#[ vi skillsets ] — you have always been a part of this .

[ferinehuntress]

[ vi visage ] — i am willing to fight for that . [ vi attire ] — nice jacket . [ vi interactions ] — what makes you different makes you strong . [ vi answers ] — you have to let them think you have what they want . [ vi aesthetics ] — nothing is ever going to change that . [ vi headcanons ] — i cannot lose you too . [ vi character study ] — the undercity is gonna eat you alive . [ vi attractions ] — you are sweet ; like a cupcake . [ vi desires ] — you are hot ; cupcake . [ vi skillsets ] — you have always been a part of this . [ vi scenery ] — this city is gonna respect us . [ vi playlist ] — i am gonna bring your empire down . [ vi games ] — you talk to much . [ vi body study ] — you did what you had to to survive .

[valiantthearts]

[ vi visage ] — i am willing to fight for that . [ vi attire ] — nice jacket . [ vi interactions ] — what makes you different makes you strong . [ vi answers ] — you have to let them think you have what they want . [ vi aesthetics ] — nothing is ever going to change that . [ vi headcanons ] — i cannot lose you too . [ vi character study ] — the undercity is gonna eat you alive . [ vi attractions ] — you are sweet ; like a cupcake . [ vi desires ] — you are hot cupcake . [ vi skillsets ] — you have always been a part of this . [ vi playlist ] — i am gonna bring your empire down . [ vi games ] — you talk to much . [ vi body study ] — you did what you had to to survive .

[feraldames]

[ vi visage ] — i am willing to fight for that . [ vi attire ] — nice jacket . [ vi interactions ] — what makes you different makes you strong . [ vi answers ] — you have to let them think you have what they want . [ vi aesthetics ] — nothing is ever going to change that . [ vi headcanons ] — i cannot lose you too . [ vi character study ] — the undercity is gonna eat you alive . [ vi attractions ] — you are sweet ; like a cupcake . [ vi desires ] — you are hot ; cupcake . [ vi skillsets ] — you have always been a part of this . [ vi playlist ] — i am gonna bring your empire down . [ vi games ] — you talk to much . [ vi body study ] — you did what you had to to survive .

[mvrbleghcstsarchived]

Winter Market Plot/Starter call!

Hello! Cutting a bit close, but this week has been...something. Anywhozits, located below is a list of my idiots and if/what they’ll be doing in relation to the Winter Market ‘22. Hit the like for me to go ahead and shoot you a DM for plotting, and feel free to also comment if you want to specify a pair to tailor the plot convo around! As a sidenote, if we already have an ongoing thread that you would like to transition into a Winter Market one or a winter one in general, by all means feel free to let me know!

Cosinga ‘Oz’ Palpatine:

Star Wars||42||He/Him||Unaware||Married

This mans will to the surprise of any of his aware children and/or aware acquaintances will likely be found out and about because he’s doing his best to be as close to proper human being as possible because he may not remember the specifics but he totally remembers being a massive asshole and most importantly a good husband and father 🙃

Travers:

Harry Potter||35||He/Him||Aware||Uninterested

This. Dude! Hates absolutely everything about this, but will be making the rounds nonetheless because he understands the complex game people play when it comes to presentation versus true-self. The Travers name is well-known in town and likely one of the big sponsors of city-managed events/booths....and he also wants the opportunity to play his own personal favorite passtime: fuck with the McKinnons

Monica Reyes:

The X-Files||34||She/Her||Aware||Could Use Some Friends

Monica is definitely a people person, despite the fact that she hasn’t much time to actually do any people-ing since arriving in this wonky version of the Capital. There’s so many odd things constantly happening here that this FBI’s X-Files division is...something else. Bless for now colonizing aliens she does not count the fact Leia is the President that is just too much right now. Will likely be found going around from booth to booth, enjoying the live music, and just taking in the activity in general

Sarah Gunning:

Midnight Mass||32||She/Her||Aware||Married...to her job

Sarah has definitely not really taken the time to process anything that happened back on Crockett Island, and has actively taken to keeping herself as busy as possible to keep herself from thinking about it too much or it gets bad. She is, at her core, the very odd mix of the typical mom friend, cool wine aunt, and awkward former ‘gifted child’ all rolled into one. This one is also very approachable, and will likely be keeping an eye on any events that can lead to the use of her skillset

Rachel Summers:

Marvel’s X-Men||28||She/They||Aware||Reluctantly Even Socializing

Currently not really feeling the whole ‘holiday thang’ like they once used to, definitely doesn’t help she’s in yet another new universe. Is trying their best to ‘make the best of it’ and ‘fake it til you make it’ their way through this. To that end, they will be ambling about from booth to booth and playing spectator to some of the events. They are approachable, if perhaps a bit snarky and bah humbug at the moment. They do know how to chill and have fun...they just have to be reminded

Jamie Taylor:

The Haunting of Bly Manor||27||She/They||Aware||High Walls

Time has helped mellow her out...a bit. She’s not outright rude, but she’s never really claimed to be a nice person either. Will be milling about as part of the Park Ranger volunteers to help keep the event safe and as chaos free as this city will ever allow. Friends are always welcome, even if it may take one of the many nutcrackers about to get through to this one

Vi:

Arcane||25||She/They||Unaware||Open to a Good Time

Vi is still mostly unaware, but is starting to question a lot of things after her interactions with Jinx and Caitlyn. This Winter Market sounds like the ideal thing to take her mind off of that entire debacle unless she happens to run into either, of course. Will be looking for any friends she may have made in the city to chill with or even up for making some new ones while also partaking in any and all competitions because why not?

Caden:

Charmed ‘98(OC)||24||She/Her||Aware||Distractions Are Nice

Caden still doesn’t have the full picture as to what is going on with her or why, but she’s managed to realize that as long as her mind is occupied, she can manage to only travel from place-to-place by will and her own two feet. So she’ll be taking in everything she can from the Winter Market and hopefully not randomly ‘orbing’ somewhere she’s been told it’s bad to do that

Ava:

Warrior Nun||19||She/Her||Aware||Overwhelmed...Not Sure If In Good or Bad Way...?

Ava is still very much trying to deal with everything that happened just before her arrival in the city, but this is also her first real taste of Christmas but she’s also very conflicted over the origins... Ava will likely be trying to hit everything she can because experiencing the world is the one thing she feels can still root her to who she is. Very approachable. Human golden retriever with a bit of an attitude sometimes and not a lot of tact...sorry

Ben:

Star Wars||18||He/Him||Unaware||Fun Times!

Ben has been working really hard in school, soccer, and his job. Boy is very much looking forward to some down time and also very much oblivious to everything relating to the chaotic dumpster fire that can be his family. If he manages to, he might even see if he can get a little pick-up hockey game going if enough people are interested. He’s likely the most approachable of this bunch, but also the one to have the least filter and most snark thanks mom and aunt leia

[vocatharsis]

Cogs’ TS2 Apocalypse Run (VI)

<< Previous | Next >>

It’s been a couple weeks since my last one of these. I’ve been bogged down a little by uni stuff... plus I’ve been so engrossed in the challenge run that I’ve built up a bit of a backlog of screenshots which I was ugh about sifting through, so this is where I take a break from a pastime to knuckle down to sort them all out. 

(This is an ongoing series of me on a nostalgia trip with The Sims 2, playing Phaenoh’s tiered apocalypse challenge. If you’re a fan of Sims and/or silly challenge blogging, feel free to read on.)

THE SMITHS’ FREE STATE, PART 6 - I WRITE SIMS, NOT TRAGEDIES

A spacesuit, a helicopter, and a semblance of public safety -- one tier down, two to go -- invitation, the sincerest form of flattery -- Kent Dies At The End.

[Dutchman voice] Welcome back.

When I last posted an update on this run, John had just hit adulthood. Seems the week isn’t too fond of me, ‘cos he aged up on a Friday evening in a career that always takes weekends off. Hopefully he’ll be able to reach the top by the next in-game Saturday...

In the meantime, John’s making friends, as Popularity Sims are wont to do. Here’s some teenager called Meadow, explaining to him that she doesn’t believe in effective medical practice. 

The fogged-up Founding Couple are getting along okay. Shelmerdine’s still employed, which keeps her occupied for half the week; Kent, on the other hand, tends to just mope around, with the odd bout of playing repeatedly with the cat.

As a Flight Officer, John starts work at the same time as his mum, so he gets to ride in a limousine for the moment...

And then, at work (after promotion), he somehow meets Donte! This is the guy I was intending to hook Shelmerdine up with, just before Kent came along and made me a better offer. Hm, this is actually quite handy; I know he has decent mechanical & body skill, so once Military’s lifted I can stay in touch with him for a future heir...

I feel like some sort of creepy matchmaking god when I realise I’m screening for townies with already-decent skillsets, so that heirs can befriend them as  teenagers and reel them in as soon as they’re allowed. The end of the world is tough.

Just look at Kent - why did I take this perfectly unremarkable screenshot of him playing chess? ‘Cos it’s the first want he’s fulfilled in ages. It’s not even enough to bring him into the low green! I’ve noticed that the ‘drain’ mechanic won’t take them below the upper edge of the low red, so at least he won’t require any illusive interventions...

Anyway, John gets promoted three times in the next two days, bringing him up to Commander. Then I get a chance card, which pushes him up again to Astronaut. Just need a promotion this next day...

Booyeah! I’m now allowed to invite people over using the phone. I can also visit community lots more than once a week (in groups of at least two), receive newspapers, and... go jogging, I guess. 

I’m also officially allowed to start lifting second-tier restrictions. Which means I can get started on bringing the two crustmeisters back ‘round to lucidity. BUT FIRST, I have to go ‘round and add some new community lots to the neighbourhood. The newspaper’s a thing now, but I’m only allowed to take the first (tier 1 or tier 2) job in the listings, so they need some new places to go sign up. 

(*sounds of renovating*)

Welcome to the neighbourhood! Mind the gunge on what-was-once-called-the-footpath; we just cleaned out the hordes.

With nobody due for work on Friday afternoon after 4pm, I now bring the whole family over to the medical facility. I sign Sake up for a Service job, and give Panoptica a teen Medicine job. Just to make sure she gets her want rerolls every day... 

... and for SOME REASON she gets fired for nonattendance less than a MINUTE after returning home. I thought you couldn’t be punished for missing work if you signed on during what would be the middle of a shift? Oh well, more fool me. At least it’s not an important teen job. Could be much worse. 

Meanwhile the next day, John manages to get some gold inside his asp. meter as he finally rolls some skill-building wants. In the above picture, he actually hits platinum, for the first time since childhood after mechanical-learnin’ rolled into a short-lived loop of wanting to be nice to Kent (tickle, play with, appreciate). Good for him! Not that Kent has any such luck - he’s still red.

Also in the ‘good luck’ department, Panoptica wants to max her Games enthusiasm again?, so even though she’s at max logic I make her spend the entire day on Chess so she can grow up well.

Still love the way Sims with very Playful personality scores react to playing chess. It’s a rook, girl, not a toilet brush. 

Sake’s steadily clambering his way up to Rescue Pet, but with the elders around I have to make sure they’re out of the way when the cat’s carpool arrives. If they’re obstructing him while he’s heading outside, he might cancel the action, and if that happens then he’ll miss work and be fired.

Still, here’s a luvverly shot of John in his General outfit:

Kent only has a few days left, but in theory I should be able to lift Service and regain control of him just in time to make sure he dies inside. 

That sounds morbid. But I have my reasons...

Sake’s a Seeing-Eye Pet, the 2nd-highest position in the job track, as of the above picture. In the one below, he finally gets it done. 

YYYES. Now Kent can fade away to ash in the comfort of his own brick-shaped home. 

That same day, Panoptica manages to top the Teen Business track, which she took a job in via the newspaper. Kent dies tomorrow, and she’ll be out at work when that happens...

Like I’ve said in past updates, I mean for her to lift Intelligence, so she won’t keep her desk job once she’s grown up. At least she gets some lifetime fulfilment for ‘topping’ a career. 

Above is Kent’s last meal. There’s no denying that he’s had rough time of it. Piss-awful, really. He didn’t have the benefit of being super-fulfilled already like Shel did, and his lifelong dream - to own a hospital - was realised before the game even started, only it didn’t count. He’s passing on while still in the red, and - depending - may well be the only Smith who ever has to do so. Being the Founder’s spouse in this challenge run is a bit of a raw deal, I think you’ll find. 

So now, everybody except Panoptica and Sake are gathered in the attic for a little sendoff. 

Whoowee, this was a lot of pictures. Two in-game weeks’ worth, I guess. The next update will feature Kent’s actual dead body. But also a birthday! And more... 

Thanks for reading!

[expertfeedly]

How to Evaluate Freelance Web Developers for Business

Effectiveness and acceleration are crucial when you are beginning away in today's competitive marketplace. Nevertheless, when you are a newbie and striving to size fast, it can become challenging to attain your goals at the pace you desire when you’re depending just on inner assets. That is definitely when it turns into required to grow your business using freelance designers.

At first, very clear variation requirements to be made among analyzing designers for full-time positions vis-a-vis become freelancer functions in your business. Freelancers function on short-term generally, remote control engagements, need no teaching, and are anticipated to make reasoning phone calls. Understanding the difference between their skill models and those of full-time workers can make a huge difference in your employing technique.

4 Skills to appear for in a Freelancer 

Take an appearance at these four important skills that you need to become looking out to get while hiring a freelancer.

Specialized Skills 

New full-time workers usually possess an on-boarding period when they are uncovered and trained to the organization. It is pretty different in relation to freelancers, who are hired for short-term engagements that mandate minimal or simply no schooling frequently. For that reason, it is certainly essential to discover freelancers who can strike the surface working.

Every freelancer you are considering should have appropriate specialized abilities that you require for the task. While you might look for coding aptitude and learning skills in a full-time hire, they are not really required for freelance programmers and are in reality, an inaccurate method of judging them.

Customer References 

An interview helps you make personal reasoning about a creator always, but it shall not really help you measure how the person would respond in a reasonable function environment. That is certainly where customer sources become precious.

You should always reach out to previous customers and verify the developer’s specialized credentials and, more importantly, soft skills. Freelancers possess customer brands on their portfolios frequently, testimonies on their websites, and/or rankings on becoming a freelancer site. If no become a freelancer encounter is certainly acquired by a person, you can reach out to his/her previous company to obtain extra framework.

Conversation Skills 

Great communication skills are essential in every single professional relationship. Nevertheless, they become specifically critical for freelancers because they are located and don’t work out of your workplace remotely. In this kind of situation, the poor conversation can trigger breed of dog and misunderstandings mistrust, especially at the beginning of an engagement where both ongoing parties are skeptical regarding one another. Written emails poorly, a require to follow-up multiple moments, absence of clarity on deadlines during the hiring procedure are crucial symptoms to take note also.

Remote control Functioning Experience 

Getting capable to function remotely in an effective way is usually a skill that not everyone owns. Remote control work involves a finished lot of diversions and challenges. From good communication apart, a freelancer should end up being concentrated, stay positive, keep great documents, manage a period successfully, and end up being up-to-date with relevant equipment to help remote control functioning. As a result, a person who provides currently proved helpful remotely certainly deserves brownie factors as he/she can be extremely most likely to end up being outfitted with this kind of abilities.

Two Elements That Should Not really Perform a Big Part In Your Hiring Decision 

Having talked about the abilities that you need to become searching pertaining to in self-employed, here are a couple of factors that you ought not to base your hiring preferences on.

Aptitude Tests 

A programmer has to possess wise coding skills, but it will not make sense to evaluate freelancers solely on coding aptitude checks. While a developer looking for a full-time position will surely invest time in preparing for these aptitude tests, a freelancer can’t become expected to. He/she will be more keen on finding opportunities that suit his/her precise technical and soft skill sets. In such instances, by conducting aptitude checks, you might end up creating false negatives - rejecting candidates who are actually suited for the job.

University Credentials 

Another common parameter utilized in hiring specialists is certainly the university brand that they hail from. While it might appear tempting and straightforward to base your decision on university credentials, they perform not really provide an accurate picture of a freelancer’s abilities. As talked about, become a freelancer hires should end up being centered on skillset. For that reason, base your judgment on features and expertise than a carried-forward legacy rather.

Subsequent the essential concepts talked about above may make your lifestyle a comprehensive great deal less complicated. As Nasdaq stated, the freelance labor force is certainly expected to rise to 43% in the following couple of years, therefore, it is certainly probably the best period to leap on the bandwagon at this point.

Nevertheless, function for a firm really does not really expire with the hiring. Deep thought needs to become put into the performance of the engagement. But the journey constantly begins by getting the right freelance programmer to work with who can drive your organization to higher heights.

I was reading something the other day about the differences between entrepreneurs and solopreneurs. Fundamentally, solopreneurs build a business based on their interests and are articles with managing the workload on their own completely. Business owners, on the various other hands, might build a WordPress business centered on their interest, but would rather provide as the encounter of the firm and manage a group that requires treatment of the function.

For those of you who appreciate the day-to-day function of being a WordPress designer or developer, you’ll find this article interesting, but those who like to take care of others shall find it more actionable. While you may need to outsource some of your duties to others eventually, this content can be about climbing your business. And the only real method to achieve that is by building a strong support and group program around you.

That said, you’re not a Human resources supervisor. Therefore, what do you know regarding hiring freelancers or companies for your WordPress business also? The subsequent instruction shall talk about the tasks you require to fill up, what to seem for when employing those positions, as well as how to assess candidates.

What Type Of Freelancers Perform You Require To Hire For Your Wordpress Business? 

You’ve heard the expression, “Great help is hard to discover.” That’s because it can be. Trust me, I’ve been through this procedure before and it’s not really quite. It’s time-consuming. It’s difficult. Incredibly risky it’s, as well, if you quickly hurry through it. I like to believe of it as a container of chocolate.

You also are excited about the opportunities within that container really, but you could finish up with several true duds if you do not choose carefully. Therefore, let’s consider this stage by stage and make sure you’re finishing up with the caramel-filled dairy delicious chocolate (or whatever your personal choice is definitely) with every one new hire.

For businesses based around building websites, there are specific tasks you’ll require to fill up. These are the essential positions we’ll move over in this content:

Internet developer

Internet designer

Copywriter

Marketer

Assistant

By hiring specialists with experience in each of these essential areas, you’ll be capable to offload the majority of the essential duties involved in the website advancement procedure. At some true point, you’ll require an accountant or task supervisor most likely, but, for at this point, let’s concentrate on streamlining your workflow.

http://bit.ly/2KW1BGc

[ozsaill]

Caribbean cruising after hurricanes Irma and Maria

A stream of migrating boats attest that the Caribbean sailing season is starting NOW. The fleet heading north from Grenada and Trinidad, those taking the offshore route from the USA, and boats in the trans-Atlantic fleets. Yet questions about the Caribbean’s readiness in a post-hurricane season still swirl: after the havoc of Irma and Maria, what’s changed? Where can we go? Even for sailors here in the islands, contemplating their next move, the answer seems to hang just out of reach like a suspenseful plot twist.

Spoiler: THE CARIBBEAN IS WAITING FOR YOU. You can go now. Please.

St John, USVI, photographed THIS week by Yelena Rogers

I get that there is some reluctance. People love them some disaster porn, and the media served up a ton of drama in the wake of the storms. In fairness, it was ALL that in the aftermath: my first reaction after Irma hit was “welp, there goes this season for the Caribbean.” Total knee jerk reaction to the shocking pictures, and… it seems that I was wrong.

While rebuilding from the impact of these massive storms will take time, that doesn’t mean the islands aren’t capable of welcoming boats now: overwhelmingly, they are. Overwhelmingly, it’s safe. Overwhelmingly, you’re not a drain on constrained resources. In fact, the funds spent by visiting cruisers and charters are badly needed – tourist dollars are critical to most island economies!

It IS going to be different: know what to expect. Do your homework on destinations. I don’t want to sugar coat reality: there are places that still don’t have power, and places still don’t have water. You may not want to go there. Some are waiting for both, and more (phone service? Internet?), like Jost Van Dyke. Upscale tourism… not happening. BIG DEAL.

Mostly? The mantra I keep hearing: this will be like the Caribbean 30 (40, 50 ) years ago: before it was developed with an eye to cater to the high end of tourism. The new definition of “beach bar” is a guy by the palm tree with a cooler of beer inviting you to join him and learn about his home. But who better to visit, and put a few bucks into the economy, than self-sufficient cruisers who show up on our floating islands and supply our utilities, make our own water, generate our own power?

How do you know where it’s OK to go?

Ports & Projects is a brilliantly simple interactive map to answer that question. The tool was recently launched by the team at Sailors Helping (website, Facebook), a nonprofit that’s the brainchild of cruisers Victoria Fine and Jon Vidar. Based in Puerto Rico, they founded the organization to help their island neighbors after Irma hit, harnessing the help of hundreds of cruisers and other islanders. Under their watch, commercial vessels, private boats, even plans were coordinated with goods to deliver where it was needed with a speed and agility that the larger relief groups couldn’t match. But the bigger organizations have stepped in now, so Sailors Helping has a new direction to support the islands.

“We know the best way to help islands recover is to encourage cruisers and tourists to return,” says Victoria. “We knew that coming into damaged ports without clear information could be intimidating, so we decided to fix the problem ourselves.”

Developed with the help of Janeiro Digital, volunteer Jonathan Bingham’s organization, Ports & Projects lets you browse through islands on the map to learn 1) where you can go, and 2) where you can help. A solid base of information is in the tool already, and more is being added all the time. Here’s a sample of the page for Nanny Cay, on Tortola in the BVI. Remember Awesome Ted? He’s the boatyard manager there. We know this info is spot on!

Navigate the website to find an island – and then a port – and then the detailed information. For each port listed, there will be current access status. Information about the availability of mooring/docking/anchoring… water, fuel, and power…groceries… bars/restaurants…etc. EASY.

Where can you help?

The cruising community is famously giving. A lot of people have asked: what can I do to help? Planning for this, instead of winging it, is smart. Sailors Helping is building this into their tool by including project listings by port. Information includes:

The nature of the project (curated based ease of access to harbors)

Timeline

Skillsets needed

Materials needed

This information will be updated throughout the season – and cruisers who visit can submit their own reports to help keep them current, too. Here’s a snapshot of a project request on Anegada, BVI.

We’re members of the Ocean Cruising Club, which has used this feature to plan volunteer activities for rally boats after they arrive—so many cruisers want to give back to the islands they visit. (Side note: if you have questions about OCC, get in touch. We’re generally not joiners; this is a fine organization)

Pool’s open!

When we get the anchor set, Jamie usually yells out – “the pool’s open!” Well, hopeful cruisers, the pool’s open at the Caribbean islands hit by Irma and Maria. In October I sat on a panel for Cruising World at the Annapolis boat show, to talk about the post #Irmaria hurricane season. Preparing for that I had updates from folks who stick their heads underwater in these islands – people who dive for conservation, or for their jobs, or for fun. It’s not totally unscathed (that awesome Kraken sculpture fell over!) but reports are good. In the BVI, despite exposure of islands to the force of the storm, there are sites such as the wreck of the RMS Rhone that appear almost completely untouched.

Wreck of the Rhone, AFTER the hurricanes – look at that coral!

Want more info? check these out:

Association of Reef Keepers (ARK) BVI – has volunteer reef-check opportunities!

Saba Conservation Foundation – the good folks that are checking all the moorings!

Security

Were we headed back to the islands, instead of the Pacific, my #1 concern would be security. Are we subject to increased risk, in island where people are more wanting? The reports of looting in the wake of the hurricanes was very real. But that’s been a couple of months now – and everything I hear suggests the risk of crime isn’t elevated now. MOSTLY. So be smart: like you always should! Check the Caribbean Safety & Security Net. Look for updates on an island’s Noonsite page. Ask and read in island-specific or Caribbean regional Facebook groups. Talk to people near you who may have passed through. Get a pulse for where you want to go and decide…just like you NORMALLY should anyway.

Big picture planning

Here’s a little perspective. The HORRIBLE DEVASTATION PLASTERED EVERYWHERE IN THE MEDIA (well for a little while anyway): here’s how much of the Caribbean was meaningfully affected.

Right: it’s not that much, is it! In fact, mostly there wasn’t an impact. So here’s a zoom in at that corner, and focus on the hard hit area:

Skipping the Caribbean “because of the hurricanes”? YOUR ARGUMENT IS INVALID.

It’s really not much. Blue dotted lines: I’d be checking these spots and considering carefully to pick/choose where to go. Green lines: lots of rebuilding happening, but not off the menu. Red: let’s give Barbuda some space shall we?! If places rebuilding make you uncomfortable with the decision, one option, really, is just to skip by a handful of spots. But a modicum of research will allow an informed choice. And that, really, is the only “hard” part about this Caribbean season: sailors who may wish to skip a spot might actually have to sail overnight now and again. NOTHING is far.

Info and resources by Island

To be clear, we have not returned to these islands ourselves. I’d like to, and it’s tempting, but our priority right now is to cross the circumnavigation track in Pacific Mexico before Niall heads off to college – so we’re Panama bound. But were we to spend another year in the Caribbean: I’d have no qualms. Here’s why, and where I’d look, to have confidence in the places we’d go with our family. If you have other resources that are useful, please add them in the comments or message me! I’d like to help cruisers, and charterers, feel good about their choices. After the go-to resources above, from Sailors Helping, Noonsite, and Facebook – here’s more on islands that hopeful visitors may be wondering about.

PUERTO RICO

Marina Pescaderia

Puerto del Rey Cruisers group

Culebra Cruisers and Boaters

Puerto Rico was hard hit by Maria, and many areas don’t have power. But key ports are ready for cruisers. PR is exceptionally well covered in the Ports & Projects site. At the southwest corner, near Cabo Rojo, we were happy to hear from the awesome marina manger of Marina Pescaderia (Jose Mendez) that they have power, and water, and internet. This is a perfect first stop in PR! Friends recently departed from here, and Jose helped them–of course!–with information and resources. On the north coast, friends in the San Juan Bay Marina and Puerto Del Rey on the northeast have similar positive updates. Puerto Rico has “stuff,” duty-free fuel, and I think is the friendliest stop in the Caribbean.

Sourced on Facebook – Playa Buye, PR, near Marina Pescaderia

USVI – St Thomas

Pizza Pi IV – famous Christmas Cove floating pizzeria opens Dec. 2!

Stormy Petrel & Pirates Penny – day charters booking NOW, and the captains also have a catamaran AirBnB!

USVI Cruisers and Boaters group

I’ve been chatting with my friend Kristie Weiss. We met in Isles des Saintes, Guadeloupe last year; her family is now living on St Thomas and went through both hurricanes. She took this picture on the beach behind Green Cay and says that right now is an amazing time to be in the VIs. “The green on the new growth is beautiful, the water is stunning and there are NO people!!!!” Who wouldn’t want a beach like the one below, instead of one packed with people? Moi. You would NEVER get this beach to yourself in a normal year… and by the way, the Abi Beach Bar just out of frame is open.

It’s not just the water that’s looking good. Here’s a view of Charlotte Amalie during last week’s Caribbean boat show. Photo by Phil Blake, and thanks to Marina at Yacht Haven Grande for sharing it.

USVI- St John

News of St John– wondering which restaurants are open? Latest pics? That’s here.

Poet’s Lounge– crewed charters. lost the boat in Coral Bay, but are sailing a new vessel from the US now! This awesome crew REALLY knows St John.

Sail Starlight– crewed charters throughout the eastern Caribbean, but well versed in the USVI

Coral Bay views are looking beautiful. These pictures posted by the Skinny Legs bar & restaurant (thanks guys!) this week:

St John’s relatively sparse population and light infrastructure mean a longer rebuild time. The good folks at Skinny’s know the scoop: “Anchoring in Coral Bay could be difficult for the unfamiliar. There were a lot of boats sunk in the storms and there is still a lot of debris out there. The outer bays would be better than Coral Bay harbor.” But they go on with the good news: the Coral Bay Yacht Club is hosting its annual Thanksgiving Regatta!  And – Skinny’s expects to open by early December, so you can get your fix from their awesome burgers soon.

BVI

BVI Traveller magazine’s Sailing Report–  BVIs smaller island updates for boaters

BVI Community Board– unvarnished reality of everyday life, particularly on Tortola, from potholes on.

Aristocat Charters– booking for January 2018!

Nanny Cay Friends & Boat Owners– hit hard, but the marina is jamming on recovery and taking boats now

The damage in the BVIs was meaningful, and where there’s a lot of development (like Road Town) it’s going to take time. But my friend, Tortola resident, and awesome blogger Brittany put it–paraphrasing from fuzzy boat show memories here!–“the islands are now green, the water is still turquoise, and the beer is cold!” It might be harder to get to the grocery store (but wow, it’s STOCKED), and you might not get to visit the iconic beach bars still rebuilding (Foxy’s, Soggy Dollar) but the BVIs belong on a cruising itinerary. You just might want to pick a different route than the conventional recommendations based on what’s most ready for visitors…like this boat arriving, THIS week, into Nanny Cay marina with the Caribbean 1500.

We took the pic below, and the one on the top of this post at BVIs icon, The Baths, on our daysail with Aristocat Charters. FWIW: the ONLY pre-hurricane pics in this whole post. Based on what I’ve seen in social media… they look JUST THE SAME. So go.

Sailors Helping covers the main ports: the BVI Traveller link above helps with details for the little islands. And check out the BVI Strong Flotilla events! They are organizing “Sunday Funday” parties: float in, swim, dance, drink, enjoy the beautiful islands… their regular events are at favorite BVIs destinations that look like WAY too much fun…and the Anegada Lobster Festival is coming soon.

ANGUILLA

For port info, see Sailors helping, but check out “What We Do In Anguilla” for current info on land. They’ve got a list of what’s open: it includes 34 restaurants and 5 groceries, and just makes me wonder… what’s NOT open?

SXM

Sint Maarten Cruisers & Boaters (SXM)

Daily Herald – island newspaper just announced the Simpson Bridge has re-opened!

St Martin / Sint Maarten has felt a little harder to peg. The reports coming out after the ‘cane were pretty awful. But in some ways, SXM is better situated for recovery than many islands: their utilities are largely underground, so easier to bounce back with fewer repairs. What’s not clear is what’s on the bottom of the lagoon and when it will be safe for anchoring. But friends in SXM visiting their boat this week (which survived!). The lagoon may not have boats anchored out, but dinghies are zipping around. Dinghy docks are opening up at Dinghy Dock restaurant, Simpson Bay Marina, Shrimpy’s, and even Marina Port Royale (although probably care required near the marina). Chandleries and grocery stores and shops are open, as are quite a few bars & restaurants – they are doing their part to partonize them.  Fighting the good fight, Brian & Rebecca!

I like how Rebecca summed it up: “Sure, there is debris and destruction but they are cleaning up, and I had a lovely swim at Buccaneer yesterday! I think if you can deal with minor inconveniences, and you love it here, come back and spend your money, that seems to be what is needed most!”

DOMINICA

Dominica Cruisers– FB group of cruisers who love/visit Dominica

Embrace Dominica– now showcasing 100% post-Maria footage

Dominica was our favorite stop in the Caribbean. It is heartbreaking to see how hard it’s been hit. There are two main ports for cruisers: Portsmouth, and Roseau. Roseau is the main settlement. If we were headed back that way, I’d anchor in Portsmouth, work with one of the great guys who make up PAYS (Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services), and do my best to put $$ into their economy. I’d check in with Sailors Helping on any projects to join, and ask with the International Rescue Group (a solid relief org that’s focused on Dominica right now) and see what they need or how we could help.

Want to join other boats to help?

Sailors Helping is planning their own Rally to Rebuild as a multi-day effort at sites across the islands in January 2018. “It’ll definitely be a work-hard-play-hard event,” Victoria says with a laugh. “Volunteers will be able to restore local homes and independent businesses. Sundowners will be optional but highly encouraged!” This sounds like fun! Dates and details are coming – sign up at SailorsHelping.org to get emailed details as they’re available.

Soon come, y’all. The islands are waiting!

Got more info, resources, whatever to add? Let me know in the comments or by getting in touch!

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