever, with Rosalina. (0:33:27) Kev: Oh my gosh, that’d be great. (0:33:28) Al: all right there we go that’s that’s the only one that I’m looking at out of this (0:33:29) Kev: Thank you, Luma Island, for giving us that concept. (0:33:33) Kev: - Okay. (0:33:36) Al: list and going I could see myself playing (0:33:38) Kev: » Yeah, that is by far the best one, (0:33:40) Kev: because it’s the only one that’s not complete knockoff of something else. (0:33:45) Kev: » Yep, we had Last of Us, Link’s Awakening, and Rune Factory. (0:33:51) Kev: New entry synapse for them. (0:33:54) Al: All right, so that’s all the news and the new games. We are now going to do our Stardew (0:33:54) Kev: » [SOUND] (0:33:59) Kev: » Okay. (0:34:01) Al: character tier list. A few ground rules for this. First of all, it is every single character (0:34:03) Kev: » Tier list. (0:34:05) Kev: OK, so– (0:34:07) Kev: That’s the sign for you listeners to, you know, turn us off. (0:34:10) Kev: Lest you, you know, hear our awful, awful opinions. (0:34:18) Kev: OK. (0:34:20) Al: in Stardew, every single one. (0:34:21) Kev: All right. (0:34:24) Al: Secondly, we’re going to do this as there’s five tiers. There’s S, A, B, C, and D. (0:34:31) Al: We’re just going to argue about it until we agree on something. Some of them I think will be pretty (0:34:35) Al: obvious, but there might be some that we have to kind of disagree on and argue and finally get to (0:34:40) Kev: - All right, sure. (0:34:41) Al: decision. And just for listeners, if you’re hearing this part of the podcast, that’s because (0:34:47) Al: I got the video successful. We are hopefully going to have a video of this, of Bill (0:34:54) Al: building the tier list. We’ll see if it works or not, but I am sharing my screen with Kevin. (0:35:01) Al: He can see what I’m doing, and we’re going to build up this tier list together. (0:35:05) Al: If that doesn’t work, there’ll be an image of the tier list as well. I mean, there’ll be an image (0:35:09) Al: of the tier list either way, because can’t make people watch the video just to see the visual of (0:35:14) Al: it. But yeah, we’ll see how that goes. Okay, so we’re starting off. We’re just going to take this (0:35:18) Kev: Okay, let’s do this. (0:35:22) Al: in the order that they have them. (0:35:24) Al: in this list. First up we have Abigail. (0:35:26) Al: Oh, it may be alphabetical, yeah. (0:35:26) Kev: uh I think this is this alphabetical I don’t know whatever i’m at evergills (0:35:33) Kev: she’s fine I guess we I don’t know i’m pretty indifferent (0:35:38) Al: I’m thinking A, personally, because she eats rocks. (0:35:40) Kev: okay (0:35:45) Kev: wow I don’t remember that detail a for sure (0:35:49) Al: I think she’s fun, and she’s a little bit weird, and I like weird. (0:35:53) Kev: Yeah, you know, you know what? Hold on, I’m remembering. (0:35:57) Kev: He’s the product of an affair, basically, right? (0:35:59) Kev: That’s the implication we’re getting. (0:36:03) Kev: So, you know what? (0:36:03) Al: She literally, you give her amethyst and she will eat the amethyst. (0:36:06) Kev: Oh, oh, oh, that’s right! (0:36:08) Al: Like, it’s not even, it’s not even hinted at. It is very clear she eats the amethyst. (0:36:10) Kev: All right, A tier for that alone. (0:36:16) Kev: Yep, I’m down for it. (0:36:16) Al: And I love that. Okay, cool. Alex. He is the jock. Um, I will say the one thing that kind (0:36:17) Kev: I’m down for that. (0:36:18) Kev: All right, A tier for Abigail, absolutely. (0:36:22) Kev: He, I guess, he’s the jock, right? (0:36:29) Al: of like justifies him is that if you, if you are a male character in the game and you go (0:36:36) Al: the relationship with Alex he (0:36:38) Al: kind of goes through a journey of self-discovery. (0:36:42) Kev: That’s pretty cool actually, I didn’t realize that. (0:36:45) Kev: If you want to go A for that, I don’t mind it. (0:36:47) Kev: I’m fine. (0:36:48) Kev: B, A, whatever you want. (0:36:48) Al: Yeah, Mogo B. He’s a little bit more rounded than some of the other characters, but I don’t (0:36:49) Kev: That is a nice touch, the fact that they made the effort for that. (0:36:54) Kev: Alright, B. (0:36:58) Al: think he’s quite A. (0:37:04) Al: Next we have The Bouncer from Calico Desert. (0:37:08) Kev: that’s (0:37:11) Kev: Does his job well (0:37:11) Al: So as far as I know, he has exactly two lines, one of which is “No, you’re not getting in” (0:37:19) Al: and the other one of which is “OK, on you go”. (0:37:20) Kev: Perfect. Nailed it. No notes. He delivered. He promised. He came. He delivered. I had (0:37:23) Al: And that’s it. (0:37:27) Al: I don’t know what to say. (0:37:31) Kev: a boy last week. I almost want to say yes because there’s nothing else. It’s up. Or (0:37:42) Al: I mean, he’s not particularly… (0:37:43) Kev: just you have to put him in B because that’s the normal. He’s not good or bad. That would (0:37:48) Kev: be the. (0:37:49) Al: OK, sure, fine. (0:37:51) Al: Let’s put The Bouncer from Calico Desert into B. (0:37:56) Al: Next we have Caroline. (0:38:01) Al: So Caroline gives you tea. (0:38:07) Al: That’s her best thing. (0:38:09) Al: No, she’s married to Pierre. (0:38:12) Al: She’s Abigail’s mum. (0:38:12) Kev: Okay, okay, okay, okay. Oh, so she’s the one who had the affair. Oh, yeah. Oh, that’s spicy (0:38:18) Al: She’s a little bit more of a married girl. (0:38:24) Kev: I’m (0:38:25) Kev: Good. They only kind of briefly reference that they don’t lean into it too much. I can get kind of get why but (0:38:30) Al: Mm-hmm (0:38:34) Kev: Like I wish they kind of did that would be a good plot line to follow through with (0:38:39) Kev: But yes, and remembering her now. Yeah, she’s just kind of there isn’t she? (0:38:42) Kev: um (0:38:43) Al: she’s fine. Yeah. I don’t think she’s particularly bad. Are we thinking B? Yeah. See what’s the (0:38:48) Kev: Maybe see even I don’t know cuz like (0:38:53) Kev: Just not as memorable as Alex or the bouncer that’s the only thing (0:38:58) Kev: But I mean, yeah, I don’t know. I’m fine either way. I’m not TV (0:38:58) Al: OK, fine, fine, let’s go see. (0:39:02) Kev: Okay. Well this call the next one calls for the establishment of a new tier the Flint tier at the bottom (0:39:08) Al: The Clint tier where we have very bad kerning between the L and the I, yeah. (0:39:11) Kev: Do we have to go? (0:39:18) Al: Yeah, he’s D tier, right? (0:39:18) Kev: - Well done. (0:39:23) Al: He doesn’t learn anything, he never has any personal growth, he’s just a little grumpy (0:39:28) Al: who can never admit that his problems are somewhat self-inflicted and could absolutely (0:39:35) Al: be solved. (0:39:36) Al: There’s no reason why he couldn’t get into a relationship with Emily if he actually tried. (0:39:49) Al: She is a lovely person and she gives him plenty of opportunities and he never even bothers (0:39:52) Al: to try. (0:39:53) Al: And he gets grumpy when you get in a relationship with her, despite the fact that he was never (0:39:57) Al: doing anything. (0:39:58) Al: He is not a good person. (0:40:00) Al: He’s not nice to be around. (0:40:02) Kev: Fine you win now (0:40:02) Al: D. I’m sorry. (0:40:04) Al: Was I trying to convince you? (0:40:05) Al: I don’t think so. (0:40:06) Al: I don’t think I needed to convince you. (0:40:06) Kev: No, that’s what he told you remember, and that’s what he says when you were all right, so that’s probably the easiest one (0:40:13) Al: Demetrius. (0:40:14) Al: Oh yeah, for sure. (0:40:15) Kev: Okay, Demetrius (0:40:17) Al: I’m thinking C for him. (0:40:19) Al: He’s fine. (0:40:20) Al: But again, not particularly, like, interesting. (0:40:20) Kev: Yeah (0:40:23) Kev: Yeah, he’s a scientist right he just sciences it up off-screen yeah, I’m fine for see (0:40:26) Al: Yeah (0:40:28) Al: He’s sciencey, but Maru does the science angle much more interestingly. (0:40:32) Kev: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I agree. Uh, let’s see his mind, ‘cause yeah, he’s just… (0:40:38) Al: Yeah, he’s fine. I don’t, he’s a little bit, he does, I will, the other reason for, I guess, (0:40:44) Al: putting him down to sea is, I feel like he, so he is, I think, canonically autistic, (0:40:52) Kev: Hm, okay. Yeah, I remember, mm-hmm. (0:40:52) Al: and he’s very much using that as an excuse rather than… (0:40:58) Kev: Right. (0:40:59) Al: like an explanation for things and trying to understand, what’s her name? (0:41:02) Kev: Uh-huh. (0:41:04) Kev: Yep. (0:41:10) Al: Yes, Robin, thank you. He doesn’t really try and understand Robin’s point of view, (0:41:14) Al: he just uses his autism as an excuse, and so that’s why I marked him down. (0:41:17) Kev: You know bumping down to D, I forgot he took Robin from me. (0:41:21) Al: All right, fine, yeah, sure, fine. Maybe we do need to add, maybe we do need to add a Clint here, (0:41:23) Kev: I don’t care, I said I juggled, but I’m fine either way. (0:41:28) Al: because he needs to be lower. (0:41:32) Al: Dwarf. (0:41:32) Kev: The D tier with the understanding coin’s actually a tier lower. (0:41:37) Al: All right, so we’ll put him there, and Clint can be at the bottom of deer tier. (0:41:40) Kev: Yeah, there you go. (0:41:43) Al: Dwarf, B tier. So he runs the shop in the cave, in the mines. (0:41:50) Kev: Ah, okay, sure, it’s cool (0:41:54) Al: you also get a little bit of backstory about him when you progress. (0:41:58) Al: progress crow buses line because the dwarfs and the shadow people had a war and they end up fighting and you have to like calm them down and say “look it’s not a war anymore, would you shut up?” (0:42:00) Kev: Mm-hmm (0:42:04) Kev: Oh, I did it (0:42:09) Kev: Whoa, I didn’t know that well, he’s that one guy (0:42:12) Al: Have you not experienced that bit? (0:42:13) Kev: No, I don’t think I have. Well, that’s cool. Like that one guy in Vietnam. I thought the world’s still going on or whatever (0:42:20) Al: Yeah, I think they both know the war is not going on but they still like, it’s like a (0:42:22) Kev: Sick (0:42:25) Al: low level feud they have. (0:42:27) Kev: Okay, good times, all right (0:42:30) Kev: Elliot (0:42:32) Kev: You know what my biggest thing for Elliot or the biggest plus for Elliot is he’s not (0:42:37) Kev: As big as of a d-bag as thought he would be just from how he looks (0:42:40) Al: Yeah, that’s fair. That’s fair (0:42:42) Kev: He’s pretty he likes to write right he’s just over there just poetrying it up or whatever (0:42:49) Kev: It’s fine. He’s not particularly mean or nasty or anything. He’s just kind of his own space doing his own thing (0:42:56) Kev: I haven’t done–I don’t remember too many events with him, to be honest. (0:43:00) Kev: Like, he’s fine. (0:43:00) Al: I think if you go into the Romance things, he is quite doting on you, shall we say. (0:43:07) Kev: Oh, that’s nice. (0:43:09) Kev: You know, I’ll give him an A. There’s a lot of awful people. (0:43:13) Kev: He’s A for being not awful. (0:43:15) Al: Emily S tier. Yeah, we love Emily. Evelyn S tier. Good, good, good. George B tier. He (0:43:18) Kev: Uh, yeah, all right. (0:43:25) Kev: Oh, one thousand percent. (0:43:32) Al: has some positives and he has some negatives. He’s a grumpy old man, but I think he has (0:43:36) Al: the right to be a grumpy old man. And also he can be quite nice in a few situations where (0:43:44) Al: you actually you realize (0:43:45) Al: that there’s reasons why he’s grumpy and oh well obviously he’s old you know (0:43:49) Kev: Yeah, I mean, yeah, but (0:43:49) Al: why he’s old but he comes across initially as just a grumpy old man but (0:43:55) Al: you find many more layers to him and he actually can be quite nice when you get (0:43:55) Kev: Mm-hmm. Yeah (0:43:58) Kev: Yeah, I agree be for that cuz he’s got he’s layered like you say right that’s that’s all (0:44:06) Al: ‘Gill’ he’s one of the adventurers guilds people. I’m gonna go for C purely because (0:44:14) Kev: Okay, that’s why his name is Gil. (0:44:21) Al: there’s nothing really we know about him other than just he is there and yeah I feel like (0:44:24) Kev: Yeah, yeah (0:44:27) Al: I want to know more about him. (0:44:29) Kev: Isn’t either one who go saves you if you fall in the caves (0:44:31) Al: All right no Linus saves you if you if you die in the caves. (0:44:34) Kev: No lines you’re right right sorry, yes, I can’t next up yes next up (0:44:37) Al: Don’t be taking it from from our guy Linus. (0:44:41) Al: Next we have the governor. (0:44:44) Kev: Oh my gosh, I forgot it comes for that one festival, right? (0:44:45) Al: So I think his I think yeah I think that’s his only his only appearance is the festival (0:44:52) Al: and let me tell you he is not very good at telling you that your soup isn’t great right (0:44:57) Kev: Mm-hmm (0:44:57) Al: he doesn’t he doesn’t he doesn’t go there oh no he goes this is disgusting. I think he’s I think (0:45:03) Kev: Mm-hmm sure I didn’t vote for him (0:45:04) Al: you see. (0:45:07) Al: Uh, grandpa. (0:45:11) Kev: Okay, I’ve never made it to grandpa I (0:45:14) Al: What? You’ve never made it past year two. (0:45:16) Kev: Made it to year two. I never know so tell me about grandpa (0:45:19) Al: What? So, right, okay. So, obviously, positive, he gave us the farm. (0:45:27) Al: That is where the positives end. Why does he wait until we are, you know, (0:45:35) Al: nearly going to kill people and are (0:45:36) Al: off his job for us to open this letter, like he tells you, you should only open this (0:45:41) Al: letter at this situation. And it’s like, why could we not have had more years of an enjoyable (0:45:47) Al: life helping people in the valley? And like, I don’t understand that. He’s really judgmental. (0:45:53) Al: He gives you, he doesn’t consider you as a whole person unless you are married and have (0:46:02) Al: children. I just yeah he he’s a little bit (0:46:06) Al: old-fashioned. I don’t really feel like he having said that at least his dot (0:46:11) Al: his he
Here's your local news for Thursday, September 19, 2024:We get the details on a new convenience store coming to Willy Street,Learn why researchers are breeding cows that can thrive in extreme heat,Speak with a friend of Kevin Price, who Fitchburg police shot and killed last month,Talk financial literacy,Explain why you should care about zoning,Retrieve a memorial brick next to Camp Randall,And much more.
One of the skills you'll need for retriever hunt tests is the blind retrieve — where the dog retrieves downed game that they didn't see land. In this episode Jennifer talks me though exactly what that means and how she approaches it in training.
Do you trust yourself? Down to the core of your soul, relentlessly? DO YOU TRUST YOURSELF. I can bet - you do not fully trust yourself. 99% of humans are subjected to a “power over and power under” structure throughout their lives, “THINKING they are in control.” ENTER STAGE LEFT….Fate and Destiny. How do we activate our Destiny's path and Rite of Passage?HOLOGRAPHICALLY. Today, I am sharing a very personal, deep video of a past client's transformation, and you will start to see the results of “my life's body of work.”
GOOD EVENING: The show begins in North Gaza where the Hamas gunmen have gone to hide and to retrieve old weapons in yet more tunnels that were missed the first time the IDF patrolled in the neighborhood... Berlin 1945 FIRST HOUR 9-915 #GAZA: Raiding North Gaza as Rafah combat ebbs. Seth Frantzman, FDD. Bill Roggio FDD https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2024/07/idf-operations-in-northern-gazas-shejaiya-neighborhood-eliminate-dozens-of-terrorists.php 915-930 #HEZBOLLAH: Not ready for the War in the North but when? Seth Frantzman, FDD. Bill Roggio FDD https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2024/07/hezbollah-rocket-barrage-on-israel-wounds-several-including-a-us-citizen.php 930-945 #IMMUNITY: The strange unmooring of Sarbanes-Oxley. Richard Epstein, Hoover Institution https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/07/justices-rule-trump-has-some-immunity-from-prosecution/ 945-1000 #SCOTUS: "Chevron" is gone except. well-written regulations? .. Richard Epstein, Hoover Institution https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/06/supreme-court-strikes-down-chevron-curtailing-power-of-federal-agencies/ SECOND HOUR 10-1015 #HAMAS: President Sisi may speak of the tunnels beneath the Philadelphi Route. Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 @ThadMcCotter @theamgreatness https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2024/07/idf-operations-in-northern-gazas-shejaiya-neighborhood-eliminate-dozens-of-terrorists.php 1015-1030 #IndianaHoenlein and the Lost 1500 year-old ship drawings in the Negev. Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1@ThadMcCotter @theamgreatness 1030-1045 #CANADA: Defending the Arctic & What is to be done? Charles Burton, Sinopsis. @GordonGChang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill. Charles Burton, senior fellow at Sinopsis, on this: https://breakingdefense.com/2024/07/canadian-defence-minister-our-commitment-to-nato-is-growing-in-europe-and-the-arctic/ 1045-1100 #NUKES: Is testing required for new weapons designs? Peter Huessy, president of Geostrategic Analysis and a fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies. @GordonGChang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 #NewWorldReport: #BRAZIL: #ARGENTINA: Milei hugs Bolsonaro. Ernest Araujo. Joseph Humire @JMHumire @SecureFreeSoc. Ernesto Araujo, Former Foreign Minister Republic of Brazil. #NewWorldReportHumire https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/brazilian-industry-reps-travel-with-lula-bolivia-bid-obtain-cheaper-gas-2024-07-05/ 1115-1130 #NewWorldReport: Lula goes to Bolivia. Joseph Humire @JMHumire @SecureFreeSoc. Ernesto Araujo, Former Foreign Minister Republic of Brazil. #NewWorldReportHumire https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-bolsonaro-formally-accused-over-saudi-gifts-sources-say-2024-07-04/ 1130-1145 #NewWorldReport: Milei is a rock star. Joseph Humire @JMHumire @SecureFreeSoc. Ernesto Araujo, Former Foreign Minister Republic of Brazil. #NewWorldReportHumire https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentinas-milei-speak-right-wing-rally-brazil-2024-07-07/ 1145-1200 #NATO: Globalizing NATO to the IndoPacific. Katrina Vanden Heuvel https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/nato-leaders-are-descending-on-washington-heres-what-to-know/ar-BB1pBRXa#fullscreen FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 #AFGHANISTAN: $2Trillion of gemstones and metals and marble in mines & what is to be done? Bill Roggio, FDD. Husain Haqqani, Hudson Institute https://ig.ft.com/afghan-mining/ 1215-1230 #ISIS: Vs Taliban & what is to be done? Bill Roggio, FDD. Husain Haqqani, Hudson Institute https://ig.ft.com/afghan-mining/ 1230-1245 #LASVEGAS Gets a spaceport. Bob Zimmerman BehindtheBlack.com https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/las-vegas-space-related-resort-claiming-it-will-be-a-spaceport-gets-faa-airport-license/ 1245-100am #Artificial Gravity on ISS & What is to be done? Bob Zimmerman BehindtheBlack.com https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/centrifuge-research-on-iss-suggests-some-artificial-gravity-can-mitigate-negative-effects-of-weightlessness/
Join SP3, Maggie of Fightful Overbooked and Spencer Love of Love Wrestling CA for our WWE Money In The Bank 2024 Preview breaking down the latest WWE PLE ft. Damian Priest vs Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship. Thumbnail credit to @markwil0105 on Twitter Welcome to the Tru Heel Heat Wrestling YouTube channel where we cover the sport of professional wrestling including all WWE TV shows (Raw, Smackdown, & NXT), AEW Dynamite/Dark, IMPACT Wrestling, NJPW, ROH, Dark Side of the Ring and more. Our weekly podcast hosted by SP3, Top Guy JJ & Miss Krssi Luv breaking down the weekly wrestling news and present unfiltered, honest thoughts and opinions for wrestling fans by wrestling fans, drops every Saturday. We also include PPV reviews, countdowns, and exclusive interviews with wrestlers from all promotions hosted by a wide range of personalities such as Romeo, Chris G, Ness, StatKing, Drunk Guy JJ, J-News and more. Subscribe and enable ALL notifications to stay posted for the latest wrestling WWE news, highlights, commentary, updates and more. Become a member of Tru Heels Facebook community: www.facebook.com/groups/1336177103130224/ Subscribe to Tru Heel Heat on YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC0AmFQmsRyQYPKyRm5hDwNg Follow Tru Heels on Twitter: twitter.com/truheelheat Follow Tru Heels on Instagram: www.instagram.com/truheelheat/ Music composed by JPM
Your July 2024 Horoscope Cheatsheet lays out the mission:• What can you ACHIEVE?• What can you RETRIEVE?We are between two achievement-driven Capricorn full moons this summer, on June 21 and July 21. We are also beginning July with two planets, Saturn and Neptune, turning retrograde in Pisces—an opportunity to retrieve cherished values, forgotten talents and skills from the depths. Ophi explains what this means for each sign.LINKS:⭐️ July 2024 Monthly Horoscopes - read yours!⭐️ Our new Success section on Astrostyle⭐️ Get your ticket to our 8-8 Lion's Gate workshop, which includes a hardcover copy of our new book, The Astrology Advanatage and a chance to win a trip to San Francisco for an IRL reading and dinner with The AstroTwins. tinyurl.com/success-fest Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Visit us at shapedbydog.com When is the right time to start agility training with your puppy? That's a popular question I receive, and I'm sure other world champions also get asked! So, to answer, I'm covering everything you need to know about starting agility with a puppy, including the most important factor, and when and how I begin training. Even if you don't do agility, what I'm sharing can apply to a wide range of activities we enjoy with dogs, including being amazing members of our family. Free eBook Get your free Agility Cues eBook for the insider info on the cues I use - https://dogsthat.com/agility-cues/ In this episode you'll hear: • When to consider starting agility training with your puppy, beyond growth plates. • The factors I consider before starting a puppy in agility. • How to create success, safely and fun for agility puppies. • About the physical and mental readiness needed for agility obstacles. • The four R's - Relationship, Recalls, Retrieve, Reinforcement Zone. • What's important about agility handling, verbal cues and discriminations. • How to use jump grids and fitness exercises to prepare your puppy. • My personal experiences with my own agility dogs as puppies. • Why I love forest fitness for a puppy's development. • How to manage the intensity and frequency of agility training for puppies. Download Your Free eBook: Susan Garrett's Agility Cues eBook - http://dogsthat.com/agility-cues/ Resources: 1. Podcast Episode 186: 2 Types Of Connection With Dogs: Dog Agility And Daily Life Case Studies - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/186/ 2. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://youtu.be/OaUAScgaFAg?si=OKGOlAB1pqGU60ap 3. YouTube Playlist: Exercising Your Dog's Body and Mind: Tips and Games with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1ISzbaoCNh0NyLg3qgDG58 4. Podcast Episode 203: Reactive, Unmotivated and Fearful: Finding Resiliency For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 1 - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/203/ 5. Podcast Episode 204: Dog Behavior And Diet: Recovery For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 2 - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/204/ 6. Podcast Episode 206: First Dog Agility Competition: Creating Joy For This! By Maximizing Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/206/ 7. Podcast Episode 114: Dog Agility Training: 3 Big Mistakes All Dog Owners Should Avoid - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/114/ 8. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/kMJ0e7HYvPk
Our second wave of speakers for AI Engineer World's Fair were announced! The conference sold out of Platinum/Gold/Silver sponsors and Early Bird tickets! See our Microsoft episode for more info and buy now with code LATENTSPACE.This episode is straightforwardly a part 2 to our ICLR 2024 Part 1 episode, so without further ado, we'll just get right on with it!Timestamps[00:03:43] Section A: Code Edits and Sandboxes, OpenDevin, and Academia vs Industry — ft. Graham Neubig and Aman Sanger* [00:07:44] WebArena* [00:18:45] Sotopia* [00:24:00] Performance Improving Code Edits* [00:29:39] OpenDevin* [00:47:40] Industry and Academia[01:05:29] Section B: Benchmarks* [01:05:52] SWEBench* [01:17:05] SWEBench/SWEAgent Interview* [01:27:40] Dataset Contamination Detection* [01:39:20] GAIA Benchmark* [01:49:18] Moritz Hart - Science of Benchmarks[02:36:32] Section C: Reasoning and Post-Training* [02:37:41] Self-RAG: Learning to Retrieve, Generate, and Critique through Self-Reflection* [02:51:00] Let's Verify Step By Step* [02:57:04] Noam Brown* [03:07:43] Lilian Weng - Towards Safe AGI* [03:36:56] A Real-World WebAgent with Planning, Long Context Understanding, and Program Synthesis* [03:48:43] MetaGPT: Meta Programming for A Multi-Agent Collaborative Framework[04:00:51] Bonus: Notable Related Papers on LLM CapabilitiesSection A: Code Edits and Sandboxes, OpenDevin, and Academia vs Industry — ft. Graham Neubig and Aman Sanger* Guests* Graham Neubig* Aman Sanger - Previous guest and NeurIPS friend of the pod!* WebArena * * Sotopia (spotlight paper, website)* * Learning Performance-Improving Code Edits* OpenDevin* Junyang Opendevin* Morph Labs, Jesse Han* SWE-Bench* SWE-Agent* Aman tweet on swebench* LiteLLM* Livecodebench* the role of code in reasoning* Language Models of Code are Few-Shot Commonsense Learners* Industry vs academia* the matryoshka embeddings incident* other directions* UnlimiformerSection A timestamps* [00:00:00] Introduction to Guests and the Impromptu Nature of the Podcast* [00:00:45] Graham's Experience in Japan and Transition into Teaching NLP* [00:01:25] Discussion on What Constitutes a Good Experience for Students in NLP Courses* [00:02:22] The Relevance and Teaching of Older NLP Techniques Like Ngram Language Models* [00:03:38] Speculative Decoding and the Comeback of Ngram Models* [00:04:16] Introduction to WebArena and Zotopia Projects* [00:05:19] Deep Dive into the WebArena Project and Benchmarking* [00:08:17] Performance Improvements in WebArena Using GPT-4* [00:09:39] Human Performance on WebArena Tasks and Challenges in Evaluation* [00:11:04] Follow-up Work from WebArena and Focus on Web Browsing as a Benchmark* [00:12:11] Direct Interaction vs. Using APIs in Web-Based Tasks* [00:13:29] Challenges in Base Models for WebArena and the Potential of Visual Models* [00:15:33] Introduction to Zootopia and Exploring Social Interactions with Language Models* [00:16:29] Different Types of Social Situations Modeled in Zootopia* [00:17:34] Evaluation of Language Models in Social Simulations* [00:20:41] Introduction to Performance-Improving Code Edits Project* [00:26:28] Discussion on DevIn and the Future of Coding Agents* [00:32:01] Planning in Coding Agents and the Development of OpenDevon* [00:38:34] The Changing Role of Academia in the Context of Large Language Models* [00:44:44] The Changing Nature of Industry and Academia Collaboration* [00:54:07] Update on NLP Course Syllabus and Teaching about Large Language Models* [01:00:40] Call to Action: Contributions to OpenDevon and Open Source AI Projects* [01:01:56] Hiring at Cursor for Roles in Code Generation and Assistive Coding* [01:02:12] Promotion of the AI Engineer ConferenceSection B: Benchmarks * Carlos Jimenez & John Yang (Princeton) et al: SWE-bench: Can Language Models Resolve Real-world Github Issues? (ICLR Oral, Paper, website)* “We introduce SWE-bench, an evaluation framework consisting of 2,294 software engineering problems drawn from real GitHub issues and corresponding pull requests across 12 popular Python repositories. Given a codebase along with a description of an issue to be resolved, a language model is tasked with editing the codebase to address the issue. Resolving issues in SWE-bench frequently requires understanding and coordinating changes across multiple functions, classes, and even files simultaneously, calling for models to interact with execution environments, process extremely long contexts and perform complex reasoning that goes far beyond traditional code generation tasks. Our evaluations show that both state-of-the-art proprietary models and our fine-tuned model SWE-Llama can resolve only the simplest issues. The best-performing model, Claude 2, is able to solve a mere 1.96% of the issues. Advances on SWE-bench represent steps towards LMs that are more practical, intelligent, and autonomous.”* Yonatan Oren et al (Stanford): Proving Test Set Contamination in Black-Box Language Models (ICLR Oral, paper, aman tweet on swebench contamination)* “We show that it is possible to provide provable guarantees of test set contamination in language models without access to pretraining data or model weights. Our approach leverages the fact that when there is no data contamination, all orderings of an exchangeable benchmark should be equally likely. In contrast, the tendency for language models to memorize example order means that a contaminated language model will find certain canonical orderings to be much more likely than others. Our test flags potential contamination whenever the likelihood of a canonically ordered benchmark dataset is significantly higher than the likelihood after shuffling the examples. * We demonstrate that our procedure is sensitive enough to reliably prove test set contamination in challenging situations, including models as small as 1.4 billion parameters, on small test sets of only 1000 examples, and datasets that appear only a few times in the pretraining corpus.”* Outstanding Paper mention: “A simple yet elegant method to test whether a supervised-learning dataset has been included in LLM training.”* Thomas Scialom (Meta AI-FAIR w/ Yann LeCun): GAIA: A Benchmark for General AI Assistants (paper)* “We introduce GAIA, a benchmark for General AI Assistants that, if solved, would represent a milestone in AI research. GAIA proposes real-world questions that require a set of fundamental abilities such as reasoning, multi-modality handling, web browsing, and generally tool-use proficiency. * GAIA questions are conceptually simple for humans yet challenging for most advanced AIs: we show that human respondents obtain 92% vs. 15% for GPT-4 equipped with plugins. * GAIA's philosophy departs from the current trend in AI benchmarks suggesting to target tasks that are ever more difficult for humans. We posit that the advent of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) hinges on a system's capability to exhibit similar robustness as the average human does on such questions. Using GAIA's methodology, we devise 466 questions and their answer.* * Mortiz Hardt (Max Planck Institute): The emerging science of benchmarks (ICLR stream)* “Benchmarks are the keystone that hold the machine learning community together. Growing as a research paradigm since the 1980s, there's much we've done with them, but little we know about them. In this talk, I will trace the rudiments of an emerging science of benchmarks through selected empirical and theoretical observations. Specifically, we'll discuss the role of annotator errors, external validity of model rankings, and the promise of multi-task benchmarks. The results in each case challenge conventional wisdom and underscore the benefits of developing a science of benchmarks.”Section C: Reasoning and Post-Training* Akari Asai (UW) et al: Self-RAG: Learning to Retrieve, Generate, and Critique through Self-Reflection (ICLR oral, website)* (Bad RAG implementations) indiscriminately retrieving and incorporating a fixed number of retrieved passages, regardless of whether retrieval is necessary, or passages are relevant, diminishes LM versatility or can lead to unhelpful response generation. * We introduce a new framework called Self-Reflective Retrieval-Augmented Generation (Self-RAG) that enhances an LM's quality and factuality through retrieval and self-reflection. * Our framework trains a single arbitrary LM that adaptively retrieves passages on-demand, and generates and reflects on retrieved passages and its generations using special tokens, called reflection tokens. Generating reflection tokens makes the LM controllable during the inference phase, enabling it to tailor its behavior to diverse task requirements. * Self-RAG (7B and 13B parameters) outperforms ChatGPT and retrieval-augmented Llama2-chat on Open-domain QA, reasoning, and fact verification tasks, and it shows significant gains in improving factuality and citation accuracy for long-form generations relative to these models. * Hunter Lightman (OpenAI): Let's Verify Step By Step (paper)* “Even state-of-the-art models still regularly produce logical mistakes. To train more reliable models, we can turn either to outcome supervision, which provides feedback for a final result, or process supervision, which provides feedback for each intermediate reasoning step. * We conduct our own investigation, finding that process supervision significantly outperforms outcome supervision for training models to solve problems from the challenging MATH dataset. Our process-supervised model solves 78% of problems from a representative subset of the MATH test set. Additionally, we show that active learning significantly improves the efficacy of process supervision. * To support related research, we also release PRM800K, the complete dataset of 800,000 step-level human feedback labels used to train our best reward model.* * Noam Brown - workshop on Generative Models for Decision Making* Solving Quantitative Reasoning Problems with Language Models (Minerva paper)* Describes some charts taken directly from the Let's Verify Step By Step paper listed/screenshotted above.* Lilian Weng (OpenAI) - Towards Safe AGI (ICLR talk)* OpenAI Model Spec* OpenAI Instruction Hierarchy: The Instruction Hierarchy: Training LLMs to Prioritize Privileged InstructionsSection D: Agent Systems* Izzeddin Gur (Google DeepMind): A Real-World WebAgent with Planning, Long Context Understanding, and Program Synthesis (ICLR oral, paper)* [Agent] performance on real-world websites has still suffered from (1) open domainness, (2) limited context length, and (3) lack of inductive bias on HTML.* We introduce WebAgent, an LLM-driven agent that learns from self-experience to complete tasks on real websites following natural language instructions.* WebAgent plans ahead by decomposing instructions into canonical sub-instructions, summarizes long HTML documents into task-relevant snippets, and acts on websites via Python programs generated from those.* We design WebAgent with Flan-U-PaLM, for grounded code generation, and HTML-T5, new pre-trained LLMs for long HTML documents using local and global attention mechanisms and a mixture of long-span denoising objectives, for planning and summarization.* We empirically demonstrate that our modular recipe improves the success on real websites by over 50%, and that HTML-T5 is the best model to solve various HTML understanding tasks; achieving 18.7% higher success rate than the prior method on MiniWoB web automation benchmark, and SoTA performance on Mind2Web, an offline task planning evaluation.* Sirui Hong (DeepWisdom): MetaGPT: Meta Programming for A Multi-Agent Collaborative Framework (ICLR Oral, Paper)* We introduce MetaGPT, an innovative meta-programming framework incorporating efficient human workflows into LLM-based multi-agent collaborations. MetaGPT encodes Standardized Operating Procedures (SOPs) into prompt sequences for more streamlined workflows, thus allowing agents with human-like domain expertise to verify intermediate results and reduce errors. MetaGPT utilizes an assembly line paradigm to assign diverse roles to various agents, efficiently breaking down complex tasks into subtasks involving many agents working together. Bonus: Notable Related Papers on LLM CapabilitiesThis includes a bunch of papers we wanted to feature above but could not.* Lukas Berglund (Vanderbilt) et al: The Reversal Curse: LLMs trained on “A is B” fail to learn “B is A” (ICLR poster, paper, Github)* We expose a surprising failure of generalization in auto-regressive large language models (LLMs). If a model is trained on a sentence of the form ''A is B'', it will not automatically generalize to the reverse direction ''B is A''. This is the Reversal Curse. * The Reversal Curse is robust across model sizes and model families and is not alleviated by data augmentation. We also evaluate ChatGPT (GPT-3.5 and GPT-4) on questions about real-world celebrities, such as ''Who is Tom Cruise's mother? [A: Mary Lee Pfeiffer]'' and the reverse ''Who is Mary Lee Pfeiffer's son?''. GPT-4 correctly answers questions like the former 79% of the time, compared to 33% for the latter.* * Omar Khattab (Stanford): DSPy: Compiling Declarative Language Model Calls into State-of-the-Art Pipelines (ICLR Spotlight Poster, GitHub)* presented by Krista Opsahl-Ong* “Existing LM pipelines are typically implemented using hard-coded “prompt templates”, i.e. lengthy strings discovered via trial and error. Toward a more systematic approach for developing and optimizing LM pipelines, we introduce DSPy, a programming model that abstracts LM pipelines as text transformation graphs, or imperative computational graphs where LMs are invoked through declarative modules. * DSPy modules are parameterized, meaning they can learn how to apply compositions of prompting, finetuning, augmentation, and reasoning techniques. * We design a compiler that will optimize any DSPy pipeline to maximize a given metric, by creating and collecting demonstrations. * We conduct two case studies, showing that succinct DSPy programs can express and optimize pipelines that reason about math word problems, tackle multi-hop retrieval, answer complex questions, and control agent loops. * Within minutes of compiling, DSPy can automatically produce pipelines that outperform out-of-the-box few-shot prompting as well as expert-created demonstrations for GPT-3.5 and Llama2-13b-chat. On top of that, DSPy programs compiled for relatively small LMs like 770M parameter T5 and Llama2-13b-chat are competitive with many approaches that rely on large and proprietary LMs like GPT-3.5 and on expert-written prompt chains. * * MuSR: Testing the Limits of Chain-of-thought with Multistep Soft Reasoning* Scaling Laws for Associative Memories * DoLa: Decoding by Contrasting Layers Improves Factuality in Large Language Models* Efficient Streaming Language Models with Attention Sinks Get full access to Latent Space at www.latent.space/subscribe
Have you ever wondered about the profound connection you share with your mother, starting from even before you were born? In this episode, we delve deep into the science and subconscious beliefs surrounding a mother's love. In today's episode, we cover:The Science of Ancestral Connections: Did you know that the cells that created you actually formed when your grandmother was pregnant with your mother? We also explore how stress can be picked up while in utero.Inherited Beliefs: One of the most debilitating things that can keep someone from their power is subconsciously inheriting the limiting beliefs of their mother. We often carry these beliefs as a form of unconscious responsibility, but they can hold us back.Theta Brain Wave State Visualization: Join me as I guide you into a theta brain wave state, where you'll connect with your Higher Power, highest self, God—whatever term resonates with you. In our visualization, we reprogram 5 parts of the subconscious mind so that it's easier to:Retrieve energetic parts of you that are with your motherRelease any oath vow or obligation to have to stay small in order to fulfill your role as a good son or daughterAllow yourself to feel a mother's love through the energy of Infinite Intelligence Feel wanted on this planetAllow yourself to be nurtured and taken care of by the worldTune in for a transformative visualization that blends spirituality with practical insights, empowering you to embrace a mother's love and pursue your dreams with renewed clarity. This episode is designed to help you unlock your fullest potential by healing and understanding your deepest connections.Connect with Stephanie:Website: www.stephaniecarlin.comInstagram: instagram.com/stephanie_carlinTiktok: tiktok.com/@stephanie_carlinLearn more about my private group program "Truth Mastery" by joining my FREE masterclass “Your Highest Timeline: truthvibration.com/masterclass
We Want To Hear From You - Click Here To Leave Us Fan Mail!This week on the Wraparound Roundtable, we are giving away a sleeve of 10 rolls of clear tape, two sets of black cloth tape, two sets of white cloth tape, two cans of wax, and a hat.Our hockey friend this week is Logan Cuvo, the founder and CEO of the Best Dam Tape Company. Logan is the first of several young entrepreneurs joining us in the coming weeks as we promote and populate their stores with some action. In this episode, you'll hear Logan's inspiring story and learn about the innovative products his company offers.We will pick a winner one week after this episode is posted - so jump in now!To enter in to win this week's prizes:1. Retrieve the code word from the episode2. Enter that word and the requested into the form on our site https://hockeywraparound.com/blogs/the-wraparound-roundtable/BDT3. BONUS: Follow/Subscribe to @HockeyWrapAround & @BestDamTape on socialOur Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena!NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality training game designed specifically to improve hockey sense and IQ for both players and goalies. Experience the next generation of off-ice training in VR with over 100+ drills and training plans curated from top coaches and players.Use Code "HNS-72A36D" at the Meta Quest Store to score 10% off an annual plan!Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group: Our Kids Play Hockey X: @OKPHpodcast Instagram: @OurKidsPlayHockey LinkedIn: Our Kids Play Hockey YouTube: Our Kids Play Hockey
Hey beautiful souls!
Bass After Dark — inch for inch and pound for pound, the best show in fishing — is back for another lively, and LIVE, episode. Don't miss Ken Duke, Brian the Carpenter, and our three mystery panelists (spoiler alert: it's Jacob Wheeler, Jimmy Liao, and Lee Sisson) as we discuss the question: Is your retrieve up to speed? More Bass After Dark: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bassafterdark Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bass-after-dark/id1716082782 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yMvtb7iKPlblLxqlLbOmz Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/BassAfterDark Instagram: https://instagram.com/bassafterdarkshow Facebook: https://facebook.com/bassafterdark Stock media provided by Sounder_Music / Pond5 Stock music provided by Sineius, from Pond5 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bass-after-dark/message
Cash is king. Especially if you're in Lebanon. Since the financial crisis has gripped the country, banks have been holding back the money that its customers have deposited and instead of doling out the amount asked for, they have been given only a fraction of the amount and cannot come back for more until a week has gone by. Now, people all across the country have had enough and they have started to rob banks to get back their money that the banks are supposed to be safeguarding. (commercial at 8:32)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/people-are-robbing-banks-in-lebanon-to-take-their-own-money/ar-AA11RvFX?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=52b57c591260477fb3f3a96903da898eBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
In this episode, we guide listeners through an energetic process of clearing ancestral, empathic blocks to financial abundance. Main Points Discussed:Start the process focused on yourself: place all your energy and awareness into your divine line.Acknowledge the spiritual presence: be conscious of the ascended masters, your guides, advisers, and spiritual family gathering around.Identify and tackle your empathic ancestral bundles: focus on the challenges affecting your finances and self-worth, often carried down from previous generations within your family line.Understand why you're affected: issues around self-worth and financial struggles can stem from unresolved burdens taken on pre-birth from ancestral relations.Clear ancestral burdens: through spinning your energy field counterclockwise, you can return these burdens back to the ancestors from whom they originated, providing them the opportunity to resolve these issues in their dimension.Retrieve resources: the process also entails retrieving all of your grids of support, resources, magic, and mojo from every ancestor, cleaning it, recalibrating it, and weaving it around you.Resonate with successful ancestral energy: Recognition of successful ancestors infuses positive energy onto the paths you tread in your life journey.Utilize your spiritual resources: Invite your higher self to reference vibrational resource grids you use in your spiritual realm, and bring them forth into your current reality. Reminder:This mediation journey brings you closer to your spiritual resources and helps clear negative empathic energy. Align your energy with success and transform your financial reality by working with your higher self and ancestral guides.For more insights into the mind-body connection and tools to foster holistic well-being, visit our podcast website 7cupsofconsciousness.com and explore additional resources. Resources:Enjoy a FREE month of daily meditationsJoin a MasterclassFREE Starter Bundle
This week on The Literary Life, our hosts talk about their favorite poems and poets. Cindy starts off by sharing the early influences on her developing a love of poetry. Thomas also shares about his mother reading poetry to him as a child and the poetry that made an impression on him as a child. Angelina talks about coming to poetry later in life and how she finally came to love it through learning about the metaphysical poets. Cindy and Thomas talk about the powerful effect of reading and reciting poetry in meter. Thomas also brings up the potential of hymn texts as beautiful, high-ranking poetry. From classic to modern, they share many poems and passages from their most beloved poetry, making this a soothing, lyrical episode. If you want to learn more, check out Thomas' webinar How to Love Poetry. We hope you will join us for the sixth annual Literary Life Online Conference, “Dispelling the Myth of Modernity: A Recovery of the Medieval Imagination.” You can visit the HHL Facebook page or Instagram to find the post to share and enter our giveaway for a $20 discount code! During the live or later series of webinars, we will seek to dis-spell the Myth of Modernity and gain eyes to see and ears to hear Reality as it truly is. Speakers include Jason Baxter, Jenn Rogers, and Kelly Cumbee, in addition to Angelina and Thomas. Commonplace Quotes: The knowledge-as-information vision is actually defective and damaging. It distorts reality and humanness, and it gets in the way of good knowing. Esther Lightcap Meek Perhaps it would be a good idea for public statues to be made with disposable heads that can be changed with popular fashion. But even better would surely be to make statues without any heads at all, representing simply the “idea” of a good politician. Auberon Waugh When you can assume that your audience holds the same beliefs you do, you can relax a little and use more normal means of talking to it; when you have to assume that it does not, then you have to make your vision apparent by shock–to the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost blind you use large and startling figures. Flannery O'Connor Reading in War Time by Edwin Muir Boswell by my bed, Tolstoy on my table; Thought the world has bled For four and a half years, And wives' and mothers' tears Collected would be able To water a little field Untouched by anger and blood, A penitential yield Somewhere in the world; Though in each latitude Armies like forest fall, The iniquitous and the good Head over heels hurled, And confusion over all: Boswell's turbulent friend And his deafening verbal strife, Ivan Ilych's death Tell me more about life, The meaning and the end Of our familiar breath, Both being personal, Than all the carnage can, Retrieve the shape of man, Lost and anonymous, Tell me wherever I look That not one soul can die Of this or any clan Who is not one of us And has a personal tie Perhaps to someone now Searching an ancient book, Folk-tale or country song In many and many a tongue, To find the original face, The individual soul, The eye, the lip, the brow For ever gone from their place, And gather an image whole. Book List: A Little Manual for Knowing by Esther Lightcap Meek The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare Songs of Innocence and of Experience by William Blake The Book of Virtues by William Bennett Cautionary Tales for Children by Hilaire Belloc When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne Now We are Six by A. A. Milne Emma by Jane Austen Oxford Book of English Verse ed. by Arthur Quiller-Couch Immortal Poems of the English Language ed. by Oscar Williams Motherland by Sally Thomas Support The Literary Life: Become a patron of The Literary Life podcast as part of the “Friends and Fellows Community” on Patreon, and get some amazing bonus content! Thanks for your support! Connect with Us: You can find Angelina and Thomas at HouseofHumaneLetters.com, on Instagram @angelinastanford, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ANGStanford/ Find Cindy at morningtimeformoms.com, on Instagram @cindyordoamoris and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CindyRollinsWriter. Check out Cindy's own Patreon page also! Follow The Literary Life on Instagram, and jump into our private Facebook group, The Literary Life Discussion Group, and let's get the book talk going! http://bit.ly/literarylifeFB
You’ve most likely been told that Thomas Aquinas is off limits, a theologian who will corrupt Protestants and turn them into Roman Catholics. And yet, Protestant history tells a different story: many of our Protestant forefathers did not merely retrieve Aquinas but thought of him as part of the same tradition they belonged to in… Download Audio
In Episode 415 of District of Conservation, Gabriella revisits with Virginia houndsman Andrew Pullen and the latest with Virginia right to retrieve. SHOW NOTES EP 274: Virginia Right to Retrieve Law and Private Property Rights with Houndsman Andrew Pullen --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/district-of-conservation/support
Topics covered in this episode: Syntax Error #11: Debugging Python umami and umami-analytics pytest-suite-timeout Listmonk and (py) listmonk Extras Joke Watch on YouTube About the show Sponsored by us! Support our work through: Our courses at Talk Python Training The Complete pytest Course Patreon Supporters Connect with the hosts Michael: @mkennedy@fosstodon.org Brian: @brianokken@fosstodon.org Show: @pythonbytes@fosstodon.org Join us on YouTube at pythonbytes.fm/live to be part of the audience. Usually Tuesdays at 11am PT. Older video versions available there too. Brian #1: Syntax Error #11: Debugging Python Juhis Issue 11 of a fun debugging newsletter from Juhis Debugging advice mindeset take a break adopt a process talk to a duck tools & techniques print snoop debuggers Django debug toolbar & Kolo for VS Code Michael #2: umami and umami-analytics Umami makes it easy to collect, analyze, and understand your web data — while maintaining visitor privacy and data ownership. umami-analytics is a client for privacy-preserving, open source Umami analytics platform based on httpx and pydantic. Core features ➕ Add a custom event to your Umami analytics dashboard.
After a crazy week of misinformation, disinformation and political posturing concerning Virginia's right to retrieve law, it's time to get the facts straight. Heath Follows up with the American Bear Foundation, Va chapter president Sean Clarkson. Social Media has been on overload about what's taking place on the land owners advisory committee. Sean explains what has taken place, goes over the proposals that have caused a lot of chatter throughout the hound community. Sean finishes up with what happens now. If you are a hound hunter or not and want to know exactly what's going on you need to listen to this episode of the Journey. www.houndsmanxp.com SPONSORS: Joy Dog Food onX Cajun Lights Go Wild 1TDC WorksoWell dogsRtreed Freedom Hunters Rough Cut Company Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After a crazy week of misinformation, disinformation and political posturing concerning Virginia's right to retrieve law, it's time to get the facts straight.Heath Follows up with the American Bear Foundation, Va chapter president Sean Clarkson. Social Media has been on overload about what's taking place on the land owners advisory committee. Sean explains what has taken place, goes over the proposals that have caused a lot of chatter throughout the hound community. Sean finishes up with what happens now. If you are a hound hunter or not and want to know exactly what's going on you need to listen to this episode of the Journey. www.houndsmanxp.comSPONSORS:Joy Dog FoodonXCajun LightsGo Wild1TDC WorksoWelldogsRtreedFreedom HuntersRough Cut Company
In today's episode, Andy & DJ discuss Hallie Biden revealed as the new Biden family member who received money from China, Russia planning to retrieve the wreckage of the crashed U.S. Drone, and BLM & related causes received nearly $83 billion from corporations.
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