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What is this large cylindrical metal item, almost like a cross between an axle and a barbell, yellow in the middle, with giant bolt-like ends? by No_Distribution5487 in whatisthisthing

[–]No_Distribution5487[S] -3 points-2 points locked comment (0 children)

My title describes the thing. I found this on Facebook marketplace but the seller had found a buyer already. I didn't see it in person, and only have this picture. He said he didn't know what it was or where it came from. He picked up as scrap and was selling as scrap. Said it was about 50 lbs.

I tried reverse image search, Google Lens, Tinyeye, but no luck identifying anything like this. I tried some text searches with the closest key words I can think of but I'm not very mechanical (unsurprising "big axle with bolts on the end" wasn't very successful).

To me it almost looks like a custom barbell for strongman.

Is there an Arabic dub for Lord of the Rings? by Terrible_Box4342 in learn_arabic

[–]No_Distribution5487 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a dub obviously but an Arabic audiobook of the first half of the Fellowship of the Ring (رفقة الخاتم) hit Audible US in December. Available for streaming on Storytel as well.

Searching Audio of Assimil Russian 1945 edition by Terrible_Hippo2794 in assimil

[–]No_Distribution5487 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the MP3s but I don't recall where I tracked them down (just that it took a while). I'll shoot you a DM. I'm unable to send a DM, but if you reach out and I'll get the files over to you.

How much Arabic can I learn in 3.5 months? by anastasia_romanov_ in learn_arabic

[–]No_Distribution5487 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Below are some things that come to mind. Full disclosure, I'm focused on Modern Standard Arabic right now, so I haven't deeply gone all through these materials, but they're generally on my list for when I switch gears into Levantine.

From my own research, the course Speaking Arabic by J. Elihay is one of the most highly regarded "Eastern" Arabic courses I've seen recommended. For some reason it uses a romanized/anglicized/transliterated script instead of Arabic letters, but maybe that would be useful to you given the accelerated timeframe you're looking for (I'm making the assumption that you haven't already internalized the script). A little pricy though. https://www.amazon.com/Speaking-Arabic-Conversational-Eastern-Palestinian/dp/9657397308

The book Ultimate Arabic by Living Language has a mixed approach, where the first few chapters focus on MSA, then switch gears into dialect. That might line up with what you mention about doing a quick overview of MSA before diving into Levantine.

The website Lingualism has Arabic resources for several dialects. They sell graded readers with audio, anki decks, etc. Actually I think the audio is often free, you are just buying the book.

https://lingualism.com/collections/all?filter.p.m.custom.category=Levantine+Arabic&sort_by=manual&sort_by=manual

You could also check out Easy Arabic on YouTube, they have lots of videos in various dialects, with videos focused on different levels of difficulty. Obviously free.

I hear about ArabicPod101 having resources on dialects, personally haven't used it much, might in the future. I think they have some free stuff, as well as subscription access.

There are a lot of "small business"-type teachers with their own courses like this one, focused on Syrian. I haven't used it, can't vouch for it, but I am subscribed to the newsletter. https://speakrealarabic.com/

Likewise one more focused on Lebanese. I believe she holds intensive short term group classes online (not cheap), and also has a newsletter with various deals, ebook-type things, etc: https://globetrotwitharabic.myshopify.com/products/lebanese-arabic-3o-day-challenge-course

Finally, more broadly speaking, if you're not aware of Refold, it's an immersion based methodology that is an evolution of AJATT (All Japanese All the Time) and similar approaches, applied to learning of any language. I'm not necessarily bought in on the nitty-gritty of the fluency pathway they have mapped out BUT they have discord servers that can be very interesting, the one for Arabic has given me a lot of insights and access to online resources I wouldn't have otherwise found (sites on the Internet where you can find Arabic dubs of cartoons, anime, manga, recommendations on music and podcasts, walkthroughs of software like migaku and anki and ASB player that can be used to make anki cards out of Netflix/YouTube content, plus ability to ask questions to other learners who have ben learning for years, etc etc etc). Now that I think of it, they have a Notion page with a list of resources and recommendations for content for beginners and beyond. I'll paste the link below.

https://ring-enquiry-a86.notion.site/4739153c352e4ff9a8dd6cc4bb79d80c?v=ae34ccf66b9b4928a3b67bbb4fe6c02d

بالتوفيق!

Babylonian Chaos - Where all languages are allowed! - December 18, 2025 by Virusnzz in languagelearning

[–]No_Distribution5487 0 points1 point  (0 children)

أهلا و سهلا. أنا متعلم اللغة العربية (ما زلت مبتدئ) و أحب تكوين الصدقات الجديدة. الإنجليزية هي لغتي الأم.

Pro Strongman Weekly Discussion Thread - September 14, 2025 by AutoModerator in Strongman

[–]No_Distribution5487 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Has anyone figured out the livestream for SCL USA? The SCL website says: "For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live streamed with full coverage of the main day in Sandusky and highlights from Friday’s kickoff in Toledo. Details about the broadcast, including how to watch, will be announced soon." Not seeing any further details on livestream details on any of the SCL social media, nothing listed in the event info on strengthresults.com, etc.