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lavenderleblanc · 4 years ago

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FFXIV Character Sheet

Character sheet taken from bluespiritonfire!

Name: Luka LeBlanc

Age: 27, as of the end of Shadowbringers (23 at the start of ARR)

Pronouns: he/him

Birthdate: August 8

~~PLACE OF ORIGIN~~

Race: Miqo’te, Keeper of the Moon, Arawahe clan

Interracial heritage: Miqo’te Keeper mother, Wildwood Elezen father. Appears mostly miqo’te, but taller and longer limbs. Also has some Elezen facial features.

Hometown/city: Fallgourd Floats, in the Shroud

Current residence/popular haunt: Owns a house in the Goblet with his wife, Laila; also spends a lot of time in Mor Dhona.

~~APPEARANCE~~

Eyes: Pale pink

Hair: Blue-white, natural

Hair type: Mostly straight with a bit of a wave to it

Hair style: Currently cut short, slightly wavy

Body type: Lean, muscular

Height: 5’ 10”

Skin: Olive

Facial features: Typical miqo’te markings around eyes, traditional miqo’te face tattoos

Body features: Very long, fluffy tail. Scars on his torso that look like gold-filled veins, after Shadowbringers.

Favourite/commonly used clothes

He prefers to wear clothes that are well-made and well-fitted, and doesn’t like baring much skin. Usually his clothes are mostly white or black, with gold or blue being common accents.

Preferred sets:

WHM Eber’s Set, PLD Chivalrous Set, RDM Bozjan Casting Set

~~SKILLS~~

DoL/DoH

Fun (Fisher, Goldsmith, Culinarian) | profit (Botanist, Carpenter, Weaver)

~~COMBAT~~

Main discipline

Paladin

Secondary/Tertiary/Extra Classes

White Mage | Red Mage | Machinist

Fighting style

Any difficulties with magical/physical disciplines?

Conjury came more naturally to him than thaumaturgy. Even before properly training as a conjurer, he was able to cast a few healing spells. He began learning red magic in part to round out his knowledge with black magic.

~~PERSONALITY TRAITS~~

~~LIKES~~

Environment: city streets | markets | the beach | being at home

Weather: snow | rain | cloudy days

Flavours: sweet | salty | tart | fruity | leafy greens

Textures: silk | cotton | metal

Favourite Dish: His mother’s Marmot Steak, strawberry dango

Favourite Colour: White

Favourite Sound: Piano

Favourite Smell: Maple syrup

Favourite Place: Wherever his loved ones are, Ishgard, Ul’dah

Favourite Holiday: Starlight Celebration/Christmas

~~DISLIKES~~

Environment: mountains | jungle | surrounded by books

Weather: rain (when he has to be out in it)

Flavours: sour | bitter | spicy

Textures: spongy | dry granules (sand, sugar, etc)

Least Favourite Dish: Anything with cucumber, Ishgardian cuisine (salt rock………….)

Least Favourite Colour: Orange

Least Favourite Sound: Heavy machinery and warmachina

Least Favourite Smell: Oil and gasoline

Least Favourite Place: Ala Mhigo, Fallgourd Floats

Least Favourite Holiday: Hatching Tide

~~HOBBIES~~

cooking sweets | gardening | golden saucer attractions (Lord of Verminion) | minion collecting

~~RELATIONSHIPS~~

Parents/Legal Guardian/Parental Figure: mother | father

Siblings: Only child

Children: None

Romantic: Married to Lailathwen Nerayna LeBlanc

Friends: Bounding Bear and Brenha Nightclaw, fellow founders of his company Fortune’s Bounty. Also close with Alphinaud and Alisaie, and G’raha.

Rivals/Enemies: Isn’t too fond of Y’shtola, but cooperates with her when needed. Was wary of Urianger up until Shadowbringers, but now trusts him fully. Has complicated mixed feelings about Zenos and Emet Selch.

~~HAVE DEALT WITH/IS DEALING WITH~~

How are they dealing with the most prominent of the above? How does it affect their day-to-day life, if at all?

His most prominent was his relationship with Zenos, and the changes he brought out in him. He found him extremely alluring, and with Zenos’ taunts of him being a beast, a beast he became. He threw himself wholly and recklessly into combat for a time, eventually realizing he had gone too far, and tried to compensate by blind self sacrifice. After the fight with Shinyru, his allies forced him to realize that him wielding a sword any longer would only be a danger to himself. He began to pick up conjury, so as to still support his allies, but without losing himself in the process. His self-worth and confidence has since increased, but he still enjoys healing.

~~ODDS AND ENDS~~

Notable Weapons

Nirvana Zeta, which he acquired while training in conjury after liberating Ala Mhigo.

Notable Mounts

Fatter Cat, which he came across in the Shroud while dealing with the Sylphs. It’s very cuddly and affectionate. It eats just about anything, which makes it a good composter for failed dishes.

Albino Karakul, which he purchased off a merchant in Ishgard while assisting with the restoration of the Firmament. It was meant to be sold for its meat, but he thought it was too cute and took it in.

Notable Minion/s

Fat Cat, which appeared alongside his Fatter Cat one morning. He’s not sure where it came from. Thinks it may have sprouted off the larger cat.

Wind-up Alphinaud, which he likes to keep around to tease Alphinaud with.

Black Hayate, a stray pup he picked up in the First. It stayed mostly in the Crystarium while he adventured, and has since returned to the Source with him. It proudly guards his house in the Goblets.

Keepsakes/Mementos

His wedding ring, symbolizing his bond with Laila. They crafted their rings for each other; he learned goldsmithing specifically to make hers.

Education Level

Luka went to a small informal school ran by one of the mothers in Fallgourd Floats, where he learned to read and write. He never went to a proper academic school, so scholarly texts are beyond him. He tends to learn better through practical experience.

His mother taught him weaving and sewing as he grew up. As a youth, he learned swordplay from a Paladin of the Sultana, and later inherited her soul crystal. He learned white magic from Laila and Y’shtola, as well as some assistance from Alphinaud.

Habits

He’s very neat and clean. Without fail he brushes his hair, ears, and tail every morning and night, and bathes regularly. He keeps his gear in good shape as well, making sure his weapon and armor are clean and in good condition after every battle. When his mental health starts to dip, his cleanliness is the first thing to suffer and the easiest sign to notice.

Other

He’s rather fond of Dravanian Moogles and Namazu. His favorite place to go for sweets is Hingashi.

#ffxiv #ffxiv oc #luka xiv

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scattered-imagination · 5 years ago

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Alpha Aizawa x ??? Yamada

A/B/O Universe ERASERMIC

When Quirks and Secondary Genders collide things are bound to get...hectic and confusing is the best way to put it.

Most Everyone Presents their Secondary Gender between the ages of 6-10, though its not unusual for the gender to settle by age 12.

Aizawa Presented as an Alpha at age 12 and Yamada... never seemed to present as anything??

Aizawa doesn’t care about his status, just wanting to be left alone while he focused on his studies and hero work. He did give an eye-roll when everyone speculated about it saying “Beta in public, Alpha in Private”

which was true in some sense. he was a laid back individual who didn’t let a lot get to him. but during hero work or with close friends, it was very obvious that he was an alpha. able to take control, never hesitating, speaking his mind... protective when it came to a certain loud mouthed blonde.

Aizawa and Yamada met their last year of Junior High, when Aizawa was unexpectedly transferred due to reasons unknown. Aizawa was grumpy and didn’t talk to a single person, and despite being an alpha, was teased and mocked by the other classmates.

Yamada was the one to loudly exclaim that the brunette was his friend and anyone that messed with him got a taste of the future voice hero as well. The blond made a habit everyday to sit next to aizawa, eat lunch with him, talk his ear off, help him with english, and walk him home.

at first Aizawa was pissed and grumpy about the new development... especially since he couldn’t sense Yamadas status. he just smelled like...fresh air. no musk, no sweet smelling perfume, and no subtle citrus. But after a few weeks, Aizawa found that he... wanted Yamadas friendship. two months in they started calling each other by their first names, three months in yamada convinced Aizawa to apply to UA.

Both got into UA, although Aizawa into General Ed and Yamada into 1A. but that didn’t stop them from training everynight and Yamada basically teaching Aizawa everything from his hero course to catch him up. When Aizawa beat Yamada in the sports festival, earning him a place in Hero class 1A, he realized he was falling in love with the blonde.

BUT one thing always bothered him....Yamada never presented...ever! he tried to sniff for blockers but he could never pinpoint it. was Hizashi hurt? or was he hiding? While Alphas were prized and Betas were accepted, Omegas had varied reactions. modern day society helped to include them more... but there were very few, if any, omega heroes... and many believed that Omegas were weak and were better parents than workers.

Throughout UA, even though Yamada was popular and very well liked, he was bullied sometimes because of his “blank” status. many calling him a freak or “blank slate”. he was loud and confident like a alpha, laid back like a beta, and caring and friendly like an Omega. Aizawa could not tell you how many times he threw someone across the training field extra hard because they were mocking his BEST friend.

Yamada never seemed to mind, always laughing it off and blasting away his opponents with his super sonic scream. After Graduation, Yamada convinced Aizawa to move in with him to their own little apartment (maybe convince wasnt the right word...aizawa was looking for an excuse to stay with his crush).

Living together though, revealed many things about Yamada... he blew out his parents eardrums at birth, was given up at birth, survived in foster care until he grew out of the system, was often forced to wear a muzzle until he reached a good foster home when he started UA (We have Nezu to thank for that!), and he still wouldn’t reveal anything about his secondary gender status. Aizawa started to piece some things together after that information.

and the protectiveness only increased. Yamada had to convince his friend that he didn’t need to glare at everyone that looked their way. it was a hard thing to do, but a compromise was reached. Aizawa would stop glaring at everyone who sneaked a peak at them. and yamada would cook dinners for them when their schedules aligned. in Aizawas eyes...yamada cooking for him was very intimate.

five months into living together...aizawa confessed his attraction to the other... awkwardly albeit. Yamada froze before squealing in joy, saying he loved Aizawa as well... but he didn’t want to ruin their friendship. aizawa scoffed, calling Yamada stupid, but smiling as Yamada tackled his new boyfriend to the ground in order to get cuddles.

Years pass by, their relationship grows stronger and stronger by the day. Aizawa forgets to ask Yamada about his status, being too in love with the other. the soft cuddles, yamada massaging his sore body and humming him calming lullabies, and everything else the blonde did for him.

Aizawa did finally find out Yamadas Gender... in the worst way possible.

All Heroes were called to city center to assist in a massive villain attack. Mic and Eraserhead rushed there, working in complete sync. one would scream the villains out of the way, while the other erased the quirks and punched them out. 30 minutes in, Aizawa noticed Yamada was missing. in a panic he started to search for the other, only to see the other being thrown into a building. Aizawa rushed to his boyfriend, protecting him with a scary level of protective nature, his alpha hormones filling the air. soon the battle dies down, allowing aizawa to pick up the other, adrenaline dying off

its then that suddenly a sweet scent is filling his senses. it smells like a soft citrus perfume mixed with mint. he looks around before realizing that its coming from his unconscious partner. he sense others being attracted to where they are and runs off with Yamada in his arms, his alpha threatening to break the surface.

Yamada wakes up in their shared bed, staring up into the eyes of a worried and exasperated Aizawa.

“omega huh?”

Yamada freezes at the others words before nodding silently, looking exhausted. he sits up, allowing the other to cuddle him close. he lets aizawa comfort himself with his scent before he explains.

when he first presented in a foster home... he was beaten so badly for presenting as a useless and weak omega. he was rushed to the hospital and a search for a new foster home began. he begged a nurse to help him get rid of his status... the nurse took pity on him and helped him implant a subtle blocker into his shoulder. it would have to be replaced every 3 years and that she would help him.

“i owe the nurse my life...i never got another beating for being an omega again”

even as Aizawas hackles raise in anger yamada continues on. Yamada realized after making friends with Aizawa that he didn’t need to hide... but at that point it had been habit plus...he wanted to make sure Aizawa loved him even if he was a “blank slate”.

Aizawa scoffs and scolds yamadas for thinking that a second gender means anything! look at him, a laid back alpha that could care less about what people say about him. yamada agrees, but is still shaky.

but as always aizawa proves to him that his love never changed. the other still playfully argues with him, falls asleep in his lap, traps yamada in his octopus like hugs, and still loves him to the moon and back. aizawa is still as protective of yamada as ever, which makes yamada laugh so hard in a bar one night that Aizawa has to drag him home because he is making a scene.

what happens next~?

ALL UP TO YOU LISTENERS!

But I hear wedding Bells in the future!!

((I have a few more headcannons and details for this. send me an ask and ill answer))

Message me if you want to write this story or use it! 99.9% i will say yes, just please tag me so i can read your beauty!

Hashtag for this plot: #ErasermicABO??

Hashtag for this series of plots: #ErasermicPlotBunnies

@dadmic

@shouta-light

@guess-my-country

@why-is-there-a-light

@wendiflow

@deafmic

@shout-and-mute

comment ^w^ for me to tag you in future Erasermic Plot Bunnies ((If i tagged you and you dont want to be alerted to this let me know! I get nervous about tagging people cause I believe Im bothering them))

#yamada hizashi #present mic #aizawa shouta #eraserhead #erasermic #abo #alpha #beta #omega #au #alternate world #bnha #mha #plotbunny #writing ideas #ErasermicABO??#ErasermicPlotBunnies

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wineanddinosaur · 4 years ago

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14 Things You Should Know About Boulevard Brewing Co.

It all began in the summer of 1984 with a European vacation. John McDonald found himself in Paris at a bar that specialized in Belgian beer. The pints he sipped that day inspired him to make beer himself — but it would be five more years until he opened Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City, Mo. After attending art school, and taking up cabinet making, McDonald proved himself to be a true beer pioneer when he finally opened Boulevard in 1989.

In 2013, Boulevard joined Brewery Ommegang as part of the Duvel Moortgat family (which also includes Firestone Walker Brewing Company and breweries across Europe, such as Belgium’s Brasserie d’Achouffe and Birrificio del Ducato in Italy). McDonald sits on the company’s board, and we imagine he has the opportunity to fly off to Europe, or that bar in Paris, at more regular intervals than he did on that trip so long ago.

When asked why he started the brewery, McDonald says that he was really interested in making things. He’s made something pretty impressive with Boulevard. Here are 14 things you need to know about Boulevard Brewing.

Boring beer paled in comparison to Boulevard’s first ale.

In Boulevard’s early days, McDonald brewed beers he’d been dreaming about for half a decade. Those beers, like Boulevard Pale Ale, a combination of caramel malts and zesty hops, and Unfiltered Wheat Beer, a citrusy American-style wheat beer, would eventually win national attention and awards.

The first keg of Boulevard Pale Ale was sold on Nov. 17, 1989. McDonald threw it in the back of his pickup truck and delivered it in person to the brewery’s first customer: a Mexican restaurant two minutes down the road. (A year later, McDonald convinced an investor to give him the capital he needed to buy a very small, very used bottling line, allowing the Boulevard team to start bottling.)

Boulevard’s saison was many Americans’ first.

After Belgian brewer Steven Pauwels came on board as Boulevard’s brewmaster, he took a stab at Belgian-style saison, a style not common — or well known — in much of the U.S. at the time. Eventually, Boulevard would help popularize the saison style with Tank 7 when it arrived in 2009 (a decade after Brewery Ommegang took the lead by introducing Hennepin Farmhouse Saison).

Brewed with a combination of Belgian yeasts (though not specifically saison yeasts) and dry-hopped with Amarillo, Tank 7 got set aside in the fermentation tank marked “seven” — which reportedly was the brewers’ least favorite tank of the bunch for an undisclosed reason. During quality control, someone took a sip and it blew them away. The brewers named it Tank 7 and incorporated it into its Smokestack Series, a collection of big, bold beers. The dry but spicy beer with notes of grapefruit from the hops immediately found a thirsty audience.

Tank 7 was ‘discovered,’ and became a movie star.

In January of 2020, Tank 7 stepped onto the silver screen — or, maybe more accurately, the aluminum screen. Boulevard decided to can its saison, printing the label onto 16-ounce aluminum cans and tucking them into 4-packs. The fresh packaging came as part of a partnership with Paramount Pictures to promote the release of “A Quiet Place Part II.”

According to Neil Gershon, vice president of marketing at Boulevard, the beer paired well with the film because they were both “scary good.” It also complements a big bucket of popcorn pretty well.

It left the brewery a beer and came back a whiskey.

When Boulevard shipped a tanker of its Unfiltered Wheat to Foundry Distilling Company, in West Des Moines, Iowa, it was the beginning of a two-year-long coming-of-age story. Foundry’s Scott Bush distilled the beer, then aged it for two years in 30-gallon charred oak barrels. The resulting spirit, an 89-proof American malt whiskey that featured aromas and flavors of banana bread, allspice, and caramel, arrived at Iowa retailers in August of 2020. Distribution of the whiskey, Midnight Ritual, would later extend to Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska.

Midnight Ritual was the first in a series of brewer and distiller collaborations that Foundry intends to release. The distillery has teamed up with several other breweries aside from Boulevard. Whiskeys distilled from Stone Brewing Co.’s Arrogant Bastard Ale and Surly Brewing Co.’s Furious IPA, among several others, are slated for release in 2021.

Boulevard’s brewmaster has friends with benefits.

Boulevard’s Unfiltered Wheat wasn’t the first of the brewery’s beers to step into a whiskey barrel. Boulevard brewmaster Steven Pauwels had a working relationship with Bush, having used barrels from the distiller’s previous venture, Templeton Rye, to age Boulevard’s Smokestack Series. The special collection includes bigger, bolder bottle offerings such as a Whiskey Barrel Stout, Bourbon Barrel Quad, and Tank 7.

McDonald brewed, built cabinets, and slept at the brewery.

In order to get the money required to start a new business, McDonald sold his house, moved into an old brick building in town, and operated his cabinetry business in a corner. Meanwhile, he retrofitted the building and installed a 35-barrel vintage Bavarian brewhouse. The building, originally a laundry for the Santa Fe Railway from 1859 to 1995, operated as the Boulevard headquarters until an expansion in 2006. (McDonald eventually moved out.)

Boulevard crossed the road.

By 2004, that original 35-barrel vintage Bavarian brewhouse was working overtime, producing nearly 100,000 barrels of beer per year. Boulevard had grown too big for its original brick building. That’s why in 2005, the brewery broke ground on a new headquarters across the street.

The three-story, 70,000-square-foot construction took advantage of urban land use to minimize its footprint and also featured a sustainable design. In the years following the completion of the new brewery, Boulevard installed solar panels and adopted a zero landfill policy, meaning that the entire company either recycles or composts all of its waste.

Boulevard beer is a stadium staple.

For the last 20 years, seamheads have been able to find Boulevard beers at Kauffman Stadium, where the Kansas City Royals play. In 2020, they took it up a notch by collaborating with two players: Third baseman Hunter Dozier and second baseman Whit Merrifield. Together, the players and Boulevard released Hustle Up!, a 100-calorie blonde ale. T-shirts sold to memorialize the partnership benefit both the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City.

Boulevard kicks glass.

As a way to extend its continued efforts to protect the environment, Boulevard teamed up with neighboring companies and organizations in the community to find a better way to recycle the glass used by Kansas Citians. The solution they came up with was Ripple Glass and it started in 2009.

By supporting the construction of a local glass processing plant and setting giant purple bins around the city, the group found a way to recycle used glass more effectively than sending it to a landfill. In addition, a local manufacturer transforms the glass into fiberglass insulation, and other partners have found ways to reuse the glass as well.

As of 2020, more than 80 surrounding communities, like Jefferson City and Branson, have adopted Ripple Glass to help them keep used glass products out of their landfills.

Boulevard practices sustainability, inside and out.

Not only does Boulevard practice sustainability inside, but it’s also gone green on the roof. Literally. The brewery installed a green roof on the top of the brewhouse and packaging building, which basically just means it planted a wide array of greenery and plants up there. It helps insulate the building, lowering heating and air-conditioning needs and minimizes the amount of energy needed to run the facility.

Boulevard needed more room for activities.

In 2016, another expansion added the Tours & Rec center next door to the brewery. It included a 10,000- square-foot beer hall and acted as a hub for brewery tours. The building included exhibits about Boulevard and its beer. The Rec Deck, an outdoor space, was added to the fourth floor in 2019. The 2016 expansion also gave Boulevard a 3,600-square-foot facility for six more 1,000-barrel fermentation tanks. It increased the brewery’s fermentation capability by 40 percent.

Boulevard fills cans the fancy way.

A $10 million canning line arrived at the brewery in April of 2018. It was Boulevard’s extreme entry into canning. The brewery, which had primarily relied on glass prior to this time, could now fill 350 12-ounce cans in a minute with its new fancy high-speed contraption.

The other interesting thing about this canning line? It fills cans warm. More technically, it uses a warm filling process to allow secondary fermentation after packaging. While Boulevard had been doing this with its bottles for years, it was relatively unheard of for cans.

To sell its own beer, it had to make wine.

Part of the 2006 expansion included a suite above the brewery where Boulevard hosts private events. Because of local laws, the brewery quickly learned it couldn’t sell its own beer in that suite during certain events — but discovered through research that wineries in the state had the ability to get permits that allow selling their own products on-premise. So, after a rigmarole with a lawyer, Boulevard got the permits it needed and started its own wine brand: Boulevard Wine. It would result in McDonald planting a small vineyard on two acres in Truman Lake, Mo. The Boulevard house wines are still served at on-site events.

Eat, drink, and be married at Boulevard.

Speaking of that event suite, couples get married there. The Muehlebach Suite, on the top floor of the brewery, can be reserved for wedding receptions, along with corporate and non-profit events. The package includes Boulevard beer and wine, a gorgeous view of Kansas City, a custom pint glass for each guest, and of course, a good story.

The article 14 Things You Should Know About Boulevard Brewing Co. appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/boulevard-brewing-tank-7-guide/

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johnboothus · 4 years ago

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14 Things You Should Know About Boulevard Brewing Co.

Boring beer paled in comparison to Boulevard’s first ale.

Boulevard’s saison was many Americans’ first.

Tank 7 was ‘discovered,’ and became a movie star.

It left the brewery a beer and came back a whiskey.

Boulevard’s brewmaster has friends with benefits.

McDonald brewed, built cabinets, and slept at the brewery.

Boulevard crossed the road.

Boulevard beer is a stadium staple.

Boulevard kicks glass.

As of 2020, more than 80 surrounding communities, like Jefferson City and Branson, have adopted Ripple Glass to help them keep used glass products out of their landfills.

Boulevard practices sustainability, inside and out.

Boulevard needed more room for activities.

Boulevard fills cans the fancy way.

To sell its own beer, it had to make wine.

Eat, drink, and be married at Boulevard.

The article 14 Things You Should Know About Boulevard Brewing Co. appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/boulevard-brewing-tank-7-guide/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/14-things-you-should-know-about-boulevard-brewing-co

0 notes

tipsycad147 · 5 years ago

Text

Red candle magick

Posted by Michelle Gruben on Feb 28, 2019

Human beings, it seems, have an irresistible attraction to the colour red. Rubies are the most precious of all gems, wearing red has been shown to increase attractiveness in dating studies, and marketing experts tell us that red-hued ads get more clicks than any other colour. It should come as no surprise that red candles are among our best-sellers here at the Grove!

Most beginner Witches can tell you that a red candle is used for spells of power and passion. In our advanced candle magick series, we go deeper into the meaning of each candle colour to help you refine your candle choices.

What can you conjure up with a red candle? Here’s a big ole list of the red candle’s magickal uses:

To achieve fame or power

To attract a sexual partner

To ignite vitality in oneself

Drawing wealth and good luck

Increasing passion in a relationship

Root Chakra work/connecting with the physical body

Triumph over rivals in love or business

To get over a bad relationship or job

To return negative magick to its sender

To keep an enemy away

Increasing willpower and confidence

Invoking Fire gods/goddesses

To make a fresh start

Correspondences of Red

Red belongs under the dominion of the warlike planet of Mars. In Mars, we find the energy and courage to seize what’s rightfully ours. Mars magick is aggressive, arguably self-centred, and fuelled by the pulse and throb of the physical body.

Red is the colour of danger and of rage. In many cultures around the world, red symbolises victory and martial power. Red evokes the spilled blood of the martyr or vanquished foe. Danger and disruption are signalled by the colour red in warning signs and desktop alerts.

However brutal that sounds, its wise to remember that Mars (and his Greek counterpart, Ares) is also a lover, not just a fighter. The physical prowess and charisma of Mars is enough to woo the most beautiful of the goddesses, Venus/Aphrodite. It’s not surprising then, that the colour red has a prominent place in sexual magick.

As the colour of the element of Fire, red expresses all the sharpest, quickest emotions. Lust and anger, but also pride and excitement. Red can be a powerful partner in a whole range of spell-work: Strong emotions and deeply-felt needs are at the heart of all successful magick.

Bold, sexy, and in charge, red finds its zodiacal match in the sign of Aries. Because of red’s association with Fire and ego, a secondary planetary correspondence is the Sun.

Planets: Mars, the Sun

Deities: Ares/Mars, Seth, Sekhmet, Durga, Lakshmi, Hephaestus/Vulcan, Morrighan, Babalon

Zodiac Signs: Aries

Element: Fire

Chakra: Root

Tarot Card: The Tower

Variations of Red Candles

True red is by far the most popular of the red spell candles. Red is such a primal hue that to mix it with any other colour feels like it dampens its impact.

Red-pink, ruby, or rosy red candles are occasionally used in love magick. These candles combine the sexual urgency of red with some of the sweetness and tenderness of the colour pink—a kind of compromise between love and lust.

Red-orange candles are suitable for spells of power, victory, and motivation. Fiery red combined with Airy yellow suggests success in business or creative ventures.

Berry red or burgundy candles contain mostly red with a hint of blue and/or brown. Choose these colours when you want the energy of your red candle spell to be tempered by wisdom and grounded in the element of Earth. Burgundy is an excellent choice for spells of manifestation, courage, loyalty, and earned success.

Dual-colour or reversing candles are half-red, half-black. This type of candle is used for reversing negativity and undoing spells cast by another. Commercially made reversing candles are available from metaphysical shops—but I’ve heard of resourceful Witches sawing off two pillar candle to make their own. Red candles are unscented but can be dressed with Reversing Oil before use.

The reversing candles we sell are black on top and red on the bottom—which is the proper way to construct a reversing candle. The black portion burns first, and neutralises/absorbs the curse or bad juju. The red portion burns second, and its function is to empower the magick worker to fight back and/or return the spell to its origin.

Red candle scents

All of our spell candles are unscented. Wherever you shop for magickal supplies, you will usually find this to be the case. Most Witches prefer to add their own scented oil to suit the working, or to skip the scent entirely.

Still, there is nothing wrong with using scented candles for spell-work, if that’s your preference. Just remember that scents (just like colours) have their own meanings that work on your unconscious magickal mind. The sensory input can either amplify or weaken the energy of your spell.

Red candles are popular for holiday décor, and retailers trot out red candles every Yuletide season. The best of the holiday scents (for candle magick) is cinnamon. Cinnamon corresponds to Fire, Mars, passion, and protection magick—so it is a perfect match for most red candle spells. Other red candle scents in the holiday category include Christmas spice, cranberry, apple cider, and occasionally, peppermint.

Most people either love or hate holiday scents. If smelling them makes you feel like a sparkling sugarplum, then go for it! If you have emotional baggage around the holidays, though, don’t let Christmas spice anywhere near your red candle spell.

A second category of red candles scents is florals. Red rose, honeysuckle, hibiscus, and other red blooms make an appearance on the red candle aisle. Red flowers stand for attraction and seduction. Their sweet aromas are perfect for spells of romance, but less appropriate in spells of protection.

And then we have the food category: Cherry pie, candy apple, blood orange, strawberry, tropical punch. In general, foodie-scented candles are better for mundane use than for candle magick. However, if one of these fruity flavors is particularly appetising to you (or to your intended partner), why not try it for your next love spell?

Red candles for protection/power

As the colour of the warrior, red is an obvious choice for protection spells. Red emboldens and fortifies the spell-caster to stand up against any adversary. A human being’s automatic reaction to the colour red seems to be innate and cross-cultural. Studies have shown that just viewing the colour causes increased heart rate and breathing—physiological responses associated with both sexual arousal and anger. “Seeing red” is a real visual phenomena that some people experience while overtaken with rage.

Red is linked to the element of Fire, the fastest-acting and most overtly destructive of the four elements. It’s also—as we mentioned earlier—attributed to Mars, the planet of aggression and conflict. A burning red candle can be used to cast a powerful circle of protection and fight back against wrongdoers. Many protection spells combine red candles with other Martial ingredients: Iron nails or chilli peppers, for example.

Anger gets a bad rap in some spiritual communities, where everyone is supposed to be made of rainbows and white light. But to reject anger entirely is to leave a powerful magickal tool on the shelf. Warriors of bygone days understood that raw fury is a way to tap into special reserves of courage, agility, and strength—similar to what science now calls the fight-or-flight response. The magickal adept is never consumed by anger, but he or she knows how to manipulate anger to create a desired outcome.

Red candles for wealth and good fortune

Red is considered an auspicious colour, especially in Asian countries. Brides in China, Japan, and India wear red on their wedding days. Holiday decorations often include red and gifts of money are given in red envelopes.

It’s not just an Eastern tradition to associate red with wealth and power. In the west, red garments signified majesty and authority as early as the Byzantine Empire. Rich red dyes (often sourced on the Asian continent) were a favourite status symbol of the merchant class in European cities.

By this logic of symbols, red candles are a fine choice for spells of good luck, success, and prosperity. Choose the most vibrant, saturated red candle you can find, pair it with a gold candle holder, and dress it richly with Frankincense or Dragon’s Blood oil.

Red candles for love

"Red candles for sex, pink candles for love." It seems corny, but there is some truth in this old folk magick adage.

I love red lipstick. When I was working as a chef, I’d wear it every day, because the bright kitchen lights and white jackets washed out my complexion and made me look like a ghost. And as a novice manager, I noticed that people paid more attention when I was talking if my lips were red.

Anyway, I had been at a new job for just a few weeks when an older lady, a dishwasher from South America, brought me a gift: A tube of pink lipstick. She explained that red wasn’t a flattering colour on me—and later, when pressed, that red wouldn’t help me meet “the good kind” of men.

I tell this story because it’s a perfect illustration of the sexual power of the colour red. Red has the ability to alert, unnerve, arouse, and intensify. Prostitutes once wore red to advertise their profession, and many cities around the world have red-light districts. Red evokes human sexual responses: Engorged genitals, flushed skin. Many people have a sense that red is just not proper. Pink is offered as a substitute—it’s the same thing, only toned down a notch with pure, spiritual white.

Some people are looking for a lifelong love affair…other people want to get laid without commitments or attachments. No judgement here! Just keep in mind that candle magick gurus usually reserve red candles for the “extra spicy” type of love-drawing spell. I should note here that some people have ethical objections to love spells…but red candle magick is not for the timid.

Red candles for new beginnings

Do you have a bad relationship or crappy job you’d like to leave in the past? Need inspiration to start a project or kick a bad habit? Does it just feel like its time for a clean start? A “new beginnings” spell might be just the thing to drum up some fresh energy to get your life moving again.

Most of the time, I recommend white candles for this sort of magick. But don’t forget about red—an inspiring, high-energy hue that’s also, as we’ve mentioned, the colour of elemental Fire.

Evoking Fire invites rapid transformation into any spell-working. Fire is aligned with life-force energy, the source of all creative endeavours. Fire creates as it destroys, it provides as it consumes. It’s the perfect helper for forging new pathways—especially when there’s some old crap you need to burn up first.

Red is also associated with the Root Chakra, and so carries a practical, back-to-basics vibe that’s useful for starting new projects on a firm foundation. Contemplating the Root Chakra puts you back in touch with what really matters most to an incarnate creature: Your safety and your body’s happiness. When you meditate or do yoga, you start by grounding and awakening the Root Chakra.

Why? When the lower chakras aren’t whirring along, the upper ones quickly get out of balance. It’s hard to accomplish anything if you don’t start from a strong position, with a sense of possibility and well-being.

Herbs and oils for red candle spells

Combining your candle-burning spell with the appropriate herbs and oils can amplify the working by engaging even more of your senses. Typically, the candle is anointed (or “dressed”) with a matching oil prior to being lit for the ritual. Herbs can be sprinkled over the top of a burning candle or laid around the base. Whether you like to work with fresh/dried herbs or distilled oils, here’s a few herbal suggestions to amp up your red candle spells.

Spiritual protection: Cinnamon

Power: Dragon’s Blood

Banishing/revenge: Chilli pepper

Love: Rose

Willpower: Lemon or Orange

Wealth: Frankincense

Gemstones for red candle spells

Red candles can be used alongside these stones in ritual:

Carnelian

Red Jasper

Ruby

Rose Quartz

Hematite

Tiger’s Eye (red or gold)

Now that you know a bit more the magickal energy of red candles, you can easily craft your own candle spells for love, wealth, power, and protection. Here’s a few examples of red candle spells to get you started!

Celtic Love Spell

String six horse chestnuts on a red cord, with three knots between each one. When the moon is full, burn a red candle and say (thrice)

O Diana, goddess of love and of the hunt,

I pray to thee!

I pray these knots will tie up the heart of [X].

May she neither rest nor sleep

Until she sleeps with me!

Until she submits to my will, my love.

O Diana, bring about our love, and bless it!

Then throw the charm into a blazing fire. She will come to you, one book assures, “before the embers grow cold!” – Leonard R. N. Ashley, The Complete Book of Spells, Curses, and Magical Recipes

To Increase Willpower and Finish Projects

You will just need a red candle, a tablespoon of almond oil, three drops of lemon oil and it must be full moon. You must go outside under the full moon and so combine almond oil and lemon oil. Anoint it into your wrists, inhale the scent and so concentrate on the energy that the smell could give. Light the red candle, close your eyes, and repeat this chant five times: “Fiery candle, bloody red, clear the slowness from my head. Mother moon of glowing light, give me fierceness through the night.” – Dayanara Blue Star, Magic Candle Spells: Guide to Witchcraft

To Stop A Couple from Arguing

When two lovers are quarrelling it is best to etch both names into the side of a PINK or RED CANDLE, and coat it with Honey. Burn the candle on a Friday evening to increase love and soothe the quarrelling couple. – Kyle Brandon Leite, Firewolf’s Simple Spells for a Happy Home

https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/red-candle-magick

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vitmelbourne · 6 years ago

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Scope and Future of Diploma of Hospitality Management Australia

In Now a days Hospitality is one of the fastest growing industries in the world today. Hotels, events, travel and tourism, luxury services, food services and other related segments fall under hospitality management. Among all these sectors, travel and tourism are the largest contributors to the world economy.

diploma of hospitality management Australia is diploma level hospitality management course. Hospitality Management is the academic study of the hotel industry. Diploma in management, or hotel administration . Its is also to be referred to as hotel management, hotel and tourism management or hotel administration. is generally two academic year course and it may be different from place to place. it may be provide on part time basis by certain institutes. the coursed is career orienting in nature that opened many job scopes in various fields.

What Is Hospitality Management?

Hospitality Management, as the name implies, is the study of the hospitality industry. Due to his presence in various sectors, a degree in hotel management offers many possibilities to the students in which they wish to work. If you want to attend a home course, this article will help you to better balance your decisions.

Who Is Eligible For Diploma of Hospitality Management Australia?

· The eligibility criteria for any of the hospitality courses is as follows:

· The student should have an Secondary School Diploma or equivalent;

· should be 18 years of age or above;

· should have an IELTS score if 5.5 is equivalent for non-English speakers.

VIT offers one of the best set of hospitality management courses in Melbourne, Sydney,

Hospitality training

Diploma in Hospitality training

Advanced Diploma In Hospitality Training

What Are The Career Opportunities In Diploma of Hospitality Management Sector

Today, hotel management jobs are diverse and in demand due to the huge growth of the industry in recent years.It is important that you make an informed decision before completing a specialization course in hospitality management. In order to make the right choice, you will find careers here that give your active life the necessary boost.

Lodging And Accommodation

Accommodation and accommodation were by far the preferred place for hotel professionals. It ranges from luxury hotels and resorts to tent camps. In fact, the lodging sector is one of the biggest employers for hotel professionals. It is interesting that you can choose different routes in the accommodation sector: customer service, housekeeping, personnel management and sales management.

Food And Beverage

Food and drinks are a big part of the hotel industry. The jobs in the food and beverage industry are: head chef, restaurant manager, restaurant manager, bar manager, restaurant manager, etc.

Travel And Tourism

Travel and tourism are considered to be the most widespread and important sector of the hotel industry. It is present worldwide and a popular career option. Travel and tourism increased significantly after international tourism became a city. In fact, it is a segment of mass production that generates a large number of jobs.

Event Management

Event management is developing in an important sector of the hotel industry. Events include weddings, conferences, concerts, fundraisers, theater productions and more. Proposed roles in Event Management include Event Director, House Manager, Production Manager and Event Director. Recently, the event management industry has become very popular and is slowly taking the lead in the hotel industry.

What Is The Pay Scale Of A Diploma of Hospitality Management Australia?

The salary of a hospitality management specialist depends on the industry in which he works.

Although event management staff can expect annual incomes of between $ 50,000 and $ 100,000, a travel and tourism representative can earn $ 60,000 to $ 120,000 annually. On the other hand, a person working in the food and beverage industry can earn up to $ 90,000 a year.

However, there are a number of factors that affect the compensation offered to a Hospitality Management employee, such as the quality of education and previous experience.

Benefits Of Studying Hospitality Management

A problem becomes more attractive if you know the associated benefits. If you continue to choose Hospitality Management, we are here to help you.

Creative Thinking

Home management is a job where you need to interact with customers and encounter unique problems that require immediate solutions. The challenges Hospitality Management offers will help you to expand your mind, become fast (in the sense of thinking), and make you think. With all the exercises that your mind will do, creative thinking will ultimately be an advantage for you.

Global Exposure

Hotel management is one of the few career opportunities that paves the way for a global presence. Due to the wide presence you can find a job in different locations and work in an international chain. The global presence helps you to understand different cultures and customs and enhance your experience as a professional.

Job Security

With the growing presence of the hotel industry, many jobs are created each year. As a result, the demand for hotel professionals is increasing. The growing popularity of the hotel industry has made it a promising option.

Great Perks

Although not all hotel jobs are well paid, you are probably in the highest category if you are in a management position in this sector.

World Of Opportunities’

The jobs of the hotel industry are never boring. There is a lot of variety, a lot of traveling and many new challenges. Hotel management jobs are among the most exciting in the world.

Significant Growth

As suggested by Harvard Business Review, the opportunity for growth with diploma of hospitality management Australia should be one of the key factors in choosing a career option. Hotel management jobs help you to develop personally and professionally. Careers in the hotel industry not only help you to make contacts and make contacts, but also offer you dynamic growth opportunities in the company.

Your Employability Is High

Hospitality courses give you the knowledge you need to understand the latest trends in the industry. These courses also help you understand your skills and critical thinking in your daily life. These skills are in demand by the hotel industry from their experts. The more experienced you are, the higher your employability.

The hotel industry generates high incomes and jobs, which has a positive effect on the global economy and the employment rate. The hotel management in Australia study gives you an edge over other professionals around the world in terms of versatility and reach.

Hospitality is one of the best industries to work in, and it's worth it. If you want to attend a hospitality management course, move on immediately. After all, the best things happen to those who dream.

For getting more information visit here VIT - Victorian Institute of Technology

14/123 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

1300 17 17 55 (or) [email protected]

#Hospitality training in australia #Hospitality training in melbourne #Hospitality training in sydney #Diploma of hospitality management melbourne #Diploma of hospitality management Sydney #Diploma of hospitality management Australia #Diploma of Hospitality Management #Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Melbourne #Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Sydney #Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Australia

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maritzaerwin · 4 years ago

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5 Tips To Kickstart Your Career In Drone Technology: A New Career Path

A drone, also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV, is an aviating machine that can be wirelessly widget or it may have the technological ability to fly on its own using software that is deep-rooted in its systems.

Drone technology is rapidly evolving, with annual investments in its rising. It is because drones have a large variety of applications that are significant for a spectrum of enterprises.

These days UAV technology is very developed, and as a result, there is a broad category of great drones on the market. These drones are usually used by most people just to have fun, enjoy flying and take photos or make aerial videos.

While most people only use drones for recreational purposes, there are different ways that drones may also be used to make a profit. Are you curious to find out how you could use drone technology to make money? We know that you do!

If you’re creative enough, the possibilities to make money with drones are quite many. You should remember, however, that you need to obey local drone flying regulations before you start, as there are some limitations in each country. So, be sure to test the law first before you go out and try to make some cash.

Drones are already changing the way businesses are run, and big companies like Google and Amazon are already considering delivering packages with drones. Facebook is utilizing the drones service to distribute Internet connectivity to remote locations while a start-up uses unmanned aircraft to deliver tacos to customers.

There is no gainsaying that the drone industry is booming, and you can be a part of its success story. Read on to learn how to turn your passion into a lucrative career, and earn different ways with your drone. This article will discuss how to begin your career in drone technology.

How to Start Your Career in Drone Technology

1. EARN MONEY BY SELLING AERIAL PICTURES AND VIDEO

Selling aerial pics and videos to people is one of the most popular forms of making money with drones. Drone photography can be a profitable business and is nowadays very popular. If you want to do this work, however, you must have a drone fitted with a gimbal and a professional camera that can make high-quality videos/photos crystal clear from the air.

You can use a drone technology, for example, which is fitted with a GoPro camera and takes 4 K Ultra HD images. Such drones match outdoor and indoor footage.

When it comes to doing this company, there are two growing choices. The first is to consider attractive and unique sites such as different places of exceptional natural beauty with stunning landscapes, tourist attractions, or some famous landmarks.

You may, on the other hand, render custom aerial footage and take photographs by request. Social networking sites are a perfect way to share your images, in any case. If you can show that your images are in high demand, you will be in a great position to promote your company.

Where can you get your products sold? Find appropriate locations like beaches, amusement parks, golf courses, or city squares. Perhaps better, web ads of your pictures and videos. To get customers and respect, you can start local and show people your work for the start.

Another way to make money with video coverage is to set up a YouTube channel and share the videos your drone captures. Publish your drone videos on your YouTube channel and be a part of the website’s collaboration program to start earning money online. This way you will gain through subscribers who will be following your entire job.

But there are of course other ways to turn your drone’s camera into a benefit. For example, you can increase traffic with your photography to a certain website or online store, sell in-video advertising placement, promote your goods through advertisements, and much more. This way, there are many ways to make a profit, it just depends on how innovative you are willing to be, and how much work you want to put into perfecting your art.

2. ESTABLISH A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION AND RENDER AERIAL SURVEY SERVICES

Little UAVs, such as drones, can snap pictures from above and capture terrestrial places from the ground which are difficult or impossible to reach and measure. Today’s drones have excellent flight capabilities and can be operated remotely, making them ideal for aerial surveying in the most demanding areas. We have also in many cases replaced helicopters and other aircraft in surveying.

Aerial surveys can be applied in various areas, including facial recognition, archaeology, topography, digital mapping, feature recognition, and various GIS applications. In fact, a lot of professional organizations need aerial surveys globally, and this is a good opportunity to open a private company to provide aerial survey services.

So if you want to make money from surveying, you need to give your customers the highest quality photography services. To provide this service, you must be an aerial photography specialist, as well as have the requisite experience, skills, and qualifications to carry out survey work.

From there it’s all about doing the best you can to promote your company. Run some ads, get references, post online, post on your social media, something you can do to make sure your customers first think of you. Drone businesses are a highly competitive environment but you can carve out a profitable niche for yourself with proper advertisement and promotion.

3. AERIAL WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Wedding videography and photography is a conventional business, yet very lucrative. The field is a competitive one, and one in high demands. Therefore, you must give awesome and unique photos and videos of a wedding from a beautiful angle.

Weddings are special events everyone cherishes. Nobody wants craggy photos of their weddings. Everyone wants beautiful pictures to remind them of this beautiful day all their life. What better way to get beauty, excellent perspective, and lasting satisfaction than when you use a drone technology for your wedding videos and photographs.

Few vital tips will help you excel at aerial photography:

Fly your drone very close to the venue. Ensure your drone flies directly above your guests. The reason is to avoid injuries or harm to your guests by accident or scare them unknowingly.

Identify the best angle to shoot footage or take photos when using a drone.

It is best to choose an outdoor venue for your wedding, preferably a fantastic location with beautiful scenery. This location will benefit your video

Avoid areas that will blur the pictures, such as places towards the sun or in dark places.

Present your clients with the offer of aerial pictures, videos, and pictures from the same wedding.

When you follow these tips, you’ll be different from the others. The point is to stand out, and maybe take some of their clients to your side. What you should do is buy a high-resolution camera and an advanced mini drone to support ikt.

Practice every single day until you attain perfection. As a beginner in this job, start first as a supporting or secondary photographer. Then cover some weddings at a beginner’s discount. Subsequently, you can progress your business and ensure to get referrals from satisfied customers.

4. SELLING DRONES ONLINE

Another great business idea that can fetch you money is reselling your drones. What do we mean by this? It implies putting your goods up for sale at a site or store after purchase. Acceptable strategies that work for other products are also applicable to reselling drones.

Get one of the popular recent drone models at a reasonable price, and resell at a higher price to clients. You can easily do this in an online store or via online marketplaces. If you have a personal drone store, it works fine too.

All you need is a vendor that sells drones at affordable prices for you to purchase. Then, go through the list of drones available in typical online stores like eBay and Amazon.

At first sight, it seems so easy. However, there will be lots of fees and costs upfront when you try to open and keep a store. The same goes for online stores. However, the fees are a bit different in this case.

Always bear this in mind when thoughts of opening a shop come to your mind that drones are in many ways. The key is discovering which method suits you or works best. But, with thorough competitive research conducted, and you decide what you want to offer, you’ll see that the drone market is lucrative.

If you have a store for computers, gadgets, electric devices, and other related components, it won’t be wrong to add drones to your services. You stand to gain from this decision because you have experience in this line of business.

Likewise, you can choose to set up a store just for drones and specialize in that. Here, you can sell these Universal Audio (UAD) devices and necessary equipment for them.

One last tip: we don’t recommend you run a rental business for drones. These aerial devices are susceptible to damage, most notably when amateurs use it. You are likely to encounter problems with clients if your drones break.

5. INSPECTION JOBS

Over the years, Major utility companies use airplanes and helicopters to inspect their remote substations, electric lines, pumping stations, and other facilities. Access to these places posed a difficult challenge to pilots as it was hazardous and expensive. Drones have stepped in to save the day.

In recent times, they come to play in inspections of risky and dangerous places. They are small and without supervision; thus, they have taken other aircraft in the inspection. These aerial devices are equipped with video transmitters and powerful cameras, making them a good fit for the job.

Drones can easily access gas or water outlets and get standard video footage from there. This improvement has benefitted utility companies in various ways, including damage assessment and routine checkups.

Aside from utility companies, other companies and industries also need operators for these drones. Some of these companies are insurance and construction companies that use drones daily.

As a drone operator, you can use your drone to generate income through inspection jobs for various companies worldwide, another smart way to use your drones. For example, a standard drone with a 4K camera can be used by resurfacing and asphalt repair companies to inspect their prospects’ properties.

Small drones help inspect cell towers, bridges, oil and gas pipelines, power lines, roofs, and others. With drones, you can earn good money from these jobs.

Inform these companies of what you will offer using proper networking and advertising tools. You can get a directory of business around your area and introduce those who might be interested in your services. This move will help your business a lot.

If you want such jobs done, you need one or more standard drones that perform higher. They are more stable than simple quadcopters. So, invest in expensive drones, together with the extra equipment. In the end, you’ll reap the benefits. It has a short period of payback if you handle your business well.

Also, get proper training in aerial recording and RC flying. Although the business needs a professional drone to handle the job, it is very lucrative to carry out the job effectively.

Conclusion

Drones are everywhere and there are lots of career opportunities available in drone technology. Whether flying through the skies, stalking you from a user-friendly distance, or doing aerial acrobatics, you can’t get away from them. The rapid evolvement in technology and customer demands is steadily on the increase.

Thus, the outlook is that drones will take over the air and airwaves in no distant time. Are you interested in joining the drone revolution? It is your chance to do that. There are many available options and you can get a drone’s pilot license quickly. Lastly, ensure you have excellent drone skills before setting out for this business.

5 Tips To Kickstart Your Career In Drone Technology: A New Career Path published first on https://skillsireweb.tumblr.com/

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araibalibaigsblog · 6 years ago

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Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the regions in High Asia that has historically attracted travellers, preachers, soldiers, traders and writers for more than two millennia. The accounts of these travellers are recorded in the shape of travelogues, folk tales, literature, and more than 40000 rock carvings found in the region.

In modern times, the increased connectivity of the region with the outside world has attracted different writers who have explored various facets of history, culture and society of Gilgit-Baltistan. Among the diverse milieu of writers, modern travel writers have played an important role in the representation of Gilgit-Baltistan, creation of perception and formation of discourse about it. However, most of these writings are bereft of academic rigour, scholarly depth and anthropological empathy. As a result, the region has become victim of discourses that spring from subjectivity or created to serve the colonial power and postcolonial interests.

It results in depriving Gilgit-Baltistan of its historical connections with neighbouring regions and events in High Asia and makes the history of region subservient to the subjective definition of others.

The Silk Road was a network that encompassed diverse cultures, regions, ethnicities and religions. There was not only trade of goods, but also exchange of ideas, skills, cuisine, lifestyle and religions.

One of the examples of subjective pronouncements about the status of the region is the reiteration of the claim by some writers that historically the Silk Road did not exit in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Recently, a writer has published an article in an English daily where he claims to debunk the myth of the Silk Road. This article is in continuation of his articles published in English dailies since 2011, in which he rejected the idea that the classical Silk Road went through the region that is now Gilgit-Baltistan including Hunza. Since then the esteemed travel writer of Pakistan is hell bent upon proving existence of the Silk Road in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral as a myth. One can respect his opinion while disagreeing, but the derogatory tone of the writer using words and phrases like ‘pygmy’ ‘patent rubbish’, ‘ignorant tour operators’, calling doings of his distractors ‘the barking of dogs’, and condescending statement that he does not read anything written on the Silk Road by the average Pakistani’ smacks of imperial arrogance than the attitude of an earnest academician.

This article is an ordinary attempt to debunk this subjective history that manifests orientalist mindset, which takes upon itself to define and represent “Others”, and rejects indigenous knowledge as oral rubbish.

The writer’s attributing the claim of non-existence of the Silk Road in Gilgit to Dr Herald Hauptmann in an earlier article is totally false as it goes against the very research of Hauptman on Gilgit. Hauptmann in his paper ‘Pre-Islamic Heritage in the Northern Areas of Pakistan’ shows different streams of movement along different arteries of the Silk Route. Basing his historical research on rock carvings and inscriptions he states, “Gilgit, the ‘gate to India’, served as the main hub interconnecting the north-south routes from China to the Punjab with the west-east routes between Iran and Kashmir and Ladakh, via Chitral.” He further claims, “The new Karakoram Highway (KKH), opened in 1978, more or less follows one of the main old north-south connections along part of the Indus and Hunza rivers.”

Also, epigraphic evidence from different parts of Gilgit-Baltistan testifies to the existence of Silk Route in the region. Historically, the Silk Road comprised different arteries connecting to main routes. Hunza, Chitral and Gilgit were one of the routes of the Silk Route. Jason Neeli’s paper ‘Hunza-Haldeikish Revisited: Epigraphical Evidence for Trans-regional History’ claims that “such networks of capillary routes connected the main arteries of the northwestern Indian subcontinent (sometimes called the Uttarapatha: ‘northern route’) with the silk routes of eastern Central Asia.”

There are thousands of names of ancient travellers and dates of travel inscribed on the thousands of rocks scattered from Haldikish in Hunza to Thalpan Das in Chilas. Irmtraud Stellrecht identifies primary and secondary routes nets between Central and South Asia in Gilgit, Hunza and Chitral. Among the secondary route-nets one was the easternmost link-route that connected Hunza and Gilgit to Pamirs in Kashgar.

Though the terrain of High Asia is harsh, it did not deter streams of caravans to traverse across Central and South Asia. The writings of travellers who travelled in the region almost one and half millennium ago bear testimony to connections of Gilgit, Hunza and Chitral with the Silk Road. Famous among these are descriptions of the region by Chinese travellers Fa Hsien, Songyun and Hiuen Tsang.

It is an established fact that Gilgit became the fulcrum of fight between Chinese and Tibetan states to control the Silk Road in the eighth century AD. Gilgit was called little Balur at that time. The queen of Gilgit was a Tibetan princess who got married to the king in 740. There are reports that many people from Balur were part of Tibetan army. Susan Whitfield in her book Life Along the Silk Road claims, “Tibetan had established their rule over the small valley kingdoms that controlled the route between the Silk Road and the Gilgit river valley which led to northern India.” She brilliantly shows the altercation between China and Tibet in 747 with special reference to the tale of a Tibetan soldier Seg Lhaton who was defeated by Chinese in Gilgit.

The Silk Road was a network that encompassed diverse cultures, regions, ethnicities and religions. There was not only trade of goods like silk, gems, brass, leather, opium, slaves, perfumery, spices etc., but also exchange of ideas, skills, cuisine, lifestyle and religions. Among the variety of exchanges, the state of Hunza was notorious for selling slaves in the markets of the Silk Road in Central Asia.

German geographer, Ferdinand von Richthofen termed the whole gamut of activities and networks of trade routes the ‘Silk Road’. Perhaps it is because of the heterogeneity of activities and exchanges at the level of trade and culture that Peter Frankopan divides chapters of his recent book The Silk Roads: A New History of the World into roads of faiths, a Christian East, revolution, concord, furs, slave road, heaven, hell, death and destruction, gold, silver, Northern Europe, empire, crisis, war, black gold, compromise, wheat road, genocide, cold warfare, etc.

Among the array of goods and exchanges on the Silk Road, the writer cherrypicks only silk to reject the entire history spanning over more than 1700 years.

There are Chinese annals, which show a relative of Mir of Hunza delivering gold dust to the Chinese as a tribute. According to Irmtraud Stellrecht, “in reciprocity the number and quality of Chinese gifts were fixed.” According to Susan Whitfield the numbers of Chinese and Tibetan soldiers who fought the famous war of mid eighth century in Gilgit were 10000 and 9000 respectively. She provides details of how logistic arrangements were made for the armies. Given the large number of soldiers traversing the then principalities in Gilgit-Baltistan, it is wrong to assume that they did not bring silk or other merchandise of the Silk Road with them.

Even the assertion of silk not being traded in Gilgit and Hunza does not hold true, if we analyse the folk tales, poetry, indigenous knowledge, culture, and more important agriculture, horticulture and livestock. In Brushashki and Shina languages raw silk is called chusi. The popular chusheay chapos (silk quilt) is made of raw silk. Silk cloth is called sikim. It was considered a precious gift, and used in royal ceremonies, public events and weddings. For silk yarn, silk worms are reared on mulberry trees.

Historically, mulberry tree played a crucial role in the settlement of new villages on barren lands in Gilgit-Baltistan. When the king of a principality wanted to irrigate a barren land and settle people there, the first thing people would do is to plant a sapling of mulberry tree for three reasons. First, it provides shade from the scorching sun during summer, secondly it provides mulberry as food and, lastly, and it provides fuel wood in winters.

It is probable that mulberry tree was imported from Eastern Turkistan. Old people in Hunza, Nagar and Gilgit still narrate how women used to tend silk worms to prepare silk yarn. Even if we surmise that those women from Kashgar settled in Gilgit and Hunza as brides, it still supports the claim that the region of Gilgit-Baltistan had cultural connections with major trade centres located along the Silk Route. When the cultural exchange was so extensive, it is improbable that people were not engaged in trade, however miniscule. It is possible that the practice of rearing silkworm in Gilgit disappeared with the decline of trade over the land routes of the Silk Road when the maritime trade increased phenomenally after the sixteenth century.

To this day, the old routes of the trade are surviving in the border areas of Brughal and Garam Chashma in Chitral, and Chipurson in Hunza. Until now, Muslims of Xinjiang use Gilgit route for haj pilgrimage. Indeed when the Chinese started the construction of Karakoram Highway, they had clear idea that it was like rejuvenating the old Silk Road. That is why the then Chinese Premier China Zhou Enlai in 1960s discussed with Pakistan to use the port city of Karachi as a trade conduit for China and agreed with the proposal that it would help rediscover “an ancient trade route but lost to modern times, not only for trade but for strategic purposes as well.”

According to historical documents, this was the genesis of Karakoram Highway (KKH). If Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan has erected the signboards of the old Silk Road along KKH, it did so because it can feel the pulse of history.

There are rich sources in the cultural domain to substantiate the arguments in favour of existence of the old Silk Road in Gilgit. The oral folk literature is studded with exquisite poetry, which profusely uses silk (sikim) as a metaphor for refined beauty and delicacy of the beloved. Ustad Abbas Hassanabadi in his Brushashki lyric goes lyrical about the beauty of silky hair of the coquette who spread her hair like a net to captivate his heart. Jan Ali, a populist poet of Shina language, in one of his songs wishes to be hanged on the refined silky hair of his beloved for whom he has abandoned all his kith and kin. A poet from Chilas sings of his yearnings for his beloved in these verses: “Arranging silky adoration for you as bride, You will leave your abode, Jingling the silver-made necklace over thine neck, I will surrender under your doorstep, When you would have been carried as bride.”

In olden times, silver and iron were meager in the region. Scarcity of these metals compelled the people to rely on raw material and sometimes skills imported from Kashgar and other areas of Xinjiang the erstwhile Eastern Turkistan and Central Asia. Even today the utensils of households include old samawars from Eastern Turkistan. Kashgar, being the hub of Silk Road, had close commercial and cultural connections with Hunza and Gilgit. These connections facilitated exchange of goods and skills typical of the Silk Route trade.

For example, the first consignment of guns in Hunza was delivered from Central Asia. When the king of Hunza faced threats from British and Dogras, he hired the services of Adina Baig from Yarkand to make a cannon. Owing to scarcity of iron, the then Mir of Hunza ordered to collect every item made of iron from all over Hunza. In response, every household contributed iron in the shape of utensils and other iron items. With the help of his handyman, Adina Baig made the famous canon of Hunza in 1862, which was later used in the Anglo Hunza-Nagar war in 1891.

The concept of culture not only encompasses humans but also covers animals as well. The kind of animals used in Gilgit and Hunza for travel and trade shows the nature of trade routes and commonalities with the Silk Road. Before the advent of road, packhorses, ponies, yak, camel and donkeys were used for trade on the Silk Road networks crisscrossing High Asia including Gilgit-Baltistan. Among all the animals the double humped Bactrian camel became the symbol of caravans on the Silk Road. It was the best-suited animal to navigate through rugged mountain terrain and harsh cold weather, and it can carry more than 450 kilos of load. Because of this it is called the workhorse of the Silk Roads.

This animal has become part of culture and agriculture of Gilgit. As a child I still remember caravans of Bactrian camels entering Gilgit city on Karakoram Highway in the early 1980s. With the increase in traffic on KKH, the Bactrian camel disappeared from the region. The former governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pir Karam Ali Shah, owned the last remaining Bactrian camel, the last of which was slaughtered in 2014.

The purpose of highlighting examples from the domains of culture and livestock is to show that Gilgit-Baltistan was part of the historical Silk Road. Like other spheres of life, the Silk Road has also undergone many changes. Today, the KKH has been transformed into a corridor, but it is not the end of the Silk Road; rather it’s an expansion and continuum of historical process in which regions of Inner and High Asia are experiencing expansion of local horizons into regional and global one.

It is high time to critically evaluate the knowledge about Gilgit-Baltistan that is produced either to serve the powers during colonial times or by impressionist ramblers who have assumed the charge of authority about the history of the region in the postcolonial period.

We are what we think. The collective cultural and historical memory testifies to the fact that the Silk Road did go through Gilgit-Baltistan.

#AzizAliDad

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stephaniefchase · 8 years ago

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Bajan Newscap 1/4/2017

Good Morning #realdreamchasers! Here is your daily newscap. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today (BT) or by purchasing a Mid-Week Nation Newspaper (MWN).

SCHOOL TERM STARTS NEXT WEEK - Public schools WILL re-start next week with teachers returning to the classroom next Monday, January 9, and students on Tuesday, January 10. Term II, also known as the Hilary term, will run for 13 weeks. Among the highlights of the term will be activities to mark African Awareness Month, in February, as well as the annual sports events including the National Primary Schools’ Athletics Championships and the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships. The second term ends on Thursday, April 6, for children and Friday, April 7, for teachers. (MWN)

IN THE DARK ABOUT COMBERMERE – Even AS Combermere School underwent an industrial cleaning yesterday ahead of the start of the school term, parents are still awaiting definite word from the Ministry of Education on the immediate future of the school. Chief Education Officer Karen Best said that the ministry would be making an announcement later this week. Students across the island are set to return to the classrooms on Tuesday, but there is apprehension about Combermere, which was closed temporarily in mid-November because of persistent environmental issues. Yesterday, a MIDWEEK NATION team paid a visit to the school where industrial cleaners were hard at work on a number of the buildings while some construction work was taking place at the main entrance and other workers were cutting the grass. (MWN)

BARBADOS NOT AS BAD AS TRINIDAD - Government minister Donville Inniss says Barbadians need to grateful for small mercies, while comparing the island’s economic situation to that of neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his Old Year’s Night house party on Saturday night, Inniss said nationals of the twin-island republic had recently been “scrambling” for much needed foreign exchange in stark contrast to what existed up to four years ago when oil-rich republic was “riding high”. “Today, according to public reports, Trinidadians were scrambling to get foreign exchange. “So had we [the Barbados Government] not done the things we had to do, perhaps we would have found ourselves in a similar position as Trinidad as far as the scarcity of US dollars,” Inniss said. “Not to laugh at Trinidad because I hope that they will turn around as well, but when I look at this place, in Barbados we have to thank God for small mercies,” he added. Against the backdrop of recent domestic difficulties, Inniss therefore called on Barbadians to “keep the faith” in his ruling Democratic Labour Party administration. Describing himself as the “proverbial optimist”, Inniss also rejected suggestions that 2017 will be a worse year for the Barbados economy. He promised that changes would be made in other areas of his ministry this year so they can be more customer-friendly, accountable and more accessible. As for the matter of pending general elections, Inniss said he was ready to reclaim his St James South seat whenever the elections were called. (BT)

MUZZLE KELLMAN - The outrage over Minister of Housing Denis Kellman’s recent social media post continues, with the man seeking to replace him as Member of Parliament for St Lucy describing it as a “joke” and “the height of stupidity”. The post provoked the ire of an already frustrated Barbadian public, angry about the number of potholes on the country’s roads, many of which are blamed for accidents and damage to vehicles. Now, Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) St Lucy hopeful Peter Phillips has joined the band of critics, suggesting Kellman was senseless. “It is time that Denis Kellman step down . . . .That is the biggest joke that I’ve seen or heard from any person who has a single modicum of common sense put forward,” Phillips told .Barbados TODAY “It is the height of stupidity really. If you look at potholes –– and they are plenty potholes all over the consistency –– sometimes you wonder if you are going through a cart road in some instances.” The BLP candidate also lashed out at Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and members of the ruling Democratic Labour Party for their silence on the post. “The Prime Minister will not condemn the minister for making such a stupid statement. So when a person who is supposed to be a minister of the Crown and representative of the people can make such a stupid statement, we wonder what has Barbados come to in terms of Government and people in Government,” Phillips added. (BT)

POTHOLE PRESSURE - Pressure is mounting on Government to repair the increasing number of potholes riddling the island’s roads, and blamed for some vehicular accidents. The Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) will tomorrow launch an initiative designed to virtually shame the Freundel Stuart administration into action. BRSA President Sharmane Roland-Bowen told Barbados TODAY the association would begin identifying potholes across the island and place “advanced notification signs” to both alert unsuspecting road users of potholes lying in wait and turn the heat up on Government. The road safety organization is pleading with the public to assist by identifying some of the worse potholes in their parishes and send the information to [email protected] or call 231-0061. It was only last month that Roland-Bowen said she wanted authorities to move urgently to repair the increasing number of potholes on the country’s roads, warning they had become safety hazards. Since that plea, a Facebook page Potholes Of Barbados was created by wedding photographer and graphic designer Chris Brancker “to highlight the horrendous craters that frequently cost people hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in vehicle repairs”. The page has gained in popularity as frustrated and dissatisfied road users utilize it to express their discontent. Welcoming that initiative, Roland-Bowen said it was about time the heat was turned up on the authorities to do something about the potholes. (BT)

PATCHWORK - Road users fed up with the many potholes on the country’s roads could begin to see an improvement from as early as next week. Minister of Transport & Works Michael Lashley has told Barbados TODAY private contractors hired to repair the potholes are expected to resume work on Monday following a break for Christmas. “We would do what we have to do,” Lashley said in response to the growing complaints by motorists and pedestrians about the holes, some of which are being blamed for accidents and damage to vehicles. Lashley was adamant that Government had been taking significant steps to address the problem, stating that “we’ve patched a number of potholes between November and December. “We are starting back out on Monday back on the potholes.” The minister blamed a number of factors for the expanding potholes, including consistent rainfall. Asked about the effectiveness of asphalt used to repair the roads, he said Government was taking a second look and was considering concrete as an alternative. MTW Public Relations Officer Avonda Scott said work had already begun at Whitepark Road, St Michael; Thorpe’s, St James and Ocean City in St Philip. Meanwhile Scott reiterated that motorist whose vehicles sustain damage due to the potholes could seek compensation. “All they have to do is put in a claim to the ministry – write a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary.” The letter, she said, should include information on when and where the damage occurred, along with a valid driver’s license, insurance and road tax. Only after an investigation is carried out by the MTW will compensation be paid, Scott warned. However, she said claims would be settled quickly. (BT)

PORT BOUNTY - The Island’s main seaport is reporting significant growth in business for 2016, and is predicting even better days ahead. Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Port Inc David Jean-Marie told Barbados TODAY the port last year recorded double digit growth in both local and new transshipment cargo, as well as a rise in cruise passenger arrivals. “We had for the calendar year at least 15 per cent growth in the cargo tonnage and more than two per cent growth in cruise passengers for the full year, compared to last year [2015],” Jean-Marie said. He said one of the most outstanding areas of success was in transshipment, while home-porting was also on the rise. Regarding the suspended multi-million-dollar Sugar Point Cruise Passenger Terminal, he stated he expected work to begin in the coming year. He was also happy with the industrial relations climate in the past year, noting that the port was working on doing better for 2017. The Bridgetown Port is the major port of entry for approximately 90 per cent of the goods used in the manufacturing and retail sectors in Barbados. (BT)

NEW INSURANCE FOR SENIORS - The organization that champions the well-being of Barbadians aged 50 or above may finally have found a replacement for its Golden Health Insurance Plan cancelled last year by the Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited (ICBL). The Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) has identified likely options and the over 2,000 seniors affected by last year’s cancellation “are about to get new coverage”, BARP President Edward Bushell confirmed to Barbados TODAY. However, he was keeping the details close to his chest for now. BARP had disclosed in the first quarter of last year that ICBL had decided to discontinue the plan which was up for renewal in August 2016. The 40,000-strong membership has since been searching for a suitable replacement, the BARP head said. Bushell said BARP members had had difficulty coping since the cancellation of the Golden Health Insurance Plan, adding that those with medical conditions have had to foot their full medical costs, causing significant deterioration in their financial standing. (BT)

LAST DAY FOR VENDORS AT WEST COAST MALL - YESTERDAY MARKED THE final chapter for businesses at the high-end West Coast Mall, and come October customers can expect a new and improved Massy superstore in its place. Last year business owners and vendors were given notice to vacate the over 50-year-old location. A scan of the St James mall revealed a large white padlocked door, where boxes of clothing were all over the place and vendors were scurrying around removing their items. They all had the same refrain: they were looking for a new place to set up shop. One woman was concerned that a fellow small business operator would have to find another way to help her daughter complete medical school. (MWN)

VENDORS HOPING FOR BETTER – Fisherfolk are hoping for a rise in fortunes this Easter after boats experienced low catches during the recent Independence and Christmas holidays. From the Paynes Bay market, St James to the Berinda Cox market in Oistins the lament from the vendors is consistent: the tides are not bringing sufficient fish their way. At Paynes Bay, a fish vendor who gave her name as Ms Young said low sales at Christmas could be attributed to the fact that the boats did not go out at Independence. “Right now things looking so down I cannot say,” she said. Sandra Hinds who operates from the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex said, however, that sales for Christmas were not bad and the fishing season looked promising. (MWN)

CITY OF SHAME - It was recently designated a UNESCO world heritage site. Bridgetown and its historic Garrison won the international acclaim on account of its outstanding British colonial architecture consisting of a well-preserved old town built in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Pictures, taken by a group of visitors, tell a totally different story. The group of mostly first-time visitors to the island was led on a tour of the capital city on New Year’s Day by Jim Webster, a Bajan-Canadian, who is back home for his annual winter break. To his surprise and embarrassment, they were greeted with piles of unsightly rubbish that left them feeling disgusted. In an email to Barbados TODAY, Webster, a former employee of the then Seawell Air Services said his first thought was to “send the picture to the Guardian [newspaper] because it seems that the Barbados Government only takes action when things get into the foreign press”. (BT)

FACILITIES A MESS - Members of the public are finding it difficult to use toilet facilities within the environs of St Michael because of foul odours. When the MIDWEEK NATION did a quick tour to get feedback from users yesterday, the response was negative. The set of public toilets for the thousands who use the River Van Stand day in and day out has become a source of distress for those who made complaints. These include commuters, public service vehicle operators and vendors. Cologne vendor Gold Simeon said he believed that better could and should be done. “This is a new year, man. Keep it clean with a fresh scent,” he said. (MWN)

SEWAGE STINK AT NHC UNITS IN DEACONS - Residents of National Housing Corporation (NHC) units at Neptune Road, Deacons, St Michael, want to be rescued from foul-smelling water that is seeping from under their homes and creating problems. This predicament has come about because a truck used by the NHC to pump wells at the estates has broken down. The seepage is impacting elderly neighbours Gloria Chapman and a man who referred to himself only as “Clarke”. The seniors complained to the MIDWEEK NATION yesterday and it was subsequently discovered by a source at the NHC that the truck had been out of commission since November 28 2016. (MWN)

VISITOR FINED - A Mexican visitor had to part with $350 when he appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on a drug charge today. Guillermo Adolfo Herrerias Morales, 28, from Mexico City, pleaded guilty to possession of a small quantity of cannabis as well as apparatus for the misuse of the illegal substance. Morales arrived in the county with his family yesterday, on board the Adventure of the Sea cruise ship. The court heard that he was on the high seas to celebrate the New Year and his acceptance into Harvard. The police prosecutor Sergeant Neville Reid said Morales took part in the typical tourist activities, including touring the island, and was preparing to embark the ship when he was searched by security. He was found in possession of a three-inch glass pipe containing the marijuana. He was handed over to police and he admitted to purchasing the drug at Brownes Beach for US$5. He was reprimanded and discharged on the apparatus charge. (BT)

NEW YEAR’S DISTURBANCE LAND 7 IN COURT - Seven young men, ages 17 to 23, appeared before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court today jointly charged with causing a disturbance on New Year’s Day. They are: Jeffrey David Yearwood, 23, of Lot 50 Oxnards, St James; Shaquille Torrance Rouse, 21, of Lot 261 Husbands, St James; Shaquan Nathaniel Harding, 19, of Kendall Hill, Christ Church; Reo Mali Harris, 19, of Thorpes Land, St James; Reshawn DeAngelo Sealy, 18, of Halls Village No. 2, St James; Reshawn Jordan Antone Greenidge, 17, Maxwell Hill, Christ Church; and Akeem Rico Rouse, 22, Lot 261 Husbands, St James. The seven men who were unrepresented by attorneys told Magistrates Douglas Frederick they were not guilty of the offence which allegedly occurred on January 1, in St Lawrence Gap. With no objection from police prosecutor Neville Reid, the men were each granted $1,500 bail, to return to court on March 3. (BT)

COUSINS FIGHT OVER PROPERTY - A BRIDGETOWN COURT was transformed into a theatre yesterday as one man dramatically recounted events that led to him being arrested and brought to court yesterday. The dramatisation by Harold McDonald Payne forced officers to redirect him back into the dock as his re-enactment took him beyond the wooden section. Payne, a 55-year-old vehicle bodywork technician of Free Hill, Black Rock, St Michael was giving an explanation to the court after admitting to assaulting his cousin Anthony Straker, causing him actual bodily harm on December 27. The cousins, who live next to each other, were constantly involved in disputes over ownership of adjoining properties. (MWN)

BRAZILIAN FUGITIVE TAKES SELFIES ON THE RUN - A Brazilian man who broke out of a prison in the northern city of Manaus has been posting photos of himself on Facebook, bragging of his escape. In the picture, Brayan Bremer, who is serving a sentence for robbery, can be seen amidst dense vegetation giving the thumbs up. Behind him is another fugitive who police say has since been captured. The men are among dozens who escaped on Sunday from two prisons in Manaus. Bremer was among 72 inmates to escape from Antonio Trindade jail on Sunday in the northern state of Amazonas. Hours later another 112 prisoners broke out of the nearby Anisio Jobim jail amidst a deadly riot which left 56 people dead. Bremer was active on Facebook during his time in jail, despite a ban on prisoners using the internet. But it was his posts after his escape which went viral in Brazil. The first post shows Bremer in a Bayern Munich football shirt covered in mud alongside a fellow fugitive with the message: “On the run from jail.” Another showed Bremer with four others in a similar jungle location eating fruit. While Bremer’s Facebook account has now been deleted, a number of spoof accounts in his name have since appeared, such as @fugitivodoano (@FugitiveOfTheYear). While Facebook users appeared to be making light of the mass escape, police in Manaus continued their search for the fugitives. Officials said they had recaptured 40 so far, among them the man who appears in the selfie with Bremer. (BT)

MAS IN DANGER - The grand finale of Barbados’ premier festival is in trouble and could attract fewer bands and masqueraders this year, the organization representing bandleaders is warning. The Barbados Association of Masqueraders (BAM) said declining sponsorship could force bandleaders to either eliminate some sections or withdraw altogether from Grand Kadooment this year, following a drop of 600 revellers last year when compared to 2015. “The quality and the standard of the mas might be going up but we are getting less people going on the road and that is a big thing come [this year], and what we don’t recognize is that there could be a lot less bands on the road [this year]. The actual Grand Kadooment is in trouble,” BAM President Chetwyn Stewart told Barbados TODAY. “And I will not be bringing a band too if I don’t get some kind of support,” he added without saying how many band owners were thinking of cutting back or pulling out. So concerned is the association that it has written to the state organizer of the Crop Over festival The National Cultural Foundation (NCF), and copied Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley, requesting a meeting in an effort to avert a major problem. According to BAM, the root of the problem is inadequate Government funding of Crop Over, resulting in the NCF having to compete with band owners for sponsorship. And with the NCF able to offer sponsors more for their money, the bands get the short end of the stick. Based on the 2016-2017 Estimates of Expenditure and Revenue, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth received $50.77 million, $6.258 million of which went to the NCF. It is estimated that it costs the agency between $5 million and $6 million to run the annual three-month Crop Over festival. Meantime, Lashley told Barbados TODAY he took all issues raised by stakeholders seriously and he was willing to have cordial discussions with BAM with a view to reaching a workable solution. “Once the issues are raised then we will do what we always do every year – sit, have a discussion with a view to resolution,” Lashley had said before receiving the letter. Having since received the correspondence, Lashley has asked his Permanent Secretary to gather the necessary information so a date could be set for the meeting. (BT)

PRIVATE PROPERTY - The upmarket Heron Bay in Porters, St James is defending its decision to place a barricade across the road leading to the property. A local media report quoted some visitors as claiming the barrier was denying them access to the beach, with one person questioning when the road had stopped being public. However, Property Manager at Heron Bay Betty Rayside told Barbados TODAY it had been a private road since billionaire Lord Bamford bought the property about 40 years ago, and that while pedestrians had been allowed to use it freely, vehicular traffic had always been restricted. In fact, Rayside said, the neighbouring property, Colony Club, had been using the road for a number of years after it got the owners’ permission. “This is private property and for the entire time the owners granted permission in writing to the owners of Colony Club to use the road as an entrance for the delivery of supplies.” Rayside added that in spite of the barrier, Barbadians and visitors continued to have access to the beach via the paved road. Rayside also pointed out that provision had been made for taxi operators who ply their trade at the Colony Club. She explained that the barrier was erected to stop “poor parking practices” by motorists who park “in front of the gate, lock their cars, go to the beach and then the occupants of the house would not be able to get out of the gate”. Rayside said the owners Lord and Lady Bramford were currently at the house, therefore everything was being done to ensure they enjoyed free passage to and from their home. Up to the time of publication, General Manager of the National Conservation Commission Keith Neblett could not be reached for a comment on the issue. (BT)

BRIDGE CLEAN UP - The Charles Rowe Bridge community group is continuing to spread the love. This is how spokesman Roger Hinkson described their work – a labour of love to keep their community clean, bright and safe. Members of the group were spotted repainting the bridges in the area last Friday, something they have been doing on an annual basis for a number of years. “We painted the bridge opposite the gas station, the long one opposite Chefette and we still have to do the one by the restaurant as well as repaint the mural,” he said. Hinkson thanked annual sponsors Chefette, the Bridge Hardware Store and Carter’s Bakery. (MWN)

There are 30 Days until Girlfriends Expo & Arts Festival (February 3rd & 4th) and you can purchase your tickets from Ticket Pal.

Well that’s all for today folks. Have a productive start to your working year. There are 361 more days in theyear ;) Shalom! #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps

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araibalibaigsblog · 6 years ago

Text

Gilgit, the ‘gate to India’, served as the main hub interconnecting the north-south routes from China to the Punjab with the west-east routes between Iran and Kashmir and Ladakh, via Chitral.” He further claims, “The new Karakoram Highway (KKH), opened in 1978, more or less follows one of the main old north-south connections along part of the Indus and Hunza rivers.”

Among the array of goods and exchanges on the Silk Road, the writer cherrypicks only silk to reject the entire history spanning over more than 1700 years.

We are what we think. The collective cultural and historical memory testifies to the fact that the Silk Road did go through Gilgit-Baltistan.

#AzizAliDad

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