#How are those deep sea subs going for private companies?

[casuallyodd]

"The ISS is getting old and the wear and tear of being in space has taken its toll. Significantly, its retirement will make way for the commercial utilization of low Earth orbit, with private companies designing their own space stations to take over once the ISS is gone."

[italics for emphasis]

This is a terrible thing. Why do we never learn?

[secretmellowblog]

On the subject of the Titanic ‘submersible’ that was lost in the deep with all its wealthy tourists— it’s so insane/eerie in hindsight to read this article from the Smithsonian that interviews the CEO Stockton Rush long before the disaster.

Despite the Smithsonian supposedly being an organization that cares about science and truth, and the fact that there were SO MANY obvious red flags from the beginning and so many people criticizing the company…..the article is a puff piece uncritically glorifying the CEO’s obviously terrible submersible project. It compares him in glowing terms to Elon Musk. It is an article about how private ventures like those of Stockton Rush and Elon Musk can and should be the future of the world.

We’ve obviously learned now that there were whistleblowers at the company who were warning for a long time that Stockton Rush’s submersible was unsafe— only to be fired and then sued. It makes sense the submersible was so unsafe, because the CEO in this interview is open about how he has no background in underwater engineering and is annoyed by quote “regulations that needlessly prioritize passenger safety.”

Soon after, the private [submersible] market died too, Rush found, for two reasons that were “understandable but illogical.” First, subs gained a reputation for danger. Working on offshore rigs in harsh locations like the North Sea, saturation divers, who breathe gas mixtures to avoid diving sicknesses, would be taken in subs to work at great depths. It was the world’s most perilous job, with frequent fatalities. (“It wasn’t the sub’s fault,” says Rush.) To save lives, the industries moved toward using underwater robots to perform the same work.

Second, tourist subs, which could once be skippered by anyone with a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license, were regulated by the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993, which imposed rigorous new manufacturing and inspection requirements and prohibited dives below 150 feet. The law was well-meaning, Rush says, but he believes it needlessly prioritized passenger safety over commercial innovation (a position a less adventurous submariner might find open to debate). “There hasn’t been an injury in the commercial sub industry in over 35 years. It’s obscenely safe, because they have all these regulations. But it also hasn’t innovated or grown—because they have all these regulations.”

The fact that Stockton Rush (who was piloting the submarine when the disaster happened) is on record complaining about the evils of regulations that prioritize people’s safety, and the Smithsonian uncritically regurgitated that rhetoric in their glowing puff piece about how rich tycoons like Elon Musk and Stockton Rush are going to save the world is just…..in hindsight of how everything ended it’s just so much horrible black comedy? It’s like a satire about the dangers of uncritically worshipping the rich.

It is mentioned in the article that Rush chose to make his submersible in a different shape, and with a different (cheaper) material than is usually used for submersibles. The article frames this as a result of daring innovation, and not of negligence/ignorance. This passage in particular, which in context is supposed to portray Rush’s critics as joyless naysayers who were proven wrong by the noble tycoon, is pretty foreboding in hindsight:

Rush planned to pilot the sub himself, which critics said was an unnecessary risk: Under pressure, the experimental carbon fiber hull might, in the jargon of the sub world, “collapse catastrophically.”

And then!!

The exact problem that happened to Titan this weekend, happened on Titan’s very first test voyage to the Titanic! The experimental carbon fiber hull had an issue and it caused communications to break down!

The dive was going according to plan until about 10,000 feet, when the descent unexpectedly halted, possibly, Rush says, because the density of the salt water added extra buoyancy to the carbon fiber hull. He now used thrusters to drive Titan deeper, which interfered with the communications system, and he lost contact with the support crew. He recalls the next hour in hallucinogenic terms. “It was like being on the Starship Enterprise,” he says. “There were these particles going by, like stars. Every so often a jellyfish would go whipping by. It was the childhood dream.”

Both Rush and the article writer treat this as a fun quirky story, instead of a serious safety failure and red flag with his experimental macgyvered regulation-flaunting submersible.

Other highlights from the article include:

Stockton rush saying that if 3/4 of the planet is water, why haven’t we monetized it?

Stockton saying we will “colonize the ocean long before we colonize space”

Lots of weird pro colonialism stuff in general??? This article loves colonialism and thinks it’s cool

Rush saying he plans for this to eventually help find more underwater resources for the US to exploit and profit from

Elon musk comparisons. The article writer does not mention that Elon Musk’s rockets explode and therefore it would be a bad idea to get in one of them, because that would imply it’s a bad idea to get into the submersible

Stockton rush seeing himself as Captain Kirk

The article writer comparing the tourists who plan to join Rush to Englishmen who went on colonialist journeys to Africa as if that’s like, a good thing. So much pro colonialism stuff in this article

So many sentences about Stockton Rush being handsome when he literally just looks like some guy

The article beginning with an editor’s note from years later disclaiming that the extraordinary submersible they’re advertising in this article is uh. It’s now uhhhh

But yeah it really does just bring home how so many organizations that supposedly care about scientific truth or journalistic integrity are willing to uncritically platform propaganda for wealthy CEOS. It’s frustrating how easily people fall for the fake myths that careless wealthy people invent for themselves, and even more frustrating that supposedly respectable institutions will platform irresponsible lies that end up getting people killed.

Rush is such an obvious and simple example of this, and his negligence is “only” killing five people including himself. But to me it feels like a cautionary tale to bear in mind when it comes to uncritical puff piece media coverage of similar “daring tycoon innovations” by people like Bezos or Musk.

[55ludovicoplace]

Highly recommend this article. It is literally. Everything is so much worse even than it already seemed. This is to the construction of the sub what the Smithsonian article was to Rush's personality. Like it just puts it all out there. This is beyond horrible. "Concern" really did not accurately describe it it's more like being tied to a chair helpless to stop a guy from attempting a rocket jump in front of you.

Parts that stood out to me the most: staff were in their 20s and even teens(!!!!!) being paid $15/hr (for where they were based, far below livable); PH Nargeolet, the "content expert" (tour guide), may well have been suicidal or at least ready to die; construction materials included zip ties; Rush thought it was okay that the hull crackled when pressurized; the former employee Lochridge was told to withdraw his whistleblower claim and pay the company for legal fees under threat of having his reputation ruined and being deported and was accused of 'orchestrating his own firing'; immediately after he left Rush went to a random accountant and asked her if she wanted to take over piloting the sub; the fucking moron thought he would be fine if the viewport started to fail because he would just see that it was failing, with his eyes, and drop weights, and that would be fine. Because that's how deep sea submersible safety works. Holy shit. Every paragraph is a new adventure into the most jokerous thing you think you've ever heard and then you read the next one and it's even worse.

I feel like calling this an 'accident' is really generous - I heard OceanGate get compared to ValuJet a bit ago but it's less that and more Action Park. ValuJet at least flew functional airplanes. This is the fucking perfectly circular water slide. You know. The sort of thing a child can tell at a glance is obviously going to kill someone. This is the child annihilating zipline that has a nearly 150 foot drop because it's designed by a group of people including zero engineers. The Titan was literally constructed to Christmas Bullet standards. For those unaware the Bullet was a very early model of "airplane" designed to have wings with no bracing which of course immediately peeled off and killed the pilot because that's why you make wings with bracing. It's a bit like going check out my super innovative skyscraper! It is innovative because it is built out of fucking papier-mâché! This is a great idea and you are all just not ready for it.

Really incredible quote from emails transcribed in the article:

He added that he was afraid of retaliation from Rush—“We both know he has influence and money”—but would share his assessment with McCallum, in private: “That sub is Not safe to dive.” “Do you think the sub could be made safe to dive, or is it a complete lemon?” McCallum replied. “You will get a lot of support from people in the industry . . . . everyone is watching and waiting and quietly shitting their pants.” “It’s a lemon.” “Oh dear,” McCallum replied. “Oh dear, oh dear.”

Everyone. Is watching and waiting. And quietly shitting their pants.

What a way to put it.

[readbeneaththelines]

Giving Him Control Pt. 10

A/N: The contract between a Dom and a Sub can be vital to prevent any misunderstandings or complications in the relationship. It can be negotiable, and can include whatever is agreed upon between both parties.

Characters: Ravi x Reader

Warnings: maybe fluff?, angst

Word Count: 2486

Please remember, this is NSFW. There is the Dom/Sub aspect of the characters, so if that is a trigger, please proceed at your own discretion.

cr to gif owner

“Hello Miss Y/N, Welcome to Shangpree Spa. Please follow me.” a young woman greeted you with a bright smile.

You followed her to a private dressing room. She handed you an ornate silk robe. Telling you to get undressed and take a warm shower, she left with a deep bow. You undressed, placing your clothes on the provided hangers. The shower was wonderful. Multiple shower heads rotated and fanned up and down. You were immersed in a perfect aqua massage. There were sea salt scrubs and a new handled loofah with your name on it. Applying the salts to your skin, you scrubbed yourself til you were red, the hot water spraying you clean. After drying off and wrapping your hair in a provided towel, you slipped into the robe.

As soon as you tied the belt, another young lady came to retrieve you. You walked through a beautifully decorated hall, various artwork from throughout the centuries hanging on the walls. You were led into a dimly lit room, candles and flowers set among the small waterfall. The soothing sound of falling water mixed with the aroma of orchids, hibiscus, and cherry blossoms calmed you. The young woman guided you to lie down on a thickly padded table. It had been spritzed with lavender essential oils, relaxing you. As you laid on the table, the masseuse rubbed you down with oils, massaging every muscle. You fell asleep as each fiber of your being released their tension. You were awakened by a soft voice calling your name.

“Miss Y/N, your time is finished. We need to get you to the next session.” 

You opened heavy lids, momentarily forgetting where you were. Sitting up, she placed the robe on you, even tying the belt. Helping you to your feet, she led you back down another hallway, to a seperate room. There was a large tub in the middle of the room, surrounded by stone towers. Removing your robe, she guided you into the steaming tub. Flower petals swirled around you, scenting the water lightly. After soaking for a while, another lady came it and greeted you. Setting herself on the edge of the tub, she took a scoop of sea salt scrub, and began exfoliating your skin. When she completed her treatment, you skin glowed brightly. Next was your waxing session. When he said well manicured, you didn’t think he meant everywhere. Sure you kept yourself groomed, but you had never had a Brazilian wax treatment. Everywhere, except your head it seemed, that had hair was waxed. Off to get your hair washed and styled. By the time you had done every session imaginable, your ride was there to pick you up. He held the door, assisting you in. The ride was silent, only music drifting in through the back speakers. You were relaxed and refreshed by the time you arrived at Ravi’s place. Looking at your watch, you figured you had been gone for over four hours. You still hadn’t heard from him, letting you know when he would be coming home. You busied yourself fixing a quick bite to eat, even though you had a feast at the spa. Just as you sat down to eat, your phone buzzed. Picking it up, you read the message from Ravi.

Ravi/Wonsik

Heading home. Be there in about 30 minutes. 

Snifter of Yamazaki on ice, waiting by the bed.

Y/N

Where may I find the Yamazaki?

Oh, and the snifters?

Ravi/Wonsik

In my study

Behind the double doors

See you soon

Y/N

See you soon

Drive safe

You quickly ate your snack, then headed to get his drink ready. Just as you set it on the nightstand, you heard the front door open. Looking down at your clothes, you realized you were still in the outfit from earlier. Stripping down, you headed to the closet, searching for the attire he had chosen for tonight. Taking the silver dress from its hanger, you heard him enter the room. Quickly stepping into the dress, you stepped out from behind the door.

“Hello, how was your day?” you greeted him with a smile.

“It was good, and how-” his voice trailed off as you looked at you.

The dress was hanging loosely from your shoulders, unzipped in the back. Your skin was still aglow, your hair set in a high bun. Your marks had all been hidden from the makeup they applied. You were stunning in his eyes, a deliciously inviting temptation. He licked his lips, bringing the lower one between his teeth. You felt your chest flush as he kept staring at you.

“Do you mind, please?” you asked as you turned your back to him.

My day was wonderful by the way. Thank you for everything, I have never been treated to such wondrous treatments.”

He ran the zipper up your back, his fingers brushing lightly across your spine. Goosebumps rose on your arms, your body shivering. He ran his hands down your arms, lingering at your wrists.

“You look delectable, Y/N. Too bad we have a dinner to attend, or else I would just keep your holed up in here tonight”. he kissed your neck, taking care not to leave any marks.

“Yes, too bad indeed. Maybe if I am good for you at dinner, we could have dessert here?” you cooed in his ear.

He gave a quick squeeze to your ass, growling under his breath. He had not been teased in a long time, the lapse making him forget how much he like it. Resisting any temptations, he headed for the bathroom to freshen up. You stood in the doorway, watching him shave. He was a specimen to behold, the inked skin scattered across his upper body was a tantalizing contrast to his soft and smooth caramel colored skin. His silver-blonde hair a stark contrast to the dark flesh at the nape of his neck. Muscles that are stretched tight as he leans over the counter. His waist tapered seamlessly into his hips. Long lean legs seemed to stretch for miles up to those same strong hips. 

Strong legs that supported your body, strong hips that thrust him deep inside of you, arms that could hold you up. You could hear him calling out your name, a triton’s song in your ears.

“Y/N? Have you heard a word I’ve said?” he snapped his fingers.

You blinked rapidly, looking at his reflection in the mirror. He tilted his head, looking at you with concern. You half smiled in response, your heartbeat trying to return to normal.

“What? Oh, s-sorry. I’m just so relaxed after today, I think I was drifting off. Don’t worry, I will be more alert at the dinner.” 

Stepping out of the bathroom, Ravi stopped to kiss your head. You were beginning to think this was his way of showing affection. You were also beginning to think you liked it. Giving him a quick grin, you helped him get ready. His suit matched your evening dress, exactly, his tie matching your jewelry in color. Once you were both ready, he walked you down the stairs and out the front door, assisting you into the waiting limousine. 

The dinner engagement was being hosted at the Lotte Hotel World Venue. The guest list consisted of multiple business owners, artists, and music companies from Seoul. Ravi introduced you to several of the guest, introducing you as his childhood friend that was in to visit. You tried your best to remember every name, every place of business, and whose-who of the elite in Seoul. Ravi stayed by your side, never leaving you alone for more than a minute. You were shy and quiet, something he noticed. When you were seated for the dinner, he sat next to you. Placing a hand on your thigh, he gave a firm squeeze. Not one of those comforting ‘I’m here for you’ squeezes, but a warning one.

“Wonsik, tell us how you and Y/N, met.” one of the couples at the table asked.

“Wonsik and I were in Primary class together, we grew up as neighbors until Uni. I try to come and visit both families twice a year.” you replied before he had a chance to speak.

“Well, you two must have been very close, you would have made a perfect couple.” a woman spoke up.

“We were, but as you, know life gets in the way, and paths wax and wane. Wonsik and I are just happy that we have been able to keep our friendship as strong as it is.” you were getting better at lying, you thought to yourself.

Before Ravi could add anything, food was served. You enjoyed small talk while you ate, Ravi carrying on his own private conversations with the men at the table. You were finishing up the main course when you sensed him tensing up beside you. A man was leaned over towards Ravi, whispering something in his ear and looking in your direction.

“Since she is available, how about you let me have a chance to hook up with her? She is too pretty to go to waste tonight.” the man said, smiling at you.

“Sorry, but she is with me, and besides she is already taken.” Ravi returned, his tone angry.

“Aww, come on Wonsik, what happens in Seoul stays in Seoul, right.” trying to convince Ravi.

“I said she isn’t available. If I catch you laying a single finger on her, you just might lose that finger.” a low growl rising from his chest.

You turned towards Ravi, placing your hand on his knee under the table.

“Wonsik, I need to be excused for a moment. Do you mind?” remembering to ask him before you did something.

“Yes, sure go ahead. Hurry back, you don’t want to miss dessert.” he nodded to you.

Leaving the table,you made your way to the back doors of the venue, stopping to eye Ravi. You attempted to get his attention, make a bit more noise than required to open the door. When he finally looked up, you motioned for him to join you.

“If you will all please excuse me, I shall be right back.”

He weaved his way through the maze of tables, greeting friends as he passed them by. He was in a hurry to get to you, not knowing why you beckoned him. Looking around the back hall, he found you, standing by the exit.

“What was that all about? I saw you getting upset. What did he say?”

“He asked if he could take you out tonight after dinner.” his face was turning red at the thought of it.

“And?”

“And what? You said no giving you to someone else, hard limit. Besides I don’t want to share you.” his hand grabbing your waist possessively.

You startled at the movement, eyes wide. You were afraid someone would see you and wonder, especially since you were introduced as a friend.

“I don’t feel comfortable around him knowing that.” you said, fear a little evident in your tone.

“Don’t worry, you came here with me and you’re leaving with me. But, if he tries to make a move on you, let me know. I’ll handle him.”

“There will be no violence tonight, okay? You are still having to deal with the bar incident.”

“I know. I know” he nodded in defeat.

Heading back to the table, you sat down to dessert. Creme Brulee with a glass of heated Amaretto. It tasted devine, melting in your mouth. The heated liquor warms you from the inside, making you feel a bit heady. You can feel yourself getting tipsy with each glass you drink. By the time dessert was done, you had downed four glasses. Looking in your direction, Ravi noticed your head slightly swaying.

“We had better mingle a bit more, thank you all for sharing dinner with us. Hopefully I will see you all again. Oh, and Mr. Choi, thank you for your interest in the restaurant I plan on opening. I will call to schedule a meeting with you to discuss investments.”

With that said, Ravi offered you his hand, helping you stand. Thankfully you were still steady on your feet, with his help. He placed your hand on his forearm, guiding you through the crowd to talk with other potential investors. After an hour more of standing in heels and drinking a few more glasses of wine, it was time to leave.

You were thankful, seeing as you had began to stumble a tad when you tried to keep up with his pace. He was walking quickly, and you got the message clearly. He was upset, at either you being a bit drunk or the man at the table. Probably both, you figured.

“Y/N, you are going to have to learn to either hold your alcohol, or not drink when we go out.” low rumbling voice emanating from his chest.

“Sorry Wonsik, I was nervous and I just got ahead of myself. It won’t happen again.” your own voice softer and trembling.

“It had better not, at least we left before you got too bad.” he eyed you with a glare.

His tone and his look made you swallow hard, a lump re-forming immediately. You had seen him angry before, and didn’t want to see it again.

“I’m sorry Wonsik, I promise it won’t happen again.”

“We’re gone, so call me Ravi.”

“Yes sir.”

Fuck! It slipped your tongue before you even knew what you were saying. He whipped his head around, stopping mid step to stare at you.

“What did you just say?”

Your mouth went dry, your body swaying from the alcohol. You did it this time, you went a step too far.

“Sir” you whispered under your breath.

“Damn it Y/N, I am not your master! Now get in the fucking car.” he was near screaming.

You crawled into the back seat of the limousine, him coming to sit beside you. Due to fear, you huddled close to the window, not daring to look at him. He stayed silent the entire trip home, not even glancing your way once. When the driver pulled up to his front door, you were out before Ravi even had his hand on the release. You were already half-running, half-stumbling up the steps when he grabbed your arm, making you fall forward into the stairs. You went straight down, hitting your head on the top step. You felt something warm running down your forehead and him calling your name. That was the last thing you remembered.

He froze when he saw you going forward. Glued in his spot, he watched as your head hit the step, an audible thud heard. When you didn’t move, he was able to free himself from his trance and run to you.

“Y/N!” he screamed out.

@aspaceformyself @trapped-inside-my-head @beautifulseoulliar @maxinaptak @seoulsunshineandstories @xjamlessparkx @sugababemyg @kpop-addictedloser  @min-shookga-yoongi @agustd-suga-yoongii @astronomyturtle @dreamyoongi @holy-yoongi@trashkazuya @micky1518 @rosiemilas @karri570  @kwonnansi @kpop-addictedloser

[fair-verona-rpg]

Congratulations Kati and welcome back.   We’re delighted to have you bring Helena Capulet to look after the legal affairs of Verona’s citizens. Please complete our after acceptance checklist. We are looking forward to seeing you develop her! Please send in her blog within 48 hours.

Out of Character:

> Alias: Kati

> Preferred Pronouns: she/her

> Age: 23

> Timezone: GMT+1

Character:

> Name: Helena Capulet

> Birthdate and Age: May 7th, 28

> Preferred Pronouns: she/her

> Faceclaim: Blake Lively

> Family Affiliation: Capulet

> Profession: lawyer

>Claim: none

>Children: none

>Designation: Dominant

>What is their symbol?: a braclet that looks like a silver sword is wrapped around her wrist

>Kinks: TPE, breath play, ice cubs, orgasm controle (denial, forced, edging), body worship, oral sex, kneeling sub, lingerie (wearing), teasing, public sex, being fully dressed while the sub is naked, collars/marking her sub

>Anti-kinks: Scat, Vore, Toilet Stuff, Electric Play, non/dub con, needle play, knife play, blood play, pet play, mommy-kink

Biography: There are people that are kind, some are positive, some are happy and some even unify all of these atributes in a single person, but there people that are made of pure light. Those people have a heart of gold and shine brighter then the sun. Helena is one of those people who were born under a particularly happy dancing star that gave her a compassionate soul, a kind heart and a positive mind. As a dream come true for their parents and their only child from an early age on Helena was spoiled to the core, always getting everything she ever wanted, owning a black credit card since she turned 7. It was her parents way to try to make up for not being there for her as much as she may needed them while she was growing up, filling their absence with presents and money instead of giving her what she really needed. attention and love. Just like most Capulets, Helena is a devoted lover of the arts. She has a particularly weak spot for exquisite clothes, outstanding paintings and extraordinary architecture, ready to splurge her family's money to support an artist she is fond of or someone she believes in. Whenever you are looking for her, chances are good that she is wandering through a museum, watches a performance or comes to see a show at the globe. It was at the Globe where she fell in love with ballet and of course she got the ballet classes she desired as soon as she asked for them. Helena even shows a certain talent for dance and movement, but clearly not the dicipline and complete devotion that would be nessecary to become a professional dancer. But even for the girl that got everything she wanted there was one rule that Helena was never allowed to break. Do not interact in any way with a Montague and don’t you dare to grace one of them with so much as a gaze or this will have serious consequences for you.  At that time it seemed reasonable to her, given the fact that the city was dangerous, especially for a young, female Capulet that was faced with the underlying conflict that was always hanging like a damocles sword over their heads. Some would say that people act around the pretty blonde like moths that are drawn to the light and even though that was probably right, it wasn'st something that Helena was overly concerned with. She just enjoyed the company of others, finding the greatest satisfaction when she was with someone and she could make them smile. Whenever she could help someone, that was actually what gave her the strength to keep on going and without that she would probably have been like a star burning out because they use up all their energy. At school she was maybe not at the top of her class but she was good enough to please her proud parents. Her most loyal companion in all these years has been Paris Vanderbilt, a boy she knew since kindergarden. Back then they had become friends because they had teamed up to kick a bullies ass and the duo infernale never really parted since then, sharing all of their secrets and built a hideout in the her parent’s mansion’s back yard. It was his way to flee his strict father who had already planned every tiny detail of his son’s life, not even thinking for a second that his son would want to do something different or was incapable of keeping up with these dreams. It was in their mid teens when they realized what everyone around them had known for years. The friendship they shared was much more then what they thought it to be, that these feelings were bigger then anything they had ever felt and so they did not only share their secrets but also their first time. Untill that night they had never even thought about their designations not fitting together and so when they were deepening their relationship, giving in to their desires they quickly figured out that Helena was the dominant of the couple. It scared Paris to realize that everything his father had planned for him, all of the dreams and hopes he had for his oldest son would come crashing down as soon as he would find out the truth, so they both hide any sign of Helena being the dominant in their relationship, scarred of the strict and cruele man’s reaction.

The only moments when Paris can be totally himself is when he is alone with Helena, feeling the security and support of her that helped him to accept a truth about himself. A truth he maybe would have not found out early enough without her and Helena loved that she saw a part of him no one else knew, that she was able to provide the safe space he needed to give in to his own desires. Helena held this much power over him and that gave her a high whenever they were together. Paris was scared to tell his father about this relevation that he kept it a secret and Helena helped him, knowing that hiding forever wouldn’t work out, she was ready to take the blow once his father found out. They didn’t needed much imagination to know that Paris would be cast out of the Vanderbilt family once his father would know the true origion of their relationship, but Helena knew that she would have the support of the Capulet-Clan, no matter how hard it would get. That was untill Paris’ father Richard decided to join a side in the war that was going on between the families for centuries and he choose the side of the Montagues. The mere affiliation with the Montagues turned Paris from one day to another into a persona non grata, challenging the couple more then anything had ever before. Both of them had to figure out how to go on with their relationship, a relationship that was dangerous for both of them, knowing they would lose everything if people would find out. Officially they parted ways, but their attempts at doing that in private too were gloriously failing. It turned from a few stolen moments between classes into meeting late at night in the most quiet back allies in Verona to make sure no one finds out about them.   Because Helena is older then him she is picking her designation first and so the day of truth for them as a couple would be the day of Paris’ designation.  Helena was ready to run away with him and make a life for them far from the city she loved so much and without her family, that she was deeply bonded with.  It was a few days before Paris’ designation ceremony when Helena’s life turned completely upside down.

When she picked up the newspaper that day she saw the headline. Paris would take on the last name Montague as the first in his family. At first she thought this was a bad joke, but once she got the information confirmed she felt how her heart was breaking. Paris hadn’t given her as much of a fair warning first and so she walks into her father’’s office and tells him the truth about her secret relationship and her plans. Helena had expected her father to go completely ballistics, but he stayed calm and showed even empathy for his daughter. 

It took him a few calls and calling in a few favours before he could send his daughter off to NYC where he was born and raised.   Since that day Helena hasn’t spoken to Paris, ignoring his attempts to contact her in a desperate attempt to protect herself. In NYC she is living with her father’s old friend from university, Ella Richards. Opposed to Helena’s father, she worked all of her life for NGOs. Currently she is working on a case for sea shepherd. Helena is truly fascinated by her work and volunteers in Ella’s office. It’s like she found a calling for herself and that’s why she enrolled at NYU, starting a professional career for herself. Whenever she does have the time she could be found at the MoMa, the Met and Lincoln Center, though opposed to her years in school, this time she is really comitted to learning and becoming the best on her field which results in really good grades.  Even though she knew that she would probably never find something like the relationship she had had with Paris ever again, she is getting back into the game of dating…and that not only for the sake of sating her own growing desire for a well executed scene. Her first nights in bars forced her face a problem that had never been a thing while she was with Paris. Many dominants who spot the pretty blonde across the room take her for a submissive until they walk over and start interacting with her. That’s when they realized that even some dominants got weak at their knees around her and were ready to do pretty much everything the girl asked of them. When she is in her last year at university the prince made the decree publicly and that changes her plans once more. She actually wanted to start working with Ella, the woman she ’s not only considering her rolemodel but also a close friend. Just like Ella Helena wanted to make a difference in the world, but there is still a responsibility towards her family deeply rooted within her, not to mention that if there is a Capulet who knows how to get into a potential claim with a Montague, then it’s her. Though coming back to her city is also bringing back feelings she thought she had buried deep down her heart with a couple of question that had been haunting her during her first months in NYC. What if she wasn’t as over the relationship as she ever thought? What if he had already entered a claim?   And what if she had to enter a claim with a Montague who wasn’t him?

[businessliveme]

Why Factories Leaving China Aren’t Going to India

(Bloomberg Opinion) — Vietnam seems to be the consensus pick for winner of the U.S.-China trade war, as Chinese and other manufacturers shift production to the cheaper Southeast Asian nation. If there’s a loser, at least in terms of missed opportunities, it may be the countries of South Asia.

To understand why, remember that the trade war has only accelerated an important trend a decade in the making. Faced with rising costs, Chinese manufacturers must decide whether to invest in labor-saving automation technologies or to relocate. Those choosing the latter present an enormous opportunity for less-developed countries, as Chinese companies can help spark industrialization and much-needed economic transformation in their new homes.

There may not be another such chance this generation. The only proven pathway to long-lasting, broad-based prosperity has been to build a manufacturing sector linked to global value chains, which raises productivity levels and creates knock-on jobs across the whole economy. This was how most rich nations, not to mention China itself, lifted themselves out of poverty.

Yet the evidence suggests that South Asian countries are lagging behind in attracting manufacturing investment. It’s not just Vietnam that’s racing ahead. African countries, too, are making manufacturing a top priority. Ethiopia alone has opened nearly a dozen industrial parks in recent years and set up a world-class government agency to attract foreign investment. The World Bank has lauded sub-Saharan Africa as the region with the highest number of reforms each year since 2012.

By contrast, in terms of foreign direct investment as a percentage of GDP, South Asia lags both the global average for least-developed countries and sub-Saharan Africa. While South Asia’s total GDP is more than 70% greater than Africa’s, the continent received three-and-a-half times the investment from China that South Asia received in 2012, the most recent year for which the United Nations has published bilateral FDI statistics. In the last five years, the American Enterprise Institute’s China Global Investment Tracker has recorded 13 large Chinese investment deals in Africa and only nine in South Asia.

Bangladesh is a striking illustration of the problem. The country needs to create 2 million jobs per year at home just to keep up with its growing population. Yet, despite a world-class garments manufacturing sector, it seems unable to cut red tape and enact the reforms needed to attract investment to diversify beyond apparel. In the past few years, Bangladesh has fallen to 176 out of 190 countries in the global Ease of Doing Business country rankings. DBL Group, a Bangladeshi company, is investing in a new apparel manufacturing facility that will generate 4,000 jobs — in Ethiopia.

The fantasy, most common in India, that a country might somehow “leapfrog” from a rural, agriculture-heavy economy straight to a services-based economy is just that: a fantasy. South Asia can’t afford to lose this chance to grow its manufacturing sector.

Attracting manufacturing investments will require, first and foremost, that governments in the region acknowledge the competition is passing them by. India, for example, must abandon its overconfidence that investors will come simply for its large population. Pakistan needs to stop relying on its government-to-government friendship with China. Chinese state financing of infrastructure won’t automatically lead to manufacturing investment, most of which is dominated by private Chinese companies motivated by competitive forces, not government diktats.

Secondly, South Asian countries need to undertake a concerted, whole-of-government push to boost investment levels. Specifically, they need to create the conditions manufacturers need to thrive, from steady power supplies to efficient port operations and customs clearance.

Moreover, they need to understand the specifics of these businesses. Factories have unique requirements depending on what they make. For example, cloth and clothing factories, despite their seeming similarities, have extremely different requirements: The former is capital-intensive, with huge amounts of power-hungry machinery churning out bolts of cloth, whereas the latter is labor-intensive and features rows of workers cutting and sewing.

Countries need to analyze which manufacturing sub-sectors they are best positioned for, meet the requirements those manufacturers have in order to set up shop, and target the regions of China (and elsewhere in the world) where those types of manufacturers are to be found.

The good news is that all of these measures are eminently feasible. And in many cases, the first steps are already being taken, such as with the construction of Bangladesh’s first deep sea port at Matarbari. The bad news is that unless South Asia moves faster, others may have already seized the opportunity to industrialize.

The post Why Factories Leaving China Aren’t Going to India appeared first on Businessliveme.com.

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[tripstations]

The 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iceland

As of July 5th 2019 Iceland now has 3 World Heritage Sites, with the newest being the Vatnajökull National Park which is dominated by a city sized ice cap. Along with the volcanic island of Surtsey and the Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle these protected areas cover a whopping 15% of the entire country.

The Icelandic government understands the importance of maintaining and protecting its pristine environment. After all without such raw beauty the Iceland economy would not be prospering to the same extent it is today. Katrín Jakobsdóttir is intending to make Iceland Carbon Neutral by 2040 and has launched a new Climate Strategy. Protecting and regenerating the natural habitat is just one of the ways in which they will achieve this.

“Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.” UNESCO

This months blog post will focus on why these 3 areas of natural and cultural significance have been added to one of the most coveted lists on the planet. I will also suggest the best ways to see each UNESCO World Heritage Site without affecting the environment.

Vatnajökull National Park (2019), South East Iceland

As you approach the edges of the Vatnajökull National Park in the south east of Iceland the first thing you will see is the biggest volcano in the country, Oræfajökull. It also happens to be the tallest mountain too, at 2,119m. Along the edges of this towering peak you will see steep blue glaciers streaming down like slow moving rivers towards the barren sands in Skaftafell that resemble a black desert. The ironic thing about most glaciers in Iceland is that they would not exist without volcanoes. Iceland is simply not cold enough (believe it or not) to create glacier ice at sea level. And it’s also far too windy for the snow that creates glaciers to sit on the tops of mountains for any length of time. Therefore you need a structure that is high in altitude to allow the average temperature to remain low all year round, and you need a bowl like feature to hold in any fresh snow that would otherwise be blown away, or be melted by direct sunlight. How about the caldera (crater) of a tall strato-volcano?

It’s this duality between fire (volcanoes) and ice (glaciers) that make the newest member of the UNESCO World Heritage Site so special.

“A prime locality for exploring the impacts of climate change on glaciers and the land forms left behind when they retreat. The volcanic zones of the property hold endemic groundwater fauna that has survived the ice age…that may replicate conditions on early Earth and the icy satellites of Jupiter and Saturn.” UNESCO

As you continue exploring this unique landscape you can stop off at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon which showcases the remnants of a melting glacier with building-sized icebergs regularly calving off from the distant glacier. It’s not long before the icebergs break down into smaller pieces and wash up on on the shores of the Black Diamond Beach, their final resting spot from an 800 year journey from snow flake to glacier to iceberg.

For the more adventurous traveller you can join an expert glacier guide to take you hiking on any one of the dozens of glaciers in the area. In summer the ice gains a ‘sun crust’ which makes hiking a little easier. Many people enjoy ice climbing on the warmer days.

The cold winter snap brings out the blue shimmering ice and freezes the fast flowing rivers that spend the summer carving out shapes in the ice. This gives rise to newly formed ice caves. Ice caves that will last only a few months before melting or collapsing before your very eyes.

To enjoy this part of the country I recommend spending a minimum of two days exploring the area. Be wary of any travel companies claiming to get you all the way to this spot and back from Reykjavik in one day. It’s physically possible, but you’ll spend the majority of the day watching the views from the car window. This secluded section of Iceland has far fewer tourists and even fewer light sources so if you are coming in the winter this is a fantastic spot to hunt for the northern lights too.

Surtsey Island (2008), South Iceland

The newly created island of Surtsey completes the set of 15 volcanic islands off the coast of south Iceland. An underwater (sub-marine) eruption began in 1963 and continued to intermittently erupt for 4 years forcing out so much lava and tephra (ash/rock) that a new island was born. From the get go Surtsey was a protected area. After all, it’s not often that scientists can study a brand new land mass. To this day, it is illegal to step foot on this island unless you are a scientist commissioned with studying the island. The few scientists who do get the chance to frequent Surtsey’s shores have reported that there is already vegetation growing on the loose ground, seals have made the beaches around the base their new lounging spot and there have even been reports of a small puffin colony utilising the cliffs of the island. It would seem that life doesn’t need much time to settle in.

The strict protection levels stop you from walking on this UNESCO protected area but it doesn’t mean you can’t see it from the neighbouring islands, or by zodiac boat.

“Surtsey is a new island formed by volcanic eruptions in 1963-67. It has been legally protected from its birth and provides the world with a pristine natural laboratory.” UNESCO

The Westman Islands, home to the largest puffin colony in the world have multiple ferry departures per day and sports their very own active volcano that is still warm from the 1973 eruption that would have destroyed the inhabitants homes if it wasn’t for the heroic effort of the locals to douse the lava with sea water forcing most of the flow out to sea. It is quite the moment once you’ve hiked to the top of the volcano when you get your first glimpse of Surtsey in the distance. Using one newly formed volcano as a vantage point to see another is a surreal feeling indeed.

I recommend only travelling to these islands in the summer. The Westman Islands boast the strongest winds in Europe during the winter months and many of the local restaurants and attractions are closed until summer too. In the summer the winds dissipate and islands can enjoy some of the warmest days in the country. You can also join local zodiac speed boat tours, eat local produce at GOTT restaurant and of course walk along the sea cliffs to get a sneak peek at the millions of puffins that call the Westman Islands their home for a few short months during mating season.

Thingvellir National Park (2004), Golden Circle Area

The Thingvellir National Park was inducted in 2004 as much for its cultural heritage as its natural beauty. It is the home of the longest surviving democratic parliament in the world. The parliament convened in the National Park until the end of the 18th century before being relocated to Reykjavik. It acted as a law house, parliament and major trading ground for all of Iceland. It is also where the decision was made to convert to Christianity peacefully in 1000 AD, though many Icelanders practiced a dual faith in private for many years after.

It is quite the coincidence that the Icelandic people chose Thingvellir as the place to unify the people of Iceland under one parliament in the exact spot that Iceland also emerged from the sea. Iceland is a unique landmass. It is a volcanic island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean that should be deep under the water. After all, when tectonic plates pull away from each other (diverge) new oceans and seas form. But due to a remarkable geological phenomena this rift zone is situated directly on top of a mantle plume (some would say, Super Volcano). This gives Iceland enough volcanic activity to create new land to keep it above water as the plates split apart. In fact, Iceland has an average of one volcanic eruption every 4 years, which is more than enough to keep Iceland growing from the inside out. Iceland accounts for 1/3 of all lava flow in the world.

“A rift valley with its high cliffs makes Þingvellir National Park a magnificent natural backdrop for the open air parliamentary assembly (or Alþing) of Iceland, which was held there annually from around 930 AD to 1798.” UNESCO

The obvious way to enjoy this area would be to combine it with the rest of the Golden Circle. This is true. However, bare in mind that this is the most popular place in the country. Perhaps check out the Secret Lagoon hot spring in the morning, dine in a tomato green house and visit the other spots of the area so that by the time you get to the Thingvellir National Park the sun will be low in the sky and the worst of the tourists will be elsewhere. Stick to the paths though as the moss and other vegetation are susceptible to degradation. You can spend the early evening exploring some of the more hidden cracks and fractures that come with splitting tectonic plates.

Do all 3 in one trip

It would seem that multiple visits to Iceland is needed to experience all three UNESCO World Heritage Sites but it’s physically possible to do all three in just one 4 or 5 day excursion to Iceland. I recommend allocating 2 days to get to the Vatnajökull National Park and enjoy the area. On the way back towards Reykjavik you can do a day trip over to the Westman Islands to get close to Surtsey. You should return to the mainland the same day and sleep in a local hotel there so you can get up early to miss the crowds of the Golden Circle. The the final day can be dedicated to exploring the Golden Circle. Finally, you will get back to Reykjavik with enough time to try out some of the weird and wonderful dishes in the city. You can do this all on your own, but as always I recommend going with a local guide on an organised trip to get to those hidden spots and get a true understanding of what you are witnessing.

Ryan Connolly is Co-Founder of Hidden Iceland. Hidden Iceland specialises in private trips, taking you to some of the hidden gems of Iceland with a passionate and experienced guide.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

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[ecotone99]

[MF] The Prince of Atlantis

As I ran out onto the beach and grabbed my blue and black surfboard, I felt the cool sea spray hit my nose. Then, the salty smell of the ocean burned my nose. My dad, Nathaniel Antoniuo, grabs his board and we hit the water. I heard the waves crashing and I got excited. Once we get out pretty far, I tried to ask my dad about my mother. I said, “Alright, I’m sixteen now, you need to tell me what happened to my mother.” All he said was what he usually says. “She died in a shipwreck,” he explains, “off the coast of Morocco after you were born.” I asked him, “Well, can’t you at least tell me what her name was?” He said, “I don’t like to talk to you about her because I miss her, and I don’t want you to obsess over who she was, what’s done is done.” I sighed and we sat in a moment of silence before he says, “Diana. Her name was Diana.” We caught a few great waves, then I ask him, “What’s with my stupid name?” He said, “Dylan, your mother loved that name and we found it fitting since I had grown up by the sea. In fact, that’s what it means, son of the sea.” He then asked me, “Do you want to go on an expedition tomorrow?” He explained, “It’s off the coast of Morocco, supposedly where Atlantis was. We might find some valuable artifacts.” I asked, “What’s the point, we already have billions of dollars from grandpa and grandma’s company?” He said, “It’s not about money, it’s about history and you are getting a chance no other kids get. Also, I want to finally visit the place where your mother died. At least you will finally get to meet the crew.” We went back in to the penthouse, stopping at the garage to drop our boards off on the way up.

That night, my dad showed me a video presentation of the crew and their purposes in the team. Dale was an ex-Navy SEAL who served as the muscle and munitions expert of the team. He was there if we would encounter any dangerous sea life or environments. Next was Laura, who was the technology expert of the crew. She piloted submarine and controlled the computer systems. Lastly, there was Cassie, who is a marine biologist. She was there to catalog any new or rare species of marine life we could possibly encounter. I went to sleep in my bed down the hall, with thoughts of the trip tomorrow.

The next morning, we met at Miami International Airport, and got on my dad’s private jet. It’s usually around a 13 hour flight from Miami to Morocco, but my dad’s plane can make it in 3 hours because Laura created a special hyperjet engine. Laura also engineered a special fuel cell that is way more efficient than conventional jet fuel and doesn’t burn up at supersonic speeds. On the flight, I noticed that Dale was reading a book that I had read before. I asked him if he liked it and he said he did. We talked about that for a little bit, then my dad and I watched a movie.

When we landed in Morocco, the bright sun hit my eyes like a train. The heat burned my skin. After my eyes had adjusted, it was time for us to get to the harbor. I stared at the beautiful ocean on our car ride to the harbor. We got the sub ready for the expedition. It was different from most subs you would see in military films or submersibles like you would see in documentaries about the deepest parts of the ocean. Instead, it had four turbines in the back, a big clear polymer window in the front, and multiple levels. It was overall a cube shape. The top level was the bridge and computer level. The level below was the sleeping level. The next level housed the galley and a meeting hall with a high ceiling. The level down was an armory that also stored our diving suits, oxygen tanks, and dive helmets. The level down from that had small speed boats that could go under water for brief periods of time and could make it to the surface for escapes. The bottom level was the marine biology level that consisted of: a database of all marine life, an airlock for bringing marine life into the ship, cameras with an artificial intelligence that could recognize marine life that had not yet been catalogued, a tracker rack, robotic assistants with arms that would help hold down large animals and a large examination table.

The trip to the dive site was around an hour away from the harbor. During this hour, I pretty much just hung out in my quarters. I watched a little TV, and about halfway through my fourth episode, all of the lights and systems went dark. I went and asked my dad, “What’s up?” He explained that all of the systems had been shut down except for the emergency lights, pressurization, engine, and oxygen hoses for the dive suits by some sort of electromagnetic pulse. He then explained that we were only about a half a mile away from the dive site and that we would be there very soon. He then debriefed the crew an me on our mission: we were to go out with our suits on and search for anything. We were to look for ruins, artifacts, or statues. Anything we found would be proof that Atlantis exists.

When my dad finished the debriefing, there was a loud bang and we all lurched forward as the sub suddenly stopped. We had arrived and it was finally time to suit up and go out into the deep. Laura would stay back on the sub and try and get the sub’s systems up and running while the crew, my father, and me would suit up and get into the water. We entered the airlock and the sound of the door slamming behind us startled me. Then, there was a hissing sound as the air lock’s vents opened up,the air was let out and the water rushed in. After that, the outside door opened into the dark blue water. We turned on the lights on our helmets and swam out. We saw some ruins and decided to swim deeper. Suddenly, a large rock fell on my suit and crushed my helmet. My dad told me to hold my breath as he and Dale rushed over. They tried lifting the rock, but the only way to get me out was by pulling my helmet off. There was no way I would survive the pressure, let alone be able to see or breathe.

My dad decided to pull me out. What was he thinking? There was no way I would survive! I decided to close my eyes and hope for the best. Once I was out of the helmet, there was a bright blue flash of light that knocked back my dad and the crew. It also destroyed my suit. I was wearing only my small diving shorts, the length of basketball shorts, but skintight. My heart started racing. How could was I still breathing? What was that flash of light? How could I see this deep underwater? I saw thousands of statues of people. I thought about the theory they something similar to what happened to Pompeii had happened to Atlantis and was the reason for its disappearance.

Then, I noticed that in front of these statues was what appeared to be a trident. It was tarnished and covered in barnacles, but I was still drawn to it. I noticed that my birthmark on my back was glowing and with each step closer to the trident, it became brighter and brighter. As I got closer, I realized that the statues truly were statues and not people that had been encased in pyroclastic ash, for they were very detailed and their facial features had been preserved. When I touched the trident, I realized that my birthmark was actually a tattoo and it was starting to mark the rest of my body with tattoos. Then, I adjusted my grip on the trident and the rust and barnacles fell off.

Then, I heard a deep voice in my head, “I am the spirit of King Triton. Do not be afraid my grandson, for you are home. This is Atlantis, the birthplace of your mother. She is Diana, queen of the warriors. The people have gone through a process that combines both science and magic. It is to ensure that they do not age during the years when the royal head of the people is missing. In Atlantis, my daughter–your mother–ruled over the warriors of Atlantis while I served and ruled over my people. Then, I was killed by an unknown warrior from the surface world and Atlantis was forced to go into hiding and cut ties with the surface world. Eventually, we decided it would be time for a new heir to the throne of Atlantis, so I let your mother become flesh once more to carry the baby of a successful explorer of the mighty seas. She then returned to us and became a statue again, giving you father the impression that she had died in a shipwreck. The people went through a process called stuatization, where enchanted rock is bonded to their bodies, which will become flesh once Atlantis is restored. Also, the buildings of Atlantis shall be rebuilt. You have the power to do just that, by rising up this trident, you shall raise Atlantis.”

I raised the trident and Atlantis started to build itself up, almost growing like an organism. The people became flesh again and were overwhelmed with joy. Atlantis was lifted up by very large stilts that were pushing up against the ocean floor. A dome formed. Its purpose was to drain the water and be full of oxygen so that humans could come to Atlantis. The light shone over the throne of Atlantis once again. I finally got to see my mother. She was beautiful, just as I had imagined her as a child and seen in pictures. She brought my father over to us and then spoke with him. The crew would stay here, in Atlantis. Dale would join the Atlantean Army. Laura would learn about Atlantean technology and and magic. Cassie would modify our submarine with Atlantean parts to find more species and catalogue them, then stay at Atlantis for some time, then go on another expedition.

It had been a few weeks since Atlantis was raised to my coronation ceremony. I wanted to get the city up and running before I could have a fancy ceremony. The first thing I did was make sure the seaweed farm was ready. Algae would grow on the seaweed, which would then be eaten by snails. Those snails would be eaten by fish, and those fish would be brought to the Atlantean fish farmer to be fed to bigger fish. After that, we built factories and power plants for Atlantis. I then had Atlantis go public. We would no longer be secluded from the rest of the world. We declared ourselves to be allies of the United States, and even built an embassy. My father decided to stay in the Royal Palace of Atlantis with me and my mother. He donated his fortune to companies cleaning up the world’s oceans and to building various orphanages.

My ceremony was one of extreme joy. The Royal Band of Atlantis played. The palace was adorned with banners with tridents on them. My throne was covered in gold and my trident shone in the refracted sunlight from the dome over Atlantis. I walked up to my throne, sat, and the people–both human and Atlantean–erupted in applause. There was a gala following the ceremony. At the gala, there was the finest fish in the sea, fresh seaweed, squid, and various other traditional Atlantean dishes. I talked with an Atlantean girl for a long while. We planned to go out to dinner the following week. When the gala was finished, I explored the Atlantean Palace and went to sleep in my new bed.

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