A Balanced And Critical Approach To Historical

The Auto biography of an attempted Austrian painter and his odd brother. 1892 - ????

In the world of Drasia, where diverse lands and cultures intertwine, the focus of attention shifted dramatically to the Olympus civil war, a conflict that threatened to reshape the balance of power across the realm. Amidst this turmoil stood the city-state of Draconia, a formidable and influential entity known for both its prowess in trade and its swift, decisive actions against any who dared to oppose it. At the heart of this turbulent landscape emerged the enigmatic figure of Alex, known as the God of Balance. With his keen strategic mind and unparalleled leadership, Alex led his armies not only in battle but also in the advancement of civilization itself. He provided them with the tools of war and the means to propel their societies forward. Yet, beneath his outward facade of strength and determination, Alex harbored a deeper understanding of the delicate equilibrium that governed the world. As the Olympus civil war raged on, Alex saw the need for intervention to restore balance. He marshaled his forces and intervened, aiming to bring about a swift conclusion to the conflict. However, as peace seemed within grasp, Alex witnessed a subtle shift, a realization that perhaps war itself was necessary to maintain the fragile equilibrium of the world. Join Alex on his journey as he navigates the intricate web of alliances and rivalries, leading the unofficially most potent nation in the world – the Empire of Draconia. Built upon the foundations of blood, sweat, and tears, Draconia embodies the vision and determination of its founder, Alex Luker Draco. As he grapples with the complexities of morality and power, Alex endeavors to ensure that his actions reflect the principles he espouses, shaping the destiny of nations and leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of history. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ This is my first ever written novel came from my imagination that started in highschool although im not a skilled novel writer this is my first and many other stories i wish to release Release dates: only on fridays other days depending on the reason or context also i have to say sorry for the few dozen chapters since my editors were d*cks that they didnt properly format it.

Our story begins on a planet called Gieă in a Continent called 'Eclispe of the Oceans' where chaos slowly unfolds with its influence slowly spreading into the entire world. This is a paced story that follows multiple characters shaped ruthlessly by desires and passion. A young dragon princess thirsty for acknowledgement, A prisoner breaking free from fate, A shadow who would die for his master, A light without a source and a question without an answer. Some of these special individuals fight for power, some fight to destroy, some fight to save, some fight for freedom, some fight for love, some fight for vengeance and some fight from duty. They all bleed, some of them fall, some grow and some lose sight of their purpose while consciously or unconsciously trying to find one thing,.. Balance. In a world riddled by chaos where 'good people and bad people' have been replaced by the terms 'winners or losers', where greed determines justice and vanity replaces passion, where energies conflicts, wars emerge and ruthlessness gets imprinted by experience into the hearts of even the most innocent and brave heroes. They stand for their desire and themselves with a riddle left unanswered from the very beginning of time,.. "What truly is balance?.." Follow our main characters through their dramatic struggles for answers as the choices they make influences themselves and their world. THIS IS A SLOW-PACED STORY AND THERE WOULDN'T BE LOTS OF ACTION SCENES AT THE BEGINNING BUT AS TIME PROGRESSES, SCENES LIKE THIS WOULD BE MORE COMMON. TRUST ME, THIS IS A STORY WORTH THE INVESTMENT OF READING!.

After living six lives filled with betrayal, tragedy, and unfulfilled potential, a weary soul finds himself standing before the Gate of Judgment. Each of his past lives- ranging from a street-running criminal to a poisoned businessman, a selfless doctor to a betrayed gangster, has ended in a bitter twist, leaving him with memories of a fate that never quite aligned. But this time, things are different. In the afterlife, the balance of his deeds-good and bad-leaves the gods and devils in a bind: neither Heaven nor Hell can claim him. With no clear destination, the god and devil offer him a gamble: a new life in a world where both magic and technology thrive, with a certain amount of wishes to guide his path. But there’s a catch- should his deeds remain balanced, his soul will be erased forever. With stakes high and a chance at redemption, he accepts the challenge, stepping into a new universe where he will rise again- this time in a world of power, politics, and supernatural intrigue. With his past lives as both a guide and a curse, he sets off on a journey to carve his own destiny in this new world- where every decision may tip the scales of fate forever.

Moon Goddess fated me to mate my uncle, Ray. However, I rejected him a night after I made love to him. Unfortunately—or maybe, fortunately, Ray watched me almost every day without me knowing. I thought I had to move on and fall in love with someone new. I got him—the mysterious man who made me crazy for him, as he was crazy over me, too. We fell in love. Wildly. Damn! I thought I had fallen in love with two men and they were my mates.

In the power meat grinder that is Washington, D.C., the Blackstone Group controls political scavenger Emily Watson through barcode tattoos. When avenger Victor Stone scorches her skin with an electromagnetic pulse, a dying Emily scans the barcode on her collarbone, accidentally activating a nerve gas canister buried in an underground pipeline on Capitol Hill.Within 72 hours, a toxic fog containing genetically-targeted technology envelops Washington, specializing in killing politicians registered in the DNA bank. Victor discovers that the biochip under his burn scar is counting down, and a jailed and reborn Adam Crawford holds the key that will shut off all the gas valves-but that will permanently lock tens of billions of the Blackstone Group's dirty money into a blockchain tomb. The trio must choose from the ruins of power: destroy all evidence and be reborn, or save their arch-enemy in exchange for a filthy immortality.

Andrew Paul was an ordinary historian with an unshakable fascination for the mysteries of the past until the day his life became one. A chance encounter with a strange artifact called Love Life thrusts him into a reality far more intricate and perilous than any history book could capture. The artifact, a sentient book, has the power to alter fate itself, weaving and unwinding the delicate threads of life. But its power is a double-edged sword, and every choice Andrew makes pulls him deeper into a web of destiny, conflict, and impossible decisions. Marked as one of the few Livebearers individuals capable of controlling Love Life, Andrew becomes the target of powerful forces. From the fractured ideals of La Gehenna, a vengeful Livebearer determined to destroy the book, to the calculating Paul Van Der Rome, a former guardian seeking redemption, Andrew must navigate shifting alliances, ancient rivalries, and the ominous whispers of Hadebos, the chaotic being sealed within the artifact. As Andrew learns to master the balance between creation and destruction, he realizes that the power to rewrite fate comes at a terrible cost. Realms collapse, lives are shattered, and his own humanity begins to erode. With each chapter, the stakes rise higher, pulling Andrew closer to the ultimate question: will he save existence or erase it entirely? This is the story of a man caught between two worlds, between chaos and order, and between love and oblivion. Balance of Nothingness is an epic journey of adventure, betrayal, and hope where the lines between hero and villain blur, and the journey never truly ends.

This is a story of a young girl Lily, who has been caught in the whirlpool of expectation. Her parents, well-meaning but relentless, had mapped out her life with precision. Success, they said was a straight line. College, Career, Marriage, Children, Happiness. it seemed , was a destination, not a journey. Struggling to find her own path, she yearned for freedom and chance to live life on her own term. But she didn't know that the road won't be easy.

--- Ariana was rooted to the floor outside of Anthony’s door her heart raced in her chest, like something was preparing to break apart her ribs. She had not wanted to come to a halt, much less listen in on the conversation that was unfolding before her. But the sound of laughter that came from Rachel was not new to her ears which suddenly had her face the direction of the voice like a pupet. “…you’re so bad, Anthony,” Rachel whispered sexily. “I never lie to you,” Anthony countered sullenly then suddenly grew smarmy, “I’m only bad with you.” Reaching out Ariana braced her back against the wall and her mind whirled round with confusion. Glancing around the corner she stopped breathing as she saw them. Rachel resting on Anthony laps, having her hand resting on Anthony’s arm. He leered at her, and from even his bearing suggest that he wanted something more than friendship from her. “She has not realized it yet?” Rachel asked me in low tones as if Shareen was a hopeless case. Anthony chuckled. “He realized Ariana was smart, as well as trusting in his team. That’s her weakness.” Such words are a shock for Ariana as if someone slapped her. [His fists clenched.]His hands shook, and for a moment she considered; she felt that nausea could overcome herself. Trust. That was what she had delivered to them – what she considered they deserved. And now? Now they were laughing about it, about her . She wanted to rush into the room and meet them eye to eye, look them into the eyes and scold them for every single angry word that rises within her chest. But she didn’t move. Not yet. She held a strap of her bag so tightly her hands became gloved. Indeed, she retreated sensibly, her breathing becoming light. It was not so strange they did not notice her go ; of course they did not. Why would they, if they reckoned she did not know any better? And when she came to the door of the house, shutting herself out on the cold evening, when the wind caressed her cheek like a slate, then in her soul something leaped. The heartbreak was still there, but it was buried beneath a wave of something new,rage. But she paused and with her head held high she walked away leaving her legs give away from her. The frosty night’s darkness embraced her when she tripped outside, onto the campus and grass., but the freezing air was no match for the icy sensation in her chest. She began to ponder vigorously various questions, accusations and processes of retaliation in her mind. But she didn’t see the car. This blaring of the horn was too late. There was the pathetic squealing of brakes and a moment of unbearable agony that filled her from head to toe. The world staggered, and the last thing Ariana could make out before everything went black was the night sky above her. Everything went black. ---

Nina, a girl with aspirations and dreams, with high hopes of meeting the source of her inspiration ' Theophilus Parker', turns out to be the daughter of a wealthy multi-billionare named Anthony Branks. Her family is faced with a trauma which leads to the decision to send her to her aunt's abode in Paris. Five years later, she returns to the United States to rebuild her life. On her return, she is enrolled into a new school where she meets Theophilus Parker; the source of her inspiration, but she discovers he has a different personality than she envisaged. - But in the midst of all circumstances,Music thrives - This is an original work and not a translation. ©All rights reserved..

Sold by her father, Bella short for Arabella, was forced to live a life as a slave that would entertain the guests of the castle. The job of slaves were merely to be humiliated and to have as feast once they became a boring creature toward the guests. Arabella with her fierce attitude had only caused more trouble than good, although that helped her from being feasted by the vampires until her body dried up, the vampires also enjoy in harming her, toying with her, hoping to see that one day she would break. However she had caught the wrong attention by those crimson gaze, eventually being the toy of the one and only Mad Crown Prince of Versailles. Eventually this interest only cause her to be more tangled by the twisted and thorny battle for the Throne. Will eventually Bella concede and accept the Mad crown prince? Or will she finally succeed in running away from his grasp. Why her? *** excerpt*** Arabella felt her wrists stung as the shackle around her wrist jingled from the sudden pull. She then met with the icy red eyes that brood down upon her appearance, drinking into every inch of her figure as if he was studying her, even to how those breaths escaped her lips. "I thought we had bonded over the days we have spent together, Bella," he sang, his bright scarlet eyes betraying the singing tone he had used as it had grown so dark and filled with anger. "Yet you left so quickly as soon as I opened the castle gate." Bella gritted her teeth, her eyes glaring at him as she defiantly shook his hand off her face, "I can remind you if you have forgotten it, Your Majesty, I am kept here against my wish." Cassius' smile faded as he stared at her. The sudden pin-drop silence filled her nerves with tension as she found his smileless face the most terrifying sight. She had always known his fearsome side however, it felt scarier tonight. Bella tried to endure how loud her heart had raced against her chest, gathering her breaths together even though it remained shallow in his presence. "So cold," he muttered, his tone trying to tease her, but she could see the raw anger crossing his eyes. "You cannot run from me. Not after what we've done. Not after what you promised." Her heart faltered. She wasn't supposed to stay in this castle; she knew that the royal palace was filled with those vampire monsters who would kill for their desire, simply to have fun. She knew she should never give her heart to any of these monsters, and she had once believed she would never. But that was until Cassius came. She had made that promise because her heart had betrayed her, and she wished that she had never uttered that promise. Promises she had made to him on the call of love. Yet deep within her, a part of her still crave for him. "You're not the first one I have broken my promises with," she gritted her teeth and looked up at him, "I broke my promise the way you broke yours first, isn't it fair?" "Fair? Then was everything a lie, Arabella?" he murmured, his hands cupping her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. "You were mine the moment you entered my castle. And you will be mine until the very end." She gulped as his eyes shone underneath the moonlight, his gaze unforgiving over her, exposing his wild hunger. Her breath caught, her pulse quickening. "A human and a vampire should have never stayed together. They were all right." "I don't care," he spoke through his clenched jaw. "You're going to remain here by my side forever."

In vibrant Brighton, Angela "Angel" Goodman, a devoted counselor, meets reclusive programmer Jordan Piers when outdated tech at Havenview Elder Care Home threatens vital connections. As they team up to bring the center into the modern age, unexpected sparks ignite. Through shared challenges of health, love, and self-discovery, Angel and Jordan learn to embrace their vulnerabilities and the joy they bring to one another. Balancing Beauty, Love, and Weight is a heartfelt story of resilience, self-acceptance, and the transformative power of love—proof that beauty comes in every shape, and love is worth the weight.

Haylie never expected her life to take a supernatural turn. One ordinary night out with her best friend became the catalyst for everything to change. That was the night she met Liam—a man unlike anyone she'd ever known. Haylie was drawn to Liam's charm, but she couldn’t have guessed the secret he carried: he was a wolf shifter. Her world unraveled further when she discovered the truth about her own family. The mother she lost at just five years old had also possessed a wolf side, a heritage Haylie had never imagined. Now, the man she was falling in love with and her father were both connected to a hidden world she barely understood. As Haylie delved deeper into this mysterious legacy, a sinister twist awaited her. Melody, a wicked and vengeful rival, ended Haylie’s life in a treacherous betrayal and took over her identity. Trapped in limbo, Haylie's spirit lingered, tethered to the one person who could save her—Liam. Fate would have to work its magic to reunite Haylie with the man she loved and to give her the chance to reclaim her life. But time was running out, and the battle for her soul had only just begun.

Cesare Caruso, a renowned actor and a global superstar, appeared to have it all—fame, fortune, and an impeccable reputation. Yet, hidden beneath the surface was a secret he had guarded for years—he was an Omega. That carefully guarded secret came crashing down in one fateful night, during a glamorous masquerade ball aboard a luxurious cruise ship. Overwhelmed by an unexpected heat cycle, Cesare loses control of himself, devoured by his own desires and falling into the arms of a mysterious Alpha—a reckless moment that changed everything. [Zahir al-Tamid. That’s my name.] To his shock, the Alpha was Zahir—a proud prince from an oil-rich kingdom and an unwelcome figure from Cesare’s past. Worse, that night left Cesare unexpectedly pregnant! Before Cesare could make sense of it all, Zahir made a grand entrance at Cesare’s mansion by helicopter, uninvited, catching the attention of major media outlets around the world, demanding a settlement claiming that Cesare shall be responsible for ‘imprinting’ a royal family like him! “...Seriously, it’s not as if I have a ludicrous $2 billion just lying around, you know.” “Thus, marry me, Cesare.” Pregnancy, imprinting, and a royal marriage proposal—showered by a series of unwanted events, Cesare is desperate to find a way to cut ties with Zahir. But Zahir, stubborn and relentless, has no plans to let go. Can Cesare outrun the tempest, or will it pull him under? #BL #Omegaverse #Obsessive #Crybaby #One-sideLove #Prince #Superior Text copyright ⓒ 2024 by Kim Sol Da All right reserved. The Korean edition was originally written by 김솔다, Korea Translated and Published by We’ve Lab.

{Brainless, Cool Article, Power Fantasy, Stupidly Overpowered,...} [In order to balance the quality, quantity, rarity, and frequency of critical strikes, the system has taken the initiative to categorize them. Monthly critical strikes range from 100 trillion times quality with 1 unit of item to 1 trillion times quality with 100 units of items. Weekly critical strikes range from 100 billion times quality with 1,000 units to 1 billion times quality with 100,000 units. Daily critical strikes range from 100 million times quality with 1 million units to 1 million times quality with 100 million units. Hourly critical strikes range from 100,000 times quality with 1 billion units to 1,000 times quality with 100 billion units. Then there is the most basic rate with no restrictions whatsoever between 100 to 999 times quality with 1 trillion units.]

In a twist of cosmic irony, an ordinary boy from Earth awakens to find himself transmigrated into not one, but three separate universes simultaneously: a blockbuster movie franchise, a legendary game world, and a best-selling book series. But there’s a catch. In each universe, he is cast as a background extra—an overlooked figure with no apparent significance. In one world, he is a divine, impossibly beautiful girl with a towering figure, her body graced by breasts starting at an incredible two meters and destined to grow to an awe-inspiring four meters in total, with an ethereal form radiating hypnotic allure. And, to top it off, Dante possesses the fattest ass with the thickest body and curves that defy mortal comprehension. However, fate had bigger plans. Both he and the main protagonist of each universe are granted access to the Omnipotent System, a tool meant to empower the chosen heroes. With this power, they can level up, adapt, and rewrite reality itself. But where the protagonist follows their destined heroic path, he stands as an unpredictable anomaly, capable of rivaling the main characters and reshaping the narrative. To complicate matters, the universes themselves are interconnected yet distinct. Each storyline unfolds in its own book—one centered on the cinematic epic of ancient wars, the other on a dystopian game world filled with danger and intrigue. Both universes blend elements of the third—a magical, eldritch-infused realm from the book series—into their separate narratives, creating a layered, multi-dimensional saga. As the boy battles his own struggles across the universes, building alliances, rivalries, and uncovering the true purpose of his dual existence, he faces a question: Will he stand as a savior reshaping fractured worlds into harmony, or will his presence as an anomaly spiral them into chaos?

Xalrion quien nació en una era de caos, aprenderá sobre lo difícil que es sobrevivir sobre este mundo lleno de caos. En el cual cualquier cosa es un peligro, desde monstruos, plantas, objetos y su misma especie. Un viaje largo y lleno de emociones, deberá entender su poder y como balancear todo el desorden dentro de su ser.

[Target in sight.] [Skill Critical Eye has been activated.] Being clumsy is quite common. But Luke Hunter’s clumsiness is on a different level. As the young man quite literally stumbles through life, he wonders if there’s something more he could be doing in the world. His dreams may come to be realized, as a freak accident causes Luke to wake up as Klum, in a completely different setting than his day-to-day life. His Dexterity, a skill that measures things such as flexibility and how well one holds themself, sits at the level it was in his past life; 1. And yet, he finds his skills to be suited for an extremely coordinated individual, especially after he meets the only other Sword Saint to have ever existed, an individual who is the strongest Swordsman among those both alive and passed on. It’s up to him to find his way in his new life, and strive to reach the path of the highest Swordsman — the Sword Saint. Will he be able to transform his 1 Dexterity into a 1000? Or will he be dragged into something much deeper — much darker? Credits to valeri_mirley on fiverr for the new cover! Updating 5-10 chapters a week, and now posting on RoyalRoad!

I've always been in the shadows, quiet, saving others to meet the expectations of others. I like to keep my distance from the world, resigned to the quiet ache of loneliness. That is, until I meet certain person, a mature and independent person who I' think I've always admired. My unlikely friendship begins to blossom, but as they grow closer, I was faced with a realization: can I continue to save others without hurting them?

Fifty years ago, terrifying creatures swept across the world, and traditional weapons proved powerless against them. Humanity lived in the shadow of fear and despair until a new generation of children with extraordinary abilities emerged. These children, called "The Balancers," possessed mysterious, colorful eyes capable of opening gates between the physical world and the realm of the monsters, becoming humanity's only hope. The protagonist, Keni, is a boy ranked in the E classification. Will he be able to rise beyond his limits?

Cover Art by Neo and Yaoyueyi Volume 1 - Having been summoned to another world, Claude Evers is devastated to find out that he has no attack or magic proficiency. In a world of swords and magic, Claude endeavors to become his master's...chef? Despite this turn of events, he soon finds himself relying on his wit and strange abilities to stand by his master's side. With such fearsome enemies in this world, what solutions can Claude hope to cook up? Volume 2 - Defeating a terrifying monster endangering the kingdom, Claude's fame grows. With this in mind, his next goal is to...win over his master's heart? However, he soon learns that the nobility are not one to be trifled with. What can a lone chef do against the schemes of the powerful threatening his livelihood? Volume 3 - Welcome to the 'Certain Slice', where we are sure to serve you something that perfectly hits your tastes. This is a restaurant where you can sample our line of otherworldly food and drink, created by the one and only Demon Cleaver. Please wait here while we call a maid over to attend to your orders. The owner? I'm very sorry. He's not available at the moment. The reason? I'm afraid that he is now a wanted man, for defying kings and kidnapping princesses. Volume 4 - Stuck in another country, Claude and his companions happen upon abilities far different from what they had known before. With a country full of powerful warriors wielding such techniques, guided by a prophetic Oracle, new allies and enemies are around every corner. Will they find what they need to return home, or will 'destiny' swallow them up? Volume 5 - What happens when the person you thought you knew is completely different? Past and present collide as Claude makes his way back to Sistina to once again fight alongside his Master, encountering challenges that few Electi have ever faced. Destruction looms over Sistina as his enemies attack right where one is most vulnerable, the insecurities held in one’s heart. Volume 6 - With Sistina in the process of recoverying, Claude finds himself in a new role with many new challenges ahead. Though the dangers have passed, daily life is still far from boring as messy relationships and sudden adventures are at every corner. There is never a break in the life of an Electi! Volume 7 - War breaks out with the Empire of Purnesia. With decades of hatred possessing its people, Claude becomes embroiled in the tragedy of death and suffering. With his commitment to retain his humanity in jeopardy, how can a chef protect his friends on the battlefield? Volume 8 - Various tragedies have left Claude reeling. With his heart torn and his vow to not kill abandoned, he charges forward to the capital of Purnesia. With his heart trending towards darkness, who will remain by his side as he seeks revenge... and who will point their blade at him instead? Volume 9 - Learning of the existence of an entire army of demons, led by a familiar face, the very world is at stake. What will Claude discover upon setting foot in the realm of Gods, seeking the very limits of his Electi powers? Volume 10 - Peace has come at last, along with a new role for Claude. But his dreams foretell of another hidden danger on the horizon, one that would shatter everything he knows about the world. Volume 11 - Everything has ended, or has it? The secrets of the world are now revealed, and Claude must find everyone once again to face against a threat as old as the Gods. Volume 12 - Back together again, Claude and his crew make one final attempt against The Architect. Past and present collide as the fate of two worlds rest on the victor!

Selena Sinclair has a rare gift an unshakable photographic memory that captures every moment of her past in perfect detail. But this gift feels more like a curse, as it forces her to relive painful memories of a broken childhood and failed relationships. Haunted by the past and unable to trust love, she struggles to move forward. Selena also has the ability to see the future. In her life journey filled with pain, Selena meets her twin flame. How will Selena's journey with her twin flame unfold? follow for more..

Aric was born in a small, forgotten village on the edge of a great, wild forest known for its monstrous creatures. After the mysterious death of his family when he was young, he was adopted by a renowned Beastmaster. As a child, he was trained to tame beasts and become one of the greatest in his field. However, the true purpose of his destiny is yet to be revealed.

This is the story of Alvin, a master of martial arts who transmigrated to a world called Celestia, filled with magic and mystery. Alvin also had a cheat called the Book of Eternal Balance inside his soul. This book is capable of collecting eternal points and turning them into insights or purchasing other type knowledge. In this new life, as soon as Alvin transmigrated, he was flabbergasted to see that, having lived as a "single dog" for about 10,000 years, he now had a cute three-year-old daughter in this world. Even before he could see his cute daughter, he came to know that his daughter was going to be used as a sacrificial offering by a group of bastards. Alvin’s anger shot to the heavens upon learning this. Without any hesitation, he picked up his sword and went on a killing spree. Magicians capable of calling down tsunamis and meteors from the sky were cut down like cabbages under his blade. Weapon masters who practiced the way of weapons were beaten black and blue by his fists or directly had their chests pierced by his blade on that day. From that day, the reputation of the Red Devil spread all across Celestia, scaring even true gods. But nobody knew that ultimate villain who they called the Red Devil was now lying in a small bed in a sorry state. There was also a three-year-old cutie slowly feeding him medicine spoon by spoon, with a worried look on her face. In a fit of anger, Alvin had forgotten the fact that he was not the unrivaled master he used to be in his previous life. His body completely collapsed as a result of using the powers from his previous life. .............. Thus, the story of Alvin began in the new world. Years later, he became the true god who could control every element in the world at his will. Coupled with his identity as a martial arts master, he became an existence no one in Celestia dared to provoke. "We are ready to submit to you. Please accept the throne of the supreme ruler of Celestia," all the true god-level magicians and warriors stood before Alvin with worship and respect in their eyes. But the young man before them waved his hands in dismissal. He pulled a beautiful woman who looked like a fairy into his arms and said dismissively, "Not interested. I’m going fishing with my wife. If you have any work to do, ask Elen for help. She’s usually sitting idly at home every day." At the side, Alvin’s daughter rolled her eyes at her father. "You’re saying it as though you’re busy all the time."