Olá vim, sou novo no reddit estava precisando desabafar aqui, bem não sei muito com iniciar mas vamos lá, de um tempo para cá estava pensando em morrer e como as coisas ficaram mais fáceis assim, sei que existe muitas pessoas que lutam todo o dia para estar vivas e me sinto péssimo por ter esse pensamentos mas não posso negar que quase sempre a noite imagino como seria se todo o caos dentro de mim simplesmente, não tenho nenhum drama familiar ou algo do tipo, sou um cara extremamente comum, nem feio e nem bonito, nem burro ou inteligente, tenho uma família que me amar e apesar de não ser próximo do meu pai sei que ele não me odeia e dever ter algum sentimento bom bom por mim e é isso que me impede de me auto destruir ainda mais , mas cheguei num ponto que nada mais faz sentido, me afastei de tudo e todos, não tenho sonhos ou objetivos, passo a maior parte do meu tempo no quarto trabalhando, jogando ou assistindo algo, apenas me sinto com um vazio inexplicável, a única coisa que me manter de pé é minha mãe, minha tia, meu primo e minha avó as únicas pessoas que sei que me amam de verdade, já tentei procurar ajuda mais não quero colocar mais um fardo para minha mãe, sinto que o divórcio e todos os anos que ela passou com meu pai fizeram ela abrir mão de vários sonhos e me sinto culpado por isso também por que sei que ela fico com ela até eu completar 18 anos para que eu tivesse uma vida normal, e por ela estou tentando me reestabelecer e criar um pouco de amor próprio por mim, mas não sei por quanto tempo vou segurar esse vazio, luto a cada dia contra esse desejo de partir e espero que eu consiga ser feliz novamente, sei muito bem que fui horrível me expressar e nem sei se poderia fazer algo melhor, eu apenas escrever tudo que vinha a mente e precisava compartilhar isso com alguém, apesar estou cansado de viver nesse turbilhão e queria que tudo parasse de vez.

Iba a escribir esto como una respuesta al post sobre la noticia que subió Xero sobre la inversión que piensa hacer el gobierno o empresas dominicanas en materia de energía en Guyanas pero, como amante de la geopolítica, la historia y el desarrollo nacional creo que es mejor ponerla en un post
Me alegra mucho que el país en los últimos 25 años haya empezado a hacer labores de geopolítica en su entorno, DRCaftca (si en algún momento te mandaré el otro post nemitres), Sica, acercamiento a Caricom, acercamientos a Cuba, Alianzas estratégicas con CR y Panama y los recientes movimientos con Guyana, Jamaica y Bahamas en esta semana, sumado a la internacionalización que ha tenido el país luego de Balaguer hasta ocupar cargos cómo dirigir el consejo de seguridad de la ONU, Maximo organismo mundial, abrir relaciones con China y otros países del mundo me da a entender que los políticos y poderes fácticos han entendido cuál es el verdadero destino del país, y lento pero de manera consistente, han realizado acciones para llegar a ese fin, convertir al país en el líder local de Centro America y El Caribe, Dominicana el Hegemon Caribeño.
Ya viene siendo hora que el país y los dominicanos empecemos a pensar en nuestros intereses y como proyectarlos en la región, de manera diplomática, política y militar. El caribe, tradicionalmente, ha sido una región controlada por las potencias mundiales, pero con el cambio de este mundo unipolar, donde el mundo era controlado por el norte global, a uno multi polar con la participación de países y bloques emergentes, nos ofrece la posibilidad de poder contar con nuestra propia esfera de influencia, y para los que digan que digo tonterías o que es imposible, yo no digo que nos opongamos a los intereses de las potencias mundiales per sec, ya que eso nos es dificil actualmente, sino, que dentro de esos intereses que de momento no podemos obviar, sacar mayor partida y pasar de ser un simple lacayo, a un socio líder y luego a una potencia regional. Poder tener la capacidad de liderar tanto el caribe como centro America, nos daría mayor garantías de negociar con grandes potencias desde una posición más favorable, ya que con la suficiente influencia, integración e liderazgo, podemos tener voz y voto en el control de una de las principales rutas comerciales del mundo y una de las principales fuentes de energia.
Los movimientos hechos en esta administración y la pasada dan indicios de que esa es la vía que se está tomando. El caso de Guyana es interesante por lo siguiente:

• Guyana puede convertirse en la solución a uno de nuestros talones de Aquiles, la carencia de fuentes de energía, y si analizamos la historia, nos damos cuenta que lo segundo que debe de asegurarse cualquier país que piense en ser desarrollado es materias primas para poder industrializarse, cosa que nos puede proveer este país si nos hacemos de la influencia suficiente y hacemos las inversiones adecuadas, yo no lo veo con la mentalidad del mediocre en pensar que se traduciría en combustibles más baratos para el pueblo, lo veo con los ojos de la industrialización que se puede dar con el simple hecho de tener materia prima más competitiva
  
• Representar fuentes seguras donde invertir ya que es un país virgen prácticamente y esto pudiendo dar una rentabilidad tremenda para el estado y nuestras empresas privadas ya que será durante mucho tiempo el país de mayor crecimiento en el mundo de manera sostenida, por lo que cualquier cosa que se instale allí y cuaje, crecerá como la verdolaga. Por lo que desde ahora debemos de hacernos con la mayor parte del pastel posible y asegurar nuestra influencia antes que los demás.
  

*Nos dará el 3er aliado de importancia en la región caricom (ya tenemos como aliados cercanos a Trinidad y se está trabajando full con Jamaica desde hace años), esto junto al acercamiento que se inició esta semana a Bahamas con la apertura de una embajada formal y las acciones que se que se darán en los próximos días , puede abrirnos la entrada al caricom y en un futuro hacer el papel de líder, sumado al papel de liderazgo en consolidación que se tiene en la región Card (centro America, Panama, Rep Dom) nos consolidaría como líder local indiscutible de la región, empujaría el desarrollo nacional y regional y nos colocaría a las puertas de ser una potencia regional.
Cuales retos tiene que enfrentar el país en esa ruta?

• Aprender de Chile a jugar todas las cartas, ser socio de todos y amigo de ninguno, lo digo y lo mantengo, tenemos que dejar la dependencia absoluta de los gringos, y no es para ser dependientes de China, debemos de balancear en las aguas y pescar en mar revuelto, no ser nosotros lo que estemos mendigando sino que sean ellos los que ofrezcan. No ponernos en contra de ninguno pero no ser fichas de otros
  
• Debemos hacer un compromiso nacional, para en los próximos 20 años, transformar la sociedad en una más moderna, educada, ambiciosa y comprometida con su nación
  
• Debemos como estado, colocarnos como la principal fuerza militar del caribe salvo Venezuela y Colombia por el momento, por que no es para hacer guerra o utilizar la política de cañonera, pero con más músculo, podemos defender mejor nuestros intereses y los de los países de la región, debemos de contar con buques que puedan proyectar fuerza a nuestra área de influencia, una fuerza aérea moderna y un ejército profesional. Si Estados Unidos no nos quiere ayudar, hay muchas opciones buenas que no chocan con sus intereses y que son mejores como España, Corea del Sur, Israel, India, Brazil y Turquía. Países que fuera de Brazil, no tendrían interesen que choquen con los nuestros.
  
• Debemos de fundar un organismo de cooperación internacional Dominicano que en primera instancia funcione a nivel regional, esto sumado a una modernización y profesionalización de el aparato diplomático, permitiría a través de la diplomacia de la ayuda monetaria (tipo USAID, Alianza Francesa, Jica, ACE y otros) y la cooperación en diversas áreas darnos mayor influencia en la región, ejemplos pueden ser destinar 100 millones de dólares al año para cooperación con el caricom en materia turística, agricola, industrial y de protección al medio ambiente en primera instancia.
  
• Debemos si o si, entrar al Caricom, para eso tenemos que hacer que los 4 miembros principales obliguen a los demás a darnos entrada y lentamente tomar primacía.
  

Que amenazas tenemos?

• El eje comunista en la región, es la principal amenaza por que las potencias mundiales son algo que no podemos combatir, pero estos 3 países si, por que lo digo? Cuba a través de las revoluciones y Venezuela a través de la política de los petrodólares han intentado e intentarán llegar a el mismo objetivo, de ser el Hegemon del Caribe, Nicaragua es un aliado ideológico de estos, por eso la importancia militar y diplomática que debe de tener el país para poder proyectar, proteger e imponer sus intereses, quiero recordarles a todos, que en la época de Trujillo, cuando teníamos una de las mejores fuerzas aéreas del continente, pocos países fuera de los gringos en el continente se atrevían a amenazar territorio dominicano o intereses dominicanos, Haití estaba intimidado, centro America también, venezuela también, cuba estaba bajo influencia Trujillista hasta que triunfó la revolución, y un valiente Fidel decidió romper con eso y enviar varias invasiones con objetivo de tumbar el régimen, fracasando por el aparato de espionaje y las poderosas fuerzas de rep dom, cosa que Trujillo le devolvió con la invasión de la alianza anticomunista del caribe, Cuba se salvó de ser destruida por que a pocos meses de Trujillo ordenar su destruccion, fue asesinado y por que tenía menos medios en esos momentos por que le había dado de baja a muchos bombarderos y cazas, pero tenía en planes adquirir más para lograr eso, poco tiempo después, Cuba, adquiriendo una mejor fuerza aérea y el pusilánime Balaguer debilitando aún más las nuestras por órdenes de los del norte, protagonizó la humillante operación Pico, que humilló a nuestro país de manera impune, lo mismo haría Haiti con la invasión de nuestra embajada y consulado en ese país por parte de los Tom Tom Macoute por orden de Papa Doc. Por eso pienso que es vital armarnos lo suficiente
  
• Venezuela tiene reclamos territoriales con Guyanas, si vamos a invertir y aliarnos con ellos, hay que dejar en claro que podemos tener roces con Venezuela por que Guyana obviamente va a poner como condición el que le demos apoyo en ese sentido
  
• Haiti, pero eso lo dejo para otro post que titulare: Haiti, nuestro patio trasero, nuestra colonia o nuestro aliado, que nos conviene más
  

De resolver todo esto, no hay dudas que el país alcanzará nuevas cotas de progreso, la región será una más unida y podremos tener mayor decisión en nuestro futuro.
Nada de esto fue escrito por ChatHDP o como se llame dirigido a el charlatán envidioso que dice que aquí se usa eso
Edit: no bien termino de escribir y editar esto y sale esta noticia Abinader asistirá a reunión de Caricom donde participará vicepresidenta de EEUU
Demasiada coincidencia, que el turco haya normalizado relaciones con países del Caricom y el acercamiento que ha tenido con Jamaica recientemente, eso es detrás de la entrada al Caricom que el esta.

Chapter Four

1. … we were enslaved [משעבדים, MeShoo`eBahDeeYM] to fundamentals [ליסודות, LeeYÇODOTh] [of] the world.

“The word τα στοιχεια [ta stoikheia], the elements ... meant (a) the letters of the alphabet… (b) the elements of which a thing was composed, as the fire, air, earth, and water of which the world was thought to be constituted; (c) the elements of the universe, the larger cosmos, including the sun, moon, planets, and stars; and (d) the spirits, angels, and demons which were believed to ensoul the heavenly bodies, traverse all space, and inhabit every nook and cranny of earth, particularly tombs, desert places, and demented persons. These spirits were said to be organized like human governments. In Rom. [Romans] 8:38 Paul calls them ‘principalities’ and ‘powers.’ And vss. [verses] 9 and 10 of our present chapter indicate that he has them in mind in vs. 3. …
Paul … includes in ‘the elements of the universe’ all sub-Christian ideas and observances, both Jewish and Gentile. He regards these ‘elements’ as slave drivers who frighten men with curses for not propitiating them by observance of special days and seasons, food taboos, dietary fads, and circumcision. In Christ he declared his independence of Fate, Fortune, Luck, and Chance, and from astrology, the counterfeit religion and bastard sister of astronomy, whose practitioners exploited the superstition that the stars controlled men’s lives from birth to death.” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X pp. 521 & 522)
“The elements of the world] A mere Jewish phrase, יסודי עולם הזה yasudey ‘olam hazzeh, ‘the principles of this world;’ that is, the rudiments or principles of the Jewish religion. The apostle intimates that the law was not the science of salvation; it was only the elements or alphabet of it.” (Clarke, 1831, vol. II p. 387)

1. But [אבל, ’ahBahL] as that was filled the time, sent forth, Gods, [את, ’ehTh] His son, born [of] woman, and subject [וכפוף, VeKhahPhOoPh] to instruction.

“The four words, το πληρωμα του χρονου [to pleroma tou khronou], the fullness of the time, express a whole philosophy of history. The Hebrew prophets and Jewish apocalyptists believed that their God was the creator of the universe and arbiter of the destinies of all men and nations. Nothing could happen that was not his doing, either directly or indirectly through angels and men. He had a time for everything, and everything happened exactly on time. … The completion of this present age would be marked by a blood-red revolution, in which all good men and good works would be ground under the heel of the tyrant, while the wicked reigned supreme. Then suddenly God would intervene with the lightning of judgment to snatch the world from the mouth of the bottomless pit and restore it to Paradise, whence it had fallen with the sin of Adam. Sorrow and sighing would flee away, and the Messiah would reign with the perfection of a theocratic king.
At this juncture, says Paul, when the appointed period of history was ‘full,’ god sent his Son γενομενον εκ γυναικος, γενομενον υπο νομον [genomenon ek gunaikos, genomenon upο nomon], ‘born of woman, bοrn under law.’ … Jesus was not only born under law, but was subject to it all his life. ...The ‘yoke’ of the Torah demanded that he observe the customs of his forefathers, such as wearing phylactery and prayer fringes, ceremonial washing of hands before eating, giving thanks at mealtime, praying at stated times, bringing tithes and sacrifices, and obeying the Ten Commandments.” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X pp. 522 & 523)
Not to mention circumcision, kashrut, and the prohibition of associating with gentiles.
“Sent forth refers to God’s sending of his Son from his pre-existent state in heaven (I Cor. [Corinthians] 8:6; Phil. [Philippians] 2:6-8; Col. [Colossians] 1:15-17). Yet this Son was born of woman. There is nothing in these words, or elsewhere in Paul’s letters, to prove or disprove that he knew the story of the miraculous conception. His point here is that the Christ, although he was the pre-existent Son of God, did not come into this world with a body composed of celestial substance, but was woman-born like all other human beings. … It was very different from the conception of royal sonship in Ps. 2, where the king is called God’s ‘Son; because he has been chosen to be the Messiah. In Paul, Jesus is God’s Son by nature, and his Christhood follows by virtue of this sonship. This belief was the fundamental cause of the split between the Jews and the Christians. The lowly birth, the obscurity of Nazareth, and the fact that Jesus was a common laborer, constituted a grievous scandal in the eyes of all who were expecting their Deliverer to come riding on a chariot of clouds wielding the lightning of judgment. Paul’s gospel contradicts every form of hyperspirituality that fixes a gulf between God and his material world. On the other hand, his conception of the coming of Jesus was poles removed from the pagan stories of the births of heroes, savior-gods, and kings, whose legends were freighted with illicit relationships and lawless conduct like the lives of the devotees who had created them in their own image.” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X pp. 523-524)
“Nothing is said explicitly about the Son’s preexistence, which is at most implied … born of a woman: … The phrase is derived from the OT [Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible] (Job 14:1 …). So born, Jesus submitted to the law by being circumcised and thus became capable of falling under its curse. But lest the Galatians draw a wrong conclusion, Paul [and The Interpreters’ Bible] does not mention Jesus’ circumcision. Instead of genomenon, ‘born,’ some patristic writers read gennomenon, and understood this ptc. [participle] as referring to Mary’s virginal conception; but this is anachronistic interpretation.” (Joseph A. Fitzmyer, 1990, TNJBC p. 787)

1. Accordingly [לפיכך, LePheeYKhahKh], you are not [אינך, ’aYNKhah] a slave anymore [אוד, ’OD], for if [כי אם, KeeY ’eeM] a son, and, if a son, then [אזי, ’ahZahY] also heir from favor [מטעם, MeeTah`ahM] [of] Gods.

“This is Paul’s proclamation of emancipation.” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X p. 528)
………………………………………… Worry of Shah’OoL to Galatians [verses 8–20]

1. In [the] past, in a time that you did not know [את, ’ehTh] Gods, you slaved [את, ’ehTh] who that in their nature [שבמנהותם, ShehBeMahHOoThahM] were not Gods.

“The Jews never ceased to ridicule idols and denounce idolaters… They demoted the old gods to the rank of demons and made a list of detractive names for them: angels, shepherds, princes; kings, emperors, benefactors, heroes; demons, personifications, idols, nonentities. Some were living, some dead; some were good, but were not God. Most of them were bad, and their idols were but images of ‘things of nought.’ …
Paul did not deny the existence of these beings whose ignorant worshipers called them gods, but he declared that they did not partake of the nature of God (I Cor. 8:4-6). God permitted them to plague mankind to punish sin, especially the sin of participating in the sacraments of the Gentile cults (I Cor. 10:19-22; 11:28-31). But Christ had conquered them and no Christian needed to fear them.” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X p. 529)

1. Behold, you are honoring days and new-[moons], seasons [מועדים, MO`ahDeeYM] and years.

“Days like the Sabbath and Yom hakkippurim [“Day of Atonement”] are meant; months like the ‘new moon’; seasons like Passover and Pentecost; years like the sabbatical years… Paul can see no reason for a Gentile Christian to observe these.” (Joseph A. Fitzmyer, 1990, TNJBC p. 788)
…
…………………………………………
Two the covenants [verses 21-26]

1. Say to me, you, the wanters to be subject to Instruction, have you not heard [את, ’ehTh] the Instruction?
2. Is it not written that to ’ahBRahHahM there were two sons, the one from the maid [האמה, Hah’ahMaH] and the second from the woman the free [החפשיה, HahHahPhSheeYah]?
3. But [אך, ’ahKh] [the] son [of] the maid was born according to [לפי, LePheeY] the flesh, and however [ואילו, Ve’eeYLOo] [the] son [of] the free upon mouth of the promise.
4. The words the these, they are a parable to two the covenants: the one from Mount ÇeeNah-eeY [Sinai], the birther to slavery, and she is HahGahR [“The Sojourner”, Hagar].

“It is well known how fond the Jews were of allegorizing; every thing in the law was with them an allegory: their Talmud [ancient commentary] is full of these; and one of their most sober and best educated writers Philo, abounds with them…
It is very likely, therefore, that the allegory produced here; St. Paul had borrowed from the Jewish writings; and he brings it in to convict the Judaizing Galatians on their own principles: and neither he, nor we, have any thing farther to do with this allegory, than as it applies to the subject for which it is quoted; nor does it give any license to those men of vain and superficial minds, who endeavour to find out allegories in every portion of the Sacred Writings; and by what they term spiritualizing, which is more properly carnalizing, have brought the testimonies of God into disgrace. May the spirit of silence be poured out upon all such corrupters of the word of God!” (Clarke, 1831, vol. II p. 390)
“Allegorical interpretation rests upon the belief that every word, figure of speech, and grammatical form in scripture has a special ‘spiritual’ significance besides its literal meaning. The theory is that the God who dictated it meant more than rests on the surface and that while he said one thing, he also meant something else in addition to the literal sense… The Greeks had long since applied the method to explain away the immoral things which the gods said and did in Homer… Then Greek-speaking Jews, like Philo Judaeus, employed it apologetically to read Greek philosophy into the O.T. [Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible], proclaiming that Moses had said all these good things long before and better than Homer and Plato.
The wonder is that Paul has so little allegory. His restraint is explained partly by his training as a Pharisee. The rabbis were suspicious of any interpretation of scripture that tended to make Jews lax in their observance of the law. Jews with Gnostic leanings, and those who considered some of their ancestral customs outmoded, could resort to allegory to justify their philosophy and conduct, while maintaining that they were the spiritual superiors of the conservatives who held to the letter of the law … His argument, however, is never strengthened by allegorical symbolism and typology, for these are convincing only to those who by imagination can find them so. Rather, as in Rom. 9-11, he introduces unnecessary complications such as the moral difficulties involved in predestination. His gospel does not rest on the quicksands of allegory, a specious method of interpreting scripture. Its interpretations are of interest to the historian not as correct representations of what the writers and first readers of the Bible had in mind, but only as source materials for understanding the life and thought of the allegorists themselves.” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X p. 540)

1. Hagar signifies [מסמלת, MeÇahMehLeTh] [את, ’ehTh] Mount ÇeeNah-eeY, that is in Arabia, and parallels [ומקבילה, OoMahQBeeYLaH] to Jerusalem of our day, for she is in slavery with her sons.

“… why does Paul mention Arabia…? Possibly because Mt. Sinai is in Arabia[?], which is Ishmaelite territory; he thus associates the Sinai pact with the eponymous patriarch of Arab tribes … Paul thus suggests that the law itself stems from a situation extrinsic to the promised land and to the real descendants of Abraham. Paul’s Jewish former co-religionists would not have been happy with this allegory.” (Joseph A. Fitzmyer, 1990, TNJBC p. 788)

1. But [אבל, ’ahBahL] Jerusalem from ascended [מעלה, Mah`eLaH], [the] daughter [of] freedom [חורין, HOReeYN] is she, and she is mother to us.

“The Jerusalem which now is was a most unholy “Holy city”, full of injustice, violence and murder, and subject to the cruel and wicked rulers imposed by a Gentile empire. But over against this Jerusalem of slavery lay an ideal celestial city, unseen at present, but destined soon to supersede it. Paul called it the Jerusalem above. Sarah, the free-woman, was the ancestress of its citizens, who were the people of faith and of freedom in Christ…
Paul speaks of Jerusalem above, because this new city of freedom already exists in heaven where Christ is, where dwell the souls of those who have died in Christ. But it also exists on earth as the church, the body of Christ, whose members are colonists from heaven sent to prepare men for the full establishment of God’s kingdom at Christ’s second coming (Phil. 3:20; Col. 3:1-3).
The biblical root of this conception of an ideal future and heavenly Jerusalem is Isa. [Isaiah] 54. Other descriptions appear in Ezek. [Ezekiel] 40-48; Zech. [Zechariah] 2:1-13; Hag. [Haggai] 2:6-9; Tob. [Tobias] 13:9-18 Ecclus. [Ecclesiasticus] 36; Pss. Sol. [Psalms of Solomon] 17:33. Historically the expectation assumed three forms. According to the earliest hope, God would build the new Jerusalem in Palestine and make it the capital of his theocratic world government. The plan of this glorious city was graven upon the palms of his hands (Isa. 49:16). From this idea it was but a step, especially for those influenced by Greek ideas, to think of this ideal Jerusalem as already existing in heaven. According to the Apocalypse of Baruch, God had shown it to Adam in Paradise before he sinned; to Abraham on the night mentioned in Gen. 15:12-21; and to Moses on Sinai, when he gave him the heavenly pattern for an earthly tabernacle (II Baruch 4:1-6; cf. [compare with] Heb. [Hebrews]12:22). The third conception combined these two ideas. The Jerusalem which was ‘above’ would come down to earth to be established in Palestine in place of the city that ‘now is’ (cf. Rev. [Revelation] 3:12, 21:2; II Esdras 7:26; 13:36; 10:54).
So the new Jerusalem belonged to both worlds and to both ages, to heaven and earth, to the present and the future. Its constitution was the new covenant, and its citizens were the men of faith in Christ, a new kind of freemen who traced their spiritual ancestry through the line of Isaac and his mother Sarah as heirs of God’s promise to Abraham. As for Ishmael and his tribe, they were the men of law, predestined to be slaves forever. Needless to say, the Judaizers found Paul’s allegorical exclusion of themselves utterly unacceptable. They believed that the Torah was God’s blueprint for all creation, and that it would be observed forever in the new Jerusalem. That, they said, was why God was going to purge the old city – to establish an order of life in which perfect obedience to his law would be possible.” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X pp. 541-542)
“…it was a maxim among the rabbins, that, ‘Whatsoever was in the earth, the same was also found in heaven; for there is no matter, howsoever small, in this world, that has not something similar to it in the spiritual world.’ On this maxim, the Jews imagine that every earthly thing has its representative in heaven: and especially whatever concerns Jerusalem, the law, and its ordinances. Rab. Kimchi, speaking of Melchisedec, king of Salem, says, זו ירושלים של מעלה Zu Yerushalem shel me’alah – ‘This is the Jerusalem that is from above.’…
There is a spiritual Jerusalem, of which this is the type; and this Jerusalem, in which the souls of all the righteous are, is free from all bondage and sin: or by this, probably the kingdom of the Messiah was intended; and this certainly answers best to the apostle’s meaning, as the subsequent verse shows.” (Clarke, 1831, vol. II p. 391)

1. That see, is written:

“Chant, barren, not birthing, [רני עקרה לא ילדה RahNeeY ahQRaH Lo’ YahLahDaH] burst chanting and shouting, not travailing, [פצחי רנה וצהלי לא-חלה PeeTsHeeY ReeNaH VeTsahHahLeeY Lo’-HahLaH] for multitudinous are sons of her deserted than [מי, MeeY] sons of her mistress [כי-רבים בני-שוממיה מבני בעולה KheeY-RahBeeYM BeNaY-ShoMahMeeYHah MeeBeNaY BeooLaH].”
“A telling item in the counterpropaganda of the legalists was the argument that even among the Christians only a radical fringe consisting mainly of foreign Jews, of whom Paul was one, were proposing to abandon the law of Moses. …
In one respect his quotation of Isa. 54:1 does not fit Paul’s allegory. It was Sarah, the mother of freemen, who possessed the husband, and Hagar, the slave, who was the deserted woman. As usual with Paul’s illustrations (cf. Rom. 7:1-4; 11:17-24), the details cannot be pressed without making them go lame …
The Isaian figure to describe the plight of Jerusalem during the Babylonian exile grew out of a common experience in Hebrew family life. Childlessness, particularly the failure to bear sons, was great grief and disgrace. Such was the sorrow of Jerusalem; but the prophet bade her look forward with courage to the time when all her scattered children would come back to her (Isa. 54:3). God was her ‘husband,’ and he would treat his faithful remnant with everlasting lovingkindness, making them more numerous than the former population and giving them a heritage of great peace and prosperity (Isa. 54:13-17).” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X p. 542)
“The prophet’s words are addressed to deserted Zion, bidding it rejoice at the return of the exiles.” (Joseph A. Fitzmyer, 1990, TNJBC p. 788)

1. But you, my brethren [τεχνα, tekhna, “children”], you are the sons of the promise, as was YeeTsHahQ [“He Laughed”, Isaac].

“The Judaizers claimed that Abraham had obeyed the law of Moses by anticipation, and that God’s promise was his reward. Consequently the descendants of Isaac were children of promise only if they followed Abraham’s example in obeying the law. Paul turned it the other way about: the promise must be taken on faith, not as credit for obedience.” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X p. 542)

1. And just as [וכשם, OoKhShayM] that then pursued, [רדף, RahDahPh] the son that was born according to [לפי, LePheeY] flesh, [את, ’ehTh] the son that was born according to the spirit, yes, also now.

“In Gen 21:10 Sarah, seeing Ishmael ‘playing’ with Isaac and viewing him as the potential rival to Isaac’s inheritance, drives him and his mother out. Nothing in Gen is said of Ishmael’s ‘persecution’ of Isaac, but Paul may be interpreting the ‘playing’ as did a Palestinian haggadic explanation of Gen 21:9 (see Josephus, ANT. [Antiquities] 1.12.3§215 …” (Joseph A. Fitzmyer, 1990, TNJBC p. 788)
“A rabbinical tradition of the second century A.S. interprets the Hebrew participle מצחק [MeeTsHahQ, “play”] (LXX παιζοντα [paizonta] in Gen. 21:9 to mean that Ishmael’s ‘playing’ became so rough that Isaac’s life was in danger. This son of a slave is said to have shot arrows at Isaac to kill him, and Paul’s statement shows that some such tradition was current in his day. He applied it to the Judaizers who were trying to force the Christians to observe the whole law of Moses, and to the unbelieving Jews who were excommunicating the Christians and their families and getting them into trouble with the civil authorities (1:5; 4:17; 5:10; I Thess. [Thessalonians] 2:14-16).” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X p. 543)

1. But what says the Written [Scripture]?

“Banish [גרש GahRaySh] the maid and [את, ’ehTh] her son, for not will inherit [יירש, YeeYRahSh], son [of] the maid [האמה, Hah’ahMaH], with son [of] the free.”
“The quotation is from Gen. 21:10 … The speaker of these words is Sarah, who is filled with rage against Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham is represented as greatly grieved, but God is said to have sanctioned the demand of the cruel and jealous wife….
This story was one of the effects and one of the causes of the perpetual feud between the Israelites and the tribes that descended from Ishmael. The Hebrews were so sure that God wanted them to have Palestine that they found no moral difficulty in saying that it was God himself who had overruled Abraham’s conscience (Gen. 17:18-21). They affirmed that Ishmael’s character and destiny had been predetermined (Gen. 16:12). Consequently, even his circumcision at the age of thirteen could not make him a member of God’s chosen people. However great this innocent victim of a family feud might become by virtue of the halfhearted blessing conceded by an uneasy conscience (Gen. 17:20-21), he and his descendants were barred forever from the higher blessing. Theirs was to submit to the religious imperialism of the most favored nation or die. Moreover, all Abraham’s other sons except Isaac were barred from the promise and sent away ‘unto the east country’ (Gen. 25:5-6). And yet while all this was said to be the Lord’s doing, it was in the same breath declared to be the doing of the human actors in this drama of the nations. Sarah herself was said to have suggested that Abraham become a father by her Egyptian slave girl. Then, too, it was explained that Hagar’s flight from the cruelty of her mistress was voluntary, making her, rather than the callous compliance of Abraham, responsible for her plight ‘in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur’ (Gen. 16:7).
Paul’s use of Abraham’s expulsion of Hagar and her child has its parallel in the equally heartless treatment of Esau which he employs in Rom. 9-11 in his longer discussion of the divine process of selection. Here too it was assumed that the hatred generated by centuries of war for the possession of Palestine lay in the heart of God. “I hate Esau,” said Malachi (1:3), making God the speaker; and Rom. 9:6-13 presses it to the utmost limit of predestination. But the love of God in Christ Jesus made Paul’s heart better than his inherited doctrine … When the history of the struggle for the possession of “the Holy land” is allegorized to justify a doctrine of “election” which foredooms countless souls to an eternity of torment in a future hell, it becomes as morally atrocious as it is irreconcilable with Paul’s gospel.
Nevertheless Paul’s allegory gives the historian an insight into Paul’s mind as he wrestled with the insoluble problem of God’s sovereignty and human freedom.” (Stamm, 1953, TIB vol. X pp. 543-544)
“Paul bids the Galatians rid themselves of the Judaizers – and, ironically enough, obey the Torah itself.” (Joseph A. Fitzmyer, 1990, TNJBC p. 788)

(disclaimer: long read, true story; sexo oral, obsessão, dor na pila)
Há uns anos atrás fui convidado a ir a casa de uma colega de trabalho, numa festa organizada por ela e aí conheci uma amiga dela a quem chamaremos Susana (nome fictício). Mais velha do que eu 5 anos, houve ali sintonia e química entre nós e trocamos números de telemóvel (devo esclarecer que a Susana era e é absolutamente avessa a redes sociais).
Começamos a trocar mensagens, a que se seguiram horas de conversa ao telefone, todas as noites, convite para jantar fora e terminamos a noite em casa dela. A Susana vivia num T0 duplex, com mezzanine, ao lado Arrábida Shopping. Confessamos sentimentos, primeiros beijos e não houve sexo nessa noite, porque ela disse que se recusava a fazer sexo logo no início.
Enquanto estávamos no sofá nos amassos, ela confessou-me que adorava sexo oral e que esperava que eu não tivesse problemas com isso, pois o último homem com quem ela tinha estado (segundo ela) era avesso a essa prática (não lhe fazia minetes, porque tinha nojo e a custo permitia que ela lhe mamasse) e tinha-lhe posto massa nos patins. Como gosto de sexo oral (tanto de fazer, como de receber), disse logo que não ia ter o mesmo problema comigo. Mal sabia eu no que me ia meter.
No fim de semana seguinte, convida-me a ir a casa dela e pede-me para levar pijama e escova de dentes pois queria que passasse lá o fim de semana. Cheguei lá e começamos aos beijos, despimo-nos e eu comecei a fazer-lhe sexo oral. Ela tinha a vagina impecavelmente depilada (a laser, segundo ela) e uns lábios interiores muito salientes, pareciam dois bifes ao dependuro. Mas como isso nunca me incomodou (só me recuso a fazer oral durante a menstruação quando o fluxo está intenso), lá lhe lambi a cona gulosamente. Ela disse-me »tu tens jeito« e pediu-me que me sentasse no sofá e a deixasse trabalhar.
Foi o que fiz e ela comecou a - literalmente - fazer-me o melhor broche da minha vida. Ela mamava com um gosto e uma arte como nunca vi antes nem depois. Começava lentamente por mamar na glande, ia passando a língua em torno da glande para me excitar, fazia um truque que consistia em estimular o frénulo com a ponta da língua, engolia tudo (não que eu seja propriamente dotado mas aquilo entrava pela garganta dentro) e estava a deixar-me completamente arrasado, nunca em toda a minha vida me tinham feito um broche com tanta mestria.
Quando já não aguentava mais, pedi para a comer por detrás, ela aceitou e esporrei-me em três minutos e meia dúzia de bombadas, de tão excitado que estava. Disse assim »Estás contente? Já sou tua, mais uma na tua lista!«. Ela vai então para o WC lavar-se no bidé e eu fico todo suado, no sofá, com a pichota mole.
Quando ela regressa, estava eu à espera de ficarmos nos amassos e o inesperado acontece. Ela ajoelha-se à minha frente, manda-me abrir as pernas e recomeça a mamar. Antes disso diz »agora começa a minha parte favorita, estás à minha mercê« e recomeça o jogo da mamama. Como não quis dar parte de fraco, deixei-a mamar à vontade mas confesso que aquilo estava a deixar-me desconfortável pois tinha acabado de me vir e ainda estava no período refractário. Anons: digo-vos que a gaja mamava como se não visse pila há décadas, sempre com um jeitinho diferente, não parava nem para respirar ou tirar a saliva. Simplesmente mamava sofregamente. O pau lá se endireitou de novo e ela disse que me queria fazer vir outra vez só com a boca mas nunca me consegui vir assim. Lá comecei a perder a ereção, ela pára de mamar, começa a bater-me uma e pede-me para me vir na boca dela. Antes disso perguntou-me se queria que engolisse. Lá me consegui vir e ela mostra-me orgulhosamente a esporra na língua, antes de a engolir e mostrar a língua de novo limpinha. Nisto dá-me um beijo bem molhado (para ver se tinha nojo), antes de ir bochechar a boca com água.
Veste o roupão, vai fumar um cigarrinho e ficamos na treta um pouco. Pergunta-me se queremos ir para a cama , aceito a pensar que íamos dormir e mal nos deitamos ela começa a mamar de novo. Meus, palavra de honra que já me doía a pila de tanta mamada. Ia perdendo a ereção com a sensibilidade mas ela não se importava, continuava a mamar. Juro-vos que nunca vi. Até que lhe pedi que parasse pois já nao tinha mais ereção e fomos dormir.
Na manhã seguinte acordamos e demos um beijo. Tínhamos dormido nus, ela tira os lençóis e imaginem o que começa a fazer: começa a mamar, como se nada se tivesse passado. Ainda me ofereci para fazer sexo oral ou simplesmente fazer sexo penetrativo normal mas ela não queria, simplesmente queria mamar. Só dizia: deita-te, relaxa e deixa-me trabalhar, inclinava-se e recomeçava a mamar. Tinha a piça literalmente a rebentar de tesão, deito-me em cima dela e fazemos sexo penetrativo até me vir. Ela lá vai lavar-se de novo, veste o roupao e pede que eu tomasse banho enquanto ela preparava o café.
Depois de tomarmos café, ela tira o roupao, ficando totalmente nua, empurra-me levemente para cima do sofá, abre-me as pernas e que faz ela.....recomeça a mamar, sofregamente, como se nunca tivesse visto uma pila. Acho que um tipo que fosse às meninas depois de 20 anos preso nunca comeria cona com tanta sofreguidão como esta tipa mamava. Ela mamava, mamava, mamava, de todas as maneiras e feitios. Eu ofereci-em para a montar mas ela rejeitou, disse que só queria mamar no meu belo caralho (que não tem nada de especial, uns meros 14cm nos dias muito bons, normalmente anda pelos 13cm) e lá continuou a mamar.
Pah aí aconteceu uma coisa esquisitíssima: à força de estar com a pila sempre erecta, sempre a ser estimulada com as mamadelas dela, o meu membro viril começou literalmente a doer-me. Juro-vos que não aguentava mais, eram dores intensas mesmo pois ela mamava com um vigor e sofreguidão como nunca vi. Começava a perder ereção e ela a intensificar o ritmo e intensidade da mamada, o que só provocava mais dores. Tive que lhe pedir para parar. Lá fizemos uma pausa, ela vestiu o roupão e foi à varanda fumar o cigarrinho da praxe e mal voltamos ao sofá ela recomeçou a mamada.
Nesse fim de semana nao a penetrei mais do que três vezes mas fiquei literalmente horas a ser mamado até a pila me doer intensamente.
Ainda andamos mais uns tempos até que deixamos de nos ver pois eu não aguentava aquele ritmo. Ela entretanto conheceu um sujeito , casou-se e arrendou o apartamento dela no Arrrábida Shopping.
Moral da história: nem tudo o que luz é ouro amigos e cuidado com a vossa auto-confiança sexual. Nunca sabem o que vos vai aparecer à frente.

Company Name	Title	City
Chad E Cowan CPA PA	Staff Accountant	Augusta
Alphia	CDL Drivers and Mill Assistants, Maintenance Technicians, QA and Sanitation Technicians	Bern
Gideons Source of Kansas Inc.	Journeyman Electrician or Residential Wireman & Apprentice	Derby
Webcon Inc.	Laborers	Hutchinson
University of Kansas - Shared Service Center	Student Program Coordinator	Lawrence
BASYS Processing, Inc.	Sr Software Engineer	Lenexa
SNSA Inc	Director of Operations	Lenexa
HungerRush LLC	Sr Software Engineers	Overland Park
Phoenix Home Care and Hospice	Caregiver	Overland Park
Gravitas Tech LLC	Software Developers	Overland Park
Compass Minerals	Senior Payroll Analyst	Overland Park
Koch & Co., Inc.	Production Jobs	Seneca
Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka	Collateral and Safekeeping Operations Coordinator	Topeka
Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka	Member Products Intern	Topeka
T.O. Haas Tire & Auto	Automotive Lube and Tire Tech	Junction City
Cargill	Utility Worker	Kansas City
Cargill	Utility Helper	Kansas City
Conduent, Inc.	CRC Specialist	Lebanon
Conduent, Inc.	Customer Service Representative	Lebanon
Clearwave Fiber LLC	Installation & Repair Technician	Salina
UniFirst	Maintenance Utility Worker - UniFirst	Wichita
BG Products, Inc	Technical Service Advisor	Derby
Empowerme Wellness	Clinic Director - Physical Therapist (PT) *$2,000 Sign on Bonus	Leawood
AMR	Paramedic Basic	Lenexa
T.O. Haas Tire & Auto	Service Advisor	Medicine Lodge

Hey guys, here are some recent job openings in ks. Feel free to comment here or send me a private message if you have any questions, I'm at the community's disposal! If you encounter any problems with any of these job openings please let me know that I will modify the table accordingly. Thanks!

Company Name	Title	City
Fidelity Investments	Financial Customer Associate	Omaha
Student Transportation of America	School Bus Driver- Omaha South	Omaha
Manheim Auto Auction	Immediate Openings SERVICE TRUCK OPERATOR Immediate Opportunity Omaha	Omaha
Prompt Care Companies Inc	Warehouse Technician (Homecare) - FT - Omaha, NE - $1000 SIGN ON BONUS	Omaha
GT Sales & Manufacturing Inc	Warehouse Team Member	Omaha
GXO Logistics, Inc.	Forklift Operator - 1st Shift	Omaha
Compass Group	Warehouse Stocker - Charles Schwab Field Omaha	Omaha
Genuine Parts Company	Warehouse Associate (Full-Time)	Omaha
Mattress Firm, Inc	Warehouse Associate	Omaha
Epsen Hillmer Graphics Co	Shipping and Receiving Associate	Omaha
SpartanNash Company	Forklift Operator	Omaha
Foot Locker	Stock Associate	Omaha
SpartanNash	Warehouse Order Selector	Omaha
Southwest Airlines	Ramp Agent	Omaha
Big Lots	Retail Store Associates and Stockers - 4544	Omaha
UniFirst Corporation	Warehouse UnloadeLoader	Omaha
Nesco Resource, LLC	Warehouse	Omaha
SpartanNash Company	Warehouse Maintenance Mechanic	Omaha
The Judge Group Inc.	Supply Chain Director	Omaha
Panera Bread	Immediate Openings Assistant General Manager Omaha	Omaha

Hey guys, here are some recent job openings in omaha. Feel free to comment here or send me a private message if you have any questions, I'm at the community's disposal! If you encounter any problems with any of these job openings please let me know that I will modify the table accordingly. Thanks!

Ye eh Pincias aka Pinch Ci piace mettere la faccia in particolare dove non converrebbe, o no? Siamo chi si siede comodamente dalla parte del torto, squalo 73! Contrabbandieri squalo 73, facimm nu spniell c' tnimm a vrè! Nu cannon chin r'evr a quintal, o'pap e Miase MC tutt e doj già stann mal Uè nuj simm squalo 73, o pegg è o' marsigliese a dab ondlè Nu gibbon c mentr ammont s'ntallea, pcchè da 30 ann ten o sfizj e l'aidè Tutt cu na canna mman, gent e for, napulitan! Libertà pa marjuana, roba bon nun fà mal! Ganja bon, jamaican, olandes, italian N vogl na pianta san', senza manett mman Mista fa na cartina a stellin e bomber port o grinder, a san Gaetan o muorz s'avvicin A'weed è chin e pil sign e na uerr Chiur a canna come mago paco Vec a cirù fumm pegg e nu drago Si nnè arrivat pur o partigiano, pur a carcioffol' è chius co uno strato! Contrabbandieri squalo 73, facimm nu spniell c' tnimm a vrè! Nu cannon chin r'evr a quintal, o'pap e Miase MC tutt e doj già stann mal Uè nuj simm squalo 73, o pegg è o' marsigliese a dab ondlè Nu gibbon c mentr ammont s'ntallea, pcchè da 30 ann ten o sfizj e l'aidè Dedicat a chi è arrestat p na can can A mamm fa l'escort e ball o'can can Ngopp e cazz nir ruoss maj tant L'agg vist ind a nu video e fà na gang bang Uè fratè squalo 73, è o nummr e l'articolo che m'hann fatt a me M'hann rat spacc' p grammi 0.7 Er nu cannon c chiurev ndà n'aidè Stev o'pap, Miase e pur Pinch Ngopp o squal cercamm e vencr' Na battaglia nfam' ca ce costring A affruntà nu stat, ce vò scunfiggr' Aaahhh ahhhh a fa na canna comincia tu (×4) * Squalo 73, big up to Raffa, big up a tutt' e uagliun Napoli, big up o'pap, big up Miase, Scalino , Paco, Geordi o sann tutt quant', Mistah PS, Pinch, allora uagliù uanema bell, Bettino Meraviglia, Giovanni Bros Linetta, tutta la Massive... o tò ma tu pur scriv e libr'! E ora vi lascio con l'ultimo intervento, direttamente da non so dove, Miase! "Vi manderò Fantuzz... il prete americano!" Massimo rispetto a Gigi o'figlian... cià Bartulò

The Contemporary Art Center in Peoria is very dear to my heart. So if you are looking to join an already thriving community of artists and like minded individuals come visit. I personally am looking forward to the Flowers for Ukraine show, I expect it to most wonderous.
Tldr: Things happen almost every Friday night and it's better than doom scrolling on your phone.
If reddit is the front page of the internet, then is the Contemporary Art Center the front page of Peoria art? 🤔
‐----------------------
Live at the Five Spot:
Dexter O'Neal and the Funk Yard (Funk/R&B)
Friday, June 9, 2023 ~ 6:30-8:30pm
Every 2nd & 4th Friday
BUY TICKETS in Advance Online at 309tix: $12-nonmembers, $8-members, + fees
(till 5:00pm the day of event) Tickets at the door*: $16-nonmembers, $12-Members
Tickets at door are sold only if max capacity is not reached.
Dexter O’Neal and Funk Yard is a multi-faceted Peoria-based cover band performing a variety of R&B hits that appeal to all ages. Dex and the gang have the ability to change musical forms right in front of your eyes. You can't beat the steady driving rhythms, heavy bass lines, crazy guitar leads, sultry sax melodies, and the powerful vocals of Dexter O’Neal.
Seeking wine and gift item donations for future receptions and raffle baskets
Contact Darlene or William via email, [email protected] or phone, 309-674-6822

Support for Elevator Repair
In October 2022, the passenger elevator that serves our 4-story building and our neighbor’s building stopped working. Months were then spent exploring why it failed, possible solutions and choosing who to make the repairs followed. We have explored grants and there are none that pays for elevators. To make matters worse, there have been many surprising obstacles for the repairmen. The price tag continues to rise from the initial quote of $107,000 to now well over $275,000 and the elevator still has not been restored. The lack of an elevator has impacted our business significantly.
Help us raise money to pay for the elevator repairs. We don’t yet know the final price tag. Our part will be ¼ the final cost which at this point is at least $75,000. We share the elevator with 311 Water and other owners of our building, 305 Water.
Choices for supporting the cause include:
GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-elevator-repair?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1 Facebook fundraiser at https://www.facebook.com/donate/1350067748888975/ on our website at Donation Page - Contemporary Art Center of Peoria (peoriacac.org) cash in person during business hours
Preston Jackson:
Biographical Tracings
April 29-June 19, 2023
Preston Jackson Gallery
Offering a surreal but personal form of reality, Preston’s energetic work is filled with stylized figures inspired from nature and childhood experiences. This series of paintings reads like chapters from a fantastic memoir. Preston is also busy with commissions and continues to garner accolades with the City of Decatur naming a park after him. The exhibit will culminate with his special presentation at the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Sunday, June 18th, 6:30-8:30pm.
Morgan Elser:
The Other Side of Joy
April 29-June 19, 2023
Gallery 3R
23 years ago, Delavan artist Morgan Elser discovered her passion for creating in three dimensions and has since explored many mediums including bronze, fiber, stone, stainless steel and found objects.
As she progresses, a story also unfolds. The Giving Tree, a 21’ tall stainless-steel sculpture, was unveiled in Morton IL in 2017.
Flowers for Ukraine
June 30-August 11, 2023 - Preston Jackson Gallery
July 15 Reception: 6:30-8:30
free admission, donation requested
To show our support for Ukraine and to raise donations, Central Illinois artists have created artwork and patrons are invited to purchase them and/or to donate directly to various organizations serving in Ukraine. Donations can also be given to CAC to be passed on. Contemporary Art Center will donate 20% of sales and any donations to Doctors Without Borders. Besides live music and complimentary snacks and drinks, the reception will feature a flower sculpture by Kira Santiago that can only be seen at the reception.
Vera Scekic: Synthetic Being
June 30-August 11, 2023 - Gallery 3R
Vera Scekic is especially fond of manipulating paint as it surrenders to gravity. Her playful works evoke biotic forms growing like microbial blooms in petri dishes. Scekic has exhibited throughout the country and runs a contemporary art gallery (OS Projects) in Racine, Wisconsin.
Besides live music and complimentary snacks and drinks, the reception will feature a flower sculpture by Kira Santiago that can only be seen at the reception.
Day and Night, acrylic, graphite on MDF, 24” x 30”, Untitled (fluorescent tracers), acrylic, inkjet print on MDF, 8” x 6”
Photographer Seeks Subjects
Photographer Qingjun Huang seeks subjects to immortalize in a photograph. He wants to photograph some people in Central Illinois in the next few months as Fuji is sponsoring him to participate in a traveling international group photography exhibition. So far, he has created one of Peorian Whitney Jensen, that was displayed in his exhibit at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria in 2022. Read More
Upcoming Education:
Tango Practica Peoria
weekly tango practice and lesson
Sundays, 6:30- 9:00 pm - May 7 - June 11
$5.00 cash per person
Hosts: Vlad Niculescu and Constance Estep
Contemporary Art Center of Peoria 2nd floor art gallery, rear entrance (Commercial
Beginning Salsa Dance (level 1)
Tuesdays, July 11 - August 8, 6:30-7:25 pm

Beginning Salsa Dance (level 2)
Tuesdays, July 11 - August 8, 7:30-8:25 pm
Upcoming Events:
Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry
Thursday, June 15, 2023 ~ 8:00-10:00pm
Every 1st & 3rd Thursday
BUY TICKETS in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-nonmembers, $5-members, $3-poets + fees (until 6pm day of event). Tickets at the door: $12-nonmembers, $9-members, $5-poets. Tickets at door are sold only if max capacity is not reached.
Feature Poet: Ladies Cipher featuring Eve Bell
Salsa at CAC
Friday, June 16, 2023
Every 3rd Friday
Introductory Dance Lesson: 8:30-9:30 pm
Learn the basics of several Latin Dances by Eduardo & Beverly Caballero
Open Dancing: 9:30-midnight - music by of Eduardo Caballero
ADMISSION AT THE DOOR ONLY: $8.00 nonmembers, $5.00 CAC members
3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration at the CAC
Sunday, June 18, 2023 ~ 6:30-8:30pm
The Contemporary Art Center’s 3rd annual Juneteenth Celebration will take place Sunday, June 18, 6:30-8:30pm at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria in the Preston Jackson Gallery. The public is invited to this free event. No food or drink will be offered but guests may bring their own food and drink.
Artist Preston Jackson, founder of the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, will share insights into his paintings on display in the gallery. Other speakers include Romando Dixson, Executive Editor of Peoria Journal Star, Whitney Jensen, spoken word poet and co-host of Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry and Carl Adams, author of "Nance: Trials of the First Slave Freed by Abraham Lincoln."

In-between speakers, music will be performed by Judy Page, Preston Jackson and their band.
We are grateful to Weston Meuth for sponsoring the music for tonight's performances.
Live at the Five Spot: Nathan Taylor and Friends (New Orleans Style Jazz/Pop )
Friday, June 23, 2023 ~ 6:30-8:30pm
Every 2nd & 4th Friday
BUY TICKETS in Advance Online at 309tix: $12-nonmembers, $8-members, + fees
(till 5:00pm the day of event) Tickets at the door*: $16-nonmembers, $12-Members
Tickets at door are sold only if max capacity is not reached.
Live at the Five Spot: Beth Bombara (folk/rock/americana)
Friday, July 14 ~ 6:30-8:30pm BUY TICKETS
Tickets in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-members, $12-nonmembers + fees
(till 5:00pm the day of event) Tickets at the door*: $12-Members, $16-nonmembers
Combined Art Reception
Saturday, July 15, 6:30-8:30 pm
live music, complimentary drinks and snacks ● free admission, donation requested.
Meet the exhibiting artists and view their artwork in three galleries.
Featuring a sculptural flower dress by Kira Santiago
Flowers for Ukraine
June 30-August 11, 2023 - Preston Jackson Gallery
Vera Scekic: Synthetic Being
June 30-August 11, 2023 - Gallery 3R

Company Name	Title	City
Aveanna Healthcare	Salaried Physical Therapist Supervisor - $5,000 Sign On Bonus	North Houston
McGuire Moorman	Chef Assistant	Houston
Houston Methodist Hospital	Registered Nurse II (RN)- Medical IMU Nights $10,000 Sign-On Bonus	Houston
Encompass Health	Nurse Supervisor	South Houston
Encompass Health	Physical Therapist (Pool)	South Houston
PrideStaff	Warehouse Coordinator	Houston
SunSource	TX - Warehouse Associate	Houston
Gillman Automotive Group	Parts Warehouse/Driver	Houston
Staffmark	Warehouse Laborer	Houston
Harsco Corporation	Warehouse Technician	Houston
Penske	Operations Supervisor - Warehouse (Supply Chain/Logistics)	Houston
Halliburton	Senior Supply Chain Analyst-Sourcing Lead	Houston
Tenaris	Supply Planning Analyst / Senior Analyst - Houston, Texas	Houston
North Shore Steel	Grinder (Warehouse 10)	Houston
Pool Corporation	Warehouse Worker	Houston
GXO Logistics, Inc.	Industrial Engineer, Warehouse Design - Remote	Houston
Dealer Tire, LLC	Warehouse Associate/Driver (Houston, TX)	Houston
Weyerhauser Co	Forklift Operator - Houston	Houston
Chevron Corporation	2022-2023: Procurement/Supply Chain Management Program Intern - ROMBA	Houston
Auto-Fit, Inc.	Warehouse	Houston
Total Wine & More	Cashier / Stock / Sales Team Member - The Heights	Houston
Cort	Warehouse Supervisor	Houston
TPC Group	Technician, Warehouse I	Houston

Hey guys, here are some recent job openings in houston. Feel free to comment here or send me a private message if you have any questions, I'm at the community's disposal! If you encounter any problems with any of these job openings please let me know that I will modify the table accordingly. Thanks!

Company Name	Title	City
Aveanna Healthcare	Salaried Physical Therapist Supervisor - $5,000 Sign On Bonus	North Houston
McGuire Moorman	Chef Assistant	Houston
Houston Methodist Hospital	Registered Nurse II (RN)- Medical IMU Nights $10,000 Sign-On Bonus	Houston
Encompass Health	Nurse Supervisor	South Houston
Encompass Health	Physical Therapist (Pool)	South Houston
PrideStaff	Warehouse Coordinator	Houston
SunSource	TX - Warehouse Associate	Houston
Gillman Automotive Group	Parts Warehouse/Driver	Houston
Staffmark	Warehouse Laborer	Houston
Harsco Corporation	Warehouse Technician	Houston
Penske	Operations Supervisor - Warehouse (Supply Chain/Logistics)	Houston
Halliburton	Senior Supply Chain Analyst-Sourcing Lead	Houston
Tenaris	Supply Planning Analyst / Senior Analyst - Houston, Texas	Houston
North Shore Steel	Grinder (Warehouse 10)	Houston
Pool Corporation	Warehouse Worker	Houston
GXO Logistics, Inc.	Industrial Engineer, Warehouse Design - Remote	Houston
Dealer Tire, LLC	Warehouse Associate/Driver (Houston, TX)	Houston
Weyerhauser Co	Forklift Operator - Houston	Houston
Chevron Corporation	2022-2023: Procurement/Supply Chain Management Program Intern - ROMBA	Houston
Auto-Fit, Inc.	Warehouse	Houston
Total Wine & More	Cashier / Stock / Sales Team Member - The Heights	Houston
Cort	Warehouse Supervisor	Houston
TPC Group	Technician, Warehouse I	Houston

Hey guys, here are some recent job openings in houston. Feel free to comment here or send me a private message if you have any questions, I'm at the community's disposal! If you encounter any problems with any of these job openings please let me know that I will modify the table accordingly. Thanks!

Decided to open 1 of my 2 ETB for shining Fates. Box was rougher than the other so felt it wouldn't hold good value. Happy with the results and seems I have used up my luck for a while.

Boję się przechodzić przez pasy przez fobię społeczną. Ktoś z was też tak ma? Jak sobie z tym poradzić? Nie umiem sobie poradzić z momentem gdy jakieś auto zatrzyma się by skręcić w boczną ulicę a ja mam przejść tam przez pasy, nigdy nie wiem czy dać autu skręcić czy szybko przejść póki stoi i czeka aż inne samochody przejadą (ale wtedy nie wiem czy to nie jest na chama albo czy te auto nagle nie ruszy jak będę przechodzić), i tak się kiwam i robię z siebie niezdecydowaną idiotkę, a zaraz potem to sobie wyrzucam, bo co o mnie ludzie w autach pomyśleli... A najgorsze są dla mnie pasy gdzie jest guzik, nigdy nie wiem czy mam nacisnąć ten przycisk nawet jak nie ma samochodów a jest czerwone, czy może przejść bez naciskania na czerwonym. Oczywiście mogłabym unikać tej drogi przy spacerach i wybrać tę gdzie są spokojniejsze pasy, ale uparłam się żeby się przełamywać i w ten sposób narażam się na upokorzenie

Link to Hub

Recapping 2022

2022 was a dangerous year to be a Vikings fan, especially if you have a pre-existing heart condition. While a season of 13 wins -- tied for the most since 1998 -- may seem like the team is in a position to make a Superbowl push, the actual quality of the team is a lot more... well, mediocre.
The 2022 Vikings ranked 19th in offensive EPA per play, 25th in defensive EPA per play, 27th in Overall DVOA, and 15th in Pythagorean Wins (with 8.4 expected wins). Kevin O'Connell always preached the performance of the team in priority situations. The team finished 12th in 3rd down conversion rate and 8th in red zone conversion rate. And the team led the league -- by far -- in the number of 4th quarter comebacks and game winning drives. When it was time to put up or shut up, the team put up hard. Except for in the playoffs.

2023 Offseason

All of that made the future of the Vikings tough to read. But Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the rest of the front office told us what they thought of the team with their free agency moves. In a league where teams are trading the farm for Hall of Fame QBs and giving $20M/Year deals to nose tackles and guards, the Vikings' big free agent splash were a one year deal on an injury-prone DE and a good-not-great corner that doesn't even crack the top 20 highest AAVs at the position. Concurrently, the team parted ways with half of the team's 2022 captains to try to get under the cap. All of this while the team is not done with transactions -- Dalvin Cook still presents as a cut candidate due to his age and contract structure.
Notable Departures:

• WR Adam Thielen ($6.4 Saved / $13.5 Dead)
• LB Eric Kendricks ($9.5 Saved / $1.93 Dead)
• CB Patrick Peterson (Unrestricted Free Agent)
• DT Dalvin Tomlinson (Unrestricted Free Agent)
• EDGE Za'Darius Smith (Post-draft trade)

Notable Arrivals:

• CB Byron Murphy (2Y / $17.5TOT / $8.1GTD)
• EDGE Marcus Davenport (1Y / $13TOT / $10GTD)
• TE Josh Oliver (3Y / $21TOT / $8.2GTD)
• DT Dean Lowry (2Y / $8.5TOT / $4.2GTD)

Other Notable Transactions:

• Re-Signed C Garrett Bradbury (3Y / $15.75TOT / $5.15GTD)
• Re-Signed RB Alexander Mattison (2Y / $7TOT / $6.35GTD)
• Re-Signed FB CJ Ham (3Y / $5.6TOT / $3.3GTD)
• Re-Signed All-Pro LS Andrew DePaola (3Y / $4.025TOT / $1.515GTD)

The other major change that influenced how the team addresses the draft was the shift from Ed Donatell's Cover 2 shell defense to Brian Flores's aggressive man defense. Compared to the 2022 Vikings, Flores's 2021 Dolphins blitzed over twice as often and played with light boxes at roughly half the rate. On top of the front seven, one of the biggest changes in scheme is the Cover 2 alignment, which Donatell employed on nearly half of all defensive snaps compared to just 12% for Flores's 2021 Miami team. With one crop of rookies and free agents brought in to play in a Fangio style scheme, the defense would have to undergo a massive shift to succeed in a scheme that can only be described as the complete opposite of what was run in 2022.

Draft Needs

Cornerback - Arguably the Vikings' biggest need, the team was without a true CB1. Byron Murphy comes aboard as the most experienced player. Pegged a slot-only player through his first three years, Murphy spent most of his time in 2022 outside and had a career year. After that, the team looked to rely on improvements from their 2022 draft class with Andrew Booth and Akayleb Evans, two players that combined for fewer than 300 defensive snaps last season primarily due to injury. You can see how KAM and crew, confident in their scouting ability, are betting on health to affect the secondary for the better. But taking another bet on a young player is a smart move at a position where depth is always a good thing.
Interior Defensive Line - The loss of Dalvin Tomlinson -- who played 551 snaps last year and compiled 14 pressures -- leaves issues next to Harrison Phillips. Jonathan Bullard was third on the IDL with 319 snaps last season and returns on a one year deal. Tonga and Lynch had some flashes, and the team brought in Lowry. The rotation (optimistically) can get to competent. But finding a true winner on the inside of the line was viewed by many as a priority.
Wide Receiver - The Vikings starting personnel at WR heading in to the draft was Justin Jefferson (stud), KJ Osborn (decent), and... Jalen Nailor? Brandon Powell? Oh dear Lord don't tell me it's Jalen Reagor. The loss of Adam Thielen was expected, but nevertheless leaves a gaping hole next to JJ and KJ in the lineup. Keenan McCardell is arguably the best WR coach in the league, and playing with Jefferson would give one-on-one opportunities for any receiver. But having somebody that can actually win those one-on-ones remains a question.
Inside Linebacker - Eric Kendricks's jersey change marks the true end of an era at LB. Kendricks struggled in Donatell's scheme last season, as did most players. But he was a longtime leader on the defense and a valued community member. Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah, and Troy Reeder sit atop the depth chart. Hicks can be solid and Asamoah had flashes, but counting on this group as every down players is a risk to say the least.
Offensive Guard - Ed Ingram was one of the worst starting guards in the league last season. But he's a rookie. Maybe he gets better in year 2. Maybe he stays terrible. Even if you're optimistic there, Ezra Cleveland is entering a contract year at left guard. Adding interior offensive line depth is always smart.
Quarterback - This offseason, reports surfaced that the team and QB Kirk Cousins could not finalize a contract extension. That means for the first time in his Vikings tenure, Cousins is entering a contract year. Cousins has been an above average QB during his time in Minnesota. Last year saw him finish 4th in yards, but he was painfully mediocre at efficiency stats like TD percent (17th), ANY/A (18th), and ADOT (20th). Entering his age-35 season, it would be wise to look for a successor even if the team plans on retaining Cousins past 2023.

The Draft

*Indicates measure is taken from Pro Day
1.23 WR Jordan Addison, USC
Profile: Jr 5'11 173lbs 31.5 Arm\ 8.75 Hand 75.125 Wing* 4.49 40 1.57 10 34 VJ 10'2 BJ 4.19 SS* 7.05 3c 5.95 RAS*
2022 Stats: 11 Gm 59 Rec 875 Yds 8 TD 2 Drops
Steve Smith Sr: "Addison has one of the highest ceilings among WRs in this draft due to his blend of route running chops and his all around athleticism. He is a three level route runner: intermediate, deep, and short... The way he can get in and out of his breaks is so natural. He uses leverage. And he manipulates the DB consistently"
Addison -- a Biletnikoff Award winner during his Pitt days -- is one of the highest floor players in the class. He is a route running technician with proven dominance playing inside and outside. He had more than 3 yards per route run in two different offenses. He understands how to marry his athleticism and quickness with the breaks in his routes. He finds the DB's blind spot and forces them to lose. Addison is a bit on the small side, but not abnormally so given this draft class. He does have some concerns with his hands -- his drop rates as a freshman and sophomore were 14% and 10%, respectively -- but he showed improvement in this as a junior.
The need here is clear. As mentioned earlier, the WR depth past JJ and KJ is abysmal. Even with Thielen and Osborn on the roster in 2022, the Vikings needed juice in the WR room. The 2022 Vikings had one top 5 WR in yards per route run (Jefferson). There was no other receiver in the top 100. Teams were not worried about Thielen or Osborn. Teams could put two or three defenders on Jefferson without any fear of what anyone else might do to their defense. Hockenson fixed this a bit down the stretch, but an outside playmaker was still needed.
The real question here is why the team opted not to go for CB Joey Porter Jr, who filled what many considered to be the team's biggest need and was a higher ranked prospect for Lance Zierlein, PFF, Danny Kelly, Matt Miller, and Dane Brugler. The answer here -- if I can take a guess and stretch my logic a bit -- is that the need at WR2 was greater than the need at CB. Patrick Peterson was the biggest loss in the secondary, and the team brought in Byron Murphy to try to fill that role. On offense, Minnesota had not brought in a replacement for Adam Thielen. The depth chart past Jefferson and Osborn was filled with bodies that might not make a 53-man roster on a lot of teams.
Trade: SF gives 3.87 to MIN for 3.102, 5.164, 7.222

	Jimmy Johnson	Rich Hill	Fitzgerald-Spielberger	Harvard
Total give	155	48	737	115
Total get	117.7	45	1334	197
Absolute Diff	-37.3	-3	+597	+82
Percent Diff	-24%	-6%	+81%	+71%

The biggest thing to consider when evaluating this trade is that the Vikings came into the draft with 5 picks, only two of which were in the top 100. In my biased opinion, this was a home run trade, even if the traditional charts disagree. To take three swings at the bat instead of one is a humble and wise strategy, especially for a team with limited draft capital. The move looks even better in hindsight because there were no CBs taken between 87 and 102.
3.102 CB Mekhi Blackmon, USC
Profile: 6Sr 5'11" 178lbs 31" Arm 9.25" Hand 74.625" Wing 4.47 40 1.47 10 36 VJ 10'5" BJ 11 Bench 7.44 RAS
2022 Stats: 14 Gm 66 TKL 2 TFL 1 FF 15 PD 3 INT
Brett Kollman: "Feisty, physical press corner who definitely has to play more under control in the NFL to avoid flags, but he has all the competitiveness you want to see from a potential CB1 at the next level. Never backs down from anyone. Has easy gas to stay in control of a route from top down, even against true burners. Legit 4.4 speed and gets up to it quickly. Outstanding ball production... Held up extremely well despite being targeted often. Battle tested, aggressive, and confident... Very similar to Desmond Trufant."
An unrecruited high school positionless player out of high school that signed with JuCo San Mateo, Blackmon followed up four seasons at Colorado with a breakout 2022 campaign as one of the best defenders on the USC defense. The Trojans played a man-heavy scheme, which let Blackmon shine. He has great anticipation and instincts. His production this year says as much. He plays bigger than his size, and he has inside-outside versatility. He will have to clean up some of his physicality to avoid flags at the next level. He will also have to refine his technique to stay with the more complex routes he'll see. But he is a strong culture and scheme fit for what Brian Flores is bringing to the defense.
The need at CB was obvious even before hiring Flores. The Vikings ranked 31st in passing yards allowed, 26th in Passing DVOA, and 24th in EPA allowed per pass attempt. Bringing in Byron Murphy helps. So do the healthy returns of Booth and Evans. But Murphy has not yet shown that he can be a consistently great player (or at least not markedly better than what we got out of Patrick Peterson last year). And Booth and Evans are unproven. Blackmon -- taken with the last pick on Day 2 -- is not expected to come in and be Jalen Ramsey or Sauce Gardner. But in a shift to a more aggressive man-coverage defense with a thin CB room, Blackmon is an upside player that will have every chance to take a starting spot on a porous defense.
Trade: MIN gives 4.119 to KC for 4.134, 2024 5th\*

	Jimmy Johnson	Rich Hill	Fitzgerald-Spielberger	Harvard
Total give	56	24	578	88
Total get	58.4	24	898	133
Absolute Diff	+2.4	0	+320	+45
Percent Diff	+4%	0%	+36%	+34%

On top of entering the weekend with a mere 5 draft picks in the current year, the Vikings also entered with a mere 5 draft picks in the 2024 class (3rd rounder traded for Hockenson, 5th rounder traded for Reagor). Dropping 15 picks in a relatively flat part of the draft while adding a mid-Day 3 pick is good business given this team's lack of capital.
*Here we assume a future pick in round n is valued at the middle pick of round n+1, not accounting for compensatory picks. In this case, a 2024 5th is equated to pick 176.
4.134 S Jay Ward, LSU
Profile: Sr 6'0.5" 188lbs 32.5" Arm 8.25" Hand 76.875" Wing 4.55 40 1.54 10 34.5 VJ 11' BJ 4.35 Shuttle\ 7.31 3c 16 Bench 6.70 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 60 TKL 2.5 TFL 5 PD 1 INT 2 FR TD
Nate Tice: "A ton of fun. I just like this fit because of Brian Flores's defense. Just picture all of those mixture guys that the Patriots have used over the years... Jay Ward can be that"
A three year starter with reps at safety, slot, and outside CB, Ward is one of the most versatile players in the class. He possesses excellent length and movement skills. His experience at CB make him a fluid player in coverage. In the run game, Ward's size is a concern. His 188lbs Combine weight puts him in just the second percentile for safeties. This translates to issues with taking on blocks. He is a very aggressive player, beelining to the ball as soon as it's out. But his size coupled with his impatient playstyle lead to a lot of missed tackles. He was also flagged seven times last season.
In his final season in Miami, Flores was extremely creative with how he employed his safeties. Jevon Holland had the 2nd most blitzes in the league at the position. The number 1 player? His teammate Brandon Jones. With the defense taking on Flores's amoeba identity, an aggressive player with experience at multiple positions has the potential to find a role early on. The defense will look to utilize him similar to how Jevon Holland was used as a rookie. And with Harrison Smith well into the twilight of his career, Ward is a timely pick as the team attempts to thread the needle in their competitive rebuild.
Trade: MIN gives 5.158, 6.211 to IND for 5.141

	Jimmy Johnson	Rich Hill	Fitzgerald-Spielberger	Harvard
Total give	32.4	13	722	103
Total get	36	15	492	74
Absolute Diff	+4	+2	-230	-29
Percent Diff	+10%	+13%	-47%	-39%

It's a bit strange to see Adofo-Mensah move away from the analytics charts in favor of the traditional ones, but the value swap here is not absurd. The real question with this trade will be if Roy ends up being a true contributor.
5.141 NT Jaquelin Roy, LSU
Profile: Jr 6'3" 305lbs 32.75" Arm 10.125" Hand 78.125" Wing 5.13 40\ 1.82 10* 26" VJ* 8'5" BJ* 5.00 Shuttle 8.01 3c 30 Bench 3.72 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 49 TKL 3.5 TFL 0.5 SCK
Lance Zierlein: " The more you watch, the more you like the way Roy plays the game... Despite limited starting experience at LSU, he already displays signs of a rush plan and the athletic talent to execute it. Roy is an ascending talent with the potential to become a quality starter. "
After a 30 tackle, 1.5 sack campaign as a rotational player in 2021, Roy shifted from a penetrating 3T position to more of a traditional nose tackle under new HC Brian Kelly. This transition let Roy shine as a run stuffer. He eats space and is incredibly tough to move from his spot. He averaged almost 52 snaps a game in 2022 and his motor never let up. He has some work to do if he wants to be a three down player, particularly as a pass rusher. His bend and balance in this front are especially lacking.
The Vikings' front office seems to be a lot more comfortable with the current IDL room than I am. Harrison Phillips is a plus starter. Past that, the roster is filled with unproven youth or proven subpar players. As a 5th round pick, Roy has an uphill battle to separate himself from that group. But he's a good lottery ticket at this price. His positional versatility ensures that the defense can simply put their best players on the field.
5.164 QB Jaren Hall, BYU
Profile: RSr 6'0" 207lbs 39.75" Arm 9.5" Hand 71.875" Wing 4.63 40\ 1.59 10* 4.19 Shuttle* 7.06 3c* 7.96 RAS*
2022 Stats: 12 Gm 248 Comp 376 Att 66% Comp 3171 Yds 31 TD 6 INT 86 Rush 789 Rush Yds 9 RUsh TD
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah: "We added a really talented player that has a ton of upside... The ability to make decisions, throw the football accuracy, deal with conflict when it comes his way, and sometimes try to make a play outside the framework of the playcall. He does all those things at a really great level... That's an outstanding young man. I'd like to see him lead my team or any organization I'm a part of."
Despite being the third oldest prospect in the QB class, Hall only has 24 starts under his belt due to two years on religious mission and one year with a hip injury. But when Hall took over for Zach Wilson in 2021, he hit the ground running. BYU went 10-3 in that first year with Hall compiling a 4:1 TD:INT ratio. He is a two time team captain, and all reports of his character are off the charts.
Hall is a poised pocket passer capable of extending plays and picking up yardage on the ground. He was only sacked 12 times in 2022, which is a testament to both BYU's offensive line and Hall's ability to create under pressure. There are conflicting opinions on Hall's upside and arm strength, with Lance Zierlein calling his arm "unimpressive" while Kyle Crabbs claiming that hall has a "live arm with the ability to throw with juice off platform". Where there was near-universal agreement was in his understanding of the scheme, as Hall operated BYU's RPO-heavy offense like a machine. He has a clean release and quickly gets into a rhythm. His largest universal concerns are his age (he turned 25 in March) and his injury history (missed 20 games in the last 4 years). He also has ball security issues with 13 fumbles over his career.
I expected the Vikings to draft a QB in this class. The only question was if it would have been via a trade up on Day 1 or a flyer on Day 3 (or a falling Will Levis). With his age, size, and injury history, there are plenty of questions about what Hall can be. He will have a year in practice to put together his audition tape to be Kirk Cousins's replacement -- it's certainly a viable path for this team to take a RiddeHowell/Mills-esque year to evaluate Hall while they continue retooling the defense. But the more likely path is that Hall becomes a long-term backup for the team. Cousins has been the model of health, but that doesn't mean that QB2 is an unimportant position. Sean Mannion, Kellen Mond, and Nick Mullens have manned that position to various degrees over the past few years. None has shown that they can be a competent plug-in player if needed. There is some hope that Hall -- who operated the BYU offense with a mechanic efficiency -- can be that player.
7.222 RB DeWayne McBride, UAB
Profile: Jr 5'10" 209lbs 30.625" Arms 9.5" Hands 73.125" Wing 20 Bench\*
2022 Stats: 11 Gm 233 Att 1713 Yds 19 TD 7.4 Y/A 2 Rec 10 Rec Yds
Dane Brugler: "Overall, McBride is unproven as a pass catcher and blocker, which might restrict his NFL role, but his contact balance, vision and lateral agility are among the best this running back draft class has to offer"
In an era of advanced metrics and Combine showmanship, perhaps the trait that has gone underappreciated more than any other in RB scouting is balance. McBride may have the best balance in the entire RB class outside of Bijan Robinson. He comes from a heavy outside zone scheme at UAB, where he led the FBS in yards per game and set school records for single-game and single-season rushing. McBride absorbs contact like a sponge. His short area burst is strong, and he makes defenders miss with power and finesse. McBride has ideal size and toughness. His concerns are simple. He was not utilized as a receiver in college, and he had more career fumbles than catches in that time. McBride profiles as a two-down player at the next level. Although Adofo-Mensah has voiced his belief that McBride's passing game usage was a product of scheme rather than ability, McBride still has to prove that he is more than just a short yardage runner in the NFL.
After spending a pick in back to back years on RB and re-signing Mattison to a modest contract, RB was a bit of an unexpected pick for this regime. Dalvin Cook still seems to be movable (a likely cut candidate at this point), which would make this pick more logical. Chandler struggled with injuries as a rookie, but both he and Nwangwu profile more as speedy scatbacks than true between-the-tackle runners like Mattison. Even Mattison has never been a true three-down back. McBride plays much more similarly to Mattison than the other backs on the team. He will try to carve out a role behind him as the future thunder to the lightning provided by Chandler and Nwangwu.

UDFA

FB Zach Ojile, Minnesota Duluth
Profile: 6Sr 6'0" 241lbs 31.5" Arms 8.5" Hands 75.5" Wing 4.78 40\ 1.79 10* 31" VJ* 9'1" BJ* 4.40 Shuttle* 31 Bench* 4.15 RAS*
2022 Stats: 11 Gm 12 Rush 53 Rush Yds 3 Rush TD 25 Rec 289 Rec Yds 5 Rec TD
A Twin Cities native, Ojile was a late addition to the roster, joining after a May rookie minicamp tryout. Ojile played LB, QB, FS, and RB in high school but found a role as an H-Back at UMD. He served as a team captain the past two seasons and finishes his collegiate career with over 1100 total yards and 24 total TDs. He was an All-Conference player for the DII NSIC Bulldogs. Whether Ojile participates at FB or TE, he'll need to prove his versatility to beat out the veterans on the depth chart. Working in his favor is Kevin O'Connell's shift to a more base-heavy offense in 2023.
WR Cephus Johnson, Southeastern Louisiana
Profile: 6Sr 6'4" 223lbs 33.25" Arm\ 8.5" Hand* 78.625" WIng* 4.57 40* 1.59 10* 36.5" VJ* 10'1" BJ* 4.39 Shuttle* 7.25 3c* 18 Bench* 9.48 RAS*
2022 Stats: 11 Gm 184 Pass Att 65% Comp 1354 Pass Yds 10 Pass TD 5 INT 89 Rush 488 Rush Yds 5 Rush TD
Johnson is making the fulltime switch from QB to WR as he attempts to latch on to an NFL practice squad. He earned the starting role for South Alabama as a redshirt junior before transferring to SE Louisiana, where he took some snaps at WR in spring games. Johnson's stats were unimpressive as a starting QB, notching just 1354 yards and a 2:1 TD:INT ratio in 11 starts. He has good size and instincts as a runner, but he has basically no experience playing WR.
WR Lucky Jackson, W Kentucky / XFL DC Defenders
Profile: RSr 6'0" 179lbs 9.624" Hand\ 32.25" Arm* 75.875" Wing**
2023 Stats: 10 Gm 36 Rec 572 Yds 5 TD 1 Fmb
Jackson last put on a college uniform before the pandemic for Western Kentucky, where his 2019 season saw him put up over 1100 yards on 94 receptions. Following his college days, Jackson spent time in the CFL and the Spring League before joining the XFL's DC Defenders and becoming an All-XFL receiver.
WR Malik Knowles, Kansas St
Profile: RSr 6'2" 196lbs 32.25" Arm 8.75" Hand 77.625" Wing
2022 Stats: 14 Gm 48 Rec 725 YDs 2 TD 8 Rush 164 Rush Yds 3 Rush TD 23 KR 592 KR Yds
Knowles is a vertical threat with good size and length. He offers value as a kick returner and leaves Kansas State with a top 5 rank in all-purpose yards. Knowles is an undeveloped route runner that struggles with quick change-of-direction. He also has trouble with press coverage. He'll need to prove his value on special teams, where he has plenty of collegiate experience as a kick returner.
WR Grant Maag, North Dakota
Profile: 5Sr 6'4" 206lbs 9.25" Hand\ 31.875" Arm* 77.625" Wing* 4.49 40YD* 1.60 10YS* 40.5" VJ* 10'5" BJ* 4.34 Shuttle* 6.90 3c* 8.50 RAS*
2022 Stats: 12 Gm 41 Rec 540 Yds 5 TDs
Maag was brought in following the announcement of Ben Ellefson's retirement. He is an Inver Grove Heights native and a graduate of St Croix Lutheran in St Paul. He leaves North Dakota with over 2000 yards over his five years and served as a team captain the past two seasons. His size gives him an advantage with a shorter WR group ahead of him, but Maag is a far cry from a roster lock.
WR Thayer Thomas, NC State
Profile: 6Sr 6'0" 198lbs 9" Hand\ 30.125" Arm* 73.5" Wing 4.56 40* 1.63 10* 37" VJ* 10' BJ* 4.03 Shuttle* 6.93 3c* 15 Bench* 7.85 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 57 Rec 642 Yds 4 TDs 2 Rush Att 44 Rush Yds 1 Rush TD 17 PR 128 PR Yds
A multisport athlete that was drafted by the Red Sox in 2019, Thomas walked onto the Wolfpack football team and got onto the field any way he could. In 2018, he saw work as a receiver, punt returner, and passer. Thomas has good hands (a career drop rate of 4%) and a high work ethic, but he is an undeveloped route runner that struggles to create much after the catch. He will need to prove his worth on special teams if he wants to make the roster.
TE Ben Sims, Baylor
Profile: RSr 6'4" 250lbs 33.125" Arm\ 9.5" Hand* 80.125" Wing* 4.58 40YD* 1.56 10YS 36" Vert* 10'2" Broad* 4.41 Shuttle* 7.46 3c* 15 Bench* 8.40 RAS*
2022 Stats: 12 Gm 31 Rec 255 Yds 3 TDs 2 Drops 1 Rush TD
Sims projects as a blocking tight end with limited ability as a receiver. He's a patient run blocker with good balance and toughness, but he is still cleaning up some technique. He isn't a creator with the ball in his hands and his tape fails to demonstrate the explosiveness that his testing suggests.
OL Alan Ali, TCU
Profile: RSr 6'4" 301lbs 32.875" Arm 9.5" Hand 77.625" Wing 5.23 40\ 1.89 10* 26.5" VJ 8'5" BJ* 4.91 Shuttle* 7.94 3c* 3.80 RAS*
A 5 year starter for TCU and SMU, Ali is a fundamentally sound center prospect with good body control and core strength. He has experience playing at all 5 OL positions but spent most of the past 4 years at center. His lack of athleticism and length are likely the reason he went undrafted.
OT Jacky Chen, Pace
Profile: RSr 6'5 1/4" 299lbs 10" Hand\ 34.5" Arm* 80.75" Wing* 5.41 40* 1.81 10* 29" VJ* 8'10" BJ* 4.74 Shuttle* 7.90 3c* 24 Bench* 5.39 RAS*
It's hard to find very much information on an undrafted lineman from a DII school whose toughest opponent was the University of New Haven. Chen is an OT prospect that is viewed as a ball of clay. Chen's 40 yard dash and 3 cone were underwhelming to say the least, but he was an above average tester in burst and explosiveness drills. That combined with his length make him an interesting project.
EDGE Andre Carter II, Army
Profile: Sr 6'6.5" 256lbs 9.375" Hand 33.275" Arm 81 Wing 4.91 40\ 1.65 10* 30" VJ 9'1" BJ 4.36 Shuttle 6.97 3c* 11 Bench 6.29 RAS*
2022 Stats: 10 Gm 41 TKL 7 TFL 3.5 SCK 2 PD
The highest profile UDFA signing of the class, Carter was getting 1st round buzz this time last year. At that time, Carter was coming off an 18.5 TFL / 15.5 sack season. However, Carter struggled to repeat his production as a senior, notching just 3.5 sacks. Carter finished out the draft cycle with lackluster testing, failing to run under a 4.90 in the 40 yard dash and weighing in at a mere 256 lbs -- a big concern given his 81 inch wingspan and towering stature. Carter has a ton of upside, but he doesn't have the frame to be a real NFL player right now. After 4 years training to be an officer in the US Army, he will need at least one season (maybe more) in an NFL weight room where he can focus on building muscle mass. He'll look to follow the mold of fellow Army player Alejandro Villanueva, who added 43 lbs to his 277 lbs frame entering the league before becoming a 7-year starter. Luckily, he joined the team with one of the best training facilities in the league.
EDGE Junior Aho, SMU
Profile: 6'2" 260lbs 9" Hand 33.875" Arm 79.875" Wing 4.58 40\ 1.66 10* 33.5" VJ* 10'3" BJ* 4.90 Shuttle* 7.38 3c* 9.38 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 23 TKL 2 TFL 2 SCK 1 FF
Quite simply, Aho is an athletic freak that should find his way onto the team thanks to the International Player Pathway roster spot. He takes pride in his speed and athleticism, but he also understands the limitations to his game. Aho was a solid rotational player for SMU. He will look to follow in the footsteps of other International Pathway players like Efe Obada and Jordan Mailata.
DT Calvin Avery, Illinois
Profile: RSr 6'1" 343 lbs 10" Hand\ 32.5" Arm 81.87" Wing 5.37 40* 1.84 10* 30.5" VJ* 8'5" BJ* 8.01 3c* 31 Bench* 3.12 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 23 TKL 2 TFL 1 PD
Avery is a former four star recruit out of Texas, earning snaps in 12 games as a true freshman. He started 12 games in 2022, primarily at nose tackle. He has a wide, large frame that makes him hard to move. However, he is an underwhelming athlete to say the least, and his statistical production is nearly non-existent.
LB Abraham Beauplan, Marshall
Profile: RSr 5'11" 241 lbs 9.25" Hand 31.75" Arm 77 1/4" Wing 4.62 Shuttle 35.5" VJ 9'9" BJ 7.33 3c 22 Bench 4.52 RAS
2022 Stats: 12 Gm 66 TKL 6.5 TFL 1 SCK 3 PD
Beauplan started the draft process by making an appearance on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List, reportedly squatting as much as 565 lbs and benching as much as 285. The few reports that exist on Beauplan suggest he's an urgent, downhill run defender that will look to carve out a role on special teams early on.
LB Wilson Huber, Cincinnati
Profile: 6Sr 6'4" 241lbs 9.75" Hand 32.375" Arm\ 80" Wing* 4.70 40* 1.66 10* 35" VJ* 10'4" BJ* 4.45 Shuttle* 6.91 3c* 18 Bench* 8.34 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 54 TKL 6.5 TFL 1 SCK 1 PD
A 3 star recruit out of Indiana, Huber started his career at Cincinnati as a TE. He played a hybrid role in his first 2 non-redshirt seasons, earning snaps on offense, defense, and special teams. He made a full role switch to the defensive side of the ball in 2020 and eventually earned the team captain moniker in 2022. Huber had some solid testing despite profiling as more of a thumper.
LB Ivan Pace Jr, Cincinnati
Profile: Sr 5'10.5" 231lbs 30.25" Arm 9.5" Hand 72" Wing 4.59 40\ 1.70 10* 35" VJ 9'8" BJ* 4.40 Shuttle * 7.18 3c* 22 Bench* 5.71 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 137 TKL 21.5 TFL 10 SCK 3 FF 4 PD
Ranked the 11th best LB for Daniel Jeremiah, 9th for Dane Brugler, and 7th for PFF, many thought Pace could have gone as early as Round 3. Pace was a one year starter for the Bearcats after transferring from Miami (Ohio), and he hit the ground running. He led the AAC in tackles and TFLs. He is a smaller player (although not abnormally so in today's game) that plays with his hair on fire. He gives tremendous effort on every play and is always around the ball. Pace is a super tough player that loves to tackle. His size is a concern; he gets washed out of plays too easily. He is also lacking in coverage skills, struggling to stay connected in man coverage. Still, it's incredible that Pace went undrafted. He's an easy special teams projection as a rookie with the upside to be put in position to win under Flores.
CB CJ Coldon, Oklahoma
Profile: 6Sr 5'10" 186lbs\ 8.375" Hand* 31.125" Arm* 75.125" Wing* 4.60 40* 1.58 10* 37 1/2" VJ* 10'5" BJ* 4.24 Shuttle* 7.31 3c* 3.92 RAS*
2022 Stats: 12 Gm 42 TKL 2 TFL 4 INT 6 PBU
Coldon is an instinctual football player that relies on his feel to create ball production. He spent 5 years at Wyoming before transferring to Oklahoma and leading the team in INTs and PBUs. In zone, Coldon watches the QB and looks for the right cue to understand when and where the ball is headed.
CB NaJee Thompson, Georgia Southern
Profile: 5'10" 200lbs 9.125" Hand 32.75" Arm 76.625" Wing 4.57 40\ 1.63 10* 32" VJ* 9'8" BJ* 4.56 Shuttle* 7.40 3c* 13 Bench* 1.59 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 37 TKL 1 TFL 11 PD 1 INT
Thompson's love for the game is undeniable. After struggling to latch onto the Georgia Southern WR room, Thompson approached his head coach asking to be exclusively a special teams player. He relishes being a gunner on punts. He eventually got moved to CB in 2021, logging 557 snaps at the position in 2022. He's undeveloped at the position, but his special teams prowess gives him a good shot at the roster.
CB Jaylin Williams, Indiana
Profile: RSr 5'9" 184lbs 9.125" Hand 29.875" Arm 71.75" Wing 4.43 40\ 1.58 10* 34.5" BJ* 9'11" BJ* 4.20 Shuttle* 7.01 3c* 13 Bench* 5.54 RAS*
2022 Stats: 10 Gm 40 TKL 2.5 TFL 7 PD 1 FR 1 BLK
A longtime role player for the Hoosiers before becoming a fulltime starter in 2019, Williams's 6 career INTs were the most amongst active players on the team last season. He earned second team All-Confernece honors in 2020 and was an honorable mention in 2021.
K Jack Podlesny, Georgia
Profile: RSr 6'0" 195lbs 29.25" Arms 9" Hands 74.75" Wing
2022 Stats: 31 Att 26 Made 50 Long 109 Kickoff 72 Touchbacks 74 PAT Att 73 PAT Made
Ranked as Dane Brugler's 4th kicker and Lance Zierlein's 3rd kicker, Podlesny enters Vikings camp following a career that saw him walk on to Georgia's football team and finish with an 82% hit rate. He hit all but one extra point last season for the national champion Bulldogs. A concern with Podlesny is his leg strength. His accuracy beyond 40 yards falls to just 54%. His clutchness may also come into question as he missed two kicks in the national championship semifinals against Ohio State.

Projected Depth Chart

Pos (Projected 2023 Rostered Count / 2022 Rostered Count): Starter, Rookie, Cuts
QB (2/2): Kirk Cousins, Jaren Hall, Nick Mullens
RB (4/4): Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler, DeWayne McBride, Dalvin Cook
FB (1/1): CJ Ham, Zach Ojile
WR (5/5): Justin Jefferson, KJ Osborn, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson, Jalen Reagor, Blake Proehl, Thayer Thomas, Cephus Johnson, Malik Knowles, Lucky Jackson, Garrett Maag
TE (3/3): TJ Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, Ben Sims
OL (9/10): Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O'Neill, Chris Reed, Austin Schlottman, Oli Udoh, Blake Brandel, Josh Sokol, Vederian Lowe, Alan Ali, Jacky Chen, Sam Schlueter
DT (7/6): Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, Jonathan Bullard, James Lynch, Esezi Otomewo, Jaquelin Roy, Khyiris Tonga, Ross Blacklock, Sheldon Day, TJ Smith, Calvin Avery
EDGE (4/5): Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Pat Jones II, DJ Wonnum, Luiji Vilain, Curtis Weaver, Benton Whitley, Kenny Willekes, Andre Carter II, Junior Aho
ILB (4/4): Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah, Troy Reeder, Ivan Pace Jr, Troy Dye, William Kwenkeu, Abraham Beauplan, Wilson Huber
CB (5/6): Byron Murphy, Andrew Booth, Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blakmon, Joejuan Williams, Kalon Barnes, Tay Gowan, John Reid, CJ Coldon, Najee Thompson, Jaylin Williams
S (5/4): Harrison Smith, Lewis Cine, Jay Ward, Josh Metellus, Camryn Bynum, Theo Jackson
K (1/1): Greg Joseph, Jack Podlesny
P (1/1): Ryan Wright
LS (1/1): Andrew DePaola
KR: Kene Nwangwu
PR: Brandon Powell

2024 Needs

Starters Needed: QB, OG, EDGE, DT -- Whether due to expiring contracts (Cousins, Cleveland, Davenport, Hunter) or overall suckitude (Ingram, Lowry), we need to find new starters at this positions in 2024. Could we go on with average-level free agents? Maybe. Should we? Maybe not.
We'll see how the group plays: CB, LB, RB -- These are positions where the front office is counting on young players (Booth, Evans, Asamoah) to fill the roles of departed starters. If those players take that step up, these positions drop on the needs list. Otherwise, we're in for a rough season.
Depth needed: WR -- The depth after Jefferson, Osborn, and Addison is not great. And Osborn is entering a contract year. Unless Keenan McCardell works some magic with Jalen Nailor or Trishton Jackson or Thayer Thomas, this should be a position we add to next year.

Final Thoughts

Versatility. When we look at this Vikings draft class, that's the first word that comes to mind, and it comes in big bold letters. Addison has inside-outside versatility. So does Mekhi Blackmon. Jay Ward is the most versatile of the group, capable of playing every DB position plus some spot snaps at LB. Roy has been productive everywhere from 0T to 4i. And the team has talked about how much they believe McBride can contribute as a pass catcher on top of his bruiser mindset as a between-the-tackles runner.
On offense, this shift seems to stem from a philosophical change following the TJ Hockenson acquisition last year. O'Connell's unit went from trying to copy-paste Sean McVay's outside zone scheme (largely a 3WR offense) to Kyle Shanahan's outside zone scheme (largely a TE-FB offense). And in that mold, O'Connell was looking for players he could use to create the illusion of complexity. That is, how can we employ versatile players to present defenses the threat of multiplicity?
On defense, the answer is a lot simpler. By bringing over Brian Flores, the team is hoping for a jolt in tenacity and an overall move to a hybrid amoeba scheme. You can look historically at how Bill Belichick has utilized flexibility in his defenses to maximize his gameplan for whatever offensive scheme is next on the menu. You can look at players on the line of scrimmage that have experience in both 43 and 34 schemes (Hunter, Phillips, Lynch, Bullard). And in the secondary, look no further than the selection of Jay Ward as an attempt to clone players like Jevon Holland and Kyle Dugger.
As Adofo-Mensah has repeatedly said, he approaches his job with humility. He listens to those around him and he finds the point where stories marry data to make informed decisions. And in O'Connell, he found someone who shares that mentality. With the emphasis on versatility, that mindset can now be applied on a weekly (and play-by-play) basis to opponents. We'll see how successful that strategy is as the team continues to straddle the line between competitive and rebuilder, but there is certainly an energy around the fanbase with the continued success of the offense and the addition of Brian Flores.