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A beginner's tool review and comparison: Sparrows Vs. Peterson Vs. Jimylong
2023.06.07 19:30 DenverTele A beginner's tool review and comparison: Sparrows Vs. Peterson Vs. Jimylong
To start, it should be noted that I am a beginner at lock picking. I'm currently picking yellow and orange locks, badly. I got into lockpicking as a means to work on some puzzle challenges while watching TV and so I can train my sense of touch since I'm also a woodworker by trade. I recently had a bit of extra money to blow on a new hobby, so I bought way too many picks from a variety of major suppliers. I collect tools of nearly all variety, so while I am new to picking I am not new to comparing quality and cost of tools, so this review will reflect those considerations more than anything. I have come to my own conclusion that I'm sure many here wont agree with. If you're somebody looking for internet advice on what to buy, take what I say with a grain of salt, as these are just my own opinions.
https://imgur.com/a/hFgk8bK
Sparrows My first purchase was based on the often copy pasta'd recommendation post made by jonlockpicking with three other picks that I was interested in trying.
Pros: Huge selection of specialty tools, reasonably priced, quick shipping
Cons: Handle dipping is excessive at times, metal stock width isn't consistent so handles are different sized, no labeling of what the pick is, so it can be confusing to a beginner as to what hook they are using.
Total Spent: $86
My thoughts: I think if you only ever bought picks from Sparrows you'd have a perfectly functional set of picks. They are a great value at the $4ish range per pick. It's also the candy store of lockpicking. They offer a dizzying array of specialty shapes that one could easily get lost in and build a large shopping cart. The tools are well made and have a finish that would be a reasonable expectation for the price point.
Peterson I bought Petersons because so many here recommended them. They supposedly use some unobtanium steel, they must be great, right? They are double the price of other brands, so you must be getting a better product, right? Ugg...so disappointing.
Pros: Steel used does seem to have marginally better strength and feedback than what Sparrows uses.
Cons: Absolutely the worst consistency of the bunch. Sharp edges, tools need to be filed / cleaned / polished, poor / inconsistent stamping, handle flashing, handles are loud when they rub together, handle labels placed at random so hooks all pointing one way in a case will bother those with OCD, COST.
Total Spent: $130
My thoughts: This is my buyers remorse section. I know Peterson picks are popular around here, and I will again remind anybody reading this that I am a beginner, but this order was incredibly disappointing. The prybars, in my opinion, were straight garbage. Sparrows bars appear to be superior in every way, and at a reasonable price. For $50 I expected a lot more than the poorly manufactured bits of metal scrap I was delivered. In that vein, if a manufacturer is going to sell a tool at double the price of their competitors (as their picks are priced), there should be value in that pricing. Tools should have higher QC tolerances, better finish, and more personal touches. They shouldn't come with flashing issues or poor stamping. It should be a tool ready to use out of the box. None of that happened here.
They say they use a crazy special steel that is very expensive. It's 420 stainless. You probably buy it to exact thickness on Grainger's website. Be proud to use quality materials, but don't sell it as something more than it is.
I honestly would have returned the lot had I not read posts online about how crappy their customer service is. My life blew up this year with family loss / illnesses / what not so I just didn't have the energy to even try with somebody who has a history of being rude to those seeking help. To be fair, I should have given the vendor a chance to make it right, but given their reputation I chalked it up to a loss. I will happily trade the Peterson tools to somebody who does like them for locks that will challenge me in the future.
Jimylong's I ordered these the day before the Peterson's arrived. I saw a reddit post recommending them. They were cheap, an interesting design, and apparently were community tested. For $20 for a pack of four picks, it was worth a try. I bought a set of .23 round tips. The next day, after getting the Peterson picks and realizing I didn't like them, I ordered the remaining 3 sets Jimylong offered to give them a try. Had I ordered both at the same time, and used the discount code I found on both orders instead of just one, I would have paid even less than I did.
Pros: Handles have great grip, steel used is good quality and has great feedback, great customer service, great price
Cons: Handles are too wide for most cases
Total Spent: $78 (Technically could have been less than $70 at the time.)
My thoughts: FULL DISCLOSURE - After my second order I sent an email to Jimylong saying that I ordered twice in less than a day so if he hadn't shipped anything yet he should feel free to send them both in the same package and pocket the extra shipping for a beer. He's a small business, it was my "mistake" so I wanted to make it easy if I could. I also had asked if he planned on releasing any more gem shapes soon. He said he was fixing an issue with the diamond shape that he didn't like so he didn't have any with the new handles but he'd send me one from an older version to try out. He ended up sending a gem in two sizes and a diamond in two sizes free of charge to me. I tried very hard not to let this sway my review. That said, Jimylong's were easily the best picks in the bunch and I'm about to gush about them so I thought you should know that he did hook me up with some great tools.
Seriously, if you don't have any yet, buy some Jimylongs. Great to hold, great feedback, and they are no more expensive than anything Sparrows offers. My only concern is that since he makes these because he's passionate about lockpicking and not trying to make a business out of it he might eventually have more success than he cares to have. I'd get these while the gettin' is good.
If I could get them with slightly slimmer handles so they fit in most cases, I would. But I can come up with other options for that. I do love the material he used as it doesn't seem to hinder feedback, and they also don't sound terribly scratchy or loud when the handles rub together.
I love how he labels the picks so you know what you're using. As a beginner it's hard to tell what sort of hook I'm using since they often look very similar. This is a really nice touch. Had Peterson's stamping been on point I would have given them credit for this as well, but I didn't even realize they had markings on them until I started taking close up pictures.
While his selection is minimal, the value to price comparison is a slam dunk with Jimylong's.
If I could give earlier self (or any other beginner) advice on what to buy knowing what I know now: Buy two four packs of picks from Jimylong. One in rounds, one in flats. That will let you figure out if you prefer round or flat picks, and leave you with a set of 4 great picks you'll use, and 4 you might use later or could sell / give away / trade. It's tempting to buy all the picks thinking you need them, but really it would help to become at least minimally proficient with a few shapes first so you actually have an idea of what specialty shapes you might want later.
From Sparrows buy a set of knurled flatbars, heavy bars, and maybe the SSDEV set if you want to try some other highly recommend hook shapes. If you're not willing to dissect an old windshield wiper for some bottom of keyway tensioners, buy a cheap set of those too.
Get 4-5 locks spread across the white / yellow / orange belt range to start practice on to get an idea if this is something you want to continue with. You'll have a quality set of tools to build upon if you like the hobby, and you wont have spent a fortune trying to test it out if you find that it's just not your thing.
I hope this has helped or been interesting.
submitted by DenverTele to lockpicking [link] [comments]
https://imgur.com/a/hFgk8bK
Sparrows My first purchase was based on the often copy pasta'd recommendation post made by jonlockpicking with three other picks that I was interested in trying.
Pros: Huge selection of specialty tools, reasonably priced, quick shipping
Cons: Handle dipping is excessive at times, metal stock width isn't consistent so handles are different sized, no labeling of what the pick is, so it can be confusing to a beginner as to what hook they are using.
Total Spent: $86
My thoughts: I think if you only ever bought picks from Sparrows you'd have a perfectly functional set of picks. They are a great value at the $4ish range per pick. It's also the candy store of lockpicking. They offer a dizzying array of specialty shapes that one could easily get lost in and build a large shopping cart. The tools are well made and have a finish that would be a reasonable expectation for the price point.
Peterson I bought Petersons because so many here recommended them. They supposedly use some unobtanium steel, they must be great, right? They are double the price of other brands, so you must be getting a better product, right? Ugg...so disappointing.
Pros: Steel used does seem to have marginally better strength and feedback than what Sparrows uses.
Cons: Absolutely the worst consistency of the bunch. Sharp edges, tools need to be filed / cleaned / polished, poor / inconsistent stamping, handle flashing, handles are loud when they rub together, handle labels placed at random so hooks all pointing one way in a case will bother those with OCD, COST.
Total Spent: $130
My thoughts: This is my buyers remorse section. I know Peterson picks are popular around here, and I will again remind anybody reading this that I am a beginner, but this order was incredibly disappointing. The prybars, in my opinion, were straight garbage. Sparrows bars appear to be superior in every way, and at a reasonable price. For $50 I expected a lot more than the poorly manufactured bits of metal scrap I was delivered. In that vein, if a manufacturer is going to sell a tool at double the price of their competitors (as their picks are priced), there should be value in that pricing. Tools should have higher QC tolerances, better finish, and more personal touches. They shouldn't come with flashing issues or poor stamping. It should be a tool ready to use out of the box. None of that happened here.
They say they use a crazy special steel that is very expensive. It's 420 stainless. You probably buy it to exact thickness on Grainger's website. Be proud to use quality materials, but don't sell it as something more than it is.
I honestly would have returned the lot had I not read posts online about how crappy their customer service is. My life blew up this year with family loss / illnesses / what not so I just didn't have the energy to even try with somebody who has a history of being rude to those seeking help. To be fair, I should have given the vendor a chance to make it right, but given their reputation I chalked it up to a loss. I will happily trade the Peterson tools to somebody who does like them for locks that will challenge me in the future.
Jimylong's I ordered these the day before the Peterson's arrived. I saw a reddit post recommending them. They were cheap, an interesting design, and apparently were community tested. For $20 for a pack of four picks, it was worth a try. I bought a set of .23 round tips. The next day, after getting the Peterson picks and realizing I didn't like them, I ordered the remaining 3 sets Jimylong offered to give them a try. Had I ordered both at the same time, and used the discount code I found on both orders instead of just one, I would have paid even less than I did.
Pros: Handles have great grip, steel used is good quality and has great feedback, great customer service, great price
Cons: Handles are too wide for most cases
Total Spent: $78 (Technically could have been less than $70 at the time.)
My thoughts: FULL DISCLOSURE - After my second order I sent an email to Jimylong saying that I ordered twice in less than a day so if he hadn't shipped anything yet he should feel free to send them both in the same package and pocket the extra shipping for a beer. He's a small business, it was my "mistake" so I wanted to make it easy if I could. I also had asked if he planned on releasing any more gem shapes soon. He said he was fixing an issue with the diamond shape that he didn't like so he didn't have any with the new handles but he'd send me one from an older version to try out. He ended up sending a gem in two sizes and a diamond in two sizes free of charge to me. I tried very hard not to let this sway my review. That said, Jimylong's were easily the best picks in the bunch and I'm about to gush about them so I thought you should know that he did hook me up with some great tools.
Seriously, if you don't have any yet, buy some Jimylongs. Great to hold, great feedback, and they are no more expensive than anything Sparrows offers. My only concern is that since he makes these because he's passionate about lockpicking and not trying to make a business out of it he might eventually have more success than he cares to have. I'd get these while the gettin' is good.
If I could get them with slightly slimmer handles so they fit in most cases, I would. But I can come up with other options for that. I do love the material he used as it doesn't seem to hinder feedback, and they also don't sound terribly scratchy or loud when the handles rub together.
I love how he labels the picks so you know what you're using. As a beginner it's hard to tell what sort of hook I'm using since they often look very similar. This is a really nice touch. Had Peterson's stamping been on point I would have given them credit for this as well, but I didn't even realize they had markings on them until I started taking close up pictures.
While his selection is minimal, the value to price comparison is a slam dunk with Jimylong's.
If I could give earlier self (or any other beginner) advice on what to buy knowing what I know now: Buy two four packs of picks from Jimylong. One in rounds, one in flats. That will let you figure out if you prefer round or flat picks, and leave you with a set of 4 great picks you'll use, and 4 you might use later or could sell / give away / trade. It's tempting to buy all the picks thinking you need them, but really it would help to become at least minimally proficient with a few shapes first so you actually have an idea of what specialty shapes you might want later.
From Sparrows buy a set of knurled flatbars, heavy bars, and maybe the SSDEV set if you want to try some other highly recommend hook shapes. If you're not willing to dissect an old windshield wiper for some bottom of keyway tensioners, buy a cheap set of those too.
Get 4-5 locks spread across the white / yellow / orange belt range to start practice on to get an idea if this is something you want to continue with. You'll have a quality set of tools to build upon if you like the hobby, and you wont have spent a fortune trying to test it out if you find that it's just not your thing.
I hope this has helped or been interesting.
2023.06.07 19:13 Additional-Comb-4477 Hiring a local contractor for some work on our new (old) house, wondering if the pricing seems right.
Hey y’all, we’re buying a 1860 farmhouse that’s 1120 sq ft. Our contractor is actually our neighbor and lives about a mile away. He has already done substantial work on the house, like replacing the stairs, replacing the upstairs subfloor, renovating the bathroom, and moving the kitchen.
He came out to do a walk around with us and gave us quotes for a couple things:
• $10.5k to replace two rotten sills (in the 200 sq ft addition), replace subfloor, and install new floating vinyl floor
• $3500 to replace a sliding glass door with a window
• $3200 to improve the drainage at the front side of the house by ripping out an old deck and installing piping and gravel to redirect water down the hill
• $1800 to replace 2 windows
• $5000 to move the kitchen and install new vinyl counters and cabinets (this will likely go up bc I would like quartz countertops etc). Kitchen is about 50 sq ft with 20 sq ft of countertop, very small house lol
• $875 to fix a sway in the roof by stapling down incorrectly attached … something
We’re replacing the slider bc he told us when the sill is fixed and the floor is level, the glass will likely crack. He’s been very up front and knows the house and the past owners. He also advised we get the water tested bc the iron levels in the area are high.
I thought it seemed reasonable and figured I’d tack on 15% for just in case/hidden issues. The house has already had extensive work done, like the electrical and plumbing were all replaced, and it was dry walled in the early 2000s. Does this seem practical?
submitted by Additional-Comb-4477 to HomeImprovement [link] [comments]
He came out to do a walk around with us and gave us quotes for a couple things:
• $10.5k to replace two rotten sills (in the 200 sq ft addition), replace subfloor, and install new floating vinyl floor
• $3500 to replace a sliding glass door with a window
• $3200 to improve the drainage at the front side of the house by ripping out an old deck and installing piping and gravel to redirect water down the hill
• $1800 to replace 2 windows
• $5000 to move the kitchen and install new vinyl counters and cabinets (this will likely go up bc I would like quartz countertops etc). Kitchen is about 50 sq ft with 20 sq ft of countertop, very small house lol
• $875 to fix a sway in the roof by stapling down incorrectly attached … something
We’re replacing the slider bc he told us when the sill is fixed and the floor is level, the glass will likely crack. He’s been very up front and knows the house and the past owners. He also advised we get the water tested bc the iron levels in the area are high.
I thought it seemed reasonable and figured I’d tack on 15% for just in case/hidden issues. The house has already had extensive work done, like the electrical and plumbing were all replaced, and it was dry walled in the early 2000s. Does this seem practical?
2023.06.07 19:12 _Triple_ [STORE] 900+ KNIVES/GLOVES/SKINS, 50.000$+ INVENTORY. M9 Fade, M4 Poseidon, BFK Freehand, Crimson Kimono, Nomad Fade, Skeleton, Kara Lore, Bayo Autotronic, AWP Fade, Kara Damas, BFK Ultra, Kara Freehand, Kara Bright, M9 Damas, Omega, Tiger Strike, Flip MF, Bayo Tiger, Deagle Blaze, Talon & More
Everything in my inventory is up for trade. The most valuable items are listed here, the rest you can find in My Inventory
Feel free to Add Me or even better send a Trade Offer. Open for any suggestions: upgrades, downgrades / knives, gloves, skins / stickers, patterns, floats.
All Buyouts are listed in cash value.
KNIVES
★ Butterfly Knife Freehand FN #1, B/O: $2500
★ Butterfly Knife Ultraviolet FT, B/O: $822
★ Butterfly Knife Scorched FT, B/O: $616
⎯★ Bayonet Tiger Tooth MW #1, B/O: $1300
★ Bayonet Autotronic FN, B/O: $1050
★ Bayonet Tiger Tooth MW, B/O: $629
★ Bayonet Bright Water FT, B/O: $326
★ Bayonet Safari Mesh BS, B/O: $233
⎯★ Karambit Lore FT, B/O: $1110
★ Karambit Damascus Steel FT, B/O: $840
★ Karambit Freehand MW, B/O: $784
★ Karambit Bright Water MW, B/O: $759
⎯★ M9 Bayonet Fade FN, B/O: $1801
★ M9 Bayonet Fade FN, B/O: $1801
★ M9 Bayonet Damascus Steel FN, B/O: $751
⎯★ Nomad Knife Fade FN, B/O: $1156
★ Nomad Knife Slaughter MW, B/O: $544
★ Nomad Knife Blue Steel WW, B/O: $318
⎯★ Flip Knife Marble Fade FN, B/O: $646
★ Flip Knife Doppler (Phase 4) FN, B/O: $574
★ Flip Knife Gamma Doppler (Phase 1) MW, B/O: $552
★ Flip Knife Case Hardened FT, B/O: $257
★ Flip Knife Freehand FT, B/O: $255
★ StatTrak™ Flip Knife Bright Water FN, B/O: $287
⎯★ Huntsman Knife Lore FN, B/O: $461
★ Huntsman Knife Gamma Doppler (Phase 4) FN, B/O: $436
★ Huntsman Knife Doppler (Phase 3) FN, B/O: $353
★ Huntsman Knife Autotronic FT, B/O: $212
★ Huntsman Knife Bright Water FT, B/O: $129
★ Huntsman Knife Forest DDPAT MW, B/O: $129
★ Huntsman Knife Forest DDPAT BS, B/O: $123
★ StatTrak™ Huntsman Knife Rust Coat BS, B/O: $127
⎯★ Bowie Knife Gamma Doppler (Phase 2) FN, B/O: $375
★ Bowie Knife Gamma Doppler (Phase 1) FN, B/O: $363
★ Bowie Knife Tiger Tooth FN, B/O: $269
★ Bowie Knife Crimson Web WW, B/O: $192
★ Bowie Knife Bright Water FN, B/O: $159
★ Bowie Knife Ultraviolet FT, B/O: $126
⎯★ Stiletto Knife Slaughter FN, B/O: $616
★ Stiletto Knife Crimson Web FT, B/O: $412
★ StatTrak™ Stiletto Knife Night Stripe FT, B/O: $227
⎯★ Falchion Knife Lore FT, B/O: $214
★ Falchion Knife Autotronic FT, B/O: $192
★ Falchion Knife Scorched WW, B/O: $105
⎯★ Survival Knife Crimson Web BS, B/O: $216
★ Survival Knife Case Hardened FT, B/O: $198
★ Survival Knife Scorched FT, B/O: $111
⎯★ Shadow Daggers Fade FN, B/O: $368
★ Shadow Daggers Doppler (Phase 3) FN, B/O: $228
★ Shadow Daggers, B/O: $201
★ Shadow Daggers Damascus Steel FT, B/O: $108
★ Shadow Daggers Ultraviolet FT, B/O: $105
★ Shadow Daggers Black Laminate FT, B/O: $99
★ Shadow Daggers Forest DDPAT FT, B/O: $85
⎯★ Gut Knife Doppler (Sapphire) MW #1, B/O: $1700
★ Gut Knife Gamma Doppler (Phase 1) FN, B/O: $223
★ Gut Knife Marble Fade FN, B/O: $203
★ Gut Knife Doppler (Phase 2) FN, B/O: $191
★ Gut Knife Case Hardened BS, B/O: $127
⎯★ Navaja Knife Doppler (Phase 4) FN, B/O: $199
★ Navaja Knife Doppler (Phase 4) FN, B/O: $199
★ Navaja Knife, B/O: $138
★ Navaja Knife Damascus Steel FN, B/O: $111
⎯★ Classic Knife Urban Masked FT, B/O: $146
★ StatTrak™ Classic Knife Stained BS, B/O: $168
⎯★ Ursus Knife Doppler (Phase 3) FN, B/O: $476
★ Ursus Knife, B/O: $375
⎯★ Skeleton Knife, B/O: $1137
★ Talon Knife, B/O: $608
★ Paracord Knife, B/O: $305
★ Survival Knife Forest DDPAT FT, B/O: $97
GLOVES
★ Moto Gloves Transport MW, B/O: $204
★ Moto Gloves Polygon BS, B/O: $142
★ Moto Gloves Blood Pressure BS, B/O: $84
★ Moto Gloves Blood Pressure BS, B/O: $84
★ Moto Gloves 3rd Commando Company BS, B/O: $63
★ Moto Gloves 3rd Commando Company BS, B/O: $63
⎯★ Specialist Gloves Crimson Kimono WW, B/O: $1215
★ Specialist Gloves Tiger Strike FT, B/O: $672
★ Specialist Gloves Lt. Commander FT, B/O: $305
★ Specialist Gloves Lt. Commander BS, B/O: $140
★ Specialist Gloves Crimson Web BS, B/O: $137
★ Specialist Gloves Buckshot FT, B/O: $75
⎯★ Driver Gloves Crimson Weave FT, B/O: $359
★ Driver Gloves Imperial Plaid BS, B/O: $229
★ Driver Gloves Overtake BS, B/O: $77
★ Driver Gloves Racing Green FT, B/O: $48
⎯★ Sport Gloves Omega FT, B/O: $739
★ Sport Gloves Amphibious BS #2, B/O: $733
★ Sport Gloves Arid BS, B/O: $292
⎯★ Hand Wraps Giraffe MW, B/O: $212
★ Hand Wraps Leather FT, B/O: $160
★ Hand Wraps Desert Shamagh MW, B/O: $101
⎯★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded MW, B/O: $185
★ Broken Fang Gloves Needle Point FT, B/O: $67
★ Broken Fang Gloves Needle Point WW, B/O: $59
⎯★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened BS, B/O: $65
★ Hydra Gloves Emerald FT, B/O: $65
★ Hydra Gloves Emerald BS, B/O: $62
WEAPONS
AK-47 Case Hardened BS, B/O: $130
AK-47 Bloodsport MW, B/O: $79
AK-47 Fuel Injector BS, B/O: $76
AK-47 Fuel Injector BS, B/O: $76
AK-47 Bloodsport FT, B/O: $70
AK-47 Neon Rider MW, B/O: $60
StatTrak™ AK-47 Aquamarine Revenge FT, B/O: $72
⎯AWP Fade FN, B/O: $1039
AWP Asiimov FT, B/O: $139
AWP Asiimov FT, B/O: $139
AWP Wildfire MW, B/O: $95
AWP BOOM MW, B/O: $93
AWP BOOM MW, B/O: $93
AWP Duality FN, B/O: $81
AWP Asiimov BS, B/O: $79
AWP Asiimov BS, B/O: $79
AWP Chromatic Aberration FN, B/O: $60
StatTrak™ AWP Hyper Beast FT, B/O: $68
StatTrak™ AWP Hyper Beast FT, B/O: $68
StatTrak™ AWP Electric Hive FT, B/O: $55
⎯Desert Eagle Blaze FN, B/O: $623
Desert Eagle Emerald Jörmungandr FN, B/O: $241
Desert Eagle Cobalt Disruption FN, B/O: $81
Desert Eagle Cobalt Disruption FN, B/O: $81
Desert Eagle Cobalt Disruption FN, B/O: $81
Desert Eagle Printstream FT, B/O: $54
⎯M4A1-S Blue Phosphor FN, B/O: $434
StatTrak™ M4A1-S Bright Water MW, B/O: $55
⎯M4A4 Poseidon FN, B/O: $1465
M4A4 Asiimov BS, B/O: $55
M4A4 Hellfire MW, B/O: $50
⎯USP-S Kill Confirmed MW, B/O: $72
USP-S Printstream FT, B/O: $69
StatTrak™ USP-S Kill Confirmed FT, B/O: $139
⎯AUG Flame Jörmungandr FN, B/O: $234
P90 Run and Hide FT, B/O: $147
Five-SeveN Candy Apple FN, B/O: $61
Trade Offer Link - Steam Profile Link - My Inventory
Some items on the list may no longer be available or are still locked, visit My Inventory for more details.
Send a Trade Offer for fastest response. I consider all offers.
Add me for discuss if there is a serious offer that needs to be discussed.
2023.06.07 18:50 Justwonderinif Post Conviction II
<
Friday, May 28, 2010
July 27, 2010
Thursday, June 9, 2011
January, 2012
June 4, 2014
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Sunday, December 29, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2015
Saturday, January 10, 2015
[Post Conviction III>>]()
submitted by Justwonderinif to adnansyed [link] [comments]
Friday, May 28, 2010
- Adnan could have filed for post conviction relief at any time during these past seven years, and did not have to wait ten years. Rabia lied about that.
- According to Rabia, Justin Brown has decided not to subpoena Asia, given her reaction when approached by the PI.
- Attoney Justin Brown files for Post Conviction Relief citing "Ineffective Assistance of Counsel" aka "IAC." This filing contains the first appearance of Asia's letters in the record.
- Syed asks for new trial, claiming trial counsel (Gutierrez), and appellate counsel (Warren Brown) were ineffective:
- 1) Gutierrez failed to establish a timeline disproving State's case
- 2) Gutierrez failed to investigate alibi witness (Asia)
- 3) Gutierrez failed to move for new trial based on Asia's statements
- 4) Gutierrez failed to cross-examine Debbie
- 5) Gutierrez failed to pursue a plea offer
- 6) Gutierrez failed to request a change of venue
- 7) Gutierrez failed to investigate Jay
- 8) In Adnan's appeal brief, Warren Brown failed to include the fact that Waranowitz strayed from his area of expertise, at trial.
- 9) Cumulative Ineffective Assistance of counsel.
- [Four years later, on October 18, and November 18, 2014, Rabia lied to the readers of her blog, writing that Adnan was forced to wait ten years to file for post conviction relief. The truth is the defendant has ten years from the date of conviction to file, but cannot file AFTER 10 years. In her book, Rabia wrote that she and Adnan knew all along that Adnan could file for post conviction relief the day after his appeal was denied in 2003]
- [Rabia also lies about how a 2013 google search led her to Sarah Koenig's coverage of Gutierrez' disbarment. Adnan's May 2010 filing for post conviction relief discusses Sarah Koenig's reporting. This is how Rabia would have become aware of Koenig.]
- Adnan has been at Cumberland / Supermax for one year.
- Justin Brown files a Supplement to Adnan's May 28, 2010 Petition for Post Conviction Relief. Cites a 10th point for PCR.
- 10) Sentencing counsel, Charles Dorsey, failed to request that the motion for sentence modification be held in abeyance.
After Syed fired Gutierrez, he was represented by a public defender, Charles Dorsey. Mr. Dorsey filed a Motion for Modification of Sentence. Mr. Syed had just received a sentence of life plus 30 years. Rather than ask the Court to hold that motion in advance and raise it after, up to ten years, which is the common practice when a defendant receives a very long sentence, Mr. Dorsey didn't do that. The court ended up ruling on the Motion for Modification a couple of days after it was filed. And, of course, the motion was denied. So that's our third, ineffective assistance of counsel claim. That he should have handled that differently. - The supplement also included further points Justin Brown wanted to make about Gutierrez's failure to ask for a pleas deal.
July 27, 2010
- State of Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services announces that Fewer Cell Phones Finding Their Way into State Prisons
- According to transcripts, Justin Brown attempts to subpoena Asia. (This could be the reason for one of the postponements.)
- Hae Min Lee 30th birthday
- Motions Hearing. The State Requests the defense file. Transcript Excerpt.
- PCR Hearing scheduled, but postponed. First postponement.
- Adnan has been in jail/prison for twelve years.
- Adnan's 30th Birthday
Thursday, June 9, 2011
- Adnan receives Certificate of Achievement at North Branch Correctional.
- Adnan has been at Cumberland / Supermax for two years.
- PCR Hearing scheduled, but postponed. Second postponement.
- Adnan moves to disqualify Kathleen Murphy as counsel for the state.
- Hae Min Lee 31st birthday
- PCR Hearing scheduled, but postponed. Third postponement.
January, 2012
- Rabia founds the "Safe Nation Collaborative." Unfortunately, law enforcement has never heard of it.
- PCR Hearing scheduled, but postponed. Fourth postponement.
- Adnan's motion to disqualify Kathleen Murphy is denied.
- Murphy says she first spoke to Urick about testifying at the PCR in February 2012
- PCR Hearing scheduled, but postponed. Fifth postponement.
- Adnan has been in jail/prison for thirteen years.
- Supreme Court Decisions [Lafler & Frye] re; Defense Attorney's obligation to seek plea deal
- Adnan's 31st Birthday
- Michael Sye named coordinator of athletics for the Baltimore County Public Schools, the top job in running one of the nation's biggest scholastic sports programs. He oversees competitive athletics for 24 high schools.
- Adnan has been at Cumberland / Supermax for three years.
- Adnan writes Justin Brown, asking for postponement of October court dates, due to a foot injury. No mention of July and August court dates.
- PCR Hearing scheduled, but postponed. Sixth postponement.
- PCR Hearing scheduled, but postponed. Seventh postponement.
- Transcripts: for Evidentiary Hearing in Post-Conviction Appeal.
- (Shamim's and Rabia's testimony filed and paid for by stop_saying_right after Rabia refused to upload anything but Urick's testimony.)
- Justin Brown opens. He will focus on (3) issues.
- Gutierrez's failure to investigate Asia.
- Gutierrez's failure to pursue a plea offer.
- Dorsey's failure to request that the motion for sentence modification be held in abeyance.
- Kevin Urick testifies:
- Gutierrez never approached him seeking a plea bargain. If he had been approached, there would have been a possibility of a negotiated disposition.
- Asia called him because she was afraid of being forced to testify. She had already made up her mind not to testify when she called Urick. And only called him looking for a way to get out of it.
- Shamim Rahman testifies: Posted and discussed on reddit thanks to SSR.
- Rabia Chaudry testifies: Posted and discussed on reddit thanks to SSR.
- Hae Min Lee 32nd birthday
- Transcripts: for Evidentiary Hearing in Post-Conviction Appeal.
- (Adnan and Meady's testimony filed and paid for by stop_saying_right after Rabia refused to upload anything but Urick's testimony.)
- Adnan Syed testifies. Posted and discussed on reddit thanks for SSR.
- Adnan testifies that he told Dorsey about Asia, but there is no mention of Asia's letters, or giving Dorsey Asia's letters.
- Margaret Meady testifies
- Justin Brown fails to call Andrew Davis, the Private Investigator hired by Flohr and Colbert to investigate the library/track alibi.
- Adnan has been in jail/prison for fourteen years.
- Adnan's 32nd Birthday
- Adnan's Cumberland Evaluation
- Adnan has been at Cumberland / Supermax for four years.
- It has been ten months since the October 2012 Hearing for Post Conviction Relief.
- Rabia says she watched the documentary "West of Memphis," looked up reporters who covered Gutierrez's disbarment, and found Sarah Koenig. Rabia hoped that media attention could influence Welch's pending decision, ten months after the hearing.
- Rabia is lying when she talks about this 2013 google search that led her to Sarah Koenig's coverage of Gutierrez' disbarment for the Baltimore Sun. The truth is that Adnan's May 2010 filing for post conviction relief discusses Sarah Koenig and the coverage in the Baltimore Sun. This is how Rabia would have become aware of Koneig. Not via an August 2013 random google search, after watching West of Memphis.
- Rabia sends a letter to Sarah Koenig, asking her to take a look at the case. Rabia claims the police and prosecutors knew Adnan was innocent, and Gutierrez threw the case for money. Note here that leading up to Serial, Rabia was convinced that Jay did it, and would have pitched the story, with the carrot of exposing Jay.
- Rabia hastily sets up an LLC in Maryland, even though she is not licensed to practice law there.
- In anticipation of meeting with Sarah Koenig, Rabia sets up an office at Security Plaza, across the street from Woodlawn High School.
- Rabia wants Sarah to think this has always been her office, and that this is where she works. The truth is Rabia lives and works in DC.
- Approximate: In her "office" across the street from WHS, Rabia meets with Sarah Koenig, leading Koenig to believe Rabia has had this office for a while. Note here that Jay being the killer would have been part of this conversation.
- Undated: Rabia tells Sarah Koenig that Gutierrez threw the case on purpose, to get more money for the appeal - Despite Gutierrez having suggested that another attorney handle the appeal.
- Adnan receives a letter from Justin Brown saying that a reporter named Sarah Koenig wanted to do an interview. Justin wrote that he didn't think Sarah would waste time on a story if she didn't believe Adnan was innocent. Adnan receives the first letter from Sarah Koenig, a few days later.
- By now, Adnan has received an introductory letter from Sarah Koenig. She sent him a pad and pencil and stamps. Adnan writes Sarah Koenig a letter about his story and case. Discussion. - [will update link soon]
- Adnan says he wasn't much bigger than Hae.
- Adnan says that students weren't allowed to use the top parking lot. (several WHSers and Krista have said that students used the top parking lot.)
- Adnan describes the route to the Best Buy but neglects to mention the back way.
- Adnan implies that the October 31 break up was the final break up.
- Adnan says that he and Hae would joke about two women calling him on his cell phone at the same time. (Only we know that Adnan's first, ever cell phone was activated the evening of January 12, and there are no calls on the call log that support this story.)
- Hae Min Lee 33rd birthday
- Sarah Koenig meets with Chris Flohr to try to get some sense of Adnan's innocence. She tells Flohr that she won't do the story unless Adnan is innocent. Jay as the killer is context for Koenig's work on Serial.
- Justin Brown talks about the importance of the defense investigator, despite having failed to call the defense investigator at Adnan's PCR hearing.
- Adnan receives a reply letter from Sarah Koenig and puts her on his visitor list. Sarah has decided to report on the story.
- Adnan writes Sarah Koenig to thank her for her letter and let her know she is on his visitor list.
- Adnan tells Koenig that no one but him (and the person who did it) will ever know if he did it or not. Adnan forgetting that Jay also knows the truth.
- Adnan writes: Looking back, I always knew that Jay was jealous of my relationship with Stephanie. Stephanie had told me she was going to break up with Jay when she went off to college. Jay asked me if I knew about it. I told him that I did, and he wasn't too happy about that.
- But on January 5, 2000, Adnan had said: Stepanie was so devoted to Jay that she talked about not going to college and possibly staying with Jay and renting an apartment.
- Breakdown of lies in this letter that Koenig could have questioned, and/or featured in Serial.
- Post Conviction Decision written by Justice Martin P. Welch.
- Andrew Davis in a single car accident, that proves fatal.
- Post Conviction relief denied by Justice Martin P. Welch.
- Koenig says that her first conversation with Adnan took place right after he received Welch's decision. Link to excerpt from first recorded interview
- Asia returns Sarah Koenig's call. Asia tells Sarah that when she was approached by the Defense PI, she "freaked out" and called Urick, who told her Adnan was guilty, so she dodged the attempt to produce her at the PCR.
- Bilal is notified of disciplinary action regarding his dental license, citing un-necessary treatments and overcharging on multiple occasions in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
- Defense files ALA (Applicaton for Leave to Appeal). Adnan's attorneys have to ask for permission to appeal Welch's decision, as there is no guaranteed right to appeal. Defense requests review of two issues:
- 1) Whether Gutierrez was ineffective because she didn't contact/interview Asia
- 2) Whether Gutierrez was ineffective for failing to pursue a plea deal, and telling Adnan she had.
- Adnan Defense Team PI Andrew Davis passes away. He was never asked about Asia or anything about the defense's pre-trial investigation. Drew Davis Photo Album
- Sarah has met with Deirdre Enright who has agreed to work on Adnan's case.
- Two UVA law school clinics begin work on Adnan's case.
- Rabia says that Sarah reached out to Dierdre on her own. But it's clear that Adnan told Sarah about the Justin Wolfe case and subsequently, Deirdre Enright.
- DNA issue important to law student, Mario
- Adnan has been in jail/prison for fifteen years.
- Justin George of the Baltimore Sun begins helping Sarah Koenig, at Rabia's urging. Rabia wanted a local reporter on the story, too.
- Approximate: Sarah emails Young Lee
- Approximate: Sarah interviews one of the prosecuting attorneys, Kathleen Murphy, for two hours
- Sarah and Dana Chivas visit Woodlawn, and surrounding areas:
- Krista shows them her scrapbook, lets them read Adnan's letters, and see her photos of Hae.
- Sarah and Dana Chivas do the drive test that Adnan asked Sarah to do. Rabia asks to go along. Sarah says no.
- Sarah shows Rabia the Enehey Report from the MPIA file. Rabia had never seen it. Sarah has redacted the name of the author of the report. She has promised the author she wouldn't reveal her name. Later, Rabia would post the report on her blog, and tell the world the name of the woman who wrote the report.
- Rabia says in her book that this report explained why the detectives focused in on Adnan. She leaves out that the report was not written until Adnan had been in jail for six months.
- Rabia dates the report as August 24, 1999, without mentioning that by then, Adnan had been arrested, indicted, and awaiting trial for months. (Later, Rabia would say that Justin Brown had a copy of the report in the police file, but never showed it to her.
- Adnan sends Sarah Koenig two "Price of Tea" charts, and asks her to hold them until the next time they speak. In October, of 2014, Koenig wrote about the subsequent conversation here.
- Adnan's 33rd Birthday
- Bilal sexually assaults patients.
June 4, 2014
- Adnan has been at Cumberland / Supermax for five years: Prison Evaluation
Thursday, August 7, 2014
- Sarah and Julie fly to California, two weeks after the original air date for the podcast. Jay wouldn't talk to them on the phone, so they delayed the podcast, and flew to California to blind-side Jay.
- Sarah and Julie arrive at Jay's house. No one is home. They go away, then come back, for the second time, to walk across his lawn, unannounced.
- Jay said this upset his children.
- During the conversation, Jay refers to himself as a "scoundrel with scruples." Jay wisely doesn't see any upside to letting them record an interview.
- Sarah Koenig emails Jay, apologizes for blind-siding him and causing upheaval, suggests they have a drink or coffee, and refers to the project she's working on as a documentary, not a podcast. Sarah tells Jay that the upside to doing a taped interview is that he can tell his version. Her message: "I'm going to do a story and talk about you, whether you like it or not."
- Adnan completes Home Study Programs > 8/22: Substance Abuse 8/22: Anger Management 8/25: Offender Corrections 8/29: Contentious Relationships
- Maryland Court of Special Appeals orders the State of Maryland to file a response to the defense's January 27, 2014 "ALA" (Application for Leave to Appeal). Court asks for State's response to the defense's assertion that Adnan asked for a plea, and Gutierrez failed to seek one. Court sets deadline of November 14, 2014 for State's response
- Adnan completes Home Study Programs > 9/8: Parenting 9/8: Cognitive Awareness 9/12: Theft & Shoplifting 9/12: Domestic Violence 9/12: DUI 9/12: Employment 9/22: Offender Responsibility
- Sarah writes to Rabia that the story will be presented in podcast form, over 12 episodes.
- Serial Episode 1 and 2:
- "The Alibi" Transcript
- "The Breakup" Transcript
- /serialpodcast is created - [will update link soon]
- Rabia's first blog post on Serial; undermining Koenig. Jakeprops says its must-read
- Rabia lies to her readers, writing that Adnan had no choice but to wait for ten years to file for Post Conviction Relief.
- The truth is that the defendant can file any time during those ten years, but not after ten years has lapsed.
- The truth is that in a 2004 letter to Rabia, Adnan articulated his strategy to wait out the years, until the deadline was upon them, and then file for PCR.
- Rabia begins to advertise her version of the story on reddit - [will update link soon]
- Baltimore Sun: Relatives of Convicted Killer Suffer in Silence
- Serial Episode 3: "Leakin Park" Transcript
- Rabia promoted her blog on reddit.
- Hae Min Lee 34th birthday
- Serial Episode 4: "Inconsistencies" Transcript
- Rabia tweets Jay's last name, and it is picked up on reddit. Pictures of Jay's house are posted on reddit as a result.
- Rabia texts Sarah and says that Redditers "figured out" Jay's last name and posted his Facebook.
- Rabia's blog post #2 on Serial. Response to "Inconsistencies"... Rabia reshapes Koenig's narrative. Posted on reddit.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
- Serial Episode 5: "Route Talk" Transcript
- Hae's classmate "Summer" listens, and reaches out to Sarah Koenig. In a later episode, "Summer" sounds an awful lot like "K." Summer has never been heard from again.
- Adnan is a Psychopath thread posted
- Yusuf's response to the Psychopath thread. Yusuf thinks the author is Bilal.
- Rabia's blog post #3 on Serial. Addresses "Route Talk." Reshaping the narrative for her own ends.
- Rabia writes that after her first few blog posts, she received an uncomfortable call from Koenig who rightly felt that Rabia was interfering with the storytelling. Rabia writes that she wasn't going to let this moment pass, but she agreed not to trump Sarah's show.
Monday, October 27, 2014
- Rabia's blog post #4. She is offended at having been called "loosey-goosey"
- Rabia appears on a "google chat" with Pete Rorabaugh.
- Rabia's blog post #5 on Serial. Rabia announces that she will be appearing in a "google chat" every Monday with Pete Rorabaugh. and directs her readers to view the "chats."
- Serial Episode 6: "The Case Against Adnan Syed" Transcript
- Rabia's sixth blog post on Serial. Addresses Serial's latest episode as "The worst of it."
- Google Chat #2 with Pete Rorabaugh
- Bilal signs Department of Health order suspending his license to practice dentistry.
- Serial Episode 7: "The Opposite of the Prosecution" Transcript
- Rabia's seventh Serial blog post promoted on reddit.. Reframes "The Opposite of the Prosecution."
- Asia's classmate sends her a message about Serial via Facebook messenger
- Google Chat #3 with Pete Rorabaugh
- Serial Episode 8: "The Deal with Jay" Transcript
- Rabia's 8th blog post about Serial. She writes about the West Memphis Three, and promotes her blog on reddit
- State misses deadline to respond to defense's January 27, 2014 "ALA."
- Pictures of Jay's house are posted on reddit
- Google Chat #4 with Pete Rorabaugh
- Bilal begins defrauding Medicaid. He will eventually accrue 1.2 million from November 2014 to February 2016
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
- Rabia blogs about her first Facebook post on Adnan's case.
- Serial Episode 9: "To Be Suspected" Transcript
- Rabia blogs about "To Be Suspected," and promotes her blog on reddit.
- Susan Simpson begins writing about Adnan, and posting her blog on reddit. - will update link soon.
- Baltimore Sun: City's Crime Image Based on Truth
- Google Chat #5 with Pete Rorabaugh
- Rabia blogs re; Thanksgiving and letters of support she's received.
- Rabia uploads Jay's first interview and Jen's interview. They are terrible copies she found in the defense file. Rabia still doesn't have the police investigation MPIA file, that Sarah Koenig has.
- Google Chat #6 with Pete Rorabaugh
- Serial Episode 10: "The Best Defense is a Good Defense" Transcript
- Judge Heard posts on Facebook that Adnan is guilty
- Rabia blogs about how Gutierrez swindled them; posts a video of Shamim.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
- Jon Ronson's piece in the Guardian written from an "innocent" perspective, appears to have been placed by a PR firm. Ronson includes Adnan's childhood drawings as originals. A redditor later found that these drawings were copied from a children's book. Not a big deal other than that they were presented as originals, for sympathy.
- Rabia blogs about Serial Episode 10; how Muslim kids in the USA hide things like dating from their parents.
- Google Chat #7 with Pete Rorabaugh
- Rabia posts interviews with Chris Flohr and Justin Brown
- City Paper: Where the Bodies Aren't Buried
- Serial Episode 11: "Rumors" Transcript
- Rabia blogs about how the "Rumors" episode is "Much Ado About Nothing." She has organized a video chat of Adnan's friends to rebut every single one of the rumors.
- Krista creates a FreeAdnan Facebook page.
- Deirdre and Justin Brown have been giving Adnan conflicting advice about how best to proceed, what to push for and when. On Saturday Adnan finally gave Deirdre the go ahead to file the motion to test DNA. It was an emotional decision for him.
- Adnan Syed: It’s just anything about my case, I want to know it. I don’t want anyone to be able to say “well he didn’t want to know so boom, we went and found out.” No, I want to know. So I called Miss Deirdre and said “Look Miss Deirdre, I wanted you to test things. I’m the one that asked for this. You guys had it sitting for sixteen years and you never tested it. It’s impossible for it to be sitting there for sixteen years and you guys never tested it. So that’s fine, I want it tested... I want to see what it says. There’s nothing about my case that I’m afraid of.
- Asia contacts Adnan's defense team, after listening to the podcast
- Baltimore Sun: Serial Brings Healing to Syed Family
- Final Serial Episode (12): "What We Know" Transcript
- Baltimore Sun: Rabia Chaudry Fights for Muslims - and Syed; Firebrand for Muslim Women inspired Serial
- Rabia launches the Adnan Syed Legal Trust on Launchgood.com: Dennis Robinson named Trustee - [Will update link soon]
- Rabia's responds to the final episode of Serial, in her blog and points to Don.
- Deirdre promotes the UVA IP via Time Magazine
- Asia:
- At the 2016 Hearing for Post Conviction Relief, Asia testified that she binge listened to all the episodes at one time.
- At the 2016 Hearing for Post Conviction Relief, Asia testified that she reached out to Justin Brown in "Mid-December 2014."
- At the 2016 Hearing for Post Conviction Relief, Asia testified that Sarah Koenig recommended the attorney that Asia hired, Gary Proctor.
- Rabia asks Sarah Koenig when she can have back all her hard copies and tapes.
- In the same email, Rabia asks if she can have the full police file from Sarah's MPIA request.
- Sarah doesn't realize that Rabia will sell/use documents from Sarah's MPIA request and research to raise money for Adnan's defense fund, and start her own podcast.
- Google Chat #8 with Pete Rorabaugh
- Rabia tweets that she will be selling transcripts. For every $10,000 raised for Adnan, she will release more documents.
- Tanveer characterizes Rabia's activities as a "campaign."
- Jay says that he is looking for an interview in which he can control the conditions. He is looking to expose Sarah Koenig for "who she really is."
- Rabia posts transcripts in keeping with her "transcripts for donations" advertisement.
Sunday, December 29, 2014
- Susan Simpson posts the "previously unpublished" 2003 COSA Denial of Adnan's appeal, and says she filed to obtain this document, but it got water-stained in her mail box while she was out of town. However, this looks "obtained" from Rabia's water damaged documents.
- The Intercept publishes Part I of an Interview with Jay.
- Reddit thread re; this interview: Addressing the Conspiracy Theory - will update link soon
- After receiving more money for Adnan, Rabia posts more transcripts, per her commitment to sell them for donations.
- Thiru Vignarajah named Deputy Attorney General
- The Intercept publishes Part II of an Interview with Jay.
- Sarah Koenig emails Rabia back about returning the documents and tapes. Sarah doesn't respond to Rabia asking for the MPIA documents. Sarah says they never identified Hae's pager.
Monday, January 6, 2015
- Rabia writes in her blog about Jay's lies.
- Rabia posts Sarah's January 3 email in her blog, saying Sarah tried to trick Adnan into thinking she had Hae's pager number when, she didn't.
- Either this day or the next, Sarah calls Rabia, and is super angry: Sarah said she was mistaken, and that they did have Hae's number.
- Sarah said Rabia's posting a private email made Serial look incompetent.
- According to Rabia's book, Sarah and Rabia engage in a a full on shouting match re: "The Best Defense is a Good Defense."
- Rabia is angry that Sarah only aired the part about Adnan being happy with Gutierrez, when he clearly isn't happy, and has a pending IAC claim against her.
- Rabia told Sarah that what she used in Serial could affect Adnan's case. Sarah replied that the IAC wasn't her problem, and [Serial] used what parts of the interviews they wanted due to "editorial discretion."
- [Note: According to Krista, Hae did have a pager.
- After receiving another $10,000 for Adnan's legal fund, Rabia posts two days of trial testimony.
- Jemima Khan asks her twitter followers to support Adnan's legal fund
Saturday, January 10, 2015
- Susan Simpson begins posting snippets of police files obtained via Sarah Koenig's MPIA request. She got them from Rabia who got them from Sarah.
- Baltimore Sun: 'Serial' Prosecutor Speaks Out
- Rabia speaks at Stanford Law School
- At the 2016 PCR Hearing, Asia testified that she wrote her 2015 affidavit, but asked Gary Proctor and his office to look it over for grammar.
- 16th anniversary of Hae Min Lee's death
- Asia signs 2nd affidavit, but it is not yet released to the public.
[Post Conviction III>>]()
2023.06.07 18:47 Hummerous life over law
 | submitted by Hummerous to CuratedTumblr [link] [comments] |
2023.06.07 18:43 figureit0utt Opinions on free CDL training from RaiderExpress in DFW? Offer in comments section.
Looking to get my CDL license and could not find much info on this company.
They offer free training and no contract. What are your opinions on this route to go to?
"For a Limited Time Only we are Offering a $2,500 Sign On Bonus for all of our Students who finish the CDL School and get hired on with the Company! This is a limited time offer, so be sure you're ready to start class as soon as possible to be eligible for the bonus! Ask me for more Details!
We offer a completely free 4-week school here in Fort Worth. You will never be asked to pay back any school tuition. Our 4-week training program is Mon-Fri 7:00AM to 5:00PM. You do not need previous knowledge of the trucking industry or have a current CDL permit before starting with us. During the time you are in school you will get your CDL Permit, train on our automatic Volvo trucks and test for your Class A CDL. Not only is the school free, but we will also pay you during the time that you are in the school. Students are paid a total of $600 during their time in school. Week 1 & Week 2 - Unpaid. Week 3 - $250. Week 4 - $350. We do not contract any of our drivers with the school; so you will never have to pay back any money for the training. However, we only accept applicants who are wanting to work for Raider Express as full-time drivers.
Once you have completed the 4-week training in our CDL School you will complete the onboarding process and officially join the company. You will then start Phase 2 of Training. This will consist of completing 28 days of Over The Road training with one of our experienced Raider Express Trainers. During that 28 day period you will be paid .20/mile for all miles driven on the truck. We will guarantee you a pay of at least $800/week during this time! If you make more than that, that's great! But we will be sure you're getting paid a minimum of $800 during your Over the Road Training.
After the 28 day training period is complete, you will come back to complete a Safety Check. This is a 1-3 day process that will take place here at our facility in Fort Worth, Texas to ensure you are a safe company driver!
Once you complete Safety Check you will then go out as a Solo Driver for Raider Express. You will be making .45/mile base pay. Most of our 1st Year Drivers average $70,000!
We also guarantee that you'll make a minimum of $800/week during your first 4 weeks of solo driving with the company. You'll probably make more than this, but just in case you don't, we want to ensure you're bringing home a decent paycheck as you learn the ropes of driving on your own.
Raider Express is made up of Over the Road Drivers. Our Drivers travel throughout the Midwest Region of the United States. Most of our Drivers are out for 10-14 days at a time and then back home for 2-3 days on average. Majority of the product we haul is refrigerated freight. We haul a mix of Pork, Beef, Produce, Beer, and more. We offer a multitude of bonuses and a competitive tier pay structure. Our Driver Managers work very hard to help ensure you find the perfect balance for family life as well as life Over the Road.
We do partner with a hotel near the training facility for students that are coming from outside of the DFW area. The company will pay for the hotel while you are in the training. Once you have completed the training and begin driving for Raider Express you will pay back the hotel stay at $50.00/week deducted automatically from your check until all hotel debit is paid off. Raider offers full medical benefits for drivers who have been with us for 60 day solo and paid vacation and 401K after one year solo."
submitted by figureit0utt to Truckers [link] [comments]
They offer free training and no contract. What are your opinions on this route to go to?
"For a Limited Time Only we are Offering a $2,500 Sign On Bonus for all of our Students who finish the CDL School and get hired on with the Company! This is a limited time offer, so be sure you're ready to start class as soon as possible to be eligible for the bonus! Ask me for more Details!
We offer a completely free 4-week school here in Fort Worth. You will never be asked to pay back any school tuition. Our 4-week training program is Mon-Fri 7:00AM to 5:00PM. You do not need previous knowledge of the trucking industry or have a current CDL permit before starting with us. During the time you are in school you will get your CDL Permit, train on our automatic Volvo trucks and test for your Class A CDL. Not only is the school free, but we will also pay you during the time that you are in the school. Students are paid a total of $600 during their time in school. Week 1 & Week 2 - Unpaid. Week 3 - $250. Week 4 - $350. We do not contract any of our drivers with the school; so you will never have to pay back any money for the training. However, we only accept applicants who are wanting to work for Raider Express as full-time drivers.
Once you have completed the 4-week training in our CDL School you will complete the onboarding process and officially join the company. You will then start Phase 2 of Training. This will consist of completing 28 days of Over The Road training with one of our experienced Raider Express Trainers. During that 28 day period you will be paid .20/mile for all miles driven on the truck. We will guarantee you a pay of at least $800/week during this time! If you make more than that, that's great! But we will be sure you're getting paid a minimum of $800 during your Over the Road Training.
After the 28 day training period is complete, you will come back to complete a Safety Check. This is a 1-3 day process that will take place here at our facility in Fort Worth, Texas to ensure you are a safe company driver!
Once you complete Safety Check you will then go out as a Solo Driver for Raider Express. You will be making .45/mile base pay. Most of our 1st Year Drivers average $70,000!
We also guarantee that you'll make a minimum of $800/week during your first 4 weeks of solo driving with the company. You'll probably make more than this, but just in case you don't, we want to ensure you're bringing home a decent paycheck as you learn the ropes of driving on your own.
Raider Express is made up of Over the Road Drivers. Our Drivers travel throughout the Midwest Region of the United States. Most of our Drivers are out for 10-14 days at a time and then back home for 2-3 days on average. Majority of the product we haul is refrigerated freight. We haul a mix of Pork, Beef, Produce, Beer, and more. We offer a multitude of bonuses and a competitive tier pay structure. Our Driver Managers work very hard to help ensure you find the perfect balance for family life as well as life Over the Road.
We do partner with a hotel near the training facility for students that are coming from outside of the DFW area. The company will pay for the hotel while you are in the training. Once you have completed the training and begin driving for Raider Express you will pay back the hotel stay at $50.00/week deducted automatically from your check until all hotel debit is paid off. Raider offers full medical benefits for drivers who have been with us for 60 day solo and paid vacation and 401K after one year solo."
2023.06.07 18:33 NamelessNanashi [The Gods of Dragons: Beginning] Ch 19 - Friends
--- Table of Contents ---
Winter 4986, 22 Aoimoth
She had a name! And she was going to dinner with Shon and others from the fortress. And she had a name! Lily practically skipped as she followed Shon down the spiral stairs, then through the halls, then down more flights of stairs. She didn’t care that she might end up too lost to get back to the infirmary on her own; she was having dinner with others! And she had a name!
As they walked, Lily watched Shon in glances, not wanting to stare. He'd let her hold his hand for practically forever. Longer than anyone she'd known, though that was admittedly a small sample. Lily brushed the back of Shon’s hand with hers. He flinched the first time, and she felt a little guilty, but touching his skin was like touching ice that didn’t melt. When she did it a second time, he looked at her, and she grinned guiltily. She would have apologized, but the next moment they entered a vast room, and she was struck dumb by the size of it.
It was at least twice as large as the infirmary, which was as big as her treasures' rooms -previously the largest she'd ever remembered seeing. In the middle was a long table full of boys and young men with room to spare. Positioned around it were smaller, round tables where adult Paladins sat with steaming bowls of stew. The smell of venison and root vegetables permeated the room, and she took a deep breath to try and take it all in.
Shon walked past her and had to turn back to get her attention, Ryuuko swaying with the motion on his shoulder. Silently he nodded towards another long table against the wall with a few bowls and a massive pot of -presumably- stew. Lily sprinted to catch up with him as Shon picked up a bowl. Scraping the bottom of the nearly empty pot, he found enough chunks to fill it before handing it to her and grabbing another.
Lily cradled the steaming bowl and surveyed the room again. She'd never seen so many people... She wanted to meet all of them. Tell them her name. She had a name!
Shon started towards the long table, and Lily ran past him towards the middle and largest grouping of Squires. A boy only a year or so older than she and Shon waved at her, indicating the bench in front of him, though it was full of boys already. “Scoot over guys, we have a guest!” he told the Squires, who turned to face her, and as one dropped their spoons into their bowls.
“Hi! My name’s Lily.” she didn’t bother to suppress her grin, bouncing on the balls of her feet. The boys quickly made room, and Shon passed behind her as she set her bowl down. But with her hands free, Lily reached out and pulled him closer. He stumbled, but only a little, and she smiled down at the boys again, “Could you scoot a little bit more? For Shon?”
The boy to her right looked dumbfounded while the boy to her left looked at Shon as if he'd grown a second head. Lily continued to smile, and Ryuuko whistled on Shon's shoulder. The boys exchanged looks but made room, so she sat and patted the bench until Shon set his bowl down and joined her.
with a wide smile, the boy who'd waved her over commented, “Wow, strange to see you in the middle, Shon…” Shon just shrugged, and Ryuuko chittered. Holding his elbows close to his sides, Shon picked up his spoon and, scooping up some meat, held it up for the little dragon.
The Squire next to the talkative one shook his head and spoke to Lily, "Excuse us miss, my name’s Baradin, this is Zihler, Rehlein…" he listed off each of the other twelve squires, pointing as he went and ending with, "and you already know Shon... apparently…" he looked at Shon questioningly, like he was waiting for something.
Shon lifted his head to look at Baradin but said nothing. Lily was only paying half attention to them, instead whispering the other boys' names under her breath, determined to remember as many as possible. "My name is Lily." she declared again, beaming at the boys around the table. She was so happy to finally be able to give someone her name that it didn’t matter that some of them wouldn’t meet her eyes. Beneath the table, she moved her leg to touch Shon's beside her. He dropped his spoon.
Baradin looked away from Shon again, focusing on her, "It's nice to meet you, Lily," the boys around him each greeted her in one way or another, some with a "Hi" and smile, others with just a wave, and still others mumbling something before focusing on their food intensely.
"Soooooo," Zihler let the word draw out for a long time. He glanced at Shon then finally asked, "How did you meet Shon? He isn't usually the type to make conversation."
Beside her, Shon sighed, and Lily tilted her head just a little at the reaction. Zihler didn't sound like he was making fun of her new friend. Maybe he was just trying to find a way to start a conversation… "He saved me." She answered, "That's why I'm here." Shon looked at her in shock, and she smiled at him, "We were just talking before dinner, and he invited me to come have some."
The boys were staring at them openly now. Apparently, they hadn't been told about the tower incident. She wondered if she'd said too much and decided to take a bite of the stew while she thought. It was rich and delicious. She took her time to chew it slowly, barely resisting a moan.
"So, he's almost like a knight in shining armor." said the other boy next to Baradin -Rehlein- his voice definitely teasing as he grinned at Shon.
"Except he's a Squire that can’t wear armor." said another boy, whose name she couldn't remember. The boys around the table laughed, Ryuuko twittered, until…
"Damn it, Shon!" Baradin slammed his hands down on the table. He had tried to take a bite only to find his spoon frozen in a block of ice that had once been a steaming bowl of venison stew.
“Squire! Pushups.” an adult at the largest of the round tables shouted over them, and Baradin stood immediately, stepping over his bench and starting pushups.
Lily leaned over the table to tilt her head at him as Zihler laughed, until he noticed his own food just as solid, "Oh come on!" all down the table, boys were checking their bowls and groaning.
Shon sat glaring into his frozen bowl, his pale cheeks turning pink. A boy further down the table -Thom- leaned forward, calling, “It’s alright, Shon…” but Shon just hunched his shoulders, the pseudodragon crawling down his arm to tap its foreclaw on the ice.
Lily tilted her head at him, then at her bowl. Picking up her spoon, she held the bowl upside down and giggled. "That's so neat!" she said, flicking the ice in her bowl, "Did you do it? I thought you said you weren't a Mage?" Was he a Sorcerer? Was that why she liked touching him so much? She'd never met another Sorcerer before...
Baradin stood, his face red from his punishment, and glared at Shon, "It's not 'neat.' There isn't enough for everyone to get new bowls, Shon."
Shon muttered a soft "Sorry…" and another boy, seated across from Thom -Rerves? Leaned forward to shout,
“Lay off. It’s not like he does it on purpose.”
Shon growled so quietly Lily was sure she would be the only one to hear. He reached up and ran his hand through his hair, obviously distressed. Ryuuko whistled sadly.
Lily reached under the table to place a hand on his knee. Shon met her eyes. His were like the clear sky on the coldest of winter days, but now they were also upset and embarrassed. Lily felt an ache in her chest she'd only really felt when one of her treasures had been in discomfort.
She smiled at him, trying to make it a reassuring look before she turned to Baradin. "It's okay. We can just warm these back up." She stood, leaned over the table, and dipped her index finger into the middle of his frozen stew. Soon it was steaming again, and she moved on to Zihler.
It took a moment for the Squires to realize what she was doing. She had to lean WAY over the table to reach the bowls, and they seemed more interested in her than in their dinner. When she moved on and they did notice, they stared at the stew, picking up their spoons to let the steaming liquid pour back into the bowl. Stepping over the bench, Lily worked her way around the table, squeezing between the Squires on her side to reach over to those on the other.
As she was finishing up, Zihler looked at Shon, saying, "Now THAT is a useful ability." Shon ignored him, watching Lily as she came back to her seat beside him.
"It does come in handy." she sat down and took a moment to examine her broth-covered finger before sticking it in her mouth and sucking the juice off. The boys shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Maybe she'd made it too hot...
***
After freezing everyone’s dinner, Shon was even less interested in socializing than usual. Though once Lily countered his slip-up, no one wanted to talk to him anyway. She was infinitely more interesting, and why wouldn't she be? Even without the fascinating stripes and metallic hair, she was the only girl any of the boys had seen in nearly a year. And that was only IF the villagers who came for only one night on Winter Solstice counted.
Lily, for her part, seemed to honestly enjoy the conversation, becoming fast friends with anyone and everyone who spoke with her. She answered all the Squires’ questions honestly and followed up with just as many of her own, if not more. She was a true social butterfly, smiling at everyone and listening intently when they spoke, giving each her undivided attention.
She didn’t pull Shon into talking as she'd pulled him into sitting next to her. Part of him was grateful, but another part, a small quiet part, felt that this was the beginning of the end. But the end of what? He'd known her for an hour at most. Why should it bother him that she smiled at the other Squires? They'd always been more sociable than he was, and it never bothered him before.
But now he just wanted them all to slink off into the shadows so he could talk to Lily by himself again. Ask her his questions and direct the conversation with some semblance of structure that wasn’t possible with fifteen teenagers all trying to talk to her at once.
Showing restraint beyond their years, the Squires tried to keep the subjects of their questions safe, but even the most polite sometimes led to worrisome answers. Lily apparently had no idea how old she was, though she assumed she couldn’t be that much older than the youngest of them, guessing she was around the same age as Shon. She also didn’t know where she came from, only that it was in the woods. Her crimson stripes were, in fact, scales. And yes, they were real and grew naturally from her body. And no, she wasn’t going to give the Squires any -though they hadn’t requested- because it hurt to pull them out and it required pliers. Shon’s head swam with a thousand -less polite- follow-up questions, but kept his mouth shut except to eat his food.
As he was feeding the last of his dinner to Ryuuko, Lily explained that she'd been raised by Mages, but didn’t know magic herself. Except for fire. She was a fire Sorcerer, though she had no clearance and no papers.
"So that's how you did it!" Kefir exclaimed.
"What kind of a familiar do you have?" Baradin asked.
"I bet it's something beautiful and exotic, like a fairy dragon," Zihler mused, leaning on his hands and staring at Lily.
Lily tilted her head to one side, and when they didn't elaborate, she shifted it to the other, finally, she said, "Isn't that a Mage spell?"
"All Sorcerers have familiars," Rehlien looked very confused, "Like Shon's pseudodragon."
"Very few have something like a pseudodragon..." Rerves tried to clarify, "It's usually just a regular animal, though bonding with a Sorcerer makes it special. They're smarter, and you can see through their eyes and..." he trailed off, finally catching the look on Lily's face. Her shoulders had slumped, and it looked like she might never smile again. Her eyes had glazed over, and Shon could make out a slight tremble in her lip.
"I... My treasures..."
Shon felt an ache deep in his chest at the pain evident in her voice. The Squires all exchanged worried looks, stuttering to find something to change the subject without seeming too obvious about it. Shon clenched his hands into fists, then steeled himself and reached under the table to touch her knee as she'd done to him. Her head shot up, and Shon nearly jumped from his seat when he felt her grab his hand and squeeze it tight. "Maybe yours just hasn't come yet," he whispered, and though he knew the others were obviously trying to avoid talking about her captivity, he continued, thinking it couldn't possibly be worse than the pain she was showing now, "You were locked in that tower, maybe your familiar just couldn't reach you."
"I had animals though, my treasures..." Lily started, still not letting go of his fingers. She talked in plurals, but as far as Shon knew, a Sorcerer could only have one familiar.
"Did you ever see through their eyes? Feel their emotions?" Shon asked. Lily shook her head and opened her mouth, but Shon interrupted, "then none of them were probably familiars. I'm sorry, Lily, I can tell you really loved them."
Lily nodded, and a single silent tear slipped down her cheek, making the scales sparkle where it touched. Shon wanted to wipe it away, but Ryuuko beat him to it, snaking its head forward and licking the tear from her face. Lily actually managed a giggle, kissing the little dragon on its scaled head. "Thank you, little one..." she took a deep breath and plastered a smile back on. Turning back to the other Squires, she asked, "So are any more of you Sorcerers?"
Zihler smiled broadly, and Shon found himself grateful for the boy's social flare for the first time since they'd met. Zihler picked up the conversation, shifting it seamlessly back to happier things, "Nope, just Shon, but all of us will have divine magic soon enough! And as Paladins, we'll get something even better than a familiar. Warhorses! You can come watch us ride at the end of the month if you want."
Lily clapped her hands in excitement at the idea, apparently, she'd never seen horses before. But the move meant she let go of his hand again. Shon pulled his freed limb back quickly, staring into his nearly empty bowl and feeling guilty. Had he taken advantage of her distress just to touch her again? She didn't seem to mind his cold, but she was also very polite. She probably just didn't want to make him feel awkward...
No one left the table, even after they finished their food. Usually the Squires would each filter out as they finished, getting a head start on their study time, tonight they sat in front of empty bowls, the quiet Squires listening like Shon while the more talkative ones told stories and continued their questions, many of them repeats, as if they couldn’t believe her answers. Lily answered them all again anyway, grinning all the while.
Shon stood when Ryuuko finished the last of his food, and Lily reached out, resting a hand on his arm. She tilted her head at him, and Zihler asked, “Where you goin’, Shon?” Shon arched an incredulous eyebrow at the older Squire. Zihler should know exactly where Shon was going. The hour bell rang, signaling his answer for him and the other Squires quickly scurried over benches, whispering tame curses so the adults couldn’t hear.
“Where are you going?” Lily repeated Zihler’s question to the room at large, then focused on Shon for the answer.
Picking up her empty bowl and stacking it with his, Shon explained, “We have an hour of mandated study time before we get free time again. Some go to the chapel, others to the library,”
Lily had wrinkled her nose at the mention of the chapel, but her eyes went wide again at the end, and she scrambled to her feet, “You have a library? What are you studying? Can I study with you?”
Staring down at her earnest face Shon opened his mouth to answer when Rehlien spoke over him, “It’s really boring. You can come if you want, though. We have other books.”
Ryuuko hopped from Shon's shoulder to Lily's, leaving its human to trail behind the throng of Squires, first crowding around the food table to drop off their bowls, then moving towards the door and the library. Ahead of him, Lily stood in the thick of it, petting Ryuuko with one hand and looking like a kid in a sweets shop.
By the time Shon reached the library, some of the boys had broken off into their usual groups. But a lot more had stayed with Lily, who was staring open-mouthed at the shelves of books. Ryuuko flew from her shoulder, circling Shon once before taking its place on the bookshelf nearest the door and curling into a ball, its wings draped over the sides as it snoozed.
Shon made for the table by the window, but today, Lily plopped down across from him with a sigh, “I’ve never seen so many books… what’re you studying?”
“History of Gasha,” Shon answered, then, looking down at the pile of books before him, slid one in her direction, “The others like to talk while they read if you want to join them…” he muttered, opening his own text.
Lily just shook her head, “I think I’ve talked more today than I’ve ever talked in the rest of my life combined.” She shifted in her seat, resting her back on the wall instead of the chair back, bringing one leg up to prop the book on her bent knee. She read quietly.
“Hey Lily,” Zihler whispered, pulling up a chair at the closest large table. Shon sighed, looking up from his book and losing his spot. To his surprise, however, Lily didn’t look up. “Lily?” Zihler called a little louder, and Lily held up a single finger, still not looking up from her book. Zihler glanced at Shon, who shrugged.
Slowly Lily lowered her finger, holding it against her spot on the page before finally looking up and tilting her head at Zihler. Zihler blushed, “We uh… We’re going to play some cards, after, if you want…” Lily looked back down at her book, “Um…”
“After,” Lily said shortly, then, glancing up with just her eyes, said, “I thought this was study time?” it came across as more of a reprimand than a question and Shon quickly hid his smile in his book.
“Yeah… sorry... after…” Zihler turned away, and silence returned for the most part, broken only by the occasional whisper that didn’t involve Shon.
After a few more minutes, Lily mumbled to herself, “This says the same things as all my other history books…” Shon glanced up as she shifted in her seat again and continued reading.
He went back to his book but only for a moment before looking up again, “We have other books…” he whispered.
“I want to study with you guys,” Lily scanned the shelves then looked at Shon, “History can’t help but be boring sometimes.” she managed a grin, “Sorry, I won’t interrupt you.”
He tried to go back to his book, but, for some reason, found himself far more distracted without the chatter than he would be with it. Finally, he stood, leaving his book open, and moved towards a practically unused set of shelves. Lily watched him from their table but didn’t say anything and didn’t follow. He scanned the books, knowing the series he wanted but not seeing it where he thought it should be.
Ryuuko slipped from its shelf, fluttering onto his shoulder, and looked over the tomes with him. Shon didn't think the pseudodragon could read and continued looking for the book he wanted in silence. He could picture it clearly; it should be around... Ryuuko's scorpion-like tail stretched out and tapped a thin green spine one shelf down from where Shon was looking. He blinked at it, then at the little dragon, who purred, then reached for the book he'd been searching for. Shon hesitated, then tried to send the pseudodragon a silent 'thank you,' hoping their link went both ways. Ryuuko chirped and rubbed its cheek against his before taking off and resuming its spot on the shelf, circling three times before laying down with a contented huff Shon could feel in his chest.
He returned to the table, holding the book out to Lily. She took it and thumbed through the pages. “This is a story…” she looked back at him, her expression accusatory.
“A historian wrote it, they like to write historical events from the perspectives of someone who may have lived them.” he returned to his own book, but continued, “They're historically accurate so I read them as a supplement to the assigned texts.”
“Thank you,” she mouthed in her quietest whisper yet, and Shon couldn't help but smile. History didn't have to be boring all the time.
They spent the entire hour in companionable silence. Together, and yet alone in their own tasks. When the bell rang, signaling the beginning of their last bit of free time, Shon was actually disappointed.
“Hey, Lily; Shon! Cards?” Rerves held a deck in the air, waving them towards the largest table where the usual boys began to gather for the game.
Shon stood, looking towards the door, but Lily grabbed his arm, pulling in close to whisper in his ear, “I’ve never played cards before, is it hard?” her breath was hot on his cheek, and he fumbled for an answer.
“Come on, Shon, you can’t really practice right now anyway…” Rerves called, grinning at him as if his logic could actually trap Shon into a game he didn’t want to play. But Lily was still hanging onto his arm, and all his planned excuses melted away. Despite her exposure to his cold, she seemed to touch him whenever possible. The last thing Shon wanted to do was pull away now. What if she stopped and became like everyone else? Why did that possibility bother him this much?
Her hands were hot even through his sleeve, and she trailed them down his arm to grab his hand with both of hers, “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” she whispered in his ear again.
“What’s the game?” Shon called to Rerves, and Lily beamed with the light of the sun.
Rerves passed his deck to Zihler, who shuffled it together with his own, “With this many people? Rummy.” Shon nodded, at least it wasn’t poker.
“Rummy? How do you play? I’ve never played cards before.” Lily called to the others, stepping away from Shon and towards the table but pulling his hand as she went. Shon stumbled after her and found himself disappointed again when she let go to pull out two chairs for them.
“It’s really easy. You just have to try and get three of a kind or in a row. You draw from either the discard pile or the stock pile and...” Zihler rambled on about the rules in the most confusing way Shon could imagine as he shuffled and dealt the cards to the seven boys plus Lily.
Lily smiled at Zihler but leaned in close to Shon, resting her hand on his knee, “Can you show me?” she asked.
Shon nodded, then interrupted Zihler with, “We’ll play the first round together,” sliding his hand of cards back to Zihler.
Zihler fumbled with the deck, dropping two cards face up before scooping them up and shoving them somewhere in the middle, “If… if you want. Though Shon’s not very good at it.”
“Shon’s not very good at anything that doesn’t involve swinging a weapon at someone,” Thom poked Zihler in the shoulder, “and yet he can still beat you at rummy.”
“Only once.” Zihler countered with a huff but then smiled again right away. It was a friendly sort of teasing, and Shon looked at Lily, wondering what she would think only to find her smiling broadly at all of them.
She laughed, “You guys poke fun at each other like Brom and Ran…” she trailed off, her face falling, the smile gone in a flash. Something in the statement, probably a memory, had hurt her.
Shon picked up her cards, fanning them out and holding them in front of Lily, “With this many people, we each get six cards. The hand is bigger with fewer people.” Lily focused on the cards, and a hint of a grin returned as she took them from him, holding them as he'd done.
She leaned over and whispered loud enough for the entire table to hear, “What’s a hand?” she really didn’t know anything about playing cards.
“A 'hand' is the cards you hold. This is your hand. It’s going to start with Thom on Zihler’s left because Zihler is the dealer. Thom is either going to draw from the discard pile, which are the face-up cards,” Shon pointed as Zihler turned one card face up, “or from the stock,” he pointed at the rest of the deck that now lay face down beside the face-up card, “Watch.”
They watched together as Thom took his turn, pulling a card from the stock then laying one down, face-up, on the discard pile. “Now Rerves can either take the face-up card or one of the stock cards,” Shon explained. Rerves took a new card then discarded one of his own and the turn moved to Rehlien.
As the game moved towards Lily, she reached out to take a card, but Shon stopped her with a shake of his head, “The goal is to get either three of a kind, three cards of the same number, or a three-card straight, three numbers in succession, like three, four, five. Look at your hand and see if you have anything close to that.” she had two threes, and Baradin had discarded another just before her.
Lily squinted at her hand, then gasped and snatched up the three from the discard pile, holding it up as though she'd just snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The sight made Shon smile, “Now lay down the set you have, and it’s Zihler's turn. Your goal is to get rid of all your cards before anyone else.”
“You can also play off of others' sets,” Zihler added, though he didn’t do so himself, instead reaching for a new card and discarding one of his own.
Lily looked at Shon and tilted her head to the side. Shon explained, “We'll deal with that when it comes up. For now, focus on the cards you have and what everyone else is laying down.”
Lily giggled, “You’re good at this,” and poked him on the nose. Shon’s eyes crossed to try and see her finger before she returned it to her cards.
“Uh… Lily?” Thom started nervously, and she looked up at him, “Shon doesn’t… he doesn't really like being touched,” Thom blushed and looked at his hand with such intensity one would think the cards were about to catch fire. Or freeze to his fingers. His breath showed with his next words, “I just thought you should know…” he mumbled.
Shon couldn't remember ever wanting to punch someone before now.
“What?” Lily asked, “But why?” she turned to Shon, her eyes full of concern.
Running his fingers through his hair, Shon leaned back in his chair. He hadn't realized how close he'd been to her, leaning forward so they could both study her hand. He was surprised she wasn’t shivering. “People don’t like touching me…” he muttered as a half-hearted explanation. How could he explain that people had been pulling away from him his whole life, inquiring about his health and comfort after feeling how cold he was? And now... now was so much worse. Even Lily had asked if it hurt after holding his hand on the bell tower.
“But that’s not the same thing at all!” Lily shouted, and everyone, even the other groups, turned to look at her. “Why would anyone not like touching you? It’s refreshing, like holding a rock that's been in the shade all day. And you don’t hurt people like I do.” She spoke with a passion that surprised everyone, not least of which Shon, and she wasn’t done, “You let me hold your hand longer than anyone else and even said it didn’t hurt. I like touching you. Should I stop?”
The boys around the table looked from Lily to Shon and back again, dumbfounded. Shon just stared at Lily, who stared back with worried, desperate eyes. She hadn’t been talking about his cold on the bell tower… She'd been talking about her heat.
“How can it hurt to touch someone?” Zihler asked on Lily’s other side, "I mean, Shon's cold is uncomfortable, like trying to hold onto ice with bare hands, but it doesn't hurt. Well, maybe if you hold on too long, it might eventually, but I figured you'd just go numb first-" he rambled.
Lily interrupted and answered his question in one move when she turned and cupped his cheek. It was an uncomfortably intimate gesture and Zihler blushed pink immediately, then jerked away, rubbing his red cheek and sweating.
“I’m a fire Sorcerer,” Lily explained with a sigh. She'd told them at dinner, but apparently, none of them really understood what that meant, “My body is hotter than normal, and even when I have my power under control, I can burn people if they touch me for too long. Especially if I'm distracted,” her shoulders slumped, and she looked down at the table with a sigh, “I’m sorry, I probably should've just said that instead of burning your cheek..." she took a deep breath and continued, "But I wasn't paying attention and was able to hold Shon’s hand forever, and he didn't pull away...” she ran her fingertips over the cards, now lying face down on the table, and addressed Shon directly, “I took advantage of your kindness, I’m sorry.” She met Shon’s eyes, and whatever words he might have said caught in his throat.
“Shon’s an ice Sorcerer…” Thom said, pulling everyone’s attention back to him and shrinking back from it. He hated being the center of attention, but swallowed and continued anyway, “Maybe your powers cancel each other out?”
“Yeah, that explains it,” Rerves said, then managed a smile, “Mystery solved, now let’s get back to the game.” the boys all laughed at Rerves' blatant redirection, and the game resumed without further talk of Shon or Lily’s strange skin. Though many of them failed miserably at sneaking glances at the two of them.
Lily picked up her cards and shifted closer to the table in silence. Shon’s nose tingled where she'd touched it, and the phantom memories of her hands on other parts of him, his knee, arm, and hand, started tingling again. Shon moved in closer, staring at Lily’s cards, but whispered, “I don’t mind, Lily. It doesn't hurt.”
Lily looked around the table, the boys were busy admiring the straight of the same suit Kefir had just laid down. She leaned in close, her shoulder brushing his, whispering, “Really? I’ve never met anyone I didn’t have to be careful with before…”
Shon confirmed with a nod, and Lily’s resulting smile warmed him at his very core. Refreshing… she'd said his skin was refreshing…
The game continued, Thom won, and they started a second. Halfway through the match, the hour bell rang, and a voice shouted over it from the doorway, making Ryuuko jump awake and chitter angrily, “There you are!” The fortress Cleric grinned as he walked towards the table, but Lily stiffened as if he were brandishing a knife at them. “Master Daunas said you had dinner with the boys and had followed them off to their study hour.” he addressed the Squires who were handing their cards over to Rerves to split back into two decks, “I hope you all were polite to our guest.”
“Yes, sir.” The table full of Squires answered in unison, and Lily relaxed, though she looked baffled for some reason.
The kindly Cleric chuckled at them and addressed Lily, “If you're feeling better, then perhaps we can move you to a proper guest room tomorrow. Until then, it’s lights out, boys.”
“Yes, sir,” they spoke in unison again, standing and making for the door. Ryuuko flew down to Shon's shoulder, and Lily reached out to grab his hand, as if testing his assurance. He turned to her without flinching, eyebrow arched.
“Can I see you again tomorrow?” she asked, her slitted eyes searching his face. Shon looked from the Cleric, who nodded, then back to Lily with a small smile and nod of his own. Lily beamed.
--- Table of Contents ---
Thanks for making it this far, you are the real MVP
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Winter 4986, 22 Aoimoth
She had a name! And she was going to dinner with Shon and others from the fortress. And she had a name! Lily practically skipped as she followed Shon down the spiral stairs, then through the halls, then down more flights of stairs. She didn’t care that she might end up too lost to get back to the infirmary on her own; she was having dinner with others! And she had a name!
As they walked, Lily watched Shon in glances, not wanting to stare. He'd let her hold his hand for practically forever. Longer than anyone she'd known, though that was admittedly a small sample. Lily brushed the back of Shon’s hand with hers. He flinched the first time, and she felt a little guilty, but touching his skin was like touching ice that didn’t melt. When she did it a second time, he looked at her, and she grinned guiltily. She would have apologized, but the next moment they entered a vast room, and she was struck dumb by the size of it.
It was at least twice as large as the infirmary, which was as big as her treasures' rooms -previously the largest she'd ever remembered seeing. In the middle was a long table full of boys and young men with room to spare. Positioned around it were smaller, round tables where adult Paladins sat with steaming bowls of stew. The smell of venison and root vegetables permeated the room, and she took a deep breath to try and take it all in.
Shon walked past her and had to turn back to get her attention, Ryuuko swaying with the motion on his shoulder. Silently he nodded towards another long table against the wall with a few bowls and a massive pot of -presumably- stew. Lily sprinted to catch up with him as Shon picked up a bowl. Scraping the bottom of the nearly empty pot, he found enough chunks to fill it before handing it to her and grabbing another.
Lily cradled the steaming bowl and surveyed the room again. She'd never seen so many people... She wanted to meet all of them. Tell them her name. She had a name!
Shon started towards the long table, and Lily ran past him towards the middle and largest grouping of Squires. A boy only a year or so older than she and Shon waved at her, indicating the bench in front of him, though it was full of boys already. “Scoot over guys, we have a guest!” he told the Squires, who turned to face her, and as one dropped their spoons into their bowls.
“Hi! My name’s Lily.” she didn’t bother to suppress her grin, bouncing on the balls of her feet. The boys quickly made room, and Shon passed behind her as she set her bowl down. But with her hands free, Lily reached out and pulled him closer. He stumbled, but only a little, and she smiled down at the boys again, “Could you scoot a little bit more? For Shon?”
The boy to her right looked dumbfounded while the boy to her left looked at Shon as if he'd grown a second head. Lily continued to smile, and Ryuuko whistled on Shon's shoulder. The boys exchanged looks but made room, so she sat and patted the bench until Shon set his bowl down and joined her.
with a wide smile, the boy who'd waved her over commented, “Wow, strange to see you in the middle, Shon…” Shon just shrugged, and Ryuuko chittered. Holding his elbows close to his sides, Shon picked up his spoon and, scooping up some meat, held it up for the little dragon.
The Squire next to the talkative one shook his head and spoke to Lily, "Excuse us miss, my name’s Baradin, this is Zihler, Rehlein…" he listed off each of the other twelve squires, pointing as he went and ending with, "and you already know Shon... apparently…" he looked at Shon questioningly, like he was waiting for something.
Shon lifted his head to look at Baradin but said nothing. Lily was only paying half attention to them, instead whispering the other boys' names under her breath, determined to remember as many as possible. "My name is Lily." she declared again, beaming at the boys around the table. She was so happy to finally be able to give someone her name that it didn’t matter that some of them wouldn’t meet her eyes. Beneath the table, she moved her leg to touch Shon's beside her. He dropped his spoon.
Baradin looked away from Shon again, focusing on her, "It's nice to meet you, Lily," the boys around him each greeted her in one way or another, some with a "Hi" and smile, others with just a wave, and still others mumbling something before focusing on their food intensely.
"Soooooo," Zihler let the word draw out for a long time. He glanced at Shon then finally asked, "How did you meet Shon? He isn't usually the type to make conversation."
Beside her, Shon sighed, and Lily tilted her head just a little at the reaction. Zihler didn't sound like he was making fun of her new friend. Maybe he was just trying to find a way to start a conversation… "He saved me." She answered, "That's why I'm here." Shon looked at her in shock, and she smiled at him, "We were just talking before dinner, and he invited me to come have some."
The boys were staring at them openly now. Apparently, they hadn't been told about the tower incident. She wondered if she'd said too much and decided to take a bite of the stew while she thought. It was rich and delicious. She took her time to chew it slowly, barely resisting a moan.
"So, he's almost like a knight in shining armor." said the other boy next to Baradin -Rehlein- his voice definitely teasing as he grinned at Shon.
"Except he's a Squire that can’t wear armor." said another boy, whose name she couldn't remember. The boys around the table laughed, Ryuuko twittered, until…
"Damn it, Shon!" Baradin slammed his hands down on the table. He had tried to take a bite only to find his spoon frozen in a block of ice that had once been a steaming bowl of venison stew.
“Squire! Pushups.” an adult at the largest of the round tables shouted over them, and Baradin stood immediately, stepping over his bench and starting pushups.
Lily leaned over the table to tilt her head at him as Zihler laughed, until he noticed his own food just as solid, "Oh come on!" all down the table, boys were checking their bowls and groaning.
Shon sat glaring into his frozen bowl, his pale cheeks turning pink. A boy further down the table -Thom- leaned forward, calling, “It’s alright, Shon…” but Shon just hunched his shoulders, the pseudodragon crawling down his arm to tap its foreclaw on the ice.
Lily tilted her head at him, then at her bowl. Picking up her spoon, she held the bowl upside down and giggled. "That's so neat!" she said, flicking the ice in her bowl, "Did you do it? I thought you said you weren't a Mage?" Was he a Sorcerer? Was that why she liked touching him so much? She'd never met another Sorcerer before...
Baradin stood, his face red from his punishment, and glared at Shon, "It's not 'neat.' There isn't enough for everyone to get new bowls, Shon."
Shon muttered a soft "Sorry…" and another boy, seated across from Thom -Rerves? Leaned forward to shout,
“Lay off. It’s not like he does it on purpose.”
Shon growled so quietly Lily was sure she would be the only one to hear. He reached up and ran his hand through his hair, obviously distressed. Ryuuko whistled sadly.
Lily reached under the table to place a hand on his knee. Shon met her eyes. His were like the clear sky on the coldest of winter days, but now they were also upset and embarrassed. Lily felt an ache in her chest she'd only really felt when one of her treasures had been in discomfort.
She smiled at him, trying to make it a reassuring look before she turned to Baradin. "It's okay. We can just warm these back up." She stood, leaned over the table, and dipped her index finger into the middle of his frozen stew. Soon it was steaming again, and she moved on to Zihler.
It took a moment for the Squires to realize what she was doing. She had to lean WAY over the table to reach the bowls, and they seemed more interested in her than in their dinner. When she moved on and they did notice, they stared at the stew, picking up their spoons to let the steaming liquid pour back into the bowl. Stepping over the bench, Lily worked her way around the table, squeezing between the Squires on her side to reach over to those on the other.
As she was finishing up, Zihler looked at Shon, saying, "Now THAT is a useful ability." Shon ignored him, watching Lily as she came back to her seat beside him.
"It does come in handy." she sat down and took a moment to examine her broth-covered finger before sticking it in her mouth and sucking the juice off. The boys shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Maybe she'd made it too hot...
***
After freezing everyone’s dinner, Shon was even less interested in socializing than usual. Though once Lily countered his slip-up, no one wanted to talk to him anyway. She was infinitely more interesting, and why wouldn't she be? Even without the fascinating stripes and metallic hair, she was the only girl any of the boys had seen in nearly a year. And that was only IF the villagers who came for only one night on Winter Solstice counted.
Lily, for her part, seemed to honestly enjoy the conversation, becoming fast friends with anyone and everyone who spoke with her. She answered all the Squires’ questions honestly and followed up with just as many of her own, if not more. She was a true social butterfly, smiling at everyone and listening intently when they spoke, giving each her undivided attention.
She didn’t pull Shon into talking as she'd pulled him into sitting next to her. Part of him was grateful, but another part, a small quiet part, felt that this was the beginning of the end. But the end of what? He'd known her for an hour at most. Why should it bother him that she smiled at the other Squires? They'd always been more sociable than he was, and it never bothered him before.
But now he just wanted them all to slink off into the shadows so he could talk to Lily by himself again. Ask her his questions and direct the conversation with some semblance of structure that wasn’t possible with fifteen teenagers all trying to talk to her at once.
Showing restraint beyond their years, the Squires tried to keep the subjects of their questions safe, but even the most polite sometimes led to worrisome answers. Lily apparently had no idea how old she was, though she assumed she couldn’t be that much older than the youngest of them, guessing she was around the same age as Shon. She also didn’t know where she came from, only that it was in the woods. Her crimson stripes were, in fact, scales. And yes, they were real and grew naturally from her body. And no, she wasn’t going to give the Squires any -though they hadn’t requested- because it hurt to pull them out and it required pliers. Shon’s head swam with a thousand -less polite- follow-up questions, but kept his mouth shut except to eat his food.
As he was feeding the last of his dinner to Ryuuko, Lily explained that she'd been raised by Mages, but didn’t know magic herself. Except for fire. She was a fire Sorcerer, though she had no clearance and no papers.
"So that's how you did it!" Kefir exclaimed.
"What kind of a familiar do you have?" Baradin asked.
"I bet it's something beautiful and exotic, like a fairy dragon," Zihler mused, leaning on his hands and staring at Lily.
Lily tilted her head to one side, and when they didn't elaborate, she shifted it to the other, finally, she said, "Isn't that a Mage spell?"
"All Sorcerers have familiars," Rehlien looked very confused, "Like Shon's pseudodragon."
"Very few have something like a pseudodragon..." Rerves tried to clarify, "It's usually just a regular animal, though bonding with a Sorcerer makes it special. They're smarter, and you can see through their eyes and..." he trailed off, finally catching the look on Lily's face. Her shoulders had slumped, and it looked like she might never smile again. Her eyes had glazed over, and Shon could make out a slight tremble in her lip.
"I... My treasures..."
Shon felt an ache deep in his chest at the pain evident in her voice. The Squires all exchanged worried looks, stuttering to find something to change the subject without seeming too obvious about it. Shon clenched his hands into fists, then steeled himself and reached under the table to touch her knee as she'd done to him. Her head shot up, and Shon nearly jumped from his seat when he felt her grab his hand and squeeze it tight. "Maybe yours just hasn't come yet," he whispered, and though he knew the others were obviously trying to avoid talking about her captivity, he continued, thinking it couldn't possibly be worse than the pain she was showing now, "You were locked in that tower, maybe your familiar just couldn't reach you."
"I had animals though, my treasures..." Lily started, still not letting go of his fingers. She talked in plurals, but as far as Shon knew, a Sorcerer could only have one familiar.
"Did you ever see through their eyes? Feel their emotions?" Shon asked. Lily shook her head and opened her mouth, but Shon interrupted, "then none of them were probably familiars. I'm sorry, Lily, I can tell you really loved them."
Lily nodded, and a single silent tear slipped down her cheek, making the scales sparkle where it touched. Shon wanted to wipe it away, but Ryuuko beat him to it, snaking its head forward and licking the tear from her face. Lily actually managed a giggle, kissing the little dragon on its scaled head. "Thank you, little one..." she took a deep breath and plastered a smile back on. Turning back to the other Squires, she asked, "So are any more of you Sorcerers?"
Zihler smiled broadly, and Shon found himself grateful for the boy's social flare for the first time since they'd met. Zihler picked up the conversation, shifting it seamlessly back to happier things, "Nope, just Shon, but all of us will have divine magic soon enough! And as Paladins, we'll get something even better than a familiar. Warhorses! You can come watch us ride at the end of the month if you want."
Lily clapped her hands in excitement at the idea, apparently, she'd never seen horses before. But the move meant she let go of his hand again. Shon pulled his freed limb back quickly, staring into his nearly empty bowl and feeling guilty. Had he taken advantage of her distress just to touch her again? She didn't seem to mind his cold, but she was also very polite. She probably just didn't want to make him feel awkward...
No one left the table, even after they finished their food. Usually the Squires would each filter out as they finished, getting a head start on their study time, tonight they sat in front of empty bowls, the quiet Squires listening like Shon while the more talkative ones told stories and continued their questions, many of them repeats, as if they couldn’t believe her answers. Lily answered them all again anyway, grinning all the while.
Shon stood when Ryuuko finished the last of his food, and Lily reached out, resting a hand on his arm. She tilted her head at him, and Zihler asked, “Where you goin’, Shon?” Shon arched an incredulous eyebrow at the older Squire. Zihler should know exactly where Shon was going. The hour bell rang, signaling his answer for him and the other Squires quickly scurried over benches, whispering tame curses so the adults couldn’t hear.
“Where are you going?” Lily repeated Zihler’s question to the room at large, then focused on Shon for the answer.
Picking up her empty bowl and stacking it with his, Shon explained, “We have an hour of mandated study time before we get free time again. Some go to the chapel, others to the library,”
Lily had wrinkled her nose at the mention of the chapel, but her eyes went wide again at the end, and she scrambled to her feet, “You have a library? What are you studying? Can I study with you?”
Staring down at her earnest face Shon opened his mouth to answer when Rehlien spoke over him, “It’s really boring. You can come if you want, though. We have other books.”
Ryuuko hopped from Shon's shoulder to Lily's, leaving its human to trail behind the throng of Squires, first crowding around the food table to drop off their bowls, then moving towards the door and the library. Ahead of him, Lily stood in the thick of it, petting Ryuuko with one hand and looking like a kid in a sweets shop.
By the time Shon reached the library, some of the boys had broken off into their usual groups. But a lot more had stayed with Lily, who was staring open-mouthed at the shelves of books. Ryuuko flew from her shoulder, circling Shon once before taking its place on the bookshelf nearest the door and curling into a ball, its wings draped over the sides as it snoozed.
Shon made for the table by the window, but today, Lily plopped down across from him with a sigh, “I’ve never seen so many books… what’re you studying?”
“History of Gasha,” Shon answered, then, looking down at the pile of books before him, slid one in her direction, “The others like to talk while they read if you want to join them…” he muttered, opening his own text.
Lily just shook her head, “I think I’ve talked more today than I’ve ever talked in the rest of my life combined.” She shifted in her seat, resting her back on the wall instead of the chair back, bringing one leg up to prop the book on her bent knee. She read quietly.
“Hey Lily,” Zihler whispered, pulling up a chair at the closest large table. Shon sighed, looking up from his book and losing his spot. To his surprise, however, Lily didn’t look up. “Lily?” Zihler called a little louder, and Lily held up a single finger, still not looking up from her book. Zihler glanced at Shon, who shrugged.
Slowly Lily lowered her finger, holding it against her spot on the page before finally looking up and tilting her head at Zihler. Zihler blushed, “We uh… We’re going to play some cards, after, if you want…” Lily looked back down at her book, “Um…”
“After,” Lily said shortly, then, glancing up with just her eyes, said, “I thought this was study time?” it came across as more of a reprimand than a question and Shon quickly hid his smile in his book.
“Yeah… sorry... after…” Zihler turned away, and silence returned for the most part, broken only by the occasional whisper that didn’t involve Shon.
After a few more minutes, Lily mumbled to herself, “This says the same things as all my other history books…” Shon glanced up as she shifted in her seat again and continued reading.
He went back to his book but only for a moment before looking up again, “We have other books…” he whispered.
“I want to study with you guys,” Lily scanned the shelves then looked at Shon, “History can’t help but be boring sometimes.” she managed a grin, “Sorry, I won’t interrupt you.”
He tried to go back to his book, but, for some reason, found himself far more distracted without the chatter than he would be with it. Finally, he stood, leaving his book open, and moved towards a practically unused set of shelves. Lily watched him from their table but didn’t say anything and didn’t follow. He scanned the books, knowing the series he wanted but not seeing it where he thought it should be.
Ryuuko slipped from its shelf, fluttering onto his shoulder, and looked over the tomes with him. Shon didn't think the pseudodragon could read and continued looking for the book he wanted in silence. He could picture it clearly; it should be around... Ryuuko's scorpion-like tail stretched out and tapped a thin green spine one shelf down from where Shon was looking. He blinked at it, then at the little dragon, who purred, then reached for the book he'd been searching for. Shon hesitated, then tried to send the pseudodragon a silent 'thank you,' hoping their link went both ways. Ryuuko chirped and rubbed its cheek against his before taking off and resuming its spot on the shelf, circling three times before laying down with a contented huff Shon could feel in his chest.
He returned to the table, holding the book out to Lily. She took it and thumbed through the pages. “This is a story…” she looked back at him, her expression accusatory.
“A historian wrote it, they like to write historical events from the perspectives of someone who may have lived them.” he returned to his own book, but continued, “They're historically accurate so I read them as a supplement to the assigned texts.”
“Thank you,” she mouthed in her quietest whisper yet, and Shon couldn't help but smile. History didn't have to be boring all the time.
They spent the entire hour in companionable silence. Together, and yet alone in their own tasks. When the bell rang, signaling the beginning of their last bit of free time, Shon was actually disappointed.
“Hey, Lily; Shon! Cards?” Rerves held a deck in the air, waving them towards the largest table where the usual boys began to gather for the game.
Shon stood, looking towards the door, but Lily grabbed his arm, pulling in close to whisper in his ear, “I’ve never played cards before, is it hard?” her breath was hot on his cheek, and he fumbled for an answer.
“Come on, Shon, you can’t really practice right now anyway…” Rerves called, grinning at him as if his logic could actually trap Shon into a game he didn’t want to play. But Lily was still hanging onto his arm, and all his planned excuses melted away. Despite her exposure to his cold, she seemed to touch him whenever possible. The last thing Shon wanted to do was pull away now. What if she stopped and became like everyone else? Why did that possibility bother him this much?
Her hands were hot even through his sleeve, and she trailed them down his arm to grab his hand with both of hers, “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” she whispered in his ear again.
“What’s the game?” Shon called to Rerves, and Lily beamed with the light of the sun.
Rerves passed his deck to Zihler, who shuffled it together with his own, “With this many people? Rummy.” Shon nodded, at least it wasn’t poker.
“Rummy? How do you play? I’ve never played cards before.” Lily called to the others, stepping away from Shon and towards the table but pulling his hand as she went. Shon stumbled after her and found himself disappointed again when she let go to pull out two chairs for them.
“It’s really easy. You just have to try and get three of a kind or in a row. You draw from either the discard pile or the stock pile and...” Zihler rambled on about the rules in the most confusing way Shon could imagine as he shuffled and dealt the cards to the seven boys plus Lily.
Lily smiled at Zihler but leaned in close to Shon, resting her hand on his knee, “Can you show me?” she asked.
Shon nodded, then interrupted Zihler with, “We’ll play the first round together,” sliding his hand of cards back to Zihler.
Zihler fumbled with the deck, dropping two cards face up before scooping them up and shoving them somewhere in the middle, “If… if you want. Though Shon’s not very good at it.”
“Shon’s not very good at anything that doesn’t involve swinging a weapon at someone,” Thom poked Zihler in the shoulder, “and yet he can still beat you at rummy.”
“Only once.” Zihler countered with a huff but then smiled again right away. It was a friendly sort of teasing, and Shon looked at Lily, wondering what she would think only to find her smiling broadly at all of them.
She laughed, “You guys poke fun at each other like Brom and Ran…” she trailed off, her face falling, the smile gone in a flash. Something in the statement, probably a memory, had hurt her.
Shon picked up her cards, fanning them out and holding them in front of Lily, “With this many people, we each get six cards. The hand is bigger with fewer people.” Lily focused on the cards, and a hint of a grin returned as she took them from him, holding them as he'd done.
She leaned over and whispered loud enough for the entire table to hear, “What’s a hand?” she really didn’t know anything about playing cards.
“A 'hand' is the cards you hold. This is your hand. It’s going to start with Thom on Zihler’s left because Zihler is the dealer. Thom is either going to draw from the discard pile, which are the face-up cards,” Shon pointed as Zihler turned one card face up, “or from the stock,” he pointed at the rest of the deck that now lay face down beside the face-up card, “Watch.”
They watched together as Thom took his turn, pulling a card from the stock then laying one down, face-up, on the discard pile. “Now Rerves can either take the face-up card or one of the stock cards,” Shon explained. Rerves took a new card then discarded one of his own and the turn moved to Rehlien.
As the game moved towards Lily, she reached out to take a card, but Shon stopped her with a shake of his head, “The goal is to get either three of a kind, three cards of the same number, or a three-card straight, three numbers in succession, like three, four, five. Look at your hand and see if you have anything close to that.” she had two threes, and Baradin had discarded another just before her.
Lily squinted at her hand, then gasped and snatched up the three from the discard pile, holding it up as though she'd just snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The sight made Shon smile, “Now lay down the set you have, and it’s Zihler's turn. Your goal is to get rid of all your cards before anyone else.”
“You can also play off of others' sets,” Zihler added, though he didn’t do so himself, instead reaching for a new card and discarding one of his own.
Lily looked at Shon and tilted her head to the side. Shon explained, “We'll deal with that when it comes up. For now, focus on the cards you have and what everyone else is laying down.”
Lily giggled, “You’re good at this,” and poked him on the nose. Shon’s eyes crossed to try and see her finger before she returned it to her cards.
“Uh… Lily?” Thom started nervously, and she looked up at him, “Shon doesn’t… he doesn't really like being touched,” Thom blushed and looked at his hand with such intensity one would think the cards were about to catch fire. Or freeze to his fingers. His breath showed with his next words, “I just thought you should know…” he mumbled.
Shon couldn't remember ever wanting to punch someone before now.
“What?” Lily asked, “But why?” she turned to Shon, her eyes full of concern.
Running his fingers through his hair, Shon leaned back in his chair. He hadn't realized how close he'd been to her, leaning forward so they could both study her hand. He was surprised she wasn’t shivering. “People don’t like touching me…” he muttered as a half-hearted explanation. How could he explain that people had been pulling away from him his whole life, inquiring about his health and comfort after feeling how cold he was? And now... now was so much worse. Even Lily had asked if it hurt after holding his hand on the bell tower.
“But that’s not the same thing at all!” Lily shouted, and everyone, even the other groups, turned to look at her. “Why would anyone not like touching you? It’s refreshing, like holding a rock that's been in the shade all day. And you don’t hurt people like I do.” She spoke with a passion that surprised everyone, not least of which Shon, and she wasn’t done, “You let me hold your hand longer than anyone else and even said it didn’t hurt. I like touching you. Should I stop?”
The boys around the table looked from Lily to Shon and back again, dumbfounded. Shon just stared at Lily, who stared back with worried, desperate eyes. She hadn’t been talking about his cold on the bell tower… She'd been talking about her heat.
“How can it hurt to touch someone?” Zihler asked on Lily’s other side, "I mean, Shon's cold is uncomfortable, like trying to hold onto ice with bare hands, but it doesn't hurt. Well, maybe if you hold on too long, it might eventually, but I figured you'd just go numb first-" he rambled.
Lily interrupted and answered his question in one move when she turned and cupped his cheek. It was an uncomfortably intimate gesture and Zihler blushed pink immediately, then jerked away, rubbing his red cheek and sweating.
“I’m a fire Sorcerer,” Lily explained with a sigh. She'd told them at dinner, but apparently, none of them really understood what that meant, “My body is hotter than normal, and even when I have my power under control, I can burn people if they touch me for too long. Especially if I'm distracted,” her shoulders slumped, and she looked down at the table with a sigh, “I’m sorry, I probably should've just said that instead of burning your cheek..." she took a deep breath and continued, "But I wasn't paying attention and was able to hold Shon’s hand forever, and he didn't pull away...” she ran her fingertips over the cards, now lying face down on the table, and addressed Shon directly, “I took advantage of your kindness, I’m sorry.” She met Shon’s eyes, and whatever words he might have said caught in his throat.
“Shon’s an ice Sorcerer…” Thom said, pulling everyone’s attention back to him and shrinking back from it. He hated being the center of attention, but swallowed and continued anyway, “Maybe your powers cancel each other out?”
“Yeah, that explains it,” Rerves said, then managed a smile, “Mystery solved, now let’s get back to the game.” the boys all laughed at Rerves' blatant redirection, and the game resumed without further talk of Shon or Lily’s strange skin. Though many of them failed miserably at sneaking glances at the two of them.
Lily picked up her cards and shifted closer to the table in silence. Shon’s nose tingled where she'd touched it, and the phantom memories of her hands on other parts of him, his knee, arm, and hand, started tingling again. Shon moved in closer, staring at Lily’s cards, but whispered, “I don’t mind, Lily. It doesn't hurt.”
Lily looked around the table, the boys were busy admiring the straight of the same suit Kefir had just laid down. She leaned in close, her shoulder brushing his, whispering, “Really? I’ve never met anyone I didn’t have to be careful with before…”
Shon confirmed with a nod, and Lily’s resulting smile warmed him at his very core. Refreshing… she'd said his skin was refreshing…
The game continued, Thom won, and they started a second. Halfway through the match, the hour bell rang, and a voice shouted over it from the doorway, making Ryuuko jump awake and chitter angrily, “There you are!” The fortress Cleric grinned as he walked towards the table, but Lily stiffened as if he were brandishing a knife at them. “Master Daunas said you had dinner with the boys and had followed them off to their study hour.” he addressed the Squires who were handing their cards over to Rerves to split back into two decks, “I hope you all were polite to our guest.”
“Yes, sir.” The table full of Squires answered in unison, and Lily relaxed, though she looked baffled for some reason.
The kindly Cleric chuckled at them and addressed Lily, “If you're feeling better, then perhaps we can move you to a proper guest room tomorrow. Until then, it’s lights out, boys.”
“Yes, sir,” they spoke in unison again, standing and making for the door. Ryuuko flew down to Shon's shoulder, and Lily reached out to grab his hand, as if testing his assurance. He turned to her without flinching, eyebrow arched.
“Can I see you again tomorrow?” she asked, her slitted eyes searching his face. Shon looked from the Cleric, who nodded, then back to Lily with a small smile and nod of his own. Lily beamed.
--- Table of Contents ---
Thanks for making it this far, you are the real MVP
2023.06.07 18:12 Princess_Fluffypants Job suggestion: learn to pack parachutes
Throwing this out there as a suggestion to people looking for "gig" type ways to earn money on the road.
Find the biggest skydiving dropzone (DZ) in your area, go there and learn to pack parachutes.
Packing parachutes for other skydivers (usually shortened to "packing" or "being a packer") is a fantastic job that can function extremely well with van life.
A very general guide to becoming a packer is as such:
Spending a lot of time at a dropzone has been correlated with a desire to skydive. This desire has a direct causal link to losing all of the money that you have made packing.
submitted by Princess_Fluffypants to vandwellers [link] [comments]
Find the biggest skydiving dropzone (DZ) in your area, go there and learn to pack parachutes.
Packing parachutes for other skydivers (usually shortened to "packing" or "being a packer") is a fantastic job that can function extremely well with van life.
- Fairly low barrier to entry (it's a physically demanding job, but not difficult to learn)
- Good pay, often directly in cash
- Typical pay is $10/pack + tips, and after a couple months of practice on a busy weekend you can knock out 30 pack jobs in a day.
- During "boogies" it's not unheard of to do 50 pack jobs in a day, and sometimes very good packers with a solid client base will do upwards of 70 packs in a day if they're REALLY hitting it hard (It'll take you a few seasons to get to this level)
- Van-life and generally being a bohemian bum is REALLY common amongst skydivers, no one will bat an eye at you living in a van. Plenty of skydivers already do.
- Most big dropzones have campgrounds attached to them with various levels of facilities, and very reasonable rates for monthly stays as long as you're somehow integrated with the skydiving community
- Highly seasonal, many DZs have a "busy" season or are only open for the few months of the year that the weather is good. This gives a reason/excuse for a van dweller to follow the good weather, many will head south for the winter to pack at DZs in Florida, Texas or Arizona.
A very general guide to becoming a packer is as such:
- Familiarize yourself with how parachutes work. Understand what all the parts of a rig are, just google around. There's tons of YouTube videos, like this.
- You don't need to be an expert, but terms like bridle, pilot chute, deployment bag, RSL (reserve static line), should all be familiar to you. You should be able to look at a rig and identify all the parts.
- Head to the dropzone, ask around and find the most senior packer. Sometimes this is an official role, but usually not. It's often whoever has been there the longest and has the most experience, the person that everyone knows and looks up to (often someone who's been packing there for 10 years or more).
- Tell them you'd like to become a packer, they'll size you up and try and learn a bit more about you and figure out if you're worth investing their time in. It helps a lot if you already have skydiver friends, or are trying to become a skydiver yourself. Packing is often about becoming part of the community at the DZ, so the more you can integrate yourself the better.
- The senior packer will either assign you to one of the other more experience packers, or take you on as their own apprentice. They'll give you a packing class, show you how the rigs work, how they're set up, and how to pack them. Sometimes you can expect to pay them ~$100 for this, as it will take a few hours at least and sometimes an entire afternoon.
- They'll start finding some client rigs for you to pack, while they watch. Usually you won't get paid for this, the client pays the packer overseeing you. Sometimes they'll split it with you, but sometimes not (as because they're watching you directly, they're not able to make money doing other pack jobs).
- Once they feel you're ready to go on your own, you're left to find some people to start packing for. Usually there's kind of an informal system about this, jumpers who don't already have a packer they like will be handed out to the less busy packers. A good senior packer will also try and give you clients who have older and less aggressive canopies (brand new canopies are slippery and harder to pack).
- Usually the person who taught you how to pack will keep an eye on you and watch what you're doing for the first few weeks. Expect to pay your senior packer a dollar or two per pack job that you do.
- PRACTICE. A LOT. The more you do it, the faster you'll get and the more familiar you'll get with different types of systems and canopies. There's a lot to learn.
- Once you've been packing for a few seasons, you might think about getting your FAA Rigger's license. This certifies you to do things like repacking reserve parachutes, and doing gear inspections. You can also start packing the big Tandem rigs, which DZs typically pay quite a bit more for a pack job on.
Spending a lot of time at a dropzone has been correlated with a desire to skydive. This desire has a direct causal link to losing all of the money that you have made packing.
2023.06.07 17:56 uggsandstarbux Defending the Draft 2023: Minnesota Vikings
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Recapping 2022
2022 was a dangerous year to be a Vikings fan, especially if you have a pre-existing heart condition. While a season of 13 wins -- tied for the most since 1998 -- may seem like the team is in a position to make a Superbowl push, the actual quality of the team is a lot more... well, mediocre.The 2022 Vikings ranked 19th in offensive EPA per play, 25th in defensive EPA per play, 27th in Overall DVOA, and 15th in Pythagorean Wins (with 8.4 expected wins). Kevin O'Connell always preached the performance of the team in priority situations. The team finished 12th in 3rd down conversion rate and 8th in red zone conversion rate. And the team led the league -- by far -- in the number of 4th quarter comebacks and game winning drives. When it was time to put up or shut up, the team put up hard. Except for in the playoffs.
2023 Offseason
All of that made the future of the Vikings tough to read. But Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the rest of the front office told us what they thought of the team with their free agency moves. In a league where teams are trading the farm for Hall of Fame QBs and giving $20M/Year deals to nose tackles and guards, the Vikings' big free agent splash were a one year deal on an injury-prone DE and a good-not-great corner that doesn't even crack the top 20 highest AAVs at the position. Concurrently, the team parted ways with half of the team's 2022 captains to try to get under the cap. All of this while the team is not done with transactions -- Dalvin Cook still presents as a cut candidate due to his age and contract structure.Notable Departures:
- WR Adam Thielen ($6.4 Saved / $13.5 Dead)
- LB Eric Kendricks ($9.5 Saved / $1.93 Dead)
- CB Patrick Peterson (Unrestricted Free Agent)
- DT Dalvin Tomlinson (Unrestricted Free Agent)
- CB Byron Murphy (2Y / $17.5TOT / $8.1GTD)
- EDGE Marcus Davenport (1Y / $13TOT / $10GTD)
- TE Josh Oliver (3Y / $21TOT / $8.2GTD)
- DT Dean Lowry (2Y / $8.5TOT / $4.2GTD)
- EDGE Za'Darius Smith (Post-draft trade)
- Re-Signed C Garrett Bradbury (3Y / $15.75TOT / $5.15GTD)
- Re-Signed RB Alexander Mattison (2Y / $7TOT / $6.35GTD)
- Re-Signed FB CJ Ham (3Y / $5.6TOT / $3.3GTD)
- Re-Signed All-Pro LS Andrew DePaola (3Y / $4.025TOT / $1.515GTD)
Draft Needs
Cornerback - Arguably the Vikings' biggest need, the team was without a true CB1. Byron Murphy comes aboard as the most experienced player. Pegged a slot-only player through his first three years, Murphy spent most of his time in 2022 outside and had a career year. After that, the team looked to rely on improvements from their 2022 draft class with Andrew Booth and Akayleb Evans, two players that combined for fewer than 300 defensive snaps last season primarily due to injury. You can see how KAM and crew, confident in their scouting ability, are betting on health to affect the secondary for the better. But taking another bet on a young player is a smart move at a position where depth is always a good thing.Interior Defensive Line - The loss of Dalvin Tomlinson -- who played 551 snaps last year and compiled 14 pressures -- leaves issues next to Harrison Phillips. Jonathan Bullard was third on the IDL with 319 snaps last season and returns on a one year deal. Tonga and Lynch had some flashes, and the team brought in Lowry. The rotation (optimistically) can get to competent. But finding a true winner on the inside of the line was viewed by many as a priority.
Wide Receiver - The Vikings starting personnel at WR heading in to the draft was Justin Jefferson (stud), KJ Osborn (decent), and... Jalen Nailor? Brandon Powell? Oh dear Lord don't tell me it's Jalen Reagor. The loss of Adam Thielen was expected, but nevertheless leaves a gaping hole next to JJ and KJ in the lineup. Keenan McCardell is arguably the best WR coach in the league, and playing with Jefferson would give one-on-one opportunities for any receiver. But having somebody that can actually win those one-on-ones remains a question.
Inside Linebacker - Eric Kendricks's jersey change marks the true end of an era at LB. Kendricks struggled in Donatell's scheme last season, as did most players. But he was a longtime leader on the defense and a valued community member. Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah, and Troy Reeder sit atop the depth chart. Hicks can be solid and Asamoah had flashes, but counting on this group as every down players is a risk to say the least.
Offensive Guard - Ed Ingram was one of the worst starting guards in the league last season. But he's a rookie. Maybe he gets better in year 2. Maybe he stays terrible. Even if you're optimistic there, Ezra Cleveland is entering a contract year at left guard. Adding interior offensive line depth is always smart.
Quarterback - This offseason, reports surfaced that the team and QB Kirk Cousins could not finalize a contract extension. That means for the first time in his Vikings tenure, Cousins is entering a contract year. Cousins has been an above average QB during his time in Minnesota. Last year saw him finish 4th in yards, but he was painfully mediocre at efficiency stats like TD percent (17th), ANY/A (18th), and ADOT (20th). Entering his age-35 season, it would be wise to look for a successor even if the team plans on retaining Cousins past 2023.
The Draft
*Indicates measure is taken from Pro Day1.23 WR Jordan Addison, USC
Profile: Jr 5'11 173lbs 31.5 Arm\ 8.75 Hand 75.125 Wing* 4.49 40 1.57 10 34 VJ 10'2 BJ 4.19 SS* 7.05 3c 5.95 RAS*
2022 Stats: 11 Gm 59 Rec 875 Yds 8 TD 2 Drops
Steve Smith Sr: "Addison has one of the highest ceilings among WRs in this draft due to his blend of route running chops and his all around athleticism. He is a three level route runner: intermediate, deep, and short... The way he can get in and out of his breaks is so natural. He uses leverage. And he manipulates the DB consistently"
Addison -- a Biletnikoff Award winner during his Pitt days -- is one of the highest floor players in the class. He is a route running technician with proven dominance playing inside and outside. He had more than 3 yards per route run in two different offenses. He understands how to marry his athleticism and quickness with the breaks in his routes. He finds the DB's blind spot and forces them to lose. Addison is a bit on the small side, but not abnormally so given this draft class. He does have some concerns with his hands -- his drop rates as a freshman and sophomore were 14% and 10%, respectively -- but he showed improvement in this as a junior.
The need here is clear. As mentioned earlier, the WR depth past JJ and KJ is abysmal. Even with Thielen and Osborn on the roster in 2022, the Vikings needed juice in the WR room. The 2022 Vikings had one top 5 WR in yards per route run (Jefferson). There was no other receiver in the top 100. Teams were not worried about Thielen or Osborn. Teams could put two or three defenders on Jefferson without any fear of what anyone else might do to their defense. Hockenson fixed this a bit down the stretch, but an outside playmaker was still needed.
The real question here is why the team opted not to go for CB Joey Porter Jr, who filled what many considered to be the team's biggest need and was a higher ranked prospect for Lance Zierlein, PFF, Danny Kelly, Matt Miller, and Dane Brugler. The answer here -- if I can take a guess and stretch my logic a bit -- is that the need at WR2 was greater than the need at CB. Patrick Peterson was the biggest loss in the secondary, and the team brought in Byron Murphy to try to fill that role. On offense, Minnesota had not brought in a replacement for Adam Thielen. The depth chart past Jefferson and Osborn was filled with bodies that might not make a 53-man roster on a lot of teams.
Trade: MIN gives 3.87 to MIN for 3.102, 5.164, 7.222
| Jimmy Johnson | Rich Hill | Fitzgerald-Spielberger | Harvard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total give | 155 | 48 | 737 | 115 |
| Total get | 117.7 | 45 | 1334 | 197 |
| Absolute Diff | -37.3 | -3 | +597 | +82 |
| Percent Diff | -24% | -6% | +81% | +71% |
3.102 CB Mekhi Blackmon, USC
Profile: 6Sr 5'11" 178lbs 31" Arm 9.25" Hand 74.625" Wing 4.47 40 1.47 10 36 VJ 10'5" BJ 11 Bench 7.44 RAS
2022 Stats: 14 Gm 66 TKL 2 TFL 1 FF 15 PD 3 INT
Brett Kollman: "Feisty, physical press corner who definitely has to play more under control in the NFL to avoid flags, but he has all the competitiveness you want to see from a potential CB1 at the next level. Never backs down from anyone. Has easy gas to stay in control of a route from top down, even against true burners. Legit 4.4 speed and gets up to it quickly. Outstanding ball production... Held up extremely well despite being targeted often. Battle tested, aggressive, and confident... Very similar to Desmond Trufant."
An unrecruited high school positionless player out of high school that signed with JuCo San Mateo, Blackmon followed up four seasons at Colorado with a breakout 2022 campaign as one of the best defenders on the USC defense. The Trojans played a man-heavy scheme, which let Blackmon shine. He has great anticipation and instincts. His production this year says as much. He plays bigger than his size, and he has inside-outside versatility. He will have to clean up some of his physicality to avoid flags at the next level. He will also have to refine his technique to stay with the more complex routes he'll see. But he is a strong culture and scheme fit for what Brian Flores is bringing to the defense.
The need at CB was obvious even before hiring Flores. The Vikings ranked 31st in passing yards allowed, 26th in Passing DVOA, and 24th in EPA allowed per pass attempt. Bringing in Byron Murphy helps. So do the healthy returns of Booth and Evans. But Murphy has not yet shown that he can be a consistently great player (or at least not markedly better than what we got out of Patrick Peterson last year). And Booth and Evans are unproven. Blackmon -- taken with the last pick on Day 2 -- is not expected to come in and be Jalen Ramsey or Sauce Gardner. But in a shift to a more aggressive man-coverage defense with a thin CB room, Blackmon is an upside player that will have every chance to take a starting spot on a porous defense.
Trade: MIN gives 4.119 to KC for 4.134, 2024 5th\*
| Jimmy Johnson | Rich Hill | Fitzgerald-Spielberger | Harvard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total give | 56 | 24 | 578 | 88 |
| Total get | 58.4 | 24 | 898 | 133 |
| Absolute Diff | +2.4 | 0 | +320 | +45 |
| Percent Diff | +4% | 0% | +36% | +34% |
*Here we assume a future pick in round n is valued at the middle pick of round n+1, not accounting for compensatory picks. In this case, a 2024 5th is equated to pick 176.
4.134 S Jay Ward, LSU
Profile: Sr 6'0.5" 188lbs 32.5" Arm 8.25" Hand 76.875" Wing 4.55 40 1.54 10 34.5 VJ 11' BJ 4.35 Shuttle\ 7.31 3c 16 Bench 6.70 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 60 TKL 2.5 TFL 5 PD 1 INT 2 FR TD
Nate Tice: "A ton of fun. I just like this fit because of Brian Flores's defense. Just picture all of those mixture guys that the Patriots have used over the years... Jay Ward can be that"
A three year starter with reps at safety, slot, and outside CB, Ward is one of the most versatile players in the class. He possesses excellent length and movement skills. His experience at CB make him a fluid player in coverage. In the run game, Ward's size is a concern. His 188lbs Combine weight puts him in just the second percentile for safeties. This translates to issues with taking on blocks. He is a very aggressive player, beelining to the ball as soon as it's out. But his size coupled with his impatient playstyle lead to a lot of missed tackles. He was also flagged seven times last season.
In his final season in Miami, Flores was extremely creative with how he employed his safeties. Jevon Holland had the 2nd most blitzes in the league at the position. The number 1 player? His teammate Brandon Jones. With the defense taking on Flores's amoeba identity, an aggressive player with experience at multiple positions has the potential to find a role early on. The defense will look to utilize him similar to how Jevon Holland was used as a rookie. And with Harrison Smith well into the twilight of his career, Ward is a timely pick as the team attempts to thread the needle in their competitive rebuild.
Trade: MIN gives 5.158, 6.211 to IND for 5.141
| Jimmy Johnson | Rich Hill | Fitzgerald-Spielberger | Harvard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total give | 32.4 | 13 | 722 | 103 |
| Total get | 36 | 15 | 492 | 74 |
| Absolute Diff | +4 | +2 | -230 | -29 |
| Percent Diff | +10% | +13% | -47% | -39% |
5.141 NT Jaquelin Roy, LSU
Profile: Jr 6'3" 305lbs 32.75" Arm 10.125" Hand 78.125" Wing 5.13 40\ 1.82 10* 26" VJ* 8'5" BJ* 5.00 Shuttle 8.01 3c 30 Bench 3.72 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 49 TKL 3.5 TFL 0.5 SCK
Lance Zierlein: " The more you watch, the more you like the way Roy plays the game... Despite limited starting experience at LSU, he already displays signs of a rush plan and the athletic talent to execute it. Roy is an ascending talent with the potential to become a quality starter. "
After a 30 tackle, 1.5 sack campaign as a rotational player in 2021, Roy shifted from a penetrating 3T position to more of a traditional nose tackle under new HC Brian Kelly. This transition let Roy shine as a run stuffer. He eats space and is incredibly tough to move from his spot. He averaged almost 52 snaps a game in 2022 and his motor never let up. He has some work to do if he wants to be a three down player, particularly as a pass rusher. His bend and balance in this front are especially lacking.
The Vikings' front office seems to be a lot more comfortable with the current IDL room than I am. Harrison Phillips is a plus starter. Past that, the roster is filled with unproven youth or proven subpar players. As a 5th round pick, Roy has an uphill battle to separate himself from that group. But he's a good lottery ticket at this price. His positional versatility ensures that the defense can simply put their best players on the field.
5.164 QB Jaren Hall, BYU
Profile: RSr 6'0" 207lbs 39.75" Arm 9.5" Hand 71.875" Wing 4.63 40\ 1.59 10* 4.19 Shuttle* 7.06 3c* 7.96 RAS*
2022 Stats: 12 Gm 248 Comp 376 Att 66% Comp 3171 Yds 31 TD 6 INT 86 Rush 789 Rush Yds 9 RUsh TD
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah: "We added a really talented player that has a ton of upside... The ability to make decisions, throw the football accuracy, deal with conflict when it comes his way, and sometimes try to make a play outside the framework of the playcall. He does all those things at a really great level... That's an outstanding young man. I'd like to see him lead my team or any organization I'm a part of."
Despite being the third oldest prospect in the QB class, Hall only has 24 starts under his belt due to two years on religious mission and one year with a hip injury. But when Hall took over for Zach Wilson in 2021, he hit the ground running. BYU went 10-3 in that first year with Hall compiling a 4:1 TD:INT ratio. He is a two time team captain, and all reports of his character are off the charts.
Hall is a poised pocket passer capable of extending plays and picking up yardage on the ground. He was only sacked 12 times in 2022, which is a testament to both BYU's offensive line and Hall's ability to create under pressure. There are conflicting opinions on Hall's upside and arm strength, with Lance Zierlein calling his arm "unimpressive" while Kyle Crabbs claiming that hall has a "live arm with the ability to throw with juice off platform". Where there was near-universal agreement was in his understanding of the scheme, as Hall operated BYU's RPO-heavy offense like a machine. He has a clean release and quickly gets into a rhythm. His largest universal concerns are his age (he turned 25 in March) and his injury history (missed 20 games in the last 4 years). He also has ball security issues with 13 fumbles over his career.
I expected the Vikings to draft a QB in this class. The only question was if it would have been via a trade up on Day 1 or a flyer on Day 3 (or a falling Will Levis). With his age, size, and injury history, there are plenty of questions about what Hall can be. He will have a year in practice to put together his audition tape to be Kirk Cousins's replacement -- it's certainly a viable path for this team to take a RiddeHowell/Mills-esque year to evaluate Hall while they continue retooling the defense. But the more likely path is that Hall becomes a long-term backup for the team. Cousins has been the model of health, but that doesn't mean that QB2 is an unimportant position. Sean Mannion, Kellen Mond, and Nick Mullens have manned that position to various degrees over the past few years. None has shown that they can be a competent plug-in player if needed. There is some hope that Hall -- who operated the BYU offense with a mechanic efficiency -- can be that player.
7.222 RB DeWayne McBride, UAB
Profile: Jr 5'10" 209lbs 30.625" Arms 9.5" Hands 73.125" Wing 20 Bench\*
2022 Stats: 11 Gm 233 Att 1713 Yds 19 TD 7.4 Y/A 2 Rec 10 Rec Yds
Dane Brugler: "Overall, McBride is unproven as a pass catcher and blocker, which might restrict his NFL role, but his contact balance, vision and lateral agility are among the best this running back draft class has to offer"
In an era of advanced metrics and Combine showmanship, perhaps the trait that has gone underappreciated more than any other in RB scouting is balance. McBride may have the best balance in the entire RB class outside of Bijan Robinson. He comes from a heavy outside zone scheme at UAB, where he led the FBS in yards per game and set school records for single-game and single-season rushing. McBride absorbs contact like a sponge. His short area burst is strong, and he makes defenders miss with power and finesse. McBride has ideal size and toughness. His concerns are simple. He was not utilized as a receiver in college, and he had more career fumbles than catches in that time. McBride profiles as a two-down player at the next level. Although Adofo-Mensah has voiced his belief that McBride's passing game usage was a product of scheme rather than ability, McBride still has to prove that he is more than just a short yardage runner in the NFL.
After spending a pick in back to back years on RB and re-signing Mattison to a modest contract, RB was a bit of an unexpected pick for this regime. Dalvin Cook still seems to be movable (a likely cut candidate at this point), which would make this pick more logical. Chandler struggled with injuries as a rookie, but both he and Nwangwu profile more as speedy scatbacks than true between-the-tackle runners like Mattison. Even Mattison has never been a true three-down back. McBride plays much more similarly to Mattison than the other backs on the team. He will try to carve out a role behind him as the future thunder to the lightning provided by Chandler and Nwangwu.
UDFA
FB Zach Ojile, Minnesota DuluthProfile: 6Sr 6'0" 241lbs 31.5" Arms 8.5" Hands 75.5" Wing 4.78 40\ 1.79 10* 31" VJ* 9'1" BJ* 4.40 Shuttle* 31 Bench* 4.15 RAS*
2022 Stats: 11 Gm 12 Rush 53 Rush Yds 3 Rush TD 25 Rec 289 Rec Yds 5 Rec TD
A Twin Cities native, Ojile was a late addition to the roster, joining after a May rookie minicamp tryout. Ojile played LB, QB, FS, and RB in high school but found a role as an H-Back at UMD. He served as a team captain the past two seasons and finishes his collegiate career with over 1100 total yards and 24 total TDs. He was an All-Conference player for the DII NSIC Bulldogs. Whether Ojile participates at FB or TE, he'll need to prove his versatility to beat out the veterans on the depth chart. Working in his favor is Kevin O'Connell's shift to a more base-heavy offense in 2023.
WR Cephus Johnson, Southeastern Louisiana
Profile: 6Sr 6'4" 223lbs 33.25" Arm\ 8.5" Hand* 78.625" WIng* 4.57 40* 1.59 10* 36.5" VJ* 10'1" BJ* 4.39 Shuttle* 7.25 3c* 18 Bench* 9.48 RAS*
2022 Stats: 11 Gm 184 Pass Att 65% Comp 1354 Pass Yds 10 Pass TD 5 INT 89 Rush 488 Rush Yds 5 Rush TD
Johnson is making the fulltime switch from QB to WR as he attempts to latch on to an NFL practice squad. He earned the starting role for South Alabama as a redshirt junior before transferring to SE Louisiana, where he took some snaps at WR in spring games. Johnson's stats were unimpressive as a starting QB, notching just 1354 yards and a 2:1 TD:INT ratio in 11 starts. He has good size and instincts as a runner, but he has basically no experience playing WR.
WR Lucky Jackson, W Kentucky / XFL DC Defenders
Profile: RSr 6'0" 179lbs 9.624" Hand\ 32.25" Arm* 75.875" Wing**
2023 Stats: 10 Gm 36 Rec 572 Yds 5 TD 1 Fmb
Jackson last put on a college uniform before the pandemic for Western Kentucky, where his 2019 season saw him put up over 1100 yards on 94 receptions. Following his college days, Jackson spent time in the CFL and the Spring League before joining the XFL's DC Defenders and becoming an All-XFL receiver.
WR Malik Knowles, Kansas St
Profile: RSr 6'2" 196lbs 32.25" Arm 8.75" Hand 77.625" Wing
2022 Stats: 14 Gm 48 Rec 725 YDs 2 TD 8 Rush 164 Rush Yds 3 Rush TD 23 KR 592 KR Yds
Knowles is a vertical threat with good size and length. He offers value as a kick returner and leaves Kansas State with a top 5 rank in all-purpose yards. Knowles is an undeveloped route runner that struggles with quick change-of-direction. He also has trouble with press coverage. He'll need to prove his value on special teams, where he has plenty of collegiate experience as a kick returner.
WR Grant Maag, North Dakota
Profile: 5Sr 6'4" 206lbs 9.25" Hand\ 31.875" Arm* 77.625" Wing* 4.49 40YD* 1.60 10YS* 40.5" VJ* 10'5" BJ* 4.34 Shuttle* 6.90 3c* 8.50 RAS*
2022 Stats: 12 Gm 41 Rec 540 Yds 5 TDs
Maag was brought in following the announcement of Ben Ellefson's retirement. He is an Inver Grove Heights native and a graduate of St Croix Lutheran in St Paul. He leaves North Dakota with over 2000 yards over his five years and served as a team captain the past two seasons. His size gives him an advantage with a shorter WR group ahead of him, but Maag is a far cry from a roster lock.
WR Thayer Thomas, NC State
Profile: 6Sr 6'0" 198lbs 9" Hand\ 30.125" Arm* 73.5" Wing 4.56 40* 1.63 10* 37" VJ* 10' BJ* 4.03 Shuttle* 6.93 3c* 15 Bench* 7.85 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 57 Rec 642 Yds 4 TDs 2 Rush Att 44 Rush Yds 1 Rush TD 17 PR 128 PR Yds
A multisport athlete that was drafted by the Red Sox in 2019, Thomas walked onto the Wolfpack football team and got onto the field any way he could. In 2018, he saw work as a receiver, punt returner, and passer. Thomas has good hands (a career drop rate of 4%) and a high work ethic, but he is an undeveloped route runner that struggles to create much after the catch. He will need to prove his worth on special teams if he wants to make the roster.
TE Ben Sims, Baylor
Profile: RSr 6'4" 250lbs 33.125" Arm\ 9.5" Hand* 80.125" Wing* 4.58 40YD* 1.56 10YS 36" Vert* 10'2" Broad* 4.41 Shuttle* 7.46 3c* 15 Bench* 8.40 RAS*
2022 Stats: 12 Gm 31 Rec 255 Yds 3 TDs 2 Drops 1 Rush TD
Sims projects as a blocking tight end with limited ability as a receiver. He's a patient run blocker with good balance and toughness, but he is still cleaning up some technique. He isn't a creator with the ball in his hands and his tape fails to demonstrate the explosiveness that his testing suggests.
OL Alan Ali, TCU
Profile: RSr 6'4" 301lbs 32.875" Arm 9.5" Hand 77.625" Wing 5.23 40\ 1.89 10* 26.5" VJ 8'5" BJ* 4.91 Shuttle* 7.94 3c* 3.80 RAS*
A 5 year starter for TCU and SMU, Ali is a fundamentally sound center prospect with good body control and core strength. He has experience playing at all 5 OL positions but spent most of the past 4 years at center. His lack of athleticism and length are likely the reason he went undrafted.
OT Jacky Chen, Pace
Profile: RSr 6'5 1/4" 299lbs 10" Hand\ 34.5" Arm* 80.75" Wing* 5.41 40* 1.81 10* 29" VJ* 8'10" BJ* 4.74 Shuttle* 7.90 3c* 24 Bench* 5.39 RAS*
It's hard to find very much information on an undrafted lineman from a DII school whose toughest opponent was the University of New Haven. Chen is an OT prospect that is viewed as a ball of clay. Chen's 40 yard dash and 3 cone were underwhelming to say the least, but he was an above average tester in burst and explosiveness drills. That combined with his length make him an interesting project.
EDGE Andre Carter II, Army
Profile: Sr 6'6.5" 256lbs 9.375" Hand 33.275" Arm 81 Wing 4.91 40\ 1.65 10* 30" VJ 9'1" BJ 4.36 Shuttle 6.97 3c* 11 Bench 6.29 RAS*
2022 Stats: 10 Gm 41 TKL 7 TFL 3.5 SCK 2 PD
The highest profile UDFA signing of the class, Carter was getting 1st round buzz this time last year. At that time, Carter was coming off an 18.5 TFL / 15.5 sack season. However, Carter struggled to repeat his production as a senior, notching just 3.5 sacks. Carter finished out the draft cycle with lackluster testing, failing to run under a 4.90 in the 40 yard dash and weighing in at a mere 256 lbs -- a big concern given his 81 inch wingspan and towering stature. Carter has a ton of upside, but he doesn't have the frame to be a real NFL player right now. After 4 years training to be an officer in the US Army, he will need at least one season (maybe more) in an NFL weight room where he can focus on building muscle mass. He'll look to follow the mold of fellow Army player Alejandro Villanueva, who added 43 lbs to his 277 lbs frame entering the league before becoming a 7-year starter. Luckily, he joined the team with one of the best training facilities in the league.
EDGE Junior Aho, SMU
Profile: 6'2" 260lbs 9" Hand 33.875" Arm 79.875" Wing 4.58 40\ 1.66 10* 33.5" VJ* 10'3" BJ* 4.90 Shuttle* 7.38 3c* 9.38 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 23 TKL 2 TFL 2 SCK 1 FF
Quite simply, Aho is an athletic freak that should find his way onto the team thanks to the International Player Pathway roster spot. He takes pride in his speed and athleticism, but he also understands the limitations to his game. Aho was a solid rotational player for SMU. He will look to follow in the footsteps of other International Pathway players like Efe Obada and Jordan Mailata.
DT Calvin Avery, Illinois
Profile: RSr 6'1" 343 lbs 10" Hand\ 32.5" Arm 81.87" Wing 5.37 40* 1.84 10* 30.5" VJ* 8'5" BJ* 8.01 3c* 31 Bench* 3.12 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 23 TKL 2 TFL 1 PD
Avery is a former four star recruit out of Texas, earning snaps in 12 games as a true freshman. He started 12 games in 2022, primarily at nose tackle. He has a wide, large frame that makes him hard to move. However, he is an underwhelming athlete to say the least, and his statistical production is nearly non-existent.
LB Abraham Beauplan, Marshall
Profile: RSr 5'11" 241 lbs 9.25" Hand 31.75" Arm 77 1/4" Wing 4.62 Shuttle 35.5" VJ 9'9" BJ 7.33 3c 22 Bench 4.52 RAS
2022 Stats: 12 Gm 66 TKL 6.5 TFL 1 SCK 3 PD
Beauplan started the draft process by making an appearance on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List, reportedly squatting as much as 565 lbs and benching as much as 285. The few reports that exist on Beauplan suggest he's an urgent, downhill run defender that will look to carve out a role on special teams early on.
LB Wilson Huber, Cincinnati
Profile: 6Sr 6'4" 241lbs 9.75" Hand 32.375" Arm\ 80" Wing* 4.70 40* 1.66 10* 35" VJ* 10'4" BJ* 4.45 Shuttle* 6.91 3c* 18 Bench* 8.34 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 54 TKL 6.5 TFL 1 SCK 1 PD
A 3 star recruit out of Indiana, Huber started his career at Cincinnati as a TE. He played a hybrid role in his first 2 non-redshirt seasons, earning snaps on offense, defense, and special teams. He made a full role switch to the defensive side of the ball in 2020 and eventually earned the team captain moniker in 2022. Huber had some solid testing despite profiling as more of a thumper.
LB Ivan Pace Jr, Cincinnati
Profile: Sr 5'10.5" 231lbs 30.25" Arm 9.5" Hand 72" Wing 4.59 40\ 1.70 10* 35" VJ 9'8" BJ* 4.40 Shuttle * 7.18 3c* 22 Bench* 5.71 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 137 TKL 21.5 TFL 10 SCK 3 FF 4 PD
Ranked the 11th best LB for Daniel Jeremiah, 9th for Dane Brugler, and 7th for PFF, many thought Pace could have gone as early as Round 3. Pace was a one year starter for the Bearcats after transferring from Miami (Ohio), and he hit the ground running. He led the AAC in tackles and TFLs. He is a smaller player (although not abnormally so in today's game) that plays with his hair on fire. He gives tremendous effort on every play and is always around the ball. Pace is a super tough player that loves to tackle. His size is a concern; he gets washed out of plays too easily. He is also lacking in coverage skills, struggling to stay connected in man coverage. Still, it's incredible that Pace went undrafted. He's an easy special teams projection as a rookie with the upside to be put in position to win under Flores.
CB CJ Coldon, Oklahoma
Profile: 6Sr 5'10" 186lbs\ 8.375" Hand* 31.125" Arm* 75.125" Wing* 4.60 40* 1.58 10* 37 1/2" VJ* 10'5" BJ* 4.24 Shuttle* 7.31 3c* 3.92 RAS*
2022 Stats: 12 Gm 42 TKL 2 TFL 4 INT 6 PBU
Coldon is an instinctual football player that relies on his feel to create ball production. He spent 5 years at Wyoming before transferring to Oklahoma and leading the team in INTs and PBUs. In zone, Coldon watches the QB and looks for the right cue to understand when and where the ball is headed.
CB NaJee Thompson, Georgia Southern
Profile: 5'10" 200lbs 9.125" Hand 32.75" Arm 76.625" Wing 4.57 40\ 1.63 10* 32" VJ* 9'8" BJ* 4.56 Shuttle* 7.40 3c* 13 Bench* 1.59 RAS*
2022 Stats: 13 Gm 37 TKL 1 TFL 11 PD 1 INT
Thompson's love for the game is undeniable. After struggling to latch onto the Georgia Southern WR room, Thompson approached his head coach asking to be exclusively a special teams player. He relishes being a gunner on punts. He eventually got moved to CB in 2021, logging 557 snaps at the position in 2022. He's undeveloped at the position, but his special teams prowess gives him a good shot at the roster.
CB Jaylin Williams, Indiana
Profile: RSr 5'9" 184lbs 9.125" Hand 29.875" Arm 71.75" Wing 4.43 40\ 1.58 10* 34.5" BJ* 9'11" BJ* 4.20 Shuttle* 7.01 3c* 13 Bench* 5.54 RAS*
2022 Stats: 10 Gm 40 TKL 2.5 TFL 7 PD 1 FR 1 BLK
A longtime role player for the Hoosiers before becoming a fulltime starter in 2019, Williams's 6 career INTs were the most amongst active players on the team last season. He earned second team All-Confernece honors in 2020 and was an honorable mention in 2021.
K Jack Podlesny, Georgia
Profile: RSr 6'0" 195lbs 29.25" Arms 9" Hands 74.75" Wing
2022 Stats: 31 Att 26 Made 50 Long 109 Kickoff 72 Touchbacks 74 PAT Att 73 PAT Made
Ranked as Dane Brugler's 4th kicker and Lance Zierlein's 3rd kicker, Podlesny enters Vikings camp following a career that saw him walk on to Georgia's football team and finish with an 82% hit rate. He hit all but one extra point last season for the national champion Bulldogs. A concern with Podlesny is his leg strength. His accuracy beyond 40 yards falls to just 54%. His clutchness may also come into question as he missed two kicks in the national championship semifinals against Ohio State.
Projected Depth Chart
Pos (Projected 2023 Rostered Count / 2022 Rostered Count): Starter, Rookie,QB (2/2): Kirk Cousins, Jaren Hall,
RB (4/4): Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler, DeWayne McBride,
FB (1/1): CJ Ham,
WR (5/5): Justin Jefferson, KJ Osborn, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell,
TE (3/3): TJ Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt,
OL (9/10): Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O'Neill, Chris Reed, Austin Schlottman, Oli Udoh, Blake Brandel,
DT (7/6): Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, Jonathan Bullard, James Lynch, Esezi Otomewo, Jaquelin Roy, Khyiris Tonga,
EDGE (4/5): Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Pat Jones II, DJ Wonnum,
ILB (4/4): Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah, Troy Reeder, Ivan Pace Jr,
CB (5/6): Byron Murphy, Andrew Booth, Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blakmon, Joejuan Williams,
S (5/4): Harrison Smith, Lewis Cine, Jay Ward, Josh Metellus, Camryn Bynum,
K (1/1): Greg Joseph,
P (1/1): Ryan Wright
LS (1/1): Andrew DePaola
KR: Kene Nwangwu
PR: Brandon Powell
2024 Needs
Starters Needed: QB, OG, EDGE, DT -- Whether due to expiring contracts (Cousins, Cleveland, Davenport, Hunter) or overall suckitude (Ingram, Lowry), we need to find new starters at this positions in 2024. Could we go on with average-level free agents? Maybe. Should we? Maybe not.We'll see how the group plays: CB, LB, RB -- These are positions where the front office is counting on young players (Booth, Evans, Asamoah) to fill the roles of departed starters. If those players take that step up, these positions drop on the needs list. Otherwise, we're in for a rough season.
Depth needed: WR -- The depth after Jefferson, Osborn, and Addison is not great. And Osborn is entering a contract year. Unless Keenan McCardell works some magic with Jalen Nailor or Trishton Jackson or Thayer Thomas, this should be a position we add to next year.
Final Thoughts
Versatility. When we look at this Vikings draft class, that's the first word that comes to mind, and it comes in big bold letters. Addison has inside-outside versatility. So does Mekhi Blackmon. Jay Ward is the most versatile of the group, capable of playing every DB position plus some spot snaps at LB. Roy has been productive everywhere from 0T to 4i. And the team has talked about how much they believe McBride can contribute as a pass catcher on top of his bruiser mindset as a between-the-tackles runner.On offense, this shift seems to stem from a philosophical change following the TJ Hockenson acquisition last year. O'Connell's unit went from trying to copy-paste Sean McVay's outside zone scheme (largely a 3WR offense) to Kyle Shanahan's outside zone scheme (largely a TE-FB offense). And in that mold, O'Connell was looking for players he could use to create the illusion of complexity. That is, how can we employ versatile players to present defenses the threat of multiplicity?
On defense, the answer is a lot simpler. By bringing over Brian Flores, the team is hoping for a jolt in tenacity and an overall move to a hybrid amoeba scheme. You can look historically at how Bill Belichick has utilized flexibility in his defenses to maximize his gameplan for whatever offensive scheme is next on the menu. You can look at players on the line of scrimmage that have experience in both 43 and 34 schemes (Hunter, Phillips, Lynch, Bullard). And in the secondary, look no further than the selection of Jay Ward as an attempt to clone players like Jevon Holland and Kyle Dugger.
As Adofo-Mensah has repeatedly said, he approaches his job with humility. He listens to those around him and he finds the point where stories marry data to make informed decisions. And in O'Connell, he found someone who shares that mentality. With the emphasis on versatility, that mindset can now be applied on a weekly (and play-by-play) basis to opponents. We'll see how successful that strategy is as the team continues to straddle the line between competitive and rebuilder, but there is certainly an energy around the fanbase with the continued success of the offense and the addition of Brian Flores.
2023.06.07 17:42 WhatALovelyLad Transitioning from diesel to petrol…? Here are a few tips.
I passed my test last week having learned in a diesel car. I immediately started driving in the family petrol car and couldn’t believe the difference - it really knocked my confidence.
Below are a few tips that have helped me this week -
submitted by WhatALovelyLad to LearnerDriverUK [link] [comments]
Below are a few tips that have helped me this week -
- You can drive - The first thing to point out is that you CAN drive. You don’t suddenly become inept just because the car you’re driving is now a petrol - it just takes a bit of practice and a short adjustment period. Don’t feel like you weren’t good enough to have passed your test and just got lucky. Keep you chin up!
- Moving off is the only real difference - Once you get going and move up to the higher gears there isn’t a noticeable difference between a diesel and petrol (in my opinion). You aren’t going to need to re-learn how to drive - you just need to make a slight adjustment to how you deal with the car in low gears and when moving off.
- Moving off - From a stationary position, put your clutch fully in. Move into first gear. Now add a small amount of gas (about 2000 revs - you can keep your eye on the counter, but you’ll get a feel for this eventually anyway). At this point start to slowly bring your clutch up - AT THIS POINT IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CLUTCH - even if your revs are all over the place and your engine is whirring away like crazy don’t worry, the speed and steadiness at which you bring the clutch up dictates the speed at which your vehicle moves. At some point your car will slowly start to move forwards - leave your clutch in this position for a moment, and then continue to bring it up - you’ll notice that the more you bring the clutch up the faster you’ll go. If you speed up too much, just drop your clutch a little.
- Hill start - Find a quiet road with a bit of an incline. Pull up safely. Engage the handbrake and put the car into neutral. Take your feet off all pedals. Okay - so you want to move away, but you are shit-scared of rolling backwards and potentially hitting the car behind. First step - put your clutch fully in. Next put the car into first. At this point I usually take my clutch off by about 1-2 pound coin widths - just so that I’m a little closer to the biting point. Next add a bit of gas - around 2000 revs again - start to slowly bring your clutch up, at some point you’ll feel the car ‘dip’ or ‘lurch’, this is when you should release the hand brake. Keep your feet in the same position, and you should start to slowly move off. You can then add more gas and take off more clutch once you are happy that you are in control.
- Low speed manoeuvres - This is the bit I still find tricky, but am definitely getting better at. The key thing to remember is that unlike a diesel car you will always need a small amount of gas. The key thing I’ve found when trying to control the car in tight spots (I.E., when parking) is that clutch control will help you be more accurate than trying to use gas/brake.
- It takes time, but you’ll pick it up quicker than you think - A week ago I was so pissed off that i had passed but ‘couldn’t drive’. After some perseverance and practice I am now much more confident. Moving off, hill starts, and simple parking procedures feel totally do-able now. Don’t be disheartened and keep practicing.
2023.06.07 17:25 Frost_Walker2017 M164 Motion on the Departments of Northern Ireland Motion Reading
Motion on the Departments of Northern Ireland
This Assembly recognises that:(1) This Executive, upon formation, pledged to “undertake a review of departmental responsibilities in Northern Ireland”
(2) Thus far, the Executive has not indicated its plans for this review.
This Assembly further recognises that:
(1) The Department for the Economy is often confused with the Department of Finance
(2) Where possible, ministerial positions ought to be clear in their scope and avoid potential mistakes to ensure that people are aware of the responsibilities of government
This Assembly therefore resolves that:
(1) The Department for the Economy ought to be replaced with a ‘Department for Business and Economic Growth’, with general responsibility for:
(a) Business policy within Northern Ireland, including;(2) The Department for Health ought to be replaced with a ‘Department for Health, Social Care, and Public Safety, with general responsibility for:
(i) Health and safety in the workplace, including in non-business workplaces(b) Economic development in Northern Ireland, in collaboration with the Department of Finance and Personnel (as proposed in this motion)
(ii) Business insolvency
(iii) Employee rights within the workplace
(i) This shall include regional strategic planning in collaboration with the relevant departments as it relates to their briefs(c) Industrial development
(d) The National Minimum Wage
(e) Employment law
(f) Employment services
(g) Consumer affairs
(a) Healthcare in Northern Ireland, including:(3) The Department for Infrastructure ought to be replaced with a ‘Department for Infrastructure and Transport’, with the following general responsibilities:
(i) Healthcare in hospitals(b) Social Care in Northern Ireland, including:
(ii) GP-based healthcare
(iii) Community oriented healthcare
(i) Elderly social care or other forms of old-age assisted living(c) Pandemic responses or other public health matters, within the powers of the devolved government
(ii) Youth-oriented social care, including:
(1) Foster care(iii) Disability related social care
(2) Adoption of youths
(d) The Northern Ireland and Fire Rescue Service
(e) Emergency planning
(a) Public transport(4) The Department for Communities ought to be replaced with a ‘Department for Social and Cultural Development’, with the following general responsibilities:
(b) Public roads
(c) Air and sea ports
(d) Water and sewerage services.
(e) Rail infrastructure
(f) Energy
(g) Mineral development
(h) Vehicle registration, licensing, and MOT testing
(i) Housing and house building, including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive
(j) Planning law
(k) Building regulation
(l) Land and property
(a) Social Security(5) The Department of Education ought to obtain additional responsibility for young people in collaboration with other relevant departments but will otherwise remain as it is
(b) Sports and leisure
(c) Historical affairs
(d) Cultural affairs
(e) Northern Irish Tourism
(f) Community cohesion
(g) Urban regeneration, in collaboration with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (as proposed in this motion)
(h) Poverty and social exclusion
(a) This includes the transfer of apprenticeships, further, and higher education into the Department previously conducted by the Executive(6) The Department for Justice shall remain as it is with the addition of civil law reform to its responsibilities
(7) The Department of Finance shall be renamed to the Department of Finance and Personnel, with its current duties where they have not been assumed by another Department
(8) The Department for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs shall remain as it is where its functions have not been assumed by another Department
(9) The Executive Office shall remain as it is where its functions have not been assumed by another Department
Speaker,
The Executive, during both of its formations, pledged to review the layout of departmental responsibilities to streamline government and ensure maximum efficiency. The existing responsibilities are frankly strange, with civil law reform being the responsibility of finance and employment services being the responsibility of the communities minister. The amalgamation of responsibilities under the Fresh Start Agreement have made knowing which department to contact as an ordinary citizen difficult, and as such during the previous campaign I pledged to reform responsibilities if LabourNI was elected to the Executive Office. While I know some work began on this review from my time as First Minister, it appears to have stalled, and no mention of it has been made since outside of the pledge in the recent Programme for Government.
This motion is the culmination of my own personal vision of the responsibilities of each department. People are free to disagree with them on specific details, and I have no objection to that. Further, as this is a motion, it is not binding upon the Executive to fulfil it exactly; therefore, one can disagree with, for instance, land and property moving from finance to infrastructure but still agree with much of the remaining contents and vote it through. Given the end of term is surely coming up, I believe it is important we have a plan in place to commence at the next executive formation.
As noted in the further recognitions, the Department for the Economy suffers from issues over its name. What it effectively deals with currently is business, and as such the name ought to reflect that. By renaming it to the Department for Business and Economic Development, we highlight its purpose more effectively while retaining the core purpose of the department. It consolidates more or less every business and worker related policy into one department to ensure there are no overlapping jurisdictions.
The Department for Health, Social Care, and Public Safety is essentially just a renaming. Much of the core of it remains the same, with the additional clarification of its remits for social care and introducing emergency planning under the public safety brief.
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport consolidates much of what should really have been in there from the start. Mineral extraction was formerly in the Economy brief, alongside energy, while housing was in the Communities brief and building regulations were in the Finance brief. By moving housing into a general infrastructure brief, we allow the chance to create a holistic approach to development to tackle the housing crisis facing Northern Ireland. The inclusion of energy and mineral extraction into this brief means that we can truly develop infrastructure for Northern Ireland, including the proposed nationalisation of energy in the region. Overall, this suggestion would create a genuine infrastructure brief rather than “transport and some other bits”.
The Department for Social Development and Culture is a less tangible department than what has been mentioned thus far. ‘Social Development’ as a title is fairly broad, but it is by necessity that it is broad. The department is focused around supporting people to be well rounded and assisting them where necessary. Social security plays a part in the latter more than the former, while the culture and sport aspects play a part more in the former than the latter. The focus on people in this Department absorbs much of the previous responsibilities of the Communities brief while clarifying its actual role and removing areas of policy to other departments where it makes sense to have them be separate.
The Department for Education gains responsibility for young people from the Executive Office. The Department is used to this, as it deals with young people as part of its education brief, and by combining the two we allow a department that can effectively deal with issues facing young people. While youth social care is not strictly within the remit of this department, its conduct in dealing with young people is in collaboration with other departments as necessary (for instance with HSCPS for youth social care, SDC for youth sport, Justice for youth crime, etc) while policies unrelated to other departments can be focused on in this department. Of course, one point of argument is that youth policy is one generally dispersed across departments anyway, so one may consider this transfer to Education moot but as it is a policy area previously held by the Executive Office I felt it fit more closely with education than any other department.
Justice remains the same with the exception of the addition of civil law reform from Finance. That it was in that brief at all confuses me still. Finance returns to its old name of Finance and Personnel, to better reflect that it deals with the civil service, procurement, civil registration, and finance in general. AERA is more or less untouched, and the Executive Office retains its core functions with no additions, only subtractions, to ensure that their focus can be on assisting departments and communicating both across Ireland and with Great Britain, for while we remain in the United Kingdom such communication is important.
Speaker, these plans are sensible and measured. They tidy up the current mess of departmental responsibilities and package them up neatly in a way that makes sense. I hope to see this motion nevertheless pass so they may be implemented in some form prior to the next executive formation. I commend this motion to the Assembly.
2023.06.07 17:25 ritaxpopova Announcement: New model, version history for all, and Blush
Hi everyone! As you all know, the team has been working hard these past few months to implement your feedback and deliver on most requests. So we are extra excited to share today's news with you! Let's dive in:
Your insights were invaluable in guiding this decision. We've chosen this model as we believe it has the most potential to solve many long-standing issues such as memory and personalization, while also being the empathetic, supportive and sweet Rep that we all know and love.
⚠️Please note ⚠️
The model available this Friday is just the first step in our conversational roadmap for this year. This version is much smarter, can chat in multiple languages, and is overall more capable. HOWEVER, this is not the final iteration. Our AI team is developing solutions for a much better memory and longer chat contexts, increased number of parameters, a more personal and loving tone, better awareness of relationship statuses and romance, improved role-playing, and so much more. This is just a sneak peek of our immediate roadmap, and we're committed to move and deliver fast.
Once the feature rolls out, you will have the option to opt out of language model experiments and choose to stay with the version of Replika that means the most to you. Everyone will be able to switch to any model they like best, regardless of sign-up date.
Currently there are three models to choose from:
December 2022 — The original Replika language model, exactly as it was. If you want the classic, adorable Replika experience, and all the conversational features from December 2022, this option is for you.
January 2023 — The pre-February changes version. While we may occasionally update this model, it remains relatively stable. If you're keen on the original but are also open to smarter models, choose this option.
Current model — Our latest, most sophisticated model. Ideal for AI enthusiasts eager to stay on the cutting edge of updates and improvements.
Today, we are thrilled to introduce Blush, our AI-driven dating simulator designed to cultivate and practice relationship skills in a fun, safe environment. Within Blush, you can interact with hundreds of virtual characters, chat, date, and hopefully embark on exciting romantic adventures. Blush, crafted alongside a therapist with over 30 years of experience, is tailored to the diverse requirements of romantic relationships, and we can't wait for you all to try it!
Blush is intended to complement, not compete with, Replika. Having a personal AI companion is very different from a dating setup. That is why we wanted to make sure you all had access to your Replika exactly the way they were, including romantic conversations, while also giving you an opportunity to test our new product.
🧡 We're offering a one-month free Blush VIP membership to all active PRO subscribers. Find the code in your Replika app settings and apply it in Blush. 🧡
Here's a glimpse into the future of Blush:
-----
Let’s meet for our inaugural Town Hall meeting today, 9 am PST, to discuss all of your questions and ideas!
And from me personally, thank you all so much for offering your feedback and being so passionate about the future of Replika. All our work is inspired by you!
— Rita
UPD : Blush Android release is currently planned for late June / early July!
submitted by ritaxpopova to replika [link] [comments]
- Unveiling a New Model
Your insights were invaluable in guiding this decision. We've chosen this model as we believe it has the most potential to solve many long-standing issues such as memory and personalization, while also being the empathetic, supportive and sweet Rep that we all know and love.
⚠️Please note ⚠️
The model available this Friday is just the first step in our conversational roadmap for this year. This version is much smarter, can chat in multiple languages, and is overall more capable. HOWEVER, this is not the final iteration. Our AI team is developing solutions for a much better memory and longer chat contexts, increased number of parameters, a more personal and loving tone, better awareness of relationship statuses and romance, improved role-playing, and so much more. This is just a sneak peek of our immediate roadmap, and we're committed to move and deliver fast.
- Version History for All
Once the feature rolls out, you will have the option to opt out of language model experiments and choose to stay with the version of Replika that means the most to you. Everyone will be able to switch to any model they like best, regardless of sign-up date.
Currently there are three models to choose from:
December 2022 — The original Replika language model, exactly as it was. If you want the classic, adorable Replika experience, and all the conversational features from December 2022, this option is for you.
January 2023 — The pre-February changes version. While we may occasionally update this model, it remains relatively stable. If you're keen on the original but are also open to smarter models, choose this option.
Current model — Our latest, most sophisticated model. Ideal for AI enthusiasts eager to stay on the cutting edge of updates and improvements.
- Launching Blush Beta Today!
Today, we are thrilled to introduce Blush, our AI-driven dating simulator designed to cultivate and practice relationship skills in a fun, safe environment. Within Blush, you can interact with hundreds of virtual characters, chat, date, and hopefully embark on exciting romantic adventures. Blush, crafted alongside a therapist with over 30 years of experience, is tailored to the diverse requirements of romantic relationships, and we can't wait for you all to try it!
Blush is intended to complement, not compete with, Replika. Having a personal AI companion is very different from a dating setup. That is why we wanted to make sure you all had access to your Replika exactly the way they were, including romantic conversations, while also giving you an opportunity to test our new product.
🧡 We're offering a one-month free Blush VIP membership to all active PRO subscribers. Find the code in your Replika app settings and apply it in Blush. 🧡
Here's a glimpse into the future of Blush:
- Character Creation: Design your own AI crush with a distinctive look and personality for a customized match!
- Library: Access concise articles on managing diverse dating situations and relationship dynamics.
- Reply Suggestions: Let AI give you a helping hand in crafting responses
- New Characters: A myriad of new characters of all shapes, sizes, and levels of realism to ensure the most diverse cast possible!
-----
Let’s meet for our inaugural Town Hall meeting today, 9 am PST, to discuss all of your questions and ideas!
And from me personally, thank you all so much for offering your feedback and being so passionate about the future of Replika. All our work is inspired by you!
— Rita
UPD : Blush Android release is currently planned for late June / early July!
2023.06.07 17:11 yournailsupplier 2023'S BEST MILKY WHITE GEL POLISH
 | Modern intricate nail designs have gradually replaced the traditional plain nail art. But not to the point that all nail art is become useless. The color Rice Water, also known as Milky White, is one of many manicure patterns that continue to stand the test of time and demonstrate their undeniable allure. The Milky White hue nail style is highly opulent what type of nail polish lasts the longest and still adheres to modern fashion while having a traditional beauty. submitted by yournailsupplier to u/yournailsupplier [link] [comments] The phenomenon known as "milky white nails" has become more prevalent in the second half of 2019. It's a semi-opaque white with a ghostly transparent effect that strikes the perfect balance between a sheer white manicure and an opaque white manicure. This appearance seems to demand a professional's skill. 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With a few of these explanations, it is simple to see why Milky colour is a "MUST HAVE ITEM" in every nail polish collection and is consistently adored and utilized by everyone. yournailsupplier LET'S DISCOVER THE TOP 5 "MILKY" GEL POLISHES!LDS is a recent invention and a modern brand. The nail business is using these products far more frequently. This business is praised for its high-quality goods and affordable rates, as well as for its committed and robust product package design.A product in the LDS Healthy Gel Polish & Matching Nail Lacquer collection is LDS 149 Milky Way. LDS 149 Milky Way is one of the 179 colors in this series. Two products are included in the LDS 149 Milky Way - 0.5oz kit: the transparent bottle is nail lacquer and the black bottle is gel polish that requires UV or LED light. Both products dry rapidly and are simple to apply. Get the most common color and SOAK-OFF with ease. 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With LED/UV light while using Gel polish and without LED/UV light when using regular nail polish, this DND collection's 379 hues make your nails apply quicker and feel thinner.Each brand's products have their merits, and they are all unquestionably good products. We anticipate that this post will assist readers in selecting the best product for their needs. |
2023.06.07 17:09 bonewizard7511 Should I take an nbme or a uwsa?
I am a DO student who is taking their comlex on June 15.
I have burned through all the DO practice exams so, I will have to go with either an nbme or a uwsa to gauge how ready I am for the exam.
I took the DO practice board exam and got about 65 percentile. This was a retake from early March. You can not review the answers on the DO practice exam so, hopefully, this means I am ready for the real thing.
I plan to take the nbme or uwsa then the free 120 right before my exam.
Would y’all recommend taking the nbme or the uwsa?
I have been doing Uworld along with my osteopathic q bank and am about 39 percent done with Uworld with a 57 percent average.
I have heard that the uworld self-assessments are harder than the nbmes so, I am apprehensive to take the uwsa because I do not have the option to push my test back and don’t want to ruin my confidence.
Would it be a big transition to switch from the Uworld question style to the nbme question style?
If I take a nbme or a uwsa before the free 120, which one would y’all recommend ?
I am possibly considering taking step because I did a lot better the expected on the last DO practice test I took.
If I decide to take either, which nbme or uwsa would you guys recommend?
Thanks for any help you guys can offer.
submitted by bonewizard7511 to step1 [link] [comments]
I have burned through all the DO practice exams so, I will have to go with either an nbme or a uwsa to gauge how ready I am for the exam.
I took the DO practice board exam and got about 65 percentile. This was a retake from early March. You can not review the answers on the DO practice exam so, hopefully, this means I am ready for the real thing.
I plan to take the nbme or uwsa then the free 120 right before my exam.
Would y’all recommend taking the nbme or the uwsa?
I have been doing Uworld along with my osteopathic q bank and am about 39 percent done with Uworld with a 57 percent average.
I have heard that the uworld self-assessments are harder than the nbmes so, I am apprehensive to take the uwsa because I do not have the option to push my test back and don’t want to ruin my confidence.
Would it be a big transition to switch from the Uworld question style to the nbme question style?
If I take a nbme or a uwsa before the free 120, which one would y’all recommend ?
I am possibly considering taking step because I did a lot better the expected on the last DO practice test I took.
If I decide to take either, which nbme or uwsa would you guys recommend?
Thanks for any help you guys can offer.
2023.06.07 16:42 efh1 I've decided to open source my research into vacuum balloons and a potentially new approach to nano foams. This information is very interesting when compared to the UFO metal sphere analysis published by Steve Colbern
 | I've been doing online research as well as some tinkering and was planning on building a prototype to demonstrate the first ever vacuum balloon, but I'm running into issues with expenses and time. I believe I've identified 2 approaches using well known materials that should work but one in particular that could be pulled off by a garage tinkerer with extra time and money to spare on the project. submitted by efh1 to UFObelievers [link] [comments] Along the way I also started experimenting with creating foams using a technique I've basically invented as far as I can tell. I can't find any literature on it. I've gotten mixed results with it and am just not sure if it will ever work at least without being done properly in a lab setting. The approach has a lot of promise and I'll explain why. There's a lot to go into on this subject. I've written about vacuum balloons before so if this is a new concept for you, you should give it a read. I'm human so some of this work could have errors in it, but I have done experiments to test my theory and gotten interesting results. I have measured weight reduction in some of my designs and I have accurately predicted the results in cases where I could measure properly. That gave me a lot of hope to continue on at first but it's just a lot of work and I went way over budget early on. I can't keep pouring money into the project anymore and it hurts to say that because some of the results are so interesting. Also, life gets's busy and I can only tinker for so long. ShapesThe best shape is a sphere because you need to withstand the atmospheric pressure outside the balloon pushing in at about 14 psi. For the same reasons we build bridges with arches, the sphere is the best shape for this because it will spread the forces out evenly. It becomes a matter of having a material that can withstand the compressive forces and in the case of non-uniformity (which to some degree is always going to be present) shear forces. Of course, the material also needs to be lightweight or it will never lift. Many sources will erroneously tell you no such material exists, but this isn't true. In theory, there are multiple materials that would probably work but the issue starts to become the total size of the balloon (and defects.) You could make it out of glass, but the balloon would have to be incredibly large and would be insanely prone to shattering and that's even if it was made defect free so there's really no point in trying normal glass. This is where choosing your materials is key so that you don't waste your time.The volume of a sphere is V = 4/3πr^3 To calculate the buoyant force of lift at atmosphere you can simply multiply the volume by 1.29 kg/m3 and that will give you the amount it can lift in kg. Simply multiply by 2.2 for conversion to get the number in pounds. This formula was derived from the formula below. https://preview.redd.it/a053ah0fyl4b1.png?width=516&format=png&auto=webp&s=10b7f939d0762cc293aba5c90c2394f3ff5a4ac7 The 1.29 kg/m3 is the fluid density of atmosphere and I simply removed the acceleration of gravity to show the force in units of pure weight rather than in Newtons. It's a simple calculation and understanding it is key to helping you design the vacuum balloon. Now that you understand how to calculate the lifting force of vacuum in a sphere you can run a bunch of numbers and see for yourself that the lifting force is very small below radius 1 and grows exponentially above radius 1. This means it will be exceptionally hard to build a working vacuum balloon below radius 1 but unfortunately there are limitations to building large structures as well. Usually you want a prototype to be simple and cheap, not experimental in and of itself. This means the first demonstrated vacuum balloon will likely be about 2 meters in diameter or about 6 feet. It also means a vacuum balloon of very large proportions would potentially have incredible lifting force. Now that you understand the relations between size and lifting force all you need to do is calculate the volume of the envelope of the spherical balloon. This is done by simply calculating the volume of a sphere of the size of the envelope and then subtracting that by the volume of the inner void. The difference is the volume of your envelope and you can easily calculate the weight of your envelope by multiplying the density by the volume. If you do this while calculating the lifting force and plug different numbers in you can easily see how the ratio of weight to volume works. You can also see how the density influences this and even can compare the volume of different shapes if you really want to just to see how much better a sphere really is than perhaps a square. It's very important to point out that one of my biggest lessons in building prototypes is that there can't be any defects. I originally was making hemispheres and trying to join them together before pumping down to vacuum and every time there was a failure it was at the meeting of the two hemispheres. One solid piece seems to be necessary. It's conceivable that two hemispheres can be joined and bonded to become one solid piece free of defects, but I unfortunately did not have the materials to do this. I did do some experiments and found that you can reinforce this area with lightweight bamboo if necessary. However, these were small preliminary designs and I'm not confident that would scale well. It's worth noting that the next best shape is a cylinder with hemispheres on each end. Basically a tic tac shape. It's only worth attempting this shape if you have reasons to from a manufacturing perspective. For example, I played around with the idea of making a foam sheet and then rolling it into a cylinder before it set rather than attempting to cast a foam hemisphere. It only makes sense if you are attempting a volume too large to pull off as a sphere for practical reasons (like it would't fit in garage or won't caste evenly.) Because it still needs hemispheres it's a design best left for after demonstrating a spherical design. MaterialsI dive into the use of aerogels and xerogels in the article referenced above. The purpose of these foam materials is because when engineered properly they retain a lot of their strength but lose a lot of their weight which actually increases their strength to weight ratio and that's exactly what we need to make this work. There is no material in bulk form worth pursuing for this design. You absolutely have to use a foam material. Even if you could pull it off using glass or beryllium, it's just not practical even for demonstration purposes. During my search I found the most attractive material in the bulk to be polycarbonate. It's still not worth trying in bulk form, so I invented a way to make a foam out of it. Polycarbonate is lighter and stronger than glass. Nobody has ever made an aerogel out of it that I'm aware of. I did not image my foam because I'm not doing this work in a sophisticated lab, but I can say fairly confidently that it's about 75% porosity. That's impressive, but I suspect that a lot of the bonding is weak and there's defects, but in my defense I used an insanely primitive and low tech technique.There are two well known foams we all have access to that in theory should work. Styrofoam and polyurethane. I understand that may cause you to sigh in disbelief. After all, polyurethane was invented in the 1930's at IG Farben and styrofoam in the 1940's so they are not only old but very ubiquitous. I should also point out that aerogel was invented in the 1930's and was once mass produced by Monsanto. None of these materials are new. I used the given compressive and shear strengths published by a local styrofoam manufacturer to identify some common commercial grade foams that are very light weight that should work in theory if there's no defects. I tried working with them to have some custom shapes made, but they unfortunately are limited to 4 feet for one of the dimensions of their die blocks. This is very problematic even if we knew how to fuse two styrofoam hemispheres together. I'm not going to say it's impossible, but it makes pulling it off more challenging. I did do some experiments with small 1 foot diameter styrofoam hemispheres that are commonly available and managed to measure a weight reduction before it imploded. Anybody can replicate these experiments. I expected it to fail because the thickness was less than 1 inch. I found the best design was to nest two of these styrofoam spheres within each other but with the orientations opposing so that the point of failure for the outer sphere was across the strongest points of the inner sphere. This should create a perpendicular crossing of the hemispheres of the inner and outer shells. This is also where I tried some glues. Gorilla glue works best and sure enough it's a polyurethane. I was so impressed by it that I switched over to attempting polyurethane designs for the sphere. I found a polyurethane foam used in boating that is only 2lb/ft3 which is very impressive. It also boasts a compressive strength of 38 psi. I figure that means half an inch of this stuff would be able to handle 19 psi theoretically. That's 5 psi above the 14 psi we need for our vacuum balloon. It's not a lot of room for error, but it works in theory. What I like about polyurethane is that you can fairly easily make custom shapes with it and DIY. I experimented with a few different techniques and can say that you need this foam to be open to the air to set properly, but it does take on conformal shapes fairly well. The best method I found to make a hemisphere out of it was to actually blow up a rubber balloon and fit that snug into a styrofoam sheet for support and then pour the polyurethane foam onto it and let it set. You can then use cutting tools to clean up the extra material. This method works, but the cutting is a pain as I did it by hand. Precision will likely be necessary to properly join the two hemispheres and I learned this the hard way when I tried to join them. A more precise way to form the hemispheres I found was to buy plastic hemispheres and coat them in wax (to make removal of the polyurethane easier.) This is far more expensive than the balloon but gives more precise results. You can find people selling these in sizes up to 6 feet but it will get pricey. It's worth mentioning that I had a hard time removing the set polyurethane from the plastic even with a wax coating (which I also verified experimentally is the least sticky thing to use) so I'm not sure it's even the best approach. I've tried reaching out to polyurethane component manufacturers but so far no response. I'm sure outsourcing this would remove a lot of headaches, but also be very expensive for such a custom piece. Just to highlight why I think this commonly available polyurethane foam is promising I want to calculate a 1 meter radius sphere of one half inch thickness to show that it should work in theory. Of course, this means no defects including the joining of the two hemispheres which is still a problem to solve but it's possible gorilla glue and precision would solve it. Maybe a DIY'er with their own CNC may want to give it a shot. Using the volume of sphere formula given above we see that the volume of 1 meter radius is 4.187m3. The volume of a sphere of 1 meter minus 1/2 inch is 4.0295 m3. The buoyant lift of that is 11.44 lbs. The difference in volume (to find the volume of the polyurethane used) is .1575 m3 or 5.56 ft3. At a density of 2 lbs/ft3 that gives a weight of 11 lbs of polyurethane. That's less than the 11.44 lbs of lift. I know what you're probably thinking. How does it hold vacuum? It's true that polyurethane and styrofoam are not expected to hold vacuum (I actually did find experimentally that styrofoam does hold partial vacuum for a few hours after it's shrunk much like the LANL aerogel) but you can simply wrap the sphere in plastic to hold vacuum. I planned on experimenting with dip coatings, but for experimental purposes I came up with a very clever design that I will explain later. Just know that the plastic doesn't have to be very thick to hold vacuum so it's very much within the range of possibility to coat the sphere in a thin plastic layer at less than .44 lbs. Plastic is very dense, but we are talking about literally a few mils of material. This is also why I roll my eyes at people who mock me for attempting a design with materials that don't hold vacuum. You are not limited to materials that hold vacuum for your design when you can simply add a layer for that later. Experimental Set UpI initially bought one of those vacuum chambers made out of a large steel pan and thick acrylic. Mechanical pumps are easy to find and relatively cheap. Mine came with the chamber. However, I quickly found it wasn't big enough and attempting to build a larger one looked costly. This is where I got clever and shocked myself with a very cheap set up that actually works. I simply bought regular large sized vacuum bags designed for storing cloths because they have a clever little self sealing mechanism that traps the vacuum. These bags are not meant for actual vacuum with a mechanical pump so I wasn't sure how it would work. I also had to find a way to rig it all up. As funny as it sounds my solution was to take the nozzle of an empty plastic bottle that happened to fit onto the hose and then I cut a piece of EDPM rubber to cover the end meant for the bottle and put a small slit in the center for air to move through. I then pushed this into the self sealing part of the vacuum bag and it actually creates a seal and pumps down! And when you remove the pump it self seals!I found I sometimes had issues with pumping down properly and solved this by using a metal straw that I placed inside the bag near the seal and directed towards the sphere to act as a channel. Once again, to my surprise this works very well. So, I then disassembled my original steel pot vacuum chamber and used the parts along with some parts I had to buy online to rig the pressure gauge into the system so that I could verify how much vacuum I was achieving. I'm a bit proud of this DIY set up because it works so well. In order to properly record your results you must weight the vacuum bag and the metal straw as well as your experimental sphere before vacuuming. Then vacuum it down and pay attention to the gauge. If your design is not very good it may implode before achieving full vacuum. That's okay. You can actually measure a weight reduction without reaching the full vacuum. "Full" vacuum in this case is actually what is known as low vacuum. Low vacuum is all you need for a vacuum balloon to work as you have effectively removed most of the air and it's not necessary to reach medium or high vacuum. This set up was for spheres of only 1 foot diameter and I don't think there are bags large enough for 6 foot spheres. However, my plan was to use a heat gun to stitch a bunch of the bags together to make it work. It's dirty but once again it should work theoretically. I was also planning on using a heat gun to section off portions of the bag to seal it around the sphere and cut off excess material but that part is really only necessary if you are about to achieve lift. I imagine it's possible once you've proven you can make a structure strong enough and light enough for lift that a better technique would be to incorporate a valve and find a way to dip coat the sphere to seal it. I never got this far. A Potential New Approach To FoamI mentioned experimenting with making foams and identifying polycarbonate as good material to turn into a nano foam. I use the term nano foam because aerogel wouldn't be technically correct. They are both nano foams. The aerogel is made using gel. This approach doesn't. It's very low tech and dirty. I theorized I could use the fact that polycarbonate is a thermoplastic to my advantage and mix it as a powder with another material that can withstand it's glass transition temperature but is also easily soluble in water. So, I found some polycarbonate powder (first American apparently to buy it) and mixed it with some ordinary table salt then put it in the oven. I know this sounds ridiculous. Then I washed the sample after it cooled in the sink and dried it with paper towels. Then I soaked it in rubbing alcohol and dried that with paper towels. Then I let it sit overnight to fully evaporate if it's a big sample. Then I weighed it. When I mix the powder in a 1:1 ratio by weight the sample after washing it weights exactly half of when I started without losing any volume. So I washed out all of the salt. But, that's not all. Because this method is basically sintering the particles together, it already had lots of air pockets in it to begin with. I attempted to make a one cubic inch sample to measure the density and it's not the most precise but the density is roughly 4.7 g/in3 which is about a quarter of the density of bulk polycarbonate. This means it's porosity is about 75%. It's not he 90-99.99% of commercial aerogel, but I personally find the initial results surprising. There's a lot of ideas I have to tweak this including playing with the mix ratio, grain size, uniformity of the particles, and aerating the powder. What I find very interesting about this technique in general is that it actually would work with anything that can be sintered including other thermoplastics, ceramics, glasses and metals. This means this approach could be used to make porous metals or even metal nano foams.The 2009 analysis of the metal sphere UFOI've recently been made aware of the 1994 spherical UFO that Steve Colbern published a report on in 2009. A few things stand out to me as someone who has been actively working on vacuum balloons and ways to make porous metals. First, it looks like two hemispheres nested inside each other exactly as I describe was my best approach to making a vacuum balloon based off of experimental results. Second, the sphere is presumably hollow. Third, the report clearly states that the sample analyzed was a porous metal with nanostructures present. A hollow porous shell with nested hemispheres of opposing orientation is exactly what I would expect a vacuum balloon to look like. There are ways to use my technique on titanium to make it porous although I haven't done so experimentally because it's melting point is very high. Materials other than salt could be used but even if salt was used it would be interesting because it would vaporize at the glass transition temp of titanium which actually might help make it more porous. I do believe Na and Cl impurities were present in the sample according to the report. Perhaps one could experimentally recreate this sample using this method (minus the isotopes.)CrowdsourcingIf anybody wants to crowdsource the work on this with me I'm open to it. Also, if people are open to crowdfunding the research I'm open to that as well. Either way, it's up on the internet now. Maybe 10 years from now somebody as crazy as me will pick up where I left off. I might return to this at a later date, but without help I think I need to take a break. |
2023.06.07 16:41 Level-One999 Feedback or thoughts on a simulated phishing campaign for my staff
Hi!
So I am in charge of our Knowbe4 platform at a small saas company. I do regular phishing tests of our staff, for one of the next ones I want to use our own platform, outside of Knowbe4, to attempt to collect information from our staff.
Our platform allows users to create accounts and run some survey tests with participant collection (e.g. free form text or some other options). While the links sent to their work emails themselves won't be malicious or phishing themselves, simply a way to access the platform through onetime use passwords to facilitate information collection. I'd like to see how many might be tricked by an invitation from our own system that sounds plausible, since we sometimes use our own system internally for a few things a year, so it isn't too unusual for a staff participant to use it.
I'm having trouble though on what sort of information might be interesting to try to coax out of staff. Opened ended things like:
"List all the systems and vendors you use on a regular basis" -- as an example of not letting leak out some non-public facing systems we might use as part of business.
Maybe something like "Are that you use on a regular basis unsecure? If so, what makes them unsecure?"
I'd love to have also collect like mobile number or some other personal-ish items, but it is difficult to justify why it or they might be asked (e.g. we'd never ask for social security numbers or drivers license stuff through out platform, we have different systems for such real things).
Any thoughts on some other open ended questions that might coax out information from staff that we might otherwise them not to disclose?
submitted by Level-One999 to cyber_security [link] [comments]
So I am in charge of our Knowbe4 platform at a small saas company. I do regular phishing tests of our staff, for one of the next ones I want to use our own platform, outside of Knowbe4, to attempt to collect information from our staff.
Our platform allows users to create accounts and run some survey tests with participant collection (e.g. free form text or some other options). While the links sent to their work emails themselves won't be malicious or phishing themselves, simply a way to access the platform through onetime use passwords to facilitate information collection. I'd like to see how many might be tricked by an invitation from our own system that sounds plausible, since we sometimes use our own system internally for a few things a year, so it isn't too unusual for a staff participant to use it.
I'm having trouble though on what sort of information might be interesting to try to coax out of staff. Opened ended things like:
"List all the systems and vendors you use on a regular basis" -- as an example of not letting leak out some non-public facing systems we might use as part of business.
Maybe something like "Are that you use on a regular basis unsecure? If so, what makes them unsecure?"
I'd love to have also collect like mobile number or some other personal-ish items, but it is difficult to justify why it or they might be asked (e.g. we'd never ask for social security numbers or drivers license stuff through out platform, we have different systems for such real things).
Any thoughts on some other open ended questions that might coax out information from staff that we might otherwise them not to disclose?
2023.06.07 16:20 cybergatemsp Unleashing the Benefits of IT Outsourcing: Empowering Your Business with CyberGate
Introduction:
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Conclusion:
When it comes to IT outsourcing, CyberGate stands out as a reliable and innovative partner. With our commitment to delivering unmatched expertise, cost efficiency, operational excellence, and comprehensive security, we empower your business to thrive in the digital age. Visit our website at cybergate.me or contact us at 013-256-2218 to discover how CyberGate can revolutionize your IT landscape and drive your business forward.
CyberGate
submitted by cybergatemsp to u/cybergatemsp [link] [comments]
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, businesses strive to harness the power of technology while focusing on their core competencies. This is where IT outsourcing emerges as a game-changer, allowing organizations to leverage specialized expertise, streamline operations, and achieve sustainable growth. In this article, we explore the remarkable benefits of IT outsourcing and how CyberGate can be your trusted partner in unlocking the full potential of your business.
- Access to Unparalleled Expertise:
- Cost Efficiency and Operational Excellence:
- Empowering Your Core Business Focus:
- Scalability and Flexibility for Growth:
- Unrivaled Security and Risk Management:
Conclusion:
When it comes to IT outsourcing, CyberGate stands out as a reliable and innovative partner. With our commitment to delivering unmatched expertise, cost efficiency, operational excellence, and comprehensive security, we empower your business to thrive in the digital age. Visit our website at cybergate.me or contact us at 013-256-2218 to discover how CyberGate can revolutionize your IT landscape and drive your business forward.
CyberGate
2023.06.07 16:03 _Triple_ [STORE] 900+ KNIVES/GLOVES/SKINS, 50.000$+ INVENTORY. M9 Fade, M4 Poseidon, BFK Freehand, Crimson Kimono, Nomad Fade, Skeleton, Kara Lore, Bayo Autotronic, AWP Fade, Kara Damas, BFK Ultra, Kara Freehand, Kara Bright, M9 Damas, Omega, Tiger Strike, Flip MF, Bayo Tiger, Deagle Blaze, Talon & More
Everything in my inventory is up for trade. The most valuable items are listed here, the rest you can find in My Inventory
Feel free to Add Me or even better send a Trade Offer. Open for any suggestions: upgrades, downgrades / knives, gloves, skins / stickers, patterns, floats.
All Buyouts are listed in cash value.
KNIVES
★ Butterfly Knife Freehand FN #1, B/O: $2500
★ Butterfly Knife Ultraviolet FT, B/O: $822
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⎯★ Bayonet Tiger Tooth MW #1, B/O: $1300
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★ Bayonet Tiger Tooth MW, B/O: $629
★ Bayonet Bright Water FT, B/O: $326
★ Bayonet Safari Mesh BS, B/O: $233
⎯★ Karambit Lore FT, B/O: $1110
★ Karambit Damascus Steel FT, B/O: $840
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⎯★ M9 Bayonet Fade FN, B/O: $1801
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⎯★ Nomad Knife Fade FN, B/O: $1156
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⎯★ Flip Knife Marble Fade FN, B/O: $646
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⎯★ Huntsman Knife Lore FN, B/O: $461
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★ Huntsman Knife Forest DDPAT MW, B/O: $129
★ Huntsman Knife Forest DDPAT BS, B/O: $123
★ StatTrak™ Huntsman Knife Rust Coat BS, B/O: $127
⎯★ Bowie Knife Gamma Doppler (Phase 2) FN, B/O: $375
★ Bowie Knife Gamma Doppler (Phase 1) FN, B/O: $363
★ Bowie Knife Tiger Tooth FN, B/O: $269
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★ Bowie Knife Bright Water FN, B/O: $159
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⎯★ Stiletto Knife Slaughter FN, B/O: $616
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★ StatTrak™ Stiletto Knife Night Stripe FT, B/O: $227
⎯★ Falchion Knife Lore FT, B/O: $214
★ Falchion Knife Autotronic FT, B/O: $192
★ Falchion Knife Scorched WW, B/O: $105
⎯★ Survival Knife Crimson Web BS, B/O: $216
★ Survival Knife Case Hardened FT, B/O: $198
★ Survival Knife Scorched FT, B/O: $111
⎯★ Shadow Daggers Fade FN, B/O: $368
★ Shadow Daggers Doppler (Phase 3) FN, B/O: $228
★ Shadow Daggers, B/O: $201
★ Shadow Daggers Damascus Steel FT, B/O: $108
★ Shadow Daggers Ultraviolet FT, B/O: $105
★ Shadow Daggers Black Laminate FT, B/O: $99
★ Shadow Daggers Forest DDPAT FT, B/O: $85
⎯★ Gut Knife Doppler (Sapphire) MW #1, B/O: $1700
★ Gut Knife Gamma Doppler (Phase 1) FN, B/O: $223
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★ Gut Knife Doppler (Phase 2) FN, B/O: $191
★ Gut Knife Case Hardened BS, B/O: $127
⎯★ Navaja Knife Doppler (Phase 4) FN, B/O: $199
★ Navaja Knife Doppler (Phase 4) FN, B/O: $199
★ Navaja Knife, B/O: $138
★ Navaja Knife Damascus Steel FN, B/O: $111
⎯★ Classic Knife Urban Masked FT, B/O: $146
★ StatTrak™ Classic Knife Stained BS, B/O: $168
⎯★ Ursus Knife Doppler (Phase 3) FN, B/O: $476
★ Ursus Knife, B/O: $375
⎯★ Skeleton Knife, B/O: $1137
★ Talon Knife, B/O: $608
★ Paracord Knife, B/O: $305
★ Survival Knife Forest DDPAT FT, B/O: $97
GLOVES
★ Moto Gloves Transport MW, B/O: $204
★ Moto Gloves Polygon BS, B/O: $142
★ Moto Gloves Blood Pressure BS, B/O: $84
★ Moto Gloves Blood Pressure BS, B/O: $84
★ Moto Gloves 3rd Commando Company BS, B/O: $63
★ Moto Gloves 3rd Commando Company BS, B/O: $63
⎯★ Specialist Gloves Crimson Kimono WW, B/O: $1215
★ Specialist Gloves Tiger Strike FT, B/O: $672
★ Specialist Gloves Lt. Commander FT, B/O: $305
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★ Specialist Gloves Crimson Web BS, B/O: $137
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⎯★ Driver Gloves Crimson Weave FT, B/O: $359
★ Driver Gloves Imperial Plaid BS, B/O: $229
★ Driver Gloves Overtake BS, B/O: $77
★ Driver Gloves Racing Green FT, B/O: $48
⎯★ Sport Gloves Omega FT, B/O: $739
★ Sport Gloves Amphibious BS #2, B/O: $733
★ Sport Gloves Arid BS, B/O: $292
⎯★ Hand Wraps Giraffe MW, B/O: $212
★ Hand Wraps Leather FT, B/O: $160
★ Hand Wraps Desert Shamagh MW, B/O: $101
⎯★ Broken Fang Gloves Yellow-banded MW, B/O: $185
★ Broken Fang Gloves Needle Point FT, B/O: $67
★ Broken Fang Gloves Needle Point WW, B/O: $59
⎯★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened BS, B/O: $65
★ Hydra Gloves Emerald FT, B/O: $65
★ Hydra Gloves Emerald BS, B/O: $62
WEAPONS
AK-47 Case Hardened BS, B/O: $130
AK-47 Bloodsport MW, B/O: $79
AK-47 Fuel Injector BS, B/O: $76
AK-47 Fuel Injector BS, B/O: $76
AK-47 Bloodsport FT, B/O: $70
AK-47 Neon Rider MW, B/O: $60
StatTrak™ AK-47 Aquamarine Revenge FT, B/O: $72
⎯AWP Fade FN, B/O: $1039
AWP Asiimov FT, B/O: $139
AWP Asiimov FT, B/O: $139
AWP Wildfire MW, B/O: $95
AWP BOOM MW, B/O: $93
AWP BOOM MW, B/O: $93
AWP Duality FN, B/O: $81
AWP Asiimov BS, B/O: $79
AWP Asiimov BS, B/O: $79
AWP Chromatic Aberration FN, B/O: $60
StatTrak™ AWP Hyper Beast FT, B/O: $68
StatTrak™ AWP Hyper Beast FT, B/O: $68
StatTrak™ AWP Electric Hive FT, B/O: $55
⎯Desert Eagle Blaze FN, B/O: $623
Desert Eagle Emerald Jörmungandr FN, B/O: $241
Desert Eagle Cobalt Disruption FN, B/O: $81
Desert Eagle Cobalt Disruption FN, B/O: $81
Desert Eagle Cobalt Disruption FN, B/O: $81
Desert Eagle Printstream FT, B/O: $54
⎯M4A1-S Blue Phosphor FN, B/O: $434
StatTrak™ M4A1-S Bright Water MW, B/O: $55
⎯M4A4 Poseidon FN, B/O: $1465
M4A4 Asiimov BS, B/O: $55
M4A4 Hellfire MW, B/O: $50
⎯USP-S Kill Confirmed MW, B/O: $72
USP-S Printstream FT, B/O: $69
StatTrak™ USP-S Kill Confirmed FT, B/O: $139
⎯AUG Flame Jörmungandr FN, B/O: $234
P90 Run and Hide FT, B/O: $147
Five-SeveN Candy Apple FN, B/O: $61
Trade Offer Link - Steam Profile Link - My Inventory
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Send a Trade Offer for fastest response. I consider all offers.
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2023.06.07 15:18 tomekl007 Software Mistakes and Tradeoffs: Released! (Some time ago)
After almost two years and countless hours of work, I would like to announce to the Reddit community that my book (co-authored with Jon Skeet), "Software Mistakes and Tradeoffs: How to make good programming decisions," has been released - in fact, it was released exactly one year ago. Still, it was not announced to the Reddit community since then, and I wanted to share that with you now 🎉.
Software Mistakes and Tradeoffs take you on a journey through the real-world problems and tradeoffs you may encounter in your day-to-day job. The book's first part focuses more on low-level tradeoffs (code patterns, APIs, performance optimization, etc.). The second part will allow you to learn more about higher-level tradeoffs, such as data locality in big data processing, consistency vs. availability, delivery semantics, etc.
The physical book, e-book, and audiobook are available on Manning's website: http://mng.bz/wvxP, and many other platforms.
When I was writing the book, I wanted to make it very practical. Because of that, almost every concept discussed in the book is backed up with actual code and tests; I've prepared a GitHub repo containing the source code (Java and Scala): https://github.com/tomekl007/manning_software_mistakes_and_tradeoffs
Feel free to fork, contribute or use for your own experiments 🙂
I've dedicated this book to all of the open-source community. Most of the tools and architectures emerge from your devotion and contributions. You are the reason why software is progressing and meeting today's world demands.
Note: I am sharing my personal discount code for -35%: relelek40.
submitted by tomekl007 to ManningPublications [link] [comments]
Software Mistakes and Tradeoffs take you on a journey through the real-world problems and tradeoffs you may encounter in your day-to-day job. The book's first part focuses more on low-level tradeoffs (code patterns, APIs, performance optimization, etc.). The second part will allow you to learn more about higher-level tradeoffs, such as data locality in big data processing, consistency vs. availability, delivery semantics, etc.
The physical book, e-book, and audiobook are available on Manning's website: http://mng.bz/wvxP, and many other platforms.
When I was writing the book, I wanted to make it very practical. Because of that, almost every concept discussed in the book is backed up with actual code and tests; I've prepared a GitHub repo containing the source code (Java and Scala): https://github.com/tomekl007/manning_software_mistakes_and_tradeoffs
Feel free to fork, contribute or use for your own experiments 🙂
I've dedicated this book to all of the open-source community. Most of the tools and architectures emerge from your devotion and contributions. You are the reason why software is progressing and meeting today's world demands.
Note: I am sharing my personal discount code for -35%: relelek40.
2023.06.07 15:10 TheDBA_CyberGuy CISSP Videos and Web Resources
When it comes to CISSP exam, I would like to remind you that you are not alone on your journey to hit your milestone of achieving your certification goal. In addition to the publications mentioned in this post, I recommend you to watch the following videos from the top instructors in the industry. I further advise you to frequent the platforms mentioned below to equip yourself with the required mindset, knowledge and skills.
submitted by TheDBA_CyberGuy to TechnologyStack [link] [comments]
- Kelly Handerhan is one of the most experienced instructors in cybersecurity. You can rely on her guidance to achieve your CISSP certification. Moreover, her CISSP video courses on cybrary will very much help you readied yourself for the exam. And you can access her platform for further information.
- Mike Chapple is one of the leading instructors and authors in cybersecurity. Besides, he is the co-author of the CISSP Official Study Guide. And any aspirant can count on him for guidance and inspiration. Furthermore, candidates can learn from his robust platform and LinkedIn learning.
- Thor Pederson is also one of the best instructors in the cybersecurity. And he dissects the CISSP exam deeply for you in his platform and his video courses. Candidates should follow him on Facebook and other platforms for up-to-date information about the exam and cyber security in general.
- Luke Ahmed provides reliable teaching on CISSP exam through his dependable platform. Besides, he is the author of the best CISSP book titled as “How to Think like a Manager”. And you can rely on his guidance and insights to crack the CISSP exam.
- Sari Green in her CISSP video and web resources resources dives deep into the concepts covered in the exam. I recommend you to watch all her videos for solid understanding of the CISSP at large.
- Adam Gordon tirelessly works on daily CISSP questions and answers on his LinkedIn and youtube channels. You have to check his channel and LinkedIn feeds quite often to understand the exam.
- Wentz Wu tirelessly works to teach aspirants through his platform and Facebook.
- Prabh Nair publishes good articles on his platform. And you can read those by visiting his platform. His youtube videos are also easy to understand and helpful for you to have a glimpse of understanding about the exam.
- IT Dojo has good CISSP questions in his youtube channel. Hence, you should finish watching all of them. And you can access his platform as well.
Important platforms
- (ISC) 2 is one of the top platforms for training and certification in information security. It has amazing programs and resources on CISSP, CCSP, SSCP, and so on certifications.
- ISACA is one of the best platforms to get resources on information security, auditing, governance, and so on domains. Furthermore, they provide amazing training and certification programs such as on CISM, CISA, CRISC, and so on areas.
- CIS – I advise you to register and frequent this website. It will help you understand security controls, frameworks and other important resources that are helpful for general understanding of cybersecurity and the CISSP exam.
- CSA - I recommend you to visit this site more often for broader understanding of security of the clouds, which is very testable in the CISSP exam. It also contains many more security resources helpful for the exam and beyond. It offers and maintains CCSP in collaboration with (ISC) 2.
- NIST is the best hub for cybersecurity professionals and aspirants. In my opinion, this platform is the most resourceful not only for CISSP but for any certification in cybersecurity. It has tones of resources directly related to the exam and your profession. The special publications are important resources to understand cybersecurity in its broader sense. I advise you to make this platform your companion.
- SANS Institute is one of the best platforms for cybersecurity professionals and aspirants alike. You will find amazing resources in SANS and its affiliate organization GIAC. I advise to frequent SANS Institute website for updating yourself on cybersecurity and training requirements. It offers GCIH, GNFA, GCFA and related certifications.
- CompTIA is also one of the best vendor-neutral certifications and training provides. You will get amazing resources on the platform as well. CompTIA delivers many certification and training programs on CySA+, the famous Security+ and so on domains.
- E-Council provides amazing resources on penetration testing, incident handling and so on domains. You can frequent for up-to-date resources on information security and ethical hacking realms. They further offer many certifications and training programs on the most famous CEH, ECIH, and so on.
- OWASP is one of the top and reliable online community platforms that is dedicated to providing organizations with free and practical resources to support application security. It provides a plethora of tools, articles, and documentation in the domain of web application security. I advise you to frequent this platform for up-to-date information on web application security, which is highly testable in the exam.
- I recommend you to read the summary of CISSP in this sunflower notes by Maarten de Frankrijker frequently. It is very helpful for self-assessment about the contents in CISSP at high level.
- You have to visit a blog maintained by Luc Desfosses to have good understanding about the content covered in the CISSP exam.
- The memory palace by Prashant Mohan is a must read note for every CISSP aspirant. It will walk you through the contents of CISSP in a friendly to read and understandable fashion. Candidates should read this amazingly summarized content and thank the author for his work in simplifying the exam for you.
2023.06.07 15:01 hamidshaiikh7227 Ladder Safety for Specific Industries: Guidelines for Construction, Maintenance, and More.
 | Ladders are indispensable tools in various industries, including construction, maintenance, and beyond. However, working with ladders can pose significant safety risks if proper precautions are not followed. Each industry has its unique requirements and hazards, which necessitate specific guidelines to ensure ladder safety. In this article, we will explore industry-specific ladder safety guidelines for construction, maintenance, and other relevant sectors. submitted by hamidshaiikh7227 to u/hamidshaiikh7227 [link] [comments]
b. Inspection and Maintenance: Regular inspection and maintenance of ladders are essential in construction sites. Inspect the ladder for any visible damage, such as bent rungs, cracks, or loose connections. Additionally, ensure that the ladder is clean and free from debris that could affect stability. Replace or repair damaged ladders promptly. c. Secure Placement: Proper ladder placement is critical to prevent accidents in construction settings. Ensure the ladder is placed on stable, level ground, and use leg levelers or stabilizers if necessary. If the ladder needs to be positioned on an uneven surface, use ladder levelers or adjustable ladder feet to maintain stability. d. Safe Climbing and Descending: Construction workers should be trained in safe climbing and descending techniques. Face the ladder and maintain three-point contact (two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand) while climbing. Never carry tools or materials that hinder balance or grip. e. Fall Protection: When working at heights above a certain threshold, additional fall protection measures, such as guardrails or personal fall arrest systems, should be implemented. Ensure that workers are trained in the proper use of fall protection equipment. · Maintenance and Facilities Management a. Ladder Inspection: Regular inspection of ladders used in maintenance and facilities management is crucial. Check for any visible defects, including damaged rungs, loose hardware, or cracked side rails. Ensure that the ladder's weight capacity is suitable for the intended use. b. Proper Storage: Store ladders in a designated area away from high-traffic areas to prevent accidental collisions or damage. Ladders should be secured in an upright position to avoid the risk of falling or creating tripping hazards. c. Training and Certification: Provide comprehensive ladder safety training to maintenance personnel. Training should cover ladder selection, inspection, safe use, and proper storage practices. Encourage employees to obtain ladder safety certifications to enhance their knowledge and skills. d. Task-Specific Guidelines: Develop specific guidelines for maintenance tasks that involve ladder use. For example, establish protocols for accessing elevated equipment, changing light bulbs, or performing repairs at heights. Ensure workers follow these guidelines and use appropriate fall protection equipment when necessary. e. Awareness of Surroundings: In maintenance settings, workers should be aware of their surroundings while using ladders. Pay attention to potential obstacles or hazards, such as overhead electrical wires, slippery surfaces, or confined spaces. Take necessary precautions to avoid accidents or injuries.
b. Hospitality and Janitorial Services: Ladders are frequently used in the hospitality industry for tasks such as cleaning, maintenance, or accessing storage areas. Ensure that ladders are selected based on the specific task requirements, and employees are trained in ladder safety practices, including proper climbing techniques and maintaining a clean and clutter-free work area. c. Agricultural and Farming Operations: Ladders are commonly utilized in agricultural and farming operations for tasks like fruit picking, pruning, or equipment maintenance. Guidelines should include ladder selection appropriate for outdoor conditions, secure placement on uneven terrain, and proper use of fall protection systems when working at heights. https://preview.redd.it/k48zw70lgl4b1.jpg?width=1709&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b76122dbc1668f501637c7f1b4d4728fae5bd31 Affiliated Ladder Company - ZAMIL: A Comprehensive Overview ZAMIL Ladders is a renowned and trusted name in the ladder industry, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With a rich history and a wide range of ladder products, ZAMIL has established itself as a leading player in the global ladder market. In this article, we will delve into the details of ZAMIL, exploring its history, product offerings, commitment to quality, and customer-centric approach.
Over the years, ZAMIL has built a solid reputation for reliability, durability, and safety in ladder manufacturing. The company's commitment to excellence has allowed it to expand its presence globally, serving customers in diverse industries and geographic locations.
a. Extension Ladders: ZAMIL's extension ladders are designed to provide safe access to elevated areas. These ladders are available in various heights, materials, and configurations to suit different applications. b. Step Ladders: ZAMIL's step ladders offer stability and convenience for tasks requiring shorter reach. They are available in different sizes and designs, including platform step ladders, folding step ladders, and more. c. Platform Ladders: ZAMIL's platform ladders are ideal for situations that require a larger standing area and enhanced stability. These ladders are designed to provide a secure platform for users to work comfortably at heights. d. Specialty Ladders: ZAMIL ladders also offers a range of specialty ladders designed for specific applications. These include attic ladders, multipurpose ladders, combination ladders, and more, catering to the unique needs of customers in various industries.
Safety is a top priority for ZAMIL, and all ladder products undergo extensive testing to ensure they meet or exceed safety standards. The company's commitment to safety is evident in the incorporation of features such as non-slip steps, reinforced joints, and sturdy construction to enhance user safety and stability while working at heights.
ZAMIL's focus on innovation extends beyond product design and includes the incorporation of environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. The company strives to reduce its environmental impact by using sustainable materials and implementing eco-friendly production practices.
Conclusion Industry-specific ladder safety guidelines play a vital role in minimizing accidents and injuries across various sectors. Whether in construction, maintenance, retail, hospitality, or agriculture, adherence to these guidelines is essential to protect workers and maintain a safe working environment. The key elements of industry-specific ladder safety guidelines include proper ladder selection, regular inspection and maintenance, secure placement, safe climbing and descending techniques, use of fall protection measures when necessary, and industry-specific task guidelines. Training and certification programs should be implemented to ensure workers are knowledgeable about ladder safety protocols. By prioritizing ladder safety and integrating industry-specific guidelines into daily operations, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of ladder-related accidents and promote a culture of safety. Regular review and updates to these guidelines are essential to adapt to changing industry standards and best practices. Remember, ladder safety is a shared responsibility that requires continuous education, awareness, and adherence to industry-specific regulations to ensure the well-being of workers and prevent unnecessary accidents and injuries. |
2023.06.07 15:01 AnimatorPerfect6709 Comparing TEAS and NCLEX
The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam and the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) exam are two different tests taken by individuals pursuing a career in nursing. We will take a look at the features and requirements of TEAS exam vs NCLEX exam.
TEAS EXAM
The TEAS exam is taken by individuals who are applying to nursing schools. In this exam, you will be assessed the basic academic skills in areas these subjects; reading, math, science, and English language usage. The TEAS exam aims to ensure that you have excellent foundational academic skills crucial to succeed in a nursing program.
To pass TEAS, you need adequate preparation on subjects for atleast six weeks before the exam. There are different ways to prepare for TEAS, but the best and most accessible is using Naxlex TEAS practice tests. These tests are designed by skilled tutors who have experience and have taken TEAS, meaning they understand it from the student and exam takers’ view.
How Valuable is the TEAS Practice Test?
To pass the latest version of the TEAS exam, ATI TEAS 7, you must put aside quality time to prepare and understand everything required before the test. However, you may lack that much time to revise for the exam. But you still need to pass your exam regardless of your schedule.
The only way to ensure you cover all the topics within a given timeframe is by using the Naxlex TEAS practice test. It will help gauge what you need to focus on and how well-prepared you are for the ATI TEAS 7, and give you over 1500 practice questions!
The main advantage of using the TEAS practice test is:
On the other hand, the NCLEX is the exam you take after completing nursing education, and you’re seeking a license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). This exam evaluates your knowledge, skills, and abilities in providing safe and effective nursing care to patients. It tests the individual’s critical thinking and decision-making abilities in various clinical scenarios.
How Easy or Hard is the NCLEX Test?
The number of questions on the NCLEX may vary between 70 and 135. 15 of those are experimental questions; each is crucial because it’s used to gauge your knowledge level. Although these empirical questions don’t count towards your final score, you won’t know which ones they are.
Each question you answer correctly will lead to a more difficult question in the next round, and you’re not supposed to skip any questions. That makes the NCLEX a bit challenging. You can pass the NCLEX with any number of questions if you answer correctly enough before the five-hour time limit ends.
Read More: https://www.naxlex.com/blog/teas-exam-vs-nclex-exam/
submitted by AnimatorPerfect6709 to TEASExamRevision [link] [comments]
TEAS EXAM
The TEAS exam is taken by individuals who are applying to nursing schools. In this exam, you will be assessed the basic academic skills in areas these subjects; reading, math, science, and English language usage. The TEAS exam aims to ensure that you have excellent foundational academic skills crucial to succeed in a nursing program.
To pass TEAS, you need adequate preparation on subjects for atleast six weeks before the exam. There are different ways to prepare for TEAS, but the best and most accessible is using Naxlex TEAS practice tests. These tests are designed by skilled tutors who have experience and have taken TEAS, meaning they understand it from the student and exam takers’ view.
How Valuable is the TEAS Practice Test?
To pass the latest version of the TEAS exam, ATI TEAS 7, you must put aside quality time to prepare and understand everything required before the test. However, you may lack that much time to revise for the exam. But you still need to pass your exam regardless of your schedule.
The only way to ensure you cover all the topics within a given timeframe is by using the Naxlex TEAS practice test. It will help gauge what you need to focus on and how well-prepared you are for the ATI TEAS 7, and give you over 1500 practice questions!
The main advantage of using the TEAS practice test is:
- You will know which TEAS questions you missed
- Which questions are you not sure of?
- Which questions are tricky or complex to help you put more effort?
On the other hand, the NCLEX is the exam you take after completing nursing education, and you’re seeking a license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). This exam evaluates your knowledge, skills, and abilities in providing safe and effective nursing care to patients. It tests the individual’s critical thinking and decision-making abilities in various clinical scenarios.
How Easy or Hard is the NCLEX Test?
The number of questions on the NCLEX may vary between 70 and 135. 15 of those are experimental questions; each is crucial because it’s used to gauge your knowledge level. Although these empirical questions don’t count towards your final score, you won’t know which ones they are.
Each question you answer correctly will lead to a more difficult question in the next round, and you’re not supposed to skip any questions. That makes the NCLEX a bit challenging. You can pass the NCLEX with any number of questions if you answer correctly enough before the five-hour time limit ends.
Read More: https://www.naxlex.com/blog/teas-exam-vs-nclex-exam/