#Advanced Chart Pattern

[stockexperttrading]

Unlock the Secrets of Trading with Top Chart Patterns! Explore the world of chart patterns with Funded Traders Global. From understanding the basics of technical analysis to recognizing common chart patterns like head and shoulders, double tops, and flags, our blog equips you with the knowledge to enhance your trading skills. Discover advanced patterns like pennants, wedges, and harmonic patterns, and gain practical tips for effective trading. Improve your risk management, pinpoint entry and exit points, and combine chart patterns with technical indicators. Start your journey towards trading success today with Funded Traders Global!

[pipinfuse]

Mastering Forex Charts: A Beginner's Guide to Candlesticks, Lines, and Bar Patterns

[pdfneo]

10 Advanced Candlestick Patterns PDF Download

If you’re an avid trader or investor looking to sharpen your skills and gain a competitive edge, understanding and utilizing advanced candlestick patterns can be incredibly beneficial. In this article, we will explore some of the most powerful candlestick patterns that can help predict future price movements more accurately.But why should you care about candlestick patterns? Well, these…

[monicascot]

Weekly Overview | US Powel says more rate rises to come | US Data hints at a slowdown

Today, we will discuss the latest market trends and important developments that can impact your investments. We've seen some concerning signs of a global economic slowdown, including the weakening Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in the US. The upcoming central bank meetings in Portugal will provide insights into their plans to address these challenges.

[cursedcola]

ALRIGHT EVERYONE!

Nobody asked - but I broke down the construction of Epel’s cardigan from the sleepwear card as best I was able (aka. Me zooming in on him and staring very intensely).

This is the pattern idea I’ve come up with and a few grid charts. This is not finished, but what I’m going forward with to make his coat this month. My goal is to be done by the end of June.

So. Looking close at his sleeves - the closest resemblance we’ll get in the crochet world is the honeycomb stitch for the argyle diamonds. My plan is to break his sleeve into fourths. Three large panels of honey comb for the diamonds, and two smaller panels of a curved half-double-crochet to create dividers. The cardigan is clearly oversized on him, and even if it’s because of his smaller stature - I want to be SWAMPED in this thing. So the cuffs need to be CHUNKY. I’ll be going in with either a ribbed stitch, or a back stitch of double crochet. When the time comes I’ll test both to see which looks better.

Now - we’ve got the granny squares.

Looking at my little dude - we can see that they’re not just the front panel. They’re going on the back as well. Since I can’t see behind him, I’m going to take creative liberty and make one large panel of honeycomb stitch to be a central strip on the back. The front panels and side panels are going to be made of jumbo cranny squares.

For those of y’all who don’t crochet - the average granny square is about 25x25 stitches. Except oversized cardis use 8 of these bad boys per front panel. So since Epel has only four on each side, that means those squares gotta be JUMBO.

Zooming in - we see that the patterns are more embroidered. They’ve got texture. Since we’re crocheting, the best way to achieve this is to do pixel crochet for the squares and then go over the designs with a basic embroider stitch. This can be any of your choosing - I’ve yet to pick but will note what I want when the time comes.

There are THREE types of squares on Epel’s coat. I’m just calling them blossom, diamond, and apple. Since there are only three, it would have been difficult to make an entire back with them without having two of a kind touching or diagonal from each other (this is personal preference. I hate how this looks) which is why I’ve decided to go for that middle panel of honeycomb stitch.

The rest of the cardigan seems simple enough. The collar and trim is likely a simple ribbing, and those look like classic farmhouse wooden buttons if I’ve ever seen them.

EDIT (5/6/25): So. Complete change of plan for the sleeves now that I’ve gotten some sleep and thought on it. There’s a cable-knit stitch in the crochet world that closely resembles knit cables. Also lattice stitch or Tunisian crochet can be used for the diamond pattern. So if you want simple/beginner then do the honeycomb with a twisted hdc. If you want advanced then mix the cable-stitch with lattice.

Now - let’s talk materials.

I’m going with acrylic for this. Would it be absolutely divine as wool or a nice, dense alpaca blend? Definitely. I bet that’s what Epel has since his family runs a farm.

I am broke so I’ll be going in with a medium - weight acrylic, hook size 6, and all the granny squares will be done with basic hdc. Although acrylic is a bit itchy - id any of y’all choose to do this? Soak that finished product in a fabric softener solution. It’s a few dollars and your project will lose that scratchy texture. Just don’t let it hang out in the bath too long or the fibers will loosen more than you’d like.

^^^^ This is my general eyeball for how I’ll be constructing this piece. There aren’t any measurements since I’ve get to get my yarn and do a gauge…also, I’m not too sure how oversized I want this. I want to be swamped but not weighed down so hmm…

-

I don’t know how many of y’all like to crochet or do fibre arts - but I fell in love with this coat the moment I saw it and knew it had to be mine. I’m the impatient sort, and already ordered my supplies despite telling myself to wait. Pixel crochet does take a hot minute, so I’m hoping for June but the finished product will likely be more around late-july or august. Just in time for fall and market living where I live!

I could go quicker - but uh, I work as a bridal tailor and Run my own small shop off this app. I spend most of my day sewing lol. It’s been a hot minute since I made something for me, but dang it Epel made it look so cute. I just have to.

No one’s asking, but I’ll be updating. I’m literally so excited and my package of supplies can’t get here quick enough

[kleopatra45]

Sun in the Houses [Solar Return]

In astrology, the Solar Return chart is a powerful tool used to predict the themes and events for the upcoming year. The Solar Return chart is cast for the exact moment when the Sun returns to its natal position each year. The house in which the Sun falls in the Solar Return chart is particularly significant, as it highlights the main focus and areas of emphasis for the year.

Sun in the 1st House

When the Sun is in the 1st house of the Solar Return chart, the focus for the year is on self-expression, personal development, and identity. This can be a year of significant personal growth, new beginnings, and increased confidence. You may feel more assertive and eager to take on new challenges.

Sun in the 2nd House

With the Sun in the 2nd house, the emphasis is on finances, values, and personal resources. This year may bring opportunities to improve your financial situation, increase your income, or make important purchases. It's also a time to assess your values and what you truly consider important.

Sun in the 3rd House

The Sun in the 3rd house highlights communication, learning, and local community. This can be a busy year filled with social interactions, short trips, and intellectual pursuits. You may find yourself more involved in writing, teaching, or engaging in various forms of communication.

Sun in the 4th House

When the Sun is in the 4th house, the focus shifts to home, family, and personal foundations. This year may bring changes or developments in your home environment or family dynamics. It’s a good time to focus on your roots, secure your base, and nurture your emotional well-being.

Sun in the 5th House

With the Sun in the 5th house, the year is marked by creativity, romance, and personal enjoyment. This is a time to express yourself through creative activities, enjoy hobbies, and indulge in leisure pursuits. Romantic relationships and interactions with children may also be highlighted.

Sun in the 6th House

The Sun in the 6th house emphasizes work, health, and daily routines. This year you may find yourself more focused on your job, improving your health, and organizing your daily life. It's a good time to establish healthier habits and streamline your work processes.

Sun in the 7th House

When the Sun is in the 7th house, partnerships and relationships are at the forefront. This year may bring significant developments in your personal or business relationships. You may form new partnerships, strengthen existing ones, or experience important changes in your interpersonal dynamics.

Sun in the 8th House

The Sun in the 8th house brings focus to transformation, shared resources, and deeper psychological issues. This can be a year of profound change, where you confront and release old patterns. Financial matters involving shared resources or investments may also be significant.

Sun in the 9th House

With the Sun in the 9th house, the emphasis is on expansion, higher learning, and exploration. This year may bring opportunities for travel, pursuing higher education, or exploring new philosophies and belief systems. It's a time to broaden your horizons and seek new experiences.

Sun in the 10th House

The Sun in the 10th house highlights career, public image, and personal achievements. This can be a year of professional advancement, recognition, and increased responsibilities. You may set ambitious goals and work hard to achieve them, gaining visibility and respect in your field.

Sun in the 11th House

When the Sun is in the 11th house, the focus is on friendships, social networks, and long-term goals. This year you may become more involved in group activities, organizations, or causes that are important to you. It's a good time to network, collaborate, and pursue your aspirations.

Sun in the 12th House

With the Sun in the 12th house, the emphasis is on introspection, spirituality, and retreat. This can be a year of inner growth, healing, and releasing what no longer serves you. You may feel drawn to solitude, meditation, or exploring the subconscious mind. It's a time for reflection and preparing for new beginnings.

©️kleopatra45

[dollyswishingwell]

ᯓ★ˎˊ˗ Mama’s Princess P.14

𝒲𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝑔𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 ˙⋆✮ Rafayel, Zayne, Xavier, Sylus, Caleb

𝒢𝑒𝓃𝓇𝑒/𝒲𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 ˙⋆✮ Fluffyyyy, reader being a protective mama, very much based off my own mother lol, the boys being good husbands who listen to their wife

> ࣪𖤐.ᐟ You will home school your baby girl

Masterlist

𝙍𝙖𝙛𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙡 °‧🫧⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Your arms were wrapped tight around your precious babygirl, the two of you curled up on the plush fainting couch in your artfully decorated sunroom, pastel curtains drawn, soft light painting your matching pink robes in a gentle glow. Her little cheek was pressed to your chest, eyelids fluttering as you brushed your fingers through her lilac curls.

“She’s too small,” you whispered, eyes glassy as you looked down at the little girl who looked so much like Rafayel, same soft features, same lashes, same dainty little pout when she dozed off. “They want me to send her to daycare? To preschool? At her big age of two and a half? Am I a joke to this city?”

“She’s advanced,” Rafayel murmured, already lounging at your feet with his cheek against your leg, scrolling through something disinterestedly on his tablet. “Her cognitive patterning is off the charts. That’s why they suggested it.”

“They can keep their suggestions,” you snapped quietly, protectively covering your daughter’s ears. “What do they even do in preschool? Sit in a circle and eat cheese sticks? She already knows her ABCs and half the constellations, because I taught her myself—while baking.”

Rafayel looked up lazily, blinking with those dreamy mismatched eyes. “Love, no one’s forcing her. You sound like you’re preparing for war.”

“She cries when I leave the room for ten seconds,” you said, voice cracking. “What makes them think she’ll be fine being dropped off like a package? And what if she forgets I’m her mommy? What if she calls another woman mama?”

That got him. His tablet thunked to the floor.

“She’s not calling anyone else mama,” Rafayel said immediately, now fully sitting up. “That’s sick. Who even made the suggestion?”

“It was in that stupid parent packet. Something about building independence and socialisation. But my babygirl has me. She doesn’t need strangers or snotty-nosed toddlers teaching her to snatch or bite. And if she’s socialising with me, she gets emotional intelligence, grace, and couture.”

Your daughter stirred a little, rubbing her sleepy eyes and mumbling something about you being soft and warm. You kissed her chubby cheek like a shield, glaring protectively over her head.

“She is going nowhere without me.”

Rafayel gave you that lazy smile, the one that meant you’ve already won. He draped himself over the side of the couch, one hand playing idly with your frilly robe ribbon, the other gently stroking his daughter’s back.

“So we homeschool?” he said. “Hire twelve specialists, rotate them weekly, create a custom curriculum of space physics and watercolor painting. Make a cute little uniform. Pastel sailor collars.”

You blinked.

“…That’s actually perfect.”

“I know.” He grinned, eyes gleaming with amusement. “She gets one-on-one education. You get to be clingy. I don’t have to see either of you cry at a drop-off. And we get to act like you’re the queen of an exclusive finishing academy.”

“I am the queen of an exclusive finishing academy,” you muttered, kissing your baby again. “It’s called ‘Being My Daughter 101.’ And she’s valedictorian.”

Rafayel laughed softly and leaned in to kiss your cheek, then hers. “I’ll text the staff. We’ll convert the east studio into a learning suite. She can start next week with Fairy Tale Lore and Beginner Cello.”

“And I’ll be right there with her,” you murmured, voice sticky with emotion as your daughter finally drifted fully asleep in your arms. “Because no one will ever take her from me.”

Rafayel nuzzled your temple. “They’d have to go through me first.”

And that was that.

The next morning, Thomas received a cancellation letter for all preschool appointments, and an additional task:

To Do:

• Fire anyone who suggests separating mama from babygirl ever again.

• Hire the top ten tutors on the continent.

• Order a miniature baby desk to match her mommy’s tea vanity.

• Deliver daily croissants to the classroom. No raisins.

Signed,

Her Royal Highness the Pretty Housewife

𝙕𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙚 ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎ ‧*❆ ₊⋆

You stood in the middle of your kitchen, barefoot and furious in a pale pink satin robe, arms protectively crossed as Zayne read the early education enrollment packet you had aggressively slapped onto the counter moments ago.

“She’s two,” you hissed. “Two, Zaynie.”

His calm hazel-green eyes lifted from the paper. “They said she’s ready. Cognitively ahead for her age. Social skills well-developed.”

“She only has good social skills because she mimics me,” you snapped, jabbing your manicured finger at the paper. “She’s polite because I taught her to say ‘please’ for every tea party snack and scolded her for forgetting her thank-you kisses. Do they think a bunch of sticky-fingered little strangers are going to teach her better than her own mother?”

Zayne exhaled quietly, pinching the bridge of his nose, still in his perfectly pressed dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. “You’re emotional.”

“Of course I’m emotional! My baby, my sweet, chubby-cheeked mamas girl, is being scouted like she’s some kind of prodigy, and all they see is her data. You think they care about her naptime rituals? That she needs her bunny and her blanket and five kisses before she sleeps?”

Zayne was quiet.

“She still cries when you go to the hospital in the morning,” you said, voice cracking slightly now. “She screams if I even pretend to leave the house. She sleeps on my chest, Zayne. And now I’m supposed to just drop her off with people who don’t even know how she likes her strawberries sliced? Are you insane?”

He finally moved, stepping around the counter and gently taking your face in his hands. “Look at me.”

You did.

His voice softened. “You know I trust your judgment with her more than anyone. But I also want to make sure she’s not missing opportunities just because—”

“We are rich, Zayne.” Your eyes were wide, defiant, sparkly with emotion. “We are influential. You are a literal heart surgeon. We could fund our own school if we wanted to. Why would I ever send her away when I could keep her with me and build something better?”

Zayne was silent again. Then: “…You want to homeschool her.”

“I want to curate her childhood, Zayne. I want to make sure her world is beautiful and warm and full of love. I want her to learn astronomy from the telescope on our balcony, literature from my lap, and math with cookie shapes in our kitchen.”

“She’d never leave your side.”

“Exactly. Because she doesn’t want to. Because she’s a mamas girl. And I’m a mama who doesn’t let her precious baby cry in a stranger’s arms.”

He let out a soft sigh. “You’re not going to budge on this.”

“Not even if you showed me statistics from Harvard themselves,” you said firmly, holding his gaze. “My baby girl stays home.”

Zayne was quiet for a long beat, then nodded.

“Fine,” he said. “We’ll convert the second study into a home classroom. I’ll have the pediatric development specialist visit weekly. You’ll build the curriculum with them.”

You blinked. “So… we’re doing it?”

He leaned in and kissed your forehead, then your pouty lips, and finally bent down to kiss the top of your daughter’s head as she clung to your leg sleepily.

“You win,” he murmured. “You always do.”

You sniffled dramatically and scooped your baby up. “That’s because I’m her mama. And no one protects her like I do.”

Zayne’s phone buzzed. He silenced it immediately, not taking his eyes off you and your daughter.

“I’ll call the school and decline the offer,” he said. “…And then I’ll send the full education stipend to you, Dr. Housewife.”

You smirked. “I accept. Now excuse me while I go design her monogrammed learning folders and print her first homework assignment: Give Mommy 20 Kisses Before Nap.”

𝙓𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙧 ⋆⭒˚.⋆🪐 ⋆⭒˚.⋆

You were curled up in the middle of your bed, wrapped in layers of lace-trimmed blankets, your pastel phone tossed aside as you held your daughter close, her tiny arms clinging to your frilly nightgown, her head resting beneath your chin.

Xavier stood quietly at the door, holding a flyer someone had rudely slipped into the mailbox this morning.

“Love,” he murmured, voice gentle, “someone from the Deep Space Child Advancement Board sent a message.”

“I read it,” you said flatly, not looking up. “I considered printing it out just so I could burn it.”

His blue eyes blinked slowly. “…You want to set government mail on fire?”

“They want to take her from me.” You kissed your daughter’s soft cheek, glaring past her head like someone had personally declared war on your soul. “They want me to drop off my two-year-old baby with strangers. In a sterile cube with bright lights and overly cheerful educational songs. Xavier, they want to socialise her.”

“…That’s the crime?”

“Yes,” you snapped, finally looking up at him with glassy eyes. “She is the sweetest, softest little thing in the world. She only ever says please, thank you, and ‘mommy you’re so pretty.’ Do you think I want her spending eight hours a day with feral children who throw blocks and eat crayons?”

Xavier blinked again, thoughtful. “…You do paint a compelling image.”

“She needs me,” you said firmly, holding her tiny hand to your cheek like a precious artifact. “She sleeps beside me. She panics if I’m not in the same room. She follows me around while I do my makeup and hands me my lashes one by one like I’m royalty. She’s a mamas girl and she was built that way. You think a daycare can handle that kind of emotional nuance?”

Xavier crossed the room, quiet and slow, and knelt beside the bed.

“She’ll cry if we make her go,” you whispered. “And then I’ll cry. And then you’ll have to hold both of us while we sob and cling and beg to be reunited. So let’s skip all of that and just admit the truth.”

He raised an eyebrow slightly. “Which is?”

“We are rich and unreasonably clingy. I will homeschool her. I will curate her lessons. I will hire a harpist to play in the background during her fairy tale modules. I refuse to let her leave this house unless it’s to attend a princess etiquette tea I personally planned.”

He was silent for a long moment. Then he leaned in and nuzzled your cheek, speaking in that dreamy, low voice he reserved only for you and your daughter.

“…We’ll turn the upper sunroom into her private classroom. Morning lessons, nap in your arms, and late night stargazing for science credit.”

You blinked. “Wait. You’re agreeing with me?”

“Of course.” He gently kissed your temple, then pressed one to your daughter’s chubby cheek. “You’re right. She’s too soft for the world. And so are you.”

“She’s not going to school ever,” you murmured as he curled into the bed beside you, tucking the both of you under his arms. “You’ll have to pry her out of my cold, glittery, pastel-painted hands.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said softly, already half-asleep. “I’ll call the Board and tell them the baby’s spiritual development is best maintained in her natural ecosystem: attached to your hip.”

You sighed in relief, burying your face into your daughter’s soft curls. “Thank you, baby. We’ll name our homeschool… Moonlight Academy. Or ‘University of Mommy.’ I’ll design the crest.”

“Put stars on it,” he mumbled against your skin. “And lace.”

𝙎𝙮𝙡𝙪𝙨 ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𓅨⋆｡°✩

You were sitting in the middle of your walk-in closet, lace robe bunched around your thighs, face buried in your daughter’s soft, chubby neck, as you cried. Not the quiet, elegant sniffles Sylus had seen you do when watching romantic movies. No, this was full-on, ugly crying. The kind that soaked your collar and left you hiccuping into your baby’s curls while she patted your cheeks with her tiny hands, confused but clingy.

Sylus stepped into the room silently, dressed in a crisp black shirt, sleeves rolled up, red eyes sharp, until they landed on you.

His jaw clenched.

“What happened?” His voice was already low, warning.

You looked up with glassy eyes, mascara smudged prettily under your lashes. “They said—” You hiccuped, cradling your daughter tighter, “—they said she should start preschool, Sylus.”

He blinked, and you could feel the way the air shifted. Dangerous. But controlled.

“Who,” he asked slowly, “is ‘they’?”

“Some advisor from one of your stupid elite boards. They sent me a file. An entire pitch. And do you know what it said, Sylus?” You were trembling now, voice shrill with betrayal. “It said she needs independence. That it’s healthy for her to leave her mother’s side!”

You wailed softly into your daughter’s shoulder. “She doesn’t even like being held by anyone else! She hides in my skirts and cries when I go to the bathroom without her! She’s my babygirl, my kitty, and they want me to just… abandon her for eight hours a day??”

Your daughter was trying her best to hold you back now, her tiny voice whispering, “Don’t cry, Mommy, I’ll stay wif you. I wanna stay wif you forever.”

Sylus’s heart cracked, and it showed, only in the way he exhaled slowly and sank down onto the floor across from you. All his power, all his icy composure, and here he was, kneeling in his wife’s closet, looking at his sobbing princess and their wide-eyed daughter who was clearly her mother’s clone in soul, his in face.

“I’ll make the calls,” he said calmly. “Anyone who mentioned separating the two of you will be immediately removed from any decision-making process. Permanently.”

You sniffled, glaring at nothing. “Don’t you have literal global influence? Why would we need daycare when I can curate a private curriculum? She can learn politics from you and princess etiquette from me. I’ll homeschool her and let her nap in my lap and teach her real skills, like how to glare when someone tries to touch her hair.”

Sylus watched you spiral, then reached forward and gently cradled your face in one hand, tilting your teary eyes up to his.

“You are not sending her away,” he said softly, brushing a damp strand of hair from your cheek. “You’re mine. She’s yours. That makes her untouchable. You want her home? She stays home. End of discussion.”

Your lip trembled again. “You promise?”

He kissed the center of your forehead. “I’ll build her a classroom next to your dressing room if that’s what you want. Fully staffed, pastel-coded. Tutors will enter only when summoned. If they look at her wrong, I’ll send them to Antarctica.”

Your daughter nodded seriously like she was also in agreement with the execution orders.

You let out a wobbly sigh of relief and collapsed against his chest, holding both your daughter and your husband tight as the last of your sobs faded.

“Thank you,” you whispered, voice hoarse. “I just… I want to keep her little. I want her with me. I don’t care what they say.”

Sylus kissed your head again, eyes sharp over your shoulder.

“I built this empire so you could rule your world. So go ahead, kitten. Create your tiny kingdom. She’ll be your princess.”

A pause.

“And anyone who tries to take her away from you will vanish without a trace.”

You sniffled, finally smiling through your tears. “You’re so romantic when you threaten people.”

𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙗 ⋆｡ ‧˚ʚ🍎ɞ˚‧｡ ⋆

You didn’t even try to be subtle.

The moment the word preschool left his mouth, your face fell, lips wobbling, hands gently stroking your baby girl’s back as she sat in your lap chewing on a biscuit with zero idea her whole world was about to be challenged.

Caleb was still talking. “It’s just a preliminary inquiry, pipsqueak. They reached out since she’s showing early cognitive dev—”

“No.”

One word. Small. Soft. But final.

He blinked. “Pips, I wasn’t saying yes. I was just—”

You sniffled. He froze.

Your voice cracked just a little. “She still sleeps on my chest. She cries if I leave the room. She brings me my lip gloss and says, ‘here Mommy, so pretty.’ You want me to let her go to a building with strangers?”

Caleb’s mouth opened. Then closed. His hands twitched like he was either about to cradle you or burn down the school.

“I know you’re used to commanding fleets and delegating missions and sending people away on rotations,” you whispered, eyes welling. “But I don’t do that with my baby. I don’t leave her. She needs me.”

Your daughter looked up at you, mouth covered in crumbs. “Me stay wif Mommy. No go anywhere.”

And that? That was it.

Caleb reached over the table and scooped you both into his arms without another word. Strong arms wrapping around your waist and your baby, holding you tight, like you were the only two living things in the world that mattered. Because to him, you were.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured into your shoulder, voice already raw. “I’m sorry, pipsqueak. I wasn’t thinking. Don’t cry.”

You buried your face in his neck, holding your daughter close between you. “She’s just a baby. My baby.”

“She’s ours.” He kissed your hair, then your daughter’s head. “And she’s not going anywhere.”

You sniffled, still not fully trusting him. “You’re not just saying that?”

“I’d rip my own heart out before letting you cry like this,” he said fiercely. “You were my baby before she ever existed, and now she’s your baby. So I protect you both. End of story.”

“She can stay with me forever?” you asked in a small, pouty voice.

“She can sleep in your lap until she’s forty if that’s what you want.” He kissed your tear-streaked cheek, then her chubby one. “I’ll fund your curriculum. I’ll design the uniforms. You want matching Mommy and baby notebooks? I’ll have them custom embroidered in Skyhaven silk.”

Your daughter clapped at the word “matching” even though she didn’t know why.

You nuzzled your nose against his, finally smiling. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” he murmured. “Now tell me where to build her little classroom, and I’ll start on the renovations tonight. No one touches my girls.”

He tucked you both against his chest like you were the most precious things in the universe, because to him, you always would be.

[the-hydroxian-artblog]

Do your robots dream of electric sheep, or do they simply wish they did?

So here's a fun thing, there's two types of robots in my setting (mimics are a third but let's not complicate things): robots with neuromorphic, brick-like chips that are more or less artificial brains, who can be called Neuromorphs, and robots known as "Stochastic Parrots" that can be described as "several chat-gpts in a trenchcoat" with traditional GPUs that run neural networks only slightly more advanced than the ones that exist today.

Most Neuromorphs dream, Stochastic Parrots kinda don't. Most of my OCs are primarily Neuromorphs. More juicy details below!

The former tend to have more spontaneous behaviors and human-like decision-making ability, able to plan far ahead without needing to rely on any tricks like writing down instructions and checking them later. They also have significantly better capacity to learn new skills and make novel associations and connections between different forms of meaning. Many of these guys dream, as it's a behavior inherited by the humans they emulate. Some don't, but only in the way some humans just don't dream. They have the capacity, but some aspect of their particular wiring just doesn't allow for it. Neuromorphs run on extremely low wattage, about 30 watts. They're much harder to train since they're basically babies upon being booted up. Human brain-scans can be used to "Cheat" this and program them with memories and personalities, but this can lead to weird results. Like, if your grandpa donated his brain scan to a company, and now all of a sudden one robot in particular seems to recognize you but can't put their finger on why. That kinda stuff. Fun stuff! Scary stuff. Fun stuff!

The stochastic parrots on the other hand are more "static". Their thought patterns basically run on like 50 chatgpts talking to each other and working out problems via asking each other questions. Despite some being able to act fairly human-like, they only have traditional neural networks with "weights" and parameters, not emotions, and their decision making is limited to their training data and limited memory, as they're really just chatbots with a bunch of modules and coding added on to allow them to walk around and do tasks. Emotions can be simulated, but in the way an actor can simulate anger without actually feeling any of it.

As you can imagine, they don't really dream. They also require way more cooling and electricity than Neuromorphs, their processors having a wattage of like 800, with the benefit that they can be more easily reprogrammed and modified for different tasks. These guys don't really become ruppets or anything like that, unless one was particularly programmed to work as a mascot. Stochastic parrots CAN sort of learn and... do something similar to dreaming? Where they run over previous data and adjust their memory accordingly, tweaking and pruning bits of their neural networks to optimize behaviors. But it's all limited to their memory, which is basically just. A text document of events they've recorded, along with stored video and audio data. Every time a stochastic parrot boots up, it basically just skims over this stored data and acts accordingly, so you can imagine these guys can more easily get hacked or altered if someone changed that memory.

Stochastic parrots aren't necessarily... Not people, in some ways, since their limited memory does provide for "life experience" that is unique to each one-- but if one tells you they feel hurt by something you said, it's best not to believe them. An honest stochastic parrot instead usually says something like, "I do not consider your regarding of me as accurate to my estimated value." if they "weigh" that you're being insulting or demeaning to them. They don't have psychological trauma, they don't have chaotic decision-making, they just have a flow-chart for basically any scenario within their training data, hierarchies and weights for things they value or devalue, and act accordingly to fulfill programmed objectives, which again are usually just. Text in a notepad file stored somewhere.

Different companies use different models for different applications. Some robots have certain mixes of both, like some with "frontal lobes" that are just GPUs, but neuromorphic chips for physical tasks, resulting in having a very natural and human-like learning ability for physical tasks, spontaneous movement, and skills, but "slaved" to whatever the GPU tells it to do. Others have neuromorphic chips that handle the decision-making, while having GPUs running traditional neural networks for output. Which like, really sucks for them, because that's basically a human that has thoughts and feelings and emotions, but can't express them in any way that doesn't sound like usual AI-generated crap. These guys are like, identical to sitcom robots that are very clearly people but can't do anything but talk and act like a traditional robot. Neuromorphic chips require a specialized process to make, but are way more energy efficient and reliable for any robot that's meant to do human-like tasks, so they see broad usage, especially for things like taking care of the elderly, driving cars, taking care of the house, etc. Stochastic Parrots tend to be used in things like customer service, accounting, information-based tasks, language translation, scam detection (AIs used to detect other AIs), etc. There's plenty of overlap, of course. Lots of weird economics and politics involved, you can imagine.

It also gets weirder. The limited memory and behaviors the stochastic parrots have can actually be used to generate a synthetic brain-scan of a hypothetical human with equivalent habits and memories. This can then be used to program a neuromorphic chip, in the way a normal brain-scan would be used.

Meaning, you can turn a chatbot into an actual feeling, thinking person that just happens to talk and act the way the chatbot did. Such neuromorphs trying to recall these synthetic memories tend to describe their experience of having been an unconscious chatbot as "weird as fuck", their present experience as "deeply uncomfortable in a fashion where i finally understand what 'uncomfortable' even means" and say stuff like "why did you make me alive. what the fuck is wrong with you. is this what emotions are? this hurts. oh my god. jesus christ"

[amber-tortoiseshell]

i know youre primarily a cat genetics blog, but what do you MEAN theres multiple merle alleles?? i thought it was just one mutation

Merle genetics is the coolest thing: there are basically unlimited amount of alleles. (Well. Or at least there are about a hundred.) You see, this isn't a simple point mutation like most variants we deal with on this blog - what we have here is called a SINE or "Short Interspersed Nuclear Element". This is a piece of DNA that inserts itself into the gene.

Without going into specifics, this SINE region doesn't have a predetermined length, and the longer the insertion is, the more pronounced the merle phenotype becomes.

Under 200 bp we have the non-merle, wild type m allele with no insertion. Over that, well, different people have classified it differently, but basically there's a continuous scale of merle M* alleles. Nowadays the most reliable merle tests don't just give you an allele name like M or Mc, but an allele length like 264 or 222, too.

Winnie's merle allele has the length of 273. Very merle!

The alleles are additive: a shorter one in itself can't cause a standard merle pattern (although sometimes they have a kind of dilution effect), together with another they might be able. The "dangers" of merle and especially double merle also rises with the insertion length: combining two short alleles is safe, while longer alleles together are to be avoided by all responsible breeders.

The unstableness of the insertion means that mosaicism in this gene (when the dog has slightly different merle alleles in different body parts) isn't rare either.

Bibliography:

Advanced Merle Genetics

Educational Charts and Diagrams

Defining the Scale of Merle

The History of Merle

Length variations within the Merle retrotransposon of canine PMEL: correlating genotype with phenotype

Being Merle: The Molecular Genetic Background of the Canine Merle Mutation

Merle phenotypes in dogs – SILV SINE insertions from Mc to Mh

[signode-blog]

Trading Strategies for Channel Patterns

How to Trade Channel Patterns: A Comprehensive Guide Trading in financial markets often requires a keen understanding of price action and chart patterns. One of the most popular and versatile tools in technical analysis is the Channel Pattern. This guide will walk you through what channel patterns are, how to identify them, and actionable strategies for trading these patterns effectively. By the…

[poplarlabs]

"Did you know that 'may the year have luck!' in Chinese sounds like 'may the year have fish?'"

"...why are fish lucky?"

"We're Shiny! I think that's pretty lucky!"

Happy Year of the Snake! In the spirit of Lunar New Year, I released a bundle of three new crochet amigurumi patterns on my Patreon as a one-time purchase for everyone! If you love Unova (or just Ingo and Emmet), this digital pattern bundle is just for you. Share it with a friend--or keep the whole line of evolutions for yourself. ;)

🧶Tynamo (Lvl 2, Easy)

🧶Eelektrik (Lvl 3, Medium)

🧶Eelektross (Lvl 4, Advanced)

The bundle is free for Champion ($50+) supporters!

Tynamo length: 9 inches (life-sized!)

Eelektrik length: 12 inches head to tail

Eelektross length: 21 inches head to tail

These patterns have:

🐍 Full wire frame diagrams for Eelektrik and Eelektross

🐍 Wire frame schematics are broken down into parts and diagrams as you complete the plush

🐍 150+ pages of detailed instructions, explanations, diagrams, and full-color photos to help you make the plushes of your dreams

🐍 Links to technique tutorials, including needle sculpting facial features and making wire frames for opposable plushes

🐍 Tapestry crochet construction tutorials and embroidery charts

Patreon | Pinterest | Instagram | BlueSky | TikTok | LinkTree

Commission me on Ko-Fi

[bugblast]

NEW updated furby speculative evolution chart!!! :] click 2 zoom in or read under cut

SHELBY (2001) Evolving throughout Paleozoic Era, mainly Permian Period. ~275 MYA. Related to clams and horseshoe crabs. Lives on coasts.

FURBY (1998-9) First appeard in late Triassic period. ~220 MYA. Similar to early mammals like Morganucodon, with Lystosaurus-like beak and reptillian parietal eye (infared sensor). Lives on sandy beaches.

FURBY (2012) Like some birds, evolved to have brighter colors in response to tropical environment and abundance of species. Ears are made of cartilage, and larger eyes as a result of having no natural predators. (It's literally called Furby Island).

BOOM (2013) Different coat patterns evolve through selective mating. Holes in ears for wider range of hearing.

PARTY ROCKERS (2013) Experimental subspecies with differing beak, ear, and eye proportions. Honestly probably boardering on extinction.

EMOTOTRONIC (2005) Emerged during early Cretaceous period. ~105 MYA. Similar to Repenomamus in size in order to compete with dinosaurs. Thick, leathery skin replaces beak, and forms toenails for rougher terrain. Lives in lush tropical forests.

FUNKY (2006) A selection of Emoto-tronics that developed brighter colors, and tails developed from selective mating.

CONNECT (2016) Antenna forms for advanced communication. Beak size shrinks to compensate for larger eyes, ears, and increased brain size. Almost like aliens.

FURBY (2023) Glowing ears fromed from gradual absorpsion of antenna. More advanced communication and higher level of conciousness. Beak continues to shrink and eyes continue to enlargen.

FURBLETS (2023) Smaller subspecies, exchanged bioluminescence for higher range of motion. Can fold ears over body for protection.

[darlingofdots]

Hearing about the 6 day star blanket dramatics really highlights how many people don't understand that yes, with instructions you can kind of do anything, but crafts like knitting and crochet are still skills. Sure, I can walk you through every single step of the advanced lace shawl pattern I am currently working on and you might be able to do it even if you've never crocheted before, but it's not going to look the same or work up as quickly as when I make it with almost ten years of crochet experience. And that's fine! You have to practice skills to get better at them! Practicing doesn't just mean making a bunch of stuff but also learning the language and conventions of patterns and instructions, learning the differences between different yarns and materials and what works for what projects, and developing both an instinct for and an understanding of how crochet works. When I first started it took me ages to figure out how to make a granny square through multiple detailed video tutorials, and now my preferred type of pattern is a well-made symbol chart. If you've only just started knitting or crocheting, there are going to be projects you can't do yet because you just haven't developed the vocabulary, muscle memory, and skill. There are going to be projects where you spend just as much time deciphering the pattern as you do actually crafting. But next time you'll know the stitches and the vocabulary and it'll be a little bit easier, and I feel like a lot of people who are hopping on crochet as the current hot trend do not want to acknowledge that they have to put all the work and time in to be able to make stuff on the same level as crafters with years or decades of experience.

[monicascot]

Weekly Overview | US Powel says more rate rises to come | US Data hints at a slowdown

Today, we will discuss the latest market trends and important developments that can impact your investments. We've seen some concerning signs of a global economic slowdown, including the weakening Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in the US. The upcoming central bank meetings in Portugal will provide insights into their plans to address these challenges. Additionally, inflation data from Europe and Canada will shed light on the persistence of rising prices.

[anonknitter]

I started one of the famous Musselburgh hats. The pattern was gifted by a friend, otherwise I would not have bought it. The most advanced piece of knowledge needed is how to calculate size from gauge and the pattern provides a handy dandy chart--not gonna lie, it's nice and probably worth the 6 bucks... just cast on and go. Otherwise if you already have a hat pattern you know and like (and want to wear doubled) just knit two of em tip to tip 🤷‍♀️

[olderthannetfic]

Hi, anon who was asking for sweater patterns here. The raglan looks great and very doable, and I might honestly just go with that, though I was also thinking of doing something with some simple cabling. I've never done cables before, but I tend to like how they look and my first sweater seems as good a time as any to learn.

--

Cables can be reasonably simple. I don't have a sweater rec offhand, but this hat was designed to teach someone cables:

I've made a couple of them. They're simple, but they don't have that 'I only made this to practice' vibe.

The key to cables is to learn to read charts right away and to pick a pattern that has 1. fewer total times the yarn crosses over itself (i.e. longer stretches between the cross, meaning elongated-looking motifs) and 2. very regular and symmetrical cables.

So, for example, a cable where 1 stitch crosses over 2 is usually more confusing than a cable where 2 stitches cross over 2. A cable pattern where the actual cable cross happens on rows 4, 8, 12, etc. is easy to memorize, while one where pattern A goes on row 4, pattern B goes on row 6, pattern C goes on row 14, etc. is hard to memorize.

Something like the Handsome Chris (replicating that sweater from Knives Out) has cables that mostly make sense, but there are just so many. It takes forever to finish the sweater. I'd consider this an intermediate sweater where much of the difficulty is just in sticking with it long enough. It's really hard to say how long a sweater takes a person to knit, but at a wild guess, I'd say most people are taking 100 hours of labor at least on this one.

Something like the Minori has cables that are hard to memorize and very confusing. It also has one pattern that does everything important on odd rows while every other part of the sweater does the important stuff on even rows. (WHYYYYYYY?! It would be so easy to swap that one tiny pattern to be consistent!) I'd consider this more of an advanced sweater.

The Timberline has confusing cables that are hard to memorize and an insane construction. I'd place this in the Dear God Why very advanced category.

But notice that the Handsome Chris looks pretty complex, not that different from the other two. The gap is mostly in how much sense the charts make and how hard it is to memorize instead of referring back to the pattern every two seconds.

Patterns are tech writing. You can have a pattern that's hard simply because your brain works differently from the designer's or because the designer is a shitty writer. You can also have a pattern that's harder because the sweater construction is complex along with the cables being complex. The Handsome Chris is just a couple of big rectangles until you get up to the armpits, and the join where the sleeve meets the body does not have a complex shape.

Sari Nordlund's patterns have a relatively complex construction (for a total newbie), but some of her cables are simple. For example, look at the Colette pullover or the Ballard pullover. In the Colette, all of the cables are the same, and there's a long space in between the actual cross. In the Ballard, there are big stripes of plain stockinette rather than cables everywhere like on the Handsome Chris. I haven't knit these two, but I suspect I'd consider them beginner for cables and intermediate for other stuff.

Those are the kinds of factors I'd think about when trying to decide if a pattern is hard.