I've just recently completed the NTNU Mandarin Training Centre 3 month intensive course. I finished Book 3 and generally had a positive experience. I've previously studied Chinese for 1.5 years through daily conversation.
I've seen a bunch of posts here bashing NTNU's course, and I wanted to provide some balance from a different perspective.
Alright, I'm going to first address some of the comments that I've seen on this post from February 2023, which ngl, gave me some doubts going to NTNU. This is based on my personal experience:

1. Quantity over quality: yes, the sheer amount of vocabulary and grammar patterns you learn each week is insane, but you get ample time to practice it in class, homework, tests and the reports you write. By the end of the course you will have mastery over... let’s say 85-90% of the vocabulary you learned, depending on the work you put in outside of class
2. Tests and examinations: these keep you accountable, and the frequency makes you rehearse and recall what you’ve just learned. Frequent recall and techniques like SRS are THE way to help new vocab stick into your long term memory.
3. Having to write characters: for me, by far the best thing to happen in my Chinese learning journey. Writing characters over and over was the fastest and best way for me to reliably identify Chinese characters, in different fonts, in the wild. I recommend this to all new Chinese learners
4. Lack of opportunity for conversation in class: sorry, you just need to get out of the house more. Class is good to set the foundation for listening, grammar, vocabulary, but even 3 hours a day of structured conversation in class won’t make you able to distinguish the chaotic nature of a normal conversation in Taiwan. You have to converse with locals, make awkward conversation where you initially struggle to explain what you want to say and generally go outside if you want to improve in this area, there’s no way around it.

Now my review of the course:

• Class size reasonable, my class had 9 students. We are encouraged to only speak in Chinese, even during breaks. We were kinda forced to do this, since some colleagues didn’t speak English at all, which was beneficial.

Book Content:

• book has very relevant and recent topics, you won’t come out of the course and use outdated vocabulary like “Yeah dude, that’s tubular”.
• topics are fun and relatable to young adults, from relationships, family, politics and history, which really really helps with motivation when you have to sink close to 7 hours of your day studying
• each lesson includes a dialogue section (more spoken Chinese style) and an article (more written style Chinese), and you’ll learn the difference in use between the two

Teaching style:

• overwhelming, 3 hours / day in class and 2-4 hours of work daily at home. I improved a lot, but at the end of my 3 month stint, I was exhausted and wouldn’t continue. Big ups to my colleagues that moved on to book 4 intensive.
• class was engaging with combination of teacher explaining grammar use, vocabulary, practice with your classmates, your own presentations
• twice a week we would have 聽寫 (literally “listen-write”) where the teacher would dictate words and sentences and we’d have to write the Chinese characters down
• once a week, small test based on the lesson we’ve just finished (incl. listening, reading, grammar)
• once a week, an oral report on a pre-determined topic you prepare in advance. I really enjoyed this part as I could flex my newly learned Chinese to write an essay that I was interested in.
• unfortunately, I did hear that getting a good teacher is down to luck, I’m very satisfied with our teacher

Conclusion:

• I liked: intensity, focus on grammar, reading and learning to use complex Chinese to express your thoughts succinctly, the weekly reports
• I disliked: the intensity of it, books are expensive but also available online (another one of god’s little tests)

For all the language hackers out there, this course is a more traditional approach to learning Chinese, but for me, it worked. There's is a night and day difference in my Chinese before the course and after the course, I am more confident in expressing complex topics, emotions, etc when conversing, and can finally read simple tabloid articles in Chinese.
Score: 8/10

I've searched this subreddit for similar topics, but none of them really answered the questions I have.
My (DE) wife and I (US) have an old car that was re-ended and destroyed. We need to buy a new (used) car and I'm unsure of what to expect. It's the first time doing this for the both of us. (She inherited our car from her grandfather, and I've never purchased a car in Germany before). We are looking exclusively at buying from a dealership and only cars with a full service history and a guarantee.
​

1. Is it ok to haggle? How much? (I realize this really depends, but I have no idea how to haggle or what's reasonable. It just seems like such ridiculous social theatre to have to go through this song and dance to find the real price)
2. If I need to haggle, how can I find out the value of a car? Auto24 and mobile.de both have indicators of how good of a deal a price point is, but I don't think I have a way of looking at how that info is calculated. I remember in the US there was a thing called a "Blue Book", which listed the price of cars, but I don't know the analog to that here.
3. What can I expect when I go to a dealership? My only point of reference is pushy/sleezy car salesmen in the US, so I don't know what to expect.
4. If I ask to take a test drive of a car, how does this typically go? Do I need to provide them anything besides my driver's license? How long can you typically test drive a car for? Will someone from the dealership sit in the car with me as I drive it? I'd like to get a feel for how a car drives around a city, rural roads, and what the wind noise is like on the autobahn, so I'd ideally like to do all of that.
5. Is it common to have a trusted mechanic look at a car first if you are buying it from a reputable dealership and there is a guarantee? We have a mechanic we trust, but I don't know how we would arrange to have them look at the car. Some of the car dealerships we are looking at are over 150km away from where we live and I don't imagine it'd be possible to drive the car back to our mechanic for a day or for them to drive out to see the car.
6. If we decide we want to buy the car, what happens next with insurance and registration? We currently have our old (destroyed) car registered and with insurance under my wife. We would like to keep the new car registered and insured with my wife as well. I know we need to de-register the old car before it is taken away, but can we also register a new car at the same time and same appointment as de-registering the old car? (I know this might depend on the location, we're in Berlin, so my hopes are not high that we could efficiently do both at the same appointment)
7. How is payment typically handled? We have savings and want to buy the used car outright, no financing or anything like that. Is it typically just a bank transfer with a reference number or something so the dealership knows it's us paying for the car? That might take 1-2 days to actually transfer - which leads me to my next question:
8. How long does this process typically take? I know in the US you could walk into a dealership with cash and leave with a car, but I can't imagine that would work here because of the bureaucracy. I'm expecting something like 2-4 days from the point of saying "I would like to buy this car" to the point where we can drive it off the lot? (Though that might also depend on how quickly we can de-registeregister our cars at the relevant authorities in Berlin, and getting any kind of amt appointment in Berlin is a nightmare)
9. Is there anything in particular we need to watch out for or be aware of? I'm hoping that by going to a large dealership with lots of positive ratings that we will be fine and they won't try and screw us, but the cliché of the unethical used car salesman is burned into my mind and I want to be careful.

I failed the Oct '22 exam but passed this most recent one and I have to thank several of you who suggested focusing on reading the section/chapter notes and being highly suspicious of "obvious" looking answers based on heading names etc. I "ran out of time" on both tests - I wanted to have 2 hours just for classification which I was able to reach for 4-5 of the old exams - I ended up with 30 min for Oct '22 and 45 in April '23 BUT but I changed strategies for April '23.
Whereas the first time around I just yolo'ed it off the headings only and answered all of them "in full" after spending 2-3 minutes on each, this time I opted to spend my entire remaining time on 5 questions only but read every single relevant section and chapter note for every possible answer. For the rest, I simply guessed blind and wrapped them up in 2 minutes at the very end.
This proved decisive, I did significantly better on that part of the exam, and would have definitely failed the exam overall otherwise.

Been evaluating DMARC recently, and I couldn't find much information to help guide me when comparing options. So I tried to write down my thoughts in a way I would have found useful. I hope someone on here gets a bit of value out of it.
A few observations is that there is a huge disparity between bottom range vendors and top range vendors in terms of price, and that there is a corresponding disparity in terms of tool functionality and Trust-center maturity. Top tier vendors offer some cool functions, but the increase in price was hardly worth it.
Common DMARC vendor problems
Common problems among nearly all DMARC vendors we spoke to (with 1 exception) was that they all had a hard time giving us a fixed quote, claiming that they needed to run a PoC/Trial to analyze our volumes before being able to quote us. A few would provide gross estimates for us. I got a bit grossed out, because it felt like the sales reps we met with were trying to gauge how much money they'd be leaving on the table.
Bottom Tier DMARC vendor problems
The bottom tier were sketchy in terms of where support is located, where data is processed (issue especially if we collect Forensic reports) and had a difficult time answering questions on the robustness and maturity of their organizational/technical controls for whatever certifications they held. They also provided low-usability UI:s and underwhelming project management features.
One of the vendors even suggested we spin up 2 instances of their platform to manage active/inactive domains separately. I assume sales person was either a) incompetent or b) thought we had just jumped off the bus from Jokkmokk or c) the tool was horrendous.
Another consideration was that these vendors were mostly in start-up mode, and really pushed their logo-slides, indicating to me that they are desperately accumulating corporate value to become attractive acquisition targets. God forbid they'd be purchased by like DarkTrace or something.
I did a bit of quick and dirty math, and couldn't see how they were running sustainable business models. When they described their headcounts and I looked at the revenue generated with an average across their entire "we have this many customers" slide. Especially since a few of the logos these guys said were 'customers' are actually using their freemium/trial to monitor (checked with contacts at company's who were part of the logo-slides.).
These vendors cost next to nothing, but introduce a level of risk I was not happy with.
Top Tier DMARC Vendor problems
3 of the vendors we looked at fit into this category, and the prices were absolutely outrageous. As in +30x higher prices. Than the other vendors. 2 of these were more forthcoming about price estimates, and the last one did the thing where the sales rep was really shady about the pricing so we finally had enough (I found their price list through google dorks and nearly puked).
However, the 2 vendors who were more forthcoming about their prices advised us that there is a mandatory Managed Service tacked onto the DMARC tool. The managed service sounded nice (bi-weekly/monthly project calls with a consultant from their side, effectively brining our time investment down by from ~6-8h / week to ~1-4h / week, which is helpful due to backlog). But we would be unable to unsubscribe from the managed service even after achieving p=reject and just monitoring.
The vendor who's prices nearly made me puke literally had 1 unique selling point compared to peers. The ability to generate DKIM keys through their console. Helpful, sure. But it absolutely does not merit a 2x higher price than the other 2 Top Tiers. The issue I have here is that this was the vendor pushed by Microsoft, and it really got under my skin that the sales rep almost took it for granted that the business was theirs because of the recommendation by MSFT. It made me wonder how many deals these guys get for outrageous price points by buyers who don't know any better.
These vendors cost a bunch, but offer the level of risk I am OK with introducing
What did we end up doing?
One of the vendors who didn't fit into either Top Tier or Low Tier fulfilled our criteria;

1. Mature trust-center backed by good contracts, DPA:s ISO-certs and SOC-II etc. Sales rep and Engineer could speak towards various elements and were happy to make introductions to their CISO:s direct reports for more information.
2. Price point was in-between Top tier & Bottom Tier.
3. Price transparency and Predictability (They could provide prices based on # active domains + number of employees, irrespective of email volumes & sending services)
4. Managed service portion could be removed upon renewal (once every 12 months) and the price effectively goes down by 50%.
5. The sales rep was slightly less sleazy, but maybe that was because their licensing model was simpler? He was also transparent when we asked about recent negative feedback about their support.
6. UI is decent & Integrated project management section so that tasks created in other sections of the console are populated into the project management time-line and assigned to an owner.

Notes;

1. I don't want to break any policy here. So won't post a link to the price-list I found via dorks. I found it on a publicly facing governmental digital market place, published by one of the vendor's partners. Example:
   1. 3-10 Domains + <5 Sending Services scales from £17.5K / year up to 3-10 Domains + <27 Sending services for £100K / Year. And god help you if you have +50 domains.
2. Don't want to mention which vendor we went with in the end. But we got 25 Domains + Unlimited volume + unlimited sending services for ~ €12K / year.
   1. As a comparison this is 10x the price of the Low-tier vendors, and 35% of the price of the most expensive vendor (when accounting for our number of sending sources, email volume and domains)
   2. Year 1 we added on Manage Services to help with our backlog, which we plan on cutting away once p=reject can be safely activated (expected time frame ~6 months -- Which realistically means ~8 months). At this point our annual bill goes down from €18K to €12K / Year.
3. A key consideration that I found tricky before finding the vendor we went with, was trying to forecast expected email volumes since the company is planning on entering new markets, with big marketing pushes. We could have woken up one day and gotten a "true-up" call with up-to a 6x license price increase if our outbound volumes exceeded 2.5million emails. (I don't see that happening anytime soon, but I'd hate to forget about this as the company grows).
4. Getting approval for the spend was done together with marketing, and we split it 50/50. We basically asked our CMO-lite what would happen if their marketing emails went to junk-folders or were rejected outright because one of their marketing services was unaccounted for.
   1. Convo went something like:
      1. "What's your worst-case projection for this initiative?"
      2. "It's x% of target"
      3. "Okey, does that worst-case projection account for if your email marketing ends up in junk folders?"
      4. "Ye... erhh.. end up in junk folders...?"
      5. (Marketing now has a vested interest in being open about the crap they use/want to get, and CMO-lite has raised this twice with her team so far).

Sorry for any spelling/grammar issues, guys. English =/= first language. Some of the information here could be inconsistent between territories/markets. Hope someone finds it helpful.

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Kubernetes
I'm using minikube to test kubernetes on latest MacOS.
Here are my relevant YAMLs:
namespace.yml
apiVersion: v1kind: Namespacemetadata: name: micro labels: name: micro deployment.yml
apiVersion: extensions/v1beta1kind: Deploymentmetadata: name: adderservicespec: replicas: 1 template: metadata: labels: run: adderservice spec: containers: - name: adderservice image: jeromesoung/adderservice:0.0.1 ports: - containerPort: 8080 service.yml
apiVersion: v1kind: Servicemetadata: name: adderservice labels: run: adderservicespec: ports: - port: 8080 name: main protocol: TCP targetPort: 8080 selector: run: adderservice type: NodePort After running minikube start, the steps I took to deploy is as follows:

1. kubectl create -f namespace.yml to create the namespace
2. kubectl config set-context minikube --namespace=micro
3. kubectl create -f deployment.yml
4. kubectl create -f service.yml

Then, I get the NodeIP and NodePort with below commands:

1. kubectl get services to get the NodePort

$ kubectl get servicesNAME TYPE CLUSTER-IP EXTERNAL-IP PORT(S) AGEadderservice NodePort 10.99.155.255 8080:30981/TCP 21h 2. minikube ip to get the nodeIP
$ minikube ip192.168.99.103 But when I do curl, I always get Connection Refused like this:
$ curl http://192.168.99.103:30981/add/1/2curl: (7) Failed to connect to 192.168.99.103 port 30981: Connection refused So I checked node, pod, deployment and endpoint as follows:
$ kubectl get nodesNAME STATUS ROLES AGE VERSIONminikube Ready master 23h v1.13.3$ kubectl get podsNAME READY STATUS RESTARTS AGEadderservice-5b567df95f-9rrln 1/1 Running 0 23h$ kubectl get deploymentsNAME DESIRED CURRENT UP-TO-DATE AVAILABLE AGEadderservice 1 1 1 1 23h$ kubectl get endpointsNAME ENDPOINTS AGEadderservice 172.17.0.5:8080 21h I also checked service list from minikube with:
$ minikube service -n micro adderservice --urlhttp://192.168.99.103:30981 I've read many posts regarding accessing k8s service via NodePorts. To my knowledge, I should be able to access the app with no problem. The only thing I suspect is that I'm using a custom namespace. Will this cause the access issue?
I know namespace will change the DNS, so, to be complete, I ran below commands also:
$ kubectl exec -ti adderservice-5b567df95f-9rrln -- nslookup kubernetes.defaultServer: 10.96.0.10Address: 10.96.0.10#53Name: kubernetes.default.svc.cluster.localAddress: 10.96.0.1$ kubectl exec -ti adderservice-5b567df95f-9rrln -- nslookup kubernetes.microServer: 10.96.0.10Address: 10.96.0.10#53Non-authoritative answer:Name: kubernetes.microAddress: 198.105.244.130Name: kubernetes.microAddress: 104.239.207.44 Could anyone help me out? Thank you.
Answer link : https://codehunter.cc/a/kubernetes/cant-access-kubernetes-service-exposed-via-nodeport

Global Info Research announces the release of the report “Global Slip and Leveling Additives Market 2023 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2029” . The report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis presented by region and country, type and application. As the market is constantly changing, the report explores the competition, supply and demand trends, as well as key factors that contribute to its changing demands across many markets. Company profiles and product examples of selected competitors, along with market share estimates of some of the selected leaders for the year 2023, are provided. In addition, the report provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals, COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War Influence.
​
According to our (Global Info Research) latest study, the global Slip and Leveling Additives market size was valued at USD million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD million by 2029 with a CAGR of % during review period. The influence of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War were considered while estimating market sizes.
​
Key Features:
Global Slip and Leveling Additives market size and forecasts, in consumption value), sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Slip and Leveling Additives market size and forecasts by region and country, in consumption value, sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Slip and Leveling Additives market size and forecasts, by Type and by Application, in consumption value, sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Slip and Leveling Additives market shares of main players, shipments in revenue, sales quantity, and ASP, 2018-2023
​
The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:
To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries
To assess the growth potential for Slip and Leveling Additives
To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market
To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace
This report profiles key players in the global Slip and Leveling Additives market based on the following parameters - company overview, production, value, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments.
​
Request Free Sample Copy Or buy this report at:
https://www.globalinforesearch.com/reports/1535527/segregation-free-iron-powder
The Slip and Leveling Additives market is segmented as below:
​
Market segment by Type
Silicon Containing
Silicon Free
​
Market segment by Application
Water Based Coating
Solvent Based Coating
UV Coating
Printing Inks
​
Major players covered
BYK
BASF
Dow
ADD Additives
Schwegmann
AFCONA
Kylin Chemicals
Kusumoto Chemicals
Zhejiang Feng Hong
Arkema
Lubrizol
Evonik
​
The Main Contents of the Report, includes a total of 15 chapters:
Chapter 1, to describe Slip and Leveling Additives product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year.
Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Slip and Leveling Additives, with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Slip and Leveling Additives from 2018 to 2023.
Chapter 3, the Slip and Leveling Additives competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.
Chapter 4, the Slip and Leveling Additives breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value and growth by regions, from 2018 to 2029.
Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2018 to 2029.
Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value and market share for key countries in the world, from 2017 to 2022.and Slip and Leveling Additives market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2024 to 2029.
Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, Porters Five Forces analysis, and Influence of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War.
Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Slip and Leveling Additives.
Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Slip and Leveling Additives sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.
​
The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Our report on the Slip and Leveling Additives market covers the following areas:
1.Slip and Leveling Additives market sizing
2.Slip and Leveling Additives market forecast
3.Slip and Leveling Additives market industry analysis
4.Analyze the needs of the global Slip and Leveling Additives business market
5.Answer the market level of global Slip and Leveling Additives
6.Statistics the annual growth of the global Slip and Leveling Additives production market
7.The main producers of the global Slip and Leveling Additives production market
8.Describe the growth factor that promotes market demand
​
Global Info Research is a company that digs deep into global industry information to support enterprises with market strategies and in-depth market development analysis reports. We provides market information consulting services in the global region to support enterprise strategic planning and official information reporting, and focuses on customized research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, database and top industry services. At the same time, Global Info Research is also a report publisher, a customer and an interest-based suppliers, and is trusted by more than 30,000 companies around the world. We will always carry out all aspects of our business with excellent expertise and experience.
​
Contact Us:
Global Info Research
Web: https://www.globalinforesearch.com
CN: 0086-176 6505 2062
HK: 00852-5819 7708
US: 001-347 966 1888
Email: [email protected]
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I moved a couple of years from Belgium, where we used both gas and electricity. For an average one family house, we used about 2500 KwH per year and 900 m3 of gas, which costed roughly 120 euro per month (period 2012-2019). This was almost the exact average of a 4 person household.
Fast forward, I live in a villa in Sweden and we use around 10.000 KwH per year. We currently have a 3 year electricity contract (this is normal in other countries, a variable rate basically means you have no control over your finances and this gives you financial stress), and including the grid provider, our average monthly cost in 2022 was 1.400 sek, meaning it's even cheaper than in Belgium pre-price-crisis. We also have a spa and swimming pool we heat quite a lot and we expected the prices to increase much and much more. Therefore I am a bit confused why a lot of people are complaining about the current electricity rates, since it is still well below the European average. Especially taking the financial support from the government into account, our monthly costs were a bit above 1.200 SEK per month.
Of course I looked into the historical electricity rate, but I am just curious if the current situation (or at least the last months) is seen as very high. Curious to see your answers, especially from people who are from other countries and are already used to this price level.

Global Info Research announces the release of the report “Global Segregation-free Iron Powder Market 2023 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2029” . The report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis presented by region and country, type and application. As the market is constantly changing, the report explores the competition, supply and demand trends, as well as key factors that contribute to its changing demands across many markets. Company profiles and product examples of selected competitors, along with market share estimates of some of the selected leaders for the year 2023, are provided. In addition, the report provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals, COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War Influence.
​
According to our (Global Info Research) latest study, the global Segregation-free Iron Powder market size was valued at USD million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD million by 2029 with a CAGR of % during review period. The influence of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War were considered while estimating market sizes.
​
Key Features:
Global Segregation-free Iron Powder market size and forecasts, in consumption value), sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Segregation-free Iron Powder market size and forecasts by region and country, in consumption value, sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Segregation-free Iron Powder market size and forecasts, by Type and by Application, in consumption value, sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Segregation-free Iron Powder market shares of main players, shipments in revenue, sales quantity, and ASP, 2018-2023
​
The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:
To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries
To assess the growth potential for Segregation-free Iron Powder
To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market
To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace
This report profiles key players in the global Segregation-free Iron Powder market based on the following parameters - company overview, production, value, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments.
​
Request Free Sample Copy Or buy this report at:
https://www.globalinforesearch.com/reports/1535527/segregation-free-iron-powder
The Segregation-free Iron Powder market is segmented as below:
​
Market segment by Type
0.00 %-2.50 % Cu
1.50 %-2.50 % Cu
​
Market segment by Application
Automotive
Other
​
Major players covered
JFE
Kobe Steel
Hangzhou Yitong New Materials
Shandong Luyin New Material Technology
Liaoning Shengyu New Material Technology
​
The Main Contents of the Report, includes a total of 15 chapters:
Chapter 1, to describe Segregation-free Iron Powder product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year.
Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Segregation-free Iron Powder, with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Segregation-free Iron Powder from 2018 to 2023.
Chapter 3, the Segregation-free Iron Powder competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.
Chapter 4, the Segregation-free Iron Powder breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value and growth by regions, from 2018 to 2029.
Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2018 to 2029.
Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value and market share for key countries in the world, from 2017 to 2022.and Segregation-free Iron Powder market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2024 to 2029.
Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, Porters Five Forces analysis, and Influence of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War.
Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Segregation-free Iron Powder.
Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Segregation-free Iron Powder sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.
​
The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Our report on the Segregation-free Iron Powder market covers the following areas:
1.Segregation-free Iron Powder market sizing
2.Segregation-free Iron Powder market forecast
3.Segregation-free Iron Powder market industry analysis
4.Analyze the needs of the global Segregation-free Iron Powder business market
5.Answer the market level of global Segregation-free Iron Powder
6.Statistics the annual growth of the global Segregation-free Iron Powder production market
7.The main producers of the global Segregation-free Iron Powder production market
8.Describe the growth factor that promotes market demand
​
Global Info Research is a company that digs deep into global industry information to support enterprises with market strategies and in-depth market development analysis reports. We provides market information consulting services in the global region to support enterprise strategic planning and official information reporting, and focuses on customized research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, database and top industry services. At the same time, Global Info Research is also a report publisher, a customer and an interest-based suppliers, and is trusted by more than 30,000 companies around the world. We will always carry out all aspects of our business with excellent expertise and experience.
​
Contact Us:
Global Info Research
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Trigger Warning: Stillbirth, miscarriage, IVF
I'll start with the old cliche - long time lurker, first time poster. So thank you to anyone who reads and/or comments, and hopefully my current story may help in some way. I have just added anything that may be relevant.
I'm a 37 year old Australian female, with a history of endometriosis and cysts that ran up and down my the outside of my fallopian tubes. Unfortunately, those cysts started twisting, turning blue and bursting, which caused horrific and debilitating pain. I was in my early 20's when this first started occurring. This led me on a six year journey (unfortunately I encountered a lot of dismissive doctors - 'It's just period pain'), before an incredible gynaecologist organised a laparoscopy for me immediately, and she discovered extensive endometriosis and the cysts. She lanced and burnt her way through like an epic warrior, inserted a Mirena, and my quality of life improved instantly with no complications.
Fast forward to me at 32 and TTC with my partner. Fortunately, it only took us 3 months to see those glorious double lines on a pregnancy test. I had a blissful (and quite ignorant) pregnancy, welcoming our daughter at 39 weeks with an uncomplicated, spontaneous vaginal labour. My daughter was quite light at 2.6kg, but long at 51cm. I remember the midwife inquiring as to whether I smoked whilst looking at the placenta. I used too, but hadn't in 8 years. She shrugged and being that I had just laboured and we had a healthy, albeit light, baby in our arms, we didn't think anything else of it. My daughter thrived and is now a four year old ball of gorgeousness that we are so grateful for.
When Number 1 was about 16 months, we conceived our second child - very quickly might I add! One weekend of fun and the deal was done. Lucky us! Once again, a very unremarkable, straightforward pregnancy. Until it wasn't. At 35.5 weeks, I went to the the hairdresser, returned home and realised I hadn't felt her kick for a while - she was another little girl. Number 2 was much more of a kicker and squirmer than Number 1, so I knew something wasn't right. Later that night at the hospital, those horrendous, life-altering words were said, 'There is no heartbeat'. I delivered her vaginally, a far more physically gruelling and emotional labour than my first. Unfortunately, we have never had any definitive answers as to why there was a partial placenta abruption - her autopsy revealed that she was utterly perfect anyway. She was the same weight and height as her sister at 35.5 weeks. It was discovered that I have a prothrombin mutation that makes my blood a little more prone to clotting. However, we've been told that this condition can either affect pregnancies or not (hence Number 1 doing so well). The strongest theory is that perhaps a clot did disrupt the umbilical cord/placenta, but no one can say for sure with the lack of evidence.
Those of you who are sadly in the baby loss club (but don't want to be of course) will know what that grief journey looks like after the rug has been pulled out from under you and your life splinters into this new world thay you have to suddenly adapt too. I won't get too bogged down here except for this - I see you. I see your baby. I see your loss and I am so sorry you have to live the rest of your life with that complexity of emotions and longing for your little one. You are an incredible human being and I send you all the virtual love 💜
Nearly six months after our loss, we began trying again. After 5 months and no positive, we turned to IVF. I was aware of my age and I didn't want to wait after we had previously been so lucky with two quick conceptions. The fertility doctor had me do a HyCoSy scan to check my tubes, before we began an IVF cycle. Low and behold, that scan was therapeutic as we become pregnant naturally on my next cycle! We were ecstatic that we didn't even have to begin IVF but also incredibly trepidatious of being pregnant again in general. As part of my stillbirth interventions for pregnancy, I immediately started injecting Clexane (a blood thinner) to avoid any potential clotting issues.
At 8 weeks, I began violently miscarrying at work. Due to the Clexane, there was a huge amount of blood and a lot of very large clots. Over the course of 2½ weeks, I was in and out of hospital every couple of days with extremely heavy bleeding. At the end of that period, I finally passed my baby and had a D&C. Salt to the wound is an understatement. The anger, grief, devastation, guilt, etc., of having to endure another loss after we had already been so awfully robbed, was just horrendous. Our fertility doctor let us know the 1 in 4 figures for miscarriage and that it was likely a chromosomal issue. Great.
Two months later, I had another laparoscopy to remove a small amount of endometriosis. Two months after that, I was injecting hormone stimulants for my first round for an IVF egg retrieval. We got 7 eggs, 4 fertilised, and 2 blastocysts but they could not be biopsied for chromosomal issues unfortunately. Our doctor believes that the low egg count could be endometriosis related, as my egg reserves are average for my age. Frustratingly, our egg transfer was delayed due to the Christmas break, then we had Covid for a second time and it was delayed even further. Finally, we had the transfer - one blastocyst did not survive the thawing process, the other failed to implant.
After reading even more, eating even better than I did before, starting reformer pilates three times a week and taking all the vitamins/supplements (for him too), I recently had another egg retrieval: 6 eggs, 1 fertilised, 1 blastocyst that could not be biopsied. What. The. Actual. Fuck. Here we are, the healthiest we have ever been, no caffeine, no booze and we get such a poor fertilisation rate? It has perplexed the fertility doctor and lab techs. We have talked about interventions for next time (adding calcium to the culture medium), if this little eggo doesn't a) survive the thawing process, b) doesn't implant, c) implants but miscarries, or d) implants but ends up stillborn - I sincerely hope not for those latter two.
So this is where I am currently at - prepping for my second egg transfer that should hopefully happen next week or early the week after. I guess I have written this essay (apologies about that!), to seek any input really - does anything in my story resonate with yours? Tales of hope? The reality of hope being stomped on? Have you been down the IVF path and it didn't work? It's only been two and half years since Number 2 was taken from us and we started this whole journey, but I'm exhausted and feeling a but indifferent about it all. It honestly feels like we have so much more bad outweigh the good, that how on earth could this little eggo even make it?
Thank you for reading and hearing me out. Love to you all ❤️
(I have posted on Baby Loss and IVF subreddits)

Trigger Warning: Stillbirth, miscarriage, IVF
I'll start with the old cliche - long time lurker, first time poster. So thank you to anyone who reads and/or comments, and hopefully my current story may help in some way. I have just added anything that may be relevant.
I'm a 37 year old Australian female, with a history of endometriosis and cysts that ran up and down my the outside of my fallopian tubes. Unfortunately, those cysts started twisting, turning blue and bursting, which caused horrific and debilitating pain. I was in my early 20's when this first started occurring. This led me on a six year journey (unfortunately I encountered a lot of dismissive doctors - 'It's just period pain'), before an incredible gynaecologist organised a laparoscopy for me immediately, and she discovered extensive endometriosis and the cysts. She lanced and burnt her way through like an epic warrior, inserted a Mirena, and my quality of life improved instantly with no complications.
Fast forward to me at 32 and TTC with my partner. Fortunately, it only took us 3 months to see those glorious double lines on a pregnancy test. I had a blissful (and quite ignorant) pregnancy, welcoming our daughter at 39 weeks with an uncomplicated, spontaneous vaginal labour. My daughter was quite light at 2.6kg, but long at 51cm. I remember the midwife inquiring as to whether I smoked whilst looking at the placenta. I used too, but hadn't in 8 years. She shrugged and being that I had just laboured and we had a healthy, albeit light, baby in our arms, we didn't think anything else of it. My daughter thrived and is now a four year old ball of gorgeousness that we are so grateful for.
When Number 1 was about 16 months, we conceived our second child - very quickly might I add! One weekend of fun and the deal was done. Lucky us! Once again, a very unremarkable, straightforward pregnancy. Until it wasn't. At 35.5 weeks, I went to the the hairdresser, returned home and realised I hadn't felt her kick for a while - she was another little girl. Number 2 was much more of a kicker and squirmer than Number 1, so I knew something wasn't right. Later that night at the hospital, those horrendous, life-altering words were said, 'There is no heartbeat'. I delivered her vaginally, a far more physically gruelling and emotional labour than my first. Unfortunately, we have never had any definitive answers as to why there was a partial placenta abruption - her autopsy revealed that she was utterly perfect anyway. She was the same weight and height as her sister at 35.5 weeks. It was discovered that I have a prothrombin mutation that makes my blood a little more prone to clotting. However, we've been told that this condition can either affect pregnancies or not (hence Number 1 doing so well). The strongest theory is that perhaps a clot did disrupt the umbilical cord/placenta, but no one can say for sure with the lack of evidence.
Those of you who are sadly in the baby loss club (but don't want to be of course) will know what that grief journey looks like after the rug has been pulled out from under you and your life splinters into this new world thay you have to suddenly adapt too. I won't get too bogged down here except for this - I see you. I see your baby. I see your loss and I am so sorry you have to live the rest of your life with that complexity of emotions and longing for your little one. You are an incredible human being and I send you all the virtual love 💜
Nearly six months after our loss, we began trying again. After 5 months and no positive, we turned to IVF. I was aware of my age and I didn't want to wait after we had previously been so lucky with two quick conceptions. The fertility doctor had me do a HyCoSy scan to check my tubes, before we began an IVF cycle. Low and behold, that scan was therapeutic as we become pregnant naturally on my next cycle! We were ecstatic that we didn't even have to begin IVF but also incredibly trepidatious of being pregnant again in general. As part of my stillbirth interventions for pregnancy, I immediately started injecting Clexane (a blood thinner) to avoid any potential clotting issues.
At 8 weeks, I began violently miscarrying at work. Due to the Clexane, there was a huge amount of blood and a lot of very large clots. Over the course of 2½ weeks, I was in and out of hospital every couple of days with extremely heavy bleeding. At the end of that period, I finally passed my baby and had a D&C. Salt to the wound is an understatement. The anger, grief, devastation, guilt, etc., of having to endure another loss after we had already been so awfully robbed, was just horrendous. Our fertility doctor let us know the 1 in 4 figures for miscarriage and that it was likely a chromosomal issue. Great.
Two months later, I had another laparoscopy to remove a small amount of endometriosis. Two months after that, I was injecting hormone stimulants for my first round for an IVF egg retrieval. We got 7 eggs, 4 fertilised, and 2 blastocysts but they could not be biopsied for chromosomal issues unfortunately. Our doctor believes that the low egg count could be endometriosis related, as my egg reserves are average for my age. Frustratingly, our egg transfer was delayed due to the Christmas break, then we had Covid for a second time and it was delayed even further. Finally, we had the transfer - one blastocyst did not survive the thawing process, the other failed to implant.
After reading even more, eating even better than I did before, starting reformer pilates three times a week and taking all the vitamins/supplements (for him too), I recently had another egg retrieval: 6 eggs, 1 fertilised, 1 blastocyst that could not be biopsied. What. The. Actual. Fuck. Here we are, the healthiest we have ever been, no caffeine, no booze and we get such a poor fertilisation rate? It has perplexed the fertility doctor and lab techs. We have talked about interventions for next time (adding calcium to the culture medium), if this little eggo doesn't a) survive the thawing process, b) doesn't implant, c) implants but miscarries, or d) implants but ends up stillborn - I sincerely hope not for those latter two.
So this is where I am currently at - prepping for my second egg transfer that should hopefully happen next week or early the week after. I guess I have written this essay (apologies about that!), to seek any input really - does anything in my story resonate with yours? Tales of hope? The reality of hope being stomped on? Have you been down the IVF path and it didn't work? It's only been two and half years since Number 2 was taken from us and we started this whole journey, but I'm exhausted and feeling a but indifferent about it all. It honestly feels like we have so much more bad outweigh the good, that how on earth could this little eggo even make it?
Thank you for reading and hearing me out. Love to you all ❤️
(I have posted on both Baby Loss and IVF subreddits)

[Discussion] Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson (The Stormlight Archives) - Chapter 64: Treasures through Chapter 70: From A Nightmare - Chapter Discussions.
Welcome Bridge 4! This is the next chapter discussion for Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson. In this section, we will discuss Chapter 64: Treasures through Chapter 70: From A Nightmare. Feel free to respond to any of the discussion questions below!
A couple of important links for you all!
Marginalia- best place to post anything outside of this section, especially if it's spoiler-y!
Just a reminder, we take spoilers very seriously, especially in this series, so hide everything that needs it. To indicate a spoiler, enclose the relevant text with the > ! and ! < characters (there is no space in-between). Also, not everyone has read the Mistborn books, so mark those appropriately, as well. This includes the discussion below. You have been warned!
Schedule - where the breakdown of the discussions can be found!
Hope you respond to all or some of the discussion questions below! Happy reading!

Rogue 

Chapter Summaries:
Chapter 64: Treasures:
POV: Kaladin, Shallan
Kaladin is still in prison and is becoming more depressed, not eating, not caring etc. He’s also having trouble drawing stormlight and Syl is acting flighty like when Kaladin first met her. Meanwhile, in Taln’s cell, Shallan wraps herself in Stormlight, turns herself black and hides in a corner. Amaram questions the madman, focusing on a cache of Shardblades Bordin mentioned. However, the madman continues to rant, and Amaram still wants to seek out these hidden Shardblades. Amaram leaves as does Shallan after copying down the madman’s words and giving the paper to Iyatil for the Ghostbloods. Later, Mraize sends a message welcoming her to the Ghostbloods.
Chapter 65: The One Who Deserves It
POV: Shallan, one and a half years ago
Shallan begins to take action to get Balat, Eylita and Malise out and away from the Davar estate and her father. She marvels at the concept of freely choosing one’s own role.
Chapter 66: Stormblessings
POV: Kaladin
Kaladin spirals deeper into depression in the cell but he is suddenly released from prison. He finds that Adolin insists on sharing Kaladin’s incarceration which brings them to a mutual understanding. Kaladin is given a Blade and Plate for his role in the duel and he gifts them to Moash, to show he trusts him. As Bridge Four and other bridgemen cheer Kaladin’s release and go to celebrate, Kaladin talks with Moash and agrees that Alethkar will be better off if King Elhokar is assassinated, which Moash is happy about.
Chapter 67: Spit and Bite
POV: Dalinar
Dalinar and Navani are attending another feast they’d rather avoid. Navani updates Dalinar about fabrials while Dalinar’s mind wanders on his upcoming expedition across the Shattered Plains. Navani reveals she is trying to take her mind off Jasnah, suddenly breaking down and crying. At the feast, everyone is acting weird around Dalinar, which Amaram reveals is due to someone leaking Navani’s accounts of his visions. Navani reports that the reports have been twisted to make Dalinar look foolish. Refusing to be embarrassed, Dalinar steps onto a table and reports the visions as true. He spends the rest of the evening reporting on the visions, and has a troubling conversation with Wit.
Chapter 68: Bridges
POV: Kaladin
House Kholin heads onto the Shattered Plains for an expedition, which will allow Shallan to see a chasmfiend chrysalis. Kaladin is still failing to draw in Stormlight. He sees a carpenter he recognizes but can’t place. Moash informs Kaladin that the assassination is almost ready and his part will be simple and easy. Adolin distracts Kaladin with a conversation about the Assassin in White, women and an attempt to figure out Kaladin’s powers, which Kaladin admits nothing. They still have a moment of camaraderie together all the same. After conversing with Dalinar about the mobile bridges, as Dalinar crosses a bridge, Kaladin suddenly recognizes the carpenter as one of Sadeas’ and tries to warn Dalinar. Adolin reaches Dalinar as Kaladin reaches Shallan and the bridge collapses.
Chapter 69: Nothing
POV: Kaladin, Shallan - The Chasms
As Syl screams, Kaladin gets a rush of Stormlight and hits the bottom, hurting but alive. Shallan and Kaladin meet up and both theorize privately how they saved the other from a 200 ft fall. They search the bodies in the chasm and do not find Dalinar or Adolin, only dead spearmen and Parshendi. A highstorm is due the following night and they need to make it back to the warcamps. Shallan admires the variety of planet life in the chasm while Kaladin is focused on getting them out. They snark back and forth at each other louder and louder until a noise puts a stop to their arguing: an approaching chasmfiend. They run.
Chapter 70: From A Nightmare
POV: Shallan, Kaladin
Kaladin leads the mad dash through the chasms to escape the beast chasing them. Shallan suddenly leads them back to where they first fell with the dead bodies and the beast begins feeding on the bodies. Shallan takes a Memory of the beast and they continue walking, wanting to get as far from the chasmfiend as possible. Shallan manages to draw a map of the chasms which they use to navigate their way through. They get to talking and open up some, Shallan swearing she means no harm to Adolin or his family. Sunlight reveals that they are going the wrong way.

Global Info Research announces the release of the report “Global Water Atomized Powder Market 2023 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2029” . The report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis presented by region and country, type and application. As the market is constantly changing, the report explores the competition, supply and demand trends, as well as key factors that contribute to its changing demands across many markets. Company profiles and product examples of selected competitors, along with market share estimates of some of the selected leaders for the year 2023, are provided. In addition, the report provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals, COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War Influence.
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According to our (Global Info Research) latest study, the global Water Atomized Powder market size was valued at USD million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD million by 2029 with a CAGR of % during review period. The influence of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War were considered while estimating market sizes.
​
Key Features:
Global Water Atomized Powder market size and forecasts, in consumption value), sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Water Atomized Powder market size and forecasts by region and country, in consumption value, sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Water Atomized Powder market size and forecasts, by Type and by Application, in consumption value, sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Water Atomized Powder market shares of main players, shipments in revenue, sales quantity, and ASP, 2018-2023
​
The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:
To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries
To assess the growth potential for Water Atomized Powder
To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market
To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace
This report profiles key players in the global Water Atomized Powder market based on the following parameters - company overview, production, value, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments.
​
Request Free Sample Copy Or buy this report at:
https://www.globalinforesearch.com/reports/1535525/water-atomized-powder
The Water Atomized Powder market is segmented as below:
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Market segment by Type
Iron Powder
Stainless Steel Powder
Copper Powder
Other
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Market segment by Application
Powder Metallurgy
Additive Manufacturing
Thermal Spray Coating
Other
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Major players covered
Hoganas
Fukuda Metal Foil & Powder
Atomising Systems Limited
AMETEK
Rio Tinto
Nippon Atomized Metal Powders Corporation
Jiangxi Yuean Superfine Metal
Kobelco
JFE Steel Corporation
GKN
Liaoning Shengyu New Material Technology
Hangzhou Yitong New Materials
​
The Main Contents of the Report, includes a total of 15 chapters:
Chapter 1, to describe Water Atomized Powder product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year.
Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Water Atomized Powder, with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Water Atomized Powder from 2018 to 2023.
Chapter 3, the Water Atomized Powder competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.
Chapter 4, the Water Atomized Powder breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value and growth by regions, from 2018 to 2029.
Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2018 to 2029.
Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value and market share for key countries in the world, from 2017 to 2022.and Water Atomized Powder market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2024 to 2029.
Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, Porters Five Forces analysis, and Influence of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War.
Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Water Atomized Powder.
Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Water Atomized Powder sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.
​
The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Our report on the Water Atomized Powder market covers the following areas:
1.Water Atomized Powder market sizing
2.Water Atomized Powder market forecast
3.Water Atomized Powder market industry analysis
4.Analyze the needs of the global Water Atomized Powder business market
5.Answer the market level of global Water Atomized Powder
6.Statistics the annual growth of the global Water Atomized Powder production market
7.The main producers of the global Water Atomized Powder production market
8.Describe the growth factor that promotes market demand
​
Global Info Research is a company that digs deep into global industry information to support enterprises with market strategies and in-depth market development analysis reports. We provides market information consulting services in the global region to support enterprise strategic planning and official information reporting, and focuses on customized research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, database and top industry services. At the same time, Global Info Research is also a report publisher, a customer and an interest-based suppliers, and is trusted by more than 30,000 companies around the world. We will always carry out all aspects of our business with excellent expertise and experience.
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Contact Us:
Global Info Research
Web: https://www.globalinforesearch.com
CN: 0086-176 6505 2062
HK: 00852-5819 7708
US: 001-347 966 1888
Email: [email protected]
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This dev blog covers our ongoing move to a Full-Blown Survival Alpha, Changes to Indiegogo, alongside the Xsolla Launcher Swap for Alpha and Beta.
I’d like to say a special thank you to our dedicated testers who have been helping us with the survival pre-alpha. We’ve had some nasty bugs and our testers' persistence in helping us sort these issues has been hugely important. Thank you again to all our backers and double to those dedicated folks who put in that little bit extra (You know who you are). Likewise, a big shout out to the moderation team here on our discord.
It’s been a little while since our last update, but we’ve not been idle. Let’s get into it.
Survival Alpha!
So the big news is that we’re moving steadily towards our first Stable Alpha build featuring the Survival gameplay loop. We still have a lot we want to add, change, and improve but this build represents a big goal for the community.
Our new Dev Vlog takes a head on look at this topic and covers:
-Improvements to the building system with new textures, redoes of older tiers and the Stone External Wall Implementation.
-New customisation and Play Model Changes.
-New Weapons for the T0/Primitive Level of gameplay
-A focus on the new Survival Build as a whole.
-An overview of the new progression system and how Silver is used as a raiding resource.
-Points of interest including the new Castle Event
-How Barrels and the road Network functions.
-The new underground cave network
There’s also discussion on some of the new quality of life features we’ve added, AI changes and more. Our video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j0h5FEQIII
Alpha vs Beta?
​
One topic I want to face upfront is how we’ve decided to address Alpha vs Beta. We’ve been working hard to get the survival gameplay implemented in a fun manner which accurately represents the end game we want to make.
​
However, we’re very aware there are several key features/mechanics we still need to add such as Cavalry Warfare, Worker Buildings, the “Renown System” itself to name a few. Likewise, there are multiple areas we still need to re-do and improve such as Animations, The UI and various small but meaningful optimisations.
​
By drawing the line down the middle, we’re able to get players going (on what we hope) will be a fun experience, which also directly helps us by providing invaluable testing data. Likewise given we’ve always been set on making a Survival game its very exciting for our team to have reached this goal, even if there’s still a lot to be done.
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Big questions regarding the Xsolla Launcher, Indiegogo, and Beta Access.
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As we’ve said many times, we’re extremely grateful to our community for their very generous support of our work.
​
I’m sure folks will have plenty of questions regarding the new update and changes. We’re always around here in discord if you want to ask.
​
That said to head off any misinformation, I’m going to do my best to answer some of the more glaring questions.

1. What’s with Steadfast Backers getting testing keys now if its an alpha?

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We’ve decided we’re going to allow early testing access for our previous Steadfast Backers. Given how we’ve decided to deploy the Alpha, and that it may still take a while before we reach beta, we didn’t see any reason to punish folks who have already helped support our work in the past. This also allows us to do a small expansion on the tester base in a controlled manner. You should be receiving your testing keys via email in 1-2 days.
​

1. What happens to Beta if that's no longer for sale?

We are absolutely still going to be doing our Beta Phase release when we get to that stage of development.
​
That said, given the confusion this has caused over the last few years we’ve decided to remove the ability to purchase Steadfast and Proud Backer tiers from our site going forwards.

1. What’s the deal with this new launcher then? What about Steam?

This is something we’ve been slowly required to do as our community has grown.
Steam limits the number of testing keys it's willing to distribute. By these rules we’re very much already at the upper limit of what they’ll offer us.
By swapping to the Xsolla launcher, we can ensure that tester keys keep coming to our backers and that we can honour our promises regarding the spare beta keys. It also means we’ll never have any issues regarding running out of keys again and ensuring that keys are always sent immediately on backing.
​
We want to be super clear:
​
-The game is going to return to steam for Early Access.
-This is only an intermediary stage for Alpha and Beta before the game returns back to Steam.
-When we return to steam, you’ll receive your full game key with attached cosmetics, Titles, and the like.
​
Customers with steam keys should be fine to keep using them for the foreseeable future for testing. We’ll be updating the Xsolla and Steam Builds in tandem and it does not matter which launcher you play from; both connect to the same servers.
​
Again a huge thank you to all our amazing backers, our community here on discord and the awesome moderators who help keep it all together.
Now that we’ve gotten past this big goal we’ll be doing more regular updates to let you know how's it going.
​
Till next time

Hello, Statistics Homework Helper! I'm a statistics student in need of some guidance with my homework on hypothesis testing. I've been struggling with this topic and would greatly appreciate any help or insights you can offer. Here's a specific question I'm working on:
Question: I'm studying the effects of a new medication on blood pressure. My sample consists of 50 individuals, and I need to perform a hypothesis test to determine if there is a significant difference in mean blood pressure before and after taking the medication. The null hypothesis states that there is no difference, while the alternative hypothesis suggests there is a difference.

1. What would be an appropriate statistical test to use in this scenario?
2. How do I set up the null and alternative hypotheses for this test?
3. What are the necessary assumptions for conducting this test?
4. Could you guide me through the steps involved in performing this hypothesis test?
5. Finally, how would I interpret the results?

I've been reviewing my textbook and class notes, but I'm still unsure about some aspects. If you could provide explanations, examples, or any additional resources to support your answer, that would be amazing.
Thank you all in advance for your help and support. I'm looking forward to learning from your expertise in statistics!

Top 5 Updates of the Week:

• Instagram shared how their algorithm works. Spoiler: It’s 90% their 2021 blogpost with minor changes.
• Snapchat My Snap AI: Users now have ability to send & receive AI generated images.
• Reddit’s new usage based API pricing will impact many third-party apps.
• Meta tests removal of news content in Canada in response to Online news act.
• Pinterest first platform to share their calendar for pride month & latest events.

Google:

• June 2023 Google Webmasters Report.
• Google rolling out multiple featured snippets feature on Desktop search.
• Google now treats .ai domains as generic Top-domains.
• Google search console insights adds your growing content report.
• Google modifies shopping ads policies to enhance transparency.
• Google Search console performance report was delayed by 65+ hours this week due to an error.
• Google Bard can now provide more precise local results.

Tiktok:

• Mexico city signs up a deal with TikTok to support small business marketing.
• Tiktok launches #ForYourPride for content creation around Pride month.
• Tiktok’s 10-minute recording option within the app is back for many users.
• TikTok accused of storing sensitive Creator Data in China.

Instagram

• Instagram tests new user control for recommended posts & transparency tool.
• The logo for Instagram’s Twitter rival App is now revealed in a leak.
• Instagram announces video scrubbing feature for IG reels.
• Instagram shares a format guide for all Meta Ads Platform.

Meta :

• Meta never gave up on metaverse, Meta Quest 3 coming this fall and price decrease for Quest 2.
• Meta found liable as court blocks firing of moderators.
• WhatsApp launches a security hub to showcase user control options.

Twitter:

• Twitter loses two executives in-charge of Safety & Trust on the platform.
• Twitter leaves EU voluntary code of practice against disinformation.
• Ben & Jerry’s leave Twitter Advertising over Hate speech.
• Twitter’s working on hide your likes tab option.
• Twitter ignoring hate speech created by Twitter Blue subscribers.

YouTube:

• Youtube reverses misinformation policy to allow US election denialism.
• MrBeast tags big streaming services and pitches his idea of new Game Show.
• Viral Nation’s new product to protect companies from copyright issues.
• Youtube adds 5.1 Surround Sound & announces new YPP terms.

Agency News:

• Dentsu sees 2023 Ad spending up 3.3%.
• WPP partners with Nvidia to build an AI content engine.
• Zoom apps marketing chief Janine Pelosi exists.
• Ogilvy Africa introduces InfluenceO, an Influencer marketing solution for Africa.

LinkedIn:

• LinkedIn launched a new playbook for SaaS companies marketing on the platform.

Snapchat:

• Snapchat launches AR Learning hub for individuals with growing interest in AR world.
• Snapchat launches sheen camera filter to Encourage LGBTQ+ creators to share their story.

Reddit:

• Reddit’s main share holder cuts down its valuation in the platform by 41%.
• Many Sub-reddits are protesting on 12th June against new API pricing changes.

Advertising:

• Heinz Debuts First Global Campaign in 150 Years.
• Unilever pledges over 70% of Ads will have disabled representatives behind the scenes.
• Fentiman creates world’s longest Advert with an 168-hour film, woah.
• New Created Campaign from Wendy with T-pain is blasting.

Microsoft

• Bing chat increases chat turns, adds visuals to travel queries and expands Bing Image creator.
• Microsoft teams on Windows 11 gets discord-like communities and AI tools.
• Bing Chat adds Anchor text hyperlinks within answers.
• Microsoft introduces insights for Universal Event tracking Tags.

AI:

• Brands are asking Influencers to utilise AI tools to improve their content practices.
• Search Engine Land launched their own AI Chatbot based on 20,000+ previous blogs.

Pinterest:

• Julia Brau Donnelly to join Pinterest as Chef Financial Officer.
• Pinterest publishes new research on how positivity drives actions at event stage of the shopping journey.

Marketing:

• BeReal is testing BeRealChat for direct messaging options.
• Peloton goes through a rebrand, trying to recapture its audience.
• Verizon owned Visible Brand launches a new show with creator group “Old Gays”.
• Oracle removes social sharing tool “Add this”.

What are your thoughts on these recent updates? You can subscribe to the weekly newsletter (link in bio) to receive these updates every week.

Human Dave: “I don’t think this thing fits me anymore, Commander.”
Human Dave enters the hallway, after having changed into more official clothing in anticipation of the diplomatic negotiations.
Commander Beckett: “Nonsense. It fits just fine, Anders.”
HD: “Yeah, as long as I don’t need to breathe or anything.”
Human Dave manages to get a finger in between his neck and the collar of the official robes he used to wear back when he was a diplomat; in an attempt at loosening the choking sensation he was feeling around his throat.
Commander Beckett slaps Human Dave’s hand away from the collar of his robes.
CB: “You’ll rip it if you keep fiddling with it.”
HD: “… never thought I’d live to see the day when you act like a mother hen, Commander.”
CB: “As the person in charge of you for about half of the bullshit you pulled during your Specialist days, I was doing nothing but.”
HD, grinning: “Yes, but I never saw that, did I?”
CB, exasperated: “Get your arse into that damn conference chamber, Anders.”
HD: “Wait. Did Terran High Command have anything for me? Shouldn’t I get some kind of list of what we want?”
CB: “Personally, I’d just be happy if we don’t go to war with them. Terran High Command, however, has decided to leave it to you to decide what’s best for us. As the only human who has interacted with the Keltiss in any significant manner, you know more about them than we do, which means that you will have the best chance at getting the best outcome for Humanity.”
HD: “… brilliant. No pressure, then.”
...
Alien Captain: “Human Dave, I do not understand why you wish for me to accompany you for this negotiation.”
HD: “That’s an easy enough question to answer, Captain. Did you still want to do the negotiations on your own?”
AC: “Absolutely not. The Keltiss will devour me, and enslave my people.”
HD: “They really won’t, Captain. They have far too much respect for you, as the one who tamed the beast that ended the Hunt. Hell, they might even fear you, since you decided to bring the little guy along.”
AC: “… is this why you are bringing Minnie along with you? For the intimidation factor?”
HD: “… maybe?”
AC: “Human Dave, will this not cause undue stress to the Keltiss, who are to be our future allies?”
HD: “… now that I think about it, it’s probably not the best of ideas. I’ll just go put her back, and we can get this show on the road.”
Commander Beckett walks up to the pair as they are moving back towards Captain’s ship.
CB: “There you are. Come on; they’ve already waited too long as it is.”
HD: “Wait a second, Commander. Just have to drop this little lady back to the ship first.”
CB: “There’s no time, Anders. Just bring it with you.”
Commander Beckett grabs Human Dave by the arm, and all but drags him along.
The Viscer-Tel on Captain’s shoulder squawks as Human Dave, Commander Beckett and Minnie continue down the hallway without them.
AC, to himself: “Well, this will either go wonderfully or terribly.”
...
No sooner than after Commander Beckett had all but dragged Human Dave to the conference chamber, the pair encountered a familiar face.
Keltiss War-kin: “Ah, Human Dave. It is good to see you once more.”
HD: “War-kin. I didn’t know you were coming along. If I had, I would have come to greet you earlier.”
KW: “My presence here is a formality, Human Dave. As the official witness, I am the one who will vouch for Humanity to enter an alliance with the Scattered Tribes. Should the negotiations fail, I will be punished, as the one to offer the alliance.”
HD: “Then I’ll do what I can to make sure that the negotiations are successful. The last thing I want is for anyone here to get hurt.”
KW: “I am honoured that you would treat one such as I with such importance, Human Dave.”
HD: “Anything I should know before we go in?”
The War-kin sees the Aflarrian in Human Dave’s arms, and bares his teeth in a facsimile of a grin.
KW: “By bringing the nightmare beast, you start from a position of power. The various Chief-kin will respect this power-play, and know the prowess of Humanity.”
AC: “… and what of this one, War-kin?”
The War-kin looks at Captain, and immediately recoils at the sight of the Viscer-Tel on his shoulder.
KW: “… by virtue of its mere presence, Captain, you will be honoured as Master of the First Hunt, and be afforded every respect a Keltiss is capable of giving.”
CB: “Well, if we’re all done now, get in there, Anders. Go break a leg.”
Commander Beckett walks off after saying this, leaving behind one slightly nervous human, and two very confused sentients.
AC: “Human Dave, what did Commander Beckett mean when he said for you to ‘break a leg’?”
KW: “Does your commanding officer wish for harm to befall you during the negotiations?”
HD: “No, it’s a figure of speech. He’s hoping I do well, and said ‘break a leg’ as a way of wishing me good luck.”
AC: “… seems a strange way to wish someone luck, Human Dave.”
KW: “Agreed.”
Human Dave hands off Minnie to Captain, and rubs his hands together in a nervous manner.
HD: “Well, come on, then. We may as well get this over with sooner rather than later.”
...
As the doors to the conference chamber slid open automatically, Human Dave walked in to see very many Keltiss of differing types.
The red-scaled War-kin standing imposingly along the borders of the chamber.
The white-scaled Shaman-kin, all seated in a small ring near the entrance to the chamber.
The grey-scaled Elder-kin, whose focus seemed to wane with every passing moment.
And the Green-scaled Chief-kin, all wearing elaborate headdresses made of the bones of various large animals.
As Human Dave enters, all eyes turn to him, and his composure slips for a moment, before he recalls his training, and strides into the room, calm as can be.
HD, to himself: “Remember what the data packet said, Dave. They’re direct, and respect bluntness.”
Human Dave walks up to the podium situated in front of the crowd of Keltiss in front of him.
HD: “I am Human David Anders, the designated voice of Terra. Who speaks for the Keltiss?”
The Designated Speaker stands up from his seated position, and turns to face Human Dave.
KS: “I am Chief-kin Ta’or; Designated Speaker for the Scattered Tribes of Keltiss. We have come to forge an alliance with Terra.”
HD: “Terra asks the Designated Speaker of the Keltiss: what are the terms of this alliance?”
KS: “The Keltiss demand mutual assistance, and a pact of non-aggression. Terra’s enemies will be enemies of Keltiss, and the enemies of Keltiss will be the enemies of Terra. When one side fights, the other will fight alongside. Nothing more, and nothing less.”
HD: “…”
AC: “…”
KW: “Are the terms acceptable for Terra?”
HD: “… is that all?”
KW: “... are our demands too extravagant, Speaker for Terra? We Keltiss are a warring people, and we may have enemies, but we do not wage war lightly. If the terms are too much, then we will—”
HD: “No, Designated Speaker. The terms are more than acceptable. It’s just… we humans expected your terms to be more… well, we expected to have to do a lot more to secure an alliance with the Scattered Tribes of Keltiss.”
KS: “The Keltiss may be nothing more than scattered tribes, but we are an honourable people. We do not kill for the sake of killing. And we do not demand anything more from our allies than we would not be willing to do ourselves.”
HD: “I can see that. The terms are accepted, Designated Speaker.”
KS: “Then, henceforth, our alliance is forged!”
The Keltiss present all let out roars of happiness, spooking both Captain and Minnie, who jumps out of Captain’s arms and runs to Human Dave for protection.
One of the Chief-kin sees this, and begins to panic.
Keltiss Chief-kin: “NIGHTMARE BEAST!”
The surrounding War-kin stand at attention and start scanning the room, looking for the threat.
Human Dave crouches down and picks up Minnie, to the horror of the surrounding Keltiss.
KS: “Speaker for Terra, do not move!”
HD, smiling: “It’s alright, Designated Speaker. This one is with me.”
Human Dave starts stroking Minnie, and a purring trill escapes her, much to the fear of the surrounding Keltiss.
Captain steps forward, and raises his arms in a placating manner.
AC: “Honoured Keltiss, the Aflarrian- the Nightmare Beast has been tamed by Human Dave. It will not prove to be a threat unless you intend to harm it, or Human Dave.”
The words seem to calm down the Keltiss somewhat, until they realise where the words originated from, and see the creature on Captain’s shoulder.
KS: “VISCER-TEL!”
The surrounding Keltiss all stiffen, terrified of drawing the attention of the creature sitting calmly on Captain’s shoulder.
The Viscer-Tel cocks its head, looking around at what was a room filled with movement, which has now all stopped.
The War-kin that entered with Human Dave and Captain speaks up for the first time.
KW, bowing lowly: “Honoured Chief-kin, Revered Elder-kin, Treasured Shaman-kin, brother War-kin; the Viscer-Tel upon the Cradelian’s shoulder is the same one spoken of when the Hunt was witnessed. It will not bring harm upon any here unless provoked.”
Keltiss Chief-kin, panicked: “How are we to know what will provoke the creature?”
KW: “Do not bring harm upon the Cradelian, or the Human voice for Terra.”
Silence reigns throughout the conference room, before the Designated Speaker breaks it with a question.
KS: “This Cradelian is the Master of the First Hunt?”
HD: “Correct, Designated Speaker.”
KS: “… he speaks for his people?”
HD: “Also correct, Designated Speaker.”
AC, whispering: “Human Dave, what are you doing?”
HD, whispering: “Trust me.”
AC: “…”
HD: “Captain speaks for his people, but as we can all see, the various creatures we have had to bring with us have derailed the negotiations somewhat. What are the terms for an alliance with the Cradelians?”
KS: “The same as with Terra.”
Human Dave nudges Captain with his elbow, and tilts his head in a manner that seems to indicate to Captain that he should agree.
AC: “The terms are accepted, Designated Speaker.”
KS: “Then, henceforth, Cradelian, our alliance is forged!”
The room is filled with silence at the proclamation, as none of the surrounding Keltiss seem to want to do anything to draw attention to themselves in the presence of two apex predator species.
...
Human Dave, Captain, and Commander Beckett are walking through the hallways leading back to the Trailblazer’s docking bay.
HD: “Well, that went better than expected.”
CB: “You’re telling me. They couldn’t wait to get off the Trailblazer fast enough after the negotiations were finished.”
HD: “That was partly your fault, Commander.”
CB: “Me? What did I do?”
HD: “You didn’t let me put this little lady back on Captain’s ship. Almost caused a diplomatic incident; letting an apex predator into a room full of diplomats.”
CB: “What? This little thing?”
Commander Beckett extends his hand towards Minnie, and gives her chin a little scratch.
Minnie leans into the touch, and begins to purr, happy with the attention she was getting.
AC: “At least I do not have to go through with that on my own cradle-world.”
HD: “Aren’t you glad you trusted me, Captain?”
AC: “… I suppose I am, Human Dave. Thank you for the help.”
HD: “Now, how are we going to let the Galactic Community know about the alliances forged today?”
CB: “Oh, they should already know. Terran High Command should have made an announcement that should spread throughout the Galactic Community within the next few days.”
HD: “I’ll bet that’ll go over well with everyone. Especially anyone already allied with Terra.”
CB: “Terran High Command will just have to smooth over any ruffled feathers when it happens.”
HD: “Speaking of ruffled feathers; Captain, aren’t we late for a cargo shipment?”
AC: “… crap.”
First
Previous

Occupation – Government employee
Age – 34
Location – Zimbabwe
My salary – $500 (paid monthly)
Side Gig Income – $0
Other income – negligible amounts from dividends received from my stock portfolio that I re-invest
Housemates – 4 (husband P, 6 year old L, 4 year old E and nanny F. My nephew M is around and makes appearances too)
​
Assets and Liabilities
​

Equity	$60,000 fully paid off
Retirement Balance	??	I contribute monthly, and employer matches fully. But because of changes in currency and hyperinflation, I don’t really count this as an asset
Savings	$1700	(went down due to travelling trying to get my passport done since it expired)
Current account balance	$660	Includes my mum's money since I'm managing her financial affairs while she's abroad
Loan from employer	$130	I took a personal loan from work, because the interest rates are lower than rate of inflation and repayment is over 18 months. Loan was used to make improvements on our house, and what wasn’t used, I bought shares on our stock exchange, due to hyperinflation, the amount I owe in US$ has gone down
Investments (shares in various counters on our local stock exchanges)	$1,186
Car	$4,000	Based on current resale value. Car was bought secondhand for cash

​
Income progression- (https://www.reddit.com/MoneyDiariesACTIVE/comments/vbbb7s/i_live_in_zimbabwe_making_3600year_and_i_just/)
​
Expenses
This year, my husband and I decided that he would take on the bulk of our expenses since I do most of the domestic work/childcare. Expenses I pay will be indicated. My salary is now for my expenses, my investments and my savings, and spoiling the kids. Husband caters for the family basics. There was a point last year when I felt my husband wasn’t as invested in the family because he barely did anything financially. By having him cater for all expenses, he is now definitely involved and invested. My husband’s income is just about the same as mine, slightly higher at some times.
​
My Expenses

Expense	Amount /period	Note
Car insurance and licensing	$300/annum	This is due in March, and I pay for the entire year
Petrol	$60/month
Electricity	$10/month
Airtime/data	$20/month
Groceries	$60/month	This is for additional groceries such as bread, veg and fruit bought during the month
Kids’ clothes	$40/month	I’m trying to build up their winter wardrobe so I try to buy them something each month
Makeup/clothes/toiletries/ supplements/hair	$30/month	I do not us this much monthly though
Water	$15/month	Based on last bill received in April. We do not get water consistently so bills are infrequent
Donations	$20/month	Ad hoc donations to a soup kitchen, and maternal health fun
Stock market investment	$50/month	May invest more or less, but I do try to buy shares every payday

​
Household Expenses (paid by P)
​

Expense	Amount /period	Note
Groceries	$200/month	Bulk grocery shopping of staple food items and toiletries
LP Gas	$30/approx. every 2 months	We buy when it runs out. Usually every 2 months depending on how bad the power supply is
Medical	$15/month	For OTC meds (painkiller, cough syrup, antacid stocked for emergencies) and any prescriptions
Pet expenses	$60/ twice a year	For vaccinations and checkups for 4 dogs. Pet food is covered under groceries
School fees for the kids	$347/ term	One kid has fees paid every month, the other every 3 months
Nanny	$80/month	Less than before as both kids are now in school fulltime, and nanny is there to get them ready for school and care after school for 3 hours.
DSTV subscription	$37/month
Transport for kids to/from school	$60/month	L gets picked up and dropped off at home daily, E is dropped off after school

​
Previous MDs - (https://www.reddit.com/MoneyDiariesACTIVE/comments/vbbb7s/i_live_in_zimbabwe_making_3600year_and_i_just/) and (https://www.reddit.com/MoneyDiariesACTIVE/comments/yc801g/i_am_33_years_old_and_i_just_graduated_with_my/)
​
MD Q&A
Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes, I have a BSc in Accounting, a Masters in Accounting, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation. My parents both have Masters degrees, and in my family, the bare minimum acceptable for education was getting a Bachelors. My mother paid for my undergraduate degree, and I paid cash for my postgraduate studies.
​
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money?
My parents divorced when I was very young. My dad is the wealthier of the two, my mum has always been middle-class. My mum brought me up with very little financial help from my dad, he only covered tuition and healthcare until I turned 18. My mum catered for everything else. My mum taught me how to look for bargains, how to save and invest, and also how to sometimes enjoy your money.
​
If you have, when did you move out of your parents'/guardians' house?
I would say I moved out at 26 when I got my current job. I had moved out when I got my first fulltime job, but moved back home when that contract ended
​
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself? Does anyone else cover any aspects of your financial life?
At 26 again. That's when I earned enough to cover all my bills without needing help. My husband P covers some aspects of my financial life, and my mum occasionally helps out with stuff for her grandchildren.
​
What was your first job and why did you get it?
I worked as a receptionist at my mum's law firm after finishing my A Levels (age 18) while waiting to start university. My mum gave me the job to keep me occupied and out of mischief, lol.
​
Do you worry about money now?
I worry about building generational wealth for my children. I want to make sure they will be set for life as adults. I do worry about money because hyperinflation is eroding my earnings and retirement dramatically. This is my second time losing my retirement. My mum and in laws are losing their retirement for the third time, so honestly our old age looks bleak if we do not invest outside of work pensions.
​
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income?
I receive negligible dividends from the shares I own, lol.
​
Day 1
0430 – I’m woken up by loadshedding. I sigh, rollover, and sleep some more
0600 – Alarm goes off. I turn it off, enjoy cuddles from P and finally get out of bed. Our water tanks ran out 4 days ago, and council has not yet deigned to give us water, so we rely on P’s parents and friends to give us water. I get my water that was warming up on the stove, and take a quick bucket bath. I moisturize, do my brows, throw my lace wig on (I cut my hair in January, and I’m at a really awkward stage where my hair looks bad when I wear it out all day) and get dressed. It’s cold in the mornings so I put on winter stockings and a black and white chevron patterned dress, nude ballet pumps plus my warm jacket. I get E from the couch where he was watching Cocomelon and my lunch bag out of the kitchen and we head off to his school. After dropping off E, I go to the office. No electricity means no elevator, so I go up the stairs. I see my boss’s boss and greet him as we do the ZESA (local electricity company) sponsored workout. I log in to the work register, fill up my kettle, and settle down to check out my work email. Nothing urgent came through overnight, so I go into my personal email. The wig company I patronize has given me a code for my birthday, and I’m wondering if I should pull the trigger on my cart. I decide to do a report while thinking this through.
My mum is currently working out of the country, so I am managing her local finances/obligations while she’s away. I remember I have to buy the prepaid electricity token for my childhood home as well as for the house she lives in when she’s working in the country. I spend $23 on electricity for both houses (mum’s money so doesn’t count)
1030 – After doing some firefighting and office gossip I have my breakfast. Today its rice, peas and 2 fried eggs. I sprinkle some peri-peri Aromat on top since I don’t have a sauce/gravy ad I have been craving spicy food lately. I also pop my multivitamin and supplements. I check my team’s work and send back anything that needs correcting. I also generate the multiple reports my boss expects from me. I suddenly remember I need to claim my allowance for performing a role that is higher than my actual position at work. I quickly complete the form, and send it to my boss for his signature. The extra money from this is what I use to fund my stock market investments. I also remind my team to send a report to me for consolidation by noon.
12.00 – I do a major push of all my work due today so I can relax after lunch. I compile my reports and set them ready to send. I also finish my first 2 litres of water of the day, and cue up the next 2 litres
1300 – Its lunchtime, and my work bestie and I head out around town**. I find shorts that L would fit and buy 2 pairs for $10**. We head back to the office and I have caramel popcorn for lunch. Then I remember I forgot to have my afternoon meds, oops. Anyway, more work before heading to an audit meeting
1630 – The audit meeting is finally over, and I rush to shut down my computer, pack up my things and go home. I have an agreement with my manager that as long as I make up for the hour, by either coming early or skipping lunch, I can leave work at 4pm. I had a total hysterectomy end of last year so I still can’t manage driving in heavy traffic. I arrive home, make the bed (P had not made it when he went to work), and harvest chilies from our garden that have ripened. I also harvest a local herb used as a flu remedy and lemongrass, so I can brew up a tea/tisane for the flu affected people in my house. I also pack L’s lunch for tomorrow, a pie, a naartjie and juice. It’s also F’s payday, so I give her US$80 (P gave me this money).
E says he is hungry so I feed him sadza and sour milk by his request. I multitask covering L’s school textbook while supervising his homework and watching Married to Real Estate and the Great British Bake Off. I then have my dinner of sadza, greens and beef. I have a chat with the kids about their day at school. P gets home.
1900 – P and my nephew M go to fetch water from P’s friend’s house. The city council still hasn’t opened up our water supply. I do some French on Duolingo while the boys wreak havoc in their playroom. I read L and E their bedtime stories and put them to bed. I decide to do my hair in cornrows while watching Masterchef Australia. They get home and I help them carry water indoors. I remember that when power comes back I need to boil tripe on the stove, so I cut it up, put it in the pot with water, salt and garlic, and place it on the electric stove. We have serious loadshedding these days, so we have a gas stove and solar power to tide us over. I take a quick bath and change into my pyjamas. While P watches TV, I read Wild Sweet Love by Beverly Jenkins and continue to do my hair in cornrows.
2200 – My arms are tired and I’m only halfway through with the cornrows. I give up and go to bed with P.
Total spent - $10
​
Day 2
0600 – I hear crying. E is in a bad mood today. I turn off my alarm, and go to see what’s wrong. E does not want to get dressed for school. I sigh, and help F dress him while he throws a massive tantrum. E is dressed, so I go do my morning routine of shower, moisturize, contact lenses, and eyebrow makeup. Today, I wear a green dress I took from my mum, black tights, nude ballet flats and a black and white coat. E gets put into the car by F, and starts crying for porridge. We are already late, so he learns that the consequence of refusing to eat his porridge on time is to go to school without having his porridge. It’s not a big issue though, as he gets fed at school. So I lock the doors and windows and drive him to school as he throws a tantrum for the entire 10 minute drive. I shove him into the school gate and head to work.
It’s another ZESA sponsored stair workout today. I log into the register, and fill up my kettle with water. I switch on my computer, check my work email and send off client emails to my team for their response. My personal email has an annual report from one of the companies I have shares in so I check out if there’s a dividend this year. I own a negligible number of shares in the company though, but 28c per share is quite impressive. I check to see if my stock exchange wallet has been credited with the money I transferred there so I can buy more shares. It still hasn’t so I send a follow up email o the enquiries desk at the stock exchange. I do have a stockbroker, but I prefer doing my trades myself. I also do some French on Duolingo before 8am.
0830 – Our HR is in a tizzy because people are late for work. I don’t make a big deal out of it usually, because salaries are shit and people are demotivated. As long as my team shows up and does some work, I’m ok. I approve some work, and warn my team about coming in a bit too late. I also tell a teammate that she will have to cover for me on Monday as I am taking the day off. Our internet connectivity is shit so I can’t log into our system to check some stuff. My work bestie gives me avocados from her house. I almost cry because I have been craving avocados, but been too cheap to buy them.
1000 – I have a really bad sore throat. I am also hungry since I haven’t had breakfast yet. I jot down my shopping list for the weekend and head to Pick ‘n’ Pay to buy carrots, green peppers, tomatoes, lemons, cheese, polony and bread. I also buy my breakfast/lunch, which is rice, beans, ox liver and egg salad**. It all cost $10**. I leave my shopping in my car, and go to the office to wolf down my food, and take my multivitamin and painkiller. I also receive my wigs that I bought in May. Perfect timing, as I want to wear a new wig tomorrow for our girls’ day out.
I do some more work, and remind my team to send me the information I need for my daily reports.
1300 – I go out to buy a few items I didn’t find in Pick ‘n’ Pay earlier**. I go to Spar and buy peas, eggs, soft drinks for the outing tomorrow and a sausage roll. Total cost is $10**. The outing has been deemed kid friendly, so I needed drinks for the boys to have tomorrow. I get back into the office, and spend the rest of the lunch hour working.
1600 – It’s finally time to go home. I send my email to handover work issues for the person who will take over my role on Monday while I am on leave. I also send my out of office email, and head home. The kids are at their grandmother’s, so I take a leisurely bath, put on my pyjamas and eat dinner. Then I watch Masterchef Australia until P and E get home. I also get in some French Duolingo practice
2000 – P goes out with his friends, so I snuggle up on the couch with E and watch TV. I put E to bed, read him his bedtime story and kiss him good night. I finally finish season 13 of Masterchef Australia, and move on to My Kitchen Rules Australia. I love Australian reality shows, ngl.
2200 – I go to bed P gets home and tells me some bad news about a friend of ours. I feel very sad for him. He cuddles me and we sleep.
Total spent - $20
​
Day 3
0700 – I wake up feeling like a truck ran me over. I get out of bed, and get ready to hand-wash our laundry. We still have no running water so we can’t use the washing machine. I play music while doing my laundry to keep me motivated
0900 – Laundry has been hung out to dry. F has cooked potato curry, so I boil eggs and water. I have my breakfast of potato curry, egg, multivitamin and coffee. Once I’m done, I give E a bath and dress him. I also bath, moisturize, do my brows and get dressed. I’m wearing jeans and a t-shirt today as my friends and I ae supposed to take our kids out for a playdate. Then I receive a message that the outing is cancelled since one of our group is really sick. I try to think of something I can do with E, since L is out having fun with his grandmother. I do my Swahili Duolingo practice.
1100 – The welder comes to do some work on our garage door. I monitor the work for a bit, and then my nephew takes over. E starts really bugging me to go out. So I put on my headband wig and sneakers, and pack a cooler bag with snacks and drinks. We head into town and I buy myself some ciders for $9. These are for me to drink when the mood strikes me. E wants to go to a resort by the lake so I oblige him. We pay $8 for our entrance. He goes to play on the swings, and I take pictures of him having fun. Another family turns up, and one of his classmates is among them. He’s so happy, and goes to play with his friend. I watch him running around.
1500 – I get a call from my friend that she’s in town with my cake. This cake was meant for the cancelled outing. I pack up our stuff, hustle E into the car and drive back into town. I let out some colourful swear words when I realise I forgot to get our change of $2. Anyway**, I meet up with my friend and get the cake, and pay her $30**. It’s so pretty. I call my MIL while still in town to find out what time she will be there so I can pick up L. She says it will be an hour, so E and I head home to drop off the cake so it doesn’t melt in my AC-less car.
1600 – We are back in town waiting for L and MIL. E wants an ice cream so I buy him one for $0.50 using money I had in my Innbucks wallet. MIL calls and asks me to head over to where she is to pick L up since she can’t leave yet. E and I get there. MIL gets me sadza and goat tripe stew, which I eat a bit of to be polite even though I am not hungry. When I’m done, I pack up the kids and drive home. I bath and change into my pyjamas.
1800 – I feed the kids, and we play until their weekend bedtime of 8pm. I read them their bedtime stories and tuck them in. I watch TV and iron my morning laundry while having a gin and juice until 9pm, and head to read in bed. P and my nephew arrive home from their amateur soccer league match and subsequent outing with the boys. I fall asleep soon after.
Total spent - $49.50
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Day 4
0700 – I’m woken up by L demanding that I come and play with them. I am still sleepy so I fob him off.
0900 - F knocks on the door and tells us she is off to church. I finally get out of bed and get dressed. I see the boys playing relatively peacefully so I let them continue with their antics. In the kitchen, I find F had cooked breakfast, and since I’m starving, I heat up water for coffee. L surprisingly isn’t hungry so I serve up breakfast for P and me. I have my daily multivitamin. P heads out to go fetch water, while I bath, change and hang out with the kids. I also do my French Duolingo practice for the day
1200 – I have played with the dogs and kids, and I am exhausted. I collapse onto the couch and watch MKR Australia. P gets home, and naps on the couch. I give the kids haircuts and baths.
1700 – L is hungry and really wants cake, so I feed the kids a dinner of sadza and sour milk. Then some cake for dessert. I also pack L’s school lunch, which will be a polony sandwich, a cupcake and juice. The kids play until its bedtime at 7pm. The usual routine, bedtime stories and tuck in is done
2000 – P and I watch a movie while having some alcoholic drinks.
2200 – Bedtime for us
Total spent - $0
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Day 5
0600 – It’s my birthday today. I am going all out celebrating myself since TW I tried unaliving myself twice in the past year. L wishes me a happy birthday before he goes to school. I get birthday messages from my mum, dad, SILs, and friends. I also get a call from my brother, his wife and their son, and they sing to me. I feel very loved today. P goes to drop off E at school today so I can sleep in
0800 – I am finally up and hungry. I cook a quick breakfast of boiled eggs, and a bean curry. P takes my car to get serviced, while I bath, moisturize, contact lenses, do a full face of makeup and get dressed for the day. Today I wear a tie-dyed cutout mini-dress and sneakers, and my wavy headband wig
1300 – P is home and he drives me to a hotel outside town near a renowned tourist site in our country. We have a platter of fried fish, chicken strips, pork strips, fries, and a salad to share and multiple Savannah Drys while there. It’s really nice getting to reconnect after a very tumultuous year in our marriage. P pays.
1700 – We drive around the area, before heading home. Once we get home, P and my nephew go on a hunt for water, while I feed the kids. P and I head off to take our showers. I remember why I don’t do a full face of makeup when it take a long time to get the makeup off my face.
1900 – The family sings happy birthday, and we eat cake. Birthday gifts were gin and chocolate. I hustle the boys off to bed. No story today, as they went to bed later than usual. P watches TV while I read my novel.
2100 – Bedtime for the grownups
Total spent - $0
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Day 6
0530 – I wake up and lie in bed for a bit. Then I read my novel some more.
0620 – I am up, and take my bath, moisturize, do my brows and get dressed. It’s cold this morning, so I wear a yellow dress with black polka dots, black tights and ankle boots. I pack up the cake I’m giving to my colleagues, as well as my water bottle. E and I head out. I drop E off at school, and go to the office. I log into the work register, turn on my computer, and check my emails. There are a few pressing issues I need to get up to speed with. One of my colleagues gives me $50 as a birthday gift. I also hand out the cake to my team.
0900 – Work is pretty quiet today, so I update my MD. I also receive news that one of my nephews is getting married. He is not that much younger than me, and could be my younger brother, but it makes me feel so old.
Note on my family: In our culture, even distant relatives are given close relationships so the large number of nephews/nieces is from those relationships. It’s a big thing done to maintain close family bonds. I have 4 actual (in a Western sense) nephews and nieces who are all under the age of 6.
1000 – I head to the supermarket and buy bread, onions, carrots, pork chops, pork trotters and my breakfast and lunch. This costs $25. The meat is the main cost driver here. I have a sausage roll, my multivitamin, supplement and milk for breakfast. I remember that I need to check if my stock exchange wallet was credited, ugh. The website is refusing to load and I’m very frustrated. I finally log in and see the amount is still not credited. I email and send a tweet to the stock exchange. Hopefully the tweet will get them to start moving.
1200 – My boss is mad. One member of my team left his desk without informing me and there’s an urgent matter. I was about to go downstairs to give P the groceries, so I stick around for a bit before committing the same offence as my subordinate, lol. I quickly get back into my office and check on work, sign some papers and letters, and clear out my emails.
1300 – My work bestie has to run other errands at lunch so I decide to stay in the office. I check my personal email and see I have received a dividend of $0.27, lol. The share price will probably drop soon, so I will buy more shares in this counter if I can get them to increase my shareholding. My goal for this year is to breach the 10,000 share mark for one counter. I suddenly remember I have work to do, so I use my lunch hour to do the work, and then take a quick break to eat my lunch of fries and a sausage and do some Swahili Duolingo practice.
1500 – I am thinking of going home when one of my team members calls me to deal with an angry client. I go to the office, and find out it’s a surprise birthday party from my team. I am so happy, lol. We have more cake, and there’s also fruit and juice. I head home feeling so appreciated with even more cake.
1700 – P and my nephew go out to get water. I warm up my bath water, and give the kids their dinner. Today its rice and croc meat. I make L’s lunch for tomorrow, a toasted polony sandwich and juice. I also pack my lunch, rice, a fried egg and peas. And some cake for my work bestie’s kids. I take my bath; change into my pyjamas and hound E to eat his food. If we let that kid be, he would probably live on the bits of our souls he sucks out daily by being stubborn. I am feeling nauseous so I have plain rice with a bit of avocado. The kids watch cartoons, while I do some more Swahili on Duolingo.
1900 – Bedtime for the kids. Today, there’s no demand for a bedtime story, so I just tuck them in and tell them I love them. I read my novel as increasingly feel more nauseated. I end up going to hurl my guts out. P comes home and finds me lying limply on the bed. He gives me a cuddle, and goes to eat his dinner. I get up but smell fish, and run back to throw up. If I hadn’t had a hysterectomy, I would be doing a pregnancy test ASAP.
2100 – I go to bed, and lie in bed for a bit, before finally drifting off.
Total spent - $25
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Day 7
0500 – I wake up feeling nauseated again. Ugh, this reminds me of having hyperemesis while pregnant. I put my water on to heat and get back in bed to read some more.
0600 – E comes to lie on our bed. I get out of bed, and go throw up. I get my bath water, take my bath, moisturize and put my contacts in. I look like a reanimated corpse this morning. I do my brows to try bring a bit of life to my face and get dressed. It’s very misty and cold today so I put on warm brown tights, a long black dress, my warm jacket and ballet flats. I grab my lunch and the cake, pop E into the car and head out. Visibility is extremely low, so I drive slowly. I don’t know why people like surprising other drivers by having their cars pop out of the mist without switching on their headlights. I successfully avoid the drivers who hate life and drop E off at school before heading to work.
0700 – I am in the office, and I log into the register, before turning on my computer and checking my work email. Not too much in there, so I check my personal email. My stock exchange wallet has finally been credited with the $100. I also ponder whether I should pull the trigger on a V-part wig.
I do my weekly report, and start doing some boring work in the system. I realise I didn’t save the work I did yesterday, so I have to re-do it, so I can have the list of error messages to send to ICT.
0830 – Everyone is in the office, so I do some reshuffling of duties, so that essential areas are covered while one of my colleagues is on leave. I give the cake to work bestie, who tells me how much her daughter was excited over the cake yesterday. It’s now time for me to put my head down and really focus on knocking out the system work today. I also log into an online training, and I listen while doing my work. My mum also deposits money for my birthday gift and to spoil her grandkids.
1000 – I log into my stock exchange account and buy shares for $99.14 (doesn’t count as spending, as the money was moved before the MD started). The deadline for other departments to submit their weekly reports to me for consolidation has passed so I start following up. One department is a big problem as they always send their report late. Le sigh. I draft a very passive aggressive email to them. I also decide not to buy the wig and instead ask the person making me my custom earrings that I got myself for my birthday to bill me the rest of the money so I can pay and move the remainder of the money in my account into savings. Our currency has taken an enormous hit in the last week, and is free falling dramatically. I’d rather keep USD cash than money in my account at this point. The training finally ends.
1100 – I’m getting hungry so I go warm up my lunch, sprinkle on peri peri Aromat and dig in. Yum. I also have my multivitamin and supplement. A lady who sells local snacks comes in. She persuades me to buy maputi (corn nuts mixed with roasted peanuts) for $0.50. I buy them for my afternoon snack. I end up sending the report with missing statistics, and tell the department to send directly to the compiler, as they were late. That was a very aggressive email tbh. I’m still hungry, so I munch on my maputi, leaving the peanuts because I don’t feel like eating them lately.
1200 – I see a missed call from a number I don’t know. I call and it turns out they had sent money to my mobile wallet mistakenly. I check the mobile wallet and it shows it had an extra $11. I send the money back to the person. Times are too tough to keep people’s money
1400 – I snack on a few skittles instead of having more food. I just want something to entertain my mouth, I’m not hungry at all. I review more work and drink more water. The jeweler has sent the payment request for the earrings. I pay $100 (total spent on the earrings comes to $200, which is worth it for sterling silver custom made Jewellery. I use $50 of the birthday money from my mum to cover for part of this expense)
1600 – Finally time to go home. I shut down my computer, and drive home. Once I’m home, I put on my bath water, and help L do his homework. Then I do some Swahili Duolingo practice and pack L’s lunch for tomorrow. He requested maize (corn on the cob), a boiled egg and a naartjie. His wish is my command for once. I also pack my lunch, a boiled egg, peanut butter sandwich and a bit of birthday cake. The jeweler sends pictures of the final product. They are absolutely gorgeous. Happy 34th birthday to me!!!
1800 – I serve the kids their dinner, and go to take my bath. P sends a text that he will be home late as they are working late today. I have my own dinner while persuading E to eat his food
1900 – Bedtime for the kids. I read them their bedtime stories, tuck them in and tell them I love them. Then I go to watch TV. I’m catching up on Married to Real Estate, Food Factory and Man Vs Food. You can tell that reality TV is my jam.
2100 – I decide to have some decaf black coffee and cake as my bedtime snack. P and my nephew arrive home. They are later than they thought they would be because nephew dropped his phone in the middle of the highway and they were searching for it. Because nephew’s ancestors were on the job, they found it intact. It’s a big deal because this is a major highway and huge trucks use that road constantly. I chat with P as he has his dinner and takes his bath.
2200 – Cuddles and bedtime for us
​
Total spent today – $100
​
Total spent this week – $204.50
​
Spending by categories
Food & Drink – $84.50
Home & Health – $0
Clothing & Beauty – $110
Transportation – $0
Fun & Entertainment – $10
​
Reflections on this week’s spending
The spending is pretty much about normal for me tbh (excluding the cake and earrings). I had quite a bit of petrol in the tank so I didn’t need to top up my tank this week. The converted US$ prices are a bit inaccurate since our currency had a big drop this week, and most of my spending is in local currency. I could reign in my spending a bit, and focus more on investing. However, I do enjoy using my money to bring joy to my kids and myself. Particularly myself after the absolutely shitty year I had.

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