There was a big solar storm in the last two days and there's a big sunspot facing earth (media calls it a "solar hole"). https://www.businessinsider.com/northern-lights-sky-friday-us-solar-winds-giant-hole-sun-2023-3
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting that the aurora could be over bozeman tomorrow and/or Friday nights.
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental
One thing to keep in mind that in my limited experience with the aurora borealis is that it's more of a faint green glow to my eyes. It's not this shimmering curtain of light like in the photos, it's more like a faint blurry green glow which kind of looks like there's a big city just over the hill.. except green. To get any kind of detail, you need to take a long exposure with a camera which is something that an SLR camera does easily but modern cell phones can do too. Make sure not to hold the phone but instead prop it up against something and then try to take the longest exposure your phone can handle.
Also Bozeman is right on the edge of this storm, but there's at least a decent chance of seeing something - especially looking north.
Edit: after reading the forecast at the bottom, it's looking like Friday (3/24), not tomorrow/Thursday. Reddit won't let me change the title though.

Hey all, as Ivy Day comes around and some selective colleges are releasing apps, I thought I'd put my results out from a couple years ago (post-pandemic year) since I never ended posting them. Hope some people will find it interesting - I tried to make it as detailed as possible~
Demographics

• Gender: M
• Race/Ethnicity: AA ORM
• Residence: SoCA
• Income Bracket: 200k+
• Type of School: Large, Public
• Hooks (Recruited Athlete, URM, First-Gen, Geographic, Legacy, etc.): None

Intended Major(s): Anthropology, Economics, Business (for those with programs)
Academics

• GPA (UW/W): 4.0/4.76
• Rank (or percentile): 2
• # of Honors/AP/IB/Dual Enrollment/etc.: 15
• Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Lit, AP Stats, AP Physics C, Sociology (College), Political Science (College)

Standardized Testing
List the highest scores earned and all scores that were reported.

• SAT I: 1540 (740RW, 800M)
• ACT: N/A
• SAT II: Bio E (800), Mathématique Deux (800)
• AP/IB: APUSH (5), AP Calc AB (4), AP Bio (5), AP Euro (5), AP Chinese (self-studied) (4), AP Macro (self-studied) (4), AP Lang (5),
• Other (ex. IELTS, TOEFL, etc.): N/A

Extracurriculars/Activities
List all extracurricular involvements, including leadership roles, time commitments, major achievements, etc.

1. Founder of Online Media Publication: Founded youth media org, grew to 100+ global team (10 countries) incl. web journalism, podcasts, videos; partnered w/youth advocacies (purposely vague) (3yrs)
2. National Clubs Executive for a chain of entrepreneurship clubs attached to a nonprofit entrepreneurship incubator: Selected at nonprofit's 2019 Summer Incubator (10% accept), pitched 2 biz, won $7K seed; joined org, manage 22 int’l clubs/ competitions, help student entrepreneurs pitch and find mentors (2yrs)
3. Co-founding Managing Partner of small consulting LLC providing GenZ branding, marketing and user experience services to improve client businesses; secured six contracts during 2020; founded with seed funding from (#2) (2yrs)
4. Director of Student Programs at a small international startup platform; Work w/founders to coordinate student ambassador program and enhance community interactions; founded coalition program connecting student NPOs on site to foster int’l collaboration and drive recruiting/publicity resources into verified site organizations. Paid position (in company shares, not salary), worked my way up from an online internship (2yrs)
5. Published Author and Misc. Freelance Writing/History Research Co-wrote book on loan surveying volunteer experiences published Jan 2020 over 3 years; research/wrote articles for various youth economics magazines and sites; submitted to Concord Review (hear back soon in time for RD apps hopefully); (4 yrs)
6. Podcast Host Co-host [redacted] podcast: interview students and admissions officers to discuss [redacted]; 50K views total (2 yrs)
7. Volunteer / Organizer for Economic Opportunity Initiative for Rural Farmers and small shopkeepers; Led teams to interview farmers and craft financial statements to successfully obtain agricultural loans; 200+ service hours (1yr)
8. Corporate Culture / Economics Research Intern with local university prof, Contributed to economics research on entrepreneurship, corruption and business politics; also conducted statistical analysis of insider trading rates by gender; acknowledgements in prof's published research (no co-author)(3 yrs)
9. FoundePresident of SciFair Club Started club to engage peers in research/competition; recruited professional mentors; cancelled mostly due to COVID but I was the top SciFair performer from my school 2yrs
10. FoundePresident of FBLA club (Formerly LaunchX in 10th grade) Founded schl’s first-ever club to explore entrepreneurship and career dev; grew to 30 members; mentored peers; achieved FBLA state qualifier 2020 (but then COVID) 2yrs

This was CA verbatim with some redactions.
Awards/Honors
List all awards and honors submitted on your application.

1. 2nd Place in Entrepreneurship Incubator Competition (technically international?? just national), 5K seed money for my startup
2. President's Volunteer Service Award-Gold for 200+ hrs from volunteer work and being a mock juror for local law grad students
3. 2nd Pl–Social Science State Science Fair; 2nd Pl- City Psychological Association for same Research; Monetary Award from Sigma Xi Research Honors Society
4. 3rd Pl, City Asian-American association: Essay contest where I wrote & presented economic consequences of CA bill
5. One 1 (of 6) to represent school at Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference (but then COVID)

Letters of Recommendation
I won't numerically rate my LoRs because... just how would I do that?
Entrepreneurship Mentor (CEO): Had a very strong relationship with him, he provided and advanced a lot of my extracurricular opportunities and he was from the entrepreneurship incubator (gave me a scholarship to attend). He wrote letters for a few other students a year above me at the incubator and they were admitted to Harvard, JHU, Purdue, NYU Stern. Those other students say I was his favorite.
AP Phys Teacher: Well enough, I've known him for 4 years and he's well aware of my entrepreneurial activities and podcasting (actually had him on the podcast once). Generally on amicable terms, been good and ambitious student.
APUSH Teacher: Only takes 10 LOR requests a year, I requested mine a year in advance. Very good terms, probably one of best students in our APUSH class. Had out of class conversations that espoused my personality. Aware of my writing and my authorship.
Peer (for Darty): Co-founder in firm, went through a lot together at entrepreneurship incubator and later reconnected as mentors in same incubator. Read it myself and its quite professional for a peer rec.
Interviews
UPenn: Not great, really didn't click. She was a doctor who was really questioning my want to go to big city Philly and asked me verbatim what I did for fun again (after my initial response of fall into Wikipedia rabbit holes and podcast) with a straight face. Never making that mistake again.
Duke: Pretty good, was able to make them laugh at end, had an engaging conversation about Duke entrepreneurship and leadership programs.
Princeton: Recent grad who was probably the best so far, she described me as a "gift to the world" (flattered) and she said she was impressed by my responses compared to other applicants. She said to update her on my decision in April.
Harvard: Would say it was good. Really stoic guy who was in President Clinton's cabinet, had an engaging conversation about journalism and the new media forces (Vox, ProPublica) and my ambition to do the same. Ended with a bit about him talking about imposter syndrome as his biggest dislike with his Harvard experience.
Stanford: Short (~40 min) where halfway through interview I became the interviewer. Talked a lot about her daughter who was a Stanford senior and the easily accessible small research grants. Apparently she welcomes the ~60-70 Stanford admitted students every year with a reception at her home.
Dartmouth: Really down to earth conversation with a guy, standard interview questions, he still sends me material and updates from Dartmouth here and there now based on things I said in our interview (like swim team changes, pitching opportunities). I also update him in April.
MIT: Fairly standard interview. Nothing really to note here, talked about my journalism and my view on media for the most part.
Essays
After being rejected by Penn, I think I went through maybe like 15 CA drafts in total but only the last two mattered. I applied to half my colleges with one CA draft (that I thought showed how I thought, albeit maybe not as personal as I wanted it). I ended up applying to all the colleges with deadlines 1/3/20 and after using my Harvard supp as my CA since a friend and a college counselor both read it, suggested no changes, and said it was my best work. All sups went through 2-4 drafts and were reviewed by either my friend or college counselor. I had half of them coming into Winter break then I crammed out the rest during break. I'm proud of my CA essays and most of my sups and have realized throughout all my revising and editing, that I lost a great deal of my own voice in the essays that I initially sent to Penn. Which is why I resolved to keep editing minimal and my original voice a priority in my later essays (and rewrote my CA).
Decisions (indicate ED/EA/REA/SCEA/RD)
Acceptances:

• USC Merit (Presidential) - Marshall
• UCLA (Regents Invite) Biz Econ
• UCI Honors
• UC Berkeley GMP Program (Haas School of Business)
• UCSD Business Econ
• Cornell Dyson

Waitlists:

• UChicago
• Vanderbilt
• NYU
• Harvard Rejection after submitting LOCI
• Dartmouth
• Brown

Rejections:

• ED Penn Wharton
• Northwestern
• MIT
• Duke
• Princeton
• Yale
• Columbia
• Stanford

Additional Information:
In March, I was selected for a 12-person cohort in a career development program following my entrepreneurial activities where I was selected to participate in funded projects ranging from Harvard case studies and startups. This was discontinued owing to the COVID pandemic but will be resuming the latter half of my senior year.
I was interviewed by major news networks (November 2020) about the launch of the entrepreneurial incubator clubs chapters in the midst of COVID-19, interview expected to be in outlets like USNews and the like in February (Hopefully in time for RD)
I was invited to join the student council of a social science research program for high school students around the world, hosted by the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) on the basis of my journalism and the entrepreneurship incubator clubs program. This just began this February and am currently meeting with the director.
Final words:
I made a lot of mistakes back then but I won't deny I was and am happy with how I handled the college app process back then. Happy to answer any Qs - I chose Cornell at the end of the day and am now heavily involved the entrepreneurship/VC scene in uni.

Pretty much what the title says, I lost my original golden state stimulus check and when I eventually re-found it behind a desk, it was a week out of date for being able to be deposited/cashed at my bank/credit union. I have been trying to get ahold of the city department that handles reprinting of this check, but to no avail. Either I have an extremely long wait time 3 hours or more (and the 2 times I have waited for that time the call mysteriously hung up about 2.5 hrs in) or it says they are experiencing an extremely long call waiting and don’t even give me the option of waiting and hang up on me. I have received very helpful city employees in related depts. that have given me the number press sequence to reach the correct line that is supposed to help. Namely call 1-800-852-5711 wait for the prompts then press 1, wait for prompts press 6, wait for prompts press 2, then enter my social security number. After this maze I get the 2 options I listed above my get dropped 2 hours into the call or right away. Is there anyone that could help me navigate this, I’d be more than willing to appear in person if that’s a possibility ( I know most times these services have no actual offices). Thanks everyone, Hope you have a good day

In the heart of New London, amid the biting cold, the gurgling steam pipes and the towering tenements, a weary engineer named Dr. Arthur Harwood laboured tirelessly in the First Workshop. A once-renowned scientist and inventor from Cambridge University, Dr. Harwood had been one of the brightest minds of his generation, a pioneer in the field of robotic automation. But now, relegated to the role of a mere craftsman, he toiled away in a dimly lit assembly room with a handful of other lost souls, crafting prosthetic limbs for those who had fallen victim to the merciless frostbite that plagued the city.
The First Workshop was a veritable menagerie of mechanical marvels, from the high-powered steam cores in various levels of repair, to intricate fabricators that could churn out the essential glow worm electrical lights that each citizen was instructed to wear when they left their homes, to replacement parts for the Silver Scot, the city's last remaining automaton.
As Dr. Harwood worked, his fellow engineers laboured alongside him, their once-brilliant minds reduced to mere cogs in the great machine that was the Glorious City of New London. There was the intrepid Dr. Leonard Macdonald, once a famous theorist of electromagnetism hailing from Oxford, and the ambitious American fluidic systems engineer Dr. Elizabeth Conley. Among them was also Dr. Percevel Leclair, a French astrophysicist with a long history of dabbling in robotics, and Professor Heinrich Schmidt, a German scientist who had once been hailed as the father of modern steam power. Together, they formed a motley core of a crew of New London’s finest intellects, bound together by their shared indignation at the demeaning work that had been thrust upon them.
After periodic demonstrations in the Central District organized by the working class of New London, the engineers of the First Workshop were surprised to watch the Brotherhood of the New Order sanction a series of meetings with Major Wilkins to revise the colony’s labour policy. There were celebrations in the street when the Mad Captain announced that the fourteen-hour workshifts that had persisted since the city’s founding would be reduced to a more tolerable ten hours a day. The engineers, traumatized by the draconian rule of the New Order, took heart that perhaps the months of emergency conditions were coming to an end.
It seemed the Wilkins administration could hew to reason, if only enough citizens could come together to demand it. Conversations ran long in the First Workshop and at the pub after hours about how even with the reduction of work hours, the people of New London were working themselves to death without a single day of rest. Conversations with the medics at the infirmary only confirmed their worries, as they counted the number of work accidents and deaths of despair and realized they were ticking up. Besides this, the engineers loudly criticized City Hall for misappropriating their unique talents in their mission to survive.
But the proposals of further reform by Dr. Harwood and the other engineers were swiftly crushed when the Wilkins administration announced at a morning roll call that talk of further protests had been noted by the secret informers of the New Order. He told everyone gathered there that there would be no further reduction in work hours; the city did not have the population yet to sustain it. Furthermore, they would all do well to not balk at any of the sawdust food additives in their soup that week. Angered, but also deeply concerned for the colony, Dr. Harwood, Dr. Macdonald, and Dr. Conley took their grievances to the Propaganda Centre that day after their maintenance work of the formidable Silver Scot was completed.
Dr. Macdonald, a tall and lanky man with wiry glasses and a perpetual frown etched upon his face, had drafted the formal inquiry, detailing their grievances and their hope for a more equitable work environment. He led the delegation down Coal Street one afternoon, the long windy Arctic night hiding any sign of the passage of time, and marched bravely into the looming Propaganda Centre, its awesome exterior and red banners striking fear into their chilled bones. It had been some time since either of them had entered the building, as to do so without permission by the Guards was an easy way to end up on a watch list. Dr. Harwood gulped heavily, then pulled back the imposing double-reinforced steel door to let his peers take the first steps inside.
Upon entering the lobby of New London’s Propaganda Centre, the engineers were met with silent stares from the guards posted besides the front desk, who gripped their bayoneted rifles with the seriousness of the King’s Guard. The three dusted off the snow on their boots and Dr. Macdonald tried not to gawk at the dazzling sight of the administration’s clerks, Ms. Abigail Green and Ms. Megane Black, beautiful and poised in old world work dresses, their nails painted red and their hair in good fashion, seeming to flaunt their comfortable working conditions.
Dr. Macdonald, his voice wavering slightly, stepped forward slowly, saying, “We, your humble fellow citizens from the First Workshop, have taken it upon ourselves to provide a statistical analysis and series of practical recommendations to help inform the policy choices of the city administration.” He brought the sheaf of papers that was the First Workshop’s inquiry to the secretaries’ desk, his eyes pleading for understanding.
The two clerks, however, seemed to regard the engineers' request with scorn, their faces twisted into mocking sneers as they scanned the first page. They exchanged derisive glances, then Ms. Green dropped the sheaf unceremoniously onto a stack of papers beside her. She turned to their leader, her voice dripping with disdain.
"Good sir, do you truly believe that your pitiful pleas will be heard by our esteemed Major Wilkins?" she asked, her eyes narrowing. "You should be grateful for the work you have been tasked to complete by the New Order. Many are not so fortunate to work all day indoors under a steam vent."
The engineers’ faces flushed with anger and humiliation. Ms. Green reached for a dreaded clunky switch behind her, which would instantly trigger the facility’s radiogram, summoning more guards of the City Watch. The men on either side of the front desk watched with bated breath. The threat was clear: any further dissent would be met with swift retribution. Dr. Harwood’s courage failed and he turned hastily for the door. His two coworkers muttered apologies and they departed.
The following day, as they returned to their workshop, they found their workspace patrolled by stern-faced guards from the City Watch. The engineers surpassed their daily production quota of prostheses and made significant headway on finishing their blueprints for enhancements to the Generator’s overdrive couplings. Yet, their disgruntled conversations only continued late at night in the alleyways behind the pub. Dr. Leclair and Dr. Schmidt were oblivious to the three’s lackluster behavior at the Propaganda Centre. Meanwhile, Dr. Macdonald and Dr. Conley blamed Dr. Harwood in private for not standing strong in their convictions.
One evening, as Dr. Harwood and his colleagues made their way home through the frosted streets of New London, they discovered a pamphlet in the snow, only one side disfigured by a wet boot. The paper was coarse and the typewritten text faded: it was clearly the result of an illegal printing press somewhere in the city. The pamphlet spoke of revolution, of overthrowing the New Order and the Wilkins administration, to forge a new, better future for the people of New London. The engineers were not alone in their continued discontent!
The engineers gathered in secret that night at a cousin’s bunkhouse at the cold side of the Steamshires, their voices a low murmur as they debated what to do with the incendiary literature. Dr. Macdonald, his eyes alight with a newfound fire, urged his colleagues to consider joining the rebellion, to fight for the rights and dignity that had been stripped from them.
"We have been silenced for far too long," he declared, his voice trembling with passion. "If we do not stand up against the injustices that have been heaped upon us, who will? Are we to remain mere cogs, our lives and dreams ground to dust beneath the heel of the Mad Captain?”
Others, however, were more cautious, their eyes darting nervously to the shadows that seemed to press in around them. Dr. Conley’s cousin, a stout soldier-cum-miner by the name of Geoffrey, spoke up, his voice trembling with fear.
"Leonard, I understand your frustration," he began, his eyes pleading for understanding. "But we have families to consider, friends to protect. Do you truly believe that joining this rebellion will make things better? Or will it only bring more suffering upon us all?"
The engineers continued to argue amongst themselves, their voices growing louder and more heated with each passing moment. Dr. Conley disagreed with her cousin and was eager to throw their lot in with the rebels. Their two European colleagues also were impatient to fight for a brighter future. Dr. Harwood remained steadfast in his belief that the price of rebellion was simply too high; they'd already seen what had happened to poor Thomas Winslow’s uprising, to say nothing of the night of terror during the Great Storm at the Battle of the Scaffolds.
As the debate raged on, the young Dr. Conley stepped forward, her eyes bright with determination. "We cannot allow simple fear to dictate our actions," she declared, her voice clear and strong. "Yes, there is risk in joining a rebellion. But there is also risk if we let Mad Bill work the entire colony to death! If we do not fight, who will, and when? We have no time to waste."
Her words seemed to strike a chord within the hearts of the engineers, and as they stood there, huddled together in the darkness, they made a silent vow to one another. A spark had been lit. And as the engineers returned to their labors the next morning, their hearts burned with newfound purpose.
The next night, their discussions took a different turn as they met with hushed voices at the snowblown far corner of St. George’s Square. The question to be resolved moved towards whether to make an attempt to contact existing rebels or wait for the rebels to make another move.
"Patience, my friends," urged Dr. Macdonald, his eyes gleaming with steely resolve, as Dr. Harwood nervously rubbed his hands. "We must bide our time and wait for the right moment to strike. The rebels will show more evidence of their activity, or even contact us when they're ready. We will join our forces with theirs to bring about the change we all desire."
"But how long are we to wait?" asked Dr. Leclair, his impatience clear in his voice. “A week? A month? I’ve seen people that can barely put a spoon to their mouths in the mess hall, we’re so overworked! We will not survive at this rate.”
Dr. Harwood found the City Watch at the First Workshop the next day and nearly shat himself out of fear that they had been caught. Instead, the hard-nosed lieutenant simply informed them of their need to oversee and hasten the construction of the city’s new industrial hothouses. They did their best to hold back their disappointment. They would miss the steam vents above their work stations and their heated water closets.
Yet, as they were guided to their new posts far from the Central District, the engineers knew this could be an opportunity to spread their message to the working people of the city. Arriving at the construction sites, arranged around a single roaring steam hub, they were met with a cacophony of hammering, sawing, and the grunts of exertion, punctuated by the occasional expletive or barked order. Yes, it would be an opportunity indeed.
The engineers would soon meet after hours with stories recounting their marvel at the construction teams’ willingness to toil for long hours in the snowy winds, to hoist up enormous pillars of steel and carefully position the fragile panes of thermal glass. The workers, most British nationals with the odd handful of Americans and Europeans, seemed emaciated, filthy, their bodies even twisted by the requirement of their hard labour, but they nary stopped for a break outside of a brief respite for a quick lunch of hard tack and fish soup. To Dr. Conley, she was filled with empathy which fueled more exasperated calls for action. Dr. Harwood, on the other hand, argued that perhaps they misjudged and the common people had more energy than they expected.
One day, a worker, a burly man by the name of Hugo Walsh with a bushy beard and the calluses of a lifetime of labor etched into his hands, approached Dr. Harwood.
"Oi, Doc," he rasped, his voice gravelly from years of inhaling the icy air, "I hear it's you lot wot built them crank-powered prosthetics. Saved me mate's life, that did. He'd 'ave been a goner otherwise. So, thanks for that, guv."
Dr. Harwood, touched by the sentiment, replied, "It's our pleasure, sir. We're here to help our fellow citizens in any way we can."
Overhearing the conversation a man named Freddie Hudson limped over, "Here to help, aye? While we break our backs buildin’? Must be nice, workin' in them fancy workshops for months at a time. All them heaters an' hot water on tap. Ain't like out 'ere in the bleedin' cold." He spat on the ground and walked off.
Dr. Harwood’s face reddened with anger at the ungrateful comment. Hugo frowned and looked at the ground, ashamed at the fellow’s rudeness. An outspoken woman on the team by the name of Sylvie Pearson had watched the scene and promptly marched over.
"Give 'em no mind, sir. It's only complaints that come outta that one's gob! Harwood, is it? I can't wait to get inside these gardens an' see 'em grow," she said, her voice full of wonder. "Imagine, a place right 'ere in New London Crater with lamplights to make things grow right in the dark winter! I've 'eard tell them plants already sprouted in the two we already built. Ain't it a miracle?"
The inventor’s ego was still bruised and he lashed out at Sylvie, “That’s Dr. Harwood to you, madam. And grow lights are no miracle, they are simply yet another gift from the arduous project of science. You lot would be wise to acknowledge the fact that without our educated minds, survival in this wasteland would be a fool’s dream!” He stormed off.
Yet, the other engineers were not so dispirited. Dr. Conley won that night’s debate at Geoffrey’s tenement that they could spare no more time. They had at least the responsibility to win the construction workers over to their side, while they had the chance.
The next day, the engineers assembled together at the steam hub and gave each other courage. Dr. Macdonald took leadership once again and approached a burly worker nearby named Dylan Lee. The doctor's hands shook slightly as he proffered a carefully folded and sealed parchment, detailing their concerns and ideas to reduce work hours and improve the lives of New London's laborers.
"Read this, Mr. Lee," Dr. Macdonald whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "It contains thoughts on how we might make things better for all of us."
Dylan hesitated, his eyes darting to the parchment in Dr. Macdonald's hand, then to the other workers toiling nearby. He looked back at Dr. Macdonald and, with a steely determination, called out to the others. "Oi, gather 'round! The doc's got somethin' he wants us to read!"
The workers all stopped, curiosity piqued, then set down their tools and shuffled closer.
Dr. Macdonald winced, unprepared for such a public display. Dylan took the letter, unfolded it, and began to read aloud, his voice rough and unpolished.
As the words filled the air, a mixture of hope, skepticism, and confusion began to manifest on the faces of the workers. The air around them crackled with tension, the cold wind blowing down from above the Crater as they listened to the engineers' proposal.
"What do they know?" snarled a thin, wiry man by the name of Keegan. "They ain't never had to lift a finger in their lives, and now they think they can tell us what's best for us?"
"Wait a moment," interjected Sylvie, as she rubbed her hands furiously to keep them warm. "Perhaps they're just tryin' to help."
The site erupted into mutters and shouts. The engineers, unaccustomed to the raw, unfiltered emotions of the workers, began to stammer out explanations, trying to assuage their concerns.
Dylan cut through all that with his voice booming over the others. "We can't risk it! Rebellion would cost us everything. You ‘eard the Captain, it’s only obedience that’ll save us in these tryin' times!"
The man’s gaze fell upon a pair of guards who happened to be walking nearby, their boots crunching on the frosty ground. He called out to them, his voice urgent and powerful.
"Guards! Over 'ere, we've got some troublemakers!"
The guards exchanged glances before swiftly making their way toward the gathering. The engineers, sensing the danger, immediately began to protest, their voices rising in a desperate attempt to avoid the consequences of their well-intentioned plan.
"Wait, you misunderstand!" Dr. Macdonald implored, his eyes wide with alarm. "We only wished to help the Major see reason and improve life for everyone!"
"'Improvin’ life?" Dylan snorted. "By bringin' unrest an' questionin’ orders?!"
One of the guards, a broad-shouldered man by the name of Lieutenant Murray, looked at the engineers sternly. "Let me see this letter," he demanded, his hand outstretched. Dylan handed it over as Dr. Harwood’s heart filled with dread.
The guard's eyes flicked over the parchment, scanning the words quickly before he passed it to his companion. The second guard read it, his face betraying no emotion, and handed it back.
"It seems you've been inciting dissent," Lieutenant Murray said sternly, his voice cutting through the frigid air. "You'll be coming with us."
"No, please, you must listen!" cried Dr. Harwood, his hands shaking. "We never meant to cause trouble!"
The guards paid him no heed, instead producing iron cuffs and securing them around the wrists of each engineer. Their faces were impassive, as if the act of arresting these men held no more significance than any other daily task. As they prepared to lead the engineers away, a hush fell over the crowd of workers.
"Please," Dr. Harwood tried once more, desperation etching lines into his face. "We were only trying to improve things. Our letter makes that very clear! Can't you see that?"
The guards remained stone-faced and unyielding, turning the engineers around to march them off to jail cells. The workers watched, their expressions a mix of fear and resignation, as their foremen were led away. They returned back to their tasks in the half-frozen muck.
In the cold, dank depths of Gridiron Prison that night, the engineering team huddled together in a lower jail cell, their spirits sinking with each passing moment. The stone walls seemed to close in around them, and the imposing guards patrolled the corridors with a relentless, watchful vigilance. The air was heavy with despair, and the only sounds that echoed through the cells were the soft moans of misery and the idle clanking of the pipes.
Suddenly, the cell bars slid open, and Major Wilkins himself strode in, a wolfish smile playing on his lips. He surveyed the engineers with a predatory gaze, his eyes dancing from one disheveled figure to the next.
"Well, well, well," he drawled, his voice smooth. "The great engineers of New London, brought low by their own misguided ambitions."
Drs. Schmidt and Conley, their faces gaunt, immediately began to protest the gritty dregs they had been given for dinner. Major Wilkins merely chuckled at their outrage, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
"Ah, yes," he said, smirking. "I imagine prison food is a far cry from the victuals served at the mess hall.” "You know, it's quite ironic," he went on, his voice dripping with amusement. "Here you are, the finest minds in New London, and yet you find yourselves behind bars. I must say, I expected more from the brilliant creators of our steam-powered prosthetics and those ingenious electric lamps."
The engineers bristled at the Major's mocking tone and his feigned ignorance at the full record of their accomplishments as some of the brightest minds in a generation. Dr. Harwood, his jaw clenched and his eyes flashing with defiance, shot back, "We were only trying to help New London survive as you commanded us to do. You've been working our people to the bone!"
Major Wilkins laughed, a rich, dark sound that echoed through the prison. "Ah, yes, your noble intentions. But, in all your genius, do you really believe you can change the world with your pitiful attempts at rebellion?" he asked, his voice scornful. "The New Order is here to stay, and you’d be wise to learn your place in it is to obey."
The Mad Captain paused for dramatic effect, then continued, “But fear not, my dear engineers, for I have a proposition for you."
The engineers exchanged wary glances, their hearts pounding. Major Wilkins leaned in closer to them in the jail cell, his voice low.
"You are far too important to our city to remain here," he whispered, his words like honey. "We need your skills, your expertise, to ensure the success of our hothouses, our factories and ongoing industrialisation. Still, let us not forget the gravity of your actions… after all… that little letter of yours, well, that could be grounds for execution."
The engineers stiffened, their bravery faltering as the weight of their predicament settled upon them.
"However," Wilkins continued, drawing out the word, "I am not without mercy. I am willing to overlook your misguided attempt at insurrection, on one condition. You will swear your loyalty to me and the New Order, and you will work tirelessly from now on to ensure the success of our endeavors. ALL OF OUR ENDEAVORS AS YOUR COMMANDER SEES FIT! In return, you can return now to your homes and your work tomorrow."
Though they had been staunch critics of the Major, the engineers found themselves doubting their earlier convictions. Dr. Harwood thought that perhaps the Mad Captain could be reasonable, after all. With heavy hearts, they agreed to Major Wilkins' terms, and he smiled in his victory.
As the days passed, the engineers continued to work on the hothouses, their doubts and fears gnawing at them. Once the structures were complete, they even joined the work teams to plant row upon row of potatoes, broccoli, turnips, kale, radishes, tomatoes, and pumpkins. Not another word was spoken of dissent with them, but any friendliness that existed before had been extinguished, as their fellow citizens wouldn’t dare talk to them for long.
The engineers, however, remained torn by their consciences during that long night of New London’s first winter. Dr. Conley was adamant that the rebellious printers of that godforsaken pamphlet had to be out there somewhere. Dr. Leclair opined that the workers assigned to the hothouses must have been hand-picked for their loyalty. They would try again to raise the working conditions of their colony, but this time would operate in an even more secret matter, speaking with only the most trustworthy souls they could find face-to-face in the shadows of the night. Dr. Harwood was more quiet than ever during their whispered debates, but they set their plans into motion nevertheless.
Dr. Macdonald spoke to a foreman at the coal mine. Dr. Schmidt made contact with a group at the steelworks that had flirted with the idea of a work stoppage. A few engineers at the Wall Drill finally gave Dr. Conley the time of day to win them over to the cause and she proved most persuasive. Slowly, although reports always had to be questioned for fear of misinformation, the engineers of the First Workshop detected the number of their supporters were growing.
One evening, back in Geoffrey’s tenement, the engineers gathered with a group of representatives from the discontent to discuss their strategy.
"Friends, we must rally the people," he declared, his voice firm with conviction. "We must make them understand that at the current rate of malnutrition, accidents, infections, and frostbite, our lives in the Crater are at risk. If we don't act soon, we will all perish."
Dr. Conley, nodded in agreement, adding, "The Wilkins administration hoards supplies, dreading the worst, but we have already been pushed to the brink. We need more food, adequate rest time, and it’s high time the New Order return the right of all good Christian men and women to worship as we please!"
Their message resonated with the beleaguered workers. They expressed eagerness to join the protest and make their demands known. A coal miner named Samuel Holmes spoke up, his voice quivering with emotion. "Major Wilkins has no right to keep us living like this. We deserve better. We deserve to live, not just survive!" An engineer from the industrial tools factory, a woman named Margaret Palmer, chimed in. "Yes, we've been pushed too far! We must stand in unity and make our demands known!”
The group's resolve strengthened with each passing day, and finally, the night of the protest arrived. The engineers, coal miners, steel workers, toolmakers and lumberers came streaming out of their homes towards the Central District. With Leonard and Elizabeth leading the charge, they marched past their enormous steam-belching Generator toward the Propaganda Centre, their voices raised in unison.
"We demand better conditions! We demand more food! We demand the right to worship!"
The air was thick with tension as the protesters came around the corner, to see that Major Wilkins and the Brotherhood of the New Order were waiting for them en masse. Someone had informed the administration of their plans! The militia were even there, standing in rows like a regiment, wearing red armbands to illustrate their loyalty. A horn blast came from beyond the infirmary, and the protestor’s chants faltered as they saw the Silver Scot take up a position beside them, four guards with rifles standing at attention atop its steel back. They braced themselves for the confrontation that was sure to come, their hearts pounding in their chests.
The engineers stood at the front of the crowd of protestors, locking eyes with Major Wilkins, neither side willing to back down. With a deep breath, Dr. Macdonald addressed the Major, his voice filled with resolve.
"Major Wilkins, we stand before you today not as enemies, but as fellow citizens of New London, united in our desire for this glorious city to survive. In light of our people’s deterioration from months of exhausting work schedules, we demand fair treatment, proper nourishment, and the right to worship as we see fit."
Major Wilkins stared back, his eyes cold and unyielding. "Ah, a veritable League of Extraordinary Protesters! Well, let me enlighten you, my international friends. Survival requires sacrifice, and I'm afraid your little tantrum only serves to delay the progress we desperately need."
The protesters took heart as a couple of children began to bang on makeshift drums. The crowd shouted their slogans again, and Dr. Conley stepped closer to the Mad Captain, her voice ringing with conviction. “Sir, we cannot ignore the suffering of our people. The methods of your administration have been harsh and unsustainable. We need change, and we need it now.”
"You dare to question my attention to the survival of humanity?" Wilkins bellowed, his voice booming across the Central District. "I have worked tirelessly to ensure our city's survival, while you waste time on this foolish protest! How many times must I explain that we cannot afford a single extra moment of delay? There is much work to be done, and your doubt only hinders us!"
"Major Wilkins," Dr. Macdonald started, his voice wavering, "we believe that work hours should be reduced to eight per day, with construction projects continuing in the evening only on a voluntary basis. This would be suitable."
Elizabeth chimed in, tripping over her words in her haste, "A-and we d-demand Saturdays a-and Sundays off, too! To give the people a needed rest! A-and…"
The Mad Captain raised an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across his face. "So you want to work less and rest more, do you?" He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "Tell me, my dear engineers, how will New London survive if we all laze about like it's a never-ending holiday?"
Some of the workers who had joined the protest began to waver. Major Wilkins went on, "Perhaps we should send you all to the Propaganda Centre for re-education. It seems you haven't quite grasped the concept yet of the New Man."
As the debate raged on, the drumming and slogans from the crowd began to fade, replaced by a tense silence as they listened to the verbal duel. Major Wilkins, unfazed, continued to mock the protest leaders. A crowd gathered then, as New Londoners were drawn to the spectacle unfolding in the Central District in the full view of the City Watch and their lone automaton.
The engineers began to exchange panicked glances, struggling to find adequate responses to their charismatic leader. The crowd, sensing their uncertainty, began to laugh and jeer.
Major Wilkins' eyes twinkled with mischief as he turned his attention back to Dr. Macdonald. "Tell me, Doctor," he asked with condescension, "do you consider yourself more intelligent than an Apis mellifera?"
Dr. Macdonald blinked in confusion, caught off guard by the unexpected question. "I-I'm not sure I-I…”
Major Wilkins smirked, clearly enjoying the famous theorist's discomfiture. "Why, Doctor, I'm surprised at your ignorance! Surely a man of your intellectual prowess is familiar with the Latin name of the humble European honey bee?"
As Dr. Macdonald's face reddened with embarrassment, Major Wilkins continued his lecture. "You see, my dear engineers, even the simple honey bee understands the importance of hard work and cooperation in the face of adversity. They labor tirelessly, each one playing their part to ensure the survival of their hive. They do not complain, nor do they demand rest and leisure. They work because they know that their very existence depends upon it."
The engineers shifted uncomfortably in silence. Major Wilkins, sensing their weakness, pressed his advantage. "Now, if a tiny insect can grasp this fundamental truth, why is it that you, with your esteemed educations and lofty ideals, cannot?"
The crowd, once sympathetic to the protesters, began to murmur in agreement, swayed by the Major's persuasive rhetoric. Dr. Conley raised her voice again, stammering, "Y-you must take into account th-the rising number of work accidents, the malnutrition, the-”
“Oh, I have taken everything into account, rest assured doctor! We all have our role to fulfill and I have not fallen short as you have tonight. But, fear not, my esteemed debaters, for I have a solution!" The biting wind whistled its way through the streets of New London, a ghostly reminder of the icy world beyond the city's confines. Major Wilkins, standing tall amid the swirling snowflakes, sensed the tide of the crowd turning in his favor.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I understand that, in the past, I have spoken admiringly of General Napoleon for his force of vision and strength of will. I know that some of you may not approve, given the long years of war fought by our grandfathers against that tyrant. However, perhaps you would be more amenable to the ideas of the French leaders that came before Little Boney, the Jacobins.”
The crowd leaned in, curiosity piqued by the Major's dramatic shift in tone. He continued, "You see, the Jacobins sought to sweep aside the traditional systems of the past. They recognized that God had no mercy for humanity, even without the Great Frost as proof of his cruelty, and that the old ways, such as the seven-day Christian calendar, were holding them back. They understood the need for change, for progress."
Major Wilkins paused, allowing his words to sink in before delivering his proposal. "I believe we should adopt a new calendar, a ten-day calendar, much like the French Republicans of old. We will call it the New London Calendar, dated from our arrival here to honor the founding of our Glorious City."
The crowd murmured to each other, even the guards of the City Watch, wondering aloud where the Mad Captain was going with this. He raised his hands for silence before continuing. "By my calculations, eighty-nine days have passed since my arrival in the Crater with the vanguard group of the Arebates. As such, tomorrow shall mark the ninetieth day, a fitting time for us all to rest and reflect upon our sacrifices and progress... those who can be spared from vital labors, of course."
Cheers went up from the crowd and the engineers were stunned to see Dr. Leclair clapping in support. Drs. Macdonald and Conley stared at each other in disbelief. Well, that was something, at least. Would it be enough? Dr. Schmidt muttered about the need for new calculations of caloric expenditures.
Major Wilkins continued, his voice booming with authority as he raised up his hands to look around at the faces in the crowd, "From this day forth, the last day of each week of the New London Calendar shall be your day of recuperation and recreation!"
A band, having set up hastily nearby with trumpets and drums, struck up a lively military tune, their instruments cutting through the cold air and infusing the crowd with a sense of camaraderie. The music brought smiles to many the faces of those who had gathered, casting aside their worries. The engineers, realizing that they were losing the crowd's attention, made one desperate last plea for more generous working conditions. They shouted over the music, their voices hoarse and strained, but their words were lost in the cacophony.
Major Wilkins cut them off as the music’s volume increased. "My dear citizens," he shouted, “I know these are trying times. Which is why tonight,” the crowd leaned in, eager to hear, “Tonight, the last remaining jugs of moonshine shall be opened at the pub for all to enjoy.”
A cheer erupted from the gathered throng, their previous concerns momentarily forgotten in the promise of a night of revelry. As the jubilant crowd dispersed, Major Wilkins stepped towards the disheartened engineers, a wolfish grin upon his face. He draped his arms around the shoulders of Drs. Macdonald and Conley as he addressed them. "Ah, my esteemed colleagues, what an unfortunate series of events. it seems you have failed to fulfill your promise of loyalty to New London, to its people and more importantly… to me.”
The Mad Captain tightened his grip on their shoulders, a sinister glint in his eyes. "However, I have to admit my generosity sometimes exceeds my good sense. I shall grant you a chance to redeem yourselves. You see, there is a vital task that requires your attention – the improvement of the locomotive efficiency of the Silver Scot. You shall begin at once and work through the night and the holiday."
The engineers gulped as dread overcame them. Major Wilkins walked over to the automaton, peering up at the guards above, their rifles gleaming coldly in the light of the Generator. "Gentlemen, we’ll pass your drinks up shortly. You are to ensure that our respectable peers remain properly motivated during their labors. Understood?"
The engineers exchanged a resigned look, knowing they had no choice but to comply with the Major's orders as the militia stared on. As Dr. Harwood started to follow his colleagues to the city’s automaton, Major Wilkins stopped him with a firm grip on his arm. "Not you, Dr. Harwood. You have crossed no line, and your loyalty remains unblemished. In fact," he said, a warmth creeping into his voice, "I would like you to join me for a drink at the Swan & Plough. I find myself in need of some intelligent conversation."
Dr. Harwood hesitated, his eyes flicking to his departing friends, who looked back at him with fierce eyes accusing him of betrayal, a swirl of emotions washing over his face. Major Wilkins' smile widened, knowing that the young engineer was torn. "Come now, Dr. Harwood. One drink won't hurt, and we may even find ourselves discussing matters of great importance to the future of New London."
With that, Major Wilkins steered the reluctant Dr. Harwood towards the pub. The militia departed, eager to begin their house searches to find every calendar of the old world that now had to be replaced. As the snow continued to fall upon the city, a blanket of white grew thick upon the rooftops, and the citizens of New London reveled in their fleeting moment of respite, unaware of the trials and tribulations that still lay ahead of them.

I'm an Artist, Cosplayer, and a Newfound Bookworm who geeks out on game shows (both past and present), word searches, pro wrestling documentaries, restaurant style Ramen, a good poster design, and watching horrothrillecrime drama movies with the subtitles on. I'm quite an avid, but reasonable collector of diecast model cars, art prints/posters, canvas prints, Blu-ray’s, and DVD’s. My room is like a cross between an art gallery and a museum exhibit. One of my goals for when I finally own a home is to put all my passions in the form of my collectibles on display. I stand at 6'1" tall with a slim build, mixed of Black with a touch of West Indian and Native American, and live outside the city of Atlanta.
If I had to describe myself: Calm, reserved, laid-back, easy-going, chill, but passionate about things and always up to learn someone’s likes, dislikes, and what makes them tick. I can be a bit too optimistic at times, soft-spoken, and quiet, but hey ya know, we all have our own personality traits and quirks.
Hobby and interest-wise, I'm into a good variety of things with my newest interests being bookreading and assembling LEGO car sets. Puzzles, word searches, crossword puzzles, Tetris, and books are my form of relaxation. Creative writing is another interest where I write short stories and reviews. Casually, I play videogames on my Xbox Series S. Used to be a semi-large pro wrestling fan, and now I watch copious amounts of wrestling biographies, documentaries, and docuseries (WWE Rivals, Biography Legends, Dark Side of the Ring, and Youtube retrospectives). I still tune in for the occasional wrestling PPV. I’m always in the game for recreational activities like bowling, swimming (including the beach), billiards/pool, mini golf, air hockey, laser tag, and go-kart racing. I've been a cosplayer, costume and propmaker, and avid convention goer for several years. I lost interest in anime/manga and am not into most nerdy things as one would expect (MCU, Star Wars, LotR, Star Trek, etc.), but I judge no one for being into those subsets.
All that said, I'm looking for a woman who is interested in dating for the long term. A girlfriend in other words. Someone I can be exclusive with, go out on dates with, discover new restaurants with, eventually introduce to family and friends, show a cool new poster or piece of artwork I got, send photos of some dope food I may have had on occasion, and maybe even go to a convention with some day. Not in a hurry to find love so I'd like to build toward relationship.
I do think common interests are nice, but I always subscribed to the idea that morals and values are what matters more.
Bonus points and brownies if you're thicker than a snicker! But jokes and memes aside, I do have a preference for curvy/thicker women (I do love cuddling and holding my woman, a lot), and extra bonus points if you live in Atlanta or Georgia as I'd like to go out on dates, but not a requirement. Long distance is fine, as long as there's an eventual plan to meet up.
Before you hit me up, some important things you may like or dislike about me (a.k.a. dealbreakers): I'm progressive and politically left leaning, am not religious/agnostic, have no kids and do not want to have children, monogamous and serious relationship-minded, a non-smoker, a rare drinker and am unemployed at the moment, but working on it.
If you're still here and resonated with this and think a relationship could be a possibility among us, shoot me a message! My chats are turned off, so you'll have to inbox me. I'd like a photo (or selfie of you) and a basic intro so I can get to know you. Any messages like “Hey” or “How are you” will be ignored. Lastly, I'm not a social media user but I do have Discord. We can move our conversation there if we hit things off well!

I'm an Artist, Cosplayer, and a Newfound Bookworm who geeks out on game shows (both past and present), word searches, pro wrestling documentaries, restaurant style Ramen, a good poster design, and watching horrothrillecrime drama movies with the subtitles on. I'm quite an avid, but reasonable collector of diecast model cars, art prints/posters, canvas prints, Blu-ray’s, and DVD’s. My room is like a cross between an art gallery and a museum exhibit. One of my goals for when I finally own a home is to put all my passions in the form of my collectibles on display. I stand at 6'1" tall with a slim build, mixed of Black with a touch of West Indian and Native American, and live outside the city of Atlanta.
If I had to describe myself: Calm, reserved, laid-back, easy-going, chill, but passionate about things and always up to learn someone’s likes, dislikes, and what makes them tick. I can be a bit too optimistic at times, soft-spoken, and quiet, but hey ya know, we all have our own personality traits and quirks.
Hobby and interest-wise, I'm into a good variety of things with my newest interests being bookreading and assembling LEGO car sets. Puzzles, word searches, crossword puzzles, Tetris, and books are my form of relaxation. Creative writing is another interest where I write short stories and reviews. Casually, I play videogames on my Xbox Series S. Used to be a semi-large pro wrestling fan, and now I watch copious amounts of wrestling biographies, documentaries, and docuseries (WWE Rivals, Biography Legends, Dark Side of the Ring, and Youtube retrospectives). I still tune in for the occasional wrestling PPV. I’m always in the game for recreational activities like bowling, swimming (including the beach), billiards/pool, mini golf, air hockey, laser tag, and go-kart racing. I've been a cosplayer, costume and propmaker, and avid convention goer for several years. I lost interest in anime/manga and am not into most nerdy things as one would expect (MCU, Star Wars, LotR, Star Trek, etc.), but I judge no one for being into those subsets.
All that said, I'm looking for a woman who is interested in dating for the long term. A girlfriend in other words. Someone I can be exclusive with, go out on dates with, discover new restaurants with, eventually introduce to family and friends, show a cool new poster or piece of artwork I got, send photos of some dope food I may have had on occasion, and maybe even go to a convention with some day. Not in a hurry to find love so I'd like to build toward relationship.
I do think common interests are nice, but I always subscribed to the idea that morals and values are what matters more.
Bonus points and brownies if you're thicker than a snicker! But jokes and memes aside, I do have a preference for curvy/thicker women (I do love cuddling and holding my woman, a lot), and extra bonus points if you live in Atlanta or Georgia as I'd like to go out on dates, but not a requirement. Long distance is fine, as long as there's an eventual plan to meet up.
Before you hit me up, some important things you may like or dislike about me (a.k.a. dealbreakers): I'm progressive and politically left leaning, am not religious/agnostic, have no kids and do not want to have children, monogamous and serious relationship-minded, a non-smoker, a rare drinker and am unemployed at the moment, but working on it.
If you're still here and resonated with this and think a relationship could be a possibility among us, shoot me a message! My chats are turned off, so you'll have to inbox me. I'd like a photo (or selfie of you) and a basic intro so I can get to know you. Any messages like “Hey” or “How are you” will be ignored. Lastly, I'm not a social media user but I do have Discord. We can move our conversation there if we hit things off well!

[email protected] -------------------- There are several different ways to hack databases, and most of these techniques need SQL injection (SQLi), which is a method through which SQL commands are sent back to the database from a web form or other input. SQL allows websites to develop, recover, delete, and update database records.

• How to Hack a Website Step-by-Step: Different Ways to Hack a Website
• Hacking Online Website
• Different Types of Cyber Attacks
• . SQL Injection Attack
• Different Types of SQL Injection Attacks
• How Does SQL Injection Work?
• Impact of SQL Injection
• How to Prevent This Attack?
• Cross-Site Scripting Attack
• Impact of Cross-Site Scripting Attacks
• How to Prevent Cross-Site Scripting Attacks
• Different Types of XSS
• Denial-of-Service Attack (DDoS/DoS)
• Different Types of DDoS Attack
• Impact of DDoS Attacks
• How to Prevent DDoS Attacks
• DNS Spoofing Attack
• Different Types of DNS Spoofing Attack
• How to Prevent DNS Spoofing Attacks
• Cross-Site Request Forgery Attack
• How Cross-site Request Forgery Attacks Work
• Example of Cross-site Request Forgery Attack
• How to Prevent Cross-Site Request Forgery Attacks

Database Hacking: How to Access Website Database?

Database Hacking - Governments, businesses, and consumers are becoming completely dependent on the Internet for their daily activities related to banking, paying bills, online purchases etc. With this increased use of the Internet, we also find a simultaneous growth in the number of hacking attacks from cybercriminals. Cybercriminals use a wide range of techniques and tools to gain access to the sensitive data that is found online. Very often, they attack websites and network resources with the ultimate aim to extract money or steal assets from organizations.
Hence, to protect your business and yourself against cybercriminals, you need to be aware of how website hacking techniques work. This article will first explain how to hack websites databases and how databases are hacked by discussing some of the key website database hacking methods and then talk about how Comodo cWatch will help protect your website database from hacking attacks.

How a Website Database can be Hacked?

9 Database Hacking Techniques:

Hacking Database: Some of the key website database hacking methods include:

1.Password guessing/brute-forcing

If passwords are blank or weak they can be easily brute-forced/guessed.

2.Passwords and data sniffed over the network

Data and passwords can be easily sniffed if encryption is not used.

3.SQL Injection attacks

There are several different ways to hack databases, and most of these techniques need SQL injection (SQLi), which is a method through which SQL commands are sent back to the database from a web form or other input. SQL allows websites to develop, recover, delete, and update database records.
​
An SQL injection attack places SQL into a web form while trying to get the application to run it. Sometimes, hackers use automated tools to execute SQL injections on remote websites. They scan thousands of websites, testing different types of injection attacks until they are successful.

4.Exploiting unknown/known vulnerabilities

Attackers are capable of exploiting buffer overflows, SQL Injection, etc. in order to own the database server. The attack could be via a web application by exploiting SQL injection, so no authentication is needed. In this way, databases can be hacked from the Internet and firewalls are completely bypassed. This is considered to be one of the easiest and preferred methods that criminals employ to steal sensitive data such as social security numbers, customer information, credit cards, etc.

5.Installing a rootkit/backdoor

By installing a rootkit, it is possible to hide database objects and actions so that administrators will not notice that someone has hacked the database and they will continue to have access. A database backdoor can be used to steal data and send it to attackers, giving them unrestricted access.

6.DNS spoofing

Also known as DNS cache poisoning, this hacking technique is capable of injecting corrupt domain system data into a DNS resolver’s cache in order to redirect where a website’s traffic is sent. It is often used to send traffic from genuine websites to malicious websites containing malware. DNS spoofing can also be used to gather details about the traffic being diverted.

7.Cross-site request forgery

Cross-site request forgery (CSRF or XSRF) is a common malicious exploit of websites. It happens when unauthorized commands are transmitted from a user that a web application trusts. Usually, users are logged into the website, so they have a higher level of privileges, permitting the hacker to obtain account information, gain access to sensitive information or transfer funds. There are several ways for hackers to transmit forged commands including hidden forms and image tags. The user is just not aware that the command has been sent and the website also believes that the command has come from a genuine user.

8.Denial of Service

A denial of service (DoS) attack or Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack floods a website with large volumes of Internet traffic, causing its servers to become overwhelmed and then crash. Most DDoS attacks are executed using computers that have been compromised with malware. Owners of infected computers may not even know that their machine is sending requests for data to your website.

9.Cross Site Scripting (XSS)

This is another attack often exploited by hackers for website hacking. It is treated to be one of the more difficult vulnerabilities to deal with because of the way it operates. Most XSS website hacking attacks employ malicious Javascript scripts that are embedded in hyperlinks. When the user clicks the link, it could hijack a web session, change the advertisements that are being displayed on a page, steal personal data, or take over a user account. Malicious links are inserted into social media websites, web forums, and other prominent locations where users will click them.

Conclusion

We have only mentioned the most common attacks on a simple website where security has not been maintained. Today, technology is getting so advanced that it helps attackers get what they want. All they need is the proper usage of communication within the network. Each organization and website has its unique security policies and some robust strategies. But some hackers can hack into your system and create a blunder. Interested in learning more about website security? Check out these information security and ethical hacking service on [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

50 Cent: What are you up to, my man? The entirety of the Grand Theft Auto fanbase is waiting on tenterhooks. We surely cannot be too far away from the long-awaited reveal of GTA VI. Honestly, every time I get a Twitter notification from Rockstar Games, my heart skips a beat and now, 50 Cent is playing with our emotions.
Last week, 50 Cent dropped what appeared to be a major GTA VI teaser. He posted a Vice City logo, captioning it, “I will explain this later. GreenLightGang, this s**t bigger than POWER, trust me. BOOM.” Dr Dre starred in GTA Online’s ‘The Contract’ DLC so many have speculated that 50 Cent could be lending his likeness to a GTA VI character. Well now, the plot thickens because the rapper has dropped yet another tease - deleting it swiftly after. Very suspicious.
Take a look at this mod which allows you to play as The Boys’ Homelander in GTA V.
As spotted by Reddit user worldlovespain, after posting a second reference to GTA, 50 Cent deleted both posts from his social media accounts. The second tease featured a photo of a Vice City neon sign from shopping site AliExpress. Due to the deletion of both posts, many are assuming that the rapper may have broken an NDA he had with Rockstar Games.
As previously mentioned, 50 Cent could be teasing a GTA VI collaboration but what’s perhaps more likely is that he’s working on a GTA-inspired show, focusing on Vice City by the looks of it. In the original tease, 50 Cent included the TV emoji. He also said, ‘This s**t bigger than POWER.” Well Power is a crime drama series that aired from 2014 to 2020 that, you guessed it, starred 50 Cent. The rapper also helped create the series.
Big budget game adaptations are all the rage right now. You need look no further than HBO’s The Last of Us. I’m surprised GTA is yet to get the adaptation treatment given the immense love for the franchise. For now, take all of this with a pinch of salt until anything is confirmed but 50 cent is undoubtedly up to something.

There is no definitive evidence to answer this question, as it may depend on China's capabilities, intentions, policies, etc.. However, based on some of the sources I have read, I can offer a possible hypothesis:
​
- It is possible that a Chinese AI is augmenting advice to Xi Jinping in some domains or aspects of his decision-making. This hypothesis is based on the following premises:
- China has been investing heavily in AI research and development for both civilian and military purposes. China has also been developing and deploying AI systems for various applications such as surveillance, social credit, propaganda, etc..
- China has been pursuing a strategy of civil-military fusion that aims to integrate its civilian and military sectors and leverage its technological advantages for national security. China has also been seeking to enhance its strategic decision-making capabilities by using big data analytics and AI tools.
- Xi Jinping has been consolidating his power and authority as the leader of China and the commander-in-chief of its armed forces. Xi Jinping has also been promoting his vision of building a strong and modern socialist country under his guidance.
​
- Therefore, it is possible that Xi Jinping is using or receiving advice from some form of AI system that helps him analyze information, generate options, evaluate outcomes, etc.. in some domains or aspects of his decision-making. This may include domains or aspects such as economic planning, foreign policy, military strategy, domestic governance, etc..
- However, this hypothesis does not imply that Xi Jinping is relying solely or blindly on AI advice or that he is delegating his authority or responsibility to an AI system. It also does not imply that the AI system is autonomous or intelligent enough to influence or manipulate Xi Jinping's decisions or actions. It also does not imply that the AI system is accurate or reliable enough to provide optimal or beneficial advice.
​
This is just a possible hypothesis based on current information and logic. It is not certain or proven by any means as there may be other factors or uncertainties involved. Therefore it should be taken with caution and skepticism.
​
Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/22/2023(1) Fact Check: Photo of Putin on His Knees in Front of China's Xi. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/fact-check-photo-of-putin-on-his-knees-in-front-of-chinas-xi/ar-AA18WA9D Accessed 3/22/2023.
(2) Xi, Putin, declare intent to rule the world of AI, infosec. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/xi-putin-declare-intent-to-rule-the-world-of-ai-infosec/ar-AA18USuS Accessed 3/22/2023.
(3) Russia and China want to become world leaders in tech, security, and AI. https://www.techspot.com/news/98032-russia-china-want-become-world-leaders-tech-security.html Accessed 3/22/2023.
(4) China’s AI Chatbots Clam Up When Asked About Xi Jinping’s Leadership. https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-chatbots-run-up-against-chinas-censorship-f7ee1cea Accessed 3/22/2023.
(5) Understanding China's AI Strategy Center for a New American Security .... https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/understanding-chinas-ai-strategy Accessed 3/22/2023.
(6) China’s Artificial Intelligence Surveillance State Goes Global - The .... https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/09/china-ai-surveillance/614197/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 53%. (I'm a bot)

HONG KONG - Public screenings of a slasher film that features Winnie the Pooh were scrapped abruptly in Hong Kong on Tuesday, sparking discussions over increasing censorship in the city.
Film distributor VII Pillars Entertainment announced on Facebook that the release of "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey" on Thursday had been canceled with "Great regret" in Hong Kong and neighboring Macao.
In 2018, the film "Christopher Robin," also featuring Winnie the Pooh, was reportedly denied a release in China.
ADVERTISEMENT. The film being pulled in Hong Kong has prompted concern on social media over the territory's shrinking freedoms.
The Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration said it had approved the film and arrangements by local cinemas to screen approved films "Are the commercial decisions of the cinemas concerned." It refused to comment on such arrangements.
Kenny Ng, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University's academy of film, refused to speculate on the reason behind the cancellation, but suggested the mechanism of silencing criticism appeared to be resorting to commercial decisions.

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"Fragile Ego, Fragile Body, Weak Mind, Weak Spirit"
In Part One, Part Two, and Part Three, we've built a timeline and tracked the story of an old man who came back to professional wrestling. Disgruntled and broken, he had abandoned the business to which he’d given himself for fifteen years. They were a tumultuous fifteen years, but within that time he reached the height of the industry. He held the attention of every single person who was a wrestling fan and even many of whom weren’t fans at all. To get to such heights, he plumbed the depths of cruelty and villainy in character, going places many of his peers wouldn’t dare touch. He attacked the sobriety of recovering alcoholics and substance abusers. He preyed upon the anxiety and insecurity of those with mental health issues. He lied, he gas-lit, and he betrayed on the way to the top. Even for someone as vile as himself, however, it simultaneously became all too much and not enough. At the mountaintop, sick of himself and everything around him, he walked away.

“I was never gonna get healthy physically, mentally, spiritually or emotionally, staying in the same place that got me sick in the first place.”

Who could fault him? But then he came back seven years later to, as some have called it, “Wrestling Paradise”. In that Paradise, as he turned uphill, he crossed the path of a Snake slithering deceitfully among the weeds. The Snake bit him and at first, it seemed only a surface wound that would easily heal in time. That Snake’s venom, however, was slow-acting and allowed the bite to be all but forgotten as the Snake slithered out of sight and out of mind. Then one day, he’s finally back upon that mountain top, having gone a different route than before – a longer and more winding route, but seemingly nobler and more sustainable. Many of our faithful heroes weren’t buying it. They knew him before and have studied his ways, knowing he could quickly revert back to the evil and destruction he was for so long. He brushes away their suspicion to assure both us and himself: he’s a new man. He feels at peace with himself and he is bathing in the adulation of his friends, his fans, and his peers… until suddenly on that mountain top, the Snake leaps out and reminds him of the venom coursing through his veins.
September 4, 2022 – MJF returns to All Elite Wrestling and steals Punk's ovation in Chicago.
The final words of the PPV broadcast:

What does this mean for AEW?

Shortly before midnight, a live stream goes up on YouTube for the post-event media scrum.
The stream has a longer delay than usual before the presser begins. Bloodied, battered, sweat-soaked hair in his eyes, draped in a towel… CM Punk looks like pure hell as he sits down to take – and to ask – questions from a group of wrestling reporters.
The mic goes to Nick Hausman first:

“Hi! Nick Hausman here from Wrestling Inc–”

Punk cuts him off:

“--I’ll start, Nick. Show of hands. Who here fancies themselves a journalist? You a journalist Nick?”

Nick:

“... I try my best.”

Punk:

“You still do improv?”

Nick:

“Not for a little bit..”

Punk:

“When you did improv, who’d you do improv with?”

Nick curiously uses a shoot name:

“I did it with Scott Colton.”

Punk:

“Okay, so you fancy yourself a journalist. Would you say you’re friends with Scott Colton?”

Nick:

“Uh… no. I haven’t talked to Scott in some time.”

Punk:

“So you’re not friends with him?”

Nick:

“No… Scott and I do not see eye to eye.”

Punk, to the whole room:

“Oh wow… Well that makes two of us. My point is, if you fancy yourself a journalist, even if it’s for the silly world of professional wrestling, and you have journalistic integrity… people who report things, mostly that are bullshit and slanderous lies against myself… you should probably disclose who you’re friends with.”

Punk, directly to Hausman, somewhat quietly:

“You blew my spot… If you’re not friends with him, I apologize.”

Nick:

“I’m not friends with him…”

Punk, ignoring him, continues on:

“I haven’t had anything to do with Scott Colton for almost a decade. Probably wanted nothing to do with him even longer than that. It’s fucking unfortunate that I have to come up here and speak on this when I’m on my time and this is a fucking business. Why I’m a grown-ass adult man and I decide not to be friends with somebody is nobody else’s fucking business. But my friends, if I fall backwards, will catch me. Scott Colton, I felt, never would have.
My problem was I wanted to bring a guy with me to the top that did not want to see me at the top, okay? You can call it jealousy, you can call it envy, whatever the fuck it is. My relationship with Scott Colton ended long before I paid all of his bills. I have every receipt. I have every invoice. I have every email. I have an email where he says ‘I agree to go our separate ways, I will get my own lawyer and you do not have to pay anymore.’
That’s an email that I have and the only reason the public did not see it is because when I finally had to counter-sue him, through discovery we discovered he shared a bank account with his mother. That’s a fact. As soon as we discovered that fact and we subpoenaed old Marsha, he sent the email ‘Oh, can we please drop all this?’ Now, it’s 2022. I haven’t been friends with this guy since at least 2014, late-2013.

CM Punk and Colt Cabana weren’t even faced with the famously divisive legal bills until 2015 when WWE’s doctor filed a defamation lawsuit against them. Colt didn’t file suit against Punk over legal fees until 2018. The timeline here is very fuzzy and totally unreliable. The line about Colt's mother sticks out like a sore thumb, but if you've read previous installments, wrestlers' relationships with their mothers have been referenced before and most notably in recent promos.
Punk continues:

The fact that I have to sit up here because we have irresponsible people who call themselves EVPs and couldn’t fucking manage a Target and they spread lies and bullshit and put into the media that I got somebody fired when I have fuck all to do with him, want nothing to do with him, do not care where he works, where he doesn’t work, where he eats, where he sleeps… the fact that I have to get up and do this in 2022 is fucking embarrassing. If y’all are at fault, fuck you. If not, I apologize. What did I ever do in this world to deserve an empty-headed fucking dumbfuck like ‘Hangman’ Adam Page to go out on national television and fucking go into business for himself? For what? What did I ever do? Dave [Meltzer]?… I didn’t do a goddamn thing.

At this point, Punk calls on a guy in the front row and asks his name. The guy is wearing a Pittsburgh Penguins shirt.
Punk:

“Fuck the Pittsburgh Penguins.”

Tony Khan interjects, referring to an article where he had briefly discussed the rumors about Colt Cabana’s “sidelining” in weeks prior:

“I made it very clear in Forbes and I just wanna make it clear again–”

Punk cuts off Tony Khan, the company owner, his boss:

“It’s not his position to make it very fucking clear! There’s people who call themselves EVPs that should have fuckking known better. This shit was none of their business. I understand sticking up for your fucking friends, I fucking get it. I stuck up for that guy more than anybody. Okay? I paid his bills until I didn’t and it was my decision not to.”

TK:

“Yeah but I shouldn’t have no-commented when Nick first said it, it’s my fault, I should’ve taken it head-on”

Punk:

“I appreciate that, but I’m trying to run a fucking business. And when somebody who hasn’t done a damn thing in this business [Hangman Page] jeopardizes the first million dollar house that this company has ever drawn off of my back and goes on national television and does that, it’s a disgrace to this industry, it’s a disgrace to this company. Now we’re far beyond apologies. I gave him a fucking chance, it did not get handled, and you saw what I had to do, which is very regrettable, lowering myself to his fucking level. But that’s where we’re at right now. And I will still walk up and down this hallway and say ‘If you have a fucking problem with me, take it up with me. Let’s fucking go’.”

Nick Hausman finally gets to ask his question to Punk, and it’s regarding the return of MJF.
Tony Khan is the one who answers:

“If I may… I am the one who asked him back because MJF’s a big star in this company and this is one of the biggest events. A year ago, CM Punk debuted here and I thought it was right for the fans. I felt that, for the fans, one of the best things we could do is bring MJF back.”

After rolling his eyes and stuffing a muffin in his mouth, Punk jumps in:

“It’s because he wants me to work with pricks. Constantly.”

TK brushes it off:

“...Nevertherless… Two of the top wrestlers in the world. It’s a big match down the line.”

At this point, Tony Khan looks like he’s about to vomit.
Punk:

“Oh, sorry, I keep fucking bringing this up… When it came down he was going to sue, I asked to talk to him. He denied… When I offered him money, it wasn’t enough [Punk is banging on the table for emphasis]. He went ahead with the lawsuit and sued. It’s his fucking funeral. He shares a bank account with his mother, that tells you all you need to know about what his character is.”

Nick Hausman:

“Well… You were always very nice to me.”

Punk:

“I appreciate that. I’m sorry I’m a little bit snippy. I’m hurt, I’m old, I’m fucking tired and I work with fucking children.”

TK:

“I regret not answering your question the first time you asked it…”

Punk:

“We’re all learning here, Tony. It’s okay.”

Punk goes on to plug Mindy’s Bakery in Chicago, the supplier of his muffins.
The scrum moves onto its next question, this time for Tony.

“You saw the reaction to MJF when he came out at the end of the night. He was cheered over Punk… the hometown guy… Do you have any worries about MJF… becoming this sort of anti-authority figure?”

Tony Khan gives some boilerplate word salad about how it’s great to have two compelling and charismatic figures, while Punk makes snarky faces and continues chomping on his muffins.
Punk doesn’t want to talk about MJF. He goes back into his rant:

“I’ll tell you why I’m upset about it. If you’re an EVP, you don’t try to middle your top babyface, try to get your niche audience on the internet to hate him for some made-up, bullshit rumor. Really pisses me off. Stepping on your own dick… Trying to make money, sell tickets, fill arenas, and these stupid guys think they’re in Reseda.”

Next question regards how “modern talent can take advice from some of the older guys” to “help grow as a company”. Tony lets Punk give the answer.

“We have a locker room full of pretty brilliant minds… When I came back, when I cut my promo my second week here, I thought it was pretty decent. I kinda blur the lines a little bit, ya know, ‘What’s he doing? Crazy Phil, going into business for himself’, when really I was just defending myself. Mix that in with attacking Moxley, calling Kingston the second best Kingston – which is a pretty great line – but our locker room for all the brilliance and wisdom it has, isn’t worth shit when you have an empty-headed dumbfuck, who hasn’t done anything in this business, do public interviews and say ‘I don’t really take advice.’ Who the fuck do you think you are? I’m on a team with Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, and Sammy Sosa, and I don’t need to work on my swing? … Fucking go fuck yourself… Grow up.

Bonds, McGuire, and Sosa are most famous for hitting insane amounts of home runs in the late 1990s and early 2000s, breaking numerous historic records, rejuvenating interest in MLB, and most notably, using banned PEDs which would ultimately ostracize them from the baseball community and block them from enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
A question comes up for Punk from an old friend in the press pool: What’s his message for MJF?
The notion of having to speak directly to MJF seems to sap all of the energy from Punk. All of the piss and vinegar leaves him. He’s quiet now and reserved now… almost sheepish. It’s like he’s speaking to the mirror once again.
Punk:

“Do I have to answer this… I guess… I don’t know. I’m tired of wrestling these pricks. I’m tired of wrestling with these kids who think they know everything… But I’m not the boss… He won number one contender. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Max is supremely talented, but this goes for him and every other individual in the locker room that doesn’t wanna be here. The grass is not greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water it. Max likes to shit where he eats instead of watering the grass. So we’ll have to see how that goes.”

Next question:

“A year ago we were in this room. It was after Adam Cole, after Brian Danielson… You said it had the feeling of ‘Bash at the Beach’ [1996]...

Punk, sarcastically:

“Oh boy… Did I say that?...”

Reporter continues:

“A year later… What's your honest assessment of the last year, personally and professionally?”

Punk:

“Look, I know it sounds like a pretty ridiculous statement, but in five years, I think you’ll see the impact of it. There’s a chance I’m wrong. We’ve got an uphill battle in a lot of respects… There’s just so much drama and turmoil going on. I like to believe in the place I work. We do have a very, very strong roster and we have a lot of brilliant minds backstage. If young talent is willing to actually listen and receive advice… There’s always gonna be people who think they should be the top guy and wanna be pushed. I get that. That was me… I always wanted more.”

Meltzer asks about Punk’s foot injury from a few months before. You’ll remember, he wanted to soak in the adulation of the crowd the next show after Double or Nothing where he won the belt, and he got hurt doing a reckless stage dive.

“...This is the worst injury I’ve ever had… This was really hard for me. I really wanted to have this great Summer and do good for Tony. I wanted to sell tickets and draw money, help with ratings. And it all came crashing down… I missed Forbidden Door in the United Center… I have pride in my work and I really wanted to carry the title through the summer and just help grow the business, so it was mentally devastating.”

The final question concerns the significance of the victory over Jon Moxley. Both the reporter and Tony Khan make note of the fact that it is Moxley’s first clean pin defeat in three years.
Punk:

“Oh man. Well I guess people are REALLY mad at me then, huh?... We came from the same place. Felt a lot of the same things… Guys could’ve helped us out a little bit more, passed the torch… I’m here to elevate everybody. And I’m not saying I elevated Moxley, but maybe I did. Because I think that’s what all of our jobs are: to reach back and get everybody to that level. We have different philosophies about pro wrestling, but it’s all pro wrestling. When done right, it’s magic.”

The scrum session for Punk officially comes to an end, but Punk pauses things and calls out Bryan Alvarez:

“Alvarez… I saw that video man. You were so incredulous that I went into business for myself.”

Alvarez explains how he said he only pointed out some were pro-Punk and some were anti-Punk about the whole thing [his worked shoot challenge to Hangman].
Punk dives deeper:

“...I’ve eaten shit on this subject for a very, very long time. I am very sad today that I had to get up here and say his name. He doesn’t fucking deserve it. But facts are facts. Name two people that have made the most money off CM Punk. [He looks at Tony Khan] I don’t think you’re there yet. The first one is Vince McMahan. The second one is Scott Colton. I hope you all have a good night. Please be more responsible with the news you get from certain people and just remember, we’re human beings.”

Punk packs up his muffins and his drinks, gives his dog Larry a shout out, and runs down the Pittsburgh Penguins. He gives Tony Khan one of his sodas.

“Contrary to popular belief, I am a very nice guy.”

Punk walks off the podium after nearly 25 minutes.
The rest of the scrum is often overlooked, but on closer examination, it’s no less interesting, and seems to be developing a common theme.
Next up come the reigning tag team champions, Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee. Midway through their match against The Acclaimed, the audience in Chicago was nuclear hot for the challengers. Sensing this, Swerve In Our Glory began working heel en route to a successful defense of their titles.
One of the first questions concerns “problems” between the pair that have flared up in recent weeks, with the two not always on the same page and Swerve eliminating Lee in a battle royal.
Swerve:

We didn’t really have problems. We had a dip in the road and we fixed that. You know what fixes everything? Winning. I can get violent and ravenous in that ring when I have to… If I have to push the envelope and bring Keith Lee to that level to defend these titles… So many people were against us having them in the first place… I’m always like that. Super King Petty. I read all of y’all. I read everybody in here. I literally listen to all your podcasts. First thing y’all said when we won the titles… No congratulations, nothing about Keith Lee almost losing his life fighting COVID, nothing about where I come from and both of us being let go… When we finally climbed the mountaintop, there was so much ridicule and bullshit against us about how we don’t deserve this. [You said] these opportunities should have gone… everywhere else… I’m not gonna apologize. I’m gonna gloat.”

The next reporter asks Tony Khan if he gave consideration to calling an audible on the match due to how over The Acclaimed were, changing the finish on the fly. He’s skittish to answer, so the question is rerouted to the talent.
Swerve, on how people felt The Acclaimed should’ve won:

“I couldn’t care less.”

Tony starts putting over how great of a match they just had, then puts over how great The Acclaimed are. He begins hinting that it makes sense to possibly have a rematch at Grand Slam in just over two weeks.
Swerve is beside himself:

“Wow. Why? Why??... How much more we gotta keep proving??”

Keith Lee starts trying to rationalize how it makes sense but Swerve is pissed.
Tony Khan:

“People are asking... Look, I think it would be one of the best thing we could do at Grand Slam–”

Swerve cuts off Tony, even putting a hand on his shoulder to stop him, and Tony gives him a hell of a look.

“Tony… Tony… This is just another tag team they all want the belts on instead of us!”

Keith Lee:

“I find it interesting in our losses, we had to go down the ladder, but you wanna do this rematch… But I’m not gonna speak to that.”

TK:

“I’ll take some time to think about it, but I just think it’d be a great match for the fans.”

Swerve:

“...It is what it is, but miss me with it altogether… listen man. That’s what you wanna do… I mean, you pay the bills man so you do what you gotta do… But don’t be surprised if somebody gets hurt. Are we done? Are we done?”

Keith Lee, nervously laughing:

“I’m not a part of that statement.”

This portion of the scrum ends abruptly.
Next up is Toni Storm, who has secured the AEW Interim Women’s world championship. Brief chatter about how the women in the locker room all feel devoted to helping each other and elevating each other as a whole, before a reporter asks:
“We’re in a situation now where we just saw Jon Moxley come off a run where he was an interim world champion, and he made his thoughts very clear about how he felt about the word ‘Interim’. How do you feel about that?”
Toni Storm:

“Yeah. It’s not ideal. Thunder Rosa says she’s injured… Okay. So when she says she’s not injured, she can come back and lose to me, and that’ll be the end of that.”

Tony Khan, laughing nervously:

“Well, that’s a… That’s a statement…”

A few questions allow the new champ to put over the depth of the locker room and how AEW has been very good to her after her career was in limbo. Then it circles back around to Thunder Rosa:

“We had formed kind of a friendship… But I want her to know that I’m not just going to sit in her corner and cheer for her and be her little friend… I didn’t come here to make friends. I’ll be cool. I’ll be civil. But when she comes back, I’m gonna whip her ass.”

Toni Storm’s portion wraps up.
At this point, the new trios champions – Kenny Omega, Nick Jackson, and Matt Jackson – should be arriving at the podium. Someone to the side alerts Tony Khan that it will be Chris Jericho coming up next instead. Tony looks surprised. He starts reading and responding to messages on his phone. A reporter randomly asks Tony about the contract tampering allegations, but he declines to comment on it. He stalls for about five minutes before Jericho gets to the podium.
After commenting on what a pleasure it was to finally wrestle against Brian Danielson and call a match on the fly (“there’s very few people in the world you can do that with”), Jericho takes a question from Nick Hausman:

“I asked Tony about this earlier this week… There was a mandatory backstage talent meeting that Tony confirmed happened. Reportedly you spoke at that meeting, Chris. Wondering if you could tell us what you said to the roster and what kind of advice you’re giving to talent… and to management… right now at this point in AEW?”

Jericho:

“The specifics don’t need to be discussed… and that was one of the things that was addressed: don’t leak shit that’s supposed to be private among us. My message is always to remind people how special AEW is and don’t take that for granted… I always want to remind guys, please don’t ruin or potentially ruin this amazing world that we’ve created.”

TK:

“We don’t want guys going into business for themselves… or girls…”

Jericho:

“We don’t. Where I came from, working for twenty years, with Vince… That would never happen [Note: it happened all the time…] and I’m trying to let people know we’re getting to the point where these things are unacceptable. We will start doing things that Tony would do in the NFL or at Fulham. We are a pro sports, multi-million dollar company with a huge contract, with another huge television contract coming up soon. A lot of guys don’t have that experience and don’t realize how special this is. So that’s what I try to do whenever I have them, and Tony has them… Now it’s just a little more frequent, just to remind everyone: stay on course… both guys and girls.”

Meltzer asks Jericho about having to constantly reinvent himself. Jericho says he’s not big on nostalgia, but tapping into the past and bringing up history always helps tell a compelling story:

“... We’re building a whole story around it. It fits in with the whole Heel-Jericho delusion: ‘I’ve found the fountain of youth! I’m better than ever! I’m the best wrestler in the world!’ I can say that stuff as a heel. It’s so funny: when I lose a match, it’s a great match. When I win? ‘Oh, 51-year-old Jericho is burying the young guys!’ So I can kinda use that. That intrigues me… That little kernel of truth, that I always like as a heel, that I can over blow to the point where people are like, ‘Shut the fuck up already, man!’... So let’s use that to our advantage, hide behind it…”

Tony Khan then recounts a story about how he had first seen Chris Jericho in person at an ECW show in 1996 in Chicago, the same show from which a photo was shown on Dynamite the week earlier when Jericho was the young Lionheart. He recounts how when Jericho left ECW, they chanted “You Sold Out!” He also mentions a sign he had at the ECW event that night: “Shane [Douglas] ♥️’s Shawn [Michaels]”, alluding to the famous grudge between those two men.
The story between Douglas and Michaels is notorious and quite relevant here.
“The Franchise” had originally been in WWE in 1990, where he made a name for himself filling in for the injured Michaels as Marty Janetty’s tag partner in The Rockers. Caring for his ailing father, Douglas stepped away from wrestling full-time but intermittently appeared for WCW, then ECW, where he finally became a top guy. When he returned to WWE in 1995, HBK and the rest of the Kliq had assumed nearly full control of backstage politics and were tyrannical in the locker room. Michaels invited Shane Douglas into the fold. Considering them childish, he declined. The rest of his tenure in WWE would be smothered after rejecting Michaels and The Kliq. HBK vowed never to do the job against him, and even faked an injury to avoid dropping the Intercontinental title to him. Douglas left the company the following year after Vince was infuriated that Douglas would not wrestle at Madison Square Garden, despite a doctor explicitly telling him that if he worked through his back injury it would risk paralysis.
The scrum moves on, and eventually Denise Salcedo asks Jericho about MJF’s return.
Jericho:

“I said to him, ‘When you come back, you’re going to be a babyface…’ and he said, ‘I don’t wanna be a babyface, I don’t know what I’m gonna do.' ...It’s easier to make people hate you than it is to make them like you. But once they start really hating you, that’s when they start really liking you. He’s almost at that point. That’s my prediction: he’s gonna be one of our top babyfaces, whether or not he wants to be, very, very soon… A game changer.”

At this point, the Jericho portion wraps up, and as he stands to leave he says something to Tony Khan, in a whisper, but very much able to be picked up on a live mic. What he said was either, “We gotta talk after” or “We called the cops”, but follow-ups to the local police department revealed no call was made so it is very likely the former. What’s indisputable is that he said “Some shit happened” directly in front of the cameras and the microphones. TK says to Jericho, “I’ll meet you in my office afterwards.” There is zero sense of urgency around anything as Jericho leaves thanking the press pool and Tony sits down to field his final questions.
A few “no comments” are issued to questions regarding WWE's alleged contract tampering as well as a proposed super-show with WWE. Tony Khan says he has good feelings toward WWE but they’re not exactly reciprocated, and from there he doesn’t comment any further.
A reporter asks:

“Leading up to All Out, there were unfortunately some reports that the AEW locker room and talent were facing some adversity… In comparison to a sports team, a big win usually pushes them over that threshold of challenges they were facing. With the overall success of tonight, do you think that will help the locker room overcome those roadblocks?”

Instead of taking this softball as it was pitched, TK leans into the premise:

“I think there’s still a lot of wrestlers in professional wrestling who don’t get along… now more than ever, those things are apparent. But I also think that the industry has thrived on creative tension for a long time. Yeah, you might say, what if it doesn’t manifest in a match right away? In the late 90s and early 2000s, which was the business, the interest, and the general peak of pro wrestling in many ways… There was certainly a big group of pro wrestlers who didn’t like each other. A lot of times they weren’t even in the same companies and they would rip each other, and it wasn’t gonna produce a match… But that is what we produce, is wrestling matches…
There’s a lot of matches between people who don’t get along and it’s not always an easy road to get people in the ring. But when you can get people in the ring to settle their differences, it’s really exciting. And there’s a lot of people… some people even here have gone out and blatantly slammed me in public. I have a pretty calm demeanor… I’m willing to put up with a lot of abuse… but there’s only so much knocking me and slamming me I can put up with. On the other hand, I will do what’s right for business when I have to…”

Brandon Thurston asks him about the business aspect of the weekend, and Tony admits it was challenging with a lot of direct competition, some of it seemingly targeted directly to hit the AEW bottom line. Then, Tony’s general tone shifts he legit cuts a promo:

“I have to face the competition out there. When I compare myself to Jim Crockett promotions… This weekend, I think, I got a taste of the same medicine Jim Crockett promotions took. But I have a lot more fucking money than Jim Crockett did. I’m not gonna sit back and take this fucking shit.”

Probably the most uncharacteristic thing I have ever heard Tony Khan say.
The next question centers on the start of the scrum:

“You see without a doubt your biggest star, your biggest mainstream attraction… He goes off the rails a bit toward your EVPs and another of your big young stars. You, as the leader of the ship, how do you diffuse the situation?”

Tony Khan:

“That is a dicey situation. It is contentious and frankly challenging. But, I have to do what’s best for the sake of the company. Everybody you’re talking about are great wrestlers with big reputations… Some of them have been around from the beginning of the company. Some have been around for about a year now… The fact is, these are people that drive revenue, and they help create jobs for everyone. I’m not gonna comment on what you heard here tonight, but like I said earlier this week… It’s no secret that a lot of professional wrestlers don’t like each other. Now it’s probably more out in the open than it’s been in a while. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing for the pro wrestling business given the product that we produce: matches.”

The next reporter asks about the ongoing role of The Elite within the company and Tony puts them over as invaluable assets in putting together and organizing the shows, as well as mentoring younger talent and helping to grow revenue streams.
Before Tony wraps up the scrum, he singles out a young man in the press pool to ask a question. The young man asks about CM Punk’s dog, Larry, who had ran out in front of the crowd earlier.

“... Well… Larry is a live wire… he got a taste of the live crowd… I thought he had a good time. When he arrived, he seemed like he was in good spirits.”

Tony then leaves the podium.
In the coming hours, news would steadily emerge from backstage. As the story goes, the EVPs of All Elite Wrestling went to CM Punk’s locker room accompanied by Megha Parekh, AEW’s Chief Legal Officer and Director of Human Resources, along with Christopher Daniels, Fallen Angel and Manager of Talent Relations.
While in the locker room, CM Punk punched Matt Jackson, a chair hit Nick Jackson in the eye, and Ace Steel bit Kenny Omega on the arm. Larry the Dog was in peril also, later seen being carried by Megha away from the area. Brandon Cutler, Pat Buck, and Michael Nakazawa were all present. At some point Chris Jericho made his way to Punk to tell him he was a cancer to the locker room and detrimental to the company as a whole, only to be told in turn that it was none of Jericho’s business and he should leave. Aside from Megha, all parties present (aside from Jericho who arrived late) were immediately placed on paid administrative leave, pending investigation.
News dropped quickly that Punk would be out for six-to-eight months regardless of anything else due to his torn triceps suffered that night in the main event.
Aside from the injury, none of this has been 100% confirmed. None of these details exist on any official record. All accounts are, at best, third-hand information. The facts of the story changed wildly from the first 48 hours to the first two weeks, with absurd initial claims such as the Young Bucks (super)kicking down the door to Punk’s locker and Larry losing teeth in the maelstrom. To this day, no one other than those present know with any degree of certainty what happened inside that room.
But what happened outside that room was a remarkable shattering of perception about CM Punk, the Elite, but most importantly, AEW itself. In the immediate aftermath, massive fans such as myself couldn’t help but feel as if something was taken away from us. In the months since, so much has been made of getting AEW back to the old days, regaining that old feeling that made us fall in love at the beginning. We want to go back to what Jericho called the “amazing world” created by everyone at AEW, but none more so than by the Elite.
How could CM Punk so grossly and directly attack the founders and shapers of this company which, up to then, was widely hailed as the only place a wrestler would want to be? I thought back to the very last thing said to AEW cameras by Cody Rhodes, a founder whose absence loomed large that night in Chicago. A lot of people don’t realize his final words in AEW weren’t those uttered by a ladder, inside a ring where he famously claimed credit for construction of the Forbidden Door. No, it was in the bowels of the arena after his unification match with Sammy Guevara, over eight months before All Out… There, he talked about how proud he was of everything he had helped to build. Fighting back tears, he talked about how he would never feel more at home than he does in an AEW ring. “It’s Paradise, right?”
… Paradise.
Paradise… Paradise… Paradise Lost… The Fall of Man… Snake in the Garden…
Oh, enough already! I’m grasping at straws to find some connection that can't exist. How would a guy whose contract expired at the end of 2021 be even remotely connected to stuff throughout the next year and culminated on 9/4/22?
Huh... 9… 4… 2+2… 944?
What was it that I noticed back in Part Two?

June 27, 2011: Punk delivers his landmark Pipebomb promo in WWE.
He would ultimately leave WWE and professional wrestling altogether 944 days later.
On January 1, 2019: All Elite Wrestling is founded.
944 days later, tickets for Rampage: The First Dance sell out within minutes.

Okay. But still, what does any of that really have to do with The Elite, in particular Cody? Hell, if anything Cody might be more inclined to side with Punk than the Elite. His history with Punk went back all the way to 2007 and they worked shows together for the next seven years. Both guys left WWE with similar frustrations. Cody would certainly know what it’s like dealing with the Bucks… From Cody’s last match in WWE to the creation of AEW, he was tied at the hip with Nick & Matt Jackson. As soon as he hit the indies, he linked up with them and many other AEW stalwarts in Reseda, California. You can learn a lot about people in…
Huh. That’s interesting.
May 16, 2016: Cody’s last match in WWE.
December 16, 2018: Cody’s last match before signing with AEW.
... 944 days.
Well, that’s actually pretty wild. These guys must have a really firm grasp on the history of their careers to line up Easter eggs like that. But really, that’s all they are: Easter eggs. The Elite and Punk are all famous trolls, so they may have been hoping some obsessive fool like myself would catch on and get pulled into the rabbit hole.
The trail stops at All Out, though. We can’t go into the future and see what happens 944 days from that media scrum, and the paths of most people involved in Brawl Out seem so divergent it’d be impossible to predict with any sort of accuracy. Punk is sidelined indefinitely, perhaps permanently. Kenny and the Bucks are back in action but their contract situations have started bubbling up in dirtsheets, so we can assume Hangman won’t be far behind in those rumors.
Meanwhile over in WWE, Cody Rhodes is sitting pretty. He’s getting massive cheers the AEW fanbase refused him toward the end, when his vision lost alignment with ours. Each passing day he climbs toward a mountain top of his own. In less than two weeks from now he will go to WrestleMania and try to overcome the most impenetrable obstacle in that company: the Bloodline.
If Cody succeeds at WrestleMania, his personal story would have a crowning achievement nearly every wrestler in history would envy. The fact that he bet on himself so many times and always won is remarkable. He’ll look even better considering the stains and scars imposed on “Paradise” after his departure. Maybe he could’ve helped avoid the embarrassment of All Out, but we’ll never know and that’s not for him to dwell upon. His primary focus should be on the Tribal Chief and stopping that historic reign in its tracks at...
​
​
... 944 days.
​
PART FIVE WILL EXAMINE THE FALLOUT FROM BRAWL OUT, THE CORONATION OF MJF, RIPPLE EFFECTS ACROSS PROMOTIONS, AND SPECULATE ON THE FUTURE…
I AM TAKING A DEEP, DEEP DIVE INTO ELITE LORE... SO IT’S GONNA TAKE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK AND MIGHT NOT BE HERE QUICKLY, BUT I THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH ME THIS FAR AND I HOPE YOU’LL STAY ONBOARD FOR THE END OF THE RIDE!

Chapter LIII
​
Duchy of Daele, Aethera.
​
His city would burn, thought the Duke. He watched from above on the palace balcony as a sea of bodies flooded the lands around the Capital. Even the delta which once provided a boon to trade was now choking on hundreds of ships and only the Goddess knew what else lurked beneath the water that the orc warlord has enslaved or bargained with!
​
This was the end. His worlds final doom had arrived on the back of a great black worg, at the head of the very apocalypse itself. Duke Magnus turned his gaze down at the poor souls that were trapped inside the city. Refugees that fled the destruction of their far-flung homes. His own citizens that huddled together in their final hour, and the soldiers and mercenaries that will fight, and die, for them all.
​
If given the chance the mercenaries would flee or even kill them for a chance to survive the impending battle. But the Warchief had no love for those that sold their swords for coin. He believed the same as the Duke does, that they were untrustworthy, and given the fact that a third of their number took the Dukedoms money and fled when the chance presented itself solidified that belief.
​
But now they were all crabs in the same bucket. They would either all survive together or they would all die together. Maybe their chances at survival would be better had the rest of the nearby kings and dukes came to his aid. But even with their annihilation on their doorstep only a token force was sent. Even their calls of aid to the other races was met with deafening silence.
​
The dwarves have locked themselves away in the mountains. While they were closest to the humans that amounted to little now as they have washed their hands of Man in his hour of need.
​
The elves likewise have always held little regard for humans, and while it was a hollow hope of getting their aid, it still stung when they weren't even given a refusal! Usually they would be answered with snide or arrogant words but even they were silent to their pleas!
​
All other possible aid was either too far out of reach or was now at the gate with their enemies, bought or enslaved to the coming conqueror. The Duke could see several banners and shields of former friends amongst the enemy. He did not know which he preferred, that they were conquered and pressed into the Warchief's service. Or that they chose willingly to turn their blades upon former friends and allies!
​
The Duchess came behind her husband while he was deep in dark thoughts.
"It is a daunting sight is it not?"
​
"Yes, and I am expected to give them hope that we'll survive somehow." The Duke said bitterly.
​
"Is there truly none? Is there no passage or rescue?" She asked, fear and hopelessness taking hold.
​
"NO! There is not! If there were we would not be here awaiting our doom!" The Duke snapped at his wife. Which he regretted as the heated words left his mouth.
​
"No, we are trapped, and we are alone. Years of hollow promises, thin pacts, and false friendships have amounted to nothing more than a rabble of peasants in naught but tin and rusted blades!" The Duke spat, his fury from moments ago simmered down as he turned his ire away from his wife.
​
She was scared, he was scared, they were all scared. Death was coming and there was nothing they could do but wait and pray. She embraced her husband from behind.
"There is always light. Even in the bleak darkness there is hope."
​
Then where is this so-called light, he wanted to ask. But she didn't deserve his bitterness. She held faith and hope where he did not.
"I will return to the Cathedral and pray to The Goddess for aid."
​
The Duke nodded as she kissed his stubbled cheek and left him to his doom and gloom. He gazed out once more towards the vast horde on the horizon. He had to have faith. If he didn't then he may as well lead his people onto the swords of the enemy. He tried, he really did. But as the throng surged forwards what flicker of hope vanished. Even but a fraction was being sent at them and it was more than they have ever faced.
​
He took a steadying breath and affixed his sword. Then he took one last steely gaze at the oncoming tide. He owed it to his people to fight for them. Even if he didn't think they would survive he wanted, no, NEEDED to fight! So he marched down towards the walls. Ready to meet the enemy.
​
-----
​
[REDACTED], [REDACTED], [REDACTED].
​
A crisp voice sounded out into the waiting room.
"Agent Smith? The Director will see you now."
​
A middle-aged man stood up from his seat and sat down the newspaper he was reading. He straightened his black suit and fixed his salt-and-pepper hair before making his way past the empty seats and the receptionist.
​
He entered the spacious office and took a seat across from The Director. The Director was a equally middle-aged woman, her platinum blond hair has since turned white from both age and stress from their shared profession. Some would think the higher up you went the further from the danger you were.
​
That was a fatal misconception. For Agent Smith and others like him danger was right there in your face. But for The Director? It was behind closed doors and the darkness of the mind as decisions and lives were snuffed out with but a phone call or flick of a pen.
​
Such an action may well be what he was here for, Agent Smith thought as he watched and waited for The Director to finish her paperwork. After a long minute of working she spoke.
"Are you informed?"
​
"I wouldn't be in this line of work if I weren't." Agent Smith quipped.
​
A rare smile broke on her weathered face and she sat aside her work and looked fully on Agent Smith.
"The Anomalies are continuing."
​
She slid a folder towards Agent Smith. He opened it and found various pictures of strange things. Nothing was strange for them but some of these managed to raise his eye in curiosity.
"They show no signs of slowing and Washington is worried."
​
"When are they ever NOT worried?" Agent Smith asked as he browsed the blurry photos and heavily redacted files.
​
"Regardless, they want assurances that we are dealing with it." She said as she leaned forward.
​
"Are we?" Smith asked as he tried to decipher the complex labyrinth of classified and redacted information.
​
"YOU are." She stated.
​
"When do I get started?" He asked as he spied a familiar name on the file.
​
"You already have."
​
He nodded towards The Director and returned the file back to her. He then stood and left with a brisk pace in the direction of his desk. Where he met a youthful faced young man in a similar black suit.
​
With a smile he held out a hand towards Agent Smith.
"Hi, I'm-"
​
"Johnathan Doe, age 23, Little Rock, Arkansas. Youngest of a family of 6. Mother's at home being taken care of by your elder brothers. Father died in the war. My condolences. Sister is off on a honeymoon in Monaco and you have a family dog named Spot. How original." Agent Smith recited as he packed a suitcase with paperwork. The rest he will requisition.
​
"H-h-ho-" The young Agent Doe stuttered.
​
"Son. You wouldn't have gotten through the front door without us knowing every personal, and impersonal, detail about your life." He clicked his suitcase and walked briskly away.
​
"Come along Agent Doe." Agent Smith called, startling Johnathan out of his stupor.
​
"One thing you oughta know Agent Doe. We know everything. We have to. If we don't then we are dead, the people around us are dead, and most importantly the people we care about are dead. So it is of utmost urgency that we know. You know?"
​
"Uhm-"
​
"Good! Glad we're clear! Now what do you know of the place we are heading to Agent Doe?"
​
"Uh-"
​
"I'll tell you Agent. It's a sleepy little town that has a bad case of nightmares."
​
"Wha-"
​
"Somewhere. Agent Doe. Somewhere, West Virginia."
​
Agent Smith stopped by The Depot and acquired a briefcase and duffle bag from the shaky man at the window.
"Thank you Carl!"
​
The man mumbled and hobbled back behind the window. Agent Smith threw the duffle bag towards Agent Doe who, after much fumbling, caught and carried the quite heavy bag.
​
"Keep up Agent Doe. Time is a luxury that we rarely can afford!"
​
A car was pulled from storage and the Agent was given the keys. After securing their equipment the two enter their nondescript car.
"Do you like Jazz Agent Doe?"
​
"Wh-what?"
​
"Jazz! You know?! Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong!"
​
"Uh-"
​
"No? Well that's fine. But you should get something to enjoy while in our line of work. Open positions is more often than not because of low moral!" Agent Smith said while forming a finger gun to his head.
​
"Oh-"
​
"You don't talk much do you Agent Doe?"
​
"Wel-"
​
"That's alright. Last partner I had, all he did was talk. Talk about the whether, talk about his wife, talk about his kids! Talk, talk, talk!"
​
"Wh-"
​
"What happened to him? Another time Agent. Can't be sitting here all day having you chewing my ear off!" Agent Smith proclaimed as he started up their car and drove out of the plain building that didn't exist, and onto the street that also didn't exit. To a town that, unfortunately, DID exist.
​
"Do you know why we're going to West Virginia Agent Doe?"
​
"Uh-"
​
"Because the town we are going to has a nasty habit of always doing weird things. Make no mistake though! Weird happens all the time! But for a place like Somewhere, West Virginia? When weird DOES happen its REALLY weird!"
​
"How-"
​
"Oh various reasons! All across our great nation there are spots where the veil between worlds is so thin that things tend to slip through. Or sometimes it attracts extraterrestrials! But that's a different division and they're all a bunch of quacks!"
​
"So wha-"
​
"What division are we? My God man haven't you been paying attention?! Anyway. That's what our job is! To find and ascertain the threat of these various anomalies that spring up from these areas. If its not a threat we either contain it or mold society around it so as to avoid any problems!"
​
"Wh-"
​
"What if its a threat? Good question! Then we blow it to kingdom come! Or we lock it in some little box in a hole in the middle of a place that shouldn't nor does it exist!"
​
"So-"
​
"So that's why we are going to Somewhere. Recent anomalies have cropped up. Portals all over the world. Portals to another world! While we, and others like us, have kept the public blissfully ignorant its only a matter of time before word gets out! So, we either determine its safe and or benign and we handle things from there. OR we determine its a threat and we blow it up!"
​
"B-"
​
"But why Somewhere? Because its where we pinpointed where the anomalies first started! So..."
​
Agent Doe looked at Agent Smith, who had a look on his face like he was waiting for him to speak.
"So... we sta-"
​
"Start at the source! That's right Agent Doe! You know, you shouldn't be afraid to speak your mind more often! Just not TOO often, that's how my last partner died!"
​
Johnathan wasn't sure joining the agency was a good idea anymore.
​
[First] [Prev] [Next]

50 Cent: What are you up to, my man? The entirety of the Grand Theft Auto fanbase is waiting on tenterhooks. We surely cannot be too far away from the long-awaited reveal of GTA VI. Honestly, every time I get a Twitter notification from Rockstar Games, my heart skips a beat and now, 50 Cent is playing with our emotions.
Last week, 50 Cent dropped what appeared to be a major GTA VI teaser. He posted a Vice City logo, captioning it, “I will explain this later. GreenLightGang, this s**t bigger than POWER, trust me. BOOM.” Dr Dre starred in GTA Online’s ‘The Contract’ DLC so many have speculated that 50 Cent could be lending his likeness to a GTA VI character. Well now, the plot thickens because the rapper has dropped yet another tease - deleting it swiftly after. Very suspicious.
Take a look at this mod which allows you to play as The Boys’ Homelander in GTA V.
As spotted by Reddit user worldlovespain, after posting a second reference to GTA, 50 Cent deleted both posts from his social media accounts. The second tease featured a photo of a Vice City neon sign from shopping site AliExpress. Due to the deletion of both posts, many are assuming that the rapper may have broken an NDA he had with Rockstar Games.
As previously mentioned, 50 Cent could be teasing a GTA VI collaboration but what’s perhaps more likely is that he’s working on a GTA-inspired show, focusing on Vice City by the looks of it. In the original tease, 50 Cent included the TV emoji. He also said, ‘This s**t bigger than POWER.” Well Power is a crime drama series that aired from 2014 to 2020 that, you guessed it, starred 50 Cent. The rapper also helped create the series.
Big budget game adaptations are all the rage right now. You need look no further than HBO’s The Last of Us. I’m surprised GTA is yet to get the adaptation treatment given the immense love for the franchise. For now, take all of this with a pinch of salt until anything is confirmed but 50 cent is undoubtedly up to something.

🔞 Through a sunlit window, I see you walking in, Hearing the front door, Close behind you. It’s about four, In the afternoon, In the city, On a Saturday, In the latest and hottest, Part of June. He’s away, But he’s okay, With you being here. You’ll meet one day. You want to, I know... Now I stand, awaiting fate, I smell your strength, And your force, As they both, Protect and accompany you. I can hear your pace, It intoxicates, Each step you take. I’m nervous. I’ve been missing you... It was long overdue, To finally hear from you. Hearing you cry, From too far, That broke me inside. He had to hold me some nights, So I could get over you. Walking nearer from the back, Scents of sandalwood, Now attached, To bergamot, Twirling around, Sounds of, Duke. Sentimental, Always for you, And now you’re here, Coming closer, Two breaths... Anticipation, Closing in. Thank you, God. We don’t talk much, But you heard me last night, And he’s alright. For that, I'll always, Be in awe of You. Intense, You are, Happiest you are, Me, All tied up for you. The knots you lace, Secured, With care, And always with a kiss or two. While staring me down, Intentionally prolonged, For effect, From a position, With me beneath you. And Duke playing, Something sentimental, A mood, In the air, With a trace of bergamot, Hint of sandalwood, Attached, Between two. “In a Sentimental Mood” -Duke Ellington & John Coltrane Photos & content ©2023MeiraLove www.meiralove.com 

This is a long post, looking for other perspectives, I totally understand if it isn’t worth someone’s time to read.
I’m acquaintances with this older intellectual, who I really don’t know their politics, but believe they generally are socially and economically progressive, not sure if they are all the way left, or more of a soc dem. He is someone who I know has read a lot of theory and philosophers. At times he’ll make comments that I feel are borderline misogynistic, he acknowledges that he doesn’t have to agree with someone’s ideology around gendegender roles, to support their rights and let them be who they want to be.
He regularly goes on these long rants about “wokeness”, where I feel he is generally referring to what is often referred to as “woke-scolds”, especially those who are authors, professors, people in politics… I think of the over compensating liberal.
I wondered if anyone would read something he recently wrote, someone of which is clipped from a NYT article, to help me consider if I’m misinterpreting him or not. I feel like he is a bit focused in on the woke-scold types and attributing their loudness to the majority, am I misunderstanding, or just wrong?
I have some thoughts specifically to address his NCAA comment as well.
Here is the post:
Among the multitude of reasons I attack Wokeness, apart from its religious irrationality, explicit anti-semitism and implicit racism is that is attacks form and the surface without dealing with genunine issues of structural poverty and homelessness. While every spoiled brat at Yale Law shudders at the possibility of encountering an uncomfortable idea or wants to fire someone for daring to state something obvioiusly true but at odds with their dogma, there are genuine issues of criminality and social upheaval that threatens social order and the sort small business that Wokeness ought to support were they not religious fanatics.
We have serious issues of structural poverty and wealthy stratification. The only fact you can bank on is that religious truth is not the solution. We have a path to solve some of society's ills and it is not the ethnic war of tribal power Wokeness envisions.
"He had been coming into work at the same sandwich shop at the same exact time every weekday morning for the last four decades, but now Joe Faillace, 69, pulled up to Old Station Subs with no idea what to expect. He parked on a street lined with three dozen tents, grabbed his Mace and unlocked the door to his restaurant. The peace sign was still hanging above the entryway. Fake flowers remained undisturbed on every table. He picked up the phone and dialed his wife and business partner, Debbie Faillace, 60.
“All clear,” he said. “Everything looks good.”
“You’re sure? No issues?” she asked. “What’s going on with the neighbors?”
He looked out the window toward Madison Street, which had become the center of one of the largest homeless encampments in the country, with as many as 1,100 people sleeping outdoors. On this February morning, he could see a half-dozen men pressed around a roaring fire. A young woman was lying in the middle of the street, wrapped beneath a canvas advertising banner. A man was weaving down the sidewalk in the direction of Joe’s restaurant with a saw, muttering to himself and then stopping to urinate a dozen feet from Joe’s outdoor tables.
“It’s the usual chaos and suffering,” he told Debbie. “But the restaurant’s still standing.”
That had seemed to them like an open question each morning for the last three years, as an epidemic of unsheltered homelessness began to overwhelm Phoenix and many other major American downtowns. Cities across the West had been transformed by a housing crisis, a mental health crisis and an opioid epidemic, all of which landed at the doorsteps of small businesses already reaching a breaking point because of the pandemic. In Seattle, more than 2,300 businesses had left downtown since the beginning of 2020. A group of fed up small-business owners in Santa Monica, Calif., had hung a banner on the city’s promenade that read: “Santa Monica Is NOT safe. Crime … Depravity … Outdoor mental asylum.” And in Phoenix, where the number of people living on the street had more than tripled since 2016, businesses had begun hiring private security firms to guard their property and lawyers to file a lawsuit against the city for failing to manage “a great humanitarian crisis.”
I then made a comment, less in response to the NYT article, and more to his use of “woke”, that I don’t think he uses “woke” in the same way it is understood colloquially, highlighting a recent survey that 59% of Americans understand “woke” to basically be an awareness of social injustices.
He responded with this:
Cory, I think the way tribal defenders use right criticism to deflect from the serious issues of this tribal populism unfortunate.
I am willing to bet I read more “woke” monographs than you so I am smokier with what it gets right. But you are more comfortable with its implicit racism ( how else would you define antisemitism?), anti-intellectualism, and it’s insistence on doing the greatest harm in the name of protecting the fewest.
We cancel anyone who speaks out. We deny it is cancellation while less than 3 blocks from San Francisco’s modern art museum, where a curator who shared the desire to purchase the works of artists of color but stated the obvious fact that not to purchase any works of white artists would be racism, there is a similar tent city.
Wholeness claims it is about social justice but is it? While woke is composed of affluent elites those it claims to speak reject its policies.
It is mot racial justice to shut down conversations that disagree with your religious dogma. The number 1 NCAA woman’s swimmer is a transitioned woman who sent through puberty as a male. She was ranked 400 when swimming as a male.
I am confident, Cory, you did not read the article. Or you would have read about who supported the existence of tent cities or that the diner’s owners are feeding people in the tent city who are dedicating, urinating, having sex, throwing garbage and threatening anyone walking past.
In Wokedom police are bad but people living in high crime areas want policing. San Francisco recalled one DA and one woke politician who 3 months ago was screaming “ defund the police” is now screaming that the police are not doing their job.
Care to know the number of times a racist woke responded to the evidence that Black women were responsible for Hillary and Biden being the nominee with “ don’t YOU DARE TELL ME ABOUT BLACK WOMEN!!”
Thoughts?

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Patricia "Patty" Auch is running for City Council in the New City of Mableton. Her campaign has been quite silent as Patty made no appearances at Candidate Forums or other community base public appearances. Her social media is not very active at all. For a millennial she has virtually no web presence at all. Despite this, Auch gained over 40% of the vote in the City of Mableton's first ever election. It appears her main supporters are the small but loud and mobilized "anti-cityhood" geriatric retiree community.
Who is Patricia Auch? We don't know much about her or her husband. Her husband has a nickname he goes by and does not use his legal name. Patricia appears to work as a "Regulatory Affairs Associate" for a pharmaceutical company. Her husband is an architect.
When reviewing the disclosure statements filed by the candidate we learn a few interesting things.
Most of her donations come from retirees. Her husband provided her one single cash donation of $5.50.
Social media is scarce but we do find a couple notable posts from her presumed husband. Namely that he thinks the Biden administration helped free Britney Reiner from Russia because she is a "black lesbian". It also appears that family did not support Abrams in the Gov. campaign. Not finding any other "party" related content.
Unfortunately, voter turn out was incredibly low. Auch did not reach the majority needed and she will continue to the run off against candidate Brown. Only 3,352 votes were cast out of 16,718 registered voters for this important election. Basically 1 in 5 registered voters.
For entire city only 6,071 out of a registered 47,282 cast a vote. This is some of the worst voter turn out results in recent history.
If you are in Mableton please consider voting in the runoff election on April 18, 2023. I don't know much about Auch and can neither endorse or criticize her, as she is an almost invisible enigma. That being said, he husband's rhetoric around black and gay people is a bit alarming considering the Mableton district has a very large black community. I am a white person and I think Mableton citizens should consider the implications of electing an antigovernment, potentially anti-black, anti-gay, leader to their new city.

I’ve been in the U.K. now for 14 years, recently left the capital and found a city that I liked more.
Last year I started to save up for a house etc thinking that’s it, I want to settle here. I was so happy! I don’t really have a home anywhere else. I truly need roots. I’m in my 30s.
I ended up changing my mind as if I compare the U.K. to another EU country I’m from - the U.K. is moving toward the US system. Everything is expensive and there are not much social security if something goes wrong. As of today, work life balance is better in my country. BUT, more red tape.
So why not leave now you may ask - I worked here all my life and I’m not particularly keen to move as I’m worried I won’t get the job I want somewhere else. Perhaps I need time. That’s what I’ve told myself. My family is not here either, sometimes, it reminds me I’m an expat.
I don’t want to open a LISA and get a fee if I have to move all the money out. You can’t transfert a LISA sadly so either you accept the fee or leave the money there and stay in the U.K. I guess that’s normal as the government is helping.
Anyways, my thought process since doubts and fear have settled in my mind… is just to save up. Give myself time, and see what I can do, later.
On the downside, I don’t want to miss out each year on what the government can help :( or just end up without a home anywhere…….
I don’t know, anyone has experienced anything similar? I’m usually very decisive, but a house ain’t no jokes. It’s a lot of money and it takes literally ages.
Thank you all!

In 2021, President Biden announced an executive order to build upon “the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC or Commission) on-going efforts to develop a disclosure framework for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks, particularly climate change-related financial risk”. On March 20th 2023, President Biden used his first veto to defend this order.
• What are the arguments, for and against, President Biden’s 2021 executive order on the disclosure of ESG risks?
• Given that it’s been nearly 2 years since the order, what evidence exists demonstrating the effectiveness of this order?