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seyaryminamoto · 3 years ago

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my school works are piled up this past few weeks (graduating tingz) and i just started reading the deadlock novel it feels like i'm reading a sokkla fic every time Mcashe has a scene because they just give off the vibes skskskskksksks. BTW, what's your top5 fav scenes from the novel? PS: I'm smiling like an idiot while reading the novel ughh i hate myself

I KNOW, RIIIIIGHT?! *-* and don't hate yourself, my anon friend, I spent the whole novel smiling and laughing and losing my goddamn mind because I was having the time of my life xD enjoy this beautiful content as best you can!

I mean, frankly, Reunion already had all the Sokkla vibes I could've wanted/needed to ship these two like FedEx and I always knew I wasn't getting off this ride anytime soon. But gosh, this book... it gave me everything I wanted and MORE! Their dynamics are soooo similar to Sokkla team-up dynamics, two power couples kicking ass and taking names... oh, I just love it so much. I probably will end up reading the book a third time soon x'D

As for my favorite scenes, damn, this is tricky xD

KEYCHAIN! HE MADE HER KEYCHAIN!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!! God, it's just amazing how the book explains the "vintage" look for Ashe's hoverbike the way it does, and that they literally built it together *screams!!!*, but then he gives her that keychain for her birthday present, and the implications!! THE IMPLICATIONS!!! He gave her a keychain she's held onto for TWENTY YEARS?!?!?! Ships in the OW fandom have sailed far and wide with less than breadcrumbs: we literally have been granted a boon from the GODS with all this extra context for the little things in Reunion xD

Ashe going to hell and back to save her kidnapped BFF-for-whom-she-totally-doesn't-have-feelings-yeah-yeah-sure-Jan. I love the fact that McCree is, in a way, Ashe's damsel in distress and not the other way around xD Of course, it's what you'd expect from an Ashe-centric story, but it's still an amazing sequence, all around. Gotta highlight how she loves the way he smiles like a madman when they have that shootout at the end, and how he worries so much over Ashe's injury when he took an even worse one than she did (the Sokkla vibes in that particular situation were SO STRONG! I SWEAR!).

"Jesse McCree, are you trying to make me say you're handsome?" "Am I?" ... do I need to say more. That FLIRTING. These two were on fire already and they'd only known each other for like... weeks, at this point? x'D He has no sense of moderation, he's soooo into her and doesn't hide it at all. Ashe is so busy trying to plot all the crime and Jesse's practically like a shojo heroine, "oh I can feel it, this is how my love story begins!", basically xD

Finally I pick a not-McAshe scene... to bring up the one where Ashe picks up the Viper on her last moment in Lead Rose Manor. That moment was just... POWERFUL. The feeling of epicness in that scene just overwhelmed me when I was reading it xD

The ending of the book :'D the fully formed Deadlock Gang ready for business, down to the explanation for the Est. 1976 in the logo... *sobs* the fact that so much about the character design choices in these two characters is a shoutout to the past they share is just... *gross sobbing* oh, I just love it to pieces, I'm not even sorry.

Ashe's bike race to save B.O.B. x'D that whole situation was bonkers but I looooved how fierce she was about protecting her one and only buddy while growing up (AND THAT JESSE BLUSHED WHEN SHE TAUNTED HIM WAS JUST THE CHERRY ON TOP!). I appreciated learning more about the Omnic War and its consequences, how Ashe reflects on having escaped it practically untouched in virtue of her money and societal privilege while her new friends all faced many hardships to survive. But I can't help but also love that, however uneasy others could have been about the Best Omnic Butler, Ashe was so fiercely loyal to B.O.B. that she nearly broke Julian's nose herself over his ridiculousness x'D That's HER big omnic buddy and she's not about to lose him to anyone, not her shitty parents, not a bet in a race, NOTHING! (and it's so cute that B.O.B. is just as loyal to her, too *sobs*)

Ashe grabbing McCree's arm to explain things to him on their first heist and him being all "you gonna leave that there?" and only then does she realize her hand's still on him x'D what a McCree line, and he was absolutely enjoying the attention, he doesn't even pretend otherwise.

Everything poetic McCree says or does... meanwhile Ashe's like "um yeah I don't care about poetry I want money", right until his poet soul totally smashes her square in the heart with the KEYCHAIN!!! But damn, I swear I thought McCree would hold back a lot more, and yet there he was, saying things like Calamity was brilliant and mysterious... you could practically hear B.O.B., Julian and Frankie going "I can see what's happening..." in the background xD

The conversation about what they wanted to do once they were loaded with all the cash they could possibly want. That one was a real number on my heartstrings. It ties up to what I said earlier with Ashe finally being in touch with people who are completely removed from the ridiculous social circles of her parents and her school, people who really lost a lot in the war. But where Julian and Frankie seem to look at the past a lot, I loved that Jesse is basically just thinking about the future. The fact that he says he wants to chill out in a farm and that this is what he wants in life... many, MANY, shippy wheels have turned in my head since I read that <.< maaaany...

WHEN JESSE NEARLY FALLS AND ASHE CATCHES HIM!!! UNDERRRATED AS HECK!!! The fact that he's taunting her about fear of heights, then he nearly plummets to his death because ironies are beautiful xD and Ashe pulls him back to safety only to say that she's not afraid of heights but afraid of ~FALLING~??? I mean, okay, sure, maybe I'm reading too much into that line... or maybe I'm not <.< either way, the truth is I just love how absolutely broad of interpretation that scene and that DIALOGUE are :> ehehehe.

Oh, their first encounter. The fact that it's so cute and fun, and that it's this low in the list tells you how GOOD this book was x'D "You've got an awful lot of grit for a rich girl," first words he spoke to the love of his life xD then how they talked and laughed together about the crazy stories he shared (she was crying of laughter for the first time in her life! precious girl!), and then how she sat in the car thinking about the strange feeling she was left with after meeting him... they seriously had a meetcute in prison, how can a ship get any better? xD

WHEN HE COMES BACK TO HER WHEN THEIR FIRST HEIST GOES WRONG!!! That Ashe expects him to just leave after she falls off their getaway vehicle, but Jesse saves her and goes "pfft that's just not my style", basically... *sobs* without realizing it she ends up picking up that particular philosophy of his, saving her friends no matter the cost...! Honestly, though, the fact that every time something like this happens it hits Ashe like a truck racing downhill with no brakes because she's NEVER been cared about by anyone but B.O.B. and she's completely new to friendships and bonding with people... and in the mean time, Jesse immediately is "ride or die" with her because that's how he rolls... beautiful relationship dynamics between characters who influence each other for the better are just beautiful :')

A silly one here: Jesse enjoying the good life in Lead Rose. That description of him looking like a marshmallow in the CHAISE LOUNGEEEEE!!! (the one he references in their in-game interactions *CRYING SO MANY TEARS*), was just too cute to bear x'D Ashe just jumping back into work mode... while he was just thrilled to be a marshmallow in a towel xD

... So, um, I went overboard because I love this book a little too much for my own good :> what can I say? When things I love are good, I go wild xD There's probably more scenes I loved, but these... thirteen? XD are the ones that came to mind.

I think one of my favorite things now is reexamining Reunion with all this extra context in mind. The first time I watched that cinematic I, of course, fell in love with these two outlaws because how could I not? But while subsequent rewatches revealed a lot of things I didn't pay enough attention to the first time around, the book has done even more than I could imagine possible for a short that was already as shippy as could be xD

Ooookay so, shippy ramblings about Reunion, coming up! (simply because I have to put these down SOMEWHERE XD and your ask was a good idea for that, anon!)

First off, Jesse very much staged the whole rodeo in Reunion. He sent the tip to Ashe, he wanted Echo's crate specifically. He thought they could work together, basically, despite knowing it was entirely possible that those hopes wouldn't pay off. This train, according to the wikia, was a government train, so Jesse is very much telling Ashe to give a finger to the government for all he cares, all he wants is one (1) crate.

Ergo, Jesse, for all his "nice guy bountyhunter" deal, doesn't disapprove of Deadlock's actions. If anything, he counts on them to be exactly what he needs in order to get what he wants. He practically trusts Ashe to pull off the train heist disaster perfectly and only steps up when it's time to collect Echo.

Then the wacky shoot-out happens, it's veeeery charged (the UST is so thick, I swear...), and Jesse wins. He ties up Ashe, floats her off on the payload with the rest of the gang, and he sets Echo free. He's helping her out very nicely and everything, but the context in question is... he received the recall notification thingy XD Winston called him back to Overwatch, and Jesse...

... Jesse doesn't want to go back.

Jesse says "they want me", and the displeased tone of his voice, paired with the look on his face when he says that line, speak for themselves.

That, in my humble opinion, isn't the sequence of expressions you'd expect from someone who intends to return to the group where he thrived, had the time of his life and found his true calling. To me, he actually looks irritated about the recall (the sequence of expressions during that line is much better when you watch the full thing x'D), as though he REALLY doesn't want to return. He's not against Overwatch, I'm not quite saying that, otherwise he wouldn't have set Echo free and told her to go back at all... but this isn't remorse. It's not "Oh, I'm not good enough for Overwatch anymore". Nope... this is "My time with them is over and I don't plan on going back unless I have no choice", as far as I can tell.

If OW2 does bring him back into the fold and he's a perfectly chill and happy guy about it, I'll seriously be surprised. I mean, he could have set Echo free and, once his business is over, returned to Overwatch with her, he could have been in the Paris cinematic if he'd done that...

But he's not there.

Which outright says he didn't do that :> oops.

Basically, I think Jesse's reaction in Retribution (where he's markedly the most morally correct one of the bunch, and he's the former outlaw :'D) tells you his displeasure with Overwatch ran very, very deep. And someone can very easily say he felt the same way about Deadlock and that's why he left them for Overwatch... but that's conjecture. His displeasure with Blackwatch (and, in consequence, Overwatch), however, is FACT. And the previous conjecture falls flat pretty quickly considering he's perfectly fine with Ashe's train heist, even sets it up himself, from what the story suggests, so... how ~appalled~ was he over her choices and actions? Not appalled at all, if you ask me, and after you read Deadlock Rebels, you actually understand why: Jesse trusts Ashe.

From the first moment she enters the same prison block he's in, he's drawn to her. He wants to impress her, he absolutely enjoys her company and making her laugh (just as much as she enjoyed laughing at his wacky stories), and he's plain thrilled that she comes back for him when she does. Ashe manages the gang with inexperience but she's always willing to improve, and you see Jesse sticking with her through thick and thin, supporting her at the best and worst times alike, always putting his faith on her and constantly watching out for her (he protected and shielded her from attacks with his own body sooooo many times *sobs*). Ashe starts out intending to keep most profits for herself, and Jesse doesn't care much at first... but then she starts to share profit equally between their team. She works on her own bike herself, her own ride, and she plans and solves problems as best she can, to a point of even going overboard with planning too much. She's wild, reckless and takes insane risks... and this guy loves every second of it. The matter of morality regarding the actions of a criminal gang is, of course, something to think about... but as far as the book goes, Ashe mainly targets her own family, their specific brand of bullshit, and in the process she ends up helping lots of people and even saving lives that might not have been saved otherwise. I'm not going to put my hand on the fire here and say Deadlock never ever did anything absolutely wrong to people who didn't deserve it... but for a criminal gang? They're honestly the most wholesome one the OW team could have come up with, if you ask me.

So where you see Jesse is very much antagonistic with Reaper/Reyes, where he loses his temper with the guy's choices, he doesn't ever do that with Ashe. Overwatch ARE supposed to be the good guys... so how weird that Jesse McCree, reformed outlaw, ends up so disappointed with these guys when he was actually thrilled with Ashe's managing of their gang, as far as we saw. So much so that, when it came down to it, Jesse McCree, 20 years later, still counts on Ashe to give him a hand (without her full awareness) with a little operation to help out an old friend of his. Also worth pointing out: he doesn't want to fight at all, while Ashe, of course, does. Deadlock for life, is what Jesse said... and he's not Deadlock anymore, hasn't been for who knows how long. Worse yet... his tattooed arm is gone. It's like all his ties to Deadlock have been severed.

And even so, he came to Ashe and hoped she wouldn't want a shootout with him. Even when he knows she might be beyond unforgiving because of the betrayal (he has seen directly how outraged she was about a certain someone betraying her in the book...), Jesse goes back anyway and hopes it won't come to this.

THE IMPLICATIONS, MAN!!!

Carrying on: Echo is surprised that Jesse shows no intentions of going back to Overwatch. She asks him what he's going to do... and what does Jesse say?

He puts his cowboy hat back on (the symbolism in this short, I swear...), and when she asks him what he's going to do, he tells her "I've got some business to attend to."

THE MUSIC PICKS UP.

AND THEN HE CLIMBS ON THE BIKE HE BUILT WITH ASHE.

YOU GET A DELIBERATE CLOSE-UP TO THE KEYCHAIN.

THEN THE CAMERA PANS UP TO FOCUS ON THE PICTURE, TORN AND TAPED BACK TOGETHER, THAT ASHE CARRIES ON THIS BIKE, A BIKE WHICH, LET'S BE REAL, IS BASICALLY A MCASHE BABY CHOPPER/HOVERBIKE HYBRID, AND AS SHE PUTS IT LATER, IS...

HER

BIKE!!!

When Jesse says he has business to attend to, he could pick up any bike he wants (since it'd stand to reason that the other guys Ashe came in with would have bikes of their own). He could escape on horseback for all we know xD so there are lots of options... but no. He takes HERS. Right after saying he has "business to attend to".

Look, I could be wrong. I could be dead wrong. I can absolutely be digging around and going INSANE because nothing I ship EVER gets this much content.

But we literally get a guy saying he has "business" to take care of, and the cinematic focuses exclusively on elements that, even BEFORE Deadlock Rebels, all point towards Ashe?! You could easily say that taking her bike is just the final nail on the coffin, his last trolling idea to mess with his one true love... but that picture is right there. That picture, with them in their youth. The picture, btw, was bigger than just them: B.O.B.'s hand is there. The top of the picture is uneven, suggesting Ashe probably tore it to shreds in a fit of rage... and then specifically put together THEIR PART. And then she taped that to her bike's dashboard. Meaning, she carries the goddamn memory of Jesse with her EVERYWHERE SHE GOES. And she does it WILLINGLY.

Which, in turn, answers why Jesse expects MAYBE Ashe wouldn't go full-on hostile when they meet: this trolling cowboy knows exactly what he means to Ashe. He's not surprised when he sees that picture on the bike. He doesn't toss it away, which he could have, if he were saying "we are history now, forget it gurl" (and let's be honest, what a dick move that would have been @_@), he doesn't flinch after noticing and then goes "yeah, no, I'm picking another bike".

NOPE. The familiarity with which they talk, the way he hopes she'll just let him walk away, the fact that she DIDN'T change the keychain and bike in all those years and he's not even SURPRISED...

Jesse knows how much she loves him, point-blank. He's completely aware of it... and he's very much okay with it.

So much so... that I'm something of a 90% sure that the business he intends to deal with is ASHE HERSELF.

And no, I don't mean he's going to go on another shootout with her... I mean, evidently, that Jesse wants to come home. That he's tried the life of Overwatch, and he's decided to leave it behind. He's turned bountyhunter now, vigilante, pretty much... but he comes back to Ashe all the same. He's come back for the first time in who knows how long (going by Ashe's expressions and sarcasm with the "you promised you'd write" line, it miiiiiiight be they haven't seen each other since he got recruited into Blackwatch), and he expected a peaceful encounter, no less.

A good question to ask here is... what did Jesse hope would happen, if the encounter HAD been peaceful? He would've released Echo, sent her away to her business, and stayed behind anyway because he had business to deal with. Which business? :'D why... the business that would've been standing right in front of him.

There's no other, logical reason why this cinematic would put Ashe and McCree's picture into focus right when McCree says what he does to Echo. There's no other reasonable choice why McCree would turn his back on Overwatch quite so firmly. We know he had two important ties in his life: Overwatch and Deadlock. And Overwatch stole him away from Deadlock for a VERY long time. Well over half the time Deadlock has been in operations, as far as I can tell. He picked Overwatch over Deadlock once before... and now, it seems he's picking Deadlock over Overwatch instead :')

The follow-up short, Roadtrip, doesn't do anything to change my mind. The trolling jerk, Jesse McCree, hovers past Ashe's payload, where she's just... complaining, as she hovers xD going by what I know of the game and that map, the payload may just be en route to the gang's hideout, so that, I'd say, could explain why she hasn't climbed off it or escaped in any way (which she reasonably would have, if Jesse was trying to, I don't know, send her and her people to the authorities).

My point here is, however, that Jesse is headed the same way the payload is. If his destination is the same one, he'll beat it there for sure. Maybe, yes, he'll go away and drive well past the hideout... but maybe that's exactly where he intended to go.

Maybe, in the end, Reunion is about a man who's finally coming home :D

In addition, goes without saying, Ashe's rant about how everyone falls to pieces over Jesse showing his "stupid mug" (uh-huh, stupid, ANGELIC mug, we know what you really think, girl xD) ends with her saying she should have "put a bullet in him the minute he showed up".

Which begs the question of why didn't she.

Then, of course, she says she hates McCree when he drives past her while listening to some really ridiculous honky-tonky-sounding music x'D I cannot even help but imagine him deliberately picking that radio station or whatever it was just to annoy Ashe when he drove beside her, and so that she can get extra pissed when she retrieves her beloved bike, turns on the music and it's just more honky-tonky stuff x'D but anyway, the thing is she shouts after him, tells him that's her bike and says she hates him. B.O.B. wordlessly speaks for us McAshe shippers by giving Ashe the most "sure, Jan" side-eye in the history of side-eyes, and Ashe notices and is outraged enough to knock B.O.B.'s little hat right off his head again.

Again... this is renowned outlaw Elizabeth Caledonia "Calamity" Ashe, sitting on a payload, groaning about the guy she once very much had feelings for (and that doesn't even begin to cut it, if you ask me x'D) and for whom she tooooootally doesn't anymore, that picture on her bike doesn't MEAN that, OBVIOUSLYYYY!!, and so, she sits up, complains and doesn't do much of anything to get out of her current situation, right? :>

So, summing up my current understanding of EVERYTHING, thanks to Deadlock Rebels and my obsessive rewatches of Reunion + Roadtrip:

Jesse deliberately sought out Ashe so she would indirectly, unknowingly, help him set Echo free from the government's clutches.

Jesse hoped for a peaceful encounter despite knowing he might not get one.

Jesse has no intentions of returning to Overwatch but was willing to perform one final act of service for them by releasing Echo so she'd go give Winston and co. a hand.

Jesse is NOT surprised to see that Ashe: 1. Didn't change bikes at some point in the twenty years since they built it. 2. Didn't swap the ignition key for a button, the way she says she thought to do it in the novel until he gives her the keychain. 3. KEPT THE POETIC AF KEYCHAIN, despite resenting Jesse for his betrayal. 4. KEEPS A PICTURE OF THEM IN THEIR YOUNGER YEARS PASTED ON HER BIKE'S DASHBOARD.

Jesse claims he has business to deal with: he doesn't clarify said business verbally, but every shot after he says those words focuses on elements related to Ashe... and then, along with the novel's context, it's elements related to their BOND. Everything in that shot, EVERYTHING, is connected to the two of them. Elements that weren't shown before or during their shootout, and that are only introduced in that final moment when McCree is off to deal with his "business".

Ashe doesn't climb off the payload or stops it (which, going by how McCree simply pressed a button, and Ashe isn't immobilized in the least, she easily could have done it too if she had wanted to). Suggesting that, wherever the payload is heading, it isn't anywhere dangerous for Ashe and her crew, ergo, she is 100% sure McCree isn't trying to screw her over by turning her in to the authorities or so (or, at worst, she's completely confident that, even if he is going to do this, she'll be able to get out of it easily).

Jesse drives in the same direction the payload is headed. Another hint that suggests he might intend to head to the Deadlock hideout and that, whatever business he has left to deal with, it involves them.

If his intent ISN'T to go to the hideout... Jesse is still guaranteeing that Ashe will come after him by stealing her bike, the 18th birthday gift he gave her, and the picture she keeps of them. That he takes that very bike practically serves as painting a target on his back for her to hunt down, and he KNOWS IT.

In short: Jesse will have plenty of business with the Deadlock Gang in his future, and going by how pleased he seems to be when riding the bike, he's perfectly happy to handle that business on his terms, whenever he wants to handle it.

Extra tidbit: there's nothing in Deadlock Rebels about Jesse's smoking habit, something he definitely did pick up at some point while in the gang because, hahaha, he IS smoking in the picture Ashe keeps of him :> Which makes me wonder why, of all pictures Ashe chooses to keep on her bike's dashboard, she picks one where he's smoking.

Then, it makes me wonder about the fact that Jesse deliberately starts smoking when he's standing right in front of her (and then he winks at her!). He tosses that cigar after things get kind of dangerous for him because B.O.B. does something, and then... then he goes back to smoking.

RIGHT WHEN HE'S CLIMBING ON THE BIKE.

Like... seriously...

*unintelligible fangirl screaming*

I could be looking too deeply into this. I know I could be. Maybe Blizzard just wants me to go CRAZY with little symbolism and hints charged with SO MUCH MEANING that maybe don't have as much meaning as I thought it did...

... But man, I've sailed into the depths of the shippiest oceans for many ships that have gotten actual breadcrumbs from canon. I've gone wild over ships that have zero opportunity to become a thing in canon continuity. I've written a nearly 3M words story based on a ship that is just UNEXPLORED AMAZING POTENTIAL and ngl, I love exploring it myself, so I don't even begrudge canon that much for not giving it to me anymore.

But the fact is, no ship in OW, as far as I've seen, has remotely as much content, hints and strong ties as McAshe does -- at least, no ships between heroes. We had a cinematic that was CHARGED with significance, with little gestures, with even the smallest facial expressions that carried soooo much more meaning than whole episodes or even seasons in TV shows. And then? We got a novel. A full novel depicting their origins and exploring their dynamics, how tight their friendship was, and how some strong feelings were certainly brewing there, even if neither one was ready to act on them yet (as far as we saw...).

Finally... I'll say I did start working on a Sokkla Western AU ages ago because the idea I had for one was pretty amusing. Then Reunion dropped, and I said "Why would I need to finish that story anymore when the Sokkla Western AU is RIGHT HERE?!"

And that's it, I will stop rambling now because this got insanely long x'D but thank you very very much for giving me this chance to go WILD on everything I can see, within all those canon hints, with these two *-*

#anon #mcashe #the fact that canon is treating me right for once #is blowing my mind and always will #look I can end up crying in a heap when OW2 drops and we find out that nothing I thought of was real #it's entirely possible #... but we already got so much #SOOOOO MUCH #that I can't even say I'd be mad x'D #I am one happy camper on this ship #and I love them to pieces #I wish I had the time/chance to make all the art I've been inspired to about them *cries ten rivers*#one day... one day

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magnoliawhetstone · 5 years ago

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task eight - high school never ends

Let’s start with the simple stuff first. what classes did you take in high school? which ones were you most and least excited for? did you have a favorite teacher that made the days more enjoyable?

Lia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Talking about high school--especially after Jack and her’s conversation--was not her idea of a good time. The blonde played with her fingers and took a deep breath. “Classes? Uhm, well--I took all the usuals. Math, Biology, History--oh, English.” A smile slowly unfolded over her face. “English was always my favorite. Mrs. Buchanan--she was the kindest woman. I always thought I might end up like her one day. She had such a way of pulling you into the story. I remember one day, we were reading The Great Gastby and the way she was asking us to think about the story really...put me there. Like I was in the car with Daisy and Gatsby. I could feel the anguish they felt over Myrtle, the panic and the fear. It was...spectacular.” Lia shook herself out of her memory and cleared her throat. “I also took French mais ça n'avait pas de sens puisque ma famille n'est jamais allée en france.” She giggled slightly. “Ah, still have it. I didn’t much like math--I wasn’t really good at it. That had always been more of Bennett’s thing.” A sigh passed through her lips and she looked down. “I wasn’t going to college, so my momma and dad didn’t much care if I took harder classes or not, so I didn’t do many honors or AP. I convinced them to let me do English though--at the time I thought I could also convince them to let me to school for it too.” That fight still seared in her memory, the embarrassment of having to be reminded her place still hot in her heart. “Favorite teacher? Mrs. Buchanan. She’s a special lady--I hope she’s doing well.”

and now, outside of the classroom. did you participate in any extracurricular activities like sports, band, or other clubs? were you apart of the prom planning committee or did your parent always sign up to chaperone field trips? or did you bolt home or to work at the end of the day?

Magnolia let out a hearty laugh at this question. “Extracurriculars--no ma’am. The Barnes don’t do extracurriculars. At least, not me. In fact, I do believe my momma once said that school was my extracurricular. Because if I wasn’t at school, you’d better believe I’d be practicing baton twirling, question and answers, pageant walks, doing some sort of philanthropy for the local community--anything that made me look more of a queen material. I’d practice for hours a way twirling that stupid...” She blinked, realizing the aggression that had taken over her voice. “I mean, no--no time. Momma said that a pageant queen has to be motivated and dedicated to her craft, so I spent a lot of time practicing.” Another smile found its way to her lips. “But, when I did have free time, I was usually hanging out with Jack. Maybe riding horses or learning to cook from his momma or--if Jack wasn’t around--hanging by the old oak tree behind our houses on the tire swing, just thinking. i couldn’t get a lot of thoughts out inside my house, so i had to find a place to do it outside. I loved that old tire swing, she and i had some mighty good memories.” She felt a few southern saying slipping in to her words and she took a deep breath. “But no, I wasn’t involved in high school very much. I mean, it was hard to be involved when you left halfway through, right?”

a night to remember. did you go to prom? if so, did you have a date or fly solo, and was it a good time where you danced all night, and what were you wearing? if not, did you have an ‘anti-prom’ party, or why else did you decide not to go? what about other school dances or pep rallies?

Lia swallowed thickly. She did not want to think about prom right now. Her mind flew to the pale blue dress in her closest and she closed her eyes. Prom. Prom was supposed to be the thing. Their thing--Jack and Lia’s. How much time they had spent coordinating colors, figuring out small little things, even way before they were even allowed to go. Lia had always been a planner and she had kinda pulled Jack in on the whole ‘planning from prom early’ train. She never showed him her dress though--partly because she was embarrassed she had even ordered it so early but also because she wanted it to a be a surprise. She hadn’t even told him she had gotten it yet. Lia had pages filled with ideas for what her hair could look like, shoes could be and even what kind of make up she’d do. The blonde was so meticulous at making sure prom would be nothing like the pageants she had been attending her whole life. Not a single thing matched the pagaents--her dress would be completely different, her hair? curled and loose--and no tiara at all. she wouldn’t even attempt to submit herself for royalty--she just wanted a night that was just...simple and fun. She wanted to enjoy music and dancing and just be a teenager for one four hour experience before she had to go back to the world she lived in.

The day she learned she’d be leaving--and not coming back, a part of her snapped. It wasn’t dramatic and it wasn’t explosive, but lia had changed that day. Her father had packed up her room, and already driven off to FedEx to have it shipped off. He didn’t seem to notice or care that the large garment bag was doing in her closet. It all just..went. No questions. No conversation. Her mother was stone cold like she always was. “I will not have a daughter who is bent on grabbing the wrong kind of attention in my household. Do you understand what it might look like if this got out? That your little charade could cost your father the speaker of the house, even. Do you know how that would make us all look. Perhaps Bennett will lose his full ride? Do you want that? How would you feel knowing you cost your brother Princeton? No, no that just won’t do. London will be perfect, no one will know you there and you can start over. Maybe chose to leave the dramatic’s behind? No one needs to know why you left, Magnolia. No one. Don’t cause any more damage than you already have. I’m tired of cleaning up your messes.” Lia closed her eyes, biting her lip at the memory of that day.

“I didn’t go to prom.”

Some more of the hard hitting q’s. who did you sit with at lunch? did you keep the lock off your locker or decorate it? were your headphones always snaked through your sleeve? was cutting class a normal occurrence or would you never dare? did you ever get detention?

“Freshman and sophomore year, I ate lunch with Jack, Sarah Beth, Hannah and Lila. Probably some other people, and those girls kinda rotated in and out as they pleased, but Jack and I usually ate together for the most part. When I moved, I liked to eat alone. In my room mostly, probably reading a book or something. By the end of boarding school I had started eating lunch with Bex, which was nice. She didn’t like to talk a whole lot but neither did I. Though, in our small conversations, I learned she liked to blow glass and create really cool art pieces. She always promised to show me but we just never got around to it.” Fingers tapped on the table. “I was a boring high school kid--never skipped, never got detention and when I did go to the headmaster’s office, it was because I had gotten a good grade or impressed my teacher.” There was a time though, when she was asked about applying for colleges. Lia had told her teacher she wasn’t going and it had sent a wave of concern through the older woman. So Lia had gotten called to the headmasters office and she had to explain that she wasn’t to go to college, her parents wouldn’t pay for it and she knew her grades were good, but not scholarship level. Her headmaster kept telling her she had potential, but on the day that she was sent away, she had stopped really believing what people said about her, at least in that way. She didn’t think it really mattered. It was such an uncomfortable conversation because the tables had been flipped--but Lia was firm. College wasn’t meant for people like her. Luckily, she had found a job with Mr. Worthington shortly after graduating--and sometimes she thinks she’s learned more in her personal assistant role than she would have at school.

upward and onward. what did you want to be when you were sixteen? was there a career path in mind, a certain college, another route worth taking? were you excited to see your high school in the rearview mirror or was moving on bittersweet? if you graduated, was it scary or exciting or a mix of both? did you end up where your younger self expected you to?

What did she want to be when she was sixteen? “What did I want to be or what did my mother want me to be?” A humorless laugh escaped her lips and she felt herself lower her guard for a moment. “I wanted to be a writer. Or an English teacher--I really loved Mrs. Buchanan. But really, I wanted to write. Poetry, a novel, a screenplay, it didn’t matter. There was nothing I loved more than putting pen to paper and letting the words flow right out of me. It was so...” thereapuetic? “relaxing. But Momma wanted me to be a wife--even had a whole plan to get me there.” Her laugh was different this time--softer, more gentler. Her mind went to when Mrs. Barnes told Lia that she had already picked out the person she was going to marry. Lia had just come home from school, running up the stairs to throw her practice clothes on before her mother could yell at her for running late. But instead Momma stopped her before she could make it to the stairs, and pulled her in the kitchen. Lia tensed--kitchen talks were never good. When she had heard that her mother had picked out her future husband, Lia felt a rare sense of fight arise in her and she was ready to go off...until her mother expressed who it was. “Jack?” She blinked, completely thrown aback. “Like--lives right next door, rides horses and is like a cowboy, my best friend Jack?” What shocked her the most was how...well, how much she wasn’t bothered at all by the idea? Perhaps there was more to that then what she understood at the time, but for the first time in a long time--she wasn’t mad that her momma had made a choice for her. “Y’know, I think that was the one thing Momma did right.” She said softly, running a hand through her hair. “But no--I mean, college wasn’t in the cards for me and when I got sent away, it was up to me to figure things out. And looks like neither one of those futures really worked out, huh?”

and last but not least. if you could tell your younger self one thing - what would it be?

“Say no and don’t you dare get in that car Magnolia.”

#malnatitask #[[homecoming queen?; headcannons]]#well that was...fun

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sapphireclawe · 6 years ago

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Active group chat, starring Scottie, Stank, Eastwood, Natasha, Bucky, Capsicle, Hammer Time, Mrs. Kirk, Doc, Catman, Star Lord, and Tin Man

Scott (Scottie): Um... Colossus? Why is Wade here again?

Colossus (Tin Man): The X-Men are on assignment, and Wade would wreck the mansion otherwise.

Scottie: And the fact that there are multiple young children here, my daughter included?

Tin Man: He should be fairly tame around children.

Scottie: Why on earth is Peter saying "yeet"?

Gamora (Mrs. Kirk): Which one?

Tony (Stank): Is it Spidey?

Scottie: Yeah. Great, now Shuri is doing it too.

T'Challa (Catman): It is a meme. Wakanda nonsense is going on?

Scottie: ... Um...

Bucky: lol.

Catman: Autocorrect.

Steve (Capsicle): Don't you have a phone from Wakanda?

Catman: Stark convinced me to use this outdated device.

Scottie: That still doesn't answer my question.

Bruce (Doc): Just let them. You'll be fine.

Scottie: Tony, you think bug spray will hurt Peter?

Stank: Umm... Why?

Scottie: Wade dumped a can on him and he's twitching.

Stank: After making sure he gets cleaned off, kick Wade's ass for me.

Capsicle: Language.

Scottie: No offense, but weren't you the one muttering "oh shit it's Deadpool" when he arrived?

Capsicle: ....

Natasha: Need any help with dinner?

Scottie: I just ordered pizza. Hank's paying.

Natasha: Tony's treating us to Baskin Robbins.

Scottie: Lucky me, I get to babysit and not have to relive that hell.

Thor (Hammer Time): We have this under control. How fare thee, Man of Ants?

Scottie: What is sanity?

Hammer Time: This is so sad.

Scottie: DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE FINISH THAT THOR I HAVE A DEADPOOL HERE BEGGING FOR THE MEMES TO END TOO.

Tin Man: I must agree with Wade.

Eastwood (Clint): How are the kids doing? Are they in bed yet?

Scottie: Yep. Both of them are asleep.

Eastwood: I HAVE THREE KIDS. DID YOU CHECK THE LAUNDRY ROOM?

Scottie: Wait, hold on. Right, I put Nathan in the crib.

Eastwood: You are SO lucky that you remembered that.

Eastwood: Scott?

Scottie: He fell asleep. Peter here.

Stank: Which one?

Scottie: Mr. Stark, why is your contact named "Stank"?

Stank: ... FedEx. You doing okay?

Scottie: Yeah. After he put the younger kids to bed, he passed out on the floor of his daughter's bedroom.

Tin Man: Is Wade causing trouble?

Scottie: Nope.

Scottie: This is Shuri. Wade sprayed Peter with peppermint oil, and he won't get of the ceiling now.

Catman: What else is going on?

Quill (Star Lord): After spraying Peter, Wade started baking... Something. He wouldn't let the rest of us in the kitchen, and Shuri just took apart my already broken Walkman.

Star Lord: Update, she fixed it! T'Challa, can your sister come to space with us on our next mission?

Catman: I think you will sorely regret that idea if you do.

Star Lord: Why?

Catman: She will take apart your ship just to see how it works, then film you testing her upgrades and looking like a fool.

Star Lord: Okay...

Stank: She did that to me last week.

Bucky: We're all on our way to pick up everyone. Thanks for the help, Scott.

Scottie: I just woke up with a blanket on me, on the couch, brownie in my mouth. What happened?

Star Lord: Wade made the brownies, Peter and Shuri got you more comfortable. I've been helping give updates. By the way, why doesn't Cassie know about She-Ra!?

Scottie: That was 80's stuff.

Star Lord: Why is it that you refuse to let your daughter see something kickass about a female hero who fights for her home?

Scottie: And this is from the 80's? Really?

Capsicle: Let me add that to my list...

Star Lord: AND METROID!

Natasha: Oh yeah...

Scottie: Okay, I see the spaceship.

Mrs. Kirk: Here to pick up Peter.

Star Lord: Thanks, Gamora.

Stank: Here for Peter.

Scottie: He's ready to go, he just exchanged numbers with Shuri.

Catman: Is Shuri planning on going with the Guardians?

Scottie: She's begging me to ask you.

Catman: Sure, she may.

Stank: Let Peter join too. It's summer break.

Star Lord: Okay, we'll pick up the other luggage.

Tin Man: I am here for Wade.

Stank: Huh. My suits can out altitude your jet, Colossus.

Tin Man: Apparently, Wade is tamer around children than I thought.

Eastwood: Here for my kids.

Scottie: Can't we all just do a sleepover?

Eastwood:... Sure. Why not?

#incorrect quotes #incorrect marvel quotes #mcu textpost #marvel mcu #incorrect mcu quotes #mcu #gotg #gotgvol2 #gotg2 #deadpool #avengers

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gallusrostromegalus · 7 years ago

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Something I thought you'd find interesting; Awhile back, I had to drive up to Bentonville, AR(birthplace of Walmart) and on the 3 hr drive back home I saw something strange. I had stopped to get gas just off the highway; it was a rest stop with 2 gas stations directly across from each other, and nothing else but farm fields and empty road for miles. It was about 2 am and the place was deserted. The gas station I chose, while very empty, gave off your typical middle-of-the-night gas station vibes

the one across the road however... Did Not. It was a Shell station, and the whole thing looked abandoned. The parking lot was badly cracked and had grass and weeds growing everywhere, some of the fuel nozzles appeared to have been ripped out, and the overhang was leaning dangerously. But. All the lights were on, and even though some of the windows were boarded, you still had a good view of the interior. It looked... well stocked? Like the cashier had just wandered into the back for a sec 2/3

and would be back at any time. But it was still off, somehow, in a way I can't really explain. Just... wrong. Oh! And the lights on the Shell sign worked too! Except, the 's' was burnt out, so it just said: 'HELL'. Definitely the creepiest thing I've seen while driving at night so far. Do you think there's any chance I accidentally wandered too close to the entrance to another dimension? 3/3

OH MAN ENTROPY-RIDDLED GAS STATIONS ARE MY FAVORITE.

DOUBLY SO ENTROPY-RIDDLED GAS STATIONS IN PLACES WHERE GREAT EVIL WAS SPAWNED AW YEAH. I love the juxtaposition of decaying roof and weed-filled lot with the clean and well-stocked interior. Differing levels of entropy is my fave aesthetic. The “HELL” and missing cashier is a nice touch too. In spite of appearances, it’s not that dangerous a place if you mind your manners, don’t go under the structurally compromised part of the overhang and bring along the tire iron if you want o go around back.

You def should have bought a candy bar. If you pay for it and toss a buck in the tip jar it’s not cursed. Say hi to the cashier, ask what they do for fun around there the answer will be incredible- There’s a similar Shell with the burnt-out S and a shambling restaurant named “Boogie’s” next door in Del Norte that I ALWAYS stop at going to and from Durango. They always remember me becuase I show up pretty much exactly at the same time on the same days every year and make a point of being friendly. Chelsea’s a really nice lady who keeps bees and her son gave me a drawing of a tiger for my fridge.

Also wander around the back to look for sets of eyes glowing back at you from under the dumpster. Whatever eats there is full of chaotic energies and of immense power but probably also lonely. Say hi to them. Don’t feed the wildlife though that’s never a good idea. One of the Sonocos in Ravenna has a large gray dog that sleeps behind the store under the AC unit. She’s there every single time I’ve been to Ohio since 1997. She’s had a white muzzle and arthritis but remains otherwise unchanged, always sitting up and wagging her tail when you come by.

It’s also a great place to pick up a rider if you need one. Most people who have to drive cross-country will tell you to put something in the front seat to keep anything from climbing in with you- a box or a plant but NOT a toy or doll, those can get inhabited. And most of the time you’d be right- things like to sit in unoccupied chairs but most of them don’t actually want to leave, and are very upset if you ‘kidnap’ them. The ones that climb into cars while you’re in motion are rude and wicked pranksters at best. Sometimes, however, you’ll find one who needs to get out of town and on certain roads, you want to have something else in the car.

The stretch of I-80 between Green river Wyoming and Laramie is the worst goddamn part of interstate in the country and I have driven over most of it by now. It’s dangerously boring, poorly maintained and exposed to the elements and there’s been a white-out blizzard or hurricane-force windstorm every single time I’ve been on it. As in, the only indication of where the road actualyl IS are those tiny little reflective poles they out up every 1/10th of a mile and you can’t drive over 15 mph becuase the wind is ready to flip your tiny Honda off the road becuase fuck you that’s why.

Most of the time I can find a Fedex truck to stick close behind and drive in the half-second of exposed road in their wake but in January 2014 I was coming back from a funeral in Salt Lake City and it was shaping up to be another nasty whiteout drive with nary a truck in sight. I didn’t have the money to stay in a hotel and it was already getting late and i didn’t want to get stranded if they closed the highway. I also sure as hell didn’t want to drive that Alone.

So I pulled into the Exxon in Green River, Wyoming. It’s a silent and lonely place at the best of times but just after sunset in the middle of January when it’s 10 degrees out is just miserable. You step out and are immediately filled with the compulsion to be Anywhere Else. I pulled up, started filling the tank, then walked around and opened the passenger side door, taking the bag of chips out of the seat.

“Alright here’s the deal-” I announced, leaning against the car and staring at the towers of granite half-buried by the surrounding dessert, dark shapes in a blue-gray sky. “You don’t want to be here, and I don’t want to drive this next bit alone. I can take you as far as Laramie if you get me through this. It’s nice. They have trees and an inexplicably good sushi place. I’ll drive you, but you have to get out there. Deal?” I waited, staring at the towers and Nothing Else, listening to the pump tick until the door shut against the wind.

It was still a white-knuckle drive, headlights on low becuase high-beams only caught the driving snow, wind barreling into the Honda in random gusts, occasionally shoving me into oncoming traffic for a second before I could correct, heart at a constant staccato and bile in my throat. I didn’t look over at the passenger side more than I had to out of courtesy- things remain unseen for a reason. I got the impression of tall and long-faced and just as terrified as I was but DAMN if the car stuck to the road in spite of the ice, there were no oncoming cars when I got shoved and we even made good time in a few places.�� We pulled into the Inexplicably Good Sushi place at the interchange of I-80 and 287 and I put my head on the wheel and cried for a good minute.

“Thank you very much.” I eventually managed. “You were very helpful. I’m gonna get takeout, do you want a Marylin Mon-roll to celebrate?”

“That would be nice.”

“Cool. I’ll leave it on the stump there for you.”

I came back out with takeout, left him his sushi and we parted ways, and I drove the remaining hour back home.

#Liminal places #americana #Family Lore #srsly mind your manners like you would with everyone else #crap now i want sushi #the-sarcastic-one

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jessmonster · 3 years ago

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IVF stands for... this fucking sucks

This time last year we were getting ready for our second transfer and it still sucks.

tw: for pictures of needles

Dude, buying sperm is expensive. That’s probably the first thing I said to my wife when we started looking for a donor. For my 29th birthday she bought me prenatal vitamins and we picked out our donor. We had saved up a good amount of money to start trying and decided we wanted to try at home before we went to a clinic. We had worked really hard to save (see above re: sperm) and making sure that my body could handle it. I got signed off from my physical therapist, my OB, my primary doctor, my chiropractor, and my spine specialist. They told me I would probably have to be on bed rest at some point, but everything else looked okay. We bought all the ovulation tests - bonus it comes with a pregnancy test! - the vitamins, the mucinex, all of it. The first time I got that stupid happy face that I was ovulating I was so excited. Our vial of sperm had shipped via FedEx (figured that was a good sign) and that evening we tried for the first time. Trust me, you want the person who is going to insert a syringe up into your vagina to be your best friend because it is an absolutely ridiculous process and we just laughed and held hands and shoved a pillow under my ass to lift my hips.

We did this for 4 months and then decided to go to a clinic. Thankfully, we lived in New York at the time and they (through our insurance) covered 3 rounds of IVF. This doesn’t mean we didn’t pay anything. Our meds came out to about $1700 + the fees that insurance doesn’t cover (we ended up paying about $4000 for everything, but our clinic also doesn’t charge $10,000 per round, so..). Our clinic was amazing. It felt like a private clinic and everyone there was so kind and so encouraging. I definitely would not have wanted to go through our transfers and everything with any other group.

Oral meds, vaginal meds, injections, trigger shots, ice packs. Oh, and giving blood and having a vaginal ultrasound every other day for about 7 days. Thankfully, my wife is the best and remembered every medication and dosage I was on because I had no idea. We had stomach injections, which weren’t so bad for me honestly. The worst, truly, was the progesterone in the ass. It’s a big ass needle and thick injection so you have to push it slowly. Our nurse drew circles on my ass to show Rose where to inject the meds at and sometimes I would forget I had them and would change and Rose would just laugh. I think that was the best part of all of this. I was being pumped full of hormones and getting blood taken every other day and it’s exhausting and emotional and exciting and frustrating, but my partner was the best. She was at every single appointment, drove me 2 hours for our transfers and extractions, held me when I cried in the baby section of Target, and made me laugh throughout it all. Seriously, marry your best friend.

Transfers are fucking stressful. We always did ours first-ish in the morning because we had a 2 hour drive each way to the clinic and Rose couldn’t take that much time away from work. You can eat before, but you have to have a full bladder. I got acupuncture before and after our transfers, which was nice because it gave me a chance to relax my nerves and tell my body that it was good. My first transfer went smoothly. I got some bad leg cramps, but we saw them place the embryo on the ultrasound and cried together hoping our baby stuck. The second transfer was probably my most traumatic. The doctor and nurse were training with another doctor and nurse, so our room was crowded. Honestly, at that point so many people had seen my vagina, I had no shame. The training doctor was kind of a jerk and also could not be bothered to move any anatomy before pushing the speculum in, so it was painful. He sighed when I twitched (because again, no. anatomy. moved) and was just like “well, it’s in” Yeah okay, thanks dude. The third, and our final transfer, was just difficult. We only had 2 embryos left and it was our last chance to try and get one of them to stick. We decided to implant both, better odds, right? I had to pee during my acupuncture, but again, they need a full bladder. Fine, no problem, I’ll hold it. We get to our room for the transfer and they do the ultrasound in which they put pressure on your bladder and then told us that the doctor would be in in a little bit. And the longer we waited, the longer I thought I was going to burst. I was crying because it hurt. The nurse said it was fine, use the bathroom, but then quickly fill up on water. We did this exact same thing again. After the second time, my bladder wasn’t as full, but the doctor said he could see the lining and could transfer both of them. I cried through the whole thing, squeezed Rose’s hand, and I couldn’t even look at the screen.

Each time we got the call that my levels had not doubled the way they would if I was pregnant, I shut down. I was devastated. I have always wanted to be a mom. I have wanted to have a baby for so long. I have wanted to see my wife become a mom, and every time they told me no, I saw all of that disappear. It crushed me. What was great was having my support system. My sisters, my friends in Rochester, and my fucking strong ass, amazing wife. Each time it was no, she let me feel all my feelings and never made me feel like it was my fault. Sometimes I still think it is my fault, but thankfully, those feelings have been fewer and further in between.

I had someone ask me if they that it was worth it? All of the injections and pain and stress and money and honestly, my answer is yes. We did not end up with a baby, but we learned so much and grew together. I found out that my body is strong and capable and I am strong and capable. It made me feel way stronger about a persons right to choose, that’s for damn sure. I went through all of that before having a baby and it was my choice. I would never want to make that choice for someone else. It just absolutely hardened my stance on choice. Moving gave us the chance to pause and talk and see what was next for us. We always wanted to adopt and foster. I will probably make another post about that because there is so much in it. But we are working on getting our license to foster and there is so much paperwork, but I feel happy that we are moving in this direction. I don’t want to say “it all happens for a reason” because that just seems fake. But I think I’m okay knowing that we tried and won’t ever have to wonder “what if.” I am devastated that I don’t have a baby right now. But I also know that what we’re doing now is also important. It also means something. And I get to do it with my best friend and love of my life. I get to hold onto that.

#that's my face #pterodactyl girl #life update

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classyfoxdestiny · 3 years ago

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Costco, Nike and FedEx are warning there's more inflation set to hit consumers as holidays approach

A worker wearing a protective mask removes rotisserie chicken from skewers inside a Costco store in San Francisco, California, on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Shipping bottlenecks that have led to rising freight costs are cooking up a holiday headache for U.S. retailers.

Costco this week joined the long list of retailers sounding the alarm about escalating shipping prices and the accompanying supply chain issues. The warehouse retailer, which had a similar cautionary tone in May, was joined by athletic wear giant Nike and economic bellwethers FedEx and General Mills in warning of similar concerns.

The cost to ship containers overseas has soared in recent months. Getting a 40-foot container from Shanghai to New York cost about $2,000 a year and a half ago, just before the Covid pandemic. Now, it runs some $16,000, according to Bank of America.

In a conference call Thursday with analysts, Costco Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti called freight costs “permanent inflationary items” and said those increases are combining with things that are “somewhat permanent” to drive up pressure. They include not only freight but also higher labor costs, rising demand for transportation and products, plus shortages in computer chips, oils and chemicals and higher commodity prices.

“We can’t hold on to all those,” Galanti said. “Some of that has to be passed on, and it is being passed on. We’re pragmatic about it.”

Quantifying the situation, he said inflation is likely to run between 3.5% and 4.5% broadly for Costco. He noted that paper products have seen cost increases of 4% to 8% and he cited shortages of plastic and pet products that are driving up prices from 5% to 11%.

“We can hold the line on some of those things and do a little better job — hopefully do a better job than some of our competitors have and be even that more extreme than the value,” Galanti said. “So I think all those things so far, at least despite the challenges, have worked in our favor a little bit.”

Getting ready for the holidays

The timing, though, is not good.

Persistent inflationary pressures come at a time when retailers are preparing for the holiday shopping season – Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, then into the new year. The pandemic has brought with it a relentless slew of factors that has made inflation an economic buzzword after a generation of mostly moderate price pressures.

Companies are pressed to deal with the situation ahead of a critical period.

“Getting closer to the holidays, we have been working with retailers and what we see is, No. 1, they’ve got to be flexible with their supply chain,” said Keith Jelinek, managing director of the global retail practice at consulting firm Berkeley Research Group. “We’ve seen cost-of-good increases especially in apparel, also costs of inbound shipping with the costs of containers, increases with transportation, trucking to get into distribution centers.”

“All these costs are going to hit the operating profits,” he added. “Retailers right now are really challenged with how much can I pass onto the consumer vs. can I get other efficiencies out of my operations in order to hit my total margin.”

Many companies have indicated that consumers at least for now are willing to take on higher prices. Trillions in government stimulus during the pandemic have helped swell personal wealth, with household net worth up 4.3% in the second quarter.

No one knows how long consumers will be willing to pay higher prices. Jelinek said he expects the current situation to persist into at least through the holiday season and into the early part of next year

“There’s only so much you can pass on to the consumer,” he said. “What most retailers are doing is looking across their [profit and loss statements] and they’re looking to improve performance and to optimize efficiency. That means really focusing on their supply chain.”

It also means raising prices.

Company warnings

FedEx this week announced that it will hike shipping rates 5.9% for domestic services and 7.9% for other offerings. The company said it is being hit by labor shortages and “costs associated with the challenging operating environment.”

The head of the company’s chief competitor acknowledged the hurdles the business faces.

“The labor market is tight, and in certain parts of the country we’ve had to make some market-rate adjustments to react to the demands of the market,” UPS CEO Carol Tome said Thursday on CNBC’s “Closing Bell.”

She added that the company also has been hit by supply chain issues.

“I’m afraid this is going to last for a while. These issues have been a long time coming and it’s going to take all of us working together to clear those blockages,” Tome said.

Federal Reserve officials this week conceded that inflation will be higher in 2021 than they had anticipated. However, they still see prices settling to a more normal range just above 2% in the coming years.

But Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said in a speech Friday that she sees “upside risks” to the central bank’s inflation forecasts.

“Many businesses report that cost pressures are intensifying and consumers seem to be willing to pay higher prices,” she said. “The combination of strong demand and supply chain challenges could last longer than I anticipate and could lead people and businesses to raise their expectations for future inflation more than we have seen so far.”

Fed officials said they are ready to start pulling back on the monetary stimulus they’ve provided during the pandemic but probably won’t be raising rates soon. However, Mester said that should prices and expectations hold higher, Fed policy “would need to be adjusted” to control inflation.

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bioprogreenmorocco · 4 years ago

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Natural Moroccan Black SOAP

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Quick details : • Place of Origin: Morocco • Brand Name: BioProgreen or private labeling • Model Number: Natural • Form: Creamy past • Use: Body , Face • Supply type: OBM / OEM • Certification: MSDS , CCPB / NOP USDA Program • Feature: Anti aging , Moisturizer , Nourishing , Skin revitalizer • Main ingredient: Olive and Argan • Private labeling: Accepted • Processing type: Natural without additives

Packaging & Delivery Packaging Details: 100 g , 150 g , 200 g , 250 g , 500 g , 1 Kg , 5 Kg , 10 Kg , 20 Kg Delivery Detail: 15 days after confirmation of all details and deposit

Details : Natural Moroccan Black SOAP Morocco is an acreage of spices, known for its dazzling colors and sweet-smelling fragrance. It is also known for its traditional beauty secrets. The Moroccan black soap is a thick golden brown paste with a green highlight. Black Soap is part of pacifying skin treatment. This magnificent product is rich in minerals that help cleanse the skin, hence leaving an incredibly charming and smooth finish. For centuries, Moroccans have black soap which is the secret to clean, healthy and glowing skin. BLACK SOAP BENEFITS Beldi soap as its often called is a 100% natural plant product. The dough is based on an olive oil, pulp, which is enormously rich in vitamin E and an excellent exfoliator and moisturizer. It purifies the skin by eliminating dead cells and toxins, leaving the skin soft and silky to the touch. Consequently, it has a texture of butter and high content of vitamin E, which helps refresh the skin, working against dryness, aging, and dehydration of the skin. The lather of the soap is modest, and you will love its rich texture. Moroccan black soap is suitable for all skin types, especially for dry and mature skin. The Soap is part of a traditional hammam ritual. This is the first treatment in an oriental public bath. If you ever visit Morocco, then it's essential to your tourist experience to enjoy a hammam. The soap is produced from a mixture of oil and wrinkled olives, soaked in salt and potash. Over the years, this black soap used as a product for dermatology, and later became a real beauty tool for body, appropriate for all skin types. Moroccan black soap is filled with Argan oil or olive oil and infused black olives, as a result, it organizes the skin for exfoliation. With this, the skin will be softer and ready to scrub. Combined with the action of Kessa gloves, removes impurities and dead skin cells. As a result of its exfoliating and moisturizing, it softens and at the same time sustains the skin. It hardly foams, but becomes creamy when water is added. Moroccan black soap is also enriched with eucalyptus oil, which gives the skin a youthful radiance. Therefore, your skin will be left with silky and soft feeling for days as a result of an efficient hammam experience. The most attractive quality is that it is appropriate for all skin types. The Components also offer therapeutic value.

PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS OF MOROCCAN BLACK SOAP The soap deep cleans the skin by removing toxins and dead skin cells (the rough and dry outer surface) making the skin softer. The exfoliation increases circulation of blood and lymph. With its anti-microbial properties, Moroccan black soap is rich in vitamin E which highly relieve itching due to excess of dead skin and blocked pores. It is also ideal for in-growing hair reduction. Once this is done, your skin is ready to absorb better treatment from the next skin care treatment such as mask, tanning and moisturizing. In conclusion, enjoying the exotic beauty rituals from traditions halfway around the world is now possible with the natural Moroccan black soap. Using this product will leave your skin smooth to touch. Make this soap a part of your beauty routine on a weekly basis for the best results. With this exfoliating process, you can get a healthy and glowing skin.

Branding and Package Design of MOROCCAN BLACK SOAP Oriental Group provides a complete branding service for client wishing to penetrate their domestic markets using their very own private label. Bottling We have many varieties of bottles and containers at our disposal; of course the client may supply their own, or can send us a sample for us to mass produce. Labeling The client can supply their own label or have one produced for them by our team of designers, we can design exactly to your specifications. Casing We can supply casing solutions to meet any specifications ranging from customized design cases, case printed designs and other custom requirements. Please contact us with your requirements. Further, you may please note that we have the strengths and capabilities to deliver international quality of ARGAN OIL. Our additional strength to day is excellent logistic control system, which facilitates faster order processing and shipment. We have even automatized most of the production chain to ensure faster production and accuracy

Company Information

Oriental Group N°200 Lot Elmassar, Z.I Sidi Ghanem Route de Safi 40 000 Marrakech MOROCCO Tel:+212 524 335 449 MOB :+212 600 604 387 (Whatsapp / viber / telegram ) Fax:+212 524 457 961 E-mail : [email protected]

www.group-oriental.com www.bioprogreen.com www.argan-oil.ma

Follow US http://facebook.com/grouporiental http://twitter.com/grouporiental 1.How can I get some samples? (1)We are honored to offer you samples. New clients are expected to pay for the courier cost, the samples are free for you, this charge will be deducted from the payment for formal order. (2)Regarding the courier cost: You can arrange a RPI (remote pick-up) service upon FedEx, UPS, DHL,TNT, etc. To have the samples collected; Or inform us your DHL collection account. Then you can pay the freight direct to your local carrier company. 2.How does your factory do regarding quality control? Quality is priority! Every worker keeps the QC from the very beginning to the very end (1)All raw material we used are environmental-friendly; (2)Skillful workers care every detail in handing the stamping, printing,stitching, packing process; (3)Quality control department specially responsible for quality checking in each process. 3.Can your factory print or emboss my logo on the goods? (1)Yes, we can print your logo on the goods or their packing box, for patent protection purpose, a letter of attorney (letter of authorization) shall be provided for the logo. (2)We usually produce goods based on customer's samples or based on customers' picture, logo, sizes etc detail information design for customers. https://group-oriental.com/product/moroccan-black-soap-2/

0 notes

orientalgroupposts · 4 years ago

Text

Natural Moroccan Black SOAP

Min.Order Quantity: 5 KG Supply Ability: 20000 KG Port: Casablanca /Tanger MED / Agadir Payment Terms: L/C,T/T,Western Union,MoneyGram,PAYPAL

Quick details :

• Place of Origin: Morocco • Brand Name: BioProgreen or private labeling • Model Number: Natural • Form: Creamy past • Use: Body , Face • Supply type: OBM / OEM • Certification: MSDS , CCPB / NOP USDA Program • Feature: Anti aging , Moisturizer , Nourishing , Skin revitalizer • Main ingredient: Olive and Argan • Private labeling: Accepted • Processing type: Natural without additives

Packaging & Delivery

Packaging Details: 100 g , 150 g , 200 g , 250 g , 500 g , 1 Kg , 5 Kg , 10 Kg , 20 Kg Delivery Detail: 15 days after confirmation of all details and deposit

Details :

Natural Moroccan Black SOAP

Morocco is an acreage of spices, known for its dazzling colors and sweet-smelling fragrance. It is also known for its traditional beauty secrets. The Moroccan black soap is a thick golden brown paste with a green highlight. Black Soap is part of pacifying skin treatment. This magnificent product is rich in minerals that help cleanse the skin, hence leaving an incredibly charming and smooth finish. For centuries, Moroccans have black soap which is the secret to clean, healthy and glowing skin.

BLACK SOAP BENEFITS

Beldi soap as its often called is a 100% natural plant product. The dough is based on an olive oil, pulp, which is enormously rich in vitamin E and an excellent exfoliator and moisturizer. It purifies the skin by eliminating dead cells and toxins, leaving the skin soft and silky to the touch. Consequently, it has a texture of butter and high content of vitamin E, which helps refresh the skin, working against dryness, aging, and dehydration of the skin. The lather of the soap is modest, and you will love its rich texture. Moroccan black soap is suitable for all skin types, especially for dry and mature skin. The Soap is part of a traditional hammam ritual. This is the first treatment in an oriental public bath. If you ever visit Morocco, then it's essential to your tourist experience to enjoy a hammam. The soap is produced from a mixture of oil and wrinkled olives, soaked in salt and potash. Over the years, this black soap used as a product for dermatology, and later became a real beauty tool for body, appropriate for all skin types. Moroccan black soap is filled with Argan oil or olive oil and infused black olives, as a result, it organizes the skin for exfoliation. With this, the skin will be softer and ready to scrub. Combined with the action of Kessa gloves, removes impurities and dead skin cells. As a result of its exfoliating and moisturizing, it softens and at the same time sustains the skin. It hardly foams, but becomes creamy when water is added. Moroccan black soap is also enriched with eucalyptus oil, which gives the skin a youthful radiance. Therefore, your skin will be left with silky and soft feeling for days as a result of an efficient hammam experience. The most attractive quality is that it is appropriate for all skin types. The Components also offer therapeutic value.

PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS OF MOROCCAN BLACK SOAP

The soap deep cleans the skin by removing toxins and dead skin cells (the rough and dry outer surface) making the skin softer. The exfoliation increases circulation of blood and lymph. With its anti-microbial properties, Moroccan black soap is rich in vitamin E which highly relieve itching due to excess of dead skin and blocked pores. It is also ideal for in-growing hair reduction. Once this is done, your skin is ready to absorb better treatment from the next skin care treatment such as mask, tanning and moisturizing. In conclusion, enjoying the exotic beauty rituals from traditions halfway around the world is now possible with the natural Moroccan black soap. Using this product will leave your skin smooth to touch. Make this soap a part of your beauty routine on a weekly basis for the best results. With this exfoliating process, you can get a healthy and glowing skin.

Branding and Package Design of MOROCCAN BLACK SOAP

Oriental Group provides a complete branding service for client wishing to penetrate their domestic markets using their very own private label.

Bottling

We have many varieties of bottles and containers at our disposal; of course the client may supply their own, or can send us a sample for us to mass produce.

Labeling

The client can supply their own label or have one produced for them by our team of designers, we can design exactly to your specifications.

Casing

We can supply casing solutions to meet any specifications ranging from customized design cases, case printed designs and other custom requirements.

Please contact us with your requirements.

Further, you may please note that we have the strengths and capabilities to deliver international quality of ARGAN OIL. Our additional strength to day is excellent logistic control system, which facilitates faster order processing and shipment. We have even automatized most of the production chain to ensure faster production and accuracy

Company Information Oriental Group N°200 Lot Elmassar, Z.I Sidi Ghanem Route de Safi 40 000 Marrakech MOROCCO Tel:+212 524 335 449 MOB :+212 600 604 387 (Whatsapp / viber ) Fax:+212 524 457 961 Website : www.group-oriental.com E-mail : [email protected] Suivez-nous http://facebook.com/grouporiental http://twitter.com/grouporiental FAQ : of Natural Moroccan Black SOAP

1.How can I get some samples?(1)We are honored to offer you samples. New clients are expected to pay for the courier cost, the samples are free for you, this charge will be deducted from the payment for formal order.(2)Regarding the courier cost: You can arrange a RPI (remote pick-up) service upon FedEx, UPS, DHL,TNT, etc. To have the samples collected; Or inform us your DHL collection account. Then you can pay the freight direct to your local carrier company.2.How does your factory do regarding quality control?Quality is priority! Every worker keeps the QC from the very beginning to the very end(1)All raw material we used are environmental-friendly;(2)Skillful workers care every detail in handing the stamping, printing,stitching, packing process;(3)Quality control department specially responsible for quality checking in each process.3.Can your factory print or emboss my logo on the goods?(1)Yes, we can print your logo on the goods or their packing box, for patent protection purpose, a letter of attorney (letter of authorization) shall be provided for the logo.(2)We usually produce goods based on customer's samples or based on customers' picture, logo, sizes etc detail information design for customers.

0 notes

arganoilsidighanem · 4 years ago

Text

Natural Moroccan Black SOAP

Min.Order Quantity: 5 KG Supply Ability: 20000 KG Port: Casablanca /Tanger MED / Agadir Payment Terms: L/C,T/T,Western Union,MoneyGram,PAYPAL

Quick details :

Packaging & Delivery

Packaging Details: 100 g , 150 g , 200 g , 250 g , 500 g , 1 Kg , 5 Kg , 10 Kg , 20 Kg Delivery Detail: 15 days after confirmation of all details and deposit

Details :

Natural Moroccan Black SOAP

BLACK SOAP BENEFITS

The Soap is part of a traditional hammam ritual. This is the first treatment in an oriental public bath. If you ever visit Morocco, then it's essential to your tourist experience to enjoy a hammam. The soap is produced from a mixture of oil and wrinkled olives, soaked in salt and potash. Over the years, this black soap used as a product for dermatology, and later became a real beauty tool for body, appropriate for all skin types.

Moroccan black soap is filled with Argan oil or olive oil and infused black olives, as a result, it organizes the skin for exfoliation. With this, the skin will be softer and ready to scrub. Combined with the action of Kessa gloves, removes impurities and dead skin cells. As a result of its exfoliating and moisturizing, it softens and at the same time sustains the skin. It hardly foams, but becomes creamy when water is added. Moroccan black soap is also enriched with eucalyptus oil, which gives the skin a youthful radiance. Therefore, your skin will be left with silky and soft feeling for days as a result of an efficient hammam experience. The most attractive quality is that it is appropriate for all skin types. The Components also offer therapeutic value.

PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS OF MOROCCAN BLACK SOAP

In conclusion, enjoying the exotic beauty rituals from traditions halfway around the world is now possible with the natural Moroccan black soap. Using this product will leave your skin smooth to touch. Make this soap a part of your beauty routine on a weekly basis for the best results. With this exfoliating process, you can get a healthy and glowing skin.

Branding and Package Design of MOROCCAN BLACK SOAP

Oriental Group provides a complete branding service for client wishing to penetrate their domestic markets using their very own private label. Bottling We have many varieties of bottles and containers at our disposal; of course the client may supply their own, or can send us a sample for us to mass produce. Labeling The client can supply their own label or have one produced for them by our team of designers, we can design exactly to your specifications. Casing We can supply casing solutions to meet any specifications ranging from customized design cases, case printed designs and other custom requirements. Please contact us with your requirements. Further, you may please note that we have the strengths and capabilities to deliver international quality of ARGAN OIL. Our additional strength to day is excellent logistic control system, which facilitates faster order processing and shipment. We have even automatized most of the production chain to ensure faster production and accuracy

Company Information Oriental Group N°200 Lot Elmassar, Z.I Sidi Ghanem Route de Safi 40 000 Marrakech MOROCCO Tel:+212 524 335 449 MOB :+212 600 604 387 (Whatsapp / viber / telegram ) Fax:+212 524 457 961 E-mail : [email protected] www.group-oriental.com www.bioprogreen.com www.argan-oil.ma Follow US http://facebook.com/grouporiental http://twitter.com/grouporiental

1.How can I get some samples? (1)We are honored to offer you samples. New clients are expected to pay for the courier cost, the samples are free for you, this charge will be deducted from the payment for formal order. (2)Regarding the courier cost: You can arrange a RPI (remote pick-up) service upon FedEx, UPS, DHL,TNT, etc. To have the samples collected; Or inform us your DHL collection account. Then you can pay the freight direct to your local carrier company. 2.How does your factory do regarding quality control? Quality is priority! Every worker keeps the QC from the very beginning to the very end (1)All raw material we used are environmental-friendly; (2)Skillful workers care every detail in handing the stamping, printing,stitching, packing process; (3)Quality control department specially responsible for quality checking in each process. 3.Can your factory print or emboss my logo on the goods? (1)Yes, we can print your logo on the goods or their packing box, for patent protection purpose, a letter of attorney (letter of authorization) shall be provided for the logo. (2)We usually produce goods based on customer's samples or based on customers' picture, logo, sizes etc detail information design for customers.

https://group-oriental.com/product/moroccan-black-soap-2/

0 notes

thefederalistfreestyle · 7 years ago

Photo

Meet the ‘Hamilton’ actors who fly cross-country when a cast member can’t go on (Marketwatch) [x x]:

[. . .] This is the life of a universal standby in “Hamilton,” the musical based on the life of U.S. founding father Alexander Hamilton. The show has five universal actors ready to fly cross-country and perform in any of its three productions, in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, whenever a regular cast member can’t go on.

“Your job is to be prepared for emergencies,” [Jennie] Harney said.

Nicknamed the “Universal Schuyler,” Harney covers the main roles of Angelica, Eliza and Peggy Schuyler, while the other actors are “swings,” covering five or six ensemble roles.

While the “Hamilton” productions are largely the same across the three cities, Antuan Raimone, one of the universal swings, said his job feels more like covering 18 roles because of the different stage dimensions, which change where he has to stand and how he moves. He also has to remain cognizant of the nuances cast members in each of the productions bring to their roles.

[. . .]

“Hamilton” chose to employ five jet-setting actors, rather than the more traditional option of vacation swings —actors who come in for prescribed periods of time — because of the time it takes to onboard a new cast member. It takes an average of four to six weeks to learn one role in the rapid-paced show, and six weeks to build a set of costumes.

A vacation swing could decide not to come back the next time around, which would mean the production’s investment of time and money is for naught, said Jason Bassett, production supervisor across all “Hamilton” shows.

“Given that ‘Hamilton’ can afford to keep somebody on staff full time, it was well worth our while,” Bassett said.

[. . .]

Typically, Bassett tries to schedule the swings and standby, Harney, with a month’s notice. Each cast has its own in-town swings and standbys, but if they all go on at the same time or someone is on vacation or injured, the universal actors are needed.

If there’s enough notice, the show will FedEx all of the actor’s costumes, which can mean a “fleet” of five to seven boxes traveling ahead of them, said Raimone.

“Even an M5 [ensemble member], who is James Reynolds, has seven different coats and capes,” Raimone said.

In an emergency, however, the actor is sent to the airport with a giant suitcase of costumes.

Harney and all of the swings are based in New York, and they have to be at the theater in whatever city they’re in for every show. When they travel, the show pays for the flight, covers housing and provides a per diem for meals and other expenses.

Because of these perks, and the fact that he sublets his apartment when he’s away for long stretches, Raimone has learned that being out of town actually helps him save money. “It is, in essence, more financially beneficial for me to be outside of New York,” Raimone said.

The show also encourages the actors to sign up for frequent-flier miles and allows them to pick the airline when possible.

And time in flight offers a good opportunity to study up on the role, as the actors have access to videos of each city’s production of “Hamilton.”

To prepare for each Schuyler sister, Harney said she’s created a binder with color-coded index cards — coordinated with each sister’s main costume color — as a “cheat sheet” for every number in the show. She began her studies by isolating the show song by song for each role, making notes on movement and the props involved.

“I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve watched ‘Helpless’ and ‘Satisfied’ just to watch traffic patterns,” Harney said.

On the flip side, Raimone said he’s earned the nickname “Magic” because of his ability to watch choreography a few times and memorize it. “I am a freak,” he said.

#hamilton #jennie harney #antuan magic raimone #jason bassett #eliza ohman #swings #marketwatch

554 notes · View notes

contentmarketingallstars · 7 years ago

Text

Content Marketing All-Stars Q&A: Jeff Martinez of FedEx

The content of FedEx is as global as its business.

The multinational delivery services firm produces a wide-range of compelling marketing collateral for every region of the world, tailoring the pieces to local languages and tastes.

How do they do it? How does FedEx create content at scale? What has the company learned from its experiences with international creation?

Recently we chatted with Jeff Martinez, Global Content Production and Brand Journalism Advisor at FedEx, to find out.

Check out the Q&A below:

Q: What is your role at FedEx?

A: I work on the Global Content Production and Brand Journalism team. We are part of a larger team that encompasses our group, Global Media and Social Media.

We are the storytellers of FedEx. We do everything from breaking news to customer stories to corporate social responsibility efforts to team member profiles that appear on about.fedex.com and our various social channels.

Q: Why are you creating content?

A: There are a lot of different groups in FedEx that are creating content for various reasons. Some work on how to videos, some have an internal focus, others are more for advertising purposes.

For us, our ultimate goal is to humanize our brand. We want to go beyond just the products and services we offer and talk about our culture, our customers, and how we help businesses grow.

It is putting a face to FedEx. We want to show that we are not only shipping packages: we are helping businesses succeed and delivering for good.

Recently we’ve been focused on disaster relief because of the hurricanes, earthquakes in Mexico and California wildfires. On about.fedex.com we’ve documented relief efforts to show what we’re doing and why it is important for companies to be involved in communities. Telling that story helps to humanize the brand and show that we want to have a positive impact on the global community.

youtube

Q: What is your team like? What are the skill sets of the members?

A: We have a team of 6 that includes photographers, writers and producers. Most of us come from either a news or television background.

I specifically lead the Global Production Network and team up with our regions on international storytelling.

Q: What’s the scale of your global content production?

A: To give you some history, when I started in 2011, there was very little international content produced out of the USA. FedEx has so many great world-wide stories to tell so we started the Global Production Network.

We originated with Europe and now we’ve since been around-the-world, including to MISA (Middle East, India, Australia), Latin America, Asia, and North America. As of spring, 2017 we’ve been to 14 countries and over 35 cities.

The goal has always been to get a good base of content to tell the FedEx international story and also to get the regions set up to be able to produce their own journalistic content.

So, we focus on showing local teams best-practices of video and photographic storytelling. We essentially teach them how to fish so they can produce their own content that’s cost effective, not cost prohibitive and more documentary/journalistic style vs. advertising.

Q: What lessons have you learned from the experience of growing the Global Production Network?

A: It gets easier as you go along.

There are so many challenges that go along with creating international content. Language barriers, local laws, permits, proper visas for video production, the list is pretty much endless and you really need to have all of your t’s crossed and i’s dotted.

Those are the sorts of things that become easier over time.

In terms of a specific lesson, one was around interviewing.

When we are creating content in a foreign language we are working with an interpreter or with a local FedEx team member to translate. Initially we would translate each question and answer as we went along, but that disrupted the flow. Over time we learned to have the native-language speaker ask the questions directly and then do the translation later. We go into the interviews with the questions and talking points we need to hit ready to go.

It sounds basic, but something as simple as changing that order of translation really helps the quality of content.

Q: How do you maintain a brand voice and content quality standards across so many regions?

A: When we start creating content in a market we are always there to show the local team the dos-and-don’ts of the brand from a global perspective.

We talk about how to tell a good story and explain that not everything has to come with a strong advertising angle. We discuss how to let the customer or team member tell the story. That’s the sort of thing we work hard to instill.

Q: How do you measure the success of a piece of content? Which metrics do you pay close attention to?

We look at many elements to determine success, and pay attention to metrics associated with all of them.

That includes: How and where was the content used? Was it shared in multiple social media channels? Picked up by a traditional media outlet? Modified for an advertisement in one of our global regions? Repurposed in our FedEx Small Business Center or some other external FedEx site?

Also, did the content perform in social media? How many “likes” or “shares” or “retweets” did it have? What was the sentiment in the comments section? Did it meet or exceed our social media benchmarks? How was total engagement?

And we look at whether a piece of content has life beyond a single moment in time. For example, if we feature a small business customer who has a strong sustainability angle, can we repurpose the story for our Global Citizenship Report? Can we use the product this small business makes for a “gift giving” story during the holiday season?

Q: What are a few pieces of FedEx content that showcase what you guys do well?

A: There are a couple.

One is a video featuring a company called Devoción, which is a coffee firm that ships fresh beans out of Colombia.

Their whole idea is going from farms in Colombia to the cup in the United States within 10 days.

youtube

The reason I like the piece is because it shows what this company does and also shows how FedEx helped them completely change the way coffee can be transported. The other great thing is that we were able to repurpose this video in different ways, including a cut down version used in Instagram and in social that basically tells the whole farm to cup story in 15 seconds or 17 seconds with a branded endpage.

Another one is about a woman, Cleuza, who makes dance costumes. She started making them for her daughter, then more people in her area, started shipping in Brazil, where she is located, and now ships internationally.

youtube

I like that we were able to tell her story and that it had a strong woman entrepreneur angle. She basically started sewing in her house and became an international business. It is about a mother, a daughter, a small business and a dream. It’s a motivating piece for women or any entrepreneur trying to start a business.

With that one too we were able to cut it into a thirty second piece that aired as a television commercial in Latin America.

Q: Finally, which content marketing trends are you watching closely?

A: Some of us on the team come from the television/documentary backgrounds. So, for us organic storytelling -- having other people tell your story -- is natural.

Now you see many more brands starting to do that. They’re creating more documentary-style videos and moving away from agency-produced videos. That’s one shift I see clearly, moving from being brand-centric to story-centric.

Another big thing is creating different versions of the same content for different mediums. Five years ago when I did a cut-down version of a longer video one of the responses was: “Why do we need two videos if it’s telling the same story?”

Now it’s commonplace to create custom versions for different social channels. I see that trend continuing as there become more and more channels. Custom content isn’t going away any time soon.

#cmas #content marketing all stars #CMAS QandA #content #content marketing #fedex #jeff martinez

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pacewalk-com · 5 years ago

Text

Professional Web designing company in Chandigarh and Mohali

India's best SEO company, we will give you the best service of SEO, if you need SEO service then contact us

Your logo is the mark of your image, and one of your organization's most significant resources. It is the single component that will symbolize your image more than everything else. A well-planned logo is one that mirrors your business and imparts your message. It should be basic, one of a kind, significant, flexible, and ready to work without shading. Logo design in Zirakpur & Chandigarh

So as to pick a logo, there are significant strides to experience, both independent from anyone else and with a visual planner. Right now, layout the logo configuration procedure and some significant rules to remember while picking a logo that is ideal for you.

For the making of your logo, you are allowed to pick either an independent creator, a structure firm, or maybe a publicizing organization. All through this post, with the end goal of comfort and intelligibility, I will utilize the expression "creator" to incorporate whichever kind of business or individual is material to your case.

Pick a spending limit

Most importantly, you ought to settle on your financial limit for your new logo. They can cost somewhere in the range of $300-1500 (USD), and here and there additional. Simply recollect that you get what you pay for, and a fashioner's charges will reflect understanding, customer history, and polished methodology. Putting resources into a logo (and a corporate personality to go with it) is one of the most significant initial steps you can take when fabricating a brand. A logo is worth a lot more than the hours it takes to make it.

You can discover logo banks and challenge locales on the web and get one for around $150. There are even extraordinary consultant locales where individuals offer madly low costs like $50. Simply know that picking a logo at a modest cost online can be unfortunate. Unpracticed originators may take everlastingly, not impart well, use cut workmanship pictures (an unequivocal no-no), and may not give you the right records you requirement for both print and web use.

Find architects

There are such a large number of spots you can discover visual planners. Picking the correct planner for you is unquestionably much harder (and we'll find a workable pace a moment). You can find heaps of applicants by utilizing various techniques.

Make an inquiry or two. On the off chance that you know somebody with an extraordinary logo, just ask them who did it. The majority of my independent plan work originates from referrals. Web development company in chandigarh

Search visual communication firm catalogs, for example, the one

Peruse plan displays and portfolio networks like The Behance Network.

Quest for "logo plan" and "logo advancement" on interpersonal organizations like Twitter, Google Plus, and Facebook.

Pick an appropriate architect

In the wake of reaching various creators and mentioning cites, ensure you take a gander at something beyond the cost when choosing who lands the position. Consider the fashioner's past logos and the corporate personalities they have made around those logos. Search for good structure introductions since it shows the amount they care about their own proficient appearance. Peruse the portrayals that go with every one of their logo ventures in light of the fact that a logo may look incredible and all, however it needs to meet the particular structure necessities to be compelling. Graphic design in Chandigarh

All the more critically, pick a logo fashioner whose style of configuration accommodates your own favored style. By doing this, you'll be content with the logo you end up with, and the architect will be glad since that style is what they're generally OK with.

You can pass judgment on the polished skill of a visual fashioner by the accompanying focuses. These don't all need to apply, yet be watchful for at any rate a couple of them.

They are affable, immediate, educated, and proficient communicators.

They clarify their plan procedure for you and mention to you what will be conveyed upon culmination.

They will ask you applicable inquiries to comprehend your business.

They have a type of agreement or administration consent to sign before beginning.

They require a predefined direct front installment before beginning.

Their sentence structure, spelling, and accentuation are at any rate palatable. (Likewise with any industry, awful composing says a ton regarding an individual).

One essential note here: if the architect presents you with an agreement or understanding, ensure that the responsibility for logo is moved to you upon conclusive installment. On the off chance that there is nothing recorded as a hard copy that notices possession, at that point request that your originator give you this understanding recorded as a hard copy. It is basic that you claim your logo plan so you can lawfully utilize it anyway you like later on.

Brief the architect in detail

Regardless of whether you brief your architect up close and personal or send over a brief in email structure, it is basic to clarify what you need in detail. Answer these inquiries first:

On the off chance that you as of now have a logo, dislike it?

What does your business do?

Who is your objective market?

Who are your fundamental rivals?

How are you not quite the same as your rivals?

What characteristics do you need your organization to extend?

What sentiments do you need your new logo to impel?

Do you have a slogan that should be remembered for the structure?

Will your logo appear in recordings? Assuming this is the case, will it in the end need a vivified adaptation?

Which explicit logos are your top choices, and why?

Is it accurate to say that you are inclined toward typographic logos (FedEx or ESPN), representative logos (Nike or Apple), or a mix of both (Pepsi or Adidas)?

Tell the fashioner precisely where you plan on utilizing the logo. Of course, you'll have business cards and a site, however will it additionally be seen on boards and your internet based life profiles?

Inquire as to whether the originator will give a logo utilization rules archive, which prompts how the logo can and can't be utilized. For instance, which logo variety can be utilized on which shading foundation? At long last, request a favicon. This is the little picture that shows up in program tabs, in your bookmarks director, and on your PC when you spare a site page. They typically come in one of three sizes: 16×16, 32×32, or 64×64 pixels. Request a 64×64 pixel favicon, so that is looks fresh wherever it shows up. Graphic design in Mohali

Furnished with this information, your originator ought to have the option to convey a precise visual portrayal of your business. Cementing your vision before preparation an originator will spare you time, cash, and migraines at last.

At the point when I went into the logo structure industry, I experienced a couple of customers who anticipated that me should know these things and convey an ideal answer for an issue that was not communicated obviously. It definitely prompted constant amendments of their logo and tired faces all around. That is the reason I chose to begin conveying a rundown of primer logo configuration inquiries before thinking about an occupation. In the event that you don't have the foggiest idea what you need first and foremost, at that point you may continue adjusting your perspective as the task pushes ahead. It's unquestionably alright to alter your perspective, however know that the architect will likely approach you for more cash before proceeding.

Pick a logo idea

The fashioner will at that point do the vital research and examinations, at that point return to you with some idea plans. This will take around two to four days, contingent upon the particular occupation. In a perfect world, they will give you three to six hand-drawn portrayals. At the point when you first view the ideas, pick a logo that promptly grabs your attention. This is normally the one that your gut is guiding you to pick. Proceed with the choice procedure by posing yourself some basic inquiries:

Does it speak to my item or business?

Does it pass on my message?

Is the plan sufficiently straightforward?

Does the plan have adequate differentiation to stick out?

Will it work without shading?

Will it work when it's overly little?

Does it look a lot of like some other logos?

Will it be pertinent five years or ten years not far off?

From that point forward, think about it. Do precisely the same thing and approach yourself similar inquiries for a subsequent time. Do your answers change? It's likewise a smart thought to ask loved ones what they think.

Give helpful input

After the principal draft, your originator may really introduce a logo that is near what you're searching for, yet rarely do they'll nail it immediately. Accordingly, it's dependent upon you to impart your needs as well as can be expected. Give your creator input that is helpful. Essentially saying, "I don't care for any of them" doesn't generally support the procedure. Express why you don't care for something, or what you might want to see in an unexpected way, for example, "I don't care for how unbending and balanced this one is. Would you be able to give it greater development or make it all the more enthusiastic?" Graphic design in Bathinda

Provide clear guidance is fundamental, yet make an effort not to turn into the creator yourself. You have enlisted an architect for an explanation, so let them do what they excel at. In the event that you have picked a decent creator that conveys well and matches your favored style, at that point you can be sure they will give you quality work.

Acknowledge expectations

Endless supply of conclusive installment to the originator, you ought to get the expectations vowed to you in the start of the business relationship. This ought to incorporate vector documents that are resizaeble, instead of raster pictures that can't be expanded in size without turning out to be pixelated (foggy).

You need documents that you can begin utilizing on the web immediately (typically PNG, JPG, or GIF). Request a PNG of GIF in the event that you need the foundation to be straightforward (no white box around your logo). You additionally need to get the first source documents (generally AI or EPS). You certainly need to have the source documents on the off chance that another person needs to adjust or develop your logo sometime in the not so distant future. For instance, on the off chance that one day you enlist somebody to make a video for you, at that point a source record is required to fuse your logo-a JPG just won't cut it.

At the point when it's a great opportunity to pick a logo that is ideal for you, understand that it is anything but a straightforward procedure. It takes a ton of pondered your sort of business, your intended interest group, the message you need to send, the sentiments you need to instigate, just as open correspondence with your architect.

Nonetheless, it's certainly worth the push to take a stab at a solid logo structure, as it is the principal thing your crowd sees, and it will be with you for quite a while

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howtomakequickmoneynet · 5 years ago

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Receives a commission to drive with out choosing up strangers: Amazon Flex pays $ 15 an hour and above

You need an appearance that fits your schedule, and you like the idea of making an extra batter with your car. However, inviting strangers who may or may not be drunk into your vehicle is not good. Does that sound like you? Here's an alternative: Deploy packages to Amazon Flex. (Entertaining fact: boxes are less likely to throw themselves in your back seat.) In the past, Amazon relied on shipping partners such as FedEx, UPS and USPS to transport a reasonable portion of its packages. Swiss Post devoted itself to deliveries from Amazon every Sunday. Now the Amazon Flex e-commerce giant is more dependent on independent contractors across the country. Before you get started, let's review the basics to see if Amazon Flex is right for you.

How much money can i earn?

Let's get started right away: you're here for the money. The Amazon Flex website states that drivers earn $ 18 to $ 25 an hour. However, this is an estimate of gross wages that includes tips and bonuses. The good news is that Flex is one of the few gig apps out there guarantees Wages between $ 15 and $ 19 - also a gross amount - depending on the location. Not all orders have a tip component, but if you receive a tip, you can keep 100% of it. Another advantage: Amazon Flex deliveries are based on planned shifts of up to four hours in length. This makes earnings more predictable than other app-based work.

Where is Amazon Flex available?

Amazon Flex was only launched in Seattle in 2015. It has slowly expanded into high-demand areas in the United States and is currently available in an estimated 50 major cities, including: Austin, Texas Atlanta Baltimore Cleveland Detroit los Angeles new York Minneapolis Phoenix San Antonio San Francisco Amazon does not offer a comprehensive list of all locations where the company operates. In-demand locations are often posted on his Getting started page,

What are the requirements?

No prior knowledge of deployment is required to become an Amazon Flex driver. The biggest qualifications are a valid driver's license and the ability to pass a background check (more on that later). Below you will find an overview of the additional requirements. Vehicle: The requirements vary depending on the type of delivery. Any reliable car is suitable for Prime Now orders. Amazon.com orders require a mid-size sedan, SUV, van, or pickup with a covered bed. Motorcycles, mopeds and motorized bicycles are not permitted. smartphone Only Android and iOS devices that run Android 6.0 and iOS 11 (or higher) are accepted. Car insurance: Amazon offers additional delivery insurance, but drivers must have a separate, valid auto insurance plan.

How do I apply?

To register, you need to create one Amazon account if you don't have one yet. Then download the app to start the application. iPhone users can download Amazon Flex from the app store. The process is slightly different if you are using an Android device, as the app is not currently listed in the Play Store. In this case, follow separate Android instructions This includes downloading the app directly from Amazon Logistics. You may need to disable your phone's security settings for third-party apps to install properly. After installing the app, follow the instructions for location and availability of the schedule. You can specify which days and periods you prefer. If your region is in high demand, you may be able to continue. If not, you have to join a waiting list. Before accepting orders, you must submit additional information, including a photo, a copy of your driver's license, tax and bank account details, and your social security number. After you submit this information, you are stuck while the background check is being processed. Amazon Flex says it can take up to 10 business days. Several drivers have reported that the process could take longer.

What will i deliver?

Amazon Prime is not just a smiley brown box. Your load may include Whole Foods foods or random convenience items from local stores. It depends on what services are available in your area and what types of orders you accept. Wondering how Amazon Flex performs compared to the other delivery shows? We compared that Top 10 delivery apps to make your search easier. Amazon.com: This is the standard parcel delivery service. Pick up parcels at a nearby distribution center. Amazon Fresh and Prime Now: These are same day deliveries - a mix of parcels and groceries - available in Prime Now hubs or Whole Foods stores. Save orders: Not all items may be available at Amazon centers. In this case, you will search for the desired goods in selected areas in the local shops. instant quotes: These appearances are based on your current location. Amazon will direct you to the nearest pickup location for fast delivery.

How do shifts work?

Moving or "locking" with Amazon Flex works differently than most gig apps. Unless you are placing an immediate offer order, do not simply register and start driving. For most jobs, you can plan when and how much you want to work. The "Upcoming Offers" list suggests blocks based on the schedule you specified when you signed up. If you want to work outside of these parameters, you can view all blocks by changing the "Filter" settings. Deliver as little as you want. There is no minimum order for drivers. (However, you are limited to 40 hours a week.) Blocks run for two to four hours and you can see how much money they are worth before accepting the job. Remember: the blocks are suggested times. Some drivers reported that some blocks took much less time - and drivers were still paid for the entire block. The opposite is also true. Some deliveries can take longer than four hours if the instructions or locations are difficult, but you won't make more money for that extra time. If you have accepted a block that you do not want, cancel it at least 45 minutes before the start time. If the order is an immediate offer, you can cancel it within 5 minutes after accepting the delivery. If you cancel late, you will be warned. After three warnings, you run the risk of being released.

How is the work?

Let us not gloss over it: delivery can be difficult. Packages are heavy. Instructions are often vague. You have a pretty tight time frame. But the reward is higher than most appearances. The guaranteed wages paired with an occasional light delivery load make it worthwhile for many drivers. A good way to get an overview of the work is to search the Reddit sub-forum for Flex employees: r / AmazonFlexDrivers, Users share the ups and downs of Amazon Flex drivers. On some days, customers leave treats outside so that delivery staff can grab them. On other days, the drivers get lost for hours in labyrinthine residential complexes and look for the right quantities.

Tips for Amazon Flex drivers

Deploying to Amazon Flex is a bit more involved than other app-based gigs. Use these tips to shorten the learning curve. Don't skimp on the training materials While you are waiting for your background check to run, read the training materials. Don't just blow them through. Take the time to get used to the app and know how to properly photograph the packages - or you can quickly trigger warnings (including cancellations). Learn packing and organization techniques A common shortcoming among novice drivers: they were miserably unprepared for their first delivery. After picking up your order at the delivery center, pay close attention to the addresses and organize the packages according to your route. Many drivers benefit from YouTube tutorials that show you how to top up your orders effectively. Track your miles and expenses While Amazon offers wages of up to $ 25 an hour, your take away pay is likely to be much lower. This number is gross wages. Gig employees often overlook costs such as gasoline, maintenance and tolls. If you may be driving hundreds of miles a day, these costs add up. Be sure to record them to get a better view of your actual earnings - and to reduce your tax burden. Many drivers get by with a spreadsheet. If this is too old-fashioned, use an expense report software such as Everlance, MileIQ or Quickbooks. Get a lay of the land Based on the driver reports from Glassdoor, Indeed and Reddit, the inaccurate GPS from Amazon Flex is a big problem. This will take you to a general place, but after that you may be left to your own devices to find the right threshold. It helps if you know your locale well. Many drivers especially complain about large residential complexes. When you receive a delivery, take notes on how the unit numbers and buildings are organized. (Does unit 2302 mean it's on the second floor?) Take a picture of the community map. Ask the neighbors for directions. This will save you a lot of time in the long run. Adam Hardy is an employee of The Penny Hoarder. He deals with the gig economy, entrepreneurship and unique ways to make money. Read hislatest articles here, or say hello on Twitter @hardyjournalism, Are you ready to stop worrying about money? Get the Penny Hoarder Daily Data Protection Policy Read the full article

#commission #amazon flex

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