#Zephyr Workshop

[websterstylemag]

Zephyr Workshop @ PAX Unplugged 2024

Talking with Breeze of Zephyr Workshop at PAX Unplugged 2024.For more information about Zephyr Workshop, visit https://zephyrworkshop.com/ & twitch.tv/zephyrworkshop @ZephyrWorkshop Ways To Support Basil and Sage, visit them at https://basilandsage.com/. Use code WEBSTERSTYLE10 GoTieLess: Use the code WEBSTERSTYLE to get 10% off your purchase. https://gotieless.com/?ref=websterstyle Beard…

[silverskye13]

thinking about your hels!zedaph again. im the same one who asked for his name. i dont know why im so invested in this little side character, with his impact on the story being little more than his death. but i am.

so easily forgotten. a name never spoken, little more than a gust on the wind. nothing left but a fragile memory and whatever of him can be found in zedaph.

this little guy means a lot to me. as does knowing his name. zephyr. now i can remember him even when nobody else will. maybe ill write something for him, if thats okay. could i ask for some characterization? i do have to wonder what he was like when he lived. before he had to worry about fading.

Ah! I'm glad you're here to remember him! He would appreciate your gesture.

Hmm. Characterization. I don't have much, but I have the impressions of him I always thought of.

He was quiet and reserved, in a serious way. Small smiles instead of laughter. It wasn't that he didn't have a sense of humor, just that he parceled out those moments of brightness jealously, hoarding them for a special occasion. He liked to draw. It started as schematics for his redstone creatures [like EB's buzzers] but eventually turned into drawings of other things. He preferred animals. They're so scarce in hels, while still having uncharacteristic variety. A lot of sketches of birds. I imagine he had a way onto his roof, and fed the pigeons there often. He liked working in silence in his workshop, but not necessarily alone. EB was a good companion for him, when they spent their fleeting moments together. He did a remarkable impression of a statue at times, and knew when Zephyr wanted, or needed, silence. I don't think Zephyr was quiet constantly. He probably opened up about things he liked, things he felt proficient in. And I think he probably got really excited about the little redstone animals he could make. EB was his primary patron, and the reason he got to chase his dreams of making things that simulated life, for the short time he got to make them.

[st-highwind]

And more! I wanted give the dragoon a Wyvern, so I did!

The name could definitely be workshopped—- I’m calling her Tempest for now to keep the theme of winds and the sky. Other thoughts I had were Arrow, Aerora, Zephyr, and Heron. I’m open to ideas!!

I also thought it would be neat if Kain’s Wyvern looked a bit like Bahamut, given my previous ideas of Kain becoming a Bahamut Knight and the Wyvern egg coming from Bahamut himself.

Idk. Give me your thoughts!!

[howtodrawyourdragon]

Dad December 2024 Day 2

The Son is Sick

Summary: Set in a Dystopian/Post-Apocalypse AU. Hiccup notices that his eldest is sick.

Warnings: Sickfic

Rating: General

Words: 635

Prompt: Sick day

Fandom: How to Train Your Dragon

Characters: Hiccup, Zephyr, Httyd ocs (Vigi Tiny)

Pairing: Hiccstrid

Author’s Notes: Not the first one-shot that I wrote for this AU, which is why I know that this is only the beginning of Hiccup's MOST RECENT troubles.

Enjoy!

-XOXOX-

It's late in the evening. After making sure Zephyr is fast asleep in her basket, Hiccup settles into his son's bed with Tiny. The boy has already picked out a book for him to read from. He picked it from the small collection that they have stuffed in between the bigger books of his parents in the living room bookshelf. Coughing, he crawls into his lap and pulls the blanket over the both of them.

Naturally, Hiccup watches him for a moment. That wasn't the first time he heard that cough this evening.

Settling in comfortably with his son in his lap and the book in his hands, Hiccup takes a look at what the choice is for today.

It's a collection of fairy tales. Not the dark stories like from the brothers Grimm and such, but their sanitized versions considered more "child-friendly."

"Okay, Vigi, what're we reading today?" Hiccup asks as they read the table of contents together.

"That one!" Tiny's finger immediately settles on that of The Three Little Pigs and Hiccup smiles before turning the pages to that exact one. Finding the right story, he begins.

Or rather, Tiny has another coughing fit and then he begins to read.

At six years old, his son is at the age in which he can read along a little. There's a school that he goes to, but even after work, Hiccup still takes some extra time out of his day to teach his son how to read and write and how to do math. When there isn't a lot to do at the workshop, Gobber doesn't mind it if he takes an hour to teach Vigi during the day. The boy likes to watch his father work.

"And he says-" Just as he's about to break out a third little pig's voice, Tiny interrupts him.

"What's that say?" He asks, no longer paying attention to the overall story as he's trying to decipher a particular word. He knows his letters, he knows what they sound like, yet he doesn't know this word and wouldn't know how to say it or what it means.

"It's-" when Hiccup wants to respond, his son has another coughing fit. It doesn't sound like a congestive cough, but that's what it could turn into.

Waiting until he's finished, Hiccup answers his question before continuing on with the fairy tale. Or cautionary tale, as that's what they used to be.

He tries to dismiss the fits. Astrid often tells him that he's "too worried" and "should let their son breathe." And if she were home, she would probably tell him that it's just a little cough. People often cough, especially down here. That doesn't necessarily mean that something has to be wrong.

Yet the next time a fit comes, Hiccup immediately pauses to place a hand on his son's forehead. He doesn't feel particularly warm. Just to be sure, he leans down to press his cheek to his forehead instead. Vigi lets him, though the craning of his neck makes another series of coughs erupt from his throat.

His dad pulls away from him when they do and simply watches as his eldest has to practically fold in half just to cough. He doesn't have a fever, not yet at least, but Hiccup has already decided that he might see a doctor with him tomorrow. Astrid is right, he does have a tendency of getting overprotective, but that might not be the case this time.

Once the story is finished, interrupted once or twice more by another fit, Hiccup closes the book and puts it aside. Tiny still in his lap, he wraps his arms around him. His eyes are slipping closed, he's falling asleep.

"Come on," Hiccup kisses the top of his head. "You're sleeping in my bed tonight.

[tf2emporium]

New Halloween Unusual Effect, Piercing Headache - Unusual Effect! Vote now on Steam Workshop This item was created by: a zephyr (https://steamcommunity.com/id/wowzalord)

[neoncityrain]

morgue and zephyr but starbound and also better if someone pays me ill make what theyre meant to be into an actual playable race and put it on the workshop but otherwise its a "my lore only" sorta deal lmao

[palettepainter]

What if Zephyr had a dad that was the complete opposite of Raph's mom, like he's a soft spoken, shy librarian who enjoys cooking. I also think it would be interesting to see how a friendly dance queen like Zephyr would interact with a more introverted book nerd of a parent.

Funnily enough you're not too far off from an idea I've had for Zephyr's parents!!

I've jotted down random ideas so far since I'm not 100% which idea to go with, and while neither of Zephyr's parents are shy, neither are as extroverted as Zephyr. I'd say the most introverted parent out of the group is Liv's dad, who is more a mind his own business, reserved, calm kind of character (he doesn't mind socialising but generally he's just a naturally quite person)

My two strongest ideas so far for Zephyr's parents that I've had is that her mother is peppy (thinking of a mix between Poppy from Trolls and a bit of Fluttershy from MLP). Very friendly but is a bit silly, also not as smooth as Zephyr when it comes to confidence or flirting. Still unsure what profession she'd have, thinking something mellow but community based if that makes sense?? Zephyr's mum would also be the one that's from the Zoot family tree, just cuz I think it'd be funny if she's the one trying to make peace between all the chaos that goes down.

As for Zephyr's dad one of my favourite ideas for him is that he's one of Mick's old biker friends - this would tie up the loose end of how Zephyr and Floyd eventually came to know each other when they where kids. He'd be a lot cooler and laid back then his wife, but similar to his wife, wouldn't be as extroverted as Zephyr. His personality is still being workshopped, but in my head I picture him kinda like Thomas O'Malley from the Aristocats (his voice claim would either be the skeleton that sings Remains of The Day from The Corpse Bride, or Dr Facilier)

They're dynamic is very "She talks and he listens". When I think of their dynamic I think of the song Loves Gunna Pick you Up from Vivo, they're very in love with each other

[asc-rp]

Two new OCs:

Zephyr Harken

**Gender/Sex:** Female

**Age:** 27

**Height:** 5'11"

**Weight:** 150 lbs.

**Occupation:** Sky Nomad and Mail Courier for the Aerial Post Guild

Zephyr Harken works for the Aerial Post Guild, a network of sky couriers delivering mail across distant lands. The guild's headquarters is a grand, treehouse-like structure nestled in the canopy of a massive, ancient tree. This arboreal sanctuary serves as Zephyr's home base, providing a place to rest, resupply, and connect with fellow couriers.Scattered throughout the land are smaller stations, strategically located in remote and populated areas alike. These stations function as hubs for mail collection and distribution, where Zephyr picks up and drops off correspondence. This system allows her to maintain the nomadic lifestyle she loves while ensuring reliable mail service to even the most isolated places.

**Personality:** Zephyr is adventurous and free-spirited, with a sharp wit and an infectious enthusiasm for life. She is fiercely independent but deeply loyal to her friends and fellow couriers. Her love for the skies is matched only by her dedication to her work, and she often goes above and beyond to ensure the mail gets through, no matter the obstacles. Though she can be a bit headstrong, her determination and resourcefulness make her an exceptional courier.

**Magical Ability:** Wind manipulation, enhanced vision, rapid healing, feathered shield, and avian communication.

Steele Forge

**Gender/Sex:** Female

**Age:** 24

**Height:** 6'3"

**Weight:** 160 lbs.

**Occupation:** Master Blacksmith

Steele Forge is a master blacksmith renowned for her exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs. Her forge, known as The Demon's Heart, is located in the bustling market. The Demon's Heart is both a workshop and a storefront, with the constant clanging of hammer on anvil echoing through the air. Steele employs a small team of skilled apprentices and journeymen, fostering a collaborative environment where traditional techniques blend seamlessly with new, experimental methods.

**Personality:** Steele is a powerhouse with a booming voice, exuding strength and friendliness in equal measure. She loves to give hugs, though her enthusiasm often results in unintentionally crushing embraces. Impatient by nature, Steele hates to wait around and prefers to be constantly active and productive. Despite her sometimes overwhelming presence, she is deeply caring and protective of her apprentices and friends. Steele values honesty and integrity, both in her work and in her interactions with others. Her dedication to her craft is matched only by her loyalty and affection for those she holds dear.

**Magical Ability:** Enhanced strength, Fire resistance, Hammer summoning (multiple kinds).

[astridhoff03]

For the love and life/Chapter 4

First thing Monday morning, Hiccup went to his boss, Drago Bloodvist, the boss of the bicycle workshop, Bloodvist and Sons. A little nervously, he opened the door to the office of the tall man with the long, black beard and scarred face. Hiccup had a lot of respect for him, because he knew that Drago could crush him with his weight in no time, and he knew that his boss often liked to scream like a madman, which is why he had to word his question carefully. “Mr. Haddock, what do you want? When it comes to a raise, I can't give you one because my company is going to close in a few months. I won't be able to keep you busy soon." Hiccup's jaw dropped, he couldn't believe it. For a long time he looked at his boss, stunned, who looked at him with ice-cold black eyes. “Why are you still standing there? Back to work!”

Hiccup nodded in a daze as he closed the door behind him and went back into the sales room, where Eret was already waiting for him. “And what did the boss say?” Hiccup sighed heavily. "No, no raise." "I'm sorry, my friend. Maybe I can try talking to him again, I'm one of his sons after all." "Thanks, Eret, but you don't have to. But how am I supposed to explain to Astrid that we have to move out and will almost soon be completely broke if I won't have any more work in the next few months. “I also want to bring in enough money for us so that she can work in peace again and I can look after Zephyr at home.” Eret puts an encouraging hand on his shoulder. “You can do it, if you want I can help you out.” Hiccup shook his head. “It's okay, Eret, but you should worry about making ends meet for you, Heather and Ruffnut. Astrid and I will find a solution. We’ve always found one so far.”

Tired and strained, Hiccup opens the door to the apartment that evening, where he is immediately greeted by the smell of homemade Margherita pizza. Astrid came towards him and threw her arms around his neck, behind her little Zephyr gurgled in her children's chair. Before Hiccup could start talking, Astrid pulled him into a deep kiss. He ran his hands down her back until his hands sank into her pockets. "I see you made pizza for us." Astrid nodded. "And this time according to the recipe, so I hope it turned out well." He put his arm around her waist and the two of them went to their daughter, Zephyr, who played with the wooden dragons that Hiccup's father gave to his granddaughter he had made himself. Astrid took the pizza out of the oven while Hiccup greeted his little daughter extensively with kisses. "Hello, my darling. Well, you were a good girl and helped your mother. I hope your pizza is good. Don't worry, after dinner, I'll cuddle with you and mom as much as you want." Astrid smiled as she used a pizza cutter to cut the pizza apart on the dining table, grabbing a small piece from the edge. "I saw that," Hiccup said, grinning. “I just wanted to test whether I wasn’t poisoning you. You know how bad my food was when we were young." "Oh God, don't remind me of your homemade punch and cake that you brought every Christmas, that is, to me and my parents “You came to eat.” Astrid laughed and sat down across from him. Even though the two had been together for five years, Hiccup had the feeling that every day he woke up he would fall in love with Astrid all over again and he knew exactly the same way she felt with the way she always looked at him with her fiery ocean blue eyes . “And have you asked your boss for a raise?” she asked suddenly. Hiccup nodded. "Yes, unfortunately he won't be able to give it to me because he'll have to close his company soon." Astrid's shoulders slumped. "And what do we do now?" "Don't worry, we'll think of something. I won’t let you down, I promise.”

[overdevelopedglasses]

The Last Essence Lore Post (for now)

I've been itching to talk about Essence plot + other things, but thankfully, this should be the last of the explaining to do!

(Ig it's what happens when a story is set in an original world and is based off of said world's mechanics....)

Asumming you've read the previous posts, let's continue...

ANYWAY, I mentioned those special gift children, right?

They're called vessels, and you've probably seen me throw this word around. In a sense, vessels are any human that has a stable light/dark/abyss energy presence in their bodies. Because of this, they are able to bond with a spirit. The more energy contained in a vessel, the more powerful they are. In modern times.... I'm not sure how many humans are vessels. It's not everyone, but it's not super rare. Still trying to workshop that one. But, humans are also able to quantify energy levels within themselves as a percentage. Think like a blood type, in a way. You're 15% Light, or 23% Dark, etc etc you get it (hopefully)

There's a special type of vessel that is super rare, called a Blend. Blends are a vessel that has an equal concentration of 2 different creation energies. The higher ratio of energy, the more powerful they are. Ex: a 10%/10% Blend is more powerful than a 5%/5%.

With this new pseudo-evolution thingamajig, it was discovered that the elemental spirits and vessels could form bonds with each other. This started as a new fad, but quickly became a way of life, in a sense.

As a refresher:

Bond: the link formed between a vessel and a spirit. For shelter and some nutrients from the vessel to the spirit, the spirit would grant the vessel usage of their powers, and if needed, a weapon, whose form is decided by the spirit.

In order to form a bond, a vessel and spirit partake in a ritual called...... (....name pending. Only now realizing the word choice on that was a 3/10 and 1 thought away from a bad joke. So. Putting that in the workshop).

Essentially this ritual consists of some fancy words/whatnot, and at the end, the somewhat-crystaline heart of the spirit is pushed into the right hand of the vessel, and it travels up the right arm to just below the collarbone. If the bond is successfully made, the heart flies out of the vessel’s chest (no harm done) back into the spirit.

Occasionally, this can fail, and the ramifications haven't quite been decided yet.

But also occasionally, something special can happen. Instinctually, a heart from a spirit can stay within a vessel's body. We call this a True Bond, and a couple things change, mainly:

-the summoned weapon is different, but doesn't change in function. (EX: spirits weapon is a bow. With a true bond, it could become a crossbow.)

-the vessel gains a small pattern of scars on their chest where the heart "tried to fly out"

In Essence, we witness 2 True Bonds happen (at least ones that are planned so far), that being Lily + Omega, as well as Alex + Zephyr.

...and that's it. If you've read all the other posts, congrats! We can....finally....talk about the plot.

Next time, since this post is L O N G oops :)

[simqiy]

Elder feather trees

Hello everyone, and welcome back to our little worldbuilding reveals! Today’s winner is… A plant!

So, allow me to introduce you to ‘elder feather trees!’ (Please keep in mind, this name is still being workshopped. Unfortunately, I am not fast when it comes to naming things, so I’ve made this as more of a placeholder name). They are also one of the places we visit during the second book.

These oaks are 350-400 meters tall, with a width of ~120 meters. In ancient times, they would be everywhere, due to different atmospheric conditions, water availability, and soil fertility. Now, they are few and far between, only grown next to large lakes. However, majority of their nutrients is because they rest on top of long-buried corpses of ancient giants. These trees were rumoured to grow ever larger in old times, but have since gotten smaller with oxygen availability in the air.

Though adapting surprisingly well, they still have some issues with oxygen uptake at night. In response, they have adapted a symbiotic relation ship with a type of vine that helps absorb more oxygen to see it through the night in return for nutrients.

The bark itself is rough, hard enough to create shields and blunt weapons with. However, sharp weapons are less applicable, as the edges often become brittle and break. The leaves are primarily green with blue stripes, as the blue helps intake more sunlight for photosynthesis. In rare cases, they may appear purplish. They’re also long with serrated edges, giving them a feathery look.

These trees also hold significant cultural significance. Since zephyrs have been around for about the same time the trees have, they have since evolved into many sub-species, including a humanoid form, and the modern form we know of today. The humanoids worship the tree and consider it sacred for giving its ancestors shelter and its continued aid in sheltering their species. Entire populations have built homes and communities within the branches of the tree, and it has also had its influence within their ethics and morality. They are also the main reason they exist today, as some dedicate their lives to keeping the trees in healthy condition.

[heroictoonz]

Sonic Next Gen AU

It’s what it says on the tin; my main Sonic Next Gen AU. I do have other next gens but they’re their own thing. This AU is much bigger with a ton of characters and stuff going around so I wanted to make a post that can link to everything.

All character links go to their TH pages as well, as these refs will take me a hot sec to churn out

The main AU story is that after the retirement of Doctor Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik world ending disasters and life threatening villains slowed to almost a complete stop. The empire was completely gone and anyone else was just never that much of a threat. And so, the Freedom Fighters disbanded and everyone settled down to make lives of their own.

Now, almost 30 years later, the Egg Empire returns under the leadership of a new and unknown hedgehog named Zephyr. With it comes the full force of Mobius' bad fucking luck. With most the old FF retired it ushers in a new era.

The New Freedom Fighters (NFF). Lead by Cream the Rabbit and employing just about any snappy young hero looking to help out the people of their planet. This includes but not limited to the kids of the older members who are looking to pick up where their parents left off!

Link to the Sonic Next Gen tag

Main Characters

Samantha “Sam” Acorn | She/They | 27

The oldest of the Hedgehog Cousins and Sonic and Sally's daughter born platonically as Sally wanted a kid and asked Sonic to be the father after they had already been separated for a while.

Sam is very standoffish and often times comes off as mean and bitchy. She can definitely be pretty blunt and easily annoyed but she's someone who cares for others very strongly. She has a strained relationship with her dad and younger brother, Spark, for the start of it all but they end up growing closer and figuring themselves all out as the journey continues.

Sam is powerless and didn't get any real abilities from her dad. She has a little bit of control over chaos energy but just enough to use the chaos emeralds. However, when she does she's very unstable in her super form.

Spark Maria Hedgehog | He/Him | 23

[Ref to come]

Spark is the first son of Sonic and Shadow who came after the two got married. He is a test tube baby made with their DNA as the two of them were having a lot of issues conceiving on their own.

He is very anxious and gets motion sick easily. Even with his power over speed he would much rather go as slow as possible in most situations. Only using his super speed when absolutely necessary.

Spark has his fathers' powers and grows into them slowly. Getting the full force of it all around 17-19. Around the same time they had inhibitors developed for him to help with the intense chaos energy that had begun to develop in him.

Archer MontClair | He/They | 27

[Ref to come]

Archer is the son of Sonia and Bartleby and only a few months younger than Sam. He is a fashion influencer and Sam's best friend since they were kids, a practically inseparable duo.

Where he isn't nearly as blunt as Sam, Archer does also come off dry and bitchy to most. A kid with a silver spoon in his mouth since day one for sure. However, despite his inability to know how much a banana would cost he is still as kind as the others.

Shrapnel Hawk | She/Her | 18

[Ref to come]

Shrapnel is the child of Manic and Jet and was the youngest of the Hedgehog Cousins for a good bit till Star was born. She is a hyperactive and energetic teen with a knack for robotics and engineering. She spends a lot of time with her Uncle Tails in his workshop and hopes to have something like it of her own some day.

Star Hedgehog | She/Her | 3

[Ref to come]

Star is the youngest daughter of Sonic and Shadow and the youngest of the cousins all around. She's seen as their 'rainbow baby' as her birth was unplanned and seemingly impossible as it was a natural birth after Sonic became pregnant out of the blue.

Despite her age she is already fastened with inhibitor rings as her energy and power is already extremely intense for her little body. She is also far more Dark Arms in appearance, behavior, and power than anyone really expected.

Zephyr Robotnik | She/Her | N/A

[Ref to come]

Zephyr was Eggman's 'Plan B' before he fully retired and then later on passed away. A child made from the DNA of Sonic, the Robotics of the Metal series, and a few pointers from Gerald's writings from Shadow's creation. Made to be the perfect successor to the Robotnik name once she came of age.

Despite being the youngest of the Eggman creations she was dubbed his successor and takes her place as such after his death. Of course this does cause some tension between her and Metal Sonic but she brushes it off all the same.

She has a desire to convince Sam to join along side her as sister but is always met with rejection at the offer. Despite this, she still holds an odd soft spot for the other.

Other Characters

The following list will be in Alphabetical order and NOT importance to the story. List will be updated as characters are made

Atlas the Metal Sonic | He/It | N/A

[Ref to come]

An old and busted Metal Sonic unit found by Shrapnel who also made him a small device that creates a physical hologram around his body. Letting him look like a regular hedgehog.

Blush (Name Pending) | She/Her | 34

[Ref to come]

A nanny that Sonic and Shadow hired to help watch over Star. Both so that they would be free to help the NFF more often and so that Star would have any unintentional feelings of neglect the same way Sam and Spark developed.

Jar (Name Pending) | They/Her | 28

[Ref to come]

A new Egg Empire scientist that signed up with the promise of equipment for their experiments. Mostly delving in biology but can tinker around in robotics as needed.

Lumina the Android | He/She | N/A

[Ref to come]

A rouge Shadow Android that ran away and kept in hiding for many years till Atlas stumbled upon her recently. Isn't too interested in getting dragged into NFF affairs but gets dragged into it all anyways.

Mittens the Monkey | She/Her | 20

[Ref to come]

A new member of the NFF and an eager friend to all

Reef the Water Wolf | He/Him | 26

[Ref to come]

A member of the Egg Empire who joined the NFF as a double agent. However, it seems as though he has grown a real attachment to Spark...

[rabbitcruiser]

Wine Tourism Day 

The idea for a Wine Tourism Day originated in Europe, where the European Network of Wine Cities has organized the European Day of Wine Tourism since 2009. In 2019, the European Day of Wine Tourism will take place on November 9h, the following day. Other countries are in the process of joining the movement.

Wine Tourism Day is designed to feature the many wineries and other businesses offering wine-related events throughout North America, promote the concept of traveling to wine regions on vacation, and highlight the economic impact of wine tourism. Most of all it is about you, a lover of wine, travel, and having fun.

In addition to running active wine tours, Zephyr Adventures also organizes the annual Wine Bloggers Conference and Wine Tourism Conference. It was at the 2012 Wine Tourism Conference the idea of a Wine Tourism Day was first discussed and agreed upon by the wine industry.

Source

On the second Saturday in November, Wine Tourism Day features wineries and wine-related events across the globe. It is also a day that highlights the economic impact of wine tourism.

Wine is big business. In the United States alone, people spend over 17 billion dollars on wine tourism. The wine industry in America brings 43 million visitors to over 10,000 wine producers all over the country. Wine is so popular that all 50 states have winery facilities. On a global scale, wine tourism accounts for more than 50 billion euros of direct revenue to the world economy. That equals about 57 billion U.S. dollars.

Dedicated wine tourists travel to wineries and vineyards all over the world. The most popular countries for wine tourism include France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United States, Australia, and Argentina.

Some of the world’s best vineyards for wine tourism include:

Vik in the Cachapoal Valley, Chile

Antinori, Italy

Quinta do Crasto, Portugal

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, France

Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, California

Bodega Garzon, Uruguay

Zuccardi in the Uco Valley, Artentina

But besides drinking wine, what exactly do wine tourists do? Some people enjoy learning about the wine-making process. Others like to spend the day cycling on wine roads through the vineyard. Wine tourists also enjoy the scenery and learn about different cultures.

HOW TO OBSERVE Wine Tourism Day

On Wine Tourism Day, wineries and vineyards around the world promote the wine they make and offer special tours. Many liquor stores offer discounts on bottles of wine. Wine tasting events, wine-making demonstrations, and educational workshops are also popular events on this day. To participate:

Research various vineyards around the world and also in your state.

Go out with friends for a glass of wine.

Plan a future trip to a vineyard in another country.

Learn more about wine by reading a book, such as The World Atlas of Wine, The Wine Bible, or Wine: A Beginner’s Guide.

Listen to a podcast, like Wine for Normal People, I’ll Drink to That, Wine Blast, or The Unreserved Wine Talk.

Source

[tf2emporium]

New Smissmas Unusual Effect, Confusion - Unusual Effect! Vote now on Steam Workshop This item was created by: Mighty_Due (https://steamcommunity.com/id/mighty_due) a zephyr (https://steamcommunity.com/id/wowzalord)

[aanandh]

How to Learn Embedded Systems: A Comprehensive Guide

Embedded systems are integral to countless applications, from consumer electronics to industrial automation. Understanding how to learn embedded systems can open up a world of opportunities in various fields, including robotics, automotive, healthcare, and IoT. Here’s a structured approach to mastering embedded systems.

1. Understanding the Basics

Start with the fundamentals of embedded systems. Familiarize yourself with key concepts such as:

What are Embedded Systems?

Embedded systems are specialized computing systems that perform dedicated functions within larger mechanical or electrical systems. Unlike general-purpose computers, they are designed to execute specific tasks with high reliability.

Components of Embedded Systems:

Microcontrollers and Microprocessors: Understand the difference between the two. Microcontrollers are compact integrated circuits designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system, while microprocessors are the central unit of a computer that performs calculations and logic operations.

Memory: Learn about different types of memory (RAM, ROM, Flash) used in embedded systems.

Input/Output Devices: Familiarize yourself with sensors, actuators, and communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C).

2. Choose Your Learning Resources

Select resources that match your learning style. Here are some options:

Books:

"Embedded Systems: Introduction to the MSP432 Microcontroller" by Jonathan Valvano

"Programming Embedded Systems in C and C++" by Michael Barr

Online Courses:

Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer courses in embedded systems. Look for those that cover microcontrollers, programming, and interfacing.

YouTube Channels:

Channels like "The DIY Life" and "NPTEL" provide practical insights and tutorials on embedded systems.

3. Get Hands-On Experience

Theory is essential, but hands-on practice is crucial for mastering embedded systems. Consider the following:

Development Boards:

Start with popular development boards like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32. These platforms are beginner-friendly and have extensive community support.

Build Projects:

Create simple projects like LED blinkers, temperature sensors, or motor controls. Gradually move to more complex projects like home automation systems or robotic applications.

Use Simulation Tools:

Familiarize yourself with simulation tools like Proteus or MATLAB/Simulink for testing your designs virtually.

4. Learn Programming Languages

Embedded systems often require programming skills. Focus on:

C/C++ Programming:

C is the most commonly used language for embedded systems due to its efficiency and control over hardware. Learn the syntax, data structures, and memory management.

Assembly Language:

Understanding assembly language can provide deeper insights into how microcontrollers operate.

5. Explore Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)

Many embedded systems require multitasking and real-time performance. Learning about RTOS concepts can be beneficial:

Understand the Basics:

Familiarize yourself with the concepts of task scheduling, inter-task communication, and resource management.

Hands-On with RTOS:

Try using an RTOS like FreeRTOS or Zephyr on your development board. Implement multitasking projects to get practical experience.

6. Join Online Communities

Engaging with fellow learners and professionals can enhance your learning experience:

Forums and Discussion Groups:

Platforms like Stack Overflow, Reddit, and specialized forums (e.g., Embedded Related) are great for seeking help and sharing knowledge.

Attend Workshops and Webinars:

Participate in online workshops or local meetups to learn from experts and network with peers.

7. Stay Updated with Industry Trends

The field of embedded systems is constantly evolving. Keep yourself updated with the latest trends and technologies:

Follow Industry News:

Subscribe to blogs, newsletters, and magazines related to embedded systems.

Participate in Hackathons:

Engage in hackathons or coding competitions focused on embedded systems to test your skills and learn from others.

Conclusion

Learning embedded systems requires a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. By following this structured approach—starting from the basics, choosing the right resources, getting hands-on experience, and staying engaged with the community��you can build a strong foundation in embedded systems. Whether you aim to work in robotics, IoT, or automation, mastering embedded systems can significantly enhance your career prospects. Start your journey today, and embrace the exciting world of embedded systems!

[fatedreamsend]

The journal of Anise Greenleaf, Entries #36, #37 and #38

[Note from Anise's player: I started this as a writing experiment waaay back near the start of the campaign as a way to try to explore Anise's character a little and give her some backstory from before the started. I hand wrote it in an actual journal because I thought it would be fun. These are scans of the journal.]

Back to Entries #33, #34 and #35

Transcription below the cut:

3/12/2004

Well. I finally got some kind of revenge against Buck for all the blind dates and the constant needling me about Freddie and Joe.

This morning a very nice Genasi girl visited the shop asking if we sold a potion that could help her focus better. Well, Buck was manning the shop at the time while I was out hunting down some very hard to find herbs for a new project. I returned to the shop to find him flirting with her nonstop while she was clearly not interested. When I interrupted intervened to try to help her, she expressed surprise that such a cute girl owns the shop. And listen, I can be dense but even I'm not that dense. Also I thought it would be really funny. So I flirted back. Buck was devastated when I got her to agree to go get dinner and drinks. Good, serves him right.

Her name is Zephyr, by the way.

And it's strange, I just never considered dating a woman. The thought literally never crossed my mind until I was kind of vindictively asking her out just to annoy Buck. But she is very nice and clever and very cute, especially out of her human disguise. I sometimes forget how easy it is for me to pass as human. I barely even need to hide my ears. Zephyr wears a charmed necklace that changes her skin to a "human" skintone. It's a shame that she has to.

So far it's only been the one date, but I had a good time and I think she did too! She's busy with projects for art school, she's studying to be a painter actually. Hopefully once she isn't too busy we can go out again. I'd at least like to be friends.

4/2/2004

Zephyr is really amazing. She is so talented and so smart and so easy to talk to. And she is so good at painting! She's brought her easel and canvas and paints over here a few times. She's painted me and the garden and even a still-life of the workshop and they all look incredible. How can one person be so talented? Sure I can sketch plants or make maps but it's nothing compared to Zephyr. I really like her. I never pictured myself with a woman, but I really do like Zephyr. I'm having a lot of fun with her. And she's staying in London after graduation, so there's no risk in her just leaving me. I think this could work. Mother certainly won't be pleased that I won't be giving her grandchildren. We could always adopt? Far, far in the future. I don't even know if I want kids. It's what is expected of me, to continue the Greenleaf name. I've got too much work to do now to think about that.

5/10/2004

I must be cursed.

5/11/2004

I tried to explain it to her, why I always get so sad at the start of summer even though it's my favorite season. I told her about Freddie. She asked why I still talk about him so fondly even though he hurt me so much. I guess I really am cursed or stupid or insane. I guess I still l have feelings for stupid Freddie even now, even when I'm dating such an extraordinary woman. At least I think we're still dating. She asked me if I had considered a future with her, like marriages she clarified. I told her it was too soon to be asking that and I guess she didn't like that answer. What did I do? Was I not supposed to tell her about Freddie? I don't understand.

5/12/2004

Yeah we broke up.

Why can't I find any other pen, it seems inappropriate to be writing about this in bright pink

(It was Buck's fault)

On to Entries #39 and #40