#wish i could hire coders

[veevadoovee]

Guns and Bullets

[traceofexistence]

so I watched the panel from that latest con, Dev, Jen&Aliona, and Neil were in, and I learned another amazing thing Larian did.

so we already know that Larian pulled their devs and their families, from the warzone(during the R*****n invasion of Ukraine), and made sure they could immigrate safely and seamlessly to a different country.

we know that they hired intimacy coordinators, so the actors and staff could feel safe during not only sex scenes but also torture scenes and other hard to shallow stuff, that happen in the game.

the one that Neil mentioned and it's something I didn't know, was that, originally there was no "they/them" option in early access, and while most actors had finished all their lines, they were called back in, paid fully for their sessions, and recorded all the lines that had she/he in them with "they". it was not part of the original production, but they decided it was important enough to spend money, to spend time, to spend energy, and all kind of resources to put they/them in the game. that meant of course actors back in the mocap suits, animators animating more facials, coders inserting more scenes into the game. the amount of work, the amount of time, and the amount of money this takes, is very significant, and Larian did it anyway.

and the dedication was to the point of bringing in actors who had like 2 lines in the whole game to do them with they/them pronouns because they said they would do it and they did.

Larian I wish you to continue to be as wonderful. for you, for us the players, for your staff, and for the gaming industry.

you are THE example, may all your games you release from now on surpass the success of BG3

[csmingy]

chimereons really went from doing bi-weekly updates to monthly updates to not even getting the updates out in time each month. i wish they would hire more people and run their species more professionally; you could probably pay a coder / website mod a lion's share with how much those adopts usually sell for. at the rate they're going, i don't think the species is ever coming back

🍈

[dargeereads]

She’s a high-tech boss who lost it all… He’s an up-and-coming coder…

Start Us Up, the steamy, swoon-filled first standalone romance in The Park Avenue Promise Series from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake is available now!

Three young women make a pact in high school— to always be friends and to one day make it big in Manhattan.

She’s a high-tech boss who lost it all…

Ivy Jensen was the darling of the tech world, right up until her company fell apart completely after she trusted the wrong person. Her reputation in tatters, she finds herself back in the tiny apartment she grew up in, living with her mom. When a group of angel investors offer her a meeting, she knows she has to come up with the new big idea or her career is over.

He’s an up and coming coder…

Heath Marino has always been fascinated with writing code. He’s worked on a dozen games and apps and is considered one of the industry’s more eccentric talents. But now he’s back in New York to spend time with his grandmother. She was known as one of the city’s greatest matchmakers, and he wants to know why. Surely there’s some kind of code in his grandmother’s methods, and he’s going to find them.

When Ivy meets Heath it’s instant attraction, but she’s got a career to get back to and he just might be her on-ramp. It could be a perfect partnership or absolute heartbreak.

Fall in love today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JyUDF7 Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/startusup Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3L4gRj4 Apple Books: https://apple.co/3l3H47f B&N: http://bit.ly/3l5bAh5 Kobo: https://bit.ly/3mRPzCD Google Play: https://bit.ly/42ckpGC

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3MLCCFD

Keep reading for a look inside Start Us Up!

“Were you planning on introducing me as your boyfriend?” I shake my head. “No, but I wasn’t going to correct anyone if they got that impression, and now that I’m saying the words, I feel like an idiot. I’m not some sad chick who always needs a boyfriend. Nick was actually only my second long-term relationship. I’m perfectly content on my own. I don’t know what came over me. I can tell him the truth.” “And waste my knight riding in moves? That feels harsh. Was the kiss that bad?” “You know it was not. It was a perfectly fine kiss.” “It was a pretty good kiss.” There’s a wealth of masculine arrogance in his tone, and I wish I didn’t find that charming coming from him. It had been my only kiss in the last six months, and probably the most passion I’d had from a guy in a couple of years, and that was so sad. “It was a kiss we both need to forget because we’re going to be working very closely together for the next couple of months. We’ve got to hire at least one, maybe two contractors.” “Where are we going to put them? I don’t know if you noticed, but neither one of us has a whole lot of space. I was a little worried about where I was going to put you.” “They can work remotely if we can’t find someplace cheap.” The remote work might be a necessary thing since I intend to have one of the coders working on what I want them to work on—an interface for a social media/commerce app. I can give Heath a little, but I know what CeCe wants. The AI and Heath’s unique framework is what will sell this project. “And if we get full finding?” I like that he’s an optimist. One of us needs to be. “Then we find a small office probably somewhere in Jersey because that’s what we’ll be able to afford and we spend the next three or four years working our asses off only to fail because some asshole swoops in two months ahead of our launch date with something too similar. Then we can decide if we want to spend the money on the inevitable lawsuits, but that’s only if we get the choice. There’s also the possibility that someone out there gets word of what we’re doing and preemptively files for a patent that will block us even though the fucker doesn’t have enough to prove concept. Then, it’s back to the lawyers and we decide if we have deep enough pockets to fight, and that answer is almost always no.” Heath stands, and I can’t help but notice how tall and fit he is. I need to take some me time because my brain is spending too much energy on how hot he is. He starts to lift one long leg over the railing. I pop up. “What are you doing?” His head turns slightly, lips curling in a mischievous grin. “Ending it all. I’ve seen the future, Ivy. It’s not worth it.” He’s teasing me. I’m not sure why it rankles. Or maybe I am. “It can happen, and it does all the time. This is the big leagues, and it’s a battle every single day.” He looms over me, so close I can practically feel the warmth of his skin. “Is it war or baseball? I need to know because you are the queen of mixed metaphors, and I want to be sure I’m all kitted up. So glove or rifle?” He’s really not ready for this. “Both.” “All right, then.” He glances down at his watch. “I should go. Apparently I’ve got both a game and a war to prepare for. I’m going to need some sleep. Now I know you said we shouldn’t kiss again, but we already went there so…” I take a big old coward’s step back. If I let him kiss me now, it won’t be because someone’s watching and we need keep up our “cover.” It will be because I want him to, and I can’t want him to. I just can’t. I’m lying to him. Oh, it’s for his own naïve good, but I’m still lying.

For More Information about Lexi Blake, visit her website: https://www.lexiblake.net/

For More Information about Blue Box Press, visit: Website: https://theblueboxpress.com/ Facebook: https://bit.ly/3ONzTtZ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rTZdo3 TikTok: https://bit.ly/3G98oYh

[superlinguo]

Linguistics Jobs: Interview with a Research Scientist

This month’s linguistics jobs interview is with Jeff Lilly, a Research Scientist at Cobalt Speech and Language. In this interview, Jeff shares how opportunities in computational linguistics have evolved since he received his degree, and how pursuing his interests in linguistics and computers have influenced his career.

You can find Jeff online on LinkedIn, or on either of his two blogs: druidjournal.net (on nature-centered spirituality) and axonfirings.com (on his fiction projects). 

What did you study at university?

 I have a BA in Linguistics from UNC-Chapel Hill (1995) and an MA in Linguistics from the University of Maryland, College Park (2000). UMD allowed me to qualify for the masters with two papers, so I did one paper on the lexical semantics of telic verbs and another on the typology of language games.

What is your job?

At Cobalt Speech and Language, it's a small company, so lots of us wear many hats. I design dialogue systems, build natural language understanding models and applications, and perform testing and quality assurance. I'm also in charge of Cobalt's ASR lexicons (the dictionaries we use for our speech systems).

How does your linguistics training help you in your job?

Linguistics is central to what I do, and I'm always trying to find new ways to incorporate linguistic knowledge into our tools. Most people working in speech technology come from a computer science background, so they're unaware of the variety of linguistic theories that can be brought to bear on our work. Any speech technology model is a mix of raw data, effective architecture, and linguistic knowledge; the more of one you have, the less of the others you need. By contributing linguistic knowledge, I can make our models smaller and simpler, and make them faster and easier to train. For example, I built a syllabification module based on Optimality Theory that is critical to our text-to-speech software. It works for any language and never needs to be trained on new data.

What was the transition from university to work like for you?

As I worked on my master's degree, I took as many computer science courses as I could handle. I got extra experience working with databases on the side. I was hired by a small search company shortly after I graduated (helping to build out the WordNet database), working primarily as a linguist, but my experience and classes in databases helped establish my abilities as a coder. When that company failed, I was able to join my next company as a research scientist  / computational linguist, and I've been building my programming skill on the job ever since.

Do you have any advice you wish someone had given to you about linguistics/careers/university?

I guess one thing I had to learn the hard way is that the "real world" evaluates your performance much differently than school does. At school, you can just learn the material, turn in good papers, do well on the exams, and you're golden. But oftentimes on the job, your managers don't know you're doing a good job unless you make yourself visible by speaking up in meetings, offering suggestions, volunteering for tasks, etc. It's often better to try and fail than to keep your head down and play it safe.

Any other thoughts or comments?

When I started out as a linguistics undergrad in 1991, the profession of "computational linguist" barely existed. But I knew I loved linguistics and I was fascinated by computers, so I just tried to follow my passion, hoping that my enthusiasm and hard work would make up for any lack of ability or job prospects. It has not been a smooth ride -- I've worked at almost a dozen companies in the past 20 years, been laid off more than once, had to move across the country multiple times, etc. But I've always gotten to work on fascinating projects with amazing people. For example, I was on the first tiny team to start building Alexa at Amazon in 2011. And I've continued to stretch and grow and learn in ways I'd never imagined. 20 years from now, building on the remarkable recent advances in language modeling, the field will be vastly different. I hope, for example, that there will be opportunities for computational linguists to peel back the layers of a system like GPT-3 and see how it has modeled human language. It's going to be incredibly exciting.

Related interviews:

Interview with a Language Engineer

Interview with a Natural Language Annotation Lead

Interview with a Computational Linguist

Interview with a Learning Scientist

Interview with a Data Scientist

Recent interviews:

Interview with a Language Engineer

Interview with a Natural Language Annotation Lead

Interview with an EMLS/Linguistics instructor & mother of four

Interview with a Performing Artiste and Freelance Editor

Resources:

The full Linguist Jobs Interview List

The Linguist Jobs tag for the most recent interviews

The Linguistics Jobs slide deck (overview, resources and activities)

The Linguistics Jobs Interview series is edited by Martha Tsutsui Billins. Martha is a linguist whose research focuses on the Ryukyuan language Amami Oshima, specifically honourifics and politeness strategies in the context of language endangerment. Martha runs Field Notes, a podcast about linguistic fieldwork.

[quirkwizard]

Which of your quirks do you think could make the user a lot of money? My inspiration for this was your "Matchmaker" quirk, which would be useful for couples, friends, and also organizations who want to hire new people. The user could small business, where people pay the user for them to use their quirk on them. After thinking of all this, I wonder which of your other quirks could be used in a similar way? The quirk would also likely need to be relatively rare and complex so there would be less competition from other similar quirk users and therefore more business.

I mean pretty much any Quirk could make money as long as your creative with it. However, with that criteria, I could come up with a few Quirks that fit the descritpion.

Coin Toss: This one doesn't really apply to any one job, but the ability to just gather up money where ever you are walking is just too perfect to pass up on. Especially if you live somewhere like Japan where coins actually have some value to them.

Fruition/Magic Beans: These two are generally the same ideas: two super foods, with the former empowering people and the latter healing them faster. No one else can sell them, everyone would want them, easily meeting the law of supply and demand.

Good Eating/Soft Served: A simpler version of the previous one, these two just let the user make good food with good health benefits. I mean who wouldn't want super health foods or ice cream that doesn't make you feel guilty after eating it.

Decipher: This one isn't exactly unique since any one can learn a language, but no one can learn every single language. Considering that people that can speak multiple languages are highly valued in the work world, it can certainly get you a good job.

Aromatherapy: I mean I'm sure people would pay good money for gas that can effect their emotional states, either as some walk in service or as a portable product. I would be concerned about essentially becoming a drug dealer with a Quirk like this, but that's future you's problems.

Color Coder: This one is kind of cheating since it's not exactly a unique service. However, I still think people would pay good money to have things painted instantly and perfectly regardless of what surface it is on. Plus it could have some fun cosmetic uses like changing the color of people's hair.

Grow Up: Can anyone grow plants? Yes. Can anyone grow plants to the point where a plant's growth goes from from three months to three seconds? Not without this Quirk, making the user helpful in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and pretty much any job involving plant life like gardening.

Iron Lung: Considering how expensive or rare certain gases can be, having a Quirk that can make these cases whenever the user wishes literally out of thin air could help make some money. That and it could help a lot of people given how much of those gas tend to be used in medical procedures.

[z-skull]

We have Tenma and Ochan hc but could you have some Hoshie or Tobio hc? If possible? No one really knows about them but... I want to know your thoughts on them.

hmm, these are going to be way shorter haha! for the Tenma and Ochan hc i tried to stick with 03 with a few out sourced stuff so i'll do the same with these two

Hoshie

could take Tenmas shit and return the attitude.

they both love each other but Hoshie was the only one Tenma would apologize too when he got out of hand

soft spoken but doesnt mean she wont talk back

died of a heart attack

Tobio

when Tenma was busy he'd visit Ochan alot

started seeing robots from his perspective

quietly wished Ochan was his dad instead in some cases

was a mamas boy like his father, his death was the cause of his parents divorce.

sorry its so short but thats all i got for them...but If you want something longer here are some more for my OVA storyline! these are mostly from scratch but obviously pulled from ATB for Hoshie and Tobio is a little from everything.

Unfortunately I don't have pictures of them so sorry about that.

Hoshie Saruta (OVA)

was 18 in Uni when Umataro and Hiroshi were at Lab 7. (because!)

she comes off as quiet and reserved but when she's comfortable around someone she's more outgoing

stubborn!

very sweet and gentle

won't hesitate to put Tenma in his place

had a crush on Umataro for so long and finally worked up the courage to speak to him in the last year before graduating.

met Hiroshi a few times and felt like they could've been friends if given the time until he left suddenly to study abroad.

more of a coder/programmer than a robot constructor.

after years married to Tenma she grew more hard headed than him. but in a way that he doesn't push her around, to Tenmas delight.

ever since Hiroshi left, Umataro started to lean on her heavily and noticed he lost some of his bite. but eventually he came around and was just as snarky.

the only person that can keep up with Tenma in a working environment and conversation.

there was a small 3 year gap from graduation to Hoshie being hired in the ministry where the two thought it was best for their careers if they separated. it'd be 2 more years until they bump into each other at the ministry. Tenmas drastic changes making it hard to believe it was the same boy she dated for a year.

she was hired into the ministry way before Tenma even got his papers thanks to her grandfather, the current head of the ministry.

she was hired in for programming and coding and was near the top ranks by the time Tenma was hired.

loved Tenma very much to the bitter end, she held onto both Tenma and Tobio hard before her last breath.

her death was sudden and mysterious

Tobio Tenma (OVA)

a sweet boy

even at a young age he always talked about wanting to grow up like his parents to create things that help people

Sonic the hedgehog fan!

collects other action figures

has a stuffed toy of sonic he treasures (I've been going back and forth on this one but fuck it. it's cute)

met Ochan when he was a baby. grabbed his nose with a giggle.

didn't pay attention in class, constantly doodling or thinking about other things

After Hoshie died he leaned on Tenma the most. Tenma was very protective of him and made sure his robot dogs were always guarding him.

Tobio saw how hard he was working and snuck away from the dogs to get him a father's day gift. knowing that the dogs had a direct link to his father he didn't want them to spoil the surprise.

a mysterious truck killed him in a hit and run

[indecisive-v]

NINJAMUFFIN DOING ANOTHER AMA ON TWITTER, HERE'S MORE SHIT FOR YA! keep in mind i'm just sharing the funkin related stuff, though i am including WAAAAY more than what i shared before 👍 go check out ninja's twitter profile for questions about stuff like ritz! questions in blue, answers in orange. if yall don't wanna read everything i MIGHT make a version of this post where i replace the answers with my own summaries of em (and if the questions are long, those too)

and here's a link to the ama tweet itself! dunno if it's still goin

Q: I figure the answer will be yes but do you have more plans to implement more guest appearances from people in the newgrounds community into FNF? Or are you all gunna focus on OG lore and stuff going forward

A: for guest appearances, I think we have always seen it as getting a healthy mix of both. PERSONALLY I'd like to lean towards having more OG stuff than guest stuff, BUT it's all a matter of what other boys think of that as well. I'm not the sole person working on game!

Q: Are you gonna release the full FNF game or are you gonna be releasing week after week? Like, are you gonna release week 8 or are we gonna wait some years until The Full Ass Game comes out?

A: Release plan for FNF right now is a few more updates or whatev to the 'demo' we have out right now, and then a long silence of probably no updates whatsoever until the full game is done (which will likely be a few years). That's partly why we made kickstarter for game.

Q: Hey so like, how much will Fnf cost after it's finished? And when will you ask the supporters what they want the game on?

A: It's all subject to change, but right now it prob gonna be standard 15-25$ lil steam indie game.

We will ask Kickstarter pledgers and whatnot what they want the game on SUPER close to when its released, to keep options open if we get onto anything like a console people want.

Q: 1. how was your day

2. are you releasing a week 8 song early like week 7, or are you goin full lockdown

A: I am doing GOOD today, and I think recently I've been good in general.

up to the mood, but so far we doing good about not having anything leak or whatev, so I think it'd be fun to have update come out with people not knowing what to expect at all. Build dat intrigue

Q: Will fnf ever get official plushies?? Seems like an untapped market

A: FNF plushies will prob happen some point, we have a lot of current merch stuff on our plates already though! (Mostly kickstarter type stuff, shirts, pins, posters, and all the physical OST stuff) Its a lot to sort out, but in time more and more stuff will happen. We r jus 4 boys!

Q: did you ever expect your game to blow up as it did? what was your first reaction to seeing it become super popular

A: FNF never had a humble moment, literally day 1 before the prototype even came out, the vid on twitter had like 5K likes overnight. Then when ludum dare version came out, it got 5K likes again, like it wasnt just a fluke. Was crazy, and def felt like somethin was different wit FNF

Q: Do you plan on getting other people to come in to help with the music? That seems like a lot of work to dump on one person, what with the erect mode and whatnot.

I guess the question could apply to all aspects of development. Will you be bringing on more people to help?

A: We definitely are getting help from other people. We are always keeping an eye on people for various different things. In terms of programming, already I've gotten 2 people (MtH and Geokureli) to help with certain Week 7 stuff (charting/polish, and loading stuff). Shit like dat

Q: Oh, also, will the Steam version be Workshop compatible? That'd really help streamline the process of downloading mods.

A: Steam version of FNF will likely NOT be Steam workshop compatible, because we want all the mods to NOT be spread out through different places. There WILL be modding support that is as streamlined as Steam workshop though. Mainly for non-steam versions of the game!

Q: Are there any chances that the game will have a physical release? Also any updates on a switch port? I remember one of you guys talking/joking about it.

A: Not impossible for FNF to get a physical release. We would want to see how far we could go with it though. I think it'd be super easy to do something wit people like LimitedRun games or whatev, but I think stuff like that can only go so far. I wanna see Funkin in mf Walmart!!!!!!

not that LimitedRun isn't going to be an option! Just we consider and pursue many different things! FNF release is years away, so we have time to think about everything. Whole mindset can be different just a few months from now.

Q: Out of curiosity, how are you dealing with all the popularity? It blew up so fast id barely be able to handle it if I was in your shoes.

A: The only way I've been able to handle it is having the other boys on the crew and being able to talk to them about all the overwhelmingness.

Part of it feels very lonesome, feels like NO ONE can come close to comprehending exactly how I'm feeling, except them. also other PALS!!!

Q: Do you own any of the bootleg FNF merchandise? Like any bootleg plushies or anything?

A: i dont, i genuinely think they r a waste of money, and I know any bootleg shit that gets made, we can prob go about and make it, and make it 100x cooler because we actually put effort into shit. bootleg shit just in it for the coin, so they aint gettin that from me

Q: How did you go about getting in contact with sr pelo for skid and pumps vocals?

A: Pelo i think was familiar and pals wit PhantomArcade a bit thru various Newgrounds things and collabs and whatnot.

pelo retweeted the first OG FNF posts first ever, and brought a LOT of attention to it. to pay him back, we put skid and pump in game! ask dave for more info prob

Q: what's the plan for having the full ass game open source if it's gonna cost money? couldn't people just download the source and compile the game for free?

A: when FNF is fully released, the full source code will be released as well.

the game will be DRM free so it will be way easier for people to redistribute the released/offical .exe instead of compiling it, so that's not the issue anyways. people will pay for things if they like it

Q: What are the chances of it getting on consoles like switch or Playstation, ps5 would definitely be my preferred way to play

A: it'd be a matter of hiring someone to build out backend stuff for those specific consoles. someone who knows their way around all the wacky code stuff, AND knows console hardware stuff. Then its just a matter of hittin up those console manufacturers (Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo)

the CLOSEST one is SWITCH. pretty much all of that backend is already made, so it just a matter of gettin all that access and shit.

i think in any case though, there's a lot of NDA stuff required, i dunno how much we'd be able to talk about it even IF we get that stuf sorted

Q: any ideas of releasing it on epic store or another platform?

A: Right now, the only thing that is 100% confirmed and WILL happen is a Steam version, itchio version, and mobile versions on respective app stores. Other storefronts aren't out of the picture though, but we don't want to spread ourselves too thin with it.

Q: Will you continue using HaxeFlixel to make the rest of FNF?

A: yes, because it is what I'm the most technically proficient in, and generally is VERY flexible. just a matter of ME becoming a better coder. It's ALL open source, so if I need something done a certain way, either I can do it, or we can hire someone to do it.

Q: have you seen game theory's videos on your game yet and if so, what do you think about them? (not talking about his predictions because i dont want spoilers. i like mystery)

A: it is always good silly fun to watch the Game Theory vids about Funkin with some pals, and see what matpat thinks of the game. i lov the vids, but wish he used my face less! Or at least used a cuter pic of me like this one!!

Q: Ok so: What does the future of FNF look like to you?

A: future of FNF is a rhythm game that not only exceeds every expectation that people have of it, but subverts most expectations and conventions as well.

Q: Do you plan on retouching on older weeks once the game is fully out? Like reanimating sprites, redoing some charting, updating the background, etc

A: retouching and probably overhauling certain aspects is almost definitely gonna happen. Everything is fluid and can be changed (and should be changed when necessary). i dont think anything should be too attached to, especially this early on in development

Q: I honestly do not care if the answer to this is vague as hell to keep surprises and shit lol but… Since Week 7 was the closest we’ll get to a playable girlfriend (still bf controlling tho), do you have plans to make girlfriend playable in spin-off things or just freeplay?

A: wouldnt be out of the picture for a playable GF, i don't think we've had some hard thing AGAINST it. just a matter of what we want out of the game, and what sort of story or whatev we could do with that concept

Q: How do BF and GF manage to meet famous newgrounds characters (such as pico, tankman and the others to come) like is this all in one universe/ timeline or are they being brought in?

A: i think they are all just there existing. i think there's a lot of wacky things in other media that try to justify crossovers, like MULTIVERSE bullshit or TIMELINE shit, but i dunno, its like subspace emissary. Captain Falcon and Olimar from Pikmin just hang out. Shit like dat

disclaimer that all lore shit is in phantomarcade head pretty much and maybe there is wacky dimensions or somethin

Q: Will the game have dlc?

A: its not too unlikely that we'd have expansions of some sort, but i mean right now we plan on packing in as much as we can into base game, and trying to make that as pure as possible.

if there is ANY dlc, i would personally want it to be 100% free updates

Q: How did you meet Phantom Arcade, Kawai Sprite, and EvilSker? And what do you think about the community and its controversies?

A: me and phantomarcade been fukin around NG for years so years and years ago we naturally crossed paths and became pals

about 2 years ago i found kawaisprites music on NG, and started talkin wit him, made Ritz wit him and we fell in lov

and evilsk8r i met cuz of FNF!!!

quik elaborate on evilsk8r, wanted artist for gamejam FNF was for (ludum dare), and OG person i asked wasnt available, so he referred me to evilsk8r, who I have never met or talked to before ever.

[ofstormsandwolves]

Send My Love

Teen

Zoey x Joan

Follow-up to I’ll Stand By You and Hot for Teacher (first two installments of ‘what the heart wants (or, Zoey’s Extraordinary Gaylist)’)

Canon divergence, canonical character death (Mitch), angst, emotional hurt/ comfort.

Synopsis: Zoey and Joan have admitted their feelings, but now they have to navigate Mitch's final hours, a funeral, and two (potentially) jealous men...

Read on AO3

Zoey Clarke felt sick. One moment she and Joan had been at her apartment, laughing and chatting, and the next she was scrambling to find her shoes and dash out the door.

The day had come.

One fateful phone call from Howie, and the entirety of Zoey’s life had been tipped upside down. To Joan’s credit, she had grabbed her car keys and steered the redhead down the stairs and into her car, plopping her in the passenger seat before calmly sliding behind the wheel.

They talked very little on the drive to the Clarke house, a stark contrast to the giggling conversations they’d been having barely half hour before, and Joan only spoke to ask Zoey for directions. There was surprisingly little traffic, but the sky was already dark when they pulled up outside Mitch and Maggie’s house, but Zoey barely seemed to notice.

“Zoey?” Joan prompted gently. “We’re here.”

Zoey startled, and blinked at her parents’ house. “Oh.” She unclipped her seatbelt and slid from Joan’s car. She was still feeling somewhat nauseous, and as she stood at the end of the path leading to the front door, she found she couldn’t quite bring herself to move.

Joan’s hand slipped into hers, warm and soft and reassuring. Oh yeah, Zoey thought, I’m not alone. She looked across to her partner- and didn’t that still feel odd?- and saw Joan smiling gently at her. Taking a breath, Zoey squared her shoulders and led the other woman towards the house.

It was Howie who let them in, smiling at Zoey and quietly introducing himself to Joan with a handshake. When Maggie called for Zoey to join them in the kitchen, the redhead turned to look at her partner with a small frown.

“Go on, I’ll wait here,” Joan promised quietly.

Joan waited until Howie and Zoey had disappeared into the kitchen to pull out her phone. Dialling a number, she spared a glance into the sitting room where Mitch was, waiting for the caller to pick up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Max, it’s Joan,” she said, trying to keep her voice quiet enough that she wouldn’t disturb Zoey or her family.

“Oh, uh, hi Joan. Listen, if this is about Ava firing me-”

“Uh, no. No, it’s not. Although- I am sorry about that, Max. I can see if I can pull a few strings, hire you back-”

“I’m not sure,” Max admitted. “I mean, unless you could offer me a leadership position. I don’t think I want to go back to being just a coder. I’ve actually been looking at other jobs-”

Joan saw a dark-haired man- presumably Zoey’s brother- walk out of the kitchen then, visibly upset, and she remembered just why she’d called Max. “Um, Max, I was actually calling about Zoey. Well, uh, Zoey’s dad. He’s not doing well, and I think Zoey would want you to know. I know you and she are close.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the phone then, and for a moment Joan thought Max had hung up.

“Oh god,” Max muttered after a long while. “Uh, thanks for letting me know, Joan. I have to go.”

And then Max hung up. Pursing her lips, Joan slipped her phone back into her pocket, turning to see Zoey walking towards her.

“How are you?” she asked quietly.

Zoey shrugged, her eyes a little damp. “David and Emily are gonna go talk with Dad. I told them I could wait.” She spared a glance towards the sitting room, watching as her brother and sister-in-law approached Mitch. Then she looked back to Joan, eyes bright with unshed tears. “I don’t know if I can bear it, Joan. I mean, what am I meant to say to him?”

Joan let out a sigh then. “I know it’s difficult. And... I get why you maybe don’t want to talk to him. It’s a huge thing. Emotional. But Zoey, remember what I told you about when my mom died?”

“You were at work,” Zoey recalled. Joan had mentioned her mom before, when Zoey had told her about Mitch’s illness, but only a few days ago she had also revealed that she hadn’t been there when her mom had passed because she was busy at work.

“I never got to say goodbye,” Joan reminded her softly. “For weeks afterwards, all I could think was ‘what if I’d left work just half hour earlier?’, ‘what if I’d asked for a day off?’, ‘what if I’d at least called to see how she was?’. I don’t want you to have regrets like that, Zoey. I know it’s terrifying, and I know it’s a huge pressure, but not saying goodbye to your dad is much, much worse in the long run.”

Zoey sniffled at that, and Joan pulled her in for a hug. They stayed like that for several long moments, before Maggie appeared in the doorway. Seeing the other woman, Joan reluctantly pulled back from Zoey.

“Joan,” Maggie greeted, giving the woman a small smile. Zoey flushed, and Joan shifted uncomfortably, and Maggie seemed faintly amused by it. “Good to see you again. I wish it was under better circumstances.”

“Me too,” Joan said. “It’s lovely to see you again, Mrs Clarke.”

Maggie rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. It’s Maggie.” She gestured to the kitchen. “Did you want a drink?”

“Oh, I can do that, Mom,” Zoey offered quickly. “Why don’t you-”

“What?” Maggie interrupted quietly. “Sit down? Relax? Watch TV? Zoey, honey, I need to keep busy. This is hard enough as it is. I just... I need to do something.”

Biting her lip, Zoey nodded slowly. “Ok. Coffee would be good, if you’re making it.”

The moment her mom was gone, the redhead turned back to Joan.

“Can I have another hug?” she asked meekly.

Joan gave a sad smile, and Zoey quickly fell into her embrace.

 It was nearly half hour later when there was a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it,” Joan offered quickly as David, Emily, Zoey, and Maggie all looked up in alarm.

She moved quickly towards the door, opening it quietly before stopping dead.

“Uh, Joan. I didn’t realise you were here.”

Max was frowning at her from the doorstep, expression somewhere between confused and surprised.

“Max,” Joan greeted uncomfortably. “Uh, come in.”

The pair of them continued to give each other strange looks as Max stepped into the foyer. He skirted around his boss carefully before moving further into the house.

“Max?”

Zoey had appeared in the kitchen doorway, a look of surprise on her face. Her voice pulled the attention to her, and Max gave her a sympathetic look.

“Hey, Zoey. Uh, Joan called, she told me about your dad.”

He moved to give her a hug then, and Zoey breathed in his familiar scent. Joan shifted a little uncomfortably, not really knowing what to do. After a few moments, Zoey pulled away from Max and gave him a small smile.

“Did you want to see Dad?” she asked quietly. “I’m sure he’d like to see you.”

Max nodded at that, mustering up a small smile. “Yeah. Yeah, I’d like that.” He glanced to Joan briefly then, before looking back to his friend. “I mean, as long as I’m not interrupting anything.”

Zoey shrugged. “David and Emily have already said their goodbyes really, and I’m still trying to work up the courage. But Dad would want to see you.”

Nodding again, Max moved towards the sitting room, leaving Joan and Zoey behind. Only a few moments later, David and Emily exited the room and headed for the stairs.

“We’re going to try and get some rest,” David explained quietly to his sister. “We won’t be long, though. Just... give me a shout if anything happens?”

“Will do,” Zoey said softly.

Once David and Emily had disappeared upstairs, Zoey held her hand out to Joan and the other woman took it wordlessly. Leading her through to the kitchen, the young woman instinctively began making drinks again.

“Thanks for calling Max,” she said as she waited for the water to boil. She wouldn’t look at Joan, but could feel the woman’s concerned eyes on her. “I’m not sure I would have been able to.”

“No problem. I figured you’d probably want him to know. Wasn’t exactly expecting him to rush over, though.” There was a pause then. “He really loves you, doesn’t he?”

At the tone of Joan’s voice, Zoey couldn’t help but look round. The older woman looked resigned, and perhaps a little anxious. They’d never really discussed Zoey’s almost relationships with Simon or Max. Joan knew that Zoey had sung to them the same day she’d sung to her, but there had never been a full conversation.

“I chose you, Joan,” Zoey reminded her gently. “I want to date you, not Max. And yes, Max has feelings for me, and for a while I thought I might possibly feel the same way about him, but...” She trailed off and shook her head. “There’s only one person who has my heart, and she’s standing in this room with me.”

Joan flushed at that, and tried to cover by rolling her eyes. “Flatterer.” She paused. “I know we said we had to keep our relationship quiet, at least at the office, but you can tell your family. And Max.”

Zoey considered that. “Do you want me to? Tell Max, I mean?”

The brunette shrugged and looked away. “I don’t know. It’s up to you. But Zoey, it looks to me like Max still thinks he has a shot with you, and I’m worried that not telling him about us is going to make things worse in the long run.”

“I’ll speak to Max, tell him we’re dating now.” Zoey turned back to finish making the drinks.

Joan pursed her lips, surveying Zoey for a few moments before moving closer. “Zoey, it doesn’t have to be tonight, you know. You have enough going on right now, and it can wait.”

“Not if you’re uncomfortable,” Zoey countered as she stirred the coffee. “I’m not letting my girlfriend feel like that.” She flashed Joan a small smile.

“Ugh, first of all, I’m a grown woman. I can deal with Max having feelings for you for a few more days,” Joan said. “And secondly, we agreed; we’re partners, not girlfriends. I’m too old to be a girlfriend.” She pulled a face.

Zoey smirked then, and pushed a mug of coffee towards Joan. “I beg to disagree,” she said. “But whatever you want, partner.”

 Max didn’t stay long.

“I should really get going,” he told Zoey quietly as the pair of them stood in the foyer. “But you’ll call if you need anything?”

Zoey hesitated at that. She couldn’t help but think back to the conversation with Joan in the kitchen.  As much as the older woman insisted it could wait, she was starting to realise that Max was going to have to know sooner rather than later.

“Uh, sure,” she managed with a tight smile. “I mean, I think we’re all good here, but if I need anything, you’re my first call.”

Max had a slightly odd look on his face at that, and he nodded slowly. “Alright then. I’ll just leave you guys- and, uh, Joan I guess- to it.”

That made Zoey frown for a brief second, but Max was already moving towards to the door. They said their goodbyes quietly, and then she was left staring out into the street as he walked away.

“Zoey? Everything alright?”

Maggie approached her daughter uncertainly, watching as Zoey closed the door and turned back to her with a puzzled expression.

“Just Max,” she said quietly. “He’s acting a little... Uh, off, I guess.”

Maggie sighed, and moved closer to her daughter. “Well, honey, is it possible he just didn’t know how to act around you? Things are different now.”

Zoey frowned. “I suppose so. But he’s known about Dad being ill for ages...”

Giving her daughter a look, Maggie wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I didn’t mean your dad, honey,” she murmured in her ear as she walked them towards the sitting room.

They stopped just outside the doorway, and Zoey’s eyes went wide as she saw Joan sat with Mitch, talking quietly to him.

“-the best coder we have,” Joan was saying, a proud smile on her face. “I mean, I know we’re both biased, but I really believe that. Zoey’s an extraordinary woman, and I hope you’re proud of her. I... I know I am.”

Wide-eyed, Zoey swallowed thickly as she realised Joan was talking with Mitch about her. Maggie rubbed at her daughter’s shoulders.

“For what it’s worth,” Maggie said quietly, “all your father and I have ever wanted is for you to be happy.”

Blinking away tears, Zoey looked to her mom. “I am, Mom. I am happy.”

Maggie smiled back. “Good.”

 Zoey’s talk with Howie about death had helped, at least a little bit. Honestly, Zoey was glad to have Joan there with her. If she’d had to go through it alone she didn’t know what she would have done. The worst part, of course, was the waiting. She was waiting for her dad to die. The thought made her feel sick.

It didn’t make it any easier, though, when her mom came to tell her she needed to speak to her dad sooner rather than later. David and Howie had moved him into his bed, made him more comfortable, and part of Zoey regretted waiting so long. If she’d spoken to him just a little earlier, she could have spoken to him in the sitting room. Now, he was mostly unconscious, drugged up and struggling to breathe. Zoey sat beside him, biting her lip as she considered what to say.

“I’m going to try to go a different way with this,” she admitted slowly. “I’m doing well at work, the guy I had a crush on likes me back, although I’ve finally figured out my love life and it doesn’t involve him. Or Max. Or, well, any guy. But I think you’ve figured that out, huh? I heard a bit of what Joan said to you earlier. I... I really love her, Dad. We’re keeping the relationship quiet for now, though. We’re still trying to work out the logistics, particularly at work, but I think this might be it.” Zoey broke off, smiling to herself for a moment, before continuing. “And those heart songs I keep hearing? I’m starting to think that they’re not all bad. In fact, I’m sort of warming to them. So... I’m doing alright. Nothing’s perfect, and I’m figuring things out as I go, but I thought you’d want to hear that. That your little girl’s doing well.”

As Zoey finished speaking, she felt a calm wash over her. She’d been dreading this moment for weeks- months, even. And while it had been horrible, there was also something peaceful inside of her. She’d spoken to her dad, she hadn’t broken down, she’d been able to finally give him good news about her job, her love life, her powers.

But then Mitch started struggling to breathe, and Howie hurried into the room to drug him up with more morphine. Maggie and David hovered nearby in concern, and Joan paused in the doorway, unsure what to do. Without thinking, Zoey peeled herself away from the bed to move instead into Joan’s embrace. David spared her a glance, but did nothing more than give his younger sister a tight, sympathetic smile before returning his attention to Mitch.

There really wasn’t anything any of them could do, though, beyond wait for the inevitable. David left the room briefly to check on Emily, but other than that the family remained gathered around Mitch. When Zoey returned to her father’s bedside she tugged Joan with her, and the older woman stood behind the redhead’s chair with a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

That was how Joan realised something odd was happening. Zoey stiffened beneath her touch, before looking to the sitting room and standing. Thinking that she perhaps needed space, Joan let her go. The whole thing lasted only a few seconds, and Zoey only got as far as the door before pausing.

That was when it happened. As Maggie let out a sob, Zoey turned back to her family with a smile on her face. It quickly faded, however, and she turned to look over her shoulder again with a concerned look. Blinking, she stared at her dad for a moment before looking to Joan. Without anyone even uttering a word, Joan quickly moved towards Zoey, holding her arms out. The younger woman fell into the embrace with a sob.

Nobody talked for a very long time.

 There was a good turnout for Mitch’s funeral, which surprised nobody. He was a well-loved man, who got on with pretty much everybody he met. Of course lots of people wanted to pay their respects.

It was all a bit overwhelming, though, and Zoey, David, and Emily were all for staying in the car rather than going inside the house. Maggie urged them inside, though, and they were forced to make awkward small-talk with all the guests.

Or, at least, David and Emily were. Zoey was off in her own little world for almost the entirety of the afternoon and into the evening. Joan followed her around the house, making pleasant small-talk with friends of the Clarke family while keeping a close eye on her partner. She knew she was probably raising suspicions, particularly when it came to Max, but she was too concerned about Zoey to care. Although, she did file away Simon’s surprising reaction for future conversation. While the man hadn’t been hostile, he’d been giving Joan sideways glances the whole time, a shadow over his eyes that hinted at jealousy or annoyance.

Oh joy. Not only did Max have feelings for Zoey, but it looked like Simon did too. How were they going to keep Simon off their scent if they wanted to keep their relationship quiet at work?

As she was introduced to yet another old family friend, Joan shook the thought from her head. She was there for Zoey, to remind her to take a break, to eat, to sit down, to step out for some air. They had the rest of their lives to deal with Simon and Max, and anyone else. Right now, she had to get her partner through the rest of the day.

It was a good couple of hours before people finally started filtering out the door. With everyone gone or halfway out the door, Joan was just about to get going when she was stopped by David.

“Are you leaving?”

Joan blinked at him in surprise, looking towards the foyer where Zoey and Mo were saying their goodbyes, before looking back to him. “Uh, yeah. I figured, this was family time...”

David considered that for a moment, before giving the woman a small smile. “I know that you’re dating my sister. I’m pretty certain that makes you family.”

Not really knowing how to respond, Joan stared at him. “So, uh, Zoey told you?”

At that, David laughed a little. “No, no. But she’s my little sister, you know? Besides, I saw the way you two were, the night Dad... Well, let’s just say I could tell.”

Joan folded her arms, a little uncomfortable. “Right. So you’re... Alright with it? I mean, I know Zoey will care, so...”

David shrugged. “We’ve been through hell since Dad was diagnosed. As far as I’m concerned, as long as you make her happy I have no problem with it.” He nodded towards the sitting room, where Emily was already waiting. “So. Are you going to join us?”

Joan glanced towards the foyer again, just in time to see Mo slipping out the door. “If Zoey wants me to, yes.”

David smiled. “Good. Welcome to the family, Joan.”

 Joan eventually left the Clarke residence at just before half ten that night, with Zoey, David, and Emily all staying the night. Unsurprisingly, over the next few days she and Zoey didn’t see each other in person, tied up as they both were. But they did manage some conversation over the phone, which was better than nothing. While Zoey was spending time with her family in the wake of Mitch’s death, Joan was frantically trying to figure out her new role as acting CEO of SPRQ Point while Danny Michael Davis was in prison (still nobody was entirely clear on the charges).

In fact, Joan had resigned herself to not seeing her partner in person for at least a week, and so it was quite a surprise when Zoey showed up on her doorstep five days after the funeral.

“I needed to see you,” Zoey said loudly, pushing her way into Joan’s house before the other woman had chance to fully process what was happening.

Joan shut the door against the orange glow of the evening sun, and turned to her partner with a frown. “Zoey? Is everything alright-”

Joan had barely finished speaking before Zoey’s lips were pressed against hers. The kiss was determined, forceful, and spoke of Zoey’s struggling emotions. Joan allowed herself to lean into the kiss for a moment or two before forcing herself to pull away.

“Zoey, honey, talk to me. Not that it’s not great to see you, but this is a bit sudden...”

Zoey’s shoulders slumped then, and she folded her arms across her chest, avoiding Joan’s gaze. “I just... I missed you. We’ve not seen each other since Dad’s funeral, and even though we’ve talked on the phone, it’s not the same.” She sighed. “I should have called. You’re probably busy. I’m sorry.”

She moved towards the door then, but Joan quickly intercepted.

“It’s fine, honey,” Joan said, taking her arm and instead steering her towards the sitting room. “I could do with a break, anyway. Geez, how Danny Michael Davis was always so chilled out, I’ll never know.”

She gently pushed Zoey down onto the large, plush designer sofa, before sitting down next to her. immediately, the younger woman moved closer, looking for contact.

“I’m sorry I’ve not had much time for you recently,” Zoey said quietly. “And I’m sorry for showing up unannounced.”

“Zoey, you’ve just lost your dad. You’re allowed to be busy, and you’re allowed to be a little out of sorts. Also, you’re allowed here anytime you want.”

Zoey shifted to look at Joan then, a cautiously hopeful look on her face. “Really?”

Joan smiled softly. “Really. Hey, I didn’t demand the house in the divorce just to piss Charlie off.” She considered that for a moment, before shrugging and staring across the room. “Well, that was a big part of it. But I also demanded the house because it’s mine. It’s my home. Charlie was nearly always out, or travelling, or at a hotel after a party. He never really seemed to belong here. But I did. I do, and I want you to belong here too.”

Zoey was unnervingly quiet then, and Joan looked down at her partner with a worried frown. The redhead was staring at her with a look of bewilderment.

“Oh, god,” Joan said, eyes going wide. “Why did I bring my ex-husband up? I’m sorry, Zoey, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable-”

“No, no, it’s not that...” Zoey said quickly, though she didn’t exactly look any more relaxed. “I just... Joan, are you suggesting I move in with you?”

The older woman blinked at that. “Uh... Do you want to?”

“Do you want me to?”

Joan frowned. “So... You do want to?”

“I didn’t say that,” Zoey countered, growing more confused. “Wait... Do you want me to want to?”

“I... Zoey, I don’t even understand the conversation we’re having right now,” Joan admitted, frown deepening as she tried to untangle everything in her head. “I’ve spent most of today figuring out the release schedule for SPRQ Point’s latest products, and I think Danny Michael Davis wrote the whole thing while stoned because none of it makes sense... He’s scheduled floor three’s video chat app for release in Julgust. What does that even mean? Julgust?”

“I- Well, it sounds like he merged July and August,” Zoey pointed out helpfully. “So... Maybe he was hedging his bets?”

“Zoey, it’s Danny Michael Davis we’re talking about!”

“Oh. Yeah. Then he was probably stoned when he wrote the schedule.”

Joan rolled her eyes. “Exactly my point.” Then, she shook her head. “No! No, that’s not my point! My point is that, after dealing with that all day, I’m tired enough that I cannot begin to figure out the conversation we seem to be having. So don’t take this the wrong way, Zoey, but I wasn’t asking you to move in. At least, not yet. We’ve only had one date, the night we called the bake-off off. I haven’t been divorced that long, only a few months. You’re still grieving after losing your dad. I don’t think rushing into this relationship is what either of us need. But I meant what I said; I want you to be comfortable here. You are welcome here any time.”

Zoey nodded slowly, a warm smile spreading across her face as Joan spoke. “That... That sounds good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I have to admit, I kind of got a little spooked,” Zoey admitted, voice quiet but warm. “I don’t know if I’m ready to move in with you, not on any sort of permanent basis. But I would like to spend more time with you, whether that’s here, or my place, or going out on dates...”

Joan smiled. “That does sound good.”

 After a week and a half off of work in the wake of Mitch’s death, Zoey Clarke surprised everyone by showing back up at SPRQ Point at nine on the dot. And nobody was more baffled than her partner.

Partway through fending off kind words and awkward condolences from her team, including Leif and Tobin, the redhead became aware that she was being watched. Standing in the doorway to her office, arms folded and a neutral expression on her face, was Joan.

“Zoey? Can I speak to you a moment?”

Pursing her lips, Zoey moved towards the office, barely hearing Tobin’s muttered comment to Leif about how she was already in trouble and she hadn’t even been in the office five minutes. Once inside Joan’s office, Zoey reluctantly lowered herself into the chair. Joan sat on the edge of her desk, arms still folded and giving the younger woman an exasperated look.

“Why are you here, Zoey?”

“I work here?” Zoey offered, trying to lighten the situation.

The arched eyebrow from Joan told her that it wasn’t going to work.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming in today?” Joan tried again. “We spoke last night! You never mentioned coming in!”

“I just... Felt like it,” Zoey shrugged. “I mean, Mom’s been getting out the house a little to meet with friends, Emily’s had the baby so that’s keeping my brother busy... I wanted to just come in, and work on some code, and not be treated like a delicate object for a while.”

Pursing her lips, the brunette nodded slowly then. It seemed like she was choosing her next words carefully. “Am I... Am I doing something wrong? Is there something you want me to, to stop doing? Or that I should be doing but I’m not?”

Zoey blinked. “What? No, Joan! Why would you think that?”

“Well, I don’t know,” Joan looked away, clearly uncomfortable and a little embarrassed. It reminded Zoey of how she’d reacted when Charlie had walked out of their SPRQ Watch meeting, and it made her uneasy that she’d upset Joan just like Charlie had. “You’re saying you don’t want to be treated like a delicate object, you’re coming back into work without letting me know... It sounds like this is a me-and-you issue.”

“It’s not, I promise,” the redhead responded gently. She sighed. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Joan, and I really didn’t plan to come back in today, or I’d have spoken to you. I just woke up this morning and realised that I didn’t want to sit around feeling sorry for myself anymore. I know that sounds awful, but it’s the truth. Dad would hate it if he knew what was going on, if he knew I still had my life on hold for him. I just needed to come in, needed to do some work and get my mind off it all. And when I’m here, I’m not Zoey-whose-dad-just-died; I’m Zoey-the-team-leader. I mean, sure, Tobin and Leif and everyone are aware of what I’ve been going through, and they’re being a bit nicer than usual, but they aren’t going to constantly ask me how I’m feeling. When I’m at Mom’s house, and people come round, all they want to know is how I’m holding up. When I’m here, or with you, it’s different.”

It was Joan’s turn to sigh then, her expression softening to one of concern. “Honey, you should have told me. I understand, I get that you need to be doing something. But I don’t like being caught off-guard, you know that. I’m not saying you have to ask my permission, not at all, but if you’d just let me know...” She trailed off, took a breath. “I worried. When I saw you come in, I worried.”

Zoey frowned. “You... Worried?”

Nodding, Joan hesitantly met her eyes again. “Yeah. I mean, I told you that you could take two full weeks off, and you seemed so keen, and so when you showed up today I worried that you were doing something you’d regret. You know, that you were coming back early to prove a point or something, or trying to force yourself to do something you weren’t ready for.” She cleared her throat, glanced out the glass of her office to see Tobin and Leif watching in concern. “I guess I’m just feeling a little overprotective of you right now.” She gave her partner a small smile. “And I’m trying hard not to smother you, but... I don’t like seeing you hurting, Zoey.”

“Well, for what it’s worth, I don’t like seeing you hurting either,” Zoey countered with a soft smile. “And I’m sorry I made you worry.” She too glanced over at Leif and Tobin then, before looking back to her partner. “I should get back to work before Leif and Tobin start coming up with conspiracy theories about what we’re talking about.”

With one final smile between the two women, Zoey left the room.

 By lunchtime, however, Zoey was finding the office a little stifling.

“Hey,” she greeted Joan as she reached the cereal bar.

Joan was glaring at the options available, clearly taken with none of them.  “These choices are awful. Who chose to go back to a cereal bar? Was it Glenn?”

Before she could shout for poor Glenn, who was probably hiding again, Zoey cleared her throat pointedly.

“Uh, actually, I wanted to speak to you about that. I- Well, if you’re not busy, I was wondering if you wanted to go out for lunch? I just... Need to get out of the office for a bit.”

Concern came over Joan’s face, and she nodded quickly. “Yeah. Yeah, of course. Let me grab my purse.”

They headed for the elevators, with a detour through Joan’s office to grab her purse, and soon they were out of the office and walking down the street.

“Where were you thinking?” Joan asked, slipping her hand into Zoey’s. “There’s a sushi place nearby, if you fancy that. Or there’s a good Italian place-”

“I was thinking somewhere a little different,” Zoey interrupted, giving her partner a nervous smile. “I’m more in the mood for... Well, for something sweet.”

Joan gave a small smile at that, and simply nodded for Zoey to lead the way. They made small talk as they walked, talking about anything that came to mind. Joan complained yet again about Danny Michael Davis’s awful management of SPRQ Point, while Zoey shared stories of her brother and Emily embarking on parenthood.

“I don’t think it will be long before Mom offers to babysit,” Zoey laughed. “She’s already been telling David and Emily about how nice it will be for them to be able to go out for a meal just the two of them.”

“Have you had a chance to meet the baby yet?” Joan asked.

At that, Zoey grinned widely, and promptly dove into her purse to retrieve her phone. “I have pictures!”

Moments later, Joan found herself blinking at an entire album on Zoey’s phone dedicated to her newborn nephew. “He’s cute,” she said, accepting the phone to thumb through the photos. “Tiny.”

“I think my sister-in-law would disagree with that,” Zoey said with a grin.

Joan smirked back. “I’m sure she would.” She came across a photo of Zoey holding the baby then, and promptly fell silent. The photo had clearly been snapped without Zoey knowing, as she stared down at the tiny baby in her arms with such love that it made Joan’s heart clench. She quickly covered the sudden flood of fear she felt with a smile and handed the phone back to its owner. “What did they call him again?”

“Sam,” Zoey said as she pocketed the phone. “Well, Samuel Mitch Clarke.”

She was still beaming from ear to ear, and it was clear that she doted on her nephew. Feeling another wave of unease, Joan busied herself with checking her own phone for emails.

 “This is cheesecake,” Joan said, staring at the food in front of her.

“This is cheesequake,” Zoey corrected as she slid into a seat opposite. “It’s good. Try it.”

Still a little baffled that Zoey had wanted cheesecake over sushi or Italian, Joan picked up her spoon and scooped a small amount of the food into her mouth. Zoey watched her with a knowing smile.

“This is good,” Joan said after a few moments. “How did you find out about this place?”

“Simon brought me here,” Zoey admitted. “And then I brought Max here, after he got fired. It’s good comfort food.”

At the mention of the two men in Zoey’s life, Joan felt her smile stiffen a little. First the photo of Zoey and Sam, and now the mention of Max and Simon. Joan was a confident woman while at work, but Charlie’s treatment of her over the years had left her uncertain when it came to personal connections. She couldn’t help but feel like Zoey was already slipping through her fingers.

“Joan?”

Shaking herself, the brunette forced another smile, hoping it looked more natural than it felt.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yeah,” she waved off Zoey’s concern. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

Zoey frowned. “Uh, because it doesn’t look alright?”

Joan responded by shrugging. “I’m fine.” She took another bite of food. “Good cheesequake.”

But Zoey pursed her lips, set down her spoon, and leaned forward to take Joan’s hand in hers. “Something’s bothering you. I can tell.”

Brow furrowing, Joan glanced around before leaning forward. “I didn’t... You know? I mean, this isn’t a power thing, is it?”

“What? No, you didn’t sing. Joan, I can just tell. Something’s bothering you. Talk to me.”

Zoey’s thumb was stroking the delicate skin of Joan’s wrist then; a soothing motion that did help to calm the older woman’s racing thoughts even if it didn’t stop them entirely.

“I’m being stupid,” Joan said with a sigh.

“I doubt that,” Zoey said. “You don’t do stupid.”

The brunette’s lips quirked at that, but then she looked away for a moment. “Zoey...” She looked back to her partner, uncertain. “Why are you with me?”

Zoey frowned. “Because I love you.” She thought for a moment. “Is this because I mentioned Max? I’ve already told you, you don’t have to worry about him. I chose you, remember?”

“I remember,” Joan agreed quietly. “But Zoey, you could have Max, or Simon, or anyone else your age. Why did you pick me? That photo of you and your nephew... You do realise that being with me means no kids, right? I mean, I’m not cut out to be a mom! I scare everybody in the office! And even if I didn’t, I’m too old for all that. I’m more than twenty years older than you; in fact I’m closer to your mom’s age than yours!”

Zoey’s frown deepened. “This is really bothering you.” She took in Joan’s pursed lips, her tight posture, her damp eyes. Her heart broke. “Joan, how many times do I have to tell you that I love you? I don’t want Max, or Simon, or anyone else. And as much as I love Sam, I’m not even sure I want kids. And I certainly don’t care how old you are.”

“You might change your mind,” Joan countered, sitting back in her chair and pulling her arm from Zoey’s grip.

The redhead shrugged. “Or I might not. Joan, I never gave any serious thought to ever being with Max, and I never really considered anything serious with Simon either. The only one I want that sort of relationship with is you. And I know that I can’t make you believe this, but I don’t want anybody except you.”

Finally, Joan’s lips quirked into a small smile and some of the tension fell from her shoulders. The pair of them stayed silent for a few moments, no words necessary as they stared into each other’s eyes. But then, Zoey got this strange feeling she was being watched, and reluctantly tore her eyes from Joan. Looking round, her eyes went wide as she saw someone familiar watching them.

With a frown, Joan turned to look too, swallowing when she saw Simon staring back at them with a surprised on his face. As the man approached, Zoey and Joan shared a bewildered look.

“What do we do?” Joan whispered, wide-eyed.

Zoey only just managed a shrug before Simon reached the table.

“Ladies,” he greeted, smiling at the pair of them although it looked strained. “Joan, I see Zoey’s introduced you to cheesequakes.”

“She is,” Joan responded with a tight smile. “They’re good.”

“That they are,” Simon agreed, looking between the two women. “Zoey! I heard you were back at work today. I thought you weren’t back until next Monday?”

“Oh, yeah,” Zoey said uncomfortably. “I, uh, I came back a little early. Wanted to do something, you know. Keep myself busy.”

Simon nodded in understanding, and was about to say something when he was interrupted.

“Uh, hi guys.”

Max was approaching them with a confused look on his face, taking in Zoey and Joan sharing a table, and the awkward expression on Simon’s face.

“Hi, Simon, Joan,” Max greeted with a forced smile. He gave a small nod to his former boss and the man next to him before turning his attention to the younger woman. “Zo, I was about to call you. I didn’t realise you were meeting Joan for lunch. I got cheesequakes.” He held up the two cheesequakes he’d already purchased.

“Oh, well, great minds think alike,” Zoey said, eyes flashing to the two cheesequakes Simon was also holding. “But I went back into work this morning, so I asked Joan to join me for something to eat.” She shifted a little uncomfortably.

Opposite her, Joan was tight-lipped and pale-faced. There was a tense silence for several long moments before, finally, Simon spoke up.

“So, uh, I should get back to work. Lots of stuff to do at the office.”

“Uh, yeah, I should go too,” Max said suddenly, giving the two women a tight smile. “That new job isn’t going to find itself.”

As the two men walked away, Joan’s shoulders sagged.

“Oh, god,” she muttered, giving Zoey a look.

“It’s fine,” Zoey responded quietly as she watched the men leave, “I doubt Simon will say anything, and Max doesn’t even work at SPRQ Point anymore.”

“That doesn’t make it any less awkward,” Joan pointed out. “Both Simon and Max clearly like you, Zoey, and now they’ve seen us together...”

But Zoey couldn’t hear the rest of what Joan was saying, as music started up in her head. She saw both Simon and Max stop walking, turning round to approach her again.

“Oh boy,” she muttered.

It was just Simon who started singing as he approached her, though, and the words surprised Zoey.

“This was all you, none  of it me,

You put your hands on, on my body and told me,

Mmmm,

You told me you were ready

For the big one, for the big jump

I’d be your last love everlasting you and me

Mmmm,

That was what you told me...”

Simon hit the chorus just as he reached Joan and Zoey’s table, Max sliding in neatly beside him and joining in with the lyrics.

“I’m giving you up

I’ve forgiven it all

You set me free.”

The two men started dancing then, Simon moving clockwise round the table while Max went counter-clockwise. Opposite her, Joan was frowning at her.

“Zoey? Zoey, what’s happening?”

“Send my love to your new lover

Treat her better...”

Blinking, Zoey forced herself to look at her partner. “Uh, Max and Simon are singing.”

“We’ve gotta let go of all of our ghosts

We both know we ain’t kids no more...”

Joan’s eyebrows shot up. “Singing? Singing what? Are they going to tell HR about us?”

“I... I don’t think so,” Zoey admitted, watching as the men continued to dance.

“Send my love to your new lover

Treat her better...”

“Well, what are they singing?”

Zoey shrugged. “I don’t know the song. It’s something about... I think it’s called ‘Send my love’?”

At that, Joan’s eyebrow arched. “Oh.”

“We’ve gotta let go of all of our ghosts

We both know we ain’t kids no more...”

Simon’s voice faded out then as Max took over for the next verse.

“I was too strong, you were trembling

You couldn’t handle the hot heat rising

Mmmm,

Baby, I’m still rising

I was running, you were walking

You couldn’t keep up, you were falling down

Mmmm,

There’s only one way down.”

Zoey blinked as she realised the significance of what the two men were singing. Joan gave her a small smile.

“I’m giving you up

I’ve forgiven it all

You set me free, oh...”

Simon came back in for the chorus as the two men came to a stop side by side where they’d started.

“Send my love to your new lover

Treat her better

We’ve gotta let go of all of our ghosts

We both know we ain’t kids no more...”

As they continued to sing, Simon and Max started to back away, moving towards the exit. Their voices faded as they grew further away.

“Send my love to your new lover

Treat her better

We’ve gotta let go of all of our ghosts

We both know we ain’t kids no more...”

And then, it was over. Blinking, Zoey looked to Joan.

“This is a good thing, right?” Joan asked uncertainly, studying Zoey’s face for clues as to how she was feeling.

A smile spread across the younger woman’s face. “Yes. It is.”

And then, just because she could, she stood up, pulled Joan forward, and kissed her across the table.

[loserlarz]

trigger warning: kinda depressing.

i don’t often let myself cry. i am vain, and crying makes my eyes a puffy dilemma the next day and I’m endlessly self conscious. but right now I am sad. and that is okay to say. i try very hard to disguise insecurities constantly, but I just don’t feel like it right now. today I felt really stupid and almost cried at work. I did not cry at work, and I am instead crying here at home. it is much better to cry here I would have been embarrassed. it would have been impossible to hide. rejection sensitive dysphoria is a big problem for me. I care a lot about what other people think and what they want from me and how I can listen to them and how I can be of use to others. so when someone expresses even like a hint of annoyance or dislike or disappointment towards me it’s kind of like having a rug very aggressively and suddenly pulled from under me.

like, I get it, im really fucking dumb I get that I am very much so reminded constantly just by living that I barely understand anything. I am literally very often horrified thinking about everything I have ever done that was publicly idiotic. I don’t like thinking about myself I don’t like looking at myself I fucking hate mirrors and thats my business its fine. 

also how do I make my father understand that im very stupid and don't understand computers like he thinks and im never going to be a successful coder who’s cool and makes him proud because I just cant do it. no one would ever hire me. I wish I could just hug him and tell him that my day was bad but I don’t know if he’d understand. I truly do wish I had the tools to not be so disappointing. I just feel like his weird quiet daughter who finds the worst times to cry because my sadness is awkward. 

also I miss my aunt. I wish she were still alive and people come to my job a lot who smell like her. like the inside of her super clean car that matches her pretty red coat lined with black fur. and how pretty and gentle and caring she was. and how her hugs were too hard. I miss when I was younger how she’d braid my hair and how my scalp would ache with all the love she’d put into it. I miss how she’d let me sleep over her house and then she’d make me rice for breakfast. I miss how she’d squeeze money into my hand. but I don't care about the money I just miss her so much and its not fair that the world poisons good things. she was the most perfect person I've ever known 

[kaoarika]

It’s been almost 6 months, and with the news of Verizon willing to sell the site (WOW, what a twist - said no one ever since December 17th, 2018), the issues and the site still being buggy are still THERE.

I’m not sure if this might happen, but If anyone buys the site (and not freaking pr0nhub, pls), I really wish they hire a better team of coders and PLS, stop the rampage that the flagging auto system is doing with random posts being flagged for some reason or another.

Just now, it looks like there’s some bug and a couple of my art posts were flagged (in both main and side blogs?) but, I could actually see them in tagged pages here in the dash, and they weren’t “hidden” in my blogs. But, as paranoid as I am, decided to appeal for them because...? Even though I’m 100% they were “flagged” by a bug. *sigh* Hopefully this doesn’t bite me back in the butt, later.

...I was this close to ignore them... All in all, I’m glad I’ve crossposted almost everything of my art stuff to my DA page. (Almost everything means I didn’t add some, besides the fact it’s more or less up to date nowadays)..

[kejserclark07-blog]

Electrum Stratis Wallet

Stratis is one of the original regarding a range of blockchain advancement platforms. It seemed to be initially like platform wherein developers could very well easily produce their own exclusive blockchain. Stratis wanted his or her platform to be the most recognized blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) tailored to get use simply by organisations. On the other hand, since firing, Sratis possesses increased the scope regarding their project. They wish to build up out the larger blockchain development circle that will undertake often the likes of NEO in addition to Ethereum. Can Stratis truly compete in this highly competitive space and provide an attractive alternative to help these blockchains? In that Stratis review, we is going to attempt to answer of which question by taking the deep-dive on the project. We will look into the technology, team members and one of a kind advantages of its blockchain. I will also analyse often the STRAT token and whether you must think of that. Let�s bounce in. Precisely what is Stratis? Stratis started out as a project that wanted to assist business logistics with a BaaS model. However, as the particular demand for developer ecosystems provides grown, therefore way too have the ambitions involving Stratis. They are now trying to build up their personal developer blockchain. There are many other projects that are wanting to do this but typically the main variation between them all and Stratis is it is definitely using C# for Microsoft�s. NET structure as the developing words of the blockchain. Ethereum has one particular advantage around Stratis in that the idea was your 1st smart contract community, on the other hand the use of often the Solidity programming language may possibly be it is weakness. Stratis uses a far more acquainted programming language and may accomplish the same blockchain structures and include sidechains since well. Stratis is definitely gaining on Ethereum, releasing C# smart agreements while an alpha in May well, as well as alpha sidechain help in August. This brings Stratis with par along with leading sensible contract blockchains. In truth, for numerous companies Stratis is definitely the popular solution since blockchain knowledge isn�t all that popular at the older, more traditional tech companies. These kind of older technical companies perform have armies regarding software engineers familiar with C# as well as. NET framework and happen to be most likely to pass over programming a good blockchain along with Solidity whenever they can use the more familiar C#. Stratis offers this comfortable programming language, and often the ability to use just about all the same features in order to develop a feature-rich blockchain with the ability to include sidechains together with sensible contracts. This will allow often the old-guard tech firms to simply build their very own blockchain solutions on the particular Stratis main company, trying to keep their own projects split up and safe on sidechains. There are certainly promise, but it may need time to realize the eye-sight of Stratis. Let�s create a deeper search into the project and it is related STRAT lieu that powers the community. Understanding Stratis Stratis was made as its own blockchain the fact that also offers a new suite of development equipment in C# that allow companies to make use of the safety of its blockchain to construct their own chains. This specific saves assets for this companies who also don�t need to have to hire brand-new blockchain developers as well as edit all their legacy software to work alongside a new platform. In the core Stratis is usually an updated, enterprise warm and friendly version of Bitcoin. It is very more worldwide, it�s more rapidly, and it moves aside from the resource famished Proof-of-Work mining of Bitcoin. Then it adds the Stratis program that permits sidechains, sensible contracts and this addition involving decentralized software. Stratis deviates from various other blockchain projects by way of working with the C# programming dialect. With over 6 thousand C# developers the idea aims to mesh very easily with often the existing devices of standard technological companies across this globe. Electrum Stratis Wallet has established a new package of tools together with assets for builders in order to help them to build up their own blockchains, and even that also offers the use of its blockchain as a mainchain for you to secure included sidechains. nStratis Advancement Platform The nStratis blockchain developmnent platform developed for businesses Additionally , that offers consultancy services with regard to businesses that want to be able to use blockchain technology, nevertheless don�t understand where or maybe how to get started. For instance, they might advise a fintech company, featuring them how blockchain technologies can be used to verify funds usually are being transported to the proper people, to track transactions, and to validate consumer personal. Stratis Team This main managing company to get Stratis could be the Stratis Class Ltd that is based around the city of London. They are comprised involving some fairly experienced coders with expertise in company program and blockchain. Stratis was founded throughout 2016 simply by the current TOP DOG, Chris Trew. Chris possesses over 10 years regarding working experience in Enterprise IT. He or she is also a backend developer who has got constructed numerous applications around C# and ASP. INTERNET. They started to cut his teeth in the blockchain ecosystem within 2013 and functioned like a volunteer on typically the Blitz project. Stratis Team Members Some of this Stratis Team Members Chelsea is as well joined by Nicolas Dorier who designed NBitcoin basically as a learning exercise. NBitcoin is now one of this most comprehensive cross-platform bitcoin frameworks. They in addition has composed a good book on blockchain programming in C#. Nicolas has also done some work on Bitcoin�s primary job. The STRAT Token Often the Stratis blockchain employs Proof-of-Stake (PoS) as it is opinion modus operandi, and the particular STRAT token as the local token on the networking. Because Stratis uses PoS it means there�s simply no reference intensive mining required to protected the network, nor almost any expensive computer hardware required. It absolutely was developed while a low pumpiing cryptocurrency and holders have the ability to produce rewards by staking cash, if they have sufficient to run a node. Operating the masternode requires staking 250, 000 STRAT, which often has a value of $392, 500 at the $1. 57 price on The month of september 7, 2018. That�s definitely out of reach to get most, but there is converse of adding lower tier nodes that require significantly less gold coins. The primary aim of the STRAT expression is as gas for that network, or a way to pay money for network deals. Naturally you can also purchase it like a speculative investment, together with the coin is listed in well over a new dozen programs, including Binance, Bittrex and even HitBTC. Binance STRAT Register at Binance and Buy STRAT Tokens As of September seven, 2018 the STRAT lieu is #49 on Coinmarketcap. com with a marketplace limit of $155, 347, 489. That�s at a associated with $1. 57 with a moving supply connected with 99, 004, 672. Stratis hit an all-time great price of $21. twenty-one on January 8, 2018. Stratis was one regarding the first profitable ICO�s, raising 1, 1000 BTC back in June/July 2016. This success led these to start their own ICO software in May 2018 to help other people observe the same success. Is considered certainly the generous supplying, but could spell signs of trouble at the business. ICO Popularity in Diminish When Bitcoin rose around level of popularity most other cryptocurrencies struggled to find an market. So, that they turned to the ICO like a new way to gain industry acceptance, and to raise budget to continue advancement. That�s how Stratis obtained its begin in 2016. ICOs became much more popular inside 2017 any time Ethereum started hosting bridal party on its blockchain, permitting companies to help bypass the long together with expensive procedure for creating their particular own blockchain. That 12 months saw nearly one, 500 ICOs launched and even $5. 6 billion throughout funds raised. It was not all of good news though like over 50% of all those ICOs were failures. Possibly even worse was the particular nearly $1 billion lost by simply investors to fake ICOs. These losses came the attention, and ire, of presidency regulators. That put a damaging light on ICOs. Soon after major online mainly because networks like Google, Facebook or myspace plus Twitter banned advertisings for ICOs on their particular platforms. ICO prices fell across the field in addition to people started to be increasingly cautious projects releasing new coins via an ICO. Going down ICO Demand Amount connected with funds raised via ICO is usually declining. Source: ICO Info 2018 still recognizes the good volume of ICOs, just about all sees even more and more projects steering clear of the negative stigma regarding ICOs. A lot of have long gone to the airdrop in order to distribute tokens, and even so other people will be opting for you to hold private revenue, offering their coins in order to venture capital firms and large net-worth individuals rather than offering them to typically the public. This telephone calls straight into question the decision connected with Stratis to release a great ICO platform in May possibly 2018. In most respects that seems as if the particular management team is jammed in the past. Certain 2016 was initially just a pair of short years back, although in the cryptocurrency earth two years is like only two many years. A turnkey ICO remedy at this point seems to fly in the face of the negative view associated with ICOs and the improving authorities scrutiny. Stratis Remains to be an invaluable Blockchain Even even though the launch of ICO platform makes it look as if Stratis will be out of feel along with the rest of this cryptocurrency sector, it is always a robust and extraordinary blockchain task. And although the value of typically the STRAT coin has slipped all over 2018, that�s a great deal more a feature of the all round decline within cryptocurrency trading markets. A new $1. 57 price tag now is nevertheless the more than 22, 000% gain from the $0. 007 ICO price of the coin. That�s a new pretty hefty returning in just over 2 many years. Stratis has also lately already been listed in the Microsof company Azure Market, which was basically a big win with regard to Stratis founder and CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Chris Trew. Electrum Stratis Wallet isnt necessarily an recommendation of Stratis as a good assignment, but rather because the coin is prepared in C# for the. INTERNET framework. The. NET construction was developed by means of Microsoft, and because of Microsoft windows company usage the. ONLINE platform and C# developing words are equally set in every single industry. As typically the developer on the. NET framework Microsoft contains a huge stake in the endurance together with growth of the system and the C# dialect, producing acceptance of Stratis by simply Microsoft almost a new offered outcome. Microsoft Azure Statement by Stratis upon Microsof company Azure Company�s using legacy systems built along C# and. NET may find the transition to help a blockchain solution will probably be easiest and most cost effective when using the Stratis solution. Almost all of these businesses currently have C# developers which might be reassigned to a good blockchain project, and they�ll help to make quick progress thanks in order to their familiarity with C#. Unfortunately regarding Stratis typically the blockchain world advances extremely quickly. Their C# package was vaporware right up until May possibly 2018, meaning there were some sort of number of projects of which involved to and surpassed Stratis. And Electrum Stratis Wallet , which usually sounded and so progressive throughout summer of 2016, wasn�t all of that revolutionary any time it was release seeing that a beta mainnet product or service in Late 2017. It may be unfortunate, but the Stratis team appears to end up being operating on a much more slowly pace than new projects, in particular those coming from Japan. The early excitement over Stratis hasn�t translated to early adoption. In fact, additional than the acknowledgement into the Azure Current market, the largest partnership so that far is to use Earth String, an unknown international the fact that is looking to affect often the seafood logistics company having a blockchain remedy. A person optimistic development is typically the newest relationship with BRITAIN Meds, this fastest expanding online drug store in the particular UK, just announced upon September 5. BRITISH Medications plans on using this technology to be able to enhance person safety and to improve typically the UK Meds provide company. Conclusion Startis has got the difference of being the 1st successful ICO, and continues to be remarkable to this moment, nonetheless some state that needs to step up its game if it doesn�t desire the distinction of initial successful ICO to be the biggest differentiation the project at any time reaches. While it has strong technology and the solid alliance with 'microsoft', the idea isn�t seeing this type of adoption it requires. If it can leveraging it is strengths there can be still wish for expansion inside of the blockchain business because it offers a few worthwhile and helpful use-cases. This inclusion of the Stratis program in the 'microsoft' Azure industry is a big win, together with option traders have to be happy with often the 22, 000% return since ICO, even if the price connected with typically the coin has recently been sliding inside 2018. Entrepreneur sentiment could be going down, but there�s still a lot of good to become said for STRAT. Typically the establish of an ICO platform doesn�t seem to be the best move around in 2018 as government government bodies currently have been taking aim on ICOs, but fortunately Stratis has several other software trends and partnerships. Likely a enterprise blockchain option inside C# may not necessarily noise as technologically innovative or attractive as some other blockchain assignments, but it is just these kinds of nuts-and-bolts variety applications which have been frequently the particular most useful and profitable. In fact, the use of C# makes Stratis more attractive for you to conventional tech companies with older systems, since they wil have to start through scratch in order to move as well as integrate their very own programs along with blockchain technologies. The Stratis solution exhibits real guarantee, but we will need to wait and see if they can certainly truly deliver.

[postwell]

What exactly is CSM?

Many organizations employ agile methodologies and practices within their processes to speed up the delivery of their projects. As more companies adopt agile methods, they push to increase the demand to hire Scrum masters. This is because the majority of them having certified Scrum masters. The possession of a CSM provides companies with confidence that they have hired people who are qualified to help implement an agile practices within the organization. Before you can become certified you need to master the fundamentals of scrum and know the duties and roles. As per Zippia, Certified Scrum Master earns an average of $103,245 and there are 79,500 job openings across the United States. Some of the companies who hire Certified Scrum Master include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, IBM, Well Accenture, Cognizant Technology Solutions, J.P Morgan etc.

What is an Certified Scrum Master?

The Certified Scrum Master(CSM) CSM is an type of certification provided through Scrum Alliance to professionals who wish to better understand Scrum methodologies, practices and tools. The certification also covers a variety of topics including Scrum value systems, i.e., teamwork accountability, accountability, collaboration schedules, and the iterative process.

The majority of CSM Training professionals are leader of teams and/or Scrum masters. They use the Scrum framework and work closely with the team. There are many advantages when they have CSM such as career benefits, a rise in salary as well as other benefits.

Why should you be certified Scrum Master?

The certified Scrum Master has abilities to apply the Scrum framework's scrum values, principles and practices. They collaborate with organizations as well as product managers and product owners.

What is the purpose in the Use Scrum Master Certification?

Scrum Master Certification indicates that one is competent enough and are able to implement the Scrum framework in any organization. It also allows you to get new job opportunities or promotions at your current job, which will eventually result in a higher salary.

How can I get Certified as CSM? CSM

There are many steps to follow in order in order to be certified as a CSM. The steps include :

Scrum fundamentals

You must learn Scrum basics, such as the theories and concepts. There are many free resources one can utilize to understand the scrum roles and responsibilities as well as scrum theories as well as scrum artifacts and the events. Scrum.org also offers a manual to help beginners in studying the prerequisites.

A majority of professionals can earn this certification. This includes software designers as well as developers, product owners as well as testers and coders. They're not required because there aren't any qualifications to be met. Many people prefer having at the very least a bachelor's level, however, it's not a mandatory condition.

Select which CSM training partner

There are a variety of training providers that you can select from. You can pick your training provider based on the cost, value renewal, requirements, and other aspects. One certification service provider for this has been identified as Scrum Alliance. Scrum Alliance Scrum Alliance has Certified Scrum Trainers that assist with helping with the training for CSM. Trainers must take a series of tests prior to gaining the status in order to prove they are competent enough.

Apply to the course and attend your two days training course in accordance with your instructor. You must take your CSM exam online in order to be successful. The exam contains 35 multiple-choice questions. You'll have to answer 24 correctly questions. The majority of people will take 2 hours to answer the questions. There are options so that you could skip the test and try them later. If you’re from Mumbai, don’t forget to check out our CSM Training in Mumbai community.

In the event that you do not pass your exam It will take an additional 60 days to take the exam next time. However, they will give you a free opportunity to take the exam once more. Should you not succeed, you will have to pay $25 for the cost.

After passing the exam After passing the test, sign the agreement to complete your profile and then receive your certificate.

[neverwhite69]

MAILGIRL STORIES:

RECRUITING - 4

MAILGIRL # 13

aisha was very different. through her whole studies her only marks were “A”s. she worked as a coder and she worked hard, very often late into the night, and still showing up on time next morning.

she was born in the us, her parents were refugees from lebanon. they were maronites, so they were christians.

although aisha dressed like a muslim, with this she was expressing, that the wasn’t open for any encounters.

after she confessed to her family, that she was not going to mary the man her family had arranged for her, her father turned away from her, denying any support for her future.

and when her family found out, that she was attracted to women, she was banned and her father threatened to kill her, if she’d ever tried to get into touch with her mother or her brother or her sisters.

actually she didn’t have any personal contacts, and also her working colleagues despised that she was unapproachable to anyone.

and one day, one of a sudden a woman came to her workplace, and asked her to come with her - in this very instant.

without a word aisha logged off and stood up. she was wearing a cream-colored jumpsuit with a headscarf in the same color.

she followed this woman out to the hallway, and asked, WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

I WAS ASKED TO BRING YOU TO OUR C.E.O. she answered and pressed the button to call the elevator.

aisha couldn’t figure out, what her superior boss wanted from her.

the woman introduced herself as rita. after a short ride she entered a small office, and the woman there acknowledged, THAT WAS QUICK! GIVE ME A SECOND!

she picked up the phone, and announced their arrival, JUST PROCEED, YOU ARE EXPECTED!

rita opened the door for her, and she walked into this spacious office - with an enormous desk and a set of armchairs arranged around a coffee-table.

mr. barrows was sitting there, studying some papers.

and danielle, as she introduced herself, asked her to sit down.

aisha knew right there, that she wasn’t here for a chat: she felt very uncomfortable in this situation, she literally was panicking.

danielle came right to the point: AISHA, YOU ARE FIRED!

aisha was shocked hearing these words. she had expected this meeting was going to be bad, but this - of all thinkable scenarios it turned out to be the worst.

and danielle went into detail: YOU KNOW, WE ALL ARE TIRED OF YOUR ATTITUDES, YOU ARE NOT TEAM-MINDED, YOU ARE ACTING LIKE A YOU WERE BETTER THAN ANYONE. she paused and looked directly into her eyes: SO YOUR EMPLOYMENT ENDS - NOW!

this took aisha unprepared, BUT WHY, I ALWAYS HAVE DELIVERED A GOOD JOB! YOU CANNOT DO THIS TO ME!

SAYS WHO? danielle replied. I AM AWARE YOU HAD SOME HARD TIMES: YOU WAS ABANDONED BY YOUR FAMILY, BECAUSE YOU ARE LESBIAN, I KNOW YOU HAVE STUDENT LOANS...

aisha had tears in her eyes, THEN WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

BECAUSE WE NEED TEAM-PLAYERS! SORRY, AND NOW I‘M THROUGH WITH YOU.

aisha stood up, for her all this was worse than a nightmare.

but then, the woman who brought her here said: MAYBE SHE CAN WORK FOR OUR MAILROOM PROGRAM?

danielle replied: THAT IS VERY THOUGHTFUL OF YOU, BUT I DON‘T THINK THAT AISHA WOULD ACCEPT!

this sounded like the straw, aisha could hold an to, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

danielle explained, WE ARE MOVING TO A NEW SITE OUT OF TOWN.

THERE WERE RUMORS, aisha replied.

AND WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A NEW SECURITY-CONCEPT: WE WILL IMPLEMENT A MAILROOM, AND FOR THIS WE ARE OFFERING NEW JOBS: danielle explained, AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR WOMEN, WHO QUALIFY.

aisha was curious: WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?

danielle looked at aisha, WE OFFER EXTRAORDINARY PAYMENT AND SUBSTANTIAL BONUSES AFTER YOU FULLFILLED A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT.

aisha was speechless, she looked at danielle, then rita, then again danielle, I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS!

rita started to explain, WE DON’T MAKE THIS PUBLIC. WE ARE ADRESSING ALL INDIVIDUALLY, WHOM WE’LD LIKE TO HIRE ... TO BE FRANK: WE DON’T WANT ANY PUSSYS APPLYING...

I AM NOT A PUSSY, aisha protested.

DAVID, danielle said, WHY DON’T YOU GIVE AISHA A CONTRACT, SHE CAN READ IT CAREFULLY - AND IF SHE AGREES, SHE CAN SIGN IT RIGHT AWAY.

david stood up and handed aisha a copy of the contract.

she started to read it - and there was total silence in this room.

and then she said, THIS IS A JOKE!

WHY YOU SAY THIS? danielle asked.

I MEAN, NO WOMAN WOULD RUN AROUND NAKED ... aisha replied, WITH ENVELOPES AND DATASTICKS? - ARE YOU SERIOUS? I MEAN: THIS IS REALLY OLD-SCHOOL!

I FIGURED FROM THE BEGINNING, YOU ARE NOT THE RIGHT ONE FOR THIS JOB. danielle stood up, WELL, YOU HAD YOUR OPPORTUNITY. I THINK, THAT WAS IT. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!

aisha was in panic, JUST GIVE ME A SECOND! she knew, once she left this room her game was over.

BEFORE YOU MAKE UP YOUR MIND, READ IT AGAIN, WORD BY WORD, danielle sat down again and looked at her, WE DON’T WANT TO PUSH YOU INTO SOMETHING, YOU MIGHT REGRET ONE DAY - THE BENEFITS ONLY APPLY WHEN YOU ARE ABLE FULLFILL THIS CONTRACT TO THE LAST DAY: THE WHOLE TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS!

aisha read the paper again, and she still couldn’t believe what was written there, “be naked all times” - “taking orders from everyone” - “exposed to corporal punishment” - she tried to weigh off her choices - the problem was, there weren’t any - and to top it, her financial problems were a desaster, with this they would be solved: OKAY, I’LL SIGN. then she looked at danielle, CAN I HAVE A PEN?

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Data Science Internship Machine Learning Intership Program

It’s also about your capability to speak with others, time management, cognitive functioning, interpersonal abilities, and so on. However, when you’re inexperienced in a new subject, firms might be on the lookout for these skills specifically. That’s because, at this early stage in your career, they’ll have little else to go on. You don’t need to be an skilled coder, but you need to a minimal of perceive the basic rules of coding.

visit to know more about : data science training in hyderabad Discuss your concepts with the people who discover themselves working on the project. Statistics and likelihood are the fundamental core expertise required for information science. Without a strong understanding of those two, you won’t make a lot headway on this area (or the interview process!). From analyzing the data and making useful inferences to understanding how the mannequin works, the fundamental ideas of stats and likelihood are built-in in the knowledge science ecosystem. In this article, I’ve drawn on my expertise on the key features you have to know to land your first internship in data science. You can find a information science internship by looking for available internships on a job posting website or by trying to find internships on a business’ dedicated job web page. If you’re seeking an internship, you could be curious about the benefits, duties, and abilities required. While each internship is completely different, the following sections define what you'll have the ability to expect from an information science internship. You can gain skilled experience with a knowledge science internship. Learn extra about what you can do to search out one by way of this guide. Data science internships are a novel opportunity for individuals who wish to gain hands-on expertise working with data at a fast-growing firm. As an information science intern, the talents you’ll use could range from position to place. If you're a graduate scholar, for instance, you will likely be expected to carry out many extra duties than an undergraduate in a similar position. This program will follow an analogous coaching construction as followed by top tech corporations and will also cover necessary particulars from their interviews. No pre-requisites are required to enroll on this Data Science & Machine Learning program.

Honestly, this varies wildly relying on the organization you’re working for, the business area (e.g. gross sales, business operations, or product design), and the type of analytics you're employed with. For instance, you would possibly specialize in descriptive, prescriptive, or diagnostic analytics. This is never a foul thing and can doubtless increase your probabilities of a job supply. For most positions, sooner trying to find your internship quite than later! If you might be planning to have a summer data science internship, we recommend starting to look for internship positions no later than the season prior. Many industries favor to recruit as early as the fall, so staying up to date on fall virtual profession fairs will be helpful in securing a role! Holding superior ML knowledge will most positively give you the edge. Your resume is actually your professional career’s highlight reel. It’s the very first thing the recruiter/hiring supervisor seems at so crafting the perfect resume is totally important in your quest to get an internship. You can look for open supply projects related to your area of curiosity. Trust me, there’s no dearth of information on the web. I’m an enormous fan of fiction so I love using NLP to analyze the work of my favourite authors. If you haven’t already created a profile, do it now. You also needs to start building your community by connecting with people in information science. In this article, you’ll be taught all you should find out about information science internships – from their advantages and necessities to where you can find them and what you want to consider earlier than applying. Do you get excited by tackling a very big problem? Let’s perceive it’s completely different components so you'll have the ability to slim down your space of focus in the long term. This content has been made obtainable for informational functions only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that programs and different credentials pursued meet their private, professional, and monetary targets. You can spotlight your skills in motion by creating a portfolio of your past or current work. You’ll meet your mentor early on and throughout your data analytics internship. In your first assembly, they want to assist you to set targets for what you’d like to attain. If they don’t, take the initiative and recommend that you’d like to set some. For instance, perhaps you wish to turn into more proficient using Python libraries? While it is important to perceive which statistical methods are a sound strategy for a given knowledge drawback, it's even more essential to know which of them aren’t. Also, there are heaps of analytical tools which would possibly be immensely helpful in Statistical Analysis similar to SAS, Hadoop, Spark, Hive, Pig, etc. so it’s essential that you have some data about them.  The list below consists of a number of the most common skills anticipated of information scientists, which you will probably encounter as a knowledge science intern. Nowadays stories and publications consistently name ‘data scientist’ as one of many preferable jobs. While there are tons of articles about the set of skills you want to get the information scientist place, we wanted to give consideration to the scholars who crave working in this affluent subject. In this part, I even have drawn on my own internship expertise to give you a couple of extra tips and tricks to boost your chances of getting selected. We often hear from recruiters how prospective candidates walk in without having learn in regards to the position they're interviewing for. I actually have personally seen individuals take up the internship and go away within a few weeks because they didn't like their role. Even when you really feel that you’re not involved on this space of data analytics, this in itself is a crucial factor to have learned. Last but not least, you’ll get to apply the key task of writing and delivering reports. This is your alternative to form the narrative of knowledge evaluation right into a story that informs key enterprise decisions. You might get to play with tools such as Jupyter Notebook ,. Or maybe create slide decks using software like MS PowerPoint. You might simply be required to current information on GitHub.

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