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fructuyeux · 3 years ago

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CANADA-20 (xxx) COVID-19

3/13/2020 - 3/22/2020

By: Rayce R. Rayos

This undertaking was planned as a daringly creative escape from mounting internally & externally placed workloads, & was slated to take place during the UNLV 2020 Spring Break. In concurrence with the vacation was the ever-increasing, ever-diversifying socioeconomic fallout, mandates, & obstacles associated with the first global pandemic that I have experienced in my lifetime. I’d be remiss to not admit that the cheapened airline, lodging, & transportation prices were viewed as a silver lining in an otherwise hysteric & strange time in human history. The following account of the trip is intended to recount the experiences & knowledge gained (from what is remembered), and aid in the recollection of the associated photo-documentation conducted during.

DAY 1 - 3/14 - 7.5 miles

The outgoing flight 1224 from McCarran International Airport to the eventual destination of Niagara Falls, New York was delayed, unbeknownst to me, & so the trip began with a frantic drive to the airport with a hastened goodbye to my roommate & lovely daughter (who wanted dearly to join her father in Canada). The flight was delayed by an hour, & I made it on the plane.

A quick stop in Denver, CO was followed by a landing in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Upon landing, the Spirit Airlines attendant notified me that my flight to Niagara Falls had already left (to the complete fault of their flight coordination), & that I’d have to spend the night & following day in Broward County, 15 miles North of Miami. I was frazzled & upset to have started my trip with such a complication, but after the airline was able to change my ticket free of charge, I decided to extend my trip an extra day. So, I asked them to book my returning flight for a day later (3/20 → 3/21), to which they agreed to do for free, utilizing a COVID-19 flight disruption program. I booked a room at the Vacation Inn in the middle of the night, & recalibrated my trip schedule.

The following morning was a beautiful sunny day in South Florida, & after resting my luggage at the motel for the day (for a fee), I skateboarded to SE 17th Street, hung a right, & breezed through a few miles of million-dollar homes & yachts, over the Causeway Bridge, to what would eventually become Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. Full of families & largely free of fear, the beach was warm, sunlit, & vivacious. The locals were out in near-full effect, & I spent the entire day with the rays on my back, the water at my waist, & a respite of relaxation before ensuing madness. I even struck up a conversation with some fellow beachgoers as a result of my Kobe Bryant tattoo, & learned a good deal about quotidian life down there. I got a workout in on the beach equipment, & some peaceful serenity as I stared down the horizon beyond the Atlantic. I returned to my motel to acquire my bags & make my way to the airport en route to New York… Little did I know that a bar, Bimini Bay to be exact, neighbored my motel. I found myself entrenched in an environment eerily similar to that of the Huntridge Tavern, although this spot was half the size with raunchy anal porn playing on multiple screens throughout all of the 5 walls. Throwing brews back & chain-smoking with the locals to country music was a familiar feeling, & instilled in me further the universal nature of letting loose. That being said, I lost track of time & had to hightail it out of there via a gentleman’s Uber to the airport. Another flight ran after & barely boarded in the nick of time… My time in South Florida was as serendipitous as flight disruptions can be. The most lingering aspect of my time spent there was, indubitably, the sunburn that would come to stick with/on me for the remainder of the vacation. Perhaps the worst case of the sun’s kiss I’ve come to bare. Before fully coming to this realization, I’m on a plane to New York.

DAY 2 - 3/15 - 10.47 miles

Upon being alive on arrival in New York state at 2 AM in the morning, I resolved to sleep in the IAG airport for the night, especially considering my phone charger at the time had been severely out of whack. There I lay, curled on an airport bench in Niagara Falls for the night with blistering skin & a scent of fresh tobacco smoke (& ass). I distinctly recall wrestling with the time I should render myself awake, eventually settling upon 9:30 AM. It was at this time that I found myself the only visible individual in the airport terminal; no staff, no bags, no patrons, nothing. The unexpected isolation harkened memories of the film 28 Days Later. Once the drool was free from my chin, I hailed a Lyft to the American-Canadian border, specifically the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge; it was along this ride that my driver informed me that the American dollar was fairly strong against the Canadian dollar to the tune of 1 USD = 1.33 CAD (roughly). This would come to be an extremely welcomed caveat to the remainder of the trip, as most every purchase converted to about 75% of all prices quoted in Canada.

When the border was reached, there I stood as a man with his spirit & belongings intact, & began my trek over the bridge to a foreign land. With frequent pause, the majesty of the falling water on a brisk Spring day will play in my mind for years to come. Pictures were taken, deep thought was attempted, & it was a stark moment of gratefulness for the life I have been given. Next was passing through Canadian Customs at the north end of the bridge, & after being grilled for a moment as to my intentions for entering, the officer pointed me in the direction of the bus stop from which my Greyhound was leaving in less than an hour. From the Rainbow Bridge to the Whistleblower bridge 2.5 miles north, I was blessed with a walk of forced clarity as I hugged Niagara’s riverway with 75+ pounds of much needed possessions. I found myself doubting my ability to invite others with me on trips in the future out of a fear for unintentionally inflicting similar tasks upon them. Nevertheless, I made it to my Greyhound in time and rested on the ride to Toronto.

The recuperation was much needed. When I awoke I found myself in Canada’s largest city (& the 9th-largest in North America), Toronto, Ontario. Excitement coursed through my capillaries & once departing from the bus on foot, it was straight to my ‘Chinatown Guest House’ to set down my things & get on the go… this was not the case. A whole fiasco followed where I was unable to contact the host, thereby unable to access the place I had paid to stay for the night (& the night before, despite Spirit having different plans on DAY 1). The first two Torontonian hours were spent in a Chinatown chicken spot (Gdou’s) where I struggled to gain the cellular abilities necessary to overcome this debacle; I bought a new charger & charger port at the market center across Spadina. I grappled with frustration in a very real sense, but was utterly appeased to find that I had been sent an email containing the entry instructions from Booking.com. Relief rushed over me. I grabbed my bags, & hunkered down in a room with a wooden balcony & stunning view of Downtown Toronto to boot. I showered, shat, & escaped into the city heading South on Spadina. A brief stop at the famed ‘Graffiti Alley’ along with a trip to the marijuana grocer located me in the heart of the Fashion District, a sector largely reminiscent of Williamsburg, BK (as hip, although much smaller). After a lovely skate to the harbourfront I was able to catch the sun set behind a vast array of monolithic condos & headquarters. The sun was able to get quite low, however, after having nestled between two skyscrapers, & that shared scene on the pier between myself & just a handful of individuals was quite a sight. Heading south afterwards, I rolled by the Toronto Music Gardens, through Coronation Park, & through a series of railway tracks amidst arenas (BMO Arena), Centennial Park, Lakeshore Boulevard, & an array educational campuses. Once Dufferin Street was reached, I headed toward Little Portugal. On the way there I stopped short (per the advice of a local) & turned north up King Street. Halfway home I stopped at the restaurant Thai Place Too & enjoyed some steaming seafood Tom Yum fit with stimulating conversation from the waitress. I paid my bill, thanked those there, & pushed onward on King Street traversing a barrage of tunnels, city folk, & shopping centers. At this juncture I recall being bummed by the lack of nighttime activities, & decided to stop at a bar near my place for the night called Wide Open.

What was to begin & end as a night of the all-evasive ‘one brew’ quickly accelerated into a merry time of mutual drunkenness & fun. A couple dental hygienists befriended me at the bar, & not far to follow were a West Indian techy working for Google & an Irishwoman on her way out of town. My memories of what exactly transpired are quite shaky, but an unflinching enjoyment of that particular night at the bar lasts. I got home at an ungodly hour & crash-land in my bed.

DAY 3 - 3/16 - 7.53 miles

Similar to popping out of bed due to a frightening nightmare, “Where’s my fucking board?!” was the thought & simultaneous phrase that opened my eyes that morning. I was still drunk, so a hangover wasn’t an issue, but discovered a damn large lump on my right posterior parietal bone & a pool of blood in the sheets where I slumbered. I racked what was left of my brain as to where/how/why this injury came to be sustained, but to no avail. In hindsight, it’s consistent with braceless backwards fall, & vaguely recall attempting to ride my skateboard back home equipped with a BAC of full-blown ‘no bueno’. Nevertheless, the pain wasn��t of serious concern (although I had plenty of time to reflect on the very real possibility of me now having to operate in a concussed state). What was of concern was my skateboard, my iPod, & my eighth of weed that I had yet to dip into. I began retracing my steps and was welcomed with open arms by my beautiful black, four-wheeled bride waiting for me at the front doorstep- Check 1. I scooped up my board, got dressed & readied for the (likely music-less) day ahead, had a solid conversation with my father, & cleared my stuff from the house just in time to be 4 hours late for checkout.

In one of the more daring tactics employed on the trip, I stashed my big purple duffle bag (containing clothes & other non-essentials) & my backpack (containing my laptop, passport & other very-essentials) in the empty garbage bin to the side of the front door. This was a huge gamble, & one that would weigh somewhat on my conscience for the coming hours, despite heavy medication- re-upped on weed, Check 2. During my second trip to Graffiti Alley I encountered a bum in mid-tweak repeatedly pulling his pants up & down amidst a backdrop of beautiful art, & naturally this struck me as microcosmic of the whole of Toronto. The bar I had chanced upon the night prior didn’t resume service until 4 in the evening, & so I had a few hours to kill which were spent speaking with various loved ones & contemplating last night’s events as I bobbed & weaved a hangover. 4 o’clock rolls around & I walk into the bar greeted by a smiling bartender with an unclaimed red iPod. THIS WAS A PERSONAL WIN OF GREAT PROPORTIONS, & solidified my successful navigation through mindless debauchery abroad- Check 3. I felt the proverbial wind was once again behind my back, & opted to knock out the city’s landmarks North of Spadina Avenue, largely via Adelaide & King Streets until Yonge.

Post-modern magnificence a la architecture kept my chin up as I managed to dodge pedestrian after pothole after Porsche. Sundown was not far off & the gleaming beams reflected softly off the mirrored panels some seventy-five plus stories on all sides. A real embodiment of the term ‘hustle & bustle’ was laid out in front of me, complete with a citizenry whose diversity mimicked that of my own home a world away. The gritty attitude that I’ve come to associate with East coast cities (specifically the colder ones) was alive & well here, evidenced in reluctance to help guide tourists or even tell the time of day. I loved it, & judged it as genuine more so than anything else. It should also be noted that the music playing in my ears throughout my time in the ‘Six’ was exclusive to the stylings of Drake, a rapper native of the city with references to its contents (streets, sides of town where the pretty girls sleep, subpopulations, parks, etc.) found abundantly in his lyrics.

When Yonge was reached, I peered west to a ton of things going on, but elected to go east. This turned out to be a wise decision. After a few blocks I was greeted by the area of town most closely associated with the Toronto skyline & its historical foundations on the illustrious Front Street. Here is where I stood mouth agape with the enormity & incomprehensible complexity of the city on full view. I touched the base of the CN tower & spent a good amount of time in awe as it registered (despite the Stratosphere being superior in my eyes), traversed the Railway museum set just outside of Olympic Park, gazed upon the Rogers Center where the Blue Jays come to bat, & ended at the water of Lake Ontario at the sandy Harbour Square Park where some solid skating took place. After some time, the thought of my possessions having lasted (or not) in the trash receptacle all this time prompted me to retrieve them, & so back to Chinatown I booked it. The moment of truth arrived when I got off my board at 83 W. Sullivan Street, & lo & behold, my stuff was nestled just as I had left it some 5 hours before. Feeling giddy from the travel-savvy risks taken, I was on to grab dinner with an old colleague of mine who happened to be doing her post-baccalaureate studies there. T. & I, a former classmate at Valley High, met at what we would come to find as nothing more than another closed restaurant with a COVID-19 newsletter plastered on the door. We deliberated playfully on what we should now do, & after having happened upon the ‘T O R O N T O’ sign & all of its illuminated glory, a 6-pack of Stella Artois from the rather hidden LCBO in the mega-commercial Eaton Center became the night’s main entree. Polite exchanges with exceedingly conversational locals made for a nice segue as we awaited our second Lyft ride to the Harbourfront.

The Harbourfront Centre was largely uncrowded as temperatures dipped below zero (Celsius, of course), & after a brew-cigarette combo, it was in an instance that snow began falling from the blackened sky & onto everything in sight… including our unsheltered selves. It was as surprising as it was splendid (at least for a desert cactus like me) to have been outdoors somewhere prior to snowfall & then to behold its beginning. A few days prior, I had been notified that the ski lift an hour North of Ottawa whose mountain I intended to shred had been closed, & so, I found myself with a decision to make: stay in the Toronto area an extra night or board the bus I had booked & crashing in a twin-sized bus seat for the night & do who knows what in Ottawa… Motivated by the phrase, “What the hell are you going to do in Ottawa?” I chose the former & began searching for a nearby hotel room. My homegirl, sitting beside me, of course overheard, & more-than-kindly offered a guest room in her condo as a suitable place to rest my head for the evening. I accepted, & we whisked ourselves out of the snow to a 12th-story condo in the 95+% Chinese suburb of Markham, ON. An once-schoolmate was changed into a dear friend after having exhibited flawless hospitality in the form of whiskey, toast, toothpaste, a bed & sublime conversation. We jabbed & joked in Francais (with hers being superior to my own), & this was a much-needed introduction to everyday dialogue in the different tongue of the Quebecois whom I would spend most of the days to follow with.

DAY 4 - 3/17 - 4.38 miles

I awoke early in the morning after not being able to sleep too much due to my skin’s incessant irritation, as well as a pseudo-insomnia I’ve come to expect from myself when on vacation. To fill the time between my awakening & my host’s, I read as much of The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz as I could retain, ending with the last chapter left unread. As a result, the mantras prompted by the book that one is to agree with from within his/herself resonated with me. They are ‘be impeccable with your word,’ ‘don’t take anything personally,’ ‘don’t make any assumptions,’ & ‘always do your best.’ Fondly, I looked to these statements as a source of my second wind around this time, as the physical toll of my endeavors began somewhat to present themselves.

When T awoke, we engaged in parley for another hour or so before trudging to the neighborhood bus/rail station where she purchased my ticket & we ran goofily to make the train before the doors swiftly shut. During the train ride back to Downtown Toronto I was able to sit quietly in my thoughts, as well as get some business dealings out of the way via phone. The walls flanking the tracks were riddled in graffiti of both very high- & very low-quality pieces on fleeting displays. We were headed to Union Station, the hub for all non-automobile commutes in the metropolitan area, & second-largest transportation facility in North America, servicing some seventy-two million humans yearly. A stunning structure of Greco-Roman design with pristine pillars, it was a treat to walk the halls of such an obviously integral establishment. Soon we said our brief farewell & parted ways so that she could go to school & I could purchase a rail ticket to Ottawa, ON- set to leave later in the day.

I purchased my rail ticket to Ottawa for 6:30 PM & stashed my luggage at the bagging station inside the terminal, leaving me with 3 ½ hours to get the last of my rocks off in a city unique to itself. I went straight for Yonge-Dundas square after having caught a glimpse of the scene days prior, & once in the center I felt a likening to Times Square, both personally & perceivably. There was no better wayward idea at the time than to bust off some skate tricks in the center of such commotion, & was able to have a solid 15-20 minutes on the board before security (much like their American counterparts) gave me the good ol’ boot. Onto St. Lawrence Market I dashed, the bayside market most closely associated with Canadian grub.�� Here I tried peameal for the first time, & was left affirmed of Canadian courtesy, although the meal itself wasn’t anything to write home about. Yet another stop at Tim Horton’s for some pastries seemed in order before heading back to Union Station. Back at the staging port for my bus it was revealed to passengers that there was a 50-minute delay- just the break I needed to step out & smoke a potent bowl. When I did finally step outside after a few lefts & maybe a right, there in front of me stood the Scotiabank Arena where the Toronto Raptors (reigning NBA Champions) play their home games. To be frank, I was at the rear of the practice court, but nevertheless, happy to happen to be there. The train boards, takes off, & a long list of Canadian towns were slept through & bypassed in the dead of night. I hailed a lift from the Ottawa Train Station to my hostel for the night. The place served as the first jail in city, & had since been neatly converted into a hostel with guests sleeping in tight-fitting ‘jail cells.’ I was on floor 6 in cell number 613, the quarters of a long-gone inmate by the name of Angelo Villamino. I relished this opportunity to mix the excitement of historicism with the usually lull nature of lodging. The rest itself was subpar as my skin had begun peeling profusely during the day, & remained red hot during the night.

DAY 5 - 3/18 - 16.24 miles

Morning comes quickly & I am tasked to clear my cell of my things in a playful return to freedom. Breakfast was held in the dining hall of the jailhouse, aptly ascribed the ‘oldest dining hall in Ottawa.’ After replenishing my body, I held my bags at the front desk, & hurled myself into the city; I had a little over one hour to squeeze as much of the country’s capital into my memory banks as possible. I began by searching for the Parliament building (more like a castle) where the bulk of legislation for the world’s second-largest country (in landmass) largely transpires. No Prime Minister Trudeau or politicians in sight, as the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic amplified by the day. I believe this is the day that the Prime Minister of Canada closed the southern border to incoming Americans, followed swiftly by our President’s mutual refusal of incoming foreign travelers at the border. Admittedly, this was not of concern to me, as I figured (& thankfully was later proven correct) that a U.S. citizen would be permitted to come home. In hindsight, I perhaps predicted such measures being taken & allowed them to expedite my plans of getting to Canada before being unable to enter as an American.

Anyway… by Parliament I glided taking whatever pauses necessary to piece together how things came to be as they are up there from an academic perspective, but carefully preserving the right to take the utmost tourist-y photos (much like others do at 1600 Pennsylvania). A breathtaking building it was indeed, & that was just the view from the street! I continued along my path, circumnavigating the center of the city which took me to Victoria Island & into the province of Quebec for a brief moment (although I was not aware of the provincial border at the time). Like my time in Niagara, I elected to skate from a southern bridge to a northern one, the latter being Alexandra bridge over the Ottawa River. What a special moment this turned out to be as my wheels clanked over the wooden boards of the bridge, seemingly to the dismay of the townspeople. I was not the least bit concerned for this harmless transgression, as I had been otherwise captivated by my backside view of Parliament sitting atop its hill. It felt as if I had been transported to Transylvania, & the Victorian edifice gave me a sense of passion for human ingenuity. I made it back to the HI Ottawa Jail Hostel, aligned my belongings, & requested a ride to the Ottawa Greyhound terminal to catch my bus to Montreal. Here is precisely where Francais surpassed English as the primary mode of communication for the foreseeable future. The beloved Quebecois are very proud of their Francophone heritage, as it is the written language on road signs & nearly all signage everywhere (with a distinctive lower regard for English).

Arrival in Montreal occurred after the couple-hour bus ride. Immediately I was made aware of the foothold in normalcy that the French language commanded there, mainly because everything was in French (& not always in English). Outside the bus station, during my coordination with my Airbnb host, multiple homeless individuals approached me in search of loose change or a cigarette. This would be otherwise unworthy of mention had it not been for their guttural requests being in a language outside of English; I remember finding it striking to conceive a natively French-speaking bum whose domain I was now a guest in. My stuff & I made yet another march to the place I would come to call a temporary home- the apartment of Alix & Marion. I was mid-toke when my host, Alix, motioned to me to come to the stairs at the foot of the door & take my entry. A simple ‘bonjour,’ we greeted each other with, & I demonstrated to her that I would prefer to speak in her primary language in an effort to sharpen my own ear & mouth, to which she gladly agreed. The remainder of our exchanges over roughly the next 48 hours took place in Francais, with varying degrees of contextual & vernacular depth. The common Montrealaise person is a French-speaker with a veritable accent when they switch to English. As the old addage goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I met this challenge to navigate a new cityscape & probe its peoples in an embracing way with occasional angst, constant excitement, & most profoundly with a thirst for knowledge.

My goods were locked away in my room, I had just showered, so I grabbed my board & set sail in search of the city’s lifebloods. Beginning in Chinatown (which usually tends to be either exactly or nearby places I stay in cities), I opted to head west in search of Le Plateau & Mile’s End, sections of the town celebrated for the globality & execution of their cuisinieres. Some poutine boeuf hache from Main Deli on Rue Ste. Laurent seemed the right call, & turned out better than my imagination had guessed. From Mile’s End southward I was bound, seeking to lay eyes upon L’Universite de Montreal. Little did I know it was set atop one of the many tiers of Mt. Royal at the city’s center. Getting there was rather trying, but the views of Quebec’s largest city at night from the campus, coupled with the exhilaration of board-bombing down the occasional hill, left little to be desired & much to be remembered. Further south of the University lied L’Oratoire de St. Joseph (St. Joseph’s Oratory), a Catholic-driven destination featuring towering stained-glass windows, a gathering hall for services that rivaled the most Mormon of Tabernacles, along with a balcony’s viewpoint all its own. After struggling to find the exit from the Oratory, I found it in my best interest to begin the journey back to my bed. A complete encircling of Mt. Royal park was supposed to cap the day’s adventure as night had already befallen hours before. Perhaps fate had other plans in mind.

My phone had been rendered useless at this point, & I had little more than my intelligence to rely on to get me back home. Unfortunately, my mental capacity had waned significantly over the course of the day’s doings, & over the next 2 or 3 hours I could be plainly seen wandering somewhat aimlessly from roadside map to roadside map. The outcome of being well off-track was spectacular, however. I cannot help but feel I got to experience the city in a different & daring light. Half of me wanted to return home, & the other half wanted to investigate each eye-catching facet; more often than not, I let the need to investigate prevail & tacked some formidable mileage onto the invisible odometer of my skateboard throughout the night. After some much-needed guidance from a man walking & a bus driver, I was able to piece together just enough of my surroundings to locate 1223 Rue Ste. Elisabeth. Before heading home, I stopped into an Indian restaurant called SpiceBoys, where I requested tandoori chicken with curry rolled into naan bread. The only problem was that their card terminal was unable to accept any of my debit or credit cards, & so, with one stroke of effortless Indian-Canadian kindness, I was gifted a hearty dinner for the night free of charge. With the help of daylight, the next day I uncovered that I had thoroughly explored Downtown Montreal (via Rue Ste. Catherine), the Red-Light District, the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter), & the Quartier des Spectacles (Entertainment District). I crept back into the apartment, which creaked with every floorboard, into my room & resigned to fatigue.

DAY 6 - 3/19 - 8.64 miles

I remained asleep in my quarters for the morning’s entirety, having groveled thirteen hours through the mandatory regeneration of my body & mind. Near this time I had an extended conversation with my hostess in which I requested to place my bags there after check-out the following day & attached reasoning to the request… completely in Francais! She was more than accommodating. Awakened & thoughts of the night prior still scrambling my brain, I showered (peeling skin off myself for the vast majority of time in the water), clothed myself in some hot shit, & set out to cross the St. Lawrence River. The cartographic struggles that were now in the past (plus a charged phone) helped me immensely in getting to my desired destinations in the coming days. I set out southward on Boulevard Rene-Levesque seeking to hit Griffintown & St. Henri before taking the Wellington Street bridge over to the L’isle de Ste. Helene (St. Helen Island). The riverfront at Sq. St. Patrick was an intoxicating mixture of sights & sounds; inlaid with a frozen stream, industrious (sometimes abandoned) infrastructure, & graffiti/street art that seamlessly colorized a scene already full of vibrance made for a quite memorable portion. At the point where most individuals had turned back due to the icy paths & an increasingly disinviting ambience, I progressed under Highway 10. On a route I was positive few or none had taken before, I stood roadside at dusk having to think intensely upon my next move & if it was the correct one. Wrong ones were made, gloves were dropped, but in time & effort I was able to find Avenue Pierre-Dupuy.

For a handful of kilometers, I skated along the shipyard gazing upon the city that I had been so immersed in & with. I was trying to practice kicking & pushing in the ‘goofy’ stance, so that I could face the spectacles & not apartment complexes (to mild avail). Before I knew it, I reached Parc Dieppe (Dieppe Park), a park on the north tip of the Cite du Havre & the starting point of the Pont de la Concorde (Concord Bridge). I would begin crossing without giving myself the time to let fear fester. Cars sped by at a half-meter’s length as my wheels rolled over tidbits of gravel, & more present in my mind, over a large body of water. I recall taking a few moments of pause at the bridge’s midpoint to survey my surroundings, & beautifully dominating they were. Humbled I felt, truly. As if my existence equated to a ripple in the river below, & with my individual ripple I can become a hurricane, or mud. The end of the bridge was a comforting sight.

To reach L’isle de Ste. Helene was the goal for the day & having gotten off the east end of the Pont de la Concorde, I was finally there. A long walk up the eastern coast of the island awaited me & was met with a heart teeming with adventure. Here I had time alone. With no other humans nearby, I let my mind run wild with thoughts of the trip to this point & how, in the grand scheme of things, I felt I was at where I should be; perhaps not geographically as one’s physical station is usually inconsequential. But in my mental state I was home, & home alone at that. Onward & northward I strode through the Parc Jean-Drapeau, laying eyes upon the ‘Biosphere’- a spherical structure on the island meant to champion ecology. Trees & ice accompanied me on the brisk walk to the north end of the island. There, Pont Jacques-Cartier (Jacques Cartier Bridge) awaited me in all of its steel beam splendor. Thankfully, the lanes of traffic & the pedestrian walkway had a divider between them, as well as a protective gate on the side where one might otherwise go overboard. This was all I needed to hop back on my board & skate my weathered boots over the St. Lawrence for the last time. On the bridge there were workers toiling away & the dazzling light sequence of the bridge itself made for a surreal experience. In the distance I could see the bridge, lit in rainbow colors, that I had crossed merely an hour or two before this new bridge that served as my current vantage point. Thoughts on the ephemerality of my existence at large (exemplified by having been way over yonder ‘then’ & here ‘now’) & the absolute need for self-belief against a vacuum of chance pervaded my tiny brain. The Pont Jacques-Cartier provided a special moment in my life that I can attest to having been rarely duplicated before. For reasons beyond me, I shed a tear & smoked a bowl before getting off.

Once off, I felt my way through Gay Village & back down into the Quartier Latin where I stopped for dinner at a quaint, but busy, Napoli Pizzeria. The owner was Italian. The waiter too. Both spoke Italian, English, & French, but after a while a Mexican family of 6 on vacation from Monterrey was seated, & the working duo displayed their aptitude in the Spanish language as well, going so far as to tell jokes anecdotally. I grinned & shared in the aura of the exchange, although I likely resembled a dirty drifter in the corner. Coming from such worldly humans, naturally the smoked salmon pizza topped with capers & onions was not lacking in the least bit. So, I ordered a large box for take-out after munching away the smaller portion & took my leave. On the way home, I stopped at a Second Cup Coffee Co. location & had a brief verbal volley with the barista in request of a cheesecake. He complimented my accent when speaking French, & even likened it to that of a French person (maybe meaning not Quebecois), despite glaring difficulties in my comprehension & rebuttals. Riding an emotional (& literal) high during the descent of a simply remarkable day of jam-packed novelty & sensation in all forms (sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, introspection), I returned to the apartment for my last full night in the region.

DAY 7 - 3/20 - 2.42 miles

My time in Montreal was now nearing an end, & I began to hold thoughts of coming home in high regard. When the sluggishness of sleep washed away in the shower (insert skin peeling of the largest proportions here), I readied my luggage & cleaned my temporary room as best as I could to eliminate all signs of a horrific sunburn & accompanying cranial gash. With the green light from my hostesses to store my luggage in the apartment until the night’s 10:50 bus ride to Plattsburgh, NY, I was intent upon checking off the last few Montreal-bound goals that remained. This came chiefly in the form of a desire to reach the Mt. Royal lookout in order to take in the city-sphere from its namesake mountain. Originally, I had intended to skateboard there from the apartment, but after a few blocks of dousing rain, I called an Uber to scoop me up (after finding out that Lyft doesn’t yet operate in Quebec) & take me. The friendly Uber driver, Vincent, let me out at the drivable point closest to the Chateau Mont Royal, & didn’t hesitate to call me crazy for being there in such ferocious conditions. He pointed me in the proper direction which was aided by a fellow human headed toward the same spot as myself. Precipitation worsened as the half-mile March was underway, but it was worth every goosebump & raindrop once I reached the outlook.

A dreary backdrop of low-hanging, gray clouds & the smell of rain caressed the skyline’s perimeter in a way that rang true & imprinted upon me a stunningly naked Montreal. An intimate version of the city it was, gripped by the unknown like the rest of the world, yet resilient enough for entrepreneurialism to survive in pockets. Having already been to many of the places now set in my sight made the moment all the more fulfilling & full circle. A naive feeling of having ‘conquered’ the city laid bare before me was soon supplanted by the revelation of the realer self-conquest. Half-frozen water panging my face & wind gusts pulling & pushing without cease proved no match for the firmness I had found, in feet & fortitude. This was the quintessential culmination of the week I endured, & one one-hundred percent befitting of such a voyage.

I made my escape of Mount Royal with haste before my inadequate (but stylish) clothing proved a fatal error. Originally, I had the notion to return to Main Deli because my last meal there was so damn good, but in the moment I opted for Schwartz’s Deli across the street in the name of variety. A heaping steak sandwich slatted between two tiny slices of wheat with mustard proved to be the house specialty, & was served less than a minute after being ordered… It was alright. Homeward bound with a full stomach, I decided to walk into a store that I had held in the back of my mind after passing by my first day there, Cul-de-Sac. This place was happening! The owner of the store was gracious in her conversation as I browsed. I eventually confessed my inspiration(s) gained from her shop (& plans to recreate in a respectful, homage-paying manner). We spoke at length about various topics, from our being of parents, to our being of owners of similar retail operations, to her allegiance to Quebec & not the whole of Canada. In fact, she was the foremost messenger of the separatist mentality that the people of the Quebec province displayed, on their countenance & in their conduct. I purchased a few of the items in her shop, she threw me some good stuff for free, & we wished well upon each other at my exit. That was the last recreational stop in Montreal, & soon thereafter I retreated to the Quartier des Spectacles to acquire my things. I was graced with the time to charge my phone & rest my bones for about 45 minutes. It was during this time that a cherished exchange between myself, Alix, & Marion (a hostess with whom I’d only spoken with via Airbnb messaging up to this point) occurred. It had become expected that I was asked what I did with my day, & that is how the chat began. I explained the day’s travels, thanked the duo for being a source of comfort & ease at the beginnings & ends of trying days. I also thanked them for putting up with my butchering of their language (as each inhabitant of the apartment was from France) for the sake of practice, which they met befuddled & were quick to praise my ability to communicate/intonate in their complicated speech. They even went so far as to say that my speaking has a native’s accent & were super appreciative of my having taught myself over the last couple years. A mutual encounter I cannot help but feel it was, & I remain grateful for their pleasant & inviting demeanors. I climbed down the long stairwell of 1223 Rue Ste. Elisabeth once & for all & signaled for Uber to take me to the Longueil Metro.

I had arrived at the bus station with plenty of time to spare, having somewhat learned the errors of my ways. I was serious about not wanting to cut anything close with such little time left for my returning flight home. I waited patiently at my gate for my bus to arrive & whisk me away back to the states for my 2:59 AM flight out of Plattsburgh, New York (Upstate). Sadly, the bus’s arrival time came & went, & at the mention of the ticketing booth agent, I waited another 45 minutes for it. Having received no notification of cancellation from the bussing company, no accurate updates on the whereabouts of the bus, & minute after minute shaving away from takeoff time, I was forced to call an Uber to pick me up from the metro station & take me to the border- this cost one-hundred Canadian dollars. We stopped at an ATM, grabbed some snacks, & finally Ridaha & I were on our way. A fruitful & insightful chat aided us along the drive, & I was able to disentangle much French from this nice Tunisian man. An hour passed & we arrived at the U.S. border.

As the car pulled up to the border, U.S. Customs agents ordered repeatedly for my driver’s documentation. A brief argument between an unsuspecting Ridaha & an extremely serious officer took place. The very odd circumstances were eventually explained, Ridaha was directed to make a U-turn & head home while I exited the vehicle, grabbed my bags, & headed to the border patrol substation. It was there that I was informed that I would need to call a cab (as Uber wasn’t functioning in this particular location), but to complicate matters drastically, the taxi services weren’t doing the ‘border run’ that night. My heart fell into my stomach, & I had entered a phase of worry that I had yet to reach at any point along the trip. Thankfully, one Officer Burdette walked me to the West Service Road behind the U.S. Border Patrol & Customs Champlain Station & pointed in the direction of the nearest place still open- a Peterbilt truck stop about a half mile down a pitch-black road. He also made it a point to mention that if I attempted to hitchhike on main Highway 87, I would be arrested. This oh so tangible road brought with it intangible emotion after emotion as I grappled with triumph & failure, each still hanging in the balance. It had become very important outside of my own ambitions for me to make the plane & get home, & I was purely keen to not have loved ones worry about my wellbeing any longer. A frantic mixture of skating & speed-walking got me to the Peterbilt stop, & by the grace of God, the taxi company agreed to send out a driver for me & get me to the airport from this largely equidistant pick-up point. While I waited in freezing temperatures in an Eddie Bauer peacoat on the side of the road at the smallest hour, another group of U.S. Customs agents spotted me & sought to question my being there. They asked for identification & reasoning to which I was forthcoming. They wished me well & left.

Thirty minutes later, a portly man of sound intelligence & world view taxied me to the Plattsburgh International Airport (after having stopped at an ATM for cash to pay him). I entered the empty airport at 2:30 AM for my 2:59 AM flight with the driver’s assurance that I’ll be able to get right through TSA & onto the plane. More than sadly, he was mistaken. The Spirit Airlines attendant had vacated his post thirty minutes before takeoff to aid the onboarding crew, as per policy, of course. I rushed up to the barren TSA line & inquired about my chances of getting on the plane. They responded that the flight door had already been closed, & that it was now an impossibility for me to board. Needless to say, it was now impossible for me to get home on time, too. I felt I had fallen just short of a buzzer-beating victory that I had already affirmed to those who had expressed concern. I had begun to list the many variables that could have gone differently to get me on to that flight: 1) why didn’t my bus in Longueil show up or even notify me of cancellation? 2) why didn’t I deem the bus ride a lost cause sooner & get an Uber sooner? 3) why did we have to stop at an ATM so off-route when leaving Montreal? 4) Couldn’t they have held me & my driver up a bit less at the border? 5) Why couldn’t the taxi agency send someone a half-mile further than where they would eventually come to pick me up? 6) Why did this portly man with a good view of the world have to drive the speed limit? Would he have driven faster if I didn’t entertain his subjects? 7) Why the fuck does the agent at the airline counter leave the counter thirty minutes before a flight is scheduled to take off?

When the airline attendant did return, he was sympathetic to my cause & willing to help find a solution. Employing a similar program to the one used at the beginning of the trip, he was able to book the exact flight for the following day free of charge. This eased me greatly. Questions & doubt lingered, but I soon picked my chin up & hopped in another cab headed for the America’s Best Value Inn. This would be my impromptu safe haven on this frigid Friday night, & I checked in at 3:30 AM.

DAY 8 - 3/21 - 0 miles

Today is my sister’s & my aunt’s shared birthday. I wished dearly to be home by now next to my daughter, & to begin decompressing the week’s peaks & valleys. Yet, here I sit in the lobby of the cheap motel I spent last night in. I’ve been in the same chair since 1:15 PM, & it is now 12:49 AM (with the exception of a few bathroom/water breaks & a brief standing up to accept ordered wings & garlic bread). This unexpected & obligation-less window in time was spent formulating this transcript of a vacation I can confidently say will come to prove formative as life presses on. One not soon to be forgotten, nor the lessons gained therein forsaken. My flight to Las Vegas via Fort Lauderdale, Florida & Dallas, Texas is due to leave in a couple hours. With my lack of punctuality deeply ingrained, I resolve to close this memoir in saying that the constant struggle with mortality across Earth & in minds amidst these troubling waters was on full display in every city & each individual’s expression. Death and Disease on the tongues of the media & man the world over, but life itself (outside of the biological & inside of the metaphorical sense) is to be explored & discovered lovingly… never to be shied away from or merely sustained. With our collectively restricted circumstances reaching a fever pitch in what people can & cannot, should & should not, will & will not do, I resolve to digress & remain profoundly thankful for love, safety, health & home.

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strawberryfoxart · 7 years ago

Photo

COMMISSIONS UPDATE - JUNE 2017

For more information, click below

PRICES ARE Canadian dollars

Sketches

Bust/Headshot – $7

Full body - $12

Flat Colour

Bust/Headshot – $15

Full body - $20

Simple Shading

Bust/Headshot – $22

Full body – $25-$27 (depending on detail)

+$5 for simple background

+$5 - $10 per extra character

Twitch Bundle! - $80

Need art for your Twitch channel that isn’t stock photos?

Includes:

Icon

Banner

Offline Screen

Twitch Notification Animation! - $3 per drawn frame

General example, three seconds of fluid motion is around 38 drawings so the final price will be around $100 of finished animation.

Repeated frames are not included in the final price.

The waving in the first gif is a repeated cycle, and you would only be charged for the first motion.

Contact me with specifically what you would like, so I would like to make sure I’m giving you what you pay for.

DO NOT: Hey I want to commission you to draw klance.

DO: Hey I want to commission a flat colour bust klance, with a simple bg, and I’d like it if its a altean AU.

About Twitch Bundle: We need to talk over exactly what you would like, and I will try and give updates on what I’m doing. During the process I will be asking you for input (dark and intense or pale pastels colours, if there is a specific theme for your channel like Mikatcy who is salty, etc.) I will send you bare bone concept sketches and once agreed upon a final design, I will start working on the final versions once half of the final price is received.

About Notification Animations: Similar to the Twitch bundle, we would need to talk extensively about what kind of theme your channel is has. Then in the next few days i will create a simple animatic (rough animation without all the final amount of frames) and you can approve it or ask for something different. Once an animatic is decided on, I will require half of the final pay as insurance. Once the payment goes through I will start working on it to finality.

Can Do:

OCs! (with reference material)

Pretty much any ship and if i dont know it tell me

Mild/Light gore or violence

Partial Nudity (lingerie or robes)

Will Not Do:

NSFW (I’m not that good at it yet)

Furry (sorry i can’t draw animals well much less that)

Mecha

Incest or Pedophile ships

Hate Art

Add me on Discord at Baby Fox#1134 or message me on tumblr for other ways to keep in touch (Skype, Facebook, Instagram etc.)

Payment is through PayPal Invoices where for larger pieces like the Simple Shading, Twitch Bundle and Animation will need half of the price in advance and full payment on completion. USD or Canadian Dollars.

#commissions #ansi does commissions #anselinas commish #twitch #twitch art #twitch notification #twitch channel #animation commission #art commission #commission page #commission info #voltron #overwatch #animation #jacksepticeye

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darcyfarber · 5 years ago

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Top Survey Sites to Make Extra Money Now

What are the best online survey sites right now? In this video, I will break down my favorite three and show you how they work and why they are so popular.Below the video, I will share the rest of the survey sites we have found that are worth mentioning.

Top 3 Survey Sites from Video

Survey Junkie

Swagbucks

Inbox Dollars

Gas

Date night

Something you’re saving for

Emergency Fund

Debt Payoff

or just some simple fun money

The Top 3 Online Survey Sites

1. Survey Junkie

You can also take multiple surveys each day. So, the sky is the limit for how many surveys you can take! If you’re invited to a focus group or a phone survey, you can earn more than online surveys.

How does it work?

On the Survey Junkie page, look for surveys with the green diamond icon. These surveys offer the highest payment for the shortest time commitment.

After taking a survey, you earn points to redeem for either cash into your PayPal account or e-gift cards.

Survey Junkie is open to those living in the U.S., Canada, or Australia. You only have to be 13 years old to join.

We also have a full review of Survey Junkie here, including screenshots and what to expect when you join.

2. Swagbucks

You will earn points, AKA Swagbucks, for doing the following:

Watching promotional videos

Taking online polls

Filling out surveys

Buying products

Playing games online

Searching the internet

Your rewards balance only needs to be $3 to redeem points for gift cards!

With easy-to-earn gift cards, Swagbucks is one of the most popular survey sites for a reason. You don’t have to change your daily internet routine to get paid weekly.

We also have a full review of Swagbucks here, including screenshots and what to expect when you join.

3. Inbox Dollars

The one thing I love about Inbox Dollars is it’s simple: they will pay you for doing things you’re already doing every day. You don’t have to change your daily routine to make money.

To learn more about Inbox Dollars, visit our full review of Inbox Dollars here.

Numbers 4 – 50

4. MySoapBox

I personally like MySoapBox because it’s very simple. There aren’t a ton of bells and whistles when it comes to their platform and I feel the simplicity makes it more enjoyable.

5. OneOpinion

6. Global Test Market

GTM will ask your opinion on multiple topics about consumer brands, current events, and tourism.

You will earn points or sweepstakes entries for each completed survey for gift cards or PayPal cash.

7. National Consumer Panel

National Consumer Panel will actually pay you in the form of:

VISA Gift Cards

Amazon Gift Cards

iTunes Gift Cards

or even a Kindle Fire

With National Consumer Panel, you vote with your wallet.

You can earn bonus points by taking surveys, but sharing your recent purchases is the primary way to earn points. To earn a loyalty bonus, upload your purchases weekly.

8. Ipsos i-Say

Ipsos-iSay is one of the largest and well-knonw survey sites is Ipsos i-Say. You will earn points with every survey and can take part in their prize drawings as well.

Ipsos lets you exchange your points for gift cards or PayPal cash. You can begin exchanging points for gift cards with a $5 balance.

The Ipsos loyalty program pays you up to 600 bonus points every year! That’s enough points to get an extra $5 gift card.

Surveys are great for making money on your time and with the flexibility of making money from anywhere on your phone.

9. Opinion Outpost

Opinion Outpost will send you a quick little survey to learn more about you. Basically, they want to know what you like and/or dislike, so they only send you surveys that are relevant to you.

Only open to people living inside the United States. And, you must be at least 18 years old to join.

10. SurveyVoices

There’s no limit to how many surveys you can take each day. If you’re looking for only one survey site, SurveyVoices is a solid choice.

11. Pinecone Research

You have the option of payment via:

Check in the mail

PayPal

Amazon gift cards

Merchant-specific gift cards (iTunes, Wal-Mart, and Starbucks to name a few).

Bonus: Often, Pinecone Research will send you a product to test and may let you keep it after your review!

12. Nielsen Digital Voice

Are you ready for an effortless way to get paid?

Nielsen Digital Voice is a little different than the Nielsen Ratings for television. Now, you earn rewards points by sharing your internet activity instead by installing their app.

You also have the option to partake in special surveys throughout the year.

Keep in mind, there are no guaranteed rewards with Nielsen Digital Voice. However, you are always eligible for the monthly $10,000 cash sweepstakes and can re-enter multiple times.

13. Vindale Research

Vindale Research also pays you $5 for sharing your payment photo. This can be the easiest five bucks you earn for taking a picture!

You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the U.S., Canada, Australia, or the United Kingdom.

14. SurveySavvy

SurveySavvy offers two different earning opportunities:

Online surveys

Behavioral research

When you connect their SavvyConnect behavioral research software, you earn $5 per month for each device. Even if you don’t participate in surveys, you still money surfing the internet.

Of course, you earn the most by taking surveys and installing the SavvyConnect app.

You will receive payments by check to valid U.S. mailing addresses. You can request payment with a balance as small as $1.

15. Mobile Xpression

Another behavioral research company is Mobile Xpression. You get paid to share your internet activity and by taking surveys. Mobile Xpression pays you weekly for your effort.

Rewards points can be redeemed for cash, gift cards, merchandise, and weekly prize drawings.

You must own either an iOS smartphone or tablet and be at least 18 years old to join. Mobile Xpression is also available for Android.

16. YouGov

Membership is open to U.S. and Canadian residents. Teenagers can also join when they’re at least 14 years old.

17. Panda Research

You might like Panda Research because they send payment by PayPal on the 1st and 15th. This is just like a real parti-time job! Only U.S. citizens are allowed to join.

18. PrizeRebel

If you enjoy watching videos, PrizeRebel tends to pay better for videos than other online survey sites.

Loyal panelists also earn a monthly point boost and you can enjoy prize discounts too.

19. Toluna Quick Surveys

Since Toluna partners with many major media companies, you will enjoy many survey opportunities. Look for sponsored surveys that pay more than the usual daily surveys.

Bonus: Another fun way to earn points is to test product samples. Toluna is well-known for offering food and makeup samples in exchange for your feedback.

20. American Consumer Opinion

Rewards points can be redeemed for PayPal cash.

21. Surveys4Moms

Many survey-takers will spend an hour on their desktop to make extra money in their spare time.

22. VIP Voice

With VIP Voice, you earn rewards points to enter auctions and sweepstakes to win. As you answer more surveys, you will qualify to enter more lucrative giveaways.

23. Daily Goodie Box

What if you get free samples sent to your front door?

Daily Goodie Box sends you a box of full-size product samples that you get paid to review. You might receive food or beauty products based on your interest.

Goodie boxes ship every month. You never have to pay shipping charges or provide your credit card number to get a box.

Although you won’t get paid in cash or gift cards, you receive several dollars worth of samples. By bartering your opinion for goodies, these boxes can be worth more than some surveys.

24. Survey All Stars

Feel like an all-star with Survey All Stars when you take a survey with one of their partners. Survey All Stars partners with other survey networks to connect with multiple networks on one platform.

Depending on the survey partner payout method, you will either earn cash rewards or points. You can take as many surveys as you want each day.

25. CashCrate

CashCrate lets you earn rewards points for the following activities:

Online surveys

Product testing

Online shopping

Playing games online

Referring friends

You must be at least 13 years old to join and all rewards are paid by check on the 20th of each month.

Just for signing, you will earn $1 before you complete your first activity.

26. ClickPerks

27. MySurvey

Logging your daily routine is a unique feature most survey sites don’t offer. Instead of sharing your day on social media, do it on MySurvey and get paid for living life!

Rewards points can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash. Membership is open to U.S. residents at least 16 years old.

28. Opinion Bureau

Opinion Bureau pays you reward points to take surveys and answer opinion polls. Points can be redeemed for gift cards and PayPal cash when your balance reaches $10.

Membership is open to most countries.

29. LifePoints

A mobile-only platform, LifePoints lets you participate in

Surveys

Daily challenges

Quizzes

Personality tests

Your payment options include PayPal cash and gift card rewards and Life Points is only open to U.S. residents at least 14 years old.

Bonus: Look for “Boost” opportunities to earn bonus points. One easy bonus is completing the daily challenge for 30 days!

30. Mindswarms

Most people think you must start a YouTube channel to get paid for product review videos.

Mindswarms pays you $50 to answer seven questions in less than 10 minutes. All you need is a webcam or smartphone and a microphone to record your responses.

All payments are made via PayPal and membership is open to everybody in the world.

31. iPoll

iPoll pays you rewards points for answering surveys about products and services you use. You can exchange your rewards points for PayPal cash and gift cards like Amazon and iTunes.

Plus, you’re entered into the $10,000 quarterly cash giveaway with each completed survey. You can answer surveys from your mobile device or computer.

Membership is open to most countries if you’re at least 18 years old.

32.E-Poll

They also have some exciting survey invites too as you can earn up to 1,000 points per survey. You also earn 100 points by joining E-Poll and completing your first survey.

E-Poll also offers video surveys you can take from your phone or computer.

33. TeensEyes

34. KidzEyes

35. OpinionSquare

36. Valued Opinions

Earn up to $5 per survey with Valued Opinions. Some of the rewards options include gift cards to Amazon, Macy’s, and Target. Only U.S. residents can join and the minimum age to join is 13 years.

37. PanelPolls

38. ClearVoice Surveys

Sharing your opinion on ClearVoice Surveys about products and services you use on a daily basis. Possible rewards include:

Amazon gift cards

Payoneer prepaid debit MasterCard

Dining Dough gift cards

Membership is open to U.S., U.K., and Canadian members once you earn $10 in rewards.

39. Crowdology

Crowdology is a growing survey site. Most surveys take between five and ten minutes to complete. Your two rewards options are:

PayPal cash with an $8 rewards balance

Amazon gift cards with a $10 minimum balance

Crowdology is for for U.S. residents at least 18 years old.

40. Google Opinion Rewards

What can be cooler than taking surveys for Google?

Google Opinions Rewards are Surveys might ask your opinion about Google marketing campaigns, consumer brands, and even location-based merchant surveys.

For your effort, you will earn Google Play store credits that you will exchange for things like books, movies, music and Android devices.

You can also learn 20 more ways to earn free Google Play credits here.

41. MTurk

42. Consumer Opinion Institute

43. MindField Online

User-testing allows you to test the software and products of companies and then share your feedback for money.

44. UserTesting

To become a tester, you must be at least 18 years old and must have access to any of the following:

Mac

Apple iPhone

Apple iPad

Android phone

Android tablet

You must also have a webcam and microphone to record audio and video.

45. LatinoEyes

LatinoEyes is for U.S. Latinos can take surveys that want to hear the Latino voice. You can expect one or two surveys each month and will be paid via check when your balance reaches $15.

46. Mobee

Mobee pays you to mystery shop with their smartphone app. Find a local mission once you walk into a participating store and answer between five and ten questions about your experience.

Most Mobee missions will take only five minutes to complete and you will receive gift cards for your effort.

47. TestSpin

48. Surveys On The Go

49. Medical Advisory Board

50. CVS Pharmacy Advisor Panel

Frequently Asked Questions

You probably had a few questions as you were reading through the 50 survey sites above. Here are your answers to the most commonly asked questions about surveys.

How To Free Earn Gift Cards?

How Long Does a Survey Take?

On average you can expect to spend 10-15 mins per survey.

What Kind of Surveys Will I Fill Out?

Once you sign up, you will answer a few questions so you only receive surveys that will most likely interest you.

How Often Will I Receive Surveys?

I Need to Make Extra Money, What Do You Recommend?

Summary

Top Survey Sites to Make Extra Money Now published first on https://justinbetreviews.tumblr.com/

0 notes

dailycryptonews-blog · 7 years ago

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Crypto News - Regulation and Future of ICOs

Regulation and Future of ICOs ICOs brought with them a new revolution of how people invest in cryptocurrencies. While a majority of traders still holds Bitcoins and top cryptocurrencies, a large number of investors now invest their money in new cryptocurrency projects. However, this is not... You May Likes reading: Also Read: How to Buy Bitcoin With USD Dollar

Regulation and Future of ICOs

ICOs brought with them a new revolution of how people invest in cryptocurrencies. While a majority of traders still holds Bitcoins and top cryptocurrencies, a large number of investors now invest their money in new cryptocurrency projects. However, this is not without challenges. Governments all around the world have been competing to regulate the ICO industry, sometimes hurting it badly.

Why Regulate the Industry?

When the first ICO was held in 2013, few people thought the initial coin offering industry would grow. In 2015, Ethereum held one of the highest grossing ICOs of all time, and startups began to approach the financial model in a different way. The new financial model provided startups with several benefits:

The ability to raise funds online and easily

Funding a new project without issuing company shares

Involving investors from all over the world while paying little or no taxes

Creating awareness about an upcoming ICOs

Perhaps because of the ease of starting an ICO project and the few regulations involved in the process, some people started taking advantage. Scam ICOs increased. Nearly every month between 2015 and 2017, a scam ICO exited the stage with investors’ money intact. Onecoin, one of the most recent scam ICO, allegedly went down with more than $350 million worth of investors’ money.

In 2017, countries around the world started issuing tough warnings about investing in ICOs. Some countries started taxing the industry, enforcing regulatory measures and taking action on those who disobeyed.

Timeline of ICO Regulations

The US

On July 25th, the US Securities and Exchange Commission warned US investors of exercising caution when dealing with ICOs. SEC further stated that they interpreted some ICOs to be securities and startups had to comply with strict regulations in the country.

Following the statement, ICOs seeking incorporation in the US reduced. In the following weeks, SEC began toughening their rules again. In early 2018, SEC enforced ‘Reg D’ rule which allows startups to only sell tokens to investors after conducting anti-money laundering procedures on them. Consequently, the number of startups offering investment opportunities to US citizens has reduced. The new SEC rules all pay attention to the type of investors a company works with, which negatively affects them.

Today, US-based startups are taking advantage of an SEC rule which allows startups to crowdfund not more than $50 million with slightly fewer regulations rules. Some of the best ICOs today are being launched thanks to this fact.

Canada

Barely one month after the US warned local investors about ICOs, Canada issued a statement regarding their stance on the industry. Like the US, Canada viewed some ICOs to be securities. However, ICOs would be regulated on a case by case basis. Canada also stipulated the consequences of any startup failing to follow the set-out rules. Fortunately, the country went ahead to offer clear guideline that should be followed for an ICO to involve Canadian citizens.

China & Hong Kong

In early September 2017, the Chinese government implemented a blanket ban on ICOs in the country. In a statement issued jointly by major government agencies, China made it clear that no ICO would be held in the country henceforth. In their statement, the country cited a high number of scam ICOs as reason enough to ban all ICOs in the country.

China’s ICO ban had a damning effect on investors in the country. For starters, countries that had only started accepting ICO funds were forced to make refunds. Secondly, trading on cryptocurrency markets went down by 39%, with exchanges delisting some tokens.

A day after China placed a ban on ICOs; Hong Kong made a statement reinforcing the need to regulate the industry. However, Hong Kong did not offer a total ban like China. Hong Kong’s statement clarified that only particular type of startups would be regulated and exchanges where such tokens were traded.

Thailand

On September 14, 2017, the Republic of Thailand issued a heart-warming message to ICO startup, noting the potential benefits of the industry. At the time, Thailand viewed ICOs as an answer to startups’ funding need. Thai’s SEC also issued a warning about scam ICOs.

lately, however, Thailand has changed its stance on ICOs. The country is approaching the financial set up with more caution. The Thailand government has already stated that they will soon regulate ICOs and cryptocurrencies in the country. With new regulations, Thai-based startups will be subjected to a 15% capital gains tax and another 7% VAT (value added tax).

South Korea

25 days after China banned ICOs; South Korea made a similar move. Like China, South Korea blamed a rise in scam startups for enforcing a total ban on initial coin offerings. The country’s law affected lots of startups in the country, especially noting that South Korea is a major market player in the industry.

With new reports from South Korea, however, it seems like the country could ease their rules on ICOs. This follows the realization that many South Koreans still invest in foreign ICOs. South Korean Financial Service Commission chairman recently reported that his country’s government had plans to advance blockchain technologies in the country. South Korea also planned to partner with Japan and China to help prevent money laundering through ICOs.

The Eurozone

European countries generally have lax regulations against ICO startups. Countries in the EU tend to welcome ICOs as long as they follow anti-money laundering regulations and local banking and taxation rules. However, some countries are more ICO friendly compared to others. Switzerland, for example, cooperates with genuine ICOs to ensure they succeed as much as possible. Lithuania, Estonia, and Gibraltar also have less-strict rules aimed at attracting legitimate ICOs into the country.

Some countries like Germany, however, have strict regulations. Startups planning to hold an ICO in the country have to pass several rules before being allowed to involve German investors. Other countries such as Italy and France have measures in place to ensure each startup follows a set of rules and regulations before being allowed to hold an ICO.

Singapore

As one of the most popular ICO hubs, Singapore doesn’t have tight rules regarding ICO startups. However, Singapore has clear and specific guidelines for starting an ICO in the country. The country’s initial ICO assessment was to regulate those startups that appeared as equities. In March 2018, however, Singapore Monetary Authorities started offering contrasting statements about the country’s plans to regulate digital assets.

What’s the Future of ICOs?

So far, China, North Korea, and India are the only countries where ICOs are totally prohibited. However, considering that there are 197 countries in the world, most of which enforce little to no ICO regulations, the industry has a higher chance of succeeding in the future. Some countries have also proven they have intent to offer ICO startups ideal environment for doing business.

Top ICO Friendly Countries

Singapore- the country is home to more than 10 of the top 100 most successful ICOs

Switzerland- the European nation boasts of an estimated 16.9% of the most successful ICOs

Estonia- allow startups to set up a business and comply with local regulations without even visiting the country physically

Gibraltar- though the country has plans to regulate ICOs, it has helped many startups hold successful ICOs

The US- offers fairly strict regulations to startups but is also home to the largest ICO market

ICO Outlook in 5 Years

In the last six months, there have been plenty of meetings held in regards to ICOs. The G20 countries have already met severally, and they have plans to regulate cryptocurrencies in July 2018. In late March 2018, leaders from Great 20 countries held a meeting in Argentina, the main theme being ICOs and technology in general.

According to reports, the leaders disagreed on how to approach ICO and blockchain startups. While some countries were of the opinion of regulating ICOs, some countries disliked the idea of “endorsing the industry. However, the July deadline was set to ensure there was a clear regulatory framework for blockchain startups. So, what will be the effect of an acknowledged and regulated ICO industry?

Fewer Scams

As it’s noted with the presence of regulations worldwide, there are few scam ICOs where governments make it harder for them to exist. While regulating blockchains won’t be received kindly by everyone, it will at least keep in check startups holding ICOs. The US and most of Europe have already proven that scam ICOs can be eliminated by cooperating with startups.

Institutional Investors will Increase

By acknowledging the potential in ICO startups, G20 countries and the world by extension will give the industry the much-needed legitimacy. Governments working together with startups to tap into the benefits of the industry may not be a bad thing after all. With the industry gaining recognition, institutional investors will play a bigger role in funding startups.

This can already be witnessed in ICOs held by companies like Telegram. While Telegram’s ICO has already raised more than $850 million, most of the funds come from institutional investors.

Higher Startup Success Rate

As the ICO industry gains acceptance and more serious startups replace scams, investors will begin to experience higher ROI. It’s highly likely that in the coming years, only the most serious startups will gain meaningful funding. This will help streamline the industry and help investors to invest in the most likely to succeed companies.

Conclusion

All signs point to a legal but regulated ICO industry in the future. At present, countries are regularly enforcing measures to regulate the industry, but lots of startups are able to run ICOs without seeking registration and certification. That may change in the future and investors will only invest in registered and certified companies.

This is a sponsored press release and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or views held by any employees of The Merkle. This is not investment, trading, or gambling advice. Always conduct your own independent research.

Source #bitcoin #news #cryptonews #cryptocurrency #dailybitcoinnew #todaynews

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zachmcquade1993-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Comm 3P18- Take #2- Reality

Zach McQuade

5749957

November 2nd, 2017

Professor: Jennifer Good

The Year of Gord

If Gord Downie ran for prime minister, we know who our next leader would be. Gord was the face of this country,Oh you;re from Canada, eh? So you must listen to The Tragically Hip eh? As a matter of fact I do listen to them. The greatest moment in Canadian history other than Sidney Crosby scoring the golden goal was The Tragically Hips last concert in Kingston, Ontario where they originated. On August 20th, 2016, Gord Downie and his Tragically Hip took the stage for their final goodbye. Gord Downie was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour, Glioblastoma, which attacked his brain at an alarming rate. After the rollercoaster of emotions between fathoming Gords diagnosis, and the concert; Gords health started slowly getting away from him. On October 17th, 2017, Gord Downie passed away at the age of 53 surrounded by his immediate family and friends. The bands twitter page released a statement regarding his death, notifying fans and audience viewers as one:

Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by. Gord knew this day was coming-his response was to spend this precious time he always had-making music, making memories and expressing deep gratitude to his family and friends for a life well lived, often sealing it with a kiss on the lips (France, 2017).

The death of Gord Downie was announced via social media, I was an audience member trying to fathom what his family was going through. It was almost as there was an Effects paradigm in the works that even though one did not care about the death of a Canadian hero; they were on social media as audience members being forced to view it. I personally love the fact that the band announced the death via twitter, hitting a worldwide audience. They knew that this would be the best way to reach their fan base. We speak of the Uses and Gratifications theory as it seeks out how people actively use specific media to satisfy specific needs (Sullivan, 2013). I know I wasn’t the only one using media to satisfy my needs that day, as my hero was laid to rest. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also reached out using his social media, expressing his gratitude to his 3.7 million followers: “There will never be another one like you, Gord. Rest in peace my friend “(Trudeau, 2017). As a result of this post, Trudeau used twitter to satisfy his need and show the country that he lost a great friend. Toronto mayor John Tory took to the media, through Instagram posting a photo of the Toronto sign lit in red and white with the words “The Toronto sign has been lit in red and white today to honour Gord Downie. He was an inspiration to us all. His music is an essential part of the soundtrack of Canada. He will be missed” (Tory, 2017). Mayor John Tory reached out to his 50 thousand followers in a creative way posting a picture in memory of Gord. There is no right or wrong way to do so; it is all about the motivation for each individual using their physiological drives to satisfy ones internal needs. As a lifelong fan, I needed to reach out through the main three platforms I use to notify others about the death of Gord. As I reached out, the feedback I received was very satisfying to me as it was nothing but positive. I found a way to turn a bad situation into good, with friends commenting about the great moments they remember of Gord. This was the Year of Gord.

No more Cards in the house

Media ratings are a huge component to accessing the financials they need to continue a stable network. How does one get these ratings? These ratings will all be made from finding and establishing a target market, “for media companies and consumer product manufacturers, conducting research on consumers has been integrated into their organizational structures. Almost every modern corporation selling products or services directly to consumer preferences, desires, and exposure to advertising messages” (Sullivan, 2013). If we were to watch an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians, this would be targeted at women aging from 15-45 years old. These advertisements that would be on the same channel would be selling make-up that the Kardashians wear, or clothes that they would wear. Media companies pay big money to have advertisements that fit the consumers needs which falls into Dallas Smythes blind spot debate, at the same time that the television program is being sold to the audience, that attention of the audience is being sold to advertisers (Sullivan, 2013) .While this is going on, the consumers are just trying to enjoy their favourite show. Viewers essentially became a product that media corporations could sell to advertisers, becoming the audience commodity. If we were watching the show House of Cards, with star Kevin Spacey, we would be targeting men and women preferably of the business background to watch it. Advertisers would target this audience by selling items that would help a business man look more successful. Netflix currently holds the rights to all five seasons of House of Cards. The show was rated a 4.5 out of 5 on the Netflix app and squandered the $100 million dollar investment that it made. Up until recently, the show was being watched by millions of Netflix users and the character favourite, Francis Underwood played by Kevin Spacey, allegedly spacey picked him up and sexually assaulted actor Anthony Rapp at a 1986 party when Rapp was 14 years old (Park, 2017). As Spacey is the face of House of Cards, Netflix immediately took action and suspended the show, removing all five seasons and placing a hold on the making of the sixth season. As one can understand, this will hurt the media ratings for now and the future of the television series. To make the matters worse, Spacey came out to say “I do not remember any such encounter, and now I choose to live as a gay man” (Hurley, 2017). Not only do these allegations hurt and scare the audience members of House of Cards but usually queer people will tell you one thing about coming out: There is no bad time to do it. Whenever and however a person chooses to disclose their sexuality is up to them- but in the wake of these allegations- this only furthers harmful stereotypes about queer people” (Brabaw, 2017). The media ratings for the show have dropped significantly, and Media capital rights who represent the show noted that this is both a financial loss and an audience loss as the show was set to film its sixth season.

Another out coming of one of Netflix superstars is Harvey Weinstein. The founder of the Weinstein company who was Notorious for his creativity, targeting the proper market resulting in high ratings and billions of dollars to his name, “it is perhaps most obvious that the core business of profit driven mass media is to produce communication products such as television programs, radio shows, and motions pictures, and market those products to consumers” (Sullivan, 2013). Weinstein was known for producing blockbuster films, and turning audience heads while turning a major profit. Harvey Weinstein has allegations against him that range from rape to sexual harassment (Entertainment and Arts, 2017), resulting in his media ratings surging in a downward spiral. What I have learned through these weeks is media ratings are the biggest factor, if the consumer to consumer approach was negative then this falls into the word of mouth category. Target markets are to place things into perspective, which gives the advertisers an idea of what the viewership is.

Capital of Kindness

It has been quite a year for the National Hockey League so far. The inaugural year for the Vegas Golden Knights who are off to a tremendous start. The welcoming back of goalie Semyon Varlamov who was facing charges for the assault on his girlfriend. Wait, what was that? The ex-Washington Capitals goaltender was facing charges for the second degree kidnapping and third degree assault, but there has been no coverage on it yet this year? Let us look at something with a little more coverage, “Capitals Ovechkin buys winter clothes for homeless man in Edmonton” (Elliott, 2017). Current power forward and the best Russian born player to ever play the game of hockey was seen in downtown Edmonton on a cold day, buying clothes for a homeless man to keep him warm. As we know the National Hockey League is notorious for getting players out of bad situations, and drawing light upon good situations. The bad situation, “Jury backs Varlamov in civil case- awards goalie 126k is not what people want to see. If we were to use the encoding scheme for this scenario, we would say that they have no proof that Varlamov physically abused his girlfriend. Decoding this message, I would say that since Varlamov is making millions of dollars per year he is getting off free and clear while taking an extra 126k for personal damages. Unfortunately there is no coverage of this media, because it is negative media and the National Hockey League has to maintain a reputation that attracts loyal sports fans. When Alex Ovechkin bought these clothes, the journalist may see it as he is doing this very nice gesture from the bottom of his heart. Others may see it as Ovechkin makes $12 million USD per year and he should be buying these homeless people clothes, “The encoding process transforms ideas and experiences into meaningful discourse within existing social, economic, and cultural contexts. Audiences then interpret these messages within their own contexts” (Sullivan, 2013). You cannot please everyone, the way audiences view certain messages; there will always be a problem with the way the message is supposed to be said, to how the message is interpreted.

What I can take away from the past few weeks is that media is a business, that is continuously changing. The market is always challenged with new media and always changing the way they target the audience. The media sources have to ensure what they are supporting does not offend anyone or there will be a discharge due to negative media ratings. Acquiring the perfect target market is a challenge, but keeping the media ratings high is a work of art.

References

Elliott, J. (2017). Capitals Ovechkin buys winter clothes for homeless man in Edmonton. Retrieved from, https://globalnews.ca/news/3831498/alex-ovechkin-buys-warm-clothes-for-homeless-man-in-edmonton-warms-hearts/

Entertainment & Arts. (2017). UK woman shaken after hotel encounter. Retrieved from, http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41821218

France, C. (2017). Gord Downie of Tragically Hip dies at 53. Retrieved from,

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/18/entertainment/gord-downie-dead/index.html

Sportsnet. (2016). Jury backs Varlamov in civil case awards goalie 126k. Retrieved from, http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jury-backs-varlamov-in-civil-case-awards- goalie-126k

Sullivan, J. (2013). Media Audiences: Effects, Users, Institutions, and Power.

Retrieved from, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/audience

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