#Three person inflatable tent

[pagoda-inflatable-tents]

3 person inflatable tent: a lightweight and comfortable outdoor choice

How to choose the right inflatable tent for three people: ideal for outdoor camping With the growing popularity of outdoor activities and camping, choosing a suitable tent has become key for outdoor travelers. Three-person inflatable tents are ideal for small group camping due to their easy setup, comfortable interior space and lightweight design. If you are looking for a high quality three-person inflatable tent, a visit to pagoda-tent.com will provide you with a wealth of options and useful information. This article will detail the features and benefits of three-person inflatable tents and how to choose the right one for you.

Main features of 3-person inflatable tent Convenient pitching process One of the most significant advantages of inflatable tents is their quick and easy setup process. While traditional tents usually require poles and ropes to set up, inflatable tents are supported by an inflatable structure. It can be set up in a matter of minutes using only the included air pump, making it ideal for beginners or campers who want to set up their tent quickly. This design not only saves time and effort, but also avoids the problem of incorrect pitching due to the complex support structure.

Comfortable interior space Three-person inflatable tents are usually designed with a reasonable layout of the interior space to provide ample sleeping and moving space for three campers. The interior of the tent is usually divided into resting and storage areas, ensuring that each camper has enough personal space to store their gear and enjoy a comfortable resting environment. In addition, inflatable tents are designed to be more flexible, with vents and windows added as needed to ensure air circulation and temperature regulation inside the tent.

Strong and durable materials Three-person inflatable tents are usually manufactured with high-quality waterproof and windproof materials to ensure that the tent is able to cope with a wide range of outdoor weather conditions. The outer material of the tent is mostly thickened waterproof polyester or PVC, which provides good resistance to tears and UV rays. In addition, the tent's inflatable support structure is specially designed to remain stable in strong winds, making it ideal for a wide range of camping environments such as high mountains and beaches.

Why choose 3-person inflatable tent? Suitable for small group camping The 3-Person Inflatable Tent is perfect for small families, couples or groups of three campers. It provides a space that is neither too big nor too small, and can fulfill the basic needs of three adults inside the tent. Compared to larger tents, the three-person inflatable tent is more portable and lightweight, making it suitable for hikers or long-distance backpackers.

Lightweight and easy to carry For outdoor enthusiasts, lightness is one of the most important factors in choosing a tent. Three-person inflatable tents are usually lightweight and compact when folded, making them easy to put into a backpack or car. Its simple structure makes it easy to operate even for beginners. In addition, since inflatable tents do not require traditional metal support poles, the overall weight is greatly reduced, making it less burdensome for campers when hiking.

Weather Adaptable The design of the three-person inflatable tent has been fully tested against wind and rain, and is able to cope with weather changes in most outdoor environments. Its unique inflatable structure not only ensures the stability of the tent, but also effectively reduces the problem of rainwater accumulation or leakage, especially in inclement weather, and still provides a dry, comfortable shelter for campers. Many tents are also equipped with moisture-resistant mats for further protection.

Choose a three-person inflatable tent at pagoda-tent.com Browse a wide range of tent options At pagoda-tent.com, you'll find a wide selection of three-person inflatable tents, ranging from basic to advanced models. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a newcomer to the outdoors, there's a tent model on the site to fit your needs. Common tent types include:

Basic 3-Person Inflatable Tent: Ideal for short trips and light camping trips, it usually has a simple design with a focus on portability and ease of pitching. Premium three-person inflatable tents: suitable for longer camping trips and harsher environments, with greater resistance to wind and water, and with extra storage space and comfort features such as internal hooks and light stands. Choosing a tent based on camping needs When choosing a three-person inflatable tent, campers should base their choice on their needs. If you plan to camp during the spring and summer seasons, choosing a tent with good ventilation will ensure comfort at night. For winter camping or high altitude activities, it is recommended to choose a tent with stronger insulation and windproof performance. In addition, pagoda-tent.com offers a wide range of customization options that allow you to tailor the colors, sizes, and additional features to your personal preferences, ensuring that you choose the perfect tent for your outdoor needs.

[ultram0th]

“Man, these supplements you gave me suck!” bodybuilder Antoine Valliant growled as he examined himself in the posing mirror. “Where did you say you got these?”

You shrugged your thinner shoulders. “I bought them off some guy who swore up and down by them,” you lied. “He said that in just three days’ time, you’d be shredded like crazy.” You’d been working as Antoine’s personal assistant for the past two months and had really gained the trust of the muscle man, going so far as to convince him to try these new pills that you’d ordered online.

And they were clearly working.

You fought hard to hide your mischievous grin as the bodybuilder frowned as he continued to look at himself in the mirror. His body hair had increased, growing back in a short matter of hours. He’d shaved his chest just this morning, not that anyone could tell. Already his pecs and stomach were matted with thick, dark fur. That was the least of his concerns though since instead of cutting like he’d wanted, Antoine was horrified to find himself beefing up. In a short three days, the stud had packed on nearly thirty pounds of muscle and fat, giving him a really beefy and hairy look. His gut protruded much more than he liked and his thighs pressed together, shoving his large cock out in front of him as it struggled to be contained in his tiny posers. Even his pecs had rounded out and jutted away further from his hairy chest. The bodybuilder gave it a tentative poke, his frown deep on his face. None of his clothes fit him anymore, leaving him to just wearing his posers and sweats, which looked plastered over his inflated form.

“I’m sure it’s just left over water weight,” you offered, incredibly turned on. You held out another pill. “Speaking of which, time for today’s dose. I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

Antoine huffed in defeat and took the pill, swallowing it in one gulp.

[The next day]

You walked into Antoine’s apartment, setting your tablet down on the counter. As per your usual routine, you fixed a pot of coffee and helped yourself to a cup, mixing in some sugar. “Mr. Valliant!” you called out, taking a sip of the coffee which tasted a little bit more bitter than normal. “I’m here! How’re you feeling today?”

There was a low groan and the floorboards squeaked as the massive muscle man made his way over to the living room where you were. Once he made it, your jaw dropped at the sight of the large musclebear that the bodybuilder had become. 

Antoine was massive, weighing at least sixty more pounds, most of it centered on his beefy chest. His musclegut stood out proudly and his fuzzy pecs rested on top of it. Even his arms had packed on so much meat that they hung akimbo at his sides. His beard had filled in and he glared at you at you took in the sight of the bear.

“I know what you’ve been doing,” he accused, trying to cross his arms threateningly in front of him, but his pecs were so big that they kept pushing his biceps away.

“What do you mean?” you asked, feigning innocence. Your façade cracked when you heard a loud rip and felt a rush of cool air on your ass cheeks. “What the—?”

You looked over your shoulder and felt the blood drain from your face as you watched your ass inflate before your very own eyes, tripling in size and jutting away to form a perfect shelf from your lower back. Before you could say anything more, the rest of your clothes ripped away from your inflating form. You were stunned silent as you witnessed your small pecs bulge and push away from your chest, resting on top of a protruding gut that rounded out away from you. Your arms packed on weight and you felt their cumbersome weight as your beefy hands itched at your skin which started to sprout dark, coarse hair all over. You couldn’t exactly see it, but you saw your blurred reflection in the TV and nearly passed out as you watched your seven inch cock twitch and pull in, stopping at a tiny, embarrassing two inches. It was practically invisible as it hid underneath your new musclegut which was hard to the touch and stuck straight out.

Antoine waddled over to you, dwarfing you completely, in height, muscle, and musclegut size. And especially cock size.

“Wh-what did you do?!” you shouted as your shaky hands ran over your bulky, hairy body.

“It’s only fair,” Antoine grunted as he reached out and caressed your inflated asscheeks. At the touch of the larger man’s beefy hand on your globes, a shiver rippled through your larger body and your little nub throbbed with want.

“Uuhhh,” you moaned uncontrollably. You had no idea what was happening, but the surge of pleasure and want that washed over you was overwhelming, and before you could even register what was happening, you dropped to your knees and hungrily began to suck Antoine’s huge cock. You winced when you felt your inflated asscheeks press against your beefy legs, but ignored it as you desperately ran your tongue all over the hard cock in your face.

Antoine chuckled as he looked down at you. “You got cocky,” he grunted, grabbing both side of your head with his beefy hands as he began to thrust his hips and mouth fuck you. His musclegut would brush up against your forehead every so often, turning you on all the more. “And now you get to pay the consequences. From now on, you’re my little cub, made exclusively for me to fuck. Got it?”

“Mm-hmm,” you moaned, swallowing the large load of cum from the beefy musclebear. Nothing sounded better to you. Well… there was one thing.

You finished swallowing and immediately turned around, presenting your inflated ass to the musclebear on all fours.

“Pl-please,” you begged.

Musclebear Antoine smirked and waddled closer to his new cub.

[curtvilescomic]

Tuska 2023

So the metal festival over now but that was fun!

This was three days, my Son and his girlfriend were full three days I was friday saturday and She was on friday.

Definite highlights were Gojira In Flames, Jinjer and Butcher Babies. Avatar kicked plenty of behinds and Clutch did a good show despite technical difficulties. 

Young ones got their 15 Warholian munutes of game being on Gojira Instagram and Finnish YLE as frontrow. Here is YLE pic

And yes the dude peeking behind my Son throwing horns is his old man in a kilt. And yes there is nothing but me under the kilt for fucks sake.

Avatar was a great festival opener and good live band. On friday Gojira and Jinjer crushed it.

Tati is a goddess

The kids said my stupid face was on screens from audience whether trance like or moshing like a freak I do not know. This band rules 

Young ones liked Arch Enemy too but while I like the band they have way too many guitat solos. I want riffs on riffs and brutality guitat solos are utterly useless 999 times out of thousand and you can keep them.

And we met up with my groovy ex girlfriend which was fun too.

Mokoma had a great tent gig even if it was the most drunken crowd of friday. And Gojira absolutely smashed it.

Today Satan, today. And yes that is bright blue Donald Duck slingbag.

Her friend turns fifty so while on saturday She went to a birthday party ( snd see their new puppy) me and young metalhead couple went back to Tuska.

Orbit Culture was s nice surprisr but despite some rain I left to see Clutch from front roe. And despite drums needing fixing and some looping they went to town. I checked my phone during set and found out that some ranfom female tried to choke my Son but thanks to his great goth girlfriend they got out of situation. And the drigged out assaillant was lucky that I wss elseehere.

We were feeling amgry and down awhile after that but thanks Motionless in White. This was in a way most fun set. My Son wanted to see them. Me and his girlfriend we...found them unintentionently funny emo band. So we just goofed snd danced. As my Son said " I had the gig and a free stand-up show"  and it began to pour rain during the set. I had rainponcho from Her and as my son's girlfriend marked " you turned into hairiest, grumpiest purple metal garden Elf"

Then we waited for In Flames. In the downpour. And made new friends.

In Flames eas good. No. Great. DINOSAUR!

That is not a song. Someone had brougth an inflatable dinosaur. On which the vocalist commented and got the chant of Dinosaur! DINOSAUR!" From the crowd and he apparently forgot this is Finland. I guess he thought saying"I want to see someone riding the Dino " was a joke. Still. Finland.

So, someone riding the inflatable dinosaur on people carrying Said dinosaur. In the pit.

I left through the pit because while In Flames was..well in flames I wanted frontrow of Butcher Babies. ( After I left it apparently went even more mental as flood of crowdsurfing began)

I went Mental with Butcher Babies. Carla and Heidi went to Yorktown and it was great show. And thsnkfully there was last december so I could rest and not have cardiac arrest. Will see them again for sure.

Managed to find the youth utterly spent and had a few as none of us gave a shit about Ville Valo. Though. The final heartfelt ballad "When love and death embrace" it is a pretty ballad. It is And it's a ballad.

So we had three person synchronized moshpit the whole song. Laughing.

They went sunday, me and Her went to movies.

Horns up!

[salchat]

👋 I just wanted to drop by and say I really love your art - it's so beautiful and I dont know how the fandom ever lived without it!!!

I've been on and off tumblr lately so I've missed some context, but I saw your post about cancer and spending the time you have learning to make art/writing fic. I think it's really cool that you're open about your diagnosis - my aunt had cancer and I know her willingness to talk openly about it brought a lot of comfort to people who didn't feel like they could do so. AND I super respect the "now of never" attitude - none of us should've putting off learning & doing things that bring us joy!

It also feels like you approach your art with a certain experimental attitude, like you're not afraid to make a mess of it (not that I've ever seen art from you that looks messy lmao). I dunno if that's related to "now or never" but regardless I admire it and am inspired to experiment more myself with writing. Thank you for sharing your art journey and love for these characters.

💕🦈

Thank you very much for your kind words. In some ways I wish I'd found the Supernatural fandom earlier, but I guess it came along at the right time, just when I needed a fresh new obsession! There's so much art of amazing quality that it's really quite humbling - not that I have an over-inflated opinion about my art anyway. I love it, but I can see its flaws all too easily.

I try to be open about my cancer, without constantly shoving it in people's faces - it's a difficult balance to get, because for me it's there all the time, every minute of every day, influencing everything I do, especially at the moment. And there's no getting away from that, not in the situation I'm in, when soon I'll start chemo and there isn't actually an end date in sight, other than 'when it stops working' and who wants to think about that? Certainly not me. Still, the battle, I find, isn't against the cancer itself, it's more about fighting to enjoy life - to have joy and silliness and amazement and all the good things - but to have them alongside the darkness and the grief, at exactly the same time.

Anyway, yes, part of my attitude to my art is, 'what's the worst that could happen?' I find some people at my life group are so tentative and worried - I just slash away and see what happens and it comes out all the better for that freedom. Art at home is a bit different, especially if I'm working on a portrait. I try to be similarly free and experimental, but it is so very, very hard to get a convincing likeness - and actually, as I progress it seems even harder - to catch an expression, to get the right angle and tilt and for it really to be that person. It's easy to get too intense and bogged down in the detail and the measurements. But it's a learning process. And what really pisses me off is that I want to carry on with that learning process, and carry on and on and on. But I won't be able to.

Still, life is now, right? Better get on and draw. Or write that fanfic that was going to be two chapters of satisfying h/c, but will now have to be three because I need it!

Thank you again for your lovely words.

[bestinflatabletent]

What is the Maximum Occupancy for an Inflatable Tent?

Inflatable tents have surged in popularity among campers due to their ease of setup and versatility. Unlike traditional pole tents, these innovative shelters use air beams for support, eliminating the cumbersome task of threading poles. This feature makes them particularly attractive for all types of groups—from solo adventurers to large families—because setup can be completed quickly and efficiently, allowing more time to enjoy the outdoors. Understanding the capacity of an inflatable tent is crucial as it ensures that each camper has adequate space to sleep and store their gear, enhancing the overall comfort and experience of the trip.

1. Understanding Tent Capacity Labels

Capacity Determination: The capacity labels on tents generally indicate the maximum number of adults that can sleep inside, often very snugly and without much room for personal belongings. Manufacturers base these labels on the assumption of close quarters.

Difference Between 'Sleeping' and 'Comfort' Capacities:

Sleeping Capacity: This is the maximum number of individuals that can lie down side-by-side in the tent, often without extra space for gear.

Comfort Capacity: Usually less than the sleeping capacity, this figure accounts for additional space needed for comfort and storage, suggesting a more realistic number of occupants.

Factors Influencing Tent Occupancy

Several factors can influence how many people can comfortably use an inflatable tent:

Layout: The design of the tent, including the number and arrangement of air beams, can affect space distribution.

Tent Dimensions: Overall dimensions provide a guideline, but the usable floor space, affected by sloped walls or irregular shapes, is critical.

Intended Use: Whether the tent is used for a base camp with longer stays or just overnight sleeping can change the space requirements per person.

2. Popular Inflatable Tents and Their Capacities

Various models cater to different needs:

Vango Air 500: Ideal for families, offering a balanced space with robust weather resistance and a capacity generally suitable for up to five people.

Heimplanet The Cave: Best for up to three occupants, featuring a geodesic structure for enhanced stability and quick setup, making it perfect for smaller groups or couples seeking durability in diverse conditions.

Best Tents for Solo Campers, Couples, and Families

Recommendations by Group Size:

Solo Campers: Look for compact models like the Heimplanet Fistral, which provides sufficient space for one, easy setup, and excellent weather resistance.

Couples: The Vango Airbeam, with its roomy interior for two, offers a good balance of comfort and convenience.

Families: Larger tents like the Decathlon Quechua Air Seconds 4.2 XL offer separate sleeping compartments and a generous living area, accommodating families comfortably.

3. Maximizing Comfort in Your Inflatable Tent

Arranging Space for Enhanced Comfort and Usability: To maximize comfort in larger inflatable tents, consider these tips:

Divide the Space: Use internal dividers if available, or arrange your gear to create separate 'rooms' for sleeping, dining, and storage.

Smart Bedding Arrangement: Position beds and sleeping bags in a way that maximizes space and privacy. Consider the tent’s slope and height to avoid cramped areas.

Centralize Common Areas: Set up a communal area in the center where the ceiling is often highest, ensuring there’s ample room for movement and socializing.

Utilize Vertical Space: Use hanging organizers or attach gear to the tent walls to keep the floor space clear.

Read more at: https://tishalisabet.wixsite.com/best-inflatable-tent

4. FAQs

What is the largest inflatable tent available? The largest inflatable tents can host over 10 people, with some models like the SUMMUS Inflatable Gazebo offering enough space for 8-12 people, providing ample room for large groups or families.

How to choose the right size tent for my family? Select a tent based on the number of occupants plus additional space for gear. Consider a tent with a capacity of at least two more people than your family size to ensure comfort.

Can extra gear affect the usable space in a tent? Yes, extra gear can significantly impact the usable space. Opt for tents with additional storage options or external storage capabilities to maintain interior comfort.

Are there inflatable tents that can expand their capabilities? Some inflatable tents come with add-on sections or adjustable partitions that can expand their usable space, catering to different group sizes and needs.

5. Conclusion

Choosing an inflatable tent with the appropriate capacity is crucial for enhancing your camping experience. A well-sized tent not only provides comfort but also ensures that all campers and gear can be accommodated without feeling cramped. Proper planning in selecting and arranging your tent will contribute significantly to a more enjoyable and relaxing outdoor adventure.

We also have this for you: https://www.instapaper.com/p/inflatabletent

[pawbean-soda]

playing cards

quick trigger/content warning. this story contains mild child neglect, attempting to get someone to "toughen up", and running away from home.

Henry has had about enough of his uncle. About enough of a lot of things, actually. His parents weren't bad per se, but not good enough to love, his uncle was much the same. John lived outside a small town about 12 miles out from Houston, Texas. Henry’s parents thought it to be a good idea to leave him there for the summer. The entire summer, and Henry has had it with them and their attempts at toughing him up. He shut the book on his lap with little thought, Some coffee table hardback about old cars. It was one of five books in the house, three of which he brought himself. He leaned back in the old armchair. The army green upholstery was scratchy like cheap yarn and was warmer than it had any right to be. Henry looked up at the ceiling, resting his head on the back of the chair and thought for a moment. There was a chess board in the upstairs hall closet; it was missing two pawns and a knight. He could improvise pieces and play against himself. There was bread in the kitchen, he could make a tower, maybe make up a game. John didn't like it when he touched the food outside of mealtimes though. Maybe if he put it back before he got home tomorrow morning. Actually, now that he thought about it, he could do a lot of things if he put it back before John got home. He was observant so Henry would half to be careful. There were the big jackets in the hall closet, the kayak in the garage. The keys to the truck. He could drive to town, buy a novel with the money he brought. The money John took on day one and put somewhere, Henry had no idea where. 

Hey, while he might not drive to town (being a person with a brain) he could find his wallet. He got up from the chair, stretched for a minute (the judo training his dad put him through finally being good for something) and started the search.

After a four hour long hunt, you would expect the house to be trashed. Henry, however, has been hyper vigilant in putting things back and the house looked identical to when he started. He had begun in the living room and worked his way through the kitchen, bathroom, both bedrooms, and all three of the closits. Right now he was working through the garage, bin by bin. Taking down another one, opening it revealed, gasp, more camping supplies. John seriously had a problem. He took out a hiking backpack and started going through the pockets. At this rate we should just run away and get a job, he had more than enough supplies for it, clearly. Actually, this hiking bag was kind of roomy. Twice the space of the one he came here with. “You know what”, Henry stood up, hands on his hips, “that, is a great idea”. he reopened the bin he had just put down, taking out anything that could possibly be useful. Dragging them out to the living room on a tarp. He opened another bin after that, Then another one, found his wallet in the eighth. It was a black rectangular card holder with rainbow slots and a zip up coin pocket going down the side. Reminded him of a polaroid camera. The driver’s license he got just before he left for his uncle’s was moved from the clear pocket to the coin pocket and 14 out of the original twenty dollars were missing. No matter, it just makes him feel less guilty about raiding the safe under John's bed.

in the end, henry ended up taking the hiking pack, a one person tent, sleeping bag and the nice camping mattress (a delightfully inflatable thing), package food from the kitchen, his clothes, the books he brought, two hundred and thirty seven dollars from the safe, a zippo lighter from john’s night stand, and of course, the catalyst for this whole operation, the harbinger of his freedom, his wallet. He also grabbed a flashlight on the way out, as it was already dark outside. The house was clean, the lights were off, and John wouldn't know he was gone until he tried to make the pile of pillows in his bed do the dishes.

John lived along a two lane highway off highway 35. It was a two hour walk to the closest town and by proxy, the 35. The desert was cold at night. The sun baked sand growing cold in the absence of the sun. Little plants ran along the cracks on the side of the highway and played peekaboo in the dunes. Cacti stood like sentinels in the sand. Henry, having spent the first ten years of his life in a lovely place called northern canada, thinks that this is a well deserved break from the hell that is the summer daytime.

“Hello”

Henry paused, there was a coyote in the road. 

It wasn't big, only coming up to his thigh. Although it was far out enough in the desert he could be wrong. Its face was ponty and triangular. Its eyes were orange like egg yolks, shining gently and its ears pointed to the sky like they were hung there on wooden polls. like scarecrows.

“On a journey, are you?”

It did not open its mouth to speak. He could tell even from this distance, it stood still. it’s voice sounded like a whisper from right beside him.

As strange as this all was, the coyote was not creepy. More like an estranged older brother.

“Yep”, nothing better to do than respond. “Hmmm” it was a soft melodic sound like elevator music. “I have a gift for you then”. Before he could get a word out, the coyote disappeared, like they ran off into the desert then Henry immediately forgot they moved. Maybe they didn't move at all and they just closed their eyes and it was too dark to see them otherwise.

About two hours sitting in the diner, the waitress brought him a deck of cards with his food. It was old and yellow, the faces were simplistic and the backs had no branding, just a white floral design over a blue background. They didn't have a box so Henry took a rubber band off the floor to keep them together. They made themselves at home in his pocket.

[moonchilde01]

An Observation of Homelessness

Everyone says that being homeless is horrible and I’m sure that in the big cities it is. However, I was homeless for three years in a small city that thinks it’s a big city. It has an inflated ego to say the least. That said this is where I grew up and I love this place.

Now back to how horrible being homeless is. I have to admit that the worst part of it was the addict that I dated for seven years. We won’t talk about him though. I’m still dealing with the PTSD that he caused and would rather not reopen wounds that it’s taken me years to heal.

I always said that if someone was homeless my town was the place to be. There was a place that served breakfast and lunch and another one that served dinner. Both places served seven days a week, 365 days a year. If you went hungry it was your own fault or you were working during the hours that food was being served.

Living in tent city was actually nice sometimes. I was out in nature and for the first time that I can recall I found serenity when I was alone in my tent. I’d listen to the owls talk to each other every night. They were usually polite and spoke in turns, however there were times when I imagined that they were arguing over something important because they’d all talk at once.

In my area I had a skunk that I fed, at a distance of course, but if I sat outside of my tent quietly she would curl up under my chair and sleep. I just made sure not to make any quick moves. At night she would curl up to me if it was cold. Her outside the tent and me inside of course.

I only knew a few homeless people that were dirty or stinky. Most of us kept water in gallon jugs at our campsites that we used to wash off. The place that served breakfast and lunch also offered showers three days a week which was nice in warm weather but really sucked when it was cold. I never had to use this service in winter because I was lucky enough to get into the shelter during that time. Okay that’s enough about me.

Now as you can imagine I’m an advocate for the homeless. But there are things that I don’t think a lot of advocacy groups understand. In a perfect world we would all live in houses or apartments but there are a lot of homeless people that have been given that opportunity and turned it down or tried living in a place that are back out on the streets in a matter of weeks to a month or two.

A good portion of homeless people cannot function in what’s considered a normal society. There are various reasons for this. Some have mental disabilities; some have that combined with addictions of one sort or another. The hard truth is that not having bills that will eat up your drug money is preferrable. Some have just become used to this lifestyle and don’t have the desire to live in a house or apartment. I personally have known many homeless people like this.

Where the advocacy needs to focus isn’t so much on housing the homeless as it is providing services like my hometown offer. Food, medical care and yes more shelters. Especially during winter. True many of the people won’t take advantage of the shelters but there are many that will. We  also need to have more family shelters because unfortunately there are more children that are homeless than most people realize.

Please don’t think that I’m saying I know all the solutions because any society is complex and has many facets. I’m just speaking from experiences that a lot of advocates have never been through. It’s just my personal opinion of how we can help instead of saving our fellow humans that are living a different life than we are.

4 April 2024

[derrick-riches]

Mort the Troll

Mort the Troll froze to death in the early hours of a Saturday morning in early February. A few days later, he was buried unceremoniously in the Veteran's section of the city cemetery. I doubt anyone was in attendance. In the early spring, the site of his winter encampment was relandscaped so that no one else would find refuge next to the grating where the warm air was vented from the library.

            Where Mort spent his summers was a mystery. In wintertime, he came with a large blue tarp that he would tie to the large steel vent. Air flowed out, inflating the tarp into a tent that stayed warm regardless of the harshness of the winters on the mountainside.

            The vent sat under an architectural feature that imitated a bridge. A bridge that went nowhere and was only occasionally used by lost students or Parry the Pervert. Living under this bridge, in a dead-end corner around the back of the library, Mort, which wasn’t his name, had come to be known as the library troll, or just the Troll.

            This was in the earliest days of Berners-Lee’s little computer experiments when only a few computer aficionados might use the term troll to refer to a combative contrarian on Usenet forums. For those who called Mort a troll, they referred purely to the bridge-dwelling type.

            Most of the time, Mort was a ghost. He ignored people, and they him. He moved about campus, digging through garbage cans or simply huddling someplace to stay warm. At times, he became belligerent, yelling at lone students. Often in racist and sexist rants. He had a way of eroding any sympathy his plight might induce.

            This isn’t to say that attempts to aid him were not made. There were, in those days, a number of Vietnam Veterans on campus either as staff or professors. By means I was not privy to, they had concluded that Mort was a fellow brother in arms. They finagled him through the doors of the nearby VA hospital on a few occasions. Mort would refuse to provide his name, rank, or serial number. In kind, Veteran’s Affairs would refuse him care.

            A collection was gathered, and a room at the old-school hotel just off campus was reserved. This was the kind of hotel that had monthly rates. Mort was checked in. He promptly stripped the room of anything useful to him and carted it back to his tarp tent hanging off the side of the library. Further attempts to aid Mort were not made by his fellow veterans.

            A sorority once took on Mort’s case as a community service project. They raised money with car washes and bought him clothes, camping equipment, and nonperishable foodstuffs. During their presentation to him, photos were taken. Their smiles quickly disappeared once Mort launched into a precise and detailed explanation of all the things he intended to do with their various orifices. Still, gifts of food and clothes were left through the winter for Mort the Troll.

            My own encounters with Mort were more frequent than I liked. His section under the bridge was near the staff entrance, so it was inevitable that our paths would cross more than a few times. Usually, he ignored me. Sometimes, we would have a few minutes of conversational clarity. Typically, he talked about the weather.

            Once, he reminisced. He spoke about a time before the war, his war. It was difficult to follow, but what I gathered was of his days in high school somewhere in Idaho. For a moment, he wasn’t Mort the Troll. The person he once was seemed to shine through. It all ended abruptly when he caught sight of a young woman walking to class. I won’t repeat what he said. Suffice it to say, it involved chewing on the part of her.

            The last time I had seen Mort, he had thrown an empty plastic bottle of mouthwash at me. It was a generic brand that could be bought at the Crystal Mart a few blocks away for three dollars. Mort went through several bottles a week.

            That Saturday morning in February had been preceded by a small ice storm that blew out a transformer, plunging lower campus into darkness. The University had a central boiler from which most of the buildings were heated. One year, a pipe had burst, creating the great ice volcano that destroyed the bookstore’s parking lot.

            The power had been restored shortly before the library opened. While heat had flowed to the building during the power outage, the ventilation system failed. I arrived at work that morning to find a building unevenly heated, computers down, and general chaos. Amid the confusion, I didn’t think about Mort. Not until around 11:30. Not that it would have made any difference.

[just4funpartyrentals]

Choose Suitable Party Tent Rentals to Make Your Carnivals and Events Memorable

The demand for party tent rental is continuously increasing due to its versatility and ability to cater to various events. The customizable features and wide range of options make it a convenient choice for hosts looking to create a unique and personalized atmosphere for their guests.

Santa Barbara, California, is known for its vibrant community events and festivals. It hosts various events, such as the Old Spanish Days Fiesta, the Summer Solstice Parade, the Santa Barbara County Fair, the Santa Barbara Harbour and Seafood Festivals, and much more.

If you plan to host a carnival or party in Santa Barbara, look for a complete carnival tent package or party tent rental. These packages provide everything you need to create a festive atmosphere, including tents, tables, chairs, lighting, and decorations. Whether you're hosting a small backyard gathering or a large community event, renting a full carnival tent package can make your planning process much easier and ensure your guests have a memorable experience.

Full Carnival Tent Package:

The complete package includes three carnival tents, each with a back wall and side railings. Get ready for the carnival with this amazing decoration kit. These tents are perfect for hosting a party for kids or creating a nostalgic atmosphere for your wedding or birthday celebration. This popup canopy package is a fantastic way to bring a carnival vibe to a fundraising event at a church, school, or street fair, and it's affordable, too.

Although the seams on the tops of commercial popup tents made with polyester may allow some water to enter during heavy rain, the material is waterproof. Even though the tent covers are fireproof, you shouldn't place gas heaters beneath them.

8×8 Carnival Tent Red & White:

The 8x8 Carnival Tent in red and white stripes is the perfect decor item for a carnival look. Whether you're organizing a children's event or looking to create a nostalgic atmosphere for your wedding or birthday celebration, this tent is the perfect choice. This popup canopy is ideal for non-profits looking for a high-quality and affordable way to create a festive atmosphere at church, school, or street fair events. The complete carnival tent package is also available. Click the link for more details on that product. Add side rails to create an enclosed look, and optionally include a back wall. This tent is versatile in setup and use. Also, consider adding carnival games, concession machines, inflatables, or a photo booth to enhance your theme. We also rent cornholes, nacho machines, dunk tanks, and hoop shots! All popup tents on our website are water-resistant, but the tops may have leaky seams in heavy rain. This polyester tent is water-resistant and fire-retardant. All tent tops are fire-resistant, but we advise against placing propane heaters under these tents.

Tent Side Rails, Red and White Stripe:

These tent side rails in red and white stripes add a vibrant and festive touch to your event setup. They are made of durable materials that can withstand outdoor conditions and provide additional stability to your tent. The red and white stripes also add a visually appealing element that complements various themes and decorations. Whether you're hosting a carnival, fair, or any outdoor gathering, these tent side rails will enhance the overall atmosphere and create a memorable experience for your guests.

10x10 canopy tent:

Consider using a 10x10 canopy tent to provide shade and protection from the elements. These tents are easy to set up and can be customized with sidewalls, banners, and other accessories to fit your needs. The compact size of the tent makes it ideal for smaller events or limited spaces while still providing ample coverage for your guests.

10x20 canopy tent:

This tent rental is a good option for larger events or occasions where you need more space to accommodate more guests. The 10x20 canopy tent offers double the coverage compared to the 10x10 tent, providing even more shade and protection from the sun or rain. Its versatile design allows for various configurations, such as dividing the space into different sections or creating separate areas for other activities. With its spacious layout, the 10x20 canopy tent ensures guests have plenty of room to move around and enjoy themselves.

20x20 high peak tent:

While arranging carnival games or hosting a large outdoor event, the 20x20 high peak tent is the perfect choice. With its spacious dimensions, this tent can accommodate many guests and provide ample space for various activities. The high-peak design adds an elegant touch to the overall aesthetic and allows for better air circulation, keeping everyone comfortable even in hot weather.

Depending on requirements and budgets, choose the right party tent rental option and see how it can transform your event into a memorable and enjoyable experience. Whether it's a wedding reception, corporate gathering, or birthday celebration, party tent rentals offer a versatile solution to accommodate any event. With customizable features such as lighting, flooring, and heating options, party tents can be tailored to suit the specific needs and preferences of the host. Additionally, the availability of different sizes and styles ensures that there is a perfect tent rental option for every occasion.  

[cyberbenb]

Belarus Weekly: Prigozhin back in Russia, Lukashenko says offer to move still stands

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko urges Belarusians to “calm down” after the presumed arrival of Wagner Group mercenaries following their day-long insurrection in Russia.

Rumors continue circulating about whether camps to house Wagner troops are under construction.

Lukashenko claims that the Wagner Group’s founder Yevgeny Prigozhin is back in Russia.

After banning several Ukrainian media outlets for allegedly “discrediting” him, Lukashenko signs a law permitting Belarus to ban media from so-called “unfriendly countries.”

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Belarusian authorities sentence the son of former presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, Eduard, to eight years in prison on politically motivated charges.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly recognizes Russia as being responsible for the “soft annexation” of Belarus during its 30th Annual Session.

Poland and Ukraine up their defenses along their borders with Belarus this week following the threat of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus.

Belarus’ transport minister dies suddenly and mysteriously at the age of 47.

Lukashenko urges Belarusians to ‘calm down’ amid presumed Wagner arrivals

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko urged Belarusians to “calm down” after the presumed arrival of Wagner Group mercenaries in the country following their day-long insurrection in Russia.

Following Wagner’s armed mutiny on June 23-24, aimed at countering Russia’s military top brass, Lukashenko allegedly brokered a secret deal with Wagner Group Head Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The Kremlin announced that charges against Prigozhin will be dropped and that he, as well as any Wagner mercenaries that do not join Russia’s military, will move to Belarus.

While Prigozhin’s whereabouts have yet to be confirmed, Lukashenko claimed on June 27 that the Wagner Group chief arrived in Belarus.

Russia comes to the brink of civil war: How we got here and what it means

Visually, the scene was a familiar one. Russian armored vehicles emblazoned with the Z logo in the central streets of a once peaceful city, masked soldiers standing at key intersections, and confrontational conversations with bemused local civilians. But this wasn’t a Ukrainian city in the first da…

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

In his speech on June 30, three days before Belarus’ Independence Day, Lukashenko said the issue of Wagner transfers to Belarus has been “inflated,” referring specifically to the fact that Wagner has heavily recruited Russian convicts.

“These are the most prepared people,” Lukashenko said. “They say, ‘there are prisoners.’

Listen, all the soldiers who were convicted there (in Russia), they have already died, unfortunately. And one more nuance they don’t want to explain: Convicts were released from prisons in Russia only for the Russian front. Not a single person (Russian inmate fighting in Ukraine) goes abroad.”

Rumors have continued to circulate surrounding the alleged construction of camps to accommodate Wagner mercenaries transferred to Belarus.

Lukashenko claimed on June 27 that camps for the mercenaries are not yet under construction, adding that no Wagner recruitment offices will be opened in Belarus.

Meanwhile, satellite imagery by Planet Labs from June 30 show hundreds of what appear to be field tents, as well as indications of construction work, in an abandoned military garrison near the village of Tsel in Belarus’ central Mahiliou region.

Belarusian monitoring group Belarusian Hajun suggested the camp, comprising nearly 300 tents, could fit over 8,900 people.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggested on June 30 that the Wagner Group will operate out of three large field camps in Belarus, including the abandoned military garrison in the Mahiliou region.

However, the monitoring group said there is currently no indication that Wagner mercenaries are present.

Planet Labs satellite imagery reportedly does not show any signs of military equipment, and RFE/RL said it cannot be confirmed whether the tents are intended to accommodate Wagner troops.

According to Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov, Prigozhin doesn’t intend on stationing the bulk of his mercenaries in Belarus, but rather to set up a hub for logistic purposes and recruitment.

“And what is going to happen next is that the majority of (Wagner) personnel which were previously engaged in fighting in Ukraine will be step-by-step moved to Africa to continue operations there,” he added.

The Pentagon said on June 30 that it had no information on whether satellite images in southern Belarus indicate plans for a permanent Wagner camp there.

Lukashenko claims Prigozhin back in Russia

Lukashenko claims that warlord Prigozhin is back in Russia, Reuters reported on July 6.

"As for Prigozhin, he's in St. Petersburg. He is not on the territory of Belarus," Lukashenko told reporters.

He added, however, that his previous offer to Wagner mercenaries to come to Belarus still stands.

Prigozhin and his contractors were said to leave for Belarus after their rebellion on June 23-24 ended in an undisclosed treaty, allegedly brokered by Lukashenko.

On June 27, the Belarusian dictator said that the mercenary boss has arrived in the country shortly after reports that Prigozhin's business jet landed at the Machulishchy military airfield near Minsk.

Lukashenko signs law banning media from ‘unfriendly countries’

Lukashenko signed a law on July 1 that will permit Belarus to ban media from so-called “unfriendly countries,” his office said.

“The law provides for the possibility of imposing a ban on the activities of foreign media… in the event that foreign states display unfriendly actions against Belarusian media,” the statement said.

The new law also expands the grounds for revoking state registration certificates for mass media in Belarus, as well as restricts access to various online resources, publications, and news aggregators.

Belarus’ Council of Ministers, which drafted the bill, claimed it was a tit-for-tat move for the blocking of Belarusian mass media in Western states.

On June 24, the head of Belarus’ state TV and radio company, Belteleradiocompany, Ivan Esmont, called for Minsk to ban YouTube for blocking content by Belarusian state media.

On June 28, Minsk cut off access to several Ukrainian news websites for allegedly “discrediting” the Belarusian president. The blocked Ukrainian sites include hromadske.ua, glavred.info, spektr.press, news.online.ua, and tribun.com.ua.

The Belarusian Prosecutor’s Office claimed the blocked sites had posted so-called “false” and “extremist” content surrounding the Wagner Group’s recent armed mutiny in Russia, allegedly “prompting (Belarusian) citizens to oppose the state authorities.”

In Belarus, “insulting” the president is punishable by imprisonment.

Lukashenko’s regime intensified its crackdown against Belarusian media in the aftermath of the fraudulent presidential election in 2020. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 37 journalists are currently detained in Belarus.

Belarus ranked 157th out of 180 countries for press freedom in RSF’s 2023 Press Freedom Index. The organization considers Belarus “Europe’s most dangerous country for journalists until Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

Son of opposition leader Babaryka sentenced to 8 years

Belarusian authorities sentenced Eduard Babaryka, the son of former Belarusian presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, to eight years in prison for politically motivated charges on July 5.

After spending three years in custody at a pre-trial detention center, Eduard was charged with tax evasion, money laundering, helping organize “mass riots,” and “inciting social hatred,” among other charges. Eduard has rejected the charges, calling them politically motivated.

Eduard’s father, Viktar, was considered one of Lukashenko’s primary political opponents during the 2020 Belarusian presidential election. He is currently serving a 14-year sentence in Belarus.

Belarus in 2022: War, death, and a very grim place

Belarus entered 2022 gobbled in its ongoing political crisis and finished it as an accomplice in an unprovoked and brutal Russian aggression toward Ukraine. Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko conceded his country’s sovereignty to Russia, becoming entirely reliant on President Vladimir Putin’s wi…

The Kyiv IndependentTeah Pelechaty

Eduard and Viktar were arrested by Belarusian authorities in June 2020 while en route to file signatures in favor of Viktar’s presidential candidacy – a move widely considered an attempt to take Babaryka out of the presidential race.

Viktar was hospitalized on April 27 with a collapsed lung and traces of severe beating. He has since gone missing. The European Parliament adopted a resolution on May 11 calling for his release.

Before joining his father’s campaign staff in 2020, Eduard ran the crowdfunding platform Ulej, among other humanitarian projects, and funded the publication of a collection of Belarusian works by Nobel Peace Prize-winning writer Sviatlana Aleksievich.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly says Russia responsible for ‘soft annexation’ of Belarus

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) recognized Russia as being responsible for the “soft annexation” of Belarus during its 30th Annual Session.

The OSCE PA underscored Russia’s “violently imperial and colonial nature,” which is exemplified in its “soft annexation of Belarus,” as well as Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, violation of international human rights and laws of sovereign nations, illegal occupation of Georgian territory, support for Russian proxies in Moldova, and subordination of indigenous and ethnic minority nations within Russia.

The declaration also condemned the “shameful accomplice role of Belarus as co-aggressor” in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Leaked document reveals alleged Kremlin plan to take over Belarus by 2030

Editor’s note: This story is a collaboration between the Kyiv Independent and media partners, including Delfi (Estonia), Dossier Center (U.K.), Expressen (Sweden), Frontstory.pl, VSquare, and Belarusian Investigative Center (Poland), Süddeutsche Zeitung and Westdeutscher Rundfunk (Germany), and Yaho…

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Myroniuk

A separate resolution included in the declaration expressed support for a democratic Belarus, urging the release of political prisoners and a stop to the repressions conducted by Lukashenko’s regime.

The OSCE PA said it was “deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus and the authorities’ brutal crackdown on civil liberties, freedom of association and independent media, as well as the continued repression of political opposition, civil society, trade unions, and legal defenders.”

Poland, Ukraine continue to up defenses at Belarusian border

Poland and Ukraine upped their defenses along their borders with Belarus this week following the threat of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus.

Poland reinforced its border with Belarus with 500 law enforcement officers, including riot and anti-terrorism units, Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński said on July 2.

He added that there are already 5,000 Polish border guards and 2,000 soldiers guarding the border.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Warsaw has learned that Belarus could accommodate up to 8,000 Wagner mercenaries.

Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Poland wants to join NATO’s nuclear sharing program in response to Russia’s plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

“We do not want to sit idly by while Putin escalates all sorts of threats,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 30 that Ukraine would also strengthen its defense lines along its northern border with Belarus amid the Wagner threat.

Poland to reinforce Belarusian border with counterterrorism forces

Poland will reinforce its border with Belarus with 500 policemen and counterterrorism forces due to the tense situation in the area, Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński reported on July 2.

The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Khrebet

Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev, the commander of Ukraine’s joint forces, said on July 1 that, while there is no direct threat of an offensive operation by the Belarusian military, Ukraine is prepared if the “level of threat rises.”

Last week, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania called on NATO to reinforce its eastern flank in response to the alleged transfer of Wagner Group mercenaries to Belarus.

“It could take (Wagner mercenaries) eight to 10 hours to suddenly appear somewhere in Belarus close to Lithuania,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda warned on June 25.

Belarusian transport minister dies at 47

Belarusian Transport Minister Alexey Avramenko died suddenly at the age of 47 on July 5, according to Belarusian state media BelTA.

The cause of death was not mentioned.

Born in 1977 in Minsk, Avramenko held several positions in the Belarusian Transport Ministry and has served as the state’s transport minister since 2019.

Avramenko has been placed under international sanctions for his role in Minsk illegally diverting a passenger flight in May 2021, resulting in the arrest of Belarusian blogger Raman Pratasevich and his former girlfriend, Sofia Sapega, for politically motivated charges.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) found Belarus guilty of orchestrating the forced landing, which constitutes an offense under the Montreal and Chicago conventions.

Lukashenko's Independence Day

The Spotlight segment provides readers with the historical context of contemporary events in Belarus.

Lukashenko’s Belarus officially celebrates its Independence Day on July 3. This day was handpicked by Lukashenko.

Independence Day was originally celebrated in Belarus on July 27.

On that day in 1991, Belarus declared its sovereignty from the Soviet Union. Full independence was officially recognized on Dec. 26, 1991, marking the final dissolution of the once-powerful Soviet Union.

For the next four years, Belarus celebrated its independence on July 27 until Lukashenko proposed changing it to July 3, the day when Minsk was liberated from Nazi occupation in 1944.

The question of the independence day was up for a referendum in 1996, allegedly to attract a higher turnout for the matters important to Lukashenko: introducing changes to the constitution that consolidated the president’s authority and transitioning the country into the super-presidential republic.

Alongside the major political shift, the referendum was to decide whether to ban capital punishment in the country, elect or appoint regional authorities, and allow free trade of farmland in Belarus.

The official results showed Belarusians' support for Lukashenko’s position on all questions. The vote was deemed neither free nor fair.

According to historians and contemporary politicians, Belarusians supported changing the date of the country’s main holiday since the country’s independence was then associated with the crippling economy of the newborn state, whereas the new date reminisced of the days of the Soviet past.

Praised by propaganda today, it receives little sentiment from the Belarusian people.

While the majority don’t have strong feelings against the celebration, people tend to consider it as just another summer holiday.

On July 4, 2023, propagandists even suggested making it a workday since not many Belarusians participated in the celebration.

The two versions of independence day in July are contested by Dzen Voli, the day celebrating the declaration of the Belarusian Democratic Republic on March 25, 1918. The short-lived entity laid the foundations of the Belarusian national state as we know it today.

[eazy-group]

The 12 Best Air Mattresses for Camping

New Post has been published on https://eazycamping.net/the-12-best-air-mattresses-for-camping/

The 12 Best Air Mattresses for Camping

Ah, the great outdoors — the fresh smell of pine trees, majestic mountain views, flowing rivers and meandering dirt paths through lush forests. Endless adventure awaits at every turn. Once darkness rolls in though, a fitful toss-and-turn kinda night can really kill the vibe. If you love camping, but dread camp sleeping, having a high-quality camp mattress and sleeping bag and a good can make a world of difference.

What Are the Different Types of Camping Mattresses?

Camping mattresses fall into three categories: foam pads, air-inflated pads and self-inflate pads.

Foam pads are the most basic and least comfortable. These are your classic thin, single layer of closed-cell foam. Air-inflated pads tend to be the lightest and pack down the smallest, but they are also the least durable. Self-inflate pads are the most popular among car campers and offer the most comfort and warmth. And unlike air mattresses for use in the home, self-inflate pads for camping don’t need a wall outlet. (If you’re looking for something elevated above the ground, we’ve also covered the best camping cots.

How to Choose Your Mattress

To choose one, “start with its intended use,” suggests Jeff Moberg, product line manager at Therm-a-Rest. “The main factors to consider are warmth, weight, comfort and packability.” Are you camping close to your car and have the luxury to go big? Or are you backpacking and need something small that fits in your pack? It’s worth noting that warmth is measured in R-value, an insulation scale that ranges from less than 2 (barely insulated) to 5.5 or more (highly insulated). The R references resistance to heat loss.

“It is also important to understand which shape and size you will need,” he adds. “The width and thickness of the mattresses should factor in your sleeping style. A side sleeper may want a thicker and wider pad, especially if they flip sides throughout the night. This will offer more cushion and surface area and prevent the camper from pressing into the center of the mattress where the insulation layers tend to live.”

Regardless of what direction you face when you sleep, a high-quality camping mattress will make your nights more restful, your days more energetic and your whole adventure more enjoyable — not to mention safer. So, ditch that dated, musty-smelling mattress and upgrade to one of these. You won’t regret it.

How We Tested

Testing in the wild on a bikepacking trip to Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern California.

Hayley Helms

Our team of editors tested has been camping, and subsequently testing camping air mattresses, for years. During our testing, we took air mattresses out to the mountains, the deserts and next to the beach, testing them in ground tents, rooftop tents and even out under the stars on top of tarps.

During testing, we kept a few factors in mind: did the mattress stay inflated throughout the entire evening of sleep? How difficult was it to inflate and deflate and pack up each mattress? How did they transport, and were they packable? Was the material durable enough to withstand punctures and tears? After many cozy nights (and some sleepless ones), we determined our top picks.

REI Kingdom Insulated Air Bed – Queen

REI

Kingdom Insulated Air Bed – Queen

REI Co-op rei.com

$149.00

Thickness: 6 inches

R-value: 2.6

Size: 79 inches x 56 inches

Packed size: 10 inches x 20 inches

For those who like to cuddle up with their partner, this bed is the ticket. The 6-inch-thick mattress comes with a manual air pump with a simple, 1-way inflation valve to keep air from leaking out during setup and a soft touch sleep surface. For such a big bed, it packs down quite well to roughly the size of a packed 2- or 3-person tent. Caveat: despite being called a queen, it measures four inches short on width and one inch in length from a true queen-sized mattress.

Luno Air Mattress 2.0

Luno

Best Mattress for Sleeping in the Car

Luno Air Mattress 2.0

Great for extra bed space car camping

May not fit your vehicle model

Thickness: 4 inches

R-value: N/A

Size: Fits persons up to 6’2″ tall, depending on your vehicle

Packed size: 16.5 inches x 29 inches (storage bag included)

If the thought of pitching a tent makes you cringe, but you’re not part of the van life crowd, Luno might be your new favorite brand. Designed to fit over 1,800 different vehicle models, this four-inch double-pad has two independent air mattresses that connect via a top fabric layer. This allows each sleeper to adjust the firmness to their preferred desire. It includes base extenders that fill the footwells of your backseat so the main mattress can sit atop for additional length.

Hest Sleep System

Best Upgrade Mattress

Hest Sleep System

Memory foam feels like sleeping on a cloud

Bulky, heavy and expensive

Thickness: 7 inches

R-value: 11.8

Size: 78 inches x 25 inches

Packed size: 16 inches x 28 inches

This two-part sleep system features a two-layer top pad that includes memory foam with a durable drop-stitch inflatable base (used in standup paddleboards) that’s waterproof. It’s seven inches thick and has a huge R-value of 11.7. Setup and breakdown is just as easy, if not easier, than most air mattresses. It may be heavy, bulky and pricey, but there’s a pretty good chance it’s more comfortable than your bed at home. This is hands down the most comfortable portable bedding you can buy. Pair it with Hest’s super comfortable packable camp pillow ($79) and sleep like backcountry royalty.

REI Camp Bed Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

Best Overall Camping Air Mattress

REI Camp Bed Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

Too heavy for backpacking

Thickness: 2.5 inches

R-value: 7.6

Size: 72 inches x 25 inches (Regular); 78 inches x 30 inches (XL)

Packed size: 5.5 inches x 26 inches (Regular); 8.5 inches x 30 inches (XL)

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better price-to-comfort car camping mattress. This self-inflating pad offers up a plush 2.5 inches of open-cell foam for a cozy spot to rest your head. Soft, stretch polyester top fabric feels soothing against your skin, so you can just sleep directly on top with a sleeping bag. The pad self-inflates 90 percent of the way on its own, needing just a few puffs to get your desired firmness. Suited for the darkest and coldest winter nights, its impressive 7.6 R-value keeps you insulated from the ground. The pad comes in regular and extra-large, but we recommend going big. No one ever wishes they had less sleeping surface.

Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self Inflating Mat

Best Budget Mattress

Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self Inflating Mat

Self-inflating means easy set up

Standard version is a little narrow

Thickness: 3 inches

R-value: 4.3

Size: 72 inches x 20 inches (Regular); 78 inches x 25 inches (Large)

Packed size: 8 inches x 10.2 inches (Regular); 8.5 inches x 13 inches (Large)

The issue with most budget inflatable mattresses is their questionable level of durability because one small leak can wreck your camping trip. Thankfully, this self-inflating 3-season pad is the perfect blend of value and performance. Sea to Summit’s Horizontal Delta coring process removes more than 40 percent of the foam in delta-shaped cores, without sacrificing comfort and quality. Need a little more space? Wide versions of the regular and large mattresses are also available. And rest assured (literally), you won’t wake up flat on the ground with a deflated pad.

Therm-a-Rest MondoKing

Therm-a-Rest

Most Comfortable Mattress

Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D

Thickness: 4.25 inches

R-value: 7

Size: 77 inches x 25 inches (Large); 80 inches x 30 inches (XL)

Packed size: 10.3 inches x 26 inches (Large); 10.3 inches x 31 inches (XL)

The MondoKing is likely to turn any tent into a cozy sleeping den. The brand’s plushest pad comes in two sizes and is suitable for all four seasons. It features Therm-a-Rest’s StrataCore technology, which uses a continuous layer of thermal foam nestled between alternating ridges of air and foam. Bottom line: no more sleepless camp nights with this thick, cozy mattress.

Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat

Sea to Summit

Best Oversized Mattress

Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat

Roomy enough for restless sleepers

Won’t fit well with another sleeping pad in a 2-3 person tent

Thickness: 4 inches

R-value: 6.5

Size: 80 inches x 51 inches

Packed size: N/A

Go ahead, sprawl those limbs out knowing they’ll never hang off the edge. Measuring over four feet wide and 6-feet-7-inches long, this mat is large enough for all but the tallest of basketball players. This oversized version of Sea to Summit’s most comfortable car camping mattress boasts 4 inches of plush foam wrapped with 30D stretch knit fabric on the upper surface. They say money can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a good night’s sleep with this rather pricey self-inflating mat.

Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest

Best Mattress for Short Backpacking Trips

Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro Sleeping Pad

May not be supportive enough for some sleepers

Thickness: 3 inches

R-value: 4.4

Size: 72 inches x 25 inches x 2.5 inches (Regular); 72 inches x 30 inches x 2.5 inches (Large)

Packed size: 5.5 inches x 26 inches (Regular); 8.5 inches x 30 inches (Large)

When shorter weekend backpacking trips mean you have a little extra room in your pack, fill that space with this ultra-cozy packable self-inflating pad. Packed down it weighs less than two pounds and is roughly the size of a paper towel roll — the perfect blend of size and overnight comfort. The three-inch-thick pad with stretch knit top and extra-thick built-in foam is far superior to any ultralight air-inflating backpacking pad.

Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad

REI

Best Closed-Cell Foam Pad

Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad

No-nonsense, classic design makes setup and break-down a cinch

Not as comfortable as luxe inflatable options

Thickness: 0.9 inches

R-value: 2

Size: 72 inches x 20 inches

Packed size: 20 inches x 5.5 inches x 5 inches

If you prefer a more intimate, close-to-the-ground sleeping experience, the Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad is for you. This closed-cell single-layer foam option is just shy of an inch thick and features a heat-reflecting film for an R-value of 2. It may not be as comfortable as its air-filled counterparts — and yes, it defies this guide’s title — but for old-school single-layer foam diehards, it’s one of the best.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest

Best Mattress for Ultra-Lightweight Backpacking

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad

Excellent weight:comfort ratio

Thickness: 2.5 inches

R-value: 4.2

Size: 72 inches x 20 inches (Regular); 77 inches x 25 inches (Large)

Packed size: 9 inches x 4.1 inches (Regular); 11 inches x 4.6 inches (Large)

When pack weight is counted in ounces, not pounds, the Therma-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad is sure to lighten the load. Similar in size to a 32oz Nalgene water bottle when packed, the small and regular size pads both come in under one pound. At 2.5 inches, it’s one of the thickest and most comfortable ultra-lightweight backpacking sleeping pads. Patent-pending, reflective ThermaCapture technology gives this pad an impressive 4.2 R-Value, making it suitable for all conditions, except arctic.

New and Upcoming Releases

Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe Insulated: This brand-new sleeping pad from Big Agnes is super cozy, but still lightweight enough for backpacking trips. The top is a quiet, stretch material that won’t wake up fellow campers when you roll over in your sleep, and the bottom is made from durable, recycled material that will stand up to tough conditions. The R-value is 4.3, and the pad weighs 25 ounces — keeping things nice and trim.

Inflating an Air Mattress: What to Know

You can pick one of two methods to inflate your air mattress: you can blow it up manually, using your breath or a hand pump, or you can get an electric pump. Some are corded, some are not — unless you have a generator with you, that corded option isn’t going to do you much good out in the wild. If you’re into convenience or have multiple, large mattresses to blow up, you may want to go with an electric pump. If you’re backpacking and have a thin, self-inflating camping mattress with you, odds are a pump would be useless extra weight. Here are a few electric options to consider:

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Micro Pump

Therm-a-Rest rei.com

$42.95

Coleman QuickPump 4D Pump

[dknuth]

Rafting the Ahansel River in Morocco

The trip started in Marrakech.  Our hotel was the Meridian N’Fis, a large hotel around a series of gardens between the airport and the Medina; not a terribly convenient location for seeing the sights, but good for vans to pick up for the rafting.  The interior array of gardens was a pleasant place to sit and type this blog though. 

There had been a misunderstanding somewhere and I had no room reservation.  But they got me a room and I told them that the outfitter, Water by Nature, would take care of it.  I let them know and asked them to check all the other reservations too.  

We got our river gear that night and repacked our stuff into river dry bags and luggage to drop off at the hotel at the end of the river.  Then we boarded the bus and headed out.  It was a several-hour drive to the drop-off hotel and then move up into the mountains toward the put-in on the Ahansel River.  Along the way, we could just barely see the snow-covered peak of Jebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in Northern Africa.  

We stopped at the resort Widiane on Lake Bin El Ouidiane to drop off our bags. Bin El Ouidiane is a manmade lake and is clearly experiencing the same problems as our western US lakes. The water level was way below the high water mark and the design of the dam.

 We stopped in Tilouguite where the road crossed the Ahansel to get a preview of the river.  

Then on up into higher elevations where we unloaded on the banks of the river and set up our first camp, set among cottonwood trees and below rock mounts. 

We had a great sunset and hit the sleeping bags before 10.   

At dawn in the morning, we were up.  The crew made breakfast while we broke down our tents and sleeping gear and packed our dry-bags.  After breakfast, we wash dishes, pack up chairs and kitchen gear, and load the boats for the first time.   It always takes a while for everyone to learn the packing and loading procedures.  

Then it was down the river.

There were ten of us.  Five were in kayaks, a mix of hardshell and inflatable “duckies.”  The other five were in a paddle raft.  But two of them were young children.  That meant that only three adults were paddling a 14-foot raft that also had all the personal bags on it.  So we were clearly underpowered.  

The river is scenic flowing through the mountains.  The geology of the surrounding hills and canyon walls has considerable variation which enhances the experience.  

The rapids in the river are of the rock garden type, with lots of boulders to navigate through.  It quickly became clear that the 14-foot rafts were large for the spaces between the rocks.  The water level had been dropping and it was reportedly noticeably lower than it had been on the trip a couple of weeks before.  

We had two rowed gear rafts which did fairly well through the rapids because the oarsmen were experienced and knew their ability to place the rafts in the right places to get through.  

Lupe, our guide leading the paddle raft did not fare as well.  We consistently missed the lines she was aiming for.  I’ve been on enough trips that I could usually see the slot where she wanted to go, but I could frequently see that we were not well-placed and didn’t have the power to get there.  She would call the commands and I would think, “Oh, shit, we are going to hit those rocks.”  Then we would struggle to level ourselves off the rocks and frequently she would get out and pull and push the raft to get us moving.  

The kayakers on the other hand were easily able to move through the rapids and were having a great time.  

[college-girl199328]

As the union representing tens of thousands of federal public servants prepares to hold strike votes across the country, one expert in labour negotiations says we should be prepared for more contract disputes thanks to high inflation.

Earlier this week, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) announced it would hold strike votes for another 120,000 federal public servants, just two weeks after taking the same step for 35,000 taxation employees.

The main issue during talks, which started in June 2021, appears to be wage increases. PSAC is asking for an annual increase of 4.5 per cent for 2021, 2022, and 2023 for the four latest bargaining groups.

The government has countered by offering a 2.06 per cent raise on average over four years, an amount PSAC labelled as "insulting." The fact negotiations have stalled doesn't surprise Robert Hickey, an associate professor of industrial relations at Queen's University.

"The bargaining environment has been fundamentally changed by inflation," said Hickey. "What PSAC is asking seems high, but in the context of relatively high inflation it's not outside the ballpark for a starting offer."

Hickey points to labour deals reached in 2022 in several of Ontario's building and construction trades. In these deals, many workers received salary increases ranging from three to four per cent annually.

That only happened after they rejected tentative deals negotiated by their unions because they included lower increases. Hickey also reminds people that prices in Canada rose annually by 10 to 12 per cent in the early 1980s. This meant workers routinely negotiated wage increases in the range of eight to 10 per cent.

That period of high inflation led to the creation of cost-of-living provisions, which tied workers' wages to the consumer price index. "Cost-of-living adjustments don't really exist anymore in contracts because we've been through years of low inflation," said Hickey. "There's now a heightened expectation from workers for unions to fight for better economic protections against high inflation."

While the Treasury Board said through a statement it is "disappointed" PSAC has decided to call a strike vote, a recent professional head of the public service says it's unlikely to lead to a work stoppage or disruption.

"I don't think either side really has an incentive to escalate this to a serious confrontation," said Michael Wernick. From 2016 to 2019, he served as the non-partisan clerk of the Privy Council and now sits as the Jarislowsky Chair in public management at the University of Ottawa.

Wernick questions how long the public would accept being inconvenienced should a large number of public servants start work-to-rule campaigns or eventually launch strike action.

"There's only so much public sympathy given the perception and the reality that public servants enjoy job security, pensions and benefits that a lot of private sector workers don't have."

On the flip side, Wernick says the minority Liberals may want to avoid a strike that could lead to calls from an angry electorate to introduce back-to-work legislation, given that the government relies on the NDP and leader Jagmeet Singh to remain in power.

"Back-to-work legislation is anathema to the NDP, and so that would put Mr. Singh in a difficult position," said Wernick. "He might have to decide whether to bring down the government because of back-to-work legislation, so you can see that there are a lot of incentives around town to ultimately reach some kind of settlement."

He adds that one person for whom a strike could be a windfall is Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre. His successful leadership campaign focused on shrinking and limiting the government.

"I think PSAC leadership has to think through the long-term consequences," said Wernick. "They could end up weakening the government and its allies and helping Mr. Poilievre, and then they could find themselves dealing with a Poilievre government in a very different environment than the current one."

[ozma914]

2022: After-Incident Report

Let's face it: 2022 sucked.

Don't get me wrong: In no way am I suggesting 2023 will be any better. That's the mistake a lot of people made at the end of 2020 and 2021. Just the same, 2022 seems to have been, overall, the worst year of the 2020s (so far), and that's going some.

I'm sure some people had a great 2022. Arms dealers, for instance. No matter how bad a time period is, there's someone who was happy--as an example, Hitler had an awesome 1939.

 On the other hand, Vladamir Putin thought he was going to have an incredible 2022 but, like many of us, he'll hit the New Year shaking his head and saying, "What the heck just happened?"

I don't want to turn this into a Rodney Dangerfield routine. Or maybe I do--Rodney understood the value of comedic complaining. But it wasn't the best year in the world from a personal standpoint. Emily and I have been sick so much the CDC pitched a tent in our back yard. In twenty-five years, I've only had the flu once--this time came a few weeks after our flu shot.

 The above is a picture of downtown Fort Wayne I took from Lutheran Hospital. You know what that means? Yep--visiting my Dad in the hospital. Worse, then we got sick and couldn't visit him.

As I write this Emily has lost her voice. At first it was cool, because I walked around the house telling puns and singing Christmas songs loudly. Then she summoned enough strength to start throwing things at me. On a related note, I suffered a head injury this year.

Even the dog kept getting sick. He's 98 in dog years now, and as a result of old age he doesn't know if has to, um, drop a deuce until it's already happening. I mean, you can't get mad at him, and I'm all set for a future career in carpet cleaning.

"Watch your step."

 My knee going bad from early arthritis, that I expected. Getting a case of Trigger Thumb? Did not expect. (What is it? Well, it's like trigger finger, except in the thumb.) I spent most of 2022 in one of two braces.

We also seem to have started our next round of having to replace stuff. The couch broke, and the toilet broke. We could have managed without the couch. Also, the car's now running rough because the service people are unable to remove an old spark plug, which is stuck because radiator fluid is leaking around it.

I had no idea that could happen. It used to be I'd call my brother for help with these things, but, well ... the 2020s suck.

Rodney Dangerfield could have done all this better, but you get the point.

In 2022 the world population reached eight billion, and two out of three got one of the three pandemics that hit this year. The third got trigger thumb.

Inflation hit its highest level since the early 80s, a time I remember as being as bad as ... well, the early 2020s. Come to think of it, so far this winter reminds me of the early 80s. Oh, and get this: Russia's invasion of Ukraine is the biggest European war since WWII. Also, the Queen of England died, after being in that position for so long nobody remembers who she replaced. (I think it was "King Something".) So far as I'm aware, none of these are related.

There's lots of other stuff, but I'll just end with: Monkey Pox.

Rodney would have had a blast with Monkey Pox. "My doctor said I should get vaccinated. I told him I wanted a second opinion, and he said 'Okay: You're ugly, too'."

"My parents took me to a dog show--and I won."

I miss Rodney. He'd know how to face 2023.

You can find all our books here:

http://markrhunter.com/ https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0058CL6OO https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/"Mark R Hunter"

[newstfionline]

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Schools in Canadian province of Ontario to remain shut as strike grinds on (Reuters) Tens of thousands of striking teachers and education sector employees in the Canadian province of Ontario will be off the job again on Monday, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said on Sunday. Some 55,000 workers in the education sector in Ontario, the country’s largest province, went on strike on Friday after failing to reach an agreement with the provincial government on better pay and more frontline staff in schools. The walkout by teachers, educational assistants, secretaries and library workers, forced hundreds of schools to shut. The Toronto District School Board has 247,000 students in 583 schools under its supervision. Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government has rejected the striking CUPE workers’ wage demands as too high, and has passed a controversial law to force a contract on them.

Confidence, Anxiety and a Scramble for Votes Before the Midterms (NYT) The turbulent midterm campaign rolled through its final weekend on Sunday as voters—buffeted by record inflation, worries about their personal safety and fears about the fundamental stability of American democracy—showed clear signs of preparing to reject Democratic control of Washington and embrace divided government. As candidates sprinted across the country to make their closing arguments to voters, Republicans entered the final stretch of the race confident they would win control of the House and possibly the Senate. Democrats steeled themselves for potential losses even in traditionally blue corners of the country. While a majority of voters name the economy as their top concern, nearly three-quarters of Americans believe democracy is in peril, with most identifying the opposing party as the major threat. Since 1934, nearly every president has lost seats in his first midterm election. And typically, voters punish the party in power for poor economic conditions—dynamics that point toward Republican gains.

Haiti gang leader to lift fuel blockade amid shortages (AP) A powerful gang leader announced Sunday that he was lifting a blockade at a key fuel terminal that has strangled Haiti’s capital for nearly two months. The announcement by Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer nicknamed “Barbecue,” followed government claims of at least some success in efforts to reclaim the terminal, as well as a United Nations resolution targeting Cherizier with sanctions. But it remained unclear who actually controls the terminal and the surrounding area, and there had been no evidence that any fuel had been able to leave. If fuel can leave, that would ease a crisis that began when Cherizier’s G9 gang federation seized control of the area surrounding a fuel depot in Port-au-Prince on Sept. 12 to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The gang’s blockade cut off access to about 10 millions gallons of diesel and gasoline and more than 800,000 gallons of kerosene, forcing gas stations to close, hospitals to cut back on critical services and banks and grocery stores to operate on a limited schedule.

Young Migrants Describe Hunger, Illness and Trauma at U.K. Asylum Center (NYT) Mohammad, 17, emerged groggily from his hotel near Heathrow Airport into the spitting rain on Thursday, his flimsy sandals slapping at the wet concrete. Before he was taken to the hotel, Mohammad said, he spent 25 days at the Manston migrant center on England’s southeastern coast. Recounting his time in the troubled Manston center, Mohammad, who is from Iraqi Kurdistan, described how asylum seekers had been forced to sleep in chairs in freezing temperatures, adding that many had become sick in overcrowded tents. He said that he had been fed too little and often gone hungry, and that many people were “filthy” because there weren’t enough showers. “All migrants are suffering in Manston camp, believe me,” he said. “It is not a situation that humans deserve to live in.” He is just one of thousands of asylum seekers who have passed through the Manston center since it opened in January, many of them children. The center has been racked in recent weeks by mounting allegations of inhumane conditions, including severe overcrowding, and has found itself at the center of heated debate about migrant policy that has roiled Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s new government. Manston was built to hold 1,600 migrants, but in recent weeks, it had housed around 4,000.

Drought tests resilience of Spain’s olive groves and farmers (AP) An extremely hot, dry summer that shrank reservoirs and sparked forest fires is now threatening the heartiest of Spain’s staple crops: the olives that make the European country the world’s leading producer and exporter of the tiny green fruits that are pressed into golden oil. Industry experts and authorities predict Spain’s fall olive harvest will be nearly half the size of last year’s, another casualty of global weather shifts caused by climate change. “I am 57 years old and I have never seen a year like this one,” farmer Juan Antonio Delgado said as he walked past his rows of olive trees in the southeast town of Quesada. “My intention is to hang on as long as I can, but when the costs rise above what I make from production we will all be out of a job.”

A Republican winter may be coming for Ukraine (Washington Post) “Under Republicans, not another penny will go to Ukraine,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) declared at a stump speech last Thursday in Iowa. The far-right politician was looking forward to what may be the imminent future: Her party is poised to make significant gains in Tuesday’s midterm elections and possibly revamp the United States’ whole approach to supporting Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion. A Republican-led House is expected to, among other things, turn up the heat on the Biden administration over its handling of the U.S. withdrawal of Afghanistan, as well as step up political pressure on Iran. But Ukraine may feel the pinch, too, given that Congress has already greenlit upward of $60 billion in aid and Kyiv is pleading for more from the West. Ahead of the election, various GOP lawmakers and candidates have indicated the fire hose of funding needs to be turned off. “I think people are gonna be sitting in a recession and they’re not going to write a blank check to Ukraine,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) recently told Punchbowl News. “They just won’t do it.”

Kyiv region still struggles 6 months after Russian retreat (AP) Standing amid the wreckage of his home, Vadym Zherdetsky shows photos on his phone of how it once looked: handsome rooms, a hand-carved wooden bed and a chest of drawers he intended to leave to his grandchildren. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, two missiles struck the house in the tiny village of Moschun on the outskirts of the capital, ripping off the roof and nearly killing four family members. The town was recaptured from Russian forces in April, but Zherdetsky’s house, like many others in the Kyiv region, remains in ruins. “Everything changed. Our lives changed,” the 51-year-old said, wiping away tears. “Thank God it was only property, and we are alive and healthy. ... I don’t know where our kids and grandkids will live. I don’t know anything.” More than six months after Russian forces retreated from the towns around Kyiv, residents of those communities are still struggling to rebuild their lives. An estimated 1 million people—half the number who fled the region—have returned, according to local authorities. But many no longer have jobs, cannot afford to fix their houses and say they need more assistance.

India Under Smog (1440) Smog in New Delhi, India, reached hazardous levels late last week, as the air quality index hit over 400 on multiple days—10 times the World Health Organization’s target level. Many schools, factories, and construction sites closed Friday out of health concerns. India regularly tops the list of most polluted countries due to a mix of geographic- and human-caused factors. Cool, windless days in winter exacerbate the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, with cold air keeping particulates close to the ground. On top of vehicular, industrial, and energy pollutants, annual agricultural burnings in the country’s north—a practice meant to speed up the clearing of ground to plant winter crops—compound the area’s poor air quality. An estimated 1.6 million people die every year in India due to complications from air pollution.

North Korea: Missile tests were practice to attack South, US (AP) North Korea’s military said Monday its recent barrage of missile tests were practices to “mercilessly” strike key South Korean and U.S. targets such as air bases and operation command systems with a variety of missiles that likely included nuclear-capable weapons. The North’s announcement underscored leader Kim Jong Un’s determination not to back down in the face of his rivals’ push to expand their military exercises. But some experts say Kim also used their drills as an excuse to modernize his nuclear arsenal and increase his leverage in future dealings with Washington and Seoul.

Taiwan’s Bomb Shelters (NYT) Visitors to Keelung, a mountainous port city on Taiwan’s northern coast, might reasonably think that the white wall at the back of Shi Hui-hua’s breakfast shop is, well, a wall. Only a few air vents suggest that there might be something on the other side. “It’s a bomb shelter,” said Ms. Shi, 53, as she waited for the morning rush. “Because we’re Keelung people, we know these kinds of places.” “It’s a space for life,” she added. “And a space for death.” All over her street and many more in Keelung—which suffered its first foreign attack, by the Dutch, in 1642—the landscape has been carved up for protection. Kitchens connect to underground passageways that tunnel into the sandstone. Rusty gates at the ends of alleys lead to dark maws that are filled with memories of war, and sometimes trash or bats—or an altar or restaurant annex. There are nearly 700 bomb shelters in this city of 360,000 people, leading officials to declare that Keelung has a higher density of places to hide than anywhere else in heavily fortified Taiwan. On a self-governed island that China considers lost property it plans to reclaim, they are vital infrastructure.

Egypt takes on large families (Washington Post) In Rana Ragab’s crowded neighborhood on the west bank of the Nile River, her friends call her “the mother of children.” Her sixth kid is on the way. She and her husband, a butcher, are thrilled. The Egyptian government, though, sees families their size as a grave threat to the country—and has spent millions of dollars over the past several years trying to persuade parents to have fewer children. In public speeches, President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi has repeatedly scolded families for having more than two children, calling the population crisis a national security issue that has hindered progress on development goals. Cairo says the issue is more urgent than ever, as rising temperatures increasingly threaten the country’s food and water supplies.

[irvinenewshq]

What to search for within the final jobs report earlier than the midterms

New York CNN Enterprise  —  When the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its October jobs report afterward Friday morning, it will likely be the final main learn of the financial system earlier than the midterm elections — and it’ll cap per week of latest information signaling that the white-hot labor market is exhibiting solely tentative indicators of cooling off. The US financial system is anticipated to have added 200,000 jobs final month, down from 263,000 in September however effectively above the pre-pandemic common. The unemployment price is anticipated to edge up barely, to three.6% from 3.5% — nonetheless near a half-century low. However, excellent news could be very usually dangerous information, particularly on this pandemic-era financial system. (And it may very well be very dangerous information for Democrats.) Take the newest month-to-month JOLTS survey on job vacancies, quits and layoffs. Tuesday’s report shocked economists, who had predicted that the variety of job vacancies in the US would fall amid measures by the Federal Reserve to sluggish enterprise development with a purpose to tame inflation. However as a substitute of dropping to 10 million, it surged to 10.7 million. Non-public sector job development and wages additionally went up final month, defying expectations, in accordance with Wednesday’s ADP report. All of this reveals that the Fed’s most aggressive financial tightening in fashionable historical past — whereas driving up mortgage charges above 7% for the primary time in 20 years, slowing enterprise development and crimping family spending — has barely made a dent within the labor market. A robust job market in regular instances is the sort of information that is perhaps celebrated, however in 2022 it’s trigger for concern, because it suggests the financial system is overheating. On Wednesday, the Fed introduced its fourth-straight three-quarter-point hike, the newest in a collection of aggressive strikes that may have been unthinkable just some months in the past. There are presently 1.9 jobs for each one particular person in search of work, a margin that the Fed worries is protecting inflation uncomfortably excessive. With loads of choices, staff are demanding greater wages; and with few candidates, managers are forking out greater pay, which bolsters demand for items and companies (and due to this fact drives up costs). The central financial institution is charged with a twin mandate: maximize employment (verify) and guarantee value stability (uncheck). Ideally, the Fed would really like everybody to maintain their jobs whereas damping demand simply sufficient to take the warmth off client costs, which have been hovering at 40-year-highs and presently sit at 8.2%. Most economists say the chance of that so-called smooth touchdown is now distant — though Powell nonetheless considers it doable. Analysts throughout the board say the chances of a recession are excessive, if not assured. However the Fed is wagering that the ache of a recession is preferable, in the long run, to the ache of runaway costs. “Decreasing inflation is prone to require a sustained interval of below-trend development and softening of labor market situations,” Powell mentioned Wednesday. “Restoring that value stability is important to set the stage for reaching steady employment and steady costs within the longer run.” Sadly for Democrats making an attempt to carry on to energy subsequent week, the ache of inflation seems to be outweighing any constructive sentiment about job safety. In response to a brand new CNN ballot, three-quarters of doubtless voters already really feel just like the nation is in a recession. Originally published at Irvine News HQ