#I do not understand the desire to develop and retain specific preferences but it is not my place to judge this

[leastinsanesscpilot]

XIII▸ Hello Z-341-A. This is Thirteen-E; I hope this message finds you. I'm still not entirely sure how to opperate this part of the account. XIII▸ I wanted to ask you about something, after considering the places our experiences overlap- as always you are under no obligation to answer me, as this is largely curiosity. I do not want to pry. Do you develop personal preferences, now? Were you able/permitted to develop them before? To provide more specific queries if that is so broad to be unwieldy; do you have a favourite colour, or food?

XIII▸ I know from my own experiences many of my fellow FC Projects are not subject to the same restrictions as I am, but- things seem to match more, between us. So I am curious. Did your creators care, whether you had preferences? Do you?

XIII▸ I hope you're doing well. Remember to hydrate however is most convenient to you.

[ XIII-E ]

It is a pleasure to hear from you, XIII-E. This message has found me just fine, as you can see, and I understand the confusion. My first few messages of this type got very lost as I figured out this account. The short answer is no. I was not able to develop personal preferences before and I barely do now. The idea is not quite so foreign to me as one may think, but it is still foreign nonetheless. Before, there was simply no space to develop a personal preference. My line of clones was considered to be unstable, it was advised that time spent out of cryogenic stasis not exceed ten continuous hours at an extreme maximum. My routine before was wake from cryo, immediately be ushered into my mech, drop into an active combat zone, clear it, return to cryo. A blanket "no" is not quite accurate to my ability to develop preferences prior to my acquisition by ThirdComm, however. Between exfiltration and returning to cryo there was typically a period of time wherein our handlers would, for lack of a better term, care for us. It was vital that we metabolize the last of the combat stimulants still in our systems, and the come-down was always hard. Our handlers would be there to ensure that we do not panic and fight, as losing a pilot to a more trigger-happy APMS termination outside of combat was unacceptable and if we went into cryo fighting we would be completely unwieldy the next time they woke us up. I suppose I had preferences during these times, although I tended to have negative association preferences rather than positive association ones. There were certain places I could not abide being touched, certain textures and quality of light that grated on me. As I understand it, many of the clones had similar preferences, and my handler was kind enough to indulge mine. As for my ability to develop preferences now, the types of preferences I develop are largely the same as the ones I had before. Solid food is difficult for me still, but I have discovered that there are certain types and textures of food I cannot stomach. There are certain colors of light that trigger my photophobia. My most sure preference is about my name. My case worker is cagey about whether these count in their mind as actual preferences or not. They claim that these are necessities rather than preferences as I tend to have an extreme negative reaction to all of these things that can adversely affect my health, but given my previous situation I believe it to be more complicated than that. All that is to say that I do technically have preferences, but I do not intend to nor desire to develop more or different ones. The ones I have are unwieldy enough, I have work to do and I do not intend to compromise my effectiveness as a weapon. @xiii-e

[deus-sema]

The discourse surrounding Sauron and Galadriel about love and obsession has been rather interesting to catch up with so far. After going through the perspectives of both those who like this pairing and those who don’t, I think both sides can unite in agreement over this one fact, if nothing else: obsession, without any shred of doubt, exists between them. It exists on both sides for she has been obsessed with him long before he was with her. Yes, it was motivated by unadulterated hatred and a desire for vengeance, but he occupied her thoughts for the better or worse. Now, she has planted herself in his mind too.

Then comes the question of whether whatever there is between them can be considered romantic or not. Is it appropriate to label it as love or not? Here it is a matter of preference which differs from person to person. What will be interpreted as romantic by one may not be so by another and vice versa. It is completely understandable why many will be uncomfortable with the notion of obsession being associated with love. Obsession – over anything and anyone – is usually an unhealthy emotion. Unwanted and unpredictable, it can prove detrimental to both the individual experiencing it as well as the people around them. In the real world, it needs to be recognized for what it is and addressed for the betterment of everyone.

But, herein lies the difference between the world we exist in and fictional worlds. Every work of fiction, regardless of genre, exists on a different plane whose happenings have no bearing on our reality. Fiction is a realm of infinite possibilities which is the reason why people use it for wish fulfillment. People can’t fly or use magic for real but they can do so in a make-believe world. People can cheat death and turn over a new leaf. Foes can become friends and overcome their grievances. They can live happily ever after without any worries about betrayal or loss. It is a place where ideal and unconditional love is allowed to thrive. Simultaneously, it is also where love can exist in flawed, twisted and, even, perverse forms. It can be greedy, possessive, selfish, and warped while still retaining its essence. That is probably the reason why many, myself included, are fascinated with the idea of stories with obsessive love. With the idea of an all-consuming desire and yearning on one character’s part for another that can go on to be destructive. With the concept of evil beings experiencing love. It is why obsession fueled by love, whether executed properly or not, is an integral component of many dark romances. Within stories, it is permitted to be what it is most certainly not in reality. In real life, no emotion – not even what we believe to be love – should override our individual well being or anyone else’s. This is why fiction is a safe space to explore fantasies. Even the most incredulous ones of all.

Now, about how I interpret Sauron and Galadriel, specifically, within the context of this show: It is love. They developed feelings for each other when their paths crossed unexpectedly and they forged an unlikely bond because of the circumstances they faced together. Simple. Unintentionally, Galadriel began to care for her greatest enemy and believed him to be her friend. She is still obsessed with defeating him but whatever she felt for Halbrand now exists alongside her hatred for Sauron. Meanwhile, Sauron is still pretty much evil. He is working to further his own interests or,rather,what he thinks to best for Middle Earth. But, at the same time, he desires Galadriel. Both were visibly attracted to one another in the first season. Even though no words were said, Charlie and Morfydd, being the phenomenally talented and intelligent actors that they are, conveyed it beautifully through their expressions and body language. I don’t think it is a betrayal to the characters either for the show, more or less, took Sauron’s canonical obsession with Galadriel and her persistent defiance against him and added to it a layer of romance which is doomed because of who they are. I don’t claim to know what the show plans on doing with them in future and it is not in my hands. We can only speculate, engage in wishful thinking and write fanfics and AUs if things don’t go the way we want them to.

RoP is a show I’m enjoying so far in all its aspects and I’m not exaggerating when I say that its fandom is one of the most chilled-out and relaxing ones I’ve engaged with in recent times. I’ve gotten to interact with many amazing posts. However I’m well aware that where there is more than one person, there are differences in opinions. Where there are differences, there will be disagreements. Where there are disagreements, there will be clashes. Clashes will lead to fanwars. Fanwars have high chances of turning toxic. I know the drill for I have undergone it in many fandoms. I’ve been carried away by the toxicity and have made my fair share of mistakes too. Those experiences have taught me some important lessons. One mistake I made, rather repeatedly, during my…..enthusiastic….stanning phase was to engage in fights with people whose opinions on a certain topic or fictional character differed from mine. All factions believe their interpretation of whichever nonexistent character they like in whatever made-up story they are into, is the correct one and many a times they can substantiate their claims with reasons. Sometimes, these contrasting opinions lead to some riveting and respectful discussions between people which, to be honest, is the entire point behind a public platform. Sometimes, they result in nasty fights.

Ideally, the feelings of real people should be prioritized over seemingly trivial issues like different preferences in fiction. But if we were capable of that we would all be perfect but, as we all know, perfection exists only in Valinor. Fictional works are dearer to us than some random stranger on the internet. So, when we encounter a radically different opinion about something we are passionate about, the first reaction is usually one of annoyance. Depending on whether it is mild or severe, this annoyance can make us petty. We crave the satisfaction of one-upping those who disagree with us, of validating our perspective over their’s and, as a result, we don’t realize if someone’s feelings get hurt in the process. Or even if we do, the euphoria of ‘winning’ in the discourse makes it easier to sweep the adverse effects under the rug. I don’t believe we need to withhold our opinions to make others happy. We are not bound to understand each other's opinions, much less agree every time. But we do owe it to each other to be civil if not anything else. As for me, what I’m going to try and do is to ignore the takes I disagree with and mind my own business. If it gets too much then I am going to press the block button. I advise those who dislike my opinions and takes to do the same. It’s nothing personal and we all deserve to enjoy in our own spaces while choosing what content we wish to see and engage with without suppressing our thoughts. We deserve to vent as well for it is healthy. I cannot guarantee that I’ll be successful right away for there are still instances when I end up behaving in a manner that is plain immature. But, to paraphrase the late Diarmid who once tried to counsel Sauron (Eru bless his soul), I simply have to keep trying until it becomes a habit.

So, take care everyone, and I hope you all are doing well wherever you are.

[codunkall]

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[aricazorel]

"Are you jealous?" "No...Maybe." suggested by @russian-dumpling

pairing: Kaidan Alenko x Rebecca Shepard; set during ME1; word count: 1759

Noveria was cold. There was no doubt about that. It was a planet full of constant snowstorms. Nearly an ice planet.

Just like Hoth, Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko thought, unable to help the Star Wars reference. He glanced up at the thick transparent steel windows above that kept the raging winter storm out and the heat in. At least it was warmer than the Rebel Base…

“Hey, Alenko! You still with us?” Shepard’s voice called from beside him.

He glanced over at his CO noting that Ashley and Garrus had disappeared. “Don't you mean you, ma'am?”

“Oh for crying out loud! Don't ma’am me when we're alone,” she chided, a hand on her hip.

“We're still on the job, Commander.”

“Kaidan, is there a reason you're always so formal?”

“Habit it, ma'am, and it keeps me out of trouble.”

“Trouble? You, Alenko? Never.”

The Lieutenant snorted. “You don't know everything about me, Shepard.”

“Not yet,” the red head smirked with a wink.

***

While waiting to meet up with Gianna Parasini, Shepard unsurprisingly had elected to visit a few of the shops for tech and weapons mods. In truth it was the weapons mods that the Commander was really interested in. She only mentioned the tech mods to entice the Sentinel to tag along. In reality she didn't need to bribe him with anything other than herself.

He knew shortly after the Eden Prime mission that he was in trouble. Romantic entanglements with anyone he served with had always been a no no in his book. Falling for a superior officer was definitely not something he had ever seen himself doing. Yet there it was or rather she was standing outside yet another shop staring at the display in the window.

The Lieutenant was definitely in trouble.

He'd once told her he liked adventurous women. Kaidan would be lying to himself he didn't admit that Shepard fit that description to a tee. And that taste in the opposite sex is what would land him in trouble by the end of their current mission. Especially if the glances she was throwing over her shoulder towards him were any indication of things to come.

And there it was. The flirting grin she'd shoot him when she thought no one was looking. Of course Ashley had caught glimpses of it and teased the fire out of him about it. Despite his misgivings about the feelings he knew he was developing for his CO, Kaidan returned the smile as she motioned for him to join her at the display window. And of course he did.

As the Lieutenant walked over to her, Shepard motioned to a cluster of omni tool mods and one very specific omni tool. His eyes lit up as she casually mentioned, “I can open a line of credit with this store. You know. Get the license for the Normandy’s requisition officer so we can access their inventory anytime we want.”

“Really? Alenko asked excitedly as he looked from the Logic Arrest omni tool to Shepard.

With the amused look on her face he couldn't be sure if she were serious or not. Remembering himself he said, “I shouldn't ask you to use Alliance resources or your Specter status just to get me a new ‘tool.”

“But you didn't ask, Kaidan. I offered,” she corrected as she entered the shop. “Besides they have weapons mods too.”

Alenko cocked an eyebrow as he followed. She was his CO, a fellow officer, a friend. Yet he couldn't help but think she might harbor some feelings beyond all of that for him just as he did for her. Should he say anything? Should he let her make the first move? Should he see how things played out?

He sighed as he watched a salesman approach Shepherd with a broad grin. There were regs against fraternization. They were on a mission to stop a rogue Specter and his synthetic army. There was no place for romance, yet his feelings remained.

In an effort to distract himself, he focused his attention on the Logic Arrest Shepard had pointed out. In truth he did need a new omni tool, especially with the current mission. A part of him however couldn't shake the feeling that if he had said yes just a few minutes ago he'd already have a new ‘tool instead of looking at it in the display.

Kaidan let out a low growl. He should be able to focus on things without his thoughts circling back to Shepard. On a mission, in combat, doing his duties. Those instances were too problematic to allow that. The only acceptable exception was if Shepard was in danger.

But his down time? Sure she was nice to look at, athletic, red hair, nice smile, gorgeous eyes, great personality, honest, compassionate, amazing sense of humor, humble, firm. Anyone would be lucky to be the focus of her attention. Yet in the reflection of the display glass he saw her glancing at him as the salesman went on about various mods for her weapons the other man had were noticed Specter issue.

Apparently her status as a Specter had made the rounds rather quickly. Of course salesman wanted to land a large purchase from her then. Either way the Lieutenant could have sworn he saw the Commander wink at him in the reflection before she turned her attention back to the very friendly salesman.

“I can see the Specters have outfitted their newest agent with the latest weapons. Of course you can never go wrong with modifications,” the blond-haired man said smoothly. “Surely having the best mods on the market would help keep your lovely self safe.

“They certainly wouldn't hurt,” Shepard replied an even tone.

“Well, what is your primary weapon?” the man asked. “Maybe your favorite?”

“Those are two different things,” Shepard smirked with her arms folded across her chest.

“Really? For most customers those are one in the same,” the blond man muttered.

“I'm not most customers,” the Commander assured him confidently.

“I see,” the salesman muttered as he opened his ‘tool, showing the inventory available. “Perhaps something for your assault rifle first. We can't have our first human Specter being mowed down by rogue Geth. Protection is everything especially for a beautiful woman such as yourself.”

Kaidan rolled his eyes at the man's blatant attempt to flirt with the Commander in order to make a sale. Fundamentally the Lieutenant knew why the other man was doing it but that didn't deter the desire to tell the man off for disrespecting his CO. If he was totally honest with himself he had to admit that it wasn't just the man's lack of professionalism that bothered him.

He shifted, resisting the urge to go to Shepard’s aid. If she needed help, she would say so.

“I have plenty of protection already,” Shepard said as she gestured towards him. “My Lieutenant over there is an accomplished soldier and biotic. He's covered my six more times than I can count.”

Kaidan knew he was smirking as he caught her eye in the reflection once again. Whether she had intended to or not she had just padded his ego though he would never admit that. “Biotics will only get you so far,” the salesman muttered, his mood souring much to Alenko's delight.

“Oh but you haven't seen the Lieutenant train with his biotics,” Shepard mused with a big grin. “It's …quite the sight.”

Kaidan knew he was blushing as the salesman said, “I can provide you with top-of-the-line weapons mods. I'm afraid I am not licensed for biotic amps.”

Shepard made a noise of acknowledgement before she said, “You know what? I think I'll take that Logic Arrest in the window…and any mod you have for it.”

“Oh well, what about the weapons mods? Surely you need –“

“I already have the most advanced. Me being a Specter and all. But my Lieutenant needs the best omni tool available,” she insisted as she turned to Kaidan.

“I understand but you are his superior. Doesn't that mean –“

“If you can't sell me what I want, I am sure another shop can,” the Commander interrupted as she walked over to the Lieutenant.

“No. No. I can accommodate that,” the salesman said conceding that his sale to the first human Specter would not be as large as he originally thought.

Kaidan couldn't help the shit-eating grin as the salesman was forced to wait on him instead of Shepard.

***

Half an hour later Kaidan sat on the retaining wall of one of the many reflection pools near the shopping promenade as he fiddled with his new omni tool. They were waiting for Ashley and Garrus to rendezvous with them before taking the next step of their mission. For whatever reason, the Commander had spent her time watching him program his preferences into the new Logic Arrest.

He did his level best to ignore the attention until she said lightly, “Are you jealous?”

The Lieutenant paused in his motions as conflicting emotions demanded his answer one way or another. “No …maybe.”

She crossed her arms as she asked in surprise, “Really, Lieutenant? Of a weapons mod salesman?”

Kaidan knew he was blushing as he glanced at the nearby fountain. Was he that obvious? Was she going to give him a dressing down or just tease the crap out of him? Maybe even enlisting the help of Ashley and Joker?

“Hey, Kaidan?” Shepherds voice call to him as he felt a light pressure on his forearm from her hand. The use of his first caught his attention more than her touch.

He glanced back at her, seeing a tender smile. “I can promise you there is nothing to be jealous of. All my attention is on a certain L2 biotic. You might know him.”

Kaidan smiled as he replied, “Yes ma'am.”

Shepard opened her mouth to say something else when she heard Ashley and Garrus call out to them. She shrugged at him as she turned to greet them but not before she winked at the Lieutenant.

He watched as she walked over to their teammates as he finished setting up his tool. Any doubt he had about being more than comrades-in-arms or friends had evaporated. He was more certain than ever that things between them were more complicated than the mission parameters allowed.

But he didn't care. He was definitely in trouble, but he found himself not giving a damn about that either.

He liked adventurous women, and Shepard was definitely that. And so much more.

[duchessofostergotlands]

Breakdown of my views on The Statement: My thoughts in bold

We are pleased to now be able to share with you an update on many of the details agreed at a meeting of The Royal Family in January 2020, which outlines The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s new roles, taking effect Spring 2020. We had hoped to be allowed to share these details with you sooner (to mitigate any confusion and subsequent misreporting), but the facts below should help provide some clarification around this transition and the steps for the future. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t 

AS AGREED AND SET OUT IN JANUARY 2020:

It is agreed that the commencement of the revised role of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will take effect Spring 2020 and undergo a 12 month review. No problem here, all makes sense

The Royal Family respect and understand the wish of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to live a more independent life as a family, by removing the supposed ‘public interest’ justification for media intrusion into their lives. They remain a valued part of Her Majesty’s family. THIS IS SO FUCKING DISRESPECTFUL. “The supposed ‘public interest’ justification for media intrusion.” It’s not supposed. The fact they think that shows such lack of understanding of what their role is. We give them millions, they have a completely unearned influence over government and society at large. To prevent corruption they have to understand that public interest is an incredibly powerful argument. I get that there have been things that have happened that are intrusive and unnecessary, I’ve said that myself. But this is not the way to tackle them because the public interest should be central to everything they do and there were things that were in the public interest that they didn’t consider to be (like Harry’s recent lost case about his cropping of the elephant photo). 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will become privately funded members of The Royal Family with permission to earn their own income and the ability to pursue their own private charitable interests. Privately funded means no Duchy support which hasn’t yet been confirmed. This is ultimately misleading because they always had permission to earn their own income as working royals - as Harry knows, he was a soldier earning a wage - but had restrictions because they had to remain accountable. They don’t want the restrictions 

The preference of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex was to continue to represent and support Her Majesty The Queen albeit in a more limited capacity, while not drawing on the Sovereign Grant. HOW DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND YOU COULD NEVER DO THIS??? Again, the total lack of understanding of public sentiment and the important relationship between the public and the monarchy astounds me. What they’re saying is that they wanted to continue to be working royals and represent the UK officially with all of the power and privilege that comes with it but not have any of the ties that make them accountable. That’s not how it works. 

While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal Family to seek employment outside of the institution, for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-month review period has been put in place. There is no precedent for this situation and the fact that they keep saying that is feeding the stan nonsense about them being treated more harshly. Other royals are allowed to make income outside of the monarchy - as Meghan and Harry were at all times - but have to have approval from the Queen and the Lord Chamberlain. They didn’t want that which is their right - but is also their choice! 

Per the agreement The Duke and Duchess of Sussex understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties and not undertake representative duties on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen. Yep, all good

As agreed and set out in January, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will retain their “HRH” prefix, thereby formally remaining known as His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer actively use their HRH titles as they will no longer be working members of the family as of Spring 2020. Yep, all good. I don’t really think it was ever necessary for them to drop the HRH but that’s just my view 

As the grandson of Her Majesty and second son of The Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex remains sixth in line to the throne of The British Monarchy and the Order of Precedence is unchanged. Yep, totally cool. Now tell us whether he’ll remain a Counsellor of State which is a major constitutional issue 

It was agreed that The Duke and Duchess will no longer be able to formally carry out ‘official duties’ for The Queen or represent The Commonwealth, but they will, however, be allowed to maintain their patronages (including those that are classified as ‘royal’ patronages). Yep, no problem with this. This is about the individual relationship between the couple and their patronages, not about the BRF

It is agreed that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son.  This is based on The Duke’s public profile by virtue of being born into The Royal Family, his military service, the Duchess’ own independent profile, and the shared threat and risk level documented specifically over the last few years. No further details can be shared as this is classified information for safety reasons. The monarchy has not confirmed this and as their first statement is now almost complete rubbish, I’m waiting to see if this turns out to be true long term. We have a right to know which countries are paying for their security, however. Canada has a right to know, we have a right to know if our taxpayer funds are going towards people who don’t live here or work here 

In relation to the military, The Duke of Sussex will retain the rank of Major, and honorary ranks of Lieutenant Commander, and Squadron Leader. During this 12-month period of review, The Duke’s official military appointments will not be used as they are in the gift of the Sovereign. No new appointments will be made to fill these roles before the 12-month review of the new arrangements is completed. This isn’t what we’d been led to believe so I’m not sure what the truth is here. I expect the BRF will have to clear it up  

While per the agreement, The Duke will not perform any official duties associated with these roles, given his dedication to the military community and ten years of service he will of course continue his unwavering support to the military community in a non-official capacity. As founder of the Invictus Games, The Duke will proudly continue supporting the military community around the world through the Invictus Games Foundation and The Endeavour Fund. It’ll be interesting to see how this works because the Endeavour Fund is a project of the Royal Foundation so will he be privately funding it? Which contradicts with their point below? Or will he be doing work for the Royal Foundation? 

Based on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s desire to have a reduced role as members of The Royal Family, it was decided in January that their Institutional Office would have to be closed, given the primary funding mechanism for this official office at Buckingham Palace is from HRH The Prince of Wales. The Duke and Duchess shared this news with their team personally in January once they knew of the decision, and have worked closely with their staff to ensure a smooth transition for each of them. I get why they might be trying to frame this as out of their control but they decided to step back and they bear all the responsibility for these people losing their jobs. Take ownership of what you do. If they’d just included the below point it would have been fine. 

Over the last month and a half, The Duke and Duchess have remained actively involved in this process, which has understandably been saddening for The Duke and Duchess and their loyal staff, given the closeness of Their Royal Highnesses and their dedicated team.

As The Duke and Duchess will no longer be considered full-time working Members of The Royal Family, it was agreed that use of the word ‘Royal’ would need to be reviewed as it pertains to organisations associated with them in this new regard. More details on this below. No problem. I didn’t necessarily think this needed to happen but it’s probably cleaner. 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

As shared in early January on this website, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not plan to start a ‘foundation’, but rather intend to develop a new way to effect change and complement the efforts made by so many excellent foundations globally. This point and the sentences below are utter gibberish. Stop with the buzz words (literally every charity is cause driven jfc...) You also did call it a Foundation when you legally registered it so I can’t imagine why people would possibly be confused you’re saying it’s not a Foundation

The creation of this non-profit entity will be in addition to their cause driven work that they remain deeply committed to. While The Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding use of the word ‘Royal’, it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation will not utilise the name ‘Sussex Royal’ or any other iteration of ‘Royal.’ Fine

For the above reason, the trademark applications that had been filed as protective measures and that reflected the same standard trademarking requests as done for The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have been removed. I do think it was fair enough to point this out because the press have been suggesting the trademark was about selling stuff with their name on it when everyone trademarks stuff as a protective measure

While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020. This was definitely Harry. Anyway this is something that again seems to ignore public sentiment. The primary view was that they could do what they want but not claim to be Royal. This isn’t just the Queen being a meanie, it’s the Queen and the Government respecting public opinion. But ultimately, they chose to agree to this. They could use Royal if they wanted to, they acknowledge there’s no jurisdiction. So either do what you want or stop whingeing about it 

As The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to develop their non-profit organisation and plan for their future, we hope that you use this site as the source for factual information. In Spring 2020, their digital channels will be refreshed as they introduce the next exciting phase to you. “Source for factual information.” Given that your entire first statement was bollocks and you’ve misled people in this one I don’t really trust that you’re the source for factual information. You’re the source for your version of events. Which you’re entitled to be, but don’t paint it as the objective truth. No one should present themselves as infallible and above questioning 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex eagerly await the opportunity to share more with you and greatly appreciate your support!

[spiritus-sonne]

Where Gender & Animality Meet

I thought I had posted this here, but turns out I didn't. This is a writing I did expressing various things related to my experience and identity of having a "nonhuman gender". I have thankfully come across some others who can relate to this, even if their experiences are specifically different from mine, it's comforting to read them nevertheless. Of course, I've had to see skeptics about it who either trivialize my experience and identity, state it's impossible to have a nonhuman gender (because "gender is a human construct" or that "it just doesn't make sense for a gender to be nonhuman"), and/or that gender is only a social construct so I shouldn't even bother with introspecting on my gender and seeking to understand it. Which, this being Tumblr, I'll probably get more of that by posting this here, but oh well.

So with that, here's the essay:

I periodically get times of trying to figure out what to call my gender and how to explain it well.  Of the established terms, demifemale maybe the closest one I’ve found.  Recently I came across the term “xenogender” and noticed it can be used in relating, for example, animals to gender, and thought that maybe it was close to my experience/identity, but after looking further into it, the term and concept doesn’t fit me, as it’s more so about symbolic or sensory explanations for gender or utilizes nounself-genders—which just isn’t fitting to me.

Another issue I have with using xenogender for myself is that my gender still feels like it is “binary” in the sense of feeling like and identifying as “female”.  However, it is on a nonhuman spectrum of gender without being symbolic—more of a literal kind of nonhuman gender, in contrast to how xenogender tends to be used.  The definition, though, seems mostly fitting of my gender if taken in that literal sense and if it wasn’t restricted to nonbinary genders.  I guess I could be considered adjacent to or overlapping with xenogender.

Demifemale still feels not quite right but is closer than others I’ve come across so far because I do see myself as partially feminine (specifically just feminine leaning), no (human) masculinity in my identity, and not a blend of feminine and masculine (like androgynous would be).  I’m comfortable referring to myself as she/her and female, though I tend to think that what *I* mean by female for myself is rather different than what is generally meant by human society as female.  If anything, I’d call it something like “neuter-female”, but that still doesn’t get into the depth of what the hell I am gender-wise.

Now granted, maybe I shouldn’t even be caring much about a term to fit my gender identity, especially with so many terms and definitions already and with more being coined as time goes on.  I know I don’t need a term for it, let alone some perfectly-fitting one.  However, at least thinking about the terminology and exposing myself to some of these terms helps in my introspection and toward better understanding myself, including in relation to and in contrast to other people.  It also lets me understand the extent of my personal animality and how it permeates through into so much of who and what I am on a non-physical level.  Over time, in part through considering these gender identity terms, I’ve developed a better concept and understanding of just what gender means to me and how or where I fall along the vast diversity of gender identity.

If anything, I kind of like the term “feragender”, which I came up with only to follow that with a web search and finding someone last year had coined it online.  Though their definition still kind of fits, just without the specification of *wild* animal because I don’t see mine as specific to being a *wild* creature.  Sure, “fera-“ denotes wild, but honestly so many other terms I thought of were already coined and weren’t fitting (e.g., aliagender, zoogender (granted, I don’t like the sound or look of that one—just personal preference), allogender).  And zoanthgender sounds okay, but too specific-sounding, even though this is ultimately meant for *me*–I’m just weird and like it broader than that **shrugs**.  I suppose feragender, neuter-female is about as specific and fitting I have currently.

So aside from all this terminology stuff, what even *is* my gender identity like?  Well, from what I’ve figured out so far, I see myself as *female*, but not human-female.  It’s essentially a different construct and spectrum from that of human-specific gender.  I, beyond gender, identify as both, intrinsically, human and nonhuman—humanoid and non-humanoid.  And that runs through into my gender, it turns out (I’m not surprised, honestly).  At my core, I am a shapeshifting (to a restricted number of forms/creatures) humanoid who happens to live a mundane human life in a human body, and that pervades into the whole of what is *me*.

My understanding of my gender deals with concepts derived from the sexual, genital, and sex hormonal aspects and influences of a creature that doesn’t exist.  I’ve realized there’s basically a concept my mind identifies as fitting my gender that happens to be based on some kind of shapeshifting humanoid creature, which has therefore previously made extra difficulty in me understanding, let alone explaining and naming, my personal gender.

About these humanoid creatures: they still have males, females, and in-betweens/others in regards to sexes (let alone genders), but they have distinct differences from that of human sexes.  They are sexually dimorphic, but only mildly (less than humans).  All sexes have minimal body and facial hair (their hair is mainly on scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows, with thin, fine, and light-colored hair over the rest of their bodies, including armpits and pubic area).  Females have permanent breasts like humans, but their vulva is minor (only a slit or hole); they are more “curvaceous” like human females tend to be.  Males have no external genitalia (only an external slit or hole as the opening) and have a human-like androgynous appearance to their bodies.  They don’t have much in the way of femininity or masculinity in the sense of how it is often conceived for humans in general.  Actually, I don’t know if that’s really just an attribute of those creatures or if it’s mainly a “me” thing from me seeing myself as basically a “neutered” nonhuman creature/humanoid.

In my case, for my gender identity, I would be like one of those females although a “neutered” one (post development of secondary sex characteristics)—retaining a sexuality and sex drive (based out of pleasure, not for reproduction or from sex hormone influence), and identify as sterile.  I also sometimes when my libido and arousal are strong experience an erect phantom humanoid penis (I don’t have a good concept of its form, but it’s without testicles), though so far I don’t consider that part of my gender identity—I feel it is just something strange I experience for whatever reason.  Though perhaps it’s a humanoid internal penis that I only feel when it is erect and “unsheathed” in an external position—I really don’t know yet.  Also, at times I have the desire to do binding of my breasts (though I’ve never journeyed into actually trying it), including feeling sometimes (not always) more aesthetic and sensory-based satisfaction when my breasts feel relatively flatter due to wearing certain kinds of shirts.  So I feel like I primarily identify as a female gender of that strange humanoid species, while also, less often feel myself fluctuate toward the male (more androgynous and not masculine) part of the species’ spectrum.

It’s all very strange (having a “nonhuman gender”, so to speak) and I haven’t yet found someone who experiences this sort of thing, but then again, it’s a difficult thing to figure out (has taken me several years to nail down this much), is outside the human ‘normal’ spectrum of gender and sex, and is probably something that very relatively few people experience.  It would be tricky to ‘transition’ to feel more comfortable with myself and body, but I’ve taken some steps—I did get sterilized a few years ago, so that’s at least something closer to the whole “neutered” aspect (to be fully ‘neutered’ I’d have to have my ovaries and uterus removed and that would have its own set of health issues following it), and I keep my legs and armpits shaved close most of the time (to me it’s not a “female-specific” thing, as I noted above regarding the appearances of that humanoid species).  I haven’t worn makeup in a long time—lack of motivation is part of the reason (I’m content with my face looking how it does, sans things like plucking my eyebrows or reducing my acne), but I will note that initially in high school when I started wearing makeup, it was largely inspired by *men* wearing similar styles of makeup that I went with, as also the same men influencing my hairstyles back then sometimes; I see makeup as a gender-neutral thing, even if it isn’t treated that way in a lot of our societies.  Beyond that, I’ll never have my genitals transitioned to be more like I feel they should be.

While I’m at it, I’ll throw some in here about my sexuality.  For years I’ve identified as gray-asexual, more specifically now as demisexual, which I feel is fitting enough for me, along with polysexual, though confirming the polysexuality is tricky giving that I’m demisexual and have only been sexually attracted to I think two people in my life (one a transman and the other a transwoman).  When I’m outside of one of those romantic relationships (and before I developed a genuine romantic attraction to either person), I have been devoid of sexual attraction and even lacking a sex drive.  For the past several years I’ve been in a stable romantic relationship and it started off with some level of sexual attraction (already romantically attracted to this person and been with them previous times) and maybe a low to moderate sex drive.  But for the past few years the sexual attraction and, especially sex drive, have been high.  Personally, I think it relates to my chronic depression, as some fucked up way to balance out the fact that around the same time as the sex drive went up, my ability to feel pleasure during sex dropped (sexual anhedonia) and so did my ability to orgasm.  So it feels weird to be a demisexual person with such a high libido and high sexual attraction (albeit, all directed at either one human person or, alternatively, fictional humanoid creatures), and on top of that being anorgasmic and having sexual anhedonia.  My body and mind are just odd when it comes to this stuff.

[adoptapet]

Simple Method To Stop Your Dog From Begging For Food

If you really want to stop your dog from begging for food, you're going to need to learn to refrain from giving in to his begging every time there is food around.

It is not a secret as to the reason why a dog begs, well, it is because they would like food as soon as you have food anywhere near you or as soon as you go in the kitchen.

Begging isn't disrespectful or weird to your puppy; it's instinctive, so it takes a great deal of consistency to reverse that behavior if we've been reinforcing it. This begging "attitude" began a long time ago with the dog's descendants. With time, this became instinctive to wolves which carried over to dogs through their DNA.

Our dogs are hard-wired to seek opportunities to get food from us and given that they're observant they quickly grasp that begging brings about payoffs when we respond to all these signals that they have gained mastery so well over time.

It is one of the most common complaints of pet owners, however, there is hope. You can keep your pet dog from your food while your dining, you just have to be persistent.

- How Can I Stop My Dog From Begging?

The initial step when teaching your dog not to beg is to make a pledge to yourself which is to stop submitting. Every time you offer your puppy a treat from the table it's teaching them that begging is a winning action. It may perhaps not work all the time, but our dogs have excellent memories; they'll maintain trying if they figured out it did the job anytime before

Dogs beg more when we're looking at them; they know it works. Those big puppy dog eyes and all that whining-- it works really well on all of us.

If you want your dog to stop begging you have to ensure that you're not giving him mixed signals. It is not reasonable to expect good behavior from our puppies if we ourselves don't remain consistent.

Training ourselves as being constant is usually the most challenging part, the rest is relatively simple. Here are 3 methods that will definitely help you stop your dog from begging.

1- Pay no attention to Your Dog's Begging

Don't look at your puppy while he begs. Just ignore him.

Whenever your dog starts his routine of begging for food you have to totally pay no attention to the disruptive behavior. Should he get a scrap from you one single time he realizes that his time and efforts might just pay off next time.

If you look into those big eyes when he's begging you can feel bad for him and offer him a morsel. Almost any attention you give him when he's begging might make him believe you're close to giving him some food given that it's done the job so well previously.

He will most likely fuss and resist if he's a prolific beggar, nevertheless, you are going to have to learn to pay no attention to it. Your pet dog should eventually figure out that "hey, I think that's not going to do the job anymore."

Don't associate food together with love. Your puppy is certainly not starving. You nourish him very well every morning and evening. Over 50% of American dogs are generally too heavy, your puppy doesn't need to have any extras. If you still feel bad just keep in mind-- he's manipulating you.

Pet dogs have developed to getting those big sad eyes and floppy ears for merely that reason, to maneuver you into caring for them. They've evolved more puppy-like features and tend to share plenty of attributes of wolf puppies rather than adult wolves.

2- Limit Your Dog From the Dinner Table

Among the easiest solutions to stop your from begging is by preventing the behavior early on. You may do this by separating your pet dog from the dinner table.

You can educate your dog to lay down away from where you are eating, or you can make use of a baby gate to retain them in a different area. If your dog is already a beggar keep in mind that his behavior is most likely going to be fairly resistant for a little bit before it improves, but the consistency will ultimately pay off.

Have your dog lay down in his bed or specific space you've picked for him, compliment him as soon as he lays down and give him some treats within this spot. Depending on his stay command you might possibly need to work at this for some time before he's continually remaining in his new spot.

After you've eaten visit him and give him lots of praise, give him treats. Let him know the behavior of sitting steadily while the family members eat is just what's going to generate the most desired compensation.

If you don't believe your puppy is going to be able to stay for any period of time or you don't have a decent stay command mastered you can prefer to separate him with a barricade such as a baby gate, a very common selection.

3- Redirect His Focus While You Eat

Give your pet dog something else to concentrate on while you eat. If you don't wish your dog to stay completely separated from you while you eat you may redirect his focus to some snacks, toys, or treats of his own. Offer him one of his popular bully sticks, or jam some peanut butter inside of a Kong.

Ignore him if he gets up from his treat to beg. He is going to most likely do this for a while if he's used to begging. Just as long as you don't give in and nourish him from the table at all he will eventually understand that his begging abilities aren't going to pay off anymore.

If you're consistent and decide to persevere begging could be considerably quick and easy to deal with. It merely takes determination and consistency. You need all of the household engaged; if any member is not going to play along and gives up you are definitely not going to be successful.

You simply cannot surrender, regardless of how adorable he is actually or what sounds your puppy is producing, it will set you back to square one.

Click Here to Learn Most Effective Dog Training Programs: https://bit.ly/3rl4ou1

[fotostory6t]

20 rzeczy, które powinieneś wiedzieć o fotograf warszawa

Photographic artwork can be above a hundred several years outdated even so the movie media has lately boomed everywhere. The Marriage Movie captures the essence as well as important moments of that working day for an eternity, across lifetimes and outside of.

A Short Film on the Wedding day Which has a World of That means

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Avail a Bundle of Dedicated Expert services

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An amazing Audience

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A picture suggests a thousand text. It really is a traditional wisdom that each of us has listened to at least as soon as in the lifetime. There exists a specific fact below but let me choose the freedom to switch it a little to make sure that it stays suitable in the present context. A effectively-taken and crystal clear image suggests a million words and phrases. Will it seem exaggerating? I absolutely Do not Imagine so. Using the escalating affect of social websites for instance Fb, Twitter and Instagram, a picture uploaded to those social media marketing sphere can go viral and staying talked about by millions of folks and well, in all probability over 1,000,000 times.

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[archiveddvrpg]

Congratulations, RACH! You’ve been accepted for the role of JULIET with an approved FC change to Ashika Pratt. Admin Rosey: I'm doing a happy dance right now because we finally have a Juliet back in our midst - our lovely, shining principessa has returned back to us again! Rach, your application was so enjoyable to read. It has the soft, melodic cadence of Juliana throughout the interview and laid a great foundation for her growth and development. There was an ease to it that I absolutely adored and I cannot wait to see how she will come to life on the dash! Please read over the checklist and send in your blog within 24 hours.

WELCOME TO THE MOB.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Alias | Rach

Age | 20

Preferred Pronouns | She/Her

Activity Level | 8.5 ; These quarantimes are doing  wonders for my activity levels.

Timezone | PST

How did you find the rp?  | See below!

Current/Past RP Accounts | Ahhh, so I actually played Delilah FOREVER ago @delilahbello and applied for Halcyon a while back! I know I’ve been in and out of rping for a while, but I literally have so much love for Diverona & it has such a special place in my heart I thought I might try my hand at another character. But if you wanted a more recent account I have @zubeidakhan!

IN CHARACTER

Character | Juliet; Juliana Arina Capulet  (Could I request a FC change to Ashika Pratt and an age up to 26? )

Juliana - “youthful.”

Arina - “peace”

Capulet- “determined, or head-strong”

What drew you to this character? |

I think there’s something to be said about characters that stand the test of time. The very concept of Juliet Capulet has transcended centuries, but I find there’s something particularly alluring about this modern iteration of her. In Juliana. I see this aforementioned transcendence. I see a girl who’s on the cusp of something big-- and I cannot help but be consumed by  a desire to sink my teeth into her complexities and uncover every nook and cranny she has to offer. Juliana is, after all, a girl who’s been forced to grow comfortable with toeing the line between certainty and the great unknown. Yet, beyond that line, I see something much sturdier. I am drawn to Juliet in that I see her as less of a dainty flower and more of a spider’s web (though it is fascinating how morning dew collects on both). It seems to be a recurring tragedy that girls who like flowers and pretty things are often mistaken for being merely that. But with Julianaa, I’m attracted to her haunting, persistent strength, a beauty that is equal parts aching, stubbornness, and gilded thorns. 

I am drawn to the weaving of Juliana’s web-- her paradoxes, if you will. Humans are, after all, paradoxical creatures.  She has loved just as much as she has lost (and she resents with equal rigor). She has the world in her hands, but remains uncontent, her heart bursting at the seams. Pride, compassion, loyalty, obsession-- they all coexist within Juliana manifesting in the form of her ambitions, motivations, and sense of self. Juliana is no stranger to blood and yet hate feels so foreign to her. Her sweetness does not precede her dedication nor her obedience. Juliana feels the weight of the world upon her shoulders, but charges forward unflinchingly. 

And above all, while perhaps cliche, it is love that draws me to Juliana. There is something Machiavellian about Juliana. Not the ‘ends justify the means’ Machiavelli that has been ingrained into our cultural misunderstanding of the man and his philosophies, but rather the Machiavelli who wrote and acknowledged the power of Cupid’s bow. The Machiavelli who loved his wife in a time where love before marriage was a relatively modern idea. The Machiavelli who understood the reach of a beloved leader. Needless to say, there are so many aspects of Juliana’s character that I adore, I would be delighted to play her if given the chance!

What is a future plot idea you have in mind for the character? | 

One. 

I imagine Juliana’s mother passed away when Juliana was quite young. Young enough for memories to futilely slip away, old enough to mourn and remember her loss. I see Juliana craving for good memories of her mother, just as she aches for the approval of mother’s ghost, a ghost which evades her like wisps of wind slipping through her dainty fingers the moment she's managed a secure grip. I see her as wishing she had more of her mother to replay within her mind like film-- the fire in her smile, the warmth of her embrace, her laughter like melody on a warm, summer day-- but alas, I think Juliana’s found herself trapped with something far more icy-- the frigid image of gaunt woman helplessly falling away from this world and into the next. 

Because of this, I imagine Juliana  still hasn’t come to terms with the fact that she will never know her mother in her prime. It remains the one hollow in her heart, so with all that said, I would love to explore how she attempts to fill that part of herself through her relationships with the other meaningful people in her life.  With her father, I think that she finds blood loyalty. I love the notion of delving into Juliana being both a daughter in the singular (Cosimo’s daughter) and the daughter of the collective (Verona’s daughter). Then again, perhaps it speaks volumes that she sees her father as Verona itself. With this, I want to explore what does blood loyalty mean to Juliana? This is blood loyalty, that very thing that constantly inspires the darkest parts of hers-- frustration, fury, and desperation. Perhaps it ought to be said that even desperation requires ‘lighter’ traits like hope and fealty, but is there a breaking point for Juliana? Does love bolster or shatter her loyalty? Either way, I think that the answers to these questions will guide Juliana’s actions moving forward and would provide an interesting challenge to her character.

Two.

As for the other major figures in her life, Vivianne is arguably her most obvious maternal figure, which is why I think it would be interesting to explore how she seeks a mother’s wisdom and experience from someone who isn’t her blood. I am fascinated by what drove her initial resistance to Vivianne-- was it merely a child’s mourning or perhaps was it foreshadowing that her loyalty is more complicated and pliable than what meets the eye. While I could envision Juliana being played either way (most likely a combination both ways), Juliana’s relationship with Vivianne is a fascinating fixture of her character that I would love to delve deeper into. I think there is much to be learned for Vivianne in the ways of both womanhood and business (though I suspect they are far from separate entities). Vivianne has been a fierce advocate for Juliana, something she’s immensely grateful for, but I would like to see Juliana learn how to advocate for herself. How does the Capulet heiress give weight to her words-- is it the fulfillment of promises? Or better yet, is it the threat of something dangerous to come?

As for Rafaella, Tiberius, and Priam (and possibly even Roman) I cannot help but root for Juliana in her quest to find understanding in this lonesome world. Here is Juliana Capulet, surrounded by people but still so incredibly alone. Such a sweet, vivacious girl ought not to be as lonely as she is. I think that there is a part of Juliana has equated love and understanding. But where love can be evasive and consuming, temporary understanding is achievable. For Juliana it is found in small, kind deeds and shared life experience, but I would love to explore this on a larger scale. How do these tangible aspects of generally abstract concepts apply to Juliana’s unestablished relationships? I think there are many themes to explore there-- generational similarities, shared loss, forgiveness, ect. How do each of these external factors affect her internal sense of duty and loyalty? 

Three. 

Finally, I would like to see Juliana confronted by her privilege. Juliana is a girl born heiress to an empire, free from any want, and while her life has been far from ideal, I would like to see Juliana in a position where her fortune and name loses its relevance. While I suspect that in such a situation. Juliana would be moved to cling on to her faith in love even more, I do wonder if Juliana would take such an opportunity to relieve herself of the burdensome weight of being an heiress, even if only momentarily.  Alternatively, on the topic of love and burdens, I do wonder, how Juliana would grapple with the choice between love and loyalty. Just as she has equalized love and understanding, one of Juliana's biggest blindspots is that she has mistaken love and loyalty to be synonymous, when in fact they are arguably quite contradictory. While she sees herself as loyal to love, I would love to explore Juliana’s mindset as she’s forced to reckon with the two as opposing forces. It’s niave of Juliana to believe her loyalty is enough and I think there’s a part of her that knows that, which would make such a choice all the more enthralling to unpack. 

Are you comfortable with killing off your character? | Yes, I mean after all, Romeo & Juliet did end in a very specific way...

IN DEPTH

Please choose between the interview or the para sample (or both, if you like!)

What is your favorite place in Verona? | 

It’s begun to lightly drizzle in the garden. It’s a hazy summer afternoon, sticky and humid, but Juliana finds herself hard-pressed to move from the bench. Eyes closed, head tilted upwards, she finds she understands the thunderclouds, the raindrops, and the floods that rise to her knees. She’s become numb to the water’s presence, for it’s a cleansing experience to be drenched by the clouds in the sky. They do not know it yet, but she is one of them, a cloud—one moment an innocuous softness, the next a violent hurricane.

Opening her eyes, Juliana is shocked to find she is not alone, but rather in the company of an older stranger who eyes her with burgeoning curiosity. While mostly bare-faced, she still retains her aura of glamour, perhaps aided by the presence of her designer coat and untouched umbrella. Still, for Juliana it is strange to be regarded with such unfamiliarity. In her experience, perfect strangers were so terribly rare in Verona. She seemed to know everyone, or rather, everyone seemed to know her.

The stranger finally approaches her, taking a seat beside Juliana as the rain continues to pick up pace, drenching the garden and all its inhabitants in a light mist.

“Do you have a favorite place around these parts?” the old man asks, his voice deep and raspy, but not entirely unkind. His words are laced with a thick Italian accent, though she suspects he is not a native Veronian like herself. She had always had an ear for accents, an eye for details. His small talk was quaint and unusual, but who was she to deny herself some company and an exchange of words on this drizzly day.

She ponders his question monetarily, mentally tracing through the city in her mind, akin to skimming an elegant finger over a spinning globe. To choose a favorite place in Verona, Juliana thinks, is to choose a favorite child, in that even if one were to say they didn’t have one, they’d certainly be lying. This was not to say it was a particularly simple choice for her, as she liked to think all of Verona was her home. Her soul was old, her heart young, her mind fashioned from little snippets of the city’s vibrant history, forging a strikingly beautiful tapestry of a true Veronian girl. 

“Why, here, of course,” Juliana says, smiling a glossy-lipped smile that could stop lightning in its tracks. “The museum and club are both lovely, but I must admit I’m quite partial to the Twelfth Night’s gardens. When I was younger my father would always hand me a coin to toss into that little fountain by the pond and make a wish. It must be the luckiest, if not the wealthiest, fountain in all of Verona.”

It’s a response that feels breezy and challengeless, but lacks a certain levity that would make it wholly true. It is, of course, only partially true as Juliana had in fact, tossed many coins into the pond over her lifetime. As for the notion of luck, it was fair to say she had been met with mixed results and limited success, but given that her earlier wishes had begun in vain (first begging for her mother’s health and later, for her father to step away from Capulet business) she never found it in herself to fault the fountain entirely. Most recently, she’s begun her newest ritual, tossing in a coin for luck right before particularly dangerous missions, that is until Rafaella had caught her one afternoon, shattering her already precarious spell of belief.

“You do know they just collect the coins at the end of every week,” she recalls Rafaella telling her. 

“And what do they do with them?” Juliana remembers asking with genuine curiosity. 

Rafaella shrugs, “They donate it to the youth program-- they try and get unprivileged kids engaged with the art and history.”

Needless to say, she’s continued to wishlessly drop coins in the fountain ever since.

What does your typical day look like?

She turns her attention from the fountain back towards the stranger who sits beside her, ears engaged with her every word. 

“And you spend most of your days here? In the rain, signora?” he asks gently, with a small chuckle.

“Is this your way of asking what my typical day looks like, signore?” 

“As I grow further from my youth…I cannot help but wonder what it is like to be young in these times,” he responds, with a knowing twinkle in his eye. Ah, so that is what this is, a recaputurement of his youth. While her instincts urge her to avoid such potentially revealing conversation, she cannot suppress her overcoming sympathy for the man. There’s a loneliness in his eyes that she recognizes, the very one she faces each time she peers at her own reflection. 

“If you must know, I do not spend all my time in the rain,” she clarifies, humoring his original query, “I spend most of my days working for my father...it keeps me busy enough.”

“And your father? What does he do?”

“He’s a--” Juliana pauses, as if to search for the right descriptor of her father’s work, that won’t immediately reveal her own identity, “--a businessman, of sorts.” 

She supposes if blood and bone were merely a form of currency, then businessman was certainly an apt descriptor. After all, it took a certain business-sense to run any sort of empire. While she may have inherited her father’s astuteness, she hasn't been rid her of all mercy, for she kills with a precision only a kind girl could have, pulls blood with an accuracy only one who understands pain could know. It takes a delicate touch to snap a neck, elegant restraint to pull life from body, a silken touch to strangle. She takes no joy from causing harm, but she is meticulous in her work, her fingers so soft, so stained with red, it sometimes hurts to say she’s done it all in the name of love. 

What has been your biggest mistake thus far? 

“Business…” the old man mulls, “It's a difficult way to make it in this world...so little room for error.”

“Indeed, mistakes can be lethal,” Juliana nods in agreement. If only he knew that the agreeable girl before him spoke of lethality in the actual sense, as opposed to the metaphorical one. 

“And you, signora? What has been your biggest mistake thus far?” 

Juliana looks at the man with surprise. What odd questions from a stranger. Still, she’s captured by the conversation, a chance to talk so deeply with a man she’s never known, who seems entirely content with listening. She doesn’t know too many listeners in her own life.

She is, however, unsure of how to respond. For one, did not like to dwell on her mistakes and misgivings. It was unbecoming of someone in her position to fail and furthermore, to brood on such failures. 

Nonetheless, her mind flits to one of her earliest missions where her merciful ways had gotten the better of her. She had hesitated a second too long and she quickly learned her lesson when the coolness of the marble floor pressed painfully against her knees, gun digging painfully into her head. She does not weep, for crying would be too easy. Instead, she refuses to let herself drown. Vivianne gives her second life and her father gives her a second chance. 

“I think my biggest mistake does not matter, signor,” Juliana replied, “what matters most is that I will never make it again.”

What has been the most difficult task asked of you? 

“You are a very wise one, signora,” the man comments and Juliana surprised at the way her heart swells with pride in response to the compliment. He was a mere stranger and yet she already placed value in his approval. Old habits, she supposed. 

“And your father-- he is good to you?” the man asks, “Doesn’t expect too much of you?”

“He is good to me,” Juliana affirms, “Though I fear I am never entirely sure of what he expects of me.”

“In that case, what is the most difficult task that has been asked of you?” he inquires further.

Juliana knows the answer to his question, though she’s not sure if she prepared to reveal it to herself, much less a stranger. Truly, the most difficult thing that’s been asked of her had been to watch her mother fade away so brutally, so slowly. It was, after all, her first acquaintance with injustice. Her failure to do anything to save her mother was painful and lingering, but her salty tears could only last for so long. If only for a moment, she had thought of herself a killer then, unaware of the true brutality that festered within her sweet, blue veins.

Her father had responded to the grief by throwing himself into his work, and she too would follow for reasons entirely different, and yet, entirely the same. 

“To live with loss,” Juliana says with a certain finality, as if to clarify she had no desire to elaborate. 

“Indeed, it is the most difficult task of all. It’s quite strange how one is never explicitly asked to live with loss, and yet here we remain.”

“Here we remain.” Juliana repeats and as if on queue, the clouds begin to part. 

What are your thoughts on the war between the Capulets and the Montagues?

“Signora, forgive me for prying, but I must ask-- living here, in this city-- what are your thoughts on the war between the Capulets and the Montagues?” the man asks, a striking turn from his previous question.

And there it was. If all roads led to Rome, then every conversation led to the feud. What could she possibly say in response? My name is Juliana Capulet. This war is in my blood.

He seems to sense her change in demeanor.

“I’m sorry, my dear. I did not mean to startle you with talk of blood and wars, I simply imagined a Veronian girl such as yourself familiar with the tales of this land,” the man explains apologetically, deep frown lines of worry, forming upon his thick brow. 

“Worry not, signor, you do not startle me. I startle far less easily than perhaps it appears. I’m simply afraid I must be on my way now.”

“Of course, my dear. I cherish your time more than you know. May I at least catch your name, signora?”

She slides off the bench gracefully before turning to face the man one final time.

“Juliet. They call me Juliet.”

Extras:

Mock Blog 

Pinterest 

[leadflowers]

VTMB OC Meme

I decided to repost this VTMB OC meme by denerims as its own separate post instead of a reblog. Because it’s so long, most of it will be under a cut.

These are my Bloodlines fledglings only; I have loads more VTM OCs but this would quickly become quite unmanageable if I added them all :P

Ahem. Without further ado…

🌹 What clan do they belong to and how do they feel about them?

Emily Belmont - Clan Toreador. Embraced for her looks more than anything else, she feels a bit inadequate compared to the talented artists and visionaries of the Clan. She is generally well-liked among the other Toreador, although she tends to get taken advantage of due to her naivete.

Kate Murray - Clan Tremere. Embraced outside the Pyramid, Kate is determined to earn her way in and gain access to the Clan’s arcane secrets and valuable resources. Distrusted by most for her unorthodox nature, Primogen Strauss is a mentor of sorts, even if they differ greatly in their attitude towards modern technology.

Danniella Drake, aka Dany, Dee, D. - Clan Ventrue. In life an aspiring politician with lofty ambitions, not much has changed since her Embrace. Loyal but arrogant, generous to her allies and utterly ruthless to her enemies, Dee feels she was born to rule and is quite at home among the Ventrue. Of course, an ambitious upstart is as likely to make enemies as she is to gain friends…

Wilhelmina “Mina” Ellicott - Clan Nosferatu. A former British socialite and beauty queen, Mina’s Embrace into the Nosferatu clan was a veritable fall from grace, forced upon her by a vengeful Sewer Rat whom she viciously mocked, taking him for a vagrant. She loathes them and they aren’t fond of her either, so she keeps to herself.

🎹 Do they have any special talents or skills?

Emily: Although she has a pleasant voice and was working as a singer in a seedy bar at the time of her Embrace, Emily also has a BA in English.

Kate: A computer science student and a recently Awakened mage before her Embrace, Kate combines tech savviness with a growing knowledge of Blood Magic.

Dany: Decisive, persuasive, intimidating when she wants to be, Dee is good at making tough choices for “the greater good”.

Mina: A spoiled girl who spent her former life travelling and partying, Mina never bothered developing many useful skills; hard work is for the poor after all. She is good at reading people, however.

���� Where are they from and where do they live now?

Emily: Actually from LA, and is still living there.

Kate: Oregon, currently living at the Los Angeles Chantry.

Dany: Washington DC, at the moment looking to establish her own domain.

Mina: From England, was on a trip to the US when she ran afoul of her sire. She is drifting from place to place.

💢 What is their moral alignment?

Emily: Neutral Good

Kate: Chaotic Neutral

Dany: Starts out as Lawful Neutral, then slides towards Lawful Evil

Mina: Neutral Evil

👯‍♀️ Do they have any notable allies/friends?

Emily: Emily has several close acquaintances and is quite close to VV, a Toreador as soulful as she is who understands her desire to hold on to her humanity.

Kate: Regent Maximilian Strauss and Beckett as fellow scholars, Mitnick whom she can geek out with

Dany: Prince LaCroix (for now…)

Mina: Imalia, whom she sees as a kindred spirit of sorts.

💘 Do they have a romantic interest?

Emily: Heather Poe, her ghoul. (I made a drawing of them a while back. Incidentally that’s what Emily would look like if the game engine allowed it)

Kate: N/A

Dany: N/A

Mina: N/A

🏴 What are their allegiances? (Camarilla/Anarch/Independent/etc)

Emily: Anarchs

Kate: Camarilla/Strauss

Dany: Camarilla/LaCroix

Mina: Independent

🧛‍♀️ Do they have any preference regarding who they feed on/how they feed?

Emily: She prefers feeding from willing vessels, and Heather when possible (but not too often as not to harm her)

Kate: She likes taking as few risks as possible when feeding, but otherwise has no real preferences. Will prefer getting a bloodpack instead of going out to hunt if it means getting more research time in.

Dany: She doesn’t tell her specific blood preference to anyone, and is one of her carefully guarded secrets. Needless to say, she tries to ensure she has a steady supply of it.

Mina: She refuses to feed on rats and bums unless absolutely desperate, just like she avoids the sewers and prefers skulking around in a large hooded overcoat. She likes feeding from pretty people and making it unpleasant for them, out of spite.

⌛ When and how were they turned?

Emily: She was targeted by a romantic Old World vampire who said he reminded him of a Pre-Raphaelite painting. He visited her a few nights at the bar where she worked as a singer and lured her to a dingy motel room where they had sex and he turned her without her knowledge. (her story more or less follows the vanilla game intro)

Kate: Little did she know that she nearly became a Nosferatu when, following a clue left by her late grandfather, a mage, Kate hacked her way into a low security server hosted on SchreckNet and used by a group of young Tremere for the purposes of exchanging information. There she met her future sire who soon realised her arcane potential and decided to Embrace her. The Nosferatu were considering doing the same, impressed with her technical skills and wary of the risk she now posed to the Masquerade.

Dany: She was Embraced by an arrogant young Ventrue who watched her debates and how she handled her opponents, believing she would make a good addition to his power base. Foolishly, he believed he could conceal this from the Prince; he was wrong.

Mina: She was leaving an expensive club with her friends when she bumped into a shabby man whom she took for a vagrant. Disgusted, she complained loudly that his stink was now all over her expensive dress and that they really shouldn’t allow such filth to roam the streets in the nice part of town. Unfortunately for her, the “bum” was actually a Nosferatu who did not take kindly to the insults and decided to teach the rich bitch a lesson.  

🤝 What is their relationship with their sire like?

Emily: She only knew him briefly, but she was drawn to him and was shocked when she witnessed his execution. She retains a feeling of guilt over his death; if it hadn’t been for her, he would still be alive…

Kate: She feels what happened to her sire was unfair, although she is aware that he knowingly violated Kindred law, so it was his fault too. She hardly knew him, so she cannot say she had a strong attachment to him, though she wishes he were still alive, and that she’d been properly inducted into the Pyramid without having to fight for the privilege.

Dany: She thinks he was a fool, although she is grateful for the opportunity his actions, misguided as they were, have afforded her. Immortality is an improvement on her previous condition, and she is determined to overcome her…less than auspicious beginning.

Mina: She absolutely loathes him and watched with glee as his head was separated from his body. At least she got that bit of revenge over the bastard.

🖤 How do they feel about being turned? (How did they adjust? Do they feel differently now than they did when they were first turned?)

Emily: She was crushed to find out she had been turned into a bloodsucking monster, but she has tried to adjust (with much difficulty). Heather’s presence has helped her experience a counterfeit sort of humanity, the two of them entering a co-dependent relationship which Emily clings to for comfort. Although she knows Heather’s feelings are influenced by the Blood Bond, her own love for her clouds her judgement.

Kate: She hated the idea of losing her life at first, the future she had all planned out, but soon consoled herself with the prospect of an eternity spent unravelling the secrets of the Tremere Clan and beyond. For a consummate scholar like her, the possibilities seem endless.

Dany: She took it in her stride, and in fact being Embraced into the Clan of Kings only served to cement her belief that she was meant to accomplish great things; greater now than she ever dreamed possible. This was fate.

Mina: Losing her looks, which she valued above all else and underpinned her identity was agonizing for Mina. At first, she refused to come out of her warren until driven by hunger. It is still immensely difficult for her to accept that she is hideous, reviled. Never a particularly nice person, the Embrace has brought out a cruel, vengeful streak in her and she delights in petty schemes and revenge.

💉 Have they sired anyone? If so - why, how and did they claim their childe?

None of them have any childer, although Emily dreams of Embracing Heather one day.

👷🏻‍♂️ What are their opinions on mortals?

Emily: She is determined to avoid slipping into a “predatory” mindset like many of her peers and see them as cattle, which isn’t easy to do given her appetites.

Kate: Always a bit of an intellectual snob, that sense of superiority has increased since her Embrace. She won’t go out of her way to be cruel, but she can’t help seeing their fragility and their limitations, compared with the power and intellectual prowess of an Elder Kindred (which she aspires to becoming one day)

Dany: Most of them are of little consequence, although a few have their uses and a small minority are deserving of respect.

Mina: She hates them for their ability to walk freely in public, without inspiring fear and disgust. She especially hates good looking humans who remind her most of what she has lost.

👑 What is their opinion on the Camarilla?

Emily: Opposing it felt a bit like opposing her government, so for a while she was willing to accept the status quo, and not make waves. She wasn’t blind to their abuses, however, and wanted no part of that.

Kate: She approves of some members of the Camarilla but not others. Overall, she thinks it makes sense as an organization, Kindred needing laws and an organised society to keep them safe, but some of the blatant power plays and injustices she observed left a sour taste in her mouth. She doesn’t care much for politics either way, her focus is her research.

Dany: A staunch supporter of the Camarilla and the Masquerade, she firmly believes that law and order are a Kindred’s best friend, and that the Ventrue are best suited to enforce said laws.

Mina: She doesn’t care either way; supposedly the Camarilla value Nosferatu as informants and spies, but she’s isn’t good at either of those things so she’s not counting on any protection from them.

💥 The Anarchs?

Emily:  The Anarchs provided more equality as well as freedom than the Camarilla did, who just treated her as a lowly pawn. She doesn’t really care about the politics or sparking a revolution, she just wants to live her life in peace.

Kate: Too, well, anarchistic and idealistic. If history taught her anything, is that people will always seek power, power breeds more power and Kindred are no different. The pseudo-egalitarianism they espoused had been tried before in various forms, unsuccessfully.

Dany: Rabble, who endanger all their kind with their petty rebellions and lax adherence to the Masquerade, when they _should _be aiding the Camarilla against the Sabbat.

Mina: She doesn’t give a damn about their “grievances” or their conflict with the Camarilla. She has her own troubles, and it’s not like they give a crap, do they?

🧥 The Sabbat?

Emily: Absolutely terrifying, a mirror of her worst nightmare, of what she could become if the Beast took over.

Kate: Unstable fanatics ruled by paranoid, superstitious Elders who see signs of Gehenna everywhere, although most just seem to enjoy mayhem for the sake of it. If left unchecked, they could bring about the end of their kind, not because of some Ancient awakening to devour them all but because humans would come after them with explosives and flamethrowers.

Dany: The Enemy, which must be destroyed. No mercy shall be granted them.

Mina: Sometimes she is vaguely tempted to defect; then she could cause some real damage to assholes like her late sire and kill uppity kine without restraint.

💞 Do they have any opinions on [particular clan]?

Emily: All clans have their good and bad sides, as far as she’s concerned, but she will admit she feels uncomfortable around the Nosferatu; not because of how they look, but because most of them treat her with thinly veiled hostility (and sometimes they omit the veil altogether).

Kate: She appreciates intriguing, clever, well-educated individuals regardless of clan; for example, she respects Beckett as a scholar and enjoys geeking out with Mitnick.

Dany: She believes in the superiority of the Ventrue but in general is willing to listen to others regardless of clan, if they have proven their worth and loyalty. Disloyalty, on the other hand, (towards her or the Camarilla) is something she does not tolerate.

Mina: Needless to say, she is not fond of the “pretty bloodsuckers” of the Toreador clan, although that dislike extends to attractive members of other clans as well. On the other hand, she doesn’t particularly care for the company of her fellow Nosferatu either; too confronting.

⛪ Do they practice or believe in a religion? (Kindred or mortal)

None of them were religious in life, and they carried that lack of belief in the unlife.

🌎 Do they try to retain any part of their humanity?

Emily: Very much so, to the point of self-deception. Heather is her main tether to humanity, her ghoul and lover, bound to her but having a powerful hold on her in return. She mourns her lost humanity which makes her seem weak in the eyes of other Kindred, but when roused she will fight tooth and nail.

Kate: To some degree, yes. She has no intention of giving in to the Beast any more than she has to, but also understands that the pursuit of knowledge and arcane power sometimes involves some…unsavoury practices.

Dany: The Beast must be kept in check, of course; that is vital for any sensible Kindred’s longterm survival. That being said, difficult decisions must be made, traitors punished and sometimes that involves collateral damage. All for the good of the Camarilla, and the Masquerade.

Mina: Humanity? You mean what was stolen from her by that filthy bastard they called her sire? Well, if they made her into a hideous monster, she might as well behave like one…but the truth is, Mina fears the Beast. Accustomed to pulling everyone’s strings, she now feels powerless; the idea of losing what little control she has is not exactly attractive. So she does exercise some restraint.

🚫 Have they ever broken one of the Traditions? (This is includes the Masquerade)

No, not so far anyway. :P

[cliftonsteen]

What Is a Cortado?

A customer walks into your coffee shop and orders a cortado. Depending on your perspective or where you are in the world, you could give them many drinks. For some, a cortado is a certain ratio of coffee to steamed milk. For others, it’s a small flat white or latte. Some even say it’s up to the customer.

With so many opinions on what a cortado is, there’s plenty of room for miscommunication – whether you want to order one, or serve it to customers. Despite this, it remains a coffee menu staple – but due to a variety of factors, it might not be for long.

Keep reading to explore the many existing variations of the cortado, and what the future could hold for them all.

You may also like How to Adjust Espresso Extraction & Create New Recipes

Many serving sizes, ratios, and presentation styles exist for the Cortado.

Not much is known about the cortado’s origins, apart from the fact that it comes from Spain’s Basque Country. The term cortado, or cut, refers to the milk cutting through the intensity of the espresso, toning down its acidity while retaining the coffee’s flavour.

Traditionally it’s served with little froth and a 1:1 milk to espresso ratio. The milk is steamed until a very light foam is created before being added to the espresso, and is served in a small glass with a metal ring base and a metal wire handle. Based on its appearance, it’s often confused with an Australian/New Zealand flat white, macchiato, or piccolo latte.

Nino Tusell is the Owner of Tusell Tostadores, a roastery in Barcelona, Spain. He says, “In Spain, a cortado is one shot of espresso plus a little milk. [It] could be a ratio of 1:1 or 1:0.5, [with] less milk than coffee most of the time.” Visit Spain and you’re likely to be presented with this traditional form and ratio. However, venture further abroad, and you’ll encounter other versions of the drink.

The recipe for a cortado always starts with fresh shots of espresso. Credit: Rea Café

The Cortado Around the World 

A Specialty Coffee Association article on milk-based drinks admits that “While the idea of standardisation is attractive­ – we all want a standard to work from – it’s important to understand that [drinks] are a product of culture.” For the cortado, this is especially applicable.

Often, its ingredients depend on what the customer requests. Camilo Cárdenas is a barista at Brew92, a café and roastery in Saudi Arabia. He says, “Traditionally [the cortado] was just black coffee and a small dash of milk, hot or cold. Then, when people asked for it in coffee shops, it got adapted as an espresso with a small quantity of steamed milk. In my workplace, we serve it with a double shot and steamed milk. [It’s] a bit smaller than a flat white”. 

Adrian Valentine Yong is a roaster at Malaysia’s Mountain Coffee Roasters and says, “I’ve met a few people who order cortados, and each of them interprets it differently… It’s how we make an espresso macchiato (double espresso with a dash of milk). Another type… would be similar to a flat white (double espresso and warm milk). I’ve also experienced people who request half-and-half (equal parts heavy cream and milk) with a double espresso, [and] some ask for ristretto shots.”

For others, it’s all about the ratio. Paula Chaverri Echandi, the owner of Café Sikëwa in Costa Rica, says “[The] cortado as I know it is one espresso plus one ounce of hot milk.” Bruno Danese is the owner of Japan’s Hoccino Coffees, and says it’s “1:1 espresso and steamed milk… a cortado can be as small as three ounces or as big as 16 ounces, as long the coffee to milk ratio remains the same.”

Other baristas and coffee professionals have different ideas. Frederik Westborg Schiøtz, an Educator at True Intent Coffee in Denmark, says it’s a “Double-shot [with a] minimal amount of foam, preferably with no latte art.” Lanz Castillo, owner of Candid Coffee in the Philippines, says it’s a one-ounce double ristretto with two and a half ounces of steamed milk, while Melaleuca Head Barista Johnsy La Jessica Sartiani says that in Italy, it’s called a macchiatone and consists of a single espresso shot with milk, served in a 50 ml cup.

Many recipes for a cortado consists of a 1:1 espresso to milk ratio. Credit: Neil Soque

Significant Variations 

As the cortado spread from Spain to cafés around the world, its recipe evolved to meet the needs of local consumers. A significant change it underwent occurred when it reached the USA. Here, serving sizes for coffee beverages have steadily crept up over the past half-century, and it’s not uncommon to find 20-ounce beverages on offer at US coffee shops. 

A famous variation of the cortado is the Gibraltar, which Time Out USA says was invented by the Blue Bottle Coffee Company in San Francisco in 2005. This variation is served in a four and a half ounce Libbey Gibraltar glass tumbler, and features two shots of espresso and two shots of steamed milk. For this reason, many third-wave coffee shops find the Cortado synonymous with this glass.

Rodolfo Ruffatti Batlle is Managing Director of a green coffee import business in Berlin, and says that many popular versions of the Cortado exist, including the Cuban cortadito. This version is popular in Cuba and Cuban immigrant communities. Translated as “little cut”, it starts with Cuban espresso, which is a dark roast espresso whipped with spoonfuls of sugar to create a caramel coloured shot with a thick foam. To this, frothed milk is added, with the option to thicken the drink by replacing the milk with evaporated milk for a treat or in place of dessert. 

An important component of the cortado is steamed milk. Credit: Red Band Academy

Mainstream Adoption of The Cortado & Its Future

As the cortado made its way to major coffee chains such as Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and Café each one developed their own take on it. The Starbucks cortado is made with two ristretto shots topped with milk, while Costa Coffee (the world’s second-largest coffee chain) describes their cortado as “small and luxurious”. Café Nero, the fourth largest chain in Europe, prepares theirs with 1:2 parts espresso to milk and 0.5 cm of micro-foam.

Increasing prices may be why the relatively smaller Cortado remains on menus today, as some businesses move to cut costs by hiking prices and shrinking sizes. Costa Coffee recently reworked its serving sizes and prices in certain stores, based on industry trends and consumer feedback – possibly indicating a move towards smaller drink sizes with a premium price tag.

Mike Chapman owns the 1914 Coffee Company in Canada, and acknowledges that inconsistency over serving sizes, ratios, and volumes can get frustrating for coffee shop owners. He says, “Some days I want to rename my café The Metric Café where it would be up to [the customer] to detail specifically what [they] want… and be charged accordingly.” Talor Brown, the Owner of Talormade Oslo in Norway, says that “[A cortado] can be anything from a macchiato to a latte, and it’s maddening to cost.” 

If dairy consumption continues to plummet as it’s been doing for the past few years, it may fall out of favour with customers and coffee shops alike. Cargill, an international company in the food, agriculture, nutrition, and risk management sector, released a White Paper in 2018 stating, “Consumer attitudes about dairy are changing around the world… usage… has been in decline over the past two decades as consumers – particularly in dairy’s most prominent markets – act in response to worries over allergens, hormone usage and perceived unhealthfulness of some dairy products.” Steamed dairy milk gives the cortado its silky texture, low viscosity, and creamy mouthfeel, which means that cortados made with alternative milk could fall short.

With so much confusion surrounding what a cortado is, coffee shops might decide to remove titles altogether. Research indicates that many customers are confused over the number and complexity of coffee drink options presented to them. To simplify orders and pricing, coffee shops might move towards asking customers to describe their desired drink instead.

Two cortados served in Libbey Gibraltar glasses.

It’s apparent that the Cortado has many distinct variations, and that what you order (or serve customers) will depend on where you are in the world. Use this exploration of what the Cortado is to create a personal recipe that suits your unique tastes – or that of your customers.

Enjoyed this? Then Read Barista Basics: How to Texture Milk in 14 Steps

Written by Janice Kanniah. Feature photo caption: A cortado, served on a saucer with a teaspoon. Feature photo credit: Jos Dielis under CC BY 2.0

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[mikeshinoda12-blog]

Introducing Construction in Ireland

The kind of construction modeled in the index ought to be considered.  Safeguarding Your InvestmentHiring a contractor who's experienced with pouring concrete walls will guarantee that you receive a high quality product which will endure for years.  The usage of equipment to safeguard against life-threatening hazards is also discussed.

This practice enhances the safety on the building site.  A lot of death in construction result from hazards concerning construction activity.  The expense of rip rap will be dependent on several things like amount, size and supplier.

Construction in Ireland

If you don't desire to get these communications, we encourage you to opt from the receipt of particular communications. These parties aren't permitted to use personally identifiable information but for the purpose of providing these services. Our unbiased, expert staff is always readily available to help you locate the most suitable studying to fit your requirements and your financial plan. You'll locate people want websites for their company and families. If you are searching for assistance with your dissertation then we provide a comprehensive writing service given by fully qualified academics in your area of study. If you've got the very same experience as we do you will understand that most people (such as installers) take shortcuts. The Chronicles of Construction in Ireland Normally, you'll have a variable rate of interest during the building phase, or so the rate and your payment can fluctuate. Qualifying for a house construction loan is typically harder than qualifying for a conventional mortgage. If you can't get qualified for financing, you don't wish to be out hundreds or thousands that you set into blueprints and design. The Construction in Ireland Stories Have you parents look over any organization you opt to make certain they're genuine. This charge will be different between company's, make sure that you ask. In place of just offering general cleaning companies attempt to locate a specialty that'll cause you to get different and thus a more marketable job candidate. Any employer will need an interview (when you submit an application for work), which explains why you must learn different interviewing techniques. Today the construction industry in the usa includes a number of skilled tradespeople. Working for a British company overseas provides you with an awareness of home-from-home. New Ideas Into Construction in Ireland Never Before Revealed When you use features like Remember My Username,'' the cookie is related to your Personal Information as a way to offer you a more convenient experience. You can also delete cookies from your device at any moment. Our site's cookies are temporary and can't be utilized to recognize individual visitors. However, you might also change your browser settings at any moment and apply the Arvato website without cookies. Other third party tools and widgets might be employed on our personal web pages to supply extra functionality. You may make adjustments to your notification preferences at any moment. A Secret Weapon for Construction in Ireland A whole lot of schools find it tough to renew their sports features for an assortment of sporting activities, which means children find it impossible to take part in these types of sporting activities. For the additional 2, however, you obtain a lot of additional information regarding the history of the castle and all the events it's been involved in. Similarly your house also appears shabby if you don't put on some decor at all. Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Construction in Ireland If you're interesting in improving your house on the cheap, think about using salvaged building materials. Both the finishing and the standard of the woods are unparalleled. When you initiate the building of the walls, you'll get to a specific height that the block layers are no longer able to carry on without a suitable scaffolding. Ultimately, existing ties will want to get isolated to prevent more damage to the outer leaf. If you've been contemplating building a new house, it may be among the most exciting and fulfilling projects you will ever undertake. The internal home decoration equally require care and concern to coordinate with the exterior. The Most Popular Construction in Ireland Typically, a bachelor's degree in engineering is demanded. Employment posters are an excellent quick reference which will enable you to rapidly summarize the laws in your specific state. Nowadays occupational safety is quite a common matter. The Secret to Construction in Ireland These jurisdictions may not supply the same degree of information protection as your home jurisdiction and might not be considered by the European Commission to provide adequate protections for personal data. In case you have any concerns about our handling of your private information, please speak to us at the aforementioned address. We explain below various mechanisms which you are able to utilize to opt-out of our usage of your private data in respect of Services that we provide in regard to Client Sites. If you continue to get a relationship with us, we have to retain the data we want to manage this relationship. The duration of time we keep any component of your private information will be contingent on the kind of information and the purpose for which it was obtained. At your option, you could also provide demographic information (for example, gender or age) about yourself, but it's not required. Introducing Construction in Ireland It is crucial to note DE does not really employ teachers working in schools in Northern Ireland. Many Irish businesses are currently busy in the united kingdom helping to tackle a problem on either side of the Irish Sea a desperate demand for more housing. The expense of land in Ireland varies considerably in line with the area. The Good, the Bad and Construction in Ireland Cob is labour intensive, but it's extremely satisfying. This charge will be different between company's, make sure that you ask. A great architect needs to be in a position to recommend quite a few reliable builders, but you need to also do your own research, as the absolute most important consideration when building a house is the reputation (and financial standing) of the builder. Union-sponsored apprenticeships are the foundation of the building business and the most typical path to becoming a union member. Although not construction-specific, it certainly will have no small effect on businesses. You do put in plenty of labour. The Chronicles of Construction in Ireland Some previous items should be treated with serious care. The builder's sales agents are paid to symbolize the builder, no matter what they may inform you. It's possible to build it cheaper than a normal residence. The Secret to Construction in Ireland Let's look at just what the law requires, and the way you can adapt your Privacy Policy to suit the context of your company. The use of Personal Information Aon processes personal information collected via the Site for the aims of handling your requests and supplying you with information about the merchandise and services Aon can provide you with. There are fees for the usage of all 3 registries. We limit the collection and application of Personal Information to the information which is relevant for the aims of processing and won't process Personal Information in a way which is incompatible with the purposes for which the information was collected or subsequently authorized by you. You must not offer personal information if you don't accept such terms and conditions of usage. A few of this information could be personal info, such as change of postal address details. Here's What I Know About Construction in Ireland Ramps employed by equipment has to be designed by means of an individual, qualified in structural design. It's critical to maintain your roofing to deal with the temperature. In order to receive accurate quotes the paving contractor should pay a visit to the website. Each construction site needs to have a construction site manager. By the conclusion of this calendar year, Building 2 at Mill 19 needs to be prepared for occupancy, and it's been reported that Aptiv, an international supplier for smart-vehicle components, will lease 70,000 sf there. Ares Construction is devoted to bringing you the very best service, and the very best products no matter the kind of construction you are searching for. The Most Popular Construction in Ireland TruthFinder doesn't offer consumer reports and isn't a consumer reporting agency. You can depend on them to provide you facts. You may see the differences here between writing in legalese versus writing in a frequent voice that's far simpler to understand. The Key to Successful Construction in Ireland A number of these tools may allow you to e-mail reports and other details from the tool. Our email marketing may consist of personalised and non-personalised email advertising. It allows us to customize your online experience, improve the performance, usability and effectiveness of KPMG's online presence, and to measure the effectiveness of our marketing activities. To get additional information on construction leads app please visit construction information service Businesses are sure to seek approaches to block access. The whole assortment of the many of Ireland Contracting's operations may be gotten at their internet website. On the flip side, the privacy protections afforded in a variety of locations, particularly in the EU, could develop into a worldwide advertising and marketing feature. What You Need to Do About Construction in Ireland If you're interesting in improving your house on the cheap, think about using salvaged building materials. Both the finishing and the standard of the woods are unparalleled. When you initiate the building of the walls, you'll get to a specific height that the block layers are no longer able to carry on without a suitable scaffolding. Do remember, Building regulation requires you to have a specific amount of insulation in the walls. The building procedure may take longer than normal, but the legacy will endure for generations. The internal home decoration equally require care and concern to coordinate with the exterior. Construction in Ireland Ideas When you use features like Remember My Username,'' the cookie is related to your Personal Information as a way to offer you a more convenient experience. A secondary kind of cookie called user-input'' cookies might still be required for necessary functionality. Our site's cookies are temporary and can't be utilized to recognize individual visitors. However, please be aware that should you do this, you might not be capable of using the complete functionality of this site. Well, it's possible to anyday seek assistance from notice letter templates over the net that provide a readymade notice structure so you don't have to begin anything from scratch. These apps may also provide you with additional choices for managing your own personal information. The Chronicles of Construction in Ireland You may not remember registering for anything or giving them your name, however you will have done so. If you have to pay trades people to assist you with these aspects, it is going to be more costly than if they were fitting out a rectilinear property. The first thing people do when they visit our residence is carress it. The Fundamentals of Construction in Ireland Revealed As this land was undeveloped at the moment, a short-term capital was needed. The overall election in February 2016 saw the debut of an extremely fragmented minority government. If a parcel of land goes in the marketplace in Greater London in a place where people generally wish to live, it is going to be purchased by the people with the deepest pockets, that's the large, listed companies. The Most Popular Construction in Ireland Typically, a bachelor's degree in engineering is demanded. It's also an excellent concept to confirm your state's employment poster. Be ready to be tested by your employer to show you've got the essential computer knowledge. Top Construction in Ireland Secrets Whether you are searching for a more contemporary or a traditional design we have you covered. There are various kinds of insulation that could be used, that range from panels to Injected full fill beads. So far as the exterior walls for most sorts of construction, you will discover that they are generally the exact same. Do remember, Building regulation requires you to have a specific amount of insulation in the walls. Imagine you're an installer at work site with 2000sq feet of hewn log siding which has not been finished and you need to finish all 6 sides before installation. The internal home decoration equally require care and concern to coordinate with the exterior. Ok, I Think I Understand Construction in Ireland, Now Tell Me About Construction in Ireland! Our on-line mortgage functionality is intended to create the very best experience possible for our site visitors employing a number of the latest technology available. After the user signs up for these services, we'll share names, or other contact information which is essential for the third party to present these services. The most frequent approach to supply information is via a privacy notice. However, you might also change your browser settings at any moment and apply the Arvato website without cookies. Other third party tools and widgets might be employed on our personal web pages to supply extra functionality. You may make adjustments to your notification preferences at any moment. The Secret to Construction in Ireland The way the rest of the price is paid varies from 1 portion of the country to another. For the large part, crime in Ireland isn't a concern, but some areas do need a specific quantity of discretion. From an environmentally-friendly viewpoint, it doesn't get far better. Construction in Ireland - the Conspiracy With all these folks working several jobs, few men and women have the opportunity to actually look after their very own cars. The box-shaped rooms that the majority of people reside in nowadays are, in actuality, alien to us. If you believe I am attempting to scare the living daylights out of you, you're exactly perfect. The Construction in Ireland Stories Construction executives must work out how to transfer all that knowledge to another batch of hires in a time of labor shortage. Construction projects inherently assume a whole lot of financial risk. It has adapted well to a local marketplace that is in a disorderly state. As professionals try to map out 2018 and beyond, there are quite a few trends shaping the construction market. Although not construction-specific, it certainly will have no small effect on businesses. With a duty to be sure the livelihood of their employees and their families, it is necessary to have positive cash flow for the corporation. The Tried and True Method for Construction in Ireland in Step by Step Detail Large construction projects are occasionally known as megaprojects. If you're presently a homeowner, an alternate to a construction loan is to use the equity in your house to finance building a home. If you would like to build a new residence, you should know you've a tougher road ahead of you than if you pursued a conventional mortgage. The Pain of Construction in Ireland More technical information regarding the CIS is also offered. The use of Personal Information Aon processes personal information collected via the Site for the aims of handling your requests and supplying you with information about the merchandise and services Aon can provide you with. Any refusal by you to supply your Data will ensure it is impossible for Edipap srl to fulfill your invitation request. Those people who have access to the data are required to keep the confidentiality of such info. You must not offer personal information if you don't accept such terms and conditions of usage. A few of this information could be personal info, such as change of postal address details. Construction in Ireland Our site, products and services are wholly directed to folks that are at least 13 years old or older. Utilizing the web to collect and process personal data necessarily involves the transmission of information on a worldwide basis. If you take advantage of a cell device to access our websites and internet resources, we also may collect details about your device, like your device ID and device type, and usage info about your device and your usage of our mobile sites and other mobile resources. You'll locate people want websites for their company and families. If you are searching for assistance with your dissertation then we provide a comprehensive writing service given by fully qualified academics in your area of study. Learning how to keep your occupation is also important.

Construction in Ireland for Dummies

Failure in any one of these areas may result in a higher risk in exposing workers to harm in the building atmosphere. This paper, in advancing the reason for diversity, argues that an increased use of locally sourced products ought to be utilised in house construction in order to reflect the historic building and construction styles of distinct sections of the county.  Many indices are supposed to reflect general building construction.

It's vital to be cautious while operation motor vehicles or equipment on the website.  Knowing the asphalt paving pricing and considerations you have to remember when selecting a paving contractor will help to insure that you wind up with a high excellent asphalt driveway that will last you for a long time to come dfgdfg An asphalt drive way is a superb option for providing an entrance to your house in addition to place to park your vehicles.  Routine service will enhance your equipment's performance and minimize the chance of unexpected repairs.

[the-eternal-captain-harlock]

Captain Harlock & Miime: Musings on Isolation, Loneliness and Grief

(For the scope of the analysis I will be focusing solely on the Harlock/Miime relationship as it is portrayed in the 1978 Space Pirate Captain Harlock TV series. If you haven’t watched this anime yet, you really need to.)

“I am Miime; I am the woman who has given her life to Harlock.” - Miime, SPCH

It did not take me long into my sojourn into the 42-episode long self-contained Space Pirate series (and my first Matsumoto anime) to discover just how much I loved Miime, the tall willowy, mouthless, alcohol-swilling, harp-playing, soft-voiced alien woman whose relationship with Harlock is almost as meaningful and touching (in this series) as the relationship between Harlock and Tochiro.

Miime quickly became an exemplar of everything I wanted to see in a supporting female character. I already knew what I didn’t like: female characters who nagged, female characters who made the primary male characters awkwardly uncomfortable, who made them stammer, blush and act like idiots (if they were of high-school age) or forced them to supplant their ideals and opinions with their own, either through sheer bitchy determination or the pervasive ‘power of love’ angle (if they were older and *allegedly* mature). I didn’t know what I hated more: the female characters who ruthlessly and annoying imposed either their emotions, ideals or bodies onto their male counterparts, or, conversely, the male characters who allowed them to do so and conceded to the woman’s wills. I’ve always been more interested in fictional male protagonists then in female ones, and I always view the arrival of a new female character – be they hero or villain – into a novel or show with a certain amount of trepidation, owing to the drama they ineffably inflict upon that particular fictional universe, whether this is intentional on their part or not. 

                    Miime was blessedly free of all of the above behaviors. Everything about her, from her simplistic yet elegant character design, to her voice, mannerisms and hobbies, spoke of maturity, of refinement, and, most important to me at least, the desire to be true to her own person, to remain herself, as she is the last living remnant of her race. Perhaps if she had been a human woman her relationship with Harlock would have been radically (an unsurprisingly) different, but as she is a Juraian, an alien, a literal ‘Other,’ she abides by her own codes of conduct and not once does Harlock ever request or demand that she alter her behavior towards him, just as she never tries to ‘change’ him, as most human woman would try to do.Thus she remains unique, mysterious and ultimately unknowable - much like Harlock himself.

And the relationship the two of them share is unique indeed. Harlock makes no demands upon Miime whatsoever. She has no specific duty as a crew-member of the Arcadia and is free to move about the ship as she pleases. She pours Harlock his wine, but not because she is his serving girl and it is her duty to do so; she plays the harp for him, but not because she is his court musician and it is expected of her. Everything she does for Harlock is for their mutual enjoyment. They do not ask or demand anything from one another, they simply do things together, organically and naturally, in complete emotional and physical freedom. They are perfectly at ease with each other, displaying no awkwardness or stress when together.  Miime does not bicker with, fight with, flirt with, nag, challenge or impose on Harlock’s freedom in any way. She has pledged her life to him, even stating she would follow him into hell if he ever asked her to. Her devotion is total. Her loyalty is beyond reproach (1). Her relationship with the Arcadia’s brooding Captain puts her in the unique position of possessing true knowledge of his personality, allowing her to share her insights as to what kind of man he is with the other crew-mates, who are often confused by Harlock’s decisions and actions. She becomes his unofficial spokesmen and advocate and never doubts that he will accomplish his goals.

 Likewise, Harlock confides in Miime, telling her his plans, expressing his occasional doubts and frustrations or simply reminiscing about the past, often over drinks. But Miime is not a merely passive character Harlock keeps around as a drinking companion. Miime proves her worth as a fighter, displaying competent shooting-skills and reveling hidden depths of power when Harlock is threatened. Unlike Tadashi Diaba, however, she is not learning how to become a warrior or out for revenge against the Mazone invaders. Like Harlock, much of her story has already taken place and she has already reached the pinnacle of her character development. To remain at Harlock’s side is enough; she has no set goals or plans like Tadashi, no ulterior motives or hidden agendas.  Whatever else is happening to the galaxy at large is inconsequential as long as Harlock continues to wander the stars under his ‘flag of freedom.’  Calm, quiet and thoughtful, Miime stands unobtrusively by Harlock on the command-bridge, ready to give advice or make pointed observations, or fills his cabin with the soothing melodious music that relaxes him while the rest of the  crew revels in the Arcadia’s corridors, living for the moment while their haunted Captain broods on the fate of humanity, vowing to fight to the end to protect the earth even as he bemoans the hedonistic apathetic state of mankind. Miime is the only one he truly confides in, and Miime repays his trust by simply being there and supporting him (sometimes even saving him), regardless of the circumstances.

But what truly bonds them? Why do they enjoy one another’s company so thoroughly? Why do they understand and respect each other so fully? What lies behind the simple dignified tenderness they display towards each other? They are not lovers; they display virtually no hint of romantic infatuation or physical attraction. Yet despite retaining their autonomy and personal freedom they still share a certain bond, an intimate relationship which seems to transcend both love and friendship. But this bond is, sadly, rooted in tragedy and grounded by the threefold components of isolation, loneliness and grief.

  I: Isolation

One sad reality of Harlock’s existence is that he is an extremely isolated individual. Although the entire universe is essentially his sandbox and the Arcadia possess enough firepower to level cities and hold off entire alien fleets, Harlock never takes advantage of his considerable power and fearful reputation to make the rest of humanity do his bidding or live according his higher standards. Planet Earth is not a sheltering or welcoming place for the self-exiled space-pirate. Harlock has no wish to dominate, but he will not suffer himself to be dominated, so he endures the derision and scorn of Earth’s rulers and the constant harassment of the planet’s Defense Force with little genuine retaliation, preferring to roam the stars in hopes of finding his ‘final resting place.’ Despite having a homeworld and a people, Harlock, both by choice and circumstance, lives out a solitary and confined existence, with only those few chosen comrades who remain with him in order to fight for their own beliefs and carve out their own paths.

Miime shares in this isolation; for although planet Jura still exists her race has been completely destroyed in nuclear warfare and the following environmental retaliation brought on by the planet’s sentient plant-life. In a brief flash-back, a younger Harlock visits Jura and rescues Miime, now the last Jurian, from the plants and offers her refuge aboard his ship. Not only does Miime owe her life to Harlock, she also is allowed to live on his ship seemingly condition-free. Harlock has no utilitarian motives - neither practical or personal - for keeping her around. Miime does not cook or clean or fly Space Wolves or man any of the Arcadia’s guns; she is not a doctor, a scientist or a navigator. The bulk of Harlock’s otherwise human crew seem mostly indifferent to her presence; they do not compete for her attention or affection, nor do they make advances on her. Even aboard the Arcadia Miime remains in isolation and because Harlock also lives in voluntary isolation, spending most of his time in his elegant sterncastle drinking, brooding and playing his ocarina, their mutual situations and circumstances draw them closer together in a relationship built upon what is missing in their lives rather than what they have in common. They are both unique one-of-a-kind individuals, alone in a cold inhospitable galaxy that has little to offer them in terms of meaning and fulfillment. Even when together, isolation still dominates, for although Miime and Harlock spend a great deal of time alone behind closed doors there is always a significant physical distance between them. Both are heavy drinkers (Miime requires alcohol to survive, as it it is a natural part of her diet; Harlock is an alcoholic), but we never see them genuinely intoxicated and acting stupid, flirty or inappropriate with each other. In their isolation is also their liberty, for being who they are  - free, above all things - they are under no obligations or expectations to behave in certain ways. Harlock and Miime have nothing to prove to each other or to anyone else. Their relationship remains fixed and unchanging amid a universe full of chaos, danger and constant strife. They can always rely on one another - their isolation is their safeguard and shield; perhaps it is not such a tragic state after all.

II: Loneliness

  There is - or should be - a distinction drawn between someone who is physically alone and someone who is feeling lonely. For most people, the two aspects are one and the same. If there is no one around you, no one to talk to or interact with in some manner, this will be perceived by most as a negative state, one which they quickly rectify by either calling or visiting friends, chatting online or making plans for family gatherings and meaningful dates with significant others. To be alone with oneself, with ones’s own feelings, thoughts and memories without any distractions for an extended period of time, is hard for most people to handle - for most, but not all. I myself am an unapologetic loner. This is not due to shyness or social ineptness; I am merely extremely introverted. As I write this part of the article I am alone in the house (except for a sleepy old pit-bull) and I love it. This is the main reason I became so attached to Harlock and Emeraldas - they are both loners living according to their own codes and beliefs, following their own paths and perusing their own destinies (2). The Arcadia - which serves the duel purpose of being Harlock’s fortress, safe-haven and tomb -  enables him to remain free and unattached to the rest of humanity, liberating him from the confines of mankind’s apathetic degenerate social state and allowing him to remain true to his own self and goals.

But although Harlock is a true loner and possesses a solitary nature, he still suffers from genuine loneliness from time to time, although the only other human he intentionally seeks out to spend quality time with is Tochiro’s seven-year-old orphaned daughter, Mayu, which he does at his own peril. Miime, on the other hand, suffers loneliness even more keenly. Harlock, at least, can draw comfort (however sparse), in that he actually has a home-planet and a race to protect (even if he wants nothing to do with them), while Miime is the last of her kind - the last Jurian. Her planet still survives but the Jurian civilization is now nothing but ruins overrun by hostile plant-life. There is no going home for her. Her family and friends are all dead. She is a dispossessed being, without home or people, adrift in a hostile universe. In order to alleviate her loneliness she cleaves to Harlock with a single-minded vengeance, offering him her life, going were he goes, aiding him in all the ways she can, never once standing in his way or making demands of him. “It is better to be with people you hate then to be alone,” she tells Harlock, after lamenting how she had hated her people for the destruction they had wrought, only realizing after they were all dead how much she missed them now that she is truly and utterly alone. Her loneliness is made all the more potent in that she cannot truly leave the Arcadia. Harlock’s human crew-mates can leave and return to Earth if they wish but there is nowhere for Miime to go and no reason for her to leave. But she does not view Harlock’s ship has a prison - she learns about its secrets, about Tochiro, and this draws her and Harlock even closer together. Both Harlock and Miime are alone (one mostly by choice, one entirely by circumstance.) but their shared emotional experiences (and their mutual love of wine and music) allow for them to form and maintain a relationship that dulls the pain caused by loneliness (and the isolation) and gives Harlock the space to engage in meaningful interactions with another that brings them both happiness. Loneliness is the driving force that keeps their relationship stable and constant for the entirety of the series. Neither Miime or Harlock take each other for granted. Both remain grateful for what the one does for the other. Loneliness has gifted them to one another, and, because of its overhanging spectre, their bond is further strengthened by the knowledge that what they have is something unique, something valuable, and ultimately, something that neither one dares to compromise - for if that should happen the loneliness would become unbearable and the isolation truly complete.

III: Grief

The entire Space Pirate Captain Harlock series is overshadowed by an atmosphere of quiet unshakable melancholy. It rests upon Harlock like a second cape, infusing all his actions and choices, unweakening in its hold on him from the first episode to the last. He is never freed from it, for this is a melancholy born of grief, of loss, and of a seemingly-futile yearning for what can never again be. Harlock is in a perpetual state of unending mourning – he mourns for an Earth whose natural beauty and splendor is fading with each passing year, he mourns for a humanity who has forfeited its dreams and visions of the future so as to live in a state of continuous apathy and sloth; but, above all, he mourns for the loss of his best friend, the man who never gave up hope either in humanity, the future, or even Harlock himself. Tochiro Oyama is dead (except in two flash-back episodes), and without that that spunky, optimistic genius-engineer at his side, Harlock’s natural inclinations towards pessimism and depression must be battled at every turn if he is to remain an effective apposing force in the fight against the Mazone. Harlock speaks in passing about ‘looking for a final resting place’ and about spending ‘a life wandering space, looking for a place to die.’ Harlock is a less hopeful and forgiving man then Tochiro, and is tempted often to abandon mankind and the Earth to its fate. But to abandon either of these things is, in effect, to abandon Tochiro himself, especially as his only child, Mayu, lives in an orphanage on Earth. To turn his back upon the planet and its people is to turn his back on Tochiro and his heirs and to scorn his friend’s dream of a better future. Almost against his will, Harlock denies Mazone Queen Lafresia the earth for Tochiro and Mayu’s sake, if nothing else, though he does wish to prove to humanity (who view him as a disruptive, peace-threatening menace to society) that he can and will protect them, regardless of his own negative feelings (or theirs). Prior to the Mazone’s arrival, Harlock lived a listless, goalless life of petty piracy, protected and entombed in a semi-haunted Arcadia infused with the soul and living brain-cells of Tochiro himself. His war with Queen Lafresia gives him a purpose again and rekindles his fighting spirit, but even when victory is achieved Harlock refuses to remain on earth; instead he self-exiles himself once more, leaving his entire crew behind, to continue wandering the stars - but this time, only Miime is allowed to accompany him.

  If Miime is dominated by her loneliness (and her literal ‘alone-ness’) then Harlock is ruled by his grief; no-one, not Miime, Tadashi or even Mayu, can take the place Tochiro holds in his heart. Harlock does not desire wealth, fame, acclamation, status as a hero or even to be respected and appreciated. He fights successfully to secure a future for the Earth but he cannot be apart of that future – for Harlock desires only the Arcadia of his youth, his past life with Tochiro, the long-ago days when it was just two carefree young men seeking to live free and pursue their dreams. But those times of youth and adventure cannot be reclaimed. Tochiro is dead (though still present) and Harlock can do nothing but carry on without him. He keeps Miime at his side, and she follows him willingly into the dark and to whatever fate awaits them. Earth may have been saved and mankind given a second chance, but for Harlock, Miime and Tochiro there is no going back home. Home does not exist for them anymore. Their only true home now is the Sea of Stars, their only banner the Jolly-Roger, and a life lived in freedom their only sustenance. Miime vanishes with Harlock into the vastness of space, remaining loyal to him to the last, even as Harlock remained loyal to Tochiro’s dream, the three of them uplifting and sustaining one another in their long exile. It is not necessarily a happy ending, but it is certainly a fitting one, appropriate to the nature of its characters and in keeping with the series’ overall mood and tone. 

Thus wherever Harlock may go, Miime will always be at his side, a true companion he can rely upon for comfort and advice. For Miime, Harlock will always remain her savior and provider, and her comfort and advice are gladly given, since they both retain their freedom - which is, ultimately, all they ask for and in the end, as long as they remain within the confines of the Arcadia, is all they are allowed to have.

  (1) You can only imagine how pissed-off I was when in the 2013 Space Pirate Captain Harlock CGI film, after Yama replaces Harlock as captain, Space-Elf!Miime declares that her loyalty is to the ship rather than Harlock himself. Boy that made me mad - that among so many other things.

(2) Harlock’s, Emeraldas’s and my own personality traits in a nutshell.

[dogtraino]

Simple Method To Stop Your Dog From Begging For Food

If you really want to stop your dog from begging for food, you're going to need to learn to refrain from giving in to his begging every time there is food around.

It is not a secret as to the reason why a dog begs, well, it is because they would like food as soon as you have food anywhere near you or as soon as you go in the kitchen.

Begging isn't disrespectful or weird to your puppy; it's instinctive, so it takes a great deal of consistency to reverse that behavior if we've been reinforcing it. 

This begging "attitude" began a long time ago with the dog's descendants. With time, this became instinctive to wolves which carried over to dogs through their DNA.

Our dogs are hard-wired to seek opportunities to get food from us and given that they're observant they quickly grasp that begging brings about payoffs when we respond to all these signals that they have gained mastery so well over time.

It is one of the most common complaints of pet owners, however, there is hope. You can keep your pet dog from your food while your dining, you just have to be persistent.

- How Can I Stop My Dog From Begging?

The initial step when teaching your dog not to beg is to make a pledge to yourself which is to stop submitting. Every time you offer your puppy a treat from the table it's teaching them that begging is a winning action. It may perhaps not work all the time, but our dogs have excellent memories; they'll maintain trying if they figured out it did the job anytime before

Dogs beg more when we're looking at them; they know it works. Those big puppy dog eyes and all that whining-- it works really well on all of us.

If you want your dog to stop begging you have to ensure that you're not giving him mixed signals. It is not reasonable to expect good behavior from our puppies if we ourselves don't remain consistent.

Training ourselves as being constant is usually the most challenging part, the rest is relatively simple. Here are 3 methods that will definitely help you stop your dog from begging.

Pay no attention to Your Dog's Begging

Don't look at your puppy while he begs. Just ignore him.

Whenever your dog starts his routine of begging for food you have to totally pay no attention to the disruptive behavior. Should he get a scrap from you one single time he realizes that his time and efforts might just pay off next time.

If you look into those big eyes when he's begging you can feel bad for him and offer him a morsel. Almost any attention you give him when he's begging might make him believe you're close to giving him some food given that it's done the job so well previously.

He will most likely fuss and resist if he's a prolific beggar, nevertheless, you are going to have to learn to pay no attention to it. Your pet dog should eventually figure out that "hey, I think that's not going to do the job anymore."

Don't associate food together with love. Your puppy is certainly not starving. You nourish him very well every morning and evening. Over 50% of American dogs are generally too heavy, your puppy doesn't need to have any extras. If you still feel bad just keep in mind-- he's manipulating you.

Pet dogs have developed to getting those big sad eyes and floppy ears for merely that reason, to maneuver you into caring for them. They've evolved more puppy-like features and tend to share plenty of attributes of wolf puppies rather than adult wolves.

2- Limit Your Dog From the Dinner Table

Among the easiest solutions to stop your from begging is by preventing the behavior early on. You may do this by separating your pet dog from the dinner table.

You can educate your dog to lay down away from where you are eating, or you can make use of a baby gate to retain them in a different area. If your dog is already a beggar keep in mind that his behavior is most likely going to be fairly resistant for a little bit before it improves, but the consistency will ultimately pay off.

Have your dog lay down in his bed or specific space you've picked for him, compliment him as soon as he lays down and give him some treats within this spot. Depending on his stay command you might possibly need to work at this for some time before he's continually remaining in his new spot.

After you've eaten visit him and give him lots of praise, give him treats. Let him know the behavior of sitting steadily while the family members eat is just what's going to generate the most desired compensation.

If you don't believe your puppy is going to be able to stay for any period of time or you don't have a decent stay command mastered you can prefer to separate him with a barricade such as a baby gate, a very common selection.

3- Redirect His Focus While You Eat

Give your pet dog something else to concentrate on while you eat. If you don't wish your dog to stay completely separated from you while you eat you may redirect his focus to some snacks, toys, or treats of his own. Offer him one of his popular bully sticks, or jam some peanut butter inside of a Kong.

Ignore him if he gets up from his treat to beg. He is going to most likely do this for a while if he's used to begging. Just as long as you don't give in and nourish him from the table at all he will eventually understand that his begging abilities aren't going to pay off anymore.

If you're consistent and decide to persevere begging could be considerably quick and easy to deal with. It merely takes determination and consistency. You need all of the household engaged; if any member is not going to play along and gives up you are definitely not going to be successful.

You simply cannot surrender, regardless of how adorable he is actually or what sounds your puppy is producing, it will set you back to square one

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[empmoniitor]

EMPLOYEE MONITORING SOFTWARE: THE ETERNITY OF WORKING HABITAT

TRULY SAID, OUR MOBILE PHONE HAS BECOME THE GREATEST SPY ON THE PLANET.

-John Mcafee.

In this digital era, we are all surrounded by operative devices and technology. Isn’t it?

The current crisis turned our path completely as advanced technology is now considered an essential policy for numerous companies. Monitoring desktops, GEO tracking software, productivity measuring software is the preferential choice.

Perhaps this appears contrary and creates an illusion of insecurity, but the question arises why vast scales of industries are investing in this kind of software?

Further in this article, you will find all of these terms discussed briefly. Before that, stay active and ready to roll up the sleeves to get immune against the deadly Coronavirus.

Do take the vaccine when provided the opportunity.

Fingers crossed!

The cheerful announcement of the Coronavirus vaccines came out recently, still work from home is still not lifted from most companies. Working while staying in the comfort zone is every working person’s desirable dream admitted it’s getting fulfilled from the previous year.

Think about what if punching IDs and reporting in the office prohibited?

Although maintaining the flow of productivity for million turnover companies is necessitate and challenging at the same time. Some companies found a new way to deal with it but many are adopting technological solutions to resolve the lack of productivity caused. One of the effortless and highly adaptable solutions to increase productivity is computer monitoring software.

IN HOW MANY WAYS MONITORING DESKTOP SOFTWARE MAY BE BENEFICIAL?

HELPS TO GET RID OF MONITORING ISSUES

Monitoring is not limited to tracking computer activities, yet it can also detect and encounter computer issues. It warns you of any underlying problems that can get overlooked wholly.

TRACK FUTURE THREATS

A good desktop monitoring service is proficient in recognizing problems yet retains tracks of the activities behind the scene. Often hackers slowly drain your computer sources while using them without even getting noticed. PC monitoring software will detect accurate memory usage as well as disk space and the CPU. In any case, a large amount of data summoned unnecessarily will identify and figure out the source.

AUTOMATIC DEPLOYMENT OF SECURITY UPDATES

The more workstations you have, the more challenging it is to keep them updated. Here, desktop monitoring services ensure installation patches and updates as they are released. Hence, forget worrying about resolving a critical vulnerability.

ASSURED INCREMENT IN PRODUCTIVITY

The administrator access analysis of the time wasted on non-relevant work and how much time employees have spent on the given tasks.

BETTER SECURITY

No wonder network errors are not just malignant attacks that can lead to downtimes. It could be an attempt to breach a company network or a piece of malware trying to sneak in. With pc monitoring software, these unfortunate situations can be detected and resolved.

Due to the increase in demand, there is numerous computer monitoring software developed to fulfill the needs. Let us buckle up for the list of software in the market. But before that understanding the relatable terms is imperative.

WHAT IS THE TERM DESKTOP MONITORING?

Desktop monitoring software is proficient in tracking all computer activities, detecting occurring issues, and installing updates while keeping records of all the data strokes.

ATTRACTED TO TECHNOLOGY?

WHY WOULD ANYONE IMPLEMENT A DESKTOP MONITORING TOOL FOR THE WHOLE BUSINESS OR ANY OF THE SELECTED DEPARTMENTS?

Doubtlessly, implementing and investing in computer monitoring software can be judged on efficiency and performance. Advantages and disadvantages are the most measured parameters while implementing any of the technology from the norms of households to the exception of million turnover industries. We all accept employees as vital members of any company.

FOREMOST, HERE ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF MONITORING DESKTOPS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE EMPLOYEES;

Help to uncover problems like harassment

Helps to track worked hours on a specific task, results in increment accuracy

Can discover where the workload may need to redistribute

Can reduce the work hours pressure

Better time analysis of the assigned tasks

May reduce time theft

Analyzing the teamwork at distinct

SECONDLY, THE ADVANTAGES OF MONITORING DESKTOPS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF EMPLOYERS;

Can help to monitor and ensure safe practices followed

May highlight where employees spend more time than expected during the work process.

Can help with recordkeeping and management-related tasks

Can monitor customer interactions to ensure the policies are being adhered to and customers.

Chelp to track the on-ground tracking their working activities.

Cost-effectiveness

Flexibility

HOW EMPLOYEE MONITORING SOFTWARE OPERATES?

It operates on the specific assigned system to capture and record numerous information about computer usages;

Record users login details

Captures applications used

Record visited URLs

Stores captured information.

Pc monitoring software can be a solution to various hidden and well-known threats but investing in value is essential for both employer and employee. Why I told both parties will elaborate further in this article.

BEFORE LET US SEE  THE BEST EMPLOYEE MONITORING SOFTWARE OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET ;

EMPMONITOR

EmpMonitor is a cloud-based software where you can store seamless data without being worried about storage. Providing the graphical representation of the reports and lets you manage attendance while in stealth mode.

CONS-

There is no Mobile compatible version available right now.

ACTIVTRAK

ActivTrak is one of the software that helps you to monitor the system in a better way. Unwraps potent security spaces with examining capacities of productivity and data usage. Ensures employee privacy while the stealth mode on. Keeping the operational workflow going on is crucial for any workspace.

CONS-

Prove to be burning your pockets.

As reviews say, its page loading takes time with the difficulty in categorizing.

HUBSTAFF

Powered by a 100% remote team representing 18 countries, Hubstaff employee monitoring software lets you analyze money leaks, potent monitoring desktops, the dynamic mode for checking, and the setting of random screenshot capturing.

CONS-

There are not many emphasizing features for the free version.

No Payroll integrations with limited options.

Non-customizable as compared to other apps.

TERAMIND

With over 2000 organizations from variant industries embedded with the features of user behavior analytics, data loss prevention variables, monitoring desktops, and user activity tracking, Teramind is the best choice of employee monitoring features.

CONS-

Quite proved to be an expensive software.

Evade timeout errors if the connection will be not at the peak.

The support system is a bit lacking.

Authorizing modules to the employee is a bit tricky.

Preferred by different reputed companies like FabDesigns, LBM Solutions, Lexmores, EmpMonitor stands boldly boosting the rate of productivity up to 45 %. There are seamless features in the low-budget mode.

Examining the features in the specified software and EmpMonitor, have a peek at the links given below to have the depth of comparison.

EMPMONITOR V/S TERAMIND

EMPMONITOR V/S HUBSTAFF

EMPMONITOR V/S ACTIVTRAK

So after going through the comparison, EmpMonitor is a better option for your organization with ease in your wallet and power-packed with intelligent technology.

STEPS TO CHECK EMPLOYEE DETAIL FEATURES ON EMPMONITOR;

After login into the EmpMonitor, you will redirect to the dashboard page. On the left-hand corner, there are sections like employee details, security, reports, and settings. While on the right-hand view with four divisions named production, locations, calendar, and presence.

Since we are discovering the employee detail feature, select the option named employee details to fetch up respective information.

Next, the registered information about the employee will display in the format of tables. The first column dedicates the details like full name, email, location, department, status, details, and actions.

Selecting the detail column will display all the relatively details of the selected employee.

User info will be displayed with all the official details. On the right-hand corner, a few extra options provided –

Screenshot, top websites, and apps view keystrokes,  browser history, the application used, and view user log details.

Get Ready for Hybrid Future of Work This Post Pandemic [ 2021 Updated]

08 Must Have Features for Employee Tracking System in 2021

WRAPPING WORDS

In the end, monitoring desktops is becoming a solution for many management and securities-related worries. We executed this technology for tracing the productive hours and data security, hassle-free attendance marking, and analyzing the overtimes and appraisals. While accounting usage of computer monitoring software in the workplace, do extensive research on different products and services. Some software is budget-friendly but not up to the mark, while some are expensive without fulfilling the target.

EmpMonitor is budget-friendly and packed with intelligent features to ease your monitoring desktops related tasks. Allow the employee to see how the software works, its capabilities and ask questions regarding their privacy setting and wish to build an organic relationship with the software.

Did I skip something or any suggestion? Any suggestion to add on?

Please let me know in the comment section below. Will love to hear about it.

    GOOD LUCK !!!

Originally Published On: EmpMonitor

[storydevs]

Thoughts On Community And Culture

Community Tendencies

In any community the behaviour of its early participants will set the tone for it. An organisation run by wealthy people will naturally reflect the interests and perspectives of wealthy people.

A community influences and selects for the behaviour of its participants. If people in a community value a specific kind of humour it’s a natural human tendency to try to adapt to that sense of humour to fit in. Individuals adopt community behaviour and norms, and those who don’t tend to leave.

Considerations & Values

The tendencies described are generalisations. Each member of a given community won’t value the exact same thing or act the same way. The generalisations concern communities as a whole and how they function systemically. If you believe communities have those tendencies then some important questions arise:

Who are the early participants of the community?

What perspective do they have?

What are their values?

I’m not going to answer all those questions now but I list them to give you an idea of some of the things I was considering when I drafted the guidelines below. But first I would like to tackle just the final question about values, since they do provide context for the community guidelines.

What does StoryDevs value (besides interactive narratives)?

Participation of people with varied skill levels, disciplines, (dis)abilities, locations, ages, gender identities, orientations, races, ethnicities, economic statuses, privacy needs, and so on.

Education and services that are not profit-driven.

Social justice.

Some obvious things can be deduced about what StoryDevs must do in order to not contradict these values. For example, if we want a wide array of participants we will need an accessible site. If we want education and services that aren’t profit-driven they can’t be exclusively or substantially gated behind money.

Guidelines Draft

The guidelines below are not rules so much as a description of the site’s perspective on community. It’s a draft, intended for refinement and discussion. The points are not in any particular order.

A casual, light-hearted tone free of profanity doesn't automatically make a comment non-toxic. If someone is friendly while describing how they hope for effective genocide they are still a corrosive influence. Tolerating them long-term will make value #1 (participation of varied people) difficult to adhere to as their presence will drive the targeted people away.

Repeated announcements of apathy toward human suffering is toxic. The “repeated” here is important. Sometimes people have their own problems and cannot consider others’ and they may vent something to this effect. A distinction is drawn here between that and someone who makes a pointed effort to consistently state that a particular issue doesn’t affect them.

Repeatedly advancing the sentiment that a better world is not possible is toxic. Everyone has a bad day when they feel down or pessimistic. But there’s a difference between that and being a perpetual storm cloud who will respond with “this will never work” to everything. In order for the world to improve action must be taken. And for action to be taken one must believe that their actions can have an effect and that they are worthwhile. Criticism is necessary — feeding the desire to exclusively tear things down isn’t.

Repeatedly spreading misinformation is toxic. Again, “repeatedly” is important. Genuine mistakes happen, often even. A distinction is drawn here between that and someone spreading misinformation, being corrected, and then continuing to spread said misinformation anyway. In cases where someone is consistently incorrect but presents their information as true it may be necessary for staff to take some form of action. This is to help beginners (per value #1, which mentions varied skill-levels) who may have difficulty discerning incorrect info and waste their time on it.

Speculation and gossip about some subjects results in misinformation and baseless antipathy. For example, back-of-the-envelope calculations about how much a developer earns without any grounding in evidence and sound reasoning leads to people judging a developer by a set of criteria that hasn’t even been verified.

"No politics" rules are deeply immoral and insulate privileged community members from ever having to confront views, argumentation, and resources that contradict their own, fostering a broader culture of political ignorance. People develop their political views in the communities they belong to, few attend specifically political forums.

There is no boundary between a community (online or otherwise) and the "real world" — all communities are part of the world. All communities both affect the world and are in turn affected by it.

People are flawed and make mistakes — this is inevitable. In general the community should be accepting and forgiving. However we must recognise that some character flaws that result in damaging behaviour (e.g., racist beliefs) can take many years of personal reflection to address and overcome. While the community should strive to be an educational place that can assist in this change, there must be a line drawn where the behaviour is recognised as simply too damaging to community integrity to be dealt with inside of said community.

Dogpiling is almost never helpful even when the people piling on are right. For example, if someone unwittingly repeats a racist dog whistle what outcome do we want, ideally? Ideally we want them to realise and stop doing it. A dogpile of people saying “you’re racist”, while correct, doesn’t give the person any clear explanation or action they can take. The world is not ideal and the person may know exactly what they’re doing. If it’s a pattern of behaviour then it ought to result in ejection from the community but there needs to be room for recovery and improving people’s understanding.

The preservation of context, where possible, is important. Ideally the site’s design should strive to situate the content it produces or platforms in context, such that people viewing it can make informed judgements.

Community members’ behaviour offsite can be relevant. For example, if someone has an abusive history on social media they may be banned from the community, regardless of their behaviour inside the actual community. This is a natural development from guideline #7. This depends on a certain degree of confidence that it is indeed the same person, so care should be taken by staff to verify such things. Nothing prevents that person from making a sock account, however they won’t be able to leverage or associate their usual brand on or with the platform.

Being skilled or useful is not a good reason to retain a community member who is a jerk. There are plenty of nice and skilled developers.

Discussions where community members take pleasure in others’ misfortune (e.g., stripping of privileges) should be discouraged. The enforcement of rules is not for the sake of punishment, it’s done to protect the community and align it with its own values. This framing is important. A fixation of the deservedness of punishment is at odds with the value of social justice, undermining the possibility of redemption and re-integration.

Staff have a responsibility to be educated such that they can recognise subtle antagonisms such as racist dog whistles. Concerns expressed by community members ought to be considered as research prompts for staff.

Community design is possible and necessary. It’s a skill requiring both research and practice. The values of the site will not necessarily naturally occur, particularly when we consider the broader social context the site exists within. If a just community is unnatural or unlikely in current circumstances then it ought to be treated as other unnatural things we’ve invented like indoor plumbing — a thing that needs to be maintained in order to reap its benefit. It cannot just be left to evolve at the whims of chance and the starting conditions.

Community growth isn’t necessarily good. At times it may even be preferable to constrain growth or downsize.

Consultation is necessary, particularly when trying to determine policies concerning or affecting disadvantaged people. More generally any sort of design or practices intended to help others should periodically seek input from those people.

Conclusion

Again, the guidelines above are not rules. In fact, if you want any chance of people actually reading your rules they’d probably need to be considerably shorter. Some things aren’t necessary for non-staff to read, for example the #16 guideline about community growth not necessarily being good.

In any case I’d be interested in feedback. There’ll be some more updates on the visual design + feature implementation coming soon so look out for those as well.

StoryDevs is a place for developers of story-focused games and visual novels to find each other and collaborate. The site is under development but handle reservations are open: www.storydevs.com/reserve

Website: www.storydevs.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jakebowkett Twitter: https://twitter.com/storydevs Discord: https://discord.gg/A2jtNqE Email: support@storydevs.com