#Exclusive Databases

[powerexec]

The Power of Big Data Profits Lead Gen For Insurance & Real Estate Agents

Big Data Profits: Hyper-targeted Leads for Insurance & Real Estate Agents The data power of fortune 500 companies without breaking the bank! You know how Fortune 500 companies have access to massive amounts of data and use it to generate leads at will? Well, guess what? You can now tap into that same data power without breaking the bank! Imagine having access to the same level of data insights…

[thekneethief]

kleya and luthen conversation transcripts: season 2 [arc 3-4]

typed these up for me and @agentsofquack to have on hand and thought people might also appreciate having them for quick reference needs! [S1] [S2 Pt.1] (speaker alternates on line breaks and brackets indicate an action)

Season 2, Episode 9: Welcome To The Rebellion | 17:50-18:30

"She threw him out. We don't know if she's speaking, what she'll say, or how they'll react. All we know about Bail Organa's team is that there's something wrong. It's hardly ideal. There's no choice but to try."

"We have nothing. He's never even been inside."

"Erskin knows the building."

"Putting a lot of faith in Erskin."

"Mothma knows the building."

"And doesn't trust me. And doesn't know him. Bail's people might be there already."

(Cassian) "And? If she gets arrested?"

"It all comes down."

~

Season 2, Episode 10: Make It Stop | 4:32-5:12

"Tell me you're ready."

"We'll meet at the old steps."

"There was construction the last time I went through."

"We don't have time for alternatives. Keep your distance."

"I will if you will. [sigh] Look, going like this is risky enough. Just promise me if it doesn't look perfect, you won't engage."

"I think we used up all the perfect. …..Move."

"..Tuck your shirt in."

~

Season 2, Episode 10: Make It Stop | 9:37-10:15

"Ghorman. Scarif. Kyber. Krennic. Erso."

"Galen Erso. Galen."

"Engineer Galen Erso. Super weapon. Based in Scarif. Fuel from Ghorman. Kyber from Jedha. ISB Krennic. Galen Erso."

"And you know where to go?"

"..No. [inhale] No, no. I'm doing the comms-"

"No, you're not."

"I'll be faster."

"I'll do the burn."

"Luthen-"

"Please don't argue. Just be waiting for me. Just be there. …Go."

~

Season 2, Episode 10: Make It Stop | 31:10-31:50

"Well done."

"Am I your daughter now?"

"When it's useful."

"I have to think about that."

"We'll be whoever we have to. It won't always be up to us. I'm Luthen now. You're Kleya. Everything else is up for grabs. I didn't mean to upset you."

"I'm not upset. Just hungry."

"[holds up credits] Let's eat."

~

Season 2, Episode 10: Make It Stop | 34:56-35:40

"When do we start fighting back?"

"We have."

"By walking away?"

"We fight to win. That means we lose. And lose and lose and lose… until we're ready. All you know now is how much you hate. You bank that. You hide that. You keep it alive until you know what to do with it. And when I tell you to move, you move. Move!"

~

Season 2, Episode 10: Make It Stop | 37:26-40:15

"How many do you think there are?"

"Fifty. Maybe more. You're not eating. It's a beautiful place."

"How long do we have?"

"Look around."

"I knew you'd do this."

"Think about where you are."

"You're backing out."

"You need to pay attention. Life shows us what we stand to lose. Most people look away. We can't be like that. Look at me. You need to accept what you're leaving behind."

"All right. We're here. It's a pretty place. None of that matters right now. You're just being sad."

"I need to know you're making a choice. I lived most of my life.. without ever realizing that was a possibility."

"You're afraid."

"I'm only afraid of what I'm doing to you."

"I know what I want."

"[places detonator down] Do it."

"You think I won't?"

"You have every right."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because today, it's real."

"You promised."

"I lie. Get used to it."

"[goes to push detonator]"

"[stops her] Don't. [pushes detonator] ..Look at me! ..And turn. We'll be leaving now. We made our choice."

[latest-info]

How to Access Exclusive Research Archives Online

In the digital age, exclusive research archives have become invaluable resources for academics, professionals, and curious minds alike.

In the digital age, exclusive research archives have become invaluable resources for academics, professionals, and curious minds alike. These archives house a wealth of information, often containing rare and comprehensive collections that are not readily available to the general public. Accessing these archives can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it is entirely feasible. Here’s a…

[arolesbianism]

I am building so many hcs for Moon in my mind I love her so much enough so to think abt ancient politics girlie better consider herself lucky (I say, as if fictional politics becoming to long dead societies isn't my favorite shit to explore)

[botanicalsword]

How Venus reacts ➸ when they realize they’ve won someone's heart

It is showing the other side of Venus when they try to avoid committing to love that they may be unsure about

Love can be tricky - when someone feels truly loved, each Venus may react in different ways. Some may push their partner away, others may lose interest, and some may make things more complicated.

⠂⠁⠈⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠂⠁⠈⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠂⠁⠈⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂

Venus in Aries ♈ : I wanted you until you wanted me back

the thrill was in the pursuit, then they started eyeing the next challenge

Venus in Taurus ♉ : great, now I can relax

they stop putting in effort, assuming you’ll always be there, but sure you can fulfill their deep need for emotional and material security

Venus in Gemini ♊ : Interesting…

their attention drifts, they start craving novelty, even if it’s just a flirty conversation

Venus in Cancer ♋ : do you really love me?

they become moody and insecure, reading into every little thing - the whole thing turns into emotional withdrawal or passive-aggressive behaviour

Venus in Leo ♌ : I don't mind you worship me more now

they expect grand gestures, constant admiration, and absolute loyalty, anything less feels like an insult - they demand to be treated like royalty

Venus in Virgo ♍ : you adore me ? let me find all the reasons why you shouldn’t

Overthinking, they have that checklist of your imperfections

Venus in Libra ♎ : hmm what if someone better comes along

they will second-guess, compare, and flirt, they’re terrified of choosing wrong

Venus in Scorpio ♏ : I feel like I care less now

intensity fades. the chase is over. they might test you, pull away, or even flirt with others - but just to see if you’ll fight for them

Venus in Sagittarius ♐ : thought we're having fun

they panic at commitment. suddenly, they becomes too busy, making excuses, because freedom matters more than feelings

Venus in Capricorn ♑ : you like me? let’s see if you’re worth keeping they start evaluating, your loyalty, your ambition, your long-term potential. it isn’t just emotion - it’s an investment

Venus in Aquarius ♒ : cool. now give me space.

say no to clinginess - the more you show devotion, the more they detach, treating love it like an hobby rather than a priority

Venus in Pisces ♓ : aww thats sweet, but I can’t promise anything

avoid defining the relationship, keeping things dreamy but unclear - they might even unconsciously invite some drama to avoid real commitment

>> Collection | Astrological indicators >> Relationship ♤ Sexual Energy Breakdown >> Career ✧  Successful year? ✧ Solar Return & Midheaven (MC)

✧ >> Back to Masterlist ✧ Explicit Content

Quick Access to : ❥ Astro / Asteroid Indicators ❥ Synastry / Composite Chart Observations ❥ House Stellium Observations ❥ Astro basic info / Brief reads ❥ Asteroid database ❥ Personal studies ✧ spiritual journal

Exclusive access : Patreon

/ instagram : @le.sinex / @botanicalsword

[platinumaspiration]

Howdy, Simmers! I'm thrilled to present the Ultimate 4T2 Clay Hair Default Replacement Collection, designed to give your Sims a fresh and fabulous new look effortlessly! 💇‍♀️💇‍♂️✨

It's time to redefine Sim style – one fabulous hairstyle at a time. Get ready for a hair revolution with The Ultimate 4T2 Clay Hair DR Collection! 💖🌟

🍡Download - LC | MF 🍡

Updates folder - SFS | MF updated 19 Feb 2025

The nitty gritty details and disclaimers:

This is an entire collection that is interwoven with each other. Hair is repositoried to different ages, genders, defaults, and even hidden toddler hair. It's highly recommended that the collection stay intact and that you have the Ultimate Collection or all EP/SP. Recategorizers do not work with this collection

Not all hair works with each sims' faces and not all sims' faces work with each hair. So keep in mind foreheads, cheeks and ears may poke out. Previews are available at LordCrumps.com

The collection includes add ons that may require the defaults and are flagged as "Store Edition" hair. TS4 hairs range from base game to the most recent Stuff Pack (Home Chef Hustle). More hair may be included as add ons in the future.

Enable Store Edition icon

I wouldn't convert some hair without their outfit counterparts. Please make sure to remove conflicts. The outfits include:

ubodymascotknight_EP7 mbodysuperninja pubodybadger_badger pubodybadger_brown ubodycommercialmascot_buns ubodysocialbunny servo ubodycowmascot (a brighter/whiter version courtesy of tvickiesims)

Most of these hairs exist already in the realm of the community as custom hairstyles. Any of my hair previously converted (shrink, servo, santa hat, etc) should be removed; they'll be included in this collection.

TOU: Please feel free to use these as a template for your defaults and recolor the hair as you'd prefer for download purposes. I only ask that you do not reupload these original files (breaking down to packs, gender, etc) as they are intertwined and may not work without their exclusive counterparts. Please do not make these hairs as customs for reupload.

There are a few hair/items that use cc: credit: nolansims, sforzinda, arethabee

This took about... 8 months to complete. I've (re)converted all of these myself to my current expectations of my conversion content. This was play tested thoroughly over the course of that time. If there are any issues, please don't hesitate to send an ask. The file size is massive even compressed, but to be honest it's pretty decent for 500+ hair.

Under the cut are some personal sappy thank you notes that I want to share publicly:

Thank you to the defaulters at sims2defaults database for all your work! Just be kind if/when you tear into it lol

A humongous thank you to those whom have followed and been a part of my journey as a cc creator/converter. This inadvertently marks a huge follower milestone as well and I'm so happy that you all have been a part of this with me for the past (almost) 3 years!

I don't think I would have done this without meeting @lordcrumps over a year ago and joining in his journey for the ultimate 4t2 default collection. He's a true gentleman and scholar 🧐Thank you for play testing, collaborating, and above all, being one of my bestest of friends and confidant.

And, I would never ever had completed this without @tvickiesims. To think she raised me from a terrible toddler right into an angsty teen within that 8 months and still remained a true and close friend through all of it. Thank you for your extensive and detailed play testing, your companionship when I fall apart, and for being my twin flame 🤗

[zeravmeta]

the comedy of nian unemployed memes isnt just from the bad arknights ads, nor is it in how both her shut in sister and perpetually drunk sister have more paperwork and cooperation done with rhodes islands to where both are official members in their database while nian is considered a hobo who hangs around, its not in how the other two siblings are literal vagabonds just travelling the road with nary a cent to their name but still vastly more respected for their contributions to the communities of terra, its not even in how nian has a side hustle as a movie director making exclusively home movies on rhodes islands own budget

the comedy of nian unemployed memes is in how she can be commissioned by the government to build them a gundam mobile city slash artificial machine god and every single one of her siblings (even the ones working on it) will see it and still say "when are you gonna stop being a lazy bum we know this isn't any challenge to you"

[rpgsandbox]

I drafted a legal argument against Wizards of the Coast - and you can too!

WotC is trying to pull off a licensing clawback just two years after the OGL Debacle, and I figured out how to punch back.

If you've played Dungeons & Dragons for any length of time, you've probably heard of the legendary "Deck of Many Things" – one of the game's most iconic magical items. It’s a lot of fun, and it has always been something associated with brand-name Dungeons and Dragons.

This article is about the legal usage of “Deck of Many Things,” and about how Wizards of the Coast seems to be trying to take it back in 2025 after giving it to the community in 2023. And it’s about how you can hit them where it hurts.

The History of the Deck

The "Deck of Many Things" has been a staple of D&D since the earliest days of the game. It's been included in every edition and is as much a part of D&D lore as dragons themselves. For years, this term was effectively the property of TSR and then Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro.

But something important happened in January 2023. After the massive backlash to their proposed OGL changes, Wizards of the Coast – through Executive Producer Kyle Brink – announced that they would be releasing the Systems Reference Document version 5.1 under a Creative Commons license:

Kyle’s announcement goes on to say: “This Creative Commons license makes the content freely available for any use. We don't control that license and cannot alter or revoke it. It's open and irrevocable in a way that doesn't require you to take our word for it. And its openness means there's no need for a VTT policy. Placing the SRD under a Creative Commons license is a one-way door. There's no going back.”

This was huge news! For those who don't know, releasing something under Creative Commons essentially means giving it to the public with very minimal restrictions. In this case, they used the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which allows anyone to share, copy, redistribute, adapt, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially – as long as appropriate credit is given.

The SRD 5.1 document, which spans hundreds of pages, explicitly includes "Deck of Many Things" on page 216, along with a full description of what it is and how it works. By releasing this under CC 4.0, Wizards effectively released this term into the public domain, allowing anyone to use it in their own works.

The gaming community praised this move as a step toward rebuilding trust after the OGL debacle. It seemed like Wizards had learned their lesson and was committed to supporting the community that had grown around their game.

The Betrayal

Fast forward to April 2025. WotC announced that they were revising their SRD 5.1 with a new and improved SRD versioned 5.2. For 5.2 they listed a bunch of milquetoast fantasy terms that I’m sure they’re very proud of, and kind of squeeze in a couple of footnotes. Those footnotes say that they’re going to be clawing back the term “Deck of Many Things,” as well as “Orb of Dragonkind.”

Well lo and behold, on the USPTO’s trademark search database, Deck of Many Things is in fact a pending word mark, with the latest application updated in April of 2025.

The serial number is 97260475, and you can look it up yourself on the USPTO website. This is what it looks like:

So here’s the problem. This application effectively attempts to claim exclusive rights to a term that Wizards had already released under Creative Commons just two years earlier.

Why They Can’t Do This

So why can't Wizards of the Coast trademark "Deck of Many Things" now? Let me break it down:

The Creative Commons 4.0 license they chose is explicitly IRREVOCABLE. Here's what the license actually says in Section 2(a)(1):

"The Licensor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Licensed Material."

That means once Kyle Brink proudly published the SRD 5.1 under this license on that fateful day in January of 2023, they could never take any of it back. The license explicitly prohibits imposing "additional or different terms or conditions" on the licensed material.

Attempting to register a trademark on material you've already licensed to the public represents an attempt to impose additional restrictions on that material, a violation of a term of the Creative Commons 4.0 license. Specifically it is a violation of Section 2(a)(5):

“No downstream restrictions. You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, the Licensed Material if doing so restricts exercise of the Licensed Rights by any recipient of the Licensed Material.”

My Attempt to Challenge the Trademark

When I discovered this trademark application, thanks to Dark Kelsey, I decided to take action. The USPTO has a process called a "Letter of Protest" that allows anyone to submit evidence showing why a trademark shouldn't be granted.

I drafted a carefully formatted Letter of Protest following all the USPTO guidelines. My evidence was straightforward:

The official announcement of SRD 5.1 being published under Creative Commons

A copy of page 216 through 218 from SRD 5.1 showing "Deck of Many Things"

The full text of the Creative Commons 4.0 license highlighting its irrevocability, etc.

I TRIED to submit this through the USPTO's electronic filing system, confident that the evidence was clear and compelling.

The Setback

Unfortunately, when I tried to submit the Letter of Protest, I received this error message:

"This form cannot be submitted because it has been more than 30 days from the date the application published in the Official Gazette."

I had missed the narrow window to submit a Letter of Protest. The USPTO only allows these submissions either before publication or within 30 days after publication in their Official Gazette. By the time I discovered the application, this deadline had already passed.

This was frustrating, but it doesn't mean the fight is over.

The Path Forward

If the USPTO does grant this trademark – which they shouldn't if they're properly interpreting the prior Creative Commons licensing– there's still another option: filing a Petition for Cancellation with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).

A cancellation petition allows anyone who believes they would be damaged by a trademark registration to challenge it even after it's been granted. The filing fee is $600, and the process typically takes about three years.

For this specific case, the grounds would be:

The mark doesn't function as a trademark because it was published under an irrevocable Creative Commons license

The applicant's actions in seeking the trademark contradict their prior grant of rights

The process is more involved than a Letter of Protest, but it's completely doable even without an attorney. The TTAB provides clear guidelines, and everything can be filed electronically through their online system.

Conclusion

What Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast are trying to do here is repugnant but not surprising. They're attempting to double back on a license they've already granted – something they've developed a pattern of doing every couple of years now.

First it was the OGL controversy, where they tried to revoke a 23-year-old license. The community pushed back and won. Now they're pursuing trademark terms they explicitly released under Creative Commons, trying to AMEND a creative commons license that they just published (5.2 amending 5.1), perhaps hoping no one would notice or care.

This is more than just a legal technicality – it's about trust. When a company publicly garners praise for licensing away intellectual property, only to sneakily try to reclaim it later, they're betraying the very community that supports them.

The irony here is that Wizards didn't even need to do this. They could have trademarked specific implementations or product lines featuring the Deck of Many Things without trying to claim ownership of the term itself after releasing it to the public.

So why am I telling you all this? Because you don't need to be a lawyer to challenge corporate overreach. The systems exist for regular people to participate in these processes. Whether it's a Letter of Protest or a Cancellation Petition, the tools are there for you to use.

If you care about not getting bamboozled by incompetent, dishonest corporations, consider getting involved. Watch for these kinds of trademark applications, be ready to file your own challenges, and spread the word when companies try to walk back their commitments.

Simon Says: An Addendum

After publishing this article, I received some valuable feedback here from Simon, an academic lawyer in the UK who teaches trademark law. Simon pointed out an even more straightforward legal issue with Hasbro's trademark application that deserves attention, one that transcends the Creative Commons argument.

The fundamental problem? "Deck of Many Things" likely isn't even eligible for trademark protection in the first place.

Under trademark law (both in the US under the Lanham Act and similarly in the UK), a valid trademark must be distinctive – it must have the capacity to identify goods as coming from a specific source and not another. But here's the kicker: "Deck of Many Things" products have been created by numerous publishers over the years, not just Wizards of the Coast.

This widespread use means the term has essentially become descriptive or potentially generic within the gaming industry. It no longer primarily signals "this is a WotC product" but rather "this is a type of magical card deck with random effects" – a concept that's been implemented by countless game creators.

Think about it – when you hear "Deck of Many Things," do you automatically associate it exclusively with Wizards of the Coast? Or do you think of the general concept that's been part of gaming culture for decades?

This distinctiveness requirement exists for a good reason. Trademark law isn't supposed to give companies monopolies over common terminology in an industry. It's meant to prevent consumer confusion about who made a product, not to let corporations fence off widely-used concepts.

So beyond the Creative Commons issue, there's this even more basic problem: Hasbro is trying to trademark something that likely fails the fundamental "distinctive" requirement of trademark law.

This remains an example of a corporation trying to claim exclusive ownership over community cultural elements that have been widely used and understood for decades. Whether through Creative Commons “revisions” or by ignoring basic trademark principles, the effect is the same – an attempt to monopolize what should remain in the public sphere.

[annabelle--cane]

hate to say it gang but every time I try to search a big fancy academic database for works that cover two or three intersecting topics to the exclusion of all others and inevitably wind up with the world's least useful search results, I do think to myself "godddd ao3's tag filtration system is so much better"

[theknightlywolfe]

The reality is we have the right to bear arms, not just own arms but to carry them, per the Constitution.

This is a nice photo op political move but ultimately meaningless.

What is NOT enshrined in our prevailing legal document is the right to carry *ammo*. A gun is less useful than a baseball bat when it has no ammo, at least the bat has some range. If she wanted to stop shootings than ammunition purchase and possession controls would do a lot more. And yeah, grandfathering in already owned ammo would happen, but it is a lot easier to legally defend ammo restrictions than gun carry restrictions when government property isn't exclusively involved.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s emergency order suspending the right to carry firearms in public in and around Albuquerque drew an immediate court challenge from a gun-rights group Saturday, as legal scholars and advocates said they expected.

The National Association for Gun Rights and Foster Haines, a member who lives in Albuquerque, filed documents in U.S. District Court in New Mexico suing Lujan Grisham and seeking an immediate block to the implementation of her order.

The challenge was expected, but even so, the governor’s action Friday was an attempt to “move the debate,” said Jessica Levinson, a law professor at Loyola Marymount’s Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, after Lujan Grisham announced that she was temporarily suspending the right to carry firearms in her state’s largest city and surrounding Bernalillo County.

[tragedynoir]

— server exclusive: NEXUS EDGE + [ link ]

this template was made possible thanks to my monthly patrons and one-time donors on ko-fi! receive a supporter-exclusive template when you support me there.

a free, matrix-inspired five-page google doc template made to look like a government database. this template is perfect for cyberpunk and other cyber-related themes with its limited green palette. being semi-mobile friendly, every page that can be easily re-arranged, edited and duplicated for more should you need more space or sections.

to access the template, join my discord server (in the link above or in source) and find it under the new releases channel. this template was such a joy to make so I hope you'll enjoy using it!

feel free to edit as you please, but please do not remove the credit, resell, redistribute or claim as yours whether wholesale, in part, or modified.

if you like my work, please reblog to share this resource! ♡ and share how you're using this template in my server!

[jenroses]

Hey! Please feel free to ignore but you did say to ask you about masks :P the ones I've found that are multiple layers for max protection are really stiff, which squishes my face and leads to gaps. Do you have recommendations? Thanks!

I know that there's a lot of noise about elastomeric masks but for me they're a nonstarter because of the stiffness you talk about. I think it's important to understand that most of the 94-95 standard masks that actually meet that standard are going to be plenty good enough where most people are concerned. Is it possible to catch Covid with a mask on? Yes. I've done it.

Is it likely? No. I'm immune compromised. This isn't data, but our experience has been that a combination of masks, reasonable common sense and good filtration are enough that despite having a school-aged child, a husband who travels for conventions, and me, immune suppressed, with a college student living in our house, I have only had covid twice, the first time was an unfortunate collision of me going to a store at the wrong time where a clerk had both covid and the flu and gave them to me, and the other one involved a family member not using a mask at a public event while eating. Even then, when I caught covid and the flu at the same time and isolated immediately with filtration and everyone coming into my space being masked... not one other person in our house caught it, and when someone else caught it a year later, the only people who caught it were sharing sleeping spaces. Our roommates did not catch it, and everyone was masking from the moment of the first positive test. When my kid got half-assed about masking at school, he immediately got flu and strep at the same time. I pointed out that his lack of care about it could mean a lot of missed school for him and serious health impacts for both of us, and he started wearing a mask again, and did not get sick for the rest of the school year. He HATES the masks that go behind the head and wears Armbrust kn95 masks exclusively (dark blue, lol) And it's pretty clear that without the masks he was getting sick a lot and with he just...doesn't. He is wearing them all day except for lunch through full school days, so that says something. Armbrust will send little behind the head doohickies to keep them off the ears but he never uses them. At $2ish per mask they're not the cheapest but he uses one mask for multiple days so it's not too bad overall cost wise. They have kid sizing, but he's in the regular adult size now at 11. Now, I'll talk about Armbrust for a minute because I really like the company. On pretty much every mask they sell you'll see a video of one of their people reviewing the mask and going over testing data... but they ALSO have reviews of almost every other mask on the market, bad, good and in between, and if you find a mask on Amazon or something and want to know more about it, search the mask name and "armbrust" and the youtube video and product data page will pop up. I've found several special masks for very particular needs by looking through their database for combinations of breathability and shape that weren't even masks they sold. So if you are struggling, take a look at the database, eliminate "failed" masks, look for the ones that meet your needs and then watch the video to see what he says about them first. There are some VERY inexpensive masks out there that work very well, and some masks that are incredibly breathable or incredibly high filtration and a few unicorns that are both.

Now Hubby is okay with the same KN95 masks that our son likes but he exercises and his lungs get a little touchy sometimes so he needs maximum ease in breathing, so using that database I found Dr. Puri masks. Here's the Armbrust review. Here's the listing I found them on. Hubby LOVES them. He also prefers behind the ear. About $1.50 each.

I *hate* behind the ear with a hot hate, they bug me. But I can't just use one type of mask all the time because I have EDS and neck issues so pressure there can be awkward, plus I get short of breath sometimes anyway (history of pulmonary embolism that long predates covid) and I have sensory skin issues.

Bar none the most breathable mask I've ever tried, which also does not fog my glasses, is the Drager mask. These are soft, extraordinarily easy to breathe through, and have a unique strap that makes on/off very easy, and lets you pull the top strap and let it hang around your neck if needed. Unfortunately it has a VERY snug fit across the nose and leaves marks on my cheeks, or it would be perfect, but it's a good option, and possibly someone with a smaller face would have an easier time. These are possibly the best filtering and most breathable masks on the market, so for high risk situations this is the mask I would use. They filter 99.7% in testing. They're a little more expensive at about $1.25 per when I checked today. For a good intersection of fit and comfort, but a little less breathable, are the ACI N95 surgical respirator duckbills. These do not leave marks, don't fog much, good seal around the face, and the single most comfortable head strap I've ever seen. The fabric is very smooth, it is sensory good, but the breathability is not as high. It's not hard to breathe through, it's just not as easy as Drager or Dr. Puri. But... They could probably pass an N99 standard by Armbrust's testing, as they filter >99.4% of particulate, where the standard is 95%. These are also incredibly cheap. If you get their subscribe and save discount (you can do every 6 months) you can get 50 for $25, so 50 cents apiece.

All of these masks are pretty soft, easy to wear, and very good at what they do.

The TL:DR though.... The important thing is to find a mask that you will wear consistently and correctly every time you need it. A mask that hangs on your face and slips is not a good mask for you. A mask you hate so much you make excuses not to wear it is not a good mask for you. A mask that breaks easily or makes it hard to breathe so you end up taking it off is not a good mask. If what you have isn't working, there are LOTS of things that might.

Last Armbrust plug: THEY HAVE A SAMPLER PACK. You can buy a pack of a zillion different types and styles of mask and try a bunch! And order the one you like best! If you aren't sick, one sampler pack can be tried by the people in your household so everyone can figure out what works for them!

Also, I used to get sick very very often and now I just...don't. Not from contagious viruses, anyway. I don't understand why people are so cavalier about it. I've been sick less since 2020 than in any given six month period in my entire life. Despite being on immune suppressants.

[romancelvr]

How Dead Boy Detectives is free from NG

I realize the title is a bit eyebrow raising, but I am here to lay out how Dead Boy Detectives, both the comic and TV have actually very little to do with NG. His name as of late has (rightly) been dragged through the mud, but Dead Boy Detectives in actuality does not deserve to be dragged down with him. 

To start with: the comics. Charles and Edwin made their first appearance in Sandman # 25 in 1991. They weren’t associated with the name “Dead Boy Detectives” until the Children’s Crusade arc starting in 1993. 

Starting in 2001, these characters were written exclusively by Ed Brubaker and Jill Thompson with no contributions or writing by NG. It wasn’t until 2013 they were granted their own comic series. It was ordered by Vertigo and written by Toby Litt and Mark Buckingham. They were the writers that created and introduced Crystal Palace. 

Most important THIS was the comic series the show is based off of. NG didn’t write or work on this comic series at all. When the comic series was originally published both Toby and Mark were interviewed about expanding these characters away from the Sandman comics. 

Their work is the basis of the show we’ve all grown to love. Back before the show debuted in January 2024 Toby was even interviewed about how excited he was to see Crystal on screen as she was a character HE created. 

Regarding the show, Steve Yockey was the one who approached WB/DC about the series and bought the rights to the show himself. 

Backing this up is per copyright holdings for DBD, the show is entirely owned by WB where Steve is employed with an ongoing deal that started in 2022. 

On NG’s tumblr he himself stated multiple times he had nothing to do with the show, that it is entirely Steve Yockey’s. 

In summation, despite the fact that these characters debuted and were in a few issues of Sandman, NG has had nothing to do with them since 1994. In regards to money, which I know is the hot button issue for everyone, if NG makes money it would be a very small amount, if indeed he makes any at all.

For nearly 30 years these characters have had a life of their own, and deserve to stand on their own merit. Starting with the many wonderful writers who gave them their own voices in the comics, to the writers of the show and finally the cast who brought them to life onscreen. 

Please grant them that respect and don’t drag them in with NG they do not deserve it. 

UPDATE 9/7/2024

I wanted to add further evidence my friend was kind enough to send me regarding this matter. Doing a search for NG on this site: https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First the US Copyright database verifies NG OWNS NOTHING of Dead Boy Detectives.

Not the characters, their names, anything even from the comics back in the 90s. If you want to search and check yourself feel free to on the link above. I just wanted everyone to know this as I'm not giving up on saving this show.

[cryptotheism]

If it isn’t too big of a question, what is your research process? Where do you find your sources offline and online? What do you consider to be “enough” research, if any? How do you store your sources? How do you pick what to look at first? How many things do you typically read “at once”?

I start with reference texts and sourcebooks. I generally cross-reference them to see what they consider important. If several academic sources cover the same thing, it's probably something I should focus on.

Then I look for specific sources. Primary if possible. For example, I've recently been writing about Ibn Hayyan on Patreon. I can't read medieval Arabic, but several sourcebooks pointed to a book by a scholar named Syed Nomanul Haq. If a text is prohibitively expensive, or exclusive to university databases that I don't have access to, I'll pirate a copy. I have strong convictions about the accessibility of scholarship. 80% of my research library is digital, a single external drive.

I try to do two reads of every source. A quick skim, and then a deep cut on the things I need to check up on. Generally I know I'm up to speed when I can make jokes about the topic.

I don't really like reading several things at once. I like to finish one topic and then move on to the next. My editor @livesouls has been a massive help there. Tbh I never feel like I know enough about anything, but he constantly reminds me that I am writing an introductory pop history, not a PHD thesis.

[botanicalsword]

Relationship ✧ Why Is It Difficult for You to Fall in Love?

You find it difficult to fall in love often grapple with the challenge of being vulnerable. 

You are unable to engage in relationships that do not resonate with their authentic feelings - This inability to connect on a deeper level means that you cannot settle for mere companionship; they seek a a meaningful / emotional connection

✧

Moon in the 1st House - Their existence is deeply rooted in their inner feelings - find it impossible to engage in relationships that don’t resonate with their true feelings / They cannot be with someone they don’t genuinely love

Moon in the 5th House - They are perpetually in search of the thrill and essence of romance - Difficulty in Opening Up Emotionally / struggle to engage in relationships that don’t align with their true emotions

Moon in the 7th House - They tend to invest themselves wholeheartedly in a relationship or marriage - often losing sight of their own identity - finding a partner who truly understands them is essential; otherwise, their kindness may be misplaced / they need a passionate and exhilarating connection that make them hesitant to settle down - as they fear that a stable relationship might lack the spark they so desperately desire / the constant search for the next great love story can leave them feeling unfulfilled 

Strong Sun and Mars energy - represent the qualities they admire in partners 

Strong Sun and Mars energy - High Standards / have high expectations / a heightened set of criteria for their potential partners

Empty 5th / 7th house - fewer opportunities for love and romance

Saturn in 5th / 7th House - a lack of romantic opportunities - making it challenging to establish a stable, lasting relationship

5th / 7th house ruler - Saturn - Limiting romantic encounters / possibilities 

Capricorn / Aquarius in 5th / 7th house 

5th / 7th house ruler / ruling planet conjunct Saturn

Venus-Saturn ( conjunction / opposition / square ) - suppression by Saturn / fewer romantic encounters

Neptune in 5th / 7th House - setbacks with unsuitable partners 

Pluto in 5th / 7th House - setbacks with unsuitable partners 

7th House Ruler in 10th House - strong desire for powerful partners - making it difficult for them to find anyone who meets their standards / they often feel that those they encounter fall far short of their expectations

7th House ruler in 12th House - hidden affair / elusive matters 

✧

>> Relationship ✧ What is the long-term focus in this connection ✧ Composite Chart vs Davison Chart

>> Relationship • Observations on Marks chart

✧ >> Back to Masterlist ✧ Explicit Content

Quick Access to : ❥ Astro / Asteroid Indicators ❥ Synastry / Composite Chart Observations ❥ House Stellium Observations ❥ Astro basic info / Brief reads ❥ Asteroid database ❥ Personal studies ✧ spiritual journal

Exclusive access : Patreon

/ instagram : @le.sinex / @botanicalsword

[elumish]

The next iteration of The Book Tagging Database Project is online!

Here you can find the beta version of a (hopefully) more user-friendly iteration of my database of books. This is meant to help people filter at a fairly tactical level to find new books to read and/or comp titles.

My ask to you: please tell me what works, what doesn't work, and what you'd like to see more of by replying to this post, sending me an ask, or DMing me. This is meant to be useful to people, so the more I know about what people want/need from it, the better I can make it.

Current status/functionality (as of June 6, 2025):

294 books

Primarily adult romance, with some fantasy, sci fi, and horror, as well as a small amount of YA

Current filter options are: genre/subgenre, series type, romantic relationship structure, queer, general setting, fantasy information, mythology/folklore, disability, relationship tropes, key plot points, story structure, female MC, target age, and comp eligibility

Filtering within a group is an OR filter (e.g., if you click on both fantasy and romance in the genre filter, you will get books that are fantasy and/or romance)

Filtering between groups is an AND filter (e.g., if you click on fantasy in the genre filter and demisexual in the queer filter, you will get fantasy books with a demisexual MC)

You can filter by author by clicking on their name under the book title

Book title links go to Goodreads (I don't currently have individual pages for books)

Hover text is a placeholder--please tell me what would be useful here!

The inclusion of a book isn't a recommendation to read it, though I do like many of the books included here

Future status/functionality goals (as of May 10, 2025):

Adding more books, especially fantasy and YA! I will update with new books in batches, but as of right now I need to add each book individually, so it's pretty time consuming

Additional filter options, including potentially character information, specific setting information, time period, and triggers

AND filter option within groups (e.g., if you click on both fantasy and romance in the genre filter, you will get books that are both fantasy and romance)

Tag exclusion filtering option

Nested/collapsible filtering to save space

A way to see book meta data/all tags for a book

A series database

Individual book pages

Similar books suggestions

Making sure it's accessible and is functional on mobile

Functionality that I don't plan to include:

Filtering by author information

Filtering by character race/ethnicity (I just don't have this info recorded for the vast majority of books, and it would be a huge level of effort to do it)

Direct user submissions/additions to the database (at some point I may set up a form so people can submit books that I could add manually)

Direct purchasing or affiliate links