#Japan Luxury Watch Market Challenges | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

akif122514 · 1 month

Text

Discover the Best Tours and Transfers for an Unforgettable Journey

When planning a trip, one of the most critical aspects to consider is how to get around and make the most of your destination. Tours and transfers provide the perfect solution, combining convenience with enriching experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first adventure, understanding the different options available can enhance your journey and ensure you make the most of every moment. Here’s a comprehensive guide to tours and transfers, offering insights and tips to help you navigate your travels smoothly.

Understanding Tours and Transfers

Tours refer to organized excursions or trips that guide you through various attractions and landmarks. These can be group tours, private tours, or specialized tours like food or adventure tours. They are designed to offer a deeper understanding of the destination, often led by knowledgeable guides who provide historical context, interesting facts, and local insights.

Transfers involve the transportation services that move you from one location to another, typically between airports, hotels, and key landmarks. Transfers can be shared or private and are crucial for ensuring you get to your destinations comfortably and on time. They are particularly valuable in unfamiliar places where navigating public transportation or hailing taxis can be challenging.

Types of Tours

City Tours City tours are perfect for those who want to explore urban environments. These tours often include visits to historical sites, museums, and famous landmarks. For example, a city tour in Paris might include stops at the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Cultural Tours Cultural tours immerse you in the local traditions, arts, and history of a place. These tours can include visits to cultural heritage sites, participation in traditional activities, and interactions with local artisans. A cultural tour in Japan might involve a tea ceremony, a visit to a sumo training stable, and exploring ancient temples.

Adventure Tours Adventure

Tours cater to thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. These tours can include activities like hiking, snorkeling, zip-lining, and safaris. For instance, an adventure tour in Costa Rica might feature trekking through rainforests, white-water rafting, and exploring volcanic regions.

Food and Wine Tours: Food and wine tours are a delight for gourmets and connoisseurs. These tours take you on a culinary journey through local markets, vineyards, and renowned restaurants. In Italy, a food and wine tour could include tasting sessions in Tuscany’s vineyards, cooking classes in Rome, and sampling cheese in Parma.

Nature and Wildlife Tours These tours are designed for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. They offer opportunities to explore national parks, wildlife reserves, and natural wonders. A nature and wildlife tour in South Africa might involve a safari in Kruger National Park, bird-watching along the Garden Route, and visiting the Cape of Good Hope.

Types of Transfers

Airport Transfers Airport transfers are a vital part of travel logistics, ensuring a smooth transition from the airport to your accommodation. These can be private cars, shuttles, or luxury vehicles, depending on your preference and budget.

Hotel Transfers Hotel transfers are similar to airport transfers but cater to moving between different accommodations or from your hotel to major attractions. These services help avoid the hassle of finding transportation in unfamiliar surroundings.

Inter-City Transfers Inter-city transfers are essential for multi-destination trips. They can include train rides, bus services, or private car hires, allowing you to travel between cities efficiently and comfortably. For example, in Europe, the aural system offers convenient inter-city transfers across multiple countries.

Cruise Transfers Cruise transfers are specialized services that transport you between the airport, hotel, and cruise port. These transfers ensure you arrive at your cruise ship on time and with minimal stress.

Benefits of Tours and Transfers

Convenience and Comfort Tours transfers take the stress out of travel planning. They provide a structured itinerary and reliable transportation, allowing you to relax and enjoy your trip without worrying about the logistics.

Local Expertise Guided tours offer the advantage of local knowledge. Experienced guides can share insights and stories that you might miss on your own, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of the destination.

Safety and Security both tours and transfers provide a level of safety and security, especially in unfamiliar or remote areas. Professional services ensure that you are in safe hands, with vetted guides and drivers who are familiar with the local environment.

Time Efficiency Organized tours and transfers help you make the most of your time. They often include skip-the-line access to popular attractions, ensuring you spend more time exploring and less time waiting.

Cost-Effectiveness While private tours and transfers can be more expensive, group tours and shared transfers offer cost-effective solutions. These options provide excellent value for money, especially when considering the added benefits of convenience and guided experiences.

Tips for Choosing Tours and Transfers

Research and Reviews Always research tour operators and transfer services before booking. Look for reviews and testimonials from other travelers to gauge the quality and reliability of the service.

Customizability Choose tours and transfers that offer customizable options. This flexibility allows you to tailor the experience to your interests and schedule.

Local vs. International Operators Consider whether you prefer local operators who offer intimate, insider knowledge, or international companies known for their standardized, reliable services.

Budget Considerations Set a budget and stick to it. There are options available for all price ranges, from budget-friendly group tours to luxurious private transfers.

Booking in Advance Popular tours and transfer services can book up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. Plan and book in advance to secure your spots and avoid disappointment.

Conclusion

Tours and transfers are essential components of a well-planned trip. They provide convenience, safety, and enriched experiences, ensuring you get the most out of your travels. Whether you’re exploring a bustling city, delving into cultural traditions, seeking adventure, indulging in culinary delights, or immersing yourself in nature, the right tours and transfers can make your journey unforgettable. Do your research, plan ahead, and choose the options that best suit your needs and preferences, and get ready for a seamless and enriching travel experience.

Visit: https://www.rallys.com.au/tours-transfers/

0 notes

timesofinnovation · 1 month

Text

LVMH, owner of luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior, has reported a revenue decline for the second consecutive quarter, igniting concerns about the resilience of the luxury market. In Q2, LVMH's revenues fell by 1%, failing to meet analyst expectations of 3-4% organic growth. While the group's sales demonstrate slight growth when accounting for currency fluctuations, the overall drop signals significant challenges ahead. Particularly troubling is the 14% decline in sales in Asia (excluding Japan), a steep increase from a previous quarter's 6% drop. Economic pressures, including interest rate cuts aimed at revitalizing China's struggling property market, are influencing consumer confidence. Simultaneously, the Chinese government's intention to regulate excessive incomes suggests a shift away from ostentatious spending. In the US, LVMH's revenue growth was stagnant at just 2%, marking a slowdown from post-pandemic enthusiasm for luxury goods. Competing brands like Richemont and Burberry also posted disappointing results, highlighting a broader industry struggle. Segments such as watches, jewelry, and wine suffered sales drops of 4% to 5%. However, LVMH's selective retail division, predominantly Sephora, showed resilience with a 5% increase in sales. As LVMH navigates this turbulent landscape, CEO Jean-Jacques Guiony emphasizes the importance of long-term strategies over immediate pricing adjustments to maintain brand legacy and integrity. The luxury sector faces an uncertain path, leaving stakeholders anxious about future resilience and growth.

#Fashion

0 notes

ama2024 · 8 months

Text

https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/64111-global-adventure-tourism-market-1

Adventure Tourism Market Still Has Room to Grow

Advance Market Analytics released a new market study on Global Adventure Tourism Market Research report which presents a complete assessment of the Market and contains a future trend, current growth factors, attentive opinions, facts, and industry validated market data. The research study provides estimates for Global Adventure Tourism Forecast till 2027*.

Adventure Tourism Involves a Trip That Includes Physical Activity, Natural Environment & Cultural Immersion, Walking & Climbing, Cycling & Biking, River Activities, Marine Activities, Wildlife & Nature Watching & Snow Activities. Bungee Jumping, Mountaineering, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Scuba Diving, Rafting, Paragliding, Hiking, & Rock Climbing are Some of the Activities That Form a Part of Adventure Tourism

Key Players included in the Research Coverage of Adventure Tourism Market are:

Austin Lehman Adventures (United States), G Adventures (Canada, Mountain Travel Sobek (United States), TUI Group (Germany), Recreational Equipment, Inc. (United States), Geographic Expeditions, Inc. (United States), Intrepid Group Limited (Australia), Butterfield & Robinson Luxury Travel (United States), Abercrombie & Kent (United States), ROW Adventures (United States),

What's Trending in Market: Rising Popularity of Activities Like Mountaineering, Scuba Diving, & Paragliding

Challenges: High Cost Associated With Adventure Tourism May Pose a Challenge

Opportunities: There is an Increased Opportunity for the Market Growth, Due to the Rise in the Popularity of Social Media Promoting Adventure Tourism

There are Prospects for Growth, Owing to the Gaining Popularity of Adventure Tourism Amongst Families

Market Growth Drivers: Growth in the Number of People Opting for Adventure Tourism Owing to the Rise in the Disposable Income

Rise in the Initiatives by the Government in Many Countries for the Promotion of Tourism in the Form of Private & Public Partnerships

The Global Adventure Tourism Market segments and Market Data Break Down by Type (Hard Adventure, Soft Adventure), Application (Solo, Friends/Group, Couple, Family), Activity (Land-Based, Water-Based, Air-Based), Age Group (Below 30 Years, 30-40 Years, 40 Years & Above)

Get inside Scoop of the report, request for free sample @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/64111-global-adventure-tourism-market-1

To comprehend Global Adventure Tourism market dynamics in the world mainly, the worldwide Adventure Tourism market is analyzed across major global regions. AMA also provides customized specific regional and country-level reports for the following areas.

• North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico.

• South & Central America: Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Brazil.

• Middle East & Africa: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Turkey, Egypt and South Africa.

• Europe: United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Russia.

• Asia-Pacific: India, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.

#Adventure Tourism Market growth

0 notes

pamelalovenyc · 1 year

Text

Rediscovering the Joy of Slow Travel

In our fast-paced world, where vacation often means a whirlwind tour of sights and sounds, there's a growing tribe of travelers embracing a more languid pace. Slow travel isn't just a mode; it's a mindset, a conscious choice to immerse oneself deeply in a destination. Let’s embark on the leisurely journey of slow travel and explore the joys of experiencing the world at a gentler pace.

1. The Essence of Slow Travel: Savoring Over Sprinting

Unlike conventional travel, slow travel isn't about checking off tourist hotspots. Instead, it's about connecting deeply with a place, its people, and its culture. It’s the difference between watching a movie in fast forward and enjoying every scene in real-time.

2. Benefits of Slow Travel: Quality Over Quantity

Deepened Understanding: By spending more time in one place, travelers can delve deeper into local customs, traditions, and everyday life.

Reduced Travel Stress: Without the rush to 'see everything', there's less pressure, leading to a more relaxed, enjoyable trip.

Cost-effective: Longer stays often mean better deals on accommodations and reduced transportation costs.

3. Immersive Accommodations: Homestays and Local Rentals

Choosing local accommodations like homestays, or renting a cottage or apartment, allows travelers to live like locals. This often fosters authentic experiences and insights that hotels might not offer.

4. Local Cuisine: A Gastronomic Adventure

Slow travel gives the luxury of time to explore local markets, savor regional delicacies, and even take local cooking classes. It's about relishing the taste, texture, and tales behind every dish.

5. Sustainable Impact: Treading Lightly

Slow travelers often leave a smaller carbon footprint. They tend to opt for eco-friendly accommodations, local produce, and overland transport, thereby promoting sustainable tourism.

6. Embracing Overland Travel: Trains, Buses, and Bikes

Foregoing planes for trains or buses can offer scenic views and unique experiences. Bike tours or walking excursions provide intimate connections with the landscape.

7. Engaging Activities: Workshops, Courses, and Retreats

Taking local workshops or courses—be it pottery in Japan, yoga in India, or language classes in Spain—can deepen the travel experience and provide valuable skills.

8. Digital Detox: Disconnect to Reconnect

Many slow travelers choose to limit their digital engagement, focusing on real-world experiences over virtual interactions. This often leads to heightened awareness and presence.

9. Celebrating Festivals: Live the Local Spirit

Participating in local festivals or ceremonies can be a transformative experience. It provides insights into the cultural fabric and collective ethos of a place.

10. Building Bonds: Form Lasting Connections

Spending extended time in a locale allows travelers to form bonds with locals and fellow travelers. These relationships often enrich the travel narrative and create memories that last a lifetime.

Conclusion

In a world where 'faster' often equates to 'better', slow travel challenges the norm, asserting that perhaps there's merit in slowing down, in breathing in the air of a new place, and letting it change you from the inside out.

Mark Twain once wrote, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." Slow travel amplifies this impact, allowing travelers to not just see a place, but to feel it, understand it, and carry a piece of it with them long after they've left.

If you've felt the rush of hurried travel or the fatigue of ticking boxes on a checklist, perhaps it's time to recalibrate. Consider the unhurried path, and rediscover the joy of savoring experiences. Let the world unfold before you, not as a series of destinations, but as a tapestry of stories, awaiting your patient and eager exploration. Happy slow travels!

#traveling #travel #travel guide

0 notes

ellinapark · 2 years

Text

Luxury Watches for Men Market is Booming Worldwide | Gaining Revolution In Eyes of Global Exposure

Latest edition released by AMA on Global Luxury Watches for Men Market to regulate the balance of demand and supply. This intelligence report on Luxury Watches for Men includes Investigation of past progress, ongoing market scenarios, and future prospects. Data True to market on the products, strategies and market share of leading companies of this particular market are mentioned. It’s a 360-degree overview of the global market’s competitive landscape. The report further predicts the size and valuation of the global market during the forecast period. Some of the key players profiled in the study are:

Audemars Piguet (Switzerland)

AcuRite (United States)

SDI Technologies (United States)

Brookpace Lascelles (United Kingdom)

Newgate Clocks (United Kingdom)

Rolex (United Kingdom)

The White Company (United Kingdom)

Westclox clocks (United States)

La Crosse Technology (United States)

Citizen (Japan)

Seiko (Japan)

Emerson Radio Corporation (United States)

Oregon Scientific (United States)

Philips Electronics (Netherlands)

Swatch Group (Switzerland)

Richemont (Switzerland)

Fossil (United States) Luxury watches are so much more than simple accessories; theyâ€™re wearable works of art. They offer fashion and function to the consumers for years with sophisticated designs and precise manufacturing. The rising inclination of people towards the luxury lifestyle is fuelling the demand for the global luxury watches for men market in the forecast period. Increasing online shopping is the major trend for the consumer goods market and has led to significant growth in the luxury watches for men market over the forecast period. Market Trends: Various Top Players are Launching Innovative Watch Design Every Year

Rising Popularity of Vintage Watches Especially Among Watch Connoisseurs

Adoption of Online Sales Channels

Opportunities: Surging Demand for Sport Watches

Innovations in Digital Watches

Market Drivers: Increasing Penchant for Luxury Watches and Rising Adoption of Smartwatches

Rise in Disposable Income and Burgeoning Upper Middle Class in Various Developing Economies Such as India, China, and Others

Challenges: Excessive Presence of Counterfeit Products

Presented By

AMA Research & Media LLP

0 notes

sueheaven · 2 years

Text

Solar Watch Market Is Likely to Experience a Tremendous Growth in Near Future

Latest Report Available at Advance Market Analytics, “Solar Watch Market” provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics and a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining industry growth. The global Solar Watch market focuses on encompassing major statistical evidence for the Solar Watch industry as it offers our readers a value addition on guiding them in encountering the obstacles surrounding the market. A comprehensive addition of several factors such as global distribution, manufacturers, market size, and market factors that affect the global contributions are reported in the study. In addition the Solar Watch study also shifts its attention with an in-depth competitive landscape, defined growth opportunities, market share coupled with product type and applications, key companies responsible for the production, and utilized strategies are also marked.Some key players in the global Solar Watch market are :

Timex (United States)

Tissot (Switzerland)

FLIK FLAK (Canada)

Garmin (United States)

Fossil (United States)

CASIO (Portugal)

Seiko (Japan)

Junghans (Germany)

Citizen Watch (United States) A solar-powered watch has a solar cell that converts light energy into electrical energy. The solar cell's electrical energy is stored in the rechargeable battery and used to power the watch. A solar-powered watch can generate enough power to run itself not only from sunlight, but also from fluorescent light and a weak ray of light. When it comes to accurate timekeeping, solar-powered watches are probably the most dependable watches on the market. Because this type of watch will continue to run unless completely dark for an extended period of time, it does not lose time as it would if users had to change the battery every 6 months.What's Trending in Market: Increase In The User Experienced Due To Design And Technological Features In The Displays Of Solar Watches

Challenges: More Expensive Than Regular Quartz Watches

Excessive Presence Of Counterfeit Products

Market Growth Drivers: Increasing Penchant For Luxury Watches And Rising Adoption Of Solar WatchesThe Global Solar Watch Market segments and Market Data Break Downby Application (General Use, Collection), Strap Material (Leather Strap, Polyurethane Strap, Metal Band), Charging Source (Sunlight, Artificial Light (Lamps And Light Bulbs)), Distribution Channel (Online {E-Commerce, Company Websites}, Offline {Hypermarket, Brand Outlets, Other Convenience Stores})

Presented By

AMA Research & Media LLP

0 notes

celiabowens · 4 years

Text

Book recommendations, Literary Fiction edition(?)

A companion to this post (which should be updated, at some point lol)

Short Story Collections:

Salt Slow by Julia Armfield: grotesque and disquieting collection about women and their experience in society, how they view and perceive their own body and desires. Pretty strong mythic, magical realism, body horror elements in here.

The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks: fascinating collection in which Sacks reminishes some particularly odd stories of patients who had to cope with bizarre neurological disorders.

Home Remedies by Xuan Juliana Wang: a collection focused on the Chinese millennial experience. Stories about love and loss, family, immigration and the uncertainty of the future. (also there’s an extremely beautiful short story about a pair of Chinese divers that broke me forever!!!)

Bestiary: The Selected Stories by Julio Cortázar: unforgettable selection of short stories that mix surreal elements to everyday life and apparently ordinary events. Would also recommend All Fires the Fire by the same author.

Novels:

How Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam Zhang: one of the biggest debuts of 2020, it follows two recently orphaned children through the gold rush era. An adventurous historical fiction piece that focuses on themes like gender, identity and immigration, this is one of my favorites 2020 reads so yeah, I’d really push it in anyone’s hands to be honest.

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent: historical fiction inspired by the last days of a young woman accused of murder in Iceland in the 1820s. A quite bleak, but beautiful novel (the prose is stunning).

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave: historical fiction novel set in Norway in the 17th century, following the lives of a group of women in a village that recently (barely) survived a storm that killed all of the island’s men.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead: the 2020 winner of the Pulitzer Prize. The book follows the lives of two boys sentenced to a reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. A bleak, but important book, with a shocking final twist (side note, I’ve been recommended The Underground Railroad by Whitehead as well, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. If you’re looking for something quite peculiar, if a bit less refined when compared to The Nickel Boys, The Intuitionist is a quite odd pulpy noir set in an alternate NY about...elevator inspectors *and racism*).

The Leavers by Lisa Ko: haunting book about identity and immigration as the main character is apparently abandoned by his own mother (an undocumented Chinese immigrant) during his childhood. Mainly a story about living in between places and constantly feeling out of place.

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa: when everyone would probably recommend Murakami (not much against Murakami besides his descriptions of women and their boobs), I suggest checking out some of Ogawa’s books. The recently translated The Memory Police, published in Japan in the mid 90s, is an orwellian dystopian novel set on an unnamed Island where memories slowly disappear. Would also really recommend The Housekeeper and The Professor, a really short novel about a housekeeper hired to clean and cook for a math professor who suffered an injury that causes him to remember new things for only 80 minutes.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong: Ocean Vuong’s debut novel, following a son writing a letter to his illiterate mother. The book seems quite polarising due to Vuong’s writing style (his poetry background is really quite clear and the book doesn’t really follow a regular narrative, rather than portrays events and memories in brief flashes), but I loved it and I’d really just recommend going into it without knowing much? It’s a beautiful exploration of language, family history, trauma, sexuality and more.

Exist West by Mohsin Hamid: this book was fairly popular when it came out (in 2017 I believe) and was often incorrectly marketed as magical realism. Hamid’s book is a brief and quietly brutal journey with a few fantastical elements, following a couple trying to escape their city in the middle of war, as they hear about peculiar doors that can whisk people far away. The doors are, of course, a quite effective metaphor for the immigrant experience and the book does a great job at portraying the main characters’ relationship.

Family Trust by Kathy Wang: this has a really low rating on goodreads which...wow i hate that. Family Trust is a literary family saga/drama about a Chinese-American family residing in the Silicon Valley. It’s often been compared to Crazy Rich Asians, but I believe it to be more on the literary side and definitely less lighthearted.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee: historical family saga (one of my favorites tbh, I’m absolutely biased, but this book deserved more hype) set in Korea and Japan throughout the 20th century, following four generations of a Korean family. While I wasn’t the biggest fan of the prose, the book has really great characterisation and absolutely fascinating characters. (I’d suggest checking out eventual TW first, in this case).

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker: another recent read, The Silence of the Girls, while not faultless, is a pretty good retelling of The Iliad, narrated through Briseis’ perspective. The prose can feel a bit too modern at times, but it provides the reader with some really strong quotes and descriptions.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng: and also Little Fires Everywhere by the same author, to be honest. If you’re looking for really really good family dramas, with great explorations of rather complex and nuanced relationships? You should just check out her stuff. Vibrant characters, good writing, and some superb portrayal of longing here.

Nutshell by Ian McEwan: i’m starting with this one only to grab your attention (if you’ve even reached this part lol, congrats), but McEwan’s one of my favorite authors and I’d recommend almost everything I’ve read by him? Nutshell, specifically, is a really odd and fun retelling of Hamlet...told from the pov of an unborn baby. But really, I’d also recommend Atonement (of course), The Children Act, Amsterdam? All good stuff.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles: I’ve read this book this summer and, while I’m still unsatisfied with the ending, I’d thoroughly recommend this? The novel follows Count Alexander Rostov, who, in 1922, is sentenced to a lifetime of house arrest in the Metropol, a luxurious hotel in the center of Moscow. A singular novel, funny and heartbreaking at once, following a vibrant cast of characters as they come and go from Rostov’s secluded life.

Human Acts by Han Kang: from the bestselling author of The Vegetarian (which honestly, I thoroughly despised lol), Human Acts focuses on the South Korean Gwangju uprising. It’s a really odd (and at times grotesque) experimental novel (one chapter is narrated from the pov of one of the bodies if I remember correctly), so one really has to be in the mood for it, but it’s a really unique experience, worth a chance.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon: sort of a really chunky historical adventure novel following two artists in 1940s/1950s NY, who create a superhero and use him to wage a one man war on the Nazis. A bit slow in places (the pace can be uneven at times and the book is quite long), but an enjoyable novel that does a pretty good job when it comes to exploring rather classic themes of American contemporary fiction: the American dream and the figure of the artist (I think there’s a particularly interesting focus on how the artists navigates the corporate world and its rules) and their creative process.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: this is a pretty classic rec, the book really got a lot of hype when it came out? It’s a dystopian-ish novel set after civilisation’s collapse, following a post-apocalyptic troupe (of Shakespearean actors). It’s a really odd, but surprisingly quiet book. Not sure if a pandemic is exactly the right time to read it, but I thoroughly recommend it.

The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng: I feel like this book is extremely complex to summarise to be honest. In short, it’s a book set in Malaya at the end of the 1940s, following a woman who, after surviving Japanese wartime camps, spends her life prosecuting war criminals. But truthfully this book is about conflicts and contradictions and in particular about remembering and forgetting. Lovely prose.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt: and also The Goldfinch. I’m sure no one really needs me to introduce Donna Tartt?

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton: quite cerebral mystery set in New Zealand in 1866. Honestly you have to be a patient reader who enjoys novels with a pretty complex structure to like this, but if you’re into this sort of challenging read...go for it? It’s a book of interlocking stories (with 10+ pov and main characters) with a really fascinating structure based on astrological charts, which provide insight to the main characters’ traits and personality as the mystery unfolds.

The Hours by Michael Cunningham: ok...do not watch the movie first. The Hours is an incredibly difficult novel to describe to be honest: it begins by recalling the last moments of Virginia Woolf’s life, as she’s writing Mrs. Dalloway. The book focuses on three separate narratives, each one following a specific character throughout a single day of their own life. Goes without saying that I’d suggest being familiar with Mrs. Dalloway itself first though.

An Artists of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro: not one of Ishiguro’s most famous works (most start reading his work with Never Let Me Go or The Remains of the Day), but probably my favorite out of those I’ve read so far. The novel follows Masuji Ono, an artist who put his work in service of imperialist propaganda throughout WWII. Basically a reflection and an account of the artist’s life as he deals with the culpability of his previous actions.

Stoner by John Williams: I feel like this is an odd book to recommend, because I don’t think someone can truly get the hype unless they read it themselves. Stoner is a pretty straight-forward book, following the ordinary life of an even more ordinary man. And yet it’s so compelling and never dull in its exploration of the characters’ lives and personalities. Also, I’ve just finished Augustus by the same author, which is an epistolary historical fiction novel narrating some of the main events of Augustus’ reign through letters from/by his closest friends and enemies. Really liked it.

Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien: back to integenerational family sagas (because I love those, in case it wasn’t clear lol), Do Not Say We Have Nothing follows a young woman who suddenly rediscovers her family’s fractured past. The novel focuses on two successive generations of a Chinese family through China’s 20th century history. While not every character got the type of development they deserved, the author does a good job when it comes to gradually recreating the family’s complex and nuanced history.

There’s probably more but I doubt anyone’s going to reach the end or anything so. There’s that lol.

#book recs #book rec #litblr #2020 reads #all the typos are my own LOL #also i didnt put here philip roth or auster #but tbh #i dont think anyone needs me to rec them???

161 notes · View notes

redrobin-detective · 5 years

Text

Random Quirkless Pro Hero Deku facts

- Pro Hero Izuku has a lot of weaponry on him at all times but he’s personally a big fan of knives. He’s usually got at least 5 or 6 on him at all times in all different sizes. He likes them because they’re multi-use, intimidating and, in the hands of a skilled wielder (like Izuku definitely is) can end fights without permanent damage. His favorite knife is the one he stole off of Stain to Iida’s dismay but its just a really good knife okay, Tenya, nothing personal.

- Todoroki is rescue hero working at Froppy’s agency in Nara (kind of the middle of nowhere). He doesn’t really get involved in the big villain battles unless he’s caught up in them, does no marketing for himself, rarely takes interviews, does his best to just be another hero... and yet he’s #20 in the charts. He is the highest ranked rescue hero who goes out of his way to avoid the spotlight and he doesn’t know why he’s so highly ranked. This is because he doesn’t understand the overwhelming power of THIRSTY fans.

- Izuku and Katsuki have a very special relationship. They read each other so well, are a well-oiled, scarily efficient team in battle. Outside of that, they’re disasters. Due to past experiences with ‘friendly spars’ that have gotten out of control they need a minimum of 2 babysitters pro heroes to spot them and be in a qualified facility before they go at it (which they don’t always do). Most every time they meet up they’ve got to rough house a bit to everyone’s horror. Bakugou will get loud and indignant if you call them friends but then rant for 30 minutes on why Deku is one of the best damn heroes he’s ever known.

- Speaking of which, on an operations level Izuku and Katsuki are much better separated than partnered. Kiri much more approachable and adds a sense of balance to Bakugou which is why he’s #1 not long after Izuku leaves. Izuku/Katsuki together were terrifying but a little bit too chaotic? They egged each other on where Kiri calms Bakugou down and Izuku forced to be “in charge” (as composed to constantly competing with Bakugou) of others also makes him less reckless. They’re still a brutally efficient combo but they’ve both agreed that separation really helped them grow.

- Gran Torino went senile not long after Izuku graduated Yuuei having fulfilled his promise to both Nana and Toshi and couldn’t fight any more. Izuku took care of him the best he can and put the old hero up in a luxurious old age home, he visited once a week watching more and more of his mentor slip away. He died when Izuku was still working at Two Hero with Bakugou and it was one of his incentives for leaving the agency and forming One For All.

- Shinsou ended up in the Hero course during their second year, but he went to 1B. Still maintained a good relationship with Izuku and the 1C gang. After graduation, he was surprised when Yaoyorozu offered him a position at her agency. He works there mainly in intelligence gathering, interrogation and general agency management. He still does field work but not nearly to the extent of other heroes.

- Shinsou and Izuku are the lowest ranked in their grade, Shinsou being in the 90s while Izuku is in the high 70s. Izuku will never let his friend forget that he, quirkless and hated by the system, is higher ranked than Shinsou. Its really because Shinsou is kind of a reclusive hero only known because he works at such a prestigious agency. If and when Shinsou decides to make an effort at his popularity it’s all over for Izuku. Until then, Izuku will lord it over him.

- As for the 1C gang, Patrick moved back to America right after graduation. He’s doing odds and ends, still trying to figure out what he wants to do. Does frequent calls/visits to Japan to visit his high school friends. Korudo did end up working his father’s company but on his own terms, donates a lot to Izuku’s AFO foundation. Izuku probably sees Taketsu the most, she’s a quirk lawyer and works with Izuku professionally in terms of quirk advocacy and advancement.

- Hero Names: Bakugou - Kacchan, Todoroki - stays as Shouto, Aoyoma - Lumiere, Shinsou - Hypnos

- As soon as he graduated, Izuku moved into All Might’s old apartment because he couldn’t stand to sell it. He left it almost identical only converting the back study and pretty much living out of boxes the first few years. He’s very, very slowly taking down All Might’s things and putting up his own but each change involves a lot of struggle and crying, but it feels like healing. In addition, Toshi was able to change his will before dying so Izuku inherited an insane amount of money from All Might’s estate. He couldn’t spend it all in his lifetime if he tried. He mostly keeps it away but donates a lot of it to AFO and other charities.

- Deku is a fan favorite as far submissive ships go. In every fan pairing he’s put in (and there are some wild one out there) he is the delicate, submissive quirkless partner. When asked on it, 1A just comments “have you ever actually seen Deku??” still the trope persists. Popular fan pairings are Bakudeku, Shoudeku, Iideku and Uradeku.

- The Class has varying ways of referring to one another, most of them feel comfortable calling each other by their first names but almost all continue to call Iida by his surname (except Ochako and Izuku when he’s feeling annoyed/sappy). Izuku and Katsuki have a whole language of names within the names they call each other, all you should know is that if you hear Izuku say “Bakugou” or Katsuki “Izu-chan” you better run like hell.

- Midoriya Hisashi was officially killed halfway through Izuku’s Third Year in a villian attack at his office in America. Inko was distraught but Izuku really couldn’t bring himself to mourn a man he never knew (and was already exhausted still grieving for All Might). Inko and Izuku got a sizable payout from it, ensuring Inko will be able to live comfortably for the rest of her life. Izuku never touched the money, relying first on All Might’s money then his own when he had to. ((Most people know I’m pretty ham for DFO so let me say this, on paper “Midoriya Hisashi” was killed it’s up to you if someone else is still around)

- While OFA doesn’t have any permanent staff, it does have heroes who frequently work there. It started this way because Izuku couldn’t get any heroes to permanently attach and kept it up once he realized the versatility it gave him. Shouto and Uravity usually do at least one or two stints a year. Pretty much all of the unattached heroes of 1A have worked with Deku multiple times (even a few attached, Ingenium surprising everyone by leaving his agency for a month to work with his old friend). Lemillion does it when his schedule allows and a few veteran heroes like Present Mic and Cementoss have done work there as well. And while Number One Kacchan hasn’t officially worked at One For All, he and Red Riot partner do enough inter-agency work that they kind of have.

- Over the years OFA acquired the respect of many heroes but there’s still assholes who refuse to take orders from a quirkless man. Now officially Deku has no problems with those who do not wish to work with him, it’s well within their rights. However, he’ll usually slyly make it known that people have turned down offers from him or spoke against him. And suddenly those bigoted heroes find they’re getting less support from those connected to Deku (a number that grows bigger by the year). There are less team-ups, less chance of being voted for hero titles, more whispers about how a hero being quirkist in this age is so old-fashioned and not cool. The heroes are like ??? how the hell did this happen while Deku sits there and smiles, not having lifted a finger. He’s a kind man but a vindictive one for sure.

- Izuku named his foundation after All For One, the villain who terrorized Japan and ultimately killed All Might, purely out of spite. While Izuku never confronted him in this universe, he knows the villain is still out there. The AFO Foundation took a name that was once feared and turned it into something that could bring people hope. He wanted to tell all the wannabe criminals who would recognize the name that Izuku knows and he’s not afraid. Also he still considers it his duty as AM’s successor to stop him so the Foundation is two middle fingers up to AFO as a challenge.

- Rikimaru-shishou (Izuku and later Shinsou’s martial arts teacher in TLWA) has mostly retired from teaching, only taking a few students here and there. Izuku still keeps in contact when possible, meeting up for a friendly spar when he can squeeze it in. Most of the students Daiki takes these days are kids Izuku recommends with puppy dog eyes.

-Mirio and Izuku end up developing a pretty good relationship. It starts when Izuku tries to intern with Nighteye in his first year and it’s pretty ugly. Nighteye refuses to take him but some, not all, of the Izuku/OFA/Mirio situation comes out. Mirio is very disturbed that his mentor was grooming him to be All Might 2 and kind of separates from Sir and takes Izuku’s side. Really excited by Deku’s vision for a better hero society and they have a big/lil brother relationship. Is super okay when Izuku takes the SoP title from him, like Izuku not bothered with rankings but he knows how important it is to his bro.

- So good news first, Mirio and Tamaki are long term partners and adopt a little girl, Koharu, who has a ‘villainous’ quirk and was abandoned by her family. Mirio being on paternity leave is one of the factors that allows Izuku to take the SoP away from him. So uh bad news, Eri was never recovered during TLWA version of the Overhaul arc. Don’t ask me exact details cause I don’t know lol but Izuku wasn’t really involved and Overhaul and few of his men managed to flee Japan with Eri and haven’t been found since. Mirio and Tamaki both took the loss to heart which is why they wanted to try and pay back that mistake. They’re both great dads though.

- Due to being so outrageously busy during their first year as Pros, Bakugou forgot to maintain a regular haircut schedule so it started to grow out. Izuku and some others commented that the longer hair looked good on him. It got to the point where it was getting in the way so he ties it back in a little tail that looks like a little explosion. That, and his permanent facial scruff, make him a very attractive hero but his personality still leaves a lot to be desired.

#fic: the long way around #fic: rise up and hear the bells #idk why Im keeping this #hopefully this fills in a few holes #and creates some new ones lol #quirkless deku

79 notes · View notes

iwcwatches · 4 years

Text

Success Story - Gaëlle

“When you share a common passion the sky isn’t even the limit, and IWC allows each and every one of us to become our own Florentine Ariosto Jones, tapping into his entrepreneurial legacy.”

My name is Gaëlle Devins and I am from the French part of Switzerland. Having completed a successful internship at Harry Winston in Geneva, I moved to San Francisco to pursue a Master’s Degree in Marketing and Communication at Golden Gate University. I decided to remain in the US and my first post Degree role was with an Advertising Agency on Madison Avenue New York. After a couple of years, an opportunity came up to join Japan Tobacco International in Geneva. Moving back to my home country as an expat was hard to resist, working for such a controversial product wasn’t. Yet the role offered a wonderful development opportunity. Deep down, despite the fantastic people and professional opportunities at JTI, my heart was aching to go back to Luxury.

For many years I tried to break back into Luxury, but the role in tobacco was closing all doors before they would even open. In the end, with the right mindset, patience and a very good headhunter my dream came true and I was back in Luxury at Ralph Lauren in London, heading up their retail marketing for Northern Europe. The world of fashion, meeting Ralph Lauren and his son, were unique moments in time. The glamour of the Ralph Lauren boutiques, the pure creative genius of Ralph, carried us in his vision to create a very unique lifestyle. One day, out of the blue, I received a headhunt call for a job in Hong Kong. Being happy in London and at Ralph Lauren, I didn’t give it any further thought, until a few weeks later the same person called again prompting me to reconsider. The reason was the employer name IWC Schaffhausen, and I agreed to a phone interview with the Managing Director of North East Asia. IWC Schaffhausen was the only other brand that I felt could tell stories, design boutique environments that were immersive enough to showcase their unique lifestyle components, highlighting furthermore its stunning manufactured timepieces. The phone interview went well and that same week I was on plane to Hong Kong. I had never been to Asia and every aspect of it was fascinating. Walking around Lan Kwai Fong, trying to find my way to the office, all I could think of was: «Am I crazy enough to do this?»

A few months later in November 2012, having trusted the process, I had accepted a role with IWC as Marketing and Communication Director Hong Kong. I packed up my life and landed in Hong Kong officially embarking on the best and most rewarding professional journey one can dream of. One of the many projects I worked on was the Launch of Watches & Wonders first Edition, working closely with our HQ teams, managed by Chris Grainger-Herr the lead behind our first Asian fair. Other areas of focus were on the topics of retail marketing/CRM and digital activation. Following this, an opportunity came up to transfer to New York to launch our first E-commerce Platform. Together with Dominic Weir and his team we did just this. Less than a year into the job, the Retail Director for IWC North America left and I was offered the role. Retail is all about numbers, but numbers are nothing without a fantastic team, made up of talented individuals that together create a powerful and skillful network. Traveling North America, dealing with the different time zones, the vastness of the country, the many boutiques, the crazy hours, and the lack of sleep was intense yet so rewarding. Adrenaline kept us going and together we developed the framework for what Customer Experience (CX) is at IWC Schaffhausen.

Whilst I had truly enjoyed my 15 years abroad as an expat, time had come for me to go back home. So when in August 2018 an Associate Director opportunity came up to establish the Global CX function at our HQ, reporting to Chris Grainger-Herr, I gladly embarked on a new chapter. Transitioning from a market dynamic to an HQ perspective requires agility and understanding of what is at stake. It was a privilege to be trusted with a completely blank canvas and the story was just waiting to be told. Establishing a clear vision of what CX should mean for IWC was priority number one. Once ready, the first milestone was to bring as many colleagues as possible on the CX journey and to create CX ambassadors around the world.

Time has flown by since I joined IWC Schaffhausen in November 2012. The beauty of the role is that it keeps on reinventing itself and it never feels like work. Each and every one of my missions has been challenging and rewarding, but I truly believe that what makes IWC Schaffhausen such a special and unique place is its people. More than colleagues, it feels like a community or an extended family.

#IWCCareers

3 notes · View notes

menswearmusings · 4 years

Text

SuitSupply vs. Isaia? Satisfaction In the Un-Quantifiable

Do you tend to be a brand loyalist, or do you shop around for whoever has the thing that strikes your fancy?

When it comes to menswear, I think the tendency of men is to shop until they find the maker, brand or specific item that suits them well, then just stick with that because finding it in the first place is usually a pain. Fit issues, quality questions, and pricing all make finding a garment maker that you love and which fits your style, body and budget a hassle.

Learning about wristwatches lately has gotten me thinking about it. I’ve been binge watching YouTube accounts of watch enthusiasts. My two favorite are Jenni Elle for her overall joyful disposition, and Watchfinder & Co. for its superb production values (Jenni’s no slouch either). One thing I’ve found hilarious is the ubiquity of this basic formula:

Has the Rolex [insert model here] been finally dethroned by [insert challenger brand here]?

©Rolex, via their Instagram

If you’re not into the luxury watch industry, one prominent story of the the last decade or so is that Rolex is highly desired by many, but the more popular models like the Submariner are impossible to actually buy. They have waiting lists months and even years long, so for those who are lucky enough to get to buy one at MSRP ($9,000+), it’s extremely tempting to simply turn around and sell it at 1.5x or more online. And people will pay that, instead of wait.

Why?

Brand loyalty. Cachet. Marketing. Artificial scarcity. Rolex is a brand recognized for quality, distinction and good taste the world over; they know it, and they manipulate their supply to maintain those illusory qualities.

Every YouTube video that asks the question of whether a Grand Seiko bests a Rolex, for instance, essentially comes to the same conclusion: that the Seiko is better in nearly every way—it’s as good or better quality than the Rolex, with as good or better fit and finish, with better technology, it’s half the price (depending on the watch), and you can buy one whenever you want at MSRP from any authorized dealer—but…

And what comes after that “but” is that brand cachet, that loyalty, that mystique, that artificial scarcity giving them an “investment piece” quality about them. It makes for loyal customers (or aspiring customers; or frustrated customers waiting years just to buy the things).

Back to menswear: how clothes fit and the silhouette they cut on your body is an additional dimension not really applicable in the wristwatch hobby. But some of those questions about what makes certain brands and garments special still come into play in much the same way. So for instance, I have a SuitSupply blazer that’s full canvas, with a natural shoulder, spalla camicia and grinze shoulder detailing, in a beautiful wool/silk/linen blend hopsack fabric from a famed Italian mill, all with the lightweight construction I’ve come to love from Italian tailoring. But it was made in China. So there’s no logical reason it should be any less desirable on paper than the ones I own that were made in Italy. And yet…

The Italian jackets I own from Eidos have an extra layer of satisfaction for me. There is a better story behind them; an entire country’s artisanal expertise brought to bear, and the future of that skillset hanging in the balance. In this case, it’s not just that particular brand I feel that sense of affection for, but rather a cultural connection to the inventors of something I love. They deserve support because without them, it wouldn’t exist.

And you know what, I find much greater satisfaction in owning and wearing articles of clothing that have an inspiring or unique story I can plug into. The materialistic way of life we all live is hard to resist when there are so many beautiful, amazing things to buy and wear, collect, then flip and sell to someone else so you can buy the next new thing. But that old cliche about buying less, but buying better, is true. And I have concluded that what constitutes better isn’t necessarily only the technical details on the page or even the fit (those things can be copied and reproduced by anyone sufficiently motivated), but the story that you can plug into and the connection you can make with its artisans and their history.

That’s not to say the other labels won’t create their own story and have a place in this club. Seiko is just as old as Rolex, and those who buy the Grand Seiko (their ultra-premium handmade line of watches) will tell you the quality is outstanding. Similarly, a company like Ring Jacket out of Japan makes a product inspired by Neapolitan tailoring, but to a quality level as good or better, and I love them. Same goes for some of the bespoke and made to measure companies started in the recent past in Hong Kong like Prologue or The Anthology.

At the end of the day what brings the greatest satisfaction is how any given piece of clothing or accessory weaves its way into your own life. The memories you make with it—maybe how you came to buy it while on a special trip or after a special occasion; or the good times you have wearing it that you recall when you put it on or see photos from that time. Ultimately, cool clothes or watches or anything are not an end to themselves, but should be things you wear to enjoy while living a life of joy, grace and adventure.

Here are some makers whose history I’ve connected with and appreciate in the clothing realm.

Sartoria Carrara x No Man Walks Alone line of tailoring, which utilizes a factory in Tuscany that has retained the skill sets of the region

(Add Brunello Cucinelli for probably the ultimate expression of this mindset though I have no personal experience with them; add the Savile Row tailors for their fighting the good fight; and there are plenty of other great Italian makers, too)

Drake’s, which manufactures ties, shirts, scarves and pocket squares in England

Anglo-Italian, which cherishes the same values and makes their house label in Italy by skilled artisans

Ring Jacket, which has created its own story of quality tailoring made in Japan

Crockett & Jones, making high quality shoes in England

Alden, making high quality shoes in America

Brooks Brothers, which made suits, ties and shirts in America (sadly bankrupt now, having sold those factories off, so get the goods while they’re still available)

Red Wing boots, still made in America

Tweed from Magee, Harris Tweed, Abraham Moon & Sons, or any of the other traditional Scottish or Irish mills still making it like they used to.

And since we’re talking watches, I’m an Omega guy

What are your favorite brands, makers, or even cultural traditions to support?

(Help support this site! If you buy stuff through my links, your clicks and purchases earn me a commission from many of the retailers I feature, and it helps me sustain this site—as well as my menswear habit ;-) Thanks!)

Read more at Menswear Musings

#luxury #omega #personal connection #rolex #seiko #story

2 notes · View notes

littlemissyina · 5 years

Text

Valentine’s Day

This was written for the Flower Challenge currently going on in the Ikemen Series Amino! This is my first fic using my OC, Yina, in her fully fleshed form. I’ve used her name in past works but now I’ve really got her down and I’m excited to use her and develop her more.

I also need to work on my IkeVamp OC hhhhhh

Anywaysss hope you guys enjoy!

Valentine’s Day

Ikemen Sengoku - Sasuke x OC(Yina)

It had been close to a month since Sasuke and Yina had returned through the wormhole into the present. It was a hard decision for both, but they knew that it was the right choice. Although they felt like they did the right thing, there were moments when they would question themselves.

Should we have stayed?

The first few days were hard - Yina and Sasuke had initially decided to go back to their own apartments and try to resume their lives, all while trying to work out the new relationship that had just started between them. When they had landed back at the present-day Honno-Ji memorial, Yina had begun crying instantly.

"Don’t leave me, Sasuke," Yina said, clinging on to the ninja.

Sasuke wrapped his arms around Yina, stroking her hair. "We won’t be apart for too long. I will come by tomorrow," Sasuke said. His stoic face didn’t give much away, but Yina could see the hint of concern in his eyes.

Yina nodded as Sasuke swiped his thumbs across her cheeks, wiping the last of her tears away. He had walked her home that night, and stayed until she was able to fall asleep.

After a week of trying to live on their own, they had decided to move in together into Sasuke’s apartment. It was larger out of the two and was closer to Honno-Ji than Yina’s apartment. Moving in together was like 2 pieces of a puzzle fitting perfectly with each other. That first night they spent together was the first time they both were able to get a decent amount of sleep since returning to present-day Japan.

They had been living in perfect harmony for the last few weeks, and their first "holiday" as a couple was fast approaching:

Valentine’s Day.

Yina had decided to make her special homemade fudge and wanted to try and make some chocolate shaped like his beloved ground spikes. She had stopped by the local market to grab what she needed, when she saw a beautiful bouquet of pink Peruvian Lillies. She delicately took the case and placed it in her cart and brought it home to put as their table centerpiece.

Luckily, Sasuke was working late that night in the lab, so Yina got some needed time in the kitchen, perfecting her edible ground spikes. Once the chocolates were solidified into their general shape, she brought the tray over to the table, turning on the TV as she began to shave off bits and pieces of chocolate, putting in detail after detail, just as if she was working on a kimono commission.

Working on the chocolates was both therapeutic and bittersweet. It helped connect her to her friends back in the Sengoku period, but it also made her miss them dearly. She missed the simplicity of living in that era, and the many people that lived both in Azuchi and Kasugayama. She missed the beauty of Japan’s landscape during that time. There was so much color and life, it never failed to take her breath away. The clear nights were always a treat, especially when her and Sasuke were able to sneak away to the rooftops and stargaze for hours.

She missed all of her friends, especially Yukimura. Sasuke would always call them the "three musketeers" or, when they would be at a banquet, he had drunkenly called them the "three caballeros".

"Cab of what?" Yukimura would always say, constantly in a state of confusion when Sasuke would spew out terms from the future.

When Yina had quiet times like this, she would always feel a bit melancholy, but there was one constant throughout her time in the Sengoku that she was immensely grateful for:

Sasuke Sarutobi.

He was her first friend in the Sengoku period, and was able to help her acclimate quickly. He was always able to make her smile and laugh when she was having a bad day, and, in turn, her happiness brought light into his life.

He was always her pillar of strength and support when she needed it the most. He always seemed to sense when he needed to be there in Azuchi, before they had relocated to Kasugayama. When they had left Azuchi and made their home in Kasugayama, Sasuke did his best to make sure she was taken care of.

She smiled to herself as she finished the last chocolate ground spike, covering them and placing them back into the fridge so they wouldn’t melt. There were still a few hours until Sasuke would be home, so she flopped herself onto the couch and started to binge watch some shows. She only made it three episodes in before falling asleep in her blanket burrito.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Sasuke left the lab with a skip in his step, successfully finishing all of his pending tasks on his latest project. He felt bad that he had to be out longer than usual, but, in one months time, it would be all worth it. A rare fraction of a smile dawned on his face as he thought of Yina’s reaction when he brought home the good news.

He could see it in her eyes ever since they came back to the present day. Although they were both relieved to be back with the modern day efficiencies and luxuries of technology, nothing compared to the friendships and bonds they forged with the warlords. He tried his best to comfort her, but even he had moments of sadness when he thought about his BFF. Living together has made it easier on them both, but they missed their time living in the past.

He spent the last several days in his lab pouring over formulas and theories, digging up everything he could find on wormholes and their patterns. There were several whiteboards in his space filled with never ending equations, his notes scribbled everywhere around it. Some of his time was spent in the library, reading old periodicals, but when he was not there, he was in his lab speed reading what he can online while working out his own theory.

"For her," he would remind himself. "For Yina."

When he got to his front door, he stopped to take a calming breath. His stoic face would never give it away, but he was vibrating with excitement.

"Yina?" he said, opening the door. "I’m home. "

He walked in, seeing fresh flowers on the dining table, the TV still on, and a pile of blankets on the couch. Sasuke walked over to the blankets, peeling it back to find-

"Eh?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow, expecting to see Yina under the blankets, but she was not there. "Yina?" he called out again.

"Sasuke! You’re home!" Yina said, opening the door from their bathroom. She had taken a shower and was just finishing when Sasuke came home.

Sasuke froze, taken aback by what he saw. Her hair was wrapped up in a towel, and all she wore was one of his green v-neck shirts. The hem came down to the middle of her thighs, perfect for her to use as a house shirt/dress. His jaw went slack as his hand came up as if to lift his mask-

Only he wasn’t wearing his mask.

Yina walked up to him, a huge smile on her face. Her arms snake around his neck, coming up on her toes to kiss him on the lips. "Welcome home," she said, kissing him again.

The feeling of her lips on his brought him back to reality, wrapping his arms around her. He hugged her tightly, inhaling her freshly showered scent. "You smell nice," Sasuke whispered into her ear.

Yina giggled, looking up at him. "I made something for you."

She untangled herself from his arms and led him out into the kitchen. She gave him another kiss before telling him to take a seat at the table. Sasuke looked over at the bouquet of flowers.

"Do you know what those are?" Yina asked, heading towards the fridge.

"They look like Alstroemerias," he replied, stroking one of the pink petals.

"Astro what?" Yina asked.

Sasuke smirked. "Alstroemeria. Also known as Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas. It was named after the Swedish botanist Claus von Alströmer."

Yina chuckled as she made her way back with a covered tray. "You’re like a never ending encyclopedia. Well, it’s a part of your gift so-" she set the tray down next to the flowers and took the cover off the chocolate. "Happy Valentine’s Day, Sasuke."

Yina watched Sasuke carefully as he examined the tray.

She used the fudge that was made as ground, then set the chocolate ground spikes in a way that it looked like someone had actually thrown them. Some were resting on top of the fudge, while others were pressed into it. Each one was unique, all of them turned and spun to add to the illusion that they were thrown. Sasuke turned the tray left and right, looking at it from all angles.

"You made all of these?" he asked, picking one up.

Yina nodded, sitting next to him. "Yup, thought they would be perfect for my moderately awesome ninja boyfriend."

Sasuke popped one in his mouth, the chocolate instantly melting the moment it hit his tongue. He turned to Yina, pulling her onto his lap as he kissed her. He held her like that for a while, gently tugging at the towel on her head until it unraveled and fell to the floor.

He brought their foreheads together as he ran his fingers through her wet locks. "Thank you, they are delicious," he said, kissing her on the nose. "I actually forgot today was Valentines Day."

"Well, you’ve been very busy, so I’m not surprised. But this is my day to shower you with love! You’ll have your day next month," Yina said, kissing him on the cheek.

Sasuke grinned, knowing this could possibly be the best White Day gift he could give to her.

#ikemen sengoku #ikesen sasuke #sasuke sarutobi #flower challenge #fics by yina

9 notes · View notes

akif122514 · 4 months

Text

Discover the Best Tours and Transfers for an Unforgettable Journey

Understanding Tours and Transfers

Types of Tours

Adventure Tours Adventure

Types of Transfers

Benefits of Tours and Transfers

Tips for Choosing Tours and Transfers

Research and Reviews Always research tour operators and transfer services before booking. Look for reviews and testimonials from other travelers to gauge the quality and reliability of the service.

Customizability Choose tours and transfers that offer customizable options. This flexibility allows you to tailor the experience to your interests and schedule.

Local vs. International Operators Consider whether you prefer local operators who offer intimate, insider knowledge, or international companies known for their standardized, reliable services.

Budget Considerations Set a budget and stick to it. There are options available for all price ranges, from budget-friendly group tours to luxurious private transfers.

Booking in Advance Popular tours and transfer services can book up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. Plan and book in advance to secure your spots and avoid disappointment.

Conclusion

Visit: https://www.rallys.com.au/tours-transfers/

0 notes

brucesterling · 5 years

Photo

*I like the alarmingly tiny little “home” below the vast futuristic AI there.

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-19-1893_en.htm

European Commission - Press release Artificial intelligence: Commission takes forward its work on ethics guidelines Brussels, 8 April 2019

The Commission presents today next steps for building trust in artificial intelligence by taking forward the work of the High-Level Expert Group.

Building on the work of the group of independent experts appointed in June 2018, the Commission is today launching a pilot phase to ensure that the ethical guidelines for Artificial Intelligence (AI) development and use can be implemented in practice. The Commission invites industry, research institutes and public authorities to test the detailed assessment list drafted by the High-Level Expert Group, which complements the guidelines.

Today's plans are a deliverable under the AI strategy of April 2018, which aims at increasing public and private investments to at least €20 billion annually over the next decade, making more data available, fostering talent and ensuring trust.

Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip said: “I welcome the work undertaken by our independent experts. The ethical dimension of AI is not a luxury feature or an add-on. It is only with trust that our society can fully benefit from technologies. Ethical AI is a win-win proposition that can become a competitive advantage for Europe: being a leader of human-centric AI that people can trust.”

Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel added: “Today, we are taking an important step towards ethical and secure AI in the EU. We now have a solid foundation based on EU values and following an extensive and constructive engagement from many stakeholders including businesses, academia and civil society. We will now put these requirements to practice and at the same time foster an international discussion on human-centric AI."

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can benefit a wide-range of sectors, such as healthcare, energy consumption, cars safety, farming, climate change and financial risk management. AI can also help to detect fraud and cybersecurity threats, and enables law enforcement authorities to fight crime more efficiently. However, AI also brings new challenges for the future of work, and raises legal and ethical questions.

The Commission is taking a three-step approach: setting-out the key requirements for trustworthy AI, launching a large scale pilot phase for feedback from stakeholders, and working on international consensus building for human-centric AI.

1.Seven essentials for achieving trustworthy AI

Trustworthy AI should respect all applicable laws and regulations, as well as a series of requirements; specific assessment lists aim to help verify the application of each of the key requirements:

Human agency and oversight: AI systems should enable equitable societies by supporting human agency and fundamental rights, and not decrease, limit or misguide human autonomy.

Robustness and safety: Trustworthy AI requires algorithms to be secure, reliable and robust enough to deal with errors or inconsistencies during all life cycle phases of AI systems.

Privacy and data governance: Citizens should have full control over their own data, while data concerning them will not be used to harm or discriminate against them.

Transparency: The traceability of AI systems should be ensured. Diversity, non-discrimination and fairness: AI systems should consider the whole range of human abilities, skills and requirements, and ensure accessibility.

Societal and environmental well-being: AI systems should be used to enhance positive social change and enhance sustainability and ecological responsibility. Accountability: Mechanisms should be put in place to ensure responsibility and accountability for AI systems and their outcomes.

2. Large-scale pilot with partners

In summer 2019, the Commission will launch a pilot phase involving a wide range of stakeholders. Already today, companies, public administrations and organisations can sign up to the European AI Alliance and receive a notification when the pilot starts. In addition, members of the AI high-level expert group will help present and explain the guidelines to relevant stakeholders in Member States.

3. Building international consensus for human-centric AI

The Commission wants to bring this approach to AI ethics to the global stage because technologies, data and algorithms know no borders. To this end, the Commission will strengthen cooperation with like-minded partners such as Japan, Canada or Singapore and continue to play an active role in international discussions and initiatives including the G7 and G20. The pilot phase will also involve companies from other countries and international organisations.

Next steps

Members of the AI expert group will present their work in detail during the third Digital Day in Brussels on 9 April. Following the pilot phase, in early 2020, the AI expert group will review the assessment lists for the key requirements, building on the feedback received. Building on this review, the Commission will evaluate the outcome and propose any next steps.

Furthermore, to ensure the ethical development of AI, the Commission will by the autumn 2019: launch a set of networks of AI research excellence centres; begin setting up networks of digital innovation hubs; and together with Member States and stakeholders, start discussions to develop and implement a model for data sharing and making best use of common data spaces.

Background

The Commission is facilitating and enhancing cooperation on AI across the EU to boost its competitiveness and ensure trust based on EU values. Following its European strategy on AI, published in April 2018, the Commission set up the High-Level Expert Group on AI, which consists of 52 independent experts representing academia, industry, and civil society. They published a first draft of the ethics guidelines in December 2018, followed by a stakeholder consultation and meetings with representatives from Member States to gather feedback. This follows the coordinated plan with Member States to foster the development and use of AI in Europe, also presented in December 2018.

For more information

Communication: “Building trust in human-centric artificial intelligence”

AI ethics guidelines

Factsheet artificial intelligence

High-Level Expert Group on AI

European AI Alliance

Artificial Intelligence: A European Perspective

Artificial Intelligence Watch

10 notes · View notes

thegazettefanfiction · 6 years

Text

The Art of Attraction (Reita)

Reita arrived at the entrance of Chatei Hatou, and stood in front of it while staring ahead, with his left hand was shoved into one of the pockets of his black jeans, while the other hand was carrying a paper bag. Despite wearing a black cap and a white face mask to hide his true appearance behind the heavy makeup he often put on for the cameras, one could easily tell that he was nervous; and that word itself understated what he was feeling at that moment.

When he was visiting a bookshop to grab a book for him to read during the long Japan tour, his attention was diverted towards the little section where a pile of “(Book title)” was displayed. Out of curiosity, he picked up one and read its short description printed on the back. At that moment, he knew he had to get a copy for himself, and he didn’t regret a single yen.

Throughout the tour, he found himself picking up the book and reading it when he had nothing to do in his hotel room. He hadn’t read such a page-turner in a while, and it was refreshing; the plot was interesting and suspenseful, the character development was gradual and interesting without making any drastic changes that challenged the characters. But what attracted Reita the most was the author’s language used throughout the story. It may had the right amount of bombastic words and description without leaving readers feel bored or disconnect from the story, but there was something about the way the author conjure up the image with her words that attracted him; and he couldn’t tell how and why.

After finishing the book in about three days, Reita decided to drop by a nearby bookshop to purchase more of (Y/n)’s books, even though she had only four works published, including the recent best-seller. Let it be during shooting, rehearsals or soundchecks; he’d carry one of her books wherever he went, sit in a small corner away from the noise and crowd, and begin flipping through the pages as his eyes scanned every line written on each side of the papers. The more he read her books, the more he began to wanting to know more about the author, for not only her stories were interesting and challenging the readers’ perception on certain issues, the way she put her words together and the usage of certain vocabularies intrigued him.

Of course, the bassist’s odd behaviour didn’t go unnoticed by the other band members. As if sitting in his little corner and reading some novels wasn’t odd enough, he would even decline their offer to hang out after performing and preferred to stay in his hotel room to read. Even if he did hang out with them, instead of joining in the conversation, he spent most of his time scrolling through the Twitter and Instagram feeds of none other than (Y/n), according to Uruha who caught this from his peripheral vision when he sat next to his friend.

It was clear to the band members that he was interested in the author, and they decided that he should at least meet her and get to know her more. Reita thought it was ridiculous to do so, for he thought that (Y/n) might be busy with other matters and would have less time meeting up with some random stranger. But did that stop them from their antics? Well, needless to say, he was barely pleased when they told him what they had done.

“You sent an e-mail to her?” he repeated with much disbelief and anger. “What if she rejects me?”

“It’s not that bad.” shrugged Ruki after taking a puff of his e-cigarette. “Besides, what’s life without a little gamble?”

“Face reality, Reita.” advised Aoi. “You wouldn’t know until she responds.”

The said man kept quiet and took in what his friends said. They were right. It would do him no good if he just continue stalking her social media profiles. If he wanted to get to know more about her and meet her in person, then someone had to make the first step.

“You’re right, guys.” he admitted with a small smile. Just when he was about to leave the green room, he abruptly stopped and turned around before asking, “By the way, how did you get my e-mail password?” But they didn’t respond as they averted their attention to something else, pretending to not hear him. At that note, Reita knew the answer. “You guys were spying on me, weren’t you?” All he got were the murmurs of his friends among themselves.

Much to his surprise, (Y/) responded his e-mail by saying that she agreed to meet him. Using the phone number she had sent him to contact her, he sent her a personal message on where and when they should meet. And finally, a week after the last day of their tour, he was standing in front of the cafe trying to calm himself down before meeting the woman he was infatuated with.

Okay, thought Reita while taking a deep breath. You can do this. Just walk up to her, introduce yourself, take a seat, and talk to her after giving her the present. And don’t rush things!

He glanced at his watch, watching the second hand move until the minute hand struck “12″, followed by the hour hand that moved to “1″, telling him that it came the time for him to meet (Y/n). Taking a deep breath, he walked into the cafe where the waiter welcomed him.

“Table for one?” he asked politely.

“No,” replied the customer while looking around for any signs of the writer. “Actually, I’m meeting someone.”

“Oh, are you meeting Ms. (L/n)?” asked the waiter, to which Reita responded with a nod. The former smiled at him before gesturing his customer to follow him. “This way, please.” Reita wordlessly followed the waiter into the cafe, where aroma of freshly brewed coffee was hanging in the air, accompanied by the soft chatters of other customers, who were either friends, colleagues or lovers. After a few seconds, the waiter arrived at a table located in the far corner of the room, holding his hand out towards it. “Here is your table.”

After nodding at the waiter as a way to thank him, Reita walked up to it and merely stared at the woman he had been thinking about for so long. (Y/n) looked up from her phone and smiled at him, which, as clique as it sounded, struck a cord in his heart. “You must be Reita.” she stated while standing from her seat when he took a few steps closer to him before bowing. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“T-The pleasure is all mine.” he stammered with a curt bow before taking a seat across her, just in time for another waiter to arrive at their table and take their orders. Oh, boy! His dream of meeting his celebrity crush came true all thanks to his mischievous band members. Even just sitting across her felt so surreal to him. But now that he was there, he’s afraid of screwing the whole thing up. What if he accidentally said something bad? What if he intended to crack a joke which wouldn’t be funny? What if- No, now’s not the time to have doubts about himself. The remainder to be himself kept ringing in his head. If she didn’t accept him the way he was, then she’s not meant for him. Simple as that. And he would put that to the test.

Once the waiter walked away, Reita lifted up the paper bag and handed it to her, who was surprised by his action. “This is for you.” he said.

“Oh, thank you.” said (Y/n) shyly while receiving the present from him. “May I?” Once he gave her a nod, she removed the tape to open the paper bag, and was even more surprised when she saw what was inside. Her hand reached in to take out the white velvet box, and opened it to reveal a Stirling silver bracelet with small (birth stones), followed by a charm of a heart. “It’s beautiful.” She then looked at him in the eyes with guilt across her face. “But it must be expensive, and I didn’t prepare a gift for you.”

“It’s alright.” he assured with a wave of his hand. “I bought it because I wanted to. Here, let me help you with that.” Seeing that he was willing to help her put on the bracelet, (Y/n) handed it to him before raising her wrist, allowing him to buckle the bracelet.

She stared at the bracelet one more time before looking at him, and said, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” he responded humbly, but he was proud of himself that she was happy with the gift. It may not be one of the most luxuriously expensive bracelets in the market, but the price he paid was worthy of the quality.

“So, Reita.” began (Y/n) after putting away the box and placing the paper bag on the floor. “I only know you as the bassist of the GazettE. Could you tell me more about yourself?”

That became the trigger for him to tell her about himself; his background, his hobbies, the types of books he read, the bands and artists who influenced him. When their cakes and coffee had arrived, it was her turn to talk about herself. Needless to say, Reita realised that she was his type - womanly, mature, and was good in using her language with much sophistication and elegance. It wasn’t about the level of politeness she portrayed when she spoke. To him, it was as if she spoke of poetry so naturally with the choice of words that not even women of her age would use during conversation. There were times when she surprised him by laughing at his jokes that his own band members find them lame, and her laughter was contagious enough to make him join in.

“Oh, look at the time!” gasped (Y/n) suddenly when she glanced at the wall clock in the cafe. “I’m afraid it’s time for us to part ways.”

Reita’s face fell upon hearing that. With each passing time, he was beginning to be attracted to the author, and wanted to spend more time with her. Not because she was the author of the books he admired, but because he was genuinely interested in her. But the main question was, “Can we do this again?”

It seemed that he had accidentally blurted out what he was thinking, because she looked back at him with a warm smile and said, “Of course we can. I enjoy your company very much, and look forward to have another date with you.”

The very word “date” sent him to cloud nine; it meant that she, too, felt the same way and would like to meet him again in the future. Where would this lead to; he wouldn’t know. But he needn’t be worried about that, for they had begun making arrangements for the next meeting.

#the GazettE #Reita #fanfiction #visual kei #Jrock fanfiction

19 notes · View notes

hrushikesh123 · 2 years

Text

Luxury Packaging Market Size Expanding Rapidly during Forecast Period 2030 and Top Players: DS Smith PLC, Crown Holdings Inc, Ardagh Group

Luxury Packaging Market Summary Straits Research has recently added a new report to its vast depository of high-quality research reports titled Global Luxury Packaging Market Research. The report studies vital factors about the Luxury Packaging Market Size that are essential to be understood by existing and new market players. The report highlights the essential elements such as market share, profitability, production, sales, manufacturing, advertising, technological advancements, key market players, regional segmentation, and many more crucial aspects that are related to the Global Luxury Packaging Market.The global luxury packaging market size was valued at USD 19,448 million in 2021 and is expected to generate USD 30,525 million by 2030. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period (2022–2030).Market PlayersDS Smith PLC, Crown Holdings Inc, Ardagh Group, WestRock Co., Owens-Illinois Inc, International Paper Company Inc., Amcor PLC, Delta Global, GPA Global,Important factors like strategic developments, government regulations, market analysis, end-users, target audience, distribution network, branding, product portfolio, Luxury Packaging market share, threats and barriers, growth drivers, and the latest trends in the industry are also mentioned.Request Sample Report of Global Luxury Packaging Market @ https://straitsresearch.com/report/luxury-packaging-market/request-sampleThe report is segmented as follows:The Global Luxury Packaging Market Trends report provides detailed segmentation by type, applications, and regions. Each segment provides information about the production and manufacturing during the forecast period of 2022-2030. The application segment highlights the applications and operational processes of the industry. Understanding these segments will help identify the importance of various factors aiding the market growth.By Material Paperboard Glass Metal Plastics Others By End-User Cosmetics and Fragrances Confectionery Watches and Jewelry Premium Beverages OthersRegional AnalysisNorth America (U.S., Canada)Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia)Latin America (Brazil, Mexico)Middle East & AfricaKey features of this report are:It provides valuable insights into the Global Luxury Packaging Market.Includes information for the forecasted period (2022-2030), with the important factors related to the market mentioned.Technological advancements, government regulations, and recent developments are highlighted.Advertising and marketing strategies, market trends, and analysis are studied in this report.Growth analysis and predictions until the year 2030.Statistical analyses of the key players in the market are highlighted.Extensively researched market overview. Important Questions answered in this report are: What was the market size from 2015 to 2022?What will be the market forecast till 2030, and what will be the market forecast in the current year?Which segment or region will drive the market growth and why?What are the key sustainability strategies adopted by the market players?How will the drivers, barriers, and challenges affect the market scenario in the coming years?Buy Now: https://straitsresearch.com/buy-now/luxury-packaging-market/global/Trending Report:https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/dementia-care-products-industry-share-size-growth-by-forecast-2026-top-market-players-parentgiving-inc-easierliving-2022-06-14https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/direct-to-consumer-laboratory-testing-market-to-witness-revolutionary-growth-by-2026-2022-06-15https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/pulse-oximeter-market-is-set-to-experience-a-significant-growth-rate-during-forecast-period-2022-06-16

#Luxury Packaging Market #Luxury Packaging Industry #Luxury Packaging Market Share #Luxury Packaging Market Size #Luxury Packaging Market Trends #Luxury Packaging Market Regional Analysis #Luxury Packaging Market Growth Rate

0 notes