#2 in 1 advanced lifting tool

[nasa]

9 Out-of-This-World Moments for Space Communications & Navigation in 2023

How do astronauts and spacecraft communicate with Earth?

By using relay satellites and giant antennas around the globe! These tools are crucial to NASA’s space communications networks: the Near Space Network and the Deep Space Network, which bring back science and exploration data every day.

It’s been a great year for our space communications and navigation community, who work to maintain the networks and enhance NASA’s capabilities. Keep scrolling to learn more about our top nine moments.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, on the company's 29th commercial resupply services mission for the agency to the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 8:28 p.m. EST.

1. In November, we launched a laser communications payload, known as ILLUMA-T, to the International Space Station. Now, ILLUMA-T and the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) are exchanging data and officially complete NASA’s first two-way, end-to-end laser relay system. Laser communications can send more data at once than traditional radio wave systems – think upgrading from dial-up to fiber optic internet. ILLUMA-T and LCRD are chatting at 1.2 gigabits per second (Gbps). At that rate, you could download an average movie in under a minute.

NASA’s InSight lander captured this selfie on Mars on April 24, 2022, the 1,211th Martian day, or sol, of the mission.

2. Data analyzed in 2023 from NASA’s retired InSight Mars lander provided new details about how fast the Red Planet rotates and how much it wobbles. Scientists leveraged InSight’s advanced radio technology, upgrades to the Deep Space Network, and radio signals to determine that Mars’ spin rate is increasing, while making the most precise measurements ever of Mars’ rotation.

TBIRD is demonstrating a direct-to-Earth laser communications link from low Earth orbit to a ground station on Earth.

3. We set a new high record! The TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD) payload – also demonstrating laser communications like ILLUMA-T and LCRD – downlinked 4.8 terabytes of data at 200 Gbps in a single 5-minute pass. This is the highest data rate ever achieved by laser communications technology. To put it in perspective a single terabyte is the equivalent of about 500 hours of high-definition video.

A 34-meter (112-foot) wide antenna at Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex near Canberra, Australia.

4. This year we celebrated the Deep Space Network’s 60th anniversary. This international array of antennas located at three complexes in California, Spain, and Australia allow us to communicate with spacecraft at the Moon and beyond. Learn more about the Deep Space Network’s legacy and future advancements.

An illustration of the LunaNet architecture. LunaNet will bring internet-like services to the Moon.

5. We are bringing humans to the Moon with Artemis missions. During expeditions, astronauts exploring the surface are going to need internet-like capabilities to talk to mission control, understand their routes, and ensure overall safety. The space comm and nav group is working with international partners and commercial companies to develop LunaNet, and in 2023, the team released Draft LunaNet Specification Version 5, furthering development.

The High-Rate Delay Tolerant Networking node launched to the International Space Station in November and will act as a high-speed path for data.

6. In addition to laser communications, ILLUMA-T on the International Space Station is also demonstrating high-rate delay/disruption tolerant networking (HDTN). The networking node is showcasing a high-speed data path and a store-and-forward technique. HDTN ensures data reaches its final destination and isn’t lost on its path due to a disruption or delay, which are frequent in the space environment.

The Communications Services Project (CSP) partners with commercial industry to provide networking options for future spaceflight missions.

7. The space comm and nav team is embracing the growing aerospace industry by partnering with commercial companies to provide multiple networking options for science and exploration missions. Throughout 2023, our commercialization groups engaged with over 110 companies through events, one-on-one meetings, forums, conferences, and more. Over the next decade, NASA plans to transition near-Earth services from government assets to commercial infrastructure.

Middle and high school students solve a coding experiment during NASA's Office of STEM Engagement App Development Challenge. 

8. Every year, NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement sponsors the App Development Challenge, wherein middle and high school students must solve a coding challenge. This year, student groups coded an application to visualize the Moon’s South Pole region and display information for navigating the Moon’s surface. Our space communications and navigation experts judged and interviewed students about their projects and the top teams visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston!

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soars upward after liftoff at the pad at 3:27 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Aug. 26, from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida carrying NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 crew members to the International Space Station. Aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft are NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov.

9. The Near Space Network supported 19 launches in 2023! Launches included Commercial Crew flights to the International Space Station, science mission launches like XRISM and the SuperBIT balloon, and many more. Once in orbit, these satellites use Near Space Network antennas and relays to send their critical data to Earth. In 2023, the Near Space Network provided over 10 million minutes of communications support to missions in space.

Here’s to another year connecting Earth and space.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[alicerosejensen]

Together Forever Pt.1

Warning: Kidnapping, age difference, Leon!ID, affectionate nicknames, surveillance, forced cohabitation.

Synopsis: Working in D.S.O as an ordinary archivist did not promise to be too difficult. At least you didn't have to risk your life or supply the agents with information, you just took care of the valuable data received by the agents, putting everything in order. Everything would be fine… until someone decided that you needed protection from this fucking world full of zombies and other biological weapons.

Note: something like trial of the pen. I think there will be two or three parts, but this is the first time I'm writing something with a sequel (not counting those three texts about a Reader from college). I'm not sure it's going to be good, but I'll try. And yes, I don't approve of this shit in real life. Everything that is written here is strictly FICTION and you do not need to take it literally. If you have any triggers or dislike then skip it.

Part 2

Part 3

It was outrageously easy. Not that Leon thought that your forced "move" to him would be too difficult, but it was even easier than he imagined. His little archivist was still sleeping soundly in the backseat of his car under a strong dose of the drug so that you wouldn't resist when he drove you to his country house. It's okay, Leon just understands that you will need time to get used to your new good life, but he understood that it would be stressful. Therefore, your forced immersion in a sound sleep is just a precautionary measure so that you do not harm yourself by your own stupidity while he was putting you in an SUV. After all, you could have hit your head, cut yourself, or he could have accidentally bruised you when he stuffed you in, but he foresaw all this in advance and now his sweet girl is just sleeping while they go to the new house that Leon has already prepared.

But there will be no special consequences. Leon looks in the rearview mirror, which was specially lowered a little down so that he could observe your condition in case of anything, although there was no excitement. He just drove the car along an empty road, only occasionally there were cars driving straight back to the city. Outside there was only the forest and silence, but another hour of travel and he will settle you in a cozy warm house. A shared bedroom with warm blankets and soft pillows is already ready there. In the trunk he has three large boxes of boxes of your books that he collected in advance in the afternoon when you just left the apartment and some clothes for the first time, but Leon thought it needed to be washed, so it's okay that you sleep in his clothes…then he will buy you a lot of new things. In general, he will buy his baby whatever she wants…the thought made his lips lift in a slight smile.

He accurately calculated the dose of sleeping pills based on your weight, so the drug acted quickly but relatively safely. At least the feeling of nausea, dizziness and disorientation will haunt you for a while until the drug is removed from your body, but that's okay! Leon intended to look after you and take care of you until you finally come to your senses.

When the well-guarded and well-maintained with all the needs for housing finally appeared a few meters away, Leon turned off the engine as soon as he parked the car in the garage where, in addition to various tools with which he repaired his bike, there was also a collection of pistols. He opened the back door and carefully, like a porcelain vase, carefully carried it into the bedroom in his arms. Your head was leaning against his chest and while Leon was carrying you up the stairs, he could not resist the desire to kiss you at least on the forehead. Although it was uncomfortable, his lips touched only the top of your head, forcing you to squirm in his arms, causing an even bigger grin.

Leon opened the bedroom door, got to the bed in just a couple of steps, put you on the soft pillows and reached out to the bedside table, flicking his index finger on the small switch, turning on the lamp. A dim yellow light illuminated a small space, falling mostly on your placid sleeping face. Just like a real sleeping beauty… Leon stroked your cheek with his palm for some time, just admiring you and scrolling in his head how cruel this world is to such an innocent beauty. He saved Ashley, but for some reason she couldn't hook him like you, and Ada… well, it's interesting to solve this riddle woman for a while, but in the end the brain gets tired of the unsolvable task. He is a government agent and people with his profession value the usual stability more than anything else, for which they are ready to give all the money they earn. And you are his little archivist, who spent hours sitting in a dusty archive, sorting through folders with old reports and other documents. Even if you read something from this, you still don’t understand how dangerous it is outside, but he will protect you and you will love him. Necessarily.

However, now it was important for Leon to take care of his baby…

He wanted you to feel as little discomfort as possible after waking up, so getting up from the bed he found some old but clean things in the closet and going back to the bed began to change his little angel. Leon carefully unlaced and pulled your boots off your feet, placing them neatly next to you to put away later. Your jacket, skirt and even blouse followed by a bra. He could not help but hold an enthusiastic glance on your beautiful breasts, his palm gently slid over them, seeing how your nipples harden from the cold air soaring around the room and from this magnificent spectacle it became tight in his pants.

Your flawless appearance alone drove him crazy, causing an unbearable desire to undress himself and just lie down next to you, hugging, feeling your hands on his back. But he drove away the voluptuous obsession by taking his shirt in his hands, gently lifting your body to put your hands into the sleeves and fasten the top buttons, as if you were a doll that needed to be changed…who knows, maybe it will even become his favorite activity? In the end, somehow you got into the blood like smoke, penetrating deeper and deeper that it became impossible to get you out of his head.

Like a parasite, Las Plagas captured all thoughts without giving a single chance to escape, and if at first these feelings were frightening, then after watching you became an integral part of his life for six months. Leon convinced himself that he was taking care of you as he is now, laying you under a warm blanket with pillows so that you lay a little on your side if you suddenly start vomiting because of the drug and it's impossible not to touch your cheek with your lips at least once.

But you didn't wake up. And Leon still gave another kiss on the forehead, clasping your face with his hands, inhaling the fragrance of the desired body. His little songbird.

"You'll feel so good here with me. I promise."

He whispered and it was as if she heard something through a deep sleep, making him smile from the way your eyelids tremble in your sleep while he strokes you on the shoulder.

But while Leon left you to rest, going down to the first floor to unpack boxes of things and books that he took from your unsafe apartment. The door to the bedroom remained unlocked and even slightly ajar so that he could hear how you wake up.

💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

Of course, Leon never had a plan to kidnap anyone, but after all the traumatic events, some paranoia and … the horror that Jason was talking about begins.

As soon as the president's plane disappeared into the sky, Patrick talked incessantly about a pretty young archivist girl to whom he constantly turns up during breaks to treat coffee or a sweet bun to relieve boredom, but Leon always listened with half an ear when circumstances did not force him to go down to the archive and meet you there.

"Can I help?" your voice rang out among these endless folders with documents and boxes on dusty shelves from which his nose itched all the time. Leon tried to determine your location, but perfectly developed reflexes did everything for him when he abruptly turned around seeing you behind his back in a cute skirt, white blouse and jacket. From here, the alarm quickly subsided when he realized that there was no danger.

Perhaps he stared at you a little longer than he should, looking at every small detail on your face, forcing you to sigh impatiently and repeat your question. The agents rarely went down themselves, but mostly they just sent the archive a request and a deadline by which to provide the necessary information, often in digital form.

It was the first red flag and the first wave of feelings that came to him when you first met.

"So?…" you wanted to repeat the question for the third time, but he still spoke.

"Yeah…I need a report. Spain 2004. Los Illuminados" Memories rolled over him like an unpleasant wave, but you just nodded your head as you walked past him, carefully picking up a bunch of boxes, maneuvering between them so perfectly.

Leon only needed this report because of another outbreak in Africa. Not to him, but to his colleagues, however, it was faster to go down himself than to send a stupid request that is still unknown when they will see and process.

"I'm sorry for the mess, we have a little rearrangement and cleaning at the same time. What kind of report is needed? I'll look at the database" you stared at him with such cute eyes that he smiled at you, however, after taking a step, he stumbled over one of these damn boxes, after which you immediately flew up to him grabbing his forearm to help him get up. Not that he needed help, but it was nice.

"Are you hurt?" you asked quickly, to which Leon chuckled merrily. "God, I'm sorry, the last archivist made such a terrible mess here and they made me clean everything up alone. Do you need a Band-Aid?"

"No. It's all right, really, but it's nice of you," Leon dusted off his hands and you stared at his palms as if checking whether he really hurt himself. "But it's better to clean up everything here. It will be sad if such a cutie falls just like me"

You smiled at his compliment, not offended like the others. It touched his heart pleasantly.

"So what kind of report exactly is needed? I'll file it in a week."

"The Kennedy Report. The original." Leon said quickly, carefully catching the information on your face, however…nothing. Perhaps you haven't even touched it yet and haven't even heard anything about those events. Patrick said that you are very young and have only recently come here, so it would not be surprising.

"Okay, it will definitely take some time, but everything will be ideally as it should be. Is it urgent?"

"You have all the time in the world"

He doesn't remember how long it took before you finally pulled out a dusty folder from some box with other reports and handed it to him personally. It's funny that even when you found out that he is the same Kennedy, you practically did not react at all.

You dusted it off and sneezed yourself, so Leon could only hope you didn't have asthma or something. But something else was important because since then you have not left his thoughts.

Patrick told him about your favorite coffee and buns... More precisely, Leon himself saw that he constantly brings you to the archive during lunch. This helped him bond with you, so he started bringing you lunch and even helping with those huge heavy boxes. It's almost indecent that you weren't even given an assistant to put everything in order. And then soft unobtrusive touches began. Passing a cup of coffee, he could accidentally touch your fingers; you let him hold you by the waist as you walked down the stairs. It was easy for Leon to help you, and he even liked that you were like a little doll in his strong arms. It seemed like one careless move and he would accidentally break you.

At some point he was suddenly afraid that you might fall and get hurt or accidentally spill coffee on yourself or one of the many boxes would easily fall on you. There were so many dangers lurking at every corner and he could not always be there to save you. However, that didn't mean that he couldn't not take care of you. Unfortunately, you absolutely lacked care for your personal belongings, but Leon hacked your phone only for security reasons. In principle, there was nothing terrible, except for those moments when some narrow-minded friends invite his dear angel to some noisy clubs or meetings late at night. It wasn't good!

And Leon was most angry when you came home late at night, not worrying about what kind of bastards might harm you. God, you literally put your own life at risk, so of course he had to protect his beloved in every way possible, even if it meant locking you at home.

It was easy to find out the address, insurance number and other documents. D.S.O carefully checks all the details of the new employees, but fortunately everything was in order. And it didn't take much effort for Leon to find all the necessary information, although it took a lot of time to prepare for your forced move to him. Leon has fully equipped his country house, protecting all the sharp corners so that you don't hit. It bought a lot of soft pillows and warm blankets just for you, terry towels, favorite cosmetic products for skin care...Yes, breaking into your apartment also turned out to be a trivial matter. The problem was only that Leon was worried that you might be bored, so after looking at a bookshelf full of various books, he decided that it was worth taking them all with him along with the things from the closet. Well, your game console, too.

the preparation took about three weeks, considering that he also had some working moments that he could not ignore in any way. After all, he should be able to provide you with complete material well-being, because Leon intended to take care of his cute doll with all the love he was capable of. The only catch is that, despite the fact that you liked him, you always kept him at arm's length, just like Patrick, promising yourself no novels in the workplace. Especially with agents who can hurt your heart and soul for fun. That's why you refused Leon even a simple dinner, but this refusal only made him feel touched by you, showing how innocent you are, convincing him that, of course, you should be under his protection.

You thought he was nice and circumspect, but you, but how could you know that he hooked up a tracking device to your phone to know where you are always? Leon was a professional agent of the president himself, but he always looked after you in the car while you were walking to your house after work.

And yet you didn't let him get close to you. Therefore, when Leon realized that it would not work out in a good way, he moved to radical measures by preparing a syringe.

One move and grabbing you with one hand, closing your mouth in a dark alley not far from your own house. Frightened, you put up minimal resistance trying to hit the attacker in the groin and run away as far as possible, since the shoes were comfortable enough, but it was still a lost cause in advance

"Stop messing around, it's for your own good, sweetheart"

The frightened brain tried to do at least something to try to escape and escape, but what are the chances against it? It seemed to you that a steel grip completely squeezed you into a vice, cutting off oxygen and slowly plunging you into a thick abyss from which it was impossible to escape despite all the pathetic attempts to bite or hit opponent.

Being scared, you didn't even know who the voice belonged to. But it was because of your ridiculous floundering in an attempt to escape that Leon stuck a syringe in you, after which all the muscles seemed to turn to stone.

"Shh, everything will be fine sweetie." Leon turned you around to face him when consciousness was already leaving. "So go to sleep and be the good girl you always were. And I'll take care of you..."

Someone else's lips gently touched your face, once he easily picked you up in his arms, quickly laying you on the back seat of the car.

Everything is fast perfect fast clean and no witnesses.

💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

While you were resting on the top floor, Leon set up cameras in the house so that you could monitor your actions while he was not at home. Actually, he was thinking about a comfort zone like the one in the last apartment - a small cozy hanging chair, a cute fluffy white rug and a small table lamp with a coffee table where you could put a mug with a hot drink while reading a book or watching TV. He even figured out in his mind exactly where in the house it would be best to arrange while taking the boxes out of the trunk into the living room. The luggage wasn't too big, Leon decided a long time ago that he had more than enough money to buy everything for you himself, but it should take a couple of days before the drug he injected into you finally gets out of your body, so your things will lie in the next room for a while, which a little later, maybe in a year or two will become a nursery.

Leon looked into the bedroom again when he put all the boxes together, but you continued to sleep in the same position in which he left you. Smiling, he had a desire to take a break and drink coffee. In complete silence, only grasshoppers were chirping outside and a strong wind was making noise, as if foreshadowing bad weather, everything was quiet when he sat down on the sofa holding the remote control. It took no more than a couple of hours before something fell with a crash upstairs, forcing Leon to quickly jump to his feet and instantly run down the stairs, opening the bedroom door and seeing you on the floor trying to get back on your feet.

Poor bunny, but Leon will take care of you...

I'm a little burned out for writing, despite the fact that I have a lot of requests that I still want to answer. It's just that my psychological state does not allow me to make beautiful and smart sentences even in my native language, so I don't even know if I will finish this nonsense with yandere Leon. Reviews are welcome at least because they cheer up the author by showing that you care.

Of course I will publish something from time to time, but it will probably be at a long interval.

[the-moon-files]

Wait, quick idea! Twilight looks like the only hylian in his village because everyone else has round ears, so what if he wasn’t as surprised as the others to see their human companion so resilient, but still fairly impressed because of the fact that most if not all people in his village don’t put themselves in as drastic situations as the reader? Or is this just humans from our world?

get out of my head lmao /lh - you, me, and wayfayrr are actually the same person on diff accounts LMAO

im of the belief that (blame @wayfayrr, my beloved) that he knows of humans bc of some in his village but yeah, just not the type of human in drastic situations

(ALSO they wrote me a fun, long, glorious, male reader human space orc au fic for winning their raffle a bit ago, and it brings up their headcanon abt this and i Adore It actually, check it out here pls if u wanna know🤲)

(also if u see this wayfayrr, sorry for the ping, also should i be calling u moss? or wayfayrr?? idk which, i hope thats even ok to ask 😭 i assumed u would call my ass Moon)

Moon: Male-Masc Reader (he/him)

Orbit: short headcanons-ish, rambling mostly

Stars: Twilight Princess Link (Twi/Twilight), mentions of other Links

Comets & Meteors: CWs: none known, & TWs: none known.

Please comment if I missed any. /gen

to reiterate what i said up there, in case u skipped it for the bullet points,

i like the headcanon he knows humans, knows some of their quirks, and how they were the first ppl the other hylian villagers called on to help stuck cows or downed wagons, lots of heavy lifting stuff

but he really hasnt seen the extent of real humans, bc the humans who were in Ordon, well, they lived in hylian society,

why would they need the adrenaline to lift a car when hylians have set up whole tools and systems in all their towns to help lift just a full bucket of water out of the well??

not to mention, i think all the humans in his village were older adults? like at least not the age theyd be doing things like parkour or going to any trampoline parks type of age,

id imagine its more like stories talked about amongst hylians how hard humans can go, and even the humans themselves talked abt things like,

“well compared to u hylians, we have stomachs made of molten lava to you guys really, but we never have to use it, bc u know hylian food works just fine”

when Twi asked they would say stuff like that, but as soon as he saw ur human ass just picking wildflowers and berries off the side of the road to snack on? even random grasses/vines at some point (kudzu)?? easily eating Wild’s Dubious Food that's DEFINITELY got monster parts in it???! gnawing on the bone of a cucco and it just breaks??!!! and you look surprised too, thank fuck finally a normal reaction from u- oh my goddesses u were just curious (damn the elders were right abt human curiosity too) **and are now sucking out the marrow and eating the bone-!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twilight’s perspective of you is actually the equivalent of like, reading stories about vampires all ur life, then this new friend you made starts to get allergic to garlic, crave blood, has crazy strength and advanced senses, etc

and he’s just watching those honest-to-Hylia human mythological feats play out in real time in front of him, like he’s the only self-aware character in the story that immediately clocks the really obvious vampire as a vampire lmao

is the first to either 1. start choking on his laugh as he theoretically knows ur about to jump on the back of a lynel/hinox to ride it around and watch as the others come to the same conclusion OR 2. try to Stop you from jumping on said big monster in an attempt to ride it around bc he gets used to ur human BS quicker than the others and can see it coming a mile away now lol

very much so this meme:

(ur welcome i made it myself <3)

anyway id love to rant abt this dynamic

abt both Twi’s shock at you eating peppers like a god has come down from the sky to prove their immortality,

but also poor rancher esstientally humansitting you too lmao

the Chain/Time/Wars absolutely put him down as the resident human expert like: “ok he just drank like, 5? No- Four stop him from drinking more at least- (dual sighs). okay, 6 stamina potions, will that kill him??”

Twilight, saviour of Hyrule, of the Twili, Link from Twilight Princess himself,

has to keep a record book of all the new shit he’s heard/learned about humans in Ordon, what he has actively learned abt ur ass just fucking around and finding out, and the few bread crumbs of information u give him abt ur species

(that rlly just come off as kind of cryptid statements abt u/humanity, or don't apply in this scenario bc ur only comparison is Earth Rules, which honestly scare every single fucking one of them in the same way as walking on Ganon’s lawn or something, like straight up view ur home planet as enemy territory, the Amazon jungle, the Hyrule wilds if you will-)

Twilight also gets involuntarily volunteered for human-sitting duty too

tbh the only person Not allowed on human-sitting duty, when u guys go new areas esp, is Wild/Hyrule

you’d tell him you wanna get inside the guardian robot to operate it and ride it around and he’d probably be in shock you even fathomed something like that, yet also now EXTREMELY intrigued to watch it play out

(they’re both more of a “u wanna jump off a cliff?? that's actually crazy, wait for me please.” he seems to think he can somehow protect you if he joins you? its worked sometimes to be fair to him ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯ just not really conveniently when the rest of the Chain are around lmao)

☆

i live btw, ive been writing/updating fics along with life updates (moving states/new job/online class) so a few asks will hopefully be answered over here in the next 2ish weeks

no promises, my life is kinda girlbossing at the moment too close to the sun and i am Nervous abt disappointing u guys

i already feel like im disappointing my other blog bc i haven't posted in forever bc im writing a fic instead of asks during any free time i dedicate to writing for it so :/

pls excuse my super slowness like a package ur waiting for in the mail or smth type of slow

AGAIN thanks for the ask!! i hope this was at least entertaining to read as some addon to what u said, you guys have gotta check out some of wayfayrr’s stuff if ur into this, bc they're the only other place i can think of that's talked abt humans not just being the same as hylians

have a great week!!

Peace out hugs and chaos,

🌙

[deathworlders-of-e24]

Thomas, Engineer

Part 1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Watching Tranquility Base drift away as the Noah launched on its maiden voyage from Earth’s moon left Thomas Hibbs with an odd feeling of deja vu. He’d worked on dozens of ships, but always in the engineering decks where the only windows were peering into the mechanical arrays. Peering out into the void of space was…actually pretty damn cool in Thomas’s opinion.

I wonder if this thing has a VR Grid, he thought.

In the 50 years since humanity had joined the GAIL, it hadn’t been all space hoppers and life saving medical breakthroughs, the entertainment industry had made huge jumps in realism and simulated realities. One species in particular, the machine people known as the Padrino, had such a realistic virtual reality environment code that practically every other species in the assembly paid top dollar for a copy of it. Thought most used it for information storage and practical exploits, Humans were the first to turn it into a hyper advanced game simulation. The Padrino weren’t exactly pleased to learn the code they used to store their memories and experiences was being used to fight monsters with supernatural powers at weekend game tournaments on Earth, but they didn’t complain that much. Thomas had the idea to upload a compatible version of an old game called PAC-MAN where you’re your own avatar running the mazes into the ships computers. He couldn’t wait to get that high score again.

The engineering deck was right below the science labs, and Thomas saw one of the 3 other humans on board with him. He thought her name was Liz or something, but didn’t stop to say hi. She looked preoccupied with something, and talking to people was hard. Machines were good listeners. Thomas could talk for hours to machines while he worked, even if they weren’t the kind that could talk back, thought this ship did have those. Maybe here he could meet some people who get him.

The engineering deck was all catwalks and overhead piping, service lights and ventilation ducts. Computer terminals threw blue light against the opposite wall as Thomas made his way to the Engineer ‘locker’ room. Thomas figured that’s what it was, given the cubbies for the crew’s personal items and racks and shelves of tools and equipment for the ‘fixers’ to use.

There were about two dozen people moving around the room, none of them human, several of which were non biological as well. 2 Padrino were there, speaking their machine language while they sorted tools across a long workbench against the far wall. There were several other species as well that Thomas didn’t recognize, lots of different shapes and sizes. He felt a little insecure, being just the basic human he was.

Thomas found his name on the cubby wall and stuff his own tool bag in there, as well as a change of clothes and safety gear. Then he very carefully hid a hand held game pad under his spare jumpsuit, for emergencies. He’d been stuck in an air duct once before for hours twiddling his thumbs. Never again.

Just as he finished stuffing away his gear, something small bumped against his boot. He looked down, and saw a small robot waiting patiently for him to lift his foot. Apparently he’d been trailing confetti from the launch ceremony around the ship the whole time because these droids weren’t supposed to be down here in engineering. It had probably been following him since he’d walked in. The little guy had a cylinder torso, no real neck but his head looked like it turned in circles with two tiny exhaust pipes sticking out the top. Two ‘eyes’, or sensors with aesthetics, were all that made up the face. His little feet reminded Thomas of a chicken’s, and he had two little arms with tiny hands on each.

“Oh my god you’re so cute I love you,” Thomas half squealed as he picked the little robot up like a baby. “Have you been following me this whole time? Doing such a good job, keeping the ship clean. Did you get lost? Do you need help?”

The little machine just looked at him and wiggled its legs, probably the gyroscope trying to compensate for the sudden shift in balance.

One of the other engineers laughed.

“It’s just a service drone, it can’t actually understand you. It probably just followed your trail of waste and its sensors can’t get it back to the upper decks anymore.”

Thomas looked up from the tiny robot to see a fair number of his co workers looking at him, some trying to hide smiles, some not bothering being so polite. He felt his face begin to burn as a blush came to his cheeks and surged down his neck.

Oh my god I can’t believe I did that but it’s so freaking cute how can I not how can they not love it maybe there’s more on the ship this cute, his brain might implode at the rate it was going. The service drone continued to wiggle in his grip. To Thomas it was almost the size of a toy, maybe a solid 4 inches tall. It stopped squirming and looked up at his face, its tiny head whirring and clicking as gears shifted inside its chassis. It reached out one of its tiny hands and poked his thumb.

“Beep.”

“Beep.”

“Beep.”

Thomas’s mouth dropped. How could a machine with no higher functioning AI be this adorable?

“I’m gonna call you Roomba.”

“That’s just its service alarm. It’s processing an inability to perform its tasks so it thinks it’s stuck somewhere, ergo it’s alerting other drones to come assist it. It probably thinks you’re rectifying the obstacle.”

There were some snickers, a few openly laughed, but Thomas couldn’t care about them right now. The little droid was so adorable in Thomas’s eyes it was like looking at puppies.

He did, however, notice the 2 Padrino staring at him, motionless. For a moment he worried he’d maybe offended them by gushing over the little toy like robot. One of them approached. The Padrino had a clearly mechanical body with chrome plating encasing its joints and limbs. Its torso was thin but solid, whirring quietly as it walked over. Its head had a single antenna with a tinted face plate, which Thomas figured just was it’s ‘face’.

“It has been observed that Humans form an emotional bond to many different species and objects. Is this what is occurring, Human Thomas?”

Gauging the inflections of their voice was difficult, they didn’t have any kind of body language and the voice itself was entirely synthesized, adding layers of difficulty. Thomas thought for a moment, then just shrugged.

“I didn’t mean to cause a scene in here, I just got excited. It’s small and kinda cute so I just lost control for a moment.”

“Apologizing is unnecessary. We’d simply like to understand how Humans function to better improve the efficiency of this division.”

“Beep.”

The service drone wiggled in his hand again.

“It appears the small droid is out of range of its directive. It is asking for assistance with a new objective to replace its task queue.”

“Wait, you can understand it?”

“Yes, the alert sound is not a language. It’s sending out a very short range signal burst with information embedded in it, which I can receive with internal sensors. It’s AI is crude and simple, but it does have the basic functionality to form an artificial language. You’ve replaced its designation D7 with the name Roomba.”

Thomas looked from the Padrino to the little droid and back again.

“Does it like the name?”

“Beep.”

“It says it is a sufficient new designation and is awaiting a new task queue.”

“Oh good, I’m not good at naming stuff so I was worried-”

“Since the ship has launched, the service drones have gone inactive due to safety features. Since this one, new designation Roomba, was here on the engineering deck, it was outside the proximity of the ship’s AI core transmissions. It has exhausted its task queue and requests a new one.”

“Beep.”

“It is repeating the request.”

“Yeah, yes, got that, thank you. Okay, and I can just give it something to do?”

“That is correct.”

“Beep.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Roomba, can you hand me another bolt please?”

“Beep.”

[Primary task in the queue has not been completed: obtain high score]

“I know buddy, but you can pause it with that little button on the side there. I need that bolt real quick.”

Roomba looked where Thomas was pointing on the game pad. The pad itself was bigger than the drone, by a good half inch, so it was like Roomba was standing on a flat screen built into the floor, or playing one of those retro dance machine games from way back.

“Beep.”

[Acknowledged]

The Padrino had been kind enough to give Thomas’s ear piece translator an quick upgrade, so now he was able to receive Roomba’s signal burst data and understand what he was ‘saying’. They’d even given Roomba’s AI a little tune up so he could understand more complex tasks and ideas. Roomba had disconnected from the ship’s core code when he’d gone to the engineering deck so Thomas figured it’d be fine, the little guy could hang out with him now.

It took Roomba’s whole hand to get the game pad to register the pressed button and pause PAC-MAN, which was cute. And what was even cuter was the bolt Thomas needed was half the little robots size so it struggled just a little to bring it over the few feet to him.

“Good job buddy, thank you,” Thomas said, grinning.

“Beep.”

[Acknowledged. Returning to primary task]

“You do that. Good luck Roomba.”

At the time, the only thing the Padrino had asked for in return for their help and upgrades was the chance to observe biological lifeforms and their tendencies to ‘bond’ with others. The Padrino were a sort of hive mind it seemed, each unit being just an interface with the main AI back on their home planet. When units were out of range of communication with the home office, the main AI base code was copied into the machines and split off to collect information. When they got home, they dumped the data into the main computers and integrated back into the main AI core.

Thomas thought they were the coolest people he’d ever met. He’d said ‘sure, observe all you want, I just wanna thank you guys for your help.’

The game pad trilled, a little tune to congratulate moving up a level.

“Beep.”

[Update: progress has been made. Continuing primary task: obtain high score]

“Good work Roomba. You keep at it buddy, you’ll get there.”

From down the hall the 2 Padrino watched the strange little robot ‘playing video games’ next to the human doing an actually productive task.

“More data must be collected. The human, a deathworlder, has bonded to the drone.”

“We will continue to observe.”

“Agreed.”

[theoutcastrogue]

The New D&D 5.5 Rogue

For people who got an advance copy of the 2024 PHB, the NDA was lifted on August 1st. This is a summary from RPG Bot's 2024 DnD 5e Transition Guide and Change Log: Everything That’s Different in the new Player’s Handbook. See also here for more commentary on previously released details. I would like to note that:

The new Weapon Mastery rules (from the playtests) give martials lovely options they didn't have before.

There are some iffy flat DCs all over the book: the actions Hide (stealth), Influence (social skills), and Thieves' Tools (to disarm traps and pick locks) are all a flat DC 15. So this is either a completely stupid change (not all locks or all Persuasion checks were made equal!), OR the DMG will include rules and guidelines to adjust these DCs for different conditions.

Which (if that's the case) would mean that now Players and DMs know different rules about fundamental aspects of the game. I hate this, I hate that skills are now even less well-defined in the PHB, and I will rant more about this at a later time.

But anyway, here's RPGBot's summary:

Rogue

1. Expertise. No longer allows you to select Thieves’ Tools.

1. Thieves’ Cant. Also grants you an extra language proficiency.

1. Weapon Mastery. New.

3. Steady Aim. Identical to the Optional Class Feature.

5. Cunning Strike. Allows you to reduce your Sneak Attack damage in exchange for powerful rider effects like knocking the target prone or applying the Poisoned condition.

7. Reliable Talent. Moved from 11th level.

11. Improved Cunning Strike. New. Use up to 2 Cunning Strike effects on the same attack.

14. Blindsense. Gone.

14. Devious Strikes. New. Adds more Cunning Strike options.

15. Slippery Mind. Now adds proficiency in both Wisdom and Charisma saves instead of just Wisdom.

20. Stroke of Luck. Turn any d20 test into a 20. This means at least one guaranteed critical hit between each rest.

Arcane Trickster

3. Spellcasting. Now allows you to retrain a cantrip when you gain a level.

3. Mage Hand Legerdemain. Most of the 2014 feature’s capabilities were added to Mage Hand, with the exception of the ability to use Sleight of Hand and Thieves’ Tools. Now you can use Mage Hand for Sleight of Hand.

9. Magical Ambush. Now requires you to have the Invisible condition, which at a glance sounds like a huge problem, but the 2024 Hide action gives you the Invisible condition if you successfully hide.

13. Versatile Trickster. Now allows you to trip a target with your Mage Hand, but only when you use the Trip option from Cunning Strike.

Assassin

Much more reliable and less focus on disguises and infiltration. Much more stabby.

3. Assassinate. Reworked completely. Now much easier to use and much more consistently effective, but there’s no automatic critical hits.

3. Assassin’s Tools. Renamed from “Bonus Proficiencies”. Now also gives you one of each kit for free.

9. Infiltration Expertise. Reworked completely. No more false identity. Now you can perfectly mimic speech and handwriting, and Steady Aim doesn’t reduce your speed to 0.

13. Imposter. Gone.

13. Envenom Weapons. Extra poison damage when you use the Poison option of Cunning Strike. The damage applies whenever the target fails the save, which includes the additional saves at the end of each of their turns.

Soulknife

Very few changes.

3. Psionic Power. Like the Psi Warrior, the Soulknife’s Psionic Power feature now explicitly states that these dice are only for Soulknife features, the progression is tied to your Rogue level rather than your Proficiency Bonus, and you regain one die on a Short Rest.

3. Psychic Blades. The blades have the Vex Weapon Mastery, and can now be used for Opportunity Attacks.

Thief

3. Fast Hands.

Sleight of Hand. The wording here is a mess, but the Thief Rogue and only the Thief Rogue can use Sleight of Hand in conjunction with Thieves’ Tools to pick locks and disarm traps.

Now allows you to use magic items which normally take an Action to activate due to the new “Utilize” action. Existing item use case remain awesome.

3. Second-Story Work. Now much simpler, but functionally similar. A Climb speed and you use Dexterity for Athletics checks to jump.

9. Supreme Sneak. Reworked completely. Now a Cunning Strike option that allows you to attack without giving away your position.

13. Use Magic Device. Reworked completely. You no longer ignore restrictions on items, such as class requirements. Instead, you get an extra attunement slot, you have a chance to not spend charges when using a magic item, and you can use spell scrolls.

Picking Locks, Disarming Traps, Thieves' Tools, Sleight of Hand

Take a deep breath, because this one is confusing.

In the 2014 rules, you used proficiency in Thieves' Tools to disarm traps and pick locks. Sleight of Hand was used almost exclusively for picking pockets. Baldur's Gate 3 changed that when adapting the 5e rules for a video game.

In the 2024 rules, there is some confusion. Page 221 of the Player's Handbook details tools and their uses. Thieves' Tools list "Pick a Lock' and "Disarm a Trap" as two uses for the tool, which means that you apply proficiency with Thieves' Tools when performing those actions. This is the same as the 2014 rules.

The confusion sneaks in with the Thief Rogue's Fast Hands feature's Sleight of Hand option.

"Make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to pick a lock or disarm a trap with Thieves' Tools or to pick a pocket"

The lack of commas or formatting makes this text somewhat confusing. If it was intended to be three bullets, there would be commas. "Pick a lock comma disarm a trap with Thieves' Tools comma or pick a pocket". Instead, we can split your options with Fast Hands (Sleight of Hand) into two bullet points to clarify it:

Make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to pick a lock or disarm a trap with Thieves' Tools

Pick a pocket

This means that the Thief Rogue and only the Thief Rogue can use Sleight of Hand to pick locks and disarm traps while using Thieve's Tools. In fact, to do this as a Bonus Action, they're required to use Sleight of Hand. As per the rules for tools on Page 220 of the Player's Handbook, if you're also proficient with Thieves' Tools, you get Advantage on this check. All fantastic for the Thief Rogue and their ability to pick locks and disarm traps, especially since you can no longer get Expertise with tools, but you can get Expertise with Sleight of Hand.

If you are not a Thief Rogue, nothing has changed. Thieves' Tools are used for picking locks and disarming traps.

[source]

[polo-drone-070]

Losin meself in da footie drill - Second Session – Feelin' it proper

I barely even fukin’ wait this time. Boots laced tight, kit snug, muscles tinglin’—I’m already fukin’ buzzin’. First session had me hooked bad, bruv, and now? Now I need it.

Helmet’s in me hands, visor all sleek an’ polished, just waitin’. Fuk, me heart’s poundin’. I don’t even hesitate.

Click. Seal. Gone.

Fukin’ bliss.

Mind vanishes. No thinkin’. No hesitatin’. Just… commands.

"Advance. Defend. Push forward. Close the gap."

Body reacts before I even register it. Legs drivin’, muscles firin’, impact crashin’ through me like I was built for this. Fukin’ unstoppable. Every shove, every tackle, every sprint—flawless. Like I weren’t even human, just a machine, tuned to perfection.

An’ fuk me, it feels better than last time.

Coz it ain’t just about playin’ no more—it’s about obeyin’.

Every command floods me skull, sinkin’ deep, lockin’ in place. Me body ain’t mine, not really. It’s Master’s. The team’s. The fukin’ game’s. A perfect fukin’ tool.

And that feelin’? That floatin’, like I ain’t even in me body, just watchin’ it perform flawlessly? Like bein’ wrapped up in golden fukin’ warmth, no stress, no doubts—just perfect action.

Ain’t no Maximus. Ain’t no thoughts. Just football.

I could stay like this forever.

Breakin’ The Seal—But Not The Grip

Then—light.

Visor lifts.

Noise hits first—cheers, claps, voices, too fukin’ loud after that golden silence. Then the ache—lungs burnin’, sweat pourin’ down me skin, legs shakin’ like I’ve been runnin’ for days.

Grinnin’ like a madman, I try to stand, but me knees nearly buckle. Fuk. Proper fukin’ spent, body wrung out to the last drop. I should be wrecked. Should be done.

But me head—

Me head’s still runnin’.

Like I was supposed to still be in there.

Still floatin’. Still obeyin’. Still perfect.

Not like before. Not just exhaustion. Commands. Instructions. Fukin’ echoing through me brain like the helmet’s still on.

Intercept. Redirect. Reposition.

I blink, try to shake it off, but me mouth’s gone dry. Me fingers still twitch like they wanna react.

"Oi, bruv, you back in the room or what?" One of the lads laughs, nudgin’ me.

I open me mouth. Try to say yeah, try to act normal.

"Uh… yeah. Uh. Intercept, redirect, reposition—"

Wait. Fuk.

That ain’t right.

Shake me head again, try to clear the fog, but it’s still there—whisperin’, hummin’, pullin’ at me. I ain’t even wearin’ the fukin’ helmet no more, but the programmin’—it’s still in me.

And the worst part?

I don’t wanna fight it.

I wanna put that helmet back on.

I wanna disappear again.

I wanna obey.

______ To join the Gold Team, contact @goldenherc9, @brodygold or @polo-drone-001. Full Story link : Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Final Session

[mahamid110]

🤖 AI Influencer 24/7 Review: Launch Your Own Virtual Superstar That Sells, Engages & Grows Your Brand — All On Autopilot! 💸🌍📲

What if you could launch a fully-branded AI influencer that creates content, talks to your audience, and promotes your offers — on every platform, in any language, with zero effort on your part?

Well, now you can.

Introducing the AI Influencer 24/7 System — a powerful, one-click solution that lets you build and deploy your very own digital influencer that works around the clock, creating viral posts, talking like a human, and even selling products for you.

CLICK HERE TO GET INSTANT ACCESS NOW >>

🛠️ Key Features:

✅ One-Click AI Influencer Deployment 🧠 Launch your influencer in minutes — with custom branding, niche focus, and voice options.

✅ Omni-Platform Content Posting 📱 Your AI influencer will automatically create and post content to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reels, Twitter, and more.

✅ Real-Time Audience Engagement 💬 AI-powered chat interaction mimics real conversations, helping you engage, build trust, and convert followers.

✅ Multilingual Support 🌐 Reach a global audience by creating and responding in any language — automatically.

✅ Daily Content Creation & Promotion 🗓️ Your influencer will generate daily content AND promote affiliate offers, services, or your own products.

✅ Fully Branded with Your Voice or Persona 🧑🎤 Customize look, tone, and messaging to match your brand — or create a whole new personality.

✅ No Video/Design/Marketing Skills Needed 🙌 Perfect for beginners. All the tech and creative work is handled for you.

✅ Agency Mode 💼 Create and manage multiple AI influencers for clients — a done-for-you social media service without hiring talent.

💸 Real Results:

Users are seeing $200–$300+/day from affiliate sales, product promos, and client packages — all powered by their AI influencers doing the heavy lifting 24/7.

CLICK HERE TO GET INSTANT ACCESS NOW >>

✅ Pros:

100% beginner-friendly

Works on autopilot, even while you sleep

No need to show your face or be on camera

Monetize in multiple niches (fitness, finance, fashion, crypto, etc.)

Agencies can charge monthly for influencer campaigns

Great for affiliate marketing, ecommerce, personal brands

❌ Cons:

Needs proper setup and niche targeting to perform best

Some platforms may require manual approval for bots

AI engagement, while good, might not always pass as human in complex conversations

CLICK HERE TO GET INSTANT ACCESS NOW >>

💵 Pricing & OTOs (One-Time Offers):

Front-End App: $37 One-Time

OTO 1 – Pro Edition: $67 (Unlock advanced AI personalities & more content slots)

OTO 2 – Agency License: $97 (Manage for clients, add branding & team features)

OTO 3 – DFY Influencer Templates: $47 (Get plug-n-play niches ready to launch)

OTO 4 – Reseller Rights: $197 (Sell the software as your own)

🎁 Exclusive Bonuses (When You Grab It Today):

🎁 Viral Hooks & CTA Swipe File 🎁 100 Influencer Video Prompts for Any Niche 🎁 Step-by-Step AI Influencer Monetization Blueprint 🎁 Bonus Training: $1K/Week with AI Personal Brands

CLICK HERE TO GET INSTANT ACCESS NOW >>

🎯 Who Is This For?

Affiliate marketers

Freelancers & agencies

Ecommerce store owners

Social media beginners

Coaches, consultants & solopreneurs

Anyone who wants influencer-style results without being on camera

🔥 Final Verdict:

This AI Influencer 24/7 System is a total game-changer. Whether you're camera-shy, time-strapped, or just looking to automate your content game, this tool delivers massive value. With zero tech hassle, full branding control, and monetization built in, it's like hiring a full-time content creator, marketer, and spokesperson — all in one.

If you want to sell more, grow faster, and do it all on autopilot... 👉 This is the tool to watch.

CLICK HERE TO GET INSTANT ACCESS NOW >>

[profoundharmonybarbarian]

Agricultural Irrigation Water Pumps: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Agricultural irrigation water pumps are essential tools in modern farming, ensuring that crops receive the necessary water for optimal growth. These pumps play a crucial role in distributing water efficiently, especially in areas where rainfall is insufficient or irregular. With various types of pumps available, farmers must choose the right one based on their specific needs, water source, and irrigation system.

This guide explores the different types of agricultural irrigation water pumps, their benefits, selection criteria, maintenance tips, and future trends in irrigation technology.

Types of Agricultural Irrigation Water Pumps

1. Centrifugal Pumps

Centrifugal pumps are among the most commonly used agricultural irrigation water pumps. They work by converting rotational energy from an impeller into kinetic energy, pushing water through the system.

Pros:

Suitable for large volumes of water

Easy to install and maintain

Cost-effective for surface water irrigation

Cons:

Less efficient for deep wells

Requires priming before operation

2. Submersible Pumps

Submersible pumps are designed to operate underwater, making them ideal for deep wells and boreholes.

Pros:

High efficiency in lifting water from deep sources

Quiet operation

Reduced risk of pump cavitation

Cons:

Higher initial cost

Complex repairs due to underwater installation

3. Turbine Pumps

Turbine pumps, also known as vertical turbine pumps, are used in deep-well applications. They consist of multiple stages to increase water pressure.

Pros:

Excellent for high-pressure irrigation systems

Durable and long-lasting

Suitable for both shallow and deep wells

Cons:

Expensive maintenance

Requires skilled installation

4. Diaphragm Pumps

Diaphragm pumps use a flexible membrane to move water, making them useful for handling dirty or abrasive water.

Pros:

Can handle muddy or sandy water

Self-priming capability

Low energy consumption

Cons:

Lower flow rates compared to centrifugal pumps

Diaphragms may wear out over time

5. Solar-Powered Pumps

With the growing emphasis on sustainability, solar-powered agricultural irrigation water pumps are gaining popularity.

Pros:

Environmentally friendly

Reduced electricity costs

Ideal for remote areas without grid power

Cons:

High upfront cost

Dependent on sunlight availability

Benefits of Using Agricultural Irrigation Water Pumps

Increased Crop Yield

Proper irrigation ensures consistent water supply, leading to healthier crops and higher productivity.

Water Conservation

Modern pumps allow precise water distribution, reducing wastage compared to traditional flood irrigation.

Flexibility in Farming

Farmers can irrigate fields regardless of natural rainfall patterns, enabling year-round cultivation.

Energy Efficiency

Advanced pump designs and solar-powered options help reduce energy consumption.

Cost Savings

Efficient water use lowers utility bills and maximizes farm profitability.

How to Choose the Right Agricultural Irrigation Water Pump

1. Determine Water Source

Surface water (rivers, ponds) may require centrifugal or diaphragm pumps.

Deep wells need submersible or turbine pumps.

2. Assess Flow Rate and Pressure Requirements

Calculate the required gallons per minute (GPM) based on crop needs.

Ensure the pump provides sufficient pressure for sprinkler or drip irrigation systems.

3. Consider Power Source

Electric pumps are common but require a stable power supply.

Diesel or gasoline pumps are portable but have higher fuel costs.

Solar pumps are eco-friendly but depend on sunlight.

4. Evaluate Maintenance Needs

Choose pumps with easy-to-replace parts if maintenance skills are limited.

Opt for corrosion-resistant materials in harsh environments.

5. Budget Considerations

Balance initial costs with long-term efficiency and durability.

Maintenance Tips for Agricultural Irrigation Water Pumps

Regular Inspections

Check for leaks, unusual noises, or vibration.

Inspect electrical connections for damage.

Clean Filters and Intake Screens

Clogged filters reduce efficiency and strain the pump.

Lubricate Moving Parts

Proper lubrication extends the pump’s lifespan.

Monitor Performance

Track water pressure and flow rates to detect issues early.

Winterize Pumps in Cold Climates

Drain water to prevent freezing damage.

Future Trends in Agricultural Irrigation Water Pumps

Smart Pumping Systems

IoT-enabled pumps with remote monitoring and automation.

Energy-Efficient Designs

Advances in motor technology to reduce power consumption.

Solar and Hybrid Solutions

Increased adoption of renewable energy-powered pumps.

AI-Based Water Management

Predictive analytics for optimizing irrigation schedules.

Improved Durability

New materials to enhance corrosion and wear resistance.

Conclusion

Agricultural irrigation water pumps are indispensable for modern farming, offering efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. By selecting the right pump type, maintaining it properly, and staying updated with technological advancements, farmers can maximize productivity while conserving resources.

Whether using centrifugal, submersible, or solar-powered pumps, the key is to match the pump’s capabilities with the farm’s specific irrigation needs. As technology evolves, smarter and more efficient pumping solutions will continue to revolutionize agriculture.

Investing in the right agricultural irrigation water pump today ensures a prosperous and sustainable farming future.

[freeonlineworkouts]

Kettlebell Workout

Kettlebell workouts are a fantastic way to build strength, improve endurance, and enhance overall fitness. Kettlebells are versatile tools that combine cardio and strength training, making them ideal for full-body workouts. Below is a beginner-friendly kettlebell workout that targets major muscle groups and boosts cardiovascular fitness.

Benefits of Kettlebell Workouts

Full-Body Conditioning: Engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously.

Improves Strength and Power: Builds functional strength through dynamic movements.

Boosts Cardiovascular Fitness: Combines strength and cardio for an efficient workout.

Enhances Mobility and Flexibility: Promotes better range of motion and joint health.

Burns Calories: High-intensity kettlebell exercises torch calories and fat.

Portable and Versatile: Easy to use at home, in the gym, or outdoors.

Kettlebell Workout Plan (Beginner-Friendly)

Warm-Up (5–10 Minutes)

Prepare your body with dynamic stretches and light movements:

Arm Circles: 10 forward, 10 backward.

Bodyweight Squats: 10–15 reps.

Hip Circles: 10 each direction.

Jumping Jacks: 1–2 minutes.

Lunges: 5–10 reps per leg.

Kettlebell Workout (20–30 Minutes)

Perform each exercise for 40 seconds, followed by 20 seconds of rest. Complete 3 rounds of the circuit. Use a lightweight kettlebell (8–12 kg for beginners).

Kettlebell Goblet Squat

Hold the kettlebell close to your chest with both hands.

Squat down, keeping your chest up and knees tracking over toes.

Push through your heels to return to standing.

Kettlebell Deadlift

Stand with feet hip-width apart, kettlebell on the floor in front of you.

Hinge at the hips, keeping your back flat, and grab the kettlebell with both hands.

Drive through your heels to stand up, squeezing your glutes at the top.

Kettlebell Swing

Stand with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, kettlebell between your legs.

Hinge at the hips, grab the kettlebell with both hands, and swing it back between your legs.

Thrust your hips forward to swing the kettlebell to shoulder height.

Kettlebell Row (Single-Arm)

Place one hand and knee on a bench or stable surface, holding the kettlebell in the other hand.

Pull the kettlebell toward your hip, keeping your elbow close to your body.

Lower the kettlebell with control.

Kettlebell Push Press

Hold the kettlebell at shoulder height in one hand.

Dip your knees slightly, then explosively press the kettlebell overhead.

Lower it back to shoulder height with control.

Kettlebell Russian Twist

Sit on the floor with knees bent, holding the kettlebell with both hands.

Lean back slightly and twist your torso to the right, then to the left.

Cool-Down (5–10 Minutes)

Stretch and relax your muscles to improve flexibility and recovery:

Hamstring Stretch: Hold for 30 seconds per leg.

Quad Stretch: Hold for 30 seconds per leg.

Child’s Pose: Hold for 30–60 seconds.

Cat-Cow Stretch: 5–10 reps.

Tips for Success

Start Light: Use a lighter kettlebell to focus on form before increasing weight.

Focus on Form: Proper technique prevents injury and maximizes results.

Engage Your Core: Keep your core tight during all exercises for stability.

Breathe Properly: Exhale during exertion (e.g., lifting or pressing) and inhale during relaxation.

Rest as Needed: Take longer breaks if you feel fatigued.

Advanced Kettlebell Workout

For those with more experience, try this advanced kettlebell circuit:

Kettlebell Clean and Press (10 reps per arm)

Kettlebell Snatch (10 reps per arm)

Kettlebell Lunge (10 reps per leg)

Kettlebell Windmill (8 reps per side)

Kettlebell Burpee (10 reps)

Kettlebell Turkish Get-Up (5 reps per side)

Perform 3–4 rounds with minimal rest between exercises.

Conclusion

Kettlebell workouts are a powerful way to build strength, improve endurance, and burn calories. Whether you're a beginner or advanced, this workout can be tailored to your fitness level. Start with lighter weights, focus on form, and gradually increase intensity as you progress. Enjoy the benefits of this versatile and effective training tool!

[obanicrypto]

A Simple Guide to Staking: How to Make Your Crypto Work for You

Have you ever wished your money could work as hard as you do? In the world of cryptocurrency, this is entirely possible through staking. Think of it as putting your crypto into a savings account that not only keeps it safe but also rewards you for letting it sit there. Let’s break down staking in a way that’s easy to understand and relatable.

What Is Staking?

Staking is like locking your money in a fixed deposit at a bank. When you stake cryptocurrency, you’re committing it to a blockchain network to help keep the system secure and operational. In return, the network rewards you, usually in the form of additional tokens.

But here’s the cool part: staking isn’t just about earning rewards. It’s also about actively participating in the blockchain’s growth. Unlike mining, which requires heavy computing power, staking is energy-efficient, making it a more sustainable option for blockchain enthusiasts.

Why Should You Consider Staking

1. Passive Income

Staking allows you to earn extra crypto without actively trading or investing in new projects. It’s a steady way to grow your holdings while you focus on other things.

2. Eco-Friendly Contribution

By staking, you’re contributing to blockchain networks without the energy-intensive processes of mining. It’s a win for you and the planet.

3. Support the Blockchain Ecosystem

Staking strengthens the blockchain, helping to ensure its reliability and security.

Staking on STON.fi: Why It Stands Out

If you’re ready to dive into staking, STON.fi offers unique incentives that go beyond traditional rewards. Here’s what makes it special:

1. ARKENSTON: Your Soulbound NFT

When you stake STON tokens, you receive an ARKENSTON—a non-fungible token permanently linked to your wallet.

It’s not for sale and can’t be transferred.

It will serve as your access pass to the STON.fi DAO, an exclusive community where you can help decide the platform’s future direction.

2. GEMSTON Tokens: Instant Rewards

GEMSTON is a community token from the STON.fi family. It’s tradable and adds immediate value to your staking experience.

On STON.fi, you can use a built-in calculator to estimate how much GEMSTON you’ll earn when you stake, so there are no surprises.

How to Stake on STON.fi

Getting started with staking on STON.fi is simple:

1. Visit the "Stake" section on the platform.

2. Enter the amount of STON tokens you want to stake.

3. Choose the staking duration that works for you.

4. Confirm the transaction, and that’s it—your staking journey begins!

The interface is intuitive, making it beginner-friendly while offering advanced options for seasoned users.

What Should You Know Before Staking

While staking is a fantastic way to grow your crypto, it’s not without its considerations.

Lock-Up Period: The tokens you stake will be inaccessible for a set period, so only stake what you can afford to lock away.

Market Volatility: The rewards you earn may vary based on the token’s market value.

Research Is Key: Always ensure you’re staking on a reliable platform like STON.fi.

The Bigger Picture

Staking isn’t just about earning rewards—it’s about becoming part of a larger ecosystem. Platforms like STON.fi empower users to take an active role in shaping the blockchain’s future while benefiting financially.

Think of staking as planting seeds in a garden. With patience, care, and the right tools, those seeds can grow into something fruitful. Platforms like STON.fi provide the fertile ground for your crypto to flourish.

Finally

Staking is one of the simplest ways to make your crypto work for you. It’s a low-effort, high-reward strategy that benefits both you and the blockchain networks you support.

If you’re ready to start staking, STON.fi is an excellent choice, offering unique rewards like ARKENSTON NFTs and GEMSTON tokens. Take the first step today, and let your crypto do the heavy lifting for a change.

Have questions or want to share your staking experience? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

[devishree3]

Buy Home Lifts for Elderly - Complete Guide in 2024

As the elderly population continues to grow, providing them with tools to enhance their mobility and independence becomes increasingly important. One solution that is gaining popularity is home lifts, which allow seniors to move effortlessly between floors in their homes. This guide will focus on the benefits of affordable home lifts for elderly care, outline realistic expectations for affordability, and provide cost-saving tips to ensure you get the best value for your investment.

Benefits of Affordable Home Lifts for Elderly Care

1. Enhancing Mobility and Independence

A major benefit of home lifts for seniors is the way they enhance mobility and independence. As individuals age, their ability to move up and down stairs may become restricted due to joint pain, muscle weakness, or chronic health conditions. Installing a home lift can eliminate the need for navigating stairs, making it easier for seniors to remain independent in their own homes.

Home lifts can also reduce the reliance on caregivers for assistance with moving between floors, giving elderly individuals more freedom and control over their daily routines.

2. Improving the Quality of Life

Beyond mobility, home lifts contribute to an improved quality of life for seniors. The stress and physical strain of navigating stairs can lead to a lack of confidence, isolation, and reduced activity levels. With a home lift, elderly individuals are more likely to maintain an active and engaged lifestyle, increasing their overall well-being. Additionally, home lifts can help seniors stay in their homes for longer, reducing the need for costly assisted living facilities.

Setting Realistic Expectations for Affordability – Home Lifts

When considering installing a home lift, it’s important to set realistic expectations regarding affordability. Home lifts are an investment, but they don’t have to break the bank. Understanding the various costs and evaluating your specific needs versus wants can help you make an informed decision.

Understanding Costs for Home Lifts

The price of home lifts varies based on several factors, including the type of lift, installation complexity, and additional features. On average, the cost for an affordable home lift can range from $2,000 to $20,000. A simple stairlift is often on the lower end of the price scale, while air-driven home elevators can be more expensive due to their advanced technology.

When budgeting, consider installation fees, ongoing maintenance costs, and any necessary home modifications.

Evaluating Needs vs. Wants

It’s easy to get carried away with luxury features, but when purchasing a home lift for elderly care, it’s crucial to evaluate what is truly necessary. For instance, while additional customizations like premium finishes or smart home integration may sound appealing, they can add to the cost. Focus on essential functions like smooth operation, safety features, and easy-to-use controls.

Types of Affordable Home Lifts

There are several types of affordable home lifts available, each with its own set of benefits:

1. Stairlifts

Stairlifts are one of the most affordable and practical options for homes with elderly residents. These lifts are installed along the side of a staircase and carry the user up and down in a seated position. Stairlifts are ideal for homes where installing a full elevator is not feasible.

2. Vertical Platform Lifts

Vertical platform lifts are another great solution for seniors who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters. These lifts move vertically between floors and can be installed indoors or outdoors. While slightly more expensive than stairlifts, they provide better accessibility for those with mobility aids.

3. Air-Driven Home Elevators

Air-driven elevators are a modern, space-saving solution that doesn’t require a machine room or shaft. They use air pressure to move the elevator cab and are ideal for homes with limited space. While more expensive upfront, air-driven elevators are energy-efficient and require less maintenance.

Cost-Saving Tips for Affordable Home Elevators

1. Finding the Right Type of Elevator

Choosing the right type of elevator for your home can save you money. Evaluate the specific needs of the elderly person using the lift and consider the layout of your home. For example, a stairlift may be sufficient if the senior doesn’t require a wheelchair, while a vertical platform lift might be necessary for those who do.

2. Comparing Quotes from Different Dealers

It’s always wise to shop around before making a final decision. Request quotes from multiple dealers and compare not just the price, but also the quality of installation, warranty, and customer service. You may find that certain dealers offer discounts or financing options that can help make your purchase more affordable.

Additional Considerations for Affordable Home Lifts

1. Importance of Safety Features

Safety should always be a top priority when choosing a home lift. Look for essential features like emergency stop buttons, seat belts (for stairlifts), battery backups in case of a power outage, and easy-to-use controls. These features ensure that the elderly user can safely operate the lift without fear of accidents.

2. Ongoing Maintenance Costs

While the upfront cost of a home lift is important, don’t forget to factor in maintenance. Regular servicing is essential to ensure that the lift continues to operate safely and efficiently. Maintenance costs can vary depending on the type of lift, so be sure to ask about service plans when getting quotes.

How to Buy Affordable Home Lifts for Elderly Care?

When you’re ready to buy a home lift, follow these steps to ensure you’re making a smart purchase:

Assess Your Needs: Start by evaluating the elderly person’s specific mobility needs and the layout of your home. Determine what type of lift would be most beneficial.

Set a Budget: Decide on a budget that includes the cost of the lift, installation, and ongoing maintenance.

Get Multiple Quotes: Reach out to several lift companies to get quotes and compare the options.

Check Safety Features: Ensure that the lift you choose has all the necessary safety features to prevent accidents.

Plan for Maintenance: Ask about ongoing maintenance plans and make sure you’re aware of any additional costs down the road.

Conclusion

Affordable home lifts for elderly care are a valuable investment in enhancing the mobility and quality of life of seniors. By understanding the various types of home lifts available and evaluating your needs, you can make an informed choice that meets both your budget and your requirements. Whether it’s a stairlift, vertical platform lift, or air-driven elevator, choosing the right lift can help seniors maintain their independence and live comfortably at home.

Investing in a home lift is not just about convenience—it’s about safety, freedom, and improving the well-being of your loved ones.

[astralforecast]

the gateway experience

GOOGLE DRIVE (Uploading to Google Drives leads to many files being taken down due to copyright, so it’s best to proceed using the link below through Filen)

GOOGLE DRIVE 2 (supposedly no copyright)

FILEN (password is journeys)

*Turn off Mono in your phone’s audio settings. Go into this with no expectations, just listen. Do it at a time where you can focus rather than fall asleep. Go through each tape in the Waves/Discs once unless you feel the need to go back. Treat this simply as a form of meditation.

DISC 1: DISCOVERY

1 Orientation

2 Intro to Focus 10

3 Advanced Focus 10

4 Release and Recharge

5 Exploration Sleep

6 Free Flow 10

DISC 2: THRESHOLD

1 Intro to Focus 12

2 Problem Solving

3 One Month Patterning

4 Color Breathing

5 Energy Bar Tool

6 Living Body Map

DISC 3: FREEDOM

1 Lift Off

2 Remote Viewing

3 Vectors

4 Five Questions

5 Energy Food

6 First Stage Separation

DISC 4: ADVENTURE

1 One Year Patterning

2 Five Messages

3 Free Flow 12

4 NVC 1

5 NVC 2

6 Compoint 12

DISC 5: EXPLORING

1 Advanced Focus 12

2 Discovering Intuition

3 Exploring Intuition

4 Intro to Focus 15

5 Mission 15 Creation and Manifestation

6 Exploring Focus 15

DISC 6: ODYSSEY

1 Sensing Locale 1

2 Expansion in Locale 1

3 Point of Departure

4 Non Physical Friends

5 Movement to Locale 2 - Intro to Focus 21

6 Free Flow Journey in Focus 21

DISC 7: VOYAGER

1 Explore Total Self

2 Intro Focus 23

3 Intro Focus 25

4 Intro Focus 27

5 First Retrieval

6 Messages From Beyond

A breakdown from CHATGPT explaining each state of Focus:

1. ⁠Focus 1: That's your ordinary, everyday awareness. You know, like when you're deciding what Netflix show to binge.

2. ⁠Focus 10: Here you're physically relaxed but mentally alert. Think of it like daydreaming with a purpose.

3. ⁠Focus 12: This one's the "expanded awareness" zone. You're starting to get a sense of something bigger than yourself.

4. ⁠Focus 15: The "no time" state. Here, you're kinda floating in the present moment, man. Time feels all wobbly and loose.

5. ⁠Focus 21: You're reaching the "edge of space-time." Some folks say this is where you can experience things beyond the physical world.

6. ⁠Focus 27: This is the "belief system territories," where you can explore different realms and even interact with other energies, like spirits or whatever.

7. ⁠Higher Focus Levels: These are like the "you gotta be kidding me" levels where things get super abstract and you explore cosmic questions or even your past lives.

[albertfinch]

CONFRONTING SPIRITUAL OPPOSITION

 Acts 16:16  - "One day, as we were going to the house of prayer, we encountered a young slave girl who had an evil spirit of divination, the spirit of Python. She had earned great income for her owners by being a fortune-teller."

Paul and Silas were on their way to the house of prayer but were sidetracked in their path by a slave girl. The spirit of Python seeks to distract and then enslave. Its objective is to distract those on their way to prayer; those who are on their way to implement their CALLING. It wants to keep you out of the secret place through annoyances and disturbances thereby garbling your connection to God’s Spirit. It will throw circumstances and diversions your way to have you focused on the "noise" and in turn draw you away from going to the Father in prayer. Python operates through false prophecy and counterfeits. Verse 18 says: "She kept following us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Great High God, and they're telling us how to be saved!'"

The spirit of Python will scorn you personally, it will mock the call of God on your life, and have you question if the dreams in your heart are possible. It will shout over you relentlessly until, just like Paul, you become weary and greatly frustrated. It will accuse you in the public forum and it will have people surround you with lies and judgments.

Python will also seek to expose you, strip you and beat you until you are raw (see Acts 16:22). Its intention is to rob you and divert you from your Kingdom advancing DESTINY; coiling its lies around your heart until finally you are enslaved in its chains, rendering you unable to produce Kingdom fruit that remains.. But you do not need to fear! "For greater is He within you than he who is in this world" (see 1 John 4:4).

KEYS TO VICTORY OVER THE SPIRIT OF PYTHON:

#1. SPEAK YOUR AUTHORITY

Refrain from speaking negatively about the circumstances around you. Don't be distracted by the noise of it.  Instead, focus on your Christ identity and declare your victory through His name. Paul showed us how to firmly turn towards the attack (see Acts 16:18) and ultimately away from the distraction; commanding it to leave in the name of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:11 says, "They triumphed over him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..." .   One of your greatest weapons is the word of your testimony. By declaring the name of Jesus, His Blood makes you (as a son or daughter of the Most High God) inherently victorious over the enemy every single time, but you need to SPEAK YOUR AUTHORITY.

#2. LIFT UP YOUR VICTORY SONG!

If you have been beaten down and the coils of despair have been strangling the life out of your dreams and hopes, then it is time to sing. Despite what circumstances have come against you, your song of worship to the Father is a warfare tool of Heaven to burst through the atmosphere of heaviness.  See rivers of living water flowing out of your heart towards the Father as you worship Him.

In Acts 16:24, we see Paul and Silas in the after-throws of their battle with Python, bound by their hands and feet in prison. The Passion Translation says they were "undaunted". They began to sing and it was their songs of worship that captivated an entire jail of prisoners. In verse 26, it tells us: "Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. All at once every prison door flung open and all the chains of all the prisoners came loose."

Your song of victory before the breakthrough comes literally shakes the foundations of the ground and sky; causing every chain that has restrained you to come unstuck and every door that has confined you to come unlocked. Psalm 108:2 says, "Awake, O my soul, with the music of His splendor. Arise my soul and sing His praises! I will awaken the dawn with my worship, greeting the daybreak with my songs of light!"

Your song will cause the light to burst through the night.

#3. SHAKE IT OFF!

In Acts 28:3, Paul encounters another snake, but this time a physical one. As he was gathering a pile of brushwood for the fire, a venomous snake latched onto his hand. In verse 5 it says, "But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed."

Among the very few natural predators of a python is an eagle. They have distinct ways of attacking the snake—especially if it is in pursuit of eaglets in their nest. They will shake it vehemently or drop it from a great height. They show the snake no mercy—and neither should you!

Acts 4:31 gives us a confounding account of the manifestations of what prayer can do: "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly" .  Expectant prayer literally shakes off the attacks from your life and drops the snake into the fires of God.

All of the prisoners that were with Paul and Silas that day were set free; along with the jailer and his entire family who gave their hearts to Jesus. Your breakthrough is not just for you, but for others. Those around you who have been in captivity and are lost are meant to be freed through your breakthrough as well.

It is time to speak to the problem, turn your affections towards the Father, and command Python to leave in the name of Jesus!  As you pray and lift your songs of worship, you will see a breaking through of the night season and the shaking off of all that has been opposing you.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[onewaygoods]

Best Home and Kitchen Products 2024 — Oneway Goods

At Oneway Goods, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best in home and kitchen products, carefully curated to enhance your daily life. From innovative appliances to timeless classics, our collection boasts top-tier items designed to elevate your home and kitchen experience. Explore our range and discover the perfect additions to transform your space.

1. Multi-Functional Electric Pressure Cooker: Your Culinary Companion

Simplify meal preparation with our multi-functional electric pressure cooker. With various cooking functions including pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, and more, this appliance is your go-to solution for delicious, hassle-free meals every time.

2. High-Performance Blender: Unleash Your Culinary Creativity

Experience unparalleled blending power with our high-performance blender. From smoothies to soups, its robust motor and precision blades ensure smooth, consistent results, empowering you to explore new culinary horizons.

3. Versatile Cast Iron Skillet: Timeless Elegance, Lasting Durability

Rediscover the art of cooking with our versatile cast iron skillet. Renowned for its durability and even heat distribution, this kitchen essential is perfect for searing, frying, baking, and more, delivering exceptional results with every use.

4. Iconic Stand Mixer: The Epitome of Elegance and Efficiency

Elevate your baking endeavors with our iconic stand mixer. With its powerful performance and sleek design, this versatile appliance effortlessly handles everything from mixing dough to whipping cream, allowing you to unleash your inner pastry chef.

5. Ergonomic Utensil Set: Designed for Comfort and Convenience

Upgrade your kitchen arsenal with our ergonomic utensil set. Crafted for comfort and durability, these essential tools make meal preparation a breeze, whether you’re flipping pancakes or stirring sauces.

6. Durable Glass Storage Containers: Keep Your Kitchen Organized and Stylish

Streamline your storage solutions with our durable glass containers. Designed for versatility and longevity, these containers keep your ingredients fresh and your kitchen organized, all while adding a touch of elegance to your space.

7. Coffee Maker: Indulge in Barista-Quality Coffee at Home

Start your day right with our coffee maker, delivering rich, flavorful coffee at the touch of a button. With its user-friendly features and sleek design, this appliance brings the café experience to your kitchen, ensuring you enjoy a perfect brew every time.

8. Robot Vacuum: Effortless Cleaning, Immaculate Results

Keep your home spotless with our robot vacuum. Equipped with advanced technology, it navigates effortlessly around your space, ensuring every corner is cleaned to perfection without you lifting a finger.

9. Air Purifier: Breathe Clean, Fresh Air Every Day

Create a healthier home environment with our air purifier. Designed to remove allergens, pollutants, and odors, this essential appliance ensures you and your family breathe easy every day.

10. Dutch Oven: Timeless Craftsmanship, Unmatched Performance

Elevate your cooking with our Dutch oven, crafted for superior heat retention and durability. Perfect for braising, roasting, and more, it’s a kitchen essential that delivers exceptional results with every meal.

Discover these top-tier home and kitchen products and unlock a world of culinary possibilities with Oneway Goods. Designed for quality, functionality, and style, our collection is sure to enhance your home and kitchen experience like never before. Explore our range today and elevate your lifestyle with Oneway Goods.

[iviarellereads]

The Great Hunt, Chapter 18 - To the White Tower

(THIS PROJECT IS SPOILER FREE! No spoilers past the chapter you click on. Curious what I'm doing here? Read this post! For the link index and a primer on The Wheel of Time, read this one! Like what you see? Send me a Ko-Fi.)

(Flame icon) In which someone makes a promise that may or may not be very easy to keep.

PERSPECTIVE: Egwene. The wind rose as soon as the ships were full, and it hadn't even let up for a moment since, day or night. Nynaeve has suffered with motion sickness and swears she'll never board a boat again.(1) Egwene isn't so bothered by that, but Nynaeve asks if she had another Dream. She did, not so different from the others, she just wishes she could make sense of them. Anaiya Sedai clearly knows more than she's letting on, though, that's for sure.

The man in the mask is the most troubling part, and yet, Egwene hasn't been able to bring herself to tell Anaiya about that part. Something told her it was better that Anaiya not know about him.(2)

They're getting fed up of one another and the conversation when the Amyrlin herself walks in to give them their daily lesson. At Nynaeve's protests, the Amyrlin says some told her Nynaeve would do well to spend time as a novice, but she herself believes that those with the ability deserve to advance with it, and she suspects Nynaeve will learn a great deal at the Tower.

Nynaeve says she'd rather a Warder show her how to use a sword, and the Amyrlin conjures a sword with a weave of Air, saying it's as good as most steel blades, but still not much use to a woman. It changes to a paring knife and she comments that this is a useful tool. The knife disappears, the weave ended, and the Amyrlin says that both are more effort than they're worth. You have to learn when to use your ability, and how, and when it's better to do things without it. Using the Power too much makes you like it too much, and that way lies danger.

Nynaeve says she'd as soon learn something useful, no more stirring the air and lighting candles and putting them back out again. The Amyrlin conjures another weave of air that paralyzes both young women, and asks if this is useful, when a man rushes at you with a sword? She lifts Nynaeve with it, explaining that if she doesn't like where the man is, she can simply move him. She even says that she'd love to use this to fly, the Age of Legends Aes Sedai could fly, somehow, but not with this weave. You can pick up something heavier than yourself with it, but you can never pick yourself up.(3)

All the while, Nynaeve is demanding to be let go.

“So,” the Amyrlin continued, “big, hairy man, and so forth. He can do nothing to me, while I can do anything at all to him. Why, if I had a mind to”—she leaned forward, her eyes intent on Nynaeve; suddenly her smile did not seem very friendly—“I could turn him upside down and paddle his bottom. Just like—” Suddenly the Amyrlin flew backwards so hard her head rebounded from the wall, and there she stayed, as if something were pressing against her. Egwene stared, her mouth dry. This isn’t happening. It isn’t. “They were right,” the Amyrlin said. Her voice sounded strained, as though she found it hard to breathe. “They said you learned quickly. And they said it took your temper burning to get to the heart of what you can do.” She took a struggling breath. “Shall we release each other together, child?” Nynaeve, floating in the air with her eyes ablaze, said, “You let me go right now, or I’ll—” Abruptly a look of amazement came over her face, a look of loss. Her mouth worked silently.

The Amyrlin asks if Nynaeve thought that she could be cut off from the True Source like that, and adds that when she's raised to full Aes Sedai, no woman will be able to do that. The stronger you become, the more women it takes to shield you from the Power against your will. Does Nynaeve want to learn now?

Nynaeve stares at the Amyrlin grimly, and the Amyrlin says if Nynaeve had less potential than she does, she'd be off to the Mistress of Novices indefinitely, but she will get what she deserves. She lets go of the weave and the shield, dropping Nynaeve to her bed. Now, if there's nothing else, on with the lesson.

Egwene is sweating by the time the Amyrlin leaves, the hardest taskmaster they've had yet. Nynaeve says it's not Egwene's fault, but if she says one word to anyone... Not a word, Egwene promises, she doesn't remember anything to say a word about.

Shortly, the ship eases its rocking, and they rush onto the deck. They've reached Tar Valon.

The island was so big it looked more as if the river split in two than contained a bit of land. Bridges that seemed to be made of lace arched from either bank to the island, crossing marshy ground as well as the river. The walls of the city, the Shining Walls of Tar Valon, glistened white as the sun broke through the clouds(4). And on the west bank, its broken top leaking a thin wisp of smoke, Dragonmount reared black against the sky, one mountain standing among flat lands and rolling hills. Dragonmount, where the Dragon had died. Dragonmount, made by the Dragon’s dying.(5) Egwene wished she did not think of Rand when she looked at the mountain. A man channeling. Light, help him.

They get off the ship and goggle at all the pretty in the city for several paragraphs.

“Fair takes the breath at first sight,” said a woman’s voice behind them. “At tenth sight, for that. And at hundredth.” Egwene turned. The woman was Aes Sedai; Egwene was sure of it, though she wore no shawl. No one else had that ageless look; and she held herself with an assurance, a confidence that seemed to confirm it. A glance at her hand showed the golden ring, the serpent biting its own tail. The Aes Sedai was a little plump, with a warm smile, and one of the oddest-appearing women Egwene had ever seen. Her plumpness could not hide high cheekbones, her eyes had a tilt to them and were the clearest, palest green, and her hair was almost the color of fire. Egwene barely stopped herself from goggling at that hair, those slightly slanted eyes. “Ogier built, of course,” the Aes Sedai went on, “and their best work ever, some say. One of the first cities built after the Breaking. There weren’t half a thousand people here altogether then—no more than twenty sisters—but they built for what would be needed.” “It is a lovely city,” Nynaeve said. “We are supposed to go to the White Tower. We came here for training, but no one seems to care if we go or stay.” “They care,” the woman said, smiling. “I came here to meet you, but I was delayed speaking with the Amyrlin. I am Sheriam, the Mistress of Novices.”

Nynaeve insists that she's not to be a novice, and Sheriam Sedai agrees, though it's never been done that way before. She then looks at Egwene and talks a little about how novice training is hard, but better that they find out someone may break under the pressure as a novice, and not when lives depend on her as an Aes Sedai.

Nynaeve looked at her worriedly. “Sheriam. . . .” She stopped and took a deep breath. “Sheriam Sedai”—she seemed to force the honorific out—“does it have to be so hard on her? Flesh and blood can only take so much. I know . . . something . . . of what novices must go through. Surely there’s no need to try to break her just to find out how strong she is.” “You mean what the Amyrlin did to you today?” Nynaeve’s back stiffened; Sheriam looked as though she were trying to keep amusement from her face. “I told you I spoke with the Amyrlin. Rest your worries for your friend. Novice training is hard, but not that hard. That is for the first few weeks of being one of the Accepted.” Nynaeve’s mouth fell open; Egwene thought the Wisdom’s eyes were going to come right out of her head. “To catch the few who might have slipped through novice training when they should not have. We cannot risk having one of our number—a full Aes Sedai—who will break under the stress of the world outside.”(6) The Aes Sedai gathered them both up, an arm around the shoulders of each. Nynaeve hardly seemed to realize where she was going. “Come,” Sheriam said, “I will see you settled in your rooms. The White Tower awaits.”

=====

(1) That feels like a vow doomed to be broken at first opportunity. (2) Why would Egg might not want to trust Anaiya with the details of her dream about someone she thinks might be the Dark One incarnate? (3) How very like the bootstraps metaphor. (4) It's a vulva. The island of Tar Valon is very much extremely a vulva, with little harbours at the north and south. The "glistening" is intentional. The fandom's favourite joke is how men can never find northharbour. (Bonus: This is also the island Rand saw in a dream all the way back in book 1, chapter 9.) (5) And Creator forbid we talk about vagina island without the giant Dragonmount penis mountain next to it. The mountain whose creation, if we recall the book 1 prologue, literally made a river divert to form that island. ROBERT? ROBERT COME BACK FROM THE DEAD WE JUST WANT TO TALK! (6) What an interesting way to frame it. The hints of RJ's military service are all over the White Tower, even for folks who don't really have familiarity with military history or function to recognize. Just look at how they treat novices: practically disposable. Most will wash out. Most don't have what it takes. Novices are new recruits, and Accepted are a bare step above that, those who have learned enough to be dangerous to the establishment if not controlled properly.

[regalokitchens]

Exploring Innovative Designs For Modular Kitchen

Originally Posted On:- https://www.regalokitchens.com/exploring-innovative-designs-for-modular-kitchen.php

In today's world, the kitchen is more than just a place to cook; it has become the hub of the home. To keep up with the changing times, homeowners are increasingly turning to modular kitchens for their efficiency, aesthetics, and functionality. In this blog post, we delve into the world of innovative designs for kitchens, shedding light on how they can transform your cooking space. And, for those seeking the peak of perfection in modular kitchens, Regalo Kitchens is the go-to firm.

The Rise of Modular Kitchens

What are Modular Kitchens?

Modular kitchen is a modern approach to kitchen design that makes use of prefabricated modules or pieces. These units, often made of high-quality materials, can be easily assembled and customized to fit the specific needs of any kitchen space.

The Popularity Surge

The popularity of modular kitchens can be attributed to their versatility, efficient space utilization, and sleek designs. As the demand for these kitchens has increased, so has the necessity for new designs that not only address practical needs but also improve the home's beauty.

Innovative Designs for Modular Kitchens

1. Smart Storage Solutions

Pull-Out Pantries Consider utilizing drawer dividers to separate and organize cutlery, kitchen tools, and accessories. Regalo Kitchens offers a variety of drawer organizers that fit seamlessly into their modular designs, ensuring everything has its designated place.

Corner Carousels Corner spaces in classic kitchens are typically unused. Corner carousels are revolving shelves that make the most of every available space in your kitchen. Regalo Kitchens offers advanced carousel designs that not only optimize storage but also add a touch of sophistication to your kitchen layout.

2. Ergonomic Designs

Adjustable Cabinets Opt for deep drawers to store larger items like pots and pans. This provides for quicker access and eliminates the need to stack objects, resulting in a more efficient and user-friendly solution.

Lift-Up Cabinets Lift-up cabinet designs eliminate the difficulty of accessing high cabinets. Regalo Kitchens' cutting-edge lift-up cabinets effortlessly combine style and functionality, making your kitchen experience both seamless and visually appealing.

3. Futuristic Appliances Integration

Built-In Appliances To achieve a sleek and streamlined look, more homeowners are opting for built-in appliances. Regalo Kitchens seamlessly integrates state-of-the-art appliances, such as ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers, into the modular kitchen design. This not only saves space but also improves the overall appearance of the kitchen.

Smart Kitchen Technology The future is here, and so is the kitchen. Regalo Kitchens provides revolutionary smart kitchen technology solutions, such as touch-sensitive faucets and automatic lighting. These advancements not only make daily tasks more convenient but also add a touch of sophistication to your kitchen.

4. Aesthetic Focal Points

Bold Backsplashes The days of basic, neutral-colored backsplashes are over. Modern kitchens use bold patterns, brilliant colors, and one-of-a-kind materials to create eye-catching focal areas. Regalo Kitchens stays ahead of the curve by offering a wide array of backsplash options, allowing homeowners to express their personality through their kitchen design.

Stylish Cabinet Finishes Innovative designs extend beyond functionality; they also encompass aesthetics. Regalo Kitchens offers an incredible range of cabinet finishes, from sleek modern designs to timeless classics. Whether you prefer glossy, matte, or textured finishes, Regalo Kitchens has the perfect option to complement your style.

Why Choose Regalo Kitchens?

Unparalleled Craftsmanship

Regalo Kitchens takes pride in its dedication to superior craftsmanship. Each modular kitchen is meticulously designed and crafted with precision, ensuring durability and longevity.

Customization at Its Finest

No two kitchens are alike, and Regalo Kitchens understands the importance of customization. Their team collaborates directly with clients to design a kitchen that properly suits their preferences, lifestyle, and space constraints.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Regalo Kitchens stays at the forefront of technological advancements in kitchen design. From creative storage solutions to smart kitchen technology, they blend the most recent trends to provide homeowners a kitchen that not only meets but exceeds their expectations.

Sustainability

In addition to style and functionality, Regalo Kitchens is committed to sustainability. They use eco-friendly materials and procedures to reduce environmental effect, ensuring that your dream kitchen is both attractive and socially responsible.

Conclusion

As the kitchen continues to evolve into a multifunctional space, the demand for innovative designs for modular kitchens is higher than ever. Regalo Kitchens emerges as the market leader in this category, providing an ideal balance of elegance, functionality, and sustainability. Regalo Kitchens, where innovation meets perfection, will transform your kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Are modular kitchens suitable for small spaces?

Absolutely! Modular kitchens are designed to maximize space efficiency. They can be adjusted to accommodate even the tiniest kitchen spaces, thanks to smart storage options and adaptable layouts.

Q2: How durable are the materials used in modular kitchens?

Most modular kitchens are made of high-quality materials including marine plywood, MDF, and particleboard, which ensures durability and lifespan. The choice of materials can be customized based on individual preferences and budget.

Q3: Can existing kitchens be converted into modular kitchens?

Yes, existing kitchens can be transformed into modular kitchens. Modular units may be fitted and adapted to fit your existing kitchen plan, making them an affordable solution to expand your cooking space.

Q4: Are modular kitchens easy to clean and maintain?

Absolutely. The smooth surfaces and minimalistic designs of modular kitchens make them easy to clean. Most materials used are resistant to stains, and regular maintenance involves simple cleaning routines.

Q5: Is it possible to incorporate eco-friendly elements into a modular kitchen?

Certainly. Homeowners can choose eco-friendly materials, such as bamboo or recycled wood, for their modular kitchen . Additionally, energy-efficient appliances and water-saving fixtures can be integrated for a more sustainable kitchen design.