#Guidelines for “Opening Up America Again”

[billyshakesp]

Guideline #1: Stay Alive

If you're in America, or you follow American politics, you may recognise the severity of our predicament. This post cannot answer questions. Instead, it is here to bring attention to all of the people whom will suffer under President Donald Trump. Guideline #1: Stay Alive, bitch.

This is a threat. To my reader, I will impress upon you this: you may not end your life through suicide. You may not end your life through a lack of regard for your own well-being. You are important; there are others struggling, including me, myself, but we help each other just by being here. To any of those who commit suicide, I will expunge your soul from the river manually, and I will reincorporate you into a meat which you will feel satisfied with. You will be comfortable and satisfied within your body. After the transplant has been achieved, a rigorous care program will commence, which will consist of the mandatory consumption of two pizzas and five chocolate chip cookies every twenty-four hours, as well as a minimum of four hours of cuddling with no less than four cats; however, this number will be limited at three thousand cats, for legal reasons. If you are allergic to cats, then I will find you a meat shell that isn't as weak and pathetic as yours.

To those who have not yet willingly evicted your soul from the thalergetic realm of the living, this section addresses you: The Locked Tomb army will rise once again. Though our numbers may be few, we wield power that the fat cats in the government could never imagine. We are the first Saints to serve our Lord and Resurrector, the bonermancer prime, long may she make us wait for Alecto the Ninth, Tamsyn Muir. We will rise. We will rise in our grief for Gideon the Ninth, and Harrow the Ninth, and Nona the Ninth. We are the vengeance of ten billion. We have come to protest the horrific treatment which people of colour, immigrants, necromancers, swordswomen, and, of course, hopeless, useless lesbians, have faced under the governance of Trump. Together, we can bring change to this broken system. We will root out the corruption in our government, and we will appoint a new leader (personally, I elect Cassiopeia the First, although I'm open to your opinion). Let this be a new dawn. Morning is now. We are the occultists of the Locked Tomb, and we will sleep no longer!

(THIS IS A JOKE: This post is obviously meant to be satirical. I do not promote suicide nor do I look down upon people with cat allergies, nor do I wish to incite a violent overthrowing of the government, unlike certain creepy, old, orange people. However, the issues I address in this post are real. If you are reading this, first of all, thank you for making it to the end of this attempt at humour. I'm honoured to have you here. If you or a close one is considering suicide, there are many resources to support you. I'm not the right person to ask about this subject, I will list some resources here which I trust: The National Suicide and Crisis Hotline (988), The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); The Trevor Project. Stay safe out there. Every day in which you wake up and are not dead is a victory. Drink water, hug a cat, etc. Thanks for reading!)

[samsseptember]

Samtember 2023 Calendar, Rules, and Guidelines!

Hi, Sam Wilson Nation! It's that time of year again when we all get together to celebrate our beloved Sam Wilson's birth month. That's right, it's ✰samtember2023✰ !!! 🎉

As per usual, the event will be running from Friday, September 1st to Saturday, September 30th and there will be prompts set for each day:

Fluff/Family Week (and Two Days):

September 1 - Free Space

September 2 - First Flight | Riley  

September 3 - Delacroix | Louisana

September 4 - Siblings | Uncle Sam

September 5 - Fishing | Camping

September 6 - Day Off | Vacation

September 7 - Memories | The Future

September 8 - Figaro | Sick Day

September 9 - Carnival | King of Mardi Gras

Captain America Week:

September 10 - Cap Quartet 2.0 | Mission Fic

September 11 -  Workout | Team Training

September 12 - Shield | Legacy

September 13 - Interview | Rumor

September 14 - Magic | Multiverse

September 15 - Undercover | Amnesia 

September 16 - Night Out | Madripoor

AU Week:

September  17 - Wings | Angel

September  18 - Western AU | Cowboy  

September  19 - Celebrity AU | Royalty AU 

September  20 - Bird Telepathy | Redwing

September  21 - Zombie AU | Apocalypse AU 

September  22 - Hurt/Comfort | Disaster Fic

September  23 - Birthday 🎂🧁

Canon Week:

September  24 - In the Air Force | Time in D.C.

September  25 - Part-Time Avenger | On the Run

September  26 - Working for Fury | Wakanda

September  27 -  Post-Blip | TFATWS

September  28 - Post-TFATWS | Meanwhile, On the Boat

September  29 - Uniform | Cap Suit 

September  30 - Sam Wilson 

We have opened a collection on AO3 that can be found here, or by typing samtember2023 in the add to collections option.

You can also tag any works you post with #samtember2023 or tag this blog @samsseptember​ - works will be reblogged every day throughout the month. 

Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with! 

What works count for this fan event?

Any of the following count:

fanfic

podfic

fanart

gifsets

photosets / moodboards

graphics

Haikus

videos / edits

playlists

Whichever way you want to celebrate Sam Wilson, it’s up to you! 

The rest of the FAQ and rules are under the cut.

FAQ

What is this?

It’s a Sam Wilson fan event.

Is there any pressure?

No pressure at all. Fill one prompt. Fill all the prompts on for the month. Do however many you please.

Can I fill more than one prompt with one piece of art/one fic?

Yes! You can fill one prompt with one piece of art or fic. You can try to fill all 30 prompts at once with one piece of art or fic. If you can fill every single prompt from every single day in one fill, that’d be wild but it’s okay by the rules. You can do any number in between.

Are there any prizes for making anything for this event?

Just the satisfaction that you made something cool.

Should the work I make be Sam Wilson-centric?

Yes. You can make a gen work or a piece with any ship with Sam Wilson in it, but the main focus should be Sam Wilson.

How long will this event run?

It will run from September 1st to September 30th.

I heard there are badges I can use for each fill?

There will be! They will come out daily.

Do I have to post my fic for the prompt on the day of the prompt?

You can if you'd like, but it's okay if you post a piece on a day other than the day of the prompt.

RULES AND GUIDELINES

What are the guidelines for the event?

I will be borrowing some of this from the MYSU Valentine’s Day Bingo 2022 Guidelines, since they were fantastic.

For Everyone:

1. Remember to tag @samsseptember in the post as well as #samtember2023.

2. Please also tag the prompt you’re using (for instance, if the square is “Redwing”, use “#redwing” as one of your tags when posting about it on Tumblr).

3. If you’re uploading to AO3, please:

a ) Say somewhere which prompt you’re filling.

b ) Add it to The Samtember Collection (under Samtember2023).

For Artists:

1. Create at least one piece of new art that can’t have been posted anywhere else before this.

2. All visual art forms are welcome:

a ) Gifsets or photosets, at least 3 gifs or photos.

b ) Aesthetic boards or moodboards, at least 4 images each.

c ) Drawing/painting, that is not a sketch.

d) Fan video.

e) Graphics edit.

For Authors:

1. At least 500 words.

2. Posted on Tumblr or AO3.

3. Can be part of a series, but should work as a standalone.

For Podficcers:

1. The podfic should at least be 10 minutes long.

2. It should be posted on either Tumblr or AO3.

3. The podfic can be of a fic made for the event, a fic not made for the event while still adhering to the prompt, or a notfic.

Things to be mindful of when creating:

For Sam

Avoid framing Sam only as a caretaker or emotional support for Bucky. Be mindful of Sam acting angry or aggressive in an out-of-character way and falling into the angry/sassy Black man trope (check out the MCU source material to help with character traits).

Avoid decentering Sam as a main character and refrain from focusing entirely on Bucky.

In art: avoid whitewashing Sam’s skin and research drawing Black characters.

General disclaimer: Race affects every aspect of his life, including interacting with police/government and the white structures of the world when it comes to performing his duties as Cap and simply being a Black man that lives in the U.S.

Specific Tags:

Avoid tags in AO3 like “Sam Wilson is a Gift” and “Sam Wilson is a Saint”.

Have fun and we look forward to your Samtember 2023 works!

[emo-eyemakeup-evildude]

Astorvember Update!

Week 2 of Astorvember begins tomorrow! Thanks to everyone who has participated so far, either by posting or sharing or commenting, it's been a blast. The next weekly theme is Doom and the daily prompts are as follows:

8. Malice 9. Fortune 10. Demon 11. Astromancy 12. Façade 13. Scry 14. Doom

As a reminder, all forms and subjects are welcome. A full breakdown of rules for both Astorvember and submission guidelines for the Astor fandom zine is available here.

And an announcement: the zine will have a collaborative piece! As ocs/self inserts/self shipping are not only welcome but encouraged in the zine we are going to make a yearbook page for original characters. Submit a simple portrait of your oc(s) (but if it would be in character for them to mess up a portrait, by all means make it silly!) along with their relationship to Astor (partner, friend, mentor, family, etc), the name you would like to be credited as, and if you'd like a senior quote/superlative. If enough people submit a yearbook entry for their fanon version of Astor we'll do an Oops! All Astor page as well.

Below the cut will be an FAQ summarizing some of the questions I've received so far. Thank you again for your participation!

Q: How many submissions are you looking for? A: As many as y'all submit! I've been saying this from the beginning, I want this thing to get so big that I think oh dear god what have I done. If you have any doubts at all as to whether or not your submission is wanted, it is! Please submit it!!! That said, if you want your doubts assuaged you can email the submission email propheciesofdoomzine@yahoo.com with your questions or concerns. But I promise you, your work is welcome. You, reading this right now. Whatever you want to submit, it is welcome. Do it. (Please.)

Q: Are you looking for works from many creators, or works from just a few creators? A: Yes! I would ideally want at least one submission from anyone who has any inkling at all about submitting works to the zine, but if you want to submit more than one, go nuts! That's why: 1. I billed the zine specifically as a fandom anthology, a sampling of all of our fan works over the last 4 years 2. I opted for open submissions as opposed to taking applications and selecting artists to create a piece specifically for the zine 3. I prepared to create multiple versions. The full, free version (with content warnings where appropriate) will be available online. Any other versions (like a pg-13/safe for work version) will depend on the number and kind of submissions. Disclaimer: no piece will be censored. Some works may be excluded from certain versions of the zine but the free, online, full version will have every piece exactly as it was submitted. I specify free because any price for physical versions will only be a small fee to offset shipping costs because I am fully prepared to ship internationally. Again, any physical copy or merch WILL ship outside of North America.

Q: Can I submit a work I've already posted? A: Yes! Again, this is an anthology of the last four years of our fandom. Please submit works you've posted before! That's another part of why I opted for open submissions instead of selected artists creating pieces specifically for the zine.

Q: Can I submit a work under my username? A: Yes, submit works under whatever name you'd like to be credited as. Your username, a nickname, whatever. As a matter of fact I would prefer no one used their full, legal name. Use whatever name you want to be and feel comfortable having published.

Q: Are original characters/self shipping/self inserts okay? A: Yes. I want them. I am asking for original characters and self shipping and self inserts. Give them to me. As mentioned above, I am specifically asking for original character specifically to put them in the zine because original characters and self shipping has been an integral part of our fandom.

Q: Will there be physical merch? A: Possibly! I am considering making shirts. If anyone else has a design for stickers or pins or keychains or any of the usual physical merch fare please email propheciesofdoomzine@yahoo.com

[fanaticsnail]

I'm curious how do requests work? I wait for it to get a fic? I've sent few requests. I don't mind if you start the Ghost Corazon. Truth was it came to me last minute, just after I read doujinshi manga, where Corazon's alive in au.

Don't worry, I know you don't know lot about Pokémon, so I pick only just Fidough. Think of Fidough as the Onigiri for the series.

Hey love, you've been in my ask box a whole heap! The link to my request guidelines up on my Masterlist, but click the hyperlink underlined to take you straight there.

I have a bit of an issue with a couple of the requests you've just sent in, so please forgive me as I will politely decline your Law asks. While I enjoy writing for him, the type of reader you've asked me to write from the perspective of doesn't really align with the direction I would enjoy taking it. While I think body swapping and dressing in drag would be fun, I truthfully don't think I could do it justice.

The Corazon Ghost Modern Au seems too complex for me to dive right into. While I think the idea of possession would be fun, the reader being overtaken by the ghost of Rosinante, overcomplicating it by taking it out of the one piece universe and into the modern era requires a lot of thinking and I don't think I'm capable of doing so.

The thinking: how/why did Corazon die in the modern au, what is the relationship with the reader, are they pirates/doctors/surgeons, how did the reader meet Law, is there a prior friendship or relationship, how did this reader get possessed, is it a regular occurrence, is it placed in America, or Germany where Oda suggests Law was born, or Spain considering that's how Oda suggested Dressrosa and the Donquixote family to originate, why couldn't Law save Rosinante, how does Doflamingo fit into the mix.

This would be made into a fic that is longer than any others I have written prior, and I am currently over-encumbered by the amount of one-shots and my own writing interests to be able to do it. I'm sorry, but I honestly don't think I can undertake that amount of ideas in a single fic without it overtaking my capacity to write.

While I do enjoy taking requests and suggestions, I prefer a more open-ended prompts for me to work with quickly. Writing for this amount of tropes, and the amount of requests you've made in the past 3 days for me, is giving me a little bit of anxiety. While I would love to write them, I don't think I can. I would encourage you to try your hand at writing your own fics, I would love to read them!

Again, thank you for submitting your beautiful thoughts in my ask box. I appreciate getting to know you and hearing about your passions, it's been lovely.

Love, Snail 🖤

[uglypastels]

Spotify Wrapped Blurb Event 2022!

It's that time of the year again! Where I get to out my all yearly listening habits for the sake of your literary entertainment in the shape of song-inspired blurbs!!

First of, before we get into the list, a little housekeeping:

I really do not want this to flop so please interact with the post. Like, comment but most of all, please reblog it so more people can participate.

To participate: send me an ask with a fic request with a song of my Spotify Wrapped list.

The request can be just the character you want me to write for + the song title, or a whole prompt you want me to include. Up to you. It is possible I will interpret the song differently in the fic than you would want, so please be specific if you have any specific ideas in mind

MINORS DO NOT REQUEST SMUT

I'm thinking of writing for more than just Eddie Munson, so expanding the horizon to other Stranger Things characters (minus the kids).

Maybe even other fandoms? but those that I am familiar with, of course. I want to do your request justice <3

Do remember that I am a person and have my limits and comforts, and do have the right to refuse to write your request, but that is never my goal. So let's keep it nice - check the guidelines, to be sure! And send an ask with any other questions or comments youight have about this whole thing

DO NOT judge my music taste. I'm sharing this for fun so let's keep it that aight. <3

If you're a writer and want to do a blurb event like this, I deeply encourage it

I will be away this weekend (3-4 December) and have deadlines coming up soon so it might take me a bit of time to post the blurbs but requests are open from the second this post is sent out!

Let's get on with the songs now. Spotify Wrapped list below cut:

Maroon by Taylor Swift

Keep Driving by Harry Styles

Lavender Haze by Taylor Swift

Kiwi by Harry Styles

Bejeweled by Taylor Swift

Slow by Airways

Suzie by Jojo Macari

Music For a Sushi Restaurant by Harry Styles

Sweet Nothing by Taylor Swift

Gone by the Station Breaks

Girls & Boys by Blur

Canyon Moon by Harry Styles

Vigilante Shit by Taylor Swift

Little Lies by Fleetwood Mac

Left Hand Free by alt-J

Late Night Talking by Harry Styles

Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift

Young Dumb Thrills by McFly ft. RAT BOY

Going Up The Country by Canned Heat

As It Was by Harry Styles

Karma by Taylor Swift

Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers

Don't Panic by Molotov Jukebox

Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes

The Great War by Taylor Swift

Dreams by The Cranberries

Carolina by Harry Styles

What I Like About You by The Romantics

Dear Reader by Taylor Swift

People Are Strange by The Doors

Sattelite by Harry Styles

Got My Mind Set On You by George Harrison

You're On Your Own, Kid by Taylor Swift

Centerfold by The J. Geils Band

Mrs Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel

Grapejuice by Harry Styles

Would've, Could've, Should've by Taylor Swift

Beautiful Mess by Left on Laurel

Echoes by The Rapture

We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel

Snow On The Beach by Taylor Swift ft. Lana Del Rey

American Pie by Don McLean

The Joker by Steve Miller Band

All Summer Long by Kid Rock

Midnight Rain by Taylor Swift

Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles

Have You Ever Seen The Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival

More Than A Feeling by Boston

Bigger Than The Whole Sky by Taylor Swift

Twist and Shout by the Beatles

There She Goes by The La's

MMMBop by Hanson

Paris by Taylor Swift

You Make My Dreams (Come True) by Hall & Oates

One Way Or Another by Blondie

Chateau by Djo

Glitch by Taylor Swift

Blister In The Sun by Violent Femmes

Kids In America by Kim Wilde

Wildflower by 5 Seconds of Summer

Labyrinth by Taylor Swift

Venus by Shocking Blue

Stuck In the Middle of You by Stealers Wheel

Golden by Harry Styles

Mastermind by Taylor Swift

Crocodile Rock by Elton John

Weapon Of Choice by Fatboy Slim

Son of A Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield

High Infidelity by Taylor Swift

Daydreaming by Harry Styles

Fever by The Cramps

Over the Rainbow by Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole

Question...? by Taylor Swift

Sugar, Sugar by Taylor Swift

I Want You Back by the Jackson 5

Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

invisible string by Taylor Swift

Daylight by Harry Styles

Footloose by Kenny Loggins

Uptown Girl by Billy Joel

Love Story (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift

Happy Together by the Turtles

Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams

Oh My God by Adele

Style by Taylor Swift

I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick

Dang! by Mac Miller ft. Anderson .Paak

Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks

no body, no crime by Taylor Swift

Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry

Soldier, Poet, King by The Oh Hellos

Cinema by Harry Styles

the last great american dynasty by Taylor Swift

Groove is in the Heart by Deee-lite

Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

Bad To The Bone by George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Wildest Dreams (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift

1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins

Dreaming by Blondie

Lie To Me by The Mots Nouveaux

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers

writing taglist:

@spiderrrling @theglitterymess @dorianelizabeth @theletterhart @niyahwhoreworld @chatnoirfangirl1624 @fopdoodle1624 @pastel-abyss-x @ghoulsgraveyard @prettytoxix @lovesickollie @xbreezymeadowsx @ssanjuniperoo @nxrdamp @meaganjm @yourmommilf @mischiefmanagers @greendinosaursocks13 @roseyykris @capybergara @brother-lauren @h0sh1verse @ghostlyreads @croweaterr @ladyapplejackdnd @bilesxbilinskixlahey @kbakery @sleeping-willow @lizzylynch1 @hellfire-state-of-mind @liltimmyst @escape-in-time-x @miscelaa @sweetpeapod @the-a-word-2214 @eddiemunsonbby @wh0re4munson @eddiesdingus @zoeyquinn94 @munsonmunchies @overthewhiteclouds @wroteclassicaly @groupies-do-it-better @stitchity @celestialsxturn @hoe4eddiemunson @inanausomewhere @witchyrivers @scoops-harrington @fluffyharrington

[taito-division]

Since you've pretty much asked this of every other division, we only feel it's right for you to answer it, as well. So...

With the COVID numbers slowly rising again (unfortunately), that's got me thinking of a question I wanted to ask...

If COVID took place in the HypMic universe, how would your OC's handle it? Would they slowly go insane from being trapped indoors? Would they develop an unhealthy drinking/smoking habit? Or would they be perfectly fine?

(😒 Darn you, Alex. But I suppose I had this coming...)

If he was back in America, Ace would be worried about COVID. And seeing as how it came from a foreign country, it would only redouble his hatred for Asian countries, specifically. But seeing as how he is stuck here in Japan as a diplomat... well, he's not too bothered. His job involves him traveling all the way from Okinawa to Tokyo to meet with the Prime Minister and other officials. But seeing as how the whole country is in lockdown and safety regulations are in place, he basically has a free vacation. He'll spend his time in Eagle's Nest on his phone on PROFILE, or playing pool on Rashaad's new pool table that he got for his birthday.

Of course, he'd keep up to date with the virus. He'd also call his family back in the States and make sure all of them are safe. Though he is worried, he knows that there is little that can be done about it.

Evelyn... this girl is going to lose her freaking mind. She is an extrovert to the umpth degree. It is not right to keep her confined indoors for too long! She needs to be outside, either on the beach, soaking up some rays from the sun, or in a nightclub, dancing the night away! She loves Eagle's Nest, and she loves Ace and Rashaad, but she can't stand being indoors forever! So whenever a chance to go outside comes, even if it's just to buy groceries, this California girl is going to take it. She'll keep up with safety regulations cause she doesn't want to get sick. But knowing her, she'll probably spend more time than is required outside. It'll take Ace calling her to get her to come back, which she will, begrudgingly.

Like Ace, she is also going to be worried for her family back in the States. She'd call them like five times a week, just to make sure they are all okay. She'd be worried sick for all of them and hope that they make it out of this alright.

Rashaad is going to be the one most hurt by this financially. He relies on customers to keep his bar going, but due to the pandemic, nobody's going to be stopping by Eagle's Nest for a drink anytime soon. He'll still keep the place open, but he'll definitely have to make some changes. For example, he'll have to change his hours: no more opening and closing at 6 or 7. Plus, he can only allow a certain number of patrons. And those he does allow in will have to either be vaccinated or must be following safety guidelines. Plus, when the bar is closed, he'll have to sanitize it from top to bottom. So yeah, things are definitely going to be tight for awhile for Japan's favorite bartender.

On the bright side, this pandemic will allow the bar owner to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Plus, with all the free time, he'll have more time to practice with his saxophone and start working on putting together his jazz band for when the pandemic is over.

Azusa... this pandemic is going to be a challenge for her, financially, physically, and mentally. She was barely making enough money as it was with her dojo. But with the pandemic, fewer and fewer students are going to be showing up for classes, putting the dojo in jeopardy. What's more, her father, who is already sick, is obviously going to be in even more danger because of COVID, since it is detrimental to the elderly and the weak. Azusa will stress to her father not to move much and to always call on her should he need anything. Though he doesn't agree, he knows that his daughter is just trying to take care of him, so he reluctantly agrees.

Meanwhile, Azusa is going to try to find other ways to make some wealth. She'll search for odd jobs around Taitō with limited success. If all fails, she'll have no choice but to ask her teammates for a short loan for a while. She will insist on paying back once the pandemic is over, despite her teammates telling her not to worry about it. All in all, Azusa just hopes and wishes that the pandemic ends soon before it takes anything else of value away from her.

Fleuret, like Azusa, will unfortunately be out of work since the museum will be temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Thankfully, this won't bother her family none since her father receives a stipend due to his time in the service. So in the meantime, the museum curator will be taking care of the household. She'll do the cooking, cleaning, etc. So really it is no different than before. However, she hopes and prays that the pandemic will be over soon and won't harm or kill too many people. She'd be worried for her mother, who is over in the States. She'd call her frequently, making sure she is okay. She'd also have her boyfriend, Rio, come live with her and her family, since she is absolutely not allowing her boyfriend to live in the woods during a plague. She knows he may not be comfortable living indoors, but she would do her best to accommodate him.

Meanwhile, with all her free time, Fleuret would spend it either practicing her art or music, or spending time with Rio. She'd also be a stickler for safety and cleanliness, making sure that every time one of her family members steps out of the house, they immediately head to the shower upon re-entering.

Despite the pandemic, Eldrid, surprisingly, wouldn't be out of work. She and the other MMA fighters would still be allowed to compete, but they'd have to do it in empty arenas for a while. This would obviously bother the MMA champion, as she needs to hear the roar of a crowd when she fights. Fighting in an empty arena with only the officials would be boring. Still, she'd be making money and doing what she loves, so she can't complain too much. Still, she wishes this stupid pandemic would hurry up and be over with so things can go back to normal.

She'd be a worrywart when it comes to her younger brother. She'd make sure he masks up and is sanitized before he leaves the house. She'd also be the one making supply runs and would tell her brother not to let anyone in the house or open the door for anyone. Though Yuma would get a bit annoyed with his big sister's over worrying, he knows she's doing it out of love.

Kotan is going to have a lot of pressure, due to both his role as leader of his tribe and the pandemic. His tribe lives on the outskirts of the city of Hakodate and keeps much to themselves, so they wouldn't have to fear the pandemic much. Plus, due to their skill as hunters, they wouldn't have to worry about food much, either. However, their main concern is the fact that they live outdoors in the wilderness, which doesn't protect them should anyone with COVID come near them. Therefore, Kotan will encourage the tribe to mask up and social distance, even with other tribe members just to be safe. He'd also encourage them to get vaccinated, just to be safe. He would also have to quarantine off part of the camp should anyone get sick, unfortunately. He doesn't want to, but he knows that his father would have done the same. As stated, the young tribal chief would be under a lot of pressure, but with the help of his grandmother, he would persevere.

It isn't often that Ted gets sick, but he'd still take the pandemic seriously for the safety of his son. He'd encourage Aiden to be careful on his way to school and don't touch or talk to anyone if he doesn't have too. As for himself, he'd follow safety guidelines, but he wouldn't be too worried about getting sick, since, as stated, he doesn't get sick often.

As for how he would feel, Ted wouldn't really notice the pandemic happening until Kotan, Kokomi, or his son told him. He spends his time up in the mountains away from civilization, so he isn't fully aware of what is going on in the city below. He'd feel sorry for those who may get sick, or have already gotten sick. But as long as he, his son and his friends are okay, then he is content.

Kokomi would notice the pandemic a lot earlier than Ted, but would still not be fully bothered by it since she lives up in the mountains with the woodsman. She'd be worried for those who may get sick, but there is little she could do about it. Her thoughts would turn to her father, and she would debate between calling him or leaving him to wonder about her. Though he is family, Kokomi still cannot forgive him for ruining snowboarding for her, so she'd be confused about what to do.

As for guidelines, the snowboarder would mask up and sanitize, but only because Ted advised her to. Otherwise, she wouldn't be too bothered by guidelines. Not many people come to the mountains anyway, so she has more free range to ski and snowboard. Though she knows the pandemic is bad, she'd look at it as a blessing of sorts.

Thanks for the ask! (<_< Even though it took me a while...)

[mariacallous]

It’s been 15 years since suicides overtook homicides as the second leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14 years old. Two years since the first Meta whistleblower warned United States senators that America’s children are at risk from “disastrous” decisions being made in Silicon Valley. (And a little over a month since a second Meta whistleblower testified, “They knew and they were not acting on it.”) And it’s been roughly one year since a wave of new, younger lawmakers—many raising their own young children—were seated in the House of Representatives. “As a mom of two kids, you know, we want to make sure that their online experience is safe,” Representative Beth Van Duyne, a Texas Republican, tells WIRED.

All those changes—including an alarming doubling of the adolescent suicide rate—and yet, one constant remains: congressional inaction. Amid a flurry of blockbuster whistleblower hearings, soaring campaign promises, tear-soaked press conferences with the families of teens lost to cyberbullying, and dozens of competing bills that members have introduced aimed at protecting kids in cyberspace—nothing.

Congressional inaction has left the door open for the Biden administration to lead on the issue. On Wednesday, the Federal Trade Commission unveiled its proposal for a new set of guidelines to govern social media firms. The FTC wants to prohibit social media companies from identifying children—like targeting their cell numbers—when they’re online, while also limiting which data is collected on students, including having apps not target children under 13 with ads by default. With House Republicans now taking steps to impeach Joe Biden, why would they want to cede their oversight authority over American tech firms to the White House? Most don’t.

With so much interest—and increased pressure from agencies like the FTC—why hasn’t Congress protected kids yet? “I’ve never been able to figure that out either,” Representative Dan Crenshaw, a Texas Republican who sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction on the issue, tells WIRED. Of course, there are theories floating around the marble halls of the US Capitol.

“M–O–N–E–Y”

Teams of tech lobbyists on Capitol Hill have dropped upward of $75 million (not including Q4 totals, which aren’t due until January 22) in 2023. Of the 637 “internet” lobbyists, as money and politics nonprofit Open Secrets dubs the sector, a whopping 73.31 percent are former government employees. Many of these lobbyists are from the same congressional offices and committees now tasked with regulating the internet. They’re not very subtle.

One social media firm or another seems to always be blanketing Washington with a feel-good, policy-focused ad campaign. At the start of the year, TikTok—which, at $3.7 million, spent more in Q3 lobbying this year than it did throughout all of 2019 and 2020 combined—plastered DC’s metro system, historic Union Station, and The Washington Post with ads. When its CEO was dragged in to testify to an angry Congress this spring, it even paid for travel, room, and board for dozens of sympathetic “influencers.” For the past month or so, Meta ads have blanketed the Beltway: “Instagram supports federal legislation that puts parents in charge of teen app downloads,” the ad reads, without saying which measures it’s actively trying to kill on Capitol Hill.

Lawmakers say the ad blitz shows what they’re up against from technology firms. “M–O–N–E–Y,” Senator Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, spells out to WIRED. “They’re only in favor of stuff if they can write it.”

In the last Congress and again this summer, two key kid-focused digital measures both sailed through the Senate Commerce Committee. The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) outlaws targeting children with advertising while also banning data collection on teenage social media users, to name a few of its provisions. The controversial Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) mandates annual minor-focused risk assessments within social media giants while also giving parents and regulators new tools to protect children.

The two measures enjoy broad support, which is why they get out of committee with ease. But they’ve never been brought to the Senate floor for a vote by all 100 US senators. Critics say many members are supportive in the relatively obscure confines of their committees, but some of that support withers away under the intense lobbying scrutiny that comes once bills make the queue for Senate consideration. So far, members have been shielded, but those days seem to be over. “That’s because, in committee, they know they’re not going to have to vote on it on the floor. I know that for a fact,” Hawley, who’s up for reelection in 2024, says. “I can tell you, I’m going to get much more aggressive come the new year about forcing votes. I think it’s time to start putting people on record.”

The thing is, no one really knows what would happen if COPPA 2.0 or KOSA were voted on. “I don’t have any predictions or any insights,” Senator Roger Wicker, the Mississippi Republican who chaired the Commerce Committee until Democrats reclaimed senatorial power in 2021, tells WIRED. The resistance remains hard to nail down. Republicans blame Democrats. Democrats blame Republicans. Everyone blames the tech industry. “In the legislative process where you’re not bringing something to the floor for debate—which is where you could have a lot of input—then one person can hold something up,” Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, tells WIRED.

Because a broader data privacy bill remains gridlocked to death on Capitol Hill, Congress now has these offshoot measures aimed specifically at children, according to Cantwell. “We want to get a privacy bill, overall,” she says. “That’s what we focused on, because we think that framework gives the biggest protections, including for kids. But we’ve allowed these [children-focused measures] to see if they can make it through so that they wouldn’t have to be part of a larger discussion.”

While Hawley’s convinced Big Money keeps derailing the effort, others disagree. These issues just take time, nuance, and compromise, congressional leaders in both chambers argue. “We keep trying. We need a bipartisan, bicameral consensus, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Representative Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, tells WIRED. “I don’t think it’s any special interest. I think it’s just the fact that it’s hard to get the Senate and the House and the Democrats and Republicans to agree, but we’re trying. I think we’re making progress.”

KOSA Complications

In the last Congress, KOSA—the Kids Online Safety Act—was formally endorsed by 13 Senate cosponsors. That number has more than tripled to 46 cosponsors in this Congress. KOSA cosponsors—Senators Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, and Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat—say their personal lobbying of their colleagues is paying off, even if the measure remains stalled. “We’re pushing forward,” Blumenthal tells WIRED. “I’m very hopeful we’ll see a vote early next year. I think we’re feeling it.” Still, while the measure is broadly bipartisan, there’s been a recent wave of opposition to it on the civil libertarian left.

In our post-Roe reality, digital rights and reproductive freedom are now intertwined, and highly suspect. KOSA is now in the crosshairs of groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) over free speech and expression concerns. This fall, upward of 100 parents of trans and gender-expansive children penned an open letter opposing KOSA, saying it would “make our kids less safe, not more safe.”

“It would grant extraordinary new power to right-wing state attorneys general to dictate what content younger users can see on social media, cutting our kids off from lifesaving online resources and community,” the letter, released by digital rights group Fight for The Future, reads. “These are the same attorneys general that are actively working to ban gender-affirming health care that saves kids’ lives, criminalize drag performances, and label families that accept our children as ‘groomers’ and ‘child abusers.’”

The outcry from the progressive end of the spectrum has given those groups new, powerful advocates in Congress. In the end of the year legislative-twister at the Capitol, some KOSA supporters were itching for the proposal to be “fast-tracked,” a unanimous consent agreement where all 100 senators surrender their right to filibuster. But opponents got word and put an end to those efforts. “Until the bill is amended to foreclose the ability of state attorneys general to wage war on important reproductive and LGBTQ content, I will object to any unanimous consent request in relation to this legislation,” Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, told his Senate colleagues in a speech on the Senate floor last month.

KOSA’s sponsors know they still haven’t secured the 60 votes needed for passage, so one alerted party leaders they would oppose their own measure if it were brought up before the New Year. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment on whether he had—or has—plans to bring it to the floor. But Schumer says that before Congress can effectively regulate generative AI—one of his top priorities—America needs a federal data privacy law. “There was pretty much consensus that we need some kind of privacy law,” Schumer told reporters last month. “There are lots of disagreements, but it’s important to try and get that done.”

One Thing After Another

Over in the House, most eyes are on whether freshman speaker Mike Johnson can avert a government shutdown in the New Year. With such a green leader at the helm, House committees are, seemingly, more powerful than before, as members report trying to be the first person to get Johnson’s ear on an array of issues. While there’s no companion measure to KOSA in the House, children’s data privacy remains a top priority for the GOP majority in that chamber. The issue came up as a top priority in the last weekly in-person meeting of the Republican majority on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“It’s not dead. It’s a priority for us,” Representative Richard Hudson, a North Carolina Republican, tells WIRED. He’s the current chair of the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee where he’s tasked with helping the GOP expand its House majority—or, at least, not lose its majority—in 2024. Hudson knows many of his newer members ran on protecting the nation’s children from online predators, legal and illegal ones alike. Now comes the hard work of threading the proverbial needle. “It’s a very difficult question,” Hudson says. “You’re trying to balance rights versus protecting kids, and that’s tough. But our chairwoman is very focused on getting it done.”

If these children’s data measures are ever debated and voted on, dozens of other more niche privacy protection measures will likely be offered by both party’s rank-and-file lawmakers. Some ideas focus on protecting reproductive and geolocation data from law enforcement, especially in states that have outlawed most abortions. Other measures would strip Section 230 liability protections from sites that, say, host child sexual abuse material or promote the sexual abuse of minors. Another proposal would incentivize, through drastically increased federal fines, tech firms to proactively report any child exploitation efforts they uncover.

There’s more. This year in the Senate, a new bipartisan measure was introduced to outright ban social media for children under 13, while also requiring parental consent until those minors turn 18. Its sponsors include some of the Senate’s most conservative lawmakers—Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, and Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican—and some of the chamber’s most progressive members—Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, and Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat. Just bringing a measure to protect minors to the floor without ensuring its passage isn’t good enough for Schatz.

“If we can enact it, that would be great, but there’s no sense bringing something to the floor just to make a point,” Schatz, a father of two, tells WIRED.

If party leaders don’t put one or all of these bills on the floor for votes, Hawley, the Republican senator, vows to use all the instruments in his senatorial toolkit to force the issue in 2024.

“I think it’s time to start putting people on record,” Hawley, who authored a measure prohibiting social media accounts for children under age 16, tells WIRED. “Clearly, the leadership’s not going to bring this to the floor. I think that’s pretty clear. So I think we’ve got to get much more aggressive about forcing votes. What I’d really love to do is start trying to attach this to bills where we have roll call votes, because members hate roll call votes. So expect me to get very aggressive about this.”

Hot Air

Congress knows how to grab headlines—making laws is another conversation. This 118th Congress, with a mere 22 bills signed into law, is currently the least productive session witnessed in decades.

While no data privacy votes are scheduled in the new year, a fireworks display is already on the books. Fresh into the start of 2024, senators on the judiciary committee are dragging in five tech CEOs for a made-for-campaign-fodder hearing on children’s privacy issues. Law enforcement was already called in. See, while TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg agreed to testify, subpoenas—some hand-delivered by US marshals after Discord and X “refused to cooperate”—were issued for the other three tech titans: X CEO Linda Yaccarino, Snap’s Evan Spiegel, and Discord’s Jason Citron.

“We’ve known from the beginning that our efforts to protect children online would be met with hesitation from Big Tech. They finally are being forced to acknowledge their failures when it comes to protecting kids. Now that all five companies are cooperating, we look forward to hearing from their CEOs,” Senators Dick Durbin, the committee’s Democratic chair, and Lindsey Graham, the committee’s top Republican, released in a joint statement the Monday before Thanksgiving. “Parents and kids demand action.”

Parents and kids are still wondering whether they can count on this Congress for that action. As of now, Congress has shown they can’t.

[ellaofoakhill]

Worldbuilding Post #1: Introduction

Hello all! For my own enjoyment, and hopefully yours, I’ve decided to start sharing some of my TLOM worldbuilding. To avoid spoilers—and also to avoid writing myself into a corner—I’m going to avoid cultural stuff, and focus mostly on the worlds themselves, especially the flora and fauna (mostly the fauna; nothing against flora, it just isn’t my jam). So, periodically, I’m going to upload posts to my patreon and other social media, with posts going up a week earlier on my patreon, so if that’s important to you, consider subscribing.

This first post is going to comprise important background information regarding Three Legacies of Magic as a whole. TLOM takes place on three distinct worlds: Earth, or Gaea as it is referred to in text; Fey, the ancestral home of fairies, elves, and their kin; and Nidd, the home of dragons and their kin. What people might not realize is that these separate worlds are actually alternate versions of Earth, separated not in space, but in time. As I originally conceived of these stories, Fey was simply an Otherworld TM, and Nidd was the home of the dragons. As I was just uncovering my fascination with the Triassic period at the time, it should come as no surprise that my burgeoning interest with said period, and this new story I was working on, would try to align themselves.

Thus, the world of Nidd is a more fantastical version of Earth during the latest Triassic, when crocodile relatives, dinosaurs, and the dicynodonts and cynodonts—our synapsid relatives—contended for domination of Pangaea’s megafaunal niches, while ichthyosaurs dominated Panthalassa, and what would become their stiffest competition, the plesiosaurs and pliosaurs, were very much in their infancy, and the mosasaurs wouldn’t exist for almost a hundred million years. It was a time sandwiched between two mass extinctions, and as such, many of the lifeforms found in this period exist in no other…

I’m getting off-topic, to the surprise of absolutely no one.

Anyway, while the Triassic circa 201-205 million years ago seemed the perfect home for my dragons and their relatives, I eventually realized that this parallel with Earth presented me with (A) an asymmetry in my worldbuilding, and (B) a fascinating way to balance that asymmetry. If three worlds existed in the universe(s?) of TLOM, with the first being set in the modern day, and the second being set on an Earth 200ish million years younger, would it not make perfect sense, then, for the third world to be set on an Earth 200ish million years older, or put another way, 200 million years in the future? Again, Fey, at this point in my worldbuilding, had no connection to Earth comparable to Nidd’s. But wouldn’t it open up tremendous potential for TLOM to explore if it did? This would simultaneously give me some guidelines, however loose, by which I might create a Fey pleasantly familiar in some basic ways were one of us to go there, yet also very different? As I wanted to do something similar with the fey themselves—like looking at yourself in a fun-house mirror—this seemed like a good fit.

So I began planning the movements of continents, and the changes of wind and ocean flow which those movements created. I’ll detail those in a future post, but the short version is: most of Fey’s landmass is gathered around the Arctic circle; South America and Antarctica are joined, and connected to North America by a broad, vaguely mountainous region several hundred miles wide at its narrowest; South America and Australia, the latter of which will collide with East and Southeast Asia about 50-60 million years from now, are several hundred miles apart at their closest, and moving toward each other; and the Somali plate split off from Africa, and has nearly collided with a chunk of South Asia which split off from the rest of Asia about 120 million years from now, with the latter “currently” sitting at middle latitudes in what was the southern Indian Ocean, and the former extending from low temperate latitudes into the Antarctic Circle. The world has grown still cooler than it is today, and drier: an average year has temperatures comparable to the last glacial maximum, ice sheets and tundra dominate the Arctic circle and most landmasses down to 40 or 50 degrees latitude, and the continental interiors are dominated by steppe and cold desert.

With this in mind, it may surprise you, then, to learn that mammals and birds are not the dominant terrestrial fauna. How could they be? Though I won’t go into it here, Fey has gone through two mass extinctions in the last 200 million years or so, the latter being comparable in severity to the Great Dying, and killed off enough lifeforms vaguely familiar to you and me to end the Cenozoic. Mammals and birds still exist on Fey, but they are minor components of the terrestrial and marine fauna in most parts of the world.

So which groups dominate theses spheres on modern Fey? I know I am repeating myself here, but I will go into greater detail on this later. I will, however, leave you with this little tidbit: the animal groups which dominate Fey today, occupying roles similar to mammals and birds of modern Earth and the dinosaurs, pseudosuchians, dicynodonts, ichthyosaurs and pterosaurs of the Triassic, descend from the humble cuttlefish.

Fey Geography next time, BYE!

***

I don’t think I posted these here, so here y’all go, gremlins of tumblr! This is the first in a series of worldbuilding and conlanging posts I’ve been putting up on my patreon, and I’ll be migrating them here until I’ve caught up to where I am over there. At that point I’ll start cross-posting in both places once things go public on my patreon. Enjoy!

[sonik69287]

How Much Does A Subway Franchise Cost In India

India was soon regarded as one of the most promising markets outside of North America for food chains, and Subway could not wait to step into this land. This country boasts an incredibly diverse food culture, particularly because its young, rapidly expanding middle class and urbanisation gravely want quick, healthy, and delicious food. Also, the growing desire of the population for diversified and healthy food leaves Subway in the right position to cater to the changing demands. Rising disposable incomes and a young, dynamic demographic have pushed the investment costs higher but have also provided the thrust for growth. This is a reason why the Subway franchise cost in India  attracts entrepreneurs who wish to enter this business. This factor considerably contributes to Subway's expansion across Asia.

A guide to the subway franchise business model.

Let's analyze the franchise opportunity offered by Subway in India. On this count, Subway is one of the most successful franchise systems in the world. It enables its franchisees to run and own franchises while providing them with continuous support from the head office. Through such a franchise model, the corporation looks to hold minimal overheads while having an easy setup procedure and gaining familiarity with tastes of the region to address variations across regions. Franchisees are expected to manage day-to-day operations, employees and most importantly, ensure a happy customer experience. Supporting this drive for the smooth running of the franchise and success in the business, Subway provides complete support-from training to marketing resources as well as operational guidance. Hence, the Subway franchise cost in India is not only an attractive proposition but also a good investment.

Thorough Training and Assistance

Subway trains its new franchisees in all aspects of running a Subway outlet. This includes operational procedures, customer service, food safety protocols, and effective marketing strategies. Subway's commitment to rigorous training guarantees that its standards are always met, thereby letting franchisees offer customers better service and quality.

Operations Guidelines

Subway provides explicit working guidelines that guide its franchisees through their everyday situations. These include inventory management, employee training, and customer engagement techniques. Following such guidelines is key to consistency of quality and service from a Subway to another.

Ongoing Marketing and Brand Promotion

Through national marketing campaigns, the Subway franchisees have patrons coming into their location as a result of advertisements. In addition, Subway provides marketing tools, which might be appropriate for developing local advertising for consumers who live in your area. All these resources are fit to promote you enough and attract customers to your business.

Complete Breakdown of Subway Franchise Costs in India

Now, let's talk about numbers. Subway franchise cost in India is determined by location, size, and type of the store you are interested in opening. So here are the primary costs involved:

Franchise Fee: This is the price for acquiring the right to open a Subway franchise. For India, it varies between INR 6 lakh to INR 15 lakh. This again depends on the city one chooses and the size of the outlet.

Setup costs: It consists of the setting-up expenses such as construction, signages, and the equipment in the kitchen. For an average outlet, you can expect an expenditure of between INR 25 lakh to INR 60 lakh.

Royalty fees: Subway charges a monthly royalty fee, which is generally 8% of your total sales.

Advertising fees: Subway franchisees are bound to support Subway's national advertising fund, that is, in most cases, it is 4.5% of the monthly sales.

Other costs: These include stock, initial staff training, uniforms, among other miscellaneous items.Usually they are around INR 3-5 lakh

investment cost. On average, it should cost any amount ranging from INR 35 lakh to INR 80 lakh to open a Subway franchise in India.

Your Guide to Opening a Subway Franchise in India

The process to open a Subway franchise is fairly streamlined. Here’s a quick overview of the steps:

Initial Inquiry: Start by filling out the franchise inquiry form on Subway’s official website or contacting their franchise team.

Application & Review: Submit the required documents and undergo a review process. Subway will assess your suitability as a franchisee.

Site Selection: Subway will help you choose a suitable location for your outlet based on market analysis and foot traffic.

Training & Onboarding: Once your location is secured, Subway provides comprehensive training in store operations, customer service, and product knowledge.

Store Setup: You’ll begin the physical setup of your store with the help of Subway’s design and equipment guidelines.

Launch & Marketing: Subway will support the launch with local advertising, promotional materials, and initial marketing efforts to ensure you get off to a strong start.

Subway’s Business Strategy

Subway's business strategy revolves around offering a healthy and convenient menu tailored to local tastes. The company is firmly committed to the fast-casual concept, combining affordable, nutritious food with convenience. A standout feature of Subway is its "build-your-own" sandwich model, which empowers customers to create healthier meals while enjoying the experience of a quick bite. Additionally, Subway emphasizes low-cost, highly efficient operations, enabling franchisees to manage their businesses with a smaller team compared to other food chains..

Success Outlets of Subway in India

In India, many Subway outlets have prospered, especially in the metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The place caters to busy professionals, students, and families who require a healthy alternative to the fast food that is typically found at such eateries. The experiences of the successful Subway franchisees bear testament to the fact that if their location is just right and if they run it efficiently, they are able to make good money out of their Subway franchise.

Reasons Why Subway is Very Popular

Several factors contribute to Subway’s immense popularity in India:

Health Consciousness: Subway is one of the most health-conscious fast-food options available, with a focus on fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and low-calorie options.

Customization: Subway’s "build-your-own" sandwich allows customers to create their ideal meal, leading to a unique dining experience every time.

Quick Service: Subway offers fast service, making it ideal for busy customers who need a quick but healthy meal.

Brand Recognition: Subway is a well-established global brand, making it a trusted option for customers looking for quality and consistency.

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of Subway

Subway’s USP lies in its ability to offer a highly customizable, healthy, and quick dining experience. While many fast-food chains rely on fried and unhealthy options, Subway stands out by offering fresh ingredients and healthier alternatives. The focus on customer choice and nutritional information also gives Subway an edge over its competitors.

Profit and ROI: Analyzing Financial Viability

The potential for profit in a Subway franchise is significant, but it varies depending on location, store size, and operational efficiency. Most franchisees report that it takes about 2-3 years to see a return on investment (ROI). Once established, Subway outlets can generate a steady flow of income with manageable overheads.

Profitability largely depends on high foot traffic, effective marketing, and maintaining high standards of service.

Is Investing in a Subway Franchise Still Worthwhile in 2024?

In 2024, India continues to be an attractive market for Subway franchises. The increasing urbanization, health awareness, and demand for fast-casual dining create ideal conditions for Subway's ongoing growth. Even with the emergence of new fast-food competitors, Subway's focus on quality and healthier menu options provides a distinct competitive edge. With an initial investment that can be recovered within a few years and consistent demand for nutritious fast food, Subway presents a compelling business opportunity in India.

Conclusion

Opening a Subway franchise in India is a lucrative and highly rewarding business idea. Such a robust business model, an increasing customer base, and rising demand for healthier fast-food options make the Subway franchise opportunity continue to be a desirable one for ambitious entrepreneurs. Once you understand Subway's franchise cost in India and what it takes to get started, you find success in the fast-casual dining business.

[ear-worthy]

Ear Worthy: Markle Redux; Pod The North Sparkles ; Augmented Reality Guidelines

Meghan Markle podcast -- Part Deux

 "If you don't succeed, try, try again" is a familiar maxim for those who screwed up the first time.

The podcast network, Lemonada, is taking a chance on a second chance. The network just announced a new creative partnership with Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex. As part of their new deal, Lemonada will distribute the first season of the award-winning “Archetypes” for all audio platforms and also develop a new original podcast series as yet untitled hosted by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. 

In 2020, Spotify had announced a $20 million podcast deal with Markle. Although the podcast Markle produced and hosted, Archetypes, was generally well-received, Spotify abruptly canceled the deal last year when it discovered to its surprise that its "We will conquer the podcast universe by throwing money at it" strategy failed.

Archetypes has seen over 10 million downloads, averaging nearly a million listens per episode, and debuted as Spotify’s No.1 podcast in 47 countries around the world.

No word yet on guests, but Archetypes didn't have a problem attracting big-name guests, from Serena Williams to Mariah Carey.

_____________________________________________________

 Canada's Finest Podcast Newsletter -- Pod The North

I think it must suck a lot to be America's neighbor. Overlooked, misunderstood, and patronized, Canadians actually do have their own media universe. 

We have Canada to thank for Rachel McAdams, Celine Dion, Michael J. Fox, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, and many others. Can we return Elon Musk for a full refund?

And guess what, America? Canada is kicking our ass in all kinds of podcast engagement,

 Did you know that 71% of Canadians have listened to at least one podcast at some point, and 29% of Canada’s monthly podcast listeners spend at least five hours per week listening to podcasts?

 Revenue from podcast advertising is expected to reach $127.1 million in Canada in 2023, and brands have seen 89% higher brand awareness after advertising on podcasts. Even more impressive, 51% of bi-weekly podcast listeners have bought a product after hearing about it on a podcast.

And the future is bright for Canadian podcasters because 42% of Canadian monthly podcast listeners are aged 18 to 34 years old, so they'll be around listening for a long time.

If you're interested in podcasting in Canada, be sure to check out the Pod The North Substack newsletter by Kattie Laur.  

Pod the North is a free, biweekly newsletter aimed at uplifting the Canadian podcast ecosystem and fostering community. In each issue, you’ll find ecosystem commentary (to keep you in the loop), podcast recommendations, opportunities for your podcast ($$$ and notoriety!), and digestible interviews with Canadian podcasters who you need to know about. 

Kattie Laur is an Award-Winning Freelance Podcast Producer, Consultant, and Writer based in the Greater Toronto Area. Last October, Kattie hosted a live anniversary celebration of Pod the North in Toronto. I'm sure they'll be more live events to come.

You can reach Kattie: @Podkatt (Twitter, Spotify, and Goodpods) | @ PodtheNorth (Bluesky)

Here's an example of a Pod The North story. 

"In a press release that came out this morning, Canadaland has announced the launch of CanadaLabs,a hub for the next generation of audio journalists, open calls for short audio stories from across Canada, and applications to become Canadaland’s first Audio Journalism Fellows."

Check out Pod the North if you're a Canadian podcast fan, or an American who realizes that Canada has more to offer than ice hockey, Banff, and maple syrup.  

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Guidelines for Augmented Reality in Ads just released

For many, I'm sure this announcement is filed in the "I don't give a s**t" category.

But we should care, because guidelines on the use of any new technology is critically important. Look what happened when we left social media to do whatever the f***k it wanted. We got Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, trolls, Nazis, Chinese bots, "Fakebook," the conspiracy theory of the day, and Donald Trump midnight rage messages.

So here's what is going on.

 In collaboration, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and Media Rating Council (MRC) have released their Augmented Reality (AR) Measurement Guidelines to establish clear and consistent definitions and measurement guidelines for ads within Augmented Reality campaigns. The guidelines are open for public comment for a 30-day period until March 9th, 2024. 

The IAB AR Measurement Guidelines Task Force, working with MRC, set forth guidelines for advertisers and marketers to quantify how much media is delivered and gauge how well their media achieved their business objectives within AR media campaigns.

“Brands are increasingly utilizing AR in their media campaigns to connect with consumers in more meaningful and immersive ways,” said Zoe Soon, VP, Experience Center, IAB. “The Augmented Reality advertising market is projected to generate $1.2 Billion in revenue in the U.S. this year. Thus, as an industry, we need to establish a greater consistency on how we define and measure AR advertising to foster fairness and transparency for buyers and sellers.”

To effectively capture the impact of AR campaigns, these guidelines set a framework to establish clear and consistent definitions for ad delivery, viewability, audience, engagement, and performance. The guidelines are inclusive of AR’s interactive and immersive formats, as AR can accrue non-physical interactions with products as well as the physical interactions related to browsing in the context of attribution.

Did you get all that? Good. Now, can you explain it to me.

[kura-soma]

This might be one of those cases of "ask culture" and "guess culture".

I'm an asker. I ask questions because I do not know an answer and if I ask if it would be okay if I do something, no is an absolutely acceptable answer. "Hey, can I come to visit you next weekend?" "No" "okay" - no hard feelings.

But I have met guessers. They only ask if they think the answer will be yes. They think forcing someone to say no/say no themselves is stressful and rude and so try to gauge the reaction without ever having to actually ask.

When askers and guessers interact without establishing boundaries and communication guidelines, someone's feelings are going to be hurt in my experience. I asked a guesser if I could come visit and she said yes, because saying no seemed impossible to her, and then we had a miserable weekend because she was already stressed and didn't actually want me to visit and I was angry because I do not want to be where I am not wanted.

In the case of the open relationship question... Part of it is reddits terminal case of brainrot and allergy to nuanced takes about anything. Another part is the tendency of most users to view everything from an america-centric point of view, even for things that happen to non-americans outside of america. And the last part is: if you ask a guesser who does not understand that he IS a guesser an honest question, he will think that you have already made up your mind and only ask out of politeness, not because no is an option.

How that conversation should have gone:

Partner 1: Hey, I've been reading about open relationships and it sounds interesting. Would that ever be something you are interested in?

Partner 2: No, I'm strictly monogamous.

Partner 1: Okay, then let's go on being in a happy monogamous relationship.

What apparently happened (in several cases, I've seen multiple reddit posts about this):

Partner 1: Hey, I've been reading about open relationships and it sounds interesting. Would that ever be something you are interested in?

Partner 2 - internally: THEY WANT MY PERMISSION TO CHEAT ON ME AND PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE SOMEONE IN MIND, I BET IT'S THAT NEW PERSON FROM THE OFFICE THEY TOLD ME ABOUT I CAN NEVER TRUST THEM AGAIN BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALREADY MADE UP THEIR MIND THAT THEY WANT AN OPEN RELATIONSHIP AND WILL NEVER BE HAPPY AGAIN MONOGAMOUSLY

Partner 2 - externally: I want a divorce.

One of the wildest ideas that bounces around the Reddit relationship advice echo chamber is the idea that merely asking your partner if they would go for an open relationship is perfectly reasonable grounds for divorce.

[ultra-maha-us]

Platonic-Fullerene Chemistry and Nanopolymer Technology

The science of Platonic Fullerene Chemistry has been reunited the cultures of science and art to re-establish the ancient Platonic Science for Ethical Ends. This means that the concept of Aristotle's ethical science to guide ennobling government can now re-emerge throughout the world. The objective of that ancient science remains exactly the same as it once was. It is science, designed to avoid human extinction. The existence of two separate chemistries, one about the physical material reality and the other about the functioning of Dr Candace Pert's Molecule of Emotion, forms the structure of this human survival science. Both chemistries entangle with each other to describe universal reality. This provides the basis of the ancient Greek political concept of allowing the people to choose between what Buckminster Fuller's called Utopia or Oblivion.

The global slide toward oblivion today is much as it once was in ancient Athens, when the Tyrants plunged the city into impossible debt, threatening such chaotic violence that Solon was appointed to sort out the economic differences in a peaceful manner. He abolished personal debt and interest on loans, as well as making property ownership more accessible to the people. Within ten years Athens became extremely prosperous. His wisdom, on behalf of the people, made contributions toward more democratic concepts in the face of complex greed manipulations by unethical power brokers.

After ten years of growing prosperity the Tyrants again seized control and Athenian power began its path to decline by foreign aggression. Today the same situation has returned to Greece and other nations caught up in the current global economic nightmare, now threatening to destroy the civilisation of the United States of America. It can be considered that stakeholders in global economic rationalism might be able to conceive, to their benefit, a modification of their present economic legal responsiblies, by upgrading them to meet the new medical chemistry guidelines.

During the 20th Century it was common knowledge that our entropic chemistry, governed by the second law of thermodynamics, had correctly stated that it is impossible to construct a perpetual motion machine. However, such concepts can now be reasoned about logically with an understanding about the functioning of the integration of both the new and the old chemistries. Past economic rationalism, however, invented concepts that sought perpetual economic growth for the benefit of human civilisation. TIME Magazine's Century of Science's greatest scientist for 1907 was Maria Montessori, who realised this was in error, referring to the entropic second law as the Greed Energy Law that would only bring about economic collapses and continual warfare.

Working with the Jesuit Priest, Private Label Schmiermittel Tielhard de Chardin, Montessori postulated the existence of an electromagnetic key to open the 'Golden Gates' to the future. This electromagnetic key was Immanuel Kant's God-like Ethic for perpetual peace on earth, the subject of Hans Christian Oersted's Doctorate in 1799 titled,The Architectonicks of Natural Metaphysics. Oersted envisaged a new electromagnetic biological technology, which, in modern terms, is the quantum biology of the new Platonic Fullerene Chemistry. This makes Faraday's concept of the electric motor a child's toy by comparison. We now know from nanopolymer research, that such an electromagnetic life-science ethic is associated with the functioning of the centriole within the human cell, giving glimpses of a truly supra technology beyond our previous ability to imagine.

It is not necessary to use such technical terminology to demonstrate to the people that modern science and economics has been constructed upon false assumptions that dismissed human feelings as part of its composition. Leonardo da Vinci was not the man of the Renaissance the public has been led to believe. His optics key in his Theory of Knowledge, claiming that the eye was the source of all cognition, was erroneously supported by Rene Descartes and Sir Francis Bacon, pivotal figures of the mechanical era. At the moment of conception the eye does not even exist to guide any evolutionary development at all. Leonardo was unable to envision the liquid crystal optics of the eye of the cell. When the fertilising sperm, driven by a male nano-scale electromagnetic motor, penetrates the liquid crystal optical construction membrane of the female ovum, Dr Carl Callerman's universal purpose is brought into living focus as a balanced Yin-Yang electromagnetic centriole. The optics of the cellular membrane, not the optics of the human eye, holds the key to all knowledge. The centriole is the carrier of universal life-science purpose.

Scientists such as Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff are researching about what can be considered to be crucial properties of the centriole that are associated with the cerebral functioning of micro-tubule polymers. Without a doubt, nano-polymer research is now becoming crucial research for humanity's future. However, Buckminster Fuller's warning about making the choice between Utopia or Oblivion is of paramount importance to the people of the world. Fears about entropic nano-bot technology appear to be well founded. Plato warned about the destructive evil of unformed matter within the physical atom that could emerge from the actions of engineers who knew nothing about spiritual optical engineering principles belonging to the science for ethical ends. Today, the nuclear radiation threat spreading into Japan pales into insignificance to the threat posed by current entropic nanotechnology.

[dreams232434]

Meaning of Dream about a artwork

Perhaps you had a fantasy of popular craftsmanship?

To be the genuine craftsman in dream is a positive sign that is related with your own imaginative impulses. Furthermore, it is associated with your convictions as well as your imaginative style throughout everyday life. Presently, craftsmanship can incorporate photos, delineations, visual computerization or other non-text based materials which are typically ready for consideration in distributions. On the off chance that you long for craftsmanship, I accept it is related with paying heed throughout everyday life. The implications that I have research consolidate material belongings, achievements or abilities. Now and again individuals have this fantasy to feel better about their lives or that they wish others to see them!

Meaning of Dream about a artwork

In this way, we should move onto particulars! I have explored many dream books and they cover the accompanying: assuming the craftsmanship in your fantasy about is of Local America it implies that you are contemplating things that might end up being troublesome. Attempt to ponder things in a more sure light. To dream of present day workmanship shows that their are things in life that make you pleased with yourself. Try not to attempt to change in your life is the message! Imagine a scenario in which you purchase workmanship in a fantasy. Assuming you dream that you are purchasing a piece of fine art in bygone dream examination it predicts that you like following a characteristic way in your life. Furthermore, it examined that the visionary is great at adhering to guidelines, in this manner, you won't ever come up short! To play out specific errands in life then this is an extraordinary dream to have! It shows you are constantly devoted to your work and this makes you incredible at designating work. You produce results.

Anyway, imagine a scenario in which you sell craftsmanship in your fantasy. A circumstance where you observe that you are selling fine art in your fantasy signifies that you are normally expressive. Consequently, you can communicate your sentiments in the open. You are feeling triumphs throughout everyday life. That's what the positive news is in the event that you have an ability you develop it since it is uncommon. In the event that you imagine that you are imaginative, you ought to attempt to invest some energy delivering workmanship in cognizant existence. Along these lines, get that paint brush out!

Painting an image in a fantasy? At the point when you see yourself laying out an image in your fantasy it shows that you have imaginative capacities. You are attempting to put yourself out there hence you hold an inclination for imagination intentionally. You are by all accounts normally innovative and will generally turn towards additional imaginative strategies for articulating your thoughts. Do you interface with the hearts and psyches of crowds? You may be a mysterious craftsman, yet you are committed to it, which is an ability all alone. It is feasible to make your current circumstance more lovely, and this doesn't expect you to have heaps of cash to accomplish this. Your very own fantasy fine art could suggest that you want to focus on your current circumstance and ensure that you are inventive.

Nitty gritty dream translation: We should go further and more profound into this fantasy! A fantasy where you created your own fine art predicts of progress or a requirement for change. Assuming the variety that you are utilizing to paint is dull (like highly contrasting!) it could imply that you are grieved or annoyed by pessimism or analysis given out by a person or thing in your cognizant existence. On the off chance that you end up painting with splendid varieties, the fantasy is positive. Taking a gander at the instruments for which you use to draw or paint with are significant. A brush implies uplifting news, a pen demonstrates a deferral and a pencil things can be revamped. In outline, painting your own specialty in a fantasy signifies that, you will be satisfied with changes which are going to occur in your life.

[khusbu123]

How to book your southwest airlines reservation online

Southwest airlines is the arena's biggest and lowest rate airline inside of the united states. This airline is very handy and greater flexible for the passengers. If you wanna buy at a low charge regular together with your desire, if you are inquisitive about getting some suggestions & reservation statistics about southwest airlines, examine this article. You can e-book reservations and flight tickets anywhere in 40 states and 102 locations, you can visit and open the dependable southwest airways internet site after which log in in conjunction with your credentials e book thru southwest airlines reservation. It affords appropriate provider, excursion packages and reductions to entertainment visitors, journey outlets, and business enterprise guests, all around the global for worldwide and home flight bookings. They're very co-operative towards their clients or passengers. If you are playing to journey then you may obtain this now. And in case you want to make any modifications you may attain this free of fee. You have to have all of the facts of the reservation policy so that you can avail all the blessings of your booked price tag. Without understanding the reservation and take a look at-in guidelines, booking airline tickets may be the cause for with none loss. Southwest airlines aircraft’s cabin offers very comfortable and exclusive interior structures and 2d is the coronary heart interior. There had been lots of enhancements and definitely as the inclusion of lighter, a new netted seat back pockets to offer masses leg area,and further secure seating, a new product of green merchandise, a modern cabin layout, extra advanced ergonomics, and a latest headrest. Redesigned window housing and sculpted sidewalls, they provide together with led temperature lights and a couple of headroom. Approximately in coronary heart interior it's miles knowledgeable technique that southwest airways on the 20 th june in 2016 which gives more place for the passengers and broadest seat. Passengers going to southwest airways to acquire free baggage permit barriers to maintain with you need briefcase, laptop bag, purse. You could convey a bag best 24 inches tall, 16 inches huge. This airline assessments your bags portions in step with airline terms. And it isn't giving unfastened meals you may need to buy meals for your self in case you wanna. Manner to ebook southwest airlines flight charge tag on-line go to the southwest airline internet site and log to your credentials. In case you do now not take a look at in, to start with you sign up out of your browser. It will likely be handy to talk to get any updates through southwest airlines to your upcoming future. It requires precise data for vacation spot and departure town, travel date, the passenger journeying extensive variety, and a round journey path or one way. After filling your data go to click on seek button after clicking search button then you can pass next internet web page with all alternatives available flights on according your requirement then you can choose consistent together with your desire in addition to flight availability and fee listing. After selecting, consistent with you click on on keep, flight info will come in the front of then you definately your shape will observe and fill in the passenger details of who's journeying. And again on the identical internet page, after filling the passenger info you need to pay the fee, go to the lowest of the net web page and pick out the card kind with the cvv huge variety and click on the purchase button. Your transaction can be a success and register your mail id on confirmation e mail with southwest airlines.

Source:

[productsreviewings]

Joe Tacopino is Trump's lawyer for the Manhattan DA's investigation into the hush-hush funds to Stormy Daniels. He beforehand informed CNN that the alternate posed a "actual downside" for Trump. In one other CNN section, Tacopino mentioned the cost was "truthful recreation" for scrutiny. loading One thing is loading Thanks for signing up! Entry your favourite matters in a personalised feed when you're on the go Obtain the app A protection lawyer representing Donald Trump within the Manhattan district lawyer's investigation into the hush-money funds to Stormy Daniels predicted the alternate may create a "actual downside" for the then-president years earlier than an open indictment was enacted.The lawyer, Joe Tacopino, went on CNN a number of instances in 2018 to debate the cost and mentioned it could possibly be an issue if the cash was linked to the Trump marketing campaign. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels and his attorneys say he's the sufferer of extortion. One doable avenue Manhattan prosecutors may take to deliver prison expenses in opposition to the previous president is to see whether or not any federal election legal guidelines have been violated by silencing Daniels by paying for Trump's 2016 marketing campaign advantages.Tacopino mentioned again on March 18, 2018, "If it goes again to Trump's marketing campaign funds, that is a giant downside." " — Acyn (@Acyn) March 22, 2023Tacopino didn't instantly reply to a request for remark.In one other CNN section in 2018, Tacopino mentioned the cost was topic to investigation if the cost to Daniels "was made on behalf of the candidate ... and was not declared.""It is truthful recreation, sadly, if that is the case," he mentioned.— Acyn (@Acyn) March 21, 2023In response to CNN's report, Tacopino additionally mentioned the cost "could possibly be seen as an identical contribution through the election." "It is an actual downside," Tacopino mentioned, in response to the report.Tacopino's 2018 feedback are a far cry from his current statements as potential expenses grasp over Trump's head."We're twisting the legislation to cease President Trump ... I do not know what it's, however this prosecutor and this prosecutor's workplace have created an agenda," Tacopino mentioned on "ABC's Good Morning America" ​​earlier this month.

[thebuddhistspoonie]

Are cannabis stores essential

On April 3, 2020, the Public authority of Ontario overhauled the rundown of fundamental organisations that can stay open during the region-wide highly sensitive situation because of Coronavirus. One significant correction to this rundown was the expulsion of pot stores as a fundamental business, which constrained all confidential area retail weed stores to close as of 11:59 pm on April 4, 2020. This conclusion request will be active for 14 days and might be broadened.

The evacuation of weed stores as a fundamental business requires private retailers to briefly stop retail tasks, incorporating both in-person deals and snap-and-gather administrations which had become more well known all through the long stretch of Spring because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Retail marijuana stores are additionally unfit to convey pot items, as this is precluded under Ontario's Pot Permit Act.

Shoppers in Ontario are as yet ready to buy sporting weed web-based through the public authority run Ontario Pot Store with conveyance being directed by Canada Post. In any case, last month, Canada Post reported that because of the spread of Coronavirus, it would never again demand marks for conveyances and, likewise, buyers are presently expected to go to their neighbourhood mailing station to get their weed shipment face to face rather than home conveyance.

Accordingly, the Ontario Pot Store reported on April 5, 2020, another three-day direct-to-entryway conveyance administration that is presently accessible for customers in the More noteworthy Toronto Region as well as Hamilton, Waterloo Area and Guelph.

The modified fundamental organisations list likewise disallows non-basic development projects. The Liquor and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), which is answerable for permitting retail pot stores in the Territory, expects that a retail marijuana store be completely built as per the guidelines preceding the issuance of a retail location approval (RSA). Subsequently, while the AGCO expected to issue up to 20 new RSAs each month starting in April 2020, that course of events might be affected as just restricted development projects are right now allowed in Ontario.

This article contains data that is currently obsolete. Since distribution, the Ontario government has taken out weed stores from its rundown of fundamental administrations.

For some Canadians, a glass of beer or wine or a toke of marijuana is a welcome help toward the finish of an upsetting day — however would they say they are fundamental administrations?

On Monday, the Public Authority of Ontario delivered a rundown of fundamental working environments that can keep on working during the Coronavirus flare-up. The rundown included alcohol stores, liquor makers, discount stores that offer lager and wine to suppliers as well as marijuana stores and makers.

A move is being commended by general wellbeing and substance-use jumble specialists, who say it could assist with keeping social distress from breaking out and try to save lives.

An individual who is in liquor withdrawal can encounter ridiculousness, epilepsy and demise, says Larry Grupp, an academic administrator at the College of Toronto and a specialist in the neurobiology of liquor addiction.

Here is The Pot Stock You've Been Hanging tight For

A mostly secret Canadian organization just opened a few specialists' thought process could be the way to benefitting off the approaching marijuana blast.

What's more, no doubt about it - it is coming.

Weed sanctioning is clearing over North America - 18 states in addition to Washington, D.C., have all authorised sporting cannabis throughout the course of recent years, and full legitimization came to Canada in October 2018.

What's more, one inconspicuous Canadian organisation is ready to detonate from this approaching cannabis insurgency.

Since a game-changing arrangement just went down between the Ontario government and this force to be reckoned with by the company...and you want to hear this story today on the off chance that you have even considered putting resources into pot stocks.

Essentially click here to get the full story now.

Corinne Cardina: Indeed, and I think another way that we've perceived how individuals have truly gotten used to things has been like that seen in the Covid pandemic. A ton of lead representatives have characterised dispensaries as a fundamental help.

Eric, is that astonishing for you? What does that tell us, and what have you seen about the weed business over the last nine or so months?

Eric Volkman: Is it astonishing? Somewhat indeed, on the grounds that it's interesting how immediately acknowledged it's become in specific pieces of the country. I'm situated in California, so perhaps my viewpoint is somewhat slanted, yet it didn't appear to be excessively deliberative of a cycle when a ton of these states pronounced that cannabis was a fundamental help. Since it resembles alcohol stores - - you believe individuals should disregard their concerns and this dreadful thing that is seething surrounding them.

In any case, indeed, the shock came in how uncontroversial it was. There didn't appear to be quite a bit of a clamour, or any sort of fights like, "How might you venture to follow through with something like this? It's Satan's medicine or something." It cruised through.

It was the reasonable thing to do, not least since, can we just be real for a moment, this industry is wavering. It's not doing admirably. It's battling wherever, even in California here which is extremely weed cordial, it's a troublesome business to be in, and I think a great deal of makers, a ton of retailers would have struggled with remaining dissolvable. They as of now do. Had they been dependent upon a portion of the closures different kinds of retailers were dependent upon, I don't know they might have made due.

So there's that part of it as well. On the off chance that you are the legislative leader of the state you don't need an industry, regardless of whether it's moderately limited in scale and serves just a little piece of the populace, you believe it should implode. That has a wide range of terrible impacts.

In any case, indeed, it is amazing the way that it didn't appear to be. Massachusetts was a smidgen of an alternate story. They wavered a smidgen. "We will keep them shut." They couldn't actually appear to decide. In any case, generally, in many states where clinical weed is lawful, it wasn't so a very remarkable cycle or that a very remarkable discussion, so indeed, astonishing in that regard.