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Theatre

2009.03.04 22:53 idledebonair Theatre

Theatre theory, design, news and community. This sub is aimed at professionals in the theatre community working in the industry, but is open to everyone, including students, community artists, and fans of the artform.
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2023.06.04 18:03 gourmetcookedcookies PTV Toronto 02/06/2023 šŸ’ššŸ’ššŸ’š

ā„ this was my first real concert and i had the absolute time of my LIFE!!!! i got there slightly late but death of an executioner started as my friends and i were walking through security and even though i would have liked to have been at the stage when it started, i always try to look at the positives, and just hearing it start from a distance as we were walking in was INSANE and i have never felt more hyped in my life. we got to the stage area right when the instrumental part started and it was beautiful.
ā„ the planes flying in and out from the airport while the show went on was ETHEREAL. and then it was a full moon when the used played! ik this is a ptv subreddit but i wanna share my one (1) good picture of bert with the moon.
ā„ does anyone else have that moment when youre in denial that THEYRE REAL PEOPLE STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!! THEYRE SO BEAUTIFUL. the girl next to me was screaming her absolute lungs out and i adore her for it. i had lost my voice last week and it still isnt back, at the concert it was pretty much obliterated after bulls in the bronx, so thankfully a lot of my screams didnt come out lmao.
ā„ i think at one point someone tried to throw a pride flag on stage but it didnt make it that far unfortunately. i think i saw it fall into the area right in front of the speakers. also someone had a massive sign of vic fuentes' face on top of a picture of lightning mcqueen LMFAO.
ā„ king for a day had the most crowd energy, obviously, and second was bulls in the bronx. pass the nirvana, the boy who could fly, and caraphernalia were also CRAZYYYY. ugh i want to keep talking about this experience forever.
ā„ anyway, i wanted to share some of my best videos! <3 :D flash warning for caraphernalia and king for a day. also if anyone is interested in seeing photos let me know and i'll add them to the folder as well! (sorry if the videos cut off at odd times, sometimes i like to enjoy the show without my arm aching hehe)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N5Ok2EL7u-8oBVJVvB8u13a0RTE8uwgS?usp=drive_link
submitted by gourmetcookedcookies to piercetheveil [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 17:49 Edward_Stivenson Importance and Benefits of Studying Abroad

Importance and Benefits of Studying Abroad
Are you intrigued by the idea of forming friendships with people from all over the world, immersing yourself in a foreign language, or gaining familiarity with diverse educational systems? If so, the exceptional opportunity of participating in a semester abroad through various exchange programs could be the perfect choice for you.
In this article, our essay writer online will provide you with valuable insights into the significant benefits of studying abroad. Our aim is to offer you the necessary information to make the most of your time abroad as an international student. Continue reading to discover - what is studying abroad? - and why it is crucial for students to embrace this unique opportunity with enthusiasm at least once in their lifetime.
How Does Studying Abroad Work: Tips for Your Journey
Many students often find themselves unsure of where to begin their study abroad journey. This is primarily due to limited access to information about study abroad programs, which often go unnoticed by young individuals. However, you've come to the right place to gain a general understanding of the journey that study abroad students embark upon. Who knows, you might be the next one in line to have an incredible overseas experience.
So, how does studying abroad work? To be completely honest, the process can be quite lengthy and challenging. However, it is undeniably one of the most rewarding ways to undergo life-changing experiences and foster academic and personal growth, especially during your early twenties. Those who have studied abroad can attest to this. Rest assured; we are here to serve as your study abroad advisor, providing guidance and support for your benefit.
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Prepare for Your Study Abroad Journey
Let's start by answering the 'What does studying abroad mean?'. It is designed for students to pursue higher education studies or conduct research in their field of study in a foreign country for a specific period of time.
Throughout the preparation process for your study abroad journey, there are certain unavoidable steps to follow. However, there's no need to fear. The preparation process should fill you with excitement as you anticipate the new friends you will make, the traditional dishes you will taste, and other studying abroad benefits like the personal growth that comes from stepping out of your comfort zone.
  1. Begin the preparation process with thorough research on the country you'll be heading to. You can start by reaching out to the study abroad office at your home university, where they can provide you with a list of potential destinations based on your major program and interests.
  2. Truly experiencing a different culture requires actually visiting the host country. However, you can still research and familiarize yourself with the culture and customs of your destination beforehand. Learning about traditions, cultural norms, local laws, and other specific aspects of a foreign country can help ease your adjustment process.
  3. Another important aspect to consider is organizing your finances. Many study abroad programs offer monthly scholarships to assist students. However, there may be some expenses related to formal documents before your departure. If your scholarship doesn't fully cover your needs, you might want to consider taking on a part-time job.
  4. Lastly, it's crucial to be aware that each study abroad program has its own specific requirements for necessary documents. However, having a national ID and a passport is essential. Make sure to check the expiration dates of these documents and ensure they won't expire soon.
Select the Right Studying Abroad Programs
Expanding your horizon begins with the academic semester abroad. One can only develop maximum potential in themselves once one decides to grow out of their local culture and learn about the world through experience.
In order to make your study abroad experience fruitful and beneficial for your future career, you need to make the right selection of the program. The right selection depends on your field of study. For instance, taking advantage of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program would be an excellent idea if you are a student of Social and Political Sciences. Do not miss the chance to learn the local language since German is the second most spoken language throughout the institutions of the European Union. So, spend quality time identifying your academic goals and interests in order to find matching programs.
Keep in mind that study abroad students invest a lot of time and energy into the selection of the right programs, which comes with its own costs. Therefore, research the chosen program in depth in order to clarify its reputation and accreditation.
The Future Leaders Exchange Abroad (FLEX) program is designed for high school students across the USA. The latter gives a chance to American high school students to study for an academic year in Georgia, Kazakhstan, or Poland. If you are prone to jumping out of your comfort zone and discovering less developed parts of the world, this might as well be a chance for you.
If you want to spend the summertime productively, applying for summer studying abroad programs might be the best solution. Make the most out of your study abroad trip with CEA Study Abroad in Aix en Provence, or spend sweet summer days under the Tuscan sun with USAC in Italy. Discover more opportunities below.
What are Some Scholarships for Studying Abroad?
Again, finances can be a major determining factor in the process of selecting a study abroad program destination. That is why you need to be aware of all the possibilities that grant students scholarships in order to afford to study and live in a foreign country. International organizations and governments are working actively in order to make funds available for students of all origins to study at the desired university, at least for a short period of time.
The University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC), as mentioned above, provides the most widespread scholarships for studying abroad. The consortium makes the selection of students who are enrolled in USAC study abroad programs at the undergraduate level of studies and provides them with a significant amount of funds if they showcase special financial needs.
SIT Study Abroad scholarships are available for students who demonstrate academic excellence with a desire to expand their knowledge in their fields of study. SIT finances housing accommodation and tuition fees for selected students.
One of the most feminine-friendly scholarships for studying abroad is known under the name of Corinne Jeannine Schillings Scholarships. The latter provides specific types of scholarships under the range of Silver and Gold for young girl scouts throughout their undergraduate studies.
American and Canadian students specializing in the program of Informational technologies are privileged to have an opportunity to take advantage of the Generation Google Scholarship. This project aims to fund studies abroad for future leaders in the technology industry.
Make the Most of Your Study Abroad Experience
The true studying abroad meaning reflects through activities students choose to participate in. Making the most out of your experience abroad will turn it into one of the most memorable periods of your life. Taking some time off and having fun is the primary 'requirement' for exchange students. Although, many study-abroad students rather choose to enrich their resumes with participation in valuable projects, conferences, and workshops.
Do not shy away from expressing yourself in academic or informal spaces because of the language barrier. Instead, try to act like local students and get engaged in classes and coursework. That way, you will stand out in front of foreign professors and demand a recommendation letter from them at the end of the exchange semester.
Use your leisure for the discovery of local cuisine as well as cultural places and attractions. For instance, if you find yourself in a central European country such as Poland, do not leave it without tasting piquant Pierogi or exploring old town squares in its small and aesthetic cities.
Usually, joining clubs and participating in extracurricular activities gives international students a great chance to network with locals. These types of activities simplify the process of making friends with local as well as other international students.
One of the benefits of studying abroad that is also worth highlighting is its overall purpose of helping students grow professionally as well as personally. Grab each chance to spend time with local friends and other students in general in circumstances that are not usually provided in your home country.
Maximize Language Learning
Learning a local language is at the top of the list in the study abroad checklist. Since Chinese proverbs are known for their practicality and wisdom, we would like to recall one of them regarding immersing oneself in the local language: 'To learn a new language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.' Learning basics and interacting in the local language will help you perceive the culture of the host country from a clear perspective. The decision to travel to a foreign country to get a high-quality education already speaks for your open-mindedness. So, why not make the best out of your studying abroad experience and learn the language as a bonus?
If you have already participated in the studying abroad program, feel free to use our speech writing services to curate a creative narrative to wrap up your experience for a big audience.
Build International Connections
Being a study abroad student already makes you stand out from locals at the host university. Try to use the attention for your benefit and build connections with as many people as you can. People are the most beautiful part of each and every event we experience in life. That goes especially for your study abroad experience. The opportunity to make friends through networking with fellow students and locals is one of the exceptional studying abroad benefits.
Try to keep up with the current events taking place locally in the country of your destination or around the world in general. That will provide you with a plethora of topics to talk about in a conversation with professors, mentors, or fellow students. Building relationships with people around will undoubtedly enrich your personal as well as academic growth.
Our experts have gathered information about some of the most popular destinations for studying abroad programs. Get inspired by the provided list of countries below and make the right choice for you.
FAQs on Studying Abroad
Undoubtedly, the decision to leave your home country and pursue studies abroad is a significant one. It's only natural to have second thoughts, considering concerns about finances and the time-consuming process of gathering documents. However, rest assured that we are here to offer you valuable study abroad tips and address the critical questions you may have.
When it comes to studying abroad, there are both benefits and drawbacks to consider. However, what matters most is that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Is Studying Abroad Expensive?
The cost of your study abroad program largely depends on the country you choose as your destination. Program costs can vary from several thousand dollars to euros. However, there are specific study abroad programs specifically designed for international students, which provide funding for studies, housing, and accommodation outside of their home countries.
So, is studying abroad expensive? Well, students have the opportunity to reduce the cost of participation in exchange programs by obtaining scholarships and funding for tuition fees or housing accommodation. For more detailed information, please continue reading the following sections.
Is Studying Abroad Worth It?
The study abroad experience enriches your curriculum vitae and projects your candidature as unique among others for the job market. Spending a certain amount of time in a foreign country speaks of your skills of adaptability, being open to new cultures, self-confidence to meet challenges, and willingness to enrich your daily life with extraordinary activities outside of your home country. So, ask yourself, 'Is studying abroad worth it?' - our response is unquestionably positive.
What are the Pros And Cons of Studying Abroad?
Let's glance through some of the pros and cons of studying abroad in order to paint a clear picture of what to expect in your study abroad journey.
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Pros:
  • Establishing pragmatic and life-long relationships and friendships
  • Gaining different perspectives and worldviews through the lenses of foreign culture
  • Enhancing your resume for the competitive job market
Cons:
  • The challenge of the language barrier
  • Experiencing feelings of homesickness and culture shock
  • Dealing with financial issues
Drawing to the conclusion, it is clear that studying abroad benefits are worth sacrificing some of the negative sides that it might temporarily bring into your life.
Studying Abroad Programs: Countries to Consider
Lastly, we would like to list down specific programs for popular study abroad destinations for you to research and find the one that fits perfectly with your interests as well as your fields of study.
Meanwhile, take advantage of our college essay writing service or admissions essay writing service based on your demands.
Take a look at some of the studying abroad programs we have gathered:
Studying Abroad in Italy
Programs for studying abroad in Italy:
  • CIS Abroad - Offers flexible schedules for courses, counseling for probable financial aid, and grants academic advising services.
  • CAPA in Florence - Covers expanses of accommodation with a host family or campus dormitory and offers internships at top organizations.
  • CEA study abroad in Rome - Interactive classes, covered fees for accommodation, assists with the process of obtaining a visa.
Studying Abroad in Sweden
Programs for studying abroad in Sweden:
  • DIS Stockholm - Wide selection of academic programs, highly developed infrastructure of academic space, live in Homestay, and network with international students.
  • CCIS Study Abroad in Sweden - Freedom of selecting the academic term, ability to earn convertible credits, and accreditation of chosen courses at your home university.
  • USAC Sweden Study Abroad Programs - provides affordable and valuable study abroad programs, including health and safety support.
Studying Abroad in Spain
Programs for studying abroad in Spain:
  • CIEE College Study Abroad - designed for students of all academic backgrounds, freedom to earn transferable credits.
  • USAC in Alicante - scholarship coverage includes visa assistance, housing, and health care.
  • IES Abroad in Granada - covers meal plan and accommodation and gives the opportunity of optional internship or volunteering.
Studying Abroad in Singapore
Programs for studying abroad in Singapore:
  • CIEE College Study Abroad in Singapore - get involved in the hub of international commerce, which offers need-based grants.
  • UCEAP - offers financial aid along with special offer studies.
  • EF Languages Abroad - provides accelerated language learning courses.
Studying Abroad in Australia
Programs for studying abroad in Australia:
  • Murdoch University, Study Abroad in Australia - student-centered culture, variety of programs.
  • IES Abroad, SemesteYear program in Sydney - practice-oriented learning courses, international community.
  • TEAN, Gold Coast at Bond University - academic counseling and guidance, academic flexibility.
Final Thoughts
As you find yourself at the final stage of this article, we're sure you are leaving more informed than you came. Remember that going overseas to complete the studying abroad program is one of the best decisions a youngster can make. The variety of programs and access to funds and scholarships make that easier than it ever was.
Meanwhile, our team of experts is always at your service to help you excel in your studies, so do not hesitate to ask to write my essays.
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2023.06.04 17:45 hnqn1611 14 Biggest Travel Mistakes Tourists Make

14 Biggest Travel Mistakes Tourists Make
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14 Biggest Travel Mistakes To NOT Make
When travelling, it’s not unusual to find yourself making a careless mistake now and then. You are after all, exploring an environment that you are unfamiliar with. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or this is your first big trip, you will probably benefit from the following list. With just a little bit of planning, you can cut down your chances of making mistakes and have the best vacation possible.
Number 1 - Booking Without Comparing Rates If you’re one of those people who just books on impulse, basically just the first good deal you see, you are likely paying more than you could be. There are so many different travel sites on the internet, and by spending just a little bit of time researching and comparing, you will quickly learn just how much prices can vary - and you’ll be able to find the best deals - which are probably better than that first one you saw. To keep it simple, compare at least 3 sites like Travelocity, Expedia or Priceline.
Number 2 - Booking Your Trip Way Too Early So you and your friends decided to finally take that trip to Paris next summer. But wait! Don’t rush to book your trip just yet. Of course you want to make it real by booking everything right away but this can be a mistake and you could end up paying more. It’s best if you book your flight 3-4 months before you plan to travel. That’s around the time when airlines begin to increase and lower their rates based on demand. When it comes to cruises and tours, this is where you will want to wait until last minute - that is if you want to pay less. Since boats and tours have to fill up their spaces, they offer amazing last-minute deals, because it’s still better for them to make less profit than no profit at all on those empty seats.
Number 3 - Not Reading Reviews Yes, I know that these days most people do read reviews online, but you would be surprised to learn that there are still many who don’t - they just head over to the closest travel agency and book everything there, based on the advice of a travel agent. Don’t make this mistake - do your own research! Read reviews online. See what former guests have to say; check out photos of the rooms. Because by not doing this, you could find yourself arriving at a place that is far from what was promised - and you probably don’t want to stay in a bad neighborhood or sleep in a bed with bedbugs, right? You don’t have to stay at the best hotel in town, but where you stay is kind of important, and at least checking it out online can save you one big headache.
Number 4 - Traveling In Peak Season By definition, this is the period of highest demand, and it varies by destination. Travelling during the peak season means larger crowds just about anywhere you go. And even worse, you will be paying about double what it would cost you in the low season. Unless you enjoy crowded beaches and waiting in huge lineups to see attractions, you may want to consider travelling during the low season, or even better, the shoulder season - directly before or after high season, when the weather is still good, but there are much fewer people. It will not only be cheaper, but you will also have a more enjoyable time.
Number 5 - Thinking The Only Thing You Need Is A Valid Passport There are many locations you can travel to with a simple passport, but then there are those where you will need a Visa - places like China, Nigeria, or Russia to name a few. Of course this depends not only on the destination, but also where you are travelling from. While you can get a Visa in many countries upon arrival, there are often documents you need to fill out before you arrive - and without these, you can’t get a Visa. Then, another important thing to note is that many countries require a passport that will remain valid for at least six months after your departure date from the country. Make sure you don’t let this one slide. Check to see if you need a Visa or a new passport well in advance.
Number 6 - Skipping Travel Insurance This is one of those things that many people tend to overlook - because well, most of the time you won’t make use of it. But, you really never know when you may need it. It could be a small slip and you break your arm or some other unforeseen circumstance. Travel insurance will have your back and protect you while abroad. It usually doesn’t cost much and it will protect you should there be any medical or non-medical emergencies. Not having insurance could end up costing you thousands, so don’t skimp on this. Seriously!
Number 7 - Forgetting To Contact Your Bank Before The Trip It only takes a few minutes but could save you from being stuck in a foreign land without access to money. Some banks will completely block your account if an overseas charge is made. It is flagged as suspicious. And of course this is usually a good thing, but not when it is you trying to access your funds, thousands of miles away from home. When you call your bank to let them know that you will be travelling, you should also ask about their foreign transaction fees to avoid any bad surprises.
Number 8 - Not Having Copies Of Your Documents You don’t think it will happen to you - losing your wallet, fanny pack or whatever you carry. And getting robbed? Nah, that won’t happen to you, right? Well, the thing is that either of these can (and do) happen to people all the time. No matter how careful you think you are, you should carry copies of your important documents. These include copies of your ID, passport, travel insurance, and credit cards. Of course you’ll want to pack them separate from the originals.
Number 9 - Failing To Find Out Roaming Charges These charges can rack up very quickly, unbeknownst to you. You arrive at your destination and you excitedly call your friend or spouse to let them know you arrived - and before you know it, you’ve been on the phone for half an hour. That single call could cost you a hundred dollars or more. By simply finding out what’s covered by your phone plan, you can avoid any additional charges. If you find out that you aren’t covered, then it’s best if you switch your phone settings to airplane mode before you board the plane. This way, you can still use a Wi-Fi connection wherever available without accidentally using your data. Now, if you do think that you will need to use data on your trip, consider purchasing an international plan - or you can even buy a SIM card once you arrive.
Number 10 - Exchanging Currency At The Airport Sure it’s fast and easy to exchange currency at the airport. However, it’s also worth noting that you will get the worst possible conversion rate for your money. Now, it’s ok to exchange a few dollars to use for a taxi if you must, but the best thing to do is to actually take care of this before you leave. You can check rates of various banks in your area to find the best, and then head over to get the currency you need.
Number 11 - Eating Near Major Tourist Attractions On your trip, you are more than likely planning to visit at least a few of those amazing spots you’ve been hearing about and dreaming about seeing in real life. But any food place, be it a restaurant or food stand, is going to cost double the price (and sometimes more) near any major attraction. And since these places know that people aren’t coming back, they usually don’t worry too much about the quality or consistency of the food they serve. Besides, most visitors just arrived and don’t know much about the local foods so it doesn’t matter anyway. They’re just excited to be there and see the attractions. To most, it’s far more amazing to eat a ā€˜sub-par’ burger in front of a famous landmark than eating a delicious one at their favorite burger joint back home. Try eating in a ā€˜non-touristy’ area where the food will actually be amazing. It has to be, otherwise nobody would go back. Yes, you will have to walk a few blocks, but the food will be much tastier and cost a lot less. You can also ask locals about good places to eat. By the way, the same is true when it comes to shopping for just about anything near a major attraction. Stores will always have higher prices. Don’t be lazy. Take the effort and stroll off the beaten path. You’ll surely find the same T-shirt for a third of the price.
Number 12 - Not Packing A Travel Adapter There are 15 types of electrical outlet plugs used around the world, and if your choice of destination uses outlets different than the ones your country does, you won’t be able to plug in anything in without an adapter. You can use USB ports for many things, but we all know how slow those charges can be. In some cases you may not be able to charge at all depending on the power needs of the device. Amazon offers decent universal travel adapters for around 15 to 20 dollars.
Number 13 - Not Taking A Power Bank With You Most places you go will have somewhere to charge your devices - except when your battery is at 10 percent…. that’s when you won’t find anywhere to plug in and charge! You probably already know how that goes… But imagine you are hiking in the wilderness somewhere and you get lost - and then realize that your phone is almost completely drained. It sounds like a horror movie, but it can happen. You can easily avoid a scenario like this by taking a power bank (A.K.A. battery charger) with you. It won’t take up much space in your backpack and can come in very handy.
Number 14 - Planning Too Much For A Single Trip Assuming you aren’t just heading to a resort with a bunch of friends for a week of intoxication and partying, you will likely plan a lot and will want to see and do as much as possible on your trip. This sounds great, but if you plan too many things and fill up each day from morning to night, you could end up finding yourself stressed out and exhausted. Not to mention, when you pack too many things into one day, you can’t even really fully explore and enjoy anything. It’s ok if you don’t visit every single place on your list in one trip. You can save some for next time. Travelling is not only a lot of fun, but a great way to learn about different cultures and gain new insights of the world. With a little bit of preparation, you can ensure that you don’t make any of the mistakes on this list. And sure, while some things are beyond your control - such as flight delays or bad weather - the more prepared you are, the less can go wrong! And that’s a good thing. Do you have any crazy travel stories where things went wrong but perhaps could have been avoided? Or do you know any other mistakes people make while traveling? Share your story in the comments below, so we can learn from each other. If you found this video useful, give it a thumbs up, and share it with your friends, so they too can avoid these travel mistakes.
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2023.06.04 17:29 docdoc5 RPDR Randomized Era 4: Season 10, Episode 3 (Tap that App)

RPDR Randomized Era 4: Season 10, Episode 3 (Tap that App)
The queens walk back into the werkroom after Honey's elimination.

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Kandy talks about how clear it is that it can really be anyone who ends up in the bottom and that makes it even more important to always bring your A game.

The queens then all gather around and Honey's mirror message as Orion reads it to the group. Rock talks about how she will really miss her hometown sister and that she knows that Honey really wanted to be here. Robbie mentions that all of them want to be here and that in order to stay they have to put up a fight. Kerri then asks Orion how she is feeling after falling into the bottom right after winning a challenge. Orion talks about how it was a shock to her system to think that she could go home so quickly after coming out as the strongest in a challenge. She goes on to say that it really made her realize that no one is safe here.

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In her confessional, Orion talks about how she doesn't plan on going through that again and that she is going to really have to focus in these challenges.

The queens start to separate and go through their de-dragging processes. Rock tears up as she talks with Jaymes about how sad she is that Honey was eliminated and that she knows that she is such a good drag queen and that she definitely had more to show and sadly had to get sent home. Jaymes tries to convince her to just focus on her own place in the competition and to not get distracted because her opportunity could slip through her fingers.

THE NEXT DAY
The queens reenter the werkroom and talk about what they think will be coming their way.

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In her confessional, Jade talks about how the competition is progressing well for her and that all she can hope for in this next challenge is that there isn't another group or team aspect so that she can stand out on her own.

The queens all gather around the table and discuss the upcoming challenge. Monica asks the queens what they think is coming their way this week. Kandy jokingly responds by saying that whatever it is she will fight to win the challenge. Robbie laughs and says that she will have to get past her. To which Kandy plays along saying that it won't be too tough for her to do that. They then here the siren announcing their RuMail.

Following Ru's message, RuPaul enters the werkroom.

Ru tells the girls about the mini challenge. She explain that she will be holding a screen test for her new provocative RuPaul's Chocolate Bar ad campaign. She tells the queens that they are young ingenues new to Hollywood that would do whatever it takes to land the gig. She then sends the queens to get into quick drag. One by one the queens all arrive for there provocative chocolate ads. As they perform Ru makes them act crazier and crazier. After all the queens have performed Ru announces that the winners of the mini challenge are...
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Jaymes Mansfield, Rock M Sakra and Kerri Colby!

Following this, RuPaul tells the queens about their next maxi challenge. She tells the queens that they will work in teams to help her to create an ad campaign to launch her new dating apps! Ru tells them that they would be creating ads for the following dating aps:
- End of Days an app for doomsday preppers
- fibstr an app for pathological liars looking for a real connection
- Madam Buttrface an app for women who have a banging body...but her face.

She goes on to say that Jaymes, Rock and Kerri will be the team captains and will get to choose their teams. They choose their teams as follows:

Team Jaymes
Jaymes Mansfield - Marcia Marcia Marcia - Jan - Jade Sotomayor

Team Rock
Rock M Sakura - Robbie Turner - Orion Story - Elliott with 2 Ts

Team Kerri
Kerri Colby - Kandy Muse - Monica Beverly Hillz - Akashia

Akashia looks annoyed by being left until the last choice as she walks over to join Kerri's team. Ru tells the groups which app they are designing for and goes on to say that they will have creative control over the script and their goal should be to make her tap that app!

Ru then leaves the teams to start preparing for their performances.

PREPARATIONS FOR MAIN CHALLENGE
When Ru leaves the werkroom, the queens separate into their groups to begin working on their ad campaigns. We see Jaymes's group sitting down to talk about their ad for End of Days. Jaymes asks the group if they have any ideas for their ad. Jan, Marcia, and Jaymes volley ideas off of one another whilst Jade doesn't contribute as much to the conversation. Jaymes attempts to throw to Jade to see what she is thinking and what role she wants to play in the ad. Jade mentions that she is fine with whatever they decide for her. Jan gets a little frustrated and adds that she thinks that it's important that everyone feels good about the direction they are going with the ad because they will all be on the line if it fails.

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In her confessional, Marcia talks about how she can see the frustration Jan is feeling since Jade really isn't contributing to the group in any kind of meaningful way. She goes on to say that she isn't going to go down for Jade.

On the other side of the werkroom, we see Kerri's group working together on their ad.

https://preview.redd.it/g2apznv8lu3b1.png?width=366&format=png&auto=webp&s=fd378263e9f8fb7f86b2a9ab6953a279147ac6d1
Kerri mentions how badly she wants to win this challenge but that it's clear that she and her team are really hitting a brick wall.

Kerri, Kandy, Monica, and Akashia are shown discussing ideas for their ad. There are moments where they all just blankly look at each other. Monica jokes that she doesn't know how to be ugly so she doesn't know how to approach this challenge. Kerri laughs at this and says that they need to all lean into what Akashia thinks. Akashia laughs this off and says that she thinks that they should make sure that they make it funny and that she isn't sure that any of their ideas have been funny. Kandy then asks her to come up with something funny that they can use to which Akashia draws a blank.

The final group of Rock, Elliott, Robbie, and Orion all try to come up with a premise for their ad. Robbie mentions that they could have a lot of fun with this because they can make sure that the ad plays into everything not being what it seems.

https://preview.redd.it/7p8ft84h2v3b1.png?width=360&format=png&auto=webp&s=03a3ff98ff4f22b6d2cc6a19715257424ad399f2
Robbie mentions that so far in the competition she hasn't been getting the kind of attention that she wanted so she sees this challenge as an opportunity to change that.

As the group continues working, Robbie takes more of a leadership role in the group coming up with most of their ideas. There are occasions when Rock offers ideas but Robbie cuts her off to insert her own ideas and it seems that both Orion and Elliott are following more of what Robbie is saying even though she isn't the leader. This plays onto Rock's face but she doesn't make it an issue with her entire group as they come up with their ideas.

The queens then arrive to set where they are met by their directors, Michelle Visage and Carson Kressley!
https://preview.redd.it/9xxazfgb4u3b1.jpg?width=2284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e11990771a284075f00f6d582e2ad6f42c3a42a
They work with Rock's group first. As they work through their material, Robbie continues to take control of things and talk over Rock which makes Carson ask the group who the team leader is. When they all say Rock, Michelle then asks why it seems like Robbie is the one in charge. Robbie pipes up to mention that she came up with most of the ideas and that Rock hadn't contributed as much to the direction of the ad as the other girls so that's why she is more vocal about how things are supposed to be staged. Rock looks gagged about this and when Carson and Michelle then start taking notes Rock tears up and mentions to Orion how she feels like she was just thrown under the bus.

https://preview.redd.it/pnhevjl6av3b1.png?width=366&format=png&auto=webp&s=166a1d62f3b19bebec00b2f69f7c5c82d97f167c
In her confessional, Rock elaborates on how she feels that Robbie really sold her up the river and made her look bad in front of the judges and how she can't believe that is the game the other girls are playing.

Kerri's group is the next to go film their ad. Michelle and Carson become a little frustrated with the group as it seems like there is no flow to their ideas. Michelle even asks Kerri if they had prepared anything. Kerri tells her that they did have a concept, even though they didn't, and Carson lets her know that they need to see it. As they continue to go through their material Kerri starts getting a lot of great feedback from Carson and Michelle who love what she is doing. They also laugh a bit at Kandy and Monica. Akashia, however, keeps getting told that she isn't connecting and that her deliveries are flat. She then decides to change up her accent to be funnier but that doesn't translate either.

https://preview.redd.it/95ya0z9xbv3b1.png?width=364&format=png&auto=webp&s=2abc2b0293423a703b66bca4e1bdfd8c8404f943
Monica mentions that she has been working hard to prove that she should have been brought back to the competition a second time around and here Akashia is likely dragging her team down to the bottom.

Jaymes's group is the final group to work with Carson and Michelle. This team seems to work together much better than the other groups in that they have a clear concept and that each of them have moments in the spotlight. They respond really well to Jaymes and even reference her to the other queens when they give them feedback. Marcia and Jan also get positive feedback and only slight adjustments. Jade is told that she could play bigger to especially match what the other queens are doing because they don't want her to fade into the background with the challenge.

https://preview.redd.it/uo12t4wxbv3b1.png?width=372&format=png&auto=webp&s=d74b45d32fd0a88fe1342781005d26bfc0e1d323
In her confessional, Jan mentions that she thinks her team really nailed it and that she can see the win going their way.

ON THE MAIN STAGE
RuPaul takes to the runway and welcomes everyone to the main stage and introduces the guest judges Nico Tortorella and Courtney Love. She explains that the queens were challenged to create ads for wacky new dating apps and on the runway the theme is... Feathers!

https://preview.redd.it/jxre864tdv3b1.jpg?width=2606&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f1dbd51dffe536337ac3a33ab22914e2edc5fa59

FEATHERS RUNWAY
The queens all begin their runway presentation of their feather looks. Kerri, Jade, Monica, and Jaymes have really strong looks for this category. Rock really gags the judges with her black swan look as it is so different from her typical runway presentations. Elliott and Akashia both flop the runway category this week however.

JUDGING
RuPaul announces that it's time to screen their commercials.

https://preview.redd.it/xlk299umiv3b1.png?width=962&format=png&auto=webp&s=b2835b3925869398f7bb3a9e7f2adc90ce0a0f1c
Team Jaymes is first. They do a great job of telling the story of finding love right before an asteroid hits. Jaymes plays an astronomist that is the focal point of the app and is one of the comedic centers of their ad. Marcia plays up a girl looking to lose her virginity before the catastrophe and also brings about some laughter. Jan seems to go a little too over the top while Jade doesn't seem to push far enough with her performance. Overall, they have a solid commercial.


https://preview.redd.it/sn0f03f1jv3b1.png?width=922&format=png&auto=webp&s=401d87b0d9c4d755100c8b6b242f0abfa1022a23
They then watch Team Rock's ad. Their ad see a group of women who have a history with catfishing and how they want to be able to live their multiple lives through the dating app. It culminates on them all ending up on a date with one another after they tell the tale of a different person, they still all end up making out. Robbie really carries the ad while Rock is barely memorable and Elliott and Orion both come off a little strained.

https://preview.redd.it/xdcpi5g4jv3b1.png?width=896&format=png&auto=webp&s=2d38610473296ae45c2eceb6b7843058ac62e38e
Team Kerri's ad is the final ad watched. In their ad, Akashia plays the spokesperson for the ad while Kerri, Kandy, and Monica are all "success stories". Akashia plays too seriously and it is strained and forced. There aren't many moments of humor from her characterization whereas Kerri really leans into being ugly both in the look and even in physical comedy. Kandy and Monica both are ok, though they are eclipsed by how funny Kerri is throughout the ad.

Ru tells the girls that they worked in teams but they will be judged individually. She goes on to say that Jaymes Mansfield, Kerri Colby, and Robbie Turner are the tops of the week. The three queens look excitedly at one another. She then goes on to say that Rock M Sakura, Elliott with 2 Ts, and Akashia are the bottom queens of the week. Following this she releases Kandy Muse, Monica Beverly Hillz, Orion Story, Jan, Jade Sotomayor and Marcia Marcia Marcia backstage to untuck.

The critiques then begin.

https://preview.redd.it/ohdgl1jvkv3b1.jpg?width=2290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f38a72d1a4e0069bacc96c4ac9f3c926f4a22952
Michelle starts with Jaymes and tells her that she absolutely loved her in her ad. She goes on to say that of all the groups she felt that she came out ahead as the strongest leader as her team worked well together and actually delivered a solid commercial. Courtney Love tells her that she loves the character that she puts on and that she can tell that she is a funny queen and will be one to watch.

Carson moves on to Rock and tells her that she looks great on the runway and that she has such an imagination. He goes on to say that is what made it so strange to see her as a deer in headlights when they came to taping and that he found her to be the most ineffective leader of the three. He goes on to say that she should be happy that she had a teammate who even remotely came up with something for them to use because it could've crashed and burned. Courtney Love tells her that she is surprised to learn that she was the leader of the team because she didn't really have a leading performance in the ad they just watched.

Carson then talks to Robbie and tells her she was the saving grace of her team. He goes on to say that it was quite awkward during taping when Robbie announced that their team leader didn't pull their weight but that he still feels like Robbie came up with material that should've worked and that she was the person in her team that really sold it. Nico Tortorella agrees and adds that he thought her performance this week was one of the strongest and that she really stands out from the crowd.

Michelle then talks with Elliott and tells her that she wasn't memorable at all. She goes on to say that they had the easiest way to make something really funny and that all the ideas were there but the execution on her part just wasn't as effective. Nico Tortorella tells her that he didn't connect with her in the challenge and that would make it hard for a consumer to want to buy anything that you are marketing.

Michelle tells Kerri that she thinks she wasn't the strongest team leader because it was evident during rehearsals that there wasn't a solid concept coming into the challenge and that really falls on her. She goes on to say that she still found her performance to be incredibly funny in a way that is unexpected for Kerri and for that she applauds her. Courtney Love tells her that she is so beautiful to look at and that she thinks that juxtaposition really helped her to be really funny in the challenge.

Carson ends the critiques with Akashia and tells her he wanted to enjoy her performance but that she was tough to get through rehearsals and that the final product really showed that she just didn't connect with the challenge. Nico Tortorella tells her she came across really flat and that there was so much opportunity to make it funny but that he feels she dropped the ball in that regard.

Ru then sends the queens to the back while the judges deliberate.
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The queens return from untucking backstage.

RuPaul then goes on to announce her decisions.

She announces that....
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Jaymes Mansfield is the winner of the challenge!

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Jaymes celebrates winning her first challenge and talks about how she feels the judges have finally taken notice to her and she isn't going to let down Ru.

RuPaul tells Kerri and Robbie that they both did a great job as well and that all three queens can step to the back.

She then speaks to Jade, Akashia and Elliott.

She announces that Jade is safe. She thanks the judges and walks to the back to join the other queens.

Elliott with 2 Ts and Akashia are in the bottom two and up for elimination. Both queens look determinedly towards the judges.

https://preview.redd.it/ltrdh8bwzt3b1.png?width=664&format=png&auto=webp&s=07da31912e89bb5901e7f6fd91e7a2aec00b8e3b

https://preview.redd.it/d2vep92tzt3b1.png?width=372&format=png&auto=webp&s=b1cd81b7f5171ca1bd94865f6d5280152f7bf292
Elliott mentions that she knows Akashia turns the party when she lip syncs but that she isn't one to be underestimated because she knows she can perform.

https://preview.redd.it/do54gnmrzt3b1.png?width=366&format=png&auto=webp&s=c149e16c18d3bc557f40f860c86189eddc5d3994
Akashia says that she can't believe she is up for elimination once again and that she will send Elliott home just like she had to send the last girl home.

RuPaul announces that the time has come for them to lip sync for their lives. They had to prepare a lip-sync performance to the song Celebrity Skin by Hole.

Good luck and don't FUCK it up!

The lip-sync is...a strong one! Elliott surprises the queens in the back with how she goes full tilt into her performance. Akashia, as well, is really putting her all into the performance. Each queen really feeds off each other and performs with grit. As the song progresses, Akashia loses her wig but continues to lip sync with it laying on the floor of the runway.

The lip sync ends and RuPaul announces...

Elliott with 2 Ts... shantay you stay

Akashia... sashay away

The queens clap for Akashia as she departs the main stage and delivers her exit line.

11 Queens Remain...

SPREADSHEET

ALL STARS 4 VOTING TO BEGIN LATER THIS SEASON
submitted by docdoc5 to RPDRfantasyseason [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 17:13 AlexRD19 NLMB Fallen Members Part 6/The War With PocketTown

NLMB Fallen Members Part 6/The War With PocketTown
2019 was a hard year for NLMB, losing members back to back to different opps and starting a new bloody war with DeathRow, in 2020 the war will slow down due to a lot of factors. Most members who put in work in that war will get locked up and NLMB will focus on other opps just like DeathRow, we will come back in the summer of 2022 to that beef.

Willie "Ghost šŸ•Šļø" Coker

08/31/2019
I didn't had space to include Ghost in the last part so i decided to do it here, it's not that important to the NLMB/DeathRow beef so it's ok if i include it at the beginning.
Ghost also known as Rat was a respected OG from GME, i am not sure if he was the target or not but DeathRow and Lakeside dissed him a lot, Fa Fa Fa said they killed Ghost and ever since then GME didn't do anything for him, ignore the video from the store, that's not Ghost, it's a mistake by the one who made the post, the one who died in the store was an innocent as far as i know and it happen way after Ghost died. This happen in the same month DeathRow killed Willie, DeathRow was sliding a lot in 2019.
Ghost was outside with multiple people in his own hood when shots rang out from an unknown direction, he was shot multiple times in the chest and he died at the hospital.
"Ghost got hit up" 0:58

Michael "Aero šŸ•Šļø" Portis

01/05/2020
One of the reasons i believed Savo šŸ•Šļø was killed by kings was Aero death, months after Savo died, Aero was sliding with FatLord šŸ”’ on some kings, which made sense at least during that time, Savo died in a hood cool with the kings, Aero is sliding on the kings, it was making sense into my head that Aero died trying to get revenge for Savo + that's what i was told, again i was wrong. As i said in my previous post, Savo was killed by NLMB, Aero was just a hothead who was sliding on his opps, nothing weird.
Aero was on the frontline and did a lot of dirt for DeathRow, he earned the nickname "23" for a reason, in my previous post i put a screenshot with Fa Fa Fa straight up saying Aero killed G Dottie šŸ•Šļø. I know a lot of people believed Aero killed an innocent, but people told me that Garcia šŸ•Šļø was a known king, why would Aero and FatLord slide on some innocents and specifically target them?
Aero and FatLord were driving a turquoise SUV when they made a U-turn at the end of the street and parked in the block close to a king hood, both got out of the SUV with armed 9-mm handguns and approached Garcia and his neighbor as they were outside talking, they opened fire hitting the neighbor in the arm and hitting Garcia multiple times, Garcia returned fire with his own weapon striking Aero multiple times who died at the scene, FatLord was also shot multiple times, FatLord left Aero there and went to a hospital with the SUV in the same clothes that CPD saw on the footage. Garcia was pronounced dead at the hospital, police recovered 19 9-mm shell casings and 10 .40-caliber shell casings from the crime scene.
This is a very controversial situation because at first, people said after FatLord recovered from his wounds, he told the police what happen and also snitched on BD šŸ•Šļø but now they saying free him, they saying that someone else ratted and not him, but according to this article, CPD is using FatLord as a source, FatLord was the one who allegedly was the driver on the Willie hit, FatLord is still locked up so who knows.
The scanner also confirms that they was sliding on some kings because they was having problems lately, it could be possible that some kings gave the location of Savo to NLMB, Savo was killed right at his home so NLMB probably got the drop from someone.
NLMB and ABK will diss Aero hard because he killed G Dottie, someone also recorded Aero on the ground, which was heavily mocked by his opps.
"Lil Aero a dumbass got hit on a hit" 0:23

Tristan "Tedo G šŸ•Šļø" Rogers

04/05/2020
NLMB first loss in 2020 but not because of gun violence, Tedo was from the MuskegonBoyz clique, he was killed by a car in DucciWay šŸ”± hood, there is not a lot to say about him, he was a respected OG who was either related to Kobe šŸ•Šļø or close to him.

Shianne "Anna šŸ•Šļø" Reynolds

04/19/2020
Anna was a very loved member from MTG 079 now more known as BiyoBlock, she was Biyo šŸ•Šļø sister, at first people believed that she was not gangbanging but that's false, there is a lot of captions with her saying she was using guns to slide, i don't think she was active when she died in that life and she probably was not the target either. However, she probably was active in the past and as we all know, the past is catching up to you, her vigil was also shot, allegedly by NLMB again.
What i know is this, allegedly NLMB saw some MTG 079 members in traffic in SirconnCity šŸ”± hood, they sped up behind them and shot the whole car, Anna was just unlucky since she was in the car with them, she was hit in the head and CPD pronounced her dead at the scene. This was one of the first getback NLMB got for Capo, but it will not stop here, NLMB will get more getback for Capo months later.
2020 was a hard year for MTG 079, they lost 4 members, Anna šŸ•Šļø, Pook šŸ•Šļø who was not killed by any opps, LB šŸ•Šļø an original who was also close to Biyo, LB was killed in DrillCity šŸ“¶šŸ”±šŸ…±ļø hood, last one is Jeezy Snow šŸ•Šļø, we will get later to him.

Anthony "C-Note šŸ•Šļø" Smith

04/27/2020
C-Note was an OG from NLMB, to be more specific he was from the MuskegonBoyz clique, from what i know he passed away from natural causes, nothing to do with gun violence. He was born in 1985 so he was old compared to a lot of main members from MuskegonBoyz clique like G Farro for example, you could say he was from that White Folks generation.

Junius "BoBo šŸ•Šļø" Thurston

05/07/2020
BoBo was a very loved member from ABK, he was one of the main faces from there. BoBo was also a rapper, one of his best songs Pigs Hot where you can see a lot of ABK members including Yogi šŸ•Šļø, BoBo was close to NLMB as well, he did a song with Juvie and before his death you could see him around G Herbo.
BlackMobb was having a field day when BoBo was killed, even though BoBo left that life behind while starting a truck company, it's not like your opps will forgive you or forget that you did dirt in the streets or hurt their people, that shit is stucked until you die, even if you are 30, 40, as long as you put yourself in danger(go back to the city) you can get killed anywhere.
BoBo exit his car and went to a gas station in a relatively safe area far away from any hood, a black Audi pull up and a rear passenger open fire, he ran north from the station but then a gunman got out of the car and chased after him, firing more shots. BoBo collapsed and the gunman caught up to him standing over him and fired more shots, BoBo was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said he was shot multiple times.
BlackMobb were not the only ones having a field day with his death, PocketTown also dissed him:
"BoBo got his ass smoked, 20 bullets took his soul" 2:45
It is sad because BlackMobb and ABK were like this, but friends are turning to enemies and both sides lost main members in this war.

Lee "KTS Rio šŸ•Šļø" Cameron

07/12/2020
If you follow the drill scene, then you know who was KTS Rio, one of the main faces from PocketTown and Lil Los šŸ”’ little brother, he was a huge loss for PocketTown, after his death a lot of stuff went down.
Rio was driving a vehicle with two other teenagers near a gas station in KakiWorld šŸ”±šŸ…±ļøā­ļøāœŠšŸæ hood when a silver SUV pulled up and someone inside started shooting, Rio was shot multiple times and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. The 14-year-old boy was shot in the back and a 17-year-old boy was hit in the right arm, both were taken to the hospital in good condition.
After his death PocketTown goes by "RioGang" in his honour, Rio was also one of their main rappers, one of his most known song is NLMBK, Faro dissed him in a song after he died:
"Rio got hit and they left his ass twitching" 0:38
"Rio got hit, y'all ain't get your getback" 1:05
A lot of people are saying NLMB killed KTS Rio but if you watch Freeband BoBo šŸ•Šļø video that CH88 made, it is very clear that NLMB didn't do anything to Rio, because the war started when Lil Greg šŸ•Šļø was killed, that's also what BoBo said. The beef was not serious until Lil Greg died, BoBo also said the whole war started because of a bitch, Lil Greg wanted to call his guys to kill BoBo because of a girl. Feel free to watch the video, it's explaining a lot of stuff.
Remember there is a difference between "twitter beef" like disses and blood beef, KTS Dre did dirt on NLMB but he did that for Lakeside while PocketTown was his second hood(he started to claim PocketTown after KTS Von died), so Lil Greg was the first guy to die in that beef, we will get later to him.
Now honestly it is not known who killed KTS Rio, but one of the most plausible theory is that SirconnCity killed him, months after KTS Rio died, PocketTown lost KDawg šŸ•Šļø, another top member while sliding on SirconnCity hood, his article doesn't mention anything about sliding but both sides said that.
"We doing hits without hoodies and masks, Rio got hit, he got stretched like an elastic" 1:08
"KDawg got hit on a hit, he dead" 0:24
They are main opps but since PocketTown top members were sliding, i think that means something, especially after Rio died.
This won't stop at KTS Rio, this year would be the most hardest year for PocketTown, they will lose 6 members in one year and they was all top members, but not all of them were killed by opps.
Big Glizzy/Lil James šŸ•Šļø (June 07 2020), killed at a party in Robbins, a suburb of Chicago.
KTS Rio šŸ•Šļø (July 12 2020), KDawg šŸ•Šļø (September 27 2020), Nuke 30 šŸ•Šļø (November 25 2020), killed OT, LA Glizzy/Lil Ant šŸ•Šļø (January 12 2021), killed OT, Killa Spook šŸ•Šļø (March 26 2021), we will get later to Killa Spook.
"They lost 6 niggas in one year, tryna make the rest of them disappear" 1:53

Antoine "BT šŸ•Šļø" Rose

08/22/2020
BT was a very loved member from NLMM and 358Gang, he claimed both sets, he was also close to NLMB, one of the reasons he died. Even though NLMB and 358Gang are opps, as i said in my previous parts, NLMM was always a set focusing on money, they was never known to slide like that, so that's probably why he was close to NLMB and cool with NLMB opps, 358Gang. BT also appeared on the Maurice show.
I think everyone knows that Fa Fa Fa straight up said they killed BT, so why they killed him? Well even though BT was not involved in their beef, it doesn't matter, he was close to NLMB and 358Gang killed Mook šŸ•Šļø in 2019, so DeathRow got their getback for him. I don't think BT was the specific target because the shooting occured in TheBush šŸ‘‘šŸ¦ territory, which are opps to DeathRow. BT was shot in the head and in the abdomen, CPD pronounced him dead at the scene, a 32 year old man was also shot in the abdomen and in the leg, he was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Sean "Cello Da Shoota šŸ•Šļø" Wilson

09/07/2020
There was a lot of back and forth between NoGood and NLMB, mainly because NLMB killed Montae šŸ•Šļø and it was forever stuck there, even though NoGood and NLMB are old opps, that beef was really inactive compared to Lakeside for example, but this all changed when Montae was killed, Montae was very loved by NoGood and like Jeff Fort said "there is not going to be any killing without killing" Cello was not really a main face from NLMB, he was from the NoLimit clique but his original hood was JBG šŸ”± also known as MoneGang.
Cello was driving with someone else in the car in NoGood ā­ļøāœŠšŸæ hood, Jay Savage and Deonte šŸ”’ fired shots and the person in the backseat fired back, hitting one of them in the forearm, Cello was hit in the neck and died at the hospital, the other person was listed in good condition after being shot in his thigh, he has a license to carry his gun. Jay Savage and Deonte were both charged with his murder, both were from NoGood and close to Montae.

Deshawn "Jeezy Snow šŸ•Šļø" Fletcher

10/15/2020
Jeezy was in ABK 4ļøāƒ£šŸøā­ļøāœŠšŸæšŸ”± hood driving his car when Mally šŸ”’ opened fire from the sunroof of a silver Chrysler 300, he was shot multiple times in the head, neck and upper torso, he died at the hospital two days later. There is a lot of contradiction of the car used in the murder, what we know for sure is that Mally shot from the sunroof. Mally also searched the murder on google to see if Jeezy died.
This was a a crazy hit for many reasons, one of them is that Lil Wet was driving the car, Lil Wet did this two months after he beat his quadruple murder case, the case is complicated but to this day Mally is still locked up for it. The full foia if you want to read more, from what i know the case is very strong against Mally but let's be real, Lil Wet beat a quadruple murder, everything is possible in Chicago, so i won't be surprised if he is beating it.
Lil Wet also hinted in his song "Nun Stop" about the hit, the music video was deleted or made private, but the audio version is still up.
"Gotta ride for my gang, Steph got the wheel, Lil Mally might come out the roof " 0:44
Jeezy was actually very close to DoggPound šŸ…±ļø, you can see him around them in old videos and i think he was related to some members from there too, i am not sure if he was claiming DoggPound at one point but members from there still say rip to him, again it doesn't mean every DoggPound member was close to him. It is a complicated situation but this was another getback NLMB got for Capo, a top member from MTG 079 and very loved.

Gregory "Lil Greg šŸ•Šļø" Jackson III

01/28/2021
The death that started all and guess what caused this? Well if you didn't guess it, it was a bitch, Lil Greg šŸ•Šļø got into his feelings because BoBo šŸ•Šļø was messing with a girl that he liked so when Lil Greg saw him, he tried to get the green light from other members to come and kill him right there, allegedly NLMB told him BoBo is not an opp and that he is staying out of the way, Lil Greg tried to call other members but it was too late.
PocketTown members got the drop from BoBo and went to kill Lil Greg who was in a barbershop far away from EastSide, Lil Don šŸ”’ walked up to him and shot Lil Greg in the face inside the barbershop, he was pronounced dead shortly after at the hospital, CK was actually charged because they found him in the same car that was used in the murder, he stayed solid and beat the case, CK was the one driving.
Lil Greg was a very loved member from NLMB and a main face from there, he was from the MuskegonBoyz clique but very close to G Herbo and even celebrities like 21 Savage paid respects to him, he was respected because he was a trapper making money from drugs to raise his kids, his death hurt a lot of people and you could say that his death made "DrenchGang" more famous because the getback was huge in terms of impact on the media, i am of course speaking about KTS Dre, his death was international news because of the way he died + Killa Spook, we will get later to them.
"Me and Gregg was sharin' clothes, but we weren't really bros" 0:18
"Lil Greg died, that started some shit, but how many checked after broski got hit?" 0:36 he is also upping 4 fingers, which is probably a reference to Killa Spook, KTS Dre, BoBo and probably Lil Don from PaxTown.
Moowop šŸ”’ also confirmed 3 opps died for Lil Greg, again most likely a reference to Killa Spook, KTS Dre and BoBo. Lil Don was also shot multiple times but he survived
NLMB was hurt but the opps were dissing Lil Greg hard, especially Lil Don:
Lil Don called Lil Greg biggest score of 2021
This started a new bloody war in the EastSide which caused a lot of damage, members getting locked up, members getting killed, members getting shot and so on, PocketTown was also unlucky to get hit with a "RICO" and most of their top members got locked up, there is barely any main faces out there besides Denny G and Lil Ant, they also have internal beef now.
The indictment also mentions they found the gun which was used in Lil Greg murder, the whole situation was fucked up for PocketTown, they lost like 10 members to this indictment + Lil Don got locked up + internal beef, the whole hood was hit hard by this indictment and a lot of "snitching" rumours are in the air.
The members who got locked up are Lil Rah šŸ”’, EJ(he was released), Rello šŸ”’, Dreski šŸ”’ MT LarryšŸ”’ who actually shot back when Spook died, Corey Got Clout šŸ”’, PacMigo šŸ”’, Dwight šŸ”’ and DreadHead Larry šŸ”’

Dante "Killa Spook šŸ•Šļø" Thomas

03/26/2021
Killa Spook was like a leader in PocketTown, he had a lot of respect and his name says it all "Killa Spook" it's not a name you earn for doing nothing, he was a known killer who did a lot for PocketTown, him and KTS Von šŸ•Šļø went to slide on Lamron in the past, he was very active, him and Denny G were sliding on SirconnCity as well.
Spook šŸ•Šļø was partying with a lot of members inside StainCityšŸ”±ā­ļøāœŠšŸæ hood, it was a party for their fallen member KDawg šŸ•Šļø who was killed sliding on SirconnCity in 2020, two shooters(this might be PocketTown shooting back but i personally think those are the offenders), NLMB and GME got the drop from a bitch and shot the whole party up, Killa Spook was shot by a stray bullet through a window, he was pronounced dead at the scene, Lord was shot in the head and he was taken to the hospital in critical condition, Denny G was taken to the hospital in critical condition and he recovered after some time, other members got shot as well but it was nothing serious like the ones i mentioned above.
Right after the party got shot up, PocketTown went to slide on NLMB and hit someone in the leg, there are a lot of things that points NLMB for doing this hit but it is confirmed that GME was also involved, Lil B from GME was arrested by CPD with the car used in the murder, he was released because CPD didn't had proof that he did the murder.
There are many names around Spook death, Faro, Lil Ro, Twino šŸ•Šļø, EMoe from GME, 7Moe šŸ•Šļø from GME, it is not known exactly who killed Spook but it is hard to tell, what should be confirmed for sure is that it was a NLMB/GME hit, even CPD and FBI believes that. In case you guys don't know, FBI was trying to build a RICO but their main suspect Max šŸ•Šļø was killed, so i think the case is really not that strong anymore. I do think FBI is monitoring what is going on between NLMB and PocketTown now.
PocketTown was hurt to the core by his death, NLMB and GME were dissing like crazy and celebrating Lil Greg a lot, it's a lot of disses that i am sure most of you saw, if you want way more details, watch CH88 video.

Londre "KTS Dre šŸ•Šļø" Sylvester

07/10/2021
Dre was getting out of prison after his fiancee paid his $5,000 bond on Friday, for some reason Dre decided to leave only on Saturday, what Dre didn't knew is that his decision will cost him his life and potentially the life of two other innocent females. Dre was shot around 64 times by multiple shooters from two different vehicles far away from EastSide in every side of his body, a 60 year old female was shot in the knee and a 35 year old female suffered a graze to her mouth while walking by, both were taken to the hospital in good condition. Dre was DOA and his death will have a huge impact in the streets, after his death the president of America, Joe Biden, was forced to do a meeting to slow the violence in Chicago, this was because his death had an immense impact in the international news because of the way that he died.
I would leave in the comments a list of some the countries news speaking about KTS Dre, because it would take too much space in the post.
Dre was an upcoming rapper in the drill scene, his most famous song being a feature with Rio called "NLMBK Pt. 2" but in the drill scene he mostly became known for punching Kyro, one of the many reasons Kyro diss him a lot. Dre was very active in the streets before his death, he did a lot of dirt and a lot of his opps wanted him gone. Dre was also suspected by CPD for killing Magic šŸ•Šļø in 2019. He was originally from LakeSide but he started to claim PocketTown after the death of his brother in 2015, he is what people believe Von was, don't get me wrong, Von was active in the streets but Dre was something else.
I heard many names around Dre death, Faro, the DrenchGang Twins, Moowop, Kyro, Lil Hot, honestly i am not sure who killed Dre but NLMB and even PocketTown/LakeSide made it known who did it on social media. Faro being pretty clear that this was a getback for Lil Greg.
Losing so many people in such a short time affected PocketTown in many ways, a lot of them decided to step down because when shit gets real, you need to think about your life too, most of them have families, it might be a coward way but can you blame them? 10 members locked up for indictment, 9 top members killed between 2020-2022, Denny G was almost killed, Meechie was almost killed, Lil Don got locked up, Lil Art barely survived after being shot 20 times, Lord was left in critical condition, this is the worst period for PocketTown and Lil Don also confirmed that his people are scared and he only got four guys who are willing to slide.
Sadly the ones who will suffer the most is the family, his mom was devastated that she can't even give him a proper funeral because of the way that he died.

Christopher "Gucci šŸ•Šļø" Daniels

08/05/2021
Gucci was near the sidewalk in GhettoWorld 4ļøāƒ£šŸø hood when a vehicle passed by and someone fired shots at him, he was shot in the chest and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
This is one month after Dre was killed, Gucci was a member from the MuskegonBoyz clique, i didn't saw PocketTown or LakeSide celebrating anything, in fact they still say "getback got no date" for Spook and Dre, it might be other opps that NLMB have, remember NLMB beefs with 30+ sets, it could also be personal beef, mistaken identity and so on.

Felder "Stro Dolla šŸ•Šļø" Tatum Jr.

08/15/2021
Stro Dolla was with a group of people inside GottiWorld šŸ”± hood when someone opened and hit him in the chest, he was pronounced dead at the hospital, a 34 year old woman was also shot in the leg, she was taken to the hospital in good condition. Again i don't think he was the target but who knows, i didn't saw any opps celebrating, Stro Dolla was claiming NLMM but he was close to NLMB.He was also close to BT šŸ•Šļø who was killed in 2020 by DeathRow, he was also a rapper, most likely Stro Dolla was just at the wrong time, wrong place, to my knowledge GottiWorld and NLMM or NLMB don't have beef. GottiWorld are actually opps to PocketTown.
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2023.06.04 17:04 mommaimpostingagain One day online for the first time in over a month. I feel physically sick.

Can’t believe I used to do this every day. Just spent an hour or so scrolling the top rsp posts for the last month and I feel a dull weight and a nauseous sense of dread in my stomach. My very body is rejecting this website. Same for a quick sojourn to Twitter and YouTube to check in on the old accounts I used to find entertaining. I realize now this is how I felt all the time, for years. Disgusting.
For context, see my last post:
https://old.reddit.com/redscarepod/comments/12z172f/months_ago_i_turned_off_my_phone_data_and/?ref=share&ref_source=link
In short, I turned off phone data and home internet late last year. A little over a month ago I traded my smart phone for a dumb one and only go online (on a library computer) when I need to for checking email, paying bills, looking up practical information, etc.
Wasn’t sure how hard it would be to totally disconnect. When I made that post I was half expecting to return to the sub in failure and shame, but the last month has gone surprisingly smoothly. Even during the rare opportunities I’ve had I to jump back on Reddit, twitter, YouTube, there was no desire.
When I made that post I said I’d come back in 30 days and share how it’s going, but after a month I didn’t have the ability or inclination to do so. Right now I’m sitting at a friends house, on his internet. I have time to kill and a tablet at my disposal, so here I am, a little belatedly.
Let’s get some things out of the way first: yes, I have self control issues. I was given unfettered access to the internet at a young age and it shaped my life and personality in ways I’m not proud of. Maybe you could call me an internet addict. That feels a bit dramatic to me but maybe it’s accurate. I don’t really care what you call it, the fact is, if I have internet at my constant disposal it is detrimental to my well-being.
Since I have failed at using in a healthy way I’ve just stopped using it entirely. It’s that simple. RSP snark-posters will clown me for that, and that’s okay, but for those who are regarded enough to take any of it seriously I hope you can take just one lesson from this post: Maybe it’s shameful to be weak, to be addicted, to find yourself unable to help yourself, but it’s a million times more shameful to cling to bad habits and poor life choices because you don’t want to be made fun of for admitting you have a problem. Especially if it’s rsp posters you’re trying to impress.
Now to the internet stuff.
I stand by everything I said before. For me, quitting casual internet use has been overwhelmingly positive. Every step toward total cessation has been a good one, and at no point have I felt like I’ve gone too far. Completely cutting myself off (or almost completely) this past month has only made the experience better.
I read like I’m in middle school again. Every day. I go to the library and pick out a stack of books that look interesting, or that I’ve always wanted to read, and I finish them.
My guitar, which used to sit untouched for months at a time, is my constant companion. I was never good, but at this rate I think I will actually get there.
I sit and listen to music now almost as much as I did in college. It’s harder to discover and listen to new stuff without the internet, but the effort makes the appreciation that much deeper. Can’t remember the last time I listened to an entire album straight through but I do that all the time now.
I go outside now as much as I’ve always wanted to. Hammock and book sessions at the park. Walks and bike rides. Sitting out on the front porch with tea in the mornings. I used to go to work, come home and sit on the couch, repeat, every day. I still do that sometimes, but the need for stimulation drives me outdoors more and more often and the lack of phone distraction makes me appreciate it so much more.
It isn’t, of course, a magic pill that has solved all of life’s problems.
I haven’t been completely transformed, I’m not perfectly self-actualized and my life hasn’t blossomed into a idyllic pastoral trad dream state. I’m still neurotic and anxious and impulsive and driven to distraction. My attention span is still fucked (but getting better). I still struggle with the mundanities and indignities of day-to-day life.
I’ve missed some appointments. Still struggling to actually use a calendar. I wasn’t great at that when the calendar was on my phone either, but I have to admit I’m a bit worse when it’s on my wall instead.
I have gotten slightly lost a couple times without gps. Often I rely on my girlfriends phone when we’re going someplace together and I feel like I’m cheating. I know my city pretty well and I can always get home or to some other known landmark, but it can be stressful when you aren’t sure exactly where you are and you have someplace to be.
I miss being able to look things up immediately. Sometimes I write something down to google later and forget about it by the next time I go to the library. I check out reference books when I need to, but there are information sources online that just can’t be matched in print. Sometimes the library doesn’t have the books or movies I want either and I just have to deal with it.
Been more social than before, but certainly there are some difficulties. People are almost always positive/envious when my lack of internet and social media presence comes up (I promise I’m only a little obnoxious about it), but there’s a certain amount of suspicion as well. If I wasn’t in a relationship already I imagine I’d be disbarring myself from dating any normal, online woman. Don’t really see that as a downside tbh.
I feel more isolated and lonelier now. Don’t get me wrong, I spend more time with friends now, but the inherent loneliness of my average western lifestyle is more painful and harder to ignore. I think this is a good thing. I see it this way: the loneliness is my brain (soul?) telling me that there is a deep problem in my life that need to be addressed. Distracting myself with internet usage was akin to someone with chronic pain taking daily painkillers instead of addressing the root cause. Not only did it allow me ignore the fundamental problem, but the analgesic itself was slowly destroying my mind and body.
It’s been only half a year since I went 90% off, and only a little over a month since I brought that up to almost 100%. I’m not sure how it’s going to go in the future. I have a feeling that the positive changes are going to escalate instead of plateau over the next few months, but I don’t know. One thing I do know for sure: I have zero regrets. This was the right decision for me, and I wish I had done it years ago.
The point of this post wasn’t to brag, or to show off how much better I am than you. I promise, my self-esteem is basement level and I hope, for your sake, that you don’t ever feel envy toward any poster on rsp. I made this post for one reason:
I know there are a lot of people on this sub who are like me. You struggle with social media, internet, phone usage, etc. You don’t like its place in your life but you struggle to do anything about it. You wonder if you could give it up entirely but you’re unsure if you could, or if it would help. I can’t answer that for you, all I can do is reiterate what I’ve said above.
Logging off has been overwhelmingly positive in my life. I have no regrets, and I’m someone who regrets everything. It’s very possible. It’s not even that difficult. Even if you can’t completely turn it off (work, health, etc) every step away is a positive one.
Have a lazy day ahead of me so I’ll hang out and respond if anyone comments, but after that I’m deleting this account and not looking back. It was unpleasant to scroll through this last months top posts. Whatever I used to get from this subreddit, I no longer get it.
submitted by mommaimpostingagain to redscarepod [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 16:52 micronesiarain Episode 5- "Killer Queens" šŸ”ŖšŸ˜±

Episode 5-
Before this episode begins, I am so happy to say that this is the 100th episode of MDR! I guess I knew we'd reach it one day, but still can't believe it. It has truly felt like it's flown by, but the countless memories I have are a reminder of the past year and a half, and all 100 episodes. I am so appreciative of the support on this project, it has been so much fun to bring to life, and I can't thank everyone enough for letting us get to this milestone. Enjoy the episode <3
-------------------------
the queens return to the workroom after Sharris' elimination
šŸKami CF: Coming back from the last elimination, I feel like we need at least two to three business days to decompress. It was wild!
Steph: Well...how y'all doin'?
the queens look around the room in silence
Whorechata: I just wanted to say something. Things got really out of hand earlier, and I know it was hard for all of us. But if there was any group to go through this with, I'm glad it was you all.
Wren: Aw, thank you. I feel the same wa-
Whorechata: I mean really, there's no group I'd want to go through being safe with. It was such an intense moment, but you all held me down.
Sue: ...
Anthyy: That's not where I thought you were going with that!
Whorechata: Oh and I guess the Sharris thing was unfortunate too, but the real tragedy was just so much worse.
šŸWhorechata CF: Whew, let me try and hold back these tears. I knew this competition would get intense, but I never knew the level it would get to. So when Micro called me safe, it was a wake up call about just how nasty things can get here. A disaster, truly.
Morgs: I don't want to excuse what Sharris said. It was definitely not a nice thing to say.
Wren: I swear there's a "but" coming.
Steph: Wren, this is a family show...
Morgs: But, I have to be real and say that I'm sad to see her gone. She was someone I was really close with, and I know that this meant so much.
Blondie: You can be sad that your friend isn't here anymore, but you really can't be sad that her toxic energy was removed from this environment.
Morgs: My relationship with Sharris wasn't toxic. I know she did some of you wrong. But that wasn't my experience.
šŸMorgs CF: I feel like I'm put between a rock and Jackie Cox's face right now. All of the other queens are allowed to react however they want to when it comes to one of their friends going home. But when I do it, it feels like I'm not really allowed to feel sad about it.
Anthyy: I never saw myself picking Sharris to go home, especially this early. But I can reveal that I chose her lipstick. And I do feel for Morgs, that's your sister. What it came down to was that I needed to make sure the competition was kept as drama free as possible.
Morgs: I understand, it's okay.
šŸAnthyy CF: Morgs and Sharris were two people I had an alliance with. Even before we came here, I knew we'd look out for each other. However, it comes down to what feels right on a human level, and Sharris took things too far with Wren. I had to take a stand, even if it meant sending home an ally.
Wren: Full tea, what Sharris said didn't really bother me. I've heard worse, and I'm sure I'll hear worse in the future.
Blondie: That's not fair to you, though.
Wren: It's okay! You all know that me loving myself isn't an issue, I'm not about to let that get to me.
šŸWren CF: I mean, how did Sharris want me to react? Did she want this to be the part where you bring out the tiny violin and switch everything to black and white while I wistfully look through a window while a single tear falls down my well defined cheekbones? Girl bye.
Blondie: One thing's for sure, people proved who they really were. Some of you who rode for what Sharris was saying, I won't forget that.
Fleur rolls her eyes and laughs
šŸBlondie CF: My relationship with Fleur has gone down to a zero. Or scratch that, a negative two. We do run in similar circles, and I was expecting that to mean something in this competition. And it did for the first day or so. But when the pressure got turned up, Fleur showed her true colors. I need space from her right now, or else I'll pop off, and I'm not trying to be a fighter again. All that screaming messes up your vocal chords, and Fleur is not worth that!
Fleur: The vagueness is killing me.
Blondie: I'm not being vague, I'm just not giving you the attention you're craving.
Fleur: Blondie, be so real right now. Do you think I'm scared of you? Do you think there's any reason why I should be scared of you in this competition?
Blondie: Based on who won a challenge, maybe!
Fleur: Oh right, I forgot you won a challenge. Or did you even win it? It felt a lot like Zodya carrying you.
Blondie: The win is still sitting pretty. Something not everyone can say!
šŸFleur CF: Blondie, I tried. I tried to defy the odds and actually get along with you here. But you've just proven to me that everyone here is truly awful. I'm not worried about anyone here being able to take me out. So why not give them hell and make them all miserable? That sounds even nicer than a crown. Yes, that'll do just fine. Get ready for it, you woke up the bitch. Well, the inner bitch. The outer bitch has been here the whole time. You know what I meant. And edit some nice villain music under all of that. It's showtime!
The Next Day
the queens dance into the workroom and over to the table
šŸKami CF: It's a new day in the workroom, and I'm hoping the next challenge is something like baking cupcakes. That might be the only thing capable of bringing us back together. But for real, that would be so fun...
Zodya: Sue, I have to ask how you felt during the last lipsync.
Sue: I was fine. Really, I was so fine! And side note, but the sheets in the hotel are really great at absorbing tears. Or so I've been told.
šŸSue CF: I really thought that last week could've been it for me. Everything felt so right, but it just wasn't enough. I'm desperate to prove myself as a strong competitor here, and someone that people should be afraid of. But without a win, it's hard to do that.
Whorechata: I was surprised at the top two, and that's only a moderate read.
Zodya: I'm scared for this answer, but who would you have taken out of the top?
Anthyy: And I know you might say me, but I don't really care. I know I turned it out, mama.
Whorechata: I would have replaced both of you! I think Sue should've been up there. And the other spot would have to go to a beautiful queen, full of talent, starts with a W...
Wren: Aw, me?
Whorechata: No, me.
Wren: Oh! Not sure why I'm even surprised by that at this point.
the workroom door swings open and Micro walks in, wearing a tailored white suit with a matching hat and cherry red lip
Micro: Hello queens!
Steph: Alright, pimp mama!
Micro: Last week, things got a little tense. And uh, that might be a bit of an understatement. Which is why for your next challenge, it would make sense to do something a little more lighthearted.
Kami: Yes please!
Micro: But you know how we do things around here. For your next challenge, you'll be killing each other.
Blondie: Oh dear god.
Micro: With your acting, of course! The ten of you will be randomly split into two teams of five. In this group, you will be in charge of producing a plot, trailer, and captivating poster for the next big horror movie. How you choose to work within your team, that's up to you. But if I were you, I'd be sure to contribute if you want to avoid the bottom. And on the runway, category is "Pretty Little Prosthetics". Good luck, and get ready to scream!
šŸBlondie CF: For our challenge this week, we're split into teams as we create a horror movie. On my team, we have Fleur, Kami, Whorechata, and Zodya. And on the other team, Anthyy, Morgs, Steph, Sue, and Wren. Less than thrilled to be on a team with Fleur, but it's a strong group, and I think our chances of winning are pretty solid!
the teams scatted through the workroom, with Blondie, Fleur, Kami, Whorechata, and Zodya talking by the couches
šŸWhorechata CF: It's starting to get to me that I haven't really been performing at the level I know I'm capable of here. I'm feeling a new sense of determination this week, and I have a whole list of ideas for this challenge. It's time to prove why I'm here.
Whorechata: So...I have ideas.
Fleur: There's a first for everything!
Whorechata: I'm thinking it could be cool to have the movie be shown from two different perspectives. The same story, but you see it differently depending on who it's focusing on. A sort of play on how the same situation can be perceived differently by different people.
Zodya: Wait, I love that?
Kami: That's a really great idea.
Whorechata: I know, that's why I said it! I mean...thanks!
šŸKami CF: I do tend to feel stressed in group challenges. Especially with this big of a group. There are five of us. There might be more room to hide, but it's also so much harder to stand out. I want my voice to be heard, and I want to shine, but I'm not sure how.
Fleur: I'll volunteer to work on the poster.
Kami: Nice! Do you want help on that?
Fleur: Hmm, I think I can do it on my own.
šŸFleur CF: First of all, I'd rather eat sand than work with anyone on my team. And, the poster is a huge part of this challenge. If I do it on my own, that means all the credit goes to me. Maybe a bad idea if the poster turns out ugly, but I'm not too worried about that. My only worry now is what to wear for the lipsync this week!
Zodya: Blondie, do you have an idea of what you're working on?
Blondie: I'll do whatever you need. Put me wherever and give me something to do.
Whorechata: Work with me on the script. I need someone to read through it and make sure it makes sense. One little issue, can you read?
Blondie: You bitch.
šŸWhorechata CF: I didn't plan on taking a leader position this week, but it kinda fell into place. We're getting some good work done, most of us at least. Kami, I know she wants to contribute, but I don't know what she's done yet? And that's starting to worry me. We might not be able to get this done in time...
the team of Anthyy, Morgs, Steph, Sue, and Wren talk around the table
Anthyy: Ladies, ready to win? I need this one!
Wren: Oh please, you do not need another win right now. I'm already getting the Greantee flashbacks as is!
šŸWren CF: Being on a team with Anthyy is really scary. I like her, we get along. But if we do well, that means another win for her. At a certain point, we need to stop her.
Sue: I feel like I could work on the poster? I can do my best with that!
Wren: That's perfect. Do we want ours to be a parody of iconic movies, or should it be fully original?
Morgs: I would maybe bring those ideas together. It can be a new and fresh idea, but still referencing certain ideas that have worked before.
Wren: I like that, I like that.
Anthyy: I would feel most comfortable working on the poster.
Steph: I think Sue mentioned wanting to work on that.
Anthyy: I don't want to take it away from her of course.
Sue: No, it's okay! Whatever is best for the team.
Anthyy: Are you sure?
Sue: If that's what will make our team strong, that's what we should do.
Anthyy: Thank you Sue, such a queen! Morgs, do you want to get some work done on this?
Morgs: Anything for you, well of course!
the team works on their script before coming back together to go over their progress
Anthyy: I have the outfits for the poster almost done. But don't worry, they'll be done.
Wren: Not to be shady, but what were the two of you doing for all that time? You were gone for awhile, and didn't get anything done.
Morgs: She just said she was working on the outfits and that they're almost done.
Wren: The two of you talked a lot about what you were going to contribute, I'm not seeing much of anything. You need to do your part in the group.
Anthyy: We are. Don't diminish our work!
Wren: I don't see what work I'm diminishing...
šŸWren CF: Maybe I need to appoint myself as the team leader, because we are not making enough progress. Anthyy and Morgs are like the two friends in school who work together on all the projects, but never get anything done because they're talking the whole time. We have serious work to do!
Morgs: I've been adding to the script, Anthyy's done the outfits, we've done more than enough.
Wren: That's not what I asked you two to do. Morgs, you were supposed to look over what I was doing, not add your own stuff.
Morgs: I get that, but I'm not going to sit back and do nothing.
Wren: Well it feels like you're either doing nothing, or just making things worse.
šŸAnthyy CF: Wren is making me and Morgs feel horrible during this challenge. We're doing the work, more than some other people in the team! But she ignores that since they're friends. It's making me question if I want to even be here, because she's making me feel so bad right now.
the teams continue to work, as Whorechata goes over to the other team
Whorechata: So like, what if we had more time?
Steph: We have to be on the runway soon, I don't think that's an option.
Whorechata: If we all ask for a few more hours, maybe Micro will give it to us.
šŸWhorechata CF: What we have so far is good. But time is our biggest issue. If we can get a little extra, I know we can pull it all together. And it helps the other team too, it makes sense.
Anthyy: I don't think we need the extra time.
Wren: We don't, I know we don't.
šŸWren CF: Your poor time management is not my fault. We were given the time we were given. If you can't make that work, start packing your bags.
Whorechata: But would you be against it?
Anthyy: I'm not making a scene over extra time, but we don't need it.
Whorechata: So what I'm hearing is that I can ask for more time...
Morgs: I wouldn't be mad with more time.
Sue: I'm happy to make it work either way.
Whorechata: Perfect!
Whorechata leaves the workroom to ask a producer about extra time, before realizing there are no producers, only Micro. She drags Micro into the workroom while she's halfway done with getting ready for the runway
Micro: Chile, what now?
Whorechata: You know how much we love you, right? And how you really don't even need a corset, no matter what everyone says about your waist.
Micro: Excuse me?
Whorechata: What I'm saying is, we need a little more time for the challenge.
Micro: And everyone's good with that?
Whorechata: They'd love it!
Micro: I'm asking them...not you.
Whorechata: Sorry, I'm just speaking for the people. I'm motherly like that.
Micro: Does anyone strongly object to a few more hours for the challenge.
Anthyy and Wren hesitate before raising their hands, and bringing them back down when nobody else objects
Micro: Alright, you can have a few more hours. But you better use it and make this the best challenge yet.
Whorechata: Mwah, thank you!
šŸWren CF: When Micro says that there's an extension, I start to see red. Our group does not need this extra time. We may not have everything done right now, but when we hit the runway, it would've been ready.
Micro leaves the workroom and the queens talk while getting ready by the mirrors
Wren: This is such bullshit, just so you all know.
Kami: What happened?
Wren: This whole extra time.
Kami: Were you guys done with your work?
Wren: ...that's not the point. We would've been done with it.
Anthyy: To me, it just feels like riggory. Micro wants the underdogs to win this week, so she's giving you more time.
Zodya: Underdogs?
Anthyy: I don't mean that in a shady way. I'm just saying that our team seemed stronger, and Micro wanted to make it less obvious. It's clear to me.
Wren: Exactly.
šŸZodya CF: I don't know what Anthyy and Wren are trying to get at with this. I saw their work, it's nowhere near done. And in what world are we the underdogs? Anthyy sees everything by the numbers, but that isn't the only thing that matters in a challenge like this.
Anthyy: Look, it doesn't matter. Congrats on winning this week, woohoo!
Runway
the lights flicker and an electric magenta light floods the runway as Micro struts down the center
Micro Episode 5 Look
Micro: Welcome back to the runway of Micro's Drag Race: All Stars Two! This week, the queens were challenged with working in teams to come up with original horror film concepts. And joining me on the judging panel is a queen with killer creativity, Lisbon!
Lisbon Guest Judging Look
Micro: Lisbon, thank you for being here!
Lisbon: Anything for you...as long as you give me a crown one day.
Micro: Ha!
Lisbon: I'm not joking...oh at all.
Micro: Oh. I'll see what I can do about that! Do you have any terrifying moments from your time on MDR that might inspire you in a challenge like this?
Lisbon: Why yes, I have quite a few! Season One Episode Twelve, All Stars One Episode Twelve, XDRVTW Episode Six. I'd have to say those really stick out.
Micro: Any reason?
Lisbon: Nope, none at all! Lisbon pulls out her voodoo dolls of Unieke, Tiwa, and Crystal
Micro: Well, that is not at all troubling! You ready to get into things?
Lisbon: Please, before I turn these dolls into a pile of fluff.
Micro: Alright! First up on the runway, category is "Pretty Little Prosthetics"!
"Bad Juju" by Jujubee plays
Anthyy: Tonight on the runway the theme is prosthetics! And honey trust me this theme is just asking itself for it to be a creppy spooky lewk, but i already served that last week and on episode 1 an literally thorught the whle halloween special for miss Xtina so this time i wanted to make sure i am as girly as i can be with this prostehtics them! But also there is another layer to it i would never just go for a look and dont do nothing behing to it. Tonight on the runway i am channeling a broken porcelain ballerina doll. My whole dress is made out of glass and i am walking very carefully but stunning-ly by the runway. Her story is that her soul is trapped inside a ballerina's figure body and as you can see on the skin an thorughout her body she is slowly turning into that sad ballerina with the glass pieces cutting through her skin,, thats what the prostheticas are in my look! they modify her whole face, she is sad on the glass side, she is trapped and she is bleeding! but in pink! cause pretty girls have pink blood! Don't try and check it though! This runway also need to have a personal touch for me to feel good about it and tonight i wanted to honur my grandma, since she always wanted to become a ballerina but never made it! so granny tonight! you are the prettiest glass ballerina on the mainstage of the biggest compeitiotn!
Anthyy Look
Blondie: KERMI! I AM READY FOR MY CLOSE-UP MON AMOUR! Tonight I am representing the original camp/fashion icon Miss Piggy! I am wearing prosthetic ears, a nose, and a cute wiggly tail! I am also wearing more passing than usual to create that big girl magic energy, so not only am I appropriating fat people, but pigs as well! The dress is completely made by moi and completely bedazzled, I get actual pearls and diamond encrusted headband, and I styled the 40 inch weave myself! I am taking a huge risk going camp, but I rather go out looking like a pig, than actually being one (cough cough Alex cough cough) . And you don't like it, expect this karate chop! HI-YA!
Blondie Look
Fleur: People say I am two faced which I don't necessarily agree with because I say what I want when I want but I just wanted to pay homage to the losers of my past arguements who call me two faced by wearing a prosthetic head! Two heads is always better than one head, am I right
Fleur Look
Kami: For my prosthetics lewk I am getting down and dirty mawma! I just wanted to do something fun this week, so I have gone with this sort of pig prosthetic thingy. This is for my fellow vegan/vegetarian qweens! #ISTANDWITHVEGANTEACHER
Kami Look
Morgs: Silicon manufacturing with your own skin using inorganic compounds of negotiated slurp products for your bodacious perfect size scabs snack for youthful glow anti aging properties may turn vou slime new products for you soon including waters I discussed with Wren stay tune #microfracking
Morgs Look
Steph: for my prosthetic look tonight i wanted to gag everyone by showing that i can be green with envy and still be pretty. just look at my skin and my long nose and she’s bald! also that rat is just a little scrumptious snack for later YUMMY YUMMY!! what’s not to love. i love a long soft prosthetic nose, ears, and chinnnn. if ur chin ain’t long, you’re just wrong!
Steph Look
Sue: So for this runway I am serving you the end of the world but she I still a bad bitch because uwu.
Sue Look
Whorechata: On the runway tonight I am feeling very SAFE! I am a kraken craking backs mawma! She is giving a full squid head prosthetic this evening. I am ready to wreck holes and boats tonight!!!
Whorechata Look
Wren: Today on the runway I am giving you Ratrina Ratson, heir to the Ratson throne. She is DRIPPING in like a million fucking layers of jewels, necklaces, bracelets, and silver. When she moves it sounds like windchimes. I have been consistently getting the critique that I don't drag things up enough, and I hope thisll change that. This is what happens if the rats in Cinderella were sent to the ball instead of her, Cinderella has rats in it right? I'm literally just realizing while typing this that I have never seen Cinderella.
Wren Look
Zodya: For this runway, I am showing off a look inspired by the Dilophosaurus! I have used prosthetics to make myself look fully reptilian, including my large, colorful flaps of skin off my face and hands. And don’t forget to mention my talons, as well as the horns sprouting out throughout my body. Don’t mess with me, queens, or else I’ll tear you apart and eat you alive…in Minecraft!
Zodya Look
-------------------------
Micro: Thank you ladies. You all look gorgeous, or terrifyingly disturbing. But hey, these looks will definitely be hard to forget. Now, let's take a look at your horror movie scripts.
Team 1: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e-6bIAzNsvFOqKMMaqR7z5Y2ca503HZnzg15Ym4GfLc/edit#
Team 2: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EoPn63HhkzwHNf1O4zJJ_Zj0U7tk07x96rx_iCZO4jg/edit?usp=sharing
https://youtu.be/eVFuGpRHkdU
Critiques
Micro: Based on your performances tonight, Lisbon and I have formed some opinions. It's time for your critiques.
Micro: First up, Team 1 (Blondie, Fleur, Kami, Whorechata, Zodya)!
Lisbon: Well, hello ladies… and Fleur. This concept was really interesting! I like that you weren’t afraid to approach it more seriously and it felt very atmospheric. However, it fell a little flat for me I guess? The addition of the hallucinations felt odd and left me wondering if DesireĆ© or whatever was like- magic? I think this felt like a solid horror short story but I feel like it lacked imagination and was pretty middle of the road content wise. As for your runways… Blondie, I really love this look as I am the Miss Piggy extraordinaire but I wish it was elevated a little more. It’s giving Ariana meets Miss Piggy which I love but it’s definitely a bit more pedestrian than I’d like for All Stars. Fleur this is one of my top looks of the night you look absolutely horrid, no note really other than the glitter bouquet feels a wee bit cheap. Kami, this is cunt. No notes. Lucky, you look good! It’s a great look, I just want more mug I suppose. Zodya this is fierce, I love a concept that is well executed! One note and this is mainly a personal preference, I wish the face was more cunt less monster, but obviously that’s nitpicking.
Micro: Hello pretty ladies!! I think within this group, you all have such clear strengths, and I was curious to see how that would work in a team format. And I have to say, I’m really impressed by what you came up with. Starting with the poster, I think it captures that eery feeling and the split down the poster played perfectly into the story of the movie. I think some more contrast on the poster could’ve made it pop even more, but I thought it was nicely done! In the plot, I think this was structured a little more as a scene or trailer, rather than it being an overall summary of what the film would be about and the journey it would take us on. It was well written, I just think it ended up being overshadowed by the trailer since the vibe was quite similar between the two. Speaking of the trailer, it was so gripping. I was reading as fast as I could to see what would happen next, and that level of suspense isn’t easy to achieve. My one little nitpick would be that I wish the split perspectives were showcased more, but really fantastic work. On the runway, solid looks from each of you! Kami, I love the campiness of this look, and how you and Blondie played into the pig elements of the movie. Very clever! Fleur, this is the blend of concept and glamour that you do so well, nicely done. Lucky and Zodya, these creature looks can be tough to hold onto the fashion, but you both managed to pull it off. The scaling is grand and extravagant, two of the strongest looks of the night. Overall, very impressed by your group!
Micro: Next, Team 2 (Anthyy, Morgs, Steph, Sue, Wren)!
Lisbon: You guys… acting challenges are hard and I get that but this thing? Was super fun!!! Oh my god!!! I think taking the camp and parody route is a risk that is well worth taking because this was really good! Troglodyte was a standout in my opinion, but everyone had their moments. This was such a fun watch and you mixed two horror franchises really well! Micro is a lot scarier though to be honest. My issue tonight with this team is the runways as opposed to the other team over there. Starting with Anthyy, I love the concept as a former dancer, I just know this execution could’ve been a little more en pointe. I’m hilarious. I just wish it was more clearly prosthetic. Morgs, this is a well executed clichĆ© with a fun twist. I’ve seen and was expecting a booby girl but I like that you are pink, this runway isn’t winning any awards though. Steph… girl… these prosthetics are so good… but this dress is god awful. You are giving Party City girl, and that’s the point blank truth. Sue. Meh. It’s fine, just not mind blowing. WREN WHY ARE YOU A RAT? This look is train wreck central. Those are necklace and earring PNGs on that dress and I don’t even know what’s going on with your face. Rat? Why? But like, this group had a phenomenal challenge, but was challenged with looks.
Micro: This team is full of some creative creative ladies, so I was really excited to see y’all in a team together. And I just have to say, the execution of this was incredibly well done. The poster, I love the custom looks, the dark shadowy feel, the scary ass ā€œpersonā€ in the back, and the little ā€œprobably not thoughā€ at the bottom. That was a really fun little comedic touch that gave the poster some depth. I have to be honest, I was a little worried when I saw that the concept was so similar to Drag Race, just with a darker twist. I think for a challenge like this, it could’ve been an opportunity to go balls to the wall. But within the concept, you found really nuanced ways of telling the story. The character building and storytelling was next level, and it made me so invested in what was happening. The audio as well, in the words of Wendy Williams, ā€œit was scuh-aryā€. I think the way you structured everything as well was something we could actually see with a plot and trailer, clean and concise. The twisted humor throughout the trailer added lots of special touches, I loved to see it. On the runway, some serves were served! Anthyy, this dark ballerina moment is so pure, but also has darker levels beneath the surface. Steph, I think the actual prosthetic work here is amazing. But the dress, I wish it was so much more!! Morgs and Sue, I love how you both took a more standard fashion silhouette, and infused that prosthetic twist throughout. Wren, rat queen! This week was truly a return to the originality and dedication you showcased on Season Six, and this runway proves that. It’s weird, it doesn’t make sense, it’s glamorous, it checks all the boxes. Nicely done. Overall, great work from this team!!
Micro: Thank you ladies. This week, you worked in teams. But your individual work is what matters here. When I call your name, please step forward.
Micro: Anthyy, Fleur, Morgs, Steph, Zodya. The five of you are safe. You may step to the back of the stage.
šŸAnthyy CF: Disappointed to only be safe, but this week was really awful for me, and I'm just glad I was able to make it through.
Micro: Blondie Dahl. On the runway, you were a blushing bacon bride.
Micro: Whorechata Grande. In the challenge, you had us all questioning reality.
Micro: Wren Wyvern. This week, you scurried your way to the top.
Micro: Whorechata, Wren. Congratulations, you are the top two queens of the week!
šŸWhorechata CF: And that's how you do it.
šŸWren CF: Yes!! Fuck yes!! Finally I get my moment, this is what I've been waiting for!
Micro: Blondie, you are safe.
Blondie: Better than getting the pork chop!
Micro: Sadly, that means Kami and Sue, you are the bottom queens of the week.
šŸKami CF: This is a horrible feeling. I know how badly I want this, and the thought of my dream being cut short, it's heartbreaking.
šŸSue CF: I'm devastated right now. I wanted this to be the week where I got to the top, not fall to the bottom. I don't want to be the reason Kami goes home, but I need to fight for my spot.
Micro: Whorechata, Wren. In a moment, you will lipsync for your legacy and for the right to eliminate one of the bottom queens. Head backstage to Untucked and deliberate.
Untucked
the queens enter Untucked
šŸZodya CF: The bottom two this week is crushing to see. You don't want it to be you, but it stings seeing such amazing people in the bottom. For once, I am glad to not be in the top.
Kami: First and foremost, congratulations! Not the ideal situation, but the two of you crushed it, and we need to celebrate that.
Wren: Aw, thank you. I don't want to be obnoxious with how I'm feeling, but this just feels amazing. Like, ahhhhh!!
Whorechata: I told myself that I would be able to win this challenge if I set my mind to it. And look at me now! It makes me feel great.
Steph: I'm obviously really happy for the two of you, but devastated at who's in the bottom. I really didn't expect this.
Sue: I thought I gave it my all this week. But when you hear the critiques, it's hard not to feel like you could've done more. I guess that's what I'm feeling right now.
Steph: Aw, Sue. I thought you were great.
Sue: Thanks. This just, it means more to me than I thought it did? And to go from feeling like I was picking up steam to totally crashing, it's not a slay moment.
Steph: Very not slay.
Blondie: Whatever happens, you two have brought so much to this. It means a lot that I can call you my sisters.
Morgs: Did anyone have issues working with their team?
Zodya: I think we all got along!
Kami: There was a clear end goal of what we wanted to get done. It would've been nice to feel like we all had the chance to do our fair share, but it was a good experience overall.
Whorechata: I know you wanted to do more. But it's up to you to step in and make sure you're involved. You'll get left behind if you wait for us to bring you in.
Kami: Yeah, I get it. It's just a lot of emotions, sorry.
Whorechata: Hey, you're good.
Anthyy: I thought we worked really well. We all brought our own unique twist, and it came out great in my eyes.
Morgs giggles
šŸAnthyy CF: The other team does not need to know how bad things were for us. If they know, then they'll think I'm not good at working in a team. They need to think that everything went perfectly!
Kami: I would love the opportunity to speak with the top queens if that's alright. Just plead my case a bit.
Sue: That would be nice for me as well.
šŸSue CF: I want to prove to the top queens this week that I deserve to be here. I regret letting Anthyy take over for the poster. But a lot of the love that the characters got, I helped with that. This isn't my time to go, I know it isn't.
Whorechata: Alright, let's chat!
Kami talks with Whorechata and mentions their connection to Season Five, and how she wants to represent for that. She shares that during Season Five, she felt like she was overshadowed by Moof, and unable to really stand on her own as a strong competitor. Being in the bottom made her realize how badly she wants this, and moving forward, she's dedicated to giving everything she has to this competition
Sue talks with Wren and Wren says that she thought Sue would've been in the top this week. Wren tells Sue that her heart is being pulled in two different directions. While she's gotten close with Kami, she can't overlook her long friendship with Sue. Sue tells Wren that she stands by what she did in the challenge, and wishes she took more responsibility for her contributions
while the top and bottom queens deliberate, Anthyy and Morgs chat by the touch up mirrors
Anthyy: Honestly, I'm over it.
Morgs: Oh no, over what?
Anthyy: I feel like I need to leave maybe. The way Wren made me feel during the challenge, and saying we weren't doing enough.
šŸAnthyy CF: When we were working on the challenge, Wren said multiple times that she didn't think Morgs and I were doing enough. And to me, that felt like a really shady way of ganging up on us to make sure none of the praise for the challenge got shown to us. I felt myself getting closer with Wren, but her questioning my work ethic, it really broke me.
Morgs: You can't leave. You're doing too well.
Anthyy: I didn't come here to deal with all this stress. I came here to win, and the pressure is eating away at me. And now for someone to be coming after me, I can't do it anymore.
šŸMorgs CF: Losing Anthyy isn't an option right now. She's the closest person I have here, and I know that she would regret leaving. That's my girl, I need to make sure she's alright.
Morgs: I will cry if you go home, and you don't want to make me cry.
Anthyy: No, I don't want that! I know I need to fight through this, but it's really hard. I'm not sure what I'll do.
the queens return to the runway
Micro: Welcome back queens! Will the top two queens of the week please step forward.
Whorechata Lipsync Look
Wren Lipsync Look
Micro: Prior to tonight, you were asked to prepare a lipsync performance of "Die Young" by Kesha.
https://youtu.be/NOubzHCUt48
Micro: This is your chance to impress me, and earn the right to give one of the bottom queens...the chop.
šŸWhorechata CF: Little do they know, I put pockets all up in here. Give me all the lipsticks, send 'em all home!
šŸWren CF: Oh bitch, I'm ready for this! I need to give these girls a few lessons.
Micro: Good luck, and don't fuck it up!
Read the lipsync here!
Micro: Well, that was something! I've made my decision.
...
...
Micro: Wren Wyvern. You're a winner, baby!
šŸWren CF: I did it!! If you asked me how I felt a few hours ago, I would've said that I was questioning my place here. But this little taste of victory, it snapped me right back into place.
Micro: Whorechata. You are safe to slay another day. You may step to the back of the stage.
Whorechata: Safe, of course. Smile through the pain, smile through the pain.
Micro: You may step to the back of the stage.
Whorechata: I mean, I could. But what if I stood here? Would I be a winner.
Micro: ...no. No, you would not.
Whorechata: Shh, no more words.
Micro: Now, will the bottom queens please step forward.
Kami and Sue step to the front of the stage with shaky hands
Micro: I won't lie, this sucks. Both of you are such special queens in this competition. Wren. With great power comes great responsibility.
Wren: Ugh, this is the worst part.
Micro: Which queen have you chosen...to get the chop?
Wren: Ultimately I believe with one of you I would not be in the top and you were such a joy to have on our team and you did a lot of the conceptualizing. I am not about to have my Bebe Zahara Benet moment so the person I have chosen is…
...
...
Wren: Kami.
Wren's Lipstick Choice
Kami smiles and wipes away a tear as Micro and the other queens get emotional
Wren: I'm so sorry.
Kami: It's all good, I promise!
šŸKami CF: I wanted this. I wanted this so bad. But I'm leaving this competition as a better queen than I was when I walked in. Seeing people believe in me gave me permission to believe in myself. My time will come.
Micro: Kami. You are one of the kindest, genuine, and most talented queens to ever grace this stage.
Kami: I appreciate that more than I can say. It might not have ended the way I wanted, but I'm forever grateful for this experience.
Micro: Sadly, I must ask you to sashay away.
Kami walks to the back of the stage as Anthyy leads a crowd of queens up on stage to embrace Kami before she leaves
Kami: Love you all. Until we meet again!
Micro: Whew. Congratulations to the nine of you for making it through another week. I know I get all "whaaaa" and a little "oh my damn" at these eliminations, but this one hit different. And they're only getting harder each week. Keep up the great work, and let the music play!
"Banjo" by Bebe Zahara Benet plays
Next Time on Micro's Drag Race: All Stars
Micro: Get ready for the buffoonery, riggory, and tomfoolery of "Robbed: The Musical!".
Anthyy: I don't know if I can do this anymore. It's all too much.
šŸWren CF: The competition is being flipped on its head. Things can change so quickly.
Track Record
Cast Shot w/ Placements
submitted by micronesiarain to XtinasDragRace [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 16:21 bhandweiser For those who need an ELI5 on Orissa train accident

For those who need an ELI5 on Orissa train accident
TL/DR at end of the post
So, since dust has settled post the Orissa train disaster, time to point out the reasons. I've handmade a schematic to illustrate the scenario.
Incident- 3 trains got into an accident at Bahanaga Bazaar in Orissa due to multiple factors at around 7 PM on June 2.
What actually happened?

https://preview.redd.it/qzwzk1az904b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=069c7943701c61aa838784e466a1fc4e4abf545b
We look at the above schematic to understand what happened. In normal train operations, slower trains (like Goods) make way for faster trains on the route (like SMVT Howrah and Coromandel in this case). Hence they are put on loop lines (also called sidings) marked as Loop1 and Loop 2 above.
In this case, goods 2 and goods1 occupied loop 2 and loop 1 respectively. This looping happens due to mechanism used to switch between tracks. These are called switches or points. The troublemaker in this case is Switch/Point no 17A, (labelled towards center right in diag).
Now Indian Railways uses something called Route Relay Interlocking/Electronic interlocking, to ensure that these web of switches are set such that 2 trains do not end up on same track. The same mechanism also controls the signal viz if there is train ahead, the signal will duly turn red.
Goods 2 was duly looped by setting switch 17A towards Loop 2. Later, to allow Coromandel Exp, switch 17A was aligned such that it would have allowed to Coromandel to pass through Main Down line (labelled at extreme center-left). Ideally, the train should have followed the black (C) marked path, meanwhile overtaking Goods 2. The signal S1 (at center right of diagram) should have displayed Green signal, meaning proceed at full speed (or permissible speed, which is 130 kph for this section). Similarly, the Bangalore SMVT Howrah train on Up Main would have crossed Coromandel, going towards opposite direction.
Hereafter, based on reports of Railways (link of which will be mentioned below) 3 scenarios emerged-
  1. Scenario 1- Most plausible- Someone in the control cabin of the particular station decided to flip switches at very last moment and thereby changing orientation of Switch 17A (directing coromandel to loop2, on which goods2 was standing), which was set for high speed passing of Coromandel through Mainline, overtaking goods 2. As a result, the signal S1 would have turned Red because of goods2 standing in path of coromandel. The driver couldnt brake and dashed into goods
  2. Scenario 2- The switch 17A never oriented towards mainline after looping of goods2. It was still oriented towards loop2, despite controller switching it towards mainline. This may have happened due to switch servo failure (the motor which controls the switch), while the computesystem thought the switch has been changed and thus signal S1 being green. In this particular case, possibility of sabotage cant be ruled out
  3. Scenario 3- Switch 17A would have been set towards loop2. In this case, the signal S1 should have duly displayed Red, but there is a possibility that Signal S1 did not show any aspect, thus pointing to a potential signal failure
Whatever scenario may have been true, the coromandel, instead of going through mainline, changed tracks and entered loop line 2 (marked by Red (E) arrows) at a speed of 128kph (the speed while entering loop should never exceed 30kph). This 128 kph entry into loopline first derailed the train and at the same time, locomotive of Coromandel dashed with rear of goods2 and landed on top of it. So it came across as a double whammy for the train- collision and derailment at same time.
Where does Bangalore SMVT Howrah Exp come into picture?
As the Coromandel derailed, its coaches went flying in all directions. Some coaches of Coromandel hit the rear 2-3 coaches of SMVT Howrah Express, which was crossing coromandel at the same time through Up Mainline.
Could Kavach have prevented the accident?
While KAVACH anti collision system is a good mechanism to prevent accident, it unfortunately couldnt have prevented the accident
Did coaches play an important role in reducing impact of accident?
At 128 kph, all coaches would have failed due to extreme stresses. However, the LHB coaches (the red and silver ones you see in max trains today) still prevented telescoping of coaches (meaning coaches dashing into each other), and rather allowed coaches to fall on its side.
Who do we blame?
  1. The maintenance team, who didnt expect the switches and signal beforehand (in case of scenario 2 and 3)
  2. The section controller, who changed switches at wrong time (in case of scenario 1)
  3. Ultimately railways, because of a. Heavy freight movement at cost of neglecting maintenance coz, well, freight operations bring in $$ b. Understaffing of railways, esp when 3 lakh posts are vacant
TL/DR- accident happened due to any of 3 causes- signal failure or controller failure, thus sending coromandel directly in line of freight train, derailing and colliding at same time. THe other train, Bangalore Howrah, was merely at wrong place at wrong time, and collided with coaches of derailed Coromandel Exp.
Feel free to ask follow up questions
Source- Internal report of railways - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1833uwOLWjhvCeh-bb5jmE5QpPi5i6N0z/view
submitted by bhandweiser to india [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 16:15 abbubbuee AITA for no longer want to provide supports for a fellow non-mono friend who has been in a relationship with someone’s husband?

My friend has been in a relationship with someone’s husband for many years. It’s a huge commitment that I respect, but the so-called non-monogamy that the guy imposed isn’t based on the wife’s consent at all. Practically, he has been cheating on his wife.
Both my friend and her partner knows that I’m a non-monogamist, and seem to support my view about relationships, intimacy, and love. She is a good person and great friend in general, but atm I am reaching the point where I am too tired to hear how their view about ā€œone person can love more than one personsā€ has been ā€œmisunderstoodā€ and ā€œdespisedā€ by everyone, including the guy’s friends and couple’s family members (they have kids in elementary school) — when the situation is not really about how people don’t accept their concept of non-monogamy.
I sympathise with the difficult situation of them in loving each other, but I can’t stand for any more self-victimisation. Last time she obsessively texted me about her missing his partner who went on an overseas business trip and how crazy that drove her. Later on she kept calling me but I didn’t have headspace to pickup as I had to deal with some other issues at my end (caretaking my sick mom, my demanding works, my intimate partners).
When I got the time to write back, I suggested her to review her attachment to the guy, but I also learned that she tried to reach me because that time she talked to her partner’s wife about how she and the guy would want to be together, and my friend & her partner expected to get separated from his wife, and how it gave her ā€œanxiety attackā€, and told me that time she called because she ā€œsimply needed a friend to understand how difficult it is to fight for this love.ā€ We barely talk now.
I feel bad for not being there, but I am struggling with my problems as well, and now I find it hard to sympathise with the hardship of their relationship. I practice non-monogamy (two of my partners are also married but theirs are open marriages), but I can’t really justify the ā€œloving more than one personsā€ in this situation. I feel like she has been trying playing victim and I can’t spare headspace to comfort her when the wife and everyone cancel her.
Am I hurting their non-monogamy by no longer allocating emotional supports? Am i an asshole, hypocrite non-monogamy friend?
submitted by abbubbuee to nonmonogamy [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 16:13 WritingDrakon (EODAT Ch.5 REPOST) brewing legacies, and oversized weapons

(Hey everyone! Finally out of the shadow realm! Im reposting chapter five here as it got wiped last time, 6 is still percolating away in my head, but in the mean time, enjoy! Comments are appreciated!)
(Previous)
https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/13o95ds/eodat_ch4_whats_old_is_new_again/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
/------------/
4-LOM rolled up to the holotable, the aging shipbuilder looking over the various fleet and division commanders.
4-LOM was an old Mk1 astro robot, his main body was a sphere, with four mechanical arms extending from his body, two large and bulky, and the other two smaller, more nimble and accurate, more dexterous, with a cylindrical lower body leading down to his treads, which were angular, tank like in shape, designed for heavy lifting. His head was flat, with a duo of square optics, a set of welding shields flipped up, ready to flip down when and where needed. His backpack was open, with tools sticking out, ready to be grabbed and used.
Looking around, he noted that the Saurians had their Admiral, a middle age Rox, their massive, tyrannasauric form still managing to tower over most of the others, even in holo, while Serano stood next to him. Nearby, Hota sat, nursing a coffee, rubbing his head, while one of the chief science officers hologram glanced at him nervously.
Another door entered, and a Mk12 frame entered, standing at the table. At first glance, the frame looked pristine, but 4-LOM wasn't fooled. He wasn't a shipwright for nothing, and he could see the pitting under the paint where plasma weaponry had uselessly splashed off, taking with it little layers of metal with it. Despite how new the frame looked, it was clear it had seen some action, recently as well, judging by the fresh coat of paint.
More holograms of fleet officials, and the bridges, or representations of their ships, flickered in above their shoulders. Serano looked like he had an old sailing ship floated there idly, a representation of the Enterprise. Some had wasps, while one captain had a cartoonish Barbus fish, with an old style white sailors cap and a belt of dynamite.
And then a small black hole flickered into view in front of his faceplate, making him roll back with a start. Getting a good look at the now pulsing black hole, he seemed to frown, one of his welding shields rising higher to simulate a eyebrow raise….. "Horizon? Is that you, little lass?" He said, with a thick, Scottish accent as his other shield rose up to join the other in shock.
The holographic black hole bobbed up and down in the air, two arms extending out from its corona and spun, as if to represent it, no, her, spinning in happiness. For a moment, 4-LOM was silent, before he began laughing, reaching up, even as his servo passed through the holo. "Ach, what I wouldn't give ta be in the Link with ye, lassie! I'm glad ye survived." He said, as the little ever hungry representation of the ship spun around him, before it shot off, floating near the Mk12, who looked at it.
The 12s head tilted more, as it listening to what the ship was saying, while 4-LOM felt a bit of possessiveness flair. Horizon was one of HIS creations, his and his wife's. Their ships were like children for them. Rolling over, he mentally began preparing a bit of what his wife would call the shovel talk, something they used to do with Captains that took on their vessels……
"Did you need something, Grandfather?" The machine said, domed head snapping to his, taking the wind out of his sails, and stare blankly at the taller, thinner machine.
Behind him, he heard Serano chuckle behind him, even as the Rox raised an eyeridge, while the Saline sat his mug down and placed his head in his hands.
"Grandfather- oh. I see…." He said, gaze turning flat as he gave a glare at Horizon. "I see the little gremlin is still able to make me short a fuse or two. Void knows Maria's hair turned white before she had to move bodies due to someone's antics." The little black hole pulsed sharply, as if squawking. "Would have appreciated a warning she made herself a captain…. Lassie, ye best be teaching him self preservation instincts." Catching the snort from the Rox and the sigh from Serano.
Slowly, his head turned around to face the two, one shield twitching, and finally saw Hota looking up with a flat look. "Too late on that one. I'll pass you the after action report later, AFTER the meeting." Serano said, hiding a smile. "If you want a first hand account, ask Hota. From what I understand, he had a front row seat for the Chaos the two caused."
She wasn't a little ship anymore, she wasnt- ah kriff it all. She was still his little lass. He'll talk with her later…preferably with Maria there…..after he grabbed his wrench and had a….. talk….. with whoever was their crew.
/------------------/
All the admirals and fleet commanders were soon in place, Asimov standing to the side, near the Admiral Serano, Horizons representation floating next to his head as his own panned about, looking at the assembled species. Several robotic ones, not Astro Robot series, called Glinch, looked at him curiously, while he picked out several different….Saurians, a few Roxes, several Trikes.
Several were pale, white skinned humans, bald, be they male or female. Clones, like himself, but with organic bodies, accompanied by nat-born humans, and several more advanced Astro Robot series units, these ones looking everything from near human, to large and bulky, armed with cannons, inbuilt missile launchers on their upper arms, and massive treads, or slimmer, almost skeletal ones with modules that could be swapped out at a moments notice.
"I appreciate ye all for coming on such short notice" 4-LOMs voice said, cutting over the gentle hubbub of the side conversations. "I had hoped that we wouldn't be facing them again, but here we are." The robot said as one of his smaller limbs tapes a command into the console, pulling up images of Everwatch stations current…condition. "Those of yeh from Federation space are more familar of the old stories, battle videos and the like. The Demons, as the Human Federation calls them, have been returned. It's only thanks to the work of Representative Hota that we have this information….. and had stumbled across an old Ace that had woken back up in time for this chaos." 4-LOM said, nodding to the Saline, getting the attention of his compatriots, who he shook his head to.
"Our opponents are equipped with biotech vessels, and are known for appropriating technology to forcibly integrate it with their own. Which means keep an eye out for a worse hodgepodge of weapons than a pirate vessel after its crew hits a pound of Spice and then gets drunk at a star port." 4-LOM said dryly, as various, old, images of the vessels and a few of the newer ones. "That being said, expect the sheer firepower jammed onto each of these ships to be on the higherside. However, they need long recharge periods, likely due to whatever power source used overloading, or the capacitor banks running dry and needing to recharge. Don't be fooled, they do have some form of biological armament, acid spitters, spike launchers, the works." He said, as images flicked up organic turrets, tentacles, and what looked like maws.
"As of right now, several of our larger vessels are being inspected and repaired, resupplied, and upgraded as needed. Several older vessels are being pulled out of mothball for the same reason. All civilian vessels are being drafted for emergency roles, receiving refit with hardware that will allow them to fight in a pinch, though their primary objective will be escorting transport ships and acting as emergency evacuation ships. We won't be expecting them to fight, but we need every ship we can get."
An image flickered into view of what amounted to the humans old museum of warships and deep space vessels, revealing it to be a hive of activity. Many other races had laughed at humanity for keeping their old vessels, rather than scrapping them, but now, now there was a reason why humanity had.
"Patrol fleets are to be at least one Saline Sensor ship, two to three Buckler class Trike Shield Bearers, one Rox Artillery ship, one Vohle capable human vessel, Two human PT ships, and three Raptor Swift claws." 4-LOM said, "these things aren't to be taken lightly. Sensors pick them up, call it in and engage. Stall for time if needed for reinforcements to arrive. Intercept fleets are to consist of five Trike Aegis class Shield Bearers, six Swift claws, one Rox supercarrier, three Rox artillery ships, two Saline Auxiliary ships, one Saline Medical cruiser, one Human Vohle Super-carrier, eight human PT ships, two Human Iowa class destroyers." The elderly bot belted out, making several Captains and admirals wince. Those weren't lightweight ships. The 'patrol' fleet could have been considered a planetary invasion force.
Before anyone could make any arguments or questions as to why the fleets were set to the Human classic of 'Maximum Overkill', and before any more ridiculous fleet deployments could be called out, a slightly panicking human sprinted into the room. "Sir! Confirmed hostile assault on Tisan-4" the human said, breathing heavily. "The Demons made planet fall, looks like a small invasion force that had left before the incursion field went up."
4-LOM stared….and then sighed. "Well, Caliburn had been itching for a fight." He sighed and placed a servo over his optics.
/-----------------------------------/
WARNING: Hostiles detected. Match confirmed; species D-65.
Threat level:Apollyon. Combat systems:unlocked.
That was what appeared on the Colony Managers terminal as alarms screamed across the Colony, alerts screaming on PADDs, sirens spinning as bunkers opened up.
An aging Wargen bared his teeth as he rapidly tapped at his terminal, as the younger human clone stood grimly at her manager's terminal.
"Civilians are filling out the bunkers, tunneling charges are set and ready to clear escape routes." The elderly, wolf like Wargen said, his muzzle splitting into four as he spoke, one part vertical, the other horizontally. "Colonial militia are manning hard points and connecting to systems now."
"Understood." The Colony manager said and let out a long breath, before opening the PA system. "All hands, brace for Activation procedure. I repeat, all hands, brace for activation procedure." She said, before securing herself in on one of the chairs, even as the commander buckled himself in across from her, even as terminals all around them flickered and the building shuddered and shook, new lights came online all over.
"And the other races call our alliance insane for building the bunkers" The Wargen muttered under his breath as the command room became a flurry of activity, sensor teams working together in an attempt to get data on their opponents. "Our people are safe. That's what matters, commander." The clone said softly, looking at her long time friend, even as the hidden defense system of the Colony woke up.
/------------/
Outside, the demonic army approached, on a slow, steady March, disgruntled at the lack of organics they had found to use. They needed biomass to fuel their war machine, to create their bases, their armies, their ships. And while they didn't care much about the sheer number of ships they lost during planet fall thanks to the orbital defenses, they needed to deal with the local defense computers. There had to be a way to broadcast an all clear signal and allow their other ships past.
Before them sat a large, fortified structure, looked like a massive cathedral, really. The irony was not lost on them as ports on the castle-like structure opened up, and began spitting metallic shells at them, exploding after punching through their infantry, leaving craters behind, destroying more of their forces.
The ground shook as their massive siege beast began forming from the splattered biomass, like some strange, oozing horror, slowly forming into a quadropodic creature.
The beast was mostly just a giant mouth in legs, with a long, worm like body lined with eyes, teeth, spikes, and tendrils, flinging said teeth at the structure.
Warlord Gistle ground his teeth as he stared at the cathedral as it held its own, his forces decimated by the attempted rain of metal. Said rain changed to one of scalding plasma as the castle changed tactics to try and burn the bodies to prevent them from forming additional, stronger units.
"Battle lord." Hissed one of the smaller battle chiefs said, as they stepped up next to Gistle. "The Seekers have not located where the miserable Frails have hidden themselves. Our efforts would be best put to entering the fortress ahead." The chief said, pointing at the massive fortress as the siege beast brushed off the weapons fire.
"No need, we will be inside soon en-" Came the guttural voice of the Warlord, before it was interrupted by a computerized voice, echoing out.
"THREAT ASSESSED. ASSUMING COMBAT MODE."
There was a rumble, everyone grabbing onto the stablest thing around them as the ground tore apart, the siege beast stumbling back, as the building tore up its own foundations as steam hissed out, and part of the building lifted up, and then slammed into the ground, and then the other side, slowly pulling itself up….and up…and up……
The structure wasn't a structure. Not any more. Towering over them, looking like a massive hunchback stood the cathedral, it's towers opening, revealing to be cowling around massive artillery cannons. It's arms, once covered with flat pillars, opened up to reveal a set rotating barrels, slowly spinning up, and a bulky duo of MAC batteries on the other arm. Sticking off the side of its upper arms were smaller hardpoints, each turret armed with four barrels, small and accurate, sniping ground units with horrifying accuracy, the soft metal shells ripping away to reveal their incendiary cargo held within steel mesh, allowing the coilguns to spit them out rapidly.
The head section looked like a sphere with three optics in a triangular formation, around a cannon that locked onto the siegebeast and whined, arcing brightly, before it fired, a bright flash seen as the cannon went off, it's round leaving behind a trail of fire as it raced through the air, punching through the beast, making it howl, and began trying to heal the injury that pierced it, ripping open a hole below it.
It's bipedal legs were thick, armored, and just as equally armed, it's lower legs armed with rotary cannons that spun, the lower pair foring a heavy stream of plasma, one barrel firing and then cooling as it spun, the others keeping the pace up, while above them, physical artillery was spat out, helping pierce armor for the plasma to scorch and burn to uselessness. More cannons sat on the sides and back of its legs in, taking aim at the surrounding armies, making sure to add on their screeches of rage.
Hanging off the underside of the platform that held the Cathederal sat more turrets, each swiveling around and adding to the chaos, their mini MAC armament chattering as they fired, picked a new target and fired again. On the top of the platform were AA cannons, taking aim and firing into the air, altering the timing of their rounds so that they acted as impromptu artillery, while more cannons, on four turrets, covered the monstrosities back, preventing them from sneaking up behind it, as if the cannons on the back of its legs weren't enough to cover it.
"TARGET ACQUIRED."
Warlord Gistle hissed in shock. The Frails had been LIVING in a Siege beast of their own!? Hidden partially underground, deceiving them to make it seem as if it was nothing more than a fortification!?
"Have all expendable units merge with our Siege beast, NOW! if the frails continue to pick our forces off one by one, they will never be able to reinforce our beast after they fall!" Gistle roared, even as around him the battle chiefs barked out the orders……..
/-------------/
The massive machine stared down at the hostile forces as they turned into a thick, biological slurry, short of the Demons themselves, and oozed towards the horror before it.
The monster seemed to absorb the substance on contact, growing larger and larger with each passing moment, howling and hissing.
He could feel his crew cursing in their heads, humans and otherwise, lighting the slurry up with plasmafire, burning some of it, but not enough. Caliburn agreed with them, as his Plasma getting cannon spun up, the five barrels glowing brightly, the heatsinks by the ends of the barrel glowing as the machine poured plasmafire from the barrels, searing into the beasts body, burning it up as it grew, stunting its growth heavily, and forcing it to consume more biomass to make heavy, chitenous armor, layers burning away under the assault.
Caliburn could feel the dust coming off as his gears spun, and he stepped forward, swinging the glowing arm as it cooled down, making the horror screech as he spun his upper body to add to the force of the blow, digging the glowing heating into the beast's face and knocking it back, buying time for his crew to deal with the horrific slurry around them, which still tried to fuse with the horror, chasing after it with a single minded determination.
As his upper body slowed down and he was facing forward again, he saw the beast setting up, snarling. His other arm came up, and he could feel his capacitors burning as he began firing his MAC arm at it, the massive, vehicle sized slugs punching into the beast, knocking it back farther, punching holes in the chitin it tried to grow as armor, making it hiss and move rapidly, trying to put distance between itself and the machine.
Unfortunately, the beast had the advantage in land speed, as it had four legs, while Caliburn only had two and lumbered slowly forward, his aging systems relishing the taste of combat after so long. And now he had far better weapons then a simple crane arm, like he had last time he fought a creature like this.
Because the beast had put distance between itself and him, it managed to absorb the last of the biomass, and began bounding forward, it's maw open, teeth spinning like some sort of Cuisinart….
A target he couldn't miss. His head cannon barked again, not as powerful as last time, but this time, he wasn't trying to rip it apart from the inside. The shell detonated on contact with the teeth, shredding them, tearing into the soft flesh within, making the beast howl and close its maw, it's chitin armor weathering the plasma splashing off, hardened to withstand the smaller weapons fire his crew spat at the creature.
His arms pulled their shrouding back around them, as he drew back and swung, hard, again using his body spinning to his advantage, striking the beast, the heavy weight of the heatsink and the weapon itself burying the shroud covered arm inside, the end opening up. Unfortunately, thanks to the partial shrouding, he wouldn't be able to spin his cannon, but all he needed was one shot inside it, and let it fly, ripping his arm out as it howled, smoke billowing from its new hole it tried rapidly to heal.
The tendrils it had tried to dig into his arm burned away as he kicked it up from below and began unloading both arms, fully unshrouded, the heat coming off both of them making steam hiss up into the air, as the beast took a heavy slug and then a plasma bolt, one after the other, deep into its stomach, sending it onto its back.
Loud popping sounds were heard as its limbs reoriented, allowing its former belly to become its back, the holes sealing slowly as it circled the walking cathedral, even as Caliburn scanned it, his upper body following its every movement. His command crew were breaking down every schematic and scan he gave them, working hard to figure out a way to kill the horror.
In the mean time, Caliburn and his crews would do their damndest to stall the beast and continue on their current plan. Burn it down, slowly.
He could feel his crews tracking the retreating demon forces, listening to the mental chatter within him as the artillery crews happily worked together to figure out their path, searching for the enemy command position, even as sensor crews watched as the rapidly approaching flood of biomass and machinery charged for them, some of the artillery crews already letting loose N-4 shells, the 'super-napalm', as the crews nicknamed them, impacting and exploding, burning into the biomass, unquenchable, even as the biomass attempted and failed to smother the burning substance, only serving to make it worse, melting the weaponry it carried with it.
The only reason why the crews could get away with it was because the biomass wasn't near the Bunkers exits or near infrastructure. Or Burnable items.
Command soon had a viable target, a sort of brain mass it had, separated throughout its body in a vain attempt to make sure it could still operate when a few of them were destroyed.
Several had been burned away by the plasma bolt going off inside of it, but many more remained, and it was attempting to make more/replace the burned away ones. They needed to eliminate the command signal….
Jubilation and grim satisfaction bloomed in his sensor and artillery crews, as he felt the mad scramble for bunker busting shells, before they were let loose into the air. Even as he blocked a tail strike from the beast and managed to crush its head under one foot, letting his landing engines ignite for the first time in decades to burn the creature more, his crews targeted the command bunker, shelling it with deadly accuracy, smoke rising from the hill they were tucked away behind in the distance, making Caliburn burn with satisfaction and praise for his crew.
/---------------------/
Gistle ran as fast as his hooves could move him, teeth barred as he snarled.
Around him, their command temple shook and shuddered, veins bursting, cables arcing wildly as the biomass contracted involuntarily or simply sagged, turning to biomass.
"Warlord, they are heavily shelling our position, we won't be able to retreat at this rate!" Hissed one of the Battle Chiefs at his side, hissing in fear, even as he snarled at the Pitiful, compared to him, creature. "We won't be taking everyone, only the essentials. The Everlasting King must be notified of this development. King be damned, the frails took the time to prepare for our arrival again." He growled as he came out to a hanger area, and ran into a small, fast ship, even as the others ran into larger, bulkier, slower ships.
Soon, the chitin that served as the door opened, and they shot out, erratically flying, trying to avoid the artillery shells, and now AA fire joining the fray.
He kept close to his compatriots, using them as a living shield as he twisted the small vessel around, smirking as he dodged the fire while they took it..
They were almost to space, soon, they could tear a Gate and get the fleet-
Reality tore open above him as a massive ring shaped vessel pushed itself into real space, disgorging hundreds of smaller vessels, bearing down on their positions, others engaging the floating fleet around them with aggressive assault runs, the sudden appearance in the system allowing them to have the element of surprise.
Weapons fire began filling the space around f them, tearing at their vessels faster then they could repair them as little, frail vessels zipped in and out of line of fire faster then they could shoot, track, or react, unloading slugs, plasma, torpedoes in a flurry of activity before diving away, allowing their munitions to wreak havoc amongst them.
Already, the larger vessels were disabled before Gistle managed to sacrifice one, smirking as it warped, it's biomass fueling the Gate, as he flew through, hoping he was in friendlier territories, unaware of a sensor torpedo flying in behind him.
/------------------------/
Down below, on the surface, Caliburn flung back his opponent again, arms blazing as he shelled it.
It was bigger then it had been, managing to absorb the biomass from the surviving landing ships and the remains of the command center they shelled out. It's armor was thicker, and was flinging out dozens, hundreds of calcium spikes, spitting its unknown energy weapons, only to splash off his shields, for the energy weapons, and his ar.or foe the calcium spikes, even as his weapons screeched.
The beast had holes all over its chitenous armor, from his shells punching in, or his artillery crews shelling the beast, his plasma following close behind as he sought to burn the creature out from the inside, going so far as to ram his plasma cannon inside and unload it, the rotating barrels helping tear it up from the inside as the heat sinks burned it.
Ships began dropping down from above, doing strafing runs, dropping smaller caliber explosives, distracting the beast as he tore another hole in it by spinning his upper body, one shrouded cannon arm striking the beast and ripping in, just as a gunship fired a Cleaner into it, just before it healed.
A burning flash of light, a horrific scream from the beast as it howled, body jerking as the explosive did its job…. Before it swung down, still alive, though just barely, it's armor shattering rather then buckling on the next strike from Caliburn, a facsimile of a uppercut, before the barrels let loose again, even as the plasma cannon dumped bolt after bolt into its lower body, searching for, burning the neural clusters as he found them.
The beast wrenched itself away from his grasp, snarling as it looked at him, the beast snarling as it tried to heal from the most recent injuries.
Caliburn felt his crew snarling back, his cannons swiveling around as they gave their response in munitions as he lumbered forward, the ground shaking from his steps and the escape ships erupting out of the ground around them, his rotary cannon screaming as it fired, the MAC on the other arm barking as he hit it again and again as it charged forward.
The beast no longer cared for its injuries, all it cared was to take the metal monster before it down, spitting acid out of it as it tried, and failed, to blind the machine, even as said machine swung its smoldering plasma cannon up and brought down the burning barrels down on its head, smashing it into the ground, pinning it there as it's crew continued shelling it out ruthlessly.
Caliburn refused to let the beast survive, he refused to let the thing get to the civilians. His crew snarled their agreement as the beast tore the pinned head off its body, even as it burned away to nothing, and tried to charge again, blindly, only to smash against the MAC arm and receive a pair of heavy slugs to the neck stump for its troubles, sending it somersaulting back, trying to reform its head.
It was much, much smaller now, now matching Caliburns size, due to all the biomass loss, it's head reforming as it snarled.
Caliburn seemed to roll his pauldrons and twitched his MAC, as if saying 'come at me'. The beast howled and charged forward, razor sharp tentacles erupting from its sides, whipping about wildly, only for turret crews to blast the tentacles off at the base, and for his artillery crews to shell it down from above, flattening it into the ground again with explosive shells.
Again, the beast began pulling itself out of the ground, only for another strafing run from aircraft , this time dropping standard napalm canisters onto the beast, making it howl as it healed around the canisters, and began burning from within.
It thrashed and writhed, tail and body whipping about, even as Caliburn kept firing, not letting up, shells puncturing the chitin bubble it was trying to form around the napalm to contain it, keeping it burning into the beasts body.
At last, the beast tried to fling itself at Caliburn, thinking that it could at least burn out the mechanical monster with it, only for Caliburn to swing and strike it, flinging it away again, the beasts body unable to get back up, and laid there, slowly burning away at last……………
submitted by WritingDrakon to HFY [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 15:53 Dazzling_Corgi_3190 Purifying Amphetamine - Complete Guide - Part 2: The practical part

Hey guys, it is coming with a lot of delay, but here it is – the practical part of the complete amphetamine purification guide that I announced ages ago.
First, a few things upfront.
Due to time and space constraints, it is not possible for me to cover and list all potentially possible purification methods that exist.
Therefore, I have focused on the ones that, in my experience, make some sense. So, things like recrystallization from an alcoholic solvent are not included because, in my opinion, it is a complete waste of time when it comes to amphetamine.
Furthermore, when it comes to purifying an unknown mixture, the problem is that it is not possible to choose the simplest possible method, as it strongly depends on which impurities need to be separated.
Therefore, I can only advise everyone who consumes regularly/daily to spend some money and invest in the necessary equipment for liquid-liquid extraction/acid-base extraction, as it is the most effective method apart from distillation when you don't know which substances you want to separate.
Lastly, a note:
All the procedures mentioned here are based on the assumption that the amphetamine is in the form of sulfate, as it is the case in 99.99% of all instances.
Most of the procedures should also work with other salts, but that strongly depends on the specific salt.
If you are unsure, start with a small amount to test it. I hope I don't have to mention that I assume all the chemicals involved are acquired in the highest possible purity and should preferably be anhydrous to avoid losses.

"Washing" speed or purifying it through filtration.

I consider washing your speed to be the minimum you should always do for your own sake because, honestly, it requires almost no effort, and the costs for everything you need are minimal, so there's practically no reason not to do it.
The procedure itself theoretically works with a wide range of solvents, but in practice, 2.5 solvents have proven to be effective: acetone, dichloromethane/chloroform, and in some cases, isopropyl alcohol.
Washing primarily helps to remove synthesis residues, solvent residues, caffeine, and in the case of isopropyl alcohol, lactose. The principle is the same in any case: The solvent dissolves the corresponding impurities but not the amphetamine sulfate, and after mixing the speed with the solvent, the sulfate is separated from the solvent through filtration.
I would advise everyone to determine the amount of solvent based on the assumption that 100% of your speed consists of caffeine, that is, based on the solubility of caffeine in the respective solvent. Isopropyl alcohol is the least preferable option because it only dissolves 1g of caffeine per 100ml, so I would recommend using it only if lactose is also present.
Acetone is the best choice for small amounts because it is relatively safe to handle. Acetone dissolves 1g of caffeine per 50ml, so I would use 50ml of acetone per gram of speed.
Dichloromethane and chloroform are the best options, but since both substances have a certain level of toxicity, caution should be exercised when working with them. They dissolve 1 gram of caffeine with just 7ml. For washing purposes, I would simply use 10ml per gram of speed for simplicity. In general, it is also recommended to perform two or more washing cycles because a single cycle will never achieve the same efficiency.
The concept and execution are the same for all:

Required equipment:

Execution:
Allow the speed to dry and then finely chop it. This will provide a more optimal surface area, making it easier to remove impurities.
Once that's done, take the speed and put it in one of the glasses.
Then pour the solvent into the glass and stir it with the spoon for a bit. Stir a bit longer, around 1-2 minutes.
Wait for another 5 minutes, then take the coffee filter and place it over the second glass like a funnel.
Once that's done, simply pour the contents of the first glass through the coffee filter into the second glass and wait for all the solvent to drain through the filter.
The amphetamine sulfate will still be in the coffee filter since it doesn't dissolve and can be scraped together after tearing or cutting open the filter.
Once the powder no longer has any odor, it can be consumed.

Purification through fractional recrystallization:

This method is based on the principle that when a mixture of substances dissolved in hot water is cooled, the substances that are less soluble in water compared to the other substances precipitate first. This is particularly true for caffeine, which is almost always present in speed, but certain sugar alcohols and substances like creatine can also be effectively separated using this method, which cannot be achieved through, for example, an acetone wash.
For example, caffeine is 33 times more soluble in boiling water compared to its solubility in water at room temperature, while the solubility of amphetamine sulfate only changes by a factor of 7.
To remove synthesis byproducts, it is still advisable to wash your speed first. However, this is not a prerequisite.

Required equipment:

Required chemicals:

Procedure:
First, the distilled water needs to be heated to boiling. The easiest way to do this is with a kettle, but a stovetop and pot will also work if necessary.
While the water is slowly coming to a boil, fill a beake glass with the (previously dried and finely chopped) speed. Then, drop by drop and while stirring, add hot water until everything is dissolved.
As a rough guideline, you can estimate that approximately 4ml of water will be required, but this may vary slightly.
Next, let it cool to room temperature and then place it in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
Meanwhile, place the coffee filter over the second glass. After the 2-hour period, the caffeine should be clearly visible as cotton-like needles in the beaker glass from the refrigerator.
Pour the contents troughthe coffee filter, collecting the filtrate in the second beaker glass.
What remains in the filter is the caffeine, while the amphetamine salt is now in the second beaker / glass. Transfer its contents onto the plate and allow the water to evaporate.
Once the water has evaporated, the residue only needs to be scraped together and is ready for consumption. Alternatively, it can be directly filled into a nasal spray.

Liquid-Liquid Extraction/Acid-Base Extraction

This method is not suitable for casual consumers as it involves a more complex procedure and requires some equipment and chemicals investment. However, most of the costs are one-time purchases, so they won't be incurred in subsequent runs.
This is the method I would personally recommend to regular consumers as it is significantly more effective than others, second only to distillation. However, this method involves working with potentially hazardous substances such as concentrated sulfuric acid, concentrated sodium hydroxide, and others. While handling them safely is possible, there is a potential risk involved.
The method combines the concept of liquid-liquid extraction with the acid-base salt concept, which ultimately achieves significant effectiveness.
Liquid-liquid extraction is a classic separation method in organic chemistry commonly used for processing reaction mixtures. It utilizes the differential solubility of substances in two immiscible solvents (e.g., watedichloromethane). According to the Nernst distribution law, different substances will ultimately accumulate in the solvent in which they are more soluble.
Subsequently, the amphetamine base is released from the amphetamine salt, causing a drastic change in solubility. This allows for the extraction of the amphetamine base and separation of all substances that do not undergo this salt/base transition, including water-soluble and less water-soluble compounds.
During the practical implementation, there are a few aspects that may vary depending on the choice of solvent, among other factors. Therefore, it is advisable for everyone to understand and internalize the information provided before carrying out the practical procedure. Link to reference/04%3A_Extraction/4.06%3A_Step-by-Step_Procedures_For_Extractions)
Required Equipment:
Chemicals:
I will explain the practical procedure using dichloromethane (DCM) as it has a convenient density for the process, is highly effective for caffeine, and evaporates rapidly.
Practical Procedure:
Personal protective equipment (goggles, lab coat or apron) should be worn at all times. It is recommended to wear a pair of nitrile disposable gloves with a pair of latex disposable gloves over them. If any chemical contacts the gloves, immediately remove them, wash your hands, and put on a fresh pair. This precaution will help prevent any chemical burns. Always wear protective goggles to safeguard your eyesight when working with any chemicals.

  1. Wash the speed with acetone.

  1. Purity the amphetamine sulfate by "shaking it out".
First, the amphetamine is naturally purified as a salt. Dissolve the speed in sufficient water and add the corresponding nonpolar solvent to the separatory funnel.
The ratio of water to organic solvent should be roughly 2:1 in terms of volume. Each phase separation should be given approximately 30 minutes. The amphetamine salt will be present in the aqueous phase, which, in the case of DCM/water, would be the upper phase, while the nonpolar impurities would be in the organic phase at the bottom of the separatory funnel. The extraction should be performed three times, meaning that after each phase separation, the organic solvent is drained into a separate beaker, and fresh organic solvent is added. Once that is done, drain the water+speed solution into another beaker and clean the separatory funnel.

  1. Preparation of sodium hydroxide solution.
To release the base, sodium hydroxide solution is required. Start by adding 10ml of distilled water to a 100ml beaker. Weigh out 7g of sodium hydroxide and add it slowly (with pauses) to the beaker containing the distilled water in small portions, stirring with a glass rod (Caution! The solution reacts exothermically, meaning it becomes hot!). Once all the sodium hydroxide has been added, set it aside and let it cool.

  1. Releasing the amphetamine base.
Clean the separatory funnel with distilled water and acetone, then refill it with the amphetamine sulfate/water solution.
Slowly add the sodium hydroxide solution in small portions, following the instructions provided in the link. Shake while venting the funnel and repeat this process until small oily droplets form on the surface.
Caution! This process is also exothermic!
Then, using a pipette, take a sample from the lower aqueous phase and test if the pH value is strongly alkaline (pH >= 13).
If that's the case, close the separatory funnel with the stopper and wait for the solution to cool.

  1. Extracting the amphetamine base.
After a short waiting period, add the organic solvent in an initial ratio of 1:2 (organic solvent) to (water). Shake vigorously, let it settle, and then drain the organic solvent+base mixture into a beaker.
Note that in the case of DCM, the base will be in the lower phase since DCM has a lower density than water. In other solvents, it may be different.
Then add the same amount of organic solvent again. Shake, let it settle, etc., and drain the organic solvent into the same beaker again.
Repeat this process for three extractions without adding new water. Once that is done, drain the water into a separate beaker as well.

  1. Drying the amphetamine base.
First, dry the solvent+base mixture by using anhydrous potassium carbonate or molecular sieve A3, and separate the drying agent as in the washing step trough filtration.
Allow the organic solvent to evaporate.
The base is not as volatile as one might think, so depending on the solvent, you can apply some heat if necessary.

  1. Formation of amphetamine sulfate.
Once the base is dried and the solvent is evaporated, the salt is formed.
Dissolve the amphetamine base in the alcoholic solvent in a beaker.
The base-to-solvent ratio can be about 1:10. Stir the mixture with the glass rod and then prepare the sulfuric acid. It is recommended to dilute the sulfuric acid for this step, possibly to 20% or lower.
Dilute it in the alcoholic solvent and not in water because water could dissolve the salt, resulting in lower yields compared to diluting sulfuric acid in an alcoholic solvent.
Pour the diluted sulfuric acid into a pipette and slowly add it drop by drop to the base-alcohol mixture while stirring.
Take your time and don't rush. Regularly and frequently monitor the pH during the addition, ideally after every few drops.
Once the pH reaches around 8-7, stop adding acid.

  1. Washing the formed sulfate.
Afterward, filter the mixture and rinse the sulfate in the filter cake with acetone.

That's it! You have completed the process.
General notes:
Please note that without knowing the exact purities, we cannot work with stoichiometry. Therefore, we will rely on the pH value for approximate measurements. However, there are rough estimates for the amounts needed per gram of speed.
For every mole of amphetamine sulfate, you would need approximately 2 moles of sodium hydroxide. This translates to around 3.09 ml of a 1.75 molar sodium hydroxide solution per 10 grams of amphetamine sulfate.
During neutralization, we would require approximately 1 mole of sulfuric acid for 2 moles of amphetamine base. This amounts to about 2.8 grams of sulfuric acid per 10 grams of amphetamine. It is advisable to dilute the sulfuric acid to around 20/25%. This makes it more manageable, but you will need to dilute it yourself.
Commercially available sulfuric acid is sold as a solution in water, and the higher the water content, the lower the yield you will obtain. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase sulfuric acid with a relatively low percentage, concentrate it, dissolve it in isopropanol, and then use it.
Additionally, familiarize yourself with the entire process, including practical execution, by referring to internship papers from universities, which are intended for their students, for example.
Pay attention to details such as regular pressure release, as they are crucial.
Theoretically, you can also carry out the neutralization directly in acetone.
This would eliminate the need for an additional alcoholic solvent. I had this in mind because 1L of 99.5% isopropanol costs me less than two euros, while acetone costs about six times as much.
Regarding the polarity of the alcoholic solvent, I would not recommend going higher than methanol. In methanol, the sulfate would be soluble, even if only to a minimal extent.
Do not worry about exposing the base to certain temperatures or leaving it exposed to air for a while. Significant evaporation should not be a concern unless the temperature exceeds 60-80 degrees Celsius.
It is possible to use other acids instead of sulfuric acid if, for example, phosphoric acid is more affordable. Phosphoric acid is also easier to handle. The pH of the solution would be only slightly different in the end. Please conduct further research on this topic.
Please ensure that you are mentally coherent during the process. Avoid attempting the procedure after several sleepless nights, for example. While the overall procedure is not difficult to complete without incidents, if you forget to release the pressure from the separation funnel due to lack of sleep and it explodes in your hand or you get splashed with highly concentrated sulfuric acid, you will encounter significant problems.
Finally, consider how to handle the waste products. Most of them can either be evaporated or disposed down the drain, such as sodium hydroxide. However, do not attempt to dispose of sulfuric acid in this manner.

Steam Distillation:

This method is only suitable for people who really want to achieve maximum purity and are willing to invest a significant amount of money and engage in safe practices in organic chemistry.
Steam distillation is a special form of azeotropic distillation.
Simply put, volatile compounds that are steam-volatile add their own vapor pressure to the vapor pressure of water. These compounds distill along with water when the sum of their vapor pressures reaches atmospheric pressure.
In other words, the distilling water "carries" certain substances with it, allowing them to distill below their actual boiling point and separate them from a mixture. The method is very gentle on the substances and highly selective, as only a few substances are steam-volatile. Amphetamine is one of these substances.
To perform this method, you will need specific equipment and ideally have experience with laboratory work. It's important to know what you are doing to avoid compromising your yield or, worse, encountering significant problems.
Assuming you have already liberated the amphetamine base and have it solvent-free, either through the method mentioned above or by some other means, it is essential to familiarize yourself with safe distillation practices beforehand. You can refer to resources like Chapter 19 here.
Required Equipment:

Assembly of the distillation apparatus:
First, place the stand on a stable surface and secure it with clamps.
Next, securely attach the three-necked distillation flask to the stand and place it on the magnetic stirrer with heating plate.
Make sure the flask is stable and upright, without wobbling.
Initially, attach the ground glass caps (NS 24/29) and stoppers (NS 24/29) to the necks of the distillation flask.
For the "steam kettle," use a second three-necked flask with ground glass joints (NS 24/29).
Seal the middle, long neck with a stopper and place a riser tube on the inlet neck of the flask for added safety.
Secure the "steam kettle" with a stand to ensure its stability.
Connect the outlet of the steam kettle to the inlet neck of the three-necked distillation flask (NS 24/29) using a hose and a suitable ground glass connector (NS 24/29).
Next, connect the ground glass outlet (NS 24/29) of the distillation flask to the ground glass inlet (NS 24/29) of the Liebig condenser using a distillation head with vertical side arm, 2 NS 29/32 cores, 1 NS 14/23 socket.
Align the condenser so that the upper part (inlet) of the condenser is positioned above the distillation flask, and the lower part points towards the collection vessel.
Attach a distillation thermometer with NS 14/23 joint to the socket of the distillation head. The length of this thermometer should correspond to your specific requirements, meaning it should only measure the temperature of the gas phase and not dip into the liquid.
Check that all connections are tight and stable. Finally, connect the lower end of the Liebig condenser to another two-necked flask with a ground glass joint (NS 24/29) using an appropriate connector.
Insert the connector into the inlet neck of the two-necked flask.
This two-necked flask serves as a collection container for the distillate and should also be secured by a stand.
It should have two necks because a screw valve with ground glass joint 24/29 is screwed into the remaining free neck.
This valve allows the release of any pressure if necessary.
Once everything is set up, perform a test run and distill a certain amount of water as a trial. If everything is sealed, stable, and without any issues, you can proceed. Otherwise, disassemble everything and reassemble it carefully.

Practical procedure:
First, add approximately five to ten times the volume of water compared to the corresponding amount of amphetamine, along with boiling stones, into the steam kettle and seal it tightly with a stopper.
Then, add the amphetamine base into the distillation flask and seal it tightly with a stopper as well.
Now, heat both the steam kettle and the distillation flask to 100 degrees Celsius, but stir the contents of the distillation flask gently.
Carefully monitor the distillation process.
The hot water in the steam kettle will act as carrier steam, vaporizing the amphetamine. The distilled amphetamine condenses in the Liebig condenser together with the water vapor and flows into the collection vessel.
Pay close attention to the temperature of the water vapor during the process. While the distillation process is in progress, the temperature will fluctuate and may not stabilize at a constant 100 degrees Celsius. Once the distillation process is complete, the temperature of the water vapor will stabilize and settle at 100 degrees Celsius.
At this point, you can stop the distillation process and separate the distilled amphetamine base from the water using liquid-liquid extraction.
Important: First, remove the steam inlet connection from the distillation flask! If you don't do this first and instead turn off the heat sources, a vacuum will be created in the steam kettle as the cooling water vapor condenses. If the inlet connection dips into the solution, the entire contents of the distillation flask will be sucked into the kettle.
Additional Notes:
The distillation flask should be filled to a maximum of two-thirds of its capacity at the beginning of distillation, which should be considered when purchasing the flask.
The steam kettle should have a volume several times greater than the volume of amphetamine because, in case of any unforeseen circumstances, you may need significantly more water than amphetamine.
The uniform heating of the steam kettle is not critical, but remember to include boiling stones. However, it is crucial to ensure even heating of the amphetamine.
An oil bath would be ideal as a heat source, but a magnetic stirrer with a heating plate will also suffice.
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2023.06.04 15:37 ARSENAL_DAILYNEWS Arsenal 22/23 Season Review

Arsenal 22/23 A Season Review Part 1 Of 3: August-World Cup: A Stunning Start.
After a blistering start to the season, Arsenal had now managed just 4 goals in their previous 5 games, they needed to find their shooting boots again and quickly. They had the opportunity to do that at home to Nottingham Forest, but it didn’t look likely when Bukayo Saka was forced to leave the field, having been unable to shake off an early knock he picked up from the usual defensive treatment he received. Though even in the brief time he was on the field, Saka did notch an assist finding the head of Martinelli to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead. For the rest of the first half though, Arsenal struggled to re-find the killer instinct that had deserted them recently. In the second half, it returned, with Saka’s replacement Reiss-Nelson, on for his first league minutes of the season getting his first goal of the campaign, which will have done much-needed wonders for his confidence. 3 minutes later and Nelson had his second with Arsenal really flourishing now, the volleyed finish coming from a Jesus cross after a neat link-up between him and Ƙdegaard. 5 minutes later and Partey added yet more gloss to the scoreline, giving Nelson an easy assist, as this goal was all about the Ghanaian midfielder’s excellent strike, of a similar calibre to his one against Tottenham. Jesus got his second assist of the day when Ƙdegaard made it 5, twinkle-toeing his way into the box before letting fly into the top corner. This concluded Arsenal’s busy month of October which saw them in action nine times. Xhaka’s 3 goals in October took his total for the season up to 4, and he picked up the Arsenal player of the month for a second consecutive month.
Arsenal began November by bringing to a close their Europa League group campaign against FC Zurich, knowing a win would secure them top spot. Zurich was merely playing for pride, their chances of progressing were already over. Tierney gave Arsenal the lead in the 17th minute with a fine strike from outside the box, expert technique from the left-back giving the keeper no chance. Arsenal’s old problems returned however with their failure to kill the game, by passing up good chances in both halves. In the end, they had to sweat somewhat for their win, holding on whilst Zurich pushed desperately for a famous equaliser. Arsenal held firm though and with 5 wins from 6 games, they had secured their path through and knew they now wouldn’t have to worry about the Europa League again until March.
Next up for Arsenal was a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Graham Potter’s Chelsea, whose woes were just beginning, having lost 4-1 at his former club Brighton the previous week. Arsenal made all of the first-half chances, dominating possession. The best chance came with a move that began in Arsenal’s own penalty area, with sharp one-touch passing they were in Chelsea’s half in seconds, with the ball reaching Martinelli down the left flank, he cut inside and was inches away from finding the unmarked head of Gabriel Jesus. Had Jesus been able to connect, it would have gone down as surely the finest team goal of the season.
The second half continued in the same vein, with Arsenal’s press suffocating the Chelsea players, forcing them to give up possession time and time again. The visitors continued to push for an opening goal, and it eventually came just past the hour-mark when Saka’s corner beat everyone and looked to be on its way straight in until Gabriel made sure by hitting it into the roof of the net from on the goalline. Arsenal managed 14 shots to Chelsea’s 5 and should have won by more, but as 1-0 wins go away at Stamford Bridge, it could not have been much more comfortable or straightforward. On the rare occasions, Chelsea reached the final third, they had no idea how to progress the ball in order to create a dangerous situation and Arsenal was content to see the game out for an excellent away victory.
Arsenal’s time in the Carabao Cup was short-lived, ending just as it began at home to Brighton in the 3rd round. Nketiah gave Arsenal the lead, but it lasted just 7 minutes when former Gunner Danny Welbeck equalised from the spot. 2 unanswered second-half goals from Mitoma and Lamptey ensured Arsenal’s exit, but there was a feeling from many that the club had bigger targets this season than the League Cup. Due to the first-ever winter World Cup, the Premier League would be halted for six weeks after Arsenal’s 14th league game of the season, which would be away at Wolves. Earlier that day City had slipped up at home to Brentford, this presented Arsenal with a great opportunity to go into the World Cup 5 points clear at the top. The best chance of the first half went to Jesus after he’d done brilliantly to make room for a shot in the box. However his luck in front of goal had deserted him, this being his 11th appearance without a goal, his last one coming against Spurs. As usual, though, he was one of Arsenal’s best performers in the first half, with Saka and Martinelli more subdued than usual. Perhaps understandably, they seemed to be somewhat preoccupied with thoughts of the World Cup, and with it now so close they didn’t seem keen to risk injury with their usual dribbling runs.
So in the second half Arsenal needed someone to step up, and that man was Martin Ƙdegaard. With Norway having failed to qualify for the World Cup, Arsenal was his one and only focus, and he delivered a captain’s performance. The opening goal came when a clever pass from Jesus found Vieira who had replaced the unwell Xhaka, he squared it across the six-yard box having drawn the goalkeeper out, and Ƙdegaard beat Saka to the tap-in. The Norwegian made sure of the win with a quarter of an hour to go when good play from Martinelli allowed him to backheel a pass through to Zinchenko who was unmarked in the box, his cross was cleared as far as Martinelli who forced a save from Sa, but he could do nothing about Ƙdegaard’s follow-up, his touch and shot leaving the keeper with no chance.
There had been reluctance from some, Arsenal fans or otherwise to accept the team as a true title contender. This was a club that after all had not even qualified for the Champions League in 5 years. As well they had the youngest manager and youngest team in the league. However, more and more doubters were turning into believers as Arsenal backed up a win over Spurs by beating Liverpool, and went away to Chelsea and won. Now due to the World Cup being played mid-season, Arsenal would sit 5 points clear of the rest on Christmas Day, and at this point, their title credentials could no longer be denied. They had won 12 of a possible 14, and when the chance to go into World Cup 5 clearly came up, they held their nerve and got the job done away from home. The World Cup gave me the chance to reflect on the season Arsenal had thus far and it had undoubtedly been an outstanding one, with all reasonable expectations surpassed. This mid-point gave time to assess Arsenal’s key individual performers in the Premier League and there had been many stand-outs in that regard.

Arsenal Player Ratings Up To The 2022 World Cup Break:

Ramsdale 8/10- His reliability and quality with the ball at his feet is essential to the way Arsenal play, and there are few better in the country when playing out from the back than the young English keeper. His standout performance came against Leeds, with his back against the wall, he refused to concede a goal.
White 9/10- After a good first season at centre-back, White went up another gear in this right-back slot, showing excellent quality with the ball at his feet, and the defensive side of his game was never found wanting either. Arsenal’s November player of the month.
Saliba 9/10- It was thought the young centre-half was special before he’d even kicked a Premier League ball, but he somehow managed to exceed expectations in his first 14 league games in Arsenal colours. The club’s best defender in the first part of the season.
Gabriel 8/10- He began the season with a few sloppy mistakes, but quickly got up to the level of his teammates. A goal at Chelsea and a big performance at Wolves ensured Arsenal went into the break sitting pretty at the top.
Zinchenko 7/10- Sadly the Ukrainian was injured for half of Arsenal’s league games, but when available Zinchenko demonstrated some of his quality, with the promise of more to come.
Tomiyasu & Tierney 7/10- As reliable as you could wish your full-back deputies to be, injuries meant they were often called upon, especially the Japanese International, and he was always up to the task be it in his more accustomed right-back position, or when deputising at left-back.
Partey 9/10- Injuries in previous seasons had prevented Partey from ever really hitting his top level, his performances in the first part of this season showed the midfielders considerable class this campaign however. 2 outstanding goals vs Forest and most memorably Spurs were the icing on the cake.
Xhaka 9/10- Fairly or unfairly Xhaka seemed to typify much of what was wrong with Arsenal between 2016 and 2021, too often he appeared an average midfielder in an average side. Here he was reborn, in a new role which gave him more of an attacking license, he was contributing goals, and assists and Arsenal fans were seeing the leadership qualities of a man loving his football.
Ƙdegaard 9/10- After making his loan move permanent in the previous summer, the captain has continued to prove himself one of Arsenal’s best signings in recent times. Possessing the quality of Ozil without the flakiness, Ƙdegaard has rightfully become a real fan favourite.
Vieira 5/10- The 22-year-old arrived from FC Porto for £30M. Scored a beauty on his first league start, but often struggled with the pace and physicality of the league and brief substitute appearances have not given him much time to adapt. Finished with some grounds for optimism after coming on in the first half away at Wolves for the unwell Xhaka and performing reasonably well.
Saka 9/10- The darling of the Arsenal faithful, Saka has received rough treatment from opposition full-backs and little protection from match officials, but he is too brave, determined and talented to let this stop him from scoring, assisting and tormenting almost at will. He seems to be improving on an almost monthly basis which is scary.
Martinelli 9/10- Quickly formed a devastating partnership with fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus. His directness, pace, hunger and finishing qualities made him just as difficult to stop as Saka in the opening part of the season.
Jesus 9/10- He’s a striker who went 11 games without a goal, yet his contributions to the team are so vital he remained un-droppable. That is the uniqueness of Jesus, for the goals may have dried up, but his quality never did. Match after match, he was relentless in his refusal to give opposing defences a minute of peace. His technical ability has been the key ingredient in lifting Arsenal up to another level. Along with Saliba, Arsenal’s best player of the first part of the season.
Arteta 10/10- The managers’ contribution cannot go unmentioned. He has demanded high standards and set the conditions which have enabled them to be realised. This has led a club that has been outside the Champions League for five years to set a pace that not even Guardiola’s City could match. He has been the catalyst in making a divided and despondent fanbase the most passionately engaged in the league, uniting everyone behind his players and staff.
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2023.06.04 15:34 ARSENAL_DAILYNEWS Arsenal 2022/23 Season Review.

Arsenal 22/23 A Season Review Part 1 Of 3: August-World Cup: A Stunning Start.
The 2022/23 season is Mikel Arteta’s 3rd full campaign in charge of Arsenal and as well the 3rd of his managerial career. His 1st game in the hot seat came on Boxing Day of 2019, a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth which saw Arsenal drop down a place to 12th in the table. Just a few months into his reign and Arteta was the first high-profile figure in English Football to be diagnosed with Covid-19, the virus which drew the Premier League to a standstill for 3 months and the wider world for a much longer time. It was to empty stadiums which Arsenal played out the remainder of their season which eventually concluded on the 1st of August. An 8th-placed finish was the club’s lowest since 1995. However, there was joy to be found as there so often has been for Arsenal, in the FA Cup. In the one and only Covid FA Cup Final played in front of no spectators Arsenal came from behind to defeat London rivals Chelsea for their record-extending 14th FA Cup, after reaching the final with an unlikely triumph over Manchester City in the semis. Arteta’s first half-season had ended brilliantly and his first full-season started in the same vein with more silverware following as Arsenal defeated Premier League Champions Liverpool to win the Community Shield. Tough times quickly followed and Arteta may have been somewhat grateful for the empty stadiums, as it’s questionable whether the board would have held their nerve and kept faith with such a young manager through this dreadful period had the fans been inside the ground and able to voice their frustrations. On Boxing Day of 2020, not only did Mikel celebrate the 1 year anniversary of his first match in charge, he celebrated a 3-1 victory over Chelsea, his side's first league win for nearly 2 months. It was the first time Saka, Martinelli & Smith Rowe all started a league game together for Arsenal. It was to prove a seminal moment, but it wasn’t enough to move his team up from 15th in the table. It was never so bad again for Arteta and his Arsenal team, with the side eventually settling for a repeat of the previous season’s finish, again coming in 8th. Failure to win the Europa League (exiting the competition to Villarreal in the Semi-Finals, who were incidentally managed by Unai Emery, the manager sacked prior to Arteta taking the job) meant that Arsenal would be without European football for the first time since the 95-96 campaign. And the 21-22 season would begin horribly with Arsenal bottom after 3 matches in which they failed to score and conceded 9 goals. However as the season progressed Arsenal began to find some resilience, quality and self-belief. The sides upheaval came not coincidentally around the time club captain Aubameyang was stripped of that duty before being allowed to depart for Barcelona in the January window. Aubameyang had been the team’s standout performer when winning the FA Cup, but since those performances had seen him rewarded with a new bumper contract which made him by far the club’s best-paid player, his attitude and performance level had become a problem that needed to be dealt with.
More so than any win, it was actually a home defeat to Champions City which perhaps best demonstrated this new Arsenal which was beginning to emerge. They took City on and pushed them all the way only to eventually lose in the 93rd minute, whilst being a man down for the final half-hour with centre-back Gabriel being harshly dismissed. The fight was on with local rivals Tottenham for the final Champions League spot and it was firmly in Arsenal’s hands until a run of 4 defeats in 5 allowed Spurs back into contention. The Gunners appeared to retake control with a run of 4 straight wins before losing tamely away at Spurs and then Newcastle, in the end missing out by 2 points. Throughout the season Arsenal had spells of real high-quality football, and the fans had taken to the project with more passion and belief than they had in the final years of Wenger’s reign or during Unai Emery’s short-lived stint. In the end, though they missed out on the prize of Champions League football due to a combination of injuries to important players and the inexperience of a young group.
Despite the significant setback of missing out on a Champions League spot having held it in their hands for many of the season’s final months, Arsenal still entered the summer of 2022 with plenty of reasons for optimism. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe had emerged as the real breakout stars of the prior season and Gabriel Martinelli wasn’t too far behind. There had been some clearly smart signings made by the club, in particular, those of Martin Ƙdegaard and Ben White, signed from Real Madrid and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively. The July purchases of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko for a combined 75M from Manchester City seemed yet more smart business, in them, they had picked up two quality players with four Premier League winners medals each, and both arriving aged 25 they seemed in the perfect age bracket to become big players for Arsenal not just for the immediate but as well the foreseeable future.
Jesus’ Arsenal debut came in a 5-3 friendly win over FC Nurnberg in which he scored twice. He followed this up with another in a 2-0 win over Everton as Arsenal continued their pre-season with a tour of the USA. Arsenal played 3 matches in America and won all 3, by far the most impressive being a 4-0 trouncing of Chelsea. The Gunners made it 5 pre-season wins from 5 when they returned home the following weekend to beat Sevilla 6-0 at the Emirates, a hattrick from Jesus meaning he had netted 7 goals in his first 5 appearances in Arsenal colours. Arsenal would get the Premier League season underway away at Crystal Palace, under the Friday night lights of Selhurst Park. No Premier League side would have envied them this difficult fixture, Arsenal had experienced just how tough it was 4 months prior when a 3-0 loss away at the ground began a torrid run of results for the Gunners. Arsenal had also begun the previous season away on a Friday night and come unstuck against newly promoted Brentford. Again Arsenal was straight back under the Premier League spotlight to see whether they had grown and matured from such damaging defeats last season. The Arsenal quickly proved they were up to the test, starting right on the front foot and keeping Palace penned back in their own third. Jesus immediately highlighted the new dimension he was going to bring to Arsenal’s attack, when his strength and then neat dribbling fashioned a great chance out of nothing, a chance Martinelli should have done much better with, his side-foot finish going the wrong side of the post with the goal gaping. The Brazilian would make up for it in the 20th minute when a corner was headed into the six-yard box by Zinchenko, who was picked out by Saka to deliver a free header. His head found Martinelli’s and from close range, he was able to notch Arsenal’s first of the league campaign. That was to be the only goal in the game for the next hour, but despite Arsenal’s slender lead they rarely looked in danger of being pegged back. On the instances that keeper Aaron Ramsdale was called into action, he was ready and dealt with Palace’s occasional threats soundly. The game was put beyond Crystal Palace in the 85th minute when Bukayo Saka’s dangerous ball across the six-yard box was headed into his own net by Guehi. This made certain of 3 richly deserved points for the Gunners.
Jamie Carragher for one was particularly impressed with the start Arsenal made to the game saying afterwards: ā€œArsenal played like a big team. When I say a big team, I’m talking about a Man City or Liverpool, a team who wherever they go, dominate the opposition. I felt like we were watching City or Liverpool in that first 20 minutes, half an hour.ā€ Fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was more impressed with Arsenal in the second half saying: ā€œThe question mark about Arsenal will be whether they’ve got that robustness and resilience, physicality to get through that difficult 15 or 20 minute periods in away matches, and they got through that (tonight) and that impressed me.ā€ Saliba was also singled out for praise with Carragher adding: ā€œHe looked the real deal. He adds something, we’ve always felt they were weak, at Brentford last season they got bullied and here last season, his physical stature will certainly help them in tough away games.ā€
Arsenal’s first home league game of the season was against Leicester City. The opening goal began with Jesus tormenting Johnny Evans tight to the touchline, after beating him he fed Martinelli who was able to get into the penalty area and find Xhaka, the Swiss international touched it first time back into Jesus who took a touch to steady himself then teased it over the head of Ward in the Leicester goal and into the net. It was an angle he had no right to try from, let alone score from but such was the Brazilian forwards confidence in front of the goal he fancied his chances from anywhere. The goal was nominated for Premier League goal of the month. Jesus got his second to double Arsenal’s advantage in the 35th minute, this time in a much simpler fashion. A corner across the six-yard box was not dealt with, a Leicester head on it only sped up its path to Jesus who was waiting to nod home from practically on the goal line.
Later in the first half, Leicester thought they had a way back into the game when referee Darren England pointed to the spot having judged Ramsdale to have brought down Jamie Vardy. However VAR advised him to check the monitor, and after re-watching the incident it was clear there was no contact made and the penalty decision was reversed. Leicester did still manage to half their deficit early in the second half though, a long ball was flicked on leaving Saliba in a difficult situation to deal with. Ramsdale was advancing but wouldn’t get there first and Vardy was waiting on the French defender’s shoulder, leaving him no alternative but to try and head the ball clear whilst facing his own goal. He only succeeded in diverting it into the net. This could have been a moment when the Arsenal crowd got nervous and frustrated. They had allowed a soft goal and their youngest defender was at fault. However the crowd immediately rallied behind Saliba and his teammates, he and the team needed help putting that mistake behind them and the crowd’s noise in the aftermath of conceding will have been reassuring to the players.
Demonstrating this, Arsenal went straight up the other end and scored, Ward made a meal of a cross, dropping it at the feet of Jesus who squared for Xhaka. The Swiss midfielder was being deployed in a new, more adventurous role where he was spending more time in the opposition box, he got his reward for this new tactic with a simple tap-in from right in front of the goal. Leicester would again reduce the home team’s lead to one however when Iheanacho found Maddison, who was able to shoot straight through Ramsdale. The young English keeper will have been disappointed at being so easily beaten from such an angle, his wide-open legs presenting the opportunity to the Leicester midfielder. Again Arsenal immediately responded to the setback by going up the other end and scoring again. This move began with Martinelli winning the ball back and feeding Ƙdegaard who moved the ball on to Jesus, who carried it forward before finding Martinelli who shot low from outside the box, he beat the outstretched Ward and hit the bottom corner, with the ball hitting the inside of the post on its way in. It had been a good day at the office for Arsenal and a great day for Gabriel Jesus, though despite scoring 2 and assisting the other 2 of Arsenal’s 4 goals, according to his manager Jesus left the field disappointed because: ā€œhe thinks he should have scored 4, that’s the sort of mentality you need. I wouldn’t like to play against him. He’s so mobile, intuitive, sharp and proactive in any moment or phase of the game.ā€
Arsenal next travelled to newly promoted Bournemouth. It took The Gunners just 5 minutes to take the lead and again it came from the phenomenal centre-forward play of Gabriel Jesus. A loose touch from White saw the ball launch high into the air, the Brazilian reacted first, beautifully controlling the ball whilst at the same time using his considerable body strength to hold off the Bournemouth midfielder, with exceptional balance he then dribbled around two other Bournemouth shirts until he was on the edge of the box facing their defence, with a lovely disguised pass he then fed Martinelli who was free to his left, his shot was saved but it fell straight at the feet of new captain Martin Ƙdegaard who was on hand to notch his first of the season. Rightfully though the praise went to Jesus with commentator Alan Smith saying: ā€œYou won’t see a better example of centre forward play than this.ā€
Ƙdegaard had to wait just 6 more minutes for his second of the season, a cross along the floor from White found Jesus who was free, his first touch wasn’t the best but it allowed it to set up nicely for the Norwegian to strike first time, which he duly did and the ball flashed into the net. Early in the second half and Arsenal had a third goal, with Xhaka setting it back to Saliba just inside the penalty area. Saliba struck it beautifully the first time, keeping his shot down under the bar and too perfectly placed for the keeper to do anything about. It was just Saliba’s second goal in senior football but he had finished it with the class and composure of a player who had scored 200. The strike drew Zinchenko to his knees, clutching his head in disbelief at the quality of the finish and unsurprisingly it was voted as Arsenal’s goal of the month. Jesus thought he’d netted Arsenal’s 4th but a VAR check ruled the goal out for offside, so the North Londoners had to settle for a 3-0 win in what had been an excellent away performance.
The Arsenal faced more newly promoted opposition the following week, this time back at home against Fulham for Arteta’s 100th Premier League game in charge. They would be without Zinchenko and Partey who had picked up injuries and were replaced by Tierney and Elneny respectively. The best chance of the first half went to Saka who got beyond his marker to face Leno one-against one, but he was unable to beat the keeper. It would be Fulham who took the lead however with Arsenal falling behind for the first time in the season. From the full-back position, Saka flighted a ball into Gabriel, who unnecessarily played himself into trouble. He never seemed to have the ball truly under his spell, and his second touch invited Mitrovic to try and take it off him, the defender then got his body positioning wrong, and failed to protect the ball allowing the forward to nick it from behind him and then the Serb was able to keep his composure and finish past Ramsdale.
Fulham’s lead lasted just 8 minutes, Martin Ƙdegaard lodging Arsenal’s response. There was a degree of good fortune about the goal, with a big deflection on the strike. But there was no doubt the Norwegian had deserved it, he was having an outstanding game with all of Arsenal’s danger coming through him. He was constantly creating, with inventive passes and dribbling runs. In this instance, a clever stepover had bought him the space for the shot. Ƙdegaard continued to lead Arsenal’s push for a winner with he, in particular, deserving to be on the winning side, and the winner did come though not until the 86th minute. Leno failed to deal with a corner, missing his attempted punch clearance and the ball fell at the feet of Gabriel who was able to gain the perfect redemption for his earlier error by securing all 3 points for his side. The goal kept Arsenal at the top of the Premier League as they remained the only team with a 100% record.
Arsenal finished August with another home game, facing Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa. This presented Arsenal with a chance to win their opening 5 league games for the first time since 2004. Saka passed up a golden opportunity to give Arsenal the ideal start when Martinelli’s cross found him completely free at the back post, it was set up perfectly for Saka to hit on the volley, which he did but he got too under the ball and lifted it horribly high and wide from inside the six-yard box. An Arsenal opening goal felt inevitable however and it came on the half-hour mark when Emi Martinez could only push out an Xhaka shot as far as Gabriel Jesus, who was on hand to punish him. Martinez did go someway to redeeming himself later in the half with an excellent stop to deny a brilliant half-volley from Martinelli from 25 yards out.
Arsenal dominated the first half and continued their domination in the second but could not increase their advantage, it was instead Aston Villa who got the second goal of the game, in a somewhat controversial fashion. A corner from Douglas Luiz went straight into the net with Ramsdale unable to reach the ball due to his path being completely blocked by Kamara, who also limited the keepers’ movement by having both arms wrapped around his back. The goal stood but Arsenal cancelled it out in their own way, by going straight up the Villa end and retaking the lead. Saka coolly picked out Martinelli who struck it the first time on the half volley, Martinez clawed desperately at the ball but could not prevent it from going over his goal line and The Gunners were able to see the victory out. Arsenal’s player of the month was unsurprisingly Gabriel Jesus with 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 games. Arsenal’s maximum points after 5 games saw Mikel Arteta pick up Premier League manager of the month.
Arsenal started September with a chance to go 4 points clear of City in 2nd, after just six games. Standing in their way was Manchester United who would be hosting the Gunners at Old Trafford, a ground Arsenal had only won at once in the league since 2006, that one as well being without fans during the Covid season. Arsenal was boosted by the return of Zinchenko but had to start with their 3rd choice midfielder Sambi Lokonga for the Partey role after Elneny had followed the Ghanaian onto the treatment table. Regardless of the blow, Arsenal appeared to have made the ideal start when Saka threaded the needle and put Martinelli clean through on goal. The Brazilian finished brilliantly to give Arsenal the lead, but VAR advised the referee to have a look at a potential foul in the build-up. On review, the referee judged Ƙdegaard to have won the ball from Eriksen unfairly and chalked the goal off. The intervention made by Lee Mason on VAR was later judged by a Premier League review to be an incorrect one, the minimal contact not penalised in real-time by the ref was judged not to be a clear or obvious error. The review came too little and too late as far as Arsenal were concerned as they’d lost their lead and instead found themselves trailing at half-time after a good move from United culminated in a debut goal for Antony who finished past Ramsdale.
VAR’s intervention in the Arsenal goal was always likely to prove a vital one as remarkably United had not lost at Old Trafford when leading at half-time since 1984. This showed the size of Arsenal’s task going into the second half, but they continued to probe and ask questions of United and they got their equaliser on the hour mark when the ball broke to Saka in the penalty area after Ƙdegaard had looked to thread one through to Jesus. United dealt with that immediate threat but could only clear as far as Saka who slotted through the legs of Martinez for his first of the season. Arsenal looked to be in the ascendancy, but they were only level for 6 minutes. Overcommitting bodies forward left them without a midfield and after winning it back United was able to counter-attack with Bruno Fernandes who looked and found Rashford in behind the defence and he put United back in front. Arteta reacted immediately by looking to chase the game, giving a debut to summer recruit Fabio Vieira. The changes appeared to backfire however as Arsenal were left with even fewer defensive bodies on the field and in the 75th minute they were cut through once more, with Eriksen and Rashford both left in acres of space as United hit Arsenal once more on the counter-attack. It was a horrible goal for Arsenal to concede, it reminded of the worst years of Wenger with everyone so committed to attacking they had no thought for defending. Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season going down 3-1.
There were some positives to take in how confidently and capably they had passed the ball around, however, United had defended their penalty area very well and counter-attacked effectively. The frustration for Arsenal was how they had helped them in that regard, by leaving key areas of the midfield devoid of players. Partey had been very badly missed, and to a lesser extent so had Elneny whose defensive intelligence would not have seen him vacate his position as often as Lokonga did. The third goal conceded was perhaps the responsibility of Arteta who had gone all out attack mode too early, given the counter-attacking success United were already enjoying.
Arsenal got the chance to put the defeat behind them 4 days later when they began their Europa League campaign. They were placed in Group A alongside PSV Eindhoven, Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich, and would kick off against the latter away in Switzerland. Summer signings Matt Turner and Marquinhos made their competitive debuts, and Vieira would make his full debut. Arsenal did some counterattacking of their own in the 16th minute when Vieira found Nketiah who travelled down the wing before playing a great ball across the box which found Marquinhos who expertly finished the first time into the top corner. The hosts equalised on the verge of half-time however when Nketiah was judged to have committed an offence in his own penalty box. The death of the Queen being announced during the first half led to the unusual circumstance of a minute’s silence taking place before the second half. When it did kick off, Arsenal regained the lead in the 62nd minute through Nketiah who was found with a delightful ball by Marquinhos who had made a fine debut. That’s how the score remained. Arsenal would not be in Premier League action that weekend, with their home game against Everton being postponed due to the Queen’s passing. Also delayed was their home game against PSV the following week, so the team were not back in action until 10 days after the Zurich game when they travelled to Brentford.
Arsenal dominated the games opening and took a deserved lead in the 17th minute when Saliba’s header from a corner struck the inside of the post on its way over the line. Just shy of the half-hour mark and Arsenal had their second, again with a header, this time it was Gabriel Jesus who rose to meet Xhaka’s perfectly placed ball. The Gunners then got the ideal start to the second half, when Vieira, making his first start in the Premier League in place of the unavailable Ƙdegaard, struck a beauty out of nowhere from well outside the box for Arsenal’s September goal of the month. Arsenal was in cruise control, always looking like the more likely team to score whilst barely giving Brentford sight of their goal. In the final minutes, Ethan Nwaneri came on for his Arsenal debut, aged 15 years and 181 days he became the youngest player to ever appear in the Premier League. After the match, Brentford Manager Thomas Frank was one of the first to tip Arsenal for a title challenge saying: ā€œI think they will do brilliantly. I think they compete for the title now.ā€ Xhaka was the resounding winner of Arsenal player of the month picking up 83% of the votes. A once deeply unpopular player, his turnaround best exemplified the strides in the right direction Arsenal were taking.
After the international break, Arsenal returned to action in the North London Derby against hated rivals Tottenham. Arsenal went into the fixture just one point above their opponents. Spurs were content to let Arsenal have possession whilst aiming to contain them and spring counterattacks. They kept Arsenal at bay until the 20th minute when Thomas Partey shot from over 20 yards out and hit it so perfectly that Lloris couldn’t get so much as a fingertip to it, the ball flew past him into the net for Arsenal’s goal of the month. Spurs responded in the 31st minute however after a good counterattack between the front three of Kane, Son and Richarlison saw the latter presented with a chance to cross from inside the penalty area and Arsenal did not effectively deal with the situation, a loose touch from Xhaka put his side back in trouble and Gabriel was panicked into conceding a penalty. Kane stepped up and of course, scored for the 7th time from the spot against Arsenal. This sent the sides in at the break-level pegging.
Arsenal regained the upper hand early in the second half after a shot by Saka was spilt by Lloris to his centre-half Romero who, under pressure from Jesus, looked to return it to the French keeper. Lloris missed the ball, it travelled under his body and then Jesus reacted first to poach it home. Spurs hopes of drawing level for a second time were damaged when Emerson Royal was shown a straight red card in the 62nd minute for a stupid and unnecessarily bad tackle on Martinelli. Arsenal quickly punished this ill discipline getting their third 5 minutes afterwards, with Granit Xhaka rifling past Lloris. At this stage Conte retreated to avoid a hammering, he accepted defeat and took off his offensive players, bringing on defenders to ensure the score line didn’t get embarrassing and Arsenal saw out a comfortable 3-1 derby win. Arsenal next returned to Europa League action putting Bodo/Glimt to the sword with a 3-0 win, goals coming from Nketiah, Holding and Vieira, the latter after brilliant footwork in the box from substitute Jesus.
Next up for Arsenal was another tough test at home against Liverpool. With a win, Arsenal would return to the top of the Premier League. Arsenal had faced Liverpool 4 times the previous season, failing to win any, losing 3 times including twice at home. They had also failed to even score against Liverpool in their last 6 meetings with them, but they needed just 58 seconds on this day, with Saka finding Ƙdegaard, whose ball between Van Dijk and Alexander Arnold put in Martinelli who finished beyond Alisson. Liverpool recovered well from the nightmare start however and was the better team from that point until they got their deserved equaliser in the 34th minute through Darwin Nunez. It was Arsenal however who went into half-time with the lead when Martinelli led a brilliant counter-attack from a Liverpool set piece, finally taking out both Arnold and Henderson by cutting inside and finding an unmarked Saka who slid in to put his team back in the ascendancy.
Again Liverpool responded well, equalising for a second time early in the second half through Roberto Firmino. From that point on though Arsenal found another level, they searched feverishly for a winning goal, looking to pass Liverpool to death and calving many openings. The noise inside the Emirates had reached deafening decibels as the fans urged their team on. The golden chance came with just under 15 minutes to go when Thiago was judged to have caught the back of Jesus’s foot inside the penalty area, having been beaten to the ball by the striker. Saka stepped up and held his nerve, confidently dispatching an excellent spot kick. Arsenal held out for what was in the end a deserved win after an excellent second-half display. In a decision that had raised a few eyebrows, Tomiyasu had been drafted in for a first league start of the season to go into an unfamiliar left-back position, the move paid dividends as the Japanese international had a fine game up against Mo Salah. The result put Arsenal 14 clear of Liverpool who had endured a dreadful start to the season.
ā€œThese are broad shoulders, this is courage. A sporting moment in time. Bukayo Saka.. Such poise! such noise!ā€ – Peter Drury as Saka beats Alisson Becker from the penalty spot.
Four days later Arsenal made it 3 wins from 3 in the Europa, with an away win in Norway on the artificial pitch of Bodo/Glimt. A sole goal from Bukayo Saka was enough after he got on the end of a one-two with Lokonga. His initial shot was blocked by a defender but the ball then deflected in after coming back off the Arsenal winger. Bodo calved out many good chances for themselves but was let down by woeful finishing, squandering chance after chance by blazing high and wide of the target. Arsenal then returned to Premier League action at Elland Road against Leeds, though 40 minutes behind schedule after a power outage just after the game had initially kicked off caused the game to need restarting once power had returned.
Again Saka was the only man to get himself on the scoresheet, his goal coming after Jesus had passed up a golden chance to open the scoring failing to hit the net from close range after Ƙdegaard had found him with a backheeled flick. Jesus attempted to lift the ball over the keeper, but he lifted it too high and it ended up over the crossbar. Arsenal did not let Leeds off a second time however and punished them after a sloppy cross-field pass from Leeds midfielder Rodrigo only found Saka who headed it into Ƙdegaard’s path. Ƙdegaard’s return pass then asked a lot of the winger, but his speed allowed him to reach the ball first. Saka was faced with a tight angle, but it didn’t phase him one bit and he picked out the top corner hitting it high into the roof of the Leeds net.
The second half was full of drama, first when Bamford thought he’d equalised but was instead penalised for a foul on Gabriel. The Leeds striker received a second chance though when Saliba was found guilty of a handball in the box after the referee had checked the monitor. Ramsdale guessed correctly in his dive, but in the end, he wasn’t required as Bamford’s penalty went wide of the post. Arsenal continued to suffer in the second half, struggling to cope with the Leeds onslaught and maintain their slender advantage. Through fatigue and pressure from the home side, Arsenal had lost all ability to pass the ball and could do little else but stay in their own half and try to defend. Ramsdale proved his worth to this Arsenal side with his best performance of the season to date, right when his team needed him most. It appeared as though Arsenal had got the job done when crazily they conceded a second penalty of the half in additional time. Patrick Bamford was nowhere near the ball which was safely back with Ramsdale when Gabriel was penalised for a kick out in the box on the Leeds forward. As well as a penalty, the Brazilian centre-back was also dismissed. However on a VAR review, it was clear that Bamford had fouled Gabriel first, barging him to the floor, so rightfully the decision was reversed and Gabriel’s red card was rescinded. Arsenal held on to a win they’d scarcely deserved and it proved an even bigger win later that day when City lost at Anfield meaning The Gunners stayed 4 points clear after 10 games.
The following Thursday Arsenal were back in action in the Europa League. They were originally scheduled to host Manchester City in the league that mid-week, but the Queens’ death led to the postponement of Arsenal’s fixture with PSV, and it was re-arranged to this game week. Arsenal battered their Dutch visitors, in the end mustering 25 shots to Eindhoven’s 4. As was often the case Saka and Jesus were the standout performers. The young English winger was unstoppable in his direct dribbling runs, unstoppable that is without resorting to fouling, which PSV defenders did time and time again after being skinned by Saka’s great ball control when running at speed. Jesus was similarly dangerous, doing his usual thing of fashioning chances out of nowhere with his quick thinking and somehow even quicker feet. In the end, though the deadlock was broken by Xhaka in the 70th minute when Tomiyasu found him in space 15 yards from the goal. He hit the shot down into the ground and it bobbled just at the right time to go under the keeper and past him.
Next Arsenal travelled to struggling Southampton looking to make it 9 straight wins across the Premier League and Europa. They started fast, and when Xhaka finished off White’s cross with a brilliant volley into the back of the net in the 11th minute, it looked like it would be a case of how many, as it wasn’t the first good chance Arsenal had created. For the first 20 minutes, Southampton couldn’t get out of their own half, Ƙdegaard cleverly found Jesus with a lifted return pass but his volley was straight at Bazunu in the Saints goal. Jesus was in again after a long ball flighted over the head of Caleta-Car putting the Brazilian clean through until the defender dragged him back using both arms. There seemed to be enough contact for 3 separate penalties in there, but unbelievably the referee Robert Jones didn’t point to the spot and nor did VAR intervene. One of the most inexplicable decisions of the season, and that’s saying something, meant that Arsenal went in at the break only a single goal to the good.
The Southampton defence must have felt encouraged from not being penalised inside the box, as the fouling continued on Jesus outside the box for much of the second half, Lyanco getting away with man-handling Arsenal’s striker time and time again, wrapping both arms around his body whenever the ball was anywhere near the Brazilian. Jones did not however ignore perceived ā€˜diving’ from Saka showing him a yellow card for simulation, even though there did appear to be some contact. A one-sided refereeing performance and poor finishing from Arsenal allowed the home team back into the game and they got the equalising goal with 25 minutes to go through Armstrong after a swift move cut through Arsenal’s defence. In the 78th minute, Ƙdegaard thought he’d put Arsenal back in front but Tierney had just carried the ball beyond the line before he was able to cut it back into his captain’s path.
The Gunners had to settle for a point and an end to their winning run, paying the price for not scoring more in the first half. As they began to tire in the second half Southampton calved out some good chances of their own, but there’s no doubt the visitors were also harmed by a dire refereeing performance. The dropped points cut Arsenal’s lead at the top down to two. Another away game followed for The North London side as next they travelled to Eindhoven. With 2 group games remaining, they needed just 1 more win to secure the top spot which would mean they progressed straight through to the final 16, without the need for a playoff game. However Arsenal’s performance was poor, PSV were the better team for 90 minutes and good value for their 2-0 win.
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2023.06.04 15:31 CozyMicrobe It's not just a smart house, it's a smart home

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2023.06.04 14:56 Danklyy The second Rayne administration: my headcanon for a second term in office (Chapter 1, part 1)

This is my headcanon for the events following Suzerain as the game played out in my (communist) playthrough:
Disclaimer 1: This obviously includes many spoilers from the game.
Disclaimer 2: This story is written with storytelling and lore at the forefront, not necessarily gameplay accuracy.
(Part 2 is on my page if you can't find it elsewhere)
Disclaimer 3: This is only the first chapter (and backstory) of this headcanon story/fanfic/whatever you want to call it. I want to write more, but would like to see what people in the Suzerain community think about the writing so far and if they’d like to see more of it. :)
Background:
Anton Rayne got elected President of Sordland in his first term by promising progress and an end to the recession. In his term, he managed to fulfill these promises and more.
He ended the recession through several economic programs including an infrastructure program that included the building of a highway in Agnland, the distribution of stimulus checks for people in need, an agricultural revitalisation program in the city of Sarna, an economic revitalisation program in the greater region of Bergia, and the establishment of the Fair Trade and Competition Commission.
Rayne had also enacted his foreign policy that prioritised self-determination and non-intervention, which resulted in improved relations with many nations and many new trade deals with Wehlen, Agnolia, and Valgsland. In slight contrast with this policy, however, Rayne entered Sordland into the Contanan Security Pact. While this move alienated Sordland from some western-alligned nations such as Lespia and Arcasia, it increased trade and cooperation with nations of the east and many of the rising powers in Rika and Xina.
Rayne had also enacted gradual reforms of the economic direction of the country by nationalising several large corporations, most notably Gasom and Bergia steel. In order to temporarily appease the oligarchs, Rayne had through his nationalisation of Bergia steel, let Marcel Koronti, one of Sordland’s most powerful oligarchs, increase his power within his circle of oligarchs. He had also, through the extra income the state had earned from nationalisation and trade deals, been able to cut taxes for all, which further appeased the oligarchs. Rayne, as a communist, saw the oligarchs as a threat, however, he saw the sollists, nationalists, and fascists as a bigger threat that required a temporary appeasement of the oligarchs in order to focus on a larger threat within the nation. Towards the end of his term, however, when the old guard had in large part been brought down, Rayne removed the independence of Sordland’s central bank, a body of financial governing that had long been an extension of the power of the Lothenburg Group.
One of Rayne’s big promises of progressive reform included an increase in the healthcare and education budgets. This was also a promise Rayne was able to deliver on, and through the skillful leadership of education minister Ciara Walda and healthcare minister Paskal Beniwoll, the government was able to efficiently use this budget to make many positive changes to the education and healthcare systems in Sordland.
The increased healthcare budget was used to improve the quality of healthcare services provided in the country, especially in rural areas, as well as a complete subsidisation of dental care and prescription medicine for all and the relocation of doctors to rural areas. The Rayne administration also enacted several taxes on consumer products harmful to the health of the people, including a tax on tobacco and alcohol products.
The large educational reform that Rayne embarked on included a large scholarship program for impoverished families, the building of several hundred schools across rural areas of the country, and the relocation of teachers to rural areas. The reform also radically changed the curriculum of Sordish schools, with desollinisation of schools and an implementation of critical pedagogy and a larger focus on science, physical education, and the teaching of subjects unburdened by sollism. Rayne later established rural education institutes across rural areas of Sordland in order to further improve the availability and quality of education in rural Sordland.
The rights of women and minorities also became a critical issue for the Rayne administration. The first lady, Monica Rayne became a large figurehead in the battle against patriarchy and alongside Ciara Walda they established the Commission on the Status of Women and passed the women’s liberation act that included policies that helped victims of domestic violence, abolished the gender pay gap, affirmed equal access to education for all, and enacted maternity leave laws and state-funded daycare. The support of this commission and its policies, along with Rayne’s personal funding of the Sordish League of Women made them a loyal political ally to Rayne and his inner circle.
President Rayne also became known for his pro-Bludish sentiment that led to a political alliance with Mansoun Leke and the declaration of the minority rights act, the establishment of the minority rights commission that would be headed by Leke, and the granting of amnesty to soll-era political prisoners, many of which were Bludish activists.
Rayne’s other progressive reforms included a vast expansion of the sordish welfare program, that came to include the establishment of the Comission of Social Progress and Uplift, the workers rights act that gave better pay and better conditions to workers across Sordland, two new social benefits programs, one for the unemployed and one for impoverished families, as well as a complete subsidy of public transport and a lowering of the retirement age.
As a communist and subscriber to the ideas of Karlos Marcias, Rayne believed that for Sordland to enter a new age of socialism and communism, the power of the existing dictatorship of the bourgeoisie had to be toppled and replaced with a dictatorship of the proletariat. He saw the judiciary and legislature as being tools of the bourgeoisie. However, the presidency, now under a communist president, was Sordland’s chance for the establishment of a dictatorship of the proletariat. Rayne believed that he had to topple the bourgeois institutions of government, and replace them with new ones that represented the proletariat. During his first term, he started doing this with a very risky play. Namely reforming the constitution to give wide-ranging powers to the presidency while he continued to build a dictatorship of the proletariat.
The constitutional reforms included the replacement of the presidential veto with a pocket veto, removing the supreme court’s power to vote on constitutional amendments, removing the ability for the president to be impeached, decreasing the electoral threshold to 8% thus allowing Rayne’s Bludish and communist allies into the legislature, removing the requirement of reviews of presidential decrees, removing the immunity of judges, and abolishing the honorary position and immunity of Tarquin Soll.
Rayne used his new powers to crush the reactionary forces of Sordland, starting with a complete reshuffling of the supreme court. As an extension of the removal of Tarquin Soll’s immunity, Soll was then put on trial in front of a new supreme court that found him guilty and sentenced him to life in prison. After Soll’s imprisonment the Rayne administration started their de-sollinisation efforts in full. Rayne also established the anti-corruption police that he used to investigate corruption within the old guard.
The ACP found evidence of several sollists collaborating with the Young Sords in order to assassinate communist politician Bernard Circas. The investigation led to the arrest of many sollist politicians, most notably minister of interior Lilias Graff and former members of the supreme court Orso Hawker and Heron Garaci. With the old guard crippled, Rayne took advantage of the situation in order to change the manifesto of the United Sordland Party to move away from sollism and towards socialism.
In order to further consolidate his power, Rayne used his presidential decree powers to purge the general staff and thus remove the military’s power in internal political affairs. In the aftermath of this purge, minister of defence Iosef Lancea was also made commander of the sordish armed forces in place of Valken Kruger. Rayne also established the Sordish Radio and Television Supreme Council that he primarily used to further rein in the propaganda spread by the old guard, liberals and oligarchs. Rayne also started funding the Red Youth, an organisation he had previously been a member of, thus winning him another political ally outside of government.
The rising threat of Rumburg was also handled during Rayne’s first term. Using his diplomatic skill as a former diplomat in the foreign ministry, Rayne de-escalated the conflict and made Rumburg appear as an aggressor on the world stage. Any uncertainty about the threat of invasion was then put to rest when Rayne entered Sordland into a military alliance with Valgsland and later joined the Contanan Security Pact.
But as elections approached instability within the Rayne cabinet appeared. First with a political scandal that led to the arrest of Illana Vance, the Rumburg spy that had posed as President Rayne’s assistant. This scandal also led to Vice President Petr Vectern resigning, retiring from politics, and going to rehab. Lucian Galade was appointed Vice President in his stead. The instability continued however, with the resignation of several ministers including minister of economy Symon Holl due to ideological differences with the President, minister of health Paskal Beniwoll due to concern for the President’s machiavellian tactics, and minister of justice Nia Morgna and minister of education Ciara Walda both due to the President’s constitutional reforms.
This flood of resignations coupled with the arrest of minister of interior Lileas Graf and the retirement of foreign minister Deivid Wisci left a vacuum of power within the administration that Rayne had a clear plan on how to fill after his reelection.
After the election, the results came in with a big change in the political environment of Sordland. The USP came in first with a slight increase in votes since the 1953 election, the NFP came in second, thus becoming the second biggest party in the country, and the PFJP suffered a loss, losing a significant amount of votes to the USP, BFP, WPB, and CPS. The Communist party of Sordland finally made the threshold and due to the popularisation of communism under the Rayne administration they were able to become a legislative power to rival the PFJP. The Workers party of Bludia were unable to make the threshold however, due to the Bludish vote being split between the WPB and the BFP.
As Rayne took to the stage for his victory speech, he reaffirmed his commitment to a turn to the left and to the east and promised further expansion of Sordland’s welfare system and political and social reforms. He declared that this was the start of the Sordish Revolution.
Chapter 1: Inauguration Day
In the aftermath of Rayne’s victory speech and after meeting with the people of Sordland at a USP rally, Anton Rayne entered the black presidential car and was met with a smile through the rear-view mirror and the eternally joyful voice of his driver, Serge, greeting him: ā€œThat was a great speech Mr. President, I am glad you got re-elected. Where to now?ā€ Rayne smiled slightly as he always did when hearing the voice of the man who had become one of his closest friends during the last four years. ā€œI am glad to hear that Serge, thank you for all of your support these years, I am really grateful for all your kind words.ā€ Rayne took a slight pause before continuing ā€œWe’re off to 137 Wisci Avenue.ā€ ā€œRight away, sir.ā€
As the two sat in the car in momentary silence, Anton regretted having to leave his wife and daughter at the rally with Lucian. But Monica was strong, he thought to himself. She would be able to handle herself against Lucian if he were to try anything. After another few moments of silence, it was finally broken when Anton realised this wasn’t the same car he had been chauffeured around in earlier in the day. It was similar enough he hadn’t noticed, but it was newer and frankly more comfortable to sit in. ā€œWhen did you get a new car, Serge?ā€ ā€œFinally noticed it, eh Mr. President?ā€ He continued ā€œBut it isn’t my car, it’s yours, you’re the President, I am merely your driverā€ ā€œThe car was a gift. Sent from Chancellor Hegel in Valgsland, as a congratulatory gift for winning the elections. It seems you made quite the impact on him when you visited him in Haelm.ā€ Anton adjusted his posture in his seat and asked Serge what he thought of the Chancellor. ā€œOh, I don’t follow the politics of other countries that closely sir, but if he made a deal with you he must be a smart man.ā€ Rayne, slightly tired after the rally, simply replied ā€œYou’re too kind, Sergeā€ and resorted to staring out the window as the ride continued through the streets of Holsord.
After a while, the two men in the car started to see a gradual decline in the quality of the houses and infrastructure on the streets as they got further from the hill of pride. Once the car rolled onto Wisci Avenue there seemed to be a slight improvement in the quality of the street, however it was still a far cry from the hill of pride. Suddenly the car stopped. ā€œHere we are, sir. 137 Wisci Avenue.ā€ Before Anton could say thank you, Serge was already outside of the car opening the door for his president. Anton stepped out and was then able to thank his driver for the pleasant drive and conversation.
He stepped onto the cracked pavement as Serge got back into the car. Anton instinctively put his hands in his trouser pockets, only to find a packet of cigarettes there. As he took them out of his pocket he was reminded of the time he had caught his son, Franc, smoking, and he further was reminded of the promise he made to Franc to stop smoking. Granted it had become easier to stop after the tobacco tax had been implemented, but it was still a difficult task. Anton promised himself he would call Franc when he got home to see how he was faring in medical school in United Contana. He looked back at Serge and called out his name. ā€œCould you take this and throw it away for me?ā€ Anton threw his last packet of cigarettes to Serge who nodded back at him in acknowledgement. ā€œThanks, Serge. I’ll be back in a few minutes.ā€ Anton said as he walked into the building ahead.
It was a two-story flat-building, more specifically it was the home of Ciara Walda, among other people. As the President walked into the building he was surprised by the interior, which was far more well kept than he expected. As he walked up the stairs however, there was still a quite distinct creak with every step he took. When Anton reached the top he stood directly in front of a door that said ā€œ1B Walda Residenceā€. Rayne knocked on the door and was soon met with a slightly dishevelled former minister of education. Ciara looked her usual self for the most part, aside from looking quite a lot less put together than usual. She was sporting an old bathrobe and slippers, as opposed to her usual political uniform of a pantsuit or dress. ā€œMr. President?ā€ Ciara blurted out, trying to hide her slight surprise at the situation. ā€œPlease Ciara, you don’t work for me anymore, and I know you don’t care for formalities.ā€ Ciara slightly adjusted herself and tried to put on her poker face she had become known for during her time in politics. ā€œWould you care for a drink, Anton?ā€ She didn’t wait for a reply however and simply entered her home, leaving Anton to catch the door and come inside.
ā€œTea would be niceā€ Anton replied as he walked into Ciara’s flat. He heard a call from the kitchen ā€œAlready started making it.ā€ Anton let out a slight chuckle at Ciara’s unique demeanour as he followed her voice to find his way to the kitchen. The flat was a lot nicer than he expected. Far from luxurious, but it was nicely decorated and brightly lit with large windows, something that was somewhat surprising given that this flat belonged to Ciara Walda of all people.
As Anton found the kitchen, Ciara had already moved into the living room with two cups of tea in her hands. Anton sat down across from her and thanked her for the tea as she sat it down on the coffee table. ā€œI suppose congratulations are in orderā€ she said with a barely detectable sadness in her voice. ā€œI hope congratulations will be in order for you tooā€ Anton said, giving Ciara a slightly puzzled look on her face. Before she could ask what the President meant, he continued ā€œRejoin my cabinet. I know you miss it.ā€ He paused for a brief moment, ā€œAnd I need you.ā€ he continued. ā€œYou are a talented politician, but you’ve been able to keep your ideals. I need ministers like you. I know you don’t approve of my methods but who will you support if not me? Ricter? Kibener? Leke and Stahler don’t stand much of a chance without my support, so by supporting either of them, you’d be supporting me still. Why not take that opportunity to rejoin the cabinet and make some real change again. Continue the reforms you started with me and Monica.ā€
Ciara looked down for a few seconds before replying ā€œYou know why I left. You know I cannot stand by and support your constitutional reforms, they aren’t democratic and-ā€ Before she could continue, Anton cut her off ā€œWhat would be democratic then?ā€ He paused before continuing to speak ā€œTo give power to an indirectly elected assembly of capitalist leeches and fascists who want to kill half the country and oppress the other? To keep the institutions put in place by a sour old man who wants to stop the world from moving on?ā€ That last comment about Soll made Ciara chuckle slightly. ā€œI’ve never heard you talk about him like that.ā€ Anton replied with a smile ā€œWell, I couldn’t bad-mouth that old fool too much when his lackeys still had such a firm grasp on the country.ā€
ā€œListen, I know you might not support my constitutional changes, but-ā€ Before he continued he stopped to rephrase himself ā€œYou are familiar with Marcian dialectical materialism I assume?ā€ Ciara looked slightly offended. ā€œOf course I amā€ ā€œWho do you think you’re talking to?ā€ She said with a slight scoff. ā€œSo then you know that class struggle is an antagonistic struggle. You know that capitalists won’t give away the means of production willingly. Oppressors must be taken down by force, not by the systems that gave them power in the first place.ā€ Anton sighed ā€œI know it isn’t ideal, but it isn’t supposed to be. If Karlos Marcias taught us anything, it’s that ideals don’t bring change, material conditions do. Reality does. And reality is messy. Ideals are pure, but as long as they remain that way they are just ideas, they cannot bring real change if they cannot exist within material reality. What does this idealist notion of liberal democracy mean compared to the real material change that comes with socialism?ā€ Ciara sat back on her couch and sighed deeply, looking at Anton the entire time. ā€œI still don’t know, it just doesn’t seem right.ā€ They sat in silence for over a minute before Anton got up and sighed for a final time in defeat. ā€œThank you for your service to the people of Sordland, we’re going to miss you Ciara. Both me and Monicaā€. Ciara looked back down at her floor after Anton stopped talking and started walking towards the door.
ā€œWaitā€ she said as he was on his way out. Anton turned back around. ā€œYou stood by me in my educational reforms, you stood by me-ā€ she stopped for a moment ā€œUs, you stood by us as we fought for the rights of our gender.ā€ She looked away out her window for a brief few seconds, ā€œI’m not sure even Leke or Stahler would’ve done that. At least to such an extent. I owe you at least another chance. Both you and Monicaā€ she said with a slight glimmer in her eyes. ā€Thank
you Ciara. Really, thank you. Because between Gus, Iosef and Lucian, I could really use an ally in my cabinetā€ They both smiled at each other as Anton exited the flat. As he started walking down the stairs he heard the door open again. As he looked back Ciara bid him farewell ā€œGood luck, Anton.ā€ ā€œYou too, Ciara.ā€
As Anton walked out of the building he saw Serge leaning on the side of the car. As he noticed Anton he quickly stood upright and opened the backseat door for his President, bowing slightly as he did it. ā€œI got a call while I was waiting for you sir. Your wife and daughter have left the rally along with your cabinet and are on their way to the maroon palace for the celebration dinner.ā€
While Anton’s first term had been ceremonially opened with a grand ball at the maroon palace, the event had ended catastrophically with the assassination of Bernard Circas, which drew a lot of bad press to the tradition. It had already been criticised before for its over-the-top extravagance, a criticism Anton agreed with. However, the event still occurred during Rayne’s first inauguration as it was still a quite popular affair, particularly with sollists who wanted to honour the traditions of the nation, and with oligarchs who wanted to take the opportunity to cosy up to politicians. But with the assassination, and the loss of power suffered by sollists and oligarchs during the first Rayne administration, it became easier, and frankly more popular, to replace the event with a more modest one. Namely a televised dinner with the President and his cabinet, along with their families.
Due to the wave of resignations at the end of Anton’s first term however, the dinner might come across as a little too modest though. Especially with Lucian who was married to his work, and Iosef who was married to his own idealised version of Sordland. It was unclear if Ciara would attend. She definitely knew about the event, as she was one of the people campaigning for an end to the inaugural ball. She was welcome to attend as she was to rejoin the cabinet, but Anton hadn’t thought to ask her. Especially as she wasn’t fond of any sort of ā€˜style over substance’ meeting.
Anton was brought out of his deep thoughts as Serge cleared his throat, and he realised he’d stood there for a solid half a minute. He shook his head for a moment and saw a bin in the corner of his eye that he hadn’t noticed stood next to the building he’d walked into. Anton noticed his packet of cigarettes laying there along with another pack that looked just as newly thrown away. He smiled to himself and walked into the car, letting Serge close the door behind him and get back into his own seat in the front.
ā€œYou trying to quit as well Serge?ā€ The president’s driver looked shocked for a moment, as Anton realised what that might’ve sounded like. ā€œCigarettes.ā€ he assured Serge. ā€œOh! I got a tad confused there for a second Mr. President.ā€ he nervously tapped the steering wheel as he started the car's engine. ā€œYes! I’ve decided to quit Mr. President. I couldn’t have done it without you though! I saw the press conference you and Mr. Beniwoll did on television before he resigned, warning of the dangers of tobacco.ā€ Anton grinned slightly as he heard Paskal’s name, before Serge continued. ā€œAnd as I noticed you were throwing away your last pack, I thought I’d do the same. Follow the example of a great leader.ā€
submitted by Danklyy to suzerain [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 14:34 Dirtclodkoolaid AMA RESOLUTION 235

AMA RESOLUTION 235
AMA RESOLUTION 235 November 2018 INAPPROPRIATE USE OF CDC Guidelines FOR PRESCRIBING OPIOIDS (Entire Document)
ā€œResolution 235 asks that our AMA applaud the CDC for its efforts to prevent the incidence of new cases of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose deaths; and be it further, that no entity should use MME thresholds as anything more than guidance and that MME thresholds should not be used to completely prohibit the prescribing of, or the filling of prescriptions for, medications used in oncology care, palliative medicine care, and addiction medicine care: and be it further, that our AMA communicate with the nation’s largest pharmacy chains and pharmacy benefit managers to recommend that they cease and desist with writing threatening letters to physicians and cease and desist with presenting policies, procedures and directives to retail pharmacists that include a blanket proscription against filling prescriptions for opioids that exceed certain numerical thresholds without taking into account the diagnosis and previous response to treatment for a patient and any clinical nuances that would support such prescribing as falling within standards of good quality patient care; and be it further, that AMA Policy opposing the legislating of numerical limits on medication dosage, duration of therapy, numbers of pills/tablets, etc., be reaffirmed; and be it further, that physicians should not be subject to professional discipline or loss of board certification or loss of clinical privileges simply for prescribing opioids at a quantitative level that exceeds the MME thresholds found in the CDC Guidelines; and be it further, that our AMA encourage the Federation of State Medical Boards and its member boards, medical specialty societies, and other entities to develop improved guidance on management of pain and management of potential withdrawal syndromes and other aspects of patient care for ā€œlegacy patientsā€ who may have been treated for extended periods of time with high-dose opioid therapy for chronic non-malignant pain.
RESOLVED, that our American Medical Association (AMA) applaud the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its efforts to prevent the incidence of new cases of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose deaths
RESOLVED, that our AMA actively continue to communicate and engage with the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, pharmacy benefit managers, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Federation of State Medical Boards, and National Association of Boards of Pharmacy in opposition to communications being sent to physicians that include a blanket proscription against filing prescriptions for opioids that exceed numerical thresholds without taking into account the diagnosis and previous response to treatment for a patient and any clinical nuances that would support such prescribing as falling within standards of good quality patient care.
RESOLVED, that our AMA affirms that some patients with acute or chronic pain can benefit from taking opioid pain medications at doses greater than generally recommended in the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain and that such care may be medically necessary and appropriate, and be it further
RESOLVED, that our AMA advocate against misapplication of the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids by pharmacists, health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, legislatures, and governmental and private regulatory bodies in ways that prevent or limit patients’ medical access to opioid analgesia, and be it further
RESOLVED, that our AMA advocate that no entity should use MME (morphine milligram equivalents) thresholds as anything more than guidance, and physicians should not be subject to professional discipline, loss of board certification, loss of clinical privileges, criminal prosecution, civil liability, or other penalties or practice limitations solely for prescribing opioids at a quantitative level above the MME thresholds found in the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids.ā€ā€
Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force - Draft Report on Pain Management Best Practices: Updates, Gaps, Inconsistencies, and Recommendations Official Health and Human Services Department Released December 2018
ā€œThe Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) of 2016 led to the creation of the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force (Task Force), whose mission is to determine whether gaps in or inconsistencies between best practices for acute and chronic pain management exist and to propose updates and recommendations to those best practices. The Task Force consists of 29 experts who have significant experience across the disciplines of pain management, patient advocacy, substance use disorders, mental health, and minority health.ā€
In addition to identifying approximately 60 gaps in clinical best practices and the current treatment of pain in the United States, HHS PMTF provided recommendations for each of these major areas of concern. In alignment with their original charter, the PMTF will submit these recommendations to Congress to become our ā€˜National Pain Policy’. The 60+ gaps and inconsistencies with their recommendations will serve to fill gaps in pain treatment at both the state and federal level; and the overwhelming consensus was that the treatment of pain should be multimodal and completely individualized based on the individual patient. The heart of each recommendation in each section was a resounding call for individualization for each patient, in regards to both non-pharmacological and pharmacological modalities; including individualizations in both opioid and non-opioid pharmacological treatments.
While each of the gap+recommendation sections of what is poised to become our national pain policy is extremely important, one that stands out the most (in regards to opioid prescribing) is the Stigma section. Contained in this section is one of the core statements that shows our Health and Human Services agency - the one that should have always been looked to and followed - knew the true depth of the relationship (or lack of) between the overdose crisis and compassionate prescribing to patients with painful conditions:
ā€œThe national crisis of illicit drug use, with overdose deaths, is confused with appropriate therapy for patients who are being treated for pain. This confusion has created a stigma that contributes to raise barriers to proper access to care.ā€
The recommendation that follows - ā€œIdentify strategies to reduce stigma in opioid use so that it is never a barrier to patients receiving appropriate treatment, with all cautions and considerations for the management of their chronic pain conditionsā€ - illustrates an acknowledgment by the top health agency of the federal government that the current national narrative conflating and confusing compassionate treatment of pain with illicit drug use, addiction, and overdose death is incorrect and only serving to harm patients.
Since March of 2016 when the CDC Guidelines were released, advocates, patients, clinicians, stakeholders, and others, have began pointing out limitations and unintended consequences as they emerged. In order to address the unintended consequences emerging from the CDC Guidelines, this task force was also charged with review of these guidelines; from expert selection, evidence selection, creation, and continuing to current misapplication in order to provide recommendations to begin to remedy these issues.
ā€œA commentary by Busse et al. identified several limitations to the CDC guideline related to expert selection, evidence inclusion criteria, method of evidence quality grading, support of recommendations with low-quality evidence, and instances of vague recommendations. In addition, the CDC used the criterion of a lack of clinical trials with a duration of one year or longer as lack of evidence for the clinical effectiveness of opioids, whereas Tayeb et al. found that that was true for all common medication and behavioral therapy studies.
Interpretation of the guideline, in addition to some gaps in the guideline, have led to unintended consequences, some of which are the result of misapplication or misinterpretation of the CDC guideline.
However, at least 28 states have enacted legislation related to opioid prescription limits, and many states and organizations have implemented the guideline without recognizing that the intended audience was PCPs; have used legislation for what should be medical decision making by healthcare professionals; and have applied them to all physicians, dentists, NPs, and PAs, including pain specialists.441–444 Some stakeholders have interpreted the guideline as intended to broadly reduce the amount of opioids prescribed for treating pain; some experts have noted that the guideline emphasizes the risk of opioids while minimizing the benefit of this medication class when properly managed.ā€
ā€œThe CDC guideline was not intended to be model legislation for state legislators to enactā€
ā€œIn essence, clinicians should be able to use their clinical judgment to determine opioid duration for their patientsā€
https://www.hhs.gov/ash/advisory-committees/pain/reports/2018-12-draft-report-on-updates-gaps-inconsistencies-recommendations/index.html
HHS Review of 2016 CDC Guidelines for responsible opioid prescribing
The Pain Management Task Force addressed 8 areas that are in need of update or expansion with recommendations to begin remediation for each problem area:
Lack of high-quality data exists for duration of effectiveness of opioids for chronic pain; this has been interpreted as a lack of benefit Conduct studies Focus on patient variability and response for effectiveness of opioids; use real-world applicable trials
Absence of criteria for identifying patients for whom opioids make up significant part of their pain treatment Conduct clinical trials and/or reviews to identify sub-populations of patients where long-term opioid treatment is appropriate
Wide variation in factors that affect optimal dose of opioids Consider patient variables for opioid therapy: Respiratory compromise Patient metabolic variables Differences in opioid medications/plasma concentrations Preform comprehensive initial assessment it’s understanding of need for comprehensive reevaluations to adjust dose Give careful considerations to patients on opioid pain regimen with additional risk factors for OUD
Specific guidelines for opioid tapering and escalation need to be further clarified A thorough assessment of risk-benefit ratio should occur whenever tapering or escalation of dose This should include collaboration with patient whenever possible Develop taper or dose escalation guidelines for sub-populations that include consideration of their comorbidities When benefit outweighs the risk, consider maintaining therapy for stable patients on long term opioid therapy
Causes of worsening pain are not often recognized or considered. Non-tolerance related factors: surgery, flares, increased physical demands, or emotional distress Avoid increase in dose for stable patient (2+ month stable dose) until patient is re-evaluated for underlying cause of elevated pain or possible OUD risk Considerations to avoid dose escalation include: Opioid rotation Non-opioid medication Interventional strategies Cognitive behavior strategies Complementary and integrative health approaches Physical therapy
In patients with chronic pain AND anxiety or spasticity, benzodiazepine co-prescribed with opioids still have clinical value; although the risk of overdose is well established When clinically indicated, co-prescription should be managed by specialist who have knowledge, training, and experience with co-prescribing. When co-prescribed for anxiety or SUD collaboration with mental health should be considered Develop clinical practice guidelines focused on tapering for co-prescription of benzodiazepines and opioids
The risk-benefit balance varies for individual patients. Doses >90MME may be favorable for some where doses <90MME may be for other patients due to individual patient factors. Variability in effectiveness and safety between high and low doses of opioids are not clearly defined. Clinicians should use caution with higher doses in general Using carefully monitored trial with frequent monitoring with each dose adjustment and regular risk reassessment, physicians should individualize doses, using lowest effective opioid dose that balances benefit, risk, and adverse reactions Many factors influence benefits and risk, therefore, guidance of dose should not be applied as strict limits. Use established and measurable goals: Functionality ADL Quality of Life
Duration of pain following acute and severely painful event is widely variable Appropriate duration is best considered within guidelines, but is ultimately determined by treating clinician. CDC recommendation for duration should be emphasized as guidance only with individualized patient care as the goal Develop acute pain management guidelines for common surgical procedures and traumas To address variability and provide easy solution, consideration should be given to partial refill system
Human Rights Watch December 2018 (Excerpt from 109 page report)
ā€œIf harms to chronic pain patients are an unintended consequence of policies to reduce inappropriate prescribing, the government should seek to immediately minimize and measure the negative impacts of these policies. Any response should avoid further stigmatizing chronic pain patients, who are increasingly associated with — and sometimes blamed for — the overdose crisis and characterized as ā€œdrug seekers,ā€ rather than people with serious health problems that require treatment.
Top government officials, including the President, have said the country should aim for drastic cutbacks in prescribing. State legislatures encourage restrictions on prescribing through new legislation or regulations. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has investigated medical practitioners accused of overprescribing or fraudulent practice. State health agencies and insurance companies routinely warn physicians who prescribe more opioids than their peers and encourage them to reduce prescribing. Private insurance companies have imposed additional requirements for covering opioids, some state Medicaid programs have mandated tapering to lower doses for patients, and pharmacy chains are actively trying to reduce the volumes of opioids they dispense.
The medical community at large recognized that certain key steps were necessary to tackle the overdose crisis: identifying and cracking down on ā€œpill millsā€ and reducing the use of opioids for less severe pain, particularly for children and adolescents. However, the urgency to tackle the overdose crisis has put pressure on physicians in other potentially negative ways: our interviews with dozens of physicians found that the atmosphere around prescribing for chronic pain had become so fraught that physicians felt they must avoid opioid analgesics even in cases when it contradicted their view of what would provide the best care for their patients. In some cases, this desire to cut back on opioid prescribing translated to doctors tapering patients off their medications without patient consent, while in others it meant that physicians would no longer accept patients who had a history of needing high-dose opioids.
The consequences to patients, according to Human Rights Watch research, have been catastrophic.ā€
[https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/12/18/not-allowed-be-compassionate/chronic-pain-overdose-crisis-and-unintended-harms-us](
Opioid Prescribing Workgroup December 2018
This is material from the Board of Scientific Counselors in regards to their December 12, 2018 meeting that culminated the works of a project titled the ā€œOpioid Prescribing Estimates Project.ā€ This project is a descriptive study that is examining opioid prescribing patterns at a population level. Pain management is a very individualized process that belongs with the patient and provider. The Workgroup reviewed work done by CDC and provided additional recommendations.
SUMMARY There were several recurrent themes throughout the sessions.
Repeated concern was voiced from many Workgroup members that the CDC may not be able to prevent conclusions from this research (i.e. the benchmarks, developed from limited data) from being used by states or payors or clinical care systems to constrain clinical care or as pay-for- performance standards – i.e. interpreted as ā€œguidelinesā€. This issue was raised by several members on each of the four calls, raising the possibility that providers or clinical systems could thus be incentivized against caring for patients requiring above average amounts of opioid medication.
Risk for misuse of the analysis. Several members expressed concerns that this analysis could be interpreted as guidance by regulators, health plans, or clinical care systems. Even though the CDC does not plan to issue this as a guideline, but instead as research, payors and clinical care systems searching for ways to reign in opioid prescribing may utilize CDC ā€œbenchmarksā€ to establish pay-for-performance or other means to limit opioid prescribing. Such uses of this work could have the unintended effect of incentivizing providers against caring for patients reliant upon opioids.
…It was also noted that, in order to obtain sufficient granularity to establish the need for, dosage, and duration of opioid therapy, it would be necessary to have much more extensive electronic medical record data. In addition, pain and functional outcomes are absent from the dataset, but were felt to be important when considering risk and benefit of opioids.
...Tapering: Concerns about benchmarks and the implications for tapering were voiced. If tapering occurs, guidance was felt to be needed regarding how, when, in whom tapering should occur. This issue was felt to be particularly challenging for patients on chronic opioids (i.e. ā€œlegacyā€ patients). In addition, the importance of measuring risk and benefit of tapering was noted. Not all high-dose patient populations benefit from tapering.
Post-Surgical Pain
General comments. Workgroup members noted that most patients prescribed opioids do not experience adverse events, including use disorder. Many suggested that further discussion of opioids with patients prior to surgery was important, with an emphasis on expectations and duration of treatment. A member suggested that take-back programs would be more effective than prescribing restrictions.
Procedure-related care. Members noted that patient factors may drive opioid need more than characteristics of a procedure.
Patient-level factors. Members noted that opioid-experienced patients should be considered differently from opioid-inexperienced patients, due to tolerance.
Chronic Pain
It was noted that anything coming out of the CDC might be considered as guidelines and that this misinterpretation can be difficult to counter. There was extensive discussion of the 50 and 90 MME levels included in the CDC Guidelines. It was recommended that the CDC look into the adverse effects of opioid tapering and discontinuation, such as illicit opioid use, acute care utilization, dropping out of care, and suicide. It was also noted that there are major gaps in guidelines for legacy patients, patients with multiple diagnoses, pediatric and geriatric patients, and patients transitioning to lower doses.
There were concerns that insufficient clinical data will be available from the dataset to appropriately consider the individual-level factors that weigh into determination of opioid therapy. The data would also fail to account for the shared decision-making process involved in opioid prescribing for chronic pain conditions, which may be dependent on primary care providers as well as ancillary care providers (e.g. physical therapists, psychologists, etc).
Patient-level factors. Members repeatedly noted that opioid-experienced patients should be considered differently from opioid-experienced patients, due to tolerance.
Members noted that the current CDC guidelines have been used by states, insurance companies, and some clinical care systems in ways that were not intended by the CDC, resulting in cases of and the perception of patient abandonment. One option raised in this context was to exclude patients on high doses of opioids, as those individuals would be qualitatively different from others. A variant of this concern was about management of ā€œlegacyā€ patients who are inherited on high doses of opioids. Members voiced concerns that results of this work has caused harm to patients currently reliant upon opioids prescribed by their providers.
Acute Non-Surgical Pain
Patient-level factors. Members felt that opioid naïve versus experienced patients might again be considered separately, as opioid requirements among those experienced could vary widely.
...Guidelines were also noted to be often based on consensus, which may be incorrect.
Cancer-Related and Palliative Care Pain
It was noted that the CDC guidelines have been misinterpreted to create a limit to the dose of opioids that can be provided to people at all stages of cancer and its treatment. It was also noted that the cancer field is rapidly evolving, with immunotherapy, CAR-T, and other novel treatments that affect response rates and limit our ability to rely upon historical data in establishing opioid prescribing benchmarks.
Concern that data would not be able to identify all of the conditions responsible for pain in a patient with a history of cancer (e.g. people who survive cancer but with severe residual pain). Further, it was noted that certain complications of cancer and cancer treatment may require the least restrictive long-term therapy with opioids.
The definition of palliative care was also complicated and it was suggested that this include patients with life-limiting conditions.
Overall, it was felt that in patients who may not have long to live, and/or for whom returning to work is not a possibility, higher doses of opioids may be warranted.
https://www.cdc.gov/injury/pdfs/bsc/NCIPC_BSC_OpioidPrescribingEstimatesWorkgroupReport_December-12_2018-508.pdf
CDC Scientists Anonymous ā€˜Spider Letter’ to CDC
Carmen S. Villar, MSW Chief of Staff Office of the Director MS DĀ­14 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, Georgia 30329Ā­-4027
August 29, 2016
Dear Ms. Villar:
We are a group of scientists at CDC that are very concerned about the current state of ethics at our agency. It appears that our mission is being influenced and shaped by outside parties and rogue interests. It seems that our mission and Congressional intent for our agency is being circumvented by some of our leaders. What concerns us most, is that it is becoming the norm and not the rare exception. Some senior management officials at CDC are clearly aware and even condone these behaviors. Others see it and turn the other way. Some staff are intimidated and pressed to do things they know are not right. We have representatives from across the agency that witness this unacceptable behavior. It occurs at all levels and in all of our respective units. These questionable and unethical practices threaten to undermine our credibility and reputation as a trusted leader in public health. We would like to see high ethical standards and thoughtful, responsible management restored at CDC. We are asking that you do your part to help clean up this house!
It is puzzling to read about transgressions in national media outlets like USA Today, The Huffington Post and The Hill. It is equally puzzling that nothing has changed here at CDC as a result. It’s business as usual. The litany of issues detailed over the summer are of particular concern:
Recently, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) has been implicated in a ā€œcover upā€ of inaccurate screening data for the Wise Woman (WW) Program. There was a coordinated effort by that Center to ā€œburyā€ the fact that screening numbers for the WW program were misrepresented in documents sent to Congress; screening numbers for 2014 and 2015 did not meet expectations despite a multiĀ­million dollar investment; and definitions were changed and data ā€œcookedā€ to make the results look better than they were. Data were clearly manipulated in irregular ways. An ā€œinternal reviewā€ that involved staff across CDC occurred and its findings were essentially suppressed so media and/or Congressional staff would not become aware of the problems. Now that both the media and Congresswoman DeLauro are aware of these issues, CDC staff have gone out of their way to delay FOIAs and obstruct any inquiry. Shouldn’t NCCDPHP come clean and stop playing games? Would the ethical thing be to answer the questions fully and honestly. The public should know the true results of what they paid for, shouldn’t they?
Another troubling issue at the NCCDPHP are the adventures of Drs. Barbara Bowman and Michael Pratt (also detailed in national media outlets). Both seemed to have irregular (if not questionable) relationships with CocaĀ­Cola and ILSI representatives. Neither of these relationships were necessary (or appropriate) to uphold our mission. Neither organization added any value to the good work and science already underway at CDC. In fact, these ties have now called into question and undermined CDC’s work. A cloud has been cast over the ethical and excellent work of scientists due to this wanton behavior. Was cultivating these relationships worth dragging CDC through the mud? Did Drs. Bowman and Pratt have permission to pursue these relationships from their supervisor Dr. Ursula Bauer? Did they seek and receive approval of these outside activities? CDC has a process by which such things should be vetted and reported in an ethics review, tracking and approval system (EPATS). Furthermore, did they disclose these conflicts of interest on their yearly OGE 450 filing. Is there an approved HHS 520, HHS 521 or ā€œRequest for Official Duty Activities Involving an Outside Organizationā€ approved by Dr. Bauer or her Deputy Director Ms. Dana Shelton? An August 28, 2016 item in The Hill details these issues and others related to Dr. Pratt.
It appears to us that something very strange is going on with Dr. Pratt. He is an active duty Commissioned Corps Officer in the USPHS, yet he was ā€œassigned toā€ Emory University for a quite some time. How and under what authority was this done? Did Emory University pay his salary under the terms of an IPA? Did he seek and receive an outside activity approval through EPATS and work at Emory on Annual Leave? Formal supervisor endorsement and approval (from Dr. Bauer or Ms. Shelton) is required whether done as an official duty or outside activity.
If deemed official, did he file a ā€œRequest for Official Duty Activities Involving an Outside Organizationā€ in EPATS? Apparently Dr. Pratt’s position at Emory University has ended and he has accepted another position at the University of California Ā­ San Diego? Again, how is this possible while he is still an active duty USPHS Officer. Did he retire and leave government service? Is UCSD paying for his time via an IPA? Does he have an outside activity approval to do this? Will this be done during duty hours? It is rumored that Dr. Pratt will occupy this position while on Annual Leave? Really? Will Dr. Pratt be spending time in Atlanta when not on Annual Leave? Will he make an appearance at NCCDPHP (where he hasn’t been seen for months). Most staff do not enjoy such unique positions supported and approved by a Center Director (Dr. Bauer). Dr. Pratt has scored a sweet deal (not available to most other scientists at CDC). Concerns about these two positions and others were recently described in The Huffington Post and The Hill. His behavior and that of management surrounding this is very troubling.
Finally, most of the scientists at CDC operate with the utmost integrity and ethics. However, this ā€œclimate of disregardā€ puts many of us in difficult positions. We are often directed to do things we know are not right. For example, Congress has made it very clear that domestic funding for NCCDPHP (and other CIOs) should be used for domestic work and that the bulk of NCCDPHP funding should be allocated to program (not research). If this is the case, why then is NCCDPHP taking domestic staff resources away from domestic priorities to work on global health issues? Why in FY17 is NCCDPHP diverting money away from program priorities that directly benefit the public to support an expensive research FOA that may not yield anything that benefits the public? These actions do not serve the public well. Why is nothing being done to address these problems? Why has the CDC OD turned a blind eye to these things. The lack of respect for science and scientists that support CDC’s legacy is astonishing.
Please do the right thing. Please be an agent of change.
Respectfully,
CDC Spider (CDC Scientists Preserving Integrity, Diligence and Ethics in Research)
https://usrtk.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CDC_SPIDER_Letter-1.pdf
January 13, 2016
Thomas Frieden, MD, MPH Director Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30329-4027
Re: Docket No. CDC-2015-0112; Proposed 2016 Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
Dear Dr. Frieden:
There is no question that there is an opioid misuse epidemic and that efforts need to be made to control it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is applauded for its steps to undertake this lofty effort. However, based on the American Academy of Family Physicians’ (AAFP’s) review of the guideline, it is apparent that the presented recommendations are not graded at a level consistent with currently available evidence. The AAFP certainly wants to promote safe and appropriate prescribing of opioids; however, we recommend that the CDC still adhere to the rigorous standards for reliable and trustworthy guidelines set forth by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The AAFP believes that giving a strong recommendation derived from generalizations based on consensus expert opinion does not adhere to evidence-based standards for developing clinical guideline recommendations.
The AAFP’s specific concerns with the CDC’s methodology, evidence base, and recommendations are outlined below.
Methodology and Evidence Base
All of the recommendations are based on low or very low quality evidence, yet all but one are Category A (or strong) recommendations. The guideline states that in the GRADE methodology "a particular quality of evidence does not necessarily imply a particular strength of recommendation." While this is true, it applies when benefits significantly outweigh harms (or vice versa). When there is insufficient evidence to determine the benefits and harms of a recommendation, that determination should not be made.
When evaluating the benefits of opioids, the evidence review only included studies with outcomes of at least one year. However, studies with shorter intervals were allowed for analysis of the benefits of nonopioid treatments. The guideline states that no evidence shows long-term benefit of opioid use (because there are few studies), yet the guideline reports "extensive evidence" of potential harms, even though these studies were of low quality. The accompanying text also states "extensive evidence" of the benefits of non-opioid treatments, yet this evidence was from shorter term studies, was part of the contextual review rather than the clinical systematic review, and did not compare non- opioid treatments to opioids.
The patient voice and preferences were not explicitly included in the guideline. This raises concerns about the patient-centeredness of the guideline.
https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/advocacy/prevention/risk/LT-CDC-OpioidGuideline011516.pdf The Myth of Morphine Equivalent Daily Dosage Medscape Neuro Perspective
For far too many years, pain researchers and clinicians have relied on the concept of the morphine equivalent daily dosage (MEDD), or some variant of it, as a means of comparing the "relative corresponding quantity" of the numerous opioid molecules that are important tools in the treatment of chronic pain.
...And, most unfortunately, opioid prescribing guideline committees have relied on this concept as a means of placing (usually arbitrary) limits on the levels of opioids that a physician or other clinician should be allowed to prescribe. Although these guidelines typically bill themselves as "voluntary," their chilling effect on prescribers and adaptation into state laws[2] makes calling them "voluntary" disingenuous.
Although some scientists and clinicians have been questioning the conceptual validity of MEDD for several years, a recent study[3] has indicated that the concept is unequivocally flawed—thereby invalidating its use empirically and as a tool in prescribing guideline development.
The authors used survey data from pharmacists, physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to estimate daily morphine equivalents and found great inconsistency in their conversions of hydrocodone, fentanyl transdermal patches, methadone, oxycodone, and hydromorphone—illustrating the potential for dramatic underdosing or, in other cases, fatal overdosing.
Patients with chronic pain (particularly that of noncancer origin) who are reliant on opioid analgesia are already sufficiently stigmatized and marginalized[7] to allow this type of practice to continue to be the norm.
Although the use of MEDD in research and, to a greater extent, in practice, is probably due to unawareness of its inaccuracy, we posit that the use of MEDD by recent opioid guideline committees (eg, the Washington State Opioid Guideline Committee[8] and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline Committee[9]) in the drafting of their guidelines is based more heavily on disregarding available evidence rather than ignorance. Furthermore, their misconduct in doing so has been more pernicious than the use of MEDD by researchers and individual clinicians, because these guidelines widely affect society as a whole as well as individual patients with persistent pain syndromes. We opine that these committees are strongly dominated by the antiopioid community, whose agenda is to essentially restrict opioid access—irrespective of the lack of data indicating that opioids cannot be a useful tool in the comprehensive treatment of carefully selected and closely monitored patients with chronic pain.
Above 100% extracted from: Medscape Journal Brief https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/863477_2
Actual Study https://www.dovepress.com/the-medd-myth-the-impact-of-pseudoscience-on-pain-research-and-prescri-peer-reviewed-article-JPR
Are Non-Opioid Medications Superior in Treatment of Pain than Opioid Pain Medicine? Ice Cream Flavor Analogy...
In the Oxford University Press, a November 2018 scientific white paper[5] was released that examined the quality of one of the primary studies that have been used to justify the urgent call to drastically reduce opioid pain medication prescribing while claiming that patients are not being harmed in the process.
The study is commonly referred to as ā€˜the Krebs study’. ā€œThe authors concluded that treatment with opioids was not superior to treatment with non opioid medications for improving pain-related function over 12 months.ā€
Here is an excerpt from the first paragraph of the design section (usually behind a paywall) from the Krebs study that gives the first hint of the bias that led to them to ā€˜prove’ that opioids were not effective for chronic pain:
ā€œThe study was intended to assess long-term outcomes of opioids compared with non opioid medications for chronic pain. The patient selection, though, specifically excluded patients on long-term opioid therapy.ā€ 
Here is an analogy given in the Oxford Journal white paper to illustrate how the study design was compromised:
If I want to do a randomized control study about ice cream flavor preferences (choices being: vanilla, chocolate, or no preference), the results could be manipulated as follows based on these scenarios:
Scenario A: If a study was done that included only current ice-cream consumers, the outcome would certainly be vanilla or chocolate, because of course they have tried it and know which they like.
Scenario B: If a study was done that included all consumers of all food, then it can change the outcome. If the majority of study participants do not even eat ice-cream, than the result would certainly be ā€˜no preference’. If the majority do eat ice-cream it would likely be ā€˜chocolate’. Although this study is wider based, it still does not reflect real world findings.
Scenario C: In an even more extreme example, if this same study is conducted excluding anyone who has ever ate ice-cream at all, then the conclusion will again be ā€˜no preference’ and the entire study/original question becomes so ludicrous that there is no useful information to be extracted from this study and one would logically question why this type of study would even be conducted (although we know the answer to that)
Scenario C above is how the study that has been used to shift the attitudes towards the treatment of pain in our nation's medical community was designed. ā€œOne has to look deep into the study to find that they began with 9403 possible patients and excluded 3836 of them just because they had opioids in their EMR. In the JAMA article, they do not state these obvious biases and instead begin the explanation of participants stating they started with 4485 patients and excluded 224 who were opioid or benzo users.ā€ That is the tip of the iceberg to how it is extremely misleading. The Oxford white paper goes into further detail of the studies ā€œmany flaws and biases (including the narrow focus on conditions that are historically known to respond poorly to opioid medication management of pain)ā€, but the study design and participant selection criteria is enough to discredit this entire body of work. Based on study design alone, regardless of what happened next, the result would be that opioids are no more effective than NSAIDs and other non-opioid alternatives.
The DEA Is Fostering a Bounty Hunter Culture in its Drug Diversion Investigators[8]
A Good Man Speaks Truth to Power January 2019
Because I write and speak widely on public health issues and the so-called ā€œopioid crisisā€, people frequently send me references to others’ work. One of the more startling articles I’ve seen lately was published November 20, 2018 in Pharmacy Times. It is titled ā€œShould We Believe Patients With Pain?ā€[9]. The unlikely author is Commander John Burke, ā€œa 40-year veteran of law enforcement, the past president of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, and the president and cofounder of the International Health Facility Diversion Association.ā€
The last paragraph of Commander Burke’s article is worth repeating here.
ā€œLet’s get back to dealing with each person claiming to be in legitimate pain and believe them until we have solid evidence that they are scamming the system. If they are, then let’s pursue them through vigorous prosecution, but let’s not punish the majority of people receiving opioids who are legitimate patients with pain.ā€
This seems a remarkable insight from anyone in law enforcement — especially from one who has expressed this view in both Pain News Network, and Dr Lynn Webster’s video ā€œThe Painful Truthā€. Recognizing Commander Burke’s unique perspective, I followed up by phone to ask several related questions. He has granted permission to publish my paraphrases of his answers here.
ā€œAre there any available source documents which establish widely accepted standards for what comprises ā€œover-prescription?ā€ as viewed by diversion investigators?ā€ Burke’s answer was a resounding ā€œNOā€. Each State and Federal Agency that investigates doctors for potentially illegal or inappropriate opioid prescribing is pretty much making up their own standards as they go. Some make reference to the 2016 CDC Guidelines, but others do not.
  1. ā€œThousands of individual doctors have left pain management practice in recent years due to fears they may be investigated, sanctioned, and lose their licenses if they continue to treat patients with opioid pain relievers.. Are DEA and State authorities really pursuing the worst ā€œbad actorsā€, or is something else going on?
Burke’s answer: ā€œRegulatory policy varies greatly between jurisdictions. But a hidden factor may be contributing significantly to the aggressiveness of Federal investigators. Federal Agencies may grant financial bonuses to their in-house diversion investigators, based on the volume of fines collected from doctors, nurse practitioners, PAs and others whom they investigate.

"No law enforcement agency at any level should be rewarded with monetary gain and/or promotion due to their work efforts or successes. This practice has always worried me with Federal investigators and is unheard of at the local or state levels of enforcement.ā€

Commander Burke’s revelation hit me like a thunder-clap. It would explain many of the complaints I have heard from doctors who have been ā€œinvestigatedā€ or prosecuted. It’s a well known principle that when we subsidize a behavior, we get more of it. Financial rewards to investigators must inevitably foster a ā€œbounty hunterā€ mentality in some. It seems at least plausible that such bonuses might lead DEA regulators to focus on ā€œlow hanging fruitā€ among doctors who may not be able to defend themselves without being ruined financially. The practice is at the very least unethical. Arguably it can be corrupting.
I also inquired concerning a third issue:
  1. I read complaints from doctors that they have been pursued on trumped-up grounds, coerced and denied appropriate legal defense by confiscation of their assets – which are then added to Agency funds for further actions against other doctors. Investigations are also commonly announced prominently, even before indictments are obtained – a step that seems calculated to destroy the doctor’s practice, regardless of legal outcomes. Some reports indicate that DEA or State authorities have threatened employees with prosecution if they do not confirm improper practices by the doctor. Do you believe such practices are common?ā€

Burke’s answer: ā€œI hear the same reports you do – and the irony is that such tactics are unnecessary. Lacking an accepted standard for over-prescribing, the gross volume of a doctor’s prescriptions or the dose levels prescribed to their patients can be poor indicators of professional misbehavior. Investigators should instead be looking into the totality of the case, which can include patient reports of poor doctor oversight, overdose-related hospital admissions, and patterns of overdose related deaths that may be linked to a ā€œcocktailā€ of illicit prescribing. Especially important can be information gleaned from confidential informants – with independent verification – prior patients, and pharmacy information.ā€

No formal legal prosecution should ever proceed from the testimony of only one witness — even one as well informed as Commander John Burke. But it seems to me that it is high time for the US Senate Judiciary Committee to invite the testimony of others in open public hearings, concerning the practice of possible bounty hunting among Federal investigators.
C50 Patient, Civil Rights Attorney, Maine Department of Health, and Maine Legislature Collaborative Enacted Definition of Palliative Care
One suggestion that our organization would like to make is altering the definition of ā€œpalliative careā€ in such a manner that it can include high-impact or intractable patients; those who are not dying this year, but our lives have been shattered and/or shortened by our diseases and for whom Quality of Life should be the focus. Many of our conditions may not SIGNIFICANTLY shorten my life, therefore I could legitimately be facing 30-40 years of severe pain with little relief; that is no way to live and therefore the concern is a rapidly increasing suicide rate.
This is a definition that one of our coalition members with a civil rights attorney and the Maine Department of Health agreed upon and legislators enacted into statues in Maine. This was in response to a 100mme restriction. This attorney had prepared a lawsuit based on the Americans with Disability Act that the Department of Health in Maine agreed was valid; litigation was never the goal, it was always patient-centered care.
A. "Palliative care" means patient-centered and family-focused medical care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating suffering caused by a medical illness or a physical injury or condition that substantially affects a patient's quality of life, including, but not limited to, addressing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs; facilitating patient autonomy and choice of care; providing access to information; discussing the patient's goals for treatment and treatment options, including, when appropriate, hospice care; and managing pain and symptoms comprehensively. Palliative care does not always include a requirement for hospice care or attention to spiritual needs. B. "Serious illness" means a medical illness or physical injury or condition that substantially affects quality of life for more than a short period of time. "Serious illness" includes, but is not limited to, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, lung disease, cancer, heart, renal or liver failure and chronic, unremitting or intractable pain such as neuropathic pain.
Here is the link to the most recent update, including these definitions within the entire statute: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22sec1726.html?fbclid=IwAR0dhlwEh56VgZI9HYczdjdyYoJGpMdA9TuuJLlQrO3AsSljIZZG0RICFZc
January 23, 2019
Dear Pharmacists,
The Board of Pharmacy has had an influx of communication concerning patients not able to get controlled substance prescriptions filled for various reasons, even when signs of forgery or fraudulence were not presented. As a result of the increased ā€œrefusals to fill,ā€ the board is issuing the following guidance and reminders regarding the practice of pharmacy and dispensing of controlled substances:
  1. Pharmacists must use reasonable knowledge, skill, and professional judgment when evaluating whether to fill a prescription. Extreme caution should be used when deciding not to fill a prescription. A patient who suddenly discontinues a chronic medication may experience negative health consequences;
  2. Part of being a licensed healthcare professional is that you put the patient first. This means that if a pharmacist has any concern regarding a prescription, they should attempt to have a professional conversation with the practitioner to resolve those concerns and not simply refuse the prescription. Being a healthcare professional also means that you use your medication expertise during that dialogue in offering advice on potential alternatives, changes in the prescription strength, directions etc. Simply refusing to fill a prescription without trying to resolve the concern may call into question the knowledge, skill or judgment of the pharmacist and may be deemed unprofessional conduct;
  3. Controlled substance prescriptions are not a ā€œbarteringā€ mechanism. In other words, a pharmacist should not tell a patient that they have refused to fill a prescription and then explain that if they go to a pain specialist to get the same prescription then they will reconsider filling it. Again, this may call into question the knowledge, skill or judgment of the pharmacist;
  4. Yes, there is an opioid crisis. However, this should in no way alter our professional approach to treatment of patients in end-of-life or palliative care situations. Again, the fundamentals of using our professional judgment, skill and knowledge of treatments plays an integral role in who we are as professionals. Refusing to fill prescriptions for these patients without a solid medical reason may call into question whether the pharmacist is informed of current professional practice in the treatment of these medical cases.
  5. If a prescription is refused, there should be sound professional reasons for doing so. Each patient is a unique medical case and should be treated independently as such. Making blanket decisions regarding dispensing of controlled substances may call into question the motivation of the pharmacist and how they are using their knowledge, skill or judgment to best serve the public.
As a professional reminder, failing to practice pharmacy using reasonable knowledge, skill, competence, and safety for the public may result in disciplinary actions under Alaska statute and regulation. These laws are:
AS 08.80.261 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
(a)The board may deny a license to an applicant or, after a hearing, impose a disciplinary sanction authorized under AS 08.01.075 on a person licensed under this chapter when the board finds that the applicant or licensee, as applicable, …
(7) is incapable of engaging in the practice of pharmacy with reasonable skill, competence, and safety for the public because of
(A) professional incompetence; (B) failure to keep informed of or use current professional theories or practices; or (E) other factors determined by the board;
(14) engaged in unprofessional conduct, as defined in regulations of the board.
12 AAC 52.920 DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES
(a) In addition to acts specified in AS 08.80 or elsewhere in this chapter, each of the following constitutes engaging in unprofessional conduct and is a basis for the imposition of disciplinary sanctions under AS 08.01.075; …
(15) failing to use reasonable knowledge, skills, or judgment in the practice of pharmacy;
(b) The board will, in its discretion, revoke a license if the licensee …
(4) intentionally or negligently engages in conduct that results in a significant risk to the health or safety of a patient or injury to a patient; (5) is professionally incompetent if the incompetence results in a significant risk of injury to a patient.
(c) The board will, in its discretion, suspend a license for up to two years followed by probation of not less than two years if the licensee ...
(2) is professionally incompetent if the incompetence results in the public health, safety, or welfare being placed at risk.
We all acknowledge that Alaska is in the midst of an opioid crisis. While there are published guidelines and literature to assist all healthcare professionals in up to date approaches and recommendations for medical treatments per diagnosis, do not confuse guidelines with law; they are not the same thing.
Pharmacists have an obligation and responsibility under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 1306.04(a), and a pharmacist may use professional judgment to refuse filling a prescription. However, how an individual pharmacist approaches that particular situation is unique and can be complex. The Board of Pharmacy does not recommend refusing prescriptions without first trying to resolve your concerns with the prescribing practitioner as the primary member of the healthcare team. Patients may also serve as a basic source of information to understand some aspects of their treatment; do not rule them out in your dialogue.
If in doubt, we always recommend partnering with the prescribing practitioner. We are all licensed healthcare professionals and have a duty to use our knowledge, skill, and judgment to improve patient outcomes and keep them safe.
Professionally,
Richard Holt, BS Pharm, PharmD, MBA Chair, Alaska Board of Pharmacy
https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/portals/5/pub/pha_ControlledSubstanceDispensing_2019.01.pdf
FDA in Brief: FDA finalizes new policy to encourage widespread innovation and development of new buprenorphine treatments for opioid use disorder
February 6, 2018
Media Inquiries Michael Felberbaum 240-402-9548
ā€œThe opioid crisis has had a tragic impact on individuals, families, and communities throughout the country. We’re in urgent need of new and better treatment options for opioid use disorder. The guidance we’re finalizing today is one of the many steps we’re taking to help advance the development of new treatments for opioid use disorder, and promote novel formulations or delivery mechanisms of existing drugs to better tailor available medicines to individuals’ needs,ā€ said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. ā€œOur goal is to advance the development of new and better ways of treating opioid use disorder to help more Americans access successful treatments. Unfortunately, far too few people who are addicted to opioids are offered an adequate chance for treatment that uses medications. In part, this is because private insurance coverage for treatment with medications is often inadequate. Even among those who can access some sort of treatment, it’s often prohibitively difficult to access FDA-approved addiction medications. While states are adopting better coverage owing to new legislation and resources, among public insurance plans there are still a number of states that are not covering all three FDA-approved addiction medications. To support more widespread adoption of medication-assisted treatment, the FDA will also continue to take steps to address the unfortunate stigma that’s sometimes associated with use of these products. It’s part of the FDA’s public health mandate to promote appropriate use of therapies.
Misunderstanding around these products, even among some in the medical and addiction fields, enables stigma to attach to their use. These views can serve to keep patients who are seeking treatment from reaching their goal. That stigma reflects a perspective some have that a patient is still suffering from addiction even when they’re in full recovery, just because they require medication to treat their illness. This owes to a key misunderstanding of the difference between a physical dependence and an addiction. Because of the biology of the human body, everyone who uses a meaningful dose of opioids for a modest length of time develops a physical dependence. This means that there are withdrawal symptoms after the use stops.
A physical dependence to an opioid drug is very different than being addicted to such a medication. Addiction requires the continued use of opioids despite harmful consequences on someone’s life. Addiction involves a psychological preoccupation to obtain and use opioids above and beyond a physical dependence.
But someone who is physically dependent on opioids as a result of the treatment of pain but who is not craving the drugs is not addicted.
The same principle applies to replacement therapy used to treat opioid addiction. Someone who requires long-term treatment for opioid addiction with medications, including those that are partial or complete opioid agonists and can create a physical dependence, isn’t addicted to those medications. With the right treatments coupled to psychosocial support, recovery from opioid addiction is possible. The FDA remains committed to using all of our tools and authorities to help those currently addicted to opioids, while taking steps to prevent new cases of addiction.ā€
Above is the full statement, find full statement with options for study requests: https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/FDAInBrief/ucm630847.htm
Maryland’s co-prescribing new laws/ amendments regarding benzos and opioids
Chapter 215 AN ACT concerning Health Care Providers – Opioid and Benzodiazepine Prescriptions – Discussion of Information Benefits and Risks
FOR the purpose of requiring that certain patients be advised of the benefits and risks associated with the prescription of certain opioids, and benzodiazepines under certain circumstances, providing that a violation of this Act is grounds for disciplinary action by a certain health occupations board; and generally relating to advice regarding benefits and risks associated with opioids and benzodiazepines that are controlled dangerous substances.
Section 1–223 Article – Health Occupations Section 4–315(a)(35), 8–316(a)(36), 14–404(a)(43), and 16–311(a)(8) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article – Health Occupations (a) In this section, ā€œcontrolled dangerous substanceā€ has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article.
Ch. 215 2018 LAWS OF MARYLAND (B) On treatment for pain, a health care provider, based on the clinical judgment of the health care provider, shall prescribe: (1) The lowest effective dose of an opioid; and (2)A quantity that is no greater than the quantity needed for the expected duration of pain severe enough to require an opioid that is a controlled dangerous substance unless the opioid is prescribed to treat: (a.) A substance–related disorder; (b.) Pain associated with a cancer diagnosis; (c.) Pain experienced while the patient is receiving end–of–life, hospice, or palliative care services; or (d.) Chronic pain
(C.) The dosage, quantity, and duration of an opioid prescribed under [subsection (b)] of this [section] shall be based on an evidence–based clinical guideline for prescribing controlled dangerous substances that is appropriate for: (1.) The health care service delivery setting for the patient; (2.) The type of health care services required by the patient; (3.) and The age and health status of the patient.
(D) (1) WHEN A PATIENT IS PRESCRIBED AN OPIOID UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, THE PATIENT SHALL BE ADVISED OF THE BENEFITS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPIOID.
 (2) WHEN A PATIENT IS CO–PRESCRIBED A BENZODIAZEPINE WITH AN OPIOID THAT IS PRESCRIBED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, THE PATIENT SHALL BE ADVISED OF THE BENEFITS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BENZODIAZEPINE AND THE CO–PRESCRIPTION OF THE BENZODIAZEPINE. 
(E) A violation of [subsection (b) OR (D) of] this section is grounds for disciplinary action by the health occupations board that regulates the health care provider who commits the violation.
4-315 (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 4–318 of this subtitle, the Board may deny a general license to practice dentistry, a limited license to practice dentistry, or a teacher’s license to practice dentistry to any applicant, reprimand any licensed dentist, place any licensed dentist on probation, or suspend or revoke the license of any licensed dentist, if the applicant or licensee: (35) Fails to comply with § 1–223 of this article.
8–316. (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 8–317 of this subtitle, the Board may deny a license or grant a license, including a license subject to a reprimand, probation, or suspension, to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or suspend or revoke the license of a licensee if the applicant or licensee: (36) Fails to comply with § 1–223 of this article.
14–404. (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this subtitle, a disciplinary panel, on the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum of the disciplinary panel, may reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or suspend or revoke a license if the licensee: (43) Fails to comply with § 1–223 of this article.
16–311. (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 16–313 of this subtitle, the Board, on the affirmative vote of a majority of its members then serving, may deny a license or a limited license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee or holder of a limited license, impose an administrative monetary penalty not exceeding $50,000 on any licensee or holder of a limited license, place any licensee or holder of a limited license on probation, or suspend or revoke a license or a limited license if the applicant, licensee, or holder:
(8) Prescribes or distributes a controlled dangerous substance to any other person in violation of the law, including in violation of § 1–223 of this article;
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect October 1, 2018.
Approved by the Governor, April 24, 2018.
https://legiscan.com/MD/text/HB653/id/1788719/Maryland-2018-HB653-Chaptered.pdf
submitted by Dirtclodkoolaid to ChronicPain [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 14:22 Andoni95 N5 from zero in 30 days (Reflections, methodologies, and pedagogy)

Introduction

I started learning Japanese on March 22 2023. At the time of writing, It has been about 70-80 days since. Currently I would place myself at N3 level. I became very inspired to study Japanese after (a) visiting Niseko (Hokkaido) and (b) reading a post on Reddit about someone who claims to pass N1 from zero in 8.5 months.
The purpose of this post is to offer (a) alternative perspectives to learning Japanese, (b) prove that it is possible to learn quickly, (c) challenge some of the existing recommendations. This post is part one out of eight articles detailing my journey to N1 from zero in 8 months. Disclaimer, this post will be very long and ranty!
This post will cover some of the study techniques and experiments I’ve conducted for the first month, as well as the results of my experimentation and insights. As for the elephant in the room, I’m currently studying N3 after 60+ days into my Japanese learning journey. I’m sure many are skeptical or might presume that I have bad mastery of N5 and N4 content, but by the end of the post, I’m confident that I would have responded to them.

Prior Knowledge

I started watching anime since Naruto. I think that was 15 years ago. I’m not particularly obsessed with Japanese culture but I do follow the mainstream anime like Bleach, Tokyo Ghoul, My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, and most recently Demon Slayer. So I do possess 15 years of acclimatising to the sound of Japanese anime speech. However my Vocab is very limited. I know how to count from 1-99, konnichiwa and itadakemasu, and a couple more words that I might remember if I was prompted. I also know the hand signs from Naruto. Apart from that, I consider myself truly zero in Japanese knowledge.

While your brain can only hold 7-9 items in the short term memory at once, it does not mean you cannot study more than 9 items in a day.

I see most people on Reddit recommending 15-20 new cards on Anki. Personally I think this pace is way too slow, especially for the beginner. Most typical N5 vocab deck would have about 600-700 cards. 15cards/day means that it would take 40-50 days just to see all the cards. I also came across a study that says our short term brain cannot store more than 9 items at a time. This would seem to support support the recommendation of 15-20 vocabulary cards a day. While reading Moonwalking with Einstein, a book on the capabilities of the human memory, I read about a story of a guy who could draw the landscape of New York with shocking precision after flying pass the city on a helicopter once. The book also hinted at the idea that we possess some form of photographic memory.
And so, i tried to do about 50-100 new cards a day. Within 10 days, I’ve seen all the N5 Vocab. Around day 15 or so, i became concerned that cramming so many words in a day would mean that the retention rate will be low. So I tested myself on those 700 words and I think I got about 85% correct.
Personally i was very happy with that score. I thought I could do a lot worse. So clearly, trying to learn 100 new cards a day wasn’t detrimental to retention rate (I will address my thoughts on burnout on a later point). What is happening?
My hypothesis is that while we can’t store more 6-9 items in our short term memory, it doesn’t mean that when we study our 10th,11th, 20th or 100th item, our brain would completely reject the input. You are still imprinting something onto the brain. What this means is that while you should not expect to see a word once and remember it forever, it says nothing about the upper limit of how many words you can simultaneously start on the first stage of the SRS system. We all know that SRS takes time to turn short term memory into long term memory. It could take weeks or a few months. But if we can start 100 words on the SRS system vs 15-20 words, and there is no significant cost to doing more words, then starting 100 new cards a day will bring us to our destination much faster.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

When you read about many people agreeing that 15-20 new Anki card a day is a good pace, or that it takes 300-500 hours to pass N5, then it sets the expectation of what is normal. The reason I was able to Master N5 in approximately 150-200 hours and learn all its vocab a couple of weeks is because I did not pay attention to what other people can achieve.

How I use Anki

From my survey on Reddit, it seems that people get overwhelm by the amount of reviews on Anki. And I think this reveals that the are doing reviews differently from how I do it.
When I do my Anki reviews, I only entertain two state of minds when marking the flash cards. The first is I know the answer (the answer pops into my brain instantaneously) and the second is I don’t know the answer (mind is blank). I do not try to recall the answer. Recalling takes time. If I try to recall the answer, it might take me upwards of a minute or two to remember it (and even then, I might still be wrong). Instead i like my Anki reviews to be snappy. It feels like I take about a fraction of a second to answer my Anki cards, although the Anki statistics tells me that I take 4second per card. Still fast either way. At 4s/card I can do 900 reviews in one hour.
Next is how I use Easy, Good, Again and Hard. The rule of thumb is to be more liberal than strict. I try to use Easy, instead of Good as much as I can because I don’t want my reviews to pile up. I almost never use Hard even if I get the card completely wrong. Speaking of reviews pilling up, we need to define what marking an Anki item as Good or Easy means to me.
For a lot of people it means aiming for perfection. That means that the person only click Easy or Good if his answer exactly matches the back side of the card. For myself I set an extremely low bar, as long the vague feeling of what I think the answer is somewhat matches the answer on the back side, I’m happy to give it a Good at least. Why? Because it’s the nature of Anki or SRS system to return cards you previously click Easy and Good. I don’t have to worry about being too forgiving on myself and being ignorant about the fact because I can always count on the card to return eventually. And if I a card I previously marked as Good, came back, and feels difficult, I would then make a mental note to study it in greater detail. Secondly, a lot of the 700 words in a typical N5 vocab deck are so common that you will encounter them all the time in the wild. This is called organic or natural SRS. If you are strict on your Anki at this stage, it can be quite an overkill in hindsight. Of course it may not feel like an overkill in the beginning because you are still gettting cards wrong.

Burnt out

Okay what about burnout. Surely I might be overdoing it, and wouldn’t burnout eventually catch up to me. Yes and no. I think the phenomenon of burnout is highly exaggerated. I don’t like to use the word burnt out whenever I’m feeling ā€œburnt outā€ because it has a lot of negative connotations and because negative connotations can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies. Instead, I prefer to use the phrase, ā€œI’m tired nowā€. I kind of compare myself to Shonen protagonists where there’s this big villain coming up and then some special training to level up. The special training is usually quite intense, and sometimes dangerous, and they will eventually be quite tired by the end of the training. But these protagonists always reemerge stronger with new abilities and can now overcome stronger foes.
Similarly, whenever I study too much, I would just acknowledge that I’m tired, watch some anime and something different. I’m usually okay by the next morning. I attribute my ability to resist burn out my thoughts and attitude.

Consistency, multimodality learning, and resourcefulness

I only believe in one kind of consistency, and that is that you have to show up almost every day. But I don’t believe in the kind of consistency that requires me to be on a 365-day Anki/wanikani/immersion streak. This is also one factor that helps to protect burn out. When I feel like doing textbook learning, that’s what I’m going to do. If want to do pure Bunpro and Anki for the next 3 days without reading any textbook, that’s what I’ll do.
I also believe in the idea of multimodality learning. I use everything at my disposal:
All the textbooks (Genki, Minna no nihongo, Tae Kim)
YouTube videos (Misa ammo, game gengo, tokiniandy)
Podcast
Songs
Doing active immersion with anime
Changing my phone language to Japanese (this one unfortunately is a bad advice. I recommend to stay away from this if you are still at N5)
Posters
Instagram and TikTok accounts of Japanese tutors
Websites (tofugu, human Japanese, Japanese tutors’ blogs)
Apps (wanikani, language reactor, bunpro)
Japanese grammar dictionaries
Assessment books
Discord or Reddit or forums
Japanese classes
There’s often this debate on which is better, Genki vs Minna vs Tae kim. If cost or ability to procure them is not an issue, why not use all of them? It’s okay to have one source as your primary source. Mine was Genki 1. But when I wanted to understand a nuance that Genki does not explain well enough, I’ll usually consult my other sources. And if I’m bored of Genki, I can easily switch to Tae Kim, for a change of scenery. If I don’t feel like reading, Misa or Tokiniandy is there for me.
My observation is that many people are usually only using one modality to acquire a new skill. This is causing their journey to be unnecessarily monotonous.

Sloppy learning and conjugations

One very integral component of the Japanese language is conjugation. It’s especially important for the N5. Conjugations can allow you to express many meaning in Japanese. Learning how to conjugate accurately is going to be a struggle for any beginner(think godan and ichidan verbs and conjugating to masu, te, negative forms, etc).
A lot of Japanese textbook and assessment will make you do drills. I skipped all of them. Rather than trying to brute force your way to memorizing conjugations I employ a technique called sloppy learning(this phrase is borrowed from ā€œJapan Like A Breezeā€ on patreon). I define sloppy learning as learning just enough to acquire the essence of the concept.
For example, ,whether the verbs is in its polite form, short form, negative form or past tense form etc, can be easily recognised by looking at the last few syllabus of a word. If a words end on a ā€œtaā€, it must be past tense form. If it ends on a ā€œmasuā€ it must be the polite/long form. This concept can literally be understood in 5 mins.
Thus for me. When conjugating oyogu (泳ぐ)into past tense form, I just conjugate it as oyogu-ta (oyogu +ta) Or sometimes oyota. Now oyota is wrong of course. But that’s all I need at this stage. I desire to understand Japanese, not to get full marks on conjugation drill table. You must always try to look at the big picture. Trying to do well on conjugation drills is an opportunity cost. Ultimately one needs to judge what is worth spending effort on. Hence the idea of sloppy learning is to be deliberate about what to focus on.
Once I can consistently remember that masu means polite and ta meant past, this is where I try to conjugate them correctly. Conjugations is difficult because they all don’t behave like ru verbs. You cannot simply drop the ru at the end of a word and append ta or masu to them. Oyogu for example doesn’t even have a ru ending.
The path I chose was to hope that I can organically (I like this word a lot, but it also sometimes means magically) , know how to conjugate correctly one day. And to a certain extent I acquired some intuition on conjugations without any active involvement from my part. I soon became aware that if a word ends in a gu or a ku, then instead of a ta, it might be ita or ida.
The break through came on day 35. When I couldn’t endure the fact that I wasn’t able to magically acquire conjugation intuition for free. So i goggled ā€œwhy are godan verbs conjugate the way they areā€. And Tofugu came to the rescue.
Essentially they introduced three concepts (a) double consanent with small tsu, (b) assimilation with n, and (c)consonant removal. After that article, conjugating became a breeze. In hindsight, my ability to conjugate only costed me the time to read one tofugu article (and one month of passively intuiting the conjugation patterns) Because I did not spend time on conjugation drills, i was able to progress to the other grammatical points in Genki 1. I didn’t remain stuck in one place for too long.And this is another aspect of sloppy learning. You learn just enough to move on to the next level, you don’t aim for perfection.
Your brain can’t do everything at once. Your brain cannot remember that masu means polite form, and all the rules for conjugating verbs to masu in one sitting. If you try to do that, you can remain stuck, despite already understanding the general idea of conjugation. Better to move on and let the intuition develop. If you judge that the intuition is not going to progress or progress quickly enough, you can always intervene later by supplementing with new knowledge.

Mnemonics when I get something wrong too often

Often there will be a vocab or grammar point that I always can’t seem to latch on. No vague feelings, no guesses, just an empty mind. When this happens, it can be a scary feeling. It may feel like you are not good enough.
Really the solution is very simple. Just add one more inferential step. When I first encountered the word bengoshiļ¼ˆå¼č­·å£«ļ¼‰ , my mind does not produce any intuition or pictures or feelings. What I did was to create a mnemonic, a story. How to relate a lawyer to the sound ben go shi? I managed to came up with ā€œwhen the judge announces his judgement, the bench(jury) goes ā€œshhhhā€ā€Sorry, I know it’s really bad. But when I created that story, bengoshi never stumped me again.I’ve seen a lot of criticism of mnemonics that I don’t agree with
  1. ā€˜they are not for meā€>>I’ve seen people said that Anki is not for me. Srs is not for me. While I believe in individual differences and effectiveness in different methodologies, I feel that sometimes people decide too quickly what is or isn’t for them. What is optimal may first have a learning curve in the beginning. And instead of saying that something is not for me and moving on to the next thing, we need to consider if it isn’t we ourselves that should change to make it fit for us.
  2. ā€œIf I’m trying to memorize something, how does adding more things to remember help. Now I not only have to remember the word, but I need to remember the story to remember the word.ā€>> Between a story and a random string of number ā€œ89779012879ā€ , the brain can remember the short story more easily than the string of number despite the story consisting of more words. It’s just how our brain works.

On active immersion

Active immersion means trying to pick up words or trying to understand what is being said in Japanese media like anime or novels. Passive immersion means enjoying the content without really worrying about improving your Japanese.
On day 21 I tried active immersion with Weathering with You. I came to the conclusion that active immersion is not efficient for the new learner. I can imagine myself doing a lot of sentence mining and active immersion in the future (spoiler, I’m now on day 70-80 and I’m immersing a lot more now). But definitely a hard no for me to recommend new comers as the only and primary form of learning Japanese.

Why textbook learning and structural learning is important for fast gains.

Textbook learning is great for fast gains because it prioritises for you. Textbooks are not prepared by a random person. They are usually prepared while respecting certain pedagogical principles in mind by a team of qualified academics. While appealing to authority doesn’t make it correct, we should at least be cognisant that the textbooks might be doing a few things right.
One of those pedagogical principles is incremental or progressive learning. Building knowledge upon what was previously learnt.
Another principle is foundational concepts. A textbook will usually introduce foundational concepts that act as a scaffold for everything else as early as possible. And because textbook learning is progressive, it means that the difficulty is always going to feel just about right. In active immersion the difficulty can be wild because it does not respect your level of Japanese proficiency.

Completing N5 in 30 days.

In this 30 days, I was not only learning Japanese, but also learning how to learn. They call it building a plane while flying it hahahah. The principles outlined here helped me to finish N5 content at an insane rate. I was spending about 6-8 hours a day on Japanese (in chunks). So one point not stated here is time. There's no way around time investment.
On the 30th day I did a lot of mock tests and I performed quite well (80-90% correct).When I started on N4 on day 31, I was really surprised by the bump in difficulty. I gave myself 30 days to clear N4. That was the hardest 30 days in my Japanese learning journey. I’m fact I had a better time when I was studying for N3 on day 65 onwards. In my next post I’ll share why N4 was harder than N5 and N3 for me and share some more insights. Hope this has been helpful in offering new perspectives. Thank you for reading this long rant of mine.
There are also quite a few things missing in this post, namely
  1. my studying regime for the first 30 day
  2. the kanji problem (this one i struggled to settle on a study method. i was trying a lot of different strategies)
  3. the psychological lived experience of studying japanese. the truth is, there is another battlefield happening in the mind realm. i often have self doubt and fear creeping. knowing how to address them is essential to a happy journey.
  4. engaging in the larger conversation between Taekim, Curedolly, Refold, All japanese all the time, Moeway, immersion schools of thought, matt vs japan etc etc. I feel that a lot of my fundamental beleifs regarding where i stand can be glimpsed in this post. but i want to make my beliefs explict.
I will try to share more in the next post. If you have any questions on the specifics, I'll be there at the comment section ^^
submitted by Andoni95 to LearnJapanese [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 14:15 justhavingfunyea I bought a Macbook Air based on research and selling it a day later for IPad. My experience with Macbook Air vs Ipad Air.

So, I recently switched to Iphone because Android Auto is horrible. As a result, I couldn't text from my Galaxy tablet or Windows machine. I bought an Ipad mini and had a logitech Keyboard. It worked well, but found myself thinking this thing is too small...But I kept it and did find a lot of uses for it.
So I did Reddit research and Googling before buying a Macbook Air. One of my main concerns is I've never been a fan of tablet/keyboard cases. Likely because Android tablets are horrible...Either way, most of the research said to get a M1 Macbook Air. I didn't think this through though...(pretty standard when I want new shit...).
I quickly realized, I missed the touch screen. In a big way....No big deal though, I've used laptops for years. I then realized Google Chrome sucks bigtime on MacOS. No big deal...I can work around it. Then I realized there isn't Netflix or Sling Tv apps (I watch a lot of tennis). No big deal, I can just load up the websites (which takes way too long vs clicking an icon). Ohh, I also need the full version of Office 365 because Ipad/mobile apps don't load on MacOs....Ok, no big deal. I can just remote into my desktop...
Then I saw a 4th gen Macbook Air with a magic keyboard on Marketplace for $500. The guy had it listed for $700 for like a month. He finally dropped the price. We agree on a price of $480. I felt this was fair since the Ipad Air has 256GB of storage. However, I've never even seen a Magic Keyboard. I heard it was heavy....I watched some reviews, and the main drawback was not having volume buttons, etc on the keyboard. Plus I am not a fan of a case/keyboard that costs $300!! I figured, what the hell, I will try it. Worse case, I am sure I can get my money back since a new Keyboard is almost $300. Plus the Ipad Air was the green version which is one of my favorite colors.
I am so glad I took a chance on it. I have office apps back...I have touchscreen back. The keyboard feels nice. I love split view when consuming media. Last night, I was working on music stuff and I had split screen between my lyrics in Word (and editing them was super easy), and voice recorder on the right. I have an Ipad stand that attaches to the microphone stand and it was super nice to have everything I need right there. Plus, I got Netflix, Sling Tv and all those apps back. I then was able to split screen YouTube and voice recorder and go back and forth. Also for consuming media, the stand works well most of the time. It is a bit top heavy so when in bed, it tends to want to fall backwards. But at the dining room table (where I do work, texting, etc much of the time instead of my office), it works perfectly. I can text, email, consume, etc and quickly move it to another location if needed vs. having a separate keyboard, etc I would have to move.
I think for a lot of people, who do serious work, like video or extensive photo editing, or a lot of other kind of work, the Macbook AiPro is the way to go. The M1 Macbook Air is a beautiful device and I got it for $650 in mint condition off of Marketplace with 512GB of storage. For people who do video editing, etc, the pendulum quickly goes to the laptop side. For instance, my gf recently edited a bunch of GoPro footage and she bought a Macbook Pro to do it. I am sure she would have run into frustrations/limitations using an Ipad. However, for my limited "work" use, and more recreation use, the Ipad is miles ahead better than using a laptop. Also, I found remote desktop into my windows machine is a pleasure on the device with the keyboard.
I also do recommend checking out Marketplace for deals. A few months ago, I bought a 3rd gen Ipad M1 Pro 11 for $400...I ended up selling it a few weeks later because I was still on the Android ecosystem. I really wish I had that back.....I really like the 4 speaker setup vs the 2 for music. Plus knowing if I want to do Logic Pro, I would have the M1 ready to go...
TL;DR - Bought a macbook Air based on a internet research on Macbook vs Ipad and found out that the research didn't apply to me. If you are researching the same argument, consider what you would use the device for most of the time before making a purchase. If you aren't doing serious editing work, coding, etc., than it may be that the Ipad/Magic Keyboard combo would be the best decision!
submitted by justhavingfunyea to ipad [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 14:10 mdsmeudeus 3rd June London, Gold Circle A: My RWT Experience

These kind of detailed posts were very useful to me before my concert so I thought I'd make one as well!
Warning: very long lmao
Queue
I went solo and had a general admission Gold Circle ticket (A), which means my gate would open at 5PM. I got to the queue around 3:30PM, and there were a lot of people in front of me already, but I wasn't too worried. Since the space for the queue was still quite empty behind me, I was able to sit for a while until more people started to come and the organizers were asking people to clump together so everyone could fit on the space they designed for the queue. At that point, sitting wasn't really an option anymore (that was around 3:40ish) so the rest of the queue time was standing. I'm not sure what happened, but we only got in at 5:30 instead of 5. The queue started to move and at first they scan your QR Code, then you pass through a security gate, and then you scan your QR Code again to get into the stadium. They didn't make a security search at all, which I found kinda weird given the scale of the event (you'd think security would be tighter).
Waiting in the venue
Got in, found my entrance and realized how good of a spot I was in! I'm 183cm tall so I could clearly see the stage and the screens (which I'd say are quite important) and could somewhat see the central platform as well. I was also relatively close to the circle she walks around with the dancers (although she only does that once T-T) so it was amazing to see her that close to me! I wanna say tho, the stage is very tall and for a considerable time she is far back on it, so even if you get barrieclose to barrier she will be quite far imo (unless you get CR barrier and she goes to the middle of circle, then I imagine shes much closer!!). While waiting for the concert to start, I started to worry about needing to go to the restroom and getting hungry, at first I thought I would be fine without both but yea, I was wrong. The crowd started to get bigger so I just asked the people in front of me if it was fine for them to hold my spot for a little while and they were super sweet about it. Did my business, got some fries and water and headed back to the floor. Now, if you can, please don't sit while waiting on the floor. It makes moving and standing around you so much harder than it has to be!! You occupy double or even triple the amount of space, and make everyone around you having to be twice as aware of their steps otherwise they could be stepping on your hands, hair, clothes etc. Everyone is tired af from waiting, so let's just work together and make it less painful for everybody!! If you feel like you really need to sit, I'd recommend bringing one of those foldable stools: they make it easier for people to stand and move around you, and there's no danger of people stumbling since you'll still have some height and won't occupy as much floor space. I saw quite a few people having them and I think it's a good way to do it! Additionally, bringing a fan was a LIFE SAVER!!!! Mine is now a must to any gig I go to. I'm someone who gets hot really easily, so the fan made my night soooo much better. (It doesn't need to be the Renaissance or Heated fans, get yourself any fan you can, they all work just fine. I got mine from amazon, it was 6 pounds and works wonders. It's also not huge, so I didn't need to raise my arm and fan myself from the top bc of the lack of horizontal space -- which is what people with big fans had to do --, I could just fan myself normally!!) By the way, if you're someone who can't handle much pain, 100% go with comfy shoes. You'll stand for a long time AND (hopefully...) dance for your life, so it's much more intense than a regular clubbing night. A girl besides me came in with boots and changed to tennis shoes, so that's an alternative as well!
This was my view of her btw!
Concert
I won't talk much about the Bey herself, she's more than amazing and we all know that. The whole show is beautiful, including the interludes which are jaw-dropping (which is why i think having a good view of the screens is important, those visuals are EVERYTHING). I wish I could go again and again and again and again. Now, the rumors are true, your ears might suffer!!! I felt the beat move my chest just from the vibration but that felt good, the issue is rlly the ears. Of course in a concert is normal for the sound to be very loud, as the artist and music has to be heard by everybody despite the crowd noise. But the bass/beat was like punching my ears, that's how I can describe it at least. Luckily, I had read some people complaining exactly about this on this subreddit, so i was kinda ready. Instead of buying earplugs (I don't rlly have money for that...) I used some tissue paper and I swear it worked wonders. You just need to cover your eardrums and the punching stops. Also, the crowd noise is much more muffled but I still heard the songs and Bey's voice loud and clear (at least most of the time lol)! The performance itself is AMAZING. She's a professional and knows what she's doing at ALL TIMES. It was so good but so good that I wish the venue would prohibit cellphone use so everyone could enjoy it 110% instead of filming it and diluting the very moment they're experiencing + blocking the view of other people (especially shorter ppl!!!) That being said, the crowd was... ok? Even in the most hype/high-energy moments (formation, savage, heated, ahap, etc) it felt quite lacking. I'm a frequent solo concert goer, and up to the RWT I'm mostly reliant on the crowd's energy to really enjoy a performance. Almost all concerts I've been to had crowds that weren't as energetic as I was, and, as a very shy person myself, I felt very limited by that. However, I payed some good money to be there this time, and that was Beyonce herself on front of me so I finally set myself free from that and danced and screamed and vibed regardless of the ppl around me. Couldn't even tell you if they were bothered cuz I was so focused and loose that I think I wouldn't have noticed anyway tbf. From around the last half/third of the show, I noticed a girl behind me was dancing and screaming just like me so at least we vibed together the rest of the concert. It was great! The dancers and band are insanely good!! Such skillful people and delivered everything one could ask for. Sometimes they would block the only angle I had of Bey and i wasn't even mad cuz each person on that stage is pouring their soul out through their artistry. Beautiful. Alsooo, Blue was there again and she was so great! She gets better every night and it's so cute to see Bey's reaction to her own daughter owning her movements in front of such huge crowds <33
Leaving
Leaving for me was as straight-forward as getting to the venue. I walked for both instances as I live relatively close to the Tottenham Stadium. Tbf coming back home was much harder cuz my feet were on fire but I was so numbed by the quality of what I had just witnessed that I didn't even mind lmao. However I did see that for people who needed trains it was REALLY packed!! Maybe it can be easier to walk a little further away and catch a bus, as I saw some people doing that as well (google maps is quite reliable, and it gives you many alternative routes for what you need. I'd def recommend it if you need it).
Final notes
- Perfomance 10/10 - Experience 7.8/10 - My fav moment is the whole Plastic Off the Sofa / Virgos Groove / Move / Heated act. Although the AHAP + Pure/Honey moment is a close second (that fit is SO GOOD). - A little sad that Thique and AUIYM didn't make the cut, and that heated, move and POTS were cut in half. I get it tho. - Stage and fashion are beautiful, it leaves you mesmerized! - I NEED A LIVE ALBUM ASAP. I wanna relive this experience and the way she bends these songs live is even fresher than the studio album itself. NEED IT. - I'll say it again: If i could i would go again and again and again. Get different seats/areas, and just experience this fantastic performance in every way there possibly is.
submitted by mdsmeudeus to beyonce [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 14:01 ILoveDogs2142 Can we seriously talk about ASX300's performance? I mean, seriously.

In the last 5 years, total performance for ASX300 has been 14.74%. This is a return of just less than 3% pa (5 years)
Since 2009, there has been growth of 76.29%. This is a return of 5.4% pa (14 years).
I know stock investing is a long-term game. But compare this to the last 5 years of S&P500 (10.4%). In the last 14 years, the S&P500 index has grown by an average of 37% pa. I'm not kidding.
A lot of this growth has occurred due to the rise in the tech sector.
Without getting into the specifics, we know that:
My question is whether the ASX300 index is even worth investing in given these points. The future is in technology and we are going through a revolution now. Whether you like it or not the US is the biggest, most powerful country and 15-20 years from now the S&P500 is probably going to outperform the ASX300 by miles.
So why do people invest in Aussie stocks? Yes, I know you can have franked dividends. But the benefit of this does not even come close to the kind of growth you can get from top American companies.
submitted by ILoveDogs2142 to AusFinance [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 14:00 AutoModerator Looking for Additional Moderators!

Just over four years ago, as we were getting close to 10,000 members, we put out the call for new moderators. Since then, we've had some folks stay, some folks go, but here we are at over 60,000 members, and we haven't really expanded our coverage in a couple of years.
It's time.

What We're Looking For

There are a couple of qualifications you should have under your belt. This is a quick rundown:
There are a few other things we'll be looking at as well. We want active members who are actually interested in helping others get over some of the hurdles stepparenting brings. We want people who are capable of engaging in reasonable discourse, even when dealing with a poster you may not be particularly fond of. And most importantly, we want mature posters who aren't afraid of being heckled.

The Daily Life of a Stepparent Mod

The mod team uses discord currently for communication. Most of what happens here doesn't require immediate attention, but when it does, it's usually a Really Big Deal. And while we respect the autonomy of mods to make their own calls, we do tend to discuss the big issues that come up. If you've been around for a bit, you've seen the brigading, and there are days when the cleanup takes a lot of coordination.

What's In It For You

Glory and fame. To be perfectly honest, while being able to say "I'm a moderator on a parenting subreddit," is nifty at cocktail parties, there really isn't anything else in it for you. There's no compensation, sometimes you can get burned out, and sometimes things can get stressful. Targeting and harassment by trolls is not unheard of.
The upside? There's a feeling of satisfaction knowing that you are helping others through things you yourself have experienced, and there's a lot of satisfaction in helping grow a community to be a place of comfort for thousands. And there's also the developing friendships between mods that brings its own sense of belonging and community.

How to Apply

We're going to leave the application open for a few weeks. If you are selected, you will get a 4 week trial run. This gives you time to see if you actually like moderating this sub and it gives us time to get a sense of your style moderation and making sure it's a good fit. We'll be adding several people, so you'll have other newbies to work with. We expect you to keep lines of communication open, and be open to letting the older mods guide you. It is absolutely critical that we all have a good rapport and can work together.
We look forward to seeing your responses on the application and will review them all as a team. If you have trouble accessing the form, please reach out via modmail and we'll see if we can find an alternative means for you.
submitted by AutoModerator to stepparents [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 13:03 FelicitySmoak_ On This Day In Michael Jackson HIStory - June 4th

On This Day In Michael Jackson HIStory - June 4th
1970 - "The Love You Save" by The Jackson Five enters the Billboard Soul Singles chart where it will peak at #1 and remain there for 6 weeks
1984 - Michael is on the cover of US magazine

https://preview.redd.it/mupw1cqdcv3b1.jpg?width=194&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22341f64768e6df605942a9ad15af47ffbab0207
1990 - Thousands of Michael Jackson fans pour onto the grounds of St John's Hospital and Health Center in Santa Monica, Los Angeles to support Michael who was admitted last night suffering from severe chest pains.
Doctors today ran a battery of tests to find out what ails him.
ā€œHe’s undergoing several important tests today,ā€ said Jackson spokesman Bob Jones. ā€œI don’t think it was a heart attack. He just experienced some discomfort. He had been feeling bad the past two or three days.ā€
2009 - Michael attended rehearsals and goes to Dr Klein’s in Beverly Hills
2013 - Jackson v AEG Trial Day 23
Katherine was at court with Austin Brown.
Paul Gongaware Testimony
AEG cross
He was asked about Michael's final two rehearsals at Staples Center. Gongaware couldn't recall details about the first one. He said he wasn't particularly attentive about Jackson's health & appearance. This was the 1st rehearsal after Jackson missed one 4 days earlier. Gongaware said Michael rehearsed on June 23rd. "He was fine," Gongaware described, saying his understanding was that Michael was okay. Gongaware said he wasn't being specifically attentive on the 23rd because he didn't think there was a problem with Michael. Michael rehearsed on Jun 24th. Gongaware watched "Thriller" in its entirety, it was the 1st time they were using costume. He said Michael seemed fine.

Putnam: "Was he engaged?"
Gongaware: "Yes"
Putnam: "Any physical issues?"
Gongaware: "No, I didn't see any, He did a good rehearsal"
On June 25th, Gongaware got a call from Randy saying he had a call from DiLeo asking him to go to Michael's house because something was going on. As Randy got to Michael's house, an ambulance was leaving and Randy followed it to the hospital. Gongaware said. "I didn't know what was going on"
"At that point I was apprehensive because I didn't know what was happening." Gongaware said he didn't hear anything for a while, so he called Randy to see what was going on and he said Michael had died. "I was in shock," Gongaware recalled. "The artist was gone, he just passed away. How did this happen?!". Gongaware said he no idea what caused Michael to die, never contemplated the idea of Michael Jackson dying. Gongaware talked very matter-of-factly about the day Jackson died. Gongaware said he questioned how it happened. "I called Kenny right away and told him. He was at Staples Center," Gongaware recalled. "The atmosphere at Staples was very somber."
After Michael's passing, Gongaware said they had to shut down production. He was then involved in Jackson's memorial service.
As to why This Is It was happening in London, Gongaware explained it was Michael's best market. "We didn't know how strong it would be." Putnam asked Gongaware if AEG considered a tour in the US. "No, he had all those child allegations flying, it was the wrong thing to do" he said.
Gongaware: "He didn't tour very often, I don't think he liked it very much. There were lots of things he would rather be doing". Michael never did "meet and greet, according to Gongaware
The exec said Michael came out with the phrase "This Is It" because this was the last tour he was going to do.
Michael only agreed to 50 shows, but Gongaware said AEG Live was interested in more
Gongaware said the Dangerous tour lost money due to cancellations. He said he thought HIStory nearly broke even. Gongaware worked on Dangerous, HIStory" and one Jacksons tour back in the 80s. Michael's primary concern was not making money off his shows, Gongaware said. His primary concern was with the art, the performance
"This Is It was supposed to be spectacular", Gongaware said. He would be doing 8-10 shows a month, so about 3 a week.
Gongaware said he never saw Michael take drugs. Aside from drug use in 93, Gongaware said he didn't have any other knowledge of his using drugs. "He was lively, engaged, he seemed happy," Gongaware said about Michael
Putnam asked Gongaware about the day he thought Jackson was impaired after an appointment with Dr. Arnold Klein. The questions prompted a sidebar. He said Jackson "wasn't quite the same" but didn't testify about Jackson's demeanor in detail. He was told Michael was at Dr. Klein's office. Gongaware said he was not familiar with the doctors who treated Michael. Putnam announced be had no more questions at this time
Jackson redirect
In response to Panish questions, Gongaware said This Is It was only the second tour that AEG Live would promote and produce
Panish asked if the exec was concerned about Michael.
"I certainly wanted him to do well".
Panish: "Were you concerned about his children and his family, sir?"
Gongaware: "I was concerned about him"
Panish: "How about his family and children, sir?"
Gongaware: "I supposed. I was focused on Michael"
Brian Panish asked Gongaware a couple different ways if he was concerned about Jackson's mother & children. Gongaware looked up toward the celiling and then said he'd thought about it and he was concerned about Jackson's mom & children
"I believe he was a good father," Gongaware said about Michael Jackson.
Panish: "Did you know he was a great son to his mother?"
Gongaware: "I believe he was"
Panish asked if Gongaware ever called Katherine Jackson to express his condolences. The executive said no. Gongaware said he also didn't think that he sent Katherine Jackson or Jackson's children a condolence card.
Panish: "After Michael died, did you ever send a card to his mother?"
Gongaware: 'I don't think so"
Panish: "Did you ever call her to express your condolences?"
Gongaware: "No"
Panish asked Gongaware several questions about the executive changing elements of his deposition testimony. "I believe I testified truthfully," Gongaware said. "I don't believe I changed my testimony substantially."
Panish then started pointing out what he said were inconsistencies in Gongaware's testimony
This led to questions about whether Gongaware was mistaken when he wrote in an email that AEG was paying Conrad Murray's salary. Gongaware said he didn't necessarily think he was mistaken. He also said he didn't remember writing the email. As to the email Gongaware wrote that AEG, not Michael paid Dr. Murray. Panish asked again if Gongaware recalled writing this email. He said no. Gongaware said he spent 2 days with his lawyers preparing for his deposition, one-two hours discussing the email about AEG paying Dr. Murray. Panish pointed out several answers Gongaware gave on his deposition and the changes he asked to make to the transcript after meeting with attorneys. Panish said Gongaware changed his testimony several times as a result of meeting with AEG's attorneys. Panish said Gongaware also changed his testimony again while on the stand and under oath. Panish tried to impeach Gongaware, which is a legal way to call into question the witness' credibility.
Later in the case, the judge will instruct the jurors that if they think a person lied, they may disconsider part of all of his testimony. As to the email about AEG paying Dr. Murray, Panish pointed out that Gongaware changed his answers several times throughout his testimony. One time he said the email was shorthanded, normal course of business and didn't really think it was a mistake. Yesterday, Gongaware answered the same question saying he was mistaken when he said AEG was paying Dr. Murray. Gongaware explained he thinks he said the same thing but different ways. Gongaware was also asked about a key email he wrote that has come up several other times during the trial. Talking about Murray, he wrote:
We want to remind him that it is AEG, not Michael who is paying his salary. We want him to understand what is expected of him

Panish: "Do you have any idea why you might have written that AEG is paying his salary?"
Gongaware: "No. I mean, I was mistaken there. We weren't going to pay his salary. We would have advanced the money on Michael's instructions"
Panish then asked Gongaware about Lou Ferrigno and whether he was an employee of AEG Live. Gongaware said no, reiterating his previous testimony that he made a deal with Ferrigno. He said Ferrigno would have been an independent contractor. Panish asked whether Ferrigno had a contract with AEG Live. Gongaware said he didn't know. Panish asked Gongaware if he hired Lou Ferrigno to be Michael's trainer. "I made a deal for Michael," Gongaware said. Ferrigno was an independent contractor, Gongaware said he didn't know whether Ferrigno was submitting bills to his office.
Panish: "So you stiffed Lou Ferrigno, you didn't pay the Incredible Hulk?"(Everyone in the courtroom laughed out loud)
Gongaware: "I don't know how he would get paid, if he would submit bills or not"
Panish said Gongaware testified yesterday that he was not concerned with Michael because he was working out with a trainer. Today Gongaware testified Michael was going to work out with Lou Ferrigno. Gongaware said he didn't know whether Ferrigno had an independent contract agreement or not and if he got paid. Panish inquired about AEG only paying people with fully executed contract. Gongaware said he didn't know the status of Ferrigno's contract. "I don't know specifically when Mr. Jackson saw trainers, but I believe he was seeing trainers," Gongaware explained.
Panish: "He was seeing Lou Ferrigno to be in the next Incredible Hulk?"
Gongaware: "I don't think so"
Panish said Gongaware testified he was not concerned about Michael because he was working out with Lou Ferrigno. He said he didn't say that.
"When he was sick on June 19, I didn't know what was happening," Gongaware explained. "After that, Michael was great."
Panish asked whether he ever received Conrad Murray's contract. Gongaware, when shown an email from June 16, 2009, that included Murray's contract, said he didn't generally read contracts. "Dr Murray wasn't supposed to get paid. If Michael would've signed the deal, Dr Murray would've been paid for his work in London," Gongaware said .
Panish: "You didn't have time to ready budgets, you didn't have time to read contracts, right?"
Gongaware: "I didn't read budgets early on"
Panish asked if Gongaware had any document to prove that Dr. Murray was told that anyone else, but AEG, was paying him. Gongaware didn't recall.
Panish: "Did you have anything in writing saying it was Michael, not AEG, paying Dr. Murray?"
Gongaware: "I don't know"
Gongaware said he believed Dr. Murray signed one version of the contract, but doesn't know whether the one showed to him was it. Gongaware said he knew of no document that said his company's payments to Conrad Murray were actually part of a loan to Michael. Gongaware, on the stand for the sixth day, said he didn't know what Murray assumed about who was paying him.
The jury was shown an email from Timm Wooley, the AEG accountant on Jackson's This Is It concert series sent Murray June 6, 2009:
"I am sorry for the long delay in getting this to you, but I hope that, with your input and comments, we can dispose of the agreement quickly and arrange for payment of the May & June fee installment"
Gongaware testified that although he made the deal with Murray, and that the contract was emailed to him in 2009, his court appearance was the first time he had seen it. Gongaware repeated his contention as he has throughout his testimony, that "He was working for Michael Jackson. He wasn't working for us" The contract shown to the jury said it was between AEG Live and Murray. The contract also said Murray was to "Perform the Services reasonably requested by Producers" (AEG). Trell testified earlier that this was one of several mistakes in a draft that would have been cleaned up in the final version
Panish: "You expected Dr Murray, just like Ferrigno, to get paid for services provided to AEG right sir?"
Gongaware: "He wasn't working for AEG"
Gongaware said he was tasked to make the deal, determine compensation for Dr. Murray.
Panish: "If he was Michael's personal doctor, why hire him?"
Gongaware: "I think he wanted to set up the payment. I was told to negotiate his compensation"
Panish asked Gongaware about his contention that Jackson was always able to perform and nail shows when necessary Gongaware repeated he believed when lights went on, Michael was always there. Panish pointed out Michael canceled several shows on the Dangerous tour. The lawyer cited several shows over Jackson's career that he missed: Bangkok, South America and the need to move a couple in Mexico City.
Panish then asked Gongaware about Dr. Stuart Finkelstein, who the lawyer kept referring to as Gongaware's friend of 25 years. Finkelstein, a possible witness in the trial, was on the last leg of the Dangerous tour before it was canceled. Gongaware said Dr. Finkelstein is now a drug addiction specialist. "There were two occasions where he (Dr. Finkelstein) told me he treated Michael, but never talked about Demerol or injections," Gongaware said. "I believe he's mistaken," Gongaware said if Dr. Finkelstein gave deposition to the contrary.
Panish: "Did Dr. Finkelstein tell you he put MJ on a 24 hour morphine drip?"
Gongaware: "No"
Gongaware denied that Finkelstein told him that he thought Jackson was suffering from a prescription drug addiction. He also denied that Finkelstein told him that another doctor on the Dangerous tour was giving Jackson Demerol shots. Dr. Forecast, from London, was Michael's doctor treating the artist during Dangerous tour
Gongaware said he was never alarmed about Jackson's health and said he saw him as being well
Panish: "Is safety paramount to AEG live?"
Gongaware: "Safety should always be expected"
Gongaware said he didn't know if there was a person in charge of safety at rehearsals

Panish: "In your opinion, this is a baseless, shakedown lawsuit?"
Gongaware: "I don't understand the merit in it"
Panish: "You answered interrogatories in this case blaming everything on Mrs. Jackson?"
Gongaware: "I don't recall"
Panish: "Did you sign anything in this case saying that Mrs. Jackson was trying to extort money from AEG?"
Gongaware: "I don't recall"
Regarding whether Jackson's children suffered a loss after their father's death, Gongaware said:
"I believe they suffered a great loss"
Gongaware agreed that the best recollection of what happened in 2009 is the emails, but said he remembers from his head too.
"He was always amazing," Gongaware said about Michael.
Gongaware: "I thought he was great"
Panish: "Despite Bugzee saying he was deteriorating in front of his eyes?"
Gongaware: "My eyes told me differently"
Gongaware said the demand for tickets to Michael's memorial service was huge, comparable to the demand for the This Is It tour. Gongaware said the amount of people still in line to buy tickets for This Is It could've sold out 100 shows. (ABC7)

Panish: "Do you remember what you said Elvis died of?"
Gongaware: "Heart ailment"
But Panish recalled Gongaware giving a different answer earlier on, saying he believed it was prescription drugs
Gongaware was asked about extending the This Is It tour. He was shown emails from promoters wanting Michael concerts in India, Australia. Gongaware said he would have liked the "This Is It" tour to continue, but they only had agreement for 50 shows. On 3/18/09 -- asking about MJ going to India for the show, Phillips responded:
"Thanks, Thomas. Michael will definitely be heading your way"
Gongaware said he thinks they were making plans in case Michael said ok, let's go. Email on 3/17/09 from Phillips:
"We have a 4 year plan that includes Australia, however, we have to finish London first.
Gongaware, who didn't like Australian's promoter, responded:
"Over my dead body. But let's see what he says before I p**s on his parade."

Panish: "Did you ever see Michael under the influence of prescription medication in June 2009?"
Gongaware: "When he came back from Dr. Klein's office"
Panish: "Did you investigate?"
Gongaware: "No, he was coming from his doctor, I didn't think there was a need"

Panish: "Your goal was to have as many shows as possible?"
Gongaware: "I would've liked that"
Panish: "The more shows you had, the more money AEG would've gotten, right?"
Gongaware: "Yes"
Panish asked Gongaware if he had talked to Phillips since he'd been on the witness stand. He said he hadn't discussed the case. Panish then asked if Phillips was aware Gongaware said he was content with AEG Live being #2 concert promoter behind Live Nation. Gongaware said he's expressed his opinion that AEG Live doesn't need to be the #1 promoter
AEG recross
Marvin Putnam, in re-direct, asked Gongaware if he tried to give his best testimony possible in deposition. Gongaware said "Yes"
He asked Gongaware why he never sent a condolence card to Jackson's family. "I'm not good with cards", he said. He said the memorial service was how he wanted to honor the singer. Gongaware said he spent a lot of time thinking about Jackson after his death "What I did, I tried to put the memorial show together," Gongaware said. "I think it was the best thing for me to do, commemorate his life."
Memorial was at the Staples Center with 15,000 people, live fed to Nokia Theater with 5,000 people. Gongaware said he worked directly with Randy Jackson on the memorial. It cost over a million dollars, AEG and Michael's estate bore the cost. "I'm glad I did what I did," Gongaware said, adding memorial was shown to millions of people interested in Michael around the world
Putnam tried to rebut all the claims that Gongaware changed his testimony. Gongaware said he feels he hasn't changed his answers
Putnam also showed jury Gongaware's police statement. Panish had said his comment to police was different from testimony. Panish keyed in on whether Gongaware testified that it was five weeks or two weeks between his first two conversations with Conrad Murray. The police statement said Gongaware told detectives a few weeks separated the calls regarding Murray and the contract
Another document that defense attorney Marvin Putnam showed Gongaware was Lou Ferrigno's contract. Ferrigno's three-page contract designated him as an independent contractor. It was signed by AEG accounting exec Julie Hollander. Putnam showed an independent contract agreement with Ferrigno fully executed. Julie Hollander signed on behalf of AEG effective April 27, 2009
Putnam finished his examination of Gongaware by showing him Conrad Murray's contract. Putnam questioned Gongaware about Dr. Murray's contract. The exec said Michael had to sign it in order for it to be valid. Putnam showed Gongaware language in the agreement that said Michael Jackson had to sign the agreement for it to be a valid contract. Putnam also keyed in on language that said Murray was being engaged "on behalf and at the expense of Michael Jackson"
Jackson redirect
Then it was Panish's turn again. He said there isn't a date on the contract showing when Julie Hollander signed Ferrigno's agreement. Panish questioned Gongaware about whether Ferrigno's contract may have been signed after Jackson's death. Gongaware said he didn't think he sent any contracts to Julie Hollander after Jackson's death. Panish pointed out that Hollander was signing contracts after Michaelhad died. He asked to see the original contract.
Panish: "Lou Ferrigno was retained by AEG, right?"
Gongaware: "Yes"
Panish asked Gongaware whether he thought it would have been better for him if he had reviewed documents and e-mails before testifying. "I relied on the advice of my attorney," he said. "All this legal stuff, I don't understand it," he said. Gongaware said he expected his lawyers would act on his best interest and that he testified truthfully and factually in his deposition. Panish asked if Gongaware expected to be believed now when he wouldn't recall his answers in deposition. Defendant objected, judge sustained
Panish also repeatedly referred to the number of AEG Live defense lawyers in the courtroom. He was later admonished to stop mentioning them. Putnam had noted that Katherine Jackson's side was being represented by four law firms. Panish said he didn't care if Putnam brought it up
With that Paul Gongaware was excused, subject to recall if needed.
Randy Phillips Testimony
Phillips said he met with six attorneys to prep for testimony between 6-8 times over the last two weeks, probably for about 30 hours. Phillips said he went through a bunch of emails, probably 30, from the period in question. He also read his deposition.
Randy Phillips, the chief executive officer of AEG Live, disclosed that his lawyers advised company executives not to review old e-mails before testifying. "They felt it would be better if I went in without preparation," he said, referring to his lawyers. (AEG Live lawyer Marvin Putman said outside of court that the volume of documents they would have needed to review was massive, making it impossible for them to prepare. )
Panish asked Phillips whether he was eager to tell his side of the story. "I believe you called me as a witness, so I'm here," Phillips said flatly
Phillips attended two years of law school, but didn't graduate.

Panish: "Who's higher up than you at AEG Live?"
Phillips: "No one at AEG Live"
Panish: "You are the top dog, so to speak?"
Phillips: "Yes"
Phillips reports to an executive committee who would then report to Tim Leiweke. Phillips said he doesn't know why Leiweke left the company. Phil Anschutz now belongs to the executive committee.
Panish at one point asked the executive whether he was familiar with the music industry. "Familiar with the music industry? I was working in it," Phillips replied.
Phillips said he agreed with statements attributed to him and defense attorney Marvin S. Putnam that the case was a shakedown.
Panish: "Do you think this is an extortion, shakedown lawsuit?"
Phillips: "Yes or no answer? Yes"
Panish: "Did you sign a document under the penalty of perjury saying Mrs. Jackson aided and abetted Joe Jackson to extort money from AEG?"
Phillips: "It's possible, I don't remember. I wish you wouldn't keep calling it a baseless shakedown lawsuit"
Panish: "You believe this case is an extortion, correct?"
Phillips: "Yes"

Panish: "You told Mr. Ortega that AEG checked everyone out, including Dr. Murray?"
Phillips: "I wrote in an email to Kenny Ortega that I thought Dr. Murray had been checked out. I still do, to some extent"
Panish: "You said he was a great doctor?"
Phillips: "Because that's what I was told"
Panish: "Did you write an email that AEG checked everyone out?"
Phillips: "Yes, I did"
Panish: "That was not true"
Phillips: "In retrospect, not 100%.It's what I knew at the time"

Panish: "Isn't it true you said AEG live doesn't lose money, sir?"
Phillips: "Among other things I said"
Panish showed Phillips a Forbes article where he said AEG is about making money, since they are a business.
Phillips: "Live Nation is the largest concert promoter in the world"
Panish: "Do you like being number 2?"
Phillips: "Love it! I'd rather be a successful number 2"
Panish: "You don't want to be number one?"
Phillips: "Not if it means losing money"
Phillips said Mr. Anschutz told him he's happy being a number 2
Panish asked if it was true Phillips wanted to meet with Michael to tour in 2007. Phillips answered it was the opposite, they asked for a meeting.
Jackson lawyer Brian Panish, who has been previously told by the judge not to argue with witnesses, quickly tangled with Phillips. "Please don't argue with me because then I will argue back and get in trouble," Panish told Phillips at one point. "Then that's an incentive for me," Phillips joked (everyone laughed)

Panish: "Did you learn Colony Capital purchase note on Neverland?"
Phillips: "Yes"
Panish: "Is Barrack one of principals on Colony Capital?"
Phillips: "Yes"
On 6/13/08, Phillips sent an email to Colony Capital with a summation of plans for Michael for four years:
I caution you that Michael is not fast and a total perfectionist (needs to be controlled as much as possible)
Phillips said he was referring to Michael's spending

Panish: "Neverland was his beloved home, right sir?"
Phillips: "Hard to answer, because of the things Michael told me"
When the executive appeared to crack a smile, Panish asked if he thought the proceedings were funny.
Phillips:"No, I think it's tragic"
Panish: "Do you think any of this is funny, sir?"
Phillips: "No, I think it's tragic"
Tohme Tohme was a business associate with Colony Capital, who was also working with Michael. Panish asked if Phillips thought there was a conflict of interest with Tohme working for Colony and Michael. He said "No"
Court Transcript
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