South city kitchen avalon

That was the first thing Stella asked me as she settled in at the table.
I looked around the diner. It was two in the morning. The place was mostly empty.
“What do you mean?”
“How many people are in here right now? Besides us,” she said.
“Maybe five, six,” I replied.
Stella’s lips trembled. “How many people are in the room exactly?”
She was terrified.
I counted. The waiter, the old man staring into a bowl of soup by the door, the two young women coming down from a night of partying over pancakes, the guy in a ballcap trying to cut through his overcooked steak, and the middle-aged woman in a pea-green overcoat.
“Six,” I said. “Six people.”
Stella instantly relaxed. “Thank you.”
Stella and I hadn’t seen each other in five months. I was in school out of state and was home for the summer. Stella had gotten into a good university but her sister, Anne, had died in a car wreck two weeks before she went off to school. The death hit her hard. Real hard.
I wasn’t sure why she’d called me. I doubted it was to catch up and it certainly wasn’t to party. Stella knew I abstained from everything. For me, that decision was the end result of being raised by verbally abusive alcoholics and knowing the genetic odds.
Stella looked rough. Not strung out but existentially exhausted. There were scars on her hands, bruises mottling her tattooed forearms, and some unusual scarification marks on her neck. Two of them, they looked like clumsy Zs but reversed as if done in a mirror.
Stella’s friend Cory had dropped her off at the diner about thirty minutes before I'd gotten there. I didn’t know him well but what I did know, I didn’t like.
“So, how’re you holding up?” I asked.
Stella didn’t answer.
The waiter appeared and Stella looked him over cautiously before she ordered a black coffee and a slice of blueberry pie.
I got a hot tea and a side of fries, though I wasn’t exactly hungry.
We sat in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes before Stella, staring down at her hands, asked, “What’s the worst thing you ever did?”
I shrugged, said, “Lied to people. Lied to get out of things. Mostly to my friends, in high school. But I’ve changed. I don’t do that anymore. Oh, I also shoplifted once. A pair of socks.”
Stella laughed.
That’s when the waiter reappeared with our drinks and food. Stella jumped. Her eyes wide. Face flushed. The other people in the diner turned and looked but did nothing.
“You alright?” The waiter asked, weirded out.
Taking a deep breath, Stella slowly sat back down.
“Yeah, sorry,” she said. “I just… just it’s been a long night.”
The waiter shook his head as he put the stuff down. When he left, Stella sipped her coffee and then she looked over the mug at me, her eyes tearing.
“I did the worst thing you can do. I tried to kill someone.”
I wasn’t sure I heard her correctly.
“What?”
Stella nodded; eyes locked on mine. “A jogger. Cory and me hit him with the car.”
“Oh my God. When did this—”
“On my way here.”
The blood drained from my face.
“We should call the cops. He could still be there, hurt and—"
“Don’t bother,” she interrupted, “we went back and checked on him. There was no jogger.”
“What’s that fucking mean?”
I was starting to lose it.
“Please don’t start playing games with me,” I said. “I don’t want to hear this sort of bullshit.”
“Isn’t bullshit,” Stella replied. “Ask Cory.”
I didn’t want to call Cory.
Stella said, “I didn’t actually see the jogger. Cory did. That’s how I knew. So, I asked him exactly where the man was and I grabbed the wheel and Cory screamed at me as I made the car slam into the guy. Sent him flying. Like it mattered. Cory hit the brakes hard. He was losing it, talking about going to prison and his life being over. But I told him not to worry. That pissed him off something bad. When he got out of the car to go help the jogger, he just froze up, because there was no one there. Road was empty. Me, I expected that.”
She took another sip of coffee and poked at the slice of pie with her fork, stabbing the crust and examining the blue-tinged tines in the dull fluorescent light.
“See, it can look just like a person. Could be any age. Dressed any sort of way. It talks like a person. Eats, drinks, does all the regular sorts of things people do. Doesn’t exactly sound threatening, I know, but wait for the twist: I can’t see it. This thing pretending to be a person, it’s invisible to me. But you, you and everyone else… you can see it.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about…” And I didn’t.
Stella finally looked up at me.
“Two weeks ago, we were tripping. Me and Cory and this woman named Genevieve. She was the guide. This was at Cory’s house, on the deck. We dropped N-Bomb, that synthetic MDMA stuff. We’d been using hallucinogens and trying to explore an inner mental space. Tripping together, sharing the same imagery. It’s crazy how, if you’re in sync, like emotionally and mentally, you can basically travel together. I know how it sounds; I do. But… it was really working for us. We were… I’d guess you’d describe it something like astral traveling. We’d built this architecture, this city, in our minds and then explored it. Mostly it was made of shifting, beautiful buildings. Structures that rose over us like mountain ranges. And, uh, in this mental city, that’s where we came across it.”
The diner door chimed as the two young women having pancakes left.
Stella watched them go, then turned back to me.
I didn’t need an explanation.
“There are four people in here now,” I said.
She nodded, sipped more coffee, and then continued.
“Well, this night, we traveled deeper into the city than we’d ever been before. We ended up in a tower. Had a spiral staircase. We all went up to the top floor and found a locked door –”
“You’re all seeing the same thing?” I interrupted, not buying the experience.
“Yes,” Stella’s demeanor had intensified, the twitchiness melted away. “We all saw it.”
“OK.”
“So, we get to this door. It’s a metal door. Dented, but from the inside. Bulging out. Like someone was kicking the door, trying to smash it down. Genevieve, she got scared. Told us to not open that door. To stay far away from it. She said a voyager was on the other side.”
“Voyager?”
“That’s what Genevieve called it. Being a guide, she knew the sort of constructions we were exploring. She’d seen doors like this one. And she’d been warned about the voyagers. The way she told it, they were like us… explorers in inner space but not from our reality. From another one. A bad one. But long story short, I opened the door.”
“Why would you do that?”
Stella stirred her coffee, lost in thought for a second.
As she did, one of the cooks quietly came out from the kitchen and sat at the counter. He flicked through a newspaper someone had left and glanced over at me. He nodded, gave a little smile. I wondered if he’d made the fries I wasn’t eating.
“After Cory and Genevieve drifted away,” Stella continued, still staring at her drink, “I heard a voice on the other side of the door. My sister’s voice. She was begging. Pleading with me to let her out. I swear it was her. So, I opened that metal door.”
Feeling the stare of the cook, I ate a few of the fries. They were cold, soggy.
“What happened?” I asked Stella.
“When I opened it, something suddenly brushed past me. Something clammy, cold. It touched me, very briefly. There was pain…” Stella unconsciously motioned to the Z scars on her neck, then continued. “Anyway, there wasn’t a room on the other side of the door. Just a void. A deep emptiness. When the trip was over, I immediately felt a change. I felt… like I was being watched. The whole rest of that night, the next day, the next week, something was following me. A shadow. A presence. And I knew, I just deep in my gut knew, that if it caught up with me, if it touched me again, I would die.”
She kept stabbing at her slice of pie. Breaking the crust, letting the congealed blueberries slowly tumble out in a little landslide of jelly.
“You told me that you can’t see this thing, Stella.”
The door to the diner opened and two men in work overalls walked in, each holding a hard hat. Their clothes dusty. Stella suddenly straightened in her chair.
“Two men just walked into the diner, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah, just those two guys.”
Stella settled.
“Why me?” I asked. “Why did you want to meet? To tell me this?”
Stella smiled. First time she’d done that all night. “Because I knew you’d believe me.”
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly, impossibly dry.
“You’ve been a good friend,” Stella blinked away welling emotion. “In high school, when things got bad. With… with boyfriends or assholes, you were the one I could confide in. The one that trusted me. The one that, no matter what I did, no matter how stupid it was… you were there for me. A shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold…”
And she reached across the table and took my hand.
Squeezed it. Tight.
Truth was, I’d had a crush on Stella most of high school. She was a friend, for sure. And, for a while, a good friend. I liked being that rock for her. But I’d always hoped for more. Like most friendships, it began with a one-sided attraction. Mine. And even though I hadn’t seen her in half a year, those feelings remained. Dormant but there. Waiting to be awakened.
As Stella held my hand and smiled, I noticed… I felt, her fingernail tracing something on the inside of my palm. At first slight, just a little pressure. Only, it got sharper until—
“Ouch. Shit!”
I pulled my hand away to find Stella had cut me. She’d sliced a shape with her sharp pinkie nail into my skin. It was a backward letter Z. Like the ones on her neck. A ribbon of blood began to well up from the center of the small cut.
“What the hell, Stella?”
She just shook her head and stood up, backing away from the table, repeating over and over, “I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I had to, OK? I had to…”
“Had to what? Hurt me?” I was furious, confused.
Everyone in the diner turned to watch us. Only the cook got up from his place at the counter and walked over, eager to lend a hand.
I waved him away. “It’s OK. I got it under control.”
That was when Stella broke, her voice barely a whisper, “What?”
“I told him I got it.”
She went pale. “WHO?! Who’d you tell?”
“The cook!” I yelled. “He’s just trying to help you.”
“THERE IS NO COOK! No one’s there!”
Stella began shrieking, scrambling backward. She slammed into a nearby table. Chairs fell over. Silverware scattered.
“No, no!” she yelled. “No one’s there!”
The cook kneeled down beside Stella and, for a split second, bewildered as I was, I honestly thought he was going to help her up.
He didn’t.
Instead, he leaned in close to her. She was crying and shaking and clearly couldn’t see him. The cook turned to me, nodded with a sick grin, and then opened his mouth wide to reveal jumbled, bloody gums filled with jagged teeth.
He tore her throat out with a single bite.
And as Stella’s blood pumped out across the linoleum flooring, the cook vanished. Not a slow fade. Not dissolving into mist. Just there one second and gone the next.
Someone screamed, I think it was the woman in the pea-green overcoat.
Afterward, when the cops came, a story emerged. All the other people in the diner that night, they said Stella cut her own throat with a knife. Where she got the knife from and where it went, they didn’t know.
They also said that the cook had tried to help her. That he attempted to close the wound and save her life. The cops couldn’t find him after the EMTs got there. When I went back to the diner the next day to ask about what happened, the waiter claimed they didn’t even have a cook who resembled the man I described. The man I saw.
It was as if, after Stella’s death, all the details of her demise began to unravel. Like the universe was erasing her from existence entirely.
And now, the voyager – whatever it is – has come for me.
It’s been five days since Stella died in that diner.
Five days I’ve been haunted and hunted. I tracked down Cory and he led me to Genevieve. She told me what fate awaited me. According to her, voyagers use the symbol – the backward Zs that were on Stella’s neck, the one she scratched into my flesh – to track their victims down.
Stella, I guess she thought she could trick the voyager into taking me instead of her.
It didn’t work.
And now she’s doomed me.
It’s just a matter of time before there’s an extra person, a person I can’t see, sitting across from me on a bus or walking behind me on the street.
Right now, I’m in my bedroom at my parent’s house.
I haven’t left in forty-eight hours and they’re getting worried about me. They’d heard I lost a friend – though they can’t seem to recall anyone named Stella going to high school with me – and so they’re being compassionate and letting me stay cooped up.
But they’ve told me I’ve had visitors. Folks stopping by unannounced. Folks who, when I crane my neck out my window to catch a glimpse of them standing on the porch, aren’t there at all. Just my parents talking, gesturing, into empty space.
I’m going to have to leave this room eventually.
That or my parents will get worried enough that they’ll have me helped out, likely to the hospital. And when I get there, I’ll be asking the same questions Stella did.
How many people are in here right now?
How many exactly?

Rockstar Games can't release Grand Theft Auto VI fast enough, though as we eagerly (and impatiently) await for the next installment in the long-running GTA franchise, fan made trailers have us drooling at what the actual product could look like. The latest one comes from TeaserPlay, which used Unreal Engine 5 to render several different locations in stunning detail.
The actual game isn't likely to use UE5. Rumor has it that Rockstar Games is leaning on its own proprietary RAGE9 graphics engine, and that's both plausible and, in our opinion, very likely to be true. TeaserPlay acknowledges this in the description to its concept trailer, suggesting it wanted to render several possible locations in UE5 so we'd have something to compare with down the line.
Check it out below...
Play
In the order they appear, the trailer showcases Vice City, San Fierro, Las Venturas, and Liberty City. The shots inside what appears to be a high-rise apartment complex in Las Venturas look especially crisp as the camera pans over a carpet and into a kitchen island with some veggies and pasta in the background, though it's far from the only scene that stands out.
"I/we use the most powerful features of Unreal Engine, such as ray tracing, lumen, nanite [virtualized geometry], screen ppace reflections, and MetaHuman so that the graphics are as close as possible to a next-gen sandbox game," TeaserPlay states.
There are a ton of leaks and rumors surrounding GTA 6. One of the more recent ones suggest there will be at least two playable protagonists, one of which is a Latina woman. The franchise hasn't featured a playable female character in a long time.
Rockstar Games has been rather short on details for the next installment, though it has at least confirmed that GTA 6 is in development.
"With the unprecedented longevity of GTA V, we know many of you have been asking us about a new entry in the Grand Theft Auto series," the devloper shared in a blog post last February. "With every new project we embark on, our goal is always to significantly move beyond what we have previously delivered—and we are pleased to confirm that active development for the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series is well underway."
No release date has been mentioned, though Rockstar Games will share its next earnings report in early August. It's possible we will get an update at that time.

One of the most exciting aspects of a new GTA game is the potential for a new map. While there have been no official announcements about the GTA 6 map, there have been several rumors and speculations about what it could look like.
One popular theory is that the game will be set in Vice City, which was featured in GTA Vice City and GTA Vice City Stories. If this is the case, the map would likely be based on Miami, Florida, and could feature iconic landmarks such as the South Beach Art Deco district, the Miami skyline, and the Everglades.
Another theory is that the game could feature multiple cities, similar to GTA San Andreas. This could mean that the game could be set in multiple locations, such as Vice City, Liberty City, and a fictional version of Rio de Janeiro.
It's also possible that the game could feature a brand new location that hasn't been seen in the series before. This could be an exciting prospect as it would give players a completely new environment to explore.
Regardless of what the map looks like, it's safe to say that it will be massive in size and filled with a variety of different environments, from sprawling cities to dense forests to sandy beaches.
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【Naked-eye 3D】
From the 3D wave screen of the SM Building in South Korea this year, which sparked discussions across the Internet, to the popularity of naked-eye 3D curved LED screens in Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou and other places, these realistic display effects have refreshed the public’s understanding of naked-eye 3D display technology.
Glasses-free 3D screens from all over the world have been added to tourists’ online celebrity check-in packages, becoming a classic case of outdoor advertising, and “glasses-free 3D” has quickly become a hot word in the industry. All the stunning display effects are inseparable from the support of technology, and the following will reveal the birth of the miracle for everyone.
How to achieve such a realistic 3D effect?
As we all know, our human brain is an extremely complicated nervous system. Everything that human eyes usually see is three-dimensional. Two pictures with subtle differences, this subtle difference allows the brain to convert the spatial coordinates of objects in the direction of disappearance of sight, and we can also use this feeling to distinguish the distance and size of objects, that is, Three-dimensional sense, that is, the sense of three-dimensional space.
Generally, the basic principle of 3D display utilization, such as 3D movies, is to separate the content for the left and right eyes of the viewer through glasses or other devices, so that the two glasses can obtain images for the left and right eyes respectively, and finally to What is presented in the mind is the feeling of 3D images.
How to make a flat animation produce a 3D effect?
Just make good use of references. We divide the ordinary picture into several layers through the white line, and then make the animation part “break through” the white line and cover other elements of the layer, so that the parallax of the eyes can be used to form the illusion of 3D.
The naked-eye 3D screen is controlled by professional playback software for naked-eye 3D video production. The naked-eye 3D production can be synchronized with the sound to realize the perfect harmony and unity of “sound, light and image”, bringing tourists super visual impact and shocking force, and more To a large extent, it attracts people to stop and watch!
It is used in sightseeing spots, large commercial plazas, shopping malls and exhibition halls and other places. Highlight individual culture, achieve city landmarks, and win unlimited business opportunities. At the same time, it also adds to the prosperity of the city, enhances the image and influence of the city, shapes the visual culture of the city, and enhances the comprehensive competitiveness of the city.
Three Values of Glasses-free 3D Cultural Advertising Screen

1. New cultural front

Every creative naked-eye 3D project will form an exclusive customized plan, using avant-garde techniques and gorgeous video effects to visualize abstract thoughts and cultures, and visually display them through new media technology to fully demonstrate individual cultural characteristics. Help the government build a new cultural front.

1. Urban digital art

Glasses-free 3D video production combines the basic elements and symbols of architecture on the basis of architecture or landscape to seek the best visual language. From the perspective of art and aesthetics, LED display elements are perfectly integrated with architecture and further beautified and improved to achieve value sublimation , the achievement of urban landmark digital art.

1. Traditional advertising screen upgrade

The naked-eye LED display project of Fanzhuo Technology, combined with the unique building, is bound to attract more eyeballs, attract a large number of people here, bring unlimited business opportunities, and is an upgrade to traditional advertising screens.
Application scenarios of naked-eye 3D cultural advertising screen
Exhibition field (construction of large venues, exhibition activities, science and technology museums, museums, real estate)
Cultural tourism lighting field (outdoor projection, multimedia drama, themed water show, cliff projection, live performance)
Advertising media (airport, subway, high-speed rail, hotel, elevator entrance, store)
Film and television field (3D film, 3D animation)
The three-dimensional world can surpass our imagination, and the combination of art and technology leads us into a whole new world. In the future, Fanzhuo Technology will continue to explore more fashionable and diversified display application solutions on the road of audio-visual technology innovation.
If you have requirements please contact :[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

It’s funny how deeply you can miss what you no longer have—how Elysian fields become the more years you leave them fallow. I find myself propping up pictures of social events upon the easel of my mind—pictures I painted years ago—nightclubs like those I would burrow my way into underground, even the one I would mix in during my decade of abandonment to movement and sound. But mostly I would cast my mind back to Prague bars or cafes, where there would be people around to talk to, or strangers just milling, yes, milling around. I never appreciated how nice it is for people to mill in your vicinity. Nice. It’s just nice to be milled around. Perhaps that is why I find peace in supermarkets now—it is less that their aisles and orderliness feel a thousand miles from the war, but that the people are suspended in perfectly spherical bubbles of ‘I have no pressing need to be here but alas here I am’, and that to be around the drifting of those bubbles is almost as wonderful as companionship for someone as incompanionable as I currently am. Thank God for dreams, because I have whole cities full of companionship there—from new friends, to girlfriends, to complicated enemies and entertainingly questionable foes, and even occasionally a few days of hanging out with her, all in some neatly designed urban location or another where the truth is something everyone unquestionably knows.
I should say a little of the people whom I have met along the way.
First, there was Dasha, originally from Kharkiv but now a long time resident of Gwent, who had also been on aid shuttles to Izium after it was freed. Her manner was attentive and friendly—she would follow up with regular calls the messages she regularly sent, which was good because talking is what I need. She stood out for her ability to persuade a Chaplain to accept my help, even when my wartime skillset made me about as useful right now as Lent.
The chap-lain and his assistant Pavel kept me waiting in Lozova after my own efforts to get to Donbas began to wane. I had already struck off my month in Kharkiv as a humanitarian fail—I escorted boxes of dried food from Kyiv which would have managed well enough without me on a completely empty train, and did four hours of sandbag stacking around a monument to freedom which I was able to organise by not organising it at all, just seeing people working and offering to do the same—but mostly I felt useless or worse, and was eager to get away. Lozova was much the same, though there was a beautiful lake at the back of an unremarkable park which I walked around every day, and then forty hours after I left, the cultural centre I walked past was obliterated by a cruise missile a hundred metres from where I had stayed. I chose to reserve a small safe corner of suspicion about the news of the missile strike—trauma is easier to cope with if you just choose to believe it’s a lie. Just look at the death of Elvis, or the alive-and-kicking climate crisis, and all that other stuff we compulsively deny.
After I got tired of waiting in my pre-cruise missile apartment that was so cheap it was ‘aid for me’, I packed up and paid extra for the broken shower cable when I handed over the keys. I took a taxi to Barvinkove which was almost a day or so’s walk short of Sloviansk, and I hoped to bag a lift for the last leg of the journey in some or other military jeep. The driver was a former farmer from these parts who pointed at the sections of field he used to work. There was a lot of field in that forty-five minutes, field and military trucks. Not a single civilian do I remember seeing on that mostly arrow straight road, just a painfully potholed surface, checkpoints and greetings in Polish for some reason I don’t understand to this day, and a shrug of I have no idea who you are or what you are doing here but here’s your passport back, on your way.
Bear in mind this was south of occupied Izium last year in mid May, and just a few kilometres stood between these parts and the Russian lines. The taxi driver wouldn’t take me any further than Barvinkove, and it was pretty easy to see why. I thought I had seen destruction in Kharkiv, but the shattering that this all-but-entirely-abandoned town had taken was, in all the war so far, by far the most harrowing sight. You see destroyed cities on screens, and something of the destruction comes across, but when you stand alone on broken glass on what was once a busy junction with insides of buildings spilled out on every side, it isn’t so much a chill that visits you with the ghosts of what happened here but more an enormous swallowing by all the unfathomable loss.
And yet still some civilians clang proudly to their homes. A group gathered of four, stood in front of their town hall, with glass all around there too; curtains wafted behind them from the upper floors—of all the things we could have called them, it’s clearer when they are missing why we went with wind-ow.
“Do you need anything?” A smile. And curiosity. And consternation. But most of all a smile. From a lady almost half my height but every bit as stout. I was traipsing through their town alone with a giant pack upon my back, doing my best not to make it too obvious that I had never seen anything so terrible as her town in my entire life. How do you behave toward people you meet when on every side the guts of their homes are hanging out? I wish I could have just stopped and looked silently down into her eyes and offered her a hug.
“I turn left for Sloviansk, yes?” I said instead.
“Yes. Take a left down there.”
“Thanks,” and with the glance my gratitude warranted as I parted I offered a tiny portion of my sympathy, but I swear this lady neither needed nor wanted a single thing—this was her town, her home, and smashed to shit or not, she would hold her head up high, be the honourable host and offer directions to passers by, because she and her town still lived, and if anyone needed a hug, am I sure it wasn’t me?
If someone had told me she was the mayor of the town, I wouldn’t have been surprised.
They were the last people I saw for the next kilometre leading out, as I passed broken home after shop after kindergarten after abandoned business of now an entirely indiscernible kind. Pieces everywhere. Of glass and rocks and wires and concrete. One shop was missing its long shop window and two stray dogs watched me as I passed, the boss of the two was lying down on the inside upon a three-thick bed of shattered glass, as if filling in for the shop sign. I wanted to coax him off, but realised the worst thing I could do was spook him and just hoped his fur was thick enough for my conscience to leave him behind.
On the long road leading out east, the houses of Barvinkove turned to village types, with overgrowing flower gardens all flourishingly unkempt – all purples and pinks and yellows and whites with yellow centres and deep and velvet reds. The distant sounds of artillery feel more distant when coming through village air. One home stood out for grass having been mown, and the gardener at large, a lady in waiting to grow old, was out tending to her five metre wide share—alone in a kilometre row of single storey village houses with boarded up eyes and fast-growing gardens for beards, in her typical village floral dress and headscarf, she stood out for the peace with which she tended to tidiness, a sight to make a soldier stop, kneel and bow his head before the life still living there.
“Zdrasti.”
“Zdrasti.”
It was about three months ago that people stopped saying “Good Day”. But to this day, Barvinkove never fell.

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Hi everyone,
I found a forgotten lot of games at my parents house when I went to visit. I thought I had sold all my games and systems in the past, but I was very wrong. Previously I sold my N64, NES, etc. games on eBay, but all the best ones were literally bought by Lukie Games. I'd rather list here than sell it to resellers.
Since I’ve got no confirmed transactions here, I’d be happy to do PayPal G&S to build community confidence. I’d eventually prefer to move away from it to other methods like F&F, Venmo etc. once it's felt I'm more established.
Nearly all of the games are in excellent condition and many come CIB. A number of the loose games (Game Boy) also have instruction manuals that are in excellent condition, which are noted in the table below. Most of the items should have pics in the links below, please let me know if I'm missing anything (Warning, photo dumps!):
https://imgur.com/a/ZCq1tAe
https://imgur.com/a/V22CkwY
https://imgur.com/a/JvOwlCY
I'm very happy to take more pictures for anyone who would like; please let me know whatever you need and I'll be glad to provide. I have twin 10mo old girls and one of them requires extra special attention, so I may need more time than the average person to get you them :) Apologies in advance!
​
All prices are shipped. Combining games would take some $ off the total. Open to offers for most listed, some are more firm than others.
​

System/Games/Items	Notes	Price
Game Cube
Animal Crossing + AC Memory Card	CIB	90
Harvest Moon - Another Wonderful Life	CIB	40
Luigi’s Mansion	CIB	70
Mario Power Tennis	CIB	40
Metroid Prime	CIB	45
Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door	CIB	125
Starfox Adventures	Game & Box, No Manual it seems, but other inserts there	35
Super Mario Sunshine	CIB	50
The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker	CIB	75
The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers (Players’ Choice)	Game & Box, No Manual	10
Dreamcast
Centipede	Complete	15
Crazy Taxi	Complete	30
House of the Dead 2 w/ Gun	Gun is in great condition but untested	75
Hydro Thunder	Complete	40
NBA2k	Complete	10
NFL2k	Complete	10
NHL2k	Complete	10
Ready 2 Rumble	Complete	25
Resident Evil: Code Veronica	Complete	55
Sonic Adventure	Complete	60
Sonic Adventure 2	Complete	120
Soul Calibur	Complete	40
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2	Complete	25
Trick Style	Complete	20
Game Boy
Bomberman GB	+ Clear Protective Game Case + Manual	25
Game & Watch Gallery	+ Manual	15
Game Boy Color Atomic Purple	Tested & Working	90
Game Boy Color Carrying Case	Official 1990's	30
Gameboy Camera (Green)	Tested & Working	50
Game Boy (Original)	Tested working, but left side of the screen does not display completely (streaks down the left side, about 1cm thick) and the contrast is very light overall. Also missing back plate. Likely repairable?	40
Gameboy Pocket	Clear 'color'. Turns on, games play, but the screen is very, very dark. Good condition otherwise; likely repairable?	40
Gameboy Printer	Tested & Working (+ Link Cable & Half a roll)	125
Ghostbusters II	Cart only	50
Hyper Lode Runner	Cart only	15
James Bond 007	Manual Only	8
Marble Madness	Cart Only	15
Mario Golf	+ Manual	35
Pokemon Blue	+ Clear Protective Game Case + Pokemon Blue Manual	80
Pokemon Gold (Japanese)	+ Clear Protective Game Case + Pokemon Gold Japanese Manual	60
Pokemon Pinball	Manual Only	10
Pokemon Red	+ Clear Protective Game Case + Pokemon Red Manual	90
Pokemon Yellow	+ Clear Protective Game Case	60
Tetris	Cart only	20
Wario Land II	+ Clear Protective Game Case + Manual	50
Worms Armageddon	Manual Only	15
WWF King of the Ring	+ Manual	15
WWF Warzone	Cart only	10
PlayStation 1
Area 51	Manual + Case Only	10
Final Fantasy VIII	CIB	30
Final Fantasy VIII	Missing Disc 4 - Unsure how to price	20? Make an Offer
GamePro Ultimate Video Game Code Book Vol 3	Good Condition	10
Gauntlet Legends	CIB	25
Gran Turismo 2	CIB	20
Grind Session	CIB	15
Knockout Kings 2000	CIB	15
NBA Jam Extreme	Damaged/Destroyed Jewel Case	12
NBA Live 98	Loose	8
NBA Live 99 / Triple Play Combo	CIB	10
Need for Speed III Hot Pursuit	Porsche Unleashed Back, Hot Pursuit Front/Manual, though.	10
Sony Playstation Console Booklet Insert	Included with console I believe?	8
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater	CIB	20
WCW NWO Thunder	CIB	15
PlayStation 2
Dark Cloud 2	CIB	35
Dragon Quest VIII - Journey of the Cursed King	CIB + FF Demo disc	30
FIFA soccer 2002	Game & Case only	10
Fight Night 2004	CIB	8
Final Fantasy X	CIB	10
Gran Turismo 3 A-spec (Greatest Hits)	CIB	10
Gran Turismo 4	CIB	15
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas	CIB + map	25
Grand Theft Auto Vice City	CIB + map	20
Kingdom Hearts (Greatest Hits)	CIB	12
Kingdom Hearts 2	CIB	14
Madden 2005	CIB	8
MLB The Show 06	Game & Case only	8
Mortal Kombat Deception	CIB	20
MVP baseball 2004	CIB	10
NBA Ballers	CIB	12
NCAA Football 2004	CIB	10
Need For Speed Underground	CIB	20
NFL 2k3	CIB	8
Rampage Total Destruction	CIB	15
Spider-Man 2	CIB	25
SRS Street Racing Syndicate	Box & Manual Only, No Game	8
The Godfather The Game	CIB + NYC Map	20
The Simpsons Road Rage (Greatest Hits)	CIB	25
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (Greatest Hits)	CIB	15
Game Gear
Arch Rivals	Cart only	10
Castle of Illusion	Cart only	35
Columns	Cart only	8
Dragon Crystal	Cart only	25
NBA Action	Cart only	5
Pac-Man	Cart only	10
Popils	Cart only	25
RBI Baseball 94	Cart only	8
Revenge of Drancon	Cart only	20
Shinobi	Cart only	25
Slider	Cart only	12
Sonic Chaos	Cart only	15
The Majors Pro Baseball	Cart only	5
Woody Pop	Cart only	15
Nintendo 64
Console	NUS-001 - All hookups, Tested working, but no controller	80
Rumble Pak	Cleaned, but untested	15
Memory Card	Untested, white out used on the front. Comes with case.	15
Nintendo DS
Silver Handheld Console	Tested & Working, includes stylus & Charger	75
My Spanish Coach	CIB	8
Misc (Booklets, Posters, Manuals, etc.)	All in very good to excellent condition.
Acclaim Game Boy Poster	No idea how to price these posters but they seem to be around this online	25
Age of Empires 2 + Expansion Booklet (Combo)		10
Age of Empires Booklet		10
Clayfight 63 1/3 Instruction Booklet		15
Diablo 2 Official Strategy Guide		15
Gameboy Insert Poster	Unsure how to price; showcases Gameboy games it seems. Not sure I've ever opened it all the way.	20
007 Goldeneye 64 Instruction Booklet		15
Half Life Game of the Year Edition (PC) Manual		5
Ken Griffey Jr's Winning Run		10
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Instruction Booklet		25
Mario Brothers Movie Soundtrack CD	CIB	50
Mortal Kombat Trilogy 64 Instruction Booklet		20
NBA Hangtime N64 Instruction Booklet		10
NCAA Road to the Final Four User Manual	Reads like an NCAA rule book lol	10
Nintendo Power Pokemon Wall Calendar	Unused, not even sure I've ever unfolded it. Great condition.	40
Official Nintendo 64 Mario Mouse Pad	Not sure how I got this; officially licensed from the mid-late 90's - has some small punctures in it, but mostly just needs a good wipe-down	30
Pokemon Snap - Snap Station Stickers	Still in the wrapping.	20
Pokemon Trading Card Game Rules 1999		10
San Fransisco Rush Extreme Racing 64 Manual		20
SEGA Genesis Sonic The Hedgehog Manual		15
Skyrim Canvas Map	Unused, also not sure if I've ever opened this	25
SNES Game Insert Posters	2x - Again not sure how to price these	25 each
South Park 64 Official Insert Poster	Great condition, never opened	25
South Park Chef Aid Soundtrack		15
[REMOVED] Starfox 64 Strategy Guide [REMOVED]	can't find strategy guide now, will relist once found	20
Super High Impact Instruction Manual		10
Super Mario 64 Instruction Booklet		15
Super Mario All Stars Instruction Booklet		10
Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey Instruction Booklet		10
WCW NWO World Tour Poster		20
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? PC-CD Rom Booklet		10
Wrestlemania 2000 Instruction Booklet		15

I see plenty of people posting on here asking for recommendations, so as a 4th time attendee this year, I will share what I have learned.
First: shade. One canopy is great. 2 is supremely better. A beach tent is a great second canopy. The second canopy is for your tent. The difference provided by that shade will separate you from the rested and the devastated.
While we’re talking about keeping cool, you don’t know heat brother. You’ve been on the beach in 90 degree heat before. You were fine. Well, ‘yer on the farm now city boi. And in the south we got a thing called humidity. So bring the following to also help you keep cool.
Rechargeable battery fans. And when I say fan, you need the blade diameter to be no less than 8”, bigger is even better but bigger means they take more power. More on that later. Get 2 at least maybe 3. With three you can create a nice little cyclone and keep the air moving. The fans that recharge through usb cables are ideal. Because they’ll be easier to recharge.
Frog toggs. They’re chamois that soak up cold water and you can drape them on your neck or over your head to keep cool. Put them in your cooler water to get them nice and cold.
A 5 gal bucket. You can also drain your cooler water daily into this bucket. It will stay surprisingly cool for a long time. This bucket you can use for a very soothing and very cooling foot bath at camp. You can also use this to wash your feet before you enter beneath your canopy. Clean camp is a happy camp.
Space blankets. You can clip these to the top of your canopy and help bounce even more heat off your camp. Make sure you also bring plenty of clamps/ binder clips/ zip ties to secure them and..
Tapestries. You want 3 at least and you want them to be tall enough to go to the ground from the side of your canopy, and wide enough to span side to side. Gives you privacy and a nice little wind tunnel. If it’s your first rodeo, old bed sheets will work fine. Darker colored preferred.
Solar battery generator. We live in the future and it’s glorious. These things are expensive but worth every penny. Even getting a smaller cheaper version will prove immensely useful to recharge your phone and fans out there. You may even be able to run some led string lights with them at your camp for ambiance and light. Lock it in your car during the day or hidden in your bins or tent. Recharge and run your fans at the same time while your battery is charging in the beautiful sun. An alternative are those car charger adapters that have like 2 USB ports and a regular plug. It can be nice to take refuse in your car and enjoy the AC but be mindful of your neighbors. You may be blowing exhaust and heat right on them.
Tent locks. This is a controversial topic on this subreddit. But what most people overlook is the notion that not every thief is a pro or fully motivated. Some fucked up idiot who stumbles through your camp who could have been deterred easily could get into your tent now. Any measure is better than no measure. But do keep high dollar valuables locked in your car. You may consider keeping smaller items and electronics in plastic bags in a second cooler. Your car will get HOT.
Bring a good cooler and expect to buy ice at least once per day. go FIRST thing in the morning for ice and to shit before there is a line. Also don’t bring food to cook. Cooking at camp is rookie shit. Take burgers. Sounds easy. We’ll think about it. Produce won’t keep. Cheese won’t keep. Meat won’t keep. Condiments won’t keep. No don’t cook. Budget for food and if you do bring food bring snacks and simple meals like pb and j or oatmeal. My personal recommendation are those MREs and First Strike Bars.
Solar shower. The shower line is for chumps. And you don’t need a shower booth. Just bring a swimsuit and bathe in that with help from your friends. One stands on the cooler or a bucket and holds it and you get a better, warmer, wait free shower each day. They’re also exceedingly cheap. The med size is all you need.
Personal folding fan/ Battery misting fan. Misting fans are great for in the crowd. Those little neck fans are nice but be sure to bring enough batteries to change them everyday. Otherwise you’ll barely feel them.
A canteen/ water bottle/ camel pack. Hydration is the name of the game. Everyone here says it all the time, and they’re all right. Drink lots of water. Also bring Water Boy or Liquid IV to boost your hydration.
You don’t have to do drugs to have fun. It’s a great place and a great time all it’s own. If you are doing drugs, only do the drugs you brought with you. Don’t buy drugs. And if anyone offers you drugs, bring a test kit to make sure they are safe. If for nothing else your peace of mind that you know exactly what you’re on.
I’m sure I could think of more but I thought this could help some newbies out there. You don’t have to have everything I said. I built up to this. You will want to come back so get what you need and you will be better prepared next time. You will have a great time. See y’all on the farm.

Uranium is a chemical element with symbol U and atomic number 92. It is a silvery-grey metal in the actinide series of the periodic table. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons. Uranium radioactively decays by emitting an alpha particle. The half-life of this decay varies between 159,200 and 4.5 billion years for different isotopes, making them useful for dating the age of the Earth. The most common isotopes in natural uranium are uranium-238 (which has 146 neutrons and accounts for over 99% of uranium on Earth) and uranium-235 (which has 143 neutrons). Uranium has the highest atomic weight of the primordially occurring elements. Its density is about 70% higher than that of lead, and slightly lower than that of gold or tungsten. It occurs naturally in low concentrations of a few parts per million in soil, rock and water, and is commercially extracted from uranium-bearing minerals such as uraninite.[6] Many contemporary uses of uranium exploit its unique nuclear properties. Uranium-235 is the only naturally occurring fissile isotope, which makes it widely used in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. However, because of the tiny concentrations found in nature, uranium needs to undergo enrichment so that enough uranium-235 is present. Uranium-238 is fissionable by fast neutrons, and is fertile, meaning it can be transmuted to fissile plutonium-239 in a nuclear reactor. Another fissile isotope, uranium-233, can be produced from natural thorium and is studied for future industrial use in nuclear technology. Uranium-238 has a small probability for spontaneous fission or even induced fission with fast neutrons; uranium-235, and to a lesser degree uranium-233, have a much higher fission cross-section for slow neutrons. In sufficient concentration, these isotopes maintain a sustained nuclear chain reaction. This generates the heat in nuclear power reactors, and produces the fissile material for nuclear weapons. Depleted uranium (238U) is used in kinetic energy penetrators and armor plating.[7][8]
The 1789 discovery of uranium in the mineral pitchblende is credited to Martin Heinrich Klaproth, who named the new element after the recently discovered planet Uranus. Eugène-Melchior Péligot was the first person to isolate the metal and its radioactive properties were discovered in 1896 by Henri Becquerel. Research by Otto Hahn, Lise Meitner, Enrico Fermi and others, such as J. Robert Oppenheimer starting in 1934 led to its use as a fuel in the nuclear power industry and in Little Boy, the first nuclear weapon used in war. An ensuing arms race during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union produced tens of thousands of nuclear weapons that used uranium metal and uranium-derived plutonium-239. Dismantling of these weapons and related nuclear facilities is carried out within various nuclear disarmament programs and costs billions of dollars. Weapon-grade uranium obtained from nuclear weapons is diluted with uranium-238 and reused as fuel for nuclear reactors. The development and deployment of these nuclear reactors continue on a global base as they are powerful sources of CO2-free energy. Spent nuclear fuel forms radioactive waste, which mostly consists of uranium-238 and poses significant health threat and environmental impact. Uranium is a silvery white, weakly radioactive metal. It has a Mohs hardness of 6, sufficient to scratch glass and approximately equal to that of titanium, rhodium, manganese and niobium. It is malleable, ductile, slightly paramagnetic, strongly electropositive and a poor electrical conductor.[9][10] Uranium metal has a very high density of 19.1 g/cm3,[11] denser than lead (11.3 g/cm3),[12] but slightly less dense than tungsten and gold (19.3 g/cm3).[13][14]
Uranium metal reacts with almost all non-metal elements (with the exception of the noble gases) and their compounds, with reactivity increasing with temperature.[15] Hydrochloric and nitric acids dissolve uranium, but non-oxidizing acids other than hydrochloric acid attack the element very slowly.[9] When finely divided, it can react with cold water; in air, uranium metal becomes coated with a dark layer of uranium oxide.[10] Uranium in ores is extracted chemically and converted into uranium dioxide or other chemical forms usable in industry.
Uranium-235 was the first isotope that was found to be fissile. Other naturally occurring isotopes are fissionable, but not fissile. On bombardment with slow neutrons, its uranium-235 isotope will most of the time divide into two smaller nuclei, releasing nuclear binding energy and more neutrons. If too many of these neutrons are absorbed by other uranium-235 nuclei, a nuclear chain reaction occurs that results in a burst of heat or (in special circumstances) an explosion. In a nuclear reactor, such a chain reaction is slowed and controlled by a neutron poison, absorbing some of the free neutrons. Such neutron absorbent materials are often part of reactor control rods (see nuclear reactor physics for a description of this process of reactor control).
As little as 15 lb (6.8 kg) of uranium-235 can be used to make an atomic bomb.[16] The nuclear weapon detonated over Hiroshima, called Little Boy, relied on uranium fission. However, the first nuclear bomb (the Gadget used at Trinity) and the bomb that was detonated over Nagasaki (Fat Man) were both plutonium bombs.
Uranium metal has three allotropic forms:[17]
α (orthorhombic) stable up to 668 °C (1,234 °F). Orthorhombic, space group No. 63, Cmcm, lattice parameters a = 285.4 pm, b = 587 pm, c = 495.5 pm.[18] β (tetragonal) stable from 668 to 775 °C (1,234 to 1,427 °F). Tetragonal, space group P42/mnm, P42nm, or P4n2, lattice parameters a = 565.6 pm, b = c = 1075.9 pm.[18] γ (body-centered cubic) from 775 °C (1,427 °F) to melting point—this is the most malleable and ductile state. Body-centered cubic, lattice parameter a = 352.4 pm.[18]
The major application of uranium in the military sector is in high-density penetrators. This ammunition consists of depleted uranium (DU) alloyed with 1–2% other elements, such as titanium or molybdenum.[19] At high impact speed, the density, hardness, and pyrophoricity of the projectile enable the destruction of heavily armored targets. Tank armor and other removable vehicle armor can also be hardened with depleted uranium plates. The use of depleted uranium became politically and environmentally contentious after the use of such munitions by the US, UK and other countries during wars in the Persian Gulf and the Balkans raised questions concerning uranium compounds left in the soil[8][20][21][22] (see Gulf War syndrome).[16]
Depleted uranium is also used as a shielding material in some containers used to store and transport radioactive materials. While the metal itself is radioactive, its high density makes it more effective than lead in halting radiation from strong sources such as radium.[9] Other uses of depleted uranium include counterweights for aircraft control surfaces, as ballast for missile re-entry vehicles and as a shielding material.[10] Due to its high density, this material is found in inertial guidance systems and in gyroscopic compasses.[10] Depleted uranium is preferred over similarly dense metals due to its ability to be easily machined and cast as well as its relatively low cost.[23] The main risk of exposure to depleted uranium is chemical poisoning by uranium oxide rather than radioactivity (uranium being only a weak alpha emitter).
During the later stages of World War II, the entire Cold War, and to a lesser extent afterwards, uranium-235 has been used as the fissile explosive material to produce nuclear weapons. Initially, two major types of fission bombs were built: a relatively simple device that uses uranium-235 and a more complicated mechanism that uses plutonium-239 derived from uranium-238. Later, a much more complicated and far more powerful type of fission/fusion bomb (thermonuclear weapon) was built, that uses a plutonium-based device to cause a mixture of tritium and deuterium to undergo nuclear fusion. Such bombs are jacketed in a non-fissile (unenriched) uranium case, and they derive more than half their power from the fission of this material by fast neutrons from the nuclear fusion process.[24]
The main use of uranium in the civilian sector is to fuel nuclear power plants. One kilogram of uranium-235 can theoretically produce about 20 terajoules of energy (2×1013 joules), assuming complete fission; as much energy as 1.5 million kilograms (1,500 tonnes) of coal.[7]
Commercial nuclear power plants use fuel that is typically enriched to around 3% uranium-235.[7] The CANDU and Magnox designs are the only commercial reactors capable of using unenriched uranium fuel. Fuel used for United States Navy reactors is typically highly enriched in uranium-235 (the exact values are classified). In a breeder reactor, uranium-238 can also be converted into plutonium through the following reaction:[10]
Before (and, occasionally, after) the discovery of radioactivity, uranium was primarily used in small amounts for yellow glass and pottery glazes, such as uranium glass and in Fiestaware.[25]
The discovery and isolation of radium in uranium ore (pitchblende) by Marie Curie sparked the development of uranium mining to extract the radium, which was used to make glow-in-the-dark paints for clock and aircraft dials.[26][27] This left a prodigious quantity of uranium as a waste product, since it takes three tonnes of uranium to extract one gram of radium. This waste product was diverted to the glazing industry, making uranium glazes very inexpensive and abundant. Besides the pottery glazes, uranium tile glazes accounted for the bulk of the use, including common bathroom and kitchen tiles which can be produced in green, yellow, mauve, black, blue, red and other colors.
Uranium was also used in photographic chemicals (especially uranium nitrate as a toner),[10] in lamp filaments for stage lighting bulbs,[28] to improve the appearance of dentures,[29] and in the leather and wood industries for stains and dyes. Uranium salts are mordants of silk or wool. Uranyl acetate and uranyl formate are used as electron-dense "stains" in transmission electron microscopy, to increase the contrast of biological specimens in ultrathin sections and in negative staining of viruses, isolated cell organelles and macromolecules.
The discovery of the radioactivity of uranium ushered in additional scientific and practical uses of the element. The long half-life of the isotope uranium-238 (4.47×109 years) makes it well-suited for use in estimating the age of the earliest igneous rocks and for other types of radiometric dating, including uranium–thorium dating, uranium–lead dating and uranium–uranium dating. Uranium metal is used for X-ray targets in the making of high-energy X-rays.[10]
The use of uranium in its natural oxide form dates back to at least the year 79 CE, when it was used in the Roman Empire to add a yellow color to ceramic glazes.[10] Yellow glass with 1% uranium oxide was found in a Roman villa on Cape Posillipo in the Bay of Naples, Italy, by R. T. Gunther of the University of Oxford in 1912.[30] Starting in the late Middle Ages, pitchblende was extracted from the Habsburg silver mines in Joachimsthal, Bohemia (now Jáchymov in the Czech Republic), and was used as a coloring agent in the local glassmaking industry.[31] In the early 19th century, the world's only known sources of uranium ore were these mines. Mining for uranium in the Ore Mountains ceased on the German side after the Cold War ended and SDAG Wismut was wound down. On the Czech side there were attempts during the uranium price bubble of 2007 to restart mining, but those were quickly abandoned following a fall in uranium prices.[32][33]
The discovery of the element is credited to the German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth. While he was working in his experimental laboratory in Berlin in 1789, Klaproth was able to precipitate a yellow compound (likely sodium diuranate) by dissolving pitchblende in nitric acid and neutralizing the solution with sodium hydroxide.[31] Klaproth assumed the yellow substance was the oxide of a yet-undiscovered element and heated it with charcoal to obtain a black powder, which he thought was the newly discovered metal itself (in fact, that powder was an oxide of uranium).[31][34] He named the newly discovered element after the planet Uranus (named after the primordial Greek god of the sky), which had been discovered eight years earlier by William Herschel.[35]
In 1841, Eugène-Melchior Péligot, Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (Central School of Arts and Manufactures) in Paris, isolated the first sample of uranium metal by heating uranium tetrachloride with potassium.[31][36]
Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity by using uranium in 1896.[15] Becquerel made the discovery in Paris by leaving a sample of a uranium salt, K2UO2(SO4)2 (potassium uranyl sulfate), on top of an unexposed photographic plate in a drawer and noting that the plate had become "fogged".[37] He determined that a form of invisible light or rays emitted by uranium had exposed the plate.
During World War I when the Central Powers suffered a shortage of molybdenum to make artillery gun barrels and high speed tool steels they routinely substituted ferrouranium alloys which present many of the same physical characteristics. When this practice became known in 1916 the USA government requested several prominent universities to research these uses for uranium and tools made with these formulas remained in use for several decades only ending when the Manhattan Project and the Cold War placed a large demand on uranium for fission research and weapon development.[38][39][40]
A team led by Enrico Fermi in 1934 observed that bombarding uranium with neutrons produces the emission of beta rays (electrons or positrons from the elements produced; see beta particle).[41] The fission products were at first mistaken for new elements with atomic numbers 93 and 94, which the Dean of the Faculty of Rome, Orso Mario Corbino, christened ausonium and hesperium, respectively.[42][43][44][45] The experiments leading to the discovery of uranium's ability to fission (break apart) into lighter elements and release binding energy were conducted by Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann[41] in Hahn's laboratory in Berlin. Lise Meitner and her nephew, the physicist Otto Robert Frisch, published the physical explanation in February 1939 and named the process "nuclear fission".[46] Soon after, Fermi hypothesized that the fission of uranium might release enough neutrons to sustain a fission reaction. Confirmation of this hypothesis came in 1939, and later work found that on average about 2.5 neutrons are released by each fission of the rare uranium isotope uranium-235.[41] Fermi urged Alfred O. C. Nier to separate uranium isotopes for determination of the fissile component, and on 29 February 1940, Nier used an instrument he built at the University of Minnesota to separate the world's first uranium-235 sample in the Tate Laboratory. After mailed to Columbia University's cyclotron, John Dunning confirmed the sample to be the isolated fissile material on 1 March.[47] Further work found that the far more common uranium-238 isotope can be transmuted into plutonium, which, like uranium-235, is also fissile by thermal neutrons. These discoveries led numerous countries to begin working on the development of nuclear weapons and nuclear power. Despite fission having been discovered in Germany, the Uranverein ("uranium club") Germany's wartime project to research nuclear power and/or weapons was hampered by limited resources, infighting, the exile or non-involvement of several prominent scientists in the field and several crucial mistakes such as failing to account for impurities in available graphite samples which made it appear less suitable as a neutron moderator than it is in reality. Germany's attempts to build a natural uranium / heavy water reactor had not come close to reaching criticality by the time the Americans reached Haigerloch, the site of the last German wartime reactor experiment.[48]
On 2 December 1942, as part of the Manhattan Project, another team led by Enrico Fermi was able to initiate the first artificial self-sustained nuclear chain reaction, Chicago Pile-1. An initial plan using enriched uranium-235 was abandoned as it was as yet unavailable in sufficient quantities.[49] Working in a lab below the stands of Stagg Field at the University of Chicago, the team created the conditions needed for such a reaction by piling together 360 tonnes of graphite, 53 tonnes of uranium oxide, and 5.5 tonnes of uranium metal, a majority of which was supplied by Westinghouse Lamp Plant in a makeshift production process.[41][50]
Two major types of atomic bombs were developed by the United States during World War II: a uranium-based device (codenamed "Little Boy") whose fissile material was highly enriched uranium, and a plutonium-based device (see Trinity test and "Fat Man") whose plutonium was derived from uranium-238. The uranium-based Little Boy device became the first nuclear weapon used in war when it was detonated over the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. Exploding with a yield equivalent to 12,500 tonnes of trinitrotoluene, the blast and thermal wave of the bomb destroyed nearly 50,000 buildings and killed approximately 75,000 people (see Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki).[37] Initially it was believed that uranium was relatively rare, and that nuclear proliferation could be avoided by simply buying up all known uranium stocks, but within a decade large deposits of it were discovered in many places around the world.[51][52]
The X-10 Graphite Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, formerly known as the Clinton Pile and X-10 Pile, was the world's second artificial nuclear reactor (after Enrico Fermi's Chicago Pile) and was the first reactor designed and built for continuous operation. Argonne National Laboratory's Experimental Breeder Reactor I, located at the Atomic Energy Commission's National Reactor Testing Station near Arco, Idaho, became the first nuclear reactor to create electricity on 20 December 1951.[53] Initially, four 150-watt light bulbs were lit by the reactor, but improvements eventually enabled it to power the whole facility (later, the town of Arco became the first in the world to have all its electricity come from nuclear power generated by BORAX-III, another reactor designed and operated by Argonne National Laboratory).[54][55] The world's first commercial scale nuclear power station, Obninsk in the Soviet Union, began generation with its reactor AM-1 on 27 June 1954. Other early nuclear power plants were Calder Hall in England, which began generation on 17 October 1956,[56] and the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania, which began on 26 May 1958. Nuclear power was used for the first time for propulsion by a submarine, the USS Nautilus, in 1954.[41][57]
Prehistoric naturally occurring fission Main article: Natural nuclear fission reactor In 1972, the French physicist Francis Perrin discovered fifteen ancient and no longer active natural nuclear fission reactors in three separate ore deposits at the Oklo mine in Gabon, West Africa, collectively known as the Oklo Fossil Reactors. The ore deposit is 1.7 billion years old; then, uranium-235 constituted about 3% of the total uranium on Earth.[58] This is high enough to permit a sustained nuclear fission chain reaction to occur, provided other supporting conditions exist. The capacity of the surrounding sediment to contain the health-threatening nuclear waste products has been cited by the U.S. federal government as supporting evidence for the feasibility to store spent nuclear fuel at the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.[58]
Above-ground nuclear tests by the Soviet Union and the United States in the 1950s and early 1960s and by France into the 1970s and 1980s[23] spread a significant amount of fallout from uranium daughter isotopes around the world.[59] Additional fallout and pollution occurred from several nuclear accidents.[60]
Uranium miners have a higher incidence of cancer. An excess risk of lung cancer among Navajo uranium miners, for example, has been documented and linked to their occupation.[61] The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, a 1990 law in the US, required $100,000 in "compassion payments" to uranium miners diagnosed with cancer or other respiratory ailments.[62]
During the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States, huge stockpiles of uranium were amassed and tens of thousands of nuclear weapons were created using enriched uranium and plutonium made from uranium. After the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, an estimated 600 short tons (540 metric tons) of highly enriched weapons grade uranium (enough to make 40,000 nuclear warheads) had been stored in often inadequately guarded facilities in the Russian Federation and several other former Soviet states.[16] Police in Asia, Europe, and South America on at least 16 occasions from 1993 to 2005 have intercepted shipments of smuggled bomb-grade uranium or plutonium, most of which was from ex-Soviet sources.[16] From 1993 to 2005 the Material Protection, Control, and Accounting Program, operated by the federal government of the United States, spent approximately US $550 million to help safeguard uranium and plutonium stockpiles in Russia. This money was used for improvements and security enhancements at research and storage facilities.[16]
Safety of nuclear facilities in Russia has been significantly improved since the stabilization of political and economical turmoil of the early 1990s. For example, in 1993 there were 29 incidents ranking above level 1 on the International Nuclear Event Scale, and this number dropped under four per year in 1995–2003. The number of employers receiving annual radiation doses above 20 mSv, which is equivalent to a single full-body CT scan,[63] saw a strong decline around 2000. In November 2015, the Russian government approved a federal program for nuclear and radiation safety for 2016 to 2030 with a budget of 562 billion rubles (ca. 8 billion dollars). Its key issue is "the deferred liabilities accumulated during the 70 years of the nuclear industry, particularly during the time of the Soviet Union". Approximately 73% of the budget will be spent on decommissioning aged and obsolete nuclear reactors and nuclear facilities, especially those involved in state defense programs; 20% will go in processing and disposal of nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, and 5% into monitoring and ensuring of nuclear and radiation safety.[64]
Along with all elements having atomic weights higher than that of iron, uranium is only naturally formed by the r-process (rapid neutron capture) in supernovae and neutron star mergers.[65] Primordial thorium and uranium are only produced in the r-process, because the s-process (slow neutron capture) is too slow and cannot pass the gap of instability after bismuth.[66][67] Besides the two extant primordial uranium isotopes, 235U and 238U, the r-process also produced significant quantities of 236U, which has a shorter half-life and so is an extinct radionuclide, having long since decayed completely to 232Th. Uranium-236 was itself enriched by the decay of 244Pu, accounting for the observed higher-than-expected abundance of thorium and lower-than-expected abundance of uranium.[68] While the natural abundance of uranium has been supplemented by the decay of extinct 242Pu (half-life 0.375 million years) and 247Cm (half-life 16 million years), producing 238U and 235U respectively, this occurred to an almost negligible extent due to the shorter half-lives of these parents and their lower production than 236U and 244Pu, the parents of thorium: the 247Cm:235U ratio at the formation of the Solar System was (7.0±1.6)×10−5.[69]
Uranium is a naturally occurring element that can be found in low levels within all rock, soil, and water. Uranium is the 51st element in order of abundance in the Earth's crust. Uranium is also the highest-numbered element to be found naturally in significant quantities on Earth and is almost always found combined with other elements.[10] The decay of uranium, thorium, and potassium-40 in the Earth's mantle is thought to be the main source of heat[70][71] that keeps the Earth's outer core in the liquid state and drives mantle convection, which in turn drives plate tectonics.
Uranium's average concentration in the Earth's crust is (depending on the reference) 2 to 4 parts per million,[9][23] or about 40 times as abundant as silver.[15] The Earth's crust from the surface to 25 km (15 mi) down is calculated to contain 1017 kg (2×1017 lb) of uranium while the oceans may contain 1013 kg (2×1013 lb).[9] The concentration of uranium in soil ranges from 0.7 to 11 parts per million (up to 15 parts per million in farmland soil due to use of phosphate fertilizers),[72] and its concentration in sea water is 3 parts per billion.[23]
Uranium is more plentiful than antimony, tin, cadmium, mercury, or silver, and it is about as abundant as arsenic or molybdenum.[10][23] Uranium is found in hundreds of minerals, including uraninite (the most common uranium ore), carnotite, autunite, uranophane, torbernite, and coffinite.[10] Significant concentrations of uranium occur in some substances such as phosphate rock deposits, and minerals such as lignite, and monazite sands in uranium-rich ores[10] (it is recovered commercially from sources with as little as 0.1% uranium[15]).
Some bacteria, such as Shewanella putrefaciens, Geobacter metallireducens and some strains of Burkholderia fungorum, use uranium for their growth and convert U(VI) to U(IV).[73][74] Recent research suggests that this pathway includes reduction of the soluble U(VI) via an intermediate U(V) pentavalent state.[75][76] Other organisms, such as the lichen Trapelia involuta or microorganisms such as the bacterium Citrobacter, can absorb concentrations of uranium that are up to 300 times the level of their environment.[77] Citrobacter species absorb uranyl ions when given glycerol phosphate (or other similar organic phosphates). After one day, one gram of bacteria can encrust themselves with nine grams of uranyl phosphate crystals; this creates the possibility that these organisms could be used in bioremediation to decontaminate uranium-polluted water.[31][78] The proteobacterium Geobacter has also been shown to bioremediate uranium in ground water.[79] The mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices increases uranium content in the roots of its symbiotic plant.[80]
In nature, uranium(VI) forms highly soluble carbonate complexes at alkaline pH. This leads to an increase in mobility and availability of uranium to groundwater and soil from nuclear wastes which leads to health hazards. However, it is difficult to precipitate uranium as phosphate in the presence of excess carbonate at alkaline pH. A Sphingomonas sp. strain BSAR-1 has been found to express a high activity alkaline phosphatase (PhoK) that has been applied for bioprecipitation of uranium as uranyl phosphate species from alkaline solutions. The precipitation ability was enhanced by overexpressing PhoK protein in E. coli.[81]
Plants absorb some uranium from soil. Dry weight concentrations of uranium in plants range from 5 to 60 parts per billion, and ash from burnt wood can have concentrations up to 4 parts per million.[31] Dry weight concentrations of uranium in food plants are typically lower with one to two micrograms per day ingested through the food people eat.[31]
Production and mining Main article: Uranium mining Worldwide production of uranium in 2021 amounted to 48,332 tonnes, of which 21,819 t (45%) was mined in Kazakhstan. Other important urmom mining countries are Namibia (5,753 t), Canada (4,693 t), Australia (4,192 t), Uzbekistan (3,500 t), and Russia (2,635 t).[82]
Uranium ore is mined in several ways: by open pit, underground, in-situ leaching, and borehole mining (see uranium mining).[7] Low-grade uranium ore mined typically contains 0.01 to 0.25% uranium oxides. Extensive measures must be employed to extract the metal from its ore.[83] High-grade ores found in Athabasca Basin deposits in Saskatchewan, Canada can contain up to 23% uranium oxides on average.[84] Uranium ore is crushed and rendered into a fine powder and then leached with either an acid or alkali. The leachate is subjected to one of several sequences of precipitation, solvent extraction, and ion exchange. The resulting mixture, called yellowcake, contains at least 75% uranium oxides U3O8. Yellowcake is then calcined to remove impurities from the milling process before refining and conversion.[85]
Commercial-grade uranium can be produced through the reduction of uranium halides with alkali or alkaline earth metals.[10] Uranium metal can also be prepared through electrolysis of KUF 5 or UF 4, dissolved in molten calcium chloride (CaCl 2) and sodium chloride (NaCl) solution.[10] Very pure uranium is produced through the thermal decomposition of uranium halides on a hot filament.[10]
It is estimated that 6.1 million tonnes of uranium exists in ore reserves that are economically viable at US$130 per kg of uranium,[87] while 35 million tonnes are classed as mineral resources (reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction).[88]
Australia has 28% of the world's known uranium ore reserves[87] and the world's largest single uranium deposit is located at the Olympic Dam Mine in South Australia.[89] There is a significant reserve of uranium in Bakouma, a sub-prefecture in the prefecture of Mbomou in the Central African Republic.[90]
Some uranium also originates from dismantled nuclear weapons.[91] For example, in 1993–2013 Russia supplied the United States with 15,000 tonnes of low-enriched uranium within the Megatons to Megawatts Program.[92]
An additional 4.6 billion tonnes of uranium are estimated to be dissolved in sea water (Japanese scientists in the 1980s showed that extraction of uranium from sea water using ion exchangers was technically feasible).[93][94] There have been experiments to extract uranium from sea water,[95] but the yield has been low due to the carbonate present in the water. In 2012, ORNL researchers announced the successful development of a new absorbent material dubbed HiCap which performs surface retention of solid or gas molecules, atoms or ions and also effectively removes toxic metals from water, according to results verified by researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.[96][97]
In 2005, ten countries accounted for the majority of the world's concentrated uranium oxides: Canada (27.9%), Australia (22.8%), Kazakhstan (10.5%), Russia (8.0%), Namibia (7.5%), Niger (7.4%), Uzbekistan (5.5%), the United States (2.5%), Argentina (2.1%) and Ukraine (1.9%).[99] In 2008 Kazakhstan was forecast to increase production and become the world's largest supplier of uranium by 2009.[100][101] The prediction came true, and Kazakhstan does dominate the world's uranium market since 2010. In 2021, its share was 45.1%, followed by Namibia (11.9%), Canada (9.7%), Australia (8.7%), Uzbekistan (7.2%), Niger (4.7%), Russia (5.5%), China (3.9%), India (1.3%), Ukraine (0.9%), and South Africa (0.8%), with a world total production of 48,332 tonnes.[82] Most of uranium was produced not by conventional underground mining of ores (29% of production), but by in situ leaching (66%).[82][102]
In the late 1960s, UN geologists also discovered major uranium deposits and other rare mineral reserves in Somalia. The find was the largest of its kind, with industry experts estimating the deposits at over 25% of the world's then known uranium reserves of 800,000 tons.[103]
The ultimate available supply is believed to be sufficient for at least the next 85 years,[88] although some studies indicate underinvestment in the late twentieth century may produce supply problems in the 21st century.[104] Uranium deposits seem to be log-normal distributed. There is a 300-fold increase in the amount of uranium recoverable for each tenfold decrease in ore grade.[105] In other words, there is little high grade ore and proportionately much more low grade ore available.
Calcined uranium yellowcake, as produced in many large mills, contains a distribution of uranium oxidation species in various forms ranging from most oxidized to least oxidized. Particles with short residence times in a calciner will generally be less oxidized than those with long retention times or particles recovered in the stack scrubber. Uranium content is usually referenced to U 3O 8, which dates to the days of the Manhattan Project when U 3O 8 was used as an analytical chemistry reporting standard.[106]
Phase relationships in the uranium-oxygen system are complex. The most important oxidation states of uranium are uranium(IV) and uranium(VI), and their two corresponding oxides are, respectively, uranium dioxide (UO 2) and uranium trioxide (UO 3).[107] Other uranium oxides such as uranium monoxide (UO), diuranium pentoxide (U 2O 5), and uranium peroxide (UO 4·2H 2O) also exist.
The most common forms of uranium oxide are triuranium octoxide (U 3O 8) and UO 2.[108] Both oxide forms are solids that have low solubility in water and are relatively stable over a wide range of environmental conditions. Triuranium octoxide is (depending on conditions) the most stable compound of uranium and is the form most commonly found in nature. Uranium dioxide is the form in which uranium is most commonly used as a nuclear reactor fuel.[108] At ambient temperatures, UO 2 will gradually convert to U 3O 8. Because of their stability, uranium oxides are generally considered the preferred chemical form for storage or disposal.[108]
Salts of many oxidation states of uranium are water-soluble and may be studied in aqueous solutions. The most common ionic forms are U3+ (brown-red), U4+ (green), UO+ 2 (unstable), and UO2+ 2 (yellow), for U(III), U(IV), U(V), and U(VI), respectively.[109] A few solid and semi-metallic compounds such as UO and US exist for the formal oxidation state uranium(II), but no simple ions are known to exist in solution for that state. Ions of U3+ liberate hydrogen from water and are therefore considered to be highly unstable. The UO2+ 2 ion represents the uranium(VI) state and is known to form compounds such as uranyl carbonate, uranyl chloride and uranyl sulfate. UO2+ 2 also forms complexes with various organic chelating agents, the most commonly encountered of which is uranyl acetate.[109]
Unlike the uranyl salts of uranium and polyatomic ion uranium-oxide cationic forms, the uranates, salts containing a polyatomic uranium-oxide anion, are generally not water-soluble.
Carbonates The interactions of carbonate anions with uranium(VI) cause the Pourbaix diagram to change greatly when the medium is changed from water to a carbonate containing solution. While the vast majority of carbonates are insoluble in water (students are often taught that all carbonates other than those of alkali metals are insoluble in water), uranium carbonates are often soluble in water. This is because a U(VI) cation is able to bind two terminal oxides and three or more carbonates to form anionic complexes.
Effects of pH The uranium fraction diagrams in the presence of carbonate illustrate this further: when the pH of a uranium(VI) solution increases, the uranium is converted to a hydrated uranium oxide hydroxide and at high pHs it becomes an anionic hydroxide complex.
When carbonate is added, uranium is converted to a series of carbonate complexes if the pH is increased. One effect of these reactions is increased solubility of uranium in the pH range 6 to 8, a fact that has a direct bearing on the long term stability of spent uranium dioxide nuclear fuels.
Hydrides, carbides and nitrides Uranium metal heated to 250 to 300 °C (482 to 572 °F) reacts with hydrogen to form uranium hydride. Even higher temperatures will reversibly remove the hydrogen. This property makes uranium hydrides convenient starting materials to create reactive uranium powder along with various uranium carbide, nitride, and halide compounds.[111] Two crystal modifications of uranium hydride exist: an α form that is obtained at low temperatures and a β form that is created when the formation temperature is above 250 °C.[111]
Uranium carbides and uranium nitrides are both relatively inert semimetallic compounds that are minimally soluble in acids, react with water, and can ignite in air to form U 3O 8.[111] Carbides of uranium include uranium monocarbide (UC), uranium dicarbide (UC 2), and diuranium tricarbide (U 2C 3). Both UC and UC 2 are formed by adding carbon to molten uranium or by exposing the metal to carbon monoxide at high temperatures. Stable below 1800 °C, U 2C 3 is prepared by subjecting a heated mixture of UC and UC 2 to mechanical stress.[112] Uranium nitrides obtained by direct exposure of the metal to nitrogen include uranium mononitride (UN), uranium dinitride (UN 2), and diuranium trinitride (U 2N 3).[112]

Hello,
I hope everyone is doing great on this fine night. I hope this opens some minds on their awakening. I don’t have anyone to share this with, but simply put I have not drank since Sunday and I feel great. I do come from a family of alcoholics in my bloodline.
Drink of choice ~ White Claws
Where do I start, to be completely frank, my story started with weed. I moved back home to my parents home from a big city living with my ex- girlfriend, and got laid off due to Covid mass layoffs. My ex and I who I adored were already very rocky at this point and between Covid and how bad it got in this city, she decided to call it off after 4 years of a serious relationship once we moved back home to our respective parents places.
Fast forward about 2 months, I absolutely was depressed but left it untreated. With that said, I did happen to snag a very high paying job. One weekend, I went out with my brother and some friends and I had a few beers, drank some Red Bull Vodka, Jameson Ginger ale, and got piss drunk. After this I let a few days go by, and was like wow, that felt good, and decided it’d be a good idea to start drinking 2 claws a night. Over the next 6 months I continued with this and so be it, it turned it to 3, 4, 5 , 6. After this the hangovers started to affect me, I’d wake up vomiting and feel like shit. On top of this weed was starting to give me anxiety and I’d balance drinking with weed, weed being the upper and white claws being the downer. I’m a heavy weed smoker.
Fast forward about another 6 months so now we’re at a year of drinking 6 claws a night. Still going to work, but one day I decided because of an awful interaction with a client, it’d be a good idea to get lunch and slam 2 claws with this. Ding ding, did this every lunch break for next 6 months on top of the tall boy for the train home, and the 6 claws.
I felt trapped!!
This continued up until this past Sunday where I had a family member event that meant allot to them. Guess what, I don’t remember any of it, and that scared the crap out of me.
That Monday I woke up and my whole family was home, worked from home that day, but when I woke up and went to the kitchen I threw up my brains right in front of my dad and mom. I never thought they knew anything, but later my dad texted me he’s concerned.
After this, I said enough is enough, and haven’t drank since Sunday night. I still am smoking weed (legally) regularly but the urge to drink really disgusts me and I don’t want it anymore.
Here’s to 4 days for me as of midnight. I hope this opens some eyes that it is possible. I felt trapped as can be, and on Day 3 I can say it gets so much better. Clearer head, better memory, less paranoia, less anxiety, wondering when to drink. Just happy it didn’t get worse and I woke up. Thanks for reading.

A little messy as the placements are random, except if their state was shown 3 times so bear with me. I'm gonna give some fun facts about the semifinalist bc they aren't as well known.
every antm contestant and semifinalist (1 - 19)
cycle 1: Christina from Little Falls, Minnesota Heather from Galloway, Ohio Ebony M. from Cumberland, Maryland Nicole C. from Chapel Hills, North Carolina Lenora from Greenwich Village, New York Elyse from Albuquerque, New Mexico Shannon from Franklin, Ohio Jakai from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Robin from Memphis, Tennessee Jessica from Tucson, Arizona Noelle from Reno, Nevada Kesse from North Little Rock, Arkansas Toiya from Atlanta, Georgia Ebony H. from The Bronx, New York Katie from Glenview, Illinois Tessa from Chicago, Illinois Adrienne from Joliet, Illinois Giselle from Corona, California Nicole P. from Murrieta, California Erin from Pasadena, California Natalie from Riverside, California April from San Diego, California Shawna from Los Angeles, California Justine from Huntington Beach, California Corey (unknown)
Corey, Toiya, and Jessica were semi-finalist that weren't shown to make it seem like there was 20 girls. There might have been more based on the bulletin board they used but it's hard to tell.
cycle 2: Camille from Mamaroneck, New York Anna from LaGrange, Georgia Mercedes from Valencia, California Nargis from Mohegan Lake, New York Sara from Seattle, Washington April from Miami Beach, Florida Shandi from Kansas City, Missouri Bethany from Houston, Texas Xiomara from Morganville, New Jersey Jenascia from Burien, Washington Heather from Moreno Valley, California Yoanna from Jacksonville, Florida Catie from Willmar, Minnesota Rebecca from Minneapolis, Minnesota Christina from Little Falls, Minnesota
Most semifinalist are unknown for cycle 2. The only known ones were girls who went back to audition (Christina, Rebecca and Nargis). Christina was our first returning semi finalist.
cycle 3: Mary from Portland, Oregon Cassie from Norman, Oklahoma Natalie from Walla Walla, Washington Brianna from Plainfield, Illinois Toccara from Dayton, Ohio Jennipher F. from Pocatello, Idaho Amanda from Henderson, North Carolina Sarah D. from Baltimore, Maryland Kristina from Bristol, Rhode Island Magdalena from Worchester, Massachusetts Josie from Fayetteville, North Carolina Vicky from Washington D.C Laura/Kristi from St. Louis, Missouri Julie from Kent, Washington Chrissy from Colchester, Connecticut Ann from Erie, Pennslyvania Leah D. from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Nicole from Minot, North Dakota Tiffany from Miami, Florida Amy from Ocala, Florida Roxanne from Dania, Florida Eva from Westmont, California Norelle from Newport Beach, California Sarah from Capistrano, California Vanessa from San Francisco, California Diana from Los Angeles, California Rachael from New York, New York/Huntsville, Alabama Yaya from Harlem, New York Nargis from Mohegan Lake, New York Kelle from Lenox Hill, New York Kimberly from Huntington Station, New York Lea Q. from Queens, New York Brit from Manhattan, New York Jennifer W (unknown)
Sarah (Martin Luther King according to Tiffany) from Capistrano was suppose to make top 20, but due to unknown reasons couldn't continue. Amanda joined the top 20 after Sarah left. The "I don't know, I can't take the pressure of it!" girl is Natalie from Walla Walla.
cycle 4: Mary from Portland, Oregon Tatiana from Maui, Hawaii Lindsey from Baton Rouge, Louisiana Estela from The Bronx, New York Lacy from Las Vegas, Nevada Michelle from Terre Haute, Indiana Kahlen from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Jessika from Houston, Texas Alexandria from Ft Collins, Colorado Lacey from Atlanta, Georgia Noelle from Reno, Nevada Brandy from Houston, Texas Leslie from New York, New York Naima from Detroit, Michigan Sarah from Baltimore, Maryland Rebecca from Minneapolis, Minnesota Tiffany from Miami, Florida Christina from Tallahassee, Florida Brittany from Tallahassee, Florida Rachel from Tampa, Florida Melissa from Tampa, Florida Mollie-Sue from Tampa, Florida Brita from La Cañada Flintridge, California Jennifer from Richmond, California Lluvy from Modesto, California Alexia from Studio City, California Keenyah from Compton, California Jen from Santa Monica, California Ebony (unknown)
Rachel became a famous chef and Leslie is a famous comedian. Both were semifinalist.
cycle 5: Ashley from Fort Lauderdale, Florida Adriana from San Juan, Puerto Rico Stacie from Grayson, Oklahoma Diane from Orlando, Florida Nicole from Grand Folks, North Dakota Cassandra from Houston, Texas April from Las Vegas, Nevada Jayla from Tucson Arizona Latricia from Trenton, New Jersey Sarah from Boonville, Missouri Jasmine from Flagstaff, Arizona Nik from Atlanta, Georgia Coryn from Minneapolis, Minnesota Kyle from Dexter, Michigan Kim from Yorkville, New York Susanna from Carthage, New York Bre from Harlem, New York Melissa from Syracuse, New York Ebony from Sylmar, California Lisa from Los Angeles, California Krystle from Long Beach, California Whitney from Fairfield, California Regina from San Matteo, California Jessica from Templeton, California
Susanna had a very good model career!
cycle 6: Andrea from Geneva, Ohio Wendy from New Orleans, Louisiana Katherine from Brevard, North Carolina Furonda from Stuttgart, Arkansas Angela from Houma, Louisiana Alejandra/Leslie from Higley, Arizona Kari from Brookings, South Dakota Joanie from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Danielle from Little Rock, Arkansas Dani from Spring, Texas Nnenna from Houston, Texas Brooke from Corpus Christi, Texas Yvonne from Surfside, Florida Gina from Odessa, Florida Mollie Sue from Tampa, Florida Leah from Boca Raton, Florida Jade from New York, New York Claudia from Manhattan, New York Tanika from Buffalo, New York Alexius from Manhattan, New York Shkita/Kita from Watts, California Rebecca from Palo Cedro, California Dracula from Shadow Hills, California Cheran from Venture, California Sara from Davis, California
Alexius, like Sarah, was a original top 20 girl but also dropped out for unknown reasons. It's also unknown who took her place.
cycle 7: Jaslene from Humboldt Park, Illinois Evita from Gloucester, Virginia Christian from Columbia, South Carolina Ginger from Derby, Kansas CariDee from Fargo, North Dakota LeAngela from Columbus, Ohio Anchal from Homestead, Florida Cyndel from Wichita, Kansas Irina from Miami, Florida Monique from Chicago, Illinois Brooke from Keller, Texas Jaeda from Parkersburg, Iowa Ebonee from Paulding County, Georgia Melrose from West Bloomfield Township, Michigan Eugena from Columbia, South Carolina Megg from Los Angeles, California A.J from Sacramento, California Megan from San Francisco, California Amanda and Michelle from Anaheim, California Becky from Sierra Village, California Brittany from San Rafael, California Jaimie from Riverside, California Andree (unknown)
As we all know, there was a girl from Humboldt Park who claimed we would come back next season. She did, and ended up winning!
cycle 8: Melissa from The Bronx, New York Anna from Lancaster, Pennsylvania Chelsea from Richmond, Virginia Sarah from Lake Zurich, Illinois Dionne from Montgomery, Alabama Kathleen from Brooklyn, New York Jael from Detroit, Michigan Megan from Seattle, Washington Renee from Maui, Hawaii Diana from Garfield, New Jersey Cassandra from Seattle, Washington Samantha from Pinson, Alabama Jaslene from Humboldt Park, Illinois Whitney from West Palm Beach, Florida Micheline from Atlanta, Georgia Natalie from Atlanta, Georgia Brittany from Savannah, Georgia Gelecia/Gigi from Atlanta, Georgia Bethany from Alice, Texas Farrah from Houston, Texas Heather from Deer Park, Texas Felicia from Houston, Texas Natasha from Dallas, Texas Jessica from Inglewood, California Lauren from Pasadena, California Aly from West Hollywood, California Hannah (unknown) Erin (unknown)
Most of the known semifinalist were all from California (Aly, Lauran and Jessica), Texas (Heather, Farrah and Bethany) or Georgia (Gigi, Natalie and Micheline). The only semifinalist not from those states were Megan, Melissa, Anna and Chelsea.
cycle 9: Victoria from New Haven, Connecticut Spontaniouse from Montgomery, Alabama Chantal from Austin, Texas Christie from Lewisville, North Carolina Jenna from Flint, Michigan Kimberly from Ocala, Florida Heather from Valparaiso, Indiana Ambreal from Dallas, Texas Marvita from Anchorage, Alaska Janet from Bainbridge, Georgia Lisa from Jersey City, New Jersey Jenah from Farmington, Connecticut Bianca from Queens, New York Jessica from Brooklyn, New York Sylvia from New Hyde Park, New York Tara from Chicago, Illinois Ebony from Roseland, Illinois Jess from Chicago, Illinois Sarah from Heath, Massachusetts Jennifer from Walpole, Massachusetts Mila from Boston, Massachusetts Juliana from Lancaster, Massachusetts Saleisha from Madera, California Sabrina from Cerritos, California Allene from Fresno, California Sara/Eleatrice from Sacramento, California
A lot of J names. Out of everyone from cycle 9, 7 have J names.
cycle 10: Amis from Bartlesville, Oklahoma Marguerite from Cincinnati, Ohio Kristen from Portage, Michigan Aimee from Spanaway, Washington Shalynda from Washington D.C Allison from Waunakee, Wisconsin Shaya from Country Club Hills, Illinois Tiffany from Portland, Oregon Marvita from Anchorage, Alaska Anya from Honolulu, Hawaii Dominque from Columbus, Ohio Jenna from Boston, Massachusetts Kimberly from Worchester, Massachusetts Fatima from Boston, Massachusetts Whitney from Atlantic Beach, Florida Jennifer from Orlando, Florida Sonja from Fort Lauderdale, Florida Stacy-Ann from Miami, Florida Claire from Oahu, Hawaii/Brooklyn, New York Lauren from Brooklyn, New York Erica from Manhattan, New York Katarzyna from Roslyn, New York Atalya from Brooklyn, New York Camilla from Long Beach, California Tonya from San Diego, California Petra from Valley Glen, California
Camilla from Bad Girls Club was a top 20 semi finalist for this cycle. You can see here when Tyra is picking the final cast and during Shaya and Fatima's fight.
cycle 11: Lio from Minneapolis, Minnesota Lindsey from Clinton, Mississippi Isis from Prince George's County, Maryland Sharaun from Chicago, Illinois Joslyn from Lucky, Louisiana Renée from Inglewood, Tennessee McKey from Lake Forest, Illinois Susan from Canton, Michigan Brittany R. from Henderson, Nevada Alexandria from Vicksburg, Mississippi Shanna from Miami, Florida Lauren from Charlottesville, Virginia Elina from Seattle, Washington Clark from Pawleys Island, South Carolina Hannah from Fairbanks, Alaska Nikeysha from The Bronx, New York Sheena from Harlem, New York Brittany H. from New York, New York Kacey from Palmdale, California Samantha from Woodland Hills, California Veronique from Riverside, California Marjorie from San Francisco, California Stephanie (unknown) Olivia (unknown) Olivia (two Olivia's, both unknown)
There was actually Brittany's this cycle. The 4th Brittany is Brittany Hall! She's a NYC Model that has beautiful dark skin and long, wavy hair.
cycle 12: Adiamond from Denver, Colorado Kathryn from Farmland, Indiana Teyona from Woodstown, New Jersey Sandra from Rockville, Maryland Anna Lisa from Scottsdale, Arizona Aminat from Union, New Jersey Fo from Albuquerque, New Mexico Tahlia from Phoenix, Arizona Monique from Telluride, Colorado Kortnie from Houston, Texas Angelea from Buffalo, New York London from Arlington, Texas Celia from Cynthiana, Kentucky Allison from New Orleans, Louisiana Asha from Atlanta, Georgia Bianca from Albuquerque, New Mexico Jessica from Bradenton, Florida Isabella from Barboursville, Virginia Alex from Tampa, Florida Nijah from Rancho Cucamonga, California Tatiana from Lakewood, California Natalie from Palos Verdes, California Lauren (unknown) Kelly (unknown)
London and Isabella's real names are Lauren and Kelly. They went by nicknames because there was another pair named Lauren and Kelly, and they just kept the nicknames.
cycle 13: Amanda from New Orleans, Louisiana Nicole from Louisville, Colorado Bianca from Columbia, South Carolina Kara from Fort Wayne, Indiana Rae from Minneapolis, Minnesota Raven from Knoxville, Tennessee Courtney from Plantation, Florida Tyrie from Indianapolis, Indiana Jennifer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Erin from Spring Grove, Illinois Simone from Hagerstown, Maryland Xixi from Wexford, Pennsylvania Ashley from Chicago, Illinois Laura from Stanford, Kentucky Germaine from Woodhaven, New York Lulu from Brooklyn, New York Voila from The Bronx, New York Melanie from Brooklyn, New York Minolta from Queens, New York Stacey from Utica, New York Lisa from Queens, New York Alison from Santa Rosa, California Brittany from Livermore, California Ciara from Riverside, California Rachel from Woodland, California Amber from Oceanside, California Sundai from Bakersfield, California
A power ranger auditioned for the role. She's one of the more well-known semifinalist, but Ciara was a power ranger in the late 2000s - early 2010s.
cycle 14: Hallie from Memphis, Tennessee Krista from Pine Bluff, Arkansas Rogi from Washington D.C Naduah from San Diego, California Jessica from Conway, Arkansas Anslee from Dracula, Georgia Ravyn from Washington D.C Tatianna from Ewa Beach, Hawaii Jeanna from Chicago, Illinois Raina from Minnetonka, Minnesota Anastasia from Chicago, Illinois Danielle from Greenville, South Carolina Justine from Syracuse, New York Alasia from Marietta, Georgia Gabrielle from St. Louis, Missouri Martha from Charlotte, Tennessee Angelea from Buffalo, New York Brittany from College Park, Maryland Simone from Lenexa, Kansas Honor from Santa Monica, California Jessie from Warren, Michigan Nida from East Bernard, Texas Julianna from Austin, Texas Alexandra from Kerrville, Texas Aimee from Houston, Texas Madelynne from Houston, Texas Tuesday from Houston, Texas Ren from Dallas, Texas Brenda from Houston, Texas
Texas was done dirty this season. Many of the semi finalist (Tuesday, Madelynne, Aimee, Julianna and Nida) are all from Texas (Brittany also lived there for a while) and for some reason, Ren was casted? The reason why is because they wanted someone to create drama and all the top 20 remaining girls were nice (except one) so they brought Ren.
Hallie was a top 20 girl, and she was bratty and spoiled. So why wasn't she casted? Both her and production found out that she was pregnant so she couldn't continue.
cycle 15: Tyrie from Indianapolis, Indiana Justine from Indianapolis, Indiana De'Yana from Detroit, Michigan Chelsey from Boise, Idaho Jane from Baltimore, Maryland Jessica from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania Esther from Boston, Massachusetts Lauren from Brettwood, Tennessee Vanessa/Violet from Lakeville, Minnesota Emily C. from Ona, West Virginia Toya from Beaufort, South Carolina Christina from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Kendal from Northport, Alabama Emily H. from Barboursville, West Virginia Terra from Arlington, Texas Anna from Dallas, Texas Lyzbeth/Liz from Arlington, Texas Christin/Chris from Arlington, Texas Laura from New York, New York Anamaria from Queens, New York Sara from Tarrytown, New York Alexia/Lexie from Geneva, Illinois Nitasha from Chicago, Illinois Jillian from Chicago, Illinois Kayla from Rockford, Illinois Jordan from Chicago, Illinois Kacey from Palmdale, California Emi from Pismo Beach, California Rylee from Orange County, California Sara B. from Menifee, California Shelby from Beverly Hills, California Rhianna from San Diego, California Mindy from Murrieta, California Anna (unknown) Jen (unknown)
Jen is an unknown Asian girl who just randomly slipped away from production and ran away during auditions.
cycle 16: Laree from Atlanta, Georgia Breanna from Blaine, Minnesota Elizabeth from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Molly from Olathe, Kansas Annabelle from Manhattan, New York Sierra from Park City, Utah Kari from Steamboat Springs, Colorado Taneisha from Anniston, Alabama Brittani from Beech Creek, Pennsylvania Tiffany from Hattiesburg, Mississippi Molly O. from Charleston, South Carolina Ondrei from Muskegon, Michigan Kasia from Wheaton, Illinois Yashure from East Saint Louis, Illinois Monique from Hebron, Illinois Alexandria from Huntington Beach, California Dalya from Corona, California Vee from Sacramento, California Dominique from Houston, Texas Jaclyn from Belton, Texas Rune from Edinburg, Texas Hannah from Houston, Texas Mikaela from Boca Raton, Florida Deidrian from Lauderdale Lakes, Florida Nicole from Orlando, Florida Angelia from Pembroke Pines, Florida the unnamed stripper from Mobile, Alabama
The fake out girls were not actresses, they were real people. This is more well known now but maybe you didn't know.
cycle 17: Seymone from Augusta, Georgia Allison from Houston, Texas Isis from Prince George's County, Maryland Mariah from Pendleton, Oregon Kyle from Magnolia, Texas Laura K. from Stanford, Kentucky Eboni from Seattle, Washington Kayla from Rockford, Illinois Dominique from Columbus, Ohio Molly from Olathe, Kansas Shannon from Franklin, Ohio AzMarie from San Fernando Valley, California Alexandria from Newport Beach, California Lisa from Los Angeles, California Angelea from Buffalo, New York Laura L. from Scotia, New York Sheena from Harlem, New York Candace from Brooklyn, New York Bre from Harlem, New York Camille from The Bronx, New York Bianca from Queens, New York
Before season 17 was an Allstars season, it was just a regular season. Some of the 32 girls included Candace, Laura L, AzMarie, Eboni, Kyle, Mariah, Seymone and Molly (a season 16 fake-out girl). Production changed it last minute and everyone last minute accept Molly went on cycle 18. This was confirmed by Molly and AzMarie
cycle 18: Amelia from Port Talbot, Wales Laura from Scotia, New York Eboni from Seattle, Washington Candace from Brooklyn, New York Mariah from Pendleton, Oregon Kyle from Magnolia, Texas AzMarie from San Fernando Valley, California Seymone from Augusta, Georgia Ashley from Armadale, Scotland Alisha from South London, England Jasmia from London, England Sophie from Oxford, England Catherine from Folkestone, England Louise from London, England Annaliese from London, England
There was another American girl that was a semifinalist on cycle 17 and moved to 18. She dropped out, however, before production started. They had to cut a UK girl out to make it more equal and that was Amelia.
cycle 19: Latrishe from Washington D.C Ivory from Whittier, California Nastasia from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania Jamie from Gahanna, Ohio Lauren from Ann Arbor, Michigan Deedra from from Portland, Oregon Jessie from Speedway, Indiana Victoriana from San Diego, California Brittany from Gilbert, Arizona Savanna from East Lansing, Michigan Kiara from Las Vegas, Nevada Allyssa from Fort Lauderdale, Florida Kaci from Moon Township, Pennsylvania Christin from Cook County, Illinois Destiny from Columbus, Ohio Yvonne from Minneapolis, Minnesota Kristin from Jacksonville, Florida Leila from Farmington, Massachusetts Sara from Seattle, Washington Maria from Las Cruces, New Mexico Victoria from Colquitt, Georgia Darian from Baton Rouge, Louisiana Laura from Cambridge, New York Caroline from Awendaw, South Carolina Amber from Sachse, Texas Jasmine from Fort Worth, Texas Briana from Southlake, Texas Andie from San Antonio, Texas Sasha from Dallas, Texas Delaney from Dallas, Texas
These are the hometowns of all the college girls instead of their college cities. Like season 14, Texas was done dirty.

This is the second time visiting Japan with my boyfriend and our main goals were to eat good food and ski at Hakuba Valley. We saw cherry blossoms, experienced Japanese onsen, and traveled a lot with our JR rail pass!
Day 1 Tokyo:

• Arrived at Narita in the afternoon
• Omotesando (shopping, ramen at Oreryu Shio Ramen Jingu-mae; order from the vending machine, it’s cheap and fast)
• Shibuya (conveyer belt sushi at Gansozushi, we only went there because the other sushi place we wanted to go to - Sushi No Midori - wasn’t taking any more people. We were super tired and just wanted something quick)
• We stayed in Kyobashi near Tokyo Station. The area feels upscale, quiet, clean and safe. It’s not crowded and has very wide streets (easy for wheeling luggages from the station to your hotel), and is centrally located. Not much nightlife.

Day 2 Tokyo to Hakuba Valley:

• Breakfast at Tsukiji Market. Even at 7am most places have a short wait. We ate A5 Wagyu, sushi at Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan, and got taiyaki at Tsukiji Sanokiya. Also bought some small bowls and sake cups from Ichifuji
• Shiba Park. Didn’t get much time here since we were rushing to catch our train, but we saw Tokyo Tower and some cherry blossom trees in front of Zojo-ji
• Train from Tokyo Station to Nagano and bus to Hakuba Valley. We’re glad we budgeted a lot of extra time at Tokyo Station because we were pretty lost. You don’t really need to be at the platform super early (boarding time is just a few minutes before departure)
• At Nagano station we got soba noodles while waiting for our bus to Hakuba. Seems like a lot of locals were eating there too.
• Dinner in Hakuba at NEO＂和＂食堂 一成. The tonaktsu here is delicious, and we tried duck sukiyaki. The restaurant only has like 3-4 tables so get here early if you don’t have a reservation.

Day 3 Hakuba Valley:

• Ski day at Iwatake. Not much snow coverage, but we still had fun. It has a lot of beginner and easier intermediate terrain with pretty good views (hard/expert terrain were closed due to lack of snow.) It was cloudy all morning but around noon it cleared up and we had amazing views of Hakuba valley.
• The City Bakery is worth a visit even if you don’t ski at Iwatake. It’s a beautiful wooden viewing platform and attached cafe with coffee and pastries.
• Hakuba Happo Onsen. Very clean and relaxing experience. The best part was sitting in the tatami room after the onsen, and drinking some tea from the vending machines.
• Dinner at Yamagami Syokudou NEO. We had grilled pork and beef, ramen, gyoza and potato croquette.

Day 4 Hakuba Valley:

• Ski day at Happo One. It snowed all day so there was a good amount of fresh powder, but also poor visibility. The terrain here is more advanced, especially because it’s not well groomed. The green runs are very narrow cat tracks. We stayed in the section called Panorama Pair. Lower half of the mountain was mostly closed.
• Stayed at Hakuba Hifumi. We used the onsen, relaxed in our room, then had dinner in the hotel (shabu shabu.) Staying here was one of the major highlights of our whole trip. If you can find a room here I’d highly recommend it! (http://www.hakubahifumi.jp/en/)

Day 5 Hakuba to Osaka:

• Long travel day. Bus from Hakuba > Nagano, train from Nagano > Kanazawa, then Kanazawa > Osaka, around 6 hours total travel time. We sat on the left side for Nagano > Kanazawa and got amazing views of snow mountains. Watched anime, took a nap, ate ekiben.
• Namba Walk, had ice cream and matcha tiramisu at Maccha house
• Kuromon Market and Dotonbori. Didn’t enjoy it much our second time round. The food we had was mediocre (maybe we’re just unlucky). The line for takoyaki was super long, and the takoyaki was very undercooked and runny.
• Umeda Sky Building. Nice experience overall, especially watching the trains go across the river. Luckily we were able to just go up without any lines.
• We stayed in Shin Osaka station area. It’s much quieter than Osaka station but still pretty convenient.

Day 6 Osaka:

• Breakfast at Dashichazuke En.
• Osaka Castle Park. There were a few cherry blossom trees blooming. Recommend walking to the Japanese Garden on the south west corner of the castle.
• Lunch at Sachifukuya (in Jo Terrace). The Hokkaido milk soft serve ice cream is really good.
• Gift shopping at Shin Osaka station. Also had conveyer belt sushi at Ganko kaitenzushi.
• Train to Kansai Airport. We arrived about 3 hours before departure. Check-in line took 1 hour. Our gate was in an area that is mostly under construction so there was not much to eat or shop. I recommend doing your souvenir shopping at the big train stations (Shin Osaka or Osaka) instead of the airport.

Some tips for future travelers:

• Don't just buy a 24 hour Tokyo metro ticket. There are two different subway companies, the Tokyo Metro (blue M symbol) and Toei (has a green leaf symbol), and we were not able to use our metro pass on any of the Toei stations. It was still possible to get around but we had to walk further to certain stations. I think there is an option for a combination ticket for both, we just didn’t know at the time.
• If you’re going to or from Tokyo Station, budget an extra 15-20 minutes travel time. You can even spend a whole hour exploring the station's food.
• When booking a hotel in Hakuba, check the free shuttle map so you can use it to get to and from the slopes and bus station. Some hotels will also offer some shuttle services as well (e.g. pickup and drop off at the bus station.)

So, you've heard that Asheville is weird. Perhaps that's even a part of the reason that you moved here! But now that you're here, you're wondering.. how do I go about "getting started" as an Ashevillian?
Here are some LEGAL, AFFORDABLE, & OCCASIONALLY CREATIVE "solutions" to your problems:
1) I want to get to know some new people in the area so that I can form some genuine friendships and/or relationships, but I'm anxious about it and/or am not sure where to start:
That's why this subreddit exists! There's clearly an unmet need here, and it's my hope that we'll be able to do some really neat things with this community. Meet-ups are in the works, as is a private Facebook group, and I would love to put together things like a group chat to help people start to connect (we've got a lot of introverts in the house who would prefer to get to know each other before meeting up!).
I'm also considering starting a trauma-support group, as I have PTSD and know that I'm not alone in that respect (thank you to everyone who's reached out!). It could be fun and empowering to set up something like self-defense classes, even, or we could just get a group-chat going (or group yoga!).
At this point, finding/deciding on various meeting spots that will work for various people's hobbies, locations, etc., as well as figuring out everyone's availability for meet-ups are a priority for me; suggestions are more than welcome! We have a lot of people who are into trivia, or beer, or hiking, etc.. great! Now we just need to start on coordinating/organizing various groups/meet-ups, I suppose. Keeping an eye out for new people who are introducing themselves and welcoming them warmly should always remain a priority, of course; that's kind of the point of this subreddit's existence! :)
2) I feel like going somewhere or doing something but don't know where to go and don't have anybody to go with. Where am I pretty likely to have a good time if I decide to venture out?
I'm honestly a bit of a hermit, but we've had a lot of really great suggestions throughout various threads in this subreddit, so I did my best to compile that information into some suggestions here:
https://taqueriamunoz.com/menu/ - this is the way, and I know this to be true on a personal level.
https://www.thegreyeagle.com/ - I'm seeing a lot of comments from people who frequent this place, and they seem to be positive, mostly! Please correct me if I'm wrong; your experience(s) may vary.
https://www.wagbar.com/ - lots of people recommending this place! Seems like it could be fun for a meet-up (and/or to get your pup's energy out); I'm not sure how busy it is or how it's set up, though.
https://www.dobrateanc.com/ - super chill tea place if you're one of those people who sometimes likes to just do their own thing around other people who are doing their own things (cough, cough, me).
https://www.leosavl.com/ - apparently, this is a really good place for a date night! It's a little spendy, but it's classy, non-threatening, and tasty, per the overwhelming majority of responses that I read.
https://www.ashevillekava.com/ - great alternative hang-out for non-drinkers! Sounds very chill.
https://ashevilleyachtclub.com/ - opposite end of the spectrum; local dive bar with local drunks.
https://burialbeer.com/location/forestry-camp/ - pretty sure this is the location that you guys were talking about the other day? There's also the South Slope location. See, also: https://dssolvr.com/, https://highlandbrewing.com/, https://hillmanbeer.com/, https://www.pisgahbrewing.com/, and so on.
Obviously, leaving the house and doing things is not my strong point! Please feel free to add whatever suggestions you may have below; knowledge is power, and I typically love to see it shared freely!
3) You know how asheville is always getting inundated with "give me your plug" & "sell me dr*gs" posts? If you don't wanna be that guy but do enjoy cannabis, then.. may I suggest:
https://mellowfellow.fun/ - honestly my favorite legal option! They're a bit on the spendy side, but it's worth it, IMHO (they've got, like, actual PhD's working there, and I trust them quality/safety-wise).
https://www.apotheca.org/our-stores - local business with multiple locations if you prefer to do your shopping in-person! They also have kava, kratea, and a variety of non-alcoholic beverage options. The employees have always been really chill and sweet to me; they're happy to help you get started out.
https://www.elementvape.com/clearance-hemp - if you're broke and are having a rough time, these guys will hook you up. Quick shipping. I try to support small businesses, but sometimes, it's just not financially feasible, and the clearance section here is CHEAP cheap & has some decent-quality brands. Also, please call or text 988 if things get really bad, friend. The world is a better place with you in it.
Anyway, as the majority of reasonable people realize, once you've put down roots and have formed healthy friendships here, your "plugs" will come along naturally, if you would like to go down that path. I fully support/commend sober folks! but I'm also not going to the gate-keep "legal/affordable cannabis" options here. Honestly, I find it a bit odd that North Carolina, which is advertised as "one of the best states for veterans," doesn't allow medical cannabis use for people suffering from PTSD.
4) You know how your new friends keep talking about signs and planets and houses and, like, crystals and protection jars? Welp, here's where you can figure out what the hell is going on:
https://horoscopes.astro-seek.com/birth-chart-horoscope-online - literally just plug in your DOB and time/location of birth and read away. Who knows; it may even resonate with you! This is a pretty solid source; their synastry charts are also spot-on (if you wanna impress an astrology chick, this is the way).
https://astro.cafeastrology.com/natal.php - if you found what you read above interesting, then this site elaborates quite a bit more with descriptions of your placements and what it all means. Remember that while we all have our weak spots, we are capable of inner work. I have some placements that I don't like (Venus in Gemini comes to mind!), but I look at it as an opportunity for growth, nowadays.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SeraphinaReiki - Sarah's way over the pond, but I love her so much! She's honestly cheaper and better than any licensed counselor that I've seen in the 15+ years that I've been in therapy (yes, that says a lot about the state of healthcare in America; no, you should not judge us). I'm honestly tempted to gatekeep her because she's legit changed my life (and is getting very busy).
https://www.etsy.com/people/PsychicAdelyn - in a similar vein, ADELLE DOES NOT FUCK AROUND. Is she an actual psychic? Who knows. Will she give you the brutal reality check that you need for $5? Yes.
https://soulku.com/ - if you're looking for a meaningful gift for a special person, this is very Asheville.
https://www.facebook.com/ashevilleravenandcrone/ - basically the most "Asheville" shop in Asheville. They will help you figure out if your ex is trying to curse you. Black cat adoption events. I enjoy them!
It's cool if you don't believe in astrology and whatnot. I come from a family of engineers and sneered at it myself up until a few years ago (after lots of therapy). It's a harmless hobby at worst and can be utilized as a tool to increase self-awareness and encourage growth, best-case scenario, in my opinion.
5) So, I've never lived in a "real" city before, and I'm not sure how to feel about the homeless people, drug use, and mental illness that I've witnessed here. What can I do to process this?
https://belovedasheville.com/get-involved/ - honestly, getting involved in the community (and giving back to the community in the process) is a great way to begin to understand your new reality, IMHO.
https://helpmateonline.org/voluntee - you can volunteer to help victims of domestic violence here.
https://www.mannafoodbank.org/how-you-can-help/voluntee - also a popular place to volunteer!
https://www.ashevillehumane.org/get-involved/volunteer - love animals? help save them (and meet other people who love animals in the process!). See, also: https://charliesangelsanimalrescue.com/
https://allsoulscounseling.org/ - affordable counseling; they are wonderful people, in my experience.
https://www.asheville.com/directory/local/mental-health-services/ - other mental-health resources.
Also, read up on culture shock! It gets better. Things like writing in a journal daily can really help; also, here is a link to where I have accumulated a bunch of mental-health resources: https://pin.it/3IoZAp0
The main thing that bothers me about asheville is how savagely people who are asking genuine, innocent questions can get attacked. I grew up in a small town in Northern MN, then moved down to Minneapolis, then to Clyde, then to Asheville, and so on, so I'm no stranger to feeling like a stranger. I know that there are some really solid "locals" who feel the same way, and hopefully, this subreddit will help bring out the best in everyone involved (including myself, of course!). Let's keep this sub "clean."
Anyway, that's all I've got, folks! I hope that you're all having a good night. Please feel free to add to, correct, or expand on anything that I may have have gotten wrong in the comments; I'm doing my best, but a freakin' SWAT team was at my apartment complex earlier, and I'm still a little shaken up!

So... if anyone remembers, when gamestop dropped it's NFT collection last time, it had this gif here:
https://nft.gamestop.com/token/0x0c589fcd20f99a4a1fe031f50079cfc630015184/0xa1be0aeeda52ec12f3d2a9b0f8371a111548d42bb2109312027d3c52c7de5bc5
There is a rocket that blasts off in the background from where the BBBY headquarters is located. It also has Morse code in the stream it leaves behind that spell out GME.
Well, this time around I was looking at this gif: https://nft.gamestop.com/token/0x0c589fcd20f99a4a1fe031f50079cfc630015184/0xed387bedfab930c5e1bf267c84bad2ff1e296a1c1ebd0a96a3268615f630867e
And, low and behold another rocket is shooting out from the left top corner. Now, assuming this is the golden state bridge and looking south towards San Fransisco, you know what is located South East of there?
Yeah... the only fucking BBBY in the city, right from where that rocket is coming.
I am literally wrapped in tinfoil right now, and feel so zen.

So, I'm one of those people who really does not like change which is why I stayed at my job for 5 years (a kitchen manager at a roadhouse) although I always knew I wanted to move on and work my way up to being a chef. I need to be able to work under a chef to do so or to to culinary school which I don't have the money for. Plus I heard learning hands on under a chef, was just as good, if not better sometimes.
A few months back I got into an argument with my boss and I decided it was type to make the leap. I put my 2 weeks in and about a month later I was working at a small tavern that does all their food from scratch and has some knowledgeable cooks there. I've learned a few things. I just hate change like I said so I'm constantly judging myself and telling myself I'm not interesting enough to start new places because people who know me, know I'm just a quiet closed off type of person but kitchen people are usually not.... so in new places I'm just sort of the quiet awkward girl and I hate it because it creates a crazy amount of anxiety. Which I fought so hard to get rid of and working in Kitchens and working my way up to a manager has helped with that.
I got offered a job at a very fancy golf course in my city that does huge weddings, banquets, other events, catering and has 6 red seal chefs.
I went in for 2 interviews,the second one being where I had to cook for the chefs including the executive chef. My meal was chicken marsala and was good enough to get hired.
So I've recently filled out all the paper work, re did my food handlers and other courses, and I start on April 15th.
I am going to be working with chefs that have cooked all over the world (some of them) and they're going to have so many stories and be so cool and interesting. I am quiet and they're going to be asking me questions about a thousand different things but honestly I don't do much.. I stay at home.. have a small group of friends ds(not really even) have my family and usually I'm good with that. I have a trailer up north where I love spending time outdoors with family. I love cooking for people. I have a huge passion for writing g but I feel like I am better at sitting by myself with pen and paper and I can write something interesting but when it comes to real life ? I have nothing to say, I have no clue how to open up.
It really has been depressing me these days more than ever because I just want to wake up happy and not constantly worry about the judgement of others but I don't know how.
Does anybody have any advice on any cool things I can say to the chefs/other cooks about the food industry at least to sound interesting? Or advice on what I should talk about? What kind of music is cool? Or any advice on how to ease the anxiety? Cause this is slowly killing me and making me a nervous wreck, I hate it.
Thank you in advance for anyone who reads and comments :)
Tldr: I'm starting a new job for the first time in 5 years and I'm nervous I'm going to be unlikable, awkward, too quiet, not interesting. The anxiety of it is killing me and taking over every thought.

Hey everyone, first post here. I was born and currently live in Ecuador but I own a double nacionality from Spain so I can travel across the EU. Currently my country is really really fckd in many aspects so I’m considering to travel to any other country in the EU but to be honest Netherlands has been in my mind since I was a kid, is like my dream country but I have a lot of questions too. 1) How’s the current situation there? 2) Can you find a job there? (I’m a biologist and self - taught drummer but I could work in any other areas, I like everything kitchen related and also I think my english level is pretty decent too). 3) Is it hard to find where to live in NL? 4) Is your country migrant friendly? 5) How much is the basic salary? 6) Aside from Amstterdam or Rotterdam which city do you recommend for living? I know that those cities tend to be very expensive, am I right? 7) How are Dutch people personality? 8) Any other advice? 9) Which other countries of the EU do you recommend in case that you think that migrate to the NL is not a good idea? Sorry for any mistake and greetings from Ecuador.