#Brading Strategies

[indigomarketings]

How To Build A Business Strategy With Online Brading - Indigo marketing

Mastering Online Branding for Business Strategy! 🚀

Learn the essential steps to build a strong online brand and propel your business to new heights. Discover the secrets of effective branding and create a winning strategy today!

[estacha1-blog]

Estacha Group is the leading branding Conultancy  in India, we provides incorporate ideas that energies & inspire identification of brand's USPS

[estacha]

Estacha Group is the leading branding Conultancy  in India, we provides incorporate ideas that energies & inspire identification of brand's USPS

[30thfeb1]

A Brand Agency run by experienced consultants & creative minds of industry with expertise in Branding, Design, Content, Marketing, Website,SEO and Social Media

[lynxmuse]

“Business park.”  Chances are (especially if you are from North America) this immediately conjures up an image for you:  low slung concrete slabs of the most unimaginative type* in a sea of pavement with, if lucky, a modicum of dying grass (about as far from a park as possible).  Most towns and cities have them, tucked away here and there and not a place you’d want to be in, even if you have to be there.

The video above is not really about architecture; it’s main focus is on transportation.  But I couldn’t stop from ogling the buildings in this business park.  Because they are actually designed and intended as architecture rather than just the cheapest container for collecting rent money (and if it keeps the rain off then that’s a bonus).   Rather than being soul crushing this area is pleasant and even delightful to be in.  And walkable to boot!

To be fair, this might be considered more of a commercial district than a business park, as it seems to be filled with larger companies than the tiny affairs that usually occupy the North American business park.  But there’s a similar district of that sort to where I live, with some very large companies indeed, filled with 4-6 story buildings, and even those are not as engaging** as the ones there in Amsterdam.  Not to mention the interstitial “landscape” is nothing short of a scorched earth no man’s land that very clearly says that you do not matter.

Great video by Not Just Bikes, and a great example that architecture and design is possible and preferable everywhere, making for spaces that enliven us rather than be something we need to overcome.  Even just to do business.

* It’s such a cliché that a raze-and-rebuild development here braded themselves as notanotherbox.com as part of their advertising strategy.   The resulting building is quite certainly not a box, and is almost as nice as some of the ones in the video.

** This is one thing I’ve been excited to see travelling abroad:  a higher “baseline design quality” when compared to North America.  One, agan, that says “life is important, we should make it great for us!” rather than, again again, “sorry, you do not matter.”

*** I heartily recommend all of Not Just Bikes’ videos.  They’re fun and well put together and really do a great job to show what’s possible when we remember us humans in our urban design, and how much life is better when we do.

[mitchelljanie]

Online Communities

There are many effective principles on online community building with social media. As a social media consultant, expert, or someone trying to effectively promote on social media, there needs to be collaboration with the target market and steps taken to successfully complete realistic goals.

After reading Chapter 4 of The Social Organization, the “Six F” Model of Attitudes Toward Social Media stood out to me. These include, rolly, fearful, flippant, formulating, forging and fusing (Bradely). More specifically, fearful and formulating. The fearful aspect is where people see social media as a “threat to productivity, intellectual capital, privacy, management authority, or regulatory compliance” (Bradley). I see this fearful aspect becoming more apparent as we learn more about big data. An organization needs to be intentional with their promotions on social media in order to reach these customers. The formulating aspect combines “both the value of community collaboration and the need to be more organized and strategic in its use” (Bradely). I think this stands out because we see so many brands/organizations every day through social media, so the organization and meaning behind the post has to be well thought out to reach the customers.

After reading Chapter 5 of The Social Organization, the beginning of the chapter stood out to me the most with “The Importance of Purpose.” The way that posts are worded and how they look can send a certain message to customers that you may not want. The importance of a well thought out post and a better understanding of how different people perceive it differently is extremely important to online community building with social media.

After completing the Hootsuite module, I better understand how important it is to be organized. Social media is a fast moving industry, and if you are not organized as a consultant. If you can’t keep up it is going to be really hard to stay on top of everything for your clients. Creating a strategy in how you will do this will help you stay organized along with a content calendar.

References: 

Bradley, Anthony, J. and Mark P. McDonald. The Social Organization. Available from: Bookshelf Activate, Harvard Business Review Press, 2011.

[dani-luminae]

Rewrite the Stars AU

Inspired by this ask and the ensuing ideas.

A little bit of an AU on my story Rewrite the Stars: What if Lia had been around for the events of Descendants 2?

@lady-of-the-spirit Hope you enjoy! Fair warning, according to my Word documents, this thing measures out at a whopping 14 pages long!

PS: unfortunately, Morph does not appear in this.

Lia had escaped from space pirates and crash-landed on this planet called Ixosl. Then she had befriended Ben, King of the kingdom of Auradon. Lia didn’t know or understand much about Auradon, but she knew one thing for certain: she cared deeply for Ben, and would let no one hurt him.

Ben had a girlfriend, a girl named Mal, from the prison known as the Isle of the Lost. Mal seemed like a sweet girl, soft-spoken and elegant, with pale blonde hair and lacy dresses. But apparently, that wasn’t the case. As proven when Ben came back from a date with her, absolutely devastated.

“She was lying to me. Using magic to cheat and trick me. She tried to put a spell on me right in front of me,” he told Lia later that evening, as she sat in his office and listened to him talk. “I had no idea that she was putting herself through all of this, but she acted like I was responsible for torturing her.”

“Did you try to talk to her about how you felt about her lies and magic?” Lia asked him.

“I tried. She wouldn’t listen to me. All she cared about was herself,” Ben said, staring blankly at the paperwork on his desk.

“She wouldn’t even talk through it,” Lia said. “She just wanted to explode and have you apologize to her. You did nothing wrong.”

Ben didn’t answer. Then, Evie came into the office with a note. Mal had run back to her island prison home. Ben, distraught, blamed himself and decided that he had to go after her and bring her back. Evie decided that she would go with him, and gather Jay and Carlos to escort him. Lia invited herself and wouldn’t take no for an answer, because she didn’t want Ben to get hurt.

On the Isle, things didn’t get any better. After a series of quick and utterly ineffective lessons from Evie, Jay, and Carlos, they managed to track down Mal to an old hideout. Ben went in to talk to her, but he returned dejected, and told them that Mal was refusing to come back. While Evie and the others were too concerned with getting ahold of Mal, Lia comforted Ben, when they were abruptly ambushed by pirates, and Ben was captured. Lia was told by Harry Hook to deliver a message to Mal: “If ye ever want to see the king again, have Mal come to the Chips Shoppe tonight, alone. Uma wants a little visit.” Lia, seeing no choice, agreed to deliver the message.

Mal showed a whole new side of herself, spiteful and haughty, and blamed Lia for Ben’s disappearance. Mal claimed that if Lia had been quicker and faster with her sword, Ben would never have been taken. The result was that Mal got a dagger pointed right at her face. Seeing that Lia wouldn’t take the blame, Mal shifted to blaming her friends for even bringing Ben and Lia to the island. Evie, Jay, and Carlos made no attempt to stand up for themselves. When Mal went to visit Uma, the captain of the pirate crew that now held Ben hostage, she was told that Ben would only be traded back for the Fairy Godmother’s Wand, which could break the barrier that contained the Isle and let Uma’s pirate crew run free. Mal lost trying to stand up to Uma, and so Mal and her friends started to make a plan. Lia was noticeably excluded from this plan, so she took it upon herself to patrol the docks every hour, ensuring that Ben was still safe on Uma’s ship. It was called the Lost Revenge, and the crew had Ben tied to the mast. On one occasion, Lia had sauntered up the gangplank, her sword and dagger swaying on her belt, and asked an audience with the captain. It was granted.

Uma came out onto deck to meet Lia. Uma was a girl with dark skin, almost the same shade as Lia’s, and turquoise hair that matched her fringed captain’s coat. Lia was impressed by the mere sight of her.

“Captain Uma,” Lia said respectfully. “I’m –”

“Lia Hawkins,” Uma said knowingly, with a snort. “Beasty-boy won’t shut up about you.” She nodded towards Ben, tied to the mast just a little distance away. He was facing away from them, and didn’t seem to realize that Lia was here. “So,” Uma said, walking in a circle, assessing everything from Lia’s swords to the way that Lia braided her hair. “You’re the famous Lia.”

“I’m famous to you?” Lia wondered if that was a good thing or not. “I’m flattered.”

“Come off it. Did Mal send you to try and re-negotiate?” Uma asked flatly. Her First Mate, Harry, crept up behind her with a maniacal glint in his eyes and a hook in his hand. “I’m not going to renegotiate.”

“I’m not here about her,” Lia said, “But I wouldn’t be running her errands anyways. I came to talk to you.”

“Talk to me? For what?”

“To ask why you’re doing this. I don’t understand the Isle and Auradon. This entire planet is new territory to me.”

“I’m not even going to pretend that makes sense to me,” Uma said, her hands on her hips and still trying to assess Lia’s threat level. “This island is a prison. We get Auradon’s scraps and trash while they live a life of luxury over there, without a care in the world. And you know whose fault that is? It’s Ben’s dad’s fault.”

Lia had met Ben’s father. He was pleasant enough, though a bit close-minded. “I’m sorry,” Lia said. “No one deserves to live in a prison like this. If I had known, I would have done whatever I could to help. I will, now that I know the truth. I have an idea. If you release Ben –”

“No deal,” Uma interrupted coolly. “But if my way fails, then what the hey, we’ll give your strategy a try, since you clearly have one.” She meant it, albeit half-mockingly, though she had full confidence that her plan would work and there would be no need for Lia’s idea.

“Deal?” Lia offered Uma her hand for a handshake.

Uma looked down at Lia’s hand, rolled her eyes, and said, “Deal.” She shook hands with Lia. “Now get off my ship.” Lia obliged, going back to patrolling the docks every hour.

At noon the next day, Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos, returned, with Lonnie. Mal was carrying what looked like the Fairy Godmother’s Wand. Evie carried a backpack full of smoke bombs. Harry balanced Ben precariously on the end of the Lost Revenge’s plank while Uma sashayed down the docks to make the exchange. But Mal had no interest in calmly handing over the Wand. She taunted Uma, insulted her and antagonized her while Harry leered at them and called out promises of how he could hurt Ben. Lia gripped her swords tight, standing back and watching. How could Mal stand there and taunt Uma while Ben was inches from plummeting to his death?

Finally, Ben was brought down to the docks. Mal handed over the Wand, and Ben’s bonds were cut and he was freed. As Uma raised the Wand and shouted a spell to break the barrier, nothing happened. Angrily, she snapped the fake Wand in half, and shouted, “YOU DO NOT ALWAYS GET TO WIN!” It was like an order to her crew: attack.

Lia knew how to fight pirates. With her sword and dagger at the ready, she leapt into the fray, keeping herself near Ben at all times. Evie launched the smoke bombs, and under the cover of confusion, they escaped, slipping into the limo that had brought them here and leaving the Isle. Only then did Mal realize that she had left something behind.

In the limo, Lia sat next to Ben, gently touching his arm and asking, “Are you alright?”

Ben nodded, smiling at her. “I’m fine, Lia. You don’t have to worry about me. That was some pretty awesome sword skills back there. It was amazing to watch.”

Lia smiled back at him, relieved. “That’s good to hear. That you’re alright, I mean.”

Ben looked at Mal. “I’m really sorry things didn’t turn out the way you wanted.”

Mal just looked back at him and shrugged. “I mean, as long as you’re safe, that’s…”

Ben looked out the window. “At least I finally got to see the Isle. They’re my people too. Uma helped me see that.”

Mal’s expression morphed into disbelief. “Ben, Uma captured you,” she said, like she was trying to explain things to a stupid child.

“She’s an angry girl with a bad plan,” Ben said calmly. “Not so different from you when you first came to Auradon, Mal.”

Mal scoffed at the comparison between her and her hated rival and looked away. “Awkward,” said Carlos’s talking dog who had hitched a ride.

They returned to Auradon. Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos all walked off to have a friendly chat together. Ben hesitated, looking after Mal like he wanted to follow her. But instead, he turned and walked after Lia instead. “Lia,” he asked her, catching up to her in one of the gardens, “Will you come to Cotillion tonight? I’d really like to see you there.”

He wanted to see her at a royal event like Cotillion? Lia nodded, barely disguising her excitement. “I’ll be there.” Then, she hurried off to get ready.

Cotillion took place on the Royal Yacht, a towering grand ship decorated in the Auradon colors. Everyone wore beautiful dresses or tailored suits, and Lia was no exception. She arrived in a flowing pink dress with golden beads, long arm jewelry, and a shining golden circlet like a bird. She surveyed the deck with a smile, glad to see everyone having fun. Jay, Evie, and Carlos were all there, each with their respective dates, as well as Ben’s parents, and the Fairy Godmother who held her real, shining magic Wand.

There was trumpeting fanfare. “The future Lady Mal!” Mal appeared at the top of the steps in a blue-and-yellow dress, with her new purple hair braded nicely. She descended the steps, smiling, and Evie went to meet her. Lia applauded politely with the rest.

As Mal stepped onto the deck, she spotted Lia, and her smile faltered. “Lia? What are you doing here?” Mal asked. In her mind, Lia was still to blame for Ben’s capture and every that had followed. And besides, Mal didn’t quite like the way that Ben smiled at Lia.

“Ben invited me,” Lia said. “I mean, he asked me to be here. So here I am. Why are you here?” She added, not impolitely. “I thought you and Ben were still broken up?”

Evie acted like Lia had just physically slapped Mal. Mal’s eye narrowed slightly. “That’s none of your business,” Mal hissed at Lia.

Lia said nothing, remaining dignified and calm. It will be my business, if you hurt Ben again, Lia thought.

The trumpets came again. “King Benjamin!” Ben appeared at the top of the stairs, dressed in a handsome royal-blue suit with golden accents. The golden crown rested on top of his head. Lia caught her breath, enchanted at the sight of him.

Ben walked down the steps and to Mal, who was supposed to become his Lady of the Court. He bowed to her, and she curtsied back to him with a smile, as if all – from the disastrous date, to events on the Isle, to the tense conversation in the limo afterwards – was forgiven. But as Ben straightened from his bow, he said, “Mal… I wish I had time to explain…” He turned around and looked up at the top of the stairs.

And there stood Uma, glowing in a teal mermaid dress with golden decorations. Everyone gasped at the sight of her, and Mal’s jaw dropped, stunned speechless. Uma descended the stairs and Ben took her hands. He kissed her hand. Mal watched, her eyes filling with tears. Lia stared as well, slightly confused. How had Uma left the island?

“I’m sorry,” Ben said to Mal. “It all happened so fast… something happened to me when I was on the Isle with Uma. A connection.” He turned to Uma, looking at her dreamily.

Mal shook her head, scrambling for words. “I’m sorry… what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that –”

“It was love!” Uma exclaimed, a smile unlike any smile Lia had seen before on her face. “It was. I just – I realized how alike Ben and I are, you know?”

“We are,” Ben said to her, his voice soft.

“I know!” Uma beamed at him.

Mal looked back to Ben, trying desperately to understand. “Ben,” she said.

Uma giggled and pulled Ben close.

“Ben,” Mal repeated, a little louder. “Did you go back for her?”

“He didn’t have to,” Uma explained. “I dove through the barrier before it closed. And I’m an excellent swimmer, so…” She shrugged like, figure it out. Mal stared at her, mute with horror and shock. Uma stepped towards her, taking her hands. “Listen, Mal. I just wanna say thank you. I really do. For everything.” She threw her arms around Mal in an embrace that made Mal recoil.

“Don’t you see, Mal? You were right!” Ben said. “You knew we weren’t meant to be together. That’s why you never told me you loved me. Thank you.”

Mal stared at him, looking devastated.

Ben and Uma began to waltz across the deck. A stunned crowd looked on, Lia among them, though she was quite pleased to see Uma so happy and serene, and Ben smiling so much. If Uma had helped heal him from his pain over losing Mal like he had, then Lia would support them both.

“Not too thrilled I risked my life for him,” Carlos said, watching Ben waltz with Uma across deck.

Lia glanced at him, slightly alarmed.

“We’re with you, Mal,” said Lonnie, taking Mal’s hand.

“Come on. Let’s get out of here,” Jay said.

Jane raced up the steps, eager to have Mal see Ben’s surprise, even if Ben had shocked the kingdom with his sudden affection for Uma. “Unveil the gift! They need to see it! Now!”

The gift was unveiled: a towering stained-glass portrait of Ben, kneeling before Mal. And not the blonde Mal. The purple-haired Mal. Lia tilted her head, slightly confused, but she smiled at the sight nonetheless, because romance was always so sweet to her.

Mal’s eyes filled with tears again. “Ben did that?” She asked Evie.

“Yeah, he did,” Evie said, nodding.

“Evie… Ben knew who I was all along.”

“And he loves the real you, M.”

“A true love.”

“Yeah.”

“Told you,” said Carlos.

Ben looked up at the stained glass in surprise, his oddly vacant expression changing to a look of contemplation. A flash of anger crossed Uma’s face. “Cover that thing back up!” She ordered, but no one did. Trying to save face, she turned to Ben and asked sweetly, “Why don’t you tell everyone the present you have for me, Ben?”

“I have an announcement!” Ben shouted. “Uma will be joining the court tonight as my lady. So, as my gift to her, I will be bringing down the barrier once and for all!”

A gasp spread through the crowd. Even Lia felt herself reeling from shock. Bring down the barrier? Let the villains roam free?

“Fairy Godmother,” Ben declared, “Bring down the barrier!”

“I most certainly will not!” The Fairy Godmother said, gripping her wand tighter.

“I am your king!” Ben yelled.

“Obey him!” Uma commanded.

Mal’s eyes lit up, because she just realized what was going on. “You guys! He’s been spelled!” Then, bravely, she stepped forward, onto the deck, to face Ben. “Ben!”

Ben started to turn towards Mal, but Uma stopped him. “No. Eyes over here. You love me, remember?”

“No, you don’t,” Mal told him.

“Yes, you do!” Uma argued. Then she spun around and ordered the Fairy Godmother, “Bring down the barrier.”

“I do not take orders from you.”

“Ben!” Uma commanded.

Ben turned to Uma once more. But Mal suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Ben’s arm, and pulled him to face her. Ben blinked when she did this, but didn’t pull away. Mal said, “Ben, I never told you that I loved you because I didn’t believe that I was good enough, and I thought it was only a matter of time before you realized that yourself.” She pointed up at the stained glass. “But Ben, that’s me! I’m part Isle and part Auradon. And you saw us for who we were and who we can be. And, Ben… I know what love feels like now. Of course I love you. I’ve always loved you.” Mal threw her arms around Ben and kissed him.

Lia’s eyes brightened, knowing that this should break the spell.

But when Mal pulled away, nothing had changed. Ben still looked as dazed and blank as he had before she kissed him. Uma grinned. Ben said to Mal, “I’m sorry, Mal. I don’t love you anymore.”

Mal’s eyes fill with horrified tears and she turned and fled into the crowd, unable to handle what had just happened. Ben watched her run away, until he caught sight of a shimmer of pink in the crowd. For the first time since he had arrived here, he spotted Lia, in her elegant gown and her shining crown, and the sight of her transfixed him like no spell ever could. “Lia?” He said, barely audible, his eyes clearing slightly. Uma narrowed her eyes.

Mal looked back, tears in her eyes, and saw how Ben was staring at Lia. Sadness suddenly turned to anger, and Mal pushed Lia forward, out of the crowd and into the middle of the deck. “Go on, Lia. Talk some sense into him,” Mal said, her voice shaking with emotion.

Lia stood there in the middle of the deck, facing Ben. She wasn’t sure what to say. Everyone was staring at her, trying to see what she would do. Ben stepped towards her, even ignoring Uma when she tried to take his hand. “Lia,” he repeated, staring dreamily at her, as if it was she who had him under a spell and not Uma.

“Ben.” Lia took a step towards him, not certain what to say. She felt like the kingdom was relying on her, now, to fix this. She didn’t know how to fix this. But she did know that, in front of her was a young man who had been told that he and all his decisions thus far were wrong. Mal blamed him for her actions. Evie, Jay, and Carlos blindly followed Mal. Even Ben’s parents had raced to console Mal instead of trying to help their son. And Lia refused to do the same. She wouldn’t tell him that he was wrong.

“Ben. I trust you and your choices, no matter what they are.” Lia stepped forward and moved to kiss him on the cheek, but just as she did, Ben turned his head, and his lips met hers.

Mal made a small noise of outrage, while Uma looked on with wide eyes.

Lia pulled away and gazed into Ben’s eyes, which suddenly seemed clear. He looked back at her, wide-eyed, and whispered, “Lia?”

“Was that –” Lia began.

“True Love’s Kiss?” Both of them, Ben and Lia, said at the same moment.

Whether or not it was True Love’s Kiss would have to wait for another time to be discussed. Uma spun around and lunged at the Fairy Godmother. “Give me that Wand!”

The Fairy Godmother jumped back, panicked, and held the wand out of Uma’s reach. “Seize her!” She yelled for the guards.

The crowd swarmed Uma, but it was no use. Uma darted to the railing and started to climb. The guards charged forwards, but a barrier of light, from Lia’s powers, stopped them. “No!” Lia said. “This isn’t the right way.”

“What are you talking about? Guards, seize her!” Mal shouted.

Uma backed up against the rail, facing the crowd as the onlookers surrounded her. But Lia, refusing to let this situation spin out of control, forced her way to the front. “Uma, listen to me,” she said. “You can help us. Instead of making more enemies tonight, you can make allies. Join us. Join Auradon. Help us get your crew and all the other kids to Auradon.”

“Save your breath!” said Mal, who hadn’t moved from the stairs. “Uma’s nothing but a villain, through and through.”

Uma glared at Mal, and her golden shell necklace glowed bright golden. Then, before anyone could do anything else, Uma climbed over the railing and dropped into the sea below.

“Hayi!” Lia shouted, racing to the railing with Ben and the rest of the crowd, peering down into the waters below. There was a glow under the water. The surface began to bubble, then boil, and a blast of seawater exploding upward, sloshing over the yacht and soaking everyone instantly.

Uma rose up from the sea, a towering, tentacled Sea Witch. Lia stared at the sight, not afraid, just surprised. Where she came from, a form like that wasn’t something to be unnecessarily afraid of – but given how so many people on the yacht shouted and screamed, this was a problem.

Uma sloshed another wave over the yacht, sending everyone stumbling. Lia tightened her grip on the railing, trying not to lose her footing too much.

“True Love’s Kiss can’t defeat this!” Uma crowed, her tentacles curling and thrashing in the restless sea. “The world will know my name!” She lashed at the yacht with her tentacles, nearly striking Lonnie and sweeping Evie into the sea.

Mal watched from the stairs as her hated rival attacked her friends. She felt a surge of white-hot anger inside her. Her eyes glowed fierce, frightening green. Suddenly, a burst of purple smoke surrounded her – and then she rose up from the deck as a massive, iridescent purple dragon.

Lia saw this happen and she gasped. Uma was not something to be feared, but a dragon was, and whether by Lia’s bias or by her intuition, she knew who the greater threat was in that moment. It was Mal.

Everyone gasped as Mal swooped overhead and bore down on Uma. Uma wasn’t daunted. “Bring it on, Mal!” Uma shouted, whirling her arms and tentacles, whipping up the sea around her. The yacht rocked, and sea spray rained down on them all. “Let’s finish this – once and for all!”

Mal spread her purple-and-green wings and dove at Uma, exhaling flames. Uma ducked under the waves, rocking the boat even more. The people, helpless to watch, staggered.

Lia lost her grip on the railing, slipped, and tumbled. She fell to the deck and Ben caught her in his arms. She smiled at him, half-thankful and half-embarrassed.

Mal dove down again, spewing flames at the sea right as Uma emerged. Luckily, Mal missed, but Uma lashed out with a tentacle that nearly caught Mal’s tail.

Ben and Lia jumped up and ran to the railing once again, watching the fight unfold. But Ben had seen enough. He roared mightily, then threw off his crown and jacket, and dove into the sea before anyone could stop him.

“Ben!” Lia cried, watching her friend disappear into the roiling water. It wasn’t safe for him down there! If Mal’s flames didn’t roast him and Uma’s tentacles didn’t grab him, he could drown. Without hesitation, she jumped over the side, after him. All she thought about was helping him put an end to this. At least, if she hit the water, it wouldn’t be such a problem; she could breathe underwater.

But she didn’t hit the water. Halfway there, there was a blaze of light that Lia hadn’t expected, and suddenly, a pair of massive wings, with glowing golden feathers, unfolded from her back, expanding like a parachute and catching her fall with ease. Lia gasped at the change, and was filled with a sudden elation. She finally had her wings!

She could celebrate later. Right now, she had a fight to stop. One powerful flap of her wings and she shot forward, skimming the surface of the sea, searching for Ben. One graceful spin, and she avoided a blast of Mal’s flames. An effortless leap, and she dodged one of Uma’s tentacles.

Ben surfaced. Lia flew down to him and hovered, extended her wings and fluttering them just enough to keep her aloft. He gaped up at her. “What –”

“I guess we’re all discovering new things today,” Lia said with a grin.

But Ben looked past Lia and saw Mal and Uma still battling. “We have to stop them!” He said.

Lia flapped her wings and dove between Mal and Uma just as Mal unleashed another fiery blast. The fire hit Lia’s wings and rebound like it had struck a shield. Mal had to dodge her own fire, and she fixed her sparkling green eyes menacingly on Lia.

But Lia’s interruption had the intended affect. The battle had lost its momentum, and Ben, treading water between the dragon and the sea witch, shouted, “That’s enough! This isn’t the answer! The fighting has to stop! Everyone!” Ben turned towards Mal, and Lia hovered closer to Mal like a threat, keeping her attention. “Nobody wins this way,” Ben told Mal. “We have to listen and respect each other. It won’t be easy, but let’s be brave enough to try.”

Uma rolled her eyes, but faltered when Lia suddenly flew up to her. Lia hovered in front of Uma. Compared to Uma’s massive size, Lia might have been no larger than a little sparrow to her – easy to swat aside, if Uma wanted to. “Uma,” Lia said, drifting slightly in the air to keep herself aloft, “I know you want what’s best for the Isle. But fighting like this will only make people more adverse to helping you or listening to you. I won’t tell you that your anger is misguided or uncalled for, because once I understood the Isle, I was just as angry. But there’s better ways than fighting. Join us. Help Ben and I make the difference you know there has to be.”

Uma narrowed her eyes at Lia. Lia was an interloper in all of this, and Uma wasn’t inclined to trust her very much. But on the other hand, Lia had just broken a spell with True Love’s Kiss, something which Mal hadn’t done, and she was definitely Mal’s enemy now. Wasn’t there some old saying about the enemy of one’s enemy? “And why should I listen to you?” Uma challenged.

“Because a pirate captain honors their deals,” Lia said. She knew that for certain, from years of fighting pirates in space. “And you made a deal with me on the island. If your way failed, we would try my way. Your way has failed. Twice now. Time to try my method.”

“Which would have me join Auradon,” Uma said flatly.

“Which would have the three of us working together – you, me, and Ben,” Lia stated. “We’ll ensure the freedom of those who deserve it. I swear it.”

“She’s right, Uma,” Ben said. “Together, with you helping us, we can make a difference for the Isle.” He held out his hand to Uma.

Uma looked at the tiny, winged girl and the king, struggling to stay afloat in the restless sea. Mal hovered behind Ben, her eyes fixed maliciously on the sea witch. Uma reached out a tentacle, as if to touch Ben’s hand – then, she seemed to have second thoughts, and her tentacle slipped under the surface instead. A second later, she lifted Ben out of the water, wrapped gently in one of her tentacles, and placed him back on the yacht. Ben blinked, slightly disoriented, dripping wet.

The sea rose up and surrounded Uma, and she disappeared from sight. A moment later, Lia swooped down over the sea, reached out, and caught an outstretched hand from beneath the waves. Her wings flapped, carrying her and Uma back up into the air. They alighted on the yacht deck once more, landing in about three inches of seawater that covered the deck. Lia’s glowing wings folded in neatly, and then disappeared.

There was flapping from above. Mal landed, closed her wings, and then reappeared in a poof of purple smoke, wearing a purple dress like the one in the stained glass, which she didn’t even glance at now.

The stormy skies parted, revealing a sky twinkling with stars.

No one knew exactly what to do after that. All thoughts of joyful celebration and dancing were gone. After much awkwardness, the stained glass portrait was covered up once more. It felt discordant to have such a brilliant monument to love when it was another girl’s kiss that had freed the king from a spell.

Mal stormed off with Evie, Jay, and Carlos. Ben tried to go to them and explain what had happened, but was met with Mal’s glowing green eyes and a snarl of “How could you?!” as if this was all his fault, once again.

Ben was lost for words for a moment. Then, before he even knew what he was saying, he said, “I couldn’t stay in love with a liar, Mal.” Mal gasped, her eyes full of tears, as if he had physically hurt her. But Ben was done letting her make him feel terrible for having thoughts and feelings that differed from hers. He turned and walked away, refusing to look back. He could still feel Lia’s kiss on his lips.

Lia walked down to a lower deck (that was thankfully much drier than the main deck) and dried herself off with her light powers. As she leaned on the railing, looking off towards the expanse of lights that was Auradon, she was joined by Uma. “People don’t want me around up there,” said Uma as she leaned on the railing next to Lia, “So I thought I’d come bother you instead.”

Lia wasn’t bothered, though. “I’m glad you joined us, Uma. With your help, things will get much better,” she said.

“What choice did I have?” Uma replied. “Run off and stay on the run from Auradon?” She liked this choice better. At least she got to stick around the only two Auradonians who had been remotely civil to her, even if one of them wasn’t really Auradonian. “So what’s with the wings? Where’d those come from?” Uma asked.

“My mother’s people believe our lineage is descended from a goddess,” Lia explained with a shrug, entirely downplaying just how ecstatic she was to have gained her wings. “Wings and birds were her symbol. That was the first time I ever summoned my wings. I didn’t even know I could. I was told that I was too human to have any of the goddess’s powers.”

“Huh. I guess it’s a momentous night for everyone, huh?” Uma said, grinning as she looked out over the ocean. All was calm now. “First you kiss Ben… then I turn into a sea witch, Mal goes dragon for the first time, and you get wings.”

“Yes. A memorable night for certain,” Lia agreed with a smile. She had to admit, when she had imagined Cotillion, she could never have guessed it would turn out like this.

“Yup. Did you think your kiss could break the spell?” Uma asked her.

Lia took a deep breath, thinking it over. “I didn’t expect it to,” she said. “I just… wanted to be there to support Ben, even if his decisions made no sense. Everyone else was against him.”

“Oh, the look on Mal’s face was priceless,” Uma gloated. “Almost worth my plan going down the drain, honestly. She was livid. She’s used to getting whatever she wants, and just once, when she doesn’t get it, and I’m there to see it. It was glorious.”

Lia stared down at the waters and gave voice to the one questioning that had been bouncing around inside her skull since she’d kissed Ben. “Am I Ben’s True Love, then?”

“I think that’s a question you need to discuss with him, not me,” Uma said. Then, behind them, they heard something coming down the stairs to their deck. Uma glanced back and grinned. “Oh – and speak of the devil, because here he comes!”

Ben appeared. He was still damp from seawater, with the crown sitting on top of his messy hair. He hadn’t put his royal jacket back on, so he was in his white shirt, blue vest and a royal sash. “There you girls are,” he said, walking up to the railing. “I was worried when you weren’t with everyone else.”

“They don’t like us a whole lot up there,” Uma said like it should be obvious. “I mean, I just tried to attack them all, and Lia here broke up the kingdom’s favorite couple since the Coronation.”

“That wasn’t Lia’s fault,” Ben said quietly. “That was me.”

Lia turned to him, looking at him with a frown. “Ben, I can’t let you keep blaming yourself for things that aren’t your fault,” she said, reaching out and brushing his hair out of his face.

Ben reached up and caught her hand where it touched his face. “But it is my fault,” he said. He hesitated for a moment, and then said, in a much softer voice, “I’m in love with you.”

“Ooh!” Uma exclaimed with a grin. Both Ben and Lia looked at her like, what? And she smirked. “I’ll just be over here. Don’t mind me!” She walked away, farther down the railing, but not quite out of earshot.

Ben and Lia watched Uma for a moment, and then they turned back to each other.

Lia stared into Ben’s shining hazel eyes. “You’re in love with me?” She asked.

“Yes,” Ben said instantly.

Lia blinked, slightly taken aback by the speed and certainty of that answer. “How long have you…known?” She asked.

Ben paused, thinking about it. “I – I don’t know,” he said. “But you were always so patient and kind to me, even when I did things wrong – or thought I did something wrong. Mal did nothing but push me away, and you were there to comfort me every time. And you defended me on the Isle, and tried to keep me safe. I just realized, this is what love should feel like. Even when you disagreed with my choices, you trusted me.” He said.

Lia smiled at him. “Yes. Because I know you and I care about you,” she replied. “And you were always so sweet and friendly and gentle when I didn’t understand things in Auradon. Not a lot of people are like that. And when you make mistakes, you want to fix them so badly… it hurts to watch you beat yourself up over them. And today… when you jumped in the water, I was just so scared to lose you.”

It felt weird to be giving voice to these feelings, when up until not even an hour ago, Lia hadn’t even realized that they were there. But she loved Ben. She cared deeply about him and she wanted to see him triumphant over everything that tried to stop him. And Ben loved her. He’d tried to hold onto his love for Mal though all of this, but she just kept pushing him away, telling him he was wrong to love her. In the end, he supposed, Uma’s spell had revealed the truth for them – and that was just as well, because if it hadn’t, he wondered if he ever would have told Lia how he truly felt for her.

“I love you,” Lia said to him.

“I love you,” Ben told her.

And then they kissed again. This time, it held new meaning and new purpose, not the clumsy accident that the last kiss had felt like.

They heard Uma snicker. They knew she had heard everything. They weren’t concerned. There was nothing she had heard that the kingdom didn’t already know: Ben and Lia were in love, meant to be True Loves.

Ben stepped back from Lia and suggested, “Let’s dance.”

“Dance?” Lia repeated.

“Yes. A proper Cotillion waltz,” Ben said, bowing deeply to Lia.

Lia smiled at him, then curtsied to him. The two of them moved together for a waltz. Uma started to sing, her lovely voice floating across the deck, providing them with the music for their dance. “There you see her, sitting there across the way. She don't got a lot to say, but there's something about her; And you don't know why, but you're dying to try, you wanna kiss the girl…”

Lia and Ben waltzed under the star-strewn skies.

[swbl]

6. týden

Další týden, ve kterém doufám v mou nápravu. 

13. Po – VELIKONOČNÍ PONDĚLÍ - To, že karanténa zasahuje do velikonoc, vítám s otevřenou náručí. Ač jsem konzervativním zastáncem tradic. Velikonoční zvyky bych pozměnila ráda. I přes letošní pohodu jsem znejistila, když se objevil sestřin odvoz do Budějic ve dveřích s pomlázkou. No, alespoň jsme ho pohostili pizzou. To, že je týden stará, byla vcelku nedůležitá informace a i když chvilkami konverzace stála, rozhodly jsme se ho tím nezatěžovat. 

14. Út – PORTRÉT

Bečím, že můj několikahod. portrét do FIK vypadá jak brambora. Z pohledu na uhel se mi teď pár dní bude dělat těžko.

16. Čt – BRŠLICE

Vytrhávám plevel ze zahrady. Je to vcelku uklidňující, dokud vám nedojde, že ta mrcha tu za rok bude růst stejně. Jestli znáte bršlici, víte, o čem mluvím. Jelikož mi zase odjíždí mamka a s ní i všechno jídlo na Vysočinu a mě se nechce utrácet, dávám mé pravé hemisféře zabrat. Do této doby by mě třeba nikdy nenapadlo, že je onen zmiňovaný plevel jedlý, natož že z něj jde vařit špenát. Musím říct, že tu bršlici začínám mít ráda. Večer máme přípravnou radu na tábor. Sejít se nemůžeme, a tak máme všechny porady přes video hovor. Na té dnešní nás bylo asi 15, to je potom vyčerpávající se k něčemu dobrat. Opravdu se už těším, na normální.

17. Pá – zpracovávám informace z Mouse utopia experiment do doučka. (Je to zajímavý, koukni na to) No, teď už vím, že i když je venku hezky, s notebookem na slunku pracovat prostě nejde. Místo hoďky, jsem se tím zabývala celé dopoledne. Odpoledne jsem se konečně vyhrabala z domu a šla se trošku socializovat.

18. So – PÁLAVA

dopoledne jsme s ,,půlkou polorodiny´´ vyjeli na kola na Pálavu. Přestože žádnej pařák nebyl, nabila jsem značně červeného odstínu, takže jsem teď za tu roušku opravdu ráda. Řekla bych si, že jsem udělala něco dobrýho pro tělo, ale po půl flašce vína a chlebu se škvarkovou pomazánkou padla všechna spálená energie vniveč. Večer jsme věnovali nějakýmu americkýmu filmu. Díky Brade, že jsem kvůli tobě nedojela domů.

19. Ne – NEVOLEJ!

Po pár hodinách, plnění časového plánu, jsem ztratila nervy. Depka se mi sápe do hlavy. Znáte to, projíždíte kontakty a máte chuť vytáčet všechna ta nejmíň vhodná čísla. Někomu pomáha hudba, Netflix, cigarety, nebo motivační videa, ale mě, pesimistovi? Poslouchat problémy druhých. Strategie spočívá v tom, sehnat někoho, kdo je na tom hůř. (Jeden hovor a bylo líp) Pro jistotu jsem ještě zašla ven, probrat všechny strasti a pak naštěstí i ty radosti našich životů. Někdy to skřípe, ale vlastně je to fajn Arnoštku. 

[architectnews]

Picnic Point High School Building, NSW

Picnic Point High School New South Wales, PPHS Building, NSW Education Architecture, City of Canterbury-Bankstown

Picnic Point High School Building Design

23 Apr 2021

Picnic Point High School Building News

Design: Hames Sharley Architects

Location: Picnic Point, City of Canterbury-Bankstown, 23 kilometres south-west of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Picnic Point High School Redevelopment

Picnic Point High School (PPHS) is a government high school located in the Picnic Point, New South Wales suburb. The redevelopment project, which involves the refurbishment of some existing buildings and the construction of a new learning facility, responds to the expansion of the school’s catchment to provide the East Hill’s and Picnic Point communities more choices for co-education.

image courtesy of Hames Sharley Architects Australia

A master planning process comprised of a thorough site analysis, site testing, a staging strategy, and the establishment of key design principles determined a site to the south east of the school grounds for the new building.

The existing PPHS Buildings are all oriented north south on their long axes, with east and west exposure resulting in unwanted heat load and glare. The decision was therefore made to orient the new (Technical and Applied Sciences) TAS building to north, with access walkways off the north façade, all in keeping with School Infrastructure’s Design for Modular Assembly (DfMA) Guidelines. The location chosen for the building ensures surveillance over the east part of the school grounds, until now ‘out-of-bounds’ to students, thus opening the grounds for use at recess for activity and recreation.

Two high-value Angophora trees and a Scribbly Gum are situated just north of the building, providing a shaded setting for an outdoor learning space, and with generous tree canopy around the site, creates a micro-climate for the building’s immediate context.

TAS Unit wood and metal workshop units are located on the ground floor, with an acoustically insulated Music Unit, and Visual Arts Unit accommodated on the first floor. The steep fall of the site made possible an under-croft providing additional storage/workshop space and a kiln for the arts unit.

The development is located just north of the Georges River National Park, the George’s River is the traditional boundary between the Dharawal People to the south and the Dharug to the north. The proposed colour, material palette, and façade concept is informed through observations of the Georges River National Park context and arranged rhythmically according to the major scale in reference to the building’s hosting of the Music Unit.

A Dharug piece of music is interpreted architecturally and adds relief and interest to the north walkway elevation’s vertical screening. The building, with its landscape inspired facade, is supported by its landscape setting, which also draws reference from the George’s River National Park and connections to Dharug country.

The redevelopment of PPHS is essential to the future learning needs of its students and supports growth in the local economy.

Picnic Point High School NSW – Building Information

The brief: • School Masterplan • 3 new general learning spaces • Upgrade and expansion of administration and staff facilities • new Technical and Applied Sciences (TAS) unit to replace existing • relocation of the Visual Arts and Music Units to meet additional capacity for 2031.

Client: School Infrastructure New South Wales (SINSW)

Location: Picnic Point, NSW

Services: Architecture

Key features: • four new general learning spaces • new TAS workshops and new TAS learning spaces • new Visual Arts workshop and new Visual Arts learning spaces • new Music learning spaces • new computer learning space • upgraded and expanded Administration and Staff facilities • landscaping and external improvements.

Status: Masterplan & Concept Stages

Year: 2020 – 2021

Design team: • Project Lead – Dustin Brade • Design Lead – Iain Stewart • Design – Oliver Wellings • Design – James Vongphrachanh

Collaborators: • AECOM: Structural, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, ICT & Hydraulic Engineering • Arcadia: Landscape Architects • Philip Chun, Building Compliance: BCA Consultant • HKA: Project Managers

Picnic Point High School New South Wales images / information received 220421 from Hames Sharley Architects

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Architecture in Sydney

Sydney Architecture Designs – architectural selection below:

Sydney Houses – a selection of the best contemporary properties in this New South Wales city.

Sydney Architecture

Sydney Central Station Development, Henry Deane Plaza, Central Business District Design: SOM and Fender Katsalidis image © SOM | Fender Katsalidis Sydney Central Station Development The design by SOM and Fender Katsalidis is set to transform the western edge of Central Station. New commercial buildings and public realm improvements will enhance this southern gateway to the CBD, revitalizing and reconnecting the precinct to the city.

Pitt Street OSD and metro station, corner of Park & Pitt streets Design: Foster + Partners image © Foster + Partners Pitt Street Over Station Development The building is located immediately above the northern entrance to Pitt Street Station, a crucial hub for the new Sydney Metro. The north station entrance plaza naturally fronts onto the tree lined Park Street which is one of the most prominent east-west cross-streets in Sydney.

NSW Properties

Twin Houses Architects: Architecture Saville Isaacs photo : Kata Bayer Twin Houses in Sydney Responding to the irregular site boundary and contextual differences, the houses take on different yet complementary forms. No.2 presents a street façade of sensually curved brick mass with window penetrations.

Garden House Architects: James Design Studio photograph : Simon Whitbread Garden House in New South Wales Garden House is a new house in the upper north shore using vernacular forms and gables defined by differing materials with a link in the middle giving a glimpse of what lies beyond while providing a framework for privacy.

Tennyson Point House Architects: CplusC Architectural Workshop photograph : Murray Fredericks Tennyson Point House

YrdPods Architects: Kreis Grennan Architecture photo : Douglas Frost YrdPod Garden House

Sydney Architect Studios

Australian Architecture

Australian Houses

Comments / photos for the Picnic Point High School New South Wales – Sydney Suburbs design by Hames Sharley Architects page welcome

Sydney, NSW

The post Picnic Point High School Building, NSW appeared first on e-architect.

[coolyagogato-blog]

Nightdress  Market Share and Forecasts, 2012-2024

Industrial overview of Nightdress Market 2012-2024

The report delivers a comprehensive overview of the crucial elements of the market and elements such as drivers, restraints, current trends of the past and present times, supervisory scenario, and technological growth. A thorough analysis of these elements has been accepted for defining the future growth prospects of the global Nightdress market.

Get a Sample PDF Report:https://www.acquiremarketresearch.com/sample-request/144257

The global market report is a systematic research of the globalNightdress Market portraying the current state of affairs in the market. Further, it offers an estimation of the market measure as far as esteem and in volume and discusses the key fragments and the topographical subdivisions of the market for Nightdress advertise in subtle elements.

The fundamental purpose of Nightdress market report is to provide a correct and strategic analysis of the Nightdress industry. The report scrutinizes each segment and sub-segments presents before you a 360-degree view of the said market.

It gives top to bottom instructive information on the advancement patterns and the approaches and controls, concerning Nightdress showcase, actualized in every one of the topographical sections. The dominating utilization of this market have additionally been talked about finally in this exploration consider.

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Nightdress Breakdown Data by Type: Cotton, Silk, Satin, Nylon, Others.

Nightdress Breakdown Data by Application:

Winter,Summer,Spring&Autumn

The following manufacturers are covered in this report: H&M,Calvin Klein,Ralph Lauren,David Jones,Zalora,Aimer,Eberjey,Mimi Holiday,Oysho,Morgan Lane,Sleepy Johnes,Gelato Pique,Uniqlo,tutuanna,narue,MUJI,Le Perla,Bradelis,Journelle,Three Graces London,Dolce & Gabbana,Gucci,Massimo Dutti,Everlane,KESHINE,QUEEND,Eileen West,Destination Maternity,FLORA NIKROOZ,and more…

Nightdress Production by Region: United States, Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, Middle East & Africa, Other Regions…

What are the affecting elements that are made reference to in the report?

Market Scenario: The report further highlights the development trends in the global Nightdress market. Factors that are driving the market growth and fueling its segments are also analyzed in the report. The report also highlights on its applications, types, deployments, components, developments of this market.

Key Market Highlights:  The Nightdress report gives a top to bottom examination on a portion of the key elements, involving income, cost, limit, limit usage rate, creation, generation rate, utilization, import/send out, supply/request, net, piece of the pie, CAGR, and gross edge. Furthermore, the report shows a far-reaching investigation of the market development factors and their most recent patterns, alongside important market fragments and sub-portions.

Analytical Tools: The Global Nightdress Market report incorporates the decisively examined and assessed information of the significant market members and their market scope utilizing various investigative devices. The diagnostic apparatuses incorporate Porter's five powers examination, SWOT investigation, achievability study, and venture return investigation, which have been utilized to consider the development of the key players working in the market.

The main points which are answered and covered in this Report are-

What will be the total Nightdress Market in the coming years till 2025? What will be the key factors which will be overall affecting the industry? What are the various challenges addressed? Which are the major companies included?

Global Nightdress Market is projected to Surpass xx Million by 2025, with an attractive CAGR of xx% from 2016 – 2019. The market has been segmented on the basis of type and application. The further sub-segments of type and application have been also covered under the scope of the report. The market size and market share for the entire segment and sub-segments by type and application, on regional as well as country wise basis, have been provided in the report. The application segment was dominated by xx segment throughout the forecast period 2019 – 2025, driven by its increased demand in developing countries such as China and India.

The major players operating in the global Nightdress market have been profiled in the report. Market players have implemented various strategies such as acquisitions, product innovation, feature enhancement, and mergers, among others in order to gain a competitive advantage and a stronger base in the market. Acquisitions have been the prominent strategy implemented by key players to increase their presence in the global Nightdress market Joint ventures and partnerships were also used by players to increase their foothold in the market. Market players have also introduced new products in the market to enhance their consumer base.

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Simplified information that applied right from day to day lives to complex decisions is what a good research methodology proves to be. At Acquire Market Research we constantly strive for innovation in the techniques and the quality of analysis that goes into our data, because we are aware of the cascading impact that right and wrong information can have on a global level from overall businesses to people. Serving one of the most sensitive fields of data accumulation and analysis we understand that information travels & impacts everywhere; therefore we undertake this huge responsibility and cater to the provision of accurate, detailed research and data generation.  When it comes to research and consulting, trust Acquire Market Research to be your backbone!

Contact us info@acquiremarketresearch.com sales@acquiremarketresearch.com +1 800 663 5579 (U.S.)

[edenial]

My Edenial Dream

@snovolovac @phantomomo well if you insist 😌

So here’s the dream:

In my dream I wake up in a huge queen-sized bed that’s fluffy and feels like a feather-bath. I look around and see that I have a cat that’s sleeping next to my pillow -who looks so elegant btw- and that the sealing is waaay too high for a normal home. I’m in a room big enough to be a penthouse. It’s lit by a sunrise, looks very warm but still it feels quite cool, so I find the dressing room and put on something that lies on a chair, next to a towel and a bowl of water. I look at myself in the wall-sized mirror. My hair is just like it naturally is; big waves, long to my hips, thick and brown, cut in a triangular shape. I have a small bit of it it braided from the sides to the back keep them away from my eyes, and tied, with silver threads between it. I have no glasses, and I can see that I have a very light red and silver makeup, which makes my eyes look even bigger (I’m ass-eyed. I don’t need this. Whatever xD). I wear my usual silver diamond earrings, and have a thin but shiny matching necklace and a ring. My crown is red, silver and diamond, braded together with thin branches of silver and glass, holding a big red stone on the front, shaped like a classic diamond. I haven’t really changed much but the dress makes up for it all. The dress is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, honestly. It’s mostly white, with grey and red details, and it’s one of those middle-earth warrior-princess kind of dresses that you can rip the skirt off of to fight in combat. The torso is strapless glassy white/grey with reddish reflections in the right light and the arms are a pair of thin silver cables of silk that knot around my biceps once and fall to my sides, i have a very (i mean veeery) small waist, and this dress makes it even smaller (because royalty ugh) but it’s still comfortable. The skirt is where the fun happens. When I have it on, it looks like the extention of the torso part, white with little red and grey patterns on it, very petite yet grand all at once. When i take it off, I have a knive and a star-blade strapped to my ankles and a sword to my upper thigh. I get left with a small amount of fabric above my hips and basically just a normal swimsuit-sized battle armor. Nothing sexy or anything, but full advantage of movement and aerodynamic. It feels free and safe.With the skirt on, it looks like a diamond river of a wedding gown of the finest fabrics on earth. It feels like I’m not even wearing anything, it’s that comfortable and smooth. Anyway, I go out of my room, to see the lady royal (or whatever you call them), her face is unclear to me but I feel it’s my best friend. I let her lead me to the hall. On my way there, I see that the castle made of light-brown and red stones, has a lot of windows. I am not afraid of getting attacked, I assume. I’m probably feared quite a lot. I have that face people call resting-scary-af-face anyway. I also notice a flag. It’s got Edenia scripted in an old elvish language and a big owl with a halo on it. I am very fond of owls, since I believe they guide me towards wisdom and strength in battle (being the symbol of Athena and all). Next thing I know, I find myself entering the Hall of Strategy (as it is written on the door), the suns are completely up now, the room is very well lit. There’s a huge map of marble in the middle of it and a raised throne in the far back. A single throne. I seat myself there to look on the map. I rule most of the world. I alone. I look outside for the first time, and see endless fields of flowers and big green tropical forests. I see a turquoise river slowly flowing down the hill, carrying baby carettas on its back. I see happy little birds and bees, a beautiful blue sky and three suns, and happy folks laughing and singing under it. You can see the stars as well, even though its day. A flock of owls and pidgeons come flying towards the castle, letters on their ankles. It’s a paradise on earth, and I alone can preserve it. I smile and wake up.

So there you have it. My url changing dream. I still need that dress to be made tbh. I’m in love with it. I need it asap. If you know a designer, please have them draw it.

[hildarodriguezmasteryjournal]

DIGITAL STORYTELLING AND BRANDING - MASTER OF SCIENCE

My mastery timeline goal for my third class Digital Storytelling and Branding was “Even though I know about storytelling and branding; I will enhance my knowledge not only by learning how to create a brand’s voice but also creating meaningful connections with customers. (Full Sail, 2017). I established three goals.

My first goal was "I want to enhance my knowledge in storytelling and branding.” The tactic I used was to read the book and articles. It was insightful because I learn the definition of branding.

My second goal was “I want to learn how to create a brand’s voice.” The tactic I used was to follow the instructions the professor provided in Full Sail Online platform. The steps to create a Brand Voice were insightful, and I believe each step helps me to understand how to develop a brand voice.

My third goal was “I want to learn how to create meaningful connections with customers.” The assignment that helped me was Brand Story. I love this assignment because I put into practice my experience as a videographer and I created a brand story. In fact, I was excited when I received the feedback from my professor because she says: “You hit that right out of the park” (Diane, 2017). Therefore, this assignment is my favorite from all my classes.

During these four weeks, I got valuable knowledge for my mastery journey. First, I believe the “Brand You” assignment help me to write a proper personal brand statement. Secondly, I learned how to create a “Brand Voice”; I did a video presentation following the “Pecha Kucha style.” It was my first time doing this type of presentation. I believe it is an excellent style because the viewers focus on what are you saying.

Thirdly, I learned to create stories to connect a brand with its customers. I learned video is a powerful tool to connect with customers. I realized that a company can create emotional connections with its customers without trying to sell or advertise. Besides, the archetypes assignment helps me to understand the personality of my company and how to craft the brand’s message. Fourthly, I gain the knowledge of the different brand components to build a comprehensive brand strategy.

In short, this class has been exceptional because I learned a brand is a way to create meaningful connections with customers and connect with them on a human level.

Reference

Diaz, D. S. (2017, December 12). Your Company’s Brand Story. In Full Sail University. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from https://online.fullsail.edu/class_sections/16664/modules/43629/activities/313158

Full Sail University Internet Marketing Master Courses. (2017). In Full Sail University. Retrieved October 1, 2017, from https://www.fullsail.edu/degrees/internet-marketing-master/courses

Pecha Kucha. (2017). In The art of concise presentations.. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from http://www.pechakucha.org/

[shaqibakram]

Global Textile Market - Opportunities & Forecast, 2019-2026

The era of industrial revolution in 1700s the market growth of textile found its pace with the innovation inventions of the machines to raise the production of the textile segments. The introduction of the machines for the production of textiles lowers down the cost of the mass production and improvement in the quality of product.

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Nowadays, the global textile market being evolved as one of the most growth-oriented industry. Some of the growth driving factor includes high demand for apparels, specifically in the developing countries. In the recent time period, the increased demand of the natural fibers such as cotton products, silk, wool and jute will be a major factor for driving the entire textile market. Rise in the disposable income level of the people leads to support their spending capabilities for choosing braded clothing’s in the retail outlets, supermarkets etc. Also, the emergence of the online store increased reach of the branded products towards the mass of the common people that again supports heavily the textile industry growth. However, high cost associated with the raw material and toxic waste from the production facility acts as the major restraining factors for the growth of textile market.

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Various notable players operating in the market, includes Kimberley Clark Corporation, Lenzing, Ontex, Polymer Group Inc, Precot, Meridian, Berry Global Group, DuPont, Paramount Textile Limited, Shandong Jining Ruyi Woolen Textile Co., Ltd, Aditya Birla Ltd. Etc.

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The Global Textile Market has been segmented on the basis of Application, Raw Material and key geographies. The research report “Global Textile Market” provides in-depth analysis of global road textile market based on application, raw material and major geographies for the forecast period from 2019 to 2026. The report also highlights the major market drivers propelling the growth as well as challenges faced by market participants. The research report provides market size and forecast for the global textile market. In addition, the report also analyses the competitive landscape, major players and their strategies in 2018. The competitive landscape section of the report captures and highlights the recent developments in the market.

Key questions answered in this research report:

·         At what pace is textile market growing? What will be growth trend in future?

·         What are the key drivers and restraints in the current market? What will be the impact of drivers and restraints in the future?

·         What are the regional revenue and forecast breakdowns? Which are the major regional revenue pockets for growth in the global textile market?

·         What are the various application areas and how they are poised to grow?

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Parents fined 24m for pupil absences

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Parents fined 24m for pupil absences

Image caption About 400,000 penalty notices for school non-attendance have been issued to parents in England and Wales in the past three years

Parents across England and Wales have been fined about £24m for failing to send their children to school during the past three years, it has emerged.

A BBC investigation also shows some councils are issuing penalties at rates five times higher than the average.

Some parents say they now actively budget for the cost of fines when planning holidays.

While some councils admit they have become “stricter”, they say they are protecting the education of children.

Between them, 155 local authorities in England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland do not issue fines) issued about 400,000 penalties over three years. A further 19 did not supply data.

On average, 12 penalties were issued per 1,000 children – whether for truancy or for parents taking children away on holiday during term time – during 2016-17.

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Some councils issued penalties at rates five times the average, including the Isle of Wight (64 per 1,000 pupils), which last year won a long-running case over an unauthorised holiday, East Riding of Yorkshire (63 per 1,000) and Suffolk (60 per 1,000).

All three councils issued penalty tickets at a rate of more than 60 per 1,000 pupils (compared with 12 per 1,000 on average). Of the Welsh authorities, Merthyr Tydfil had the highest penalty rate at 4.6 per 1,000 pupils, less than half the average for England and Wales.

Term-time holiday: What are the rules?

School attendance and absence: The facts

Shortened summer holidays plan approved

Paul Brading, Isle of Wight’s cabinet member for schools, said its high rate of fines was because officials want every unauthorised absence to be “thoroughly followed through”.

From 2019, the authority is cutting the summer holiday from six to five weeks and introducing a two-week autumn half term instead.

The changes would also give island parents – many of whom work in the tourism sector – greater freedom to take a family break outside traditional school holiday dates.

‘I’d do it again’

Image copyright Dave Brain

Image caption Dave Brain, wife Hannah, and their three children on their holiday in Florida last summer

When Dave Brain’s father passed away, he decided to use money left to him to pay for a family holiday to Florida.

Going during the school holidays, he said, would have cost about £8,000 rather than the £4,500 they would be charged for a term-time trans-Atlantic holiday.

So Mr Brain, wife Hannah and their three children decided to ignore the threat of a £60 fine and flew off for a two-week holiday last September.

Florida as a destination held particular importance for Mr Brain, of Bristol, because his late father used to take him there as a child.

“We try and stick to the holidays,” he said. “But this was different and we budgeted for the fine,” said Mr Brain, co-creator and producer of the YouTube channel Guksack.

After their return to the UK, the family received a £60 fine for one of their children.

“And I would do it again in an instant if the same opportunity arose,” he said.

Have you ever taken your child on a term time holiday? Have you been fined for doing so? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

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Court case prompted ‘temporary hold’

Some councils reported a drop in the number of fines issued for term-time holidays during a high-profile court case.

In 2017, the Supreme Court ruled against Jon Platt, who had won earlier legal battles against a £120 fine in a case brought by Isle of Wight council.

Image copyright PA

Image caption Jon Platt took his daughter on a week’s holiday to Disney World in the United States three years ago without the head teacher’s permission

Mr Platt, originally from Northern Ireland, was fined for taking his daughter on holiday without permission.

One authority watching the Platt case closely was Nottingham City Council, where the number of fines issued dropped from 1,129 in 2014-15 to just 282 in 2016-17.

A council spokesman said the authority had “placed a temporary hold on fines for holidays in term-time while we awaited the judgment”.

Fining resumed last autumn, he said.

Parents in Nottinghamshire faced the steepest rise in the number of fines issued in England – up tenfold from 370 in 2014-15 to 3,771 in 2016-17.

Denis McCarthy, service manager at Nottinghamshire County Council said the figures reflected schools “being stricter about the circumstances in which they authorise absence”.

“It essentially reflects an increased level of enforcement activity being requested by schools in response to parents removing their children from school in term time for an unauthorised leave of absence,” he said.

“Historically – compared to some authorities – we issued a small number of fines.

“So, whilst the increases seem significant I think we are now probably more in line with lots of other authorities.”

In Essex, the second largest education authority area in the country (after Kent), parents saw the number of penalties issued treble (from 909 in 2014-15 to 3,165 in 2016-17) for unauthorised term time holidays.

Ray Gooding, the authority’s cabinet member for education, said: “There are clear links between attendance and attainment, and every lesson really does count.”

At the other end of the spectrum is Southend Borough Council, where the number of penalties issued dropped 98% from 52 in 2014-15 to just one – for truancy – in 2016-17.

How do penalties work?

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption The money from penalties goes to local education authorities to cover the cost of enforcement, including prosecution

Penalty notices can be issued for a number of reasons including truancy, holidays taken during term-time and pupils caught during “exclusion sweeps”.

Local authorities act on behalf of schools in issuing penalties, which start at £60 and then rise to £120 if not paid within three weeks.

A spokesman for the Association of School and College Leaders said: “No doubt people will argue that there should be a uniform approach across the country.

“But I would have thought there is a reasonable case for these decisions to be made locally as schools and councils will be in the best position to judge what is most effective as part of an overall strategy to deter unauthorised absences.

“The other point – and surely the most important one – is that there should be no need to issue any penalty notices at all because children should not be removed from school without authorisation.”

Have you ever taken your child on a term time holiday? Have you been fined for doing so? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:

WhatsApp: +44 7555 173285

Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay

Or use the form below

Related Topics

Suffolk County Council

Nottinghamshire County Council

Essex County Council

Cheshire

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

Isle of Wight Council

Nottingham

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk

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Mobile Device Management Market: Market Trends and Dynamics

An information technology term is mobile device management and it primarily stands for the centralized management of mobile devices such as sub-notebooks, smartphones, tablet or personal digital assistant (PDA) by one or more administrators with the help of hardware and software. The market has been segmented into by type which includes solutions and services among others. The market is also segmented into by application which includes aerospace, banking and financial sector, education, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, transportation and logistics among others. The market for mobile device management, by region is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa and South America.

By type the market is segmented into solutions and services. Application management, network service management and security management among others falls under the solution field. Moreover, training and support comes under the service segment. Growing scope for mobile device management consulting and services and growing cloud-based deployment is fueling the market.

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The major application sectors of mobile device management market include aerospace, banking and financial sector, education, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, transportation and logistics among others. BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) field accounted highest market share in this market, followed by education, manufacturing and aerospace among others. Technological advancement in the field of electronic devices and growing usage of mobile devices among young generation are some of the basic drivers for the market. In addition, growing demand for cloud-based solutions adopted by small and medium sized enterprises and rising demand for local braded smartphones and tablets are some of the prime driving factors for the mobile device management market. However, due to budgetary constraints low adoption of MDM (mobile device management) solutions by (SMEs) small and medium firms along with reluctance to use MDM (mobile device management) solution on the employees' personal phones owing to privacy constraints and are the major restraints for the market.

North America accounted the highest market share in the mobile device management market, followed by Asia Pacific and Europe. Growing smartphone penetration and technological advancement is one of the major driving factors for the market across North America. The U.S. is leading the market across North America, followed by Mexico and Canada. In addition, China, India, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan are anticipated to register positive development during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024 across Asia Pacific. Major organizations in the Asia Pacific region are adopting enterprise mobility solutions to meet the requirement of the dynamic mobile workforce, which in turn is fueling the demand for mobile device management across Asia Pacific.

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The companies operating in the mobile device management primarily adopts acquisition as a major business strategy. With acquiring other company major players increases its product offerings in order to strengthen its foothold globally. In addition, mergers and focusing on research and development are some of the prime strategies adopted by the players operating in this mobile device management market. VMware AirWatch (The U.S.), BlackBerry Limited (Canada), International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) (The U.S.), Microsoft Corporation (The U.S.), Citrix Systems, Inc. (The U.S.), SAP SE (Germany), MobileIron Inc. (The U.S.), Sophos Group plc (The U.K.), Amtel, Inc.(The U.S.), Symantec Corporation (The U.S.), Soti Inc (Canada) among others are some of the major players operating in the mobile device management market. Innovating new products with advance features through extensive research activity is another major business strategy for attracting new customer base and better market penetration.

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.