#saving reads for complete assignment rewards

[honeybcj]

@jegulus-microfic february 18 / pet / 1343 words / part 1 / the one where regulus finally runs into james again <3

It’s been a whole week since Regulus’ first run in with James. Bombardment is more like it. Thing is, whatever you want to call it, Regulus has not stopped thinking about the other man, no matter how hard he tries. 

And try he did. 

Distracting himself with upcoming assignments, taking extra time to plan out the rest of his week, meticulous as ever. He’s even made it a habit to seek out Barty, Evan, or Pandora to fill up his time even more. Needless to say, he’s done everything in his power to get the mental image of James out of his head. 

Problem is, no matter how hard Regulus tries, he fails time and time again because one minute he’ll be reading over a paragraph in his textbook, the next he’s daydreaming about pearly white teeth, glaring in the sun because James has that kind of smile. Ultimately, it turns into a thought of unruly curls and stupid glasses and even more stupid tan skin that Regulus wants to reach out and touch. 

Regulus is a creature of habit, so no matter how many times he walked the same path, he never ran into James again. Which is also why it makes things extremely odd when he’s padding down to the shared kitchen in the dorm space to make a late-night studying snack. He’s not one to emerge from the depths of his room or set foot in the shared kitchen. 

But tonight is a little different, and boy does it get Regulus exactly what he wants. 

Lo and behold, James is standing in front of the stove, stirring something that appears to be soup in a pot, humming casually, unaware that Regulus has entered the room. Regulus didn’t even know James lived in the same dorm building as him. Had he, lots of trouble might have been saved. But now that he knows, oh he knows this is going to be a terrible, terrible problem to have. 

As stealthily as possible, Regulus swivels on his heel, appetite having gone completely out the window with his mind elsewhere. He doesn’t get very far before an undeniably sleepy, rough voice comes from behind him. 

“Regulus, right?” Regulus stops dead in his tracks, slowly pivoting around to face James once more. 

“Jimmy, right?” Regulus mocks, cocking his chin just right. He’s playing a game here, he can’t let James have the upperhand.

That seems to tickle James pink because he’s grinning like a maniac, even with half-lidded eyes full of sleep, looking comical behind the wire-rimmed glasses. 

“I’ll give you a second chance, love. Not Jimmy.”

Regulus doesn’t miss the way his breath gets caught in his throat when the word love slips from James’ mouth. He does his best to ignore the fluttering of wings inside the pit of his stomach. Expression schooled, Regulus lets out an exasperated huff.

“You think everyone just remembers you like that?” Regulus asks.

Cheekily, “‘Course they do. It’s the charm.”

“Should’ve pegged you for the type,” Regulus mumbles under his breath.

“If you’ve got something to say, Regulus, you can say it directly to me.”

“Should’ve pegged you for the type, James,” Regulus repeats, louder this time, expression unwavering. 

“Oh, so you do remember my name?” James inquires, cocking a brow as he moves the pot from the hot burner. 

“It’s the charm,” Regulus mocks again in a teasing manner. 

That earns him a laugh, right from the center of James’ chest. Heavy lidded eyes going wide and wild. Laughing with earnestness, and it’s the most rewarding Regulus has felt in the past week. Forget finishing assignments and feeling accomplished, this is a whole new kind of rewarding. 

“You know,” James muses, glancing over at Regulus, “all those comments on that video with you like to point out that we had undeniable chemistry.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Regulus throws back, but his actions take away from the bite as he hunkers back against the doorway into the kitchen. 

“Love, I’ve got eyes. I’m not all that stupid, either. You’ve been thinking about me, have you? Thinking about the next time you’ll see me? And you know what, Regulus? I’ve seen you plenty, but have you ever thought that it’s odd you’ve never seen me?”

“Now you just sound like a fucking stalker.”

“Ooh, baby’s got a mouth on him.”

“I’m no one’s baby,” Regulus hisses, his cheeks turning an ungodly pink color. “No pet names.”

“Bet you’d like to be mine,” James taunts, and Regulus almost—almost—takes the bait. 

“Fuck off.”

It only makes James grin more, satisfied with his half-win. He’s too busy pouring soup into a ceramic bowl, humming occasionally to some random tune, and then it hits Regulus, like a ton of bricks. 

“Is that Chopin?”

James freezes, turning slowly to Regulus with the bowl in his hands. “And what would you do if I said it was?”

“I’d say you’re a little obsessed with me, lover boy,” Regulus comments, the corner of his mouth turning up. 

Another one of those cheeky grins, and Regulus wants to punch James straight in the nose.

“It’s undeniable Regulus.” James clicks his tongue, picking up his bowl to cradle it in his hands. “You’re pretty.”

“Oh,” is all Regulus musters up, embarrassed how quick his cheeks go up into flames. He shifts on his feet, suddenly unaware of why he’s even in the shared kitchen anyway, appetite long gone.

“Did you even know that I live here? Hm? Been right in front of you all along, love,” James comments, swirling a spoon around his bowl. 

Regulus scoffs. “Yeah, of course. I just avoid you.”

“Don’t lie to me, Regulus.”

The intense gaze coming from James makes Regulus squirm. Because he is, in fact, a big ole liar. He didn’t know anything. Yes, he’s secretly been hoping to run into James again. How can he help himself? 

“No,” Regulus finds himself whispering. 

“And before you go calling me a stalker again, I’ll inform you that I did know you live here, too. Only from seeing you in passing. Brief glimpses.”

“I don’t think that’s going to break your stalker allegations, James.”

“Say it again.”

“Excuse me?”

“Say my name, Regulus.”

Another, “Oh.”

Regulus blinks, before cocking his head to the side to see just how far he could push it. “James.”

A tongue pokes out from behind those pearly white teeth, teasing Regulus. James looks far too giddy for his own good. He’s got bright eyes and a mouth that Regulus wants to feel against his own. So he pushes it more, taking a bold step closer towards the other man. 

“What are you doing here?” James asks, still casually swirling the spoon around the bowl. He’s yet to take a bite.

“Could ask you the same thing.” Another step closer.

“Making food.” James raises his bowl. “Obviously. That brings us back to the real question, what are you doing here?”

Regulus blinks again before he narrows his eyes in retaliation. “Making food. Obviously.”

“By all means, the kitchen is yours.” Without warning, James goes to make his exit, not wasting another second. 

No, no, no.

Not again. Not this time. 

“Wait,” Regulus’ voice comes out in a hurry, making James stop right in his tracks. He turns over his shoulder and cocks a brow. “Will I see you again?”

“221.”

“I—what?”

A wide grin. “My room. 221. Don’t be a stranger, baby.”

With that, James waltzes right out of the kitchen, leaving behind a rosy-cheeked Regulus. He fumbles for a moment, utterly baffled by this James man. The silence weighs heavy on Regulus’ shoulders as he lets time pass. 

Having given up on getting a late night snack, Regulus leaves the kitchen. His ascent up the stairs is slow, lingering on the second floor for more time than needed. He waits and waits and waits. Gives it a good minute before saying fuck it. 

It’s nobody’s business if Regulus makes a pit stop on his way back to his room that night. Room 221 to be exact.

#jegulus microfic #jegulus #james potter #regulus black #james x regulus #han's microfics #do i turn this into a whole series hmmmmm

[lockea]

10 Fanfiction Recs

In honor of IFD 2024 and @ao3org organizing the feedback fest, here are 10 fanfiction from my bookmarks (all complete, lots of oldies) spread across as many fandoms as I read.

Scylla and Charybdis by Mithrigil, puella_nerdii Fandom: The Hunger Games "Finnick decides that, come hell or high water, he is bringing his tribute home from the seventieth Hunger Games. That tribute is Annie Cresta. But Finnick never thought that he would have to choose between bringing her home and keeping her safe, and he wants both. How Annie Cresta crept up on Finnick Odair."

I heard Hunger Games was back in fashion, so have this fic from 2011 that's just so good.

Primary Colors by RobotSquid Fandom: Homestuck (no, I am not apologizing!) "As a young troll living in the desert with the Dolorosa, the Signless comes across an unconscious psionic wriggler. Over the next few nights, they come to understand and care for each other. Although seemingly destined to be apart, they make a promise to be together again. But the destructive ways of the highbloods are becoming more widespread, and as the Signless begins to dream, he dedicates himself to regaining the peaceful world Alternia once was. But troll society as it stands now holds no sympathy for a candy red mutant, a psionic slave, or the matespritship they have."

A canon-compliant (I think, I stopped reading Homestuck around this time) story about the Signless that's full of great world building and honestly I don't remember much but I have it on my bookmarks list for a reason, I'm sure.

A Long Road to Destiny by Miko Fandom: Final Fantasy VII (set in Final Fantasy X verse) "The summoner's journey is a long, hard path to walk. Having guardians you trust makes all the difference in the world."

The story follows Cloud, who is half Al-Behd, as he makes his pilgrimage to be a summoner. Early on, he's joined by Sephiroth, a former Summoner, and Zack, who wants to be Sepiroth's guardian, and the three begin quite the epic adventure to save Spira.

Immovable, unbreakable by Cards_Slash Fandom: Assassin's Creed "Altair has known since he was thirteen years old, the year he realized he was an omega, that his body was never going to be his own. He thought he had overcome his own fate when Al Mualim agreed to allow him to stay on as an Assassin but even becoming the youngest Master Assassin ever did not save him. Following the semi-failed mission at Solomon's Temple, Altair is gifted to Malik as a reward for his service. Malik doesn't want Altair but he does not turn down the chance to show him his place."

A retelling of the first game if Altair was an omega, lost his assassin status, was summarily married off to Malik, and had to work around all that to still solve the mystery and save the day. Altair is truly the biggest badass in this story, and the historical perspective on an Omegaverse is truly neat.

Teach Me How to Fight (I'll Show You How to Win) by Skalidra Fandom: Batman (DCU) "Dick is taken by the Court after his parents' death to be trained as a Talon. He becomes loyal, deadly, and the Court's primary Talon. At least until he meets a boy from the Court's secondary, darker kind of servant who gets assigned to be his partner, and makes him start to care about things other than serving the Court. Tim, a boy-genius member of the Court, could have told anyone who listened that pairing Talon with the other boy - Jason - was a poor decision, and the fact that the Grandmaster of the Court doesn't listen, at all, is something he's finding less and less tolerable."

I love this fic so much that it was my first attempt at fanfiction binding.

Oh, You Wondrous Creature by Ginia Fandom: Final Fantasy XV "Ignis Scientia had learned at a young age to perform his duties quietly and flawlessly. He learned not to draw undue attention to himself, as attention had often lead to pain and humiliation at the hands of those who considered themselves to be his betters.

He has no idea what to do when the attentions of one Gladiolus Amicitia are directed at him. He expects harshness and cruelty, but is met with something quite the opposite."

This is classic frenemies to lovers scenario. Ignis and Gladio start off disliking each other, but as Gladio uncovers more about the discrimination Ignis endures, he shapes up to be a friend, ally, and eventual lover for the steward.

Someone You Have To Let In by Arsenic Fandom: Batman (DCU) "Basically a horribly sideways BDSM-AU where Talia actually raises Jason from the dead to use him to get Damian to safety. If you're looking for super indulgent h/c, I got your back. If you're not, this is probably not the fic for you."

This was my introduction to the BDSM-AU, also called the Dom/sub AU, where people have biological imperatives towards either dominance or submission. The world building here is especially great, as there's parts that talk about how you raise kids in this kind of dynamic. Also I love me some Dick/Jason so there.

Holding Cell by red-catmander Fandom: Guild Wars 2 "Rytlock Brimstone is trapped in a human jail with a hairless mouse, a talking plant intent on infuriating him and a headache the size of the Black Citadel. Now he's stuck fighting in the arena, buying his freedom one slog at a time, and the only thing awaiting him when he gets out is scrapper duty.

He hates these people. He's sure of it. Especially Thackeray.

He really, really wants to hate these people."

Listen, this fic is hilarious. Like funnier than anything Snargle Goldclaw could write (if you know you know). It's Rytlock/Logan in like the crackiest way possible and while I unironically love this fic to pieces, it's main use in my life is to deal 1d6 of psychic damage to members of my GW2 guild.

Maan'alor - The Prime by papermachine Fandom: Star Wars (Prequel Trilogy Era) "Jango Vhett was Mand’alor only briefly to the Mandalorian Empire before he was captured by the Jetii and Republic forces on Galidraan.

Now an unwilling guest on Kamino, he is buir to Boba and he fears his protection can only stretch so far for the rest of the children made in his image. Jango doesn’t know if he can save all of the clones from the Kaminoans or the Republic, but he does know this: Verde sa akaan nau tracyn kad. Warriors are forged in the fires of war.

These children are made for war, and they have been fighting to stay alive since their creation.

He will do what he must to save them."

The series is ongoing, and this is technically the third installment in the series, but it's a great place to start reading. The series follows various characters in this AU where the Sith Empire, the Mandalorian Empire, and the Republic are all at war with each other. Meanwhile, an unwilling Jango is template to the clones, and he is NOT happy about is. But rebellions are built in secret, and Jango never was a very good spy.

hope has bloody knuckles by independent_variables Fandom: Star Wars (Clone Wars Era) "Davijaan discovers mountains, thinks about the war, and maybe falls in love."

I think some people are turned off from this fic because it's a relationship between Davijaan (Odd Ball) and an OC, but the main focus is on Davijaan and Cody's relationship with each other as clones, as having survived the Clone Wars with no Order 66. There's also some lovely word building around Pantora which is the real appeal of the fic, imo. And of course Loren herself is easy to like, with a strong personality and well developed character. You really want to root for her and Davi as the story goes on. Like, come on you two idiots! Figure it out! I do love this fic very much.

Oh my gosh picking only 10 fics was hard. Here's my bookmarks page if you want to see what else I'm reading.

#ifd2024 #feedback fest

[drivinmeinsane]

Birthday Boy

※ Officer K x Joi ※

{ masterlist } ※ { ao3 }

※ Summary: Officer K does not often find himself surprised. He was made to be clearheaded and adaptable, able to get a read on most situations at a glance. Joi is a true wildcard in his life. She elicits feelings from him that he never could have predicted. As a result, he finds himself floundering in the wake of an unexpected gesture.

※ Rating: T for canon typical themes and implied violence. 

※ Content/Tags: Emotional Hurt, Implied Reoccurring Sexual Abuse by a Supervisor, Pre-Canon, Identity Issues

※ Word count: 3,838

※ Status: Oneshot/Complete

※ Author's Notes: Happy 43rd birthday to the man whose acting performances have resulted in characters that have bewitched me. I'd be living a very different, arguably less enjoyable, life if it were not for them.

A lingering chill permeates the room. No sunlight could ever dream of reaching down into the bowels of the LAPD headquarters to cast its rays inside the timeworn host. She devours her supplicants into her gullet each shift, only letting them free once they’ve completed their mandated labors for the greater good. Every cell has its function in the body. Officer KD6-3.7 supposes that his usage inside of the closest thing he’s ever had to a mother is done under buzzing, sterile lights and in out of the way corners, not amongst the rest of the cells that make up the innards. He is not interlinked with them. Will never be interlinked. His reward for his service is to be examined like a biopsy slide following the times he is sent outside of the internal workings to act as a neutralizer to infection. He is left undisturbed if the findings are benign, fully exorcised from the body if determined cancerous

The glare from the light on the desk is challenging the screen in front of him for which of them is going to give him the bigger headache. When he presses his forehead against his knuckles to try to elevate the building pressure, he is only reminded of how tired he is. His eyes are strained and feel as though they have been filled with sand. The replicant has been holed up in this subterranean room for hour after hour while he sifts through the backlog of evidence that had been allowed to pile up from other officers. Processing and cataloging are not amongst his favorite activities, but the monotonous tasks are a welcome alternative to chasing down a wanted fugitive in the outskirts of the city. It would have been especially brutal in this unseasonably cold weather. The mixture of snow and acid rain plaguing the city was ankle deep in many places, aggressively hungry and not reacting to the rock salt. This morning, it had piled back up again and he was left to fight every step of the way to the parking garage where he kept his work provided spinner. His boots were nearly sucked off his feet more than once during the predawn trek. His socks have been uncomfortably soaked through ever since. 

Sliding another piece of evidence under the desk mounted camera to be scanned into the database, he questions exactly what it is that his madam was hoping he would find down here by assigning him this duty. When he had stood in her office this morning, eyes more intent on watching the sun rising over the city’s horizon through the window than on her, he had acknowledged her remarks about the likely possibility of finding a new lead amongst the undocumented items. With no older models on the docket to retire, K was put to work processing information faster than any organic could ever have any hope of doing. There has been nothing out of the ordinary as far as he has been able to tell. He is beginning to be sure that she put him down here in order to save herself the hassle of paperwork. Keeping him from being underfoot in the bullpen is a wise strategy to cut costs. The presence of skinners reduces the quality and efficacy of work performance in non-replicant employees. It is also easy to extract your pound of flesh from someone who has been ordered not to engage in retaliation against fellow LAPD employees. All in all, it is better if he goes unnoticed and forgotten while on duty. 

Eyes up and to the left, he casts a glance at the clock. Just under half an hour left until he can leave the precinct. That is unless his madam makes him stay late. The replicant allows himself a groan as he rises to his feet in order to put away the evidence cluttering the desk. The muscles in his back are stiff from inactivity, He was not made to sit for long stretches of time. Once he is finished tidying the workspace and powers down the electronics, he pulls his coat from its position over the back of the chair that has been bearing the weight of his body since he settled into a routine hours ago. He folds the bundle of laminated cloth over his arm for safekeeping. The building is heated on the more trafficked levels and does not necessitate more layers than his thick, long sleeved shirt. He does not bother to turn off the lights when he exits the room. They will shut off on their own if they do not sense movement. Convenient.

He needs to brief Lieutenant Joshi on his findings, or lack thereof. Failure to report to his madam leads to unwanted results if she feels snubbed by his lack of consideration. The last time that he made her feel that way, she had made her displeasure clear by arriving at his apartment and drinking herself into believing that he was attractive. She had started drunkenly groping at his stomach and thighs while he had to sit beside her on the narrow couch and take it like a good dog. He had been spared from anything more invasive by the sound of an empty bottle shattering against his graffitied front door. Joshi had remembered herself, realized what it was that she was coming onto, and sobered up enough to put a halt to her attentions. She had cracked a joke about the replicant leading her on before she excused herself. He had been fortunate that time and took her leering interpretation of the situation with an impassive face. He had learned very early on to turn Joi off when he heard the lieutenant at the door. He did not enjoy her questions about why he silently let his madam use him as she wished. 

There is no baseline test today, and K is grateful that he does not need to sit through the interrogation. His job is laced with enough hazards without worrying that it will not be a rogue replicant that retires him, but his own employer. In the depths of himself where he shoves down everything that he does not wish to acknowledge, he envies the older models for having the free will to run and seek their own fates. He despises being sent to drag their dreams crashing back down to Earth. 

He does not take the elevator. It does not offer easy escape from hateful hands should he be cornered by someone with an active vendetta against what he is. Instead, he makes the arduous climb up the flights of stairs between the general evidence storage room and the floor that harbors his madam’s office. One small comfort lies in that the roof will be just overhead, his spinner easily accessible.

K knocks after reaching Joshi’s office. He stands, patiently waiting for the woman to look up from the screens in front of her. While he waits, he thinks about how he, as on most mornings, had not wanted to get out of bed. Joi seems more real when he is lost in the space between dreaming and waking. It is easier to convince himself that her presence in the bed beside him is tangible, that the layer of padding serving as the mattress for his fold-down cot is indented and contoured to the curves of her body.

After several long moments, Lieutenant Joshi finally registers his presence and beckons him into the room. He does not close the door behind him. Subconsciously, he is trying to leave himself an exit, even if he will never take the out. He is a good dog. Loyal to the bitter end.

“What did you find?” She asks him, irritation lacing unwittingly through her voice. She is still upset over the other night and it is casting a shadow over each of their shared interactions.

“Nandez turned in some old photo scans. Might be worth looking into ID’ing the individuals in them. They could be part of the resistance movement.”

Her expression tightens and she waves a dismissive hand at him. “Go on home.”

"Yes, madam,” he tells her, ducking his head in a subservient goodbye.

───※ ·❆· ※───

Keeping his stare low and focused on the slurry of snow and runoff prohibits him from locking eyes on the brilliantly projected advertisements that try to entice passing pedestrians into shallow interactions. He does not like to think about the DiJi units. It draws his relationship with Joi into the daylight, the playacting at domesticity exposed for being just that. K would rather not contemplate what she is and what he is. What they are. It makes his existence less palatable. 

The conditions on the streets have the stairwell teeming with more than just the building’s residents. He wades through the jostling mass of bodies as he ascends the eighty stories to the floor that contains his unit. They do not let him pass undisturbed. Grasping hands reach out and take hold wherever they can. He lets them paw at his body, ignores the venom being spat at him in a dozen languages. Word spreads faster than any disease. The crowd is aware of what he is and what he represents. He is too numbed by it all to care. There is no point in resisting.

The broken glass outside his door crunches underneath his boots. It will stay there until someone other than the replicant clears it away. The shards serve as a deterrent to the artists that like to decorate the door and the wall that it is set in. He stopped scrubbing away the graffiti months ago. More would just appear in its place, and maybe he can pretend that it helps Joshi remember what he is when she graces him with her company outside of work hours. The disgust might keep her hands off of him.

K finds the right angle for his hand on the sensor lock and wastes no time in letting himself into the apartment once the latch clicks free. He does not turn his back on the hallway as he shuts the door. Learning from that error had been a hard lesson. He does not believe any of his newer neighbors would be so bold as to try teaching him another, but it never pays to neglect precautions. As his madam was fond of reminding him, he had not been a cheap acquisition.

Once inside, he begins his after work routine. He turns on Joi’s in-home emanator so that he can start pretending. No music today. K retraces his steps back to the entryway and shrugs off his coat. He hangs it up on the peg by the door. His eyes catch on the old model number stamped down the back of the green cloth. Not his. From another replicant.

“K? Is that you? I didn’t hear you come in.” Joi’s artificial voice is a soothing balm on a burn. 

“Sorry, sweetheart. I’ll be louder next time.” He forces himself to sound happy, slipping into the role of the old fashioned husband arriving home from a hard day in the office.

Joi laughs and starts clattering around in the kitchen. He hears what sounds like the oven opening and shutting. “It’s an important day, you know.“

“What’s the occasion?” He unzips his sodden boots and puts them under his coat by the door. He peels his socks off too for good measure. They should have been removed and replaced with dry ones hours ago.

“Go get cleaned up. I’ll tell you when you’re out.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” he says amicably and retreats to the bathroom.

He undresses himself with steady hands, not letting himself hiss when his still chilled skin comes in contact with the air of the unheated apartment. The bureau was magnanimous enough by providing housing for something like him. That magnanimity, however, did not guarantee safety or warmth. He is merely grateful to not be shoved into a storage closet at the end of each shift. 

The movement of pulling his shirt over his head causes pain to bite into his senses. In trying to get ready for his shower, he had strained the glued laceration across his chest. It cut through a bed of mottled bruising from an accident he had earlier in the week. A replicant on his retirement list had punched him hard enough in the sternum that his skin had split open from the force. He still couldn’t draw in a full breath without it catching in his lungs. He had not informed his madam. He had not wanted his paycheck docked, not when he was on the cusp of being able to afford Joi’s anniversary present

He folds his clothes and puts them on the concrete shelf placed in the wall. K will be putting them back on shortly once he is dry. A second day’s use can be wrung out of them before they need to be cleaned. He does not want to wear out the fabric prematurely. His woven shirt is real cotton. 

Scrubbing a toothbrush over his teeth once he is fully stripped down, he avoids himself in the mirror. He does not want to be reminded that other replicants wear his face. He has not yet come across another Nexus 9 of the same make but he knows that he will someday. 

“How was your work?” Joi calls from the other room. She is setting a timer. He can hear it clicking as she adjusts it. He wonders what she is making for dinner.

“It was easy. Just desk duty. How was your day?”

“I’ve been busy. I’ve been waiting for you,” she tells him warmly.

The replicant smiles around his toothbrush before taking it out of his mouth. He spits into the sink, does not bother to rinse. He crosses the few feet to the shower and braces himself for the torrent once he is situated under the metal halo. He tries to not flinch when the water hits him. It stings for the five seconds it runs. His platelet jelly survives the downpour, his injury does not reopen. It is a small mercy.

He dries off and redresses before retrieving his boots from the front door. The tile is cold against the bottoms of his feet even though his socks. He hates the feeling of it about as much as he allows himself to hate anything. There are bad memories associated with the sensation. Real ones. Not implants.

The dinner he makes himself is the same as always when he eats in. Prefab noodles with powdered grubs as a protein source. It is nothing special, only meant to keep him functional. Joi is a much better cook than he is. She is mostly silent while he prepares the meal, though he can still hear the sounds of her moving around in the main room, heels clicking against the floor. She does not often go barefoot either. 

He almost asks her if she wants a drink but refrains. He wants to save it for the hard days. The ones where he comes back to his apartment with the unacknowledged wish that he had been the one retired at the hands of someone not all that different than him. Replicant snuffing out replicant. He fills his whiskey glass with water from a bottle instead before taking his meal to the table. He sits down facing the window as he does every night. Across the street, his more distant neighbors, a couple, are dancing together. The taller of the two women lifts her companion into a raised twirl. He muses if Joi has picked her spontaneous urges to dance from observing them.

“Here’s your dinner. I’m sorry it’s a little late, babysweet,” she apologizes as she comes from the kitchen to set the bowl she’s carrying over his. It clips though, steam rising off of it. It looks like a pre-blackout recipe. Something fresh he would never be able to acquire outside of a fantasy.

“You didn’t need to fuss,” he reassures, pausing, “What is it, darling?”

The telltale static tingle of her projected form is the first clue that she is wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind. His spine almost itches from where she presses into him. He is almost relieved that she does not have a physical form. The weight of her arm across his wounded chest would be difficult to bear without giving away traces of discomfort.

“Potato soup with freshly picked herbs.”

“Well, honey. It looks wonderful. Thank you,” he tells her. He feels the ghost of her mouth brush against his cheek before she flits away, more wishful thinking on his part than actual sensation.

He eats his protein noodles and tries to imagine what the soup would taste like if it were real. He has no real frame of reference. He had read about cream once. The book had described it as thickly coating the tongue in a wealth of rich tasting fats, almost pillowy in the mouth. All together, it would be earthy and fragrant. Decadent.

Once he is done eating, he stands and takes his dishes to the kitchen. He puts them into the refresher where they get restored to usable status in seconds. The projection of the now empty soup bowl fades away the moment his back is to the table. His chores done for the day, he embarks on the rest of his post-work routine. 

Joi is on the couch, enthralled in some sort of textile project when he passes by her to stand at the table housing some of his possessions. He picks out a cigarette from the box and is putting it between his lips when his wife flickers to his side, hand already raised towards his face.

“Do you want your surprise now?”

He had forgotten about their fleeting small talk that had taken place a while ago. Joi had neglected to follow up after his shower to explain exactly what was so special about today. K does not recall any occasion that would prompt the extra hints of attention she has been trying to bestow on him since he came home, but he indulges her all the same. “Whatever you want, sweetheart.”

He allows her to light his cigarette with a fingertip. The concentration of light generates a spark on the end and he takes a slow, even pull to encourage it to catch. It does. He savors the lungful of tobacco, ignoring the pinching in his chest. Smoking is a part of his small collection of vices. It makes him feel more human.

Relaxed, he turns around and comes to an abrupt halt. Briefly frozen as he takes in the sight in front of him. Joi is standing by the table, a smile on her face. She is holding a small cake in her hands. Chocolate with candied dots sprinkled over the top. It reads ‘Happy Birthday K’ in neat lettering, blue on brown. Lit candles are casting a wavering glow over her face. The cake looks homemade, messy. Real.

“What’s this?” he asks. He’s hoarse, blindsided. The cigarette in his mouth nearly slips free as he tries to process the surprise. 

“It’s a birthday cake for your birthday.” Joi sounds proud of herself.

He remembers having to input a date when he set her up for the first time. He should have known something like this would occur. He supplied the date carved on the underside of the wooden horse in his memories. October 6th, It was not his wakening date. That would be November 12th, but it had felt… right to have that nod to his nonexistent childhood. It better sold the dream his false memories hinted at.

“I was never born.” It slips out intentionally, but it is the truth all the same. He does not possess a soul. He was never drawn from the warmth of a mother’s body.

The DiJi's face falls for a moment, processing the bitterness in his voice. She had miscalculated and upset him. He feels regret at her reaction. She looks back up at him. A smile spreads earnestly across her face.

“Let’s pretend,” she says hopefully. She is echoing something back that he has said to her before. He swallows hard. He has to hold onto this. He has to maintain the idea that he has something approaching a baseline of normality in his existence. Humans have birthdays and if he wants to be treated as a human within the confines of his home, then he needs to accept this moment.

“Alright, honey, let’s pretend.” 

He tries to not think about sliding free of the bag that he had been grown in. Like a baby bird hatched from an egg, he had been left, dazed and trembling, to make sense of the world on an impersonal tile floor. The drainage grates had cut into his newly exposed flesh. He remembers the sensation of his pseudo placental fluids drying on his skin. He thought his bones would shatter into pieces from how hard he was shivering.

Loneliness and biting cold were his first real sensations in the world. He wonders if they will be his last. Would that not be poetic? Wet, frozen, and afraid all on his own. Beginning and end like the boards encasing the pages of a book. The first warmth he received was a towel thrown impatiently on top of him. Joshi’s eyes were not fond. They did not yet contain the clouded heat they would eventually come to hold in the dark hours of the day.

With burdened steps, he follows Joi to the table and sits back down in the purple chair. He braces himself in his seat. He feels weak in a way he has never felt before. She places the cake in front of him, breezing her hand over his arm before she withdraws from his space. 

“Make a wish,” she encourages, launching into a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. It is an uncomfortable experience, sitting there while trying to look content for her. He does not want to see that disappointed look on her face again.

Silent, the replicant leans forward and ‘blows’ out the candles. They extinguish, smoke trailing towards the ceiling. Even in his artificial memories, he did not experience any birthday celebrations. The orphanage in which he grew up did not provide them. He and the other children were used in place of sophisticated machinery. You do not celebrate the aging of tools. The countless hours spent sorting scrap in the outbuildings come to mind. Their hands had been chilled to stiff, waxy things, almost too cold to bleed when nicked by a sharp edge. Their breath had turned to frost in the air. Their eyes had clicked like marbles rattling in their skulls. None of them knew their ages. 

“What did you wish for?” Joi’s voice breaks into his reminiscing.

“You know I can't tell you that or it won’t come true.”

#blade runner 2049 #br 2049 #blade runner 2049 fanfic #officer k #officer kd6-3.7 #officer k fanfic #joi #officer k x joi #my posts #my work #blade runner 2049 fanfiction #ryan gosling

[indigostudies]

some study tips i’ve picked up over time! not all of them will apply to everyone, but these are the ones i’ve found useful.

- if i’m in a completely silent area, i’m much more likely to be distracted due to a lack of stimulus, so i bring earbuds with me so i can have music playing while i’m working. for me, the best sort of music is music that i’ve already listened to—it gets somewhat tuned out and turned into background noise, whereas new music catches my attention and distracts me from what i’m doing (foreign language music in a language i do NOT understand also works!)

- hydration and food!!!! i usually eat first, and then study—i have a much easier time focusing if im not hungry. for water, it’s imperative for me to keep my water bottle nearby and full—as soon as i run out of water, i make myself get up and fill it back up again, because i’m prone to dehydration headaches and drowsiness, which impedes my workflow.

- taking notes by hand! specifically, i take all my notes in onenote, which automatically lengthens the page as you reach the bottom, and has multiple different types of pen options, and options to display grids and lines. this cuts out my need to remember to bring specific notebooks on specific days, since i always bring my laptop with me—i make a new notebook each quarter, and then create a section for each class i have, and a new page of notes each day. i find that handwriting my notes helps me remember the material better. (also, it’s far less expensive to use onenote than to buy new notebooks each quarter.)

- repetition, repetition, repetition! i have a TOFU deck dedicated specifically to my chinese vocab, and i use anki for flashcards for my other classes (i used anki a LOT in my intro to linguistics course, because i found it hard to remember the place/manner of articulation and language families by myself).

- don’t be afraid to ask questions in class! usually if you’re confused by something, a prof will be more than willing to explain it—and if they don’t have time in class, you should email them or go to their office hours. if you have a hard time articulating yourself on the spot, the latter options might be better—you can write out your questions beforehand and articulate yourself, and then either send them as an email or take them with you to office hours.

- find some variation of study time that works best for you—personally, i study for half an hour, then allow myself ten minutes to do something unrelated (tumblr, read a book, grab a snack, etc). you might prefer the traditional pomodoro method, or maybe something else!

- when studying for exams/quizzes or reading assigned papers/texts, i set some sort of goal with a reward tied to the end. for example, if i need to read three research papers within the day, i’ll allow myself to watch an episode of a show i like after reading each paper (usually this works best with shows under 45 minutes per episode—otherwise i “fall out” of studying mode and it’s hard to start again). this way i get to do something fun, while also feeling like i’m accomplishing the academic things i need to do.

- rewrite notes before exams! usually people recommend you make a study guide, but that’s something i struggle to do, so instead, i’ll go through my notes and write down anything i couldn’t remember onto a new note sheet—this way, i review what’s already in my mind and reinforce it, as well as reminding myself of things that i may not be as familiar with.

- be aware of your degree requirements when planning what classes you’ll take! this will save you headache in the long run, reducing the likelihood that you’ll miss a requirement and have to study longer than you were expecting. i’ve personally never been in this situation, but i know others who have, and it’s very frustrating.

- plan times where you do something besides academic work! this was the hardest for me, because academics, and specifically what i’m studying, are my greatest passion, but if you don’t have something else, non-academic related, to do, you run the risk of burning out very quickly. look around campus, or on announcement boards—there’s probably posters or posts about various clubs, activities, etc! for me personally, i swim a couple times a week at the gym, go to craft nights after class, and attend open lectures hosted by the departments i’m in, or ones that simply interest me.

- if you’re studying a language, find a way to incorporate that into your life! get to know your peers, join a language club on campus, or attend speaking sessions, if your professor offers them.

- if your class has practice exams, take them! these are a great way to figure out what areas you’re less sure of, and can help you figure out what you need to focus on when you study for your exams.

- always take extra credit if possible. you never know when you might have a bad day, and forget to turn in an assignment or miss class, and extra credit is one of the first ways you can be proactive about this.

- don’t get upset at yourself for not being able to do things the same way your peers can! for me, this means that when i get back to my dorm after classes end for the day, i spend at least two hours just laying in my bed, because i have no physical or mental wherewithal to do anything but, at most, scroll tumblr or read an ebook. you might have to find unique ways to compensate for these differences—for example, if i have three assignments due at the end of the week, i do them over multiple days rather than trying to rush and do them all the night before they’re due—, but in the long run, you’ll do better both mentally and academically.

#indigostudies #if anyone has specific questions i can also answer those! but i thought these might be helpful :) #indigo ink

[oftlunarialmoon]

OurHome App - Agere Review

Ciao lovelies! Like many of you, agere / age regression has changed my life for the better in many ways, helping me cope and encouraging my creativity and fun spirit. There has always been one thing I wanted agere to help me with, though, and that is life organization / task management! I do have a planner, and a calendar system for all my events, etc, but I really wanted something with more daily applications that could improve my daily life, help me remember to do tasks, and be linked to my age regression headspace. And then I found this app called “OurHome,” and I absolutely love it, which is why I want to review this app for you today and talk about how I use it for my daily tasks!

DISCLAIMER: OFT and Lunaria are NOT sponsored by OurHome, the Apple App Store, or any other brand mentioned within the following post. The following review contains NO affiliate links or paid promotions, and is solely my personal opinion regarding this app based on my own experiences. 

How I found this app:

    I found out about the OurHome app from Tumblr, actually! The user who posted about this app has since changed blogs and is now a 18+ blog, so I don’t feel comfortable linking them here, my apologies.

What is OurHome?:

    The OurHome app is essentially a virtual to-do list, but connected to others! You can use this app with fellow regressors, or a CG if you have one. The idea is that you create a “Family” to add users to, and you can add tasks, reward points, rewards, due dates, etc. 

How I use OurHome:

    My explanation of this is probably going to be pretty long, but I’m including lots of tips for use of the app and other ideas, so it’s worth the read! 

Setup: 

    My CG and I use this app together. We set up our Family unit as “The Moon Family” (You can name your family whatever you want). For us to use this app, we both needed to download it on our separate devices, and my CG set up the Family account. From there, he sent a link to my email that I used to make my account as a part of the Moon Family. After that, we were connected on the app, super easily, and then we began customizing. 

Goals:

    I had made a journal page about things I wanted to improve on in day-to-day life, and I showed this to my CG. Using that page, we decided upon daily, recurring, or even weekly tasks for me. It was very important to me that this process was not just his ideas, but also my input and agreement. I knew that if we worked together on deciding these tasks, I’d be more likely to see the weight behind them and be happier to keep up with them. Plus, it’s very nice knowing that not only am I doing the tasks for reward points, but because the tasks are so closely linked to my own personal goals, I’m also doing them for myself!

Task Setup:

    The app has a LOT of customization options. For example, I have a recurring daily task to take my meds. This task gives me a notification every day at a specific time to ensure that I don’t forget. There are tasks that aren’t daily, as well, such as my “Laundry” task, which reoccurs weekly. We can also add one-time tasks for special events like picking up prescriptions or fun tasks like “send a selfie to -CG- with Buu (my cat).” Being able to adjust frequency and type of task is a helpful feature that I really like, but it’s not the only cool thing in this app.

Rewards Setup:

    I also really love how customizable the rewards system is. You can base it on points or tasks completed, and as you earn points, you can choose to save up for larger rewards or cash in whenever you want! My CG set up some rewards for me with my help in adding options. The big goal (2000 points) earns me a surprise gift, or if I don’t want to save that long, there are other options like Boba date (500 points). Having the system this way gives me a sense of autonomy while still helping me stay encouraged to do my tasks. 

Points and Due Dates:

    Tasks can also be assigned due dates, and can have late penalties which can take away existing points or reduce point value for completing tasks. I like the latter of those options, as I can be forgetful, and I don’t get discouraged by my existing points disappearing. This option allows for me to see the consequences of not doing tasks without feeling discouraged or losing motivation. 

My Fave Feature:

    Oh, and the best feature in my opinion? If my CG notices that any of my tasks are not complete, he can send a little reminder notification to me which shows up as a “Gentle nudge.” He can do this with a simple tap, and it’s easy for him, which makes him happy. Plus, I like this because it’s a kind reminder without forcing my CG to constantly remind me via text or check ins on the phone. 

Other Customization Perks:

    Oh, and you can add comments or photos to tasks and completed tasks, track completed tasks, you have access to an activity feed of all completed tasks and claimed rewards… There is a LOT to love here.

    Did I mention that you can add custom profile photos for yourself and your CG? The app provides some cute ones to choose from if you don’t want to upload anything, my CG and I are currently using the defaults, he is a turtle and I am a cat. Though, with how popular picrews are in the agere online space, I can totally see this feature being a good place to use some picrew images!

One Feature I Don't Use:

    There is a feature in this app that I don’t use, mainly because I don’t currently live with my CG, but this feature could be super useful for agere roommates or even for possibly planning trips/outings together. The feature I’m referring to is the shared grocery list! This feature allows you and anyone else in the family account to make a cumulative grocery list. Which means each of you can add things that you need/want. For roommates, the benefits are awesome for grocery shopping or notifying each other of when things run out. For those who don’t live together, you could use this as a wishlist, christmas list, birthday list, etc.

    (Side note, typing out the grocery list feature has me thinking… why don’t I use this with my CG?? Maybe we’ll check out the options next time we see each other.)

Luna’s OurHome Ratings:

User Experience: 5/5, I am always pleased to see such possibility for customization on something like this, and navigating the app is pleasantly easy! 

Useful: 5/5, I find this app very useful for my needs! It has many great features that I highly enjoy.

Accessibility: 5/5, As far as I can see, this app is available across both iPhone devices and Android devices.

Overall? I’d say, based upon how many awesome features this has and how it’s hard for me to give this anything but a glowing review, I rank this app overall a 5/5!

I hope this review can help you if you are deciding on an app to use for life organization as an age regressor!

Thank you so much for reading! If you got this far, have a virtual high-five! 

If you liked this, please check out my other content. I have a YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, and Merch shop! 

Thank you again for reading! I’d like to dedicate this paragraph to reminding you how AWESOME you are! It’s important to me that each and every person reading this (yes, YOU) are aware of how awesome you are and how I’d like to ensure that you love yourself for who you are and all you’ve become up to this point!

With all that being said, have a great day, stay awesome, remember to love yourself, and I’ll see you in my next post, video, or whatever comes next!

#agere #age regression #sfw littlespace #sfw agere #age regressor #sfw age regression #agereg #age dreaming #sfw little blog #age regressive #age dreamer #age re safe space #age regression blog #age regression caregiver #age regression community #age regression sfw #agere activities #agere aesthetic #agere blog #agere boy #agere board #agere caregiver #agere cg #agere community #agere games #agere lifestyle #agere little #agere moodboard #agere positivity #agere post

[damien-ward]

Damien Cameos in Dragonflight

Damien’s previous cameos: [Cata - BfA] [Shadowlands]

1) Upon traveling to Camp Antonidas in the Azure Span the player can travel into the inn where they will see an NPC named Lukas Ward. He is reading a book along side an apprentice of the Kirin Tor, and he has a quest! 

Level 60 Quest: A Magical Delivery

If the player talks to Lukas he will say the following:

“Hey, you! Would you mind helping me out with something? Yes? Thanks! <finger guns at you>

I need to send something to my cousin, Damien Ward, but I am a bit busy here. I’ve been assigned to watch over this apprentice and make sure she gets her studies done. Last I heard he had some business to take care of in Dalaran, can you deliver this gun to him for me?

Now I’m sure your wondering hey why not make a portal for you to go to Dalaran? Well... let’s just say do to recent events the Kirin Tor has revoked my right to summon portals. I appreciate the help though!”

Accepting the quest, players will be given the objective to find Damien in Dalaran, and upon traveling to Dalaran the player will be lead to the shop Glorious Goods where inside they will find Damien browsing the shop. Approaching him the player can interact and complete the quest where Damien will say the following:

“You know, it’s surprisingly hard to find a good gift for your daughter when she finds cool relics while out adventuring with her mother.. I figured Dalaran would have something good to get her. You would think, right? What would a ten year old find interesting?

<Damien sighs as he searches through the shelf.>

🗨️ How are you and Lukas related?

If the player selects the following dialogue option Damien will respond with the following:

“Lukas? Why do you ask, did he send you here? If that’s case you’re probably wondering why I have a Gilnean accent and he doesn’t. Basically, my mother is from Gilneas where I was born and raised, but my father is from Stormwind. Lukas is my cousin from my father’s side, though he grew up in Dalaran and became a member of the Kirin Tor just like my uncle.”

The player will then be given an option to return to the previous chat box to turn in the quest to complete it where Damien will say:

“What’s this?

<Damien looks over the package before opening it> 

Oh! I wasn’t expecting Lukas to get this to me so soon. Thank you for delivering this to me. You don’t know how useful it is to have a gun that is enchanted to automatically reload, it saves a lot of time.

Completing this quest rewards the player with 100 gold and 250 rep with the Kirin Tor.

After completion Damien will leave the store and eventually disappear.

Rogues Only

1) This cameo is unique to only rogue players once they reach level 60. If the player has joined the Uncrowned and goes down into the Hall of Shadows, then they can find Damien leaning against one of the pillars looking around. He will also push off the pillar and walk around the Hall of Shadows. If the player approaches Damien and talks to him he will say: 

“I never thought joining the Uncrowned would end up being so beneficial. Its helped me keep tabs on certain activity in and around Stormwind the last few years, and all I do is complete a few jobs here and there to help out the Uncrowned.”

Cameos Story Elements:

These cameos reveal a few things in Damien’s story since last we saw him.

- Damien has a cousin, Lukas! Like the Shadowlands cameo we get an extended look into the Ward family as we see his cousin is a member of the Kirin Tor. Though Lukas is not Gilnean like Damien, he comes from his father’s side of the family.

- Damien has a daughter! This little story tidbit is interesting because Damien says she is 10 years old which means she was born around the time of MoP, though this is the first time Damien has mentioned her. This implies he did not know she existed until some time between Shadowlands and Dragonflight.

- Damien has gotten a new look, showing off more of his Gilnean pride by sporting the Gilnean Heritage pauldrons. He also now has a magically enchanted gun, thanks to Lukas, that he does not need to manually reload.

- Another new story element is Damien has joined the Uncrowned some time between the last time the players saw him in Shadowlands to now in Dragonflight. The cameo for rogues also hints that Damien is still a vigilante after all this time like he was back in his Legion cameo.

#dardillien cameos #Dragonflight #World of Warcraft

[gloomstudy]

Hello! I hope that you're doing well :)

I would like to ask you several questions:

1. What would you do if you fell behind in your studies real bad and messed up a little with your assignments.

2. Do you ever have hard times on concentrating in your studies. Even a little reading. Do you have a advise on this?

3. How do you make a study schedule as a grad student? I feel like I just can't and even when I try it doesn't work and I feel so disappointed. Sometimes I start for it but then obsticles happen. I also feel like I can't spend my study time effectively. I spend a lot of time but in the end I feel like I did nothing.

hello, lovely anon! i'm hanging in there. i was gone for a couple weeks because my mind wasn’t in the right place :( i’m okay now, though! i hope you’re also doing well~

1. understand and accept that this is your reality. you can't go back in time to change what happened, as much as you wish you could. go through your assignments and figure out what went wrong. review your notes and readings to refresh your memory and understand the correct answers. contact your professors and classmates and ask them for help if you need to. here is a really helpful video about catching up with school work when you’ve fallen behind!

2. yes, absolutely. you’re not alone! here is a really great post by sophie @myhoneststudyblr about how to improve your concentration. :)

3. i can’t tell you how exactly to make a study schedule since there are so many ways to make one, but i think it’s important to have a good understanding of your habits and how you usually go about your daily life. this includes when you wake up, when you eat, when you prefer to study and get work done, and when you sleep, among other things. pay attention to the timing of when you do certain tasks, as well as your energy levels throughout the day. you may be more productive at certain times, and less productive at others. create your schedule to accommodate yourself as best as possible. make it approachable and comfortable for YOU.

you may want to complete several tasks in one day, but that may not be very realistic. instead, you can reduce the amount of tasks and focus on the more important ones. this puts less pressure on yourself and makes your schedule more approachable. you can also break down big tasks into smaller ones. if you have the time and energy to do more tasks, add them to your schedule. if not, save them for another day, especially if they’re not urgent. also, be sure to set aside time to take care of yourself!

you’re right that obstacles come up. things don’t always go according to plan. while it’s good to have structure for your day, it’s also good to be a bit flexible. leave some room for unexpected things that may happen, and be prepared to make adjustments throughout the day as needed. as the video above mentions, you can have a catch-up system in place that helps and works well for you.

if your mind is not in the right place and/or you don’t have much energy, adjust your schedule to where you’re currently at. you can still get some things done even if you don’t feel 100% okay. for example, instead of studying for one hour straight, you can study in four 15-minute blocks that are spread out throughout the day. instead of cleaning your entire room, focus on cleaning just one area. reward yourself with something you like when you’re done. small/slow progress is still progress! again, put less pressure on yourself and make your schedule approachable and comfortable for YOU.

i hope this helps, and good luck! you can find more tips, advice, and resources in my reference tag and my grad school tag. 💕✨

#studyblr #gradblr #grad school #time management #advice #answered #anon #mine

[mobilerepairingcoursessimar]

Top 10 Hidden Features of the iPhone (Everyone Should Know)

Your iPhone is likely your constant companion, a device you rely on for communication, entertainment, and productivity. But beyond the familiar features you use every day, there's a whole world of hidden functionalities waiting to be explored. These hidden gems can enhance your iPhone experience, making you a more efficient and power user.

The world of mobile technology is constantly evolving, and the demand for skilled professionals to keep these devices functioning smoothly is high. If you're interested in a rewarding career in this field, consider enrolling in a mobile repairing course in Delhi at a reputable institute like Hi-Tech Institute. Established in 2004, Hi-Tech Institute is a leading ISO and MSME certified institute with over 20 years of experience training students in mobile repair. Their comprehensive programs equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair a wide range of smartphone issues. The mobile repair industry offers promising career prospects, with an estimated shortage of 18 lakh mobile repairing engineers in India alone. By successfully completing a mobile repairing course, you can position yourself for a lucrative career in this growing field, potentially earning a monthly salary of Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000.

Now, let's delve into the top 10 hidden features on your iPhone that you might not be aware of:

1. Back Tap: Customize Actions with a Simple Tap

Feeling limited by the standard buttons and gestures? Back Tap allows you to assign various actions to double or triple taps on the back of your iPhone. This feature is incredibly customizable, letting you perform actions like taking screenshots, launching specific apps, opening Control Center, and more. Here's how to enable it:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Navigate to "Accessibility" and then "Touch."

Scroll down and select "Back Tap."

Choose "Double Tap" or "Triple Tap" and assign your desired action from the list.

2. Measure App: Built-in Ruler in Your Pocket

Who needs a physical ruler when you have your iPhone? The pre-installed "Measure" app utilizes augmented reality (AR) technology to transform your phone into a handy ruler. Open the app, point your camera at an object, and it will display its dimensions on the screen. This is perfect for quick measurements on the go, from checking furniture sizes to measuring that perfect picture frame space on the wall.

3. Text Replacement: Save Time and Avoid Typos

Do you find yourself constantly mistyping the same words or phrases? Text replacement can be a lifesaver. This feature allows you to set shortcuts for frequently used words or phrases. For example, you could create a shortcut that expands "omw" to "on my way" or "ttyl" to "talk to you later." Here's how to set it up:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Navigate to "General" and then "Keyboard."

Select "Text Replacement."

Tap the "+" symbol to create a new shortcut.

Enter the phrase you want to replace (shortcut) and the full text it should expand to (replacement).

4. Drag and Drop: Seamless File Sharing Between Apps

Gone are the days of cumbersome file transfers between apps. With iOS, you can now leverage drag-and-drop functionality to seamlessly move text, images, and files between different applications. Simply hold down on an item (text, image, etc.) in one app, then drag it to the desired location in another app. This feature works across several native apps like Photos, Notes, Mail, and even third-party apps with drag-and-drop support.

5. Magnifier: Turn Your iPhone into a High-Powered Zoom Tool

For those with visual impairments or simply needing a closer look at something, the Magnifier tool transforms your iPhone into a powerful magnifying glass. This feature utilizes your phone's camera to zoom in on objects, enhancing details and making tiny text or intricate patterns easier to read. To activate it:

Open the Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right corner on iPhone X and later, or swipe up from the bottom on iPhone 8 and earlier models).

Locate the Magnifier icon (it might be hidden within a group of additional controls. If so, swipe left to find it) and tap to activate.

6. QuickTake for Videos Within Photos App

Don't miss a fleeting moment! The iPhone camera app allows you to quickly capture videos without switching to the dedicated video mode. Simply hold down the shutter button in portrait mode within the Photos app, and your iPhone will start recording a video. Swipe up on the shutter button to lock it in video recording mode, freeing your hand for steadier shots.

7. Live Text: Extract Text from Images Instantly

The Live Text feature is a game-changer for capturing information from the real world. Point your iPhone camera at an image containing text, such as a business card, poster, or document, and Live Text will automatically recognize and extract the text. You can then copy, share, or even translate the extracted text directly within the Photos app. This eliminates the need for manual retyping and streamlines information gathering.

8. Schedule Text Messages: Avoid Those Awkward Late-Night Messages

Ever send a text at an inopportune hour and instantly regret it? With scheduled messaging, you can compose your message beforehand and choose a specific time for it to be delivered. This can be helpful for birthday wishes, reminders, or sending information when you know the recipient might be unavailable. Here's how to schedule a text:

Open the Messages app and compose your new message.

Hold down the send button (arrow icon) and select "Schedule Send."

Choose the desired date and time for delivery, and your message will be sent automatically.

9. Reachability: Bring the Top Half of the Screen Down

For those with iPhones with larger screens, reaching the top corners with one hand can be a challenge. Reachability addresses this by temporarily bringing the top half of the screen down within easy reach of your thumb. There are two ways to activate it:

Double-tap the Home button (on iPhone 8 and earlier models) or swipe down on the bottom bar (on iPhone X and later models) with a single swipe.

The top half of the screen will move down, allowing you to access elements at the top.

Tap anywhere on the black area or swipe up on the bottom bar again to return to the full screen view.

10. Find My: Locate Your Lost or Stolen iPhone

The "Find My" app is a lifesaver if you ever lose your iPhone. This integrated service allows you to locate your device on a map, play a sound to make it easier to find nearby, or even remotely erase all data if it falls into the wrong hands. Here's how to ensure "Find My" is enabled:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Tap on your Apple ID banner at the top.

Select "Find My" and ensure "Find My iPhone" is toggled on.

By exploring these hidden features, you can unlock a new level of functionality and efficiency with your iPhone. Remember, if you're interested in a rewarding career in the ever-growing mobile repair industry, institutes like Hi-Tech Institute in Delhi offer comprehensive "mobile repairing courses in Delhi" that can equip you with the skills to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair a wide range of smartphone issues. Consider enrolling in such a program and become a valuable asset in this exciting field.

Customize Control Center for Quicker Access

The Control Center provides a convenient way to access frequently used settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and brightness without going through the Settings app. However, you can personalize it further to include only the features you use most often. Here's how:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Navigate to "Control Center."

Under "Include Controls," you'll see a list of available options. Tap the "+" sign next to the features you want to add to Control Center.

Conversely, tap the "-" sign next to any existing controls you want to remove.

You can also rearrange the order of the controls by tapping and holding the three horizontal lines next to a control, then dragging it to the desired position.

By customizing your Control Center, you can create a more streamlined and personalized experience, allowing you to quickly access the features you need most frequently.

Your iPhone is packed with a treasure trove of hidden features waiting to be discovered. Exploring these functionalities can significantly enhance your user experience and unlock the full potential of your device. From increased productivity tools to hidden accessibility features, these tips will make you a more confident and efficient iPhone user.

Remember, the world of mobile technology is constantly evolving, and the demand for skilled professionals to keep these devices functioning smoothly is high. If you're interested in pursuing a career in this dynamic field, consider enrolling at a reputable mobile repairing institute in Delhi like Hi-Tech Institute in Delhi. Their comprehensive programs equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair a wide range of smartphone issues. With a successful completion of a mobile repairing course, you can embark on a rewarding career path with the potential to earn a lucrative monthly salary. So, keep exploring your iPhone's hidden features, and if you're considering a career shift, don't hesitate to invest in the training to become a mobile repair professional!

#Top 10 Hidden Features of the iPhone #hidden feature of iphone #mobile repairing course in delhi #mobile repairing institute in delhi

[rosepehtels]

using obsidian for pkm

my approach and organiziation system for my pkm continuously evolves and change, but the rate of change has continued to slow down as the tools, and methods have minimized.

what is a personal knowledge management

personal knowledge management (pkm) the term "personal knowledge management" refers to the process of effectively managing and organizing one's own knowledge and information for personal and professional development. it involves strategies, tools and practices for capturing, organizing, storing and retrieving information in ways that can enhance your learning, productivity, and decision making.

for me, personal knowledge management is how i go about storing my notes and making them useful. i use the information i consume for various different things so storing them and capturing them is important to me.

the tools and workflows of pkm takes many different forms. this could be writing notes in a moleskin journal and reviewing the days notes each evening or making digital flashcards to practice every day.

see my using obsidian for pkm post for my own approach to pkm and my workflow

examples of common workflows

before describing the tools i use, it may be helpful to descibe some example workflows to give you an idea of what capturing and reviewing information may look like:

writing notes:

writing notes about a phone call or meeting with a vendor in a daily note, like when i call my phone company for support

updating notes about a friend's life event(creating/opening a file for them and adding the date & event)

reading an article on a webpage on my computer and using an assigned keyboard shortcut to copy part of the article to a new note

seeing something on social media on my phone that i may want to use in the future. i want to use the "share to" feature to put it in my daily note to revisit.

when having a conversation with a family member and i want to jot down something they said, i would want it to be quick and effortless to quickly and easily get the note ingested and put the phone back down

reading notes:

reviewing notes that i made about the reasons behind a decision on a project in order to be consistent with decision making

executing the pre-flight planning checklist each time i fly

jogging my memory about where i live, where i work, and who i spend my time with in a certain year

looking for a tv show or movie to watch from my to-watch list note

pulling my starbucks reward card and QR from a note to be scanned by the barista.

workflows

capturing information

similar to gtd, a critical function of pkm workflows is to quickly capture information as effortless as possible. doing so requires some tools behind the note-taking app, and involves creating a workflow to capture information wherever it may be.

💻 desktop/laptop

if i'm at my computer with obsidian open, capturing information is simply a matter of writing or updating a note directly in obsidian

if i'm browsing a website that has an article from which i want to save, i use the obsidian web clipper chrome extension to quickly capture and save that information to a note.

daily planning

the daily note is my go-to place to start my day. i start by reviewing backlinks to the current daily note which allows me to see if i've written anything about this day in the past

often, usually after my GTD daily review, i open my daily note for the current day.

in preparation for the day, i start by reviewing existing content related to the day:

review today's daily note

review backlinks to today's daily note

review my "list.project" file which is usually open on the right pane to determine if/what i need to get done isn't already on my GTD list

i write the top priority tasks i need to complete for each area of my life. my areas are noted in this post.

if i have any scheduled meetings, i will create a seperate section in my daily note for that meeting where i will write any important participants and link any relevant documents

adhoc note review

at the end of the day, i tend to review my notes and if i need to recall something i wrote, i use obsidian's search function to search through my files.

tools

i have a tool-stack that i use to enable my pkm workflow. these include my note-taking app, plugins i use, a device to sync to, a web browser extension, and a mobile workflow automation app for quick-ingestion of notes

more of my tools, services and media preferences can be found on my uses post

obsidian

obsidian is my primary and go-to note-taking tool for my pkm. like other pkm tools, notes can link to each other, similar to a wiki.

i originally learned about obsidian through coming across a youtube video, and have used it ever since.

obsidian plugins

i go more into my top 5 favorite plugins in this post, check it out!

daily note plugin

the daily note plugin creates a note based on the current date, or creates one if it doesn't exist. daily note is commonly used for journaling, to-do lists, or daily logs within obsidian.

advanced tables

this plugin supports the ability to create better tables with improved navigation, formatting and manipulation within obsidian. it's create for my workflow as i used a lot of tables in notion, so i just moved everything over and used this plugin to recreate everything from notion

calendar

this plugin supports my workflow in allowing me to interact with my daily notes on a convient display on the right pane of obsidian. similar to the calendar database in notion, you can see your daily notes in a calendar view.

digital garden

the digitial garden plugin allows you to quickly and easily publish obsidian notes to a website, directly within obsidian. see: this post

quick share

quick share is the quickest and easiest way to share an encrypted unlisted note from obsidian to any webpage with that note's contents

computer web browser extension

obsidian web chrome extension

this extension is for chrome and brave and allows you to "clip" the contents of a website and send it to obsidian directly. similar to notions web clipper, but instead of clipping the who article, you can only save a highlighted part.

syncing notes between devices

one of the key requirements for me and my pkm system is the ability to quickly and easily create, read or update a note whereever i am which means i need to synchronize my notes between my computer and mobile device.

obsidian md has a service called obsidian sync which costs $96/year and allows you to sync between devices. i choose not to pay for this for many reasons:

i already back up my vault to my harddrive and the cloud which i can still access on my mobile device

i perfer to keep my data in one place instead of multiple devices

currently, i use onedrive to store my backups and google drive to sync to my device. using these apps isn't difficult and since i have lots of storage on both, i choose to utilize that and keep my files there.

obsidian folder & file structure and organization

my folder structure doesn't follow a specific method like PARA or zettlkasten however i have adapted both methods into my set-up.

my folders may look something like this:

lists(gift ideas, book ideas, shows to watch, amazon shopping list etc)

daily notes(daily journal)

articles(notes about articles i've read, clippings)

projects(each project has a seperate folder with all their information and documents)

attachments(any media that i save)

archive(any folders or files i no longer use but do not want to delete)

shortcuts

to further reduce friction and increase speed to capture my information, i use keyboard shortcuts which is enabling a specfici key to do a certain activity.

keyboard shortcuts

for each of the key workflows while working on my desktop, i have assigned keys for my most frequent activities

in obsidian:

switch to today's daily note

open a file

open a template

show/hide left sidebar pane

show/hide right sidebar pane

—

my other obsidian posts:

obsidian resources

my review on obsidian

5 obsidian plugins for writers

my top 5 obsidian plugins

#obsidianmd #obsidian.md #obsidian md #obsidian plugins #obsidian plugins rec #writeblr #mine: obsidian.md #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #creative writing #writers #writers and poets #author #ao3 writer #mine: guide #mine: resources #mine: obsidianmd

[gertlushgaming]

Splatoon 3 Side Order DLC Review (Nintendo Switch OLED)

Splatoon 3 Side Order DLC Review, As Agent 8, you wake up to discover Inkopolis Square has been drained of colour and its residents have gone missing. Alongside a drone who claims to be Off the Hook member Pearl, ascend the floors of the Spire of Order and strengthen your abilities as you climb the tower in a single-player experience that’s designed to be replayed over and over!

Splatoon 3 Side Order DLC Review Pros:

- Gorgeous graphics. - 10.8GB download size. - Import Splatoon 2 save (optional) to get Golden Sheldon tickets, early access to a game mode and settings, and online rankings. - A character creator for you and your little sidekick. - Roguelike shooter gameplay. - Opening tutorial section. - Full gyroscope controls (optional). - 3rd person shooter gameplay. - In-game cutscenes. - Exceptional soundtrack. - Familiar controls. - Splatsville is your hub town where you can freely roam the streets, enter and use the shops, do deals, read and write messages with others and do some online play. -  Controls can be inverted with sensitivity sliders. The handheld and big screen have seperate menus. - Amiibo support. - Color the floor with your ink color, transform into a squid travel faster in the ink, and replenish your ammo. - You can use the ink to climb walls, jump over obstacles, and go through fences. - The train station takes you to either Inkopolis Square or Inkopolis Plaza. - Single-player game mode. - You create a character from a list of hairstyles, eye color, eyebrows, etc. - Color the floor with your ink color, transform into a squid travel faster in the ink, and replenish your ammo. - You can use the ink to climb walls, jump over obstacles, and go through fences. - The opening part is setting up the story and scenario. - Fast loading times. - You play a character called Agent 8. - Basic tutorial pop-ups that are more of a refresher. - In-game cutscenes and character interactions. - Uses its own Squid language. - The color has been taken from Inkopolis. - Color chips can be earned after each floor is clear and give new buffs, abilities, etc, and are color-coded and you equip them in each color slot. - Damage numbers show as you shoot. - You are working your way up a tower and start at the bottom every time with a boss fight at the top. - Every floor has a set objective. - You get three lives per floor. - Enemies take damage in your ink. - Your drone partner can carry you if you fall far and whilst being held you can shoot. - Combo counter as you take people out. - Breakable objects in the game world. - Uses a cool CCTV-like camera cut at the end of a level and has hi-tech-looking ui and screens. - A floor consists of a practice dummy and a cage to take you over to the main floor, when in the cage you can't shoot but you can drop out whenever you want and fly in on your drone. - Blowing up portals within a level causes a huge ink explosion and portals spawn enemies. - Auto saves between floors. - The floors do incorporate multiplayer modes but in a solo setting so things like holding down an area and splatting everyone or shooting an antenna to move it etc. - Earn Membux from each floor after completing the objective. - Satisfying gameplay loop. - Bite-sized floor challenges. - You still get your bombs and special moves. - Works as a good way to help you with online. - Later floors will let you pick the objective and each has a difficulty assigned. - All new enemy types are called the Jelletons. - Very basic puzzle elements to floors as if you plan and work out what stuff you can make clearing a floor easier or/and faster. - The combo counter builds which can have bombs and rewards drop. - The end of the level shows the time taken. - Membux can be used to continue the floor if you lose all your lives otherwise you start the floor again from scratch. - Photo mode. - PRLZ is the main currency and is used to lower the difficulty of the spires. - The game turns into a roguelike after the opening spire run. - At the end of every run, you turn your collected color chips and Membux into PRLZ. - Spend PRLZ on your character - max lives, damage reduction, max armor, and broken armor jump. And your drone (who is Pearl) drone action slots, drone gauge Turf charge, and drone ink mine. - Over time you unlock new entries to spend your PRLZ on and can be real game changers. - Keys can be found and these are used at the lockers to get new rewards like diary entries, banners, new weapons to use, etc. - Palettes will have a weapon, most common tone (chip) secondary common tone, and abilities and bomb types. They are loadouts. - The Foyer is a huge practice area and you have access before any new run. - Floors are randomized in terms of objectives and difficulties for each objective. - Towers will have rewards at certain levels and you see them on the map after finishing a floor. - You are collecting and encountering items to fill in - the color chop collection, the Jelleton field guide, and the Dev diary. - Many rewards can be used outside of the DLC and used online. - Some cool level layouts and designs. - Hitting floor five gets you a bonus of PRLZ but then has the next run giving you 500 Membux to start with and floor 5 has a shop. - Your best run gets shown on the map every run. - Gets very addictive. - Bonus floors can appear for a bigger one-off reward. - You can spend PRLZ on the starting floor position. - End of run breakdown showing what killed you and all the chips you collected and then how many PRLZ you get after they are converted. Splatoon 3 Side Order DLC Review Cons: - You get very little info in terms of owning the DLC and where it is. - Such a slow starter with a lot of stop-start cutscenes and character interactions. - In tight spaces, you go first person and it all goes a bit weird along with not always being able to see your ink level. - The story is not front and center. - Having a level timer feels a bit redundant. - It's slow going between floors and not that snappy. - Cannot skip the cutscenes. - The game can definitely get overwhelming and that can be frustrating for new players. - You don't get all the information like you can drop early from your drown by pressing shoot at a certain angle. - Some levels are a pain as they stack the game against you but in a cheap way like shoving a load of enemies in a small space. - Hard to know what objective you are playing, just the difficulty and reward are clear with the objective just being an icon. - The game doesn't have a huge pool of modes to play. Related Post: Splatoon 3 Review (Nintendo Switch OLED) Splatoon 3 Side Order DLC. Official website. Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Store Links – Nintendo   Read the full article

#DLC #NintendoSwitch

[automatedinvoiceprocessing]

Automated Invoice Processing

Automated Invoice Processing : Complete beginners guide

Vision and making money are two core aspects of running a business. Imagine, your team works days and nights on a project to bring some miraculous results to fruition. Every breakdown right from onboarding vendors, making that perfect project plan, and the final delivery of goods/services was handled perfectly. 

Now, the time has come to get rewarded in cash and kind for the same. A tricky situation arrives. The accounts team on the client side is yet to process your invoices. They are adept at their job but stuck with tools that require multiple manual inputs, falter on compliance rules, and cannot be trusted with accuracy. You cannot blame them either as most businesses enter 57% of invoice data manually.

The project you have delivered required multiple guidelines to be followed and your invoices were on point. A chain reaction of frustration ensues as time gets wasted on both ends in following up and you think why even work on such a project? 

While things eventually settle down, there are facts that both parties need to understand about eliminating such situations in the future. The only thing that needs to be done is to work on the very essence of business and that is- Automated Invoice Processing. 

If you are wondering how it can address the above-mentioned issues, fulfill all guidelines, keep track of project milestones, and clear invoices on autopilot, this blog will put an end to all your doubts!

Automated Invoice Processing: What is It All About? 

Automated invoice processing encompasses tracking supplier invoices, addressing discrepancies if any, getting them rectified, and clearing payments. The process involves a series of steps until the accounts are cleared and settled. 

With tons of responsibilities in the accounts department, right from managing orders to supplier invoicing, even the most organized departments can be prone to-

-Delayed reimbursements

-Double payments 

-Risking relationships 

-Losing out on supplier’s trust 

Because of juggling with a pool of invoices from different vendors that hinders typical processing times; multiple finance teams are leveraging automation to save time, simplify collaboration, and aid growth. From extracting invoice data, updating ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) entries, and boosting overall efficiency automated invoice processing tools not only save time and money, but they massively reduce errors and instances of fraud. 

Routine accounts also benefit manifolds with these tools due courtesy- 

3-Way Matching- Comparing purchase order, goods and receipt, and the invoice before approving the invoice

GL(General Ledger) Coding- Assigning alphanumeric codes to each financial entry in an organization’s ledger

Data Entry into ERPs

When teams are free from repeated manual work they can focus on faster closures and working on other activities. 

How Does Automated Invoice Processing Work? 

Automated invoice processing involves three simple steps:

1. Capturing Invoice Data

Businesses receive invoices from multiple sources. Automated invoicing solutions consolidate invoice data from all these channels and send them to a single receiving email address. Moreover, physical invoices are scanned in bulk and then sent tool 

Invoices are then pulled into the system and saved in a folder or cloud then synced in real-time with invoice automation software. Once this is achieved the system reads the data using AI, ML, and OCR technologies for further verification.

2. Interpreting Invoice Data as per Business Rules

Now that the data is placed, a few verifications are performed based on the business rules. Automated tools verify if the vendor exists as per their database or not. Invoices are then matched against POs and other records to ensure data consistency. Invoices that don’t clear these verifications are flagged immediately.

3. 3-Way Match

The next and final step is to route the invoices to the right decision-makers. Once this is done the payment is settled. Post that you can export a final report containing all data in a format compatible with ERP. These tools offer multiple integrations and can be used to achieve organizational transparency with ease. 

Must-Have Features in An Automated Invoice Processing Tool

Now that you know how these tools work, it is time you also understand how to single out the right solution among a host of options in the market.

1. User-Friendly Interface 

An automated invoice processing solution that is intuitive, easy to use, and has a short learning curve will ensure smoother transitions.

2. Adherence to Industry Practices 

A software solution must ensure compliance, protect data, and offer additional security features.

3. Reliable Customer Support

A vendor that provides exhaustive training, timely support, and maintenance is a must for regular upgrades and smooth implementation in the long run.

4. Customization

Businesses will have their processing requirements and rules to be followed. Thus, you must look for solutions that offer in-depth customization capabilities.

5. Scalability Check 

The chosen automated invoice processing solution must be able to handle a large volume of invoices while paving the way for future growth. This feature ensures that the solution doesn’t become redundant as your business grows in capacity.

6. Integrations Offered 

Seamless integration with existing ERP and accounting systems is a must to eliminate silos and ensure data consistency at all times. 

Benefits of Using Automated Invoice Processing Tools 

Well, if you are still thinking whether to invest in a solution or not, we are sure these benefits will put an end to your thought train.

1. Prevents Errors 

Human errors lead to dire consequences and when money is involved such risks need to be mitigated. Luckily, the software can process large data minus errors.

2. Increases Productivity

What if your accounts team could work 75% faster? Did that sound like more money? Well, that could be true as opposed to the fear finance professionals face when it comes to automation. Rather, it gives them the freedom to perform tasks they are skilled at.

Moreover, with accounting automation, reconciliation, financial closing, and cross-referencing records can be achieved the moment balances are settled. Lastly, with no scope of error, businesses can be ensured that their money is always safe.

3. Provides Full Accessibility 

Not only can your accounts team save trees, but they can also permanently say goodbye to paper-based accounting. With cloud-based automated invoice processing tools, you can access your accounts anytime anywhere. The only need is to have a good internet connection.

4. Encourages Autonomy

The best invoice automation tools help teams across the organizational spectrum streamline workflows, reimburse expenses, cut micromanagement, and streamline workflows with enhanced ease. 

Tracking KPIs of Your Automated Invoice Processing Tool 

To evaluate the success of your invoice automation tool you will need to calculate tangible benefits and ROI for the same, here is how you can do it:

ROI = (Benefits – Costs) / Costs x 100%

To accurately calculate the same, you will need to consider the following factors:

1. Processing Time

Measure the time it takes to clear the payment from the time a receipt is received. If there is a decrease in time then you have made the right choice. 

2. Error Rate

Have you been able to eliminate duplicate payments and improve accuracy by significant margins? 

3. Invoice Approval Time

Is there a significant reduction in the time it takes to get invoice approvals? If yes, you are on the right track. 

4. Cost per Invoice

Have you been able to calculate the cost of processing each invoice? If not, a way needs to be figured out.

 5. Supplier Satisfaction

Conduct surveys to gauge supplier satisfaction and analyze how it impacts business relationships.

Serina: Revolutionizing the Word of Automated Invoice Processing 

An informed customer will seldom make a wrong choice. We at Serina believe that our customers deserve better than the best. 

Thus, we have created a solution that knows when and what to do. Here are just a few benefits of making Serina a part of your team-

Gain real-time visibility by accessing all invoices and payment details at any workflow stage 

Track outstanding payments and enjoy streamlined collaboration with interactive dashboards 

Get assistance with multiple invoice types 

Keep your vendors happy with AP (Accounts Payable) automation and building trust 

Experience an 83% reduction in data validation efforts with automated line-item data capture.

Wait, there is more to it!

With dedicated bots for automated data interchange, invoice processing, and expense analytics at a glance, API and BPM tools for smoother optimization, and top-notch risk management abilities, you are in for an experience of a lifetime. Dedicate your precious time and resources towards strategic and analytic endeavors and leave the rest to us!

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How Much Time Can Be Saved With Automated Invoice Processing?

A lot. Although time savings depend on the regular activities assigned to the accounts team, automated invoice processing in large setups can save as much as 900+ hours in a single month.

2. What type of invoices can be processed with an automated invoice process?

Automated invoice processing is capable of processing all major invoice types including direct utility invoices and PO-based invoices while maintaining the desired accuracy, precision, and compliance requirements.

3. How can our team and vendors benefit from automated invoice processing?

A lot of time is spent on calls between accounts team and vendors to understand why certain invoice(s) are pending or rejected. When the whole invoicing process is automated, the increased transparency through vendor portal tracking strengthens vendor relationships too.

4. Why make a switch to automated invoice processing?

Manual invoice processing is highly prone to errors resulting from lost invoices or even double payments. Both instances can be eliminated with automated invoice processing as you maintain a centralized repository, making the whole process hassle-free with appropriate workflows.

5. From what sources can an automated invoice processing system fetch?

An automated invoice processing system can fetch invoices through multiple sources like API, emails, sharepoints, and web and you can upload them to the portal with ease.

#invoice processing #invoicemanagement #invoice management solution #Automate Invoice Processing

[univworkkrish]

Sleep Well, Ace Your Exams: Time-Saving Tips for Efficient Assignment Completion

Hey, fellow American students! We've all been there: staring down a mountain of assignments, fueled by stress-eating pizza and questionable amounts of caffeine. ☕ It's enough to make anyone dream of escaping to a tropical island, deadlines be damned! ️

But fear not, academic warriors! There's a way to conquer your workload without sacrificing precious sleep or sanity. In fact, getting a good night's rest is actually the secret weapon in your academic arsenal. Here are some practical tips for efficient assignment completion that'll leave you feeling energized and ready to tackle anything:

1. Master the Art of Prioritization:

Don't just stare blankly at your to-do list, feeling overwhelmed. Prioritize! Identify the most urgent tasks first (usually those with the closest deadlines). Use tools like Eisenhower Matrix or a simple color-coding system to categorize tasks based on importance and urgency. Remember, not everything needs to be done right now. Delegate, postpone, or even ditch non-essential tasks to free up time and mental space for the big stuff.

2. Plan Like a Pro:

Once you know your priorities, create a realistic schedule that breaks down each assignment into manageable chunks. Don't be a hero – be smart! Allot enough time for research, writing, revisions, and unexpected distractions like that adorable squirrel outside your window. ️ Use apps like Google Calendar or Trello to stay organized and track your progress. ️

3. Embrace the Power of Pomodoro:

The Pomodoro Technique is a game-changer for staying focused and avoiding burnout. Set a timer for 25 minutes, work on a single task without distractions, then reward yourself with a 5-minute break. Repeat this cycle until you're done. This method keeps your mind fresh and prevents you from getting bogged down in one task for hours. ⏱️

4. Tame the Social Media Beast:

Let's face it, social media is a siren song for procrastination. Block out dedicated times for checking notifications or responding to messages, and stick to them like glue. Use website blockers or apps like Freedom to temporarily disable distracting websites and apps during your study sessions. Remember, the world won't end if you miss a few cat videos, but your grades might suffer if you let Facebook become your new best friend.

5. Fuel Your Brain (and Body):

Late-night pizza binges might seem tempting, but they'll leave you feeling sluggish and unproductive the next day. Instead, prioritize healthy foods that boost your energy and focus. Think fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Don't forget to stay hydrated! Water is your brain's best friend. And don't skip meals! Eating regularly keeps your blood sugar stable and prevents energy crashes.

6. Sleep like a Champion:

This is where the magic happens. A good night's sleep (7-8 hours for most adults) is crucial for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall well-being. Develop a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible, even on weekends. Create a relaxing bedtime routine that includes dimming the lights, avoiding screens for an hour before bed, and reading a book. A well-rested mind is a productive mind!

7. Seek Help When Needed:

Don't be afraid to ask for help! Talk to your professors, classmates, or even consider seeking professional practical assignment help in the USA. There are many reputable resources available to guide you through tough assignments and help you polish your work. Remember, collaboration is key to academic success.

Bonus Tip: Reward yourself! Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Completing a difficult task deserves a pat on the back (or maybe a healthy treat!). Recognizing your progress will keep you motivated and on track.

By implementing these tips, you can transform from a stressed-out zombie into a well-rested, efficient academic warrior. Remember, it's about finding the balance between hard work and self-care. Sleep well, fuel your brain, and conquer those assignments like the rockstar you are!

So, ditch the all-nighters, embrace the power of naps, and watch your grades soar! You got this, fellow students!

#practical assignment help in the USA

[yhwhrulz]

Today's Daily Encounter Friday, October 20, 2023

Getting Back to Grace

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."1

Charles Stanley wrote the following article that illustrates the concept of grace so well.

"One of my more memorable seminary professors had a practical way of illustrating to his students the concept of grace. At the end of his evangelism course, he would distribute the exam with the caution to read it all the way through before beginning to answer it. This caution was written on the exam as well. As we read the test, it became unquestionably clear to each of us that we had not studied nearly enough.

The further we read, the worse it became. About halfway through, audible groans could be heard throughout the lecture hall. On the last page, however, was a note that read, "You have a choice. You can either complete the exam as given or sign your name at the bottom and in so doing receive an A for this assignment."

Wow? We sat there stunned. "Was he serious? Just sign it and get an A?" Slowly, the point dawned on us, and one by one we turned in our tests and silently filed out of the room.

When I talked with the professor about it afterward, he shared some of the reactions he had received through the years. Some students began to take the exam without reading it all the way through, and they would sweat it out for the entire two hours of class time before reaching the last page.

Others read the first two pages, became angry, turned the test in blank, and stormed out of the room without signing it. They never realized what was available, and as a result, they lost out totally.

One fellow, however, read the entire test, including the note at the end, but decided to take the exam anyway. He did not want any gifts; he wanted to earn his grade. And he did. He made a C+, but he could easily have had an A.

This story illustrates many people's reaction to God's solution to sin. Some people look at God's standard--moral and ethical perfection--and throw their hands up in surrender. Why even try? they tell themselves. I could never live up to all that stuff.

Others are like the student who read the test through and was aware of the professor's offer but took the test anyway. Unwilling to simply receive God's gift of forgiveness, they set about to rack up enough points with God to earn it.

But God's grace truly is like the professor's offer. It may seem unbelievable, but if we accept it, then, like the stunned students who accepted the professor's offer, we, too, will discover that, yes, God's grace truly is free. All we must do is accept it."

Many times, it is just as hard to give grace, as it is to receive it. What we often forget, is that we did nothing to earn God's grace. It is a gift he chose to give us even though we would never be able to repay it. But we can only receive this grace when we choose to lay our pride aside and accept it. Have you accepted God's grace in your life?

Suggested prayer: Dear God, I haven't done anything to deserve your great grace, yet you offer it to me freely. I will never be able to thank you enough, but I choose to lay aside my pride and accept your grace and ask that you would help me be quick to offer grace to others as well. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT).

Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by ACTS International, a non-profit organization, and made possible through the donations of interested friends. Donations can be sent at: http://www.actscom.com

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When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2005-2023 ACTS International

[canadianvesselregistry]

Applying for a Canadian Pleasure Craft License Online

If you are looking for new ways to soak up the warm weather and sunshine afforded by the Canadian summer months, owning a boat may be just a hobby for you. Whether you enjoy fishing, water sports, or simply cruising out on the water, with your own boat, the leisure possibilities are virtually endless. Understandably, though, the decision to purchase a boat is a big one. If you have done some basic research, you know that boats can be particularly expensive–especially with brand-new models. You will also have to contend with launch and docking fees, and inevitable maintenance costs. For many, though, the rewards are more than worth it. If you have found the perfect boat for you and your family, and you have finalized the transaction, you are nearly ready to hit the water. There may, however, be some paperwork to attend to first in the form of a Canadian Pleasure Craft License (PCL). Fortunately, by working with a private service such as ours, you can get yours online.

When you go to document a boat, you will need to work with a government agency called Transport Canada. Headquartered in Ottawa and staffed by thousands of employees, this agency is responsible for managing infrastructure concerns for both land and sea across the country. During your years as a boat owner, you may need to obtain licenses and registrations, submit renewal requests, and navigate other paperwork matters. While you do have the option to fill out all these forms the old-fashioned way, there is an easier path. At the National Vessel Registry Center, we have fillable web forms for all of your Transport Canada documentation needs. Read on to learn more.

What is a Canadian Pleasure Craft License?

You can think of a PCL as a similar document to a motor vehicle registration. Since boats can be large and powerful vehicles, it makes sense that they would require some form of documentation. To be a bit more exact, a PCL is mandatory for all leisure crafts with engines of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more. Of course, all boats can apply for and obtain PCLs as well. With a PCL, you will be assigned a registration number which must be displayed in characters of at least three inches in height on both sides of your boat’s bow.

To get your PCL online, simply visit the licensing section of our website. There, you will find a web application that will ask you for some basic details about yourself and your boat. You will also need to upload a photograph of your vessel and provide proof of ownership, which is typically done with a bill of sale.

Get the Forms You Need Online Save yourself time and energy by completing your Transport Canada forms online. We have web documents for PCLs, vessel registrations, and much more. To get a better sense of the services we provide, spend a few minutes exploring our website.

[santhoshguna]

Software testing in continuous delivery

Software testing is an organizational process in software development that verifies the correctness, quality, and performance of business-critical software. Software testing is used to ensure that intended business systems and product functionality are functioning as expected.

software testing company can be a manual process or an automated process.

Manual software testing is led by a team or individual who will manually operate the software product and ensure that it operates as expected.

Automated software testing consists of many different tools with different capabilities, from isolated code correctness checks to simulating a complete human-driven manual testing experience.

Benefits of software testing

Software testing will reduce software development company and maintenance costs, thereby saving time and money for organizations. Software testing provides stability guarantee for the development of new functions. Testing ensures that functionality works as expected and users don’t encounter errors.

New feature development time is reduced by specifying a set of test cases that new features must match to be considered complete and shippable. This gives developers a fixed target to work toward more accurate timeline estimates and reduce the introduction of new bugs. Once these test cases are in place, overall maintenance costs are reduced. Tests can be run against delivered functionality to ensure it still functions as expected.

Level of software testing

There are several basic levels of software testing, each examining software functionality from a unique perspective within the development process. We look at each type of test in turn and examine their practical uses.

Unit Test

The basic level of software testing is unit testing. Unit testing is the practice of checking input and output correctness of a single unit of code. In this case, the unit of measurement is an independent code function or method.

During unit testing, use mock input to execute production code functions in the test environment. The function’s output is then compared to the expected output for that input. If the output matches expectations, the test passes. If they don’t match, the test fails. Unit testing is a great way to verify functions that derive data.

Integration Testing

When a software test case covers multiple units, it is considered as an integration test. When developing software test cases, the boundary between unit tests can quickly evolve into integration tests. Often, unit tests may be developed that run against third-party code dependencies. The dependency itself does not need to be tested, the integration with the dependency will be mocked or faked.

Functional or end-to-end testing

Test cases that simulate a complete user-level experience are called functional testing or end-to-end testing. End-to-end testing uses tools that simulate real human user behavior. Common steps for end-to-end testing:

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End-to-end testing verifies the correctness of all layers of the software stack thanks to a full experience execution environment.

Exploratory testing

Exploratory testing is a testing exercise in which a tester is assigned a loosely defined task to complete using the software being tested. This means you can learn a lot about the way people use your product in the wild. Exploratory testing sessions can even incentivize users by offering rewards for having the most issues, having the best bugs, or doing unexpected things with the product.

One of the benefits of exploratory software testing is that anyone can join in to help with testing because all they need to do is browse the product freely. Exploratory tests are not randomized, but they are also not scripted like manual tests.

Software testing in continuous delivery

Continuous delivery leverages all of the testing strategies mentioned previously to create a seamless pipeline that automates the delivery of completed code tasks. The optimal setup will allow developers to push recently completed code into the continuous delivery pipeline for evaluation. The pipeline will then run the newly pushed code through the test level. If the code passes the tests, it is automatically merged and deployed to production. However, if the code fails the tests, the code will be rejected and the developer will automatically be notified of the steps that need to be corrected.

Popular established software language development ecosystems have their own subset testing ecosystems. There are many tools that provide utilities to aid in testing and developing test suites. These tools are usually installed through a package manager specific to the programming language used in the project.

In addition to test instrumentation, tools for test execution and development are provided. Various test runners can be installed to provide output data from the test suite. A common practice is to measure “test coverage” across the entire project. Code coverage tools can be used to indicate how much of a code base has been adequately covered.

Once the test suite is developed and running properly on a local project, it can usually be integrated directly into the CD pipeline . Most hosted CD/CI systems will provide guidance on how to integrate test suites into the pipeline.

How to make testing part of the CD pipeline

A truly automated, value-added CD pipeline is built on a solid foundation of testing. This testing foundation starts with manual test cases and gradually evolves into automated solutions.

Emphasis on quality at every step of the pipeline

Everyone (developers, testers, etc.) is responsible for the quality relationship with the customer. Every line of code either makes the customer experience better or worse. The CD pipeline’s test suite is a multifaceted tool for developing high-quality and correct code. During the product design phase, test suites can be kept in mind to think ahead about how features will be developed. This test suite is primarily used to streamline the development process, but can also be executed in test and production environments for quality assurance.

Allow developers to demonstrate feature quality

Traditional testing approaches believe that testing is a separate process, out of sync with developers. Developer absence from quality assurance can lead to a lack of empathy for customers on the development team. Additionally, a lack of developer involvement in quality can cause problems to fester in the code base longer, increasing the cost of fixing them. This approach is also expensive in terms of organizational staff costs, as it encourages hiring a separate QA team to take on the responsibility.

Continuous delivery increases developer awareness and empathy for the end-user experience. Developers are tasked with providing test coverage for the features they develop and overseeing them from development to production. This gives developers the opportunity to take responsibility and prove the quality of the feature.

Built-in customer feedback

Continuous delivery enables rapid deployment and updates of software projects. This allows customer feedback to be immediately incorporated into the next version. If a user reports a problem, you can consult the CD pipeline test suite to narrow down the possible problem vectors. Development and testing teams that respond quickly to customer feedback are more successful.

Develop a solid software testing strategy

When designing a software testing services strategy, it’s best to keep the overall product, user, and business strategy in mind. Consider which are the highest value test coverage goals.

Ideally, a software project will strive to achieve 100% test coverage, ensuring that the code is bug-free and works as expected. Unfortunately, in the real business world, this is not realistic due to timeline and budget constraints.

Different testing strategies should also be considered based on the type of software deliverable. If the software is a GUI-driven application, then high-level end-to-end testing will be very valuable. Headless UI free software projects will forego end-to-end testing and get high marks from unit testing.

The general overall strategy for GUI-based user applications is as follows.

End-to-end testing of all core user flows, login, registration, checkout, etc.

Unit testing of all data sensitive code functionality (e.g. currency trading tools)

Integration testing at any point of third-party integration to ensure data flows to the third party and all errors are propagated correctly

Improve your software testing with continuous delivery

Working toward a continuous delivery workflow has many business benefits. By committing to a CD workflow, the organizational costs of hiring and managing separate teams for quality assurance, release management, and test engineering positions can be significantly reduced.

Continuous delivery improves overall product quality levels compared to traditional QA testing workflows. CD testing encourages developers to take responsibility for the end-user experience and the quality of the features they roll out. CD provides a framework that makes it easier for companies to focus on and discuss release quality.

Implementing a strong software testing strategy is the foundation of continuous delivery, and automation is key to a successful continuous delivery pipeline.

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