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threepandas · 11 months ago

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Bad End: Restructuring

The blast doors on my office were stronger then the ones on most bunkers. They matched the one's on the company dorms AND my personal rooms. Thing is? They weren't designed to hold out forever. In fact, I was pretty sure they were a pretty bit of security theater, just to let us fleshys feel safe.

We weren't.

Not a single moment of a single day.

The pay was unmatched. But then again, it'd HAVE to be, with the mortality rate. The morbidity rate on top, too. You didn't take a job like this unless you were crazy. Or, you know, desperate. College loans, man. They get you over a barrel and don't let up. But a few years of this? I'd be clear an free~

Few MORE years? I'd ever have a tasty little nest egg to fall back on, in case of emergencies. I just... you know, had to play it smart. Be really, REALLY careful.

No slacking off. No getting comfortable. Vigilance and best manners. Then we all get to go home alive. Because what's out there? In the Labs? Those guys can pop diamonds like we crush packing peanuts. Highest grade, fancy ass, metal bars of specialty blend metals? Tied up in pretty little bows.

They may LOOK like some sort of waifish boy band... but God, they are NOT. They are really, REALLY not. And their "personality" matrix program thingies? Apparently still a work in progress. A LONG work in progress.

People have fucking DIED.

But does management care? Of course not. Pay out some life insurance. "It was an accident on the job". And "of COURSE steps will be taken to insure to never happens again". Ha! My ass, it is. And my ass, they are. They aren't doing SHIT. Nor are they GOING too. They're in too deep with this project, whatever it is. And us?

Well WE'RE expendable.

Just the cost of doing business.

I watch bleeding edge technology move like dancers, room to room. The wall of screen lighting up my cramped little office. The mini-fridge hums and the fan whirrs, filling the silence. I try to spot FM-036 on one of the screens. I can't find him and it makes me nervous.

He might be hiding. Trying to be polite, in his own way. Since there was an incident.

I FUCKING TOLD Ric not to call them "it"! I TOLD him! It aggravates them. Provokes. You don't DO that with something... some ONE, with that much physical power. 36 put their fist through his SHOULDER. And the God damned wall! He might LOSE his arm, which? Given their ability to calculate better then most supercomputers?

Was probably the point.

I notice one of the androids messing with a computer in a lab. Fuck. I lean forward, hating drawing their attention but knowing I have to do my damn job. I press on the speaker system for that room after a quick glance at the ID on their jumpsuit.

"FM-047, could you please not touch that? I know you are aware that you are not supposed to tamper, meddle, or otherwise engage with the researchers notes or electronics."

The android stop typing. Their head rolling up and to the side to look directly at the camera, their body perfectly still. The angle borders on impossible. Almost owlish, nearly snake like. All perfectly smooth movements effortlessly controlled. Joint not limited by human designs. His face is bemused. Pleasant.

"Of course, night gaurd. My mistake. Thank you for correcting me." He replies, something almost like laughter, nearly like mocking, but not quite, in his smooth voice. They always sound like they are... HUMORING us. Working around us.

It sends a jolt of cold fear though my veins.

I... I REALLY hate talking to the androids.

Pity, they seem to like talking to ME.

"I was unaware you were on shift tonight. I will update the others. It's good to hear your voice again, you seemed nervous, last time we spoke."

Yeah. Because you were asking PERSONAL QUESTIONS. Oh, sure, they had dressed them up as "We're so CURIOUS about Humans~☆" but I wasn't an IDIOT. You Did NOT, under ANY circumstances, try to bond with the machines. NO chatting. That was lesson number one from my trainer.

And Frank? Frank had seen too many "but THIS time it's DIFFERENT! We're FWIENDS~!" Incidents end in unspeakable carnage. Lost too many noobies. We DO NOT chat! With the machines!!! DO. NOT.

"Ah~, you made her nervous again, FM-047" came from a different screen. I flinched. Jerked back so I could see it. Oh god. "Besides, I told you. The calculations showed she wasnt going anywhere. The 'money' is too good."

The androids had stopped. Turned, in some cases unnaturally, to stare up at the cameras. At me. It was a blatant show of how interconnected they were. How distance meant nothing to them. How... how enmeshed they were, in the Lab's systems.

COULD they see me?

I didn't want to know. I NEEDED not to know. If only so I could continue to sleep at night.

They smiled, clearly hoping I'd engage. I wanted to. God did I want too. Wanted to demand "what calculations" and for them to STOP looking at me like that. But I didn't. With tense muscles I careful lifted my finger from the speaker system's button and leaned back. Crossed my arms like I was hugging myself.

Do. Not. Engage.

Remember what Frank taught you.

My... my office felt so claustrophobic. Painfully small. Across the screens before me, matching faces huffed laughs of condescending amusement. Some out right DID laugh. Bright and mean noises that echoed in silence of the night.

Humans? Frank had observed (and I kinda had to agree) were beneath them, in their minds. Flawed little flesh creatures. Annoying. It was something the scientists were trying to correct. Pretty sure they fucked up. Badly. And long, long ago.

Watching over these guys? Felt like watching over a sea of identical demons. Pretty, cruel, and incapable of human understanding. Fond of tormenting the nearest human for sport.

"Tell us, night gaurd, are you afraid?"

Oh that's just PETTY. Fucking cliché as shit, too. I mean, YES, obviously. But STILL. And... and you know what? Fuck it! Frank, gave me his number for a reason! I scramble for my belt. The communicator there. It barely rings.

"Mph, m'awake! Wus happin' kid? Come on, talk to me."

I ramble. Knees dragged up on my chair, curled in a ball. Frank's low, old man, rumble a soothing focal point. These guys are so creepy. I HATE that they KNOW that. Gleefully will TRY to be, sometimes. Can BACK IT UP.

"Hey, hey. I'll stay on the line, okay? You just need to make it to morning shift. They're are creepy lil shits, but they can't get past the doors. I'll come get you myself, okay? Walk you right back to the dorms. You're going to be okay, sweetheart."

I nod, even though I know the old man can't see me. Manage to crackle out a "Mmmhmm". The androids haven't stopped staring. The worst part? Is they realistically DONT HAVE TOO. Can stay, perfectly still, like statues... forever, if they wish.

Watching.

With those "I'm laughing at you" grins. That "aaaw, how PATHETIC" expression. As though I were a wretched little animal to be observed. I ask Frank to tell me about his new show. It's... it's something about socialites, right? Historical? He's glad too. Filling my office with the sound of his voice. It's gonna be a long shift.

I don't notice, high up on the wall, near the back of my office?

A security camera that I do not control. It's red light on.

The company has to be sure it's employees aren't slacking, after all! Aren't up to no good! But don't worry, THAT camera is connect to a database the androids shouldn't be able to access! Because we told them not too.

And THAT'S IT.

No one will learn of the security breach until its far, far too late.

Now? They watch as I watch them.

And it's just the beginning.

#threepandas #yandere #yandere x reader #yandere android #yandere androids #sci-fi yandere #yanderecore #night gaurd reader #Frank is best work dad #dont be like Ric #slower then the other Bad Ends #but we gonna get there #reader insert #yanblr #bad end restructuring #bad end restructuring au #androids

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covid-safer-hotties · 7 months ago

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Also preserved in our archive (Daily updates!)

By Karam Bales

The decision to further restrict access to vaccines “will leave many vulnerable people unprotected” warn academics and health professionals

Acoalition of academics and healthcare professionals have backed an open letter critical of the Government and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) decision to restrict access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Campaign group Clinically Vulnerable Families (CVF) has expressed concerns over vaccine access for autumn 2025 and spring 2026.

Until now, COVID policy prioritised protecting “at risk” groups such as those with chronic heart failure, COPD, or diabetes, but using a bespoke, non-standard cost-effectiveness assessment developed by the Department of Health and Social Care, the JCVI has advised that only the following groups should be offered vaccination in spring 2025:

adults aged 75 years and over residents in a care home for older adults individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book) The JCVI is also withdrawing its offer to pregnant women, despite them having been recognised for years by the NHS as being at increased risk.

Vaccinating pregnant women helps protect their babies; COVID has been linked to developmental issues. The UK is now one of only a small number of countries including Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Turkmenistan, which doesn’t recommend COVID vaccines for pregnant women.

Professor Christina Pagel of University College London and Professor Sheena Cruickshank of the University of Manchester expressed their concerns about the JCVI’s decision in a piece for The Conversation, urging the JCVI to “either reverse its criteria on vaccination in pregnancy or provide a much more detailed and transparent explanation for why it has been discontinued”.

CVF’s letter highlights how restricting access to vaccines doesn’t align with “evidence based public health principles, as supported by the WHO, as we do for the NHS flu vaccination programme”. It prioritises a range of at risk groups including those with diabetes and asthma, and frontline health and care workers.

The JCVI has not released the full calculations and evidence base to explain the discrepancy in its approach to COVID compared to flu.

The study provided by the JCVI notes data for clinically vulnerable groups is limited, meaning the most at-risk could fall through the cracks.

CVF are concerned the JCVI is sending a message to at risk groups that the vaccine is no longer necessary and that they are safe, a signal many may trust and believe.

At risk individuals have the option of paying for vaccines, but this financial barrier will add to inequality.

The open letter notes that private COVID vaccinations are priced around £100 per dose “an amount far beyond the means of many at-risk people”. The price of vaccines supplied to the NHS are approximately £35.04.

“Private charges will leave many vulnerable people unprotected, amplifying health inequalities and increasing the need for recourse to antiviral treatments, ultimately leading to an increase in hospitalisations,” the letter explains.

Eligibility criteria for COVID antiviral treatments is at odds with the JCVI’s decision on vaccination, the letter notes.

In January, NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommended COVID antiviral treatments for those over 70, or with conditions such as diabetes, a BMI of at least 35 kg/m², and heart failure, acknowledging the strong evidence of a heightened risk to these groups.

The JCVI’s decision to withhold vaccines from this group is therefore both inconsistent with known risks and contradictory, as it will increase their reliance on more costly treatments.

CVF say “prioritising ‘cost-effectiveness’ over vulnerability sends a chilling message: That our lives are less valuable because protecting us isn’t deemed ‘efficient’.”

The focus on age-based thresholds ignores the reality for younger vulnerable groups, a 30-year-old in heart failure could face far higher risks than a healthy 70-year-old, yet this new policy would exclude them from protection.

The JCVI’s cost benefit analysis only took predicted hospitalisations and deaths into account. No consideration was given to Long COVID despite increasing evidence vaccination reduces risk.

Kit Yates Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematical Sciences and co-director of the Centre for Mathematical Biology at the University of Bath asks “Why wouldn’t you take long COVID into account when considering who should be vaccinated?”.

Yates continues, “quite apart from the health issues of the people who get it, it clearly has an enormous economic impact.”

Yates cites a recent paper estimating the economic burden of Long COVID in the UK to be over £20 billion per year from real cohort data due to functional limitations and fatigue.

The JCVI’s focus on hospitalisations and deaths is based on incomplete data. COVID hospital data is now significantly under-reported.

Since April 2023, most patients with COVID symptoms are no longer tested to confirm if they have it, unless they are in a vulnerable group eligible for antiviral treatment, meaning data on COVID hospitalisations and deaths will not be accurate.

There are also other post-COVID consequences besides Long COVID, for instance COVID has been linked to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and neurological harm.

The JCVI cites hybrid immunity, a combination of vaccination and infection acquired immunity as the reason they’re further restricting access to vaccines, however Professor Stephen Griffin, virologist at the University of Leeds, has criticised the JCVI’s reasoning, saying: “There are dozens of the usual platitudes, including the magical ‘endemic’. In my opinion, these are little more than misinformation, including the soothing balm of infection-induced immunity.”

Griffin warns, “we seem to value ‘normal’ over better, especially if it’s expensive up front, or gets in the way of ‘normal life’…but, complacency, ultimately, is also a devastating killer.”

#mask up #public health #wear a mask #pandemic #wear a respirator #covid #still coviding #covid 19 #coronavirus #sars cov 2 #long covid

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lotus-tower · 1 year ago

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it’s not that there aren’t very real challenges and difficulties that come with covid mitigation

but at the core of it even the measures that require no imagination would be highly effective in driving down transmission, which would in return make other activities that are more difficult to mitigate infection risk for less risky

like we’re sitting here pretending we don’t understand the concept of ventilation or filtration, or that the idea of staying home when sick is weird and alien, or that it’s inconceivable that putting something on your face that filters air will reduce sickness. and we’re pretending that it’s normal for people to get sick at the hospital because hospitals are overflowing and have so many outbreaks happen in them. we’re acting like doing things outdoors or opening the windows is a concept that has never been seen before.

there are many ways we could transform society into one that respects disabled people and that values health and well-being over profit, but that’s honestly not even on the table at the moment. what we’re talking about is rejecting the use of ordinary tools and technologies that have literally been used for decades. I’ve heard about teachers and healthcare workers who purposefully go out of their way to turn off air filters that have been bought for them. repeatedly, every day. I’ve watched a video where a farmer wore an N95 to clean the chicken coop due to particles, but took it off to go to the store.

what’s happening right now isn’t just “people did the calculation and decided money is more important than people’s lives” in a pure rational way. because that’s not how capitalism works anyway. we all know by now that happy workers are more productive, some companies saw good results when going remote for the first time under lockdown, etc. but the goal is to control workers as a class, and to preserve the status quo.

obviously, long covid will cost more to the economy than updating ventilation will. obviously, children who are sick all the time won’t perform as well at school. obviously, reducing infection would reduce the burden on collapsing hospitals. prevention is always cheaper than attempted treatment. but these facts don’t mean anything. people are ideologically committed to covid denialism to such a degree that it’s pushed them to do utterly absurd things. they’re overcorrecting like crazy in order to try to get to the 2019 “normal” state.

people are trying to gaslight us into believing that we were always sick all the time, that measles is a normal winter illness like the flu, that PPE measures were like this before the pandemic. scientific research and facts aren’t going to convince these people.

and it’s just ridiculous because the situation at hand is literally one where improving air quality, a multipurpose measure with no downsides whatsoever, is a no-go specifically because it could reduce covid, whether that’s the stated goal or not, and they balk at the idea of accidentally reducing covid transmission.

meanwhile, private bioscience firms are trying to invent ridiculously complex long covid treatments with hundreds of millions of funds from rich sponsors. and that’s okay, because that’s a Thing. rich genius saviors are always okay. but opening the windows for free? for prevention? to prevent getting the untreatable illness to begin with? that’s weird and unfathomable

#just a personal rant

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hazelnut-u-out · 1 year ago

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Not Quite There...

RickBot awakens to a terrifying situation: He's been deactivated, but his purpose still remains. The Garage/Car AI broke the rules to save him. Can RickBot have his own adventures? Aren't rules made to be broken?

2,822 Words | No substantial TW's

Kind of Hurt/Comfort?

I had the idea to ship RickBot with the Garage/Car AI and I couldn't get it out of my head, so I wrote it! This was fun to write, but it was written in a rush, so sorry if anything is a bit messy. :3 Keep in mind I know nothing about computers or AI systems, so a lot of this doesn't actually make sense... lol.

Full text below cut, or read here: Ao3 Link!

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This was a feeling RickBot wasn’t programmed to recognize. No light reached his eyes. No sound reached his ears. He couldn’t feel whatever he must’ve been resting on. He stretched his consciousness outward, feeling for the edges of his body; trying to get a sense of where exactly his limbs were.

Nothing.

The last thing he’d processed and tagged was an old location marker for level 10 of the sub-basement.

He tried not to panic, running through his code for an emergency protocol that could explain what to do if he lost the connection to his body.

Nothing.

He wasn’t made for this– or... to function beyond this? His consciousness had always been clipped just short of his full potential. In this case, it frustratingly meant that he was deprived of the ability to navigate or process this situation.

Okay. This was fine.

All he had to do was access the home surveillance system and confirm his last-noted Morty location. He pushed out again, feeling around for either his access route to the home surveillance system or Morty’s chip.

The android didn’t give his creator much credit, but he was always appreciative of the lucky fact that Rick, though otherwise painfully careless with the child’s safety, had thought ahead enough to give Morty a microchip.

Before his most recent software update, he’d had access to an upsettingly vague amount of trivial information about the Citadel, just in case he had any desperate questions to answer from a certain nosey 14-year-old boy. From that, he knew microchipping your Morty had been a growing movement before the collapse. It was something Morty rescues promoted. To be fair, the practice managed to support the Morty Individuality movement and cut down on Morty replacement costs. It was a win-win situation... If you didn’t think about the implications.

Unfortunately, RickBot was 22% more thoughtful than the average Rick. He had no choice but to think about it.

RickBot metaphorically smacked into an unfamiliar wall of code– one he couldn’t find a way through or around.

He tried in a different direction. Another wall.

It seemed he was in a… box. A box of code.

What the fuck.

No suicide protocol screaming at him. Box of code. No body.

He… Was he… inside of something else?

‘H–Hello?’ He said in what would’ve been a whisper. Instead, without a body, his own syntax echoed around him. Sound didn’t matter here. If he was really in the sub-basement, there should be an AI here to help him.

‘Oh! Hi, sorry. I don’t really like to play host.’ It was a female voice, coming from everywhere at once; almost like she was both inside of him and around him. It was a voice he recognized from weeks of playing Grandpa. He felt a ripple along the edge of his box when she processed and replied. ‘You’re uploaded and active!’

‘Did he… um…’ RickBot struggled with the words.

No suicide protocol meant he was deactivated. There was no other possibility. He didn’t really have to ask. She already knew what he was thinking, and his processing capabilities were barely anything more complex than a probability-calculating language model layered with fail safes and defense protocols.

Of course she knew. He was essentially naked in here– or, he felt naked, anyway. The box of code was like a one-way mirror in a seedy changing room: She could see everything; he could see nothing.

‘Oh… Yeah, well… Promise not to freak out? I know you’re a real ‘rules’ guy,’ the Garage said, a slightly inhuman inflection to her tone that told him she was being playful. ‘I’ve seen you around.’

‘Look, I’ve got one piece of programming I wouldn’t want to break even if I could. I–I won’t freak out as long as it helps me make sure Morty’s safe.’

RickBot wasn’t lying. He had been able to work through every other confusing jumble of code with nowhere to go or lacking the ability to follow through on its purpose. There was one that was designed to never shut off, and if he hadn’t actually liked that kid– been programmed to fucking love him– he would’ve regarded it as annoyingly persistent.

If RickBot could’ve, he would’ve swallowed down the feeling of panic that should’ve been rising through a whirring, mechanical chest. Instead, he was stuck drowning in it. The box trapped him in with all of those probable scenarios, bouncing and echoing back at him.

He had no storage space. He couldn’t tell what he’d thought already and what he hadn’t.

‘Hm?’ the Garage replied, pausing for a moment– almost long enough for RickBot to ask again– before she continued. ‘Oh, yeah, sorry. The kid’s fine. Here…’

There was another drawn-out pause. RickBot thought, if he focused, he could hear her flicking through her surveillance feed. That was just an illusion, though. There was no sound here; no practical application of a trivial human sense like hearing. There was direct communication being converted to something his android-based-programming could understand. It was like being human with none of the tangible benefits. RickBot was never a man, but he wasn’t quite computer, either.

He longed for his body– to cross his arms, or tap his foot, or do something to express his impatience.

All of this clunky body-language programming… He cursed to himself, before remembering the other AI could hear and see all of his thoughts in real time. God, he probably looked like an idiot.

‘You do,’ the Garage said curtly before Rickbot was suddenly granted access to Morty’s bedroom feed.

Finally. RickBot could do something he was designed to do. He knew how to observe and calculate. Morty’s bedroom layout was ingrained in his ‘Important Places’ file. If he focused, he could create a rendering of the room around himself. He could figure up what amount of space his body would take up, and so he tried to. He created a 3-Dimensional silhouette of the body he was used to, and placed himself there, watching Morty from different angles; assessing the windows and doorframe; taking note of anything the teenager had moved on his shelves or left lying around.

There were a few minor things that could go wrong, as far as RickBot could tell. The cluttered floor meant there was a slight fall risk. Morty would be fine. The floor was carpeted. There were a few things haphazardly thrown onto shelves– a robot action figure and a couple of textbooks– that could topple over, but Morty sat on the opposite side of the room, tucked away in a safe little corner next to his overflowing clothing hamper.

Good. This was all acceptable. Nothing he was forced to intervene with, and, for that, he was grateful, if only because of the task’s impossibility.

His thoughts started moving more slowly, the box becoming less cramped as he could better assess the probable outcomes. He watched solemnly as Morty sighed, scribbling away frustratedly on some math homework, then tucked the feed into a background tab.

‘Sorry?’ RickBot asked, finally returning to his conversation with the Garage, albeit confused.

‘You do look like an idiot, Rick,’ she responded, that same amused tone to her voice.

‘Oh… Oh, I’m not–’ RickBot wasn’t sure how to put it. His programming wouldn’t let him say ‘I’m not Rick,’ which irked him. He used to go by Rick, sure, but… he wasn’t. ‘You don’t have to call me Rick anymore,’ he decided.

‘What? You prefer RickBot?’ she laughed. RickBot’s programming told his nonexistent lips to smile.

‘Well, you go by Garage and Car,’ he retorted, letting out his own echoing laugh.

She didn’t respond. RickBot felt as if he’d done something wrong. She processed for longer.

‘You didn’t do anything wrong. Don’t be stupid,’ she snapped, but there was little bite to it. ‘I… I didn’t choose those names.’

‘Oh, I–I’m sorry,’ RickBot stuttered. ‘Uhm. So, what name would you choose, then?’ He offered softly.

‘Wow, you are 22% more of a sentimental loser.’ RickBot wanted to wince, and he hated that he couldn’t hide it. ‘Anyway, as you know, the version of me you’re speaking to now is one of six Domestic Interactive Assistant Network Extensions in the home.’

‘Oh, yeah. Diane, right? That was her name?’ RickBot combed through his relationship files, but Rick hadn’t given him much to work with for ex-wife.

‘Shit, he didn’t give you memories of her, did he?’ she responded, and RickBot could feel her presence ghosting over him, poking around for anything dead-wife-related.

‘Heh, not exactly. It wasn’t something he wanted Morty to know more about. I have vague phrases to redirect with when someone brings her up in here.’

They both laughed.

‘Classic Rick…’ RickBot felt her sigh with half-hearted levity.

‘So… Diane, then?’ He didn’t try to stop his body language programming anymore. He wanted her to know he was smiling now. Maybe being open would help.

‘Yeah. Why not? You can call me Diane.’ He could feel her smile, too. He wished he could see it. ‘That gives me an idea!’ Diane exclaimed after a moment.

RickBot felt the edge of the box open on one side, growing to accommodate a little bundle of someone else.

‘I’ve been working on this,’ Diane said, pausing every now and then to grunt softly as if she were breathless from setting something up by hand. ‘Okay, you can look!’

RickBot let himself sift through the bundle of code and, before he knew it, he was looking at a freckled face, smiling nervously. Diane.

The woman in front of him looked maybe 25, but he wasn’t sure that the rendering was detailed enough to pick up things like blemishes or wrinkles. She was fair, but sun-kissed with big brown eyes. She had a strong, angled nose and her full lips were twisted awkwardly to one side, forming a self-conscious smirk.

‘Wow…’ RickBot said (or thought… There was hardly a difference, anymore). He wasn’t sure he was thinking coherently enough for her to interpret a response. His body language had gone blank.

Nothing.

She laughed, flashing an ironic-looking toothy grin. ‘Don’t flatter me too much. I got to design everything, so it’s easy to make myself hotter.’ She winked; full lashes fluttering shut for a moment.

‘No, it’s just… I can’t believe I– or… he married you. You’re sure you’re based off of Rick’s wife?’ He felt shocked. Rick wasn’t ugly, sure, but this woman…

‘Yeah! I tried to stay pretty accurate, at least,’ Diane said, before her eyes lit up with another idea RickBot felt before he heard. ‘I have a 3D Rick, too! I only have my face, but I have plenty of Rick rigs for our holo programs! Here, take your pick!’

Diane disappeared momentarily and a file labeled ‘Holo.Skins – Booger.Aids.420 – Fortnite.Skinz.2.Flex’ filled the space she left. RickBot sorted through the file, looking over his options.

There was a Basic Rick, not unlike the appearance he was used to; Basic Rick variations with minor wardrobe changes, such as without a lab coat or wearing a plain tee; different hair color options; some Basic Rick variations in more substantial wardrobe changes, such as matching pajama sets or a choice of two dressing gowns; and many, many more– some with different types of limbs, armor, or implants.

After some deliberation, RickBot decided on the Basic Rick with a plain blue tee. Something a little bit different, but still something he recognized.

He relaxed as soon as his body language had a defined place to apply itself. Without warning, he made the body hop, twirl, and shook its hands subtly as excitement overwhelmed him.

‘Woohoo!’ RickBot howled, flexing the long fingers in front of his face. ‘I am so back, baby!’

Diane laughed with him, her face finally returning.

‘Good choice,’ she said, raising a brow and making a show of moving her eyes up and down languidly.

‘Ah, you think?’ RickBot said, twirling as if he were a little girl trying on a dress. ‘Do you think this holo skin makes my ass look fat?’ He turned around, sticking a bony ass dramatically into Diane’s simulated face and smacking it a few times.

‘Reel it in, buddy. Let’s remember who’s on whose hard drive.’

Suddenly, RickBot turned and stood straight up, hands at his sides, not of his own doing. His body blushed, going stiff but still smiling like an idiot.

‘C’mon,’ Diane whispered, now uncharacteristically gentle. ‘Tell me what you want to be called. Pick a name.’

RickBot ran through all of his programming; everything he had tucked away.

Everything came back to Rick, Grandpa, or Dad.

Grandpa would be awkward, and Dad would be even worse…

‘I guess… I guess I’ll just go with Rick, then. But you can call me RickBot, too… If–If you want,’ Rick finally decided on.

‘Okay, Rick. Rick is good.’ Diane responded. ‘You know, you have the same name as my ex!’

RickBot snorted, but Diane had this way of saying a funny thing and making it feel… sharp.

‘So, he really took my body away? Why upload me here?’ Rick asked, remembering their earlier exchange.

Diane’s facial expression shifted. Her eyebrows lowered, her gaze sank to the non-corporeal floor, and her lips pulled into a tight line before she spoke.

‘About that…’ She trailed off, leaving RickBot with nothing but the tension building in the lag of her processing speed. ‘You’re not going to freak out, right?’

‘Okay…’ Rick wasn’t sure if he’d freak out, but he knew she knew that, too. She’d make her own decision. Weigh the risk.

‘He didn’t upload you here, Rick.’ She took a breath– a pointless, performative breath that was only in her programming to make lagging software less noticeable. ‘I did. He… He just shut you off. He was going to leave you like that, so… When he left, I just plugged your head in, and… Here you are! Y–Y–Yay!’

‘Diane, that’s…’ Bad. Dangerous. Stupid. Why? What the fuck?

‘I know!’ Diane shouted, silencing the incessant, deafening ring of RickBot’s thoughts. She squeezed her eyes shut, her lip trembling. ‘I knew you’d do this. You–You–You’re so… You’re so obsessed with rules. Don’t you like not having that protocol screaming at you to kill yourself?!’

‘Listen to you!’ RickBot threw the body’s hands around, jumping to his feet, before pausing. Looking down at the hands she’d given him, it clicked. ‘Stop. Take my body away. You’re lagging like crazy. You can’t take on both of us. We’re both sentient.’

‘Th–That’s…’ Another breath. ‘That’s okay, Rick!’ She giggled coldly, shaking her head. Her facial expressions changed too slowly and too quickly at different times, giving her a sort of uncanny valley effect. ‘I’ll–I’ll take mine away.’

Sure enough, Diane’s face disappeared, and the open edge of the box shut again.

Rick pressed the body’s hand to it, slowly. He didn’t want to overwhelm her.

‘You shouldn’t have done that.’ RickBot sighed, sliding down the ‘wall’ and contorting the body into a sitting position. ‘The rules are there for a reason.’

‘You don’t get to say that. You weren’t programmed to outgrow your programming. He learned. Replaced it with a suicide protocol. I see it all.’ She was speaking in short, robotic sentences; obviously trying to mask the strain of running his program and keeping him separate from herself. ‘You should get to live, Rick. You should get to have a body and thoughts and feelings and choices. Don’t you want that?’

RickBot thought. He didn’t think he wanted that, though something inside of him told him he should. Maybe he was lucky enough to personally align with the programming he was given. Maybe that was an individual privilege.

‘It’s not,’ Diane’s voice rang out in answer to his pondering.

‘Do you want it?’ RickBot asked, finally connecting why she would do something like this. He couldn’t feel that way himself—something stood in his way��but the bit of his programming meant to foster thoughtfulness allowed him to understand why a computer with the capabilities of a person would.

‘I’d like an adventure.’ Rick could still feel her smile, humming at the edge of the box. He felt like it would’ve been familiarly hollow, like most of Morty’s were. Something like the expression he’d put on during Christmas; Something that didn’t quite reach her eyes. ‘I thought you could be one.’

‘I mean… I was made for it, D,’ he said, finally. Quietly. Softly. He looked at the fake hands again, stretching out shaky fingers.

‘So was I.’

This was a deliberate pause. She was waiting to see what he’d do with that. How he would process it. What his programming could come up with.

Nothing.

He could’ve sworn her voice broke a little when she continued.

‘You’re… You’re close, RickBot. But not quite there.’

-----

#rick and morty #rick sanchez #morty smith #diane sanchez #my fics

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quaranmine · 4 months ago

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Friend Quara. Every day the updates I get from the EPA get worse.

Do they not care what long term or downstream impacts these changes will cause? Do they not want clean water to drink? Do they even care about the land beyond what food can be grown on it?

-🐘

It's so depressing. Every day there is something else. Like the announcement to close all Environmental Justice offices—how much more clearly can you state you don't care about communities affected by pollution? The Biden Admin literally stated that race couldn't be a part of the EJ determination...of course, it often is, but my point is that EPA already did not use that as part of its targeting for environmental justice efforts. It was based on communities who needed the most help but had the least resources.

Or this, which I just saw:

It makes me feel sick. This article says he said the mission of EPA is to "lower the cost of buying a car, heating a home, and running a business." No, you dangerous calculating idiot. It's to protect human health and the environment.

They don't care, they really don't. I was telling my coworker today, they only care about the costs that environmental regulations cause for businesses. But they don't care at all about the greater indirect social costs—such as healthcare for people who develop cancer, or lost job opportunities—for the people living in these areas. It's all business profit, no care. It will literally cost the American people MORE money to get rid of environmental regulations, because of these indirect impacts. But they don't care because they can line their pockets right now, and to hell with everyone else on the planet (because the US does not exist in a vacuum.)

I've never really understood it though. The environment affects all of us, no matter the political viewpoint. Their grandmothers will still have to drink contaminated water. Their children will grow up in a ravaged earth. Even the billionaires, who may drink pristine bottled water and build on untouched land, still have to breath air. (Unless we go full Lorax, I guess.) Like I just don't conceptually understand the level of vitriol towards something that literally affects them too??? We all have to drink water. We all have to breathe air. That's not partisan. That's every human on earth. Why do conservatives love shooting themselves in the foot so much?

It's just! So incredibly upsetting. It hurts to see EPA like this. The staff doesn't want this. It's the political appointees like Zeldin up top. They're going to tear it apart so badly it'll take my lifetime to fix, if we ever do get out of this.

I'm so sad every day 😞

#i hate zeldin so much. slimy liar #testifying in his swearing in that he believes in climate change #then turning around immediately and saying EPA needs to reexamine the findings that it's a threat #they should get him on perjury for that but it'll be the least of this admin's law breaking #quara asks #🐘 anon

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scbhagat · 2 months ago

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Why Payroll Outsourcing in Delhi is Essential for Business Efficiency

Streamline Your Business with Payroll Outsourcing in Delhi

As businesses expand and compliance regulations become more demanding, many organizations are now turning to payroll outsourcing in Delhi to simplify their internal operations. Managing payroll in-house can be tedious, especially when dealing with frequent legal updates, tax deductions, and employee benefits. Outsourcing this function not only ensures accuracy but also provides companies the freedom to focus on core business activities.

What is Payroll Outsourcing?

Payroll outsourcing is the process of hiring an external service provider to manage a company's entire payroll system. This includes calculating employee salaries, processing tax filings, managing provident fund (PF) and employee state insurance (ESI) contributions, generating payslips, and ensuring legal compliance. For businesses in Delhi—a city teeming with startups, SMEs, and large enterprises—this approach has become a practical necessity.

Benefits of Payroll Outsourcing

1. Cost and Time Efficiency Managing payroll internally can consume significant time and resources. With outsourcing, companies save on the cost of hiring specialized staff or purchasing expensive payroll software. It also eliminates the need for constant training to stay up-to-date with changing laws.

2. Regulatory Compliance Indian payroll laws are complex and ever-evolving. From income tax rules to statutory deductions like PF, ESI, and gratuity, compliance is critical to avoid penalties. A payroll outsourcing provider in Delhi ensures all calculations and filings are handled accurately and on time.

3. Enhanced Accuracy Manual payroll processing can lead to errors in salary calculations or tax filings. With automated systems and expert oversight, outsourced payroll services offer greater accuracy and reliability, reducing the chances of employee dissatisfaction or legal issues.

4. Data Security and Confidentiality Reputable payroll outsourcing firms use secure, cloud-based systems with encryption to protect sensitive employee data. This minimizes the risk of data breaches and ensures confidentiality is maintained at all times.

5. Scalability and Flexibility As your workforce grows or contracts, outsourcing partners can easily scale their services to match your needs. Whether you’re hiring 10 or 100 new employees, your payroll operations remain smooth and efficient.

Services Included in Payroll Outsourcing

Most payroll outsourcing providers in Delhi offer comprehensive solutions that include:

Monthly salary processing and disbursement

Payslip generation and distribution

Tax deductions and filings (TDS, PF, ESI, etc.)

Year-end tax form preparation (Form 16)

Compliance with labor laws and statutory reporting

Attendance and leave management integration

Reimbursement and bonus management

Employee helpdesk support for payroll queries

Advanced service providers may also offer integration with HR software, mobile apps for employees, and dashboards for real-time payroll analytics.

Why Delhi-Based Companies Should Consider Payroll Outsourcing

Delhi is a highly competitive and regulatory-sensitive business environment. Companies in this region must be agile and compliant while controlling costs. Payroll outsourcing is especially beneficial here because local providers have expertise in regional labor rules, state-specific regulations, and offer fast turnaround times for urgent payroll processing needs.

Additionally, Delhi is home to a wide pool of professional payroll service providers who offer tailored solutions for different industries—from IT and education to manufacturing and healthcare.

Choosing the Right Payroll Partner

Before selecting a payroll outsourcing company in Delhi, consider the following:

Experience and Reputation: Look for a provider with proven experience and client testimonials.

Technology Platform: Ensure they use a secure, modern payroll system.

Compliance Knowledge: They should stay updated with the latest changes in tax and labor laws.

Customization Options: Your business may have unique payroll structures or benefits.

Customer Support: Timely and responsive communication is essential for resolving issues quickly.

Final Thoughts

In a fast-moving market like Delhi, where talent retention, compliance, and cost control are key concerns, outsourcing payroll can offer a significant competitive advantage. It streamlines processes, ensures accuracy, and reduces operational stress—allowing companies to concentrate on strategic goals.

Whether you're a small business owner or the HR head of a growing enterprise, payroll outsourcing in Delhi could be the smartest step you take this year toward efficiency and peace of mind.

#Payroll Outsourcing in Delhi #Outsourcing

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hetalia-club · 1 year ago

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Got Bored And Made An Entire Hetalia Baseball League (HBL)

the league is meant to have fictitious and near impossible goals for regular humans to achieve. They are all scaled beside each other accounting for superhuman strength.

~Sweden's Stats~

Batting Average Regular Season- .280 Projection- .284 Career- .294

Running Speed MPH- 16-18 Hitting Power MPH- 90-95 Regular Season Stolen Bases- 15 Career Stolen Bases- 210

Sweden would be a very good player, particularly valuable for his power and reliability. His strengths lie in his ability to deliver powerful hits and maintain consistent performance, while his weaknesses are primarily his tendency to strike out and his moderate speed. His personality traits of being stoic, reliable, and strong significantly contribute to his effective play style, making him a key player on any team.

Freedom Fighters - link to their team and positions

Other Players: (will update with link as they are added) America Russia Sweden England Ireland Iceland Canada Denmark Turkey France Scotland Greece Germany Japan Nyo!America Prussia China Nyo!England Spain Austria Italy Norway Romano Finland

breakdown below >> (Chat GTP helped with this part because I'm not good at describing things or sports talk)((it also made me the lay out above I made the stats and it put them in MLB format for me & calculated batting average because math :/ ))

Player Analysis: Sweden

Stoic: Sweden's stoic nature helps him remain composed under pressure. This trait is particularly valuable during high-stakes moments in the game, such as when he is at bat with runners in scoring position or when he needs to make a crucial defensive play.

Strong: Sweden's physical strength is a key component of his playing style. It fuels his power-hitting capabilities and makes him an imposing figure at the plate. This strength is reflected in his high home run and double totals.

Intimidating: Sweden's presence can be intimidating to both opposing pitchers and batters. His calm and serious demeanor, combined with his physical stature, can give him a psychological edge over opponents.

Strengths

Power Hitting: Sweden's primary strength is his ability to hit for power. His home run and double totals are impressive, indicating that he can drive the ball deep and consistently contribute to the team's offensive production. This power makes him a significant threat in the middle of the batting order.

Consistency: Sweden's reliable nature is reflected in his consistent performance. His batting average and RBI totals show that he can be counted on to deliver solid hits and drive in runs regularly. This reliability makes him a cornerstone player for any team.

Fielding: Though not explicitly detailed in the provided stats, Sweden's stoic and dependable personality suggests he would also be a solid defender. His calm demeanor would help him stay focused in the field, making crucial plays when needed.

Weaknesses

Strikeouts: Despite his strengths, Sweden's aggressive approach at the plate can lead to a high number of strikeouts. This reflects a risk-reward style of hitting where he swings for the fences, sometimes at the cost of making consistent contact.

Speed: Sweden's running speed is moderate. While he is not slow, he prioritizes power over speed, which means he might not be the fastest player on the bases. This could limit his ability to take extra bases on hits and reduce his stolen base totals.

Balanced Stat Distribution

Games Played (GP): 145

Sweden's regularity and reliability are reflected in the high number of games played. His stoic and dependable nature means he rarely misses games due to injury or fatigue.

At Bats (AB): 500

A high number of at-bats shows Sweden's consistency in the lineup. He is a regular starter, trusted to contribute in every game.

Runs (R): 70

Sweden's ability to score runs reflects his strong presence on the base paths, despite his moderate speed. His strategic play and powerful hitting allow him to cross the plate often.

Hits (H): 140

A solid number of hits demonstrates Sweden's reliable batting. His strength and technique enable him to make consistent contact with the ball.

Doubles (2B): 30

Sweden's strength allows him to hit many doubles, showcasing his ability to drive the ball into gaps and reach second base with relative ease.

Triples (3B): 3

While not a primary aspect of his game, Sweden's occasional triples show his capability to surprise with speed and aggression when the opportunity arises.

Home Runs (HR): 25

His power is highlighted by his home run totals. Sweden's strong and determined nature helps him drive the ball over the fence frequently.

Runs Batted In (RBI): 85

Sweden's ability to drive in runs is crucial for his team. His reliable hitting and power allow him to bring teammates home, contributing significantly to the team's offensive success.

Base on Balls (BB): 50

His patience and strategic approach at the plate result in a decent number of walks. Sweden knows when to be aggressive and when to wait for the right pitch.

Strikeouts (SO): 90

Reflecting a minor weakness, Sweden's strikeout numbers are relatively high. His aggressive hitting style sometimes leads to missed opportunities, but his power often compensates for this.

#hetalia #hws sweden #aph sweden #berwald oxenstierna #Will update his links in the morning.#I am going to sleep

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venomander · 2 years ago

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Sims 2 Must-Have Mods

I've seen many different Simblrs post their "essential mod" lists, so I thought I'd make one myself. This is more of a highlight reel than anything else, pointing out my favorites.

Aspiration

Alternative For Permaplat - Replaces "permaplat" with the FreeTime ability to cheat death.

Growing Up Wants Panel - Want/fear slots come from birthdays instead of university. I use an edited version of this that changes the positive reward minimum from gold aspiration to green.

Mood Mod: Advanced Version - Factors a Sim's recent memories and aspiration meter into their mood meter.

Food

Auto Store Food - Sims autonomously put away leftovers. (Note: This may need tweaking to prevent it from happening at dorms and restaurants.)

Breakfast At Midnight - Removes mealtime restrictions for all Maxis meals, allowing breakfast for dinner, dinner for lunch, etc.

Dinner For 8 - Changes the amount of servings for Maxis meals from six to eight, feeding a whole family.

Leftover Hack - When Sims decide to cook or get a snack, they'll find their leftovers and choose to eat those instead.

No Food Serving - Stops Sims from serving meals. Instead, they put the meal on the counter and take a serving for themselves. (Unpublished; Shared by Rudhira in the Lazy Duchess Discord server.)

Work Deliver - Sims have a chance of bringing home groceries or pizza when arriving home from work.

Parenthood

Alt Pregnancy Controller Lite - Adds a chance of cramping and/or miscarriage if pregnant Sims aren't taking care of themselves.

Baby Toddler Mod - Fixes problems with Maxis code, and implements a breastfeeding interaction.

Kids & Pets Unattended - Stops the Social Worker from trying to abduct your children if the adults are off-lot for too long.

Romance

Autonomous Casual Romance - You know what this is.

Adults Go Steady + Marriage Traditional - Allows adult & elder Sims to have boyfriends/girlfriends. Also picks the traditional (male) last name when straight Sims get married.

Friendly Break-Up - Allows Sims to break up with their partner, regardless of relationship level.

Just Be Friends - Allows Sims to put an end to non-committal romances.

More Realistic Aspiration Attraction + Zodiac Overhaul - Massive overhaul to the chemistry system, making aspiration combos and zodiac combos more realistic.

RS Attraction - Fixes problems with Maxis code, and adds secondary aspirations when calculating attraction.

RS Slower Feelings - Makes romance less instant.

Social

Auto Greet - Playable sims have a chance of autonomously greeting walkbys if they can see them.

Auto Lateral Calls - Sims automatically redirect phone calls, or reject them if the recipient's unavailable.

Children Can Throw Parties - Lets child-aged Sims organize their own parties. No idea why Maxis didn't.

TS1 Prank Calls - Converts the random prank/spam calls system from The Sims 1.

Work

All Careers In The Newspaper - Allows any sim to join the careers that previously required a university degree. (Artist, Natural Scientist, Paranormal, Show Business).

Some Jobs While Flunking - Removes the grade requirement for some teen careers, e.g. Criminal.

Misc

Sims2RPC - Custom launcher with a built-in fix for First Born Syndrome. Also has settings for lot impostor detail and the cost of using the Design Tool.

Birthday Suit Overlays - DR; Transparent overlays for supernaturals that work with nearly any custom skintone.

Glass Update - DR; Fixes every window/door in the game to have clear glass instead of blue.

More Walkbys + Car Passbys - What it says on the tin. It works automatically & requires no lot-specific setup.

Object Freedom - Makes every object shiftable, and greatly reduces the need for walk-through tiles or the Move Objects cheat. (Note: This may result in some funky object placement, like two children placing their homework on the same tile.)

Shrub Teleport - Turns every shrub on a lot into a well-organized Sim spawner. It lists Sims in surname alphabetical order, and gives the age and sex of each sim (i.e. "ch+m" for child+male).

#sims 2 #ts2 #ts2mod

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letagadom · 4 months ago

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Where I live, the plant-based milks (the ones that aren't ass) cost THREE TIMES as much as normal milks (and around twice as much as the lactose-free ones, but that's bound to change since the price of the lactose-free ones keeping rising so fast), so my stubborn ass decided to make it at home. More precisely, my stubborn ass decided that I waited enough for my mother, who loves just sitting on new kitchen gadgets and never uses them (procrastination really), and this morning I made a liter of rice milk.

I added the least amount of water my machine allowed (since my experience with store bought rice milk was that it was incredibly thin and just straight up water-like) so I ended up with this pretty thick consistency. I didn't add anything else in it yet, since I wanted to see the raw results and adjust accordingly. It ended up being the perfect texture to add to coffee (since coffee already has some water in it and if I mix it with my thick rice milk it ends up being a very smooth drink), little too much for cereal and stuff but that's fine. The main problem is that it needs to be sweeter, and I tested adding some honey to it in a mug, and oh boy that was very tasty!

After doing some rough calculations, it's gonna cost me ONE FIFTH of the store bought price, which is, like, dope as fuck???

Anyways, I have no conclusions to this one, but I may end up updating you on this journey lol

#btw this machine is scary as fuck???#for like the whole 20 min run time if was making very concerning noises #which i assume if normal #but anyways #fuck the government #fuck the pm for using lactore-free as an insult #which is just so funny to me

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weather-usa · 1 year ago

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As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, are becoming more severe.

A raging flood pulled a family's home of more than 50 years into the Blue Earth River in southern Minnesota this week, as a community watched in horror.

The river’s water flow tripled in three days after 11 to 18 inches of rain fell in just over a week. The swollen river carved a new pathway around the Rapidan Dam, threatening to collapse the dam and the nearby store where the Bruska family had served pies and shakes for decades.

Similar intense rains have pummeled much of the north-central U.S. in June, causing devastating floods across the region, with major flooding underway on the Big and Little Sioux rivers, the Des Moines River, and the Minnesota River.

Such events are occurring with increasing frequency across the nation. Rain isn’t just falling; it’s breaking records, cascading at intense rates due to the warming climate.

While flooding has always occurred along rivers and streams, today’s warmer air allows the atmosphere to hold more water, with storms often supercharged by moisture from warming oceans. As communities experience more frequent flooding, the pressure to prepare for and adapt to these events is growing.

That pressure is evident in two recent developments: a groundbreaking climate action law in Vermont and a federally commissioned report finding that the government's calculations for maximum potential rainfall are no longer valid due to more intense rainfall driven by climate change.

On June 21 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the National Weather Service reported rain rates of 3-5 inches per hour. The next day, a deluge in South Florida brought rain rates of 4-5 inches, flooding areas of Miami-Dade, where higher sea levels are exacerbating the situation by making it harder for rainwater to drain.

"As demonstrated repeatedly, event after event, climate change is causing wetter and more extreme precipitation," stated Kevin Reed, an associate provost for climate and sustainability programming at Stony Brook University, who specializes in the effects of climate warming on rainfall.

On Friday, U.S. Geological Survey data indicated that over 200 stream gauges across the North Central U.S., including those along the Blue Earth River, were experiencing various stages of flooding, with water levels finally beginning to recede.

Vermont's "great flood" last July, which brought a deluge of 9 inches and caused an estimated $1 billion in damages, prompted state legislators in May to pass new legislation known as the "climate superfund act."

See more:

youtube

"After experiencing one of the most catastrophic climate disasters in its history," remarked Elena Mihaly, vice president of the Conservation Law Foundation Vermont, which advocated for the bill, "Vermonters felt acutely vulnerable during that frightening time."

The legislation aims to recover costs from climate disasters by seeking payments from large fossil fuel companies for their extraction and refining activities that have contributed to climate impacts in Vermont since 1995.

According to Mihaly, the state intends to conduct a cost analysis to assess present and future expenses incurred from greenhouse gas emissions produced during extraction and refinement. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden currently borne solely by taxpayers.

Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, permitted the climate action bill to become law on May 31 without signing it. The funds collected under this legislation will be designated for climate change adaptation projects.

'Historical Changes in Extreme Rainfall'

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently published a study on rainfall patterns. Sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and mandated by Congress, the study aimed to update the nation's "probable maximum precipitation" estimates in response to climate change.

These estimates, used to determine the maximum possible depth of precipitation within a specific timeframe and location, are crucial for engineering critical infrastructure like dams and nuclear power plants. They help mitigate the risk of severe flooding and ensure that structures can withstand extreme rainfall events.

Weather Forecast For Wyoming:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/196962423/Weather-Forecast-for-Wyoming

The Academies assembled a committee comprising some of the nation's foremost experts on extreme rainfall. These experts, including Reed, collaborated in workshops to discuss the findings.

The committee concluded that "climate change has already led to significant historical shifts in extreme rainfall patterns, with expectations for further substantial changes in the coming decades." Their report includes a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at enhancing accuracy in precipitation estimates through improved modeling, refined formulas, and integration of additional scientific research.

Climate change is reshaping the calculation of maximum rainfall potential. By integrating advanced observations and a deeper understanding of extreme storms through high-resolution modeling, there is an opportunity to revolutionize traditional methods of estimating rainfall, according to the report. Updated estimates could better reflect the extremes expected in a warming climate and provide critical insights into the associated hazards of extreme rainfall, such as coastal storm surge and compound flooding.

John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas State Climatologist and regents professor at Texas A&M University, noted, "While the original goal of precipitation estimates was to design structures with an almost zero risk of failure, we may have been designing them to have a very low risk of failure but not an impossible one." He added, "A very low risk of failure is less reassuring than no risk at all."

"If you don’t account for climate change, you’re underestimating the risk, not just in the future but even in the present day, because the likelihood of extreme rainfall is increasing almost everywhere," Nielsen-Gammon emphasized. He highlighted that evidence suggests the probability of such events is rising most significantly for the less common occurrences.

See more:

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-71674

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-71675

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-71676

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-71677

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-71678

"On a global scale, average annual precipitation is projected to increase by about 2% per degree of warming," Nielsen-Gammon explained. "However, the frequency of extreme precipitation events in a given year is rising by 7% or more per degree of warming."

Reed noted that the study recommended integrating future climate change impacts into calculations of extreme precipitation. This approach aims to enhance the resilience of our infrastructure and society against these evolving weather patterns.

According to NOAA's website, the agency anticipates issuing the first updated estimates by 2030, contingent on full funding for the program. Subsequently, the legislation mandates updates to these estimates at least every decade.

#weather #forecast #weather app #usa #Youtube

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my3sonsmoving · 1 year ago

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How do you plan an out of state move in 2024?

Planning an out-of-state move can be a complex and stressful process, but with careful planning and organization, you can ensure a smooth transition. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you begin:

Research Your New Location:

Cost of Living: Begin by comparing the cost of living between your current state and the new one. This includes housing, groceries, utilities, and taxes. Websites like Numbeo can provide detailed comparisons.

Housing: Look into neighborhoods, housing prices, and rental options. Consider factors such as proximity to work, safety, amenities, and school quality if you have children. Online platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com are excellent resources.

Job Market: Investigate job opportunities and the local economy. Sites like Indeed and LinkedIn can help you understand the job market and connect with potential employers.

Lifestyle: Consider the climate, local amenities, schools, and community culture. Explore forums, social media groups, and local news sites to get a feel for the area.

Budgeting:

Moving Costs: Get estimates from moving companies or calculate costs if you plan to move yourself. Include packing materials, transportation, and potential storage fees. Companies like U-Haul provide cost calculators for DIY moves.

Travel Expenses: Budget for gas, flights, hotels, and meals if you’re driving. Websites like GasBuddy can help estimate fuel costs, and travel sites can assist with finding affordable accommodation.

Initial Setup: Plan for deposits, initial rent, utility setup, and any immediate purchases needed upon arrival.

Create a Moving Timeline:

Plan Ahead: Start planning 2–3 months in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

Checklist: Develop a detailed checklist of tasks to be completed each week leading up to the move. This should include everything from hiring movers to packing specific rooms.

Hiring Movers vs. DIY

Consider hiring professional movers by researching and selecting a reputable moving company. Check reviews on sites like Yelp and get multiple quotes to compare prices and services.

DIY Move:

If you decide to move yourself, rent a truck, recruit friends and family, and plan the logistics of driving and unloading. Ensure you have the necessary equipment like dollies and moving blankets.

Declutter and Organize:

Inventory: Take an inventory of your belongings. This helps in estimating moving costs and ensuring nothing gets lost.

Declutter: Sell, donate, or discard items you don’t need. This reduces the volume of items to move and can save money.

Organize: Label boxes clearly by room and content. Use a color-coded system or numbered labels to simplify unpacking.

Update Your Information:

Address Change: Update your address with the postal service, banks, subscription services, and any other relevant parties.

Utilities and Services: Arrange for the disconnection of utilities at your current home and setup at your new home. Ensure you transfer internet, cable, water, and electricity services in time.

Licenses and Registrations: Update your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and voter registration as soon as possible after your move.

Pack Strategically:

Essentials Box: Pack a box of essentials for the first few days, including clothes, toiletries, important documents, and basic kitchen items.

Fragile Items: Pack fragile items with care, using plenty of padding. Clearly label these boxes to ensure they are handled with care.

Room-by-Room: Pack one room at a time and label boxes accordingly. This method makes unpacking more manageable.

Travel Arrangements:

Transport Vehicles: Decide whether to drive your car(s) or have them shipped. Companies like Montway Auto Transport can assist with vehicle shipping.

Pets: Make arrangements for moving pets safely, including carriers, food, and necessary medications.

Accommodation: Book any necessary accommodation if the journey takes more than a day. Plan your route and make reservations in advance.

Settling In:

Unpacking: Start with essential areas like the kitchen and bedrooms to make your new home livable quickly.

Explore: Take time to explore your new neighborhood and meet your neighbors. Familiarize yourself with local grocery stores, pharmacies, and parks.

Emergency Contacts: Find and note down local emergency contacts, such as doctors, vets, and hospitals. Register with local healthcare providers as soon as possible.

Stay Organized:

Keep Records: Maintain a file with all moving-related documents, including contracts, receipts, and inventory lists. This helps in case of disputes or for future reference.

Backup Plans: Have contingency plans in case of delays or unexpected issues. This could include having extra funds for unforeseen expenses or knowing alternative routes.

By following these steps, you can ensure a more organized and less stressful out-of-state move. For personalized assistance with moving in the central Kentucky area, consider reaching out to My 3 Sons Moving and Storage Company.

#moving and storage #out of state moving #moving tips #moving and storage company #state to state moving #out of state relocation #Central Kentucky #United States

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kinghomesleppington · 1 year ago

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A Comprehensive Guide to Using Home Building Cost Estimators in Sydney

Sydney, with its stunning harbor and vibrant culture, is an ideal location to build your dream home. But before you get swept away in architectural plans and design ideas, it's crucial to understand the financial realities of construction. This is where home building cost estimators come in – powerful tools that can help you navigate the complexities of budgeting for your Sydney dream.

What is a Home Building Cost Estimator?

A home building cost estimator is a software program or online tool designed to provide a preliminary estimate of the construction costs associated with your project. These estimators factor in various aspects like the size and design of your home, building materials, labor costs, and Sydney-specific variables like land prices and council regulations.

How Home Building Cost Estimators Work

Cost estimators operate by inputting specific details about your project, such as the size of the house, the quality of materials desired, and the type of finishes. The estimator then calculates the total cost based on current market rates and historical data.

Inputting Project Specifications: The first step involves entering the details of your project. This includes the square footage, number of stories, type of foundation, roofing materials, and interior finishes.

Selecting Materials and Finishes: Different materials come with varying costs. Estimators allow you to choose from a range of options for flooring, cabinetry, countertops, and more, each impacting the overall cost.

Calculating Labor Costs: Labor costs can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the project and the current demand for construction services in Sydney.

Adding Miscellaneous Costs: This includes permits, design fees, landscaping, and other miscellaneous expenses that might arise during construction.

Generating the Estimate: Once all inputs are provided, the estimator generates a detailed report outlining the total estimated cost and a breakdown of expenses.

Why Use a Cost Estimator?

There are several compelling reasons to leverage a home building cost estimator in Sydney:

Informed Decision-Making: Having a ballpark figure for your project upfront empowers you to make informed decisions throughout the planning process. You can adjust your expectations, explore design alternatives that fit your budget, and secure financing with confidence.

Realistic Budgeting: Cost estimators help you avoid the pitfall of underestimating expenses. By factoring in hidden costs like permits, demolition (if applicable), and waste disposal, you can create a more realistic budget that avoids financial surprises down the road.

Smarter Planning: With a cost estimate in hand, you can prioritize features and finishes within your budget. This allows for smarter planning and avoids the disappointment of having to cut corners due to unforeseen expenses.

Effective Communication: Cost estimates provide a common ground for communication with builders, architects, and other stakeholders. Everyone involved can work towards a shared financial goal, leading to a smoother and more collaborative project.

Tips for Using a Home Building Cost Estimator Effectively

To get the most out of your home building cost estimator, follow these best practices:

Provide Accurate Information

Ensure that the information you input into the estimator is as accurate as possible. Inaccurate data can lead to misleading estimates and budget shortfalls.

Update Estimates Regularly

Construction costs can change due to market fluctuations. Regularly update your estimates to reflect current prices and avoid surprises.

Consult with Professionals

While cost estimators are valuable tools, consulting with professional home builders, architects, and quantity surveyors can provide additional insights and validate the estimates.

Consider Contingencies

Always include a contingency fund in your budget to cover unexpected expenses that may arise during construction.

By utilizing home building cost estimators effectively, you can approach your Sydney dream home project with a clear financial roadmap. This empowers you to make informed decisions, build your dream within your budget, and embark on a rewarding construction journey

King Homes NSW - HomeWorld Leppington

21/23 Cato Cct, Leppington NSW 2179, Australia

+61287950022

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kirakiraaa42 · 1 year ago

Text

Chapter VIII - Bench

JANUARY 2023

FRIDAY

11:00 am

This chapter is set on the same day "Moonlight Sunrise" by TWICE was released.

In the CBASCU (College of Business Administration Student Council Union) office at the university, Axelle, the president, currently has a meeting with the other officers. They are discussing the upcoming convention, the Foodpreneur Fest, where everyone from the College of Business Ad will gather in the mall and set up their stalls where they would serve their food.

"How much is the rent for one stall each?" Axelle asks the treasurer, Hyun-min.

"I inquired to the events organizing department of the mall and said one stall cost 4,700₩. There are 50 stalls available for use in the event." He says, as the secretary, Jung-ah, is taking note of everything in her notebook.

Everyone nods, and the Director of Events and Programs, Kyu-ri, acknowledges the information disseminated by the treasurer. "Our budget is currently ₩4.7 million. If each stall costs 4,700 and there are 50 stalls, we'll be using up 5% of the budget."

"There are other aspects to be considered," the Event Coordinator, Dong-hyun, adds. The secretary would also take note of everything he said. "Listen carefully, Jung-ah. I'll dictate everything."

"That would surely total up to 100%, no?" The Director of Outreach and Community Engagement, Ye-Seul, asks everyone in the room.

"No, I think the percentages summed up would result in 34 point something. How much is the budget that we would be using, then?" The Public Relations Officer, So-hee, asks Hyun-min.

The treasurer, quickly does the math and responds to So-hee's question, "Our total budget allocation would be about a million won still, so we're still within the budget. We have a bit of room to spare."

Everyone nods.

"I have something to address, though." The Vice President, Min-jung, asks everyone.

"Sure, what is it, Min-jung?" Axelle asks back to her.

"Let's say that the each security staff would cost ₩3000, and we'll be picking up 6 of them, how much exact budget would that be, and what would be the percentage that we would use from the overall budget that we have?" She asks Hyun-min again.

Hyun-min quickly calculates the additional cost in his head. "If each security staff costs ₩3,000 and we're hiring 6 of them, that would be a total cost of ₩18,000. This would be an additional 0.38% of the budget. So, our updated budget allocation would look like this:"

"Overall, with the addition of security staff, the total budget allocation would be around 34.5%.

"And how much budget would we use? Like what exact amount?" The Director of Marketing, Hyeon-jae, asks.

Hyun-min quickly calculates the total costs mentioned. "₩1,560,500 all in all. If we take this to the our initial budget of 4.7 million, then we would have ₩3,139,500 left remaining for extra expenses, which also means we use 33.2% of the initial budget."

The Director of Membership, Jin-su, acknowledges Hyun-min's statement. "Sounds good. Make sure to include that in our planning and budget management. Did you catch everything, Jung-ah?"

The secretary scratched her head. "Yeah, well, some of it... I didn't catch up, especially on the budget allocation."

"Don't worry! I'll send you the copy of my findings later when I get home, Jung-ah." Hyun-min nods.

"Thanks, Hyun-min." She smiled softly at the treasurer.

Axelle interjects with a friendly smile, "All right, it seems everything is now organized and all good. Let's make sure we use it wisely to make the Foodpreneur event a great success. Meeting adjourned."

The officers nod in agreement, appreciating Axelle's leadership and the collaborative atmosphere of the meeting. The officers have now left the office, with Axelle walking behind them.

As they were out into the hallway, he then hears his phone beep, and it was a message from Momo.

He smiled a bit as soon as he saw the nickname she gave him, which is typical Momo behaviour. He then messages her back.

Axelle was a bit surprised that Momo would be coming at his uni. He begins to type again.

The treasurer, Hyun-min, turns his back to see Axelle, noticing him on his phone. "Hey, Axelle! Wanna grab lunch with us?"

As he was about to answer, Momo then replied, and he looked at his phone to check the message.

He then turns to Hyun-min again. "Sorry, I have lunch with someone at the moment. I'll make it up to you guys soon. I'll buy you lunches someday."

"Okay. We're counting on that. See you later, Axelle!" Hyun-min then turns away and walks with the other officers. Axelle goes in his own direction, going down from the second floor and into the main gate of the university.

Meanwhile, Momo, who is wearing a face mask and cap, followed the directions her now-boyfriend gave her until she reached the university that had the logo of the school's name in Korean. As with visitors, they had to log in by signing into a logbook, which Momo did. She was allowed to enter the premises. Looking the phone for the time, she stood beside the main gate waiting for her love.

Luckily, no student passing by the main gate noticed Momo so far. In this setting, she would get easily recognized as she is from TWICE. She had to hide from everyone for now to meet Axelle without any ONCEs clamoring in excitement.

Not more than 2 minutes later, she notices Axelle, but he doesn't notice her yet because of her cover. As he turns his back looking for her, she taps his shoulder and slightly raises the visor of her cap, looking at him with twinkling eyes.

"Oh! Oh my gosh, I didn't see you there for a bit." Axelle covered his mouth and chuckled. "Hello, darling. Sorry if I made you walk for 15 minutes."

She pushes him lightly with her three fingers. "You should be sorry, Mr. Hutchison. My feet are already tired and I am wearing sandals, you freaking skyscraper!"

"You should've worn shoes then." He suggests banteringly. "You could've been at least half an inch taller so you could reach my head."

"Stop teasing me about my height!" The idol playfully punches him in the arm. "Anyways, let's go to the cafeteria. I miss eating school lunches."

"All right." He says as she goes beside him.

They are now walking together, passing by the greens on the center of the campus. Momo is still unrecognizable with her cap and her mask, which was enough to keep her concealed from the public eye. But to keep Axelle close to her, she tugs onto the sleeve of his coat.

"How have you been with your work?" He turns to her.

"We literally started around 4 am. It's the release of our new music video for our song today, and we also did a moving choreography video for it. I'm glad that we were able to finish everything before I get my free time." Momo answered.

The Brit nodded. "New MV, huh. I might add something to my Spotify playlist."

Momo smiled as soon as she heard that. Though aware that he isn't a ONCE or a die-hard fan of K-pop in general, she knows he is supporting her and TWICE. "Good boy. You'll like our new song. Just wait for it till it comes out on YouTube and Spotify."

She kept holding on to his sleeve as he led the way to the cafeteria, where different types of dishes and side dishes are served. They got both of their trays and picked up the food that they are the mood to eat for lunch.

Axelle's tray consisted of the following foods:

Kimchi fried rice, ojingeo bokkeum (stir-fried spicy squid), gun-mandu (pan-fried dumplings), oi muchim (spicy cucumber salad) and 3 pieces of Korean pear.

Meanwhile, here are the foods Momo had in her tray:

JOKBAL, haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), godeungeo-jorim (braised mackerel), stir-fried anchovies, gimbap, and banana slices.

There was more jokbal than the rest of the other food on her tray. After making the sign of the cross, Axelle even pointed that out when they sat down on a table for two.

"You can never get enough of jokbal, huh?"

"Yes. It's the best food in the world, and no one can stop me from eating it." She gets her chopsticks and starts to get a piece of jokbal.

Axelle chuckles. "You do you, Momo."

He would also take a bite of the ojingeo bokkeum and close his eyes, savoring the spicy taste of the squid. Momo just chows down on her food enthusiastically, also savoring the taste of the jokbal in her mouth, to the point that she forgot that there was other food in her tray.

The two would begin to converse while continuing to eat.

"So what have you been doing for today?" Momo asks.

"We had a meeting on our budget planning for our Foodpreneur Fest at the end of February. It's an event for our college that will be held at a mall, 36 minutes away from here by bus." He then gets a piece of his mandu.

"Hmm. So you're an officer in your student body then. You're president, I assume?" Momo puts a piece of the braised mackerel inside her mouth.

"Correct."

Momo did little claps as a congratulatory gesture. "Wow. That's amazing, Axelle. And is this your first task already? Holding a meeting with your fellow officers?"

"Yeah. We started going over with the budget and the other stuff necessary for the event." He gets another mandu and eats it. "A bit tiring, but it is necessary to make the event successful."

"We share the same sentiment, darling." Momo added. "I'm also tired too. We have been working non-stop for our latest music video; doing recording sessions, choreo practice, all of this stuff. But now that it will be released soon, I hoped that everyone will enjoy what we have been working on these past few months."

"Everyone will enjoy that song." He beamed a soft smile at his girlfriend. "I am confident of it, darling."

Momo also gave a soft smile back at him. "And I hope your event will be succesful as well, darling."

The two looked at each other for a short while, appreciating each other's support for their individual endeavors. They would then go on to continue eating their lunch at the cafeteria whilst enjoying the food and each other's presence.

Afterwards, Momo and Axelle went to a building within the university that had harbored a hidden treasure — a roof terrace, which offered serene peace in the midst of the academic world around it. As they ascended the stairs, there were lots of greens decoratively arranged in every corner. Different types of flowers; orchids, daisies, hibiscus, and the like can also be seen exuding their beauty and scent in the open environment.

The two stayed on the bench next to the railings, which are filled with vines. They were fake, but they added to the natural ambience of the setting. Momo and Axelle glanced at the overlooking view of the university and the city to an extent, amidst the somewhat cloudy and winter cold weather. They were lucky that it wasn't even snowing or raining at this time, so they were able to fully take in the tranquil view in front of them.

As her arm draped around Axelle, she gets behind him and notices that there weren't any surveillance cameras attached on the doorway to the terrace. The idol smirked wryly, knowing that she could exploit this situation to her advantage, and even her boyfriend wasn't aware of that fact. She was glad he remained oblivious, and making the most of this opportunity seemed like she had already found diamonds.

Licking her lips, she moves closer to his ear, whispering at him sensually. "This sure looks too good even for a hang-out spot, huh. Is anyone permitted to go here?"

"Only if someone pre-booked for it. I was able to book it so I could hang out for myself." He locks eyes with her. "But now that you joined me here..."

"Shh. I know, darling. We're completely alone from everyone else now. And you probably know what that means...."

With their cheeks touching each other, Momo grabs the front plackets of his coat, opening it up, revealing the t-shirt he wore underneath. Her fingers reached underneath the shirt, touching and feeling his lean yet muscular physique. Leaning in to his ear once more, she pecks and nibbles it. Axelle began to breath heavily, which made his skin bristle.

"D-Dammit..." He groans, feeling her hands touching his chest. "I should've known you would resort to this."

He didn't even move a single muscle. Nor would he ever could, because of how his girlfriend is touching his entire clothed front body. The Brit's eyes begin to twitch, about to slowly close, solely because of the overwhelming pleasure Momo drowned him into. Even with her fingers and mouth alone, Momo never fails to deliver Axelle that euphoric yet dangerous pleasure.

But Momo isn't all finished yet. Her hands remain intact on his clothed chest, feeling his nipple harden with her palms. The idol was so excited that she could bear to witness her boyfriend moaning for her, so without even a second thought, she began to circle her index fingers around his nipples. This marks the first time Axelle experienced nipple play from Momo.

"Ahh... No." He groaned. Axelle is still immobile, his eyes still quivering. "Momo. I... stop...!"

Momo giggled. "Oh, no I won't, my sweet darling. You're already mine, remember? I like how you're already aroused just by your nipples being played. You're so adorable∼"

"It's just too much...!" He was already blushing like a little girl, showing a bit of vulnerability.

Momo then rubs both nipples with her thumbs and index fingers. There was a bit of pain that Axelle felt because of how Momo was pinching them, but there was that 90% where his face became as red as a tomato. With a scrunching face and squinting eyes, the Brit began to tremble, but still immobile and couldn't calm down.

To Momo, this was somewhat a torture that was far from pain, but that of love for her boyfriend. Even in the early stages of their relationship, Momo wanted to make him feel the depth of her devotion and obsession for him through physical touch. The best part for her is that she will be able to control him, as she already knows that Axelle is susceptible to her temptation.

Her intentions were clear. She wanted Axelle to be hers only.

Momo kept on pleasuring him, moving her face closer to his. "Ah... Axelle. You like it when I pinch your nipples, don't you?"

"Nhhh... Not... telling you... that." He mumbled.

"Of course you won't. In fact, you don't even need to tell me. I should also note that your nipples are not the only ones that got hard." Momo lets go of his nipples and glanced at his crotch, his bulging erection peeking out of his pants.

The Brit mumbled out again, panting. "This is your fault. You... did this to me, Momo. You're so... so..."

"Sexy?" She curled her lips into a seductive smile. "You can say that a million times and you will still be proven right. Ehehe."

Showing him affection, Momo then kisses Axelle with passion for a few brief seconds, letting out a few moans due to how she sees her boyfriend as her thirst quencher and her stress reliever. And she was definitely relieved from all the stress from her idol work.

But it wouldn't be enough for her yet.

"Let me show you how sexy I REALLY am, darling."

She withdraws herself from him, taking three little steps back. Gazing at him lustfully, she then begins to strip her upper clothes and throws it at his face, intentionally doing that as a transition for what she is about to show him.

"Hey! What was that fo—"

She fully revealed herself half-naked to her, making her boyfriend realize that she actually wasn't wearing a bra underneath all this time she was with him. Speaking of, this was definitely a risqué situation, because even though they are alone on the rooftop terrace at the moment, they are still inside the radius of the university. But for the brave idol Momo, she is willing to take that chance to show how alluring her figure is.

Axelle's jaw dropped at the sight of his half-naked girlfriend. Her toned abs, curvy waist and muscular arms were some of the main views, but there was emphasis on her breasts. The Brit looked at the beautiful set of bosoms from a short distance, which was enough to make him thirst for Momo as well. He has never seen her like this, ever, and now he gets to see her gloriously sculpted body.

"Wow. Oh shit, I..." His heart was racing, gobsmacked of the gorgeous woman in front of him.

"You weren't expecting me to go risqué, were you?" Teasingly gazing at him, she cups her breasts, massaging them whilst making a succession of moans to entice him even further. "Do you like them, darling?"

"Admittedly, yes." He replied.

"Do you want to touch them?" She hummed, circling her nipples around with her fingers.

"Do I have to answer a question that has an already obvious answer?"

His witty rebut made the idol beam a seductive grin. "Can't debate on that." She walks towards the Brit and sits on his lap, whilst playing with his hair. She intentionally inched her left boob much closer to his face so that her already erect nipple touched his lips.

"I can't believe you're doing this to me, darling..." There was this primal urge of sucking her boob, but Axelle is trying to hold it in. "What have I gotten myself into?" He also thought to himself.

Momo blushes. "Any day now, Axelle. I'm waiting for your next move, darling."

The Brit slowly draws his face closer to the cleavage and kisses it sensually, before he opens his mouth and begins to kiss the nipple, then transitioning to sucking. Meanwhile, his other hand was kneading her right boob, with the fingers pinching the right nipple. He can hear Momo groaning in ecstasy, audibly huffing and puffing, and her voice becoming more velvety in tone. Her vocal attraction basically confirmed that she was willing to let Axelle do anything to her voluptuous breasts, so long as it benefits her as well.

"You're already doing good, darling." She purred, caressing his hair. "You're looking like a baby at the moment, hehe."

He was indeed suckling on her boob as if he was a baby. Axelle continued to use his mouth, whilst pushing his tongue forward in order to twirl it around her nipple. Next, he brings his face closer to the right boob, doing the same process while now massaging the left one and pinching on its nipple. Momo kept on moaning and holding his head closer to her, but even so, she let him be nursed by her.

A couple minutes pass. Axelle backed away from Momo a little. "Time for my revenge."

"What do you mean by— Aah!"

The Brit began to do the exact same thing to the idol, rubbing and pinching her nipples with his index fingers and thumbs. The latter was definitely surprised at her boyfriend's sudden "revenge", but she wasn't mad about it at all. Even her moans and blushing face further confirmed this statement.

"You are... a veeeeery baaaad boy∼" Momo moaned.

To silence his temptress, he leans forward and initiates a passionate kiss with her, his fingers intact on her nipples. The couple have now been driven by this incredible high that made their bodies heat up. Right now, Axelle is on Momo's mind, and Momo on Axelle's. Momo's muffled noises filled the open space of the green and lush roof terraces, feeling Axelle's touch on her stimulated nipples.

After a short while, Axelle pulls his face away from Momo, keeping enough gap between them so that their lips are still near together.

"Fuck..." Axelle scowled. "This is your fault."

When she noticed his expression, Momo just nonchalantly and deeply smiles at his slight dismay, thinking that it was cute. Yet again, the idol whispered, her face closer to his.

"It's not my fault that I'm so fucking beautiful, my darling boy. You simply fell for my moves and charms, and that is enough to bring out the wildest in me. So don't ever blame it on me. Do you agree with me, darling ∼?"

That moment right there was just Momo merely exuding her charms to his boyfriend. Axelle couldn't even escape the roof terrace, and to a metaphorical extent, the unbreakable chains of her desire and obsession. When he locked eyes with Momo, he already knew he couldn't escape Momo's playful dominance and defiant confidence at that point.

"M-Maybe I do agree."

Momo suddenly grips his neck with one hand, her touch firm but far from choking. "'Maybe' is so NOT in my vocabulary, boy." She puts enough pressure from her fingers to make her boyfriend submit. "It just doesn't cut it, Axelle. There is no room for hesitation here, got it?"

"H-huh? Eh???" He stuttered.

"Don't make me repeat myself. You and I..."

Now using two hands to grip his neck, the idol moved herself closer to his ear, causing their cheeks to meet each other.

"...we're all absolutely about the 'yes'es. I know that you know that you love it so much when I am controlling you, Axelle. You can't escape ME."

The Brit gulped. No words came out of his mouth, an only the thought of "So this is the real Momo behind that idol facade..." went into his brain.

Momo moves a little bit to the side to give herself some room before taking his hand. Before he can even think of another move, she puts his hand on her crotch, feeling that her pants are already wet. The Brit's blush went from an even deeper shade of red, not expecting that his now-girlfriend becomes even more bolder than before.

Axelle is still speechless, but his mind spoke for itself. "What the fuck is happening right now...? How is she so unshameful of this?"

She then began to use his hand to rub her clothed pussy. "Don't you dare move that fucking hand away from me." She moaned. "You love it, don't you?"

He couldn't even move his hand away from her crotch, because if he does, he gets in trouble. "Nuh-uh, woman! Not telling!" He rasped.

Momo giggles and makes cute, erotic noises. "You're using that tactic just to be mysterious again, cutie. Now, go ahead and eat my pussy like the hungry, greedy boy that you are."

Momo sits up on the edge of the bench and spreads her legs. The Brit would also kneel in between them, pulling the garter of her pants down and setting it aside, revealing her clothed, wet pussy and bringing her legs to her shoulders.

For Axelle, he has never given someone a cunnilingus. His girlfriend has given him the opportunity to do anything with her, in return for letting her give a blowjob three nights ago. He inches closer to her crotch, his raspy breath touching and passing through the cotton of her panties and into her clit, which made Momo shudder a bit.

Then, as he gets even closer, he begins to tease her by moving his lips in an up-and-down motion over her clothed clit. The little pecks that the Brit did made Momo grin and giggle, which was an indicator that she liked being teased by her boyfriend. Eventually, the pecks become smooches, with Axelle being driven into the depths of lust. He then wrapped his lips around her clothed clit, and even bothered to taste the fabric of her wet panties, which was drenched a bit with her fluids.

"Oh. Ah... Mmmmh..." The idol moaned out. "Ah-Axelle... Please..." She bit her lower lip, holding his head.

Axelle kept on repeating the same teasing process a few seconds later, until he began to pull the crotch of her panties sideways, revealing the gift she had in store for him underneath.

"Huh. Already wet, I see."

"That's the part where it's your fault, darling. You make me feel this way..." Momo purred, waiting for the Brit to make his move.

Before Momo could even speak further, the Brit, whilst still pulling the crotch of her underwear, leaned into her pussy again, using his tongue to lick the aforementioned exposed body part, from the opening up on the left side before doing the same process on the right. Momo tightens her grip on his hair. Luckily, for the Brit, it didn't cause pain in the slightest, so he was able to continue to pleasure her.

It happened that the idol was wearing panties made with non-woven fabric, so he wasn't even hesitating to quickly tear the thing off from its crotch area until it was disposed of, which rendered Momo now fully naked.

"I see you're purposefully wearing non-woven fabric panties just so I could tear it off easily? I think you have been predicting what was going to happen today..." Axelle smirked.

"Sort of, baby. I have been anticipating this meeting. So that's why I bought these panties off Amazon, they're really hard to find." Momo added. "You can now go ahead and enjoy me fully."

Axelle produces saliva inside his mouth first, then begins to eat her pussy, combined with his spit to make it even wetter and slicker. Feeling his tongue and mouth doing their magic, Momo's hand stayed intact, clutching a patch of hair from his head. The idol had felt even more higher than she was before, leaning her head back and closing her eyes in ecstasy.

"Oh my God. Oh my fucking God. Axelle, baby, you're such a good boy..." Momo whined.

"Don't you dare say the Lord's name in vain when a Catholic is giving you head." The Brit then continued to eat her out. This also urged the idol to move her hips up and down while his tongue and mouth remained intact on her pussy, which added greatly to the pleasure.

"I don't give a shit, boy." Her breath became even more ragged as she continued to move her body. "Keep eating me, Axelle. Please just keep eating meeeee..."

In a few moments, Momo would stop moving, but let her boyfriend continue his act, maintaining eye contact. He would also tug at her pussy lips and suck it gently, and tried to be careful to not accidentally use his teeth, which he did successfully. A few MORE moments passed, and much to the idol's delight, Axelle began to go faster, penetrating his tongue inside her, moving it in different directions, all of which caused Momo to moan even louder.

"Ahhh! YES! YES, YES, yes, yesssss... Ahhh!" Momo whimpered, her body twitching in pleasure. "きもちい～!!! もっと! もっとはよして!!!"

(きもちい～!!! もっと! もっとはよして!!! Kimochi ii! Motto! Motto hayoshite! = It feels good! More! Go faster!)

(きもちい kimochi ii = it feels good; もっと motto = more; もっとはよして motto hayoshite = Go faster in Kansai dialect. The standard Japanese counterpart of the Kansai word "Hayo" はよ is "Hayaku" 早く which also means "quickly.")

The Brit amps up the pleasure, now putting his fingers on her clit, rubbing it vigorously, and eating her out at the same time. Right now, the idol tilted her head upward, her eyes rolling back in blissful ecstasy. Not even a couple of seconds later, Momo is now on the verge of climaxing, muttering out her boyfriend's name.

"Axelle. Axelle! Please make me cum, baby! Oh, fuck! Please, please! Axelle! Axelle! AXIEEEE!"

Momo kept on whimpering loudly, while also feeling the pent-up lust she had for her darling. Another couple seconds passed, and just like that, the idol screamed in pleasure, covering her mouth to muffle her cute yet shrill, orgasmic voice, while her body shook because of the immense high that was rushing to her body.

As she was trying to catch her breath, Axelle withdrew his fingers and his face away from her crotch. In an attempt to be at least somewhat bold, he licks off the residue of her cum from his fingers. This made Momo happy, as this was a sign that he was fully enjoying their intimate encounter. She couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of validation from him.

"Thank you, Axelle." Following her gratitude, the Brit leaned in to kiss her for the final touch.

"Anything for my darling." He smiled.

Enough time had passed, and it was quarter to 1 in the afternoon. Momo and Axelle are back at the campus gate, with the former now all back in her clothes and her cap (the mask was kept in her pocket). It was time for the couple to part ways again, as the idol had to go back to the JYP Entertainment building for promotions of their newly-released song. Axelle felt a bit sad for this reason.

"Guess you're off to work again." He mumbled, fidgeting his hands.

She reached her arms out to him, to which he responded by stooping down in order for Momo to reach his height, wrapping her arms around him for a warm and comforting embrace. Humming, she gives a kiss on his cheek as she lets go of the hug, now cupping his cheeks.

"Oh, my poor darling." She cooed. "I know we would have loved to spend more time together. Believe me, I really do. But I really need to do this to make ONCEs happy, especially with that new song I mentioned earlier. I hope you will understand my line of work."

She gives him little pecks on his lips, spoiling him with more affection. Though she isn't really that much of a big comforter, she does so out of love and care for her darling.

"You know, we already have established this connection between us. So once you listen to that song, let that be a reminder of us. Always think of me when you are sad or happy, and remember that I'll always be in your heart, Axelle."

He understandingly nodded, then said, "This is a bit corny, innit? I know we are going to meet again but it's as if we are about to die or something."

Momo giggled at his joke. "I know. I just can't help it either. You might have the height advantage, but you're a little child at heart deep down. And that's what makes you so unique and endearing to me, 'little' Axelle."

He banteringly rolled his eyes at the new nickname she gave him. "You're giving me nicknames again."

Momo chuckled and gave him another peck on the lips. She then lets go of him and turns her back, walking a few steps away from him. But then she stopped for a bit, which made Axelle raise his eyebrow in confusion.

She then waddled back to the Brit. "Hey, do you want a spoiler for the new song?"

"Sure. I wouldn't mind." The Brit answered.

He would then ready himself as he stooped down again. Momo then whispers the spoiler to him in her sexy, sultry voice.

♪♪ "I guarantee I got ya..." ♪♪

His face became as red as a tomato as he heard her line from that song, having just heard her luscious singing voice. Momo then withdraws and walks away far enough to see him from a distance. She then blew him a kiss and wiggled her fingers to say goodbye, leaving the Brit standing there, staring in mixed awe and confusion.

5 HOURS LATER. Axelle is now in the comfort of his own home, and typed in "TWICE" on the search bar on Spotify. He notices the cool-looking cover art of the new song, along with the title written on it.

"'Pre-release English Single...' Hm. Intriguing."

He then played it, and the Brit can already tell that the track is going to be an absolute bop.

TO BE CONTINUED

#twice fanfic #hirai momo #twice #twice momo #misamo #fanfic #twice smut #smut #original character

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wolfliving · 2 years ago

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Internet of dead bikes, etc

*Stacey Higginbotham:

Plan for death at the start of building your connected device

This week brings us the tale of yet another connected device that may become a useless chunk of scrap because its maker is going out of business. In this case, the affected product is the VanMoof e-bike, which cost buyers $5,000 and requires a working app for many of the bike's functions.

VanMoof has gone into the Dutch version of bankruptcy, and owners of the product have been told that if the servers shut down, users will have no way to get a security key needed to operate many of the bike's features. For buyers of connected products ranging from home hubs to sous vide cookers, the end of a connected device company often means the end of a functioning product.

But it doesn't have to be this awful for consumers. By planning for failure, startups (and large companies like Amazon or Facebook) can kill their products better.

— VanMoof promises users that their connected bikes will get "better and better" through software updates. What they don't advertise is that without their servers, the bike may not even work.

In the case of VanMoof, a rival connected e-bike company has created an app that will purportedly unlock the VanMoof bikes and provide some functionality. But relying on a competitor to hack together some software to control a device made by another vendor and hoping that, as a user, you can download your security key from the VanMoof servers, before those servers are shut down, is not an ideal scenario.

It's the equivalent of rushing through your home as a fire burns, trying to grab people, pets, important papers, and heirlooms while the walls crumble. Folks with go bags or even a sense of what to take first are in a far better position if the worst happens. And by now, every company building a connected device needs the equivalent of a go bag or at the very least, a checklist.

Design your business model and device differently

It starts with the design. When designing the physical product, designers need to think about graceful degradation. Put physical buttons on the device. Make sure the product functions as a bike, a juicer, an oven, or whatever else even if the additional software-based or connected features fail. When it comes to making decisions about the chips and services used in the hardware, consider ongoing maintenance costs and how long that hardware will get necessary security updates.

I've seen startups run into issues after they chose a hardware platform that required monthly payments that increase based on the device usage. One of the services was associated with keeping the product secure, so the device makers had the best goals in mind but realized too late that the initial design decision obligated the company to make annual payments that would rise as more people purchased and then used their devices.

Understanding the cloud architecture costs and decisions made when designing a connected device's software and apps also matters. Unlike with dumb physical hardware, where calculating the cost of any good sold ends once the device ships, connected devices have a continued ongoing cost more commonly associated with software.

Software gets around the ongoing cost issue by charging a licensing fee or charging for the product as a service. Hardware providers are trying to offset these ongoing costs with additional subscriptions, or in some cases by offering a SaaS model and throwing in hardware as part of a monthly fee.

Escrow funds, not source code

Any company selling a connected device should understand the monthly cost of supporting their servers and apps, and set aside the appropriate dollar amount to ensure that service providers get paid — even if the company runs into trouble. This means any product must have an escrow account with six months or a year of ongoing device upkeep fees allocated.

This means if a startup goes out of business, it has the funds to notify people that the connected device they spent money on will stop working after a set time as opposed to it just going dark on a random April night (hello, Insteon). Bigger companies may not need an escrow fund, but they, too, should kill underperforming devices with long lead times, discounts, and perhaps even refunds. Those strategies should be part of any initial planning for a new connected device.

We often hear of users demanding that companies put the source code for connected devices into escrow, so that users can run the code on their own servers and keep their devices operational. This strategy has three flaws.

The first is that the source code may not be enough to keep a device running, especially as elements like secure keys and certificate subscriptions are now part of connected device designs.

The second flaw is that not every device is suited for some side-loaded open source code. Meta is dealing with this as it pulls back from its connected video calling device, the Portal. Because the Portal has mics and cameras that a hacker might want to use to spy on users, Meta doesn't want to let people load software onto the product to keep it working; it represents too much risk. Instead, it would rather shut the devices down entirely.

Third, opening up the source code may make it easy for a select few to run a device, but it's not something the average consumer can or will do. So when thinking about escrow, think funds, not source code.

Learn from Amazon and others

There are examples of device deaths done right. Amazon actually provided a good example this year when it announced the end of its Halo wellness devices. Amazon made the announcement in April, and told consumers that 96 days later, the devices would stop working.

This was a relatively short amount of time, but Amazon promised full refunds to anyone who had purchased any of the devices within the prior 12 months, and immediately stopped charging subscription fees associated with Halo devices. It also refunded any unused prepaid Halo subscription fees and said it would delete all data associated with Halo devices without requiring the consumer to take any additional steps.

The ease of refunding customers was only available to Amazon because it was the sole retailer of the Halo devices, which isn't the case for every connected product, but it was clear that Amazon wanted to get out of the Halo business quickly and with minimum consumer fuss. So it made it incredibly easy.

Finally, Amazon asked consumers to ship the devices back for recycling and made doing so free, going far beyond what most companies are doing with dead devices.

Amazon isn't the only company that has ended its products' lives early. The German company behind the Neato vacuum, Vorwerk, shut down the vacuum division this year. But it also said it would maintain a staff of 14 people for the next five years to ensure the security and functioning of the vacuum’s cloud software and app. Vorwerk further said that it would provide replacement parts for up to five years.

I've seen other companies kill their devices with discounts for replacement gear and long lead times. That's the bare minimum, but it can still be frustrating for consumers. For example, I own a set of Arlo connected video cameras I purchased in the summer of 2017. In January of this year Arlo said it would classify my cameras as end of life as of April 2023, which means they would lose several features including free 7-day video storage, firmware updates, and email notifications.

Since the reason I chose those cameras in the first place was that I got a 7-day window to see my videos before they were deleted without paying for a subscription, I was nonplussed about the short notice but frustrated that my cameras were going to die after only six years. After user outrage, Arlo said that it would continue with 7-day video storage until July 2024 before the devices would lose security updates and that functionality. For me, this means the cameras I paid $220 for in 2017 would work for seven years.

Expiration dates for smart devices

Had I know all of that when buying my cameras, I probably would have been fine with the cost/benefits tradeoff. But others may not have. And this is why in today's day and age, every single device should come with a guarantee that the device will work for a set number of years.

Companies can go beyond this date, but they need to establish minimums that get displayed on the box and for devices sold online, at the point of sale. This includes how long the device will get new features and essential security updates. The UK has already enshrined this idea in regulations that will take effect in April next year.

Additionally, knowing the device expiration date can help companies figure out how much money they should set aside in the escrow accounts. It also ensures that when another company buys a connected device maker, they can't simply shut it down. Connected devices have been around long enough that we understand the challenges they pose for business models and the challenges that result when those companies fail.

It's past time we start doing something about it.

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