#spring compression testing

[heicodynamics]

Manufacturers of springs may place more value on a constant spring output than on quantity in general, while in other industries, spring type may be more important. While you're looking for the ideal spring testing machine, bear the following in mind:

[crookedkryptonitebeliever]

A hand dynamometer. A device to measure a person's grip strength. Your friend bought it off from somewhere during one of her impulsive shopping sprees. She lent it to you for the day.

You tried it out yourself, squeezing the handle as hard as you could and having your whole arm contracting. You were lukewarm with your results, your strength fell into the average category. Nothing more, nothing less.

You kept it away, forgetting about it for a while and your friend did so too. It's almost like she gifted it to you.

Until one day, you were searching for something from your drawers. You stumbled upon the dynamometer again.

You were curious about Yves's grip strength, he's quite lean and built. His readings must be high, but you wouldn't know until you've tested it on him.

So you went back out to your living room. Yves was folding your laundry neatly, it was warm and fragrant as he did it for you earlier. His fingers smoothened the wrinkles delicately, caring for everything you own.

Yves didn't have to do your chores, but he insisted because he said he loves doing it. Especially when it's in service to someone he loves to death; you.

He did offer to let you move in with him. Although it was tempting, you didn't want to feel like you're taking advantage of his willingness to take care of you. It would be even worse if you lived with him, Yves would become your full time maid! It feels unsettling despite Yves's reassurances that he's enjoying doing such tedious tasks.

"Yes, my love?" He asked while picking up a stack of shirts to be returned to your dresser; It's arranged by colour and makes it aesthetically pleasing to look at. Yves reflexively used a hand to tidy the strands of hair away from your face.

You presented him the device.

"Ah..." Yves smiled charmingly as he picked it up from your hands. You knew he knew what it was, this is something you've appreciated about this relationship. It's as if he would read your mind and words aren't necessary to convey your wants at times. It saved you a lot of energy and you felt... Special. It's something no one has ever made you feel before except your new partner.

Yves barely gave it a squeeze before you heard a defeaning crack that made your heart sink to the bottom of your stomach. It also made Yves's green eyes widen in surprise too.

He slowly uncurled his slender, delicate fingers from the handle. "Oh?" Only for the gadget to fall apart, shard by shard, screw by screw and spring by spring. It crumbled like a scone to the floor, miscellaneous pieces bouncing off everywhere and landing on the tip of his high heels.

Your jaw was slack, just how strong is he? You remembered using all your might and maybe about to burst a vessel in your eye from the power, just so you could get an average score. Yet, Yves is leisurely holding your neatly folded clothes in one hand, while the other merely gives the dynamometer a light compression at best- and he obliterates it.

He sets your clothes back down into the clean laundry basket before kneeling on the floor to pick the debris up.

You asked him how he is so strong.

"I am terribly sorry for breaking your handheld dynamometer, dear." He spoke, picking the sharp pieces up first, so you wouldn't get cut. "But it was already faulty before I could even perform a fair test." Yves continued

That made a lot more sense. Because that device can handle up to 200 pounds, or 90 kilograms. To make it shatter like that, Yves would have to at least double, triple or even quadruple its maximum limit. And within a blink of an eye too? Without breaking a sweat or grimacing? It's impossible that Yves possessed superhuman strength to do that. Right?

"Where did this come from?" He asked, rising up to his full height as he carried the broken dynamometer in his deceptively dainty hands. "It isn't of good quality."

You told him it came from your friend, you have forgotten to return it to her and it seems like she has forgotten to ask for it back.

He cocked an eyebrow. "The one who regularly partakes in flagrant overconsumption?"

Your eyes darted around, trying to defend her. But ultimately, Yves is right. She buys more than she can afford. And she tends to visit sites that sell for cheap, but in horrible quality.

"That explains its... Intolerance." He brought the mangled dynamometer to your eye level. Yves sighed before chuckling, "I'll replace it as soon as I can."

Yves kissed you on the forehead before walking past you, so he could reach the trash can to dispose of the broken dynamometer.

You didn't catch the second, silent sigh of relief, though. He thinks he's getting sloppier, Yves was trying to impress you by achieving a grip strength comparable to those of elite athletes. But he was much stronger than that, Yves was supposed to control the contraction of his muscles to not scare you off. But he must have gotten distracted by your presence, all he could think of was how kissable your cheeks were and his cuteness aggression must have gotten the better of him. That damned device was actually functioning perfectly fine.

You seem to buy his coverup. But regardless, he must do something about his near uncontrollable urge to squeeze you out of sheer love and affection.

He dusted his hands off and turned around. Yves caught a glimpse of you carrying your folded stack of clothes back into your bedroom.

His eyes tracked your every movement, big or small. Cherishing and memorizing each sequence. Yves's face may be unreadable, but his fingernails digging into the palm of his hand and the momentarily dilation of his pupils could tell a story of a thousand words about his rawest feelings towards you.

[sarkos]

To get across the vibe of the Dark Place, Alan Wake 2’s hostile otherworld, Alanko tested and recorded the way instruments sounded when left to ring, or when compressed or dampened. He experimented with feedback, with recording sounds above the range of human hearing and bringing them within range to see how messed up it sounded. He played with the inharmonic, with screeching, he pushed woodwind and brass to their limits within the matrices of high-end recording software. “Eventually some of Remedy’s basement wonders were brought in, too,” he says. “They happened to have a lot of very interesting instruments down there, namely the Mega Marvin and the Apprehension Engine.” 

The Apprehension Engine – made famous in unsettling films such as The Witch and The Lighthouse – was once called “the most terrifying instrument ever made” by Brian Eno. Stephen King had a visceral reaction to hearing it in action for the first time (which is very fitting, when you realise how closely Remedy’s “new weird” games tread to King’s oeuvre), but for Alanko, it was the key to the mysterious, hostile ambience that Alan Wake 2 needed to conjure in its Dark Place. “I can tell you it’s one effed-up thing to master, or even to play,” smiles Alanko when I ask him about the curious instrument. “Imagine the most horrific things in any instrument, all put into one, and its sole purpose is to make noises. Sometimes the noises have some tonal content, sometimes they don’t, and usually it seems it has its own mind to do whatever it wants to. People say you’re an OK player if you’ve put 10,000 hours into practising an instrument. With Apprehension Engine, you’re not even close. You begin with a total void and stay in it for a long time. It has a spring reverb tank, metallic rods that resonate or tick-tock-tick-tock, two string instrument necks, several strings, a nyckelharpa rank, an e-bow, active mics, a heavily distorting preamp … all in one.”

(via ‘It seems it has its own mind’: the bizarre and terrifying instrument behind Alan Wake 2’s soundtrack | Games | The Guardian)

[compneuropapers]

Interesting Papers for Week 4, 2025

EEG microstate transition cost correlates with task demands. Barzon, G., Ambrosini, E., Vallesi, A., & Suweis, S. (2024). PLOS Computational Biology, 20(10), e1012521.

Compression-based inference of network motif sets. Bénichou, A., Masson, J.-B., & Vestergaard, C. L. (2024). PLOS Computational Biology, 20(10), e1012460.

A cortical field theory – dynamics and symmetries. Cooray, G. K., Cooray, V., & Friston, K. (2024). Journal of Computational Neuroscience, 52(4), 267–284.

De novo sensorimotor learning through reuse of movement components. Gabriel, G., Mushtaq, F., & Morehead, J. R. (2024). PLOS Computational Biology, 20(10), e1012492.

Pupil-Linked Arousal Modulates Precision of Stimulus Representation in Cortex. Geurts, L. S., Ling, S., & Jehee, J. F. M. (2024). Journal of Neuroscience, 44(42), e1522232024.

Single-neuron representations of odours in the human brain. Kehl, M. S., Mackay, S., Ohla, K., Schneider, M., Borger, V., Surges, R., … Mormann, F. (2024). Nature, 634(8034), 626–634.

Properties of layer V pyramidal neurons in the primary motor cortex that represent acquired motor skills. Kida, H., Toyoshima, S., Kawakami, R., Sakimoto, Y., & Mitsushima, D. (2024). Neuroscience, 559, 54–63.

Dopamine release plateau and outcome signals in dorsal striatum contrast with classic reinforcement learning formulations. Kim, M. J., Gibson, D. J., Hu, D., Yoshida, T., Hueske, E., Matsushima, A., … Graybiel, A. M. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 8856.

Impact of background input on memory consolidation. Lamberti, M., Kikirikis, N., Putten, M. J. A. M. van, & Feber, J. le. (2024). Scientific Reports, 14, 23681.

Attentional guidance through object associations in visual cortex. Lerebourg, M., de Lange, F. P., & Peelen, M. V. (2024). Science Advances, 10(41).

Mnemonically modulated perceptual processing to represent allocentric space in macaque inferotemporal cortex. Li, A., Chen, H., & Naya, Y. (2024). Progress in Neurobiology, 241, 102670.

Physically stressed bees expect less reward in an active choice judgement bias test. Procenko, O., Read, J. C. A., & Nityananda, V. (2024). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 291(2032).

Tipping the balance between fairness and efficiency through temporoparietal stimulation. Soutschek, A., Șahin, T., & Tobler, P. N. (2024). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(42), e2409395121.

Striatal Serotonin Release Signals Reward Value. Spring, M. G., & Nautiyal, K. M. (2024). Journal of Neuroscience, 44(41), e0602242024.

Conjunctive processing of spatial border and locomotion in retrosplenial cortex during spatial navigation. Sun, H., Cai, R., Li, R., Li, M., Gao, L., & Li, X. (2024). Journal of Physiology, 602(19), 5017–5038.

Directing Attention Shapes Learning in Adults but Not Children. Tandoc, M. C., Nadendla, B., Pham, T., & Finn, A. S. (2024). Psychological Science, 35(10), 1139–1154.

Exploration, Distributed Attention, and Development of Category Learning. Wan, Q., & Sloutsky, V. M. (2024). Psychological Science, 35(10), 1164–1177.

The structure and statistics of language jointly shape cross-frequency neural dynamics during spoken language comprehension. Weissbart, H., & Martin, A. E. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 8850.

Multisensory working memory capture of attention. Xu, L., Cai, B., Yue, C., & Wang, A. (2024). Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 86(7), 2363–2373.

A population code for spatial representation in the zebrafish telencephalon. Yang, C., Mammen, L., Kim, B., Li, M., Robson, D. N., & Li, J. M. (2024). Nature, 634(8033), 397–406.

[makereadgrow]

The garden is coming together. I've had the raised bed planted out for a bit, but every time I had a chance to get my soil for the containers it rains (we've had an extraordinarily wet spring in KY).

The deck has been a wasteland of empty containers. Although we did have a little visitor who got to sniff outside the screened in section of the porch for the first time this week (she was interested but wanted to go back in almost immediately). Last year we had half plastic barrel pots and half fabric grow bags. While both did fine for the plants the grow bags slumped off their trays and caused some rot on the wood deck. So one of my big purchases this year was 6 more of the barrel pots when they were on sale for $13.

Each barrel pot holds 1.5 cu feet of soil. In past years we have gotten together with friends and purchased a 50/50 mix of topsoil and finished compost. That is much more cost effective than this year's solution but we simply could not get access to a truck this year. So I ended up going with a bagged organic mix. I'm not thrilled about returning to peat, but my options were slim and getting slimmer as the season went on.

I ended up going with this promix which is compressed so each bag holds 2 cu feet. This is the biggest expense for the whole gardening year by a long shot. The bags were $16 each. Ow. I did have a gift card from my birthday and we are enrolled in a local conservation district program that will pay us back 50% (up to $200) for expensive related to approved projects including vegetable gardens.

After drilling extra holes in the bottom of each new pot we mixed the promix with a generous amount of additional perlite and an all purpose organic veg fertilizer. Its not a strictly organic garden, but I do tend to go with organic plant food when I can. Then the mix was shoveled into my 12 barrels + a couple smaller pots which will likely hold ornamentals.

Once the barrels were filled we put in the spigots for the automated watering system - the system doesn't seem to be leaking so we just needed to plug it all in and test. I highly recommend an automated watering system. Ours has wifi so it doesn't run when it rains, but even a timer is a good solution. The drip irrigation runs through the raised bed and all the pots and is a much more efficient watering solution as it is a) less subject to evaporation than watering with the hose b) more targeted to the roots of the plants and c) less susceptible to human frailty. The schedule allows plant watering to happen in the early morning which is the optimal time for watering, while I am frantically running around trying to get to work. The watering continues if I am sick or away from home. More than that, it is something I don't need to keep on my mind.

Next task: planting all those big pots. Next purchase: more straw mulch

[transport-methodology-101]

Ladies and gentleman what you witness here isn’t your typical boy racer late ‘60’s or early ‘70’s muscle era cars. These were designed and built for NASCAR racing, yes all of them above. It meant they needed to be homologated per racing regulations. (Message us to understand ‘homologation’). This required them to be made in limited numbers. Not for the average Joe. Music to collectors and fortune seeking opportunists.

Each one of these cars if you can find one for sale) start around $1/4 mil. During 1960s NASCAR racing. the Big Three fought tooth and nail against each other for winner’s circle glory. These are truly’rare rides’.

We’ll start from the top:- 1969 Ford Torino Talladega; Standout features of the Cobra Jet included a cast-iron block and heads on the FE series motor, a bore and stroke of 4.13 x 3.98 inches, a 10.6:1 compression ratio, a cast-iron crank, high-strength forged connecting rods, a cast iron intake manifold, a dual 2.25-inch cast iron exhaust, and a single, 735 CFM Holley four-barrel. Special Talladega ancillaries included an engine oil cooler and a power steering oil cooler.

Output was listed at 335 horsepower at 5,200 RPM and a stump-pulling 440 lb⋅ft at just 3,400 RPM. Ford had underrated the power figures for insurance purposes though, and in reality, the engine was tested to likely churning out close to 450 ponies, bone-stock from the factory. Still not enough compared to Mopar/Chrysler. In fact Mopar dominated power enough for Plymouth and Dodge wins the remaining 21 races, and Plymouth driver, Richard Petty, tied Pearson on 16 wins. Ford cars achieved 27 victories out of 49 races during the 1968 season,

Ford team owner and engineers put the Torino through a wind tunnel and nipped, tucked and added aerodynamic changes good for a five MPH increase in top speed, the equivalent of a 75 horsepower gain. All the details are here with lotsa pics :- https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/rare-rides-the-1969-ford-torino-talladega/

1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II Cale Yarborough Special:- Mercury built counterpart to '69 Ford Talladega, a NASCAR aero warrior for the street as & only 503 cars were built misspelling it’s name a few times initially. Compared to the bare bones Ford above, Mercury went more upscale but still built the Spoiler II to strict set of components with just one option/accessory, an AM radio. As it was Mercury likely lost money on every unit sold and they didn’t want to market these special cars for the street but just had to, to meet NASCAR sanctioning needs.

The ‘69 Spoiler IIs were divided into two series: Cale Yarborough and Dan Gurney. Our post focuses on the Yarborough version. A unique front end that helped aerodynamics distinguishes Cale Yarborough's car. Ford and Mercury downplayed their aero cars for the street. They likely lost money on every unit sold. The dealer-delivered wholesale price for the unique front end was an incredulous $75.

Engine:351ci/390hp (claimed but dyno test likely revealed much more) V-8 mated to a FMX 3-speed automatic with column shift.

Special parts:- NASCAR-type extended nose with blackout grille, two-tone roof & rear deck, black hood stripes, unique Mercury II decals on top of doors above latches, Cross Country Ride Package (high-rate springs and shock absorbers), body side tape stripe (color-keyed to roof color), left-hand remote control racing mirror, right-hand manual racing mirror, rear deck spoiler (dealer installed), "Cale Yarborough Special" identification on front fenders, "Cyclone Spoiler" on rear quarter-panels. All details ⬇️ here with lots more pics : https://www.hotrod.com/features/1969-mercury-cyclone-spoiler-like-it-was

1970 Plymouth HEMI Superbird :- Fewer than 135 Superbirds were ever produced with the 426 HEMI V8. This engine, originally developed for NASCAR, was rated at 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque & backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. That power, combined with a race-inspired aerodynamic body, gave the Superbird performance credentials to match its outrageous looks. It was built for one purpose; to win in races. That long nose cone and towering rear spoiler genuinely helped stability at high speeds plus immensely improved propulsion aerodynamics. This ‘odd looking’ bird was a hard sell in sales showrooms. Even the mega power Hemi version sold very few.

This link highlights one such Hemi Superbird that sold for $803,000 in an auction ⬇️ :- https://tork.buzz/classics/How-This-Classic-HEMI-Hit-803000-and-Made-History-20250424-0020.html

1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler :- Standard in the Mercury was the 370-bhp ram-air 429-cid V-8, an extra-cost upgrade in the Cobra. A Hurst-stirred four-speed with 3.50:1 Traction-Lok gears completed the drivetrain, while a "competition" handling package and G70xl4 tires laced it down.

Select-Shift automatic was optional, and so was the Drag Pack, which emboldened the 429 with solid lifters, stronger internals, and 375 bhp. The Drag Pack included 3.91:1 or 4.30:1 axles, the latter a Detroit Locker.

In 1970, Mercury built a total of 1,631 Cyclone Spoilers. Of those, only 341 were equipped with the 429 Super Cobra Jet engine. More info ⬇️ :- https://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/classic-muscle-cars/1970-mercury-cyclone-spoiler.htm

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona :- A high-performance, limited-edition (only 503 built) car designed for NASCAR racing. It broke the 200 mph barrier at Talladega racetrack. One sold for $3.3 mil. at the 2024 Meacham auction.

https://www.nascarhall.com/blog/the-200-mph-dodge#

[lesbin]

crazy girl update, twenties edition.

it's currently 22:11 (at the time of writing) and i'm red-wine drunk. i've had three large glasses of cabernet sauvignon and, uh, well. i shouldn't be drinking at all and i'm not accustomed to drinking this much. so. i'm not sure if i can properly articulate my thoughts. and i'm not sure if my thoughts will be of any use to me or of any interest to you. but i'm thinking on them and thinking on them and i want to write them down.

today is (was?) the last day of my twenties. i turn thirty tomorrow.

i keep trying to find a way to remember the last decade, to package it up neatly and present it to myself like some kind of reward. but that's like trying to fit an entire ocean into a pint glass. how do i hold a whole decade in my mind? how do i even begin to summarise it? i can't. god knows i don't remember a lot of the filler days and months anyway.

everyone says your twenties are the hardest years of your life, and it's easy to see why. you're still a child at twenty, and twenty-two, and twenty-five... and growing up hurts, regardless of whether you had a fine childhood or not. it hurts to move on, to let go, to fall into a new reality where you're always responsible for your next step, your next mistake. it hurts to throw away every wild dream you cradled as a child, to spend most of your waking life working tirelessly, monotonously, in order to earn money, in order to live. and it hurts to lose everything you'll inevitably lose. because you will lose a great deal. not just people, but your old ways of living, the iterations of the person you used to be.

i am not who i was at twenty – that baby-faced, cropped-hair, cptsd-riddled firework under water. she's long gone, and that's probably for the best. and yet... i can never truly get rid of her, for she formed the foundation of who i am now.

like most people (particularly in the queer community), i didn't get to live authentically until i reached my twenties. this was the decade i allowed myself to be me, to discover what i liked and disliked, to test what i could and could not take.

i could summarise it all for you, every momentous thing, every stupid mistake, every high and low, and i did plan on doing so... but there really is too much to cover and most of it is universal anyway: deaths, friendship losses, family problems, work, travel, hobbies, love, etc. my twenties have not been unique in that regard. like everyone else, these years have carried a series of heartbreaks and mends, failures and wins. they've been fucking wonderful; they've been fucking terrible. god knows there were months (and years) where i didn't think i had the strength to make it through. but i did! and that's a miracle in itself.

so why do i feel so ??? about letting this period of my life go?

i don't know.

i am not frightened of ageing. i know i am still young and i know that it's a blessing to grow old. but, as a person who's detrimentally nostalgic, turning 30 does make me hyper aware of all the time that has passed. the latter half of my twenties were a blur. and as you grow older time seems to compress like a tightly coiled spring. a day passes like the blink of an eye now, and that's what frightens me most. sometimes it feels as if i'll never truly hold the present. it's always gone before i can get a good look at it; i only seem to appreciate it once it slips from my grasp.

still, i can't stop the process. i can't rewind the clock. i shouldn't waste time on what ifs and if onlys. my life is my life, as perfect and imperfect as it is. and all that matters is what i choose to do next and how i grow into these coming years – and myself.

anyway.

i'd like to say i've learnt a lot, but when my life goes pear shaped i often feel like i've never learnt anything at all.

still, people tend to write lessons on these occasions so here are some of mine:

look at yourself in the mirror & talk to the person you see. building a good friendship with yourself is critical.

avoid black and white thinking at all costs.

it is better to be kind than right.

step away when you feel too emotional. i mean it. do not make big decisions. do not have difficult conversations. wait until you're capable of rational thinking.

move your body every day, even if it's just for ten minutes.

when things feel too big, focus on the small things. the cracks in the pavement, the sound of the house sparrows in the bushes.

write down your difficult thoughts and feelings. it's better if you do it by hand.

there isn't always a person to blame. i know it's easier when there is, but life isn't that simple.

relationships take work. if you want them to be good, you're going to have to balance the needs of you, them, and both of you together.

people pleasing is not healthy. learn how to say no.

it is not noble or smart to allow yourself to suffer. if you need help please ask for it and seek it out. you deserve to live life as painlessly as possible.

notice when your habits are unhealthy and try to find better ways of dealing with Life. (for me that's not drinking when my dopamine levels are low lol)

you're not weird. whatever it is you think is weird isn't. trust me.

like whatever the fuck you want to and don't feel bad about it.

creativity will save you. make something – anything. and then make something else.

learning is the best way to grow as a person.

listen and ask questions. it's not only good for you but it makes other people feel good too.

remember people's names and say them often.

people like you way more than you think they do. (so don't assume you're unlikeable.)

practice apologising. learn how to say sorry and mean it.

expand your tastes. listen to a different genre of music. watch an old movie. try new foods.

get a good savings account and save as regularly as you can! please girls.

use a timer and chunk out cleaning and other shitty tasks you don't want to do.

take more photographs of your loved ones.

live life. just live it. live it even when it's hard, live it even when you're bone tired and want to sleep away the rest of the day. living is all any of us can do.

again, not sure if this makes any sense! not sure if this is stupid to post!

i am putting the wine down. i am getting into bed. i am going to let myself feel weird about tomorrow for a few more minutes and then i'll let it pass.

i love you all & i love me too.

[dispatchvampire]

Accidentally In Love (Chapter 1)

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Bucky Barnes x FemaleOC

Warnings: Potentially lethal levels of fluffiness right now, potential for smut later. A little blood, canon levels of violence potentially. Plus size female OC, body descriptions.

Rating: PG-13 (right now for language, but look for this to change)

WC: 2200-ish.

Summary: 

Echo's living a normal life in NYC, a 911 dispatcher, the most excitement she gets is from the calls she takes. And then love comes crashing in one day when she's riding her bike through Central Park.

Steve and Bucky weren't looking for anything on their daily run around the park besides fresh air and exercise. The streak of purple eye candy on a bike that lapped them pretty regularly was a nice addition but not mandatory, at least until some impromptu roughhousing results in some civilian casualties in the form of the most beautiful woman either of them had seen in a long, long time.

A/N: AU, Post CACW, Bucky’s Chill and we have always lived in the Tower. Just call this a throwback to the found family, everyone lives in Stark Tower fics.

This is supposed to be a super-fluffy love story. Still undecided if I'm gonna keep this one going but posting now for giggles and grins. It's got some CSI:NY characters crossing over because why not.

I'm just messing about and playing in my WIPs folder. Not Beta'd: we die like men! (honestly, I tried but if you catch something I missed, let me know)

Chapter 1

Five miles at a time. Everything in the early morning hours was measured five miles at a time for Echo Nerys and her trusty mountain bike. From 6:30 to 8AM give or take, she was a glittery purple streak on a circuit through Central Park from end to end that she’d measured precisely both for distance and scenic value. The moment she left her job at NYPD Central Dispatch at 6AM, she was changed and on the bike, ready to go. She even had an appropriately timed playlist on Spotify. 

She’d started as early in the spring as the weather allowed for, in her long compression pants and jacket, getting her face chapped as she and her body remembered what it felt like to be on two wheels and free. A figure in all black in the early hours of the morning fast enough to pedal past the majority of the criminal element and yet still taking hits off her asthma bong when she paused to get drinks from her backpack. 

Now, though, with the summer slowly stretching out down the coast, she’d tied up her puff pigtails and ditched her all black for the wildly purple tie-dyed bike shorts, sports bra, and tank top, all matching, because why not and her favorite pair of sunglasses that made her look like a trained killer. Even her earbuds were purple. There were some who said she didn’t really have the body for the tightly clinging gear, but fuck those people, she was going to be comfortable and safe while she worked out and they didn’t have to look if it offended them. Her body, not-toned stomach, thick thighs and semi-floppy arms, was her own and had been through many of its own wars, and she could wear what made her happy. 

She’d picked up riding the previous summer and had taken it inside for the duration of the winter, riding in the basement gym of 1PP, but she didn’t have a whole lot to show for it physically other than shaplier calves and slightly thinner thighs. She wasn’t in it for the way she looked, but how good it felt to finally move after being sick and stuck with her joint pain for so long. Now that her meds were mostly managed, she was hell on two wheels, six days a week if she could manage, five if she wanted to go easy on it, and it felt amazing.  

On her pace, she saw herself coming up on a group of joggers just cresting the hill, the tallest among them, a hottie from the Homicide Squad, Donnie Flack. All black-haired, blue-eyed Irish, he was every dispatcher’s crush and untouchable as a museum piece because of his wife in the Coroner’s Office. No one wanted to test a forensic scientist’s ability to exact revenge. It was just poor planning. And he was such a sweetheart, it was impossible not to be his friend. 

“On ya left!” she hollered out as she approached the group, powering up the hill despite the way her knees screamed and her thighs burned. It was the principle of the thing, really, as she stood on her pedals and waved as she sailed past them with a jaunty grin. Now that she’d caught up to them, she saw it was a couple other guys from Homicide and one of the guys from down in Trace Evidence. 

“Lookin’ good, E!” Danny Messer, Flack’s whip-thin, mouthy bestie from Crime Scene Investigations, hollered back with a huge grin and a wave as Donnie stuck his fingers in his mouth and wolf-whistled. Messer was good people, and his wife was a doll. Echo lived in their building a couple floors down and had babysat their kids more than a couple times. 

Once she was out of sight, she concentrated on her speed according to the handlebar speedometer and focused on her Beastie Boys as she took the path around the edge of the Jackie O Reservoir. It was so beautiful, with duck families out in force, moms with their collections of babies trailing behind. The water made the air feel a bit cooler as the wind rushed over her skin as she progressed toward the Butterfly Garden. 

Next up on her list of gorgeous sights was the two guys in front of her that she’d dubbed Hotness 1 and Hotness 2. She passed them a few times on her rides, most mornings. Hotness 1 was tall like Donnie, but broader, with muscles upon muscles. He looked like an escapee from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, if Galatea had been 6’3” and blonde with cornflower blue eyes and an ass that would have reduced Michaelangelo to abject weeping. 

Hotness 2 wasn’t any easier on the libido, with his blue-grey peepers and long dark hair he kept in a bun at his neck to go with his panty-melting smile and muscles. His bangs broke free of their confinement framing his face as they drifted over his model-perfect cheekbones and brushed against his sharp jawline. Not that she’d been ogling. Much. 

Alone, they were the kind of flawless that caused traffic jams. Both of them together was an obscenity charge waiting to happen in their running shorts and sinfully well-fitting t-shirts, and more than one jogger—both male and female—had pulled up lame, run into a tree, or tripped over their own feet watching them go by.  

“On ya left!” she called as she approached them, smiling as they waved when she flew by. If she happened to be standing on the pedals and sticking her ass out a bit more than was strictly necessary, well, could anyone blame her? Really? Besides, their smiles and waves of acknowledgement were totally worth it.  

Just past The Loch was the Glen Span Arch, which always felt like a fairy garden to Echo. A stone bridge over the asphalt path with the stream running next to it and abundant trees, it was easy to imagine falling into a rabbit hole like Alice diving into Wonderland and never coming back. With the sun dappling through the leaves, it was here she felt like she was the only person in the world and life was perfect. 

At least it was, until a grizzly bear in a blue shirt and black shorts descended into her path from down the hill. Echo hit the brakes so hard the back tire came up off the path and ditched out on the bike to keep from hitting him. She went one way and flung the bike the other, doing her best to guard her face and head from what would likely be a hard hit.

“Fuckshit!” 

It was over in a second, she was in the creek, soaked to the bone on some very hard and unforgiving rocks that were currently poking into her ribs and hip, with no idea where her bike was. Or her sunglasses. Or phone. Taking inventory from toes upward, she was happy to report that for the most part, she’d likely sustained bruises but otherwise, she’d live. At least, until she tried to push herself up and her hand slipped on the wet rocks, sending her face first into the flowing water. 

“Ah Christ! Hold on!” a deep, unfamiliar male voice hissed as he hooked his hands under her arms and bodily lifted her from the stream. Literally picked her up like a discarded toy, and like she weighed just as little, cradling her to his surprisingly firm and muscular chest. “I got you, sweetheart.” If she wasn’t so busy reeling from the hit and sputtering from the water coming out of her sinuses, his warm, rumbling voice as he brushed his lips over her temple would have definitely done the job. “I gotchu, darlin’. Are you okay?”

“I think so?” Echo took a second to compose herself after he set her on her feet with his arm protectively around her waist, scrubbing a hand down her face to deal with the water and unfortunately blood coming from sore spots on the bridge of her nose and her chin. When she looked up from her bloody hand, she wondered exactly how hard she’d been hit in the head, because in front of her was the concerned face of the most beautiful man she’d ever seen, looking her over like she was the most delicate bone china and he’d just yeeted it off the dining room table. He cupped her jaw in his hand, thumb gently brushing over her cheekbone, it was familiar and more than a little terrifying. Who the hell was this guy and why the hell was he touching her? 

At her tiny, horrified squeak, his blue eyes widened, looking over his shoulder at his friend, Hotness 2, who had a cell phone pressed to his ear. “This is your fault, ya jerk. You plannin’ on helpin’ or what?” 

The grey-eyed Adonis with the long dark hair held up a strangely metal-looking finger and spoke tersely into the phone before hanging up and coming over to them with a disgruntled look on his face for his friend. “Medics inbound. Settle down, Stevie.” The moment those steel-blue eyes turned on her, though, it could have been the sole cause of global warming because damn, if she didn’t melt a little on the spot from their tenderness. “I am so sorry, dollface. I didn’t see you. Are you okay?” 

When he reached for her face to examine her bloody chin, she recoiled out of reflex, not fear, but unfortunately that was the moment that everything went to shit for the second time in ten minutes. 

“NYPD! Step away from her!” Flack had his gun out and his badge around his neck, with Danny doing the same as he cautiously approached her with the rest of the heavily armed, sweaty contingent. Apparently Tall, Dark, and Yummy wasn’t moving fast enough because then Donnie barked, “Now, asshole! Move away from her or I’ll shoot.” 

Both hands up and out to the side, 2 stepped back, eyes never leaving the gun trained on him. “You don’t wanna do this, pal.” He seemed amusingly calm, which made about as much sense to her as any of the rest of this, which was none at all. Blondie slowly straightened up further but kept an arm around her waist to hold her up.

The very fact that the man spoke seemed to incense her friend further. “You think I give a fuck about your opinion?” 

“Hey, that’s not necessary…” The man standing with her gave her a reassuring squeeze before stepping over to stand with his friend. 

With them occupied, Danny crept up next to her and moved her off to the side, surrounded by the rest of the guys from Homicide and Evidence. “She’s secure, Flack.” 

“Good.” The detective nodded before turning his attention back to his quarry. “Now what the fuck were you doing feeling up an injured woman? You get off on that?”

Hotness 1 was all calmly defiant righteousness, standing shoulder to shoulder with his buddy. “We called a medic for her, they should be here in a couple minutes. We weren’t looking and didn’t see her on the path until it was too late.” 

“This true, Echo?” Danny asked softly as he gently seated her on a nearby boulder and seemed to be checking her over for more injuries than just her face and her pride.

She went to nod but that rattled her head too much. “Yeah, Messer. I guess. It was just a regular crash. My fault as much as theirs, really. No real harm done.” 

Frowning ferociously, Flack clearly was not content with her answer. “IDs, I want ‘em. Now.” 

Blondie nodded slowly, alarmingly unperturbed about having a .40 caliber pistol pointed at his face. “Front right pocket. You wanna get it or should I?”

“Don’t get us shot, Stevie,” the longhaired man admonished his friend. From his long-suffering expression, this was apparently not the first time this type of thing had happened to either of them. 

Rolling his eyes, Flack held out his hand. “Alright, smartass, wallets now.”

While the Homicide Hottie (as they called him in Dispatch) held court with her two new acquaintances, the ambulance rolled up and the medics  began cleaning her wounds and checking her over as her worried neighbor stood guard over her. The last thing she wanted or needed was stitches and additional facial scars, but it looked like she might not get a choice in the matter. 

“Messer! Get over here!” The note of concern in the detective’s voice had her looking over immediately, only to find all the guns put away and all their postures seemed substantially less aggressive, though no less agitated. 

“Ma’am, could you hold still please?” The female medic with the gentle hands turned her face so she could clean the wounds better. 

She didn’t know if it was the movement or what, but all of a sudden, she was going down, hard. The last thing she remembered was the ground rushing up to meet her. Again.

[twatchesmall]

Rolex Explorer II: Optical Compass in the Earth's Rift

On February 6, 2018, Hualien Tongshuai Hotel collapsed in a magnitude 7 earthquake. In the darkness of twisted steel bars, rescue team leader Chen Zhiming used Chromalight blue night shadow to mark the location of the trapped people. When the aftershocks tore the rescue channel, Rolex replica watches the GMT pointer actually projected a light arrow of escape route on the watch face - this machine born for cave exploration performed a miracle of life and death in the Taiwan Plate Fault Zone.

Optical revolution deep in the rock layer

Spatial positioning of fluorescent needle network

The night light system of Explorer II is actually a stereo mapping instrument:

According to the actual test of the Taroko rescue team: the positioning accuracy in the fault wall is ±15cm, which is 11 minutes faster than traditional lighting.

The ultimate evolution of anti-magnetic armor The case hides the code for geomagnetic resistance:

The bottom cover is embedded with basalt fiber extracted from Datun Mountain volcanic rock

The movement 3285 is equipped with a double-layer silicon balance spring

Measurement in eastern Taiwan: Resisting 8,000A/m interference in the geomagnetic anomaly zone (equivalent to plate compression electromagnetic storm)

Survival secrets of solid hydrogen crown The patented crown is filled with solid zirconium hydride:

Releases hydrogen when encountering body temperature

Forms a breathing cycle with the helium exhaust valve

Measurement in the haunted house in Minxiong, Chiayi: Those trapped for 72 hours survived by relying on the crown to supply oxygen

The redemption map of the island fault ▋ Rangers' rock formation sonar Equipment revolution in Yushan National Park:

Install Explorer II into the handle of trekking poles

Convert movement oscillation frequency into stratum density data

Successfully warned of the 2025 Tatajia landslide "The frequency of watch needle vibration is the language of the mountain" Bunun ranger Adu shows modified equipment

▋ Electromagnetic shield in the basement of the National Palace Museum The Southern Branch Cultural Relics Restoration Center has a surprising use:

Use Explorer II as an electromagnetic pollution indicator

When the GMT needle deflects more than 3 degrees

Automatically activate the bronze anti-corrosion system

Save the Western Zhou "Panlong Pattern Plate" from oxidation crisis

▋ The light language of transgender speleologists The Central Mountain Speleological Alliance developed a code:

24-hour clock position indicates gender identity

Fluorescent brightness reflects the degree of exposure

The first "Earth Pride Festival" in Asia in 2025

Hundreds of luminous watches paint rainbows in Wuling Siling Sandstone Cave

The technical poetics of geological disasters Disaster dimensions Traditional equipment Explorer II Taiwan innovative applications Positioning system Sonar detector Fluorescent space coordinates Earthquake debris life detection Time display 12-hour system Polar day and night indication Calculation of days trapped in mine accidents Anti-magnetic technology Simple anti-magnetic cover Geomagnetic storm level protection Protecting the bronze artifacts of the Forbidden City Gender politics Male exploration symbol Queer caving relics rewrite the history of exploration culture Ultimate philosophy conquering nature, communicating with the earth's crust, and building a rainbow on the fault zone

[kerostarz]

love you twice. kim gyuvin

🍵 _

“and yeah he was really nice overall”

my roommate finally came back and i told her all about my official first encounter with kim gyuvin.

“this is the beginning of your rom-com.. are you kidding me ??” my roommate squeals, i laugh and shrug, “oookay calm down i don’t even have the time to complete half of these essays and research studies in time, you think i’ll have time for romance ?” my friend smiles and winks and i roll my eyes giving up.

⏰ *ringggg* *ringggg* (the next day)

i woke up and quickly got ready. today i had two midterms in biology. how exciting. truthfully with me being sick i wasn’t able to study much as i just felt dead for a whole week, so i decided to wake up early and go revise in the library.

it wasn’t too cold this morning as spring was approaching so i finally chose to wear a t shirt and some baggy blue jeans. i silently scurried out of my dorm as to not disturb my roommate who was still in dreamland.

📓📚.

after 2 hours in the library, it was finally time to take my test and i did not feel prepared at all. 1.5 hours passed by and the bell rang signaling that the test was finally over. it was well past 13:00 pm and i was so hungry. i quickly paced down the hallway but when i got down to the entrance, it was pouring rain outside. great.

for one: i had no umbrella in hand, and for two: it started getting cold and i had no jacket either. at this point my only choice was to run back to my dorm but before i could take a step outside, a hand pulled me inside again. huh ?

“it’s too cold, you’ll catch a cold again” i turned around, my face meeting with none other than kim gyuvin’s face. “oh it’s you!” i exclaimed in surprise.

“here” gyuvin dropped his backpack on the floor and began to take his hoodie off, “you can have my hoodie” and before another word could leave my mouth, he motioned his head left and right and pointed his palm at me, “do not worry! i am wearing a thermal shirt underneath so i have come prepared for the weather AND i brought an umbrella too!” i smiled softly, gently taking his hoodie and thanking him as i put it on. it was warm and had a baggy fit on me.

gyuvin opened the umbrella and we took off under the rain, our bodies compressed under the umbrella as to not get a single drop on us. “what brings you in the biology building by the way?” i asked him, wondering since his major’s building was on the other side of campus. “oh! uuhh.. my friend left his pencil case so i went to drop it off.. yeah!” he smiled. “i see, well we just had an exam and i’m exhausted ugh, i have another one in the afternoon but at least it’s online” i sighed, a sigh of exhaustion. silence and rain fills the conversation for a minute.. “are you hungry? let’s go and grab hot pot” gyuvin suggests and i immediately agree.

🥢~

“thank you for the meal~” i drop my body against the restaurant’s sofa, my stomach satisfied with the food, “you really didn’t have to pay gyuvin”. he refused to half the bill earlier and ran to the counter to pay. at that point i couldn’t say no so i remained in my seat laughing it off as he turned around smiling and sticking his tongue out.

“sooo.. when are you taking the test” gyuvin asks, we headed out the restaurant and began to mindlessly walk around the streets near campus. “ah, you’re right” i chuckled, “i totally forgot about it haha” i was having so much fun just hanging around with him that it only hit me now that i have yet another test to take. “i should head back to my dorm” i replied looking down at my feet. i felt gyuvin’s gaze laying on mine and i suddenly started getting nervous. but why ?

“it’s 5pm and the cafe should not be busy since it’s a week day.. we could pass by and you can take your exam there, yeah?” i looked up at him, his eyes shining like boba balls, almost as if he was begging me to not leave. “plus it’s nearer here than campus so we’ll save time and-” “let’s go,” i cut him off and smiled, gyuvin smiling back, his eyes forming a crescent moon shape.

“let’s get going then.”

[tutoroot]

What are the Key Mechanical Properties of Solids? 

Mechanical properties of solids refer to the characteristics that define how a material responds to external forces, such as stress, strain, and deformation. These properties include elasticity, plasticity, hardness, toughness, strength, and ductility, among others. They are fundamental in determining a material’s suitability for various applications, influencing its behaviour under different conditions. 

The significance of mechanical properties spans numerous fields. In engineering, these properties ensure the safety and durability of structures like bridges, buildings, and dams. In construction, they guide the selection of materials for specific purposes, such as load-bearing or flexibility. Material science relies heavily on these properties to develop innovative materials that meet evolving industrial demands. 

This article aims to delve into the science behind mechanical properties, their key characteristics, real-world applications, and their indispensable role in innovation and progress. 

The Science Behind Mechanical Properties 

Stress and Strain: Fundamentals 

Stress is the force per unit area exerted on a material. It can be mathematically expressed as: 

where is the applied force and is the cross-sectional area of the material. Strain, on the other hand, measures the deformation caused by stress. It is defined as the ratio of the change in length to the original length: where is the change in length and is the original length. 

Types of Stress and Strain 

Tensile Stress and Strain: Occurs when forces act to stretch a material. Examples include the stretching of rubber bands and cables. 

Compressive Stress and Strain: Results from forces that compress or squeeze a material. Concrete in buildings often experiences compressive stress. 

Shear Stress and Strain: Arises when forces are applied parallel to a surface. Scissors cutting paper is an example of shear stress in action. 

Hooke’s Law and Elasticity 

Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape and size after the removal of stress. Hooke’s Law describes this behaviour: 

where is the Young’s modulus, a measure of a material’s stiffness. Elasticity is crucial for applications requiring temporary deformation, such as springs. 

Plasticity and Permanent Deformation 

When stress exceeds a material’s elastic limit, it undergoes plastic deformation, leading to permanent changes in shape or size. Metals like aluminium and copper exhibit plasticity, making them ideal for moulding and shaping processes. 

Key Mechanical Properties 

1. Young’s Modulus (Stiffness) 

Represents a material’s resistance to deformation under tensile stress. 

Example: Steel has a high Young’s modulus, making it ideal for construction. 

2. Shear Modulus and Bulk Modulus 

Shear Modulus measures resistance to shape changes under shear stress. 

Bulk Modulus evaluates a material’s response to uniform compression. 

Applications include hydraulic systems and pressure vessels. 

3. Poisson’s Ratio 

Describes the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain. Materials with low Poisson ratios, like cork, are used for sealing applications. 

4. Strength 

Includes tensile, compressive, and shear strength. Determines how much load a material can bear without failure. 

Example: Carbon fiber composites are used in aerospace for their high strength-to-weight ratio. 

5. Ductility and Malleability 

Ductility is the ability to be stretched into a wire. Copper’s ductility makes it suitable for electrical wiring. 

Malleability is the ability to be hammered into sheets. Gold’s malleability is utilized in jewellery making. 

6. Brittleness and Toughness 

Brittleness: Materials like glass break without significant deformation. 

Toughness: Measures a material’s ability to absorb energy before fracturing. Rubber is an example of a tough material. 

7. Hardness 

Resistance to indentation or scratching. Hardness tests include the Mohs scale and the Brinell test. 

Example: Diamond, the hardest known material, is used in cutting tools. 

Applications in Engineering and Design 

Civil Engineering 

Bridges: Steel and reinforced concrete combine high strength and ductility to withstand loads. 

Buildings: Materials like concrete and glass are chosen based on compressive strength and aesthetic appeal. 

Aerospace and Automotive Industries 

Lightweight yet strong materials like titanium alloys ensure efficiency and safety in aircraft. 

Automotive components use materials with high impact resistance, such as advanced polymers. 

Manufacturing Tools and Machinery 

Machine tools rely on hard materials like tungsten carbide for durability and precision. 

Conveyor belts require toughness and flexibility to handle wear and tear. 

Product Design and Safety Analysis 

Consumer goods, such as smartphones, use materials that balance hardness and toughness. 

Safety-critical systems, like helmets and airbags, are designed with energy-absorbing materials. 

Material Science and Advancements 

Developing New Materials 

Nanomaterials and composites offer superior strength and lightweight properties. 

Innovations like graphene enhance conductivity and mechanical strength. 

Sustainability and Recycling 

Recyclable materials, such as aluminium, reduce environmental impact. 

Bio-based polymers provide eco-friendly alternatives for packaging and construction. 

Future Trends 

Smart materials, such as shape-memory alloys, adapt to environmental changes. 

Research focuses on enhancing the durability of materials under extreme conditions. 

The mechanical properties of solids are the backbone of modern engineering, construction, and material science. They ensure the safety, functionality, and efficiency of structures and products. By understanding and leveraging these properties, we can drive innovation, create sustainable solutions, and meet the challenges of an ever-evolving world. 

As we continue to explore new materials and techniques, the importance of mechanical properties will remain at the forefront of progress, shaping a future of resilience and ingenuity. 

For more simplified explanations like the one above, visit the physics blogs on the Tutoroot website. Elevate your learning with Tutoroot’s personalised Physics online tuition. Begin your journey with a FREE DEMO session and discover the advantages of online tuitions. 

[sepdet]

American Chestnut Trees: Lost Giants

I knew the blight that killed off American Chestnuts when my grandparents were young had changed the face of the the country. Chestnuts were an abundant, natural food source all up and down the Appalachians and Atlantic seaboard.

I just didn't realize how frickin' huge they were, or how widespread.

"Once, the springtime canopies of western North Carolina forests were an unmatched floral display, thanks to a tree that nearly vanished,” Nickens wrote. “The American chestnut rose 100, sometimes 120 feet above the loamy forest floor. Most were nearly barren of branches [ie no knotholes, good for lumber] for 50 feet or better. … These were massive trunks, some 16 feet in diameter. And they lorded over the forest. In most places every fourth tree was a chestnut. … All told, perhaps 4 billion chestnut trees grew from southern Maine to Georgia, and they put on a pageant. A starburst of pearly white catkins tipped nearly every branch of the massive trees. Each catkin was nearly half a foot long, streaking like a comet’s tail against the dark surrounding foliage. In the spring, you could stand atop ridges and watch the white flowers roll like surf for miles.” — quoted in Memory of great forests – and hope for restoration by Kathy Ross

According to the article linked above, not only was the chestnut harvest a major source of food and lumber, prized for its long, straight growth and light, rot-resistant wood, but its heartwood was so dense it could match compressed lumber without treatment, an environmentally costly process today. Likewise, the American paper industry had to pivot quickly to find some other fast-growing wood to replace it.

I grew up in the woods and fields of Pennsylvania. It's hard for me to fathom a completely different forest where oaks and maples, giants at a couple feet across, were not the main trees of a mature forest, but mere incidentals to a completely different, massively-pillared hall.

(Front yard of my Pennsylvania house with century-old oak and maple, June 2023; N Carolina Chestnut Trees in 1910)

There have been attempts ever since to revive the American Chestnut from the root systems of not-quite-dead trees, which survive underground where this fungus won't go. It kills saplings after they sprout.  A few scattered survivors plus a Chinese species that proved blight resistant now offer hope, via cross breeding and testing, that the species can be revived from extinction. 

(note telephone poles in background)

Unusually for me, I feel almost intimidated at the idea of these behemoths on the loose again, in a way i've never felt camping in wolf or bear country. They would terraform the woods I know into something vast and strange and deep, if they could ever achieve the stature of old-growth trees again. But that's as it should be. I'm sure eastern forests are struggling in ways we don't realize with such a central pillar of the ecosystem removed.

[skaruresonic]

The Welsh Triads were originally orally transmitted, as druids and bards had to memorize everything, and it made things easier on them to recount information in multiples of three. The system of memorization via lists is called cyfarwyddiaid, which would be spoken aloud by a cyfarwyddyd (storyteller). Culhwch and Olwen, the earliest example of Welsh Arthurian literature, reads at times like a pastiche of this form of Welsh oral storytelling. Arthur evoking the 200 or so names of every person, animal, and possession in his court in dedication to Culhwch's quest would have definitely tested the cyfarwyddyd's powers of recall had it been recounted orally. The lengthy list of characters would have also given the audience reason to be like "ah yes, I remember that guy." Not to mention the occasional bit of comedy may have been sprinkled in to keep the passage from becoming a total slog, such as the name "Sound, Son of Hearing." That would suggest the author was knowledgeable enough in the traditional oral form to riff on it a little. The Dream of Rhonabwy, a much later (and I use this term loosely) isekai tale in which a royal messenger in the 13th century falls asleep on a yellow calf-skin inside a derelict hall and dreams of the former glory of Arthur's court, borders on satire, if not surrealism. Dream of Rhonabwy, in fact, has been argued to reflect the political tumult of medieval Wales at the time, turning it into a (then) modern parable with a vague Arthurian gloss draped on top. It may have been a way to wag the finger at warring princes of the time and lament "Oh, how the mighty have fallen." Sir Thomas Malory's take builds off of Geoffrey of Monmouth and Chretien de Troyes's work, compiling and compressing an amalgamation of folk tales. His work furthermore reflects the political and social mores of his time in the form of Christian virtue and codes of chivalry. Our boy Geoffrey claimed to be working from original Bri'ish tradition, but his sources are a little "just trust me dood" tbh. With all this in mind, it must be considered that Arthuriana reflects the cultural mores of time and place, and so there is no one set "canon," no one fixed version of legend. Frankly, given how many countries and principalities each had their own slice of the pie, it's impossible to even say which is more "canon" than the next. Welsh and French cycles do bear their own continuities if you look at them broadly, true, but once you zoom in on the details, you find hundreds of localized permutations. Like: that spring is known for hosting the magical tomb of Arthur's dead son, you should go and measure the dimensions for yourself. Or, isn't it crazy how our blessed saint had beef with Arthur, and got his head cut off after spotting Arthur dancing in drag with a bunch of girls at a party and the saint was only able to tell due to Arthur's telltale limp? (I swear I am not making this shit up.)

Even though the characterization of Malory's Arthur is a far cry from the rampaging warlord of Welsh folk tales, even that more "savage" characterization varies depending on what source you read. Sometimes the clergy made Arthur, a pagan warlord, look bad precisely to puff up their own protagonists, or just the church in general:

These may be exemplary, conventional episodes, but in other Vitae the Arthurian episodes appear to be genuine fragments of Arthurian legend, manipulated so that they display Arthur in the worst possible light.

One of the clearest examples of the inversion of traditional Arthurian values occurs in the Life of Cadoc by Llancarfan, c. 1090. Arthur is prevented from fulfilling his lustful desires upon a fleeing maiden by his two companions, Cai and Bedwyr, who remind him that they normally help the needy [...], a comment which is reminiscent of Arthur's rebuke to Cai in Culhwch ac Olwen.

That's why I tend to look askance whenever people treat Arthurian legend like it's a monolith - there's a millennium of literature scattered across the continent, and even those elements you'd take for granted are not always necessarily so.

[mericmutlu]

Mattress For Platform Beds - How to Choose the Best Mattress For Your Bedroom

Here Some Guides How you can Choose the best mattress for the platform beds. We have spent this website many valuable hours testing and reviewing mattresses, from the proedge mattress series to the Memory Foam mattress.

Choosing the Best Mattress for a Platform Bed is not as cut and dry as you may think. We have spent many valuable hours testing and reviewing mattresses, from the proedge mattress series to the Memory Foam mattress. Top pick: The runner-up; the LinenSpa TrueForm mattress series. The Reasons Why We Think They Are the Best Mattress for a Platform Beds

Which mattress is best for platform beds?

In order to determine which mattress is best for your platform bed, it's important to understand what makes a good mattress and what does not. To begin with, what is a "good" mattress? It's the foundation on which the springs and coils are placed.

This is where most people turn their backs on these mattresses. It's the foundation that supports the "box spring" on which the mattress rests, and it's this box spring that gives your back the proper support it needs.

So, what about the next question? Box springs can break down, can become wobbly, can develop mildew or worse - can even start to leak. So you must find a mattress with a solid base, right? And so the next question becomes...

Memory foam mattresses are made up of foam that is compressed and shaped in such a way that when it is warmed, it will conform to the natural contours of your body.

What this means for you is that your body is properly supported as you sleep on a bed that is very comfortable and durable. We did test many mattresses to see which ones had the most comfortable sleep and best rated for durability. Our top two best-rated models were the Sealy TrueForm and the Royal Pedic mattress lines.

Which model of mattress is good for platform beds?

True Form is a brand name you may have heard of and probably have a good amount of knowledge about. Their mattress line offers a variety of different options to improve your sleep comfort. Their top model is the True Form Royal Pedic - a luxury platform bed with over two hundred individually manipulated parts that create a unique and advanced support system.

The Royal Pedic is designed to offer you the maximum amount of comfort and also to resist any pressure that may be applied to it throughout the night. If you are looking for the highest quality and best rated for durability, the True Form Royal Pedic mattress should be at the top of your list.

Sunrising Bedding Hybrid Natural Latex Mattress. If you are looking for a combination of durability and hypoallergenic quality, then the Sun Rising bedding hybrid natural latex mattress is a great choice. This mattress has the most natural latex available in the market. The latex is made from soybean, which has many benefits. It is durable and is resistant to staining, fading, and mildew.

How to sleep on a platform bed mattress?

My Pillow Top Insomnia/Dream Foam Mattress. If you are looking for a high-end, comfortable, and durable mattress, then the My Pillow Top Insomnia/Dream Foam mattress is a great alternative. It is made of memory foam and is highly durable. It has many superior features, including its durability, support, and temperature control. It is also very lightweight and is very durable.

In general, all three of the aforementioned mattresses are high-quality products that provide you with excellent comfort, support, and firmness. They are all very comfortable, and all three provide you with a firmness level that is similar to sleeping on your back or stomach.

[camp-on-the-swamp]

Panya, a calm and cautious girl who had to grow up very early and learn to survive in the harsh world of mercenaries and smugglers.

she owns her own, used, and old, but still reliable truck, which transports a variety of goods, sometimes she takes fellow travelers.

she looks phlegmatic and calm, but inside she is tense, like a compressed spring and always ready for a fight. she treats life with a fair amount of humor and sarcasm.

deep down, she is very sensitive, vulnerable, but she is afraid to show that to others and seem like it.

again, she tries not to show her abilities, and in general prefers to solve issues not by force.

her kinetic abilities are explosive and unstable, but damn impressive. during another attempt to take control of her abilities, an explosion occurred that tore off her arm. subsequently, it had to be replaced with a prosthesis.

during one of the tasks, she encountered former kinetic test subjects.

not immediately, but they were able to find a common language and become a real team of loyal friends.

[cleverhottubmiracle]

But the real magic here is in the smaller details, from the gently curved breast pocket, which is usually only found on classic Italian suits, to the internal pocket, which is cut to be perfectly passport-sized. It’s this kind of attention that’s only possible from the top end of brands. Don’t be surprised if you end up wearing this constantly.Best Dressy: Todd Snyder Italian Knit Sport CoatTodd SnyderItalian Knit Sport CoatAccordionItemContainerButtonProsSatisfying textureKnitted fabric looks luxy without feeling heavyConsA dressier style which is less ‘throw on’ for dayFor weddings or parties worth travelling to, you’ll need a jacket that feels like an event, but that can still arrive without collapsing into a crumpled mess. This Todd Snyder style is a winner on that front: it’s made in Italy, and borrows from the country’s low-key elegance in its construction. It’s knitted rather than woven, which gives it greater flexibility and prevents creases – but also lends it an unusual texture that feels dressier than others on this list. The weight of the fabric also means the jacket will drape elegantly on the body, so it’ll pass just as well for evening as day.We’d advise leaning into its USP by layering it with other knits: a merino polo shirt, a rollneck, or even a knitted tie. And don’t be afraid to sub in a contrasting trouser: the Italian way is to pair a knitted blazer with a pair of white chinos. And frankly, they know what they’re doing.Best Lightweight: Homme Plissé Issey Miyake Tailored Pleats 1 BlazerHomme Plissé Issey MiyakeTailored Pleats 1 BlazerAccordionItemContainerButtonProsFashion credibility comes baked inA bona fide design classicConsAn underacknowledged advantage of Issey Miyake’s estimable Homme Plisse line is how well it travels. The heat-pressed pleats have been a signature of the brand since 1993, and a favorite of fashion fanboys for almost as long. Aside from their aesthetic value, it means the jacket concertinas when packed or compressed, avoiding unsightly rumpling – and making this jacket a reliable standby for trips away.Despite its distinctive design, it’s grounded in classic tailoring: the notched lapel and lightly padded shoulders mean it’ll sub into any outfit you’d wear with an ordinary blazer. But with a slouchier, swingier shape, it’ll look just as good over a baggy tee.More Travel Blazers We LoveVeilanceConvex Wool BlazerArcteryx Veilance specializes in performance wear with an especially nerdy twist: here, it’s in the blend of merino wool and recycled synthetic that gives this elegant blazer breathability and flex. SunspelLightweight Travel Wool BlazerMade for classicists, this unstructured, half-lined jacket is made from a creaseless, super-soft wool. It can be bought as a full suit, too. Paul SmithUnlined Travel BlazerFifty years into the game, Paul Smith knows a thing or two about tailoring. His ‘Suit to Travel In’, as the name suggests, is made from a specialised yarn that easily springs back into shape, however crumpled it’s been. Flint and TinderSeersucker BlazerSeersucker is a tried-and-tested champ in hot weather. This version comes with a touch of added stretch, meaning the jacket retains its cool, without wrinkling. RelwenFlyweight Flex BlazerThe Ohio-based brand Relwen specialises in functional and durable menswear with just enough design swagger. This sports jacket is designed for the ‘lived in’ look – meaning it’ll only look better if it comes out of the suitcase with a few creases. l HernoTechnical BlazerHerno’s technical blazer comes in a smarter, more traditional silhouette, that’s balanced by an unexpected tech fabric. Wear it as part of tailored separates – with or without a tie. How We Test and Review ProductsStyle is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t.How We Make These PicksWe make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.To kick off the process, we enlist the GQ Recommends braintrust to vote on our contenders. Some of the folks involved have worked in retail, slinging clothes to the masses; others have toiled for small-batch menswear labels; all spend way too much time thinking about what hangs in their closets.We lean on that collective experience to guide our search, culling a mix of household names, indie favorites, and the artisanal imprints on the bleeding-edge of the genre. Then we narrow down the assortment to the picks that scored the highest across quality, fit, and price.Across the majority of our buying guides, our team boasts firsthand experience with the bulk of our selects, but a handful are totally new to us. So after several months of intense debate, we tally the votes, collate the anecdotal evidence, and emerge with a list of what we believe to be the absolute best of the category right now, from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors, the affordable beaters to the wildly expensive (but wildly worth-it) designer riffs.Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there's bound to be a superlative version on this list for you. (Read more about GQ's testing process here.) Source link