Firefly

https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/discover-our-research/biodiversity-biosecurity/plants-invertebrates-fungi-and-bacteria/invertebrate-systematics/ants-wasps-and-bees/ants-of-new-zealand/pheidole-megacephala/

That one is probably a major worker. They use their big mandibles to break seeds and cut stuff up for the minor workers, who have smaller heads, to transport back to the nest.

Cyberpunk. Lots to do, and ostensibly all the other video games in VR.

Unfortunately the environmental impact depends on the processing used. The cheapest and easiest version is unfortunately chemically intensive and basically the same way they make rayon. There are other options, but then the price goes up. So extra due diligence is required if you are concerned about the impact of your bamboo clothes.

If you are into horror, you may enjoy The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir. Just be warned that we are still awaiting the final, overdue volume.

I think folks would rather know. If it’s a split group, you could tailor the invites to mention that it’s also the other kid’s birthday, but they have their own group of friends coming with gifts.

Maybe a couple of coats of slightly thinned clear nail polish?

My guess is it’s a newer thing for the cloud, where it is common to shift load and replicate servers and software.

If you are gonna let your cat mess with it, I would go with a food safe style finish you would use on cutting boards or the like. Might have to reapply occasionally, but better than running the risk of the cat chipping off and ingesting a more permanent type of finish.

If the oil and soy doesn’t work, try cheap beer. Will get earwigs and slugs for sure, but might work on other parts as well. They also work better if you sink them into the ground so their lip is almost level with the soil or cover. Makes it more likely that they will find it and fall in.