#((...they are of increasing levels of ow apparently...))

[stonecoldmeme]

He didn't tend to wear the uniform when he went out on missions. He definitely didn't when he ventured out into the dark for personal reasons, but he knew a lot of folks who had uniforms preferred to wear them when fighting daemons. And he got that, sure. They didn't offer a whole lot of protection, but enough. It was more of a psychological thing.

Which was exactly why Prompto preferred to wear something else when he went out with a group to accomplish something. Always black with a little splash of color, so folks knew it was him. He'd be noticed, identified; not shot. Essential, important.

He just... the uniform felt like it was for a specific thing. A specific time, and that... hadn't come yet. Noctis hadn't come back yet, and it'd been--

A while. He knew exactly how long, sure, keeping track of days with the same semi-obsessive frequency he knew Ignis was. He hadn't heard the man request the time from his phone in a while, but he knew it still happened. Often. Gladio--

Prompto sighed, checking rations, making sure the straps that held his guns in place were tight. Again.

Gladio wore the uniform. All the time. Every time they came across each other with a quick nod and very little conversation.

He got that, too.

He did.

[robertreich]

Socialism Fear-mongering is Bananas 

Don't get scared. I'm going to talk about something that’s caused a lot of fear mongering.

You see, advanced countries, like the United States, pool resources for the common good. How? Well, governments enact taxes and then spend that money on things that benefit everyone. Think of national defense, schools, highways, healthcare, unemployment insurance — basically government spending that protects the well-being of the people.

But since some folk, like your conservative Uncle Bob, think ANY pooling of resources for the common good is…socialism.

And since socialism is apparently so terrifying…

I'm going to use a different word to describe this taxing of individuals for the common good.  Let’s use.. I don't know.. How about…Banana! That's not scary, right? 

Great. So, there are essentially three purposes for which governments banana.

First, social insurance against the possibilities of misfortune and neediness, such as unemployment, poor health, disability, and so on.

Second, public goods that we all benefit from, such as parks, highways, public health, and national defense.

Third, public investment in our future, such as basic research, education, and efforts to address pollution and the climate crisis.

Whether we’re talking about Sweden, Spain, or Slovenia or the United States — all countries in capitalist economies banana to benefit the common good.

And bananing is how societies grow their economies, become more prosperous, and ensure a better life for their people.

It’s also how countries aid people in hard times — or when emergencies arise, like a global pandemic.

To simply call any government banana’ing “socialism...”  Oops, sorry I used the word.…Well it distorts our ability to think through how we banana and what we banana on.

And, it ignores the fact that the United States bananas LESS than most developed nations.

We’re among the worst when it comes to bananaing to reduce poverty, especially child poverty.

And pandemic aside, we banana less on unemployment insurance than nearly every other country.

Of course these countries generally have higher taxes than the United States to support all their bananing.

But they get more in return — better jobless benefits, better health care outcomes, debt-free education, more support for child care and elder care, and more generous retirement benefits.

And we could banana a lot more without having to raise taxes on middle or low-income Americans if the rich paid their fair share. Unfortunately, the tax code in the U.S. has been rigged so that the rich and powerful often skirt what they owe and get away with lower tax rates than regular people.

And the rich have done such a good job convincing people that any increase in banana’ing would be… you know, that S word ... that we just accept things as they are.

The only banana’ing they don’t seem to mind is on the military, where we banana more than the countries with the next 10 biggest militaries combined. That’s bananas!

All of this is a major reason why America has such staggering levels of inequality and poverty.

Whether bananing is “socialism” or not is a useless argument. Every country bananas. Capitalism requires banana’ing to ensure a degree of fairness and stability.  

So the next time your Uncle Bob decries any pooling of private resources for the common good — or bananaing — as “socialism”... share this video with him.  

And give him a banana.

[bigasswritingmagnet]

Stop. Talking.

Fandom: Girl Genius Pairing: Gil/Tarvek/Agatha Summary: Tarvek and Gil are perfectly happy sharing Agatha. They're getting along really well these days. Except...for some reason, all of a sudden, Gil just can't seem to stop insulting Tarvek. He's not even trying to do it! It's just like when he was trying to propose to Agatha-

Uh oh.

AO3 link

‘The consorts are fighting again.’

Agatha didn’t look up from the clockwork spread out on the workbench in front of her.

“They do that,” she said, distractedly.

‘In my experience, such restlessness is usually caused by particular needs going unfullfi-’

Without looking up, Agatha picked up a small death ray from a nearby stool and pointed it at a particularly pretty mosaic on the wall.

“What is my rule?” she asked, using her free to hand to rearrange the cogs.

‘My presence and opinion are unwelcome in the bedroom,’ the castle said, quickly.

“Correct,” Agatha said, and set the death ray back down.  “Don’t worry about it. Bantering is how they communicate.”

‘It seems a little one-sided for bantering…’ the castle said, uncertainly.

.

Gil’s plaintive calls fell on deaf ears as Tarvek stormed down the hallway.

“It was a compliment,” Gil insisted, hurrying after him.

“It was not,” Tarvek snapped, white-faced. “My family practically invented the art of devious, backhanded fake compliments so believe me, Holtzfӓller, when I say that that was an insult.”

Gil winced. Tarvek only made that particular nominal slip-up when he was really, really mad.

“Well, it was supposed to be a compliment!”

Travek entered his study and slammed the door shut so abruptly Gil nearly walked right into it. Gil opened the door and immediately ducked as a letter opener sliced by, directly where his ear would have been.

Gil stared in shock at the letter opener—apparently having been sharpened more than Gil felt was necessary for merely cutting paper—vibrating half-buried in the wood of the far wall.

“Were you trying to—”

Stars burst in his eyes as something heavy slammed into the back of his head.

“Ow!”

Rubbing the back of his head, Gil turned around and had just enough time to dodge volume 2 of the Encyclopedia Horrifica (which covered chanting, ominous through corn)

“Get! Out!”

“I’m trying to apologize!” Gil protested.

“No, you’re not!” Tarvek shot back. “You’re explaining to me why I shouldn’t be angry! That is not the same thing!”

“I—! Okay, fine! I’m sorry that you thought my compliment came across like an insult!”

He managed to avoid volume 3 (cosh through dzyzxs) but not volume 4, 5, or 6 (all of the letter E), which knocked him straight off his feet. Before Gil could rise, Tarvek slammed the door shut again. This time, Gil heard him lock it.

.

Agatha’s tongue stuck out in concentration as she picked up the fragile blown-glass bulb with the tips of her gloved fingers. Slowly, she lifted it up and set it in the gap between two pipes, holding it in place with one hand. With the other, she turned a dial, fraction by fraction, slowly increasing the pressure on the seal that would lock the whisper-thin—but extremely necessary—bulb into place.

Gil burst into the room with a crash of the door.

“You have to talk to Tarvek!”

Agatha didn’t even flinch.

“What did you do now?” she asked, keeping her eyes fixed on the task at hand.

“Wh-! Why do you think I did anything?” he demanded, indignantly.

“Because when he starts it, you have no problem finishing it. You only ever come to me when it’s your fault.”

“Wh-! You-! That-!” Gil sputtered.

“There!” Agatha said, as the pressure gauge clicked green. She locked the mechanism in place and stepped back, tugging off her gloves and looking at Gil.

“So. What did you do?”

“I gave him a compliment!” Gil said. “And he got mad at me!”  

Agatha gave him an I do not believe you look.

“We were talking about that big conference with the neighboring city states, and he made a couple of suggestions that were, y’know, Tarvek level sneaky.”

“Mm-hmm…”

“And I said…I don’t remember exactly what I said, but he asked me what I meant and I said we all know you’re a devious underhanded weasel, but this is the best double-crossing you’ve done since Sturmhalten’. And he—” Gil paused at the look on Agatha’s face. “What? It was a compliment! He managed to outplay the Other! That’s impressive!”

“He was also outplaying me!" 

Gil scoffed.

“Well, yeah, but I wasn’t talking about that.”

“You didn’t specify!”

“Why should I? We forgave him for that, he knows that!”

Agatha shut her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“He’s sensitive about it.”

Gil snorted.

“Yeah, no kidding.”

Agatha pointed back at the door.

“Go apologize.”

“But I didn’t do anything—!”

“You know what he’s like! He expects double meanings and power plays everywhere, all the time! You gave a compliment; he heard you trying to dig in the knife by reminding him of what he considers one of the worst things he’s ever done.”

Gil opened his mouth, outraged. Gil considered what Agatha had said. Gil closed his mouth.

“What is with you lately?” Agatha demanded. “It’s like every time I turn around you’ve said something stupid enough to make him go storming off—Gil?"

Gil had gone pale.

“Oh no,” he whispered.

“What? Gil, what is it? What’s wrong?”

Gil did not answer. He was staring into space, gazing at some unseen horror. Agatha took him by the shoulders and shook him.

“Gil!”

“It’s pathological,” he said, hoarsely. “It has to be. I thought it was just you, but no, this is, this is just what I’m like—”

“What are you talking about?” Agatha exclaimed. He lowered his head slowly to look at her, his eyes haunted and hollow.

“I’m in love with Tarvek.”

Agatha stared at him for a moment...then she put her hand to her mouth and let out a soft gasp. “Oh, it is pathological.”

“This is all my father’s fault,” he snarled, fists clenching. “All that work he put into protecting me and making me physically stronger and faster and he didn’t do anything that could save me from my own big fat mouth!” He collapsed forward, head on the workbench, arms flung over his head.

Agatha put her hands on his shoulders, patting reassuringly.

“I’m doomed,” Gil wailed.

“No, no, you’re not. Come on, Gil, you weren’t thinking about it before, but now that you know—”

“No!” Gil said, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her. “Don't you understand? Tarvek and I hated each other for years! It took dying to get us to have a civil conversation, and now—!”

He clutched at his face, his imagination dancing nightmare scenarios before his eyes.

“I’m going to ruin everything,” he moaned. “I’m going to destroy everything we’ve built. You’re going to have to choose between us. When we have dinner he’s going to ask you to ask me to pass the salt because he won’t even want to talk to me enough to–Ack!”

Agatha spritzed him with the squirt bottle again.

“Stop that!” she said.

“You stop that!” he said, blinking water out of his eyes. “What is that?”

“It’s von Zinzer’s. He uses it when I start talking about dismantling the town for parts. Now listen to me.” She set the bottle down firmly and put her hands on her hips. “You are not going to ruin everything. You managed it with me, you can manage it with him.”

“Are you joking? We had to be trapped in the castle and almost permanently die about ten different times before you could trust me! And then we had all the–" Gil waved his hands around in a gesture that quite succinctly managed to sum up the overlay, his father freezing the town, two years of Agatha being missing in time, the collapsing empire, Martellus, Paris, England, god queens, inter-dimensional disasters, exorcism engines, and Martellus again. "–everything before we could be together!"  

"You and Tarvek were mad at each other for years, and it took you two days in the castle to get over it."

"By dying!"

'If you think it might help, I could always kill you again,' the castle suggested.

Without looking away from Gil, Agatha picked up the death ray and shot out a light.

"Gil, relax. You're overthinking this. Give Tarvek time to cool off, then go to him, and tell him you love him. No big explanation, just 'I love you'. You can do that, can't you?"

"Yes," Gil said. "I can do that."

He straightened up.

"I can do that," he said, confidently. Then he sagged "No I can't."

"Gil."

"I'll just start babbling! You know me! I'll open my mouth to say it and explanations will come out! Can't you tell him for me? He likes you." 

"He likes you, too!"

"But he doesn't love me!"

Silence.

Gil swallowed hard, his eyes going overbright.

"I can't tell him," he whispered. "Not when he doesn't...and he doesn't."

Agatha sighed, softly.

"Gil..." She picked up her gloves and began whacking him with them. "Are you joking? After everything you two have been through together? Of course he loves you! That's why he doesn't stab you when you're an idiot!" 

Gil caught the gloves and pulled them out of her hand.

"You don't know that!" he insisted.

"I absolutely do! You, me, and Violetta might be the only people in the world who really know Tarvek, and I hear the way he talks about you when you're not there–" She grabbed the gloves back and punctuated her statement with three solid whacks. "So I am telling you! With confidence! That he loves you!"

She pointed at the door.

"Now go think about what you're doing to say to him. Plan it out. Give him time to cool off. And then go tell him how you feel, or so help me Gilgamesh Wulfenbach, I will tell the Jӓgers you want their help."

.

Gil waited two days. Not because it took Tarvek two days to stop being mad at Gil, but because Gil was sure his nerves would eat him alive if he waited any longer. Tarvek had stopped leaving the room when Gil walked in, and Gil would just have to hope that that would be enough.

Tarvek was in the library, flipping idly through a book on poisons and occasionally making corrections in red ink. He didn't look up when Gil cleared his throat.

"I'm busy."

"I need to talk to you."

"Write me a note."

"Would you please just—" Gil sighed. "Just hear me out?"

Tarvek, every motion extremely pointed and deliberate, set the pen aside, slid the bookmark between the pages, shut the book, and gave Gil his full attention.

Gil's palms began to sweat.

“And let me actually finish, before you start yelling at me.” Gil said, and winced internally. No, that was much too rude, now Tarvek was narrowing his eyes and bristling. Quick, quick, the speech! You practiced the speech! What was the speech?

“The reason I've been so rude lately is because you—” No, no, no, no, you are NOT starting a love confession with it's your fault I'm insulting you. “I know I’ve been acting like an idiot lately—”

He paused, expecting Tarvek to make a comment, but Tarvek just raised his eyebrows.

“The thing is,” Gil said. “The thing is, I…” He took a deep breath. “I’m—”

“You’re in love with me,” Tarvek finished for him.

Gil’s jaw dropped.

“You knew?”

Tarvek snorted.

“Of course I knew. I knew months ago. It was so obvious.”

“It wasn’t obvious to me!” Gil blustered.

“Really? You didn’t notice that you’ve been acting exactly like you used to act around Agatha?”

“Eventually!” Gil sputtered. “So all of this being mad and throwing things at me, you were just winding me up?”

“No,” Tarvek said, plainly. “You were genuinely insulting and I didn’t see any reason to let you off the hook just because I knew why it was happening.”

Gil stared at him, and Tarvek’s mouth curled up into a smirk, the cat construct that ate the mutant canary.

"And I was winding you up."

Gil stared, speechlessly. Tarvek tossed his book onto the cushion beside him and stood. 

"Actually, I was kind of hoping you'd take longer to put it together—it’s fun watching you flail around.”

“I take it back,” Gil said, flatly. “I hate you. I hate you forever and ever and ever.”

Tarvek put his hand on the back of Gil’s head, and kissed him.

It was a very, very good kiss. Gil was relieved to find he enjoyed it exactly as much as he enjoyed kissing Agatha, which had been a concern, but then Tarvek put his arm around Gil and pressed in close and opened his mouth against Gil’s and that was about it for any sort of higher brain function for Gil for the remainder of the kiss.

“Um,” Gil said, finally. “You’re. Very good at that.”

“I am,” Tarvek said, sweetly.

“I still hate you.”

“Sure you do.”

[multiplicationdivision]

Transfiguration Pt. 2

Vic tapped the earnest little jock on his shoulder.

The man turned to look back at him. He was cute, Vic could admit. Red hair bringing a good amount of warmth to his pale skin, marked with freckles. A familiar face that Vic had seen countless times, always slaving away here. Never seeming to stop for even a second, bounding across the gym with endless energy. He’d shot a grin at Vic many times, yet Vic had never returned it. Vic had his gift and his gift let him just a little too deep into that façade to fall for it.

Anxiety reeked off the guy, even now. His thoughts painted themselves across the air, trying to surpass the darker turnings of the guy’s brain. Every bit of exhaustion and burn of muscles working to distract from waves of pure depression.

Vic had met many gym obsessed men, and while he had felt the regular bursts of insecurity or pride that fueled some, this was different. The exercising becoming a vice, just like any drug.

Frankly it was annoying and the guy always managed to ruin whatever trips he made out here. Vic explicitly only visited the gym for the fun of it, his gifts made th muscle gain or increase in health meaningless. He could be as buff and attractive as he wanted. Vic came because running on a treadmill for an inhumanly long time was pretty relaxing for him. Except at least when that mental chokehold of a man wasn’t in here, angsting directly into his vibe.

Fortunately, Vic hadn’t come here to work out this time. He needed a housemate back. The Chucks had been on him about that for a week. Dear little Richard still needed to help them pay rent and Vic’s magic didn’t really extend past warping people. At least he didn’t think so. He was able to make clothes and shit, but objects were just too uninteresting for his brain to detail.

Bottom line. He didn’t want to learn when he had an easy fix right in front of him (As well as a housemate that he kind of owed to not completely remove from existence)

This poor shmuck, Dave his mind whispered, sat there with a surprised expression. He had been grinning a second ago as he toweled off, but the sudden stop wrenched that practiced expression off his face. His eyes widened as if he was caught in the act of pretending to be happy. Or maybe he was just surprised as Vic reached his gift past the waves of turmoil and into his being.

Vic felt pretty unguilty changing this man’s brain. He was clearly unhappy and Vic hadn’t really cared about the whole backstory. He’d already found the surface level wants of having a better brain, thoughts less out to pick upon every action. A thousand wishes of being able to forget his past and move onto another life.

A bad mom, a bad girlfriend, an awful job. A bad roll of the dice on brain chemistry and some good old toxic masculinity pushing him to increase his testosterone instead of going to therapy.

Vic was sure that little Dave would be happy to know that Rich had basically an opposite life. A boring one, in Vic’s opinions, but to be fair, Vic had a weird fucking life. Rich apparently went to therapy so much, at least from last time Vic had really talked to him. Before they’d both decided to turn Rich in Chuck, which was very permanent now.

Rich also had a very loving father and a collection of lovers. Vic personally thought that was dumb, it was far better to have a bunch of the same lover in his opinion. Chuck was a machine and two Chucks were a fucking industrial revolution. Vic would say he was very satisfied in his relationship.

Except for his two darling dipshits hounding him about Rich every fucking day. The Chuck who’d been Rich once upon a meaningless time feeling guilty or something for stealing the man’s body. Vic had tried to explain that he was basically still Rich, just with his brain and body rewired to look and act just like the far more attractive Chuck. That hadn’t helped apparently, according to the other Chuck.

Now he sat with a bored expression as the helpless Jock moved to reconstruct his friendly face and ask him something. Vic didn’t give a fuck about this guy. The only thing interesting in Vic’s opinion were his pretty rocking body and his tangled up psychic imprint. The body would be a shame to lose. The monster of a soul was mostly interesting in an academic sense, but Vic wasn’t a psychologist.

Vic decided he’d deal with the brain only for now. It would be more exhausting warping the cameras and minds of the others in the gym to hide the body transformation. Easier to just do a copy paste of the last mental state of Rich and finish it up in an alley way or something.

Vic did that simple action and Dave’s expression changed. It shifted into recognition in a second, spiced with some surprise. The eyes on the redhead shifting down to look at his arms and then catch his eye on a close mirror.

“Sup Rich” Vic said, cutting to the chase. Never helped to leave Rich to bask in this thing he did after every transformation. The man loved the feeling of his identity being meddled with and it was probably why the guy was in therapy. It also got annoying waiting for the guy to catch up through the haze of his enjoyment.

Rich pulled himself out of his thoughts. “So I definitely wasn’t Chuck a minute ago. Don’t even remember anything about us hanging out or anything. Usually pretty good about retaining that shit”

He was actually. Rich had a skill at retaining information even as Vic pulled it in and out of his brain. His personality was sticky like that, somehow backing up memories of the people that were superimposed on him even after he was turned back. Maybe it was because Vic and him would do it so often, but the skill was the backbone of that dynamic. Rich always hungry to live other lives and Vic always wanting Rich to be anyone but himself.

He flexed an arm at Vic. “Definitely don’t remember ever being turned into this guy Dave, although I can’t really contain” He grinned and poked a muscle, enjoying watching it move. Rich wasn’t ever this jacked but he’d probably wanted to be. Vic agreed that it was definitely an upgrade.

“Liked two Chucks more than your sorry ass” Vic mocked. “Wanted to keep my new guy more than I admittedly wanted our stellar conversations”

Rich laughed at that. “That sounds like you. So, the original me is still turned exactly into Chuck?”

“Yup, you got a problem with that?” Vic genuinely wanted to know, although he couldn’t help sounding intimidating. Vic was trying to be more “empathetic” about his powers, mostly because the Chucks got mad at him for duplicating one hot doorman. Like they even knew that passing pedestrian he’d converted into another Seth. Ridiculous.

On a positive note, Seth had been having a great time getting to know his long-lost twin, also named Seth. They shared the same life history and memories up to the point of Vic’s meddling but were too dumb to properly understand that they were the same person. Vic had followed the two on their shared Instagram. They’d adopted a dog. Vic was making a positive impact on the world.

Rich smiled as he looked at his bicep again, ever the narcissist. “I think I’m finding myself pretty fine with it. Even though I’m not like… the real Rich” Rich seemed to digest that idea in his mind before moving on without much of a care. He wasn’t an existential type. “Eh, as long as I can keep this awesome body, I’d be fine with you even bringing back my actual self. He’d be so jealous of this beard”

Vic was sure the original Rich would be, he always loved fucking guys with hair. That guy would never be back though, because he was buried under the mind of a lot hotter of a man. Rich was probably Chuck forever now and some part of Vic’s gift knew he was fine with that.

“You can keep the body, I don’t care. Just get home sometime soon to chill out Chuck” Vic smiled at just the thought of his guys. Probably sitting at home, fighting over the same controller of Halo. He was horribly smitten and had to be held back (often literally) from increasing their number.

“A secret twin is hard enough to explain to you mom Vic” one Chuck had said. “Hell knows you wouldn’t be able to turn us back into whatever fucker you replaced” the other had backed up.

They were right. Vic couldn’t help fixating on how good a third Chuck would be. The number three just felt so incredible every time the idea struck his head. His brain was good at trying to trick itself into his impulses and his gift was always just a hair trigger away from fulfilling that goal. It reeled up as it always did, already tensing up like it was a snake waiting to strike.

He repressed that lustful wish, no matter how nice it sounded. His boyfriend was right, it was adding far too much complication to their life. Logically Vic knew that. Didn’t make the image of three of that hot man surrounding less intoxicating. Vic liked what they currently had too much to act on his impulses though, resisting the eager pull of the magic.

Energy had to go somewhere though, especially when the user didn’t much care for how it was let recklessly through the environment. As long as it didn’t end in another of Chuck, it wasn’t Vic’s problem.

The power that came so naturally to him then decided to follow a familiar channel and command, one made minutes ago. Snaking with the entire memory and soul of a man, warping around the room until it found a close enough target. A path of least resistance.

A nearby man jogging on a treadmill slowed his run to a stop and just stared dumbfounded at Vic and ‘Dave’. This guy hadn’t even been putting off bad vibes to warrant a moral transfiguration. Vic hadn’t even seen him before this moment, a complete stranger. Just a dumbfounded stare, Italian and sweaty. His wavy black hair damp and swept back as he panted from exertion.

Vic had really made a (small) effort to be ethical. Mistakes get made. Sometimes you completely overwrite a man and don’t really know him well enough to undo it. Can’t fix something if you don’t know where the pieces go. Vic would deserve a kiss from both of his guys for trying at least.

“Vic what the fuck” the stranger said, even as his arm also came up to grip his also well-muscled arms. Typical that he would immediately be obsessed, even with the skill the man had in retaining two person’s worth of memories.

‘Dave’ glanced over at the stranger and back at Vic, understanding what the man had done in a an instant. He smiled and waved at the man near the treadmill. “Sup Rich! Sick body”

“You too man!” The other Rich grinned back. Their smiles were somehow identical despite the great differences in their faces, mirroring the same personality through different mediums. Their voices even had the same cadence, different vocal cords rising in parody of the original Rich’s midwestern sound.

They both ran up to each other, displaying another barely surprising facet of Rich’s submissive little personality. Always willing to accept their fucked up circumstances with boundless enthusiasm. Both had Rich’s stupid little swagger in his step, although the body differences and lack of muscle memory made the motions slightly awkward. Both men’s bodies trying to follow the personality of Rich first, despite the ways these bodies naturally moved.

“Name’s Kyle actually” the other Rich said with a flirtatious tone at himself. Vic rolled his eyes. “Still remember this guy’s life pretty good, could show you a couple things he knew”.

“Name’s Dave, my handsome friend” the initial Rich responded in equal flirtation. He felt up his twin’s arm as if he owned it, freckled hands on the other man’s olive skin. The energy of their mutual curiosity literally visible to Vic’s eyes in the form of their coiling energy. “I don’t got much in the way of extra knowledge from this guy, but he’s been aching for a good time”

Vic was sure they would probably get to some uncomfortable PDA in front of him if he didn’t move. They were hot but it was still Rich and Vic had two men he’d much rather be watching at home. Plus he didn’t need more evidence of Rich’s fuckboi tendencies.

“Welp, have fun with that boys” Vic said as he turned and walked away. He heard Dave-Rich shout a “thanks weirdo” as the other quickly echoed the sentiment.

They were already trading their body’s life stories as if it was an actual date when he shut the front door. Two Richs, although he could probably change that later if they were too annoying. He headed too his boys nonetheless, ready to kiss one as the other kept playing their video games. His perfect multitaskers.

Part 1:

https://www.tumblr.com/multiplicationdivision/727744737475493888/transfiguration

[paganimagevault]

Sogdian ancient letter 5, about the year 313 CE

"The author of letter 5 was writing from Guzang, the modern Wu-wei, located northwest of Luoyang in the Hexi Corridor. The addressee of the letter may have been resident in Khotan, an important town along the southern silk route just before it crosses the Pamir Mountains to reach the oases of Transoxania, the region between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. This letter also refers to the chaos and difficult conditions in China; the author's position had apparently been made the more difficult when his commercial partner, Ghawtus, abandoned him. Thus the author was forced to return from Dunhuang to Guzang.

The letters include the names of several products--silver, linen and a kind of unprocessed cloth, musk (whose source was Tibet), pepper, and "white" (probably white lead powder, a valuable commodity used in cosmetics and drugs). Unfortunately the meaning of some terms for other products is not known. It appears from the quantities mentioned that the trade was relatively small-scale and, as we might expect, focused on goods with high value for the weight."

-Prof. Daniel C. Waugh at University of Washington

Translations of the letter (translation by Prof. Nicholas Sims-Williams, University of London):

"[Verso] To the noble lord, the chief merchant Aspandhat. -- [Sent] by your servant [Fri-khwataw].

[Recto] To the noble lord Aspandhat, blessing (and) homage. And (it would be) a [good] day [for him] who might see you healthy (and) safe, happy, free from illness (and) content. Fr[om Fri-khwataw] your servant. And [for me the] day (would be still) better if [I might see] you [my]self [and] might pay homage to you from nearby, [as] (homage is offered) to the Gods.

[From] inside (China) [I] have heard worse, not better, (news) day (by) day, and whatever I might write concerning A[khurmaztakk](?), how he himself went (away) and what he had . . . I have become isolated, and, behold, I stay here in Guzang and I do not go hither (and) thither, and there is no caravan(?) (departing) from here. In Guzang (there are) 4 bundles of "white" for dispatch, and 2,500 (measures of)(?) pepper for dispatch, and a double prasthaka of n(••y)t, and 5 prasthakas of rysk, and half a stater of silver. When Ghawtus went (away) from Guzang I went after him, and I came to Dunhuang, (but) I was prevented(?) from straying(?) outside (China). (If) . . . Ghawtus had seen [=found?] a level route, then I would have brought out the "Blacks." Many Sogdians were ready to leave, (but) they could not leave, for Ghawtus went by(?) the mountains. I(?) would (have) remain(ed) at Dunhuang, but they [=the Sogdian inhabitants] were destitute. I depend(?) on charity(?) from your 'pr'k, for I am serving(?) . . . in Guzang, and [they . . .] me, and they make me . . ., and they obtain my . . ., [and] they increase (it) with our . . . And . . . I am very wretched, and . . . the . . .

I heard thus: Kharstrang [owed(?)] you twenty staters of silver, and he declared(?) thus: I (will) bring(?) (it). He gave me the silver, and I weighed it, and (there were only) four and a half staters altogether. I asked: If he [sent] twenty staters, why do you give me four and a half staters? He said thus: Aspandhat found me on the way and he gave (it) to me(?). {He said thus: (There are) seven and a half staters of silver.} And for four staters I obtained four loads of 'st(k)[•](m). And the "Blacks" took the silver, for they said thus: We(?) have no money. For (according to them it is) better (that) I should be wretched than they! (If) you should hear how Akhurmaztakk has done me harm, then you should pay heed (to this) too.

Sent by your servant Fri-khwataw. This letter was written from Guzang in the third month on the thirtieth (day)."

[industryinsightsandanalysis]

Global Bentonite Market to witness high growth by 2027|UnivDatos Market Insights

A comprehensive overview of the global bentonite market is recently added by UnivDatos Market Insights to its humongous database. The report has been aggregated by collecting informative data from various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the bentonite market in the global context. This report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors that are influencing market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the global bentonite market at the regional & country levels. The Global Bentonite Market was valued around US$ 1.4 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to display a CAGR of ~around 6% over the forecast period (2021-2027).

Market Overview

Upsurging demand of steel from end user industries like automobile, construction, transportation, energy, and packaging would result to rise in demand of iron ore pellets which are used in manufacturing of steel. Further, sodium-activated calcium bentonite is used as a binder in iron ore pellets and is known to increase strength of both wet and dry iron ore green pellets. Owning to increased demand of iron ore from steel industry would result to higher demand of bentonite for iron ore pelletizing thereby helping the market grow at a considerable rate.

For instance, global production of crude steel in 2018 was 1,825,486 thousand tons which grew to 1,875,155 thousand tons in 2019. As per, The World Steel Association forecasts that steel (apparent steel) demand will grow by 5.8% in 2021 to reach 1.874 billion metric tons, after declining by just 0.2% in 2020, as the overall impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sector turned out to be less than previously foreseen.

COVID-19 Impact

During the Covid-19 pandemic in the early 2020, majority of the countries and region witnessed a country wide lockdown. This has impacted the overall demand for oil and gas. According to U.S. Energy Information Administration, globally a decline of almost 9% in the overall demand of oil and gas was witnessed in 2020 for the first time since the global recession of 2009. Majority of decline was witnessed in the industrial sector, where countries had imposed shut down of manufacturing facilities to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

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Global bentonite market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated.

By Product, the market is primarily categorized into:

Based on product, the bentonite market is segmented into sodium, calcium, and others. Among these, sodium bentonite is likely to showcase substantial growth during the forecast period. Increasing adoption and ownership of cats in developed nations like U.S. and European countries would increase the demand of sodium bentonite owing to its pet litter applications. For instance, around 42.7 million US households owns Cat as per the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association.

By Application, the market is primarily studied into:

Cat Litter

Civil Engineering

Drilling Mud

Foundry Mud

Iron Ore Pelletizing

Refining

Others

Based on application, the bentonite market is divided into cat litter, civil engineering, drilling mud, foundry sands, iron ore pelletizing, refining, and others. Among them, iron ore pelletizing and drilling mud hold a considerable market share. Bentonite exhibits good strength along with high hot and dry strength which helps in preventing molds from breaking or cracking during the pouring or cooling process in the foundry industry. Owing to high strength resulting from its property to absorb and then release moisture, bentonite is used in iron ore palletization.

Global Bentonite Market Region Segmentation Includes:

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

MEA

South America  

Based on the estimation, North America accounted for considerable market position in the market in 2020 and is expected to demonstrate significant growth during the forecast period (2021-2027). Large and increasing oil & gas activities resulted in the increasing demand of bentonite in the region.

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The major players operating in the market includes:

Bentonite Mineral Performance LLC

Black Hills Bentonite LLC

Minerals Technologies Inc.

Imerys S.A.

Wyo-Ben Inc.

Tolsa S.A.

Laviosa Mineral Solutions SpA

G & W Mineral Resources

Ningcheng Tianyu Chemical Co. Ltd.

Kunimine Industries Co. Ltd.

Competitive Landscape

The degree of competition among prominent companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating in the Global context. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as Global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the Global Bentonite Market. The major players have been analyzed using different research methodologies for getting insight views on market competition.

Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include:

What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the global bentonite market?

Which factors are influencing the global bentonite market over the forecast period?

What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the global bentonite market?

Which factors are propelling and restraining the global bentonite market?

What are the demanding global regions of the bentonite market?

What will be the market size in the upcoming years?

What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by the companies?

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

About UnivDatos Market Insights

UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients.

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[the-ocean-group]

Top Features to Look for in a High-Quality Water Storage Tank

Introduction Water storage tank plays the central role in guaranteeing a consistent supply of water for domestic, commercial or any other use, and getting the right one can make the difference. A good water storage tank ensures that the availability of water is constant while improving the lifespan of the water being stored. In this article I will suggest what five attributes of the water storage tanks should be considered when making the decision of getting high quality water storage tanks. Feature 1: Durability Thus, choosing the right water storage tank, durability is one of the most important criteria. I want a tank that will accommodate the different environmental conditions and serve the society for many years without being replaced very often or repairing frequently. Material Choices Water storage tanks come in different materials, each with its advantages: Water storage tanks come in different materials, each with its advantages: Plastic Tanks: Popular for home use the plastic tanks have the advantage of being light in weight and can not rust or corrode easily. Although they could be forged to some level of strength their use may not be as effective under very high stress.

Stainless Steel Tanks: Owing to their hardness and durability as well as their immunity to rusting, stainless steel tanks are suitable for use in commercial and industrial processes. They can stand all forms of heat and are very hard wearing. Concrete Tanks: Concrete tanks are highly recommended for large capacity because they are usually stronger and can last longer. They are but more fixed and rigid when with reference to their position or size it can be adapted in any way. Resistance to Environmental Factors High-quality tanks should be designed to resist various environmental factors:High-quality tanks should be designed to resist various environmental factors: UV Resistance: Apparently, any tanks that would be placed directly under the sun should have a UV tolerance lest they deteriorate over a few years. Temperature Resistance: That means that tanks should be made of materials that will not be compromised when exposed to either high or low temperatures of the stored water. Longevity and Warranty Considerations A good tank should have an extended warranty or is recognized to have longevity on it. A good warranty can go hand in hand with the manufacturer’s assurance about the sturdiness of the product and go a long way to reassure the buyer.

Feature 2:Capacity and Size

as the second feature relates to the maximum number of people or equipment the platform has the capacity to handle or accommodate at a go.

The capacity and size of the water storage tank have to be determined properly so that you get the desired results.

Determining the Right Size

The size of your tank depends on various factors, including:The size of your tank depends on various factors, including:

Water Usage: A simple calculation of the daily average water usage will help to arrive at the right size of the water tank. For example, a big family or compound will require a big tank than the small family will require, or a business establishment. Future Needs: Take into consideration how one may need to increase the usage of water, or change the usage, and hence need a larger tank in the future. General Guidelines to Determining Capacities

To get this, determine how you use water and identify those times when the consumption levels are most likely to be high in your business. This will enable you select a tank that will suit your requirements but one that will not need a refill all the time.

Space Considerations for Installation

Before proceeding with the actual installation of the tank, make certain that you have enough room for the actual tank installation. Dimensions of the installation area should be accurately stated and additional space for maintenance and working access should be estimated.

Feature 3: Sanitary and Non spice

Contamination is a severe issue in water supply and therefore it is important to rehearse quality standards to provide safe water for human consumption. When designing a high-quality water storage tank, it is important that the following aspects relating to the hygiene and purity of the stored water is taken into consideration.

This brought about the importance of preserving the quality of water that was taken from source to another.

In many instances water quality is an issue since water is vulnerable to contamination especially by matters such as dirt, algae and bacteria. It is important for any good tank to be made in a way that will eliminate such cases.

Types of Hygiene Features

Look for tanks with the following hygiene features:Look for tanks with the following hygiene features:

Anti-Microbial Coatings: These coatings inhibit the formation of bacteria as well as algae within the tank. Filter Options: Some tanks come with built-in filters that help keep the water clean and free from impurities. Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

This is specifically true regarding the cleanliness and maintenance of the cage, since the tank should be cleaned on a regular basis. Maintain punctuality on the recommended cleaning schedule and adhere to the laid down standard cleaning process to enhance water quality.

Feature 4 : Climate Control: This feature seeks to provide the interior of a vehicle with insulation while at the same time regulating the interior temperature of the vehicle. Suitable insulation and temperatures help in water protection from germ intrusion as well as help in power saving measures. Benefits of Temperature Regulation The insulated tanks aid in maintaining water temperature so it does not get extremely hot or extremely cold. This is especially so with the climate changes especially with hot and cold water whereby the changing in temperature affects the water quality. Types of Insulation Materials Different insulation materials provide various levels of thermal protection:Different insulation materials provide various levels of thermal protection: Foam Insulation: Known to be frequent in many tanks, the foam insulation ensures proper regulation of temperature. Thermal Coatings: Some tanks have a thermal coating to improve the insulation and hence, minimize heat flow. This paper aims at establishing how insulation influences the quality of water and energy costs. Grant provided efficient insulation assists in maintaining appropriate temperatures of water hence it is not subjected to bacterial growth and other supplementary heating or cooling expenses. Feature 5: Installation and maintenance of the products A good water storage tank therefore should be easy to fix, replace or even construct to promote long lasting and easy use. Installation Process and Requirements Take the extent of construction of the product into consideration. Some tanks are simply to install, other might need the service of a professional in the heating industry. Check that you comprehend the conditions for installation and may need tools or other assistance. Common Maintenance Tasks Regular maintenance tasks include: Cleaning the Tank: The tank must also be cleaned from time to time to get rid of any dirt or algae. Checking for Leaks: The first step is to check the tank inclusive of looking for s if there are any signs of leaks or any form of damage. With these considerations in mind, the access points on the distributive sub-assemblies should allow easy cleaning. Select a tank that will be easy to clean and carry out other routine maintenance tasks on it. This will in a way help maintain the tank and or make checking it easier so as to provide the best performance.

Additional Considerations Beauty and then the options of the designs This should not be ignored because in some cases the design and the appearance of the tank plays a vital role in the general outlook of homes. Cost vs. Value Analysis Determine the value that the tank holds for your company in relation to its cost. Occasionally, it makes more sense to invest more in a better tank since in the long run, its maintenance costs will be considerably low and the tank’s durability is high. Manufacturer Reputation and Reviews Look at the reputation of the manufacturer and do some comparisons to see what others are saying concerning the particular product. When it deals with products of a certain company, the reputation of the manufacturer, accompanied by numerous appreciating reviews, indicates that the product is as good as it gets. Conclusion Selecting a quality water storage tank calls for technical knowledge that can enable clients settle for the right product, which will provide the best services as expected. Emphasize on the use of durable and strong material and the capacity of drains, non-absorbest materials, effective insulatant, and modularity. If the above aspects are considered effectively, one can be in a position to purchase a tank which will suit the wanted purpose as well as release guarrantry water storage for the flow years.

[r0s4lin4]

Lurking in the shadows

Rosalina found herself in a dimly lit room with a two doorless doorways leading to extremely dark rooms, and an extremely dark hallway on her right.

Rosalina attempted to speak to herself, but to her surprise, no sound came out. "What the hell happened to my voice?!" she thought to herself. She would pull out her flashlight and flick it on in an attempt to turn it on, but nothing happened.. the flashlight was for some reason just unable to work.. Panicked she'd hyperventilate, she couldn't even hear herself breathe. It was quite disorienting. Rosalina in her fear she decided to walk through one of the doorways, the darkness was overwhelming, she carefully raised her arm moving it around in order for her to feel her surroundings, but the room was completely empty. She would try and find her way to a wall and stick to it, by placing her hand on the wall she could feel her way through the room. She would slowly make her advance, feeling her way through winding hallways and rooms with no light source in sight. . . . It's been about 2 hours of walking non-stop, the absence of light and sound was getting to her head, she could've sworn she saw a shadowy figure run past one of the doorways she encountered, but it was too dark to clearly see it. tap.. tap... tap.. Rosalina would turn around quickly to look behind her. Was that... tapping noises? it sounded like it came from right behind her!

Rosalina would immediately face the other direction, her walking pace has increased. "M...maybe I'm just imagining things for being in the dark so long, r..right?" she thought to herself, the pacing of her steps increased even further . . . The fourth hour has now rolled by, and the voices and figures have not went away. The encounters rate have only ever increased, and have not shown any signs of stopping. "Oohhh boy, I think I'm going insane here!" Rosalina exclaimed in her thoughts. "I wish he was here with me right now.. I'd feel so much safer" Rosalina held back tears.. However, her thoughts were interrupted with what felt like a hand grabbing onto her arm. She'd inaudibly scream and start to sprint, however she'd hit a wall shortly after "Ow!" ". . ." Rosalina felt around the wall and started to walk in a quick pace going around the corner, hoping to lose whatever just grabbed her. . . . Hour 6 rolled by, she had no way to tell for how long she has been stuck in this godforsaken maze. "God, where the hell am I going?? I want out!!" Rosalina wanted to scream out, but the unnatural properties of this room were stopping her from creating any noise. But after a while she could hear a distant sound.. are those.. waves crashing? She was rather confused, but decided to follow the faint wave sounds but was interrupted by a screaming voice ???: "GET AWAY FROM ME!!" Was that.. a human? Rosalina froze in place but was tackled into the ground, she felt a surge of pain all over her body and face as if she was being hit and beaten. She yelped and whined inaudibly as she was being mercilessly attacked. The smell of iron was faint but apparent, was she.. bleeding? She'd attempt to plead her way into being left alone, but all attempts were in vain. This damn level's ability is cutting her voice out! Panicked, she'd feel her way through her backpack. Pulling out her knife, she'd stab where she believed her attacker was. Which seemed to be effective as the beating stopped and the person screamed in pain. "I.. I am so sorry mister, Bu.. but you wouldn't stop hurting me!" Rosalina would limp away with tears in her eyes towards the sound of the waves leaving the screaming man behind. Eventually, his voice was drowned out by the increasing sounds of the ocean. Soon enough, she'd find a set of stairs leading down where the source of the waves comes from.

"Finally!! a way out!" She thought to herself, limping her way down the stairs.. finding herself in an overflown room..

[bu1410]

Good afternoon TUMBLR - June 22nd - 2024

“Mr. Plant has owed me a shoe since July 5, 1971.”

Gazoducto Samalayuca - Sasabe. Mexico - Nuevos Casas Grandes - Chihuahua.

Part 4

Trips During my stay in Mexico, I had the opportunity to make several trips to the United States for work reasons. The aim was to investigate the possibility of entering the lucrative pipeline construction market in both the USA and Canada. Given that in Mexico our company worked for around $900 per linear/meter, in the USA the average price for installing a pipeline was around $2,000/linear meter in 2016/19. I always accompanied Mr. Davide Caracciolo who as Country Manager had the burden of finding new orders - the destinations of our trips were Houston, Dallas, Minneapolis and West Virginia from time to time.

HOUSTON Houston is a very pleasant and rich city. Capital of oil and the aerospace industry, it is a multi-ethnic place but at a very high level. Everything is ''very big'' like the life philosophy of Texas and Texans, starting from the enormous airport. The giants of the oil & gas industry have their headquarters in Houston. Hallyburton, EXXON, Standard Oil, Anadarko, FLUOR companies that employ thousands of people around the world are all here. We had just disembarked from the plane and I immediately understood that things were not going too go well. The person we were supposed to meet was not there to welcome us at the airport - Davide called him on his mobile phone, and was told that ''he was sorry but he would be arriving shortly''. ''The shortly'' turned out to be more than an hour, and when I saw the guy my doubts increased greatly. I later understood that the contact we had been provided with was none other than an ''adventurer'' (to use a euphemism) who was looking for foreign fools to scam. Once our equipment would have been imported (in his name, as per local law) he would certainly have managed to make them disappear, or to make them no longer exportable, so as to gain possession of them with a few dollars. In short, we were in an empty trip.

In Houston we would have had formidable support from that great character named Roy O'Donnel. We met him, and he assured us that in the years to come, given the large production of the Permian basin (the enormous Texan oil and gas field) and the continuing undercapacity of transporting oil and gas to the port of Galveston and Mexico , in Texas there would have been a need for a capable contractor like us. Apparently the local pipeline builders were all small companies, sometimes family-run, with just a few excavators, to which the large local companies contracted 7 – 8 km at a time. As Mr. O'Donnel well argued, if our Company had rented a plot of land, brought the equipment it had to Mexico once the Samalayuca-Sasabe project was finished, just by seeing them any Texan company would have contracted long stretches to ourself of the ongoing and planned pipelines. We reported all these considerations and impressions to the our top management but unfortunately nothing came out of it. Apparently the Financial Manager (who doesn't even speak English) was more in command within the Company than the owner himself or the General Manager.

Houston

DALLAS We flew to Dallas, Caracciolo and I, to meet the representative of a large contractor who had contacted us, asking for our availability to collaborate on a project in West Virginia. We arrived at Forth Worth airport and after immigration we immediately went out to look for a taxi because our contact was more than 70 km away. We ran into a taxi driver who I judged to be Ethiopian by his appearance and I was surprised: he spoke Italian!

Did you study with Italian missionaries perhaps? I asked him once we got on his bus. -Noo… he replied – I lived in Milan for many years.

Really?? I'm from Milan!

Yes? Well I got married in the church of Santa Francesca Romana, in Porta Venezia!!

That's really great.....……. In short, I mean someone from Mexico flies to Dallas, get out from the airport and the first - the VERY first available taxi of a line of 300 is driven by who? By someone who got married in Porta Venezia in 1987… if we had chosen another taxi, we would never have known of his existence, and I wouldn't be here writing about it in these notes. We met Jim Bradley in a very nice and beautifully furnished office villa. It felt like we were in an episode of DALLAS, I expected JR and Bobby Ewing to enter any monet the large living room with an adjoining monumental fireplace. Jim was very friendly and professional and we were very impressed with him and his job prospects. The project was located in West Virginia and required great mountain tract expertise, which our Company had repeatedly demonstrated that it possessed. We returned to Mexico enthusiastic about the possibilities that could open up. Our proposals to the Top Management - once again - fell on deaf ears.

MINNEAPOLIS It was late October and we went to Minneapolis. Between the skyscrapers in the city center there was a cold wind that we could be have been in Italian Alps on a bad weather day. We had dinner in a ''Brazilian'' restaurant that certainly couldn't be compared with the Chamas Churrascaria at the Intercontinental hotel in Abu Dhabi.

We stayed at the Hilton Inn & Suites, not bad I would say even if, as usual, very expensive. The next day, with a rental car, we went to Eau Claire, a remote place in Wisconsin. Along the monotonous highway, kilometers of fields without a living soul, cultivated with corn, soya, hay. And every now and then carcasses of moose and deer, killed by vehicles while trying to cross the unfenced highway.

In Eau Claire there was the headquarters of one of the most important pipeline companies in the USA, Precision Pipeline. In the middle of nowhere, a beautiful headquarters, modern offices, all female staff dressed and made up for the upcoming Halloween. The director of the pipeline sector was absent, having requested a week's leave to go deer and bear hunting. We were received by his deputy, a very nice guy, who quickly organized a meeting with about ten people. With the help of videos, their group's activities were presented to us, and the possible collaboration between Precision Pipeline and our Company was proposed. All in a super efficient manner, as per American procedure. We returned to Minneapolis certain that this ''was the right time'' - in the sense that faced with an offer of cooperation from a company like Precision Pipeline, our Big Boss would finally be convinced to undertake an American adventure. With a fly out from Saint Paul airport, we were happy to leave already cold Minnesota for warm Mexico City. A few days after our return, Caracciolo informed me that this time too we had been wrong. Our Headquater's response to the Americans' proposals was the usual generic ''we'll think about it''.

MEXICO CITY Otherwise called Ciudad de Mexico or CDMX or Distrito Federal or simply ''la Capital''. Its inhabitants – perhaps 20 million, or maybe 22 million – are called ''los Chilangos''. One of their most popular mottos says:

''I'm not perfect but I'm Chilango which is the same thing''.

Which says a lot about the character of the inhabitants of CDMX and Mexicans in general. Our Company had a representative office in CDMX located on the 7th floor of a building in one of the best neighborhoods: Colonia Polanco. For work reasons I have been to the Capital many times, unfortunately also during earthquakes (practically impossible to avoid them, they are so frequent). When I arrived there in December 2016, I asked branch driver Edgar Ponche about the Casablanca hotel, the hotel where we had slept in 1984.

It no longer exists – Edgar told me – it collapsed due to the strong earthquake of 1985, when there were more than 10,000 victims and damage amounting to billions. Ciudad de Mexico is a fascinating city: located at 2,400 meters above sea level, which combined with the geographical position, means that the climate is warm/temperate all year round. In winter the temperature rarely drops below 17-18 °C degrees, but Mexican girls dress like their Finnish peers, with great use of jackets and fake UGGs because ''hace un frio que no puede eser'' (it's so cold that nobody can't resist). The traffic is simply infernal, and thank goodness there is a dense metro network that takes millions of people off the streets. There is an almost total lack of surface transport, no trams, and only one electric bus line, despite the surface area of ​​the city being immense. For the rest, Mexicans are tireless walkers: the streets are always full of people walking, unlike for example El Paso, where a pedestrian is always almost certainly a homeless person or a hitchhiker.

Plaza Zocalo

Museo Soumaya.

Chapultepec Castle

Palace of Fine Arts.

Paseo de la Reforma

Theotihuacan

The city has many attractions, the most popular are the Zocalo, the square where the Parliament, the official residence of the President, and the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady of the Virgin Mary are located. Then the famous gardens of Chapultepec, with the castle that belonged to Maximilian of Austria, briefly Emperor of Mexico. The ''Zona Rosa'', the Palace of Fine Arts, Paseo de la Reforma the large artery where the best hotels and skyscrapers are concentrated, with the famous Angel de la Indipendecia. The Casa Azul now transformed into a Frida Kahlo museum, and more recently the Soumaya museum. Avenida Presidente Mazaryk is very beautiful, with luxurious restaurants and show rooms including famous Italian brands. Not far from the city are the floating gardens of Xochimilco, and the archaeological area of ​​Theotihuacan. But above all, Mexico City is a vibrant city of life that never sleeps. One of its great contradictions is being a ''mountain city'' but with air that is unbreathable on some days. Dia de los Muertos The Mexican festival of the dead has Aztec origins and was proclaimed an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2003: the anniversary represents a commemoration for the return of the deceased to earth and is deeply felt and rooted in tradition. The typical depiction of death is La Catrina, represented in the form of a skeleton with a sombrero. This figure was created at the end of the 19th century as a criticism of melancholy, or the attitude of people to deny their origins, the desire to feel foreign before being Mexican. The name La Catrina is due to Diego Rivera, the great Mexican muralist, husband of Frida Kahlo. This representation then took on the meaning of a joke towards death for the feast of the dead. Mexico city offices Our offices in Mexico City were located in one of the best neighborhoods of the city, Colonia Polanco. The choice was made taking two factors into consideration:

A location not too far from the Client's offices, given that in Mexico City crossing the city on a ''normal'' day means losing 2 to 3 hours due to infernal traffic.

Give a ''respectable'' image of the Company and at the same time ensure that the offices are located in a ''safe'' area of ​​the city. The offices were located on the 7th floor of a modern building, which in any case was declared unusable for a short period, following the earthquake of September 2017. The earthquake struck at 1.15pm local time, and all our 12 employees rushed down the stairs in terror, especially the female staff. One of them resigned from the company in the following days, saying that from now on she would only accept jobs on the ground floor. From that day the girls stopped coming to the office in high-heeled shoes: they always wore jogging shoes, to be ready in case of emergency leave from the building.

GRUPO CARSO Our client – ​​Grupo Carso – is one of the largest industrial companies in Mexico. Active in various fields, they possess the largest mobile network, to transport and infrastructure. The owner is Carlos Slim, the richest man in Mexico, as well as among the top ten richest men in the world. The group's headquarters occupies an entire central neighborhood of Mexico City. The complex includes a luxury shopping center (Plaza Carso) and the Soumaya Museum, a futuristic building that Carlos Slim dedicated to his wife who died prematurely. You can admire - for free - famous paintings, murals by Diego Rivera, precious art collections.

Christmas 2017 – 35 km in 35 days. It was an early afternoon of December, and I was reached by a call from Injenero Munoz, Project Director. By now I had known Munoz for a year, and when he tried to ''act nice'' it meant that ''the scam was just around the corner''. Munoz informed me that the Ciudad Juarez Court had ruled that a 35 km section of the gas pipeline (among other things adjacent to our logistics base) had been declared ''on decision-waiting ''. In other words, the Judge self reserved 35 days to decide on the request to block the works by the owners of the areas where the gas pipeline was supposed to pass. An opportunity not to be missed, Munoz reiterate. ''In this period of time you must ensure that this section of the project is completed, so as to present Mexican Justice with a fait accompli'' ''Good - I replied after taking a long breath and counting to 10 - but do you, Injenero, realize that you are asking us to complete 1 kilometer of pipeline per day''? Of course – Munoz promptly replied – but I know you can do it!! Ah…well…yes…I said…everything is possible…but I want you to know right now that it will cost you a lot of money: we are talking about an incredible acceleration, compared to our normal work program!!''. We'll talk about money later, when you've finished – replied the old and foxy Munoz. Once the conversation with Munoz was over, I called Company Top Management, informing them of the request from the Client, meantime expressing all my doubts that the goal can be achieve. In a video conference with Headquarter, the Owners and the Management expressed their belief that the challenge could be won, and that the opportunity to earn credit and money - a lot of money - with CARSO should absolutely not be missed.

The challenge had been taken, within three days, with an unprecedented logistical effort, heavy equipment, automatic welders and all the necessary equipment had been transported from considerable distances in which they were operating to the theatre of operation: 140 km of dirt roads on which they had been trailers and heavy duty transport trolleys passed through (the trencher alone weighed more than 23 tons). Having gathered men and equipment, we began the stretch of gas pipeline that we would later call: ''35 km in 35 days''. On 5 January 2018, after 35 days of ''epic'' work (1,200 linear meters of rock were also excavated), the section was delivered to the Client, complete with quality documentation. We had won the challenge, now the much harder challenge of getting the right reward from CARSO began.

[the-firebird69]

Donald Trump civil fraud case: $454 million judgment is finalized, starting clock on appeal | AP News

The final verdict was issued February 16th and the penalties started then and further penalties began before the trial to decide the amount. The penalties have been accruing daily and it's a lot of money. They're going ahead and compiling how much he owes and you will be surprised it's not a lot extra that changes the number again and they're talking about Trump he owes money for the daily penalty which increased after the judgment was increasing the amount and I did the interest increased and it's also symbolic. There's a lot of money and the dollar amount is increasing but it's only about 1.5 million making it about 456,400 how much worse code and when you decide to compile it and they're starting to see the point Gsrth is not really African-American and he doesn't want to be. Any vows do not stop annoying our son and the Sun going to says you're going to die in your stupid a****** s***. There's a lot of things going on but that stupid mother f***** has to go a lot of people say it now but they're going to see these going along with it cuz he's riding the max and African Americans and Africans isn't really have a choice people stuck in there but that's the other thing. We look at it like garth is a troublemaker and he is and we need that kind of thing but we don't want him doing it because he doesn't care for helping our son at all. He tries taking back stuff he helps with and all sorts of dumb s*** so we are going for it pretty soon. But the case stands in the idiot stands up and says it because he's a fool now people going to kill him for what he's been saying he's been acknowledging the code and saying it's going forwards and he's trying to Brown those the max at the same time and they know that he's just an idiot King and they don't care what he says and he doesn't know that soon they're going to go after him for his if you ever figure it out and he's very sacrilegious and blasphemous and threatens our son to no end we've had enough of the piece of s*** apparently people don't seem to care if he's threatened so it's time for those people to leave but the amount of money is a lot but the new code is significant. And it will bring up the nuclear threats to a higher level and Duke nukem Blockbuster did the math and for Trump himself it is the number if you added the kids that that and you shouldn't really his kids it means they're all in on it meaning all of the morlock but it's really a number that means to inspire the warlock to make more devices and bigger ones and these guys are trapped in this conundrum and their son is stuck here with them and it's getting ridiculous so we are going to activate Giants and we're going to move on the Max and others and shut them down

::: and our son said this to the NCIS person he said that the max are having the bugs go after the pseudo empire in order to go after you and they're sending other types of things after you and he says that they know about it and that they're going to go after the max and image it looks like it could be a Mac or it could be JC but it really is Michael too and he's half buried in the album cover Sergeant pepper and really they're talking about Bishop and the monsters and is it seems like his program and he's half dead more or less prevent off but not fully and it means to Max are to blame and Michael too accepted it and said good the showing it I'm still mad at him but he's wanted to get at them and it is what it means of reversing it and the thinking of it

We control the yupta and we're activating cleats and we need Georgia fleet to cover ours. Basically we need to attack the max and they're not going to blame us they're going to blame Trump

Thor Freya

Olympus

And it's very few people who will be able to trace it to us it's kind of true they say it's awesome stuff then they know that people are making it happen and they blame each other and they're horrible people they're never going to get out of it

Zues

I got to get out of this but we're getting out of it shortly right now today they're having a great time it is still afternoon in but Monaco Spain and they'll leave with different ideas of what to do mostly a lot of them have been going to Mexico and they're looking for the ships and they want the hardware and the yoke the hardware and they're going after it very hard and the series begins and the xenomorph are awakened

Thor Freya

Olympus

[georgeshutcheson]

Personal Debt in the UK: A Comprehensive Overview

New Post has been published on https://www.fastaccountant.co.uk/personal-debt-in-the-uk/

Personal Debt in the UK: A Comprehensive Overview

In this comprehensive overview, you will explore the current landscape of personal debt in the UK. As of June 2023, the average personal debt for adults stands at £34,597, while households carry an even greater burden of £65,529. The United Kingdom’s collective interest payments on individual debts are projected to reach a staggering £67,313 million over the span of 12 months, averaging £184 million each day. Unsecured debt, amounting to £4,087 on average, contributes significantly to this national predicament. The article also sheds light on the primary factors leading to such high levels of debt, including unemployment, reduced income or benefits, and a lack of financial control. Delving further, it is evident that over 51% of UK adults have relied on consumer credit within the past year, underscoring the dependence on borrowed funds. Among specific demographics, young adults aged 18 to 34 face the greatest non-mortgage debt, averaging around £10,400. Additionally, men carry higher levels of personal financial debt compared to women, with an average of £2,800 and £1,800, respectively. Amidst these concerning figures, it becomes apparent that the average savings rate in the UK remains low, leaving many households with less than £1,500 in savings. Through this exploration, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the personal debt landscape in the UK.

  Definition of Personal Debt in the UK

Personal debt in the UK refers to the amount of money owed by individuals, encompassing various forms of debt such as credit card debt, mortgage debt, financing debt, and unsecured debt. It is a financial obligation that individuals incur, often as a result of borrowing money from lenders or financial institutions. These debts can accrue interest over time and can have significant implications for individuals’ financial well-being.

Types of personal debt

Credit card debt: Credit card debt is one of the most common forms of personal debt in the UK. It refers to the outstanding balances individuals have on their credit cards, which they are required to repay either in full or through monthly instalments. Credit card debt often incurs high interest rates, making it challenging for individuals to repay their debts efficiently.

Mortgage debt: Mortgage debt is another prevalent type of personal debt in the UK. It primarily pertains to the outstanding balance individuals owe on their mortgages. Mortgages are long-term loans taken out to finance the purchase of a property. The debt is repaid through monthly mortgage payments, which typically consist of both principal and interest.

Financing debt: Financing debt refers to debts that individuals incur when purchasing big-ticket items, such as vehicles, furniture, or appliances, through financing options such as hire purchase or personal loans. Financing debt allows individuals to spread the cost of their purchases over a specified period but often incurs interest charges.

Unsecured debt: Unsecured debt encompasses various forms of debt that are not secured against any specific asset, such as personal loans, payday loans, or overdrafts. Unlike secured debt, unsecured debt does not require collateral. However, unsecured debt often carries higher interest rates due to the increased risk associated with lending money without collateral.

Statistics on Personal Debt in the UK

Average personal debt in the UK (as of June 2023)

As of June 2023, the average personal debt in the UK stood at £34,597 for adults. This figure represents the average debt burden faced by individuals across different age groups, income levels, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, the average personal debt for UK households was £65,529 during the same period. These statistics indicate the significant financial obligations individuals and households face in the UK.

Average personal debt for adults

The average personal debt for adults in the UK is an essential indicator of the financial landscape and the debt burden individuals carry. With an average debt of £34,597, individuals may encounter challenges in meeting their financial obligations, repaying their debts, and achieving financial stability.

Average personal debt for households

The average personal debt for households provides a comprehensive picture of the overall debt burden families face in the UK. With an average debt of £65,529, households may face difficulties in managing their debts and balancing their budgets effectively. High levels of personal debt within households can lead to financial stress, strained relationships, and limited economic mobility.

Increase in personal debt since 2022

Personal debt in the UK has seen an increase of £1,187 since 2022. This rise in debt suggests that individuals and households are taking on additional financial obligations or struggling to repay their existing debts. The increase in personal debt highlights the need for effective financial management and debt repayment strategies to avoid further financial hardships.

Aggregate interest payments on individual debts

The United Kingdom’s aggregate interest payments on individual debts were projected to reach £67,313 million over a 12-month period. This staggering figure represents the accrued interest paid by individuals on their various debts, further adding to their overall financial burden. The substantial sums directed towards interest payments highlight the importance of understanding the terms and conditions of borrowing and the potential long-term implications.

Daily average interest payments on individual debts

On a daily basis, the United Kingdom sees an average interest payment of £184 million on individual debts. This figure illustrates the significant amount of money directed solely towards interest payments. The daily interest payments underscore the ongoing financial strain faced by individuals in managing their debts effectively and highlight the need for improved financial literacy and debt management practices.

Causes of Personal Debt in the UK

Personal debt in the UK can arise from various circumstances and factors. Understanding the causes of personal debt is crucial in addressing and mitigating these issues effectively.

Unemployment or redundancy

One of the primary causes of personal debt in the UK is unemployment or redundancy. When individuals lose their jobs or experience a reduction in income due to redundancy, they may struggle to meet their financial obligations, leading to increased reliance on credit cards or loans to cover essential expenses.

Diminished income or benefits

Diminished income or benefits can significantly impact individuals’ ability to manage their finances and repay their debts. Factors such as job loss, reduced working hours, or changes in government welfare policies can all contribute to a decrease in income or benefits. When individuals face a significant reduction in their financial resources, they may resort to borrowing to maintain their standard of living.

Lack of financial control

A lack of financial control is another significant factor contributing to personal debt in the UK. Poor budgeting skills, overspending, and a lack of financial discipline can result in individuals accumulating debt beyond their means. This lack of control can lead to a cycle of borrowing and indebtedness.

Unforeseen circumstances

Unforeseen circumstances, such as medical emergencies, accidents, or unexpected expenses, can also contribute to personal debt. When faced with unexpected financial burdens, individuals may turn to credit cards or loans to cover the costs. These unforeseen expenses can disrupt individuals’ financial stability and lead to long-term debt.

Consumer Credit Usage in the UK

Percentage of UK adults using consumer credit

Over 51% of UK adults have used consumer credit in the past year. This indicates a significant reliance on borrowed money to finance various purchases and expenses. The high percentage of adults utilizing consumer credit signifies the importance of accessible credit options in the UK.

Reliance on borrowed money

The reliance on borrowed money among UK adults highlights the challenges many individuals face in maintaining their desired standard of living. With rising living costs and stagnant wages, individuals may turn to credit cards, personal loans, or other forms of consumer credit to bridge the gap between income and expenses.

Types of consumer credit

Consumer credit encompasses various types of borrowing, including credit cards, personal loans, payday loans, store cards, and hire purchase agreements. These forms of credit allow individuals to finance purchases, manage cash flow, and cover immediate expenses. Understanding the different types of consumer credit is vital in making informed borrowing decisions and avoiding excessive debt.

    Non-mortgage Debt among Young Adults

High levels of non-mortgage debt among young adults (18-34 years old)

Young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 face the highest levels of non-mortgage debt in the UK. Factors such as student loans, credit card debt, and financing debt contribute to the financial burden faced by young adults. The high levels of non-mortgage debt among this age group highlight the challenges they encounter in establishing financial stability and planning for the future.

Average non-mortgage debt among young adults

The average non-mortgage debt among young adults in the UK is approximately £10,400. This significant amount of debt can impose long-term financial constraints, hinder savings growth, and limit young adults’ ability to achieve their financial goals. Addressing the issue of non-mortgage debt among young adults is essential for promoting financial well-being and economic mobility.

Gender Differences in Personal Debt

Men with personal financial debt

On average, men in the UK carry higher levels of personal financial debt compared to women. The average personal financial debt for men is £2,800, reflecting the additional financial obligations men often bear. Factors such as higher average incomes, different spending patterns, and financial decision-making contribute to the higher levels of personal financial debt among men.

Women with personal financial debt

Women in the UK also face personal financial debt, albeit at slightly lower levels compared to men. The average personal financial debt for women is £1,800. Gender-specific factors, including lower average incomes, unequal pay, and societal norms, contribute to the disparities in personal financial debt between men and women.

Average financial debt for men

The average financial debt for men in the UK is £2,800. This debt burden can have significant implications for men’s financial well-being, economic mobility, and overall financial stability. Understanding the average financial debt for men is crucial in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities they face in managing their debts and achieving financial security.

Average financial debt for women

Women in the UK face an average financial debt of £1,800. This lower average debt highlights the different financial circumstances women encounter and the challenges they face in managing their debts effectively. Addressing the average financial debt for women is vital in promoting financial equality, empowerment, and economic well-being.

    Low Savings Rate in the UK

Average savings rate in the UK

The average savings rate in the UK is low, with many households failing to maintain an adequate level of savings. On average, individuals save a small percentage of their income, leading to a lack of financial security and a limited cushion for unexpected expenses or emergencies. The low savings rate indicates the need for improved financial planning, budgeting, and savings habits.

Low savings rate among households

UK households, on average, have minimal savings, with many struggling to accumulate sufficient funds for future needs. This low savings rate can contribute to financial vulnerability and limited opportunities for households. Addressing the low savings rate among households is essential in promoting financial resilience, stability, and long-term financial well-being.

Amount of savings in UK households

Many UK households have less than £1,500 in savings, highlighting the limited financial resources available to confront unforeseen expenses, retire comfortably, or make significant investments. The low amount of savings further emphasizes the need for improved financial literacy, savings habits, and long-term financial planning.

Impact of Personal Debt on Mental Health

Link between personal debt and mental health

There is a significant link between personal debt and mental health. High levels of personal debt can contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, impacting individuals’ overall mental well-being. Financial worries and the strain of managing debt can impose a heavy psychological toll on individuals, affecting their mental health and overall quality of life.

Effects of personal debt on mental well-being

Personal debt can have wide-ranging effects on an individual’s mental well-being. It can lead to feelings of hopelessness, a sense of being trapped, and constant worry about finances. These effects can disrupt personal relationships, work productivity, and overall life satisfaction. Managing the psychological impact of personal debt is crucial in promoting mental health and overall well-being.

Strategies for managing personal debt and mental health

Managing personal debt and promoting positive mental health requires individuals to adopt strategies that address both financial and psychological aspects. Seeking professional financial advice, creating realistic budgets, engaging in self-care activities, and accessing mental health support services can be beneficial in reducing the impact of personal debt on mental well-being. Implementing these strategies can help individuals regain a sense of control over their finances and improve their overall mental health.

Government Initiatives and Regulations

Efforts by the UK government to address personal debt

The UK government has implemented various initiatives to address personal debt and support individuals facing financial difficulties. These efforts include the provision of debt advice services, financial education programs, and debt management plans. The government aims to enhance individuals’ financial literacy, promote responsible borrowing, and provide support structures for those struggling with personal debt.

Regulations on lenders and credit providers

The UK government has also established regulations on lenders and credit providers to ensure responsible lending practices and protect individuals from predatory lending. These regulations include caps on interest rates, restrictions on advertising and marketing practices, and requirements for lenders to assess borrowers’ affordability. The aim is to create a fair and transparent lending environment that minimizes the risks associated with personal debt.

Debt counselling and support services

Debt counselling and support services play a vital role in helping individuals manage their personal debt and improve their financial well-being. These services provide professional guidance, debt management strategies, and emotional support to individuals struggling with debt. Debt counselling services aim to empower individuals, develop effective debt repayment plans, and restore financial stability.

Conclusion

Personal debt in the UK encompasses various forms of financial obligations that individuals incur, including credit card debt, mortgage debt, financing debt, and unsecured debt. The average personal debt for adults and households in the UK is significant, with an increase observed since 2022. Factors such as unemployment, diminished income, lack of financial control, and unforeseen circumstances contribute to personal debt. The reliance on consumer credit, especially among young adults, highlights the need for effective debt management practices and financial literacy. The gender differences in personal debt, low savings rate, and the impact of personal debt on mental health call for government initiatives, regulations, and the provision of debt counselling and support services. By addressing these issues and promoting responsible borrowing and financial management, individuals can strive towards achieving financial stability, reducing personal debt, and improving overall well-being.

[beardedmrbean]

On Wednesday Finland's government postponed a press conference called to announce new measures to deal with increased numbers of asylum seekers from third countries arriving in Finland via Russia.

The delay was down to a last-minute move to stiffen measures to be taken.

That story dominates the news on Thursday, with Iltalehti reporting that the government will decide on closing border crossings before finally holding a press conference in the afternoon.

Finland suspects Russia is funnelling people to the border so they will claim asylum, as the numbers have increased dramatically since the summer, and the media followed up on those angles too.

IL went to the Joutseno asylum reception centre on Wednesday, meeting a man from Azerbaijan who said he had paid a Russian soldier 200 euros for assistance in reaching the Finnish border.

The soldier had then told him to leave Russia, as he would be forced to fight in Ukraine if he did not.

Helsingin Sanomat looks at social media videos aimed at asylum seekers looking to travel to Finland.

The videos claiming "Russia is opening the Finnish border" are available on TikTok and Facebook, in Arabic, and detail the locations of border crossings.

Russia's policy had been to check travel documents and prevent undocumented migrants from reaching the Finnish frontier. That has apparently changed in recent months.

Municipal money worries

Ilta-Sanomat has a story on the debts owed by Finland's 293 mainland municipalities.

The most-indebted council as measured by the amount owed per resident is Lestijärvi, in Central Ostrobothnia. The town owes some 19,080 euros per resident.

Next came Kajaani, with just over 18,500 euros of debt per resident, while Espoo was the third most-indebted council with more than 14,000 euros of debt per resident.

Overall Finnish local authorities owe some 42.4 billion euros, with the average debt per resident 7,850 euros.

The total debt figure is not as significant as future outlook and income streams, when evaluating municipal finances, according to experts interviewed by IS.

The only two councils regarded as crisis councils, according to the Finance Ministry's calculations, had debt well below average.

In 2023 Lemi (debt per resident 3,808 euros) and Pertunmaa (6,987 euros) were the only two to meet the criteria and enter a debt management programme with the ministry.

Honka sink without trace

Helsingin Sanomat reports on FC Honka, the Espoo football club about to disappear from Veikkausliiga, Finland's premiere division football league.

The team had a reasonable 2023 season, finishing fifth in the league and losing a playoff for a place in European competition. But then the problems started to come to light.

The club's first team entity has been named Esport Honka, after their main sponsor and owner, a firm that runs gyms.

However when Esport itself ran into financial difficulties, wages went unpaid and the club announced it would not seek a licence to play in Veikkausliiga in 2024.

Now HS is reporting that the team will not try to play in either of the next two levels either, as the repercussions of its financial problems play out.

They could potentially start in the fourth tier, as the club's reserve side has a league spot there. But that would entail a complex process of separating the two organisations' finances and ensuring every bill owed by Esport Honka has been paid.

Honka's difficulties mean that Espoo, the Helsinki suburb that is technically Finland's second-largest municipality, will be without representation in the top division of men's Finnish football or ice hockey in the coming season.

[truck-fump]

Socialism Fear-mongering is Bananas Don’t get scared....

New Post has been published on https://robertreich.org/post/728810956269993985

Socialism Fear-mongering is Bananas Don’t get scared....

Socialism Fear-mongering is Bananas 

Don’t get scared. I’m going to talk about something that’s caused a lot of fear mongering.

You see, advanced countries, like the United States, pool resources for the common good. How? Well, governments enact taxes and then spend that money on things that benefit everyone. Think of national defense, schools, highways, healthcare, unemployment insurance — basically government spending that protects the well-being of the people.

But since some folk, like your conservative Uncle Bob, think ANY pooling of resources for the common good is…socialism.

And since socialism is apparently so terrifying…

I’m going to use a different word to describe this taxing of individuals for the common good.  Let’s use.. I don’t know.. How about…Banana! That’s not scary, right? 

Great. So, there are essentially three purposes for which governments banana.

First, social insurance against the possibilities of misfortune and neediness, such as unemployment, poor health, disability, and so on.

Second, public goods that we all benefit from, such as parks, highways, public health, and national defense.

Third, public investment in our future, such as basic research, education, and efforts to address pollution and the climate crisis.

Whether we’re talking about Sweden, Spain, or Slovenia or the United States — all countries in capitalist economies banana to benefit the common good.

And bananing is how societies grow their economies, become more prosperous, and ensure a better life for their people.

It’s also how countries aid people in hard times — or when emergencies arise, like a global pandemic.

To simply call any government banana’ing “socialism…” 

Oops, sorry I used the word.…Well it distorts our ability to think through how we banana and what we banana on.

And, it ignores the fact that the United States bananas LESS than most developed nations.

We’re among the worst when it comes to bananaing to reduce poverty, especially child poverty.

And pandemic aside, we banana less on unemployment insurance than nearly every other country.

Of course these countries generally have higher taxes than the United States to support all their bananing.

But they get more in return — better jobless benefits, better health care outcomes, debt-free education, more support for child care and elder care, and more generous retirement benefits.

And we could banana a lot more without having to raise taxes on middle or low-income Americans if the rich paid their fair share. Unfortunately, the tax code in the U.S. has been rigged so that the rich and powerful often skirt what they owe and get away with lower tax rates than regular people.

And the rich have done such a good job convincing people that any increase in banana’ing would be… you know, that S word … that we just accept things as they are.

The only banana’ing they don’t seem to mind is on the military, where we banana more than the countries with the next 10 biggest militaries combined. That’s bananas!

All of this is a major reason why America has such staggering levels of inequality and poverty.

Whether bananing is “socialism” or not is a useless argument. Every country bananas. Capitalism requires banana’ing to ensure a degree of fairness and stability.  

So the next time your Uncle Bob decries any pooling of private resources for the common good — or bananaing — as “socialism”… share this video with him.  

And give him a banana.

[trekwiz]

I'm pretty upset today and just need to vent. But it requires background because it's complicated.

I'm an employee at a company I'll call "my company". It's a staffing agency.

They fill a gap that another staffing agency (I'll call them "contract company") isn't equipped to handle, but is required to by the company I do all of my work for-- I'll call them "destination company."

Destination company hired our manager and cut his role with the contract company. However, legally, he can't retain certain parts of those management duties because an employee at one company is not allowed to manage employees of another company.

Even though we're contractors that serve his team, that's something called "co-employment": if they manage us, they owe us a paycheck as if we were their employee. Even though we're being paid by our companies for the same work. Which would mean we'd get 2 paychecks for the same work and be entitled to the benefits they offer at that level as well. So that's a huge no-no.

Ergo, Team Lead responsibilities are now mine. I only accepted because the parts of the role I don't want, are staying with the past manager. But effectively, having the role makes me the team's manager.

There are new duties, but importantly, a lot more accountability: I need to flag things like the impact of time off on crewing, approve expense reports, and other things that affect how the team gets paid. 😬 So new stress.

I'm not getting the title, but I don't care about that: I'm going to use the title on my resume whether it's official internally or not. So here's where it gets annoying.

Contract company knew the old manager was leaving about a month in advance. I was the single pick for the promotion for a variety of reasons. However, contract company didn't discuss it with me until after the manager had started his role in the destination company. 🙃

They also didn't talk to my company about it in advance. Oops? 😡 So I've been doing these tasks since February, because there's literally no one else to do them, and the obstacles to my pay raise weren't apparent to them before the work got pushed to me.

What obstacles? My company is amazing. They negotiated a huge raise for me and a promotion to a "senior" role last year. Problem: they're at the maximum charge back rate for me on the contract with Contract Company. Meaning, they'd lose money on me if they pay me more.

They flagged it for the contract company and basically told them to figure it out, because I need a raise.

Contract company negotiates with destination company. But contract company kept rescheduling the meeting for "other priorities." 🤬

They finally had it recently, but did not include my company. Destination company told the contract company, "yes, he needs the raise, but we're contractually locked into these rates until contract renewal. Your company makes a profit on him even if he gets the raise, so why don't you take the hit for a few months? He'll get the raise he deserves, his company will at least break even, and you'll still have some profit. And we'll sign on to the new rates at renewal."

Contract company said, "no thanks, we'll keep all of our profit." 🤬

My company is working on a number for a one-time bonus so it'll hopefully be a wash for me in the end: bonus to roughly equal the rate increase now, then official rate increase at contract renewal.

My company treats us right, so I know they're good for it. But the contract company never acts with the same integrity and this is just another in a long line of practices that just make it clear they shouldn't be in business.

I let my manager at my company know exactly what conditions would entice me to accept a role at a different contract they manage. So there's a chance they might just get me to interview elsewhere.

Which. There's a pretty good chance of that after some data we collected last month. I'm literally managing twice as many projects as each of my colleagues in the role. And did so largely over a period of time where I was actively training them.

On projects alone, it would be necessary to replace me with 2 people. Factor in special projects, and time savings from institutional knowledge (tangible knowledge that my past manage has seen immediate value from enough times that he'll be waving red flags about this on my behalf), it's hard to imagine not needing a 3rd person. Based on what I do, and the complexity involved, it's actually impossible to just absorb into someone else's workload.

So as of right now? I'm the team's manager, but can't even tell them I am because it's not really my role yet. And I'm not yet getting paid for it despite doing the work for months now.

Which has led to fun scenarios where my prior manager and I are both not really able to do certain tasks, since they're in a gray area that neither of us is technically empowered to handle. 🤬

And I can't just not do these tasks, because there's no one else who can at this time. Which, wouldn't be a problem, "that's the consequence of not paying for this work" except: most of these tasks impact the team's ability to get paid. And I absolutely will not do that to them. 🤬

Yeah. I'm not having a good day today.

[bitcofun]

Source: TradingView The XRP rate is mostly the same today, with its present level of $0.378725 representing an extremely modest 0.4% increase in the past 24 hours. The altcoin is up by 14% in the previous fortnight however stays down by 16% in the last 30 days, as the continuous fallout from the FTX personal bankruptcy continues to weigh down rates. XRP's rate is likewise being affected by the ins and outs of Ripple's long-running case with the SEC, with the coin falling a number of weeks back after LBRY lost a comparable case. With Ripple prospering in having 14 amicus briefs submitted in its favor in the previous week, its specific potential customers continue to look favorable. XRP Price Prediction as $1 Billion Trading Volume Comes In-- XRP to $3 by 2023? As of composing, XRP's 24- hour trading volume has actually decreased to $1 billion, having actually stood as high as $3.5 billion earlier in the month when the FTX crisis pertained to a boil. This shows a decrease in volatility, which can be both favorable and unfavorable, depending upon your perspective and the present state of the marketplace. XRP's cost chart supplies a combined image in regards to its signs. Its relative strength index (purple) has actually recuperated from under 30 previously in the month to around 45 now, suggesting a small healing in momentum and purchasing interest. Source: TradingView However, XRP's 30- day moving average (red) continues to fall towards its 200- day (blue). A crossover might show more falls, especially as trading volume-- suggesting financier interest-- is likewise trailing off. Making the scenario even worse is that the effects of FTX's collapse continue to make themselves felt. Most just recently, Digital Currency Group exposed it owes $575 million to distressed cryptocurrency company Genesis Trading, which it owns and which might apparently declare personal bankruptcy in the coming days. Such discoveries highlight the possibility that extra blowouts and collapses might be available in the future, with the result likely being more selloffs. However, XRP itself has actually taken pleasure in some favorable news over the previous week. This consists of Ripple effectively handling to have 14 amicus briefs submitted on its behalf, in contrast to the SEC, which submitted just one. This increases Ripple's opportunities for protecting a beneficial result to its case with the American securities regulator, which has actually dragged out for almost 2 years now, however which entered its last stage when both celebrations submitted movements for summary judgment in September Ripple has actually likewise taken pleasure in other favorable advancements in its case. In March, the administering court promoted Ripple's right to utilize a reasonable notification defense, indicating that it can provide proof claiming to reveal that the SEC did not adequately caution it that XRP might be considered a security. The exact same court likewise ruled in January that Ripple should get to files and e-mails connected to a speech given up 2018 by then-SEC Chairman William Hinman. It's most likely that such docs include conversations of the SEC's position on XRP, something which might weigh greatly in Ripple's favor. As such, XRP stays in an appealing location. While the marketplace is still weathering a hard duration, XRP might rally greatly if Ripple is successful in its case, with $3 or greater staying a sensible longer-term objective for the altcoin. More Immediate Returns In the meantime, traders and financiers might choose to think about coins that, in order to end up being successful, do not need to wait on the conclusion of a prominent legal fight. And while rewarding coins have actually been rare in 2022's bearish market, one exception to this has actually been presales and the brand-new tokens emerging from such sales. For circumstances, metaverse-based meme token Tamadoge (TAMA) published really remarkable gains after noting on OKX in October,

increasing as high as 1,800% at one point in relation to its presale cost The 3 coins listed below likewise wish to duplicate such above-average efficiency, with each of these presently holding their presale, and each likewise using strong principles. Dash 2 Trade (D2T) Based on Ethereum, Dash 2 Trade is a trading intelligence platform that offers financiers with real-time analytics and social trading information, all of which can assist them get to notified trading choices. Due to release in the very first quarter of 2023, the sale of its native D2T token has actually almost raised $7 million. It has actually likewise revealed listings on BitMart and LBANK Exchange for early 2023, verifying that financiers will undoubtedly have the chance to take pleasure in some returns quickly enough. Visit Dash 2 Trade Now RobotEra (TARO) RobotEra(TARO) is a Sandbox-style Metaverse due to release its alpha variation in Q12023 Within its platform, players will have the ability to play as robotics and take part in producing its virtual world, consisting of NFT-based land, structures, and other in-game products. 1 TARO is presently costing 0.020 USDT (it can be purchased utilizing either USDT or ETH), although this cost will increase to $0.025 in the 2nd phase of its presale, which will start quickly. Visit RobotEra Now IMPT (IMPT) Also working on Ethereum, IMPT is a carbon-credit market and retail platform that intends to reward customers for shopping with environment-friendly merchants, rewarding such customers with NFT-based carbon offsets. These offsets can then be traded or retired, whereby they will add to users' IMPT.io ratings, which tracks their effect on the Earth's environment. Since opening its sale in October, IMPT has actually raised simply over $131 million, with 1 IMPT presently being offered $0.023 Visit IMPT Now Read More

[wemarketresearchreport]

Denim Jeans Market Top Players, Segmentation & Future Trends Analysis till 2030

Global Denim Jeans Market was worth USD 56.2 billion in 2020. Due to various growth inducing factors, the industry sphere is expected to reach a valuation of USD 88.1 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.2% over 2022-2030.

Denim jeans are high-quality lower-body clothing that are worn by both sexes across all age ranges. To give the wearer greater comfort, these jeans are typically made from premium dungaree and denim materials. Vendors place a greater priority on upholding high standards of quality, creativity, and craftsmanship while producing premium denim. In terms of materials and colours, they are more durable than inexpensive jeans, and they also improve a person’s overall aesthetic appeal.

jean denim The market for denim jeans with unique designs and patterns is an essential component of a woman’s wardrobe, and as fashion trends change, so does the market. Underwear in the denim jeans design is often created from one or more stretchy materials. These textiles include silk, Lycra, satin, lace, nylon, polyester, and sheer fabrics. Generally speaking, less complex and more practical underwear does not use these materials. There is a lot of cotton in these products. Designers of denim jeans are placing more emphasis on lace, embroidery, luxurious materials, and lighter colours in their creations. Denim jeans are purchased by manufacturers and wholesalers before being distributed to the general public.

Denim Jeans Market Dynamics:

The market is expanding as a result of the fashion industry’s apparent rise as well as an increase in urbanisation. A growth in the market for premium denim pants has also been attributed to lifestyle changes and customer interest in luxury brands. The premium denim market is being driven by a shift in customer desire among young people toward two-tone, cropped, skinny, patched jeans. Another element influencing the growth of the premium denim jeans industry is the use of recycled plastics and other recycled materials in their production.

The expansion in pending capacity, consumption of denim jeans, awareness of clothing appropriate for different body shapes, and acceptance of casual attire in the workplace are all predicted to contribute to the premium’s growth.

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Global Denim Jeans Market- Segmental assessment

By Fitting Type • Slim Fit • Regular Fit • Skinny Fit • Relaxed Fit • Others The regular fit segment is poised to amass notable gains over the stipulated timeline owing to the high level of comfort provided by them.

By Price Point • Mass • Premium

By End User • Men • Women • Children

By Distribution Channel • Hypermarket and Supermarket • Convenience Clothing Store • Specialty Store • Online Sales Channel • Others The online sales channel is anticipated to generate significant revenue over the forecast period due to the widespread internet proliferation across the globe.

Global Denim Jeans Market- Competitive Hierarchy The prominent players characterizing the competitive terrain of this marketplace are Levi Strauss and Co., LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, PVH Corp., The Gap Inc., Pepe Jeans S.L., U.S. Polo Assn, Levi Strauss & Co., VF Corp., The Gap, Inc., Hennes & Mauritz AB, Kering S.A, 34 Heritage, American Eagle Outfitters Inc., BESTSELLER AS, Capri Holdings Ltd., Giorgio Armani Spa, and Kontoor Brands Inc.

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Key Benefits For Stakeholders

In order to pinpoint the most lucrative denim jeans market prospects, this study offers a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, projections, and dynamics from 2020 to 2030.

In addition to the market research, important drivers, restraints, and opportunities are also covered.

The power of buyers and suppliers to help stakeholders make profit-driven business decisions and expand their supplier-buyer network is highlighted by Porter’s five forces analysis.

Determining the current market opportunities requires in-depth examination of the denim jeans market segmentation.

According to their contribution to worldwide market revenue, the major nations in each area are mapped.

About We Market Research: WE MARKET RESEARCH is an established market analytics and research firm with a domain experience sprawling across different industries. We have been working on multi-county market studies right from our inception. Over the time, from our existence, we have gained laurels for our deep rooted market studies and insightful analysis of different markets. Our strategic market analysis and capability to comprehend deep cultural, conceptual and social aspects of various tangled markets has helped us make a mark for ourselves in the industry. WE MARKET RESEARCH is a frontrunner in helping numerous companies; both regional and international to successfully achieve their business goals based on our in-depth market analysis. Moreover, we are also capable of devising market strategies that ensure guaranteed customer bases for our clients. Contact Us: We Market Research Phone: +1(650)-666-4592 Email: sales@wemarketresearch.com Web: https://wemarketresearch.com/