Hello. I hope you’re all well. I’m a Chemistry Bachelors graduate who got decent grades all my life, including university, and I went to a pretty good one. I graduated back in 2019 and took a few months off due to the loss of a loved one I never had the time to get over. I was never the best or brightest student but I gave every moment I had towards my study. Later on in that same year I started applying to some graduate schemes. I made sure I was eligible for them of course and because most of them were numerate based such as finance, I figured that while competition was to be expected, I should have stood a pretty decent chance. Unfortunately I didn’t seem to, although it’s worth mentioning at the time that my CV was nowhere near as good as it is now.
I was offered a couple of jobs in early 2020 but they fell through seemingly due to the pandemic. In 2021 I still had a lot of rejections but I lucked out with a lab job during COVID. I enjoyed the colleagues I worked with, though the job itself was not enjoyable and neither were a couple of supervisors I had to work under. Still, I’d like to think I gave it my all by doing my workload first and then seeing how I could aide others. It may not sound like much but it was for the most part, unskilled labour so that was the best I could do at the time. In any case, it was a contract role and we weren’t needed for very long as COVID started to die down. The job also payed minimum wage. Keep that in mind for later.
I kept tutoring for a while but lucked into another contract job, though I will admit it wasn’t really something I saw myself enjoying. It was a role managing data for a department of local government. I wish I could say more but it’s probably best not to. The pay was much better and I did enjoy the people I worked with from time to time, however the role was almost 100% remote and there was little to no mentorship for me in a department I couldn’t have possibly known about beforehand. I studied even on weekends to try to get to better grips with the job, but I’m afraid while I was grateful for the opportunity, I found it overall uninteresting and lonely, and again, I wasn’t remotely passionate about the sector I was working in. In case you were wondering, I had in fact applied for a different job at the council but was offered another job instead, so I wanted to see how/where I’d fit in and what skills I could contribute. My contract lasted a month longer than my employers initially intended, and they thanked me for my work when they didn’t have to (remember, I was an expendable temp), so I’m hoping that’s at least a good sign, but I agree that that job wasn’t for me.
The truth is I don’t really know what I want to do. I’m going to have to disappoint any detractors by saying that further study such as a Masters or PhD is out of the question for me unless it’s in the form of an apprenticeship. I don’t care enough about anything to put myself in more student debt and I know someone who has proven that more education isn’t a slam dunk solution. She’s done at least 2 PhD’s, having applied for jobs where the hiring manager told her she was more qualified than they were. One of her PhD’s was in my own subject - Chemistry. All the jobs she wanted rejected her because “she didn’t have the right experience”, so now she’s the manager of a supermarket. Even if I’m destined to be a fool who doesn’t have his dreams fulfilled, I’d rather be a fool who got to save his money, not to say that she was a fool, mind you. She just loves studying, whereas I just want to get stuck into the working world. This is not to mention that people have rightly suggested that my pursuing any kind of further education, whether formal or informal, will, 1.) not make up for a lack of experience and 2.) make me come across as work-shy, meaning I look like I’m not ready to enter the workforce, even if I actually am.
I’m willing to work in science and have applied for some jobs that I am again eligible for, not limited to a medical lab assistant. I’m overqualified for a couple of those positions but I’m hoping that won’t be held against me. I’m satisfied with the pay and do see it as a fantastic learning opportunity regardless. I even have at least a couple more in mind that I will apply for in due time. But my interests vary. I’m willing and eager to learn more about technology and/or finance. Whichever path I am able to go down, I see myself learning a valuable life skill that everyone should consider learning as technology and financial management become more important both professionally and personally. Subsequently, I have been applying for tech and finance grad schemes, not limited to Data Analysis, IT Support and Accounting. All of which accept STEM graduates. I’ve been dabbling on Coursera and Udemy looking at qualifications such as the Azure DP-900, AZ-900 and the CompTIA A+ exam, but I know that passing the exams alone won’t necessarily help me. I even managed to teach myself SQL, but I know that disregarding luck, those alone won’t help me.
It’s an unfortunate conundrum because how else am I supposed to prove myself without experience I can’t get?
Thanks to this and an unfortunate run in with an unsympathetic career coach who actually thought I was worth less than minimum wage, I lost confidence in myself and subsequently my enthusiasm to study, although I’m determined to pick myself back up and at the very least, have not stopped applying. I never intend to work in unskilled labour again. I’m IT literate, well educated, have a decent work ethic, empathetic and I get on reasonably well with people. There must be something for me and yet I feel so useless. I feel like I am trying to make something of myself but I’m just not enough for this world. To say I feel behind at my age would be a complete understatement. I don’t want to give up on my life. I’ve come so far, I have other ambitions, again both professional and personal and there are people who believe in me. It’s just unfortunate that right now, I couldn’t blame them if they were disappointed.
P.S. It may be obvious that my self-esteem has taken a hit, but before anyone makes a suggestion, yes I am arranging to see a therapist about it, although it’s taking ages. Also for context, I live in a Western country.

Hello. I hope you’re all well. I’m a Chemistry Bachelors graduate who got decent grades all my life, including university, and I went to a pretty good one. I graduated back in 2019 and took a few months off due to the loss of a loved one I never had the time to get over. I was never the best or brightest student but I gave every moment I had towards my study. Later on in that same year I started applying to some graduate schemes. I made sure I was eligible for them of course and because most of them were numerate based such as finance, I figured that while competition was to be expected, I should have stood a pretty decent chance. Unfortunately I didn’t seem to, although it’s worth mentioning at the time that my CV was nowhere near as good as it is now.
I was offered a couple of jobs in early 2020 but they fell through seemingly due to the pandemic. In 2021 I still had a lot of rejections but I lucked out with a lab job during COVID. I enjoyed the colleagues I worked with, though the job itself was not enjoyable and neither were a couple of supervisors I had to work under. Still, I’d like to think I gave it my all by doing my workload first and then seeing how I could aide others. It may not sound like much but it was for the most part, unskilled labour so that was the best I could do at the time. In any case, it was a contract role and we weren’t needed for very long as COVID started to die down. The job also payed minimum wage. Keep that in mind for later.
I kept tutoring for a while but lucked into another contract job, though I will admit it wasn’t really something I saw myself enjoying. It was a role managing data for a department of local government. I wish I could say more but it’s probably best not to. The pay was much better and I did enjoy the people I worked with from time to time, however the role was almost 100% remote and there was little to no mentorship for me in a department I couldn’t have possibly known about beforehand. I studied even on weekends to try to get to better grips with the job, but I’m afraid while I was grateful for the opportunity, I found it overall uninteresting and lonely, and again, I wasn’t remotely passionate about the sector I was working in. In case you were wondering, I had in fact applied for a different job at the council but was offered another job instead, so I wanted to see how/where I’d fit in and what skills I could contribute. My contract lasted a month longer than my employers initially intended, and they thanked me for my work when they didn’t have to (remember, I was an expendable temp), so I’m hoping that’s at least a good sign, but I agree that that job wasn’t for me.
The truth is I don’t really know what I want to do. I’m going to have to disappoint any detractors by saying that further study such as a Masters or PhD is out of the question for me unless it’s in the form of an apprenticeship. I don’t care enough about anything to put myself in more student debt and I know someone who has proven that more education isn’t a slam dunk solution. She’s done at least 2 PhD’s, having applied for jobs where the hiring manager told her she was more qualified than they were. One of her PhD’s was in my own subject - Chemistry. All the jobs she wanted rejected her because “she didn’t have the right experience”, so now she’s the manager of a supermarket. Even if I’m destined to be a fool who doesn’t have his dreams fulfilled, I’d rather be a fool who got to save his money, not to say that she was a fool, mind you. She just loves studying, whereas I just want to get stuck into the working world. This is not to mention that people have rightly suggested that my pursuing any kind of further education, whether formal or informal, will, 1.) not make up for a lack of experience and 2.) make me come across as work-shy, meaning I look like I’m not ready to enter the workforce, even if I actually am.
I’m willing to work in science and have applied for some jobs that I am again eligible for, not limited to a medical lab assistant. I’m overqualified for a couple of those positions but I’m hoping that won’t be held against me. I’m satisfied with the pay and do see it as a fantastic learning opportunity regardless. I even have at least a couple more in mind that I will apply for in due time. But my interests vary. I’m willing and eager to learn more about technology and/or finance. Whichever path I am able to go down, I see myself learning a valuable life skill that everyone should consider learning as technology and financial management become more important both professionally and personally. Subsequently, I have been applying for tech and finance grad schemes, not limited to Data Analysis, IT Support and Accounting. All of which accept STEM graduates. I’ve been dabbling on Coursera and Udemy looking at qualifications such as the Azure DP-900, AZ-900 and the CompTIA A+ exam, but I know that passing the exams alone won’t necessarily help me. I even managed to teach myself SQL, but I know that disregarding luck, those alone won’t help me.
It’s an unfortunate conundrum because how else am I supposed to prove myself without experience I can’t get?
Thanks to this and an unfortunate run in with an unsympathetic career coach who actually thought I was worth less than minimum wage, I lost confidence in myself and subsequently my enthusiasm to study, although I’m determined to pick myself back up and at the very least, have not stopped applying. I never intend to work in unskilled labour again. I’m IT literate, well educated, have a decent work ethic, empathetic and I get on reasonably well with people. There must be something for me and yet I feel so useless. I feel like I am trying to make something of myself but I’m just not enough for this world. To say I feel behind at my age would be a complete understatement. I don’t want to give up on my life. I’ve come so far, I have other ambitions, again both professional and personal and there are people who believe in me. It’s just unfortunate that right now, I couldn’t blame them if they were disappointed.
P.S. It may be obvious that my self-esteem has taken a hit, but before anyone makes a suggestion, yes I am arranging to see a therapist about it, although it’s taking ages. Also for context, I live in a Western country.

Hi all! I'm looking to move from Arizona to Massachusetts and would like some general advice/tips on the area. I'm looking to rent an apartment on the eastern side of the state (near Billerica due to my job) but I'm not sure what areas are safe yet affordable. If anyone has any advice or knowledge about anything relating to MA, that would be great! It's very different compared to AZ, so anything is appreciated.
Edit: I plan on living with roommates, but I'd like to pay around $1200 for myself. I'm college-age and looking to go back to grad school within the next year or so, so my budget is pretty low. Would prefer to live in a town with people my age, too.

My best friend (F20), let's refer to her as Sue, and I (NB 18) have been close for nearly four years now. She's always been a little overbearing due to her anxiety and mild OCD (as she always wanted to blame it on), but I always understood where she was coming from. My grandpa was very similar to her, in a sense, so I had first-hand prior experience and understood how I could be of help to her occasionally.
We both attend college in our hometown in rural Kentucky and planned a trip to Nashville over spring break around three weeks ago. We were super excited as the trip got closer and really wanted to experience life without our over-brooding parents. Once the trip got a little closer, we started bickering a little more than normal over small stuff but I assumed it was just because we were both anxious about the trip. On the day we left, we were both very happy and hadn't argued at all. The trip was only about two hours and we spent the whole time just singing along to the radio and having a good time. No issues arose til we arrived at the hotel.
I've always been a little slower mentally and have issues picking up on social cues. When we arrived at the hotel, we went up to the desk for our key and such when the lady handed me a set of "cocktail tickets" as she called them. I informed the lady that neither one of us were old enough to drink and that we wouldn't be needing them. It was only a few sheets of paper, but I'm big on no waste so I gave them back so I didn't have to throw them away. Sue was pissed when we walked back out to the car afterward claiming that "we could have gotten drunk." I informed her that not only would they have ID'd at the bar, but that I had no intention to do anything illegal on the trip. She stayed angry after that and ended up leaving me to carry most of our stuff in, including: a 36 case of Dr. Pepper, all the food we had packed for the trip, four large duffle bags of clothes, and a case of water. All she bothered to carry was her two small bags.
I got over it a few minutes later and never brought it back up. It took her a few hours but eventually she started talking to me again and we enjoyed the rest of the night. It all went downhill from then. The next day, we spent most of it at the Opry Mills mall. It was the part of the trip she was most excited about as she's a big shopper. We went through a few smaller stores in the mall where she just continued to purchase stuff. We walked into a few more stores where she spent about 30 minutes in each one trying to buy something for her parents. I was okay with waiting for her to pick something out for them, but at every store she made it about her parents, complained about how she missed her family and how she'd rather be at home, and consistently ask me if her mom or dad would like this or that, people that I know very little about. Eventually, we moved on and stopped at Starbucks for a moment so I could get something to drink. All of a sudden, she starts freaking out asking me if I have her bag from Five Below. I told her I didn't have it and if she would wait just a moment for my drink to come out, we could go retrace our steps. She calms a little bit and waits outside the line, but the second I get my drink, she literally starts running in the opposite direction for a $5 item, despite me expressing to her numerous times that I didn't want to be separated for even a moment because we're in an unfamiliar place.
I eventually caught up with her and found where she left her bag. As we continued, we stopped for a moment at the Vans store because she had mentioned that she wanted to get a new pair of shoes. While she was looking, I saw a pair I liked and asked her what she thought of them, expressing that I thought they were cute and that I wanted to get them. She told me that she thought I didn't need them, which instantly made me feel bad about wanting to get them. She told me I needed to save money for the rest of the trip (the one I budgeted for) and said if I spent too much I wouldn't have money left over. I told her that I had only bought one thing today, a $6 lanyard for my younger sister and that she has practically spent two of her paychecks today and I can't buy a $40 pair of shoes? Additionally, I brought way more money on this trip than she did. She took what she wanted out in cash before we left while I brought all my bank and credit cards. I also work two jobs and over 50 hours a week while she works one minimum wage job 20 hours a week. She got very upset and continued looking. I ended up putting the shoes back and walked over to her when she got upset that I hadn't bought the shoes. I told her I didn't want them anymore and she got upset about that too.
We had mentioned before that we wanted to go to a restaurant in the mall, The Rainforest Cafe. When we got there, not only was the food very expensive (something I knew she couldn't afford) but the room was very loud and had bright flashing lights. I have very intense sensory issues and asked her if we could leave. I told her I would buy her lunch elsewhere if we could just go. When we walked out, she was Guess what?! angry again, saying that the restaurant was expensive because we got a "show" with it. But I continued to tell her that it was too loud in there for me and I didn't want to pay for an experience that I would not enjoy. Eventually, we left and got something to eat before returning to the hotel. She refused to talk to me for the rest of the day.
The next day was the only day we really failed when it came to planning. One of our plans had fallen through and left us, or should I specify: me, struggling to make up for. Not only that, but this day was the worst for our relationship as well. The entire time, I tried to communicate things we could do that was on the cheaper side yet still fun (as she was quickly draining her funds). No matter what I did all she replied was "I don't care," or "I don't know," but every time I would suggest something or go somewhere, she would get all pissy about it and we would leave almost immediately. I was trying to involve her in the process, but very soon, it became a trip I was going on by myself. We communicated very little on the third day, and eventually, I told her we should leave after our plans on the fourth day rather than staying the last night and leaving on the fifth. When we got back to the hotel, I packed everything back up myself and loaded the car.
We left the next day after our plans and spent the next three days with no contact. We work together at one of my jobs so we saw each other the following week and continue to argue very badly. Our arguments have increased drastically. Normally, we carpool on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but this past week she failed to tell me that someone else was picking her up Wednesday morning and refused to answer my calls. I waited in front of her house for nearly 20 minutes and ended up being late for work. She blamed me for it, saying that I should have been listening when she and this other person were talking about it. Today, we were goofing around talking to a few of our professors when I said a joke adding on to something she had said. Our teachers left and she got upset saying I always "steal her thunder." She ended up "jokingly" smacking me on my arm claiming I had "made her swear." I told her it was something she had done on her own and that I couldn't control and smacked her back. She got upset again claiming I had left finger marks on her arm. I pulled my sleeve up to show her imprints she had left on my arm whereas her arm was simply a little red. She stormed off to class after that.
Another thing is that she complains every time I cuss, saying that it's inappropriate and that I need to watch my mouth. No one other than her has ever said anything about the way I speak. For a little extra information, I've always been a very loud person that swears a lot. I've been like this since way before she and I met and never have I intended to change an aspect of myself that in no way impacts others. She always complains to me about things I cannot fix like I can fix it (think of customer service idiots) and becomes non-communicative every time I try to fix our relationship or tell her I'm uncomfortable with something. I'm tired of her constantly complaining about me and not only that, but I think I'm actually starting to hate her yet. Is there something I should say to her or what? I'm not sure how to continue our relationship.
TLDR: my best friend has begun to argue with me over every small thing and ruined our spring break trip. She complains about the things I do or say, stuff no one has ever mentioned was a problem before, and stops talking to me every time I try to communicate with her about it. Because of this, I think I'm beginning to hate her. Is there something I should do- I'm not sure how to continue the relationship.

Background / Pre-flight

• I am a solo traveller from Hong Kong, 4th time in Japan, but 1st time travelling to Japan alone.
  
• Did the usual VJW declarations, blah blah blah.
  
• Booked hotels in Osaka & Nagoya (as I am only taking day trips to other prefectures), the HARUKA package and my Shinkansen tickets in advance.
  
• I can speak Japanese without too much problem, so I didn't have to use Google Translate or anything like that.
  
• This is a food-heavy trip, so expect mostly food and less of other activities. I will link the restaurants I've visited if possible throughout the report.
  

Day 1: Nagoya

• My flight was actually for KIX (because it's cheaper). My plan was to take HARUKA from KIX to Shin-Osaka and then hop on the Shinkansen to Nagoya.
  
• Got off the flight and waited quite a while for my luggage even though I was one of the earliest to get off the plane. Finally got my luggage and went to the counter to pick up my ICOCA card and HARUKA tickets. No hiccups there.
  
• Boarded HARUKA and got to Shin-Osaka. Decided to buy a eki-ben at Shin-Osaka station to eat on the Shinkansen.
  
• Tried to use the QR ticket you'd get from booking your tickets through SMART-EX, didn't work. Okay that's fine, I thought, I will just go to the ticket counter to print out my physical tickets.
  
• Got my tickets and realized I had no fucking idea which tickets to insert into the ticket gates? (no idea how to translate 改札) because the machine gave me like 4 tickets. I knew the tickets were for "Station Entry", "Train Entry", "Designated Seat", and "Receipt", I just didn't know which one I should put into the gate. The train was going to arrive in like 7 minutes at this point.
  
• Thankfully, I got help from the station staff and managed to get through the gate. Here's the second problem, I had no idea which platform the train was going to arrive at. If you know Shin-Osaka station, you know it's got a lot of platforms even for the Shinkansen area.
  
• I went to a platform that I thought was correct and waited for 2 minutes before realizing the time on the display didn't match with my tickets. I was fucking shitting myself at this point because I had 3 minutes left before the train arrived.
  
• I went back to the "large" display near the ticket gates and checked which platform matched the time on my ticket. Through some strokes of luck or whatever, I managed to find the right platform and ran to it in time.
  
• Here's the third problem, you need to find the correct section of the train for your "designated seat", so there was more running to do. After I got on the train, I realized (again) I didn't have enough strength to lift my suitcase to place it on the racks above the seats, so I had to ask another passenger for help.
  
• I finally got to settle down and enjoy my eki-ben. It was this one, which essentially is a collection of "regional" Kansai and "traditional" Japanese items. Tasted fine even if it was room temp.
  
• Got to Nagoya without any further difficulties and checked into my hotel (yes, one of those APA chain hotels). Went to get some Hitsumabushi (Unagi eel rice dish???) at Shirakawa. It was piping hot and fresh but I felt like it was a little bland for my taste.
  
• It was like 9pm after my meal, I was too tired to do anything else, so back to the hotel and rest it is.
  

Day 2: Nagoya

• Got up and went to the Takashimaya in Nagoya station to do some errands for my friends. Afterwards, I went and got some Krispy Kreme for breakfast. There's a very good reason for this. In Hong Kong, the last Krispy Kreme closed down around 15 years ago, and there just aren't many good choices for dounts in Hong Kong, hence the Krispy Kreme for breakfast. Got one of the original glazed and one of the Boston Kreme. Definitely lived up to my expectations though, very very good, probably the best donuts I've had in my entire life. Bought a nice key chain as well.
  
• Walked around Nagoya station for a bit before I went to a Komeda for a "Morning" (no idea how to translate this, something of a Nagoya specialty where you order a drink during breakfast hours and they give you a breakfast set). I got the Yuzu marmalade with a piece of toast, and a cup of coffee. I wanted to get a "Shironowa-ru" (im so sorry but i have no idea how to translate this again) as well but they were sold out. Note that you have to write down your name in a namelist in front of the shop instead of physically queueing up, and a staff will call out your name once it's your turn, so write a name that the staff can pronounce easily.
  
• Did some more walking around the station, just taking the city in, before going to a yakitori restaurant to have some yakitoris. Ordered a lot of chicken parts (meatballs, cartilage, etc...) and got to see them grill it in front of me, t'was a good experience. Held off on the tori-sashi (raw chicken sashimi) because I didn't want to risk it.
  
• Finished lunch and hopped on a bus (just a normal bus) to tour around the city, got to see many different parts, as well as the suburbs, and experience how much of an industrial city Nagoya really is.
  
• Went back to the hotel to take a dump before going out for dinner at Misen (no, not that cookware company sponsor from Youtube), which is a "Taiwanese" (not really Taiwanese food, but rather a Japanese-Chinese fusion, I've heard it was opened by a Taiwanese family or something) restaurant. Went there and turns out they weren't open yet, so I had to stand and wait for quite a while as there were no places to sit nearby. Got their very famous garlic fried rice, "Taiwan Ramen" (like a chili pepper meat mixture on top of ramen), as well as other wok-fried dishes. You can often see Japanese vloggers going to this restaurant if they go to Nagoya. I have to say the shop is very, very smoky due to poor ventilation, but the food was great, albeit pretty damn spicy.
  
• Finished dinner and went back to the hotel, I walked like 20000 steps so I was again, too tired to go do more sightseeing. (told you this was a food-heavy trip)
  

Day 3: Gifu & Nagoya

• Got up and took a local train to Gifu in the morning. Gifu is right next to Nagoya (like 30 mins by train), and people usually go there for Onsen and mountains. I was there just because I wanted to go to more prefectures. Went to a shop selling fruit sandwiches for breakfast. Usually they make fruit sandwiches with white bread, but here they made it with a mixed dough (swirls of coffee-tasting dough and normal white bread). Afterwards, I went to Kinshinji (金神寺) to pray and just get a feel of what visiting a shrine is like. Almost died when a large branch fell right next to me when I was leaving the shrine.
  
• Went for a stroll in the shopping street and went inside another Takashimaya (yes it's boring i know sorry) to have a look of what they had to sell. This Takashimaya was much less crowded than the one in Nagoya because Gifu is more of a rural prefecture. They had a standard selection of goods (books, apparel, stuff for New Years & Christmas, etc...) available. Nothing too special really, but to be honest I was just walking around to ease digestion so I can eat more.
  
• For lunch, I went to Kamata, which is a Japanese-style "Western" restaurant. I ordered their Napolitan Spaghetti on a Skillet, as well as a pudding. Very cozy and Showa-feeling cafe, and the food tastes great as well. I think it's worth visiting if you're in Gifu. Picked up a Pistachio-filled cannoli for desert at a place called Cannolo&Kitchen. Suddenly felt like taking a dump so I cut the day trip short and went back to my hotel in Nagoya to do my business, it was not food poisoning I can assure you, just ate a little too much.
  
• After leaving the hotel once again, I went to an Animate (and Melonbooks as well if my memory serves me right, both of them are "anime" goods/books stores) near Nagoya Station to just see what they had to sell. Didn't buy anything and went to have dinner at my next location. To be frank, I would not recommend this place as you have to order through Japanese LINE, which meant I had to set up an account just for ordering. They served Hokkaido specialties. The food itself was just okay, if not overpriced. I didn't leave feeling satisfied yet so I went to Yoshinoya to have some Gyudon. End of Day 3.
  

Day 4: Nagoya & Osaka

• Got up and checked out of the hotel. Wasn't too hungry so I skipped breakfast and headed straight for my lunch location called Ramen Dai. This shop only serves Jiro-kei ramen, which is a type of ramen that's often described as junk food due to how fatty it is. It's basically a giant bowl of Tonkotsu-Shouyu ramen with a mountain of cabbage, char siu, and bean sprouts on top, with a healthy scoop of lard and a crap ton of garlic as well. I mean, it can't really taste bad, but it does make you smell like garlic for the rest of the day.
  
• Went back to Nagoya station to hop on a Shinkansen to Osaka. Went much better this time around now that I know what to do and which platform to find. Took the subway to check into my second hotel, and then headed for Nanba to experience a maid cafe.
  
• The maid cafe I chose was called CcoCha, which seems to be the oldest maid cafe in Nanba(?). The shop was REALLY difficult to find because Google Map tricks you into thinking it's a shop right by the street, but actually, it's hidden inside an alleyway. Anyways, they were still doing the whole social distancing thing inside, so the seats were all separated like you're in a classroom. Ordered a omurice and it tasted surprisingly good given the setting. There seemed to be a birthday event that day for one of the staffs (from what the maid told me), so there might be time limits on how long you can sit there for. Also took a photo (cheki) with the maid that was serving me as part of the set. Overall, I thought it was quite an unique experience, and I would visit it again just for the atmosphere even if I wasn't someone who particularly enjoys being served by maids. Not their fault of course, just personal preferences.
  
• Left and walked around Nanba some more, before entering some shops that I would get banned for on this sub if I discussed the details further. Spent around an hour or two inside them due to their sheer size. Then, I took the subway once again to go to Tennouji, where I had Cow Tongue at this shop. Service was great and the food was delicious as well, really liked how smoky the cow tongue was. I think the zunda mochi in Sendai would taste better though. Picked up some niku-mans (meat buns) at one of the Horai 551 locations before going back to the hotel. The niku-mans are again, the best meat buns I've tasted, even better than the ones in Hong Kong.
  

Day 5: Osaka

• Got up and went to Jusou district for a meeting that, again, I would be banned for on this sub if I discussed the details further. Before going to the meeting, I stopped by a small cafe called Cafe Yutte in the middle of a residential district as there was still some time remaining. It was all apartments and houses for miles without any restaurants, but here was a small cafe run by a resident who lives near by. Had a really, really great time chatting with the owner (if you're reading this, hi Muta-san), would say this was the most unexpected yet fulfilling encounter during this trip.
  
• After leaving the cafe, I suddenly got an email saying they had to cancel due to "health reasons". Too bad, so I went and had lunch at a Udon restaurant. Got their curry udon lunch set, and I have to say it really warmed my body through given how cold Japan is (relative to Hong Kong). The sudden cancellation really threw off my schedule so I decided to stop by another place selling "Akashiyaki" (明石焼き) ran by a old man as I had nothing better to do at that moment. He's really passionate about his shop, the Jusou district, as well as the food itself.
  
• I still wanted to do something, so I killed some time at a MacDonald's before taking the subway to Kujo station. Look, I would be banned if I told you about the rest of what happened, so I will do a time skip here. I am not even going to tell you to Google what usually happens at that station because I don't know how strict the mods are with these topics.
  
• Anyways, I went back to the station near my hotel and was in the mood for some Oden, so I stopped by an izakaya. I was the only customer at that time, so I just enjoyed my food and chatted with the chef. I ordered some horse sashimi, oden, as well as a shop specialty that I forgot the name of. It's like sauteed pork belly with a sweet soy sauce glaze. I also ordered a Oolong tea, but I think he misheard me and gave me a glass of beer instead. I think it's a genuine accident, so I'll just take what I'm given. Had a blast chatting with the chef about the shop, his story, and how the catering industry in Japan was doing since 2020. Went back to the hotel afterwards.
  

Day 6: Kyoto

• Got up and took a train to Kyoto. Stopped by a Burger King for breakfast because we don't really have Burger Kings in Hong Kong. The food was okay I guess. I just strolled around Kyoto and popped into temples/shrines as I walked by them. I think it's a pretty fun way to explore Kyoto. Before lunch, I stopped by a Wendy's and had their chili, as well as a burger, it tastes better than Burger King but it's not very remarkable. Sorry to all of the NA readers out there, but these chains are not available in Hong Kong, so please understand why I am visiting so many fast food chains. I also had some mulled wine at a shop whose name I've forgotten and can't seem to find. It's a nice experience drinking mulled wine in winter.
  
• For lunch, I went to a shopping street and had Sukiyaki at Kimura, which seems to be a very famous Sukiyaki joint. It's a pretty fun experience cooking Sukiyaki by yourself instead of being served by a waitewaitress as it would normally be. The food depends on your cooking skills, so I can't say whether it tastes good or not. I think I overcooked the beef a bit, but having fun is more important.
  
• After lunch, I just visited more temples and such, and picked up some Wagashi for a late-night snack (sorry I genuinely don't know what the name of the shop was). I'm going to skip all the temple details as you've probably seen it a trillion times on this sub already. After leaving Kyoto, I picked up dinner and went back to the hotel early as I walked >25000 steps this day.
  

Day 7: Osaka

• Got up and went to Nanba again to hit up the arcades and the anime goods shops (Animate, etc...). Had breakfast at a Soba restaurant at the junction under the bridge in Nanba (if you've been to Nanba, you'll know which one it is). After leaving the shops, I went to have Motsu-nabe (Kyushu specialty, intestines hot pot) at a Kyushu restaurant in Doutonburi. A lot of tourists in that area as expected, but the restaurant I visited had no tourists at all, but only had Japanese customers. The food and the service was really good. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Osaka and want to try some Kyushu food.
  
• Went back to Nanba for a second round of arcades and had some Japanese-Chinese fusion food at the mall under the bridge in Nanba for my second lunch. Walked around the Nanba area some more to visit more shops before going back to the area around my hotel for dinner at an Izakaya (I forgot the name, sorry). Called it a night because I had to catch a early flight the next day. Not going to write the details of going to the airport, I'm sure you all know what it's like.
  

End
Thanks for reading! Please let me know in the comments if there's anything that piqued your interest or you would like to hear more about.

My ex (41yo) was with me (26yo) for roughly 3-4 months, lots of talking after meeting each other on Grindr. Genuinely one of the most memorable because of how sweet he was, but he’s actions caused me to ghost for roughly 3 months.
Dude was borderline obsessed with me, never wanting me to not be near him, kept telling me how attractive I was, etc. There was one point I was crawling out of a window at 5am to leave before his Mother (visiting state suddenly) could see me. She saw me, ended up meeting the parents after 3 weeks. First date he takes me to a hotel after getting me nice and drunk, tries to have sex also instantly, tell him I’m nowhere near ready and goes to sleep somewhat irritated. The sex (no details how) left me bleeding every, single, time. His main language is Spanish but speaks pretty good English, hanging with his friends though, he only spoke Spanish. Lots of third wheeling and red flags at this point.
Moved from Arizona to get away from his drinking problems and gambling addiction, both of which did in excess with me around (he also owned a nightclub). Blackouts that at one point almost cause him to hit me (thought I was talking to other guys), asked me to not talk to anyone else while talking to him and, somehow, managed to “shift” conversations during dates to random couples (full blown convos). The list goes on lol.
The drinking is what mainly cause me to ghost. Meeting up with him usually led to him pressuring me into drinking, even while I was on high blood pressure meds. A few years ago I got a DUI during the pandemic, something I told him cause alcohol is a big deal for me now. Didn’t care for it, so 3 months NC. Sent me a heartfelt “I dunno where the distance started”, etc, then messages me new near New Years. I fell for that shit and ended up letting him in.
New Years rolls around, worst night of my life. He’s Hispanic and so am I (Hispanic/European mix), can’t make convo cause languages, fml. Friends from work roll up, I shoot to life and start introducing everyone, this noticeably pisses him off. Takes me to bathroom to do cocaine, told him hell no, gets pissed again and does all of it. Midnight hits and so does he, sit right next to me and proceeded to air our whatever dirty laundry I gave him to everyone in the bar (wasn’t much cause guards been up since beginning). Leave bar, head to downtown bus stop and I’m downright balling my eyes out. Next morning, tries to convince me he blackout. Doubt it.
Fast forward a month or so, communication dwindles down to standstill, starting drinking again out of stress. We have the talk, really pushing for “friendship” while mentioning how attractive I was, how hard it is to date people in our state (Alaska) and having all the qualities for a great relationship. All the while saying he’s not ready for a romantic relationship, wants to focus on business and we can try again later, whole 9 yards. Bump into him at the bar with someone younger a week later, a guy, who freaks out in Spanish cause he’s never seen me before (but knows of me I assume). Ex is constantly consoling him to calm down, playing off he’s crying about some girl (bruh he LOOK gay).
Took a 3 day weekend to a very popular spa, who time he’s liking and stocking my instagram with every post. Didn’t think much of it.
Starts to show up at places he knows I’ll be at now, with his friends and new guy. Last time I saw him was at a Mardi Gras bar party, he was staring at me the entire time and pushed conversations. Bought me a drink then tried to kiss me, asked “wtf what that”, excuse was cause he’s drunk. 5 hours of this and I dip to avoid cops, go to gas station to buy smokes cause what the hell is going on. He calls and sounds too drunk, I go check on him and his door swings open to him pants halfway to ankles. Make sure he’s not gunna lay facing up, get trash can to notice it’s full of urine bottles, ignore it and help him to sleep while he’s trying to get frisky. Morning rolls around and surprise, blacked out and freaked I’m next to him. Tell him what happened, says thanks but he starts kissing my back and hugging up close to me. Tell him no and he swings me on top of him and proceeded to give me hickies. Try leaving, says “lemme make sure no one sees you”, just grab my shit and try leaving. Stops me and says “see you round”, nah.
Few weeks pass and find out from friends he took his new guy on a 2-3 week trip to Hawaii. Photos has clear hickies on both their necks. Said fuck this and blocked him on everything, he noticed and followed suit.
Moral of this story, it was great. But things went really, really fast for us and he’s shown me who he is/was as a person. There’s so much more that happened with this guy, but I feel these are the best bulletin highlights to get an idea of the scope. What was the purpose (for him) in all of this? Genuinely tried the friends route for him, and it made him do this. It was just downright cruel. Everyone I’ve mentioned this to has visible “shaking” and sadness in their eyes.

What are the swing states exactly?
like why is North Carolina now which hasn't given blue since what 2008 or is it 2012 in a federal election is classed as a swing state? because it's close? similar situation with Nevada.
New Hampshire is classed as a swing state even though it's gone pretty safely blue for a decent while. Federally.
Georga is classed as a swing state even though it's only voted blue in what? 4 elections federally. I guess you could argue really fast shifts but I mean in a similar thing happened to Indiana in 08
Florida again hasn't gone blue in a federal election since 2012
If anything Ohio is more of a swing state cuz at least it went blue as soon as 2018
Arizona which is weirdly more blue than red right now look at the Kari lake situation, however that's likely mainly due to its own GOP sabotaging its chances if they were good candidates Arizona would probably be a decent r + 5. AZ is probably the closest to a swing state maybe only being overtook and by,
Wisconsin is probably the the swingiest state in the country. I mean let's see, in 2018 it voted for a Democratic senator by over 10 points. and then the next year it voted for a Democratic president by less than a point. and then it only voted in favor of a relatively popular Republican senator by less than a point. Not to mention I believe it voted for a Democratic governor by more than a point (although I don't count governors as a good representation of how swingy the state would be on a federal level) and I wouldn't be "completely surprised" if it voted for the Democratic senator but less than a point, however very unlikely considering it voted what? four points to the left in 2018 so if things continue it would probably be at minimum plus four but didn't Ron Johnson also win his first election by a decent margin? Either way the Democratic senator is probably going to win I say 90%, but it could flip for the presidency.
Michigan is an interesting state, it was the closest of the three shocking flips in 2016 and out of those same three states it had the widest margin towards Joe Biden. I don't kno would you call it swing? maybe in Red Wave years it could go into play but in neutral years I just don't think it's possible. I mean look at 2022 Democrats absolutely massacre the Republicans. and yes I get it it's GOP is absolutely dead like dying, beaten by a dead horse type situation. But I don't think Donald Trump will ever be able to win Michigan again and I don't think Ron DeSantis will be able to win Michigan if he gets nomination unless again exceptional circumstances. I don't really see Michigan going red on a federal level in any neutral or slightly Democratic leaning year or slightly Republican leaning for that matter it would definitely have to be a Red Wave. for Michigan to go red especially for a senate seat. and it would probably have to be Gary you know Gary who almost lost in 2020. because apparently Gary is just awful. I think his name is Gary Peters.
Texas self-explanatory sure it's shifting blue fast but it's probably not going into play for Democrats until at least 2028 but I would give it until 2032 realistically the only possibility for texas is the 2024 senate election, and even still I don't think it will be too much closer than 2018. especially because Democrats probably don't even have a decent candidate they're probably going to put up Beto again. and then be like "go dead candidate lose, lose us this seat"
Some states and brief descriptions as to why I don't think they're even remotely swing
Kansas it's entirely rural apart from like two big cities and it's suburbs have a long way to go. maybe in 2040 it could be in play for Dems but not anywhere near now.
Missouri I don't care how bad Josh Holly is, no. it's not going blue the closest it probably will get is r+ 10
Minnesota I highly doubt it. the suburbs of the twin cities metro is shifting to the left pretty fast I highly doubt unless it's Hillary Clinton again, it will be even remotely in play for republicans.
Virginia yeah okay I did this too I thought this too. but it's just not the case. just because a republican candidate in a pretty red leaning year with an unpopular president by two points in an off year. doesn't mean the state's going to be even remotely competitive in the future.
New York refer to the above paragraph.
California refer to a psych ward you may be delusional.
And that's the states that aren't swing States but some weird people think they are speed round I hope you enjoyed it three more states to get through
Iowa oh dear it used to be a nice swing state in fact it's actually gone blue more times than Ohio, even though it has like less than a quarter of Ohio's population. I don't really know too much about it but I think the fact that it's just mainly rural, and the fact that Democrats have been absolutely hemorrhaging rural support in any state that isn't in the east, is going to just kill any possibility of Democrats winning. I mean Iowa just ditched its only Democratic representative, and yeah I get it was gerrymandered but still that was a competitive district. and I honestly don't really see Iowa getting a democratic representative in 2024. maybe I don't know. I don't see it but I could be wrong. the point is I don't think it's a swing state anymore I mean 2020 was prime time for Iowa to kind of reinstate itself as a swing state. and then it voted for Joni Ernst by what a similar margin to Trump was it plus six I can't remember.
Nevada is probably the most interesting state on this list. it went for Hillary Clinton in 2016 it completely ditched its Republican senator in 2018 went for Joe Biden in 2020 by the same margin it did for Hillary Clinton basically. and nearly ditched a Democratic senator in 2022 while going red federally for the house. It seems to be a consistently Blue State but not solid. it votes leaning towards Democrats at least on a federal level. and I don't count it too much as a swing state. it's kind of the Michigan situation but a bit redder. and it's GOP isn't completely incompetent personally I feel like unless they can get Clark down to a d plus four or so I don't think it's going to flip. Another reason why Nevada might not flip is the extreme social conservatism that is creeping its way through the GOP nationaly. Nevada is a fairly libertarian state being super socially conservative isn't exactly very appealing to individuals who are in the libertarian spectrum.
And finally Iowa's annoying older brother who thinks he's a joker but actually everything he does just bothers everyone Ohio.
Where do I even begin with this one it was pretty swing in like the 2000 to 2012 era but as the Cleveland suburbs started to just fall down the red hole and lose population rapidly. it has gone pretty red The only exception being 2018, and sadly not 2020 even though 2020 had probably one of the best not sheroid brown Democratic candidates. Sherry Brown is definitely the only candidate that could win the state in a federal statewide election, but I just don't think he will. I mean it will be close I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it was 2000s Florida all over again but with a senate election. but I just don't see Ohio going blue especially because 2018 was a Blue Wave year with a national ballot that was what? something like d + 8 or something. and i believe Ohio voted to the right of that. I just simply don't see Ohio going blue in 24 who knows I might be wrong, maybe sheroid Brown's popularity is simply unmatched but, with a lot of people having moved out of the state since 2018 and moved over to other states like Texas and Florida and Utah. I just don't know if there's enough people who like sherrod Brown more than a republican for him to win.
That was my little rambling about swing States and exactly what I thought about swing States in my conclusion I have concluded that in my opinion the only real swing states do appear to be Georgia Arizona and Wisconsin wait a minute I haven't talked about Pennsylvania have I oh God.
Bonus round.
Pennsylvania definitely another very swingy state but still decently blue lightning Republicans massively under performed in 2022 losing the the senate seat giving Pennsylvania a dual Democratic senator delegation. Republicans also losing a single house seat from Pennsylvania giving Pennsylvania a majority Democratic delegation.
I believe the only time Pennsylvania has gone red in the past 6 years was 2016 at least for a federal statewide election but I can't remember. a federal statewide election is basically just the presidency or the senator.
Pennsylvania is definitely the Nevada of the East in many cases it definitely depends on candidate quality.
Anyway back to my conclusion even after all that I still only really think the only swing states are Arizona Georgia and Wisconsin and Georgia could very easily go back to its sort of Red State.

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Journal of Camille Lambert - April 13th
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As we drove back to Puriysk in the morning I watched the landscape pass me by with a quiet melancholy and promised myself that I’d see it all again soon.
​
Dom sat in the back seat of the SUV beside me while Nina drove, contentedly munching on a fresh bag of sunflower seeds as the ruined church loomed ahead of us.
“So the first order of business is evacuation, right?” Dom asked, “In which case, I’ve gotta ask, how exactly do we factor into this?”
“Right now, Milo’s thinking you two can help with the Thompson Falls evacuation,” Nina said. “It’d probably be helpful to have a couple of locals there to make sure people know we’re actually here to help, as opposed to just another group of jackoffs bringing in a fresh batch of misery. Although it sounds like I’m gonna be stuck in Puriysk for the time being,”
​
“You’re not coming with?” I asked.
“Nah, Milo wants me around in case Calhoun tries anything. I’ll probably be with Gretchen in the archive, looking for anything useful. Fun, fun, fun.”
“So you’re with Dr. Di Cesare? I asked, “Should be interesting at least.” I said.
​
“I could be worse off,” Nina admitted, “It’s hard to get a read on her, but if Milo trusts her, so do I. Besides from what I’ve heard, she’s one of the most powerful witches out there, which is probably saying a lot considering the fact that she’s a Di Cesare. Just about all of them are powerful witches, and they’ve got some serious pull among vampires.”
“She’s a vampire?” I asked. I thought back to the way she’d been out and nothing about her stood out as anything particularly ‘vampire-ish’. She was a little pale, I guess. But so was Dom and I was pretty sure he wasn’t a vampire!
​
“The whole Di Cesare family is,” Nina said before noticing my obvious concern, “Don’t worry about it, most vampires are pretty safe. Milo’s probably got some volunteers lined up to keep her supplied with fresh blood as she needs it. Plus, the Di Cesare’s are generally pretty peaceful. I wouldn’t pick a fight with them, but they don’t cause that much trouble unprovoked.”
“Do you know a lot of the Di Cesare’s?” I asked. Nina just shrugged.
“I met a couple of her sisters on a trip to Greece last year through some mutual friends but that was more of a social thing,” She said. “From what I heard, Gretchen doesn’t really get out much. I’m a little surprised that Milo was able to bring her in on this, but then again Milo could probably sell vodka at an AA meeting.”
​
Somehow I didn’t doubt that.
​
“So how long do you think the evacuation might take?” Dom asked, “How long until we shift focus to Calhoun?”
“Shouldn’t be that long,” Nina said. “Milo wants this run pretty smoothly. A few days, give or take. The hard part is gonna be what to do with everyone once they’re on the outside. Not sure how Milo’s gonna manage, but that’s above my pay grade. I’m just gonna assume he’s figured something out. Don’t worry. If everything goes to plan, we’ll be done with this in the next week or so and you two can go back to your hotel room for ‘coffee’.”
Both Dom and I looked over at her.
“Thin walls,” She replied, not even taking her eyes off the road. I caught Dom turning bright red before he looked out the window, trying to end this conversation as quickly as possible.
​
The church was just ahead of us, although now I barely recognized it. Several large metal poles had been put up, bearing familiar sigils on them. I noticed white spray paint in the grass, marking a larger ritual circle. Several tents had been set up in an area outside of the ritual circle and I could see people near them. The people from Puriysk, most likely. There were even more tents that sat empty nearby, no doubt waiting for the refugees from the other towns.
​
I could see smoke rising from the collapsed roof of the church itself. Our bonfire from the other night still seemed to be going strong. That was probably a good thing. I could see other trucks parked outside the church, with other tents surrounded by soldiers. This looked to be some kind of staging area, although I never got a good look at the finer details of it.
Nina drove past the metal poles, before following a worn path in the road leading to a second set of poles. A doorway back to Puriysk.
​
As we drew closer to the second set of poles, I noticed a thin mist swirling around the car. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath as we passed them until we’d actually passed them and I was greeted by the familiar dense forest I’d always known.
I looked back at the church, which was quickly swallowed up by the mist again, and relaxed back into my seat as we returned to Puriysk.
​
We’d only been gone for a day or so, but Puriysk already looked different than it had when we’d left. Tents had been set up along the main drag and I could see soldiers along the street, all of them relatively heavily armed. Some of them had their faces visible, others wore those netlike veils we’d seen the other night, giving them a more inhuman appearance.
​
“What’s the point of the nets?” Dom asked, watching as we passed a group of soldiers.
“It breaks up the silhouette or something,” Nina said. “Plus it hides the face. We went over it during the training. Why, you want one?”
“Just wondering,” Dom said, “Never seen anything like this before.”
“It’s more of a special forces type thing,” Nina said, “Technically the FRB doesn’t really do spec ops and shit like that. But I know we’ve got a number of ex military types with us. Milo said something about bringing them in.”
​
“How many do you think they’ve got?” I asked.
“A couple hundred boots on the ground, I think. Probably fifty or so more just working to support them. It’s not exactly a massive operation, but it’s big by our standards.”
Dom just nodded passively, his attention still focused on the passing soldiers.
​
Nina stopped the car in front of a large white RV parked near the ruins of the Deputy’s Office. I could see Durand standing out front of it. He’d traded his nice suit from the night before for a more practical outfit, jeans, a polo shirt, and a handgun holstered at his hip. As Nina got out of the car, Milo walked over to greet her.
“Love what you’ve done with the place.” She said. “The tents and the soldiers were exactly what was missing here.”
“Oh, it’ll all come together once we get the power back on,” Milo said. “Everything shut off in the night. We’ve got some backup generators, but it’s still a pain in the ass.”
​
“Calhoun shut off the power?” Dom asked as he and I got out of the car.
“If not him, then somebody. We sent some folks out to Rankin Mills to see if they can’t get it up and running again. With any luck we should be back to normal shortly. In the meanwhile, I’ve been helping Gretchen bring some stuff up from the archives. She’s in the RV, looking through what I’ve found so far. But I could use a hand going through the rest of it.”
“You got it, boss man,” Nina said. “I saw some interesting shit by the south corner that might be useful.”
​
“What about us?” I asked, “Nina said something about us helping with the evacuation.
“Yes, actually I had the perfect job in mind for you two,” Durand said. “We could use some friendly faces going in to the towns to make the evacuation go a bit smoother. Natalya’s been a huge help here in Puriysk. We’re hoping to get the same results in the other towns.”
“Sonya in Thompson Falls would know to trust Dom,” I said. “If you can get her on your side, she can probably get most of the town to come along. As for Bakersfield, my Mom lives there. I could help with that team, if you wanted.”
​
Durand raised an eyebrow.
“You don’t say?” He asked, “You should tell that to Kallas, then. He’s down by the town hall, getting the Bakersfield and Thompson Falls teams organized.”
“Got it,” I said before giving Nina a parting nod, “I guess I’ll see you when we get back”
“See you when you get back,” Nina replied and gave us a parting weave before turning and heading over to the Deputy’s Office with Durand. As she left, Dom and I started down the street toward a group of trucks and tents near the Puriysk town hall.
It was time to get to work.
​
***
​
I was on the first of the Bakersfield trucks as they left and as we drove through the old familiar forest, I watched it with a conflicted nostalgia. On one hand, these misty woods were all I’d ever really known and I realized that there’d be a part of me that would miss them when at last I left them behind forever. Of course, knowing what I knew now about our situation ensured I wouldn’t miss them too much, but I’d miss them all the same.
​
My Mom always used to have a fondness for obscure words. She’d been an English teacher once upon a time, so I guess that made sense for her.
“Language is so fascinating,” she’d said to me once. “You know, there’s some beautiful words out there for such complex emotions.”
​
Looking out the window, a few of those words came to mind.
Like: ‘Rückkehrunruhe.’
“It’s this feeling of returning home after a trip, only to find it fading into your memory to the point where it no longer feels real… can you imagine.” She’d laughed sadly at that.
“You know, sometimes I can’t help but feel that way about the old world. I shouldn’t idealize it. It wasn’t perfect, but… I would’ve loved for you to see it.”
​
And I had seen it, hadn’t I? What would she say when I told her? What would she say when I came to Bakersfield with a convoy of trucks, come to bring her and everyone else home again. Out of this beautiful, cruel world and back into the one she’d missed for so long. I could already imagine the way that her eyes would light up… I could already imagine her smile. It’d been a few weeks since I’d seen her… I hoped she was doing okay.
​
“Here’s another one I like… Occhiolism. It describes the awareness of the smallness of your own perspective. Do you understand what I’m talking about? That… melancholy, you sometimes feel when you reflect on your own experiences despite knowing how much more is out there. Or… am I thinking of Onism? No… no… although they are similar. Do you know what Onism means? It describes the frustration of having to live in just one body, that can only be in one place at a time.”
“Mom, what are you talking about?” I’d asked her. She’d looked up from the book she’d been reading and smiled sheepishly at me.
​
“Sorry… I guess I just feel like sharing these with someone. They are interesting, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, I guess they are,” I said, mostly just to be polite. She’d paused for a moment, almost closing the book.
“You can keep going!” I said, “Come on, tell me another one.”
“How about ‘Nodus Tollens’. It’s the realization that the plot of your life doesn’t make sense to you anymore. You know I sort of like the wording there. Speaking of life like a story to be told…”
​
The truck turned and I recognized the landmark we’d just passed. An old, crumbling house that had been abandoned for as long as I could remember. Bakersfield was just ahead. I perked up a little bit and looked over at the driver beside me.
“It’s just up ahead,” I said. “Do you need directions to the house?”
“Yes please,” The Driver said.
“Right, once you see the Whitman farm on the right you know you’re in Bakersfield. From there, you just keep on the main road until you reach the downtown area. There’s sort of a suburb right past that and…”
​
My voice died in my throat as I caught a glimpse of what was in the mist ahead of us. I could see the familiar fence of the Whitman farm just up ahead but something seemed wrong.
“Is the mist always this heavy?” The driver asked.
“Not here…” I replied. I’d never seen it this heavy in any of the towns before. We could barely see a few feet in front of us. I tried to get a better look at the fence. Tried to understand why it looked so wrong. It almost seemed to be tangled in vines or branches or something.
​
And as we drove closer to the storefront of the farm itself, I noticed the same vines growing over the store. The sign that read ‘WHITMAN FARMS’ was almost unreadable behind the branches. The driver stared at it with narrowed eyes before reaching for his radio.
“Transports 2 to 10, status yellow. Keep on alert.”
​
The farm faded away into the distance and as it did, I looked ahead anxiously. I could see the downtown area just up ahead, and even from a distance I could see the vines growing over the buildings. I stared with wide, uneasy eyes as we got closer… and when I saw the people on the street, I felt a sinking horror burrowing through my chest.
​
Most of them seemed as if they’d either been trying to run or had been pulled to the ground… and honestly, I only barely still recognized them as people. I could see clothes and sometimes jewelry through the vines… but the skin beneath it all looked no different than the wood that bound them.
​
I looked over at the driver beside me to see an uneasy dread written all over his face. He looked at the silent figures we passed with the same horror I knew that I felt… and I knew that just like me, he had no answers.
“What the hell is this…” He said under his breath.
“I don’t know., Came my honest reply.
​
Thick branches seemed to burst from the concrete sidewalks, ensnaring those who’d once passed them by. I could see an upended baby stroller on the street, one of the branches burrowing into it, and felt my heart seize in my chest. As I drank in the eerie silence of Bakersfield, the knowing gnawed at the back of my mind…
“Drive faster,” I said. “Third turn up ahead. Take a right.”
“Ma’am…?” The Driver asked.
“Now!” I said.
​
He looked at me, silently understanding what I was asking and why. The truck sped up, blowing past stop signs and darkened stoplights. I don’t suppose that it mattered. There were no other vehicles on the road. He only slowed a little for the turn and even then, he took it fast.
“Take Lake Street, it’s the fifth house,” I said and waited for him to take the turn. As we drove, I kept glancing at every house we passed. I could see branches jutting in through their windows… and darkness within.
​
No… no, no, no…
​
The truck took its final turn. I could see Mom’s house up ahead.
“That one!” I said, pointing it out.
He didn’t even have time to stop fully before I’d thrown open the door and was getting out.
​
Mom’s house was no different than the others. The vines had grown along the sides, even slipping under the pastel siding in some places and prying it off the outside walls. Thick branches jutted out of the earth and had through some of the walls.
“No…” I said under my breath. Before I even knew what I was doing, I was running. I unlocked her door and tore inside, looking around frantically.
​
“Mom?” I called, but there was no answer. Only mist and silence.
“MOM?!” I called again, running down the hall toward her bedroom. I didn’t see her there either… but I did see her bathroom door hanging open, and I could see the ivy, growing out from the door and crawling along her carpet. On legs like jelly, I started toward the door. With one trembling hand, I pushed it open, knowing what I’d see inside but praying to whatever God might listen that it wouldn’t be there.
​
The branches that entombed her didn’t cover her face. Her skin was gray, almost blending in to the wood itself… but I still recognized her. Her eyes were half open, as was her mouth, and the moment I saw her, I knew she was past saving.
“No… no… no…” The word tumbled meaninglessly out of my mouth as my legs gave out from under me, sending me crashing down to the ground. The tears began to fall and soon, the only thing I could do was scream.
​
***
​
“Here’s an eerie one… Kenopsia. It describes the forlorn, unsettling atmosphere of a place that is usually filled with people, but is now quiet and abandoned.”
Mom’s voice echoed in my mind as I sat in the tent back in Puriysk.
​
The past few hours seemed like a blur. I could remember the trip to Bakersfield and the sight of her body. But everything after felt like a half remembered dream.
​
I hadn’t been able to stay in Bakersfield… there wasn’t any point to my staying and I could barely even remember a single detail about the drive back. It all just happened around me, as the reality of what I’d seen untethered me from the present moment and cast me adrift and mindless in time. My hands were still shaking a little and though my breathing had calmed down, my heart certainly hadn’t. I could still feel it racing.
“Rubatosis… the uncomfortable sensation of being aware of ones own heartbeat. Huh… you know, I always wondered if everyone else was uncomfortable being aware of that. Feeling your own pulse and stuff like that… do you ever get that, Cammy?”
“Cam?”
​
I looked up to see Nina standing at the door to the tent. Her expression was grave and her voice, heavier than usual.
“How’re you holding up?” She asked.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. She approached my table and sat down beside me.
“I brought you a drink. Wasn’t sure if you’d want something hard or not, so I technically got two, but…”
​
I saw the beer in her hand and quietly took it although I didn’t immediately take a drink. Nina watched me for a moment, before sighing and opening her own drink. And for a few minutes, that’s just how we stayed.
​
“Kallas said he found some holdouts after you left,” Nina said after a while. “He got back with them about an hour ago.”
I looked over at her.
“How many?” I asked. Nina hesitated before answering.
“Twenty… maybe thirty.”
​
I felt the weight in my chest drop even lower. Twenty or thirty… there’d been hundreds of people in Bakersfield, and we’d only brought back twenty or thirty.
​
I looked back at Nina. She was staring down at her drink, and I knew that there was more.
“What about Thompson Falls…?” I asked, “Or Rankin?”
“We’re meeting with Milo to go through it in ten minutes,” She said. “You don’t need to go but… I think you should be there. Better you know sooner rather than later.”
“How bad is it?” I asked softly.
“Bad,” Nina replied, before taking a sip of her drink. “It’s the same story in Rankin and Thompson… we’ve got survivors. But not a lot.”
​
“Sonya…?” I asked.
“Alive, thankfully,” Nina said. “Along with most of the people who were inside the Roadhouse.”
I closed my eyes and exhaled, feeling that weight lift just a little bit. At least there was some good news.
​
I finally took a sip of my drink. Nina seemed to want to say more but stopped herself. I couldn’t really blame her. She probably knew just how little there was to say here.
“You said you lost your mother, right?” I asked. “How did you…”
“How did I handle it?” She finished. I nodded.
Nina seemed to think over her answer for a few minutes before finally speaking.
​
“I’ve got two different ways to answer that question,” She said. “For the grief… you just learn to live with it. You make your peace, you carry them in your heart and you thank God for the good memories. I know it doesn’t sound like it helps much, but really that’s the only thing I can offer you. As for the anger… the only fix for that is retribution, edgy as it sounds. And for someone like Calhoun, the only thing you can do is take an eye for an eye.”
“Is that what you did?” I asked.
She nodded.
​
“I know a lot of people who’ll tell you that revenge isn’t the answer. But personally, I think they’re asking the wrong question. The vampires that killed my Mom were… they were monsters. A couple of assholes with delusions of grandeur were convinced that they could do whatever they wanted, and nobody would stop them. And for the longest time, they were right. Hunting them down and killing them… it didn’t fix anything. It didn’t undo what they’d done. But it sure as hell made me feel better. Not because I got revenge, but because I got the personal satisfaction of making sure that karma caught right the fuck up to them. And I sleep a hell of a lot better at night, knowing that’s what I did.
I nodded in agreement.
“I think I would too,” I said.
​
***
​
“What I want to know is why…” Durand said as we sat around the table. He almost looked like a completely different man from when I’d seen him that morning. He drummed his fingers on his desk and kept smoothing down his hair.
​
Dom sat beside me, a little quieter than usual with his arms tightly folded to his chest. He stared down at the table but didn’t seem to actually be looking at anything.
“Rankin Mills, Bakersfield, Thompson Falls… why? They were his own goddamn people!”
​
“Not for much longer,” Dr. Di Cesare said. She was the only one at the table without a grim expression. “Calhoun was most certainly aware of our operations. Provided he had no other immediate means to disrupt them, then this course of action may have simply been the most effective.”
“The most effective?” Nina asked incredulously, “We’ve only been working this job for a few days, and the first thing this asshole did was throw all of his toys out of the fucking pram. ‘If I can’t have them, no one can.’”
“We were lucky to get about fifty people out of Thompson Falls!” Dom added, “Fifty, out of five hundred!”
“We only got four out of Rankin Mills…” Kallas said. “The rest were tangled in those branches… I’ve never seen anything like it.”
​
“Considering the unprecedented control Calhoun demonstrates here, unprecedented occurrences should be expected,” Dr. Di Cesare said. “But I must admit, it is fascinating. Given the chance, I’d like to visit the afflicted areas for further study. Although I do also appreciate the samples your team provided, Mr. Kallas. Much obliged.”
Kallas ignored her comment before looking at Milo.
​
“So where exactly do we go from here?” He asked, “After today, there’s not a hell of a lot left to rescue!”
“I’m aware,” Durand said. “But let’s try and stay focused on the ones we did get out. We should keep a close eye on the towns too just in case. There may be some stragglers we missed.”
​
He looked up at Dom next.
“Correct me if I’m wrong but by taking out Rankin Mills and Bakersfield, he’s shot himself in the foot too, hasn’t he?” He asked, “I’d imagine that Parsons would be without food and power too, now.”
“Not exactly,” Dom said. “Parsons has its own power plant. It’s not exactly as powerful as the one in Rankin Mills, but from what I’ve heard it should be enough to keep the town running. As for the food supply, that might be a little dicier. But I’m willing to bet that Calhoun has a fix for that too.”
​
“Given his implied ability to come and go as he pleases from this Pocket Reality, as well as the lack of a sufficient explanation for where his fuel and ammunition comes from, it’s reasonable to assume that outside supply lines do exist,” Dr. Di Cesare said, before pausing to think. She checked something in her notebook before looking back at us. “A theory…” She said, “I agree that leaping to such a drastic response so early in our operation does seem unusual. What if this move wasn’t petty, but practical?”
​
“Practical?” Durand asked.
“As of now, Calhoun has brought five towns into the pocket over at minimum a fifty year period. Why stagger them so far apart?”
“Well I’d imagine it’d take a hell of a lot of juice to pull off something like this,” Durand said and Dr. Di Cesare shook her head.
​
“Correct, but not relevant. Power is not the issue. Timing is. Calhoun must have been aware that someone could come for him. Hence, he moved slowly. Avoided drawing attention. He was only discovered by accident. Had that accident not occurred, he could have continued to operate for decades more, but I digress. Us here right now may stand as a realization of one of his greatest fears. Discovery. Opposition. Now that he has seen his fears realized. It may explain his drastic actions. Perhaps this is not an act of pettiness… but of sacrifice.”
​
The rest of us at the table were quiet. I was the one who broke the silence.
“Sacrifice to what?” I asked.
“Countless Gods dwell within the Midnight Grove, each offering various gifts in exchange for souls. With enough souls to trade, Calhoun could very quickly evolve from a problem into a genuine threat. Running the numbers… it makes too much sense. The towns technically remain under his control. The people may be gone, but the people can be replaced. And having obtained the power to drive us off, what reason would Calhoun have to continue to develop this place at its previous steady pace? He could… no, he would need to push for a more aggressive expansion to compensate for his losses. And with the assurance that we and likely others could do little to stop him, I see no incentive for him not to do exactly that.”
​
“So what, this is some kind of power move?” Nina asked, “Now that he sees what he’s up against, he’s trying to bulk up?”
“It would be the sensible thing to do,” Dr. Di Cesare said. For the first time since I’d met her, she looked genuinely troubled.
I saw Durand’s brow crease.
​
“If that’s what he’s up to, then we need to deal with him sooner or later. Gretchen, Kallas we need to go over the estimated death toll. Calhoun just killed a whole hell of a lot of people. I wanna have some idea of what he might be trying to buy.”
“No need. It would be impossible to predict,” Dr. Di Cesare said. “The terms of whatever agreement he may have entered into would be known only to him, the Eldest and whatever entity he’s looking to barter with… and given what he’s already done, time may be against us. Immediate action needs to be taken.”
​
She reached into her coat again to take out the revolver. She set it on the table again.
“We have a means of execution. All we need now is opportunity.”
“How many bullets are in that gun?” Nina asked.
“The cylinder holds six, we have five remaining,” Dr. Di Cesare replied. “Given time and resources, I could make more, but-”
​
“You just said that we don’t have time,” Nina replied. “We only need one to kill him. Five should more than do the trick.”
Dr. Di Cesare nodded.
“Agreed,” She said.
“So if we can kill the fucker, let’s just do it and get it over with,” Dom said. He looked over at me. I gave no response, I just looked down at the gun and remembered what it had done to the Nightwalker the other night.
​
I would’ve loved to see it do the same to Calhoun.
​
Durand was also staring down at the gun, and after a moment gave a single, tense nod.
“Alright,” He finally said. “Kallas, I need you to continue overseeing the evacuation. Double time it, make sure everyone gets out. Do whatever you have to. And Valentine, I’m giving you the official go ahead to find Ben Calhoun and deal with him by any means necessary.”
“It’d be my genuine pleasure,” Valentine said.
“Good. Then let’s get-”
​
A klaxon alarm sounded from somewhere outside, cutting Durand off.
“Proximity warning,” Kallas said. “Something’s coming.”
“Nightwalkers?” Dom asked.
“But it’s not dark yet!” I replied.
Durand just pushed past us, stepping out of the tent with the rest of us right behind him. The sky was still bright, but we could see mist flowing in past the empty buildings and the FRB’s tents and inside the mist, we could see the shadows of what was coming.

First Entry
Second Entry
Third Entry
Fourth Entry ​
Fifth Entry
Sixth Entry
​
Journal of Camille Lambert - April 13th
​
As we drove back to Puriysk in the morning I watched the landscape pass me by with a quiet melancholy and promised myself that I’d see it all again soon.
​
Dom sat in the back seat of the SUV beside me while Nina drove, contentedly munching on a fresh bag of sunflower seeds as the ruined church loomed ahead of us.
“So the first order of business is evacuation, right?” Dom asked, “In which case, I’ve gotta ask, how exactly do we factor into this?”
“Right now, Milo’s thinking you two can help with the Thompson Falls evacuation,” Nina said. “It’d probably be helpful to have a couple of locals there to make sure people know we’re actually here to help, as opposed to just another group of jackoffs bringing in a fresh batch of misery. Although it sounds like I’m gonna be stuck in Puriysk for the time being,”
​
“You’re not coming with?” I asked.
“Nah, Milo wants me around in case Calhoun tries anything. I’ll probably be with Gretchen in the archive, looking for anything useful. Fun, fun, fun.”
“So you’re with Dr. Di Cesare? I asked, “Should be interesting at least.” I said.
​
“I could be worse off,” Nina admitted, “It’s hard to get a read on her, but if Milo trusts her, so do I. Besides from what I’ve heard, she’s one of the most powerful witches out there, which is probably saying a lot considering the fact that she’s a Di Cesare. Just about all of them are powerful witches, and they’ve got some serious pull among vampires.”
“She’s a vampire?” I asked. I thought back to the way she’d been out and nothing about her stood out as anything particularly ‘vampire-ish’. She was a little pale, I guess. But so was Dom and I was pretty sure he wasn’t a vampire!
​
“The whole Di Cesare family is,” Nina said before noticing my obvious concern, “Don’t worry about it, most vampires are pretty safe. Milo’s probably got some volunteers lined up to keep her supplied with fresh blood as she needs it. Plus, the Di Cesare’s are generally pretty peaceful. I wouldn’t pick a fight with them, but they don’t cause that much trouble unprovoked.”
“Do you know a lot of the Di Cesare’s?” I asked. Nina just shrugged.
“I met a couple of her sisters on a trip to Greece last year through some mutual friends but that was more of a social thing,” She said. “From what I heard, Gretchen doesn’t really get out much. I’m a little surprised that Milo was able to bring her in on this, but then again Milo could probably sell vodka at an AA meeting.”
​
Somehow I didn’t doubt that.
​
“So how long do you think the evacuation might take?” Dom asked, “How long until we shift focus to Calhoun?”
“Shouldn’t be that long,” Nina said. “Milo wants this run pretty smoothly. A few days, give or take. The hard part is gonna be what to do with everyone once they’re on the outside. Not sure how Milo’s gonna manage, but that’s above my pay grade. I’m just gonna assume he’s figured something out. Don’t worry. If everything goes to plan, we’ll be done with this in the next week or so and you two can go back to your hotel room for ‘coffee’.”
Both Dom and I looked over at her.
“Thin walls,” She replied, not even taking her eyes off the road. I caught Dom turning bright red before he looked out the window, trying to end this conversation as quickly as possible.
​
The church was just ahead of us, although now I barely recognized it. Several large metal poles had been put up, bearing familiar sigils on them. I noticed white spray paint in the grass, marking a larger ritual circle. Several tents had been set up in an area outside of the ritual circle and I could see people near them. The people from Puriysk, most likely. There were even more tents that sat empty nearby, no doubt waiting for the refugees from the other towns.
​
I could see smoke rising from the collapsed roof of the church itself. Our bonfire from the other night still seemed to be going strong. That was probably a good thing. I could see other trucks parked outside the church, with other tents surrounded by soldiers. This looked to be some kind of staging area, although I never got a good look at the finer details of it.
Nina drove past the metal poles, before following a worn path in the road leading to a second set of poles. A doorway back to Puriysk.
​
As we drew closer to the second set of poles, I noticed a thin mist swirling around the car. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath as we passed them until we’d actually passed them and I was greeted by the familiar dense forest I’d always known.
I looked back at the church, which was quickly swallowed up by the mist again, and relaxed back into my seat as we returned to Puriysk.
​
We’d only been gone for a day or so, but Puriysk already looked different than it had when we’d left. Tents had been set up along the main drag and I could see soldiers along the street, all of them relatively heavily armed. Some of them had their faces visible, others wore those netlike veils we’d seen the other night, giving them a more inhuman appearance.
​
“What’s the point of the nets?” Dom asked, watching as we passed a group of soldiers.
“It breaks up the silhouette or something,” Nina said. “Plus it hides the face. We went over it during the training. Why, you want one?”
“Just wondering,” Dom said, “Never seen anything like this before.”
“It’s more of a special forces type thing,” Nina said, “Technically the FRB doesn’t really do spec ops and shit like that. But I know we’ve got a number of ex military types with us. Milo said something about bringing them in.”
​
“How many do you think they’ve got?” I asked.
“A couple hundred boots on the ground, I think. Probably fifty or so more just working to support them. It’s not exactly a massive operation, but it’s big by our standards.”
Dom just nodded passively, his attention still focused on the passing soldiers.
​
Nina stopped the car in front of a large white RV parked near the ruins of the Deputy’s Office. I could see Durand standing out front of it. He’d traded his nice suit from the night before for a more practical outfit, jeans, a polo shirt, and a handgun holstered at his hip. As Nina got out of the car, Milo walked over to greet her.
“Love what you’ve done with the place.” She said. “The tents and the soldiers were exactly what was missing here.”
“Oh, it’ll all come together once we get the power back on,” Milo said. “Everything shut off in the night. We’ve got some backup generators, but it’s still a pain in the ass.”
​
“Calhoun shut off the power?” Dom asked as he and I got out of the car.
“If not him, then somebody. We sent some folks out to Rankin Mills to see if they can’t get it up and running again. With any luck we should be back to normal shortly. In the meanwhile, I’ve been helping Gretchen bring some stuff up from the archives. She’s in the RV, looking through what I’ve found so far. But I could use a hand going through the rest of it.”
“You got it, boss man,” Nina said. “I saw some interesting shit by the south corner that might be useful.”
​
“What about us?” I asked, “Nina said something about us helping with the evacuation.
“Yes, actually I had the perfect job in mind for you two,” Durand said. “We could use some friendly faces going in to the towns to make the evacuation go a bit smoother. Natalya’s been a huge help here in Puriysk. We’re hoping to get the same results in the other towns.”
“Sonya in Thompson Falls would know to trust Dom,” I said. “If you can get her on your side, she can probably get most of the town to come along. As for Bakersfield, my Mom lives there. I could help with that team, if you wanted.”
​
Durand raised an eyebrow.
“You don’t say?” He asked, “You should tell that to Kallas, then. He’s down by the town hall, getting the Bakersfield and Thompson Falls teams organized.”
“Got it,” I said before giving Nina a parting nod, “I guess I’ll see you when we get back”
“See you when you get back,” Nina replied and gave us a parting weave before turning and heading over to the Deputy’s Office with Durand. As she left, Dom and I started down the street toward a group of trucks and tents near the Puriysk town hall.
It was time to get to work.
​
***
​
I was on the first of the Bakersfield trucks as they left and as we drove through the old familiar forest, I watched it with a conflicted nostalgia. On one hand, these misty woods were all I’d ever really known and I realized that there’d be a part of me that would miss them when at last I left them behind forever. Of course, knowing what I knew now about our situation ensured I wouldn’t miss them too much, but I’d miss them all the same.
​
My Mom always used to have a fondness for obscure words. She’d been an English teacher once upon a time, so I guess that made sense for her.
“Language is so fascinating,” she’d said to me once. “You know, there’s some beautiful words out there for such complex emotions.”
​
Looking out the window, a few of those words came to mind.
Like: ‘Rückkehrunruhe.’
“It’s this feeling of returning home after a trip, only to find it fading into your memory to the point where it no longer feels real… can you imagine.” She’d laughed sadly at that.
“You know, sometimes I can’t help but feel that way about the old world. I shouldn’t idealize it. It wasn’t perfect, but… I would’ve loved for you to see it.”
​
And I had seen it, hadn’t I? What would she say when I told her? What would she say when I came to Bakersfield with a convoy of trucks, come to bring her and everyone else home again. Out of this beautiful, cruel world and back into the one she’d missed for so long. I could already imagine the way that her eyes would light up… I could already imagine her smile. It’d been a few weeks since I’d seen her… I hoped she was doing okay.
​
“Here’s another one I like… Occhiolism. It describes the awareness of the smallness of your own perspective. Do you understand what I’m talking about? That… melancholy, you sometimes feel when you reflect on your own experiences despite knowing how much more is out there. Or… am I thinking of Onism? No… no… although they are similar. Do you know what Onism means? It describes the frustration of having to live in just one body, that can only be in one place at a time.”
“Mom, what are you talking about?” I’d asked her. She’d looked up from the book she’d been reading and smiled sheepishly at me.
​
“Sorry… I guess I just feel like sharing these with someone. They are interesting, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, I guess they are,” I said, mostly just to be polite. She’d paused for a moment, almost closing the book.
“You can keep going!” I said, “Come on, tell me another one.”
“How about ‘Nodus Tollens’. It’s the realization that the plot of your life doesn’t make sense to you anymore. You know I sort of like the wording there. Speaking of life like a story to be told…”
​
The truck turned and I recognized the landmark we’d just passed. An old, crumbling house that had been abandoned for as long as I could remember. Bakersfield was just ahead. I perked up a little bit and looked over at the driver beside me.
“It’s just up ahead,” I said. “Do you need directions to the house?”
“Yes please,” The Driver said.
“Right, once you see the Whitman farm on the right you know you’re in Bakersfield. From there, you just keep on the main road until you reach the downtown area. There’s sort of a suburb right past that and…”
​
My voice died in my throat as I caught a glimpse of what was in the mist ahead of us. I could see the familiar fence of the Whitman farm just up ahead but something seemed wrong.
“Is the mist always this heavy?” The driver asked.
“Not here…” I replied. I’d never seen it this heavy in any of the towns before. We could barely see a few feet in front of us. I tried to get a better look at the fence. Tried to understand why it looked so wrong. It almost seemed to be tangled in vines or branches or something.
​
And as we drove closer to the storefront of the farm itself, I noticed the same vines growing over the store. The sign that read ‘WHITMAN FARMS’ was almost unreadable behind the branches. The driver stared at it with narrowed eyes before reaching for his radio.
“Transports 2 to 10, status yellow. Keep on alert.”
​
The farm faded away into the distance and as it did, I looked ahead anxiously. I could see the downtown area just up ahead, and even from a distance I could see the vines growing over the buildings. I stared with wide, uneasy eyes as we got closer… and when I saw the people on the street, I felt a sinking horror burrowing through my chest.
​
Most of them seemed as if they’d either been trying to run or had been pulled to the ground… and honestly, I only barely still recognized them as people. I could see clothes and sometimes jewelry through the vines… but the skin beneath it all looked no different than the wood that bound them.
​
I looked over at the driver beside me to see an uneasy dread written all over his face. He looked at the silent figures we passed with the same horror I knew that I felt… and I knew that just like me, he had no answers.
“What the hell is this…” He said under his breath.
“I don’t know., Came my honest reply.
​
Thick branches seemed to burst from the concrete sidewalks, ensnaring those who’d once passed them by. I could see an upended baby stroller on the street, one of the branches burrowing into it, and felt my heart seize in my chest. As I drank in the eerie silence of Bakersfield, the knowing gnawed at the back of my mind…
“Drive faster,” I said. “Third turn up ahead. Take a right.”
“Ma’am…?” The Driver asked.
“Now!” I said.
​
He looked at me, silently understanding what I was asking and why. The truck sped up, blowing past stop signs and darkened stoplights. I don’t suppose that it mattered. There were no other vehicles on the road. He only slowed a little for the turn and even then, he took it fast.
“Take Lake Street, it’s the fifth house,” I said and waited for him to take the turn. As we drove, I kept glancing at every house we passed. I could see branches jutting in through their windows… and darkness within.
​
No… no, no, no…
​
The truck took its final turn. I could see Mom’s house up ahead.
“That one!” I said, pointing it out.
He didn’t even have time to stop fully before I’d thrown open the door and was getting out.
​
Mom’s house was no different than the others. The vines had grown along the sides, even slipping under the pastel siding in some places and prying it off the outside walls. Thick branches jutted out of the earth and had through some of the walls.
“No…” I said under my breath. Before I even knew what I was doing, I was running. I unlocked her door and tore inside, looking around frantically.
​
“Mom?” I called, but there was no answer. Only mist and silence.
“MOM?!” I called again, running down the hall toward her bedroom. I didn’t see her there either… but I did see her bathroom door hanging open, and I could see the ivy, growing out from the door and crawling along her carpet. On legs like jelly, I started toward the door. With one trembling hand, I pushed it open, knowing what I’d see inside but praying to whatever God might listen that it wouldn’t be there.
​
The branches that entombed her didn’t cover her face. Her skin was gray, almost blending in to the wood itself… but I still recognized her. Her eyes were half open, as was her mouth, and the moment I saw her, I knew she was past saving.
“No… no… no…” The word tumbled meaninglessly out of my mouth as my legs gave out from under me, sending me crashing down to the ground. The tears began to fall and soon, the only thing I could do was scream.
​
***
​
“Here’s an eerie one… Kenopsia. It describes the forlorn, unsettling atmosphere of a place that is usually filled with people, but is now quiet and abandoned.”
Mom’s voice echoed in my mind as I sat in the tent back in Puriysk.
​
The past few hours seemed like a blur. I could remember the trip to Bakersfield and the sight of her body. But everything after felt like a half remembered dream.
​
I hadn’t been able to stay in Bakersfield… there wasn’t any point to my staying and I could barely even remember a single detail about the drive back. It all just happened around me, as the reality of what I’d seen untethered me from the present moment and cast me adrift and mindless in time. My hands were still shaking a little and though my breathing had calmed down, my heart certainly hadn’t. I could still feel it racing.
“Rubatosis… the uncomfortable sensation of being aware of ones own heartbeat. Huh… you know, I always wondered if everyone else was uncomfortable being aware of that. Feeling your own pulse and stuff like that… do you ever get that, Cammy?”
“Cam?”
​
I looked up to see Nina standing at the door to the tent. Her expression was grave and her voice, heavier than usual.
“How’re you holding up?” She asked.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. She approached my table and sat down beside me.
“I brought you a drink. Wasn’t sure if you’d want something hard or not, so I technically got two, but…”
​
I saw the beer in her hand and quietly took it although I didn’t immediately take a drink. Nina watched me for a moment, before sighing and opening her own drink. And for a few minutes, that’s just how we stayed.
​
“Kallas said he found some holdouts after you left,” Nina said after a while. “He got back with them about an hour ago.”
I looked over at her.
“How many?” I asked. Nina hesitated before answering.
“Twenty… maybe thirty.”
​
I felt the weight in my chest drop even lower. Twenty or thirty… there’d been hundreds of people in Bakersfield, and we’d only brought back twenty or thirty.
​
I looked back at Nina. She was staring down at her drink, and I knew that there was more.
“What about Thompson Falls…?” I asked, “Or Rankin?”
“We’re meeting with Milo to go through it in ten minutes,” She said. “You don’t need to go but… I think you should be there. Better you know sooner rather than later.”
“How bad is it?” I asked softly.
“Bad,” Nina replied, before taking a sip of her drink. “It’s the same story in Rankin and Thompson… we’ve got survivors. But not a lot.”
​
“Sonya…?” I asked.
“Alive, thankfully,” Nina said. “Along with most of the people who were inside the Roadhouse.”
I closed my eyes and exhaled, feeling that weight lift just a little bit. At least there was some good news.
​
I finally took a sip of my drink. Nina seemed to want to say more but stopped herself. I couldn’t really blame her. She probably knew just how little there was to say here.
“You said you lost your mother, right?” I asked. “How did you…”
“How did I handle it?” She finished. I nodded.
Nina seemed to think over her answer for a few minutes before finally speaking.
​
“I’ve got two different ways to answer that question,” She said. “For the grief… you just learn to live with it. You make your peace, you carry them in your heart and you thank God for the good memories. I know it doesn’t sound like it helps much, but really that’s the only thing I can offer you. As for the anger… the only fix for that is retribution, edgy as it sounds. And for someone like Calhoun, the only thing you can do is take an eye for an eye.”
“Is that what you did?” I asked.
She nodded.
​
“I know a lot of people who’ll tell you that revenge isn’t the answer. But personally, I think they’re asking the wrong question. The vampires that killed my Mom were… they were monsters. A couple of assholes with delusions of grandeur were convinced that they could do whatever they wanted, and nobody would stop them. And for the longest time, they were right. Hunting them down and killing them… it didn’t fix anything. It didn’t undo what they’d done. But it sure as hell made me feel better. Not because I got revenge, but because I got the personal satisfaction of making sure that karma caught right the fuck up to them. And I sleep a hell of a lot better at night, knowing that’s what I did.
I nodded in agreement.
“I think I would too,” I said.
​
***
​
“What I want to know is why…” Durand said as we sat around the table. He almost looked like a completely different man from when I’d seen him that morning. He drummed his fingers on his desk and kept smoothing down his hair.
​
Dom sat beside me, a little quieter than usual with his arms tightly folded to his chest. He stared down at the table but didn’t seem to actually be looking at anything.
“Rankin Mills, Bakersfield, Thompson Falls… why? They were his own goddamn people!”
​
“Not for much longer,” Dr. Di Cesare said. She was the only one at the table without a grim expression. “Calhoun was most certainly aware of our operations. Provided he had no other immediate means to disrupt them, then this course of action may have simply been the most effective.”
“The most effective?” Nina asked incredulously, “We’ve only been working this job for a few days, and the first thing this asshole did was throw all of his toys out of the fucking pram. ‘If I can’t have them, no one can.’”
“We were lucky to get about fifty people out of Thompson Falls!” Dom added, “Fifty, out of five hundred!”
“We only got four out of Rankin Mills…” Kallas said. “The rest were tangled in those branches… I’ve never seen anything like it.”
​
“Considering the unprecedented control Calhoun demonstrates here, unprecedented occurrences should be expected,” Dr. Di Cesare said. “But I must admit, it is fascinating. Given the chance, I’d like to visit the afflicted areas for further study. Although I do also appreciate the samples your team provided, Mr. Kallas. Much obliged.”
Kallas ignored her comment before looking at Milo.
​
“So where exactly do we go from here?” He asked, “After today, there’s not a hell of a lot left to rescue!”
“I’m aware,” Durand said. “But let’s try and stay focused on the ones we did get out. We should keep a close eye on the towns too just in case. There may be some stragglers we missed.”
​
He looked up at Dom next.
“Correct me if I’m wrong but by taking out Rankin Mills and Bakersfield, he’s shot himself in the foot too, hasn’t he?” He asked, “I’d imagine that Parsons would be without food and power too, now.”
“Not exactly,” Dom said. “Parsons has its own power plant. It’s not exactly as powerful as the one in Rankin Mills, but from what I’ve heard it should be enough to keep the town running. As for the food supply, that might be a little dicier. But I’m willing to bet that Calhoun has a fix for that too.”
​
“Given his implied ability to come and go as he pleases from this Pocket Reality, as well as the lack of a sufficient explanation for where his fuel and ammunition comes from, it’s reasonable to assume that outside supply lines do exist,” Dr. Di Cesare said, before pausing to think. She checked something in her notebook before looking back at us. “A theory…” She said, “I agree that leaping to such a drastic response so early in our operation does seem unusual. What if this move wasn’t petty, but practical?”
​
“Practical?” Durand asked.
“As of now, Calhoun has brought five towns into the pocket over at minimum a fifty year period. Why stagger them so far apart?”
“Well I’d imagine it’d take a hell of a lot of juice to pull off something like this,” Durand said and Dr. Di Cesare shook her head.
​
“Correct, but not relevant. Power is not the issue. Timing is. Calhoun must have been aware that someone could come for him. Hence, he moved slowly. Avoided drawing attention. He was only discovered by accident. Had that accident not occurred, he could have continued to operate for decades more, but I digress. Us here right now may stand as a realization of one of his greatest fears. Discovery. Opposition. Now that he has seen his fears realized. It may explain his drastic actions. Perhaps this is not an act of pettiness… but of sacrifice.”
​
The rest of us at the table were quiet. I was the one who broke the silence.
“Sacrifice to what?” I asked.
“Countless Gods dwell within the Midnight Grove, each offering various gifts in exchange for souls. With enough souls to trade, Calhoun could very quickly evolve from a problem into a genuine threat. Running the numbers… it makes too much sense. The towns technically remain under his control. The people may be gone, but the people can be replaced. And having obtained the power to drive us off, what reason would Calhoun have to continue to develop this place at its previous steady pace? He could… no, he would need to push for a more aggressive expansion to compensate for his losses. And with the assurance that we and likely others could do little to stop him, I see no incentive for him not to do exactly that.”
​
“So what, this is some kind of power move?” Nina asked, “Now that he sees what he’s up against, he’s trying to bulk up?”
“It would be the sensible thing to do,” Dr. Di Cesare said. For the first time since I’d met her, she looked genuinely troubled.
I saw Durand’s brow crease.
​
“If that’s what he’s up to, then we need to deal with him sooner or later. Gretchen, Kallas we need to go over the estimated death toll. Calhoun just killed a whole hell of a lot of people. I wanna have some idea of what he might be trying to buy.”
“No need. It would be impossible to predict,” Dr. Di Cesare said. “The terms of whatever agreement he may have entered into would be known only to him, the Eldest and whatever entity he’s looking to barter with… and given what he’s already done, time may be against us. Immediate action needs to be taken.”
​
She reached into her coat again to take out the revolver. She set it on the table again.
“We have a means of execution. All we need now is opportunity.”
“How many bullets are in that gun?” Nina asked.
“The cylinder holds six, we have five remaining,” Dr. Di Cesare replied. “Given time and resources, I could make more, but-”
​
“You just said that we don’t have time,” Nina replied. “We only need one to kill him. Five should more than do the trick.”
Dr. Di Cesare nodded.
“Agreed,” She said.
“So if we can kill the fucker, let’s just do it and get it over with,” Dom said. He looked over at me. I gave no response, I just looked down at the gun and remembered what it had done to the Nightwalker the other night.
​
I would’ve loved to see it do the same to Calhoun.
​
Durand was also staring down at the gun, and after a moment gave a single, tense nod.
“Alright,” He finally said. “Kallas, I need you to continue overseeing the evacuation. Double time it, make sure everyone gets out. Do whatever you have to. And Valentine, I’m giving you the official go ahead to find Ben Calhoun and deal with him by any means necessary.”
“It’d be my genuine pleasure,” Valentine said.
“Good. Then let’s get-”
​
A klaxon alarm sounded from somewhere outside, cutting Durand off.
“Proximity warning,” Kallas said. “Something’s coming.”
“Nightwalkers?” Dom asked.
“But it’s not dark yet!” I replied.
Durand just pushed past us, stepping out of the tent with the rest of us right behind him. The sky was still bright, but we could see mist flowing in past the empty buildings and the FRB’s tents and inside the mist, we could see the shadows of what was coming.

North Carolina North Carolina @ Arizona State Arizona State
Game Start Time: 8:00 PM ET
Location: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ
Watch: Pac-12 Network

Team	Coach(es)	Offense	Defense
North Carolina North Carolina	cloud996	Air	4-3
Arizona State Arizona State	asujulian94	Pro	4-3

North Carolina North Carolina

Total Passing Yards	Total Rushing Yards	Total Yards	Interceptions Lost	Fumbles Lost	Field Goals	Time of Possession	Timeouts
125 yards	0 yards	125 yards	0	0	0/0	3:30	3

Arizona State Arizona State

Total Passing Yards	Total Rushing Yards	Total Yards	Interceptions Lost	Fumbles Lost	Field Goals	Time of Possession	Timeouts
0 yards	155 yards	155 yards	0	0	0/0	1:13	3

Drive Summary
home for 80 yards in 16 seconds ending in touchdown
away for 50 yards in 68 seconds ending in touchdown
home for 75 yards in 50 seconds ending in touchdown
away for 75 yards in 137 seconds ending in touchdown

Clock	Quarter	Down	Ball Location	Possession	Playclock	Deadline
2:17	1	1st & 10	35 North Carolina	North Carolina	03/25 01:37 AM EST	04/01 09:00 AM EST

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Arizona State	14	0	0	0	14
North Carolina	14	0	0	0	14

Plays
Waiting on a response from cloud996 to this comment.
^{Admin: Restart Edit North Carolina Edit Arizona State Rerun play Pause Chew Abandon}

Race Information

• Name: 2023 NYC Half
• Date: March 19, 2023
• Distance: 13.1
• Location: New York, NY
• Time: 2:24:14

Goals

Goal	Description	Completed?
A	Sub 2:30	Yes
B	Sub 2:15	No

Splits

Mile	Time
1	12:02
2	10:26
3	10:49
4	10:03
5	10:49
6	10:57
7	10:34
8	10:41
9	11:16
10	10:14
11	10:41
12	8:56
13	10:07

Training

I had my heart set on this race being my first half after watching the full marathon year after year. Miraculously, I applied for the lottery and got in! Around Christmas I started using Hal Higdon's Novice 2 program, which looked pretty manageable. But as the weeks went on and the race got closer, I started incorporating some of Nike's Half Marathon training too. I liked that the higher mileage long runs were about a month out from the race vs. Hal's which capped at 10 miles the week before the race. I got a Peloton tread in the fall too, and found a bunch of great race prep classes on there (specifically loved Robin's NYC Marathon Simulation run!)
We had an unseasonably warm winter here in Virginia, so training wasn't as brutal as I thought originally. It felt like it took weeks to finally get up to double digits, but I finally peaked at 10.6 miles 2 weeks before the race and then slowly started to taper with shorter 3-5 mile runs the weeks leading up to it.
Overall, I was just excited and pumped to get the race done as I had been mentally working up to it for months!

Pre-race

We got to NYC on Thursday with the race on Sunday, and it was awesome to see so many other runners throughout the city over the days leading up to the race. I knew the weather was going to be cold, so I stocked up on hot hands and bought a pair of gloves at the Nike store too.
While I had avoided any nerves up until this point, the night before it started to set in. I laid all my stuff out on Saturday evening and enjoyed a FABULOUS chicken parmesan dinner the night before. Definitely tossed and turned before finally falling asleep after midnight, but woke up on Sunday AM ready to go.
As I mentioned, I'm in Virginia where winters can be snowy and cold or — like this year — unseasonably warm. But when I stepped out of the hotel room on Sunday AM, I knew it was going to be brutal. The "feels like" temp was in the teens, and once I stepped off the subway in Brooklyn the wind was roaring. Even with extra throw-away layers, hot hands, gloves, etc., the wind was cutting right through anything.
However, dealing with the cold somehow distracted me from any nerves about the actual race and the sheer amount of people running this race. I was in Wave 4 and it took about 30 minutes just to get through security. I was glad I gave myself plenty of time to get to the starting line. Luckily, portapotty lines were short and the availability of them in and out of the corral was nice too.
Before I knew it, we were crowded in the corral. Someone next to me said, "The actual race can't be as bad as standing here in this cold." And she was right. This was the worst part of the whole day.

Race

The gun went off and we started through the park. The first mile my feet felt like absolute bricks, and the first mile was much narrower than the rest of the race, leaving everyone crowded in until the turn around mile 2. After all the weeks of training, I felt a bit disassociated — I was in NYC! Running my first half marathon! SHIT it's cold!
I stopped at mile 2 for my one quick bathroom break of the race, and then once I hit mile 3 in Brooklyn, I started to see the crowds. Even in teen temperatures, people were out cheering and yelling. It was incredible. I felt myself tear up at this point (and several others throughout the race) as we all ran together. It was amazing.
Around mile 4 I had my first gel and saw the Manhattan Bridge up ahead. Going over the bridge was such a surreal experience. In my opinion, people over-exaggerated the incline on the bridge, but maybe I'm just more used to running hills in my neck of the woods. At one point, I paused the music as we went over the Manhattan Bridge and it was just the silence of footsteps as people took in the view. It was the coolest part of the course, IMO.
Off the bridge and into Manhattan and the crowds were epic. I knew FDR was coming up and thought, "oh okay this is a nice flat area where I can just focus on running." However, this was for sure the worst part of the race. You're pretty much running on the highway, with cars coming the other direction. It's an incredibly long stretch. The sun is in your face. It was just the worst part of the whole thing.
Finally, mile 9, we were back on the streets. I was so happy to get off that highway. I knew my family was stationed in Times Square at mile 11, and had some extra gas in the tank to get to them. My hamstrings were definitely feeling tight around here, but just kept going. Running through a closed-off Times Square is a bucket-list experience for any runner. Really surreal and awesome.
The end was near and we entered Central Park! I swear the last 800M felt like another 2 miles. But crossed the finish line and looked at my official time: 30 seconds shorter than the 2:25 pace band I had been following. YESSSS.
(My Strava splits are a bit wonky with the GPS/city buildings but I clocked negative splits throughout the race according to the official NYRR dashboard!)

Post-race

Met up with my family and got some brunch around the corner. Took a warm shower and two days later, feeling slightly sore but ultimately so happy. I know for many runners, the cold got them — and rightfully so! It was brutal, especially if you're not used to cold weather running like that. But ultimately, I thought the race was incredibly well-organized, the course was epic and I'm already starting to think about the next one.
This group was really helpful and insightful for me as a new runner and first-time half marathoner, so just wanted to repay with my own insight from the race!
Made with a new race report generator created by herumph.

RELEASE NOTES 1.31.22.0

If you are playing on PC, outdated packages in your community folder may have an unexpected impact on the title’s performance and behavior.
If you suffer from stability issues or long loading times, move your community package(s) to another folder before relaunching the title.
[All Versions] How to Install a New Update Safely

NEW CONTENT/FEATURES

• Optimized the “Checking for updates” phase to reduce the booting time of the simulator; improved the download speed in the installation manager; improved loading time before booting to the main menu
• Added a new assistance option to customize the intensity of turbulence experienced during flight (based on current altitude, environment, and weather conditions).
• Turkish and Korean languages have been added into the sim
• Added an input key to toggle Flight Assistant Panel
• Spotlight Event Pack: a pack of activities is now available in the Marketplace, which contains a curated selection of 13 Spotlight Events from the past. Please note: completing these activities will not count towards Spotlight Event related achievements.

General Bug Fixes

• Several crashes have been fixed across the title
• Fixed a bug in the purchase flow of MSFS Marketplace
• Keyboard shortcut to toggle Screen Narrator on/off has been added
• Control Options menu stops reset to top when assigning a button.
• “Set Departure”, “Set arrival” & “Zoom to Details” are now appearing when Airport Icon is clicked
• Fixed aircraft visibility issues with their interior and exterior model
• Corrected an issue that caused some multiplayer planes to display a purple texture on their Glass cockpits.
• Fixed Engine Governor being incorrectly labeled
• Fixed game freeze during boot
• Added parameter to cfg that allows to fix the legacy flight model integration of the accelerations that was causing wrong accelerations and g-force calculations in the legacy flight model. Integrated collision constraint response into the force calculation for g force estimation when on ground. This allows to have 1.0 when still on ground even with some suspension systems that don’t have enough force to counter gravity.
• Fixed issues in the building generation that could caused crashes
• Various localization improvements

Menu

• Fixed airport considered as water if runways have undefined surface type
• Added Weight & Balance visualization for rotorcraft.

Navigation/Traffic

• [Partially Fixed] Glass cockpit externalization has been reworked. There’s no intermediate window anymore; each glass cockpit opens a distinct window with the glass cockpit name. Window position and size is saved when ending a flight.
• With multi-layout screens cockpits, mouse collision for glass cockpit externalization is now received only by the current active glass cockpit.
• Navlog timer no longer resets when user closes and reopens it
• Fixed SimConnect injected traffic planes not following the assigned flight plan
• Fixed live traffic planes incorrectly following departure procedures
• Fixed live traffic planes staying stuck at hold short in some airports
• Fixed live traffic planes staying at low altitude after takeoff
• Fixed SimConnect injected traffic being often unable to depart from the departure gate
• Fixed traffic planes causing performance issue in the world map
• Fixed live traffic planes sometimes not showing nameplate
• Fixed live traffic planes sometimes spawning at an incorrect location and unable to move
• Fixed live traffic planes staying at low altitude during go around
• Fixed a crash where ATC uses an invalid runway number
• Glass cockpit: Waypoint with no associated city now show an empty city field instead of random characters.
• Glass cockpit: NavigationData expiration year is now properly displayed when date range extends over two years.

Weather

• [Partially Fixed] Heat only thermals are limited in height up to the cloud base (except under clouds)
• Limited and tuned negative thermals around clouds and hot ground.
• Reduced thermals close to ground.
• [Partially Fixed] Improved thermal slanting and cloud alignment.
• Reduced “blue” hot ground thermals in rain, with altitude and with high winds
• Reduced mountain turbulence with altitude
• Maximum vertical wind speed in storm clouds / TCU has been increased
• Fixed a cloud popping issue when updating Live Weather data
• Fixed a problem where in water presets, water would be iced for the physics but displayed as water in the rendering.
• General Live Weather improvements
  • Live Weather now uses server time instead of local time to avoid inconsistent or no live weather
  • Date of METAR files is now checked before ingesting the data to avoid replacing current METARs with out-of-date METARs in case of CDN issues; this also reduces bandwidth usage
  • Fixed an issue that would potentially stop the game from retrieving clouds
  • Fixed an issue where incorrect weather was injected while retrieving new data, potentially causing abrupt wind and pressure changes as well as cloud popping
• Fixed a Rendering issue where clouds were ghosting into the sky at horizon

Activity

• Fixed various issues on leg start in bushtrips
• Training activities are now recorded in logbook
• Fixed an issue that caused the P-51 to run out of fuel too early in Reno races
• Fixed an issue that could cause the engines to shut down when first starting a mission.
• In Bushtrips, the Description Box displays incorrect values for the Flight Length, Flight Duration, and Number of Legs

Glass Cockpits

Garmin G3000 / G5000

• Fixed incorrectly rendered lists when the number of items in the list was very large.
• Fixed various instances where FMS would not automatically tune the primary approach frequency when loading or activating ILS/LOC/LDA/SDF/VOR approaches.
• The GTC Airport Information page will now display the primary approach frequencies for all ILS/LOC/LDA/SDF approaches at the airport in the Freq tab.
• The PFD traffic inset map’s range labels are now always displayed in the bottom left to avoid conflicts with other map elements.
• Fixed long approach names from overflowing the approach button on the GTC Select Approach page.
• Miscellaneous map memory optimizations.
• Fixed a bug where on-route direct-tos incorrectly inherited the turn direction of their target legs.
• Fixed a bug where the initial course of an on-route direct-to was set in true degrees instead of the expected magnetic degrees.
• Fixed a bug where the flight plan would become corrupted when syncing a world map flight plan with an approach and at least one enroute waypoint but no departure or arrival.
• Advanced VNAV no longer tries to capture descent altitude constraints during climb phase.
• Added aural alerts for TIS/TAS/TCAS traffic and resolution advisories.
• Added support for choosing aural alert voice type (male/female).
• Enabled the Direct-To buttons in the GTC Waypoint Information and NRST pages.
• Most aural alerts that trigger at the same time will now be played back in a queue instead of overlapping each other. Note that some alerts are still allowed to overlap others.
• New CAS warning and caution messages are now accompanied by an aural chime.
• The active NAV source is now reset to FMS when the system is power cycled.
• Fixed a bug where the VSR navigation data bar field always displayed dashes (‘––––’).
• Selecting a waypoint in the GTC Direct-To page (either via the keyboard or the Nearest tab) that matches the current Direct-To target will now load the appropriate existing Direct-To information.
• Selecting a waypoint in the GTC Direct-To page (either via the keyboard or the Nearest tab) that is in the primary flight plan will now cause an on-route direct-to to be created when the Activate button is pressed.

G1000 Nxi

• Fixed an issue that caused the G1000Nxi to pan very slowly in Legacy interaction mode

Garmin GNS430W / GNS530W

• Fixed some page navigation issues where the right knob push would not close dialogs

VFR Map

• Fixed an issue where the plane’s CDI source would change when opening the VFR Map
• Optimizations for reducing memory usage
• Added support for VR in-game panel zoom axis

Aircraft

General

• FLO mode transition now takes into account density altitude
• Fixed Load % to display the correct individual engine power.
• Fixed a bug on WASM & TS glass cockpits using the zero pitch line of the PFD. The line now represents the 0° of the aircraft
• Fixed contrail effects on some planes
• Corrected an issue that caused the P-51 Bunny to display a white screen instead of the radio.
• [Partially Fixed] an issue that caused some lights on the B747 and A320 to incorrectly react to interaction with their controls.
• Corrected an issue that caused LEFT/RIGHT_AXIS_BRAKE_SET to incorrectly affect both brakes.
• [P-51 Mrs Virginia] Landing gear doors animations are now working correctly
• External HUD : Variometer is no longer displayed on external HUD when not relevant to the aircraft.
• [Checklists] Fixed inconsistent XML parsing behavior between PC and consoles
• [Known Issue] LS8 can be pushed towards the ground when using winch launch method

Helicopters

• Engine power jump was reduced during the governor activation.
• Added an engine trimmer. If the helicopter has this feature, it is now possible to slightly change the nominal engine/rotor RPM that a governor is trying to maintain. Please, refer to the new input commands in the Control Options menu: “ENGINE TRIM RPM INCREASE” and “ENGINE TRIM RPM DECREASE”
• The throttle control logic for multi-engine helicopters has become more consistent.
• Fixed Tail rotor increment for better controllability with gamepad Helicopter profile (without tail rotor assistance)

Airbus 310-300

• Significant sound improvements in all areas of the aircraft (numerous reports are covered in this).
• External lights adjusted for a more realistic experience.
• Pressure system bug resolved.
• Improvements to T/D logic.
• Flight deck door resolution improved on Base version.
• FMS symbol tweaked to be more realistic.
• VOR* to VOR transition in capture bug resolved.
• Landing weight calculations on FMC for imperial fixed.
• Sliders added in EFB.
• VOR1 RMI disappears when overlapping VOR 2 needle bug fixed.
• SPD LIM mode premature bug fixed.
• Galley latches repositioned to closed position.
• Console unit flood light moveable.
• Trim wheel integral light now added.
• Glass added on outstanding cockpit gauges.
• Added magnetic variation to navaids.
• Autobrake commands added for hardware.
• INIT B & LW bugs fixed.
• RSK a waypoint to VERT REV bug fixed.
• Loading co-route character removal bug fixed.
• Custom PBD can now be added on new waypoint page and entering directly into F-PLN.
• When selecting INHG in options, perf calc bug fixed.
• Negative temperatures in EFB, now inserting correctly.
• vPilot COM 2 bug fixed.
• Sticker on door bug fixed.
• Cargo doors now use brake accumulator.
• Chrono bug fixed.
• SEC FPLN crashes fixed.
• CG prompt in FUEL PRED adjusted to ZFWCG.
• Some light leaking fixed.
• ATC/AI audio bug fixed.
• Triggering secondary approach more than once crash fixed.
• VHF2 and 3 now audible in cockpit.
• Volume knob pull to mute working in A310.
• Players voice now heard when talking to ATC.
• Fuel page line amber when it should be green.
• EFB checklist upon scrolling bug fixed.
• Brake accumulator logic improved.
• LBS when over 100,000 clipping fixed.
• Extra fuel/time now gets calculated when an ALTN is selected.
• EMER LTs state in Cold and Dark bug fixed.
• ATHR to GA keybind bug fixed.
• INIT B selecting values bug fixed.
• Stab trim movement during different HYD pressure bug fixed.
• Overall hardware compatibility improved with HoneyComb Bravo, Saitek panels.
• APU fire test conditions logic improved.
• Ailerons position bug fixed in 15/0 state.
• VONavaid Identifier Sound not working fixed.
• Unable to query sim waypoint database from REF page fixed.
• Fixed HSI changes on selector in flight deck.
• Wiper no longer moves with no power.
• Fixed loudspeaker not making sound.
• Fixed issue where aircraft systems freeze mid-flight.
• Entered temps not appearing on weather page of f-plan fixed.
• Expose current altimeter reference value fixed.
• Fire Loop lights on switched to AC ESS instead of AC EMER bus.
• ADF needles now point to true bearing not magnetic.
• Fixed abnormal behavior when choosing NONE STAR approach and transition.
• WASM API nav data waypoint structure adjusted.
• Updated translation files.

Bell 407

• Engine performance increased to match more closely the real-world behavior.
• Now it is easier to overstress the rotor RPM and torque under heavy load.
• The helicopter is easier to stabilize now in cruise flight with trim and assistances turned off.
• Low rotor warning sound now sounds when the battery is switched on.
• Annunciators illumination is stronger now in DIM mode.
• Altimeter barometric scale values now match up with the simulator values.
• Gauge illumination is toned down preventing it to being overblown on maximum brightness settings.
• Auto-trim switch has been removed.
• Force trim switch has been removed.
• Pedal stop functionality added (limits left pedal movement during flight) above 50 kts.
• Rotor rotation animation in multiplayer is now functioning.
• Rotor brake is functional again.
• Used fuel type in the weight and balance settings is JET fuel.
• Added Turkish language translation.
• Added Korean language translation.
• Pedal animation on the connecting rod is fixed.
• Interior collider adjustments. The camera doesn’t clip into the main panel anymore.
• VR support adjustments. Full VR support.
• Reference cruise speed now shows the correct value on the aircraft selection screen.

Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental

• Fixed an issue that could prevent part of the speed brakes from properly triggering on the 747.

Guimbal Cabri G2

• START mode behavior improved on EPM
• Better synchronization between engine RPM and rotor RPM
• In Direct To Page, magnetic bearing is displayed instead of true bearing
• Throttle handle animation is now working correctly
• Fixed miro drift on ground contact with helicopters. Fixed Cabri skid suspension settings; Cabri now stable on ground.

Cessna 172 Skyhawk G1000

• Fixed ground steering during takeoff to compensate for crosswind

Cessna Citation CJ4

• MFD: Fixed battery electrical indications always showing 0
• AP: Fixed altitude capture not engaging in TO vertical mode
• Disabled unused COM3 radio receiver
• Adjusted brightness of Standby Indicator
• Fixed the AoA indexer not indicating the correct AoA
• Fixed sim checklist stuck in After Starting Engines checklist
• Fixed wrong state indication on APPR button tooltip
• FMC: Fixed ARRIVALS page not working when airport features approaches not tied to a specific runway
• FMC: Fixed discontinuities piling up when editing procedures
• YD/AP DISC Bar now disables the Yaw Damper
• Fixed Overspeed Warning audio not always working
• Fixed an issue with the Direct To initial Course being incorrect
• Fixed an issue where the FMA would always show LOC1/VOR1 even when nav source is NAV2
• TOGA button on the Thrust Lever is now active
• Added automatic VOR tuning functionality
• Added the FLT LOG page to the FMC and flight tracking
• The FLT LOG page will show on the FMC after landing based on the setting in DEFAULTS
• Added ability to ident the transponder on the FMC ATC CONTROL page
• Fixed an issue where fuel used tracking on FUEL MGMT page 2 was not correct
• Reduced pitch instability and adjusted elevator authority, tweaked roll rates at various speeds to keep light control feel but reduce excess performance
• Adjusted flaps to achieve a better compromise between approach angle and flaps pitch/lift moments, reduced flaps drag at both flaps levels
• Slightly increased top end engine thrust to address a few reports of insufficient climb power
• Increased gear down drag
• Increased gyro stability to reduce excessive turbulence impact
• Adjusted load stations to be more in line with real loadout
• Added additional groundwheel friction to avoid skidding during moderate crosswind landings
• ILS data is now loaded from the approach FAF origin facility to allow for nav-to-nav and auto-tune even when scenery runway data does not have the appropriate ILS reference information
• Fixed bugs related to visual approach loading and visual approach vnav guidance
• Fixed missing basic aural alerts
• COM input now allows to enter 136.xxx frequencies
• Limit types of airports displayed on the map to show only suitable ones

Cessna Citation Longitude

• Fixed incorrect pitot heat logic.
• Fixed the AILERON(S)_LEFT/RIGHT key events commanding ailerons in the opposite direction as intended.
• The engine auto-start and auto-shutdown procedures (Ctrl-E and Ctrl-Shift-E) now function correctly.
• The standby instrument now automatically adjusts its backlight levels.
• Autothrottle no longer requires gear and flaps to be retracted to change from TO mode to SPD/CLIMB/DESC modes.
• Taxi auto-tests now require engines running to begin evaluating.
• Fixed broken external animations for non-default liveries.
• Fixed incorrect load station count in cfg, and adjusted passenger load positions to match standard 8-seat configuration.
• Increased ND elevator trim limit to prevent AP from running out of trim authority at low altitudes and high speeds.
• Fixed AFCS control panel APR button tooltip.
• Added BRAKE FAIL and GENS OFF aural alerts.
• The G5000’s active NAV source now defaults to FMS when starting a flight.
• The AFCS control panel UP/DN wheel now changes pitch reference when the AP is in PIT mode.
• Fixed broken rotate animations on the CRS knobs.
• The 500-foot touchdown callout will now sound as appropriate. Also added other touchdown callouts from 450 to 50 feet.

Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny”

• Fixed in VR elevator not moving.
• Fixed engine audio from nearby Jenny aircraft can be heard within cockpit.
• Added Phone EFB with Compass, Indicated Air Speed, Radio and XPDR functionality tied to core sim.
• Added electrical system for the EFB.
• Added EFB section to the Flight Manual.
• Added right bracket in cockpit to Show/Hide EFB.

Daher TBM 930

• Increased maximum nose wheel steering angle to 28 degrees, and increased speed at which nose wheel steering starts becoming less effective to 10 knots.
• [Partially Fixed Increased brightness of taxi and landing lights.
• Pulse lights no longer draw additional power when landing lights are on.
• Fixed broken door animations for non-default liveries
• Fixed handling of electrical battery key events.
• Improved compatibility with hardware that send electrical battery and external power key events every frame.
• Fixed AFCS control panel APR button tooltip.
• The overspeed, stall, and landing gear aural alerts will now sound as appropriate.
• The G3000’s active NAV source now defaults to FMS when starting a flight.
• Fixed broken rotate animations on the CRS knobs.

Darkstar

• Fixed several issues related to entering a frequency on the transponder of the Darkstar
• External Camera display now rotates without stretching the view.

DG-1001E

• Improved adverse yaw, balance, handling qualities and spoiler drag
• Improved stall to match stalling characteristics as described in the flight manual (wing drop)
• Winch launch now requires the technique as described in the DG-1001E flight manual: "During ground roll and initial take-off push the control stick to a forward position to prevent excessive nose-up pitching rotation during initial take-off. After reaching safety altitude gradually pull back on the stick, so that the glider will not pick up excessive speed. Don’t pull too hard. After reaching release altitude pull the tow release knob. Recommended winch launch airspeed 110-130 km/h (60-70 kts.).

Douglas DC-3

• Upside down illegible writing on rear door stairs in Blue stripe Livery.
• Landing light switches are no longer reversed.
• Underside beacon light illuminates correctly.
• Multiple items can now be manually completed with evaluation mode.
• Landing gear text decal is no longer obstructed by open passenger door switch.
• DC-3 Aux tanks correctly feed the engine.
• HUD correctly indicates state of flaps.
• DC-3 cockpit model - Nose rivets remade.
• With the propellers feathered moving the prop control affects all the propellers.
• DC-3 cockpit model - Screws no longer clip through window frame.
• Beacon Light switch is targetable.
• Instrument texture no longer disappears when zooming out in external/showcase view.
• The user can’t hear the wind on takeoff even if all audio is turned off.
• Red yellow cargo image in liveries selection is consistent with livery in free flight.
• Blue stripe image in liveries selection is consistent with livery in free flight.
• Image for ole dusty livery in selection screen does match the livery in free flight.
• Mesh switch turns off and now the state of the switch correctly indicates it is off.
• Carb Air temperature correctly matches sim.
• Beacon light underneath fuselage can now be turned on.
• There is now a switch in cockpit to toggle on/off beacon light.
• Quickview 3 in cockpit camera is positioned correctly.
• Tooltip indicates correct state of Master Ignition switch.
• Off position on the right fuel selector now fixed.
• Cold dark switch use failing to show fuel pressure is fixed.
• Checklist for starting engine now says to wait 2 seconds.
• Scroll wheel issue with Desired Heading knob has been recoded.
• Spawning at night on runway, Cockpit lights now are on.
• Typo present in Hangar Description has been rectified.
• DC-3 Thumbnails now match the model.
• AUX Fuel gauge needles are fixed.
• Incorrect string on AUX fuel weight and balance fixed.
• Hole in cargo doors from inside cargo bay hold fixed.
• Various light leaks fixed.
• Texture improvements throughout the model(s).

Grumman G-21 Goose

• Fixed duplicate key name errors.
• Fixed cockpit camera clipping through floor.
• Fixed typo in cockpit placard.
• Fixed typo in loading screen trivia.
• Fixed engine audio from nearby Goose aircraft can be heard within cockpit.
• Added Phone EFB with Radio and XPDR functionality tied to core sim.
• Added Switches to Show/Hide EFB and Turn ON/OFF Avionics (including switch audio and decals).
• Added EFB section to the Flight Manual.
• Updated translation files.

H-4 Hercules “Spruce Goose”

• Yoke interaction with VR controllers simulate a yoke instead of a flight stick.
• Weight and Balance screen no longer contains debug text.
• Flying very far past Vne now triggers a crash.
• Modern avionics added.
• Clipboard updated with new features.
• Auto-pilot added.
• Green navigation light orientation.
• ATC/ICAO params.
• Prop animation issue on one side.
• Clipboard items missing check once clicked.
• CHT, Oil, Radiator temperatures have been adjusted.
• The blurred propellers no longer cast shadows.

LS8

• Improved adverse yaw, stall and spoiler drag

Ryan NYP “Spirit of St. Louis”

• VR controller interaction influence fixed.
• Multiplayer Art issue fixed (the front was hidden on other Ryan).

Wright Flyer

• VR users can launch the aircraft properly now, the throttle is automatically set to 100% once the catapult is triggered.
• Cockpit collision added.

World

• Fixed Statue of Liberty standing in water

Airport

• Fix terraforming issue on taxiway at HECA
• [Partially Fixed] Fix taxiway bridge issue at RJTT causing aircraft crashes
• Fixed Queenstown airport not updated with World Update 12
• Fix taxiway bridge issue at SBGL causing aircraft crashes
• [Partially Fixed] Fix taxiway bridge issue at LFPG causing aircraft crashes
• Fixed wrong airport names in Australia (Coober Pedy)
• Fixed terraforming issues include the crack on runway 26 at ESSA
• Fixed the possibility to set a seaplane base as departure without a seaplane

World Update 1 – Japan

* POIs:

• Fixed Rainbow Bridge night texture.
• Nagasaki Airport RJFU:
  • Fixed Control Tower LOD transition.
  • Added collisions for few missing objects.
• Hachijojima Airport RJTH:
  • Fixed windsock direction behavior.
  • Fixed multiple objects LOD transition.
  • Added collisions for few missing objects.

World Update 2 – USA

* POIs:

• Fixed Alcatraz Water Tower LOD transition.
• Fixed the satellite imagery cab be seen on the terrain below New River Gorge Bridge.
• Added marker to Lowry Avenue Bridge.
• Fixed Rainbow Bridge Niagara Falls texture.
• Fixed Haystack Rock position over terrain.
• Fixed US Grant Bridge textures and blend with the aerial imagery.
• Fixed Yosemite El Capitan terraforming clipping.
• Fixed terrain and imagery blending of the Lewis and Clark Bridge.
• Fixed Navajo Bridge terrain blending.
• Fixed collisions size of the Monument Valley.
• Fixed Rainbow Bridge Niagara Falls LODs transition.
• Added collisions to the US Air Force planes on the Airport Graveyard.
• Fixed United States National Arboretum is missing textures near the top of the pillars.
• Fixed Glen Canyon Dam ground textures clipping through the Dam.
• Added missing building to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
• Added collision to Bixby Creek Bridge.
• Fixed United States Capitol LOD transition.
• the Las Vegas Strip is now searchable by name.
• The Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls.
• Fixed Fort Knox LOD popping.
• Added collisions to Sunshine Skyway Bridge buildings.
• Fixed missing texture on Lowry Avenue Bridge.
• Atlanta Airport KTAL:
  • Fixed the Ground services clipping at parking RAMP 312 CARGO, parking spot N ramp 312 and airliners gate H-4.
  • Fixed flipped textures of Delta hangar and Atlanta Fire Rescue buildings.
  • Added collisions to all buildings.
  • Fixed Bridge on a taxiway.
  • Fixed night lighting disappears at short distances.
• Friday Harbor Airport KFHR:
  • Fixed few terraforming issues.

World Update 3 – UK & Ireland

* POIs:

• Fixed Goodison Park LOD popping.
• Added and improved collisions for the following POIs: 100 Bishopsgate, Wembley Stadium, Blackpool Tower, Durham Cathedral, Floors Castle, The Blair Castle, Blenheim Palace, The Royal Botanical Gardens, Goodison Park, The Eden Project.
• Fixed St James Park missing texture.
• Fixed Emirates Stadium model and textures (include misspelling billboards).
• Fixed Eilean Donan Castle Vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Canterbury Cathedral LOD pops.
• Fixed Stamford Bridge LOD 1 and LOD 2 switched.
• Fixed Blackpool Tower texture clipping.
• Fixed Kew Garden floating bespoke building.
• Removed TIN spikes around St. James Park stadium.
• Fixed Windsor Castle LOD popping.
• Fixed Pontcysyllte Aqueduct LOD popping.
• Fixed Glass Pod on British Airways I360 position popping at different distances.
• Fixed Goodison Park missing textures under Sunroofs.
• Fixed Floors Castle texture and Added missing texture.
• Fixed Scotland flag display on Edinburgh Castle.
• Fixed Archbishop’s Palace Maidstone texture and LOD popping.
• Fixed Villa Park Stadium LOD popping.
• Fixed Kew Garden alignment with the satellite imagery footprint.
• Fixed Anfield Stadium LOD popping.
• Fixed Glamis Castle Grass vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Caernarfon Castle displaying.
• Fixed Wales Millennium Centre LOD transition.
• Fixed Forth Rail Bridge’s Northside pillar missing textures.
• Fixed Forth Rail Bridge displays Cars climbing.
• Fixed Twickenham Stadium and York Minster LOD popping.
• Liverpool John Lennon Airport EGGP:
  • Removed Light pole in middle of a taxiway.
  • Added missing collisions to multiple buildings.
• Barra Airport EGPR:
  • Fixed few taxi path issues.

World Update 4 – France &Benelux

* POIs

• Fixed the Mont Aiguille collision. It is now possible to land at its top.
• Fixed Stade Jean-Bouin collision.
• Fixed Stade Vélodrome LOD transition.
• Nice Cote Airport LFMN
  • Fixed runways center lines missing in both runways.
  • Fixed waypoints and nav procedures issues occurred.
  • Added collision to multiple buildings.

World Update 5 – Nordics

* POIs:

• Fixed Viking Stadion / SR-Bank LOD popping.
• Fixed Road traffic driving underneath Storseisundet Bridge and Svinesund Bridge.
• Fixed Petäjävesi Old Church and Uddevalla Bridge displays double markings.
• Fixed Cars driving through Copenhagen Opera House.
• Fixed Copenhagen Opera House LOD popping.
• Added collisions to the Tjörn Bridge.
• Fixed Kullen Lighthouse vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Øresund Bridge terraforming issue.
• Fixed Brøndby Stadium spawning.
• Fixed the Bolt Arena missing collision.
• Fixed Roskilde Cathedral Cars driving up the building.
• Fixed Helsinki Ice Hall LOD popping.
• Fixed Blue Water Arena missing collision.
• Fixed Arctic Cathedral LOD popping.
• Fixed Aalborg Stadium missing collision.
• Fixed Tromsø Bridge Road traffic under and beside the Bridge.
• Fixed floating TIN artifacts/crane near Helsinki Olympic stadium.
• Fixed Hallgrímskirkja Church missing collision.
• Fixed Eleda Stadion LOD popping.
• Fixed Ullevaal Stadion LOD transition.
• Added collisions to the Ylisto Bridge beams.
• Fixed Sparebanken Sør Arena LOD popping.
• Fixed Sölvesborg Bridge vegetation clipping.
• Stockholm Arlanda Airport ESSA:
  • improved LOD transition of several buildings.
  • Added collisions to all buildings.
  • Fixed terraforming issues include the crack on runway 26.
  • Fixed big crack in runway 26.
• Svalbard Airport ENSB:
  • Added missing collision to Airport hangar.

World Update 7 – Australia

* POIs:

• Fixed occasional displacement of dynamic flags on Sydney Harbour Bridge.
• Fixed vegetation clipping and placement issues at Anzac Bridge, Sydney.
• Fixed vegetation clipping at Mooney Mooney Bridge.
• Fixed flashing geometry on Tasman Bridge, Hobart.
• Adjusted photogrammetry exclusions at 568 Collins Street, Melbourne.
• Minor enhancements at several other locations, e.g., clipping vegetation or water exclusions.
• YSHL Shellharbour Airport:
  • Minimized visible LOD changes of hangars and other buildings.

World Update 8 – Iberia

* POIs:

• Fixed location of Fort of Sao Joao Baptista and Covão dos Conchos.
• Fixed or adding collisions:
  • Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre.
  • Royal Palace of Madrid.
  • the Museu Nacional d Art de Catalunya.
  • the Estádio Algarve.
  • Bom Jesus do Monte.
  • Alqueva Dam.
  • Aldeadavila Dam.
  • the Museum of Art Architecture and Technology.
  • Estadio Jose Alvalade.
• Fixed LOD popping:
  • Montjuic Castle.
  • Estadio Da Luz.
  • Episcopal Palace of Astorga.
  • Covão dos Conchos.
  • San Pablo Bridge.
  • Torre Mapfre.
  • Basilica de La Sagrada Familia.
  • Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre.
  • Puente Nuevo.
  • Fort of Sao Joao Baptista.
  • Estádio Municipal de Aveiro.
  • Estádio do Dragão.
  • Hotel Arts.
  • Observatorio Roque de los Muchachos.
  • El Monumento Natural de los Mallos de Riglos.
  • Palacio de Deportes de Santander.
  • Catedral de Leon.
  • the Alamillo Bridge.
• Fixed Montjuic Castle vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Z-fighting in front of the Museum of Art Architecture and Technology.
• Fixed Estádio Cidade de Coimbra double markers.
• Fixed Puente Nuevo Cars path.
• Fixed Guadiana International Bridge 2D footprints over the satellite imagery.
• Fixed Freixo Bridge- car traffic driving up below the Bridge.
• Fixed Third Millennium Bridge Cars traffic issue.
• Fixed Maria Pia Bridge- Cars climbing up to top of Bridge.
• Fixed Luís I Bridge displays Cars traffic path.
• Fixed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium seats texture.
• Fixed Castillo de Santa Barbara texture gaps.
• Fixed the animation of the Gondola on the Vizcaya Bridge.
• Fixed Bom Jesus do Monte trees clipping into the building.
• Fixed Alqueva Dam texture.
• Fixed Alcázar de Segovia terrain clipping.
• Fixed Pena Palace trees clipping into the POI.
• Fixed El Flysch Zumaya and El Capricho Villa POIs name spelling.
• Fixed Rande Bridge Cars path and trees clipping into the POI.
• Fixed Aldeadvila Dam vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Alcázar de Segovia trees clipping into the POI.
• Fixed El Monasterio de El Escorial Z-fighting.
• Fixed Monumento a Alfonso XII Z-fighting.
• Fixed 516 Arouca bridge vegetation clipping.
• Pico Airport LPPI:
  • Fixed double windsocks.

World Update 9 – Italy & Malta

* POIs

• Fixed Duomo Di Orvieto LOD popping.
• Added missing collisions to Basilica San Francesco.
• Fixed Torri Di San Marino LOD popping.
• Fixed Diga Di Santa Giustina terrain LOD popping.
• Added missing collision to Torri Di San Marino.
• Fixed Faro Di Capo Caccia cliffs collision.
• Fixed Castle of Corigliano Calabro vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Fort Manoel collision.
• Fixed Castello Di Graines collision.
• Fixed Caserta Royal Palace collision.
• Fixed Place Moulin Dam vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Fénis Castle textures issues.
• Fixed Potola Palace bridges terrain blending.
• Fixed Fort St Angelo vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Castelsardo invisible terrain issues.
• Fixed Palazzo Pitti Z-fighting and LOD popping.
• Fixed Fort St Angelo vegetation clipping.
• Fixed National Stadium Ta’Qali collisions.
• Fixed Fénis Castle vegetation clipping and Added collisions.
• Fixed Parish Church of Mellieha missing textures.
• Fixed Mi.Co. Gate 2 vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Basilica San Francesco vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Maxxi the National Museum collisions.
• Fixed Lighthouse Of Genoa powerlines, DEM and generic buildings clipping.
• Fixed Allianz Stadium vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Viadotto Sfalassa vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Basilica Di San Pietro vegetation and TIN clipping.
• Fixed Basilica Di San Petronio TIN clipping.
• Added missing collisions to Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
• Fixed Castelsardo Z-fighting and vegetation clipping.
• Fixed Grotta Di Nettuno vegetation clipping.
• Marina Di Campo Airport LIRJ:
  • Fixed double windsocks.

World Update 10 – USA

* POIs:

• Fixed Mount Washington Hotel terraforming.
• Fixed National Park of American Samoa’s Marker position.
• Fixed textures stretched in Royal Gorge Bridge & Park’s Rock.
• Fixed Z-fighting on the roof of the Getty Museum.
• Fixed the Smithsonian National Museum of American History display name.
• Fixed the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse marker position and windows textures issues.
• Fixed the vegetation clipping into the Independence Temple.
• Fixed the New Orleans bridges collisions.
• Fixed the US flag in Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.
• Fixed the Longaberger Company headquarters and Fort Massachusetts collision.
• Fixed LODs transitions for the following POIs:
  • Split Rock Lighthouse.
  • Kentucky State Capitol.
  • Indian River Inlet Bridge.
  • World War II Memorial.
  • Cabo Rojo Lighthouse.
  • Yerkes Observatory.
  • Montana State.
  • Mount Washington.
  • Theodore Roosevelt Dam.
  • the Independence Temple.
  • Fort Massachusetts.
  • National Gallery of Art.
• Lake Tahoe Airport KTVL:
  • Added collisions for few missing buildings.
• Block Island Airport KBID:
  • Added collisions for few missing buildings.
• Dallas Forth Worth Airport KDFW:
  • Fixed few terraforming issues in the airport.
  • Runways types are now defined.
• Others:
  • Fixed the Water cracks present at Seven Seas Lagoon near.

World Update 11 – Canada

* POIs:

• Fixed TIN buildings exclusion near Hatley Park National Historic Site.
• Fixed blend of Samuel de Champlain Bridge surrounding terrain.
• Fixed the double markers of the One on the World map.
• Fixed Cars floating above Pierre-Laporte Bridge.
• Fixed Cars flow over Jacques Cartier Bridge and Angus L. Macdonald Bridge.
• Fixed big Nickel POI name.
• Fixed the vegetation clipping through Burrard Street Bridge.
• Fixed Z fighting on the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
• Fixed LOD popping of Cape Bonavista Lighthouse cliffs and Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic cliffs.
• Fixed the vegetation clipping into the zipline at the Cape Enrage Lighthouse.
• Fixes Pierre-Laporte Bridge terrain alignment.
• Fixed the vegetation clipping into the A. Murray MacKay Bridge and Thousand Islands Bridge.
• Fixed Lions Gate Bridge alignment with tterrain and road.
• Fixed terrain spikes going through Jacques Cartier Bridge.
• Fixed Holes in terrain all around Citadel Hill (Fort George).
• Fixed terrain LOD popping around Parliament of Canada.
• Fixed terraforming at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
• Fixed TIN data displays next to Fisgard Lighthouse.
• Added missing building on the Canadian High Arctic Research Station.
• Added missing building for the Cambridge Bay Radar Station.
• Fixed collisions of Jacques Cartier Bridge, The Lions Gate Bridge and The Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

40th Anniversary Edition / Sim Update 11

• Meigs Field KCGX:
  • Fixed Z-fighting in runway and tarmac.
  • Fixed taxi to parking after landing.
  • Starting in KCGX helipad while helicopter is selected is now available.
  • ATIS is now available.
• Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport VHHX:
  • Added collisions to multiple buildings.
  • Fixed the too low glideslope.
  • Fixed the ILS range for runway 13.
  • ATIS is now available.
• Princess Juliana Airport TNCM:
  • Added collisions to few missing buildings.
  • Fixed the LOD transitions.
• First Flight Airport KFFA:
  • Fixed Z fighting on pathway.
• Helipads/Heliports:
  • Lingotto Building LIBH:
    • Fixed the too High collision preventing smooth landing.
    • Fixed Z- fighting on the roof of the building.
  • NYC Heliport KJRB – Added collisions for few missing items.
  • Tokyo Heliport – Added collisions for few buildings.
  • US Bank Tower Helipad:
    • marker is now centered over the helipad.
    • Fixed LOD transition.
  • Heliponto Mirante Dona Marta SMDH:
    • Heliport collisions has been fixed.
    • Fixed LOD transition.
  • Menara Telekom Tower Helipad:
    • marker is now centered over the helipad.
    • Fixed Z-fighting on Water near the tower.
  • Bitexco Financial Tower – Fixed LOD transition.
  • London Heliport EGLW – Removed building appeared inside the Airport perimeter while photogrammetry is off.
  • Needles Lighthouse – Lighthouse Light is now spinning.
  • Issy-Les-Moulineaux Heliport:
    • marker is now centered over the helipad.
• Glider Airports:
  • Itakura Gliderport RJT1 – Fixed ground and runway textures.

Game of the Year Edition

• Voloport:
  • All Voloports are now possible to use as helipads.
  • Issy-Les-Moulineaux Heliport- Voloport is now available as helipad.
  • La Defense Voloport is is now available as helipad.
  • Fixed LOD transition for all Voloports.
  • Fixed Le Bourget Voloport name spelling.
• Lugano Airport LSZA:
  • Collision has been Added to multiple objects.
  • Fixed floating lights around the airport.
  • Fixed Z-fighting on airports’ tennis courts.

Top Gun Maverick

• Fixed the clipping through the rocks at Seneca Rocks Peak.
• Fixed Haines Knob collision is size.
• Fixed collisions in Germany Valley Quarry.
• Fixed French Gulf Marina has LOD transition.
• Fixed LOD popping in Riffle Lake Dam.