#complete list) have the potential to be larger projects

[rawliverandgoronspice]

The Dondon Post (or: the bizarre TotK's side content counterpoints to its main quest's immuable binary morality)

Speaking of strange TotK Choices, I think I have one singe post left in me about this game; and it's about the Dondon quest, "The Beast and the Princess".

(and about other stuff too, you'll see, we'll get to them)

More specifically: about how... strange of a thematic point it feebly attemps to make in the larger context of the storyline, and how it seems to be yet another mark of a world that, perhaps, once tried to be more morally complex that it ended up becoming.

Buckle up: it's a long one, and it gets pretty conceptual.

(good gem boys notwhistanding)

The Princess and the Beast

So, a couple of things about the setup. We are investigating potential Princess sightings; but at this point, either because we have already completed a bunch and know the general gib, because we have met a couple of wild Fake Zelda shenanigans, or through the simple fact that we are completing a side quest, we know there's a good chance it won't lead to an actual Zelda information. So when we ask Penn about what is going on and he replies with the ominous "we saw the Princess riding some kind of beast --a frightening one with huge, brutal tusks-- that the princess seemed to control", we get Ideas. Then the sidequest is registered: "The Princess and the Beast".

So. You know me. And if you don't know me, here's what you should know: my brain immediately flared up with the thought there was no way in hell this wasn't some kind of wink towards Ganondorf's renowned boarish beast form, especially given tusks were given so much focus.

My first assumption was: that's a miniboss right? I will get to fight some small boar-like thing that Fake Zelda rides sometimes. Cool! I didn't hold too hard onto my hope that the relationship of Zelda and/or Ganondorf to the natural world, or to each other would be expanded upon, since I had already been burned before, but my interest was piqued.

You have to understand how starved I was for any hint of complexity or mystery or ambiguity at this point. I was extremely eager for the game to throw anything at me that would surprise me, enlighten something pre-established, make the exploration lead to a meaningful discovery or deepening of characters, world or themes (and not just slightly cooler loot, or a bossfight, or a puzzle devoid of emotional context --cohesion and depth is what motivates my play sessions, especially in an open world game that I want to believe is worth losing oneself into). This was about the most intriguing task on my to do list at the moment, and so I plunged in immediately.

After really REALLY misunderstanding what I was supposed to do (I stalked every corner of every forest surrounding the tropical area at night or during blood moons in hope to see something --which was very much the wrong call), I arrived to the other stable, then was guided to the other side of the river where Cima awaits and explains that these creatures are actually a new species discovered by Zelda; that they are gentle and kind and not at all scary ("Dondons aren't beastly, they're adorable!"), and even somehow digest luminous stones into gemstones. They like the company of people and liked Zelda in particular.

I was... I felt two different ways about this conclusion, and I think it's worth to explore both: disappointment and some sort of... "huh!" Hard to describe this emotion otherwise.

I'll get the disappointment out of the way first, because it's the least interesting of the two. While I think the little emotional arc I was taken on was not devoid of interest --I was indeed taken on by the rumor and intrigued by its implications-- I wanted, well. A little bit more. And if the creatures were to be Zelda's pet project, I would have loved for them to be actually terrifying and feisty, and for her to develop an interest for these creatures in particular regardless. It could have been very interesting characterization that veered out of the perfect princess loving the perfect world floundering around her, always bringing her clear, practical benefits from the interaction.

(I have made another post that speaks of my discomfort that Zelda does everything everywhere and everyone loves her for it --I get what they were trying to go for, but it either lacks conflict for me to buy into that dynamic at the scale of several regions, or they went on too hard for my taste, as she is, at once and in the span of a couple of years at most: a schoolteacher, a gardener, an animal researcher, a scholar, a traveler, a military expert, a knower of landscape, a painter, a horse rider, an infrastructure planner, a [...] princess --at some point it begins to sound made up, "Little Father of the people"-esque to rattle the hornet's nest a little bit, especially if it's not shown as either a clearly godly characteristic or, even more necessary imo, a negative trait; another expression of her killing herself at work to compensate for a perceived flaw she's trying to earn forgiveness for, like she did in BotW. But that's another topic, and the clumsiness of her character arc has been well threaded by basically everybody disappointed in the story already.)

But, if I decide to be a little graceful, I'd like to explore my "huh!" emotion, and take it apart a little bit.

I think there's something interesting to have such strong parallels to setting up a story about the relationship between Zelda and Ganondorf ("The Princess and the Beast", like come on guys that's the conflict of over half the series), or at least Zelda and the concept of Evil since Ganondorf pretty much represents it in this game, and then have it go: actually, there was a horrible monster that everyone was afraid of, but Zelda was wise and patient enough to approach it and realize its potential beyond the tusks, what beauty can be brought upon the world if one makes the effort to look for what exists underneath. It says something a bit deeper about the world and about Zelda in particular. It intrigues, at the very least.

Is it a reach? Probably! Is my first interpretation that the quest is actually about "eww you thought Zelda would be interested in *disgusting vile monsters* and not sweet and gentle and human-loving animals that literally shit jewlery when cared for? jokes on you, she never would feel any ounce of sympathy for anything that isn't Good and Deserving" uhhh definitively truer? Probably! But I also don't want to dismiss that the quest made me think about it. If I had completed it earlier, I might have even felt like it was (very clumsy, not gonna lie) setup about the main conflict.

But that's also a good segway into my next section: the arbitrary limitations between the animal and the creature, the monstrous and the human.

And the fact that TotK points directly at it.

A Monstrous Collection

(these two guys are just. doing So Much and being So Valid despite being massive weirdos the game wants us to be slightly repelled by. I, for one, respect the Monster kinning grind and their general Twilight Princess energy.)

So. These two guys. There is so much to say about these two guys. I don't think I have seen the Trans Perspective on Kolton on tumblr, and I would love to get it because. I feel like it's a worthwhile discussion (just, how gender and identity is handled in TotK overall, I feel like it's a very complicated conversation and I have not seen super deep dives and I'd be very interested in hearing more).

Beyond the throughline of voluntary consumption of magical objects to turn into less human creatures being a weirdly prevalent plot point in TotK (Zelda, Kolton and Ganondorf casually transing their entire species for funsies --Ganondorf being particularly relentless with Fake Zelda, mummy/phantom shenanigans, Demon King and then literal dragon), I want to focus on Kilton a little bit.

Kilton is genuinely the only NPC in the game willing to acknowledge the inherent personhood that monsters have (the game does showcase them picking up fruits, mourning their boss if you kill them, being cutesy and happy to identify you as one of their own if you wear the appropriate mask --and that's not even getting into creatures like the Lynels, who seem to really edge on the limit of being a conscious creature with a system of honor and property and many other things). He does encourage us to think of monsters as more than a species whose only worth lie in how fun it is to eradicate them; even more, gameplay-wise, he does give us a reason to interact with them in other ways than just our sword with his museum. He does encourage us to see that beauty for ourselves and then select what we think is coolest/most intimidating/cutest/eight billion ganondorfs in every pose imaginable

The fact that Ganondorf is considered a monster was a great win for this feature in particular, and is very funny, but it's also... A lot, if we dig at it a little more than warranted. Beyond all of the Implications and all of the things of representation and political conflict and values already discussed ad nauseum: when did he stop being considered a human? What does that mean about the flimsiness of what is a monster and what is a creature and what is an animal and what is a person and what is even a hylian, as sheikahs got absorbed into the definition in this game? Especially with the stones taken into account, how profound changes in nature are a huge part of the plot (even when reversed and ultimately pretty meaningless): how easy it is, to make that slip? Who decides when that slip has been made? What is acceptable to hurt without remorse? What is beautiful and worth preserving? What is both at once? What is neither?

And again, in a classic Zelda conundrum (appreciative(?)): who the fuck gets to decide that, when, and why?

The Bargainers and the Horned God

(major shoutout to these big guys for being the sole and only providers of actual depth to the Depths, and for looking cool as heck)

So. Let's move the conversation to the Depths.

Conceptually: what an interesting idea!! And so well executed (initially)!! A mirror world to the surface, dark and hushed and full of unknown creatures; haunted by gloom and sickness and the unknown. Not a first in the series, far from it: from ALTTP to ALBW, and even taking the Twilight world of TP into account, this idea of a Dark World acting as a deforming mirror to Hyrule and revealing many interesting aspects as we get to explore both is always a very interesting take on corruption and envy and fear/weakness and/or some sense of darkness looming under the perfect exterior. I'd argue even the Lens of Truth of both OoT and MM's serve a similar function, both gameplay-wise, but also in terms of theme: not everything is as it seems. In the world of Light, darkness must hide itself; but darkness also possess its own beauty, its own hardships, and will stare back at you without blinking if you go seek for it. It's, in my opinion, one of the series' most compelling conversation about the cyclical nature of fate, the coldness of godhood, and how small one feels in the face of a universe that is more complicated than it initially appears --which is why Courage must be invoked to push forward regardless.

The Depth's otherworldly ambiance is truy wonderful, whether in the plays of light and shadows, the creatures native to the environment we meet there (wish we met more!), the soundtrack, the strange aquatic/primordial plants, the fact that the dragons visit this place and connect them to the outside --invoking ideas of balance and interconnectivity, that the tree branches look like veins. The coliseums, the mines, the zonai facilities and the prisons do seem to poke at many things about what the relationship to the past was to this place; was it ever truly a place? Did it look like this back then? Why was it buried? Why did it come back? But in spite of it all, I think the Depths struggle overall to question or reveal anything about the surface that we couldn't already assume going in (that the only thing congealing there is Ganondorf's gloom, his lonely domain of Wrongness, only shared by Kohga and the yiga --the only naysayers of Goodness and Light, contemptful and blinded by self-importance and rage). The zonite is mined by gloomy monsters --why, what for?-- so any notion of greed and over-expansion that could have been associated to the zonai is now reabsorbed into Ganondorf's general evilness, since it needs to be reminded he is everything and anything bad with the world: darkness and conquest and greed and capitalism and pollution and bad weather and sickness and darkness and violence and war and death and betrayal and fakeness and lies and patriarchy and exploitation. No matter that he never does a single thing with zonite in the game; rather set up elements of conflict that never go anywhere than, for a second, let the foundations of absolute goodness and absolute evil risk becoming shaky --and you coming to this unwelcoming dark place that hates you, killing the miners and taking their resources for yourself is, on the other holy, royal fur-covered hand, utterly legitimate. The resources were once Rauru's after all, were they not?

And this is what I would say, except... except for the dead. The fallen warriors, the poes, and, most important of all: the Bargainer statues.

The Bargainers are, in-universe, godly creatures guiding the fallen to a place of final respite, regardless of moral alignment. The poes are all, fundamentally, cleansed of judgement: they are lost souls whose past reality does not matter anymore, and all deserve that peace regardless. In spite of the heavy paradise/hell parallels drawn in that game, with Rauru/Zelda/Sonia as the guardians of Light where Ganondorf gets to become a Devil-like figure, it is confirmed here that no such thing exists when you actually die in this universe.

It almost feels as if the fabric of Hyrule itself, in a brief moment that refuses to elaborate on its own point, goes: "yeah, whatever is happening here between Light and Darkness, it doesn't actually matter. This conflict is futile and doesn't understand the real nature of being alive, dead, a god, a person, a monster, an animal. The truth lies elsewhere --but you will never be told what it is."

It's: wild.

One of the game's most striking traits of narrative brilliance in my opinion --to the point where I'm wondering whether it's there on purpose or was effectively an oversight since every other aspect of reality breaks its own back trying to reassure us that everything is at its correct place, receiving the appropriate treatment by the universe in a way that is never to be questioned.

Another case of that ambiguity being allowed to exist without being immediately crushed and repressed is the case of the Horned God (interesting parallel to Ganon's actual horns that he develops in this game in case the hellish parallels weren't clear enough already): a demon Hylia sealed into stone and pushed far from humans in a clear case of questionable behavior since, while the Horned God isn't exactly nice, does propose a different philosophy you are not punished for exploring; and yet, a proposal that has seen itself persecuted in a very real sense by the goddess of absolute goodness, patron of hylians, Zelda, and many more. Pushed away from view.

Interesting.

And Yet, Light Must Prevail

Okay, so, after all of this, we're left to ask... What the fuck is up with morality in Tears of the Kingdom?!

What do we trust? These half-breaths in the occasional sidequests that Light and Darkness is just the wrong frame of reference, that nature cannot be this simple, is ever-shifting and can be recalled or reaffirmed by arbitrary forces, and might even not matter at all in the universe's fabric, despite having so much of its lore soaking in the dychotomy? Or... everything else about the game, this insistence that Good must not only be assumed as whatever tradition the kingdom has passed down for thousands upon thousands of years, but remain utterly unquestioned the entire time? That Bad is without cause, graceless and unworthy of investment?

Are the Bargainer's statues the only thing worth listening to, that morality is a fable the living tells themselves --or should we be moved when Darkness destroys Light, when Light suffers to preserve itself and the world --but not when the Other is rightfully slain?

Was Kilton correct to see beauty in the monstrous? Was Kolton onto something when he let go of his previous form because there is no clear distinction between what should receive an arrow to the face and what shouldn't? Or should we rather focus on Zelda losing her human form as a beautiful and tragic sacrifice --but something that never actually altered her nature as a hylian, the descendant of a lineage of Good Kings meant to rule forever?

Is the Dondon good because it always was, or was it worth Zelda's love in spite of the fear it initially provoked?

Either way, at the end of the game, evil is slain. Ganondorf is, not killed, but --like his angry BotW boar counterpart-- destroyed, as monsters tend to be. He explodes over the lands of Hyrule, freed from Darkness; freed from everything wrong, since the foreign menace that embodied it all was wiped out in one fateful sweep of a holy blade cradled in sacrificial love. Nothing wrong remains. The Sages reaffirm their vows to protect the kingdom forward, and a very human --hylian-- Zelda smiles: Hyrule now forever and ever basked in eternal Light.

[theamityelf]

Which Soulmate AU is the Best One For These Makoto Ships?

(in my all-too-flexible opinion)

In no particular order, and this isn't a complete list.

Kamuegi: Soulmate marks, in which people are born with a mark that symbolically indicates who their soulmate is. I want this for them because I want Hajime's mark to have been surgically removed during the Kamukura Project. If Izuru got a new soul mark (which has larger implications about their identities as discrete humans; I'm amenable to both arguments, so I'm cool with Izuru not manifesting his own mark, but if he's inherently a separate person then he does get a new mark as soon as he's "born"), then that was probably also removed surgically, and he never got to see it. He's made to figure out that Makoto is his soulmate without help from a mark, and maybe retroactively he finds out what his and Hajime's soulmate marks were by looking through his own records and he sees that they both pointed to Makoto. But that's not until after they're already together. And in my mind, Makoto has a soulmate mark but has no clue what it means, but the moment Izuru sees it, he fully understands that it means him. (Of course, he doesn't see Makoto's mark until they've already had either a platonic or romantic relationship for a while. Either seeing Makoto's mark is what makes Izuru understand the romantic nature of feelings he's been having, or they're already dating and it's just a comforting confirmation. Maybe he's even been consciously jealous of the idea that Makoto has a soulmate out there who Izuru doesn't believe will appreciate him as much as he does. Maybe he's thinking, "If his soulmate comes to claim him, I simply won't let them." Or maybe he's dreading the day the person who will make Makoto the happiest comes and steals him away.

Naegami: Color sight, where you only start to see in color after you meet your soulmate. Almost opposite of what I want for Izuru; this AU shows Byakuya an objective means of learning that Makoto is his soulmate, so that any denial or tsun behavior he exhibits toward him is predicated on the objective fact that they are soulmates. Maybe, for fun, make it a gradual thing, where when you first see them you get one color and then more colors get added in over time as you spend more time with them. This means that he could feasibly be in denial at first; he gets the first color at orientation, and it could be any of his classmates; the fact that he keeps getting new colors after talking with Makoto could be a coincidence or a misread of the cause and effect. (Okay, Byakuya, then who in your class would you rather it be? Um...) It also means that Byakuya could be purely self-serving about spending time with Makoto at first. "I'm only talking to you to get more colors. I have no interest in being your soulmate." But they're talking and forming a connection the whole time. This only applies to their school days; in the killing game, they just wake up already having color sight and have to contend with why that is.

Naegiri: Dream sharing or dreaming each other's dreams. I think Kyoko would really enjoy having that kind of insight into her soulmate's life, fears, and character, and Makoto would, too. They would know they're each other's soulmates either as soon as or shortly after meeting each other. They've been having each other's dreams their entire life. Obligatory drama potential- in the killing game, Kyoko's returning memories are in Makoto's dreams instead of hers, and vice versa. So he's able to give her information about herself that she doesn't have, which really aggravates her disinclination to trust others. Meanwhile, when she learns something about him through his dreams, she might keep it to herself for the sake of putting together the puzzle.

Komaegi: I think the countdown clock until you meet your soulmate variety. I think it would be really poignant if, while in mortal peril, Nagito can see the countdown telling him that he'll meet his soulmate in five years, or ten years. He's thinking, "I probably won't even survive to meet them," or he's thinking, "Does this mean I survive to meet them?" etc. He gets the letter from Hope's Peak, and the math says that he meets his soulmate while attending Hope's Peak- but not in his first year. Part of him hopes it'll be an Ultimate, but he meets Makoto at the end of the timer and he's like "Oh, that makes sense. That's the most I deserve," and goes a near Mr. Darcy route of backhanded love confession. He's not trying to be mean, but there will be some stuff he says that he has to walk back later in order for their friendship to progress. And then when the killing game happens, his soulmate is named the Ultimate Hope! The reaction this could unlock in him!

Naenami: I'm saying soulmate mark again, because it would be cute if Makoto was born with, like, Yoshi on his arm or something. Chiaki would be excited in just the "guy wearing a t-shirt of the thing you like" sense, not even taking it as a soulmate mark for her specifically. Maybe she's like, "You're so lucky! My soulmate mark is a banana peel." And Makoto laughs, like, "What could that mean?"

Naezono: Also soulmate mark, because I want Sayaka's to be a crane. Means that when she saw Makoto do the crane thing in middle school, she knew then that he was her soulmate, but she still didn't approach him. I'm going to say Makoto's mark is more vague, so he doesn't know she's his soulmate until well into their friendship at Hope's Peak.

Naekusaba: Okay, I'm not specific on the mechanics of this one, but some variation of feeling one's soulmate's pain or anything that scars them scars you instead. Something to kind of play with her not having been marked at all by her time with Fenrir. Maybe it's just that she feels his pain, so he trips a bunch and she's just like "What on earth is going on with my soulmate?" while she tears up a battlefield without a scratch, or maybe any injury that should mark him marks her and vice versa, so that people think "Oh man, the soulmate to the best Fenrir fighter ever must be super scarred," and he's completely fine, whereas she's got various scrapes and marks from Makoto's years of bad luck. Idk, there's something there. This would mean the logistics of the Fenrir tattoo need further thought. The ink is still given to her, so she's still the one with the tattoo, but any temporary scarring or inflammation goes to him? Idk, this one isn't well thought out, lol.

Naejunko: Oh, either dream sharing or seeing through each other's eyes. Some psychic link thing where they get the POV of being each other. Are you kidding?! The drama! Makoto zones out in class and sees his soulmate straight up torturing someone, and he's horrified and scared. Junko dozes off on a plane or starts daydreaming during a photo shoot and sees her soulmate having a nice time with his cute family and just gets so excited about the idea of ruining everything in his life. Maybe they can feel each other watching! Maybe they're children and Makoto realizes, in the middle of doing his homework, that his soulmate is watching, and he writes Please don't be mean to your sister anymore in the margins and then erases it (This part is dark, but maybe in response Junko writes his name on Mukuro's skin with a knife or something.), or maybe Junko realizes, in the middle of doing something horrible, that Makoto is watching, and she kicks it up several notches to perform for him.

[kkami-writes]

hi guys! hope you guys had a wonderful holiday season! this is just a little update about current projects and future projects.

In good news: Waiting for us will be returning next week! I'm not 100% sure when i'm gonna post but probably on wednesday. I'm still estimating about 65 chapters in total so we're less than 20 chapters till the end :O. Thank you guys again for being on this journey with me. It's still so amazing that something I decided to write on a complete whim and in the middle of the night blew up SO much. but i'm so thankful. in kind of bad news: both devil's advocate and full house will be going on hiatus. while I still have plot ideas for both of them, I still haven't gotten back into the swing of writing yet and I just think it's better to place them on hiatus. I do have half of chapter five written that I could probably finish and post...but I deadass feel like if I put it on hiatus after chapter five you guys will kill me TTTTTT LMAO. in terms of new projects! i'm planning on announcing my smau series that are going to be made up of smaller smau's for each boy soon! sometime around the end of waiting for us. As well as announcing my next large haul smau.

In terms of written work, I don't know if you guys remember me blabbing on about a potential ot8 x fangirl!reader but I do still want to write that and it's kinda the only thing that's piquing my interest rn. but I just hate that I always start projects and never finish them :/ writing larger stories like that are just hard you know? anyway idk. again, i'm gonna focus on my smaus for now and we'll see where things go! I'm also gonna be updating and posting the rest of my fic recs as well as making a complied list of all the ot8 fics i've found that are on ao3 so it's in one place. Anyway. Happy new years again guys! Here's to an amazing 2024.

[theramseyloft]

What’s the most amount of birds you’ve kept at one time?

I got up to 69, I think?

Which I absolutely did not have sufficient space for.

For reference, my 10x10 had one wall completely lined with nest boxes, one wall lined from end to end with shelves, and two 5 or so foot long swings hanging from the ceiling.

That amount of space is good, permanently, for about 30 adults.

Long term, but not permanent, 40 at most.

I wasn't getting in huge numbers of rescues at a time, but a healthy, comfortable flock of pigeons can double their number with every round.

At the time, I had 10 breeding pair and a wait list of about 30 people, so I genuinely expected every peep that hatched to easily place.

When I switched from my own blend to mixing Versele Laga and Royal Wing Classic Mix by volume, all ten pair started to lay around the same time, when I had been used to three to five pair at a time hatching peeps.

More of a steady trickle, less of an absolute deluge.

When the peeps did not develop the personality or physical traits that the people on the wait list wanted, I got hung up on providing for the people on my wait list and let more rounds hatch.

What I should have done was wait until those went home.

I am terrified of ending up with too many to adequately care for again.

And I have had two and a half years to sit and think about how to avoid it in the future.

For one thing, no more wait list.

If I don't let myself feel like homes are guaranteed, I won't be tempted to hatch more than what's required to develop the project.

When we return to full operation, there will be three buildings on the property:

The 10x12x8 for the breeding flock with nest boxes on one wall and shelves on the other with an outdoor aviary built onto the side.

The 10x10 repurposed as a quarantine building.

And an aviary specifically for rescue birds, so I don't have to worry about them potentially pair bonding to any one I plan to keep.

They can adapt to being separated, but pigeons need stability, and going to their new home without having to leave their mate is the best outcome.

Not sure how big I plan to have it built, though. Probably larger than the breeding loft, so that I'll have the space if there is a sudden large need.

The 10x12, especially with longer, wider swings, should comfortably house 50, but I plan to keep the cap at 40: ten pair and a single round of their offspring.

After that initial round, parents will be hatch controlled and their offspring trained and evaluated for their fist six months.

That should give me plenty of time to observe their physiological development and assess what temperament traits have been passed on from their parents so that the best selection for keep backs can be made.

Once that selection is made, the parents and sibling will be made available.

Only once the parents and siblings of my keepers have gone to their new homes will I bring in new breeding birds to fill the flock back out to ten pair.

That should keep things moving slowly enough to avoid a population boom, and allow me to more easily spread focus and resources between the breeding flock and any rescues we take in.

[tirkdi]

My Grisha Fic Masterlist

A list of fan fiction I’ve written for the Grishaverse! Rating is “Teen” unless otherwise noted. All book characterizations, mostly darklina.

Multichapter Complete

A Hundred Lifetimes Ago (Alina/the Darkling) (rating: M) (99k words): This fic explores the answers to three questions: What happened to Aleksander and Baghra in those years between Demon in the Wood and The Grisha Trilogy? How might the Darkling and Alina have pushed and pulled and eventually shaped each other if he had reacted to events at the Spinning Wheel differently? And, most importantly: after everything that was done to them, and everything they did to each other, what would it take for our Grisha trilogy immortals to be happy — or at least, have the potential to be?

This is a story of familial love and loss, and other types of love, and anger, and fear. It’s a story about what it means to be alone — and what it means to be together.

The Shadow of War (Alina Starkov/the Darkling, 135k words): Alina’s project in her last year of university has caught Ambassador Morozova’s attention. He convinces her to move to Ravka to bring solar energy to the villages; her role turns out to be much larger than that. Modern day AU and occasional retelling. Nothing Small about this Science.

The Wind and the Darkness (Zoya Nazyalensky, The Darkling): A triptych of scenes with Zoya & the Darkling set before, during, and after Shadow & Bone. Includes rumors, amplifiers, broken ribs, and Alina’s escape, all in the context of two egos large enough that one wonders they can fit in the same room.

Multichapter Incomplete

Mastering the Cut (Alina/the Darkling) (3/4 chapters): Dr. Morozova is a surgical prodigy and master of the cut. Dr. Starkov has the luck and misfortune of becoming his intern. Half crack.

One-shots

A Family Affair (Alina Starkov/Malyen Oretsev & the Darkling): Alina and Mal attend his family reunion. The Morozovas are also there. Features the Darkling’s Terrible Innuendos™. (tumblr)

Three's A Crowd (Alina Starkov/Malyen Oretsev & the Darkling): Immediately post-KoS. Alina and Mal's quiet night in Keramzin is interrupted by a newly not-dead visitor. They never made a very good trio. More of the Darkling’s Terrible Innuendos™.

Once Again, and Always (Alina Starkov/the Darkling): A bird falls in the darkness and becomes a husband. The Sun Summoner and the Darkling have worn a groove in the universe, and they get up once more to play their parts and say their lines. Deathless AU. (tumblr)

Legal Matters (Zoya/Nikolai) (rating: M): AU in which Nikolai & Zoya are lawyers who casually hook up. Mostly an excuse for banter. (tumblr)

Naming a King (the Darkling): Aleksander meets Alexander. Half a century-ish before Shadow & Bone. (tumblr)

Ficlets

Canon-compliant Aleksander gets a goat * Mal & the Darkling do dinner * Nikolai + Genya in the bathroom * A young Darkling visits Fjerda 

Alina and the Darkling rule forever AU Salvation * Yahrzeit * Kittens * Pink * Honey * Blame * Do not. Tempt. Me. * Apologies to William Carlos Williams * Enemy

Other Ivan sides with Alina * Nikolina surprise * Alina as cryptographer * Zoya/Nikolai + honesty * Zoya/Nikolai + drinking * Zoya/Nikolai + bleeding * Alina/Darkling at the camera shop * The Sturmhond

[dweemeister]

July 13, 2023

By Anousha Sakoui

(Los Angeles Times) — SAG-AFTRA’s national board of directors on Thursday voted unanimously to approve a strike action by tens of thousands of Hollywood actors, widening the scope of labor unrest in an entertainment industry that is already facing numerous headwinds.

The vote came after negotiations between the actors’ union and the major studios failed to reach an agreement on a new film and TV contract.

Actors — similarly to screenwriters already on picket lines — have been battling studios for a pact that would deliver far better pay and residuals from streaming and address other issues, including the use of artificial intelligence, that have been roiling the entertainment landscape.

Despite the last-minute involvement of a federal mediator, the 160,000-member union was unable to secure a deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios in labor dealings. The old collective bargaining agreement expired Wednesday night without a deal in place.

Union leaders announced the board’s vote at a noon news conference in Los Angeles.

“What is happening to us is happening to all fields of labor,” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said during a fiery speech at the union’s headquarters. “I’m shocked by the way the people we have been in business with are treating us. It is disgusting. Shame on them.”

“We are the victims here,” Drescher added. “We are being victimized by a very greedy entity.”

So, some clarification. This strike covers all movie and TV projects that involve actors and voiceover announcers. This includes animated works. TL;DR: the main concerns are over residuals from streaming services (who are black holes of information that do not release viewership data so as to maintain complete leverage in contract negotiations) and the potential for AI. Unlike the writers, the actors are also trying to require all auditions to be in-person (one lasting impact of COVID is the larger adoption of taped auditions, which does not guarantee that the casting director watches the audition and also deprives the actor of networking opportunities even if they don't pass the audition). These concerns are almost identical - with exception of the in-person auditions - of the Writers Guild of America's (WGA) concerns with their respective strike.

This strike indirectly affects SAG-AFTRA members in radio, audiobooks, non-AMPTP studio video games and interactive media, music, and commercials.

This strike does not cover local news reporters and announcers for AMPTP constituent-owned radio and TV stations (full list here... e.g. every major local English- and Spanish-language channel in Greater LA and both PBS stations in KOCE and KCET). Yes, news reporters and announcers working for a stations owned by an AMPTP constituent are SAG-AFTRA members. They are covered by a separate contract.

[smilesession]

obsessed lately with, in general, paradigmal altering extremes - at its most mild I just feel like I’m going to gnaw my arm off if I can’t find some acid, I fantasize about going around and asking people at random if they have some acid, this is strikingly similar to when I was a shutin agoraphobic dropout at 15 and would imagine similar things about going around and talking to people at random and imagining the result I’d want but never really doing it. At its median I imagine using my savings to relaunch my life entirely, moving to another state and starting fresh, Devil-may-care. On another level I keep thinking about just becoming more openly erratic and making it a rule to defy all laws that my OCD sets as well as all laws of social conformity, potentially losing my job, potentially dropping out of college. It’s probably this intense because I’m just such a lonely boundarykeeper, so obsessed all the time with staying on track, getting so bogged down in the details that I can’t accomplish the larger goal in any case, I get so obsessed with like completing my grocery list or cleaning my car that I end up with no food and a filthy car. Let alone completing creative projects. At its most extreme I think about checking myself into treatment, institutionalizing myself. Adhdheads will tell me this is adhd. I don’t believe in diagnostic criteria but I know I have something going on that just makes me feel completely out of sync with linear time

[djhamaradio]

Cosmic Rapp - is that even a thing?

I like inventing my own genres. It’s a thing I have done for a while, reminds me of making cassette tapes from dubbing songs from music from satellite radio stations that were playing music from all over the world, back in Zambia. Cosmic Rapp isn’t a thing but I want it to be. Cosmic music abounds in the world of music collectors and lovers of music that exists outside the bounds of capitalism's omnipresent grip. For Hip Hop it’s a hard thing to be cosmic because cosmic-ness at its core is about sounds that tackle the cosmic expanse. Sounds that abandon the here and now and explore the transcendent. Cosmic jazz, disco, rock, soul, and of course cosmic electronic variations abound. In the case of Hip Hop while the potential exists and have existed in the past think Afrika Bam, often times one of hip hop's strengths is its penchant for groundedness, obsessing about the here and now and never quite speculating or trying to create potential new worlds and realms. The genre's obsession with realness, with grappling with the things of the here and now, grappling with our pleasures and future earthly desires sometimes make it more earthly than cosmic. After much thought though I came up with some caveats mostly in the form of single songs but also projects that completely risk it all and try to tackle broader larger themes. An understandable retort will be to reference all the great underground rap that tackles broader social issues my argument is even the conscious guys tend to be very obsessed with earthly issues or fixing earthly issues. Another critique will be to reference all the mind blowing visuals and sonics of forward thinking acts like Outkast or Missy Elliot & Timbaland and even for those acts they really never dwell in the expanse long enough for me to put them in the cosmic rapp category but they might appear on my list. For this article, my lists will be twofold one will be for x10 cosmic rapp albums and x10 cosmic rapp songs. In no particular order peep the below: x 10 Cosmic Rapp Albums (In no hierarchical order) 1. Cannibal Ox - Cold Vein 2. Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus 3. Dr Octagon - Dr Octagonecologyst 4. Madvillain - Madvillainy 5. Dalek - From the Fitlhy Tongue of Gods and Griots 6. Shabazz Palaces - Black Up 7. King Geedorah - Take Me To Your Leader 8. KA - Hermit and the Recluse 9. Fatboi Sharif - Preaching In Havana 10. Gravediggaz - 6 Feet Deep X 10 Cosmic Rapp Singles (In no hierarchical order) 1. Mach Hommy - G.A.T I 2. Hermit and the Recluse - Golden Fleece 3. Armand Hammer - Woke up and asked Siri 4. Billy Woods - Asylum 5. Dr Octagon - Blue Flowers 6. MF DOOM - CELLZ 7. Jay Electronica - Dimethylryptamine 8. Nas - Fetus 9. Madvillain/Quasimoto - Shadows of tomorrow 10. Cannibal Ox - Iron Galaxy

[sagemonsters]

Writer's Commentary: Bargain with the Leshy

Hi! So the Writer’s Commentary series is something I want to create for all of my fics going forward, a sort of peek behind the scenes at what happens during the writing process. Ideas change a lot, and I like documenting this stuff as it happens, so I hope you enjoy reading it.

For this collection of ramblings, you'll need to have read my monster erotica piece, Bargain with the Leshy.

First of all, Bargain with the Leshy was written as a response to my frustration with myself. I said in this post that I really struggle to write short things - a lot of the time, my ideas spiral out of control into novella-sized (or larger!) projects, which then makes my perfectionism and anxiety go into overdrive as I work to make every little detail impervious to the angry critics who have taken up residence in my imagination and ruthlessly heckle me.

To be clear, this isn't a good attitude to have. Always writing in fear of potential criticism means that I don't get much writing done unless I feel more confident than usual -- overall I would rate my anxiety as a -2 out of 10, would not recommend.

Anyway...

I wrote that post, then got mad at myself and brainstormed a list of monster romance erotica ideas. Bargain with the Leshy was #3 on that list, and in that brain-vomit of ideas around a leshy-focused erotica piece I wrote Aiden as a witch's apprentice. I changed that very early on because I wanted Aiden to be a little bit older and more worldly.

Background World-Building & Characterization

Some world-building that I didn't get to include in the text itself was that witches in this world operate in a guild-like system. There are apprentices who live with their mentors from ages 14-19, and then journeymen witches who travel as they need to while working on their "masterpiece" -- and I mean "masterpiece" in the most traditional sense of the word; it's a piece of work (in Aiden's case, an herbal of magical plants and their uses) that, upon completion, will be judged by a council of master-level witches to determine whether the journeyman witch is ready to enter the guild as a fully-fledged adult member.

Rowenna is already a master-level witch since she has her own cottage. I initially wrote her as a "veterinarian-witch", but that sounded too modern (on completely illogical grounds) so I changed her descriptor to "farm-witch." She is very Pratchett-esque; I was really drawing from the Tiffany Aching series when I wrote her.

The world of Bargain with the Leshy was designed to be reminiscent of the 1940s. There's modern technology to some degree, and use of electricity is widespread, but there's no Internet or handheld phones. However, it IS a fantasy world, so I felt justified in allowing women to have societal acceptance if they choose to live a life independent of a male relative or partner - likewise, it's a queer-normative world. Although the Gregorian calendar is used, this world isn't Earth and WWII didn't happen.

Also, Aiden is very much autistic; botany is a special interest of his!

Technical Stuff

My boyfriend @mikk1n helped me edit the sex scene between Marek and Aiden. That took several days, since we have very different sleep schedules (we live in the same time zone, but are long-distance) and did most of the work between 11pm and 2:30am over Discord.

I don't really have writing playlists, and am VERY particular about music that I listen to while writing - if a song has lyrics, they can't be in English or French because if I understand even fragments then I won't be able to concentrate. I ended up listening to "Hörst du die Trommein" by Faun on repeat while writing the sex scene; it sounds vaguely Celtic, has a male singer with a nice voice, and the drumming was good. I have zero clue what the lyrics mean.

A Potential Sequel?

I'm on the fence about whether or not I'll write a sequel to Bargain with the Leshy; Marek and Aiden are not in love and neither of them are the type to get their heart mixed up after a one-night-stand, so it's unlikely that they would be emotionally drawn back to each other. I do have some ideas, but as it stands those ideas don't make for a particularly happy story and I am definitely the type of writer who enjoys their HEAs. If a sequel does enter the works, then it will be a long time off - don't hold your breath, in other words.

[ptgigi]

Could you share the basic algorithm you used for the Bracket Fusion Project so others can try alternate fusion challenges involving the matches like you suggested?

First: I want to cry. I spent 2+ hours (didn't realize it was that long...) typing up a response and Tumblr crashed and deleted it all...

Feel free to ask for clarification if I missed something in try #2 at this.

--

Thanks for the interest!

Unfortunately, the algorithm isn't really shareable. It was made custom for this project and I don't dare touch it nowadays because it's some spaghetti code I wrote years ago lol. It also contains a lot of custom data that only goes up to Gen 7 and contains several errors (that I opted to ignore so I can actually complete this project in my lifetime...).

But! I can at least provide a guide on what I did to at least help push people in the right direction:

Get Data

Nowadays, I recommend PokeAPI for this, they have downloadable CSVs of plenty of data. You can also use any of the many Pokemon fansites out there with data. If you can get it as a list rather than hand entering, that's better as you reduce the risk of human error (like me, I was the human error).

For PBFP, I collected data on stages/forms, types, colors, and body shape.

--

Modify Data

Your collected data may not be in the best format for your project, so you may need to tweak it.

For example, I converted all my data to numbers, as I found that the easiest and it eliminated ties.

--

Stages/forms I changed to a list of the number of forms per stage per family. Examples:

Mew's list was [1,0,0] (1 base form, no alt forms or evos)

Mewtwo was [3,0,0] (base+2 Megas)

Pikachu was [1,1,2] (Pichu, Pikachu, 2 Raichu forms)

Wurmple was [1,2,2] (Wurmple has a split evolution)

Flabebe was [5,5,5] (each stage has 5 forms)

--

Types was the percentage of each type was in a family. For individual forms, single types counted as 1 and dual types counted as 0.5 each. The form types were then added together and averaged for the family's types. Ex.

Mew is 1 Psychic (pure psychic type)

Bulbasaur's family is 0.5 Grass, 0.5 Poison (all grass/poison types)

Mewtwo is ~0.83 Psychic, ~0.16 Fighting (2 pure psychic forms, 1 psychic/fighting form; 2.5 Psychic / 3 forms = 0.8333333333 Psychic; 0.5 Fighting / 3 forms = 0.1666666666 Fighting)

--

Color was part 1 of custom data. I didn't like the dex colors and was weird to compare as text so I grabbed a single RGB value from every Pokemon form (regret). I picked whatever color I felt like best summed up the Pokemon.

Because families, I averaged the colors of all forms in a family. So Latias for example is more of a magenta, because its base form is red but its Mega form is purple.

--

Body shape was custom like colors. It was weird to compare as text, so I counted the limbs of every single Pokemon (more regret). The limbs I counted were head, body, arms, legs, tail, wings, and other limbs (like tentacles and fins). For odd cases (Pokemon who have limbs used both as arms and legs) I just did my best guess.

Again, because families, I averaged these values. So you get funny stuff like Tornadus has "1 wing" because Incarnate Tornadus has 0 wings but Therian Tornadus has 2 wings.

--

Compare Data

Welcome to math time!

Here we're comparing all Pokemon to one another and coming up with a score we can use to determine which ones are the most similar.

For forms, colors, and body shape I used the distance formula. This gave me a "distance" between the two Pokemon families in the potential combination.

Identical families would be a score of 0, more different families would be a larger number.

To then make these scores comparable, I normalized them aka converted them to all to a similar range, in this case a number between 0-1.

I did this by dividing them by the largest score value. Ex. for colors Dewpider and any one of 12 pure white Pokemon were the most different color-wise (a distance of ~384). So all color scores were divided by 384, so Dewpider and any white'mon have a color score of 1 (384/384 = 1).

--

Types I didn't like the results of the distance formula, so instead I used the percentage of similar types.

Plusle and Minun are both pure electric, so they are 100% similar

Zapdos is Electric/Flying, so Zapdos and Plusle are 50% similar (50% electric shared)

Plusle and Bulbasaur's family share no types, so they are 0% similar

--

But you might notice now the best type score is 1 while the best distance score is 0. So I inverted the distance scores so a score of 1 = best and a score of 0 = worst. (so for Dewpider and Zangoose's colors, that'd be 384/384 = 1, then 1-1 = 0 color score; while Plusle and Minun would be 0/384 = 0, then 1-0 = 1 color score).

Then I averaged those 4 scores together to get one final score that is a number between 0-1, where again 1=best and 0=worst.

--

Verify Data

I mentioned this a few times through, but you may need to tweak your data or formula to get the results looking nice.

Originally I had stages and forms as different data points, but didn't like the results I was getting. After combining them, I liked those results better.

Sawk/Throh's colors were originally blue/red. But I expected those two to pair up so I switched them to their white color.

Outliers, numbers that are outside of the normal range of the rest of the data, also presented an issue. I added upper limits to certain data to make the results nicer. I think I set those to 5 for forms and limbs. Ex. Arceus was counted as only having 5 forms, Vulpix's family had 5 tails, etc.

etc

--

Get Pairs

The part where we actually get the fusions!

After you do the compare data step for every possible Pokemon combination (I highly recommend automating this as much as you can, spreadsheet software like Excel or Google Sheets can do a lot of this math for you in bulk) then you should have a list of every possible combination of Pokemon and a score for that combination.

How you go about this next part depends on your goal. Do you want Pokemon to only be used once? Do you want to pick by the best pair first?

Answering yes to each of those questions is what I did, but imagine the chaos of answering no to both?

So what I did was:

Find the highest score (for best score first)

Record that pair in the finalized list

Remove any other combinations that use one of those two Pokemon (each Pokemon is only used one)

Repeat steps 1-3 until you have no pairs left

--

And that's it!

(I say like this isn't a huge amount of time or effort, it is, it really is)

Again, sorry my script/algorithm isn't something easily shared, but I hope this write up at least helps push people in the right direction!

And always happy to answer questions for anything I may have missed or skimmed over!

[lks-construction]

Finding the Right General Contractor in Natick: A Guide to Successful Home Projects

Whether you're renovating a kitchen, building an addition, or tackling a major home improvement project in Natick, Massachusetts, selecting the right general contractor is essential. A reputable general contractor can help turn your vision into reality while minimizing stress and ensuring the work is done to your satisfaction. Here’s a guide to help you find and hire the best general contractor for your needs in Natick.

1. What Does a General Contractor Do?

A general contractor is responsible for managing and executing various aspects of construction and renovation projects. Their duties typically include:

Project Coordination: Overseeing the project from start to finish, including scheduling and managing subcontractors.

Permit Acquisition: Securing necessary permits and ensuring the project complies with local building codes.

Budget Management: Keeping the project within budget and handling financial aspects.

Quality Assurance: Ensuring the work meets quality standards and project specifications.

2. Research and Create a Shortlist

Begin by creating a list of potential general contractors in Natick. You can:

Seek Recommendations: Ask friends, family, or neighbors for referrals based on their experiences.

Check Online Reviews: Look at platforms like Google Reviews, Yelp, and Angie’s List for feedback on local contractors.

Review Portfolios: Look at photos and descriptions of completed projects to gauge the contractor’s style and quality.

3. Verify Qualifications and Experience

Ensure that any contractors you're considering are properly qualified. Check for:

Licensing: In Massachusetts, general contractors must have a valid license from the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards.

Insurance: Confirm that they carry liability insurance and workers' compensation.

Experience: Look for contractors with a track record of successfully completing projects similar to yours in terms of scope and complexity.

4. Conduct Interviews

Arrange meetings with your shortlisted contractors to discuss your project in detail. Important questions to ask include:

Timeline: What is the estimated duration of the project?

Team: Who will be working on the project, and how are subcontractors selected?

Problem-Solving: How do they handle unforeseen issues or changes during the project?

References: Can they provide references from past clients?

5. Request Detailed Written Estimates

Obtain detailed written estimates from each contractor. These should include:

Scope of Work: A clear description of the tasks and responsibilities.

Cost Breakdown: A detailed list of costs for materials, labor, and other expenses.

Payment Schedule: Information on payment terms and milestones.

6. Review and Understand the Contract

Once you select a contractor, review the contract carefully before signing. Ensure it includes:

Detailed Scope of Work: Specific tasks and responsibilities.

Timeline and Milestones: Key project dates and phases.

Warranties and Guarantees: Information on what is covered after completion.

Change Orders: Procedures for handling any modifications to the original plan.

7. Maintain Clear Communication

Effective communication is crucial for a successful project. Regular updates and open dialogue with your contractor can help ensure the project stays on track and meets your expectations.

8. Inspect Work and Address Concerns

Regularly inspect the work to ensure it aligns with your expectations and contract specifications. Address any concerns with the contractor as they arise to avoid larger issues.

[townandcountryroof]

5 Important Things About Roof Painting You Must Know

When it comes to maintaining the exterior of a building, many people focus on aspects like structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. While these are crucial, there is another significant factor that plays a vital role in both protection and longevity: the coating applied to the Newcastle roof painting of your home or commercial structure. This process is more than just an aesthetic enhancement; it’s a protective measure that extends the life of your property and can save you money in the long run. Understanding the nuances of this practice is essential for anyone considering this type of work, whether you're a homeowner looking to update your property or a facility manager aiming to maintain a professional look.

The following list explains several key points about roof painting that you need to be aware of.

Timing of the Application

Timing is everything when it comes to applying a protective layer. The best results are often achieved when the weather conditions are mild, with no rain or extreme temperatures. Applying a coating during the wrong season can lead to poor adhesion and a shorter lifespan. For example, doing this work during the rainy season can result in water seeping into the layers, causing it to blister and peel. Similarly, extreme heat can cause the materials to dry too quickly, leading to an uneven finish. Planning the project for a time when the weather is stable will ensure a smooth and durable application.

Understanding the Lifespan

Different materials have varying lifespans, and understanding this can help you plan for future maintenance. Some coatings can last for several years, while others may need reapplication more frequently. Factors such as the quality of the material, the environmental conditions, and the level of maintenance can all impact how long the protective layer will last. Regular inspections and touch-ups can help extend the life of the coating, preventing the need for a complete reapplication too soon. Knowing the expected lifespan can also help you budget for future maintenance and avoid unexpected costs.

Environmental Impact

Many modern products are designed with the environment in mind, offering low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) options that reduce the release of harmful chemicals into the air. These products not only protect your building but also contribute to better air quality and a healthier environment. When selecting a material, it's important to consider its environmental impact, especially if you live in an area with strict regulations regarding chemical use. Opting for eco-friendly products can also enhance the overall sustainability of your property, making it a more appealing option for environmentally conscious buyers or tenants in the future.

Professional vs. DIY Application

While it might be tempting to save money by doing the work yourself, there are significant advantages to hiring a professional. Professionals have the experience, tools, and knowledge to ensure that the job is done correctly and efficiently. They can identify potential issues that you might overlook and provide solutions that will enhance the durability and effectiveness of the work. Additionally, many professionals offer warranties on their work, giving you peace of mind that if something goes wrong, it will be addressed at no extra cost. On the other hand, a DIY approach can result in mistakes that could end up costing more in the long run, both in terms of time and money.

Importance of Regular Maintenance

Once the work is completed, regular maintenance is essential to keep it in top condition. This includes routine inspections to check for signs of wear and tear, as well as periodic cleaning to remove any dirt or debris that could cause damage over time. In some cases, touch-up work may be necessary to address small areas of damage before they become larger problems. Regular maintenance not only extends the life of the protective layer but also ensures that your property continues to look its best. Investing in maintenance can save you from more costly repairs down the line and help preserve the value of your property.

Understanding the importance of the factors mentioned in the list above can make a significant difference in the success of your project. From proper surface preparation to regular maintenance, each step plays a crucial role in ensuring that your investment lasts as long as possible. By taking the time to plan carefully and choosing the right materials, you can protect your property from the elements and enhance its overall appearance. Whether you decide to tackle the project yourself or hire a professional, being informed about these key considerations will help you achieve the best possible results.

[socalsheds]

Finding the Best Garage Builder in San Diego: What You Need to Know

Building a garage can significantly enhance your property’s functionality and value. In San Diego, homeowners often seek to add garages for various reasons, including additional storage, parking, or even as an extension of their living space. However, selecting the right garage builder is crucial in ensuring that the project meets your expectations. This guide outlines essential factors to consider when choosing a garage builder in San Diego, as well as tips on how to make the process smoother.

Understanding Your Garage Needs

Before you start looking for a garage builder, it’s important to clarify your specific needs and goals. Consider the following questions:

Purpose of the Garage

Storage: Will you primarily use the garage for storing vehicles, tools, or other items?

Workspace: Do you plan to use it as a workshop or hobby space?

Living Space: Are you considering an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or a recreational area?

Size and Design

Dimensions: How much space do you need? Be mindful of your property size and any local zoning restrictions.

Style: What architectural style aligns with your home? Traditional, modern, or something else?

Budget

Establishing a budget is crucial. Determine how much you are willing to invest in the project, keeping in mind that the cost can vary based on size, materials, and builder expertise.

Researching Garage Builders

Once you have a clear understanding of your garage needs, the next step is to research potential builders. Here are some effective strategies:

Online Research

Websites and Portfolios: Look for builders with professional websites showcasing their previous work. Pay attention to their portfolio to assess the quality and style of their garages.

Reviews and Ratings: Check platforms like Yelp, Google, and Angie's List for customer reviews. Positive feedback can indicate reliability and quality.

Local Recommendations

Word of Mouth: Ask friends, family, or neighbors who have recently built garages for recommendations. Personal experiences often provide valuable insights.

Real Estate Agents: Local real estate professionals may have connections with reputable builders.

Professional Associations

Look for builders affiliated with professional associations, such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or local building trades organizations. Membership in these associations often signifies a commitment to professionalism and standards.

Evaluating Potential Builders

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s time to evaluate builders more closely. Consider the following criteria:

Experience and Expertise

Years in Business: A builder with a long history typically has more experience handling various projects and potential challenges.

Specialization: Ensure the builder specializes in garage construction. Some builders may focus on residential projects, while others may have experience in commercial or larger-scale developments.

Licensing and Insurance

Verify that the builder is licensed in California and holds the necessary permits for construction. Additionally, ensure they carry liability insurance and worker’s compensation. This protects you from potential legal and financial issues should an accident occur on your property.

Portfolio of Past Work

Request to see examples of previous garage projects. This can give you a sense of their craftsmanship and design capabilities. Look for variety in styles and sizes to ensure they can meet your specific needs.

References

Ask for references from past clients. Contact these individuals to inquire about their experiences with the builder. Key questions might include:

Were you satisfied with the quality of work?

Did the builder complete the project on time and within budget?

How did the builder handle any issues that arose during construction?

The Importance of Communication

Effective communication is vital throughout the construction process. Assess how well the builder communicates during your initial interactions. Consider the following:

Responsiveness

A good builder should respond promptly to your inquiries and provide clear answers. This responsiveness often reflects their overall professionalism.

Project Management

Inquire about how they manage projects and keep clients updated. Will you have a dedicated project manager? How often will you receive progress updates?

Flexibility

Construction projects can encounter unexpected challenges. A builder who is flexible and willing to adapt to changes will help ensure a smoother process.

Understanding the Contract

Before signing any agreement, carefully review the contract. Here are critical elements to look for:

Detailed Scope of Work

The contract should clearly outline the scope of work, including materials, design specifications, and timelines. This helps prevent misunderstandings down the line.

Payment Terms

Understand the payment structure. Most builders require a deposit upfront, followed by milestone payments as the project progresses. Ensure that the payment schedule aligns with your budget.

Warranty and Guarantees

Check for any warranties on the construction work and materials used. A reputable builder will stand behind their work and offer guarantees for a certain period.

Change Order Process

Inquire about the procedure for making changes to the original plan. Understanding how change orders are handled can prevent disputes later.

Compliance with Local Regulations

San Diego has specific building codes and regulations that must be adhered to when constructing a garage. Ensure your builder is knowledgeable about these requirements and will handle the necessary permits and inspections.

Zoning Laws

Familiarize yourself with local zoning laws that may affect your garage's size, height, and location. A competent builder will help navigate these regulations to ensure compliance.

Environmental Considerations

San Diego has environmental regulations, particularly regarding water runoff and landscaping. Ensure your builder is aware of and complies with these standards.

Cost Considerations

Understanding the cost of building a garage in San Diego is essential for budgeting. Costs can vary based on several factors:

Materials

The choice of materials will significantly impact your budget. High-quality materials may cost more initially but can save money in the long run through durability.

Labor Costs

Labor costs can vary based on the builder’s experience and the complexity of the project. Be sure to factor in labor when estimating your total cost.

Additional Features

Consider any additional features you may want, such as windows, insulation, electrical wiring, or custom doors. These can add to the overall expense but may also enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your garage.

The Construction Process

Once you have selected a builder and signed the contract, the construction process will begin. Understanding what to expect can help you prepare for this phase:

Timeline

Discuss the estimated timeline for the project. A reliable builder should provide an estimated start and completion date, along with key milestones.

Site Preparation

The construction site will need to be prepared, which may include clearing debris, leveling the ground, and laying the foundation.

Construction Phases

Familiarize yourself with the various phases of construction, including:

Framing: Building the structural framework of the garage.

Roofing: Installing the roof, which may include shingles or other materials.

Finishing Touches: Adding doors, windows, and interior finishes.

Inspections

Ensure that necessary inspections are scheduled throughout the construction process. This helps ensure that the building meets safety and quality standards.

Conclusion

Finding the best garage builder in San Diego is a critical step in successfully adding this valuable feature to your home. By understanding your needs, conducting thorough research, evaluating potential builders, and paying close attention to contracts and compliance, you can make an informed decision. Effective communication with your builder throughout the process will also contribute to a smooth and successful construction experience. With careful planning and the right builder, your new garage can significantly enhance your property’s value and functionality for years to come.

[spacenutspod]

2 min read NASA’s DART Team Earns AIAA Space Systems Award for Pioneering Mission NASA’s DART (Double​ Asteroid Redirection Test) mission continues to yield scientific discoveries and garner accolades for its groundbreaking achievements. The mission team was recently recognized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)with the 2024 Space Systems Award during this year’s AIAA ASCEND event, held July 29 to Aug. 2 in Las Vegas.​ APL’s Geffrey Ottman (left), electrical systems engineer on NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) and APL’s Betsy Congdon (center), who served as the mechanical systems engineer on the mission, accepted the 2024 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Space Systems Award on behalf of the team during this year’s AIAA ASCEND event, which was held from July 29 to Aug. 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Credit: AIAA The award, presented by the AIAA Space Systems Technical Committee, celebrates outstanding achievements in the architecture, analysis, design and implementation of space systems. The DART team was lauded for “outstanding achievement in the development and operation of the DART spacecraft, completing humanity’s first in-space demonstration of planetary defense technology.” Designed, built and operated for NASA by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, the DART spacecraft was launched in 2021 and, roughly 10 months later, successfully impacted the asteroid Dimorphos in the fall of 2022. The deliberate collision altered the asteroid’s orbit around its larger companion asteroid, Didymos, by 33 minutes. That historic achievement showcased the potential to divert hazardous asteroids, offering a critical tool for safeguarding Earth from real possible impacts in the future. The Space Systems Award has regularly recognized extraordinary achievements in space system design and implementation. The DART mission joins a distinguished list of past recipients who have significantly advanced the field of aerospace science and technology.  APL managed the DART mission for NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office as a project of the agency’s Planetary Missions Program Office. NASA provided support for the mission from several centers, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California; Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; Johnson Space Center in Houston; Glenn Research Center in Cleveland; and Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Share Details Last Updated Aug 21, 2024 Editor Bill Keeter Related Terms DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) Planetary Defense Coordination Office

[arunblog]

Airdrop Campaigns: Strategies to Maximize Your Token Collection in 2024

As we enter 2024, airdrops continue to be a popular method for cryptocurrency projects to distribute tokens and engage with their communities. Participating in airdrops can be an effective strategy for building a diverse portfolio of digital assets without significant costs. However, with the increasing number of airdrops occurring each year, it’s essential to have a well-thought-out approach to maximize your token collection. In this blog, we’ll explore key strategies to help you navigate airdrop campaigns in 2024 and beyond.

1. Research and Due Diligence

Before participating in any airdrop, it's crucial to conduct thorough research on the project behind it. Here’s what to look for:

A Clear and Well-Written Whitepaper: The whitepaper should outline the project’s goals, technology, and tokenomics in detail. This document provides insight into the project’s vision and how it plans to achieve its objectives.

An Experienced and Reputable Team: Investigate the backgrounds of the team members and their previous successes. A strong, credible team is a positive indicator of a project's potential.

Evidence of Active Development: Check for ongoing development activity and a clear roadmap for future growth. A project with active development is more likely to succeed.

Strong Community Engagement: Look for projects with a vibrant and positive community. Active community participation often signals confidence in the project's future.

By assessing the legitimacy and potential of a project, you can make informed decisions about which airdrops to participate in and avoid scams or low-quality projects.

2. Diversify Your Participation

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Spread your participation across multiple airdrops to increase your chances of success and minimize risk. Consider these factors:

Market Potential and Growth Prospects: Evaluate the project’s potential impact on the market and its growth possibilities. Projects with strong potential are more likely to yield valuable tokens.

Size of the Airdrop and Number of Participants: Larger airdrops with fewer participants may offer better odds for collecting a significant amount of tokens.

Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for each airdrop. Some may require specific actions, such as holding certain tokens or completing tasks.

By diversifying your participation, you can maximize your chances of receiving valuable tokens while reducing the impact of any individual airdrop’s failure.

3. Engage with the Community

Active participation in a project’s community can often lead to additional airdrop opportunities. To increase your chances:

Join Official Channels: Engage with the project’s community on platforms like Telegram, Discord, and Twitter. Active involvement can lead to exclusive airdrop opportunities.

Interact with Community Members: Ask questions, share insights, and participate in discussions. Building relationships within the community can increase your visibility.

Follow Social Media and Complete Tasks: Follow the project’s social media accounts and share their content to boost your profile. Complete any required tasks, such as joining groups or retweeting posts.

By demonstrating your interest and involvement, you can increase your chances of receiving additional airdrops or being selected for exclusive opportunities.

4. Use Airdrop Tracking Tools

Several websites and platforms offer airdrop tracking services to help you stay informed about upcoming and ongoing airdrops. Some popular options include:

AirDropAlert.com: This site provides a comprehensive calendar of upcoming airdrops, along with details on eligibility requirements and links to official sources.

AirDropRatings.com: Offers ratings and reviews of various airdrop projects, helping you assess their legitimacy and potential.

CoinMarketCap Airdrops: CoinMarketCap includes an airdrop section with a list of current and upcoming airdrops, making it easy to track opportunities.

By using these tools, you can stay up-to-date on the latest airdrop opportunities and plan your participation accordingly.

5. Secure Your Tokens

Once you’ve received your airdropped tokens, it’s essential to store them securely. Use a reputable hardware or software wallet to keep your assets safe from theft or loss. Remember to:

Never Share Your Private Keys or Seed Phrases: These are the keys to your wallet, and sharing them can result in the loss of your assets.

Keep Your Wallet Software Updated: Regular updates ensure you have the latest security patches to protect your tokens.

Monitor Your Wallet Regularly: Check your wallet balance and transaction history for any suspicious activity. Regular monitoring can help you spot potential security issues early.

By taking proactive steps to secure your tokens, you can protect your investment and ensure that your airdrop participation pays off in the long run.

Conclusion

Participating in airdrop campaigns can be a rewarding way to build a diverse cryptocurrency portfolio, but it requires a strategic approach. By conducting thorough research, diversifying your participation, engaging with project communities, using airdrop tracking tools, and securing your tokens, you can maximize your chances of success in 2024 and beyond. Remember, while airdrops can be a valuable source of free tokens, they also carry inherent risks. Always do your own research and only invest what you can afford to lose. For more Crypto airdrop information visit Cryptolenz.