Hi, friends! Hoping you can help cause I’ve been thinking about this one for a while now! This was a song and band that came out in the early 2000’s. I can’t remember any lyrics to help with a title. Their sound reminded me of a mix between the Strokes music with the voice of the dude from Rage Against the Machine with the rap like singing. The video sticks out because it was stop motion with yarn I believe. Possibly cartoon or a combination of the two. I remember something about bombs dropping? The video revolves around a main character if that’s helpful. That is all I’ve got and if someone figured it out based on this, you’re a magical person!

Introduction:
Welcome to Jodhpur, the mesmerizing Blue City of Rajasthan! Nestled in the heart of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is a city that beautifully combines vibrant colors, rich history, and royal grandeur. Here are many best luxury resorts in Jodhpur. Known for its majestic forts, intricate architecture, and warm hospitality, Jodhpur offers a unique experience that captivates the senses and leaves a lasting impression on every visitor. Join us as we embark on a virtual journey to uncover the hidden gems and cultural delights that make Jodhpur a must-visit destination.
Majestic Mehrangarh Fort:
Our exploration begins with the crown jewel of Jodhpur, the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort. Perched on a hilltop, this colossal structure stands tall as a symbol of the city's glorious past. As you ascend the fort's imposing gates, you'll be greeted by intricate carvings, expansive courtyards, and breathtaking panoramic views of the city below. Explore the museum within the fort, showcasing an impressive collection of artifacts and artifacts that offer a glimpse into Jodhpur's royal heritage.
The Blue Hues of the Old City:
One of Jodhpur's most distinctive features is its old city, painted predominantly in shades of blue. Wander through the narrow, labyrinthine alleys of the Blue City, where every turn reveals a picturesque scene of indigo-washed houses. This unique architectural tradition has both historical and cultural significance, with blue believed to keep homes cool and ward off insects. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, interact with friendly locals, and capture stunning photographs that will transport you back in time.
Umaid Bhawan Palace:
Prepare to be awestruck by the grandeur of Umaid Bhawan Palace, an opulent residence that epitomizes luxury and elegance. Built during the reign of Maharaja Umaid Singh, this magnificent palace is a splendid blend of Indo-Saracenic and Art Deco architectural styles. Today, it houses a part of the palace as a museum, showcasing an exquisite collection of artifacts and preserving the rich history of Jodhpur's royal family. Indulge in the regal experience by staying at the palace hotel, where you can immerse yourself in royal luxury and impeccable hospitality.
Savoring Rajasthani Delicacies:
No visit to Jodhpur is complete without savoring its delectable culinary delights. The city is renowned for its mouthwatering Rajasthani cuisine, which is a delightful fusion of flavors and spices. Indulge in local specialties such as dal baati churma (lentils, baked wheat balls, and sweet crushed bread), gatte ki sabzi (gram flour dumplings in spicy gravy), and mirchi vada (spicy chili fritters). Don't forget to try the famous Makhaniya Lassi, a traditional yogurt-based drink that offers a refreshing respite from the desert heat.
Exploring Local Bazaars:
Experience the vibrant colors and lively ambiance of Jodhpur's bustling bazaars. Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) Market and Sardar Market are the heart and soul of the city's shopping scene. Lose yourself in the maze of shops selling handicrafts, textiles, traditional jewelry, spices, and vibrant tie-dye fabrics. Bargain with local vendors to bring home unique souvenirs and keepsakes that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Jodhpur.
Jaswant Thada:
Located near the Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada is a stunning marble cenotaph built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. This architectural marvel is adorned with intricate carvings, delicate marble lattice screens, and tranquil gardens. Take a peaceful stroll around the memorial and enjoy the serene ambiance while marveling at the detailed craftsmanship.
Desert Safari and Camel Rides:
Experience the magic of the Thar Desert by embarking on a thrilling desert safari adventure. Hop on a camel and traverse the golden sand dunes as you soak in the awe-inspiring desert landscape. Witness mesmerizing sunsets and enjoy traditional Rajasthani folk performances under the starlit sky. The desert safari is an exhilarating escapade that allows you to connect with nature and immerse yourself in the rustic charm of Rajasthan.
Mandore Gardens:
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore the tranquil oasis of Mandore Gardens. This historical site, once the capital of Marwar, features beautifully landscaped gardens, ancient temples, and grand cenotaphs. Admire the intricate architecture of the cenotaphs dedicated to the brave Rajput warriors and enjoy a serene picnic amidst the lush green surroundings.
Stepwell Excursion to Toorji Ka Jhalra:
Jodhpur is home to a hidden gem known as Toorji Ka Jhalra, a magnificent stepwell that dates back to the 18th century. This architectural marvel was constructed to provide water for the local community. Descend the steps and witness the intricate geometric patterns adorning the walls of the stepwell. The tranquil ambiance and unique design make it a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts and a peaceful retreat from the bustling city.
Marwar Festival:
Plan your visit to coincide with the Marwar Festival, an annual extravaganza that showcases the vibrant culture and traditions of Jodhpur. Held in memory of the valiant heroes of Rajasthan, the festival offers a captivating display of folk music, traditional dance performances, camel races, and exciting competitions like turban tying and mustache contests. Immerse yourself in the lively festivities and witness the vibrant spirit of the locals as they celebrate their rich heritage.
Bishnoi Village Safari:
Embark on a Bishnoi Village Safari to get a glimpse of rural life in Rajasthan and learn about the Bishnoi community, known for its harmonious relationship with nature and wildlife conservation efforts. Interact with friendly villagers, witness traditional pottery making, and observe local artisans at work. Keep an eye out for the region's diverse wildlife, including blackbucks and migratory birds, as you explore the rustic beauty of the Bishnoi villages.
Adventure Activities:
For adrenaline junkies seeking adventure, Jodhpur offers exciting opportunities for ziplining, paragliding, and rock climbing. Indulge in thrilling activities and witness the mesmerizing landscapes of Jodhpur from a different perspective. Challenge yourself and create unforgettable memories as you engage in these adrenaline-pumping adventures.
Conclusion:
Jodhpur, with its magnificent forts, vibrant markets, cultural festivals, and warm hospitality, offers a truly immersive experience. Whether you're exploring the architectural wonders, savoring delectable cuisine, or witnessing the vibrant traditions, Jodhpur never fails to captivate visitors with its unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. So, pack your bags and get ready to be enchanted by Blue City's timeless allure.

I haven’t even flirted for such a long time, and lately, during those boring lunches where people just talk about heiresses’ dogs’ illnesses (a Pomeranian dog shares all her illnesses with her owner) or gossip about some technocrat who has a limp and who may be cheating on his partner, and while rice with cod is served, I am asked “darling, are you dating yet?”. No, I am not, and here I am, mostly because dating apps are too dull – unfortunately the odds of being flashed by a Jewish 19 year-old from Manchester is smaller on these things, though sometimes you might have some luck and end up being insulted randomly by a Portuguese girl, who is visiting her uncle.
I do have names, and surnames, and I was born in a big city in Brazil. My sister used to describe our childhood address as “a building with cars and trees and buildings”, which is a rather good description of much of the city. For a while I wanted to join the seminary but after having to face the fact that this was an inadequate career choice considering I didn’t believe in God and had always found masses to be awfully boring (though fascinating at times – the priest at my childhood church used to go on long rants about things, of which there are many) often turning my back to see the watch, and so I chose the next best thing: I am studying sociology, which involves, in many ways, taking a vow of poverty. I also work at a small online newspaper so I am well informed on sub celebrities and local occurrences such as babies heroically rescued by policemen after choking on the thing babies eat. And yes, I write poetry sometimes.
I am fascinated fairly often by everything, or many things, at least so you won’t be bored. These last days I ended up reading a lot of things about Egypt after reading about Ottoman chief eunuchs being exiled to Cairo after their tenure. In general, I really enjoy the humanities. I follow politics keenly – in fact, there is some chance I might have some thoughts on your country’s politics – and I’d say I am on the centre-left – pro-choice, in favour of a robust welfare state, LGBTQ+ rights, affirmative action. If you know about Brazilian politics, I voted for Marina and Haddad in 2018 (the voting age here is 16), and Lula last year.
As you can imagine, I also really enjoy reading and writing. Besides poetry, I have often thought about writing a novel, but this seems like too much work – and it seems that it would be arrogant of me to write a novel having lived this little, though it wouldn't be uncommon. I really enjoy learning about other languages and cultures and I know a bit of French, German, Spanish, and Russian, besides English and Portuguese. I’d really like to learn Arabic and/or Mandarin. I am really into genealogy, and I know quite a bit about it. I often cry while watching dumb movies (I cried during Minions!) or listening to beautiful music; my music taste has been described as “fairly gay” and in movies as “slightly gay”.
I guess I am pretty introverted, polite, and timid (well, I am on here after all). I am affectionate and I can be really passionate as well. And I am fairly funny, or rather, I have made a few people laugh over the years. I asked a close friend to describe myself, and that is what he said:

I think you’re very communicative. Shrewd, funny, a good companion. Kind of withdrawn but not necessarily shy. You avoid conflict and unnecessary arguments, but love to participate in good conversations. I think you’re very kind too, besides being polite.

As for what I want to do with my life, I am unsure though I am inclined to go into academia. I have been considering applying to a PhD program in the U.S. after finishing my undergrad here in Brazil. My family does want me to go into their business, which is related to politics. I have also considered going into diplomacy.
Who am I looking for? I’d like someone curious about the world around her, and open-minded. The rest? Cultural differences can be interesting and I am open to converting (nominally?) to most world religions.
Some poems I really like:

• Litany for our lord Don Quixote by Ruben Dario
  
• Tobacco Shop by Fernando Pessoa
  
• Ash Wednesday by T. S. Eliot
  

Some songs I have been listening to:

• Ariana Grande - 7 Rings
  
• Rosalía - Delirio de Grandeza
  
• Pescado Rabioso - Cantata de Puentes Amarillos
  

Alright, listen up you keyboard smashing meta slaves. Let's rap about your LP addiction, shall we? So, you're thinking you're a hot shot by spamming those buffed up champions Riot throws at you like candies, huh? But hey, you're not fooling anyone with your 'oh look at my LP' charade. We see you. Yeah, we see you 'maining' a new champ every month, only to drop them faster than a hot potato when Riot nerfs 'em. Ever heard of commitment? Nah, I didn't think so. You're like that friend who changes their favorite band every week, and can't sing a full song to save their lives. So, keep your LP, my friends. I'd rather master one champ than be a jack of all trades, master of none. And remember, every time you spam that buffed champ, a Teemo shroom goes off in your base. Yeah, think about that.

I'm looking to unload a shit-ton of my old/vintage punk rock T-shirts and other clothes. What's the best place to sell? Best pricing, etc....OPINIONS ASSEMBLE!!!!!

• Total budget (in local currency) and country of purchase. Please do not use USD unless purchasing in the US:

Around $1000 (can go a little higher if needed)

• Are you open to refurbs/used?
  No
  
• How would you prioritize form factor (ultrabook, 2-in-1, etc.), build quality, performance, and battery life?
  

Performance, reliability

• How important is weight and thinness to you?
  Pretty important
  
• Do you have a preferred screen size? If indifferent, put N/A.
  

N/A but not small

• Are you doing any CAD/video editing/photo editing/gaming? List which programs/games you desire to run.

Enscape, Revit, other architecture programs.

• If you're gaming, do you have certain games you want to play? At what settings and FPS do you want?
  Just Minecraft or Sims and doesn’t have to be the best quality but it would be nice if the computer could run it.
  
• Any specific requirements such as good keyboard, reliable build quality, touch-screen, finger-print reader, optical drive or good input devices (keyboard/touchpad)?
  High quality screen (glass type of screen), thin to no frame on screen. It doesn’t matter if the keyboard has LEDs but not red preferably.
  
• Leave any finishing thoughts here that you may feel are necessary and beneficial to the discussion.
  I have the Acer Nitro 5 - 15.6" laptop right now and after 4 years of using it in school for my interior design programs it killed the battery and i had to buy a different charger with a higher power output and it has to stay in my laptop at all times or it dies ( it can go like two minutes without being plugged in) . Another thing i don’t like is that it’s bulky and the frame around the screen is pretty thick. It runs the programs pretty smoothly even though it’s old and has been running them for years which I appreciate. However it does get really loud and hot at times which i really hate.
  

The song is euphemistic, it might have a line like “we had each other on the rock while the spirits of the old gods watched”. Something like that. Definitely two people being in love in a lake surrounded by old gods or forest spirits/energies. Possibly the “Lady of the Lake”. Anything I search brings up Christian worship songs and it is definitely not that. Lord Huron, Bon Iver or Ben Howard vibes, but possibly more obscure

I recently made a few posts of my artwork and despite having 800+ followers, I get anywhere from 15-40 likes. I used to get a lot more, but I know the algorithm changed and there's a million rules to follow there, and even why I try to post my reel at 8AM with a trendy song, it doesn't always work out. I feel like no one is even seeing my work anymore, and I am definitely not alone in that. I know likes are a dumb thing to care about, but after spending weeks working on something hoping to show people when it's finished, it sucks when no one is seeing it. I'm feeling pretty discouraged about this and I want to know, where should I be showing my artwork?
I've heard TikTok, but I got even less engagement there. I show in galleries sometimes, but I can only do that if I am excepted and my work fits whatever theme. I sell my work at art markets, but I can only do 1-2 a month, and I only sell prints of my work that seem to get a good reaction from instagram (why this is even more of a problem). I don't know if I have enough work for a gallery showing, and that also takes a lot of time, effort, and money to possibly make happen, and even if it does, who will come if no one can see me promoting it on instagram?
Ultimately, we live in supposedly the best time for sharing stuff so easily on social media, but it all seems impossible to navigate anymore. Has anyone found anything that works for them where you can feel like you're getting yourself out there? Sorry about this rant.

Background

In case you haven’t heard, first of all, congratulations.
On July 1st, Reddit plans to change their API pricing structure to a model that will directly affect app developers, moderators, and third-party app users, among others.
Here is a link to an open letter by many of the moderators and communities on the platform in protest of the changes: https://www.reddit.com/ModCoord/comments/13xh1e7/an_open_letter_on_the_state_of_affairs_regarding/

How This Affects Us

The moderators of /MillionaireMakers use third-party apps to perform their moderation duties best on Reddit. Apollo in particular has been used to post on different accounts, post and sticky relevant threads and comments, access mod mail to communicate with winners, and monitor user activity on the subreddit, some of the features personally paid for to both support the developer and be able to moderate more effectively. It’s also a good app to browse Reddit with, the functionality is intuitive and the design combines the best of Reddit and iOS’s design language.
Another aspect that this could affect us is that the introduction to API pricing can now mean being charged to run an Entry Thread. I say could as our API usage in contrast to a third-party app is minuscule, both in scale and in frequency (occasional Decembers not withstanding). However, this is still a serious concern as currently the only financial costs of maintaining the subreddit have been in renewing the website running the mailing list.

How This Affects You

For you, if you use a third-party app like Apollo, Reddit Is Fun, and Sync, then the main way you use Reddit is going to be changed. You must use the official app to explore the platform, of which there could be features lacking in the official version and the potential for trackers. This also puts into risk other features that you may use, such as navigating on old.reddit.com to access the platform.
In addition, your moderators will not be able to moderate. People that rely on third-party apps to access Reddit and perform their moderation duties will find it much more cumbersome or even impossible, as there will undoubtedly be times where there is no easy access to a computer. You will see more spam and irrelevant content without the help of moderators.

What Are We Doing

First of all: We will not be putting our subreddit on private, nor will we cancel the Entry Thread!
We believe that setting this subreddit to private will be either ineffective or, more consequently, detrimental to what the subreddit stands for, and cancelling the Entry Thread, even moreso. Threads here are already limited as it is, with the only posts being from the mod team and from the winners. Additionally, a shutdown will prevent easy access to winner’s donation information.
However, we want to bring as much awareness to the issue as possible! We introduced the API changes when they were first announced as something we’d pay close attention to, we are currently making this Announcement thread expressing our solidarity with other subreddits, and we will once again highlight the issue come this month’s Entry Thread, which will take place as scheduled on June 16 at 23:00 UTC. The most unfortunate case scenario is for this issue to evolve into the new normal, and we want to do everything in our power to prevent that.

What Can You Do

If you’re a user, there are many things you can already do, such as spreading the word on a different platform or contacting the admins expressing your concerns. However, I would also like to encourage the idea of joining a new platform, even if at the moment there are not as many users as you’d expect there to be. After all, if you are the product, then it’d be a shame if there was no more product to go around. I’d recommend taking a look at Lemmy and Tildes. Note on Lemmy though, as you create your profile, use a less popular Lemmy instance such as sopuli.xyz or lemmy.one as the main instance is already sharing they’re experiencing server overload from the influx of people joining. Tildes also has a decently active subreddit as well over on /Tildes that you can access.
If you work in Reddit, please emphasize to the people around you how detrimental this can be for the health of the users and for the future of the platform. Reddit is not like Twitter, many users here actively participate in and read discussion, others volunteer their own free time out of passion for a community, and if an idea is popular, the community can band together to do incredible things. It is very possible for the people key to moderating on this platform to migrate away, thus introducing a host of problems that you all may not have even considered, and it may not be worth the risk of changing from the status quo into a structure that could have ramifications for communities on here.

Conclusion

We stand in support of subreddits for the ability to use third-party apps to perform our duties as moderators. We will continue to highlight this issue in the times to come. We encourage everyone possible to responsibly take action and see that a difference can be made.
As for the people working at Reddit, as moderators, we again implore you to think of the negative effects that the changes being brought can have as a whole. Moderators rely on these tools immensely and for them to be taken away can be incredibly detrimental. We appreciate your time and we hope that our actions all across the platform have helped you reconsider or become more active where you are.
Finally, thank you to the community at /MillionaireMakers for taking the time to read this. This is unprecedented for this subreddit, the last time there was a big non-traditional post was around the time of [Draw #73]. Thank you all for your kindness and your attention.
/MillionaireMakers Moderation Team

I beat the men again :) This was a super fun and well-run meet.
photo for cover

Background and training

I compete in USAWA, the US All-Round Weightlifting Association, best known for its many wacky odd lifts. This meet had just two official lifts, the Hackenschmidt Floor Press (a floor press done with the bar at 15" off the ground) and the Dinnie lift (weights in two stacks with ring handles, one heavier than the other, to mimic the famous Dinnie Stones of Scotland). After the competition was over, the organizer held a "record day" where lifters can pick anything they like from the rulebook and attempt to set or break records.
I've been competing in USAWA since 2019 and have been the undefeated women's champ at all the in-person meets I've done--although in many cases I was the only woman competing. Usually men and women are scored separately, but I asked ahead of time if the HackenDinnie organizer would be able to use a formula that combines men's and women's scores. Because, I told him, I'm competing to win. (He said yes.)

Meet prep

The first time I tried the floor press, I was only able to move 75 kilos (about 160 pounds). u/BenchPauper suggested using the Gillingham bench template to train it, which involved one day each week with a heavy single and backoff sets, and a second day with lighter lifts. After a few weeks I figured out the right grip width and bar placement and was able to hit 85 kilos (about 185 pounds). This remained my 1RM for the rest of training. I deviated from Gillingham in the last few weeks, but it was a solid structure to keep me in practice for most of my training time.
The Dinnie lift I've done before. Back in 2020 I got up to 503 pounds with straps. But in USAWA, no straps are allowed, nor even thumb tape. You just chalk up your hands and go for it. My best without straps had been 418 pounds.
When I trained the Dinnie lift, I kept getting little tweaks and aches and pains. One time I took two weeks off of Dinnie lifting because I was convinced I'd sprained my left ACL. (That's the ACL I tore and had reconstructed many years ago, so it kind of spooked me.) Later I had an issue with my hip. I was kinda bummed about all of this and didn't train this lift as heavy as I would have liked. Fortunately, by the time the meet rolled around everything was feeling better.
I had a total of 11 weeks between my last big weightlifting meet (Masters Nationals in olympic weightlifting) and the HackenDinnie. I did 3 days/week of normal weightlifting training, and 2 days where I practiced these two lifts and a few other lifts that I selected for the record portion. I pulled my last heavy Dinnie lift 8 days out, at about 440 pounds. My heaviest in the whole training cycle had been a hook grip PR at 470. On u/just-another-scrub's recommendation I bought a pair of Versa Gripps to get in more volume without worrying about my thumbs, but in the end my lower body injuries (or fear thereof) limited me more than my grip.

Meet day

I drove down to Kentucky for this one. The meet was held in Clint Poore's very nice garage gym and he put on an extremely well run meet. I refereed when I wasn't lifting.
The guys at the scoring table called me over to ask what my opener really was on the floor press--maybe it was my handwriting, or maybe they weren't expecting me to open at 180 pounds. Out of 11 people there, I was 4th to open on the floor press. And of 9 people who did the Dinnie lift, I was second-to-last to open. One lifter bumped up his own opener to match mine (430).

The lifts

Hackenschmidt floor press

• 180 pounds - good lift, and set a record in my weight class.
• 185 pounds - had to follow myself. Good lift and an all-time women's national record.
• 190 pounds - I believe I followed myself again. I didn't quite wait long enough for the down command, but got white lights and a warning.
• 200 pounds - 190 moved so easy I knew I had more in me, so I went for the big 2 hundo for a 4th attempt for record. Looking at the video I think I may have even had a bit more.

(This lift is not eligible for world records in our international organization, IAWA.)

Dinnie lift

Had to wait a while to open this one. My hands began to slip on my last warmup at 400, so I made a note to chalk the heck up and to believe in the magic of the taper.

• 430 pounds - good lift and set a record in my weight class.
• 480 pounds - good lift and beats the record in the 70kg weight class. (I had chosen to be in the 75 to make sure I wouldn't have to worry about whether I could beat this number--but here I am beating it anywaay.)
• 500 pounds - good lift and a women's all time national record.
• 510 pounds on a 4th attempt - good lift at a poundage that beats all the IAWA women's world records as well. Sound on for this one!

There are several women who have either lifted the real Dinnie stones or the Rogue replicas, at 734 pounds, so it's not a world best lift. But 510 is higher than any woman's Dinnie lift in our record books.
I also had the second-heaviest Dinnie lift (by raw poundage) of the 9 of us. The only person who lifted heavier than me was a highland games athlete who said he had planned to do 500/550/600 but bumped his attempts when he saw mine. He did 550, 650, and broke 700 off the ground but didn't get a complete lift. I pointed out that a 300+ kg lift is all you need to book an appointment to lift the actual Dinnie stones, so even though the competition was over at that point, everybody supported him to get his qualifying lift in. We loaded 671 pounds, weighed it out and documented the scale weight, and he pulled it to massive cheering.

Results

When age and bodyweight were taken into account, I had the 4th best total on points. Our international org, IAWA, uses a 1.33 multiplier for women when they combine men's and women's scores, so we did the same to determine the overall winner. That turned out to be me.
Honestly, I believe several of the men there were strong enough to beat me, but they weren't as familiar with the lifts and/or underestimated themselves when it came time to choose attempts. I, meanwhile, had been able to train on very similar equipment (I have Dinnie rings at home) and had a strong sense of what attempts would be strategic and doable for me. What can I say, I came to win!

Record portion

One of the first things the meet organizer showed me when I arrived that morning was a foot press he had just gotten. Sort of like a primitive leg press, but the idea is that you just need to break the weights off the supports (no need to fully lock out your legs). I almost couldn't reach the footplate, but with my heeled lifting shoes on I was able to participate.
The foot press had 350 pounds on it when I first gave it a try. I lifted that, and so did a bunch of other folks. Then four more plates got piled on, and we all did 530. Next up, a bunch of the guys did 580. When it was my turn, I said...well, why not 600? So that was my third. And I finished up with a 4th attempt at 700. Felt that one in my shin bones (ew), but no problem lifting it.
I also did a clean rack Sots press (James Lift is the USAWA name). 75, 80, and set a record and a small PR at 85 pounds.
I had planned to do a snatch, but there were no weightlifting bars in the place, and I forgot how weird it is to have a bar without your usual landmarks and to have so much knurling. I scraped up my legs enough on the Sots press that I scratched the idea of snatching with it.
Somewhere in there I took a first attempt at a normal bench press (IAWA/world lift but not USAWA lift). Did 150 pounds, then got distracted and never bothered to come back for more.
It was kind of chaotic, okay? At some point I stumbled across an axle loaded with 275 pounds. Pulled that for a beltless deadlift, because I didn't have my belt on when I impulsively grabbed it and told a ref to watch me. One attempt one record. Moving on.
Last one was an Apollon's Lift, which is just an axle press anyhow. I have not attempted to clean an axle in years and kind of forgot how. I no-contact power cleaned it and then did a split jerk at 115 pounds. Easy. So I went 135 next, couldn't remember how to clean it, managed to get it up to my shoulders continental style, then shit the bed on the jerk. I'm for sure good for more if I practice this someday. But the record book had a blank space on that, so 115 was good enough.

Aftermath

I'm working toward getting into the Century Club of people with 100 or more records. (We love our records in USAWA. The Century Club has many members, in part because you can keep setting different age group records as you get older.) I'm on track to make it this year.
Next meet is USAWA nationals in Missouri in three weeks, so once I recover I'll jump right back into training. I've actually taken two whole days off from training so far, which is weird for me. Stay tuned for the next meet, which includes a Steinborn squat and a hip lift, among other things.
I'm not always sore after meets, but mannn is my body feeling this one. Everything hurts, including some bruising on the back of my leg and a superficial skin tear on top of my thumb from hook gripping so hard. Still have never torn a callus on my palms or fingers. File those suckers down, kids.
PS. I'm lifting the real things someday. Only 224 pounds to go.
Happy to answer questions about joining us at USAWA meets. They're for everyone (my daughter even lifted at Nationals at 6 years old) and are always a blast.

So I started to watch some old novelas and now I am rewatching "Marimar" , a novela I saw when I was a kid. The plot in kind of dumb but it's a fun watch but what catch me by surprise is how good actor the dog pulgoso. The dog is literally the best actor of the novela, so obedient and smart!
So this novela is 30y old already and I am thinking to watch more stuff with this dog, such a good actor he must had appearances in other novelas or movies.

I beat the men again :) This was a super fun and well-run meet.
photo for cover

Background and training

I compete in USAWA, the US All-Round Weightlifting Association, best known for its many wacky odd lifts. This meet had just two official lifts, the Hackenschmidt Floor Press (a floor press done with the bar at 15" off the ground) and the Dinnie lift (weights in two stacks with ring handles, one heavier than the other, to mimic the famous Dinnie Stones of Scotland). After the competition was over, the organizer held a "record day" where lifters can pick anything they like from the rulebook and attempt to set or break records.
I've been competing in USAWA since 2019 and have been the undefeated women's champ at all the in-person meets I've done--although in many cases I was the only woman competing. Usually men and women are scored separately, but I asked ahead of time if the HackenDinnie organizer would be able to use a formula that combines men's and women's scores. Because, I told him, I'm competing to win. (He said yes.)

Meet prep

The first time I tried the floor press, I was only able to move 75 kilos (about 160 pounds). u/BenchPauper suggested using the Gillingham bench template to train it, which involved one day each week with a heavy single and backoff sets, and a second day with lighter lifts. After a few weeks I figured out the right grip width and bar placement and was able to hit 85 kilos (about 185 pounds). This remained my 1RM for the rest of training. I deviated from Gillingham in the last few weeks, but it was a solid structure to keep me in practice for most of my training time.
The Dinnie lift I've done before. Back in 2020 I got up to 503 pounds with straps. But in USAWA, no straps are allowed, nor even thumb tape. You just chalk up your hands and go for it. My best without straps had been 418 pounds.
When I trained the Dinnie lift, I kept getting little tweaks and aches and pains. One time I took two weeks off of Dinnie lifting because I was convinced I'd sprained my left ACL. (That's the ACL I tore and had reconstructed many years ago, so it kind of spooked me.) Later I had an issue with my hip. I was kinda bummed about all of this and didn't train this lift as heavy as I would have liked. Fortunately, by the time the meet rolled around everything was feeling better.
I had a total of 11 weeks between my last big weightlifting meet (Masters Nationals in olympic weightlifting) and the HackenDinnie. I did 3 days/week of normal weightlifting training, and 2 days where I practiced these two lifts and a few other lifts that I selected for the record portion. I pulled my last heavy Dinnie lift 8 days out, at about 440 pounds. My heaviest in the whole training cycle had been a hook grip PR at 470. On u/just-another-scrub's recommendation I bought a pair of Versa Gripps to get in more volume without worrying about my thumbs, but in the end my lower body injuries (or fear thereof) limited me more than my grip.

Meet day

I drove down to Kentucky for this one. The meet was held in Clint Poore's very nice garage gym and he put on an extremely well run meet. I refereed when I wasn't lifting.
The guys at the scoring table called me over to ask what my opener really was on the floor press--maybe it was my handwriting, or maybe they weren't expecting me to open at 180 pounds. Out of 11 people there, I was 4th to open on the floor press. And of 9 people who did the Dinnie lift, I was second-to-last to open. One lifter bumped up his own opener to match mine (430).

The lifts

Hackenschmidt floor press

• 180 pounds - good lift, and set a record in my weight class.
• 185 pounds - had to follow myself. Good lift and an all-time women's national record.
• 190 pounds - I believe I followed myself again. I didn't quite wait long enough for the down command, but got white lights and a warning.
• 200 pounds - 190 moved so easy I knew I had more in me, so I went for the big 2 hundo for a 4th attempt for record. Looking at the video I think I may have even had a bit more.

(This lift is not eligible for world records in our international organization, IAWA.)

Dinnie lift

Had to wait a while to open this one. My hands began to slip on my last warmup at 400, so I made a note to chalk the heck up and to believe in the magic of the taper.

• 430 pounds - good lift and set a record in my weight class.
• 480 pounds - good lift and beats the record in the 70kg weight class. (I had chosen to be in the 75 to make sure I wouldn't have to worry about whether I could beat this number--but here I am beating it anywaay.)
• 500 pounds - good lift and a women's all time national record.
• 510 pounds on a 4th attempt - good lift at a poundage that beats all the IAWA women's world records as well. Sound on for this one!

There are several women who have either lifted the real Dinnie stones or the Rogue replicas, at 734 pounds, so it's not a world best lift. But 510 is higher than any woman's Dinnie lift in our record books.
I also had the second-heaviest Dinnie lift (by raw poundage) of the 9 of us. The only person who lifted heavier than me was a highland games athlete who said he had planned to do 500/550/600 but bumped his attempts when he saw mine. He did 550, 650, and broke 700 off the ground but didn't get a complete lift. I pointed out that a 300+ kg lift is all you need to book an appointment to lift the actual Dinnie stones, so even though the competition was over at that point, everybody supported him to get his qualifying lift in. We loaded 671 pounds, weighed it out and documented the scale weight, and he pulled it to massive cheering.

Results

When age and bodyweight were taken into account, I had the 4th best total on points. Our international org, IAWA, uses a 1.33 multiplier for women when they combine men's and women's scores, so we did the same to determine the overall winner. That turned out to be me.
Honestly, I believe several of the men there were strong enough to beat me, but they weren't as familiar with the lifts and/or underestimated themselves when it came time to choose attempts. I, meanwhile, had been able to train on very similar equipment (I have Dinnie rings at home) and had a strong sense of what attempts would be strategic and doable for me. What can I say, I came to win!

Record portion

One of the first things the meet organizer showed me when I arrived that morning was a foot press he had just gotten. Sort of like a primitive leg press, but the idea is that you just need to break the weights off the supports (no need to fully lock out your legs). I almost couldn't reach the footplate, but with my heeled lifting shoes on I was able to participate.
The foot press had 350 pounds on it when I first gave it a try. I lifted that, and so did a bunch of other folks. Then four more plates got piled on, and we all did 530. Next up, a bunch of the guys did 580. When it was my turn, I said...well, why not 600? So that was my third. And I finished up with a 4th attempt at 700. Felt that one in my shin bones (ew), but no problem lifting it.
I also did a clean rack Sots press (James Lift is the USAWA name). 75, 80, and set a record and a small PR at 85 pounds.
I had planned to do a snatch, but there were no weightlifting bars in the place, and I forgot how weird it is to have a bar without your usual landmarks and to have so much knurling. I scraped up my legs enough on the Sots press that I scratched the idea of snatching with it.
Somewhere in there I took a first attempt at a normal bench press (IAWA/world lift but not USAWA lift). Did 150 pounds, then got distracted and never bothered to come back for more.
It was kind of chaotic, okay? At some point I stumbled across an axle loaded with 275 pounds. Pulled that for a beltless deadlift, because I didn't have my belt on when I impulsively grabbed it and told a ref to watch me. One attempt one record. Moving on.
Last one was an Apollon's Lift, which is just an axle press anyhow. I have not attempted to clean an axle in years and kind of forgot how. I no-contact power cleaned it and then did a split jerk at 115 pounds. Easy. So I went 135 next, couldn't remember how to clean it, managed to get it up to my shoulders continental style, then shit the bed on the jerk. I'm for sure good for more if I practice this someday. But the record book had a blank space on that, so 115 was good enough.

Aftermath

I'm working toward getting into the Century Club of people with 100 or more records. (We love our records in USAWA. The Century Club has many members, in part because you can keep setting different age group records as you get older.) I'm on track to make it this year.
Next meet is USAWA nationals in Missouri in three weeks, so once I recover I'll jump right back into training. I've actually taken two whole days off from training so far, which is weird for me. Stay tuned for the next meet, which includes a Steinborn squat and a hip lift, among other things.
I'm not always sore after meets, but mannn is my body feeling this one. Everything hurts, including some bruising on the back of my leg and a superficial skin tear on top of my thumb from hook gripping so hard. Still have never torn a callus on my palms or fingers. File those suckers down, kids.
PS. I'm lifting the real things someday. Only 224 pounds to go.
Happy to answer questions about joining us at USAWA meets. They're for everyone (my daughter even lifted at Nationals at 6 years old) and are always a blast.

So to add some context my ex partner and I have had our dog since he was a puppy is now 2 yrs old he's a German Shepherd Cross husky, so we received him from my parents after there dogs had there first litter, now he was a very spoilt boy as he was my ex's first dog so well looked after and well cared for.
Recently my ex and I split up but were still living together and she would disappear for days and come home smelling like another dog and I noticed the change in him as the behaviour he show mum mostly suddenly would only show me he was always a mummas boy but couldn't care less about mum now (he used to give her cuddles and sit over her lap even though he is much to big but then wouldn't do it with mum any longer and would only do the behaviour that he used to with mum with me now) so we have now moved away and I've been left with him, he's my best buddy and my life wouldn't be the same without him. But it seams my ex replaced him completely as she was at her new mans place and getting his dogs sent all over her and he picked up on it from before we moved away and his behaviour changed from what it used to be, so we have moved she with her new guy and his dog and im now I back with my parents with him. He's been spending lots of time with his biological parents (my parents dogs) and he loves it, it's so great to see him happy and playing with them but every time I go into the back yard to play with them all he loses his shit and won't let either of the other to dogs near me he constantly barks, growls and chases them away from me.
Has my ex really traumatised my dog so much and given him abandonment issue that he won't let another dog near me, then gets aggressive if I come near him if he's around another dog that when I'm not around hes friendly and play with them.
Just after some advice for what I can do as I do think this behaviour is healthy as we go to the beach and dog parks often, what can I do to get his behaviour back to normal where he's not gonna be aggressive or has my ex messed his mental state to much where this is gonna be the new norm ( I understand he is afraid to lose me like he lost his mum which I won't happen let happen)
P.S. As I do want to get him a friend to play with once we move again and get back on our feet but i dont want to get another dog if he's gonna be aggressive towards it. Advice would be grateful

Greetings.
I'm buying appliances for the new home and I have a friend that wants to upgrade his Miele H6461BP oven to a more professional one and he asked me if I want his current one. We haven't discussed price yet; I know he paid a bit over 2k Euros for it, so I'm considering spending 1k tops. The oven is 3-4 years old, but he's crazy for cleanliness, so I'm at ease in that regards.
I'm aware of the quality of Miele products, I'm curious if a used one is worth more than a new high end normal brand (Electrolux, Samsung etc) one?
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On the topic of Miele, I'm also looking for washmachines, but it's so overwhelming with so many models and programs that use max load only at a certain temp and 5h of wash...
Do you think buying an entry level Miele (eg WSA033 7kg 1400 rpm) is better than Electrolux 900 series (10 kg 1600 rpm) or any other top series machine from another brand?
Please keep in mind that it would be easy to just buy the best, but unfortunately atm I can't. I'm already over 90% more cost than I wanted to spend on the house, I want to move in a couple of months and I can't without some mandatory appliances.
Thank you.

Hey guys,
I'm a producer and I mainly record Pop Punk/Alternative Hardcore bands.
Until then, the only bass I used for recording was a Music Man Stingray borrowed from a friend, and with fresh strings before every session, it got me very close to the sound I want to achieve (Blink 182, BMTH, Linkin Park type sound.)
By the end of the month, I won't have access to that bass anymore.
I got two basses, a basic affinity Squier P-bass that I don't really ever use, and an active Charvel Jackson 3b from the late 80s.
The Charvel feels like a really solid bass, it was a gift from a musician friend, it sat unused for a decade before he gifted it to me. I never got it set up, never even changed strings since then. I tried recording it but couldn't really get close to that growly SVT Mark Hoppus, Linkin Park style sound. It always felt kind of weak and sloppy. The pickups are 35 years old, maybe they're starting to die?
Do you think getting it set up + fresh strings could get me close to the sound I'm looking for? Honestly, I'm not a bassist so I'm a bit confused, It's a bass from the 80s so maybe it's just not the right bass, but I would love for it to work because feel-wise, it's one of the best bass I've handled!
Thanks, here's a photo of a Charvel 3B :)
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Hi everybody here, hope you're all good, and have a hell of a ride! So I am experienced User, 23 years old austrian guy, and it has been a long time since my last solo trip. Therefore I want to get the best out of it, and wanted to ask you guys for precise advise on how to plan all of this. There is still plenty of time to make plan, so how should I organize it and to have a really good time? Thank you very much guys

Does anyone ever feel like they have missed out on alot just by becoming a mom at a young age?
Let me explain. I'm 36 years old, and have 4 kids. My oldest is 15 and my youngest will be 8 next week. When I had my oldest, I had just turned 21.
At the time, I was working from job to job, just to make ends meet. I didn't finish high school, I ran away from home at 16 (that's a long story, but leaving got me out of that situation, and it was better for my mental health) I was mostly partying when I wasn't working, just to not feel anything anymore.
When I got pregnant with my son, things changed. I stopped getting high and started taking care of myself. I got pregnant within 2 months of meeting my husband (we're common law)
At the time he was on call for a moving company. Not long before I gave birth to our son, he decided to quit.
We wound up moving to a bigger city next to us. To be able to have more job opportunities. I never went back to work. I stayed home with our son to avoid daycare costs, and then I got pregnant with our second child... The last 3 kids were all born within 6 years of each other.
Now, all of the kids are old enough to fend for themselves a bit. I'm still at home, here just to go pick them up for lunch and bring them back to school. I don't drive... Some days I hate walking around everywhere (he doesn't have his license either)
My husband has been working for a landlord for the past 13 years... I'm his 'assistant' but to be honest, I hate the job. It doesn't pay me as well as it should.
When I talk to him about going back to school, he shuts me down, telling me that at my age it's really stupid with 4 kids to want to go back to school, and that if it's something I really wanted to do, I should have done it before having kids. When I talk to him about going back to work, finding a real job, he tells me that he won't be able to get certain tax returns if I go back to work... Part of me hates my life. This sucks. I don't go out, haven't bought myself anything new in years.... I'm always last. For everything and everyone.
I can't even follow people I went to school with on social media. Most of them have gone to university and have incredible careers.... Whereas, I have nothing. I live in a 2 bedroom apartment and I sleep on a pull out couch with my husband. I feel like I failed myself somewhere along the way....
Does anyone else feel that way? Like they've missed out on the best years of their lives?

Hi all,
Renovating a small bathroom on the second floor of our 1885 farm-house in Michigan. Pretty much decided on a shower insert for ease of install and cost reasons... going with a direct to stud type mainly for space constraint issues. The shower will be installed on an exterior wall corner, with the third wall of the shower being one that I will build with the plumbing in it. There is a window very close to one of the corners, which is why i decided on a direct to stud insert; once the plaster and lath is removed from the shower area, I should be able to fit the insert with a comfortable gap between it and the window trim.
This brings me to my biggest question on the whole project. I'm obviously going to be removing some lath/plaster from an old wall. I plan to re-insulate the wall as best as I can with Rockwool wherever the existing injected foam isn't still present, but should I also include some type of vapor barrier before installing the insert? I hear that it's sometimes skipped on these old houses when walls are opened up, but that also seems to be mostly for full-house jobs and/or when original wood siding is still present. I'm only doing a 30x48x80 inch section, and the house has replacement vinyl siding with the original wood siding all removed.
Other things to consider: - Home is almost certainly baloon-framed, and this project is on the second floor, so how much good would a vapor barrier actually do here? - The rest of the room is the original horse-hair plaster and wood lath. In this bathroom (and most of the rest of the house), someone has already installed 3/8 drywall over top of the plaster as well - There is angled ceiling above the shower from one of the walls, and this is the original plaster that I wasn't planning on opening up; this will not get the vapor barrier.
I'd love to hear some opinions here, thanks for your time!