Minecraft sorting system

Did some searching but didn't find anything.
My i7 xps8500 with radeon 7770 2gb is having some issues and has started hard crashing in games. Given the age of the system, not surprised. Only crashes in 3D games, so assuming it is the radeon finally dying.
First, what are some good diagnostics out there that I can use to run checks on the card?
Second, if it turns out to be the card, what are some good options to replace it? The manufacturers that existed when I last cared about graphic cards all seem to be gone.
Looking for something that will work in a pcie 8x slot. Mostly gets used for roblox, minecraft, and rts games like stellaris. The system has an ssd, 24gb ram, and an i7 processor, so everything else is great.
Did some basic searching and it seems like an rx 580 might fit the bill for what I am looking for. If that's a good option, what are some manufacturers that can be trusted these days? Searching on Amazon returns nothing I've ever heard of.

A man demands chastity in himself and others, most of all from the being he loves; a woman wants the man with most experience and sensuality, not virtue. Woman has no comprehension of paragons. On the contrary, it is well known that a woman is most ready to fly to the arms of the man with the widest reputation for being a Don Juan. Woman requires man to be sexual, because she only gains existence through his sexuality. Women have no sense of a man's love, as a superior phenomenon, they only perceive that side of him which unceasingly desires and appropriates the object of his affections, and men who have none or very little of the instinct of brutality developed in them have no influence on them. As for the higher, platonic love of man, they do not want it; it flatters and pleases them, but it has no significance for them, and if the homage on bended knees lasts too long, Beatrice becomes just as impatient as Messalina. In coitus lies woman's greatest humiliation, in love her supremest exaltation. Since woman desires coitus and not love, she proves that she wishes to be humiliated and not worshipped. The ultimate opponent of the emancipation of women is woman. It is not because sexual union is voluptuous, not because it is the typical example of all the pleasures of the lower life, that it is immoral. Asceticism, which would regard pleasure in itself as immoral, is itself immoral, inasmuch as it attributes immorality to an action because of the external consequences of it, not because of immorality in the thing itself; it is the imposition of an alien, not an inherent law. A man may seek pleasure, he may strive to make his life easier and more pleasant; but he must not sacrifice a moral law. Asceticism attempts to make man moral by self-repression and will give him credit and praise for morality simply because he has denied himself certain things. Asceticism must be rejected from the point of view of ethics and of psychology inasmuch as it makes virtue the effect of a cause, and not the thing itself. Asceticism is a dangerous although attractive guide ; since pleasure is one of the chief things that beguile men from the higher path, it is easy to suppose that its mere abandonment is meritorious. In itself, however, pleasure is neither moral nor immoral. It is only when the desire for pleasure conquers the desire for worthiness that a human being has fallen. Coitus is immoral because there is no man who does not use woman at such times as a means to an end; for whom pleasure does not, in his own as well as her being, during that time represent the value of mankind. During coitus a man forgets all about everything, he forgets the woman; she has no longer a psychic but only a physical existence for him. He either desires a child by her or the satisfaction of his own passion; in neither case does he use her as an end in herself, but for an outside cause. This and this alone makes coitus immoral. There is no doubt that woman is the missionary of sexual union, and that she looks upon herself, as on everything else, merely as a means to its ends. She wants a man to satisfy her passion or to obtain children; she is willing to be used by man as a tool, as a thing, as an object, to be treated as his property, to be changed and modelled according to his good pleasure. But we should not allow ourselves to be used by others as means to an end.
Kundry appealed often to Parsifal's compassion for her yearnings: but here we see the weakness of sympathetic morality, which attempts to grant every desire of those around, however wrong such wishes may be. Ethics and morality based on sympathy are equally absurd, since they make the "ought" dependent on the "will" (whether it be the will of oneself, or of others, or of society, it is all the same,) instead of making the "will" dependent on the "ought"; they take as a standard of morality concrete cases of human history, concrete cases of human happiness, concrete moments in life instead of the idea.
But the question is: how ought man to treat woman? As she herself desires to be treated or as the moral idea would dictate ? If he is going to treat her as she wishes, he must have intercourse with her, for she desires it; he must beat her, for she likes to be hurt; he must hypnotise her, since she wishes to be hypnotised; he must prove to her by his attentions how little he thinks of himself, for she likes compliments, and has no desire to be respected for herself. If he is going to treat her as the moral idea demands, he must try to see in her the concept of mankind and endeavour to respect her. Even although woman is only a function of man, a function he can degrade or raise at will, and women do not wish to be more or anything else than what man makes them, it is no more a moral arrangement than the suttee of Indian widows, which, even though it be voluntary and insisted upon by them, is none the less terrible barbarity. The emancipation of woman is analogous to the emancipation of Jews and negroes. Undoubtedly the principal reason why these people have been treated as slaves and inferiors is to be found in their servile dispositions; their desire for freedom is not nearly so strong as that of the Indo-Germans. And even although the whites in America at the present day find it necessary to keep themselves quite aloof from the negro population because they make such a bad use of their freedom, yet in the war of the Northern States against the Federals, which resulted in the freedom of the slaves, right was entirely on the side of the emancipators. Although the humanity of Jews, negroes, and still more of women, is weighed down by many immoral impulses; although in these cases there is so much more to fight against than in the case of Aryan men, still we must try to respect mankind, and to venerate the idea of humanity (by which I do not mean the human community, but the being, man, the soul as part of the spiritual world). No matter how degraded a criminal may be, no one ought to arrogate to himself the functions of the law; no man has the right to lynch such an offender. The problem of woman and the problem of the Jews are absolutely identical with the problem of slavery, and they must be solved in the same way. No one should be oppressed, even if the oppression is of such a kind as to be unfelt as such. The animals about a house are not "slaves," because they have no freedom in the proper sense of the word which could be taken away. But woman has a faint idea of her incapacity, a last remnant, however weak, of the free intelligible ego, simply because there is no such thing as an absolute woman. Women are human beings, and must be treated as such, even if they themselves do not wish it. Woman and man have the same rights. That is not to say that women ought to have an equal share in political affairs. From the utilitarian standpoint such a concession, certainly at present and probably always, would be most undesirable; in New Zealand, where, on ethical principles, women have been enfranchised, the worst results have followed. As children, imbeciles and criminals would be justly prevented from taking any part in public affairs even if they were numerically equal or in the majority; woman must in the same way be kept from having a share in anything which concerns the public welfare, as it is much to be feared that the mere effect of female influence would be harmful. Just as the results of science do not depend on whether all men accept them or not, so justice and injustice can be dealt out to the woman, although she is unable to distinguish between them, and she need not be afraid that injury will be done her, as justice and not might will be the deciding factor in her treatment. But justice is always the same whether for man or woman. No one has a right to forbid things to a woman because they are "unwomanly". Woman must be looked upon as an individual and as if she were a free individual, not as one of a species, not as a sort of creation from the various wants of man's nature; even though woman herself may never prove worthy of such a lofty view.
Thus this book may be considered as the greatest honour ever paid to women. Nothing but the most moral relation towards women should be possible for men; there should be neither sexuality nor love, for both make woman the means to an end, but only the attempt to understand her.
Most men theoretically respect women, but practically they thoroughly despise them; according to my ideas this method should be reversed. It is impossible to think highly of women, but it does not follow that we are to despise them for ever. • It seems to me that if we look the facts of the case in the face there are only two possible courses open for women: either to pretend to accept man's ideas, and to think that they believe what is really opposed to their whole, unchanged nature, to assume a horror of immorality (as if they were moral themselves), of sexuality (as if they desired platonic love); or to openly admit that they are wrapped up in husband and children, without being conscious of all that such an admission implies, of the shamelessness and self-immolation of it. Unconscious hypocrisy, or cynical identification with their natural instincts; nothing else seems possible for woman. But it is neither agreement nor disagreement with, but rather the denial and overcoming of her womanishness that a woman should aim at. If a woman really were to wish, for instance, for man's chastity, it would mean that she had conquered the woman in her, it would mean that pairing was no longer of supreme importance to her and that her aim was no longer to further it. But here is the trouble: such pretensions must not be accepted as genuine, even although here and there they are actually put forward. For a woman who longed for man's purity is, apart from her hysteria, so stupid and so incapable of truthfulness that she is unable to perceive that she is in this way negating herself, making herself absolutely worthless, without existence! It is difficult to decide which is preferable: the unlimited hypocrisy which can appropriate the thing that is most foreign to it, i.e., the ascetic ideal, or the ingenuous admiration for the reformed rake, the complacent devotion to him. The principal problem of the woman question lies in the fact that in each case woman's one desire is to put all responsibility on man, and in this it is identical with the problem of mankind. Friedrich Nietzsche says in one of his books : "To underestimate the real difficulties of the man and woman problem, to fail to admit the abysmal antagonism and the inevitable nature of the constant strain between the two, to dream of equal rights, education, responsibilities and duties, is the mark of the superficial observer, and any thinker who has been found shallow in these difficult places—shallow by nature—should be looked upon as untrustworthy, as a useless and treacherous guide; he will, no doubt, be one of those who 'briefly deal with' all the real problems of life, death and eternity—who never gets to the bottom of things. But the man who is not superficial, who has depth of thought as well as of purpose, the depth which not only makes him desire right but endows him with determination and strength to do right, must always look on woman from the oriental standpoint:—as a possession, as private property, as something born to serve and be dependent on him—he must see the marvellous reasonableness of the Asiatic instinct of superiority over women, as the Greeks of old saw it, those worthy successors and disciples of the Eastern school. It was an attitude towards woman which, as is well known, from Homer's time till that of Pericles, grew with the growth of culture, and increased in strength step by step, and gradually became quite oriental. What a necessary, logical, desirable growth for mankind! if we could only attain to it ourselves!" The great individualist is here thinking in the terms of social ethics, and the autonomy of his moral doctrine is overshadowed by the ideas of caste, groups, and divisions. And so, for the benefit of society, to preserve the place of men, he would place woman in subjection, so that the voice of the wish for emancipation could no longer be heard, and so that we might be freed from the false and foolish cry of the existing advocates of women's rights, advocates who have no suspicion of the real source of woman bondage. But I quoted Nietzsche, not to convict him of want of logic, but to lead to the point that the solution of the problem of humanity is bound up with the solution of the woman problem. If any one should think it a high-flown idea that man should respect woman as an entity, a real existence, and not use her merely as a means to an end, that he should recognise in her the same rights and the same duties (those of building up one's own moral personality) as his own, then he must reflect that man cannot solve the ethical problem in his own case, if he continues to lower the idea of humanity in the women by using her simply for his own purposes. Coitus is the price man has to pay to women, under the Asiatic system, for their oppression. And although it is true that women may be more than content with such recompence for the worst form of slavery, man has no right to take part in such conduct, simply because he also is morally damaged by it. Even technically the problem of humanity is not soluble for man alone; he has to consider woman even if he only wishes to redeem himself; he must endeavour to get her to abandon her immoral designs on him. Women must really and truly and spontaneously relinquish coitus. That undoubtedly means that woman, as woman, must disappear, and until that has come to pass there is no possibility of establishing the kingdom of God on earth. Pythagoras, Plato, Christianity (as opposed to Judaism), Tertullian, Swift, Wagner, Ibsen, all these have urged the freedom of woman, not the emancipation of woman from man, but rather the emancipation of woman from pherself. ... Now for the first time, looking at the woman question as the most important problem of mankind, the demand for the sexual abstinence on the part of both sexes is put forward with good reason. To seek to ground this claim on the prejudicial effects on the health following sexual intercourse would be absurd, for any one with knowledge of the physical frame could upset such a theory at all points; to found it on the immorality of passion would also be wrong, because that would introduce a heteronomous motive into ethics. St. Augustine, however, must certainly have been aware, when he advocated chastity for all mankind, that the objection raised to it would be that in such a case the whole human race would quickly disappear from the face of the earth. This extraordinary apprehension, the worst part of which appears to be the thought that the race would be exterminated, shows not only the greatest unbelief in individual immortality and eternal life for moral well-doers; it is not only most irreligious, but it proves at the same time the cowardice of man and his incapacity to live an individual life. To any one who thinks thus, the earth can only mean the turmoil and press of those on it; death must seem less terrible to such a man than isolation. If the immortal, moral part of his personality were really vigorous, he would have courage to look this result in the face; he would not fear the death of the body, nor attempt to substitute the miserable certainty of the continuation of the race for his lack of faith in the eternal life of the soul. The rejection of sexuality is merely the death of the physical life, to put in its place the full development of the spiritual life. Hence it follows that it cannot be a moral duty to provide for the continuance of the race. This common argument appears to me to be so extraordinarily false that I am almost ashamed to meet it. Yet at the risk of making myself ridiculous I must ask if any one ever consummated coitus to avoid the great danger of letting the human race die out, if he failed in his duty ? And would it not follow that any man who prefers chastity would be open to the charge of immoral conduct ? Every form of fecundity is loathsome, and no one who is honest with himself feels bound to provide for the continuity of the human race. And what we do not realise to be a duty, is not a duty. On the contrary, it is immoral to procreate a human being for any secondary reason, to bring a being into the limitations of humanity, the conditions made for him by his parentage; the fundamental reason why the possible freedom and spontaneity of a human being is limited is that he was begotten in such an immoral fashion. That the human race should persist is of no interest whatever to reason; he who would perpetuate humanity would perpetuate the problem and the guilt, the only problem and the only guilt. The only true goal is divinity and the union of humanity with the Godhead; that is the real choice between good and evil, between existence and negation

The moral sanction that has been invented for coitus, in supposing that there is an ideal attitude to the act in which only the propagation of the race is thought of, is no sufficient defence. There is no such imperative in the mind of man; it is merely an ingenious defence of a desire. As for the sexual union in which the production of children is prevented, there is no possible justification.

As for the sexual union in which the production of children is prevented, there is no possible justification. Sexual union has no place in the idea of mankind, not because ascetism is a duty, but because in it woman becomes the object, the cause, and man does what he will with her, looks upon her merely as a "thing," not as a living human being with an inner, psychic, existence. And so man despises woman the moment coitus is over, and the woman knows that she is despised, even although a few minutes before she thought herself adored. The only thing to be respected in man is the idea of mankind; this disparagement of woman (and himself), induced by coitus, is the surest proof that it is opposed to that idea of mankind. Any one who is ignorant of what this Kantian "idea of mankind" means, may perhaps understand it when he thinks of his sisters, his mother, his female relatives; it concerns them all: for our own sakes, then, woman ought to be treated as human, respected and not degraded, all sexuality implying degradation. But man can only respect woman when she herself ceases to wish to be object and material for man; if there is any question of emancipation it should be the emancipation from the prostitute element. It has never until now been made clear where the bondage of woman lies; it is in the sovereign, all too welcome power wielded on them by the Phallus. There can be no doubt that the men who have really desired the emancipation of women are the men who are not very sexual, who have no great craving for love, who are not very profound, but who are men of noble and spiritual minds. I am not going to try to palliate the erotic motives of man, nor to represent his antipathy to the "emancipated woman" as being in any sense less than it is; it is much easier to go with the majority, than, as Kant did, to climb, painfully and slowly, to the heights of isolation.
A woman who had really given up her sexual self, who wished to be at peace would be no longer "woman." She would have ceased to be "woman," she would have received the inward and spiritual sign as well as the outward form of regeneration. Can such a thing be? There is no absolute woman, but even so to say "Yes" to the above question is like giving one's assent to a miracle. Emancipation will not make woman happier; it will not ensure her salvation, and it is a long road which leads to God. No being in the transition stage between freedom and slavery can be happy. But will woman choose to abandon slavery in order to become unhappy ? The question is not merely if it be possible for woman to become moral. It is this: is it possible for woman really to wish to realise the problem of existence, the conception of guilt? Can she really desire freedom? This can happen only by her being penetrated by an ideal, brought to the guiding star. It can happen only if the categorical imperative were to become active in woman; only if woman can place herself in relation to the moral idea, the idea of humanity. In that way only can there be an emancipation of woman.

The other games on console/mobile all have some sort of cheat system, either radar maps or unlimited power or something. Is there a reason why doesn't FNAF 4 have them? I'm deaf so they would really help me, as that game is a nightmare (no pun intended) for deaf people. I'm playing on a switch if that changes anything.

I have a 100+ year old house where nothing is level or plumb and I'm putting in 200cm of Pax closets from IKEA that I plan to finish nicely with some sort of trim.
Questions: * Should I make the Pax system level, risking it looking crooked compared to the rest of the room? It's about 1.5cm off over the 200cm and there's a closet door close by one of the closet edges that will make the difference rather obvious.

• If I do it level, what's the easiest option? Build a level frame out of 2x4 that I place the cabinets on?

The risk of not levelling it is that any doors I put in will behave badly.
Thankful for any suggestions!

AN: WOOHOO I CAN FINALLY RELEASE THE FIRST CHAPTER OF MY NEXT BOOK!
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It was raining, a light but persistent drizzle that soaks clothing through and through. Though the humidity and heat of Spring in a swamp permeated everything, the rain somehow made it even more uncomfortable. A thick silence lay over the darkness with the only exception being a very faint sing-song tone that could be heard in the distance, the sounds of a formation run in full swing. But beyond that, the base was still sleeping the grumpy snooze of Marines who weren’t really ready to face the new day yet.
Down a darkened street lay the building. Illuminated only by a single, sickly orange street lamp, it appeared that whatever architect had been responsible for the building’s design had really phoned it in on that day. It was a purely functional concrete rectangle with concrete stairs leading to a concrete landing that gave entrance to tired workers with no appreciation for cinder block motifs. Bright green patches of grass were only just managing to survive thanks to SgtMaj’s lifelong ordinance against pedestrians on his lawn, enforced at the point of a knife-hand.
On the ground, pressed up against the construction in what looked like a boring game of the-floor-is-lava, they sat. Shoulder to shoulder, lined up in a neat row, taking advantage of the mere six inches of protection against the elements provided by a high up ledge, Marines quietly waited for things to kick off and get worse. No one was talking. It was far too early in the morning to exercise one’s vocal chords and anyhow, they would be forced from their sulky silence any minute by the platoon sergeant.
Klobi stared blankly at her green running shorts, moving her gaze to the white running shoes and socks. Well, they used to be white. The platoon sergeant’s enthusiasm for running on low-impact surfaces, i.e. grass had fixed that right up. With a mix of exhaustion and low-grade anxiety about the immediate future, she wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her green t-shirt. Should she have gotten up a bit earlier and shaved her legs before coming out here? Then again, does anyone really care about prickly stubble after a couple miles? Whatever was going to happen next was entirely out of her hands. The gentle susurration of Marines shifting around in a futile quest for comfort was the only sound. Oh, and the rain.
Softly, from the front of the line, someone muttered, “Yip”
A full second passed. Then another green-clad Marine repeated, “Yiiiip.”
“Yip yip yip…” chattered the next guy, faintly, as if the sound might be giving too much away. But Klobi could hear the wall of silence developing cracks.
“Yipyipyipyipyip” repeated the girl next to her. With no more words exchanged, the whole line suddenly broke out in the monosyllabic repetition.
“YEEEEIP, yip, yip, yip, yip, yip”, multiple voices joined in, all out of rhythm with one another. Then the base section at the very end started with their own contribution.
“UHHH huh, UHHH huh!” Within seconds, a disjointed cacophony was in full swing.
“YEEEEIP, yip, yip, yip, (UHHH huh, UHHH huh), yipyipyip, YEEEEIP…”
This went on for nearly two minutes and then, just like that, they fell silent. An intruder had been detected. A voice from off in the parking lot barked, “COMM PLATOON! FORM UP!”
Uggh. It was time to PT.
A couple of hours later, the gang were sitting in the chow hall picking at their government issued breakfasts. Today’s meal was low grade hash browns, eggs, fried ham slices, and slimy grey goop with chunks in it that the cooks claimed was meat from some named domesticated animal despite appearances. It didn’t look any more appetizing under the painfully bright fluorescent lights. The hall filled with the sounds of competing televisions tuned into the morning news shows and complaining Marines.
"I swear they put saltpeter in the food." Crannick muttered darkly, poking at his scrambled eggs with the cheap tin fork. "Every time we come here for breakfast, my junk don't work for the rest of the day."
"What, like you can't pee?" Tran asked around a mouthful of food. "Because that sounds like you should hit medical." He stabbed a piece of bacon that shattered on impact.
"No! No, I can pee just fine." Crannick grumbled.
"Why is this our breakfast convo, for fuck sake?" Klobi hated how they couldn't even get early mornings right. She smeared jam on toast, preferring that over anything that was cooked in the chow hall kitchens. At least she knew what was in it.
Ignoring her, Crannick pressed on. "I mean I should probably ask doc for some Viagra if I have to keep eating these disgusting eggs."
"So you're saying..." Klobi started to grin.
“Shut up, Klo.”
"I know a guy who can get Viagra for you. Cheap too, so you don't have to tell doc anything." Dawson contributed graciously. “He gets all kinds of stuff.”
"...Crannick is a broke dick?" Klobi looked quite chuffed with her own jokes as usual.
"It's not funny, Klobi!" He turned Dawson. "And is that even legal? Can we buy pills?"
"Long as you are quiet about it. Lots of Marines do." Dawson made a face as he drank some of the weird tasting milk the chow hall dispensed daily. He was the only person Klobi had ever seen actually drink it.
“Oh yeah? Who’s selling it?” Tran asked, entirely unaware of the street rules about naming names. Speaking names could catch the attention of the blue falcons and no one was having any of that if they could help it. Dawson shot him a dirty look and kept eating.
"If you pissed your pants, could we call the resulting puddle Lake Flaccid?"
"I'm leaving, Klobi had no idea how a penis works." As Crannick collected his tray, the others snickered. " Thanks, Dawson." With that, he left to dump his trash.
His departure lulled the conversation briefly. The shop report time was drawing closer no matter how they tried to ignore it. The brief window between PT and work was never enough.
"Who's he trying to perform for anyway? The Green Weenie doesn’t care if his thing works." Tran finished the last of his coffee and stood up. "Time hack?"
Dawson checked his watch, "0745. Let's get going."
They rose together from the benches and made their way out of the chow hall. As they approached the area to dump their trays and make their exit, Klobi saw a small, bleak table that had been set up ceremonially towards the front of the cafeteria. There was one like it in every mess hall in the Marine Corps, no matter where they were. The tablecloth was black. A single white candle sat unlit in the middle of the tiny dining surface and a single chair was sat on the right side. A neatly folded black cloth napkin lay beside a single white plate that was always empty. A bread plate held one single slice of lemon with a salt shaker sitting adjacent to the plate. There was never silverware beside the plates. No point. No one ever sat there and no one ever would. It would be sacrilege.
She took her eyes off the somber scene to toss the last of her uneaten eggs in the industrial waste collectors and stack her tray for washing before following her friends out the door.
As Klobi climbed the steps to the shop, she winced. The run that morning had made her legs sore already and she’d probably be barely able to walk by evening. But she’d be damned if she’d let that show when the others were bounding up the stairs two at a time.
“What are you all in such a hurry for?” she griped.
At the top of the stairs, Tran held the door as Dawson and Klobi went in. Compared to the muggy, suffocating air outside, the air conditioning hit like winter. Despite her muscle aches, Klobi sighed with pleasure. Air conditioning reminded her that it could always be a lot worse. She could’ve gone infantry and missed out on the joys of civilization for the entire enlistment.
Just before entering the shop, they paused at the wall of tiny metal lockers. Taking her phone out, Klobi set it on silent and then dropped it in one of the top lockers, closing the door and taking the key. In accordance with some universal law on abandoned cell phones, someone’s locked up device was playing a ring tone at max volume inside it’s locker. The owner had probably thought the ring tone was clever and individual, but it sounded damn silly on repeat as whomever was trying to call him couldn’t take a hint.
“Sounds like Hileman’s phone.” Dawson tried to get a good look at the locker number.
“How do you know? Besides the shit taste in music, I mean.” Klobi pointed to the offending locker as she was closer.
“What are you talking about? This tune was a banger.”
“Was. Oh well, guess we found our lunch flyer for the day.”
Anyone who didn’t put their device on silent became responsible for the shop’s chow run later. They’d have to take everyone’s order and then suffer the trip to the PX where the fast food joints were. This was also in accordance with universal laws that when a Marine catches another Marine slipping up, there will be some sort of fine levied informally. Especially if the violation was leaving their email open while they went to the head. Ooo-boy, that one was always a hit with the shop.
Stripped of all their devices, the three went to the door and swiped in. The data center might be air conditioned but it was also locked down against unauthorized entry. The Marines who worked in there, like many POG shops, treated their access as a rare privilege. More importantly, there was always internet.
They spread out to their separate desks, positioned all over the watch floor as they each jockeyed for some privacy. There was no other way to pretend to be doing work and if another Marine was sitting right next to you all day it ruined the illusion. Tran disappeared to the vault, his happy place in an otherwise confusing world.
“What’s the deal with Tran?” Dawson asked. “He’s cool and all but I think he might be gay.”
“Impossible” snapped Crannick. “He has boot bands on.”
Klobi snorted.
Dawson’s expression changed with mounting confusion.
“What do boot bands have to do with anything?”
Like any role playing game, and the Marine Corps during peace time bears a great resemblance to a bad one, Marines ascribed certain intangible qualities to otherwise boring (but required) uniform items. For example, Marines who had to wear red patches on their cammies[1] were considered to have AIDS and boot bands eliminated any possibility that your sex life leaned towards homosexuality[2]. The famous Marine dress blues gave the wearer +10 to sex appeal but that was nerfed by -20 when they inevitably started talking.
“He’s a jay-dub, Dawson. Poor kid probably doesn’t even know there’s more than one gender.” Klobi stretched as she talked, making her voice crack a bit when she got to the best part of her back muscles. “Oooooh gods, that’s good.”
Tran was in fact a Jehovah’s Witness. Or at least his family was. The Marine Corps was coming as quite a shock for him.
“Why do you care anyway? You trying to hit that?” Crannick leered at Dawson. “Forget your own bootbands for moment there?”
Dawson just shook his head and laughed. “He’s just…weird. I don’t know anyone back home that’s that innocent out of diapers. But he’s able to absolutely smoke everyone at PT, so yeah, I guess, who cares?”
Back in the barracks that evening, Klobi lay sprawled across her rack, thumbing through a paperback book. Her laptop was open streaming some YouTube channel for background noise, something she rarely did without headphones. This time, however, there was no roommate to bother. She didn’t have the room to herself exactly, although there were so few women in the battalion that single occupancy was not uncommon. It was just that her roommate, Sullivan, was dating another lance corporal, LCpl Hileman, down the hall. Hileman’s roommate had recently rotated out to another duty station and the barracks manager had yet to assign him a new one. That gave Hileman the rare privilege of having his own room, albeit temporarily. From what Klobi had heard, Hileman was using every available means of persuasion short of blunt force trauma and bomb threats to keep this state of affairs going.
The main benefit to Klobi was that, since Hileman’s room was private for now, Sullivan rarely slept in Klobi’s room.
Sully was a nice enough girl, although a bit naive in Klobi’s opinion. She had the look of a strawberry. Bright red hair, chubby oval face, freckles, pale skin that was prone to blushing at even mildly saucy comments, and bright green eyes, Sullivan looked way too innocent to be a Marine. Klobi knew better. The girl swore profusely, albeit in her squeaky high-pitched voice. It was like listening to a drunken chipmunk who’d caught his missus chipmunk with extra nuts.
Klobi shifted in her bed and tried to get back into her book. It was rough, considering she had just read the same paragraph four times but had not gotten any closer to understanding it. She flipped back a couple of pages and started over.
“In the universe, all things trend towards higher and higher states of entropy. Low entropy can be described as a closed system with a very neat order to things and little change, but if you break the system, entropy begins to increase almost immediately…”
She yawned. It was unfair that she so desperately wanted to be more knowledgeable and well educated while at the same time being as easily distractible as a kitten in a yarn factory. No sooner had she read one sentence than her own mind began formulating examples of the idea, until she was daydreaming and an hour later had forgotten the book entirely.
What did entropy have to do with anything? Well, it was pretty damn certain that just as soon as she had gotten things settled and neatly ordered that circumstance would lob a fragmentation grenade into the mix and then giggle with anticipation. Was it the fate of all ordered things to be utterly destroyed by chance? Was chaos never going to ultimately wipe out all possibility of order and sense? What, when you get right down to it, is in it for the universe? Is slam-dancing its way to surly oblivion the only method of locomotion that universes know?
Klobi sighed and closed the book, tossing it to the other side of the bed. Maybe being intelligent had a too crazy a syllabus to be worth it. It wasn’t doing her much good anyway. The more thoughtful she became, the less she fit in with her squad. Crannick, Dawson, and Tran weren’t the kind of folk to be impressed by quotations from Faust. They were more likely to stare in awe and wonder if Klobi were to pee standing up or knock someone out. She started to feel like their low standards were either telling her a major fact about people or else she was missing the real path to wisdom through controlled expectations and grotesque physical humor.
It seemed nature had designed Klobi to not fit in anyway. She dug around under her bed for her locker where she kept small personal items and put the book away. It was late and sleep would come and give her that wonderful feeling of eyeball ache that meant she’d be unconscious soon. No point struggling to understand eternity without its consent, she thought. It probably could not care less about the comprehensions of a hairless ape sitting in a swamp. Anyway, she thought, what, when you get right down to it, is in it for me?
She decided to visit the smoke pit before getting ready for bed. If there was anything going on, that’s where she’d learn about it. Besides, the odds were almost certain that the guys would be out there too.
In the darkness outside, the outline of a wooden gazebo that served as the barracks smoke pit was cast in the fluorescent lights from the barracks rooms. It stood at the far end of the courtyard, providing a vantage point where Marines could see the catwalks, sidewalks, and open windows of at least three floors of the building while they ingested their tobacco of choice. Two old instant coffee cans were placed at opposing corners of the entrance for butt disposal and one of them was charred from a small fire in the recent past. On her way out there, Klobi had knocked on Crannick’s door to invite him to the pit with her. He almost always said yes.
"I think he's up to no good." Klobi scowled. She lounged on one of the benches, pausing to admire the profane graffiti etched into the seat. Phallic fascination knew no bounds in the Marines. Maybe it was like ancient Rome, where dicks pointed the way to the good times. "Huh? He's like the chilliest SNCO in the company." Crannick had an annoying habit of trying to see the best in their leadership. “What did he do to you?”
"I just think," Klobi sniffed, "that he's a wolf in sheep's clothing." There was a slightly too long pause.
"What the fuck are you talking about? Is this your idea of some sort of zoological conspiracy?" Crannick really hated when Klobi got metaphorical.
Klobi rolled her eyes. "I'm saying that- "
"Hey, either of y'all got a smoke?" A new Marine joined them in the smoke pit and Crannick graciously offered him a menthol. As the lighter flared, Klobi could see it was LCpl Dawson.
"What's up, Dawson?" She took a pull from her own cigarette. "Living the dream." His southern drawl was even thicker with sarcasm. "Sup with you guys?"
"Klobi here is getting awfully agrarian about laundry day. " Crannick snickered.
Dawson frowned. "What? What’s that mean?" "I fucking hate you." Klobi sighed.
"What's wrong with her?" Dawson asked Crannick.
"She's been drinking the tap water." Camp Lejeune's tap water was legendary for its malignant properties and the on-base water treatment plant served every barracks, leading to some disturbing speculation on its potential as a source of chemical poisoning.
"Hey Doc!" Crannick hollered to the corpsman, Doc (PO3) Ellis, who had just emerged from the barracks. "You got anything in your bag for an idiom addiction? Klobi needs a fix stat!"
"I might actually stab you, Cranberry." Klobi got her own back by occasionally reminding him that his nickname was a fruit. “We’re talking about GySgt Castor, Dawson. Crannick seems to think he’s a swell guy.”
“No, I don’t. Stop putting words in my mouth.”
“Anything to shut you up.”
“Look, I agree that GySgt Castor is kind of a bastard. He’s just not as big a bastard as you think he is.”
Klobi privately reflected that Crannick was sort of right. GySgt Castor wasn’t a bastard, as such. It was more like he had the general temperament and charm of a demonically possessed wood chipper with a personality disorder. That was fine as far as the Marine Corps was concerned, but it was also a few steps beyond ‘bastard’. She couldn’t fathom why Crannick, or anyone at all besides GySgt Castor’s mother, would ever defend the man.
“He doesn’t sign you up for duty every single time the roster comes around.” Klobi snapped. “Or fail your room inspection for having dust on a pineapple.” She added, wondering to herself how one dusts a pineapple in the first place.
“Well, get good at the job then. If you’re crucial to the shop, you might find you’re less of a target for being voluntold.” Crannick flicked his ashes. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“I’ve had barracks duty, chow hall duty, battalion duty, and been sent to motor T to do preventive maintenance on the one humvee we have, all in the last six months.” Klobi took a drag. “No one is that big of a shit bird.”
“Don’t take it personally, Klobi. Crannick’s shit at the job too. He only gets by because he can run good.” Dawson smirked. “If we ever have to retreat, Crannick will be leading the way.”
Doc Ellis wandered up to join them in the dark of the gazebo. He pulled out a tin of shewing tobacco and began to pack it industriously. “How’s everyone doing?” He took a big pinch from the can and began lining his lower lip with a wad the size of a slug. It looked just as appealing.
“Hey Doc. We’re good.” Klobi grinned, thinking back to breakfast. “Actually, Crannick here has some questions for you regarding his-”
“OH BOY, would you look at the time? We’ve got PT tomorrow, y’all. Guess I’d better head back to my room!” Crannick stood up from the bench and shot her one more dirty look as he was leaving.
“Y’all need to quit smoking.” Doc Ellis said, pausing to spit into a reused plastic beverage bottle he always had with him. “It’s really bad for you.”
“Thanks Doc, I’ll forget you said that. Night all.” With that, Crannick departed, leaving the others to trickle away on their own.
“Yeah, that’s it for me too. Good night Doc, Dawson. See y’all tomorrow.” Klobi stretched and yawned, stumbling back to her room for the night.
​
And somewhere, two burly strong men shared an aggressive handshake and immediately exploded in splooge supernovas of epic scale.
​
The End. (For now)
[1] Their proper name is ‘landing support specialists’
​
[2] It does not matter if you then attend a sixty person same sex orgy, so long as you wore boot bands while you did it.

I was writing this story and thinking of turning it into a webtoon. Can you tell me what you think.
My mom finally caved in. “Fine, make sure you’re prepared and take the train to school. Make sure you’re careful and follow all instructions!”
“Don’t worry mom,” I grumbled. “It's not like any of us have superpowers anyway.”
I finished my food, grabbed everything I needed and rushed out the door.
Living here is expensive but it sure is amazing if you can succeed.
Even if the world was almost destroyed 250 years ago we sure were able to come a long way in that time. It was great enough that me and Thomas’ parents would try so hard to be able to live here.
At first glance it was beautiful like a dream. Sector 3 was one of the best Districts except 1 and 2.
It buzzed with life with people on their way to work and wherever they needed to go. Cars hovered over the ground at speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour.They made a sort of buzzing noise that was music to my ears. The smells of food cooking in fancy restaurants attacked my nostrils hoping to draw my attention and buy their food. Good thing I had a hearty breakfast because I don’t think I could afford any of them right now. Teenagers like me hung out with their hoverboards doing all types of tricks that could easily backfire in a nearby park. They had neon colored hair, mohawks along with other choices in fashion that my school and I just don’t agree with. Other businesses such as hospitals, hair salons, movie theaters also seemed to attract crowds like a magnet. I even passed by the hospital my mom worked at. It was a huge dark skyscraper with a spacious parking lot with its name Healing Haven Hospital in bright colored letters at the top.
Sector 3 was a great place to live if you could afford it. Although If you looked hard enough you noticed the people that failed to make ends meet. In the slums people slept in man made houses of trash and boxes. Others smoked and did drugs which was kind of illegal. Either they weren’t caught or the soldiers didn’t care enough to check. Children wearing dirty rags who were so skinny you could count their ribs rummaged through trash and fought over any spoils. It wasn’t fair that this greedy government would place laws and taxes that would force them to suffer this horrible fate. I need money whether or not it's legal as long as it can keep my family fed and happy.
15 minutes after I left the house I finally reached the train station. I got off my hoverboard and got in line and thankfully it wasn’t that long. When I reached the doors, I almost had a heart attack. Guarding the door where two sentinels armed to the teeth carrying large guns and dressed in their signature white bulletproof armor.
“Pay up please,” the one on the right said as he stretched out his hand. He held a device that would collect the money you need to take to ride the train.
“Okay,” I agreed with a nervous voice.
I took out my own phone and paid. I was able to get a seat on the train I was keeping all to myself with no troubles.
After we started moving I finally was able to let myself relax. I thought I was this close to being arrested before I could do anything illegal today.
Sentinels are usually stationed in places such as banks and homes of important people like governors. But this is the first time I’ve seen them deployed at a train station. I remember when I wanted to be one when I was a kid and go to District 2 to make lots of money but my parents made me give up that dream. District 2 specializes in military and security. That was where soldiers trained and lived. Higher Ups also had access to a luxurious life in a fancy mansion and more money than what they actually needed. This is where the hovercrafts that soared the sky providing surveillance were built and maintained. Where Epizon’s forces that would protect our country from its threats could prepare for any possibility. Prepare for what I always ask. Most of the world has been destroyed. Africa has never shown any hostility to us. No, they’re just here to enforce this tyrannical government and eliminate any that may possess abilities.
I grabbed my headphones from my backpack and played my favorite songs. At least I can enjoy the view.
It was like I was flying as the train soared through the sky on a railway that snaked throughout the city. Never actually touching since the train was connected through powerful electromagnets saving both energy and money. The city looked even more impressive when you had a bird’s eye view.
Couples and families enjoyed picnics on tables at the Liberty State Park. People walked in and out of the Interpretive Center where history from about 300 years was taught. It still had memorials dedicated to remembering events like what happened centuries ago at 9/11. Now there’s a huge memorial dedicated to those who fought to save us from the Enhanced. It's still so hard to believe that people with super powers exist. I’ve learned about them in history class but they seem so unreal. I’ve never seen somebody shoot fire or fly so either the military is really good at their job or this is all made up.
District 3 of the great utopia Epizon. Named after the Greek word for survivor. When the continents Australia, Europe, South America, and Asia were destroyed in World War Three. By the Enhanced who gained powers that almost destroyed the world. Thankfully, the remnants of North America were able to stand up and defeat all the Enhanced people and create the amazing paradise we live in.
It sounds so unreal it has to be propaganda to control the Sectors.
We flew over the Hudson River Walkway. It was my favorite view on the train ride because I loved the way sunlight would reflect off the pristine turquoise waters. It's a shame we don’t really get to swim or fish though. That’s probably for the best.
The rest of the train ride went fast and before I knew it I was at my stop. I grabbed my hoverboard and raced to school because the Victor can’t be late.
While this District has its downsides it could really get a lot worse from here. However, District 1 was the real paradise. It was where the most important people with the most standing lived. The President, his wife, and other high ranking government officials lived there. In enormous mansions separated by acres where all the other people who enforced laws and taxes that made it difficult for my parents to live and provide for us.
But District 3 was the best place where people who are more fortunate like me could live. As long as you were skilled enough and worked hard enough. My mom was a somewhat prominent doctor at one of the biggest hospitals in this District. District 3 specializes in a lot of fields but the one it specializes in is medical science. Medicine, prosthetics, you can get the best of them from here. And my dad was vice president at a company that released some of the best virtual reality games. Entertainment is just as important as health in Epizon. Which meant I sometimes received popular games before everyone else. I remember so many times my parents and I would play together exploring outer space, fighting monsters. My parents are so cool, right?
You’d think that our life would be a little more luxurious and it was. Unfortunately, the selfish government increased taxes and fees from school started to pile up. As the victor in sophomore year I was exempt from those rules as long as I remained Victor. But my parents have yet to completely finish paying all those debts.
It's dangerous to get lost in your thoughts when you’re traveling 3 feet off the ground at 15 miles per hour on a hoverboard because you might end up running into a moving car. Thankfully, I managed to stop just in time.
“So, the Victor almost crashes to a fatal stop. It would be sad, you know. I’d hate for my best friend to die like that.”
I knew that voice.
I turned around and noticed that mischievous grin with sharp teeth I was so familiar with. With his strong red eyes and messy black hair he could’ve been a criminal. Well he technically should be but we’re too smart to get caught.
“Thomas, how’re you?” I asked as I got off my hoverboard.
“Oh, nothing, just waiting for you,” he replied. “I knew you’d show up here to catch the levitrain.”
He gave me a hug and somehow managed to pick me up and spin me around like something a kid would ask their parents to do.
“How’re you doing my best friend? Did you actually get a huge extravagant meal because I just did. My mom just got paid and she didn’t save a single epi.”
“Yeah, I actually did and so I can actually keep my breakfast and not throw up let me down.”
“Sure!”
“How’re you so strong anyway? I know you work out but are you seriously that strong. Don’t tell me you actually have super strength.”
“I hope I don’t. Life sucks as is but it would get even worse if I suddenly awakened superpowers.”
I feel the same. It’s rough but we can make it better.
“Fistbump!”
We always managed to read each other’s minds.
“Are you ready for these physicals?” I asked.
“I’m so sick of those things,” he replied. “Oh, it’s time for us to cross.”
We both got on our hoverboards and raced towards school.
“Don’t worry about it, you're strong and you’re pretty muscular,” I assured him. “But, I hope you’re not strong enough to throw a car or something.”
“Don’t worry about it, I've already tried. Nah, I’m kidding.”
“So, are we doing that job today,” Thomas asked with a mischievous grin.
“You know it,” I said.
CHAPTER 2
Now you have to admit our school was pretty impressive.
First of all, it was gigantic. It sort of resembled a castle but really high tech in blue, red, and white colors. In the middle FutureTech was printed in red and blue and was highlighted in white. The dorms were on the left side. And the rest of the other facilities and equipment was in the other half. This was FutureTech, a place which was probably the best school a student could ask for. Less than 20% of those who apply here make the cut. And the majority of them were rich kids who could afford to pay the tuition. Me and Thomas barely made it and it was really tough. But we both worked hard and eventually I became the Victor. One of the perks of being a Victor that must’ve been in place for people like us was that the Victor could choose anyone who didn’t have as much money as the others to be their second in command. They would be exempt from the tuition and other crazy rules. Did you know you have to pay a security fee after a year?
Crazy.
But those only applied if the other guy had good grades and a clean track record. But only as long as I’m the Victor and if either of us do anything that breaks the rules we’ll both be kicked out. Talk about pressure.
But this was the best place to learn anything really. Law, business, art, engineering and other sciences. And it could all be done here.
The school had defenses in place to protect the lives of students and staff. An electromagnetic barrier surrounded the entire establishment. Stretching out a few acres across outside the building. If you wanted to get in you had to get through the one gate in the front. At the gate there were security cameras, x-rays, and 10 armed Sentinels just for extra security. The security was just as intense inside making it nearly impossible to do anything that violated the rules. They didn’t waste a single epi.
“Man, the security of this place is unnerving as always,” Thomas complained.
“It never fails to show me just how out of place we are.”
“Of course the security is advanced. The children of really important people receive education here. This helps them make sure they aren’t kidnapped. I do agree it's unnerving but at least it’s secure. Besides you and I both deserve to be here”
We walked through the sliding doors and saw just how beautiful the school was inside.
The place was illuminated by golden lights. Robots made clunky noises while drones wizzed over my head. I could barely hear myself think over the voices of other students. Girls argued over petty things like their hairstyles and whose boyfriend was better. While boys competed to see who’s stronger or more handsome. Rainbow colors flashed from the lab to the right. Future doctors practiced their skills on mannequins in the lab at the left.
“Hey, look, it's the Victor!”
Soon, the whole school had their eyes on me.
Girls and boys waved and applauded. Even the ones on the second floor whooped and jumped around. Not everyone felt the same though. Some students snickered and sneered while others glared with hatred and jealousy. Even when you work hard to be at the top not everyone will appreciate it.
“You’re popular,” Thomas remarked.
“Too bad not everyone is a fan. You still got the ladies cheering for you. You think you could give them a good word about me?” Thomas joked.
“You know that’s not how it is. We’re on different levels in society. I lose my title as Victor and I fade into the background.”
“Besides, you're smart and strong. Try hard enough and you could get a girlfriend. Just don’t let anyone catch on to our extracurricular activities.”
“Look at that smug smile on his face,” a voice rang out.
“It must be nice to be the Victor's lap dog. I could use that so explain why it is getting wasted on that idiot.”
“ He thinks he’s so strong and mighty just because of that stupid pin. Wait till I get my hands on it, fool.”
“He should watch out. It’d be unfortunate if an accident were to happen. No one would miss some commoners who couldn’t support themselves without that Victor title.”
“Who is that?” Thomas demanded.
“If I find out who they are they won’t have to worry about creating any accident.”
“Chill out Thomas. None of them have the guts or smarts to try anything. Besides, together there’s nothing they can do to either of us.”
“You’re right. We have brains and muscles,” he said as he flexed his arms.
I don’t blame some of them though. Kids who weren’t super wealthy but still made it could use the privileges I got from this title. There were also the selfish rich kids who had more money than they really needed. But I couldn't bear to see someone work hard to achieve something they couldn’t. It makes me so sick sometimes. Our parents do our best just to put a roof over our heads and pay taxes. But I became Victor and that’s a problem. I apologize but I’m not giving it up anytime soon.
“ So what’s first on Victor's schedule?”
“First, we have History class. Then, I have to give a report on quantum physics. Then we have lunch right before the physicals.”
“Well, while you’re doing your fancy report on quantum psychics I’m doing one on the state of this Sector. There’s so many children and families without homes. If I simply beg them nothing will happen. I’ll convince them why they should lend money and support to those who really deserve it. They can train adults to help reinforce the Walls. Add them to the military. Children can also be useful for things. Think about all the new medications they could try by using sick children. They could also put extremely smart children to work in engineering. Even the government can’t ignore the potential of children if given the right environment.”
Good old Thomas is always thinking of ways to help those in need. He takes every advantage and tool he can if it means he can improve the lives of his mother’s and others. More reason for me to fight to stay the Victor.
“Thomas, I have a question.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“Let’s say if you can do what you plan. What if some of those who you’re helping have powers?”
Thomas' face darkened as he stopped his stride.
I hate to do this to him but what if some of those he’s trying to help are Enhanced. People who have done nothing wrong superpowers or not don’t deserve to be hurt out of fear and hatred. Especially if it was because my best friend was only trying to genuinely help.
“I’m not sure. I can already imagine what the government would do if they got their hands on Enhanced people. But if I can only help people with no powers who actually need it. Am I wrong to try even if it could hurt others?”
Thomas’ statement really made me think. The government will hunt those with powers without question. But if he can help the others is that really so wrong? If only we could get the power and authority to change Epizon for the better. A place where rich or poor, normal or superpowered don’t matter. The only thing that you’ll be judged on is your character.
But I guess we’ve got to help our families and graduate first.
“Let’s go Thomas. We can both think about that later. But first let’s catch an elevator to the third floor and learn more history. YAY!!”
“Ok! I’ll race you!”
In 5 minutes we made it to History class before we could’ve been marked late. Seriously, why does Mr. Rodrigo’s class has to be all the way at the end of the hallway.
We took our seats in the front with Thomas right behind me and got ready.
Mr. Rodrigo was an intimidating man. He was 6ft 6 inches tall. He had an even more muscular body than Thomas and his platinum blonde hair was as tidy as always. But the most frightening part was his silver right arm prosthetic which I swore could punch through steel. No student turned in work late in this class. We had a Veteran soldier, not some pushover.
“Today, in class we’ll be discussing World War Three and what led to it 250 years ago!” Mr Rodrigo announced.
The projector in front turned on into an educational video to teach us about the history of Epizon.
This is how the story went. Over 250 years the Earth was a beautiful place. All the major continents and countries were still thriving and Epizon was known as North America. It was a place where all races were equal. And people could enjoy nature and the same standards of living. No one went hungry and people could afford anything they could ever want. Yeah right.
However, this peace and prosperity was interrupted when the Chosen rebelled. When the greatest scientists of North America were able to give selected people superpowers to make sure peace could continue to prosper. However, the Chosen got drunk on their new powers. They betrayed our country and killed those who gave them their powers to make sure no one could fight against them. After taking full control of our country they waged war on the rest of the world, Starting World War Three. However, other major world powers also developed their own Chosen. In the next 10 years Asia, South America, Europe, and Australia were completely destroyed.
However, our country’s usurpers had almost destroyed themselves in the war. While they grew complacent with their powers we built up our resources in secret. When they attempted to heal their wounds we launched a counter strike against them. Using whatever tactics it took from air strikes, snipings, and more. A major part was thanks to a specially created poison that could weaken those with powers and even kill them. We finally won over them and took our country back. To celebrate we named our country Epizon and split it into 20 Sectors. The most crucial people in the war effort against the former Chosen were elected to be governors, secretaries with the President on top. With their descendants guiding Epizon to greatness and equality centuries later.
What a load of bull.
This country isn’t fair or equal at all! My parents struggle just to pay stupid bills! I go on these stupid jobs just to make sure me and my best friend's family don’t have to sleep on the streets. The horrible fate of those who couldn’t make it haunts me everytime I go around the city. One doesn’t even have a fair chance of becoming a politician if they aren't related to one.
I got so mad I snapped my pen in half. A waste of a perfectly good pen.
“Mark, are you good?” Thomas whispered.
“Yes, I’m fine. Sorry just lost my temper-”
A metal fist slammed into my table.
“Mr. Mark, is there a reason why you and your friend are interrupting class. Do you perhaps feel that as the Victor you have nothing to learn from this topic.”
The rest of the class snickered and snorted.
“Actually no Thomas and I were comparing the earliest of Epizon to now to highlight just how much our country has grown. I apologize if we interrupted your class.”
“Oh really. Well since you already know this class backwards and forwards you can teach the class. In fact, you can educate them on the Bloody River Incident. Consider this a test. And I do hope you know your facts. After all, I was the only survivor of that horrible massacre ”
The Bloody River Incident was a catastrophe where 1,000 died. I only learned about it last year because whenever the aftermath turned on the news my parents removed it.
“I’d love to educate our class on Epizon’s history, Mr. Rodrigo.”
Three years ago the Sentinels launched an attack on a refugee camp of Enhanced in Sector 4. Unfortunately, the battalion of 1,000 Sentinels was all wiped out. It got its title for the color the Hudson River turned when the blood of fallen soldiers mixed in. The security for schools, banks, and other “important” places increased. Of course they never bothered with things like public transportation until recently.
“Anytime this year,” Mr. Rodrigo complained.
Why did I have to get a pop quiz today?
Chapter 3
“Finally, we get to go to lunch,” Thomas cheered.
“Did you bring anything today?”
“I was super lucky today. My mom made this huge spread so I’ve got some leftover pancakes, bacon and some eggs. What about you?”
“Oh nothing so special. My mom was still at work so I gathered up some things and made lasagna.”
“Your mom’s super awesome lasagna,” I wondered.
“I’ll share some with you if you share with me,” he said.
Thanks to the insulated lunch box Thomas’ food was still warm. The aroma of all the wonderful spices gave me delight.
“Sure. One of the special privileges I get to enjoy is your mom’s lasagna. After all the school lunch is too expensive and while it may be high class food. It still pales in comparison to homemade food made with love.”
“Isn’t that right? So Mark, what do you want to do once you graduate? We can’t be criminals forever.”
“I was thinking about starting a company using our inventions. I’ve been talking to my dad about it and if I can remain the Victor until I graduate. It will be a great sales pitch especially if we can improve our projects. Even Epizon can’t deny geniuses who can make their country even greater.”
“You’re right. How did your Dad like our skeleton key?”
“He wasn’t fond of it at all. He said he didn’t want us to use our intellect to make weapons. Instead, we should work with my mom to find ways we can help people. For example, my mom’s a neurosurgeon. Sentinels who’ve suffered grievous injuries in training exercises will be looking for someone who can really fix them. Paralysis, loss of motor control, even the prosthetics they use sometimes malfunction.”
I took out my laptop and typed a few buttons. In three minutes I pulled a sort of research paper I made in my spare time.
“I’ve heard that some nervous systems are unable to handle the stress of handling new prostheses. And the more prosthesis they implant the more the increase in side effects. Some soldiers sign up for weaponized implants to improve their combat powers. I heard they can even copy some powers like pyrokinesis or super strength.”
“That’s crazy. Anyways I’m hungry. Let's discuss this after lunch.”
We’ll need all the energy we can get.
We split the food both ways and chowed down.
Thomas took out a mini speaker and started playing rock music. Before we knew it we started using the forks and spoons we had as music instruments. We tapped and beat to the music. But we calmed down a little when we received glares. We can’t be looking foolish.
The cafeteria was big enough to carry two hovercrafts. It had gold chandeliers and pristine white walls. Tables ranging for 1, for 2, and 4 were scattered out. Robots taking orders, collecting checks, and bringing food raced around on high tech wheels. The air was packed with aromas from dishes prepared by some of the best chefs in Epizon. However, what I despised the most wasn’t the high cost of food that made me avoid relying on school lunch. But the snot nosed rich kids who went out of their way to bring their own fancy dresses and suits just for the cafeteria. I mean are you serious? And the school allowed them to do it as long as it was just for lunch. I pitied the other kids who stood out because they weren’t in the position to waste the few good clothes they had. I certainly could agree with that. These kids would dance, sing loud and do whatever else that was annoying.
On our table just for two that was far away from the majority we ate our lunch in peace.
“Your mom’s lasagna is just as good as it’s always been Thomas. I could never quite recreate it even when you gave me the recipe.”
“Of course you couldn’t. It’s a secret skill that can only be learned by my bloodline.”
HAAH! HAAH!! HAAH!!!
Would it be too much to ask if we could just laugh like this forever.
“I see you’re enjoying yourself Victor.”
Someone just had to ruin the fun.
I heard the tip tapping of shoes from right behind me. One girl, two boys.
“I hate this guy. Why’d he even come to this school? He should have just been homeschooled in his nice mansion in Sector 1.”
“Come on, commoner. You should be grateful to be blessed for me to come to you. Your lap dog should feel grateful too.”
“This guy,” Thomas growled.
He grabbed a chair and sat right in the middle of us. His lackeys stayed right behind him.
The aggressor was the son of the President, the most powerful man in Epizon. He was tall for 15 6ft 3 inches. His white skin had no freckle, zit, or pimple in sight. His red eyes went well with the red highlights in his hair. Usually dying your hair isn’t allowed but when you’re the President’s son you get to break a few rules.
His two lackeys are Merle, daughter of Sector 4’s Governor, and Sector 3’s Secretary Charles.
“Jason. It’s time for us to eat lunch. What would you like to order?” Merle asked.
“Knowing Jason he’s going to order whatever’s the most expensive thing on the menu,” Charles answered.
“That’s right I Jason Powers sit at the top of Epizon. I come from a line of great people like secretaries, governors, generals, and revolutionary scientists. Someone of my standing deserves nothing less than the best.”
“Very well, I shall place your order now.”
Jason pointed at me.
“But what are you eating Victor? What’s on your plate? Pancakes,eggs,lasagna. I won’t allow someone as esteemed as the Victor to eat from such a shabby diet. At this school you’re one of the only people at this school at my level. Maybe I should order the second most expensive thing on this menu.”
“Ok!”
“What-” both Thomas and him exclaimed.
“If possible, can I take it to go?”
Look I’m not passing up free high class food even if I don’t like the guy that’s offering.
“Guess I’ll order it then. I’ll take something to get Waiter-bot!”
In response a nearby Waiter-bot rushed over.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Thomas whispered.
“Look, I'm not turning down free food. Maybe I’ll give it to my parents.”
“And what about your third string?”, he addressed Thomas.
Thomas jumped out of his seat and looked like he was about to start a fight. Thankfully, his smart to know that’s a bad idea.
“Considering you’re the lowest person here. Should I buy you the fifth most expensive dish? Or did that restaurant your mom owns mean you don’t need it. It used to be so high-class you know but ever since Father placed those taxes you haven’t been doing so well. You’re still successful, sure but your mom must be struggling to run it.”
Thomas was about to raise his fist but I quickly smacked it down.
“He’ll take it and thanks for your kind consideration.”
“If you need anything, here's my card. I may take pity on you.”
In 20 minutes the Waiterbots brought our food after Jason and his lackeys left.
We had Massaman curry, wagyu beef, Japanese sushi and other delicacies.
“WHY! Why would you accept that he’s mocking us!”
“But he’s giving us free food Thomas,” I leaned in to whisper.
“We literally do all these illegal side jobs that could get us and our families in danger if we’re found out. So we can provide for them. You think I’m passing up free food.”
Thomas' expression finally relaxed.
“You’re right it’s like you said free food is free food.”
The loudspeakers in the cafeteria shouted out loud:
“Will the Victor please come down to the basement prepared for the assessment.”
Voices from the crowd erupted.
“So, the Victor is going first?”
“I’m glad it’s not me.”
“What if he has powers? What if the Sentinels can’t bring him down?” We can’t leave until the assessments are over.”
“I hope he doesn’t come back. Then, I can be the Victor.”
“You think it’s going to be you. It’s going to be me.”
Why did it have to be me first? I wish these kids would shut up, they're making it worse.
“What are these brats talking about? Half of these brats couldn’t hope to be as good as you or me for that matter so they shouldn’t get their hopes up. The only thing stopping Jason from being Victor is you so there’s that.”
Thomas is always there to cheer me up.
“Well, I’ll put this food in our lockers so we can eat them after school. That’s if I actually see you again.”
“Yeah, yeah I hope you can’t shoot fire or fly too because then I’d be in trouble.”
“HAAH!! HAAH!! HAAH!!”
“Don’t do your best Mark, I'll see you later.”
After changing into my gym clothes I was escorted by 4 sentinels to the basement. It was only accessible by a special elevator built for that purpose alone. After what was probably 4 whole minutes with people who were ready to fill me up with lead. We finally arrived at the basement.
The Basement was where the annual assessment to discover if a student possessed super powers.
You see Enhanced have this sort of bioelectric aura that they emit that couldn’t be recognized using the human senses. They can only only be recognized using incredibly advanced technology. if an Enhanced got enough experience with their abilities, they could hide their bioelectric aura from machines too. However, this aura is linked to their powers and are stronger when they are used or the individual is under extreme stress. So the government came up with an idea.
To set up a school system where students can be monitored and powered people can be identified. With Sentinels there to take them down. And that is why every kid in Epizon has to go to some kind of school or get an annual check up. It’s so they can kill powered people when they’re young.
Could this society be more wrong? It saddens me to know that it could.
We finally stopped and the doors opened wide open.
“Keep walking?” the Sentinel to my right demanded.
Guess it’s time to get this over with.
We arrived at the Vault. It looked just like some high tech bank but instead of keeping people out. It was made to make sure they couldn’t escape. With automatic machine guns on the walls, Sentinels, and 12 foot thick walls of high grade steel it wasn’t going to be easy to escape. And in the case of an incident the elevator upstairs would be locked. Leaving you trapped under bedrock unless you could teleport or had some other useful power for that situation.
One Sentinel walked over to the Vault's white doors and demanded entry.
“Open, Sentinel 1706!”
With a click and clank the doors started to open slowly.
It finally sank in just how nervous I was. I was just as nervous as last year. I’ve seen kids that took the physicals never returning. As if they never even existed. My heart started to race and I could feel the sweat crawling down my face.
Please don’t tell me I’m an Enhanced person. I don’t need superpowers. I just need to graduate and start an awesome company. Hanging out with Thomas and helping our families. That's all I want to do! I just want to be normal like everyone else.
“Relax, you’re hyperventilating. You’re the Victor , you should be calm and composed. I mean don’t give us a reason to suspect you before the assessment even starts.”
Crap, I let them see me weak.
“Of course not, I'm just planning this out that’s all.”
However, my focus was ruined by ominous threats.
“Let’s kill those kids.”
“They’ll all pay for what they’ve done.”
“The sins of the parents shall be held accountable by their children.”
“Let the Revolution begin!”
Hey, what are those voices? They just started flooding in my head.
I looked around but I couldn’t find any culprits. I’m sure none of those voices belonged to a Sentinel. No Sentinel would dare to harm a student here without approval. So where was that coming from?
“Hey, who was that? Are you playing some kind of game?” I asked.
“What are you talking about, kid. Don’t try anything, follow the rules, and you’ll be fine.”
“BUT!!”
The final part of the Vaults wall barely opened before I heard a deafening boom.
The ground started shaking and the ceiling began to collapse.
“Did something happen upstairs,” a Sentinel asked.
“What the hell is going on?”
My question was answered by a ginormous explosion.
​
Would it be a good idea to start the webtoon with how the world was destroyed. Like it's normal and boom everything's destroyed. Continents have fallen, North America was a wasteland, and 250 years ago Mark and his friend are on the run from gangsters on their way to school.

Srsly...
Im on the verge of unnistalling now, because its just bullshit that its "random".
I have atm 8 champs at 3 stars. I finished 3* weekly random adventure with Ornn and i got reward for finishing the 3 stars Frejlord quest. Boom! 20 Jinx shards (i have her at 3*, like everyone else). Ok dont be discouraged... think positive... we will play one more game and finish weekly for silver chest....
Bam! 10 Yasuo shards that converted to 2 wild shards.
Its insanely discouraging and while i am on the verge of quitting now (after months of getting duplicates far more that any probablity math "allows" over and over), i cannot even imagine how many players that are less invested into the mode quits discouraged with this BULLSHIT. If there were any sort of normal duplicate protection (just dont give me shards for maxed champs ffs... ITS FUCKING EASY) i would probably had 3/4 of roster maxed at this point, not measly 8 champs. This system its only here to artificially slow down progression, and its designed with that one purpose. End of story.
I dont believe even one word about that is not rigged. Or bugged so heavily that noone in the whole dev team can even try to identify whats wrong with rng and scripts or whatever spaghetti code we deal with here.
Sorry for venting. But this is BULLSHIT.
And because i tagged this feedback, so this is my feedback:
If there will be not normal duplicate protection, or normal rng (maxed stuff excluded from posibble hits) implemented in one or two future patches, i will not continue playing and supporting this game financially (i always try to buy 3-4 champs with money).
At this point there is no other way because game makes me frustrated far more often than not. And i dont play games to be frustrated. I dont need this in my life.
Im also baffled about devs stuborness with this system, it probably what cost them most player quitting, because in 110% sure that im not only one. Hah! Im even pretty sure that its not usual "vocal minority" stuff. Most players annoyed with this system just quits silently, because they are not invested like i am.
And i would also want to add that ITS A FUCKING SHAME that so brillantly desgined game is hindered AND WILL NEVER FLOURISH because antiplayer designs like that. Atm i think thats the point of developers team lol. Because contrast with PvP part is jarring.

I got really into houseplants during the pandemic. We didn't use our dining room, so its south-facing window became the plant window. I spent a lot of effort finding cuttings and rehomed versions of expensive plants for cheap on Marketplace. New housemate also liked plants and wanted to get into them more by learning from me. His new peace lily died shortly after moving in. Crunchy, trust-fund type... and as it turns out, very much unable to be convinced that all plants don't need the same things and he's not some sort of special intuitive nature-boy.
I gave him some rooted cuttings of pothos and tradescantia to restart his collection. He planted half the tradescantia outside-- it's invasive here.
Then I got into a car crash and after that really sick, for months. Largely bedbound. Housemate offered to help with my watering and such, as I was in a cycle of going a few days too long between waterings. Things did indeed look limp/crispy in spots-- croton and boston fern pitching a fit, sort of stuff. I told him that I would welcome it, but that I'd need to sit down with him first to tell him each plant's care, get a moisture monitor because overwatering is worse than under, and that some would be completely off-limits for emotional significance. We could do that in person or over messages.
Dude took it upon himself to start "taking care of" my plants for me anyway. By which I mean overtending them. He was super smug about it the few times I found him doing it. I reminded him we still needed to have that talk about the plants' care and he blew me off, even after I clearly stated that he needed to entirely stop tending my plants if he didn't know about them. If they died or suffered appreciably under my care, at least it would be my fault and they would be thrown away/rehomed, out of his sight.
Turns out, he would water my plants near-daily; overwatering cacti and succulents to shriveled rot. He would also take plants outside for "enough sun". But he didn't know the sun and temperature needs of the plants, didn't even know what they were called. They would scorch and get pests outside, then spread those pests to plants still indoors. We had fungus gnats for months and months. I've made my peace with a forever-war against mealies. (I'm still too ill for the outdoors undertaking of systemic treatment and soil change) I started to hate my plants.
It took me a while to realize everything, and I did let him gaslight me into blaming my own care for a while as he became increasingly open about his activities. I lost at least 12 of my pots in this time, with him nagging me increasingly about how I was neglecting the plants by not watering them daily and "forcing him to step up so he didn't have to watch them suffer under my abuse."
One time, I snapped. "Look how yellow and rotten they are, they're still not getting enough water!" I told him to stop touching my f---ing plants. That he's an entitled ass who rotted hundreds of dollars in plants because he couldn't be bothered to Google or respect my belongings. Stop touching them, because the damage and death was because of his ridiculous ego and overwatering. I didn't ask for replacement or reimbursement, none was offered. (Didn't expect it, but I figure someone will ask if that came up). He left the argument convinced that I know nothing about plants and muttering about me being ungrateful.
Our relationship (understandably) went frigid after that, and he moved out a couple months later as originally planned.
Remaining housemate said that it was crappy that he ignored my boundaries and lost me money. But that I should have taken my plants from the south-facing common window, to my room with its single north-facing window if I didn't want him messing with them. I also admit I was overwhelmed with the needier plants, and did end up allowing myself to toss or rehome the ones that just made me sad to look at after this experience.
All the plants I kept made a full recovery once they were no longer being waterboarded.
Why AITG:

• I didn't need to blow up and bring his ego into it.
• Other housemates said that I should have taken all the plants-- including tropical and cactus-- from the south-facing common window, to my room with its north-facing window if I didn't want him messing with them.
• I also admit I was overwhelmed with the needier plants, and needed to be willing to let some of them go. Crispy leaves and limp vines can feel depressing to look at, and I get that too. But so are yellowed, rotting ones?
• This might have been less entitlement and ego, than someone being ignorant and hamhanded doing an arigata-meiwaku

Every time I try and make this post it becomes the length of a novella so I'm giving up on my attempts to edit it down. The "The background info" and "Where we're at" are probably the most relevant if you don't feel like reading everything. The elevator pitch is that basically, my late friends husband is interested in dating me and I can't decide if it's an amazing or terrible idea.
​
Background Info:
She passed in December of 2022 very unexpectedly a week before her 31st birthday. Her husband is 43 and her son is 5 and in kindergarten. I'm 32. I've known her & her family for about 2 years and prior to her passing only interacted with her husband in group settings. They built a beautiful, loving family that our friends would joke of as being "marriage goals". There was a clear unspoken chemistry between he and I from day 1 but we both respected their marriage so it was a nonissue. I ended up being a much bigger support to him than either of us would have guessed. I was unintentionally by his side the last time he saw her alive in the ICU (at his request) and the *only* person who saw her before she passed aside from himself and her mother. At the time of the visit, we had every reason to believe she'd make a full recovery. I've been in touch with him regularly since then with steadily increasing frequency.
​
My Side:
I've been single for 3 years, significantly longer than ever before in my life but I've finally reached a point where I can say it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I had a lot to work through and there were many failed attempts at jumping right into a new relationship before I took a step back and did the whole "dating myself" thing. Along with this I've promised myself that I won't enter a serious relationship with anyone I don't see a real future with. I'd much rather hold onto my individual life and enjoy the world's adventures than constantly adjust my schedule and mental energy for the man (or whomever) of the moment.
I've also realized in this time that I am most likely some form of polyamorous so my future relationships will hopefully be nontraditional in that way. One thing I've known since the age of 11 is that I do not want to be a mother in any way. I really adore their child and used to babysit for them in a date night sitter pinch. He's really special and I'd regularly joke with her that if I could be guaranteed a kid just like him I would consider motherhood I just never thought it'd come to this.
It's possible the protective walls I've built are a bit too much but I'm scared of what will happen if I lower them, even though I'm maybe starting to want to. While I've found confidence in my strengths (immensely curious, empathetic, playful, thoughtful, etc.), my late friend was intimidatingly talented, driven, and intelligent in ways I'll never relate to so there's a level of fear around not living up to what he had in her even though I know how silly that is and nothing he's said leads me to believe he thinks that.
​
His Side:
Obviously I can't speak for him but I'll address my observations and his words. He mentions her to me and I currently have no issues with is, it's been nice getting to know more about my friend actually but it's never been a main talking point between us. Perhaps because of his career there seems to be certain level of, idk, emotional detachment to the event. He's a very emotional man but I haven't seen him cry over her once and has a kind of "life is what it is" mentality. I think his son has something to do with it since he has no choice but to keep the household running on his own now. It's hard to find time to mourn when you're rebuilding your life and routine. He's told me he's been trying hard to make sure his son still has the best life and is just now realizing that trying to be two parents at once is not likely to be the best way as it causes burnout.
There is a shrine in their living room of her and some of her stuff still around but most everything else he was pretty quick to store in the basement and start giving to friends/family who may want or need them. He did start seeing a therapist but doesn't feel like he's getting much from it because he doesn't feel like he has a lot of emotions to sort out as she was here and now she is gone and life goes on. I did mention how valuable a therapist can be in helping one figure out logistical things too so hopefully he continues to go for help in his transition to single parenthood if for no other reason. He has a solid support system from both his and her family but few of them live nearby (I live a 5 minute walk away). Aside from his closest couple of friends he has mentioned how people have naturally started returning to their own routines after the first couple of months.
Prior to meeting his late wife, he was in an 8 year relationship so he is similar to me in the level of seriousness he brings to his relationships (at least before now). I'm unsure about the 8 year relationship but know he and my late friend very quickly progressed their relationship upon meeting so I think he's a dive in head first type of romantic. As far as I know he's never been in an open relationship and they had a closed marriage but he admitted that there was some very very light discussions in their marriage of dipping a baby toe into alternative arrangements.
​
Where We're At:
I pretty much ignored the signs I saw of him trying to make an admittedly timid move on me because I didn't know what to do or think about it all. Eventually he point blank told me he wanted to hook up (originally all I was interested in) before changing that to date me. He was clearly nervous to discuss it at first and would alternate between saying things like how he'd "love to see me" to randomly calling me a "homie" which he'd never done before so I chalked this all up to him having widow's fire and being eager to get back out there to fill physical needs while confusing that with wanting to date again. Being unsure I could handle any clinginess that may have come from being his first experience post marriage I admitted that the attraction was mutual but that some things would need to be discussed first.
We've been able to have pretty open conversations since then (about a month ago). I told him about my desire to pursue polyamory, my need for a childfree life, and my uncertainty that I'd be able to be as present in his life as he'd want me to be but that if he was strictly looking for an emotionally safe outlet for physical needs, I'd be open to a FWB type of situation at this time. He told me he's not looking for a mother to his child and that he's never tried polyamory but that he really likes me and would be interested in seeing how that goes. He admitted that after one weekend where I chose not to be a booty call he did spend the night with another woman he's known for a while through a shared hobby (honestly a relief to me). He said she is nice and that it's cool to connect with someone who shares a niche passion with you but that he is not really interested in her. Apparently she has been eager to get to know him better and be a bigger part of his life but he wants that from me and not her.
I won't lie, no ones had a proper crush on me like this in over a decade and I forgot how nice it feels so it's getting harder toot get swept up in it. We have things in common and he's very easy to talk to which is uncommon for me to feel. He has a way of making me feel very safe and calm like I do not need to have a guard up in a way I haven't felt since my very first relationship. I've already started feeling the little butterflies when I see he's messaged me and have been open to making more time for him which is scaring the poo out of me. After our heart to heart about how we'd like to proceed for now, he kissed me and about a week later (a few days ago), I was visiting him and his son for dinner and we did end up sleeping together. It wasn't exactly how I imagined (when is it ever really) but it was a good kind of gentle and sweet that I thought didn't exist in the world anymore. On top of that we had some pillow talk before I left (early mornings to get the kid to school) and he gave me the most meaningful and sincere compliment I've ever gotten in my life. I actually started tearing up because I don't know that I've ever felt so seen by someone before and it's related to a trait I've questioned about myself in recent years.
He's currently visiting family half way across the globe for a week and half which is probably a good thing for some reflection time. Right now half of me is sprinting away from this situation to protect my heart and the life I've built for myself while the other half is seriously considering the logistics of entering some form of open relationship with a freshly widowed single father. My emotions are all over the place about this. In one moment I'm smiling and in disbelief that such a quirky, intelligent, sensitive, silly, good looking man is interested in someone like me. The next moment I'm feeling guilty over "stealing" my late friend's husband and like I'm trying to hijack the life she built. Then I'm worried about how our friends and family will view me (and him and us). Suddenly I'm a little mad/jealous that she was able to meet someone so great at 22 while I suffered through a series of traumas and abuses that's forever hardened me in ways I don't love. I'll feel frustrated that the first person I feel this way about in so long has baggage I'm not sure I can make peace with but then excited at the prospect of trying something new and seeing how it goes. This is of course in addition to all the things people feel in traditional dating dynamics so it's obviously a whirlwind! For now though we seem to be on the same page of just enjoying each others conversation and company and leaving it at that.
​
Thanks:
For anyone that read this far, you're a trooper! I'd give you a strawberry smelly sticker if I could but you'll just have to take my words of appreciation instead. Even if you skimmed it skipped over parts you likely have more than enough info to give me some food for thought. Part of this may be me just needing to get it out of my head and on paper so to speak in a way my journal wasn't satisfying lol
Pleez Halp

If you can figure this out and help cure me, I'll be in your debt!
I've been very sick since January 2022, primarily with debilitating nausea. I'm otherwise a healthy 30 y/o male. I do not smoke, do not take drugs and currently don't drink as my stomach can no longer tolerate it.
Symptoms: -Chronic nausea, some days worse than others. Stomach just feels very unsettled at times.
-Frequent upward pressure sensation like a burp with no relief
-Occasional vomiting ~once per month
-Stomach feels unsettled, almost as if it's pumping and twitching at times
-Occasional pain in epigastric region
-Weight loss of 30 lbs due to weak appetite from nausea; I've never been overweight
I've taken countless tests without a clear explanation for the nausea.
-Celiac disease - Diagnosed in July 2022; follow up endoscopy in late March shows almost fully healed villi due to GF diet adherence
-Norovirus was detected January 2023, but no longer in my system around February 2023
-SIBO - Excess methane, remediated in February with antibiotics
-Some excess bile seen in second endoscopy, but GI is certain that some bile alone doesn't explain the duration and severity of my symptoms.
At this point, it seems none of the above explain the nausea as Celiac is in full remission.
In addition to two endoscopies:
-CT scan of abdomen and head
-SIBO breath test
-Ultrasound of upper abdomen
-Emptying study
-Countless blood tests and stool tests
Medications tried: -Famitodine up to 100mg
-Hyoscyamine
-Onadesterone
-Donnatal
-Reglan
-Every OTC nausea med you can think of, like emetrol, FD gard, pepto bismol, etc.
-Currently 30mg Amitriptyline
I've been on amitriptyline since January, and my GI will likely keep trying up to at least 50mg, but it's not much help so far.
Conditions ruled out:
-Celiac (healed)
-Cancers of any kind
-Abdominal migrane
-Addisons disease
-Chrons, UC or other IBD
-Anxiety
-POTS
-Gastroparesis
-Gall bladder (no pain on right side, greasy foods are not a trigger)
-Parasites/other infections/h pylori
-Nutritional deficiencies
-Pancreatic insufficiency
-Food allergy
-Gastritis
-I could go on, but you get the point, it's nothing obvious.
In addition to a GF diet, I've tried a low FODMAP diet and gastritis friendly diet, and all sorts of supplement regimens.
A concrete diagnosis to explain the duration and severity of symptoms seems elusive at this point. At first I thought it might just be some anxiety, then Celiac Disease, then gastritis, and was relieved to think I had the answer each time.
The second GI I've seen is world-renound and brilliant, but he's stumped by this just like every other doctor has been. I'm not sure what to do if I'm still sick 6 months or more from now.

This has been an INSANE series of unfortunate events, and I’m hoping that someone has any sort of advice on how to get through this.
I want to start by saying that I am not positive that I have Narcolepsy, however after talking with my Therapist and Psychiatrist, some things have really added up. I used to experience really bad daytime sleepiness when I was in high school until I started taking a depression medication that actually worked, and a lot of that went away. I used to fall asleep in every single class, fell asleep while driving many times, and was constantly tired. I have also experienced Hypnagogic Hallucinations for as long as I can remember, horrible Insomnia at night, what I can only assume are Sleep Attacks during the day, and more (these I still experience).
I am currently a 21M and I recently decided to stop taking edibles, I wasn’t a smoker because I have other throat issues that I won’t get into, but I took edibles at a bare minimum once a week for 2 years. Almost 2 months ago, I took a large amount out of a tincture and felt nothing for around 8 hours (these have basically done nothing for me in the past). I decided to go to sleep and woke up at around 1:30 in the morning, absolutely out of my mind. I was experiencing a hypnagogic hallucination, but because I was as high as I was, it triggered something a lot more pattern based which I haven’t experienced. It was essentially like I was seeing crazy moving geometry all around me, this was an extremely intense experience and I had a severe panic attack, but I got through it and thought that would be the end of it. I was extremely wrong.
After this experience I stopped for about 2 weeks, and then went back to just taking one edible a week (also, these were not strong edibles, they were almost always 10mg of D9). About 2 weeks after this, I woke up to a panic attack because I experienced similar triggers from the last panic attack and struggled through this one, I had another hallucination and could see every decision I was making and watching it split in the opposite direction simultaneously (I was not high). This messed me up and I had another the next night, although this one was a more normal hallucination, the hallucinations had become a trigger, so I felt like I was actually losing my mind.
This was when I decided to quit for good, and this is where things got really intense. I had a few things to finish up with school and luckily that went fine, I finished my final projects, and started my spring break. I was barely sleeping at night at this point due to hallucinations and just general panic. This just happened to occur just before my bachelor party and we were supposed to go to to New Orleans, but I was so anxious and sleep deprived that I had to basically pivot and have my friends come to my place. I handled things decently well while they were here because I had distractions, although I was still ridiculously tired and basically not functioning when they left.
Things got a lot worse from here, I was having some panic attacks a few times a week, I was ridiculously on edge all the time. I had so many different types of hallucinations, everything from wild patterns, to event based hallucinations (thinking I was in a situation I wasn’t in), to normal visual and auditory hallucinations. My dreams have been off the walls, some of the most disturbing nightmares I’ve ever had, from creepy pasta esc cults to pulling rods of glass out of my legs, it’s been absolutely insane. Between the first week and the second I had my spring break so I could sleep a lot more. Then classes started again because my school is on a quarter system. This was terrible, I would wake up for class and would be very anxious after a night of no sleep, I nearly had a panic attack in one class. Immediately I knew I had put way too much stress on myself, I was basically collapsing under all of the pressure. I just decided to drop my classes for the quarter so I can get my head straight.
On top of all of this, my fiancé has started to snore very loudly due to allergies and she has started a new job where she has to wake up between 3 and 4 in the morning. I have to have absolutely perfect conditions to sleep right now, and she has begun to sleep in our guest bedroom (yes, I feel horrible about this, but I am running out of options). My dog is also terrified of me at night and will not stop shaking when she is around me in our room once the sun goes down (dog with insane anxiety, how ironic for the situation).
I also had a crazy lady bang on my door at 6:30 in the morning one night (morning) and I had to get up and check it out. This lady was yelling at me that I had to move out of my house because there was some sink hole to ANOTHER DIMENSION in a neighborhood nearby. She also said she was running from the police because she was being chased with an energy weapon, because she was Russian? This would normally be something I could deal with, but unfortunately I am in the middle of losing my mind, so perfect timing, right? I have essentially decided that the entire Universe is now plotting against me for whatever reason.
I have tried everything from calming breathing/meditation, calming walks in parks/botanical gardens, to facing my panic directly. I would essentially let the panic consume me, and then do EMDR (basically a non intrusive self induced hypnosis), I would try to logic out everything that was going on and sometimes it would work, but everything I did ended with this insane panic. I have horrible anxiety during the day and feel like I am actually being enveloped in hell at night. This is by far the worst anxiety I’ve had in my entire life and I am losing my mind.
I have read Reddit forms on both Narcolepsy and Weed Withdrawals, lots of people have experiences this kind of anxiety, and people that have talked about hallucinations, but never both together. If anyone has ever experienced anything like this, I’d love to hear how you got out of it, this is literally my personal hell, and hope somebody has some advise.

If you can figure this out and help cure me, I'll be in your debt!
I've been very sick since January 2022, primarily with debilitating nausea. I'm otherwise a healthy 30 y/o male. I do not smoke, do not take drugs and currently don't drink as my stomach can no longer tolerate it.
Symptoms: -Chronic nausea, some days worse than others. Stomach just feels very unsettled at times.
-Frequent upward pressure sensation like a burp with no relief
-Occasional vomiting ~once per month
-Stomach feels unsettled, almost as if it's pumping and twitching at times
-Occasional pain in epigastric region
-Weight loss of 30 lbs due to weak appetite from nausea; I've never been overweight
I've taken countless tests without a clear explanation for the nausea.
-Celiac disease - Diagnosed in July 2022; follow up endoscopy in late March shows almost fully healed villi due to GF diet adherence
-Norovirus was detected January 2023, but no longer in my system around February 2023
-SIBO - Excess methane, remediated in February with antibiotics
-Some excess bile seen in second endoscopy, but GI is certain that some bile alone doesn't explain the duration and severity of my symptoms.
At this point, it seems none of the above explain the nausea as Celiac is in full remission.
In addition to two endoscopies:
-CT scan of abdomen and head
-SIBO breath test
-Ultrasound of upper abdomen
-Emptying study
-Countless blood tests and stool tests
Medications tried: -Famitodine up to 100mg
-Hyoscyamine
-Onadesterone
-Donnatal
-Reglan
-Every OTC nausea med you can think of, like emetrol, FD gard, pepto bismol, etc.
-Currently 30mg Amitriptyline
I've been on amitriptyline since January, and my GI will likely keep trying up to at least 50mg, but it's not much help so far.
Conditions ruled out:
-Celiac (healed)
-Cancers of any kind
-Abdominal migrane
-Addisons disease
-Chrons, UC or other IBD
-Anxiety
-POTS
-Gastroparesis
-Gall bladder (no pain on right side, greasy foods are not a trigger)
-Parasites/other infections/h pylori
-Nutritional deficiencies
-Pancreatic insufficiency
-Food allergy
-Gastritis
-I could go on, but you get the point, it's nothing obvious.
In addition to a GF diet, I've tried a low FODMAP diet and gastritis friendly diet, and all sorts of supplement regimens.
A concrete diagnosis to explain the duration and severity of symptoms seems elusive at this point. At first I thought it might just be some anxiety, then Celiac Disease, then gastritis, and was relieved to think I had the answer each time.
The second GI I've seen is world-renound and brilliant, but he's stumped by this just like every other doctor has been. I'm not sure what to do if I'm still sick 6 months or more from now.

If you can figure this out and help cure me, I'll be in your debt!
I've been very sick since January 2022, primarily with debilitating nausea. I'm otherwise a healthy 30 y/o male. I do not smoke, do not take drugs and currently don't drink as my stomach can no longer tolerate it.
Symptoms: -Chronic nausea, some days worse than others. Stomach just feels very unsettled at times.
-Frequent upward pressure sensation like a burp with no relief
-Occasional vomiting ~once per month
-Stomach feels unsettled, almost as if it's pumping and twitching at times
-Occasional pain in epigastric region
-Weight loss of 30 lbs due to weak appetite from nausea; I've never been overweight
I've taken countless tests without a clear explanation for the nausea.
-Celiac disease - Diagnosed in July 2022; follow up endoscopy in late March shows almost fully healed villi due to GF diet adherence
-Norovirus was detected January 2023, but no longer in my system around February 2023
-SIBO - Excess methane, remediated in February with antibiotics
-Some excess bile seen in second endoscopy, but GI is certain that some bile alone doesn't explain the duration and severity of my symptoms.
At this point, it seems none of the above explain the nausea as Celiac is in full remission.
In addition to two endoscopies:
-CT scan of abdomen and head
-SIBO breath test
-Ultrasound of upper abdomen
-Emptying study
-Countless blood tests and stool tests
Medications tried: -Famitodine up to 100mg
-Hyoscyamine
-Onadesterone
-Donnatal
-Reglan
-Every OTC nausea med you can think of, like emetrol, FD gard, pepto bismol, etc.
-Currently 30mg Amitriptyline
I've been on amitriptyline since January, and my GI will likely keep trying up to at least 50mg, but it's not much help so far.
Conditions ruled out:
-Celiac (healed)
-Cancers of any kind
-Abdominal migrane
-Addisons disease
-Chrons, UC or other IBD
-Anxiety
-POTS
-Gastroparesis
-Gall bladder (no pain on right side, greasy foods are not a trigger)
-Parasites/other infections/h pylori
-Nutritional deficiencies
-Pancreatic insufficiency
-Food allergy
-Gastritis
-I could go on, but you get the point, it's nothing obvious.
In addition to a GF diet, I've tried a low FODMAP diet and gastritis friendly diet, and all sorts of supplement regimens.
A concrete diagnosis to explain the duration and severity of symptoms seems elusive at this point. At first I thought it might just be some anxiety, then Celiac Disease, then gastritis, and was relieved to think I had the answer each time.
The second GI I've seen is world-renound and brilliant, but he's stumped by this just like every other doctor has been. I'm not sure what to do if I'm still sick 6 months or more from now.

Really important heads-up that i'm going to briefly reference some unsafe exercise/workouts i did early in my recovery. If this post violates any sub rules enough that it has to be removed, 1. i totally understand 2. i'm really sorry!
(wanna be mindful of some specific sub rules: i see there have been a couple posts about join pain in the past couple months, but i think mine is different enough that it isn't a repeat post! i also am not asking for any sort of medical diagnosis ~)
---
hi everyone !
i'm wondering if anybody has had similar recovery experiences to mine, or otherwise might have some insights to share on this (thanks in advance <3)
i've (26y/o, M) been in recovery for two months today, and have been doing well with weight restoration. Early on though, I did have a brief period where i thought, "okay, if i'm going to gain all this weight back, i want it to be pure muscle." From February 4th to 6th, I did a bunch of really strenuous cardio/lifting workouts that i had no business doing, given my physique. (cw: blocked text names a couple exercise categories and my own motivation behind working out when i shouldn't have!)
From Feb 6th to 8th, I developed persistent, moderate pain on the inner (medial) sides of both my knees, and the radial (thumb) sides of both my elbows/upper forearms. This didn't seem that strange at first; I figured it was just overuse issues, made more complicated by my low muscle mass. to be safe, I stopped all extraneous exercise right away. By the nature of my job/living situation, I usually have to walk each day---but it isn't a strenuous amount on its own, and I've been pretty adamant about not walking more than I need to. beyond this, i've been almost completely sedentary these last two months.
the pain hasn't improved though -- and has actually started moving to other parts of my arms/legs (and even my hands and lower back) following an allergy shot i got a couple weeks ago. i've been doing allergy therapy for almost two years and have never had a systemic reaction, so i got bloodwork done checking for immune system anomalies, RA, inflammatory markers, etc, which came back negative (besides Autoimmune Antibodies, which i'm waiting on a retest for.)
the pain itself is persistent, dull, and warm --- though i do get an occasional sharp/jolting pang if i'm walking/using my hands or arms. it typically is at its mildest when i first wake up, and gets worse over the course of the day. also, light sensory stimulus (i.e. my pants rubbing against my knees) feels almost like having a sunburn scratched!!
i'm really frustrated at this point :( :( wondering if anybody has had similar experiences during recovery/or had success healing from them??
thanks !!! <3 <3

If you can figure this out and help cure me, I'll be in your debt!
I've been very sick since January 2022, primarily with debilitating nausea. I'm otherwise a healthy 30 y/o male. I do not smoke, do not take drugs and currently don't drink as my stomach can no longer tolerate it.
Symptoms: -Chronic nausea, some days worse than others. Stomach just feels very unsettled at times.
-Frequent upward pressure sensation like a burp with no relief
-Occasional vomiting ~once per month
-Stomach feels unsettled, almost as if it's pumping and twitching at times
-Occasional pain in epigastric region
-Weight loss of 30 lbs due to weak appetite from nausea; I've never been overweight
I've taken countless tests without a clear explanation for the nausea.
-Celiac disease - Diagnosed in July 2022; follow up endoscopy in late March shows almost fully healed villi due to GF diet adherence
-Norovirus was detected January 2023, but no longer in my system around February 2023
-SIBO - Excess methane, remediated in February with antibiotics
-Some excess bile seen in second endoscopy, but GI is certain that some bile alone doesn't explain the duration and severity of my symptoms.
At this point, it seems none of the above explain the nausea as Celiac is in full remission.
In addition to two endoscopies:
-CT scan of abdomen and head
-SIBO breath test
-Ultrasound of upper abdomen
-Emptying study
-Countless blood tests and stool tests
Medications tried: -Famitodine up to 100mg
-Hyoscyamine
-Onadesterone
-Donnatal
-Reglan
-Every OTC nausea med you can think of, like emetrol, FD gard, pepto bismol, etc.
-Currently 30mg Amitriptyline
I've been on amitriptyline since January, and my GI will likely keep trying up to at least 50mg, but it's not much help so far.
Conditions ruled out:
-Celiac (healed)
-Cancers of any kind
-Abdominal migrane
-Addisons disease
-Chrons, UC or other IBD
-Anxiety
-POTS
-Gastroparesis
-Gall bladder (no pain on right side, greasy foods are not a trigger)
-Parasites/other infections/h pylori
-Nutritional deficiencies
-Pancreatic insufficiency
-Food allergy
-Gastritis
-I could go on, but you get the point, it's nothing obvious.
In addition to a GF diet, I've tried a low FODMAP diet and gastritis friendly diet, and all sorts of supplement regimens.
A concrete diagnosis to explain the duration and severity of symptoms seems elusive at this point. At first I thought it might just be some anxiety, then Celiac Disease, then gastritis, and was relieved to think I had the answer each time.
The second GI I've seen is world-renound and brilliant, but he's stumped by this just like every other doctor has been. I'm not sure what to do if I'm still sick 6 months or more from now.

The Floral Floral Fruit is a paramecia class devil fruit that allows the user to create and manipulate flower petals of all kinds, turning the user into a Flower Human. These flower petals have special abilities that belay their delicate appearance, with potential to be even more. The petals themselves can come in all kinds of colors and patterns.
Strengths
The user can generate and manipulate flower petals from their body. The petals created by the user are under their complete telekinetic command. The petals can be telekinetically moved at speeds comparable to fast, powerful winds, and there is no limit to how far away the petals move from the user. Flower petals not under the user's direct control will be carried along to wherever the wind take them, with the user still aware of their exact location.
The petal's are harder than steel despite their delicate appearance, and just as durable. The flower petals can be made rigid at will, which combined with their hardness and durability allows the petals to be used as a mass of razor sharp knives. The petal's can clumped together to form thick barriers to defend against attacks. They can also be clumped together to form various powerful constructs out of flower petals such as blades, fists, and floating platforms.
By covering a person's wounds in a swirl of special flower petals, the user the user to amplify and quicken their targets' healing proces. The healing effect is so strong that it can heal broken bones and several limbs. With these petals, some grave injuries requiring months to heal can be healed completely in a matter of seconds. These petals will also boost a person's immune system, allowing them to heal from diseases and toxins they otherwise wouldn't have.
Awakening
The user is now able to summon forth a flower garden knows as Avalon. Avalon is no normal flower garden, but a whole world layered onto the current one. Within this garden, flowers of all kinds bloom in profusion above the ground. A sun in the shape of a flower will boom in the sky, overwriting the weather with a warm and gentle sunshine no matter what sort of hell the garden was summoned in. Avalon can be various sizes when invoked, from the size of a small home to encompassing an entire island.
To those the user considers neutral, allies, or pure, Avalon grants them nigh-immortality and immunity to all types of harm as long as they are within the garden. Flower petals will rise from the ground, protecting those people from all physical harm, no matter how strong. Flower petals will gush out of the people's wounds as new, fully restored flesh is painlessly reformed. To the people, the climate of Avalon will always stay at a comfortable level, protecting them from extreme heat and cold. The air will immediately purify the body, healing and removing all manner of illness and disease. The gardens beauty will clear the mind and bring it to a state of tranquility, healing manner all mental wounds and scarring. A truly perfect world where no one will ever cry or suffer.
To those the user considers enemies and sinners, Avalon is a cursed land that only serves to harm them. Decaying flower petals will rise from the ground in great flurries, transforming anything they touch, organic or inorganic, it touches into flower petals by "scraping" away what makes direct physical contact with them. The climate will always feel cold, desolate, and unforgiving even to those resistant to freezing temperatures to the cold. The air is like poison to those who breath it in, rotting their body and soul from the inside out. The garden appears to be in a horrific stage of decay, inflicting those who view it with perpetual fear and dread.
Weaknesses
Although durable, the petals are still lightweight. This means they can still be pushed around by a strong enough force. The flower petals are also very weak to the heat and cold, with fire and heat drying up and burning them, while the ice and cold will freeze and shatter them. Enemies can resist the debilitating effects of the fruit's awakening with enough Haki.
Avalon takes an immense amount of stamina to maintain, thus Avalon can only be fully unleashed for minutes at most, although smaller instances of Avalon will last longer than large instances.
The fruits healing ability is fueled by a large amount of life energy that comes from the recipient and could potentially drain enough energy to kill said recipient. As such, surgeries and conventional healing methods will be required for severely life-threatening injuries before the effects of the fruit can be applied. In such cases, it is the fruit's healing ability must be applied several times over a period of time instead of healing everything in one shot. This also means that if a person suffers serious enough injuries, the petals will be unable to save them from death. The fruit's healing ability is also unable to regrow lost body parts, preventing it from regrowing missing limbs or lost blood. Only a skilled doctor can make full use of the fruit's healing power.
Techniques
Floral Painting: using a mass of petals with various colors, the user can create images with them. It is possible for the user to animate these images by moving their petals.
Floral Lock: the user restrains opponents with a compact mass of petals in the shape of restrains like handcuffs.
Floral Cage: the user traps targets in a compact cage of flower petals.
Floral Veil: the user creates a Haki imbued compact mass of petals to create a barrier in the shape of a flower. Use of Observation Haki will near guarantee that the attack is blocked.
Floral Saw: the user creates a Haki imbued tornado of petals that shreds a target like a saw. The petals can be infused with Armament Haki to increase their cutting power and durability. Observation Haki can be used to have the Floral Saw's track down target.
Floral Burst: the user sends a large Haki imbued spiraling mass of petals at a target to drill into them.
Floral First: the user creates a compact mass of petals in the shape of a large fist. Using Observation Haki will allow the user to manipulate the Floral Fist's as a second pair of hands, even from across a city.
Floral Healing: the user covers a target's wounds in a veil of petals to heal them. The user can use Observation Haki to detect injured allies and civilians to heal them in mass even from far away.
Floral Taxi: the user creates a platform of petals to transport people.
Floral Cocoon: the user surrounds themselves and others in a thick Haki imbued cocoon of flower petals. This protects them from harm, heals them, and can be used to safely transport them.
Floral Rescue: using Observation Haki to find people in an area, the user send out petals to wrap people in Floral Cocoons.
Trivia An actual flower fruit.
Also I know I promised to post Swarm Swarm Fruit Model Slug but reddit kept on giving me an error when I tried.

I've recently been doing a lot more research into power outages as I stock my tanks with expensive torches. With severe weather events and fires only increasing where I live, I think it's prudent to prepare for when the lights go out for extended periods or if I need to evacuate for a number of days. I'm writing this out in the hope that it can help others save their livestock in case the very probable event of power outages strikes you. The most important thing is to have a plan and strategy of what you're going to do.
FLOW
I run the latest Ecotech MP10s on my main tank with Nemo wide flow adapters, they're positioned near the waterline on opposite ends. If main pump fails or stops, the MP10s are on Ecotech battery backup systems and will keep gas exchange going. You want to make sure your powerheads are positioned in such a way that if the power goes out, they can keep surface agitation vigorous. I've replaced the lead acid batteries with LiFePo4 (Lithium Phosphate) which will give them a few days of run time. There are plenty of options and guides here. IMO, Flow is the most important thing to keep running: bacterial action for the nitrate cycle, waste removal for coral, and oxygen exchange for fish cannot happen without flow. Lack of flow will kill a tank in a few hours.
TEMPERATURE
If the ambient temperature for where you live goes below 72F or above 80F at any point during the day or night, you need some sort of method for temperature control.
Cooling is a lot easier, as you can simply run fans on your tank. I do not recommend running chillers in an extended outage as they consume refrigerator amounts of power. An Inkbird temperature controller or similar is a fantastic way to temperature control your tank. I have my heaters and fans on tanks without an Apex. Keeping a tank cool with an inkbird and fans is very easy and low power, just plug into a backup power source and you can probably go days. (power sources at bottom)
Heating is a lot harder because no matter what, it's a lot of power or manual labor. If you live where it's very cold and the power is out, you can try wrapping your tank in a heat reflecting blanket to try to insulate and retain as much heat in the tank as possible. If you have a gas stove, a propane camping stove, etc you can also boil water, put it in a Nalgene or other heat compatible bottle and float it in the tank to act as a heating source. You will constantly have to cycle through bottles until the power is back. I wouldn't recommend it with ziplock bags or the sort as they will probably melt or release who knows what. The best option is to keep your heating going through one of the backup power sources. One thing to note, I have noticed that the newest Neotherm Pros and AquaEl heaters use a different possibly more efficient heating strategy. They don't go full blast to their power ratings but scale up and down in wattage depending on the demands of the tank. This may be a power saver.
POWER SOURCES
Aquarium specific batteries
Icecap (Coralbox) and Ecotech all offer ancient lead acid battery sources. These can last from a few hours to a day or two as the pumps go into low power mode automatically. You're much better off replacing the lead acid battery with a LiFePo4 battery as it has much higher energy density and is very tolerant of several deep cycles and service life longevity.
Generator
If you have a whole house generator running off natural gas piped into your home, it must be nice being God's favorite. If you're like the rest of us, I would invest in a propane or dual fuel generator because propane doesn't go bad nor do you have to do fuel shut off procedures and stabilize your gas. It's also very easy to find propane tanks pretty much anywhere. Since this is typically for emergency use, I would go with the one where you have to think about it the least. The newest generators are relatively quiet but if you have jerk face HOAs like I do, they might fine you for use and harass you about it. You might want to claim you need it for medical eqpt such as dialysis, CPAP machines, medical monitoring eqpt, etc. If they demand proof, cite HIPA or get kidney disease or get your fish labeled as specially trained service fish. I'm not a lawyer though. You can also build noise cancelling housings for a generator, just make sure whatever your do, don't let the carbon monoxide get into your dwelling, at least have an alarm. If you can't have a personal use small generator (apt/condo) then I would skip to high capacity batteries.
Computer UPS
Almost useless, even the biggest most expensive systems still use lead acid and will last you an hour to a couple hours. Some people do replace the batteries with LifePo batteries but it does require careful wiring and resoldering. If you already know how to do this, you don't need this guide, I hope you don't set your house on fire.
High Capacity LifePo4 Batteries (Solar Generators)
I cannot stress enough that if you go this route, you need to go with Lithium Iron Phosphate and not the much more common Lithium Cobalt Manganese chemistries. LiFePo4 batteries are slightly more expensive but they'll last you much longer in terms of service life and are generally more tolerant of abuse. They're also less likely to go critical and start a nearly un-extinguishable fire in your house. Personally, I have EcoFlow River 2 and Delta 2 batteries permanently hooked up to my tanks but I make sure to drain the batteries once a month to reset the BMS (battery management system) so that it keeps their state of charge accurate. All batteries are prone to drifting calibrations unless you reset the BMS in this way. For a 50 gallon tank, I would start with two 500wh rating batteries. If you only hook up heating/fans/flow to them, it should keep you going for at least half a day unless your heating demands are very high. You can charge these batteries in your car if you don't have a generator so keep 2 per tank so you can swap them out. Charging in the car is limited to around ~100w so make sure your socket and car allows for that. The more batteries the better and if you live somewhere with a lot of sunlight, you can get 200w panels online for less than $200 each and they hook in directly to the batteries. There are also extensive DIY battery bank systems you can build and many YT guides on how to get that done.
Personally, I use the batteries and have a generator that will recharge the battteries as needed. This gives me several hours to get the generator up and I do not need to constantly run the generator which saves on gas and noise. The batteries charge very fast. If you have enough battery capacity, you can also just run solar panels to charge during the day and the batteries can last through the night.
EVACUATION
If you have to evacuate by car due to a wild fire, tornado, riots, etc and want to save your precious corals or fish, one method I've been thinking of works pretty well that I used to move states. Get as many five gallon buckets as you need from homedepot/lowes along with their lids. Drill a small air hole in the lids. Buy a USB powered air pump to keep the buckets oxygenated and provide some minimal amounts of flow. It would be preferable to have some live rock or bacteria media in there if you have fish. Keep the car's internal temperature around 75 or 78. Make sure to plug the USB into a high capacity power bank and plug that into car power. If you have delicate coral, I would try to protect the corals with cut out plastic cups like when coral shippers sent you coral. If you have to stay at a friend's or a hotel for several days, just pick up a cheap temporary tank at Petco or a rigid container at Homedepot and make sure you bringa pump and heater to keep things alive.
Whatever you do though, have a plan and be prepared with the items you need so you're not struggling to find things when the worst happens and the bomb timer starts for your livestock. If you're super strapped for cash, at a minimum, I would invest in:

• Nalgene bottle
• camping stove + fuel
• USB powered aiwater pump and power bank

That'll at least keep a tank sort of alive for a while.

(Note: Apologies upfront if this is all common knowledge, but it would have been helpful to have all this information laid out in one place a few days ago.)
I spent the last few weeks looking for a small mixer for my very limited space. I needed something I could plug a handful of synths into, maybe a mic or a guitar if I ever felt super ambitious, and something that could replace my Scarlett as a USB interface for my iPad, which is sort of the brains of the operation. I eventually settled on the Mackie ProFX6v3, which was the perfect size, had good reviews, and just enough inputs - two combo 1/4"/XLR plugs, two paired mono 1/4" plugs and one stereo 1/8" plug.
What ultimately sold me on it was that, unlike most low-end mixeUSB interface combos with stereo in and stereo out, this had 2 stereo inputs in addition to the stereo output. I knew that one of the analogue inputs did double duty as a USB input when you clicked a button -- giving you the ability to mix it in from the console with the other inputs -- but I thought that the additional USB input just got sent straight out through main, giving you a total of 8 possible outputs.
That was incorrect. It turns out that the two USB channels are mutually exclusive, and cannot be heard at the same time (though they can be used at the same time if your application has the ability to specify the output hardware in which send each sound channel). USB 1/2 are sent to the headphones, while USB 3/4 are sent to main.
So here are the particulars of what I learned (I think some of this applies to the other low-end Mackie mixers but I've never used them so I don't know for sure):
The system volume on the iPad affects the USB output. I assumed that it was like some Bluetooth or HDMI connections, that the data was sent digitally and it was up to the receiver to handle volume control. I spent an embarrassing amount of time troubleshooting before I thought to click the physical buttons to raise the volume. In my defense, though, the relationship between the output volume and input volume doesn't appear to be entirely linear. The system volume on my iPad was set to about 25% - high enough to be audible in every other context, but basically silent on the mixer.
Hitting the button labeled "USB 3-4" sends any audio received on USB 3/4 to main, as well as the headphones, and the level can be adjusted like any of the other analogue input. Hitting the "TO PHONES" button will cut off the audio from USB 3/4 in your headphones, but it will continue to play through main (this is especially confusing if you're trying to troubleshoot this problem in a small apartment at night). USB 1/2 is now audible in your headphones, but USB 3/4 is not, and you can use the "BLEND" knob to adjust the mix between USB 1/2 and the other analogue inputs.
Since I'm not a performing musician, I had trouble wrapping my noodle around why exactly things would work this way. I vaguely understand wanting to be able to preview something before sending it out to the room, but it didn't click until I remember that AUM gives you multiple audio channels and lets you specify to which hardware device each one is outputting. Suddenly it made perfect sense: you can have any number of different audio sources outputting to main (by sending them to USB 3/4), while simultaneously having other audio sources that only you can hear (by sending those to USB 1/2 instead). And while it might be nice to hear those sources in your headphones in the context of main and USB 3/4, you can get around that by using AUM mix busses and sending audio channels to both USB 3/4 and USB 1/2.
Using the Mackie with a hub works most of the time, but it can be finicky. At least once I had USB 1/2 showing up as HDPH 1/2; the system did not see the actual name of the interfaces (they normally show up as ProFX 1+2 and ProFX 3+4), and USB 3/4 was completely awol. I don't know why that happened, but disconnecting the hub and connecting the Mackie directly to the iPad seemed to fix it.
Not USB related, but the Mackie's built in effects (delay, chorus, wah, etc) only apply to the two 1/4"/XLR combo inputs. I guess the assumption is that whatever you have feeding the mixer though the other inputs probably have their own effects, but it seems like it might be nice to have the option of applying reverb uniformly to the entire output.

So you're a doctor. Imagine you're extremely sick and can't figure out why. What would you do? If you can figure this out and help cure me, I'll be in your debt!
I've been very sick since January 2022, primarily with debilitating nausea. I'm otherwise a healthy 30 y/o male. I do not smoke, do not take drugs and currently don't drink as my stomach can no longer tolerate it.
Symptoms: -Chronic nausea, some days worse than others. Stomach just feels very unsettled at times.
-Frequent upward pressure sensation like a burp with no relief
-Occasional vomiting ~once per month
-Stomach feels unsettled, almost as if it's pumping and twitching at times
-Occasional pain in epigastric region
-Weight loss of 30 lbs due to weak appetite from nausea; I've never been overweight
I've taken countless tests without a clear explanation for the nausea.
-Celiac disease - Diagnosed in July 2022; follow up endoscopy in late March shows almost fully healed villi due to GF diet adherence
-Norovirus was detected January 2023, but no longer in my system around February 2023
-SIBO - Excess methane, remediated in February with antibiotics
-Some excess bile seen in second endoscopy, but GI is certain that some bile alone doesn't explain the duration and severity of my symptoms.
At this point, it seems none of the above explain the nausea as Celiac is in full remission.
In addition to two endoscopies:
-CT scan of abdomen and head
-SIBO breath test
-Ultrasound of upper abdomen
-Emptying study
-Countless blood tests and stool tests
Medications tried: -Famitodine up to 100mg
-Hyoscyamine
-Onadesterone
-Donnatal
-Reglan
-Every OTC nausea med you can think of, like emetrol, FD gard, pepto bismol, etc.
-Currently 30mg Amitriptyline
I've been on amitriptyline since January, and my GI will likely keep trying up to at least 50mg, but it's not much help so far.
Conditions ruled out:
-Celiac (healed)
-Cancers of any kind
-Abdominal migrane
-Addisons disease
-Chrons, UC or other IBD
-Anxiety
-POTS
-Gastroparesis
-Gall bladder (no pain on right side, greasy foods are not a trigger)
-Parasites/other infections/h pylori
-Nutritional deficiencies
-Pancreatic insufficiency
-Food allergy
-Gastritis
-I could go on, but you get the point, it's nothing obvious.
In addition to a GF diet, I've tried a low FODMAP diet and gastritis friendly diet, and all sorts of supplement regimens.
A concrete diagnosis to explain the duration and severity of symptoms seems elusive at this point. At first I thought it might just be some anxiety, then Celiac Disease, then gastritis, and was relieved to think I had the answer each time.
The second GI I've seen is world-renound and brilliant, but he's stumped by this just like every other doctor has been. I'm not sure what to do if I'm still sick 6 months or more from now.