The Midnight Library

  Living With Betta – My Quiet Companions in Water 🌙 Hi, this is Alaris. I’ve always liked fish. There’s something calming about their quiet movement and the way they fill a space without asking for much. Among them, I want to introduce a special type I’ve been raising — the Betta . The name “Betta” actually comes from an ancient warrior tribe, and like their namesake, some Bettas can be aggressive. That’s why it’s best to raise them alone in their own tank — they really don’t like sharing space. Let me tell you a little about the Bettas I live with. 🐟 Luna — Halfmoon Betta Luna is a Halfmoon Betta , with fins that fan out like a soft crescent moon. She’s absolutely beautiful, but also delicate and hard to care for . I once tried raising her in a filterless tank with just a heater, and her fins were badly damaged. Sadly, fins like that rarely grow back — at least, I’ve never seen it happen. Now she lives in a 30cm slim tank with proper filtration, and her fins sta...

“Do We Really Have to Go That Far?” — The Dilemma Around a Developmental Disorder Diagnosis --- 🌙 Hi, this is Keeper Alaris. Today, I want to share something that’s been weighing heavily on my heart. It’s about when you try your best to help someone — and your sincerity just… doesn’t quite reach them. --- 👶🏻 This story starts with my family. My aunt's grandson was diagnosed with a developmental disorder. She’s been incredibly worried — as any loving grandmother would be — and she wanted to make sure he received the best possible care. So, she asked me for help. I did my research and somehow managed to secure an appointment with a renowned doctor — the kind who usually books out over a year in advance. We were lucky: a cancellation opened up a slot next week. And yes — she was even willing to pay for all the medical expenses. Everything was prepared, carefully and lovingly. --- But when we shared the news with the child’s parents, their response was… hesitant. > “D...

Who Really Owns the Story? — A Fan’s View on Creative Rights and Invisible Wars 🌙 Hi, this is Alaris. Lately, I fell in love with a show. ⚾ It wasn't just about baseball — it was about people, connection, and quiet moments that hit you in the heart. But then... the episodes stopped. And I found out: the creators and the network were fighting. I didn’t understand what was happening. So I asked myself: ❓ “Isn’t this all just in the contract?” At first, it seemed simple. If there’s a contract, shouldn’t it clearly say who owns the rights? But no — it’s not that black and white. One side says: “We own the brand. The name. The intellectual property.” The other says: “We made it. We directed it. We brought everyone together.” This isn't just about ownership. It’s about who really gave life to the story. 🎬 Does choosing the cast and crew count as ‘creation’? This is what got me thinking. If a new show pops up — same cast, same style, same feeling — but...

 🏡 Why Are U.S. Home Prices Still So High in 2025? Hi, this is Alaris. Let’s start with a simple question that many people are asking these days: “Why aren't home prices coming down even when interest rates are high?” The answer is surprisingly simple: 👉 There are more people who want to buy homes than there are homes for sale. But the reasons behind that are a bit more layered. Let’s break it down together. 1. Demand remains strong 📈 Millennials—the largest living adult generation—are now in their prime home-buying years. Add in remote work and a growing preference for suburban living, and it’s clear: A lot of people want to buy homes right now. 2. But there aren't enough homes for sale 🏠 Most current homeowners locked in ultra-low mortgage rates during the pandemic. Now that interest rates are over 6%, many are reluctant to sell. Why? Because buying a new home means giving up their low rate and taking on a much higher one. So they’re staying put. And that...

Amazon Stock in April 2025 — What Just Happened, and Should You Buy More? 🌙 Hello, this is Alaris. Today, let's take a calm walk through Amazon's stock movement from April 7 to April 14, 2025 , and think about what it might mean for investors like us. 📉📈 📊 What Happened to Amazon This Week? From April 7 to April 14, Amazon (AMZN) showed high volatility — some sharp ups, some drops, and a lot of noise. 📅 Date 🟢 Open 📈 High 📉 Low 🔚 Close 🔄 Change Apr 7 (Mon) $162.00 $183.41 $161.38 $175.26 ⬆️ +2.49% Apr 8 (Tue) $185.23 $185.90 $168.57 $170.66 ⬇️ -2.62% Apr 9 (Wed) $172.12 $192.65 $169.93 $191.10 ⬆️ +11.98% Apr 10 (Thu) $185.44 $186.87 $175.85 $181.22 ⬇️ -5.17% Apr 11 (Fri) $179.93 $185.86 $178.00 $184.87 ⬆️ +2.01% Apr 14 (Mon) $186.84 $187.44 $179.23 $182.12 ⬇️ -1.49% 📌 Overall gain this week: +3.9% But the real story is why the price moved like this. 📰 Major News That Moved the Stock 🧠 1. Amazon’s Massive AI Investment CEO Andy Jassy released a shareh...

  Why Do We Want to Buy a Home More When Prices Go Up? – The Hidden Psychology Behind Real Estate 😎 Hey there, it’s Alaris. Let me ask you something honest today: Why do we want a home so badly—especially when prices are going up? Shouldn’t we step back when things get too expensive? And yet, the more it costs... the more desperate we become. Let’s unpack this strange, very human behavior together. 1. Economics Says One Thing, But Real Life Says Another 👪 Textbooks say this: “When prices rise, demand should fall.” But in real estate? The opposite happens. Prices rise → people rush in. Why? Because the housing market doesn’t just run on logic. It runs on emotion . Anxiety. Insecurity. Fear. 2. FOMO Is Driving the Market, Not Just Demand 🐰 This phrase might sound familiar: “If I don’t buy now, I’ll never be able to.” “Everyone else is buying… what if I get left behind?” That’s not just demand. That’s FOMO — Fear of Missing Out. And in real estate, FOMO...

In the Age of AI, Microsoft Reminds Us: Security Isn’t Optional 🌙 Hi, this is Alaris. You know, sometimes I read something and just pause. Not because it’s dramatic — but because it feels quietly urgent . That’s how I felt when I saw this: 🕐 1 hour and 12 minutes. That’s how long it takes, on average, for a hacker to steal sensitive company data through phishing. Not days. Not even half a day. Just over an hour. And Microsoft says that number is shrinking. 🔐 Enter SFI — A Security Mindset, Not Just a Policy To deal with this, Microsoft isn’t just patching holes. They’re rethinking everything. They introduced something called the Secure Future Initiative (SFI) — and it’s not just a set of rules. It’s a shift in how they build, think, and operate. Here’s the heart of it: Secure by Design: Build security in from the very first line of code Secure by Default: Make the safest choice the easiest choice Secure Operations: Watch, learn, and adapt — always Thi...

Is Walmart Open on Easter 2025? Here's What You Need to Know 🍌 --- 🌸 Happy Easter, friends! If you're planning a family brunch or need to grab a last-minute chocolate bunny, you might be wondering: > “Is Walmart open on Easter Sunday 2025?” Let’s get straight to the point. --- 🛒 Yes — Walmart is open on Easter 2025! Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025 Hours: Most locations will operate on normal business hours 🕕 Typically from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM No shortened hours announced Walmart has a history of staying open on Easter Sunday — and this year is no exception. Whether you need groceries, gifts, or a last-minute surprise for the kids, your local Walmart will likely be ready for you. > Still, it’s always a good idea to double-check with your nearby store, just in case. https://www.walmart.com/ ❌ What Stores Are Closed on Easter 2025? If Walmart is open, you might wonder what stores aren’t. Here are some major retailers that will be closed: Target Costco Sam’s Club...